Current Affairs Today 5th August 2020-Download in PDF

Admin

Hello and welcome to exampundit. Here are the important Current Affairs Today 5th August 2020. These are important for the upcoming Exams. Candidates who were preparing for the examination can use these current affairs and also you can download the same as PDF.

Current Affairs Today – 5th August 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

  1. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in coordination with Asian Development Bank (ADB), has provided a state-of-the-art Thermal Scanner, to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, to simplify operations and minimize handling.
  2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today performed Bhoomi Poojan and laid the foundation stone of Grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
  3. Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched the Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel, a new initiative by National Cooperative Development Corporation.
  4. The Madhya Pradesh Government has organised a public awareness campaign called ‘Ek Mask-Anek Zindagi’ (One Mask-Many Lives) to be conducted from August 1 till August 15.
  5. National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has selected Infosys Finacle to digitally transform its transaction banking business.
  6. The Union Minister of State for Culture & Tourism (Independent charge) Shri Prahlad Singh Patel has virtually inaugurated the world-class “Thenzawl Golf Resort” Project in Mizoram on 4 August 2020, for the development of Golf Tourism in the country and attract both International and domestic tourists.
  7. Department of Defence (DoD) Ministry of Defence (MoD), Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG), and Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK) signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 4th August 2020.
  8. The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has constituted a seven-member committee of industry experts to suggest ways suggest plans to develop international retail business at the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).
  9. Ashwini Kumar Tewari has assumed as its new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SBI Cards & Payment Services (SBI Card) with effect from 1 August 2020.
  10. Ministry of Defence (MoD) has prepared a draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020 (DPEPP 2020) to provide impetus to self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
  11. The book, titled “Vishesh: Code To Win”, has been written by sportswoman-turned-author Nirupama Yadav and published by the publishing house Bluerose. The
  12. Ebrahim Alkazi, the first Director of the National School of Drama (NSD), passed away on 4th August 2020.
  13. The prominent Northern Ireland politician and former Nobel Peace Prize winner, John Hume passed away.
  14. William Kirk English, the American computer engineer who co-invented the world’s first computer mouse, has passed away. He was 91 years old.
  15. Andhra Pradesh former minister and senior BJP leader P Manikyala Rao has passed away of coronavirus. He was 59.
  16. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved Phase II+III clinical trials of Oxford University-Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine, COVISHIELD, in India by the Serum Institute of India, Pune.
  17. Drug major Sun Pharmaceutical Industries announced it has launched antiviral drug Favipiravir under the brand name ‘FluGuard’ for the treatment of mild to moderate cases of COVID-19, at Rs 35 per tablet in India.

NEWS IN DETAILS

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport gets UNICEF-funded mass fever scanner

  • The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in coordination with Asian Development Bank (ADB), has provided a state-of-the-art Thermal Scanner, to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, to simplify operations and minimize handling.
  • The Mass Fever Screening System, has been funded by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and will enhance the efficacy of the screening process at the airport.
  • The new thermal scanner is a ceiling-mounted Mass Fever Screening System, capable of scanning, detecting and tracking persons with elevated skin temperature or fever.
  • The system automatically adjusts and adapts to the surrounding ambient temperature without any human intervention, using its Intuitive User Interface and Dual-Displays (Day Camera + Infra-Red), and provides easy identification of passengers with elevated temperature.

Extra Shots:

ADB

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

UNICEF

  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
  • Head: Henrietta H. Fore
  • Founded: 11 December 1946, New York, New York, United States
  • Subsidiaries: UNICEF Ireland, Girls’ Education Movement, MORE
  • Founders: United Nations General Assembly, Ludwik Rajchman
  • Parent organizations: United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Economic and Social Council

PM Modi performs Bhoomi Pujan and lays foundation stone of Ram Temple in Ayodhya

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi today performed Bhoomi Poojan and laid the foundation stone of Grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
  • With this ceremony, the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya starts today.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Prime Minister to have Darshan at Ram janmbhumi and Hanumangarh temple of Ayodhya and after planting a sapling of Parijat Tree he took part in the Bhumi Poojan ceremony.
  • Mr Modi released postage stamps on the model of Ram Temple on this occasion.
  • A wooden Kodand Ram Statue was presented as a souvenir to Prime Minister from CM Yogi Adityanath.

