Current Affairs 2 & 3 August 2020

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 2 & 3 August 2020, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2020 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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Top 20 Current Affairs of 2 & 3 August 2020

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Nitin Gadkari inaugurated upstream carriageway of Mahatma Gandhi bridge in Bihar

i.On July 31, 2020, as a part of the renovation of the Mahatma Gandhi Bridge/Setu over river Ganga in Bihar, Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) Nitin Jairam Gadkari virtually inaugurated its upstream carriageway. This means the two lanes are completed of the 4-lane bridge which is being renovated at a cost of Rs 1,742 crore. 
ii.During the inauguration ceremony, a new 5 km long, 4-lane Bridge over river Ganga in parallel to MG Setu, was also announced by Nitin Gadkari to facilitate movement of ships under it. With an outlay of Rs 2,926.42 crore, it will get completed by 2024. 
About Bihar:
Capital– Patna
Governor– Phagu Chauhan
<< Read Full News >>

Narendra Singh Tomar Released Booklet on ‘Best Practices in Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme’

i.Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, released a booklet on ‘Best Practices in Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP)’.
ii.It is prepared by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development based on the presentations made by states during regional and national workshops since inception of the programme.
iii.This book is a collection of different best practices that focus on addressing various issues, challenges, and threats to the implementation of DILRMP. 
About DILRMP
The Cabinet on August 8, 2008 gave approval for the merger of the schemes, Computerisation of Land Records (CLR) & Strengthening of Revenue Administration and Updating of Land Records (SRA&ULR) into a modified Scheme named DILRMP.
<< Read Full News >>

MSME launched programme under “Gramodyog Vikas Yojana” to benefit artisans manufacturing Agarbatti

i.On July 30, 2020, Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (M/o MSME) approved a programme under “Gramodyog Vikas Yojana” for the benefit of artisans involved in manufacturing of Agarbatti and to develop village industry. As a part of programme, a total of 200 Automatic Agarbatti making machines and 40 Mixing machines will be provided to the artisans.
ii.The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), under the M/o MSME, will provide training, and assist artisans with Agarbatti manufacturing machines. 
About Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises:
Union Minister– Nitin Jairam Gadkari (Constituency- Nagpur, Maharashtra)
Minister of State (MoS)– Pratap Chandra Sarangi
About Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC):
Chairman– Vinai Kumar Saxena
Headquarter– Mumbai, Maharashtra
<< Read Full News >>

Hardeep Singh Puri launched ARHCs Knowledge Pack, Awaas App & E-Commerce Portal of NAREDCO

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Hardeep Singh Puri released the Affordable Rental Housing Complexes Pack through Video Conferencing on July 31, 2020.He also launched the mobile application of Credai – Awaas App and an E-Commerce Portal, “HousingforAll.com” of NAREDCO.
Note – On July 08, 2020 Union Cabinet approved ARHC as a sub scheme under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) as part of Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The scheme is estimated to benefit 3.5 Lakh people.
Objective
i.To provide dignified and affordable  rental accommodation to the urban poor and migrant workers.
ii.The imposition of lockdown saw massive reverse migration of workers across the country, this scheme aims to provide an affordable living space for people in need.
<< Read Full News >>

Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ Launches India Report – Digital Education June 2020 prepared by Digital Education Division of MHRD

i.On 28th July 2020, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ Union Minister for Human Resource Development(HRD) launched the compilation India Report – Digital Education June 2020 prepared by the Digital Education Division of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) in consultation with Education Departments of States and UTs.
ii.The report highlights the methods adopted by the MHRD and the Education Department of States and Union Territories(UT) to ensure the accessibility to education for the children at home.
About Ministry of Education(MoE):
The Ministry of Human Resource Development(MHRD) was renamed as the Ministry of Education(MoE) on 29th July 2020.
Union Minister– Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’
Minister of State– Sanjay Dhotre.
<< Read Full News >>

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

India & UK tie up for new 8 Million Pounds Medicinal Research

On 28th July 2020, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, The Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth announced funding and tie up between the United Kingdom(UK) and India for five new medicinal research projects worth 8 million pounds (around Rs.78 crore) to tackle the anti-microbial resistance to support the combat against antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes during his ‘virtual visit’ to India.
About United Kingdom(UK):
Prime Minister– Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson
Capital– London
Currency– Pound sterling
<< Read Full News >>

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS       

66th SKOCH Summit Awards: Ministry of Tribal Affairs receives SKOCH Gold Award for “Empowerment of Tribals through IT enabled Scholarship Schemes”

i.On 30th July 2020, The SKOCH Awards were presented over a virtual platform at the 66th SKOCH Summit at New Delhi.  The 66th SKOCH 2020 Competition was entitled as “India Responds to COVID Through Digital Governance” and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs(MoTA) participated in the “Digital India & E-Governance” 2020 competition.
ii.SKOCH Gold Award was presented to MoTA for its project of Scholarship Division – “Empowerment of Tribals through IT enabled Scholarship Schemes”. 
About SKOCH:
Chairman– Sameer Kochhar
Head Office– Gurgaon, Haryana
About Ministry of Tribal Affairs:
Union Minister– Arjun Munda
Minister of State– Renuka Singh Saruta
<< Read Full News >> 

   SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

India, Israel Collaborated to develop rapid testing for COVID-19 in under 30 seconds

i.Experts from India and Israel have collaborated to develop rapid testing for COVID-19 in under 30 seconds by merging the technological expertise of Israel with Indian development and production capabilities.
ii.They have started to conduct trials at a special testing site at Dr Ram Manohar Lohiya (RML) Hospital on a large sample of patients for 4 different kinds of technologies namely, Voice test, Breath analyser test, Isothermal testing and Polyamino acid testing.
About Israel:
Capital– Jerusalem
Currency– Israeli Shekel
<< Read Full News >>

SPORTS

German Footballer Benedikt Howedes retires at 32

On July 31, 2020, German footballer Benedikt Howedes retired.He was part of the 2014 world-cup winning Germany team. He was one of the 3 players who had played every minute for the team in the tournament.
Key Points:
i.Benedikt Howedes has played 44 times for German National Team from 2011-17.
ii.In September 2007, German Football Association honored him with the Fritz Walter Medal, under-19 Gold Medal which is given to the best youth players.
iii.He has played for clubs Schalke 04,  Juventus and Lokomotiv Moscow.
iv.He played for the youth team at Schalke and then for the senior’s club from 2007-18. He spent an injury-troubled loan spell in Juventus in 2017-18.
v.The defender was last playing for Lokomotiv Moscow in Russian League and left it by mutual consent after the league was called-off due to coronavirus.

OBITUARY

Sahitya Akademi Awardee Sa. Kandasamy passed away at 81 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu

On July 31, 2020, the famous writer and documentary Filmmaker Sa. Kandasamy passed away at the age 81, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu due to heart ailments. He was born in 1940, Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu. He won the Sahitya Akademi award for his Novel ‘Visaranai Commission.’
About Sa. Kandasamy
Career

• He started his career in the year 1968 with the publication of his novel, Chayavanam / Sayavanam later listed by the National Book Trust as a masterpiece in modern Indian Literature.
• In his writings, he attributed the style to his deep learning of Sangam literature.
• He was granted a fellowship by the Lalit Kala Akademi of the government of Tamil Nadu in 1995 for his contribution toward the development of art.
• He had written at least 7 novels and 11 short stories in his lifetime.
• Kandasamy was inspired by Rachel Carson’s book ‘Silent Spring’ and the global environment movement. 

His works
i.His documentary film on Kaaval deivangal by Doordarshan won the first prize at the Angino Film Festival, Nicosia, Cyprus in 1989.
ii.His work, Oru Thakkaiyin Meethu Naangu Kangal (Four eyes on a float) explains the generation gap which was later made into a short film by director Vasanth.
iii.He also shot a documentary on Prapanchan.
iv.A novel ‘Tholaindhu ponavargal’ written by him, was made into a television serial.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

‘Greenlights’ the debut book authored by Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey

‘Greenlights’ the debut book authored by Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey published by Crown Publishing Group is set to be released on 20th October 2020. The book was described as “not a traditional memoir but a playbook” based on the adventures and life experiences of McConaughey.
McConaughey describes ‘Greenlights’ as an album, a record and the story of his life and he shared his anecdotes, poems and life lessons in this book.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Breastfeeding Week 2020 – Aug 1-7

i.World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated annually in the first week of August (from 1st of August to 7th of August) around 120 countries in the World. The day is celebrated to encourage breastfeeding and improve the babies’ health around the world. 
ii.The theme for the year 2020 is, “Support Breast feeding for a healthier planet”.
iii.The day commenced after signing the Innocenti Declaration in August 1990.
About WABA
Headquarters – Penang, Malaysia
Chairperson – Felicity Savage
About UNICEF
Headquarters – New York, United States
Executive Director – Henrietta H. Fore 
<< Read Full News >>

STATE NEWS

AP Governor cleared three State-capital Bills and CRDA Repeal Bills 2020

i.On July 31, 2020, the Governor of Andhra Pradesh (AP) Biswa Bhusan Harichandan gave his assent to the Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions and Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) Repeal Bills – 2020.
ii.The clearance of the decentralisation Bill facilitates the development of Amaravati, Kurnool and Visakhapatnam as the Legislative, Judicial and Executive Capitals respectively.
iii.On the other hand, the repeal (revoke) of the CRDA paves the way for the formation of the Amaravati Metropolitan Region Development Authority. 
About Andhra Pradesh:
Chief Minister- Jagan Mohan Reddy
State Tree- Neem tree
State Flower- Jasmine
State Animal- Blackbuck
State Bird- Rose-ringed parrot
<< Read Full News >>

