Current Affairs 4 August 2020

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 4 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.

Our Current Affairs August 2020 events will help you to get more marks in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC, CLAT and all State Government Exams. Also, try our Latest Current Affairs Quiz and Monthly Current Affairs 2020 PDF which will be a pedestrian to crack your exams.

Date-Wise Current Affairs August 2020 PDF for Paid Users – Click Here to Know More

Top 20 Current Affairs of 4 August 2020

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Nitin Gadkari Approves the Khadi Agarbatti Aatmanribhar Mission Proposed by KVIC to Generate Employment and Achieve Aatmanribhar Bharat

On 2nd August 2020, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises(MSME), approved the Khadi Agarbatti Aatmanribhar Mission proposed by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission(KVIC) to increase the production of Agarbatti (incense sticks) and to generate employment and to achieve the self-reliant India in the production of agarbatti.
About Ministry of MSME:
Union Minister– Nitin Jairam Gadkari
Minister of State– Pratap Chandra Sarangi
<< Read Full News >>

Harsh Vardhan launched largest network of 5 dedicated COVID-19 Biorepositories; 1st Pan-India 1000 Genome Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 Completed

i.On 1st August 2020, Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare announced the completion of 1st Pan-India 1000 Genome Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2. He reviewed the COVID-19 activities of Department of Biotechnology(DBT), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and DBT-Autonomous Institutions (AIs) in the meeting with DBT.
ii.He also launched the establishment of Five COVID-19 Bio Repositories by the DBT at Faridabad, Bhubaneshwar, New Delhi, Pune and Bangalore
About Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW):
Union Minister– Harsh Vardhan
Minister of State– Ashwini Kumar Choubey
<< Read Full News >>

Largest ever Online Hackathon in the World -4th edition of Smart India Hackathon 2020 Launched by Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ Virtually

i.On August 1, 2020 Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Grand Finale of 4th edition of Smart India Hackathon-SIH (Software) 2020, largest ever online Hackathon in the world and interacted with the participants through video conference. 
ii.Union Minister for Education, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ inaugurated the Grand Finale virtually in New Delhi. 
iii.The Grand Finale was conducted online from 1st to 3rd August, 2020 over a specially-built advanced platform.
iv.Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ chaired a  high-level meeting on Smart India Hackathon on On July 27, 2020 
Static
Chairman, SIH 2020– Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe(Chairman of AICTE)
Chairman, Executive Committee of SIH– Abhay Jere(CIO of Ministry of Education)
<< Read Full News >>

Union Minister Harsh Vardhan launches ‘Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan 2020-21’

On August 01, 2020 Union Minister for Ministry of Science and Technology Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan, a national level programme for popularizing pure science among school students of Class 6^th to 11^th .
ii.Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan is an initiative to identify and nurture students who are interested in the field of science and to identify bright minds with a scientific aptitude among the student community.
iii.It is an initiative of Vijnana Bharathi (VIBHA) in collaboration with Vigyan Prasar, Government of India and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) an institution under the Ministry of Education(formerly known as Ministry of Human Resource Development).
About Organisers:

• Vijnana Bharathi (VIBHA) is a national movement for propagation and popularization of Science & Technology among the students and masses.
• Vigyan Prasar (VP) is a national institute for science and technology communication established in 1989 under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
• National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) was set up by the Government of India in 1961, to assist and advise the state and central governments on academic matters related to school education.

<< Read Full News >>

BANKING & FINANCE

BOB Financial Solutions Partnered with Innoviti Payment to launch the New Credit Card EMI offering on POS Terminal

i.BOB Financial Solutions Limited partnered with Innoviti Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd to launch the New Credit Card Equated Monthly Installments(EMI) offering on Point of Sale(POS) terminals. 
ii.The association of Bank of Baroda(BOB) Credit Card with Innoviti Payment Solutions will enable BOB credit card holders to access EMIs that can be repaid conveniently through their credit cards.
iii.The Bank of Baroda credit cardholders pan India can receive the service from over 70,000 Innoviti POS terminals across more than 1,000 cities.
About Innoviti Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd:
Registered office– Bangalore, Karnataka
CEO– Rajeev Agrawal
About BOB
Headquarters– Alkapuri, Baroda(Vadodara) 
Managing Director & CEO– Sanjiv Chadha
<< Read Full News >>

    APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS         

IFSCA Set Up Expert Committee headed by Pradip Shah to Suggest Ways to Develop of International Retail Businesses

On 4th August 2020, The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) announced the establishment of an expert committee headed by Pradip Shah, Chairman of Indasia Fund Advisors Pvt Ltd. to suggest ways to enhance International Retail Business in International Financial Services Centres (IFSC).
About IFSCA:
Established through International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019.
Chairman– Injeti Srinivas
Headquarters– Gandhinagar, Gujarat
<< Read Full News >>

Mohamed Irfaan Ali becomes the President of Guyana

On August 2, 2020 Former Guyanese housing minister Mohamed Irfaan Ali(40 years old)became the President of the country after he was declared as the winner of the disputed March 2, 2020 general election following a recount. He is a member of the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP). He succeeds David Arthur(A.) Granger.

• David A. Granger is a member of A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (ANPU-AFC)
• The PPP won 33 of the 65 seats in the National Assembly with 233,336 votes, while the APNU-AFC earned 31 seats with 217,920 votes.

Background
i.David A. Granger declared victory days after the March vote, but the opposition stated that the results from the largest voting district had been inflated in favor of him, who served as the president since 2015.
ii.The country’s top court found that the district had not counted votes in accordance with electoral laws.
Note- Preliminary recount data released in June, 2020 showed that Mohamed Irfaan Ali had won the initial poll.
About Guyana(officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana)
Capital– Georgetown
Currency- Guyanese Dollar(GYD) 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

UNICEF & ADB funds for Thermal screening at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport 

Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has received a mass fever screening system to enhance the screening process of passengers. There are two more scanners in the Airport.
About the Scanner:-

• The thermal scanner is a ceiling mounted one and is capable of scanning, detecting and tracking persons having fever or showing symptoms of fever and also persons with high skin temperature.
• The scanner automatically adapts to the room temperature without any human intervention.
• It has dual displays, day camera and infrared system.

Funding Agency:-=

• The thermal scanner has been provided by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in coordination with Asian Development Bank funded by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
• Apart from domestic flights, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has also been handling international relief flights under Government’s “Vande Bharat Mission”. It has handled around 40,000 international passengers during the COVID -19 pandemic.

About Telangana:
Capital – Hyderabad
Chief Minister – K. Chandrashekar Rao
Governor – Tamilisai Soundararajan

SPORTS

Mercedes Lewis Hamilton Won British Grand Prix 2020;Created Record by winning the British Grand Prix title for 7th Time

On August 2, 2020 Formula One Champion Mercedes Lewis Hamilton(British) won British Grand Prix(GP) 2020(officially known as the Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix 2020) held at the Silverstone Circuit in Silverstone, United Kingdom(UK). By this win, he created record by winning the British Grand Prix title 7th time.He is the only racer to win most in British GP.

• Lewis Hamilton won this title despite a puncture on his last lap. He is a six-time Formula One World Champion.
• With this victory, Lewis Hamilton won 87 GP and is 4 short of ferrari Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 91

Key Info
i.Red Bull’s Max Verstappen(Dutch) came second and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished third followed by Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo.
ii.Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas was at second spot after Lewis Hamilton until the tyre deflated on lap 50 yet he finished 11th.
iii.McLaren’s Carlos Sainz had been set to finish fourth, but due to his tyre issue he finished 13th.
Note– There is another race at Silverstone to be held.
About UK:
Capital– London
Currency– Pound sterling

Central Government gave nod to Indian Premier League 2020 in UAE 

The Central Government has given the go ahead for 13th edition of Indian Premier League to be rescheduled in the United Arab Emirates from September 19 to November 10, 2020. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has got “verbal clearance” from the Government and will receive the official letter in a day or two.

Key Points:

• The squad size of each franchise is capped at 24 players.
• Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah will be the three venues of the tournament. No spectators to be allowed in the initial phase of the tournament.
• Final will be held on November 10, 2020, which will be the first-ever weekday final in the history of the tournament.
• Women’s T20 Challenge (Challenger series) to be held from November 1 to 10.
• No call on Chinese Sponsorships taken, the BCCI has decided to stick with the present sponsorships.

