1 Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves for Johannesburg to attend the BRICS Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for a four-day visit to South Africa and Greece . 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg will attendIn his departure statement for South Africa, the Prime Minister said that the BRICS Summit would provide an important opportunity to identify areas of future cooperation and review institutional developments. He said that he would go to Athens from South Africa at the invitation of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Shri Modi said that this would be his first visit to Greece. The Prime Minister said that he would have the distinction of being the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Greece after forty years.
2 G-20 Pandemic Fund approves USD 25 million proposal to strengthen India’s animal health system
The G-20 Pandemic Fund has approved a proposal of USD 2.5 million to the Central Government’s Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying to strengthen India’s animal health system .Indonesia Under the G20 chairmanship of the United Nations, this fund has been established for low and middle income countries. The Fund organizes critical investments to strengthen pandemic prevention and preparedness at the national, regional and global levels. The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has told that this amount will be used for prevention and preparedness to deal with epidemics. Apart from this, it will prove to be helpful in encouraging additional investment in this sector as well as increasing coordination between various stakeholders. The ministry has informed that the objective of this project is to reduce the risk of diseases spreading from animals to human population.
3 Thelu mountain range mountaineering expedition flagged off by DG, NCC
A mountaineering expedition of National Cadet Corps-NCC boys and girls to Thelu mountain range was flagged off by Director General NCC Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh from New Delhi . The contingent comprises five officers from various directorates, 17 permanent instructors and 26 NCC cadets. The team will attempt to scale Thelu range in the third week of September this year. Defense Ministry has said that this is the 86th NCC Cadets Mountaineering Expedition after the year 1970 . The Thelu mountain range is situated at an altitude of more than six thousand meters in the Gangotri range of the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand .
4 TRAI issues recommendations on license fee for DTH services and policy matters
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has issued recommendations on license fee and policy matters for DTH services . The recommendation states that the DTH licensee will be required to pay an annual license fee equal to three per cent of the adjusted gross revenue. License fee for DTH licensees should be made zero in the next three years. It has also recommended that no license fee should be charged from DTH licensees after the end of the financial year 2026-2027. The licensee will have to deposit an initial bank guarantee of Rs 5 crore from any scheduled bank with the ministry for the first two quarters.
5 Vikram, the lander module of Chandrayaan-3 established communication with the orbiter of Chandrayaan-2
In a significant development, communication has been established between Chandrayaan-2’s orbiter and Chandrayaan-3’s lander module Vikram . ISRO ‘s monitoring and control network in Bengaluru now has an additional channel of communication with the lander Vikram . Lander Vikram on August 23 at 6:04 pm south pole of the moonWill land near ISRO has said in a tweet that the orbiter of Chandrayaan-2 formally welcomed the lander module of Chandrayaan-3. Chandrayaan-2’s orbiter was launched into space in July 2019. It is still revolving around the Moon. ISRO has said that the live telecast of the landing process will be available on the national channel of Doordarshan and other social media platforms on August 23 at 5.20 pm.
6 The first Foreign Office Consultations meeting between India and Samoa was held in Apia
The first Foreign Office Consultations – FOC meeting between India and Samoa was held in Apia . The meeting was co-chaired by Saurabh Kumar, Secretary, Eastern Region, Ministry of External Affairs, and Ms. Peseta Nomiya Simi, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Samoa, Ministry of Trade. Both sides discussed in detail bilateral relations including development partnership in areas such as health, information and telecommunication technology, education, small and medium enterprises and capacity building. The two sides also discussed the Indo-Pacific Islands Cooperation Forum-3rd Summit and follow-up discussions on regional and global issues and the Pacific Islands Forum Framework, the Commonwealth and the United Nations. Samoa Next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on 21 October next year – CHOGM will host
7 Hurricane Hillary in California
Hurricane Hillary , a major Category 4 hurricane, was observed on August 16, 2023 in the eastern Pacific Ocean . Hurricanes are classified on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale and are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5 based on wind speed. Hurricanes that reach category three or above are classified as major hurricanes. This is the first tropical storm to hit Southern California since 1939. Is. Hurricane Hillary is headed toward California due to a combination of factors, such as a high-pressure system in the western US, a low-pressure system in the eastern Pacific, and an El Niño event that warms ocean waters near the equator. However, cold waters, cold currents, and adverse winds along the US West Coast cause most of these storms to weaken or turn west before reaching California. Hillary is an exception as she has retained her strength and followed a more northerly track than usual.
