Current Affairs 04 September 2024

1. Anuya Prasad Wins Gold at World Deaf Shooting Championship
At the second World Deaf Shooting Championship in
Hannover, Germany, 17-year-old Anuya Prasad from Jaipur won gold in the women’s air pistol event. A first-year Visual Arts student at Rajasthan University, Anuya secured victory with a final shot of 10.3, edging out Ukraine’s Sofia Olenych by just 0.1 point. Anuya scored a total of 232.2 points, while Olenych finished with 232.1 points. Ukrainian Halyna Mosina claimed the bronze with 208.5 points.

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The Indian contingent excelled, winning four medals at the championship.
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Anuya Prasad won gold in the women’s air pistol event.
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Abhinav Deshwal secured silver in the men’s 10m air pistol event.
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Deshwal, along with Shubham Vashist and Chetan Sapkal, also earned silver in the men’s 10m air pistol team event.
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Shubham Vashist additionally won bronze in the individual men’s 10m air pistol event.
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A total of 69 athletes from 16 countries participated in the competition.
2.India and UNESCO to Co-Organize 2024 Chief Science Advisers Roundtable in Paris
The 2024 Chief Science Advisers’ Roundtable (CSAR) is
scheduled for September 6, 2024, at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris. This event is a collaborative effort between the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and UNESCO’s Natural Sciences Sector. Originally launched during India’s G20 Presidency in 2023, CSAR aims to enhance global science advisory mechanisms.

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Delegations from 28 countries, led by Chief Science Advisers or equivalents, will attend.
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Six international organizations will participate.
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The theme is "Fostering open science, bridging knowledge asymmetry, and building global science advice capacity."
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Co-chaired by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood (India's Principal Scientific Adviser) and Dr. Lidia Brito (UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences).
3. Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches AgriSURE Fund
In a significant development for India’s agricultural sector,
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, launched the AgriSURE Scheme in New Delhi. The AgriSURE Fund, formally known as the Agri Fund for Start-ups & Rural Enterprises, is a ₹750 crore blended capital fund aimed at fostering innovation and growth in the agricultural and rural start-up ecosystem. With contributions from the Government of India, NABARD, and private investors, this initiative is expected to revolutionize the agricultural landscape by supporting high-risk, technology-driven ventures.

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Union Ministers of State for Agriculture, Shri Bhagirath Choudhary and Shri Ram Nath Thakur, attended the launch event.
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Other dignitaries included Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
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Shri Chouhan highlighted the government’s dedication to empowering farmers and boosting agricultural productivity.
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He emphasized the role of technology and innovation in fostering a prosperous farming community.
4. UP Govt to Build Vedic-3D Museum in Varanasi
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced the
construction of a Vedic-3D museum at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency. This state-of-the-art museum will focus on Indian astrology, astronomy, and Vedic literature. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made the announcement during his visit to the university, highlighting its role in showcasing the evolution of Vedic literature, including the 16 Sanskars, 64 arts, and 18 Vidya Sthans, as well as the contributions of Indian sages.

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The museum will display rare manuscripts from Saraswati Bhawan.
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Exhibits include “Raas Panchadhyayi,” Shrimad Bhagwat Gita, and Durgasaptashati.
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Manuscripts are adorned with intricate gold artistry.
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It aims to revive the tradition of ‘Shastrartha’ (spiritual discourse).
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The museum will serve as a platform for deepening knowledge in Vedic literature.
About UP:
Capital: Lucknow
Governor:Anandiben Patel
Chief Minister:Yogi Adityanath
5. World Bank raises India’s growth forecast for FY25 to 7%
Government data from last week showed that the Indian
economy grew at 6.7% in the first quarter of FY 2024-25. The slowdown was attributed to decreased government spending during the national elections.

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India remains the world's fastest-growing major economy, with a 6.7% growth rate, outperforming China's 4.7%.
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Economic experts expect the slowdown to be temporary.
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Predictions suggest that declining inflation and increased government spending will boost growth in the coming months.
About World Bank:
Headquarters: Washington
President: Ajay Banga
Founded: 1944
6.ISA to launch $100 million solar facility, insurance mechanism to accelerate solar power projects
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) will introduce a $100
million fund called the Global Solar Facility. This initiative aims to catalyze up to $1.5 billion in funding to expand decentralized solar power capacities in the least developed African countries, where over 700 million people lack access to electricity.

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The Gross Value Added (GVA) grew by 6.8% in the April-June quarter compared to the same period last year.
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This is an increase from the 6.3% GVA growth recorded in the previous quarter.
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The announcement will be made at ISA’s first international solar festival on 5-6 September in the national capital.
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The event will aim to catalyze global solar adoption through partnerships, innovative financing, advanced technology, and capacity building in ISA member countries.
7.SEBI approves Nehal Vora’s appointment as MD and CEO of CDSL
Central Depository Services (India) Limited (CDSL)
announced that it has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for Nehal Vora's appointment as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO).

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Nehal Vora's appointment is pending formal acceptance of the offer.
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It requires meeting specific terms and conditions.
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Shareholder ratification from CDSL is necessary.
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Completion of other procedural formalities is also needed.
About SEBI:
Founded: 12 April 1988
Chairman : Madhabi Puri Buch
Headquarters: Mumbai
8. L’Oreal Paris Announces Alia Bhatt as New Global Brand Ambassador
French cosmetics giant L’Oreal Paris has made a significant
announcement, revealing that it has signed Alia Bhatt, one of Bollywood’s most prominent actresses, as its newest global brand ambassador. This partnership marks a major milestone for both the brand and the actress, signaling L’Oreal’s continued focus on diversity and global representation.

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Recognition of Bhatt’s international appeal.
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Appreciation for her roles both in front of and behind the camera.
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Alignment with L’Oréal’s values of diversity and representation.
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Bhatt’s role in promoting Indian cinema globally.
9. Deepthi Jeevanji’s Bronze Triumph at the 2024 Paris Paralympics
In a remarkable display of athleticism and determination,
Deepthi Jeevanji, the 20-year-old world champion sprinter from India, has secured a bronze medal in the women’s 400m T20 event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. This achievement marks a significant milestone in Jeevanji’s career, coming in her debut Games appearance.

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India's medal count stands at 16, with 3 golds.
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Track-and-field events contributed 6 medals, showcasing India's strength in para-athletics.
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India is currently 18th in the overall standings.
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Born to farm laborers in Kalleda Village, Warangal district, Telangana.
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Diagnosed with intellectual impairment after being identified at a school-level athletics meet.
10.GRSE signs MoU with NHIDCL for Double-Lane Modular bridges
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) has
signed an MoU with the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) to supply and launch Double-Lane Class 70 modular steel and Bailey bridges.

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The bridges have a carriageway width of 7.5 meters for two-way traffic, per MORTH specifications.
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The agreement aims to improve connectivity in critical border areas.
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It facilitates the smooth deployment of troops and equipment.
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GRSE’s double-lane steel bridge is the only indigenous solution of its kind, supporting the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan'.
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