20th August, 2024

1. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) also approved the development of two new civil enclaves at Bagdgora Airport in West Bengal (WB) and Bihita Airport in Bihar.
2. India Lost 33.9 Million Hectares of Crops Due to Excess Rains during 2015-21: WEF Report
3. Union Minister Rajnath Singh Releases Commemorative coin To Mark the Birth Centenary of Former TN CM Kalaignar M Karunanidhi
4. RBI Approves Tata Capital’s Conversion into NBFC-ICCFrom NBFC-CIC
5. Delhi’s IGIA Becomes 1st Airport in India to Achieve Net ZeroCarbon Emission Airport Status under ACI
6. RBI ApprovesSalee Sukumaran Nair as MD & CEO of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Ltd
7. NAL Launches ‘Swadeshi’ Kamikaze DronesWith 1,000 Km Range
8. 25th Director General of Coast Guard Rakesh Pal Passed Away
9. Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) released the book titled ‘Modi’s Governance Triumph: Reshaping India’s Path to Prosperity’, written by Tarun Chugh
10. World Humanitarian Day 2024 – August 19
11. World Photography Day – August 19 2024
12. Indigenous tetravalent dengue vaccine, DengiAll has proceeded toward its phase-3 clinical trials
13. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of new Cabinet Secretary with a 2-year tenure starting from Aug 30, 2024.
14. North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation successfully obtained Oeko-Tex certification for its Eri Silk.
15. World’s oldest calendar, dating back nearly 13,000 years was discovered at Göbekli Tepe, an ancient site in Turkey.
16. Recently, 4th India-Vietnam Maritime Security Dialogue was held at Hanoi, Vietnam.

National News

1. AAI Approves Rs 1,549 Crore for Bagdogra Airport Expansion
   • What
     • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) proposal for the development of a New Civil Enclave at Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal.
   • Why
     • The project aims to enhance Bagdogra Airport’s operational efficiency and passenger experience, reinforcing its role as a key air travel hub for the region.
   • Tell me more
     • Bagdogra Airport is located in Siliguri, West Bengal, and serves as a vital air travel hub for the region.
     • The project is estimated to cost Rs. 1,549 crore and is part of the government’s efforts to modernize and expand India’s airport infrastructure.
       Source: PIB
2. India Initiates First Phase 3 Clinical Trial for Dengue Vaccine
   • What
     • The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Panacea Biotec have launched the first-ever Phase 3 clinical trial for an indigenous dengue vaccine named DengiAll.
   • Why
     • This trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of the tetravalent dengue vaccine, addressing a significant public health concern in India, where there is currently no licensed vaccine or antiviral treatment for dengue.
   • Tell me more
     • The study is primarily funded by ICMR, with partial support from Panacea Biotec, and will follow up with participants for two years.
     • The tetravalent dengue vaccine strain (TV003/TV005) was originally developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA, and has shown promising results in previous trials.

3. India and Vietnam Hold 4th Maritime Security Dialogue in Hanoi
   • What
     • The 4th India-Vietnam Maritime Security Dialogue was held on August 16, 2024, in Hanoi, Vietnam.
     • The Indian delegation was led by Ms. Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary, Disarmament & International Security Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs.
     • The Vietnamese delegation was headed by Mr. Trinh Duc Hai, Vice Chairman, National Boundary Commission.
   • Why
     • The dialogue aimed to enhance maritime cooperation between India and Vietnam, fostering a conducive environment for mutual growth and global well-being.
   • Tell me more
     • They agreed to further strengthen shared efforts in areas such as Marine Scientific Research, Ocean Economy, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Navy and Coast Guard cooperation, and maritime law enforcement.
     • It was decided that the next round of dialogue will be held in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date.
       Source: MEA

State News

1. Assam’s Eri Silk Earns Prestigious Oeko-Tex Certification
   • What
     • The North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) has secured the Oeko-Tex certification for Assam’s Eri Silk, directly from Germany.
     • This achievement was announced on India’s 78th Independence Day.
   • Why
     • The Oeko-Tex certification ensures that textiles are free from harmful substances and produced under environmentally friendly conditions, making it a significant endorsement for Eri Silk.
   • Tell me more
     • Eri Silk is renowned as the world’s only vegan silk, where the silk moth is allowed to naturally exit the cocoon, leaving it behind for use.
     • This ethical and eco-friendly process sets Eri Silk apart, making it a symbol of compassion and sustainability in the textile industry.
     • Eri Silk is a Geographical Indication (GI) product of Assam.

