Current affair of August 6th 2019

1. 5 Crore Free LPG Connections Under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

The Loksabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has handed over 5 croreth LPG connection under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in the Parliament House.

Key highlights:

1. The Government launched Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) on 1st May, 2016 and it is implemented by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas through its Oil Marketing Companies i.e., IOC, BPCL and HPCL through their network of distributors across the country.
2. PMUY aims at providing clean-cooking fuel to the poor households, which are otherwise vulnerable to various health hazards.
3. Initially, 5 crore BPL households were targeted for providing deposit free LPG connections to BPL households by 31st March,2019.

2. International Conference on Sustainable Growth through Material Recycling inaugurated by Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari: NITI Aayog

NITI Aayog’s International Conference on “Sustainable Growth through Material Recycling: Policy Prescriptions” was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways & Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri. Nitin Gadkari at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in the capital

Key highlights:

1. Development and growth of material recycling in India, creating jobs , reducing exports and protecting the environment.
2. It had 5 technical sessions of Circular Economy in Material Recycling, Infrastructural Issues in Recycling Industry, Standardization and certification in Recycling Industry, Environmental Benefits of Material Recycling, Financial and Taxation issues in Recycling Industry.
3. This will help in policy formulation on various aspects related to material recycling.

3. 10th round of talks between India and Sri Lanka to widen scope for free trade agreement to be finalized by December

The Economic and Technology Co-operation Agreement (ETCA) would help in boosting economic ties between the two countries by liberalising trade norms.

Key highlights:

1. This would  widen the scope by including services and investments in it.
2. India has a healthy trade surplus in goods with Sri Lanka. India exported goods worth $4.5 billion in 2017-18 and its imports from that country were only $773 million.
3. India and Sri Lanka have a free trade agreement in goods was implemented in March 2000.
4. Sri Lanka is India’s major trading partner in South Asian region.

4. Government imposes 120% tariffs on 29 US imports

India is preparing to impose higher tariffs on some U.S. goods including almonds, walnuts and apples next week after a delay of about a year, two sources said, following Washington's withdrawal of key trade privileges for New Delhi.

Key highlights:

1. "What India is doing is legal and the tariffs on U.S. goods will only lead to an impact of around $220 million," one of the sources said, declining to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.
2. India is now looking at adopting the higher tariffs, the sources with direct knowledge of the matter said, although the U.S. has warned that any retaliatory tariffs by India would not be "appropriate" under WTO rules.
3. India is by far the largest buyer of U.S. almonds, paying $543 million for more than half of U.S. almond exports in 2018, U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows. It is the second largest buyer of U.S. apples, taking $156 million worth in 2018.
4. This will be in effect from September 18,2018.
5. The product includes almonds, walnuts and apples.

5. GeM to be a 100% Government owned company

It is an initiative launched by the Government eMarketplace (GeM) to enable women entrepreneurs and self-help groups to sell different products at the platform.

Key highlights:

1. The initiative – Womaniya on GeM – seeks to develop women entrepreneurship on the margins of society to achieve gender-inclusive economic growth.
2. The initiative would enable women entrepreneurs and women self-help groups to sell handicrafts and handloom, jute and coir products, home décor and office furnishings, directly to various government ministries, departments and institutions.
3. Nearly 80% women-owned establishments in India are self-financed and more than 60 percent of 8 million units are owned and led by women entrepreneurs from socially-challenged sections.
4. Since women tend to invest up to 90% of their earnings back in their families to provide better nutrition, health care and education to their children, their economic empowerment is essential for poverty alleviation which would be made possible through Womaniya initiative.
5. Womaniya on GeM will address goals and objectives under United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. It is an online marketplace to facilitate procurement of goods and services by various Ministries and agencies of the Government.
7. The platform offers online, end to end solution for procurement of commonly used goods and services for all central government departments and state governments, public sector units and affiliated bodies.
8. It aims to enhance transparency, efficiency and speed in public procurement of goods and services and eliminate corruption.
9. Government e Marketplace is a 100% government owned company setup under the aegis of Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry for procurement of common use goods and services by Government ministries, departments and CPSEs.

6. Hiroshima Day – August 6

Hiroshima Day commemorates 6 August 1945, the day when an atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, followed a few days later by another dropped on the city of Nagasaki.

Key highlights:

1. This bombings ended Second World War. The annual event is organised by the Galway Alliance Against War in Eyre Square. It marks the anniversary of the the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States in 1945. To promote "peace politics" the Galway Alliance Against War hold the event every year with various programs like music, song, dance etc.
2. During World War II on 6 August, 1945, United State dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima in Japan by an American B-29 bomber. Do you know the explosion of the bomb wiped out around 90% of the city and around 80,000 people were killed instantly, around 35,000 people were injured not only this year afterwards people suffered for horrible burns and radiation sickness?
3. After three days another atomic bomb was dropped in Nagasaki, Japan. As a result Emperor of Japan Hirohito announced unconditional surrender in World War II in a radio on 15 August by informing the devastating power of a new and most cruel bomb.
4. Till now people didn't saw again the use of nuclear bomb on civilians but what people suffered in Japan even can't be explained. The situations at that time become worst. People suffered several types of diseases due to exposure of radiation and even tens of thousands were died later on also.

