In Current Affairs for 20 August 2024, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.
Current Affairs 20 August 2024
World Sanskrit Day
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi 19th August 2024 greeted citizens on the occasion of World Sanskrit Day. First World Sanskrit Day was celebrated in 1969. World Sanskrit Day or Vishwa Sanskrit Diwas is celebrated on Purnima Tithi (Full moon) of Shravana month every year.
- It serves as a tribute to the birth anniversary of Paṇini, a distinguished Sanskrit scholar and grammarian.g to promote it.
- Sanskrit Language, It is an Indo-Aryan language and is considered to be one of the oldest languages and is known as the mother of most languages of India. It is believed to have originated in India around 3500 years ago and is often referred to as Dev Vani (the language of the deities).
Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana
- Ministry of Coal said that Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana has reached a significant milestone with the successful completion of 500 bone marrow transplants.
- The programme provides financial assistance of up to 10 lakh rupees per patient for the treatment of Thalassemia Major and Aplastic Anemia.
- The scheme was launched in 2017, and it supports families with an annual income below 8 lakh rupees.
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation India Limited (NLCIL) and its joint ventures have set up 28 medical oxygen plants with a combined capacity of 2 thousand 5 hundred beds across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
- NLCIL has also enhanced healthcare access with the establishment of a dialysis center in the government hospital, Cuddalore.
- The ministry stated that Coal India and NLCIL have a commitment to the community’s well-being with an annual budget of nearly 8 hundred crore rupees as corporate social responsibility (CSR).
India-Africa Business Conclave
- Vice President of Zimbabwe, Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga, has arrived in New Delhi. He will attend the 19th CII India-Africa Business Conclave.
- Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India initiated the Africa Conclave on India-Africa Partnership in 2005.
- Since inception, the Conclave has emerged as one of the largest congregations of senior ministers, policy makers and business leaders from Africa and India, cutting across sectors.
- Over the years, the Conclave has witnessed participation of over 10000 African and over 8500 Indian delegates.
- The Conclave has also hosted over 500 senior Ministers, including heads of states from Africa.
- The 19 th edition of the Conclave will aim to serve as an instrument for Africa’s growth and the role of India-Africa partnership in regional and global value chains integration.
- Besides bilateral, trilateral, and regional discussions, the Conclave will focus on some of the key areas of partnership and emerging opportunities in Agriculture Food Processing, Defence, Digital Partnership, Financial Partnership, Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Power and Energy, Quality Ecosystem, Skill Capacity Development, and others.
International Earth Sciences Olympiad
- A team of Indian students has secured three gold, two silver and three bronze medals at the 17th International Earth Sciences Olympiad held in China’s Beijing.
- The four-member Indian team comprising students from Gujarat, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan have won these medals in three different categories including Earth System Project, and International Team Filed Investigation.
- The International Earth Science Olympiad is a student-centric program facilitated under the REACHOUT (Research, Education, Training, and Outreach) scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Project To Combat Microplastic Contamination In Food
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched an innovative project to tackle the growing concern of microplastic contamination in food in New Delhi.
- Recognising microplastic pollution as an emerging threat, the project was started in March this year to develop and validate analytical methods for detecting micro and nanoplastics in various food products.
- FSSAI said the primary objectives of the project include developing standard protocols for micro- and nanoplastic analysis, conducting intra- and inter-laboratory comparisons, and generating critical data on microplastic exposure levels among consumers.
- In a recent report, the Food and Agriculture Organisation has highlighted the presence of microplastics in common food items such as sugar and salt. The food safety regulator of the country, FSSAI, says it is committed to ensuring that Indian consumers have access to safe and healthy food.
Six New Parliamentary Committees
- Lok Sabha speaker on, named the constituents of the six new Parliamentary Committees including the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which examines government expenditure. Ganesh Singh, BJP MP from Satna, Madhya Pradesh has been appointed as the chairperson of the Committee on Welfare of Other Backward Classes.
