Current Affairs 04th August 2021| Current Affairs News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

U.S. Coast Guard Day – Observed on Aug 04

• Coast Guard Day is held every August 4 to commemorate the founding of the United States Coast Guard as the Revenue Marine on August 4, 1790, by then-Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton.
• On that date, U.S. Congress, guided by Hamilton, authorized the building of a fleet of the first ten Revenue Service cutters, whose responsibility would be enforcement of the first tariff laws enacted by the U.S. Congress under the U.S. Constitution.
• The S. Coast Guard received its present name through an act of the U.S. Congress signed into law by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson on January 28, 1915 that merged the Revenue Cutter Service with the U.S. Life-Saving Service, and provided the nation with a single maritime service dedicated to saving life at sea and enforcing the nation’s maritime laws.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Lok Sabha passes Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021

• Lok Sabha passed the Essential Defence Services Bill-2021 on August 3 amid protests by Opposition members over allegations of snooping by the government using the Pegasus spyware, and the three farm laws.
• The Bill replaces an ordinance and seeks to allow the central government to prohibit the workers of establishments that are engaged in “essential defence services” from going on strikes, or the lockouts of such units.

Essential Defence Services Bill:

• The Essential Defence Services Bill is aimed at preventing the staff of the government-owned ordnance factories from going on a strike.
• The Bill mentions that it is meant to “provide for the maintenance of essential defence services so as to secure the security of nation and the life and property of public at large and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto”.

Essential defence service:

• The essential defence services include any service in any establishment or undertaking dealing with production of goods or equipment required for defence-related purposes or any establishment of the armed forces or connected with them or defence.
• These also include services that, if ceased, would affect the safety of the establishment engaged in such services or its employees.

Operation Blue Freedom: Team Of Special Forces Veterans

• The government of India has accorded sanction to Team CLAW to lead a team of people with disabilities to scale Siachen Glacier.
• It will be a new world record for the largest team of people with disabilities. This expedition is being undertaken as part of ‘Operation Blue Freedom’.

About Operation Blue Freedom:

• Operation Blue Freedomwas launched in 2019 by CLAW Global, a team of former Special Forces Operatives of the Indian Army and the Indian Navy.
• The Operation is a social impact venture aimed at rehabilitating people with disabilities through adaptive adventure sports.
• It aims to shatter the common perception of pity, charity, and inability associated with people with disabilities and recreates it to one of dignity, freedom, and ability.
• Moreover, their focus is also to ‘design and implement sustainable large-scale employment solutions’ for people with disabilities, especially in the ‘Environment conservation and Sustainability’ space.

Unique programme to celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav launched

• The Culture Ministry launched a unique programme to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav on Independence Day this year.
• The initiative, connected with the National Anthem, has been taken up by the Ministry to instill pride and unity among all Indians.
• The people have been invited to sing the National anthem and upload the video on website RASHTRA GAAN.IN.
• The compilation of the National Anthem will be shown live on 15th of August.
• Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is being celebrated across the country to commemorate India’s 75 years of Independence.
• The initiative was announced by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on 25th of last month as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• Modi stated, it is an effort on part of the Culture Ministry to have a maximum number of Indians singing the National Anthem together.
• Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy hoped that Indians across the world will participate in this event and also called on maximum participation from the youth.

Eco tourism identified as one of the Niche Tourism areas for development

• Eco-tourism has been identified as one of the niche tourism areas for development in the country by the Ministry of Tourism.
• The Ministry has recognized sustainable tourism as having an enormous potential of fulfilling the SDGs set by India.
• For this, the Ministry developed a Draft National Strategy and roadmap for sustainable tourism, with an emphasis on eco-tourism.

Key Highlights:

• Eco Circuit and Wildlife Circuit are among the 15 thematic circuits identified for development under the Swadesh Darshan concept.
• The Ministry of Tourism has developed a Draft National Strategy and roadmap for sustainable tourism with a focus on ecotourism.

Eco-tourism policy:

• The Environment Ministry earlier established an Eco-tourism policy that aims to give livelihood opportunities for local communities, as well as educate visitors and enhance their awareness of nature, as part of the government’s commitment to execute people-centric programmes.

