Chetna Maroo's Debut Novel 'Western Lane' on Booker Prize longlist

• Chetna Maroo, an Indian-origin author based in London, has made it to the longlist of the 2023 Booker Prize with her debut novel 'Western Lane.'
• The debut novel 'Western Lane' by Chetna Maroo, who was born in Kenya, is set in the British Gujarati milieu.
• The Booker judges have lauded the book for its skillful use of squash as a metaphor to explore intricate human emotions. The story revolves around an 11-year-old girl named Gopi and her deep connections with her family.
• The longlist comprises 13 books from diverse authors representing Malaysia, Nigeria, Ireland, Canada, the US, and the UK.
• These literary works delve into a wide range of universal and contemporary themes, covering moving personal stories, humorous family sagas, the impact of climate change, issues faced by minorities, scientific advancements, and the world of competitive sports.

Amazon Launches First-Ever Floating Store

• As part of its "I Have Space" last-mile delivery program, Amazon India has introduced its first-ever floating store on Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir.
• By launching its first-ever floating store on Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir, as part of the "I Have Space" last-mile delivery program, Amazon India aims to offer quicker and more dependable deliveries to customers in the region.
• This initiative also opens new opportunities for small businesses and serves to reinforce Amazon's delivery network in the area.

FALCON Shield 2023

• China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been actively enhancing their defense and security cooperation by engaging in joint military drills and arms agreements.
• Among these initiatives is the Falcon Shield 2023 exercise, which is set to take place in China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
• The primary goal of the Falcon Shield 2023 military drill is to enhance practical exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese and UAE militaries, fostering mutual understanding and trust.

Indian Army Implements Common Uniform Regulation for Brigadier and Above Ranks

• The Indian Army has introduced a noteworthy change in its uniform regulations, specifically targeting senior officers holding the rank of Brigadier and above.
• The objective behind this decision is to promote a unified identity and preserve the Indian Army's reputation as an organization that values fairness and equality.

Microsoft Appoints Puneet Chandok to Lead India Operations

• Puneet Chandok has been appointed as the new Corporate Vice President of Microsoft India and South Asia.
• He will succeed Anant Maheshwari and assume the role of overseeing operational duties.
• Puneet Chandok will be responsible for integrating Microsoft's businesses across the South Asian region, which includes countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

PM Modi receives Lokmanya Tilak Award

• On the 103^rd death anniversary of freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured with the Lokmanya Tilak National Award in Pune.
• The award ceremony, held to acknowledge PM Modi's "supreme leadership" and his efforts in instilling a spirit of patriotism among the citizens, was organized as a tribute to the renowned leader.