Daily Current Affairs 22 August 2024, OPSC Exam Current Affairs

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Rajnath Singh inaugurates new maritime rescue coordination centre in Chennai

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated a new Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of the Coast Guard in Chennai.
• At the event, he also inaugurated two new Coast Guard units – the Regional Marine Pollution Response Centre (RMPRC) in Chennai and a Coast Guard Air Enclave in Puducherry – through video-conferencing.
• The new MRCC would facilitate enhanced coordination for the rescue of mariners and fishermen in distress at sea. It has been installed with the latest equipment for distress monitoring through terrestrial and satellite systems and has advanced.
• The Coast Guard Air Enclave in Puducherry would be equipped with Chetak and Advanced Light Helicopter Squadrons.
• Both these helicopters are indigenously built and can carry out maritime patrol, search and rescue and other such missions from the land and Coast Guard ships patrolling at sea.

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das ranked top central banker globally for the second consecutive year

• Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das has been rated “A+” for the second consecutive year in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2024.
• The Central Banker Report Cards, published annually by Global Finance since 1994, grade the central bank governors of nearly 100 key countries, territories, and districts, as well as the European Union, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, the Bank of Central African States and the Central Bank of West African States.
• Grades are based on an “A+” to “F” scale for success in areas such as inflation control, economic growth goals, currency stability and interest rate management.
• “A” represents an excellent performance, down through “F” for outright failure. The Central Bankers earning an A+ grade in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards 2024, along with Shaktikanta Das, are Denmark’s Christian Kettel Thomsen and Switzerland’s Thomas Jordan.

Satya Prakash Sangwan named chef de mission for Paris Paralympics

• Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) vice president Satya Prakash Sangwan has been appointed as the chef de mission of the Indian contingent at the upcoming Paris Paralympics.

• As the CDM, he will lead India’s largest-ever contingent of 84 para-athletes competing across 12 sports disciplines.
• Satya Prakash Sangwan has been an integral part of the Paralympic Committee of India for over a decade. His dedication and leadership have always been an inspiration to our athletes

• M Suresh, Member, Air Navigation Services, Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been entrusted with additional charge as Chairman of AAI.
• This is subsequent to relieving Sanjeev Kumar of his duties as AAI Chairman, says a Government Order.
• Hailing from Tenkasi district in Tamil Nadu, Suresh will hold the post for three months or until a regular incumbent joins or until further orders.

• Indian brand “Amul” has been ranked as the “strongest food brand in the world” as per the latest Food & Drink 2024 report.
• Amul has already been ranked number one dairy brand in the world. However, being ranked as the number one strongest food brand is a big recognition. Last year, Amul held the second position in this category.
• The annual report on the most valuable and strongest food, dairy & non-alcoholic drinks brands has been published by Brand Finance, world’s leading brand consultancy.
• As per the report, the brand value of Amul rose 11 percent to $3.3 billion, with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 91.0 out of 100 and an AAA+ rating.
• Amul’s brand strength is attributed to its strong performance in familiarity, consideration, and recommendation metric. As per the report, Amul retains its status as the strongest dairy brand ranked, with an improved Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 91 out of 100.

9th ICC T20 Women World Cup shifted to UAE from Bangladesh

• The International Cricket Council (ICC) has shifted the 9th ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to political turmoil in Bangladesh.
• Bangladesh is still the host of the tournament, but all the matches will be played in the UAE. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India on 4 August 2024.
• An interim government has been formed in Bangladesh, with the Nobel prize winner Muhammed Yunus as its chief adviser.
• Despite the formation of an interim government, acts of violence are still continuing in the country, and many foreign governments like India, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have advised people to avoid travelling to Bangladesh.
• Initially, the ICC asked India to host the World Cup, but after India's refusal, the venue was shifted to the UAE.
• Initially, the ICC asked India to host the World Cup, but after India's refusal, the venue was shifted to the UAE.
• No Change in Schedules
• According to the ICC, there will be no change in the schedule or the tournament fixtures.It will be held from 3 to October 20, and matches will take place according to the already announced schedule.
• A total of 23 matches will be played in Dubai and Sharjah of the United Arab Emirates. Teams Participating in the 9th Women's World Cup Ten teams are participating in the 9th ICC Women's World Cup, and they have been grouped into two groups.
• Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the Indian team.
• Group A: Australia, India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka
• Group B: Bangladesh, South Africa, England, West Indies, Scotland.

• ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 - India and Sri Lanka
• ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2028 - Australia and New Zealand
• ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2030 - England, Ireland and Scotland
• ICC Men's World Cup 2027 - South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia
• ICC Men's World Cup 2031- India and Bangladesh
• ICC Champions Trophy 2025 - Pakistan
• ICC Champions Trophy 2029 - India

Jay Shah front-runner to take over as ICC chairman

• BCCI secretary Jay Shah is all set to take over as the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman, reported 'The Age' on Wednesday.
• Speculations of Jay Shah's elevation were ripe after current ICC chairman Greg Barclay opted out of a third term on Tuesday after the end of his tenure on November 30.
• The Age reported Barclay's resignation was "amid a $US3 billion ($4.46 billion) dispute between the governing body and its major broadcast rights holder Star.
• The BCCI secretary has reportedly received backing from Cricket Australia, England and Wales Cricket Board and other full-time members.
• There has been no official confirmation from either Shah or ICC on the matter. The last date to file official nominations for the post is August 27.
• An ICC chairman is eligible for three terms of two years each and Barclay, a New Zealand-based attorney, has so far completed four years.
• "ICC Chair Greg Barclay confirmed to the Board that he will not stand for a third term and will step down from the post when his current tenure finishes at the end of November.
• Barclay was appointed as the Independent ICC Chair in November 2020, before being re-elected in 2022," the ICC stated in a media release.
• As per ICC rules, the chairman's election comprises of 16 votes and now a simple majority of nine votes is required (51%) for the winner.
• Earlier, to become the chairman, the incumbent needed to have two-third majority. Shah is considered as one of the most influential faces in the ICC board room.
• He is currently the head of ICC's all-powerful Finance and Commercial Affairs (F&CA) subcommittee.
• He enjoys a lot of goodwill with most of the 16 voting members. Currently, Shah has another one year left as the BCCI secretary before going on a mandatory cooling off period of three years from October, 2025

VP inaugurates 19th CII India-Africa Business Conclave

• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the 19th CII India Africa Business Conclave in New Delhi on 21 August 2024.
• The three-day conclave will be held from 20 to 22 August 2024. Senior Ministers, policymakers, and business leaders from Africa and India will participate in the Conclave.
• About the CII India Africa Business Conclave
• The CII India Africa Business Conclave is an initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs, the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Confederation of Indian Industry.
• The first edition of the CII India Africa Business Conclave was held in 2005.
• The main objective of the CII India Africa Business Conclave is
• to increase trade and investment between India and Africa,
• to encourage Indian investment in identified sectors in Africa,
• Increase interaction between the Indian Industry and Africa to address specific business opportunities.
• Focus area of the 19th Conclave
• The Conclave will explore the role of the India-Africa partnership in regional and global value chain integration.
• The 19th Conclave will focus on some of the key areas of the India-Africa partnership and emerging opportunities in Agriculture, Food Processing, Defence, Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Digital Partnership, Power and Energy, Financial Partnership, Infrastructure, Quality Ecosystem, Skill Capacity Development, and others.
• Theme of the 19th CII India Africa Business Conclave The theme of the 19th CII India Africa Business Conclave is - Creating One Future.
• Participants at the 19th CII India Africa Business Conclave The 19th CII India Africa Business Conclave is being attended by delegates from 65 countries, 47 of which are from Africa.
• The Vice President of Burundi, Prosper Bazombanza; Gambia's Vice President, Muhammad B.S. Jallow; Liberia's Vice President, Jeremiah Kpan Koung; the vice president of Mauritius, Marie Cyril Eddy Boissézon; and Zimbabwe’s Vice President, Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga, are attending the Conclave

• India is Africa's fourth largest trading partner, with the European Union being its largest trading partner. The total trade between India and Africa in 2022-23 was $98 billion.
• India's total investment in Africa is around $73.9 billion.
• India’s trade is primarily with South Africa, Nigeria, Togo, and Mozambique and the 19th Business Conclave will explore ways to diversify the trade to other African countries.
• About Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as a business lobby group was set up in 1895 as the Engineering and Iron Trades Association
• After various changes in its name, in 1992, the current name Confederation of Indian Industry was adopted.

3 online platforms launched to boost county’s power sector

• T he Union Ministry of Power has launched three new online platforms, PROMPT, DRIPS and JAL VIDYUT DPR, to boost the country's power sector's efficiency, transparency and effectiveness.
• The Union Minister for Power, Manohar Lal Khattar, launched these three new online platforms in New Delhi on 20 August 2024.
• Who has developed these Portals?
• All these online portals have been developed by the Central Electricity Authority under the Union Ministry of Power. NTPC helped the Central Electricity Authority in developing the PROMPT platform.
• About PROMPT Portal
• The PROMPT (Portal for Online Monitoring of Projects—Thermal) will facilitate realtime analysis and tracking of thermal power projects under construction in India online.
• This is expected to quickly identify and resolve the issue that leads to delays in the construction of thermal power plants.
• About JAL VIDYUT DPR Platform
• The JAL VIDYUT DPR (Monitoring Survey and Investigation Activities of Hydroelectric Projects and Pumped Storage Projects) will provide the real-time status of Hydroelectric pumped storage projects under construction in various parts of the country.
• This will ensure better management and coordination for the construction of the pumped hydroelectric plants.

• The Disaster Resource Inventory for Power Sector (DRIPS) online portal has been built to quickly identify power disruptions in the country due to natural disasters like cyclones, earthquakes, flooding etc.
• It will link the designated nodal officers of all the departments of the power sector and other agencies in the affected districts and states so that necessary steps are taken to quickly restore power in the affected areas.

