Current Affairs is the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why; many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post, Daily Current Affairs 14&15 August 2022, we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.
Current Affairs for Competitive Exam – 14 & 15 August 2022
Shashi Tharoor to receive France’s highest civilian award
Shashi Tharoor (Senior Congress leader) will be conferred with France’s highest civilian award Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur for his writings and speeches.
In 2010, he had received a similar honour from the Spanish government, when the King of Spain had bestowed upon him the Encomienda de la Real Order Espanola de Carlos III.
He is a two-term Lok Sabha MP (Thiruvananthapuram constituency).
Books: The Paradoxical Prime Minister; An Era of Darkness
Kuwait appoints first ambassador to Iran since 2016
Kuwait has appointed Bader Abdullah Al-Munaikh as an ambassador to Iran since 2016, who has handed his credentials to Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian in Tehran.
Foreign Ministry of Kuwait has also confirmed that Munaikh was appointed envoy to Iran.
This move comes as Saudi Arabia works to improve its ties with Iran.
Earlier, Riyadh had broken their ties with Tehran in January 2016 after Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Iran.
WHO announces new names for variants of monkeypox virus
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced new names for variants of the monkeypox virus that are currently in circulation.
The former Congo Basin clade (group of variants) in Central Africa as Clade I. The former West African clade as Clade II.
The latter consists of two sub-clades, Clade IIa and Clade IIb, of which Clade IIb was the main group of variants circulating during the 2022 outbreak. The monkeypox virus was first discovered in 1958.
Gopal Vittal re-appointed as managing director of Airtel
Shareholders of Bharti Airtel have given their approval for the re-appointment of Gopal Vittal as managing director of Bharti Airtel for a period of five years ( February 1, 2023 to January 31, 2028).
He was re-appointed as the managing director and CEO with effect from February 1, 2018 for a period of 5 years, (upto January 31, 2023).
Fixed pay of Vittal (excluding perquisites) stood at Rs 9.1 crore in 2021-22,in addition to a variable pay component.
World’s highest railway bridge ‘Golden joint’ inaugurated on Chenab in J&K
The World’s highest railway bridge ‘Golden Joint’ has been inaugurated in Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir. The joints of bridge is connecting two ends of the deck of the world’s highest railway bridge.
Chenab Bridge:
This bridge is located in Chenab river, will be 35 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower (after completion of project).
Aim: It will provide direct connectivity to the Kashmir valley.
The Design life of the bridge is at least 120 years.
1st edition of Women’s IPL to be held in March 2023
The 1st Edition of Women Indian Premier League will be starting from March 2023 to be held in a one-month window and in all likelihood with five teams, a senior BCCI official confirmed.
The BCCI bigwigs have discussed the issue and a March window has been found for the tournament after the Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Both BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah in separate interviews had earlier confirmed that 2023 is the year when WIPL would start.
A lot of cricket lovers believe that WIPL will bring in a revolution and the standard of women’s cricket in India will have a quantum leap. It is understood that teams like Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, and Chennai Super Kings have all expressed their interest in buying teams.
Tata Steel Chess India Tournament 2022: Women’s section introduced for first time
The 4th edition of the Tata Steel Chess India tournament will be held in Kolkata from November 29 to December 4, 2022. For the first time, a separate women’s section has been added in the tournament, which had only the Open section so far.
Tata Steel Chess India (rapid and blitz) is one of the most important chess tournaments in India. Top Indian female players like Koneru Humpy, D Harika, and R Vaishali will compete in the maiden women’s edition.
Nation celebrates 76th Independence Day on 15th August 2022
This year India is celebrating 76th Independence Day on 15th August 2022 to mark the country’s freedom from nearly two centuries of British colonial rule. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the celebrations from Red Fort in New Delhi and is addressing the nation from Red Fort in New Delhi. This is his ninth address as the prime minister. To celebrate the 75 years of Independence the Government of India has started an initiative called “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”. On this day, India is remembered for achieving independence from colonial authority after two centuries of British repression.
