Tag: August current affairs

Assam Current Affairs – August 28-31, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – August 28-31, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the August 28-31, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4 

August 28-31, 2022

All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival 2021-2022 begins

The 50th All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival 2021-2022 began at Iboyama Shumang Leela Shanglen in Palace Compound, Imphal. 

During the festival, the Governor also distributed medals to the winners of 49th All Manipur Shumang Leela Festival 2020-21.

Shumang Leela is a traditional form of theatre in Manipur and the roles of female artists are all played by male actors and male characters are played by female artists in case of female theatre groups.

Shumang Leela Groups of the early stage attempted to preserve and promote humanism, tolerance, confidence, devotion, truth and justice through their performances.

In the present day Shumang Leelas have been trying to focus on the issues of moral values, unity and integrity. It has also been trying to strengthen the bond of brotherhood and friendship among various communities in the State.

IIT Guwahati developed a new method for making sugar substitute “Xylitol”

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed an ultrasound-assisted fermentation method to produce a safe sugar substitute called ‘Xylitol’ from sugarcane bagasse (the residue left after crushing of sugarcane). 

This method overcomes the operational limitations of chemical methods of synthesis and the time delays associated with conventional fermentation.

The IIT Guwahati researchers used two approaches to overcome the two problems: 

First, they used sugarcane bagasse, the waste fibrous material produced after extracting juice from sugarcane, as the raw material. This overcomes the cost limitations of current xylitol synthesis methods and provides a method to upcycle a waste product.

Secondly, they used a new type of fermentation process wherein, the microbe-induced synthesis of xylitol is hastened by the application of ultrasound waves.

The use of ultrasound during the fermentation process not only reduced the time of fermentation to 15 hours, but also increased the yield of the product by almost 20%. 

There has been an increase in the use of safe alternative sweeteners as awareness of the negative effects of white sugar (sucrose) on individuals with diabetes and general health has grown. 

A sugar alcohol generated from plants called xylitol may have anti-obesogenic and anti-diabetic properties in addition to being a mild prebiotic and guarding teeth against caries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first earthquake memorial

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dedicated India’s first earthquake memorial, named Smruti Van at Bhuj in Gujarat. 

Smruti Van is a unique memorial carrying the names of more than 12 thousand people who lost their lives in the devastating earthquake that struck here in January 2001.

The memorial is spread across 470 acres of land and is built atop Bhujiyo hill. It celebrates the spirit of resilience in the wake of the death of nearly 13,000 people during the earthquake on January 26, 2001, which had its epicentre in Bhuj. Bhujio Hill was a military base for former rulers of the Kutch region.

The museum will showcase the Harappan civilisation of this region, scientific information regarding earthquakes, Gujarat’s culture, science behind cyclones and Kutch’s success story after the earthquake. 

Linthoi Chanambam wins gold medal at the World Cadet Judo Championship 

Linthoi Chanambam became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the World Cadet Judo Championship 2022. She won the gold medal in the women’s -57kg category in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

The 16-year-old Linthoi Chanambam is from Manipur. Shedefeated Brazil’s Reis Bianca 1-0 by Waza-ari-a throw to win the gold at the world championships in Sarajevo.

Linthoi’s  coach Mamuka Kizilashvili believes that Linthoi’s gold-winning feat is not only a historic achievement but could be a sign of things to come for the sport of Judo in India.

India successfully test-fires Indian Navy’s VL-SRSAM Missile System

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy successfully flight-tested the indigenously designed and developed Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

About VL-SRSAM 

  • The missile has been specially designed by DRDO using four short-span long-chord cruciform wings that offer aerodynamic stability. 
  • The Missile system has been developed as a quick reaction surface-to-air missile for the Indian Navy. 
  • The range of this missile system is capable of hitting targets across 40 to 50 km range at an altitude of about 15 km. 
  • It is a canisterised system and each missile is stored and operated from specific compartments, making its transport and storage easier.
  • The missile can be used for neutralizing various aerial threats at medium and close ranges and are also capable of intercepting sea-skimming fighter jets and missiles that are used to avoid being detected by radar. 
  • The new missile system is being developed to replace the existing Barak 1 surface-to-air missile system which is being used on Naval Ships by the Indian Navy. 

Gautam Adani becomes world’s third-richest person

Gautam Adani has now become the world’s third-richest person. It’s the first time an Asian has broken into the top-3 of the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. 

With a net worth of $137.4 billion, he is now just behind Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos in the global ranking.

Elon Musk has a net worth of $251 billion, while Jeff Bezos has a total worth of $153 billion. Gautam Adani, co-founder and chairman of the Adani Group, has left behind the ranking business magnate Bernard Arnault.

Assam Current Affairs – August 25-27, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – August 25-27, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the August 25-27, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4 

August 25-27, 2022

Godrej Agrovet signs MoUs with Assam, Manipur & Tripura for oil palm cultivation

Godrej Agrovet, a diversified agribusiness conglomerate, announced that it has signed an MoU with the governments of Assam, Manipur, and Tripura for the development and promotion of oil palm cultivation in the area under the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm initiative. 

The partnership will bring new opportunities and growth in building oil palm plantations in these three states and would help provide the required support to the farmers. 

The Agreements are in keeping with Godrej Agrovet’s long-term goal to be the driving force behind India’s oil mission by doubling farmer income and promoting sustainable expansion of oil palm production.

Government of India launched the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEOOP) in August 2021, with a planned outlay of ₹ 11,040 Crore. 

Under this mission, the Government has envisaged raising the area under cultivation of oil palm to 10 Lakh hectares by 2025-26 and 16.7 Lakh hectares by 2029-30 with a special focus on the North East region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

India-Bangladesh 38th Joint River Commission meeting held in Delhi

The 38th meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint River Commission (JRC) was held in Delhi. The JRC is headed by Water Resources Ministers of both countries.

Key Points 

  • The meeting discussed several ongoing projects of mutual interest including common river water sharing, sharing of data on flood, countering river pollution, joint survey on sediment management, protection of river banks among others. 
  • Both sides finalised the contents of an MoU on interim water sharing of the Kushiara river. 
  • Both sides also welcomed the finalisation of the design and location of water intake points on Feni river to meet the needs of the people in Sabrum town in India as per the India-Bangladesh MoU signed in 2019.
  • India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers,  of which 7 rivers have been identified earlier for development of the water sharing agreement framework on priority basis. 
  • Sharing of the real time flood data is one of the most important areas of India’s cooperation with Bangladesh. 
  • India recently extended the flood information sharing period beyond October 15 to help Bangladesh deal with the unexpected floods in some areas.

