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Current Affairs Daily Digest – August 21 2024

1. Govind Mohan To Take Charge As Union Home Secretary

Senior IAS officer Govind Mohan will take over as the Union Home Secretary on August 22, replacing Ajay Kumar Bhalla, who has completed five years in the role. The decision was made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on August 21. Govind Mohan, who is from the 1989 IAS batch and belongs to the Sikkim cadre, is currently the Secretary in the Ministry of Culture.

About Govind Mohan

Govind Mohan is a highly regarded 1989-batch IAS officer from the Sikkim cadre. He has recently joined the Union Home Ministry as an Officer on Special Duty. Throughout his career, he has held various important positions in both the Sikkim state government and the Central Government. Known for his hard work and expertise, he previously served as Additional Secretary in the Home Ministry, managing important areas like Union Territories.

2. Jay Shah To Be Named ICC Chairman

Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is expected to replace Greg Barclay as the new chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in November. Shah has the support of the cricket boards from England and Australia, giving him the majority needed to secure the position.

Indians Who Have Led the ICC

If Shah becomes the chairman, he will be the fifth Indian to lead the ICC. The previous Indians who held leadership roles in the ICC include:

• Jagmohan Dalmiya (1997-2000) – President
• Sharad Pawar (2010-2012) – President
• N Srinivasan (2014-2015) – Chairman
• Shashank Manohar (2015-2020) – Chairman
• Jay Shah, who is the son of India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, will officially take over from Greg Barclay in November.

3. Ulchi Freedom Shield Exercises

For the first time in recent history, the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base in South Korea is integrating its regular readiness exercise with Ulchi Freedom Shield 24. This exercise began on August 19 and will continue until August 23, 2024.

51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base

During this period, the 51st Fighter Wing will focus on local flying and agile combat employment (ACE) operations. These activities aim to improve the wing’s readiness and support command-and-control training for both the Seventh Air Force and U.S. Forces Korea.

4. RGIA Clinches Best Airport Award for Third Consecutive Year

Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) has been honored as the Best Airport at the India Travel Awards for the third year in a row.

Consistent Excellence

This award highlights RGIA’s consistent dedication to providing outstanding experiences for travelers. The airport continues to exceed industry standards and adapt to the changing needs of its passengers.

Gratitude and Acknowledgments

To celebrate this achievement, the airport authorities shared their heartfelt thanks on social media, expressing gratitude to their industry partners, travelers, and supporters. This award reflects the collaborative efforts of the airport management, stakeholders, and the traveling public.

5. Amul Tops Global Food Brand Rankings in 2024

Amul has been recognized as the world’s strongest food brand in Brand Finance’s Global Food & Drinks Report 2024. The brand achieved a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 91 and has a brand valuation of $3.3 billion, marking an 11% increase in its brand value since 2023. Amul’s leadership in India’s dairy market and its high scores in brand familiarity, consideration, and recommendation earned it a top AAA+ rating. Hershey’s also received an AAA+ rating but experienced a slight decrease in brand value, placing it second.

Brand Strength and Value

Amul’s BSI score of 91 out of 100 and its $3.3 billion brand value highlight its strong market presence and excellent performance across key areas. Amul dominates 75% of India’s milk market, 85% of the butter market, and 66% of the cheese market. Although Hershey’s brand value slightly decreased, it remains a significant player with a valuation of $3.9 billion.

6. Nepal To Export 1000 MW Electricity To India

After meeting with Nepalese Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba in New Delhi on August 19, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced that Nepal will soon be exporting nearly 1,000 MW of electricity to India. Jaishankar described this as a “new milestone” in the relationship between the two countries.

About Their Talks

During their discussions, Jaishankar and Deuba covered a broad range of topics, including energy, trade, connectivity, and infrastructure development. The talks highlighted the multifaceted cooperation between India and Nepal, with a particular focus on the growing energy partnership.

7. 6th India-Australia Maritime Dialogue & 14th Counter-Terrorism Meeting

India and Australia recently held two important bilateral meetings to enhance their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Australia hosted the 6th India-Australia Maritime Security Dialogue in Canberra, while India hosted the 14th India-Australia Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism in New Delhi. Both meetings aimed to strengthen cooperation in areas like maritime security and counter-terrorism.

6th India-Australia Maritime Security Dialogue

• Date & Location: August 13, 2024, Canberra, Australia
• Indian Delegation: Led by Ms. Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary, Disarmament & International Security Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs
• Australian Delegation: Led by Ms. Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary South Asia & Central Asia Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Mr. Bernard Philip, First Assistant Secretary of

International Policy, Department of Defence

• Discussion Points: The dialogue focused on enhancing cooperation in areas like Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), sustainable use of marine resources, Search and Rescue operations, pollution response, the blue economy, and Port State control.
• Next Meeting: The 7th India-Australia Maritime Security Dialogue is scheduled to be held in New Delhi.

8. International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2024

The International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, observed annually on August 21st, is a solemn occasion to honor and support those affected by terrorism. This day underscores the importance of protecting the human rights and freedoms of victims and survivors while reminding the world of the ongoing threat of terrorism.

Terrorism remains a global challenge, spreading harmful ideologies and causing widespread devastation. The consequences include:

• Injuries: Thousands of innocent people suffer physical harm.
• Psychological Damage: Survivors and communities endure lasting psychological trauma.
• Loss of Life: Terrorism results in significant loss of life.

9. India & Japan Deepen Strategic Ties at 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.

India and Japan recently held the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi to review and strengthen their bilateral cooperation, particularly in defense and security. During the discussions, the ministers focused on initiatives aimed at enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Key Outcomes:

• Indo-Pacific Stability: Both nations emphasized their commitment to ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
• New Consulate: India announced plans to open a consulate in Fukuoka, Japan, to further strengthen ties between the two countries.
• Progress Since 2022: The ministers reviewed the progress made since their last meeting in 2022 and reaffirmed their united stance against terrorism.

10. Satya Prakash Sangwan Named Chef de Mission for Paris 2024 Paralympics

Satya Prakash Sangwan, Vice-President of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), has been appointed as the Chef de Mission for India’s contingent at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. He will lead India’s largest-ever team, consisting of 84 para-athletes competing across 12 sports.

Sangwan’s extensive experience, including over a decade of involvement with PCI and his deep knowledge of para-sports, makes him a respected leader for this role. The President of the Paralympic Committee of India is Devendra Jhajharia.

11. India & Sri Lanka Ink MoU for LNG Infrastructure and Power Development

India’s Petronet LNG and a Sri Lankan company have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Colombo to develop LNG infrastructure and supply. This agreement supports Sri Lanka’s goals for sustainable energy, including the development of LNG power plants with a total capacity of over 1,000 MW near Colombo.

Key Points of the MoU:

• LNG Power Plants: The plan includes establishing LNG power plants to enhance Sri Lanka’s energy capabilities.
• Household LNG Use: The agreement also facilitates the use of LNG in households, contributing to cleaner energy options.
• Witnessed By: The MoU was witnessed by Sri Lanka’s Power Minister and India’s Deputy High Commissioner.