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Monthly Current Affairs Capsule & Quiz August 2020

Russia chaired 6th BRICS Environment

Ministers’ Meeting

The Environment Ministers of the five BRICS

countries participated in the 6th BRICS Environment

Ministers’ Meeting.

Union Environment Minister Prakash

Javadekar represented India at the meeting

along with the Ministers of the other BRICS

nations- Brazil, Russia, China and South

Africa.

The video conference was held under the

Presidency of Russia.

The meeting was preceded by the BRICS

Working Group meeting. India will host the

next meeting in 2021.

Muslim women's rights day: 01 August

Muslim Women's Rights Day celebrated across the

nation on 01 August to commemorate the first

anniversary of the law against instant triple talaq.

One year ago on 30th July, 2019, the

Narendra Modi government abolished

TripleTalaq.

It has contributed to women empowerment

and given them the dignity they deserve in

our society.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on

Marriage) Act prohibits the practice of instant

divorce by Muslim men. Any violation of the

law is punishable by jail term of up to three

years.

The Narendra Modi government made the

law against triple talaq following the

Supreme Court's judgement of 2017 that

declared as unconstitutional the

instantaneous practice, followed by Muslim

men, of divorcing a wife by uttering the word

'talaq' thrice.

Over 120 countries celebrate World

Breastfeeding Week; India plans online activities

to sensitise citizens about its importance

Over 120 countries around the world are celebrating

the week-long World Breastfeeding Week from 1-7

August.

In India, the Women and Child Development

Ministry has planned to organise online

activities to sensitise citizens about the

importance of breastfeeding.

The theme of World Breast-feeding Week

this year is to support breastfeeding for a

healthier planet and taking precautionary

measures in light of the global pandemic.

Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months

of child’s birth and continuing thereafter for

at least 2 years is crucial to combat

malnutrition.

Mother's Milk also known as ‘liquid gold’ is

the protective shield a child receives in his

early days.

Mother's milk acts as first immunization

providing holistic nutrition and immunity

against infections.

UAE becomes first country in Arab World to

produce nuclear energy

As the Barakah Nuclear Plant's 1st Unit got

operational, UAE became the first country in the

Arab World to produce nuclear energy.

The new plant is part of the UAE's graph to

become less reliant on oil and gas, the current

source of the vast majority of its energy.

UAE is among the world's biggest fossil fuels

producers.

Barakah plant situated in the Al Dhafrah

region of Abu Dhabi started producing heat.

The plant, powered by South Korean

technology , hopes to produce 5.6 gigawatts

of electricity and supply up to 25% of the

UAE's electricity needs.

World Sanskrit Day: 03 August 2020

The World Sanskrit Day is being celebrated on 03

August.

It is celebrated on Shravan Poornima, that is

the Poornima day of the Shravan month in the

Hindu calendar.

In the year 2020, this day is celebrated on

August 03.

In India, the University Grants Commission

(UGC) has asked all its affiliated universities

and colleges to mark World Sanskrit Day or

World ‘Samskrita’ Day with appropriate

celebrations on August 3.

The objective of the day is to illuminate the

younger generation about the ancient Indian

language which is believed to have originated

about 3,500 years ago.

The idea is to advocate people about the

Sanskrit language and the need to preserve

our national heritage.

Massive blast shakes Lebanon’s capital Beirut,

hundreds injured

A huge explosion near the centre of Beirut killed at

least 10 people and sending shockwaves across the

Lebanese capital.

The blast shattering glass in people’s homes

and causing apartment balconies to collapse.

The blast occurred in the city’s port area,

where there were warehouses housing

explosives.

Footage of the blast shared around by

residents on social media showed a column of

smoke rising from the port district followed

by an enormous blast.

Lebanon capital: Beirut

Currency: Lebanese pound

US Conducts Test Flight of Unarmed Minuteman

3 Missile

An unarmed Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic

missile was launched from California on a test flight

to a target in the Pacific Ocean.

Test launches are essential to sustaining the

aging Minuteman 3 nuclear weapon system.

Minuteman III, manufactured by Boeing is a

long-range, is a three-stage ICBM with the

capability to carry single or multiple nuclear

warheads.

As of 2020, the LGM-30G Minuteman III

version is the only land-based

intercontinental ballistic missile in service in

the United States.

The Minuteman entered service in 1962 as a

deterrence weapon that could hit Soviet

cities.

Hiroshima marks 75th anniversary of world's

first atomic bombing

Japan on 06 August marks 75 years since the world's

first atomic bomb attack.

The atomic bomb, nicknamed "Little Boy",

exploded on August 6, 1945, obliterating

Hiroshima and killing 140,000 of an

estimated population of 350,000.

Thousands more died later of injuries and

radiation-related illnesses.

This bomb attack was done in the motive to

end the Second World War in 1945.

Hiroshima was one of the army headquarters

of Japan. Also, it was the largest military

supply depot for troops and supplies.

Sri Lankan Ruling party led by PM Mahinda

Rajapaksa registers landslide victory in

Parliamentary elections

In Sri Lanka, the ruling party led by Prime Minister

Mahinda Rajapaksa registered a landslide victory in

the general elections.

Mr Rajapaksa's Sri Lanka People’s party

(SLPP) has won 145 seats in the 225-member

Parliament, nearing a two-thirds majority.

Samagi Jana balawega (SJB) led by former

minister Sajith Premadasa has emerged as the

main opposition party with 54 seats.

Also the oldest party in the country United

National Party (UNP) led by former Prime

Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe has got only a

single seat.

SLPP got around 59 percent of the popular

vote while SJB was able to garner around 24

percent.

President Gotabaya is the younger brother of

Mahinda Rajapksa who became Prime

Minister after the victory of Mr Gotabaya in

the Presidential election in November last

year.

Bangladesh to construct memorial for Indian

soldiers martyred in 1971 liberation war

Bangladesh will construct a memorial for the Indian

soldiers martyred during the country’s liberation war

in 1971.

The memorial will be constructed coinciding

with the 50th anniversary of the liberation of

Bangladesh.

Liberation War in Bangladesh, was a

revolution and armed conflict sparked by the

rise of the Bengali nationalist and self-

determination movement in what was then

East Pakistan during the 1971 Bangladesh

genocide.

It resulted in the independence of the People's

Republic of Bangladesh.

The war began after the Pakistani military

junta based in West Pakistan launched

Operation Searchlight against the people of

East Pakistan on the night of 25 March 1971.

World Tribal Day: 09 August

Every year United Nations and other world

organizations celebrate World Tribal Day or

International Day of the World Indigenous People on

09 August.

The day promotes and protects the rights of

the world indigenous population.

The day marked the first meeting of the

United Nations Working Group on

Indigenous Populations in Geneva, 1982.

2020 Theme: COVID-19 and indigenous

people resilience.

Mauritius declares emergency over oil spill from

grounded ship

The prime minister of Mauritius has declared a state

of environmental emergency and appealed to France

for urgent assistance.

The French Island of Reunion is the closest to

Mauritius. The Island of Reunion is a major

military base of France in the Indian Ocean.

The oil spill was caused by Japanese owned

ship that was stranded off the coast days ago.

The cracks that appeared on the ship hull

caused the oil spill and has put around 1 to 3

million residents in the island nation to

danger.

Mahinda Rajapaksa takes oath as Prime Minister

of Sri Lanka for fourth time

In Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa took oath as the

Prime Minister for the fourth time.

He was administered the oath by his younger

brother and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at

a ceremony held at Kelaniya Mahaviharaya

near Colombo.

Mahinda Rajapaksa has served as country’s

President from 2006 to 2015 and his party has

got landslide victory at general elections.

Mr. Rajapaksa is credited with ending the

decades long LTTE war in 2009 during his

Presidency.

He had lost the 2015 Presidential elections

and has made a strong political comeback.

मह िंद्रा राजपक्ष ेन ेचौथी बार श्रीलिंका के प्रधान मिंत्री

के रूप में शपथ ली

India says it would like Sri Lanka to send first

flight to newly upgraded Kushinagar airport

India has said it would like Sri Lanka to send the first

international flight to the newly upgraded

Kushinagar airport in Uttar Pradesh.

Indian Government has decided to declare the

Kushinagar airport an international airport in

June.

This is particularly significant to Sri Lanka’s

Buddhist pilgrims since the airport is located

near a number of sites sacred to Buddhists.

Kushinagar is regarded as a sacred Buddhist

pilgrimage centre and is dotted with several

other Buddhist sites in the surrounding areas

such as Sravasti (238 km), Kapilvastu (190

km) and Lumbini (195 km).

World Biofuel Day: 10 August

Every year 10th August is observed as World Biofuel

Day.

It is observed to raise awareness about the

importance of non-fossil fuels as an

alternative to conventional fossil fuels and

highlight the various efforts made by the

Government in the biofuel sector.

They are renewable, biodegradable,

sustainable and environment friendly fuel.

It can be seen as an alternative to

conventional fossil fuels.

Biofuels have the benefits of reducing import

dependency on crude oil, cleaner

environment, additional income to farmers

and employment generation in rural areas.

Indonesia’s Sinabung volcano erupts

Mount Sinabung on Indonesia’s Sumatra island

erupted, sending a column of volcanic materials as

high as 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) into the sky.

The volcano, one of two currently erupting in

Indonesia, was dormant for four centuries

before exploding in 2010, killing two people.

Another eruption in 2014 killed 16 people,

while seven died in a 2016 eruption.

Sinabung is among more than 120 active

volcanoes in Indonesia, which is prone to

seismic upheaval due to its location on the

Pacific “Ring of Fire”.

Lebanon's PM Hassan Diab resigns following

public outrage over major blast in Beirut last

week

Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab has resigned

from his post in the wake of a major blast in Beirut

that has triggered public outrage.

The Prime Minister's resignation follows a

weekend of anti-government protests after

the August 4 explosion in Beirut's port that

decimated the facility and caused widespread

destruction, killing more than 160 people and

injuring about six thousands.

Diab's government was formed in January

this year after his predecessor, Saad Hariri,

stepped down in October last year in response

to the demonstrations.

President Michel Aoun has accepted the

resignation of the Diab government and

asked it to stay on in a caretaker capacity until

a new cabinet is formed.

Belarusan President Lukashenko wins sixth term

President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko has

won his sixth consecutive term with 80.23 per cent

of the vote at the country’s presidential election.

A former English teacher Svetlana

Tikhanouskaya, who emerged as

Lukashenko’s main rival at the elections gets

9.9 per cent of the vote.

Alexander Lukashenko is often referred to as

“Europe’s last dictator”.

Opposition supporters believed the election

results were rigged.

World Elephant Day: 12 August

World Elephant Day is an international annual event

on August 12, dedicated to the preservation and

protection of the world's elephants.

The idea of World Elephant Day was

conceived by Canadian filmmakers Patricia

Sims and Michael Clark in Thailand.

On the eve of celebrating the World Elephant

Day, India launched a National Portal called

“SURAKHSYA”.

The goal of International Elephant Day is to

create awareness of the urgent plight of

African and Asian elephants.

African elephants are listed as "Vulnerable"

and Asian elephants as "Endangered" on the

IUCN Red List of threatened species.

International Youth Day: 12 August

International Youth Day is observed every year on

12 August.

The day gives an opportunity to celebrate and

mainstream young peoples’ voices, actions

and initiatives, as well as their meaningful,

universal and equitable engagement.

In 1999, the United Nations General

Assembly endorsed the recommendation

made by the World Conference of Ministers

Responsible for Youth that 12rh August be

declared International Youth Day.

The theme of this year is ‘Youth Engagement

for Global Action’.

Indian-origin senator Kamala Harris named US

Vice Presidential candidate for Democratic party

In the United States, Democratic Presidential

nominee Joe Biden has named Indian-origin senator

Kamala Harris as his Vice-Presidential running mate.

Joe Biden made history by selecting the first

black woman to compete on a major party's

presidential ticket.

Kamala Harris is currently the US Senator

from California.

If elected, Kamala Harris would be the first

ever woman to be the Vice President of the

United States and the first ever Indian-

American and African Vice President of the

country.

European Union to give 1.65 million euro to flood

hit people in South Asia

The European Union is providing 1.65 million euro

in humanitarian aid in response to severe flooding

that has affected South Asia-most notably

Bangladesh, India and Nepal.

The funding comes on top of the 1.8 million

euro announced earlier this year to support

families affected by a series of disasters,

including Cyclone Amphan that ravaged

India and Bangladesh in May.

A further 5 lakh euro will be used in India to

provide food and livelihood assistance,

emergency relief supplies, and water and

sanitation services.

World Organ Donation Day: 13 August

Organ donation day is observed on 13 August every

year.

This day strives to motivate people to donate

their healthy and precious organs after death

to save lives.

There is a huge population which dies due to

organ failure in India.

As per the National Health Portal, 500,000

people die due to non-availability of organs.

Organ donation day also tries to spread

information and make people aware about

organ donation. Organ donation can be life-

changing for many. This practice can give a

new life to the ones in need.

Trump announces historic peace deal between

UAE, Israel

US President Donald Trump announced that the

United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel have agreed

to establish full diplomatic relations as part of a new

peace deal.

Under the agreement, Israel would suspend

its plans to annex parts of the West Bank. The

deal is a significant step towards building a

more peaceful, secure, and prosperous

Middle East.

The United Arab Emirates and Israel will

immediately expand and accelerate

cooperation regarding the treatment of and

the development of a vaccine for the

coronavirus.

Working together, these efforts will help save

Muslim, Jewish, and Christian lives

throughout the region.

Russia, Brazil agree to cooperate in production

& marketing of world’s first registered

coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V

Russia and Brazil have agreed to cooperate in the

production and marketing of the world’s first

registered coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V.

The agreement was reached with Brazilian

State of Parana.

As part of the signed strategic cooperation

agreement, RDIF, together with

pharmaceutical companies in the state of

Parana, is organizing the production of

Sputnik V vaccine and its distribution in

Brazil and other Latin American countries.

The Russian Health Ministry registered the

world's first Sputnik V vaccine for the

prevention of COVID-19.

Bangladesh to get largest ever dollar 3.1 billion

loan package from Japan

Japan has signed its largest ever loan package worth

dollar 3.1 billion for Bangladesh.

The loan under its Official Development

Assistance (ODA) will be given for seven

projects of Bangladesh under concessional

terms.

The loan will cover the construction of

Jamuna railway bridge in parallel to the

existing Bangabandhu Bridge, expansion of

the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport,

Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development

Projects and Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar

Highway improvement project among the

seven projects.

The loan carries an interest rate of 0.65

percent with a repayment period of 30 years

including initial 10 years as grace period.

Japan has been the single largest bilateral

donor for Bangladesh since 2012. The total

amount of its aid as Yen Loan has reached

USD 22 billion (commitment base).

Bangladesh observes ‘National Mourning Day’ to

mark assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh

Mujibur Rahman

Bangladesh is observing the National Mourning Day

marking the 45th anniversary of the brutal

assasination of its founder President Bangabandhu

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 15th August 1975.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with 16 members

of his family was brutally assassinated on this day

in 1975 by a group of people from the armed

forces at his Dhanmondi residence in Dhaka.

Among the close family members, only his

daughter and current Prime Minister of

Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and her sister survived

as they were not in the country when the incident

took place.

Turkish and Greek warships collide in eastern

Mediterranean

Greek and a Turkish warship were involved in a

mini-collision during a standoff in the eastern

Mediterranean sea.

Tensions have risen this week after Turkey sent

a survey vessel to the region, escorted by

warships, to map out sea territory for possible oil

and gas drilling.

Greece and Turkey are allies in NATO but their

relations have long been fraught with tension.

Disputes have ranged from boundaries of

offshore continental shelves and airspace to the

ethnically split island of Cyprus.

In 1996 they almost went to war over ownership

of uninhabited islets in the Aegean Sea.

Vietnam health ministry to buy Russian COVID-

19 vaccine

Vietnam's health ministry has registered to buy a

Russian COVID-19 vaccine.

The Southeast Asian country fights a new

outbreak of the coronavirus following months of

no local cases.

Vietnam has reported a total of 911 infections,

with 21 deaths.

Vietnam has signed up for 50-150 million doses

of the vaccine

Russia said the first batch of the world’s first

Covid-19 vaccine would be rolled out within

two weeks, rejecting as "groundless" the safety

concerns aired by some experts over Moscow's

rapid approval of the drug.

Vietnam Capital: Hanoi

Currency: Vietnamese dong

4th Meeting of the BRICS Anti-Drug Working

Group

Russia chaired the 4th Meeting of the BRICS Anti-

Drug Working Group.

The session which was held over video

conference, featured the participation of

delegates from Brazil, Russia, China, South

Africa and India.

Rakesh Asthana, Director General, Narcotics

Control Bureau led the Indian delegation that

participated in the meeting.

In 2010, South Africa began efforts to join

the BRIC grouping, and the process for its

formal admission began in August of that

year.

South Africa officially became a member

nation on 24 December 2010, after being

formally invited by China to join and

subsequently accepted by other BRIC

countries.

Brazil hosted the most recent 11th BRICS

summit on 13–14 November 2019.

World Humanitarian Day: 19 August

World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is held every year

on August 19.

The day pays tribute to aid workers who risk

their lives in humanitarian service, and to

rally support for people affected by crises

around the world.

Thousands of men and women all around the

world put their lives in danger working in

Humanitarian causes and do it selflessly, not

for ulterior selfish motives.

This year WHD comes as the world continues

to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack on the

Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq took place in

which 22 people were killed brutally and

among these ones was the chief humanitarian

in Iraq.

In 2009, the UN General Assembly

announced this day as World Humanitarian

Day in remembrance of the bomb attack.

Democratic Party formally nominates Joe Biden

as presidential candidate

In the United States, Democratic Party has formally

nominated Joe Biden as its presidential nominee for

the 2020 elections.

He will take on President Donald Trump in

the November polls for the White House.

The nomination was a formality, as Senator

Bernard Sanders withdrew from the contest

in April.

Biden has nominated Senator Kamala Harris

as his running mate for Vice President's post.

Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Kita resigns

amid military coup

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has

announced his resignation amid a military coup.

He announced his resignation on state

television hours after mutinous soldiers fired

shots into the air outside his home before

detaining him.

The dramatic development comes after more

than two months of regular demonstrations

calling for him to step down three years

before his final term was due to end.

Keita, who was democratically elected and

re-elected, was left with few choices after the

mutinous soldiers seized weapons from the

armory in the garrison town of Kati and then

advanced on the capital of Bamako.

China record floods dampen feet of Giant Buddha

statue

A giant statue of Buddha in China has had its toes

dampened by floodwater for the first time since the

1940s.

The 71m-tall statue, a UNESCO heritage site,

was carved out of a rock face near Chengdu

in Sichuan province around the eighth

century A.D.

It is normally high above the waterline, but

the area has been hit by the worst flooding in

70 years.

The statue is a hugely popular attraction and

often included in cruises along the nearby

Yangtze river and Three Gorges.

International Day of Victims of Terrorism: 21

August

The United Nations observes 21st August every year

as International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to

the Victims of Terrorism.

The primary responsibility to support victims of

terrorism and uphold their rights rests with

Member States.

The day was set up to raise the awareness of

governments and the overall population about

the significance of long term physical, mental,

social, and financial recovery of terrorism

victims to assist them with coordinating go into

society.

An online high-level event entitled “Not

Forgotten: Stories of Remembrance of Victims

of Terrorism”, will be held with the participation

of the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr.

António Guterres, for victims.

World Senior Citizen Day: 21 August

World Senior Citizens’ Day is celebrated on 21

August every year.

It is observed to raise awareness about the

issues that older people face and to

acknowledge the importance of senior

citizens in society.

It also recognises and acknowledges the

contributions of older people to society.

The day was first proclaimed by the General

Assembly of the United Nations on

December 14, 1990, while the first

celebration was marked on October 1, 1991.

The World Senior Citizen’s Day was

officially founded by the former President of

the United States of America, Ronald

Reagan.

Sri Lankan govt grants approval to abolish 19th

amendment to constitution

The Sri Lankan government has granted approval to

abolish the 19th amendment to the constitution and

replace it with the 20th amendment.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime

Minister Mahinda Rajapksa had made the

abolition of the 19th amendment as the main

election plank during the presidential and

parliamentary elections.

The amendment brought by the previous

government had put a two-term limit on the

Presidency and curtailed the executive

powers of the President and transferred it to

parliament and independent commissions.

Mahinda Rajapaksa could not contest the last

November Presidential elections because of

term limit and his younger brother Gotabaya

became the candidate.

The Rajapaksas secured a two-third majority

in parliament during general elections held

this month, thus paving way for

constitutional amendments.

Pakistan military to use Chinese navigation

system BeiDou

Pakistan is all set to use Chinese homegrown

navigation system BeiDou for both military and civil

purpose, ending their dependence on the US-based

Global Positioning System (GPS).

It is part of Pakistan and China's defence and

strategic cooperation.

China wants to end the US-based GPS

hegemony and push for its own developed

navigation system first in the Asian region.

Chinese Satellite Navigation Office (CSNO)

has agreed to establish BeiDou enabled

Continuously Operating Radar Station

(CORS) network in Pakistan.

It will help Pakistan in getting precise

geospatial application particularly in the field

of surveying and mapping, construction and

scientific studies.

China has established a monitoring station at

its Space and Upper Atmosphere Research

Commission (SUPARCO) for monitoring

and assessing the BeiDou Global Navigation

Satellite System (GNSS).

The system was completed on August 3.

Myanmar govt, armed groups sign framework

accord for ceasefire implementation

The government of Myanmar and ten armed ethnic

groups signed a framework agreement for the

implementation of the National Ceasefire Agreement

(NCA) at the end of the 4th session of the Union

Peace Conference - 21st Century Panglong.

The agreement also includes the framework

for implementation of various processes

beyond 2020, and basic principles to

establish a democratic federal union.

The peace accord called Union Peace Accord

III contains 15 provisions to implement the

NCA. These include troop deployment,

protocol to deal with skirmishes between

government troops and the armed groups

among others.

The peace process in Myanmar was started In

2011 by President Thein Sein to end the long

standing conflict with ethnic armed groups

active in the country.

Turkey discovers large natural gas reserve in

Black Sea

Turkey had discovered its largest-ever deposit of

natural gas in the Black Sea.

This could help the country reduce its

dependence on energy imports from other

countries, including Russia.

According to the announcement made by the

President, 320 billion cubic metres of natural

gas has been discovered.

The discovery has come up in the middle of

tensions between NATO allies Greece and

Turkey are running high in disputed waters in

eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey is highly dependent on Russia, Iran

and Iraq for its energy resources.

Spain reports first West Nile virus death in 2020

Spain has reported this year's first death due to the

West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne infection.

The patient had been in intensive care in a

hospital near the town, where he was

receiving treatment for several days.

A total of 35 people have so far been infected

in the biggest West Nile outbreak ever

detected in the country's southern region of

Andalusia.

The average age of those infected in the

outbreak is 60, and 71 percent of the victims

are men.

The virus is spread by mosquitoes, which are

common in the area given the proximity to

the river.

Transmitted by the common Culex mosquito,

the virus causes a death rate of 0.1 per cent

among those infected.

According to the World Health Organization,

approximately 80 percent of people who are

infected will not show any symptoms.

Saudi Arabia's state oil company Aramco

suspends 10 bn dollar China oil refinery project

Saudi Arabia’s state oil company Aramco has

suspended a deal to build a 10 billion dollar refining

and petrochemicals complex in China.

Aramco decided to stop investing in the

facility in China’s Northeastern province of

Liaoning due to uncertain market outlook.

The oil-price crash and Corona’s impact on

energy demand have changed the

calculations for energy companies’ projects

around the world.

Aramco plans deep cuts to its capital

spending as it tries to maintain a 75 billion

dollar dividend amid low crude prices and

rising debt.

Indonesia’s Sinabung volcano unleashes new

burst of hot ash

A rumbling volcano in western Indonesia unleashed

an avalanche of scorching clouds down its slopes.

The volcano in North Sumatra province was

shooting smoke and ash more than 1,000

meters into the air.

The 2,600-metre (8,530-feet) Sinabung was

dormant for four centuries before exploding

in 2010, killing two people.

Another eruption in 2014 killed 17 people,

while seven died in a 2016 eruption.

Sinabung is among more than 120 active

volcanoes in Indonesia, which is prone to

seismic upheaval due to its location on the

Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and

fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.

China successfully launches new optical remote-

sensing satellite ‘Gaofen-9 05’

China successfully launched a new optical remote-

sensing satellite from its Jiuquan Satellite Launch

Centre in northwest China.

The satellite, Gaofen-9 05, was sent into orbit

by a Long March-2D carrier rocket.

A multifunctional test satellite and another

satellite named Tiantuo-5 were also launched

via the rocket.

The Gaofen-9 (05) optical remote sensing

satellite follows the launch of the third

Gaofen-9 satellite in June and the fourth

earlier this month. Previous satellites were

capable of providing sub-meter resolution

imagery.

The term "remote sensing" generally refers to

the use of satellite or aircraft-based sensor

technologies to detect and classify objects on

Earth.

It includes the surface and the atmosphere

and oceans, based on propagated signals.

Russia and Turkey likely to sign an additional

batch of S-400 missile deal next year

Russia is likely to sign a contract for delivery of an

additional batch of its S-400 missile systems to

Turkey next year.

Turkey bought a batch of the missile systems

from Russia last year, leading to its

suspension by Washington from the U.S. F-

35 stealth fighter jet programme.

The United States has said that Turkey risks

U.S. sanctions if it deploys the Russian-made

S-400s.

Turkey Capital: Ankara

Currency: Turkish lira

Rohingya relocation to Bhashan Char island may

start after Monsoon

Bangladesh is planning to start the process of

relocating Rohingya refugees from the crowded

camps of Cox’s Bazar to the newly built facility at

Bhashan Char island after the monsoon session.

The government is planning to take relatives

of the 306 Rohingya refugees already settled

there and other representatives to show the

facilities available on the Bhashan Char for

the people to be settled there.

If they find the place better than the cramped

Cox’s Bazar, the initial transfer of Rohingyas

may commence after the Monsoon season.

Bhashan char is an uninhabited island where

the government of Bangladesh has made

shelter houses for one lakh Rohingya

refugees at an estimated cost of Tk. 2,300

crore.

The environmentalists say that the Bhashan

Char falls in an ecologically fragile area

prone to floods, erosion and cyclones.

The issue of forced relocation and lack of

mobility on the island has also been raised by

organisations working among the Rohingyas.

Women's Equality Day: 26 August

Women's Equality Day is celebrated on August 26

every year to honor the hard-fought victory of the

women's suffrage movement.

Women’s Equality Day has been designed to

commemorate the 19th Amendment being

adopted in the 1920s in the United States.

This act stopped the federal government and

states from preventing people from the right

to vote based on their sex.

By the early 20th century, other countries

including Finland, New Zealand, and the

United Kingdom had legalised voting for

women as this movement swept across the

world.

World Health Organization declares Africa free

of polio

The World Health Organization has declared Africa

free of polio, a landmark in a decades-long campaign

to eradicate the notorious disease around the world.

This was announced by WHO Regional

Director of Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti.

A commission has certified that no cases had

occurred on the continent for the past four

years, the threshold for eradication of

poliovirus.

The WHO said, poliovirus now joins

smallpox in the list of viruses that have been

wiped out in Africa.

India Pavilion inaugurated at Army-2020

International Military and Technical Forum in

Russia

The ARMY 2020 International Military and

Technical Forum has been organised in Moscow,

Russia from August 23 to 29, 2020.

The forum has been organised by the Russian

Defence Ministry since 2015, at the Patriot

Park near Moscow.

The India Pavilion was inaugurated by

Secretary (Defence Production) Raj Kumar

and Indian Ambassador DB Venkatesh

Verma.

Delegations from at least 70 nations have

confirmed their participation in the high-

profile event.

Over 730 pieces of Russian weapons and

equipment, as well as 28,000 exhibits from

industrial enterprises will be showcased for a

free inspection.

Rare fish Mahseer discovered in Sileru river

Andhra University’s researchers have found a

species of rare fish named Mahseer (scientific name

Tor).

The fish was found from the upper part of

Sileru river, in Andhra Pradesh.

IUCN (International Union for Conservation

of Nature) has listed this fish in the

endangered list.

Golden Mahseer fish is found in the

Himalayan region, where the temperature

around year does not exceed 20° Celsius such

as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Nepal

and Bhutan.

Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving PM, quits

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving

premier resigned because of poor health.

Shinzo Abe is the longest serving Prime

Minister in the history of Japan.

He served from 2006-2007 and also from

2012-2020.

It was Abe who introduced the concept of

Abenomics.

Abenomics refers to set of economic policies

that was introduced by the Japanese Prime

Minister Shinzo Abe.

The policies aimed at increasing money

supply in the country, enacting reforms,

boosting government spending.

It consisted of three arrows. The first focused

on achieving 2% of inflation target, second

on flexible fiscal policy and third on growth

strategy.

Typhoon Bavi damages buildings, floods roads

on Korean Peninsula

A typhoon damaged homes and other buildings,

flooded roads and toppled utility poles on the Korean

Peninsula.

Typhoon Bavi had maximum winds of 115

kilometers (71 miles) per hour and was

passing near Pyongyang after making

landfall in a western coastal region of North

Korea that is a major source of farming and

fishing.

Tropical cyclones are known as Typhoons in

the China Sea and Pacific Ocean.

Bangladesh remembers its national poet Nazrul

on his death anniversary

Bangladesh observed the 44th death anniversary of

the national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam on 27 August.

Known as ‘Bidrohi Kobi’ or rebel poet, Kazi

Nazrul Islam composed over 3000 songs

which are known as Nazrul Geeti or Nazrul

Sangeet.

His poems are deeply imbued with a sense of

humanism, justice and rebellion against

oppression.

It was a source of inspiration during the

liberation war of Bangladesh.

Kazi Nazrul Islam was born on 24 May 1899

in Churulia in Paschim Bardhman district of

West Bengal.

At the time of Bangladesh's independence in

1971 poet Nazrul was staying in Kolkata.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman brought him to

Dhaka with state honours.

First S-400 unit to be delivered by end of 2021

Russia has said that the first regiment of S-400 anti-

air system will be delivered to India by the end of

2021.

India has ordered five regiments of the

cutting edge system that is designed to take

down targets at a range of over 400 km.

India and Russia had inked the $5.2 billion

defence contract for the S-400 Triumf air

defence system in October 2018.

The original date for India to start receiving

delivery was reported to be in the October

2020-April 2023 timeline.

However, in the wake of border tensions with

China earlier this year, New Delhi had urged

Moscow to deliver units early.

Russia has said that there is an ongoing

portfolio of defence orders worth $15 billion

with India and that plans to start producing

AK203 rifles at a factory in Amethi in Uttar

Pradesh are underway.

International Day against Nuclear Tests: 29

August

The International Day against Nuclear Tests is

observed on August 29.

The day aims to increase awareness about the

effects of nuclear weapon test explosions or

any other nuclear explosions and the need for

their cessation as one of the means of

achieving the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free

world.

2010 marked the inaugural commemoration

of the International Day against Nuclear

Tests.

Since its establishment, many bilateral and

multilateral governmental level

developments as well as broad movements in

civil society have helped to advance the cause

of banning nuclear tests.

ITBP became first CAPF to have supplies from

KVIC

Indo Tibetan Border Police, ITBP became the first

Central Armed Police Force CAPF to have supplies

from the Khadi & Village Industries Commission,

KVIC.

Total 1200 Quintal of Mustard Oil is being

procured from KVIC by ITBP with a total

financial implication of 1 Crore 73 Lakh 80

Thousand rupees.

It was decided during a meeting of the

Directors General of the CAPFs held at

Home Ministry in October last year that use

of Terry Khadi Uniform and other items of

swadeshi origin should be made available to

the CAPFs.

The ITBP had suggested that Durrie,

Blankets, Towel, Mustard Oil, Yoga Kit,

Hospital Bed Sheets, Pickles etc can be

purchased for jawans of the Force through

KVIC.

Films Division to pay documentary tribute to

Munshi Premchand and Mohammad Rafi

Films Division to pay documentary tribute to Munshi

Premchand and Mohammad Rafi.

Films Division Mumbai will be screening

two special documentaries to mark the 140th

birth anniversary of most accomplished

writer and storyteller, Munshi Premchand

and the 40th death anniversary of legendary

playback singer, Mohammed Rafi.

The documentaries, ‘Premchand’ and ‘Rafi -

We Remember You’ will be streamed on

Films Division Website and YouTube

channel for free.

The documentary, ‘Premchand’ is directed by

P C Sharma. It is a short biography on

Munshi Premchand who is popularly known

as ‘Upanyas Samrat’ or the King among

novelists.

Memories of immortal singers come alive in

‘Rafi - We Remember You’ is directed by

Kuldeep Sinha. The hour-long documentary

shares special moments from Rafi’s life, his

everlasting songs and tributes by

contemporaries.

ADB signs Dollar 200 million financing deal with

Reliance for power plant in Bangladesh

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a

dollar 200 million financing deal with the Reliance

Bangladesh LNG and Power Limited (RBLPL) to

build and operate a 718 megawatt combined-cycle

gas-fired power plant in Bangladesh.

The project will ease ongoing energy

shortages and drive further private sector

investments in the country’s power sector.

A combined-cycle power plant is a relatively

more efficient way of producing electricity.

It uses both a gas and a steam turbine together

to produce up to 50 percent more electricity

from the same fuel than a traditional simple-

cycle plant.

The financing deal has two components of

dollar 100 million each. While ADB will

provide dollar 100 million, it will also

administer the other part worth dollar 100

million from the Leading Asia’s Private

Infrastructure Fund (LEAP).

The power plant will reduce dependence of

Bangladesh on electricity imports.

Madhya Pradesh to begin ‘Ek Mask-Anek

Zindagi’ public awareness campaign

A public awareness campaign called ‘Ek Mask-Anek

Zindagi’ means one mask-many lives will be

conducted in many districts of Madhya Pradesh.

