New Internship Initiatives Announced

• Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on July 27, 2024 announced a new internship scheme for over 4 crore youth over the next five years.
• It would provide employment, skill development, and opportunities. Minister highlighted that internships at top companies would enhance skills and boost youth employability.
• The scheme offers internships to 1 crore youth across 500 top companies over five years.
• Each intern will receive ₹5000 per month during the 12-month internship and a one-time assistance of ₹6000.
• This initiative is expected to significantly improve the skill set and job prospects of the participating youth.

NITI Aayog’s 9th Governing Council Meeting

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the goal of Viksit Bharat@2047 at the 9th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog on July 27, 2024.
•  He urged states to play a pivotal role in achieving this vision, highlighting the decade's opportunities and the importance of conducive policies for international investments.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that a united effort by all states is crucial for making India a developed nation. He praised initiatives like the Aspirational Districts Programme and called for effective water resource management.
•  The meeting, focused on "Viksit Bharat@2047," aimed to enhance governance and collaboration between the Centre and states.

New Technology Security Initiative launched by UK and India

• India and the UK launched the Technology Security Initiative (TSI) to strengthen their strategic partnership in technology, crucial for national security and economic growth on July 27, 2024.
• The TSI reflects both countries' commitment to enhancing collaboration on emerging technologies.
• According to the India-UK Roadmap 2030, technology is a key area of focus.
• The initiative will establish a two-way system overseen by the National Security Advisors (NSAs) of both nations to address trade issues related to critical technologies and facilitate in-depth cooperation.

Japan’s Sado Gold Mine given UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site Status

• UNESCO added Japan's Sado gold and silver mines to its World Heritage List following South Korea's withdrawal of objections on July 27, 2024.
• This decision is notable because of the historical issue of forced labor during World War II, where Korean workers were subjected to harsh conditions.
•  Japan strongly supported the inclusion, highlighting the mines' cultural, historical, and archaeological value, including traditional mining methods and the unique social structure of the mining community.
• After prolonged negotiations, South Korea consented to the listing on the condition that the history of forced labor would be properly acknowledged.
• The inclusion aims to enhance tourism, raise global awareness of the site’s significance, and address historical wrongs by recognizing the darker aspects of its history.

All India Consumer Price Index Raised

• In June 2024, the All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) and Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) rose by 11 points to 1280 and 1292, respectively.
• Year-on-year inflation rates were 7.02% for CPI-AL and 7.04% for CPI-RL, up from 6.31% and 6.16% in June 2023.
• In January 2024, both indices increased by 1 point, reaching 1258 (CPI-AL) and 1268 (CPI-RL). Key contributors to the rise included higher costs for miscellaneous items and fuel.
• Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh had the highest CPI-AL and CPI-RL indices, respectively.
• The inflation rates in January 2024 were 7.52% (CPI-AL) and 7.37% (CPI-RL), while food inflation was 9.67% and 9.43%.

23 Starlink Satellite Launched (SPACE)

• SpaceX launched 23 Starlink satellites from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA on July 27, 2024.
• The satellites were carried into low Earth orbit by a Falcon 9 rocket, with the booster, tail number B1077, making its 14th successful flight.
• This booster had previously launched NASA's Crew-5 mission, the GPS 3 Space Vehicle 06 satellite, and two cargo missions to the International Space Station.
•  B1077 landed on the SpaceX droneship, 'A Shortfall of Gravitas,' approximately eight minutes after liftoff, marking its 77th landing on the ship and the 331st booster landing overall.
• The Starlink 10-4 mission was the 51st dedicated Starlink launch of 2024 and the 114th dedicated launch of the V2 Mini Starlink satellites.

