NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PM Narendra Modi
dedicates India’s first earthquake memorial: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has
dedicated India’s first earthquake memorial, named Smruti Van at Bhuj in
Gujarat. Smruti Van is a unique memorial carrying the names of more than 12
thousand people who lost their lives in the devastating earthquake that struck
here in January 2001. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and State BJP
President C. R. Patil was present on the occasion.
About the Smriti Van
Earthquake Museum:
a)
The grand structure, which is the first
such memorial in the country according to a Gujarat government official, is
spread over 470 acres on Bhujio Hill near Bhuj town. It celebrates the spirit
of resilience in the wake of the death of nearly 13,000 people during the
earthquake on January 26, 2001, which had its epicentre in Bhuj.
b)
The museum showcases Gujarat’s
topography, rebuilding initiatives and success stories after the 2001
earthquake, and informs about different kinds of disasters and future readiness
for any type of disaster. It also has a block to relive the experience of an
earthquake with the help of a 5D simulator and another block for people to pay
homage to the lost souls.
c)
One of the key attractions of this
project is a special theatre where visitors can experience an earthquake
through vibration and sound effects.
2. NITI Aayog
declared Haridwar as the best aspirational district in India: The NITI Aayog
has declared the holy city of Haridwar in Uttarakhand as the best aspirational
district on five parameters. The letter by NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts
Programme director Rakesh Ranjan to Uttarakhand chief secretary SS Sandhu and
the district collector of Haridwar underlines that the district has secured the
first rank in basic infrastructure theme and has become entitled to receive an
additional allocation of Rs 3 crore.
Parameters for
Evaluation: The Aspirational District Programme launched by NITI
Aayog evaluates the performance of districts on the basis of five key
parameters. These parameters measure the socio-economic development of the
block.
a)
Health & Nutrition (30%)
b)
Education (30%)
c)
Agriculture & Water Resources (20%)
d)
Financial Inclusion & Skill
Development (10%)
e)
Infrastructure (10%)
About the
Aspirational Districts Programme: The NITI Aayog’s
aspirational Districts Programme was launched in 2018. The programme is aimed at identifying
potential districts that can develop into model blocks through socio-economic
development. Under the programme, the central government takes steps to improve
the socio-economic condition of identified districts and ensure inclusive and
holistic development.
3. UP Govt to Develop
Kannauj into Tourist Destination: Kannuj will be developed into a tourist
destination as per the decision taken by the Government of Uttar Pradesh. This
decision was taken in order to emphasize the importance of perfume industries
in India. The government of Uttar Pradesh has also decided to organize an
international perfume fair in Kannuaj in December. The first phase of the
perfume park will be completed by 15th November 2022, which is being set up in
the district. The aim of this initiative is to take the ₹250 crore perfume
business to height of ₹25,000 crores. This project will give momentum to Chief
Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision of making Uttar Pradesh a $1 trillion
economy.
Key Points related to
Perfume Park Kannuaj:
a)
The state government has decided to
change the export policies, which will help the traders to boost their export
of perfumes.
b)
The state government has announced that
if a trader participates in a fair related to perfume, the expenses including
transportation and traveling will be taken care of by the Government.
c)
The perfume of Kannauj has
international demands and it comes under the ‘One District, One Product’
initiative.
d)
The perfume park will be functional
from 15th November 2022.
e)
The traders will be provided with
various facilities including product development facility, testing,
certification, marketing, branding, and packaging.
f)
All the people associated with the
perfume business including farmers and traders, everyone will be benefited from
this initiative.
g)
For the promotion of perfume production
in India, the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (CIMAP) will
also be included.
4. Acclaimed Dancer
Mallika Sarabhai turns author released his memoir ‘Free Fall’: Acclaimed
classical dancer and activist Mallika Sarabhai bares it all in her upcoming self-help
memoir, “Free Fall: My Experiments with Living”. The book, which will hit the
stands on August 30, is about “coming to terms with yourself, your body and
finding the lifestyle that works for you”. It is published by Speaking Tiger.