During this campaign, people will be

informed about measures to prevent COVID-

19 infection.

The Municipal Corporation will also run a

public awareness chariot in the city on the

same theme.

Masks are the simplest and most effective

means to prevent Corona infection.

The Mask Bank will also be established

under the Ek Mask-Anek Zindgi Campaign.

In this mask bank, masks will be collected

from donors and distributed free of cost to the

poor people.

Atma Nirbhar Bharat Logo Design Contest by

MyGov

Government is looking to have a distinct identity for

'Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' by developing a logo

based on creative and innovative inputs from the

citizens of the country.

MyGov.in platform has started the Atma

Nirbhar Bharat Logo Design Contest on its

website where Indian Citizens can submit

their entries without any hassle through

online medium.

The last date of submission of entries is 5th

of August 2020 till 11.45 PM.

The winning logo will be awarded a cash

prize of 25 thousand rupees.

MyGov is a citizen engagement platform

which was launched by Prime Minister

Narendra Modi to promote active

participation of Indian citizens in Nation’s

governance and development. MyGov has

crowdsourced many logos of various

departments and initiatives including Swachh

Bharat, DekhoApnaDesh, Lokpal and several

others.

One Nation One Ration card scheme extended to

four more states including J&K

Ambitious One Nation One Ration card scheme has

been extended to four more states. They

are Manipur, Nagaland, Jammu and Kashmir and

Uttarakhand.

With this, now 24 states have the facility of

ration card portability covering more than 65

crore beneficiaries of National Food Security

Act.

These beneficiaries can now lift their

entitlement of ration from any Fair Price

Shop across these states.

By 31st March next year, all the states will be

covered under One Nation One Ration

card so that all 81 crore beneficiaries can

avail benefit under this scheme.

Amit Shah inaugurates international webinar on

'Lokmanya Tilak - Swaraj to Self-reliant India'

organized by ICCR

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a two-

day international webinar on the theme of 'Lokmanya

Tilak - Swaraj to Self-reliant India' organized by the

Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

It was organised on the 100th death

anniversary of the great freedom fighter

Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak played a key

role in the making of the Indian

Independence movement complete in letter

and spirit.

The slogan of 'Swaraj is my birthright and I

shall have it' given by Lokmanya Tilak, will

always be written in golden letters in the

history of the Indian Independence

Movement.

Dr Harsh Vardhan launches 'Vidyarthi Vigyan

Manthan 2020-21

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh

Vardhan launched 'Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan,

2020-21.

This initiative is a national programme for

popularizing science among school students

of Class 6th to 11th.

It was designed to identify the bright minds

with a scientific aptitude among the student

community.

This is a platform to identify the talent in the

field of science and to promote the scientific

acumen among the students.

Students will help in creating New India and

this initiative will play a leading role in it.

Free bus travel for women on Raksha Bandhan

in UP

In Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has

announced free travel concession to women in

government buses on the occasion of Raksha

Bandhan.

This will give relief to poor

and destitute women visiting their relatives.

In the wake of covid-19, the CM has

appealed to people to maintain social

distancing norms while celebrating the

festival.

Like the previous three years, women can

avail free travel in all categories of Uttar

Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation

run buses in the state on the occasion of

Rakshabandhan festival.

Tamil Nadu celebrates its monsoon festival ‘Aadi

Perukku’

Aadi Perukku, also known as the Aadi monsoon

festival, is being celebrated in Tamil Nadu.

The festival falls on the 18th day of the Tamil

month of Adi (mid-July to mid-August) and

is celebrated as a tribute to water's life-

sustaining properties.

It takes the form of thanking Cauvery river

for flowing in plenty, thus ensuring a good

agricultural harvest during the year.

The festival assumes added significance in

the Cauvery Delta region, where farmers also

pay homage to Mother nature in the form of

the majestic Cauvery river.

Gujarat based dairy starts innovative project to

produce CNG from animal dung

Gujarat based and Asia's largest Banas dairy had

come up with an innovative project to produce CNG

from animal dung.

The Chairman of Banas dairy made an

official announcement of the project which is

claimed to be the country's first such

endeavour.

Banas dairy started the country's first CNG

pump in which Gober gas is being produced,

purified and converted into CNG.

The dairy is collecting over 40 tonnes of cow

dung from the farmers of around 25 villages.

The sale of CNG will begin from the pump in

the coming week.

Northern Railway runs first-ever Vyapar Mala

Express train

Northern Railway ran the first-ever Vyapar Mala

Express train.

This train destined for Jirania in Tripura has

46 wagons.

Wheat was loaded in 34 wagons at Guniana

station of Firozpur Division by Food

Corporation of India and in the remaining

Rice and Pulses have been loaded.

Railways has earned more than 94 lakh

rupees from this Vyapar Mala Express train.

This is an express service where piece-meal

stock will reach its destination in a shorter

time.

The train departed from Delhi Kishanganj for

Jirania and it will cover a distance of two

thousand 673 Kilometres from Punjab to

Tripura.

It will help small traders in moving their

cargo through Railways, in a short time, cost

effective, convenient and environment-

friendly mode of transportation.

Walmart-owned Flipkart supports 6 lakh

artisans in India through Samarth programme

Walmart-owned Flipkart said it supports over six

lakh artisans, weavers and craftsmen across the

country through its Samarth programme and is

working on onboarding more such sellers to the

platform.

The Samarth programme was launched last

year, wherein the e-commerce major had

partnered with five non-governmental

organisations (NGOs) to help artisans use the

online marketplace to sell their products.

Samarth supports the livelihood of over six

lakh artisans, weavers and craftsmen through

partnerships with NGOs and government

entities, and provides the artisans an access to

a pan-India customer base of more than 200

million.

With the help of government partnerships,

Flipkart has been able to bring artisans online

from the remotest parts of Odisha, Andhra

Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat,

Punjab and Karnataka till now.

DCGI gives permission to Serum Institute of

India to conduct phase 2 and 3 human clinical

trial of Corona vaccine developed by Oxford

university

Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given

nod to the Serum Institute of India (SII) to conduct

phase 2 and 3 human clinical trials of COVID-19

vaccine developed by Oxford University.

The approval for conducting phase 2 and 3

clinical trials by the SII was granted by DCGI

thorough evaluation based on the

recommendations of the Subject Expert

Committee on COVID-19.

Currently, phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of the

Oxford vaccine are going on in the UK, phase

3 clinical trials in Brazil and phase 1 and 2

clinical trials in South Africa.

Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) moves towards

2nd phase, ODF-Plus

The Swachh Bharat mission has focused on rural and

urban areas separately and played a crucial role in

ensuring sanitation in the country.

Since the launch of the mission in 2014, more

than 10 crore individual toilets have been

constructed across the country and as a result,

rural areas in all the States have declared

themselves Open Defecation Free ODF on

2nd October, 2019.

The Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) has

moved towards its second phase which is also

called ODF-Plus.

This phase will continue till 2024-25.

More than 66 lakh individual household

toilets and over 6 lakh community and public

toilets have also been constructed or are

under construction.

Khadi Agarbatti Atma Nirbhar Mission

approved by Govt. to generate employment and

make India self-reliant in agarbatti production

MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari has approved a

unique employment generation program proposed by

Khadi and Village Industries Commission, KVIC to

make India Atma Nirbhar in Agarbatti production.

The program named as Khadi Agarbatti Atma

Nirbhar Mission aims at creating

employment for unemployed and migrant

workers in different parts of the country.

Under the scheme, KVIC will provide

Automatic Agarbatti making machines and

powder mixing machines to the artisans

through the successful private Agarbatti

manufacturers who will sign the agreement as

business partners.

KVIC will provide a 25 per cent subsidy on

the cost of the machines and will recover the

remaining 75 per cent of the cost from the

artisans in easy installments every month.

VP M Venkaiah Naidu pays tribute to freedom

fighter Pingali Venkayya on his birth

anniversary

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu paid tribute to

legendary freedom fighter and the designer of India’s

national flag, Pingali Venkayya on his birth

anniversary.

Pingali Venkayya was a polymath with

interests in geology, education, agriculture

and languages.

Our national flag is a symbol of our

sovereignty, great history and culture.

The Vice President said, the nation will

always be grateful to the designer of the

Tricolour, the pride and glory of our nation.

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa tests

positive for COVID-19

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has tested

positive for Covid-19.

He has been admitted to Manipal Hospitals

on the advice of doctors as a precautionary

measure.

He has requested those who have come in

contact with him recently to be observant and

exercise self quarantine.

The CM recently met governor Vajubhai

Vala and the latter is likely to undergo tests.

A few days back the ministers CT Ravi,

Anand Singh and BC Patil were tested

positive.

Rajasthan to provide meals at ₹8 under Indira

Rasoi Yojana from this month

The Rajasthan government is going to start with the

'Indira Rasoi Yojana' in urban areas of the state from

August 20.

Under the scheme, 358 kitchens in 213 urban

localities will be operationalised wherein

people will get food for ₹8.

It is another step towards realising the resolve

of Rajasthan government's 'no hunger no

sleep.

The state government will spend ₹100 crore

per year on this scheme.

Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to

launch e-Rakshabandhan

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched e-

Rakshabandhan, a month-long awareness

programme on the safety of women and children in

cyberspace.

The programme will be conducted jointly by

the State police and CID to bring awareness

among the public, especially women, youth

and children through webinars and AP CID's

official YouTube channel.

The programme is aimed at creating

awareness among the public on cybercrimes

across the State.

The participants will be explained different

types of cybercrimes, and tackling techniques

and alarm raising methods.

Kotak Mahindra Bank launches ‘Kona Kona

Umeed’ Campaign

Kotak Mahindra Bank has announced the launch of a

two-month-long campaign called ‘Kona Kona

Umeed’.

With this it will offers huge discounts to lift

up hope and optimism among its customers

in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The bank will provide a range of offers and

deals on its products including loans, savings

accounts, current accounts, corporate salary

accounts as well as Kotak debit cards, credit

cards and digital payments.

Kotak has tied up with over 100 brands to

provide exclusive deals to its customers in

categories such as shopping, essentials,

personal care, education, fitness, health &

wellness, kids & parenting, entertainment,

cyber care & security, among others.

eVIN ensures essential immunization services

during COVID pandemic

The Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN)

has ensured essential immunization services during

the COVID pandemic.

eVIN is an innovative technological solution

aimed at strengthening immunization supply

chain systems across the country.

This is being implemented under the National

Health Mission by the Ministry of Health and

Family Welfare.

It aims to provide real-time information on

vaccine stocks and flows, and storage

temperatures across all cold chain points in

the country.

eVIN has reached 32 States and Union

Territories and will soon be rolled-out in the

remaining States and UTs of Andaman and

Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Ladakh and

Sikkim.

eVIN India is helping the State and UT

governments monitor the supply chain of

COVID response material.

All 23 urban towns of Mizoram take initiatives to

achieve ODF plus

In Mizoram, all 23 urban towns have taken initiatives

to achieve ODF plus.

These 23 urban towns were declared as Open

Defecation Free (ODF) by the Ministry of

Housing & Urban Affairs in 2017.

Presently, to become ODF-Plus, all 23 urban

authorities are executing initiatives through

refurbishment and renovation of the already

existing toilets and improved construction of

new toilets.

ODF-Plus status is given if at any point of the

day, not a single person is found defecating

and/or urinating in the open, and all

community and public toilets are functional

and well maintained.

DNHDD launches E-Gyan Mitra mobile app for

online education

Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and

Daman and Diu bordering Gujarat has launched E-

Gyan Mitra mobile app for online education.

The E-Gyan Mitra app launched by the

Education Department of Daman

Administration is becoming popular among

the students and parents.

DNHDD was created through the merger of

the former union territories of Dadra and

Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

Plans for the proposed merger were

announced by the Government of India in

July 2019 and came into effect on 26 January

2020.

NIT Trichy to offer MA in English Literature

The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Trichy

has started an MA programme in English Literature.

It is the first step in removing barriers

between arts, sciences and Technology, in

line with the recently announced National

Education Policy (NEP).

The Institute has also plans to start an online

programme which will increase the number

of students in a big way, in alignment with

NEP 2020.

Hyderabad 16th among 20 cities globally in

CCTV Surveillance, tops in India

Hyderabad has been ranked 16 th among the "Top 20

Most Surveilled Cities globally" according to a

report published by a UK-based firm.

Hyderabad with its 3 lakh CCTV cameras

being used to keep tab on a city that has a

population of a little over 1 crore, figured

16th in the most surveilled cities.

Taiyuan in China was ranked first with

4,65,255 CCTV cameras

Hyderabad was ranked first in India.

Union Agriculture Minister launches Sahakar

Cooptube NCDC Channel

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar

launched the Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel, a

new initiative by National Cooperative Development

Corporation.

The Minister also launched guidance videos

produced by NCDC on ‘Formation and

Registration of A Cooperative’ for eighteen

different states in Hindi and regional

languages.

The Union Government under Atma Nirbhar

Bharat has recently announced a series of

transformative measures and sector specific

financial packages to help agriculture.

The initiatives are steps towards One Nation

One Market with the objective for India to

become a food factory of the world.

Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan tests

positive for COVID-19

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra

Pradhan has tested positive for Covid-19 and has

been admitted to a hospital.

In a tweet, Mr Pradhan said, after seeing

symptoms of COVID-19, he got tested and

the report has come positive.

On the advice of doctors, he has been

admitted to hospital.

Mr Pradhan is the second Union Minister in

the Cabinet to test positive for Covid-19.

Earlier, Home Minister Amit Shah had tested

positive and was admitted to hospital.

Western Railway loads onion in goods train for its

transportation to Bangladesh

In Gujarat, the Bhavnagar division of Western

Railway successfully loaded onions in a goods train

for its transportation to Bangladesh.

This is the first time that agriculture goods

have been sent to neighbouring country

through the train route.

The first rake of such goods train has been

loaded with onions at Dhoraji Railway

Station of Bhavnagar division.

The first such goods train loaded with onions

was sent to Darshna Railway Station in

Bangladesh from Dhoraji Railway station of

Saurashtra.

413 mask banks set up so far under 'Ek Mask-

Anek Zindagi' campaign in Madhya Pradesh

In Madhya Pradesh, 413 mask banks have been set

up so far under an 'Ek Mask-Anek Zindagi' campaign

aimed at protecting citizens from corona infection.

Mask banks have been set up with the help of

voluntary organizations, public

representatives and citizens.

The mask is the simplest and cheapest means

of preventing corona infection.

So far, over one lakh 30 thousand masks have

been donated by various institutions and

citizens in this campaign.

HRD Minister lays foundation stone of IIM at

Dhaula Kuan in Sirmour district

In Himachal Pradesh, Union Minister of Education

Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank laid the foundation stone

of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Dhaula

Kuan in Sirmour district through video conferencing.

The first phase of this Institute would be

completed by spending an amount of 392.51

crore rupees.

Union Government would provide all

possible help to ensure that the institute

emerges as the best institute of the region.

In 2014 Union Government had taken

decision to establish seven new IIMs

including IIM Sirmaur.

Security of Kushak Bakula Rinpoche Airport in

Leh to handed over to CISF

Security responsibilities of Kushak Bakula Rinpoche

Airport in Leh will be handed over to Central

Industrial Security Force (CISF) from 5th August.

Keeping Covid-19 SOPs in view, after flight

operations are completed, the induction of

CISF will take place at Leh airport.

Due to Covid-19 at present daily 3 -4 flights,

with 400-500 passengers, are operating in

Leh-Delhi sector, in comparison to 13 flights

during the non Pandemic times.

Along with the Ladakh police, CRPF was

performing Security of the airport as the

runway is under the control of the Indian Air

Force in Leh.

130 CISF personnel specially trained in

Aviation security will guard the Leh airport.

National Bank of Bahrain selects Infosys Finacle

to digitally transformation

National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has selected

Infosys Finacle to digitally transform its transaction

banking business.

NBB will be implementing the Finacle

Liquidity Management Platform, and

upgrading its existing Finacle Corporate

Online Banking platform to a full-fledged

Digital Engagement Suite – with the latest

versions of the Finacle Corporate Online and

Mobile Banking solutions, along with the

Finacle Digital Engagement Hub.

Finacle is the industry-leading digital

banking solution suite from EdgeVerve

Systems, a wholly-owned product subsidiary

of Infosys.

Infosys is engaged in consulting, technology,

outsourcing and next-generation services.

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju chairs 1st General

Council meeting of Khelo India Scheme

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju chaired the 1st General

Council meeting of the Khelo India Scheme.

Mr Rijiju urged the states to organise State-

level Khelo India Games annually with an

effort to identify a larger number of

grassroot-level talents.

The annual competitions being organized at

the national level under the Khelo India

Scheme, like the Khelo India Youth Games

and University Games, have helped to

identify sporting talent from all states.

Mr Rijiju has asked the states to organise

competitions at the district, block and

panchayat-level to identify young talent.

India contributes over $15.46 mn to India-UN

Development Partnership Fund

India has contributed $15.46 million to the India-UN

Development Partnership Fund, underscoring the

country's commitment to supporting developing

nations in their developmental priorities across all

the Sustainable Development Goals.

India's Permanent Representative to the UN

Ambassador T S Tirumurti handed over a

cheque of $15.46 million.

The tranche of $15.46 million includes $6

million to the overall fund, in which all the

developing countries are eligible for

partnership, and $9.46 million dedicated to

the Commonwealth countries.

The India-UN Development Partnership

Fund is managed by the UNOSSC and

implemented under the leadership of partner

developing countries leveraging the strengths

of United Nations Agencies, Funds and

Programmes.

India extends Line of Credit worth 18 million

dollars to Maldives

India has extended Line of Credit worth 18 million

US dollars to the Government of Maldives for the

expansion of fishing facilities at Maldives Industrial

Fisheries Company (MIFCO).

The project envisages investment in fish

collection and storage facilities and the

setting up of a tuna cooked plant and fishmeal

plant.

It is part of the 800 million US dollars line of

credit offered by India with repayment tenor

of 20 years and a 5-year moratorium.

Maldives Capital: Malé

Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa

Atal Innovation Mission declares results of ATL

Tinkering Marathon 2019

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has declared the

results of its flagship national annual innovation

marathon challenge.

The ATL Tinkering Marathon 2019 was held

over fifty thousand Atal Tinkering Labs

across the country and announced 150

winners of the Marathon.

The challenge was executed by AIM in

partnership with MyGOV on MyGov’s

Innovate Platform this year.

42 percent of the winning teams are from

rural areas and 57 percent are from

government schools. About 45 percent of the

winning team students are girls.

This year’s marathon was uniquely designed

by the students themselves.

The Marathon had a strong focus on Research

preceding the Innovations.

The final phase of solution development

received over 1191 entries from students

across 29 States and UTs.

NIDM in collaboration with IMD organises

webinar series on “Hydro-Meteorological

Hazards Risk Reduction”

National Institute of Disaster Management in

collaboration with India Meteorological Department

organised a webinar series on “Hydro-

Meteorological Hazards Risk Reduction”.

The webinar series include four webinars

focusing on Thunderstorms and Lightning,

Cloudburst and Floods, Cyclones and Storm

Surges and Climate Change and Extreme

Weather Events.

Minister of State for Home Affairs,

Nityanand Rai inaugurated the first webinar

on “Thunderstorms and Lightning”.

He highlighted the major interventions

carried out by the Government departments

and agencies for reducing the adverse risks of

Hydro-Meteorological disasters.

National Institute of Disaster Management is

a premier institute for training and capacity

development programs for managing natural

disasters in India.

NIDM works under the aegis of the Ministry

of Home Affairs, Government of India.

Karnataka Medical Education Minister

inaugurates nation’s first ICMR approved mobile

RTPCR COVID lab

Nation’s first ICMR approved mobile RTPCR

COVID lab developed by Indian Institute of Science

in Bengaluru was inaugurated by Karnataka Medical

Education Minister Dr.K Sudhakar.

Packed with all the safety features, this

unique lab is capable of producing accurate

results within four hours.

In a month the mobile lab can conduct 9000

tests.

The lab can be utilised for testing

H1N1,HCV,TB,HPV,HIV virus also.

Called as Mobile Infection Testing and

Reporting lab, MITR can be deployed in

Corona hot spots quickly.

Another innovative project fructified in

Bengaluru when a bus stand was converted

into 200 bed Covid Care Centre.

Haryana CM launches Parivar Pehchan Patra

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar

launched Parivar Pehchan Patra in the state.

A brain child of team CMO, the PPP will

enable the citizens to get the benefits of

various central and state government

schemes at their door-step in a fair and

transparent manner.

The PPP will be now linked to Mukhya

Mantri Parivar Samridhi Yogna (MMPSY).

All the departments will be linked with e-

Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) within the next

three months.

At present, the MMPSY, which was launched

on January 26, 2020 and three pension

schemes - Old Age Samman Allowance

Scheme, Divyang Jan Pension Scheme, and

Widow and Destitute Women Pension

Scheme, have been integrated with Parivar

Pehchan Patra.

National Handloom Day: 07 August

National Handloom Day is being organised on 07

August by the Ministry of Textiles.

7th August was chosen as the National

Handloom Day to commemorate the

Swadeshi Movement which was launched on

the same date in the year 1905.

The objective is to generate awareness about

the Handloom Industry among the public and

its contribution to socio-economic

development.

To mark the occasion and to instil pride in the

workmanship of handloom weaving amongst

citizens, a social media campaign is planned

for the handloom weaving community.

India's first Kisan Special Parcel Train to provide

seamless supply of perishable produce

India's first Kisan Special Parcel Train or Kisan Rail

started from 07 August 2002.

The train will transport material between

Maharashtra's Devlali and Bihar's Danapur

Railway station.

The Kisan Rail will carry fruits and

vegetables and will make stoppages at several

stations and pick-up and deliver them.

With the launch of Kisan Rail, the Railways

aims to help double farmers’ income.

This will help in bringing perishable

agricultural products like vegetables, fruits to

the market in a short period of time.

The Kisan Rail train with frozen containers is

expected to build a seamless national cold

supply chain for perishables, inclusive of

fish, meat and milk.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had

announced to start 'Kisan Rail' in the current

year's Budget, for providing a seamless

supply chain of perishable produce.

CBIC directs Customs to check within 48 hours

safety of explosives in warehouses, ports

The CBIC has urgently directed Customs and field

formations to immediately verify and confirm within

48 hours that any hazardous or explosive material

lying in warehouses and ports across the country

meets all safety and fire standards and presents no

danger to life and property.

The precautionary step has been taken in

view of the recent incident of explosion at

Beirut in Lebanon caused by such material.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and

Customs (CBIC) is the nodal national agency

responsible for administering Customs, GST,

Central Excise, Service Tax & Narcotics in

India.

CBIC Chairperson: M. Ajit Kumar.

YSR Cheyutha, the game-changer in Andhra

Pradesh rural economy

The Andhra Pradesh government is all set to launch

YSR Cheyutha on August 12.

The scheme will provide financial benefit of

Rs 75,000 to those women who come under

the age of 45 to 60 years.

It aims to empower women from minority

castes.

The amount of Rs 75,000 is to be distributed

in four equal installments of Rs 18,750 each

per year.

The amounts are to be transferred to the bank

accounts of the beneficiaries.

The State Government has allocated Rs 4,500

crores to implement the scheme.

Exim Bank extends $250 mn LoC to Mozambique

for improving power supply

Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) has

extended a USD 250-million (about Rs 1,870 crore)

line of credit (LOC) to Mozambique for improving

power supply quality in the country.

With the signing of this LOC agreement,

Exim Bank till date has extended 14 LOCs to

Mozambique, taking their total value to USD

772.44 million.

Exim Bank has now in place 264 LOCs,

covering 62 countries across regions

including Africa, Asia, and Latin America,

with credit commitments of around USD

25.98 billion, available for financing exports

from India.

Mozambique Capital: Maputo

Currency: Mozambican metical

Quit India Movement: 08 August 1942

The Quit India Movement also known as India

August Movement was launched at the Bombay

session of the All India Congress Committee by

Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942.

In May 1942, Mahatma Gandhi called on

Britain to Leave India to God.

In July 1942, the Congress Working

Committee met at Wardha and a resolution

was passed which was termed The Wardha

Resolution.

It is also known as Quit India Resolution

which demanded, The British Rule in India

must end immediately.

The British had refused to grant India total

independence but later they agreed to give

independence after World War II ended.

World War II ended in 1945 and India gained

independence in 1947.

PM Modi inaugurates Rashtriya Swachhata

Kendra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the

‘Rashtriya Swachhta Kendra’ near Raj Ghat in New

Delhi.

It is an interactive experience centre on the

Swachh Bharat Mission.

A tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the Rashtriya

Swachhata Kendra (RSK) was first

announced by the prime minister on April 10

2017 on the occasion of the centenary

celebrations of Gandhiji’s Champaran

‘satyagraha’.

The visitors will experience a unique 360

degree audio visual immersive show, which

will narrate India's Swachhata Story.

The installations at Rashtriya Swachhta

Kendra will introduce future generations to

the successful journey of the world's largest

behavioural change campaign, the Swachh

Bharat Mission.

A balanced mix of digital and outdoor

installations in Kendra will impart

information, awareness and education on

Swachhata and related aspects.

PM to inaugurate submarine Optical Fibre Cable

connecting Chennai and Port Blair

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and

dedicate the submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC)

connecting Chennai and Port Blair to the nation

through video conferencing.

The submarine cable will also connect Port

Blair to Swaraj Dweep, Little Andaman, Car

Nicobar, Kamorta, Great Nicobar, Long

Island and Rangat.

This connectivity will enable delivery of

faster and more reliable mobile and landline

telecom services to Andaman and Nicobar

Islands, at par with other parts of India.

At present Andaman and Nicobar Islands

have very weak telecom systems that hamper

communications with the mainland and

within the islands.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal launches electric

vehicle policy

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched

‘Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy’.

Under this the Delhi government will waive

registration fee and road tax, and provide

incentives for new EVs in the national

capital.

It will give incentive of up to Rs 30,000 for

two-wheelers, autos and e-rickshaws while

for cars, it will give incentive of up to Rs 1.5

lakh.

The policy aims to boost the economy, create

jobs and reduce pollution levels.

Also, it aims to constitute 25% electric

vehicles by 2024. Currently, constitution of

electric vehicles in capital is 0.29%.

RBI sets up panel under Kamath to suggest steps

to deal with coronavirus-related stressed assets

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) set up an expert

committee under veteran banker K V Kamath to

suggest financial parameters for resolution of

coronavirus-related stressed assets.

The committee will submit its

recommendations to the RBI, which will

notify them along with modifications, if any,

in 30 days.

RBI has announced a ‘Resolution Framework

for COVID-19-related Stress’, as a special

window under the Prudential Framework on

Resolution of Stressed Assets issued on June

7, 2019.

The other members of the committee will be

Diwakar Gupta, T N Manoharan and Ashvin

Parekh will be strategy advisor and the Indian

Banks’ Association CEO will function as

member secretary of the panel.

PM launches weeklong ‘Gandagi Mukt Bharat’

campaign

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched "Gandagi

Mukt Bharat", a week-long campaign for 'swachhata'

in the run-up to Independence Day.

During this week, each day till August 15 will

have special 'swachhata' initiatives in urban

and rural India to re-enforce the 'jan andolan'

for 'swachhata'.

He also inaugurated the ‘Rashtriya

Swachhata Kendra’ -an interactive

experience centre on the Swachh Bharat

Mission, at the Gandhi Smriti at Rajghat.

PM Modi to release sixth instalment of PM-

KISAN scheme to 8.5 crore farmers, to launch Rs

1 Lakh crore financing facility

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the

financing facility of one lakh crore rupees under the

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.

He also released the sixth instalment of funds

of 17 thousand crore rupees to 8.5 crore

farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan

Samman Nidhi Yojna (PM-KISAN) scheme.

The financing facility under the Agriculture

Infrastructure Fund will catalyze the creation

of post-harvest management infrastructure

and community farming assets like cold

storage, collection centres and processing

units.

These assets will enable farmers to get

greater value for their produce, as they will

be able to store and sell at higher prices,

reduce wastage, and increase processing and

value addition.

One lakh crore rupees will be sanctioned

under the financing facility in partnership

with multiple lending institutions.

NTPC achieves over 100 billion units of

cumulative generation in current financial year

National Thermal Power Corporation, NTPC, Group

has achieved over 100 billion units of cumulative

generation in the current financial year.

2600 Mega Watt NTPC Korba in Chattisgarh

has emerged as the top performing thermal

power plant in the country with 97.42 percent

plant load factor, PLF, between April to July

this year.

NTPC Limited is an Indian Public Sector

Undertaking, engaged in the business of

generation of electricity and allied activities.

Founded: 7 November 1975

Headquarters New Delhi, India

Chairman & MD: Gurdeep Singh

BCG vaccine stimulates immune responses

against Covid-19: Study

A study published in Cell Reports Medicine stated

that BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guerin), a vaccine for

tuberculosis (TB) disease, is effective to contain

multiple infectious diseases including Covid-19 by

evoking immune responses.

The study was conducted on people who have

received a BCG vaccine in the past five years

(before the coronavirus pandemic). It showed

that the vaccine is safe and induces immune

responses.

The study found that those who received the

BCG vaccine did not fall ill more often or

become critical during the first wave of the

Covid-19 pandemic in the Netherlands.

However, researchers warned that the study

has its own limitations and should not be used

to draw conclusions regarding the

effectiveness of the BCG vaccine against the

SARS-CoV-2.

Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine is

a vaccine primarily used against tuberculosis

(TB).

In countries where TB or leprosy is common,

one dose is recommended in healthy babies

as close to the time of birth as possible.

India bans import of 101 defence items

India announced a negative arms imports list, under

which acquisition of 101 weapon systems and

platforms from abroad will be progressively banned

from December 2020 to December 2025.

It was announced in a bid to bolster the

fledgling domestic defence production

sector.

The decision has been made to provide

opportunity to the defence industries of the

country to manufacture items in the

embargoed list.

The negative list of 101 items has been

chosen carefully by the services, and at least

a third of these items – including corvettes

and frigates for the Navy and multi-barrel

rocket launchers for the Army – are already

being produced in India.

FSSAI restricted the sale of junk food within 50

metres of school campus

With the aim to ensure safe and wholesome food for

school children, Food Safety and Standards

Authority of India (FSSAI) has restricted the sale of

junk and unhealthy food in canteens of schools and

other educational institutions.

Besides this, the food regulator has

prohibited the sale and advertisement of

unhealthy food within 50 metres of the school

premises.

The idea is to provide safe food and a

balanced diet for children in schools.

Foods which are referred to as foods high in

fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) cannot be sold to

schoolchildren in school canteens or mess

premises or hostel kitchens or within 50

metres of the school campus.

KVIC to set up the first Silk Training cum

Production Center in Arunachal Pradesh

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission is to

set up the first of its kind training cum production

centre of silk in the tribal village of Chullyu in

Arunachal Pradesh.

The centre is to be launched in the first week

of September, 2020.

The KVIC will provide machinery such as

handlooms, warping drums and silk reeling

machines.

The centre is to provide training to 25 local

artisans and will boost weaving activities in

the region.

Mumbai becomes first city in India to have female

icons on traffic signals

Mumbai has become the first city in India to have

women symbols on traffic signals and signage.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

(BMC) has installed traffic signals that

display female icons sporting triangular

frock, a shift from the default representation

of men.

Aditya Thackery, Minister for Tourism and

Environment termed that the signage is

“ensuring gender equality with a simple

idea.”

While a first in India, countries like Germany

and Australia started marking female icons in

traffic signage in 2014 and 2017,

respectively.

Mumbai municipal corporation to start pilot

project to use voice analysis to detect Covid -19

The Municipal corporation of Greater Mumbaiwill

start using a voice sampling method to diagnose

Covid-19 at one of its jumbo facilities in Mumbai.

Although, this will be on pilot basis but the

app based tool will soon be introduced in

other hospitals as well..

The audio based app can find a person's

Covid 19 status from the voice's timbre.

Such voice based apps or tools have been

tested across the world.

A suspected patient will be asked to speak

into a cell phone or computer, where the

voice analysis app has been uploaded.

The patient's vital parameters will also be

taken. The sample will be compared with the

voice of a person not suffering from Covid 19

to provide an analysis.

After dry chillies Indian Railways to transport

denim and dyes to Bangladesh from Gujarat

Indian Railways' Western Railway Zone has

achieved a unique record after deciding to run a

parcel train from Ahmedabad division in Gujarat to

neighbouring country Bangladesh.

The train is to carry denim cloth, dyes and

colours. This is to generate a revenue of Rs

31 lakhs.

The train is to traverse 2,110 km to reach

Benapole in Bangladesh.

Earlier, the Indian Railways operated the first

ever special parcel train to Bangladesh

transporting dry chillies from Andhra

Pradesh.

PM Modi inaugurates submarine Optical Fibre

Cable connecting Chennai, Port Blair

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and

dedicated the nation's submarine Optical Fibre Cable

(OFC) connecting Chennai and Port Blair through

video conferencing.

The foundation stone for the project was laid

by Mr Modi on 30th December 2018 at Port

Blair.

The submarine cable will also connect Port

Blair to Swaraj Dweep, Little Andaman, Car

Nicobar, Kamorta, Great Nicobar, Long

Island, and Rangat.

This connectivity will enable delivery of

faster and more reliable mobile and landline

telecom services to Andaman and Nicobar

Islands.

Once inaugurated, the submarine Optical

Fibre Cable link will deliver bandwidth of

2x200 Gigabits per second, Gbps between

Chennai and Port Blair, and 2x100 Gbps

between Port Blair and the other islands.

About 2,300 Kilometers of Submarine

Optical Fibre Cable has been laid at a cost of

about 1 thousand 2 hundred 24 Crore rupees

and the project has been completed in time.

Delhi Airport launches 'Air Suvidha', an online

portal for international passengers

The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has

developed a first-of-its-kind web portal named ‘AIR

SUVIDHA’.

This portal is meant for India-bound

international arriving flyers, to enable them

to fill the mandatory self- declaration form.

