Top Current Affairs of the Week (22 - 28 August 2021)

By Dhruv Kumar|Updated : August 29th, 2021

BPCL launches AI-enabled chatbot ‘URJA’

  • Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) has launched an AI-enabled chatbot, named as ‘URJA’ to provide a platform for seamless self-service experience and faster resolution of queries/issues to its customers
  • About URJA:
    • It is the first AI chatbot in oil and gas industry in India.
    • It has been launched under Project Anubhav of BPCL and currently supports 13 languages.
    • It was first launched as 6 month pilot project on WhatsApp for enabling LPG bookings.

BPCL launches AI-enabled chatbot ‘URJA’

  • Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) has launched an AI-enabled chatbot, named as ‘URJA’ to provide a platform for seamless self-service experience and faster resolution of queries/issues to its customers
  • About URJA:
    • It is the first AI chatbot in oil and gas industry in India.
    • It has been launched under Project Anubhav of BPCL and currently supports 13 languages.
    • It was first launched as 6 month pilot project on WhatsApp for enabling LPG bookings.

NTPC commissions largest Floating Solar PV Project of India

  • National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Ltd has commissioned largest floating solar PV project of 25MW on the reservoir of its Simhadri thermal station in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
  • This is 1st solar project to be set up under Flexibilisation Scheme, notified by Govt in 2018.
  • It has a unique anchoring design and has the potential to generate electricity from more than 1 lakh solar PV modules.
  • It is also expected to save 1,364 million litres of water per annum.

Tokyo Paralympics to start from August 24

  • Tokyo Paralympics is scheduled to be held from 24 August to 5 September 2021.
  • India will be represented by 54 athletes and compete in 9 sports disciplines including Archery, Athletics Track and Field, Badminton, Swimming, Weightlifting at Tokyo Paralympics.
  • This is the biggest-ever contingent India has sent to any Paralympics and are part of Target Olympic Podium Scheme TOPS scheme.

Religion based Violence Victims Day: 22 August

  • International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief is observed every year on August 22.
  • The day was adopted at 73rd UN General Assembly on 28 May 2019 as proposed by Poland.
  • Aim: To remember the victims and survivors of evil acts on the basis of or in the name of religion or belief.
  • It spreads awareness that international communities must work together to achieve justice for the survivors of past abuses 

Zydus Cadila received approval for emergency use for COVID-19

  • Zydus Cadila has received approval for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for ZyCoV-D
  • It is World’s first and India’s indigenously developed DNA based vaccine for COVID-19 to be administered in humans including Children and adults 12 years and above.
  • It is developed in partnership with Dept of Biotechnology under ‘Mission COVID Suraksha’ 
  • It is a 3 dose vaccine which when injected produces spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 virus

Govt constitutes Committee for doubling handloom production

  • Govt has constituted Committee for doubling the production and quadrupling the exports of handlooms within three years.
  • It will be headed by Chairman of Fashion Design Council of India, Sunil Sethi.
  • This Committee will submit the final report within 45 days from the day of constitution.
  • It will suggest the strategy and policy framework for doubling the production and for improving the quality of handloom products with the aim of enhancing income of the weavers.

India ranked 2nd in Global Crypto Adoption Index 2021

  • India has ranked 2nd in Global cryptocurrency adoption index, according to 2021 Global Crypto Adoption Index.
  • India also ranked highly on P2P exchange trade volumes.
  • The index is released by Chainalysis.
  • The index ranked 154 countries, showed that worldwide crypto adoption grew over 881% in the last year.
  • Vietnam topped the index, followed by India, Pakistan and Ukraine.
  • US and China were ranked as eighth and thirteenth.

T M Bhasin re-appointed as Chairman of Advisory Board for Banking Frauds

  • T M Bhasin has re-appointed as the Chairman of Advisory Board for Banking and Financial Frauds (ABBFF) by Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) with effect from August 21, 2021.
  • The board was constituted to examine bank frauds of over Rs 50 crore and recommend action.
  • His tenure will be of 2 years.
  • Other members of ABBFF are:
    • Madhusudan Prasad (former secretary of Ministry of Urban Development)
    • D K Pathak (former DG of BSF)
    • David Rasquinha (former MD of EXIM Bank)

