NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PM
Modi to dedicate 2G ethanol plant in Panipat to nation: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation via video conferencing a second
generation (2G) ethanol plant built at an estimated cost of Rs 900 crore in
Haryana’s Panipat. The dedication of the plant is part of a long series of
steps taken by the government over the years to boost the production and usage
of biofuels in the country. This is in line with the prime minister’s constant
endeavour to transform the energy sector to make it more affordable,
accessible, efficient and sustainable.
About the project:
a)
The
project will provide direct employment to people involved in the plant
operation and indirect employment will be generated in the supply chain for
rice straw cutting, handling, storage, etc.
b)
Through
the reduction in the burning of rice straw, the project will contribute to a
reduction of greenhouse gases equivalent to about 3 lakh tonnes of carbon
dioxide equivalent emissions per annum, which can be understood as equivalent
to replacing nearly 63,000 cars annually on the country’s roads.
2.
Maharashtra Governor inaugurates the 22nd ‘Bharat Rang Mahotsav’: Maharashtra
Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari inaugurated the 22nd ‘Bharat Rang Mahotsav’ at
Rabindra Natya Mandir in Mumbai. The five-day drama festival (being held from
August 9 to August 13, 2022) is being jointly organised by the Union Ministry
of Culture and P.L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Akademi in the city to pay
tribute to our freedom fighters.
National School of Drama under Azadi Ka
Amrit Mahotsav is organizing “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – 22nd Bharat Rang
Mahotsav, 2022 (Azadi Segment)” to pay tributes to our freedom fighters. As
part of the 22nd Bharat Rang Mahotsav, 2022 (Azadi Segment), 30 plays will be
showcased in Delhi, Bhubaneshwar, Varanasi, Amritsar, Bengaluru and Mumbai from
16th July to 14th August, 2022.
3.
Goa CM Pramod Sawant announced to implement 100% NEP in higher education: Goa Chief
Minister, Pramod Sawant has announced that the state government will implement
100% of the syllabus in higher education institutes along the lines of the
National Education Policy (NEP). The implementation of NEP from the college to
university level has already started. From the next academic year, a hundred
per cent of the syllabus in the higher education institutes would be online with
the NEP.
Sawant also talked about the skills of
manpower. He confirmed that Goa has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU)
with around 35 industry associations in the state who will work on the skill
development. The Chief Minister also mentioned the need for two lakh manpower
in the hospitality industry over the next five years. The manpower will be
trained by the government.
Note: Goa Governor: P.S. Sreedharan Pillai;
Goa Chief Minister: Pramod Sawant.
4.
Nitish Kumar resigned as NDA chief minister in Bihar: Nitish Kumar has
submitted his resignation as the NDA chief minister in Bihar to the state
governor Phagu Chauhan. He also submitted a support letter of 160 MLAs to stake
claims to form a new government. In the 243-member assembly, the BJP has 77
lawmakers and JD (U) 45. The RJD is currently the single-largest party with 79
MLAs, Congress 19 and the CPI (ML)-led Left Front 17. The tensions between the
JD(U) and BJP, which kept simmering as the latter’s state-level leaders were
accused of taking potshots at the CM, reached a breaking point after JD(U)
leader RCP Singh was accused by a section of the party of conspiring to create
a split.
Note: Bihar Capital: Patna; Bihar Governor:
Phagu Chauhan.
5.
Google launches ‘India Ki Udaan’ to mark 75 years of Independence: Tech giant,
Google has launched ‘India Ki Udaan’ to mark 75 years of Independence. The
project has executed by Google Arts & Culture celebrates the country’s
achievements and is “themed on the unwavering and undying spirit of India over
these past 75 years”. As part of the country-wide celebrations, Google also
announced its collaboration with the Ministry of Culture. It was officially
launched at a glittering event held at the Sunder Nursery in Delhi in the
presence of Union Culture and Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy and senior
officials of the culture ministry and Google.
Significance: India Ki Udaan: As part of the
countrywide celebrations to commemorate 75 years of independence, Google also
announced its collaboration with the Ministry of Culture focused “on reaching
informative online content that showcases the contributions of Indians and the
evolution of India since 1947 to support the government’s year-long ‘Azadi Ka
Amrit Mahotsav’ programme”. The centrepiece of its celebrations is a new online
collection titled “India Ki Udaan”, available on the Google Arts and Culture
website. It pays tributes to India’s rich cultural history and includes iconic
moments from the last 75 years.
About the ‘India Ki Udaan’:
a)
This
initiative offers a unique view of India’s remarkable moments and lets people
discover some of the most memorable moments in India’s modern history, its
iconic personalities, its proudest scientific and sporting achievements, and
how women in India continue to inspire the world.
b)
This
commemorative collection will be expanded with a unique blend of archives and
artistry for people in India and across the globe. In its 10th year in India,
Google Arts and Culture has showcased the country’s rich culture in many ways.