Uday Umesh Lalit appointed as the 49th Chief Justice of India 

Shri Justice Uday Umesh Lalit appointed as the 49th Chief Justice of India with effect from 27th August, 2022. He will succeed incumbent CJI NV Ramana, who demits office on August 26.

Justice Uday Umesh Lalit was appointed as Judge of the Supreme Court of India in August 2014 from the Bar. Justice Lalit will become the second Chief Justice of India to be directly elevated to the Supreme Court from the Bar, after Justice S.M. Sikri, who served as the 13 th CJI in 1971. 

Justice Lalit has served as a Member of Supreme Court Legal Services Committee for two terms. He was designated as a senior advocate by the top court in April 2004. 

In January 1986, he shifted his practice to Delhi. He was appointed a special public prosecutor for the CBI to conduct the trial in the 2G spectrum allocation case.

NITI Aayog declared Haridwar as the best aspirational district in India

NITI Aayog has declared Haridwar city of Uttarakhand as the best aspirational district on the basis of five parameters. 

The district has secured the first rank in basic infrastructure theme and has become entitled to receive an additional allocation of Rs 3 crore.

Parameters for Evaluation

Parameters for Best Aspirational District It envisages rapid development of selected districts on basis of composite index based on five parameters: 

  • Health & Nutrition (30%) 
  • Education (30%) 
  • Agriculture & Water Resources (20%) 
  • Financial Inclusion & Skill Development (10%) 
  • Infrastructure (10%)

Aspirational District Programme 

  • NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts Programme launched in January 2018. 
  • The programme aimed at identifying potential districts that can develop into model blocks through socio-economic development. 
  • Under the programme, the central government takes steps to improve the socio-economic condition of identified districts and ensure inclusive and holistic development.
  • The ranking of aspirational districts combines innovative use of data with practical governance, placing the district at the center of inclusive growth. 
  • As per the norms for planning of aspirational districts, each district should prepare an action plan in consultation with the State and Central officers in charge, after which it should be sent to NITI Aayog for final approval of the Empowered Committee of Secretaries constituted for the programme. 

Germany Launches World’s first Hydrogen-powered Passenger Train

Recently, the world’s first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger trains was launched by Germany.  The engine of the trains is powered by electricity generated using hydrogen fuel cells. 

The new fleet consists of 14 Coradia iLint hydrogen trains made by the French company Alstom and operated by regional rail company LNVG.

Key Points 

  • The use of hydrogen is a clean alternative to fossil fuels. 
  • Lower Saxony has invested a total of 93 million euros for the first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger train projects. 
  • This invitation is an excellent example and effort to make the economy of Germany greener.
  • These trains have ranges up to 1000 kilometers and a maximum speed of 140 kph. 
  • After the introduction of the first fleet of hydrogen-powered passenger trains, the hydrogen produced with renewable energy, the trains will save up to 1.6 liters of diesel in a year.

Angela Merkel wins UNESCO Peace Prize 2022

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been awarded the 2022 UNESCO Peace Prize for her efforts to welcome refugees.

Merkel was awarded the 2022 Félix Houphout-Boigny-UNESCO Peace Prize for her “courageous decision in 2015 to welcome more than 1,2 million refugees, notably from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Eritrea.

She is best known for her work in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where she condemned rape as a “weapon of war”.

About UNESCO Peace Prize 

  • The UNESCO Peace Prize was constituted in 1989 under the United Nations Charter and the UNESCO Constitution. 
  • The prize is awarded to a person, an organization or a private or governmental body for making a significant contribution for “promotion, study, safeguarding, or maintenance of peace.” 
  • The prize has been named after Félix Houphouët-Boigny, the late former president of Côte d’Ivoire. 
  • The prize includes a gold medal and a cheque of USD 150,000 along with a peace diploma. If there are multiple recipients, the cheque is shared equally. 

Assam Current Affairs – August 22-24, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – August 22-24, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the August 22-24, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4 

August 22-24, 2022

The government of India launched National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme 

Namaste is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) as a joint initiative of the MoSJE and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). 

About NAMASTE Scheme

  • This scheme envisages safety and dignity of sanitation workers in urban India by creating an enabling ecosystem that recognizes sanitation workers as one of the key contributors in operations and maintenance of sanitation infrastructure.
  • Ensuring safety and dignity of sanitation workers in urban India and providing sustainable livelihood and enhancing their occupational safety through capacity building and improved access to safety gear and machines.
  • This scheme aimed at providing access to alternative livelihoods support  and entitlements to reduce the vulnerabilities of sanitation workers.
  • It would enable the sanitation workers to access self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities and break the intergenerationality in sanitation work. 
  • In addition, NAMASTE would bring about a behavior change amongst citizens towards sanitation workers and enhance demand for safe sanitation services.

NAMASTE aims to achieve the following outcomes: 

  • Zero fatalities in sanitation work in India
  • All sanitation work is performed by skilled workers
  • No sanitation workers come in direct contact with human faecal matter
  • Sanitation workers are collectivized into SHGs and are empowered to run sanitation enterprises 
  • All Sewer and Septic tank  sanitation workers (SSWs) have access to alternative livelihoods 
  • Strengthened supervisory and monitoring systems at national, state and ULB levels to ensure enforcement and monitoring of safe sanitation work 
  • Increased awareness amongst sanitation services seekers (individuals and institutions) to seek services from registered and skilled sanitation workers. 

The 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023 will be held in Indore

According to External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2023 will be held in Indore in January next year. 

About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 

  • Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated every year in India on 9 January to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the development of India. 
  • The day also commemorates the return of father of nation Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa in Mumbai (then Bombay) on January 9, 1915. 
  • Celebration of Pravasi Diwas started in India in 2003.
  • The 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas was held in New Delhi with the theme “Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.

Exercise Pitch Black 2022

India will be part of the mega air combat exercise “Pitch Black 2022” which will be held in the Northern Territory of Australia. Exercise Pitch Black is scheduled to be organised between 19 Aug 22 to 08 Sep 22. 

This is a biennial, multinational exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

The participation of 17 Air Forces and over 2500 military personnel. The IAF contingent included four Su-30 MKI & two C-17 aircraft.

The participating forces took part in various multi-aircraft combat drills by day & night, simulating complex aerial scenarios, involving large formations. The exercise provided an opportunity for the air forces to share best practices and experiences. 

The event witnessed a collaborative spirit that has led to a better understanding of each other’s capabilities & a bonhomie that will lead to enduring ties between the participating nations.

