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NATIONAL National web portal for sharing R&D facilities I-STEM Phase II project launched  The Indian Science Technology and Engineering Facilities Map (I-STEM), the national web portal for sharing R&D facilities was formally launched in January 2020 by the Honorable Prime Minister Shri .  The I-STEM project has been accorded extension for five years, until 2026 and enters its second phase with added features.  The goal of I-STEM is to strengthen the R&D ecosystem of the country by connecting researchers with resources, in part by promoting technologies and scientific equipment development indigenously, and providing necessary supplies and supports to researchers by enabling them an access to existing publicly funded R&D facilities in the country through the I-STEM web portal. WCD Minister Smriti Zubin Irani to introduce 24/7 helpline number  Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt Smriti Zubin Irani inaugurated the National Commission for Women s 24/7 helpline number 7827170170.  The helpline aims to provide 24/7 online support to women affected by violence through referral by linking them with’ appropriate authorities– such as police, hospitals, District Legal Service Authority, psychological services etc.  She stated that this digital helpline gives a message to women that whenever they are in need, their government and their Commission will stand by them.  She also congratulated the entire NCW team for the stupendous efforts for helping women especially during the pandemic. Govt decided to set-up Centre of Excellence for Animation,“ Visual Effects,” Gaming  The Union Government has decided to set up a National Centre of Excellence for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics for creating a world-class talent pool in to cater to the Indian as well as global industry.  It will be set up in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.  Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur stated this in the Rajya Sabha.  He stated, in order to support skilled manpower in the animation and VFX sector, Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute and Film and Television Institute of India run courses on Animation and VFX.

BANKING AND ECONOMIC IFC grants $250-million loan to HDFC for enhance affordable housing  International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank Group,

green housing finance for low and middle income borrowers.  Benefitshas provided : a loan of $250 million ( ₹1,875 crore) to HDFC, to promote affordable  At least 25 percent of the financing has been earmarked for green affordable housing.  It aligned with the s target to provide Housing for All, & the funding will also help generate jobs.  Green affordable housing can help India’ on its path to deliver‘ on its commitments’ under the Paris Agreement  Green and energy-efficient housing can help cut emissions, as residential housing accounts for about 24 percent of the nation s electricity consumption.  IFC estimates there s a $1.25 trillion investment opportunity in green residential housing in India to the year 2030. ’ Systemic measures by Government’ under Black Money Act yields results

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 In recent years, the Government has taken a number of measures to bring back the black money stashed abroad The Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015 .  The Minister stated that as a ‘ result of systematic actions by the Government, the following results have been achieved as ’on 31.05.2021:  As on 31.05.2021, assessment orders under section 10(3)/10(4) of the Black Money Act, 2015 have been passed in 166 cases, wherein demand of Rs. 8,216 crore has been raised.  Undisclosed income of Rs. 8,465 crore (approx.) has been brought to tax and penalty of Rs. 1,294 crore has been levied in HSBC cases.  Undisclosed income of Rs. 11,010 crore (approx.) has been detected in ICIJ (International Consortium of Investigative Journalists) cases. Government identified 2,38,223 companies as shell companies between 2018-2021  There is no definition of the term Shell Company in the Companies Act and it normally refers to a company without active business operation or significant assets, which in some cases are used for “ illegal purposes” such as tax evasion, money laundering, obscuring ownership, benami properties etc.  The Minister further stated that the Special Task Force set up by the Government to look into the issue of Shell Companies has inter-alia recommended the use of certain red flag indicators as alerts for identification of Shell Companies.  The Government has undertaken“ a Special” Drive for identification and striking off Shell Companies during the last three years, the Minister stated.  In Total around 238223 companies have been struck off from the year 2018-2021

