Current Affairs 15th & 16th August 2021| Current Affairs News

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CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

PM Modi announces August 14 to be observed as ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’

• PM Modi stated partition and the violence that followed it was a tragic part of history.
• Displacement of millions, killing and rapes during the partition are still vivid and observing this day is recognition of their sacrifices.
• In Red Fort on A day before India’s Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that August 14 will be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day. 
• Pakistan celebrates August 14 as its Independence Day.
• PM Modi mentioned “Partition’s pains can never be forgotten.
• Millions of our sisters and brothers were displaced and many lost their lives due to mindless hate and violence.
• In memory of the struggles and sacrifices of our people, 14th August will be observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day”.

75th Indian Independence Day 2021

• India is celebrating ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, marking the completion of a quarter to a century of freedom from British colonial rule.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the national flag at the Red Fort in New Delhi and addressed the nation.
• It was followed by a series of events organized by the armed forces and security personnel saluting the tricolour with a guard of honour.

Highlights of Independence Day:

Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy inaugurates Exhibition – Katha Kranthiveeron Ki to mark 75th yrs of Independence:

• Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated an Exhibition – Katha Kranthiveeron Ki to mark the 75th years of Independence as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav at Rabindra Bhawan, New Delhi.
• The Exhibition has on display more than 100 artworks recognizing unsung heros like Alluri Sitarama Raju and Artwork created during Shaheedi Diwas, Champaran Satyagraha and Jallianwala Bagh camp.
• The exhibition is open for public viewing till 30th August from 11.00 AM to 7.00 PM.
• Mr Reddy stated, unsung heroes of freedom struggle leaders like Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem have not got the recognition.
• He informed, government will ensure that they are celebrated appropriately.
• The Minister mentioned, it will also ensure that the Shaheedi Diwas, Champaran Satyagraha and the Jallianwala Bagh incident is commemorated appropriately.

PM Modi announces nation’s progress:

• Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted, India has to move even further.
• The Prime Minister mentioned, we have pledged to celebrate 75 weeks of Amrit Mahotsav, starting 12 March 2021 till 15 August 2023. 
• He stated, Indian Railways is also being transformed rapidly as the Nation progresses towards Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• Mr Modi informed, 75 Vande Bharat trains will connect every corner of India in 75 weeks of Amrit Mahotsav of Independence.
• 100 lakh crore rupees Gatishakti initiative will bring employment opportunities for youth and help in holistic infrastructure growth.
• The Prime Minister also mentioned, to further increase the developmental progress, we have to focus on our manufacturing and export.
• To give impetus to Make In India, we have introduced PLI scheme that will help us in increasing the exports.
• Moving forward on the path of Development, we have to increase the manufacturing and export.
• 100 per cent villages should have roads, 100 per cent households should have a bank account, 100 per cent beneficiaries should have Ayushman Bharat card and 100 per cent eligible persons should have gas connection under Ujjwala scheme.
• To take India to newer heights, Government has passed the OBC bill.
• Mr Modi staed, it will provide reservation to the backward classes of the country.
• SVAMITVA Yojna is transforming the lives in rural India and drone is helping the rural citizens map their land and apply for various schemes or loans online.
• Mr Modi informed, in the coming years, nation will have to increase the collective power of the small farmers of the country and they have to be given new facilities.
• Government is trying to empower these farmers through SVAMITVA Yojana.
• The Prime Minister noted, it is the dream of Government that small farmers become the pride of the country.
• Under the Jan Ausadhi Yojana, the poor and needy are now getting affordable medicines.
• Over 75 thousand Health and Wellness Centres have been built and we are working on a network of hospitals at the block level.
• Government has introduced tax reforms that will give impetus to Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business.
• Setting up of the National Hydrogen Mission with the aim of becoming the new global hub of Green Hydrogen and also its largest exporter.
• India has set the goal of 450 Giga Watt of Renewable Energy for 2030.
• Out of this, the country has already achieved 100 Giga Watt target well within schedule.
• Be it GST- the system that frees the country from the tax trap or One Rank One Pension for the military comrades or peaceful resolution of Shri Ramjanmabhoomi case, People have seen all this come true in the last few years.

144 Gallantry awards announced for Armed Forces, Police and Paramilitary personnel:

• President Ram Nath Kovind has approved 144 Gallantry awards to Armed Forces, police and paramilitary personnel on the eve of Independence Day.
• These include one Ashok Chakra, one Kirti Chakra, 15 Shaurya Chakras, four Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 116 Sena Medals (Gallantry), five Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
• ASI of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Babu Ram has been posthumously honoured with Ashok Chakra while Altaf Hussain Bhat who was serving as a Constable in Jammu and Kashmir police has been posthumously honoured with the Kirti Chakra.
• Of the 15 Shaurya Chakra awardees, three have been given the honour posthumously.
• The President has also approved 28 Mention-in-Despatches to the Army personnel for their significant contributions in different military operations which include three posthumous for ‘Operation Rakshak’.
• Besides, President also approved four awards for conspicuous gallantry and meritorious service to ICG personnel including one Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry), and three Tatrakshak Medal (Meritorious Service).

