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INTERNATIONAL

CERN formally confers its Associate Membership to Pakistan
Pakistan was formally conferred Associate Membership status by European Organisation for Nuclear Research (also known as CERN). The membership was granted after Pakistan formally completed the required internal ratification process. With this, Pakistan became the first Asian country to become member of CERN.

193 UN members reach agreement on New Sustainable Development Agenda
On 3 August 2015 United Nations 193 member states have reached an agreement on the outcome document New Sustainable Development Agenda for the next 15 years i.e. Till 2030. The new agenda draft document called “Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” was built on the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The draft agreement outlines 17 nonbinding goals with 169 specific targets that comprise different socio-economic issues. These goals will succeed 8 MDGs which was adopted in 2000. It has broader sustainability agenda dealing with ‘five Ps’ people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership.

Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka for the second time
Sri Lanka present Prime Minister Ranil Singhe is again elected as the Prime Minister for the second time in the Parliament elections held on 17 August, 2015. United National Party (UNP) of Singhe secured 106 seats and with the support of Tamil parties Ranil is again elected as the Prime Minister. The former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s party United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) is in the second place in the Parliament elections.

China, Pakistan signed deals worth 1.6 billion US dollars to implement CPEC
China and Pakistan on 12 August 2015 signed 20 agreements worth 1.6 billion US dollars to implement the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. These agreements were signed during the CPEC Forum that was held at Karamay city in Xinjiang province of China bordering.Both the countries together also issued the Karamay Manifesto on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Bangladesh became first country to receive funds from UN for Solar Home Systems
Bangladesh became the first country to receive funds from the United Nations (UN) for its fast growing solar home systems. The UN Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) issued 395286 carbon credits worth 3.56 million US Dollar to two Bangladeshi organisations. Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (IDCOL) and Grameen Shakti are the two organisations that won the carbon credits. The UNFCCC has issued 212482 carbon credits to the IDCOL&182804 credits to Grameen Shakti.

INDIA & WORLD

India & World Bank signed agreement with NCRMP-II
On 11th August 2015, to support the second phase of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Program (NCRMP-II) an agreement of 308.40 million US dollar was signed between World Bank and Union Government. State Governments of Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and West Bengal also signed the agreement.On behalf of the World Bank, John Blomquist, Program Leader and Acting Country Director in India and Raj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs on behalf of the Union Government signed the agreement.

Union Cabinet approves proposal to sign agreement with UNESCO
Union Cabinet gave its nod to a proposal to sign an agreement with UNESCO for establishment of a Centre for World Natural Heritage Management and Training for Asia-Pacific region. This centre will be established as a category-2 centre (C2C) of the UN body at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. By signing this agreement WII Dehradun will be first existing institute to be accorded recognition by UNESCO. It will be also the first institute to get natural heritage recognition by UNESCO as currently there are 9 C2C institutes related to cultural heritage. It should be noted that this agreement has been mooted by the Union Environment Ministry.

Xiaomi launched first India-made phone “Redmi 2 Prime”
Chinese Smartphone maker Xiaomi has announced its first manufacturing unit in India in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh. China’s Xiaomi launched it’s first India-made phone, the ‘Redmi 2 Prime’, and announced a tie up with Taiwan’s Foxconn to make smart phones in the country. Foxconn would make Xiaomi phones at the Sri City plant in Andhra Pradesh. Xiaomi is 3rd largest smartphone maker in the World while Samsung and Apple are at 1st and 2nd place respectively.

Union Cabinet approves MoU between India, Nepal for construction of petroleum pipeline
The Union Cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Nepal for construction of petroleum products pipeline from Raxaul (Bihar) in India to Amlekhgunj in Nepal. The MoU seeks to promote bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector between both neighbouring countries and secure long term supply of petroleum products to Nepal. Raxaul-Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline: In the first phase it will be constructed by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on behalf of Indian Government at a cost of 200 crore rupees. IOC will be also engaged in re-engineering and construction of the Amlekhgunj Depot and allied facilities.

Government of India approves MoU bet-ween India &America to establish PACE-setter Fund
The Union Cabinet gave its ex-post-facto approval for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between America and India to establish the PACE setter Fund. The PACE setter Fund is a fund that supports the Promoting Energy Access through Clean Energy (PEACE) an initiative between US and India through Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE). Accordingly both the countries has raised corpus of about 8 million US dollars (Rs. 50 crore) on a 50:50 sharing basis.