- Six New Parliamentary Committees for 2024-25
- Public Account committee
- Committee on Public Undertakings
- Committee on Estimates
- Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
- Committee on Welfare of Other Backward Classes
- Joint committee on Office of Profit
Paetongtarn Shinawatra
- Paetongtarn Shinawatra was elected as Thailand’s youngest prime minister at the age of 37. Her election came after the dismissal of Srettha Thavisin, marking a major change in Thailand’s political scene amid ongoing instability.
- Paetongtarn is the daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, a highly influential and controversial figure in Thai politics. She is the third member of the Shinawatra family to become prime minister, following her father and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra.
- Thailand, formerly known as Siam, is unique in Southeast Asia for never having been colonized by a European power.
- It is home to the world’s largest golden Buddha statue, weighing over five tons, and has the longest-reigning monarchy, with King Bhumibol Adulyadej serving for 70 years.
Electric Microcar “Robin” in 2025
- Indian automobile industry will soon see a new addition—a tiny electric car called the Robin. This new car is designed to make personal travel easier and greener, and it’s expected to help reduce city traffic congestion.
- The car is created by a startup called Wings EV, founded by Pranav Dandekar and his father Prakash. It’s set to launch in Bengaluru in April 2025.
- Robin is a small, two-seater electric vehicle (EV) that is very easy to maneuver, much like a motorbike. It has passed strict safety tests conducted by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in Pune, ensuring it meets high safety standards.
- Robin will come in three versions: Basic Model: No air conditioning, with a range of 65 kilometers per charge, priced at ₹2 lakh. Mid Variant: Includes air conditioning and a range of 90 kilometers per charge, costing ₹2.5 lakh. Premium Variant: Features air conditioning, a 90-kilometer range, and additional safety features, priced at ₹3 lakh.
‘First Policy Makers’ Forum’
- Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare & Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri J.P. Nadda inaugurated the ‘First Policy Makers’ Forum’.
- To elevate India’s position in the global pharmaceutical sector, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Ministry of External Affairs, hosted an international delegation of policymakers and drug regulators from 15 countries.
- The forum featured the launch of innovative digital platforms for pharmacopoeia and drug safety monitoring.
- Underscoring India’s commitment to expanding the global recognition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP), the forum witnessed participation from various countries including Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guyana, Jamaica, Lao PDR, Lebanon, Malawi, Mozambique, Nauru, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, Syria, Uganda and Zambia.
- The forum aims to foster meaningful discussions on the recognition of the IP and the implementation of India’s flagship Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), popularly known as the Janaushadhi Scheme.
- A key highlight of the event was the launch of two significant digital platforms by the Hon’ble Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers —the IP Online Portal and the Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring System (ADRMS) software.
- IP Online Portal represents a major step towards digitalizing the Indian Pharmacopoeia, making drug standards more accessible to stakeholders worldwide. This initiative aligns with the Government of India’s commitment to promoting environmentally friendly solutions under the ‘Digital India’ campaign.
- ADRMS software, developed as part of the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India, is India’s first indigenous medical product safety database tailored to the needs of the Indian population. It facilitates the collection and analysis of adverse events related to medicines and medical devices, thereby significantly strengthening the country’s pharmacovigilance infrastructure.
Flagbearers For Opening Ceremony
- Tokyo Paralympics gold medalist Sumit Antil and shot-put star Bhagyashri Jadhav will be flagbearers of Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of the Paris Paralympics.
- In Paris Paralympics, 84 athletes will represent India. This is the country’s largest-ever contingent in a Paralympic games. A total of 54 athletes had represented the country in Tokyo Paralympics.
- Sumit is a reigning Paralympic champion in the men’s Javelin Throw F64 category. On the other hand, Bhagyashri won a silver medal in the shot put F34 category at the 2022 Asian Para Games and finished seventh at the Tokyo Paralympics.
