Today's Current Affairs
Dipankar Ghose, PARI win Prem Bhatia award for outstanding journalism :
Indian Express reporter Dipankar Ghose and People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI) have won this year’s Prem Bhatia award for outstanding journalism. Ghose won for reporting on political issues. PARI, a non-profit journalism website, won for reporting on environmental & development issues. The awards were instituted in 1995 by the Prem Bhatia Memorial Trust, in memory of eminent journalist Prem Bhatia (1911 – 1995).
Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan launched or popularizing science among school students :
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on August 1, 2020, launched Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan, 2020-21. This initiative is a national programme for popularizing science among school students of Class 6th to 11th. It has been designed to identify bright minds with a scientific aptitude.
International webinar on Lokmanya Tilak being organized by ICCR on Aug 1-2 :
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a two-day international webinar on the theme of ‘Lokmanya Tilak – Swaraj to Self-reliant India’ organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations on the 100th death anniversary of freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak in New Delhi on August 1, 2020.
Govt. launches programme for artisans involved in the manufacturing of agarbattis :
The government has approved a programme for the benefit of artisans involved in the manufacturing of agarbattis and to develop village industry under the ‘Gramodyog Vikas Yojana’. Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), a statutory organisation under the MSME Ministry, will provide training, and assist artisans working in this area, with Agarbatti manufacturing machines.
Govt. extends ban on international scheduled flights till August 31 :
The Union government on July 31, 2020, extended the ban on international scheduled flights till August 31. However, flights under bilateral agreements with five countries will continue to operate. Agreements made with five countries — U.S., France, Germany, UAE and Kuwait — allow the airlines of both countries to operate a limited number of non-stop flights.
Govt allows export of indigenously made ventilators :
The high-level Group of Ministers (GOM) on Covid-19 has agreed to the health ministry’s proposal to allow the export of indigenously made ventilators. The Health Ministry said this was done in view of the low rate of fatality (2.15%) among Covid-19 patients which means fewer numbers of active cases are on ventilators.
Northern Railway runs first-ever Vyapar Mala Express train from Delhi to Tripura :
Northern Railway on August 1, 2020, ran first-ever Vyapar Mala Express train from Kishanganj in Delhi bound for Jirania in Tripura. The journey is 2763 km long. According to Railways, it will help small traders in moving their cargo through Railways in lesser time and in a more cost-effective mode of transportation.
Barakah nuclear power plant in UAE successfully starts up its first reactor :
The Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reached its first criticality on July 31, 2020. That’s when the nuclear chain reaction within the reactor is self-sustaining. Built with the help of South Korea, it is the first nuclear power plant on the Arabian Peninsula.
Week-long World Breastfeeding Week commenced from August 1 :
The week-long World Breastfeeding Week commenced from August 1, 2020. This year’s theme is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”. WHO and UNICEF urged governments to promote women’s access to skilled breastfeeding counselling.
Best Practices in Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP):
Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj released a booklet on ‘Best Practices in Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP)’. It is prepared by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development based on the presentations made by states during regional and national workshops since the inception of the programme.
Affordable Rental Housing Complexes Pack :
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Hardeep Singh Puri released the Affordable Rental Housing Complexes Pack through Video Conferencing on July 31, 2020. On July 08, 2020, Union Cabinet approved ARHC as a sub-scheme under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) as part of Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The scheme is estimated to benefit 3.5 Lakh people.
Digital Education June 2020 :
On 28th July 2020, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ Union Minister for Human Resource Development(HRD) launched the compilation India Report - Digital Education June 2020 prepared by the Department of School Education & Literacy under the Ministry of Human Resource Development on the innovative initiatives on remote learning through digital education. The report highlights the methods adopted by the MHRD and the Education Department of States and Union Territories(UT) to ensure the accessibility to education for the children at home.
A tie-up between the United Kingdom(UK) and India for five new medicinal research projects worth 8 million pounds (around Rs.78 crore) :
On 28th July 2020, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, The Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth announced funding and tie-up between the United Kingdom(UK) and India for five new medicinal research projects worth 8 million pounds (around Rs.78 crore) to tackle the anti-microbial resistance to support the combat against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes during his ‘virtual visit’ to India.
Decentralization and CRDA Repeal Bills are cleared by AP Governer:
On July 31, 2020, the Governor of Andhra Pradesh (AP) Biswa Bhusan Harichandan gave his assent to the Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions and Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) Repeal Bills - 2020. The clearance of the decentralisation Bill facilitates the development of Amaravati, Kurnool and Visakhapatnam as the Legislative, Judicial and Executive Capitals respectively.
Ek Mask-Anek Zindagi:
Madhya Pradesh Urban Development and Housing Minister Shri Bhupendra Singh launched a public awareness campaign “Ek Mask-Anek Zindagi” from August 1-15. “Ek Mask-Anek Zindagi” - means one mask, many lives. The Scheme will spread awareness about wearing masks as prevention from Covid-19 infection. Establishment of Mask Banks, where people can donate masks which in turn will be distributed free to poor people. Citizens can also donate masks through NGOs in every district/urban body.nThe Donations can be in the form of masks or funds which will be used to stitch masks through self-help groups. The awareness will be spread through announcements, posters and pamphlets.
Seeding drone:
In order to improve green cover in the inaccessible Aravalli area of Haryana’s Faridabad district, the Haryana forest department has used drone technology to shower 50,000 seeds pallets covered with a mixture of clay and compost. This 'seeding drone' is designed by an Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT)-Kanpur backed startup. Species whose seeds were disseminated included Peepal, Pilkhan, Amaltash, Bael Patra, Pahari Papri, Ronjh and Khairi.
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