Current Affairs Today 14th August 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 14th August 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

  1. The World Organ Donation Day is celebrated every year on August 13 to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation and motivate people to donate organs after death.
  2. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said it has decided to introduce a mechanism of ‘Positive Pay’ for all cheques of value Rs 50,000 and above.
  3. Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund has launched a new open-ended arbitrage opportunities fund that will invest in equity, derivatives and debt markets.
  4. Payment gateway startup Razorpay has introduced a feature that allows micro-entrepreneurs and freelancers to instantaneously accept digital payments online.
  5. Lok Sabha has started a beginner-level course in French for the officials of the Lok Sabha Secretariat at the Parliament House.
  6. Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) unveiled the Online Performance Dashboard “Empowering Tribals, Transforming India”.
  7. Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan today inaugurated a Mega Blood Donation Camp dedicated to Corona Warriors at All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, AIIMS in New Delhi.
  8. Assam State Government launched “Orunodoi scheme”, a mega scheme for women’s financial empowerment. Under the mega scheme, a district-wise selection of beneficiaries will begin from August 17.
  9. Goa’s traditional festive sweet dish ‘Khaje’, spicy Harmal Chilli and Myndoli Banana (Moira Banana) has obtained Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Geographical Indications Registry.
  10. Himachal Pradesh state government launched Nutritional Immunity Boosting ‘Him Haldi Dudh(Turmeric Latte)’ manufactured by MILKFED.
  11. Leading helmet manufacturing company Studds Accessories said it has commissioned two new facilities at Faridabad in Haryana entailing a total investment of Rs 200 crore.
  12. Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri DV Sadananda Gowda has announced the establishment of a Price Monitoring and Resource Unit (PMRU) in Karnataka.
  13. Israel successfully conducted a flight test of the Arrow-2 interceptor on 13 August 2020.
  14. India has announced that it will fund the implementation of the major connectivity project in the Maldives with $400 million line of credit and $100 million grant.
  15. The Indian government has extended an assistance of USD 1 million to Antigua and Barbuda to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
  16. According to a new report published by Purely Diamonds, Delhi and Chennai are the cheapest cities in the country to rent a house.
  17. The Rajasthan government and the Small Industrial Development Bank of India (SIDBI) will soon ink an agreement to create newer avenues and growth opportunities for MSME units in the State.
  18. The Bombay Stock Exchange has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Akola, Maharashtra-based bullion trade and industry associations, Akola Sarafa Association and Akola Sarafa Va Suvarnakar Yuva Sangh.
  19. Chairperson of Infosys Foundation, Sudha Murty and Group Head of Agri and IT Businesses of ITC Ltd, Sivakumar Surampudi are among the winners of the Gramodaya Bandhu Mitra Puraskaras.
  20. Former RBI deputy governor, Subhash Sheoratan Mundra has been appointed as non-executive chairman of Indiabulls Housing Finance (IBH) with immediate effect.
  21. Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, AVSM, NM has become the Director General Naval Operations (DGNO).
  22. GoAir on Friday said it has appointed Kaushik Khona as its chief executive officer (CEO).
  23. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the HAL-IISc Skill Development Centre (SDC) established at the Indian Institute of Science’s Challakere campus in Chitradurga district, Karnataka through a video conference on 13 August 2020.
  24. An Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) for the Indian Coast Guard has been launched and re-christened as Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Sarthak’.
  25. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) through an online webinar.
  26. “Fit India Freedom Run” would be organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports from 15th August to 02nd October 2020.
  27. In Uttar Pradesh, IIT Kanpur has developed indigenous seed balls named BEEG (Bio -compost Enriched Eco-friendly Globule) which will help people and farmers in plantation with safety in Corona times and will also provide employment to people.
  28. Veteran Congress leader and spokesperson Rajiv Tyagi has passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 52.
  29. Malayalam poet-lyricist, Chunakkara Ramankutty passed away.
  30. The Chinese smartphone major Xiaomi has stated that its Indian arm MI India will distribute 2500 handsets worth Rs 2 crores to support online education of children who were the worst affected by the COVID 19 pandemic in the country.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

World Organ Donation Day observed on 13 August

  • The World Organ Donation Day is celebrated every year on August 13 to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation and motivate people to donate organs after death.
  • The day provides an opportunity to all to come ahead and pledge to donate their precious organs, because one organ donor can save up to eight lives.