8 Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will launch Chief Minister’s Learn Earn Scheme in Madhya Pradesh
Chief Minister’s Learn Earn Scheme is being implemented in Madhya Pradesh . This scheme will facilitate skill development along with on-the-job training. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will launch this scheme. They will distribute job contract letters to the youth. In the first phase, one lakh youths are targeted to be included in this scheme.
9 Kerala inaugurates Rs 2,400 crore waste management project
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the Rs 2,400-crore Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP) as part of the ‘ Malinya Muktam Navakeralam ‘ campaign with the goal of a garbage-free state . Industries Minister P. Rajeev unveiled innovative designs for material collection and resource recovery facilities, while Congress leader Hibi Eden launched a grievance redressal mechanism. The project, backed by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, aims to scale up Kerala’s waste management by 2024. The first phase met with success with an increase in doorstep waste collection.
10 Operation Jericho
The Mizo insurgency of 1966 , also known as Operation Jericho , saw the Indian Air Force assisting the army’s efforts to crush the separatist movement led by the Mizo National Front. The strategic partnership of As the rebels tried to gain control of Mizoram, the Indian Air Force played a key role in gaining control. Two IAF squadrons, 29 Squadron and 14 Squadron, were instrumental in the air operations, using aircraft such as Hurricanes and Hunters. The IAF’s partnership with the Army in this conflict reflects its versatility and critical role in complex military operations. The IAF’s involvement came as the army was struggling to repel Mizo insurgents who were attempting to take over Mizoram. The Indian Air Force was called in to support the Army’s efforts to recapture strategic areas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while replying to the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha last week, referred to the 1966 air strike in Mizoram.
11 Water crisis in Afghanistan
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that 79% of Afghans do not have sufficient access to clean water for essential needs , a situation marked by the worst drought in 30 years, economic instability and decades of conflict. has become worse because of Due to this dire situation, half the population is facing severe hunger, while 6 million people are on the verge of famine. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has requested $33 million in funding to provide water and sanitation assistance to 2.3 million Afghan citizens throughout 2023. With 25 out of 34 provinces facing severe or catastrophic drought conditions, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stresses the need for urgent international attention to address the crisis. Despite widespread challenges, only 23% of the $3.23 billion needed in humanitarian aid has been received.
12 RBI issues revised guidelines for IDF-NBFCs
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued new guidelines with an aim to enable IDF-NBFCs to play a bigger role in financing the infrastructure sector . Under this, they will now be required to have a net own fund (NOF) of at least Rs 300 crore. Also, the Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) should be at least 15 per cent. It should have a minimum share capital (Tier 1) of 10 percent. The RBI said that the guidelines applicable to Infrastructure Debt Funds-Non-Banking Financial Companies (IDF-NBFCs) have been reviewed to enable them to play a bigger role in financing the infrastructure sector. Also, to harmonize the rules governing the financing of the infrastructure sector by NBFCs. This review has been done in consultation with the government.
13 Total number of Jan Dhan accounts has crossed 50 crores
The total number of Jan Dhan accounts has crossed 50 crore . The Finance Ministry has informed that 56 percent of these accounts are of women. 67% of the accounts have been opened in rural and semi-urban areas. More than Rs 2 lakh crore are deposited in these accounts . The ministry has informed that out of these accounts, about 34 crore RuPay cards have been issued free of cost. The average deposit in the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana account is more than four thousand rupees. Direct benefit transfer is being done in more than five crore 50 lakh Jan Dhan accounts. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana was launched in 2014. Its objective is to provide banking facilities to the people across the country.