STATE GOVT NEWS : Basavaraj Bommai elected as the new  The Karnataka BJP legislature party which met on July 27, to elect their new legislature party leader has chosen Basavaraj Bommai as the new Chief Minister.  61-year-old Bommai, the MLA from Shiggaon, is the home minister of the state and had served as Minister of Water Resources in the Yediyurappa government in 2008.  Like Yediyurappa (Banajiga sub-sect), Bommai (Sadar sub-sect), son of former Chief Minister SR Bommai also hails from the Lingayat community.  The community comprises about 17% of the state s population and Bommai with his political experience was one of the favorites who were considered for being the new guard. ’  It was expected that the BJP will opt for a member from the community, considering it is the party s prime vote bank and they cannot be seen as isolating the community by removing Yediyurappa as the Chief Minister. : CM Himanta’ Biswa Sarma lays the foundation stone of bamboo industrial park  Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the foundation of Bamboo Industrial Park at Manderdisa in Dima Hasao.  The project will be implemented with 50 crores from DoNER Ministry.  CM Sarma, Laid the foundation stone of Bamboo Industrial Park at Manderdisa, Dima Hasao .  Once completed,“ the project will usher in a new era in the economy of #NorthEast & create” vast employment opportunities for local youth.  Earlier, the Central Government has decided to set up the first Bamboo Industrial Park in the Northeast in Dima Hasao district for tapping the immense potential of the bamboo sector in the State. Dholavira in ’s Rann of Kutch on UNESCO World Heritage List

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 The Harappan city of Dholavira in Gujarat s Rann of Kutch has found a place in UNESCO s World Heritage list, making it the 40th world heritage property in the country. ’  The UNESCO’ announcement on Dholavira, which followed the agency s announcement listing Rudreswara Temple, also known as the Ramappa Temple, in Telangana as a world heritage site. ’  India had submitted the nomination dossier for Dholavira: A Harappan City to the World Heritage Centre in January, 2020.  The site has been on UNESCO s tentative list since 2014.‘  It is one of the very few’ well-preserved urban settlements in south Asia dating from the 3rd to mid-2nd millennium’ BCE.

DAY AND DATES International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem – Observed on July 26  The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, adopted by the General Conference of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015 and celebrated annually on 26 July, aims to raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems as a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem and to promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and uses. CRPF observes 83rd Raising Day – Observed “on July 27 ”  The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated its 83rd Raising Day all over the country.  Raised on July 27, 1939 in Neemuch (M.P) as Crown Representative Police, this Force has displayed numerous examples of courage, patriotism and national service, in the past 83 years.  From the first year of its inception, this Force started fulfilling responsibilities assigned to it.  In 1949, the Force was rechristened as Central Reserve Police Force and has evolved as a Force indispensable for the internal security of the nation. World Nature Conservation Day – Observed on July 28  World Natural Conservation Day is celebrated every year on July 28 to raise awareness about the importance of working for a healthy environment.  The Theme of the World Nature Conservation Day 2021 is Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet , around which the whole observation of this year will revolve. ‘  The day aims at promoting best‘ practices to protect our environment.  Human activities since the last century or so have had a devastating impact on natural vegetation and resources.  The quest for rapid industrialization and cutting down of forest cover to make space for the ever-growing population brought climate change and other environmental implications. World Hepatitis Day – Observed on July 28  World Hepatitis Day is commemorated each year on 28 July to enhance awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes a range of health problems, including liver cancer.  This year s theme is Hepatitis can t wait , conveying the urgency of efforts needed to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.  This day aims’ to raise“ global awareness’ ”of hepatitis a group of infectious diseases known as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E and encourage prevention, diagnosis and treatment. — — 1441, Opp. IOCL Petrol Pump, CRPF Square, Bhubaneswar-750015 Ph. : (0674) 6556677, 8093556677. Web :www.vanik.org, E-mail : [email protected] 3

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INTERNATIONAL UNESCO grants World Heritage Status to Madrid’s Paseo del Prado and Retiro Park  Madrid s tree-lined Paseo del Prado boulevard and the adjoining Retiro park have been added to UNESCO s World Heritage list.  The UNESCO’ World Heritage Committee, holding an online meeting from Fuzhou, China, backed the candidacy’ that highlighted the green area s introduction of nature into Spain s capital.  The influence the properties have had on the designs of other’ cities in Latin America was also applauded’ by committee members.  UNESCO stated that Collectively, they illustrate the aspiration for a utopian society during the height of the Spanish Empire . Philippines is the first country“ to approve Golden Rice for planting  The Philippines approved commercial cultivation” of vitamin A-rich Golden Rice, long touted as a partial remedy for childhood malnutrition.  It comes at a time when scientists in Bangladesh expressed deep frustration over regulators delay in approving the variety in the country for nearly four years.  Now, Filipino farmers will become the first in the world to be able to cultivate Golden Rice, a daily’ consumption of which can potentially reduce childhood malnutrition prevalent in the Philippines as well as in Bangladesh.  The Filipino variety of Golden Rice was developed by the Department of Agriculture- Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to contain additional levels of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. SPORTS Four New Sports Introduced in Tokyo Olympics  The Tokyo Olympics are introducing four new sports namely skateboarding, surfing, karate and sport climbing.  With this, the Tokyo Games now has 339 medal events.  Karate :  Karate is a martial art that originated in Okinawa during the Ryukyu Dynasty.  It makes its Olympic debut in Tokyo, joining judo, taekwondo and wrestling.  It consists of two disciplines for both men and women: kata (forms) and kumite (sparring).  The three days competition will be held at Nippon Budokan.