The essence of the
book: A celebrated dancer, actor and public intellectual writes a memorable
account – by turns inspiring, hilarious and provocative – about how she
stumbled her way to health, fitness and sanity. In Free Fall is all about
coming to terms with yourself and your body and find the lifestyle that works
for you. And how to make mistakes, pick yourself up and carry on. Never
preachy, this ‘self-help’ memoir delivers an immensely useful message for
anyone who wants good health – and happiness.
Mallika Sarabhai: Born to renowned
Indian classical dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai and the legendary space scientist
Vikram Sarabhai, Mallika is an accomplished Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dancer
who has specialized in using the arts for social change and transformation.
5. ‘India’s Economy
From Nehru To Modi:: A Brief History’ book to be launched: A new book named
‘India’s Economy From Nehru To Modi:: A Brief History‘ written by Pulapre Balakrishnan will be
launched shortly. The book, India’s Economy From Nehru To Modi:: A Brief
History’ is written about the economic progression of India from the time of
Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru to the current time of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Independent The 75-year odyssey of the Indian economy is coming to an end.
6. National Nutrition
Week: 1st to 7th September: In India, the first week of September every year is
celebrated as National Nutrition Week. The week is observed every year from
September 1-7. The purpose of this week is to raise awareness among the general
public about the value of healthy eating practices and proper nutrition for
upholding a healthy lifestyle. The theme for this year is Celebrate a “World of
Flavors”. Last year, the government announced this theme for the week – feeding
smart right from start.
National Nutrition
Week History: The National Nutrition Week was
established in 1975 by the members of the American Dietetic Association (ADA),
now known as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This week was set aside to
raise awareness among the general public of the value of good nutrition and the
need for an active lifestyle. At that period of time most of the people in
India were suffering from the problem of malnutrition. In 1982 National
Nutrition Week was first time introduced in India.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India first time
refers to ‘militarisation’ of Taiwan Strait by China: India has for the first
time referred to what it called “the militarization of the Taiwan Strait”,
marking a rare instance of New Delhi appearing to comment on China’s actions
towards Taiwan. The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka released a statement in
which India accused China of “militarizing the Taiwan Strait.”
India made the
statement after a Chinese military research vessel docked at Sri Lanka’s
Hambantota port for a week. Recently, China completed its large-scale military
drills around Taiwan in response to the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
to Taiwan.
Taiwan Strait: The Taiwan Strait
is a 180-kilometre wide strait separating the island of Taiwan and continental
China (and Asia of course). The strait is part of the South China Sea and
connects to the East China Sea to the north. The narrowest part is 130 km wide.
China claims jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait. Around 20% of global trade
passes through this strait
India’s change of
stance: India has followed a “One China policy” since its
recognition of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, and only maintains
trade and cultural relations with Taiwan. India routinely reiterated this
policy until 2008 after which it stopped mentioning it in official statements.
This is a demand that China usually asks of most countries in official
declarations. India is shifting its stance because China often makes
provocative statements claiming Arunachal Pradesh. It often moves to issue
“stapled visas” to Indian citizens in Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Satwiksairaj-Chirag Claims First Medal for India in Badminton World
Championship: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty became the first Indian
pair to win a medal in the men’s doubles competition at the World
Championships. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are the world’s number
7 combination, and the duo also bagged a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games
2022. It is India’s second World Championship medal in any doubles event, the
first medal in World Championship by India was bagged by Jwala Gutta and
Ashwini Ponnappa who claimed bronze in the 2011 women’s doubles.
Satwiksairaj and
Chirag won against defending champions Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi with the
gameplay of 24-22, 15-21, 21-14 in an hour and 15 minutes. Satwik and Chirag
have assured bronze medals in the tournament and will face the sixth-seeded
Malaysian pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Tik in the semifinals.
2. Adille Sumariwalla
takes over as Interm President of Indian Olympic Association: The Indian
Olympic Association has co-opted Adille Sumariwalla as the President of the
association till fresh elections are held. The erstwhile President of the IOA,
Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra, resigned from the post of President, IOA on July 18
due to personal reasons. Thereafter, 18 executive members out of 31 in
accordance with clause 11.1.5 of the IOA Constitution co-opted the undersigned
to fill the vacancy.
