India to Launch First National Toll-Free Anti-Narcotics Helpline

• India has launched a toll-free helpline 1933, named MANAS, to combat narcotics crimes, initiated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah as announced on July 16, 2024.
•  The helpline aims for a 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' by 2047 and was officially launched at the 7th Narco-Coordination Centre meeting on July 18, 2024.
•  MANAS offers a 24/7 platform for citizens to report drug-related crimes confidentially, including trafficking, illegal sale, storage, manufacturing, and cultivation of narcotics.
• Reports can be made via phone (1933), email ([email protected]), or the website ncbmanas.gov.in.
• The initiative aims to improve the reporting system, replacing an older, less accessible one.

The ‘One Scientist, One Product’ Scheme Launched by ICAR

• The ‘One Scientist-One Product’ program, launched by Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) on July 16, 2024, marks a significant milestone in the organization’s commitment to advancing agricultural science and technology.
• This innovative initiative was launched on ICAR’s 96th foundation day in Delhi, serving as a platform to showcase recent achievements and future initiatives.
• The event highlighted the formal introduction of 323 new varieties across 56 crops, encompassing cereals, oilseeds, forage crops, and sugarcane.
• Notably, these releases include 289 climate-resilient varieties designed to withstand environmental stresses, and 27 bio-fortified varieties aimed at enhancing crop nutritional value.
• The program aims to focus and streamline research efforts in agriculture and animal husbandry by assigning specific products or research areas to individual scientists.
• This approach is expected to enhance specialization, improve research efficiency, and accelerate the development of new agricultural technologies and products.

India is hosting UNESCO World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2024

• India is hosting the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting for the first time, along with the 2024 World Heritage Young Professionals Forum in New Delhi from July 14 -23, 2024.
• Young professionals from around the world will gather to enhance skills in heritage preservation and sustainable development.
• Organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India, the forum integrates global heritage concepts with local Indian heritage management.
•  Participants will address climate change impacts on World Heritage sites and explore adaptive preservation strategies.
• The forum will examine technology’s role in promoting and conserving heritage, emphasizing innovative approaches.
• Activities include presentations, roundtable discussions, and visits to iconic sites like Qutb Minar, Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, and the Taj Mahal.

2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation to be hosted by India

• India will host the second Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation, as announced on July 16, 2024.
• The conference will take place on September 11 and 12, 2024, with representatives from around 40 countries, including China and Pakistan.
• The Asia Pacific region significantly contributes to global air traffic, and India is the world’s fastest-growing aviation market. The first conference was held in Beijing in 2018.
• This event, organized by the Indian government and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) APAC, will see participation from countries like Australia, Singapore, France, the US, the UK, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Pakistan, and Japan.
• The conference aims to address key issues and advancements in the aviation sector within the Asia Pacific region.

Dubai Begins Trials for World's First 3D Printed Electric Abra

• Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) commenced the trial operation of the world's inaugural electric abra crafted through 3D printing technology on July 16, 2024.
• This innovative abra, capable of accommodating 20 passengers, retains the traditional abra identity.
• Manufactured by Al Seer Marine Company in Abu Dhabi, the project involved collaboration with global entities such as Mitsubishi from Japan.
• The initiative aligns with Dubai’s 3D printing strategy, aiming to reduce manufacturing time by 90%, lower costs by 30%, and decrease operation and maintenance expenses by 30%.
• Moreover, it supports RTA’s environmental sustainability goals for maritime transport.

Global Conference on Space Research in South Korea

• For the first time, South Korea hosted a conference on July 16, 2024, bringing together 3000 scientists and industry leaders from 60 nations.
•  Yoon Young-bin of KASA emphasized South Korea’s commitment to innovative space projects and supporting its growing space industry.
• Plans include enhancing local companies for global competitiveness and promoting peaceful international space cooperation.
• KASA's ambitious goals include exploring Lagrange points like L4, developing reusable rockets, and Moon and Mars missions.

