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-2022 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-2022 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)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- National Affairs
- International Affairs
- Economic Affairs
- Appointments
- Important Dates
- Sports
- Reports And Indexes
- Science & Technology
- Miscellaneous
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
INDIA CELEBRATED 76TH INDEPENDENCE DAY
This year India is celebrating 76th Independence Day on 15th August 2022 to mark the country’s freedom from nearly two centuries of British colonial rule.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the celebrations from Red Fort in New Delhi and is addressing the nation from Red Fort in New Delhi.
This is his ninth address as the prime minister. To celebrate the 75 years of Independence the Government of India has started an initiative called “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”.
Some Interesting points:
Independence Day 2022 Is 75th or 76th?
On March 12, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence that started a 75-week countdown to our anniversary of independence. This means that India will celebrate its 76th Independence Day on August 15, 2022, and mark the end of its 75 years of freedom.
PM MODI DEDICATED 2G ETHANOL PLANT TO NATION
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation via video conferencing a second generation (2G) ethanol plant built at an estimated cost of Rs 900 crore in Haryana’s Panipat.
The dedication of the plant is part of a long series of steps taken by the government over the years to boost the production and usage of biofuels in the country.
This is in line with the prime minister’s constant endeavour to transform the energy sector to make it more affordable, accessible, efficient and sustainable.
About the project:
The project will provide direct employment to people involved in the plant operation and indirect employment will be generated in the supply chain for rice straw cutting, handling, storage, etc.
Through the reduction in the burning of rice straw, the project will contribute to a reduction of greenhouse gases equivalent to about 3 lakh tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per annum, which can be understood as equivalent to replacing nearly 63,000 cars annually on the country’s roads.
WHAT IS SMILE-75 INITIATIVE?
Under the Smile-75 initiative, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has marked 75 Municipal Corporations for comprehensive rehabilitation of persons practicing the act of bagging. This initiative has been started as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Important facts related to SMILE-75 Initiative include;
SMILE stands for “Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise”. 75 Municipal Corporations, experts associated with the field of beggary and NGOs will take part in nationwide launch in online and offline mode.
As a part of the initiative, identified Municipal Corporations will cover several comprehensive welfare measures in association with NGOs and other stakeholders, for persons engaged in the act of begging.
They will focus on rehabilitation, counselling, education, awareness, provision of medical facilities, skill development and economic linkages with other Government welfare initiatives.
INDIAN ARMY LAUNCHED 'HIM DRONE-E-THON'
On August 8, 2022, the Him Drone-e-thon Programme was unveiled by the Indian Army, in association with the Drone Federation of India.
The programme was launched in line with “make in India in defence manufacturing”. It aims to catalyse and provide focused opportunities for the Indian drone ecosystem, in a bid to build drone capabilities for meeting the needs of Indian troops at the frontline.
Highlights of ‘Him Drone-a-thon programme’:
The Indian Army is supporting the indigenous drone ecosystem based on the notion that; ‘good available indigenously’ is better as compared to ‘best available globally’.
The ‘Him Drone-a-thon’ is a pan India programme. It seeks to connect all the stakeholders including industry, software developers, academia, and drone product manufacturers.
The programme will be conducted in stages, in which quantifiable parameters such as weight, altitude, range, endurance etc, would be enhanced progressively on the basis of demonstrated capabilities.
NATIONAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AWARENESS MISION
The National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM) was launched on December 8, 2021 by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry in association with the Intellectual Property Office and Office of Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM).
Under this programme, awareness and training are provided on Intellectual Property (IP).
This scheme has met its goal of training one million students on July 31, 2022, before the deadline of August 15, 2022.
As a part of the initiative, following milestones have been achieved:
of participants including students or faculty, trained on Intellectual Property stands at 10,05,272. 3662 educational institutes have been covered.
IP Awareness: Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, has mandated an increase in IP awareness, in line with the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
This is because IP awareness is significant to ensure that intellectual capital developed in a country is recognised and protected in order for IP producers to take advantage.
RPF LAUNCHED 'OPERATION YATRI SURAKSHA'
Indian Railway Protection Force (RPF), have launched a pan-India operation known as Operation Yatri Suraksha. Under this initiative, several steps are taken to provide round-the-clock security to passengers.
To kickstart Operation Yatri Suraksha, the RPF launched a month-long pan-India drive against criminals who loot passengers in July 2022.
