National
Sai Hira Global Convention Centre in Puttaparthi
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated Sai Hira Global Convention Centre in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh on 04 July 2023 via video conferencing.
Key Points:
- The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust has constructed a new facility, Sai Hira Global Convention Centre, at Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi.
- Prasanthi Nilayam is the main ashram of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The Convention Centre, donated by philanthropist Shri Ryuko Hira, is a testament to the vision of promoting cultural exchange, spirituality, and global harmony.
- It provides a nurturing environment for people of diverse backgrounds to come together, connect, and explore the teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
- Its world-class amenities and infrastructure will facilitate conferences, seminars, and cultural events, fostering dialogue and understanding among individuals from all walks of life.
- The sprawling complex also features meditation halls, serene gardens and facilities for accommodation.
Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs
⇒ Vice Admiral Atul Anand took over as Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs on July 03, 2023.
The post was previously held by Lt Gen Anil Puri, who superannuated on February 28, 2023.
- Vice Admiral Atul Anand was commissioned into the executive branch of the Indian Navy on January 01, 1988.
- A recipient of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), Vice Admiral Atul Anand has held several key appointments in his career.
DAY-NRLM launches 'eSARAS' Mobile App
⇒ Taking another step of strengthening marketing support for products made by women of Self-help Groups (SHGs), Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) launched eSARAS mobile App which will add to eCommerce initiatives for products made by the SHGs.
The App was launched by Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India at New Delhi.
About Mobile App:
- eSARAS an e-commerce mobile app will be used as a more effective platform for marketing of the products made by women of self-help groups.
- It is an initiative conceptualized by the DAY-NRLM, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), towards the marketing of the best, authentic handicrafts and hand-looms.
- Through the eSARAS mobile App, the handmade products made by SHG Didis are now available at everyone’s fingertips in even more customer friendly way.
Shri Singh also inaugurated eSARAS Fulfillment Centre at the Ministry’s Janakpuri office in New Delhi on this occasion.
- The eSARAS fulfillment centre will be managed by the Foundation for Development of Rural Value Chains (FDRVC – a Not for Profit Company constituted jointly by Ministry of Rural Development and Tata Trust).
- The eSARAS fulfillment centre will be used for processing, packaging and shipping of products that customers purchase through the eSARAS Portal and eSARAS mobile App.
- It will handle the logistics required to bring an online order to a customer’s doorstep.
Sports
Lausanne Diamond League 2023
⇒ India’s Neeraj Chopra won the men’s javelin throw event at the Lausanne Diamond League 2023 in Switzerland on 01 July 2023.
- Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, who won the javelin throw event at the season-opening Doha leg with an 88.67m attempt in May, picked up his second successive victory with an 87.66m effort, which came in his fifth attempt of the night.
- The Lausanne meet was Neeraj Chopra’s second competition of the season and the first since the Doha Diamond League.
- Neeraj Chopra’s attempts at Lausanne Diamond League 2023: No mark, 83.52m, 85.04m, No mark, 87.66m, 84.15m
Last year, Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian athlete to become a Diamond League champion by winning the men’s javelin throw grand final in Zurich.
» India’s Murali Sreeshankar, meanwhile, finished fifth in the men’s long jump event with a best effort of 7.88m at Lausanne Diamond League 2023.
- Murali Sreeshankar’s attempts at Lausanne Diamond League 2023: 7.75m, 7.63m, 7.88m, 7.59m, 7.66m
Important Day
Dharma Chakra Parivartan Divas Celebrations by Culture Ministry and IBC on Ashadha Purnima
⇒ The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), under the aegis of Ministry of Culture, Government of India, celebrated Ashadha Purnima on 3 July, 2023 as the Dharma Chakra Pravartana Divas at National Museum, Janpath, New Delhi.
- It is the annual flagship event of IBC and the second most sacred day for Buddhists after the Buddha Purnima or the Vaishakha Purnima.
- In keeping with the historical legacy of India, the land of Buddha’s enlightenment, his turning of the wheels of Dhamma, and Mahaparinirvana, IBC hosted the Ashadha Purnima celebrations at the National Museum, Janpath where the Sakhyamuni’s Holy relic is enshrined.
Key Points:
- It was at Sarnath that Buddha gave his first sermon and set the wheel of dharma in motion. The auspicious day of Ashadha Purnima which falls on the full moon day of the month of Ashadha as per Indian lunar calendar is also known as Esala Poya in Sri Lanka and Asanha Bucha in Thailand.
- Ashadha Purnima marks Buddha’s first teaching after attaining Enlightenment to the first five ascetic disciples (pañcavargiya) on the full-moon day of Ashadha at ‘Deer Park’, Ṛiṣipatana Mrigadaya in the present day Sarnath, near Varanasi, India.
- This teaching of Dhamma Cakka- Pavattana Sutta (Pali) or Dharma Cakra Pravartana Sutra (Sanskrit) is also known as the Turning of Wheels of Dharma and comprises the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eight-Fold Path.
- The Rainy Season retreat (Varsha Vassa) for the Monks and Nuns also starts with this day lasting for three lunar months from July to October, during which they remain in a single place, generally in their temples dedicated to intense meditation.
- The day is also observed as Guru Purnima by both Buddhists and Hindus as a day to mark reverence to their Gurus.