Current Affairs August 19th 2023| Current Affairs News

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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

ADB approves USD 40.5 million loan for integrated early childhood development programme & Maternal Mental Health in Meghalaya                                         

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 40.5 million loan for integrated early childhood development (ECD) and maternal mental health in
• The Meghalaya government is also contributing USD 15.27 million to the project.

Funding structure : 

• A USD 2-million technical assistance grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific will help develop guidelines and training curricula for AWC staff and ECD educators.

About the Project : 

Childcare Enhancement:

• The project aims to strengthen childcare for 2 age groups: 0-1.5 years (home-based) and 5-6 years (center-based through Anganwadi centers).
• Upgradation of 1,800 existing Anganwadi centers and construction of around 600 new centers in remote areas.

Nurturing Care Access:

• The project focuses on improving access to nurturing care for children, fostering their holistic development.
• Emphasis on maternal mental health care and inclusive parenting programs to involve fathers in caregiving.

Nutrient Enhancement:

• ADB’s assistance includes the addition of eggs to the diet of pregnant and lactating women and children aged 5-6 years.
• Aim to improve nutrient adequacy and address malnutrition concerns.

Impact on Hard-to-Reach Areas:

• The project’s construction of new Anganwadi centres targets hard-to-reach regions, ensuring equitable access to childcare and nutrition services.

SDG Alignment : 

• The initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (Zero Hunger) and 3 (Good Health and Well-being), contributing to improved nutrition and health.

About ADB : 

• Established : 1966
• Headquarters : Manila, Philippines
• President : Masatsugu Asakawa
• Membership : 68 members, including 49 regional members (countries in Asia and the Pacific) and 19 non-regional members (countries outside the region)

Canara Bank launched Canara Jeevan Dhara – Tailored Savings Account for Pensioners

• Canara Bank has introduced a specialised savings bank account named “Canara Jeevan Dhara” aimed at catering to the unique financial needs of pensioners and prospective pensioners, including those who have retired on a voluntary basis or through normal retirement.

Key Highlights : 

Account Variants :

• The bank offers two variants depending on the pension credit.
• Diamonds account is for up to Rs 50,000 and Platinum account is for above Rs 50,000.

Interest Rate : 

• The interest rate on Canara Jeevan Dhara savings account mirrors the regular savings account rate, ranging from 2.90% to 4% based on the account balance.

Loan against deposit : 

• The account offers a loan against deposit feature, providing senior citizens with an attractive rate of 0.75% above the deposit rate.

Top-up facility : 

• Canara Jeevan Dhara customers enjoy a top-up facility on pension loans, enhancing their access to credit and financial flexibility.

Concession on medical expenses : 

• Account holders benefit from a concession of up to 25% on medical expenses, reflecting Canara Bank’s commitment to holistic customer well-being.

Canara Bank FD interest rates : 

• Canara Bank offers a range of Fixed Deposits (FDs) maturing from 7 days to 10 years.
• Interest rates for the general public range from 4% to 7.25%.
• Senior citizens receive preferential rates, ranging from 4% to 7.75%.

About Canara Bank : 

• Established : 1906
• Headquarters : Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
• MD & CEO : Satyanarayana Raju
• Tagline : Together We Can

SBI plans to open 300 branches across India in the current financial year

• The State Bank of India (SBI) plans to open 300 new branches across India in the current financial year.
• It currently operates 22,405 branches across the country & it has 235 foreign branches and offices.
• SBI aims to increase its network of business correspondents, which play a crucial role in extending banking services to underserved areas.
• In the first quarter of the current fiscal year, SBI reported its highest-ever quarterly profit at ₹16,884 crore.
• This is a substantial increase compared to the net profit of ₹6,068 crore in the same quarter of the previous year.

About SBI : 

• Chairman : Dinesh Kumar Khara
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Tagline : The Banker to Every Indian.

PFRDA integrates the NPS Statement of transaction with Consolidated Account Statement                              

• The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) have collaborated to provide National Pension System (NPS) subscribers with an enhanced and consolidated view of their personal investments in the securities market, including updated mark-to-market values under a single consolidated account statement (CAS).

Key Points:

• The consolidated view encompasses the subscribers’ Demat account holdings and mutual fund investments.
• Currently, Consolidated Account Statement (CAS), provided by National Securities Depository Ltd (NSDL) and Central Depository Services Ltd (CDSL), furnishes a consolidated and updated investment view in the securities market.
• This latest move of PFRDA to integrate the NPS Statement of Transaction (SoT) with CAS is in sync with the Centre’s vision to create a comprehensive record of every individual’s financial assets.
• Currently, the NPS SoT is shared on an annual basis either physically or through email and it can also be viewed online in the Central Record Keeping Agency (CRA) login.
• Now, PFRDA has enabled CRAs to integrate with depositories registered with SEBI to provide NPS subscribers with the option to include NPS transactions in CAS.
• Having a CAS has several benefits including simplified record keeping, enhanced safety and timely information.