Eligible passengers can also apply online for

exemption from mandatory institution

quarantine process.

The AIR SUVIDHA portal will make

traveling contactless as the passengers won’t

have to fill physical copies of self declaration

and quarantine exemption forms when they

arrive in India.

Former President Pranab Mukherjee tests

positive for COVID-19

Former President Pranab Mukherjee has tested

positive for COVID-19.

Mr Mukherjee requested the people who

came in contact with him in the last week to

self isolate and get tested for COVID-19.

Pranab Mukherjee served as the 13th

President of India from 2012 until 2017.

He was awarded India's highest civilian

honour, the Bharat Ratna in 2019.

India, Maldives ink contract for development of

five eco-tourism zones in Addu atoll of island

nation

India and Maldives signed a contract for

development of five eco-tourism zones in Addu atoll

of the island nation.

These eco tourism zones are part of grant

projects being implemented under the High-

Impact Community Development project

(HICDP) scheme which involves a total grant

assistance of 5.5 million US dollars to the

Maldives.

Currently, there are 9 such high-impact

projects being implemented in the Maldives.

GoI launched National Portal “SURAKHSYA”

on Human Elephant conflict

The Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar

launched National Portal on Human Elephant

conflict called “SURAKHSYA”.

The portal aims to collect real time

information and will also manage conflicts on

real time basis.

The portal will help to set data collection

protocols, data visualization tools and data

transmission pipelines.

The National Portal was launched during the

celebration of international annual event

World Elephant Day.

The World Elephant Day is celebrated every

year on August 12 to create elephant

conservation and share knowledge for better

protection of wild captive elephants.

Chhattisgarh CM Launches Indira Van Mitan

Yojana

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel

announced the launch of Indira Van Mitan Yojana on

the occasion of World Tribal Day.

Under this scheme, groups of youth will be

formed in 10,000 villages of tribal areas of

the state and all forest-based economic

activities will be conducted through these

groups.

New doors will open for self-employment

and prosperity of the forest dwellers through

these groups.

Under this scheme, arrangements for

procurement, processing and marketing of

forest produce will be ensured through

groups.

Groups will be formed under this scheme in

10,000 villages of scheduled areas, in which

youth will be given priority.

The Indira Van Mitan scheme aims to add 19

lakh families from scheduled areas. Through

this scheme, groups will be empowered to

manage trees, so that they can collect the

forest produce from the trees of the forest

areas and get economic benefits.

BJP-led coalition government in Manipur wins

trust vote

In Manipur, N. Biren Singh-led government won the

trust vote during one-day State Assembly session.

The BJP led-coalition headed by Chief

Minister Singh won the confidence vote by a

margin of 12 votes in the house.

Eight Opposition Congress MLAs skipped

the session defying the party whip.

The 60-member house has an effective

strength of 53, including Speaker Y

Khemchand.

The Congress had submitted a notice of No

Confidence Motion against the government

on 28th of July.

Days later, the State Government submitted a

notice to the Speaker for a trust vote.

Public Enterprises Selection Board selects Soma

Mondal as the next chairman of SAIL

Soma Mondal has been selected by the Public

Enterprises Selection Board as the next chairman of

public sector steel major Steel Authority of India

Limited.

Her appointment is subject to approval from

the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet

(ACC).

If the ACC gives its approval, she will make

history with the rare distinction of being the

first woman chairperson of SAIL.

She will also be the first woman to head a

major steel company not only in India but

also elsewhere in the world.

The current chairman of SAIL Anil

Chaudhary assumed charge in September

2018 and is due to retire at the end of this

year.

Daughters have equal coparcenary rights in joint

Hindu family property: SC

A three-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra

of Supreme Court ruled that daughters have equal

rights as that of sons on parental property.

They shall remain coparcener throughout

their life.

The judgement said that daughters have equal

rights in parental property as that of son.

The verdict makes it clear the amendment to

the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 granting

equal rights to daughters to inherit ancestral

property would have retrospective effect.

Under the act, the Hindu women can inherit

all types of property. This includes both

movable and immovable property.

Israel shares AI-based technology, high-end

equipment with AIIMS to help combat COVID-

19

Israel has given state-of-the-art Artificial

Intelligence-based technologies and high-end

equipment to AIIMS, Delhi as part of Israel-India

cooperation to fight the ongoing COVID-19

pandemic.

Israeli Ambassador to India Dr Ron Malka

formally handed over the high-end

equipment and technology solutions to

Director of AIIMS, Dr Randeep Guleria.

It also includes a 12-hour disinfection

product called CPD that stays active to

protect the surface against new attacks of

contamination.

Earlier, India helped Israel with medicines

and safety gear.

Now Israel has sent equipment including

robotic teleconsultation and telemonitoring

equipment.

Lok Sabha starts beginner-level course in French

Lok Sabha has started a beginner-level course in

French for the officials and staff of the Lok Sabha

Secretariat at the Parliament House.

As many as 57 officials registered for the

course.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the

course.

Birla appreciated the initiative undertaken by

the Parliamentary Research and Training

Institute for Democracies (PRIDE).

In the near future, courses in German,

Spanish, Russian and other important world

languages would also be organised.

Narendra Singh Tomar launches ICAR's data

recovery centre 'Krishi Megh'

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has

launched ICAR's data recovery centre - Krishi Megh.

The move is aimed at protecting the precious

data of the government's premier research

body Indian Council of Agricultural

Research.

It has been set up at National Academy of

Agricultural Research Management

(NAARM) in Hyderabad.

The main data centre of the ICAR is at the

Indian Agricultural Statistics Research

Institute (IASRI) in the national capital.

Krishi Megh has been set up under the

National Agricultural Higher Education

Project (NAHEP), funded by both the

government and World Bank.

Tribal Affairs Ministry develops nine ‘Tribal

Freedom Fighters’ Museums

The Tribal Affairs Ministry is developing “Tribal

Freedom Fighters’ Museums dedicated to the

contributions of the tribal people in India to the

freedom struggle.

Out of nine sanctioned museums, two

museums are near completion and the

remaining seven are at different stages of

progress.

By the end of 2022 all the museums will

come into existence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had

announced setting up of these tribal freedom

fighters’ museums during his Independence

Day Speech on 15th August 2016.

All the museums will have strong usage of

technologies like Virtual Reality, Augmented

Reality and 3D/7D holographic projections.

These museums will demonstrate the way

tribals struggle to protect their custodial

concerns for the biological and cultural

diversity of the country.

Gujarat launches ‘Mukhya Mantri Kisan Sahay

Yojana’

The Gujarat government launched a new scheme

‘Mukhya Mantri Kisan Sahay’ Yojana.

Under this farmers facing crop losses due to

drought, excess rain or unseasonal rain will

get compensation without collection of any

premium from them.

The new scheme will replace the Pradhan

Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for this

year only.

Unlike the Centre's crop insurance scheme,

farmers are not required to pay any premium

under this new state government's scheme to

get protection against natural risks like

drought, excess or unseasonal rain this kharif

season.

Expert committee on Covid-19 vaccine

An expert committee under the chairmanship of NITI

Aayog member Dr VK Paul will meet to consider the

logistics and ethical aspects of procuring and

administering the COVID-19 vaccine.

The committee on vaccine administration

will engage with all the stakeholders

including State governments and vaccine

manufacturers.

The committee would chalk out strategies on

the aspects of prioritisation of the vaccine

administration once it is developed, rollout

and cold chain logistics and training of the

people who would be administering it.

The V K Paul led committee also deliberated

on the delivery mechanism of the vaccine

including tracking of vaccination process

while focusing particularly on last mile

delivery.

Jal Shakti Minister launches Swachh Bharat

Mission Academy in New Delhi

Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

launched Swachh Bharat Mission, SBM Academy in

New Delhi, as part of the ongoing week-long

behaviour change campaign Gandagi Mukt Bharat.

Swachh Bharat Mission Academy, with its

mobile based technology will significantly

boost the capacity building efforts in training

of Swachhagrahis as well as community-

based organizations, NGOs and others

associated with phase 2 of the mission.

Swachh Bharat Mission Academy is a phone-

based academy and offers a 60-minutes

module, which is an IVR based training

course.

The course covers a wide range of topics

under Open Defecation Free sustainability

(ODF-S) as well as Solid and Liquid Waste

Management (SLWM).

Microwave device 'Atulya' to disintegrate novel

Coronavirus unveiled by Nitin Gadkari

A microwave device named ‘Atulya’ was unveiled

by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways

and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Nitin

Gadkari in Nagpur.

Certified by the Defence Research and

Development Organization (DRDO) and

based on French and American standards, the

device is 100 per cent Made in India and has

been manufactured under the aegis of the

MSME.

The ‘Atulya’ microwave like device can be

used to disinfect any premises up to five

metres area, besides surface areas, home and

office furniture, beds, new boxes and even

the contents of the boxes.

This equipment can be hand handled as its

weight is mere three kilograms.

The device disintegrates the COVID-19 virus

with the help of differential heating in the

range of 56 to 60 degrees Celsius

temperatures.

The positive thing about this device is it is

100 per cent safe for humans and does not

emit Ultraviolet rays for disinfection, that

could be harmful to the human body.

PM Modi launches 'Transparent Taxation -

Honoring the Honest' platform

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Transparent

Taxation - Honoring the Honest' platform.

It will strengthen the efforts of reforming and

simplifying India's tax system.

The Prime Minister unveiled the next phase

of direct tax reforms aimed at easing

compliance and rewarding honest taxpayers

to boost Indian economy.

The number of people who have filed income

tax returns has increased by about two-and-a-

half crores in the last 6-7 years.

Ayush Minister Shripad Naik tests positive for

coronavirus

Minister of State for Ayush and Defence Shripad Y

Naik has tested positive for coronavirus.

He has opted for self-isolation as he is

asymptomatic and added his vitals are within

normal limits.

Shripad Yesso Naik is the Union Minister of

State in the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga &

Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and

Homoeopathy and Minister of State for

Defence.

He was the former Union Minister of State

for Health and Family Welfare.

NITI Aayog selects Oracle Cloud to transform

Aspirational Districts

Niti Aayog announced it has selected Oracle to help

it modernise vital IT infrastructure in 112 most

backward districts as part of its Aspirational Districts

Programme.

These 112 districts constitute 28 percent of

population (nearly 1.4 billion) and the new

cloud solution aims to aid district magistrates

to improve overall performance and

transform the quality of life of citizens.

The programme uses data to identify top

performing districts.

The data driven decisions are essential to

identify strengths and weaknesses of the

Aspirational Districts.

NITI Aayog is to receive help from Oracle

cloud Services to fast track the

transformation of Aspirational Districts.

India will fund Greater Male Connectivity

Project through USD 400 mn Line of Credit &

USD 100 million grant

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has

announced that India will fund the implementation of

Greater Male Connectivity Project through a 400

million dollar Line of Credit and 100 million dollar

grant.

This 6.7 kilometre bridge project connecting

Male with Gulhifalhu Port and Thilafushi

industrial zone will help revitalise and

transform Maldivian economy.

The regular cargo ferry service between India

and Maldives will be started to boost trade

and commerce.

India is also starting an air travel bubble with

Maldives to sustain and promote the dynamic

people-to-people ties between the two

countries.

The Highest-Paid Actors Of 2020

Forbes magazine has released “The Highest-Paid

Actors Of 2020” list. Bollywood actor, Akshay

Kumar is the only Indian star to be listed among the

top 10 world’s highest-paid actors of 2020 with total

earnings of $48.5 million.

Akshay is placed at sixth place in the list.

Most of his income came from product

endorsements.

The list has been topped by Wrestler-turned-

movie star Dwayne Johnson, for a second

straight year, with the total earning of $87.5

million.

UP govt opens 16 new cyber crime Police stations

in different cities

In view of the growing cyber crimes in the state,

Uttar Pradesh government has opened 16 new cyber

crime Police stations in different cities of the state.

Earlier there were only two police Stations in

Lucknow and Gautam Budh Nagar.

Two days back the Government had decided

to publicise the phone numbers of these 18

cyber police stations so that the victims of

cyber crimes can approach police easily.

New cyber police stations have been opened

in Agra, Aligarh, Prayagraj, Chitrakoot,

Bareilly, Moradabad, Basti, Gonda,

Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Kanpur, Ayodhya,

Saharanpur, Azamgarh, Mirzapur and

Varanasi districts.

LIC launches revival campaign for lapsed policies

Life Insurance Corporation of India will provide an

opportunity for its policyholders to revive their

lapsed policies.

It has decided to launch a special revival

campaign from August 10 till October 9 for

its customers to revive their individual lapsed

LIC policies.

Under this Special Revival Campaign

policies of specific eligible plans can be

revived within five years from date of the first

unpaid premium subject to certain terms and

conditions.

The policyholders will get 20 per cent late fee

concession for revival of the policy while 25

per cent concession between Rs 1 lakh and Rs

3 lakh.

Policies which are in lapsed condition during

the premium paying term and not completed

policy term as on the date of revival are

eligible to be revived in this campaign.

RBI governor announces 'positive pay' feature to

help avert cheque frauds

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said that the banking

system will move to a positive pay practice in cheque

transactions to curb frauds.

Under the 'positive pay' system, a customer

who issues the cheque clicks a picture of the

cheque before handing it over to the

beneficiary and uploads the same on the

bank's mobile application.

The limit of Rs 50,000 will cover

approximately 20 per cent of transactions by

volume and 80 per cent by value.

Since 2016, the second largest private sector

lender ICICI Bank has such a facility for all

cheques irrespective of the amount.

By following such a system, a bank knows of

a cheque being drawn by the customer even

before it is deposited by the beneficiary into

her account.

Indian Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel

'Sarthak' launched

An Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for the Indian

Coast Guard was launched and re-christened as

Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Sarthak’.

The launching ceremony held at Goa

Shipyard Limited was conducted through

video conferencing from Coast Guard

headquarters at New Delhi.

Sarthak is the 4th in the series of five OPVs

deployed by the Coast Guard to enhance

maritime security.

It has been designed and built indigenously

by Goa Shipyard Limited in line with the

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of

‘Make in India’.

The Ship is fitted with state-of-the-art

Navigation and Communication equipment,

sensor and machinery.

Sports Ministry to organise ‘Fit India Freedom

Run’ from Aug 15- Oct 2

The Sports Ministry will organise the largest

country-wide run, the Fit India Freedom Run from 15

August till 2nd of October.

In keeping with the current pandemic

situation and social distancing norms, the

government has decided to encourage

participants of the event to run at their own

pace - anywhere and at any time of their

convenience.

Additionally, they can break up their runs

over several days in this period.

The total kilometers clocked can be tracked

using a Global Positioning System (GPS)

watch or manually.

The motto of the ‘Freedom Run’ is to

encourage fitness and help citizens to get

freedom from obesity, laziness, stress,

anxiety and other diseases.

African swine fever in Meghalaya

In Meghalaya, following the outbreak of African

Swine Fever (ASF) in 12 villages located in four

districts which include West Jaintia Hills, West

Khasi Hills, East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi district, the

government has decided to declare all villages where

pigs have died to be a containment zone.

It was decided to ban all forms of import and

export of pigs from those villages and also to

ban slaughter and selling of pigs for

consumption.

Banning such activities will help in

containing the spread of ASF.

Till date 73 pigs have died and out of which

24 have tested positive for ASF.

Manipur observes Patriots’ day, commemorates

heroes of Anglo-Manipuri war

In Manipur, the Patriots' Day was observed on 13

August commemorating the 1891 Anglo-Manipuri

war.

During the war many Manipuris sacrificed

their lives to safeguard the independence of

the State.

The day is observed every year on the 13th

August to pay homage to the great martyres.

The Anglo-Manipur War was an armed

conflict between the British Empire and the

Kingdom of Manipur.

The war lasted between 31 March and 27

April 1891, ending in a British victory.

On 13 August 1891, five Manipuri

commanders including Tikendrajit were

hanged for waging war against the British

Empire, Kulachandra Singh along with 21

Kangleipak noblemen received sentences of

property forfeiture and lifetime exile.

Goa’s Harmal Chillies, Moira bananas, Khaje

gets GI tag

Goa’s traditional festive sweet dish ‘Khaje’, spicy

Harmal Chilli and Myndoli Banana (Moira Banana)

has obtained Geographical Indication (GI) tag from

the Geographical Indications Registry.

Khaje got a GI tag under foodstuffs falling in

Class-30 and Moira Banana under Class-31.

A GI tag protects the produce from being

illegally used, and ensures benefits to the

local growers’ community.

WHO advised 140 tests per day per million

population: Health Ministry

The Health Ministry has said that the World Health

Organisation, WHO has advised 140 tests per day per

million population.

India has conducted a record 8,48,728 tests

for detection of COVID-19 in a day with an

aim to achieve a daily target of 10 lakh.

At present the national average is 603 tests

per day per million population.

With focussed efforts of the Centre and

effective implementation by the states and

union territories, 34 of them have exceeded

this figure.

India celebrates its 74th Independence Day

This year India celebrates its 74th Independence Day

on 15th August 2020.

This day is celebrated to pay tribute and to

remember the sacrifice and struggle of our

brave heroes in the fight for freedom.

The main function was held at the Red Fort

of the national capital where Prime Minister

Narendra Modi hoisted the National Flag.

For almost 200 years, Indians were

dominated by the British government which

began in 1757.

Prime Minister announces launch of National

Digital Health Mission

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch

of National Digital Health Mission.

The National Digital Health Mission will

bring a new revolution in India's health sector

and all Indians will get health IDs.

Every test, every disease, medicines

prescribed by doctors, reports and related

information will be contained in this one

health ID.

The mission aims to improve the efficiency,

effectiveness and transparency of health care

in India. It operates under Pradhan Mantri Jan

Arogya Yojana or Ayushman Bharat.

President approves 84 gallantry awards for

defence personnel

President Ram Nath Kovind has approved 84

gallantry awards for defence personnel, including

nine Shaurya Chakra.

The Kirti Chakra has been posthumously

awarded to Abdul Rashid Kalas, Head

Constable, Jammu and Kashmir Police.

The Shaurya Chakra is awarded for 'gallantry

otherwise than in the face of the enemy'.

It is the third highest gallantry award in

peacetime.

The President has also approved 19 Mention-

in-Despatches to the Army personnel for their

significant contributions in different military

operations, which include eight posthumous

for 'Operation Meghdoot' and 'Operation

Rakshak'.

Operation 'Meghdoot' was launched in 1984

to secure control of the heights

predominating the Siachen Glacier.

'Operation Rakshak' is also an ongoing

counter-insurgency operation in Jammu and

Kashmir.

DIAT develops Ayurvedic face mask, and

antimicrobial body suit

Pune based Defence Institute of Advanced

Technology, DIAT (DU) developed a Nanofibres of

Ayurvedic based Biodegradable Face Mask which

acts a virus neutraliser to resist against the

bacteria/virus, and is named “Pavitrapati”.v

The Company now launched its first ever

Ayurvedic based biodegradable face mask

named “Pavitrapati” for sale.

M/s Siddheshwar Techtessile Pvt. Ltd.,

Maharashtra developed initially 10,000 Nos

of this mask and have got responses from

distributors, sales teams, pharmaceutical

companies and the same will be made

available on online platforms like Amazon,

Flipkart etc.

Another ToT has been transferred to M/s.

Siddheshwar Techtessile Pvt. Ltd.,

Maharashtra by DIAT for development of

antimicrobial body suit in the name of

“Aushada tara”.

This suit has superhydrophobic, breathing,

anti-microbial, comfort feeling properties.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launches

SRIJAN portal for Indigenization in Defence

Sector

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has launched a

portal SRIJAN which is a one stop shop online portal

that provides access to the vendors to take up items

for indigenization.

This will help industry partners to play an

active role in the goal of self-reliance in the

defence sector.

The Defence Minister called upon the Indian

industry partners to show complete

commitment and take proactive participation

in the pursuit of Indigenization and self-

reliance in the Defence Sector.

UP becomes number one in conducting covid tests

in country

Uttar Pradesh has become number one in conducting

covid tests in the country.

Cumulative covid testing figures reached 36

lakh samples on 14 August. State is

conducting around one lakh covid tests daily.

With at least 9 districts in the state recording

more than 100 new cases of Covid infection

in the past 24 hours, the number of active

cases in the state crossed 50,000.

The state now has 50426 active cases and the

list is topped by Lucknow, which has 7,188

active cases.

Kanpur is in second place with more than 4

thousand active cases.

Assam govt tells private educational institutions

to offer 25 per cent concessions in fees

The Assam government has told all private

educational institutions to offer 25 per cent

concessions in monthly fees from 1st of May till

formal opening of schools.

Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

said that these private institutes teach

students from pre- primary level to 12th

standard.

These institutions are saving substantial

expenditure under various heads including

fuel and electricity charges.

Educational institutes in the State are closed

from 16th of March due to Covid-19

pandemic.

Odisha emerges as number 1 investment

destination in the country

Odisha has emerged as the number one investment

destination in the country.

During the last 6 months the State has

received an investment proposal worth Rs

12,000 crore.

The agricultural growth rate in the State has

clocked 7.61 per cent which is far ahead of

the national average of 2.80 per cent.

Two over bridges of Ahmedabad named after late

Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj in Gujarat

In Gujarat, two over bridges of Ahmedabad city have

been named after late Arun Jaitley and Sushma

Swaraj.

The Railway over bridge in Ranip area of the

city will be known as Atmanirbhar Gujarat

Railway Flyover.

The newly built flyover at Income Tax circle

will be known as Arun Jaitley flyover, while

another flyover at Anjali cross road will be

known as Sushma Swaraj Bridge.

RBI Board approves transfer of Rs 57,128 cr as

surplus to central govt

The RBI Board has approved the transfer of 57,128

crore rupees as surplus to the central government for

the accounting year 2019-20.

RBI has informed that it has also decided to

maintain a Contingency Risk Buffer at 5.5

percent.

The Board, chaired by RBI Governor

Shaktikanta Das, discussed the bank’s

operations in the past year and approved its

annual report and statement of accounts.

Custom-made Boeing 777 as 'Air India One' for

PM Modi, President Kovind, top dignitaries soon

Soon Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram

Nath Kovind and other VVIP dignitaries will fly in

Boeing 777-300ERs that India is set to receive from

Boeing in the United States.

Two Boeing 777-300ERs will arrive in India

from the US for which officials have already left

to receive the aircraft.

VVIP aircraft 'Air India One' or The Special

Extra Section Flight (SESF) are custom made

Boeing 777 that will arrive in India in

September.

To fly these planes, Indian Air Force pilots will

be given the responsibility and not Air India.

The planes will have state-of-art missile defence

systems.

The missile system will be called Large Aircraft

Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) and Self-

Protection Suites (SPS).

PM Modi, Amit Shah pay respects to Atal Bihari

Vajpayee on second death anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Atal

Bihari Vajpayee on his second death anniversary as

he remembered the former prime minister’s

“outstanding service" to the nation.

Born on December 25, 1924 in Madhya

Pradesh's Gwalior, Vajpayee was the first-ever

person from the BJP to become the Prime

Minister.

He served as Prime Minister thrice, briefly in

1996, from 1998 to 1999 and then for a full five-

year term between 1999 and 2004.

Apart from politics, Vajpayee was a prominent

writer and penned a number of poems.

The veteran BJP leader passed away on August

16, 2018, at the All India Institute of Medical

Science (AIIMS) in Delhi after a prolonged

illness.

Government to reconsider minimum age of

marriage for girls

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that

the Centre will decide on the recommendations of a

committee set up to reconsider the minimum age of

marriage for women.

The minimum age of marriage, especially for

women, has been a contentious issue.

The law evolved in the face of much resistance

from religious and social conservatives.

Currently, the law prescribes that the minimum

age of marriage is 21 years and 18 years for men

and women respectively.

On June 2, the Union Ministry for Women and

Child Development set up a task force to

examine matters pertaining to age of

motherhood, imperatives of lowering Maternal

Mortality Ratio and the improvement of

nutritional levels among women.

The task force will examine the correlation of

age of marriage and motherhood with health,

medical well-being, and nutritional status of the

mother and neonate, infant or child, during

pregnancy, birth and thereafter.

It will also look at key parameters like Infant

Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Rate

(MMR), Total Fertility Rate (TFR), Sex Ratio at

Birth (SRB) and Child Sex Ratio (CSR), and

will examine the possibility of increasing the age

of marriage for women from the present 18 years

to 21 years.

PM Modi announces optical fibre link connecting

Lakshadweep, mainland India Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an

undersea optical fibre cable link to connect

Lakshadweep with mainland India.

Modi set a target of completing the

Lakshadweep undersea project in 1,000 days to

boost mobile and broadband communication

between mainland India and the group of islands

situated on the Laccadive Sea, off the

southwestern coast of India.

On 10 August, Modi inaugurated the Chennai-

Port Blair project, whose foundation was laid in

December 2018.

The 2,312-kilometre long cable project,

implemented at a cost of ₹1,224 crore, will

connect not only Port Blair but also other islands

such as Swaraj Dweep, Long Island, Rangat,

Little Andaman, Kamorta, Car Nicobar, and

Greater Nicobar.

Lakshadweep Administrator: Dineshwar

Sharma

India sends 58 tonnes of emergency aid to

Lebanon

India sent 58 tonnes of emergency humanitarian aid

to Lebanon in an air force plane to assist the people

affected by the explosions in Beirut on August 4.

The emergency humanitarian aid was dispatched

in a C-17 heavy lift aircraft of the Indian Air

Force (IAF) in response to an assessment of

requirements by Lebanese authorities.

The aid sent by India includes emergency

medical supplies, wheat flour, sugar, pulses, and

relief materials such as blankets, dignity kits and

sleeping mats, which are required by the large

number of people left homeless by the

explosion.

Nearly 3,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored

at Beirut’s port blew up on August 4, virtually

wiping out the city’s commercial hub and

damaging many parts of the Lebanese capital.

The total damage has been estimated at $10

billion to $15 billion.

Lebanon Capital: Beirut

Currency: Lebanese pound

Indian Navy to urgently buy 10 ship-based drones

Aiming to boost surveillance capabilities against

enemy warships operating in the Indian Ocean

region, the Indian Navy has moved a proposal to

urgently acquire 10 shipborne drones.

A proposal has been moved in fast track mode

by the Indian Navy before the Defence

Ministry under which it plans to buy 10 Naval

Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems for over

₹1,240 crores,

The drones would be deployed on big size

warships of the force and would help them in

the detection of activities of the Chinese as

well as other adversaries in and around Indian

territorial waters.

As per plans, the Navy is likely to acquire these

drones through an open bid and then deploy

them on its warships for surveillance and

reconnaissance activities.

The Indian Navy is working separately on a

project to acquire Sea Guardian drones from

the United States for expanding its surveillance

in the country's areas of interest from

Madagascar to Malacca Straits and beyond.

Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan govt wins trust vote

in assembly

A month after rebellion from 19 dissident legislators

of his party threatened the survival of his

government, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot

won the trust vote in the state assembly.

The vote took place a day after Sachin Pilot

attended the Congress Legislature Party meeting

at CM Gehlot’s house and declared that he is

determined to act in the “interest of the people of

Rajasthan and in accordance with the promises

made”.

The confidence motion was brought in the

assembly after the reunification of the Gehlot

and Sachin Pilot factions of the Rajasthan

Congress party.

Governor: Kalraj Mishra

Rajasthan Legislative Assembly: 200 seats

Rajya Sabha: 10 seats

Lok Sabha: 25 seats

International Film Festival of India to be held in

November

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said the

International Film Festival of India (IFFI) would be

held in the state in November this year as per

schedule.

IFFI is held annually in the coastal

state between November 20 and 28.

The festival is organised by the

Directorate of Film Festivals in

association with the state

government's Entertainment Society

of Goa.

PM to inaugurate 'Atal Tunnel' in Rohtang in

September 2020

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur

said the 'Atal Tunnel' in Rohtang would be

inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the

end of September this year.

The tunnel will be the world's longest above

an altitude of 3,000 metres and will reduce

the distance between Manali and Leh by 46

km.

The tunnel is being built under Rohtang Pass

in the Pir Panjal range on the Leh-Manali

highway.

The length of the tunnel is 8.8 kilometers.

Once thrown open, the tunnel will provide

all-weather connectivity to remote border

areas of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh which

otherwise remain cut-off from the rest of the

country for about six months during winters.

AYUSH Ministry launches 3-month campaign

‘Ayush for Immunity’

AYUSH Ministry has launched a three-month

campaign on ‘Ayush for Immunity’ through a

webinar.

Through the campaign “Ayush for

Immunity”, the Ministry of AYUSH aims to

inform people about the valuable information

about strengths of various Ayush-based

solutions for enhancing immunity and

preventing diseases.

The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga &

Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and

Homoeopathy (abbreviated as AYUSH) is

purposed with developing education,

research and propagation of indigenous

alternative medicine systems in India.

The Ministry is headed by a Minister of State

(Independent Charge), which is currently

held by Shripad Yesso Naik.

Nagaland Government Rolls-Out Centralized e-

commerce platform “YellowChain”

On the occasion of Independence Day, the Chief

Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio launched

“Yellow Chain”.

Yellow Chain is a centralized e-commerce

platform, to promote local business and

entrepreneurship in the State.

Yellow Chain will act as an integrated

platform for the people of the state, where any

Seller/Service Provider/Individual/Group

can register themselves and upload their

products, trades, skills, services etc to enable

the citizens/buyers to have access to their

Service or Product.

It may include Home service(Barber,

Electrician, Plumber, Painter, Carpenter,

Water Service etc.), Delivery service, IT

Products & Services, Cab & Taxi Service,

Health Care & Education, Fast food &

Catering, Bakeries & Confectioneries,

Grocery Stores, Local Product/Produces,

Trainings, Pre-owned Products, Real Estate,

Rentals etc.

HDFC Bank launches “Shaurya KGC Card”

HDFC Bank has launched “Shaurya KGC Card” for

Indian armed forces personnel.

The card will offer agriculture loans for

military and paramilitary professionals.

Launching the card from Mumbai, HDFC

Bank, MD & CEO, Aditya Puri said that the

bank was targeting 45 lakh military and

paramilitary personnel.

A first-of-its-kind product for over 45 lakh

Indian armed forces personnel.

The product will target 5 lakh military and

paramilitary professionals, for catering to

their family’s agricultural needs.

The product comes with a life cover of ₹ 10

lakh as against ₹ 2 lakh for an average card.

India dispatches over 30 tonnes of technical

equipment to Mauritius to deal with oil spill

The Government of India has dispatched over 30

tonnes of technical equipment and material to

Mauritius to supplement the country’s ongoing oil

spill containment and salvage operations.

The decision has been taken, in response to a

request of the Government of Mauritius for

assistance in dealing with the environmental

crisis due to oil spill on its south-east coast.

A 10-member Technical Response Team,

consisting of Indian Coast Guard personnel

specially trained to deal with oil spill

containment measures, has also been

deployed to Mauritius.

India’s assistance is in line with it’s policy to

extend humanitarian assistance and disaster

relief to its neighbours in the Indian Ocean

region, guided by the Prime Minister’s vision

of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in

the Region).

Tribal Affairs Minister launches 'Swasthya 'e-

portal on tribal health & nutrition

Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda inaugurated the

e-portal on tribal health and nutrition named

'Swasthya'.

The portal provides all health and nutrition

related information of the tribal population of

India on a single platform.

Swasthya will also curate innovative

practices, case studies, and best practices

collected from different parts of India to

facilitate the exchange of evidence, expertise

and experiences.

He informed about the initiatives of the

Ministry in partnership with Facebook

through the Going Online as Leaders

(GOAL) Programme.

Through the GOAL Programme, the Ministry

aims to mentor five thousand tribal youth

across India and enable them to become

village-level digital young leaders for their

communities.

HRD ministry officially renamed as Ministry of

Education

President Ram Nath Kovind has given assent to the

change in name of the Ministry of Human Resource

Development as Ministry of Education.

A gazette notification published said the

President had given his nod to change the

name of the Ministry.

The name change was among the key

recommendations of the draft new National

Education Policy, NEP which was cleared by

the Union Cabinet last month.

PM Modi to inaugurate First World Solar

Technology Summit to be held on Sept 8

The First World Solar Technology Summit will be

organized by International Solar Alliance, ISA on a

virtual platform on 8th of September.

The summit aims to bring the world scientists

and engineers together to address the

challenges to make energy affordable.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver

the inaugural address of the First World Solar

Technology Summit and it will be graced by

Ministers from member countries from

across all ISA regions.

ISA would also be launching the ISA Journal

on Solar Energy that would help authors from

across the globe to publish their articles on

solar energy, during the event.

ISA Founded at: Paris, France

Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana, India

Gwalior-Chambal Expressway to be named after

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

The Gwalior-Chambal Expressway will be named

Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Chambal Progressway.

The 309km expressway will connect

Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh through MP, and

provide cross-connectivity with the Golden

Quadrilateral.

The expressway will go parallel to the

Chambal river via Shivpuri, Bhind, Morena

to Kota.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the first BJP

member to become the Prime Minister of

India.

He served as the prime minister in 1996, from

1998 to 1999 and a term of five years from

1999 to 2004.

In honour of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, 25th

December is celebrated as Good Governance

Day.

Puducherry celebrates its 'De-Jure' day

The Union Territory of Puducherry celebrated its

59th anniversary of the “De-Jure”day on 16 August.

Puducherry became independent by virtue of

a referendum on October 18,1954.

It was a French colonial settlement in India

until 1954.

But the treaty of cession signed between the

French and Indian governments was ratified

by the French Parliament only on August 16,

1962.

So on that day the “De-Jure”(The Legal

Merger of the UT with the Indian Union) was

affected.

West Bengal to observe Sept 1 as Police Day

The West Bengal government will observe

September 1 as Police Day in recognition of the work

done by the men in uniform.

At least 18 police officials of different ranks

have lost their lives to Covid-19, while more

than 4000 personnel across the state

including both Kolkata Police and Bengal

Police have been infected by the virus while

on duty.

West Bengal chief Minister also announced

several new projects for the Kolkata Police

and West Bengal Police.

