Daily CurrentTitle Affairs Capsule th Title 17 August 2020

4th Meeting of the BRICS Anti-Drug Working Group

Russia chaired the 4th Meeting of the BRICS Anti-Drug Working Group.

 The session which was held over video conference, featured the participation of delegates from Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa and .  Rakesh Asthana, Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau led the Indian delegation that participated in the meeting.  In 2010, South Africa began efforts to join the BRIC grouping, and the process for its formal admission began in August of that year.  South Africa officially became a member nation on 24 December 2010, after being formally invited by China to join and subsequently accepted by other BRIC countries.  Brazil hosted the most recent 11th BRICS summit on 13–14 November 2019.

PM to inaugurate 'Atal Tunnel' in Rohtang in September 2020

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said the 'Atal Tunnel' in Rohtang would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the end of September this year.

 The tunnel will be the world's longest above an altitude of 3,000 metres and will reduce the distance between Manali and Leh by 46 km.  The tunnel is being built under Rohtang Pass in the Pir Panjal range on the Leh-Manali highway.  The length of the tunnel is 8.8 kilometers.  Once thrown open, the tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity to remote border areas of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh which otherwise remain cut-off from the rest of the country for about six months during winters.

AYUSH Ministry launches 3-month campaign ‘Ayush for Immunity’

AYUSH Ministry has launched a three-month campaign on ‘Ayush for Immunity’ through a webinar.

 Through the campaign “Ayush for Immunity”, the Ministry of AYUSH aims to inform people about the valuable information about strengths of various Ayush-based solutions for enhancing immunity and preventing diseases.  The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (abbreviated as AYUSH) is purposed with developing education, research and propagation of indigenous alternative medicine systems in India.  The Ministry is headed by a Minister of State (Independent Charge), which is currently held by Shripad Yesso Naik.

Nagaland Government Rolls-Out Centralized e-commerce platform “YellowChain”

On the occasion of Independence Day, the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio launched “Yellow Chain”.

 Yellow Chain is a centralized e-commerce platform, to promote local business and entrepreneurship in the State.  Yellow Chain will act as an integrated platform for the people of the state, where any Seller/Service Provider/Individual/Group can register themselves and upload their products, trades, skills, services etc to enable the citizens/buyers to have access to their Service or Product.  It may include Home service(Barber, Electrician, Plumber, Painter, Carpenter, Water Service etc.), service, IT Products & Services, Cab & Taxi Service, Health Care & Education, Fast food & Catering, Bakeries & Confectioneries, Grocery Stores, Local Product/Produces, Trainings, Pre-owned Products, Real Estate, Rentals etc.

HDFC Bank launches “Shaurya KGC Card”

HDFC Bank has launched “Shaurya KGC Card” for Indian armed forces personnel.

 The card will offer agriculture loans for military and paramilitary professionals.  Launching the card from Mumbai, HDFC Bank, MD & CEO, Aditya Puri said that the bank was targeting 45 lakh military and paramilitary personnel.  A first-of-its-kind product for over 45 lakh Indian armed forces personnel.  The product will target 5 lakh military and paramilitary professionals, for catering to their family’s agricultural needs.  The product comes with a life cover of ₹ 10 lakh as against ₹ 2 lakh for an average card.

ebikeGo appoints Harbhajan Singh as brand ambassador

Amritsar based e-mobility start-up eBikeGO announced the appointment of Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh as its brand ambassador.

 The cricketer has come on board for one year to help promote the company as it looks to scale-up by increasing geographical footprint, adding new customer segments, and targeting new business use cases to widen the appeal for electric mobility.  Singh, who is going to be the face of the brand, will have an active presence on the company's website and campaigns across media.  Founded in 2017 by entrepreneur T Irfan, eBikeGO has a fleet of IoT (internet of things) powered electric bikes offering pollution-free and low-cost rides to commuters.  eBikeGO also offers electric bikes on rental to individual users. It also provides its fleet to e-commerce companies like Zomato, Uber Eats, Swiggy, Flipkart, Delhivery, Big Basket, Rapido, and Ninjacart.

Lewis Hamilton wins Spanish Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton dominated the Spanish Grand Prix to take his fourth victory in six races so far this year.

 The Mercedes driver led every lap from pole position and was simply too fast for Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who was unable to challenge.  Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas took third.  It was the 88th victory of Hamilton's career and he is now just three from Michael Schumacher's all-time record of wins.  It was also his 156th podium finish, a new record, beating the previous mark, also held by Schumacher.

Former India cricketer Chetan Chauhan passes away

Former India cricketer Chetan Chauhan, 73, passed away after suffering a heart attack.

 Chauhan, who was also a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government, tested positive for COVID-19 in early July.  Considered one of the courageous batsmen of Indian , Chauhan featured in 40 Test matches and seven ODIs.  He will, however, be remembered as 's partner in numerous Tests in the 1970s and early 1980s.  Chauhan and Gavaskar scored over 3,000 runs together with 10 century stands in Tests.  He was a MP twice.