National News
CM Sukhu launches ‘Mukhyamantri Bal Paushtik Aahar Yojana’ in HP
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched ‘Mukhyamantri Bal Paushtik Aahar Yojana’ to provide nutritious foods to schoolchildren and a scheme to provide free Tablets to primary school teachers to boost digitalisation in the state educational and administrative system. The scheme was launched by the chief minister Sukhu in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, on 17 August 2024.
Mukhyamantri Bal Poshtik Aahar Yojana
- The Mukhyamantri Bal Poshtik Aahar Yojana is only for government school children.
- Students from nursery to class eight will be provided boiled eggs or fruits once a week. The fresh fruits will be sourced from local markets based on the preferences of the children,
- The scheme will complement the existing mid-day meal scheme and provide nutritious food to children in government schools.
- It will cover 15,181 government schools and 5,34,293 students in the state.
- The state government has allocated Rs.12.75 crore for the ‘Mukhyamantri Bal Poshtik Aahar Yojana’ for 2024-25.
Commemorative Coin Released for Muthuvel Karunanidhi’s Birth Centenary
On 18th August 2024, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD), released a commemorative Rs. 100 coin to mark the birth centenary of former Chief Minister (CM) of Tamil Nadu (TN) Kalaignar Muthuvel Karunanidhi.
The coin was released at the event organised by the Government of Tamil Nadu in Kalaivanar Arangam, in Chennai (TN).
Key People:
MK Stalin, the CM of TN and Union Minister of State (MOS) Loganathan Murugan, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs were present during the event.
About the coin:
- The reverse side of the coin features a portrait of Karunanidhi and Tamil slogan ‘Tamil Vellum’ (Tamil win) along with the text “Birth Centenary of Kalaingar Karunanidhi’ in Hindi and English.
- The Rs 100 denomination coin weigh 35 grams, have a diameter of 44 millimeters, with 200 serrations on its edge.
- It will be composed of an alloy comprising 50% silver, 40% copper, 5% nickel, and 5% zinc.
About Muthuvel Karunanidhi:
- Biography:
- Full Name: Muthuvel Karunanidhi
- Date of Birth: 3rd June 1924
- Birthplace: Thirukkuvalai, Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu
- Professions: Writer, politician
- Political Affiliation: Former President of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)
- Political Career:
- Chief Minister Tenure: Served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for nearly two decades over five terms from 1969 to 2011.
- Legacy: One of the longest-serving Chief Ministers in Indian history.
Recent Inaugurations by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh:
- Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC):
- Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Purpose: Enhances maritime rescue operations.
- Regional Marine Pollution Response Centre (RMPRC):
- Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Purpose: Addresses marine pollution and response strategies.
- Coast Guard Air Enclave (CGAE):
- Location: Puducherry
- Purpose: Supports Coast Guard air operations and response capabilities.
Economy news
Impact of Climate Extremes on India: World Economic Forum Report
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), India lost 33.9 million hectares (ha) of crops due to excess rains and an additional 35million ha due to drought during 2015 to 2021.
Key Findings:
- Crop Losses (2015-2021):
- Excess Rains: 33.9 million hectares
- Drought: 35 million hectares
- Economic and Social Impact:
- Agriculture: Contributes 15% of India’s GDP and employs 40% of the population; severely impacted by climate extremes.
- Economic Losses (2021): Nearly USD 160 billion due to lost working hours from extreme climate events.
- Insurance Gap: A significant coverage gap prevents many from protecting their livelihoods against extreme weather and climate change.
About the World Economic Forum (WEF):
- Founder: Prof. Klaus Schwab
- Managing Director: Saadia Zahidi
- Headquarters: Cologny, Switzerland
- Established: 1971
Banking news
Punjab National Bank (PNB) Launches ‘PNB ANTAH DRISHTI’ Braille Debit Card
Punjab National Bank (PNB) has launched ‘PNB ANTAH DRISHTI Braille Debit Card’, a new initiative designed for Visually Impaired (VI) customers. The contactless National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) debit card is accessible on the RuPay network.
The launch of the new braille debit card reflects the bank’s commitment to inclusivity and financial accessibility.
Objective:
- Inclusivity: Designed for Visually Impaired (VI) customers to enhance financial independence and convenience.
Card Details:
- Type: Contactless National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)
- Network: Accessible on the RuPay network
- Eligibility: Available to visually impaired individuals with savings or current accounts at any PNB branch.
