Current Affairs Today 28th August 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 28th August 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

  1. The 100th anniversary of the Women’s Equality Day is being observed in the United States on August 26, to commemorate American women getting the constitutional right to vote.
  2. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to dissolve the Banking Codes and Standards Board of India (BCSBI).
  3. Phase Six of the Vande Bharat Mission is scheduled to begin on 1st of September.
  4. The Government has approved 78 new routes under the 4th round of Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik, (UDAN) to further enhance the connectivity to remote and regional areas of the country.
  5. Central government’s flagship financial inclusion programme Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has completed six years today.
  6. The Ministry of Culture has announced 7 new circles of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
  7. NITI Aayog virtually launched the India Component of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) – Transport Initiative for Asia (TIA).
  8. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched a 24×7 Mental Health Rehabilitation helpline number under the name ‘Kiran’ to assist people to cope with mental health issues, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  9. Centre is planning to set up the National e-Assessment Centre (NeAC) and a network of Regional e-Assessment Centres to implement the Faceless Assessment Scheme of the Income Tax Department.
  10. Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal e-launched the National GIS (Geographic Information System)-enabled Land Bank system (https://iis.ncog.gov.in/parks) for six states.
  11. The Assam Cabinet has approved the Assam Skill Development University Bill which provides for setting up of Skill University at Mangaldoi at the cost of 900 crore rupees.
  12. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has inaugurated 300-bed COVID Hospital in Gonda district.
  13. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) during his Independence Day speech earlier this month.
  14. In a bid to give a boost to the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Mission, a handicraft production centre is inaugurated in Guwahati by Assam Apex Weavers and Artisans Cooperative Federation Limited- ARTFED.
  15. Jammu and Kashmir’s agriculture department has created an e-auction portal to promote trading of GI-tagged ‘Kashmir Saffron’.
  16. Delhi Government launched the Fitness Campaign – “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind”, for the students who are confined in their homes because of the lockdown imposed on Schools and colleges due to COVID-19 pandemic.
  17. Bangladesh observed the 44th death anniversary of the national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
  18. India and China had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the existing situation in the India-China border areas during the 18th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs last week.
  19. The Industry Ministers of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries held a meeting through video mode on 24 August 2020 to discuss ways to boost cooperation in areas including 5G and Artificial Intelligence.
  20. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Haryana employment department and M3M Foundation to facilitate students for online preparation for government jobs.
  21. With the objective to achieve the mission of Atma Nirbhar Bharat, the Indian Institute of Technology’s (IITs) Alumni Council has signed an agreement with Russian state-owned companies, Lomonosov Moscow State University and Russoft, to build the world’s largest and fastest hybrid quantum computer in India.
  22. HDFC Bank has announced a strategic partnership with Adobe to enhance the Digital Experiences of its Customers.
  23. Ericsson partnered with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to map internet connectivity landscape for schools in 35 countries by the end of 2023 to provide digital learning access to the children.
  24. Dr G. Satheesh Reddy, the Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has constituted the five-member expert committee to redefine the role of the DRDO for the current and futuristic defence and battlefield scenarios.
  25. Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh launched the Directorate General National Cadet Corps (DGNCC) Mobile Training App on 27 August.
  26. India is planning to host BRICS Games 2021, which will be aligned with the Khelo India Games scheduled for next year.
  27. Australian All-Rounder Cameron Leon White announced his retirement from Cricket at the age of 37.
  28. Indian Army Chief, General Manoj Mukund Naravane has released a book titled “National Security Challenges: Young Scholars’ Perspective” penned by university students, ranging from the undergraduate level to doctoral candidates.
  29. Television actress Sangeeta Srivastava, who is popularly known for her character in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon, has passed away.
  30. Arnold Meyer Spielberg, a pioneered computer designer & an innovative engineer passed away at the age of 103.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

Women’s Equality Day 2020 observed on 26th Aug

  • The 100th anniversary of the Women’s Equality Day is being observed in the United States on August 26, to commemorate American women getting the constitutional right to vote.
  • Women’s Equality Day is now often observed across the world to encourage and spread awareness about women’s empowerment.

