Current Affairs is the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why; many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post, Daily Current Affairs 20 & 21 August 2022, we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.
Current Affairs for Competitive Exam – 20 & 21 August 2022
VINBAX 2022 -Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise
The third edition of Ex VINBAX 2022 was held between 1st August and 20th August, 2022 in Chandimandir. Over a period of three weeks, the soldiers of the two armies rubbed shoulders with each other learning from each other and sharing best practices.
Highlights of EX VINBAX 2022:
- This exercise is a sequel to previously conducted bilateral exercise in Vietnam in 2019 and a major milestone in strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Vietnam.
- Both the countries share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- Defence cooperation is a significant pillar of this partnership.
- Vietnam is also an important partner in Act East policy of India as well as Indo-Pacific vision.
Theme of Ex VINBAX – 2022:
Ex VINBAX 2022 will be held under the theme- “employment and deployment of an Engineer Company and a Medical Team under United Nations Contingent for Peacekeeping Operations”.
India has a rich heritage of locating troops in United Nations missions. It has best capabilities to impart United Nations peace operations training, including its best practices and hands to train prospective United Nations peacekeepers at operational, tactical, & strategic levels.
The Ex VINBAX – 2022 will help in strengthening mutual confidence and interoperability. It will also help in sharing best practices between Armies of both the countries, as a field training exercise with enhanced scope. Exercise will also provide an opportunity to the troops Indian and Vietnamese contingent to learn social and cultural heritage of both the countries. Indian Army will be represented by troops from 105 Engineer Regiment. Exercise will assess the standards achieved by contingents of both the countries. It will also execute technical military operations in UN missions as well.
India’s First Indigenous Monkeypox Test Kit
The Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone recently launched the first indigenously manufactured RT-PCR kit for testing monkeypox. With the help of this kit, infection can be detected quickly. This kit was developed by Transasia-Erba Biomedicals and was launched by Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser of the Center.
Infection will be easily detected
If we talk about the merits of this kit, then TransAsia-Erba Monkeypox RT-PCR Kit is highly sensitive. Its accuracy is very good, with the help of which people will be very comfortable in use with investigation.
First Case of Monkey Pox in India
On July 14, the Kollam district of Kerala announced the country’s first case of monkeypox. According to the World Health Organization Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis, or a virus that spreads from animals to humans. It has symptoms resembling those of smallpox but is clinically less serious. It can also be transmitted through direct contact with body fluids or lesions, and indirect contact with lesion material such as through contaminated clothing or linen of an infected person.
India so far has reported ten cases of monkeypox.
ICMR may do Sero Survey
Recently the Indian Council of Medical Research had said that it can conduct a sero-survey to check antibodies among the contacts of patients with monkeypox. Apart from this, it will also be investigated how many of those patients were asymptomatic. Significantly, monkeypox usually manifests with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes. The disease is usually accompanied by symptoms lasting two to four weeks. The ‘Guidelines on the Management of Monkeypox Disease’ issued by the Center states that human-to-human transmission occurs through respiratory droplets.
Dahi-Handi’ – Maharashtra’s Official Sport
Like Kho-Kho and Kabaddi, Dahi Handi has now been given the status of a game in Maharashtra. It will be considered as a type of adventure sports.
Highlights
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde told in the Vidhan Sabha that Govindas who join Dahi Handi will be given benefits of government schemes, 5 percent reservation in government jobs.
Govindas will now also be given insurance protection. If there is an accident while playing Dahi Handi and any Govinda dies in such a situation, then an amount of Rs 10 lakh will be given to the family members of the concerned Govinda as help.
In case of serious injury like if any Govinda loses both eyes or both legs or both hands or any two important parts of the body, then an amount of 7 and a half lakh rupees will be given to him as help from the state government.
In such an accident, if any Govind loses an arm or a leg or any part of the body, then in such a situation, an amount of 5 lakh rupees will be given to him as help.
What is Dahi Handi?
Dahi Handi is celebrated on the occasion of Janmashtami, the birth of lord Krishna. The Dahi Handi (earthen pots filled with yogurt) is part of the Janmashtami festival where young participants called ‘Govindas’, dressed in colorful clothes, make a human pyramid to reach the pot hung mid-air, and break it.
The tradition of Dahi Handi, which started in Mumbai in 1907, is believed to have been going on for the last 104 years in Ghansoli village near Navi Mumbai. Dahi Handi was first started here in 1907 on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami.
Dahi Handi festival held every year in Mayanagari is celebrated all over the world. Not only the country but people from abroad also come here to see the Dahi Handi festival. Some circles also give a reward of crores for breaking the handi.
US Military package to Ukraine
The United States has announced a USD 775m military aid package in line with its promise to provide all possible help to Ukraine in the Ukraine-Russia war. This assistance will include “additional arms, munitions, and equipment”.
Highlights
USD 775 million aid package will include 15 Scan Eagles, 40 mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles known as MRAPs with mine-clearing rollers, and 2,000 anti-armor rounds that can help Ukraine troops move forward in the south and east, where Russian forces have placed mines.
The aid package also includes 1,500 anti-tank missiles, 1,000 javelin missiles and an undisclosed number of high-speed, anti-radiation or HARM missiles that target radar systems.
Also US is sending 40 heavily armored MaxxPro mine-resistant vehicles, originally developed for U.S. forces in Iraq during the height of the fighting there when roadside bombs were taking a heavy toll on U.S. forces.
This latest aid comes as Russia’s war on Ukraine is about to reach the six-month mark. It brings the total US military aid to Ukraine to about $10.6 billion since the beginning of the Biden administration. It is the 19th time the Pentagon has provided equipment from Defense Department stocks to Ukraine since August 2021.