Union Agriculture Minister launches Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel

  • Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched the Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel, a new initiative by National Cooperative Development Corporation.
  • The Minister also launched guidance videos produced by NCDC on ‘Formation and Registration of A Cooperative’ for eighteen different states in Hindi and regional languages.
  • The Union Government under Atma Nirbhar Bharat has recently announced a series of transformative measures and sector specific financial packages to help agriculture.
  • The initiatives are steps towards One Nation One Market with the objective for India to become food factory of the world.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Madhya Pradesh launches ‘Ek Mask-Anek Zindagi’ public awareness campaign

  • The Madhya Pradesh Government has organised a public awareness campaign called ‘Ek Mask-Anek Zindagi’ (One Mask-Many Lives) to be conducted from August 1 till August 15.
  • Under the campaign, people will be informed about measures to prevent COVID-19 infection.
  • The Municipal Corporation will also run a public awareness chariot in the city on the same theme.
  • The Mask Bank will also be established under the Ek Mask-Anek Zindgi Campaign, in which masks will be collected from donors and distributed free of cost to the poor people.

Extra Shots:

Madhya Pradesh:

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

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

National Bank of Bahrain selects Infosys to transform them digitally

  • National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has selected Infosys Finacle to digitally transform its transaction banking business.
  • NBB will be implementing the Finacle Liquidity Management Platform, and upgrading its existing Finacle Corporate Online Banking platform to a full-fledged Digital Engagement Suite – with the latest versions of the Finacle Corporate Online and Mobile Banking solutions, along with the Finacle Digital Engagement Hub.

Extra Shots:

Bahrain (Capital/Currency): Manama/ Bahraini Dinar

  • King of Bahrain: Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa;

Infosys

  • CEO: Salil Parekh
  • Founded: 7 July 1981, Pune
  • Headquarters: Bengaluru

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel virtually inaugurates world class “Thenzawl Golf Resort” project implemented in Mizoram under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme

  • The Union Minister of State for Culture & Tourism (Independent charge) Shri Prahlad Singh Patel has virtually inaugurated the world-class “Thenzawl Golf Resort” Project in Mizoram on 4 August 2020, for the development of Golf Tourism in the country and attract both International and domestic tourists.
  • The project has been implemented under the Integrated Development of New Eco Tourism under Swadesh Darshan Scheme, sanctioned by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India under the new scheme called Swadesh Darshan – North East Circuit, with the aim of developing theme-based tourism circuits in the country.
  • The Thenzawl Golf Resort Project will have an international standard 18 holes Golf Course designed by Canadian based Golf Course Architect Firm Graham Cooke & Associates and 30 Eco Log Huts.
  • The total outlay of the Project amounts to Rs.92.25 Crore.

Extra Shots:

Ministry of Tourism

  • Officeholder: Prahlad Singh Patel (MOS independent charge)
  • Founded: 1967
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Jurisdiction: India

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

IIT Kanpur, DARPG, DoD signs tripartite MoU to conduct predictive analysis of public grievances

  • Department of Defence (DoD) Ministry of Defence (MoD), Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG), and Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK) signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 4th August 2020.
  • The MoU aims to conduct predictive analysis of public grievances.
  • The project is aimed to help the MoD to identify the cause and nature of grievances and bring about systemic changes and policy interventions wherever required.
  • Under the MoU, IIT-Kanpur will develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Techniques to conduct exploratory and predictive analysis of Public Grievances received on the web-based Centralized Public Grievances Redress & Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) pertaining to the MoD.

RECENT COMMITTEES IN NEWS

IFSCA sets up a panel chaired by Pradip Shah to formulate plan to develop international retail business

  • The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has constituted a seven-member committee of industry experts to suggest ways suggest plans to develop international retail business at the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).
  • The committee will be headed by Indasia Fund Advisors Pvt Ltd Chairman Pradip Shah.
  • The expert committee will formulate strategies to make the IFSC attractive for international financial services and draw up a roadmap for the growth of international retail at the centre.

APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS

Ashwini Kumar Tewari assumes charge as MD and CEO of SBI Card

  • Ashwini Kumar Tewari has assumed as its new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SBI Cards & Payment Services (SBI Card) with effect from 1 August 2020.
  • Tewari has replaced Hardayal Prasad who retired on July 31, 2020.
  • His appointment will further strengthen the SBI Card’s market share and propel the business to new milestones.