Working with more than 100 partners in India, it has brought the country’s
cultural heritage to people all over the world.
Note: Google CEO: Sundar Pichai; Google
Founded: 4 September 1998; Google Headquarters: Mountain View, California,
United States.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Marape reinstated as PM of Papua New Guinea by new legislature: Following
elections in the South Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea, the
parliament has reinstated Prime Minister James Marape. According to the media
and election authorities, Marape was re-sworn in as prime minister after
lawmakers in the new parliament elected Marape without opposition. The general
election in Papua New Guinea took place between July 4 and July 22, although
voting and vote counting were postponed due to unusual conditions, such as
security concerns, attacks on ballot boxes, and logistical difficulties,
according to the electoral commission.
Marape’s Reinstatement: Key Points
a)
Marape
and his predecessor, Peter O’Neill, who resigned in 2019, were the front-runners
for the position of leader of the next administration.
b)
When
parliament of Papua New Guinea was scheduled to meet, 105 of the 118 seats had
been filled. Among the elect were two women.
c)
Marape,
the head of the Pangu Party, which won 36 seats, received 97 votes in favour of
becoming Prime Minister Papua New Guinea, and he will lead a coalition
government made up of more than a dozen independents and minor parties.
d)
Marape,
who took office as prime minister for the first time in 2019, declared that the
coalition had a collective mandate and urged national unity.
2.
World Biofuel Day: 10th August: World Biofuel Day is commemorated on 10
August every year to raise awareness about the use of non-fossil fuels as an
alternative to conventional fossil fuels. During this day, the government and
private organisations come together to spread awareness about the importance of
non-fossil fuels as a different source of energy.
World Biofuel Day History: August 10 was
chosen as World Biofuel Day since it was on this date in 1893 that German
inventor Sir Rudolf Diesel successfully ran his diesel engine on peanut oil.
This was a path-breaking discovery as it created a safer, renewable and
sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. In India, the Ministry of Petroleum
and Natural Gas (MoP&NG) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change (MoEFCC) started celebrating World Biofuel Day, 2015 onwards.
3.
World Lion Day: 10th August: World Lion Day is observed globally on 10th August.
The day aims to spread awareness of lions and the urgent need to strive toward
their conservation. The purpose of World Lion Day, as previously indicated, is
to increase public awareness of the significance of lion conservation. Lions
are designated as a vulnerable species on the Red List of Threatened Species by
the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
World Lion Day History: In 2013, the
first World Lion Day was observed. Dereck and Beverly Joubert, from the Big Cat
Initiative and National Geographic, founded it. Their objective was to
safeguard lions in their natural environment. Additionally, they aimed to
collaborate on safety measures with localities that are close to wild cats.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Chess prodigy V Pranav becomes India’s 75th Grandmaster: The Chennai-based
chess prodigy V Pranav became India’s 75th Grandmaster by winning a tournament
in Romania. The Chennai-based Pranav won the Limpedea Open in Baia Mare,
Romania to secure his third and final GM norm and attain the Grandmaster title.
2. 2022
SAFF U20 Championship: India beat Bangladesh 5-2 to clinch the trophy: India beat
Bangladesh 5-2 after extra time to clinch the 2022 SAFF U20 Championship title,
at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. India was the host of the 4th
edition of the SAFF U-20 Championship. SAFF U-20 Championship is an
international football competition for men’s under-18 national teams organized
by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF). Sibajit Singh Leimapokpam was
the captain of the Indian team and Som Kumar was the goalkeeper.
Both teams were locked 1-1 at the interval,
and 2-2 after completion of regulation time. Gurkirat scored in the 1st, 60th,
94th and 99th minutes respectively, while Himanshu scored in the 92nd minute.
For Bangladesh, Rajon Howladar and Shahin Mia scored in the 44th and 48th
minutes. Top awardee of the tournament:
Top scorer – Gurkirat Singh (8 goals)
Best player – Gurkirat Singh
Best goalkeeper – Som Kumar
Note: South Asian Football Federation
President: Kazi Salahuddin; South Asian Football Federation Founded: 1997;
South Asian Football Federation Headquarters: Dhaka, Bangladesh; South Asian
Football Federation Abbreviation: SAFF; South Asian Football Federation General
Secretary: Anwarul Huq.
3.
Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand becomes FIDE deputy president: Indian chess
legend, Viswanathan Anand was elected deputy president of the International
Chess Federation or World Chess Federation (FIDE), the sport’s world governing
body. While incumbent president Arkady Dvorkovich was re-elected for a second
term. Five-time world champion Anand was part of Dvorkovich’s team.
