GeM and SIDBI sign MoU to enable growth of MSMEs, Start-ups and Women Entrepreneurs

NATIONAL NEWS

GeM and SIDBI sign MoU to enable growth of MSMEs, Start-ups and Women Entrepreneurs

• Government e Marketplace (GeM), Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry has signed an MoU with Small Industries Development Bank of India [SIDBI] to benefit MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, Self Help Groups (SHGs), Women Self Help Groups and various loan beneficiaries under MUDRA and Stand-up India scheme.
• This MoU will enable promotion of special initiatives of GeMlike Womaniya and Start-up Runway with SIDBI stakeholders.
• GeM and SIDBI will take steps to ensure payments within a guaranteed timeframe to sellers, enhance working capital availability through bill discounting and control NPAs through control of end use.

BSE, SUFI join hands to launch steel futures

• BSE, SUFI join hands to launch steel futures
• As part of attempts to enhance its commodity trading offering, BSE has signed a memorandum of understanding with Steel Users Federation of India (SUFI) to launch trading in steel futures.
• BSE and SUFI will work towards enlisting steel futures in both long and flat segments, which will bring stability, risk-aversion besides creating a level-playing field for all players.

HRD Minister launches 'Shagun' app to ensure transparency in education system in India

• In an attempt to make the education system more transparent, Union Human Resources and Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal launched 'Shagun,' an online integrated junction of various education portals.
• The app will provide all the details about the education system in the country as well as detailed information about schools with a feedback procedure structured for the parents.

PM Narendra Modi launches 'Fit India Movement'

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nation-wide “Fit India Movement” and appealed to every citizen to remain healthy and fit. The event was launched at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi.

2th India Security Summit held in New Delhi

• The 12th India Security Summit was held in New Delhi. It was organized by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and is officially supported by Union Ministry of Communications & Information Technology.
• The theme of this edition of summit was “Towards New National Cyber Security Strategy”. During the summit, many issues were discussed such as protection of critical national infrastructure, emerging cyber threats incidents, challenges and response.

India Launches World's First Ever Facial Bio-Metric Data Based Seafarer Identity Document

• India has become the first country in the world to issue Biometric Seafarer Identity Document (BSID), capturing the facial bio-metric data of seafarers.
•  Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, MoS (I/C) Shipping and Chemical & Fertilizers launched the project in New Delhi today. He also handed over the new BSID cards to five Indian seafarers.

APPOINTMENT

Govt extends CBDT Chairman Mody's tenure by one year

• The tenure of CBDT Chairman PC Mody has been extended by a year.

• According to the order, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved "re-appointment" of Mody for a period of one year.
• Mody was to retire on August 31.
• A 1982-batch Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax cadre) officer, Mody, took over as the Central Board of Direct Taxation (CBDT) chief in February.

RESIGNS

ICRA terminates employment of MD and CEO Naresh Takkar

• Ratings agency ICRA has announced that the employment of its Managing Director and Group CEO Naresh Takkar has been terminated, effective immediately.

Ajantha Mendis retires from cricket as only bowler with 6-wicket hauls in Tests, ODIs and T20Is

• Sri Lankan mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis who took the world by a storm with his 'carrom ball' has bid goodbye to all forms of cricket at the ripe age of 34. Mendis last played for Sri Lanka on December 26, 2015, against New Zealand in Christchurch.

AWARD

National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), Conferred the Prestigious SKOCH Governance Gold Award

• Deendayan Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), a flagship mission under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has been conferred the prestigious SKOCH Governance Gold Award for its Portal for Affordable Credit and Interest Subvention Access (PAiSA)in a function held at the Constitution Club of India.
• Launched in November 2018, PAiSAis a centralized IT platform which simplifies and streamlines release of interest subvention under the Mission. It offers end to end online solution for processing, payment, monitoring and tracking of interest subvention claims from banks on a monthly basis.

Noida girls win U.S. tech prize with App that connects old-age homes and orphanages

• Five girls have developed a mobile App that connects children at orphanages with senior citizens in old-age homes, with their innovation fetching them a bronze medal at a global tech competition in the US.
• The App, called Maitri, aims at bringing together individuals suffering from loneliness and depression and those lacking the nurturing love of elderly role models.

SPORTS

V K Vismaya won gold in women’s 400m held at MJS athletics Czech Republic

• Indian sprinter V K Vismaya won a best timing of 52.12s and won the gold medal in the women's 400m run at the International Athletic Meeting Josef Seckr Memorial (MJS) in Brno, Czech Republic.
• The 22-year-old Indian won the yellow metal, while compatriots Poovamma Machettira and Subha Venkatesan finished second and third with timings of 53.47s and Sudha 53.67s respectively.
• Vismaya scored a personal best of 52.48 at Nove Mesto and Metuj (CZE) along with the quarter milers in Europe. Hima Das recently won six gold medals in European races.