About PFRDA : 

• Established : 2003
• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
• Chairman : Deepak Mohanty
• PFRDA is the regulatory body for the overall supervision and regulation of pensions in India.
• It operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance in the Government of India.

About NSDL : 

• Established : August 1996 as the first electronic securities depository in India with national coverage.
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Union Ministers Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Smt Nirmala Sitharaman launch Kuwi and Desia books at Bhubaneswar

• Union Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, and Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman launched Kuwi and Desia books at Bhubaneswar.
• The event also witnessed the special cover release on behalf of the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India.
• This marks a collaborative effort with the Central University of Odisha, Koraput, Department of Posts, and NCERT.
• The Ministers attended a series of events under the nationwide “Meri Maati Mera Desh” campaign, on the call of the Prime Minister of the country, to pay homage to the heroes who sacrificed for the country.
• The Ministers visited Sand Art on “Meri Maati Mera Desh” by Padmashri Awardee Sand Artist Shri Sudarshan Patnaik at Puri Beach.
• Shri Pradhan expressed that the artwork is a unique and admirable way to pay tribute to the “heroes” who sacrificed their life for the country.

Central Water Commission Launches Mobile App ‘Floodwatch’ To Provide Real-Time Flood Forecasts to Public Using Interactive Maps

• The Chairman, of Central Water Commission (CWC), Shri Kushvinder Vohra launched the mobile application, “FloodWatch” to use mobile phones to disseminate information related to the flood situation and forecasts up to 7 days on a real-time basis to the public.
• The in-house developed user-friendly app has readable and audio broadcast and all the information is available in 2 languages, viz. English and Hindi.
• Key feature of the app includes real-time flood monitoring where users can check up-to-date flood situations throughout the country.
• The app utilizes near real-time river flow data from various sources.
• The app also provides flood forecasts at the nearest location where users can check the flood advisory at the station nearest to them on the Home Page itself.
• Other key features include forecast using an Interactive Map where users can check the CWC Flood Forecast (up to 24 hours) or Flood Advisory (up to 7 days) either by directly selecting the station from map or the user can also search for the name of the station in the search box.
• The location will be zoomed in on the map when the name of the station will be selected from the dropdown.
• The app will also provide State-wise/Basin-wise Flood Forecast (up to 24 hours) or Flood Advisory (up to 7 days) which can be accessed by selecting specific stations, state-wise or basin-wise from the dropdown menu.

Union Power Minister to Dedicate NTPC’s 660 MW Super Thermal Power Project in Barh, Bihar

• The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh will dedicate to the nation a 660 MW unit of NTPC’s Barh Super Thermal Power Project in Barh, Bihar.
• The 660 MW unit being inaugurated is Unit #2 of Stage I of the project.
• The commissioning of this unit would be another milestone in the government’s endeavour to provide reliable and affordable power to the nation.
• The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy will also lay the foundation stone for the extension of POWERGRID’s 400/132 kV Lakhisarai Sub-station, later in the day on 18th August 2023.
• This sub-station has been built by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power, Government of India.
• As part of the project, 220 kV GIS will be constructed in existing sub-station premises along with the installation of 2 transformers of 500 MVA capacity.
• The extension of the substation at Lakhisarai will lead to improved power availability in Lakhisarai, Sheikhpura, Munger and Jamui districts and will also ease the supply of power to meet future energy demand.
• The installation of state-of-the-art GIS technology of 220 kV voltage level in the Lakhisarai sub-station will further strengthen the connectivity of the region to the national grid.
• The provision of an uninterrupted power supply will also lead to the industrial and commercial development of the region.

Ministry of Tourism to organize the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav & Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat Food Festival in New Delhi

