Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs August 2019
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************************************************************************************************* STATE AFFAIRS
T.N'S AMBITIOUS BUS RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM: Tamil Nadu government has revived the ambitious Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) along seven key stretches in Chennai.
BRTS WILL ENCOMPASS: Old Mahabalipuram Road, GST Road, The stretch between Koyambedu and Poonamallee, and Chromepet-Thoraipakkam Road
WATER ATM AT NILGIRIS Nilgiris district administration has installed Water ATMs at 70 locations popular with tourists. The ban on sale of plastic water bottles and soft drinks along highways running through Nilgiris will come into effect from August 15. Tourists can collect water from ATMs at one rupees per litre.
THREE BIO-CNG PLANTS – CHENNAI Greater Chennai Corporation will set up three bio-CNG plants that will bottle compressed natural gas produced from bio waste. They will be set up at Pallikaranai, Sholinganallur and the abandoned asphalt complex in Anna Nagar. The plants will be set up in private-public partnership where the private company will be in charge of manufacturing and maintenance of the facility.
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Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs August 2019
BEST CORPORATION AND MUNICIPALITIES IN TN The Commission of Municipal Administration (CMA) has recommended Salem as the best performing Corporation and Dharmapuri as the best performing Municipality in the state. The recommendations were accepted by the State government and the towns will get the Chief Minister‟s Award. Vedaranyam and Aranthangi were selected as the second and third best performing Municipalities. In 2018, Tiruppur Corporation bagged the best performing Corporation Award while Kovilpatti, Cumbum and Sirkazhi Municipalities bagged the top three best performing Municipalities, respectively.
PALANI PANCHAMIRTHAM – GI TAG Palani panchamirtham, given as „prasadam‟ at the Murugan temple there has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. This is the first time a temple „prasadam‟ from Tamil Nadu has been bestowed with the GI tag.
NEW DISTRICTS :TIRUPATTUR& RANIPETTAI Vellore district in Tamil Nadu will be divided into Vellore, Ranipet and Tirupattur districts. With this, the total number of districts in the State will increase to 37. Vellore district was created in 1989 by bifurcating North Arcot district into Vellore and Tiruvanamalai districts. In July 2019, Tenkasi and Chengalpet districts were created as separate districts from Thirunelveli and Kanchipuram districts.
AMMA PATROL VEHICLE It is a new novel scheme introduced in Tamil Nadu to help women, children, and older adults. The patrol vans are to assist the special wing of police for the crimes against women & children. All the complaints against them will be investigated by the special wing which is attached to the all-women police stations. Vehicle will also have the display of 1091 and 1098 phone numbers.
INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES IN MUDUMALAI TIGER RESERVE The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) which boasts the highest density of tiger population in Tamil Nadu, is facing a threat from an invasive plant species named “Cassia spectabilis (native of North America)”. MTR is already being eradicated of two other invasive species - lantana camara and parthinium. For any alien species, the new soil, environment and the climatic condition would work favourably.
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Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs August 2019
M -SAND POLICY: Tamil Nadu plans to put in place an M-sand policy to promote its use as an alternative building material and eliminate sub-standard products. Manufactured sand (M-Sand) is a substitute of river sand for concrete construction. It is produced by crushing hard granite stones.
NEW LAW COLLEGES Recently three new Government law colleges at Salem, Namakkal and Theni were inaugurated by the Tamil Nadu State Government. These colleges will function under the Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University. With these 3 colleges, Tamil Nadu has 13 Government Law colleges in the state.
SIMPLIFIED AND TRANSPARENT ADMINISTRATION OF REGISTRATION - STAR 2.0 PROJECT: The Chief Minister of Tamilnadu commissioned the extended services under Simplified and Transparent Administration of Registration - STAR 2.0 Project. It ensures quick, transparent and simplified registration process. Through this, the documents relating to transfer of patta, will be sent to the revenue department offices once the document registration is over, thus saving time.
SPECIAL GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL SCHEME The Chief Minister Inaugurated Special Grievance Redressal Scheme at Vantavasi and Konganapuram of Edappadi assembly constituency in Salem district. The complaints would be digitally recorded and sent to the departments concerned, who will take action on the grievances within a month. While the scheme was inaugurated in Edappadi, it will be implemented in all the 234 assembly constituencies.
KALVI THOLAIKKATCHI: Tamilnadu government has launched a TV Channel exclusively dedicated for school students in the state. Named as „Kalvi Tholaikkatchi‟, it will telecast programmes from 6 am to 9.30 pm every day. Programmes will be based on board exam preparation for students, employment news and opportunities for the youth and career-guidance information. The channel will be available on Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV and Thamizhaga Cable TV Communication Private Limited.
NATIONAL CENTRE FOR AVIAN ECOTOXICOLOGY AT SALIM ALI CENTRE FOR ORNITHOLOGY AND NATURAL SCIENCES (SACON): Union Environment and Forest Minister Prakash Javadekar inaugurated the National Centre for Avian Ecotoxicology at Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural Sciences (SACON), Anaikatti, near Coimbatore. The Centre would study the harmful effects of environmental contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals and drugs on birds, which reach them through the food chain. SACON was formed in 1990.
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Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs August 2019
MICROCHIPPING CHIPPIPARAI DOGS: Veterinary College and Research Institute, Tirunelveli has embarked on creating a database of the native Chippiparai dog breed and has done microchipping of around 100 such dogs for the first time in the country. Microchipping is mandatory for dogs that are members of the Kennel Club of India (KCI).
DINDIGUL LOCKS, KANDANGI SAREE GETS GI TAG: Dindigul lock and Kandangi saree have been given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai. The lock is famous for its superior quality and durability, that even the city is called Lock City. The abundance of iron in this region is the reason for the growth of the industry. The Kandangi cotton sarees are manufactured in the entire Karaikudi taluk in Sivaganga district. They are characterised by large contrast borders. Some are known to have borders covering as far as two-thirds of the saree.
ONLINE SANCTIONING OF PLANNING PERMISSION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES: The State government has initiated online sanctioning of planning permission for construction of houses. It is to enhance greater transparency. The property owners who own plots measuring less than 2,500 sq. ft. and who plan to build less than 1,200 sq. ft. of residential accommodation could get planning permission by submitting their applications online. The platform is to simplify the planning permission modeled on the Model Building Bye-Laws 2016 of the Centre.
SEA TINKLE: „Sea tinkle‟ also known as bioluminescence was observed in Chennai beaches. Commonly known as sea tinkle, the Noctiluca algae were behind this phenomenon. The algae exhibit the phenomenon of bioluminescence or biologically produce light when disturbed.
V.O. CHIDAMBARANAR PORT CREATES RECORD:
V.O. Chidambaram Port created a new record by handling 1,80,597 Metric Tonnes of cargo in a single day on 27th July,2019. It is surpassing the previous single day record of 1,77,639 Metric Tonnes on 16thNovember, 2017.
REGIONAL METEOROLOGICAL CENTRE (RMC) IN NUNGAMBAKKAM Chennai Regional Meteorological Centre in Nungambakkam is recognized by World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for its impeccable work spanning more than 100 years. It was among five stations in the country to receive the recognition. Others are Mumbai, Panjim (Goa), Pune and Trivandrum. RMC was started as Madras observatory, the first astronomical observatory established in 1786. RMC was founded by Sir Charles Oakeley, the then Governor of Madras under the East India Company in 1792. It was a private facility set up at Egmore by William Petrie, an officer with the East India company. It was founded way before the establishment of the Indian Meteorological Department in 1875.
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Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs August 2019
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
ATAL COMMUNITY INNOVATION CENTRE LAUNCHED IN NEW DELHI: Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan launched Atal Community Innovation Centre in New Delhi. It aims to encourage spirit of innovation at community level.
ABOUT ATAL COMMUNITY INNOVATION CENTRE: Its objective To encourage spirit of innovation through solution-driven design thinking to serve society. To make innovation ecosystem socially inclusive and to ensure equitable distribution of infrastructure for innovation across India. The Atal Community Innovation Centre initiative has been launched under Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), a flagship initiative of NITI Aayog. NITI Aayog is tasked upon to open innovation Centres in all Gram Panchayats of country to promote local innovation.
WATER STRESS INDEX: 11 of 20 biggest cities in the country are facing extreme risk of scarcity, according to Water Stress Index. Water Stress Index is formulated by London-based risk analytics firm Verisk Maplecroft and has listed India as the 46th highest risk country in the World. The index measures the water consumption rates of households, industries and farm sectors and the available resources in rivers, lakes and streams. Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Nashik, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Indore are among the cities facing „extreme risk‟.
NUTRIENT BASED SUBSIDY (NBS): Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) programme for fertilizer was initiated in the year 2010. Under the scheme, a fixed amount of subsidy decided on an annual basis is provided on each grade of subsidized Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers, except for Urea, based on the nutrient content present in them.
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Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs August 2019
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers for the continuation of Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) 12th Five Year plan till 2019-20. The continuation of the Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme will ensure that adequate quantity of P&K is made available to the farmers at a statutory controlled price.
PRESIDENT APPROVES INCREASING STRENGTH OF SUPREME COURT JUDGES: President has approved the bill increasing the number of judges in Supreme Court from the present 31 to 34 (i.e. by 10%), including Chief Justice of India (CJI). In this regard the approved bill amends Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. At present, the full sanctioned strength of SC is 31 (including CJI). The number of judges would go up to 34, including the CJI.
ONE NATION-ONE RATION CARD SCHEME IMPLEMENTED ON PILOT BASIS: In a major boost to national food security Government of India launched One Nation-One Ration Card scheme on pilot basis in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharastra and Gujarat. The pilot project is effective from 1 August 2019. Families who have food security cards can buy subsidized rice and wheat from any ration shop in these states but their ration cards should be linked with Aadhar Number to avail this service.
BIS TO SET UP PASHMINA TESTING CENTRE: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has announced setting up Pashmina testing centre in Leh region of Jammu and Kashmir to check the quality of pashmina collected. It will be set up in partnership with lab of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh. The centre will have standards testing lab, machines and scientists to check the quality of pashmina collected. It also released BI Standards of Pashmina. BIS will also train the locals, with cooperation of LAHDC in marking of the standards to save the time and money.
ABOUT PASHMINA It is a fine type of Kashmiri wool (also known as „cashmere‟ in the West). The word Pashmina in Kashmiri means „Soft Gold‟. It is used to make shawl, scarf and wrap or stole. Kashmir Pashmina has been accorded Geographical indication (GI) tag under Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
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Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs August 2019
INDIA TO CONDUCT 1ST NATIONAL TIME RELEASE STUDY FOR FASTER MOVEMENT OF CARGO: Department of Revenue, under Union Ministry of Finance, is conducting India‟s 1st National Time Release Study (TRS) for enabling faster movement of cargo across borders to benefit traders. TRS is an internationally recognized tool advocated by Brussels based World Customs Organization (WCO) to measure efficiency and effectiveness of international trade flows. National Time Release Study It is an initiative for accountable governance that will measure rule based and procedural bottlenecks including physical touch points in clearance of goods, from time of arrival until physical release of cargo.
GENOME INDIA INITIATIVE: The Department of Biotechology (DBT) plans to scan nearly 20,000 Indian genomes over the next five years, in a two-phase exercise, and develop diagnostic tests that can be used to test for cancer. The first phase involves sequencing the complete genomes of nearly 10,000 Indians from all corners of the country and captures the biological diversity of India. In the next phase, about 10,000 “diseased individuals” would have their genomes sequenced.
KALA AZAR DISEASE Researchers at the IIT Hyderabad have been able to achieve sustained release of the drug (Amphotericin B) for up to 10 days, which can be used for treating kalaazar. It is a disease caused by parasites of the Leishmania type. It is the second-largest parasitic killer in the world (after malaria). In India, this disease is endemic to West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION FOR CENSUS 2021: Census 2021 will for the first time seek information from households on smart phones, DTH/Cable TV connection, internet access, number of members of households having bank accounts, ownership of house other than the rented accommodation of a household, bottled water availability and mobile number as part of the house listing procedure. The Census 2021 house listing questionnaire will no longer seek a breakup of male and female persons in a household. Importantly it will not collect caste data and will have a listing for third gender. The data collected during the 2021 Census will be stored electronically, the first time since the decennial exercise was conducted in 1951 in Independent India.