These include setting up of 20 new barracks

and scope for more promotion for women in

the force.

Mamata Banerjee also announced that the

state will reconstruct the Police Welfare

Department, make it more effective to

manage service deployment as per their

convenience, assure better benefits and

ensure their families too are well taken care

of.

Indian Railways constructing world’s tallest pier

bridge across river Ijai in Manipur

Indian Railways is constructing the world’s tallest

pier bridge in Manipur.

The bridge which is being constructed across

river Ijai near Noney is an engineering

marvel because the tallest pier height will be

141 meter.

It will surpass the existing record of 139

meter of Mala - Rijeka viaduct, Montenegro

in Europe.

The total estimated cost of the bridge is 280

crore rupees, and it will be completed by

March 2022.

The bridge is a part of Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal

new BG line project.

The total length of the bridge will be 703

meter.

NTPC develops infrastructure at Rihand project

for increased use of fly ash

To transport fly ash to cement plants located at

distance, NTPC Limited has developed infrastructure

at Rihand project in Uttar Pradesh.

The development is in line with NTPC's

commitment towards 100 percent utilisation

of fly ash from power plants.

The first rake of 59 BOXN type of railway

wagons carrying 3450 Metric Tonne (MT) of

fly ash was flagged off from NTPC's Rihand

Super Thermal Power station for ACC

Cement Manufacturing Plant, situated in

Tikaria of Uttar Pradesh.

The move will enable power plants for

upgrading the utilisation of fly ash with the

availability of additional material loading

avenues for Indian Railways and accessibility

of fly ash to the cement plants in an

environment-friendly manner at a

competitive price.

During the financial year 2019-20, almost

44.33 million tonnes of fly ash was utilised

for various productive purposes, being 73.31

per cent of the ash generated.

MCX to launch India's first bullion index, Bulldex

Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) is all

set to launch the country's first bullion index,

Bulldex, on August 24

Bullions, viz. gold and silver are already

being traded as individual commodities on

the country’s premier commodity exchange.

On May 25, the Commodity and Derivatives

Exchange had launched India's first index

futures contract called Agridex, which has 10

farm commodities as underlying.

Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd is

an independent commodity exchange based

in India.

It was established in 2003 and is based in

Mumbai. It is India’s largest commodity

derivatives exchange.

SC refuses to direct transfer of money from PM

CARES Fund to NDRF

The Supreme Court refused to direct the transfer of

money collected under the PM CARES Fund set up

for COVID-19 relief to the National Disaster

Response Fund (NDRF).

The Bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, R

Subshash Reddy, and MR Shah also held that

contributions to the PM CARES were Fund

of a charitable trust.

The Court said that there was no statutory

prohibition on contributions made to the

NDRF.

The Bench further clarified that funds

collected under the PM CARES Fund are

entirely different from the NDRF.

On the petitioner's prayer to set up a National

Plan for COVID-19, the Apex Court held that

the plan prepared by the Centre is sufficient

to cater to the pandemic.

'Ek Sankalp - Bujurgo ke naam’ campaign proves

to be boon for senior citizens amid corona

pandemic in Madhya Pradesh

In Madhya Pradesh, a unique campaign 'Ek Sankalp

- Bujurgo ke naam’ i.e. 'a commitment for elders' is

being run by the Chhatarpur Police in the midst of

corona infection in the state.

Renowned social worker Anna Hazare has

also praised this campaign being run

specifically for the elderly and helpless

people.

This unique campaign is proving to be a boon

for the elderly people living alone in homes

during the global pandemic COVID-19.

In this campaign, the police are taking care of

the elderly people from the food to their

health.

By this campaign, the motto of Madhya

Pradesh Police- Desh Bhakti-Jansewa has

now become a reality.

IIT Madras retains number-one position in list of

top innovative educational institutes in India

Indian Institute of Technology, Madras has retained

its number-one position in the list of top innovative

educational institutes in India for the second

consecutive year.

The premier institute has been ranked

number-one in the 'Atal Ranking of

Institutions on Innovation Achievements,'

released by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.

The ranking was launched last year by the

Innovation Cell of the Ministry of Education.

674 Institutions of National Importance,

Central Universities and centrally funded

technical institutions participated in the

rankings this year, as compared to 496 last

year.

SBI waives off SMS charges for all savings

accounts

State Bank of India has waived off SMS charges in

addition to its penalty waiver on non-maintenance of

minimum balance for all its Savings Accounts.

SBI has over 44 crore savings accounts. The

public sector bank informed that the waiver

of such charges is applicable for all kinds of

savings accounts including those with cheque

or Internet Banking facilities.

Earlier, SBI customers had to maintain an

average monthly balance of 3000, 2000

and 1000 rupees in metro, semi urban and

rural areas respectively.

The bank used to levy a penalty of 5 to 15

rupees plus taxes on non-maintenance of

average monthly balance.

The Bank had announced in the month of

March this year that the minimum balance

charges will be waived off for all its Savings

Account customers.

Fino Payments Bank launches “Jan

BachatKhata”

Fino Payments Bank has launched Jan BachatKhata

(JBK), which is an Aadhaar Authentication based

digital savings account that brings neo-banking

experience to consumers.

Under the JBK, customers can transact at a

Fino branch or merchant point with

fingerprint and OTP combination, while at

non-Fino points they need Aadhaar

authentication.

Earlier, Fino Payments Bank had introduced

Shubh and Bhavishya, subscription-based

savings accounts targeted at specific

customer segments.

Sadbhavana Diwas: 20th August

Sadbhavana Diwas is observed on August 20 every

year in the memory of late erstwhile Prime Minister,

Rajiv Gandhi who dreamed about a developed India.

The day is celebrated to mark the birth of our

sixth and youngest Prime Minister.

Contributions to the betterment of our society

are made on this day, paying respect to

Gandhi and his vision for the country.

Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister at an

age of 40 years after the assassination of his

mother Indra Gandhi and served from 1984-

89.

A year after Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, the

Indian National Congress instituted Rajiv

Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award in 1992.

It was established to accredit outstanding

contributions in promoting national

integration, peace, and harmony.

Indian Akshay Urja Day:August 20

Indian Akshay Urja Day is celebrated on 20 August

annually to raise awareness about the development of

renewable energy in India.

It was established in 2004 to support

renewable energy development programs and

promote its use instead of traditional sources

of energy.

Energy such as Biogas, Solar Energy, Wind

energy, hydroelectric power are few

examples of Akshay Urja.

It is essential to develop ways to use akshay

urja or renewable energy more efficiently.

The main motive of Akshya urja Diwas is to

make people aware that they have to think

about renewable energy (Akshya Urja) apart

from traditional energy.

India-Japan-Australia supply chain in the works

to counter China

India, Japan and Australia have begun discussions on

launching a trilateral Supply Chain Resilience

Initiative (SCRI) to reduce dependency on China,

necessitated by Beijing’s aggressive political and

military behaviour.

The initiative, first proposed by Japan, is now

taking shape.

Japan through its Ministry of Economy,

Trade and Industry approached India recently

and pressed on the urgency to take the

initiative forward.

The government is moving on the proposal

quite seriously, especially in the light of

China’s aggressive moves on the Line of

Actual Control in Ladakh.

ADB approves USD 1 billion package for rapid

transit system in India

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved

a USD 1 billion (about ₹7,485 crore) loan to support

the construction of the modern, high-speed Delhi-

Meerut regional rapid transit system, a first of its

kind in India.

The transit system project aims to help

decongest the city and improve regional

connectivity by establishing transit options

through densely populated sections of the

NCR connecting Delhi to Meerut in Uttar

Pradesh.

Delhi accounts for 37 per cent of the

population of the national capital region

(NCR).

The 82-km Delhi-Meerut regional rapid

transit system network is the first of three

priority rail corridors in the country's

integrated transport network under the NCR

regional plan 2021.

This project will finance the construction of

railway tracks, station buildings,

maintenance facilities and traction and power

supply.

Govt clears leasing out three airports via PPP

The Union Cabinet approved redevelopment of three

airports in Jaipur, Thiruvananthapuram and

Guwahati. The projects are to be developed by Adani

Enterprises Limited.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will

get ₹1,070 crore upfront from handing over

the airports for redevelopment.

The three airports will be leased for

operation, management, and development in

public-private partnership (PPP) model to

Adani Enterprises for 50 years.

PM Modi greets people on Prakash Purab Utsav

of ‘Guru Granth Sahib’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on the

Prakash Purab Utsav of the holy book Guru Granth

Sahib.

The Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji illuminates the

entire world with its pure teachings.

The first Prakash Purab Utsav marked the

installation of Guru Granth Sahib in

Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden

temple, in 1604.

Guru Granth Sahib is regarded by Sikhs as

the final, sovereign and eternal living Guru

following the lineage of the ten human gurus

of the religion.

LS Speaker Om Birla attends inaugural

ceremony of 5th World Conference of Speakers of

Parliament

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla attended the inaugural

ceremony of the Fifth World Conference of Speakers

of Parliament (5WCSP).

The two day Conference is being organized

jointly by the Inter-Parliamentary Union

(IPU), Geneva and the Parliament of Austria

with the support of the United Nations (UN).

This is the first time that an international

Parliamentary Conference of such a

magnitude is being organised in Virtual

mode.

The Conference is being held in the

backdrop of the current crisis of COVID-19

pandemic is expected to strengthen

multilateralism and international cooperation

in order to rebuild a better world.

NRA to conduct CET to screen & shortlist

candidates for Group B & C (non-technical) posts

The National Recruitment Agency will conduct a

Common Eligibility Test to screen and shortlist

candidates for the Group B and C (non-technical)

posts.

The NRA will have representatives from the

Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Finance,

SSC, RRB and IBPS.

The CET score of the candidate shall be valid

for a period of three years from the date of

declaration of the result.

The best of the valid scores shall be deemed

to be the current score of the candidate.

There shall be no restriction on the number of

attempts to be taken by a candidate to appear

in the CET subject to the upper age limit.

Relaxation in the upper age limit shall be

given to candidates of SC/ST/OBC and other

categories as per the extant policy of the

Government.

Government has sanctioned a sum of 1517.57

crore rupees for the National Recruitment

Agency.

The expenditure will be undertaken over a

period of three years.

National Recruitment Agency will ensure

transparency and ease in the recruitment

process, both for the candidate and the

recruiting organisation.

Initially the NRA will conduct CET twice a

year.

Drone based surveillance system introduced for

Railway Security

Indian Railways have introduced a Drone based

surveillance system for Railway security.

Railway Protection Force, RPF has planned

extensive use of drones for the purpose of

Railway security.

Nine drones have been procured by RPF so

far at a cost of around 32 lakh at South

Eastern Railway, Central Railway, Modern

Coaching Factory, Raebareli and South

Western Railway.

Mumbai Division of Central Railway has

recently procured two Ninja UAVs for better

security and surveillance in Railway areas

like station premises, Railway track sections,

yards and workshops.

A team of four staff members of RPF

Mumbai has been trained for drone flying,

surveillance and maintenance.

These drones are capable of Real Time

Tracking, Video Streaming.

Madhya Pradesh emerges as leading state in

implementation of Pradhan Mantri Street

Vendors Atma-Nirbhar Scheme

Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the leading state in

the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Street

Vendors Atma-Nirbhar Scheme-PM Swa-Nidhi.

PM Swa-Nidhi is a Central Sector Scheme to

facilitate street vendors to access affordable

working capital loan for resuming their

livelihoods activities.

Interest free loan of Rs 10 thousand has been

sanctioned so far to 58 thousand 476 street

vendors in Madhya Pradesh.

This is more than 47 percent of the total

sanctioned cases of the country.

India, Israel sign cultural agreement to further

boost people-to-people ties

India and Israel signed a cultural agreement that

outlines a three-year programme of cooperation to

further strengthen their strategic bilateral relations.

It aims to promote greater people-to-people

exchanges.

The agreement states that it shall contribute

to the development of their relations and to

raising awareness, particularly among youth,

of the history and culture of the people of

both countries.

The programme of cooperation between the

two countries for the years 2020-23 is based

on the cultural agreement signed between

them on May 18, 1993.

It also includes student exchanges through

scholarships, encouraging the participation of

films and film-makers in each other's

international film festivals, devising youth

exchange programmes and encouraging

sports-related interaction among youth.

Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

tests positive for coronavirus

Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has

tested positive for coronavirus.

In a tweet he informed that he has tested

positive for coronavirus infection and was

hospitalized on the advice of doctors.

He is a member of parliament from the

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) representing

Jodhpur in the Lok Sabha.

The Ministry of Jal Shakti was formed in

May 2019 under the second Modi ministry.

This was formed by merging of two

ministries; Ministry of Water Resources,

River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation

and Ministry of Drinking Water and

Sanitation.

Dr Harsh Vardhan launches interactive first-of-

its-kind video game 'Corona Fighters' to spread

awareness

Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has launched an

interactive first-of-its-kind game on COVID-19, the

Corona Fighters.

The Minister also launched two new videos

urging adherence to key COVID Appropriate

Behaviours.

The game presents a new and extremely

creative way to teach people the right tools

and behaviours to fight the Covid-19

pandemic.

The game was designed to influence the

players’ actions in the real world, reminding

them to take the right precautions and escape

infection.

Arjun Munda virtually launches 'TRIFOOD'

Project in Raigad, Jagdalpur

Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda virtually

launched the tertiary processing centres under the

'TRIFOOD' project at Raigad in Maharashtra

and Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh.

The TRIFOOD Project aims at enhancing the

income of tribals through better utilization

and value addition to the Minor Forest

Produces (MFPs) collected by the tribal

forest gatherers.

Under the project, two Minor Forest Produce

(MFP) processing units will be set up.

The unit at Raigad in Maharashtra will be

used for value addition to traditional tribal

drink mahua, amla, custard apple and jamun

and will also produce mahua drink, amla

juice, candy, jamun juice and custard apple

pulp.

The multi-commodity processing centre at

Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh, will be used for

the processing of commodities like mahua,

amla, honey, cashew, tamarind, ginger, garlic

and other fruits and vegetables.

The project will help promote tribal

entrepreneurship.

Government launches Swadeshi Microprocessor

Challenge

After a successful Atma Nirbhar app challenge, the

government launched “Swadeshi Microprocessor

Challenge” to realise the ambition of self-reliance

and a momentous stride towards “Atma Nirbhar

Bharat”.

It aims to invite innovators, startups and

students to use two microprocessors namely

“SHAKTI (32 bit) and VEGA (64 bit)” to

develop various technology products.

SHAKTI & VEGA microprocessors have

been developed by IIT Madras and Center for

Development of Advance Computing

(CDAC) respectively.

Santosh Gangwar launches Logo of Labour

Bureau

Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment,

Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar launched the official

logo of the Labour Bureau.

The newly launched logo displays the three

goals of the Labour Bureau i.e. Accuracy,

Validity, and Reliability.

It also indicates the Labour Bureau as a data-

based organization that deals in data

pertaining to workers and work.

The logo of the Labour Bureau also

comprises “Blue wheel”, a cog wheel that

represents work.

The blue colour indicates that the Labour

Bureau deals with the blue collar workers.

Google launches Kormo Jobs app in India to help

people find jobs

Google announced that it has launched a separate app

for job seekers in India called the Kormo Jobs app.

The search giant aims to provide jobs to

thousands of people who have lost their jobs

during the coronavirus and young

professionals who are looking for jobs.

The platform launched by Google aims at

providing entry-level jobs.

Google had launched Kormo Jobs in

Bangladesh in 2018 and then in Indonesia.

Google in its blog revealed that ever since the

platform was launched companies like

Zomato and Dunzo had posted over 2 million

jobs on the platform.

Chhattisgarh declared as cleanest state of country

Chhattisgarh has been declared as the cleanest state

of the country as per the Cleanliness Survey 2020

organized by Union Housing and Urban Affairs

Ministry.

Chhattisgarh has bagged 14 national awards

in various categories. The state had taken

many initiatives to achieve this success

In Chhattisgarh, 100% door to door garbage

collection was ensured.

All 166 municipal bodies are ensuring

collection of waste from every household and

100% disposal of the same in SLRM center.

3R Principle- Residue, Reuse and Recycle

was implemented in all the urban bodies

through innovations such as Neki Ki Diwar,

Bartan Bank, Home Composting.

Waste pickers were given employment under

the Mission Clean City Scheme.

MEA in partnership with Foreign Ministry of

Thailand organize 6th Round Table of AINTT

The Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with

the Foreign Ministry of Thailand has organized the

6th Round Table of ASEAN-India Network of Think

Tanks (AINTT).

The theme of the two day Round Table which

was conducted through video conferencing

was 'ASEAN-India: Strengthening

Partnership in the Post COVID Era'.

It was jointly inaugurated by External Affairs

Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and the Deputy

Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of

Thailand Mr. Don Pramudwinai.

More than 400 people from academia,

industry, government and diplomatic

community attended the Round Table.

The ASEAN-India Round Table comprising

think tanks, policy makers, scholars, media

and business representatives was established

at the 7th ASEAN-India Summit in Thailand

in 2009 to provide policy inputs to

Governments on future direction of

cooperation.

Sowing area coverage under Kharif crops

increases by more than 8.5 per cent this year

Total sowing area coverage under kharif crops in the

country has registered an increase of more than 8.5

per cent this year compared to the corresponding

period of the last year.

Kharif crops have been sown in nearly 1

thousand 63 lakh hectare area of the country

till now.

Cultivation of one of the staple crops, Rice,

has witnessed an increase of nearly 12 per

cent in its total sowing area whereas Oilseed

cultivation has registered a spike of over 14

per cent.

6 per cent higher rainfall than the normal in

the country has also raised hopes of a bumper

Kharif produce this year.

Kharif crops are the crops that are grown with

the arrival of monsoon in different parts of

the country and are harvested in September-

October.

Common kharif crops. Bajra, Jowar, Maize

(corn) Millet, Rice, Soybean.

Niti Aayog panel recommends linking sugarcane

prices to sugar rates

A NITI Aayog task force has recommended linking

sugarcane prices to sugar rates to keep the industry

in sound financial health.

It has also pitched for a one-time increase in

minimum sugar price to Rs 33 per kilo to help

sugar mills cover the cost of production.

The report of the panel on 'Sugarcane and

Sugar Industry', headed by Niti Aayog

Member (Agriculture) Ramesh Chand, was

finalised in March 2020.

The task force also recommended shifting of

some areas under sugarcane cultivation to

less water-intensive crops by providing

suitable incentive to farmers.

NHAI develops mobile App ‘Harit Path' to

facilitate creation of Green Highways across

country

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)

has developed a mobile App, ‘Harit Path' to facilitate

creation of Green Highways across the country.

The App will also be used to monitor

location, growth, species details,

maintenance activities, targets and

achievements of each of the PSU’s field units

for every plant under the Highway plantation

projects.

Harit Path was inaugurated by the Union

Minister for Road and Transport, Nitin

Gadkari.

NHAI had also recently undertaken a nation-

wide plantation drive, Harit Bharat Sankalp,

under which it planted over 25 lakh plants in

25 days along the stretches of the National

Highways across the country.

Under a unique initiative, the payment to the

contractors for the plantation work has been

linked with the growth of the plants.

IIT Madras-incubated start-up develops portable

hospital unit for COVID-19 patients

IIT Madras-incubated Start-up, Modulus Housing

has developed a portable hospital unit that can be

installed anywhere within two hours by four people.

'MediCAB' is a decentralized approach to

detect, screen, identify, isolate and treat

COVID-19 patients in their local

communities through these portable

microstructures.

'MediCAB' was launched recently in

Wayanad District of Kerala where the units

are being deployed to treat COVID-19

Patients.

The startup is developing micro hospitals that

can be deployed rapidly across the nation.

The hospital unit is foldable and is composed

of four zones - a doctor's room, an isolation

room, a medical room/ward and a twin-bed

ICU, maintained at negative pressure.

Selling at GBP 2,60,000 Mahatma Gandhi's gold-

plated spectacles break all records for UK auction

house

A pair of gold-plated spectacles believed to have

been worn by Mahatma Gandhi and presented as a

gift in the 1900s have broken all records for a United

Kingdom auction house by selling for Rs 2,55,000,00

or GBP 2,60,000.

The glasses, which were dropped through the

letterbox of East Bristol Auctions in Hanham,

south-west England, four weeks ago were

estimated to fetch between GBP 10,000 and

GBP 15,000.

But, the online bids for the lot kept

multiplying to finally go under the hammer of

the six-figure sum.

PM Modi greets nation on ‘Nuakhai’ harvest

festival

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted the nation

on the occasion of Nuakhai, a harvest festival

celebrated in parts of the country, especially Odisha.

Nuakhai or Navakhai is an agricultural

festival mainly observed by people of

Western Odisha and Southern Chhattisgarh

in India.

Nuakhai is observed to welcome the new rice

of the season.

The word nua means new and khai means

food, so the name means the farmers are in

possession of the newly harvested rice.

National Council for Transgender Persons

formed

The Centre has constituted the national council for

transgender persons.

It will be headed by the Union social justice

minster and will have representatives from 10

central departments, five states and members

of the community.

The council will have joint secretary-level

members from the ministries of health, home,

minority affairs, education, rural

development, labour and law.

In addition, there will be a member from the

department of pensions, Niti Aayog, National

Human Rights Commission and National

Commission for Women.

According to the legislation, the council has

five main functions:

advising the central government on the

formulation of policies, programmes,

legislation and projects with respect to

transgender persons

monitoring and evaluating the impact of

policies and programmes designed for

achieving equality and full participation of

transgender persons

reviewing and coordinating the activities of

all the departments

redressing grievances of transgender persons

performing such other functions as

prescribed by the Centre.

Indian Railways tender for manufacturing 44

semi-high speed Vande Bharat Express trains

cancelled

The Indian Railways has cancelled its tender for

manufacturing 44 sets of semi high-speed Vande

Bharat Express trains.

A fresh tender will be floated within a week

as per the revised public procurement (with a

preference to Make in India) order.

The Railways, however, did not specify the

reason as to why the tender was cancelled.

However, according to reports, the decision

was taken months after a Chinese joint

venture company had emerged as the only

foreign bidder for the global tender floated

for manufacturing 44 rakes of Vande Bharat

trains in July.

The Railways' Integral Coach Factory, based

in Chennai, had floated a tender for

manufacturing 44 train sets of semi-high

speed Vande Bharat trains on July 10.

National Fertilizers Limited to set up an Organic

Waste Converter Plant

National Fertilizers Limited, NFL, a PSU under the

Department of Fertilizers in Vijaipur, in Gauna

district of Madhya Pradesh is going to set up an

Organic Waste Converter, OWC Plant.

The biodegradable waste collected in the unit

will be transported to OWC where it will be

segregated from non-degradable parts.

It will take around 10 days to convert it into

ready to use compost.

The project aims to recycle around 2000 Kg

per day of the biodegradable waste generated

in township including the horticulture waste

and convert it into ready to use compost.

The unit plans to utilize this compost as

manure thus substituting consumption of

fertilisers or manure used for developments

of parks or public places.

The compost can also be used by the residents

in their lawns and kitchen gardens.

VP Venkaiah Naidu remembers great freedom

fighter Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu remembered

Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu, a great freedom fighter

and statesman on his birth anniversary.

Pantulu served as the Chief Minister of the

Madras Presidency, and subsequently

became the first Chief Minister of Andhra

State.

He displayed exemplary courage during the

anti-Simon commission agitation that earned

him the title of ‘Andhra Kesari’-the lion of

Andhra.

India signs deal with Israel to resolve water crisis

in UP

The Uttar Pradesh and Israel governments signed a

‘plan of cooperation’ to resolve the water crisis in

Bundelkhand region.

The India –Israel – Bundelkhand Water

Project comprises three key components

including water conservation, water efficient

transportation and advanced water practices

for agriculture.

The project aims to address the water crisis in

drought-hit regions of Bundelkhand.

It will help farmers of the region with the

latest farming technologies, including drip

irrigation, meant for water-deficient regions

like Bundelkhand said the report.

25 villages in the Babina block of the Jhansi

district had been selected in the first phase.

Kerala to host dragonfly festival

WWF-India Kerala State Office joined hands with

the Society for Odonate Studies (SOS) and

Thumbipuranam for the first-ever state Dragonfly

Festival in Kerala.

The festival has been named as the ‘Thumbi

Maholsavam 2020’.

As part of the Dragonfly Festival, a series of

events will be rolled out in the coming

months to reach out to various sections of the

society.

The Dragonfly festival was begun in 2018. It

aims to educate and inform the public about

the integral role of dragonflies.

Dragon Flies are used as indicators of aquatic

ecosystem quality and biodiversity.

The dragonflies require clean water to thrive

and their survival also requires healthy

vegetation to provide them with oxygen. This

makes them the best indicator of oxygen

levels in the aquatic environment.

India’s longest river ropeway over Brahmaputra

opened for public

The long pending Guwahati passenger ropeway

project connecting the northern and southern banks

of the Brahmaputra River was formally inaugurated

by state minister of finance, health and family

welfare Himanta Biswa Sarma.

It is to be noted that the Guwahati-North

Guwahati route will be the longest ropeway

distance over a river in the entire country.

The total length of this ropeway is 2 Km and

its cabins have been imported from

Switzerland.

One way of the ride would cost Rs 60, while

a two-way commute would require Rs 100.

The entire project has been built at an

estimated cost of Rs 56 crore.

It may be mentioned here that the ambitious

project was initiated in 2006 by the Guwahati

Metropolitan Development Authorities as

part of beautifying the Brahmaputra

riverfront.

PM Modi pays tribute to Arun Jaitley on his

death anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to senior

BJP leader and former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley

on his death anniversary.

On the first death anniversary of former

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the

government is remembering his contribution

to nation-building and the legacy he left

behind as Finance Minister during 2014-19.

The Ministry of Finance acknowledged the

key role he played in the implementation of

GST.

Arun Jaitley served as the Minister of

Finance and Corporate Affairs of the

Government of India from 2014 to 2019.

Jaitley previously held the cabinet portfolios

of Finance, Defence, Corporate Affairs,

Commerce and Industry, and Law and Justice

in the Vajpayee government and Narendra

Modi government.

He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan,

India's second highest civilian award,

posthumously in 2020 in the field of Public

Affairs.

Army Chief honours 51 special action group of

the national security guards

Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane on

honoured the 51 Special Action Group of the

National Security Guards in recognition of its

achievements in combating terrorism.

The 'COAS (Chief of Army Staff) Unit

Appreciation' was conferred on the elite

group for its "outstanding achievements" in

anti-terror operations.

The group draws 100 per cent of its

manpower from the Indian Army and has

established itself as an elite counter terrorist

force earning many gallantry awards

including three Ashok Chakra which is

India's highest peacetime gallantry honour.

Since its raising in December 1984, 51

Special Action Group has carved a niche for

itself.

Govt extends validity of Motor Vehicle

documents till Dec 31

The Road Transport and Highways Ministry has

decided to extend the validity of Motor Vehicle

documents till the 31st of December.

The Ministry had earlier issued advisories on

30th March and 9th June this year regarding

extension of validity of the documents related

to Motor Vehicles Act and Central Motor

Vehicle Rules.

It was advised that the validity of Fitness,

Permit, License, Registration or any other

concerned documents may be treated to be

valid till 30th of September.

The decision was taken after considering the

situation due to COVID-19 across the

country.

This step is likely to help out the citizens in

availing transport related services.

PM Modi wishes people on World Gujarati Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended wishes to

all Gujaratis on the occasion of World Gujarati Day

which is observed every year on 24 August.

August 24 is Poet Narmad's birthday and is

celebrated as a day dedicated to Gujarati

language and literature.

Narmadashankar Dave 'Narmad' was a

visionary creator, philosopher, pioneer of

social justice and a proud Gujarati poet.

The poet who is considered to be the founder

of modern Gujarati literature, introduced his

fearlessness and creativity through a

magazine called 'Dandio'.

IAF launches mobile app 'MY IAF' to provide

career-related information to aspirants

Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Rakesh Kumar Singh

Bhadauria launched a mobile application, "MY

IAF".

The app will provide career-related

information to those who want to join the

Indian Air Force.

The application, developed in association

with Centre for Development of Advanced

Computing (C-DAC), provides career-

related information and details for those

desirous of joining the IAF.

The user-friendly format of the app serves as

a single digital platform interfacing the users

with the details of the selection procedure,

training curriculum, pay and perks etc for

both officers and airmen in the IAF.

It also provides glimpses into the history and

stories of valour in the IAF.

India and AIIB sign USD 500 million loan

agreement for Mumbai Urban Transport

Project-III

Centre, Maharashtra Government, Mumbai Railway

Vikas Corporation and the Asian Infrastructure

Investment Bank (AIIB) signed a loan agreement for

a USD 500 million Mumbai Urban Transport

Project-III.

This will improve the network capacity,

service quality and safety of the suburban

railway system in Mumbai.

The Project is expected to increase network

capacity in the region with the reduction in

journey time and fatal accidents of

commuters.

It is estimated that among primary

beneficiaries of the project, 22 percent are

female passengers who will benefit from

improved safety and quality of service.

First unit of Kudankulam Atomic Power Plant in

Tirunelveli district resumes power production

The first unit of the Kudankulam Atomic Power

Plant in Tirunelveli district Tamil Nadu resumed

power production.

Initially, 400 MW power is being produced,

which is expected to be increased to 1,000

MW in a phased manner.

The first phase had been closed down for

routine maintenance work last May and

Indian and Russian scientists had taken part

in the exercise.

In the meantime, it is notable that the second

1,000 MW unit of the plant , which had

developed some technical slag last July, has

been repaired and has already started

production.

The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant,

owned and operated by the Nuclear Power

Corporation of India, was constructed with

Russian cooperation and was commissioned

in October 2013.

Haryana CM tests positive for COVID-19

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal tested positive

for COVID-19.

Earlier, the Chief Minister tested negative

and he had home quarantined himself as a

precautionary measure for three days.

He went for COVID test after the Union

Minister Gajender Singh Shekhawat had

tested positive, with whom he had attended a

virtual meeting with Punjab Chief Minister

on Sutlej- Yamuna Link Canal issue.

He is the 10th Chief Minister of Haryana.

He represented Karnal constituency in

Haryana Legislative Assembly.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath launches

NRI unified portal

In Uttar Pradesh, the State Government will prepare

a database of the migrant workers of the state

working in different countries of the world.

It will help in providing them assistance

during any emergency.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched an

ambitious NRI unified portal.

This portal would not only help in investment

in the state, but also provide an opportunity

for those who want to go abroad.

The portal would also prove helpful to

overseas Indians and NRIs to get their

problems with the local administration or the

State Government resolved.

The NRI department of state will use festivals

to connect with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)

in other countries.

The NRI department in the state will be live

streaming the Deepotsav festival in Ayodhya

during Diwali and then the Holi celebrations

in Vrindavan too.

Other Uttar Pradesh festivals and cultural

events will also be a part of this initiative.

Baggage Sanitization and Wrapping machine

introduced at Ahmedabad Railway Station

In Gujarat, Ahmedabad Railway Division has

successfully introduced a Baggage Sanitization and

Wrapping machine at Ahmedabad Railway Station.

It is a first of its kind across the Indian

Railways.

Considering the momentum in transport and

travel services after Unlock-1, the Division

has come up with baggage sanitization and

wrapping machines to ensure safe travel amid

the pandemic.

The baggage sanitization and wrapping

machine set up under the Atmanirbhar Bharat

concept ensure 360 degree sanitization of the

luggage by using ultraviolet radiation.

There are no harmful effects of UV rays on

tiffins, food, vegetables or water kept in the

baggage.

This service is paid and voluntary and

charges depending upon the size and weight

of the luggage.

Gujarat govt to come up with ‘Gujarat Land

Grabbing Prohibition Act’ bill in monsoon session

Gujarat Government will come up with a bill called

‘Gujarat Land Grabbing Prohibition Act’ in the

upcoming monsoon session of the state assembly.

The proposed act will have provision of

setting up special courts that shall clear the

cases pertaining to land grabbing crimes in

maximum six months.

The proposed act will have provision of 10 to

14 years imprisonment, in addition to fine

equal to Jantri value of the land.

The Government will appoint one public

prosecutor in each such special court that

shall take legal actions against land grabbers

in suo moto manner.

Police officers not below the level of Deputy

SP will probe land grabbing related crimes.

Women entrepreneurs make 10 lakh masks under

Jeevan Shakti Yojana in Madhya Pradesh

In Madhya Pradesh more than 10 lakh masks have

been made so far by the women entrepreneurs of the

state under the Jeevan Shakti Yojana.

The scheme has been started with an aim to

provide low cost masks to the citizens and

employment to women entrepreneurs.

The Jeevan Shakti Yojana has facilitated

women of urban and rural areas to become

self-reliant in the corona crisis.

In order to provide employment to women at

local level and to protect the general public

from the corona infection, the task of making

masks in large quantities at low cost has been

accomplished in the state by this scheme.

Previously the Chief Minister of Madhya

Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan has

launched the MP Jeevan Shakti Yojana under

which the Female candidates can make and

sell masks.

Assam declared 'Disturbed Area' for 6 more

months w.e.f. 28th August

Assam has been declared as Disturbed Area for

another 6 months with effect from 28th August.

The decision has been taken under the Armed

Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.

The decision was taken in view of the attacks

on security forces by militants during the last

6 months in the North East and recovery of

illegal arms in Assam.

Birth anniversary of Mother Teresa

The birth anniversary of Mother Teresa was

observed on 26 August 2020.

She was born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on

26th of August 1910 in Skopje, North

Macedonia.

Mother Teresa arrived in India in 1929 and

spent most of her life in service of the

destitute in India.

The Nobel Laureate founded the

Missionaries of Charity and spent 45-years

serving the poor, sick, orphaned and dying on

the streets of Kolkata.

Teresa received a number of honors,

including the 1962 Ramon Magsaysay Peace

Prize and 1979 Nobel Peace Prize.

Mother Teresa was declared as a Saint on 4th

September 2016.

