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Top Current Affairs of the Week (26 July- 01 August 2020)

Kargil Vijay Diwas being observed today

• Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed every year on July 26 to mark India’s victory over Pakistan in 1999 Kargil conflict in Kargil-Drass sector of J&K • It is a 3-day long celebration dedicated to our Kargil War’s Heroes and mark the success of Operation Vijay which was fought for more than 60 days • ‘Operation Vijay’, was India’s reaction against Pakistan for its infiltrators in the Indian territory of Kargil • This year wreath lying ceremony will take place at Drass War Memorial

Nicaragua becomes 87th country to sign ISA Framework Agreement

• Nicaragua has become the 87th country that joined International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement • ISA agreement on behalf of Nicaragua was signed by Permanent Representative to the UN Jaime Hermida Castillo at the Permanent Mission of India to UN in New York • Nicaragua is an Central American country • ISA an initiative led by India to promote sustainable energy. • HQs: Gurugram, Haryana • Director General: Upendra Tripathy

Union Minister launches ‘RestartIndia’ advisory platform for MSMEs

• Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has launched ‘RestartIndia’ advisory platform ‘www.restartindia.in’ to help MSMEs in restarting businesses across the country. • The platform is developed jointly by Muthoot Fincorp and INKtalks under Atmanirbhar project. • It will act as a single platform for professionals/ experts from various fields and industry domains to address the questions and provide information on various govt schemes and initiatives raising self- confidence of MSMEs.

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Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3) attains its first criticality

• Unit 3 of Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3) in Gujarat achieved its ‘first criticality’ • KAPP-3 is India’s first indigenously developed 700 MWe (megawatt electric) Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) • Criticality is attained when every nuclear fission event releases a sufficient number of neutrons to sustain an ongoing series of reactions or a self-sustaining chain reaction producing heat, used to generate steam that then spins a turbine to create electricity.

WHO launches COVID-19 Law Lab for implementing legal frameworks

• WHO launches COVID-19 Law Lab (www.COVIDLawLab.org) for implementing legal frameworks for global pandemic responses • It is a database of laws that 190 countries have implemented in response to COVID-19

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• Its aim is to ensure that laws protect the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities adhering to international human rights standards • It is a joint initiative of UNDP, WHO, UNAIDS and O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University

Jordan Henderson won FWA Footballer of the Year 2020 award

• Captain of club Liverpool, Jordan Henderson (30 years) has been named as the Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) for 2019-20 • He has played 30 Liverpool’s league matches in this season and scored four goals. • , and are the runner-up • FWA is an annual award given to the player for best performance in English football season since 1947– 48 season

Run to the Moon initiative raises Rs 19 lakh for Sport’s unsung warriors

• 'Run to the Moon’ initiative has raised Rs 19 lakhs for unsung warriors of Indian Sports. • It was an initiative of IDBI Federal Life Insurance and NEB Sports in which 14,000 runners participated across the world covering 9,08,800 kilometres over the 30-day span. • It was led by badminton coach Pullela Gopichand and Arjuna Awardees Ashwini Nachappa and Malathi Holla • It was aimed at raising funds for needy coaches and sports support staff to make ends meet amid COVID- 19

Haryana to host 2021 Khelo India Youth Games

• Haryana will host 2021 Khelo India Youth Games as announced by Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar • It is the 4th edition and is scheduled to take place after Tokyo Olympics, 2021. • It will be held at Panchkula in Haryana as it is equipped with the best sporting infrastructure to host a multi-sport event to lodge facilities for the large number of participants who are expected to attend. • Haryana won KIYG 2018 edition with 102 medals.

World’s 1st electrified container tunnel to be constructed in Haryana

• Indian Railways is constructing World’s first electrified double-stack container tunnel on Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. • It is a 1km D-shaped tunnel in which Goods train will be able to run at speed of more than 100 km • Implementing Agency: Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) • It is one of the biggest Railway tunnels in India in terms of cross-sectional area, measuring 150 sq metres whose one end is near Rewari and other at Dadri.

