15th August 2023
Important Dates
1. India celebrates 77th Independence Day
- India is celebrating its 77th Independence Day on August 15, 2023.
- PM Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi and unfurled the national flag.
- This year, the theme is 'Nation First, Always First' under the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebration.
- This year, around 1,800 special guests from various sections of society were invited to witness the ceremony.
- The G2o logo made from flowers is displayed on the ground
Obituaries
2. Sulabh founder Bindeshwar Pathak passes away at 80
- Bindeshwar Pathak the founder of Sulabh International passed away due to a cardiac arrest
- He was a pioneer in building public toilets.
- He founded Sulabh International, a social service organization that works to promote human rights, environmental sanitation, waste management
- In 1991, He was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his work for liberating and rehabilitating manual scavengers and also for preventing environmental pollution by providing pour-flush toilet technology
Honours & Awards
3. President Droupadi Murmu confers 76 Gallantry awards in 2023
- President Droupadi Murmu has conferred 76 Gallantry awards to members of the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces on the occasion of Independence Day 2023.
Awards includes:
- Kirti Chakra awards (awarded posthumously) - 4
- Shaurya Chakra awards (including five posthumous) - 11
- Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry)- 2
- Sena Medals (Gallantry) - 52
- Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) -3
- Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry) - 4
State Affairs
4. Eknath Shinde launched a mobile app & WhatsApp helpline
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde launched a mobile app and WhatsApp helpline for the Chief Minister's Medical Assistance Fund.
- A helpline number 8650567567 has been started for patients and their relatives.
- More than 12 thousand 500 patients have benefited from the Chief Minister's Aid Fund in the last one year.
- On this occasion, the fifth edition of the medical aid manual and the book 'Rokhthok' based on the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray was launched.
State Affairs
5. Telangana govt announces farm loan waiver up to Rs 99999
- Telangana government has announced a farm loan waiver of up to 99 thousand 999 in August 2023.
- It will be cleared within the next 45 days.
- The Government has released over 5,800 crore rupees towards this end which will benefit over 9 lakh farmers.
- The amount will be transferred directly into loan accounts of farmers. With the latest decision, farm loans up to 99,999, amounting to 7753.43 crore rupees, of over 16 lakh 66 thousand farmers will be cleared.
State Affairs
6. Arunachal govt allots 12 'stalled' hydropower projects to three Central PSU
- Arunachal Pradesh Government signed MoAs with three Central Public Sector Undertakings to allot 12 'stalled' hydropower projects in August 2023.
- The three CPSUs are National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVN) and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited.
- The total operational capacity of these 12 projects, withdrawn from the private players, will be to the tune of 11,523 MW.
- CM of Arunachal Pradesh is Pema Khandu
Schemes
7. CM Ashok Gehlot launches free food packet scheme
- Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched the Mukhyamantri Nishulk Annapurna Food Packet Scheme on the occasion of Independence Day.
- Under the scheme, families covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) will get the Annapurna food packets every month from the fair price shops (FPS) for free.
- Each packet will contain one kg each of gram pulses, sugar and iodized salt, one litre soybean refined edible oil, 100 gram each of chili powder and coriander powder.
Honours & Awards
8. 53 personnel awarded Fire Service Medals on Independence Day 2023
- A total of 53 personnel have been awarded Fire Service Medals on the occasion of Independence Day, 2023.
Awards Include - President’s Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service has been awarded to 8
- Personnel and Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service has been awarded to 41
- The President's Fire Service Medal for Gallantry has been awarded to 3
- The Personnel and Fire Service Medal for Gallantry has been awarded to 1 personnel for their acts of valour and gallantry
National Affairs
9. 'A-HELP' Programme and Infertility Camp launched by Parshottam Rupala
- The Union Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala has unveiled the 'A-HELP' (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production) along with an Infertility Camp in Gujarat.
- Gov is leading these initiatives as part of the Pashudhan Jagrati Abhiyaan under Inclusive Development.
- Objective: To mark a significant stride towards empowering women, enhancing livestock productivity, and advancing the socio-economic landscape of the region.
Banking & Finance
10. RBI to launch pilot project on Public Tech Platform
- The RBI has announced the launch of the Pilot Project for Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit by Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the RBI in August 2023.
- Aim: To enable delivery of frictionless credit by facilitating a seamless flow of required digital information to lenders.
- Objectives: To encourages various stakeholders, including banks, non-banking financial companies, FinTech firms, and startups, and other financial services
16th August 2023
State Affairs
1. In a first in India, Goa to give free IVF treatment in govt hospital
- Goa has become the first Indian state to offer free in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.