SearchGPT launched by OpenAI

• OpenAI has introduced SearchGPT, an AI-powered search tool aimed at challenging Google’s dominance in search engines as of July 27, 2024.
• SearchGPT enhances user experience by providing real-time information and results from the internet, including summaries and source links.
• It allows users to ask follow-up questions for more detailed answers, making searches more interactive.
• Currently, SearchGPT is being tested with a select group of users and publishers for feedback. Interested users can join a waitlist at chatgpt.com/search.
• OpenAI plans to integrate SearchGPT into its ChatGPT platform to streamline searches and improve AI interactions.
• Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, highlighted the importance of ensuring that AI search technologies respect news and publishers to maintain a robust information ecosystem.

India House Inaugurated at Paris Olympics 2024

• Nita Ambani inaugurated India House at the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking India's first country house at the Games on July 27, 2024.
•  This milestone symbolizes India's Olympic aspirations and hopes for hosting the Games in the future.
• Nita Ambani emphasized that India House serves as a "home away from home" for athletes, celebrating their achievements.
• The venue, located at Parc de la Villette in the Park of Nations, operates daily from 11 am to 11 pm during the Olympics, from July 27 to August 11, 2024.
• It offers an immersive experience with yoga sessions, cultural workshops, traditional crafts, panel discussions, and celebrations of Indian athletes' victories.
•  The opening event featured performances by Bollywood star Shaan, traditional Indian music, and a Mallakhamb demonstration by visually impaired children.

Shekhar Kapur

• Veteran filmmaker Shekhar Kapur was appointed as the festival director for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on July 27, 2024.
• Shekhar Kapur, renowned for films like “Mr India” and “Bandit Queen,” will lead the festival in its 55th and 56th editions, held annually in Goa.
•  This appointment marks his return to IFFI, where he previously chaired the international competition jury and awarded the Golden Peacock for best film to Abbas Amini’s "Endless Borders."
•  Shekhar Kapur also served as the head of the Film and Television Institute of India from 2020 to 2023.
• Last year's IFFI featured around 250 films from 78 countries and included 23 masterclasses and discussion events.

Rajbhasha Gaurav Samman Award

• Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in Visakhapatnam were commended by the Town Official Language Implementation Committee (TOLIC) for promoting Hindi on July 27, 2024.
• The "Rajbhasha Gaurav Samman" awards for 2023–24 were presented at an event organized by NTPC.
•  Atul Bhatt, Chairman of TOLIC and CEO of RINL, lauded the PSUs' achievements and encouraged pride in winning the 2022–23 Regional Official Language Award.
• The "Rajbhasha Gaurav Samman," established in 1986 by the Indian government, honors significant contributions to the use of Hindi in various sectors, including administration.
•  This annual award, which includes a citation and cash prize, aims to promote Hindi and enhance linguistic diversity, recognizing both public and private institutions.

Gujarat establish ‘GRIT’ think tank

• Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel proposed establishing the Gujarat State Institution for Transformation (GRIT), modeled after the NITI Aayog, on July 27, 2024.
• Bhupendra Patel emphasized Gujarat's dedication to achieving the prime minister's vision of a developed India by 2047.
• He introduced the 'Gujarat@2047 Dynamic Document-Roadmap,' outlining the state's strategy for becoming a developed state, which aligns with the broader goal of creating a developed India.
• This initiative reflects Gujarat's commitment to progress and transformation, aiming to contribute significantly to the nation's development goals.

Jammu and Kashmir Initiated Rooftop Solar Projects

• The Jammu and Kashmir government launched a project to install rooftop solar power systems on over 40000 buildings, by the end of 2025 on July 27, 2024.
•  These include both government and residential properties.This initiative aims to add 270 MW of solar power capacity, covering 20000 households and 22494 government buildings.
•  Currently, 3800 residential and 3825 government buildings in J&K have been equipped with solar power, totaling 60 MW.
•  The Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) will lead the project.
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has set a goal for J&K to generate 500 MW of solar energy by 2030 and 1500 MW by 2047.
• The recent budget proposed ₹150 crore for solar rooftops and pumps and plans to replace 4000 agricultural AC pumps with solar pumps.
• Additionally, 5000 improved biomass cookstoves will be distributed in tribal areas, and all Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra routes and camps will be solarized.