About Swadesh Darshan Scheme:

• Under the Swadesh Darshan plan, the Ministry of Tourism is establishing theme-based tourism circuits across the country.
• The Eco Circuit and the Wildlife Circuit are two of the fifteen thematic circuits that have been identified for development as part of the scheme.
• The scheme aims to create jobs by engaging local communities in active participation and fostering community-based development.

Govt has allocated over Rs 756 crore under FAME scheme till June his year

• Government has allocated over 756 crore rupees under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles, FAME scheme till June this year.
• The main objective of the scheme is to encourage Faster adoption of Electric and hybrid vehicles by offering upfront incentives on purchase of Electric vehicles and establishing a necessary charging Infrastructure for electric vehicles.

About the scheme:

• The scheme, launched in 2015, is aimed at addressing the issue of environmental pollution and fuel security.
• This information was given by the Minister of State for Heavy Industries Krishan Pal.
• Under Phase-1 and 2 of the scheme, about three lakh 71 thousand Electric and hybrid vehicles were supported with a total incentive of around 634 Crore rupees as on 28th July this year.
• Under Phase-2 of FAME India Scheme, one thousand crore rupees is allocated for the development of charging infrastructure in the country.
• He informed that the Ministry has sanctioned two thousand 877 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations amounting to about 500 crore rupees in 68 cities across 25 States and Union Territories under Phase II of the scheme.
• The Minister stated, under Phase-1 of FAME India Scheme, 427 charging stations have been installed.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India takes over UNSC presidency for August 2021

• India assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of August and is set to organize key events in three major areas of maritime security, peacekeeping and counter-terrorism.
• India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti stated “It is a singular honour for us to be presiding over the Security Council the same month when we are celebrating our 75th Independence Day”.
• “India has just assumed the presidency of The UN Security Council on 1st August.

About UNSC:

• The United Nations Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, charged with ensuring international peace and security, recommending the admission of new UN members to the General Assembly, and approving any changes to the UN Charter.
• Headquarters: New York, United States

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

Bhubaneswar becomes first Indian city to vaccinate 100% against COVID-19

• Odisha capital Bhubaneswar has become the first city in India to achieve hundred percent vaccination of its people against covid-19.
• Additionally, about one lakh migrant workers have also been administered the first dose of covid vaccine in the capital city.
• Chief executive officer of NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant congratulated the people of Odisha and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for their achievements in making Bhubaneswar the first city to ensure 100 covid vaccination and also for making Puri the first city to supply 24/7 drinking water.
• The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation had set benchmarks for different categories of people to complete the vaccination process within the specific timelines by the 31st July last.
• Those vaccinated include about 9 lakh people of 18 years of age and above.
• It’s worthwhile to note that Odisha Government, which now bears the burden of about 15 thousand covid 19 active caseload, had set district wise targets to vaccinate a sum total of 3.5 lakh people per day.

About Odisha:

• Capital: Bhubaneswar
• Governor: Ganeshi Lal
• Chief minister:Naveen Patnaik
• National Parks: Similipal National Park, Bhitarkanika National Park.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

IMF approves historic $650 bln allocation of Special Drawing Rights

• The Board of Governors of the IMF has approved a general allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) equivalent to US$650 billion (about SDR 456 billion) on August 2, 2021, to boost global liquidity.
• “This is a historic decision – the largest SDR allocation in the history of the IMF and a shot in the arm for the global economy at a time of unprecedented crisis.
• The SDR allocation will benefit all members, address the long-term global need for reserves, build confidence, and foster the resilience and stability of the global economy.
• IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva stated “It will particularly help our most vulnerable countries struggling to cope with the impact of the COVID-19 crisis,”.
• The general allocation of SDRs will become effective on August 23, 2021.
• The newly created SDRs will be credited to IMF member countries in proportion to their existing quotas in the Fund.

