NATIONAL:
1. Mystery ‘dwarfing’ Disease
Why in news - Mystery ‘dwarfing’ disease hits rice in Punjab, Haryana, some areas of Uttarakhand and western UP.
Key Points –
• It has led to stunting of paddy plants.
• “PR-121” and “PR-113” are paddy varieties.
• Mycoplasma - Bacteria having no cell wall.
2. IIT Expansion
Why in news - UK, Gulf countries and Egypt among 7 new locations on IIT expansion list
Key Points –
• Dr K Radhakrishnan committee was set up by the Centre for the global expansion of IITs.
• It has identified UK, UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Malaysia and Thailand as prospective offshore campuses of IITs.
• It is based on 5 parameters.
• IIT-Delhi is the preferred choice for UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Malaysia.
• The percentage of Indian students in these institutes should be less than 20%.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Alexander Dugin
Why in news - The daughter of a Russian nationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin was killed in car bomb blast in Moscow.
Key Points –
About Alexander Dugin –
• He is a political philosopher well known for his intellectual influence on Vladimir Putin.
• He is also referred to as “Putin’s philosopher” or “Putin’s brain”.
• His most influential book - Foundation of Geopolitics: The Geopolitical Future of Russia (1997).
2. Kinzhal Hypersonic Missile
Why in news - Russia has used hypersonic Kinzhal (Dagger) missiles three times in Ukraine.
Key Points –
• It could hit almost any point in the world and evade a U.S.-built missile shield.
• Three MiG-31E warplanes equipped with Kinzhal missiles had been relocated to the Kaliningrad region.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. NAMASTE Scheme
Why in news - Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched 'Namaste' scheme.
Key Points –
• It envisages safety and dignity of sanitation workers in urban India.
• It is being jointly implemented by MoSJE and MoHUA.
• 500 cities (converging with AMRUT cities) will be taken up under this phase of NAMASTE.
• Funding – Rs 360 crores (2022-23 to 2025-26).
ENVIRONMENT:
1. “Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances” (PFAs)
Why in news - As per Environment Science and Technology journal, rainwater from many places across the globe is contaminated with PFAs.
Key Points –
About PFAs –
• PFAs are called “forever chemicals” because they remain in the atmosphere, rainwater and soil for long period of time.
• PFAs are man-made chemicals used to make non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics that resist grease, water and oil.
• Some of these PFAs can build up in people and animals.
• Health risks - Decreased fertility, hormonal imbalance, increased cholesterol and increased risk of cancers.
IMPORTANT DATES:
1. World Mosquito Day
Why in news - World Mosquito Day is observed worldwide on August 20.
Key Points –
• It is celebrated in the memory of British physician Sir Ronald Ross.
• He discovered in 1897 that the female mosquito is responsible for the transmission of malaria to humans.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. National Conference of Women Police
Why in news - The 2-day 10th National Conference of Women Police began in Shimla on Aug 21, 2022.
Key Points –
• It is being organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD).
• It was inaugurated by Nityanand Rai.
• Women quota in the police has been increased to 25% in Himachal Pradesh.
APPS & PORTALS:
1. Matsya Setu App
Why in news - Parshottam Rupala has launched the Online Market Place feature “Aqua Bazar” in the “MatsyaSetu” mobile app.
Key Points –
• The app was developed by the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar.
• Funded by National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Rajesh Verma
Why in news - Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has appointed Rajesh Verma as Secretary to President Draupadi Murmu.
Person in News:
1. Nayyara Noor
Why in news - Celebrated Pakistani singer Nayyara Noor passed away.
Key Points –
• She was born in Guwahati in 1950. In 1958, her family migrated to Lahore.
• She won –
A. Nigar Award for the best female playback singer for Gharana.
B. Title Bulbul-e-Pakistan (Nightingale of Pakistan) (2006).
C. Pride of Performance Award (2006).
STATES/UTs:
1. Rural Industrial Park
Why in news - Chhattisgarh government plans to set up 300 rural industrial parks in 1 year.
Key Points –
• Aim - to strengthen the rural economy and make the “gauthan” (cattle shed) a centre of livelihood.
• In the first year of the project, there will be 300 such parks.
• It will be launched on October 2.
• To be named as “Gramin aajeevika parks”.
• The first such park named Gandhi Gram to come up in Kulgaon, Kanker district.
BIHAR:
1. GI Tag to Mithila Makhana
Why in news - The government has awarded Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Mithila Makhana.
Key Points –
• It has been registered in the name of Mithilanchal Makhana Utpadak Sangh.
• 15 products and logos have the GI tag in Bihar. E.g., Shahi Litchi, Bhagalpuri Zardalu mango, Katarni rice and Magahi Paan (beetle leave)
• This tag is valid for a period of 10 years following which it can be renewed.
• A GI is primarily an agricultural, natural or manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial) originating from a definite geographical territory.
2. East India Karate Championship
Why in news – The 3rd edition of the event took place in the auditorium of Hotel Clark Inn, P&M Mall, Patna.
Key Points –
• Chief guest - Kamal Nopani.
• More than 60 players showed their skills from Lee Martial Arts.
• More than 60 children got medals. Of this, 29 were awarded gold medals.
3. Mrs India Queen of Substance 2022
Why in news – Vishruti has been crowned Mrs India Queen of Substance 2022 second Runner Up and Mrs Vivacious.
Key Points –
• The event was organized by Adiva Innovations Pvt Ltd in Dwarka, Delhi.
• She hails from Patna.
POINTERS:
• Which state government will recently inaugurate “Tech Center” for graduates – Rajasthan.
• For how long has the tenure of Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla been extended - 1 year.
• Who has been appointed to the United Nations High Level Internet Panel- Alkesh Sharma.
• In which country the 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference is being held from 20-26 August - Halifax, Canada.
• Which neighbouring country of India has started the anti-polio vaccination campaign recently - Pakistan.
• When has India Renewable Energy Day been celebrated recently - August 20, 2022.
• Which bank has recently opened the first all-women branch in Kozhikode, Kerala - HDFC Bank.
• Where has the Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Seismology Observatory – Udhampur, J&K.
• Which company has distributed the crew module fairings to ISRO for the first flight of Gaganyaan – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
• Which place of India is known as “White water” – Siachen.