Conference of States Power Ministers to be held at Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
A conference of Ministers for Power, New & Renewable Energy of States & Union Territories will be held on 3rd July at Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. The Conference will be inaugurated by Shri R K Singh, Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy. The aim of this one-day conference is to review the implementation of various ongoing Schemes/ Programmes & deliberate on a host of issues pertaining to Power and Renewable Energy sectors.
Maharashtra govt announces Kanya Van Samruddhi Yojana
The Maharashtra government has introduced a new scheme called ‘Kanya Van Samruddhi Yojana’. The aim of the scheme is to empower women and promote tree plantation. The scheme was approved in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. As per the scheme, farmers families with 2 girl children will be given 10 saplings of different varieties, including teakwood, mango, jackfruit, black plum, and tamarind for plantation. The income from these trees will be utilized for safeguarding the future of the girls. The beneficiaries will also be helped under the horticulture scheme. It is expected that at least two lakh farmers families will benefit from the scheme every year.
Irrfan Khan honoured with Icon Award at the London Indian Film Festival
Irrfan, who is undergoing treatment in London for a neuroendocrine tumour, accepted his award privately. Richa Chadha won the Outstanding Achievement Award, while Manoj Bajpayee was also awarded an Icon Award. British comedy ‘Eaten By Lions’ won this year’s top prize, voted by the audience.
Sathyasri Sharmila from Tamil Nadu becomes First Transgender Lawyer of India
36 year-old Sathyasri Sharmila from Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu has become the first transgender lawyer to enroll herself with the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (BCTNP). On a related note, Rajasthan’s Ganga Kumari was appointed as the first transgender woman constable after Justice Dinesh Mehta issued the order. Meanwhile, West Bengal’s Joyita Mondal was appointed the Lok Adalat judge of Islampur in North Dinajpur district, thus giving India its first transgender judge.
Arunachal Pradesh govt plans to repeal anti conversion law
Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu said the law against conversions could undermine secularism and is probably targeted towards Christians. The state passed the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act in 1978, becoming the third state in the country after Odisha (1967) and Madhya Pradesh (1968) to do so. Anti-conversion law was passed in 1978. The two main religions observed by people of Arunachal Pradesh are Christianity and Buddhism.
India now moved to the second spot in the ICC T20I team rankings
After winning the two-match T20I series against Ireland, Indian team reached the second spot in the ICC T20I team rankings. Pakistan are still at the top of the table with 131 points, which is an eight-point lead over India. Australia lost four points and have now slipped to the third position with 122 points. India will next face England in a three-match T20I series. India squad for England T20 Series: Virat Kohli (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni (Wicketkeeper), Dinesh Karthik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Siddarth Kaul, Umesh Yadav.
Facebook admits it shared user data with 52 tech companies
In a 747-page response to the US government, Mark Zuckerberg-led social media giant Facebook has admitted it shared its users’ data with 52 technology companies including Alibaba, Huawei, Lenovo and Oppo. Facebook’s data-sharing partnerships with Apple, Amazon and eye-tracking technology company Tobii are due to continue beyond October 2018.
Kawasaki launches India assembled Ninja ZX 10R bike
India Kawasaki Motors, a subsidiary of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Japan, has launched the ₹12.8 lakh Ninja ZX-10R bike, which will be assembled in the country. At the revised price of about Rs. 6.0 lakh, the 2018 Kawasaki ZX-10R is now the most affordable 1000cc superbike in India. Weighing around 206 kg, the bike offers a top speed of 299 kmph.
India clinched the Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018 title
The Indian kabaddi team beat Iran 44-26 and lifted the “Kabaddi Masters 2018” title in Dubai. India’s captain – Ajay Thakur Iranian captain – Mohammad Maleki.
Rahul Dravid becomes the fifth Indian cricketer to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame
Former Team India captain Rahul Dravid (45-year-old) has become the fifth Indian cricketer after Anil Kumble, Sunil Gavaskar, Bishan Singh Bedi and Kapil Dev to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. He scored 24,208 runs in 509 international matches in his nearly 16-year-long playing career. Australia captain Ricky Ponting and retired England woman wicketkeeper-batter Claire Taylor are also inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.
Aadhaar, PAN Linking Deadline Extended To March 31 Next Year
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the time for linking PAN with Aadhaar till 31 March 2019. This is the fifth time that the government has extended the last date. The earlier deadlines for linking Aadhaar-PAN were July 31, August 31 and December 31, 2017, March 31 and June 30 this year. India had launched Aadhaar, now the world’s biggest biometric database, in 2009 to streamline welfare payments and reduce wastage in public spending.
