Current Affairs Today 29th August 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 29th August 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

  1. The International Day against Nuclear Tests is held on August 29 since 2010.
  2. Every year India observes the National Sports Day, (Rashtriya Khel Divas), on 29 August to mark the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, who is regarded as nation’s greatest hockey player of all time.
  3. State Bank of India (SBI) has got global recognition for its HR initiative ”Nayi Disha” which over the course of 1.5 years has touched more than 2.40 lakh employees.
  4. Private life insurer Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has launched a new technology service called ‘Smart Assist’ that provides real-time assistance to customers.
  5. World’s most customer-centric company Amazon.com Inc. founded by Zeff Bezos recently launched a wearable fitness gadget called the Halo Band.
  6. The central government has set up an expert committee to redefine the role of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the current and futuristic defence and battlefield scenarios.
  7. To establish a transparent and comprehensive ‘Performance Rating’ System for its Consultants, Contractors and Concessionaires, NHAI has developed a ‘Vendor Performance Evaluation System’. The Portal is available on the NHAI website.
  8. Contributing towards National Solar Mission, Indian Railway under the chairmanship of Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal is all set to become self-reliant and self-sufficient in terms of energy for all its operational work by 2030.
  9. Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad today launched “Chunauti”- Next Generation Startup Challenge Contest to further boost startups and software products with special focus on Tier-II towns of the
  10. The Bureau of Police Research and Development, BPR&D is celebrating its Golden Jubilee Anniversary.
  11. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the College and Administration Buildings of the Rani Lakshmi Bai (RLB) Central Agricultural University through video conference
  12. Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr Jitendra Singh has said that three Bamboo Clusters will be developed in Jammu, Katra and Samba areas for making of Bamboo basketry, Agarbatti and Bamboo Charcol.
  13. The Delhi government has recently launched” Healthy Body, Healthy Mind” campaign for students.
  14. The Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the first ever marine ambulance named ‘PRATHEEKSHA’ on 27 August 2020 via videoconferencing.
  15. The State Government of Uttar Pradesh under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has launched an ambitious ‘NRI unified portal’ to provide assistance to overseas Indians and NRIs of the state during any emergency.
  16. In association with United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs), Kerala will set up India’s first international women’s trade centre (WTC), at Angamaly (a city in Kochi, Kerala).
  17. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has laid the foundation stones for 375 Surface Minor Irrigation Schemes, 550 Ground Water Irrigation schemes and 151 infrastructure projects to be taken up in different districts through video conference in a mega function held at City Convention Centre.
  18. The Government of Assam approved the ‘Assam Skill Development University Bill’, which provides for setting up of World Class Skill University at Mangaldoi, Darrang District at a cost of 900 crore rupees.
  19. The Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe has announced to step down from the post on 28 August 2020, because of the poor health conditions.
  20. India has co-sponsored a security council resolution that calls for full, effective and meaningful participation of women personnel in peacekeeping operations.
  21. The 14th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD) was held virtually on 28 August 2020 to further boost the defence and security partnership between the two countries, with a special focus on the maritime sphere.
  22. National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) has organised the “World Urdu Conference” in New Delhi.
  23. Just 24 per cent of Indian households have internet connections to access e-education, and there is a large rural-urban and gender divide that is likely to widen the learning gap across high, middle and low-income families, according to a new UNICEF report titled ‘The Remote Learning Reachability’.
  24. Energy solutions provider Greenko Energies has entered into an agreement with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam to explore energy storage and renewable energy power supply solutions.
  25. Innoviti announced that it had entered a partnership with Visa, the leader in payments technology to develop a platform that will enable issuers to extend credit to their cardholders at face-to-face point-of-sale (In India).
  26. Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has inked a pact with Tel Aviv-based REE Automotive to explore production of electric commercial vehicles for global markets.
  27. Britain’s World War II spy, Noor Inayat Khan, became the first Indian-origin woman to be honoured with a memorial Blue Plaque at her former family home in central London.
  28. Sudha Painuli has been selected for National Award to Teachers 2020.
  29. The Banks Board Bureau (BBB) recommended SBI’s senior-most managing director Dinesh Kumar Khara as the next chairman of the country’s largest lender.
  30. The Association of Indian Football Coaches (AIFC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Football Coaches Australia (FCA) to assist each other in development of football in the two countries.
  31. Sri Lankan Opening batsman Nishad Tharanga Paranavitana announced retirement from all forms of International Cricket at the age of 38.
  32. Gail Sheehy, the journalist, commentator and pop sociologist whose best-selling Passages helped millions navigate their lives from early adulthood to middle age and beyond, has died in Southampton, New York. She was 83.
  33. Noted singer Archana Mahanta passed away in Guwahati in a private hospital. She was 72.
  34. Lok Sabha member H.Vasantha Kumar passed away today in Chennai. He was 70.
  35. In Tamil Nadu, Congress MP H. Vasantha Kumar representing Kanyakumari Lok Sabha Constituency passed away in Chennai yesterday evening, due to COVID-19. He was 70.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

