26 august 2021 current affairs

CURRENT AFFAIRS
26 AUGUST 2021
Dr.A.PRABAHARAN
www.indopraba.blogspot.com

SAMRIDH Scheme
 SAMRIDH Scheme: The Ministry of Electronics and Information and
Technology (MeitY) on August 25, 2021, launched the Start-up
Accelerators MeitY for Product Innovation, Development, and Growth
(SAMRIDH).
 The scheme aims to boost the start-up ecosystem in India and aid in
creating a conducive platform for Indian Software Product start-ups to
secure investments for scaling their products and business.
 The MeitY Start-up Hub (MSH) is implementing the SAMRIDH scheme.
 PM Narendra Modi in his Independence Speech on August 15, 2021, had
said that start-ups are the new types of wealth creators in our country.
 The Indian government is relentlessly working towards making Indian
start-ups and the start-up ecosystem the best in the world.
 The Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in
an event had said that the Indian government will support the start-ups
and entrepreneurs in the initial risk phase.

Fastest orbiting asteroid in solar system
discovered by US astronomers
 The Astronomers at the Carnegie Institution of Science (CIS)
announced that they have discovered the fastest orbiting
asteroid ever spotted in the solar system.
 The research leader and an astronomer at the CIS, Scott
Sheppard said in a statement that though telescope time for
the astronomers is very precious, the international nature and
the love of the unknown make astronomers very willing to
override their own science and follow up new, interesting
discoveries like this.
 The latest work was reported to the Minor Planet Centre. It is
an official body for observing and reporting on minor planets
under the auspices of the International Astronomical Union.

e-Shram Portal: Labour Ministry launches National
Database for Unorganised Workers, who will benefit?
 Union Labour Ministry launched e-Shram Portal-National Database
for Unorganised Workers on August 26, 2021.
 The portal has been launched for the overall welfare of crores of
unorganized workers of the country after seven decades of
independence.
 The e-Shram Portal will facilitate better implementation of various
Social Security Schemes for the welfare of all unorganized workers of
the country. Union Minister of Labour and Employment, Bhupender
Yadav, had unveiled the logo of e-SHRAM Portal–National Database
of Unorganized Workers on August 24, 2021.
 Labour Ministry has approved a budget of approximately Rs 404
crores for the registration of the Unorganised Workers on the E-
Shram portal.

Greater Male Connectivity Project: India, Maldives sign pact for
largest-ever infrastructure project
 India and Maldives on August 26, 2021 signed a pact for
the largest-ever infrastructure project, Greater Male
Connectivity Project (GMCP).
 The project will be funded under the Indian Grant and Line
of Credit and will commence soon. A contract for the same
was signed between AFCONS (Mumbai-based construction
and engineering company) and the Maldives government.
 The signing ceremony was attended by the foreign
secretary of India, Harsh Shringla, Indian High
Commissioner to Maldives Sunjay Sudhir and four
Maldivian ministers.

India pips US to be 2nd most attractive
manufacturing hub; China first
 India has emerged as the 2nd most attractive and sought-after
manufacturing destination globally, stated Cushman & Wakefield 2021
Global Manufacturing Risk Index.
 The Index assesses the most preferred locations for global manufacturing
among 47 countries in Europe, the American, and Asia Pacific region.
 China retained the top position while India and the US ranked second and
third respectively. In the last year’s report, the US ranked second while India
was third.
 COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the manufacturing sector in the
countries across the Asia Pacific region over the past 18 months resulting in
total industrial output falling by approximately 7 per cent in the first half of
2020 before bouncing back.
 Asia-Pacific’s largest manufacturing hubs have recovered due to the
country’s ability to restart its manufacturing sector.
 Countries such as China and India who have ranked first and second
respectively on the Index have demonstrated economic conditions and
infrastructure supportive of a faster recovery.

