India Contributed $1.16million to the UN for the Promotion of Hindi

• India contributed $1.16 million to the United Nations to promote Hindi on June 27, 2024.
• R. Ravindra, India's charge d'affaires to the UN, handed the cheque to Ian Phillips, director of the News and Media Division of the UN’s Department of Global Communications (DGC), for the Hindi @ UN project.
•  Since 2018, India has partnered with the DGC to enhance the UN's public outreach in Hindi and raise awareness of global issues among Hindi speakers.
• The UN produces a weekly Hindi audio news bulletin and maintains
• Hindi social media accounts on X, Instagram, and Facebook, as well as a news website financial constraints have limited multilingual efforts, which is why India supports the Hindi initiative.

‘Hunar’ Indian Folk and Tribal Art Exhibition Opened in Dubai

• The Dubai Art Centre, a longstanding cultural institution in the city, hosted the "Hunar" exhibition, showcasing an enchanting collection of Indian folk and tribal art on June 27, 2024.
• This exhibition celebrates the diverse cultural heritage of India through various artistic traditions.
• Attendees have the chance to explore a range of styles originating from different regions of India, such as Aipan art from Uttarakhand, Madhubani art from Bihar, and Warli art from Maharashtra.
• Additionally, the exhibition highlights vibrant murals from Kerala and intricate Muria art from Chhattisgarh, each piece offering a glimpse into India's rich cultural tapestry.
• "Hunar" presents a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts in Dubai to deeply engage with and appreciate the artistic depth and cultural legacy of Indian folk and tribal art.

Two New Schemes launched on World MSME Day

• On World MSME Day, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Jitan Ram Manjhi, introduced 2 new schemes in New Delhi on June 27, 2024.
•  The 'MSME TEAM' scheme aims to integrate 5 lakh micro and small enterprises into the Open Network for Digital Commerce.
•  Meanwhile, the Yashasvini campaign focuses on raising awareness to formalize women-owned informal micro enterprises and provide necessary support.
• During the Udyami Bharat event, Jitan Ram Manjhi emphasized the need for MSMEs to adopt digital and technological solutions in the rapidly evolving industrial landscape.
• He also highlighted that ongoing government reforms, including legal changes in the MSME sector, will act as a force multiplier.

Mini RATNA Status Granted to ‘Central Electronics Limited’

• During its Golden Jubilee celebration, Central Electronics Limited (CEL) attained "Mini RATNA" status, signifying its transformation into a profitable Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) on June 27, 2024.
•  This achievement highlights CEL's journey from a loss-making entity to a financially viable organization.
• It reported a net profit of around ₹58 crore and consistently paid dividends to the Government of India for three consecutive years.
• This turnaround marks a significant milestone for the company, which has played a crucial role in sectors such as Defence, Railway, Security, Surveillance, and Solar energy.

Trilateral Multi-Domain Exercise of South Korea, US and Japan (Defence)

• South Korea, the US, and Japan commenced their inaugural trilateral multi-domain exercise, named Freedom Edge, in South Korea’s Jeju Island on June 27, 2024.
• This 3-day exercise aims to enhance security cooperation in response to threats from North Korea amidst its strengthening relations with Russia.
• The exercise will focus on various areas including ballistic missile defense, air defense, anti submarine warfare, search and rescue operations, maritime interdiction, and defensive cyber training.
• Earlier, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a summit in Pyongyang, where they signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty that includes provisions for mutual military assistance in case of attack.

ISRO announced to Launch SSLV’s First Dedicated Commercial in 2026 (Space)

• India's Space Research Organization (ISRO) announced the inaugural commercial launch of its latest rocket, the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) on June 27, 2024.
• This historic event will see the Optimus satellite, manufactured by Australia's Space Machines Company, being deployed into space scheduled for 2026.
• Codenamed Space MAITRI (Mission for Australia-India’s Technology, Research, and Innovation), this mission signifies a crucial advancement in the strategic partnership and joint space endeavors between the two nations.
•  ISRO's SSLV is designed to efficiently launch satellites weighing up to 500 kg into various sun-synchronous orbits, emphasizing cost-effectiveness and modular flexibility for diverse mission requirements.

Pakistan Initiated New Military Operation ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ (Defence)

• Pakistan initiated Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, also known as "Resolve for Stability," in response to escalating violence and terrorism on June 27, 2024.
• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reviewed the country's anti-terrorism strategies, drawing lessons from the National Action Plan established after the tragic 2014 attack.
• Operation Azm-e-Istehkam aims to enhance national security by addressing internal threats and curtailing cross-border insurgencies from Afghanistan.
•  The operation will escalate efforts against terrorists and employ socioeconomic measures to foster community well-being and counter extremist ideologies.
•  Additionally, the plan seeks to bolster legal frameworks for law enforcement agencies to expedite prosecutions and manage cases related to terrorism effectively.

