Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2021

Notes:
Chief of Staff of US Army General James C McConville is on a two-day visit to India. On 4th August, 2021, he laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and received a Guard of Honour at the South Block. General McConville called on Army Chief General M. M. Naravane and discussed issues of mutual interest.

Notes:
Khel Ratna Award, which is India’s highest sporting honour, and was named after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, was on 6th August, 2021 rechristened in the honour of hockey legend Dhyan Chand. The award will now be called as ‘Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award’. Goal is the title of the autobiography of Major Dhyan Chand.

Notes:
The Indian Ocean is warming at a higher rate than other oceans, the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change stated, with scientists warning that India will witness increased heat waves and flooding, which will be the irreversible effects of climate change. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), “Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis”, said the warming of the ocean will lead to a rise in sea levels, which will contribute to more frequent and severe coastal flooding in low-level areas. The report also observed that it is indisputable that human activities are causing climate change, making extreme climate events, including heat waves, heavy rainfall and droughts, more frequent and severe.

Notes:
PV Sindhu became the only female sportsperson from India, to win two successive Olympics medals – silver at Rio 2016 and bronze in Tokyo 2020. Over the course of her career, Sindhu has won medals at multiple tournaments including Olympics and on the BWF circuit including gold at the 2019 World Championships. She is the first Indian to become the Badminton World Champion and only the second individual athlete from India to win two consecutive medals at the Olympic Games.

Notes:
Last remaining population of the Asiatic Lions are found in Gir National Park of Gujarat. In 2020, population of Asiatic lions has surged by almost 29% in Gujarat’s Gir forests. The distribution area of lions has also increased by 36%. Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Sasan Gir, is a forest, national park, and wildlife sanctuary near Talala Gir in Gujarat, India. This national park was established in 1965.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Ujjwala 2.0 (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana – PMUY) by handing over LPG connections, at Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh on 10th August, 2021, via video conferencing. During the event, the Prime Minister interacted with beneficiaries of the Ujjwala. Addressing the event, the Prime Minister said the number of people, especially women whose lives have been illuminated by the Ujjwala Yojana is unprecedented. This scheme was launched in 2016 from Ballia in UP.

Notes:
The PDRD is provided to the States of India under Article 275 of the Constitution. The grants are released as per the recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission in monthly installments to meet the gap in Revenue Accounts of the States post devolution. The Commission has recommended PDRD grants to 17 States during 2021-22. Finance Ministry releases Revenue Deficit Grant of Rs 9,871 crore to 17 states.

Notes:
The 5th edition of the National Public Procurement Conclave (NPPC) was organized by Government e-Marketplace (GeM) in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry [CII] on the theme “Technology enabled Government Procurement – Towards Efficiency, Transparency, and Inclusiveness”. The conclave was inaugurated virtually by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Smt. Anupriya Patel.

Notes:
APEDA in collaboration with Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Ltd (HPMC) exported first consignment comprising of five unique varieties of apples in order to promote agricultural and processed food products exports to newer destinations. Five varieties of apples including Dark Baron Gala, Royal Delicious, Scarlet Spur, Red Velox and Golden Delicious were exported to Bahrain. These apples were sourced from farmers of Himachal Pradesh. First consignment was exported by APEDA registered DM Enterprises. Apples will be showcased at the apple promotion programme organized by leading retailer called Al Jajira group. The apple promotion programme will start from 15th August, 2021 on the occasion of commencement of 75th year of India’s independence celebration. Apple promotion programme is also being organized to familiarise consumers in Bahrain regarding the varieties of apples in India. Apple export comes at a time when India has been expanding its footprint of mango exports in newer countries.

Notes:
Coal India arm Northern Coalfields Ltd (NCL) has collaborated with Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board to promote and boost Singrauli eco-tourism circuit, giving thrust to mine tourism under sustainable development initiatives. The collaboration will facilitate the development of eco-mine tourism and eco-parks which will also generate employment and business opportunities for the locals. This initiative will explore a new tourism circuit in Madhya Pradesh having beauty mining, wildlife, cultural heritage and adventure. This will also foster mine tourism entailing the importance of Singrauli as Energy Capital of India. NCL-IIT (BHU) Incubation Centre will facilitate research, gather information, design and operate the tour plans for incoming tourists.