75 Vande Bharat Express trains will connect every corner of country in 75 weeks of ‘Amrit Mahotsav’:

• ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ is the central government’s initiative to mark 75 years of Independence.
• It is a tribute to the freedom fighters and the struggle that led to the nation.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that in the 75 weeks of ‘Amrit Mahotsav’, which the country is celebrating to mark the journey of 75 years of Independence, the Indian Railways will launch 75 Vande Bharat trains to connect India’s far-flung areas. 
• “During the 75 weeks of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, 75 new Vande Bharat express trains will be launched and will connect every corner of the country,” the Prime Minister stated in his August 15 address as he compared the Vande Bharat initiative to the UDAN scheme for flights.

Government announces ‘Prime Minister Gatishakti Scheme’ for holistic infrastructure growth and employment:

• PM Modi stated the Gatishakti plan will help local manufacturers turn globally competitive and also develop possibilities of new future economic zones.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 100 lakh crore Pradhan Mantri Gatishakti National Master Plan, which he stated will create employment opportunities for the country’s youth and help in a holistic infrastructure growth while addressing the nation on its 75th Independence Day.
• “PM Gatishakti Plan, a 100 lakh crore national infrastructure master plan, which will make a foundation for holistic infrastructure and give an integrated pathway to our economy”.
• “Gatishakti will help local manufacturers turn globally competitive and also develop possibilities of new future economic zones.
• The 100 lakh crore Gatishakti initiative will bring employment opportunities for youth and help in holistic infrastructure growth”.

PM Modi sets India’s target to become ‘energy independent’ by 2047

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new target of making India an ‘Energy Independent’ nation by the time the country reaches 100 years of India’s independence, in 2047.
• Addressing the nation from the Red Fort during the annual Independence Day address, Modi lamented that India is not energy independent.
• “India spends more than Rs 12 trillion annually on energy import.
• For India’s progress, the country’s energy independence is the need of the hour–necessary to make a self-reliant India.
• India has to take a resolution that will become energy independent before the completion of 100 years of independence and for this our roadmap is very clear”.
• Modi stated few months before the country is expected to miss an earlier goal that he had set of a 10 per cent cut in crude oil import dependence by 2022. This was announced in 2015.
• But this target is far from being achieved and the county’s import reliance has only risen.
• Instead of cutting imports by 10 per cent, its proportion has continued to rise from 2015.
• Annual domestic crude oil output has fallen to below 30 million tonnes (mt) and total import has risen to 226 mt.
• When Modi had given his earlier import reduction call, domestic crude oil production in 2015-16 stood at 35.5 mt and has fallen to 29.1 mt in 2020-21.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Dr. Jitendra Singh released “IndiGau’, India’s first Cattle Genomic Chip 

• Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh released “IndiGau’, India’s first Cattle Genomic Chip for the conservation of pure varieties of indigenous cattle breeds like, Gir, Kankrej, Sahiwal, Ongole etc.
• This indigenous chip was developed by the concerted efforts of scientists of National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NAIB), Hyderabad, an autonomous institution under the aegis of the Department of Biotechnology.
• Jitendra Singh stated this is an occasion for triple Celebrations-Celebration of India’s Cow and Cattle, Celebration of calibre of India’s Scientists and above all Celebration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat.
• This chip will have practical utility in the Governments schemes to achieve the goal of conservation of our own breeds with better characters and help towards doubling of farmers’ income by 2022.
• He took pride that even Departments like DBT and NIAB are contributing to the welfare and income augmentation of farmers.

WCD Ministry launches 2nd Phase of SAMVAD

• The Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani, on the eve of Independence Day, launched 2nd phase of SAMVAD programme in Bengaluru and commemorated the successful completion of one year of SAMVAD – Support, Advocacy & Mental health interventions for children in Vulnerable circumstances And Distress.
• SAMVAD is a National Initiative and Integrated Resource that works in child protection, mental health and psychosocial care.
• Union WCD Minister, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani acknowledged SAMVAD’s efforts in providing coping mechanism for children in distress by training close to 1 lakh stakeholders comprising of Child Protection Functionaries, tele-counsellors, educators, law professionals among others.
• She stated that “for the first time in independent India, SAMVAD will engage with functionaries in Panchayats thereby ushering in a silent revolution in addressing psychosocial challenges amongst vulnerable children”.
• SAMVAD is slated to begin work with Panchayati Raj systems to integrate child protection and mental health in aspirational districts across the country to facilitate awareness generation and improve service delivery at the grass root level.

Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar flags off ‘Operation Blue Freedom’ 

• On the occasion of 75thIndependence Day, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar Participating in a series of events organised by Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, a premier autonomous research body mandated to research and provide policy feed to empower marginalised communities and to bring in Socio Economic transformation in the society, Dr. Virendra Kumar flagged off a pioneering expedition ‘Operation Blue Freedom’.
• A team of people with disabilities from across the country undertook an expedition till Siachen Glacier to create a new World Record for the largest team of people with disabilities to reach the world’s highest battlefield.
• Ambedkar International Centre has supported this world record expedition of people with disabilities to Siachen Glacier as part of its commitment towards the cause and betterment of Divyanjans of our country.