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Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs August 2019
SAFFRON EXPERIMENT IN LADAKH: In Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh Farmers and Producers Cooperative Limited have started experimenting with saffron farming in Leh. Saffron farming experiment along with hill States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. At present, saffron is farmed in Pulwama and Pampore areas of Jammu and Kashmir. In Kashmir valley, 90 % of saffron production comes from Pampore uplands, locally called „wudar‟ on the southern outskirts of Srinagar city. Ladakh has similarities of climatic conditions with Iran and Afghanistan where saffron is grown.
SAFEGUARDING SPACE ASSETS: ISRO is setting up a network of telescopes and radar to develop its own system to monitor space debris and safeguard its space assets. Currently ISRO has 50 functional satellites, including communication, navigation and surveillance satellites, in space. It depends on NORAD‟s (North America Aerospace Defense Command) publicaly available and inaccurate data for Keeping track of space debris Monitoring our active and passive (dead) satellites. The foundation stone for Space Situational Awareness Control Centre has been laid in Bengaluru.
ELEPHANT CENSUS Union Ministry of Environment informed about the elephant population in India. Elephant population in India is estimated at 29,964 as per the census conducted in 2017. The South Region accounted for 14,612 followed by North East with 10,139 elephants.
INDIA‟S 1ST 3-D SMART TRAFFIC SIGNAL LAUNCHED IN MOHALI: Mohalli traffic police in Punjab have launched India‟s first wireless 3-D Smart Traffic Signal System called Intelights. It proposes a Intelligent Traffic Timer Control to regulate traffic signals with smart bird‟s eye view using wireless sensor system. It has been installed at traffic crossing near the Airport Road in Mohali on a pilot project basis. It has been devised by students of Chandigarh University after three years of intensive research. It proposes a 360-degree solution to curb the rising problem of traffic congestion.
SAMJHAUTA EXPRESS STOPPED: Pakistan has unilaterally decided to suspend the train services on its side. The Samjhauta Express, commonly called the friendship express, is a bi-weekly train - running on Thursday and Monday. It runs between Delhi and Attari in India and Lahore in Pakistan.
THAR EXPRESS India suspends Thar Link Express to Pakistan. It starts from Jodhpur of Rajasthan, crosses Munabao, the last station on the Indian side of the border. It reaches Karachi in Pakistan. The Thar Link Express is a continuation of the previous Sind Mail. It was revived after a period of 41 years on 18 February 2006.
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CHILD CARE LEAVE – MALE MILITARY PERSONNEL: The Defence minister has approved extension of benefits of Child Care Leave (CCL) to single male Service Personnel as well as certain relaxations of CCL provisions in case of women officers of defence forces. Currently Child Care Leave (CCL) is granted only to women officers in defence forces. CCL can be availed in respect of a child with 40% disability and could be availed without any restriction of age limit of child.
BREASTFEEDING REPORT The Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan released a report on Breastfeeding. Manipur has topped the rankings in Breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices in the country. Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar are at the bottom positions in the report card. National capital Delhi is also among the worst-performing States. The Breastfeeding report card has been developed by devising a composite score based on three indicators namely: Early initiation of breastfeeding, Exclusive breastfeeding for six months and Complimentary feeding at 6-8 months of child's age.
CANCER TREATMENT UNDER AYUSHMAN BHARAT YOJANA: The Union Government plans to include all types of cancers and their treatment under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. It is because cancer care costs cause massive financial crisis among people and many had to go without treatment. Cancer is the second-most common disease in India. Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer in India, followed by breast cancer and oral cancers.
CORAS: RAILWAY MINISTRY LAUNCHES COMMANDO FOR RAILWAY SECURITY: Union Ministry of Railways launched CORAS (Commando for Railway Security) of Indian Railways. It is separate Commando Unit of Railway Protection Force (RPF). It has been carved out from motivated and willing young staff of Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF). CORAS commandoes: The average age of CORAS commandoes will be between 30-35 years. These CORAS commandos will be posted in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)/Insurgency/Terrorism affected Railway areas where providing security to passengers and railway network is of utmost priority.
CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF (CDS) Prime Minister In his Independence Day address, announced the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff. It was described as a strategy to provide “effective leadership at the top level” to the three wings of the armed forces and to help improve coordination among them. CDS is a high military office that oversees and coordinates the working of the three Services. The role of the CDS becomes critical in times of conflict. CDS is expected to offer seamless tri-service views and single-point advice to the Executive (to the Prime Minister) on long-term defence planning and management. The first proposal for a CDS in India came from the 2000 Kargil Review Committee (KRC).
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Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs August 2019
SUPREME COURT GIVES ITS NOD FOR CHARDHAM PROJECT: The Supreme Court has given its nod to Chardham Development Plan which connects the holy places of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath by all-weather roads.
E-ROZGAR SAMACHAR : The e-version of Rozgar Samachar has been launched recently by Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting Shri Prakash Javadekar. has been launched with a view to make aspirants aware of job opportunities in government sector including public sector enterprises. Rozgar Samachar is the corresponding version of Employment News (English). Employment News is the flagship weekly job journal from Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. It was launched in 1976 with a view to provide information on employment opportunities to the unemployed and underemployed youth of the country.
NEW COMMITTEE TO REVIEW DEFENCE PROCUREMENT PROCEDURE TO STRENGTHEN „MAKE IN INDIA‟: Rajnath Singh, Union Minister of Defence has approved setting up of a Committee to review Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016 and Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2009 as DPP 2016 and DPM 2009 have been due for revision for a while. The 12-member committee will be set up under Chairmanship of Director General (Acquisition) Shri Apurva Chandra. Apart from DG (Acq) the 11 other members who part of this high-level committee should not be below rank of Joint Secretary or Major General equivalent. Committee will revise and align procedures with aim of ensuring seamless flow from asset acquisition to life cycle support. It has 6 months to submit its recommendations.
INDIA‟S FIRST NATIONAL ESSENTIAL DIAGNOSTICS LIST: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has finalized India‟s first National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL). With this, India has become the first country to compile such list that will provide guidance to government for deciding kind of diagnostic tests that different healthcare facilities in villages and remote areas require.
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Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs August 2019
It aims to bridge current regulatory system‟s gap that do not cover all medical devices and in-vitro diagnostic device (IVD). It is meant for facilities from village till the district level. WHO released first edition of essential diagnostics list (EDL) in May 2018. It acts as reference point for development of national EDL. However, India‟s diagnostics list (NEDL) has been customised and prepared as per landscape of India‟s health care priorities.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TEACHER EDUCATION BY NCTE HELD IN NEW DELHI: A two-day International Conference titled „Journey of Teacher Education: Local to Global‟ was inaugurated by Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank , Union Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD) in New Delhi. The two-day event is organized by National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE) as part of silver jubilee (25 years) celebration of its establishment in 1995. Conference Objective: To bring our school education system in alignment with global trends. It provides a platform to renowned academicians, educationist, thinkers, administrators and practitioners to brainstorm various challenges, issue and solutions for existing teacher education system in India.
54TH KNOW INDIA PROGRAMME: 40 Indian Origin youth have taken part in 54th Edition of Know India (KIP) Programme. This edition is scheduled from 1st August to 25th August, 2019. Punjab and Harayana are partner sates for this edition.
ABOUT KNOW INDIA PROGRAMME (KIP) It is important initiative of Union Government aimed to engage and make students and young professionals of India Diaspora in age group of 18-30 years. It was launched in 2004. It is 25-day orientation programme organized by Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in partnership with one or two States including visit to States for 10 days. It seeks to give sense of connect to Indian origin youth with their motherland and motivate and inspire them by the transformation taking place in India. Objective of KIP: (i) Give Indian origin youth exposure to various aspects of contemporary India‟s forms of art, heritage and culture. (ii) Promote awareness on different facets of life in India and the progress made by country.
DRDO TRANSFERS DESIGN OF MOBILE METALLIC RAMP (MMR) TO INDIAN ARMY: Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) transferred the design of Mobile Metallic Ramp (MMR) to Indian Army. MMR has been designed and developed by Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES), DRDO‟s premier research laboratory. It has a load bearing capacity of 70 metric ton (MT). It has been designed and developed on requirements projected by Army for reducing Strategic Mobility time of mobilizing Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs).
TEACHERS TRAINING PROGRAMME „NISHTHA‟ LAUNCHED BY HRD MINISTRY: Union Minister of Human Resources Development (HRD) Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank launched the Integrated Teachers‟ Training Programme, NISHTHA or National Initiative for School Head‟s and Teachers‟ Holistic Advancement in New Delhi. HRD Minister also launched NISHTHA initiative‟s Website, Training Modules, Primer Booklet and Mobile App built for purpose.
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The Mobile App and Learning Management System (LMS) which will be will be used for registration of Resource Persons and Teachers, training gap and impact analysis, monitoring, mentoring and measuring progress online is based on MOODLE (Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment) and have been developed by NCERT. Objective: The Integrated Teachers‟ Training Programme aims to build capacities by training around 42 lakh teachers across country.
ZONAL COUNCILS MEET Union Home Minister, Amit Shah chaired the 24th meeting of the Western Zonal Council at Panaji (Goa). The meeting was also attended by Chief Ministers of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Administrator of the UTs of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli. The Six Zonal Councils are - Western, Eastern, Northern, Southern, North Eastern and Central. They were set up under the State‟s Reorganization Act, 1956 to foster Inter-State co-operation and co-ordination among the States.
SAN-SADHAN HACKATHON - A NATIONWIDE HACKATHON FOR DIVYANG ACCESSIBLE TOILETS: SAN-Sadhan hackathon is a nationwide initiative to provide startups, students, academicians and industry experts with a platform to share innovative ideas and solutions for Divyang accessible toilets. It is an initiative under the Swachh Bharat Mission to ease lives of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) by making toilets smarter, more accessible, and easier to use. The shortlisted applicants will work to develop their prototype during the twoday Hackathon scheduled to be held in the month of September in New Delhi.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFIES SABKA VISHWAS-LEGACY DISPUTE RESOLUTION SCHEME, 2019: Union Finance Ministry has notified Sabka Vishwas-Legacy Dispute Resolution Scheme, 2019, a dispute resolution and amnesty scheme to reduce legacy service tax and central excise cases. It will become operational from September 1, 2019 four months till December 31, 2019. It can be availed by taxpayers for closing their pending disputes relating to legacy Service Tax and Central Excise cases that are now subsumed under Goods and Services Tax (GST) so they can focus on GST.
GUJARAT TOPS IN COMPOSITE WATER MANAGEMENT INDEX 2019: Gujarat topped in 2017-18 in the Composite Water Management Index (CWMI 2.0) report released by NITI Aayog. CWMI 2.0 ranked 25 States and 2 UTs for the reference year 2017-18 as against base year 2016- 17. On an average, 80% of states assessed on CWMI 2.0 over e last three years have improved their water management scores, with average improvement of +5.2 points. It was launched by NITI Aayog in 2018 as an important tool to assess and improve the performance of States/ UTs in efficient management of water resources. It seeks to instill sense of cooperative and competitive federalism among the states. It is first ever attempt at of creating pan-India set of metrics that measured different dimensions of water management and use across the lifecycle of water.
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Unique IAS Academy – TNPSC Current Affairs August 2019
AMAZON INDIA LAUNCHES MILITARY VETERANS EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME: Amazon India has launched a Military Veterans Employment programme in country. This initiative of e-commerce giant will create employment opportunities for military veterans as well as their spouses across company‟s sort centres, delivery centres and fulfilment centres in India.
