Daily Current Affairs for State Exams: 20 August 2021

By Mayank Yadav|Updated : August 20th, 2021

Current Affairs forms one of the most important sections of the syllabus of almost every government examination be it, state PCS or other subordinate exams. Hence, Catching up on current affairs on a daily basis is an invaluable part of your preparation. Here we will be sharing you with all the relevant current affairs which are highly important for your examination. Check the important highlights of the day!

Daily Current Affairs 20/08/2021

Arogya Dhara 2.0byjusexamprep

Why in News

  • Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya launched Arogya Dhara 2.0 to mark the completion of 2 crore treatments under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).

Key Points

  • With the completion of more than 2 crore hospital admissions landmark, treatments worth approximately Rs 25,000 crore have been provided till date (18 August 2021) through a growing network of 23,000 public and private empaneled hospitals to patients across 33 States/UTs in the country since the launch of the scheme.

The following key initiatives were also launched:

  • Adhikar Patra: to be issued to the beneficiaries during their hospital admissions for treatment under PMJAY scheme to make them aware about their rights.
  • Abhinandan Patra: a ‘thank you note’ to be issued to the beneficiaries during their discharge after the treatment under PMJAY for availing the benefits of the scheme.
  • Ayushman Mitra: Another key initiative launched which provides an opportunity to all citizens to contribute to the vision of Ayushman Bharat by helping eligible people to get their Ayushman Cards created and bring them under the ambit of the scheme.

About Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY):

  • It is an ambitious scheme ensuring quality and affordable healthcare for the poor and underprivileged people.
  • It has empowered all eligible beneficiaries with cashless and paperless healthcare services benefits of upto Rs 5 Lakhs per family per year.
  • It was launched on 23 September 2018 at Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Note: Under the AB-PMJAY approximately 20.32 lakh COVID-19 tests and 7.08 lakh treatments were authorised from April 2020 to July 2021.

Source: PIB

UNITE AWARE Platformbyjusexamprep

Why in News

  • India in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) launched UNITE AWARE - a technology platform to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers who are operating in complex and risky environments across the world.
  • The launch of the UNITE AWARE came as India assumed the Presidency of the 15-nation UN Security Council for the month of August.

Key Points

About UNITE AWARE Platform:

  • "UNITE AWARE" is a situational awareness software programme that allows a Peacekeeping Operations Centre to visualise and analyse the ground situation in a conflict zone on a real-time basis.

Aim:

  • This project aims to demonstrate the impact of modern surveillance technology on the detection of asymmetric threats.
  • It aims to improve camp security for UN peacekeepers, the overall security situation, and the quality of situational awareness.

India has contributed USD 1.64 million towards the project.

Partnership:

  • India has developed it in partnership with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Operational Support.
  • India has partnered with the United Nations to roll out this platform initially in 4 UN Peacekeeping Missions: UNFICYP (Cyprus), MINUSMA (Mali), UNMISS (South Sudan) and AMISOM (Somalia).

UN Peacekeeping helps countries navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace.

India's Contribution:

  • Currently, there are 5506 troops and police from India who have been deployed to 9 different UN peacekeeping missions, the second highest amongst troop-contributing countries.
  • More than 200,000 Indians have served in 49 of the 71 UN peacekeeping missions established around the world since 1948.

Source: The Hindu

India to host second United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC)byjusexamprep

Why in News

  • India will host the second United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC) in October 2022, at Hyderabad.
  • The theme for 2022 is ‘Towards Geo-enabling the Global Village.’

Key Points

About UNWGIC:

  • The United Nation Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) organizes the United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC) every 4 years.
  • Its objective is to enhance international collaboration among the Member States and relevant stakeholders in Geospatial information management and capacities.
  • The first UNWGIC was organized by China in October 2018.

About Geospatial Technologies:

  • It is a term used to describe the range of modern tools contributing to the geographic mapping and analysis of the Earth and human societies.
  • It consists of the following technologies: GIS (Geographic Information System), Remote Sensing, 3D Scanning and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System)

Geospatial Policy of India:

  • Central government has recently released new guidelines for the Geo-Spatial Sector in India.
  • The new policy liberalises the sector to a more competitive field.

Web portals to offer geospatial data launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST):

  • Bhuvan (The national Geo-portal developed and hosted by ISRO comprising Geo Spatial Data, Services and Tools for Analysis)
  • Sarthi (A Web Geographic Information System developed by the Survey of India)
  • Online Maps Portal (It has over 4,000 maps with national, state, district, and tehsil level data)
  • Manchitran: NATMO (National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organization) has released thematic maps such as the cultural map of India, the climactic map, or the economic map, on this portal.

Source: PIB

India expresses desire to expand the horizon of New Development Bank (NDB) for strengthening social infrastructurebyjusexamprep

Why in News

  • Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal recently chaired the “5th meeting of BRICS Industry Ministers” under the Chairship of India.
  • During the meeting, India expressed the desire to expand the horizon of New Development Bank (NDB) for strengthening social infrastructure besides promotion of the Industrial sector.
  • Social infrastructure includes especially for funding service delivery in the education and health sector.

Key Points

About New Development Bank (NDB):

  • NDB is a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).
  • The bank is headquartered in Shanghai, China.
  • On 15 July 2014, the first day of the 6th BRICS summit held in Fortaleza, Brazil, the BRICS states signed the Agreement on the New Development Bank.

Major Projects funded by NDB in India:

  • Major infrastructure projects in India, including the Mumbai Metro rail, Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System and many Renewable Energy projects.
  • The NDB has so far approved 14 Indian projects for an amount of nearly USD 4.2 billion.
  • In 2020, 1 billion USD loan pact with NDB to boost rural employment and infrastructure

Source: PIB

Indian Navy undertakes bilateral maritime exercise with Vietnam People’s Navybyjusexamprep

Why in News

  • India and Vietnam Navies have carried out bilateral maritime exercise in the South China Sea.
  • India’s INS Ranvijay and INS Kora undertook bilateral maritime exercise with Vietnam People's Navy frigate VPNS Ly Thai To on 18 Aug 21.

Key Points

  • The bilateral interaction aims to consolidate the strong bond shared by the two navies and would be another step towards strengthening India-Vietnam defence relations.
  • The sea phase included surface warfare exercises, weapon firing drills and helicopter operations.

Source: PIB

Community policing programme 'Ummeed'byjusexamprep

Why in News

  • Delhi Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana inaugurated a community policing programme 'Ummeed' to promote communal harmony.

Key Points

  • The essence of Community Policing is to minimize the gap between policemen and citizens to such an extent that the policemen become an integrated part of the community they serve.

Other Community Policing Models in India:

  • Community Policing Project: West Bengal
  • Maithri: Andhra Pradesh
  • Mohalla Committees: Maharashtra
  • Friends of Police: Tamil Nadu
  • Janamaithri Suraksha Project: Kerala
  • Joint Patrolling Committees: Rajasthan
  • Meira Paibi: Manipur

Source: The Hindu

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