NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Fleet of 5 Rafale multi-role combat jets arrived in India: A fleet of five
French-manufactured Rafale multi-role combat jets arrived in India. Rafale Jets
landed at the Ambala Air Force base after covering a distance of 7,000 km from
the Merignac airbase in French port city of Bordeaux. Two Sukhoi 30 MKIs
escorted the fleet of Rafale jets after they entered the Indian air space. The
fleet, which comprises three single seater and two twin seater aircraft, would
be inducted into the IAF as part of its Ambala-based No 17 Squadron, also known
as the ‘Golden Arrows’. Government of India signed a Rs 59,000-crore deal with
French aerospace major Dassault Aviation on September 23, 2016 to procure 36
Rafale jets. Rafale multi-role combat jets are considered one of the most
potent combat jets globally and will provide India’s air power a strategic edge
over its adversaries in the neighbourhood. The delivery of all 36 aircraft will
be completed on schedule by the end of 2021.
2.
Schemes for promotion of Bulk Drugs & Medical Devices Parks launched: Union Minister for
Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri DV Sadananda Gowda has launched four schemes for
the promotion of domestic manufacturing of bulk drugs and medical devices parks
in the country. The Department of
Pharmaceuticals has formulated four schemes, two each for Bulk Drugs and
Medical Devices parks. These schemes will work towards the development of
Indian pharmaceutical capacities and reduce India’s dependence on imports,
making itself reliant. The key features of the four schemes are: The scheme
will remain open for applications for a period of 120 days from the date of
issuance of guidelines. The Scheme for promotion of Bulk Drug Parks aims for
the establishment of 3 bulk drug parks in the country. Maximum grant-in-aid for
one bulk drug park is limited to Rs.1000 crore. Production Linked Incentive
(PLI) scheme for promoting domestic manufacturing of Medical Devices aims to
boost domestic manufacturing of medical devices in four target segments. This
will be achieved by offering financial incentives on sales to a maximum number
of 28 selected applicants for a period of 5 years.
3.
DST selects Acculi Labs to develop “Lyfas COVID score”: Acculi Labs, a Bangalore based startup has
been selected by Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis
(CAWACH), an initiative by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to
develop “Lyfas COVID score”, a COVID risk assessment profile. Lyfas, an android
application captures the capillary pulse and blood volume change when
individual keeps the index finger on the rear phone camera of a mobile phone
for 5 minutes. It also derives 95 biomarkers with proprietary algorithms and
signal processing techniques. It also utilizes the power of smartphone
processor and smartphone sensors to record a bunch of body signals. All the
above parameters have been planned to be repurposed with the “Lyfas COVID
score”. CAWACH is supporting market-ready innovations to the control COVID-19
and helps the startup ideas to address associated challenges.
4.
India houses 70% of world’s tiger population: Tiger Census report: The Union
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar released the detailed report of the Tiger
Census on 28 July 2020. As per the report, India’s tiger population stands at
2967 which is 70 percent of the total tiger population in the world. Of these,
nearly 30 percent of India’s tigers are outside tiger reserves.
Also, there are 50 tiger reserves in India
as per the report. The Ministry is also working in leadership role for Tiger
Conservation with all the 13 Tiger range countries to share best practices in
their actual management of tiger reserves, etc. There are currently 13 tiger
range countries; Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao
PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam. The detailed
report compares information obtained from the earlier three surveys (2006,
2010, and 2014) with data obtained from the 2018-19 survey to estimate
population trends at country and landscape scales, patch colonization and
extinction rates along with information on likely factors responsible for
changes in tiger status at the fine spatial resolution of 100 km.
5.
HRD Minister launches India Report- Digital Education June 2020: “India Report on
Digital Education, 2020” has been launched virtually by the Union Minister for
HRD Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’. During the launch, the minister stated
that report highlights the innovative methods adopted by Ministry of HRD,
Education Departments of States and Union Territories to ensure accessible as
well as inclusive education to children at home and reducing learning gaps.
India Report on Digital Education, 2020 comprises of various initiatives taken
to provide remote learning and education for all by taking schools to the
students. Some of the initiatives are as follows: DIKSHA platform, Swayam
Prabha TV Channel, Online MOOC courses, On Air – Shiksha Vani, DAISY by NIOS
for differently-abled, e-PathShala, etc.
6.
MoES-Knowledge Resource Centre Network launched: Ministry of Earth
Sciences has launched the “MoES-Knowledge Resource Centre Network (KRCNet)”
under the Digital India initiative of Government of India. MoES has transformed
the traditional libraries of the MoES system into a top-notch Knowledge
Resource Centres (KRC). These KRCs will be linked with each other and
integrated into the KRCNet portal. This portal would be a single point entry to
the intellectual world of Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). With the launch of
KRCNet, MoES aims to set up a Total Quality Management (TQM) system by securing
ISO certification for documenting MoES knowledge resources, its maintenance,
easy retrieval and dissemination. KRCNet portal would provide 24X7 access to
the subscribed knowledge contents. It will also collect, collate, analyze,
index, store as well as disseminate the intellectual resources, products and
project outputs available in MoES headquarter and its institutes.
