AssamExam

• Union Ayush Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone of the permanent campus of the Regional Research Institute for Homoeopathy and Integrated Ayush Wellness Centre at Azara, Guwahati.  
• This Institute was established as a Clinical Research Unit of Homeopathy in 1984 in the rented building at Odalbakra, Guwahati. Presently it is situated at Bhetapara, Guwahati in the old building of Central Ayurveda Research Institute.

Surat in Gujarat and Indore in Madhya Pradesh were jointly declared cleanest cities of the country at the annual clean city awards 2023. This was for the seventh year in a row that Indore has been ranked as the cleanest city in India.

Top Performers in Other Categories 

• Cities with Population under 1 Lakh: Sasvad, Patan, and Lonavala claimed the top three spots. 
• Cleanest Cantonment Board: Mhow Cantonment Board in Madhya Pradesh emerged as the top performer. 
• Cleanest Ganga Towns: Varanasi and Prayagraj received recognition as the best and cleanest Ganga towns. 
• Best Performing States: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh secured the top three awards for their outstanding performance. 
• Safaimitra Surakshit Sheher: Chandigarh received the award for the Best Safaimitra Surakshit Sheher.

The State Bank of India (SBI) has launched SBI Green Rupee Term Deposit in an effort to raise cash for funding green activities and projects, as well as to expand the country’s green finance ecosystem.

• The government of Assam has launched ‘Baayu’, an app-based electric bike taxi service by the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC). 
• It is India’s first decentralized, app-based 100% electric bike taxi service that was flagged off by Assam Transport Minister Parimal Suklabaidya in Guwahati.

• India ranked 80th out of 199 countries in the Henley Passport Index 2024. In 2023, India was ranked 83rd.  
• The Henley Passport Index ranks countries based on the number of destinations that allow visa-free entry to their passport. India’s passport allows visa-free access to 62 destinations, including Thailand, Indonesia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Maldives. 
• The most powerful passports in the world in 2024 are Japanese, Singaporean, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Citizens of these countries can travel visa-free to 194 destinations.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Swachh Mandir’ Campaign, a nationwide initiative focused on cleanliness at pilgrimage sites. 
• PM Modi has called for a nationwide initiative to make Ayodhya the cleanest city in India. 
• The campaign is inclusive and aims to involve all elected representatives, such as MPs, MLAs, and panchayat representatives, to work together for the success of the initiative.

Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated India’s first healthy and clean food street ‘Prasadam’ at Neelkanth Van, Mahakal Lok, in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

• Researchers from Mizoram University’s zoology department have discovered a new species of coral snake in Mizoram naming it Sinomicrurus gorei after Dr. Gore. 
• Locally called ‘Rulṭhihna,’ it resembles the traditional Mizo amber necklace ‘Ṭhihna.

India will host the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in New Delhi from July 21 to 31, 2024. This significant announcement was made by Vishal V Sharma, India’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO.

The Rural Development Ministry signed a MoU with the State Bank of India (SBI) to streamline and facilitate enterprise financing for rural self-help groups (SHGs),

• The International Camel Festival in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district started with a vibrant Heritage Walk from Rampuriya Haveli, showing decorated camels, traditional costumes, and local folk artists. 
• The event featured a warm reception by residents with flowers and rangoli decorations. 
• Tourists and locals enjoyed folk songs, Rammats’ tunes, and dances, fostering a festive atmosphere in the city park.