NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. "Meri
Mati Mera Desh" campaign launched to pay tribute to the ‘Veers’: The nationwide campaign “Meri Mati Mera Desh” Campaign has been
launched to pay tribute to the ‘Veers’ who laid down their lives for the
country. AIM: It will include programs at the village, and block levels , by
local urban bodies, as well as state and national level. During the campaign of
“Meri Mati Mera Desh”, an Amrit Kalash Yatra will also be taken out. It will
start on 9th August, with scheduled programs until Independence Day 2023.
2. PM
Modi Launched ‘Bhartiya Vastra Evam Shilp Kosh’ E-Portalp: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the e-portal of ‘Bhartiya Vastra
evam Shilp Kosh’ – a Repository of Textiles and Crafts developed by the
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in collaboration with the
Ministry of Textiles in Delhi (August 2023). Aims: To create a
comprehensive catalogue of India's diverse clothing on a single platform. It
has a craft atlas, a cultural artefact display, and a visual museum, among
other things.
3. Parliament
Passes Delhi Services Bill ( GNCTD Amendment Bill): The Rajya Sabha passed the Government of National Capital Territory of
Delhi (Amendment) Bill in New Delhi in August 2023. Aims: To make a
corruption-free administration in Delhi The authority consists of the Delhi
Chief minister, the Chief Secretary of Delhi, and the Principal Home Secretary
of Delhi. The Authority will make recommendations to Delhi Lieutenant Governor
regarding transfers and postings of officials and disciplinary matters.
4. Govt
to Build Research Parks at 8 IITs, IISc Bangalore:
Government has approved the setting up of research parks at eight Indian
Institute of Technology and Indian Institute of Science Bangalore in August
2023. Aim: To strengthen the research ecosystem in the country Objectives: To
enable entrepreneurship and incubation of students and building strong academic
linkages for the same, to increase outreach of academic content to industry and
enabling industry to add value to academic programme through close
collaborations.
5. India
to support clean water project at school in Tuvalu with 700,000 USD: India will contribute 700,000 USD from the India-UN Development
Partnership Fund to the Tuvalu project in August 2023 Aim: To store and
supply clean water to students, teachers, and school staff, fostering good
hygiene and lowering the incidence of water-borne illnesses. In May 2023, PM
Narendra Modi announced the “Sagar Amrut Scholarship” scheme for the Pacific
Island countries, at the Summit of the Forum for India–Pacific Islands
Cooperation.
6. Indian
Oil chairman Shrikant Madhav Vaidya’s tenure extended by a year: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the proposal
of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for re-employment on a contract
basis of Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman, Indian Oil Corporation Limited for a
period of one year This is one of the very rare occasions when a director
on the board of a PSU has been given an extension of service beyond his
retirement age. No chairman of a Maharatna PSU has been given an
extension beyond 60 years
7. Gujarat Govt implement One District One Product (ODOP)
scheme: The government of Gujarat has implemented
the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme with a grant of 58
crores rupees to promote its indigenous products at the international
level. Under this scheme, more than 25 handicraft products have been selected
from 21 districts of the state. The ODOP initiative is aimed at fostering
balanced regional development across all districts of the country, enabling
holistic socio-economic growth across all regions. The objective is to focus on
the district of the country as a unit for converting into a manufacturing and
export hub by identifying products with export potential in the district.
8. Indian Army inducts BEL-developed Swathi Mk2 radar: Indian Army inducted the lighter and
more compact version of the developed Weapon Locating Radar (WLR-M) called
“Swathi Mountains.” Objective – To enhance the Army’s battlefield surveillance
capabilities, enabling it to effectively monitor and respond to threats in
mountainous regions. The Swathi Mountains WLR is an advanced electronically
scanned phased array radar, specifically designed for operations in mountainous
and high-altitude areas and was developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
in Bengaluru. What is a Weapon Locating Radar? The Weapon Locating Radar (WLR)
stands as a critical asset for modern militaries, employing advanced signal
processing techniques to autonomously detect and track hostile artillery,
mortars, and rocket launchers. Notably, it even tracks friendly fire
trajectories, enabling precise calculations for more accurate artillery
strikes. The radar’s sophistication lies in its ability to detect and track
small projectiles across the battlefield while factoring in environmental
conditions for precise launch and impact point estimations.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. International
Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is observed on August 9: The world observes World Tribal Day or World Indigenous Day on August
9th, dedicated to advocating for and safeguarding the rights of indigenous
populations. Aim: To offer a prime opportunity to actively work towards
safeguarding the fundamental rights of tribal communities worldwide Goal: To
safeguard the rights of these populations and ensure their voices received
global recognition. Theme for 2023: “Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for
Self-determination."