International Day against Nuclear Tests observed on 29 August

  • The International Day against Nuclear Tests is held on August 29 since 2010.
  • The day aims to increase awareness about the effects of nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions and the need for their cessation as one of the means of achieving the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world
  • It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 2, 2009.

Extra Shots:

UN

  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
  • Founded: 24 October 1945, San Francisco, California, United States
  • Official languages: Arabic; Chinese; English; French; Russian; Spanish;
  • Secretary general: António Guterres

National Sports Day observed on 29 August

  • Every year India observes the National Sports Day, (Rashtriya Khel Divas), on 29 August to mark the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, who is regarded as nation’s greatest hockey player of all time.
  • The National Sports Day was celebrated for the first time in 2012.
  • The day is used as a platform to launch various sports schemes as well as organise various sporting events and seminars to spread awareness about the importance of physical activities and sports in life.
  • Major Dhyan Chand Singh won Olympics gold medals for India in the years 1928, 1932 and 1936.
  • He has scored over 400 goals in his career, from 1926 to 1948.
  • He was popularly known as “The Wizard” for his magical touch, superb control, creativity and extraordinary goal-scoring feats.

BANKING & FINANCE 

SBI gets global recognition for HR initiative ‘Nayi Disha’

  • State Bank of India (SBI) has got global recognition for its HR initiative ”Nayi Disha” which over the course of 1.5 years has touched more than 2.40 lakh employees.
  • The bank has won three Brandon Hall Excellence Awards, also known as the Academy Awards of Learning & Development.
  • It recognizes the best organizations that have successfully deployed programs, strategies, modalities, processes, systems, and tools to achieve measurable results.
  • SBI has won these awards in three categories viz. Best Learning Program supporting a Change Transformation Business Strategy, Best Use of Blended Learning and Best Unique or Innovative Learning and Development Program

Extra Shots:

SBI

  • Chairperson: Rajnish Kumar Trending
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Founded: 1 July 1955

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance launches ‘Smart Assist’, a real-time assistance service

  • Private life insurer Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has launched a new technology service called ‘Smart Assist’ that provides real-time assistance to customers.
  • Using a screen sharing feature, the agent will be able to assist customers live to fill up the proposal form and also help them in the policy purchase journey.
  • Even if there is an error in the form that has to be corrected in the proposal form, this can be done through the screen-sharing process.

Extra Shots:

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance

  • CEO: Tarun Chugh
  • Headquarters: Pune
  • Founded: 2001
  • Parent organizations: Bajaj Finserv Ltd., Allianz SE

Amazon to explore health tracking industry

  • World’s most customer-centric company Amazon.com Inc. founded by Zeff Bezos recently launched a wearable fitness gadget called the Halo Band.
  • The company is entering the health wearable market for health monitoring devices which is already dominated by Apple Inc. and Fitbit Inc.

