Public art spaces of India are a reflection of our Lok Kala and Lok Sanskriti. When we talk about Public Art, it is very dynamic and is an intersection of past, present, and future. Through it, we can see the amalgamation of different ideas in various art forms like traditional and contemporary. This art form which is freely accessible to the public; attracts not only attention but even thoughts begin to gather as to why this work of art is here, what is its uniqueness, what material it is made up of, and what is the thought of the artist behind this artwork. Making it open to various interesting interpretations. These are the few aspects that make this art very special. It connects the public to the art.

With rapid urbanization, Public Art enhances a sense of distinctiveness and adds aesthetic value to the image of a city. It contributes to the visual quality of the public arena encouraging community pride with a sense of belonging. It uplifts and engages visitors or passers-by’s travel experience by leaving an imprint in their minds. The outreach of Public Art is immense and thought-provoking. It acts as a significant factor in giving visual recognition to a specific place. The public art augments and induces meaning to a public space making it an integral part of the culture and society.

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Divine Retreat Centre of Brahma Kumaris at Haridamada village near Bhubaneswar, Odisha today (July 8, 2024). She also launched a national campaign ‘Lifestyle for Sustainability’ of Brahma Kumaris.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that Mother Nature is full of bounties. Forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, seas, rain, air - all are essential for the survival of living beings. But humans should remember that abundance in nature is for their needs, not for their greed. Human beings are exploiting nature for their indulgence and by doing this, are becoming victims of nature's wrath. She stated that establishing harmony with nature and living nature-friendly life is the need of the hour.

The President said that Indian culture has always emphasized a lifestyle compatible with nature. In our philosophy, the earth has been called mother and the sky has been called father. The river has also been given the title of mother. Water has been called life. We worship rain as Lord Indra and the ocean as Lord Varuna. In our stories, mountains and trees move and animals even talk to each other. This means that nature is not inert, it also has the power of consciousness within it. All these are beautiful thoughts of Indian philosophers for the protection of nature.

The Philippines and Japan boosted their defence ties by signing a reciprocal access agreement (RAA) on Monday, saying they were seeking stability in the region, amid rising tensions with China.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa described the pact, which eases the entry of equipment and troops for combat training and disaster response, as a “landmark achievement”.

The deal is the first of its kind to be signed by Japan in Asia and coincides with a rise in assertive actions Chinese vessels in the disputed South China Sea.

Senior IAS officer Pankaj Agarwal was appointed the chief electoral officer of Haryana on Monday. The Haryana government issued Agarwal's posting orders.

"Pankaj Agarwal (2000 batch officer) has been posted as Chief Electoral Officer, Haryana and Commissioner and Secretary to Government, Elections Department," an official statement said

The Haryana government had on July 4 transferred 12 IAS officers with immediate effect.

US wrestling superstar and actor John Cena announced retirement from in-ring competition in 2025, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) said in a post on social media platform X on July 7.

“John Cena announces retirement from in-ring competition, stating that WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas will be his last,” WWE said.

“Tonight, I am officially announcing my retirement from the WWE,” Cena said while cutting the most heartbreaking promo of his career. WWE Head of Creative Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque tweeted a small video clip of him and Cena hugging backstage with the caption 'The Greatest of All Time’.

Cena began his wrestling career in 2001 and debuted in WWE in June 2002, quickly becoming one of the most decorated superstars in the company’s history. He was the face of WWE during the ‘Ruthless Aggression’ and PG eras.

Gagan Narang, four-time Olympian and 2012 Olympic Games men’s 10m Air Rifle bronze medalist, has been chosen to replace MC Mary Kom as the Chef-de-Mission of the Indian contingent to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games beginning on July 26.

Indian Olympic Association President Dr PT Usha today said the 41-year-old Gagan Narang’s elevation from Deputy Chef-de-Mission’s position was an automatic choice in the wake of Mary Kom’s resignation. “I was looking for an Olympic medalist to lead our contingent and my young colleague is an apt replacement for Mary Kom,” she said.

Mary Kom, a bronze medalist in the 2012 Olympics announced that she would be stepping down from the role ‘owing to personal reasons’, in April 2024.

Ace shuttler PV Sindhu will be the female flag bearer for India during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. At the same time, London Olympic bronze medallist shooter Gagan Narang replaced legendary boxer Mary Kom as India's Chef-de-Mission for the Summer Olympics on Monday.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president, PT Usha, revealed that Narang's elevation from the deputy CDM position became an automatic choice after Mary Kom's resignation. "I was looking for an Olympic medallist to lead our contingent and my young colleague is an apt replacement for Mary Kom," PT Usha said in a press release.

The Supreme Court on Monday appointed former Chief Justice of India Uday Umesh Lalit, as chairperson of the search-cum-selection committee for all the universities in West Bengal.

A bench of justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan said, "We hereby appoint Justice Uday Umesh Lalit, Former Chief Justice of India as Chairperson of the Search-cum-Selection Committees for all the Universities."

The top court was hearing the West Bengal Govt petition challenging the Calcutta High Court order to dismiss the state government plea against the Governor's decision to appoint around 28 interim vice-chancellors. The Mamta Banerjee-led government in West Bengal was having differences with Governor C V Ananda Bose over the supervision role on such appointments.

Chairperson of IT services firm HCLTech, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, was on Monday conferred with the "Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur" (Knight of the Legion of Honour), the highest civilian award of France.

“It is my privilege to receive this honour, and it underscores the strategic relationship between India and France. HCLTech has a longstanding presence in France, which is a strategic market for us. We are committed to scaling our operations in the country and supporting the digital transformation of French businesses through our differentiated portfolio of services,” said Roshni Nadar Malhotra, chairperson, HCLTech, in a statement.

India’s Avinash Sable bettered his own 3000m steeplechase national record at the Paris Diamond League meet on Sunday.

Sable finished with a timing of 8:09.91, improving his personal best (8:11:20) by more than a second. Abrham Sime of Ethiopia managed to ward off Kenyan Amos Serem’s attempt to overtake him and placed first clocking a personal best of 8:02.36.

His compatriot, Kishore Jena finished eighth in the men’s javelin throw event with his first attempt of 78.10m being the best. Germany Julian Weber placed first with his fifth throw of 85.91m, followed by Grenada’s Anderson Peters and Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic.