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CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS
Indonesian Independence Day
- Indonesian Independence Day is celebrated on 17 August every year. This day is celebrated as the declaration of independence from Dutch colonization in 1945.
World Photography Day
- World Photography Day is observed on 19 August annually to raise awareness about the importance of photography.
World Humanitarian Day
- World Humanitarian Day is observed annually on 19 August around the world to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service. This day also honour the work of women in crises throughout the world.
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CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL
India gets its first national essential diagnostics list
- India has got its first National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) finalised by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) which aims to bridge the current regulatory system’s gap that do not cover all the medical devices and in-vitro diagnostic device (IVD).
- It is a complete list of diagnostic tests, medical devices and in-vitro diagnostic device (IVD) for all levels of health care – village level, primary, secondary and tertiary care.
- The current system is equipped to manage only the few notified devices.
- India has become the first country to compile such a list that would provide guidance to the government for deciding the kind of diagnostic tests that different healthcare facilities in villages and remote areas require.
Start-ups can issue shares with differential voting rights
- Start-ups and technology companies will be able to issue shares with differential voting rights (DVRs) with the government amending the Companies Act provisions to help entrepreneurs retain control even as they raise equity capital from global investors.
- The ministry of corporate affairs (MCA) has raised the existing cap of 26 per cent of the total post issue paid up equity share capital to 74 per cent of total voting power in respect of shares with DVRs of a company.
- Now the Employee Stock Options (ESOPs) can be issued by startups to promoters or directors holding more than 10% of equity shares for 10 years from the date of their incorporation. Earlier this time period was 5 years.
President inaugurates bunker museum at Maharashtra Raj Bhavan
- President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated an underground Bunker Museum at Raj Bhavan Mumbai.
- The thematic underground bunker museum spread over an area of 15,000 sq.ft. will be opened for the general public through prior online booking later during the year.
- The Bunker Museum has Virtual Reality Booths in which visitors can time-travel to the 19th century when the bunker was constructed to fire cannons at approaching enemy ships.
- The President also inaugurated the Presidential Guest House named Jal Kiran at Raj Bhavan which will serve as the accommodation for the President and the Prime Minister during their visits to Mumbai.
- He also laid the foundation stone of reconstruction of Maharashtra Governor’s Office-cum-Residence known as Jal Bhushan
HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ inaugurates two-day international conference on teacher education by NCTE
- The Honorable Union Minister of Human Resource Development Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ inaugurated the International Conference titled ‘Journey of Teacher Education: Local to Global’ in New Delhi.
- The two-day event is being organized by the National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE) as part of silver jubilee celebration of its establishment in 1995.
- 40 renowned experts from India and abroad deliberated on the areas like the present scenario of teacher education in the Indian context; innovations in teaching practices; integration of information and communications technology in teaching; inclusive education in teaching-learning environment; and internationalization of teacher education.
Rajnath approves Committee to review defence procurement procedure to strengthen ‘Make in India’
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the setting up of a Committee under the chairmanship of Director General (Acquisition) to review the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016 and Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2009 to strengthen the ‘Make in India’ programme.
- The Committee will revise and align the procedures with the aim of ensuring seamless flow from asset acquisition to life cycle support.
Centre launches San-Sadhan Hackathon for Divyang accessible toilets
- With an aim to have functional, accessible and well-maintained toilets for the disabled, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under Swachh Bharat Mission, launched San-Sadhan Hackathon.
- Under San-Sadhan Hackathon, startups, student innovators, technology enthusiasts, academicians and industry experts have been invited by the Central government to create composite and affordable toilet solutions for Divyang or physically challenged people.
- As per census 2011, about 2.68 crore people in India fall under the category of Persons with Disabilities (PwD). The Rights for Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, mandates universal accessibility for PwDs in public-oriented premises and services such as health, transport, educational facilities as well as sanitation.
- The DEPwD has launched San-Sadhan Hackathon with an aim to enhance sensitivity and develop an ecosystem for creating a barrier-free environment.
Nine-day national tribal festival, Aadi Mahotsav, begins at Leh in Ladakh
- Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda today inaugurated a nine-day National Tribal Festival, Aadi Mahotsav in Polo Grounds of Leh. This is the first mega event arranged by the Centre after the announcement of Union Territory status for Ladakh region which has 97 per cent tribal population.
- Adi Mahotsav would provide an opportunity to Ladakhi Tribal artisans to come and get themselves empanelled with Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India to expand their market base.
- Adi Mahotsav is jointly organized by Tribal Affairs Ministry and TRIFED with a theme of A celebration of the spirit of Tribal Craft, Culture and Commerce.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOU
Narendra Modi cements Bhutan ties with RuPay launch
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering held wide ranging talks in Thimpu Saturday. They also discussed steps to further expand the bilateral partnership across several sectors and signed 10 MoUs to infuse new energy in India-Bhutan ties
- Modi inaugurated Mangdechhu hydroelectric power plant and also launched stamps to commemorate five decades of India-Bhutan hydropower cooperation. The two countries signed 10 memoranda of understanding in space research, aviation, IT, power and education.
