Current Affairs (August – 2020)

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This post contains important current affairs of 12 August 2020. It includes all Major National, International, Business and Sports related current affairs of 12 August 2020. We have collected the latest current affairs and compiled them date wise. These current affairs are important for all competitive exams like bank, ssc, ibps, sbi exams. The GK current affairs will help you score more in these competitive exams. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these current affairs we would recommend to you to try 12 August 2020 Current affairs test.

World Elephant Day is observed on 12 August
World Elephant Day is an international annual event on August 12, dedicated to the preservation and protection of the world’s elephants. On August 12, 2012, the inaugural World Elephant Day was launched to bring attention to the urgent plight of Asian and African elephants.

International Youth Day is observed on 12 August
International Youth Day was designated by the United Nations (UN) in the year 1999, in an attempt to raise awareness regarding the cultural and legal issue concerning youth. The first IYD was observed on 12 August 2000 and has been observed annually ever since. The theme of International Youth Day 2020, “Youth Engagement for Global Action”.

Mumbai’s Dadar becomes the first city to have female icons on traffic signals
Mumbai has become the first city in India to have women symbols on traffic signals and signage. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has installed traffic signals that display female icons sporting triangular frock, a shift from the default representation of men.

Gujarat Launches New Scheme To Compensate Farmers For Crop Loss
The Gujarat government launched a new scheme under which farmers facing crop losses due to drought, excess rain or unseasonal rain will get compensation without collection of any premium from them. The new scheme – Mukhya Mantri Kisan Sahay Yojana – will replace the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for this year only. For crop loss between 33 and 66 per cent, a farmer will get a compensation of Rs 20,000 per hectare for maximum four hectares. For crop loss above 60 per cent, a farmer will get Rs 25,000 per hectare for maximum four hectares. This new scheme will benefit all the 56 lakh farmers of the state. It is also simpler than PMFBY.

Narendra Singh Tomar launches ICAR’s data recovery centre ‘Krishi Megh’
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has launched ICAR’s data recovery centre – Krishi Megh. The move is aimed at protecting the precious data of the government’s premier research body Indian Council of Agricultural Research. It has been set up at National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM) in Hyderabad.

Education Minister launches Minimum Standards of Architectural Education Regulations, 2020
Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank virtually launched the Minimum Standards of Architectural Education Regulations, 2020 in New Delhi. Mr Pokhriyal highlighted about unique architectural beauty of India, its monuments and temples. He stated that Council of Architecture should draw inspiration from the present and past treasures of Architecture and bring a paradigm shift in the field of Architecture to make India a world leader again. The Minister stated, the architecture of India is rooted in its history, culture and religion.

Tribal Affairs Ministry develops nine ‘Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums
Tribal Affairs Ministry is developing “Tribal Freedom Fighters’ Museums dedicated to the contributions of the tribal people in India to the freedom struggle. Out of nine sanctioned museums, two museums are near completion and remaining seven are at different stages of progress. The Ministry stated that by the end of 2022 all the museums will come into existence.

Jal Shakti Minister launches Swachh Bharat Mission Academy as part of campaign Gandagi Mukt Bharat
Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched Swachh Bharat Mission, SBM Academy in New Delhi, as part of the ongoing week-long behaviour change campaign Gandagi Mukt Bharat. He launched SBM Academy by dialling the designated IVR toll-free number.

EU to give 1.65 million euro to flood hit people in South Asia
The European Union stated it is providing 1.65 million euro in humanitarian aid in response to severe flooding that has affected South Asia-most notably Bangladesh, India and Nepal. The funding comes on top of the 1.8 million euro announced earlier this year to support families affected by a series of disasters, including Cyclone Amphan that ravaged India and Bangladesh in May. A further 5 lakh euro will be used in India to provide food and livelihood assistance, emergency relief supplies, and water and sanitation services.

Razorpay launches payment gateway ‘Button’ to digitise freelancers, NGOs
Payment gateway startup Razorpay has introduced a feature that allows micro entrepreneurs and freelancers to instantaneously accept digital payments online, a move attempted to corner the market of the rapidly digitising small businesses amid the ongoing pandemic. The feature called the ‘Payment Button’ will enable businesses and freelancers to add a single line of code on a website or blog and go live with a payment gateway within a few minutes.

Paytm launches first pocket Android POS device for contactless payments in India
Paytm has launched the first pocket Android POS device for contactless ordering and payments in India, a move that will make this technology more affordable for SMEs. The company has introduced ‘Paytm All-in-One Portable Android Smart POS’ at an introductory price of Rs 499 per month rental.

Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund launches Arbitrage Yojana
Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund has launched –Mahindra Manulife Arbitrage Yojana, an open ended scheme for investment in arbitrage opportunities available in equity,
derivatives and debt markets. The scheme is suitable for investors who are looking for short term investment options with relatively low risk, tax efficient returns, and looking to park money in a scheme relatively less impacted by market volatility.

PESB selects Soma Mondal as next chairman Of SAIL
Soma Mondal has been selected by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) as the next chairman of Steel Authority of India Limited.

Patanjali Jha assumes charge as Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Mumbai
Senior Indian Revenue Service Officer Patanjali Jha has assumed charge as the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Mumbai. He has worked in Mumbai in an earlier stint from May 1997 to April 2007.

Indian umpire KN Ananthapadmanabhan included in ICC’s panel
India’s KN Ananthapadmanabhan has been included in ICC’s international panel of umpires following compatriot Nitin Menon’s promotion to the elite panel. The former Kerala spinner joins fellow Indians C Shamshuddin, Anil Chaudhary and Virender Sharma in the international panel and is now eligible to officiate in the ODI and T20 internationals apart from umpiring in the junior World Cup.

IIT Kanpur develops indigenous seed balls BEEG for farmers
In Uttar Pradesh, IIT Kanpur has developed indigenous seed balls named BEEG (Bio – compost Enriched Eco-friendly Globule) which will help people and farmers in plantation with safety in Corona times and will also provide employment to people. The BEEG is developed in collaboration with Agnys Waste Management Private Limited (start-up at IIT Kanpur).