2. INS
Chennai engages in joint exercise with Royal Saudi Naval Ship: INS Chennai Mission Deployed in the Red Sea Undertook Passage
Exercise (Passex) with Royal Saudi Naval Ship HMS Al Jubail in Aug 2023. The
Indian Navy's indigenously designed and constructed guided missile destroyer
INS Chennai is Mission Deployed in the Red Sea. Aim: To reinforcing
mutual trust, cementing operational understanding and enhancing
Interoperability between navies, to boost defence co-operation between India
and Saudi Arabia, INS Chennai’s visit to Jeddah
3. World
Trade Organization ranks India 18th in merchandise exports 2022: According to the World Trade Statistical Review 2023,the annual
flagship publication of the World Trade Organization (WTO), India is ranked
18th among the Leading exporters in world merchandise trade (2022). On a global
scale, India holds the 9th spot in merchandise importing and ranks 7th in
merchandise exporting (2022). The leading exporters in world merchandise trade
for the year 2022 are China, the USA, and Germany, occupying the top three
positions.
4. Guyana to buy Indian Dorniers Aircrafts manufactured
by HAL: Guyana to the purchase of two Dornier 228
aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Guyana is also interested in
purchasing patrol vessels, a fleet of armoured vehicles, and radar systems. Guyana
and India will also step-up personnel training to improve military-to-military
contacts and Guyana is collaborating with India on cybersecurity and IT
operations. India and Guyana will improve military-to-military contacts through
personnel training.
5. Australia to host latest edition of 10-day Malabar
exercise: The 31st edition of
the Malabar multilateral exercise comprising India, Australia, Japan,
and the U.S. will be held in Sydney from August 11-21. Australia is
also the host for this mega event which is being hosted there ‘for the first
time’. The exercise will take place in a large designated area, the East
Australian exercise area, spread over a couple of hundred miles off Sydney and
will have a harbour and sea phase. Exercise Malabar will be followed by
AUSINDEX, the India-Australia bilateral naval exercise. In the past, officials
have termed Malabar as the most complicated naval exercise that India does. Australia
has also just hosted multilateral Exercise Talisman Sabre, which involved more
than 33,000 troops from 13 countries, for which India had sent four observers. The
Malabar series of exercises began as an annual bilateral naval exercise between
India and the US in 1992.
6. 9 August – Nagasaki Day: Japan’s Nagasaki marked the 78th
anniversary of the US atomic bombing. Nagasaki Day is being observed across the
globe to promote peace and create awareness about the threat of nuclear weapons.
This day plays an important role as it focuses on anti-war and anti-nuclear
demonstrations in many countries. On August 9, 1945, the United States dropped
the second nuclear bomb named ‘Fat-man’ on the southern Japanese city, three
days after Hiroshima was destroyed by the first one – a uranium bomb- ‘Little
Boy’.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Savita
won the only gold at World Cadet Wrestling Championship 2023: Indian wrestler Savita, who entered the event as the defending
champion, won the only gold medal for India in the women’s 61kg weight division
in World aCadet Wrestling Championships 2023 in Turkey India bagged a total of
11 medals, including 1 gold, 7 silver and 3 bronze at the World Cadet Wrestling
Championship 2023 at Istanbul. It was the women’s freestyle where India showed
best by finishing third, only behind Japan and USA.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. SBI
Life appointed Amit Jhingran as MD & CEO: The Insurance
Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has given its
official approval and appointed Amit Jhingran as the managing
director & CEO of SBI Life Insurance Company in Aug 2023 He had a
successful career with the State Bank of India spanning over 30 years. Currently,
he serves as the chief general manager of the Hyderabad Circle. He
started as a probationary officer in August 1991 and has held various positions
in international banking.
