Current Affairs Today 19th August 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 19th August 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

  1. The World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is observed every year on 19 August to pay tribute to humanitarian personnel and those workers who lost or risked their lives while doing humanitarian service.
  2. Reserve Bank of India has released the ‘framework for authorization of pan-India Umbrella Entity for Retail Payments’ in India.
  3. Fino Payments Bank has launched Jan BachatKhata (JBK), which is an Aadhaar Authentication based digital savings account that brings neo-banking experience to consumers.
  4. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Tuesday said it has approved a USD 1 billion loan to support construction of modern, high-speed Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System.
  5. The proposed Gwalior-Chambal Expressway will be named Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Chambal Progressway.
  6. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) constructed a 180-feet bailey bridge in the Jauljibi sector of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand.
  7. The West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee launched COVID Patient Management System.
  8. The Union Home Ministry has approved the renaming of Manduadih railway station in Uttar Pradesh as ‘Banaras’.
  9. Bangladesh Navy Ship BNS Sangram, a guided missile stealth corvette, made a port call at Mormugao Port, Goa.
  10. Quality Control Lab has been set up by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) in Porbandar, Gujarat.
  11. The 13th Session of the India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation was held virtually on 17 August 2020 to further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two strategic partners.
  12. The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras has retained the top position in the ‘Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements,’ (ARIIA) 2020 for being the best centrally funded institution in India.
  13. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has announced the constitution of a committee to work out modalities for the economic revival of the union territory.
  14. Chief Scientist of World Health Organisation, Soumya Swaminathan conferred with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s special award, in recognition of her advisory role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
  15. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao honoured well-known poet Tirunagari Ramanujam with the Dasaradhi Award for 2020 at Pragathi Bhavan.
  16. Ravi Solanki, an Indian-origin physician has been named among the 19 winners of the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering President’s Special Awards for Pandemic Service.
  17. Ashok Lavasa has resigned from his position as Election Commissioner on August 18, 2020, to join as the Vice- President of the Phillippines-based Asian Development Bank (ADB).
  18. Dream11, a fantasy sports platform, has won the title sponsorship rights for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. Dream11 has signed a Rs 222-crore deal with BCCI for this.
  19. The All India Football Federation and Sports Authority of India joined hands to launch E-Pathshala, a web platform to recognise the creativity and “develop interest in football.
  20. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the Hockey India executive board has announced immediate support to 61 athletes across the junior and senior men and women core who are not employed.
  21. The Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Nitin Gadkari has launched an online farm-to-fork service platform called VedKrishi.com.
  22. Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda inaugurated the e-portal on tribal health and nutrition named ‘Swasthya’.
  23. IIT Kharagpur has developed an e-classroom software called “DEEKSHAK” for organizations to conduct online classes.
  24. Retired Air Vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam has written a book which throws light on comprehensive account of war and conflict in contemporary India over the past five decades next month.
  25. Drug firm Zydus Cadila said it has launched Remdesivir under the brand name Remdac, used to treat patients suffering from severe symptoms of COVID-19, in the Indian market.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

World Humanitarian Day observed on 19 August

  • The World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is observed every year on 19 August to pay tribute to humanitarian personnel and those workers who lost or risked their lives while doing humanitarian service.
  • The theme for 2020 WHD is #RealLifeHeroes.
  • In 2020 we are celebrating the 11th
  • The theme is a tribute and a heartfelt thanks to all aid and health workers who have committed their lives to helping others, during this difficult time of COVID-19 pandemic.

BANKING & FINANCE 

RBI releases framework for authorisation of pan-India Umbrella Entity for Retail Payments

  • Reserve Bank of India has released the ‘framework for authorization of pan-India Umbrella Entity for Retail Payments’ in India.
  • This means that RBI has allowed companies/entities to apply to RBI to set-up pan-India umbrella entity/entities focussing on retail payment systems in India.
  • After receiving approval from RBI, the entity may start functioning as an Umbrella Entity for Retail Payments in India just like NPCI.

