NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
India celebrates its 74th Independence Day: This year India celebrates its 74th
Independence Day on 15th August 2020. It was on August 15, 1947 that India got
freedom from the British Empire, after nearly 200-year-long British rule. 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. Every year on 15 August, we celebrate our freedom in quiet
happening ways by gathering at red fort, parades, performances, and many more
exciting events. However, this year we are gonna celebrate it in a quite
different and unique way which we had never done in these 74 years. As the
whole nation is fighting with COVID-19, gathering won’t be possible therefore
all states and government offices have been ordered to webcast their events.
2. India
Independence Day 2020: PM Narendra Modi Speech: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi unfurled the national flag and delivered his seventh consecutive
Independence Day speech from the iconic Red Fort. In the 1 hour 26-minute
speech, he focused on the themes of “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliant
India)”, “Vocal for local” and “Make in India to Make for World”. In his address to the nation on the occasion
of India’s 74th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded
frontline workers fighting against novel coronavirus. PM Modi highlighted the
importance to make India self-reliant, saying it was not just a word but should
be a “mantra” for all countrymen. The Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort
was attended by over 4,000 people, including diplomats, officials and media
personnel. Safety protocols were in place for the event, including social
distancing and wearing masks.
3. PM
Modi launches National Digital Health Mission, where all Indians will get
Health IDs: While
addressing the nation on 15 August 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced
the launch of a new campaign called National Digital Health Mission, under
which all Indians will be given health IDs. This Health ID will work as each
Indian’s health account. Every test, disease and diagnosis, medicines
prescribed by doctors and medical reports along with medicines will be stored
in every citizen’s health ID. The National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), has
been launched under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB
PM-JAY). It is expected to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and
transparency of health services in the country.
4.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launches Indigenisation portal ‘SRIJAN’: The “Atmanirbhar
Bharat” week was organised by the Ministry of Defence from August 7 to 14,
2020. As a part of the Atmanirbhar Week celebration, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath
Singh launched a portal named as SRIJAN, which will function as a one stop shop
online portal, giving opportunities for Make in India in Defence. The indigenization
portal can be accessed at, srijandefence.gov.in, where private sector vendors
can choose items that can be taken up for indigenization. The portal will allow
DPSUs/OFB/SHQs to display the list of items which they have been importing or
are going to import. Using the information of items, the Indian Industry can
select the items for indigenization, which they can design, develop and
manufacture as per their capability or through joint venture with OEMs. The
concerned DPSUs/OFB/SHQs, can then interact with the Indian industry for
indigenization, based on their requirement of the items and their guidelines
& procedures. The portal will display information in a structured way,
which includes the item name, image and specification, values of imports, NATO
Classification (indicative), etc.
5.
Education Minister notified Council of Architecture Regulations, 2020: Education Minister
Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has virtually rolled out Council of Architecture
(Minimum Standards of Architectural Education) Regulations, 2020 in New Delhi.
The regulation will replace Architecture Regulations, 1983. Minimum Standards
of Architectural Education Regulations, 2020 will come into force from 1st
November 2020. It has been prepared by the experts of Council of Architecture
(CoA). About Council of Architecture Regulations, 2020:
(1) As per this, Architecture course will
have minimum duration of 5 academic years or 10 semesters of 90 days each.
(2) Also, candidates who have secured 50%
marks in aggregate at 10+2 level examination or passed 10+3 Diploma Examination
with Mathematics as compulsory subject with at least 50% can only apply.
(3) To enroll in an Architectural course,
candidates must qualify an Aptitude Test in Architecture conducted by the
Council.
(4) The new regulations also deal with
Intake and Migration, Courses and periods of studies, Professional examination,
Standards of proficiency and conditions of admissions, qualification of
examiners, Standards of staff, equipment, accommodation, training and other facilities
for Architecture education.
6.
DIAT develops Biodegradable Face Mask and Anti-Microbial body suit: The Defence
Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) has developed a Nanofibres of Ayurvedic
based Biodegradable face mask which acts as a virus neutralizer to resist
against the bacteria/ virus. The mask has been named as ‘Pavitrapati’. Apart
from this, an anti-microbial bodysuit has also been developed by the name of
‘Aushada Tara’.
About ‘Pavitrapati’: According to the
Transfer of Technology agreement of the product signed between DIAT and a
textile company from Kolhapur, this has been manufactured in order to contain
the spread of the COVID 19 virus. The company has launched its first-ever
ayurvedic face mask for sale. These masks are available on all online platforms
such as Amazon, Flipkart, etc.
About ‘Aushada Tara’: The agreement for
this has also been signed between the DIAT and the same textile company,
Siddheshwar Techtessile Private Limited. This suit has super-hydrophobic,
breathing, anti-microbial, comfort feeling properties. The fabric material has
been approved to fights against the deadly COVID 19 pandemic after it has
cleared the splash resistant tests. These suits are being developed for medical
hospitals, private companies, airlines and government agencies.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Beirut blast: India sends 58 tonnes of emergency aid to Lebanon: India on Friday
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
external affairs ministry said a separate consignment of personal protective
equipment (PPE), including surgical gloves and surgical gowns, is being sent to
Lebanon following a spike in Covid-19 cases. The emergency humanitarian aid was
despatched on 14 August morning 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 blasts
killed more than 170 people, injured another 6,000 and left nearly 300,000
homeless. The total damage has been estimated at $10 billion to $15 billion. A preliminary
assessment by the World Bank showed some 50,000 residential units were damaged
and 80 per cent of residential buildings and infrastructure were affected by
the explosions.
