Narendra Singh Tomar launches ICAR's data recovery centre 'Krishi Megh'

NATIONAL NEWS

Jal Shakti Minister launches Swachh Bharat Mission Academy as part of campaign Gandagi Mukt Bharat

• Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has launched Swachh Bharat Mission, as a part f the campaign Gandagi Mukt Bharat.
• The mission was launched in SBM Academy in New Delhi.
• He launched SBM Academy by dialling the designated IVR toll-free number.
• The mission has transformed rural India by manifesting into a Jan Andolan for sanitation.
• Swachh Bharat Mission Academy, with its mobile-based technology will significantly boost the capacity building efforts in training of Swachhagrahis as well as community-based organizations, NGOs and others associated with phase 2 of the mission.

Fact: Minister of Jal Shakthi - Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Narendra Singh Tomar launches ICAR's data recovery centre 'Krishi Megh'

• Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has launched ICAR's data recovery centre - Krishi Megh.
• The aim of this move is to protect the precious data of the government's premier research body Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
• The centre is been setup at National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM) in Hyderabad under the National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP), funded by both the government and World Bank.
• The data recovery centre at NAARM is synchronised with the main data centre at the Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute (IASRI).

Prakash Javadekar Launched the Booklet on Best practices of Human-Elephant Conflict Management in India and Beta Version of “Surakhsya”

• Union Minister of Environment Forest &Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched the booklet on “Best practices of Human-Elephant Conflict Management in India”.
• It is launched to strengthen coexistence of the human-elephant, along with the Beta Version of “Surakhsya” during the event on the eve of World Elephant Day.
• Javadekar also launched a beta version of a portal on Human-Elephants Conflict called “Surakhsya”, a collection of real time information and supports managing conflicts on a real time basis.
• The booklet is aimed to reduce the Human Elephant conflicts and avoid the loss of lives of both humans and elephants.
• Mainly aimed to create awareness about the conservation of Elephants and to share the solutions for a better protection and management of wild and captive elephants.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry observes World Biofuel Day

• Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry has organised a webinar on the World Biofuel day with the theme Biofuels towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• World Biofuel Day is observed every year on 10th August to create awareness about the importance of non-fossil fuels as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels.

Fact: Union Minister of petroleum and natural gas - Dharmendra Pradhan

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Russia launches first vaccine against coronavirus

• Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that it has launched the first vaccine against COVID-19.
• The vaccine created by Oxford University and drugmaker AstraZeneca is considered one of the frontrunners in the race to develop a coronavirus vaccine.
• Russia has now became the first country in the world to launch its very own coronavirus vaccine.

India, Maldives ink contract for development of five eco-tourism zones in Addu atoll of island nation

• India and Maldives signed a contract for the development of five eco-tourism zones in Addu atoll of Maldives.
• The signing of the contract was done online in a ceremony held from Addu City.
• The Addu City’s districts where Eco-Tourism Zones will be developed are Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Feydhoo, Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo.
• Addu City Council will be the implementing agency of these projects.
• These projects will contribute towards sustainable tourism development and foreign investment opportunities for the industrial development of the City.

Fact: President of Maldives – Ibrahim Mohamed Solih

          Capital of Maldives – Male

ECONOMIC NEWS

Paytm Launched India’s 1st Pocket Android POS Device

• Paytm has launched India’s 1st Pocket Android POS (Point of Sale) Device, ‘Paytm All-in-One Portable Android Smart POS’ for contactless ordering and payments in India.
• This is mainly to digitise and empower a large number of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
• It is integrated with the ‘Paytm for Business’ app to generate GST compliant bills and to manage all transactions & settlements.

Fact: Headquarters of Paytm – Noida, Uttar Pradesh

OBITUARY

Renowned lyricist & poet Rahat Indori passes away

• Well-known Urdu poet and lyricist Rahat Indori died of cardiac arrest in Indore, Maharashtra at the age of 70.
• Earlier the poet was confirmed with COVID-19 positive and was in treatment.
• With a 50-year career in poetry, Indori was known for the lyrics of hit films like Munnabhai MBBS, Kareeb, Ghatak and Ishq.