NATIONAL

Ministry of Rural Development launches SAMANVAY portal
Rural Development Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh launched SAMANVAY on 4 August 2015.SAMANVAY will compile all schemes of both the Centre and state governments at the gram panchayat level.It will help the MPs to utilise relevant schemes to plan and implement Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY).More than 1800 state schemes across India have been documented in SAMANVAY.

Delhi High Court Amendment Bill, 2015 approved by Parliament
On 5th August 2015, Delhi High Court Amendment Bill, 2015 was passed. It was passed in Lok Sabha by a voice vote on 5th June 2015 and in May 2015 it was passed in Rajya Sabha. In order to minimize the workload of the Delhi High Court, the Bill seeks to modify the Delhi High Court Act, 1966.

UP Stoods first in ‘Give It Up’ of LPG Subsidy:
Uttar Pradesh takes first place in give up the LPG subsidy. 2.45 lakh people from Uttar Pradesh have given up their LPG subsidy in the ‘Give It Up’ campaign started by Central Government. Maharashtra is in second place whereas Andhra Pradesh in 12th place and Telangana in 13th place in give up of LPG subsidy.

Access to telemedicine with the launch of SEHAT
On 25 August 2015 central government launched the new program called SEHAT (Social Endeavour for Health and Telemedicine) to access the medical services in the rural areas throughout the country Minister of Communication and Information Technology Shri Ravi Shankar launched this program in New Delhi through this program, people may consult the doctors through videolink. The centre along with Appollo Hospitals opened the Common Service Centres to provide healthcare access.

Start-up India – Stand up India campaign was announced by PM Narendra Modi
On 15th August 2015, while celebrating 69th Independence Day at Red Fort Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new campaign “Start-up India; Stand up India” which is aimed to promote bank finance for Start-ups so that more employment in India can be created. As per the initiative PM urged 1.25 lakh bank branches to provide finance to at least one Dalit or Adivasi and at least one woman entrepreneur.

STATES

Union Government signed historic peace accord with NSCN (I-M)
Union Government on 3 August 2015 signed a landmark peace accord with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland Isak-Muivah (NSCN (I-M)), putting an end to almost two decades long pending peace talks.The signing of the pact is the end of over 80 rounds of negotiations that spanned 16 years with first breakthrough in 1997 when ceasefire agreement was sealed. Government’s interlocutor for Naga peace talks RN Ravi. inked the document on behalf of the Union government, while NSCN (IM) chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah were the signatories on behalf of the Naga organisation.

Jharkhand empowered ACB to arrest Ministers & civil servants in bribery cases without permission
Jharkhand Government on 4 August 2015 empowered Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) to arrest Minister, MLA and senior civil servants without taking permission from the concerned authorities in cases of being caught on taking bribes.The decision to change the rule of ACB was taken during the state’s cabinet meet chaired by Chief Minister Raghubar Das. With this, the earlier known Vigilance Bureau has been given new name and greater power.

Rajasthan HC banned ‘Santhara’ ritual in Jain Community:
The Rajasthan High Court banned Jain’s ritual ‘Santhara’ (a voluntary and systematic fasting to death), making it punishable under IPC Section 306 (Abetment of Suicide). The ban on the Jain ritual comes after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by human rights activist and advocate Nikhil Soni a decade ago. The activist claimed the ritual is a social evil and should be considered as suicide.

Amitabh Bachchan as Brand Ambassador for ‘Save the Tiger’ campaign of Maharashtra:
To promote eco tourism, especially tiger tourism in Maharashtra, the Maharashtra Govt. appointed Amitabh Bachchan as ambassador for Maharashtra’s “Save the Tiger“ campaign. At present Maharashtra has six tiger reserves and the tiger population has increased from 103 in 2006 to 169 in 2010,according to the tiger census.

Gujarat to become 1st state to launch ‘agro-solar policy’
‘Agro-solar policy’ is to be launched in Gujarat, making it the first state in India to do so. Under this policy, the farmers will have to tap energy from the sun. This will help them earn additional income from power generation companies. According to officials in Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute, farmers and power generation companies will be in a win-win situation with generation of solar energy in agricultural fields.

CONFERENCES

Global “Call to Action’ summit 2015
The Ministry of Health and family welfare cohosted the “call to Action” summit 2015 for ending preventable child and maternal deaths along with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health, in New Delhi. In the two day summit health ministers from 24 Priority Countries, state health ministers from India are participated.

