NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
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“. The system was launched during virtual meeting
with the industry, ministers of states, UT administrators and senior officers of
the central and State Governments. 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. National
GIS-enabled Land Bank system has been developed by integration of 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.
Industrial Information System (IIS) portal is a GIS-enabled database of
industrial areas/clusters across the states and about 3,300 industrial parks
across 31 States/UTs have been mapped on the System. It contains information
about forest, drainage, raw material heat maps; multiple layers of
connectivity.
2.
ISRO signs MoU with VSSUT to set up Incubation Centre: Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO) and Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology
(VSSUT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up the first of
its kind innovation cum incubation centre, VSSUT Space Innovation Centre
(VSSSIC) to promote space research. ISRO and VSSUT will collaborate to develop
high-end simulation tools, miniature test facilities like Static test facility
and solid propulsion research lab and establishment of testing facilities for
the scaled-down model. Important features of MoU:
(1) ISRO will offer technical consultancy support
and financial assistance of Rs 50 lakhs for the development of infrastructure
of VSSUT.
(2) ISRO and VSSUT will collaborate to
develop high-end simulation tools, miniature test facilities like Static test
facility and solid propulsion research lab and establishment of testing
facilities for the scaled-down model.
(3) VSSSIC will explore the latest global
trends in space technology and will take up related projects that benefit
India.
(4) ISRO will ease the limited utilisation
of rocket launching facilities like Thumba, Sriharikota or Balasore (under
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
(5) These facilities have all kinds of
safety systems that are required for the launch of future sounding rockets of
VSSSIC.
Note: ISRO Chairman: K Sivan; ISRO
Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka.
VSSUT Vice-Chancellor: Atal Chaudhuri;
VSSUT Headquarters: Sambalpur, Odisha.
3.
NITI Aayog releases report on Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020: NITI Aayog has
released the report on Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020 in partnership with
the Institute of Competitiveness. The report evaluates the export preparedness
and performance of Indian states. It aims to identify the challenges and
opportunities; improve the effectiveness of government policies; and promote a
facilitative regulatory framework. Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu occupied
the top three ranks in the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020. Some important
highlights of the report:
(1) Most Indian states performed well on
average in the sub-pillars of Exports Diversification, Transport Connectivity,
and Infrastructure.
(2) Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu
occupied the top three ranks in the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020.
(3) Delhi has performed the best, followed
by Goa and Chandigarh among the Union Territories.
(4) According to the report, India faces
the following three fundamental challenges in the export promotion: (i) intra-
and inter-regional disparities in export infrastructure; (ii) poor trade
support and growth orientation among states; (iii) poor R&D infrastructure
to promote complex and unique exports.
Note: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI
Aayog: Amitabh Kant.
4.
Uttar Pradesh government launches NRI unified portal: Uttar Pradesh
government has launched the NRI unified portal. Overseas Indians and NRIs will
be able to get their issues resolved with the help of this portal in
cooperation with local administration or the State Government, as there are
many instances when they could not find a platform to help their families
resolve the problems related to their house as well as issues with local
administration. The state government will also create a database of the state’s
migrant workers employed in different countries of the world and will help
offer assistance during any emergency.The portal will also offer an opportunity
to those who want to go abroad.
Note: Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh: Yogi
Aditya Nath; Governor: Anandiben Patel.
5.
Ministry of Social Justice launches Mental Health Rehabilitation helpline
‘KIRAN’: The
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched a 24×7 Mental Health
Rehabilitation helpline number under the name ‘Kiran’ to assist people to cope
with mental health issues, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The
toll-free HELPLINE number 1800-599-0019 will operate through 25 Institutions in
13 languages. The helpline will provide callers support for early screening,
first-aid, psychological support, distress management, mental well-being,
preventing deviant behaviours, psychological crisis management among other
things.
6. A
book title ‘Cricket Drona’ on renowned coach Vasoo Paranjape: A book title
‘Cricket Drona’ on renowned coach Vasudev Jagannath Paranjpe or Vasoo Paranjape
will be released on September 2, 2020. The book is written by Vasudev Jagannath
Paranjpe’s son and current national selector Jatin Paranjpe along with Cricket
Journalist Anand Vasu and published by Penguin. The essence of the Book:
(1) The book talks about the impact of
Paranjpe on shaping the careers of India’s greatest cricketers like Gavaskar,
Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma.
(2) The book will be a first-hand chronicle
of stories, life lessons and game-changing experiences written by people who
have crossed paths with Vasudev Paranjpe at some point in their career.
(3) The book also consists of essays
written by Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Donald Trump formally re-nominated as Republican presidential candidate: US President Donald
Trump was formally re-nominated as the Republican Party's presidential
candidate for the November 3 elections. Trump secured sufficient votes to be
re-nominated as the presidential candidate during the Republican National
Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. Trump, 74, who faces formidable
challenge from former Democratic vice president Joe Biden, 77, delivered his acceptance
speech from the South Lawns of the White House on August 27. Mike Pence was
also re-nominated as the Vice-Presidential candidate.
2.