As part of this initiative, several steps are being taken to provide foolproof security to passengers i.e., train escorting, visible presence on stations, surveillance through CCTV, surveillance on active criminals, collection of intelligence about the criminals and action thereupon, identifying black spots and crime-prone trains/sections and enhancing security threat among others to formulate an actionable strategy to reduce crime against passengers.
FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES IN THE CONSTITUTION
Recently, Chief Justice of India said Fundamental Duties in the Constitution are not merely to serve a "pedantic or technical" purpose, but they were incorporated as the key to social transformation.
How were the Fundamental Duties Incorporated?
The idea of Fundamental Duties is inspired from the Constitution of Russia (erstwhile Soviet Union). These were incorporated in Part IV-A of the Constitution by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee.
Originally 10 in number, one more duty was added through the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002. All the eleven duties are listed in Article 51-A of the Constitution (the sole Article in Part-IV-A).
Like the Directive Principles of State Policy, Fundamental duties are also non-justiciable in nature.
NAMASTE SCHEME LAUNCHED BY CENTRAL SECTOR SCHEME
The NAMASTE Scheme was launched jointly by the “Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs”. It is a Central Sector Scheme.
The scheme seeks to provide safety and dignity to sanitation workers across urban India by erecting an enabling ecosystem to recognize sanitation workers as a significant contributor in maintenance and operation of sanitation infrastructure.
Important Features of the Scheme include:
The scheme seeks to provide sanitation workers a sustainable livelihood and enhance their occupational safety besides increasing access to safety gear and machines.
It is aimed at providing access to alternative livelihoods support and reducing the vulnerabilities of sanitation workers.
UDE DESH KA AAM NAGRIK (UDAN)
Regional Connectivity Scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) has successfully completed 5 years. This scheme was initiated in 2016.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the first flight under UDAN on April 27, 2017.
The scheme aims to connect small and medium cities with big cities through air service. In the five years, the scheme has benefited more than 1 crore passengers till August 4, 2022.
Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN):
The Ministry of Civil Aviation had launched the “UDAN Scheme '' in 201, with the objective of developing the regional aviation market. It also seeks to provide economically viable, affordable and profitable air travel to common man across regional routes.
It aims to connect unserved and underserved airports of India by reviving existing air-strips and airports. It will be operational in 10 years.
WORLD'S HIGHEST RAILWAY BRIDGE OVER CHENAB
The golden joint of the world’s highest railway bridge over River Chenab was inaugurated.
For the first time ever since independence, Srinagar will be linked to the rest of India after the overarching deck on the world’s highest single-arch railway bridge over River Chenab. The bridge will be 35 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower.
Some Extras About The Bridge:
Chenab Bridge was a famous bridge with intricate engineering that had to overcome several challenges. The geology, the harsh terrain, and the hostile environment were just a few of the challenges that the engineers and railway officials had to overcome to get to this point.
About Chenab River:
The Chenab is formed by the confluence of two streams, Chandra and Bhaga, in the western (Punjab) Himalayas in India’s Himachal Pradesh state.
It flows west through Jammu and Kashmir union territory—the Indian-administered portion of the disputed Kashmir region) — between the steep cliffs of the Shiwalik Range (south) and the Lesser Himalayas (north).
After receiving the Jhelum River near Trimmu, the Chenab empties into the Sutlej River, a tributary of the Indus River.
RPF LAUNCHED OPERATION YATRI - SURAKSHA
Indian Railway Protection Force (RPF), have launched a pan-India operation known as Operation Yatri Suraksha. Under this initiative, several steps are taken to provide round-the-clock security to passengers.
To kickstart Operation Yatri Suraksha, the RPF launched a month-long pan-India drive against criminals who loot passengers in July 2022.
During the drive, the RPF caught 365 suspects who were handed over to the concerned GRPs for legal action.
As part of this initiative, several steps are being taken to provide foolproof security to passengers i.e., train escorting, visible presence on stations, surveillance through CCTV, surveillance on active criminals, collection of intelligence about the criminals and action there upon, identifying black spots and crime-prone.
FIRST CERTIFIED HAR GHAL JAL STATE: GOA
The people of all the villages in Goa and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu (D&NH and D&D) declared their village to be a “Har Ghar Jal” through a resolution passed by the Gram Sabha, certifying that all households in the villages have access to safe drinking water through taps and ensuring that “No One is Left Out.”
All 85,156 of the 85,635,000 rural households in Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, and Goa have access to potable water via a tap connection with Har Ghar Jal.