2.
New York’s Times Square observed Indian Flag hoisting for the 1st time: On India’s 74th
Independence Day, Indian Tricolour flag or ‘Tiranga’ was hoisted for the 1st
time at the iconic Times Square in New York. It was hoisted by India's Consul
General in New York, Randhir Jaiswal at the ceremony organised by Federation of
Indian Associations (FIA). FIA was established in 1970 and is the largest
umbrella diaspora organisation that organises India Day Parade to mark India's
Independence Day. Large number of people joined the celebration.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. MS
Dhoni announces retirement from International Cricket: Legendary Indian
Cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni has announced his retirement from International
Cricket. He was a brilliant batsman-wicket keeper and is the only captain to
win all ICC trophies: 2007 ICC T20 World Cup, Asia Cups, 2011 ICC World Cup and
2013 ICC Champions Trophy. He represented India in 350 ODI’s, 98 T20
Internationals (T20Is) and 90 test matches. He announced his retirement from
the International Test Cricket on 30 December 2014. Mahendra Singh Dhoni made
his international debut as the wicket-keeper batsman in 2004 against Bangladesh
and was named the captain of the Twenty20 side in 2007.
2.
Suresh Raina announces retirement from International Cricket: Indian batsman
Suresh Raina has announced his retirement from the International Cricket. He
made his international debut against Sri Lanka in 2005 and represented India in
226 ODIs, 78 T20Is and 18 Tests in his cricketing career that spanned over 13
years. He amassed 7,787 runs across all the formats in international cricket.
He also claimed 167 catches in his international career, setting the bar high
with his athleticism on field. Suresh Raina is the first Indian batsman who has
scored a century in all three formats of the game. He was also part of the
Indian team that won the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions
Trophy. His cameo of 34 runs against Australia in the quarterfinal in the 2011
World Cup was a testimony to his glittering career. He is considered as one of
the finest T20 batsmen.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
Center forms search-cum-selection committee to name the new three government
nominees on Monetary Policy Committee (MPC); Head- Rajiv Gauba: Central Government
has formed a search-cum-selection committee to name the new three government
nominees on the all-important Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). The committee
will be headed by Cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba. Urjit Patel is also a part of
this committee. Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has 6 members which include 3
members from the government side. These nominees from the Central government
can hold office for 4 years. The present three Government nominees are- Chetan
Ghate, Pami Dua and Ravindra H Dholakia who were appointed in September 2016
and will complete their term in September 2020. Hence there is a need to find
three new government nominees on MPC.
2.
SBI rolls out YONO Krishi review to empower farmers: State Bank of
India (SBI) has introduced “KCC (Kisan Credit Card) Review option” on its
digital agricultural solution platform, YONO Krishi, to enable farmers to
access their KCC limit in four clicks. With this added feature, farmers will no
longer need to visit the bank branch to apply for a revision in their KCC
limit, the country’s largest bank said in a statement. KCC Review on YONO
Krishi is expected to benefit more than 75 lakh farmers having KCC accounts
with SBI. The feature of paperless KCC review will not only help farmers save
costs and effort involved in applying for revision of the KCC limit, but also make
the process quicker for them especially during the harvesting season. According
to the Reserve Bank of India, the KCC scheme has been designed to ensure that
farmers get adequate and timely credit support from the banking system under a
single window with flexible and simplified procedure for their cultivation and
other needs.
The scheme provides support to farmers to
meet short term credit requirements for cultivation of crops; post-harvest
expenses; produce marketing loan; consumption requirements of farmer household;
working capital for maintenance of farm assets and activities allied to
agriculture; and investment credit requirement for agriculture and allied
activities.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
Mukesh Ambani now 4th richest man in world: Bloomberg Index: Mukesh Ambani has
surged past Europe’s wealthiest man, making him the world’s fourth-richest
person. Reliance Industries Ltd.’s chairman is now worth $80.6 billion, after
amassing $22 billion this year, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
That gives him a bigger wealth pile than France’s Bernard Arnault, whose LVMH
Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE has suffered from customers curbing high-end
fashion purchases faster than the company can cut costs. India’s richest person
has already surpassed some of the biggest tycoons in recent weeks - a list that
includes Silicon Valley titans such as Elon Musk and Alphabet Inc. co-founders
Sergey Brin and Larry Page, as well as the so-called Oracle of Omaha himself,
Warren Buffett. The three people that still come ahead of Ambani are
centibillionaires Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.
DEFENCE
1.
Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi assumes charge as DGNO: Vice Admiral Dinesh
K Tripathi, AVSM, NM has become the Director General Naval Operations (DGNO).
He is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare and was commissioned
in the Indian Navy on 01st July 1985. The alumnus of National Defence Academy
Khadakwasla, has served on frontline warships of the Navy as Signal
Communication Officer and Electronic Warfare Officer. He has commanded INS
Vinash, INS Kirch and INS Trishul. He has also served as the Executive Officer
and Principal Warfare Officer of Guided Missile Destroyer INS Mumbai.
Note: Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral
Karambir Singh.
OBITUARIES
1. Famous Model and Fashion Designer Simar Dugal passes away: Model-turned-fashion designer Simar Dugal has passed away after battling cancer. She was 52. Simar was dubbed as “India’s first supermodel”. She was known as one of few Indian models who broke the stereotypes and walked the ramp after getting married. After her modelling career, she became a famous name in the Indian fashion world and ran an ethnic wear label.
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