“IMPORTANT DAYS”

World Humanitarian Day 2024

World Humanitarian Day, observed annually on August 19th, takes on a somber tone in 2024 as the global community faces a grim reality: humanitarian workers are increasingly becoming targets in conflict zones. The year 2023 marked the deadliest year on record for aid workers, and 2024 threatens to surpass this grim milestone. This alarming trend underscores a critical failure in protecting those who dedicate their lives to helping others in the world’s most challenging environments.

 “APPOINTMENTS”

Ashok Kumar Singh Takes Over Director General, ESIC

Shri Ashok Kumar Singh, IAS took over the charge of Director General of Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) under Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India at its Headquarters in New Delhi on August 19. Shri Ashok Kumar Singh is an IAS Officer of 1999 batch of Kerala cadre. Earlier, he has worked as a Principal Secretary, Water Resources Department, Govt. of Kerala. He has got vast experience of governance and management of District and State level organisations.

Govind Mohan appointed as new Home Secretary

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed 1989-Sikkim cadre IAS officer Govind Mohan as the next Home Secretary. Mohan will replace Ajay Kumar Bhalla upon completion of his tenure on August 22. Mohan is currently posted as Secretary in the Ministry of Culture. Bhalla, a 1984-batch IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, was appointed as Home Secretary in August 2019.

 “SPORTS”

Gus Atkinson and Chamari Athapaththu crowned as Player of the month award for July 2024

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the recipients of the ICC Players of the Month awards for July 2024. England’s Gus Atkinson and Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu have been crowned as the standout performers in men’s and women’s cricket, respectively, for their exceptional contributions to the sport during the month.

“DEFENCE”

India, Sri Lanka Deploy K9s in Exercise Mitra Shakti

The 10th edition of Exercise Mitra Shakti, a joint military training exercise between India and Sri Lanka, is happening from August 12 to 25, 2024, at the Army Training School in Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka. This year, military dogs, also called “K9s,” are playing a key role, showing how important they are in modern military operations. The Indian Army has brought Zac, a two-and-a-half-year-old Belgian Malinois, who is skilled in various tactical operations like searching in jungles and conducting cordon-and-search missions.

“NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS”

Three more Ramsar wetland sites now in India, taking total to 85

Three more Indian sites have been added to the list of wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, taking the total number of such highly-recognized waterlogged ecosystems in the country to 85. The Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and the Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, and the Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh are the three wetlands which have got the Ramsar site tag.

Delhi Airport 1st In Country To Get ‘Net Zero Carbon Emission’ Status

Delhi’s IGI Airport has become the first Indian airport to achieve the status of ‘Net Zero Carbon Emission Airport’ (Level 5 certification) under the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) programme of Airport Council International (ACI). Initially the airport had set a target of achieving a net zero carbon emission by 2030. But through various measures including use of renewable energy, promotion of electric vehicles and development of infrastructure for a green airport, DIAL achieved its target ahead of schedule.