BANKING & FINANCE 

RBI announces ‘positive pay’ feature to enhance safety of cheque payments

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said it has decided to introduce a mechanism of ‘Positive Pay’ for all cheques of value Rs 50,000 and above.
  • This will cover approximately 20 percent and 80 percent of total cheques by volume and value, respectively.
  • Under the ‘positive pay’ system, a customer who issues the cheque clicks a picture of the cheque before handing it over to the beneficiary and uploads the same on the bank’s mobile application.

Extra Shots:

RBI

  • Governor: Shaktikanta Das Trending
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Founder: British Raj
  • Subsidiaries: Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation, Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Mahindra Manulife MF launches arbitrage fund NFO

  • Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund has launched a new open-ended arbitrage opportunities fund that will invest in equity, derivatives and debt markets.
  • The new fund offer of Mahindra Manulife Arbitrage Yojana will be open for investment between August 12 and 19.
  • The scheme will reopen for continuous sale and repurchase from August 25.
  • The fund is suitable for investors who are looking for short-term investment options with relatively low risk, tax efficient returns, and looking to park money in a scheme relatively less impacted by market volatility.

Razorpay launches payment gateway ‘Button’ to digitise freelancers, NGOs

  • Payment gateway startup Razorpay has introduced a feature that allows micro-entrepreneurs and freelancers to instantaneously accept digital payments online.
  • The feature called the ‘Payment Button’ will enable businesses and freelancers to add a single line of code on a website or blog and go live with a payment gateway “within a few minutes.

Extra Shots:

Razorpay Software Private Limited

  • Founded: 2013
  • CEO: Harshil Mathur
  • Headquarters location: Bengaluru
  • Subsidiaries: Thirdwatch, Opfin Software Private Limited

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Lok Sabha officials to start beginner-level course in French

  • Lok Sabha has started a beginner-level course in French for the officials of the Lok Sabha Secretariat at the Parliament House.
  • More than 57 officials have registered for the course.

Highlights:

  • The course was launched as it is considered to interconnect the world and is a necessary skill for success in different fields.
  • The move comes as the language brings people together and helps improve their efficiency and skill as languages enrich and bring people together.
  • The initiative is launched under the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE).
  • The initiative of PRIDE is committed to learning and research purpose.
  • It is also expected that courses in German, Spanish, Russian, and other important world languages will also be organized.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched Empowering Tribals, Transforming India

  • Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) unveiled the Online Performance Dashboard “Empowering Tribals, Transforming India”.
  • The platform was launched by Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog and Shri Ramesh Chand, Member NITI Aayog.

Empowering Tribals, Transforming India Dashboard:

  • Empowering Tribals, Transforming India Performance Dashboard is an interactive and dynamic online platform.
  • The platform showcases updated & real-time details of 11 schemes and initiatives of the MoTA for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • The performance Dashboard will capture the performance of 5 Scholarship Schemes of Ministry wherein every year about 30 lakh underprivileged Scheduled Tribes beneficiaries are benefitted to the tune of Rs.2500 crores.
  • The dynamic Dashboard captures details of tribal students from one State to different States and to different countries.

Extra Shots:

NITI Aayog

  • Formed: 1 January 2015
  • Objectives: Foster involvement and participation in the economic policy-making process by the State Governments of India
  • Jurisdiction: Government of India
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Chairperson: Narendra Modi

Health Minister inaugurates Mega Blood Donation Camp dedicated to Corona Warriors at AIIMS, New Delhi

  • Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan today inaugurated a Mega Blood Donation Camp dedicated to Corona Warriors at All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, AIIMS in New Delhi.
  • On the occasion, the Minister felicitated Corona Warriors.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Assam launched Orunodoi scheme for women’s financial empowerment

  • Assam State Government launched “Orunodoi scheme”, a mega scheme for women’s financial empowerment. Under the mega scheme, a district-wise selection of beneficiaries will begin from August 17.
  • The beneficiaries will receive the amount in the bank account of a female family member on the first day of every month.
  • The scheme will begin from the month of October 2020.

Orunodoi scheme:

  • The scheme will provide Rs.830 per month each to 17 lakh poor families under the ambitious “Orunodoi” scheme.
  • The Assam state government has allocated a sum of Rs.280 crore for the new scheme.
  • The scheme aims to help the poor households to meet their medical, nutritional, and academic needs besides to meet the additional spending during various festivals.
  • Under the Orunodoi scheme, priority will be given to households with widows, divorced, unmarried or separated women, and disabled persons.