BANKING & FINANCE 

RBI to dissolve Banking Codes and Standards Board of India

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to dissolve the Banking Codes and Standards Board of India (BCSBI).
  • BCSBI was set up by the Reserve Bank in February 2006 as an independent and autonomous body, assigned to formulate codes of conduct to be adopted by banks voluntarily for ensuring fair treatment of customers.
  • BCSBI, in collaboration with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), has evolved two codes – Code of Bank’s Commitment to Customers and the Code of Bank’s Commitment to Micro and Small Enterprises – which set minimum standards of banking practices for member banks to follow when they are dealing with individual customers and micro and small enterprises.

Extra Shots:

RBI:

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

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Vande Bharat Mission Phase 6 to begin on Sept. 1

  • Phase Six of the Vande Bharat Mission is scheduled to begin on 1st of September.
  • Phase Five of the Mission will be over on 31st August.
  • External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said flights are being rescheduled by Air India group and private carriers based on an assessment of demand by Indian missions abroad.

Govt approves 78 new routes under Regional Connectivity Scheme

  • The Government has approved 78 new routes under the 4th round of Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik, (UDAN) to further enhance the connectivity to remote and regional areas of the country.
  • The Civil Aviation Ministry said, North East Region, Hilly States and Islands have been given priority in the approval process for the new routes.
  • Overall, 766 routes have been sanctioned so far under the UDAN scheme.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana completes six years

  • Central government’s flagship financial inclusion programme Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has completed six years today.
  • The scheme was launched on 28th of August in 2014 with an aim to provide universal access to banking facilities to the people in the country.
  • Over 40 crore 35 lakh bank accounts have been opened under the scheme since its inception and One lakh 31 thousand crore rupees have been deposited in these accounts.
  • About eight crore PMJDY accountholders are receiving Direct Benefit Transfer from the Government under various schemes.

Ministry of Culture announces seven new circles of ASI

  • The Ministry of Culture has announced 7 new circles of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
  • The new circles have been created in Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), Trichy (Tamil Nadu), Jhansi and Meerut (Uttar Pradesh), Hampi (Karnataka), Raiganj (West Bengal) and Rajkot (Gujarat) have been created.
  • The Hampi mini circle has been upgraded to a circle, and the Delhi mini circle has been merged with the Delhi circle.

Extra Shots:

Archaeological Survey of India

  • Founder: Alexander Cunningham
  • Founded: 1861
  • Parent organisation: Ministry of Culture, Government of Indi

NITI Aayog virtually launches India component of NDC- TIA

  • NITI Aayog virtually launched the India Component of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) – Transport Initiative for Asia (TIA).
  • The event informs the transport, energy, and climate stakeholders in India about planned project activities for the upcoming year.
  • It will also offer the opportunity to provide input about India’s transport challenges and how they relate to CO2 reduction ambitions.

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NITI Aayog

  • Website: niti.gov.in
  • 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

Ministry of Social Justice launches Mental Health Rehabilitation helpline ‘KIRAN’

  • The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched a 24×7 Mental Health Rehabilitation helpline number under the name ‘Kiran’ to assist people to cope with mental health issues, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The toll-free HELPLINE number 1800-599-0019 will operate through 25 Institutions in 13 languages.
  • The helpline will provide callers support for early screening, first-aid, psychological support, distress management, mental well-being, preventing deviant behaviours, psychological crisis management among other things.