Government launched Aqua Bazaar feature of Matsya Setu App
To protect the interests of fish farmers and to benefit them from new technologies Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, launched the Online Market Place feature “Aqua Bazar” in the “MatsyaSetu” mobile app.
Features of Aqua Bazar
The app was developed by the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar, with the funding support of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
This online marketplace will help the fish farmers and stakeholders to source the inputs such as fish seeds, feed, medicines, etc., and services required for fish culture as well as farmers can also list their table-size fish for sale.
It aims to connect all stakeholders in the aquaculture sector.
Through this platform, any registered vendor can list their input materials. Every listing will contain detailed information about the product, price, available quantity, supply area, etc. along with the seller’s contact details.
It also allows the fish farmers to list their grown table-size fish/fish seeds for sale with an option to indicate the date of availability along with the price offer. Interested fish buyers will contact the farmers and offer their prices.
About Matsya Setu App
Matsya Setu app was developed by ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar.
Funding support was provided by National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad.
This app comprises of species-wise or subject-wise self-learning online course modules.
On the app, renowned aquaculture experts will explain basic concepts and practical demonstrations regarding breeding, seed production and grow-out culture of commercially important fishes such as carp, murrel, catfish, scampi, ornamental fish and pearl farming.
Ratan Tata invests Goodfellows, senior companionship startup
Ratan Tata has invested in Goodfellows, a senior companionship startup that provides companionship services to senior citizens.
The startup is designed to pair senior citizens with young graduates to form meaningful friendships.
The company offers a freemium subscription model in which the first month is free only to understand the concept without actually going through it.
The second month onward, the user has to pay a small subscription fee.
Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik scheme completed 5 years successfully
Ministry of Civil Aviation’s flagship program Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN (UdeDeshkaAamNagrik) has completed 5 years of success.
Aim: An enhanced aviation infrastructure and air connectivity in tier II and tier III cities.
In 2014, there were 74 operational airports, but after the launch of the UDAN scheme this number has been increased to 141 by now.
Under the scheme, more than 1 crore passengers have been benefited till August 4, 2022.
HDFC Bank launched ‘Vigil Aunty’ Campaign
HDFC Bank has launched latest campaign ‘Vigil Aunty’ with an aim to promote safe banking habits among people.
Anuradha Menon who plays the popular character of ‘Lola Kutty’ on television, will be the face of the ‘Vigil Aunty’ campaign.
This campaign will run with the Bank’s popular ‘Mooh Band Rakho’ campaign, that urges people not to share their confidential banking information with others.
The Vigil Aunty campaign will run for 4-6 weeks.
HDFC Bank CEO: Sashidhar Jagdishan.
India, China participate in Vostok-2022 held in Russia
Indian army and Chinese Army will attend the Vostok 2022 military exercises that will held in Russia from August 30 to September 5.
Other participants: Belarus, Mongolia and Tajikstan.
The strategic command and staff exercise will be held under the chief of Russia’s General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, at 13 training grounds of the Eastern Military District.
In 2021, India had attended ZAPAD 2021 drills in Russia in which 17 countries including China and Pakistan.
FIBA U-18 women Asian Basketball championship to be held in Bengaluru
Dr. Narayanagowda (Karnataka Sports and Youth Empowerment minister) has announced that Bengaluru will host FIBA U-18 women Asian Basketball championship from September 5th to 11th.
The international event will be organised in the Sree Kanteerava Indoor stadium and Koramangala Indoor stadiums.
Division A team will compete with Division B team in the championship to qualify for the FIBA World Championship to be held in July 2023 in Spain.
Axis bank CEO is the highest paid bank CEO in India
As per the annual report of bank for FY 22, Axis Bank chief executive officer, Amitabh Chaudhry was the highest-paid private bank chief in India in the previous financial year, has drawn a total of Rs 7.62 crore in annual salary.
Followed by IndusInd Bank chief, Sumant Kathpalia, who made over Rs 7.31 crore in annual salary in FY22.
Sandeep Bakhshi, MD of ICICI Bank, has earned Rs 7.05 crore in annual salary last fiscal.
Kerala launches lucky bill app to curb GST evasion
The Kerala government has launched an app named ‘Lucky Bill App’ to curb Goods and Service Tax (GST) evasion. The app was launched by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Aim: To encourage the citizen to ask for a bill every-time they make a purchase.
The users need to upload original bills of their purchases to win prizes, including a cash prize of ₹25 lakh. The app will also offer rewards such as gift packs from Kudumbashree and Vanashree as well as KTDC tour packages.
Delhi High Court appoints 3-member committee to manage IOA affairs
The Delhi High Court has passed an order to constitute a 3-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) to run daily affairs of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
Agenda: To prepare the new constitution of IOA as per the Sports Code and the court rulings, and prepare the electoral roll in order to hold fresh elections.
The CoA will be assisted by three sportspersons — Abhinav Bindra (Shooter), Anju Bobby George (former long jumper) and L Bombayla Devi (archer).
Cabinet approves interest subvention of 1.5%p.a. on agriculture loan
Cabinet has approved interest subvention of 1.5% on short term agriculture loan upto 3 lakh rupees.
This increase in Interest Subvention support requires additional budgetary provisions of 34,856 crore rupees for the period of 2022-23 to 2024-25 under the scheme.
Aim: To ensure the sustainability of credit flow in the agriculture sector as well as ensure financial health.
Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare: Narendra Singh Tomar.
