Top Current Affairs of the Week (15 -21 August 2021)

Jitendra Singh released ‘IndiGau’ for indigenous cattle breeds conservation

• Jitendra Singh has released ‘IndiGau’ chip, which is India’s first Cattle Genomic Chip for the conservation of pure varieties of indigenous cattle breeds like Gir, Kankrej, Sahiwal, Ongole etc.
• IndiGau chip has been developed by scientists of National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NAIB), Hyderabad.
• It will help in achieving the goal of conservation of our own breeds with better characters and help towards doubling farmers’ income by 2022.

Ministry of Women and Child Development launches 2nd Phase of SAMVAD

• Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has launched 2nd phase of SAMVAD (Support, Advocacy & Mental health interventions for children in Vulnerable circumstances And Distress)
• SAMVAD is a National Initiative for child protection, mental health and psychosocial care of children.
• The new initiative will begin work with Panchayati Raj systems to integrate child protection and mental health in aspirational districts across the country.

Afghanistan Prez Ashraf Ghani steps down as Taliban forces takes power

• Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani will shortly tender his resignation on August 15, 2021, as the government has surrendered to the Taliban forces, which entered Kabul and sought the unconditional surrender of the central government.
• Following this, a new interim government has been announced, which is likely to be headed by Ali Ahamd Jalali
• Taliban will declare Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan from Presidential Palace in Kabul.

‘Operation Blue Freedom’ launched to create World Record at Siachen Glacier

• Virendra Kumar has flagged off pioneering world record expedition named as ‘Operation Blue Freedom’ from Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi on 75th Independence Day
• It comprises of disable people from across the country to reach Siachen Glacier to create a new World Record for the largest team of people with disabilities reaching the world’s highest battlefield.
• The team of people with disabilities were trained by ‘Team CLAW’ (Team of Armed Forces veterans).

Indian Navy takes part in US Navy-led SEACAT exercises

• Indian Navy participated in U.S. Navy led Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) military exercise in Singapore.
• This military exercise included navies of 20 other partner nations like Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, East Timor, UK, US, and Vietnam
• SEACAT began in 2002 and this is the 20th edition of the exercise.

Four new sites of India added to Ramsar wetlands list

• Four more wetlands from India have been added to the list of Ramsar sites, giving it status of ‘Wetland of International Importance’
• These 4 sites are:
• Thol, Gujarat
• Wadhwana, Gujarat
• Sultanpur, Haryana
• Bhindawas, Haryana
• With this, total Ramsar sites in India have reached to 46, covering 1,083,322 hectares
• Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It is named after Ramsar, where the convention was signed in 1971

Ministry of Social Justice launches e-study platform titled, TAPAS

• Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has launched an online portal titled TAPAS (Training for Augmenting Productivity and Services) to provide free of cost filmed lectures/courses/material 
• Presently there are 5 courses under TAPAS: Drug (Substance) Abuse Prevention, Geriatric/Elderly Care, Care and Management of Dementia, Transgender Issues and comprehensive course on Social Defence Issues
• TAPAS is the initiative of National Institute of Social Defence (NISD)

HCL Foundation launches ‘My e-Haat’ portal to empower artisans

• HCL Foundation has launched an online portal titled as, ‘My e-Haat’ to empower artisans and strengthen the value chain of the handicraft sector in India.
• My e-Haat will enable artisans and primary producers to conduct their business, by listing and showcasing their products directly to customers, minimizing the informal intermediaries and the long supply chains.
• More than 30 partners from eight states with over 600 products are listed on the portal at present

PM Modi sets India’s target to become energy independent by 2047

• PM Modi has set the target of becoming energy independent country by 2047, when India will celebrate 100th year of Independence
• PM has announced ‘Mission Circular Economy’ that will replace petroleum with other forms of energy to make India achieve self-reliance in energy production.
• It will include a mix of electric mobility, gas-based economy, doping ethanol in petrol and making India hub for hydrogen production
• Govt has decided to set up National Hydrogen Mission

