PREFACE
It gives us great pleasure to release the monthly edition of the PRAVAHINI - Monthly e-Compendium & Weekly e-Periodicals of Current Affairs. The magazine’s members have shown considerable cooperation as well as devotion. We at successmantra.in work tirelessly to create this magazine and bring it to you with a great sense of gratitude.
The PRAVAHINI August-2021 eBook covers the current events that happened in the month of August. Current Affairs is a crucial component of any competitive exams including CLAT, AILET, DU-LLB, HM, CAT, IAS, PCS, SSC, Banking, MBA and various other competitive examinations.
Current Affairs play the bigger role in many competitive and government exams. It holds the power of making or breaking your chance of success. Therefore, the candidates should cover the Current Affairs thoroughly and smartly.
The PRAVAHINI August-2021 eBook is divided into different sections keeping in mind the need of various exams. The sections covered namely International, National, Economy, Ecology and Environment, Science & Technology, Legal Affairs, Sports, States News Makers and few others.
We would also be pleased to receive any suggestion that could assist us with the upcoming editions.
Success Mantra (GTB Nagar, Delhi)
Website: www.successmantra.in
Mail Id: [email protected]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. National Affairs
2. International Affairs
3. Economic Affairs
4. Appointments
5. Awards And Honors
6. Important Dates & Sports
7. Reports And Indexes
8. Science & Technology
9. Miscellaneous
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI LAUNCHED 'SUJALAM CAMPAIGN'
Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched a ‘100 days campaign’ named SUJALAM to create more and more Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus villages by undertaking wastewater management at the village level.
The Campaign would help in the management of the wastewater and in turn, would help to revive the water bodies through the creation of 1 million Soak-pits and also other Greywater management activities.
The campaign started on August 25, 2021, is part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations.
The three focus areas of the SUJALAM campaign are:
• Construction of 1 million soak pits;
• Retrofitting of toilets and
• Access to toilets for new households.
INDIA'S EVACUATION MISSION 'OPERATION DEVI SHAKTI'
The 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’.
The name of the operation was known when External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar mentioned it in a tweet on August 24 while referring to the arrival of a fresh batch of 78 evacuees in Delhi.
India began the complex evacuation mission by airlifting 40 Indians from Kabul to Delhi on August 16, a day after the Taliban seized control of the Afghan capital city.
So far, India has evacuated over 800 people amid a deteriorating security situation in Kabul and scramble by various nations to rescue their citizens.
UNION FINANCE MINISTER LAUNCHED EASE 4.0
Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman has unveiled the fourth edition of the Public Sector Bank (PSB) Reforms Agenda ‘EASE 4.0’ for 2021-22.
The major theme for EASE 4.0 is “Technology-enabled, simplified, and collaborative banking.” EASE stands for Enhanced Access & Service Excellence (EASE).
What is the aim of EASE 4.0?
EASE 4.0 aims to further the agenda of customer-centric digital transformation and deeply embed digital and data into PSBs’ ways of working.
EASE 4.0 sets the agenda and roadmap to transform all PSBs into digital-attacker banks working hand-in-hand with key constituents of the financial services ecosystem to offer industry-best customer experience.
Important Initiatives under EASE 4.0:
• Smart Lending for Aspiring India
• New Age 24×7 banking with resilient technology
• Collaborative banking for synergistic outcomes
• Tech-enabled Ease of Banking
• Institutionalizing Prudent Banking
• Governance and Outcome Centric HR
GOVT. REPLACES UNMANNED AIRCRAFT RULES 2021
Ministry of Civil Aviation has repealed the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Rules, 2021 and replace the same with the liberalized Drone Rules, 2021.
The step has been taken as the earlier UAS Rules 2021 was perceived by academia, Startups, end-users and other stakeholders as being restrictive in nature as they involved considerable paperwork, required permissions for every drone flight and very few “free to fly” green zones were available.
Some important features of liberalized Drone Rules 2021:
Quantum of fee reduced to nominal levels and delinked with the size of the drone. For instance, the fee for a remote pilot license fee has been reduced from INR 3000 (for large drones) to INR 100 for all categories of drones; and is valid for 10 years.
No permission is required for operating drones in green zones. Green zone means the airspace up to a vertical distance of 400 feet or 120 metres that has not been designated as a red zone or yellow zone in the airspace map; and the airspace up to a vertical distance of 200 feet or 60 metres above the area located between a lateral distance of 8 and 12 kilometres from the perimeter of an operational airport.