Goa becomes the first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certified state

Goa  becomes the first Har Ghar Jal’ certified state and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu (D&NH and D&D) became the first Har Ghar Jal’ union territory in India respectively, through a resolution passed by Gram Sabha, certifying that all households in the villages have access to safe drinking water through taps, ensuring that ‘No One is Left Out’.  

All 2.63 lakh rural households of Goa & 85,156 of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu have access to potable water through tap connection.

About Jal Jeevan Mission

  • Jal Jeevan Mission is a government of India’s flagship programme, which was unveiled on August 15, 2019. 
  • The initiative is carried out by the Indian government in collaboration with the States and UTs.
  • The mission aims to make provision of potable tap water supply in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality and on regular & long-term basis to every rural household of the country by 2024.
  • More than 10 lakh women in the country have been trained to use Field Test Kits (FTKs) for testing the quality of water supplied in rural households. 
  • More than 57 lakh water samples have been tested by these women using Field Testing Kits (FTKs).
  • More than 52% rural households in the country are now connected with tap water which was only 17% at the time of launch of this transformational mission on August 15, 2019.

Manisha Kalyan became the first Indian footballer to play at the UEFA Women’s Champions League

Manisha Kalyan became the first Indian footballer to play at the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

She made her debut for Apollon Ladies FC in the European Club competition in Engomi, Cyprus.

She become the first ever Indian footballer to score a goal in the AFC Women’s Club Championship in November 2021.

Recently, she was awarded the AIFF Women’s Footballer of the Year for the 2021-22 season.

Assam Current Affairs – August 19-21, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – August 19-21, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the August 19-21, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4 

August 19-21, 2022

Assam government rolled out nearly 1,000 model Anganwadi centres in state

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma rolled out nearly 1,000 model Anganwadi centres constructed across the state in order to strengthen formative learning among children. 

Remotely inaugurating the centres at a central ceremony in Palasbari Assembly constituency, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the government aimed to have as many as 15000 model Anganwadi centres in the state by the year 2026.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also launched the “Adopt an Anganwadi” portal, aimed at providing philanthropists, non-government organisations and concerned citizens with a platform through which they can contribute towards the welfare of the society by adopting full or partial expenses of an anganwadi centre.

Border Roads Organization (BRO) will build Steel Slag Road in Arunachal Pradesh

The Border Road Organization (BRO) will build Steel Slag Road in Arunachal Pradesh based on the Pilot project. The Steel Slag Road is the first of its kind Project which aims to make durable roadways that can withstand heavy rain and adverse climatic conditions. 

The Steel Slag Road project will help to resolve the connection between the help centres and the affected areas.

Benefits of Building Steel Slag Roads

  • The use of Steel Slag to construct roads will improve the durability and quality of roads making them safer. 
  • Roads constructed using 100% steel processed slag have proven to be durable as compared to regular bitumen roads.
  • India being the 2nd largest producer of Steel in the world, using steel slag for the construction of roads will also help reduce the cost of construction.
  • The Steel industry in India produces a huge amount of steel and after the recovery of metal, a major portion of steel Slag is discarded. The use of Steel Slag on roads will help in reducing the waste and recycling the waste of the Steel industries in India. 
  • The carbon footprint in the Steel Slag Roads is lower than usual roads built with other materials.

Durand Cup 2022

Durand Cup, the oldest football tournament in Asia, is scheduled to start from August 16, 2022. 

The 131st edition of the tournament will run until September 18. Out of 20 teams, 11 teams will be from various clubs that play Indian Super League, five teams from I-league, and four teams from Armed Forces.

Key Points

  • For the first time in its history, the tournament is being held in multiple cities as West Bengal, Assam and Manipur are hosting the Durand Cup 2022. 
  • The opening match will be played between FC Goa and Mohammedan SC in Kolkata. 
  • Indian Oil is the title sponsor of the tournament and the previous edition of Durand Cup 2021 was won by FC Goa
  • The Durand Cup 2022 will be held in five designated venues across three cities: Salt Lake Stadium, Naihati Stadium, Kishore Bharati Stadium (West Bengal) Khuman Lampak Stadium (Imphal, Manipur) Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium (Guwahati, Assam)

About Durand Cup

  • It is an annual domestic football competition in India founded by the former Foreign Secretary of British India, Mortimer Durand in Shimla in 1888.
  • The tournament is the oldest existing club football tournament in Asia and third oldest in the world.
  • It is annually organized by the Durand Cup Football Tournament in association with the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
  • The winner of the tournament is facilitated with three trophies, the Durand Cup, the President’s Cup, and the Shimla Trophy.

Government appoints 37 new High Court Judges on the eve of Independence Day 2022

The government has appointed 37 new High Court Judges. According to the notification issued by the Law Ministry, the maximum number of judges is being appointed in Punjab and Haryana High Court with a total of 11 judges.

The other 26 judges will be appointed in Allahabad, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Guwahati high courts.

Government in this year i.e. 2022 has so far made 138 appointments in various High Courts of the country thus surpassing its earlier record of 126 High Court appointments in the year 2016. 

Last year in 2021, the appointment tally in High Courts was 120 in addition to 9 appointments in the Supreme Court. Thus, the entire appointment process in higher judiciary has been put on a fast track.

Nature Index 2022

The Nature Index 2022 was recently released. The Nature Index is an indicator of high quality research in chemistry, life sciences, physical sciences and earth & environment.

Rankings were provided on the basis of information secured during April 1, 2021, to march 31, 2022.

Highlights of Nature Index 2022

  • In the index, University of Hyderabad has secured first position among Indian Universities while has been placed at 16th position among all institutions in the academic sector.
  • Hyderabad was ranked first with 72 research papers and a share of 19.46 in academic sector.
  • Rank 23rd– Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad. 
  • Rank 26th– Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Tirupati. 
  • Rank 54th-Amity University. Rank 76th– National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hyderabad. 
  • Rank 82nd– International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Hyderabad 
  • Rank 92nd– Andhra University 
  • Rank 108th– Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada Rank 122nd– Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati (IIT) Tirupati.

India ranks 4th in ‘Forbes Asia best under a billion’

Forbes Asia has published its 2022 edition of the best 200 mid-sized companies in the Asia-Pacific region. 

In 2022, India ranks 4th in Forbes Asia best under a billion with 24 Indian firms down from 26 in 2021.