75 new Vande Bharat trains to connect all parts of India

• PM Modi has announced that 75 'Vande Bharat' trains will connect different parts of India in 75 weeks to mark the ongoing 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'.
• Vande Bharat: Indigenous semi-high speed train set is being given a boost, with the Railways gearing to roll out at least 10 of them, linking around 40 cities, by August 2022 to commemorate 75 years of Independence.
• Maiden run of Vande Bharat train was flagged off by Modi on New Delhi-Varanasi route on February 15, 2019.

Former India defender Chinmoy Chatterjee passes away

• Eminent India-international footballer Chinmoy Chatterjee (68 years) passed away
• He played for the three Maidan heavyweights in his prime in 1970-80s and was a member of Indian team at 1978 Bangkok Asian Games where they finished 4th in quarterfinal league.
• He played for Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting, during his domestic career.
• He also represented Bengal in the Santosh Trophy four times.

Chhattisgarh gets 4 new districts making administrative districts to 32

• Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel has announced the creation of four new districts and 18 new tehsils in the state.
• Four new districts are: Mohla Manpur, Sarangarh-Bilaigarh, Shakti, Manendragarh.
• With the creation of four new districts, total number of administrative districts have reached 32 in Chhattisgarh
• Apart from this, garden will be developed exclusively for women in every district headquarter and municipality, known as Minimata Udyan.

Indian Navy inks MoU with IDFC First Bank for Honour FIRST

• Indian Navy has signed MoU with IDFC First Bank to initiate premium banking solution titled as ‘Honour FIRST’ for serving personnel and veterans of the Indian Navy.
• Features of Honour FIRST:
• Free enhanced Personal Accident Insurance cover of Rs. 46 lakhs for both on-duty and off-duty incidents.
• Covers accidental death but also total and partial permanent disability
• Includes child education grant of Rs. 4 lakhs and marriage cover of Rs 2 lakh.

Government announces ‘Prime Minister Gatishakti Scheme’

• PM Modi has announced Pradhan Mantri Gatishakti scheme, worth Rs 100 lakh crores while addressing the nation on 75th Independence Day from Red Fort
• Aim: To adopt holistic and integrated approach in infrastructure growth and create employment opportunities for the youth of the country.
• Government will soon announce Master Plan for the scheme to help boost productivity of industries, and boost economic growth of the country.

Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021 notified

• Union Ministry of Environment has notified ‘Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021’, that prohibits identified single use plastic items which have low utility and high littering potential by 2022.
• Manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of following single-use plastic, including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, commodities shall be prohibited with effect from 1st July, 2022.

Maharashtra govt launches e-crop survey initiative

• Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray has launched e-crop survey initiative with effect from August 15.
• This project was initially introduced as a pilot in two districts
• It is jointly implemented by the depts of revenue and agriculture along with Tata Trust
• It will reduce the hardships of the farmers as it would provide them crop-related information without hassles.
• Govt had already introduced digitized 7/12 document that farmers can access on their mobile phones.

World's second-largest refurbished gene bank inaugurated at NBPGR, Pusa

• Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has inaugurated World's second-largest refurbished gene bank at National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), Pusa, New Delhi.
• National Gene Bank was established in 1996 to preserve the seeds of Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) for future generations and has the capacity to preserve about one million germplasm in the form of seeds.
• Presently it is protecting 4.52 lakh accessions, of which 2.7 lakh are Indian germplasm

President Ram Nath Kovind confers 144 Gallantry awards in 2021

• President Ram Nath Kovind has conferred 144 Gallantry awards to armed forces, police and paramilitary personnel on the occasion of Independence Day 2021.
• Awards includes:
• Ashok Chakra - Babu Ram (posthumously)
• Kirti Chakra - Altaf Hussain Bhat (posthumously)
• Shaurya Chakras – Arun Kumar, Ravi and 13 others
• Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry)
• Sena Medals (Gallantry)
• Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry)
• Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry)