ABOUT MILITARY VETERANS EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME Partnership: Amazon India is partnering with office of Director-General of Resettlement (DGR), an Inter Service organization functioning directly under Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (Ministry of Defence) and Army Welfare Placement Organisation (AWPO) to create continued work opportunities for military families across India. AWPO is a non-profit organization which helps in placement of ex-servicemen, widows, children of widows and dependents of serving or retired servicemen.
NATIONAL DIGITAL LIBRARY OF INDIA: Human Resource Development Ministry under its National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology, NMEICT has launched the National Digital Library of India project to develop a framework of virtual repository of learning resources with a single-window search facility. As of now, there are more than 3 crore digital resources available through the National Digital Library. The contents cover almost all major domains of education and all major levels of learners. More than 50 lakh students have registered themselves in the National Digital Library with about 20 lakh active users. National Digital Library has been integrated with UMANG App and users can register through www.ndl.gov.in or through the mobile app.
FIT INDIA MOVEMENT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the „Fit India‟ Movement‟ on sports day (August 29). He said that the initiative is the need of the hour and will take the country towards a healthier future. The campaign is aimed at encouraging people to inculcate physical activity and sports in their day to day life. A 28-member committee, under the chairmanship of sports minister Kiren Rijiju has been formed to advise the government on the campaign. During the launch of the event, PM also paid tributes to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand as it is his birth anniversary.
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CCEA APPROVES 75 NEW GOVERNMENT MEDICAL COLLEGES BY 2021-22: Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved establishment of 75 additional Government Medical Colleges by 2021-22. These colleges will be attached with existing district/referral hospitals under Phase-III of the ongoing Centrally Sponsored scheme. It will lead to increase in availability of qualified health professionals, improve tertiary care in public health sector by utilizing existing infrastructure of districts hospitals and promote affordable medical education in the country. It will lead to addition of at least 15,700 MBBS seats in the country.
INDIA LAUNCHES WORLD‟S FIRST FACIAL BIOMETRIC DATA-BASED ID FOR SEAFARERS: Union Ministry of Shipping has launched Biometric Seafarer Identity Document (BSID) to be issued for Indian seafarers. With this, India became world‟s first country to launch facial biometric data-based identity document (ID) for seafarers.
ABOUT BSID This project has been taken up by Union Ministry of Shipping in collaboration with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Mumbai. It is being implemented in pursuance of Government notified the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers Bio-metric Identification Document) Rules in 2016. Issuance of SID involves collection of biometric and demographic details of seafarers, their verification and then issuance of the card to them.
7TH COMMUNITY RADIO SAMMELAN HELD IN NEW DELHI: The 7th Community Radio Sammelan was held at Dr. BR Ambedkar Bhawan, New Delhi from 27th to 29th August, 2019. It was organized by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. The theme of this year‟s sammelan was „Community Radio for SDGs‟. It had witnessed participation of all operational Community Radio Stations across the country. It discussed experiences and possibilities of programming for raising awareness on sustainable development goals in a better manner. It also witnessed discussion on various flagship schemes of government such as Jal Shakti Abhiyaan and efforts for disaster risk reduction.
NEW IMAGES ON TOBACCO PACKETS FROM SEPTEMBER 1: The image on cigarette and other tobacco packets is set to change from September 1. The current image would be replaced by the image of a man who lost a part of his jaw and other parts owing to Buccal Mucosa cancer. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have issued an alert about it to tobacco product manufacturers, distributors, retailers and importers. Besides the new image, the health warning „Tobacco causes painful death‟ and a number (1800-11-2356) to seek help for quitting tobacco would be displayed.
KVIC LAUNCHES “LEATHER MISSION” ON WORLD TRIBAL DAY: The Khadi and Village Industry Commission has launched “Leather Mission” on World Tribal Day. Under this mission, the commission will give leather kits to the leather artisans across the nation.
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Khadi and Village Industry Commission (KVIC) distributed as many as 50 leather kits and 350 Bee-Boxes with live bee colonies in tribal-dominated village in Sirohi district of Rajasthan, one of the aspirational districts in India identified by the NITI Aayog. International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (or) World Tribal Day is celebrated on August 09 every year.
INDIA‟S CHILD WELL-BEING INDEX REPORT: According to the recently released Child‟s Well-Being Index Report, “Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh & Puducherry topped the charts, while Meghalaya, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh featured at the bottom.” The report is the collaborated work of a research institute IFMR LEAD & an NGO World Vision India. The index is computed on the basis of 3 dimensions that include, (healthy individual development, positive relationships, and protective contexts) & 24 indicators.
12TH INDIA SECURITY SUMMIT HELD IN NEW DELHI: The 12th India Security Summit was held in New Delhi. It was organized by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and is officially supported by Union Ministry of Communications & Information Technology. The theme of this edition of summit was “Towards New National Cyber Security Strategy”. Various steps are taken by the Government to provide cyber security were discussed Union Home Ministry has launched scheme „Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)‟ to combat cyber crime in the country, in coordinated and effective manner. Governance also has rolled out “Cyber Swachhta Kendra” as part of Digital India initiative under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
SUPER 50: Maharashtra‟s Tribal Development Department in association with the Pace Educational Trust has launched an academic programme for young tribal students aspiring to be doctors and engineers. The initiative is inspired by the work of Patna‟s Anand Kumar who runs an initiative called „Super 30‟ for underprivileged students to sit for Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) entrance exam. The Super 50 programme will mentor 50 most meritorious tribal students from the State and prepare them for engineering and medical exams. 0422 4204182, 9884267599 NVN Layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 15
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It is an 11-month program in which 50 students are selected every year and they are provided with complete free residential coaching for IIT-JEE, JKCET and other premier Engineering Institutes.
ASTRA RAFAEL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM (ARCS): Minister of State for Home Affairs inaugurating their state-of-the-art facility outskirts of Hyderabad on August 27, 2019. With this, Astra Rafael Communication System (ARC), the JV, has positioned itself to become India‟s first private sector firm to manufacture cutting-edge software defined radios in multiple variants. While the initial focus will be software defined radios and supplies to the country‟s defense forces, the 51:49 JV between Astra Microwave and Israel‟s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems intends to over the time get into development and manufacture of a wide range of other advanced capabilities and export too.
RENOVATED NATIONAL FOOD LABORATORY INAUGURATED AT GHAZIABAD: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan inaugurated regulator Food Safety and Standard Authority of India‟s (FSSAI) National Food Laboratory (NFL) in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. It was inaugurated on the occasion of 13th anniversary of enactment of Food Safety and Standards Act, (FSSA) 2006. NFL is one of two premier referral laboratories under direct administrative control of FSSAI. The another laboratory located in Kolkata is also being upgraded.
GOVERNMENT RELEASES DRAFT NATIONAL RESOURCE EFFICIENCY POLICY: Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) recently released Draft National Resource Efficiency Policy, 2019. It has invited comments and suggestions from stakeholders including public/private organizations, experts and concerned citizens on the draft policy.
FEATURES OF DRAFT NATIONAL RESOURCE EFFICIENCY POLICY (NREP) It envisions future with environmentally sustainable and equitable economic growth, resource security, healthy environment (air, water and land), and restored ecosystems with rich ecology and biodiversity. (i) reduction in primary resource consumption to „sustainable‟ levels, in keeping with achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SGs) and staying within planetary boundaries. (ii) Creation of higher value with less material through resource efficient and circular approaches (aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources). (iii) Material security and creation of employment opportunities and business models beneficial to cause of environment protection and restoration. (iv) Waste minimization. 6R stands for- reduce, reuse, recycle, redesign, re-manufacture and refurbish.
2ND UDAY EXPRESS TO RUN BETWEEN VISAKHAPATNAM, VIJAYAWADA:
Indian Railways‟ 2nd UDAY (Utkrisht Double Decker Air Conditioned Yatri) Express will run between Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada to cater to busy route in East Coast Railway zone (ECoR), one of 18 railway zones of Indian Railways. The 1st double-decker UDAY Express started service between Coimbatore and Bangalore in June 2018. Another Uday Express is proposed between Bangalore City and Chennai Central. Uday is a specially-designed double decker air conditioned train with chair car coaches which is primarily allocated to routes with heavy passenger traffic.
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INTER-STATE COUNCIL The Inter-State Council, which is mandated to investigate and advise on disputes between states, has been “reconstituted” with Prime Minister as its chairman and six Union ministers and all chief ministers as members. The Chief Ministers of the Union territories (UT) having legislative assemblies and the administrators of UTs not having a legislative assembly will also be members of the council. Ten other Union ministers have been made permanent invitees to the council. The Article 263 of the Constitution provides for the establishment of an Inter- State Council.
SAMAGRA SHIKSHA-JAL SURAKSHA DRIVE LAUNCHED: Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha drive was launched to promote water conservation activities among school students by Union ministers Ramesh Pokhriyal and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at Delhi Cantonment. Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha drive was initiated by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the HRD Ministry to promote awareness about water conservation activities among school students in the country so that they can become more committed, conscientious and competent citizens. SAMAGRA SHIKSHA-JAL SURAKSHA DRIVE: TARGET 1. One Student- Save One Litre Water One Day 2. One Student- Save 365 Litres Water One Year 3. One Student - Save 3650 Litres Water10 Years
MONSOON SESSION 2019 The First Session of Seventeenth Lok Sabha commenced on 17th of June, 2019 and 249th Session of Rajya Sabha commenced from 20th June, 2019. Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on 6th August, 2019. Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die on 7th August, 2019. During this Session a total of 40 Bills (33 in Lok Sabha and 07 in Rajya Sabha) were introduced. 36 Bills were passed by Lok Sabha.32 Bills were passed by Rajya Sabha. 30 Bills have been passed by both the Houses of Parliament – This is a record in single first/effective Session after constitution of new Lok Sabha.
AYODHYA MEDIATION FAILED
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The three-member Babri Masjid - Ram Janmabhoomi land dispute case “mediation panel” including Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Shriram Panchu headed by former apex court judge FM Kalifulla has submitted its report. The efforts to arrive at an amicable settlement through mediation have failed. So, the Supreme Court is set to commence day-to-day hearing in the case. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi will conduct the hearing.
R-27 MISSILE: INDIA SIGNS RS 1500 CRORE DEAL WITH RUSSIA: India has signed a deal worth Rs 1500 crore to buy R-27 air-to-air missiles from Russia. The objective of this deal is to boost the capabilities of Indian Air Force (IAF) in beyond visual targets. R-27 air-to-air missiles will be equipped on the Su-30MKI fighter jets. R-27 is a medium-range air-to-air missile which was initially developed for MiG and Sukhoi fighter jets. Russia developed these missiles to add the capability to the Sukhoi and MiG warfare aircraft. Indian Air Force has signed Rs 7600 crore deals in the past two months. These deals have done to acquire types of equipment under emergency requirements.
OPERATION NUMBER PLATE” LAUNCHED BY RPF: Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Indian Railways launched a Special Drive with a Code Name “Operation Number Plate” to identify and verify all vehicles parked in Railway premises, circulating area, parking and even in the „No Parking‟ areas for a longer duration. The unidentified vehicles are considered a serious threat to the security and safety of passengers and other stakeholders of railways. Launched ahead of the Independence Day.
IMPORTANT BILLS AND ACTS
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THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR REORGANISATION BILL, 2019 The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 was introduced and passed in Rajya Sabha on August 5, 2019 and passed in Lok Sabha on August 6, 2019. The Bill provides for reorganization of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with legislature Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh without a legislature (previously 4 seats). The UT of Ladakh will comprise Kargil and Leh districts only. The rest of the territories will belong to UT of Jammu and Kashmir. Lok Sabha will have five seats from the UT of J-K, while Ladakh will have one seat. Both the Union Territories will be administered by the President, through an administrator appointed by him known as the Lieutenant Governor (LG). The Bill provides for the addition of 7 seats to the Legislative Assembly for J & K UT with 114 seats (previously 107 seats). There will be a Council of Ministers of not more than ten percent of the total number of members in the Assembly. The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir will be the common High Court for the Union Territories of Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir. The UT of J and K will have an Advocate General to provide legal advice to the government of the Union Territory.