Interactive airspace map with green, yellow and red zones shall be displayed on the digital sky platform within 30 days of publication of these rules.
The yellow zone was reduced from 45 km to 12 km from the airport perimeter. The maximum penalty for violations is reduced to INR 1 lakh.
Drone promotion council to be set up by the Government with participation from academia, startups and other stakeholders to facilitate a growth-oriented regulatory regime.
Nano and model drones (made for research or recreation purposes) are exempt from type certification. No restriction on foreign ownership in Indian drone companies.
APPOINTMENT OF 9 SUPREME COURT JUDGES
Nine new judges, including three women, have been administered the oath of office as judges of the Supreme Court by Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana.
The strength of the Supreme Court would go up to 33, including the CJI, out of the sanctioned strength of 34, after the swearing-in of the nine new judges.
Three out of these nine new judges — Justice Vikram Nath and Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice PS Narasimha — are in line to become the chief justice of India.
This is the first time that nine judges were sworn in together in the history of the top court.
Traditionally, new judges take the oath of office in the CJI’s courtroom, but due to that Covid pandemic, the swearing-in ceremony would be held in the auditorium of the Supreme Court’s additional building complex.
Here are the names of nine new judges of the Supreme Court:
Justice Vikram Nath: Justice Nath, who was the chief justice of the Gujarat High Court, is in line to become the CJI upon the retirement of sitting top court judge Justice Surya Kant in February 2027.
Justice BV Nagarathna: Justice Nagarathna was a judge of the Karnataka High Court. Justice Nagarathna is in line to become the first woman CJI in September 2027.
Justice PS Narasimha: Justice Narasimha was a senior advocate and former additional solicitor general. Justice Narasimha would succeed Justice Nagarathna as the CJI and would have a tenure of over six months.
Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka: Justice Oka was the chief justice of the Karnataka High Court).
Justice Jitendra Kumar Maheshwari: Justice Maheshwari was the chief justice of the Sikkim High Court.
Justice Hima Kohli: Justice Kohli was the chief justice of the Telangana High Court
Justice CT Ravikumar: Justice Ravikumar was a judge of the Kerala High Court
Justice MM Sundresh: Justice Sundresh was a judge of the Madras High Court
Justice Bela M Trivedi: Justice Trivedi was a judge of the Gujarat High Court
MAHARASHTRA GOVT. LAUNCHED 'MISSION VATSALYA'
Maharashtra government launched a special mission called “Mission Vatsalya” in order to help women who lost their husbands to COVID-19. Mission Vatsalya will provide several services and some 18 benefits under one roof to those women.
It been designed for widows, with a special focus on widows coming from rural areas, poor backgrounds and deprived sections. Under this mission, schemes like Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana and Gharkul Yojana will benefit those for women.
About the scheme: Under this scheme, 8,661 women have applied for the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Anudan Yojana, 405 for the Shravanbal Seva State Pension Scheme and 71 for the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme.
Applications have been received from 1,209 women for the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme.
The Department has received three applications for the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme. So far10349 applications have been received from the women contacted by the department of women and child development.
PM MODI LAUNCHED PROJECTS IN SOMNATH, GUJARAT
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple projects in Somnath, Gujarat on August 20, 2021, via video conferencing.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister of State (MoS) for Tourism Shripad Naik were also present at the event through video conferencing.
Projects inaugurated:
Somnath Promenade: This project is developed under PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) Scheme, at a cost of over Rs. 47 crore.
Somnath Exhibition Centre: This centre has been developed on the premises of ‘Tourist Facilitation Centre’. It displays the exhibits from dismantled parts of the old Somnath temple and its sculptures having Nagar style temple architecture of old Somnath.
Reconstructed temple precinct of Old (Juna) Somnath: This temple is also known as Ahilyabai Temple because it was built by Queen Ahilyabai of Indore. The reconstructed project has been completed by Shree Somnath Trust with a total outlay of Rs 3.5 crore.
Foundation Stone: The project for which the foundation stone was laid was Shree Parvati Temple. Total outlay of the project is Rs. 30 Crore. The project includes the construction of the temple in Sompura Salats Style, development of Garbha Griha and Nritya Mandap.
KEJRIWAL INAUGURATES COUNTRY'S 1ST SMOG TOWER
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will inaugurate the country’s first smog tower on August 23, 2021, at Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place.
The smog tower will clean 1,000 cubic metres of air every second and reduce PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels in Delhi.
The smog tower will work with full force after the monsoon season. The scientists of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee will accordingly assess the performance of the tower and present a monthly report.