- Chief Minister Pramod Sawant inaugurated the Assisted reproductive technology (ART) and intrauterine insemination (IUI), at the Goa Medical College (GMC) in Bambolim.
- About IVF
- It’s one of the more widely known types of ART IVF works by using a combination of medicines and surgical procedures to help sperm fertilize an egg and help the fertilized egg implant in your uterus.
National Affairs
2. G20 Film Festival begins in New Delhi
- Veteran actor Victor Banerjee and Amitabh Kant (India's G20 Sherpa) have inaugurated the G20 Film Festival in New Delhi.
- Aims: To celebrate and showcase a vibrant and collaborative partnership existing amongst the G20 and invited countries in the field of cinema.
- It is organized by the India International Centre and the G20 Secretariat of the Ministry of External Affairs.
- The event will continue till 2nd September.
National Affairs
3. G20 Digital Economy Working Group meetings to begin in Bengaluru
- The G20 4th Digital Economy Working Group and Digital Economy Ministerial meetings will be held in Bengaluru from August 16th to 19th.
- Aim: To discuss the various issues relating to digital information, service delivery to citizens and the growth of the digital economy
- There would be the Digital Innovation Alliance summit on August 17 and 18th to recognize and support innovators from various G20 member countries and Guest countries.
National Affairs
4. Govt launched Vishwakarma Yojana for skilled traditional craftsmen
- The government would launch a special scheme for traditional craftsmen and workers during Vishwakarma Jayanti on September 17.
- Objective: To benefit individuals skilled in traditional craftsmanship, particularly from the OBC community. Weavers, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, laundry workers, barbers, and their families will be empowered through the Vishwakarma Yojana
- The PM showcase the importance of capitalising on the demographic dividend and preparing a skilled workforce
State Affairs
5. Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports is organizing Y20 Summit in Varanasi
- The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is organizing Youth 20 Summit-2023 from 17th August to 20th August in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
- The themes include Future of Work: Industry 4.0, Innovation and 21st Century Skills, Peacebuilding and Reconciliation: Ushering in an Era of No War, and Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction.
- The Y20 Summit will bring together youth experts, decision-makers, and youth representatives from G20 countries.
Important Dates
6. Parsi New Year 2023: 16th August
- The Parsi New Year is observed on August 16, 2023.
- This day marks the beginning of the Zoroastrian calendar.
- The Parsi New Year, also known as the festival of Navroz or Nowruz, falls between July and August in India.
- Derived from the Persian words 'Nav' and 'Roz' which literally translates to 'new day', the tradition of celebrating Parsi New Year is believed to have been observed by Iranians and Zoroastrians for the past 3,000 years.
National Affairs
7. Amrit Udyan reopened for public from 16th August 2023
- Amrit Udyan, formerly known as the Mughal Gardens has been open to the public starting from today for a period of one month (until September 17).
- This will be the second edition of Udyan Utsav that aims to display the vibrant summer annual blossoms to visitors.
- In a first instance, these iconic gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan are being accessible twice within a single year.
- Visitors can visit the gardens from 10 am to 5 pm (last entry at 4 pm).
National Affairs
8. 1st crude oil transaction in local currency undertaken between India-UAE
- The first-ever crude oil transaction under the newly implemented Local Currency Settlement (LCS) system took place between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Indian Oil Corporation Limited.
- Both Indian Rupees and UAE Dirhams were used for the transaction,
- India and UAE have a strong oil and gas relationship and the UAE is a key partner for India's energy security.
- UAE is the fourth largest source of crude oil and the second largest source of LNG and LPG for India.
National Affairs
9. NHA and IRDAI collaborate to boost digital health integration in insurance
- The National Health Authority (NHA) and IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) jointly organized an exclusive three-day Accelerator Workshop
- Aim: To help insurance companies complete their Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) integration and to facilitate adoption of Health Claims Exchange (HCX) specifications
- IRDAI also issued a circular advising the insurers and providers get on-boarded to the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX).
National & International Appointments
10. PayPal names Intuit's Alex Chriss as its new CEO
- PayPal appointed Alex Chriss as CEO, replaced its longest-serving chief executive officer Dan Schulman in August 2023.
- He currently serves as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Intuit's Small Business and Self-Employed Group,
- The change of guard marks a watershed moment for digital payments giant PayPal, which has been looking to push deeper into the cryptocurrency payments space with the launch of a U.S. dollar stablecoin last week.
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