Extra Shots:

Assam:

  • Capital: Dispur
  • Chief Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal
  • Governor: Jagdish Mukhi
  • National Park: Dibru-Saikhowa NP, Kaziranga NP, Manas NP, Nameri NP, Rajiv Gandhi Orang NP, Dehing Patkai

Goa’s ‘Khaje’, ‘Harmal Chilli’ and ‘Moira banana’ get GI tag

  • Goa’s traditional festive sweet dish ‘Khaje’, spicy Harmal Chilli and Myndoli Banana (Moira Banana) has obtained Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Geographical Indications Registry.
  • A GI tag protects the produce from being illegally used, and ensures benefits to the local growers’ community.

Extra Shots:

Goa:

  • Capital: Panaji
  • Chief Minister: Pramod Sawant
  • Governor: Satya Pal Malik

HP govt launches Nutritional Immunity Boosting ‘Him Haldi Dudh’

  • Himachal Pradesh state government launched Nutritional Immunity Boosting ‘Him Haldi Dudh(Turmeric Latte)’ manufactured by MILKFED.
  • Him Haldi Dudh has been developed by the Bio Technology Department of Punjabi University Patiala and has been patented.
  • This drink is a Detox drink which has anti-hangover, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunity booster contents in it.

Extra Shots:

Himachal Pradesh:

  • State formed on: 25 January 1971
  • Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya
  • Chief Minister: Jai Ram Thakur
  • Official language: Hindi
  • Literacy Rate: 83.78%

Studds to set up Asia’s Largest Helmet Manufacturing Plant in Haryana

  • Leading helmet manufacturing company Studds Accessories said it has commissioned two new facilities at Faridabad in Haryana entailing a total investment of Rs 200 crore.
  • Spread across an area of over 5.5 acres, the company has made an initial investment of over Rs 160 crore to set up the largest helmet manufacturing facility in Asia.

Extra Shots:

Haryana:

  • Capital: Chandigarh
  • Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar
  • Governor: Satyadev Narayan Arya
  • National Park: Sultanpur National Park, Kalesar National Park

Price Monitoring and Resource Unit set up in Karnataka

  • Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri DV Sadananda Gowda has announced the establishment of a Price Monitoring and Resource Unit (PMRU) in Karnataka.
  • The PMRU has been established by National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India, in association with Karnataka State Drug Control Department. PMRU will assist NPPA in monitoring the prices of drugs, ensuring availability of drugs as well as raising consumer awareness.

Extra Shots:

Karnataka:

  • Statehood Day: 1st November 1956
  • Capital: Bengaluru
  • Chief Minister: B. S. Yediyurappa
  • Governor: Vajubhai Vala
  • National Park: Anshi NP, Bandipur NP, Bannerghatta NP, Kudremukh NP, Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarahole) NP

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Israel successfully tests advanced missile defense system Arrow-2 interceptor

  • Israel successfully conducted a flight test of the Arrow-2 interceptor on 13 August 2020.
  • Israel’s multi-layered aerial defense systems have been designed to stand a war if the country is targeted with massive missile fire.

Arrow-2 interceptor:

  • Arrow-2 system is a part of the multi-layered system Israel.
  • The System is developed to defend against both short- and mid-range rockets.
  • Arrow-2 system is capable to defend against threats from outside the atmosphere.
  • Israel and the United States (US) jointly tested Arrow-3 successfully in 2019 in Alaska.
  • The system was developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and Boeing and became operational in January 2017.
  • The Arrow-2 has been in use even longer and deployed in recent years to counter Syrian missiles.

Extra Shots:

Israel (Capital/Currency): Jerusalem/ Israeli Shekel

  • President: Reuven Rivlin

India grants USD 500 million assistance for connectivity project in Maldives

  • India has announced that it will fund the implementation of the major connectivity project in the Maldives with $400 million line of credit and $100 million grant.
  • India will fund the 6.7 km Greater Male Connectivity Project and it will be the largest civilian infra project in the country.
  • This project, once completed, will connect the three neighbouring islands with Male – Gulhifahu, Villingili, Thilafushi.
  • This project will include the construction of a bridge and causeway link spanning 6.7 km.
  • There will also be an air travel bubble with the country to promote and sustain dynamic people-to-people ties between India and Maldives.

