Current Affairs 05th August 2021| Current Affairs News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Defence Secretary unveiled website for 75^th Independence day celebrations

• Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar launched a website on the 75th Independence Day Celebrations 2021 (indianidc2021.mod.gov.in) in New Delhi.
• It is a platform to connect Indians from around the world over to celebrate the National Festival.
• The platform is freely accessible to all and provides updates & information regarding activities centred around the Independence Day Celebrations 2021.
• It encompasses the entire Indian diaspora as if they were a part of the celebrations in person.
• The Defence Ministry stated, it is an attempt to engage people of all ages, especially the youth.
• For the first time ever, the platform will live stream the Independence Day Celebrations from the majestic Red Fort on 15th of this month in Virtual Reality 360 degree format.
• People can use this feature with or without VR Gadget.

About the website:

• The platform also provides features like a special IDC Radio, Gallery, Interactive filters, E-books on deeds of Gallantry, 50 years of 1971 victory and Blogs on the Freedom Movement, Wars and War Memorials.
• Netizens can also log on to know the information related to the Independence Day event including minute-to-minute programme, route map, parking details, RSVP and details of other activities.
• The programme calendar for all initiatives taken by various ministries to mark the occasion is also available on the platform.

AICTE team demonstrates unique tool that translates English language content into 11 Indian languages

• Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu witnessed a demonstration by the AICTE officials on a unique tool that translates English language content into 11 different Indian languages.
• The Vice President complimented the AICTE team for developing this innovative tool.

About the Tool:

• The tool translates English language online courses into – Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Assamese and Odia Explaining about the salient features of the tool, Dr. Buddha Chandrasekhar stated, the tool is capable of translating complex formulae, English books, research journals, Government documents and English videos.
• He mentioned, it was his dream to see the content of various technical and professional courses in Indian languages.
• He informed, it will benefit many students as they will be able to access a wide range of material in Indian languages.

Government signs US $ 250 million loan agreement with World Bank for 2nd phase of Dam Rehabilitation & Improvement Project (DRIP)

• In order to enhance water security in the country and support sustainable development, India signed a USD 250 million loan agreement with the World Bank for the second phase of the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project to make existing dams safe and resilient across the country.
• This new scheme will strengthen dam safety initiatives taken by the government through physical rehabilitation of selected dams by addressing various concerns to improve safety and operational performance, institutional strengthening in various ways, incidental revenue generation for sustainable operation and maintenance of dams.
• The agreement was signed by Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of India.
• The Ministry of Jal Shakti was represented by Debashree Mukherjee, Additional Secretary and Junaid Ahmad, country Director, India on behalf of the World Bank as well as official representatives of the states concerned.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Ebrahim Raisi takes charge as President of Iran

• Raisi stated he had a comprehensive plan to save the Islamic Republic from its severe economic crisis as well as the spiking health crisis caused by coronavirus.
• Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei endorsed Raisi, his protege, as the next president of Iran.
• Khamenei tried to downplay the low voter turnout, bragging about Iran having a more successful and peaceful transfer of power than other countries.
• He accused foreign enemies of conspiring to keep the voters away from the polling booths but tried to save face by saying that the turnout was nevertheless good enough, considering the difficult circumstances, such as the corona virus crisis.
• He also completely ignored the fact that the majority of eligible voters boycotted the election because Khamenei’s own Guardian Council disqualified all of Raisi’s serious challengers.

About Iran:

• President: Ebrahim Raisi
• Capital: Tehran
• Currency: Iranian rial
• Supreme leader: Ali Khamenei

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

Lakshadweep: Maldives style water villas to be set up in the island

• India’s popular island destination Lakshadweep will soon have three premium Maldives style water villas, claimed to be the first of its kind in the country.
• The three premium projects will come up in Minicoy, Kadmat and Suheli islands at a cost of Rs 800 crore, for which the administration floated global tenders.
• With a vision to establish a robust base for maritime economic growth with tourism development at its core, the administration stated it is engaged in developing high end eco- tourism projects at these islands as anchor projects under the aegis of NITI Aayog.
• The scientific approach adopted in each stage of the project’s finalization ensures that it strikes a balance between protection of the fragile corals’ ecosystem and the need to improve livelihood opportunities of the islanders.