About the initiative:

• The team of people with disabilities, trained by ‘Team CLAW’, a team of Armed Forces veterans, undertook this expedition till Kumar Post (Siachen Glacier) to create a new World Record for the largest team of people with disabilities to reach the world’s highest battlefield.
• Recently, the Government of India had permitted a team of selected people with disabilities to scale Siachen Glacier.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Afghanistan Prez Ashraf Ghani steps down

• The Taliban declared the war in Afghanistan was over after terrorists took control of the presidential palace in Kabul as US-led forces departed and Western nations scrambled to evacuate their citizens.
• President Ashraf Ghani fled the country as the Islamist terrorists entered the city, saying he wanted to avoid bloodshed, while hundreds of Afghans desperate to leave flooded Kabul airport.
• They have witnessed the fruits of their efforts and their sacrifices for 20 years,” Mohammad Naeem, the spokesman for the Taliban’s political office.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

Four new sites in India added to Ramsar list as ‘wetlands of International importance’

• These sites are Thol and Wadhwana from Gujarat and Sultanpur and Bhindawas from Haryana.
• Union Environment Minister, Shri Bhupender Yadav expressed happiness and stated that it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s special concern for the environment which has led to overall improvement in how India cares for its wetlands.
• With this, the number of Ramsar sites in India is 46 and the surface area covered by these sites is now 1,083,322 hectares.
• While Haryana gets its first Ramsar sites, Gujarat gets three more after Nalsarovar which was declared in 2012.

Main objective:

• The aim of the Ramsar list is “to develop and maintain an international network of wetlands which are important for the conservation of global biological diversity and for sustaining human life through the maintenance of their ecosystem components, processes and benefits”.
• Wetlands provide a wide range of important resources and ecosystem services such as food, water, fibre, groundwater recharge, water purification, flood moderation, erosion control and climate regulation.
• They are, in fact, are a major source of water and our main supply of freshwater comes from an array of wetlands which help soak rainfall and recharge groundwater.

Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary, the largest wetland in Haryana is a human-made freshwater wetland.
• Over 250 bird species use the sanctuary throughout the year as a resting and roosting site.
• The site supports more than ten globally threatened species including the endangered Egyptian Vulture, Steppe Eagle, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, and Black-bellied Tern.

Sultanpur National Park:

• Sultanpur National Park from Haryana supports more than 220 species of resident, winter migratory and local migratory waterbirds at critical stages of their life cycles.
• More than ten of these are globally threatened, including the critically endangered sociable lapwing, and the endangered Egyptian Vulture, Saker Falcon, Pallas’s Fish Eagle and Black-bellied Tern.

Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary from Gujarat lies on the Central Asian Flyway and more than 320 bird species can be found here.
• The wetland supports more 30 threatened waterbird species, such as the critically endangered White-rumped Vulture and Sociable Lapwing , and the vulnerable Sarus Crane, Common Pochard and Lesser White-fronted Goose.

Wadhvana Wetland:

• Wadhvana Wetland from Gujarat is internationally important for its birdlife as it provides wintering ground to migratory waterbirds, including over 80 species that migrate on the Central Asian Flyway.
• They include some threatened or near-threatened species such as the endangered Pallas’s fish-Eagle, the vulnerable Common Pochard, and the near-threatened Dalmatian Pelican, Grey-headed Fish-eagle and Ferruginous Duck.

India’s first Drone Forensic Lab launched in Kerala

• The Kerala Police will launch a first-of-its-kind Drone Forensic Lab and Research Centre to address a rising security threat.
• The centre will be inaugurated by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, informed Manoj Abraham, Additional Director General of Police, Thiruvananthapuram Range.
• Abraham, who has the additional charge of ADGP, State Crime Records Bureau and is the nodal officer of CyberDrome, staed this lab-cum-research centre will look into both utility and threat aspects of a drone.
• Cyberdome is a technological research and development centre of the Kerala Police Department.

About Kerala:

• Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan
• Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
• Chief minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
• National parks: Eravikulam National Park, Silent Valley National Park , Pampadum Shola National Park, Mathikettan Shola National Park, Anamudi Shola National Park.

Chhattisgarh got 4 new districts to take total administrative districts to 32

• Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel greeted people on the country’s 75th Independence Day and announced the creation of four new districts in the state as well as development of parks exclusively for women in all districts of the state.
• The CM also stated that steps taken to curb the Naxal menace in the state were “showing encouraging results”.
• “Taking the process of decentralisation further, four new districts will be created – namely Mohla-Manpur, Sakti, Sarangarh-Bilaigarh and Manendragarh, while 18 new tehsils will also be formed”.

