Current Affairs July 2020 - Miscellaneous

Sanskrit News Magazine ‘Vaartavali’ completed five years of broadcast on DD News.
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has been given the additional charge of Madhya Pradesh as its Governor.
The G20 Extraordinary Virtual Education Ministers’ Meeting was held under the presidency of Saudi Arabia. Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ represented India in the meeting.
Union Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal chaired the 49^th Governing Council Meeting of National Productivity Council (NPC). He is also the President of NPC Governing Council.
According to the Union Ministry of Agriculture, India is the first country to control locusts by using drones.
Karnataka government has launched a portal called “Skill Connect Forum” to connect job seekers with employers on a common platform.
In order to maintain the academic regularity of students during the Corona crisis, the Madhya Pradesh State Education Center has prepared a ‘Hamara Ghar-Hamara Vidyalaya’ means My Home-My school scheme, in which children will be taught at home in a school-like environment.
The 36^th edition of the biannual ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit 2020 was held via video conferencing in Hanoi, Vietnam with theme “Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN”.
The National Postal Worker Day is observed every year on 1^st of July to recognise postal workers across the globe.
The Kerala government launched 'Dream Kerala Project' to tap the potential and experience of those returning from abroad and other states after losing their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Professor Sanjay Dwivedi as the Director General of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC).
HDFC Bank has launched the ‘e-Kisaan Dhan’ app for farmers all over India.
Former Mizoram Assembly speaker, Upa Rokamlova passed away.
The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet has approved the extension of Sukhbir Singh Sandhu’s tenure as the Chairman of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Himachal Pradesh is planning to provide 100% coverage of Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to all rural households in the state by August 2022, ahead of national goal by 2024.
NLC India and Coal India executed a Joint Venture Agreement for formation of a Joint Venture Company (50:50) to develop Solar and Thermal Power assets to the tune of 5000 MW.
The Mars Colour Camera (MCC) onboard Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Mars Orbiter Mission has captured the image of Phobos, the closest and biggest moon of Mars.
Dr. Bishnu Prasad Nanda has taken over as Director General Railway Health Services (DG RHS) Railway Board.
A draft of ordinance to provide 75 per cent reservation in jobs in private sector for the residents of Haryana was passed by the state Cabinet.
“Maha” Jobs Portal has been launched by the Maharashtra government. The job portal has been rolled out to offer employment opportunities to local residents.
The UK India Business Council (UKIBC) has appointed Jayant Krishna as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the group.
UltraTech Cement’s subsidiary Krishna Holdings to sell its entire 92.5% Stake from China’s Shandong Binani Rongan Cement.
Mobility platform Ola has entered into a partnership with digital payments platform PhonePe to expand payment options for riders.
HDFC Bank offers instant car loans to existing customers through an initiative called “ZipDrive” in 1,000 cities.
“Unisaviour”, a disinfection box has been developed by the researchers at IIT Roorkee. The disinfection box “Unisaviour” can be used to sterilise personal belongings, apparels, PPE, medical equipment among others form the COVID-19.
Delhi government will launch a mega tree plantation drive under the ‘Paudhelagao, ParyavaranBachao’ campaign. The campaign aims to plant 31 lakh of tree saplings in 17 days.
At the Cricket South Africa annual awards 2020, Quinton de Kock was named as the men’s cricketer of the year, while Laura Wolvaardt was named as the women’s cricketer of the year.
YES Bank has launched a digital solution, “Loan in Seconds” for instant disbursement of retail loans.
World Chocolate Day or International Chocolate Day is observed on 7^th July every year.
The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Jharkhand new administrative and the academic building was named after Bharatiya Jan Sangh founder Late Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee on his 119^th birth anniversary.
West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee has launched a new mobile application called “SelfScan”, which has been developed by the state’s information technology department, to scan documents.
‘Bhavishya’ savings account has been launched by the Fino Payments Bank Limited for minors aged between 10-18 years. ‘Bhavishya’, a subscription-based savings account, can be opened by paying a nominal amount.
The KarurVysya Bank (KVB) has entered into a partnership with Star Health and Allied Insurance Co. to provide a wide range of health insurance options to its customers.
Private lender, SBM Bank (India) Ltd. has partnered with Mastercard to revolutionise domestic and cross-border payments and remittances services.
United States submits notice to U.N Secretary-General to withdraw from WHO by 6^th July 2021.
The term of Rajkiran Rai as managing director and CEO of Union Bank of India has received an extension for a period of two-year from the government of India.
Goa’s former health minister Dr. Suresh Amonkar passed away.
The tenure of Justice Bansi Lal Bhat as the chairperson of National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has been extended by the Government of India.
Karur Vysya Bank has signed an agreement with Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance to offer life insurance solutions to its customers.
The fourth edition of the virtual Ministerial on Climate Action was co-chaired by European Union, China and Canada.
Veteran Actor-comedian Jagdeep, best known for his role as Soorma Bhopali in 'Sholay', passed away.
India will not run the World’s Emptiest Airport - Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in Sri Lanka.
Nepal Government banned the broadcast of Indian NEWS channels in its country.
The Madhya Pradesh government has started a Roko - Toko (रोको टोको) campaign for those who do not wear masks.
Flipkart signed an MoU with Karnataka MSME and Mines department to promote the states arts, crafts and handloom sectors by bringing them on to e-commerce and providing market access.