Komalika Bari becomes under-21 Recurve world champion in Archery

• Komalika Bari became new under-21 recurve world Archery champion at the Youth World Championships in Wroclaw, Poland.
• India’s Junior recurve archers also bagged gold in the men’s and the mixed team event.
• In U21 men’s recurve team final, Indian team of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Aditya Choudhary and Parth Sushant Salunkhe clinched gold medal
• Indian trio came from behind to clinch 5-3 win against Spain
• Parth Salunkhe and Komalika Bari won gold for India in mixed event as well

RBI cancels license of Raigad based Karnala Nagari Sahakari Bank

• RBI has cancelled the license of Raigad based Karnala Nagari Sahakari Bank Limited and has been ceased to end its operation with immediate effects
• Order has been issued for winding up the bank and appoint a liquidator for the bank.
• On liquidation, every depositor will be entitled to receive deposit insurance claim amount of deposits up to monetary ceiling of Rs 5 lakhs.
• License was cancelled due to inadequate capital and earning prospects.

AIIMS Delhi becomes 1st Indian hospital to house fire station

• All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), New Delhi has become the 1st hospital of India to house a fire station inside the hospital premises to meet any emergency.
• AIIMS has collaborated with Delhi Fire Service (DFS).
• AIIMS will provide infrastructure for the fire station, while fire tender, equipment, and manpower will be managed by DFS.
• Director of AIIMS: Randeep Guleria.

1. Naidu unveils foundation stone of Innovation and Development Centre

• Vice President, M Venkaiah Naidu has laid foundation stone of Innovation and Development Centre of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru.
• JNCASR Innovation and Development Centre: It will be developed into a facility where laboratory inventions will be taken forward for scale-up and technology transfer.
• JNCASR is established by Dept of Science and Technology at Jakkur, Bangalore.

 National Affairs

Ministry of Power circulated Draft Electricity Rules, 2021

• Ministry of Power has circulated ‘Draft Electricity (promoting renewable energy through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2021’.
• They have placed them on Ministry of Power website ‘https://powermin.gov.in/’ and sought comments within 30 days.
• These rules are proposed for purchase and consumption of green energy including energy from Waste-to-Energy plants, Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO), Green energy open access, Nodal Agencies, banking, and cross subsidy surcharge

Reserve Bank of India introduces Financial Inclusion Index

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has constructed composite Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) to capture the extent of financial inclusion across India. 
• It comprises of three broad parameters: Access (35%), Usage (45%), and Quality (20%) with 97 indicators.
• Annual FI-Index for March 2021 ending is 53.9 as against 43.4 in March 2017.
• FI-Index will be published annually in July every year
• It incorporates details of banking, investments, insurance, postal, pension sector

Odisha to sponsor Indian hockey teams for 10 more years

• Odisha govt will continue to sponsor Indian men's and women's national hockey teams for another 10 years, after the current sponsorship ends in 2023.
• Exact amount of sponsorship deals are yet to be revealed.
• Odisha signed ₹100 crore deal with Hockey India for sponsoring the men’s and women’s teams for 5 years after Sahara India withdrew after getting entangled in legal issues in 2018
• Chief Minister of Odisha: Naveen Patnaik.

