Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Smriti Irani launch the book ‘Swachh Bharat Kranti’

1.Massive blast shakes Lebanon’s capital Beirut, hundreds injured

A huge explosion near the centre of Beirut killed at least 10 people and sending shockwaves across the Lebanese capital.The blast shattering glass in people’s homes and causing apartment balconies to collapse.The blast occurred in the city’s port area, where there were warehouses housing explosives.Footage of the blast shared around by residents on social media showed a column of smoke rising from the port district followed by an enormous blast.

2.Union Agriculture Minister launches Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched the Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel, a new initiative by National Cooperative Development Corporation.The Minister also launched guidance videos produced by NCDC on ‘Formation and Registration of A Cooperative’ for eighteen different states in Hindi and regional languages.The Union Government under Atma Nirbhar Bharat has recently announced a series of transformative measures and sector specific financial packages to help agriculture.The initiatives are steps towards One Nation One Market with the objective for India to become a food factory of the world.

3.Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan tests positive for COVID-19

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has tested positive for Covid-19 and has been admitted to a hospital. In a tweet, Mr Pradhan said, after seeing symptoms of COVID-19, he got tested and the report has come positive.On the advice of doctors, he has been admitted to hospital.Mr Pradhan is the second Union Minister in the Cabinet to test positive for Covid-19. Earlier, Home Minister Amit Shah had tested positive and was admitted to hospital.

4.Western Railway loads onion in goods train for its transportation to Bangladesh

In Gujarat, the Bhavnagar division of Western Railway successfully loaded onions in a goods train for its transportation to Bangladesh.This is the first time that agriculture goods have been sent to neighbouring country through the train route.The first rake of such goods train has been loaded with onions at Dhoraji Railway Station of Bhavnagar division.The first such goods train loaded with onions was sent to Darshna Railway Station in Bangladesh from Dhoraji Railway station of Saurashtra.

5.413 mask banks set up so far under ‘Ek Mask-Anek Zindagi’ campaign in Madhya Pradesh

In Madhya Pradesh, 413 mask banks have been set up so far under an ‘Ek Mask-Anek Zindagi’ campaign aimed at protecting citizens from corona infection.Mask banks have been set up with the help of voluntary organizations, public representatives and citizens.The mask is the simplest and cheapest means of preventing corona infection.So far, over one lakh 30 thousand masks have been donated by various institutions and citizens in this campaign.

6.HRD Minister lays foundation stone of IIM at Dhaula Kuan in Sirmour district

In Himachal Pradesh, Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank laid the foundation stone of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Dhaula Kuan in Sirmour district through video conferencing.The first phase of this Institute would be completed by spending an amount of 392.51 crore rupees.Union Government would provide all possible help to ensure that the institute emerges as the best institute of the region.In 2014 Union Government had taken decision to establish seven new IIMs including IIM Sirmaur.

7.Security of Kushak Bakula Rinpoche Airport in Leh to handed over to CISF

Security responsibilities of Kushak Bakula Rinpoche Airport in Leh will be handed over to Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) from 5th August.Keeping Covid-19 SOPs in view, after flight operations are completed, the induction of CISF will take place at Leh airport.Due to Covid-19 at present daily 3 -4 flights, with 400-500 passengers, are operating in Leh-Delhi sector, in comparison to 13 flights during the non Pandemic times.Along with the Ladakh police, CRPF was performing Security of the airport as the runway is under the control of the Indian Air Force in Leh.130 CISF personnel specially trained in Aviation security will guard the Leh airport.

8.National Bank of Bahrain selects Infosys Finacle to digitally transformation

National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has selected Infosys Finacle to digitally transform its transaction banking business.NBB will be implementing the Finacle Liquidity Management Platform, and upgrading its existing Finacle Corporate Online Banking platform to a full-fledged Digital Engagement Suite – with the latest versions of the Finacle Corporate Online and Mobile Banking solutions, along with the Finacle Digital Engagement Hub.Finacle is the industry-leading digital banking solution suite from EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly-owned product subsidiary of Infosys.Infosys is engaged in consulting, technology, outsourcing and next-generation services.

9.Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju chairs 1st General Council meeting of Khelo India Scheme

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju chaired the 1st General Council meeting of the Khelo India Scheme.Mr Rijiju urged the states to organise State-level Khelo India Games annually with an effort to identify a larger number of grassroot-level talents.The annual competitions being organized at the national level under the Khelo India Scheme, like the Khelo India Youth Games and University Games, have helped to identify sporting talent from all states.Mr Rijiju has asked the states to organise competitions at the district, block and panchayat-level to identify young talent.

10.Former Maharashtra CM Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar passes away

Former Maharashtra chief minister Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar died after a brief illness.He recently tested coronavirus positive but had recovered and was discharged after testing negative.Nilangekar, senior Congress leader from Latur in Marathwada region, was the state chief minister from June 1985 to March 1986.He resigned from the post when the Bombay high court passed strictures against him after fraud was alleged in the results of the MD examination in 1985.

11.Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Smriti Irani launch the book ‘Swachh Bharat Kranti’

The book “The Swachh Bharat Revolution”, edited by Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary of Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation has been translated into Hindi and published as the Swachh Bharat Kranti.The book was officially launched by Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Union Minister of Textiles and Women & Child Development Smriti Irani in New Delhi.The Swachh Bharat Kranti captures the remarkable journey of the SBM through 35 essays by a diverse range of stakeholders and contributors to the SBM, sharing their perspective on this social revolution.

12.Biography of India’s youngest Basketball captain ‘Vishesh Bhriguvanshi’

The inspirational story on the life of Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, India’s youngest basketball team captain, is set to be released on August 29, the National Sports Day.The book, titled “Vishesh: Code To Win”, has been written by sportswoman-turned-author Nirupama Yadav and published by the publishing house Bluerose.The book narrates the mindset of a basketball player in a cricket-dominated nation and brings to light the strenuous journey of the 29 year-old Bhriguvanshi, for becoming the captain against all odds.Bhriguvanshi hails from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and has been playing for India since 2007. He first became the captain of the Indian team in 2010.