IIT Alumni Council signs MOU with Russia for building Quantum Computers: Indian Institute
of Technology’s (IIT) Alumni Council has signed an agreement with Russia’s
Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU) and Russoft to build the world’s
largest and fastest hybrid quantum computer in India. The most promising areas
for Indo-Russian joint projects are Information and Communications Technology,
space exploration, climate change, quantum technology and data security. The
objective of the agreement is to use technology in the areas of healthcare,
agriculture, transport and logistics, pollution and weather forecast to achieve
the mission of Atma Nirbhar Bharat. As a part of the agreement, the Russian
state-owned companies, which are key Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) owners,
will transfer critical modules in cryogenics, cryptography and modularised
cloud management technology to IIT Alumni Council.
Note: IIT Alumni Council President: Ravi
Sharma; IIT Alumni Council Headquarter: New Delhi.
3.
5th virtual BRICS Industry Minister’s Meeting held: The Industry
Ministers of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries
held a meeting through video mode to discuss ways to boost cooperation in areas
including 5G and Artificial Intelligence. From India, the Union Minister of
State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Som Parkash, participated in the meeting.
The meeting adopted a joint statement on cooperation in new industries, such as
5G, AI and the industrial Internet, among BRICS countries. It is also likely
that BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting will be organised in early September
2020, which will be arranged by Russia, the current Chair of BRICS.
Note: BRICS President: Marcos Prado Troyjo;
BRICS Headquarters: Shanghai, China.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
India plans to host BRICS Games in 2021: India is planning to host BRICS Games
2021, which will be aligned with the Khelo India Games scheduled for next year.
This announcement came after Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju attended a meeting of
Sports Ministers of the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South
Africa). 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. BRICS Games were
formed at 8th BRICS Summit held in Goa, India in 2016. First edition of the
BRICS Games were held in Guangzhou, China in 2017
Note: Sports Minister: Kiren Rijiju
BRICS Headquarters: Shanghai, China; BRICS
President: Marcos Prado Troyjo
2.
Bryan brothers announce retirement from the sport: The most
successful men’s doubles pair in tennis history, Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan have
announced their retirement from the sport. 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. The Bryan
brothers’ first major success came at the 2003 French Open and reached to No. 1
spot in the ATP Doubles Rankings on 8 September 2003 and spent a total time of
438 weeks at the top.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
HDFC Bank & Adobe partners to enhance digital customer experiences: HDFC Bank has
announced a strategic partnership with Adobe to enhance the Digital Experiences
of its Customers. The partnership is powered by Adobe Experience Cloud Solutions
and will help HDFC Bank to deliver personalised digital experiences to existing
as well as new customers, at anytime and anywhere. 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. HDFC Bank’s customers can now look forward to: Usage of any
device to do different types of end-to-end transactions; Opening of accounts
digitally, without visiting an HDFC branch; A platform to apply for loans
digitally from home 24×7; Managing investments without any physical interface.
Note: HDFC Bank Headquarters: Mumbai,
Maharashtra; HDFC Chairman: Deepak Parekh
2.
Vinay Tonse becomes new MD and CEO of SBI Mutual Fund: Vinay Tonse has
been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SBI
Mutual Fund (MF). He will replace Ashwani Bhatia, who has been now appointed as
the managing director (MD) of State Bank of India. Tonse joined SBI as a
Probationary Officer in 1988 and has worked across different locations in India
and abroad. Over his tenure of 32 years with the State Bank of India, he has
traversed through various functions and assignments possessing rich experience
in several facets of commercial banking such as corporate credit, treasury,
retail and international banking.
Note: SBI Mutual Fund Founded: June 1987;
SBI Mutual Fund Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
Dutch author Marieke Lucas Rijneveld wins International Booker Prize 2020: Dutch Author,
Marieke Lucas Rijneveld won the International Booker Prize 2020 for her debut
novel ‘The Discomfort of Evening’. Rijneveld became the youngest author to win
the prize at the age of 29. 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.
About International Booker Prize: The
International Booker Prize is an international literary award given annually to
a book translated to English and published in the UK or Ireland. The Prize aims
to encourage publishing and reading of quality fiction from all over the world
and also to promote the work of translators. Both novels and short-story
collections are eligible for the prize. The Booker prizes are sponsored by
Crankstart, a charitable foundation.
OBITUARIES
1.
Computer Pioneer Arnold Spielberg passes away: Arnold Meyer
Spielberg, a pioneered computer designer & an innovative engineer passed
away at the age of 103. Spielberg and Charles Propster designed the GE-225
mainframe computer in the late 1950s while working for General Electric. The
machine allowed computer scientists at Dartmouth College to develop the
programming language BASIC, which would be essential to the rise of personal
computers in the 1970s and ‘80s. Spielberg was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on
February 6, 1917. He is the father of filmmaker Steven Spielberg and helped
them to produce his first full-fledged movie, ‘Firelight’, made in 1963.
Achievements of Arnold Spielberg:
Spielberg helped to develop the 1st
point-of-sale computerised cash register, it is regarded as his greatest
contribution. Also, he designed and patented the 1st electronic library system,
which was implemented as an interrogation system for data stored on an array of
magnetic tapes.
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