Note: Union Minister of Earth Sciences:
Harsh Vardhan.
7.
Road in Lucknow named after former MP Governor Lalji Tandon: The Lucknow
Municipal Corporation has named a road and a crossing in the city after former
Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon. The Chauk Chauraha will now be known as
Lalji Tandon Chauraha and the Lucknow-Hardoi Road will be known as Tandon Marg.
The former MP Governor Tandon had started his political career when he became a
councillor in Lucknow. He breathed his last on July 21, 2020.
Note: Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh: Yogi
Aditya Nath; Governor: Anandiben Patel.
8.
IIT Kharagpur develops COVID-19 Rapid Test technology: IIT Kharagpur has
developed technology for COVID-19 Rapid Test enabling affordable cost testing.
This entire test can be conducted in an ultra-low-cost portable device with
test results available through customized app within an hour without requiring
manual interpretation. It will be used at locations with extremely poor
resources. It deploys a disposable simple paper-strip for chemical analysis and
visualization of test results. It will cost around Rs 400 per test.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
IMF Grants $4.3 bn to South Africa to fight COVID-19: The International
Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved USD 4.3 billion to South Africa in emergency
funding, the largest amount given to any country to fight the coronavirus
pandemic. The funds “support the authorities’ efforts in addressing the
challenging health situation and economic impact of the COVID-19 shock”. South
Africa is the worst-hit country in the continent with over 4,50,000 cases.
Note: Note: Headquarters of IMF:
Washington, D.C., United States; Managing Director of IMF: Kristalina
Georgieva; Chief Economist of IMF: Gita Gopinath; Membership Countries of IMF:
189 countries.
Capital of South Africa: Cape Town,
Pretoria, Bloemfontein; Currency of South Africa: South African Rand; President
of South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa.
2.
5th Annual Meeting of Board of Governors of AIIB: The 5th Annual Meeting of the Board of
Governors of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) was held virtually.
Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman
participated in the meeting. The round table discussion was held with the theme
‘AIIB 2030-Supporting Asia’s Development over the Next Decade’. The Annual
Meeting of the Board of Governors of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
(AIIB) is being held every year to take key decisions that impact the Bank’s
future. During the meet, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted various
measures taken by the Government of India to respond to the COVID-19 such as
$23 Billion Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKP) and $295 Billion Atma
Nirbhar Bharat Package (ANBP).
Note: President of Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank: Jin Liqun; HQs: Beijing, China
3. PM
of India & Mauritius to inaugurate Supreme Court Building of Mauritius: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi along with his Mauritius counterpart Pravind Jugnauth will
jointly unveils new Supreme Court Building of Mauritius through video-conference.
It has been constructed with grant assistance from India and will be 1st India
assisted infrastructure project within Port Louis, Mauritius. It is one of the
5 projects under ‘Special Economic Package’ extended by India to Mauritius in
2016. The building covers an area of 4700 sqm with over 10 floors.
4.
International Tiger Day: 29th July: International Tiger Day (also called Global
Tiger Day) is celebrated every year on July 29 to raise awareness for tiger
conservation. The day was created in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit
to put in place a global system for protecting the natural habitats of tigers
and raise public awareness and support for tiger conservation issues. The
Slogan for 2020 International Tiger Day celebration is “Their survival is in
our hands”.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Stuart Broad becomes 7th bowler to take 500 Test wickets: England cricketer,
Stuart Broad becomes 7th bowler to take 500 wickets in Test cricket. Stuart
Broad achieved an elusive milestone on Day 5 of the third Test against West
Indies in Manchester. Kraigg Brathwaite became Stuart Broad’s 500th-Test
wicket. Board is the second England bowler after Anderson and the 7th overall
in the overall list of highest wicket-takers, which is led by Sri Lankan legend
Muttiah Muralitharan with 800 wickets.
2.
Jamie Vardy wins Premier League’s Golden Boot award: Leicester City
striker, Jamie Vardy has bagged the Premier Leagues Golden Boot football award
after netting 23 goals across the 2019/20 season. He beat Arsenal striker
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (22 goals), Southampton Danny Ings (22 goals), and
Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling (20 goals) to scoop the prestigious
individual award. Jamie is the first Leicester City player to claim the award
and is only the second Englishman after Harry Kane to take the crown in the
last 20 years. Manchester City’s Brazilian keeper Ederson won the Golden Glove
award after keeping his 16th clean sheet of the season against Norwich City to
beat Burnley’s Nick Pope to the award.
