IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF 12th AUGUST, 2019

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF 12th AUGUST, 2019

1. International Youth Day: 12 August

The United Nations' (UN) International Youth Day is celebrated on August 12 each year to recognize efforts of the world's youth in enhancing global society.

• It is meant as an opportunity for governments and others to draw attention to youth issues worldwide.
• 2019 Theme: ‘Transforming education’

2. Google remembers Vikram Sarabhai on birth anniversary

Google dedicated a doodle to mark the 100th birth anniversary of Indian scientist Vikram Sarabhai.

• The doodle, illustrated by Mumbai-based guest artist Pavan Rajurkar, had a blue and white portrait of the renowned physicist along with moon, rocket and stars, outlining his association with space programs.
• Sarabhai, often known as the Father of India's Space Programme,had established the Indian National Committee for Space Research in 1962, which was later renamed as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• Sarabhai was born on August 12, 1919, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• Remembered as the founding father of the Indian space programme, Sarabhai set up the Physical Research laboratory in his hometown in Ahmedabad in 1947 which was a precursor to the ISRO.

3. 15-km long national flag unfurled in Raipur

In Chhattisgarh, thousands of students and members of several social organisations unfurled a 15-km long national flag by forming a human chain in Raipur ahead of the Independence day.

• The event, organised by Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam Foundation, entered the Champions Book of World Records (for the longest tricolour).
• Thousands of people, including those belonging to 35 social organisations across the state, and students from various schools created a human chain while holding the 15-km long tricolour from Amapara Chowk to Pt Ravishankar Shukla University.

4. Punjab govt to provide 28000 agro-machines to farmers to prevent stubble burning

With a view to making Punjab a ‘zero stubble burning state’, the Punjab Agriculture Department has initiated a massive drive to provide more than 28000 agro-machines/farm equipment to farmers.

• Subsidy component of 278 crore rupees will be provided for the scheme during the current fiscal year under the first phase for in-situ management of paddy residue.
• Subsidy ranging from 50 per cent to 80 per cent is being provided to the farmers under the scheme with 80 percent subsidy to cooperative societies and farmers groups while 50 percent for individuals.
• The Agriculture Department has fully geared up to complete the task of distribution of this equipment before September 15.

5. RBL Bank launches India's first health-focused credit card

RBL Bank and digital healthcare platform Practo have partnered to launch an industry first co-branded health credit card.

• This credit card is powered by Mastercard and is available on both Practo and RBL mobile apps and websites.
• It offers benefits like unlimited and round-the-clock online consultations with experienced and qualified doctors, one free full body health check-up, while users can use the card to earn points that can be redeemed for availing Practo services like ordering medicine, tests and online consultations.
• Practo is currently the only platform in the country that lets patients manage their healthcare needs end-to-end.

6. Indian junior shuttlers win 6 medals at Bulgarian Open

In Badminton, Indian junior shuttlers won six medals at the Bulgarian Junior International Championships which concluded in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria.

• The medals comprised of three gold, a silver and two bronze. 
• The gold medals were won by Samiya Imad Faruqui in women's singles, the duo of Edvin Joy and Shruti Mishra in Mixed Doubles and pair of Tanisha Crasto and Aditi Bhatt in women's doubles.
• Men's doubles combination of Ishan Bhatnagar and Vishnuvardhan settled for the silver medal.
• Malvika Bansod and  Meiraba Luwang won a bronze each in other singles events.

7. Sourabh Verma wins Hyderabad Open title

In Badminton, reigning national champion, Sourabh Verma clinched the Men's singles title in the Hyderabad Open.

• He beat Singapore's Loh Kean Yew 21-13, 14-21, 21-16 in a 52-minute final clash.
• The 26-year-old  Sourabh from Madhya Pradesh had won the Slovenian International in May this year.
• He had also won two Super 100 titles at the Dutch Open and Russian Open last year.

8. Virat Kohli becomes second-highest run-getter for India in ODIs

Skipper Virat Kohli became the second-highest run-getter for India in ODIs as he played a knock of 120 runs against Windies in the second ODI.

• Kohli broke the record of former captain Sourav Ganguly who scored 11,363 runs in 311 ODIs.
• Kohli is only behind the legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar.
• Tendulkar has 18,426 runs, most in the ODI cricket by any batsman in the world.
• Kohli also became the highest run-scorer against West Indies in the ODIs.

9. Freedom fighter Dayanidhi Nayak passes away

Noted freedom fighter Dayanidhi Nayak, who struggled against the British Government during the Quit India movement,passed away.

• One of the 32 freedom fighters from Panimora, he joined the Quit India movement against the British government and was a devout follower of Mahatma Gandhi.
• During Quit India movement, he was jailed for nine months.
• He was a pure Gandhian and he even used to weave his own clothes like him.

10. Amit Shah releases book on VP M Venkaiah Naidu's two years in office

Home Minister Amit Shah released a book titled ‘Listening, Learning & Leading’ chronicling the two years in office by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu.

• The book was released in Chennai at a function organised by Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
• The book captures the glimpses of the Vice President’s 330 public engagements across the country in the last two years.
• The book also showcases the Vice President’s feat as the Rajya Sabha Chairman in enhancing its effectiveness and promoting its efficiency.