Top GKToday’s News Headlines-5 August 2020

August 5, 2020

Here are Top GKToday’s News Headlines for August 5, 2020

India

Book ‘Swachh Bharat Kranti’ (The Swachh Bharat Revolution) launched

Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Smriti Irani on August 4, 2020 launched the book ‘Swachh Bharat Kranti’ (English edition: “The Swachh Bharat Revolution”) which features the journey of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) through 35 essays. The book has been edited by Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary of Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

Foundation stone of IIM-Sirmaur laid in Himachal Pradesh

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ along with Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Jai Ram Thakur laid the foundation stone of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sirmaur at Dhaula Kuan in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh on August 4, 2020. IIM Lucknow is the mentor Institution of IIM Sirmaur.

Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel launched for cooperatives

Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar launched the Sahakar Cooptube NCDC (National Cooperative Development Corporation) Channel on August 4, 2020. Guidance videos produced by NCDC on ‘Formation and Registration of A Cooperative’ for eighteen different states were also launched.

Thenzawl Golf Resort Project inaugurated in Mizoram

Union Minister of State for Culture & Tourism (Independent charge) Prahlad Singh Patel on August 4, 2020 virtually inaugurated the “Thenzawl Golf Resort” Project implemented in Mizoram under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism.

Doordarshan Assam, a 24-hour dedicated channel for the State, inaugurated

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar launched Doordarshan Assam, a 24-hour dedicated channel for the State, via video conferencing from New Delhi on August 4, 2020.

Pradeep Singh tops civil services examination 2019

Pradeep Singh topped the civil services examination 2019, results of which were announced on August 4, 2002 by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). A total of 829 candidates have been recommended for IAS, IFS and IPS, among other civil services. Jatin Kishore and Pratibha Verma have secured second and third positions respectively.

Ebrahim Alkazi, ex-Director of National School of Drama (NSD), dies at 94

Ebrahim Alkazi, theatre director & producer and ex-Director of New-Delhi based National School of Drama (1962-77), died at the age of 94 on August 4, 2020. Awards won by him included Padma Shri (1966), Padma Bhushan (1991), Padma Vibhushan (2010), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1962) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (1967).

Economy

Sashidhar Jagdishan to succeed Aditya Puri as HDFC Bank CEO

55-year old Sashidhar Jagdishan will succeed Aditya Puri as CEO of HDFC Bank. He is a chartered accountant and holds a Master’s degree in Economics. Puri has been at the helm at HDFC Bank since September 1994, making him the longest-serving head of any private bank in the country.

Nokia to set up robotics lab at IISc to study 5G’s ‘socially relevant’ uses

Finnish telecom gear maker Nokia on August 4, 2020 announced a collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru to establish a network robotics laboratory for research on socially relevant use cases based on 5G and emerging technologies.

Rs 500 cr net worth must for licence to sell petrol, diesel to retail, bulk users

The government on August 4, 2020 said any entity with a net worth of at least Rs 500 crore is eligible for obtaining the liberalised licence to sell petrol & diesel to both retail and bulk consumers. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas clarified that any entity with a net worth of Rs 250 crore can get a licence to retail petrol & diesel to either bulk or retail consumers.

World

US: Federal agencies barred from hiring H–1B visa holders

President Donald Trump on August 3, 2020 signed an executive order preventing federal agencies from contracting or subcontracting foreign workers — mainly those on H-1B visa — from hiring. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

1998 Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume dies in N. Ireland at 83

Nobel laureate John Hume, a prominent Northern Ireland politician who was the leader of Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) representing Catholics, died on August 3, 2020 at the age of 83. Following the 1998 peace deal between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland, Hume was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, along with David Trimble, the leader of Protestants’ Ulster Unionist Party.

Afghanistan: Militants affiliated with Islamic State attack prison in Jalalabad

Afghanistan, militants affiliated with the Islamic State group stormed a prison in the city of Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province and freed over 400 militants. At least 39 people, including the assailants, were killed in the day- long siege.

‘Moothon’ is the Best Film at New York Indian Film Festival 2020

‘Moothon’ (Malayalam & Hindi) won the Best Film award at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) organised virtually from July 24 to August 2, 2020. Directed by Geetu Mohandas, other awards won by ‘Moothon’ were – Best Actor for Nivin Pauly and Best Child Actor for Sanjana Dipu. Garggi Ananthan won Best Actress honour for her lead role in Malayalam film ‘Run Kalyani’. Achal Mishra won the Best Director Award for his film Maithili film ‘Gamak Ghar’. ‘Tailing Pond’, a 2019 documentary directed by Saurav Vishnu won Best Documentary at the festival.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2020