Forum for India Pacific Islands Co-operation (FIPIC) summit
The second summit of the forum for India pacific Islands Co-operation (FIPIC) is held at Jaipur on 21 August 2015. Delegates from 14 pasific Islands attended the summit along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The discussions are done about climate change. India proposes to hold International conference on ocean economy and pacific Island countries in New Delhi in 2016 and to assist in establishing a space Technology Applications Centre in anyone of the pacific Island Countries.

AWARDS & HONOURS

Amalendu Krishna of TIFR wins Ramanujan Prize
The Ramanujan Prize for 2015 was won by mathematician Amalendu Krishna of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai on 3 August 2015.Dr. Krishna was honoured for his contributions in the area of algebraic K-theory, algebraic cycles and theory of motives.Dr. Krishna is from Bihar.This is the second time it is being awarded to an Indian, with Sujatha Ramadorai having won it in 2006.

Indian-origin Adrienne Batra wins ‘Best Journalist’ in Canada
An Indo-Canadian woman journalist has been awarded by Indian community members in Ottawa for her outstanding achievements in the field of journalism.Adrienne Batra, the 41- year-old editor of Toronto Sun, was recognised as the ‘Best Journalist’ at this year’s Parvasi Awards, which featured India’s sports legend Milkha Singh as this year’s guest of honour.

Hyderabad players Srikanth Kidambi and Anup Kumar Yama in Arjuna Awards List
The Government on 14th August, announced the names of the sportspersons who won the Prestgious Arjuna Awards for the year 2015. This year 17 sportspersons won the Arjuna Awards. Among these shuttler Srikanth Kidambi and roller skater Anup Kumar Yama are the two from Hyderabad. Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma and Indian Hockey Goal Keeper Sreejesh are among the Arjuna Award winners. The awards are given by the President Pranab Mukherji on August 29th, the National Sports Day.

Urdu Author Shamim Hanfi chosen for first Jnangarima Award
The famous Urdu author Shamim Hanfi has been chosen for the first Jnangarima Manad Alankaran Award which is started this year by Bharatiya Jnanpith. The award was introduced on behalf of seven decades of Jnanpith. The Jnangarima Manad Alankaran Award comprises a monthly honorarium for one year.

Celkon Mobiles Get Make in India Award for Excellence – 2015
Celkon Mobile is a leading Indian smart phone player, and is a major initiative from the “Make in India” move-ment has inaugurated its first State-of-the- Art manufacturing facility in Hyderabad on the 11th of June 2015 with four production lines and eventually enhanced its capacity to higher levels. To appreciate commitment of Celkon Mobiles, Government of India has honored this company with “Make in India Award for Excellence – 2015” in Telecom Gadgets category at an event organised in Gandhinagar on 18th August.

SPORTS & GAMES

Ranveer Singh Saini wins gold at Special Olympics
Golfer Ranveer Singh Saini created history by becoming the first Indian to win a Gold medal at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.The 14-year-old autistic golfer achieved the feat in GF Golf-Level 2 Alternate Shot Team Play event in 31 July 2015.

India women’s team won silver in World Archery Championship
Indian women’s recurve archery team of Deepika Kumari, Laxmirani Majhi and Rimil Buriuly won silver at the World Archery Champion ships in Denmark on 2 August 2015.In the final match of World Championship they lost to Russia by 4-5 score. Indian archer Rajat Chauhan has won silver medal in the World Archery Championships in the compound category. It was India’s first-ever individual medal in the World Archery Championships.

Ganguly wins Silver Medal in Asian Continental Chess Championship:
Grand Master and former national champion Surya Sekhar Ganguly won the Silver Medal in the Asian Continental Chess Championship by defeating Zhang Zhong of Singapore in the final round.

Abhishek Verma won the Archery World Cup 2015:
Abhishek Verma, Indian Archer won the Gold Medal in the individual men’s compound event at the Archery World Cup 2015 which was held in Poland. In the final he defeated Esmail Edabi of Iran with 148-145 score.

Andy Murray won Rogers Cup Masters Tournament 2015
Men’s Section:
Andy Murray of Great Britain won Rogers Cup Masters Tournament 2015 also known as the Canada Masters. In the final match played at Montreal, Canada he defeated world number one Novak Djokovic of Serbia by 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 score. It was Murray’s overall 11th Masters Title and first victory against the world number 1 since Wimbledon final of 2013.
Women’s Section:
Belinda Bencic of Switzerland lifted her maiden Canadian Open Masters title after world number two Simona Halep retired hurt. The match ended 7-6, 6-7, 3-0. It was Belinda’s second career title. In semi finals she out played World No. 1 Serena Williams.

