NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India signed an
agreement with ADB to improve water supply in Himachal Pradesh: The Asian
Development Bank (ADB) and the Indian government has signed a $96.3 million loan
agreement to provide safe drinking water and to improve water supply and
sanitation in Himachal Pradesh. The project is aligned with the objectives of
the government of India’s Jal Jeevan Mission which aims to provide piped water
to all rural households by 2024 and it will upgrade water supply infrastructure
and strengthen institutional capacity to ensure safe, sustainable, and
inclusive rural water supply and sanitation services.
More than 90 percent
of the state’s rural population have access to drinking water, but the water
supply infrastructure needs revamping, to result in efficient and improved
service quality. The ADB project will connect 75,800 households to the service,
providing uninterrupted water supply to about 3,70,000 residents across 10 districts.
Note: ASIAN
Development Bank (ADB) Headquarters: Manila, Philippines; President: Masatsugu
Asakawa; Director of ADB for India: Takeo Konishi
2. Karnataka govt and Isha Foundation inked an MoU to
promote agriculture: According to its founder Jaggi Vasudev (Sadhguru), the
Isha Foundation will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the
Karnataka government to enhance soil health, as part of its “Save Soil”
campaign. In addition to other ministers, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will
be visiting the Palace Grounds on Sunday to sign an MoU on “Save Soil.” Key
Points:
a) As part of his 100-day motorbike trip for the “Save
Soil” campaign, Sadhguru (Jagadish Vasudev) arrived in Bengaluru, Karnataka for
Isha Foundation.
b) Jagadish Vasudev (Sadhguru) claimed that the effort
of Isha Foundation, which had its beginnings in London, had now made it to
Cauvery. They are now in Karnataka.
c) Sadhguru continued by saying that he completed
27,278 km of the course and participated in 593 events over the course of the
last 94 days for Isha Foundation before coming to Karnataka.
d) The spiritual leader, Sadhguru said that his group
had created unique “save soil” programmes for 193 countries based on the
characteristics of each nation and had given those documents to those
governments.
e) Jagadish Vasudev (Sadhguru) stated that the nations
took those documents seriously and that 74 countries have signed the MoU and
promised to follow the recommendations.
Note: Karnataka Chief Minister: Basavaraj Somappa Bommai; Karnataka Capital: Bengaluru
3. Fourth Edition of
India’s Clean Air Summit Begins in Bangalore: The fourth edition of India’s
Clean Air Summit (ICAS) took place in Bangalore with global experts. With the
help of India’s Clean Air Summit, global experts are set to discuss an
integrated approach to resolving air pollution and increasing climate change.
The Centre for Air Pollution Studies (CAPS) and the Centre for Study of
Science, Technology, and Policy (CSTEP), think-tanks have organized the summit.
Key Points Related to India’s Clean Air Summit (ICAS):
a)
The event is four days long and will
see policymakers, scientists, technologists, and people affected by the
changing climate sharing their experiences and statistics. The partnership with
different communities will help in implementing on-ground solutions related to
the summit.
b)
The officials and speakers of CSTEP
have shown their concerns over the increase in climate change and air
pollution.
c)
The summit aims to examine solutions
using the finest technology and science.
d)
The event will also be attended by
Government officials from state and central pollution boards.
e)
India’s Clean Air Summit (ICAS) aims to
dig into measures to improve the implementation of the National Clean Air
Programme and build a partnership with different communities.
4. All 23 AIIMS to be
named after Local Heroes, Monuments, Geographical Identities: The government of
India has approved a proposal to give specific names to all the AIIMS, based on
regional heroes, freedom fighters, historical events or monuments of the area,
or their distinct geographical identity. The majority of the 23 All India
Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has submitted a list of names. All the
AIIMS are known by its generic name and distinguished only by their location.
Under the latest proposal, all AIIMS institutes — fully functional, partially
operational or under construction — are to be renamed.
Key Points: Six new AIIMS —
Bihar (Patna), Chhattisgarh (Raipur), Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal), Odisha
(Bhubaneswar), Rajasthan (Jodhpur), and Uttarakhand (Rishikesh) were approved
in Phase 1 of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) and are fully
functional.
Out of the 16 AIIMS
established between 2015 and 2022, MBBS classes and outpatient department
services have been started in 10 institutes, while only MBBS classes have been
started in another two. The remaining four institutes are at different stages
of development.
