Daily Current Affairs 26 August 2021 – Gkseries

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 26 August 2021, 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.

Daily Current Affairs 26 August 2021

India to host second UNWGIC in 2022

India will host the second United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC) in October 2022, at Hyderabad.

Every four years, UN-GGIM hosts the UNWGIC, with the goal of improving international collaboration in geospatial information management and capacity among the member states and all the concerned stakeholders.

China in 2018 hosted the UNWGIC for the first time in October. The UNGGIM has entrusted India with organising the second UNWGIC, which will take place next year.

Geospatial data, known as geodata, that has location information, such as an address, area, or ZIP code, linked to a dataset.

Geospatial data can also come from Global Positioning System (GPS) data, geospatial satellite imagery, telematics devices, Internet of Things(IoT), and geotagging. Geospatial data is collected and analysed using geospatial technologies.

Colgate-Palmolive to launch recyclable toothpaste tubes in India

Colgate-Palmolive is rolling out recyclable toothpaste tubes in India as part of its sustainability commitments.

Initially, it will be rolled out for Colgate’s Active Salt and Vedshakti variants and will be followed with other brands in the portfolio.

The company has partnered with packaging major EPL Ltd (formerly known as Essel Propack Ltd) to launch the recyclable toothpaste tubes.

The new tube is soft, squeezable and recyclable without compromising on key product attributes like taste.

The oral care company had already been using recyclable cartons and boxes for over a decade now. It added that it will be sharing its technology with the industry to support a shift to a much-needed circular economy.

Book slot for COVID vaccine on WhatsApp

The Ministry of Health and MyGov announced that the MyGov Corona Helpdesk on WhatsApp now allows users to locate their nearest COVID-19 vaccination centers and book vaccine appointments.

WhatsApp and MyGov had already introduced the ability for the users to download their vaccine certificates from the chatbot.

So far, over 32 lakh COVID-19 vaccine certificates have been downloaded by users all over the country.

The Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in a tweet said, “Paving a new era of citizen convenience. Now, book COVID-19 vaccine slots easily on your phone within minutes.”

India to procure 70,000 latest AK rifles from Russia

India has finally signed a deal with Russia for the procurement of 70,000 AK-203 assault rifles to be bought off the shelf.

The development happens in spite of the joint venture of both the countries to manufacture 7.5 lakh AK-203 rifles in India. Reportedly, the deliveries would begin within three months and be completed in six months.

AK-203 assault rifle is considered to be the latest and most advanced version of the AK-47 rifle. It is a 7.62×39mm variant from the AK-100 rifle family (one that offers the AK-74M system, in multiple cartridges and lengths).

This variant is expected to replace the Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) 5.56×45 mm assault rifle, that are presently being used by Army, Navy and the Air Force besides other security forces.

This variant is an advanced version of AK-47 and its magazine can hold 30 bullets.

Unlike the INSAS rifles, these rifles never get jammed as these belong to AK series. These rifles are a type of Kalashnikov rifles, which can work under extreme climatic conditions and are effective even in sand, soil and water.

NITI Aayog chalked roadmap for decarbonizing Indian transport

NITI Aayog and the World Resources Institute (WRI), India, jointly launched the ‘Forum for Decarbonizing Transport’ in India as part of the NDC-Transport Initiative for Asia (NDC-TIA).

NITI Aayog and World Resources Institute India Jointly Launch ‘Forum for Decarbonizing Transport’ in India

The project aims at bringing down the peak level of GHG emissions (transport sector) in Asia (in line with a well below 2-degree pathway), resulting in problems like congestion and air pollution.

The NDC-TIA India component focuses on developing a coherent strategy of effective policies and the formation of a multi-stakeholder platform for decarbonizing transport in the country.

The NDC Transport Initiative for Asia (TIA 2020-2023) is a joint programme of seven organisations that will engage China, India, and Vietnam in promoting a comprehensive approach to decarbonizing transport in their respective countries.

The project is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) support the initiative on the basis of a decision adopted by the German Bundestag.

NITI Aayog released the first edition of North Eastern Region District SDG Index

NITI Aayog and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (M/DoNER) recently launched the first edition of the North Eastern Region (NER) District SDG Index Report and Dashboard 2021–22.

The NER District SDG Index and Dashboard is a collaborative effort by NITI Aayog and Ministry of DoNER, with technical support from UNDP.

The NER District SDG Index and Dashboard: Baseline Report 2021-22 has been constructed by NITI Aayog, the nodal agency for SDGs in India, utilising 84 indicators which cover 15 of the Global Goals across 50 targets.

It measures the performance of the districts of the eight States of the North Eastern Region on the SDGs and their corresponding targets and ranks the districts based on the same.

The index is based on NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index –the principal and official tool for monitoring progress on the SDGs at the national and State/ Union Territory levels.

Govt eases norms for import of 1.2 million tonne GM soya cake

The government relaxed norms for import of 12 lakh tonne of genetically modified crushed and de-oiled soya cake, used as livestock feed.

