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Pahal
Scheme acknowledged by Guinness Book of World Records as largest cash
transfer program
World
> Guinness
Book of World Records > 14th August
The
Guinness Book of World Records acknowledged the Union Government's
ambitious Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Laabh (PAHAL) scheme as the world’s
largest cash transfer program (households) by the Guinness Book of
World Records. The scheme was formally launched as Direct Benefit
Transfer Scheme for LPG subsidy in 2013 in 291 districts under the
aegis of Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Later in 2014,
it was named as PAHAL and extended nationwide on 1 January 2015.
PMO
plans 'Accessible Inida' to help physically challenged people
Politics
and Government >
PMO > 17th August
After
Swachh Bharat, Prime Minister's Office is all set to introduce
initiatives that will make the country disabled-friendly. Work has
been started on developing set-top boxes that will make TV programmes
more useful for the visually impaired. Government officials have been
visiting manufacturers of set-top boxes to discuss introduction of a
button on the set-top box and remote control that will convert text
on the TV screen to voice. Apart from this, the government is also
planning a slew of initiatives for the disabled which will be
implemented in the coming years.
Narendra
Modi becomes first Indian Prime Minister to visit UAE in 34 years
Politics
and Government >
UAE > 17th August
Prime
Minister Narendra Modi visited UAE in order to strengthen ties
between the two nations, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to
visit the country in 34 years. On Day 1, Modi visited an iconic
mosque in Abu Dhabi along with UAE culture minister Sheikh Nahyan bin
Mubarak Al Nahyan and minister of state for foreign affairs Dr Anwar
Gargash and later interacted with 28,000 Indian migrant workers at a
residential camp that is home to some. On day 2, he visited a cricket
stadium in Dubai which was packed with 50,000 Indian diaspora waiting
for his speech which covered a range of topics from terrorism, the
“new-look India”, the warm welcome that he received in the UAE
and initiatives launched by his government for Indian expatriates. On
the eve of Modi's visit, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government
decided to allot land for building a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.
Others
176
flood forecasting stations to be built across India
India
> Weather > 13th August
In
order to keep the water levels or inflow in major rivers and
tributaries in check, the Central Water Commission (CWC) has set up
176 flood forecasting stations across the country, said Water
Resources Minister Uma Bharti . These stations give out flood
forecasts every year whenever the water level exceeds the predefined
criteria. The Minister said the meteorological inputs based on remote
sensing technology received from India Meteorological Department are
used in rainfall-runoff modeling.
OP
Rawat becomes the new Election Commissioner
India
> Election
Commissioner > 14th August
The
only vacancy in the three-member poll body has got filled with the
appointment of Om Prakash Rawat as the new Election Commissioner. The
appointment was announced days before the poll watchdog announced the
schedule for Bihar assembly polls. Rawat is a former Madhya Pradesh
cadre IAS officer who till recently worked as Secretary at the
Centre.
President
Pranab Mukherjee approved 67 Gallantry Awards
Awards
> Gallantry
Awards > 17th August
67
Gallantry Awards to armed forces personnel and members of
paramilitary forces were approved by the Supreme Commander of the
Armed Forces Pranab Mukherjee on 14 August 2015. The President
approved the awards on the eve of India’s 69th Independence Day
celebrations and include two Kirti Chakras, 10 Shaurya Chakras, one
Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 49 Sena Medals (Gallantry), two Nao
Sena Medals (Gallantry) and three Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
Plane
crashes in Indonesian region killing 54
World
> Indonesia > 17th August
The
latest in the string of aviation disasters is the crash of the
Trigana aircraft in Indonesia's remote and mountainous region of
Papua. According to the the National Search and Rescue Agency
(BASARNAS), the plane had lost contact with air traffic control and
crashed into a mountain killing 54 people on board. Unpredictable
weather patterns in the region, with a tropical climate, tall
mountains and moisture coming in from the sea could be the reason for
the crash. The plane was flying between Jayapura's Sentani Airport
and Oksibil, due south of Jayapura, the capital of Papua province.
Anirban
Lahiri finishes tied fifth at PGA Championship
Sports
> Golf > 17th August
In
a first, an Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri finished at a creditable
fifth position in the PGA Championship - the last Major event of the
year. The tournament was won by Australian Jason Day and Lahiri
finished tied fifth with Brooks Koepka of US after carding a four-day
score of 13-under. A fifth-place finish is the best result by any
Indian at the Majors.
SBI
to launch m-wallet SBI buddy
Banking
and Insurance >
M-Wallet > 17th August
In
a bid to enter the rapidly growing mobile wallet business, State Bank
of India is planning to launch its m-wallet 'SBI Buddy' as a
competition to ICICI Bank's Pocket, HDFC Bank's PayZapp and Paytm.
SBI has tied up with several merchants for end-to-end solution who
will be connected with the Buddy, providing its users access to
thousands of merchants including travel, hotel, entertainment and
fashion space.
22
killed in apparent attack on Bangkok shrine
World
>
Terrorism > 18th August
A
popular Hindu shrine was attacked by a bomb in central Bangkok that
killed at least 22 people and wounded about 120. The casualties
included tourists from China and Philippines. The mastermind behind
the attack is still unknown. Immediately after the attacks, the
security was tightened throughout the city.
Egypt
passes a controversial counter-terrorism law
World
> Egypt > 18th August
A
tough counter terrorism law that allegedly bans the rights to freedom
of expression, peaceful assembly and association has been passed by
the Egypt government. At a time when militants are launching deadly
attacks, the government feels that implementation of such a law is
necessary. The law imposes hefty fines for journalists if their
accounts of terrorism-related cases contradict the official version.
The rights groups have criticized this move by Egypt's President
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as it will restrict the exercise of fundamental
freedoms.
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