About Chhattisgarh:

• Capital: Raipur
• Governor: Anusuiya Uikey
• Chief minister: Bhupesh Baghel

Tamil Nadu government introduces State Level Credit Guarantee Scheme to help MSMEs

• Tamil Nadu government will launch a State Level Credit Guarantee Scheme to enable more MSMEs, particularly micro enterprises to access credit.
• Presenting the budget at state assembly, the minister stated a digital data driven credit rating system for MSMEs will be established to enable Financial institutions and new age fintech companies to lend more to MSMEs based on their business potential.
• He mentioned that Tamilnadu Industrial Co-op. Bank Ltd will be repurposed to enable lending to MSMEs.
• This comes after a plea by Tamil Nadu Small and Tiny Industries Association which has urged the state government to float Credit Guarantee Corporation with a large capital to rescue the struggling small industries.

About TamilNadu:

• Capital: Chennai
• Governor: Banwarilal Purohit
• Chief minister:  K. Stalin

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiates automobile scrappage policy

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Vehicle Scrappage Policy while virtually addressing the Gujarat Investor Summit.
• PM Modi stated the policy will help phase out unfit and polluting vehicles in an environment-friendly manner during the video address.
• He informed vehicles will not just be scrapped by their age but also if they are found to be unfit in automated testing.

About the policy:

• “The launch of Vehicle Scrappage Policy is a significant milestone in India’s development journey.
• Vehicle scrapping will help phase out unfit and polluting vehicles in an environment-friendly manner.
• Aim is to create a viable circular economy and bring value for all stakeholders while being environmentally responsible”.
• The objective of the Vehicle Scrappage Policy is simply to phase out and recycle old vehicles through a systematic process.
• The ultimate goal of the policy is to reduce environmental pollution caused by old vehicles that have surpassed their lifecycle and run without a valid fitness certificate.
• At the time of announcing the policy during the Union Budget 2021, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated the scrapping of old vehicles would result in more benefits than just reducing air pollution.
• Recycling old vehicles will help in reusing key materials like steel, plastic and copper. This will result in reducing the cost of manufacturing.
• The policy also aims to provide a boost to vehicle sales in the country, given the incentives offered for buying a new car.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING NEWS

Indian Navy, IDFC FIRST bank bring ‘Honour FIRST’ banking solutions

• The Indian Navy has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IDFC) FIRST Bank to initiate ‘Honour FIRST’, a premium banking solution for serving personnel and veterans of the Indian Navy.
• The MoU for Honour FIRST was signed at the Naval Headquarters in New Delhi between Commodore Neeraj Malhotra, Commodore – Pay and Allowances, Indian Navy and IDFC FIRST Bank’s senior officials.
• Designed especially keeping in mind the needs of the Armed Forces and its veterans, the Honour FIRST Defence Account is supported by a dedicated team of defence veterans.

About ‘Honour FIRST’:

• Studded with a range of privileges and features, the Honour FIRST Defence account comes with a free enhanced Personal Accident Insurance Cover of Rs. 46 lakhs for both on-duty and off-duty incidents. 
• Additionally, the insurance not only covers accidental death but also total and partial permanent disability.
• The Personal Accident Insurance Cover also includes a child education grant of 4 lakhs and a marriage cover of Rs 2 lakh.
• With zero – balance salary account feature, Honour FIRST account holders will receive up to 5 per cent interest per annum and a net banking and customised mobile app that offers a superior user interface and experience
• In addition, other key features include free Air Accidental Insurance cover of 1 Crore, a top-of-the-line Visa Signature Debit Card with no annual charges and complimentary airport lounge access at domestic airports, eight times annually.
• Honour FIRST Defence Account also comprises a free lost card liability and fraud protection of up to Rs. 6 lakhs, purchase protection against theft and damage up to 90 days.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENT AND RESIGNATION NEWS

Nadir Godrej to replace Adi Godrej as Chairman of Godrej Industries w.e.f October 1

• Godrej Industries Limited (GIL) Chairman Adi Godrej will step down from the board of Godrej Consumer Products Limited.
• He will continue to serve as the Chairman of the Godrej Group and Chairman Emeritus of GIL.
• Nadir Godrej, who is currently the GIL MD, will replace Adi Godrej as the new chairman.
• The changes will come into effect from October 1, 2021.

About Godrej Industries Limited:

• Godrej Industries Limited is a holding company of the Godrej Group.
• The company has its headquarters in Mumbai, India.
• Godrej industries a part of Godrej group, is India’s leading manufacturer of oleo chemicals and makes more than a hundred chemicals for use in over two dozen industries.
• Godrej Group was established in year 1897, it entered in security equipment & soaps segment and is now a $1.875 billion conglomerate.
• Founder: Ardeshir Godrej
• Founded: 1963
• Headquarters: Maharashtra

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

President Kovind confers Shaurya Chakra awards to gallant defence personnel

• President Ram Nath Kovind has conferred the Shaurya Chakra on the Air force officers, Wing Commander Varun Singh Flying who is a pilot in a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Squadron for the act of exceptional gallantry.
• Air Force Officer Group Captain Perminder Antil who is the Commanding Officer of a Su-30 MKI Squadron since January 2020 has also been conferred with Shaurya Chakra.
• For the act of exceptional courage, Air Force Officer Squadron Leader Deepak Mohanan and Wing Commander Uttar Kumar have been conferred with the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry).

