Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2024 Launched

• Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy launched the Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2024 at Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) in Dhanbad on July 25, 2024.
• This initiative, part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” program, was implemented across 300 locations in 47 districts of 11 coal- and lignite-rich states.
• On the launch day, nearly one million saplings were planted by various Coal and Lignite Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
• The program aims to cover 15350 hectares in the next 5 years, with 2600 hectares targeted for this fiscal year.
• The initiative uses methods like Miyawaki for dense planting, seed balls for sowing, and drones for efficient planting and resource management.
• The Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2024 focuses on combating climate change and air pollution, engaging local communities, schools, NGOs, and young people, and enhancing urban green spaces while promoting sustainability and creating green jobs.

Rashtrapati Bhavan's Durbar Hall,  Ashok Hall Renamed

• Durbar Hall was renamed Ganatantra Mandap, and Ashok Hall was renamed Ashok Mandap at Rashtrapati Bhavan on July 25, 2024.
• The President’s Secretariat announced that these changes aim to make the venue more reflective of Indian cultural values.
• Durbar Hall, previously named after the term used for courts under Indian rulers and the British, has been renamed Ganatantra Mandap, aligning with the Indian Republic concept.
• This new name reflects India's deep-rooted republican values. Ashok Hall, originally a ballroom, was renamed Ashok Mandap.
• The term Ashok, meaning "free from sorrow," also refers to Emperor Ashok, a symbol of unity and peace.
• This renaming is part of a broader effort to remove English influences and emphasize the significance of the term Ashok in Indian culture.

Model Skill Loan Scheme Launched

• Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, launched the ‘Model Skill Loan Scheme’ in New Delhi on July 25, 2024.
•  This initiative aims to enhance the skills of 25000 young people across India.
• The scheme raises the maximum loan limit from ₹ 1.5 lakh to ₹ 7.5 lakh and includes a range of financial institutions, including Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), scheduled banks, and rural banks, to offer easier access to loans for students.
• Highlighted in the Union Budget 2024-25 by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the scheme is designed to support advanced skill courses with high fees, reducing financial barriers for deserving students.
•  Key figures at the event included Secretary Atul Kumar Tiwari, NSDC CEO Ved Mani Tiwari, and AICTE Chairman T. G. Sitharam.

India Assumed Chair of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre

• India took over the Chair of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) on July 25, 2024.
• The ADPC is an independent international organization focused on disaster risk reduction and enhancing climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific.
• India, along with 8 neighboring countries—Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—is a founding member of the ADPC.
• Rajendra Singh, representing the Government of India, assumed the Chair from China for the 2024-25 term during a ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand.
• The Union Home Ministry highlighted India's growing global and regional leadership in disaster risk reduction under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting initiatives such as the International Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

Traces of Water found on Moon Soil by Chinese Lunar Probe

• In 2020, China's Chang’e-5 lunar probe returned soil and rock samples from the Moon, which have revealed small amounts of water, as reported on July 25, 2024.
• Scientists, in a study published in ‘Nature Astronomy’, found that the samples, collected from a higher latitude on the Moon, contain water in the form of hydrated salts, even in sunlit regions.
• The Chinese Academy of Sciences identified an enhanced hydrated mineral with molecular water, suggesting that lunar soil may retain water.
• Additionally, the discovery of ammonium in the samples provides insights into the Moon's atmospheric loss, hinting at a complex geological history.
• These findings could significantly impact future lunar habitation and research by indicating potential water resources for sustained human activity on the Moon.

25% of Paris Olympic Contingent of India are Khelo India Athletes

• The government announced that 25% of the Indian team for the Paris Summer Olympics 2024 consists of Khelo India athletes on July 25, 2024.
• Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya revealed in a Rajya Sabha reply that out of 117 athletes, 28 are from the Khelo India program.
•  Mansukh Mandaviya also noted that more than a thousand Khelo India Centres and 302 Accredited Academies have been established across the country.
• The Khelo India Scheme aims to discover and develop hidden sporting talent, focusing on children and youth from rural areas.