Ministry of Culture announces 7 new circles of

Archaeological Survey of India

The Ministry of Culture has announced 7 new circles

of the Archaeological Survey of India, ASI.

The Ministry of Culture has taken the step in

accordance with the Prime Minister’s call to

facilitate and strengthen the process of

preservation and registration of

archaeological monuments.

New circles have been created in Madhya

Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh,

Karnataka, West Bengal and Gujarat.

Trichy, Raiganj, Rajkot, Jabalpur, Hampi,

Jhansi and Meerut have been announced as

new circles.

Earlier there were 29 ASI circles across the

country.

Average income of MGNREGA workers doubled

during Coronavirus lockdown in April-July

period: CRISIL

Average income of MGNREGA workers doubled

during coronavirus lockdown, a CRISIL report says.

The average income per month for unskilled

workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National

Rural Employment Guarantee Act

(MGNREGA) nearly doubled to around

1,000 rupees per month during the first four

months of the current fiscal.

The April-July period of the current fiscal

witnessed 46 per cent growth in work

execution (in terms of person-days) under the

scheme.

The average per day wage increased by 12

per cent during the period under review.

The primary reason for the government's

thrust on MGNREGA was the COVID-19

pandemic, which has pushed migrant workers

back into their villages.

The push to the scheme has been higher in

Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal,

Odisha and Gujarat, where work allocation

increased more than 50 per cent in the first

four months.

The government has allocated 61,500 crore

rupees for this scheme under Union Budget

2020-21, and later increased the allocation by

40,000 crore rupees amid the pandemic to

support the rural economy

Thawar Chand Gehlot launches KIRAN helpline

service for mental health rehabilitation

Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment,

Thawar Chand Gehlot launched 'Kiran', a toll-free

mental health rehabilitation helpline number on

August 27.

The helpline (1800-599-0019), developed by

the Ministry of Social Justice and

Empowerment along with its partners, aims

to provide support for early screening, first-

aid, psychological support, distress

management, mental wellbeing, preventing

deviant behaviours, psychological crisis

management, among others.

The helpline will offer mental health

rehabilitation services.

'Kiran' targets to resolve issues of people

across the country experiencing stress,

anxiety, depression, panic attack, adjustment

disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder,

substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, pandemic

induced psychological issues, and mental

health emergencies.

The helpline will be supported by 660

volunteer clinical/rehabilitation

psychologists and 668 volunteer

psychiatrists, along with 75 experts at 25

helpline centres who will have the capacity of

handling 300 clients per hour.

Two medical institutions in Chennai to start

second and third phase of ‘Covishield’ trials

In Chennai, two prominent medical institutions are

starting the second and third phase field trial of the

Oxford vaccine candidate Covishield.

Chennai is one of the seventeen locations in

India to conduct the field trial of the

promising vaccine candidate Covishield,

developed jointly by the Oxford University

and AstraZeneca.

The Government Rajiv Gandhi General

Hospital and the Sri Ramachandra Institute of

Higher Education and Research are the two

institutions in the city that run the trial.

Healthy volunteers above the age of 18 are

being involved in its multi-centric clinical

trial.

The T-cells in the white blood corpuscles

against the viral pathogen are said to be

observed in 14-days after administering the

vaccine and the antibodies in about 28 days.

Their effectiveness to eliminate the virus and

several other factors will be exhaustively

tested during the trial.

Barak Valley in Assam put under strict lockdown

In Assam, Barak Valley has been put under strict

lockdown due to the alarming situation of COVID-

19.

In a bid to contain the outbreak of COVID 19,

all the three district disaster management

authorities in Barak Valley have issued

separate orders to restrict activities.

This lockdown will continue till midnight of

04th September.

Only pharmacies will be allowed to function

in urban areas, stand alone shops are being

permitted to run in rural areas during

lockdown.

The valley has witnessed around 10 thousand

COVID positive cases with almost 50%

recovery.

Gujarat tops in first ever Export Preparedness

index 2020 released by NITI Ayog

Gujarat has been ranked first in the first ever Export

Preparedness index 2020 released by NITI Ayog.

It is the first of its kind index on the lines of

ease of doing business ranking, which has

ranked all the states and Union Territories on

various parameters of export preparedness

and competitiveness.

At present, 70 per cent of the country's export

has been dominated by five states including

Gujarat.

Gujarat had also topped the ranking of the

World Bank’s ease of doing business earlier.

Most of the Coastal States are the best

performers. Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil

Nadu occupy the top three ranks.

Kaziranga National Park in Assam plans various

measures for safety of wildlife

In Assam, the Kaziranga National park is planning

various measures for the safety of the wildlife.

The flood water damaged infrastructure this

year to the tune of 5 crore rupees.

A 32 kilometer long highway cum highland

to be constructed. The construction and the

work will be started in the winter period.

Animal sensor to be installed at 6 more

locations along the national highway between

Kaliabor - Bokakhat for the safety of the

animals.

It would help in detecting high speed vehicles

and would also provide access to animal

movements.

Tamil Nadu women top the list of MUDRA loan

scheme beneficiaries

According to the data provided by the Ministry of

Finance to Rajya Sabha, Tamil Nadu has topped the

list of Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) in

availing loans to women.

It was followed by West Bengal and

Karnataka.

Around 15 crore loans amounting to Rs 4.78

lakh crores were disbursed to women

borrowers since the inception of Pradhan

Mantri Mudra Yojana.

Of the total number of loans provided under

MUDRA scheme, 70% of borrowers were

women.

Government announces PSUs to pay Customs

duty later within 14 days

Government has announced a major initiative to

allow the Public Sector Undertakings to first clear the

goods imported by them through Customs and then

pay Customs duty later, within 14 days.

This measure is expected to result in speedier

clearance of the good imported by the PSUs.

The scheme of deferred payment of Customs

duties was first introduced in November,

2016 for importers recognized by the CBIC

as Authorized Economic Operators.

These importers are approved by the Customs

on the basis of certain compliance parameters

such as proper maintenance of records,

secure internal controls and a good track

record of legal compliance.

The objective is to enhance the ease of doing

business and bring in more efficiency.

Axis launches Liberty Savings Account aimed at

millennials

Axis Bank has launched a new savings account

called the Axis Liberty Savings Account, aimed at

millennial customers.

It offers customers the option of maintaining

a minimum balance of ₹25,000 per month or

spending the same amount every month using

the bank's debit card.

It also provides a complimentary insurance

cover of ₹20,000, which includes expenses

incurred for covid-19-related hospitalization.

The Liberty Saving Account is targeted to

cater to the lifestyle requirements of the

working class that falls under 35 years of age.

Book on renowned coach Vasoo Paranjape to be

released on September 2

A book named 'Cricket Drona' on one of India's most

respected cricket coaches, Vasoo Paranjape, will be

released on September 2.

The book published by Penguin has been co-

authored by Paranjape's son, former India

player and current national selector Jatin

along with cricket journalist Anand Vasu.

The book has essays written by Sachin

Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sunil

Gavaskar.

'Cricket Drona' takes us through the life of

Paranjape, who left a defining impact on the

game, shaping the careers of some of Indian

cricket's greatest figures including Gavaskar,

Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma.

Defence Minister to officially induct Rafale

aircraft into IAF on Sep 10

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will officially induct

the first five Rafale fighter aircraft into service at the

Ambala air base on 10th of September.

French Defence Minister Florence Parly has

also been invited for the event in Ambala.

The first five aircraft had arrived from France

in India on 29th of July.

The Indian Air Force had then stated that the

planes will be inducted into the IAF after a

formal ceremony.

In the first tranche, India got five fighters

from France including three single-seated

and two twin-seated trainer aircraft.

They are part of the IAF’s 17 Squadron also

known as the Golden Arrows.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana completes six

years

Central government's flagship financial inclusion

programme Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana

(PMJDY) has completed six years.

The scheme was launched on 28th of August

in 2014 with an aim to provide universal

access to banking facilities to the people in

the country.

Over 40 crore 35 lakh bank accounts have

been opened under the scheme since its

inception and One lakh 31 thousand crore

rupees have been deposited in these accounts.

About eight crore PMJDY account holders

are receiving Direct Benefit Transfer from

the Government under various schemes.

Over 63 per cent of the account holders are

from rural areas.

Govt approves 78 new routes under Regional

Connectivity Scheme- UDAN

The Government has approved 78 new routes under

the 4th round of Regional Connectivity Scheme -

Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik, (UDAN) to further

enhance the connectivity to remote and regional

areas of the country.

North East Region, Hilly States and Islands

have been given priority in the approval

process for the new routes.

29 served, eight unserved and two

underserved airports have been included in

the list for approved routes.

Overall 766 routes have been sanctioned so

far under the UDAN scheme.

Under UDAN 4, the operation of helicopters

and seaplanes has also been incorporated.

Vande Bharat Mission Phase 6 to begin on Sept. 1

Phase Six of the Vande Bharat Mission is scheduled

to begin on 1st of September.

Phase Five of the Mission will be over on 31st

August.

Flights are being rescheduled by Air India

group and private carriers based on an

assessment of demand by Indian missions

abroad.

Air bubble arrangements with different

countries will continue as per schedule in the

next phase.

As on 26th August, more than 12 lakh Indians

stranded abroad have been repatriated by

different modes under the Vande Bharat

mission.

Around 900 international flights have been

operated under Phase Five from 22 different

countries reaching 23 airports across India.

Arunachal Pradesh assembly passes resolution to

bring state under Sixth Schedule

The Arunachal Pradesh Assembly has passed a

resolution to bring the state under the ambit of Sixth

Schedule of the Constitution.

The resolution which was passed by voice

vote following a marathon discussion in the

house.

The Sixth Schedule deals with provisions for

administration of tribal areas in Assam,

Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

It seeks to safeguard the rights of tribal

population through the formation of

Autonomous District Councils.

Arunachal Pradesh bordering Bhutan, China

and Myanmar comes under the Fifth

Schedule, which deals with provisions related

to the administration and control of scheduled

areas and scheduled tribes.

Article 371(H) has special provisions in

respect of the governor and the total seats in

its assembly.

Assam Cabinet approves ‘Assam Skill

Development University Bill’

The Assam Cabinet has approved the Assam Skill

Development University Bill which provides for

setting up of Skill University at Mangaldoi at the cost

of 900 crore rupees.

The meeting held under the Chairmanship of

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal

also decided to increase the upper age limit

for State government jobs for Group III and

Group IV for two years so that unemployed

youth can apply for jobs upto 40 years.

Insurance to the tune of 50 lakh rupees to

journalists, home guards and all casual

employees succumbed to Covid-19 infection

while performing their duties was approved

during the meeting.

The Orunodoi Scheme was also given

approval to provide financial assistance of

830 rupees per month to families with annual

income of less than 2 lakh rupees.

HDFC Bank partners Adobe to enhance customer

experience

HDFC Bank has announced a strategic partnership

with Adobe to help improve the digital experience

journey of its customers.

The company claims that the partnership will

enable HDFC Bank to deliver personalised

digital experiences to existing as well as new

customers, at anytime and anywhere.

Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) Forms

will allow HDFC Bank to provide online

experiences to its existing and new

customers.

The Bank will use platforms like Data

Management Platform in Adobe Audience

Manager to develop a deep understanding of

the customers.

The collected data will enable HDFC to

deliver focussed campaigns and

communication to customers through email,

mobile and off-line channels.

ACSA to give Indian Navy access to Djibouti

The Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement

(ACSA) expected to be concluded at next month’s

annual summit between PM Narendra Modi and his

Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe would give the

Indian Navy access to the Japanese military base in

Djibouti and the Japanese Navy access to Andaman

and Nicobar Islands.

The ACSA (commonly referred to as Mutual

Logistics Services Pact) would permit the

Indian Navy access to a Japanese base in

Djibouti.

The Japan Maritime Self Defence Force

(JSDF) would be permitted to use India’s

military installations in the Andaman and

Nicobar Islands.

India currently has such pacts with the US,

Australia, France and is likely to sign one

with Russia later this year.

Delhi has since long been keen to get a

presence in Djibouti as part of its Indian

Ocean outreach.

Djibouti, wedged between the Gulf of Aden

and the Red Sea, is a natural gatekeeper to a

vital and extremely bustling sea-lane.

The base in Djibouti is the JSDF’s first full-

scale, long term overseas base.

Defence minister launches NCC app for online

training of cadets

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a mobile

application to assist in online training of NCC cadets

in the country.

Since schools and colleges are not likely to

open in the near future, it was felt that

training to NCC cadets should be imparted

utilising the digital medium.

The mobile app, called "DGNCC", aims at

providing NCC cadets all training materials,

including syllabus, training videos and

frequently asked questions, on one platform.

The app has been made interactive by

including a query option.

By using this option, a cadet can post

questions related to the training syllabus, and

the same will be answered by a panel of

qualified instructors.

Indian Railways set to meet all it's energy needs

of over 33 billion units by 2030

Indian Railways is set to meet all it's energy needs of

more than 33 billion units by 2030.

The current annual requirement is about 21

billion units.

Railways have developed a mega plan for

installing solar plants of 20 Gigawatt capacity

by utilizing its vacant land by 2030.

The use of solar power will accelerate the

mission to achieve conversion of Indian

Railways to Net Zero Carbon Emission

Railway.

Railway is committed to utilize solar energy

for meeting its traction power requirement

and become a complete Green mode of

transportation.

IT minister launches 'Chunauti' a programme to

further boost startups, software product

Minister for Electronics and Information Technology

Ravi Shankar Prasad launched “Chunauti”- Next

Generation Startup Challenge Contest to further

boost startups and software products with special

focus on Tier-II towns of the country.

The government has earmarked a budget of

over 95 crore rupees over a period of three

years for this programme.

It aims at identifying around three hundred

startups working in identified areas and

providing them seed funds of upto 25 lakh

rupees and other facilities.

Under this challenge the Ministry of

Electronics and IT will invite startups in

the areas of work including Edu Tech, Agri

Tech and FinTech solutions for masses,

Supply Chain and Logistic management,

Infrastructure, Medical Healthcare as well as

jobs and skilling.

BPR&D celebrates its Golden Jubilee

Anniversary

The Bureau of Police Research and Development,

BPR&D is celebrating its Golden Jubilee

Anniversary on 28 August.

Over the last 50 years, the Organization has

been unwavering in its commitment in the

service of the nation.

The Bureau of Police Research and

Development was raised on 28th August,

1970, through a resolution of the Ministry of

Home Affairs, Government of India.

Its aim is to promote excellence in policing,

promote speedy and systematic study of

police problems, apply science and

technology in the method and techniques by

the Police.

PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi, PM

SVANidhi online dashboard launched

Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Durga Shanker

Mishra launched the PM Street Vendor's

AtmaNirbhar Nidhi, PM SVANidhi online

dashboard through video conferencing.

The online dashboard is dynamic, interactive

and will provide a one stop solution to all

stakeholders looking for information and

tracking monitoring of progress of PM

SVANidhi up to city level.

Since the commencement of online

submission of applications on PM SVANidhi

portal on 2nd July this year, more than 7.15

lakh applications have been received and

over 1.70 lakh have been sanctioned in

different States and Union Territories.

PM SVANidhi was launched by the Ministry

on 1st June this year, for providing loan to

street vendors to resume their livelihoods that

have been adversely affected due to Covid-19

lockdown.

The scheme targets to benefit over 50 lakh

Street Vendors who had been vending on or

before 24th March this year, in urban areas

including those from surrounding peri-urban

or rural areas.

Under the Scheme, the vendors can avail a

working capital loan of up to 10 thousand

rupees, which is repayable in monthly

instalments in the tenure of one year.

On timely or early repayment of the loan, an

interest subsidy at 7 per cent per annum will

be credited to the bank accounts of

beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer

on quarterly basis.

Piyush Goyal e-launches “National GIS-enabled

Land Bank system”

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri

Piyush Goyal has virtually launched the “National

GIS-enabled Land Bank system“.

This initiative is being supported by National

e-Governance Division, Ministry of

Electronics & Information Technology,

Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space

Applications and Geo-Informatics, Invest

India, and National Center of Geo-

Informatics.

The National GIS-enabled Land Bank system

has been developed by integration of the

Industrial Information System (IIS) with

State GIS Systems.

Initially, the system has been launched in the

six states.

The system will be improved further to make

it an effective, transparent mechanism of land

identification as well as procurement.

Kerala to set up India’s first International

Women’s Trade Centre

Kerala will set up India's first international women's

trade centre (WTC), in consonance with the United

Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs), at

Angamaly.

This initiative aims to accelerate women

entrepreneurship and secure gender parity

while providing women with a safe place

away from home to start new businesses, set

up or expand, and get their products marketed

globally.

WTC will enable women entrepreneurs to

come forward and participate in international

trade, enjoy greater economic benefits and

enhance their competitiveness to tap market

opportunities.

Telugu Language Day: 29 August

Telugu Language Day is observed on 29 August each

year in the State of Andhra Pradesh.

This date was chosen to coincide with the

birthday of the Telugu poet Gidugu Venkata

Ramamurthy.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh provides

funds and presents awards with the objective

of the betterment of the Telugu language.

Small Industry Day: 30 August

Small Industry Day is celebrated every year on 30

August.

This day is celebrated with the aim of

promoting Small Industry and providing

employment opportunities to the

unemployed.

A small industry has an important role in

economic development in a developing

country like India.

Small Industries are those industries which

are carried out on a small scale and are

generally operated with the help of workers

and workers as the main occupation.

Industries in which 10 to 50 people work in

return for wages come within the small scale

industry.

The main objective of the Small Industry is to

solve the problem of unemployment and

semi-unemployment by increasing

employment opportunities.

The International Micro, Small and Medium-

sized Enterprises (MSME) Day is observed

every year across the world on June 27.

India withdraws from multilateral military

exercise in Russia next month

India has announced that it is withdrawing from

multilateral Military Exercise ‘Kavkaz’ 2020 to be

held in Russia next month.

In view of Pandemic and consequent

difficulties in exercise, including

arrangements of logistics, India has decided

not to send a contingent this year to Kavkaz-

2020.

India had earlier planned to send around 150

Indian Army troops, 45 Indian Air Force

personnel and a number of Navy officers to

the multilateral military exercise to be held in

the Astrakhan region in southern Russia from

15th to 26th September.

India, Singapore sign Implementing

Arrangement on Humanitarian Assistance &

Disaster Relief

India and Singapore signed Implementing

Arrangement on Humanitarian Assistance &

Disaster Relief.

The two countries held a Defence Policy

Dialogue via video conferencing .

It was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Dr

Ajay Kumar and Permanent Secretary

(Defence), Singapore Mr Chan Heng Kee.

Both sides held discussions on a number of

issues of bilateral defence engagements

between India and Singapore.

Both sides committed to further enhance the

security partnership between the two

countries.

Festival of Onam being celebrated across country

Amid Covid 19 pandemic, Keralites across the globe

are celebrating Thiruvonam, the biggest cultural

festival of the State.

Thiruonam is the most auspicious day of

Onam festival.

This annual harvest festival of the State

celebrates the visit of mythical and righteous

King Mahabali.

Onam is being celebrated by all Keralaites

irrespective of religion symbolising

secularism and harmony.

The festival is also an expression of the

gratitude to mother nature at the arrival of

new crop.

Onam is celebrated to honor the memory of

the legendary King Mahabali, the honest,

kind and compassionate ruler of Kerala.

During the festival, people buy something

new, decorate their homes, prepare

Pookalam, enjoy Onam-Saadiya.

India to start bidding process by Oct to procure 6

submarines costing Rs 55,000 crore

India is all set to launch the bidding process by next

month for a Rs 55,000-crore mega project to build

six conventional submarines for the Indian Navy.

The submarines will be built in India under

the much-talked-about strategic partnership

model that allows domestic companies to join

hands with leading foreign defence majors to

produce high-end military platforms in the

country and reduce import dependence.

The Mega Project has been named P-75 I.

The defence ministry has already shortlisted

two Indian shipyards and five foreign defence

majors for the project, being billed as one of

biggest "Make in India" ventures.

The shortlisted Indian entities were L&T

group and state-owned Mazagaon Docks Ltd

(MDL).

The Indian Navy plans to acquire 24 new

submarines, including six nuclear attack

submarines, to bolster its underwater fighting

capability.

It currently has 15 conventional submarines

and two nuclear submarines.

Brigade Commander-level Flag Meeting between

Indian Army & China’s PLA underway at

Chushul

A Brigade Commander-level Flag Meeting between

Indian Army and People's Liberation Army of China

is in progress at Chushul to discuss PLA troops

provocative military movements.

PLA troops violated the previous consensus

arrived at during military and diplomatic

engagements during the ongoing standoff in

Eastern Ladakh.

Chinese troops carried out provocative

military movements to change the status quo

in the intervening night of 29th August and

30th August.

However, Indian troops preempted this

activity on the Southern Bank of Pangong

Tso Lake.

Chushul is a village in the Leh district of

Ladakh, India.

BJP to celebrate PM Modi's birthday as ‘Seva

Saptah’ from Sep 14-20

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to

celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday

on September 17 by observing Seva Saptah from

14th to 20th September.

Prime minister will turn 70 this year.

The decision has been taken to avoid any

major celebration or mass gathering due to

the coronavirus pandemic.

To observe the Seva Saptah which is a way to

extend help, the party will be distributing

masks, sanitizers and medicines.

Delhi Metro to resume its services from 7th

September in calibrated manner with new

guidelines

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will resume

its services from 7th of September in a calibrated

manner with new guidelines.

Metro services will be resuming for the

public after being shut for more than five

months due to Coronavirus pandemic.

For the time being, no token will be issued to

passengers due to its high risk of spreading

the virus.

Passengers will be allowed to travel only with

smart cards.

All measures will be taken to ensure the

mandatory social distance of one meter

between passengers in the train and marking

of seats will also be done to ensure social

distancing.

Besides, metro staff and additional Civil

Defence Volunteers will be deployed to

ensure that the station does not get crowded.

Provision of sanitizers will be made at every

station and wearing a mask will be

mandatory.

DMRC Managing Director : Mangu Singh

Famous art of 'Etikoppaka' dolls of

Visakhapatnam district finds a place in "Mann ki

Baat"

The famous art of 'Etikoppaka' dolls of

Visakhapatnam district finds a place in the "Mann ki

Baat" programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In the Mann Ki Baat speech, Prime Minister

Narendra Modi made a special mention of the

famous Etikoppaka dolls saying that the toys

would be useful to unleash the creativity in

children in the current Pandemic situation.

Etikoppaka is a small village on the banks of

the Varaha river in the Visakhapatnam

district of Andhra Pradesh.

Etikoppaka is famous for its turned wood

lacquer craft toys, locally known as

Etikoppaka Bommalu.

Seaplane service in Gujarat to start from 31

October

Seaplane service to provide air connectivity from

Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad to Statue of

Unity in Kevadia in Gujarat is scheduled to start from

October 31, the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel.

The service will be operated by Spicejet

Airline.

In July 2020, the Ministry of Civil Aviation

and the Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay

Rupani signed an agreement to provide

affordable air connectivity between

Sabarmati River front and Statue of Unity,

Kevadia.

The service is first of its kind in the country.

Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa to flag off first

RORO train from Bengaluru to Solapur

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa flagged off the

maiden roll-on roll-off (RORO) train from

Bengaluru to Solapur.

It will be operated by the South Western

Railway (SWR).

The train consisting of open flat wagon on

which trucks with goods are loaded will start.

As many as 42 trucks with goods can be

carried at time in this train. The RORO

service reduces accidents on the road,

improves safety, saves fuel.

It ensures faster transport of essential goods,

perishables, food items and smaller cargo

The cost of transport by RORO is lesser than

transport by road.

Eight core industries' output shrinks 15% in June

Contracting for the fourth consecutive month, the

output of eight core infrastructure industries shrank

by 15 per cent in June this year due to fall in the

production of coal, crude oil, natural gas, steel,

cement and electricity.

According to the data released by the

Commerce and Industry Ministry, the output

of coal sector fell 15.5 per cent, crude oil

declined by 6 per cent , natural gas by 12 per

cent, refinery products fell by 8.9 per cent,

steel sector plunged by 33.8 per cent,

cement by 6.9 per cent and electricity

declined by 11 per cent.

In May this year, the sectors' output

contracted by 22 per cent.

The eight core sectors had expanded by 1.2

per cent in June last year.

These eight industries account for 40.27 per

cent in the Index of Industrial Production

(IIP).

Bharti Airtel inks multi-year strategic pact with

Amazon for AWS solutions

Bharti Airtel announced a multi-year strategic pact

with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to deliver Cloud

solutions to large as well as small and medium

enterprise (SME) customers in India.

The products linked to artificial intelligence

and Edge among others will be offered to the

SMBs.

Bharti Airtel will act as a channel partner for

AWS to tap startups and SMBs and sell the

products of AWS and bundle them with its

public cloud offerings.

Airtel Cloud will build an AWS

CloudPractice, supported by AWS

Professional Services, as well as develop

differentiated Cloud products and

capabilities leveraging AWS services,

Airtel's data centre capabilities and network

and telecoms offerings.

Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy

committee decides to leave policy repo rate

unchanged at 4 percent

The RBI's monetary policy committee has decided to

unanimously leave the policy repo rate unchanged at

4 percent.

RBI will continue with the accommodative

stance of monetary policy as long as

necessary to revive growth, mitigate the

impact of COVID-19, while ensuring that

inflation remains within the target

going forward.

The Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate

and the Bank rate remain unchanged at 4.25

per cent.

The reverse repo rate stands unchanged at

3.35 per cent.

The Consumer Price Index inflation, which

was at 5.8 per cent in March 2020, was placed

at 6.1 per cent in the provisional estimates for

June 2020.

Airtel Payments Bank, Bharti AXA partner to

offer ‘shop insurance’ for retailers

Airtel Payments Bank has partnered with Bharti

AXA General Insurance to offer “Smart Plan Shop

Package Policy” for the financial protection of the

bank’s retailers and merchants.

The policy will provide financial protection

in case of damage to assets inside the shop

due to fire and allied perils and burglary,

among others, as covered in the product.

This policy covers assets inside the shop

against burglary, fire and allied perils such as

flood, earthquake, landslide, rockslide, riots,

strike and malicious damage, among others.

It also covers the loss of money in safety

because of an accident. The policy has a

flexible sum insured option, starting from Rs

2 lakh up to Rs 25 lakh.

Flipkart signs MoU with UP government's one

District, One Product scheme

E-commerce marketplace Flipkart has signed a

memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the One

District, One Product (ODOP) scheme of the Uttar

Pradesh government.

The scheme aims to bring artisans, weavers

and craftsmen into mainstream business.

The partnership will enable these under-

served communities to showcase their

specialised products and crafts to millions of

customers across the country.

The initiative called FlipkartSamarth

will help support the including benefits in

the form of on-boarding, free cataloguing,

marketing, account management, business

insights and warehousing support.

Paytm launches ‘India’s first’ Android PoS device

for easy, contactless payments

Paytm has launched its first pocket Android PoS

device for contactless ordering and making

payments, for SMEs.

This comes at an introductory price of ₹499

per month on a rental basis and is designed

like a phone.

The firm says its PoS machine comes

bundled with Paytm's 'Scan to Order' service,

which is slowly said to be gaining traction in

places like restaurants and takeaway joints.

This product is also expected to make

payments easier for logistic players, Kirana

stores, and small shopkeepers.

Retail inflation rises to 6.93 % in July

Retail inflation rose to 6.93 per cent in July, mainly

on account of higher prices of food items.

As per the government data, the food

inflation, according to the Consumer Price

Index (CPI) data, increased to 9.62 per cent

in July.

The retail inflation in June was 6.23 per cent,

while the food inflation stood at 8.72 per cent.

It is for the second consecutive month that the

retail inflation has been above the RBI's

comfort level.

The government has mandated the central

bank to restrict the inflation at 4 percent

(plus, minus two per cent).

Bharti AXA's general insurance business to

merge with ICICI Lombard

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company and

Bharti AXA General Insurance Co Ltd will combine

their insurance businesses through a share swap deal,

paving the way for the creation of the country’s third-

largest general insurance entity.

The boards of both the companies approved

entering into definitive agreements for the

demerger of Bharti AXA’s non-life insurance

business into ICICI Lombard through a

Scheme of Arrangement.

ICICI Bank holds 51.89 per cent stake in

ICICI Lombard, while the rest is with the

public.

After the proposed deal, promoter stake will

come down to 48.11 per cent.

Once the deal is completed the combined

entity will become the largest private non-life

insurer and the 3rd largest non-life insurer in

the general insurance industry after New

India Assurance and United India Insurance.

Axis Bank launches hiring initiative named ‘Gig-

a-Opportunities’

Axis Bank has launched an initiative named ‘Gig-a-

Opportunities’.

The initiative aims to attract skilled talent that

can work with the bank remotely, from

anywhere in the country.

This hiring model comprises two working

patterns. One is the full-time permanent job

and the second is based on the duration of a

project and is temporary in nature.

Axis Bank aims to employ 800-1000 people

over the next under this initiative.

RBI projects country's growth rate at (-) 4.5 per

cent for 2020-21

The Reserve Bank has projected India's growth rate

at (-) 4.5 percent for 2020-21.

In its annual report, RBI projected global

growth rate between (-) 6.0 percent and (-)

7.6 per cent.

It stressed that the pandemic will inflict deep

disfigurations on the world economy adding

that the future is heavily contingent upon the

evolving intensity, spread and duration of

COVID-19 and the discovery of the elusive

vaccine.

RBI has asked for wide-ranging reforms to

regain losses due to COVID-19 crisis adding

that it will take quite some time to mend and

regain the pre-COVID-19 momentum.

SBI General Insurance Launches unique ‘Shagun

– Gift an insurance’ policy

SBI General Insurance has launched the first-of-its-

kind insurance product called ‘Shagun – Gift an

Insurance”, which is a unique gift of Personal

Accident policy.

The unique feature of this policy is that it can

be gifted to anyone, which means it is not

necessary for the policy buyer to be related to

the insured.

A Gift giver (policy buyer) can gift this

product to anyone like family, friends,

extended family and even domestic helpers,

chauffeurs, drivers, cook, etc

Gift Receiver (insured) should be in the age

group of 18 years to 65 years

Shagun covers personal accident insurance

which provides complete financial protection

to the insured person against uncertainties

such as accidental death and partial or total

disabilities, and permanent as well as

temporary disabilities resulting from an

accident.

ICICI Bank becomes first bank in India to use

satellite data to assess credit worthiness of

farmers

ICICI Bank uses satellite data to assess the

creditworthiness of farmers.

By using so, the ICICI Bank has become the

1st bank in India to use such a technique to

measure an array of parameters related to the

land, irrigation and crop patterns and use it in

combination with demographic and financial

parameters to make quick lending decisions

for farmers.

The satellite data with demographic and

financial details provides strong information

on the land asset of the farmers.

Usage of this technology will help farmers

with existing credit to expand their eligibility

and help new-to-credit farmers to get better

access to formal credit.

Ivory Coast Defence Minister Bakayoko named

prime minister

Ivory Coast's defence minister, Hamed Bakayoko,

has been named prime minister.

He has been named after acting as interim

prime minister since the sudden death of

Amadou Gon Coulibaly on July 8..

Hamed Bakayoko was a founding member of

the Rally of the Republicans (RDR) party and

was also in charge of the party’s daily

newspaper, Le Patriote.

Ashish Bhatia appointed as new Gujarat DGP

Ahmedabad police commissioner Ashish Bhatia has

been appointed new Director General of Gujarat

Police.

He succeeds Shivanand Jha.

Bhatia who is 1985 batch IPS officer took

over charge.

Mr Bhatia has served at different crucial

posts in Gujarat police. He had been the DGP

of CID Crime and Railways.

Bhatia who has been called as an anti terror

expert is credited with solving the 2008 serial

bomb blast case in Ahmedabad.

Air Marshal V R Chaudhari takes over as chief of

IAF’s Western Air Command

Air Marshal V. R. Chaudhari took over as Air Officer

Commanding-in-Chief of Western Air Command of

Indian Air Force.

The Air Marshal took over command from

Air Marshal B Suresh.

Air Marshal V. R. Chaudhari was

commissioned into the fighter stream of the

IAF in 1982 as a Fighter Pilot.

During his career, he has flown a wide variety

of fighter and trainer aircraft.

He has a flying experience of MiG-21, MiG-

23 MF, MiG 29 and Su-30 MKI fighter

aircraft.

Guyana’s Irfaan Ali sworn in as president after

disputed vote

Former Guyanese housing minister Irfaan Ali was

sworn in as president of the newly oil-producing

South American country,

He was declared winner of a disputed March

2 election following a recount.

Ali, a member of the opposition People’s

Progressive Party (PPP), had won the initial

poll, and Washington last month called on

current President David Granger to resign.

Guyana Capital: Georgetown

Currency: Guyanese dollar(GYD)

RBI approves Sashidhar Jagdishan as next CEO

of HDFC Bank

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved

Sashidhar Jagdishan as the next chief executive

officer of HDFC Bank.

Jagdishan is currently additional director and

head of finance, human resources, at the

bank.

He will take over from Aditya Puri who will

step down as the bank’s longest serving CEO

ever since he took charge 26 years ago.

In November, the bank had constituted a six-

member search committee to find a

replacement for Puri and had hired Egon

Zehnder for assistance. Puri was an advisor to

the search committee.

In 2018, private sector lender Axis Bank had

a similar series of high-level exits after the

retirement of Shikha Sharma, who was

succeeded by Amitabh Chaudhary as

managing director and chief executive

officer.

President appoints Manoj Sinha as new

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir

The President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed

Manoj Sinha as the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu

and Kashmir.

The President accepted the resignation of

Girish Chandra Murmu as Lieutenant

Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr Murmu, a 1985 batch Gujarat cadre IAS

officer was appointed as the LG in October

last year.

Murmu had sent his resignation to President

Ram Nath Kovind.

Ajay Tyagi gets 18 months’ extension as SEBI

chairman

Ajay Tyagi has been given an 18 month extension as

the chairman of markets regulator Securities and

Exchange Board of India, SEBI.