About Maldives:

• Capital: Malé
• Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa
• President: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih

Assam: state cabinet announces No new cases to be registered against Gorkha community at foreigners’ tribunals; existing cases to be withdrawn

• The Assam cabinet has decided that no new cases will be registered against the Gorkha community in the state at the Foreigners’ Tribunals and already registered cases will be withdrawn.
• The Assam cabinet took a decision not to prosecute any Gorkha citizen under the Citizenship Amendment Act 1955 and also to withdraw all pending prosecution relating to Gorkhas from foreigners’ tribunals.
• According to the organization representing Gorkhas there are around 25 lakh Gorkhas in Assam.
• Around 22,000 people from the community are tagged as doubtful voters.
• Around one lakh Gorkhas failed to make it to the final.

About Assam:

• Capital: Dispur
• Chief minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma
• Governor: Jagdish Mukhi
• National parks: Kaziranga National park , Manas National park, Dibru-Saikhowa National park, Nameri National park and Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park.

Border Roads Organisation (BRO) constructs world’s highest motorable road at Umlingla Pass in eastern Ladakh, previous

• The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed the world’s highest motor-able road at Umling La Pass in Eastern Ladakh at the height of 19,300 feet.
• With this record, India has smashed Bolivia’s record, which connected a road to its volcano Uturuncu at 18,953 feet.
• Previous to Bolivia’s record, the Khardung La pass in Ladakh at 17,600 feet was the highest motorable road in the world.
• The new Umling La Pass, which is a 52 km long tarmac stretch, will connect towns in the Chumar sector of Eastern Ladakh and will provide a direct route connecting Chisumle and Demchok from Leh.
• “It will prove to be a boon to the local population as it offers an alternate direct route connecting Chisumle and Demchok from Leh.
• It will enhance the socio-economic condition and promote tourism in Ladakh”.

About Ladakh:

• Capital: Leh, Kargil
• Lieutenant Governor: R K Mathur

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING NEWS

CCI approves Carlyle-led deal with PNB Housing Finance

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Carlyle Group’s proposed Rs 4000 crore investment in PNB Housing Finance.
• PNB Housing Finance making it the majority shareholder, even as the Securities Appellate Tribunalis yet to give its judgement on the matter.
• The share price of PNB Housingzoomed to hit the 5% upper circuit at Rs 720.45.
• The CCI received a notice relating to acquisition of equity stake in PNB Housing Finance by Pluto Investments, a group company of Carlyle, and Salisbury Investments, under Green Channel.
• “Notice received under the Green Channel is deemed to be approved under regulation 5A of the Competition Commission of India”.

About PNB Housing Finance:

• PNB Housing Finance Limited is a registered housing finance company with National Housing Bank.
• It was incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 and commenced its operations on 11 November 1988.
• PNB Housing is promoted by Punjab National Bank.
• Headquarters: New Delhi

ICICI Prudential Life make tie up with NPCI for UPI Autopay

• ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has partnered with the government payments corporation – National Payments Corporation of India or NPCI to provide the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) AUTOPAY facility to customers.
• The initiative will allow customers to buy insurance policies and make premium payments digitally, from their homes – a facility that assumes relevance amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

About the tie-up:

• With this tie-up, ICICI Prudential Life has become the first such life insurance company to provide the UPI AUTOPAY facility to its customers to simplify the payments processes.
• The UPI AUTOPAY facility will provide an instant premium paying mechanism.
• To avail the facility, customers can link their bank accounts with UPI AUTOPAY and make premium payments, at the time of purchasing a life insurance policy.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENT AND RESIGNATION NEWS

Indian billionaire industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla steps down as Non-Executive Chairman of Vi

• Shares of Vodafone Idea (Vi) tanked 15 per cent at Rs 5.13, hitting a fresh 52-week low on the BSE in the intra-day trade, after telecom major announced that Kumar Mangalam Birla will step down as non-executive director and non-executive chairman at a time when Vi is struggling to stay afloat.
• The changes to the board will come into effect from close of business hours on August 4, 2021.
• Himanshu Kapania, a nominee of the Aditya Birla Group, has been appointed as the non-executive chairman.
• “The Board of Directors of Vodafone Idea Limited, have accepted the request of Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla to step down as Non-Executive Director and Non Executive Chairman of the Board with effect from close of business hours on 4th August, 2021”.

About Kumar Mangalam Birla:

• Kumar Mangalam Birla is an Indian billionaire industrialist, and the chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, one of the largest conglomerates in India.
• Kumar Mangalam Birla is the Chairman of the US $ 41 billion multinational Aditya Birla Group, operating in 36 countries across 6 continents.
• Birla chairs the Boards of the entire Group’s major companies in India and globally.