About IMF:

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization of 190 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world.
• Managing Director: Kristalina Georgieva
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., U.S
• Chief Economist: Gita Gopinath

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING NEWS

GoI cuts Mudra loans target to Rs 3 trillion in FY22

• The government has cut the loans disbursement target under the PM Mudra Yojana (PMMY) to Rs 3 lakh crore for the current financial year as against Rs 3.21 lakh crore sanctioned in FY21.
• Under the scheme, credit up to Rs 10 lakh is provided by banks and non-banking financial companies to small and new businesses.
• The government has sanctioned loans of Rs 15.5 lakh crore under PMMY since its inception in April 2015.
• Till March 31, 2021, the Government had sanctioned 29.55 crore loans under the scheme.
• Of this more than 6.8 crore loans worth Rs 5.2 lakh crores have been given to new entrepreneurs.
• For FY22, loans worth Rs 3,804 crore have been sanctioned by 13 public sector banks (PSBs) as of June 25.
• The government has also guaranteed loans worth Rs 3,918 crore to the hospitality, sports, leisure, travel and tourism industry under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) as of July 2, 2021.

About MUDRA:

• Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Bank is a public sector financial institution in India.
• It provides loans at low rates to micro-finance institutions and non-banking financial institutions which then provide credit to MSMEs.
• It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 April 2015.

There are three types of Mudra loans depending on the loan amount:

• Shishu : Loans sanctioned under the PMMY scheme up to Rs. 50000.
• Kishore : Loans sanctioned under the PMMY scheme from Rs. 50001 up to Rs. 5.00 lakh.
• Tarun : Loans sanctioned under the PMMY scheme Rs. 5,00,001 up to Rs. 10.00 lakh.

RBI imposes penalty of Rs 50.35 lakh on Janalaxmi Co-operative Bank

• Reserve Bank of India has imposed a penalty of Rs 50.35 lakh on Janalaxmi Co-operative Bank, Nashik for non-compliance with certain regulatory requirements.
• The penalty on Janalaxmi Co-operative Bank has been imposed for non-compliance with directions issued by RBI on ‘Placement of Deposits with Other Banks by Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks’ and ‘Membership of Credit Information Companies (CICs)’.
• A statutory inspection conducted by RBI with reference to the bank’s financial position as on March 31, 2019 and the inspection report pertaining thereto, and examination of all related correspondence revealed non-compliance with the directions.
• RBI has also imposed a penalty of Rs 3 lakh on the Noida Commercial Co-operative Bank, Ghaziabad.

RBI Authorised IndusInd Bank to act as an ‘Agency Bank’

• IndusInd Bank stated it has been empanelled by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to act as an ‘Agency Bank’ to facilitate transactions related to government businesses.
• It will strengthen the bank’s presence within the government domain.
• The announcement comes close on the heels of a recent RBI guideline that authorises scheduled private sector banks as agency banks of the regulator for the conduct of government business.
• With this, IndusInd Bank joins ranks with few other private banks of the country to carry out general banking business on behalf of the central and state government, while also offering customers – the convenience of undertaking routine financial transactions through its banking platform.

About IndusInd Bank:

• IndusInd Bank Limited is a new-generation Indian bank headquartered in Pune.
• The bank offers commercial, transactional and electronic banking products and services.
• IndusInd Bank was inaugurated in April 1994 by then Union Finance Minister Manmohan Singh.
• CEO: Sumant Kathpalia
• Headquarters: Pune
• Owner: Hinduja Group

Suryoday Small Finance Bank launches ‘Health and Wellness Savings Account’

• Suryoday Small Finance Bank (SSFB) has launched “Suryoday Health and Wellness Savings Account”, a premium savings account product, to ensure that customers’ wealth not only grows but they and their families are also taken care of on the health front in the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Benefits:

• Besides offering an attractive interest rate, the new savings account also offers three benefits for a family of four (self, spouse and two children) — top-up health insurance of Rs 25 lakhs,  annual healthcare package and on-call emergency ambulance medical care Services.
• Top-up health insurance and healthcare packages are free of charge for one year after opening the account.
• Free Ambulance service up to a distance of 20 Kms will be available at 102 locations across the country till March-end 2022.
• A resident individual (18 years to 65 years) can open the “Suryoday Health and Wellness Savings Account” either singly or jointly.
• The criteria for opening the “Suryoday Health and Wellness Savings Account” include maintenance of average monthly balance of Rs 3 lakhs and being eligible as per the key health declaration form.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENT AND RESIGNATION NEWS

IAMAI appoints Gulshan Rai as Advisory Board Member

• The Blockchain and Crypto Assets Council, an industry body formed under the aegis of the Fintech Convergence Council of the Internet and Mobile Association of India(IAMAI), has announced the appointment of Gulshan Rai, former cybersecurity coordinator, as its advisory board member.
• Raiis also serving as a distinguished fellow, ORF.

