Weekly Current Affairs (16.08.21 to 22.08.21)

Current affairs of this week i.e 16.08.21 to 22.08.21 given below. It is very helpful to those preparing for the government exams.

1. FOUR NEW INDIAN SITES IN ADDED TO RAMSAR LIST

FOUR NEW INDIAN SITES IN ADDED TO RAMSAR LIST

  • The Department for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change announced the addition of four additional wetlands from India, two from Gujarat and two from Haryana into the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
  • The number of Ramsar sites in India increased to 46, with Ramsar sites covering an area of 1,083,322 hectares.
  • Haryana obtained its first Ramsar sites and the total number of Gujarat sites reached 3 (as well as Nalsarovar, which was declared in 2012).
  • Ramsar sites that are included:

1. Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat 

2. Wadhvana Wetland, Gujarat

3. Sultanpur National Park, Gurgaon, Haryana

4. Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary, Jhajjar, Haryana

About Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate:
Union Minister – Bhupender Yadav
Minister of State –  Ashwini Kumar Choubey

 

2. THE BOOK “RAMRAO: THE STORY OF INDIA’S FARM CRISIS”

RAMRAO

  • Hardikar”Rural journalist Jaideep Hardikar wrote a new book entitled “Ramrao: The Story of India’s Farm Crisis” that provides an overview of the crisis facing farmers.
  • The book issued by HarperCollins India features the biography of Ramrao Panchleniwar, a cotton producer of Vidarbha, Maharashtra.
  • The book traces the life of Ramrao, who survived using pesticides in 2014, for seven years since his suicide attempt.

 

3. PM DECLARED: “PARTITION HORRORS REMEMBRANCE DAY”

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi declared August 14 “Partition Horrors Remembrance Day” in recognition of the difficulties faced by the Indians during the partition of India in 1947.

The purpose of this day is to remind people that hatred and violence are never a solution and to encourage them to work in favour of social harmony and sensitivity. 14 August is a day of independence from Pakistan.

“Partition Horrors Remembrance Day” commemorates the “struggles and sacrifices” of millions of people who were displaced and died during the partition.

 

4. FIRST  NASAL COVID-19 VACCINE DEVELOPED BY BHARAT BIOTECH’S GET NOD PHASE 2/3

  • Bharat Biotech has received a Phase 2/3 human trial approval for its nasal COVID vaccine, BBV154, informed the Government of the Union. .Phase 1 showed his doses were “well-tolerated” and there were no serious “adverse events”.
  • It is the first intranasal vaccine approved by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) for advanced clinical trials.
  • In the past, the vaccine was safe, immunogenic, and well-tolerated in pre-clinical toxicity studies. The vaccine resulted in a high level of neutralising antibodies in the animal.

 

5. INDIA’S FIRST INDIGAU CHIP LAUNCHED IN TELANGANA

  • On 13 August 2021, Dr. Jitendra Singh has published the first Indian bovine genome chip “IndiGau” for the conservation of pure varieties of native cattle breeds like Gir, Kankrej, Sahiwal, Ongole, etc.
  • The chip was developed by scientists at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NAIB), Hyderabad, a self-governing institution under the aegis of the Department of Biotechnology.
  • The chip will help reach the goal of conserving our own breed better traits and doubling farmers’ incomes by 2022.

 

6. PRIME MINISTER’S SHRAM AWARDS ANNOUNCED TO 69 EXECUTIVE

  • On August 12, 2021, the Government of India announced the 2018 Prime Minister’s Shram Award (PMSA).
  • The awards will be presented to 69 departmental and private sector employees with 500 or more employees in recognition of their distinguished performance, their capacity for innovation, their exceptional contribution to productivity, and their exceptional courage and presence of mind.
  • PMSA AWARD is given in three categories namely-
S.NO NAME OF AWARD CASH PRIZE
1. Shram Bhushan Awards Rs.1,00,000/- each,
2. Shram Vir/Shram Veerangana Awards Rs. 60,000/each
3. Shram Shree/Shram Devi Awards Rs.40,000/- each.

 

7. MOHUA LAUNCHED THE “SONCHIRAIYA’ BRAND TO PROMOTE SHG PRODUCT

  • Durga Shankar Mishra, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has launched a logo and a brand called “SonChiraiya” to promote market products to urban self-help groups (SHG).
  • It would improve women’s participation and make them financially independent.
  • The urban component known as Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture.
  • The Rural component known as Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana is implemented by the Department of Rural Development.
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
Union Minister – Hardeep Singh Puri
Minister of State (MoS) – Kaushal Kishore

 

8. PM LAUNCHED NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE SCRAPPAGE POLICY

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addressed the 2021 Investor Summit in Gujarat and launched the National Automobile Scrappage Policy to clean up/scrap old inefficient and environmentally polluting vehicles.
  • According to the policy, a certificate will be provided at the time of scrapping the old vehicle and those with this certificate will not have to pay for registration when buying a new vehicle.
  • Tata Motors has signed an MOU with the Gujarat State Government through the Ports and Transport Department to support the installation of a vehicle disposal facility in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

 

9. NEERAJ CHOPRA: WORLD SECOND-RANKED IN JAVELIN THROW RANKING 2021

NEERAJ CHOPRA: WORLD SECOND RANKED IN JAVELIN THROW RANKING 2021

  • Indian Javelin Thrower Neeraj Chopra was runner-up (down from 16) in the 2021 World Athletics Men’s Javelin Throw Ranking. Neeraj was also ranked 129th overall in men’s athletics.
  • His gold medal is the first Indian medal in track and field.
  • Germany’s Johannes Vetter (World No. 1) Continued to be number one in the men’s javelin toss.
  • World Athletics is established by the sport’s regulator “World Athletics”.
About World Athletics:
President – Sebastian Coe
Headquarters – Monaco

 

10. CABINET APPROVES MOU ON THE FIELD OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT

  • Cabinet endorsed the Memorandum of Understanding on Disaster Management, Resilience, and Mitigation Co-operation signed between India and Bangladesh in March 2021.
  • The MOU aims to set up a system for both countries to benefit from each other’s disaster management mechanisms.
  • It will also contribute to strengthening disaster management preparedness, response, and capacity building.