ECONOMY

UTI Mutual Fund crossed One Lakh Crore
UTI Mutual Fund crossed One Lakh Crore Rupees mark recently. UTI is the oldest mutual fund house of India.It is worth mentioning that the total asset under the control of Indian mutual fund companies is around 4.5 lakh crore. UTI Mutual Fund is being run by the UTI Asset Management Company (UTI AMC).

RBI relaxed Branch Authorisation Policy to allow banks to merge or close branches in urban areas
On 6th August 2015, Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 -Relaxations in Branch Authorisation Policy was notified by Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This will give the authority to banks at their own discretion to shift, merge or close branches, in urban areas.

SBI launched new mobile wallet App ‘Buddy’:
State Bank of India, on 18th August launched a new mobile wallet App ‘Buddy’. The Union Finanace minister Arun Jaitley launched this App in Mumbai. The App comes with features such as send money to registered and new users, Ask money and send reminders to settle dues, trans-fer of money, Recharge and pay bills instantly. SBI along with Accenture and Master Card, launched this new App.

Bandhan Bank launched in Kolkata
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on 23 August inagurated the operations of Bandhan Bank in Kolkata. The Bank is started with 501 branches in 24 states with 2,022 servicing centres and 50 ATMs, 1.43 crore accounts, around Rs. 10,500 crore loan book and 19,500 employees. Bandhan bank happens to be the first bank to come up in the eastern region since independence. Chandra Sekhar Ghosh is the Managing Director and CEO of Bandhan Bank.

ICICI Bank launched ‘Smart Vault’ digital locker facility
ICICI Bank on 18 August 2015 launched a new digital initiative called Smart Vault. Smart Vault is India’s first automated locker facility with high-end robotic technology. It was launched by Managing Director (MD) and CEO of ICICI Bank, Chanda Kochhar in New Delhi. In this digital initiative, robotic technology is used to access the lockers from the safe vault.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Bharti Airtel launched its 4G services in 296 towns across India
On 6th August 2015, 4G high-speed data services were launched in 296 towns in pan-India by Bharti Airtel. The service will be made available to customers through Wi-Fi routers, internet dongles and 4G-enabled mobile phones.With this, Bharti Airtel, the largest telecom company of India, became the first company to offer pan-India 4G network.4G service will be available to the customers at 3G prices with packs starting at 25 rupees. To provide the 4G services, Airtel has collaborated with mobile manufacturer major Samsung.In April 2012, Bharti Airtel launched the first 4G services in Kolkata and after that it is now available in 15 other cities of India.

NASA Probe discovers New Planet ‘Kepler-453b’
NASA’s Kepler mission has discovered a new planet known as ‘Kepler-453b’. It is the 10th planet discovered by the Kepler mission. The Planet’s radius is 6.2 times that of Earth and about 6 per cent larger than Neptune. It’s size indicates it is a gas gaint, rather than a rockey planet and thus unable to have life on it.

New Search Engine developed by Indian-Canadian Anmol Tukrel
Anmol Tukrel, a 16 year old Indian origin canadian designed a new personalised search engine that is more accurate than Google search engine. He designed the search engine as a high school project and submitted in the Google science fair also. He took nearly 60 hours for this coding. This new search engine is 47 per cent more accurate than Google. Unlike most search engines that use person’s location or browsing history to show the results, this search engine tries to show the most relevant result by mapping it to a user’s personality.

ISRO Successfully launched GSLV – D 6
Indian space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched it’s Geo synchronous Satellite launch vehicle (GSLV)-D 6 on 27 August, 2015. GSLV – D 6 successfully placed it’s most advanced GSAT- D 6 satellite in it’s designated orbit. The launch vehicle is having the complex cryogenic engine. which is made in India. The GSAT-6 satellite will provide S-band Communication services mostly to the defence sector. The Weight of GSLV – D 6 launching Vehicle is 414.75 Tonnes.

NASA spacecraft finds neon gas in Moon’s atmosphere
A NASA spacecraft has confirmed for the first time that the Moon’s thin atmosphere contains neon, a gas commonly used in electric signs on Earth because of its intense glow. This was published in the Geophysical Research Letters by Benna, lead author of a paper describing observations from Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE)’s Neutral Mass Spectrometer (NMS) instrument.