HRD Ministry forms ‘Stay in India and Study in India’ committee

• HRD Ministry has set up ‘Stay in India and Study in India’ committee to form guidelines and recommend measures for students to study in India • It will be headed by D. P. Singh, chairman of UGC • It is a part of Govt plan to retain aspiring students, who wants to study abroad, by providing appropriate opportunities for education in premier Indian institutions and addressing concerns of students returning from abroad due to COVID. 2

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• HRD Minister: Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank'

Central Reserve Police Force observed its 82nd Raising Day

• 82nd Raising Day of Central Reserve Police Force foundation day is being observed on 27 July 2020. • CRPF was founded as Crown Representative’s Police on July 27, 1939 and its first batllion was raised at Neemuch town of Madhya Pradesh • It was renamed as Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on CRPF Act enactment on December 28, 1949. • CRPF looks after internal security scenario and is at the forefront to keep our nation safe. • Director General of CRPF: AP Maheshwari.

DST launches India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment Programme

• DST has launched India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Programme to strengthen Science, Technology and Innovation ties between India and Russia. • It is being launched by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE) of Russian Federation. • It will connect Indian, and Russian Science & Technology led SMEs and Start-ups for joint R&D

RBI signs $400 million currency swap agreement with Sri Lanka

• RBI has signed an agreement for extending $400 million currency swap facility to Sri Lanka • It will boost foreign reserves and ensure financial stability of the country • It will be available till November 2022. • This currency swap was announced in April under South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) framework • Sri Lanka’s forex reserves were at $ 6.7 billion in June 2020 while India’s forex reserves were at $ 517.63 billion till July 17

World Hepatitis Day being observed today

• World Hepatitis Day is being observed annually on 28 July to spread awareness of viral hepatitis related disease • July 28 is chosen to commemorate the birthday of Nobel-prize winner Dr Baruch Blumberg, who discovered hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed It diagnostic test and vaccine • Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that causes a range of health problems including liver cancer. • 5 main strains of the hepatitis: A, B, C, D, E • Theme 2020: Hepatitis-free future

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Govt issues GI certification for Kashmir Valley’s Saffron

• Union Govt has issued GI registration certificate for Saffron grown in Kashmir Valley putting it on the world map with authentication. • With this, Kashmir Saffron will gain more prominence in the export market helping the farmers in getting better remunerative price • It will also stop prevalent adulteration fetching much better prices for authenticated saffron • GI certification depicts specific geographical origin and certifies unique qualities enabling right to use sign

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FM reviewed SWAMIH to boost investment in Real Estate Sector

• Finance Ministry reviewed Special Window for Affordable and Mid Income Housing (SWAMIH) performance to boost investment in Real Estate Sector • SWAMIH Investment Fund has been established for construction of stalled, RERA-registered affordable and mid-income category housing projects • Under this, Rs 8767 crore has been approved for 81 projects for completing 60,000 homes • Fund is managed by SBICAP Venture and Sponsored by DEA, Finance Ministry

Ministry of Earth Sciences rolls out ‘Mausam’ Mobile App

• Ministry of Earth Sciences has rolled out ‘Mausam’ App for India Meteorological Department (IMD) • It is available on Playstore and Appstore. • The app is designed for general public and will communicate weather info and forecasts in a lucid manner • It has 5 features: Current Weather, Nowcast (warning of coming weather condition), City Forecast, Warnings and Radar products • It has been developed by ICRISAT’s Digital Agriculture & Youth (DAY) team, IITM, Pune and IMD.

Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi took charges as commandant of INA

• MA Hampiholi, AVSM, NM took charge as the Commandant in (INA). • He succeeded Dinesh K Tripathi, AVSM, NM • MA Hampiholi is an alumnus of National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakvasala, Defence Services Staff College, and the prestigious National Defence College, New Delhi. • He is a recipient of the Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty) and the Ati Vishist Seva Medal. • Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh.