Key Points

  • Taiwan has the greatest number of companies listed at 30, followed by Japan with 29 and South Korea has 27.
  • The unranked list was compiled from a long list of over 20,000 publicly traded companies in the Asia-Pacific region with annual sales of above USD10 million but less than USD1 billion.
  • The objective of the list is to identify companies with long-term sustainable performance across a variety of metrics.
  • A composite score was created using data collected in such areas as debt, sales, and earnings-per-share growth over both the most recent fiscal one- and three-year periods, and the strongest one and five-year average return on equity. 
  • Forbes used full-year annual results, based on the latest publicly available figures as of July 11, 2022.
  • Companies with serious governance issues, questionable accounting, environmental concerns, management issues, or legal troubles were excluded, and so were state-controlled firms and subsidiaries of larger companies.

Assam Current Affairs – August 16-18, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – August 16-18, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the August 16-18, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4 

August 16-18, 2022

Assam government launched Vidya Rath-School on Wheels’ Project

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched Vidya Rath-School on Wheels project. The project aimed at providing a learning opportunity to the less fortunate children in the city.

About Vidya Rath-School project

  • The Vidya Rath-School on Wheels will reportedly provide access to elementary education to underprivileged children for 10 months. After 10 months, the children will be integrated into the conventional system of education. 
  • Students will be provided free mid-day meals, uniforms and textbooks under the project. 

Arunachal’s Third Airport Named ‘Donyi Polo Airport’

The third airport in Arunachal Pradesh, which is now under construction in Itanagar, has been given the name “Donyi Polo Airport” by the Arunachal Pradesh administration.

Key Points

  • The “Donyi Polo Airport” in Itanagar would be Arunachal Pradesh`s third airport after Pasighat and Tezu airports
  • In the state’s tribal language, Donyi means Sun and Polo means Moon.
  • The airport, about 15 km from the State capital, is built at a cost of ₹645 crore under the Centre’s Capital Connectivity Scheme. 
  • The Airport Authority of India has undertaken a Rs 650-crore project to develop the airport to boost air connectivity in the mountainous areas.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ‘Panch Pran’ goal for the next 25 years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation for the 9th consecutive time from the Red Fort on August 15, 2022. 

During the 88-minute speech, PM set a “Panch Pran Targets” (Five Resolves) to turn India into a developed nation in the next 25 years, when India will celebrate its 100th Independence Day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spelt out the five pledges as a resolve for a developed India; move forward with bigger resolves and resolve of a developed India;  removing any trace of the colonial mindset; taking pride in our legacy; our strength of unity; fulfilling the duties of citizens, which include the prime minister and chief ministers as well.

Panch Pran: India’s developed standards 

  • Cleanliness campaigns, vaccinations, electrical connections, the elimination of open defecation, and the usage of solar energy are all examples of established India standards according to the Panch Pran. 
  • Gender equality, India First and respect for women are symbols of our unity and solidarity. 
  • The example of freedom from the thought of slavery is the new national education policy, which is the way to get rid of the thinking of slavery.
  • Fulfillment of duties like saving electricity, full use of water available in the fields, chemical-free farming prepares the way for the progress of the country.

Mandla becomes India’s first fully ‘functionally literate’ district

Madhya Pradesh’s tribal-dominated Mandla region has become the first fully “functionally literate” district in the country. 

Mandla is the first district of India to reach this mark, where people were able to write their names, read and count.

Key Points

  • To make people functionally literate, a major campaign was launched on Independence Day 2020, in association with the school education department, Anganwadi & social workers, women and child development department, to educate women and senior citizens. 
  • With this campaign, the entire district has turned into a functionally literate district, within two years. 
  • During the 2011 survey, the literacy rate in Mandla district was 68%. Another report of 2020 highlights that, more than 2.25 lakh people in this district were not literate, most of them were tribals from forest areas.

Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu launched ‘Medicine from the Sky’ project

The Arunachal government successfully launched its first flight of drone service – ‘medicine from the sky’ from Seppa to Chayang Tajo in East Kameng district.

The pilot project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and executed by Bengaluru-based startup Redwing Labs.

The objective of this project is to provide a clear picture on operational issues, financial feasibility and regulatory issues, based on which our govt shall make a policy and take steps for phased adoption of this emerging technology.

Assam Current Affairs – August 13-15, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – August 13-15, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the August 13-15, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4 

August 13-15, 2022

Meghalaya will host 2nd edition of the North East Olympics

Meghalaya will host the upcoming 2nd edition of the North East Olympics from October 30th to November 6th in Shillong. 

This edition of the Games will be special as Meghalaya is celebrating the 50th year of its Statehood. 

In this edition, about 4,000 participants from eight North Eastern States will be competing in 18 disciplines at 13 venues spread across Shillong. 

Participants will be competing in disciplines, such as archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, football, judo, karate, shooting, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, wushu, cycling (Mountain Bike), golf, weightlifting and wrestling.

The first edition of the Games was held in Manipur in 2018, with 12 disciplines. 

India adds 11 more wetlands to the list of Ramsar sites

India has added 11 more wetlands to the list of Ramsar sites, taking the total Ramsar sites in India to 75 covering an area of 13,26,677 hectares in the country.

Key Points

  • The 11 new sites include: Four sites in Tamil Nadu, Three in Odisha, Two in Jammu & Kashmir and One each in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. 
  • Designation of these sites would help in the conservation and management of wetlands and wise use of their resources.
  • During 1982 to 2013, a total of 26 sites were added to the list of Ramsar sites, however, during 2014 to 2022, the country has added 49 new wetlands to the list of Ramsar sites.
  • In the year 2022, a total of 28 sites have been declared as Ramsar sites. 
  • Tamil Nadu leads the charge with a total of 14 Ramsar Sites followed by Uttar Pradesh which has 10.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launches SMILE-75 initiative

Recently, the Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment launched SMILE-75 (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise).initiative to address the persisting problem of destitution and beggary. 

This initiative has been started as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

About the SMILE 75-Initiative

  • The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has also allocated a total budget of Rs.100 crore for the SMILE project for the coming years till 2025-26.
  • The objective of SMILE- 75 is to make our cities/towns and municipal areas begging-free and make a strategy for comprehensive rehabilitation of the persons engaged in the act of begging through the coordinated action of various stakeholders.
  • Under this initiative, 75 Municipal Corporations in collaboration with NGOs and other stakeholders will cover several comprehensive welfare measures for persons who are engaged in the act of begging with a focus extensively on rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counselling, awareness, education, skill development, economic linkages and convergence with other Government welfare programmes etc.
  • It seeks to develop a support mechanism for holistic rehabilitation of those engaged in the act of begging.