Application of provision as in Condition 6(b) of General Notes Regarding Import Policy Schedule — I (Imports) of the ITC (HS) 2017 has now been relaxed to allow imports of 12 Lakh Metric ton of crushed and de-oiled GM soya cake (only Non living organism) under ITC HS codes 23040020 and 23040030 from Nhava Sheva port and LCS Petrapole, till 31st October, 2021.

The said relaxation comes after clarification and prior permission from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change that “Since soya de-oiled and crushed (DOC) cake does not contain any living modified organism, this Ministry has no concerns and no objection for import of soya cakes from an environmental angle”.

This decision will positively impact farmers, poultry farmers, and fishermen.

India committed to work with US on clean energy

India stands committed to working with America on clean energy after a telephonic conversation with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (SPEC) John Kerry.

Both sides agreed that India and the USA, will engage for a constructive engagement under the “India-US Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership” .

John Kerry, SPEC mentioned about the launch of Climate Action and Finance Mobilization Dialogue (CAFMD), as a part of the India-U.S. Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership (Agenda 2030 Partnership) to enhance actions in the current decade to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Army got first batch of indigenously developed multi-mode hand grenades

The Indian Army received the first batch of the indigenously designed-and-manufactured multi-mode hand grenades (MMHG), in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at a ceremony in Nagpur.

The grenade is not just more lethal, but is safer to use. It has a distinctive design that gives flexibility of employment in both defensive (fragmentation) and offensive (stun) modes.

It has a highly accurate delay time, very high reliability in usage and safe for carriage.

These new grenades will replace Grenade No 36 of World War I vintage design, which had been continuing in service till date.

The EEL had signed a contract with Ministry of Defence on October 01, 2020 to supply 10 lakh modern hand grenades for Indian Army and Indian Air Force.

The deliveries would be spread over two years from the bulk production clearance, which was accorded to EEL in March 2021. The first order has been delivered within five months.

“Mera Watan, Mera Chaman” Mushaira in New Delhi

Union Ministry of Minority Affairs to organise “Mera Watan, Mera Chaman” Mushaira on 28th August 2021 in New Delhi under “Amrit Mahotsav” of 75 years of India’s Independence”.

Renowned poets will present their poetry and couplets on the “celebrations of India’s independence” while remembering the sacrifices made by the great freedom fighters.

They will also make the people aware of “horrors and pains of the partition” through their poetry in the “Mera Watan, Mera Chaman” Mushaira at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in the Capital. 

Under the “Amrit Mahotsav”, the Union Minority Affairs Ministry is organising “Mera Watan, Mera Chaman” Mushairas and Kavi Sammelans across the country till 2023.

India to evacuate around 180 people from Afghanistan

India is expected to bring back around 180 people from Kabul in a military aircraft amid a scramble by various countries to evacuate their citizens before the August 31 deadline for the withdrawal of American troops from the war-ravaged country.

The aircraft carrying around 180 people is likely to reach Delhi said one of the people cited above.

Under its mission ‘Operation Devi Shakti’, India has already evacuated over 800 people in view of the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Kabul after it was captured by the Taliban on August 15.

Thousands of Afghans have been crowding around the Kabul airport for over a week, in a desperate attempt to flee the country fearing the Taliban’s brutality.

Women’s Equality Day 2021

Women’s Equality Day is celebrated on 26 August each year in the United States to mark the American women’s advancements towards equality with men.

The United States is commemorating the 101st year of Women’s Equality Day. On August 26, the day is largely commemorated in the United States to honour American women gaining the constitutional right to vote.

The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1920. The legislation makes it illegal to deny citizens of the United States the right to vote based on their gender.

Over the last century, great women have proven the traditional stereotypes wrong by demonstrating to the world what women are capable of doing, from Rosa Parks and Eleanor Roosevelt fighting for civil rights and equality to brilliant scientists like Marie Curie, Rosalind Franklin, and Jane Goodall.

The previous century has shown more than ever before what both men and women are capable of doing when given the opportunity.

IIT Madras developed India’s first indigenous motorized wheelchair vehicle

Indian Institute of Technology Madras has developed India’s first indigenous motorized wheelchair vehicle that can be used not only on roads but even on uneven terrains.

Called ‘NeoBolt’, it has a maximum speed of 25 kmph and travels up to 25 km per charge.

It empowers wheelchair users with a convenient, safe and low-cost mode of outdoor mobility when compared to cars, auto rickshaws or modified scooters.

NeoBolt is powered by a Lithium-Ion Battery that will give 25 Kms for every charge.

NeoBolt was developed by a team led by Prof. Sujatha Srinivasan, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, and has been commercialized through a startup called ‘NeoMotion.’

OneWeb launched 34 satellites by Arianespace

OneWeb recently launched another batch of 34 satellites by Arianespace from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

OneWeb is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications operator co-owned by Bharti group and the UK government.

The latest launch takes OneWeb’s total in-orbit constellation to 288 satellites, and these would form part of OneWeb’s 648 LEO satellite fleet that will deliver high-speed, low-latency global connectivity.

 “OneWeb, is seeing huge demand for its services from global customers,” adding that it is excited about scaling its network ahead of its commercial launch.