2. Bajaj
Finance partnered with ICICI Lombard General Insurance: ICICI Lombard General Insurance and Bajaj Finance have joined forces to
offer car and two-wheeler insurance plans through the Bajaj Finance Insurance
Mall platform inn August 2023 Customers can easily purchase these policies on
the platform, enjoying a fully digital and smooth customer experience. The
ICICI Lombard Car and Two-wheeler Insurance policies offer comprehensive damage
coverage, including third-party cover and various add-on benefits to vehicle
owners.
3. Postal Life Insurance launches direct incentive
disbursement for sales staff: Postal
Life Insurance (PLI) has launched the ‘Direct Incentive
Disbursement’ for its sales force in the Delhi and Uttarakhand
circles. The insurance sector player has taken the step-in order to benefit its
sales staff — who are the driving force behind the department’s growth. Through
the ‘Direct Incentive Disbursement’ feature, agents will be able to seamlessly
receive the transfer of their commissions from the previous month directly to
their Post Office Savings Bank (POSB) Accounts. The initiative will impact
around two lakh sales force members across the nation, including Gramin Dak
Sevaks, Direct Agents, Field Officers, and Departmental Employees.
4. Bandhan Bank ties up with Odisha govt to strengthen
OTDC: Bandhan Bank has
partnered with the state government for Odisha Tourism Development
Corporation to ramp up the state tourism department’s payment
solutions. The bank has provided Point of Sale (PoS) machines to facilitate
card payments by tourists. Prime locations including Puri, Bhubaneshwar,
Konark, Chilka, and Gopalpur will be covered under this tieup. The PoS machines
will hasten tourist payment collections, bringing convenience to both the
tourists and OTDC.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Jayesh Saini receives Global Leader Award 2023: Jayesh Saini was awarded Global Leader Award 2023 for
Healthcare Expansion in Africa. LifeCare Group, led by Jayesh Saini, has
expanded healthcare services across East Africa with hospitals in five major
parts of Kenya and plans for 10 more in different regions of Africa. With
LifeCare hospitals already established in five major parts of Kenya (Bungoma,
Eldoret, Kikuyu, Meru, and Migori), Saini’s passion drives him to lay the
foundation for 10 additional hospitals in different regions of Africa. This
ambitious endeavor aims to increase the total bed capacity to over 2,600 by
2024. Moreover, LifeCare Group has advanced plans to establish hospitals in
other Eastern African nations, including Rwanda, Tanzania, Gabon and the
Republic of Congo. These hospitals will be equipped with super specialty
clinics such as Cardiology, Orthopaedic, Oncology, Nephrology, Radiology, and
more. The combined bed capacity of LifeCare hospitals across the region will
exceed 4,100 beds by 2027.
2. Tamil Nadu won best State award for organ and tissue
transplantation: Tamil Nadu bagged
the Best Performing State Award 2023 in cadaver organ donation. Health
Minister Mansukh Mandaviya presented the Best State Organ and Tissue Transplant
Organization award to Health Minister Ma Subramanian at the 13th Indian Organ
Donation Day function held in New Delhi. Tamil Nadu continues to lead in organ
donations with 1,705 people donating their organs to save 6,247 human
lives. Since 2008, 1,705 people donated their organs facilitating 786 heart,
801 lung, 1,565 liver and 3,046 kidney transplants, 37 pancreases, besides
small intestines, and other organs, totally benefitting 6,247 recipients so
far. The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) award was
presented at the 13th Indian Organ Donation Day (IODD) ceremony meant to
facilitate the donor families, in the national capital. About 40 government
hospitals and 120 private hospitals across the state have been provided organ
harvest licenses. Transplants were performed even under the Chief Minister’s
Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme. In the last two years, 292 people
donated their organs to benefit 1,062 people.
OBITUARIES
1. Famous Filmmaker Siddique passed away at the age of 63: Prominent filmmaker Siddique passed away at the age of 63. His journey in the world of Malayalam cinema began with his directorial debut, "Ramji Rao Speaking" along with his friend Lal. The duo created some of the Malayalam film industry's biggest comedy blockbusters, including "In Harihar Nagar," "Godfather," "Vietnam Colony," "Ramji Rao Speaking," and "Friends," among others. He also directed films in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi.
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