RAJNATH SINGH COMMISSIONED ICGS 'VIGRAHA'
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has dedicated to the nation, the indigenously built Coast Guard Ship ‘Vigraha’ in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
According to the defence ministry, the 98-meter vessel will be based in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam (Vizag) and will be operated by a company of 11 officers and 110 sailors.
The ship has been designed and built indigenously by Larsen & Toubro Ship Building Limited. With the joining of this ship, the Indian Coast Guard now have 157 Ships and 66 Aircraft in its inventory.
About the ICGS Vigraha: The ICGS Vigraha, is the seventh and final ship in the series of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), the agreement for which was signed in 2015.
The Vigraha is equipped with advanced radars, the latest in navigation and communication technology. The sensors and machinery present in the ship make it capable of operating in tropical sea conditions.
Moreover, in a significant boost to the defence capabilities of the armed forces, the Vigraha indigenous vessel has also been designed to carry one twin-engine helicopter and four high-speed boats for the purpose of boarding operation, search and rescue, law enforcement, and maritime patrol
INDIA'S LARGEST FLOATING SOLAR PV PROJECT
NTPC has commissioned the largest floating solar PV project in India of 25MW power on the reservoir of its Simhadri thermal station in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
This is also the first solar project to be set up under the Flexibilisation Scheme. This scheme was notified by the Government of India in 2018.
NTPC is also planning to set up a hydrogen-based micro-grid system on a pilot basis at Simhadri.
About the floating solar PV project: NTPC’s floating solar installation covers 75 acres of the Simhadri reservoir’s surface.
It will produce power from more than a lakh of solar PV modules for lighting 7,000 households. The project will annually save 46,000 tonnes of CO2 emission and 1,364 million litres of water, which is adequate to meet the requirement of 6,700 households in a year.
INDIA PAVILION INAUGURATED AT ARMY 2021
The International Military and Technical Forum ‘ARMY 2021’ has been organised in Moscow, Russia from August 22 to 28, 2021, at Patriot Expo, Kubinka Air Base and Alabino military training grounds.
The ARMY 2021 is the 7th edition of the annual International Military-Technical Forum.
About the forum: The forum is being organised by the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation since 2015.
The International Military and Technical Forum ‘ARMY’ is the world’s leading exhibition of armament and military equipment and the authoritative platform for discussing innovative ideas and developments for the armed forces by various foreign exhibitors, delegations and visitors.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
GREATER MALE CONNECTIVITY PROJECT (GMCP)
The Government of India and Maldives inked the contract for the mega Greater Male Connectivity project (GMCP).
The Greater Male Connectivity project (GMCP) is the largest-ever civilian infrastructure project in the Maldives.
The Government of India is funding the implementation of GMCP through a USD 400 million Line of Credit (LoC) and USD 100 million grant. The USD 400 million LoC will be provided by the Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank).
About the project: The project will be developed by Indian construction and engineering firm, AFCONS, based in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
The Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) comprise of 6.74 km long bridge and causeway link that will connect the national capital Male with three neighbouring islands namely: Villingili, Gulhifahu and Thilafushi.
INDIA-KAZAKHSTAN JOINT EXERCISE KAZIND-21
The 5th edition of Indo- Kazakhstan Joint Training Exercise, “KAZIND-21” will be held from August 30 to September 11, 2021, at Training Node, Aisha Bibi, Kazakhstan.
The joint training exercise will boost the bilateral relations between India and Kazakhstan Armies.
The Exercise is also a platform for the Armed Forces of India & Kazakhstan to train for Counter Insurgency/ Counter-Terrorism operations in the mountainous, rural scenarios under UN mandate.
The Indian Army contingent represented by a battalion of the Bihar Regiment consists of a total of 90 personnel led by a Contingent Commander.
The Kazakhstan Army will be represented by a company group.
The scope of Joint Exercise includes professional exchange, planning & execution of the operation in counterterrorism environment at sub-unit level and sharing expertise on skills at arms, combat shooting and experiences in Counter Insurgency/ Counter-Terrorism operations.
• Kazakhstan PM: Askar Mamin,
• Capital: Nur-Sultan, Currency: Kazakhstani Tenge.
WEF'S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IMPACT SUMMIT
The World Economic Forum’s annual Sustainable Development Impact Summit will take place on September 20-23, 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland. This year’s event will focus strongly on inclusively revitalizing economies.
The United Nations General Assembly, the summit convenes under the theme “Shaping an Equitable, Inclusive and Sustainable Recovery”.