Adille Sumariwalla: Adille Sumariwalla
(born 1 January 1958) is an Indian athlete and entrepreneur, popular for
representing India at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Sumariwalla competed as a 100m
runner in several international competitions and at the Olympics. Currently, he
is the president of the Athletics Federation of India and was elected as one of
the members of the council of IAAF at its 50th congress, thus becoming the
first Indian to do so.
Note: Indian Olympic
Association Founded: 1927; Indian Olympic Association Headquarters: New Delhi;
Indian Olympic Association Secretary General: Rajeev Mehta.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Professor Ananth
Narayan Gopalakrishnan appointed as SEBI whole-time Member: The Appointments
Committee of Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Ananth Narayan Gopalakrishnan, an
associate professor at SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR),
as a whole-time member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). He
will hold office for three years from the date he assumes charge of the post or
until further orders, whichever is earlier.
With this
appointment, Gopalakrishnan becomes the fourth whole-time member of SEBI, which
had been functioning with a vacancy for the position since November 2021. Apart
from being an associate professor at SP Jain, Gopalakrishnan is a senior India
analyst at the Observatory Group and is a public interest director for the NSE
IFSC Gift City in Gujarat and for the National Securities Clearing Corporation.
Note: SEBI Founded:
12 April 1992; SEBI Headquarters: Mumbai; SEBI Chairperson: Madhabi Puri Buch.
2. NPCI and ICICI
Bank collaborate to offer RuPay credit cards: In order to launch a variety of
credit cards on the domestic payments network RuPay, ICICI Bank established a
partnership with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). The ICICI Bank
RuPay Credit Card is initially offered in the Coral variant of the Bank’s
Gemstone series; Rubyx and Sapphiro variants will follow soon. The contactless
card known as the “ICICI Bank Coral RuPay Credit Card” offers a variety of
privileges and benefits.
The benefits and
privileges of ICICI Bank Coral RuPay Credit Card include:
a)
Reward points on regular purchases made
at stores and restaurants
b)
Utility bill payment
c)
Free domestic airport and train lounge
access
d)
The waiver of fuel surcharges
e)
Discounts on dining and movie tickets
f)
Additionally, the ICICI Bank Coral
RuPay Credit Card provides the user with exclusive advantages of the RuPay
network such accident insurance coverage and specialised personal concierge
services.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1. L&T Technology
wins 5-year deal with BMW Group in infotainment sector: L&T Technology
Services, a provider of high-end engineering services, recently announced that
European luxury automaker BMW Group had awarded it a five-year, multi-million
dollar contract to supply high-end engineering services for its suite of
infotainment consoles intended for its family of hybrid vehicles. According to a
statement from the firm, the engineers on the LTTS team will offer services in
the areas of software build and integration, infotainment validation, and
defect management. Key Points:
a)
Due to L&T Technology Services’
extensive domain knowledge, engineering leadership in transportation
technology, and shown capacity to provide special chances to scale up existing
projects and work on new ones, the company was given the huge deal.
b)
According to L&T Technology
Services, the BMW Group’s family of hybrid electric vehicles and its suite of
infotainment consoles are served by a near shore facility that offers
engineering and R&D services.
c)
Because of its close proximity to the
campus of the BMW Group, L&T Technology Services’ engineers will be able to
work on a variety of solutions and provide services immediately.
Note: CEO &
Managing Director of L&T Technology Services: Amit Chadha
CEO of BMW Group,
India: Mr. Vikram Pawah
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Miss Diva Universe
2022: Karnataka’s Divita Rai crowned this year: 23-year-old Divita Rai from
Karnataka won the prestigious title of Miss Diva Universe 2022. She was crowned
by the reigning Miss Universe 2021, Harnaaz Sandhu, at a lavish ceremony that
celebrated the 10th anniversary of the coveted pageant. At the 71st Miss
Universe pageant, Rai will be representing India, where Harnaaz Sandhu was
crowned as the winner last year. Pragnya Ayyagari of Telangana was declared
Miss Diva Supranational 2022.
Attendance at the occasion: Meanwhile, the Miss Diva Universe 2022 pageant saw many stars and former beauty pageant winners in attendance. Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta, Miss India 1964 Meher Castelino, Miss India 1980 Sangeeta Bijlani, and Miss India Universe 2004 Tanushree Dutta also made an appearance at the event.