AIM launches Student Entrepreneurship Program (SEP) 3.0

• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) NITI Aayog, along with La Fondation Dassault Systemes has launched third series of ‘Student Entrepreneurship Program’ (SEP 3.0) for young innovators of Atal Tinkering Labs
• Theme of SEP 3.0 is based on ‘Made in 3D - Seed the Future Entrepreneurs Program’ conceptualized and rolled out in 2017
• Under this, team from each school (6 students and a teacher) will be allocated seed funding towards creating their own start-up, design and prototype 

J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha launches PROOF App

• Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has unveiled Photographic Record of On-site Facility (PROOF) to bring more transparency and accountability in the governance system
• Aim: To monitor work progress of all the projects allocated to different departments with timely completion 
• It will give complete pictorial view of the work along with its geographical coordinates and user comments on work progress
• It will be mandatory to upload geo-tagged photographs

Amrit Mahotsav Shri Shakti Innovation Challenge 2021

• MyGov under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and UN Women has jointly launched Amrit Mahotsav Shri Shakti Innovation Challenge 2021 to encourage technology solutions developed by Women Entrepreneurs that facilitate Women’s Safety and Empowerment
• It will accept entries till 17 September 2021
• The winners will be awarded 5,00,000 each
• It is being implemented under Multi-Partner Trust Fund (COVID-19) Programme
• First Shri Shakti Challenge was held in 2020

HDFC launches ‘green and sustainable’ deposits programme for retail clients

• HDFC bank has launched green and sustainable deposits programme for retail clients to safeguard environment from climate change
• It will be used for financing of green and sustainable housing credit services
• Interest Rates: 6.55%
• Maturity period: 3-10 years
• Senior Citizens will get an additional interest rate of 0.25% per annum on their deposits of up to 2 crore
• Additional interest rate of 0.1% per annum up to Rs 50 lakh will be applicable if made through online mode

INS Tabar participated in Exercise Konkan 2021 with Royal Navy of UK

• Indian Naval Ship Tabar has participated at Portsmouth in England to undertake the annual bilateral drill titled as ‘Exercise Konkan 2021’ between Indian Navy and Britain’s Royal Navy.
• It is a Bilateral naval exercise and is being held every year since 2004 to enhance the interoperability, synergy and cooperation between both navies.
• HMS Westminster of the Royal Navy took part from Britain’s side.

Centre notifies RoDTEP Scheme Guidelines and Rates

• Centre has notified RoDTEP Scheme Guidelines and Rates (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) for zero rating of exports will boost our exports & competitiveness
• Rates of RoDTEP will cover 8555 tariff lines
• It shall not be available in respect of duties and taxes already exempted or remitted or credited.
• It is to be implemented by Customs through a simplified IT System.
• Rebate will be issued as transferable duty credit/ electronic scrip (e-scrip) 

Creator of Sudoku puzzle, Maki Kaji passes away

• Creator of puzzle Sudoku, Maki Kaji (69 years) passed away due to bile duct cancer in Japan.
• He was known as the father of Sodoku.
• He was the President of Nikoli Co., Ltd., a Japanese puzzle manufacturer
• He travelled to more than 30 countries spreading his enjoyment of puzzles.
• Sudoku championships have drawn some 200 million people in 100 countries over the years, according to Tokyo-based Nikoli.

Commerce Ministry confers National Intellectual Property Awards 2020

• Minister of Commerce and Industry has conferred National Intellectual Property Awards 2020 to the winners 
• The award is conferred every year by Office of Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM), Dept for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• It is given to individuals, institutions, organisations, enterprises, police units and other legal entities, for IP creation, commercialization and enforcement

World Humanitarian Day: 19th August

• World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is observed on 19 August every year to pay tribute to humanitarian personnel and those workers who lost or risked their lives while doing humanitarian service.
• Theme for 2021 WHD: #TheHumanRace: a global challenge for climate action in solidarity with people who need it the most.
• It was commemorated for the first time on 19 August 2009, after it was formally recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 2009.

Kotak Mahindra Bank introduces DIY Digital Repayment platform

• Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMBL) has tied-up with Creditas Solutions to introduce a secure, Do It Yourself (DIY) Digital Repayment Platform for missed loan repayments
• Aim: To deliver a superior repayment experience for customers and increase efficiencies.
• It is powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).
• It is a 'Neo Collections' platform that will enabling customers to manage their dues seamlessly on their own.