It will welcome almost all leaders from government, business and civil society who will work together to drive action and build momentum for a more sustainable and inclusive future.
The meeting will examine four interdependent areas and bring together communities of purpose to advance ongoing project work. Impact sessions and briefings will focus on:
• Revitalizing economies
• Advancing an inclusive recovery
• Scaling up climate action
• Shaping future food systems
DUBAI SET UP SPECIAL COURT TO COMBAT MONEY LAUNDERING
Dubai Courts announced the establishment of a specialised court, focused on combating money laundering, within the Court of First Instance and Court of Appeal.
This court ties into a string of initiatives aimed at reducing financial crimes and follows the recent establishment of the Executive Office of the Anti-Money Laundering & Countering the Financing of Terrorism.
This move will enable our stakeholders to raise their efficiency in effectively implementing the National AML/CFT Strategy and National Action Plan and achieving its goals through an empowered and sustainable system.
WORLD'S LARGEST & TALLEST OBSERVATION WHEEL
The world’s largest and tallest observation wheel is set to be unveiled in Dubai, UAE on October 21, 2021.
The observation wheel to be called as ‘Ain Dubai’, is 250 m (820 ft) in height, located at Bluewaters Island.
The 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).
ZAIR-AL BAHR NAVAL EXERCISE B/W INDIA & QATAR
The second edition of the joint naval exercise, Zair-Al-Bahr, between the Indian Navy and Qatar Emiri Naval Force (QENF) was conducted between August 9 and 14 in the Persian Gulf.
This edition of the exercise included a three-day harbour phase followed by a two-day sea phase.
The sea phase is comprised of tactical maritime exercises involving surface action, anti-piracy exercises, air defence, maritime surveillance, boarding operations and SAR exercises.
In the sea phase of the exercise, the Indian Navy’s Stealth Frigate INS Trikand, QENF’s missile boats of Barzan and Damsah class, fast-attack crafts of MRTP 34 class and Rafale fighter aircraft participated.
• Qatar Capital: Doha.
• Currency: Qatari riyal.
• Prime Minister of Qatar: Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdelaziz Al Thani.
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
NPCI TO LAUNCH UPI FACILITY IN UAE
NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) has partnered with Mashreq Bank to launch the payment system facility of Unified Payments Interface (UPI), in the UAE.
Mashreq Bank is the oldest privately owned bank in the United Arab Emirates.
This step will benefit the Indian tourists and who travel to UAE for business or leisure purposes to pay for their purchases using UPI-based mobile applications across shops and merchant stores in the UAE.
This partnership will enable over two million Indians who travel to UAE for business or leisure purposes every year to pay for their purchases seamlessly using UPI-based mobile applications across shops and merchant stores in the UAE.
• National Payments Corporation of India MD & CEO: Dilip Asbe.
• National Payments Corporation of India Headquarters: Mumbai.
• National Payments Corporation of India Founded: 2008.
UBHARTE SITAARE FUND LAUNCHED BY FIN-MIN
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has launched an ambitious ‘Ubharte Sitaare Fund’ -USF for export-oriented firms and startups in a program at Lucknow.
The Fund aims at arranging funds for the promotion of micro, small and medium companies. The fund has been set up by Exim Bank and SIDBI.
This scheme will be successful in Uttar Pradesh as the state has the highest number of MSMEs.
About the programme: India Exim Bank’s Ubharte Sitaare Programme (USP) identifies Indian companies that have the potential to be future champions in the domestic arena while catering to global demands.
The fund is a mix of structured support, both financial and advisory services through investments in equity or equity-like instruments, debt (funded and non-funded) and technical assistance (advisory services, grants and soft loans) to the Indian companies.
APPOINTMENTS
NAKUL CHOPRA APPOINTED AS CEO OF BARC INDIA
Television monitoring agency Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) has announced the appointment of Nakul Chopra as its chief executive officer (CEO) effective 25 August 2021.
Former CEO Sunil Lulla has resigned to pursue his ambition as an entrepreneur. This announcement comes as Sunil Lulla has decided to resign from the position of CEO to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions.
Chopra had joined the BARC India Board in 2016 and had been elected as the Chairman during 2018-19. In January 2020, he was appointed as a member of BARC’s Oversight Committee.
The media and advertising industry veteran had earlier served as the CEO, India and South Asia of Publicis Worldwide for over a decade.
• Broadcast Audience Research Council Founded: 2010.
• Broadcast Audience Research Council Headquarters: Mumbai.
• Chairman of Broadcast Audience Research Council: Punit Goenka.