Centre to set up a National e-Assessment Centre to implement Faceless Assessment

  • Centre is planning to set up the National e-Assessment Centre (NeAC) and a network of Regional e-Assessment Centres to implement the Faceless Assessment Scheme of the Income Tax Department.
  • It was launched nation-wide by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 13th August 2020.
  • The system will allow dynamic jurisdiction, team-based working, and functional specialization and does away with human interface altogether.
  • The regional assessment network will comprise assessment units, verification units, technical units, and review units.
  • It will replace the physical meetings between taxpayers and officers.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal launches National GIS-enabled Land Bank system

  • Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal e-launched the National GIS (Geographic Information System)-enabled Land Bank system (https://iis.ncog.gov.in/parks) for six states.
  • The platform will provide a database of industrial areas/clusters across the country and will serve as a one-stop solution to the free and easy accessibility of all industrial information.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Assam Cabinet approves ‘Assam Skill Development University Bill’

  • The Assam Cabinet has approved the Assam Skill Development University Bill which provides for setting up of Skill University at Mangaldoi at the cost of 900 crore rupees.
  • The Orunodoi Scheme was also given approval to provide financial assistance of 830 rupees per month to families with annual income of less than 2 lakh rupees.

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

Uttar Pradesh CM inaugurates 300-bed COVID Hospital in Gonda district

  • Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has inaugurated 300-bed COVID Hospital in Gonda district.
  • This is second such dedicated COVID hospital in state after 400 bedded hospital in Noida which has state of the art facilities.

Extra Shots:

Uttar Pradesh:

  • Capital: Lucknow
  • Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
  • Governor: Anandiben Patel
  • Nation Park: Dudhwa National Park

Health Dept of Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu organize meeting to implement NDHM

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) during his Independence Day speech earlier this month.
  • NDHM aims to bring a new revolution in India’s health sector and all Indians will get Health IDs.
  • The initiative is being implemented in six Union Territories including Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

Extra Shots:

Daman and Diu

  • Capital: Daman
  • Governor: Shri Praful Patel (Administrator)

Handicraft production centre inaugurated in Guwahati, Assam

  • In a bid to give a boost to the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Mission, a handicraft production centre is inaugurated in Guwahati by Assam Apex Weavers and Artisans Cooperative Federation Limited- ARTFED.
  • The bamboo and cane based local items to be produced in the centre. During the lockdown period, the weavers under the ARTFED produced 13 thousand pieces of bedsheets and pillow covers for the National Health Mission.

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

E-auction portal launched to promote trading of GI-tagged ‘Kashmir Saffron’

  • Jammu and Kashmir’s agriculture department has created an e-auction portal to promote trading of GI-tagged ‘Kashmir Saffron’.
  • The Department, under the aegis of India International Kashmir Saffron Trading Centre (IIKSTC), has created the portal in collaboration with NSE-IT, with the sole motive to assure buyers to have ‘Kashmir Saffron’.

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

Delhi Government Launched ‘Healthy Body, Healthy Mind’ Fitness Campaign for Students

  • Delhi Government launched the Fitness Campaign – “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind”, for the students who are confined in their homes because of the lockdown imposed on Schools and colleges due to COVID-19 pandemic.
  • As a part of the “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind” campaign, a YouTube channel has been started which uploads a video on every wednesday, by which the students can practice for a week to maintain fitness and make up for the loss of physical activities amid pandemic.

Extra Shots:

Delhi

  • Lt. Governor: Anil Baijal
  • Chief Minister: Arvind Kejriwal

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Bangladesh remembers its national poet Nazrul on his death anniversary

  • Bangladesh observed the 44th death anniversary of the national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
  • Various social and cultural organisations organised programmes observing health guidelines to commemorate the death anniversary of Nazrul. TV Channels aired special programmes to mark the day.
  • Dhaka University held a virtual discussion Chaired by the Vice Chancellor Professor Md Akhtaruzzaman.
  • It was addressed by the national professor Dr. Md. Rafiqul Islam.