His term will continue till February 2022.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet

has approved the extension of Ajay Tyagi's

term for 18 months with effect from 1st

September 2020 to 28th February 2022.

Tyagi, a 1984 batch retired IAS officer of

Himachal Pradesh cadre was appointed as the

SEBI chairman in March 2017 for three

years.

Former J&K Lt Guv Girish Chandra Murmu to

be new CAG of India

Former Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and

Kashmir, Girish Chandra Murmu will be the new

Comptroller and Auditor General of the country.

Mr Murmu will succeed Rajiv Mehrishi.

An IAS officer of Gujarat cadre, Mr Murmu

resigned as Lieutenant Governor of Jammu

and Kashmir.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)

of India is an authority, established by Article

148 of the Constitution of India, which audits

all receipts and expenditure of the

Government of India and the state

governments.

The CAG is also the external auditor of

Government-owned corporations and

conducts supplementary audit of government

companies.

Dr. Pradeep Kumar Joshi takes oath as Chairman

of UPSC

Dr. Pradeep Kumar Joshi took oath as Chairman of

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Prof. Joshi joined the Commission as a

member in the year 2015.

He succeeded Arvind Saxena who completed

his term as UPSC chairman.

He served as Director of the National

Institute of Educational Planning and

Administration.

During his career, Dr. Joshi taught more than

28 years at postgraduate level and held many

important positions in various policy making,

academic and administrative bodies.

P S Ranipse appointed as new IG of CRPF

Odisha cadre IPS officer, P S Ranipse has been

appointed as Inspector General (IG), in Central

Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

He will hold the post on Central deputation

for a period of five years from the date of

joining.

IPS officer P S Ranipse belongs to the 1995

batch and was serving as Additional Director

General (Vigilance) in Odisha.

He held the position of Inspector General of

Police (Odisha) in 2013.

Manoj Sinha administered oath of office and

secrecy as Lt Guv of J&K

In the Union Territory of Jammu and

Kashmir, Manoj Sinha was administered the oath of

office and secrecy as Lieutenant Governor by Justice

Gita Mittal, Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir.

Sinha succeeds former IAS officer Girish

Chandra Murmu, who resigned and was

appointed Comptroller and Auditor General

(CAG).

Sinha was former Minister of State for

Railways and later and later held an

independent charge of Ministry of

Communication.

Sinha has been a member of the BJP national

council from 1989 to 1996.

He was elected to the Lower House for a third

term in national politics when the BJP swept

the Lok Sabha elections in 2014.

Hardayal Prasad becomes new MD & CEO of

PNB Housing Finance

PNB Housing Finance has announced the

appointment of the former SBI Card head, Hardayal

Prasad as its new managing director and chief

executive officer.

Prasad will take over from Neeraj Vyas the

current interim managing director and chief

executive officer of the company, will step

down from the position on August 10.

Prasad is experienced in banking,

international operations at SBI and SBI Cards

and Payment Services (SBI Card).

He resigned from the post of MD and CEO of

SBI Card pursuant to voluntary retirement

from SBI, the promoter of SBI Card on 15th

July 2020 which came to effect on 31st July

2020.

ebikeGo appoints Harbhajan Singh as brand

ambassador

Amritsar based e-mobility start-up eBikeGO

announced the appointment of Indian cricketer

Harbhajan Singh as its brand ambassador.

The cricketer has come on board for one year

to help promote the company as it looks to

scale-up by increasing geographical

footprint, adding new customer segments,

and targeting new business use cases to

widen the appeal for electric mobility.

Singh, who is going to be the face of the

brand, will have an active presence on the

company's website and campaigns across

media.

Founded in 2017 by entrepreneur T Irfan,

eBikeGO has a fleet of IoT (internet of

things) powered electric bikes offering

pollution-free and low-cost rides to

commuters.

eBikeGO also offers electric bikes on rental

to individual users. It also provides its fleet to

e-commerce companies like Zomato, Uber

Eats, Swiggy, Flipkart, Delhivery, Big

Basket, Rapido, and Ninjacart.

Rakesh Asthana appointed DG of Border

Security Force

The Centre appointed Gujarat cadre IPS officer -

Rakesh Asthana as the new director general of the

Border Security Force (BSF).

The 1984 batch IPS officer, currently heading

the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security

(BCAS) with additional charge of Narcotics

Control Bureau (NCB), will assume full time

charge of the border guarding force deployed

at the approximately 2,280 km long border

with Pakistan.

Currently, DG Indo-Tibet Border Police

(ITBP) chief S S Deswal, a batchmate of

Asthana, was holding the additional charge of

BSF since March this year.

Asthana, known for his acumen in

investigations and strong leadership skills,

will hold the post of DG BSF till July 31,

2021, time of his retirement.

Satya Pal Malik appointed as Meghalaya

Governor

Satya Pal Malik was transferred as Governor of the

northeastern state of Meghalaya, replacing Tathagata

Roy who completed his five-year tenure.

Malik has been shifted to Meghalaya, and

Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh

Koshyari has been asked to discharge the

functions of Goa governor in addition to his

own duties.

There is no fixed tenure for governors, but

conventionally it is considered for a period of

five years.

Roy was appointed governor of Meghalaya in

August 2018 and continued till date, barring

absence between December 2019 to January

2020 when he was on leave.

Malik was the last governor of erstwhile

Jammu and Kashmir before it was divided

into two union territories ‘Ladakh and JK’ on

October 31 last year.

The announcement in this regard was made

on August 5 last year when the Centre

abrogated the special status of Jammu and

Kashmir.

Ashok Lavasa resigns as Election Commissioner;

to join ADB as Vice President

Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa resigned from

his post to join the Philippines-based Asian

Development Bank (ADB) as vice-president next

month.

Mr. Lavasa has submitted his resignation to

President Ram Nath Kovind and has

requested to be relieved by the end of this

month.

Last month, the ADB had announced his

appointment to the post.

Equatorial Guinea reappoints Prime Minister

Francisco Asue after government resignation

Francisco Asue was reappointed as prime minister of

Equatorial Guinea after he and the government

resigned last week after criticism from long standing

President Teodoro Obiang.

The Central African oil producer is suffering

a double economic shock linked to the

coronavirus pandemic and a drop in the price

of crude, which provides around three-

quarters of state revenues.

Previously, Asue and his government

tendered their resignation to Obiang, who

said they had not done enough to help the

country at a time of crisis.

Obiang has ruled the former Spanish colony

since overthrowing his uncle in a 1979 coup,

relying on repression of political opponents

and the country’s offshore oil riches.

This is Asue’s third consecutive stint as

premier since his first appointment in 2016.

Equatorial Guinea Capital: Malabo

Currency: Central African CFA franc

Keith Rowley Sworn in as Trinidad and Tobago

Prime Minister for Second 5 year term

Dr Keith Rowley has been sworn in as the Prime

Minister of Trinidad and Tobago for a second

consecutive five-year term.

The 70-year-old Prime Minister Rowley’s

ruling People’s National Movement party

won 22 out of 41 seats in the House of

Representatives in the August 10 election to

form the government.

He has served as Prime Minister of Trinidad

and Tobago since 9 September 2015.

Trinidad and Tobago Capital: Port of Spain

Currency: Trinidad and Tobago dollar

Continent: South America

Rajiv Kumar appointed new Election

Commissioner following resignation of Ashok

Lavasa

Former finance secretary Rajiv Kumar has been

appointed new election commissioner.

He will replace Ashok Lavasa, who resigned

earlier this week.

Mr Kumar will take charge the day Mr

Lavasa leaves his office on August 31.

Mr Kumar's appointment comes at a time

when the election commission is preparing to

hold Bihar assembly polls amid the

coronavirus pandemic.

Ashwani Bhatia appointed as managing director

of State Bank of India

The central government has appointed Ashwani

Bhatia as the managing director (MD) of the State

Bank of India (SBI).

Bhatia has been appointed as the managing

director up to the date of his superannuation

that is May 31, 2022.

Bhatia is currently working as the managing

director and chief executive officer at SBI

Mutual Fund.

Bhatia will be appointed in place of P K

Gupta who superannuated on March 31.

DRDO chief G Satheesh Reddy gets two-year

extension

Satheesh Reddy has been given a two-year extension

as the Chairman of Defence Research and

Development Organisation (DRDO).

He was appointed to the post in August 2018

for two years.

DRDO works under the Department of

Defence Research and Development in the

Ministry of Defence of the Government of

India.

It was formed in 1958 by the merger of the

Technical Development Establishment and

the Directorate of Technical Development

and Production of the Indian Ordnance

Factories with the Defence Science

Organisation.

With a network of 52 laboratories, which are

engaged in developing defence technologies

covering various fields, like aeronautics,

armaments, electronics, land combat

engineering, life sciences, materials,

missiles, and naval systems, DRDO is India's

largest and most diverse research

organisation.

Diplomat Mustapha Adib on course to be

designated new Lebanon PM

Lebanon's ambassador to Germany Mustapha Adib

is on course to become the country's next prime

minister after securing major political backing.

Mr. Adib was named by four former prime

ministers on the eve of binding consultations

between the president and parliamentary

blocs on their choice for the post.

The announcement came a day before French

President Emmanuel Macron is due to arrive

for a two day-visit, during which he is

expected to press Lebanese officials to

formulate a new political pact to lift the

country out of its multiple crises.

The government, led by Hassan Diab, quit

this month amid anger over an explosion in

the capital Beirut.

DIAT bags 1st prize in Smart India Hackathon

2020

Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, DIAT,

has bagged 1st prize in Smart India Hackathon, SIH,

2020.

It was held from 1st to 3rd of this month at

Noida Institute of Engineering and

Technology, Uttar Pradesh.

This 36-hour non-stop digital product

building competition was a national level

competition for software edition, which was

organized jointly by the Ministry of Human

Resource Development and All India Council

for Technical Education.

During the competition, Prime Minister

Narendra Modi interacted with the

participants in a live event.

Six- member team of the institute received

one lakh rupees as prize money for solving a

technical problem using artificial

intelligence.

Sudha Murthy, ITC’s Sivakumar bag

Gramodaya awards

Sudha Murty, Chairperson of Infosys Foundation

and Sivakumar Surampudi, Group Head of Agri and

IT Businesses of ITC Ltd are among the winners of

the Gramodaya Bandhu Mitra Puraskar.

The other winners include Padma Bhushan

Vijay Bhatkar, Padmasri SP Verma, Vilas

Shinde (Director, Sahyadri Farms), Koosam

Rajamouli, Former Sarpanch of

Gangadevipalli in Telangana, Brig Pogula

Ganesham, Founder of Palle Srujana, and

Govinda Rajulu Chintala, Chairman of the

Nabard.

Gramodaya Bandhu Mitra Puraskaras

instituted by Gramodaya Chamber of

Commerce and Technology (GCOT), a not-

for-profit organisation founded by the alumni

of Osmania University.

The awards recognise “Yeoman service

rendered by individuals and institutions to

provide succour and uplift the vast majority

of our population dependent on agriculture

and allied activities for livelihood”.

National Sports Awards 2020 announced

Government announced the National Sports Awards

2020.

The awardees will receive their awards from

the President Ram Nath Kovind at a specially

organized function through virtual mode

from Rashtrapati Bhawan on 29th of this

month which is National Sports Day.

It coincides with the birthday of legendary

hockey Olympian, Dhyan Chand.

RAJIV GANDHI KHEL RATNA AWARD: This

award is being conferred for the spectacular and most

outstanding performance in the field of sports by a

sportsperson over a period of four years.

S.No. Name of the

Sportsperson

Discipline

1 Shri Rohit Sharma Cricket

2 Shri Mariyappan T. Para

Athletics

3 Ms. Manika Batra Table Tennis

4 Ms. Vinesh Wrestling

5 Ms. Rani Hockey

ARJUNA AWARD: This award is being conferred

for consistent outstanding performance in the field of

sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years.

S.No. Name of the

Sportsperson

Discipline

1 Shri Atanu Das Archery

2 Ms. Dutee Chand Athletics

3 Shri Satwik Sairaj

Rankireddy

Badminton

4 Shri Chirag

Chandrasekhar Shetty

Badminton

5 Shri Vishesh

Bhriguvanshi

Basketball

6 Subedar Manish Kaushik Boxing

7 Ms. Lovlina Borgohain Boxing

8 Shri Ishant Sharma Cricket

9 Ms. Deepti Sharma Cricket

10 Shri Sawant Ajay Anant Equestrian

11 Shri Sandesh Jhingan Football

12 Ms. Aditi Ashok Golf

13 Shri Akashdeep Singh Hockey

14 Ms. Deepika Hockey

15 Shri Deepak Kabaddi

16 Shri Kale Sarika Sudhakar Kho Kho

17 Shri Dattu Baban

Bhokanal

Rowing

18 Ms. Manu Bhaker Shooting

19 Shri Saurabh Chaudhary Shooting

20 Ms. Madhurika Suhas

Patkar

Table Tennis

21 Shri Divij Sharan Tennis

22 Shri Shiva Keshavan Winter

Sports

23 Ms. Divya Kakran Wrestling

24 Shri Rahul Aware Wrestling

25 Shri Suyash Narayan

Jadhav

Para

Swimming

26 Shri Sandeep Para

Athletics

27 Shri Manish Narwal Para

Shooting

DRONACHARYA AWARD: This award is being

conferred to coaches for producing medal winners at

prestigious international sports events.

Life- Time Category

S.No. Name of the Coach Discipline

1 Shri Dharmendra Tiwary Archery

2 Shri Purushotham Rai Athletics

3 Shri Shiv Singh Boxing

4 Shri Romesh Pathania Hockey

5 Shri Krishan Kumar Hooda Kabaddi

6 Shri Vijay Bhalchandra

Munishwar

Para

Powerlifting

7 Shri Naresh Kumar Tennis

8 Shri Om Parkash Dahiya Wrestling

Regular Category

S.No. Name of the Coach Discipline

1 Shri Jude Felix Sebastian Hockey

2 Shri Yogesh Malviya Mallakhamb

3 Shri Jaspal Rana Shooting

4 Shri Kuldeep Kumar Handoo Wushu

5 Shri Gaurav Khanna Para Badminton

DHYAN CHAND AWARD: This award is being

conferred for the lifetime contribution towards the

development of sports.

S.No. Name of the Sportsperson Discipline

1 Shri Kuldip Singh Bhullar Athletics

2 Ms. Jincy Philips Athletics

3 Shri Pradeep Shrikrishna

Gandhe

Badminton

4 Ms. Trupti Murgunde Badminton

5 Ms. N. Usha Boxing

6 Shri Lakha Singh Boxing

7 Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sandhu Football

8 Shri Ajit Singh Hockey

9 Shri Manpreet Singh Kabaddi

10 Shri J. Ranjith Kumar Para Athletics

11 Shri Satyaprakash Tiwari Para Badminton

12 Shri Manjeet Singh Rowing

13 Late Shri Sachin Nag Swimming

14 Shri Nandan P Bal Tennis

15 Shri Netarpal Hooda Wrestling

RASHTRIYA KHEL PROTSAHAN

PURUSKAR: This award is being conferred to the

corporate entities (both in private and public sector)

as well as individuals who have played a visible role

in the area of sports promotion and its development.

S.No. Category Entity recommended

for Rashtriya Khel

Protsahan Puruskar,

2020

1 Identification and

Nurturing of Budding

and Young Talent

Lakshya Institute

2. Army Sports

Institute

2 Encouragement to

sports through

Corporate Social

Responsibility

Oil and Natural Gas

Corporation (ONGC)

Ltd.

3 Employment of

sportspersons and

sports welfare

measures

Air Force Sports

Control Board

4 Sports for

Development

International Institute

of Sports Management

(IISM)

MAULANA ABUL KALAM AZAD (MAKA)

TROPHY: This award is being conferred to the

overall top performing university in inter-university

tournaments.

Panjab University, Chandigarh

TENZING NORGAY NATIONAL

ADVENTURE AWARDS 2019: It is being

awarded to recognize the spirit of adventure among

the people of the country.

S.No. Name of the

Sportsperson

Category

1 Ms. Anita Devi Land Adventure

2 Col. Sarfraz Singh Land Adventure

3 Shri Taka Tamut Land Adventure

4 Shri Narender Singh Land Adventure

5 Shri Keval Hiren Kakka Land Adventure

6 Shri Satendra Singh Water Adventure

7 Shri Gajanand Yadava Air Adventure

8 Late Shri Magan Bissa Life Time

Achievement

Marieke Lucas Rijneveld becomes Youngest

Author to Win 2020 International Booker Prize

Dutch Author Marieke Lucas Rijneveld won the

2020 International Booker Prize and became the

youngest author to win the prize at the age of 29.

She won the prize for the Literary fiction

book ‘The Discomfort of Evening’.

The book tells the fictional story of Jas, a girl

in a devout Christian farming family, whose

brother dies in an accident after she wishes he

would die instead of her rabbit.

The book was first published in Dutch in

2018 and eventually translated into English

by Michele Hutchison.

The £50,000 prize ($66,000) will be split

equally between the author and translator to

give equal recognition to both.

Online nominations for Padma Awards 2021 will

remain open till Sep 15

Online nominations for the Padma Awards -2021

will remain open till 15th September.

Nominations for Padma Awards to be

announced on the occasion of Republic Day,

2021 have started from 1st of May.

The Padma Awards, namely, Padma

Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri,

are amongst the highest civilian awards of the

country.

Instituted in 1954, these Awards are

announced on the occasion of the Republic

Day every year.

The award seeks to recognize ‘work of

distinction’ and is given for distinguished and

exceptional achievements and service in all

fields and disciplines.

Para swimmer Satyendra Singh first Divyang

sportsperson of country to get prestigious

Adventure Award

Para-swimmer Satyendra Singh Lohia of Madhya

Pradesh is the first Divyanga Indian sportsperson of

the country, who has been awarded with the Tenzing

Norgay Adventure Award.

He is also the first Asian Divyang swimmer

to cross the 42-kilometer Catalina Channel in

the US in just 11 hours 34 minutes.

Para-swimmer Satyendra Singh was also

conferred with the Best Sportsperson

National Award by Vice President Venkaiah

Naidu on World Divyanga Day.

He has also been awarded the highest sports

award of Madhya Pradesh as well as many

other national and international honours.

Government enhances prize money in Khel

Ratna, Arjuna and Dronacharya awards

The prize money in four of the seven categories of

the National Sports and Adventure Awards has been

enhanced.

The prize money for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel

Ratna Award has been increased to 25 lakh

rupees from the previous amount of 7.5 lakh

rupees.

Arjuna Award has been enhanced to 15 lakh

rupees from 5 lakh.

The Dronacharya (Lifetime) awardees, who

were earlier given 5 lakh rupees will now be

given 15 lakh rupees as cash prize, while

Dronacharya (Regular) will be given 10 lakh

instead of 5 lakh rupees per awardee.

Dhyanchand Awardees will be given 10 lakh

rupees instead of 5 lakh rupees.

Lewis Hamilton wins British Grand Prix 2020

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has won the

Formula One British Grand Prix 2020 held at the

Silverstone Circuit, United Kingdom.

Max Verstappen (Red bull) ended up second

in this F1 race while Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

came third.

This is the third win for Hamilton in this

season of F1 races.

Govt gives nod for IPL 2020 in UAE

The BCCI in its Governing Council meeting of IPL

has decided that the 13th edition of the league will

commence from September 19 to November 10.

The BCCI finally got the government's

permission for the IPL season 13 to take place

outside the country in the United Arab

Emirates (UAE).

The league will include 10 doubleheaders.

The evening matches will start at 7:30 p.m.

IST.

All the games will be played inside a secure

bio-bubble with no spectators in the initial

phase of the league.

The Indian Premier League's Governing

Council also approved the women's IPL.

The squad size of each franchise is capped at

24 players.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah will be the

three venues of the tournament.

India withdraws from women's world team

Squash championship in Kuala Lumpur

India has withdrawn from the women's world team

Squash championship scheduled in Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia from 15th to 20th December.

Indian team cited lack of preparation, time

and match-readiness of its players.

The coronavirus case count continues to rise

in the country with Mumbai, Delhi and

Chennai — all major squash centres — badly

hit by the virus, making resumption of

training difficult.

The Asian Junior Individual Championship

2020 has also been cancelled by the Asian

Squash Federation due to the pandemic.

The event was scheduled to be held at

Qingdao, China in June but was postponed to

December before being finally cancelled.

India holds good chance of reaching QFs of

Thomas Cup & Uber Cup in Badminton

India holds a good chance of reaching the

quarterfinals of the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup team

Badminton championship scheduled at Aarhus,

Denmark, from 3rd to 11th October.

Following the draw for the premier team

event made in Kuala Lumpur, India is in

Group ‘C’ with host Denmark, Germany and

Algeria in the Thomas Cup.

In the Uber Cup, the Indian women are in

Group ‘D’ in the company of China, France

and Germany.

BCCI suspends title sponsorship deal with Vivo

for upcoming IPL

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has

suspended the title sponsorship deal with Chinese

mobile phone company Vivo for the upcoming

edition of the Indian Premier League.

Vivo will not be associated with the IPL this

year.

VIVO had won the IPL title sponsorship for

five years from 2018 to 2022 for a reported

sum of 2190 crore rupees.

The IPL this year has been shifted to the UAE

because of the prevailing COVID-19

situation in India.

The tournament will be held from September

19 to November 10 amid COVID-19

protocols laid down by the ICC and BCCI.

India to host 2021 T20 World Cup, 2022 edition

in Australia

India will remain hosts of the 2021 Twenty20 World

Cup while Australia will host this year's postponed

tournament in 2022.

The ICC also confirmed the women's 50-over

World Cup that was scheduled to be held in

New Zealand in February-March next year

has been postponed to 2022.

This year's T20 World Cup was scheduled to

be held in Australia in October-November

but the tournament was postponed due to the

logistical challenges of staging the 16-team

event amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the

travel restrictions in place.

Hockey team captain Manpreet Singh, players

tested COVID-19 positive

Indian men’s hockey team captain Manpreet Singh,

defenders Surender Kumar, Jaskaran Singh and drag

flicker Varun Kumar have tested positive for Covid

19.

All players camping in SAI Bengaluru

campus are in self quarantine as their test

results are awaited.

The players had returned to the national

hockey camp in Bengaluru following a

month-long break.

The hockey camp is being held in the

National Centre of Excellence in SAI,

Bengaluru.

10 athletes who had travelled along with the

other members have also undergone RT-PCR

test.

Golfer Chawrasia tests positive for Covid-19

Ace Indian golfer SSP Chawrasia has tested positive

for Covid-19 and is in home quarantine.

A four-time winner on the European Tour,

including back-to-back Indian Open

triumphs in 2016 and 2017, Chawrasia had

started training at the Royal Calcutta Golf

Course and was slated to fly to England this

week.

He is a four-time winner on the European

Tour, including back-to-back Indian Open

triumphs in 2016 and 2017.

INOX Group to sponsor Indian team for Tokyo

Olympics

The INOX group will be the official sponsor of the

Indian team for the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics.

The Tokyo Olympics was rescheduled to next

year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will be held from July 23 to August 8 in

2021.

As part of the partnership the Group will also

support the team's promotions through its

entertainment company INOX Leisure

Limited, which owns a chain of multiplexes

in the country.

MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina quit International

Cricket

Former Indian Cricket Team Skipper Mahendra

Singh Dhoni announced his retirement from

International Cricket.

In a social media post, he thanked everyone for

their immense support and love throughout his

career.

Under his captaincy, India won the 2007 ICC

World Twenty-Twenty, the 2010 and 2016 Asia

Cups, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the

2013 ICC Champions Trophy.

A right-handed middle-order batsman and

wicket-keeper, Dhoni is one of the highest run

scorers in One Day Internationals (ODIs) with a

formidable score of more than 10 thousand runs.

Suresh Raina, another Indian Cricketer has also

announced his retirement from International

Cricket.

In a social media post, he said, it was always a

pleasure to play along with Dhoni and following

Dhoni's retirement, he also chose to retire from

International Cricket.

Lewis Hamilton wins Spanish Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton dominated the Spanish Grand Prix

to take his fourth victory in six races so far this year.

The Mercedes driver led every lap from pole

position and was simply too fast for Red

Bull's Max Verstappen, who was unable to

challenge.

Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas took

third.

It was the 88th victory of Hamilton's career

and he is now just three from Michael

Schumacher's all-time record of wins.

It was also his 156th podium finish, a new

record, beating the previous mark, also held

by Schumacher.

Dream11 wins IPL 2020 title sponsorship rights

with bid of Rs 222 crore

Fantasy gaming platform Dream11 has won the IPL

title sponsorship rights with a bid of 222 crore

rupees.

IPL Chairman Brijesh Patel has informed that

the deal will be valid for four and a half

months, ending December 2020.

Dream11 will replace VIVO after the

Chinese mobile phone maker suspended its

deal owing to a border stand-off between

India and China.

Two education technology companies,

BYJUs and Unacademy were also in the race

with bids of 201 crore and 170 crore rupees

respectively.

IPL 2020 starts on 19th September in the

UAE.

Rohit Sharma among 4 athletes recommended for

Khel Ratna Award

Cricketer Rohit Sharma is among the 4 athletes who

have been recommended for India's highest sporting

honour, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.

Along with Rohit Sharma, Asian Games gold

medalist Vinesh Phogat, table tennis

champion Manika Batra and Paralympic gold

medalist Mariappan Thangavelu have been

recommended for the Khel Ratna Awards.

The Khel Ratna Award is given to an athlete

for his, or her, spectacular performance for

the country at the highest level over a period

of four years.

Athletes were also recommended for the

prestigious Arjuna award this year in the

meeting of the selection panel. Indian cricket

team fast bowler Ishant Sharma, wrestler

Sakshi Malik and kabaddi player Deepak

Hooda are among those recommended for the

Arjuna award.

Ronnie O’Sullivan wins World Snooker

Championship 2020

Ronnie O’Sullivan defeated Kyren Wilson with a

score of 18-8 to win the World Snooker

Championship 2020.

He has claimed his sixth World

Championship title at Sheffield’s Crucible

Theatre.

With his victory, Ronnie O’Sullivan has also

become the oldest winner of the World

Snooker Championship since Reardon, who

was 45 in 1978.

He has also advanced to the second spot in

the world rankings behind last year’s

champion Judd Trump.

Kallis, Sthalekar and Zaheer Abbas inducted into

ICC Cricket Hall of Fame

Legendary South African all-rounder Jaques Kallis,

Pakistan batting great Zaheer Abbas and Pune-born

former Australian captain Lisa Sthalekar were

inducted into the International Cricket Council's Hall

of Fame.

Among the finest all-rounders to play the

game, Kallis represented South Africa in 166

Tests, 328 ODIs and 25 T20s between 1995

and 2014.

Remarkably, he is the only player to score at

least 10,000 runs and take at least 250

wickets in both Test and ODI cricket.

Zaheer Abbas played 78 Tests and 62 ODIs

for Pakistan, accumulating 5062 and 2572

runs respectively.

Kallis is the fourth South African player to be

inducted into the Hall of Fame and Abbas the

sixth from Pakistan.

Sthalekar represented Australia in eight

Tests, 125 ODIs and 54 T20s.

Sthalekar is the 27th from Australia and the

ninth woman player in the list, which

includes five from her country.

First female golfer from Germany Sophia Popov

wins Women’s British Open

World number 304 Sophia Popov became the first

female golfer from Germany to capture a major title

after winning the Women's British Open by two

strokes at Royal Troon in Scotland.

Thailand's Jasmine Suwannapura was the

runner-up after shooting 67.

It completed one of the most unlikely wins in

the tournament's history.

Bayern Munich beat Paris Saint-Germain to win

UEFA Champions League

German professional sports club Bayern Munich

won the UEFA Champions League 2019-20 title by

defeating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0.

The final was played in Lisbon, Portugal.

Bayern Munich has become the first

European Cup winners who won all their

matches during the tournament.

This is the sixth European Champions

League title for Bayern Munich.

Eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt

tests positive for coronavirus

World-record sprinter and eight-time Olympic gold

medalist Usain Bolt has tested positive for the

coronavirus.

He is self-isolating at his home in Jamaica

after last week celebrating his 34th birthday

with a big bash mask-free.

He is a world record holder in the 100 metres,

200 metres and 4 × 100 metres relay.

Bolt improved upon his second 100 m world

record of 9.69 with 9.58 seconds in 2009.

He has twice broken the 200 metres world

record, setting 19.30 in 2008 and 19.19 in

2009.

England pacer James Anderson becomes 1st fast

bowler in history to take 600 Test wickets

England pacer James Anderson became the first fast

bowler in history to take 600 Test wickets.

The 38-year-old was seven wickets away

from the feat when he started playing the

third Test against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl.

On Day 5 of the match, he dismissed Pakistan

batsman Azhar Ali to claim his 600th wicket.

Muttiah Muralitharan with 800, Shane Warne

with 708 and Anil Kumble with 619 wickets

are the only other bowlers - all spinners - who

remain ahead of Anderson on the all-time list

of wicket-takers.

India plans to host BRICS Games during Khelo

India Games in 2021

India is planning to host BRICS Games 2021, which

will be aligned with the Khelo India Games

scheduled for next year.

India will get the chairmanship of the five-

nation independent international group in

2021.

BRICS Games 2021 will be held during the

same time and at the same venues as of Khelo

India Games 2021 so that our players from

various parts of the country who will gather

for Khelo India Games will have the benefit

of witnessing BRICS Games from close

quarters.

Legendary tennis pair Bryan brothers announce

retirement

The Bryan brothers, tennis’s most successful doubles

pair, have announced retirement, effective

immediately.

Identical twins Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan,

now 42, are leaving the sport in the same way

they had won tournament after tournament in

a decade spanning three decades — together.

The Bryans were not on the entry list for the

US Open released last week.

The brother’s pair captured an Open Era

record with 119 trophies in 26 seasons which

comprises all four Grand Slams, all nine ATP

Masters 1000s as well as the Olympic gold

medal.

Alexander Kristoff wins opening stage of Tour de

France

Alexander Kristoff won the opening stage of the

Tour de France, the annual multiple stage bicycle

race.

Rain made the roads treacherous and led to

several crashes.

The Tour de France rolled out from the

French Riviera city of Nice, two months later

than planned and under the shadow of the

coronavirus pandemic.

Since its inception in 1903, the race has only

been canceled during the two world wars.

The Tour de France is an annual men's

multiple stage bicycle race primarily held in

France, while also occasionally passing

through nearby countries.

It consists of 21 day-long stages over the

course of 23 days.

It has been described as "the world’s most

prestigious and most difficult bicycle race.

Dwayne Bravo becomes first bowler to scalp 500

wickets in T20 cricket

West Indies All-Rounder, Dwayne John Bravo

became the first bowler in cricket to scalp 500

wickets in Twenty20 matches.

He achieved the feat in the Caribbean

Premier League (CPL) 2020 match between

his team Trinbago Knight Riders and St

Lucia Zouks.

Bravo took the wicket of Rahkeem Cornwall

(18) to register his 500th wicket. Dwayne

Bravo achieved the feat in his 459th match in

the shortest format.

Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga is the second-

highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket with 389

scalps from 339 matches followed by Sunil

Narine (383), Imran Tahir (374), and Sohail

Tanvir (356).

Lewis Hamilton wins Belgian GP

Lewis Hamilton has won the Formula One Belgian

Grand Prix 2020.

This was his 5th win of the season.

Valtteri Bottas came second followed by Max

Verstappen at third place.

Lewis Hamilton is 2 wins short of Michael

Schumacher’s all-time record 91

India, Russia declared joint winners of 2020

Online FIDE Chess Olympiad

India and Russia were declared joint winners of the

2020 Online FIDE Chess Olympiad after the final

was marred by internet disconnection.

Russia were initially declared winners after

two Indian players, Nihal Sarin and Divya

Deshmukh, lost out on time in the final after

suffering a disconnection with the server.

India had appealed against the controversial

decision.

However, the international chess federation

Fide's president Arkady Dvorkovich decided

to award the gold medal to both the teams.

This was the first time Fide was holding the

Olympiad in an online format.

India had reached the finals of the FIDE

Chess Olympiad for the first time.

Former President Lee Teng-hui, who helped birth

Taiwan’s democracy, Dies

Former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui has died.

He was 97.

He brought direct elections and other

democratic changes to the self-governed

island despite missile launches and other

fierce saber-rattling by China.

He was also considered as the “father of

Taiwan’s democracy”.

He served as president of Taiwan from 1988

to 2000.

Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh passes away

Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, who was

admitted to a hospital in Singapore, passed away.

He was ailing for the past few months. He had

earlier undergone a kidney transplant

surgery.

Amar Singh was born in Azamgarh district of

Uttar Pradesh.

A former General Secretary of the Samajwadi

Party, was once known to be very close to the

party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and his

Brother Shivpal Yadav.

However, in 2010, Amar Singh resigned from

all party posts and was soon expelled from

the party.

He was later inducted in the party but his

second stint with the SP came to an end after

he was expelled from the Akhilesh Yadav-led

party again in 2017.

Andhra Pradesh ex-minister Manikyala Rao dies

of Covid-19

Andhra Pradesh former minister and BJP senior

leader M Manikyala Rao succumbed to Covid-19

infection.

He struggled for almost one month before

passing away.

He joined the district Covid-19 hospital in

Eluru, West Godavari district. He was shifted

to a private hospital as he was facing serious

breathing problems.

Rao (59) had served as endowments minister

in N Chandrababu Naidu cabinet between

2014 and 2018.

Former Maharashtra CM Shivajirao Patil

Nilangekar passes away

Former Maharashtra chief minister Shivajirao Patil

Nilangekar died after a brief illness.

He recently tested coronavirus positive but

had recovered and was discharged after

testing negative.

Nilangekar, senior Congress leader from

Latur in Marathwada region, was the state

chief minister from June 1985 to March 1986.

He resigned from the post when the Bombay

high court passed strictures against him after

fraud was alleged in the results of the MD

examination in 1985.