ARTICLE 370 REVOCATION: Union Minister for Home Affairs introduced two statutory resolutions regarding Article 370 in Rajya Sabha on August 05, 2019. They were passed by Lok Sabha on August 06, 2019. The resolutions are Constitution (Application to Jammu & Kashmir) Order, 2019 {Ref. Article 370(1) of Constitution of India} – issued by President of India to supersede the 1954 order related to Article 370. Resolution for Repeal of Article 370 of the Constitution of India {Ref. Article 370 (3)} 1954 PRESIDENTIAL ORDER : The 1954 presidential order constituted a founding legal document for Jammu and Kashmir. The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954, lists the Articles and provisions that apply to J&K. By virtue of this order Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed special status under Article 370 of the Constitution of India. ARTICLE 35 A In 1954, the President also listed a set of exceptions under Article 35A of the Constitution (this Article does not figure in the text of the Constitution of India, but figures only in the J&K‟s Constitution). It was inserted by the Presidential order in 1954 not by Constitutional Amendment. It protected the exclusive laws of the state like The bar on outsiders buying property Kashmiri Women marrying non-Kashmir is losing their property rights.
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BEFORE AND AFTER ARTICLE 370 REVOCATION:
THE CONSUMER PROTECTION BILL, 2019 The Consumer Protection Bill, 2019 was passed by both Houses of Parliament. It replaces the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. A consumer is defined as a person who buys any good or avails a service for a consideration. It does not include a person who obtains a good for “resale” or a good or service for commercial purpose.
RIGHTS OF CONSUMERS: 6 Consumer‟s rights have been defined in the Bill including the right to Be informed of the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods .or services
CENTRAL CONSUMER PROTECTION AUTHORITY A Central Consumer Protection Authority will be set up to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers.
CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION (CDRC) CDRC will be set up at the district, state, and national levels. Appeals at district level redressal commission can be escalated till national level. Final appeal will lie before the Supreme Court. The District CDRC will entertain complaints where value of goods and services does not exceed Rs.1 crore. State CDRC will do from 1 crore to 10 crores National CDRC will deal with complaints of over 10 crores value.
PRODUCT LIABILITY Product liability means the liability of a product manufacturer / service provider / seller to compensate a consumer for any harm or injury caused by a defective good or deficient service.
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The Bill amends the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. IMPORTANT CHANGES Under the Code, a financial creditor may file an application before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for initiating the insolvency resolution process. The NCLT must find the existence of default within 14 days. Thereafter, a Committee of Creditors (CoC) consisting of financial creditors will be constituted for taking decisions regarding insolvency resolution. The CoC will appoint a resolution professional who will present a resolution plan to the CoC. The Code states that the insolvency resolution process must be completed within 180 days, extendable by a period of up to 90 days. Now the Bill adds that the resolution process must be completed within 330 days.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
INDIA – BHUTAN RELATIONS The Indian Prime Minister, who is here on his second visit to Bhutan, inaugurated the Mangdechhu hydroelectric power plant. He launched stamps to commemorate five decades of India-Bhutan hydropower cooperation. He also launched the RuPay Card in Bhutan. On August 8, 1949 Bhutan and India signed the Treaty of Friendship. India re-negotiated the 1949 treaty with Bhutan and signed a new treaty of friendship in 2007. The new treaty replaced the provision requiring Bhutan to take India's guidance on foreign policy with broader sovereignty and not require Bhutan to obtain India's permission over arms imports. Nagar kirtan from Pakistan reaches India for first time since Partition: In a first after Partition, a nagar kirtan (Sikh religious procession) being carried out as part of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, reached India via the Attari-Wagah border from Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. Nagar Kirtan is a religious procession. It will culminate at Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district of Punjab in India.
US-RUSSIA INTERMEDIATE RANGE NUCLEAR FORCES TREATY The US has formally withdrawn from the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) with Russia. The treaty had banned the development, testing and possession of short and medium range ground-launched nuclear missiles with a range of 500-5,000 km. INF was signed by then US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987. It doesn't include air and water launch missiles.
INDIA SIGNS UN CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS: India signed United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements (UNISA) also known as Singapore Convention on Mediation. In December 2018 UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted The United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation. It will be officially signed in Singapore. It provides uniform framework for enforcing international settlement agreements which results from mediation. It also provide efficient framework for allowing parties to invoke such agreements similar to framework that New York Convention (or Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (New York, 1958)) provides for arbitral awards. 0422 4204182, 9884267599 NVN Layout, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore Page 21
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SHAWALA TEJA SINGH TEMPLE IN PAKISTAN OPENED FOR HINDUS AFTER 72 YEARS Almost 1,000-year-old Shawala Teja Singh Temple located in Sialkot city of Pakistan, which was sealed for last 72 years, has been re-opened for devotees for the 1st time since partition. Decision to reopen temple was issued by Paksitan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Shawala Teja Singh Temple History: Shawala Teja Singh temple is an ancient Hindu temple which was built by Sardar Teja Singh. It is dedicated to Hindu deity Shiva, in Sialkot in Punjab province of Pakistan. It was built by Sardar Teja Singh and dedicated to Lord Siva.
ASEAN-INDIA SUMMITS Series of Asean-India summits held in Thailand. External affairs minister S Jaishankar represented the country in the meetings. The summits are;
Asean-India Ministerial Meeting, 9th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers‟ Meeting, 26th ASEAN Regional Forum and 10th Mekong Ganga Cooperation Ministerial Meeting.
KAJIN SARA LAKE SET TO BE WORLD‟S HIGHEST LAKE: Newly discovered Kajin Sara lake in Nepal is likely to set a new record of being the world‟s highest lake. It is located at Singarkharka area of Chame rural municipality in Manang district of Nepal. It is called Singar locally. It was discovered about a few months ago by team of mountaineers. As per measurement of lake taken by this team, it is located at an altitude of 5,200 metres. This measurement is yet to be officially verified. It is estimated to be 1,500-metre-long and 600-metre-wide. Current world‟s highest lake: It is Tilicho Lake, situated at an altitude of 4,919 metres in Nepal. It is 4 km long, 1.2 km wide and around 200 metres deep.
THIRD TEST OF A REUSABLE ROCKET( RLV) T5: Chinese start-up Link Space completed its third test of a reusable rocket RLV T5. The cost of access to space is the major deterrent in space exploration and space utilization. A reusable launch vehicle is the unanimous solution to achieve low cost, reliable and on-demand space access. ISRO's Reusable Launch Vehicle - Technology Demonstration Program (RLVTD) is also working on a similar technology.
U.S. CONDUCTS FIRST CRUISE MISSILE TEST SINCE WITHDRAWAL FROM INF TREATY WITH RUSSIA The U.S. has conducted the first test of a ground-launched cruise missile since its withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty with Russia earlier this month. The test missile "exited its ground mobile launcher and accurately impacted its target after more than 500 kilometers of flight," the Defense Department said in a statement. If the INF Treaty were still in effect, the test would constitute a violation since, as the statement notes, it traveled "more than 500 kilometers. The 1987 INF Treaty had banned both parties from possessing, testing land-based missiles – conventional/ nuclear, that could travel between 500 and 5,500 kilometers.
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CISF WIN 10 MEDALS „WORLD POLICE AND FIRE GAMES‟ 2019 IN CHINA: Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) sports personnel won 10 medals, at recently-concluded World Police and Fire Games 2019 (WPFG-2019) held at Chengdu, China‟s southwestern Sichuan province. CISF sports personnel represented India in different sporting events held at WPEG-2019. 10 medals won by CISF includes 5 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals. CISF DG Rajesh Ranjan felicitated sports personnel for their performance. It is a worldwide Olympic-style sporting event which is held every two years. The 2021 edition will be held in Rotterdam, Netherlands and 2023 will be in Winnipeg, Canada.
INDIA, FRANCE PLAN SATELLITE SURVEILLANCE OF SHIPS: India and France have formalized the development and launch of what is probably a unique constellation of around 10 low-earth orbit satellites that will continuously provide maritime surveillance and security. They will cover a wide belt around the globe and specifically focus on the Indian Ocean region where France, with its Reunion Islands, has a strategic interest. The satellite-based Automatic Identification System or AIS will detect, identify and track a range of vessels moving in the ocean region and guard against aggression, terrorism, piracy, smuggling, source of oil slicks and also be useful for rescues. Other climate and ocean weather monitoring satellites jointly developed by India and France are Megha-Tropiques in 2011 SARAL-AltiKa in 2013.
FATF ASIA-PACIFIC GROUP „BLACKLISTS‟ PAKISTAN: Pakistan has been placed on the lowest rung, or “blacklist”, of the Financial Action Task Force‟s Asia Pacific Group (APG) for non-compliance and non-enforcement of safeguards against terror financing and money laundering. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) had already „grey listed‟ Pakistan for ailing to curb anti-terror financing. The FATF blacklist or OECD blacklist has been issued by the Financial Action Task Force since 2000.FATF has no investigative authority
RUSSIA LAUNCHES WORLD'S FIRST FLOATING NUCLEAR REACTOR IN ARCTIC: Russia will launch the world's first floating nuclear reactor and send it on an epic journey across the Arctic. Loaded with nuclear fuel, the Akademik Lomonosov will leave the Arctic port of Murmansk to begin its 5,000 kilometer voyage to northeastern Siberia. When it arrives in Pevek, it will „replace‟ a local nuclear plant and a closed coal power plant. Power produced from the plant will be used by Russia in the exploitation of hydrocarbons in the Arctic. Environmental groups have long warned of the dangers of the project, dubbing it a potential "Chernobyl on ice" and a "nuclear Titanic.
ABOUT SOUTH-SOUTH AND TRIANGULAR COOPERATION: An international dialogue on South-South and Triangular Cooperation was recently held in New Delhi. South-South cooperation is a broad framework of collaboration among countries of the South in the political, economic, social, cultural, environmental and technical domains. Involving two or more developing countries, it can take place on a bilateral, regional, intraregional or interregional basis. Developing countries share knowledge, skills, expertise and resources to meet their development goals through concerted efforts.
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PM MODI CONFERRED WITH ORDER OF ZAYED: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Order of Zayed, UAE‟s highest civilian award on August 24, 2019. The honour was bestowed upon the Prime Minister by UAE Crown Prince, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The United Arab Emirates had announced its decision to honour Prime Minister Modi with its highest decoration, Zayed medal on April 4, 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially launched the RuPay card in the UAE on August 24, 2019 at the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi. With this, UAE has become the first gulf country where the Indian RuPay card has been launched. RuPay card scheme was launched in 2012 to fulfil the Reserve Bank of India‟s vision to have a domestic, open and multilateral system of payments.
45TH G7 SUMMIT AT BIARRITZ, FRANCE The summit took place under the French presidency of the G7, which is centred around the fight against inequalities. The 45th G7 summit was held on 24–26 August 2019, in Biarritz, France. Attendees of the 45th summit of the G7 includes the leaders of the seven G7 member states (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States) and representatives of the European Union. 9 Countries including India were invited as guests – Australia, Burkina Faso, Chile, Egypt, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa and Spain.
U.S. EMBASSY IN NEPAL ORGANISES SOUTH ASIA AIR QUALITY TECH CAMP IN KATHMANDU: The U.S. Embassy in Nepal has organized a South Asia Air Quality Tech Camp in Kathmandu. The aim of camp is to address political, social, and scientific facets of the problem and improve the ability of civil society, media, and other influencers to engage governments, empower the public and take action to improve air quality in South Asia. Participants from seven South Asian countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are attending the two day camp.