About Shaurya Chakra:

• The Shaurya Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice while not engaged in direct action with the enemy.
• It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, sometimes posthumously.
• Major Ravi Kumar Chaudhary, Major Arun Kumar Pandey, Captain Vikas Khatri, Captain Ashutosh Kumar (posthumous), Sepoy Neeraj Ahlawat and Rifleman Mukesh Kumar were conferred Shaurya Chakra award for their valour during counter-terrorism operations in Kashmir.

Late COVID warrior Dr P Shanmugapriya honoured with Kalpana Chawla award

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin presented the Kalpana Chawla Award for Courage and Daring Enterprise to P. Shanmuga Priya, posthumously, at the Independence Day celebrations at Fort St. George.
• The late Dr. Shanmuga Priya was a medical officer at the Annuppanadi Primary Health Centre in Madurai for her exemplary service.

About Dr. Shanmuga Priya:

• During the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Shanmuga Priya attended 582 fever surveillance camps, monitored the progress of 10,961 persons through which 302 active cases were identified.
• She personally treated and monitored 52 Covid-19 patients who were in him quarantine.
• She tested positive for Covid-19 and succumbed to the virus despite the best medical care.

Also present Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam award:

• The Chief Minister also presented the A.P.J. Abdul Kalam award to Dr. M. Lakshmanan, Professor of Eminence, Bharathidasan University, a specialist in the field of non-linear dynamics in Theoretical Physics and finds a place in the top two percent of World Scientists as per California Stanford University’ recent list.

Bengaluru girl’s agri startup bags award

• Bengaluru girl Manasa Gonchigar is one of the 10 young winning entrepreneur teams of the agri-enterprise challenge O.L.V.E.D (Social Objectives-Led Volunteer Enterprise Developed), who were felicitated by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
• The 25-year-old’s team won the challenge for her startup company PureScan AI — a technology startup that helps players in the food supply chain, and also assists them in making informed decisions on food safety.
• This year, the International Youth Day theme focused on transforming food systems.

About the invention:

• Manasa stated TNIE that her company is preparing an optical device — Afla Scan — which does rapid aflatoxin assessment of maize, chillies and peanuts.
• “Aflatoxin can easily affect crops and has shown high presence in peanuts, maize, dry fruits and sunflower.
• This contributes to immunosuppressive health effects of the body, leading to stunted growth and malnutrition”.

Social worker from Telangana’s Karimnagar bags National Youth Award

• A social activist from Karimnagar district has received the National Youth Award for the year 2017-18, which is the highest award conferred on youths in India by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs for those who render outstanding service in the field of social service and fall in the 18-29 years age group.
• The award was given to Mohammad Azam by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur during a ceremony at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.

About Azam:

• Azam, who hails from Karimnagar district, is pursuing a PhD in English Literature from Kakatiya University under the guidance of Professor R Meghana Rao.
• He has been actively taking part in social service activities for the past eight years.
• He has conducted several awareness programmes related to blood donation, organ donation and plantation programmes under the Haritha Haram project.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOU’s AND AGREEMENTS   

Indian Bank signs MoU with Paralympic Committee

• Public sector Indian Bank stated it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) as one of the banking partners of the Paralympic Games scheduled to commence from August 24 in Tokyo, Japan.
• “The bank, through its year-long association with PCI, will provide financial assistance to support the paralympic athletes to prepare for the sports events in domestic as well as global platforms for a year”.
• PCI President Deepa Malik stated that the resources from the bank would be used to meet the requirements of the para athletes ranging from their training, nutrition and equipment, among others.
• Timely financial aid for the sportspersons would encourage them to focus on their efforts to win for the country.

About Indian Bank:

• Indian Bank is an Indian nationalized financial services and banking company.
• It is under the ownership of the Ministry of Finance of the Government of India, established in 1907 and headquartered in Chennai, India.
• Headquarters: Chennai
• CEO: Padmaja Chunduru

Paralympic Committee of India:

• The Paralympic Committee of India is the body responsible for selecting athletes to represent India at the Paralympic Games and other international athletic meets and for managing the Indian teams at the events.
• The organization was founded in 1992 as the Physically Handicapped Sports Federation of India.

