Sports
1. Union Sports Ministry to organise Fit India Freedom Run
- Union Sports Ministry is conducting Fit India Freedom Run to encourage fitness helping to get freedom from obesity, laziness, stress, anxiety, diseases
- It is launched under Fit India Movement from 15th August to 2nd October 2020
- In this event, participants have to run at their own pace, anywhere and at any time of their convenience with Break-up time
- Participants must register on the fit India website and must track their running distance manually or through GPS watch
National Affairs
2. Price Monitoring & Resource Unit established in Karnataka
- Price Monitoring and Resource Unit (PMRU) has been established in Karnataka under National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)
- The unit was launched under 'Consumer Awareness, Publicity and Price Monitoring' scheme
- It will function at the state level under direct supervision of the state drug controller
- Function: Assist the NPPA in monitoring prices of drugs, ensuring its availability and raising consumer awareness
- 12 states, UTs have already setup these units
National Affairs
3. Govt constitutes Expert Committee on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19
- Government has constituted National Expert Committee on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 to cover all the aspects of COVID-19 vaccination plan
- The committee will be headed by Dr V K Paul, Member Niti Aayog and will be co-chaired by Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Vaccination plan includes identification, buying, financing, distribution and administration of the effective vaccine
- Expert committee held its first meeting on 12 August
Agreement
4. Reliance Foundation ties up with USAID to bridge gender divide
- Reliance Foundation has tied-up with US Agency for International Development and Women's Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) to bridge gender digital divide in India
- W-GDP WomenConnect Challenge across India will also be organised by the year end
- It will support private sector-led approaches regarding gender digital divide, expands business opportunities, and empowers women.
- W-GDP Initiative was established for women’s economic empowerment in 2019
National & International Appointments
5. Soma Mondal appointed as next Chairman of Steel Authority of India
- Soma Mondal has been appointed as next Chairman of Steel Authority of India (SAIL) as per the recommended of Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) panel.
- She is currently working as Director (Commercial) in SAIL since 2017
- She will be first woman Chairperson to head SAIL and will take charges from January 2021
- She will succeed Anil Kumar Chaudhary, who will retire from the position in January next year.
- SAIL HQs: Delhi
Defense
6. Israel & US successfully tested Arrow 2 defence missile system
- Israel along with U.S. jointly tested an advanced missile defence system titled ‘Arrow 2’
- The test was conducted at Palmachim Air Base in central Israel and over Mediterranean by engaging a Sparrow target missile simulating a surface-to-surface missile
- It was conducted by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) and United States Missile Defense Agency
- It can defend against short, mid and long range (outside the atmosphere) rockets
Books & Authors
7. Dalai Lama to release ‘Our Only Home: A Climate Appeal to the World’
- Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, has penned down a book titled as ‘Our Only Home: A Climate Appeal to the World’
- It will released in November 2020 by German environmental journalist Franz Alt and Dalai Lama
- The book is published by Hanover Square Press Publication House
- The book calls on political decision makers to fight against deadlock and ignorance on the climate change issue and to stand up for more climate-friendly world for the younger generation
National & International Appointments
8. Pramod Bhasin appointed as Chairman of ICRIER
- Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) has appointed Pramod Bhasin as its new Chairman
- He is currently serving as the Vice-Chairman of ICRIER’s board of governors
- He will succeed Isher Judge Ahluwalia, who has stepped down due to health issues and will continue as chairperson emeritus, a position specially created to honour her exceptional contributions to the Council.
- Director of ICRIER: Rajat Kathuria.
- ICRIER HQs: New Delhi.
Banking & Finance
9. LIC launches special campaign for revival of lapsed life policies
- Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has unveiled 2 months special campaign for revival of lapsed life policies to encourage continuation of risk cover during the ongoing high risk pandemic
- It will start from Aug 10 and will run till Oct 9.
- Under this, specific eligible plans can be revived within 5 years from first unpaid premium subject to certain terms and conditions.
- Policyholders will get 20% late fee concession for revival while 25% concession between ₹1-₹3 lakh.
Obituaries
10. Congress spokesperson Rajiv Tyagi passes away in Ghaziabad
- Congress leader and spokesperson Rajiv Tyagi (53 years) passes away due to heart attack at his residence in Sector 16, Vasundhara, Ghaziabad.
- His death was followed after an intense discussion on a Hindi news channel on the violence in Bengaluru.
- He was known for being a prominent figure in news debates.
- He was appointed the official spokesperson of Congress while he was serving as the General Secretary at Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee.
Defense
11. Defence Minister unveils Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has rolled out Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) through webinar.
- NIIO will have dedicated structures for the end users to interact with academia and industry fostering innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in defences sector
- It is a three-tiered organisation.
- The apex level will be headed by Naval Technology Acceleration Council (N-TAC)
- Indian Navy’s Indigenisation plans titled ‘SWAVLAMBAN’ was also released
Defense
12. Indian Coast Guard launches Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Sarthak’
- Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for Indian Coast Guard titled ‘Sarthak’ has been launched through video conferencing at Goa Shipyard
- It is the 4th OPVs in the series of 5 indigenous OPVs that will enhance maritime security.
- It has been developed by Goa Shipyard Limited
- It is fitted with Navigation-Communication equipment, sensor and machinery and is 105 meter in size
- It is propelled by two 9100 KW diesel engines with 26 knots speed and 6000 Nautical Milesendurance
Arts & Culture
13. ‘Khaje’, ‘Harmal Chilli’ and ‘Moira banana’ of Goa gets GI tag
- Traditional festive sweet dish of Goa ‘Khaje’, spicy Harmal Chilli and Myndoli Banana (Moira Banana) has bagged Geographical Indication (GI) tag
- GI tag depicts specific geographical origin and certifies unique qualities of product
- Khaje: Sweet dish used in all temples and churches as prasad
- Harmal Chilli: Rich spice with reddish-brownish colour, short length and longer shelf lide
- Cashew Feni, Khola Red Chilli has already been given GI tag
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