ECONOMY
COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2019 PASSED IN PARLIAMENT: The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2019 has been passed by the Parliament with the approval of Rajya Sabha. The bill was already passed by the Lok Sabha with a majority of votes. The Bill aims to bring about key changes in the Companies Act, 2013. The Bill seeks to tighten Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) compliance, re-categorisation of specific offences as civil offences and transfer certain responsibilities to National Company Law Tribunal. A company may not commence business, unless it * Files a declaration within 180 days of incorporation, confirming that every subscriber to the Memorandum of the company has paid for the shares agreed to be taken by him * Files a verification of its registered address with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) within 30 days of incorporation.
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RBI CUTS REPO RATE BY 35 BPS TO 9-YEAR LOW: The RBI's monetary policy committee, led by governor Shaktikanta Das, lowered repo rate by 35% basis points to 5.4%. This is the fourth time the RBI has cut repo rate this yearRetail inflation has remained below the RBI's medium- term target for almost a year. Retail inflation has remained below the RBI's medium-term target for almost a year. It will make bank loans cheaper.
INJETI SRINIVAS COMMITTEE ON CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Injeti Srinivas, Secretary (Corporate Affairs), presented the Report of the High-level Committee on Corporate social responsibility (CSR) to the Union Minister of Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman The main recommendations include o Making CSR expenditure tax deductible, o Balancing local area preferences with national priorities of CSR compliance may be made a civil offence.
INDIA WINS SOLAR CASE AGAINST US AT WTO: India won a major trade dispute against the US at the World Trade Organization, with a dispute settlement panel pronouncing that subsidies and mandatory local content requirements instituted by eight American states breached global trade rules. Those relaxations were also found to be inconsistent with certain provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). GATT aims to promote trade by reducing or eliminating trade barriers such as customs duties.
E-COMMERCE PORTAL BHARAT CRAFT: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced the government‟s plan to launch an e-commerce portal named Bharat Craft on lines of what Alibaba did to China. He inaugurated the 6th India International MSME Expo at New Delhi. It will provide a platform for MSMEs to market and sell their products which in turn will boost the sector. Presently, MSME contributes 29% of India‟s GDP and about 50% of country exports GDP and can generate employment opportunities for five crores in the next five years.
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TEXTILES MINISTRY SIGNS MOU FOR SKILL TRAINING: The Union Textiles Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with 16 State governments on Wednesday to offer skill training programmes under the Samarth scheme (Scheme for capacity building in the textiles sector). Jammu & Kashmir and Odisha, which were among the eighteen states that had earlier agreed to be on board, did not participate.
SAMARTH SCHEME: It is scheme of Ministry of Textiles, approved by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in December 2017. Its broad objective is to skill the youth for gainful and sustainable employment in textile sector covering entire value chain of textiles, excluding spinning and weaving. The scheme is intended to provide demand driven, placement oriented National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) compliant skilling programmes to incentivize and supplement efforts of industry in creating jobs in textiles sectors. EMERGENCY ECONOMIC MEASURES – FINANCE MINISTER On concerns of a slowing economy Union Finance Minister Nirmala announced a number of measures to boost growth. some important measures are,
RBI TO TRANSFER RS 1.76 LAKH CRORE SURPLUS RESERVES TO GOVT: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) board headed by Governor Shakthi kanta Das has decided to transfer Rs 1.76 trillion in dividend and surplus reserve to the government. RBI, in consultation with the government, had constituted a six-member expert committee headed by former RBI Governor Bimal Jalan in December last year to review the extant economic capital framework of the central bank. The highest that RBI has ever transferred so far was Rs 65,896 crore in 2014-15.
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CVC CONSTITUTES ADVISORY BOARD FOR BANKING FRAUDS: The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has constituted Advisory Board for Banking Frauds (ABBF) to examine bank fraud over Rs 50 crore and recommend action. Former Vigilance Commissioner T M Bhasin will be Chairman of this four member body. Its members include Madhusudan Prasad (former Urban Development Secretary), D K Pathak (former Director General of Border Security Force) and Suresh N Patel (former MD and CEO of Andhra Bank). This will function as the first level of examination of all large fraud cases before interference of investigative agencies. GDP GROWTH India‟s gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate slowed to a six-year low of 5% in the first quarter of the 2019- 20 financial year. It was led by a dramatic slowdown in the manufacturing sector. The growth of Gross Value Added (GVA) stood at 4.9% in the first quarter of the financial year 2019-20, also the slowest in six years.
REVISED FDI NORMS: Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for the review of Foreign Direct Investment in various sectors. This will result in making India a more attractive FDI destination, leading to benefits of increased investments, employment and growth. 100% FDI under automatic route is permitted for sale of coal, for coal mining activities including associated processing infrastructure. 100 per cent FDI under automatic route has been allowed in contract manufacturing to give a big boost to domestic manufacturing. The government has approved 26 per cent FDI with the government‟s approval in digital media, on the lines of print media.
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INDIA SLIPS TO 7TH POSITION IN GLOBAL GDP RANKING: India has slipped one notch in the World Bank‟s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rankings in 2018, and is now the seventh-largest economy with the United Kingdom and France ahead of India, data from the international lending institution said. In 2018, India‟s GDP was $2.72 trillion, while that of the United Kingdom was $2.82 trillion and France was $2.77 trillion. The world‟s top four economies in the World Bank list in 2018 were the United States, with a GDP of $20.5 trillion, followed by China ($13.6 trillion), Japan ($4.9 trillion) and Germany ($3.9 trillion). The present government said it aims to make India a $5-trillion economy by 2024.
PARLIAMENT PASSES SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2019: Parliament has passed Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, 2019 to allow trusts to establish units in Special Economic Zone (SEZs). It was first legislation to be passed by newly-constituted 17th Lok Sabha.it amends SEZ Act 2005. Under the original Act, the definition of a person includes an individual, a Hindu undivided family, a company, a co-operative society, a firm, or an association of persons. It amends definition of “person” under Section 2(v) of the SEZ Act 2005 to include „trusts‟. Apart from trusts, it also includes any entity that central government may notify from time to time in the definition of „person‟.
THE CODE ON WAGES 2019: The Code on Wages, 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister of Labour, Mr. Santosh Gangwar on July 23, 2019. It seeks to regulate wage and bonus payments in all employments where any industry, trade, business, or manufacture is carried out. The Code replaces the following four laws: (i) The Payment of Wages Act, 1936, (ii) The Minimum Wages Act, 1948, (iii) The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, and (iv) The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976.
COVERAGE: The Code will apply to all employees. The central government will make wage-related decisions for employments such as railways, mines, and oil fields, among others. State governments will make decisions for all other employments.
FLOOR WAGE: According to the Code, the central government will fix a floor wage, taking into account living standards of workers.
FIXING THE MINIMUM WAGE: The Code prohibits employers from paying wages less than the minimum wages. Minimum wages will be notified by the central or state governments. This will be based on time, or number of pieces produced.
OVERTIME: The central or state government may fix the number of hours that constitute a normal working day. Payment of wages: Wages will be paid in (i) coins, (ii) currency notes, (iii) by cheque, (iv) by crediting to the bank account, or (v) through electronic mode. ADVISORY BOARDS: The central and state governments will constitute advisory boards.
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The Central Advisory Board will consist of: (i) employers, (ii) employees (in equal number as employers), (iii) independent persons, and (iv) five representatives of state governments.
OFFENCES: The Code specifies penalties for offences committed by an employer, such as (i) paying less than the due wages, or (ii) for contravening any provision of the Code.
ENVIRONMENT:
13 WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES GET SAFETY CUSHION: Almost 13 years after the Supreme Court directed the Centre to safeguard protected areas of wildlife sanctuaries by surrounding them with a buffer of ecologically fragile areas, the Environment Ministry on Friday approved The eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) for 11 sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu and one each in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. The 11 sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu are 1. Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary 2. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary 3. Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel sanctuary 4. Megamallz Wildlife sanctuary 5. Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park 6. Vettangudi Birds sanctuary, 7. Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary 8. Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary, 9. Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary 10. Oussudu Lake Bird Sanctuary 11. Point Calemere Wildlife Sanctuary 12.Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra and 13.Achanakmar Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh gets Eco sensitive zone.
JULY WAS THE EARTH'S HOTTEST MONTH ON RECORD: The World Meteorological Organization has announced that July 2019 is recorded for the hottest month since climate analysis began in 1880. July 2019 was the hottest month ever recorded on Earth, with temperatures narrowly exceeding the previous record of July 2016.The global temperature for July was 62.13 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 1.71 degrees higher than the average for the 20th century. July 2016 was warmer because of El Nino. But July 2019 is the warmest month ever without El Nino.
SARAL‟- STATE ROOFTOP SOLAR ATTRACTIVENESS INDEX LAUNCHED BY POWER MINISTER: SARAL – „State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index‟ was recently launched. The Index evaluates Indian states based on their attractiveness for rooftop development. SARAL has been designed collaboratively by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation (SSEF), Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and Ernst & Young (EY).
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Saral currently captures five key aspects: Robustness of policy framework & implementation environment & investment climate & consumer experience &business ecosystem. Karnataka has been placed at the first rank. Telangana, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have got 2nd, 3rd and 4th rank respectively.
OCEAN ENERGY AS RENEWABLE ENERGY: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has declared Ocean Energy as renewable energy. It has clarified to all the stakeholders that energy produced using various forms of ocean energy such as tidal, wave, ocean thermal energy conversion among others shall be considered as renewable energy and shall be eligible for meeting the non-solar Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO).
RENEWABLE PURCHASE OBLIGATION This is a mechanism by which the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions are obliged to purchase a certain percentage of power from renewable energy sources. RPO is being implemented throughout the country to create demand for renewable energy.
7 NEW SPECIES OF INSECTS THAT CAN WALK ON WATER DISCOVERED: Scientists of the Zoological Survey of India have discovered seven species of water treaders, semi-aquatic insects that can walk or run on the surface of water. The newly described species belong to the genus Mesovelia whose size ranges from 1.5 mm to 4.5 mm and are equipped with hydrophobic setae (bristles) on their legs. The details of the discovery were published in a paper in the journal Zootaxa earlier this month.
ELECTRIC CARS IN INDIA 2019: INDIAN ARMY LAUNCHES E-CARS IN DELHI TO FIGHT AIR POLLUTION: The Indian Army has launched an ecological initiative with employing e-Cars for use of its officials in New Delhi in partnership with Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL). The initiative was officially launched on 01 Aug 2019 with flagging off the first lot of E-Cars for Indian Army. The Indian Army plans to operate 10 e-cars in the first lot as a pilot project and develop further such e-cars in Delhi to ensure minimal emissions and efficiency. ABOUT ENERGY EFFICIENCY SERVICES LTD (EESL) It is a Super Energy Service Company (ESCO) that facilitates implementation of energy efficiency project. It functions under Union Ministry of Power. It was established in December 2009 and is headquartered in New Delhi. It is a joint venture of NTPC Limited, Power Finance Corporation (PFC), Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) and POWERGRID Corporation of India Limited.
ARMY VEHICLES TO BE EXEMPTED FROM BS-VI NORMS: The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has exempted Armoured and Specialised Vehicles of Armed/ Paramilitary Forces from BS-VI Emission Norms. Beginning April 1, 2020, all new vehicles in the country will need to conform to BS-VI norms, which lay down drastically tighter exhaust emission requirements for vehicles compared to the BS-IV applicable at present. India skipped stage five after concerns over rapidly rising pollution called for strong steps.
OTHER VEHICLES EXEMPTED: Motor vehicles used for Government purposes relating to the defence of the country
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Armoured vehicles used for maintenance of law and order and internal security.
DOG DISEASE INFECTING TIGERS: Wildlife biologists have raised concern about Canine Distemper Virus (CDV). It is a potential virus that can be transmitted from CDV-infected dogs living in wildlife sanctuaries to tigers. Treatment typically consists of supportive care and efforts to prevent infections. In 2018, over 20 lions from the Gir forest have succumbed to the CDV infection.
