President Draupadi Murmu presented the National Geoscience Awards-2023 at a function held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Center on August 20, 2024.
The National Geoscience Awards have been instituted by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India with the objective of honouring individuals and teams for exceptional achievements and outstanding contributions in various fields of Geosciences.
2. Union Minister Dr. Where did Virendra Kumar inaugurate the 17th Divya Kala Mela? – Raipur
The 10th edition of the joint military training exercise, ‘Mitra Shakti’ between India and Sri Lanka is taking place from 12 to 25 August 2024 at the Army Training School in Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka.
Exercise ‘Mitra Shakti’ is a joint military training exercise between India and Sri Lanka which started in 2012.
Important Days & Weeks
7. On whose birth anniversary is Sadbhavana Diwas celebrated every year? – Rajiv Gandhi
MUDA is being investigated for possible unfair practices in compensating for acquired private land. Allegations surfaced that Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi, received 14 plots in a prime area, raising legal and fairness concerns.
MUDA, established in 1904, manages urban planning in Mysuru and has faced legal issues due to incomplete land acquisitions.
Financial problems and lawsuits have made it difficult for MUDA to compensate landowners properly.
In 2020, MUDA introduced a 50:50 ratio scheme, giving half the developed land back to original owners to address compensation challenges.
9. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, recently seen in the news, is located in which state? – Rajasthan
The forest department fined 14 SUV owners Rs 1 lakh each for illegally entering Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) during an adventure rally.
RTR is located at the junction of the Aravalis and Vindhyan ranges, 14 km from Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan.
It is one of northern India’s largest tiger reserves, covering 1,411 sq. km, and was once a royal hunting ground.
The reserve features diverse landscapes, including the Ranthambore Fort, rivers Chambal and Banas, and lakes like Padam Talab.
The ‘Great Boundary Fault’ marks where the Vindhyas plateau meets the Aravalis.
Miscellaneous
10. Which organization has released the World Investment Report 2024? – UNCTAD
11. Which institution is associated with Rapid Innovation and Start-up Expansion (RISE) accelerator program, recently in news? – Atal Innovation Mission
The Atal Innovation Mission and CSIRO, Australia, are inviting Indian and Australian start-ups and MSMEs to apply for the Climate Smart Agritech cohort of the India Australia RISE Accelerator.
The RISE Accelerator, launched in 2023, supports innovative agritech solutions for shared environmental and climate challenges between India and Australia.
The program helps businesses aiming for international expansion, particularly those focused on enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience.
Selected participants will engage in a nine-month program with online learning, in-person sessions, field trials, and technology pilots in both countries, emphasizing farmer needs and practices.