• Ministry of Tourism in association with the different State Governments / UTs is organizing the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav & Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat Food Festival in the capital.
• the festival aims to celebrate the rich culinary diversity of India. The event will showcase state-specific cuisines and promote awareness of the unique offerings within each region while fostering a sense of togetherness.
• The Food Festival is being held with the enthusiastic participation of 23 States and UTs The festival will be organised in State Sadans/Bhawans of the participating States in New Delhi.
• Some of the participating States and UTs include Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Odisha, Gujarat, Assam, Mizoram, Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, Punjab, Arunachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Punjab, Meghalaya, Karnataka, Chattisgarh, Nagaland A few of the States are also organizing a handicraft exhibition in tandem with the Food Festival on the premises of the respective State Bhawan.
• The event also promotes the concept of Dekho Apna Desh, which has been one of the successful programs of the Ministry for encouraging the citizens of the country to explore hidden treasures of their own country. This initiative aligns with the larger goal of promoting domestic tourism and fostering a sense of pride in one’s heritage.
• The Food Festival is not only a celebration of India’s rich culture and heritage but also to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and to promote the spirit of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat.
• The collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Tourism, State Governments, and various stakeholders will ensure the success of this enriching experience.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Anurag Thakur inaugurates Youth 20 Summit

• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur jointly inaugurated the Youth 20 Summit -2023 at Rudraksha International Cooperation and Convention Centre at Varanasi.
• On the second day of the four-day Y20 Summit which is being held at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
• The Youth 20 (Y20) Summit has been organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports under the framework of India’s G20 Presidency.
• The Y20 Summit is the culmination of various meetings including the Inception Meeting at Guwahati, Pre Summit at Leh, Ladakh, and various Jan Bhagidari events conducted across the country in the run-up to this main Summit.
• Around 125 delegates from G20 countries, Guest countries and International Organizations are participating in the four-day Summit.
• Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur said that the Y20 Summit brings together young people from diverse nations each facing unique economic, social and environmental problems and challenges and they are not limited to a single country. He said it provides a platform to work together to find solutions to tackle the challenges.

Prime Minister hails India’s first 3D printed Post Office at Cambridge Layout, Bengaluru

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has called India’s first 3D printed Post Office at Cambridge Layout, Bengaluru, a testament to our nation’s innovation and progress.
• Earlier Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated India’s first post office constructed using 3D printing technology.
• The inauguration of the 1100 square feet post office was held at Bengaluru’s Cambridge Layout near Ulsoor Bazaar.
• 3D printing technology is a fast-emerging way of constructing structures.
• It uses computer-aided design to create three-dimensional objects through a layering method.
• About a year back, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati constructed a 3D-printed sentry post for the Indian Army as part of an indigenous research and development program.

NLC India Limited enters into Long Term Power Usage Agreement for a 300 MW Solar Project with Rajasthan

• NLC India Limited, a Navratna Central Public Sector Undertaking under the administrative control of the Ministry of Coal has entered into Long Term Power Usage Agreement with Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Limited for the supply of 300 MW Solar Power under the CPSU Scheme at Rajasthan.
• NLCIL is presently having 1,421 MW of Renewable Energy Capacity.
• As per the Corporate Plan of the company, it contemplates establishing 6,031 MW capacity by 2030.
• The company has secured 510 MW Solar Project capacity in the CPSU Scheme Phase-II Tranche-III floated by Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) through competitive bidding. 300 MW Solar project capacity is under execution at Barsingsar, Bikaner District, Rajasthan.
• The EPC contract for the project has been awarded to M/s TATA power solar systems through competitive bidding.
• The Power to the tune of 750 Million Units is to be generated annually from the project and the total green power generated will be supplied to the State of Rajasthan.
• The project will help the State of Rajasthan in meeting its Renewable Purchase Obligation targets.
• The power generated from the project will help in the reduction of carbon emissions to the tune of 0.726 Million Tonnes of Carbon dioxide emissions every year.
• On the Renewable Energy front, in addition to the present 1.40 GW capacity in Tamil Nadu, this is the first time NLCIL expanding its footprint of this capacity in other states.

Shri Amit Shah, plants the 4 Croreth tree under the All-India Tree Plantation Campaign of the Ministry of Home Affairs at the CRPF Group Center in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh

• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, planted the 4 Croreth tree under the All-India Tree Plantation Campaign of the Ministry of Home Affairs at the CRPF Group Center in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
• Shri Amit Shah also inaugurated 15 newly constructed buildings, built for Rs. 165 crores, across 8 different campuses of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
• These include the construction of 220 family accommodations at 102 Rapid Task Force for Rs. 57 crores, construction of a 50-bed hospital in Group Center, Raipur for Rs. 17 crores, administrative building, quarter guard and parade ground at Recruit Training Center Jodhpur for Rs. 16 crores, construction of a 240-men barrack in Group Center Raipur built for Rs. 11 crores, and construction of hospitals, gyms, mess, sewage treatment plants, canteens, etc. in various parts of the country. Several dignitaries including the Union Home Secretary and Director Generals of CRPF, CISF, NSG, NDRF, ITBP, SSB, BSF, and Assam Rifles were present on the occasion.