MISCELLANEOUS CRPF signs MoU with C-DAC to train manpower of force in advanced technologies  The lead internal security force of the country-Central Reserve Police Force has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC)-India s premier tech R&D to train the manpower of the force in advanced technologies and undertake joint projects.  The MoU aims at augmenting’ the technical capabilities of CRPF by training its manpower in advanced areas like Internet of Things (IoT), Cyber security, Artificial Intelligence, High Performance Computing (HPC) and Big Data Analytics.  The agreement will also provide the expertise of C-DAC in the form of Technology Partner & Knowledge Partner in developing various ICT solutions of CRPF. IPC, WHO sign MoU for promotion of diversity and equity  The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) signed an agreement to work together to foster diversity and equity through global initiatives promoting health and sport for everybody, everywhere. 1441, Opp. IOCL Petrol Pump, CRPF Square, Bhubaneswar-750015 Ph. : (0674) 6556677, 8093556677. Web :www.vanik.org, E-mail : [email protected] 4

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 The two partners will collaborate to improve global access to quality rehabilitation and assistive technology as part of universal health coverage; and mitigate existing inequalities in relation to access to these life-changing services a prerequisite for equal opportunities and participation in sports for persons with disabilities, including for Paralympians and Para athletes. –  Parsons and Tedros signed the MOU in Tokyo.  The Paralympic Games will begin on August 24 and conclude on September 5.

APPOINTMENT NEWS Senior IPS officer Nasir Kamal appointed as Director General in BCAS  Nasir Kamal, has been appointed as the Director General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.  He has been appointed to the post for a period up to his superannuation on July 31, 2022.  Nasir Kamal s appointment was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister.  As Director-General’ of BCAS, Kamal will be responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme. Rakesh Asthana appointed as Police Commissioner  The Union government gave additional charge of the Delhi Police to Balaji Srivastava after the retirement of SN Shrivastava on June 30, and there was no indication at the time that the charge was temporary.  Asthana, who has previously headed the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), was exonerated in a 2018 bribery case registered by the then Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief Alok Verma.  He held the post of the special director in the investigative agency. Govt announced to appoint Olympic Silver Medalist Mirabai Chanu as ASP (Sports)  Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced that weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, who won Silver at the Tokyo Olympics, will be appointed as the Additional Superintendent of Police in the state police department.  The state government would also reward her with Rs.1 crore.  Mirabai Chanu, who won the silver medal in the 49 kg category, will hold the designation of Additional Superintendent of Police (Sports).  The Manipur government has also decided to establish a world-class weightlifting academy in the state soon, he added.

ONE LINER  The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem,Observed on July 26, adopted by the General Conference of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015.  The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated its 83rd Raising Day on July 27 all over the country.  World Natural Conservation Day is celebrated every year on July 28 to raise awareness about the importance of working for a healthy environment.  World Hepatitis Day is commemorated each year on 28 July to enhance awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes a range of health problems, including liver cancer.  The Indian Science Technology and Engineering Facilities Map (I-STEM), the national web portal for sharing R&D facilities was formally launched in January 2020 by the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