Source: PIB

International News

1. World’s Oldest Calendar Discovered at Göbekli Tepe
   • What
     • Archaeologists have discovered what is believed to be the world’s oldest calendar at Göbekli Tepe, an ancient site in southern Turkey, dating back nearly 13,000 years.
   • Tell me more
     • The discovery was led by Dr. Martin Sweatman from the University of Edinburgh, who noted that the carvings also depict the summer solstice and suggest the inhabitants were keen observers of the sky.
     • The calendar may have been created to commemorate a catastrophic comet strike around 10,850 BCE, which is believed to have triggered a mini-ice age lasting over 1,200 years.
     • Göbekli Tepe is often referred to as the world’s first temple and features large stone pillars arranged in circular enclosures, decorated with intricate carvings.

Source: TOI

Banking and Economy

1. RBI Approves Tata Capital’s Transition to NBFC-ICC
   • What
     • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved Tata Capital Limited’s (TCL) conversion from a non-banking finance company (NBFC) – core investment company (CIC) to an NBFC – investment credit company (ICC).
   • Why
     • This transition follows TCL’s merger with Tata Cleantech Capital and Tata Capital Financial Services, marking a significant transformation in its operational structure.
   • Tell me more
     • The change allows Tata Capital to operate as an investment credit company, paving the way for a potential public listing.
     • TCL had previously announced the merger of Tata Motors Finance Ltd with itself, expected to be completed within 9-12 months.
     • As part of the restructuring, Tata Motors will hold a 4.7% stake in the merged entity.

Source: IE

Report and Indices

1. “WEF’s Income Protection and Early Warning Systems: How India is Building Climate Resilience” Report
   • What
     • The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) report revealed that India lost 33.9 million hectares of crops due to excess rains and an additional 35 million hectares due to drought between 2015 and 2021.
   • Why
     • The report highlights the significant impact of extreme climate events on India’s economy and society, particularly in the agriculture sector, which is vital for the livelihoods of many.
   • Tell me more
     • The agriculture sector contributes 15% to India’s GDP and employs around 40% of the population, with 70% of employment in rural households.
     • The report noted that extreme weather events, including heat waves and floods, have caused economic losses of $159 billion in 2021 alone due to lost working hours.
     • By 2030, India is projected to experience a 5.8% decline in working hours, equivalent to 34 million full-time jobs, due to heat stress.
     • The report emphasized the growing insurance gap, preventing many farmers from protecting their livelihoods against extreme weather events.

Source: HBL

Defence News

1. India Develops Indigenous Kamikaze Drones with 1,000 km Range
   • What
     • The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) has developed an indigenous ‘Kamikaze’ drone capable of flying up to 1,000 kilometers, featuring an indigenously built engine.
   • Why
     • This development aims to enhance India’s defense capabilities in response to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the Ukraine-Russia war, where such drones have been effectively utilized.
   • Tell me more
     • The Kamikaze drone is designed to loiter around targets and detonate explosives upon impact, controlled from a command center.
     • NAL is a part of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), established in 1959, and is the only government aerospace R&D laboratory in India’s civilian sector.

Source: TOI

Awards

1. Delhi Airport Achieves Net Zero Carbon Emission Status
   • What
     • The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi has become the first airport in India to achieve Net Zero Carbon Emission Airport status under the Airport Council International’s (ACI) Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program.
   • Why
     • This achievement highlights the airport’s commitment to sustainability and carbon management, aiming to maintain a net zero carbon balance for emissions under its control.
   • Tell me more
     • The airport received Level 5 certification, which signifies that it has successfully reduced its Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions by 90%.
     • DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited) aims to achieve net zero in Scope 3 emissions by 2050, aligning with global sustainability goals.

Source: ET

Important Days

1. World Humanitarian Day – August 19
   • WHD is a campaign by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
     Source: UN
2. World Photography Day – August 19
   • Theme – “An Entire Day”
     Source: WP

Appointments

1. RBI Appoints Salee Sukumaran Nair as TMB MD & CEO
   • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Salee Sukumaran Nair as the managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB).
     Source: BS
2. Govind Mohan Appointed as New Union Home Secretary
   • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Govind Mohan, the current Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, as the new Union Home Secretary.
     Source: LM

Miscellaneous

1. Commemorative Coin Released for M. Karunanidhi’s Centenary
   • Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh released a commemorative coin to mark the birth centenary of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in Chennai on August 18, 2024.
   • Karunanidhi served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu five times and was known for his advocacy for the rights of women and marginalized communities.
   • He implemented policies such as 33% reservation for women in local bodies and played a key role in forming Women Self Help Groups.
     Source: PIB
2. Indian Coast Guard D-G Rakesh Pal Passed Away
   • Director General of Indian Coast Guard Rakesh Pal has passed away.
     Source: BS
3. “Modi’s Governance Triumph” Book Released in New Delhi
   • BJP General Secretary Tarun Chugh’s book “Modi’s Governance Triumph: Reshaping India’s Path to Prosperity” was released in New Delhi.
   • The book offers an in-depth exploration of the visionary initiatives and reforms that guided the Antyodaya mission of the Modi administration.
     Source: ANI

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