Former Union Home Secretary & Arunachal

Pradesh Governor, Ram Pradhan passes away

The former Union Home Secretary Ram Pradhan has

passed away due to age-related ailments.

Mr Pradhan served as the governor of

Arunachal Pradesh during the Rajiv Gandhi

government.

Pradhan was an IAS officer of the

Maharashtra cadre.

He also headed a two-member committee set

up in December 2008 to probe the security

forces’ response to the 26/11 Mumbai terror

attack.

Renowned TV actor Sameer Sharma passes away

Sameer Sharma, a 44-year-old television actor, was

found dead in his Malad apartment. Malad police

officials said that the actor died by suicide.

The actor had also appeared in the shows

Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki and Kyunki Saas Bhi

Kabhi Bahu Thi, Jyoti, Iss Pyaar Ko Kya

Naam Du, and Left Right Left, among others.

He is also listed as a cast member in films

such as Hasee Toh Phasee and Ittefaq.

Veteran CPIM leader Shyamal Chakraborty dies

of Coronavirus in Kolkata

Veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader

and former West Bengal Minister Shyamal

Chakraborty died of Corona infection in Kolkata.He

was 77.

Shyamal Chakraborty was elected four times

consecutively in the State Assembly since

1981.

He was Transport Minister in the Jyoti Basu

cabinet in the State. He was also elected in

Rajya Sabha.

Shyamal Chakraborty was also the State

President of CITU and member of the Central

Committee of CPIM till his death.

Senior Congress leader Nandi Yellaiah passes

away

Senior Congress leader and former Vice President of

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC)

Nandi Yellaiah passed away.

Nandi Yellaiah died while taking treatment at

the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences in

Hyderabad.

He had tested positive for Coronavirus 10

days ago.

Yellaiah was a six-time member of Lok

Sabha and served as the MP of Nagarkurnool

constituency till 2019.

He was elected as the Lok Sabha MP from

Siddipet five times before he won as the MP

from Nagarkurnool in 2014. He was also a

member of Rajya Sabha twice.

Former India and Mohun Bagan football player

Manitombi passes away

Former India defender and Mohun Bagan captain

Manitombi Singh passed away.

He played for Mohun Bagan and was part of

the Hindustan FC team that won the Delhi

Soccer Association league title in 2010.

He was part of the team that won the LG Cup

in Vietnam under the captaincy of Bhaichung

Bhutia.

He also donned the Indian colours at the

Busan Asian Games later in the year.

Former WWE wrestler James 'Kamala' Harris

dies at 70

Former WWE wrestler James Harris has died at age

70.

Harris, who performed in the ring as Kamala,

made his WWF debut in 1984.

In a career that spanned more than two

decades, Harris battled many of wrestling's

superstars, including Hulk Hogan, The

Undertaker and Andre the Giant.

James Harris wrestled in the Mid-South,

World Class Championship Wrestling,

WCW and WWE.

Renowned lyricist & poet Rahat Indori passes

away

In Madhya Pradesh, noted Urdu poet and lyricist

Rahat Indori died of cardiac arrest in Indore. He was

also tested positive for COVID-19.

With a 50-year career in poetry, Indori was

known for the lyrics of hit films like

Munnabhai MBBS, Kareeb, Ghatak and Ishq.

Indori did his schooling from Nutan School

in Indore and his graduation from Islamia

Karimia College, Indore.

Rahat Sahab had faced poverty in his

childhood, so in his words people could see

the truth of life.

Veteran sports journalist GK Menon passes away

Veteran sports journalist GK Menon died in

Mumbai. He was 93 and.

He worked with the Indian Express and The

Times of India and ended his freelance career

in the early 1990s.

Menon played cricket at the club level and

also was an active member of the Shivaji Park

Gymkhana in Dadar, central Mumbai.

He was manager of the 1952-53 Bombay

University team which won the Rohinton

Baria Trophy by beating Delhi in the final at

Bengaluru.

Malayalam poet-lyricist Chunakkara

Ramankutty passes away

Poet and lyricist Chunakkara Ramankutty who made

a special place in the hearts of music lovers with the

romantic hit song 'Devadaru Poothu' for the movie

'Engane Nee Marakkum' in the year 1983, passed

away.

Ramankutty started writing poems as a

teenager for the student magazine of NSS

College Pandalam where he graduated in

Malayalam.

His break in movies came with the song

‘Apsara kanyaka’ from the movie Ashramam

released in 1978.

Ramankutty wrote over 215 songs for 76

movies. His career peaked in 1984 when he

wrote 32 songs in that year.

Former India cricketer Chetan Chauhan passes

away

Former India cricketer Chetan Chauhan, 73, passed

away after suffering a heart attack.

Chauhan, who was also a minister in the Uttar

Pradesh government, tested positive for

COVID-19 in early July.

Considered one of the courageous batsmen of

Indian cricket, Chauhan featured in 40 Test

matches and seven ODIs.

He will, however, be remembered as Sunil

Gavaskar's partner in numerous Tests in the

1970s and early 1980s.

Chauhan and Gavaskar scored over 3,000

runs together with 10 century stands in Tests.

He was a Lok Sabha MP twice.

Music legend Pandit Jasraj passes away in US at

the age of 90

Music legend Pandit Jasraj passed away at the age of

90.

Pandit Jasraj was an Indian classical vocalist,

belonging to the Mewati gharana.

He was a recipient of the Padma Shri (1975),

Padma Bhushan (1990) and Padma

Vibhushan (2000).

Back in 2019, a minor planet, between Mars

and Jupiter, was named after the famed

musician.

Film-maker Nishikant Kamat passes away

Renowned film-maker Nishikant Kamat passed

away.

The 50-year-old had been battling liver

cirrhosis for two years.

Nishikant had directed some popular

Bollywood movies like Force, Drishyam and

Madaari.

In 2005 his Marathi movie Dombivali Fast

won the National Film Award for Best

Feature Film in Marathi.

Former cricketer Gopalaswamy Kasturirangan

dies

Veteran cricketer Gopalaswamy Kasturirangan died

due to heart attack.

Kasturirangan, 89, was a former cricketer-

administrator and the BCCI curator.

He had mostly played his matches for Mysore

in Ranji Trophy as the right-arm medium

pace bowler from 1948 to 1963.

Kasturirangan had represented the then

"MYSORE" team in the Ranji Trophy match

in the year 1948 -49 to 1962-63 for

Karnataka.

Former Congo president Pascal Lissouba dies at

88

Former Congolese president Pascal Lissouba died in

France at the age of 88.

He was president of the Republic of Congo -

also called Congo-Brazzaville, to distinguish

it from the neighbouring Democratic

Republic of Congo (DRC) - from 1992 to

1997.

He fled the country after being overthrown in

a civil war by the current president, Denis

Sassou Nguesso, who had lost the country's

first multi-party elections in 1992.

Democratic Republic of the Congo capital:

Kinshasa

Republic of the Congo: capital Brazzaville.

Renowned singer Archana Mahanta passed away

Noted Assamese singer and popular singer Angaraag

‘Papon’ Mahanta’s mother Archana Mahanta passed.

The 72-year-old singer, wife of popular

Assamese singer late Khagen Mahanta, had

been undergoing treatment after suffering a

brain stroke on July 14.

Archana Mahanta and her husband Khagen

Mahanta, who was known as ‘Bihu King’,

used to be a hugely popular couple known for

their renditions of Bihu and traditional folk

songs of Assam.

Khagen Mahanta passed away in June 2014.

‘Black Panther’ star Chadwick Boseman passes

away

Black Panther actor, Chadwick Boseman passed

away after a four-year battle with colon cancer.

He made his acting debut in the TV series

“All My Children” in 2003.

He made his big-screen debut in 2008 in the

biopic The Express: The Ernie Davis Story

where he played Floyd Little.

He played the famous Black Panther role in

the Marvel cinematic universe.

‘Scooby Doo’ co-creator Joe Ruby passes away

Joe Ruby, the co-creator of the cartoon series

Scooby-Doo, has passed away due to natural causes.

Ruby, an American animator, television

editor, writer, and producer, created the

much-loved characters of beloved kids show

Scooby-Doo, along with his creative partner

Ken Spears.

Together, the pair started their own

production company Hanna-Barbera

Productions and created other memorable

cartoons as well.

Bihar CM released book "Siyasat Mein

Sadasyata" by Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar released a book -

"Siyasat Mein Sadasyata" .

Written by Bihar Assembly Speaker Vijay

Kumar Choudhary.

The book published by Bihar Assembly

Secretariat is a compilation of Choudhary''s

views, three dozen articles on different

important issues and his life journey.

It also mentions various developmental

works in different sectors and welfare

measures taken by Nitish Kumar government

in Bihar.

The book "Siyasat Mein Sadasyata" has also

talked about various other important

activities of assembly, successful completion

of 6th Commonwealth Parliamentary

Association (CPA) India Region, Prohibition

law, debate on climate change, reforms in the

procedure and business advisory rules of the

assembly.

Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and

Smriti Irani launch the book ‘Swachh Bharat

Kranti’

The book “The Swachh Bharat Revolution”, edited

by Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary of Department of

Drinking Water and Sanitation has been translated

into Hindi and published as the Swachh Bharat

Kranti.

The book was officially launched by Union

Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh

Shekhawat, and Union Minister of Textiles

and Women & Child Development Smriti

Irani in New Delhi.

The Swachh Bharat Kranti captures the

remarkable journey of the SBM through 35

essays by a diverse range of stakeholders and

contributors to the SBM, sharing their

perspective on this social revolution.

Biography of India’s youngest Basketball captain

‘Vishesh Bhriguvanshi’

The inspirational story on the life of Vishesh

Bhriguvanshi, India’s youngest basketball team

captain, is set to be released on August 29, the

National Sports Day.

The book, titled “Vishesh: Code To Win”,

has been written by sportswoman-turned-

author Nirupama Yadav and published by the

publishing house Bluerose.

The book narrates the mindset of a basketball

player in a cricket-dominated nation and

brings to light the strenuous journey of the 29

year-old Bhriguvanshi, for becoming the

captain against all odds.

Bhriguvanshi hails from Varanasi, Uttar

Pradesh and has been playing for India since

2007. He first became the captain of the

Indian team in 2010.

‘RAW: A History of India’s Covert Operations’

authored by Yatish Yadav launched

The new book, titled “RAW: A History of India’s

Covert Operations”, has been launched.

The book gives a peep into the heroic covert

operations carried by India’s external spy

agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

The book has been written by investigative

journalist and author Yatish Yadav. It has

been published by Westland.

The book provides a deeper insight and

understanding of how covert operations are

carried out in the uncharted territory.

Book chronicling 3rd year in office of Vice

President M. Venkaiah Naidu release

A book chronicling the third year in office of Vice

President M. Venkaiah Naidu titled ‘Connecting,

Communicating, Changing’ was released by Defence

Minister Rajnath Singh.

The electronic version of the book (e-book)

will be launched by Information and

Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar.

The book which runs into more than 250

pages has been brought out by the

Publications Division of the Ministry of

Information and Broadcasting.

The book captures through words and

pictures the variegated activities of the Vice

President, including his travels in India and

abroad.

It provides a glimpse of his interactions with

farmers, scientists, doctors, youth,

administrators, industry leaders and artists,

among others.

Penguin announces Sudha Murthy’s next book

‘Grandparents’ Bag of Stories’ on her 70th

birthday

Penguin Random House announced a new children’s

book by author and philanthropist Sudha Murthy to

mark her 70th birthday.

The publishing house is coming out with her

latest collection of short stories, titled

‘Grandparents’ Bag of Stories’, which is

scheduled to be released in November 2020.

The book will be a sequel to one of the

author’s bestselling book of stories titled

Grandma’s Bag of Stories.

The book has sold approximately 3 lakh

copes so far.

The new children’s book will feature 20

stories by Murty.

The stories were penned to entertain children

who found themselves “homebound during

these days, without school and holiday plans”

amid the pandemic.

Author Chetan Bhagat's ‘One Arrange Murder’

to hit stands in September

A book titled ‘One Arranged Murder’ authored by

Chetan Bhagat will be released globally on

September 28, 2020.

It will be Bhagat’s ninth novel and 11th book

overall. His last release was The Girl in

Room 105.

“‘One Arranged Murder’ is a gripping

murder mystery set in a backdrop of an

arranged marriage.

Beside Bhagat’s two non-fiction titles, What

Young India Wants (2012) and Making India

Awesome (2015), his previous works of

fiction include Five Point Someone (2004),

One Night @ the Call Center (2005), The 3

Mistakes of My Life (2008), 2 States (2009),

Revolution 2020 (2011), Half Girlfriend

(2014) and One Indian Girl (2016).

Army Chief MM Naravane Releases Book On

National Security

Army Chief General MM Naravane released a book

titled "National Security Challenges: Young

Scholars' Perspective" penned by university students.

The book was published by the Army think-

tank Centre for Land Warfare Studies

(CLAWS).

The authors all university students ranging

from the undergraduate level to doctoral

candidates have written on varied themes

concerning national security.

The book is a tribute to Field Marshal

Manekshaw, the great grand strategist of

1971 Indo-Pakistan War that resulted in the

liberation of Bangladesh.

J & K LG Manoj Sinha releases 2 Coffee Table

Books at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar

In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha released two

Coffee Table Books, one for Labour & Employment

Department and another for J&K Entrepreneurship

Development(JKEDI) Institute.

The Coffee Table Book of Labour &

Employment Department also highlights the

labour reforms.

Further, the Coffee Table Book of J&K EDI

book highlights the inspirational

entrepreneur journey of 50 young boys and

girls across the Union Territory of Jammu

and Kashmir.

Quiz August 2020

Q. Which of the following countries chaired the 6th

BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting?

Brazil

Russia

China

India

South Africa

Q. India Muslim women's rights day is observed on

________.

29 July

30 July

31 July

01 August

02 August

Q. Which of the following has become the first

Central Armed Police Force to have supplies from

the Khadi & Village Industries Commission, KVIC?

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)

Border Security Force (BSF)

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)

Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)

Q. Films Division will pay tribute to Munshi

Premchand and Mohammad Rafi with a

documentary. Who among the following is the

director of the documentary ‘Premchand’?

Manoj Sharma

Sachin D Rastogi

P C Sharma

Manoj Desai

None of these

Q. Recently, The Asian Development Bank has

signed an 200 million dollar financing deal with

Reliance for the development of a power plant in

_______.

Sri Lanka

Bangladesh

Nepal

Myanmar

Iran

Q. Which of the following states will start the ‘Ek

Mask-Anek Zindagi’ public awareness campaign?

Tamil Nadu

Kerala

Madhya Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh

Bihar

Q. In June 2020, the eight core industries' output

shrinks ________.

5%

8%

12%

15%

17%

Q. Recently, Hamed Bakayoko has been named as

the prime minister of _______.

Ivory Coast

Burundi

Malawi

Uganda

Rwanda

Q. Who among the following has been appointed as

the new Director General of Gujarat Police?

Siddhant Shukla

Shri Hari

Ashish Bhatia

Keshav Bahadur

None of these

Q. Recently, Lee Teng-hui passed away. He is

known as the father of which of the following

country’s democracy?

Thailand

Taiwan

Singapore

Vietnam

None of these

Q. World Breastfeeding Week is being observed

from _______ to _______.

30 July, 5 August

31 July, 6 August

1 August, 7 August

2 August, 8 August

3 August, 9 August

Q. Which of the following platform has started the

Atma Nirbhar Bharat Logo Design Contest on its

website?

Pencil.gov.in

MyGov.in

UMANG

DIKSHA

None of these

Q. All of the states will be covered under One Nation

One Ration card by ________.

31 September 2020

30 November 2020

31 January 2021

31 March 2021

31 July 2021

Q. Who among the following gave the slogan of

'Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it'?

Dadabhai Naoroji

Lala Lajpat Rai

Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Bipin Chandra Pal

Q. Who among the following recently launched

'Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan 2020-21’?

Dr Harsh Vardhan

Prakash Javadekar

Ramesh Pokhriyal

Ravi Shankar Prasad

None of these

Q. Which of the following state has announced free

travel concession to women in government buses on

the occasion of Raksha Bandhan for fourth year?

Haryana

Uttar Pradesh

Bihar

Madhya Pradesh

Rajasthan

Q. Which of the following state celebrated its

monsoon festival ‘Aadi Perukku’?

Karnataka

Telangana

Tamil Nadu

Kerala

Manipur

Q. Asia's largest dairy, Banas dairy has come up

with an innovative project to produce CNG from

animal dung. Banas dairy is in ________.

Karnataka

Rajasthan

Punjab

Gujarat

Madhya Pradesh

Q. Northern Railway ran the first-ever Vyapar Mala

Express train carrying Rice and Pulses, destined for

Jirania in ________.

Assam

Kerala

Tripura

Odisha

West Bengal

Q. Which of the following ecommerce company is

supporting artisans in India through its ‘Samart’h

programme?

Flipkart

Paytm

Amazon

Snapdeal

None of these

Q. Which of the following country has become the

first country in Arab World to produce nuclear

energy?

Oman

Saudi Arabia

UAE

Bahrain

None of these

Q. World Sanskrit Day 2020 was observed on

________.

01 August

02 August

03 August

04 August

None of these

Q. Recently, DCGI gave permission to which of the

following to conduct phase 2 and 3 human clinical

trials of Corona vaccine developed by Oxford

university?

Biocon

Serum Institute of India

Indian Council of Medical Research

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research

None of these

Q. Swachh Bharat Mission was launched in the year

_______.

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Q. Who among the following is known as the

designer of India’s national flag?

Pingali Venkayya

Bhikaiji Cama

Badruddin Tyabji

Tanguturi Prakasam

None of these

Q. Recently, BS Yediyurappa has been tested

positive for COVID-19. He is serving as the Chief

Minister of _______.

Kerala

Karnataka

Tamil Nadu

Andhra Pradesh

None of these

Q. Which of the following state will provide meals

at ₹8 under Indira Rasoi Yojana?

Maharashtra

West Bengal

Madhya Pradesh

Karnataka

Rajasthan

Q. Which of the following state launched e-

Rakshabandhan program to create awareness among

the public on cybercrimes?

Madhya Pradesh

Tamil Nadu

Andhra Pradesh

Assam

Bihar

Q. Which of the following banks has launched the

‘Kona Kona Umeed’ Campaign?

ICICI Bank

Axis Bank

Kotak Mahindra Bank

HDFC Bank

None of these

Q. Who among the following has recently won the

British Grand Prix 2020?

Max Verstappen

Valtteri Bottas

Lewis Hamilton

Charles Leclerc

None of these

Q. Which of the following has ensured essential

immunization services during COVID pandemic?

eVIN

eNIT

eIMP

eNIP

None of these

Q. Which of the following state/UT has launched an

E-Gyan Mitra mobile app for online education?

Delhi

Chandigarh

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

Maharashtra

None of these

Q. It is the first step in removing barriers between

arts, sciences and Technology, Which of the

following institutes has started an MA programme in

English Literature?

IIT Delhi

NIT Trichy

IIT Kanpur

NIT Rourkela

IIT Madras

Q. Which of the following city has emerged as the

best Indian city in CCTV Surveillance?

Delhi

Kolkata

Hyderabad

Mumbai

None of these

Q. Irfaan Ali has been sworn in as president of

Guyana. What is the capital of Guyana?

Georgetown

Tirana

Pristina

Yerevan

None of these

Q. Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has

approved ________ as the next chief executive

officer of HDFC Bank.

Sachin Deorai

Jagdeesh Mohan

Shashidhar Jagdishan

Nandan Tripathi

None of these

Q. Which of the following statements is true with

reference to IPL 13.

The 13th edition of the league will commence from

September 19 to November 10.

The squad size of each franchise is capped at 24

players.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah will be the three

venues of the tournament.

I and II

I only

II and III

III only

I, II and III

Q. India recently withdrew from the women's world

team Squash championship scheduled in ________.

Singapore

Kuala Lumpur

Bangkok

Taipei

None of these

Q. Thomas Cup & Uber Cup are associated with

________.

Football

Badminton

Volleyball

Golf

None of these

Q. Recently, Manikyala Rao passed away. He was

a/an ________.

Journalist

Politician

Actor

Filmmaker

None of these

Q. Recently a massive blast shakes Beirut. Beirut is

the capital city of _________.

Jordan

Lebanon

Egypt

Syria

None of these

Q. Recently, Dharmendra Pradhan has been tests

positive for COVID-19. He holds the portfolio of

_________ in the current cabinet.

Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers

Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

Minister of Rural Development

Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment

Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Q. Recently which of the following railways loads

onions in goods trains for its transportation to

Bangladesh?

Western Railways

Eastern Railway

Southern Railway

South Western Railway

None of these

Q. Which of the following state is organising the 'Ek

Mask-Anek Zindagi' campaign?

Uttar Pradesh

Karnataka

Madhya Pradesh

Tamil Nadu

Assam

Q. Recently, the HRD Minister lays the foundation

stone of IIM at Dhaula Kuan in ________.

Bathinda

Sirmour

Almora

Gurdaspur

None of these

Q. Security of Kushak Bakula Rinpoche Airport has

been handed over to CISF. Kushak Bakula Rinpoche

Airport is in ________.

Bathinda

Leh

Saiha

Darjeeling

None of these

Q. Recently the National Bank of Bahrain has

selected which of the following Indian IT company

for digital transformation?

Infosys

TCS

Wipro

HCL

None of the above

Q. Who among the following chaired the 1st General

Council meeting of Khelo India Scheme?

Amit Shah

Kiren Rijiju

Prakash Javadekar

Ramesh Pokhriyal

None of the above

Q. Recently, Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar passed

away. He was the former Chief Minister of

________.

Bihar

Tamil Nadu

Maharashtra

Assam

Punjab

Q. Recently, the book, titled “Vishesh: Code To

Win” based on the life of Vishesh Bhriguvanshi is all

set to be released. Vishesh Bhriguvanshi is

associated with ________.

Football

Basketball

Hockey

Volleyball

None of these

Q. Which of the following countries recently

conducted tests for its Minuteman 3 Intercontinental

Ballistic Missile?

Russia

China

US

Japan

France

Q. Japan dropped the atomic bomb ‘Little Boy’ on

Hiroshima in the year ________.

1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

Q. Recently India has contributed ________ to the

India-UN Development Partnership Fund.

$11.21 million

$13.65 million

$15.46 million

$19.33 million

None of these

Q. Recently, India has extended Line of Credit

worth 18 million dollars for the expansion of its

fishing facilities?

Vietnam

Sri Lanka

Maldives

Myanmar

None of these

Q. India’s first ICMR approved mobile RTPCR

COVID lab, Mobile Infection Testing and Reporting

lab, MITR has been developed by ________.

Indian Space Research Organisation

Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru

Defence Research and Development Organisation

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Q. Which of the following state’s chief minister has

launched Parivar Pehchan Patra in the state?

Assam

Bihar

Assam

Haryana

Himachal Pradesh

Q. Which of the following telecom company has

announced a multi-year strategic pact with Amazon

Web Services (AWS) to deliver Cloud solutions to

large as well as small and medium enterprise (SME)

customers in India?

Bharti Airtel

Jio

BSNL

Vodafone Idea

None of these

Q. Who among the following has been appointed as

the new Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and

Kashmir?

Rajdeep Kumar

Manoj Sinha

Satish Chaudhary

YD Kashyap

None of these

Q. Who among the following got an 18 months’

extension as Securities and Exchange Board of India

(SEBI) chairman?

Surjeet Singh Deswal

Arvind Kumar

Yogesh Chander Modi

Ajay Tyagi

None of these

Q. Recently, Ram Pradhan passed away. He served

as the governor of which of the following Indian

state?

Assam

Bihar

Uttar Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh

Gujarat

Q. Sri Lanka People’s party (SLPP) lead by

________ won a clear majority in the recent general

elections.

Sajith Premadasa

Ranil Wickremesinghe

Mahinda Rajapaksa

Maithripala Sirisena

None of these

Q. National Handloom Day in India is observed

every year on _________.

05 August

06 August

07 August

08 August

09 August

Q. India's first Kisan Special Parcel Train has been

started between Devlali to ________.

Raiganj

Danapur

Jogendranagar

Rishikesh

None of these

Q. Recently, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and

Customs (CBIC) has directed Customs to check

safety of explosives in warehouses, ports. Who

among the following is the current chairperson of

CBIC?

Rishi Kumar Shukla

Arvind Kumar

M Ajit Kumar

Vinai Kumar Saxena

None of these

Q. Which of the following state will launch the YSR

Cheyutha scheme?

Manipur

Karnataka

Tamil Nadu

Telangana

Andhra Pradesh

Q. In a recent decision by the monetary policy

committee RBI decided to leave the policy repo rate

unchanged at _________.

3.25%

3.45%

3.75%

4%

4.15%

Q. Who among the following has been appointed as

the new Comptroller and Auditor General of India?

Samant Goel

Girish Chandra Murmu

Devendra Kumar Joshi

Manoj Sinha

None of these

Q. Which of the following institute has bagged the

1st prize in Smart India Hackathon, SIH, 2020?

Army Institute of Technology

College Of Engineering Pune

Defence Institute of Advanced Technology

Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology

Institute of Chemical Technology

Q. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

has suspended the title sponsorship deal with which

of the following company for the upcoming edition

of the Indian Premier League?

Pepsi

Byju’s

Vivo

Oppo

Jio

Q. Recently, Sameer Sharma passed away. He was

a/an ________.

Politician

Author

Actor

Cricketer

Child activist

Q. Who among the following is the author of the

book ‘RAW: A History of India’s Covert

Operations’?

Sanjay Pathak

Manoj Aggarwal

Yatish Yadav

Pradeep Vajpayee

Kuljeet Vohra

Q. Which of the following country has decided to

construct a memorial for Indian soldiers martyred in

the 1971 liberation war?

Japan

Maldives

Myanmar

Bangladesh

None of these

Q. Recently, the Export-Import Bank of India has

extended a USD 250-million line of credit to the

following country for improving power supply

quality in the country?

Maldives

Mozambique

Zambia

Myanmar

Angola

Q. The Quit India Movement was launched in the

year ________.

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

Q. Recently, PM Modi inaugurated Rashtriya

Swachhata Kendra in _______.

Agra

New Delhi

Lucknow

Gandhinagar

Ahmedabad

Q. PM Modi will inaugurate submarine Optical

Fibre Cable connecting Port Blair and other places of

Andamna and Nicobar to ________.

Kolkata

Chennai

Puri

Visakhapatnam

Bhubaneshwar

Q. Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy aims to

constitute__________ electric vehicles in the capital

city by 2024.

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Q. Who among the following will head the RBI

panel set up to suggest steps to deal with coronavirus-

related stressed assets?

S D Shibulal

Deepak Parekh

K V Kamath

Swapan Dasgupta

Raghuram Rajan

Q. Who among the following took the oath as

Chairman of Union Public Service Commission

(UPSC)?

Pradeep Kumar Joshi

M Rajeshwar Rao

Rabi Narayan Mishra

Nanda S Dave

None of these

Q. P S Ranipse has been appointed as Inspector

General of ________.

Border Security Force

Railway Protection Force

Indo-Tibetan Border Police

Central Reserve Police Force

None of these

Q. Who among the following administered the oath

of office and secrecy to Manoj Sinha as Lieutenant

Governor of Jammu and Kashmir?

M. Venkaiah Naidu

Om Birla

Gita Mittal

Ram Nath Kovind

R. K. Mathur

Q. World Tribal Day is observed every year on

________.

06 August

07 August

08 August

09 August

10 August

Q. Which of the following country has recently

declared an emergency over an oil spill from a

grounded ship?

Maldives

Laos

Mauritius

Cambodia

Brunei

Q. Mahinda Rajapaksa takes oath as Prime Minister

of Sri Lanka for ________ time.

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

None of these

Q. Kushinagar airport is in ________.

Madhya Pradesh

Bihar

Uttar Pradesh

West Bengal

Gujarat

Q. Who among the following has recently launched

a week-long "Gandagi Mukt Bharat" campaign for

'swachhata' in the run-up to Independence Day?

Amit Shah

Rajnath Singh

Narendra Modi

Arvind Kejriwal

None of these

Q. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has

launched the financing facility of _________ under

the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.

10 thousand crore rupees

20 thousand crore rupees

50 thousand crore rupees

75 thousand crore rupees

1 lakh crore rupees

Q. Recently, National Thermal Power Corporation,

NTPC has achieved over 100 billion units of

cumulative generation in the current financial year.

Who among the following is the current chairman of

NTPC?

Gurdeep Singh

Nalin Shinghal

M V Gowtama

Shrikant Madhav Vaidya

None of these

Q. Who among the following has been appointed as

the new MD & CEO of PNB Housing Finance?

Suman Gill

Tej Pratap Mathur

Hardayal Prasad

Ranjan Tiwari

None of these

Q. Manpreet Singh, Surender Kumar, Jaskaran

Singh has been tested positive for COVID-19. They

are associated with which of the following sports?

Hockey

Football

Volleyball

Kabaddi

None of these

Q. Recently, Nandi Yellaiah passed away. He was

a/an ________.

Actor

Politician

Filmmaker

Singer

Poet

Q. World Biofuel Day is observed every year on

________.

07 August

08 August

09 August

10 August

11 August

Q. According to a recent study, BCG vaccine

stimulates immune responses against Covid-19. The

BCG vaccine is primarily used against ________.

Hepatitis

Rabies

Tuberculosis

Ebola

None of these

Q. Recently, to promote domestic defence

production sector, India has put a ban on the import

of ________ defence items

76

46

101

174

132

Q. Recently, the Food Safety and Standards

Authority of India (FSSAI) has restricted the sale of

junk and unhealthy food within ________ of school

campus.

50 metres

75 metres

100 metres

150 metres

None of these

Q. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission

will set up the first of its kind training cum

production centre of silk in the tribal village of

Chullyu in ________.

Assam

Jammu and Kashmir

Arunachal Pradesh

Andaman and Nicobar

None of these

Q. Which of the following has become the first city

in India to have female icons on traffic signals and

signage?

Delhi

Hyderabad

Dehradun

Mumbai

Indore

Q. Which of the following state will transport denim

and dyes to Bangladesh via parcel train?

Maharashtra

Gujarat

Uttar Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

None of these

Q. Recently, PM Modi has inaugurated a submarine

Optical Fibre Cable that connects __________ city

of mainland to Port Blair?

Chennai

Visakhapatnam

Puri

Yanam

Baleshwar

Q. Which of the following e-commerce company

has signed an MoU with Uttar Pradesh government's

one District, One Product scheme?

Amazon India

Snapdeal

Paytm

Flipkart

None of these

Q. Recently, SSP Chawrasia has been tested positive

for COVID-19. He is associated with which of the

following sports?

Football

Golf

Chess

Carrom

None of these

Q. Mount Sinabung is in ________.

Japan

Indonesia

Canada

New Zealand

Chile

Q. Recently, Hassan Diab resigned from his post. He

was serving as the Prime Minister of ________.

Jordan

Tunisia

Lebanon

Libya

Mali

Q. Alexander Lukashenko has won his sixth

consecutive term as the president of _________.

Ukraine

Sweden

Croatia

Belarus

Poland

Q. Former President Pranab Mukherjee has been

tested positive for COVID-19. He served as the

________ president of India.

11th

12th

13th

14th

15th

Q. India signed a contract with which of the

following country for development of five eco-

tourism zones in Addu atoll?

Malaysia

Maldives

Sri Lanka

Seychelles

None of these

Q. Which of the following state’s Chief Minister

announced the launch of Indira Van Mitan Yojana?

Karnataka

Odisha

Chhattisgarh

Gujarat

Bihar

Q. Who among the following is currently serving as

the chief Minister of Manipur?

Pu Zoramthanga

N. Biren Singh

Neiphiu Rio

Pema Khandu

Biplab Kumar Deb

Q. Who among the following has been selected as

the first women chairman Steel Authority of India

Limited by the Public Enterprises Selection Board?

Preeti Chaurasia

Soma Mondal

Sangeeta Mohapatra

Shikha Jain

Anupama Rawat

Q. Recently, Manitombi Singh passed away. He was

associated with which of the following sports?

Football

Tennis

Badminton

Cricket

None of these

Q. Recently a book titled ‘Connecting,

Communicating, Changing’ was released by Defence

Minister Rajnath Singh. The book is based on the life

of ________.

Amit Shah

Pratibha Patil

M. Venkaiah Naidu

Pranab Mukherjee

Hamid Ansari

Q. World Elephant Day is observed every year on

________.

10 August

11 August

12 August

13 August

14 August

Q. International Youth Day is observed every year

on ________.

10 August

11 August

12 August

13 August

14 August

Q. Who among the following Indian origin has been

named as US Vice Presidential candidate for

Democratic party?

Kamala Harris

Tulsi Gabbard

Rakesh Gangwal

Aneel Bhusri

None of these

Q. Recently, the European Union is giving

________ to flood hit people in South Asia.

1.24 million euro

1.65 million euro

1.95 million euro

2.25 million euro

2.45 million euro

Q. Which of the following country has recently

provided state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence-

based technologies and high-end equipment to

AIIMS, Delhi?

France

Iran

Israel

UAE

None of these

Q. Recently, Lok Sabha has started a beginner-level

course in which of the following language for the

officials and staff of the Lok Sabha Secretariat at the

Parliament House?

German

Russian

Urdu

French

Chinese

Q. Recently, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh

Tomar has launched Indian Council of Agricultural

Research's data recovery centre _________.

Sankalp

Krishi Megh

Sanrakshan

Krishi Nabh

None of these

Q. How many ‘Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums

are being developed by the Tribal Affairs Ministry?

4

5

9

11

14

Q. Which of the following state government has

recently launched ‘Mukhya Mantri Kisan Sahay

Yojana’?

Uttar Pradesh

Maharashtra

Gujarat

Andhra Pradesh

Punjab

Q. Recently, Rahat Indori passed away. He was a/an

________.

Urdu poet

Director

Journalist

Politician

None of these

Q. Who among the following headed the COVID-19

vaccine expert committee formed on the logistics and

ethical aspects of procuring and administering the

COVID-19 vaccine?