RBI gave nod to re-appoint Prakash Chandra as Non-Executive Chairman of RBL Bank

• The Reserve Bank of India has approved the re-appointment of Prakash Chandra as Non-Executive (Part Time) Chairman of RBL Bank with effect from August three for a three-year period.
• “Chandra’s reappointment and revision in his remuneration had also been approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board, which shall be placed for the approval of the Members of the Bank at the ensuing Annual General Meeting”.

About RBL Bank:

• RBL Bank, formerly known as Ratnakar Bank, is an Indian private sector bank headquartered in Mumbai and founded in 1943.

Amarjeet Sinha resigned as an Advisor in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), 

• Amarjeet Sinha, advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), has resigned from his post seven months ahead of his two-year tenure.

About Sinha:

• A retired IAS officer of 1983 batch from Bihar, Mr. Sinha, who superannuated as secretary from the Government of India, was appointed in the PMO in February 2020.
• He was tasked with handling social sector-related subjects.
• He superannuated as rural development secretary in 2019.
• Top sources confirmed his resignation without citing any reason.
• “He resigned from the post and July 31 was the last day”.

Former Prasar Bharati chief executive and TMC leader Jawhar Sircar takes charge as Rajya Sabha member

• Former chief executive of Prasar Bharatiand TMC leader Jawhar Sircar took oath as a member of Rajya Sabha.
• He was elected unopposed to theUpper House of Parliament earlier this week.Sircar took oath in Bengali and was greeted by thumping of desk by fellow MPs.
• He signed the members’ register and then greeted Chairman M Venkaiah Naiduwith folded hands. Naidu too responded to his greetings.
• He was elected to Rajya Sabha on a seat left vacant after TMC MP Dinesh Trivedi joined the BJP before the recent West Bengal assembly elections.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

DBS bags global accolade for innovation in digital banking

• DBShas been honored as the global winner for Most Innovative in Digital Banking by Financial Times publication, The Banker, in its 2021 Innovation in Digital Banking Awards.
• The bank was also recognized as the Asia-Pacific winner and won in the Cyber Security category for its Secure Access and Remote Working Solution.

About the Award:

• The Banker’s Innovation in Digital Banking Awards recognizes the most innovative banks across the world for their digital banking initiatives, strategy, and overall commitment to digital transformation.
• These awards, now in their second year, are the evolution of The Banker’s Technology Projects of the Year Awards.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOU’s AND AGREEMENTS

Union cabinet approves MoU between IIST and Delft University

• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indian Institute of Space science and Technology (IIST) and The Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), for carrying out the Academic programmes and Research activities involving students and faculty members in each institution signed on April 09, 2021 and May 17, 2021 at respective institutes and exchanged by email.

Details of MoU:

• Students exchange programme: The Parties may exchange students at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level.
• The Parties will mutually discuss and decide the areas of studies and credits to be pursued under the scheme.
• Both parties agree the Practicum exchange programme for degree training should follow the educational system and regulations of the hosting partner.
• Dual Degree/Double Degree programme: The Parties may develop specialized curriculum to be pursued by students for award of either undergraduate or postgraduate degree, which will be in addition to the initial degree to be awarded by the home Institute.
• Internships and project work: The Parties may design and develop research of engineering project assignments which will be pursued by students during their stay both short term and long term, in the partner institute.
• Faculty exchange: The Partiers may consider a Faculty exchange programme during which their faculty member will offer courses in the partner institute, for which the course contents will be developed jointly.
• Joint Research: The faculty members of both parties may identify the joint research programme in common areas of interest with defined duration.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

INS Khanjar becomes the first INS to call at heritage coastal port of Gopalpur

• Indian Naval Ship Khanjar becomes the first Indian Navy ship to call at the heritage coastal port of Gopalpur in Odisha.
• It is the two-day visit which concluded on 02 Aug 21.
• It was organised as part of Aazadi ka Amrit Mahotsav as well as Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebrations to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Independence and 50th anniversary of the 1971 War.

Aim :

• To enhance ties and spread awareness with the local populace on aspects of coastal security and maritime operations.
• During the visit, officers discussed aspects related to berthing facilities for OTR of Naval ships and security overview of port infrastructure.

India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, INS Vikrant, sets out on sea trials

• On Aug 04, 2021, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) Vikrant set out on its maiden sea trials for making military equipment within India.