World Bank unveils New Cybersecurity Multi-Donor Trust Fund

  • World Bank has launched new ‘Cybersecurity Multi-Donor Trust Fund’ to roll-out cybersecurity development agenda in a systematic manner.
  • It has been developed as an associated trust fund under broader Digital Development Partnership (DDP) umbrella program.
  • For this, World Bank has partnered with four countries, namely Estonia, Japan, Germany, and the Netherlands
  • Aim: enhance cyber and digital security capability and capacity in World Bank member countries

India’s highest herbal park inaugurated in Uttarakhand

  • India’s highest altitude herbal park has been inaugurated at Mana village in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand.
  • It has been developed in 3 years under central government's Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) scheme.
  • This herbal park is situated at a height of 11,000 feet was and is close to the Indo-China border.
  • Mana: Last Indian village in Chamoli bordering China and is adjacent to Badrinath temple.

MP Govt launches comprehensive Talent Search Campaign

  • Madhya Pradesh Govt has launched comprehensive Talent Search Campaign in the field of sports to search for new talented players and train them in 18 sports academies of state
  • CM has appealed to the youth interested in sports to register themselves in the Talent Search Campaign of the state.
  • So far, more than 50,000 players have applied for talent search.
  • On the basis of physical strength and proficiency, sportspersons will be groomed through coaching and training.

Shaili Singh wins Silver medal in Long Jump at U20 Championships

  • Long jumper Shaili Singh won silver medal at the U-20 World Athletics Championships in Nairobi with 6.59 metre jump.
  • She missed Gold medal by a mere 1 centimetre.
  • European junior champion Maja Askag managed 6.60 metre jump for the top spot on the final day of the championships.
  • Apart from her, India’s Amit Khatri has won silver medal in the men’s 10,000 m race walk at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi.

HDFC Life releases 'Life Freedom Index 2021' report

  • HDFC Life has released the 'Life Freedom Index 2021' report, along with NielsenIQ across 14 cities.
  • Life Freedom Index is made up of 4 indices: Financial Awareness Index, Financial Planning Index, Financial Sufficiency and Adequacy Index, and Financial Liberty Index.
  • The scores are based on responses in 6 metros (Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai), four Tier-I cities (Kochi, Indore, Ludhiana, Bhubaneshwar) and four Tier-II cities.

International Day for Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

  • International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is observed every year on August 23 to memorialize the transatlantic slave trade
  • It is a UNESCO designated day
  • On 22 and 23 August 1791, in Santo Domingo (Haiti and Dominican Republic) that saw the beginning of the uprising for the abolition of transatlantic slave trade
  • It was first celebrated in many countries, in particular in Haiti (23 August 1998) and Goree in Senegal (23 August 1999).

Former Chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Kalyan Singh passes away

  • Senior BJP leader and former Chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Kalyan Singh (89 years) passed away at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Lucknow.
  • He was the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh during the demolition of Babri Masjid in December 1992.
  • He was considered an icon of Hindu nationalism and of the agitation to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya.
  • He also served as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Sitharaman to launch National Monetisation Pipeline today

  • Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will launch National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) in New Delhi.
  • NMP will list out Centre’s infrastructure assets which will be sold over the next 4 years.
  • It consists of a 4-year pipeline of the Centre’s brownfield infrastructure assets.
  • It will also serve as a medium-term road map for the Centre’s asset monetisation initiative.
  • National Monetisation Pipeline book will also be released on the occasion.

Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Awards 2021 announced

  • Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Awards (IFFM) 2021 has been announced virtually.
  • Full list of winners:
    • Best Feature Film: Soorarai Pottru
    • Best Performance Male (Feature): Suriya Sivakumar (Soorarai Pottru)
    • Best Performance Female (Feature): Vidya Balan (Sherni) & Nimisha Sajayan (The Great Indian Kitchen)
    • Best Series: Mirzapur Season 2
    • Best Actress in a Series: Samantha Akkineni (The Family Man 2)
    • Best Actor in a Series: Manoj Bajpayee (The Family Man 2)

Amitabh Bachchan becomes India’s First Celebrity Voice For Amazon’s Alexa

  • Amitabh Bachchan has become India’s First Celebrity to lend his voice for Amazon’s Alexa.
  • His voice will be available both in English as well as Hindi language.
  • Cost of adding Amitabh Bachchan’s voice to Alexa will be Rs 149 per year.
  • Alexa users can now connect Amitabh Bachchan to any speaker or Echo Display and take advantage of this feature.
  • However, this feature will only work on Android for now.