Extra Shots:

Amazon

  • CEO: Jeff Bezos
  • Founder: Jeff Bezos
  • Founded: 5 July 1994, Bellevue, Washington, United States
  • Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Govt sets up expert panel to redefine DRDO for futuristic battles

  • The central government has set up an expert committee to redefine the role of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the current and futuristic defence and battlefield scenarios.
  • To be led by Prof P Ramagopal Rao, Director IIT Delhi, the select panel will delve deep into the nature of work being carried out by each lab under the organisation.
  • The committee will present a report to redefine the charter of work being carried out and minimize technology overlaps.

Extra Shots:

DRDO

  • Headquarters: DRDO Bhavan, New Delhi
  • Founded: 1958
  • Chairman: G Satheesh Reddy

NHAI develops Vendor Performance Evaluation System

  • To establish a transparent and comprehensive ‘Performance Rating’ System for its Consultants, Contractors and Concessionaires, NHAI has developed a ‘Vendor Performance Evaluation System’.
  • The Portal is available on the NHAI website.
  • The portal based objective assessment of vendors has been initiated to track the performance of the vendors for various NHAI projects.
  • Under this portal, the vendors are required to conduct a self-assessment and upload the documents related to the project activities being executed by them, on the portal.
  • The submissions are reviewed at multiple levels by NHAI, based on which a vendor’s rating is generated.

Extra Shots:

NHAI

  • Founded: 1988
  • Sector: Indian National Highway System
  • Purpose: Development and maintenance of national highways
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Chairperson: Sanjeev Ranjan

Indian Railway to become energy self-reliant by 2030

  • Contributing towards National Solar Mission, Indian Railway under the chairmanship of Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal is all set to become self-reliant and self-sufficient in terms of energy for all its operational work by 2030.

IT minister launches ‘Chunauti’ a programme to further boost startups, software product

  • Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad today launched “Chunauti”- Next Generation Startup Challenge Contest to further boost startups and software products with special focus on Tier-II towns of the
  • The government has earmarked a budget of over 95 crore rupees over a period of three years .
  • It aims at identifying around three hundred startups working in identified areas and provide them seed fund of upto 25 lakh rupees and other facilities.

BPR&D celebrates its Golden Jubilee Anniversary

  • The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) is celebrating its Golden Jubilee Anniversary on 29th
  • A function was organised today in virtual mode to mark the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of BPR&D. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy attended the function as the Chief Guest.
  • The Bureau of Police Research and Development was raised on 28th August, 1970, through a resolution of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, with a mandate to promote excellence in policing, promote speedy and systematic study of police problems, apply science and technology in the method and techniques by the Police.

Extra Shots:

Bureau of Police Research and Development

  • Founded: 28 August 1970
  • Headquarters: New Delhi, India
  • General nature: Federal law enforcement
  • Governing body: Government of India
  • Federal agency: India
  • Agency executive: Mr. V.S.K.Kaumudi, Indian Police Service (IPS) Andhra Pradesh 1986 batch, Director General

PM Modi to inaugurate new building of Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University in Jhansi

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the College and Administration Buildings of the Rani Lakshmi Bai (RLB) Central Agricultural University through video conference today.
  • The RLB Central Agricultural University is located in Jhansi and is a prominent institute of the Bundelkhand region.
  • The University has started its first academic session in 2014-15 and is offering Under Graduate and Post Graduate courses in Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry.
  • It is currently operating from the Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi as the main buildings are getting ready.

Centre to develop three Bamboo Clusters in Jammu, Katra and Samba areas of J&K

  • Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr Jitendra Singh has said that three Bamboo Clusters will be developed in Jammu, Katra and Samba areas for making of Bamboo basketry, Agarbatti and Bamboo Charcol.
  • It will provide direct employment to nearly 25 thousand people.
  • Apart from this a Mega Bamboo Industrial Park at Ghati near Jammu and Bamboo Technology Training Centre will also come up in the region.

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

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Delhi government launches ‘Healthy Body, Healthy Mind’ campaign for students

  • The Delhi government has recently launched” Healthy Body, Healthy Mind” campaign for students.
  • A YouTube channel has been started on which a video will be launched every Wednesday through which students can practice for the week in order to maintain fitness and also make up for the loss of physical activity during the pandemic.