PERSONS IN NEWS

A). APPOINTMENTS

Om Prakash Rawat appointed as New Election Commissioner:
Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer Om Prakash Rawat was appointed as new election commissioner on13th August. In the three member election commission board, Naseem Zaidi is the Chief Election Commissioner, Achal Kumar Joti is the one of the election commissioners and the vacant third place has been filled up with Om Prakash Rawat who belongs to 1977 IAS batch worked as Secretary at the centre and retired from his service in December, 2014. Om Prakash Rawat will be as election commis-sioner till December, 2018.

Sudhakar Shetty elected as President of Gymnastics Federation of India
Sudhakar Shetty of Maharashtra was elected as the president of the Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) on 12 August 2015. He succeeds Jaspal Singh Kandhari.Elections for the four year term were attended by 35 members from 18 States and Units.

Ram Nath Kovind sworn in as new Governor of Bihar
Former Rajya Sabha member and a dalit leader Ram Nath Kovind was sworn in as new governor of Bihar on 15 August 2015. Acting chief justice of Patna high court Iqbal Ahmad Ansari administered oath to Kovind as the 36th governor of Bihar at a function at Raj Bhawan. Kovind, two term Rajya Sabha member and chief of BJP SC&ST wing earlier from Uttar Pradesh.

B). RESIGNS

Greek Prime Minister Tsipras resigned
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has submitted his resignation to the President on 20 August and has called an early elections. Tsipras resigned his post as his leftwing Syriza Party was split over the terms of a 95 billion dollar bailout deal with it’s European creditors on 20 August. The election will be expected to be on 20 September.

Libyan PM Abdullah al-Thani resigned hours after peace talks restarted
On 12 August 2015 Prime Minister of Libya Abdullah al-Thani announced his resignation during a live telecast. He announced his resignation hours after fraught peace talks between the country’s rival factions restarted. During the talk show Prime Minister Al-Thani faced a barrage of angry questions from citizens who blamed his government for the lack of basic services such as electricity and poor security in areas it controls. UN-sponsored round of peace talks between Libya’s warring factions that started on 12 August 2015 in Switzerland’s Geneva aimed at creating a unity government, with representatives of the powerful Tripoli parliament joining the negotiations, ended without any resolution.

C). DEATHS

Colonel Harwant Singh (Retd), World War-II hero passes away
Retired Colonel Harwant Singh,a World War-II veteran and hero passed away in Patiala, Punjab on 4 August 2015. He was 95. He was commissioned in 2nd battalion of the Sikh Regiment of then British Army in September 1941. During the World War (WW)-II he had served in Palestine, North Africa, Iraq, Cyprus and Italy for the British Army. In 1944, he was awarded with the Military Cross (highest award of the British Army) for gallantry during an offensive against the German forces on the Gothic Line in Italy. During the first Independence Day celebration of 1947, he was officer in charge of the flag-hoisting ceremony held at Princess Park on August 15 and Red Fort on August 16.

Hero Cycles founder O.P. Munjal died
Om Prakah Munjal (87), the founder of Hero cycles died in Ludhiana on 13th August. O.P. Munjal started a bicycle spare parts business in Amristar in 1944. In 1956, he started India’s first bicycle manufacturing company ‘Hero’. With the production of highest number of bicycles in the world, Hero company was in Guinness Book of World Records in 1986. O.P. Munjal was the first person to start the electric bicycles in India in 1990. O.P. Munjal was also elected as president for All India Cycle Manufacturer’s Association (AICMA).

D). VISITORS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited UAE:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited United States of Arab Emirates (UAE) for a two days visit on 15th August, 2015. On his visit Modi visited the Sheikh Sayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Modi focus on trade and counter terror measures in his official engagements. India and UAE elevated their relationship and agree to fight against terrorism and misuse of religion after bilateral talks between Modi and UAE Prince Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zyed Al Nahayan in Abu Dhabi on 17th August. The UAE agreed to increase investments in India to 75 million dollars (about Rs. 5 Lakh crore), while the two nations will raise trade to nearly 100 billion dollars in the next five years.

Five agreements signed between India and Seychells
The Seychells president James Michel visited India on 26 August 2015 for three day visit in the country. Five agreements including an information exchange agreement with respect to taxes memorandum of understanding for the supply of Dornier air craft a protocol on framework of cooperation in the field of blue economy and other agreements have been signed between the two countries.

E). MISCELLANEOUS

Indian-American Atul Keshap confirmed Ambassador to Sri Lanka
Indian-American Atul Keshap has been confirmed as the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives, becoming the second Indian-origin diplomat to be posted to the region after Richard Rahul Verma.Mr. Keshap (44), a former official at the US Embassy in India, was on 5 August 2015 confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the country’s envoy which would be his first Ambassadorial posting.

