Daily Current Affairs 16th August, 2020

Daily Current Affairs 16 August 2020 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

PM Modi launches National Digital Health Mission; Every Indian to have Health IDs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM). Every Indian will have an Aadhar like ID card containing all relevant information about his/her medical conditions and treatments and tests.

• The vision of National Digital Health Mission is to create a national digital health ecosystem which provides timely and efficient access to inclusive, affordable, and safe healthcare to all citizens.

New Education Policy aims at ensuring 100% gross enrolment in schools by 2030

In Tamil Nadu, the webinar on New Education Policy organized by the Rural Outreach Bureau, Government of India in Thanjavur, emphasized the fact that the policy primarily aims at ensuring 100 per cent gross enrolment in schools by 2030.

• The webinar, held as part of Independence Day celebrations, was one element in a series of online communication exchange campaigns being organized by the Rural Outreach Bureau.

India aims to have zero road fatalities by 2030: Nitin Gadkari

India is working to achieve zero road accident fatalities by 2030, said Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.

• Under the Indian Road Safety Assessment Programme 21,000 km roads have been assessed and about 3,000 km road length is under technological upgradation.
• World Bank and ADB have committed ₹7,000 crore each for this campaign.

Odisha retains 1st rank in implementation of AMRUT Scheme

According to the ranking of the states released by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Odisha has retained its top position in implementation of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme.

• Odisha has topped the list by securing 85.67 per cent of marks.
• Chandigarh and Telangana have secured second and third positions with 75.08 and 74.04 per cent respectively.

TERI launches flood and heavy rain warning system for Guwahati, in collaboration with NDMA

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have launched a Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) for Guwahati to alert local authorities about flash floods and/or heavy rainfall.

• The fully automated web-based tool will help them take timely and appropriate measures in event of a natural disaster heading toward the city.
• Developed under TERI’s project supported by the NDMA in collaboration with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the tool can be replicated to predict urban floods in any part of the country.

Puducherry celebrates its ‘De-Jure’ day

The Union Territory of Puducherry celebrated its 59th anniversary of the “De-Jure”day on 16th August. Puducherry became independent by virtue of a referendum on October 18,1954.

• But the treaty of cession signed between the French and Indian governments was ratified by the French Parliament only on August 16, 1962. So on that day the “De-Jure”(The Legal Merger of the UT with the Indian Union) was effected.

IIT Ropar develops UVGI-based room disinfection device ‘UVSAFE’

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, has developed a first-of-its-kind UVGI-based room disinfection device ‘UVSAFE’, which harnesses the germicidal effects of UV-C radiations to inactivate viruses and bacteria including corona viruses.

• The machine harnesses the germicidal results of UV-C radiations to inactivate viruses and micro organism whereas the “State of the Artwork” design of UV Secure ensures Zero-shadow 360o disinfection via its Prismatic Physique and foldable wings.

India-Nigeria signed MoU on space cooperation: MoS for External Affairs

India and Nigeria signed an agreement on space cooperation at the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said.

• This MoU is another milestone in the relations of the two countries.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Around the world, 43 percent of schools lacked basic soap-and-water hand-washing facilities, during COVID-19 says UN

Some 43 percent of schools worldwide entered the COVID-19 pandemic lacking basic soap-and-water hand-washing facilities, the UN said, deeming it a key condition for schools to reopen safely.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that 818 million children were affected, putting them at increased risk of being infected with COVID-19 and other transmittable diseases.
• Of those, 355 million went to schools which had facilities with water but no soap, while the rest had no facilities or water available for hand-washing at all.

BANKING & FINANCE

SBI rolls out YONO Krishi review to empower farmers

State Bank of India (SBI) has introduced “KCC (Kisan Credit Card) Review option” on its digital agricultural solution platform, YONO Krishi, to enable farmers to access their KCC limit in four clicks.

• With this added feature, farmers will no longer need to visit the bank branch to apply for a revision in their KCC limit.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Niti Aayog partners Nasscom to launch AI-based module for school students

Niti Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) in collaboration with IT industry body Nasscom launched an artificial intelligence-based module for school students to empower youngest minds and drive innovations in the country to the next level.

• This module is the next step in bringing artificial intelligence (AI) to Indian classrooms and is a successor to the AI base module launched in February this year.
• The ‘AI Step-up Module’ provides a comprehensive set of ‘learn it yourself’ advanced modules to those who wish to expand their knowledge base after becoming familiar with the basics of the AI discipline through the AI base module.

NSE, IIM-Bangalore join hands to offer platform for investor education

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) announced the launch of a digital learning platform for investor education. The platform, an online investor education resource centre, has been developed jointly by NSE Investor Protection Fund Trust and IIM Bangalore.

• The platform has four learning modules each comprising number of videos, audios, podcasts, deep-dives and blog posts presenting the content using the latest animation and data visualization technology to actively engage different cohorts of potential investors.

Delhi govt inked MoU with Bloomberg Philanthropies to enhance road safety

The Delhi government, in a bid to enhance road safety in the national capital signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bloomberg Philanthropies, joining30 world cities in the initiative for global road safety.

• Under this initiative the Delhi government will be supported by the world’s leading experts in road safety and will receive technical assistance to conduct various periodic road user behaviour surveys and training for staff.

SPORTS

MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina quit International Cricket

Former Indian Cricket Team Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his retirement from International Cricket. In a social media post, he thanked everyone for their immense support and love throughout his career.

• Under his captaincy, India won the 2007 ICC World Twenty-Twenty, the 2010 and 2016 Asia Cups, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
• Suresh Raina, another Indian Cricketer has also announced his retirement from International Cricket. In a social media post, he said, it was always a pleasure to play along with Dhoni and following Dhoni’s retirement, he also chose to retire from International Cricket.

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