14 Srinagar’s Tulip Garden Enters Record Book With 1.5 Million Flowers
Nestled amidst the picturesque foothills of the Jabarwan Range , the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden has entered the annals of the World Book of Records as the largest and most spectacular park of its kind in Asia. The garden, adorned with a mesmerizing variety of 1.5 million blooming flowers , stands as a living testimony to the beauty and diversity of nature. Santosh Shukla, President and CEO, World Book, along with Fayyaz Shaikh, Secretary, Floriculture, Gardens and Parks Awarded with Honorary Certificate.
15 BPCL announces Rahul Dravid as brand ambassador
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has announced cricketer Rahul Dravid as its new brand ambassador. He will be endorsing BPCL’s Pure for Sure initiative and Make Snehak range. Rahul Dravid is the epitome of exceptional sportsmanship, serves as a role model, and possesses qualities such as integrity, dependability and dependability which perfectly align with our values at BPCL.
16 5 Young Indians Receive 2023 International Young Eco-Hero Awards
Five youths from India have been named among 17 teenage environmental activists from around the world to receive the 2023 International Young Eco-Hero Award for taking initiatives to tackle the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. The young eco-warriors who were recognized for their efforts by US-based non-profit organization, “Action for Nature” are Eha Dixit from Meerut, Manya Harsha from Bengaluru, Nirvana Somani and Mannat Kaur and Karnav Rastogi from New Delhi .
17 ICC announces male and female mascots for Cricket World Cup 2023
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced an exciting pair of brand mascots for the upcoming World Cup. Captains of U-19 World Cup champions Yash Dhull and Shefali Verma Unveiled at an event in Gurugram, India in the presence of the President, the mascots symbolize the unity and spirit that cricket promotes around the world. The female character has a turbo-powered hand that shoots fireballs at great speed. His unparalleled accuracy surprises even the most advanced players. With unparalleled resilience, spirited resilience, and unflinching determination, he has a reputation for exceptional fast bowling skills. The male character is a delectable mix of icy coolness and explosive batting prowess. Every shot he takes, whether it is a clever trick or a powerful six, has an exciting force that captivates the audience. His electromagnetic bat and versatile array of shots generate excitement, ignite the field and thrill the crowd with each stroke.
18 Goodwill Day 2023
Sadbhavna Diwas , also known as Sadbhavna Diwas, is an annual festival celebrated on 20 August in India. 79th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on 20 August 2023 Is. The day celebrates the birthday of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, a visionary leader who championed the cause of national integration, peace and public harmony among India’s diverse population. Being the youngest Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi’s thought process was modern and different from others. He had a vision of a developed nation through several national and international projects which he pioneered. The main theme of Sadbhavna Diwas is to promote integration, national and communal harmony. Rajiv Gandhi was born on 20 August 1944. He held the position from 1984-1989 and contributed significantly to the development of the country.
19 International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2023
The International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism is observed annually on 21 August . It is the sixth commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism on 21 August 2023. The International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism was established by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 72/165 of 20 December 2017. The resolution was adopted by consensus, reflecting the strong international commitment to combat terrorism and support its victims. The day was chosen in memory of the 21 August 2003 bombing of the United Nations Headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, which killed 22 people, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
20 World Senior Citizens Day 2023
World Senior Citizens Day is observed every year on 21 August to raise awareness of the contribution of older persons to the society. In India, a senior citizen means a person who has completed sixty years of age. The origins of World Senior Citizens Day can be traced to the efforts of former United States President Ronald Reagan. In 1988, President Reagan proclaimed August 21 as National Senior Citizens Day in the United States. The day aims to honor senior citizens for their achievements and contributions to the country, while also highlighting the importance of programs and policies that support their well-being.