Bangladesh to sign MoU with China for COVID vaccine co-production on Aug 16

• The government of Bangladesh will sign an MoU for the co-production of the COVID 19 vaccine with China.
• Health Minister Zahid Maleque, Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen and the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming are scheduled to attend the MoU signing ceremony in Dhaka.
• Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen has stated that the MoU will be signed between the Chinese company Sinopharm and the local company Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
• He informed Incepta will bring in the material in bulk from China and undertake the bottling, labeling and finishing of the vaccine locally which will make the price relatively cheap.
• Earlier, a consignment of 1 million doses of the Sinovac COVID vaccine gifted by China arrived in Bangladesh.
• This was the fourth consignment of the Sinovac vaccine from China received by Bangladesh.
• Bangladesh has fully vaccinated over 5.22 million people with both doses of the COVID 19 vaccine while more than 15.31 million people have received one dose of the vaccine till 12 August.

About China:

• President: Xi Jinping
• Capital: Beijing
• Currency: Renminbi

About Bangladesh:

• Capital: Dhaka
• Currency: Bangladeshi taka
• Prime minister: Sheikh Hasina

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SUMMITS & CONFERENCES

CEC inaugurates 11th Annual Meeting of FEMBoSA for 2021        

• Chief Election Commissioner of India & Chairman of FEMBoSA, Sushil Chandra inaugurated the 11th Annual meeting of the Forum of the Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA) for the year 2021 Virtually.
• It was hosted by the Election Commission of Bhutan.
• Theme of the meeting : ‘Use of Technology in Elections’.
• Along with India, delegations from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka participated.
• Shri Sushil Chandra, CEC, virtually handed over the Chairmanship of FEMBoSA to E. Dasho Sonam Topgay, Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan .

Note :

• The 10th FEMBoSA meeting was held in New Delhi on 24 Jan. 2020.

About ECI :

• Formed: 25 January 1950
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• First executive: Sukumar Sen
• CEO : Sushil Chandra

About FEMBoSA :

• It was established at the 3rd Conference of Heads of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) of SAARC Countries in 2012.

Aim :

• To increase mutual cooperation in respect to the common interests of the SAARC’s EMBs.
• The Forum has eight Member Election Management Bodies from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPS & SERVICES

HCL Foundation launches ‘My e-Haat’ portal 

• On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Independence Day, the corporate social responsibility arm of HCL Technologies, HCL Foundation, launched an online portal, ‘My e-Haat’

Purpose :

• To empower artisans and strengthen the value chain of the handicraft sector in the country.

About My e-Haat :

• My E-Haat portal will enable artisans and primary producers to list and showcase their products to conduct their business, thereby minimizing the informal intermediaries and often long supply chains.
• The platform will also provide options for quality check mechanism, price determination, promotion, marketing, and grievance redressal, hand holding on procurement of raw material, product designing & training, financial inclusion, and market connect.
• The portal would help in bringing the talent of skilled craftsmen from across the country to the world & also it will increase their recognition, appreciation and remuneration.
• Also the platform will offer e-payment options, Cash on Delivery (COD) and integrated logistic support in addition to the real time product tracking.
• Currently over 30 partners with over 600 products from eight states are listed on the portal

Note :

• Director of HCL Foundation : Nidhi Pundhir

Ministry Of Social Justice And Empowerment Launches TAPAS

• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched an online portal Training for Augmenting Productivity and Services, or TAPAS.
• TAPAS has been developed by the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Purpose :

• To provide filmed lectures/courses and e-study material in the field of social defence.

Presently there are 5 courses under TAPAS: 

1. Drug (Substance) Abuse Prevention
2. Geriatric/Elderly Care
3. Care and Management of Dementia
4. Transgender Issues
5. A comprehensive course on Social Defence Issues.

About TAPAS :

Objective :

• Introducing the course modules is to impart training and enhance the knowledge and skills for the capacity building of the participants.
• To provide access to lectures by subject experts, study material and more, but in a manner that it supplements the physical classroom without compromising on the quality of teaching.
• The course can be taken up by anyone and is free of cost.

About NISD :

• NISD is a Central Advisory Body for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
• It is a Centre of Excellence on research and training in the field of social defence.
• It is currently focusing on human resource development in the areas of drug abuse prevention, welfare of senior citizens and transgenders, beggary prevention, and other social defence issues.
• Located at : New Delhi

About Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment :

• Headquarters : New Delhi
• Union Minister :  Virendra Kumar
• Minister of State : Narayanaswamy, Ramdas Athawale
• Secretary : R Subrahmanyam

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO’s GSLV-F10 fails to place EOS-3 into earth’s orbit

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), GSLV-F10 failed to place Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-03) into earth’s orbit.
• The launch took place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

About EOS-03 :

• The EOS-03, formerly known as the Geo Imaging Satellite-1 or GISAT-1, is a geo imaging or Earth observation satellite.

Objective :

• To provide near real time imaging of a large region of interest at frequent intervals for quick monitoring of natural disasters such as cyclones and floods, apart from real-time monitoring of crops, forest cover and water bodies.

Reasons for Failure :

• Due to a technical anomaly observed in the cryogenic stage, Isro’s GSLV-F10/EOS-03 mission could not be fully accomplished.

