NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Ladakh launches ‘PaniMaah’ to raise awareness about clean water: ‘PaniMaah’ or water
month has been launched in Ladakh to inform villagers about the importance of
clean water. The Ladakh government has also announced a reward of Rs 2.5
million for the first block in each district that achieves the status of
‘HarGhar Jal’. ‘PaniMaah’ campaign will adopt a three-pronged approach —
focussing on water quality testing, planning and strategizing water supply, and
seamless functioning of Pani Sabha in villages.
As per the government data:
(1) Only 11.75 per cent of rural households
in Ladakh have access to tap water connections. The PaniMaah campaign is
expected to expedite the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission in the union
territory.
(2) During this campaign, village
communities will be encouraged to send water samples to water quality
laboratories for quality checks and monitoring.
(3) In the first phase of ‘PaniMaah’, water
samples will be collected from all identified sources and service delivery
points for testing. The first phase will also include awareness and
sensitisation campaigns.
(4) The second phase will focus on
organising the PaniSabhas/Gram Sabhas/Block level meetings and door to door
visits for effective communication on water quality and service delivery under
the Jal Jeevan Mission, a scheme of the Ministry of Jal Shakti launched in 2019
to provide safe piped drinking water to every rural household in the country by
2024.
Note: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh: Radha
Krishna Mathur.
2.
Ministry of S&T Allocated over Rs 1,600 Cr for Covid-related Research,
Product Development: The
Ministry of Science and Technology has allocated over Rs 1,600 crore for
COVID-19 related research and product development, the government informed
Rajya Sabha. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and its public sector
undertaking Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) have
allocated approximately Rs 1,300 crore for COVID-19 related research and
product development, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said. Under
the COVID-19 research consortium, as a part of the comprehensive efforts to
facilitate development of indigenous research solutions to tackle COVID-19, 107
projects were supported in thematic areas of vaccines (17), diagnostics (45),
therapeutics (22) and biomedical interventions (23). To advance biomedical
research, the DBT has supported five COVID-19 biorepositories.
3.
Haryana CM Khattar launches ‘HarHith’ store scheme in Panchkula: Haryana Chief
Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched the first-of-its-kind ‘HarHith’ store
scheme to promote the sale of quality products of daily need at reasonable
prices.As many as 2,000 stores will be launched in the first phase- 1,500 in
rural and 500 in urban areas. The number of stores will later be extended to
5,000 in the first phase. As per the scheme franchise policy, people in the age
group of 18-35, women, person with special disabilities, young members of
families having annual income less than Rs1.80 lakh and those verified under
the MukhyamantriParviarUthan Yojana would be given preference. The state
government will also guarantee a minimum monthly income of Rs15,000 per month
through these stores. As per the sale provision made in the HarHith store
scheme, the franchise partner, who sells products worth Rs1.50 lakh will earn a
marginal profit of 10 per cent that is Rs15,000.
4. MS
Dhoni becomes first brand ambassador of HomeLane: Home interiors
brand HomeLane has entered into a three-year strategic partnership with
Mahendra Singh Dhoni as an equity partner and brand ambassador. As part of the
partnership, Dhoni will own equity in HomeLane and will be the company’s first
brand ambassador. With the upcoming cricket and festive season, HomeLane and MS
Dhoni are jointly working on a brand new campaign that will be released during
the new IPL season. The partnership will last for the next three years. Dhoni will
not only become an equity partner but also a brand ambassador for the company.
5. A
book titled “The Year That Wasn’t – The Diary of a 14-Year-Old” released: Veteran actor
ShabanaAzmi has launched the book titled “The Year That Wasn’t – The Diary of a
14-Year-Old”, which is penned by Kolkata girl Brisha Jain. The book was written
by a 14-year-old girl, which chronicles the lockdown days seen through her eyes
as the Covid-19 pandemic spreading last year. The book handholds readers
through a journey – the hopeful beginning of a new decade, the confusion
triggered by a pandemic, lockdown travails, coping with the whole new world of
online schooling, a new digital divide, the vaccine race, the waning of the
pandemic’s severity and it’s a resurgence.
INTERNATIONALUPDATES:
1.
IMF approves $650B Special Drawing Rights allocation: The International
Monetary Fund has approved an allocation of $650 billion in Special Drawing
Rights, the largest such disbursement in the history of the institution and one
designed to help countries cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. The SDRs are
allocated based on member countries’ share quotas. This means much of the
reserve assets will be going to wealthier nations. IMF said about $275 billion
will reach the broad category of “emerging markets and developing countries.”
But the lowest-income nations will receive the least, with African countries,
for example, expected to get just 6.4% of the total allocation.
2.
World Lion Day: 10th August: World Lion Day is observed globally on
August 10 every year. World Lion Day is marked to raise awareness about the
king of beasts and the efforts undertaken for their conservation. Owing to
their courage, intelligence, strength, and magnificence, lions often feature on
national flags, and royal symbols and emblems to represent command, power or
authority across cultures. World Lion Day was launched in 2013.
About the big cat: The big cat is
listed as an endangered species in the IUCN Red List. The majestic animal is
the second-largest member of the Felidae (cat family), after the tiger. There
is only one species of the lion in the world whose scientific name is
Pantheraleo. As per the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s
(IUCN)’s Red List of Threatened Species (2016), the Pantheraleo has two
subspecies: Panthera Leo and Pantheraleopersica, found in Africa and Asia.
Note: International Union for Conservation
of Nature Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland; International Union for
Conservation of Nature CEO: Bruno Oberle; International Union for Conservation
of Nature Founder: Julian Huxley; International Union for Conservation of
Nature Founded: 5 October 1948.
3.
