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Current Affairs Daily Digest – August 12 2024

1. “King Khan” Receives Lifetime Award At Locarno Film Festival

Bollywood’s iconic superstar, Shah Rukh Khan, made a memorable appearance at the 77th Locarno Film Festival on August 10, where he was honored with a career achievement award, adding another prestigious accolade to his impressive career. The award ceremony took place at the famous Piazza Grande in Locarno, where Shah Rukh delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech to an audience of 8,000 enthusiastic fans.

Shah Rukh Khan on the Essence of Cinema

In his speech, Shah Rukh Khan shared his thoughts on the essence of cinema. He described cinema as the most profound and influential art form of our time, one that has the power to cross boundaries and connect people from different cultures and backgrounds. He emphasized that art, including cinema, is about celebrating life itself. According to him, art doesn’t have to be political, argumentative, preachy, intellectual, or moralistic; instead, it should affirm life and bring people together.

Shah Rukh also reflected on the deep connection between creativity and emotion. He highlighted that creativity is rooted in love, which he described as a universal language understood by everyone, regardless of where they come from. His words underscored his belief that creativity is intertwined with joy and love, making it a powerful force for good.

Shah Rukh Khan’s presence at the Locarno Film Festival and his thoughtful words left a lasting impression, highlighting his enduring influence and charm both on and off the screen.

2. MEA and NSIL Sign MoU for Launch of Nepalese Munal Satellite

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), which is the commercial branch of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch Nepal’s Munal satellite. The MoU was signed on Saturday, with Anurag Srivastava, Joint Secretary (North) from MEA, and Arunachalam A, Director from NSIL, representing their respective organizations.

Crux of the Agreement

The Munal satellite is a significant project developed by the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST). The main goal of this satellite is to create a detailed database of the Earth’s vegetation density. This initiative represents a major step forward in the space collaboration between Nepal and India, highlighting the growing partnership in space technology and research between the two countries.

Details of the Satellite and Its Launch

The Munal satellite was designed and built with assistance from Antarikchya Pratishan Nepal (APN), a space startup in Nepal. The satellite is expected to be launched in the coming months aboard NSIL’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), one of India’s reliable launch vehicles. This launch is part of a broader agreement on space cooperation that was signed during Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Nepal in January. The upcoming launch of the Munal satellite will be a significant milestone in Nepal’s space exploration efforts, with the support and collaboration of India’s space capabilities.

3. Book Launch Spotlight: ’75 Great Revolutionaries of India’

On August 11, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh attended the launch of a new book titled ’75 Great Revolutionaries of India,’ authored by Rajya Sabha MP Bhim Singh. The book highlights the stories of lesser-known freedom fighters who played crucial roles in India’s struggle for independence. Bhim Singh emphasized that the purpose of the book is to recognize the sacrifices made by these revolutionaries and to inspire the current generation to contribute towards a developed and prosperous India.

Attendees at the Launch Ceremony

The launch ceremony was attended by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, who was present to support the unveiling of Bhim Singh’s latest work. The event was a tribute to the unsung heroes of India’s freedom movement, aiming to bring their contributions to light and motivate the nation to build on their legacy.

4. T.V. Somanathan Appointed as New Cabinet Secretary

Senior IAS Officer T.V. Somanathan has been appointed as the new Cabinet Secretary of India, taking over from Rajiv Gauba, whose term ends this month. Somanathan will officially start his two-year tenure on August 30, 2024. Until then, he will serve as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Cabinet Secretariat, preparing to assume his full responsibilities as Cabinet Secretary.

Previous Positions:
T.V. Somanathan is a 1987-batch IAS officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre with a distinguished career in public service. He has held several high-ranking positions, including:

• Finance Secretary since April 2021.
• Expenditure Secretary from December 2019.
• Various roles in the Prime Minister’s Office.
• Key positions in his cadre state of Tamil Nadu and in international assignments.

Qualifications:
Somanathan is highly qualified, with a strong academic and professional background:

• PhD in Economics from Calcutta University.
• Chartered Accountant (CA) and Company Secretary (CS) certifications.
• Proficiency in five languages: English, French, Hausa, Hindi, and Tamil.

Significant Contributions:
During his tenure as Finance Secretary, Somanathan made substantial contributions, including:

• Playing a pivotal role in the FY22 budget, which notably improved fiscal transparency.
• Leading reviews of the pension system for government employees.
• A strong academic presence with over 80 papers and articles on economics, reflecting his deep expertise in the field.

5. India-New Zealand Sign Bilateral Customs Cooperation Agreement

India and New Zealand have strengthened their trade ties by signing a Bilateral Customs Cooperation Arrangement. This agreement aims to facilitate smoother and more efficient trade between the two nations. The formal signing took place in Wellington on August 8, 2024, during the official visit of Indian President Droupadi Murmu to New Zealand.

President Droupadi Murmu’s Visit Highlights
Itinerary: President Droupadi Murmu is on an official tour of three nations: Fiji, New Zealand, and Timor Leste. Her visit to New Zealand spanned August 8 and 9, 2024.

Previous Visits: The last Indian President to visit New Zealand was Pranab Mukherjee in May 2016, marking President Murmu’s visit as a significant diplomatic engagement.

Welcome Ceremony: President Murmu was honored with a traditional Maori welcome in Wellington, showcasing New Zealand’s rich cultural heritage and the warm reception for the Indian delegation.

Formal Meetings:

• President Murmu was officially welcomed by New Zealand’s Governor General, Dame Cindy Kiro.
• She also held important discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters.
• Key topics included the exchange of best practices in traditional medicine, particularly through the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine located in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Conference Address: President Murmu addressed the New Zealand International Education Conference, where India was the Guest of Honour. Her speech highlighted the importance of educational collaboration and the growing ties between the two countries in various sectors.

This visit and the newly signed Bilateral Customs Cooperation Arrangement underscore the deepening relationship between India and New Zealand, paving the way for increased cooperation in trade, education, and traditional medicine.

6. Former Foreign Minister Natwar Singh Passes Away

Natwar Singh, a distinguished diplomat, politician, and author, passed away on August 10 at the age of 95 after a prolonged illness. He spent his final weeks at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, near Delhi, where he was receiving medical care.

Who Was Natwar Singh?

Born in 1931 in the Bharatpur district of Rajasthan, Natwar Singh began his career as a diplomat. His deep understanding of international relations and foreign policy led him to serve India in various capacities around the world.

After a successful diplomatic career, Natwar Singh transitioned into politics. He became a prominent member of the Indian National Congress and served as a Member of Parliament (MP). His extensive experience in diplomacy made him a valuable asset in the political arena.

7. International Youth Day 2024

International Youth Day, observed every year on August 12th, is a global event dedicated to recognizing the contributions of young people to society. It also serves as a platform to bring attention to the challenges they face, including socio-economic and socio-political issues affecting youth around the world.

Theme for 2024:

The theme for International Youth Day 2024 is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development.” This theme emphasizes the vital role that digital technologies play in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It highlights how digitalization can be a powerful tool for transforming our world, enabling young people to drive progress towards a more sustainable and equitable future.

By focusing on the potential of digital pathways, this year’s theme encourages youth to harness the power of technology to create positive change, innovate solutions to global challenges, and accelerate the journey towards achieving sustainable development.