The Government of India’s flagship programme, Jal Jeevan Mission, was unveiled on August 15, 2019, from the Red Fort’s ramparts by its forward-thinking Prime Minister.
By 2024, the goal hopes to provide every rural family in the nation with a reliable Jal Jeevan Mission, long-term supply of potable tap water in an appropriate amount and of the required quality.
The initiative is carried out by the Indian government in collaboration with the States and UTs.
Jal Jeevan Mission
According to the certification process outlined in the Jal Jeevan Mission‘s Margdarshika (Har Ghar Jal), the field engineer must first present a completion certificate for the water delivery plan to the Panchayat during a meeting of the Gram Sabha.
Through a Gram Sabha resolution, the villages attest that every household has a consistent supply of water of the required quality, with no household being left out. Additionally, they attest to the fact that all public institutions, including schools and anganwadi centres, receive tap water.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
US-CHINA RELATIONSHIP ON TAIWAN ISSUE
Taiwan is crucial for power ambition. No country can become a superpower without establishing regional hegemony. The US is protected by the World’s two largest oceans that have made her Great power, same with the Soviet Union.
China knows if it wants to become a global power, it can't be caged in terms of naval power. And China is surrounded by crowded neighbors which act as an obstacle in its ambition.
History & Current Status of Taiwan:
Taiwan is known as the Republic of China (RoC), an island separated from China by the Taiwan strait. Separated in 1949, amid civil war China considers Taiwan a part of its territory.
The ruling Kuo-Mintang (Nationalist) government of China fled to Taiwan after being defeated by the communist forces in the Chinese civil war of 1945-1949. Following the split of China and Taiwan in the civil war, the Republic of China (RoC) government was relocated to Taiwan.
On the other hand, The Communist Party of China (CPC) established the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the mainland. Since then, the PRC observes Taiwan as a traitor province and awaits reintegration with Taiwan.
Beijing says One China policy and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. Beijing says Taiwan is bound by the 1992 consensus which was reached between the Chinese Communist Party and the Kuo-Min Tang Party that then ruled Taiwan.
For China, two sides of the Strait belong to one china but democratic progressive parties in Taiwan do not agree to this.
WHAT IS IRAN'S NUCLEAR DEAL?
Iran recently submitted a “written response” to the final roadmap of restoring its torn nuclear deal with world powers. The country would not go with the proposal mediated by the European Union.
Iran and the United States have differences on three issues. Though, the United States noted verbal flexibility in two issues. But Iran demands to include it in writing.
The third issue is “to guarantee the continuation of the Nuclear Deal”. This issue depends on the realism of the United States.
On the other side, the EU is the negotiator in the indirect talks, because Iran did not agree to negotiate with America directly. This is because former US President Donald Trump had withdrawn the U.S. from the Nuclear Deal in 2018.
Uranium enrichment in Iran:
As per latest report, Iran has accumulated around 3,800 kilograms of enriched uranium. Under the nuclear deal, Iran can enrich uranium to 3.67% purity and accumulate 300 kilograms of uranium, under the scrutiny of international inspectors and surveillance cameras.
But now Iran enriches Uranium with up to 60% purity. It has also turned off the surveillance cameras and seized other footage.
Iran Nuclear Deal:
This deal is also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. It is an agreement on Iranian nuclear program.
It was signed on July 14, 2015 in Vienna between Iran and the P5+1 countries. Under the deal, Iran had agreed to remove the accumulation of medium-enriched uranium, and reduce the accumulation of low-enriched uranium by 98%.
Iran also agreed to enrich uranium up to 3.67%, for next 15 years.
WILLIAM ARAP RUTO: PRESIDENT OF KENYA
William Samoei Arap Ruto, who has been the deputy president of Kenya since 2013, won the Presidential election against Raila Odinga. He won by 50.49% of the votes, on the other hand Odinga received 48.85% of votes.
He will take an oath of allegiance to the constitution. Oath will be administered by Chief Justice of Kenya within 14 days of the win.
General elections in Kenya:
General elections in Kenya were held on August 9, 2022. Voters elected the President, county governors of Kenya, members of National Assembly & Senate, and members of 47 county assemblies of Kenya.
General elections are held every five years in the country. Year 2022 marked the third general election and fourth presidential election, ever since the constitution was promulgated in 2010.
The 2022 general election witnessed the lowest number of presidential candidates cleared since 1992, when a multi-party system was implemented.
All parliamentarians will now sit in the 13th Parliament of Kenya. According to the constitution of Kenya, general elections for members of parliament are held on the second Tuesday of August every fifth year.