Priyanka Chopra appointed as Chairperson of Jio MAMI Film Festival

• Priyanka Chopra has appointed as the Chairperson of Jio Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) Film Festival with effect from August 17, 2021.
• She has replaced Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone, who stepped down from the position in April 2021.
• She was unanimously nominated by MAMI’s Board of Trustees which has Nita M Ambani as Co-Chairperson
• Tentative dates of the festival are March 11 to March 15, 2022.
• Festival Director: Anupama Chopra.

Indian Army organises ‘JAZBAA-E- TIRANGA’ Relay Marathon in J&K

• Indian Army has organised 400 Km ‘JAZBAA-E- TIRANGA’ Relay Marathon in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
• More than 300 troops participated in the marathon, carrying the Indian Tricolour all along the Line of Control (LoC).
• The run inculcated the spirit of brotherhood, as each soldier carried the symbolic National Flag of comradeship across Area of Responsibility (AOR), handing it over to other units which stand shoulder to shoulder in war.

Ghaziabad was second 'most polluted city' in 2020: HouseFresh report

• Ghaziabad was the second most polluted city in the world in 2020 with average air quality index (AQI) of 2.5 particulate matter (PM) in 106.6µg/m3 according to a report prepared by HouseFresh.
• As per the report, Bangladesh was the most polluted country in the world in 2020.
• Bangladesh was followed by Pakistan, India and Mongolia.
• China's Hotan was the most polluted city and Bangladesh's Manikganj was ranked as the third most polluted city of the world.

Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank launches FRUITS portal

• Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB), in association with Karnataka government has launched ‘Farmer Registration and Unified Beneficiary Information System’ (FRUITS) portal.
• FRUITS portal is the first of its kind in India where in the land and other details of all the farmers in the State are being captured
• Under this, all the farmers will be registered and given a FRUITS ID (FID) number.
• Headquarters: Dharwad.
• Sponsor bank of KVGB: Canara Bank.

Chhattisgarh launches Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Bhumihin Majdur Nyay Yojana

• Chhattisgarh government has launched 'Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Bhumihin Majdur Nyay Yojana', benefiting 12 lakh landless families
• The scheme will have the provision of ₹200 crores
• The amount has been included in the supplementary budget of the financial year 2021-2022.
• Aim: To support rural landless labourers with minimum wages so that they can access basic amenities.
• Chief Minister of Chattisgarh: Bhupesh Baghel.

Mirabai Chanu appointed as brand ambassador of Amway India

• Olympic silver medalist weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu has been appointed as the brand ambassador for Amway India and its Nutrilite range of products 
• She will spearhead Amway’s campaigns focused on product ranges such as Nutrilite Daily, Omega and All Plant Protein among others.
• Mirabai Chanu won the silver medal at 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the women's 49kg category.
• Amway: American multi-level marketing company that sells health, beauty, and home care products.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik launches smart health cards

• Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has launched smart health cards under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana which is expected to benefit around 3.5 crore people.
• Through this smart card, all beneficiaries can avail treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per annum.
• Women can also avail benefits up to Rs 10 lakh every year.
• The move will transform the health service delivery system and create history in the health sector.

UP govt to set up ATS commandos training centre

• Uttar Pradesh govt has decided to set up a training centre for Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) commandos in Saharanpur's Deoband, known for its Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband.
• Over one and a half dozen ATS officers, selected from all over the state, will be deputed there.
• Govt has already allotted over 2,000 square meters of land for establishing the ATS training centre in Deoband.
• Deoband is on the Uttaranchal and Haryana border.

