Roadmap for Banking of the Future
Current Affairs 12 August 2021
Daily Current Affairs 12 August 2021: This post contains the latest current affairs for 12 August 2021 that are important for all competitive exams like Bank, SSC, IBPS, SBI exams. You can also attempt our Current Affairs Quiz after reading our daily current affairs.
National
PM Modi announces Rs 11,000 cr palm oil initiative to make India self-sufficient in edible oils
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scheme on palm oil production called National Edible Oil Mission-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), on August 09, 2021.
- The government will invest more than Rs. 11,000 crore, under the scheme, through the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm.
- The new national initiative aims to help increase farm incomes and make the country self-reliance in edible oil.
India to host its first Internet Governance Forum in October 2021
- India will host its first-ever Internet Governance Forum (IGF), in October 2021, that will act as a platform for discussing policies related to the Internet.
- The three-day meeting is scheduled from October 20-22, 2021, on the theme “Inclusive Internet for Digital India”.
- The Indian IGF will focus on discussions regarding policy formation related to the Internet; identify the cause that halts the free movement and progress of Internet policies; and discuss necessary steps to resolve the same one by one.
- The Indian Internet Governance Forum (IGF), is the Indian version of the United Nations-based ‘Internet Governance Forum (IGF)’, held annually since 2006.
Maharashtra Government announces Rajiv Gandhi Award for IT sector
- In Maharashtra, the state government has announced a new award for the Information and Technology (IT) sector, named after the former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, as a tribute to his pioneering work in the technology sector.
- The award will be conferred upon companies and institutions for excellence in the IT sector every year.
- The Rajiv Gandhi Award for IT sector will be given annually on August 20, the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi.
Banking
SIDBI launches app based lending platform ‘Digital Prayaas’ for small entrepreneurs
- The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has launched an app-based digital-lending platform named ‘Digital Prayaas’, to sanction loans to entrepreneurs from low-income groups.
- The loan will be sanctioned by the end of the day.
- Apart from this, SIDBI has tied up with BigBasket to cater to the needs of aspiring youth in urban areas. SIDBI will on board BigBasket’s delivery partners across the country and provide loans at an affordable interest rate for purchase of environment friendly e-Bikes and e-Vans.
Agreement
UNICEF India collaborates with Facebook to create safe online environment for children
- Facebook and UNICEF India have announced their partnership to launch a one-year joint initiative with the objective of ending violence against children with a special focus on online safety.
- Under this partnership Facebook and UNICEF India will work to create a safe environment for children online as well as offline.
- The new initiative will include a nationwide social media campaign and capacity building for 1,00,000 schoolchildren on online safety, digital literacy and psychosocial support.
- This campaign will help to improve children’s resilience and capacity to access the digital world safely, increase awareness on violence against children and its impact on children, families and communities, as well as enhance skills of communities and frontline workers to better prevent and respond to violence.
Defence
Quad Navies to undertake Ex-Malabar 2021 off the coast of Guam
- The Quad country navies including, India, the US, Japan and Australia, will be conducting the annual Malabar naval exercises, from August 21, off the coast of Guam, in the Indo-Pacific.
- The harbour phase of the Malabar naval exercises will take place from August 21 to 24, 2021.
- The sea phase of the exercise will be held on August 25 to 29, 2021.
- Indian Navy will be represented by two surface combatants led by Guided Missile Destroyer INS Ranvijay and Frigate INS Shivalik along with maritime reconnaissance aircraft P-8I, ASW helicopters and Special Forces (Marine Commandos-MARCOS).
- The objective of Malabar series of Exercises is to increase the interoperability of naval powers of the four QUAD countries.
DRDO Successfully Test-Fires Nirbhay Missile with Indigenous Engine Off Odisha Coast
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test-fired medium range subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, off Odisha coast, on August 11, 2021.
- ITCM Nirbhay was successfully test-launched with a Made-in-India Manik turbo fan engine. This was the first successful test-firing of the missile with the indigenous booster engine.
- Nirbhay is India’s first Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM). It can use both conventional and nuclear weapons of 200 to 300 kilograms. The missile can be launched from multiple platforms.
Ranking
India ranks 122 among 181 countries on new Global Youth Development Index; Singapore Tops: Commonwealth Secretariat
- India has been placed at 122 spot among 181 countries on 2020 Global Youth Development Index, released by the Commonwealth Secretariat in London on August 10, 2021.
- The triennial rankings of youth development measures the extent to which young people are engaged to contribute beneficially in their societies, and empowered by enabling policies and tools.
- Top Country – Singapore
- Bottom Country – Chad
Obituary
Renowned Ayurveda practitioner and proponent of Yoga Balaji Tambe passes away at 81
- Well-known spiritual leader, Ayurvedacharya, and proponent of Yoga, Dr Balaji Tambe, has passed away, after a brief illness. He was 81.
- Dr Tambe was the founder of ‘Atmasantulana Village’, a holistic healing centre near Lonavala. It is one of the first and largest Ayurveda centers in India.
- He had written several books on spirituality, Yoga and Ayurveda.
Days
International Youth Day: 12 August
- The International Youth Day (IYD) is observed on August 12 annually to draw attention of governments and others towards youth issues worldwide.
- The day was designated by the United Nations in 1999.
- The first IYD was observed on 12 August, 2000.
- 2021 Theme: Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health.
World Elephant Day: 12 August
- World Elephant Day is observed every year on August 12 worldwide for the preservation and protection of the global elephants.
- The main objective of World Elephant Day is to create awareness on elephant conservation, and to share knowledge and positive solutions for the better protection and management of wild and captive elephants.
- The day is being officially celebrated since 2012.