PM launches 3 high throughput COVID19 testing facilities

• PM Narendra Modi has launched high throughput COVID-19 testing facilities via video conferencing at National Institutes of Indian Council of Medical Research of Kolkata, Mumbai and Noida. • It will boost the testing capacity of the pandemic by almost 10,000 daily tests • In future, these testing labs will also conduct other bacterial and viral test like Hepatitis B, HIV, etc • These labs will also reduce turn-around-time and exposure of lab personnel to infectious materials

IIT Kharagpur develops COVID-19 Rapid Test technology

• IIT Kharagpur has developed technology for COVID-19 Rapid Test enabling affordable cost testing • This entire test can be conducted in an ultra-low-cost portable device with test results available through customized app within an hour without requiring manual interpretation • It will be used at locations with extremely poor resources • It deploys a disposable simple paper-strip for chemical analysis and visualization of test results. • It will cost around Rs 400 per test

HRD Ministry launches ‘India Report on Digital Education, 2020’

• HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has launched ‘India Report-Digital Education, 2020’ virtually. • The report depicts innovative methods adopted by HRD Ministry, Education Depts of States and Union Territories for accessible and inclusive education at home reducing learning gaps 4

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• The reports talk about projects and learning platform like DIKSHA platform, Swayam Prabha, On Air: Shiksha Vani, e-PathShala along with social media and other digital modes.

Viral Acharya releases ‘Quest for Restoring Financial Stability in India’

• Former Deputy Governor of RBI, Viral Acharya has penned down a book titled ‘Quest for Restoring Financial Stability in India’ • The book is a collection of his comments, speeches and research as RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) member • The book also contains feasible plan to address the recapitalization needs of PSBs offering solutions on credit allocation improvement by credit intermediaries and efficient capital market • The book has been published by SAGE Publications

International Tiger Day being observed today

• International Tiger Day (Global Tiger Day) is observed every year on July 29 to raise awareness related to tiger conservation. • The day originated in 2010 at Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia for placing a global system protecting the natural habitats of tigers and raise public awareness and support for tiger conservation issues. • The day is celebrated under the slogan ‘Their survival is in our hands’ • All India Tiger Estimation Report-2018 has also been released

PM of India & Mauritius to inaugurate Supreme Court Building of Mauritius

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his Mauritius counterpart Pravind Jugnauth will jointly unveils new Supreme Court Building of Mauritius through video-conference • It has been constructed with grant assistance from India and will be 1st India assisted infrastructure project within Port Louis, Mauritius • It is one of the 5 projects under ‘Special Economic Package’ extended by India to Mauritius in 2016. • The building covers an area of 4700 sqm with over 10 floors

FM attends 5th AIIB Board of Governors meeting

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended 5th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) through video conference • The meeting covered official business discussion including election of AIIB President and a roundtable discussion on the theme ‘AIIB 2030-Supporting Asia’s Development over the Next Decade’ with Nirmala Sitharaman as the lead speaker • HQs: Beijing, China • AIIB President: Jin Liqun

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Karnataka CM lays foundation stone for Bengaluru Life sciences Park

• Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa lays the foundation stone for Bengaluru Life sciences Park at Electronics City • It is proposed to spread over 9 million square feet on 52.27 acres with the total cost of 5000 crore rupees

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• It is set up on a public private partnership (PPP) model and will be equipped with world’s best biotechnology infrastructure • The 1st phase is to be completed by December 2022 • The park will house around 150 companies and will generate employment

S Jaishankar to release ‘The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World’

• Indian diplomat and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has penned down a book titled ‘The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World’ • The book is printed under HarperCollins India publications. • It is to be released on 7th September 2020. • The book talks about various challenges faced by India on the path to becoming a leading power, and also spells out possible policy responses • It is going to be the best piece of reading about India's international relations

HRD Ministry to be renamed as Ministry of Education

• Union cabinet has decided to rename Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) to Ministry of Education. • The decision to rename the ministry was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. • Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank is currently heading the HRD Ministry • Union Cabinet has also approved New Education Policy (NEP 2020) to revamp of all aspects of Indian education structure • NEP 2020 will replace 34 year old education policy in India.