Extra Shots:

Delhi

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

First marine ambulance boat ‘PRATHEEKSHA’ commissioned in Kerala

  • The Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the first ever marine ambulance named ‘PRATHEEKSHA’ on 27 August 2020 via videoconferencing.
  • Pratheeksha is first in the series of 3 fully equipped marine ambulance boat built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), for the Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Kerala.
  • The other two other boats namely ‘Prathyasha’ and ‘Karunya’ were also launched on the same day.
  • These marine ambulances will be deployed at Vizhinjam village of Thiruvananthapuram district in Kerala.
  • They have been built at a cost of Rs. 6.08 crore, to save the lives of fishermen during accidents at sea.
  • The boat has been designed by the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology as per the specifications of Indian Registry of Shipping.

Extra Shots:

Kerala:

  • Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
  • Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
  • Governor: Arif Mohammed Khan
  • Festivals: Onam, Vishu, Thrissur Pooram, Nehru Trophy Boat Race
  • National Parks: Anamudi Shola National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Mathikettan Shola National Park, Pambadum Shola National Park, Periyar National Park,Silent Valley National Park
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries: Aralam WLS, Chimmony WLS, Idukki WLS, Periyar WLS, Wayanad WLS, Peppara WLS, Neyyar WLS, Kurinjimala WLS, Malabar WLS etc

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath launches NRI unified portal

  • The State Government of Uttar Pradesh under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has launched an ambitious ‘NRI unified portal’ to provide assistance to overseas Indians and NRIs of the state during any emergency.
  • The website can be assessed at nri.up.gov.in
  • The website will also provide a platform for NRIs keen to know about their roots or those seeking help from the UP Government to help their families in the state resolve the problems related to their house and issues with local administration.

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%

Kerala to build country’s first International Women Trade Centre

  • In association with United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs), Kerala will set up India’s first international women’s trade centre (WTC), at Angamaly (a city in Kochi, Kerala).
  • The recent move aims to accelerate women entrepreneurship and secure gender parity while providing women with a safe place away from home to start new businesses.
  • It will also help set up or expand current business holdings.

Extra Shots:

Kerala:

  • Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
  • Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
  • Governor: Arif Mohammed Khan
  • Festivals: Onam, Vishu, Thrissur Pooram, Nehru Trophy Boat Race
  • National Parks: Anamudi Shola National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Mathikettan Shola National Park, Pambadum Shola National Park, Periyar National Park,Silent Valley National Park
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries: Aralam WLS, Chimmony WLS, Idukki WLS, Periyar WLS, Wayanad WLS, Peppara WLS, Neyyar WLS, Kurinjimala WLS, Malabar WLS etc

Manipur CM lays foundation stone for projects worth Rs 647 cr

  • Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has laid the foundation stones for 375 Surface Minor Irrigation Schemes, 550 Ground Water Irrigation schemes and 151 infrastructure projects to be taken up in different districts through video conference in a mega function held at City Convention Centre.
  • These projects are to be taken up with the financial assistance from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs at a total estimated cost of Rs. 647 crores.

Extra Shots:

Manipur

  • Statehood Day: 21 January, 1972
  • Capital: Imphal
  • Governor: Najma Heptulla
  • Chief Minister: N. Biren Singh

Assam Cabinet Approves ‘Assam Skill Development University Bill’

  • The Government of Assam approved the ‘Assam Skill Development University Bill’, which provides for setting up of World Class Skill University at Mangaldoi, Darrang District at a cost of 900 crore rupees.
  • Assam Industry and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary made the announcement about the setting up of the university, after a cabinet meeting.

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

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Japan’s longest-serving PM Shinzo Abe resigns due to ill-health

  • The Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe has announced to step down from the post on 28 August 2020, because of the poor health conditions.
  • The 65-year-old had held record seven years and eight months as leader of the world’s third-biggest economy, becoming the longest-serving Prime Minister in Japanese history.
  • He had been serving as the PM of Japan since 26 December 2012.
  • Prior to this, he had also served as the PM for a short period between July 2006 to September 2007, becoming the youngest PM of the country, elected at the age of 52.

