Current Context : The Ministry of Textiles has approved Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT) schemes for startups in technical textiles.

ABOUT GREAT SCHEME

• It is part of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM).
• Under the GREAT scheme, grant-in-aid, typically up to INR 50 lakhs, over 18 months will be provided.
• The scheme aims to harness India’s talent and expertise in the technical textiles sector to introduce innovative products and technologies to the market.

ABOUT NATIONAL TECHNICAL TEXTILES MISSION

It was approved in 2020, and aims to elevate India as a global leader in technical textiles and boost domestic usage from USD 40 billion to USD 50 billion by 2024. Operated under the Ministry of Textiles, it spans four years with key components focusing on research, market development, exports, and education.

Current Context : “Divya Drishti” is an advanced AI tool developed by the woman-led start-up Ingenious Research Solutions.

ABOUT 

• The tool integrates facial recognition with gait and skeleton analysis to enhance identification accuracy and reduce false positives and identity fraud.
• This dual-approach biometric authentication system has versatile applications across various sectors, including defence, law enforcement, corporate, and public infrastructure.
• Developed with technical guidance from DRDO’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIR) in Bangalore, “Divya Drishti” signifies a significant advancement in biometric technology.

Celebrated on 19 June.

• The goal is to urge individuals to relax and appreciate life instead of racing through it.
• This day is meant to serve as a reminder to everyone to take a break from their hectic schedule, embrace a slower pace, and fully engage in the moment at hand.
• The idea of sauntering is based on the art of going for a casual walk.

Current Context : Worl Bank’s Horticulture development project in Himachal Pradesh to improve apple production.

• The state government will seek one more World Bank-aided project (HDP 2.0) on the lines of Horticulture Development Project (HDP) which is ending this month.
• This project of worth Rs 1,000 crore was approved in 2016 for temperate fruits, mainly apple and the stone fruits.

ABOUT HORTICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

• Horticulture Development Project is a project aided by World Bank.
• Objective : building mandis, enhancing cold storage facilities and importing quality planting material for the horticulturalists in the state.

ABOUT HDP 2.0.

• Major focus of this project will be on leveraging technology for enhancing production and productivity of the fruits.
• Focus will also be on organic farming and water-efficient farming and facilitating the transition from the traditional apple planation to high density plantation.

Current Context : Recently, a massive fire killed 49 migrant workers in Mangaf area of Al Ahmadi municipality, Kuwait, majority of whom are Indians are working under Kafala System.

ABOUT KAFALA SYSTEM

• The ‘Kafala’ system is a legal framework that has been continued for decades in the Gulf countries.
• It is utilized for the employment of foreign workers in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman. 
• The Gulf countries developed this system to offer an affordable and abundant labor supply during their rapid economic growth era.
• Under this system, Gulf governments grant individuals or companies the right to sponsor foreign workers. These companies hire labor from other countries through agencies.
• There are 1 million Indian workers working in Kuwait. This constitutes about 30% of Kuwait’s total workforce. 

Current Context : The Madhya Pradesh government has completed its preparations to reintroduce cheetahs in Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is being developed as India’s second home for cheetahs after the Kuno National Park.
• Cheetahs will be imported from Namibia and South Africa after the monsoons.

ABOUT

• Situated in northwestern Madhya Pradesh.
• The sanctuary is spread across an area of 368.62 sq km, in the districts of Mandsaur (187.12 sq km) and Neemuch (181.5 sq km) in western MP, right on the border with
• Chambal river flowing through the sanctuary dividing it into two equal halves. 
• The Gandhi Sagar dam, constructed on the river in 1960.
• Flora: Khair, Salai, Kardhai, Dhawda, Tendu and Palash.
• Fauna: Chinkara, Nilgai, Spotted Deer,Indian Leopard, Striped Hyena.

Current Context : Indian Air Force will host its first-ever multi-nation air exercise Tarang – Shakti in August 2024.

• It will be two – phase exercise in which 10 countries likely to participate.
• Exercise will have members of the Quadrilateral, or the Quad – India, US, Japan and Australia.
• It will also have UK, France and Germany.
• During this exercise, Germany will deploy fighter jets and also an A-400M transport aircraft.
• Singapore and UAE are key partners of

Current Context : Madhya Pradesh chief minister inaugurated the PM Shri Tourism Air Service.

• It is launched in partnership with JETSERVE Aviation Private Limited.

ABOUT PM SHRI TOURISM AIR SERVICE

• The PM Shri Tourism Air Service is an intra-state air service that connects the state’s religious and tourist spots by air.
• Aim : to improve connectivity for domestic and international tourists visiting Madhya Pradesh.
• It will connect eight cities in the state: Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Rewa, Ujjain, Gwalior, Singrauli, and Khajuraho.

Current Context : Cyril Ramaphosa is elected as the President of South Africa for second term.

• Cyril Ramaphosa was re-elected after a deal was signed between his African National Congress (ANC) Party and  the centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA) and other smaller parties to form a coalition government.
• He was elected as the President of South Africa for the first time on 15 February 2018.

ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA

• South Africa lies at the southernmost tip of the African continent.
• Nelson Mandela was elected as the first Black President of South Africa in 1994.
• Capital of South Africa:  It has three capitals : Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial).
• Currency: Rand

Current Context : Shruti Vora became the first Indian ever to win a three star Grand Prix event in equestrian.

• She won at the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) Dressage World Cup held in Lipica, Slovenia.
• She also represented India at the :
• Dressage World Championships in 2022
• Guanzhou (China) Asian Games 2010
• 2014 Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea.

ABOUT 

• The FEI is the world governing body for horse sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
• Founded in 1921.
• Headquarter : Lausanne, Switzerland.