Independence Day 2022 Is 75th Or 76th?
On March 12, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence that started a 75-week countdown to our anniversary of independence. This means that India will celebrate its 76th Independence Day on August 15, 2022, and mark the end of its 75 years of freedom.
Independence Day honours the sacrifices of our courageous leaders and freedom fighters, who gave their all for the sake of the nation and the countrymen. This day serves us the perfect opportunity to travel back in time and reflect on the history and significance of this date.
History
The Englishmen entered Surat and Gujarat in 1619 for trading purposes. After the victory of the English East India Company at the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the Britishers made their control over India. The British Government dominated over the people of India for almost 200 years starting from 1757. Legendary freedom fighters and leaders like Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Mahatma Gandhi and others sacrificed everything to see India as a free nation.
The Indian Independence movement began during World War I and was led by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. On August 15, 1947, India got its freedom, ending an almost 200-year British rule. India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru raised the Indian national flag above the Lahori Gate of Red Fort in Delhi on August 15, 1947. It is a tradition that has since been followed by the incumbent Prime Minister, followed by an address to the country.
What is the Indian Independence Act 1947?
Lord Mountbatten was eventually given power by the British Parliament to transfer power by June 30, 1948. However, observing the people’s impatience, Mountbatten realised that if he waited until June 1948, havoc will be created, which is why he advanced the process to August 1947. This announcement was followed by the agitation by the Muslim League and the demand for the partition of the country. Congress and the Muslim League accepted the plan. The immediate effect was given to the plan enacting the Indian Independence Act of 1947.
Ministry of Social Justice launches SMILE-75 initiative
Recognising the persisting problem of destitution and beggary, Government of India has formulated ‘SMILE’- a comprehensive scheme meant for beggars. SMILE stands for ‘Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise’ which also includes sub-schemes, under which a comprehensive rehabilitation for persons engaged in begging is done.
The Government of India has recognised the persisting problem of destitution and beggary and formulated a comprehensive scheme of SMILE which includes a sub-scheme of comprehensive rehabilitation for persons engaged in begging that covers identification, rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counselling, and education, skill development for a decent job and self-employment/entrepreneurship.
Under the SMILE-75 initiative:
75 Municipal Corporations in collaboration with NGOs and other stakeholders will cover several comprehensive welfare measures for persons who are engaged in the act of begging with a focus extensively on rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counselling, awareness, education, skill development, economic linkages and convergence with other Government welfare programmes etc. The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has allocated a total budget of Rs. 100 crore for the SMILE project for the coming years till 2025-26.
Through this project, the Ministry envisions developing a support mechanism for holistic rehabilitation of those engaged in the act of begging and building an India where no person is forced to beg in order to survive and fulfil their basic needs.
The objective of SMILE-75:
The objective of SMILE- 75 is to make our cities/towns and municipal areas begging-free and make a strategy for comprehensive rehabilitation of the persons engaged in the act of begging through the coordinated action of various stakeholders.
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment understands the important role of Local Urban Bodies, Civil Society Organisations/Non-Government Organisations to address this persisting social issue with concerted efforts.
IAF to Participate in Military Drills ‘Udarashakti’ with Malaysia
Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent left for Malaysia to participate in a four-day bilateral exercise ‘Udarashakti’ with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
The exercise will give an opportunity to the IAF contingent members to share and learn best practices with some of the best professionals from the RMAF, while also discussing mutual combat capabilities.
The exercise will witness various aerial combat drills between the two Air Forces, the IAF said, adding that it would fortify the long-standing bond of friendship and enhance the avenues of defence cooperation between the two Air Forces, thereby augmenting security in the region.
From the Indian Air Force Su-30, MKI and C-17 aircraft will be participating while the RMAF will be flying Su-30 MKM aircraft.