La Ganesan appointed as new Governor of Manipur

  • Senior BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, La. Ganesan (76 years) has been appointed as the 14th Governor of Manipur.
  • He is at present National Council Member of BJP and has earlier served the party in various capacities.
  • Sikkim Governor Ganga Prasad was holding additional charge as Manipur’s Governor since the retirement of Najma Heptulla on 10 August.
  • Capital of Manipur: Imphal.
  • Chief minister of Manipur: N. Biren Singh.

India’s first smog tower inaugurated in Connaught Place, Delhi

  • Delhi’s Chief Minister has inaugurated India’s first smog tower in Connaught Place, Delhi
  • It will purify 1,000 cubic metres of air per second within a radius of 1 km.
  • It has been set up as a pilot project and if the pilot test is successful, more such smog towers will be set up in Delhi.
  • The tower has been built by Tata Projects Limited (TPL) with technical assistance from IIT Bombay in collaboration with IIT Delhi
  • Smog towers: Large towers for purifying the air

Karnataka officially implements National Education Policy 2020

  • Union Education Minister has launched National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 in Karnataka.
  • After this, Karnataka has become the first Indian state to officially implement the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 and has set an example for other states with implementation of NEP
  • Admission module and policy of digitisation and research and development under the new Education policy was also launched on the occasion
  • The teaching programme will begin from 1st October, 2021.

Govt launched Amrit Mahotsav App Innovation Challenge 2021

  • Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar has launched Amrit Mahotsav App Innovation Challenge 2021 for Indian entrepreneurs and start-ups in New Delhi
  • This innovation challenge has been launched in 16 categories including Culture-Heritage, Health, Education, Social Media, etc
  • Challenge will be available on innovateindia.mygov.in 
  • Last date of submission: 30th Sep 2021
  • Applicants need to apply online by registering and logging on to MyGov portal

India emerged as World’s second most desired manufacturing hub

  • Cushman and Wakefield have released 2021 Global Manufacturing Risk Index.
  • As per the index, India has surpassed the US as the world’s second most desired manufacturing hub.
  • The rising focus on India can be attributed to India’s operating conditions and cost competitiveness, along with reforms to both land and labor laws.
  • The index assesses the most advantageous locations for global manufacturing among 47 countries in Europe, Americas and Asia Pacific.

Indian Navy to participate in the annual Exercise MALABAR-21

  • Indian Naval Ships ‘Shivalik’ and ‘Kadmatt’ has arrived at Guam, an Island Territory of the USA to participate in the annual Exercise MALABAR-21 from 26 to 29 August 2021
  • MALABAR series of maritime exercises commenced in 1992 as a bilateral India Navy -US Navy exercise and has grown in stature over the years to include four prominent navies of Australia, India, Japan and USA in Pacific and Indian Ocean Region
  • It will provide an opportunity to enhance inter-operability

Manipur launches livelihood scheme for Covid-19-affected

  • Manipur’s CM N. Biren Singh has launched ‘COVID-19 Affected Livelihood Support Scheme’ to provide assistance to those who had severely affected the COVID-19 pandemic in the State.
  • Aim: To uplift the poor and weaker sections of the State.
  • It was introduced considering economic dislocations, which had severely affected the livelihood of a large percentage of the population leading to an inability to maintain a basic minimum standard of living.
  • Capital of Manipur: Imphal.

IIT Madras develops India’s first indigenous motorised wheelchair vehicle

  • IIT Madras has developed India’s first indigenous motorized wheelchair vehicle titled as ‘NeoBolt’, which can be used not only on roads but even on uneven terrains.
  • It has a maximum speed of 25 kmph.
  • It is powered by a Lithium-Ion Battery and can travel up to 25 km per charge.
  • It empowers wheelchair users with a convenient, safe and low-cost mode of outdoor mobility when compared to cars, auto rickshaws or modified scooters.

J&K Govt activates online grievance redressal portal for Kashmiri migrants

  • J&K govt has launched an online grievance redressal portal to address the grievances of the Kashmiri migrants, becoming the 1st UT to put in place such portal for migrants.
  • It can be accessed at JK government’s official website: ‘Relief & Rehabilitation (M)’ (www.jkmigrantrelief.nic.in)
  • It will deal with the issues and concerns related to the land and properties of the migrants of J&K
  • Jammu is the first UT to have district-level grievance offices.

