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Current Affairs Daily Digest – August 05 2024

1. Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Resigns, Ending 15 Years in Power

On August 5, 2024, there was a huge change in Bangladesh’s political scene. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had been in power for 15 years straight, suddenly quit and left the country. This surprising news was confirmed by a reliable Army source to Reuters, saying that Hasina left with her sister.

The news of Hasina’s resignation quickly spread and caused strong reactions across the nation:

• Protests: Protesters, excited by the news, rushed to the Prime Minister’s official palace. TV channels showed live footage of hundreds of demonstrators breaking through security and entering the palace, showing that Hasina’s control was over.
• Military Action: Bangladesh’s Army Chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, was reported to be getting ready to speak to the nation. This led people to speculate about possible military involvement or oversight during this critical transition period.
• Political Discussions: General Waker-Uz-Zaman was said to be having urgent talks with different political leaders, trying to handle the sudden lack of leadership and keep the country stable.
• The timing of Hasina’s resignation was especially important, coming just one day after a violent protest that led to the deaths of 94 people. This tragic event highlighted the growing tensions and the government’s weakening hold on power.

2. Pakistan’s $3.6 Billion Interest Payment to IMF

Pakistan has spent over USD 3.6 billion on interest for loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over the past 40 years. This information came from the finance ministry during a recent meeting of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Economic Affairs. The meeting talked about the country’s borrowing and repayment history with the IMF, sharing key numbers and updates.

Interest Payments

• Total Interest Paid: Over USD 3.6 billion in the last 40 years.
• Interest in Pakistani Rupees: This is more than Rs 1,000 billion.
• Recent Years: Over USD 1.10 billion was paid in interest in the last four years.

Borrowing and Repayment

• Historical Borrowing: Pakistan borrowed about USD 29 billion from the IMF in the last 30 years.
• Recent Borrowing: In the last four years, Pakistan borrowed USD 6.26 billion and repaid USD 4.52 billion.
• Recent Repayments: In 2024, Pakistan repaid USD 646.69 million in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs).

Special Drawing Rights (SDRs)

• Borrowed SDRs: Since 1984, Pakistan borrowed USD 19.55 billion SDRs, which is equal to USD 25.94 billion.
• Repaid SDRs: Pakistan has repaid USD 14.71 billion SDRs, which is equal to USD 19.51 billion.
• Interest on SDRs: Pakistan paid USD 2.44 billion SDRs, which is equal to USD 3.23 billion, in interest.

3. Janet Yang Re-Elected Film Academy’s President

Film producer Janet Yang has been re-elected for a third term as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Along with her re-election, several new board officers have been chosen for important roles within the Academy.

Board Officer

• Janet Yang: Re-elected as President for a third term.
• Lesley Barber: Vice President and Chair of the Membership Committee.
• DeVon Franklin: Vice President and Chair of the Equity and Inclusion Committee.
• Donna Gigliotti: Vice President/Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee.
• Lynette Howell Taylor: Vice President and Chair of the Awards Committee.
• Howard A. Rodman: Vice President/Secretary and Chair of the Governance Committee.

CEO Statement

Academy CEO Bill Kramer shared his excitement about Yang’s re-election and welcomed the new board officers. He highlighted their dedication to advancing the Academy’s goals, supporting its global members, celebrating international films, and maintaining financial stability.

4. Star Shooter Manu Bhaker Set To Be India’s Flagbearer In Closing Ceremony

Manu Bhaker, a two-time Olympic bronze medalist from India, has been chosen to be India’s flagbearer for the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics. This announcement was made by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Closing Ceremony

• Date: The closing ceremony will take place on August 11.
• Flagbearer: Manu Bhaker will represent India as the women’s flagbearer. The men’s flagbearer has not been confirmed yet.
• Performance: Bhaker had an excellent performance in Paris, winning two bronze medals and setting several new records. This success is a redemption for her after a malfunctioning gun caused her to lose time during the 10m air pistol qualification round in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

India’s Medal Tally

First Medal: Bhaker secured India’s first medal in the ongoing Olympics by finishing third in the women’s individual 10m air pistol event.
Additional Medal: Bhaker, along with Sarabjot Singh, won a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.