About Rai  :

• Rai has over 30 years of experience in information technology, including e-governance, cybersecurity, and cyber laws.
• He played an instrumental role in drafting national policies on cyber laws and cyber security.
• He represented the country in various internet governance and cybersecurity discussions.

Rama Kirloskar appointed Joint Managing Director of Kirloskar Brothers

• Kirloskar Brothers Limited announced it has appointed Rama Kirloskar as Joint Managing Director of the company with effect from August 03, 2021 for a period of 5 years.
• “The Board of Directors at its meeting held on August 03, 2021 has appointed Rama Kirloskar (DIN 07474724), as a Joint Managing Director of the Company with effect from August 03, 2021 for a period of 5 years i.e. upto August 02, 2026, subject to the approval by the shareholders of the Company.”
• Rama Kirloskar will lead the domestic small pumps division and valves business of the Company.

About Rama Kirloskar :

• Alok Kirloskar who has been based in London since 2012 is a Director on the Board of KBL and CEO of Kirloskar Brothers International BV [which includes SPP Pumps Ltd], continues to head all the overseas businesses and leads many technology initiatives at the Company.
• Rama Kirloskar currently serves as the Managing Director of Kirloskar Ebara Pumps Limited (KEPL), a joint venture between Kirloskar Brothers Limited, parent company of the 133-year-old Kirloskar Group and Ebara Corporation, Japan.
• She has been instrumental in the turnaround of KEPL into a debt free company.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Chitkara University recognised as District Green Champion by Government of India

• Chitkara University, Patiala, has been recognized as the ‘District Green Champion’ for the academic year 2020-21 by the Mahatma Gandhi National Council of Rural Education (MGNCRE), Ministry of Education, Government of India.
• The award was presented to the varsity’s pro-chancellor, Madhu Chitkara, in the presence of Patiala deputy commissioner Kumar Amit.
• “Chitkara University successfully managed to set up the Swachhta Action Plan Committee, and adopted and implemented the best practices in areas of sanitation, hygiene, waste management, water management, energy management and greenery management.”

About the award:

• This award is given to colleges that have actively participated in keeping their campuses clean, sanitized, and are in line with the ‘Swachh Bharat’

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

36th edition of CORPAT between India and Indonesia Navies begins                          

• On 30 and 31 July 2021, the 36th edition of CORPAT between India and Indonesia navies was held in the Indian Ocean region.
• Indian Naval Ship (INS) Saryu, an indigenously built Offshore Patrol Vessel & Indonesian Naval Ship KRI Bung Tomo is undertaking coordinated patrol (CORPAT).
• The exercise is held as a ‘non-contact, at sea only’ exercise in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
• It highlights the high degree of mutual trust and confidence, synergy and cooperation between the two friendly navies

Aim :

• To keep the Indian Ocean Region safe and secure for commercial shipping, international trade and conduct of legitimate maritime activities.

Note :

• India and Indonesia have been conducting the Coordinated Patrols along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) since 2002 twice a year.

About CORPAT :

• CORPAT builds up understanding and interoperability between navies and facilitates institution of measures to prevent and suppress unlawful activities like Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery and piracy.

