National
Book ‘Accelerating India: 7 Years of Modi Government’
⇒ The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, launched the book ‘Accelerating India: 7 Years of Modi Government’ at the Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas on 09 August 2021.
Editor:
The book has been edited by Shri K J Alphons, IAS (Rtd), Member of Rajya Sabha. The book has been published by OakBridge Publishing Pvt Ltd.
About Book:
The book is a collection of 25 essays covering 25 sectors of Indian governance and has contributions of 28 eminent authors.
The Vice President said that book will serve as a guide for policymakers to reflect and identify key elements of the unfinished agenda of our development.
India's first National Heart Failure Biobank
⇒ India’s first National Heart Failure Biobank (NHFB) that would collect blood, biopsies, and clinical data as a guide to future therapies was inaugurated at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST).
The biosamples include the blood, serum, tissue samples obtained during open-heart surgery and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and genomic DNA collected from heart failure patients. The biobank activity is supervised by a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) with a member from ICMR.
With heart failure emerging as a major health problem in India, ICMR had initiated the National Centre for Advanced Research and Excellence in Heart Failure (CARE-HF) at SCTIMST for scaling up research in the field. The Heart Failure Biobank is one of the major components of the project, with a fund allocation of 85 Lakhs for developing state-of-the-art storage facilities.
‘Digital Prayaas’ an app-based digital-lending platform
⇒ Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), engaged in promotion, financing and development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has unveiled ‘Digital Prayaas’ an app-based digital-lending platform to facilitate loans to entrepreneurs from low-income groups.
» The objective is to sanction a loan by the end of the day.
» ‘Digital Prayaas’ is App-based end to end digital lending tool platform for loan sanction accorded by end of day.
» The app facilitates speedy onboarding of loan applicants in a digital and integrated process which has made the entire programme scalable with better risk management and would further improve customer satisfaction.
» To cater to those from the urban area, SIDBI has tied up with BigBasket to provide loans to its delivery partners for purchase of e-bikes and e-vans.
The/Nudge Forum’s charcha 2021
⇒ The/Nudge Forum’s charcha 2021, a convening with nearly 300 national leaders and key stakeholders from ‘Samaaj, Sarkaar and Bazaar’ (Representatives of civil society, government and policy circles, and the corporate sector), came together for India’s sustainable development. The/Nudge Forum’s charcha 2021 was held from August 13-15, 2021.
Co-host:
Charcha 2021 was co-hosted by partners like- National Skill Development Corporation; Rockefeller Foundation; Piramal Foundation; Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies; Omidyar Network India; Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy; Central Square Foundation; Dalberg and Water Aid.
Participants:
National leaders like, Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog; Dr R S Sharma, CEO, National Health Authority; Dr Devi Shetty, founder, Narayana Health; Lakshmi Puri, former, Asst Secy General, United Nations, & others, discussed strategies for India’s recovery and growth.
3rd ONGC-supported Assam Handloom project ‘Ujjwal Abahan’
⇒ Minister of State (MoS), Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Labor & Employment Shri Rameswar Teli launched ONGC-supported Assam Handloom project ‘Ujjwal Abahan’ on 6 August 2021.
Aim:
The project will support and train over a hundred artisans of Bhatiapar of Sivasagar, Assam in Hathkharga handicraft.
This project is in line with the government’s observance of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”, under which ONGC has earlier launched two projects supporting the indigenous handicrafts of the country.
Minister of State Shri Teli said that the Assam Handloom project is worth over 26 lakh rupees and expressed confidence that it will substantially benefit the local weavers, subsequently boost the rural economy.
First Bio-Bank of the world in Ayurveda
⇒ Union Ayush Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal and MoS for Ayush, Dr. Munjapara Mahendrabhai visited All India Institute of Ayurveda on 08 August 2021 and inaugurated Multi-Purpose Yoga Hall & Mini Auditorium.
Lauding the futuristic plan of the Institute, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal assured all help for establishing the first Bio-Bank of the world in Ayurveda at AIIA.
International
G20 Digital Ministers' Meeting
⇒ The G20 Digital Ministers’ Meeting was held at Trieste, Italy on August 5, 2021. It was hosted by Italy.
Declaration:
At the G20 Digital Ministers’ Meeting, the G20 ministers adopted a declaration for “Leveraging Digitalization for a Resilient, Strong, Sustainable and Inclusive Recovery”.
The Ministers agreed to work towards the enhanced cooperation on the pillars of Digital Economy and Digital Government.
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Electronics & Information Technology virtually led the Indian delegation. He shared India’s success story of Digitalization. Minister of State, Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar also attended the meeting.
Sports
2021 US Open
⇒ The 2021 US Open Grand Slam tennis tournament was held in New York, from August 30 to September 12, 2021. It was the 141st edition of the US Open tennis and the fourth and final Grand Slam event of the year.