National
Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court
⇒ President of India, Ram Nath Kovind appointed Shri Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari to perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court with effect from 26th June, 2021.
The Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice issued a notification in this regard on 22 June 2021.
This appointment has been made consequent upon the retirement of the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court, Shri Justice Sanjay Yadav on June 25. In the same month, Shri Justice Sanjay Yadav was took oath as Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court on 13 June 2021.
Pugalur-Thrissur HVDC system
⇒ Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, a Maharatna CPSU under Ministry of Power, has commissioned Monopole-I of the ± 320 kV, 2000 Mega-Watt (MW), Pugalur (Tamil Nadu) – Thrissur (Kerala) Voltage Source Convertor (VSC) based High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) System on 08 June 2021.
The Pugalur-Thrissur HVDC system, costing Rs 5070 crore, is a part of the Raigarh-Pugalur-Thrissur 6000 MW HVDC system.
This is the India’s first VSC based HVDC System. The state-of-the-art VSC Technology has been brought to India for the first time by POWERGRID through this Project. The VSC technology significantly reduces the land requirement compared to the conventional HVDC systems.
This project will strengthen the power system of the Southern Region of the country.
'Surakshit Hum Surakshit Tum' Abhiyaan
⇒ NITI Aayog and Piramal Foundation launched ‘Surakshit Hum Surakshit Tum’ Abhiyaan in 112 Aspirational Districts on 08 June 2021. This campaign was launched to assist district administrations in providing home-care support to Covid-19 patients who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms.
While launching the campaign, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said, ‘Surakshit Hum Surakshit Tum Abhiyaan is a significant initiative that responds to immediate needs and will provide long-term support to India’s poorest communities in the Aspirational Districts by addressing the lasting impact of Covid 19.’
District magistrates lead ”Surakshit Hum Surakshit Tum” Abhiyaan in partnership with over 1000 local NGOs and the Piramal Foundation works with district magistrates to support the training of NGOs and volunteers.
About Aspirational Districts Programme:
The Government of India launched the ‘Transformation of Aspirational Districts’ programme to transform districts in India.
The programme aims at convergence (of Central & State Schemes), collaboration (of Central, State level ‘Prabhari’ Officers & District Collectors), and competition among districts driven by a mass movement.
The programme focuses on the strength of each district, identifies districts that require immediate improvement, measures their progress, and rank them accordingly.
International
International advisory group for action on environment, climate and biodiversity
⇒ India’s Sunita Narain – Environmentalist, Writer and Director General of The Centre for Science & Environment, has been appointed to an international advisory group for action on environment, climate and biodiversity. She was appointed by Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation Per Olsson Fridh.
International advisory group for action on the environment, climate and biodiversity has been launched in connection with World Environment Day on 5 June.
This international group consists of experts who provide a deep commitment and knowledge in the field. This group helps Sweden’s efforts to address the halt of biodiversity, depletion of ecosystems and most importantly climate change.
International Excellence Award at 50th London Book Fair
⇒ Chennai-based learning resource, Karadi Path has won the International Excellence Award at 50th London Book Fair. Karadi Path Education Company won this in the category ‘Educational Learning Resources’.
Karadi Path is the only firm in India to receive the award this year presented by the London Book Fair in partnership with the UK’s Publishers Association.
Important Day
International Level Crossing Awareness Day 2021
⇒ The 13th edition of International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) was observed on 10 June 2021. International Union of Railways, (UIC) observes one day as the International Level Crossing Awareness Day every year.
Theme:
The International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) theme for 2021 is “Distraction”.
Objective:
The International Level Crossing Awareness Day focuses on educational measures and the promotion of safe behavior at and around level crossings.
The International Level Crossing Awareness Day is the unique worldwide awareness campaign on level crossing safety. It has been spearheaded by the International Union of Railways (UIC) with the support of the railway community around the world from 2009.
ILCAD in India:
As a part of International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD), India’s South Central Railway participated in the global campaign to sensitize road users to enhance safety at level crossings.
Death
Bengali filmmaker, Buddhadeb Dasgupta
⇒ Renowned Bengali filmmaker Buddhadeb Dasgupta passed away on 10 June 2021 in Kolkata. He was 77.
Some of Dasgupta’s notable films include “Neem Annapurna”, “Grihajuddha”, “Bagh Bahadur”, “Tahader Katha”, “Uttara”, “Kaalpurush” and “Janala” etc. He also directed Hindi films include “Andhi Gali” and “Anwar Ka Ajab Kissa”.
He received the National Film Award in several categories including best film, best direction, best screenplay and best feature film in Bengali for his work. He also received international awards at the Venice Film Festival, Asia Pacific Film Festival, etc.