5. DG SSB Daljit Singh Chawdhary Takes Over Additional Charge of Director General, BSF

Daljit Singh Chawdhary, the Director General of Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB), took on the additional role of Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF) on August 3, 2024. The BSF is the largest border guarding force in the world.

About Daljit Singh Chawdhary

• Background: Daljit Singh Chawdhary is a 1990 batch officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS) from the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
• Current Role: He became the Director General of SSB on January 23, 2024.
• Service Record: Over his 34-year career, he has worked in various roles in Uttar Pradesh and on Central Deputation since 2017. He served as Additional Director General (ADG) in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and as Special Director General (SDG) in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Accomplishments

• Skills: He is a renowned marksman and a qualified skydiver.
• Awards: Chawdhary has received several honors, including:
• 4 Police Medals for Gallantry
• Police Medal for Meritorious Service
• President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service
• Ati Utkrisht Seva Medal

6. Iconic Classical Dancer Yamini Krishnamurthy Passes Away

On August 3, 2024, India lost one of its most revered classical dancers, Yamini Krishnamurthy, who passed away at the age of 83 at Apollo Hospital in New Delhi. Known for her mastery of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Odissi, Krishnamurthy was a luminary who helped elevate Indian classical dance to the global stage.

Early Life and Training

• Birth: Yamini Krishnamurthy was born on December 20, 1940, in Madanapalli, Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.
• Family: She was the daughter of M. Krishnamurti, a renowned Sanskrit scholar.
• Early Start: Her journey in dance began at the young age of five.
• Education: She joined the prestigious Kalakshetra School of Dance in Chennai, where she trained under the legendary Bharatanatyam dancer Rukmini Devi Arundale

Yamini Krishnamurthy’s dedication to dance led her to explore and master multiple classical forms:

• Kuchipudi: She learned from distinguished masters like Vedantam Lakshmi Narayana Sastry, Pasumarthi Venu Gopal Sharma, Chinta Krishnamurthy, and Vedantam Satyanarayana Sharma.
• Odissi: Her training in Odissi was under the guidance of renowned gurus Pankaj Charan Das and Kelucharan Mohapatra.

Multitalented Artist

• Music Training: Beyond dance, she also trained in Carnatic vocals and the veena, demonstrating her wide-ranging artistic talents.
• Yamini Krishnamurthy’s contributions to Indian classical dance have left an indelible mark on the world of performing arts. Her passing is a significant loss to the cultural heritage of India.

7. Jharkhand Launches Mukhyamantri Maiyaan Samman Yojana

The government of Jharkhand, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, has introduced a major welfare initiative aimed at empowering women in the state. The Mukhyamantri Maiyaan Samman Yojana, which will officially launch on August 16, 2024, is designed to provide financial assistance to eligible women across Jharkhand.

Political Context

This announcement comes at a pivotal time in Jharkhand’s political landscape. With elections for the 81-member Jharkhand Legislative Assembly scheduled for November/December 2024, and the current assembly’s term ending on January 5, 2025, many see the Mukhyamantri Maiyaan Samman Yojana as a strategic move by the Hemant Soren government ahead of the elections.

Evolution of the Scheme

Previous Scheme: The Mukhyamantri Maiyaan Samman Yojana is an evolution of an existing program, previously known as the Jharkhand Behan Beti Swavalamban Protsahan Yojana.
Rebranding and Enhancement: This rebranding and enhancement indicate the government’s renewed focus on women’s welfare. The changes reflect a commitment to addressing the needs and improving the lives of women in the state.

Key Features of the Scheme

Financial Assistance: The scheme aims to provide financial support to eligible women, empowering them economically and socially.
Launch Date: The official launch is set for August 16, 2024, marking a significant step in the state’s welfare initiatives.
The Mukhyamantri Maiyaan Samman Yojana underscores the government’s dedication to advancing women’s rights and well-being in Jharkhand, particularly in the context of the upcoming elections.