Here are some major points about this framework:

  • Paid-up capital: The umbrella entity shall have a minimum paid-up capital of Rs 500 crore.
  • Promoters Share: No single Promoter / Promoter Group shall have more than 40% investment in the capital of the umbrella entity.
  • The Promoters / Promoter Groups shall upfront demonstrate the capital contribution of not less than 10% i.e., ₹50 crores at the time of making an application for setting up of the umbrella entity. The balance capital shall be secured at the time of commencement of business/operations.
  • The Promoter / Promoter Group shareholding can be diluted to a minimum of 25% after 5 years of the commencement of the business of the umbrella entity.
  • The umbrella entity shall commence business/operations within a time of 6 months, extendable to a maximum of one year, if required, from the date of ‘in-principle approval’.
  • A minimum net-worth of Rs 300 crore shall be maintained at all times.
  • The entity shall be a Company incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 2013.
  • The umbrella entity shall be a Company authorized by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under Section 4 of the PSS Act, 2007.

Extra Shots:

RBI:

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

Fino Payments Bank launches Jan BachatKhata

  • Fino Payments Bank has launched Jan BachatKhata (JBK), which is an Aadhaar Authentication based digital savings account that brings neo-banking experience to consumers.
  • Neo bank means– A bank without any branches. A bank that is entirely online rather than being physical. Neo banking provides complete digital banking experience through mobile applications.
  • Under the JBK, customers can transact at a Fino branch or merchant point with fingerprint and OTP combination, while at non-Fino points they need Aadhaar authentication.
  • Earlier, Fino Payments Bank had introduced Shubh and Bhavishya, subscription-based savings accounts targeted at specific customer segments.

Extra Shots:

Fino Payments Bank

  • Head Office: Mumbai
  • Chairman: Mahendra Kumar Chouhan

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

ADB approves USD 1 billion loan for Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System

  • The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Tuesday said it has approved a USD 1 billion loan to support construction of modern, high-speed Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System.
  • The transit system project aims to help decongest the city and improve regional connectivity by establishing transit options through the densely populated sections of the NCR, connecting Delhi to Meerut in Uttar Pradesh.
  • The 82-kilometer Delhi-Meerut regional rapid transit system (RRTS) network is the first of three priority rail corridors in the country’s integrated transport network under the NCR Regional Plan 2021.

Extra Shots:

Uttar Pradesh:

  • Statehood Day: 24th January 1950
  • Capital: Lucknow
  • Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
  • Governor: Anandiben Patel
  • State formed in: 24 January 1950
  • Literacy Rate: 67.68%

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Gwalior-Chambal Expressway to be named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee

  • The proposed Gwalior-Chambal Expressway will be named Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Chambal Progressway.
  • This was announced by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while paying tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his second death anniversary on 16 August 2020.
  • CM Chouhan also announced that a grand statue of Shri Atal Ji will be set up in Bhopal.

Gwalior-Chambal Expressway

  • It is a proposed Six-lane expressway to connect the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
  • The expressway will connect the historic town of Kota in Rajasthan to Etawah in Uttar Pradesh alongside the Chambal River while covering the towns of Sheopur Morena, Shampur, Ater and Gohad in Madhya Pradesh.
  • The proposed expressway will cost Rs. 8,250 crore and will measure 404 km.

Extra Shots:

Madhya Pradesh:

  • Statehood Day:1st November 1956
  • Capital: Bhopal
  • Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
  • Governor: Anandiben Patel
  • National Park: Bandhavgarh NP, Fossil NP, Kanha NP, Madhav NP, Panna NP, Pench NP, Sanjay NP, Satpura NP

BRO constructed Bailey bridge in Uttarakhand

  • Border Roads Organisation (BRO) constructed a 180-feet bailey bridge in the Jauljibi sector of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand.
  • The construction was done amid frequent landslides and heavy rains.