India co-sponsors UN security council resolution on women peacekeepers

  • India has co-sponsored a security council resolution that calls for full, effective and meaningful participation of women personnel in peacekeeping operations.
  • India has set for itself during its tenure in the Security Council beginning 2021 that India will continue to push for greater involvement of women in all areas.
  • India is the fifth largest contributor of uniformed personnel to the UN Peacekeeping Forces.

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

14th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD) held with focus on maritime security cooperation

  • The 14th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD) was held virtually on 28 August 2020 to further boost the defence and security partnership between the two countries, with a special focus on the maritime sphere.
  • The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and Permanent Secretary (Defence), Singapore Mr Chan Heng Kee.
  • The Implementing Arrangement on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) was signed between India and Singapore during the meeting.

Extra Shots:

Singapore (Capital/Currency): Singapore/ Dollar

  • Prime Minister: Lee Hsien Loong

NCPUL organises “World Urdu Conference” in New Delhi

  • National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) has organised the “World Urdu Conference” in New Delhi.
  • The inaugural session of the two days long conference was virtually addressed by Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’.
  • During the conference, the minister added that Government of India will honor Urdu writers and literators with awards and honours in the name of important personalities of Urdu in order to encourage Urdu writers for literary and creative services.
  • NCPUL has organised the conference to celebrate the quintessential spirit of Urdu, its inclusive ethos and creative character.

Extra Shots:

NCPUL

  • Parent organization: Government of India
  • Founded: 1 April 1996
  • Headquarters location: New Delhi
  • Key people: Dr. M. Mangapati; Pallam Raju; Shri Jitin Prasada; Wasim Barelvi; Dr. Khwaja Mohd. Ekramuddin

RANKS AND INDICES

Just 24 Percent of Indian Households Have Internet Facility to Access E-education: UNICEF

  • Just 24 per cent of Indian households have internet connections to access e-education, and there is a large rural-urban and gender divide that is likely to widen the learning gap across high, middle and low-income families, according to a new UNICEF report titled ‘The Remote Learning Reachability’.
  • The learning gap is likely to widen across high, middle and low-income families, as children from economically disadvantaged families cannot access remote learning.
  • In India, over 1.5 million (15 lakh) schools have been closed due to the pandemic affecting 286 million (28.6 crore) children from pre-primary to secondary levels, (of which 49 per cent girls).
  • This adds to the 6 million (60 lakh) girls and boys who were already out of school prior to the COVID-19.

Extra Shots:

UNICEF

  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
  • Head: Henrietta H. Fore
  • Founded: 11 December 1946, New York, New York, United States
  • Founders: United Nations General Assembly, Ludwik Rajchman
  • Parent organizations: United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Economic and Social Council

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

Greenko Energies signs MoU with NTPC for RE power solutions

  • Energy solutions provider Greenko Energies has entered into an agreement with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam to explore energy storage and renewable energy power supply solutions.
  • The objective of the partnership is to explore the possibility of development of renewable energy based round-the-clock, flexible and dispatchable power supply offering based on integration of RE sources and pumped storage projects.

Extra Shots:

NTPC

  • Founded: 1975
  • Headquarters: New Delhi, India
  • Owner: Government of India
  • Organization type: State-owned enterprise
  • Purpose: Electricity generation and distribution natural gas exploration, production, transportation and distribution

Innoviti partners with Visa to develop installments platform for face-to-face transactions

  • Innoviti announced that it had entered a partnership with Visa, the leader in payments technology to develop a platform that will enable issuers to extend credit to their cardholders at face-to-face point-of-sale (In India).
  • It provides shoppers the ability to choose how they pay during the purchase with the introduction of a suite of platform capabilities leveraging Innoviti’s uniPAYNEXT platform and Visa’s APIs.
  • Innoviti and Visa plan to collaborate and pilot a variety of installment use cases as part of this partnership going forward.