3.
Bangladeshi pacer Kazi Anik Islam gets 2-year ban for doping: Bangladeshi pacer,
Kazi Anik Islam has been handed a 2-year ban by the national cricket board for
failing a dope test in 2018. Kazi, who was Bangladesh’s leading wicket-taker in
the 2018 U-19 World Cup, tested positive for Methamphetamine, a prohibited
substance, during a National Cricket League game in the same year. The
21-year-old admitted to the offence. His two-year ban began on February 8,
2019.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
IRCTC & SBI Card launches Co-branded Contactless Credit Card: Indian Railway
Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and SBI Card has launched a new
Co-branded Contactless Credit Card on RuPay Platform. The card was revealed by
Union Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal. The
newly launched card aims to ensure a safe, convenient and improved travel
experience for the rail passengers. The new RuPay credit card is empowered with
Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which will enable users to expedite
their transactions at the POS machines by just tapping the card on the machines
instead of swiping. The card will reward frequent railway travellers by
offering them maximum savings proposition on their travel together with
exclusive benefits.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
MoES National Awards for excellence in Earth System Science: The Ministry of
Earth Sciences (MoES) has announced the winners of “MoES National Awards for
excellence in Earth System Science”. With award, MoES aims to recognize the
major scientific contributions made by eminent scientists/engineers in various
fields of Earth System Science. It also seeks to encourage women and young
researchers for coming into the mainstream of Earth System Science. Here is the
complete list of winners:
|
Sr.No. |
Award |
Winner |
|
1 |
Life Time Excellence Award |
Professor Ashok Sahni |
|
2 |
National Award for
Atmospheric Science & technology |
Dr. S. Suresh Babu |
|
3 |
National award for
Geoscience & technology |
N. V. Chalapathi Rao |
|
4 |
National Award for
Ocean Technology |
Dr. M. A. Atmanand |
|
5 |
Anna Mani award for
woman scientist |
Dr. Lidita D. S.
Khandeparker |
|
6 |
Young Researcher
Awards |
Dr. Indra Sekhar Sen |
|
7 |
National Award for
Ocean Science & technology |
Dr. V. V. S. S. Sarma |
2.
India’s first solar ferry “Aditya” wins Gustave Trouve Award: India’s first
solar-powered ferry, Aditya has won the prestigious Gustave Trouve Award for
Excellence in Electric Boats and Boating. The ferry was adjudged the world’s
best electric boat in the category of ferries designed for paid passenger
service. The Aditya, from Navalt Boats, is a sun-powered commuter ferry that is
one of the great stories of the future of electric marine propulsion. The ferry
belongs to the Kerala State Water Transport Department (KSWTD) and has been
plying on the Vaikkom-Thavanakkadavu route in Alappuzha district since January
2017. Aditya was the only ferry from Asia among the 12 vessels from across the
globe shortlisted for the award.
Note: Gustave Trouve Award: The Gustave
Trouve Award is the world’s only such honour given to individuals and companies
building and innovating in state-of-the-art electric boats. It has been
instituted in honour of Frenchman Gustave Trouve for his groundbreaking work in
mobility based on electric transport, moving away from conventional fossil
fuels. He invented the world’s first outboard motor in 1881.
DEFENSE
1.
India-Indonesia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue held in New Delhi: Defence Ministers’ Dialogue between India and
Indonesia was held in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by the Defence Minister
Rajnath Singh while the Indonesian delegation was led by Defence Minister
General Prabowo Subianto. During the defence ministers’ dialogue, General
Subianto was honored with ceremonial Guard of Honour. The dialogue between the
two nations led to an agreement to improve bilateral defence cooperation in
mutually agreed areas with identification of potential areas for cooperation
like defence industries and defence technology
OBITUARIES
1.
Child welfare activist Achyuta Rao passes away: The founder and
President of Balala Hakula Sangham, P Achyuta Rao passed away due to COVID-19.
He was a well-known child rights activist and had founded Balala Hakula Sangham
in 1984. Rao is known to have helped prevent child marriages, incidents of
child sexual abuse, and child labour. Rao recently filed a petition in
Telangana High Court demanding that mid-day meal be served to students in
government schools since they have not been able to access it due to the
pandemic-imposed lockdown.
2. Former Puducherry MLA V Bhalan passes away: Former Puducherry MLA and NR Congress General Secretary V Bhalan (68 years) passed away due to COVID-19. He was a nominated member of the Puducherry Legislative Assembly. He started his political career with Congress. He joined NR Congress since the party was founded in 2011 by N Rangaswamy. He was the President of Youth Congress of Puducherry. He also held the posts of Chairman of Puducherry Agro Products and Civil Supplies Corporation and Anglo-French Textile Mills.
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