About Indian Navy :

• Founded: 26 January 1950
• Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS): Vice Admiral Ashok Kumar
• Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS): Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh
• Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS): Admiral Karambir Singh
• Commander-in-Chief: President Ram Nath Kovind

About Indonesian navy : 

• Commander-in-Chief: President Joko Widodo
• Vice Chief of Staff of the Navy: Vice Admiral Ahmad Heri Purwono
• Chief of Staff of the Navy: Admiral Yudo Margono
• Founded: 10 September 1945

About Indonesia :

• President: Joko Widodo
• Capital: Jakarta
• Currency: Indonesian rupiah

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Indian Air Force inducts Rafales into Eastern Air Command

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) has formally inducted Rafale aircraft into 101 Squadron of the Eastern Air Command (EAC) at the Hasimara Air Force Station (AFS) in West Bengal.
• The induction event has been done in the presence of Air Chief Marshal, R.K.S Bhadauria 
• The 101 Squadron is the second Indian Air Force squadron to be equipped with the Rafale aircraft.
• In September 2020, the Rafale aircraft were inducted into the 17 “Golden Arrows” Squadron.
• The multi-role Rafale jets, built by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation.
• Presently India has received 26 of the 36 Rafale aircraft,

Note :

• India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to procure 36 aircraft at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore.

About Indian Air Force :

• Founded: 8 October 1932
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Commander-in-Chief: President Ram Nath Kovind
• Chief of the Air staff : R K S Bhadauria
• Vice chief of the air staff : Vivek Ram Chaudhari

IIT-Roorkee launches 7 new academic programmes 

• The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has introduced seven new academic programs for the academic session 2021-2022.
• The seven new programmes are in select areas of engineering, architecture, economics and management along with specialisation in data science and artificial intelligence.

Purpose :

• To address the rising demand for new-age technologies.
• To help students and working professionals add value to their respective fields.
• The Programmes are inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary and also in line with National Education Policy 2020. 
• The programmes, which include six postgraduate degree programmes and one five-year integrated programme.
• The seven new programs include MTech in Artificial Intelligence and MTech in Data Science, MDes in Industrial Design, MIM (Masters in Innovation Management) under the Department of Design, online MTech in Microelectronics and VLSI, five -year integrated program in MS Economics, and MTech in Dam Safety and Rehabilitation.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BOOKS & AUTHORS

Book Titled The Most Incredible Olympic Stories authored by Luciano Wernicke 

• Luciano Wernicke has authored a new book titled The Most Incredible Olympic Stories.
• The Book was Published by Niyogi Books

About the Book :

• In that book Luciano Wernicke curates the oldest sporting tale— a tale that becomes the narrative of a modern civilisation.
• The Book maps the phenomenal journey of this marvellous event through time immemorial from its genesis to its glory days.

About Luciano Wernicke :

• Luciano Wernicke was born in 1969 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• In 2019, he was assistant to the Costa Rica National Football Team manager, Gustavo Matosas.
• Wernicke is the author of numerous books on sports such as The Most Incredible World Cup Stories, The Most Incredible Football Stories, Doctor and Champion, Duel Never Won (a comparative biography of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo), etc.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SPORTS NEWS

Tokyo Olympics 2020 : Italy’s Marcell Jacobs & Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah Wins 100m title 

• On Aug 01, 2021, Italy’s 26 year old Lamont Marcell Jacobs won the men’s 100 metres gold at the Tokyo Olympics.
• Jacobs is the first Italian to win the 100 metres Olympic title & he achieved the feat in 80 seconds.
• Fred Kerley of the United States won the silver in 9.84 seconds while Andre de Grasse of Canada won the bronze in 9.89 seconds.
• In the Women’s Category, Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica won the women’s 100 metres title in 61 seconds.
• Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce won the silver in 10.74 seconds and Shericka Jackson of Jamaica won the bronze medal in 10.76 seconds.

About Elaine Thompson-Herah :

• Thompson-Herah  was the 2019 Pan American Games champion and a two-time Diamond League
• Elaine Thompson-Herah is the first woman to ever successfully defend the 100 meters and the 200 meters Olympic titles, achieving the landmark feat at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
• She is a four-time Olympic champion.
• She ranks as the second-fastest woman in the 200 meters with a time of 21.53 seconds, achieved in the final run of the 200 meters event at the Tokyo Olympics.

Tokyo Olympics 2020 : Germany’s Alexander Zverev wins men’s singles tennis gold

• On Aug 01, 2021, Germany’s tennis ace Alexander Zverev (24 years old) beat Russian Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-1 to win the men’s singles gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
• The world number five, who has yet to win a Grand Slam title.
• He defeated Khachanov in 79 minutes to become the first German man to win singles Olympic gold.
• He became only the second German to win Olympic singles gold, matching Steffi Graff’s achievement at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur launches Paralympic theme song “Kar De Kamaal Tu”

• On Aug 03, 2021, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur launched the Paralympic theme song “Kar De Kamaal Tu” in New Delhi.
• The song is composed and sung by divyang cricket player Sanjeev Singh, from Lucknow.