India’s 1st solar-powered ferry ‘Aditya’ bagged global honour

• India’s first solar-powered ferry ‘Aditya’ has bagged the prestigious Gustave Trouve Award for Excellence in Electric Boats and Boating. • It is the world’s best electric boat in the category of ferries designed for paid passenger service. • It is a sun-powered commuter ferry that became operational in 2017 in Kerala’s Vembanad backwaters. • Aditya was the only ferry shortlisted for award from Asia • Gustave Trouve Award is the world’s only state-of-the-art electric boats award

Central Government approves National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

• Union Cabinet has given approval to the new National Education Policy (NEP) which was proposed in the Union Budget 2020 • NEP will introduce several changes in the Indian education system at school as well as college level. • It will replace 34-year old education policy, which was framed in 1986 and was amended in 1992 • The committee that framed NEP 2020 was headed by former ISRO chief K Kasturirangan.

Archana Soreng named for UN Chief’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change

• Indian Activist Archana Soreng has been named by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his new Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change.

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• The new advisory group have 7 young climate leaders aged between 18 to 28 years from around the world and will provide perspectives and solutions to tackle the worsening climate crisis. • Other selected members: Nisreen Elsaim (Sudan), Ernest Gibson(Fiji), Vladislav Kaim, Sophia Kianni, Nathan Metenier (France), Paloma Costa (Brazil).

MoES National Awards for excellence in Earth Science announced

• Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has announced National Awards for excellence in Earth Science in different categories like lifetime excellence and technology • Lifetime Excellence Award: Ashok Sahni • Ocean S&T: V. V. S. S. Sarma and M. Ravichandran • Atmospheric S&T: S. Suresh Babu • Geoscience & Technology: N. V. Chalapathi Rao • Ocean Tech: M. A. Atmanand • Anna Mani award for woman scientist: Lidita D. S. Khandeparker • Young Researcher Awards: Indra Sekhar Sen

DRDO launches innovation contest ‘Dare to Dream 2.0’

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) launched contest ‘Dare to Dream 2.0’ on the 5th death anniversary of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. • The contest is an open challenge to encourage individuals & startups for innovation in defence and aerospace technologies of our nation • The winners will be decided by the expert committee and will be awarded with Rs 10 lakh for startup and Rs 5 lakh to individual category. • Chairman DRDO: G Satheesh Reddy.

Sunil ydv SS receives Karamveer Chakra Award from UN and ICONGO

• Sunil ydv SS has been awarded with Karamveer Chakra Award, instituted by United Nations and International Confederation of NGO (iCONGO) • He is the founder and CEO of SS Motivation, which is the most Subscribed Motivational Channel on Telegram • He was honoured for his relentless contribution to society through his Telegram channel • Karmaveer Chakra Award: Global civilian honours given for relentless courage and innovation • The award is a tribute to A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Atal Innovation Mission unveils 'AIM-iCREST'

• NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has unveiled ‘AIM iCREST’ in partnership with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Wadhwani Foundation • AIM iCREST is an Incubator Capabilities enhancement program for a Robust Ecosystem emphasis on creating high performing Startups • This will enhance innovation at scale in India along with global expertise and best practices • The program will provide training to entrepreneurs, through technology driven processes and platforms

Bombay Flying Club becomes 1st DGCA approves drone training school

• Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved Bombay Flying Club as the first drone training school of the country 7

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• The club can conduct remote pilot training for remotely piloted aircraft systems • It will have to fulfil certain criteria regarding aerial photography, safety, insurance and take clearances from local administration, Defence Ministry, Home Ministry, the Indian Air Force and Airports Authority of India.

Jamie Vardy wins Premier League’s Golden Boot award

• (Leicester City striker) bagged the Premier Leagues Golden Boot award after netting 23 goals across the 2019/20 season. • Vardy (33-years) beat Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (22), Southamptons Danny Ings (22) and Manchester City forward (20) to scoop the prestigious individual award. • He is the first Leicester City player to claim the award and is only the second Englishman after to take the crown in the last 20 years.

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NASA sends Perseverance rover on 7-month journey to Mars

• The NASA launched the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. • The rover will land in Mars' Jezero Crater on February 18, 2021. • The mission designed to better understand the geology and climate of Mars and seek signs of ancient life on the Red Planet. • NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance is part of America's larger Moon to Mars exploration.

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