World Photography Day: 19 August

• World Photography Day is observed on 19 August every year to promote photography as a hobby and also inspire photographers around the globe to share a single photo with the rest of the world.
• First official World Photo Day was observed on August 19, 2010.
• Origin of World Photo Day comes from the invention of the Daguerreotype developed by Frenchmen Louis Daguerre and Joseph Nicephore Niepce in 1837.
• French govt purchased Daguerreotype process patent in August 19, 1939

Defence Minister launches Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC 5.0)

• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has launched ‘Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC) 5.0’ under Innovations for Defence Excellence - Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO) initiative in New Delhi.
• DISC: Platform wherein Govt, think tanks, industry, startups and innovators can work together to help the defence & aerospace sectors reach full potential.
• Ministry of Defence has earmarked Rs 1,000 crore for domestic procurement through iDEX initiative for 2021-2022.

DRDO develops Advanced Chaff Technology for Indian Air Force

• DRDO has developed Advanced Chaff Technology to safeguard fighter aircraft of Indian Air Force (IAF) against hostile radar threats.
• Chaff is a critical defence technology used to protect fighter aircraft from hostile radar threats.
• Very less quantity of chaff material deployed in the air acts as decoy to deflect enemy’s missiles for ensuring safety of the fighter aircraft.
• Chairman DRDO: G Satheesh Reddy.

Solar-based Electric Vehicle Charging stations inaugurated in Karnal

• Union Minister of Heavy Industries has inaugurated Solar Electric Vehicle (SEV) Charging Station at Karnal Lake Resort, Karnal
• With this, Delhi-Chandigarh Highway has become the first e-vehicle friendly highway in India
• It has been set up by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) under FAME-1 [Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) & Electric Vehicles in India] scheme of Ministry of Heavy Industries
• It is equipped to cater to all types of E- cars.

India launches UNITE Aware Platform in collaboration with UN

• India in collaboration with UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and Dept of Operational Support has launched tech platform titled as ‘UNITE Aware’ for improving the safety and security of the UN peacekeepers.
• Launch of platform came as India assumed the Presidency of the 15-nation UN Security Council for August.
• India has contributed $1.64 million for UNITE Aware, that will provide terrain-related information to United Nations military personnel (Blue Helmets) 

Govt organises Aarogya Dhara- 2.0 to mark completion of 2 Cr treatments

• Health and Family Welfare Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya had organized an event Aarogya Dhara 2.0 to mark the completion of 2 Crore treatments under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
• Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) was launched in September 2018.
• Key initiatives launched on the occasion:
• Adhikar Patra
• Abhinandan Patra: thank you note for beneficiaries during their discharge after the treatment
• Ayushman Mitra

All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural and Rural Labourers

• All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers July 2021 has been released with increase by 4 points and 5 points to stand at 1061 and 1070 points
• Major contribution towards the rise in general index of Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers came from food and Miscellaneous group
• Inflation based on food index of CPI-AL and CPI-RL decreased to 2.66% & 2.74% in July 2021
• Maximum increase: Punjab
• Maximum decrease: Tamil Nadu 

Govt to set up separate Civil Services Exam Centre at Leh

• Govt will set up separate Civil Services Exam Centre for Ladakh to be located at Leh.
• UPSC will conduct Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2021 for the first time for Leh Examination Centre
• This will address a long pending demand of the youth from the Ladakh region whose grievance was that they found it difficult to reach Examination Centres
• Staff Selection Commission is also conducting a computer-based examination for selection to Group B and C posts of Ladakh.

Tamil Nadu govt forms 7-member panel for study of hydrocarbon projects

• Tamil Nadu Govt has constituted seven member committee led by Sultan Ahmed Ismail of the State Development Policy Council to study the exploration of hydrocarbon projects.
• Hydrocarbon project study will be conducted in areas other than the protected agricultural zone as the terms of reference has been revised.
• It will also assess the impact of drilling technologies like hydro fracturing on ground water and environment.

Aligarh to be renamed as Harigarh

• Zila Panchayat of Aligarh has passed a resolution to rename Aligarh as Harigarh and sent the proposal to CM Yogi Adityanath.
• Proposal was eventually passed by a unanimous vote by the district panchayat.
• Aligarh panchayat also proposed the name of the upcoming mini-airport in Aligarh after Kalyan Singh.
• Apart from this, Zila Panchayat of Mainpuri has passed a resolution to rename the city as Mayan Nagar, after sage Mayan who founded it.