Bailey bridge:

  • The Bailey bridge is of the 50-metre span.
  • The concrete bridge was washed out completely on July 27, 2020, due to the flood. The BRO mobilized the bridging resources and set up to construct the bridge.
  • The bridge will meet the biggest challenge to transport parts to the site from Pithoragarh amidst frequent landslides and heavy rains.
  • The construction of the bridge was successfully completed on August 16, 2020.
  • The connectivity is expected to bring relief to about 15,000 people in 20 villages.
  • The constructed bridge allows the road communication of 66 km road starting from Jauljibi to Munsiyari.

Extra Shots:

Uttarkhand

  • Statehood Day: 9th November 2000
  • Capital: Dehradun
  • Governor: Baby Rani maurya
  • Chief Minister: Trivendra Singh Rawat
  • National Park: Jim Corbett NP, Gangotri NP, Nanda Devi NP, Rajaji NP

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

West Bengal govt launches COVID Patient Management System

  • The West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee launched COVID Patient Management System.
  • The Chief Minister, inaugurated the system in three COVID Hospitals of Kolkata.
  • Under the system the family members of patients will be able to know the status of their patient under treatment at Government Hospitals.

After Mughalsarai Junction, Varanasi’s Railway Station Gets a New Name

  • The Union Home Ministry has approved the renaming of Manduadih railway station in Uttar Pradesh as ‘Banaras’.
  • The Uttar Pradesh government had sent a request for renaming the railway station in Varanasi district.
  • The name Banaras means ‘bana rahe ras’. This word reflects the real culture of the city.

Bangladesh navy ship ‘Sangram’ visits Goa

  • Bangladesh Navy Ship BNS Sangram, a guided missile stealth corvette, made a port call at Mormugao Port, Goa.
  • The ship was received by officers from Headquarters Goa Naval Area and the Officiating Defence Advisor at the Bangladesh High Commission in India.
  • BNS Sangram is en route to participate as a member of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

Extra Shots:

Goa:

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

MPEDA launches Quality Control Lab in Porbandar

  • Quality Control Lab has been set up by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) in Porbandar, Gujarat.
  • The Quality Control Lab will offer tests for seafood processors as well as exporters to confirm to product safety as per international regulatory requirements.
  • Quality Control Lab is empowered with advanced testing instruments to evaluate antibiotic residues, heavy-metals, namely cadmium, lead, mercury and arsenic in seafood samples and histamine in fish such as tuna and mackerel.

Extra Shots:

Gujarat:

  • Capital: Gandhinagar
  • Chief Minister: Vijay Rupani
  • Governor: Acharya Devvrat
  • State formed on: 1 May 1960
  • Literacy Rate: 79.31%
  • National Park: Vansda NP, Blackbuck NP, Gir Forest NP, Marine NP, Gulf of Kutch

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

India’s External Affairs Minister and Foreign Minister of UAE Co-Chairs 13th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting

  • The 13th Session of the India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation was held virtually on 17 August 2020 to further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two strategic partners.
  • The Meeting was co-chaired by Union Minister of External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar from India’s side and UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
  • The next Session of the India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting will be held in Abu Dhabi in 2021.

RANKS AND INDICES

IIT Madras Tops Atal Rankings (ARIIA) 2020 for second straight year

  • The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras has retained the top position in the ‘Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements,’ (ARIIA) 2020 for being the best centrally funded institution in India.
  • The premier institute has topped in the list of tops centrally funded innovative educational institutes in India for the second consecutive year.
  • The 2020 ‘Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA),’ was released by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, in presence of Union Minister of Education, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank,’ in a virtual event on 18 August 2020.

Winners:

  • IIT Madras topped the list under the category of Institutes of National Importance, Central Universities, and Centrally Funded Technical Institutes
  • Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai got the top position under Government and Government Aided Universities
  • College of Engineering, Pune under Government and Government Aided Colleges
  • Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar under Private or Self-Financed Universities
  • SR Engineering College, Warangal under Private or Self-Financed Colleges
  • Avinashilingam Institue for Home Science and Higher Education for Women emerged as the top performer under Women (only higher educational institutions).