GREENLAND'S ICE SHEET JUST LOST 11 BILLION TONS OF ICE IN ONE DAY: After months of record temperatures, scientists say Greenland's ice sheet experienced its biggest melt of the summer losing 11 billion tons of surface ice to the ocean - equivalent to 4.4 million Olympic swimming pools. More than 11 billion tons of ice was lost to the oceans by surface melt on July 31st alone due to high temperature (21°C) from Greenland. This July alone, Greenland's ice sheet lost 197 billion tons of ice -- the equivalent of around 80 million Olympic swimming pools
ARCTIC WILDFIRES Wildfires ravaging parts of the Arctic are threatening to accelerate the melting of ice and permafrost (the permanently frozen ground layer). This will release greenhouse gases stored for thousands of years. The magnitude of wild fires is the highest than any other in the 16-year record.Scientists warn that the forest fires will ignite peat fires. Peat stores large amounts of carbon, which on burning releases record amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.
PROPOSALS TO CHANGE IN CITES LISTING: India has submitted proposals regarding changes to the listing of the smooth-coated otter, small-clawed otter, Indian star tortoise, Tokay gecko, wedgefish and Indian rosewood in the CITES secretariat meeting, scheduled in August 2019 in Geneva (Switzerland). CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species on Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international treaty to ensure that trade in wild animals and plants do not threaten their survival.
INDIAN STAR TORTOISE Indian star tortoise is found across the Indian sub-continent, more specifically, in the Central and Southern parts of India, in West Pakistan and in Sri Lanka. India is among the parties proposing the re-listing of the star tortoise from CITES Appendix II to Appendix I. The IUCN has listed it under the vulnerable category
SMOOTH-COATED OTTER AND SMALL-CLAWED OTTER Otters are found world over, except in Australia, New Zealand, Madagascar, and other oceanic islands. India, Nepal and the Philippines have proposed that the listing of these otters should be moved from CITES Appendix II to Appendix I. IUCN has listed these otters under the vulnerable category.
TOKAY GECKO The Tokay Gecko or Gekko gecko is one of the largest geckos (Lizard) in the country and the world. India has proposed it‟s listing should be moved from CITES Appendix II to Appendix I.
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WEDGEFISH Wedgefish are shallow water coastal species, found in northern Indian Ocean and northwestern Pacific Ocean. Indian proposed to include Wedgefish in Appendix II of CITES.IUCN has listed it under Least Concern category
INDIAN ROSEWOOD It is deciduous rosewood tree native to the Indian subcontinent, also grown in Nigeria, Kenya, Vietnam, the Philippines, and other parts of tropical Africa. India has proposed to remove rosewood from Appendix II of CITES.Its IUCN Red List status is „vulnerable‟.
CHOICE OF IRRIGATION WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICE AFFECTS INDIAN SUMMER MONSOON RAINFALL : For the first time, researchers from IIT- Bombay have found that even a change in irrigation policy has potential to shift monsoon rainfall to North Western India. intensify extreme rainfall in Central India. During the month of September, agriculture lands are „highly irrigated‟ and the crops are matured. As a result, there is maximum evapotranspiration taking place, leading to highest contribution of moisture from the land to the atmosphere. As a result of increased moisture, rainfall pattern and intensity has increased.
NATIONAL POLICY ON EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has brought out the National Draft Policy on Efficient Management of Resources. The policy aims to achieve the following goals: o 100 per cent recycling of PET plastic by 2025 o A total ban on disposal of any recyclable waste (plastic, metal, wood) into landfills by 2025 o 90 per cent recycling of all vehicles made after 2000 that have reached the end-life stage o For the first time in India, it introduces the idea of “extended producer responsibility”- i.e placing responsibility for a product's end-of-life environmental impacts on „producers‟.
WORLD WATER CRISIS: According to new data from the World Resources Institute (WRI), 1/4 of the world‟s population faces huge water stress, with bulk of them living in India. GLOBAL SCENARIO: One-quarter of the world‟s population faces “extremely high” levels of baseline water stress. Irrigated agriculture, industries, and municipalities withdraw more than 80% of their available supply on average every year. 17 countries are facing withdrawals of 80% or more from available supply. 12 out of the 17 most water-stressed countries are in the Middle East and North Africa. India is 13th among these 17 countries. India has more than three times the population of the other 16 extremely highly stressed countries combined. This implies that more than three-quarters of these populations facing extremely high water stress live in India.
88 PERCENT DECLINE OF BIG FRESHWATER ANIMALS: International team of Scientists has now quantified the global decline of big freshwater animals. From 1970 to 2012, global populations of freshwater mega fauna declined by 88 percent -- twice the loss of vertebrate populations on land or in the ocean.
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Large fish species such as sturgeons, salmonids and giant catfishes are particularly threatened: with a 94 percent decline, followed by reptiles with 72 percent. The two main threats are: o Overexploitation o Loss of free-flowing rivers.
STUBBLE BURNING INCIDENTS DECLINES 41% IN UP, PUNJAB, HARYANA: According to Union Government there has been a 41% reduction in stubble burning incidents in 2018 as compared to 2016. The reduction in crop residue burning incidents in 2018 through various government efforts under Central Sector Scheme (CSS) on „Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue in the State of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh & NCT of Delhi‟. This Central Sector Scheme was launched by Union Government for period from 2018-19 to 2019-20 to tackle air pollution and to subsidize machinery required for in-situ management of crop residue in States of Punjab, Haryana, UP and NCT of Delhi. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is implementing scheme by 60 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of Punjab (22), Haryana (14), NCT of Delhi (1) and UP (23).
INDIA LARGEST SO2 EMITTER IN WORLD: India has more than 15% of all anthropogenic sulphur dioxide (SO2) hotspots in the world detected by the OMI (Ozone Monitoring Instrument) satellite, according to study by NASA and Greenpeace. The Norilsk smelter complex in Russia being the largest SO2 emission hotspot in the world. India is the world‟s largest emitter of anthropogenic sulphur dioxide, which is produced from coal burning, and greatly contributes to air pollution. The major SO2 emission hotspots in India are Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh, Neyveli and Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Talcher and Jharsuguda in Odisha, Korba in Chhattisgarh, Kutch in Gujarat, Ramagundam in Telangana and Chandrapur and Koradi in Maharashtra. Tamilnadu is the highest emitter of anthropogenic sulphur dioxide, generated chiefly from coal fired power plants. Chennai is ranked 29 in world.
ICELAND HOLDS FUNERAL FOR FIRST GLACIER LOST TO CLIMATE CHANGE: Okjokull is the first Icelandic glacier to lose its status as glacier. What once was glacier now that has been reduced to a small patch of ice atop a volcano. It was officially declared dead in 2014 at the age of 700 when it was no longer thick enough to move. In Iceland, the loss of Okjokull glacier was commemorated by people with a plaque.
NITRATE EXPOSURE IN INFANCY IMPACTS INDIAN WOMEN‟S HEIGHT: In a new World Bank report that looks at the impact of water pollution worldwide, one aspect covered is the long-term impact of nitrate exposure experienced during infancy. While short-term exposure to nitrates has almost negligible effect on adult height, cumulative exposure over the first three years of life has considerable impact. An infant girl who has been exposed to nitrate levels above the safety threshold in the first three years experiences a 1-2 cm decrease in her adult height, the report found. Female adult height had increased by approximately 4 cm over the last century in India Nitrate pollution is caused by the overuse of nitrogenous fertilisers which, while boosting yields, can be harmful if they leach into water or air.
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AMAZON FOREST FIRES: The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) has recorded more than 74,000 fires so far this year – an 84 per cent increase on the same period in 2018. It‟s the highest number since records began in 2013. In comparison, 40,136 fires burned in the region last year. The second-worst year was 2016, with 68,484 fires. Though forest fires are common in Amazon between the July – October dry season, most of them are due to natural reasons.
IMPORTANCE OF AMAZON: GLOBAL COAL USAGE According to the findings of International Energy Agency (IEA) and 2019 BP Statistical Review, Asia is the world‟s largest producer and consumer of coal, accounting for 75 % of global demand. China is the world‟s largest consumer of Coal, followed by India, Japan and South Korea.
CSIR TO CERTIFY AIR QUALITY MONITORING SENSORS: The Union Environment Ministry has tasked the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)-National Physical Laboratory (NPL) with certifying air quality monitoring instruments. The Centre in January launched a programme to reduce particulate matter (PM) pollution by 20%-30% in at least 102 cities by 2024. This has increased demand for low cost air quality monitoring instruments that can monitor levels of nitrous oxides, ozone and particulate matter. Currently air quality sensors are imported. currently states used the imported air quality monitoring instruments
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF PETROLEUM SETS UP PLANT TO TURN PLASTIC WASTE INTO DIESEL: Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) has set up a waste plastic to diesel plant in Dehradun (capital of Uttarakhand) as a step towards ensuring freedom from plastic. KEY HIGHLIGHTS Process: In the waste plastic to diesel plant set up in IIP, scientists will process waste plastics into fuel. The plant has a capacity to produce 800-litre diesel from 1 tonne of plastic. The plastic used will be collected with the help of NGOs.
ABOUT INDIAN INSTITUTE OF PETROLEUM (IIP): It is one of the constituent laboratories of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), dedicated to Research & Development (R&D) in hydrocarbon sector.
INDIA TO REJUVENATE 50 LAKH HECTARES OF LAND BY 2030: India plans to rejuvenate 50 lakh hectares of degraded non-forest land so that such lands can be reused for cultivation as well as for planting trees. About 29% (about 96.4 million hectares) are considered degraded in India. in January 2019, India became part of the “Bonn Challenge”. This January, India became part of the “Bonn Challenge”, a global effort to bring 150 million hectares of the world‟s deforested and degraded land into restoration by 2020, and 350 million hectares by 2030.
BONN CHALLENGE:
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PEACOCK PARACHUTE SPIDER: RARE TARANTULA SIGHTED FOR FIRST TIME: Researchers have sighted critically endangered species of tarantula- Peacock Parachute Spider for first time beyond its known habitat in the Eastern Ghats. Its known habitat is in degraded forests near Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh. Recently, it was spotted in a cave in Pakkamalai Reserve Forests (in Eastern Ghats) near Gingee in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu. It belongs to the genus Poecilotheria. It is commonly known as Peacock Parachute Spider or Gooty Tarantula. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorised it as Critically Endangered.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
TB MEDICINE TRIAL On July 15, 2019 the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) launched India‟s first large-scale trial for two new tuberculosis (TB) vaccines. There are two vaccines being tested in the latest trial Immuvac (also known as mycobacterium indicus pranii or MIP) -manufactured by Cadila Pharmaceuticals in Ahmedabad. VPM1002 - manufactured by Serum Institute of India in Pune. Currently BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guerin) (BCG) vaccine is used. As estimated 2.79million patients were suffering from the disease in the country in 2016. India has the highest number of TB cases in the world, according to a WHO report.
THAILAND IN TALKS WITH INDIA TO BUY BRAHMOS CRUISE MISSILES: In possibly the first sale of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to another country, Thailand is in talks with India for their purchase. Thailand has made a request for repair and refurbishing their Dornier maritime patrol aircraft. The inaugural India, Thailand and Singapore trilateral naval exercise announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address at Shangri-La dialogue in June 2018 is scheduled to be held later this year.
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TOI 270 PLANETARY SYSTEM – TESS: NASA‟s Transiting Exo-planet Survey Satellite (TESS) has discovered a dwarf star and the planetary system by the name of TOI 270. TOI 270 is about 73 light years away from Earth. TOI – 270 is the star around which – Three exoplanets TOI 270b, TOI 270c, and TOI 270d orbit.
