Current Affairs Today 6th August 2020-Download in PDF

Hello and welcome to exampundit. Here are the important Current Affairs Today 6th 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 – 6th August 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

  1. Hiroshima Day takes place every year on August 6 to commemorate the day in August 1945 when an atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on August 6 by United States, followed a few days later by another drop on the city of Nagasaki on August 9.
  2. The six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of Reserve Bank of India held its meeting in New Delhi.
  3. India has contributed the next tranche of $15.46 million to the India-UN Development Partnership Fund on 4 August 2020, under its commitment to supporting developing nations in their developmental priorities across all the Sustainable Development Goals.
  4. In Himachal Pradesh, Union Education Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has laid the foundation stone of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Dhaula Kuan in Sirmour district.
  5. The State Government of Karnataka launched India’s first mobile RT-PCR lab in Bengaluru. The lab was developed by Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.
  6. The “Thenzawl Golf Resort” Project has been virtually inaugurated by the Union Minister of State for Culture & Tourism (I/C) Shri Prahlad Singh Patel at Thenzawl & South Zote, District Serchhip and Reiek, Mizoram.
  7. Reliance Industries has been ranked second biggest brand after Apple on the FutureBrand Index 2020.
  8. Telecom company Bharti Airtel announced a multi-year strategic collaboration with Amazon Web Services to offer a suite of cloud solutions to businesses in India.
  9. The Lieutenant-Governor of Jammu Kashmir, Girish Chandra Murmu has resigned from his post.
  10. President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed former Union minister Manoj Sinha as the next Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.
  11. According to a Personnel Ministry, Ajay Tyagi has been given an 18-month extension, as the chairman of markets regulator SEBI.
  12. The legendary Spanish footballer Iker Casillas, who played as goalkeeper for Real Madrid, has announced his retirement from professional football.
  13. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju chaired the first General Council meeting of the Khelo India Scheme on 4th July.
  14. The book “The Swachh Bharat Kranti” was officially launched by Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Union Minister of Textiles and Women & Child Development Smt. Smriti Irani in New Delhi on 4 August.
  15. The book, titled “RAW: A History of India”s Covert Operations” has authored by investigative journalist and author Yatish Yadav.
  16. The former Union Home Secretary Ram Pradhan has passed away due to age-related ailments. He was 92.
  17. Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar has passed away after a prolonged illness due to old-age-related ailments. He was 89.
  18. Drug major Lupin announced the launch of its Favipiravir drug under the brand name ‘Covihalt’ for the treatment patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms at Rs 49 per tablet in India.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

Hiroshima Day (Anti-Nuclear Day/ Nagasaki Day) Observed on 6 August

  • Hiroshima Day takes place every year on August 6 to commemorate the day in August 1945 when an atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on August 6 by United States, followed a few days later by another drop on the city of Nagasaki on August 9.
  • Although these bombings effectively ended World War II, the two cities were terribly destroyed and casualties were estimated at around 200,000, mostly civilians.
  • This was the first time in the history of warfare when a nuclear bomb was used against a nation.
  • The Day is observed to advocate, pray and work for a ban on all nuclear weapons and an end to war and violence through anti-war and anti-nuclear discussions and demonstrations around the world.

BANKING & FINANCE 

RBI Monetary Policy

  • The six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of Reserve Bank of India held its meeting in New Delhi.
  • The committee was headed by RBI Governor Shakti kanta Das.
  • The repo rate was kept the same at 4%
  • The reverse repo rate was kept at 3.35%
  • The members decided to provide Rs 10,000 crore additional liquidity facility to National Housing Bank (NHB), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). In order to mitigate COVID-19 impact on households, loans against gold have been enhanced to 90% of the value as against the current 75%
  • In June, the retail inflation was 6.09%.
  • This includes food items such as meat, cereals, fish and pulses.

Extra Shots:

RBI:

  • Governor: Shaktikanta Das
  • Bank rate: 4.00%
  • Interest on reserves: 3.35% (market determined)
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Founder: British Raj
  • Subsidiaries: Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation, Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

India contributes USD 15.46 million to India-UN Development Partnership Fund

  • India has contributed the next tranche of $15.46 million to the India-UN Development Partnership Fund on 4 August 2020, under its commitment to supporting developing nations in their developmental priorities across all the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • This tranche of $15.46 million including $6 million for the overall fund, in which all developing countries are eligible for partnership, and $9.46 million is dedicated to Commonwealth countries.
  • The cheque was handed over by India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti to the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) Director Jorge Chediek.