- Modi also launched RuPay Card in Bhutan by making a purchase at Simtokha Dzong, which functions as a monastic and administrative centre and is one of the oldest dzongs in Bhutan.
- Bhutan is the second country this (RuPay Card) will be launched in after Singapore. This will be done in two phases — in the first phase Indian banks will issue RuPay cards which can be used by Indian travellers in Bhutan. The next phase will be where the banks of Bhutan will be empowered to issue RuPay cards to Bhutanese citizens to use in India.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE
Lucknow’s iconic Hazratganj Chauraha renamed as ‘Atal Chowk’
- Lucknow city’s iconic Hazratganj Chauraha has been renamed as the ‘Atal Chowk’, in honour of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
- The Hazratganj Chauraha in Lucknow is located in the heart of the city near its major shopping area ‘Hazratganj’.
Chhattisgarh CM announces formation of Lemru Elephant Reserve
- Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced the formation of ‘Lemru Elephant Reserve’ in Chattisgarh.
- Chhattisgarh government, setting up of Lemru Elephant Reserve (LER), spanning over an area of 450 square kilometres, is aimed at minimizing human-elephant conflict and destruction of property in addition to providing a permanent habitat for the wild tuskers.
- The reserve will be set-up as per the report and recommendations of Special High-Power Technical Committee (SHPTC) which was constituted by the Government of India.
- The report of SHPTC stated that LER would provide a huge protected area for the conservation of wild elephants where the elephants will get an abundant amount of water, food and other facilities.
Manipur CM launches scheme to improve school infrastructure
- Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh launched a scheme to improve infrastructure of government schools in the state.
- Launching the “School Fagadaba” (Make education bettter) scheme, Singh said the objective was to ensure better infrastructure, quality education and overall improvement of government schools to make them model schools.
- Biometric devices would be installed in schools in ensure regular attendance of teachers.
- Teachers would stay at the place of their posting for at least three years.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING AND FINANCE
RBI directs banks to be more proactive on GMS
- The Reserve Bank of India’s direction to all lenders to promote and publicise the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) from their branches underscores the intent of the banking regulator to make the Scheme a success.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directed all scheduled commercial banks (except regional rural banks) to promote the Gold Monetisation Scheme that was introduced on October 22, 2015 to replace the Gold Deposit Scheme, 1999.
- All designated banks shall give adequate publicity to the Scheme through their branches, websites and other channels.
Sebi imposes restrictions on mutual fund investments in short-term bank deposits
- Mutual fund houses should ensure that banks where a scheme has parked funds in the lender’s short-term deposits do not invest in that particular scheme.
- Trustees/ asset management companies (AMCs) shall ensure that no funds of a scheme is parked in STD (short-term deposit) of a bank which has invested in that scheme.
- Trustees and AMCs should ensure that the banks in which a scheme has STD do not invest in the same scheme until the scheme has STD with such banks.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: SUMMITS AND CONFERENCE
28th BASIC Ministerial Meeting 2019 on Climate Change held in Sao Paulo, Brazil
- The 28th session of BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India, and China) Ministerial meeting 2019 on Climate Change was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
- Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar represented India for this meeting. This comes ahead of United Nations Framework for Climate Change (UNFCC) Conference of Parties (COP-25) meet scheduled to be held in Santiago, Chile from 2 – 13 December 2019.
- BASIC Group could play an important role in making Paris Agreement accepted by all the countries in its true letter and spirit.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOUR
Four products, including Kerela’s Tirur betel and Mizoram’s Puanchei, get GI tag
- PalaniPanchamirtham from Palani Town in Dindigul District of Tamil Nadu State, Tawlhlohpuan and Mizo Puancheifrom the state of Mizoram and Tirur Betel leaf from Kerala are the latest additions to the list of registered GI.
- Tawlhlohpuan, a medium to heavy, compactly woven, good quality fabric from Mizoram is known for warp yarns, warping, weaving & intricate designs that are made by hand. Tawlhloh, in Mizo language, means ‘to stand firm or not to move backward.
- Mizo Puanchei is a colourful Mizo shawl and is considered as the most colourful among the Mizo textiles. It is an essential possession for every Mizo lady and an important marriage outfit in the state. It is also the most commonly used costume in Mizo festive dances and official ceremonies. The weavers insert the designs and motifs by using supplementary yarns while weaving to create this beautiful and alluring textile.