Shri Sarbananda Sonowal to chair two-day 19thMeeting of the Maritime State Development Council at Kevadia, Gujarat

• The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal to chair the 19th meeting of the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) scheduled on 18th and 19th August at Kevadia in Gujarat.
• During this, discussions will be focused on significant issues about the overall progress of the maritime sector.
• The meeting will be attended by the Chief Ministers, concerned Senior Ministers of the Coastal States and Administrators of UTs.
• The concerned Secretaries and Senior officials of all the 9 Coastal States and 4 UTs will also present there along with Senior Officials from various Ministries and Departments of the Union Government.
• Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) was constituted in the year 1997 and is an apex advisory body for the development of the maritime sector aimed to ensure the development of Major and Non- Major ports in consultation with State governments.
• MSDC was constituted under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways with the Ministers in charge of ports of all Maritime States, Administrators of UTs, Navy, Coast Guard, and representatives from all relevant stakeholders.
• MSDC is an apex advisory body for the development of the Maritime sector and aims to ensure the integrated development of Major and non-Major Ports. It was constituted to assess in consultation with State Governments, the future development of existing and new Minor Ports by the respective Maritime States either directly or through captive users and private participation.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATION

Kamlesh Varshney and Amarjeet Singh appointed SEBI whole-time members

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has appointed two new full-time directors.
• The government has appointed Kamlesh Chandra Varshney and Amarjeet Singh as full-time members.
• Their appointment, according to the announcement, will be valid for three years from the date of assumption of taking responsibility or until future orders, whichever comes first.
• Varshney is currently a joint secretary at the Department of Revenue, and Singh is the SEBI executive director.
• SEBI now has two full-time members, Ashwani Bhatia and Ananth Narayan G, and four part-time members, Ajay Seth, Manoj Govil, M. Rajeshwar Rao, and Dr V. Ravi Anshuman.
• Madhabi Puri Buch, who took over as Chairperson on 2 March 2022, presides over the board.
• Before taking over as chairman.
• Buch served as a Sebi Whole-Time Member until 4 October 2021.
• She was in charge of market regulation, market intermediaries’ regulation and supervision, integrated surveillance, investment management, Department of Economic & Policy Analysis, Office of Investor Assistance & Education, National Institute of Securities Markets, and information technology departments.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

TDB-DST partners with Chemlife Innovations for Innovative Bio-Trace Minerals Project

• The Technology Development Board (TDB), operating under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with M/s Chemlife Innovations Pvt. Ltd., headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• This collaboration marks a significant stride in advancing the project titled “Commercialization and Manufacturing of Bio-Trace Minerals Used in Feed for Animals,” a visionary endeavour that harmonizes seamlessly with TDB’s commitment to fostering impactful scientific innovation.
• Amid the present urgency for innovative solutions propelling sustainable progress, a crucial dimension of this collaboration aligns harmoniously with the National Livestock Mission—a cornerstone of India’s strategic framework.
• Guided by the Prime Minister’s vision, the mission aims to enhance livestock productivity, optimize feed and fodder resources and infuse technology into livestock management.
• Aligned with this national roadmap, TDB and M/s Chemlife Innovations Pvt. Ltd. embark on a transformative journey, marking a pivotal milestone in the “Commercialization and Manufacturing of Bio-Trace Minerals used in Feed for Animals” project.
• TDB’s unwavering support is evidenced by its commitment of ₹ 84 lacks, significantly contributing to the total project cost of ₹60 lakhs.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE NEWS

President Murmu launches the country’s stealth warship ‘INS Vindhyagiri’ in Kolkata

• President Droupadi Murmu launched India’s newest warship ‘INS Vindhyagiri’ at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd’s (GRSE) facility on the banks of Hooghly River at Kidderpore in Kolkata.
• Named after the mountain range in Karnataka, the advanced stealth frigate INS Vindhyagiri is the sixth ship of the Project 17A Frigates.
• The state-of-the-art ship will be fitted with the latest gadgets and undergo extensive trials before being handed over to the Indian Navy for commissioning into service.
• P17A ships are guided missile frigates.
• These warships are follow-ons of the Shivalik class Project 17 frigates with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors and platform management systems and are capable of neutralising threats in all three dimensions of air, surface and subsurface.
• Vindhyagiri is the last of the three ships being built by Defence PSU GRSE for the Indian Navy.
• The first five ships of the project were launched between 2019 and 2022.