Space agencies extend support for ISS extension; Russia to remain part of
ISS: NASA Administrator
 Russia will remain a part of the International Space Station through
the end of the decade, said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson while
speaking on a panel at the 36th Space Symposium with the heads
of seven other space agencies on August 25, 2021.
 The NASA Administrator said that the "cooperation with the
Russians, which has been there ever since 1975, will
continue" despite media reports claiming that its space agency,
Roscosmos might end its participation on the ISS as soon as the
middle of the decade to develop its own station.
 He said that the evidence of this is the docking of a new Russian
module, called Nauka, with the International Space Station last
month.
 The NASA Administrator has since long called for an extension of
the ISS's term to 2030. The US Congress is yet to though formally
authorize such an extension and any extension of the ISS would
also require the agreement of the other station partners including
Russia, Canada, Europe and Japan.

Indian teen Diksha Shinde has not been selected as
NASA panelist, confirms US space agency
 NASA clarified on August 26, 2021 that the 14-year-old Indian teen, who
had claimed to be selected as a panelist on NASA's MSI Fellowships
Virtual Panel, was short listed based on “false information” provided by
her. The US space agency also clarified that the Diksha Shinde had not
received any sort of fellowship or funding from the agency.
 The Class 10 student who hails from Maharashtra's Aurangabad had told a
news agency last week that she has been selected as a panelist on NASA's
MSI Fellowships Virtual Panel. She said that she had written a theory on
blackholes that was accepted by NASA after 3 attempts. She also
mentioned that she was asked to write articles for NASA's website.
 Social media users, however, had expressed their doubts on Shinde’s
credentials, claiming that it was fake and pointing out discrepancies, such
as the fact that only American citizens can send in proposals to NASA.

SC directs Govt to get HC Nod before
withdrawing cases filed against MPs/MLAs
 The Supreme Court on August 25, 2021, said that the Governments should
take the approval of the respective High Court before withdrawing criminal
cases filed against MLAs/MPs. The apex court further emphasized that
there is nothing wrong with withdrawing the cases of malicious prosecution,
however, the High Court must examine such cases.
 A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana said, “We are
not against the withdrawal of cases if there is a malicious prosecution. But
this needs to be examined by the judicial officer in the High Court. If the
HC agrees then the cases can be withdrawn.”
 The bench headed by the Chief Justice issued directions after various
instances of the proposed withdrawal of cases against the lawmakers of the
ruling parties in states were flagged by amicus curiae (friend of the court)
Vijay Hansaria when the bench was hearing the progress in speedy disposal
of cases against them.

Drone Rules 2021: Government announces new drone
rules to ease using drones in India
 The Central Government on August 26, 2021, announced the new
Drone Rules 2021. The new drone rules are the latest progressive
ones that will significantly transform the Indian landscape for
drones.
 In a gazette notification, the Government said that the Civil Aviation
Ministry has passed the New Drone Rules 2021 which will replace
the Unmanned Aircraft System Rules 2021.
 The New Drone Rules were announced by the Government on July
15, 2021, and the comments were invited from the industry and the
stakeholders till August 5.
 The new rules were appreciated by the stakeholders for simplifying
the procedures and for reducing the burden to operate a drone in
India.

High Terror warning at Kabul airport, US &
Allies warn citizens to leave immediately
 The United States along with other western countries warned their
citizens on August 26, 2021 to leave the Kabul airport immediately after
high terror threat.
 The warning comes as thousands of people are trying to flee the nation in
the wake of Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan.
 Around 90,000 Afghans and foreign nationals have been evacuated from
Afghanistan through US-led evacuation missions.
 Several other nations including European countries and even India have
been rushing to evacuate their own nationals as well as Afghans who are
seeking to flee the nation ever since the Taliban insurgents took control of
the nation on August 15, 2021.
 The Kabul airport is still under the control of the US military and its allies.
The airport has been a scene of chaos since the Taliban takeover with huge
crowds gathering in and around the airport.