IIT PARTNERS WITH NIOT TO HARNESS ELECTRICITY FROM OCEAN WAVES: Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) are developing turbines that can harness the power of ocean waves to generate electricity. The research is being headed at IIT Madras. The partnership is aimed at meeting renewable energy and climate change objectives of the government of India. Both institutions will together develop turbines that can harness the power of ocean waves to generate electricity. IIT Madras registers initial success with iron ion battery: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras researchers have for the first time fabricated a rechargeable iron ion battery using mild steel as the anode. While lithium ions are the charge carriers in lithium ion battery, the Fe2+ ions perform that function in the case of iron ion battery. With no lithium reserves in India and shortage of lithium reserves in the world, the stress is on developing rechargeable batteries of comparable performance using materials other than lithium.
SCHEME FOR USED COOKING OIL: On the occasion of World Bio fuel Day, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas released the Expression of Interest (EOI) for procurement of biodiesel made from Used Cooking Oil (UCO). The entrepreneurs setting up biodiesel plants (using used cooking oil as their raw material) to get remunerative price and assurance of complete off take of production by the oil companies for the purpose of blending with normal diesel. The Minister also launched a „Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO)‟ sticker and a phone app to enable the collection of used cooking oil. Restaurants and hotels interested in supplying used cooking oil can affix the sticker to show availability.
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NASA TESTS NEW MARS ROVER ON ICELAND'S LAVA FIELD: To prepare for the next mission to Mars in 2020, NASA has taken to the lava fields of Iceland to get its new robotic space explorer ready for the job. With its black basalt sand, wind-swept dunes and craggy peaks, the Lambahraun lava field at the foot of Iceland's second biggest glacier, Langjokull, was chosen as a stand-in for the Red Planet's surface. The prototype is a small, electric vehicle with white panels and an orange chassis. It has a four-wheel drive propelled by two motors and is powered by 12 small car batteries stacked inside. Pretomanid Tablets – Treating Drug Resistant TB The United States has approved the use of Pretomanid Tablets to treat an extremely drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis. Pretomanid when used in combination with antibiotics bedaquiline and linezolid cured 89% of 107 patients with extensively drug-resistant TB after 6 months.
PARKER SOLAR PROBE – COMPLETION OF ONE YEAR On August 12, 2019 NASA‟s Parker Solar Probe completed a year in service. It is a part of NASA‟s “Living With a Star” programme that explores different aspects of the Sun-Earth system. It is the closest a human-made object has ever gone to the Sun.
PIGGERY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: MEGHALAYA: Chief Minister of Meghalaya called on Union Minister for Animal Husbandry to discusses piggery development project to be launched in Meghalaya.
ABOUT PIGGERY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT The piggery development project is to be launched in Meghalaya financed by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) along with the State Government. The proposed Piggery development project will boost domestic availability of meat in the entire North Eastern Region and also promote its exports thereby giving livelihood opportunities to the people. Pig farming is very important component in North East India. 28% of India‟s pigs are grown here. Hampshire, HSX 1, Large White Yorkshire, Duroc and Landrace are the commonly grown breeds.
HARMONYOS Chinese telecom giant Huawei unveiled its own operating system HarmonyOS. Honor is a smartphone brand owned by Huawei Technologies. It is also known as Hongmeng OS in Chinese language. The platform is open source, and it's actually more of a competitor to Google's upcoming Fuchsia. Chandrayaan -2: In Moon‟s Orbit On August 20, 2019 Chandrayaan -2 was placed into elliptical orbit around moon. It is now 114 km from the Moon‟s surface at its nearest and 18,072 km at the farthest. Soon it will place itself in a circular orbit of 100 km × 100 km around the Moon.
MEASURING INTER PLANETARY SHOCK: The Magnetospheric Multi scale mission (MMS) has spent the past four years using high-resolution instruments to see what no other spacecraft can. Recently, MMS made the first high-resolution measurements of an interplanetary shock. These shocks, made of particles and electromagnetic waves, are launched by the Sun. Interplanetary shocks start at the Sun, which continually releases streams of charged particles called the solar wind. This phenomenon is observed in: supernovae, black holes and distant stars.
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RUSSIA SENDS ITS FIRST HUMANOID ROBOT FEDOR INTO SPACE: Russia launched an unmanned rocket carrying a life-size humanoid robot that will spend 10 days and learning to assist astronauts on the International Space Station. Named Fedor, short for Final Experimental Demonstration Object Research, the robot is the first ever sent up by Russia.
INDIA-FRANCE TO JOINTLY BUILD, RUN SPACE-BASED SHIP TRACKING SYSTEM: The world‟s first space-based automatic identification system (AIS) to track merchant ships on a real-time basis will be built and operated jointly by India and France, the French space agency. The system will cover a wide belt across the globe, benefiting a broad range of French economic interests. With a revisit capability making it possible to task acquisitions several times a day, it will also be able to detect oil slicks and trace their origin. The International Maritime Organization‟s International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires AIS to be fitted aboard all ships of 300 gross tonnages and upwards engaged on international voyages, cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards not engaged on international voyages and all passenger ships irrespective of the size. The requirement took effect on December 31, 2004. India has installed a Long-Range Identification and Tracking system (LRIT) for ships as well as a terrestrial- based AIS, but their range and functionality is limited.
IIT JODHPUR - HYDROGEN SENSOR A sensor that can detect hydrogen gas even when present at extremely low concentration of 1 part per million (ppm) has been developed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad. The sensor has 30% sensitivity to detect hydrogen at 1 ppm concentration and as high as 74% sensitivity when the concentration of the gas is 100 ppm. It takes about 25 seconds to detect hydrogen. Hydrogen gas is a pollution-free, renewable source of energy and is seen as a fuel of choice in the future. Hydrogen is highly explosive and flammable in nature. It is a small molecule and can readily mix with air but detecting hydrogen gas leakage become quite difficult particularly as it is colorless and tasteless.
IIT-HYDERABAD DEVELOPS WATERPROOFING MATERIAL USING FLY ASH: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad have developed a cheap waterproofing material by coating fly ash, a waste by-product from coal-based thermal power plants, with stearic acid, which is a surfactant. While fly ash is extremely water-loving (hydrophilic), it turns into a highly water-repelling surface once coated with stearic acid. The stearic acid has a hydrophilic part called the head and hydrophobic portion called the tail. While the head of stearic acid which is hydrophilic binds to fly ash particles, the water-repelling tail remains free. Fly ash varies in size from 100 nanometers to a few microns and can thus provide surfaces with different roughness based on the size of the particles chosen. Stearic acid-coated fly ash surface can be made to behave like rose petals or lotus leaves. MARS SUN EARTH IN SAME LINE: SOLAR CONJUNCTION The daily exchange of data between antennas on Earth and those on NASA spacecraft at Mars will be stopped between august 28 to September 7 due to Mars solar conjunction (MSC).
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During MSC, Mars and Earth will be on opposite sides of the Sun. Sun‟s hot, ionized gas emitted from its corona can „interfere‟ with radio communication between Earth and Mars.
WHY NO VIRAL INFECTIONS IN A BACTERIA? - MOLECULAR SCISSORS Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal have determined the atomic structure of “McrBC”. McrBC is a bacterial protein. This is the first report of the high-resolution structure from India, determined using electron “cryomicroscopy”, commonly known as cryo-EM.
SPORTS NEWS: VIDIT GUJRATHI WINS BIEL TOURNAMENT: Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi showed his all-round ability to win the Biel International Chess tournament. He is the 24-year-old from Nashik, Maharashtra.
PARA WORLD CUP FOR SHOOTING Para World Cup for shooting held in Osijek, Croatia. In the event, India‟s Rahul Jakhar clinched gold by defeating Chinese shooter Chao Yang at the men's 10m air pistol podium. On the other hand, Manish Narwal finished with silver with bettering his own junior finals World Record. In women's 10m air pistol final, Nisha Kanwar clinched gold medal.
VINESH PHOGAT WINS GOLD IN 53KG IN POLAND OPEN WRESTLING TOURNAMENT: Indian Wrestler Vinesh Phogat won gold in women‟s 53kg category at Poland Open wrestling tournament in Warsaw (capital of Poland). The 24 year old prevailed 3-2 over wrestler Roksana of Poland in final of competition. This is her 3rd consecutive gold in women‟s 53kg category after Spain and Turkey. Since changing her weight category from 50 kg to 53 kg, she has continued her winning spree by winning a silver, a bronze, and three gold medals.
BCCI HAS AGREED TO COME UNDER NADA AMBIT: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to come under the ambit of the National Anti- Doping Agency (NADA). Till now, Sweden-based International Dope Testing Management (IDTM) was collecting cricketers‟ samples on behalf of BCCI and submitting them to the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL). NADA was established in 2005 as registered society under Societies Registration Act of 1890 with a mandate for „dope free‟ sports in India. It is responsible for promoting, monitoring and coordinating doping control program in sports in all its forms in India.
WRESTLER DEEPAK PUNIA – JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPION Deepak Punia has scripted history for Indian sports after becoming 1st Indian junior world champion in 18 years. Deepak beat Russia's Alik Shebzukov to win the 86kg junior freestyle wrestling title. He won gold at the Junior World Championships in Talinn, Estonia.
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PV Sindhu defeated Japan‟s Nozomi Okuhara 21-7, 21-7 in the women's singles final to become the first Indian to win Gold at the BWF World Championships. This is Sindhu's fifth medal at the World Championships. (1 gold, 2 bronze, 2 silver) This record is the joint highest in women's singles in the history of the tournament along with Xhang Ning of China, a two-time Olympic gold medallist. In men‟s category, Sai Praneeth won the Bronze medal.
RAJIV GANDHI KHEL RATNA AWARDS Bajrang Punia and para-athlete Deepa Malik are selected for Rajiv Gandhi kehl Ratna award in 2019. Deepa became the first Indian female athlete to win a Paralympics medal, when she won a silver at the 2016 Games. Last year, she shifted to javelin and discus throw and created a new Asian record in Jakarta, becoming the only Indian woman to win medals in three consecutive Asian Para Games (2010, 2014, 2018). She will become the second para-athlete to be honoured with the prestigious award after javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia in 2017. Bajrang Punia, Ace wrestler is set to be awarded with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2019. Punia had last year won the gold medal in the 65-kg freestyle wrestling event at the Asian Games held in Jakarta. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is the highest sports honour in the country.
NATIONAL SPORTS AWARDS 2019 AND NATIONAL ADVENTURE AWARDS 2018 President Ram Nath Kovind presented the National Sports Day Awards on the 114th birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand. The Selection panel for National Sports awards had 12 members that was headed by Supreme Court Judge Justice (Retd) Mukundakam Sharma.
ARJUNA AWARDS FOR THE YEAR 2019: Arjuna Awards is one of the highest award given to recognize outstanding achievement in National Sports. Lets know more about it. Arjuna Awards were constituted in 1961. These awards are given by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
PARA SWIMMER SATENDRA SINGH LOHIA
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Indian Para Swimmer Satendra Singh Lohia has become the first Asian to cross the Catalina Channel of America. He also holds the Asian record of crossing both the English and Catalina channels. He led the Indian Para Relay team along with 5 teammates and crossed the Catalina Channel and covered the distance of 42 km in 11 hours 34 minutes.
FIRST SUBSTITUTE PLAYER IN TEST MATCH In the second Ashes cricket Test match (2019), Marnus Labuschagne of Australia became the first ever “concussion substitute” player for Steve Smith. He is also the first ever „substitute player‟ to bat in a Test innings. ICC approved such a move in July 2019.
129TH DURAND CUP – KERALA TEAM WINS Gokulam Kerala FC won Durand Cup 2019 football tournament by beating West Bengal‟s Mohun Bagan team in final held at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. This was Gokulam Kerala FC‟s debut season. Golden Ball & Golden Boot award was won by Gokulam Kerala FC forward and captain Marcus Joseph. Durand Cup or Durand Football Tournament is a football tournament in India founded in 1888
SHOOTING WORLD CUP - ELAVENIL VALARIVAN India‟s Elavenil Valarivan grabbed the Gold medal in the ISSF World Cup tournament. She secured top spot in the 10-metre Air Rifle category (Women) in the tournament. The competition took place in Rio de janeiro in Brazil. Elavenil hails from Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu.
