? It is observed on 20 August every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Tributes are pouring from everywhere on his birth anniversary. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he is proud to have him as his father. Let us read more about Sadbhavana Diwas.
? Chandrayaan-2 orbiter completed one year in orbit around the moon on August 20, 2020. The orbiter was successfully inserted into the Lunar orbit on August 20, 2019.
? Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, DIAT (DU) has launched two products namely “Pavitrapati” & “Aushada tara” to fight against COVID-19. “Pavitrapati” is an Ayurvedic based Biodegradable Face Mask which will act as a virus neutraliser in order to provide resistance against the bacteria / virus. These masks will be made available on online platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart etc.
? Madhya Pradesh is going to be the first state in India to offer government jobs based on score secured in the Common eligibility test (CET) which will be conducted by the proposed National Recruitment Agency.
? Mexico is to receive at least 2,000 doses of Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V’ and will take part in its clinical trials. The vaccine was developed by Russia’s Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology.
? The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 1 billion (about Rs 7,485 crore) loan to support the construction of the modern, high-speed Delhi-Meerut regional rapid transit system, a first of its kind in India.
? Russia has expressed confidence in India’s ability to mass-produce `Sputnik V’ and is looking for collaboration. Russia has become the first country in the world to give regulatory approval to the COVID-19 vaccine.
? Sports eyewear brand Oakley has appointed Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma as its brand ambassador. With this partnership, Sharma will sport the brand’s performance eyewear on and off the pitch.
? The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recently published a study that revealed that gargle lavage as a feasible alternative to swabs for sample collection for COVID testing.
? Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) has launched LVB DigiGo, a digital initiative to enable the opening of savings account instantly. LVB’s new initiative will help people to avail the most required banking services instantly through the website.
? India’s first ‘air bubble’ agreement in South Asia will be established with the Maldives from next week. This was announced by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his virtual meeting with Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid on August 13.
? The Maharashtra government has decided to extend Rs 50 lakh insurance cover to private doctors who die of coronavirus infection during the pandemic.