Extra Shots:

SBI Card

  • CEO: Ashwini Kumar Tewari
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Chairperson: Rajnish Kumar
  • Parent organizations: State Bank of India, The Carlyle Group

DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Defence Ministry released draft 2020 Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy

  • Ministry of Defence (MoD) has prepared a draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020 (DPEPP 2020) to provide impetus to self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
  • The policy will be in line with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Package’.
  • The implementation of the policy & framework will position India amongst the leading countries of the world in defence and aerospace sectors

Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020:

  • The DPEPP 2020 aims to provide a focused, structured and significant thrust to defence production capabilities of the country for self-reliance and exports.
  • The main objective of the DPEPP policy is to achieve a turnover of Rs 1,75,000 Crores (US$ 25 billion). It includes export of Rs.35,000 Crore (US$ 5 billion) in Aerospace and Defence goods and services by 2025.
  • The policy will develop a robust, dynamic, and competitive Defence industry including the Aerospace & Naval Shipbuilding industry to provide service to the needs of Armed forces with quality products.
  • The policy also aims to promote the export of defence products and become part of the global defence value chains.
  • The main aim of the DPEPP policy is to create an environment that encourages Research &Development, creates Indian IP ownership, rewards innovation, and promotes a robust and self-reliant defence industry.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

A book titled “Vishesh: Code To Win” authored by Nirupama Yadav

  • The book, titled “Vishesh: Code To Win”, has been written by sportswoman-turned-author Nirupama Yadav and published by the publishing house Bluerose. The book is set to be released on August 29, the National Sports Day.
  • The book narrates the inspirational story on the life of Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, India’s youngest basketball team captain.

OBITUARY

Theatre maestro Ebrahim Alkazi passes away

  • Ebrahim Alkazi, the first Director of the National School of Drama (NSD), passed away on 4th August 2020.
  • Alkazi was considered as the Father of modern Indian theatre.
  • He was 94 years old.
  • He was also an art connoisseur, collector, and gallery owner.
  • Alkazi founded the Art Heritage Gallery in New Delhi.

Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume passes away

  • The prominent Northern Ireland politician and former Nobel Peace Prize winner, John Hume passed away.
  • He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998, along with David Trimble, for his role in ending the conflict in Northern Ireland.
  • He was a founding member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) in 1970 and led the party from 1979 until 2001.

William English, the co-inventor of the computer mouse passes away

  • William Kirk English, the American computer engineer who co-invented the world’s first computer mouse, has passed away. He was 91 years old.
  • In 1964, he was the first person to co-develop the mouse along with Douglas Engelbart, at the Stanford Research Institute and ‘demonstrated it in 1968, in what was dubbed ‘the mother of all demos.’
  • The original mouse, as built by Bill English in the mid-60s, was merely a pinewood block, a crude button, and a connector.

Former Andhra Pradesh Minister and senior BJP leader Manikyala Rao passes away

  • Andhra Pradesh former minister and senior BJP leader P Manikyala Rao has passed away of coronavirus. He was 59.
  • Rao started off as an RSS karyakarta and later became a member of the BJP.
  • He was elected to Andhra Pradesh Assembly from Tadepalligudem in 2014.
  • He served as Endowments Minister in Chandrababu Naidu Cabinet till 2018 and resigned when the two allies snapped ties.

MISCELLANEOUS

DCGI approved Phase II,III trials of Oxford University vaccine by Serum Institute, Pune

  • The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved Phase II+III clinical trials of Oxford University-Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine, COVISHIELD, in India by the Serum Institute of India, Pune.
  • The move is to hasten the development of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Highlights:

  • DCGI approval comes as India continues to improve the Case Fatality Rate (CFR). It also aims to maintain its global position of having one of the lowest COVID fatalities rates.
  • The management strategy of the COVID-19 pandemic also focuses on early detection and isolation of cases with seamless patient management.
  • The move also aims to prioritize the care of the high-risk population using field health care workers that lead to an increase in recoveries across the country.

Extra Shots:

DCGI

  • Headquarters location: New Delhi
  • Director: Venugopal G Somani

Sun Pharma launches Favipiravir in India at Rs 35 per tablet

  • Drug major Sun Pharmaceutical Industries announced it has launched antiviral drug Favipiravir under the brand name ‘FluGuard’ for the treatment of mild to moderate cases of COVID-19, at Rs 35 per tablet in India.
  • The stocks of FluGuard will be available in the market from this week, Sun Pharma said in a regulatory filing.
  • Favipiravir is the only oral anti-viral treatment approved in India for the potential treatment of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 disease.

Extra Shots:

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries

Related Post
  1. February 2023 | Daily Current Affairs – PDF Download
  2. Daily Current Affairs in Hindi January 2023 PDF Download
  3. January 2023 | Daily Current Affairs – PDF Download