RECENT COMMITTEES IN NEWS

Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha forms committee for economic revival of Jammu and Kashmir

  • Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has announced the constitution of a committee to work out modalities for the economic revival of the union territory.
  • The committee will be extending its support to the business community.
  • The committee will be headed by the advisor to the Lt Governor, Kewal Kumar Sharma and will comprise the commissioner secretary of industries and commerce department, financial commissioner of the finance department, secretary of the tourism department and Chairman of J&K Bank as its members.

Extra Shots:

Jammu & Kashmir:

  • Capitals- Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
  • Lt Governor- Manoj Sinha
  • National Parks: City Forest (Salim Ali) National Park, Dachigam National Park, Hemis National Park, Kishtwar National Park
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries: Baltal-Thajwas WLS, Changthang Cold Desert WLS, Gulmarg WLS, Jasrota WLS, Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) WLS etc

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

WHO chief scientist honoured with Tamil Nadu CM’s special award

  • Chief Scientist of World Health Organisation, Soumya Swaminathan conferred with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s special award, in recognition of her advisory role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
  • Swaminathan received the award from Chief Minister K Palaniswami on the 74th Independence Day celebration at Fort St George.

Extra Shots:

WHO

  • Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded: 7 April 1948
  • Customer service: 011 6656 4800
  • Parent organization: United Nations Economic and Social Council
  • Heads: Tedros Adhanom, Soumya Swaminathan, Jane Ellison

Telangana CM honours poet Tirunagari Ramanujam with Dasaradhi Award for 2020

  • Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao honoured well-known poet Tirunagari Ramanujam with the Dasaradhi Award for 2020 at Pragathi Bhavan.
  • The CM also presented him with a memento, shawl and a cash prize of Rs 1,01,116.
  • Tirunagari Ramanujam is a great literary personality about whom the entire Telangana society is proud of.
  • Among his well-known works include Bala Veera Sathakam, Aksharadhara, and Tirunagareeyam.

Extra Shots:

Telangana

  • Statehood day:2 June 2014
  • Capital:Hyderabad
  • Chief Minister: Kalvakuntla Chandrashekhar Rao
  • Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan
  • Literacy Rate: 66.46%

Indian-origin physician Ravi Solanki wins award for COVID-19 work in UK

  • Ravi Solanki, an Indian-origin physician has been named among the 19 winners of the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering President’s Special Awards for Pandemic Service.
  • The winners have been announced for the exceptional achievements in tackling COVID-19 throughout the United Kingdom.
  • Ravi Solanki is a physician who has been working on neurodegenerative diseases.
  • He along with Raymond Siems, an engineer working in machine learning, has been awarded for their volunteer work to help in building a secure and fully functioning website for a new National Health Services (NHS) charity HEROES.

APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS

Ashok Lavasa resigns as Election Commissioner, to join as Vice President of ADB

  • Ashok Lavasa has resigned from his position as Election Commissioner on August 18, 2020, to join as the Vice- President of the Phillippines-based Asian Development Bank (ADB).
  • Lavasa will be joining his new position in September 2020.

Extra Shots:

ADB

  • Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Philippines
  • President: Masatsugu Asakawa
  • Founded: 19 December 1966
  • Membership: 68 countries
  • Purpose: Economic development

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

Dream11 wins IPL 2020 title sponsorship rights for Rs 222 crore

  • Dream11, a fantasy sports platform, has won the title sponsorship rights for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. Dream11 has signed a Rs 222-crore deal with BCCI for this.
  • This comes after the previous sponsor, Vivo backed out of IPL 2020.
  • The IPL will be held from September 19 to November 10, 2020.

