1 President announced 103 gallantry awards
President Draupadi Murmu, the supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces, has approved 103 gallantry awards for the personnel of the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces on the eve of Independence Day. These include four Kirti Chakras including three posthumously , 18 Shaurya Chakras including four posthumously , 63 Army Medals (Gallantry) including two posthumously , 11 Navy Medals (Gallantry) and six Air Force Medals (Gallantry). The President has also approved 39 Mentions-in-Despatches, including one to Army dog Kent (posthumously) for their significant contribution in various military operations. These operations include Operation Rakshak, Operation Snow Leopard, Operation Sahayata, Operation Hifazat, Operation Orchid and Operation Kachchal. Kirti Chakra 1. Colonel Manpreet Singh, Sikh Light Infantry/19th Battalion The Rashtriya Rifles (Posthumous), 2. Major Malla Ram Gopal Naidu, Maratha Light Infantry/56th Battalion The Rashtriya Rifles, 3. Rifleman Ravi Kumar, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry/63rd Battalion The Rashtriya Rifles (Posthumous), 4. Deputy Superintendent of Police Humayun Bhatt, Jammu and Kashmir Police, C/O 19th Battalion The Rashtriya Rifles (Posthumous)
2 Three more sites added to the list of Ramsar sites, number increased to 85
Three more sites in the country have been added to the list of Ramsar sites before Independence Day . Njarayan Bird Sanctuary and Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary from Tamil Nadu and Tawa Reservoir from Madhya Pradesh have been added to the list of Ramsar sites in India. This has taken the number of Ramsar sites to 85, covering an area of 13,58,068 hectares in India.
3 Japanese PM Kishida will resign from the post of party president
On August 14 , Japan ‘s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced his resignation from the post of party president . He will not contest the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) chief election to be held in September. In Japan, the president of the ruling party is elected as the Prime Minister. After this announcement by Kishida, it is now certain that the country will get a new Prime Minister. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has a majority in both houses of Parliament in Japan. After PM Kishida’s announcement of not contesting the election, now the one who wins the LDP presidential election will become the next Prime Minister of Japan. Kishida was elected President of the Liberal Democratic Party in 2021. Kishida’s three-year term ends in September. PM Kishida’s popularity has declined drastically in Japan. The reason for this is the serious allegations of corruption against his party.
4 Thailand’s Constitutional Court has removed Prime Minister Shrestha Thavisin
Thailand’s Constitutional Court has removed Prime Minister Shrestha Thavisin from office for appointing a former jailed lawyer to his Cabinet who was jailed 16 years ago. At least 40 former senators had filed a petition in the court in this case, questioning the decision of Prime Minister Shrestha Thavisin for clearly violating Thailand’s constitution and not following ethical standards. After this, the judges voted 5-4 to remove Shrestha from office.
5 The World Health Organization has declared Ampox a global health emergency for the second consecutive year
The World Health Organization has declared ampox a global health emergency for the second consecutive year. This viral infection started in the African country Congo , which later spread to neighboring countries Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda . Ampox is a disease that spreads by coming in contact with an infected person. In some cases, it can also be fatal. A person suffering from ampox has fever and pimples. This year, the African Health Organization declared it a disaster in view of more than 17 thousand suspected cases of ampox and more than five hundred deaths in the African continent.
6 The first phase of the multinational air exercise ‘Tarang Shakti’ ends, the final phase will be held in Jodhpur from 29 August to 14 September
On August 14, the first phase of the Indian Air Force ‘s (IAF) largest multilateral air exercise Tarang Shakti concluded . IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Choudhary announced to make this exercise a biennial event . The second phase of Tarang Shakti exercise will be held in Jodhpur from September 1 to 14. 18 countries will participate in this exercise, out of which 10 have air assets. A total of 150 aircraft of the Indian Air Force and foreign countries will participate in it. Australia, Bangladesh, Greece, Singapore, UAE, US and 18 observer countries will participate.
On August 13, India conducted the first successful test of Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) off the coast of Odisha . This bomb was launched from the Air Force’s Sukhoi MK-I fighter jet . The Defense Ministry said that during the flight test, the glide bomb accurately hit the target set up on Long Wheeler Island. ‘ Gaurav ‘ is a 1000 kg glide bomb launched in the air , which is capable of hitting long-range targets. After launching, this glide bomb moves towards the target with the help of a highly accurate hybrid navigation scheme . The entire flight data of the test launch was captured by the Telemetry and Electro Optical Tracking System. This system was deployed across the coast by the Integrated Test Range. This glide bomb has been made by Research Center Imarat (RCI) of Hyderabad .