About INS Vikrant :

• INS Vikrant, also known as Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1 (IAC-1), is the first aircraft carrier to be built in India.
• The 44,000-tonne carrier was built at the state-owned Cochin Shipyard in Kochi, Kerala.
• Built at a cost of Rs 23,000 crore, the carrier is expected to be fully operational by the second half of 2022.
• Vikrant is the largest and most complex warship ever to be designed and built in India.
• The trials will be conducted over an extensive period under all conditions before the warship is accepted as “proven at sea”.
• It will include take-off and landing of Russian MiG 29K fighter jets.
• It has been designed by the Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design.
• It has a top speed of 28 knots (52 kmph) and a cruising speed of 18 knots with an endurance of about 7,500 nautical miles (13,650 km).
• Around 550 Indian firms, including about 100 MSMEs, have been providing various services for the construction of the warship.
• It has 14 decks with 2,300 compartments for a crew of around 1,700.

About Sea trials :

• Sea trials is a general term referring to a series of rigorous, underway tests to confirm that the ship’s hull, mechanical and electrical and other systems function as required.

Note :

• At present, India’s only operational aircraft carrier is INS Vikramaditya.

12th edition of India-Russia joint military training Exercise INDRA 2021 begins in Volgograd, Russia          

• The 12th edition of Indo-Russia joint military exercise INDRA 2021 will be held at Volgograd, Russia from 1 to 13 August to enhance interoperability between the two armies.

Aim : 

• To facilitate joint training between Indian and Russian forces to jointly plan and conduct counter-terror operations under the United Nations mandate.

About the Exercise INDRA 2021 :

• The  exercise will involve 250 personnel from both countries.
• It will build mutual confidence and interoperability between both Armies, as well as allow for the exchange of best practices.
• Also it will  enhance security cooperation and would contribute to deepen India- Russia long-standing bond of friendship.

Note :

• INDRA is a joint biennial military exercise that was first conducted by India and Russia in 2003.

About Russia :

• President: Vladimir Putin
• Capital: Moscow
• Currency: Russian ruble

 Chief of Staff of US Army General James C McConville visits India     

• US Army’s Chief of Staff, General James C McConville is on a two-day visit to India.
• He called on Indian Army Chief MM Naravane and discussed issues of mutual interest & various key aspects of bilateral defence and security cooperation between both sides.

About James C McConville :

• James C McConville serves as the 40th chief of staff of the Army.
• He previously served as the 36th vice chief of staff of the Army.
• Prior to that, he served as the Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (G1).

About MM Naravane :

• MM Naravane is the current and 27th Chief of the Army Staff.
• He served as the 40th Vice Chief of Army Staff.
• In 2019, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.

IAF chief RKS Bhadauria visits Israel to enhance military ties

• Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria visits Israel to discuss the military ties and cooperation between two countries.
• During the meeting, they also discussed enhancement in the depth and scope of bilateral exchanges between the two Air Forces.

Recent News :

• On August 1, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria called on Major General Ibrahim Nasser M. Al Alawi, Commander UAE Air Force and Air Defence (UAE AF & AD).

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPS & SERVICES

Uttarakhand discovers India’s first earthquake early warning mobile app – Uttarakhand Bhookamp Alert

• On Aug 04, 2021, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the country’s first early warning mobile application, named ‘Uttarakhand Bhookamp Alert’,
• It has been developed by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) and the Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee.

Note :

• Uttarakhand is the first state to make such an app which is aimed at strengthening public safety.

About Uttarakhand Bhookamp Alert app :

• The application uses an Earthquake Early Warning (EEW), a real-time earthquake information system that can detect the onset of the earthquake.
• The app will send early warning messages to people before the earthquake.
• It also helps to tell the location of people trapped inside a structure following an earthquake.
• The mobile app can detect the information regarding the occurrence of an earthquake, as well as the expected time of arrival and intensity at the tremor location to prevent any loss of life.
• It is compatible with both Android and iOS platforms.

About USDMA :

• USDMA is a nodal agency for planning, coordination and monitoring activities related to disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and management.
• It was set up and notified as per sub-section (1) of section 14 of Disaster Management Act 2005.
• It is chaired by the honorable Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
• Executive director : Piyoosh Rautela

About IIT Roorkee :

• Establishment : 1847
• Director : Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi
• Location : Uttarakhand

Recent News :

• Recently The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee has introduced seven new academic programmes for the academic session 2021-2022.

About Uttarakhand :

• Governor: Baby Rani Maurya
• Chief minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Ordnance Factory launches high tech carbine TriCa

• The Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli (OFT) launched a new weapon called TriCa (Trichy Carbine) ; it is a mini version of the Trichy Assault Rifle (TAR).
• The weapon was launched by Sanjay Dwivedi, IOFS, general manager, OFT.