India-UN Development Partnership Fund

  • The India-UN Development Partnership Fund was established in 2017, to promote multilateralism and shared prosperity to support developing countries towards the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
  • The fund is supported and led by the Government of the Republic of India, managed by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), and implemented in collaboration with the United Nations system.
  • Till date 55 projects and proposals have been approved with a total contribution of $41.8 million towards a $150 million multi-year pledge to the India-UN Development Partnership Fund.

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

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

HRD Minister lays foundation stone of IIM at Dhaula Kuan in Sirmour district

  • In Himachal Pradesh, Union Education Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has laid the foundation stone of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Dhaula Kuan in Sirmour district.
  • The first phase of this Institute would be completed by spending an amount of 392.51 crore rupees.
  • In 2014, the Union Government had taken decision to establish seven new IIMs including IIM Sirmaur.

Extra Shots:

MHRD

  • Officeholder: Ramesh Pokhriyal (Union Minister)
  • Ministry executives: R. Subrahmanyam, (IAS Officer); Rina Ray, (IAS Officer)
  • Founded: 26 September 1985
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Jurisdiction: India
  • Departments: Department of Higher Education, Department of School Education and Literacy

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

First Mobile RT-PCR lab of India developed by IISc launched in Karnataka

  • The State Government of Karnataka launched India’s first mobile RT-PCR lab in Bengaluru. The lab was developed by Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.
  • The lab has been named Mobile Infection Testing and Reporting (MITR) lab.
  • It is capable of conducting 9000 tests per month. Apart from testing COVID-19, the lab can also be utilised to test HCV, H1N1, TB, HIV, HPV, etc.
  • The main advantage of the lab is that it can be used for molecular diagnostic testing in COVID-19 hotspots quickly.

Prahlad Singh Patel Virtually Inaugurates “Thenzawl Golf Resort” In Mizoram

  • The “Thenzawl Golf Resort” Project has been virtually inaugurated by the Union Minister of State for Culture & Tourism (I/C) Shri Prahlad Singh Patel at Thenzawl & South Zote, District Serchhip and Reiek, Mizoram.
  • The project has been implemented under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
  • The Thenzawl Golf Course will offer quality golfing experience and international facilities at a fair price to the Indian population.

RANKS AND INDICES

Reliance Industries ranked No 2 globally after Apple: FutureBrand Index

  • Reliance Industries has been ranked second biggest brand after Apple on the FutureBrand Index 2020.
  • The FutureBrand Index is a global perception study that reorders PwC’s Global Top 100 Companies by Market Cap on perception strength rather than financial strength.
  • While the FutureBrand Index 2020 has uncovered a number of seismic shifts in the way companies work and how they present themselves to the outside world, one key theme has stood out: individuality.
  • The 2020 list is topped by Apple, while Samsung is ranked third, followed by Nvidia, Moutai, Nike, Microsoft, ASML, PayPal and Netflix.
  • Reliance ranks 91st on PWC 2020 list

Extra Shots:

FutureBrand Index

  • Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
  • Founded: 1991
  • Parent organization: The Interpublic Group of Companies
  • Subsidiary: FutureBrand New York

 AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

Airtel inks strategic pact with Amazon Web Services to offer cloud solutions to businesses

  • Telecom company Bharti Airtel announced a multi-year strategic collaboration with Amazon Web Services to offer a suite of cloud solutions to businesses in India.
  • The collaboration brings the strength of Amazon Web Services (AWS), leading cloud platform, together with Airtel’s reach and expertise in handling network, data centres, security, and cloud as an integrated solution.

Extra Shots:

Airtel

  • CEO: Gopal Vittal
  • Founder: Sunil Bharti Mittal
  • Founded: 7 July 1995, India
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Parent organizations: Bharti Enterprises (64%), Singapore Telecommunications Limited (36%)

APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS

G. C. Murmu resigns as Lieutenant-Governor of J&K

  • The Lieutenant-Governor of Jammu Kashmir, Girish Chandra Murmu has resigned from his post.
  • Murmu’s resignation on the first anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 which gave special status to the erstwhile state. Murmu sent his resignation letter to the Centre.
  • Murmu officially took charge as the first L-G of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir on October 31, 2019, under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

Manoj Sinha appointed as new LG of Jammu and Kashmir

  • President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed former Union minister Manoj Sinha as the next Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • He will replace Girish Chandra Murmu who resigned. Murmu’s resignation has been accepted by the President.