If there is a war situation in the country, elections can be delayed with a resolution passed in each House of Parliament by 2/3rd of all the members.
Resolution can delay the election by six months, but it can be passed multiple times. However, delays shall not exceed 12 months cumulatively.
MOSCOW CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
The Moscow Conference on International Security-2022 was held from August 15 to August 17, 2022. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the plenary session conference virtually on August 16.
Highlights of Defence Minister’s address:
In his address, the Defence Minister stressed on bringing comprehensive reform in the structure of the United Nations.
Reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) lies at the base of India’s call for “reformed multilateralism”.
He expressed that UNSC must be turned into a more representative organisation for developing countries, to provide leadership worldwide.
He also highlighted the potential geopolitical fault-line in the maritime domain, specifically in East Asia.
According to him, it could get bigger than what the world is witnessing today. Regarding the Indo-Pacific region, he notes- India, is committed to free, open, inclusive and secure Indo-Pacific region, being a central country to the Indian Ocean.
The Moscow Conference on International Security-2022 was attended by Ministers of Defence from different countries, besides the experts and key stakeholders from the military field.
These conferences on international security are organised with the objective of sharing practical ideas and exploring solutions on issues of global security. Conferences also give opportunity to defence ministers to engage with their counterparts on security issues.
VOSTOK-22 STRATEGIC COMMAND EXERCISE
According to China’s defence ministry, The People’s Liberation Army of China will participate in “Vostok-2022 strategic command and staff exercise” which is scheduled to take part in Russia. Armies of India, Tajikistan, Mongolia and Belarus will also take part in the exercise.
Important Facts about Vostok 2022:
The Vostok 2022 strategic command and staff exercise will take place from August 30 to September 5, 2022.
It will be held across 13 training facilities in Eastern Military District under the direction of Valery Gerasimov. The Indian Army has not yet issued an official statement on their participation in the exercise.
Chinese military participation in Vostok 2022 is not associated with the current international and regional situation by any means.
However, the main objective of its participation is to strengthen practical and cordial relations with militaries of other participating nations, boost its capacity against various security threats and elevate its bar for strategic coordination.
APPOINTMENTS
1ST WOMAN DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CSIR
Nallathamby Kalaiselvi has been appointed as the “first woman director general of CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research). She is the senior electrochemical scientist and has been appointed for two years.
Kalaiselvi will succeed Shekhar Mande, who retired in April 2022. On Shekar Mande’s retirement, Rajesh Gokhale, secretary to the Department of Biotechnology was provided with the additional charge of CSIR.
She is currently holding the office of director of CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute in TamilNadu.
About Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR):
CSIR was set up as an autonomous body in September 1942. Since then, it has emerged as the largest research and development organisation in the country.
It is funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology. It has been registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
WORLD BIOFUEL DAY COMMEMORATES ON 10TH AUGUST
World Biofuel Day is commemorated on 10 August every year to raise awareness about the use of non-fossil fuels as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels.
During this day, the government and private organisations come together to spread awareness about the importance of non-fossil fuels as a different source of energy.
World Biofuel Day: History
August 10 was chosen as World Biofuel Day since it was on this date in 1893 that German inventor Sir Rudolf Diesel successfully ran his diesel engine on peanut oil.
This was a path-breaking discovery as it created a safer, renewable and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
In India, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) started celebrating World Biofuel Day, 2015 onwards.
WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY OBSERVED ON AUGUST 19TH
World Humanitarian Day is celebrated on August 19 every year to recognise all aid and health workers who volunteer to help victims of disasters and crises against all odds.
The day aims to spread awareness about the need for humanitarian assistance worldwide.
The UN hopes that the day will serve as a reminder to people of the risk taken by some to save lives and support humanitarian causes.
The 2022 campaign, according to the United Nations, shines a light on “thousands of volunteers, professionals and crisis-affected people who deliver urgent health care, shelter, food, protection, water and much more.”
World Humanitarian Day 2022:
The United Nations has decided to use digital art to narrate stories of people in need and those who help them. At the centre of the campaign, the international body said, is a series of beautifully illustrated aid worker profiles.
These profiles narrate the breadth and depth of humanitarian work and collectively symbolise the wider humanitarian village.
World Humanitarian Day: History
On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello.
Five years later, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 19 August as World Humanitarian Day (WHD).