Extra Shots:

BCCI

  • President: Sourav Ganguly
  • Secretary: Jay Shah
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Founded: December 1928
  • Sponsors: BYJU’S, Paytm, Nike, Dream11, Hyundai Motor Company, Ambuja Cements

AIFF, SAI launch E-Pathshala to encourage kids to play football

  • The All India Football Federation and Sports Authority of India joined hands to launch E-Pathshala, a web platform to recognise the creativity and “develop interest in football.
  • This platform of E-Pathshala will act to develop their interest in football through recognitive approaches like painting, skills, building blocks and many more.

Extra Shots:

All India Football Federation (AIIF)

  • President: Praful Patel
  • Founded: 23 June 1937
  • Headquarters: Dwarka, Delhi

Sports Authority of India (SAI)

  • Headquarters location: New Delhi
  • Founder: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
  • Founded: 1982
  • Agency executive: Sandip Pradhan Indian Revenue Service, Sports Secretary-cum-Director General
  • Parent agencies: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India

Hockey India Board to provide financial assistance to 61 unemployed athletes

  • Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the Hockey India executive board has announced immediate support to 61 athletes across the junior and senior men and women core who are not employed.
  • The purpose behind providing financial assistance is to help them in resuming their sports activities.
  • Athletes who are not holding any form of employment may face constraints that can impact their ability to be able to return to sports activities.

Extra Shots:

Hockey India

  • President: Mushtaque Ahmad
  • Founded: 20 May 2009
  • Headquarters location: New Delhi
  • Sport: Field hockey

WEBPORTALS & APPS IN NEWS

Nitin Gadkari launches farm-to-fork service portal VedKrishi.com

  • The Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Nitin Gadkari has launched an online farm-to-fork service platform called VedKrishi.com.
  • The platform will connect farmers to the consumers.
  • Using the portal VedKrishi.com, farmers would be able to sell their non-toxic farm produce directly to consumers.
  • The platform will allow home delivery of grocery products including dairy goods, vegetables, grains, and pulses, apart from pickles, juices, sauces, etc.
  • The platform has been set-up by Nagpur-based farmer producer organization VedKrishi Farmer Producer Company.

Govt launches e-portal on tribal health & nutrition

  • Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda inaugurated the e-portal on tribal health and nutrition named ‘Swasthya’.
  • The portal provides all health and nutrition related information of the tribal population of India on a single platform.
  • Swasthya will also curate innovative practices, case studies, and best practices collected from different parts of India to facilitate the exchange of evidence, expertise and experiences.

IIT Kharagpur launches DEEKSHAK platform for Organizations to conduct Online Classes

  • IIT Kharagpur has developed an e-classroom software called “DEEKSHAK” for organizations to conduct online classes.
  • Researchers at IIT Kharagpur have come up with this software as users are frequently experiencing challenges and more importantly, the operational requirements of an electronic classroom.
  • DEEKSHAK is a low bandwidth web-based software that can be accessed using any computer or even on mobile phones.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Former Vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam pens book titled “Full Spectrum: India”s Wars, 1972-2020″

  • Retired Air Vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam has written a book which throws light on comprehensive account of war and conflict in contemporary India over the past five decades next month.
  • The book titled “Full Spectrum: India”s Wars, 1972-2020″ is a sequel to his previous book “India”s Wars: A Military History, 1947-1971″.
  • The new book covers every major operation that the armed forces have participated in since 1972, including the Kargil conflict of 1999
  • It has been published by HarperCollins India and will be released in September 2020.

MISCELLANEOUS

Zydus Cadila Launches “Most Affordable” COVID-19 Drug Remdesivir In India

  • Drug firm Zydus Cadila said it has launched Remdesivir under the brand name Remdac, used to treat patients suffering from severe symptoms of COVID-19, in the Indian market.
  • Priced at ₹ 2,800 per 100 mg vial, Remdac is the most economical Remdesivir brand in India.
  • The drug will be made available across India through the group’s strong distribution chain reaching out to government and private hospitals treating COVID-19 patients.

Extra Shots:

Cadila Healthcare Limited

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