Agasthiyamalai Elephant Reserve became the fifth elephant reserve in Tamil Nadu

Recently, The Tamil Nadu State government notified Agasthiyamalai Elephant Reserve as the fifth elephant reserve at Agathiyamalai in Tirunelveli district.

The Agasthiyamalai Elephant Reserve will be spread across 1,197.48 sq.km of land and will cover Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli areas.

According to the notification, the forest areas of Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and Kanniyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary in Agasthyamalai landscape constitute the most important habitats of Asian elephants in the southernmost part of the western ghats.

The declaration of Agasthyamalai region as the 5th Elephant Reserve in the state to put more emphasis on protection and conservation of Elephants within a healthy ecosystem. 

Designation of the area as a dedicated reserve forest will also provide connectivity of the elephant migratory paths in the landscape through proper research and effective management.

Shashi Tharoor has been selected for France’s highest civilian Legion of Honour

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has been selected for France’s highest civilian award Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur.

The French government is honouring him for his writings and speeches and the French Ambassador here Emmanuel Lenain has written to Tharoor informing him about the award. 

In 2010, Tharoor had received a similar honour from the Spanish government, when the King of Spain had bestowed upon him the Encomienda de la Real Order Espanola de Carlos III.

Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte.

It is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil.

Assam Current Affairs – August 10-12, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – August 10-12, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the August 10- 12, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4 

August 10-12, 2022

India’s medal winners at Commonwealth Games 2022

Commonwealth Games 2022 took place in Birmingham, the United Kingdom from 28 July to 8 August 2022. India is participating for the 18th time in the Commonwealth Games.

India ranked 4th in the Commonwealth Games 2022 Medal Tally with 61 medals. India won 22 gold, 16 silver and 23 bronze medals.

Australia topped the tally with 178 medals (67 gold, 57 silver, 54 bronze) followed by England who collected 173 medals (56 gold, 64 silver, 53 bronze). Canada finished third with 26 gold, 32 silver and 34 bronze for a total of 92 medals.

Gold medal winners for India in Commonwealth Games 2022

  1. Mirabai Chanu-Weightlifter-Women’s 49 kg 
  2. Jeremy Lalrinnunga-Weightlifter-Men’s 67 kg 
  3. Anchita Sheuli-Weightlifter-Men’s 37 kg 
  4. Indian Women Lawn Bowls Team-Lawn Bowls-Women’s Fours Team 
  5. Men’s Table Tennis team-Table Tennis-Men’s Team 
  6. Sudhir-Para Powerlifting-Men’s heavyweight 
  7. Sakshi Malik-Wrestling-Women’s 62 Kg 
  8. Deepak Punia-Wrestling-men’s freestyle 86 kg 
  9. Vinesh Phogat-Wrestling-women’s 53 kg 
  10. Naveen-Wrestling- men’s freestyle 74 kg 
  11. Bhavina Patel- Table Tennis-women’s singles class 
  12. Ravi Kumar Dahiya-Wrestling-Men’s 57 kg freestyle 
  13. Nitu Ghanghas-Boxing-women’s 48 kg 
  14. Amit Panghal-Boxing-men’s 51 kg 
  15. Eldhose Paul-Athletics-men’s triple jump 
  16. Nikhat Zareen-Boxing- women’s 50 kg 
  17. Table Tennis Mixed Team-Table Tennis-Table Tennis Mixed Doubles 
  18. PV Sindhu- Badminton-Women’s Singles 
  19. Bajrang Punia-Wrestling-Men’s 65 Kg 
  20. Lakshya Sen-Badminton-Men’s Singles event 
  21. Sharath Kamal- Table Tennis- Men’s Singles 

22.Satwik Sairaj Rankireddi and Chirag Shetty -Badminton-Men’s Double 

List of Indian Silver Medal Winners in Commonwealth Games 2022 

  1. Bindyarani Devi-Weightlifting-women’s 55 kg 
  2. Sanket Mahadev Sargar-Weightlifting-men’s 55kg 
  3. Judoka Sushila-Judo- Women’s 48 kg 
  4. Vikas Thakur-Weightlifting- men’s 96kg 
  5. Badminton Mixed Team-badminton-Mixed team event 
  6. Tulika Mann-Judo-Women’s 78 kg 
  7. Murali Sreeshankar-Athletics-Men’s long jump 
  8. Anshu Malik-Wrestling-women’s 57 kg final 
  9. Priyanka Goswami-Race Walk-10,000m event 
  10. Avinash Sable-Athletics-men’s 3000m steeplechase 
  11. Indian Men Lawn Bowls team-Lawn Bowls- men’s fours team 
  12. Abdulla Aboobacker-Athletics-Men’s Triple Jump 
  13. Sharath-Sathiyan-Table Tennis- men’s doubles 
  14. Women’s Cricket Team-Cricket-women’s cricket final 
  15. Sagar Ahlawat-Boxing- men’s 92+ kg category 
  16. Indian Men’s Hockey Team-Hockey-Men’s Hockey 

List of Indian Bronze Medal Winners in Commonwealth Games 2022 

  1. Gururaja Poojary-Weightlifting-Men’s 61 kg weight category 
  2. Vijay Kumar Yadav-Judo-Men’s 60-kg class 
  3. Harjinder Kaur-Weightlifting-women’s 71 kg 
  4. Lovepreet Singh-Weightlifting- men’s 109 kg category 
  5. Saurav Ghosal-Squash-Men’s Singles 
  6. Gurdeep Singh-Weightlifting-Men’s 109 kg category 
  7. Tejaswin Shankar-Athletics-men’s high jump 
  8. Divya Kakran-Wrestling-Women’s 68 kg 
  9. Mohit Grewal-Wrestling-Men’s freestyle 125 kg 
  10. Deepak Nehra-Wrestling-Men’s 97 kg category 
  11. Pooja Gehlot-Wrestling-Women’s Freestyle 50 kg category 
  12. Pooja Sihag-Wrestling-Women’s 76 kg category 
  13. Mohammed Hussamuddin-Boxing-Men’s 57kg featherweight category 
  14. Rohit Tokas-Boxing-Men’s 67kg Welterweight 
  15. Sonalben Manubhai Patel-Table Tennis-women’s singles class 3-5 16.
  16. Jaismine Lamboria-Boxing- women’s lightweight (60 kg) 
  17. Indian Women Hockey Team-Hockey-Women’s Hockey 
  18. Sandeep Kumar-Athletics- Men’s 10,000 m racewalk 
  19. Annu Rani-Javelin-women’s Javelin Throw event 
  20. Tressa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand-Badminton-Young Women’s Doubles pair 
  21. Saurav Ghosal and Dipika Pallikal-Squash- Squash Mixed Doubles- 
  22. G. Sathiyan-Table Tennis-Men’s Singles 
  23. Kidambi Srikanth-badminton-Men’s Singles

Indo-US Joint Special Forces Exercise ‘Vajra Prahar 2022 

The 13th Edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise “Ex Vajra Prahar 2022” began at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS), Bakloh Himachal Pradesh.

