1. World Population Day 2014 Observed Today
i. World Population Day is being observed today, an annual event on 11 July to raise awareness of global population issues.
ii. Established by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989, it was inspired by the interest in Five Billion Day on 11 July 1987 – approximately the date when the world's population reached five billion.
iii. This year, the theme is "Investing in Young People."
GLOBAL POPULATION FACTS:
- As of 1 January 2014, the world's population was estimated to be 7,137,661,030, and increases by 2.3 people every second.
- The total number of people who have ever lived has been estimated by the Population Bureau to be around 108 billion.
- The world population is estimated to have reached one billion in 1804, with two, three and four billion in 1927, 1960 and 1974 respectively.
-China, India, USA, Indonesia, Pakistan and Brazil account for half the world's people.
-More than one in three people are Chinese or Indian.
2. Spectacular ceremony marks 20th CWG opening in Glasgow
i. The 20th Commonwealth Games began in Glasgow. Scotland rolled out a spectacular opening ceremony with a dazzling and colourful display of their unique culture and heritage, which also had some Indian flavour.
ii. A surprisingly subdued Glasgow suddenly sprang to life and exuberance with a three-hour mesmerising show of light and sound and colourful hues which the organisers claimed was watched by more than one billion people.
iii. As per convention, the head of Commonwealth countries Queen Elizabeth II declared the Games Open last night.
iv. Britain's all time most successful Olympian cyclist and a Scot himself, Sir Chris Hoy was given the honour of presenting the Queens Baton to Her Majesty who read out her message to the Commonwealth before declaring the games open. The 11 day event will witness 4,929 athletes from 71 nations and territories competing for medals.
v. India had their slice of attention with cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar turning up in a brief video clip, urging people to donate for the improvement of the living condition of children throughout the world in his role as the Global Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF.
vi. The Indian contingent headed by flag bearer and Olympic silver medalist shooter Vijay Kumar led the Parade of Nations, by virtue of being hosts in 2010 Delhi edition.
3. Bhim Sain Bassi Took Charge as the 20th Delhi Police Commissioner
i. Bhim Sain Bassi, the 1977-batch IPS officer of AGMU (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories) cadre took over the charge as the next Delhi Police Commissioner on 31 July 2013. He succeeded Neeraj Kumar.
ii. Bhim Sain Bassi is 57 years of age. As of now, he was serving as the Special Commissioner of Police (Administration).
iii. Bhim Sain Bassi is the 20th Commissioner of Delhi Police. He will remain in the office till February 2016.
iv. He was awarded with the Police Medal for Meritorious Service in the year 1996.
v. He also received President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service in the year 2002.
NOTE: Apart from him, Tihar Director General Vimla Mehra and Director General (Investigation) at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Kanwaljit Deol were in contention for this post.
4. World Humanitarian Day observed today
i. Today is World Humanitarian Day. This day is observed on the 19th of August every year to recognise those people who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes.
ii. The theme for this year is - The World Needs More.
iii. The day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq.
iv. In his message, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said that we must reaffirm our commitment to the life saving work that humanitarians carry out around the world every day, often in difficult and dangerous circumstances.
i. World Population Day is being observed today, an annual event on 11 July to raise awareness of global population issues.
ii. Established by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989, it was inspired by the interest in Five Billion Day on 11 July 1987 – approximately the date when the world's population reached five billion.
iii. This year, the theme is "Investing in Young People."
GLOBAL POPULATION FACTS:
- As of 1 January 2014, the world's population was estimated to be 7,137,661,030, and increases by 2.3 people every second.
- The total number of people who have ever lived has been estimated by the Population Bureau to be around 108 billion.
- The world population is estimated to have reached one billion in 1804, with two, three and four billion in 1927, 1960 and 1974 respectively.
-China, India, USA, Indonesia, Pakistan and Brazil account for half the world's people.
-More than one in three people are Chinese or Indian.
2. Spectacular ceremony marks 20th CWG opening in Glasgow
i. The 20th Commonwealth Games began in Glasgow. Scotland rolled out a spectacular opening ceremony with a dazzling and colourful display of their unique culture and heritage, which also had some Indian flavour.
ii. A surprisingly subdued Glasgow suddenly sprang to life and exuberance with a three-hour mesmerising show of light and sound and colourful hues which the organisers claimed was watched by more than one billion people.
iii. As per convention, the head of Commonwealth countries Queen Elizabeth II declared the Games Open last night.
iv. Britain's all time most successful Olympian cyclist and a Scot himself, Sir Chris Hoy was given the honour of presenting the Queens Baton to Her Majesty who read out her message to the Commonwealth before declaring the games open. The 11 day event will witness 4,929 athletes from 71 nations and territories competing for medals.
v. India had their slice of attention with cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar turning up in a brief video clip, urging people to donate for the improvement of the living condition of children throughout the world in his role as the Global Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF.
vi. The Indian contingent headed by flag bearer and Olympic silver medalist shooter Vijay Kumar led the Parade of Nations, by virtue of being hosts in 2010 Delhi edition.
3. Bhim Sain Bassi Took Charge as the 20th Delhi Police Commissioner
i. Bhim Sain Bassi, the 1977-batch IPS officer of AGMU (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories) cadre took over the charge as the next Delhi Police Commissioner on 31 July 2013. He succeeded Neeraj Kumar.
ii. Bhim Sain Bassi is 57 years of age. As of now, he was serving as the Special Commissioner of Police (Administration).
iii. Bhim Sain Bassi is the 20th Commissioner of Delhi Police. He will remain in the office till February 2016.
iv. He was awarded with the Police Medal for Meritorious Service in the year 1996.
v. He also received President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service in the year 2002.
NOTE: Apart from him, Tihar Director General Vimla Mehra and Director General (Investigation) at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Kanwaljit Deol were in contention for this post.
4. World Humanitarian Day observed today
i. Today is World Humanitarian Day. This day is observed on the 19th of August every year to recognise those people who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes.
ii. The theme for this year is - The World Needs More.
iii. The day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq.
iv. In his message, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said that we must reaffirm our commitment to the life saving work that humanitarians carry out around the world every day, often in difficult and dangerous circumstances.