‘ABHYAS’ Completed Successful Development Trials (Defence)

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation achieved 6 consecutive successful trials of the High Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) 'ABHYAS' with an improved booster on June 27, 2024.
•  ABHYAS, developed at ADE (Aeronautical Development Establishment), serves as a high-speed target for weapon systems practice, featuring autonomous flight capabilities guided by an autopilot.
• It incorporates RCS (Radar Cross Section), visual, and IR augmentation systems essential for realistic weapon testing scenarios.
•  The trials validated various mission objectives including safe booster release, launcher clearance, and endurance performance.
•  Notably, 2 launches were conducted consecutively within a short interval of 30 minutes, demonstrating operational efficiency with minimal logistical requirements.

David Warner

•  David Warner, one of cricket's most dynamic players, officially announced his retirement from international cricket on June 27, 2024.
•  After a distinguished 15-year career with the Australian national team, his decision followed Australia's exit from the T20 World Cup during the Super 8 phase.
• His final match was against India in the T20 World Cup, where his performance was underwhelming:

1. David Warner managed to score only 6 runs from 6 balls.
2. He was dismissed by Arshdeep Singh, caught at slip by Suryakumar Yadav.
3. There was no ceremonial send-off or acknowledgment, as it remained uncertain if this would indeed mark his last appearance.

Travis Head

•  Travis Head has ascended in the international T20I batting rankings due to his consistent performances as of June 27, 2024.
•  Notably, he showcased his prowess by scoring 45 runs off 22 balls against New Zealand earlier in the year.
•  Over the past year, he has established himself as one of the most effective starters in the format.
• Suryakumar Yadav, who held the top spot in the men’s T20I batting rankings since December 2023, has now been surpassed by Travis Head.
• This shift in rankings reflects Travis Head's impressive form and impact in T20I cricket.

Kiran Pahal

•  Indian track athlete Kiran Pahal secured her qualification for the upcoming Paris Olympics in the Women’s 400m event on June 27, 2024.
• Competing at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Panchkula, the 24-year-old athlete from Haryana achieved a time of 50.92 seconds in the semi-finals.
•  This performance surpassed the Olympic qualification standard of 50.95 seconds.
• Kiran Pahal now ranks as the second fastest Indian female sprinter in the 400m category, following Hima Das, who holds the national record with a time of 50.79 seconds set at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.

Chris Silverwood

• Chris Silverwood, former head coach of the Sri Lankan men’s cricket team, resigned from his position citing personal reasons on June 27, 2024.
• Chris Silverwood expressed his desire to prioritize spending quality time with his family and loved ones following the demanding nature of his coaching role.
• He assumed the role of Sri Lanka's head coach in April 2022, transitioning from his previous position as head coach of the England men’s team.
•  During his tenure, Sri Lanka achieved success with 8 Test match victories, 26 wins in One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 18 triumphs in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
• His resignation marks the conclusion of his coaching stint with Sri Lanka, highlighting his contributions and the reasons behind his decision to step down.

Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2024

• Sanjana Thakur emerged victorious at the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2024 in London on June 27, 2024, triumphing over more than 7359 global contestants to win £5000.
•  Her winning story, titled "Aishwarya Rai," draws inspiration from the Bollywood actress to offer a unique twist on the traditional adoption narrative.
•  The narrative centers on Avni, a young woman in Mumbai who navigates choosing a mother from a local shelter, grappling with perceptions of cleanliness and beauty.
• Her story, characterized by its concise prose and stanza-like structure, blends brutal irony, sarcasm, cynicism, and wry humor to explore themes of fractured families and individual identity in urban settings.

Sustainable Governance Champion Award

• Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited was honored with the "Sustainable Governance Champion Award" at the Outlook Planet Sustainability Summit & Awards on June 27, 2024.
• This accolade recognizes GRSE's dedication to employing sustainable business practices, particularly in shipbuilding, where the company integrates eco-friendly technologies and adheres to global sustainability standards.
•  GRSE is committed to ecological stewardship, emphasizing both operational efficiency and environmental care.
• The award underscores GRSE's leadership in promoting sustainability and responsible governance within the defense and maritime sectors, setting benchmarks for industry standards.

Leopard Safari opened in Bannerghatta

• Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre inaugurated South India’s first and largest leopard safari at the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) in Bengaluru on June 27, 2024.
•  This significant event marks a milestone in India’s wildlife conservation and tourism efforts.
•  The safari spans 20 hectares and adheres to Central Zoo Authority guidelines for safety and ecosystem replication.
•  Costing ₹4.5 crore, it simulates the leopards’ natural habitat with hills, rocky outcrops, and deciduous woods.
•  The enclosure features a 4.5m high vertical chain-link mesh and MS sheets angled at 30° for safety.
• 8 leopards are initially released for the safari, offering visitors an opportunity to observe them closely, enhancing awareness and education on leopard conservation.
• The park also focuses on rehabilitating rescued leopard cubs for a life closer to their natural habitat.