Mahindra inks pacts with Israeli firm to develop electric commercial vehicles

  • Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has inked a pact with Tel Aviv-based REE Automotive to explore production of electric commercial vehicles for global markets.
  • The strategic collaboration will leverage REE’s revolutionary electric vehicle corner module and platform technology of integrating powertrain, suspension and steering components in the arch of a vehicle wheel.

Extra Shots:

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M)

  • Parent organization: Mahindra Group
  • CEO: Anand Mahindra
  • Founded: 2 October 1945, Ludhiana
  • Founders: Malik Ghulam Muhammad, Jagdish Chandra Mahindra, Kailash Chandra Mahindra

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

World War II Spy Becomes First Indian-origin Woman to Get Memorial Plaque in London

  • Britain’s World War II spy, Noor Inayat Khan, became the first Indian-origin woman to be honoured with a memorial Blue Plaque at her former family home in central London.
  • The Blue Plaque scheme, run by the English Heritage charity, honours notable people and organisations who were connected with particular buildings across London.

Ms. Sudha Painuli selected for National Award to Teachers 2020

  • Sudha Painuli has been selected for National Award to Teachers 2020.
  • She is among the 47 outstanding teachers selected for the National Award to Teachers 2020.
  • The teachers have been selected by the Independent Jury at National Level, constituted by the Union Ministry of Education, Department of School Education & Literacy.
  • Sudha Painuli is the first NAT Awardee from the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) established under Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
  • She is serving as the Vice Principal of EMRS-Kalsi, Dehradun, Uttarakhand since its establishment.

APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS

Banks Board Bureau recommends Dinesh Kumar Khara as next SBI chairman

  • The Banks Board Bureau (BBB) recommended SBI’s senior-most managing director Dinesh Kumar Khara as the next chairman of the country’s largest lender.
  • Khara will replace SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar, whose three-year term comes to an end on October 7.

Extra Shots:

Banks Board Bureau (BBB)

  • Chairperson: Bhanu Pratap Sharma
  • Founded: 28 February 2016

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

AIFC and Football Coaches Australia Sign MoU for Development of Game

  • The Association of Indian Football Coaches (AIFC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Football Coaches Australia (FCA) to assist each other in development of football in the two countries.
  • The two bodies will look to encourage the involvement of more female coaches and increase access to football for all participants.

Extra Shots:

AIFC

  • Founded: 2018, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
  • Governor: Kairat Kelimbetov
  • Headquarters: Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan

Sri Lanka Cricketer Tharanga Paranavitana retires from International Cricket

  • Sri Lankan Opening batsman Nishad Tharanga Paranavitana announced retirement from all forms of International Cricket at the age of 38.
  • He has represented Sri Lanka in 32 Test Matches scoring 1792 runs including two hundreds and 11 fifties.

Extra Shots:

Sri Lanka (Capital/Currency): Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte/ Sri Lankan rupee

  • Prime Minister: Mahinda Rajapaksa

OBITUARY

Writer-journalist Gail Sheehy, author of bestselling book ‘Passages,’ passes away

  • Gail Sheehy, the journalist, commentator and pop sociologist whose best-selling Passages helped millions navigate their lives from early adulthood to middle age and beyond, has died in Southampton, New York. She was 83.
  • She has written nearly 17 books, the most prominent and influential was “Passages” (1976), which examined the predictable crises of adult life and how to use them as opportunities for creative change.
  • It sold 10 million copies, was named by the Library of Congress as one of the 10 most influential books of modern times and remained on The New York Times’s best-seller list for more than three years.

Renowned singer Archana Mahanta passed away

  • Noted singer Archana Mahanta passed away in Guwahati in a private hospital. She was 72.
  • Mahanta was also a reputed artist of All India Radio, Guwahati also.

Lok Sabha member H. Vasantha Kumar passes away

  • Lok Sabha member H.Vasantha Kumar passed away today in Chennai. He was 70.
  • He was representing the Kanyakumari constituency where he won on the Congress ticket in the last General Election.

Congress MP Harikrishnan Vasanthakumar passes away due to COVID-19