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 Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt Smriti Zubin Irani inaugurated the National Commission for Women s 24/7 helpline number 7827170170.  The Union Government has decided to set up a National Centre of Excellence for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and’ Comics for creating a world-class– talent pool in India to cater to the Indian as well as global industry.  Union Home Minister Shri launched the Green Sohra Afforestation Campaign at Sohra (Cherrapunji) in Meghalaya.  Parliament has passed the National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Bill, 2021.  Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar virtually inaugurated the 28th Regional Workshop of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)  In a major boost to agricultural produce exports from , first consignment of vegetables including curry leaf, okra, pear and bitter gourd sourced from the farmers of Haridwar, was exported to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  Coal India Ltd. (CIL) has taken an out of box initiative to produce sand from overburden at a much cheaper price.  Madrid s tree-lined Paseo del Prado boulevard and the adjoining Retiro park have been added to UNESCO s World Heritage list.  The Philippines’ approved commercial cultivation of vitamin A-rich Golden Rice, long touted as a partial remedy’ for childhood malnutrition.  Singapore s Sunseap is planning a $2 billion floating solar project on a reservoir in Indonesia s Batam Island  Leading European’ nation Sweden stated it has ratified the framework agreement for the International’ Solar Alliance, an initiative of India aimed at promoting renewable energy and sustainable development.  BRICS countries are all prepared to take ahead, incorporate and amplify the Traditional Medicine System in the fight against Covid-19.  The Karnataka BJP legislature party which met on July 27, to elect their new legislature party leader has chosen Basavaraj Bommai as the new Chief Minister.  Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the foundation of Bamboo Industrial Park at Manderdisa in Dima Hasao & the project will be implemented with 50 crores from DoNER Ministry.  The Ministry of Science and Technology will set up a first-of-its-kind Centre for Bioresources & Sustainable Development  The Harappan city of Dholavira in Gujarat s Rann of Kutch has found a place in UNESCO s World Heritage list, making it the 40th world heritage property in the country. ’  Care Ratings’ stated in a report, The country s gross domestic product (GDP) growth is likely to be 8 to 9 percent in the current financial year, driven by agriculture and industrysectors. ’  The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sharply scaled down India s economic growth projection by 300 basis points to 9.5 per cent for the current financial year from 12.5 per cent estimated earlier in April. ’  International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank Group, 1,875 crore) to HDFC, to promote affordable green housing finance for low and middle income borrowers.  hasThe providedUnion Government a loan of $250has fixed million norms ( ₹ for implementation of Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in the country to enable state-specific reforms.  In recent years, the Government has taken a number of measures to bring back the black money stashed abroad The Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015 . ‘ ’ 1441, Opp. IOCL Petrol Pump, CRPF Square, Bhubaneswar-750015 Ph. : (0674) 6556677, 8093556677. Web :www.vanik.org, E-mail : [email protected] 6

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 Rao Inderjit Singh informed that Government has identified total 2,38,223 companies as shell companies between 2018-2021  As per the Provisional Estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the year 2020- 21 released by the National Statistical Office, the Gross Value Added (GVA) of agriculture has shown a growth of 3.6 per cent, signalling better prospects of consumption in rural India.  Nasir Kamal, has been appointed as the Director General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.  The Union government gave additional charge of the Delhi Police to Balaji Srivastava after the retirement of SN Shrivastava on June 30, and there was no indication at the time that the charge was temporary.  Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced that weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, who won Silver at the Tokyo Olympics, will be appointed as the Additional Superintendent of Police in the state police department.  The lead internal security force of the country-Central Reserve Police Force has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC)-India s premier tech R&D to train the manpower of the force in advanced technologies and undertake joint projects.  The World Health Organization’ (WHO) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) signed an agreement to work together to foster diversity and equity through global initiatives promoting health and sport for everybody, everywhere.  INS Tabar reached St Petersburg, Russia on 22 July 2021 to participate in the 325th Navy Day celebrations of the Russian Navy.  12th Edition of Indo-Russia joint military Exercise INDRA 2021 will be held at Volgograd, Russia from 01 to 13 August 2021.  The Indian Space Research Organisation s customised space-themed merchandise programme in partnership with industry has taken off with multiple companies on board. ’  Google s parent company Alphabet s secretive research unit launches New robotics software company named Intrinsic & it mainly focused on developing software for robots.‘ ’  Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Health & Family Welfare Shri Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a high-level meeting to assess the situation of raw materials in the country for the manufacturing of Fertilisers.  Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey informed, India generated 10,14,961.2 tonnes of e-waste , which is an increase of 31.6% when compared to the year 2019 to the Rajya Sabha.  The Tokyo Olympics are introducing four new sports namely skateboarding, surfing, karate and sport climbing.

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