5. National Sports
Day: 29th August: The National Sports Day or Rashtriya Khel Divas is celebrated
on 29th August in India as a tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand who was
born on this date in 1905. It was 2012 when the day was first designated and
celebrated as India’s National Sports Day. The nation celebrates the day
honouring our sports stars. Rashtriya Khel Diwas OR National Sports Day’s
primary motto is to promote awareness about the importance of sports and being
physically active in the daily life of all the citizens: older or younger.
National Sports Day
History: In 1979, the Indian Postal Department paid
tribute to Major Dhyan Chand after his death and renamed the National Stadium
of Delhi as Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, Delhi. In 2012, it was announced that a
day must be celebrated as National Sports Day with the motive of spreading
awareness about the spirit of sportsmanship and propagating the message of
various sports. And for this again a tribute was given to Major Dhayan Chand on
his birth anniversary and announced on 29th August as National Sports Day in
India.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India signed an
MoU with Iran for smooth movement of seafarers: India has signed an MoU with
Iran to smoothen the movement of seafarers between the two countries. The MoU
was signed between Union Minister of Ports & Shipping Sarbananda Sonowal
& his Iranian counterpart Rostam Ghasemi. The Iranian government is ready
to conclude a long-term contract with India, prioritizing the development of
transit of goods through the Chabahar Port. The contract will also aim at
ramping up activities of the International North-South Transport Corridor
(INSTC).
Note: Iran Capital: Tehran; Currency: Rial;
President: Ebrahim Raisi
2. James Webb Space
Telescope captured Beautiful new Jupiter photos: The James Webb Space Telescope
recently captured new beautiful photos of Jupiter. The James Webb Space
Telescope, which was launched in December 2021, has already captured amazing
photographs of colourful galaxies, gorgeous nebulae, and other breathtaking
celestial bodies in the furthest reaches of the universe. The photos by The
James Webb Space Telescope have to be created by mapping the infrared light
data—which the camera received from Jupiter but the human eye cannot see—onto
the visible spectrum. Key Points:
a)
The two new images of Jupiter were
released this week by NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space
Agency by the James Webb Space Telescope.
b)
They were both taken by the telescope’s
Near-Infrared Camera, which can see through space dust to reveal details that
the human eye cannot see.
c)
Despite the fact that we do know a lot
about Jupiter, According to NASA, Jupiter’s quick rotation makes it challenging
to work with near-infrared data from the planet.
d)
Currently, researchers are analysing
the Webb data and photographs in an effort to discover even more; at the same
time, NASA’s Juno orbiter is also keeping an eye on the planet.
3. International Day
against Nuclear Tests: 29th August: International Day against Nuclear Tests is
observed on 29th August to raise awareness about the devastating effects of
testing nuclear weapons. This year marks the thirteenth anniversary of the
event. On this day, the United Nations organises an event that creates public
awareness regarding the effects of nuclear weapons tests, and detonations and
further highlights the requirement for cessation of such nuclear tests.
International Day
against Nuclear Tests History: On 2 December 2009,
the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly declared 29 August the
International Day against Nuclear Tests through the unanimous adoption of its
resolution 64/35. The Preamble of the resolution emphasizes that “every effort
should be made to end nuclear tests in order to avert devastating and harmful
effects on the lives and health of people” and that “the end of nuclear tests
is one of the key means of achieving the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world.”
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Neeraj Chopra wins
Lausanne Diamond League with 89.08m throw: Olympic champion and javelin
thrower, Neeraj Chopra scripted history as he became the first Indian to clinch
a Lausanne Diamond League. In his first attempt, he hurled the spear 89.08m to
seal his victory in his own style. His 89.08m throw was his third career-best
effort, followed by a second throw measuring 85.18m. Meanwhile, Tokyo Olympics
silver medalist Jakub Vadlejch finished second with a best throw of 85.88m,
followed by USA’s Curtis Thompson was third with a best effort of 83.72m.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Mastercard
partnered with BASIX to create an agri-tech platform for farmers: Mastercard
has partnered with livelihood promotion institution BASIX Social Enterprise
Group to launch an agritech platform BASIX Farmers’ Market (BFM) to integrate
farmers into the digital economy. The digital platform will address fundamental
challenges for small farmers related to price discovery, market reach,
payments, and credit access.
