India celebrates its 71st Independence Day

India's Independence Day

The Independence Day of India is celebrated on the 15th of August to commemorate the birth of a free and democratic nation. 15th August, 1947 is the historic day that marks India’s freedom from the stranglehold of the British Raj. On the eve of 15th August 1947, the Indian flag was unfurled proudly by Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, at the Red Fort in Delhi. Jawaharlal Nehru’s landmark ‘tryst with destiny’ has gone down in the annals of Independent India as a proud moment for Indians. Thus India’s Independence Day is a deeply inspiring day and a day to revel in the freedom and glory regained by our freedom fighters.

Current Affairs 15th August, 2017

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

1. World Health Organisation declares Somalia free of polio

The UN World Health Organisation (WHO) said that it had not recorded any case of polio disease in Somalia in the last three years, declaring the country polio free.

The WHO said the country recorded the last case of polio in 2014 in the central part of the country but has since then remained free of the paralyzing disease.

The UN health agency, however, warned Somalia remained vulnerable, calling for continued vaccination campaign.

The head of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean, which covers Somalia, Mohamed Fiqi said that massive vaccination campaigns and commitment from government and international actors had ensured the polio virus did not recur in the Horn of Africa country.

Quiz: Quant

Directions (Q. 1-5): Study the following information carefully to answer the questions given below it.

A survey conducted on 1800 schools shows that 25% of the total schools have only adequate water supply. 15% of the total number have proper supply of electricity only. 7% of the total number of schools have only proper education facilities. 12% of the total number of schools have tele-communication services only. 16% of the total number of schools have proper health care services only. 6% of the total number of schools have adequate water as well as supply of electricity. 8% of the total number of schools have adequate supply of water, electricity as well as health care services. 5% of the total number of schools have proper supply of electricity, tele-communication services as well as health care services and 6% of the total number of schools have all the facilities.

Current Affairs 14th August, 2017

1. India, Russia to hold mega war games in October

In the midst of evolving security situation in the region, India and Russia will hold a mega war game in October involving their armies, navies and the air forces for the first time to further ramp up military ties.

•    The exercise Indra, which will be held in Russia from October 19 to 29, will primarily focus on achieving coordination between forces of the two countries in a tri- services integrated theatre command scenario.

•    It will be for the first time India will participate in a tri-services exercise with a foreign country with such large scale participation by the Navy, the Army and the Air Force.

Current Affairs 13th August, 2017

1. Environment Minister launches ‘Gaj Yatra’ to mark World Elephant Day

Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, launched ‘Gaj Yatra’, a nationwide campaign to protect elephants on the occasion of World Elephant Day.

• The campaign is planned to cover 12 elephant range states. The Environment Minister released the All India Census 2017 Report on elephants as also the Agreed Points of Action on Trans-Boundary Conservation of Elephants by India and Bangladesh and a document titled ‘Right of Passage’ on elephant corridors in India.
• The ‘Gaju’ mascot, which was released by the Ministry in 2012, will be helm the campaign. The campaign will be led by the Wildlife Trust of India.
• Actor and wildlife enthusiast, Ms. Dia Mirza, participated in the walk and run event organised on the occasion along with the children.

Current Affairs 12th August, 2017

1. 15th BIMSTEC ministerial meeting in Kathmandu

The working session of the 15th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, BIMSTEC, Ministerial meeting held in Kathmandu.

• Describing BIMSTEC as a “natural choice” for India to fulfill its key foreign policy priorities of ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East’, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said the grouping enjoys the unique strengths of connecting South and Southeast Asia.
• India was hosting the first BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise in October 2017. “This will help the group countries to develop quicker, coordinated and comprehensive responses to disasters, and provide timely relief and rehabilitation,”
• India also identified the energy sector as a key area of cooperation and noted that cross-border exchange of power between India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh is on a rapid upswing.

Current Affairs 11th August, 2017

1. National Mission for Clean Ganga approves 10 projects

National Mission for Clean Ganga has approved ten projects in Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. These projects were approved in the 5th meeting of the Executive Committee of National Mission for Clean Ganga.

•    Eight of the ten projects pertain to sewage infrastructure and treatment, one to ghat development and one to Ganga Knowledge Centre. 

•    A project to establish Ganga Monitoring Centers in five riparian Ganga states has also been approved.

About NMCG:-

•    The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is the implementation wing of National Ganga Council which was set up in October 2016.It is under the Ministry for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India.

•    The aim is to clean the Ganga and its tributaries in a comprehensive manner.