The elections to the world chess body were
held during the FIDE Congress which is being conducted here alongside the 44th
Chess Olympiad. In the elections held here, Dvorkovich pipped Andrii
Baryshpolets, a Ukrainian Grandmaster, by a landslide scoreline of 157-16
votes. A third candidate, French Bachar Kouatly, withdrew his candidature after
giving his speech before voting began.
Note: World Chess Federation Headquarters: Lausanne,
Switzerland; World Chess Federation Founded: 20 July 1924, Paris, France.
4.
CWG 2022: Nikhat Zareen and Sharath Kamal India’s flagbearers at the closing
ceremony:
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced table tennis player Achanta Sharath
Kamal and Boxer Nikhat Zareen as the Flagbearers of India for the closing
ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2022 at Birmingham. Achanta Sharath Kamal
won gold in Commonwealth Games 2022 at Birmingham by defeating Liam Pitchford
in the finals and Nikhat Zareen also won gold by defeating Mc Naul in the
finals of the boxing light flyweight event under the 50kg category at
Commonwealth Games 2022. At the Opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games
2022, PV Sindhu and Manpreet Singh were the Flagbearers.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
Federal Bank: First payment gateway to be listed on the new tax platform: The Kerala-based
Federal Bank is listed in the Income Tax Department’s TIN 2.0 platform and now
lists the Payment Gateway platform as the first bank. The “Payment Gateway” has
been enabled since the TIN 2.0 platform went live on July 1 of this year,
giving taxpayers one more payment option. They can now easily make their
payments using methods like Credit/Debit Card, UPI, NEFT/RTGS, and Internet
Banking. Key Points:
a)
Federal
Bank is actively utilising digital as a key facilitator of enhanced experience
and transaction convenience.
b)
In
order to let taxpayers use the e-pay tax facility in the income tax e-filing
portal, Federal Bank cooperated with the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
in July.
c)
The
government also granted the bank permission to collect direct tax for the
previous fiscal year; this permission is now in effect as of July 1, 2022.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
Puneeth Rajkumar to be conferred Karnataka Ratna posthumously: Karnataka Chief
Minister, Basavaraj Bommai has announced that Kannada film star Puneeth
Rajkumar, who died last year, will be conferred with the ‘Karnataka Ratna’
award posthumously on November 1, which happens to be Kannada Rajyotsava, the state’s
formation day. He will be the 10th recipient of the state’s highest civilian
honour.
Considered the Kannada cinema’s reigning
star, Puneeth, the youngest of five children of Kannada matinee idol Dr
Rajkumar, died of a cardiac arrest on October 29 at the age of 46.
Interestingly, Puneeth’s late father Rajkumar is among the first recipients of
the Karnataka Ratna award in 1992, along with poet Kuvempu.
2.
Prof Ramadhar Singh becomes 1st Indian Social Psychologist on US Heritage Wall
of Fame:
Ahmedabad University Professor, Ramadhar Singh becomes the first Indian Social
Psychologist on the US Heritage Wall of Fame of the Society for Personality and
Social Psychology (SPSP) in the United States. He is currently a professor at
the Amrut Mody School of Management, Ahmedabad University. Eecognition is
given to Prof Ramadhar Singh:
a)
Professor
Singh has been a breakthrough researcher in the field of psychology and
management. During the 1980s, the predominant American view was that humans
were cognitive misers, that is, people resort to short-cuts in thoughts and
behaviours.
b)
Through
his research, however, Professor Singh showed how cognitively affluent and
dynamic humans were. To advance psychology as a science in Asia, Professor
Singh played critical roles at the national level in India through the
University Grants Commission (UGC) and in Asia through the Asian Association of
Social Psychology.
c)
At
the international level, he served as a consulting and/or associate editor of
several journals and a member of the Mentor Award Committee of the Association
for Psychological Science (APS), US.
OBITUARIES
1.
Former cricket umpire Rudi Koertzen passes away after car crash: Rudi Koertzen, the
former international cricket umpire, has passed away in a car crash. He was 73.
Koertzen, who took up umpiring in the year 1981 and stood in his first
international match back in 1992 between India and South Africa at Port
Elizabeth, went on to officiate in 331 international matches, a record that
stool tall until he retired in the year 2010.
Rudi became just the second umpire in history to officiate more than 150 ODIs after the legendary David Shepherd, and was also the second to stand in 200 Tests after Steve Bucknor. One of the original members of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires in 2022. The last official match in which Koertzen served as during IPL 2011 between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings at the Chinnaswamy.
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