Daily Current Affairs : 8th and 9th August 2020 | Daily GK update Quiz

Exp. First Kisan Rail from Devlali, Maharashtra to Danapur, Bihar flagged off. Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Rural Development and Panchyati Raj Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar and Railways and Commerce & Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal flagged off the train via video conferencing. The Kisan Rail will run on a weekly basis with an initial composition of 10 +1 VPs.  Agriculture produce needs the best possible distribution and returns. The train will ensure that agro-products reach from one corner to another corner of the country.

Exp. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on 7th August launched its Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy and said it stands as the most progressive in the entire country and that it will strive to bring down pollution levels here while generating employment. He said that the objective is that by 2024, 25% of all new vehicle registrations should be for EVs.

The policy makes a case for incentives of up to ₹1.5 lakh for the purchase of new electric cars in the city capital. An incentive of up to ₹30,000 will be provided for e-two-wheelers, autos, e-rickshaws and freight vehicles.

Exp. The Indian Ocean island of Mauritius declared a “state of environmental emergency” on 7th August after a Japanese-owned ship that ran aground offshore days ago began spilling tons of fuel.

Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth announced the development as satellite images showed a dark slick spreading in the turquoise waters near environmental areas that the government called “very sensitive.

Exp. India is going to participate in the multilateral military ‘Russian Kavakaz 2020’ strategic command exercise to be organized in Astrakhan, Russia. The Indian contingent will be represented by the Navy and the Air Force also.

The invitation to participate in this exercise is known as Caucasus 2020 and it was extended to around 18 countries including China, Iran, Pakistan and Turkey besides from the Central Asian Republics which are part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Exp. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a dollar 200 million financing deal with the Reliance Bangladesh LNG and Power Limited (RBLPL) to build and operate a 718-megawatt combined-cycle gas-fired power plant in Bangladesh. Announcing the deal in a press release on 7th August, the ADB said that the project will ease ongoing energy shortages and drive further private sector investments in the country’s power sector.

The financing deal has two components of dollar 100 million each. While ADB will provide dollar 100 million, it will also administer the other part worth dollar 100 million from the Leading Asia’s Private Infrastructure Fund (LEAP).

Exp. Yes Bank on 6th August announced LIC has acquired close to 5 per cent shareholding in the bank by purchasing shares from the open market.With the fresh acquisition, the hold of LIC has increased from 0.75 per cent to 4.98 per cent.

LIC purchased 105.98 crore shares, reflecting 4.23 per cent stake. Prior to this, LIC had 0.75 per cent stake in Yes Bank though 19 crore shares held. LIC holding in the bank increased to 4.98 per cent through 125 crore shares held.

Exp. PNB Housing Finance Limited announces that following an extensive executive search that considered internal and external candidates, its Board of Directors has appointed Hardayal Prasad as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Hardayal Prasad is a seasoned banker with experience in banking, international operations and credit card industry. He will assume the position on Aug 10, 2020 and replace Neeraj Vyas.

Exp. Educationist Professor Pradeep Kumar Joshi was on Friday appointed as the chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), that conducts the civil services examination to select India’s bureaucrats and diplomats among others.

He will succeed Arvind Saxena who completes his term as UPSC chairman on 7TH August.

Exp. P S Ranipse appointed as Inspector General (IG) of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). he is an IPS officer from Odisha cadre. he will serve for the period of five years.

P S Ranipse is from 1995 batch of IPS officer and prior to this, he has served as an Additional Director General (Vigilance) in Odisha state.

Exp. 8th August: 78th Quit India Movement Day 2020. In the August of 1942, Mahatma Gandhi’s fiery speech in Mumbai, giving a ‘do or die’ call, to the people of India was a final push to make the British quit India. Also known as the Bharat Chodo Andolan or August Kranti Movement.

Exp. ‘Amazing Ayodhya’, a new book by author Neena Rai, tells history of Lord Rama’s birth place The publishing house Bloomsbury has announced their latest book which sheds light on the history of Ayodhya. It will hit stands in November 2020.

Exp. India will remain hosts of the 2021 Twenty20 World Cup while Australia will host this year’s postponed tournament in 2022, the sport’s governing International Cricket Council (ICC) said on 7th August.

The ICC also confirmed the women’s 50-over World Cup that was scheduled to be held in New Zealand in February-March next year has been postponed to 2022.

Exp. About CRPF

Headquarters – New Delhi

The motto of CRPF – Service and Loyalty (“सेवा और निष्ठा”)

founded – 27 July 1939

Exp. 75 years of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Day: On August 9, 1945, the US dropped the second nuclear bomb on Nagasaki, three days after Hiroshima was destroyed by the first one. This led to Japan’s unconditional surrender in Second World War.

Exp. On August 9, 2020, former president of Sri Lanka Shri Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as the new prime minister.

Exp. August 9: World Tribal Day. Every year United Nations and other world organizations celebrate World Tribal Day or International Day of the World Indigenous People. The day promotes and protects rights of world indigenous population. The day marks first meet of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations in Geneva, 1982.