Rajpal Punia pens ‘Operation Khukri’ to reveal untold story of Indian Army

• New book titled as ‘Operation Khukri’, based on one of Indian Army’s most successful UN Peacekeeping missions, in the jungles of Sierra Leone in 2000 has been released.
• Book has been written by Major General Rajpal Punia, who led Indian Peace Keeping Force in West African country as a Major and has been co-authored by his daughter, Damini.
• Book is published by Penguin Random House India and will soon be republished in Hindi by Rajkamal Prakashan

World's first fossil-free steel manufactured in Sweden

• Sweden becomes the first country in the world to manufacture first fossil-free steel (Green Steel).
• It has been developed by HYBRIT Technology and its first delivery was done to truck-manufacturer Volvo AB as a trial run.
• The initiative was in process since 2016.
• Full-scale production of green steel will begin from 2026.
• Sweden strives to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and become one of the world’s first fossil-free welfare nations.
• Capital of Sweden: Stockholm.s

Shanti Lal Jain appointed as MD and CEO of Indian Bank

• Shanti Lal Jain has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Indian Bank with effect from September 1, 2021.
• His tenure will be for three years.
• He will succeed Padmaja Chunduru, who is set to retire on 31st August 2021.
• He is currently serving as the Executive Director (ED) at Bank of Baroda.
• Headquarters of Indian Bank: Chennai.

Apple tops Hurun Global 500 Most Valuable Companies list 2021

• Apple has been declared as the World’s most valuable company with USD 2,443 billion according to the Hurun Global 500 Most Valuable Companies list 2021.
• Apple is followed by Microsoft and Amazon.
• India: Reliance Industries (USD 188 billion) is ranked at 57 and is the top Indian company in the list. There are total 12 Indian companies in this list with WIPRO, HCL and Asian Paints.
• Most number of companies in the list: USA with 243 companies while India is ranked 9^th.

PM Modi lays foundation stone of multiple projects at Somnath in Gujarat

• PM Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stone of multiple projects in Somnath, Gujarat.
• Projects included:
• Somnath Promenade, developed under PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) Scheme at a cost of Rs. 47 crore
• Somnath Exhibition Centre
• Reconstructed temple precinct of Old (Juna) Somnath
• Foundation stone was laid for Shree Parvati Temple with total outlay of project is Rs. 30 Crore that includes Sompura Salats Style temple

World Athletics U20 Championships 2021 to be held in Nairobi

• 2021 edition of World Athletics U20 Championships is scheduled to be held in Nairobi, Kenya at the Nyayo Sports Complex.
• Javelin Thrower Kunwar Ajai Raj Singh Rana and Long Jumper Shaili Singh will lead the Indian challenge in World Athletics U20 Championships.
• India have had a champion at the U20 Athletics World Championships in each of the last two editions.
• World Athletics U20 Championships was launched as the IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics in 1986 

International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism

• International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism is observed every year August 21 to pay tribute to the individuals across the globe who have been attacked, injured, traumatized or lost their lives because of terrorist attacks.
• The day was adopted by United Nations General Assembly in 2017.
• It was first celebrated on 2018
• Theme of International Day is 'Connections'
• Online event entitled ‘Surviving Terrorism: The Power of Connections’ will be held

Geological Survey of India launches GSI Mobile App

• Geological Survey of India has launched GSI Mobile App (Beta Version) to make itself accessible to the masses and make its presence felt digitally
• Through the App, people will become more enlightened about various facets of GSI activities
• It is available for Android platform as of now and can be downloaded from Google Play Store.
• Geological Survey of India (GSI) was set up in 1851.
• Headquarters of GSI: Kolkata, West Bengal.

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