The Vajra Prahar series of joint exercises aims to share best practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and operational tactics as also to improve interoperability between the Special Forces of both the Nations.

Key Points

  • The Vajra Prahar series of joint exercises hosted alternatively between India and the United States. 
  • During the course of next 21 days, teams of both armies would jointly train, plan and execute a series of Special Operations, Counter Terrorist Operations, Air Borne operations in simulated conventional and unconventional scenarios in mountainous terrain. 
  • This joint exercise is a significant step in strengthening the traditional bond of friendship between the special forces of both Nations as well as improving bilateral defence cooperation between India and the USA.
  • The 12th edition was conducted at Joint Base Lewis Mcchord, Washington (USA) in October 2021.

World Lion Day observed globally 

World Lion Day is observed globally on 10th August. The objective is to spread awareness and educate people about lions and their conservation.

Lions supposedly wandered amiably through Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East some three million years ago.

Key Points

  • The population of Asiatic lions has steadily increased in Gujarat’s Gir forest and the larger Saurashtra protected area after experiencing a long period of decline. 
  • Between 2015 and 2020, their population increased from 523 to 674. The much larger African lions are a distant relative of the Asiatic lions of India.
  • In 2013, the first World Lion Day was observed. Dereck and Beverly Joubert, from the Big Cat Initiative and National Geographic, founded it.

World Elephant Day observed globally 

World Elephant Day is observed globally on 12th August. The day tries to highlight why these animals should be protected and what laws and measures can be enacted to ensure their survival. 

The main objective of World Elephant Day is to create awareness of elephant conservation and to share knowledge and positive solutions for the better protection and management of wild and captive elephants.

World Elephant Day was started as an initiative by two Canadian filmmakers, Patricia Sims and Michael Clark of Canazwest pictures, and the Secretary General of Thailand’s Elephant Re-introduction Foundation – Sivaporn Dardaraanda. 

The first World Elephant Day was observed on August 12, 2012.

Sunil Chhetri, Manisha Kalyan named men’s and women’s Footballer of the Year

Sunil Chhetri was named the 2021-22 All India Football Federation (AIFF) men’s footballer of the Year for the seventh time while Manisha Kalyan was picked for her maiden honour in the women’s category for the 2021-22 session. 

Key Points

  • Sunil Chhetri is currently third after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the list of highest goal scorers in international football among active players and sixth on the all-time leaderboard. 
  • This was Sunil Chhetri’s record seventh AIFF Men’s Footballer of the Year award, having won it previously in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2018–19. 
  • Manisha Kalyan, who won the 2021-22 AIFF Women’s Footballer of the Year, was the recipient of the Women’s Emerging Footballer of the Year from last season.
  • Martina Thokchom was named the 2021-22 Women’s Emerging Footballer of the Year, and Vikram Partap Singh was picked as the 2021-22 Men’s Emerging Footballer of the Year.

Aarya Walvekar crowned Miss India USA 2022

Indian American from Virginia, Aarya Walvekar has been crowned Miss India USA in 2022 in New Jersey. 

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the pageant which is the longest-running Indian pageant outside of India. It was started by New York-based Indian- Americans Dharmatma and Neelam Saran under the banner of Worldwide Pageants.

Saumya Sharma, a second-year premedical student at the University of Virginia, was declared the first runner up and Sanjana Chekuri of New Jersey was the second runner-up. 

Akshi Jain from Washington has crowned Mrs India USA and Tanvi Grover from New York was crowned Miss Teen India USA.

Assam Current Affairs – August 07-09, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – August 07-09, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the August 07- 09, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4 

August 07-09, 2022

Assam government inks four MoUs with HCL, Walmart, Flipkart on various fields

The Assam government partnered with HCL, Walmart and Flipkart for various purposes, including skilling the youths, exporting local products and creating talent for e-commerce supply chain.

Key Points

  • The first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked between the Directorate of Employment and Craftsmen Training (DECT) and HCL Technologies to facilitate the employability of youths from Assam under various programmes.
  • The HCL in collaboration with DECT will provide training to the Class 12 passed students, aiming to reduce regional imbalance in terms of skilled people. 
  • The second MoU was inked between Assam Skill University (ASU) and HCL-TSS to assist applicants in joining the HCL-TSS skilling and employment programmes.
  • The third agreement was signed by Walmart Vriddhi with the Industries, Commerce and Public Enterprises Department and Skill Employment Entrepreneurship Department. 
  • This tripartite MoU has been exchanged for the development of MSMEs in terms of showcasing and exporting their products, and also exchange ideas for successful commercialization of their products by providing them market access. 
  • According to the last MoU signed between Flipkart and Assam Skill Development Mission, Flipkart will provide opportunities to youth of the state in the Flipkart Supply Chain Operations Academy by training, certifying and creating a pool of e-commerce supply chain talent. 
  • All the four agreements were signed in presence of Assam Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah and other senior officials.

Culture Ministry and Google Launch ‘India ki Udaan’ Initiative

The Union Culture Ministry and Google launched the ‘India Ki Udaan’ initiative. This initiative seeks to celebrate the unwavering, undying, spirit of India and its achievements in the past 75 years.

About the India ki Udaan Initiative

  • India ki Udaan Initiative was launched as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. 
  • It aims to take citizens to the rich culture & heritage of India, by means of its rich archives and featuring artistic illustrations. 
  • India ki Udaan project has been based on the theme ‘Unwavering and undying spirit of India over these past 75 years.
  • This Initiative is being Executed by Google Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture. 
  • Under the initiative, users will be provided with a unique view to witness India’s remarkable moments virtually. They would be able to know more about the iconic personalities of Indian history, leading female personalities, as well as scientific and sports achievements of the country.

Dr N Kalaiselvi becomes the first woman Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Nallathamby Kalaiselvi has become the first woman director general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. Dr Kalaiselvi will replace and succeed Shekhar Mande, who was superannuated in April.

Her appointment is for a period of two years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier. 

She will also hold the charge as secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. 

Kalaiselvi started her career in research as an entry-level scientist at CSIR-CECRI.

