Reuven Azar Appointed as New Ambassador to India in Israel

• Reuven Azar has been designated by the Israeli government as the new Ambassador to India.
• He concurrently holding the position of non-resident Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Bhutan.
• He is Currently fulfilling the role of Israel's Ambassador to Romania.

Surat Diamond Bourse Inaugurated by PM Modi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Surat Diamond Bourse, constructed in 6.7 million square feet.
• Diamond Bourse featured international banking, secure vaults, a jewelry mall, and is expected to generate around 150,000 new employment opportunities.
• The Surat Diamond Bourse will stand as the world's largest office space.

PM Modi Inaugurated the New Terminal Building of Surat Airport

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the terminal building at Surat International Airport, emphasizing its significance as a substantial infrastructure enhancement for Surat.
• He highlighted that this development would contribute to the improvement of 'Ease of Living' and enhance commercial activities in the city and surrounding areas.
• The Surat terminal is designed to accommodate up to 1,200 domestic passengers and 600 international passengers during peak hours. It has provisions to further increase the peak-hour capacity to 3,000 passengers, with an annual handling capacity set to rise to 5.5 million passengers.

Indian Air Force Successfully Testfires ‘SAMAR’ Air Defence Missile System

• The Indian Air Force has accomplished a successful test firing of Surface to Air Missile for Assured Retaliation (SAMAR) air defense missile system.
• The successful firing trials of SAMAR air defence missile system were held during exercise AstraShakti-2023 at Air Force Station Suryalanka.
• The IAF has developed (SAMAR) air defence missile system by using its old Russian-origin air-to-air missile systems.
• The system can engage aerial threats with missiles operating at a speed range of 2 to 2.5 Mach.
• The SAMAR system is comprised of a twin-turret launch platform with the ability to launch two missiles in both single and salvo modes.

PM Narendra Modi Launches Second Edition of Kashi Time Sangamam in Varanasi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the second edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam.
• The Kashi Tamil Sangamam highlighting its role in reinforcing the essence of "Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat".
• This program seeks to rediscover, reaffirm, and celebrate the longstanding connections between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, both being prominent and ancient centers of knowledge in the country.
• The first edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam was organised last year.

PM Modi Inaugurates Swarved Mahamandir

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Swarved Mahamandir, an exquisite seven-story temple situated in the Umaraha area of Varanasi.
• He along with Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath took a tour of the centre that can seat 20,000 people at a time for meditation.
• He also participated in the centenary celebration of Vihangam Yoga during his visit to the temple.

Mallikarjun Kharge Launches ‘Donate for Desh' Crowdfunding Campaign

• Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launched Donate for Desh crowdfunding campaign.
• In the campaign, he urged individuals to join the battle against unemployment and the escalating cost of living.
• Indians above the age of 18 can donate a minimum of Rs 138 or in multiples such as Rs 1,380, Rs 13,800 and so on to the campaign.
• He made an initial donation of Rs 1,38,000 from his salary to kickstart the campaign.
• Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal stated that the initiative was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's historic 'Tilak Swaraj Fund', which was launched more than a hundred years ago in 1920-21.