India's Independence Day Updates: Key News and Announcements

India is enhancing its naval strength by building six advanced submarines in collaboration with a German company.

### Indian Navy Awards Contract for 6 Advanced Submarines
* 🇮🇳 Indian Navy has awarded a contract to Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for the construction of **six advanced submarines** under Project 75I.
* 🚢 This contract, named Project 75I, involves the construction of six diesel-electric attack submarines, which will be the **most advanced submarines** in the Indian Navy's fleet.
* 💰 The contract is worth around **₹43,000 crore**, with MDL and TKMS forming a consortium to build the submarines. The competition for this contract was between **MDL-TKMS** and **Larsen & Toubro-Northrop Grumman**.
* 📅 The submarines are expected to be delivered over the next decade, **significantly enhancing India's naval capabilities** in the Indian Ocean region.
* 🔐 The Indian Navy's decision to award the contract to MDL and TKMS marks a **significant milestone** in the country's efforts to **modernize its defense capabilities**.
* 🇮🇳 The contract announcement coincides with India's Independence Day celebrations, highlighting the country's **commitment to strengthening its defense infrastructure**.
* 💼 The contract is a major boost for the **"Make in India" initiative**, as it involves **significant indigenous manufacturing and technology transfer**.
* 🌊 The new submarines will play a **crucial role** in enhancing India's **maritime security and defense preparedness** in the region.

### India Adds 3 New Ramsar Sites, Reaches Total of 85
* 🌿 Three new wetlands in India have received Ramsar site status: **Narayan World Century and Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary** in Tamil Nadu, and **Tawa Reservoir** in Madhya Pradesh.
* 🌍 With these additions, India now has a total of **85 Ramsar sites**, covering a combined area of **13,586.8 hectares**.
* 📜 The Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971, with India becoming a party to the agreement in 1982. Since 2014, India has **added 59 new wetlands to the Ramsar list**.
* 🏞 Tamil Nadu has the **most Ramsar sites in India**, with 18, followed by Uttar Pradesh with **10 sites**.
* 🌾 India has a total of **10 Ramsar wetlands**, with **18 states** having significant wetland areas.
* 🏭 The Damodar Valley Corporation has awarded a **1600 megawatt thermal power project** to BHEL in Jharkhand's Kodarma district.
* 🩺 India's first indigenous dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, is set to begin **Phase III clinical trials** at the Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Rohtak.
* 📉 India's Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation has reached its lowest level in three months at **2.04%**, primarily due to a decline in **food prices**.

15 AUG CURRENT AFFAIRS 2024 | ALL EXAMS IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS | ASHISH GAUTAM SIR

Adda247 

The Indian Navy has approved the construction of six submarines in collaboration with a German company, following a competitive consortium of two Indian and two foreign companies.

The decision comes after the companies demonstrated their capabilities to win the contract.

This development marks a significant step for the Indian Navy in enhancing its submarine fleet.

प्रोजेक्ट 75 और प्राइमस क्रेडिट कार्ड

प्रोजेक्ट 75 के तहत मगा डॉक लिमिटेड छह एडवांस डीजल इलेक्ट्रिक अटैक सबमरीन बना रहा है, जो जर्मनी की कंपनी थिसेनक्रुप के साथ मिलकर कार्य कर रहा है। इन सबमरीन का उद्देश्य पानी के नीचे लंबे समय तक रहने की क्षमता बढ़ाना है, खासकर पाकिस्तान और चीन के साथ की स्थिति को ध्यान में रखते हुए। इसी बीच, एक्सिस बैंक ने वीजा के साथ मिलकर प्राइमस नामक एक विशेष क्रेडिट कार्ड लॉन्च किया है, जो केवल आमंत्रण के माध्यम से अल्ट्रा हाई नेट वर्थ ग्राहकों के लिए उपलब्ध होगा।

Key Announcements from the 78th Independence Day Celebration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the Independence Day celebration from the Red Fort, with the theme "Developed India 2047.