About ISRO :

• Founder: Vikram Sarabhai
• Founded: 15 August 1969
• Headquarters: Bengaluru
• Director: Kailasavadivoo Sivan

IIT, Bombay & Kasturba researchers develops novel method using infra-red technology 

• Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have developed a novel method of using infra-red technology to rapidly test which patients are most at risk of becoming severely unwell from Covid-19.
• The study was published in the journal Analytical Chemistry.
• This study is a collaborative effort between IIT-B, Kasturba Hospital in Mumbai, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Australia and Agilent Technologies India.
• It was primarily funded by India’s Science and Engineering Research Board, the Government of India, and a grant from the IIT.
• Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Professor Sanjeeva Srivastava, has confirmed that there is a correlation between a person’s blood chemical signature and becoming severely unwell with COVID-19.
• The test was performed with 85 percent accuracy.
• It is a quick and cost effective test & also it helps in triaging patients, especially at hospitals facing high volumes of COVID-19 patients.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BOOKS & AUTHORS 

A New Book Titled Ramrao: The Story of India’s Farm Crisis authored by Jaideep Hardikar

• A New Book Titled Ramrao: The Story of India’s Farm Crisis authored by Journalist Jaideep
• The book was Published by HarperCollins India.

About the Book :

• The book explains the life of Ramrao, a regular Vidarbha farmer, who survived after consuming two bottles of pesticide in 2014, over the seven years since he attempted suicide.

About Jaideep Hardikar :

• Jaideep Hardikar is a Nagpur-based senior journalist, writer and researcher and a core-team member of the People’s Archive of Rural India.
• He is Special Correspondent for central India for The Telegraph.
• Also he authored a book titled A Village Awaits Doomsday in 2013.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SPORTS NEWS

World Archery Youth Championships 2021 : India Win 3 Golds In Compound Events         

• 2021 World Archery Youth Championships, India won 3 gold medals in the compound cadet women’s and men’s and mixed team events in Wroclaw, Poland.
• The archers have also secured 1 silver and 1 bronze medals in the individual competitions.
• The Indian women beat Turkey 228-216 in the final for the gold.
• Meanwhile, India’s cadet men’s team of Kushal Dalal, Sahil Chaudhary and Nitin Apar defeated the USA 233-231.

About World Youth Archery Championships :

• The World Youth Archery Championships is an international archery competition, which has been held in alternate years since 1991.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Germany and Bayern Munich legend Gerd Muller Passes away                      

• On Aug 15, 2021, Footballer Gerd Muller, the Bayern Munich and Germany legend, passed away.
• He was 75.

About Gerd Muller :

• Gerd Muller was Nicknamed “Bomber der Nation” (“the nation’s Bomber”) or simply “Der Bomber” for his amazing ability to strike goals.
• For Germany, he scored 68 goals in 62 caps and was the leading scorer in the 1970 World Cup.
• At club level, in 15 years with Bayern Munich in which he scored 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga-matches.
• In 1972, he won the UEFA European Championship and was the top goalscorer.
• Müller held the all-time goal-scoring record in the World Cup with 14 goals for 32 years.
• In 1999, Müller was ranked ninth in the European player of the Century election held by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS),
• He was voted 13th in the IFFHS’ World Player of the Century
• In 2004, Pelé named Müller in the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players.

About Bayern Munich :

• President : Herbert Hainer
• CEO : Oliver Kahn
• Founded : 27 February 1900
• Location: Munich, Germany
• Founder: Franz John

Ex India defender Chinmoy Chatterjee passes away 

• On Aug 15, 2021, Former India defender Chinmoy Chatterjee Passed away.
• He was 68.

About Chinmoy Chatterjee :

• Chinmoy Chatterjee played for the three Maidan heavyweights in his prime in the 1970-80s.
• He was a member of the Arun Ghosh-coached Indian team at the 1978 Bangkok Asian Games where they finished fourth in the quarterfinal league.
• He was appointed assistant coach of East Bengal.
• He played for Mohun Bagan, East Bengal & played a key role in Mohammedan Sporting’s CFL triumph in 1981.
• Chatterjee also represented Bengal in the Santosh Trophy four times & became champions in three of them.

Daily CA On Aug 14 :

• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched a brand and logo called ‘SonChiraiya, for marketing the products of urban self-help groups (SHGs).
• On Aug 12, 2021, India’s renewable energy capacity crossed the milestone of 100 gigawatts (GW).
• Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray launched the e-crop survey initiative which will become effective in Maharashtra from August 15.
• The Reserve Bank has canceled the license of Raigad based Karnala Nagari Sahakari Bank Limited in Maharashtra.
• APEDA collaboration with Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Ltd (HPMC) exported five unique varieties of apples
• On Aug 13, 2021, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Investor Summit in Gujarat via video conference.
• On August 12, 2021, India organized the IBSA (India, Brazil and South Africa) Tourism Ministers’ meeting through Virtually.
• On Aug 10, 2021, The Indian Navy participated in the S. Navy-led Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) military exercise in Singapore.
• On Aug 12, 2021, the Pakistan Army successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile Ghaznavi.
• Chandrayaan-2, ISRO’s second lunar mission, has detected the presence of water molecules on the moon.
• On Aug 12, 2021, The 54-member Indian contingents were given a formal send-off by Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur in virtual format.
• On Aug 11, 2021, All-rounder and captain of the West Indies women squad Stafanie Taylor and Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan were named as the winners of the ICC Player of the Month Awards for July 2021.
• Former India U-19 World Cup-winning captain Unmukt Chand has announced his retirement from Indian cricket.
• On Aug 09, 2021, Former international hockey player Gopal Bhengra passed away.