BRO commences construction of the world’s highest motorable road in Eastern Ladakh

• Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has commenced the construction of the world’s highest motorable road, the Likaru-Migla-Fukche road close to Hanle in Eastern Ladakh.
• The 64-km long road will connect Likaru to Fukche which is situated three kilometres away from the LAC in Eastern Ladakh.
• The new highest motorable pass will set a new world record of being the motorable road at an altitude of 19,400 feet.
• Presently, the Umlingla pass at the height of 19,024 feet, is the world’s highest motorable pass, constructed by BRO in the year 2021.
• Umlingla Pass is a 52 km long road that connects Chishumle to Demchok, which is right on the LAC, and also a friction point between India and China.
• The proposed road between Likaru-Migla-Fukche will provide an axis connecting Hanle to CDFD road at Fukche.
• The strategically important road will pass through Migla, which is at 19400 feet.
• A budget of approximately Rs 520 crore has been slated for the ambitious project.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Priya Malik wins a Gold medal at the 2023 U20 World Wrestling Championships in Jordan

• Indian grappler Priya Malik won a Gold medal at the 2023 U20 World Wrestling Championships in Jordan.
• Priya became just the second woman wrestler from India to be crowned the U20 world championship.
• Antim Panghal had been the first woman from India to win a junior world title in wrestling at last year’s edition.
• Priya Mallik, beat Laura Celine Kuehn of Germa by 5-0 in the women’s 76kg freestyle wrestling final.
• In a true stamp of authority, Priya went the whole tournament without conceding a single point in any of her matches.
• Priya has now won both the U17 2021 and 2022 and U20 world titles in her short but promising career.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Photography Day 2023 – August 19

• World Photography Day is celebrated on August 19 every year.
• World Photography Day 2023 is a Worldwide celebration of the art, crafts, science, and history of photography.
• The first World Photography Day was held on August 19, 2010.
• On World Photography Day nearly 270 photographers shared their pictures in a global online gallery.
• People from over 100 countries visited the online gallery.
• This event marked the first official World Photography Day.
• World Photography Day commemorates the importance of cameras and photography in our lives.
• The first digital photograph was created in 1957, two decades before the digital camera was invented.
• The French Academy of Science officially announced the invention of the daguerreotype in 1839 to the public.

Daily CA One-Liner: August 19

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 40.5 million loan for integrated early childhood development (ECD) and maternal mental health in Meghalaya.
• Canara Bank has introduced a specialised savings bank account named “Canara Jeevan Dhara” aimed at catering to the unique financial needs of pensioners and prospective pensioners, including those who have retired on a voluntary basis or through normal retirement.
• The State Bank of India (SBI) plans to open 300 new branches across India in the current financial year & it currently operates 22,405 branches across the country & it has 235 foreign branches and offices.
• The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) have collaborated to provide National Pension System (NPS) subscribers with an enhanced and consolidated view of their personal investments in the securities market, including updated mark-to-market values under a single consolidated account statement (CAS).

• Union Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, and Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman launched Kuwi and Desia books at Bhubaneswar.
• The Chairman, of Central Water Commission (CWC), Shri Kushvinder Vohra launched the mobile application, “FloodWatch” to use mobile phones to disseminate information related to the flood situation and forecasts up to 7 days on a real-time basis to the public.
• The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh will dedicate to the nation a 660 MW unit of NTPC’s Barh Super Thermal Power Project in Barh, Bihar.
• Ministry of Tourism in association with the different State Governments / UTs is organizing the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav & Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat Food Festival in the capital.
• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur jointly inaugurated the Youth 20 Summit -2023 at Rudraksha International Cooperation and Convention Centre at Varanasi.
• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has called India’s first 3D printed Post Office at Cambridge Layout, Bengaluru, a testament to our nation’s innovation and progress.
• NLC India Limited, a Navratna Central Public Sector Undertaking under the administrative control of the Ministry of Coal has entered into Long Term Power Usage Agreement with Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Limited for the supply of 300 MW Solar Power under the CPSU Scheme at Rajasthan.
• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, planted the 4 Croreth tree under the All-India Tree Plantation Campaign of the Ministry of Home Affairs at the CRPF Group Center in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
• The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal to chair the 19th meeting of the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) scheduled on 18th and 19th August at Kevadia in Gujarat.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has appointed two new full-time directors.
• The Technology Development Board (TDB), operating under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with M/s Chemlife Innovations Pvt. Ltd., headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• President Droupadi Murmu launched India’s newest warship ‘INS Vindhyagiri’ at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd’s (GRSE) facility on the banks of Hooghly River at Kidderpore in Kolkata.
• Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has commenced the construction of the world’s highest motorable road, the Likaru-Migla-Fukche road close to Hanle in Eastern Ladakh.
• Indian grappler Priya Malik won a Gold medal at the 2023 U20 World Wrestling Championships in Jordan.
• World Photography Day is celebrated on August 19 every year.