National News
Indian Contributed $5 Million to UNRWA
- India gave the amount for Palestinian Refugees to the UN Palestine refugee agency for the organisation's work.
- India has increased its annual contribution from $1.25 million in 2016 to $5 million in 2018 & 2019.
National Medical Commission Bill 2019 got President’s assent
- The bill contains the provision of setting up of a National Medical Commission (NMC) in place of the Medical Council of India for regulating medical education, professionals and institutions in India.
- The bill seeks to establish a National Exit Test (NEXT), a common MBBS exam for admission to PG courses and obtaining a license.
Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha
- ‘Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha’ was launched by the Union HRD Minister Sh. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ and Union Minister for Jal Shakti Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on 9th August 2019.
- The Department of School Education & Literacy, MHRD has prepared a detailed outline to implement this programme in all the schools across the country.
'L3' Category Disaster Status
- ‘L3'-level is an indication of a very large-scale disaster, as per the guidelines of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
- The L3 status would mandate the Centre to assist the disaster affected people in Maharashtra.
Indian Railways Cancels Samjhauta Express
- Samjhauta means “agreement” is named for the bi-weekly train between India and Pakistan as Samjhauta Express.
- The Friendship Express is it’s another name and runs between Delhi and Attari in India and is connected to Lahore in Pakistan.
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2019
- President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the UAPA Act, 2019 that deals with conditions of declaring individuals as terrorists and seizing their property.
- The bill ensures a provision of declaring a person terrorists as per the global practices and aimed at effectively preventing unlawful terrorist activities in the country.
Textiles Gallery at National Crafts Museum in New Delhi
- The craft museum has a rich collection on display to exhibit the fine Indian Craftsmanship to the public.
- The Gallery is divided into categories of over more than 30 traditions and consists of more than 230 different types of textiles collections.
RPF Launched “Operation Number Plate”
- Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Indian Railways launched “Operation Number Plate”, a Special Drive to identify and verify all vehicles parked in Railway premises.
- The unidentified vehicles on the railway premises are considered a serious threat to the security and safety of passengers and other stakeholders of railways.
Swachh Survekshan 2020
- The new edition of SS 2020 indicators has a major focus on both the quarterly and annual assessments – on complete faecal sludge management and wastewater treatment.
- A special Swachh Survekhan theme song featuring Kangana Ranaut, singers Kailash Kher and Monali Thakur were also launched at the event.
Banking
RBI’s Monetary Policy Review
- RBI said in its ‘Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies’ to cover all repetitive bill payments under the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) that includes 5 segments- electricity, telecom, gas, direct-to-home, and water bills.
- RBI has extended the working hour of retail payment system National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT), which is used for fund transfer up to Rs 2 lakh, from 8 am to 7 pm to 24x7 round-the-clock fund transfers to promote digital transactions.
RBI made Jana Small Finance Bank a Scheduled Bank
- RBI gave the Bengaluru-headquartered Jana Small Finance Bank Ltd, the status of a scheduled bank on 8th August 2019.
- The government has put the bank on the list of banks included in the second schedule of RBI Act 1934.
Reports
Report of the High-Level Committee on CSR presented to FM
- Injeti Srinivas, Secretary (Corporate Affairs) presented the Report of the High-Level Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the Finance Minister on 13th August 2019.
- The High-Level Committee on CSR was chaired by the Secretary (Corporate Affairs) Injeti Srinivas and was constituted in October 2018 to review the existing CSR framework and make recommendations on strengthening the CSR ecosystem.
Awards and Honours
| Award | Awardee |
| Journalism Award in Space Science, Technology and Research | Dr Vikram Sarabhai |
| 4th Edition of WTI Awards | NITI Aayog |
66th National Film Awards for 2018
|
|
| Best Film on Social Issues | Padman |
| Best Popular Film | Badhaai Ho |
| Best Feature Film Award | Gujarati film Hellaro |
| Best Film on Environment Conservation/ Preservation | Paani (Marathi) |
| Best Actor Award for Andhadhun | Ayushman Khurana |
| Best Actor Award for Uri The Surgical Strike | Vicky Kaushal |
| Best Actress for Telugu movie Mahanati Marathi | Keerthy Suresh |
| Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration | Kannada film Ondalla Eradalla |
| Most Film Friendly State | Uttarakhand |
| Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director | Marathi movie Naal |
| Best Director Award for Uri | Aditya Dhar |
Important Days
| Date | Day | Theme |
| 10th August 2019 | World Biofuel Day | Theme: “Production of Biodiesel from Used Cooking Oil (UCO)” |
MOU's Signed
India signed the UNISA at Singapore
- The agreement would boost the investor’s confidence in India for its commitment to adhere to international practice on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
- UNISA was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 20th December 2018.
Govt. of Tripura and NLFT- SD Signed Memorandum of Settlement
- A Memorandum of Settlement was signed by the Govt. of Tripura and National Liberation Front of Twipra (NLFT- SD) on 10th August 2019.
- NLFT (SD) has surrendered 88 cadres with their weapons and agreed to abjure the path of violence and join the mainstream.
Government Schemes
Mukhya Mantri Krishi Aashirwad Yojana
- The scheme was first announced on 21st December 2018 for doubling farmer’s income in the upcoming 4 years (2022) and is officially launched on 10th August 2019.
- Under the scheme, Rs 5000 Per Acre/year (maximum up to 5 Acres) would be given to Jharkhand’s state farmers for their Kharif crops.
CCL Extended to Single Male Service Personnel
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the extension of benefits of Child Care Leave (CCL) to single male service personnel.
- Earlier, the age limit of 22 years was prescribed in the case of a child with 40 % disability has been removed for the purpose of availing CCL and now there is no age restriction of the child.
Science and Technology
IIT Guwahati Developed Portable Device to Detect Bacteria
- The developed kit can analyse charges on the cell walls of bacteria, just as it is used to detect blood sugar.
- The team work has got the patent for the development and was issued in the July 2019 'Journal of Materials Chemistry of the Royal Society of Chemistry'.
India proposed Changes in Species List in CITES
- CITES is a global agreement that stands for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
- CITES lists species in 3 appendices on the level of the degree of protection they require.
2-Day Exhibition on DAE Technologies
- The exhibition will include technologies developed by Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), and other Units of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
- The technologies from the field of health, agriculture, water, food security, and environment, etc. would be included that are useful for the common man in day-to-day life.
ISRO commemorated Birth Centenary of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai
- Dr Vikram Sarabhai also is known as the father of Indian Space Program and a Coffee Table Book and a photo album of on life was unveiled on the occasion by ISRO.
- Dr Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was an Indian Scientist, astronomer, and physicist. He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1966 and the Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) in 1972.
Sports
Aishwarya Pissay becomes 1st Women to Win FIM World Cup
- Aishwarya Pissay won the FIM Baja World Cup 2019( Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) in women’s category on 12th August 2019.
- She is 23-years-old and was placed second in the junior category with 46 points, behind Tomas de Gavardo (60) of Chile.
Summits and conferences
3rd RE-INVEST 2019
- Curtain Raiser ceremony was organized by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy for the 3rd Edition of Renewable Energy Investors' Meet and Expo(RE-INVEST 2019).
- India has set the target to achieve 175 GW renewable energy capacity by 2022 and has already installed 80 GW as of June 30, 2019.
3rd International Electric Vehicle Conclave
- The conclave was launched at the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) in Manesar, Gurugram along with photometry Lab for General Lighting and power train engine test cell (ETC).
- EV concave is assisted with Indian Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) which is grown and transported itself into an international affair.