INDIA CELEBRATES SADBHAVNA DIWAS
India celebrates Sadbhavna Diwas in memory of Rajiv Gandhi’s birth anniversary. Sadbhavna Diwas 2022 commemorates the 78th birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi on 20th August 2022.
Sadbhavna Diwas was instituted after the death of Rajiv Gandhi in 1992, by Congress. Sadbhavna Diwas promotes peace, harmony, empathy, and unity among all citizens of India.
Several cultural events and contests are organized across the country.
About Rajiv Gandhi
Rajiv Gandhi was born on 20th August 1944 and he was an Indian politician representative of the Indian National Congress.
Rajiv Gandhi served as Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989. He was the youngest Prime Minister of India; he was only 40 years old when he was appointed as the Prime minister of India.
He comes from the family of India’s greatest politicians. He was the grandson of the first Prime minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and was the son of the first female prime minister of India Indira Gandhi. Rajiv Gandhi, the youngest Prime Minister, always promoted communal harmony, unity, and integrity in India. He was also considered as the Ambassador of Goodwill in the rest of the World.
WORLD MOSQUITO DAY OBSERVED: 20TH AUGUST
The monsoon season is when mosquito-borne illnesses including malaria, dengue fever, and chikungunya are most prevalent.
World Mosquito Day reminds us that Millions of people worldwide are in danger of dying from it, despite the fact that it is treatable and preventable.
According to the World Health Organization, there was a 69,000% increase in malaria-related deaths between the years of 2019 and 2020.
World Mosquito Day is recognised in honour of Sir Ronald Ross, who in 1897 identified the connection between mosquitoes and the spread of malaria.
His research revealed that female mosquitoes spread malaria among people. The goal of this World Mosquito Day is to increase public knowledge of the reasons why people get malaria and how to prevent it.
The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has been hosting an annual celebration of the British physician’s achievements since the 1930s.
Their programme creates awareness about the reasons, precautions, and preventions in addition to keeping people informed.
The World Mosquito Day highlighted the work being done by NGOs and other groups fighting diseases brought on by malaria.
AKSHAY URJA DIWAS: 20TH AUGUST
Every year on the 20th of August India observes Akshay Urja Diwas or Renewable Energy Day. Akshay Urja Diwas 2022 or Renewable Energy Day aims to spread awareness about the development and adoption of renewable energy in India.
Akshay Urja Diwas 2022, marks its importance by promoting and lining up the alarming rate of depletion of Natural resources. This day makes people aware of the use of natural resources like wind energy, solar energy, and hydropower.
Akshay Urja Diwas was first established in 2004 to support renewable energy development programs in India and promote the usage of natural resources.
In 2004, the first event was facilitated by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, where he released a stamp with 12000 children forming a human chain to promote the use of green energy sources.
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy Source (MNRE) planned to arrange the first informative campaign or event along with the Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh.
WORLD ORGAN DONATION DAY
The World Organ Donation Day is celebrated across the world on August 13, every year. It is celebrated with the aim of raising awareness on organ donations.
Apart from this, India celebrates “National Organ Donation Day” every year on November 27.
First Successful Organ Transplant:
In 1953, the first temporarily successful transplantation of the human kidney was done by Jean Hamburger in Paris. Kidney was transplanted from mother to a 16-year-old boy.
However, the first long-term successful kidney transplant was done in 1954 in the United Nations. Ronald Lee Herrick had donated one kidney to his twin brother, Richard Herrick.
Successful transplant was done by Doctor Joseph Murray. For this, Doctor received “Nobel Prize for physiology and medicine” in 1990.
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY: 12TH AUGUST
International Youth Day is celebrated on 12 August every year. This day is celebrated to raise awareness regarding issues that are faced by the world’s youth.
The objective of International Youth Day 2022 is to amplify the message that action is needed across all generations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and leave no one behind.
It will also raise awareness of certain barriers to intergenerational solidarity, notably ageism, which impacts young and old persons while having detrimental effects on society as a whole.
The theme for 2022’s edition of International Youth Day is “Intergenerational solidarity: creating a world for all ages.” Cooperation and harmony between the youth and older generations is necessary to achieve sustainable development goals, as per Agenda 2030 of the United Nations (UN).
WORLD ELEPHANT DAY: 12TH AUGUST
World Elephant Day is celebrated on 12 August every year to raise awareness about the plight of elephants all over the world.
The day tries to highlight why these animals should be protected and what laws and measures can be enacted to ensure their survival.