Pakistan conducts successful training launch of Shaheen-II Ballistic Missile

• The Pakistani military has conducted the successful training launch of its surface-tosurface ballistic missile Shaheen-II.
• The training launch was aimed at training of troops, validating various technical parameters and performance evaluation of different sub-systems incorporated for improved accuracy and enhanced survivability.
• In May, Pakistan conducted a successful training launch of the Fateh-II Guided Rocket System having a range of 400 kilometres.

Germany Captain Ilkay Gundogan announces International Retirement from Football

• Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan announced his retirement from international football after leading his country at Euro 2024.
• Gundogan, who turns 34 in October, was in the Germany team that reached the Euro 2024 quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions Spain after extra time Gundogan made his debut for Germany against Belgium in October 2011 but missed their 2014 World Cup triumph with a back injury. He was also ruled out of Euro 2016 due to a dislocated kneecap.

South Korea, US kick off annual drills over North’s military, cyber threats

• South Korea and the United States kicked off annual summertime military exercises on Monday, seeking to boost their joint readiness to fend off North Korea’s weapons and cyber threats.
• The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, set to end on August 29, come as North Korea races to advance its nuclear and missile programmes and tries to launch reconnaissance satellites.

• Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 between Indian Air Force and Malaysia Air Force - Kuantan, Malaysia
• Ex Pitch Black 2024 between India and Australia - Darwin, Australia
• 28th edition of Malabar Exercise between India, USA, Japan, Australia Bay of Bengal (October 2024)
• 16th edition of Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant between India and Mongolia Umroi, Meghalaya
• 13th edition of Joint military Exercise MAITREE between India and Thailand - Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province of Thailand.
• 29th edition of RIMPAC Naval Exercise - Hawaii, Pearl Harbour USA (INS Shivalik Participated)

Former Army Chief General S. Padmanabhan passes away

• Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General S. Padmanabhan passed away at the age of 89. Born at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala on December 5, 1940, General Padmanabhan was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery after graduating from the Indian Military Academy on December 13, 1959.
• He commanded an Independent Light Battery from August 1975 to July 1976 and later on commanded the Gazala Mountain Regiment from September 1977 to March 1980.

• Rape is deeply rooted in patriarchal structures where men are often seen as dominant over women.
• For example, in many households, decisions about what to buy, what to have for dinner, etc, are made by men.
• This inequality perpetuates the idea that women are subordinate and can be controlled or violated. Men begin to see themselves as superior.
• The social conditioning of men to assert dominance over women can lead to violent expressions of power, such as rape.

• Misogyny, which refers to the hatred of or prejudice against women, is prevalent in many societies where women are objectified and devalued.
• For instance, consider ads for products like washing powder, where only women are shown, or how boys are discouraged from playing with dolls and told to “be a man,” reinforcing the idea that only girls play with dolls creates a prejudice.
• Cultural norms that promote male superiority, victim-blaming, and the sexualization of women contribute to a mindset that justifies or normalizes sexual violence against women.
• There are instances where rape victims are trolled for speaking out, with comments like “a clap never happens with a single hand” or “she might have been wearing short dresses, roaming out alone,” which blame the victim instead of addressing the crime.

• Inadequate sex education and a lack of awareness about consent play significant roles in the prevalence of rape.
• When individuals are not taught about healthy sexual relationships, boundaries, and the importance of mutual consent, they may develop distorted views of sexual behaviour and relationships.
• Although schools have started teaching about good touch and bad touch, they should also address other crucial topics, such as asking for consent, understanding that “no means no,” and respecting others’ decisions.
• This education should not be limited to girls, boys should also receive proper knowledge on these topics.

• A significant factor in the prevalence of rape is the weakness of the legal system in dealing with sexual crimes.
• When perpetrators believe they will not face serious consequences, they are more likely to commit such acts. The failure to swiftly prosecute and punish rapists creates a culture of impunity.
• Therefore, laws must be designed to create a deterrent effect, instilling fear among potential wrongdoers.

• Poverty, lack of opportunities, and social instability can also contribute to the occurrence of rape.
• In an environments where resources are scarce and survival is uncertain, some individuals may resort to violence, including sexual violence, as a means of asserting control or gaining access to resources.

• The way sexual violence is portrayed in the media can influence societal attitudes towards rape. For Example: if media portrayals normalize or downplay rape, it can desensitize the public and diminish the perceived severity of the crime.
• Media can also perpetuate harmful stereotypes about victims and perpetrators, which can affect how rape is understood and addressed in society
• Rape is never the result of a single factor; it is the outcome of an interplay of many factors. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that involves changing cultural norms, improving education, strengthening legal systems, and ensuring that media representations are responsible and sensitive.

• World Humanitarian Day is observed every year on August 19 to honour humanitarian workers who risk their lives to provide aid and assistance to people in need.
• The day also aims to encourage global action to support those affected by crises, such as natural disasters, conflicts and other emergencies.
• Theme 2024 – Act For Humanity World Humanitarian Day traces its origins to a tragic event.
• On August 19, 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, resulted in the deaths of 22 humanitarian aid workers.