- She also won silver in Women’s Shot Put F34 at the Para-Athletics World Championships in May this year.
Current Affairs 20 August 2024 Question
- Paetongtarn Shinawatra Became Youngest Prime Minister Of Which Country
A. Indonesia
B. Vietnam
C. Thailand
D. Egypt
ANSWER: C - Where Was The “17th Divya Kala Mela” Held
A. Hyderabad
B. Kolkata
C. Raipur
D. Lucknow
ANSWER: C - What Is The Krishi Decision Support System
A. Mobile app for crop sales
B. New fertiliser distribution system
C. Unique digital geospatial platform for Indian agriculture
D. Online marketplace for agricultural equipment
ANSWER: C - Prerana Programme, Is Launched By Which Ministry
A. Ministry of Education
B. Ministry of Culture
C. Ministry of Urban Development
D. Ministry of Defence
ANSWER: A - Gastrodia Indica, A Unique Orchid Species, Discovered In Which Sanctuary Of Sikkim
A. Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary
B. Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary
C. Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary
D. Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary
ANSWER: B - What Is ‘Californium’
A. A new technology to search dwarf planets
B. Machine learning model
C. A highly radioactive element
D. It is a unique strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
ANSWER: C - Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Is Located In Which State
A. Maharashtra
B. Gujarat
C. Assam
D. Odisha
ANSWER: C - Which Country Has Become India’s Second Largest LNG Supplier
A. Iraq
B. Iran
C. Australia
D. US
ANSWER: D - Ministry Of Culture Hosted ‘State Museum Conclave’ At Which Place
A. Udaipur, Rajasthan
B. Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
C. Bhopal, MP
D. Ayodhya, UP
ANSWER: B - Which State Government Launched ‘Mukhyamantri Maiyaan Samman Yojana’
A. Bihar
B. Jharkhand
C. Odisha
D. Haryana
ANSWER: B - ‘PM KUSUM Scheme’, Comes Under Which Ministry
A. Ministry of Urban Development
B. Ministry of Agriculture
C. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
D. Ministry of Finance
ANSWER: C - What Is A ‘Pyrocumulonimbus Cloud’
A. A Type Of Cloud That Forms During Thunderstorms
B. A Cloud That Forms Due To Intense Heat From Wildfires Or Volcanic Eruptions
C. A Cloud That Only Forms In Polar Regions
D. A Type Of Rain Cloud
ANSWER: B - Lake Bolsena Is Located In Which Country
A. Austria
B. Ireland
C. France
D. Italy
ANSWER: D - Where Was “IACC-MSME Centre Of Excellence” Inaugurated
A. Gujarat
B. Rajasthan
C. Haryana
D. Odisha
ANSWER: A - Main Objective Of The ‘Model Solar Village Initiative’
A. Increase agricultural production
B. Promote solar energy adoption
C. Improve healthcare facilities
D. Develop educational institutions
ANSWER: B - What Is ‘Technological Doping’
A. Using performance-enhancing drugs
B. Gaining a competitive advantage through sports equipment
C. Taking nutritional supplements
D. Participating in illegal betting
ANSWER: B - Which Country Participates Alongside India In The Annual Mitra Shakti
Military Exercise
A. Bangladesh
B. Nepal
C. Bhutan
D. Sri Lanka
ANSWER: D - Who Has Been Appointed As New Chairman & Managing Director Of NHPC
Limited
A. Suresh Prabhu
B. Anil Kumar Singh
C. Raj Kumar Chaudhary
D. Pankaj Patel
ANSWER: C - ‘ HarGhar Tiranga Campaign’, Is An Initiative Of Which Ministry
A. Ministry of Defence
B. Ministry of Home Affairs
C. Ministry of Culture
D. Ministry of Urban Development
ANSWER: C - Which Institution Released The ‘Gender Snapshot 2023 Report
A. United Nations
B. IMF
C. World Bank
D. WEF
ANSWER: A