Extra Shots:

Bangladesh (Capital/Currency): Dhaka/Taka

  • Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina
  • Official Language: Bengali

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

‘Candid & In-Depth’ exchange of views in 18th India-China WMCC meeting

  • India and China had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the existing situation in the India-China border areas during the 18th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs last week.
  • In the last meeting of the WMCC the two sides have agreed to resolve the outstanding issues in an expeditious manner and in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols.
  • Both sides also agreed that full restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas would be essential for the overall development of bilateral relations.

Extra Shots:

China (Capital/Currency): Beijing/Renminbi

  • President: Xi Jinping
  • Official Language: Mandarin

Som Parkash addresses 5th virtual BRICS Industry Minister’s Meeting

  • The Industry Ministers of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries held a meeting through video mode on 24 August 2020 to discuss ways to boost cooperation in areas including 5G and Artificial Intelligence.
  • From India, the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Som Parkash, participated in the 5th edition of the Industry Ministers’ meeting.
  • The meeting adopted a joint statement on cooperation in new industries, such as 5G, AI and the industrial Internet, among BRICS countries.
  • It is also likely that BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting will be organised in early September 2020, which will be arranged by Russia, the current Chair of BRICS.

Extra Shots:

BRICS

  • Founded: June 2006
  • Formation: 2009
  • Official language: Portuguese, Russian, Hindi, Chinese, English
  • State Leaders: Jair Bolsonaro; Vladimir Putin; Narendra Modi; Xi Jinping; Cyril Ramaphosa
  • Founders: India, China, Brazil, Russia

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

Haryana Government inks MoU with M3M Foundation to facilitate students’ online preparation for government jobs

  • A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Haryana employment department and M3M Foundation to facilitate students for online preparation for government jobs.
  • The objective of the MoU is to build and strengthen the partnership between both institutions to enable students to access quality preparation for entrance examinations of government jobs.
  • Through this MoU, a program will be run to select 50,000 candidates for online training based on their past performance in government examinations in the state.

Extra Shots:

Haryana:

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

IIT Alumni Council partners with Russia to build world’s largest & fastest hybrid quantum computer

  • With the objective to achieve the mission of Atma Nirbhar Bharat, the Indian Institute of Technology’s (IITs) Alumni Council has signed an agreement with Russian state-owned companies, Lomonosov Moscow State University and Russoft, to build the world’s largest and fastest hybrid quantum computer in India.
  • The agreement aims to access and transfer key technologies from Russia to IIT Alumni Council such as critical modules in cryogenics, cryptography and modularised cloud management technology.
  • These technologies will be used to support solutions for solving infrastructure challenges in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, transport and logistics, pollution and weather forecast.
  • Quantum Computing is several million times faster than the largest supercomputer in India, and once operational it will make existing supercomputers obsolete.

Extra Shots:

IIT Alumni Council:

  • President: Ravi Sharma
  • Headquarter: New Delhi

Russoft:

  • President: Valentin Makarov
  • Headquarter: St.Petersburg, Russia

HDFC Bank & Adobe partners to enhance digital customer experiences

  • HDFC Bank has announced a strategic partnership with Adobe to enhance the Digital Experiences of its Customers.
  • The partnership is powered by Adobe Experience Cloud Solutions and will help HDFC Bank to deliver personalised digital experiences to existing as well as new customers, at anytime and anywhere.
  • The Bank will use platforms like Data Management Platform in Adobe Audience Manager to develop a deep understanding of the customers.

Extra Shots:

HDFC Bank

  • CEO: Aditya Puri
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Founded: August 1994, India
  • Parent organization: Housing Development Finance Corporation

Ericsson & UNICEF Partnered to Map School Internet Connectivity in 35 Countries

  • Ericsson partnered with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to map internet connectivity landscape for schools in 35 countries by the end of 2023 to provide digital learning access to the children.
  • This joint initiative is a part of the Giga initiative launched by UNICEF and International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in September 2019 to provide internet connection to every school and their surrounding communities.

