Current Affairs (August – 2020)

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This post contains important current affairs of 16 & 17 August 2020. It includes all Major National, International, Business and Sports related current affairs of 16 & 17 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 16 & 17 August 2020 Current affairs test.

Indonesian Independence Day is observed on 17 August
Independence Day is a national holiday in Indonesia commemorating the anniversary of the Indonesia’s Proclamation of Independence on 17 August 1945. It was made a national holiday by then-President Sukarno in 1953.

Gwalior-Chambal Expressway to be named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the Gwalior-Chambal Expressway will be named Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Chambal Progressway. This is the tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his second death anniversary.

Indian Railways is constructing the world’s tallest pier bridge in Manipur
Indian Railways is constructing the world’s tallest pier bridge in Manipur. The bridge which is being constructed across river Ijai near Noney is an engineering marvel because the tallest pier height will be 141 meter. It will surpass the existing record of 139 meter of Mala – Rijeka viaduct, Montenegro in Europe. The Manipur bridge is located at the hilly terrain of Marangching village in Noney district, about 65 km west of Imphal. The total estimated cost of the bridge is 280 crore rupees, and it will be completed by March 2022. The bridge is a part of Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal new BG line project.

PM launches Project Lion, Project Dolphin
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of Project Lion and Project Dolphin for the conservation of the two endangered species in the country using modern technology. Project Lion would involve conservation of the Asiatic Lion, and its landscape. The project will entail habitat development by engaging modern technologies in management and addressing the issue of diseases in lion and its associated species through advanced world-class research and veterinary care. Meanwhile, Project Dolphin aims at the conservation and protection of the Dolphins in rivers and oceans of the country. It involves conservation of Dolphins and the aquatic habitat through the use of modern technology—specially in enumeration and anti-poaching activities.

NTPC develops infrastructure at Rihand project for increased use of fly ash
To transport fly ash to cement plants located at distance, NTPC Limited has developed infrastructure at Rihand project in Uttar Pradesh, informed the central public sector unit (PSU). The development is in line with NTPC’s commitment towards 100 per cent utilisation of fly ash from power plants, stated NTPC.

PNB launches “Digital Apnayen” campaign to encourage digital banking
State-owned Punjab National Bank launched a campaign to encourage customers to use digital banking channels. Under the campaign ‘DIGITAL APNAYEN’, the bank will contribute Rs 5 towards the PM CARES Fund on behalf of each customer conducting the first financial transaction to activate their RuPay Debit card either on point of sale (PoS) or e-commerce platform.

NSE, IIM-Bangalore join hands to offer platform for investor education
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) announced the launch of a digital learning platform for investor education. The platform, an online investor education resource centre, has been developed jointly by NSE Investor Protection Fund Trust and IIM Bangalore. The platform was launched by Sebi”s executive director Nagendraa Parakh, in a virtual function.

Indian Idol Fame Shahzan Mujeeb signed as First ever National Brand Ambassador of Aligarh Municipal Corporation
Aligarh Municipal Corporation (AMC) has recently roped in Indian Idol Season 11 Finalist and Oscar Nominated Playback Singer Shahzan Mujeeb as its First Ever National Brand Ambassador for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Campaign at National and International level.

Chandrayaan-2 captures image of crater on Moon; ISRO names it after Vikram Sarabhai
Chandrayaan-2 has captured images of the Moon and one of the craters has been named after Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian space programme. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai’s 100th birth century was observed on 12th of August, 2020. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has sought to pay tribute to him in a special way by announcing that Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter has captured the Moon images of ‘Sarabhai Crater’.

IIT Kharagpur Launches DEEKSHAK Platform for Organizations to Conduct Online Classes
IIT Kharagpur has developed an e-classroom software called “DEEKSHAK” for organizations to conduct online classes. Researchers at IIT Kharagpur have come up with this software as users are frequently experiencing challenges and more importantly, the operational requirements of an electronic classroom. The DEEKSHAK platform by IIT Kharagpur utilizes one-way communication for bandwidth efficiency. Therefore, instead of all students participating in a class as in meeting software, the focus is only on the teacher and the learning materials. DEEKSHAK is a low bandwidth web-based software that can be accessed using any computer or even on mobile phones.

MS Dhoni announces retirement from international cricket
Former India captain and two-time World Cup winner, Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket. Dhoni led India through its most successful era and has the 2007 T20 WC, 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy in his cabinet.

Suresh Raina Announces Retirement From International Cricket
Indian batsman Suresh Raina has announced his retirement from international cricket. The 33-year-old represented India in more than 300 internationals in a career that spanned over 13 years. Raina became the first India batsman to score a century in all three formats of the game.

Former India cricketer Chetan Chauhan passes away due to Covid-19
Former Test batsman Chetan Chauhan has passed away following complications due to Covid-19. He was 73.

Robert Trump, brother of president Donald Trump passes away
Donald Trump’s younger brother, Robert Trump has passed away aged 71.

Renowned Carnatic musician & Veena artist Dr B Siva Kumar passes away
Noted Carnatic musician and renowned veena vidwan Dr B Siva Kumar, senior veena artist. He was 53. He has won several awards including the Tamil Iyal Isai Nataka sangam award and the award for Ragam Tanam Pallavi presentation from the Tamil Isai Sangam.