TODAY’S TOP NEWS: 20 AUGUST, 2020 (GPN):

NATIONAL NEWS:

1. *The Union Cabinet approved to set up National Recruitment Agency.* The agency is to conduct Common Eligibility Test for Public Sector Banks and Government Jobs.

2. The Common Eligibility Test (CET) is to be conducted for non-gazetted posts in public sector banks and central government. The score of CET is valid for three years. Candidates qualifying the test can apply for higher level of examination.

3. *The Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launched the “Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge”.* The challenge is being launched to achieve self-reliance or Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The Centre for Development of Advance Computing (CDAC) and IIT Madras have developed two micro-processors called *SHAKTI and VEGA.* The SHAKTI is a 32-bit processor and VEGA is a 64-bit processor.

4. *Indian Coast Guard launches interceptor boat in Surat* : Interceptor Boat `ICGS C-454′, built by Larsen and Toubro, was launched into the service of the Coast Guard. The 27-meter-long boat has a maximum speed of 45 nautical miles or 83 kilometers per hour, and has “excellent seakeeping, maneuverability and endurance range of 500 nautical miles”.

5. *Uttar Pradesh Government launched the Electronics Manufacturing Policy.* It aims to bring in Rs 40,000 crores of investment in five years. The policy aims to develop Bundelkhand and Purvanchal regions. The policy will provide incentives to all units that are willing to set up their bases in Uttar Pradesh.

6. Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) renamed as Ministry of Education

7. *All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and Delhi Police to extend Ayurveda preventive health services to the residential colonies of Delhi Police* . Under the initiative the health services are to be provided at the door steps of Delhi Police families. The mobile unit that is to provide the services are named “ *Dhanwantari Rath* ”. It is a continuation of the “Ayuraksha”. The Ayuraksha is a joint venture of AIIA and Delhi Police. It aims to maintain health of frontline COVID-19 warriors.

8. Contributions to PM-CARES (Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations) Fund need not be credited to NDRF (National Disaster Response Fund): Supreme Court said.

9. The Jagan Mohan Reddy led- *YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh, on Wednesday, gave nod for the ‘YSR Asara’ scheme* along with two other schemes that included YSR Sampooran Yojana and Jagananna Vidya Kanuka.

10. AP CM Reddy had also devised a policy to provide rice to all the ration cardholders across the state on their doorstep. The date allocated for the same is December 1, and the government shall be spending 648 crores for sortexed rice and 296 crores for delivering the same. Besides, with a budget of 550 crores, about 9,260 vehicles for transportation have been allocated. The unemployed youth, belonging from the Backward Classes(BC), Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes(ST) would be provided employment in terms of delivering the rice.

11. *Heavy rain throws life out of gear in Delhi-NCR*
Electricity snapped, traffic disrupted in many areas of Gurugram

12. *The Centre ordered “immediate” withdrawal of about 10,000 paramilitary personnel from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir* This is the biggest de-induction of these forces after additional troops were rushed to the UT post the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution that gave the erstwhile state a unique status.

13. A total of 40 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and 20 each of the Central Industrial Security Force, the Border Security Force and the Sashastra Seema Bal, will be taken out from Jammu and Kashmir by this week.

14. In an effort to rush troops and tanks to the Pakistan and China front in Ladakh without being observed by the enemy, *India is working on making a new road from Manali to Leh, which will provide the third link between the high altitude mountainous Union Territory* (UT) and the rest of the country.

15. *The Army on Wednesday issued an advertisement in local newspapers asking people to share “credible” inputs for its probe into the killing of three alleged militants in an encounter last month,* following allegations by families in the Rajouri area of Jammu region that as many of their kin were missing from the same place.

16. *Former President Pranab Mukherjee’s medical condition declined on Wednesday* as he developed features of lung infection, said the Indian Army’s Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi.

17. *Cabinet approves increase in sugarcane FRP by Rs 10 to Rs 285 per quintal for 2020-21*
sugar season (October-September) on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), read an official statement.

18. *Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh welcomed the judgment of the Supreme Court in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case* . Earlier in the day, the SC bench comprising Justice Hrishikesh Roy approved the ongoing CBI probe based on the Patna Police FIR. Deshmukh assured that the state government would extend all possible cooperation to the CBI.