World Biofuel Day: 10th August: World Biofuel Day is observed on August 10
every year. The day is celebrated to raise awareness about the importance of
non-fossil fuels as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels and highlight
the various efforts made by Government in the biofuel sector. The development
of biofuels is in sync with schemes such as Swach Bharat Abhiyan and Atmanirbhar
Bharat Abhiyan. World Biofuel Day was first observed by the Ministry of
Petroleum and Gas in August 2015.
What is Biofuel: Biofuels are
environmentally friendly fuels whose use would go a long way in reducing carbon
emissions. They are created through renewable biomass resources and therefore
make a strong case for sustainable development. As such biofuels will help meet
the energy requirements of the 21st-century world without damaging the
environment in the process.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
James Anderson becomes 3rd highest wicket-taker in Test cricket: James Anderson
overtook Anil Kumble’s tally of 619 Test wickets to become the third-highest
wicket-taker in Test cricket. He achieved this huge feat after KL Rahul knocked
one to wicket-keeper Jos Buttler. His current wickets tally stands at 621 from
163 Tests. Anderson is currently the highest wicket-taker among the fast
bowlers and is the only pacer in the 600 club. He achieved the milestone on the
3rd day of the Nottingham Test against India.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
Suryoday Small Finance Bank opens ‘Health and Wellness Savings account: Suryoday Small
Finance Bank (SSFB) has launched a ‘Suryoday Health and Wellness Savings
Account’ to help customers grow their wealth and also take care of their
family’s health amid the covid-19 pandemic. The account offers an attractive
interest rate and comes with three major benefits for a family of four — top-up
health insurance of ₹25 lakh, annual healthcare package and on-call emergency
ambulance medical care services. Top-up health insurance and healthcare package
are free of charge for one year after opening the account. Free ambulance
service up to a distance of 20 km will be available at 102 locations across the
country till March-end 2022. For opening the savings account, customers will
need to maintain an average monthly balance of ₹3 lakh and have to be eligible
as per the key health declaration form.
Key Benefits of health and wellness
savings account:
(1) Complimentary top-up health insurance
plan of ₹25 lakh with a deductible amount of ₹5 lakh.
(2) The top-up health insurance plan covers
self and family (self, spouse, and up to 2 children) for
hospitalisation/medical emergencies.
(3) Complementary health care package for
up to four members, including free online doctor consultations, free health
check-ups, online pharmacy vouchers, network discount card.
(4) Complementary ambulance services for a
family in case of any unfortunate medical emergency.
(5) Attractive rate of interest on health
and wellness savings account with interest payable monthly.
Note: Suryoday Small Finance Bank MD and
CEO: BaskarBabu Ramachandran.
2.
SBI General partners with SahiPay to offer general insurance products: SBI General
Insurance, one of India’s leading General Insurance companies, announced a
tie-up with Manipal Business Solutions to increase insurance penetration in the
rural markets. SahiPay, the fastest growing tech-enabled financial inclusion
platform of Manipal Business Solutions, provides digital and financial services
to customers in semi-urban and rural India.
About the partnership:
(1) This association marks a significant
milestone for SBI General in realizing its vision of becoming the most trusted
general insurer for India as well as Bharat.
(2) Through this partnership, SBI General
will provide a bouquet of non-life insurance solutions to SahiPay customers.
(3) This partnership will bring in a
perfect blend for rural customers, with SBI General’s non-life product
offerings and Manipal Business Solutions, along with the right understanding of
the rural segment by both partners.
Note: SBI General Insurance Headquarters:
Mumbai; SBI General Insurance Founded: 2009; SBI General Insurance CEO: Prakash
Chandra Kandpal.
3.
RBI Extends Deadline on New Current Account Rules till Oct 31 After Reports of
Hassles: The
Reserve Bank allowed time to banks till October 31 to implement changes on the
current account front, following reports of small businesses being hit with
account freezes in the last few days. The central bank said the circular is
aimed at enforcing credit discipline amongst the borrowers as well as to
facilitate better monitoring by the lenders, but made it clear that a graded
approach had been prescribed to banks on opening and operating of current accounts
and cash credit/overdraft CC/OD facilities.
DEFENCE
1.
Indigenously designed INS Vikrant leaves port for maiden sea trials: India’s first
indigenous aircraft carrier, Vikrant set sail to begin its first sea trial. INS
Vikrant was designed by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and
built at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). This advanced warship is the first
attempt by the two entities to build an aircraft carrier from the ground up.
INS Vikrant has 75 per cent indigenous content and will be commissioned into
the Eastern Naval Command. It will be commissioned into the Indian Navy by
August 2022.
About the INS Vikrant:
(1) It is 262 m long, 62 m wide, and has a
height of 59 m;
(2) It has 14 decks and 2,300 coaches;
(3) It has a top speed of around 28 knots;
(4) Its design is completely modelled in
3D.
OBITUARIES
1.
Veteran actor AnupamShyam passes away: Veteran actor AnupamShyam has passed away.
The actor was best known for his work on the TV show Mann KeeAwaaz: Pratigya
and appearances in films like Slumdog Millionaire and Bandit Queen. In his
nearly three-decade-long career, Shyam featured in films like Satya, Dil Se,
Lagaan, HazaaronKhwaisheinAisi and received critical acclaim for his role as
Thakur Sajjan Singh on Mann KeeAwaaz: Pratigya which aired in 2009 on Star
Plus.
2. Noted Kerala sculptor, cartoonist P.S. Banarji passes away: Noted Kerala Cartoonist, sculptor and folk singer, P.S. Banarji has passed away. A recipient of the LalithakalaAkademi Fellowship, Banarji was noted for his Ayyankali and Buddha sculptures at Venganur and Koduman. Known for his rendition of a string of folk songs, including the popular ‘TharakaPennale’, he was working as a graphic designer in an IT firm.
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