Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2020

Notes:
Founded by two former scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the Space tech start-up Skyroot Aerospace is the first Indian private company to build a homegrown rocket engine.
The company has recently test-fired an upper stage rocket engine successfully. It has also planned to launch the first satellite into the lower earth orbit by the end of 2021. The company had also manufactured India’s first 3D printed Cryogenic rocket engine.

Notes:
The Ammunition Factory Khadki, Pune, has designed and manufactured 40 mm UBGL (Under Barrel Grenade Launcher) Ammunition, by using components procured from Indian Industries.
The first consignment of such indigenously manufactured UBGL was sent to Border Security Force (BSF). Earlier, this ammunition used to be imported by the Indian Army and other Defence units under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Notes:
The National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 chaired by Dr V K Paul, Member NITI Aayog, met for the first time on 12th August. The meeting was co-chaired by Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The expert group has been constituted under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It discussed on the parameters required in selecting the COVID-19 vaccine candidates for India and procurement mechanisms for COVID-19 vaccine.

Notes:
China has initiated a new campaign to reduce food waste, called the “Clean Plate Campaign 2.0”.
The campaign has been implemented after the Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted that Covid-19 had created an alarming situation on food waste. The first version of Clean Plate Campaign was launched in 2013 which aimed at restricting excessive official feasts and receptions.

Notes:
As per the recent announcement of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the INOX Group will be the official sponsor of the Indian team for the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics.
Due to the prevalent COVID-19 pandemic, the Tokyo Olympics was rescheduled to next year, from July 23 to August 8 in 2021. The Group will also support the team’s promotions through its entertainment company – INOX Leisure Limited that owns a multiplex chain across the country.

Notes:
ICGS SARTHAK – the new Offshore Patrol Vessel of Indian Coast Guard has been launched. The vessel is indigenously designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited. It is the fourth vessel among the five series Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV).
The new vessel is set to be deployed for Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance, Coastal Security and other duties related to search and rescue operations.

Notes:
The Online Performance dashboard of Ministry of Tribal Affairs called the “Empowering Tribals, Transforming India” has been launched. The dashboard was launched by Amitabh Kant, CEO of NITI Aayog and Ramesh Chand, Member of NITI Aayog.
The Dashboard is an interactive online platform that shows the real-time details of 11 schemes / initiatives of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It also displays performance of 5 Scholarship Schemes of the Ministry.

Notes:
“Fit India Freedom Run” has been launched by the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju, through an online programme.
A large number of Government organizations and Private organizations will participate in the event. In view of the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, the participants can run at their own place and at their own pace between 15th August and 2nd October.

Notes:
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently delivered his Independence Day speech on August 15, 2020.
In the speech, he mentioned about the launch of two new projects: Project Lion and Project Dolphin. The Project Lion aims to conserve Asiatic Lions and its landscape in a holistic manner. It will also help to tackle the Human-wildlife conflict and provide livelihood opportunities. Project Dolphin aims to conserve and protect Dolphins in the rivers and in oceans.

Notes:
NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission has partnered with NASSCOM to launch an Artificial Intelligence-based module for school students. This module aims to bring AI based technology to the classrooms of the country.
This module is launched as a successor to a similar module launched in February. It contains a set of self-learning attractive modules, which can be easily understood by both rural and urban students.