Andy Murray

• Former World No. 1 and two-time Olympic gold medallist Andy Murray announced his withdrawal from the men's singles event at the Paris Olympics on July 25, 2024.
• Instead, Andy Murray will compete in the men's doubles tournament alongside Dan Evans, as he aims for a third Olympic medal.
• This decision comes as Andy Murray plans to retire from professional tennis after the conclusion of this year's Games.

Shahrukh Khan

• Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan was honoured with personalized gold coins by the Grevin Museum in Paris, making him the first Indian actor to receive this distinction on July 25, 2024.
• The Grevin Museum, a renowned wax museum on the Grands Boulevards in Paris, features wax figures of celebrities.
• Shah Rukh Khan, known for his role in "Dunki," has wax statues in multiple museums worldwide, including in the US, UK, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Thailand, India, Singapore, and Australia.
• This recognition highlights his global influence and popularity across different countries.

Nita Ambani

• Nita Ambani was unanimously re-elected to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for a second term, on July 25, 2024.
• This re-election highlights her significant role in advancing sports in India and emphasizes India's growing influence in international sports governance.
•  Nita Ambani, founder of the Reliance Foundation, became the first Indian woman to join the IOC in 2016, a milestone that enhanced India's representation in global sports.
• She expressed gratitude to the IOC for renewing their trust in her, viewing her re-election as both a personal success and a recognition of India's progress in promoting Olympic values and initiatives.

Ajinkya Naik

• Ajinkya Naik was elected as the youngest president of the Mumbai Cricket Association, on July 25, 2024.
• Ajinkya Naik received 221 votes, while Sanjay Naik got 114 votes. The election followed the death of former MCA President Amol Kale.
• Previously the MCA Secretary, Ajinkya Naik attributed his win to his extensive experience and involvement in various committees.

'Officier Dans I’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres' Award

• Rahaab Allana, a curator and author, was honored with the insignia of Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government on July 25, 2024.
• This prestigious award acknowledges individuals who have made significant contributions to the fields of art, culture, and literature, or who have impacted the global arts community.
•  The award ceremony was held at the French Embassy in New Delhi.
• Rahaab Allana, associated with the Alkazi Foundation for the Arts, was recognized for his significant work in curating contemporary South Asian photography.
• He has been notable for promoting Indo-French artistic collaborations and enhancing cultural ties between the two nations.

Telangana Budget 2.0

• The Telangana State government unveiled budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, totaling  ₹ 291159 crore on July 25, 2024.
• The budget emphasizes welfare, infrastructure, and fiscal discipline, allocating major funds to agriculture and allied sectors.
• It includes ₹ 220945 crore for revenue expenditure and ₹ 33487 crore for capital expenditure.
• The state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) grew by 11.9% to ₹ 1463963 crore, but the growth rate of 7.4% was slightly below the national average.
• The budget highlights the need for fiscal reforms to ensure economic stability, with significant allocations to various sectors, including agriculture, SC and ST development, education, and healthcare.

Anti Paper Leak Bill Passed in Bihar

• The Bihar Assembly passed the Anti-Paper Leak Bill to curb cheating in government recruitment exams on July 25, 2024.
• Introduced by State Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, the bill enforces severe penalties, including a minimum 10-year prison sentence and a fine of at least ₹1 crore for offenders.
• The bill was approved despite an Opposition walkout, protesting the state's law and order and the lack of special status for Bihar.
• The bill allows for property seizure of those convicted and makes it difficult for them to obtain bail.
• Crimes under this law are classified as cognizable and non-cognizable, ensuring strict legal action against malpractice in exams.

Project Swasthya Nagaram of Telangana Launched

• Telangana launched Project Swasthya Nagaram, aiming to create TB-free municipalities in Peerzadiguda, Boduppal, and Pocharam on July 24, 2024.
•  This initiative, spread over three years, is a joint effort by the State Tuberculosis Cell, local municipal corporations, the Central TB Division, WHO India, USAID, and other stakeholders.
•  The project focuses on urban areas where social factors significantly affect the TB burden, promoting a comprehensive approach that includes surveillance, prevention, and quality TB care.
• The initiative aims to reduce TB incidence by one-third and lower TB-related mortality over the project period, providing a model for tackling TB in urban settings.