Static/Current Takeaways Important For All Exam 2022:
- Indian Airforce founded: 08th October 1932;
- Indian Airforce Headquarters: New Delhi;
- Indian Airforce Chief of Air Staff: Vivek Ram Chaudhari.
Retail Inflation Eases To 6.71% In July
Retail inflation softened to 6.71 per cent in July due to moderation in food prices but remained above the Reserve Bank’s comfort level of 6 per cent for the seventh consecutive month.
With retail inflation continuing to remain high despite a fall in prices of vegetables and edible oils, among other commodities in July, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) might go for another rate hike in September.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) based retail inflation was at 7.01 per cent in June and 5.59 per cent in July 2021. It was above 7 per cent from April to June this fiscal.
SBI to run Indian Visa Centres (IVAC) in Bangladesh
The State Bank of India (SBI) will manage the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Bangladesh for two more years. The agreement to extend the operations for two more years was signed between the officials of the SBI and the High Commission of India in Dhaka.
The IVAC will also be starting a few additional services soon which include facilitation for online form filling and submission of forms, slot booking and launching of a mobile app. A priority lounge was also inaugurated at the IVAC centre in Dhaka.
Static/Current Takeaways Important For All Exam 2022:
- State Bank of India (SBI) chairman: Dinesh Kumar Khara;
- State Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai;
- State Bank of India Founded: 1 July 1955.
List of First in India in 75 Years of Independence of India
India on Sunday celebrated its 75th Independence Day on August 15, 2021, with the usual pride to mark its freedom from British rule. The Indian Independence movement began during World War I and was led by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. On August 15, 1947, India got its freedom, ending an almost 200-year British rule. The list of First in India includes about every event that happened first in India. India will observe the 75th Independence Day and in this article, we have included a list of the First in India, after 75 years of Independence which include 75 historic events and achievements of India that happened first. On the occasion of celebrating 75th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to commemorate 75 years of Independence.
List of First in India to know for everyone
In 75 years of Independence, India has developed into an advanced country. Several events happened for the first time in India and marked its significance. Such significant and memorable events that took place in India set several milestones in 75 years of independence. The table below will give you an overview of the events that happened First in India in different sectors like politics, education, entertainment, sports, etc.
First in India: Government, Politics, and Defence
| S.No. | First in India | Name |
| 1. | First President of India | Dr. Rajendra Prasad |
| 2. | First Prime Minister of India | Jawaharlal Nehru |
| 3. | First Governor-General of India | Lord William Bentinck |
| 4. | First Vice-President of India | Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan |
| 5. | First Female President of India | Pratibha Patil |
| 6. | First Female Prime Minister of India | Indira Gandhi |
| 7. | First Chief Election Commissioner of India | Sukumar Sen |
| 8. | First Viceroy of India | Lord Canning |
| 9. | First Home Minister of India | Sardar Vallabhai Patel |
| 10. | First Chief Justice of India | H.J Kania |
| 11. | First Female Chief Justice of India | Leila Seth |
| 12. | First Education Minister of India | Maulana Abul Kalam Azad |
| 13. | First Dalit President of India | K.R. Narayana |
| 14. | First Transgender Mayer of India | Madhu Bai Kinnar |
| 15. | First Muslim President of India | Zakir Hussian |