Note: Mastercard
Founded: 16 December 1966; Headquarters: New York, United States; CEO: Michael
Miebach; Executive Chairman: Ajay Banga
2. IDFC named
Mahendra Shah as MD & CEO: The IDFC Ltd board has approved the appointment
of Mahendra N Shah as managing director-designate of the company with effect
from October 1, 2022, till September 30, 2023, subject to the approval of the
shareholders. The term of Sunil Kakar as managing director & CEO of the
company will end on 30 September 2022. Mahendra N Shah was the group company
secretary & group chief compliance officer of IDFC First Bank and has been
the group head of governance, compliance & secretarial and senior advisor
of taxation at IDFC for more than a decade.
Note: IDFC Ltd
Headquarters: Mumbai; IDFC Ltd CEO: V. Vaidyanathan (19 Dec 2018–); IDFC Ltd
Founded: October 2015.
3. Sivakumar Gopalan,
Gopal Jain appointed as non-executive directors of RBL Bank: The private sector
lender RBL Bank has appointed Gopal Jain and Dr Sivakumar Gopalan as the
non-executive directors. RBL Bank has been working on adding a diverse set of
leaders with relevant experience to accelerate its 2.0 strategy. With the new
additions, the bank’s board will have 14 members. The board of RBL Bank
approved raising up to Rs 3,000 crores through the issue of debt securities on
a private placement basis, on a “time-to-time basis”.
Note: RBL BANK
Founded: 1943; RBL BANK Headquarters: Mumbai; RBL BANK MD & CEO: R
Subramaniakumar; RBL BANK Tagline: Apno ka Bank.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1. Hero Electric
Partners with Jio-BP for Charging & Battery swapping: Hero Electric, an
Indian electric scooter maker announces a partnership with Jio-BP to provide EV
charging and battery swapping solutions in India. The partnership between Hero
electric and Jio-BP will allow the automaker’s customers access to the latter’s
charging and battery swapping infrastructure. In 2020, a joint venture between
Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries and British oil giant BP, called Jio-BP.
The statement issued by Hero Electric informs that in addition to creating
solutions for seamless customer journey on Hero Electric and Jio-BP apps, the
companies will bring the best of their Global learning in electrification and
apply them to the Indian market to create a differentiated customer experience
that delights the customer.
The Jio-BP under the
Jio-BP pulse brand has currently set up charging and swapping stations across
the country. Customers can find any nearby station using the Jio-BP pulse app.
Hero Electric currently has a sale of over 750 and service Outlets across the
country. Hero has also sold more than 4.5 lakh electric two-wheeler. Hero
Electric aims to deliver the best EVs in India to its customers and to
transform the e-mobility sector in India.
2. Royal Enfield
tie-up with UNESCO to promote cultural heritage of India: Royal Enfield has
partnered with UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation) to promote and safeguard the ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of
India, beginning with the Himalayas. The programme is curated as an experiential
and creative showcase of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) practices in
the Western Himalayas and the North Eastern region. This includes an
exhibition, panel discussions, film screenings, performances and lecture
demonstrations. The four-day programme will see eminent artists, designers,
chefs, mixologists, musicians, actors, photographers and luminaries of the
social development sector such as Adil Hussain, Peter D’Ascoli, Sonam Dubal,
Rita Banerji, Mallika Virdi and Tsewang Namgail, Yangdup Lama, Nilza Wangmo and
Anumitra Ghosh.
As part of its
ongoing programme globally and in India:
a)
UNESCO has been spearheading the
movement to identify, document and preserve the Intangible Cultural Heritage of
India, which is one of the 178 countries to have adopted the 2003 UNESCO
Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), for
decades.
b)
Both parties also state that the
Intangible cultural heritage is directly linked to livelihoods. For instance,
large numbers of women in rural India are engaged in weaving and the production
of handicrafts, and India’s handloom and crafts sector have emerged as one of
the country’s largest employers and facilitators for income generation in rural
areas.
Note: Royal Enfield
CEO: B. Govindarajan (18 Aug 2021–); Royal Enfield Headquarters: Chennai; Royal
Enfield Founded: 1955; Managing Director and CEO of Eicher Motors: Siddhartha
Lal; Royal Enfield Parent organization: Eicher Motors.