FM launches ‘Ubharte Sitaare Fund’ for export-oriented MSMEs

  • FM Nirmala Sitharaman has launched ‘Ubharte Sitaare Fund (USF)’ in Lucknow, UP
  • It will be managed by India Exim Bank and SIDBI under Ubharte Sitaare Programme (USP) announced in the Budget speech of 2021-22.
  • Aim: To identify and invest in small and mid-size ventures in manufacturing and service industries with good export potential that could be future champions of export and handhold them through the growth phase.
  • Size of the fund: Rs. 250 crores with greenshoe option

Copenhagen tops Safe Cities Index 2021 released by EIU

  • Copenhagen, Denmark has been named as the world’s safest city from among 60 global cities in Safe Cities Index 2021, which is released biennially.
  • Released by: Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
  • Copenhagen is followed by Toronto, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.
  • India: New Delhi is placed at 48th position with a score of 56.1, while Mumbai is at 50th place with score of 54.4.
  • Yangon is at the bottom of the index, as least safe city, with a score of 39.5.

Indo- Kazakhstan Joint Training Exercise to be held from 30th August

  • Fifth edition of Indo- Kazakhstan Joint Training Exercise, KAZIND-21 will be conducted at Aisha Bibi in Kazakhstan, from August 30 to September 11 as a part of military diplomacy and to strengthen the growing strategic relation with Kazakhstan
  • It is a joint training between both the Armies, which will boost the bilateral relations between India and Kazakhstan.
  • It will train the forces for Counter Insurgency Counter-Terrorism operations in mountainous, rural scenarios.

‘Address Book: A Publishing Memoir In the time of COVID’ released

  • Indian feminist writer and publisher Ritu Menon has come out with her new book titled as ‘Address Book: A Publishing Memoir In the time of COVID’.
  • The book has been published under imprint ‘Women Unlimited’, a non-profit trust, and an associate of ‘Kali for Women’, first Indian publishing house dedicated to publishing on and for women.
  • Ritu Menon: Co-founder of this Kali for Women in 1984, along with Urvashi Butalia.

World Water Week 2021: 23-27 August

  • 2021 edition of World Water Week has been organised from 23rd to 27th August in entirely digital format
  • It is an annual event organized by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) to address the global water issues and related concerns of international development
  • Theme for World Water Week 2021: Building Resilience Faster
  • It was 1st observed in 1991
  • The week is being participated from more than 130 countries and consists of a broad array of parallel activities

First batch of Multi-Mode Hand Grenades handed over to Indian Army

  • First batch of Multi-Mode Hand Grenades (MMHG) has been handed over to Indian Army in Nagpur, Maharashtra
  • MMHG is manufactured by Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), following Transfer of Technology from Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory of DRDO
  • Grenade is lethal, safer and has a distinctive design that gives flexibility of employment in both defensive and offensive modes.
  • It has a highly accurate delay time, very high reliability in usage and safe for carriage.

‘Mission Domination: An Unfinished Quest’ by Boria Majumdar

  • A new book titled as ‘Mission Domination: An Unfinished Quest’ has been released on August 2021.
  • The book has been authored by Boria Majumdar and Kushan Sarkar.
  • It has been published by Simon & Schuster Publisher India Private Ltd.
  • The book describes the moments after India could not make to the finals of the World cup 2019, despite Rohit scoring five centuries in the tournament, which is the highest in the history of the World cups. 

Education Ministry launches Academic Calendar and Other Initiatives

  • Ministry of Education has launches booklet on One-year New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 Achievement, Academic calendar and some other initiatives
  • Other initiatives are:
    • Priya: The Accessibility Warrior - It is an E-Comic cum Activity Book.
    • Virtual School of NIOS: It has been designed for NIOS by Ed4All and Microsoft to provide advanced digital learning platforms
    • NIPUN Bharat Mission
    • Vidya Pravesh: It is a 3 months School Preparation Module for Grade I children

India’s Evacuation Mission from Afghanistan named as Operation Devi Shakti

  • Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has given a name to India’s complex mission of evacuating its citizens from war-torn Afghanistan, as ‘Operation Devi Shakti’.
  • India began complex evacuation mission by airlifting 40 Indians from Kabul to Delhi on August 16, a day after Taliban seized control of the Afghan capital city.
  • So far, India has evacuated over 800 people amid deteriorating security situation in Kabul and scramble by various nations to rescue their citizens.