Extra Shots:

Maldives (Capital/Currency): Male/ Maldivian rufiyaa

  • President: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

India extends assistance of USD 1 million to Antigua, Barbuda to combat COVID-19 pandemic

  • The Indian government has extended an assistance of USD 1 million to Antigua and Barbuda to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The provided assistance is aimed at improving health capacities and infrastructure in the Caribbean country.
  • The same kind of assistance, i.e. USD 1 million, has also been offered to each Caribbean (CARICOM) country. CARICOM is a group of twenty developing countries in the Caribbean region.

Extra Shots:

Antigua & Barbuda (Capital/Currency): Saint John’s/ Eastern Caribbean dollar

  • Prime Minister: Gaston Browne

RANKS AND INDICES

Delhi, Chennai among cheapest cities to rent

  • According to a new report published by Purely Diamonds, Delhi and Chennai are the cheapest cities in the country to rent a house.
  • As per the report, Ho Chi Minh city has been found to be the cheapest in the world whereas New York has been found to be the most expensive city to rent, in the entire world.
  • Mumbai comes at the 5th position in the list of the cheapest cities in the world. Bangkok in Thailand, Athens in Greece, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia contribute to the remaining positions in the list.
  • Coming to the expensive cities in the world, four cities are from the US only – New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Miami that form the top five along with Venice in Italy. Dubai, Amsterdam, etc. are also there in the list of top 10 cities which are very expensive in the world.

 AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

Rajasthan government, SIDBI to ink MoU for cluster-based development of MSMEs

  • The Rajasthan government and the Small Industrial Development Bank of India (SIDBI) will soon ink an agreement to create newer avenues and growth opportunities for MSME units in the State.
  • For upcoming and existing MSME units in the State, SIDBI will identify clusters and create a plan to reach out to small entrepreneurs and provide consultation, business solutions and guidance for availing benefits under current schemes.
  • A project management unit (PMU) will be set up by SIDBI in Rajasthan to provide assistance to certain sectors which are cluster-based such as textiles in Bhilwara and handicrafts in Jodhpur.

Extra Shots:

SIDBI:

  • Headquarters location: Lucknow
  • Founded: 2 April 1990
  • Formed: 2 April 1990
  • Chairman and Managing Director: Mohammad Mustafa

BSE signs MoU with Akola-based bullion associations

  • The Bombay Stock Exchange has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Akola, Maharashtra-based bullion trade and industry associations, Akola Sarafa Association and Akola Sarafa Va Suvarnakar Yuva Sangh.
  • The associations represent members engaged in the retail sale and trade of bullion.
  • The MoU aims to facilitate cooperation between the BSE and physical markets represented by the two trade bodies in areas such as knowledge sharing, education and training, events and explore areas of mutual interests.

Extra Shots:

BSE:

The BSE SENSEX is a free-float market-weighted stock market index of 30 well-established and financially sound companies listed on Bombay Stock Exchange.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

Sudha Murthy, ITC’s Sivakumar bags Gramodaya awards

  • Chairperson of Infosys Foundation, Sudha Murty and Group Head of Agri and IT Businesses of ITC Ltd, Sivakumar Surampudi are among the winners of the Gramodaya Bandhu Mitra Puraskaras.
  • The other winners include Padma Bhushan Vijay Bhatkar, Padmasri SP Verma, Vilas Shinde (Director, Sahyadri Farms), Koosam Rajamouli, Former Sarpanch of Gangadevipalli in Telangana, Brig Pogula Ganesham, Founder of Palle Srujana, and Govinda Rajulu Chintala, Chairman of the Nabard.

Extra Shots:

ITC:

  • CEO: Sanjiv Puri
  • Founded: 24 August 1910, Kolkata
  • Headquarters: Kolkata

APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS

SS Mundra becomes new non-executive Chairman of IBH

  • Former RBI deputy governor, Subhash Sheoratan Mundra has been appointed as non-executive chairman of Indiabulls Housing Finance (IBH) with immediate effect.
  • He had joined the board of IBH in 2018 as an independent director.
  • Sameer Gehlaut, the co-founder and Chairman of Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd ( IBHFL) has stepped down as the Executive Chairman of the company.

Extra Shots:

Indiabulls Housing Finance

  • Headquarters: Gurugram
  • Executive Chairman: Subhash Sheoratan Mundra

Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi assumes charge as DGNO

  • Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, AVSM, NM has become the Director General Naval Operations (DGNO).
  • He is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare and was commissioned in the Indian Navy on 01st July 1985.
  • The alumnus of National Defence Academy Khadakwasla, has served on frontline warships of the Navy as Signal Communication Officer and Electronic Warfare Officer.
  • Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has commanded INS Vinash, INS Kirch and INS Trishul.