Features:
- Raised Braille Dots: The card displays the brand name ‘PNB’ in Braille. The accompanying welcome letter is also in Braille.
- Rounded Notch: Facilitates orientation of the card during use in ATMs or Point of Sale (POS) terminals by indicating the card’s direction.
Significance:
- Reflects PNB’s commitment to financial accessibility and inclusivity for the visually impaired community.
Features of the ‘PNB ANTAH DRISHTI’ Braille Debit Card
- Rounded Notch:
- Feature: Rounded notch on the opposite side of the chip.
- Purpose: Helps cardholders identify the card’s orientation during ATM or Point of Sale (POS) transactions.
- Glossy Spot UV Lamination Effect:
- Bank’s Logo: Raised texture with glossy spot UV lamination.
- Contactless Symbol: Rough spot UV silk screen.
- Benefit: Aids visually impaired users in locating the bank’s logo and reading the contactless symbol.
- Contrasting Colours:
- Purpose: Enhances readability of card details for visually impaired customers.
- Transaction Limits:
- Contactless Transactions: Up to Rs. 5,000 per day at NFC-enabled PoS terminals without a PIN.
- ATM Withdrawals: Rs. 25,000 per day.
- PoS Transactions: Rs. 60,000 per day.
About Punjab National Bank (PNB)
- Founded: May 19, 1894
- Commenced Operations: April 12, 1895
- Managing Director & CEO: Atul Kumar Goel
- Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
- Tagline: “The Name You Can Bank Upon”
RBI Approves Tata Capital’s Conversion into NBFC-ICC
RBI Approves Tata Capital’s Conversion into NBFC-ICC From NBFC-CIC The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the conversion of Tata Capital Limited’s (TCL) from a Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC)-Core Investment Company (CIC) to an NBFC-Investment Credit Company (ICC).
Conversion Details:
- Previous Status: Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC)-Core Investment Company (CIC)
- New Status: Non-Banking Finance Company-Investment Credit Company (NBFC-ICC)
- Reason for Conversion: Following Tata Capital Limited’s merger with Tata Cleantech Capital Limited (TCCL) and Tata Capital Financial Services Limited (TCFSL).
Key Points:
- Certificate of Registration (COR):
- Status: Received COR as NBFC-ICC, confirming compliance with RBI guidelines.
- Regulatory Classification:
- 2023 Classification: RBI classified Tata Capital and its parent company, Tata Sons Private Limited (TSPL), as NBFC with an upper layer distinction.
- Public Listing Requirement: Both Tata Capital and Tata Sons are required to go public by September 2025.
- Financial Overview (FY24):
- Total Income: Rs. 8,630 crore
- Total Assets: Rs. 1.76 lakh crore
- Profit After Tax: Rs. 3,327 crore
About Tata Capital Limited (TCL):
- Industry: Financial and investment services
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
RBI Imposes Monetary Penalties on Financial Institutions
RBI Imposes Monetary Penalties on BoM, Hinduja Leyland Finance, Poonawalla Fincorp The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed monetary penalties on three financial institutions namely Bank of Maharashtra (BOM), Hinduja Leyland Finance Limited (HLF) and Poonawalla Fincorp Limited (PFL) for non-compliance with its regulatory directives.
Institutions Penalized:
- Bank of Maharashtra (BoM)
- Location: Pune, Maharashtra
- Penalty Amount: Rs. 1.27 crore
- Reason: Non-compliance with:
- ‘Loan System for Delivery of Bank Credit’
- ‘Cyber Security Framework in Banks’
- ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) guidelines
- Hinduja Leyland Finance Limited (HLF)
- Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Penalty Amount: Rs. 4.90 lakh
- Reason: Non-compliance with certain provisions of KYC Directions, 2016.
- Note: The penalty reflects deficiencies in regulatory compliance but does not affect the legitimacy of transactions or agreements with consumers.
- Poonawalla Fincorp Limited (PFL)
- Location: Pune, Maharashtra
- Penalty Amount: Rs. 10 lakh
- Reason: Non-compliance with provisions of the ‘Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) – Systemically Important Non-Deposit Taking Company and Deposit Taking Company (RBI) Directions, 2016’.
International news
Nepal To Export 1000 MW Electricity To India
Nepal will export nearly 1,000 MW of electricity to India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said after meeting his Nepalese counterpart Arzu Rana Deuba in New Delhi on August 19. He went on to describe the development as a “new milestone“.
Key Development:
- Announcement: Nepal will export nearly 1,000 MW of electricity to India.