The main objective of World Elephant Day is to create awareness on elephant conservation and to share knowledge and positive solutions for the better protection and management of wild and captive elephants.
World Elephant Day: History
On 12 August 2012, World Elephant Day was co-founded by Canadian filmmaker Patricia Sims and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation of Thailand, an initiative of HM Queen Sirikit.
This day was observed for the first time on 12 August 2012. And since then, World Elephant Day has been celebrated every year.
PARTITION HORRORS REMEMBRANCE DAY: 14TH AUGUST
India commemorated “Partition Horrors Remembrance Day” on August 14. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced to observe this day in 2021.
August 14 also marks Independence Day in Pakistan. India was partitioned into India and Pakistan on August 14, 1947.
This event had led to violence, communal riots and loss of property. It is considered to be the most violent and abrupt displacement in world’s history because.
Britain wanted to leave India as soon as possible after World War II because its own condition was deteriorating. Earlier, governor-general Lord Mountbatten supposed to make India independent by June 1948. But he decided to advance the date.
Cyril Radcliffe was appointed to redraw the boundaries of India and Pakistan. He had never been to India before.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
RAJNATH SINGH HANDED OVER (F-INSAS) SYSTEM
Defence Minister of India, Rajnath Singh handed over to the Indian Army the much-awaited Future Infantry Soldier as a System (F-INSAS) at the unveiling ceremony of various defence and strategic systems held in Delhi.
The full gear of the F-INSAS includes an AK-203 assault rifle, which is a Russian-origin gas-operated, magazine-fed, select-fire assault rifle.
About the (F-INSAS) System:
The units of the rifle, which has a range of 300 metres, will be manufactured by an India-Russia joint venture. A rifle-mounted holographic sight with a range of 200 meters has been provided for target acquisition.
A helmet-mounted night vision facility has been provided for infantry. The helmet and vest can protect from 9 mm ammunition and AK-47 assault rifles.
A hands-free headset has been provided for communication with command posts and other elements on the battlefield.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conceptualised the F-INSAS project in the early 2000s in line with the targets of the Army’s Infantry Soldier Modernisation Programme to optimise the soldier’s performance across the full spectrum and duration of a military operation.
MISCELLANEOUS
GOOGLE LAUNCHED 'INDIA KI UDAN INITIATIVE'
Tech giant, Google has launched ‘India Ki Udaan’ to mark 75 years of Independence. The project executed by Google Arts & Culture celebrates the country’s achievements and is “themed on the unwavering and undying spirit of India over these past 75 years”.
As part of the country-wide celebrations, Google also announced its collaboration with the Ministry of Culture.
It was officially launched at a glittering event held at the Sunder Nursery in Delhi in the presence of Union Culture and Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy and senior officials of the culture ministry and Google.
About the ‘India Ki Udaan’:
This initiative offers a unique view of India’s remarkable moments and lets people discover some of the most memorable moments in India’s modern history, its iconic personalities, its proudest scientific and sporting achievements, and how women in India continue to inspire the world.
11 MORE WETLANDS ADDED IN RAMSAR LIST
In the 75th year of Independence, India has added 11 more wetlands in the Ramsar Sites list. Thus, the total number of Ramsar sites in India stands at 75, covering an area of 13 lakh 26 thousand 677 Hectare.
Four sites have been added from Tamil Nadu, three from Odisha, two from Jammu & Kashmir and one each from Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra.
Addition of these sites to the list will help in conservation and management of wetlands and their wise use.
In 2022, 28 sites have been included in the Ramsar sites list, so far. Tamil Nadu accounts for the maximum number of Ramsar sites. Total of 14 from the state are Ramsar sites. Uttar Pradesh has 10 Ramsar sites.
THE HINDU DAILY ARTICLES' ANALYSIS BY SUCCESS MANTRA SMART COACHING
In this competitive world, the demand for "authentic Current Affairs updates" from a reliable source has been increasing for the past few years, with the growth of awareness and aspirants' educational goals.
Keeping this in mind, Success Mantra Smart Coaching, via its YouTube Channel ‘Success Mantra Digital’, aims to make ‘The Hindu Daily Articles Analysis’ accessible to everyone and everywhere across the platform. It offers the latest important news with a minute update, especially for aspirants who are preparing for their dream entrance exams like CLAT, AILET, CUET, DU-LLB, MH-CET, IPU-CET, NCHM and many more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHzTJwt8JFo&list=PLDrM_6OHOo1lcuxmRN-icOWj7UIhevkfl