She is currently involved in the development of practically viable Sodium-ion/Lithium-sulfur batteries and supercapacitors.

Lok Sabha passed the Energy Conservation Amendment Bill 2022

Recently, the Lok Sabha passed the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022. The Bill seeks to amend the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. It promotes energy efficiency and conservation.

The objectives of the proposed Amendment is to reduce India’s power consumption via fossil fuels and thereby minimize the nation’s carbon footprint and also to develop India’s Carbon market and boost the adoption of clean technology. 

Important Provisions of the bill

  • The bill seeks to mandate the use of non-fossil sources, including Green hydrogen, green ammonia, biomass, and Ethanol for energy and feedstock. 
  • Setup Carbon Markets in India and set rules and provisions for the Carbon Trading Scheme.
  • Expand the coverage of the Energy Conservation Regime to Large Residential Buildings.
  • Increase members in the governing council of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
  • Empower the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions  to make regulations for smooth discharge of its functions
  • To put in place enabling provisions to make the use of clean energy, including green hydrogen, mandatory and to establish carbon markets.
  • The bill also empowers the government to issue energy savings certificates and penalize consumers who utilize more energy.

India, US begins joint special forces exercise in Himachal Pradesh

The India-US Joint Special Forces exercise “Ex Vajra Prahar 2022”, began on August 08, 2022, at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. 

It is the 13th edition of the annual exercise. It’s objective of this joint exercise is to share the best practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and operational tactics.

The 12th edition of this exercise between India and the US was conducted at Joint Base Lewis Mcchord, Washington (US) in October 2021.

In addition to this exercise, the India-U.S. Army exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas’ is scheduled to be held in high altitude area in Uttarakhand which falls in the Central sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

About the Ex Vajra Prahar 2022: 

  • This joint annual exercise is hosted alternatively between India and the US to share the best practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and operational tactics.
  • During the course of the next 21 days, teams of both armies would jointly train, plan and execute a series of special operations, counter-terrorist operations, and airborne operations in simulated conventional and unconventional scenarios in mountainous terrain. 
  • It is a significant step in strengthening the traditional bond of friendship between the special forces of both nations as well as improving bilateral defence cooperation.

Assam Current Affairs – August 04-06, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – August 04-06, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the August 04- 06, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4 

August 04-06, 2022

Chief Minister of Assam launched Mission Bhumiputra

Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma launched ‘Mission Bhumiputra’ at the Srimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati. It is a mission based scheme which aims to simplify the process of providing caste certificates.

About Mission Bhumiputra

  • Under the mission, digitalised caste certificates will be issued to students, in a simplified and digital way. 
  • It will be implemented by Departments of Tribal Affairs (Plain) and Social Justice Empowerment.
  • The objective of this portal is to provide digitalized caste certificates to the students. 
  • The applicants will be issued the certificates digitally signed by respective Deputy Commissioners, who will be assisted by official bodies of different castes in identifying or approving the caste of students. 

India adds 10 more wetlands designated as Ramsar sites

India has designated 10 more wetlands as Ramsar sites, taking the total tally of Ramsar Sites in India to 64.

The 10 new Ramsar sites in India include six in Tamil Nadu and one each in Goa, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. 

The Ramsar sites in India now cover a total area of 12,50,361 ha. Designation of these sites would help in conservation and management of wetlands and wise use of their resources.

10 new Ramsar Sites

  1. Koothankulam Bird Sanctuary                               Tamil Nadu 
  2. Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve          Tamil Nadu 
  3. Vembannur Wetland Complex                               Tamil Nadu 
  4. Vellode Bird Sanctuary                                              Tamil Nadu 
  5. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary                                Tamil Nadu 
  6. Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary           Tamil Nadu 
  7. Satkosia Gorge  Odisha
  8. Nanda Lake in                                                              Goa
  9. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary                                Karnataka
  10. Sirpur Wetland                                               Madhya Pradesh

Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 passed by Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha passed the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021. The Bill seeks to provide for implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Key Points

  • The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on December 17, 2021. 
  • The Bill seeks to increase the species protected under the law, and implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  
  • The Bill amends the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.  
  • The amended bill reduces the total number of schedules to four by eliminating the schedule for vermin species and reducing the number of schedules for specially protected animals to two.
  • The Bill provides for the central government to designate an authority which grants export or import licences for the trading in specimens.
  • The Bill empowers the central government to regulate or prohibit the import, trade, possession or proliferation of invasive alien species. 
  • The Bill specifies that actions of the Chief Warden must be in accordance with the management plans for the sanctuary.
  • People possessing live specimens of scheduled animals must obtain a registration certificate from the Management Authority.
  • The Act prescribes imprisonment terms and fines for violating the provisions of the Act. 
  • It empowers the government to notify a conservation reserve next to sanctuaries or national parks, in a bid to protect the flora and fauna, and their habitat.

Jagdeep Dhankhar elected India’s 14th Vice President of India

Jagdeep Dhankhar was elected as the 14th Vice President of India. He was Vice Presidential Candidate for BJP led NDA alliance. He will take oath as India’s Vice President on 11th August 2022. 

Mr Dhankar will be taking oath to replace the incumbent Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, whose tenure ends on 11th August 2022. 

Jagdeep Dhankhar secured 528 votes against Opposition Candidate Margaret Alva. 

Prior to being the Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar had severed as the Governor of West Bengal.

World’s largest floating solar power plant going to be built in Madhya Pradesh

The world’s largest floating solar power plant is going to be built at Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh. It will be built to increase the power generation capacity and address electricity problems in Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

  • The Solar power plant will be built on Omkareshwar Dam on the Narmada River in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. 
  • It will make Khandwa the only district in Madhya Pradesh to have all three things- thermal power station, hydel and solar power.
  • It will be constructed at an estimated cost of over Rs 3,000 crore.
  • will generate 600 Megawatt power by 2022-23.

Indian Navy’s all-women crew creates history by completing first independent maritime surveillance mission

Indian Navy’s women officers have created history after they completed the first-ever all-women independent maritime reconnaissance and surveillance mission in the North Arabian Sea onboard a Dornier 228 aircraft. 

Key Points

  • The mission was carried out by five officers of the Indian Navy Air Squadron (INAS) 314 based at the Naval Air Enclave at Gujarat’s Porbandar. 
  • The aircraft was captained by the Mission Commander, Lt Cdr Aanchal Sharma, who had pilots, Lt Shivangi and Lt Apurva Gite, and Tactical and Sensor officers, Lt Pooja Panda and SLt Pooja Shekhawat in her team. 
  • It was first-of-its-kind military flying mission and is expected to pave the way for women officers in the aviation cadre to assume greater responsibility and aspire for more challenging roles.