GoAir appoints Kaushik Khona as new CEO

  • GoAir on Friday said it has appointed Kaushik Khona as its chief executive officer (CEO).
  • Khona will replace, industry veteran Vinay Dube who took charge as CEO in February.
  • Khona brings with himself more than 32 years of corporate experience and all at CXO level.
  • He was with the Wadia Group for almost 4 years from 2008 to 2011. He was the CEO of GoAir for two years, from April 2009.
  • Khona was also Vice President, corporate finance and strategist for the Wadia Group.

Extra Shots:

GoAir:

  • Parent organization: Wadia Group
  • CEO: Vinay Dube
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Founder: Jehangir Wadia

DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Defence Minister inaugurated HAL-IISc skill development centre in Karnataka

  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the HAL-IISc Skill Development Centre (SDC) established at the Indian Institute of Science’s Challakere campus in Chitradurga district, Karnataka through a video conference on 13 August 2020.
  • The SDC proves the synergistic collaboration between HAL and IISc.

HAL-IISc Skill Development Centre:

  • The centre is aimed to impart skills to various beneficiaries ranging from local community members to high-end engineering professionals to usher true ‘Make-in-India’.
  • SDC will create a large pool of trained personnel to address the vital skill development gaps in India, which is crucial for economic growth and self-sufficiency.

Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Sarthak’ launched

  • An Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) for the Indian Coast Guard has been launched and re-christened as Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Sarthak’.
  • Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) has designed and developed the Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Sarthak’ which is the 4th in the series of five OPVs. ‘Sarthak’ has been built indigenously and is designed in such a way that it carries a twin-engine helicopter, four high speed boats along with one inflatable boat for swift boarding and Search & Rescue operations.
  • It will be deployed extensively for EEZ surveillance, Coastal Security and other duties.

Rajnath Singh launches Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation

  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) through an online webinar.
  • The NIIO puts in place dedicated structures for the end users to interact with academia and industry towards fostering innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in defence.

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

Sports Ministry to organise “Fit India Freedom Run”

  • “Fit India Freedom Run” would be organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports from 15th August to 02nd October 2020.
  • The ministry is organising “Fit India Freedom Run” to mark the 74th Independence Day of India on August 15 to 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2.
  • This would be the largest country-wide run, targeted to encourage fitness among the masses while following the COVID-19 protocols.
  • The participants can track the total distance covered by using a Global Positioning System (GPS) watch or manually.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS

IIT Kanpur develops indigenous seed balls BEEG for farmers

  • In Uttar Pradesh, IIT Kanpur has developed indigenous seed balls named BEEG (Bio -compost Enriched Eco-friendly Globule) which will help people and farmers in plantation with safety in Corona times and will also provide employment to people.
  • The Seed Balls are comprised of indigenous variety of seeds, compost, and clay. There is no need for digging pits for planting saplings.
  • These seed walls are to be thrown at aimed places and they will germinate when come into contact with water.
  • The BEEG is developed in collaboration with Agnys Waste Management Private Limited.

OBITUARY

Congress Leader and Spokesperson Rajiv Tyagi passes away at 52

  • Veteran Congress leader and spokesperson Rajiv Tyagi has passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 52.
  • Mr Tyagi, had just finished a live television debate from his residence in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad, before he complained of chest pains and fell unconscious.

Malayalam poet-lyricist Chunakkara Ramankutty passes away

  • Malayalam poet-lyricist, Chunakkara Ramankutty passed away.
  • He wrote over 215 songs for 76 movies. Some of his hit songs include ‘Syamameghame nee’ (Adhipan), ‘Sindoorathilakavumayi’ (Kuyiline thedi), ’Nee Arinjo Mele Manath’ (Kandu Kandarinju), ‘Hridayavaniyile gayikayo’ (Kottayam Kunjachan). He is a recipient of Guru Shreshta Award of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi in 2015.

MISCELLANEOUS

Mi India pledges 2500 smartphones to children, to promote online education

  • The Chinese smartphone major Xiaomi has stated that its Indian arm MI India will distribute 2500 handsets worth Rs 2 crores to support online education of children who were the worst affected by the COVID 19 pandemic in the country.
  • This is also part of the Digital India initiative by the government and the company wants to support that, at any cost.
  • The smartphones are worth Rs 2 crores.

Extra Shots:

Xiaomi