- Significance: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described this as a “new milestone” in India-Nepal relations.
Talks Overview:
- Meeting: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Nepalese Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba in New Delhi.
- Topics Covered:
- Energy Cooperation: Notable electricity export agreement.
- Other Areas: Trade, connectivity, and infrastructure development.
Additional Bilateral Discussions:
- Kathmandu Visit: Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra met with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, President Ramchandra Paudel, and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
- Focus: Strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors and addressing mutual interests.
WHO declares Mpox as PHEIC for the second time
The World Health Organization (WHO) Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, declared mpox (monkeypox) disease a “public health emergency of international concern(PHEIC)” after an upsurge in the mpox case in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other African countries. This is the second time that mpox has been declared as PHEIC by WHO. Earlier in July 2022 it was declared as PHEIC by the WHO.
- The monkeypox disease was renamed mpox by the WHO in November 2022 after complaints by countries that the disease’s original name was considered “racist and stigmatising’ in certain countries of the world.
- No such cases of Mpox have been detected in India so far.
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)
Definition:
- PHEIC is the World Health Organization’s (WHO) highest alert level.
- Declared for serious, sudden, unusual, or unexpected health situations with implications beyond a country’s borders, potentially requiring international action.
Impact of WHO Declaration:
- Legal Obligations: Member countries must respond and take appropriate measures.
- Funding: Encourages international funding for research, vaccine, or medicine development.
- Awareness: Generates global public awareness about the disease.
Diseases Declared as PHEIC:
- H1N1 Influenza (2009): Originated in Mexico; first PHEIC declaration.
- Wild Polio and Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus (2014): Ongoing PHEIC affecting Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan.
- Ebola Virus (August 2014): Outbreak in West Africa, spread to Europe and the US.
- Zika Virus (February 2016): Started in Brazil; affected Latin America.
- Ebola Virus (July 2019): Second declaration due to outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- COVID-19 (January 2020): Declared after the virus spread outside China.
- Monkeypox (July 2022): Also known as Mpox; spread globally.
- Mpox (August 2024): Current declaration.
About Mpox:
- Origin: First identified in monkeys; zoonotic (animal-to-human transmission).
- Transmission: Person-to-person through prolonged contact, sexual contact, animal lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials.
- Vaccination: No specific vaccine; smallpox vaccines are up to 85% effective.
World Health Organization (WHO):
- Founded: 7 April 1948
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Director-General: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
- Member Countries: 194
Sports News
Sumit Antil & Bhagyashri Jadhav: 2024 Paris Paralympic Flag Bearer
The Paralympic Committee of India has named Tokyo Paralympics gold medallist para-athletes Sumit Antil and Shot Putter Bhagyashri Jadhav as the Indian flag bearers for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Paralympics Games, which will be held on 28 August 2024.
- The 17th Summer Paralympics for disabled athletes will take place in Paris, France, from 28 August to 8 September 2024.
- The International Paralympics Committee organises the Summer and Winter Paralympics games. Since the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, the Paralympics have been held shortly after the conclusion of the Summer Olympics. The 33rd Summer Olympics ended on 11 August 2024 in Paris.
Indian Flag Bearer at Opening Ceremony
- Like the Olympics, the opening and closing ceremonies of the Paralympics Games involve two flag bearers—one male and one female.
- Para-athlete Sumit Antil and Bhagyashri Jadhav will be the flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
- 25-year-old World Champion Sumit Antill won a gold medal in the javelin throw at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics in the men’s F64 category. Sumit also holds the world record in the category.
- 39-year-old Bhagyashri Jadhav is a silver medallist in the women’s shot put event in the F34 category at the Asian Para Games.
- She has also won a silver medal in women’s F34 shot put at the World Para Athletics Championships in May 2024.
Indian Contingent for the Paris Paralympics
- Before the Paris Paralympics, India competed in the 11 edition of the Summer Paralympics. The first Summer Paralympic Games was held in the Italian capital city of Rome in 1960.
- The Indian contingent consists of 84 athletes, including 32 women athletes. It is the largest contingent of Indian athletes to participate in a Summer Paralympics edition.
- Indian athletes will compete in 12 sporting events, including para-cycling, para-rowing, and blind judo, which they will be participating in for the first time.
- A total of 22 sports will be held at the Paris Paralympics.
Indian Medal Record at Summer Paralympics
- Before the start of the Paris Paralympics, India had won 31 medals- 9 gold, 12 silver, and 10 bronze.