India’s First overseas Jan Aushadi Kendra Opened in Mauritius

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar inaugurated India’s first overseas Jan Aushadi Kendra in Mauritius, alongside Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth on July 16, 2024.
• This initiative fulfills a promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year.
• The Jan Aushadi Kendra aims to supply cost-effective, made-in-India medicines to enhance public healthcare and well-being in Mauritius.
• Additionally, S. Jaishankar inaugurated the Mediclinic project at Grand Bois, funded by an Indian grant, which will provide secondary healthcare to 16000 people in the area.
• He emphasized that this project is a testament to the strong friendship between India and Mauritius.
• S. Jaishankar highlighted the importance of health, noting that it has become a priority for everyone.

New High-Efficacy Malaria Vaccine Launched (Health and Nutrition)

• The R21/Matrix-M vaccine in Cote d’Ivoire has been launched in the global fight against malaria on July 16, 2024.
• Approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) the previous year, this vaccine was administered nationwide for the first time.
•  Developed jointly by the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India (SII), with Novavax contributing its Matrix-M adjuvant technology, the vaccine underwent rigorous World Health organisation WHO regulatory and clinical trials affirming its efficacy and safety.
• Notably, it requires only a small dose yet boasts high effectiveness, facilitating rapid mass production; 25 million doses have already been manufactured, with plans to increase production to 100 million annually.

THINQ 2024 Quiz Launched by Indian Navy (Defence)

• The Indian Navy launched THINQ 2024, its premier national-level quiz competition on July 16, 2024.
• This year’s theme, ‘Viksit Bharat’, echoes the government’s vision to elevate India to a developed nation status by 2047, coinciding with the 100th year of independence.
• Open to students from Class 9 to 12 nationwide, the contest will be conducted in a hybrid format across four stages to ensure a thorough evaluation of participants.
• Schools interested in participating can register through the THINQ 2024 website, "www.indiannavythinq.in", which offers detailed event information.
• The Defence Ministry highlighted that THINQ 2024 not only fosters intellectual development but also inspires patriotism by celebrating India’s rich cultural heritage.

Thomas Muller

• German football icon Thomas Müller has decided to retire from international football following Euro 2024's conclusion on July 16, 2024.
•  His retirement marks the end of a distinguished career spanning more than a decade, leaving an enduring impact on German and global football.
• Thomas Muller debuted for the German national team in March 2010, initiating a remarkable journey that established him as one of Germany's most celebrated players.
•  His pinnacle moment occurred during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where he played a pivotal role in Germany's triumph.
• He scored 5 goals throughout the tournament, including a memorable hat-trick against Portugal in the group stage, contributing significantly to Germany's World Cup victory.

E-Mobility Research and Development Roadmap for India Repeat Launched in New Delhi

• Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, launched the E-Mobility Research and Development Roadmap for India Report in New Delhi on July 16, 2024.
• This comprehensive roadmap was developed after extensive analysis of global trends in the automotive sector, focusing on future technological needs.
• It categorizes research initiatives into 4 key areas:
• Energy Storage Cells,
• EV Aggregates,
• Materials and Recycling, and
• Charging and Refueling, aiming to guide India towards self-reliance (Atmanirbhar) within 5 years.
• He emphasized India's targets of reducing emission intensity by 45% by 2030, achieving energy independence by 2047, and committing to net-zero emissions by 2070.
• Critical to this vision is the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, local production of energy storage systems, and expansion of renewable energy sources for charging infrastructure, given the current heavy dependence on imports in the e-mobility sector.

‘Ladka Bhau’ Yojana of Maharashtra

• Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the 'Ladka Bhau' Yojana, a youth job training and stipend scheme on July 16, 2024.
• This announcement came shortly after introducing a monthly financial assistance scheme for eligible women.
• The scheme, primarily targeting men, was revealed in Pandharpur, Solapur district, on Ashadhi Ekadashi.
• He stated that job seekers who have passed class 12 will receive a stipend of ₹6000, diploma holders ₹8000, and bachelor's degree holders ₹10000 per annum during their on-the-job training in the industry.