Key People :

• Shri Rajiv Jain, Addl. General Manager ,  Shri A.K. Singh, Addl. General Manager, Shri V.Gunasekaran,  Jt. General Manager and  Shri S. Krishnaswamy, Jt. The General Manager was present.

About TriCa :

• TriCa is a high-tech & low sound carbine.
• It is the62 X 39mm portable weapon launched on the carbine platform & It is a compact automatic weapon.
• TriCa weighs 3.17kg (including the magazine) and is lighter compared to the assault rifles.
• It has an effective range of 150 to 175m.
• It was developed by the in-house research and development unit of the Ordnance Factory.
• It was designed for the crews of infantry combat automatic weapons designed for the crews of infantry combat vehicles, helicopters, paratroopers, state police force and special operation forces.
• TriCa has a special muzzle booster which helps in hiding the flash and mitigating the sound when fired.
• It can use ammunition and magazines as well as the interchangeable parts of general assault rifles.

About OFT :

• Founded: 1966, Tiruchirappalli
• Headquarters: Kolkata
• General Manager : Shirish Khare
• It is functioning under the Ordnance Factory Board of the Ministry of Defence.

 European Space Agency launches Eutelsat Quantum revolutionary reprogrammable Satellite

• The world’s 1st commercial reprogrammable satellite Eutelsat Quantum’, launched by European Space Agency (ESA) into space aboard Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana.
• It has been developed under a European Space Agency collaboration with satellite operator Eutelsat and industry-leading manufacturer Airbus & Surrey Satellite Technology.

About the satellite :

• It is a new generation of flexible software-defined satellites.
• It can respond in near real-time for a plethora of potential applications.
• It is the 5-tonne satellite, & it had 8 communication beams.
• The satellite is also ideal for monitoring and aiding in emergencies and disaster recovery scenarios.
• The satellite will operate in geostationary orbit for its lifespan of 15-years.

About European Space Agency :

• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Founded: 30 May 1975, Europe
• CEO: Johann-Dietrich Wörner
• Director General : Josef Aschbacher

About Surrey Satellite Technology :

• Founder: Martin Sweeting
• Founded: 23 May 1985, Guildford, United Kingdom
• Headquarters: Guildford, United Kingdom

About Eutelsat :

• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Founded: 1977
• CEO : Rodolphe Belmer
• It is the world’s third-largest satellite operator in terms of revenues.

About Airbus :

• Headquarters: Leiden, Netherlands
• CEO: Guillaume Faury
• Founded: 18 December 1970, Blagnac, France
• Chairman : René Obermann

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BOOKS & AUTHORS

A New Book Titled Leopard Diaries – the Rosette in India’ authored by Sanjay Gubbi  

• A New Book Titled Leopard Diaries – the Rosette in India’ authored by Wildlife Biologist Sanjay Gubbi.
• The book was published by Westland.

About the Book :

• In that Book the author explains the food habits, ecological context, and conservation of Leopard along with the suggestions to overcome leopard–human conflict.
• Also, the Book discovers the practical engagement as a conflict manager, adviser to the State government, and leopard PR (Public Relations) person.

About Sanjay Gubbi :

• Sanjay Gubbi is a conservation biologist based in Karnataka.
• Currently, he works as a scientist with Nature Conservation Foundation, a Mysore based NGO.

Achievements :

• In 2011, Gubbi received the Carl Zeiss Wildlife Conservation Award and was recognized by the Wildlife Conservation Society.
• For his contribution towards the landscape-scale conservation of tigers, he was conferred with the Whitley Award, popularly called the Green Oscars in 2017.
• For his work on wildlife conservation in India, he was awarded the Coexistence Award by the Elephant Family, UK in 2019.

Other Books :

• Second Nature: Saving Tiger Landscapes in the Twenty-First Century

About Leopard :

• The leopard (Panthera pardus) is one of the five extant species in the genus Panthera.
• It is a member of the cat family, Felidae.
• It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Note :

• Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of leopards (26%).