Former Indian Footballer O Chandrasekharan passes away

  • Former Indian Footballer, O Chandrasekharan (86 years) passed away in Kochi.
  • He represented India at 1960 Summer Olympics (Rome), 1962 Asian Games (Gold medal), 1964 AFC Asian Cup (Silver medal), Merdeka Tournament (Silver Medal - 1959 & 1964) and 1964 Summer Olympics (Tokyo Qualifiers)
  • He captained the Maharashtra team that won the 1963 Santhosh Trophy.
  • He also played for Caltex Sports Club, Mumbai and was part of the SBI football team later.

Assam govt inks MOU with Microfinance Institutions for Relief Scheme

  • Assam govt has signed MoU with Microfinance Institutions for implementation of Assam Micro Finance Incentive and Relief Scheme 2021 in Guwahati
  • Aim: to provide succour to poor women borrowers who are not able to return the loan amount of Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs)
  • Altogether 38 MFIs and banks signed the MoU with the state government, which will remain in force till 31st March 2023
  • It will involve Rs. 12,000 crore credit portfolio.

HDFC Bank, Paytm tie up to build solutions across payment gateway

  • HDFC Bank has partnered with Paytm to build comprehensive solutions across payment gateway, point of sale machines and credit products.
  • It includes Paytm Postpaid which is a Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) solution, Eazy EMI and Flexi Pay.
  • It will focus on 2 broad PoS offerings:
    • HDFC Bank will drive merchant partnerships across India, to whom Paytm will offer its existing range of Android POS devices.
    • They will jointly launch a co-branded PoS product in the retail segment

Sandeep Bakshi re-appointed as MD and CEO of ICICI Bank

  • Sandeep Bakshi has been re-appointment as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ICICI Bank with effect from October 15, 2021.
  • His tenure will continue till October 3, 2023.
  • He has been with the ICICI Group since 1986
  • Prior to this, he was the whole-time director and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of ICICI Bank.
  • He was serving as MD & CEO of ICICI since October 2018.
  • Headquarters of ICICI Bank: Mumbai.

World’s tallest observation wheel ‘Ain Dubai’ to be unveiled in UAE

  • World’s largest and tallest observation wheel is set to be unveiled in Dubai, UAE on 21st October 2021.
  • This observation wheel is known as ‘Ain Dubai’.
  • It is 250 m (820 ft) in height and is located at Blue-waters Island.
  • This record breaking wheel is 42.5 m (139 ft) taller than the current world’s tallest observation wheel, High Roller, in Las Vegas, measuring 167.6 m (550 ft)
  • It will allow commanding 360-degree view of the emirate’s skyline.

BPR&D and AICTE launches MANTHAN 2021

  • Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) will launch MANTHAN 2021
  • MANTHAN 2021:
    • It is a 36-hour online hackathon
    • It will be held from 28th Nov to 1st Dec 2021
    • It will help identify innovative concepts and technology solutions for addressing the security challenges of the 21st century faced by our intelligence agencies.
    • Total Prize money worth Rs. 40 Lakh will be given to the winning teams.

BharatPe launches P2P lending app ‘12% Club’

  • BharatPe has launched peer-to-peer (P2P) lending app titled as ‘12% Club’ that will allow consumers to invest and earn up to 12% annual interest or borrow at a similar rate
  • BharatPe has partnered with LenDenClub for this app and lending arrangement
  • Under this, consumers can invest their savings anytime by choosing to lend money. Apart from this, consumers can avail collateral-free loans of up to Rs 10 lakh on the 12% Club app for a tenure of 3 months.

Ministry of Jal Shakti launches 100 days ‘SUJALAM’ Campaign

  • Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched ‘100 days campaign’ titled as SUJALAM to create more and more Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus villages by undertaking waste water management at village level.
  • Campaign started on August 25, 2021
  • Three focus area of SUJALAM campaign:
    • Construction of 1 million soak pits
    • Retrofitting of toilets
    • Access to toilets for new households
  • It will help in management of the wastewater and will revive the waterbodies through creation.

Govt launches SAMRIDH Scheme to help startups in the early stage

  • Minister of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched Startup Accelerators of MeitY for pRoduct Innovation, Development, and growth (SAMRIDH) programme
  • About SAMRIDH:
    • It will create a conducive platform for Indian software product startups to enhance their products and secure investments for scaling their business
    • Implemented by: MeitY Start-up Hub (MSH)
    • It will support startups and entrepreneurs in the most challenging phase in 3 years.