Daily CA On Aug 15 & 16 :

• PM Modi announces August 14 to be observed as ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the national flag from the ramparts of the Red Fort to celebrate the country’s 75th Independence Day
• Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated an Exhibition – Katha Kranthiveeron Ki to mark the 75th years of Independence as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav at Rabindra Bhawan, New Delhi.
• President Ram Nath Kovind has approved 144 Gallantry awards to Armed Forces, police and paramilitary personnel on the eve of Independence Day.
• PM Modi stated the Gatishakti plan will help local manufacturers turn globally competitive and also develop possibilities of new future economic zones.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new target of making India an ‘Energy Independent’ nation by the time the country reaches 100 years of India’s independence, in 2047.
• Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh released “IndiGau’, India’s first Cattle Genomic Chip for the conservation of pure varieties of indigenous cattle breeds like, Gir, Kankrej, Sahiwal, Ongole etc.
• The Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani, on the eve of Independence Day, launched 2nd phase of SAMVAD programme in Bengaluru and commemorated the successful completion of one year of SAMVAD – Support, Advocacy & Mental health interventions for children in Vulnerable circumstances And Distress.
• On the occasion of 75thIndependence Day, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar Participating in ‘Operation Blue Freedom’.
• The Taliban declared the war in Afghanistan was over after terrorists took control of the presidential palace in Kabul as US-led forces departed and Western nations scrambled to evacuate their citizens.
• Four new sites in India added to Ramsar list as ‘wetlands of International importance’, These sites are: Thol, Gujarat, Wadhwana, Gujarat, Sultanpur, Haryana, Bhindawas, Haryana
• The Kerala Police will launch a first-of-its-kind Drone Forensic Lab and Research Centre to address a rising security threat.
• Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel greeted people on the country’s 75th Independence Day and announced the creation of four new districts in the state as well as development of parks exclusively for women in all districts of the state.
• Tamil Nadu government will launch a State Level Credit Guarantee Scheme to enable more MSMEs, particularly micro enterprises to access credit.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Vehicle Scrappage Policy while virtually addressing the Gujarat Investor Summit.
• The Indian Navy has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IDFC) FIRST Bank to initiate ‘Honour FIRST’, a premium banking solution for serving personnel and veterans of the Indian Navy.
• Godrej Industries Limited (GIL) Chairman Adi Godrej will step down from the board of Godrej Consumer Products Limited.
• President Ram Nath Kovind has conferred the Shaurya Chakra on the Air force officers, Wing Commander Varun Singh Flying who is a pilot in a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Squadron for the act of exceptional gallantry.
• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin presented the Kalpana Chawla Award for Courage and Daring Enterprise to P. Shanmuga Priya, posthumously, at the Independence Day celebrations at Fort St. George.
• Bengaluru girl Manasa Gonchigar is one of the 10 young winning entrepreneur teams of the agri-enterprise challenge O.L.V.E.D (Social Objectives-Led Volunteer Enterprise Developed), who were felicitated by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
• A social activist from Karimnagar district has received the National Youth Award for the year 2017-18, which is the highest award conferred on youths in India by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs for those who render outstanding service in the field of social service and fall in the 18-29 years age group.
• Public sector Indian Bank stated it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) as one of the banking partners of the Paralympic Games scheduled to commence from August 24 in Tokyo, Japan.
• The government of Bangladesh will sign an MoU for the co-production of the COVID 19 vaccine with China.
• Chief Election Commissioner of India & Chairman of FEMBoSA, Sushil Chandra inaugurated the 11th Annual meeting of the Forum of the Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA) for the year 2021 Virtually.
• On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Independence Day, the corporate social responsibility arm of HCL Technologies, HCL Foundation, launched an online portal, ‘My e-Haat’
• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched an online portal Training for Augmenting Productivity and Services, or TAPAS.
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), GSLV-F10 failed to place Earth Observation Satellite (EOS-03) into earth’s orbit.
• Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have developed a novel method of using infra-red technology to rapidly test which patients are most at risk of becoming severely unwell from Covid-19.
• A New Book Titled Ramrao: The Story of India’s Farm Crisis authored by Journalist Jaideep
• 2021 World Archery Youth Championships, India won 3 gold medals in the compound cadet women’s and men’s and mixed team events in Wroclaw, Poland.
• On Aug 15, 2021, Footballer Gerd Muller, the Bayern Munich and Germany legend, passed away.
• On Aug 15, 2021, Former India defender Chinmoy Chatterjee Passed away.