OBITUARY

Former Samajwadi party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh dies at 64 in Singapore  

On August 1, 2020 former Samajwadi party leader and Rajya Sabha MP (Member of Parliament) Amar Singh, had passed away at the age 64, in Singapore due to Kidney ailments.  He was born on January 27, 1956 at Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh. He had gone through kidney transplant in the year 2011. 
About Amar Singh:
Political Carrier
i.He was the general secretary of the Samajwadi Party and was later expelled from the party by its chief, Mulayam Singh Yadav, on 2nd February 2010.
ii.Amar Singh was elected to the Rajya Sabha for the first time from Uttar Pradesh in 1996.
iii.He became a key-figure during Manmohan Singh’s 10-year government between 2004 and 2014.
iv.From 5th July 2016 to 1st August 2020, he was re-elected as the member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha. (Constituency: Uttar Pradesh) (preceded by Ambeth Rajan)
v.In 2015, a book by an American author claimed that Amar Singh contributed between USD 1 million and USD 5 million to the Clinton Foundation in 2008 which stood as a huge controversy. 
About Rajya Sabha
Chairman – Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu
Leader of the House – Thawar Chand Gehlot (since 11th June 2019) 
Leader of the Opposition – Ghulam Nabi Azad (since 8th June 2014)
Symbol – Emblem of India. 

Minister of Technical Education of U.P, Kamal Rani Varun died at the age of 62 

Minister of Technical Education of Uttar Pradesh, Kamala Rani Varun had passed away at the age of 62 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh due to the infection of COVID-19.  She was born on 3 May, 1958 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. She had been admitted in the hospital on July 18,2020 after testing positive on COVID-19 virus at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.She belongs to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
About Kamala Rani:
Political career
i.Kamal Rani served as the Member of Legislative Assembly, Uttar Pradesh from 11 March 2017 to 2nd August 2020. (Constituency: Ghatampur) (Preceding: Indrajeet Kori)
ii.Also she was the only women Minister of Technical Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh from 21st August 2017 to 2nd August 2020. 
iii.She also served as the Member of Parliament, Lok sabha from the year 1996 to 1999 (Preceded – Keshari Lal Kureel; Succeeded – Pyare Lal Sankhwar) (Constituency – Ghatampur).She served as Member of Parliament in the 11th and 12th Lok Sabha.
iv.During her tenure as a Member of Parliament, she served on advisory committees regarding labour, welfare, industry, women empowerment, official language and tourism departments. 

Former AP Minister P Manikyala Rao died at 59 due to COVID-19 

On August 1, 2020 Former Andhra Pradesh(AP) Minister Pydikondala(P) Manikyala Rao passed away at the age 59 due to COVID-19 infection in a private hospital in Vijayawada, AP. He was a Senior BJP leader. He was born on November 1, 1961 at AP.He belongs to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

• He was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Thadepalligudem of West Godavari district(May 2014 – May 2019) and served as the Endowment Minister in Chandrababu Naidu’s cabinet between 2014-2018.

About AP:
Chief Minister– YS Jagan Mohan Reddy
Governor– Biswa Bhusan Harichandan

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Released a Book Titled “Siyasat Mein Sadasyata” Authored by State Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary

On August 2, 2020 Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar released a book titled, “Siyasat Mein Sadasyata” authored by Bihar Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary. The book is a compilation of the author’s views, three dozen articles on different important issues and his life journey. The book was published by Bihar Assembly Secretariat.

• The book is compiled and edited by senior journalist Arvind Sharma and its preface has been written by another senior journalist Vinod Bandhu.

Essence of the Book
i.The book also reflects the different aspects of the author’s personality. 
ii.It mentions various developmental works in different sectors and welfare measures taken by the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar.
iii.It states about the special bonding between the author and CM.
iv.It has described various other important activities of assembly like, successful completion of 6th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region among others.
Note– As the book contains 3 dozen articles, the readers especially politicians and law students will benefit and be able to enhance their knowledge about politics, society and Constitution
About Bihar:
Capital– Patna
Governor– Phagu Chauhan

“Vishesh: Code to Win”:Biography of India’s youngest Basketball captain, Vishesh Bhriguvanshi authored by Nirupama Yadav to be released  

A book titled, “Vishesh: Code to Win” written by the sportswoman-turned-author Nirupama Yadav is expected to be put out for the public view on August 29, 2020, the National Sports day. The book is the biography of India’s Youngest Basketball Captain, Vishesh Bhriguvanshi and will be published by the Bluerose publishers.  
About the book
i.The Book narrates the journey of a young Indian basketball captain, Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, becoming the captain of the team in a cricket-dominated nation.
ii.The objective of the book is to encourage the sports industry to focus more on developing games in India like cricket so that the players get their due recognition.
About Vishesh Bhriguvanshi
i.Vishesh a 29 year old player from Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi has been playing basketball for the team Indian since 2007 and has a 15 years of career now.
ii.He was first awarded the captainship of the Indian team in 2010. 
iii.He represented India at various championships — Asian Games (2), Asian Championships (5), Beach Asian Games (3), Indoor Asian Games (2), South Asian Games (2) and South Asian Championships (7).
iv.In 2017 he became the first Indian to be signed by Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL).

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Sanskrit Day 2020 – August 3

i.The World Sanskrit Day which is also known as Sanskrit Diwas or Vishvasamskritadinam is celebrated all over the world on the Shravana Poornima, full moon day of the hindu month Shravana, the day promotes the  revival of the ancient Indian language and speaks about the importance of learning and knowing Sanskrit Language.
ii.The World Sanskrit Day 2020 is celebrated on 3rd August 2020.
About University Grants Commission (UGC):
Chairman– Prof. D. P. Singh
Location– New Delhi
<< Read Full News >>

First Muslim Women Rights Day Observed on August 1 2020

i.On 1st August 2020, Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi informed that country observed the first anniversary of the passage of Muslim Women Act (Protection on Rights on Marriage Act) on 1st August 2019 which against the act of triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat and help to achieve gender equality for Muslim women as Muslim Women Rights Day.
ii.1st August 2020 was recorded as the first Muslim Women Rights Day across India.
About Ministry of Minority Affairs:
Union Minister– Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
Minister of State– Kiren Rijiju
<< Read Full News >>

STATE NEWS

Andhra Pradesh CM  Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy  launched cybercrime awareness programme ‘E-Raksha Bandhan’ 

i.On August 3, 2020, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy launched a one-month long virtual cybercrime awareness programme ‘E-Raksha Bandhan’ in Amaravati. 
ii.The Aim of the Programme is to create awareness among women, youth and children on Cyber Crimes across the state.
iii.It is organized by the Andhra Pradesh Police, CID, FM Radio, Cyber Crime Prevention Against Women and Children (CCPWC), Cyber Peace Foundation (CPF) and other organisations.
About Andhra Pradesh 
Capital – Amaravati 
Chief Minister – Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy                                                   
Governor – Sri Biswa Bhusan Harichandan
<< Read Full News >>

Government of Rajasthan Approves 5% Reservation in Judicial Service for MBC

i.On 2nd August 2020, The Government of Rajasthan approved the 5% reservations to the More Backward Classes(MBC) in the state judicial service.
ii.The Rajasthan government amended the Rajasthan Judicial Service Rules 2010 through the cabinet of Rajasthan on the initiative of Ashok Gehlot, chief Minister of Rajasthan to provide 5% reservation in the state judicial service
About Rajasthan:
Chief Minister– Ashok Gehlot
Governor– Kalraj Mishra 
Capital– Jaipur
<< Read Full News >>

Rajesh Kumar appointed as Manipur Chief Secretary

Dr. Rajesh Kumar, IAS has been appointed as the next Chief Secretary of the state of Manipur by Manipur Governor Najma Heptullah The current Chief Secretary J.Suresh Babu who retired on 31st July, 2020.

• Rajesh Kumar is a 1988 batch IAS officer of Manipur Cadre.
• Prior to this, he was serving as Additional Chief Secretary (finance) of Manipur.
• He was ranked 10th among the Manipur cadre officers of 1998 batch.

Students’ long-pending demand :

• Student Bodies of Manipur reminded the Manipur Government of their long-pending demand for appointment of native IAS officers as New Chief Secretary.
• In 2018 various student organisations held a peaceful rally demanding appointment of native IAS officers as CS of Manipur. The All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM), Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Sinpanglup (AIMS) has demanded that a native officer amongst senior most IAS officers of the same batch in the state be given a chance as new chief secretary
• A six-point MoU was signed between the state government and student organisations.

About Manipur: 
Chief Minister – N. Biren Singh
Capital – Imphal
Governor – Najma Heptulla.

AC GAZE

*******

Click Here View – AC Excluded News 2020

Current Affairs Today (AffairsCloud Today)