Current Affairs Update 20 August 2018
Current Affairs is an important part for many exams. Be prepared for this section with ByScoop which brings all the important Current Affairs in one place. 20 August 2018.
Sadbhavana Diwas 2018: August 20
- The Sadbhavana Diwas or Harmony Day is celebrated annually on August 20 to commemorate the birth anniversary of the former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi.
- Sadbhavana Diwas 2018 marks the 74th birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi. Born on 20th August 1944, Rajiv Gandhi served as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989. He was assassinated on May 21, 1991.
- The day is also marked by giving away Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award which is an Indian award given for outstanding contribution towards promotion of communal harmony, national integration and peace.
- The award was instituted by All India Congress Committee of the Indian National Congress Party (INC), in 1992.
- The 2018 Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award has been conferred upon the former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi for promoting communal harmony, peace and goodwill.
Former Army Chief Genral Dalbir Singh Awarded With US ‘Legion Of Merit’
- Former Army chief General Dalbir Singh has been awarded with United States (US) ‘Legion of Merit’.
- The Legion of Merit is a decoration of the United States of America and is awarded to foreign military personnel as well as to U.S. military personnel.
Mobile app Gref Abhilekh launched for India’s border roads developers
- A mobile phone application named “Gref Abhilekh” has been launched that will benefit personnel serving in remote areas to help develop and maintain the country’s robust border infrastructure.
- The application “Gref Abhilekh” was launched by Lieutenant General Harpal Singh, Director General Border Roads.
- The app will provide real time personnel and career management information to all serving GREF personnel.
“Per-Transaction” cap in UPI increased to Rs 2 lakhs
- With the release of UPI v2.0 a major change has been made in the per transaction cap that was earlier Rs 1 lakh. It has been increased to Rs 2 lakhs.
- This will support large-value real-time transactions on a mobile phone.
Reliance Jio ranked world’s top firm on Fortune’s ‘Change The World’ list
- Richest Indian Mukesh Ambani’s telecom unit Reliance Jio has been ranked as the top company globally on Fortune’s ‘Change The World’ list 2018.
- The ranking ranked companies using the profit motive to help the planet and tackle social problems. Car manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra was ranked 23rd in the list.
- Second: US Firm Merck; Third: Bank of America.
India Successfully Test Fires HeliNa Anti-Tank Guided Missile
- India successfully test-fired its indigenously developed HeliNa anti-tank missile at the Pokhran Range in Rajasthan. The HeliNa stands for Helicopter-launched Nag, and is a variant of the land-launched Nag anti-tank guided missile (ATGM).
- The HeliNa is designed to be launched from the helicopters operated by the Indian Army Aviation Corps. It has been designed to be launched from the HAL Light Combat Helicopter, the HAL Dhruv and its armed variant, HAL Rudra.
Democracy on the Road: Ruchir Sharma to publish book on Indian elections
- A global investor and writer of highly acclaimed books, Ruchir Sharma, will be publishing “Democracy on the Road”.
- The book will provide an insightful account of how Indian democracy works.
Shane Warne to come out with autobiography ‘No Spin’ in October
- Australian Cricketer Shane Warne will release his autobiography titled ‘No Spin’ on October 04, 2018.
VVS Laxman’s autobiography “281 and Beyond” to be released in November
- Westland Publications announced the release of autobiography of former Indian cricketer V.V.S Laxman titled, “281 and Beyond”. It will be released on November 20, 2018
- The title has been borrowed from the Hyderabad stylist’s fabulous series-turning innings of 281 against Australia at the Eden Gardens in 2001.
Novak Djokovic wins Cincinnati Masters final; beats Roger Federer
- Novak Djokovic (Serbia) defeated Roger Federer (Switzerland) 6-4, 6-4 to win the Men’s single Cincinnati final.
Teen Cyclist Esow Alben Wins Maiden Medal for India at 2018 UCI World Cycling Championships
- 17 year old World Number 1 cyclist Esow Alben created history by claiming India’s first ever medal – a silver- at the UCI Junior Track Cycling World Championships in Aigle, Switzerland.
- Hailing from Andaman and Nicobar, the teenager trains in Delhi at the Sports Authority of India’s National Cycling Academy.
- Esow finished just 0.017 seconds behind gold medallist Jakub Stastny (Czech Republic) to settle for gold.
‘English Vinglish’ actor Sujata Kumar passes away
- ‘English Vinglish’ actor Sujata Kumar passed away on August 19 after a long battle with stage four cancer.