Key People :

• Secretary (Sports) Ravi Mittal, Joint Secretary (Sports) LS Singh, President of Paralympic Committee of India, Deepa Malik, Secretary-General Gursharan Singh, and Chief Patron Avinash Rai Khanna were also virtually present on this occasion.

About Paralympics :

• It will begin August 24, 2021, in Tokyo,Japan.
• 54 para-sportspersons across 9 sports disciplines are participating.
• It is an international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities governed by the International Paralympic Committee.

United States Crowned 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup in Football

• On Aug 01, 2021, The S. Men’s National Team was crowned champion of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup in football after defeating Mexico 1-0 in extra time.
• Now, The USA has won the Concacaf Gold Cup in 1991, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2021 & this is the seventh Gold Cup title.
• In that American football player Turner was named Best Goalkeeper of the event.
• At the end of the tournament following awards were given :
• Golden Ball Award: Héctor Herrera (Mexico)
• Golden Boot Award: Almoez Ali (Qatar)
• Golden Glove Award: Matt Turner (United States)
• Young Player Award: Tajon Buchanan (Canada)
• Goal of the Tournament: Bobby Decordova-Reid of Jamaica
• Fighting Spirit Award: Bryan Tamacas (El Salvador)
• Fair Play Award: United States

About CONCACAF Gold Cup :

• The CONCACAF Gold Cup is the main association football competition of the men’s national football teams governed by CONCACAF the football ruling body in North America, Central American, and the Caribbean
• The Gold Cup is held every two years. 

Tokyo Olympics 2020 : India’s Boxer Lovlina Borgohain bags bronze medal 

• On Aug 04, 2021, 23 year old Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain bagged the women’s 64-69kg boxing bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
• Borgohain lost 0-5 to reigning world champion Busenaz Surmeneli of Turkey in the Olympic semifinals.
• This is India’s third medal of the ongoing Tokyo Olympics after Vijender Singh (2008) and MC Mary Kom (2012).

Note :

• Lovlina Borgohain became only the second Indian female boxer after MC Mary Kom (bronze at London 2012) to win an Olympic medal.
• Vijender Singh is the only Indian men’s boxer with an Olympic medal bronze at Beijing 2008.

About Lovlina Borgohain :

• Lovlina Borgohain hails from the Golaghat district of Assam.
• She has become the first woman from Assam to qualify for the Olympics and the second boxer to represent the country after Shiva Thapa.
• She also won bronze medals at the 2018 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships and the 2019 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships.
• She won gold medal at 1st India Open International Boxing Tournament held in New Delhi and silver medal at 2nd India Open International Boxing Tournament held in Guwahati.

Achievements :

• For her outstanding performance in boxing, she received the Arjuna Award, presented by President Ram Nath Kovind.

Tokyo Olympics : 2020 Yulimar Rojas wins women’s triple jump gold sets new world record

• In 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela wins women’s triple jump gold.
• Yulimar Rojas jumped 15.67 metres on her final & sixth jump which smashed the previous record of 15.50m was set by Ukraine’s Inessa Kravets in 1995 in Sweden.
• With this win she set a new world record & this is the first world record of olympics athletics
• Portugal’s Patricia Mamona won silver with a national best of 15.01 m.
• The bronze went to Spain’s Ana Peleteiro, who also broke the national record with 14.87m.

About Yulimar Rojas :

• Yulimar Rojas won the silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
• She is a two-time World Champion (2017 London and 2019 Doha) , and two-time World Indoor Champion (2016 Portland and 2018 Birmingham).
• In 2017 and 2019 she was named Latin American and the Caribbean’s best sportswoman.
• In December 2020, Rojas was named the World Athlete of the Year due to record-breaking indoor jumps.