 

11. INDIAnCELEBRATED 75TH INDEPENDENCE DAY

  • India and Indians worldwide celebrated 75th Independence Day on August 15, 2021. Independence Day represents the day India became an independent nation in the British Commonwealth.
  • This day commemorates the sacrifices of freedom fighters, without distinction of gender, religion, or ethnicity, who fought for independence.
  • The theme for Independence Day 75 is “One Nation First, Always First”.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the national flag at the Red Fort rampart in New Delhi.

 

12. MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT LAUNCHED E-CROP SURVEY INITIATIVE

  • On August 15, 2021, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray, launched the online crop survey initiative, which will take effect in Maharashtra. The project was launched as a pilot project in two districts of Maharashtra.
  • The mobile app of the Electronic Crop Survey will reduce farmers’ challenges and provide them with crop information without any inconvenience. The Crops are damaged as a result of unpredictable weather and heavy or insufficient rainfall.
  • Farmers will receive training on how to register their harvest on the mobile app.
About Maharashtra:
Governor– Bhagat Singh Koshyari

 

13. COAL MINISTER TO BE LAUNCHED: VRIKSHAROPAN ABHIYAN 2021

VRIKSHAROPAN ABHIYAN 2021

  • During this year, the UPE coal/lignite of the Ministry of Coal set an ambitious target within the framework of the “Go Greening” campaign to cover 2385 hectares of area under bio-regeneration/plantation.
  • The launch of the “Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2021” on 19 August 2021 will give fresh impetus to the “Go Greening” campaign by the Minister of Coal, Mines, and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi with Minister of State for Coal, Mines, and Railways Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve.
  • Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2021 is one of the key events of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations in the coal sector.
  • In addition, Abhiyan is expected to raise awareness and motivate society and ordinary people to take more and more afforestation initiatives in neighbouring areas.

 

 14. HEALTH MINISTER LAUNCHED AAROGYA DHARA 2.0

  • Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of the Union for Family Health and Wellness virtually inaugurated the Aarogya Dhara- 2.0 to increase the scope and outreach of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) programme for India’s poorest households.
  • Approximately 25,000 Rs of treatment was provided to patients in 33 States/Territories of the Union (UT) through the network of 23,000 public and private hospitals.
About Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW):
Union Minister– Mansukh Mandaviya(Rajya Sabha- Gujarat)
Minister of State– Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar

 

15. SC ORDER WOMEN ALLOWED TO APPEAR IN NDA EXAM

  • The Supreme Court (SC) in its interim order allowed the woman candidates to take the next exam of the National Defence Academy (NDA). Women will appear for the first time in the 65-year history of the NDA examination.
  • Students between the ages of 16 and 19 and students in class 12 or older can apply for the NDA.
  • The examination of the NDA shall be carried out by the Union Public Services Commission (CSPU).
About Supreme Court of India 
Chief Justice of India– N V Ramana
Headquarters – New Delhi

 

16. SADBHAVANA DIWAS  CELEBRATED ON THE 77TH  BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF RAJIV GANDHI

  • On 20 August 2021, Sadbhavana Diwas is celebrated annually in India on the birthday of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. This day aims at promoting national integration and communal harmony among persons of all religions and languages.
  • The Sabhavana Diwas literally stands for “Harmony Day”.
  • Rajiv Gandhi’s 77th birthday is celebrated in 2021. His birthday is also celebrated with the name Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas.
  • The All India Congress Committee (AICC) of the Indian National Congress (INC) established the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award in 1992, the year after he was assassinated.

17. NTPC LAUNCHED INDIA’S LARGEST FLOATING SOLAR PV PROJECT

NTPC LAUNCHED INDIA’S LARGEST FLOATING SOLAR PV PROJECT

  • On August 21, 2021, the largest power producer in India, NTPC Ltd has launched India’s largest floating photovoltaic project with a capacity of 25 MW on the reservoir of its Simhadri heat station in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
  • The project started with Sanjay Madan, Regional Executive Director (WR2 & SR), NTPC.
  • NTPC Group currently has 71 power stations, including 29 renewable energy projects, with a total installed capacity of 66,900 MW.
About NTPC Ltd:
Headquarters – New Delhi
CMD – Gurdeep Singh

 

18. PM RELEASED CAPITALIZATION SUPPORT FUNDS

  • On August 12, 2021, the Prime Minister (PM) has made funds available to support the capitalisation of Rs. 1625 Crore to more than 4 lakh Self Help Groups (SHG) as an important financial support to expand the reach of women entrepreneurship on the lines of AatmaNirbhar Bharat.
  • He also released 25 crores as seed capital for 7500 SHG members as part of the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoSPI)
  • In addition to the above, 4.13 crore funds were also released for 75 farmer organisations promoted under DAY-NRLM.

 

In case of any discrepancies or errors, plz notify to:
ABHISHEK SRIVASTAVA 

B.TECH (MECHANICAL ENGG.)

  • 4+ Years of Industrial Experience
  • 2+ Years of Teaching Experience

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