Jitendra Singh Laid Foundation Stones Virtually & E- Inaugurated Various Construction Works under PMGSY-II in J&K

Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State-MoS (Independent Charge), Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space laid foundation stones virtually and e-inaugurated various construction works being undertaken under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-II in Jammu and Kashmir(J&K).
28 roads under PMGSY-II to be constructed
The project includes construction of 28 roads under PMGSY-II  in different parts of J&K at a cost of around Rs 175 crore.
About PMGSY:
Launched – 25th December, 2000 by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Objective– to provide all-weather access to unconnected habitations as part of a poverty reduction strategy.
Implementation– The Ministry of Rural Development and state governments 
<< Read Full News >>

Madhya Pradesh launched “Ek Mask-Anek Zindagi” public awareness campaign from August 1-15

Madhya Pradesh Urban Development and Housing Minister Shri Bhupendra Singh launched a public awareness campaign “Ek Mask-Anek Zindagi” from August 1-15.
Highlights: 

• “Ek Mask-Anek Zindagi” – means one mask, many lives.
• The Scheme will spread awareness about wearing masks as prevention from Covid-19 infection.
• Establishment of Mask Banks, where people can donate masks which in turn will be distributed free to poor people.
• Citizens can also donate masks through  NGOs  in every district/urban body.
• The Donations can be in the form of masks or funds which will be used to stitch masks through self-help groups.
• The awareness will be spread through announcements, posters and pamphlets.

About Madhya Pradesh:
Chief Minister – Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Governor – Anandiben Patel (Governor of Uttar Pradesh given as additional charge as Governor of Madhya Pradesh).

Maharashtra Govt. Approved MagNet project worth Around Rs 1,000 crore to Help Farmers; 70% funded by ADB

The Maharashtra government approved the Maharashtra Agribusiness Network (MagNet) project worth about Rs 1,000 crore(USD 142.9 million). The project aims to help farmers across all districts in the state for the next 6 years. This will boost the fruit and vegetable production and will improve processing and minimise the losses in the sector of perishables. 

• 70% of the project cost (i.e.700 crores) will be funded by Asian Development Bank(ADB) while the rest of 30% cost (300 crores) is funded by the state government.
• The Maharashtra State Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee in a release informed that the MagNet project incentives will be given to small and marginal farmers considering the losses of fruits and vegetables at different stages and in view of growing demand of fruits and vegetables in coming years.

About Maharashtra
Capital– Mumbai
Governor– Bhagat Singh Koshyari
Chief Minister- Uddhav Thackeray
About ADB:
Headquarters- Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippine
President-Masatsugu Asakawa
Recent Related News:
i.ADB & India signs USD 177 million loan for road improvements in Maharashtra.
ii.ADB approves USD 346 mn loan for Maharashtra to electrify rural agriculture customers

Haryana’s Forest department used drone for aerial seeding to increase green cover in Aravallis

In order to improve green cover in the inaccessible Aravalli area of Haryana’s Faridabad district, the Haryana forest department has used drone technology to shower 50,000 seeds pallets covered with a mixture of clay and compost. This ‘seeding drone’ is designed by an Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT)-Kanpur backed startup. 

• Species whose seeds were disseminated included Peepal, Pilkhan, Amaltash, Bael Patra, Pahari Papri, Ronjh and Khairi. 

Key Points:
-This exercise of showering seeds from drone was held between July 18-29, 2020 and covered Haryana’s four districts of Faridabad, Yamunanagar, Panchkula, and Mahendergarh. 
Nearly five lakh seeds dispersed in these districts.
-The project is being taken up on a pilot basis in order to regenerate low vegetation density sites which are hard to access.
Recent Related News:
On 23rd June 2020, The Government of Haryana under the Chief Minister’s Distance Education Programme signed an agreement with Reliance Jio TV to benefit around 52 lakh rural students during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, our channels of EDUSAT can be accessed for free of cost which will be available on the Jio platform.
About Haryana:
Chief Minister– Manohar Lal Khattar
Governor– Satyadev Narayan Arya
Capital– Chandigarh

AC GAZE

Bollywood action director Parvez Khan passes away at 55

Bollywood action director Parvez Khan has passed away  at the age of 55 years due to massive heart attack who is known for his work in Andhadhun, Johnny Gaddaar and Bullett Raja and also worked with Filmmaker Hansal Mehta in the National Award-winning 2013 drama “Shahid”.

Pawan Hans launches Helicopter service in UttaraKhand:UDAN scheme

Pawan Hans Limited (PHL) has launched helicopter service on the Dehradun-New Tehri-Srinagar-Gauchar route in UttaraKhand under the Central government’s regional connectivity scheme UDAN(Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik).

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