Current Affairs Highlights - July 9, 2025

International Organizations & Diplomacy

• BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI):
  • Mayank Tyagi has been appointed as the Regional Director for Rajasthan.
  • BRICS consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, established in 2009.
  • The 17th BRICS Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 6-7, 2025, attended by PM Narendra Modi from India.
  • BRICS has no regional headquarters; the Rajasthan regional director aims to boost trade in the state.

Energy & Industry

• World's Second Largest Polymer Injection Campaign:
  • To be launched in the Barmer-Sanchor Basin, Rajasthan.
  • Aims to increase crude oil production by 1.5 times.
  • Rajasthan's Oil Basins:
    • There are four oil basins in Rajasthan, covering an area of 1.50 lakh sq km across 14 districts.
    • Rajasthan ranks 2nd in India for crude oil production, contributing 14.95% (4.39 million metric tons annually) of India's total production.
    • Key Basins & Districts:
      • Bikaner-Nagaur Basin: Bikaner, Nagaur, Churu, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh.
      • Vindhya Basin: Kota, Bundi, Baran, Jhalawar, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara.
      • Jaisalmer Basin: Jaisalmer.
      • Sanchor-Barmer Basin: Jalore, Barmer.

Social Initiatives & Public Services

• Namo Toy Bank:
  • To be established in Kota, operated by local children.
  • Other Banks in Rajasthan:
    • First Plasma Bank: Jaipur (Second in Kota).
    • Mother Milk Bank: Jaipur, Kota.
    • Bone Bank: Kota.
    • Bartan Bank (Utensil Bank): First in Kherabad, Kota. Initial phase involves 1000 Gram Panchayats, receiving ₹1 lakh grant and 400 utensil sets (plates, bowls, spoons) each. Managed by Rajivika with a rental fee of ₹3 per set.
    • First Toy Bank (General): Ajmer (established 2016).

Awards & Recognition

• 28th World Congress (South Korea):
  • Dr. Meena Bardia (Jodhpur) represented India at the congress held from July 12-16, 2025.
• Norris Medical Global Conference (Australia):
  • Dr. Sankalp Mittal was awarded the Global Best Case Presentation Award.
  • Notable Personalities Mentioned:
    • Dr. Mannalal Rawat (Udaipur MP): Awarded Sansad Ratna Award.
    • Dr. D.S. Shekhawat (Khiroh, Jhunjhunu): Awarded 'Most Educated Person of the World' with 108 degrees.

Culture & Sports

• Global Program Sound of the Universe Music Dialogue:
  • Organized by a German institution, held across three countries, including Jaipur, Rajasthan.
  • Praudh Shiksha Sansthan (Adult Education Institute) from Jaipur participated.
  • Other Cultural Institutions:
    • Lalit Kala Akademi, Jaipur (established 1957).
    • Malang Sansthan, Bikaner (recently led Kabir Yatra in Japan).
    • Prachi Vidya Pratishthan, Jodhpur (established 1950).
• Asian Shooting Championship (Kazakhstan):
  • To be held from August 16-30.
  • 24 athletes from Rajasthan will participate, forming the largest contingent from the state.

Other News Snippets

• A tigress and her father were filmed fighting in Ramgarh Tiger Reserve.
• An Education Ministry survey reveals post-COVID learning decline, with 47% of 6th-grade students in Punjab, Himachal, and Chandigarh unable to recite multiplication tables up to 10.

Previous Day's Highlights (Recap)

• Aastha Poonia: First woman fighter pilot from the Indian Navy (from Rewiz Onceley Vidyapeeth).
• Om Birla (Lok Sabha Speaker): Inaugurated Van Mahotsav in Mukundra Hills.
• Camel Race Championship 2025: First edition held in Pushkar, Ajmer on July 7, 2025.
• Miss Universe India 2026-27 Beauty Pageant: To be organized in Jaipur.
• Menar, Udaipur: Designated as Rajasthan's first Community Zero Site.
• Kabir Yatra (Japan): Led by Malang Sansthan, Bikaner.
• Wushu Federation of Asia Cup (China): Rajasthan players won 3 medals.