7. Golf: Gaganjeet Bhullar Grabbed His Maiden European Tour Title

In Golf, India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar has grabbed his maiden European Tour title at the Fiji International.

Key highlights:

1. It was Bhullar’s first win on the European Tour, ninth Asian Tour title and 10th crown overall. He now becomes the most successful Indian player on Asian Tour, overtaking the tally of eight tour wins by Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa.
2. Gaganjeet Singh Bhullar is an Indian professional golfer who plays on the Asian Tour. He was awarded Arjun Award in 2013.

8. Asian Nations Cup Chess Tournament 2018

The biennial Asian Nations Cup Chess Tournament was held in Hamadan, Iran. It was organized by Iran Chess Federation on behalf of Asian Chess Federation.

Key highlights:

1. India won 5 medals: 1 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze.
2. India ranked 2nd in the overall ranking.
3. The winning team of Gold consisted of : Grand Master Harika Dronavalli , International Master Eesha Karavade, International Master Padmini Rout and Women’s International Masters (WIMs) Vaishali R, Aakanksha Hagawane.
4. The hosts made it compulsory for all the women participants to wear a headscarf.
5. India’s women’s team won in this category and clinched the gold medal against Vietnam.
6. India in blitz women event, pipped Vietnam for top spot. China came third with 17.5.
7. Men’s team in the Blitz event had to settle for the fourth position.

9. Women’s Hockey World Cup 2018: Netherlands crowned world champions for record 8th time

Women’s Hockey World Cup 2018 was held in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.

Key highlights:

1. Defending champions the Netherlands defeated Ireland 6-0 in the finals and won the Women’s Hockey World Cup 2018 title.
2. The Netherlands have emerged as the world champions in Women’s hockey for a record 8th time. They have extended their unbeaten performance in all competitions to 32 matches.
3. Kitty van Male, one among the 6 different goal scorers emerged as the top scorer of the tournament with 8 goals.
4. Spain won the third place match by defeating Australia 3-1 and won their first World Cup medal. India finished the tournament at 8th position.

10. Rashmi: India’s first humanoid robot

Rashmi, the first humanoid robot that can speak the language. It was developed by 38-year-old Ranjit Srivastava, a Ranchi-based software engineer, as an Indian version of Sophia, the first humanoid robot. Apart from Hindi, Rashmi can also speak in English, Marathi and Bhojpuri.

Key highlights:

1. Ranjit Srivastava hails from Ranchi. He is 38 years old. He has developed Rashmi, which is said to be the Indian version of ‘Sophia’ (a social humanoid robot developed by a Hong Kong based company).
2. Ranjit Srivastava claimed Rashmi as the world’s first Hindi speaking realistic humanoid robot and India’s first lip-synching robot.
3. Rashmi uses linguistic interpretation (LI), artificial intelligence (AI), visual data and facial recognition systems. It gives facial, eye, lips, and eyebrow expressions. It can move its neck.
4. Ranjit Srivastava has developed Rashmi in 2 years at a cost of Rs 50,000. Head and body of Rashmi have been developed. He said that, a complete human shape would be achieved in a month’s time.
5. Ranjit Srivastava is the Proprietor of Lotus Communication, a software company based in Ranchi. He has developed several software for various departments of the state government. His software have also received national recognition.

11. China successfully tests first hypersonic aircraft: Xingkong-2 or Starry Sky-2

China successfully tested “Xingkong-2” or “Starry Sky-2”, its first waverider hypersonic aircraft that could carry nuclear warheads and penetrate any current generation anti-missile defence systems.

Key highlights:

1. Xingkong-2 or Starry Sky-2 was launched in a target range in Northwest China.  It was launched in a rocket and was released in the air after 10 minutes.
2. It flew independently and landed in the targeted area after making large-angle turning maneuvers. It reached an altitude of30 km with a speed of Mach 5.5-6.
3. It was designed by the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA) along with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
4. Waverider is a flight vehicle that flies in the atmosphere and utilises shockwaves produced by its own hypersonic flight with the air to glide at high speed.
5. After several other tests Xingkong-2 will be handed to the People’s Liberation Army for deployment.
6. The trajectory of a waverider is relatively unpredictable when compared to current anti-missile defence systems.
7. Any rocket can launch a waverider. The waverider can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. It can be used in both civil and military applications.

12. HDFC Bank raised fixed deposit rates by up to 0.6%

Days after Reserve Bank of India hiked the benchmark, repo rate, HDFC Bank today increased fixed deposit rates on various maturities by up to 0.6 per cent. The revised rate of interest is effective today, as per the information posted on HDFC Bank website. The increase in fixed deposit rates is likely to put pressure on lending rate as well. The bank has raised interest rate on term deposit with maturity ranging between 6 months one day to 5 years.

Key highlights:

1. The increased rates are effective from August 6, 2018.
2. The interest rates have been increased for maturities of 6 months one day to 5 years.
3. The increase in fixed deposit rates is likely to put pressure on lending rate as well.
4. Due to RBI’s increase in Repo rate by 25 bp at which it lends to other banks have increased and now increasing the interest rates of fixed deposits will add pressure to increase the lending rate.