Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2021

Notes:
In 2011, the UN General assembly proclaimed July 30 as the International day of Friendship. The decision was taken with an idea that this day will create a friendship bond between peoples of different cultures, countries and religions and will help in achieving world peace by building bridges between different communities.
The United Nations is an international organisation which was founded in 1945. It is headquartered in New York. The main aim of this organisation is to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation and act as a center for harmonising the actions of different nations. At present, 193 countries are the members of the United Nations (UN).

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A virtual meeting “BRICS Counter Terrorism Working Group” was oraganised recently on July 28-29 under the chairmanship of India. It was the 6th meeting of the BRICS Counter Terrorism Working Group.
The main outcome of the meeting was the finalisation of the BRICS Counter Terrorism Action Plan containing specific measures for the implementation of the BRICS Counter Terrorism Strategy adopted by BRICS leaders in 2020.
BRICS includes five major emerging economies : Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The BRICS members are known for their significant influence on regional affairs. It was founded in 2006.

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Shri Bhupendra Singh, Madhya Pradesh Urban Development and Housing Minister launched “Ek Mask-Anek Zindagi” public awareness campaign on August 1, 2021. The campaign will end on August 15, 2021.
The main idea behind the initiation of this campaign is to spread awareness about wearing masks as an preventive step towards controlling the spread of Covid-19. Mask Banks will be established under this scheme where people can donate new masks for poor and needy people. Citizens can donate mask or funds with the help of NGOs also.

Notes:
PhonePe became the first digital investment platform to launch UPI based AutoPay functionality for its Mutual Fund (MF) Systematic Investment Plans ( SIP) and offerings in India. The UPI AutoPay function will be available for existing as well as new investors on PhonePe app.
SIP is an investment route offered by Mutual Funds. In SIP, one can invest a fixed amount in a Mutual fund scheme according to their will at regular intervals.
SIPs are open-ended. Customers can initiate, pause, restart and terminate SIP at any time.
PhonePe  was founded in 2015 and was later acquired by Flipkart in 2016. Its headquarter is in Mumbai and Sameer Nigam is the current CEO of PhonePe.

Notes:
India started its two-year tenure as non-permanent member of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on January 1, 2021. India is holding the presidency of UNSC for August and Narendra Modi has become the first Prime Minister to chair an open debate at UNSC. India has been a member of UNSC in 1950-51, 1967-68, 1972-73, 1977-78, 1984-85 and 1991-92 earlier.
UNSC was created after World War II when league of Nations failed to maintain world peace. The first session of UNSC was held on January 17, 1946. It is among six principal organs of United Nations and is tasked with ensuring international peace and security.

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Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) has launched ‘Golden Residency Services’ to facilitate issuance of golden visa to doctors residing in UAE.  They will get a 10-year residency visa. The decision was taken to commend doctors for their contribution to the society during the Corona pandemic. The facilities will be provided according to the instructions of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai.

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“[email protected]” initiative was launched recently by Arvind Kejriwal. The aim of this initiative is to build partnerships with the private sector, CSR initiatives and  philanthropic organisations to achieve the vision for Delhi by 2047 and make Delhi as the Global city in the world. The main objectives under this initiative are Increasing Delhi’s per capita income to Singapore’s level, Providing 24*7 water supply before the upcoming elections, to bid for the 2048 Olympics, making roads as per the European standards and many other facilities.

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The Central Board for Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) have launched the Indian Customs Compliance Information Portal (CIP) which will provide free access to information about all Customs procedures and regulatory compliance for about 12,000 Customs Tariff Items.

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The Union Cabinet on 4th August, 2021 approved the continuation of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme for school education for another five years. Provision of training of master trainers for Anganwadi workers, incinerator and sanitary pad vending machines in all girls’ hostels, addition of new subjects instead of stream in existing senior secondary schools, holistic progress card for each learner, and upgrade of all Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas up to class 12 are among the initiatives in the revised scheme. Samagra Shiksha Scheme covers the school education from preschool to Class 12.

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The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed the highest motorable road in the world at the height of 19,300 feet at Umlingla Pass in eastern Ladakh, the defence ministry said on August 4, 2021. The BRO has constructed a 52-km long black-topped road through Umlingla Pass, bettering the previous record of a road in Bolivia connecting to its volcano Uturuncu at 18,953 ft. The road at Umlingla Pass now connects the important towns in the Chumar sector of Eastern Ladakh.