- India’s most successful Paralympics were the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, where it won 19 medals—five gold, eight silver, and six bronze.
- Murlikant Petkar was the first Indian to win a medal in the Paralympics. He won a gold medal in the 1972 Heidelberg Games in the men’s 50m freestyle 3 event.
- Deepa Malik was the first female athlete to win a medal in Paralympics for India. She won a silver in the Women’s shot put in the F53 category at the 2016 Rio Summer Paralympics.
- Avani Lekhara was the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in the Paralympics. She won a gold medal in the women’s 10m air rifle shooting, standing SH1 category at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
Mascot and Motto of the 2024 Paris Paralympics
- Mascot –Paralympic Phryge—It is based on the Phrygian cap, a historical symbol of liberty and freedom. Its colours were blue, white, and red, reflecting the colours of the French Flag.
- Motto-. Games Wide Open
Appointment news
Shri Ashok Kumar Singh takes over the charge of Director General, ESIC
Shri Ashok Kumar Singh, IAS took over the charge of Director General of Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) under Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India at its Headquarters in New Delhi today.
- Shri Ashok Kumar Singh is an IAS Officer of 1999 batch of Kerala cadre. Earlier, he has worked as a Principal Secretary, Water Resources Department, Govt. of Kerala. He has got vast experience of governance and management of District and State level organisations.
- At the centre level, he has served as the Executive Director in the National Mission for Clean Ganga, as Joint Secretary in Ministry of Defence and as Director in Ministry of Finance in the Govt. of India also.
- Shri Singh, holds an M. Phil from National Defence College, New Delhi and is a Graduate in Mechanical Engineering from IIT, Kanpur.
ESIC:
- Formed: 24 February 1952 (72 years ago)
- Headquarters: New Delhi
Important days
World Humanitarian Day 2024- Date, Theme and History
World Humanitarian Day, observed annually on August 19th, takes on a somber tone in 2024 as the global community faces a grim reality: humanitarian workers are increasingly becoming targets in conflict zones.
- The year 2023 marked the deadliest year on record for aid workers, and 2024 threatens to surpass this grim milestone.
- This alarming trend underscores a critical failure in protecting those who dedicate their lives to helping others in the world’s most challenging environments.
The Origins of World Humanitarian Day
- World Humanitarian Day traces its origins to a tragic event. On August 19, 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, resulted in the deaths of 22 humanitarian aid workers.
- Among the victims was Sergio Vieira de Mello, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq.
Award news
Major Milestones in Airport Carbon Accreditation: Delhi’s IGIA and Bengaluru’s KIA Achieve Top Certifications
Key Achievements in Airport Carbon Accreditation
1. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA):
- Achievement: First airport in India to achieve “Net Zero Carbon Emission” (NZCE) status.
- Certification Level: Level 5 under the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program.
- Significance: Demonstrates the airport’s commitment to completely offsetting its carbon emissions.
2. Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), Bengaluru:
- Achievement: First airport in Asia to receive the Airports Council International’s (ACI) highest Level 5 accreditation.
- Significance: Highlights KIA’s leadership in carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability in the aviation sector.
About the Airport Council International (ACI)
- Established: 1991
- Role: Association representing the collective interests of airports worldwide, promoting excellence in the aviation industry.
- Director-General: Luis Felipe de Oliveira
- Headquarters: Montréal, Québec, Canada
Books and author news
Union Minister Amit Shah Releases Book on Modi’s Governance Triumph
Union Minister Amit Shah Releases a Book ‘Modi’s Governance Triumph: Reshaping India’s Path to Prosperity’ By Tarun Chugh
On August 2024, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) released the book titled ‘Modi’s Governance Triumph: Reshaping India’s Path to Prosperity’, written by Tarun Chugh, General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in New Delhi, Delhi.
- Book Title: Modi’s Governance Triumph: Reshaping India’s Path to Prosperity
- Author: Tarun Chugh, General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Released by: Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
Key Highlights of the Book:
- Inspiration: Chronicles Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decades-long dedication to public service.
- Content Overview:
- Antyodaya Mission: In-depth exploration of innovative initiatives and changes driven by Modi’s administration.
- Transformative Changes: Focuses on significant reforms and developments, including those in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).
- Key Policies: Covers the ‘Make in India’ initiative and the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
- Socio-Economic Issues: Addresses poverty alleviation and national security impacts on India’s socio-economic landscape.