Daily CA On Aug 03 :

• The government has launched the Secured Logistics Document Exchange (SLDE) along with a Calculator for GreenHouse Gas Emission to improve ease of doing business, logistics efficiency, reduce logistics cost, and promote multi-modality and sustainability.
• Lok Sabha passed a Bill to amend the general-insurance law and allow the government to offload its stake in state-run insurance corporations, clearing its first hurdle without discussion as Parliament continued to witness pandemonium.
• Nikol Pashinyan has been re-appointed as Armenia’s Prime Minister by President Armen Sarkissian.
• A hotline was established between the Indian Army in Kongra La, North Sikkim, and China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at Khamba Dzong in the Tibetan Autonomous Region to further the spirit of trust and cordiality between the two forces along the Indo-China border.
• The Goods and Service Tax (GST) collections for the month of July 2021 registered an increase of 33 percent compared to the collections of Rs 87,422 crore in the month of July in 2020.
• PhonePe, India’s largest digital payments company, announced the launch of UPI based AutoPay functionality for it’s mutual fund investment offerings that will allow its customers to set up their Mutual Fund SIPs in just a few seconds. 
• The State Department of Fisheries designed a novel scheme under the brand name “Fish Andhra” by establishing 100 aqua hubs in line with Pradhana Mantri Mathsya Sampadha Yojana (PMMSY), a central government scheme.
• To safeguard the interest of its customers, Country’s largest Lender State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a new and enhanced security feature – ‘SIM Binding’ in YONO and YONO Lite app.
• LIC Cards Services Limited (LIC-CSL) has partnered with IDBI Bank to launch ‘Lumine’ Platinum Credit Card and ‘Eclat’ Select Credit Card on the RuPay platform. 
• The Narendra Modi-led Union government’s attempts to sell two public sector banks may get deferred to the financial year as no approval has been taken from Parliament for making changes in laws required to initiate the deals.
• The Reserve Bank of India’s new directions on raising interchange fee and making available the facility of bulk clearing round the clock have become effective on Aug 01.
• GyanDhan, India’s first education financing platform stated it has received an NBFC license from the Reserve Bank of India and it aims to disburse Rs 650 crore worth of education loans in FY22.
• India’s largest private lender HDFC Bank launched ‘Dukandar Overdraft Scheme for overdraft facility for small retailers in partnership with the government’s e-governance services delivery arm CSC SPV that enables government schemes and services through common service centres (CSCs).
• Bvlgari has added Priyanka Chopra Jonas as one of its brand ambassadors.
• Mini Ipe took charge as Managing Director of Life Insurance Corporation of India on 2nd August, 2021.
• Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has appointed Upendra Tripathy, a retired IAS officer of Karnataka cadre, as advisor-cum-working president and chairman of executive committee of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Sangathan with the status and rank of Minister of State.
• State-owned Indian Bank entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), IIT Bombay – an initiative of Indian Institute of Technology – for extending exclusive credit facility to startups and small businesses.
• Confederation of Indian Industry, CII, has entered into an agreement with Serum Institute of India (SII) to speed up the vaccination program in partnership with industry including health care providers.
• On July 30, 2021, On behalf of the Government of India, Meenakashi Lekhi, Hon’ble Minister of State for Culture of India participated in the G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting hosted by Italy
• India has assumed the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the month of August, in that india will organise three high-level signature meetings focussing on maritime security, peacekeeping, and counter-terrorism.
• On August 02, 2021, Fortune’s Global 500 list, Seven Indian companies were found, In that list Globally Walmart has topped the list with a revenue of USD 524 billion for the eighth consecutive year and the 16th time since 1995.
• Renowned novelist Kunal Basu has announced his new novel named ‘In An Ideal World’ expected to release in early 2022.
• Captain Ramesh Babu has authored a New Book Titled My Own Mazagon & the Book will be jointly released by Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Narayan Prasad, (Retd.), CMD Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.
• 33 year old Sri Lanka left-arm fast bowling all-rounder Isuru Udana announced his retirement from international cricket effective immediately.
• On Aug 01, 2021, Alpine’s  Esteban Ocon won the Hungarian Grand Prix 2021, held at Hungaroring in Mogyoród, Hungary.
• For the first time, the Indian women’s hockey team defeated three time championship Australia in the quarter-final of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
• On July 31, 2021, Six-time world masters championship gold medallist & multiple Asian Masters Championship medallist athlete Man Kaur Passed away.