8 Indigenous Anti-Tank Guided Missiles Successfully Tested
On August 13, India successfully tested the indigenous Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MP-ATGM) weapon system at Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer . It has been developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) . It has been designed to neutralize enemy tanks and armored vehicles . Attacks can be carried out even at night with this missile, which has been prepared for the Indian Army and Para Commandos. The MP-ATGM weapon system weighs 14.5 kg and is 4.3 feet long. It was launched for the first time by placing it on the shoulder like a rocket launcher. Its range is from 200 meters to 2.5 kilometers, in which tandem charge heat and penetration warheads can be installed.
9 Senior Indian Revenue Service officer Rahul Naveen has been appointed as the Director of Enforcement Directorate
Senior Indian Revenue Service officer Rahul Naveen has been appointed as the Director of Enforcement Directorate . The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his name. Mr. Naveen is currently working as Special Director in the Enforcement Directorate. His appointment will be for two years.
10 Hockey India retires jersey number 16
On August 14, Hockey India decided to retire the jersey number of goalkeeping legend PR Sreejesh . Sreejesh recently retired from hockey after winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympic Games . The number 16 jersey for the junior team will remain as it is. PR Sreejesh will now coach the junior hockey team . Sreejesh announced his retirement from international hockey on 22 July. Earlier, he participated in the Olympics 2020 with the Indian national team. India’s men’s hockey team won the bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Sreejesh has also won three Asian Games medals including two gold at Incheon 2014 and Hangzhou 2022. Sreejesh made his debut for the Indian national hockey team in 2006. Sreejesh has played a total of 328 hockey matches for his country. PR Sreejesh was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021. He is the second player to win the World Games Athlete of the Year award in 2021. He has also won consecutive FIH Goalkeeper of the Year awards in 2021 and 2022.
11 Morne Morkel became the bowling coach of Team India
On August 14, BCCI appointed 39-year-old former South African bowler Morne Morkel as the bowling coach of the Indian cricket team . He will join the team on September 1. Now Morne Morkel will join the Indian team for the Test series against Bangladesh. This series starting on September 19 will be Morkel’s first assignment. Morkel has been the bowling coach of the Pakistan cricket team. Head coach Gautam Gambhir had demanded Morkel to be made the bowling coach. Both have worked together for IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants. Morkel will replace former Indian coach Paras Mhambrey. Mhambrey’s tenure had already ended, but Morkel could not join Team India on the Sri Lanka tour due to personal reasons. Morne Morkel has played international cricket between 2006 and 2018. During this time he has played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs and 44 T20 International matches. Morkel has been the bowling coach of the Pakistan cricket team.
12 Indian Paralympic Committee itself signed an agreement with the NGO to facilitate the movement of para athletes
Ahead of Paris Paralympics 2024, the Indian Paralympic Committee has signed up with SWAYAM as the official accessibility partner . Under this, the accessibility organisation SWAYAM will make transport accessible and inclusive for the entire contingent of Indian para-athletes, making their movement smooth and seamless. At the Paris Paralympics 2024, to be held from 28 August to 8 September 2024, more than 4,000 athletes from across the world will showcase their skills in 22 different sports. The competition will be known for its variety and excitement. SWAYAM, a non-profit initiative of the Sminu Jindal Charitable Trust, has been working with PCI in the field of accessibility for the last 4-5 years. SWAYAM will continue to provide accessible transport services and conduct a detailed audit of the hotels and buildings where the para-athletes will stay in New Delhi, and promote accessibility. SWAYAM has earlier also made a significant contribution towards enhancing accessibility and supporting differently abled athletes by donating a fully equipped “SugamyaVahan” to PCI.
13 Zeeshan Ali resigns as coach of Indian Davis Cup team
Zeeshan Ali has resigned as coach of the Indian Davis Cup team . He said that he wants to focus on the development of the National Tennis Center-NTC. Zeeshan replaced Nandan Bal as the coach of the team before the match against South Korea when the country’s top players revolted against the All India Tennis Association-AITA demanding better playing conditions.
14 Partition Holocaust Memorial Day
From 2021, every year 14th August is celebrated as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day . All those people who lost their lives during the partition and got separated from their roots. In their honor, the government decided to celebrate Partition Horrors Day every year on 14th August in 2021.