- Kerala’s Tirur betel vine is mainly cultivated in Tirur, Tanur, Tirurangadi, Kuttippuram, Malappuram and Vengara block panchayaths of Malappuram District. It is valued both for its mild stimulant action and medicinal properties. Even though it is commonly used for making pan masala for chewing, it has many medicinal, industrial and cultural usagesand is considered as a remedy for bad breath and digestive disorders.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
IIT Madras develops multimodal robot with human-like grasp
- Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) researchers have developed a multimodal robotic system with good grasping, manipulation and locomotion abilities for use in industrial and field applications. Called ‘GraspMan,’ the system comprises a pair of graspers that are capable of holding objects securely and manipulate it much like the human hand.
- Two such graspers, equipped with the robotic platform provides behavioural adaptation, which is the capability to change the locomotion behaviour to adapt to the environment.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: BOOKS AND AUTHOR
Rajiv Dogra authors novel titled “Second Night”
- Former diplomat Rajiv Dogra has penned a novel titled “Second Night”. Second Night is a story of a woman determined to escape and a man who has vowed to find her.
- This is the third book written by Rajiv Dogra the other two being – “Durand’s Curse” and “Where Borders Bleed: An Insider’s Account of Indo-Pak Relations”.
- Dogra has served as India’s Ambassador to Italy and Romania, the Permanent Representative to the United Nations Agencies in Rome and Consul General in Karachi.
Iqbal Chand Malhotra and Maroof Raza Pens Book Titled ‘Kashmir’s Untold Story: Declassified’
- A new book titled ‘Kashmir’s Untold Story: Declassified’, which reveals amazing insights about the history of Jammu and Kashmir is soon to be released.
- The book has been written by filmmaker Iqbal Chand Malhotra and defence analyst Maroof Raza. Published by Bloomsbury, the book will hit stands on September 18.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS
India win gold at Under- 12 Asian Tennis Team championship in Kazakhstan
- India have won gold at the Under 12 Asian Tennis Team championship held in Kazakhstan. India defeated Chinese Taipei 2-1 in the summit clash to win the title.
- The team comprised Manas Dhamme, Arnav Paprakar and Tamil Nadu’s Pranav Rethin. Manas and Rethin won their singles matches. Manas and Arnav, however, lost their doubles encounter. 12-year-old Manas remained unbeaten in the entire tournament.
Hima Das, Mohammad Anas win gold at Athleticky Mitink Reiter event
- Top Indian sprinters Hima Das and Mohammad Anas have won a gold each in 300m races at the Athleticky Mitink Reiter event in Czech Republic.
- While Hima won the gold in women’s event yesterday, Mohammad Anas claimed the yellow metal in men’s category. This was Hima’s sixth gold in 2019 in European races since last month.
- India’s Nirmal Tom clinched a bronze medal in the same event.
Uganda beat Zambia in Victoria Rugby Cup
- Uganda Rugby Cranes have defeated visiting Zambia national team in a 2019 Victoria Rugby Cup game at the Kyadondo ground in Kampala.
- The Victoria Cup is a rugby union tournament played between four African nations involving Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Zambia based on a double round-robin system.
AIG Ashish Kapoor clinches two gold medals at WPFG
- Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in Vigilance Bureau of Punjab, Ashish Kapoor has bagged gold medals in both singles and doubles titles in Tennis events during the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) 2019, held at Chengdu in China.
- He won gold medals for the consecutive 4th time since 2009 in these games for India. In his debut in 2009 in WPFG games at Vancouver, he had won a bronze medal in tennis singles. In New York games, 2011 he got Silver whereas in Belfast, Ireland (2013),Fairfax USA (2015), and Los Angles USA (2017) he striked Gold medals.
Gurbaxani pips Padhy to lift youth snooker crown
- India junior no 2, Kreishh Gurbaxani, clawed his way back from 0-3 to turn the tables on Asutosh Padhy 5-4 in the final of the Bombay Gymkhana Youth Snooker Open.
- The winner received the champion’s trophy and a cheque of Rs 30,000, while Padhy received the runner-up trophy and a cheque of Rs 20,000.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: OBITUARY
3 Time Oscar-Winning Animator Richard Williams Passes away
- Richard Williams, the three-time Oscar-winning animator best known to the world forWho Framed Roger Rabbit, and to the animation industry for “The Animators Survival Kit,” his seminal instructional book, DVD and app set, passed away at the age of 86
- “The Return Of The Pink Panther” and “The Pink Panther Strikes Again” are some of his famous works.
Noted journalist Ranjit Guru passes away
- Noted journalist and columnist Ranjit Guru passed away following a brief illness.He was 61.
- He spent a major part of his career working for Odia daily ‘Sambad’ as a senior Editor.
Veteran Doordarshan Anchor Neelum Sharma Passes Away
- Veteran journalist and senior anchor at Doordarshan (DD) News, Neelum Sharma passed after suffering from cancer.
- She was among the founding anchors of DD News and was associated with Doordarshan for over 2 decade since 1995.
- Sharma was known was her programmes like ‘Tejaswini’ and ‘Badi Charcha’.
- She was awarded the Nari Shakti Puruskar 2018 by President Ram Nath Kovind in March 2019.