Daily Current Affairs- 16 August 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 16th August 2024

NATIONAL

Himachal Pradesh’s Government unveils HIM-UNNATI scheme

• Aimed at promoting natural farming across Himachal Pradesh the state government has unveiled a new initiative, the HIM-UNNATI scheme, with an allocation of Rs 150 crore, This initiative aims to encourage chemical-free farming and foster agricultural entrepreneurship in the state” said the Chief Minister, The HIM-UNNATI scheme represents the third phase of the Rajiv Gandhi Start-up Yojana. 

PB & BCL sign landmark deal to promote cricket

• The Big Cricket League (BCL), a franchise-based T20 event that will offer aspiring local players a chance to play alongside their cricketing heroes, has joined hands with the national broadcaster Prasar Bharati in a landmark long-term deal. The inaugural edition of BCL will be held in September this year in Lucknow. 

Govt to launch 'Kisan Ki Baat' to bridge farm-Science gap

• The Indian government is launching 'Kisan Ki Baat,' a new monthly radio program aimed at modernizing agriculture by providing farmers with essential scientific knowledge. Announced by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the initiative features experts and aims to address agricultural challenges. 

SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY

Google Expands ‘AI Overviews’ Feature to India & Five Other Countries

• Tech giant Google announced to bring its ‘AI Overviews’ feature to six new countries, including India. In India, the company is rolling out the ‘AI Overviews’ in English and Hindi and are also introducing popular country-first features that were well-received during its Search Labs experiment. The six new countries are India, United Kingdom, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico and Brazil, along with local language support in each country. 

ISRO launched its latest earth observation satellite, SSLV D3

• The third developmental flight of SSLV launched on Friday (August 16) at 09.17 A.M from the Sathish Dhawan Space Centre, This flight completes the SSLV development project and enables operational missions by Indian Industry and NSIL 

OBUiTUARY

Dr. Ram Narain Agarwal - Father of Agni Missiles, Passes Away

• Renowned Indian scientist Dr Ram Narain Agarwal, a pivotal figure in the development of India's missile system, died on Thursday in Hyderabad at the age of 84.
• Known as the 'Father of Agni Missiles', Dr Agarwal played a key role in defence research and in the development of India's long-range ballistic missile program, particularly the Agni series of missiles. 

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

IRS Officer Rahul Navin Appointed new Director of Enforcement Directorate (ED)

• The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14 August 2024, has approved the appointment of Rahul Navin as the Director of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED). Rahul Navin was appointed as the acting director of the Enforcement Directorate by the government of India on 15 September 2023 after Sanjay Kumar Mishra's retirement. Sanjay Mishra had to retire after the Supreme Court held the frequent extension given to him by the government of India as illegal. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Death Anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Observed on August 16th

• August 16, marks the death anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the former Prime Minister of India and a Bharat Ratna awardee. Honoured with the Bharat Ratna and is known for his leadership. The Atal Bihari government declared India a nuclear-armed nation by conducting five underground nuclear tests at Pokhran on May 11 and 13, 1998.

 SUMMITS & MOUs

India to Host 3rd Voice of Global South Summit on August 17

• India will host the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit on Saturday. The theme of the Summit is – An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future. External Affairs Ministry in a statement said that it will act as a platform to expand discussions held in the previous Summits on a range of complex challenges that continue to affect the world, such as conflicts, food and energy security crises and climate change. 

BANKING & ECONOMY

RBL Bank Launches Vijay Fixed Deposits to Honor 78th Independence Day

• RBL Bank has launched the "Vijay Fixed Deposits" scheme to celebrate India's 78th Independence Day, offering a 500-day fixed deposit with interest rates up to 8.85% a. Customers can easily book this limited-time offer through the RBL Bank MoBank app or by visiting a branch.