Infosys becomes 4th Indian company to touch $100 bn market cap

  • Infosys became the 4th Indian company to touch a market capitalization (m-cap) of USD 100 billion
  • Prior to Infosys, TCS, Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank are the first three companies to cross the market capitalization of USD 100 billion.
  • According to the latest m-cap data, RIL is the most-valued firm at Rs 13.7 trillion, followed by TCS at Rs 13.4 trillion and HDFC Bank at Rs 8.42 trillion.
  • Infosys hit 52-week high of Rs. 1,755.6 (US$ 23.67).

India’s first green hydrogen electrolyser manufacturing unit starts

  • US-based Ohmium International Ltd has started India’s first green hydrogen electrolyzer manufacturing unit at Bengaluru, Karnataka.
  • The unit will manufacture India-made Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) hydrogen electrolyzers.
  • It has a capacity of manufacturing approximately 0.5 GW per year
  • Green hydrogen is made from non-fossil sources as against blue hydrogen that is made from fossil sources.

Ajit Doval hosts inaugural meetings of IBSA National Security Advisers

  • National Security Advisor of India, Ajit Doval has virtually hosted 11th Meeting of BRICS High Representatives Responsible for National Security, since India is the chair for 2021 BRICS summit.
  • 15th BRICS Summit is scheduled to be held in September 2021.
  • BRICS meeting of NSA provided a platform for the five countries to strengthen political security cooperation.
  • IBSA: India, Brazil and South Africa.

Tek Chand was India’s flag-bearer at Tokyo Paralympics opening ceremony

  • Indian shot-putter Tek Chand was the flag-bearer for Indian contingents at the opening ceremony of Paralympics in Tokyo.
  • Tek Chand has replaced Rio Olympics gold-medallist high-jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu, who was earlier named as the flag bearer, however he has been quarantined along with five other para-athletes, after coming in close contact of a COVID positive person during their flight to Tokyo.
  • India will be represented by 54 para-athletes.

G Sathiyan wins ITTF Czech international open 2021

  • India’s top paddler G Sathiyan has won Czech International Table Tennis Federation tournament tournament at Olomouc in Czech Republic, after beating Yevhen Ryshchepa of Ukraine in straight sets 11-9, 11-6, 11-6,14-12.
  • This is only his third ITTF Challenger title following triumphs in Belgium Open 2016 and Spanish Open 2017.
  • Prior to this, he paired up with Manika Batra to win mixed doubles title at WTT Contender in Budapest.

Carol Furtado named as interim CEO of Ujjivan Small Finance Bank

  • Ujjivan Small Finance Bank has named Carol Furtado as interim CEO of the Bank after whole time CEO Nitin Chugh resigned recently with effect from 30th September 2021
  • She has been appointed as the officer on special duty (OSD) of the bank.
  • She is currently serving as the CEO of Ujjivan Financial Services.
  • Her appointment is subject to the approval of the Reserve Bank of India.
  • Ujjivan SFB Headquarters: Bengaluru.

India Pavilion inaugurated at ‘ARMY-2021’ Forum in Moscow

  • India Pavilion at the International Military Technical Forum ‘ARMY 2021’ was inaugurated jointly by India and Russia in Moscow, Russia, at Patriot Expo, Kubinka Air Base and Alabino military training grounds.
  • About ARMY 2021:
    • It is being held from 22 August to 28 August 2021
    • It is being organised by Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation since 2015.
    • It is the 7th edition of the annual Forum
    • It is the world’s leading exhibition of armament and military equipment

RBI appointed Ajay Kumar as its Executive Director

  • Ajay Kumar has been appointed as the Executive Director (ED) of Reserve Bank of India with effect from August 20, 2021.
  • Prior to being promoted as ED, he was heading the New Delhi Regional Office of RBI as Regional Director.
  • He has served RBI for three decades in areas like foreign exchange, banking supervision, financial inclusion, currency in management, etc
  • RBI’s Governor: Shaktikanta Das
  • RBI's Headquarters: Mumbai.

Karnataka Bank launches KBL FASTag for seamless toll deduction

  • Karnataka Bank has launched ‘KBL FASTag’ for seamless movement of vehicles at toll plazas by facilitating automatic deduction of the toll amount across India.
  • It is a pre-loaded payment instrument
  • It has been launched in association with NPCI and Worldline, the FASTag processor
  • It will facilitates the users with the ease and convenience during transit through the toll plaza by saving time, fuel and money
  • MD and CEO of Karnataka Bank: Mahabaleshwara MS.