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

Ajay Tyagi gets 18 Months extension as SEBI Chairman

  • According to a Personnel Ministry, Ajay Tyagi has been given an 18-month extension, as the chairman of markets regulator SEBI.
  • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the extension of Tyagi’s term for 18 months, with effect from September 1, 2020 up to February 28, 2022.
  • Mr Tyagi, a 1984 batch IAS (retired) officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre, was appointed as the SEBI chairman in March 2017 for three years.
  • He was in March this year given a six-month extension till August.

Extra Shots:

SEBI

  • Founded: 12 April 1992
  • Sector: Securities market
  • Jurisdiction: India
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Type: Statutory corporation
  • Chairperson: Ajay Tyagi

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

Former Real Madrid & Spain goalkeeper Casillas announces retirement at 39

  • The legendary Spanish footballer Iker Casillas, who played as goalkeeper for Real Madrid, has announced his retirement from professional football.
  • The 39-year-old Casillas made 725 appearances for Real Madrid, during which he won three Champions League titles and five La Liga titles.
  • He also helped Spain to win the 2010 World Cup and two successive European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju chaired 1st General Council meeting of Khelo India Scheme

  • Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju chaired the first General Council meeting of the Khelo India Scheme on 4th July.
  • The annual competitions like the Khelo India Youth Games and University Games, are being organized at the national level under the Khelo India Scheme.
  • This has helped to identify sporting talent from all states.

Highlights:

  • The meeting urged the states to organize State-level Khelo India Games annually with an effort to identify a larger number of grassroots-level talents.
  • The States that already conduct annual sporting competitions are directed to align with the Khelo India Scheme.
  • The Government of India reaffirmed to support them in conducting these events.
  • It was decided to identify talent as young as 5 to 10 years old and groom them to be future champions as it takes at least eight years to groom an athlete for the Olympics.
  • Also, the states have been directed to organize competitions at the district, block, and panchayat-level to identify young talent.
  • The Sports Ministry announced its plan for the 5 zonal talent scouting committees for east, west, north, south, and northeast India.

Extra Shots:

Ministry of Sports:

  • Officeholder: Kiren Rijiju (MOS independent charge)
  • Founded: 27 May 2000
  • Headquarters location: New Delhi
  • Jurisdiction: India
  • Annual budget: 2,826.92 crores INR (US$400 million, 2020–2021)
  • Departments: Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Department of Youth and Sports Development

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Smriti Irani launch the book Swachh Bharat Kranti

  • The book “The Swachh Bharat Kranti” was officially launched by Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Union Minister of Textiles and Women & Child Development Smt. Smriti Irani in New Delhi on 4 August.
  • The book was edited by Shri Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary of Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation has been translated into Hindi and published as the Swachh Bharat Kranti.
  • The translation of the book Swachh Bharat Kranti is “The Swachh Bharat Revolution”.

A book titled ‘RAW: A History of India’s Covert Operations’ released

  • The book, titled “RAW: A History of India”s Covert Operations” has authored by investigative journalist and author Yatish Yadav.
  • A new book gives a peep into the heroic covert operations carried by India’s external spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and thereby narrates a gripping account of what actually happens behind the grey walls of the secret society.

OBITUARY

Former Union Home Secretary & Arunachal Pradesh Governor, Ram Pradhan passed away

  • The former Union Home Secretary Ram Pradhan has passed away due to age-related ailments. He was 92.
  • Mr Pradhan served as the governor of Arunachal Pradesh during the Rajiv Gandhi government.
  • Pradhan was an IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre.
  • He also headed a two-member committee set up in December 2008 to probe the security forces’ response to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.

Former Maharashtra CM Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar passed away

  • Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar has passed away after a prolonged illness due to old-age-related ailments. He was 89.
  • Nilangekar, who was a senior Congress leader, served as the Maharashtra CM between June 1985 and March 1986.
  • However, he was compelled to resign from the CM’s post following the detection of alleged fraud against him in the state medical college examinations in 1985.

MISCELLANEOUS

Lupin launches COVID-19 drug Favipiravir in India at Rs 49 per tablet

  • Drug major Lupin announced the launch of its Favipiravir drug under the brand name ‘Covihalt’ for the treatment patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms at Rs 49 per tablet in India.
  • Favipiravir has received authorisation from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for emergency use.
  • The drug is available as 200 mg tablets in the form of a strip of 10 tablets, and priced at Rs 49 per tablet.
  • Sun Pharmaceutical Industries had launched Favipiravir under the brand name ”FluGuard” for the treatment of mild to moderate cases of COVID-19, at Rs 35 per tablet in India.

Extra Shots:

Lupin