1) International Friendship Day 2022 observed globally on 30 July
•International Friendship Day is celebrated annually on July 30 and it was first proposed way back in the year 1958 by World Friendship Crusade, an international civil organisation. According to United Nations, the International Day of Friendship can help promote peace and social harmony among people. In India as well as many other countries, Friendship Day is also celebrated on the first Sunday of August. This year it falls on August 7, 2022.
2) World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2022: 30 July
•World Day Against Trafficking is observed annually on 30 July to make people aware of who is being trafficked. The day aims to educate people that trafficking in persons is considered to be a crime, including the exploitation of women and children for tragic jobs of forced labour and sex.
•Every year across the globe, this trafficking, this exploitation of more than 25 million victims by sexual exploitation or forced labour, generates more than $150 billion in criminal revenue. It represents a comprehensive security issue, fuelling corruption, irregular migration and terrorism.
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2022: Theme
•This year’s theme “Use and abuse of technology” focuses on the role of technology as a tool that can both enable and impede human trafficking.
3) World Ranger Day 2022 is observed globally on 31 July
•World Ranger Day is observed on 31st July every year. The International Ranger Federation established this day to honour the contribution of Park Rangers to the preservation of nature. World Ranger Day offers a chance to support their vital work, which ranges from environmental campaigning to education. The day is also an opportunity to pay tribute to rangers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
4) PM Narendra Modi launches International Bullion Exchange IIBX in GIFT-City
•Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the ‘India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX)’, at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) near Gandhinagar, Gujarat. IIBX is India’s first international bullion exchange. The exchange, which was announced in Budget 2020, will sell physical gold and silver. The exchange will be open for jewellers with a net worth of Rs 25 crore and above to participate.
5) Largest pink diamond in 300 years “Lulo Rose” found in Angola
•A rare pure pink diamond, believed to be the largest found in 300 years, has been unearthed in Angola, a country in Central Africa. The Lulo Rose is a type 2a diamond, meaning it has few or no impurities. It is the fifth largest diamond recovered from the Lulo mine – a joint venture between Australia’s Lucapa Diamond Company and the Angolan government.
6) India’s first teaching robot, introduced by Indus International School
•As part of a collaborative learning strategy at its schools, Indus International School has launched the innovative and first Teaching Robot in India, the Eagle Robot. Three of the Indus Schools have 21 Eagle Robots deployed, with seven in each of Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Pune. Eagle Robot is very interactive, personalises the experience, and emulates emotions through the digital face.
7) Pranay Kumar Verma named as new High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh
•Pranay Kumar Verma, an experienced diplomat and IFS official from the 1994 batch, has been chosen to serve as India’s next High Commissioner to Bangladesh. He is currently the ambassador of India to Vietnam. The Delhi-based Ministry of External Affairs made this announcement. Vikram Doraiswami, the current High Commissioner of India to the UK, is rumoured to be taking over, thus he is expected to start the job soon in his stead.
8) Indian and Malaysian bodies signs deal to support palm oil business
•The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) and the Indian Vegetable Oil Producers’ Association (IVPA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand their cooperation in promoting the usage of palm oil. The MoU is anticipated to increase collaboration in areas of shared interest and to advance the production and consumption of palm oil from Malaysia and palm oil with the MSPO certification. Through cooperative actions and assistance for product and market development, it would advance the interests of producers, processors, users, and consumers.
9) Chhattisgarh CM launched ‘Mahtari Nyay Rath’ for women rights awareness
•To educate the state’s women about their constitutional rights and laws, the Chhattisgarh Women Commission will host the Mukhyamantri Mahtari Nyay Rath Yatra. On the occasion of the Hareli Tihaar festival, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will set off the “Mukhyamantri Mahtari Nyay Rath“. Through short films, messages, and booklets, the chariots will visit all of the districts to educate people about the legal protections for women and their constitutional rights.
10) Gujarat becomes first Indian state to launch semiconductor policy 2022-27
•The Gujarat government has announced a dedicated ‘Gujarat Semiconductor Policy 2022-27’ with a view to generating at least 2,00,000 new employment opportunities during a period of five years. The Gujarat government has also decided to develop a “semicon city” which would be a part of the Dholera Special Investment Region. The projects approved under the Design-linked Incentive scheme of the Government of India will not be eligible for availing of the benefits under the new policy, said the state government press release.