A book titled “Lion Of The Skies: Hardit Singh Malik” by Stephen Barker

A book titled “Lion of the Skies: Hardit Singh Malik, the Royal Air Force and the First World War” is all about an “India’s first fighter pilot” who participated in the World War, long before the Indian Air Force was born. 

The book has been written by author Stephen Barker, who describes in great detail, how challenging it was for an Indian to serve in the British armed forces, fighting racial discrimination – both institutional and interpersonal.

 

Assam Current Affairs – August 01-03, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – August 01-03, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the August 01- 03, 2022)

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Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4 

August 01-03, 2022

IIT Guwahati launches ICMR-DHR Centre of Excellence for biomedical device

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has established the ICMR-DHR Center of Excellence for Biomedical Device and Diagnostics Innovation and Commercialization.

The initiative will help in the technological needs of rural India with a focus on healthcare delivery to the last-mile population.

The key objectives of the ICMR Mission Secretariat at IIT Guwahati include: 

  • Detecting biomarkers using microfluidic and semiconductor nanobiosensors to detect various non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as chronic kidney disorder, post diabetic complications, liver or pancreatic malfunctions, cardiac illnesses, and urinary tract infections. 
  • Develop frugal point-of-care diagnostic devices for the collection, storage, security and analysis of the data specific to rural India. 
  • Develop three indigenous products in the domain of healthcare that can be commercially successful in the near future.
  • Innovate indigenous alternatives to healthcare devices (such as auto-analyzers and semi-auto analyzers) imported from other countries under the Government of India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

Arunachal Pradesh Inks Tripartite Pact for School Education Transformation

The government of Arunachal Pradesh government inked a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NITI Aayog and an organisation for a large-scale transformation in school education. 

The agreement was signed on the second anniversary of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

It is a three-year partnership (2022 – 25) agreement.

The MoU focuses on the enhancement of the learning outcome of students across 3,000 plus government schools in the state thereby, by reaching out to over two lakh children.

The MoU was signed in presence of Niti Aayog Education Advisor Dr. Prem Singh, state Education Commissioner Padmini Singla, ISSE state Project Director Pige Ligu, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Reach to Teach Foundation, Ratna Viswanathan, among others.

Chabahar Day Conference was launched in Mumbai

The Ministry of Port, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) in association with India Ports Global observed ‘Chabahar Day’ to mark the Chabahar – Link to International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) – Connecting Central Asian Markets in Mumbai. 

Union Shipping Minister Sarbanand Sonowal and Minister of State for Shipping Shripad Naik inaugurated the Chabahar Day conference in Mumbai.

Key Points

  • The inauguration event was attended by dignitaries from Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.
  • In May 2016, India and Iran signed a bilateral agreement in which India would refurbish one of the berths at Shahid Beheshti port, and reconstruct a 600-meter-long container handling facility at the port.
  • In 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan had inked a tripartite agreement for developing Chabahar port. They also agreed to set up a trilateral transport and transit corridor.
  • In October 2017, India sent the first shipment of wheat to Afghanistan via the Chabahar Port. 

About Chabahar Port

  • The Chabahar Port is located in southeastern Iran in the Gulf of Oman. 
  • It is the only Iranian port, having direct access to the Indian ocean.
  • It is considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with central Asian countries.
  • It consists of two separate ports named Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti. 
  • It is a key pillar of India’s Indo-Pacific vision to connect Eurasia with the Indian Ocean Region. 
  • The port will also be part of the International North-South Transport Corridor network connecting India. 

Third India-Vietnam Bilateral Army Exercise “Ex VINBAX 2022” begins in Haryana 

The 3rd edition of Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise “Ex VINBAX 2022” is conducted at Chandimandir, Haryana from August 1 to 20, 2022.

The theme of Ex VINBAX – 2022 is the “Employment and deployment of an Engineer Company and a Medical Team as part of the United Nations Contingent for Peace Keeping Operations”.

Highlights of EX VINBAX 2022: 

  • It is a significant milestone of strengthening the bilateral relations between both the countries.
  • The exercise is a sequel to a previously conducted bilateral exercise in Vietnam in 2019. 
  • Vietnam is also an important partner in Act East policy of India as well as Indo-Pacific vision.
  • India and Vietnam share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and defence cooperation is a key pillar of this partnership.

Auguste Tano Kouame takes charge as World Bank Country Director for India

The World Bank has appointed Auguste Tano Kouamé as the Country Director for India. Auguste will serve for a period of five years and his term will come into effect from August 01, 2022.

He replaces Junaid Kamal Ahmad who recently completed a five-year term. 

Auguste served as the World Bank’s Country Director for the Republic of Türkiye, where he led the expansion of the Bank’s country program and deepened its support to Türkiye’s climate agenda. 

Prior to this, he served as Director of the Department of Human Development and Economic Management in the World Bank Group’s Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) from January 2017 to April 2019.

Vice – President Venkaiah Naidu presents President’s Colours to Tamil Nadu police

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu presented the President’s colour to the Tamil Nadu Police and  released a Special Cover to honour the occasion. The Tamil Nadu  police will be the first in Southern India to showcase the honour.

The President’s Colour is the highest honour given to the military, paramilitary and police forces of States and Union Territories in recognition of their exceptional service to the nation. 

The Indian Navy was the first Indian Armed Force to be awarded the President’s Colour by Dr. Rajendra Prasad in 1951. 

Shri Satyendra Prakash assumes charge as Principal Director General, Press Information Bureau

Shri Satyendra Prakash assumed charge as Principal Director General of Press Information Bureau (PIB). 

Prior to this Shri Prakash held the position of Principal DG, Central Bureau of Communication.

He is an Officer of the Indian Information Service, Batch of 1988. He has a wide experience in Central Government in the field of public communication, media management, administration, policy formulation and programme implementation. 

He has represented the Government of India in various national and international forums like UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP etc. He was recognized for his role in the presentation of the first ever tableau of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Republic Day in 2021 on the theme of Vocal for Local.

About Press Information Bureau

  • It is a nodal agency of the Government of India under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. 
  • It disseminates information to print, electronic and web media on government plans, policies, programme initiatives and achievements. 
  • It was established in June 1919. 
  • J. Natrajan became the first Indian to head the Bureau as Principal Information Officer in 1941.
  • The organisation’s name was changed to the Press Information Bureau in 1946. 
  • The Bureau has been reconstituted many times since independence of India in 1947.