International Plastic Bag Free Day 2023

• Every year on July 3, people observe International Plastic Bag Free Day to increase awareness about the detrimental effects of plastic on the environment.
• The day aims to inspire individuals to substitute disposable plastic bags with more sustainable options like jute or cotton bags.

India, China Construction on North Bank of Pangong Tso Lake

• Three years after the violent clash between Indian and Chinese forces in Galwan, followed by a standoff with tanks near the Pangong Tso—a lake that spans eastern Ladakh and western Tibet—the region remains a hub of intense activity from both sides.
• China is expediting the construction of a bridge across the Pangong Tso, which will connect the north and south banks. Meanwhile, India is also constructing a black-topped road on its side of the north bank.
• These infrastructure developments are just a few examples of the initiatives undertaken by both nations since the conflict, resulting in a permanent alteration of the ground situation in eastern Ladakh.
• Despite these changes, both sides are eagerly awaiting the 19th round of Corps Commander level talks in hopes of finding a resolution to their dispute in the region.

Protest Against UCC

• Indigenous communities in different states have suggested the possibility of staging street protests against the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which received support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The opposition to the UCC has been the strongest in North Eastern states such as Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland.
• The North Eastern states is one of the most culturally diverse regions in the world and is home to 220 ethnic communities. Many fear that the UCC would affect their customary laws protected by the constitution.

Chandrayaan-3: ISRO Prepares for Final Leg of Tests Ahead of Launch

• After successfully assembling the Chandrayaan-3 rocket, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is currently gearing up for the final round of tests before the highly anticipated launch.
• The expected launch date falls within the timeframe of July 12 to July 19, with July 13 being the most likely date.
• The Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota will serve as the launch site for Chandrayaan-3.

132^nd Edition of Durand Cup

• The 132^nd edition of the Durand Cup has kicked off its Trophy tour, commencing at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.
• The Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, and Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari flagged off the tour.
• Over the next month, the Trophy Tour will travel across the country, making stops at significant cities such as Shimla, Udhampur, Jaipur, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Kokrajhar, Guwahati, and Shillong, before culminating in Kolkata for the grand event.
• The tournament will take place in Kolkata from August 3rd to September 3rd, 2023, with the participation of 24 teams.
• This edition marks the return of teams from Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh after a gap of 27-year.
• The tournament, organized by the Durand Football Tournament Society (DFTS) under the supervision of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), is open to all club teams.

Tejas Mk-1 Completes 7 Years of Service

• Indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas completed seven years of service in the Indian Air Force (IAF) on July 1.
• Since its induction in 2016, the Tejas Mk-1 has showcased its capabilities in various missions, reflecting India’s prowess in the aviation industry.