" Govind Mohan has been appointed as the new Home Secretary, replacing Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

Rahul Naveen has been appointed as the full-time director of the Enforcement Directorate, while P.

Harish has been appointed as India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Recent Developments in Global Leadership and Sports

The United Nations was established on October 24, 1945, and has 193 member countries, with Antonio Guterres as the Secretary-General.

The Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, was dismissed due to unethical cabinet appointments, marking the removal of four Thai premiers.

In sports, PR Sreejesh's jersey number 16 has been retired by Hockey India in honor of his achievements, and he has also been appointed as the new head coach of the junior men's hockey team.

Vinesh Phogat's Disqualification and Award Winners

Vinesh Phogat's appeal for a silver medal was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sports due to her being overweight, resulting in disqualification.

Gus Atkinson from England and Chamari Athapaththu from Sri Lanka were awarded the ICC Player of the Month for July, with Athapaththu tying with West Indies' Hayley Matthews.

President Droupadi Murmu announced 103 Gallant Awards for the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces on the eve of Independence Day.

A total of 103 Gallantry Awards were announced, including four Kirti Chakras, 18 Shaurya Chakras, and one Bar to Sena Medal.

Additionally, 63 Sena Medals, 11 Navy Medals, and six Air Force Medals were awarded.

With the recent addition of three more wetlands, India now has a total of 85 Ramsar sites, covering an area of 13,586.

India's Role in the Ramsar Convention and Wetlands

India is a contracting party to the Ramsar Convention, which was signed in 1971, with India becoming a signatory in 1982.

Since 2013, under the NDA government, 59 new wetlands have been added, with Tamil Nadu having the most Ramsar sites (18) and Uttar Pradesh second (10).

The Ramsar Convention's criteria for designation require fulfilling at least one of the nine defined criteria, and India has 19 types of wetlands, with Gujarat having the maximum area.

India's Initiatives for Labor Standards and Dengue Vaccine

India is collaborating with the International Labour Organization to implement the best labor standards in the textile industry, starting with a pilot project in Madhya Pradesh's cotton-growing districts.

5 million cotton farmers, making it the second-largest producer and a significant consumer.

Additionally, India's first indigenous dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, is set to begin Phase III clinical trials in Rohtak, with Panacea Biotec manufacturing the vaccine using a strain developed by the National Institutes of Health, USA.

Dengue is a major public health concern, with India among the top 30 countries affected, and it is more common in children.

75 to 80 percent of infections in India are asymptomatic, while 20 to 25 percent of cases show symptoms and require treatment, putting children at a higher risk of hospitalization and mortality.

The Damodar Valley Corporation is setting up a 1600 megawatt coal-based thermal power project in Jharkhand, and the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, is visiting India for the first time since 2018.

Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and Investor Protection Fund

04, the lowest in three months, due to a decline in food prices.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry releases this data annually, with DPIIT indicating the 2.

The National Stock Exchange has increased the limit of compensation from the Investor Protection Fund Trust for investors in case of defaults, with a maximum limit set at 35 lakh rupees.

The Investor Protection Fund Trust has increased the maximum claim limit from 25 lakh to 35 lakh for claims against trading members.

Swiggy has launched its UPI payment system, promising faster transaction processing.

Fintech company Navi, founded by Sachin Bansal, is offering a credit line on UPI in partnership with Karnataka Bank, while rural startup Jai Kisan has received RBI approval for acquiring a majority stake in an NBFC.

Additionally, Delhi Airport has become the first to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, completing its target four years ahead of schedule.

Delhi Airport Achieves Net Zero Carbon Emission Status

The GMR Group's airport in Delhi is the first in India to receive Level Five certification for Net Zero Carbon Emission Airport Status.

The airport has successfully met the zero carbon emissions target set by the Airport Council International.

The session concluded with an apology for the delay and a reminder of the last day for special offers on bank preparation courses.