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SPORTS NEWS

2020 Tokyo Olympics: Indian Men’s Hockey team wins bronze medal    

• In the Tokyo Olympics 2020, Indian Men’s Hockey team won the bronze medal after defeating Germany 5-4.
• It is the country’s first Olympic medal in hockey since winning the gold medal in the 1980 olympics in Moscow.
• Simranjeet Singh scored two goals for India at the Oi Hockey Stadium, while Hardik Singh , Harmanpreet Singh  and Rupinder Pal Singh were the other goal getters for India.
• This is India’s third bronze medal at the Olympics & the other two came in 1968 Mexico City and the 1972 Munich Games.
• So far in the Olympics Indian Hockey team won eight gold medals in the years 1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1980.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Dogri writer & Padma Shri awardee Padma Sachdev passes away                          

• On Aug 04, 20321, Legendary Dogri poet and Padma Shri awardee Padma Sachdev passed away.
• She was 81.

About Padma Sachdev :

• Sachdev was born in Purmandal area of Jammu in 1940.
• She was the first modern woman poet of the Dogri language.
• She published several poetry collections, including Meri Kavita Mere Geet (My Poems, My Songs).
• Sachdev also wrote the lyrics for the song ‘Mera Chhota Sa Ghar Baar’ from the 1973 Hindi film “Prem Parbat”.

Achievements :

• For Meri Kavita Mere Geet, she won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1971.
• In 2001, Sachdev was awarded the Padma Shri for her contribution to education and literature.
• She was awarded the Kabir Samman for poetry for 2007-08 by the Madhya Pradesh

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.

Daily CA On Aug 05 :

• Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar launched a website on the 75th Independence Day Celebrations 2021 (indianidc2021.mod.gov.in) in New Delhi.
• Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu witnessed a demonstration by the AICTE officials on a unique tool that translates English language content into 11 different Indian languages.
• In order to enhance water security in the country and support sustainable development, India signed a USD 250 million loan agreement with the World Bank for the second phase of the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project to make existing dams safe and resilient across the country.
• Hardliner Ebrahim Raisi has won Iran’s presidential election
• India’s popular island destination Lakshadweep will soon have three premium Maldives style water villas, claimed to be the first of its kind in the country.
• The Assam cabinet has decided that no new cases will be registered against the Gorkha community in the state at the Foreigners’ Tribunals and already registered cases will be withdrawn.
• The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed the world’s highest motor-able road at Umling La Pass in Eastern Ladakh at the height of 19,300 feet.
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Carlyle Group’s proposed Rs 4000 crore investment in PNB Housing Finance.
• ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has partnered with the government payments corporation – National Payments Corporation of India or NPCI to provide the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) AUTOPAY facility to customers.
• Indian billionaire industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla steps down as Non-Executive Chairman of Vi
• The Reserve Bank of India has approved the re-appointment of Prakash Chandra as Non-Executive (Part Time) Chairman of RBL Bank with effect from August three for a three-year period.
• Amarjeet Sinha, advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), has resigned from his post seven months ahead of his two-year tenure.
• Former chief executive of Prasar Bharatiand TMC leader Jawhar Sircar took oath as a member of Rajya Sabha.
• DBShas been honored as the global winner for Most Innovative in Digital Banking by Financial Times publication, The Banker, in its 2021 Innovation in Digital Banking Awards.
• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indian Institute of Space science and Technology (IIST) and The Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
• Indian Naval Ship Khanjar becomes the first Indian Navy ship to call at the heritage coastal port of Gopalpur in Odisha.
• On Aug 04, 2021, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) Vikrant set out on its maiden sea trials for making military equipment within India.
• The 12th edition of Indo-Russia joint military exercise INDRA 2021 will be held at Volgograd, Russia from 1 to 13 August to enhance interoperability between the two armies.
• US Army’s Chief of Staff, General James C McConville is on a two-day visit to India.
• Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria visits Israel to discuss the military ties and cooperation between two countries.
• On Aug 04, 2021, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the country’s first early warning mobile application, named ‘Uttarakhand Bhookamp Alert’ & it has been developed by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) and the Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee.
• The Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli (OFT) launched a new weapon called TriCa (Trichy Carbine) ; it is a mini version of the Trichy Assault Rifle (TAR) & the weapon was launched by Sanjay Dwivedi, IOFS, general manager, OFT.
• The world’s 1st commercial reprogrammable satellite Eutelsat Quantum’, launched by European Space Agency (ESA) into space aboard Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana.
• A New Book Titled Leopard Diaries – the Rosette in India’ authored by Wildlife Biologist Sanjay Gubbi & the book was published by Westland.
• In the Tokyo Olympics 2020, Indian Men’s Hockey team won the bronze medal after defeating Germany 5-4.
• On Aug 04, 20321, Legendary Dogri poet and Padma Shri awardee Padma Sachdev passed away.