VK Paul

Rajiv Kumar

V. K. Saraswat

Y D Chaurasia

None of these

Q. Which of the following ministry has recently

launched ‘Swachh Bharat Mission Academy’?

Ministry of Home Affairs

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate

Change

Jal Shakti Ministry

Ministry of Panchayati Raj

None of these

Q. What is the name given to a announced

Microwave device developed to disintegrate the

novel Coronavirus that was recently unveiled by

Nitin Gadkari?

Saksham

Saarthak

Atulya

Kavach

Aditya

Q. Who among the following recently launched

'Transparent Taxation - Honoring the Honest'

platform?

Rajnath Singh

Amit Shah

Narendra Modi

Smriti Irani

None of these

Q. Recently, Shripad Y Naik has been tested

positive for coronavirus. He is serving as ________

minister.

Minister of Tribal Affairs

Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers

Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment

Ayush Minister

Minister of Education

Q. India will fund Greater Male Connectivity

Project through a Line of Credit of ________.

USD 100 million

USD 200 million

USD 400 million

USD 600 million

USD 800 million

Q. Who among the following Indian star has been

listed among the top 10 world’s highest-paid actors

of 2020 by Forbes?

Deepika Padukone

Salman Khan

Akshay Kumar

Aamir Khan

None of these

Q. Which of the following state governments has

recently announced 16 new cyber crime Police

stations in different cities?

Bihar

Maharashtra

Andhra Pradesh

Tamil Nadu

Uttar Pradesh

Q. Recently, RBI has announced 'positive pay'

feature to safeguard ________.

Credit cards

Cheque

ATM cards

Internet banking

UPI payments

Q. Recently, GK Menon passed away. He was a/an

________.

Politician

Film director

Novelist

Cartoonist

Sports journalist

Q. World Organ Donation Day is observed every

year on _________.

11 August

12 August

13 August

14 August

15 August

Q. US President Donald has recently announced a

historic peace deal between Israel and _________.

Oman

Saudi Arabia

UAE

Bahrain

None of these

Q. Which of the following country has agreed to

cooperate with Russia in the production & marketing

of the world's first registered coronavirus vaccine

Sputnik V?

Mexico

Indonesia

Brazil

Argentina

None of these

Q. Which of the following country has recently

signed its largest ever loan package worth dollar 3.1

billion for Bangladesh?

China

Japan

France

Russia

USA

Q. Recently, Indian Coast Guard has launched an

offshore patrol vessel _________.

Sashakt

Aditya

Sarthak

Lakshay

None of these

Q. The Sports Ministry will organise the largest

country-wide run ‘Fit India Freedom Run’ from

________ to ________.

15 August, 20 August

15 August, 21 August

15 August, 25 August

15 August, 2 October

None of these

Q. Which of the following state has recently

declared a containment zone following the outbreak

of African Swine Fever (ASF) in 12 villages?

Assam

Andhra pradesh

Himachal Pradesh

Meghalaya

Bihar

Q. In the month of July, Retail inflation stands at

________.

6.44%

6.52%

6.77%

6.93%

7.15%

Q. Recently, Sudha Murthy has won the Gramodaya

Bandhu Mitra Puraskar. Sudha Murthy is the

chairperson of ________.

Smile Foundation

Infosys Foundation

Akshaya Patra Foundation

India Foundation for the Arts

None of these

Q. Recently, Chunakkara Ramankutty passed away.

He was a/ an ________.

Sports journalist

Actor

Poet

Cartoonist

Social Activist

Q. The WHO has advised to conduct ________ tests

per day per million population.

110

140

160

210

250

Q. Who among the following has recently

announced the launch of National Digital Health

Mission?

Rajnath Singh

Amit Shah

Narendra Modi

Harsh Vardhan

None of these

Q. 'Operation Rakshak' is associated with ________.

Liberation of Daman and Diu

Annexation of Goa

Counter-insurgency operation in Jammu and

Kashmir

Peacekeeping operation in Northeastern states of

India

None of these

Q. Which of the following has developed an

biodegradable Face Mask Pavitrapati” that acts a

virus neutraliser to resist against the bacteria/virus?

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Defence Institute of Advanced Technology

Defence Research and Development Organisation

Army Institute of Technology

None of these

Q. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has launched a

portal named as ________ for Indigenization in

Defence Sector.

RAKSHAK

BANDHU

SRIJAN

SAATHI

None of these

Q. Which of the following states has become

number one in conducting covid tests in the country?

Uttar Pradesh

Maharashtra

Tamil Nadu

Andhra Pradesh

Bihar

Q. Which of the following state has told all private

educational institutions to offer 25 per cent

concessions in monthly fees from 1st of May?

Telangana

Assam

Bihar

Andhra Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh

Q. Which of the following state has emerged as the

number 1 investment destination in the country?

Andhra Pradesh

Karnataka

Tamil Nadu

Odisha

None of these

Q. Which of the following city has named newly

built Income Tax circle flyover and Anjali cross road

as Arun Jaitley flyover and Sushma Swaraj Bridge

respectively?

Agra

Mumbai

Indore

Ahmedabad

Guwahati

Q. Recently, The RBI Board has approved the

transfer of ___________ rupees as surplus to the

central government for the accounting year 2019-20.

34,743 crore

71,482 crore

57,128 crore

24,493 crore

78,334 crore

Q. Which of the following will be the official

sponsor of the Indian team for the rescheduled Tokyo

Olympics?

Wave Group

INOX Group

Vivo

Redmi

Mahindra Group

Q. Bangladesh observed ‘National Mourning Day’

to mark assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh

Mujibur Rahman. Mujibur Rahman was

assassinated in the year ________.

1972

1975

1977

1979

1981

Q. Recently, In the eastern Mediterranean sea

Greek warships collided with the warships of

________.

Italy

Spain

Turkey

Oman

Iraq

Q. Recently, the Vietnam health ministry has

registered to buy a Russian COVID-19 vaccine.

What is the currency of Vietnam?

Ringgit

Bhat

Krone

Dong

Won

Q. Which of the following company will supply

'Air India One' for PM Modi, President Kovind, top

dignitaries soon?

Boeing

Dassault Aviation

Airbus

Lockheed Martin

None of these

Q. PM Modi, Amit Shah pays respects to Atal

Bihari Vajpayee on second death anniversary. Atal

Bihari Vajpayee was born in ________.

Agra

Gwalior

PrayagRaj

Kolkata

Patna

Q. Recently, India sent 58 tonnes of emergency

humanitarian aid to Lebanon. What is the capital of

Lebanon?

Amman

Tripoli

Beirut

Ankara

None of these

Q. Recently, the Indian Navy has moved a proposal

to urgently acquire _________ shipborne drones.

8

10

15

18

21

Q. Recently, Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan govt won

trust vote in assembly. What is the number of seats

in Rajasthan Legislative Assembly?

174

181

200

219

275

Q. Which of the following Indian state will host the

International Film Festival of India?

Assam

Goa

Madhya Pradesh

Odisha

Maharashtra

Q. Recently, MS Dhoni retires from International

Cricket. Indian team won which of the following

title under the captaincy of MS Dhoni?

2007 ICC World Twenty-Twenty world cup

2010 Asia Cup

2011 ICC Cricket World Cup

2013 ICC Champions Trophy

All of these

Q. Which of the following countries recently chaired

the 4th Meeting of the BRICS Anti-Drug Working

Group?

Brazil

Russia

India

China

South Africa

Q. Atal Tunnel tunnel is being built in which of the

following mountain range?

Pir Panjal range

Karakoram range

Dhaulagiri range

Zaskar range

None of these

Q. Recently, AYUSH Ministry launched a 3-month

campaign ‘Ayush for Immunity’. Who among the

following currently holds the charge of AYUSH

Ministry?

Santosh Gangwar

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Shripad Yesso Naik

Jitendra Singh

None of these

Q. Which of the following state government has

recently launched the centralized e-commerce

platform ‘YellowChain’?

Madhya pradesh

Telangana

Maharashtra

Andhra Pradesh

Nagaland

Q. South Africa became part of the BRICS group in

the year ________.

2008

2010

2011

2012

2014

Q. What is the approximate length of 'Atal Tunnel'?

4.2km

6.7km

7.1km

8.8km

11.1km

Q. Which of the following bank has launched

“Shaurya KGC Card” for Indian armed forces

personnel?

Axis Bank

ICICI Bank

HDFC Bank

IndusInd Bank

Kotak Mahindra Bank

Q. Which of the following cricketer has been

appointed as the brand ambassador of ‘ebikeGo’?

Suresh Raina

Rohit Sharma

Harbhajan Singh

Virat Kohli

None of these

Q. Who among the following has recently won

Spanish Grand Prix?

Charles Leclerc

Lewis Hamilton

Max Verstappen

Valtteri Bottas

Sebastian Vettel

Q. Recently, Chetan Chauhan passed away. He was

associated with which of the following sports?

Football

Tennis

Football

Cricket

Hockey

Q. India dispatches over 30 tonnes of technical

equipment to which of the following to supplement

the country’s ongoing oil spill?

Madagascar

Maldives

Seychelles

Mauritius

None of these

Q. Recently, the Tribal Affairs Minister launched an

e-portal named as _________ on tribal health &

nutrition.

Aadi-Yug

Swasthya

Rakshak

Tribe-Health

None

Q. Gwalior-Chambal Expressway will be named

after _________.

Lal Krishna Advani

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Sushma Swaraj

Arun Jaitley

None of these

Q. The Union Territory of Puducherry celebrated its

59th anniversary of the “De-Jure” day on

___________.

11 August

13 August

15 August

16 August

18 August

Q. Which of the following state government has

decided to observe 1 September as Police Day?

Bihar

West Bengal

Assam

Maharashtra

Telangana

Q. Indian Railways is constructing the world's tallest

pier bridge across river Ijai in _________.

Sikkim

Assam

Nagaland

Manipur

Arunachal Pradesh

Q. NTPC has developed infrastructure at Rihand

project for increased use of fly ash. The Rihand

project is in _________.

Odisha

Chhattisgarh

Bihar

Uttar Pradesh

None of these

Q. Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) will

launch India's first bullion index named as ________.

Aatmdex

Commdex

Bulldex

InDINsex

None of these

Q. Who among the following has been appointed as

the new director general of the Border Security Force

(BSF)?

Prakash Sharma

Rakesh Asthana

Mandeep pandey

Rohit Prakash

None of these

Q. Recently, Music legend Pandit Jasraj passed

away. He belongs to which of the following music

gharana?

Mewati Gharana

Gwalior Gharana

Kirana Gharana

Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana

Patiala Gharana

Q. World Humanitarian Day is observed every year

on ________.

16 August

17 August

18 August

19 August

20 August

Q. Who among the following has been nominated as

the presidential candidate of Democratic Party in the

US?

Colin Powell

Joe Biden

Dick Cheney

Dan Quayle

None of these

Q. Recently Boubacar Kita has resigned as the

president of __________ amid military coup.

Madagascar

Algeria

Libya

Mali

Chad

Q. Which of the following state police is running the

'Ek Sankalp - Bujurgo ke naam’ campaign?

Maharashtra

Telangana

Madhya Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh

Karnataka

Q. Which of the following institute has been ranked

number-one in the 'Atal Ranking of Institutions on

Innovation Achievements’?

ISM dhanbad

IIT Delhi

IIT Kharagpur

IIT Madras

None of these

Q. Which of the following bank has recently waived

off SMS charges and penalty waiver on non-

maintenance of minimum balance for all its Savings

Accounts?

Punjab national Bank

ICICI Bank

State Bank of India

Canara Bank

Bank of Baroda

Q. Which of the following payments bank has

recently launched Jan BachatKhata (JBK)?

Airtel Payments Bank

India Post Payments Bank

Fino Payments Bank

Jio Payments Bank

Paytm Payments Bank

Q. Who among the following has been appointed as

the governor of Meghalaya?

Mridula Sinha

Satya Pal Malik

R. K. Mathur

Shri Ram Naik

Bhagat Singh Koshyari

Q. Who among the following has recently resigned

as Election Commissioner of India to join Asian

Development Bank as Vice President?

Ashok Lavasa

Mahesh Kumar Jain

Michael Patra

Om Prakash Rawat

None of these

Q. Which of the following has won the IPL 2020

title sponsorship rights?

BYJUs

Unacademy

Dream11

Cars24

Patanjali Ayurved

Q. Recently, Manika Batra has been nominated for

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. She is associated

with which of the following sports?

Tennis

Badminton

Chess

Table Tennis

Javelin throw

Q. The Giant Buddha statue which is also a

UNESCO heritage site had its toes dampened by

floodwater for the first time since the 1940s. This

Giant Buddha statue is in _________.

Indonesia

Vietnam

China

Myanmar

Thailand

Q. Sadbhavana Diwas in India is observed every

year on ________.

18 August

19 August

20 August

21 August

22 August

Q. Indian Akshay Urja Day is observed every year

on ________.

18 August

19 August

20 August

21 August

22 August

Q. Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) was

initiated by _________.

India

Australia

New Zealand

Japan

South Korea

Q. Which of the following has recently approved a

USD 1 billion loan to support the construction of the

modern, high-speed Delhi-Meerut regional rapid

transit system?

International Monetary Fund

Asian Development Bank

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

International Finance Corporation

New Development Bank

Q. Recently, Which of the following company has

won the contract for the redevelopment of three

airports in Jaipur, Thiruvananthapuram and

Guwahati under public-private partnership?

Larsen and Toubro

Essar Group

Adani Enterprises Limited

GMR Group

Aditya Birla Group

Q. The Guru Granth Sahib in Harmandir Sahib, also

known as the Golden temple was seated in the year

__________.

1550

1574

1591

1604

1619

Q. Who among the following attended the inaugural

ceremony of the 5th World Conference of Speakers

of Parliament?

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

Om Birla

Prakash Javadekar

Rama Devi

None of these

Q. The Common Eligibility Test (CET) score of the

candidate shall be valid for a period of _________

year/s from the date of declaration of the result.

1 year

2 years

3 years

4 years

5 years

Q. Which of the following has recently introduced a

Drone based surveillance system for security?

Indian Space Research Organisation

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited

Indian Railways

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation

Indian Oil Corporation

Q. International Day of Victims of Terrorism is

observed every year on _________.

19 August

20 August

21 August

22 August

23 August

Q. World Senior Citizen Day is observed every year

on _________.

19 August

20 August

21 August

22 August

23 August

Q. Which of the following neighbouring country’s

government grants approval to abolish the 19th

amendment of the constitution?

Bangladesh

Nepal

Sri Lanka

Bhutan

Pakistan

Q. In August 2020, India has signed a cultural

agreement to further boost people-to-people ties with

which of the following country?

Japan

Israel

Australia

Italy

Spain

Q. Recently, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has been

tested positive for coronavirus. He holds the portfolio

of _________ in the current government.

Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister

Minority Affairs Minister

Jal Shakti Minister

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister

None of these

Q. Recently, Dr Harsh Vardhan has launched the

interactive first-of-its-kind video game named as

_________ to spread awareness about COVID-19.

Fight COVID-19

Kill Corona

Corona Fighters

Save the Nation

None of these

Q. SHAKTI (32 bit) microprocessor has been

developed by ________.

IIT Madras

IISc Bengaluru

IIT Delhi

NIT Trichy

None of these

Q. Who among the following has recently launched

the official logo of the Labour Bureau?

Dharmendra Pradhan

Smriti Irani

Ravi Shankar Prasad

Santosh Gangwar

Giriraj Singh

Q. Which of the following has recently launched

‘Kormo’ Jobs app in India to help people find jobs?

Yahoo

Microsoft

Facebook

Google

None of these

Q. As per the Cleanliness Survey 2020, which of the

following has been declared as cleanest state of

country?

Madhya Pradesh

Telangana

Assam

Odisha

Chhattisgarh

Q. The Ministry of External Affairs in partnership

with which of the following country has organized

the 6th Round Table of ASEAN-India Network of

Think Tanks (AINTT)?

Vietnam

Laos

Thailand

Cambodia

None of these

Q. The total sowing area coverage under Kharif

crops has been increased by more than 8.5 per cent

this year. Which of the following is not an example

of Kharif crop?

Soybean

Jowar

Mustard

Millet

Rice

Q. Who among the following was the head of the

panel that recommended linking sugarcane prices to

sugar rates to keep the industry in sound financial

health?

Rahul Rohatagi

Anil Saxena

Ramesh Chand

Mandeep Gill

None of these

Q. Recently, The National Highways Authority of

India has developed a mobile App named as

________ to facilitate creation of Green Highways

across the country.

Sadak

Path Rakshak

Harit Path

Sundar Path

None of these

Q. Which of the following institute start-ups has

developed a portable hospital unit 'MediCAB' for

COVID-19 patients?

IIT Kanpur

IIT Mumbai

IIT Madras

IIT Guwahati

None of these

Q. Recently, Keith Rowley has been sworn in as

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister for the second

5 year term. What is the capital of Trinidad and

Tobago?

Nicosia

Port of Spain

Georgetown

Bridgetown

None of these

Q. Who among the following has been appointed as

the new Election Commissioner following

resignation of Ashok Lavasa?

Sachin Pratap

Rajiv Kumar

Maneesh Jha

Sandeep Raj

None of these

Q. National Sports Day is observed every year on

________.

25 August

22 August

29 August

03 September

11 September

Q. Which of the following institute has won the

prestigious Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA)

trophy?

Amity University, Noida

Panjab University, Chandigarh

Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani

Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak

None of these

Q. Who among the following has won the World

Snooker Championship 2020?

Stephen Hendry

Judd Trump

Ronnie O’Sullivan

Mark Selby

John Higgins

Q. Which of the following country will use Chinese

homegrown navigation system ‘BeiDou’ for both

military and civil purposes?

Bangladesh

Pakistan

Iran

Sri Lanka

Afghanistan

Q. Which of the following country has signed an

agreement for the implementation of the National

Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with its ten armed

ethnic groups?

Myanmar

Afghanistan

Lebanon

Syria

Bangladesh

Q. Recently, Turkey had discovered its largest-ever

deposit of natural gas in ________.

Caspian Sea

Mediterranean Sea

Black Sea

Baffin Bay

Chukchi Sea

Q. Which of the following country has reported the

first death due to West Nile virus in 2020?

Italy

Zambia

Mozambique

Spain

Lebanon

Q. Selling at GBP 2,60,000 or Rs 2,55,000,00 a

gold-plated spectacles broke all records for the UK

auction house. This spectacle is believed to be worn

by _________.

Queen Victoria

Mahatma Gandhi

Queen Elizabeth II

George V

Abraham Lincoln

Q. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted the

nation on the occasion of Nuakhai. Nuakhai festival

is mainly observed in the state of _________.

Kerala

Assam

Odisha

Nagaland

Punjab

Q. Who among the following will head the newly

formed National Council for Transgender Persons?

Chairman of National Human Rights Commission of

India

Minister of Health and Family Welfare

Union social justice minister

Chairman of Law commission of India

Chairman of National Development Council

Q. Which of the following freedom fighter is also

known as ‘Andhra Kesari’?

Bezawada Gopala Reddy

Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu

Kandukuri Veeresalingam

Potti Sriramulu

None of these

Q. The Uttar Pradesh government has signed a ‘plan

of cooperation’ to resolve the water crisis in

Bundelkhand region with which of the following

country?

Japan

France

Israel

Spain

UAE

Q. Which of the following Indian states will observe

the first-ever state Dragonfly Festival named as the

‘Thumbi Maholsavam 2020’?

Andhra Pradesh

Tamil Nadu

Kerala

Nagaland

Arunachal Pradesh

Q. Recently, Saudi Arabia’s state oil company

Aramco has suspended a deal to build a 10 billion

dollar refining and petrochemicals complex in which

of the following country?

USA

Bangladesh

China

Japan

Australia

Q. Sinabung volcano recently released a new burst

of hot ash. Sinabung volcano is in ________.

Chile

Peru

Japan

Indonesia

Vietnam

Q. Which of the following country has recently

launched a new optical remote-sensing satellite

‘Gaofen-9 05’?

France

UAE

Israel

China

Spain

Q. India’s longest river ropeway has been built

across _________ river?

Ganga

Jhelum

Brahmaputra

Shyok

Narmada

Q. Which of the following insurance company will

merge its insurance business with Bharti AXA

General Insurance?

National Insurance Company Limited

Oriental Insurance Company Limited

Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company

Reliance General Insurance Company Limited

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Limited

Q. Which of the following bank has recently

launched a hiring initiative named as ‘Gig-a-

Opportunities’?

HDFC Bank

Axis Bank

ICICI Bank

Kotak Mahindra Bank

None of these

Q. Who among the following has been appointed as

the managing director of State Bank of India?

Rajeev Chaudhary

Manoj Pandey

Sandeep Mohan

Ashwani Bhatia

Karan Aggarwal

Q. Recently, cricketer Lisa Sthalekar has been

inducted into the International Cricket Council's Hall

of Fame. She played international cricket for

________.

England

South Africa

Australia

West Indies

None of these

Q. Sophia Popov recently won the Women's British

Open. She is associated with which of the following

sports?

Tennis

Table Tennis

Golf

Badminton

None of these

Q. Who among the following is the author of the

book ‘One Arrange Murder’?

Amitav Ghosh

Arundhati Roy

Anita Desai

Chetan Bhagat

Jhumpa Lahiri

Q. Bangladesh is planning to start the process of

relocating Rohingya refugees from the crowded

camps of Cox’s Bazar to the newly built facility at

________.

St. Martin's Island

Nijhum Dwip

Bhashan Char island

Lake View Island

New Moore Island

Q. Army Chief honours 51 Special Action Group

with 'COAS (Chief of Army Staff) Unit

Appreciation'. 51 Special Action Group is a part of

________.

Indian Army

Indian Air Force

National Security Guards

Central Reserve Police Force

National Disaster Response Force

Q. The Road Transport and Highways Ministry has

decided to extend the validity of Motor Vehicle

documents till _________.

31 March

31 December

30 November

31 January

31 October

Q. World Gujarati Day is observed every year on

_________.

22 August

23 August

24 August

25 August

26 August

Q. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched a

mobile application named as ________ to provide

career-related information to aspirants.

Air Warriors

WINGS

MY IAF

DARE

None of these

Q. Which of the following group has recently signed

a loan agreement for a USD 500 million Mumbai

Urban Transport Project-III?

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

International Monetary Fund

Asian Development Bank

New Development Bank

None of these

Q. Recently the first unit of the Kudankulam Atomic

Power Plant has resumed power production.

Kudankulam Atomic Power Plant is in ________.

Andhra Pradesh

Kerala

Tamil Nadu

Rajasthan

Karnataka

Q. Recently, the Haryana Chief Minister Manohar

Lal has been tested positive for COVID-19. He

represented _________ constituency in Haryana

Legislative Assembly.

Kalka

Panchkula

Bhiwani

Ambala Cantt

Karnal

Q. Which of the following state government has

launched an NRI unified portal that could not only

help in investment in the state, but also provide an

opportunity for those who want to go abroad?

Maharashtra

Madhya Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh

Bihar

Uttarakhand

Q. The first UV Baggage Sanitization and Wrapping

machine has been introduced at which of the

following railway station?

Indore

Ahmedabad

Patna

Agra

Anand Vihar Terminal

Q. Women's Equality Day is observed every year on

_________.

24 August

25 August

26 August

27 August

28 August

Q. Recently, The World Health Organization has

declared Africa free of which of the following

disease?

Tuberculosis

Polio

Cirrhosis

Rubella

Elephantiasis

Q. Which of the following city is organising ‘The

ARMY 2020 International Military and Technical

Forum’?

Moscow

New York

Tokyo

Shanghai

Dubai

Q. Recently, which of the following state has been

declared as Disturbed Area for another 6 months with

effect from 28 August?

Sikkim

Meghalaya

Assam

Tripura

None of these

Q. The Reserve Bank has projected India's growth

rate at ________ for 2020-21.

- 3.3%

- 3.9%

- 4.5%

- 4.7%

- 5.6%

Q. Which of the following insurance company has

launched the first-of-its-kind insurance product

called ‘Shagun – Gift an Insurance”?

HDFC ERGO

SBI General Insurance

New India Assurance

ICICI Lombard

Oriental Insurance

Q. Which of the following bank has become the first

bank in India to use satellite data to assess credit

worthiness of farmers?

HDFC Bank

State Bank of India

ICICI Bank

Axis Bank

Punjab National Bank

Q. Recently, Satheesh Reddy has been given a two-

year extension. He is serving as the chairman of

_________.

Indian Council of Medical Research

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

Defence Research and Development Organisation

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

Council of Scientific and Industrial Researc

Q. Who among the following has became the first

fast bowler in history to take 600 Test wickets?

James Anderson

Trent Boult

Jasprit Bumrah

Pat Cummins

Mitchell Star

Q. Recently, the former president of Congo, Pascal

Lissouba passed away. What is the capital of

Republic of the Congo?

Kigali

Abuja

Brazzaville

Dodoma

None of these

Q. Which of the following statement is true

regarding Mother Teresa?

A. Mother Teresa was born in Skopje, North

Macedonia.

B. Mother Teresa arrived in India in 1929

C. Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

D. Mother Teresa was declared as a Saint on 4th

September 2016.

A and B

A and C

A, B and D

A, B,C and D

Q. Recently the Ministry of Culture has announced

________ new circles of the Archaeological Survey

of India, ASI.

5

7

9

11

14

Q. According to the CRISIL report, During the first

four months of the current fiscal, the average income

per month for unskilled workers under the

MGNREGA was around ________.

700 rupees per month

1,000 rupees per month

1,400 rupees per month

1,800 rupees per month

2,000 rupees per month

Q. Recently, the Union Minister of Social Justice and

Empowerment, Thawar Chand Gehlot has launched

a helpline service named as ________ for mental

health rehabilitation.

SHAKTI

SWASTH

KIRAN

ASHA

None of these

Q. What is the name of a promising COVID-19

vaccine candidate developed jointly by the Oxford

University and AstraZeneca?

Covishield

Sputnik V

ZyCoV-D

CoronaVac

LUNAR-COV19

Q. Barak Valley is recently in the news due to the

outbreak of COVID-19. Barak Valley is in

_________.

Himachal Pradesh

Jammu and Kashmir

Assam

Manipur

None of these

Q. Which of the following state topped in the first

ever Export Preparedness index 2020 released by

NITI Ayog?

Uttar Pradesh

Telangana

Odisha

Gujarat

West Bengal

Q. Kaziranga National Park is in the state of

_________.

Uttar Pradesh

Assam

Manipur

Karnataka

Gujarat

Q. According to a recent announcement, Public

Sector Undertakings are allowed to clear the

Customs duty on goods imported by them

within_________.

7 days

10 days

14 days

18 days

21 days

Q. Which of the following bank has recently

launched a Liberty Savings Account aimed at

millennial customers?

ICICI Bank

State Bank of India

HDFC Bank

Kotak Mahindra Bank

Axis Bank

Q. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will officially

induct the first five Rafale fighter aircraft into service

at the Ambala air base on 10th of September. Rafale

fighter aircraft are a part of ________ squadron.

No. 1 Squadron IAF

No. 7 Squadron IAF

No. 18 Squadron IAF

No. 17 Squadron IAF

No. 21 Squadron IAF

Q. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana was released in

the year _________.

2014

2015

2016

2017

None of these

Q. Under the 4th round Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik,

(UDAN) , the Government has approved ________

new routes to enhance the connectivity.

63

53

18

78

47

Q. Which of the following state has passed the Skill

Development University Bill which allows setting up

of Skill University at Mangaldoi at the cost of 900

crore rupees?

Haryana

Assam

Punjab

Odisha

Bihar

Q. Which of the following bank has partnered with

Adobe to help improve the digital experience journey

of its customers?

Axis Bank

State Bank of India

HDFC Bank

ICICI Bank

None of these

Q. Who among the following has become the

youngest author to win the 2020 International

Booker Prize?

Michele Hutchison

Marieke Lucas Rijneveld

Nina Polak

Lieke Marsman

None of these

Q. Which of the following country will host the

BRICS Games 2021?

Brazil

Russia

China

India

South Africa

Q. Recently, Bryan brothers i.e Bob Bryan and Mike

Bryan announced their retirement. They were

associated with which of the following sports?

Table tennis

Badminton

Tennis

Carrom

Football

Q. Recently, Archana Mahanta passed away. She

was a/an ________.

Singer

Politician

Journalist

Actress

Climate Activist

Q. Who among the following recently released the

book "National Security Challenges: Young

Scholars' Perspective" penned by university students.

Bipin Rawat

MM Naravane

Rajnath Singh

Ajit Doval

Ajay Kumar

Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct with

reference to Shinzo Abe?

A. Shinzo Abe is the longest serving Prime Minister in

the history of Japan.

B. He served from 2006-2007 and also from 2012-2020.

C. He introduced the concept of Abenomics.

D. Abenomics refers to set of economic policies

A, B and C

A and B

B and C

A, B and D

A, B, C and D

Q. Recently, which of the following places has been

damaged by Typhoon Bavi?

South America

Korean peninsula

Australia and New Zealand

South Eastern coast of Africa

None of the above

Q. Which of the following country recently observed

the 44th death anniversary of the national poet Kazi

Nazrul Islam?

Myanmar

Pakistan

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Indonesia

Q. The S-400 anti-air system can take down targets at a

range of over_________ range.

100 km

400 km

800 km

1,000 km

1,200 km

Q. Which of the following country will give access to

India to its military base in Djibouti through Acquisition

and Cross-Servicing Agreement?

Japan

Australia

Germany

Russia

US

Q. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a mobile

application named as _________ to assist in online

training of NCC cadets in the country.

RAKSHAK

DGNCC

REGNCC

LAKSHAY

None of these

Q. According to an recent announcement, Indian

Railways is set to meet all it's energy needs of more than

33 billion units by_________.

2023

2025

2028

2030

2035

2035

Q. Recently, the minister for Electronics and

Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad has

launched an Next Generation Startup Challenge Contest

named as _______.

Bhavishya

Lakshay

Chunauti

Pratham

None of these

Q. Recently, The Bureau of Police Research and

Development, BPR&D celebrated its Golden Jubilee

Anniversary. BPR&D works under the aegis of

________.

Defence Ministry

Ministry of Human Resource Development

Ministry of Home Affairs

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Q. Who among the following recently launched e-

launches “National GIS-enabled Land Bank system”?

Amit Shah

Ravi Shankar Prasad

Piyush Goyal

Rajnath Singh

None of these

Q. International Day against Nuclear Tests is

observed every year on ________.

27 August

28 August

29 August

30 August

31 August

Q. Small Industry Day is observed every year on

________.

27 August

28 August

29 August

30 August

31 August

Q. India has announced that it is withdrawing from

multilateral Military Exercise ‘Kavkaz’ 2020 which

is scheduled to take place in ________.

US

France

Japan

Russia

South Korea

Q. Online nominations for the Padma Awards -

2021 will remain open till 15th September. Padma

Awards are announced on the occasion of

________.

Gandhi Jayanti

Vijay Diwas

Republic Day

National constitution Day

Independence Day

Q. Who among the following became the first

Divyanga Indian sportsperson of the country, who

has been awarded with the Tenzing Norgay

Adventure Award?

Deepa Malik

Satyendra Singh Lohia

Devendra Jhajharia

Mariyappan Thangavelu

None of these

Q. According to the recent announcement, The

prize money for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna

Award has been increased to _________ from the

previous amount of 7.5 lakh rupees.

10 lakh rupees

15 lakh rupees

20 lakh rupees

25 lakh rupees

None of these

Q. Tour de France is associated with which of the

following sports?

Swimming

Cycling

Marathon

Surfing

None of these

Q. Who among the following became the first

bowler to scalp 500 wickets in T20 cricket?

Sunil Narine

Imran Tahir

Sohail Tanvir

Dwayne Bravo

Lasith Malinga

Q. Recently, Chadwick Boseman passed away. He

was popular;y known playing the character of

________ in Marvel cinematic universe?

Thor

Iron Man

Black Panther

Hulk

Captain America

Q. Recently, Joe Ruby passed away. He was the

co-creator of which of the following animation

series?

Mickey Mouse

Tom and Jerry

Scooby Doo

The Powerpuff Girls

Pokémon

Q. Which of the following festival is celebrated to

honor the memory of the legendary King Mahabali?

Onam

Bihu

Pongal

Thrissur Pooram

None of the following

Q. ‘Seva Saptah’ is associated with the birthday of

________.

Indra Gandhi

Morarji Desai

Narendra Modi

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Q. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will

resume its services from 7th of September in a

calibrated manner with new guidelines. Who among

the following is the current Managing Director of

DMRC?

E. Sreedharan

Mangu Singh

Durga Shanker Mishra

Hardeep Singh Puri

None of these

Q. The 'Etikoppaka' dolls were recently in the news.

They are prepared by the people of Etikoppaka

village in ________ district.

Kochi

Visakhapatnam

Kozhikode

Kannur

Kollam

Q. Which of the following state will start first of its

kind seaplane service from October 31?

Uttar Pradesh

Odisha

Maharashtra

Gujarat

Kerala

Q. Mustapha Adib will be appointed as the next

prime minister of _______.

Egypt

Mali

Lebanon

Niger

None of these

Q. Which of the following railway zone will operate

the first 'Roll On Roll Off' (RORO) train service?

East Central Railway

South Western Railway

Southern Railway

Western Railway

North Central Railway

Q. Who among the following has recently won the

Formula One Belgian Grand Prix 2020?

Lewis Hamilton

Valtteri Bottas

Max Verstappen

Charles Leclerc

None of these

Q. Along with India, Which of the following country

was declared as the joint winners of the 2020 Online

FIDE Chess Olympiad?

Japan

France

Indonesia

South Korea

Russia

Q. Who among the following recently released the

two Coffee Table Books, one for the Labour &

Employment Department and another for J&K

Entrepreneurship Development(JKEDI) Institute?

Satya Pal Malik

Mukhtar Ansari

Manoj Sinha

Omar Abdullah

None of these