Government approves increase of Bank Employees Family Pension

  • Central Govt has approved Indian Banks’ Association’s (IBA) proposal to increase the family pension to 30% of the last salary drawn.
  • After this, family pension would go up to as much as Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000 per family of bank employees.
  • Govt has also approved the proposal to increase employers’ contribution under the NPS to 14% from the existing 10%.

K J Alphons presents his book ‘Accelerating India: 7 Years of Modi Govt'

  • Former Union Minister, K J Alphons has presented his book ‘Accelerating India: 7 Years of Modi Government’ to PM  Modi
  • The book is about all the areas of India’s reform journey and will serve as a guide for policymakers to reflect and identify key elements of the unfinished agenda of development
  • K J Alphons is the former Minister of State for Culture and Tourism from 2017 to 2019
  • 28 eminent authors contributed 25 essays in the book on various sectors of governance.

E-Shram Portal, National Database on Unorganised Workers launched

  • Labour and Employment Minister Bhupendra Yadav has launched National Database on Unorganized Workers, e-Shram portal in Delhi
  • It will maintain a database of unorganised sector workers in India and facilitate better implementation of various Social Security Schemes for their welfare
  • After registering on e-SHRAM portal, unorganized workers will need not to register separately for Govt’s Social Security Schemes
  • e-SHRAM card with 12-digit UAN will be valid throughout India

Narendra Tomar chairs 11th meeting of BRICS Agriculture Ministers

  • Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar chaired the 11th Meeting of BRICS Agriculture Ministers
  • Theme of the meeting: BRICS Partnership for Strengthening Agro Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition Security.
  • He highlighted the efforts made by India in preserving the agro-biodiversity by establishing and maintaining the National Gene banks for plants, animals, fish, insects and agriculturally important microorganisms. 
  • BRICS: Brazil, Russia, India, China, S. Africa

Navies of India and Germany Carry Out Joint Exercise in Gulf of Aden

  • Navies of India and Germany carried out a joint exercise, which included helicopter landings and search and seizure operations, in Gulf of Aden near Yemen.
  • The Indian Navy's frigate "Trikand" exercised with German frigate "Bayern".
  • The exercise included cross deck helo (helicopter) landings and visit board search and seizure operations.
  • INS Trikand is deployed in the Gulf of Aden region for anti-piracy patrol. 

TN moves SC to restrain Karnataka on proceeding Mekedatu reservoir

  • The Tamil Nadu govt has moved the Supreme Court seeking to restrain Karnataka from proceeding with any activity regarding the proposed construction of a reservoir at Mekedatu reservoir.
  • The Reservoir is proposed to build across the Inter-State Cauvery river by Karnataka.
  • It will have a capacity of 67.16 TMC ft. and generation of 400 MW power at a cost of about Rs. 9000 crores.
  • TN claims that it is a gross violation of the decision of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

Sonu Sood to be brand ambassador for ‘Desh ke Mentor’ programme

  • Actor Sonu Sood will be the brand ambassador for the Delhi government's 'Desh ke Mentor’ initiative for the school kids.
  • The 'Desh ke Mentor’ initiative which will be launched soon in the national capital.
  • The programme entails “adopting” one to ten government school students who can be mentored by citizens who are successful in their respective fields.
  • Mentors will take out 10 minutes every week to guide students over the phone.

Indian Oil to build India's first green hydrogen plant at Mathura Refinery

  • Indian Oil plans to expand more into hydrogen technologies and develop India's first green hydrogen plant.
  • This project at Mathura Refinery will be pioneering the introduction of green Hydrogen in India.
  • This will be in addition to expanding existing crude oil refining capacity by 25 million tonnes/year and more biofuel production plants.
  • IOC is also in the process of setting up 1-tonne/day capacity pilot plants based on 4 innovative hydrogen production technologies.

ASI Stadium named after Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra

  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a stadium named after Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Neeraj Chopra at Army Sports Institute in Pune.
  • At the inaugural event, Army Chief General MM Naravane and Neeraj Chopra were also present.
  • ASI, Pune has produced 34 Olympians22 Commonwealth Games medalists, 21 Asian Games medalists, six Youth Games medalists and 13 Arjuna Awardees so far.

Current Affairs of the Week (22 - 28 August 2021), Download PDF

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