STOP TB PARTNERSHIP BOARD
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya has taken over the charge as the Chairperson of Stop TB Partnership Board.
He has replaced Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan as the chairman. India aims to end TB by 2025 while the UN aims to end TB by 2030.
The Stop TB Partnership is a United Nations-hosted partnership program that aims to fight against tuberculosis collectively.
The Stop TB Partnership also welcomed the incoming Board Vice-Chair Austin Arinze Obiefuna. He will take over as the Board Vice-Chair from 1 January 2022 for a period of three years.
AWARDS & HONOURS
GANDHI TO BE GIVEN US CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL
An influential US lawmaker from New York reintroduced a resolution in the US House of Representatives to posthumously award the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal to Mahatma Gandhi in recognition of his promotion of peace and nonviolence.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award in the United States.
Gandhi would be the first Indian to receive a Congressional Gold Medal, an honour bestowed upon such great figures as George Washington, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, and Rosa Parks.
INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL OF MELBOURNE AWARDS
The Family Man 2 actors Manoj Bajpayee and Samantha Akkineni were among the winners of the latest edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Awards.
The IFFM 2021 were held virtually on Friday with several stars from various film industries in attendance.
Eminent Indian artists like Shoojit Sircar, Anurag Kashyap, Thiagarajan Kumararaja, Sriram Raghavan were amongst the presenters, along with Richa Chadha, Guneet Monga, Onir and others as jury members.
List of winners of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2021:
• Best Feature Film: Soorarai Pottru
• Best Performance Male (Feature): Suriya Sivakumar (Soorarai Pottru)
• Best Performance Female (Feature): Vidya Balan (Sherni) & Honourable mention toNimisha Sajayan (The Great Indian Kitchen)
• Best Director: Anurag Basu (Ludo) & Honorary Mention Prithvi Konanur (Pinki Elli?)
• 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)
SPORTS
BHAVINABEN PATEL CLAIMED SILVER AT TOKYO PARALYMPICS
In table tennis, Indian paddler Bhavinaben Patel has claimed the historic silver medal at the 2020 Paralympic Games at Tokyo, in the women’s singles summit clash.
The 34-year-old Patel lost to Chinese paddler Ying Zhou, 0-3, in her maiden Paralympic Games. This is the first medal for India at the ongoing Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Patel is the only second Indian woman to win a medal at the Paralympics, after Deepa Malik, who claimed silver in shot-put at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
WORLD ATHLETICS U20 CHAMPIONSHIP
Shaili Singh claimed the women’s Long Jump silver medal in the World Athletics U20 Championships.
Her slight wind-aided effort of 6.59m was only 1cm short of the gold medal jump by Sweden’s Maja Askag but her silver medal ensured that Indian athletics continues to showcase the progress it has been making.
Shaili Singh’s was India’s third medal in the World Athletics U20 Championships, coming after the bronze won by the Mixed Team in the 4x400m Relay and the silver by Amit Khatri in the men’s 10,000m Race Walk.
India finished 21st on the medal table, aware that a gold would have lifted it to the top 15.
1ST INDIAN WOMAN TO WIN GOLD MEDAL AT PARALYMPICS
Shooter Avani Lekhara has scripted history as she became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Paralympics, firing her way to the top of the podium in the R-2 women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event.
The 19-year-old from Jaipur, who sustained spinal cord injuries in a car accident in 2012, finished with a world record-equalling total of 249.6, which is also a new Paralympic record.
Avani is only the fourth Indian athlete to win a Paralympics gold after swimmer Murlikant Petkar (1972), javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia (2004 and 2016) and high jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu (2016).
NISHAD KUMAR CLINCHED SILVER MEDAL IN HIGH JUMP
India’s Nishad Kumar has clinched a silver medal in the men’s high jump T47 event at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020.
This is the second medal for India at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
The 23-year-old Nishad made a jump of 2.06m, and in doing so created an Asian record. He also equalled his jump with USA’s Dallas Wise, who also took home silver.
Another American, Roderick Townsend, won the gold with a world record jump of 2.15m. T47 class is meant for athletes with a unilateral upper limb impairment resulting in some loss of function at the shoulder, elbow and wrist.
DEVENDRA JHAJHARIA WON SILVER AT PARALYMPICS GAME
At the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics 2020, India’s greatest paralympian, Devendra Jhajharia won the silver medal in the men’s javelin throw – F46 final event on August 30, 2021.
The 40-year-old Devendra performed his best throw of 64.35, for the silver.