Daily CA On Aug 04 :

• Coast Guard Day is held every August 4 to commemorate the founding of the United States Coast Guard as the Revenue Marine on August 4, 1790, by then-Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton.
• Lok Sabha passed the Essential Defence Services Bill-2021 on August 3 amid protests by Opposition members over allegations of snooping by the government using the Pegasus spyware, and the three farm laws.
• The government of India has accorded sanctions to Team CLAW to lead a team of people with disabilities to scale Siachen Glacier.
• The Culture Ministry launched a unique programme to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav on Independence Day this year.
• Eco-tourism has been identified as one of the niche tourism areas for development in the country by the Ministry of Tourism.
• Government has allocated over 756 crore rupees under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles, FAME scheme till June this year.
• India assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of August and is set to organize key events in three major areas of maritime security, peacekeeping and counter-terrorism.
• Odisha capital Bhubaneswar has become the first city in India to achieve hundred percent vaccination of its people against covid-19.
• The Board of Governors of the IMF has approved a general allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) equivalent to US$650 billion (about SDR 456 billion) on August 2, 2021, to boost global liquidity.
• The government has cut the loans disbursement target under the PM Mudra Yojana (PMMY) to Rs 3 lakh crore for the current financial year as against Rs 3.21 lakh crore sanctioned in FY21.
• Reserve Bank of India has imposed a penalty of Rs 50.35 lakh on Janalaxmi Co-operative Bank, Nashik for non-compliance with certain regulatory requirements.
• IndusInd Bank stated it has been empanelled by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to act as an ‘Agency Bank’ to facilitate transactions related to government businesses.
• Suryoday Small Finance Bank (SSFB) has launched “Suryoday Health and Wellness Savings Account”, a premium savings account product, to ensure that customers’ wealth not only grows but they and their families are also taken care of on the health front in the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Blockchain and Crypto Assets Council, an industry body formed under the aegis of the Fintech Convergence Council of the Internet and Mobile Association of India(IAMAI), has announced the appointment of Gulshan Rai, former cybersecurity coordinator, as its advisory board member.
• Kirloskar Brothers Limited announced it has appointed Rama Kirloskar as Joint Managing Director of the company with effect from August 03, 2021 for a period of 5 years.
• Chitkara University, Patiala, has been recognized as the ‘District Green Champion’ for the academic year 2020-21 by the Mahatma Gandhi National Council of Rural Education (MGNCRE), Ministry of Education, Government of India.
• On 30 and 31 July 2021, the 36th edition of CORPAT between India and Indonesia navies was held in the Indian Ocean region & the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Saryu, an indigenously built Offshore Patrol Vessel & Indonesian Naval Ship KRI Bung Tomo is undertaking coordinated patrol (CORPAT).
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) has formally inducted Rafale aircraft into 101 Squadron of the Eastern Air Command (EAC) at the Hasimara Air Force Station (AFS) in West Bengal.
• The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has introduced seven new academic programs for the academic session 2021-2022.
• Luciano Wernicke has authored a new book titled The Most Incredible Olympic Stories.
• On Aug 01, 2021, Italy’s 26 year old Lamont Marcell Jacobs won the men’s 100 metres gold and achieved the feat in 80 seconds at the Tokyo Olympics & In the Women’s Category, Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica won the women’s 100 metres title in 10.61 seconds.
• On Aug 01, 2021, Germany’s tennis ace Alexander Zverev (24 years old) beat Russian Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-1 to win the men’s singles gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
• On Aug 03, 2021, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur launched the Paralympic theme song “Kar De Kamaal Tu” in New Delhi & The song is composed and sung by divyang cricket player Sanjeev Singh, from Lucknow.
• On Aug 01, 2021, The S. Men’s National Team was crowned champion of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup in football after defeating Mexico 1-0 in extra time.
• On Aug 04, 2021, 23 year old Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain bagged the women’s 64-69kg boxing bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
• In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela with a jump of 67 metres won women’s triple jump gold.