| 16. | First Female Governor of India | Sarojini Naidu |
| 17. | First Finance Minister of India | R.K. Shanmukham Chetty |
| 18. | First woman Chief Minister of a State | Sucheta kripalani |
| 19. | First NHRC of India | Ranganath Misra |
| 20. | First Cabinet Secretary of India | N.P.Pillai |
| 21. | First Minister of Information and Broadcasting | Sadar Vallabhbhai Patel |
| 22. | First women Minister of External Affairs | Sushma Swaraj |
| 23. | First Speaker of Lok Sabha | Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar |
| 24. | First President of Indian National Congress | W.C. Banerjee |
| 25. | First Foreign Secretary of India | K.P.S Menon |
| First in India: Sports and Awards | ||
| 26. | First Indian to receive Gold Medal at Olympics | Abhinav Bindra |
| 27. | First Team Medal at Olympic | Field Hockey, Gold Medal |
| 28. | First woman to win Gold in Olympics | Karnam Malleswari |
| 29. | First woman to win Silver in Olympics | P.V. Sindhu |
| 30. | First woman to win a medal in wrestling | Sakshi Malik |
| 31. | First Badminton Player to win a medal at Olympics | Saina Nehwal |
| 32. | First Chess Grandmaster of India | Viswanathan Anand |
| 33. | First Woman to be awarded the Padma Shri | Arati Saha |
| 34. | First Win in Cricket World Cup for India | 1983 |
| 35. | First Paralympics Medal | Murlikant Petkar, Gold, Swimming, 1974 |
| 36. | First Indian Nobel Laureate | Rabindranath Tagore |
| 37. | First Bharat Ratna Award | Dr. S. Radhakrishnan |
| 38. | First Scientist to get Nobel Prize | C.V. Raman |
| 39. | First woman to get Bharat Ratna Award | Indira Gandhi |
| 40. | First Indian to get Ashok Chakra | Rakesh Sharma (Astronaut) |
| 41. | First woman to get Ashok Chakra | Nirja Bhanot |
| 42. | First Indian to get Jnanpith Award | G. Shankar Kurup |
| 43. | First Transgender to get Padma Shri | Narthaki Nataraj |
| 44. | First Sportsperson to get Padma Shri | Balbir Singh Dosanjh |
| 45. | First Indian to receive Paramvir Chakra | Major Somnath Sharma |
| 46. | First Indian to receive Oscar award | Bhanu Athaiya |
| 47. | First Indian to receive Magsaysay Award | Acharya Vinoba Bhave |
| 48. | First Indian to receive Stalin Prize | Saifuddin Kitchlu |
| 49. | First Indian to receive Nobel Prize in Medicine | Hargovind Khurana |
| 50. | First Indian to receive Nobel Prize in Economics | Amartya Sen |
| First in India: Science, Entertainment and Miscellaneous | ||
| 51. | First Satellite Launched by India | Aryabhata |
| 52. | First Computer developed in India | TIFRAC |
| 53. | First Newspaper in India | The Bengal Gazette, 1780 |
| 54. | First Indian to be in Space | Rakesh Sharma |
| 55. | First Female Doctor in India | Rukhmabai Bhimrao Raut |
| 56. | First moon mission of India | Chandrayan-1 (2008-2009) |
| 57. | First Indian to develop an Airplane | Shivkar Bapuji Talpade |
| 58. | First Nuclear Plant in India | Tarapur Atomic Power Plant-1 |
| 59. | First silent movie in India | Raja Harishchandra |
| 60. | First female mining engineer in India | Chandrani Prasad Verma |
| 61. | First female entrepreneur in India | Kalpana Saroj |
| 62. | First IAS officer of India | Satyendranath Tagore |
| 63. | First successful nuclear test in India | Operation Smiling Buddha, 18th May 1974 |
| 64. | First General Election in India | 1951-1952 |
| 65. | First woman IPS officer in India | Kiran Bedi |
| 66. | First Hindi newspaper in India | Udant Martand (30 May 1826) |
| 67. | First woman to climb Mount Everest | Bachhendri Pal |
| 68. | First Asian Games in India | New Delhi, 1951 |
| 69. | First Nuclear Reactor in India | Apsara |
| 70. | First successfully indigenous launch vehicle | SLV-3 |
| 71. | First Temple constructed from a single rock | Kailasa Temple at Ellora |
| 72. | First Dam in India | Kallanai Dam |
| 73. | First Space Shuttle launched in India | RLV-TD, 2016 |
| 74. | First Indian Pilot in India | J.R.D. Tata |
| 75. | First woman to go to space from India | Kalpana Chawla |