Havana Syndrome: Mystery Illness found in
Hanoi in Vietnam
 Havana syndrome: US Vice-President Kamala Harris’ trip scheduled
on August 25, 2021, from Singapore to Vietnam was delayed by three
hours. Few reports of a case of Havana Syndrome came in right
before Harris’s departure.
 The cause of delay was ruled out as a mystery illness found in Hanoi
in Vietnam which is referred to as Havana Syndrome. After a safety
assessment, Harris resumed her trip to Vietnam.
 Since the first report of the Havana Syndrome that was reported in
Cuba in 2016, there have been several instances reported across
Austria, Germany, China, and Russia.
 The US and Canadian embassies in Havana were affected by the
Havana Syndrome for the first time in 2016 and 2017. Those impacted
reported feeling intense pressure in the face and hearing a loud
piercing sound.

COVID-19 origin: Research to identify origin of SARS-
CoV-2 stalled, says WHO experts
 Scientists charged with the task to study COVID-19 origin by the
UN warned on August 25, 2021, that the search for the origin of
the COVID-19 pandemic that killed millions and crippled
economies is at a standstill even as time is running out.
 An initial report made by the team of independent,
international experts sent to China by the World Health
Organisation in January 2021 concluded that it was most likely
that the SARS-CoV-2 virus jumped from the bats to humans via
an intermediate animal.
 The statement by the WHO experts has come less than two
weeks after the global health agency, in a bid to revive the
probe, had urged China to hand over the information on the
earliest COVID-19 cases.

SUJALAM Campaign launched: What are ODF Villages?
How are they part of this campaign
 The Ministry of Jal Shakti on August 25, 2021 launched
the 'SUJALAM' campaign, which is a 100-day campaign aimed
to create more and more open defecation-free (ODF) villages
across the country.
 SUJALAM Campaign has been started by undertaking
wastewater management at the village level through the
creation of 1 million soak-pits and greywater management
activities.
 The campaign will help in the management of wastewater,
which will in turn help revive the water bodies. The disposal of
wastewater and clogging of water bodies in the villages
remains to be one of the major problems.

Govt approves 9 names including 3 women judges
recommended by SC Collegium, India could get first
woman CJI
 The Central Government on August 26, 2021, cleared all nine names
including three women judges recommended by the Supreme Court
Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) N V Ramana.
 The files have been sent further to the President of India for issuance of the
warrant of appointments.
 The Supreme Court most likely will have 9 new judges sworn in in the next
week. This will fill up 9 out 10 vacant seats in the SC which is currently
functioning with 24 judges against the sanctioned capacity of 34 judges.
 The SC Collegium headed by CJI Ramana on August 18 had recommended
nine names, including three women judges for appointment as judges in the
top court.
 The three women judges recommended by the SC Collegium are Justice B V
Nagarathna of Karnataka HC, Justice Hima Kohli of Telangana HC, and
Justice Bela M Trivedi of Gujarat HC.
 Of the three women judges, Justice B V Nagarathna of Karnataka HC could
become the first woman Chief Justice of India (CJI) in 2027 if SC Collegium’s
recommendations of names are considered by the Union Government.

International Dog Day 2021: Know History, Significance
and Quotes for your pawdorable friend
 It is a universal fact that the most reliable friend existing on the planet Earth is a Dog.
 International Dog Day is celebrated every year on August 26 to recognize this friend,
who never leaves your side.
 International Dog Day gives us an opportunity to recognize and celebrate every dog, no
matter what breed they are.
 It aims at drawing attention to the plight of canines as well as encourage adoption.
Known as man’s or woman’s best friend, dogs love their owners unconditionally.
 The COVID-19 pandemic, which took a toll on mental and physical health, the furry
friends have played a significant role in helping their owners to get past some of the
most difficult time.
 On International Dog Day 2021, learn more about your tail-wagging friend and love
them more with some extra treats.
 International Dog Day was founded by Colleen Paige in 2004. She is a pet & family
lifestyle expert, conservationist, animal rescue advocate, Dog trainer, and author.
 The First International Dog Day was celebrated on August 26, 2004.

26 august 2021 current affairs

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26 august 2021 current affairs