MANASI JOSHI – PARA BADMINTON Manasi Joshi has won the BWF Para Badminton World Championships. The tournament is held at Basel in Switzerland. Joshi had previously won a bronze in the 2017 edition. Overall, India has bagged 12 medals in the BWF Para Badminton World Championships. Manasi became the first Indian to win the gold at the BWF World Champion.
TRANSGENDERS CRICKETERS IN AUSTRALIA Cricket Australia has announced new transgender inclusive policy. This policy will enable transgender players to play the game of cricket at the highest levels. The decision is in accordance with the International Cricket Council‟s (ICC) gender recognition policy and gender diversity guidelines.
IMPORTANT DAYS WORLD LUNG CANCER DAY – AUGUST 1 World Lung Cancer Day, the observance intended to raise awareness about the impact of lung cancer is held every year on August 1. It is responsible for nearly 1 in 5 cancer deaths according to the World Health Organization.
SCOUT SCARF DAY - AUGUST 01 Scout Scarf Day is observed around the world on August 01.
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The date of the event commemorates the very first Scout Camp on Brown sea Island in 1907.
WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK - AUGUST 1 TO 7 World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is annually held from 1 to 7 August. It is jointly organized by World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, WHO (World Health Organization) and UNICEF. It was first celebrated in 1992 and is now annually observed in more than 100 countries. National handloom day – August 7 India celebrates National handloom Day on August 7th of every year. The first such day was celebrated on August 7th, 2015. August 7 was chosen so as to commemorate Swadeshi Movement which was launched on 07.08.1905 in Calcutta Town Hall to protest against the partition of Bengal by the British government. The 2019 main event of National Handloom Day will be held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha
NATIONAL DEWORMING DAY – AUGUST 8 The National Deworming Day is an activity of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India to make each youngster in the nation worm free. Albendazole tablets are orally administered for the children during the programme. In India it is celebrated twice as in February 10 and August 8.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD'S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES – AUGUST 9 International Day of the World‟s Indigenous Peoples is celebrated annually on 9 August. The day aims to protect the rights of indigenous peoples and recognize the contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection. It was first pronounced by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1994.
NAGASAKI DAY – AUGUST 9 At the end of Second World War, the USA‟s war plane Bockscar dropped a plutonium implosion bomb (Fat Man) on Nagasaki in Japan on August 9 in 1945. Japan surrendered to the Allies on August 15, six days after the bombing of Nagasaki and the Soviet Union's declaration of war.
WORLD BIOFUEL DAY World Biofuel Day is observed every year on 10th of August. It is being observed by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas since 2015. This year the theme of the World Biofuel Day is “Production of Biodiesel from Used Cooking Oil (UCO)”.
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY (IYD) – AUGUST 12 12th August was designated International Youth Day by the UN General Assembly in 1999. The first IYD was observed on 12 August, 2000. 2019 Theme: “Transforming education”.
WORLD ORGAN DONATION DAY – AUGUST 13 Organ Donation Day is celebrated on August 13 all over World. In India, Organ Donation Day is also celebrated on November 27th since 2010. The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare launched 6th World and 1st ever Indian Organ Donation Day and Organ Donation Congress in 2010 in New Delhi.
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Tamil Nadu has been honoured with the Best Performing State for Organ Donation for the 4th time in a row.
WORLD HONEY BEE DAY – AUGUST 17 World honey bee day was observed on August 17, 2019 (Every Third Saturday in August). It was started by beekeepers in the USA in 2009. Gradually other countries also started observing it every year. The day aims to build community awareness of the bee industry, through education and promotion.
WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY – AUGUST 19 World Humanitarian Day is observed every year on August 19. It is an international day dedicated to recognize humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. The theme of the day for 2019 is „Women Humanitarians‟.
WORLD MOSQUITO DAY – AUGUST 20 World Mosquito Day is observed annually on 20 August. World Mosquito Day was first established in 1897, when the link between mosquitos and malaria transmission was discovered by Sir Ronald Ross. The day commemorates the discovery by Ross. The day aims to raise awareness about the causes of malaria and how it can be prevented, as well as fund raising for research into the cure of malaria.
SADBHAVANA DIWAS (COMMUNAL HARMONY DAY) – AUGUST 20 Every year 20 August is celebrated as Sadbhavana Diwas or Communal Harmony Day to commemorate birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India. This day is observed to encourage national integration, peace, affection and communal harmony among Indian people of all religions. 20 August 2019 marks 75th birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi.
MADRAS DAY - AUGUST 22 Madras Day is a festival organized to commemorate the founding of the city of Madras (now Chennai) in Tamil Nadu on 22 August every year. On 22 August 1639, it is being the widely agreed date for the purchase of the village of Madraspatnam or Chennapatnam by East India Company from Damarla Venkatadri Nayaka.
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR VICTIMS OF ACTS OF VIOLENCE BASED ON RELIGION OR BELIEF – AUGUST 22 On 22 August 2019, for the first time, the world is observing „International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief‟. It aims to honour victims and survivors of heinous acts who often remain forgotten. United Nation General Assembly on 28 May 2019, adopted resolution for designating 22 August as this International Day.
INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST NUCLEAR TESTS – AUGUST 29 On 2 December 2009, the 64th session of the United Nations large-scale Assembly declared 29 August the International Day against Nuclear Tests. The resolution was initiated by Kazakhstan together with several sponsors and cosponsors to commemorate the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site on August 29, 1991.
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NATIONAL SPORTS DAY – AUGUST 29 Every year on August 29, India celebrates National sports day. August 29 is the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. Dhyan Chand is the Indian hockey player who won gold medals in Olympics for India in the years 1928, 1932 and 1936.
NATIONAL SMALL INDUSTRY DAY – AUGUST 30 Small industry day is celebrated on 30 Aug every year in support and promotion of small Industries. Small Industry day is celebrated as a part of its effort to provide balanced growth to existing small, medium and large-scale enterprises. It seeks to render assistance for setting up new industries to boost the state's financial health.
OTHER IMPORTANT DAYS: World Lion Day – August 10 World Elephant Day – August 12 International Youth Day (IYD) – August 12 National Librarian's Day – August 12
NEWS BITS Wing Commander Tarun Chaudhri became the first Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot to do a wingsuit jump from a Mi-17 helicopter from an altitude of 8500 feet. He attempted the jump during Kargil Diwas celebrations in Jodhpur. The eighth annual plastic collection drive has commenced at Vembanad Lake, Kerala. It is a designated Ramsar site and one of the most polluted waterbodies in the world. The first State-level accreditation agency in the country, the State Assessment and Accreditation Centre (SAAC), has been operationalised for higher education institutions in Kerala. 3 State-specific parameters are included for accreditation - social inclusiveness, equity and excellence, and steps to foster scientific temper and secular outlook. President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated exhibitions on Mahatma Gandhi and Khadi at the “Ebunjan Theatre” in the Gambia to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the Mahatma Gandhi. NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission has discovered GJ 357 d, a super-Earth planet located 31 light years away from our own solar system. TN Chief Minister inaugurated the Karur Government Medical College on 31 July 2019. It is the 23rd government medical college in the State and First medical college in Karur district. French inventor Franky Zapata successfully crossed English Channel, between France and England, on a jet- powered hoverboard for the 1st time. IIT-Guwahati team has developed a “portable device” with bio-compatible sensor to detect bacteria “without the time-consuming cell culture or microbiological assays”. It can be used to diagnose critical illnesses such as meningitis. Securities and Exchange Board of India has approved Singapore Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India Ltd to operate jointly in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, Gandhinagar. According to Forbes, 23-times Grand Slam champion Serena Williams has become the highest paid female athlete of 2019. The Khadi and Village Industry Commission (KVIC) has launched “Leather Mission” on 2019 World Indigenous Peoples' Day (August 9). It will distribute leather kits to the leather artisans across the nation.
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India‟s first „health credit card‟ has been launched by private sector bank RBL and digital healthcare platform Practo. It can be used for like online consultations with doctors and a free health check-up.
The Israeli spacecraft called “Beresheet” crashed onto the Moon in April. It carried dehydrated microscopic lifeforms known as tardigrades which are supposedly still alive in moon. Tardigrades are among the most resilient animals known, with individual species being able to survive in extreme conditions. Rajasthan has won the “best innovation and initiative leadership award” for its achievements in higher education in the World Education Summit-2019 held in New Delhi. Andhra Pradesh government has announced a scheme called “Village Volunteers System” which is aimed at providing Government services at doorsteps of people. Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry has become the first cricketer of either gender to reach the rare milestone of scoring 1000 runs and taking 100 wickets in T20 international cricket. The Karnataka IT department has launched a scheme called “E-Step” for students/start-ups/entrepreneurs to understand the basics of entrepreneurship from „experienced trainers‟. Thailand women's cricket team has created a world record by winning its 17th successive T20 international match. This is the highest number of consecutive wins by any team (both men and women) in T20 format. Air India becomes first Indian airline to fly over North Pole. The Air India flight from Delhi to San Francisco usually flies over the Atlantic or the Pacific Ocean but on August 15, it flew over zero degree north. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has fixed the retirement age for all Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel at 60 years. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) together form CAPF. Tamilnadu government has won three awards for excellence under Union Government‟s Poshan Abiyaan scheme. Poshan Abiyaan is a multi-ministerial convergence mission to attain malnutrition-free India and was launched in 2017. The 9-Day National Tribal Festival “Aadi Mahotsav” is being held at Polo Ground, Leh-Ladakh from 17th August. It is organised jointly by Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India & Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED). Clinical trials conducted amid an Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have identified two new drugs that can dramatically cut mortality from the disease - REGN-EB3 and mAb114. To strengthen enforcement of the ban on production and sale of electronic cigarettes, Karnataka government has included “nicotine” under its Class A poison category. U.S. space agency NASA is investigating what may be the „first crime committed in outer space‟. Astronaut Anne McClain is accused of identity theft and improperly accessing her estranged wife's private financial records while being aboard International Space Station (ISS). In a bid to encourage Good Samaritans, the Puducherry government has announced a cash award of Rs 5,000 to those rushing road accident victims to hospitals and helping save lives. Tamilnadu School Education Department has announced that students who are studying in government and government-aided schools must provide Aadhar card details. Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers D. V. Sadananda Gowda has launched a mobile application called “Jan Aushadhi Sugam”. It is to enable people search their nearest Jan Aushadhi generic medicine stores. The Kerala government has decided to appoint women drivers in government departments and public sector undertakings. Himachal Pradesh received the highest ever rainfall for a 24-hour period, since records began almost 70 years ago.The state as a whole received 102.5 mm and this was 1,065 per cent more than normal for this day.
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Odisha government has launched a novel Small Savings Incentive Scheme.People can deposit a minimum amount of Rs. 2,000/- in any post office or bank within Odisha. Gogabeel, an ox-bow lake in Bihar‟s Katihar district, has been declared as the state‟s first „Community Reserve‟. Union Government has approved Rs 4,900 crore Kosi-Mechi Interlinking project for interlinking of Kosi and Mechi rivers of Bihar.This is the second major river interlinking project in the country to be approved by government after the Ken-Betwa project in Madhya Pradesh. The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019 has been passed by both Houses of Parliament. The Bill amends the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 and replaces an Ordinance promulgated on March 1, 2019. The Bill now extends reservation in appointment and promotions in certain state government posts to persons belonging to socially and educationally backward classes for those persons living in areas adjoining the International Border also. A team of Indian and French researchers have concluded that the hot arid desert of Kutch was once a humid sub- tropical forest with a variety of birds, freshwater fish and possibly giraffes and rhinos.
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