Extra Shots:

Ericsson:

  • President and CEO: Börje Ekholm
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden

UNICEF:

  • Executive Director: Henrietta Holsman Fore
  • Headquarter: New York, United States (US)

RECENT COMMITTEES IN NEWS

Centre Forms 5-member Panel under IIT Delhi Director V. Ramagopal Rao to redefine DRDO Charter

  • Dr G. Satheesh Reddy, the Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has constituted the five-member expert committee to redefine the role of the DRDO for the current and futuristic defence and battlefield scenarios.
  • Study and review the charter of duties of all 52 laboratories of DRDO and to redefine the same for both current and futuristic defence and battlefield scenarios.
  • Reduce Indian military’s dependence on imports, in line with Prime minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” in the defence sector.
  • Minimise the overlap of technologies amongst the laboratories.
  • The committee will be headed by professor V. Ramagopal Rao, Director of IIT, Delhi.

Extra Shots:

DRDO

  • Headquarters: DRDO Bhavan, New Delhi
  • Founded: 1958
  • Jurisdiction: India
  • Subsidiaries: Gas Turbine Research Establishment, Defence Scientific Information & Documentation centre

DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched DGNCC Mobile Training App for NCC Training

  • Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh launched the Directorate General National Cadet Corps (DGNCC) Mobile Training App on 27 August.
  • The mobile Application will assist in conducting countrywide online training of National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets.

DGNCC Mobile Training App:

  • The DGNCC Mobile Training App will will help the NCC cadets in digital learning and overcoming the difficulties posed by COVID-19 due to restrictions on direct physical interactions.
  • The App has been designed in an interactive way by including a query option. With this option, a cadet can post his question related to the training syllabus and the same will be answered by a panel of qualified instructors.
  • The app is expected to provide a positive step towards automation of NCC training.
  • The move is in line with Digital India vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
  • The mobile app will assist the NCC cadets by providing easier access to training material in these testing times of pandemic.

Extra Shots:

NCC

  • Director General: Lt Gen Rajeev Chopra, AVSM
  • Motto: एकता और अनुशासन; Unity and discipline
  • Founder: Government of the United Kingdom
  • Founded: 16 April 1948
  • Headquarters location: New Delhi
  • Role: Student Uniformed Group

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

India plans to host BRICS Games in 2021

  • India is planning to host BRICS Games 2021, which will be aligned with the Khelo India Games scheduled for next year.
  • This announcement came after Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju attended a meeting of Sports Ministers of the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).
  • India will get the chairmanship of the five-nation independent international group in 2021.

Extra Shots:

BRICS

  • Founded: June 2006
  • Formation: 2009
  • Official language: Portuguese, Russian, Hindi, Chinese, English
  • State Leaders: Jair Bolsonaro; Vladimir Putin; Narendra Modi; Xi Jinping; Cyril Ramaphosa
  • Founders: India, China, Brazil, Russia

Australian Cricketer Cameron White announces Retirement from Professional Cricket

  • Australian All-Rounder Cameron Leon White announced his retirement from Cricket at the age of 37.
  • He has captained the Australian Team Seven Times including One Day International (ODI) & Twenty20 Internationals(T20I).

Extra Shots:

Australia (Capital/Currency): Canberra/ Australian dollar

  • Prime Minister: Scott Morrison

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Army Chief releases book on National Security

  • Indian Army Chief, General Manoj Mukund Naravane has released a book titled “National Security Challenges: Young Scholars’ Perspective” penned by university students, ranging from the undergraduate level to doctoral candidates.
  • The book published by the Army think-tank Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS).

OBITUARY

TV Actress Sangeeta Srivastava passes away due to vasculitis

  • Television actress Sangeeta Srivastava, who is popularly known for her character in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon, has passed away.
  • The actress died of an autoimmune disease called vasculitis.
  • Apart from Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon. Sangeeta had also worked in shows such as Bhanwar and Thapki…Pyaar Ki.

Computer Pioneer Arnold Spielberg passes away

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