The Asia Cup cricket tournament has been postponed until June 2021 owing to Covid-19 pandemic.
Russia has become the first nation to complete clinical trials of Covid-19 vaccine on humans.
Maharashtra started 'Healthcare Service At Your Doorstep' initiative in Nashik to fight against Covid-19.
India has handed over outdoor fitness equipment for 61 islands across the Maldives under a cash grant of 8 million US dollars.
Hemang Amin has been given the interim charge of CEO of BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India).
India's best-known ceramic artists Jyotsna Bhatt passed away.
Hawkins Cookers Chairman, Brahm Vasudeva passed away.
Madhya Pradesh topped among the other states in the implementation of PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbharNidhi (PM SVANidhi).
Union Home Minister, Amit Shah has rolled out the Central Armed Police Force’s (CAPFs) nationwide tree plantation drive by planting a sapling of the peepal tree at the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) campus in Gurugram.
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad observed Swachhata Pakhwada till 15 July.
A two-day Digital Indo-Italian Business Mission on Food Processing was held virtually in New Delhi.
The Women Safety Wing, Telangana State Police has launched the “CybHer” campaign in association with the Legal Aid Centre, Symbiosis Law School, Hyderabad to tackle cybercrime against children and women in the state.
Senegal and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have mutually agreed to postpone the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2022 to 2026.
Indian Turtle Conservation Action Network (ITCAN) in collaboration with the Turtle Survival Alliance-India and Wildlife Conservation Society-India launched a mobile-based application called KURMA aimed at turtle conservation.
Former state Minister Om Prakash Dhankar has been appointed as the new president of BJP's Haryana unit.
Arunachal Pradesh Government has decided to provide 100% tap water connections to all the households in the State by 2023 under Jal Jeevan Mission.
The government of Uttarakhand has decided to convert waste generated in the state to electricity under an initiative titled 'Waste to Energy'.
International para athlete and Arjuna award winner, Ramesh Tikaram, passed away at the age of 51 years, due to COVID-19.
Eminent dancer and choreographer Amala Shankar passed away.
The three day long Air Force Commanders’ Conference was held in New Delhi. The theme of the conference was "Indian Air Force in the Next Decade".
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is likely to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 19 onwards.
The first batch of five Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale is likely to arrive in India by end July 2020. The aircraft will be inducted at Air Force Station Ambala.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) has partnered with UNICEF to strengthen the Government of India’s resolution to mobilise 1 crore youth volunteers to attain the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has formally been postponed to 2022 due to COVID-19. ICC has also postponed the 2023 ODI World Cup in India to October-November 2023.
Former Australian test wicketkeeper and ex-International Cricket Council match referee, Barry Jarman passed away.
The 3^rd G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting was held under the Saudi Arabian Presidency.
The International Chess Day is celebrated annually on July 20.
Punjab National Bank has launched a nation-wide campaign to distribute face masks and sanitizers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Eminent dancer and choreographer Amala Shankar passed away.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur has designed and developed a ‘smart wristband’ for effective tracking and monitoring of Covid-19 positive and suspect patients.
Digital payments major, Amazon Pay has launched vehicle insurance in partnership with Bengaluru-based startup Acko General Insurance.
Home Minister launched “Vriksharopan Abhiyan” in New Delhi.
Sonu Sood launched ‘Pravasi Rojgar’ app to help migrants to find job opportunities across India.
The fifth phase of the Vande Bharat Mission will run from 1^st of August, 2020 till 31^st August, 2020.
Maldives celebrated its 55^th Independence day on 26^th July.
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah distributed 100 electric potter wheels to 100 trained artisans under the Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
The Rajasthan government is planning to start the state's first plasma bank in Jaipur at Sawai Man Singh Hospital.
Ministry of Earth Sciences launched the mobile App "Mausam” for India Meteorological Department on its Foundation Day celebrations.
Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu has announced the launch of a ‘Macadamisation Program’ for the improvement of roads across Jammu and Kashmir.
Under the Digital India initiative of Government of India, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) aims to develop a World-Class Knowledge Resource Centre Network (KRCNet).
The silver medal of the Indian 4×400 mixed relay team’s 2018 Asian Games, Jakarta has been upgraded to gold. The medal was upgraded to gold following the disqualification of Bahrain squad that finished first in the 4×400 mixed relay final.
The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode based incubated startup Qual5 India Pvt.Ltd has developed a wearable hand band known as the “Veli Band”. The band will help in maintaining social distancing by sending out an alarm in case of proximity with another person.
Delhi government has launched the portal named as “Rozgar Bazar”, a sort of marketplace for job seekers and the people recruiters.
On the occasion of “World Hepatitis Day”, 2^nd Empathy e-Conclave was organised in collaboration with Airport Authority of India (AAI) for creating awareness among the parliamentarians.
World Nature Conservation Day is observed on 28^th July every year. World Conservation Day is celebrated internationally to increase awareness about the best practices to protect our natural resources.
SBI Cards has launched a co-branded contactless credit card with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) on RuPay platform.
Bangladeshi pacer, Kazi Anik Islam has been handed a two-year ban by the national cricket board for failing a dope test in 2018.
Bharti AXA General Insurance has launched a crop insurance campaign titled ‘Bohot Zaroori Hai’ for farmers in Maharashtra and Karnataka to encourage them about their yield protection and financial security.