In the same event, Sundar Singh Gurjar won the bronze medal, with his best throw of 64.01.
With this, the total medal tally of India at the Paralympics 2020 Games reaches to seven.
JAVELIN THROWER SUMIT ANTIL WINS GOLD
India’s Sumit Antil has won the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw F64 final event at the Tokyo Paralympics, and in the process set a new world record throw of 68.55m.
The 23-year-old Sumit hails from Sonepat in Haryana.
Michal Burian of Australia won the silver medal (66.29m), while Sri Lanka’s Dulan Kodithuwakku won the bronze medal.
This is the second gold medal for India at the ongoing Tokyo Games and now the total medal tally of India has reached 7.
Earlier, the bronze medal won by Vinod Kumar in the discus throw F56 final was declared as ineligible by the classification panel.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
WORLD WATER WEEK 2021: 23-27 AUGUST
The World Water Week is an annual event organized by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) since 1991 to address the global water issues and related concerns of international development.
The World Water Week 2021 has been organised from 23-27 August, in entirely digital format. The theme for World Water Week 2021 is ‘Building Resilience Faster’.
World Water Day is observed globally on 22nd March every year. World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water.
It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
• SIWI Executive Director: Torgny Holmgren.
• SIWI Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden.
INDIA CELEBRATING SANSKRIT WEEK: 19-25 AUGUST
In 2021, India is observing the Sanskrit Week from August 19 to August 25, 2021, to promote, popularise and cherish the importance of ancient language.
In 2021, Sanskrit Day will be celebrated on August 22, 2021. The day is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravan, which also marks the occasion of Raksha Bandhan each year.
World Sanskrit Day was first declared in 1969, by the Indian Government on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
NATIONAL SPORTS DAY OBSERVED ON 29TH AUGUST
Every year, 29th August has been observed as National Sports Day in India. The first National Sports Day was celebrated on 29th August 2012, on the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand who was the star of hockey team of India.
The day is used as a platform to launch various sports schemes as well as organise various sporting events and seminars to spread awareness about the importance of physical activities and sports in life.
History of National Sports Day
National Sports Day is also called with the name Rashtriya Khel Divas in some parts of India. In 1979, the Indian Postal Department paid tribute to Major Dhyan Chand after his death and renamed the National Stadium of Delhi as Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, Delhi.
In 2012, it was announced that a day must be celebrated as National Sports Day with the motive of spreading awareness about the spirit of sportsmanship and propagating the message of various sports.
And for this again a tribute was given to Major Dhayan Chand on his birth anniversary and announced 29th August as National Sports Day in India.
About Major Dhyan Chand: Major Dhyan Chand was born on 29th August 1905, in Allahabad and was a great hockey player of his time.
He was known as the star or wizard of a hockey player as during his period, his team gained hat-trick of gold medals in Olympics during years- 1928, 1932, and 1936. He played internationally for 23 years from 1926 to 1949. He total played 185 matches in his career and scored 570 goals.
He was so passionate about hockey, that he used to practise for the game at night in the moonlight which led him to the name, Dhyan Chand. In 1956, Dhyan Chand was awarded Padma Bhushan Award, he was the third civilian to get the honour.
Recently Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award will be renamed as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
INT. DAY AGAINST NUCLEAR TEST: 29TH AUGUST
The International Day against Nuclear Tests is observed globally on 29th August.
The day aims to increase awareness about the effects of nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions and the need for their cessation as one of the means of achieving the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world.
History of International Day against Nuclear Tests:
On 2 December 2009, the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly declared 29 August the International Day against Nuclear Tests through the unanimous adoption of its resolution 64/35.
2010 marked the inaugural commemoration of the International Day against Nuclear Tests.
REPORTS AND INDEXES
HURUN GLOBAL 500 MOST VALUABLE COMPANIES LIST
Apple is the world’s most valuable company (USD 2,443 billion) according to the Hurun Global 500 Most Valuable Companies list 2021.
The world’s top six valuable companies remained unchanged as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Facebook and Tencent.
Globally, the US-led with 243 companies, up by one; followed by China 47, down by four, Japan was third with 30 and the UK was fourth with 24. While India is ranked 9th with 12 companies.
Reliance Industries (USD 188 billion) ranked at 57 is the top Indian company in the list.
As many as 12 Indian companies found a place among the Hurun Global 500 for 2021 as Wipro Ltd, Asian Paints Ltd and HCL Technologies Ltd made it to the list of 500 most valuable firms in the world, while ITC Ltd dropped out.
