NITI Aayog launched the ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan’ on July 4, 2024, targeting 100% saturation of 12 key social sector indicators across 112 Aspirational Districts and 500 Aspirational Blocks.
Running until September 30, the campaign saw enthusiastic participation from officials, frontline workers, and citizens nationwide.
Events included health camps, cultural programs, and awareness yatras, emphasizing community involvement and commitment to the campaign’s goals from Jammu and Kashmir to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Polity & Governance
2. On July 4, Hemant Soren was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand for which time? – Third
India will host the 46th UNESCO World Heritage Committee session from July 21-31, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
This significant cultural diplomacy event will draw over 2,500 delegates from 195 countries, including state parties to the World Heritage Convention, advisory bodies, senior diplomats, heritage experts, and scholars.
The gathering aims to discuss and decide on matters of global cultural significance.
Science & Technology
4. Which two organizations recently signed an MoU to develop AI tools for detecting and classifying large cardamom diseases in Sikkim? – National Informatics Centre (NIC) and the Spices Board of India
The National Informatics Centre (NIC) and the Spices Board of India have signed an MoU to develop AI tools for detecting and classifying large cardamom diseases in Sikkim.
Led by NIC’s AI Centre of Excellence in Kolkata, the project analyzes images of cardamom leaves to identify diseases early.
This initiative, following three months of discussions, is a significant step in leveraging AI for agricultural advancements in Sikkim.
5. What is ‘Junk DNA’, recently mentioned in news? – Noncoding regions of DNA
Using AI, researchers discovered potential cancer drivers in ‘junk’ DNA regions, which are noncoding sections of DNA.
While DNA codes for proteins, not all sequences serve this function. Some noncoding DNA produces RNA components, but others have unknown functions and are termed junk DNA.
In humans, 98% of DNA is noncoding, compared to 2% in bacteria.
Evidence suggests junk DNA might have functional roles through exaptation, gaining functions beyond natural selection.
6. India successfully test fired Rudram-1 missile, which type of strike missile is it? – Air to surface
The Borneo elephant, found in Borneo (Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei), has recently been classified as ‘endangered’ on the IUCN Red List.
Reason: It is facing serious threat from habitat loss due to logging and oil palm plantations. Due to which there has been a huge reduction in their numbers.
Sports
8. With whom has the Indian Olympic Association partnered for the Olympic Games? – Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has recently signed an agreement with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as the Official Principal Partner for the Paris Olympics ’24 to Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
IOA President PT Usha has thanked BPCL for this partnership.
Short News
Persons in News
9. Novelist Ismail Kadare passed away, Ismail Kadare belongs to which country? – Albania