PM Narendra Modi as one of the ‘Most Viewed CEO’ on LinkedIn:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with over one million followers, created a record as ‘the most viewed CEO in India’. Modi stood at first place in the list of most viewed CEOs on professional site LinkedIn. Modi is the third- most followed world leader on Twitter with 14.4 million followers.

‘Yasutaro Koide’ of Japan in Guinness Records as World’s Oldest Person
‘Yasutaro Koide’ of Japan is in Guinness Records as world’s oldest person on 21 August, 2015. Koide of 112 years belongs to the city of Nagoya of Japan. He was born on March 13, 1903.

PLACES IN NEWS

Mysore tops in Swachh Bharat rankings
Mysore in Karnataka has topped the Swachh Bharat rankings of 476 cities in the country based on the extent of open defecation and solid waste management practices.Mysore leads the pack with minimal open defecation and extensive adoption of solid waste management practices, followed by Tiruchi (Tamil Nadu), Navi Mumbai, Kochi (Kerala), Hassan, Mandya and Bengaluru from Karnataka, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), Halisahar (West Bengal) and Gangtok (Sikkim) in that order.

Kochi became first Indian city to join World Tourism Cities Federation Council
Kochi on 10 August 2015 became the first Indian city to be a member of Beijing headquartered World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) Council and join its league of leading tourism cities across the world. The invitation to Kochi to be the member of the council was sent to Kerala Tourism Department by WTCF, which was formally accepted by the department. The membership acceptance document was handed over to Chinese Ambassador to India Le Yucheng by the Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany.

Taj Mahal becomes the first Monument to join Twitter:
One of the wonders of the world, Taj Mahal became the first monument in the world to join the Twitter. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav launched the Tag # My TajMemory on 15th August, 2015 to invite lovers of Taj Mahal to share their best Taj Moments. Akhilesh was the first person to upload a picture of his Taj Moments. The Taj handle had generated over 2,500 followers within 3hours of the launch.

International “Fine cup of Coffee” award for Vishaka Agency Coffee estates
The “Arabica” coffee of Minumuluru estates belongs to Vishaka agency won the International “Fine cup of Coffee” award for the year 2014-15. This is the sixth award for this coffee from 2003. In 2010 this coffee won the “Flower of Indian Coffee” award.In Vishaka agency two types of Coffee are present called “kaveri”&”Arabica”.

Cochin airport becomes world’s first to completely operate on solar power
Cochin International airport has become the world’s first airport to be powered completely by solar energy.Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on 18 August 2015 inaugurated a 12 MW solar power plant at the airport. The plant comprising 46,150 solar panels laid across 45 acres in the cargo complex will enable Cochin airport to have 50,000 to 60,000 units of solar electricity every day for its operations.

ABBREVIATIONS

AMFI : Association of Mutual Funds of India
PMSBY : Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana
BBB : Bank Board Bureau
FIPIC : Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation
IAAF : International Association of Athletics Federation
PMVLK : Pradhan Mantri Vidya Lakshmi Karyakram

Books in News

Classic Gujarathi Novel “Saraswati Chandra” in English after 128 years:
After 128 years, a classic Gujarathi novel, Goverdhanram Tripathi’s “Saraswati chandra” is being translated into English by the director of Sabarmati Ashram, Tridip Suhrud. The novel was written between 1887 abd 1901 by Tripathi in four volumes and laid the foundation of modern Gujarathi literature.

“Param Vir Chakra : The Ultimate Honour” by Amar Chitra Katha:
India’s largest selling comic book publisher, Amar Chitra Katha on the event of 69th Independense Day celebrations, released a special book on the 21 Param Vir Chakra recipients in the name of “Param Vir Chakra: The Ultimate Honour”. This book is a tribute to the recipients of highest military award in India. The book illustrates the stories of each hero’s life from childhood to the battle field.

COMMITTEES

SM khan Committee to assess situation in FTII
The Union Government on 19 August 2015 Constituted a three member Committee to assess the situation over the student protest in Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in pune. The team will be headed by the Registrar of News Papers in India, S.M. Khan.

IMPORTANT DAYS & DATES

August-9: International day of the World’s Indigenous People

August-12: International Youth Day

August-13: International Lefthanders Day

August-15: Indian Independence Day

August-20: World Mosquito Day

August-23: Internatinal Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

August-26: Women’s Equality Day

August-29: National Sports Day (Birthday of Dhyan Chand)

Responses to “August 2015 Current Affairs Study Material”