19. *Legendary classical singer Pandit Jasraj’s mortal remains arrive in Mumbai, last rites to be performed on Thursday* August 20, 2020, at Vile Parle Crematorium in Mumbai. He breathed his last in New Jersey on Monday due to a cardiac arrest. He was 90.

20. *COVID-19 IN INDIA*
TOTAL CASES 2767273
TOTAL ACTIVE 676514
RECOVERED 2037870
TOTAL DEATHS 52889

*✈INTERNATIONAL NEWS*

1. *India and China are expected to hold a fresh round of diplomatic talks on Thursday* to carry forward the disengagement process to resolve the over three-month-long border stand-off in eastern Ladakh

2. *Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla wrapped up his two day visit to Bangladesh on Wednesday* after holding a meeting with his Bangaldeshi counterpart Masud Bin Momen in Dhaka. During the discussion a range issues of mutual interest was discussed including the issue relating to the vaccine development and therapeutics.

3. *India, Japan Set To Ink Military Pact To Counter Chinese Aggression?*
India, Japan summit is set for early next month with a key military logistic pact in the pipeline to be signed by the Prime Ministers of both nations. The broad focus of the meeting will be to further expand India-Japan trade ties along with a discussion on increasing Chinese aggression in Ladakh and the South China Sea.

4. *The Asian Development Bank approved 1 billion USD loan to support construction of modern high-speed Delhi-Meerut (82 km) Regional Rapid Transit System in India.* The project is to finance construction of station buildings, railway tracks, maintenance facilities, power supply and traction. Ashok Lavasa resigned as Election Commissioner. He is to serve as the Vice President of Asian Development Bank from September 2020.

5. The ADB was established in 1966. The headquarters of the bank is located in Manila, Philippines. The bank was closely modelled to the World Bank. As of December 2019, India has received a total of 47.96 billion loan from the bank.

6. Bangladesh to get Indian COVID-19 vaccine on priority says Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla. Bangladesh is the second country after Bhutan which has offered to be part of COVID-19 trials.

*WORLD NEWS*

1. *Sri Lankan government has granted approval to abolish the 19th amendment to the constitution and replace it with the 20th amendment.* Minister of Mass Media Keheliya Rambukwella said the decision was taken at the first cabinet meeting of new government held on Wednesday.

2. The amendment brought by previous government had put a two-term limit on Presidency and curtailed the executive powers of President and transferred it to parliament and independent commissions.

3. The Rajapaksa family had alleged that the amendment was brought specifically to target the family. Mahinda Rajapaksa could not contest the last November Presidential elections because of term limit and his younger brother Gotabaya became the candidate.

4. *54.4 degrees Celsius, world’s hottest air temperature in a century* , recorded in Mojave Desert, United States.

5. *WORLD COVID CASES*
CONFIRMED 2,19,43,183
DEATHs 7,75,439

* SPORTS:*

*Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya resumed outdoor training ahead of IPL* 2020 that will be played in the UAE from September 19 to November 10 where Mumbai Indians will be defending their title.

2. India’s top singles player Sumit Nagal set up the Prague Open quarterfinal clash against three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka following a come-from-behind win over lower-ranked Kiri Lehecka.

3. Sumit Nagal, who played against Roger Federer at the US Open last year, will test his game against the Swiss, who also rallied to beat Germany’s Oscar Otte. Wawrinka won 3-6 7-5 6-1 in one-hour and 54-minute second round contest of the Euro 137,560 clay court event

*USD 74.85 GBP 98.54*
_In Dehradun_(UK)
*Gold ₹55,150@10 gm 24 (Krt)*
*Silver ₹71,100@ Kg*
⛽ *Petrol ₹ 81.96*
⛽ *Diesel ₹ 77.06*

* FACTS ABOUT INDIA*

*Dehradun* is made up of two words: Dehra is derived from the word Dera, meaning camp or temporary settlement. Dun or Doon in Garhwali language refers to a valley that lies between the middle Himalayas and the “Shivaliks”. … This is when the word Dehra was linked to Dun, and thus the city was named Dehradun.

* THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

Always remember that your present situation is not the end, the best is yet to come.

JOKES OF THE DAY:

1)*Pappu* Cigratte pe 2 metre pipe laga kr pe raha tha.
*Frnd* : Tu pipe laga kar cig Q pe raha hai
*Pappu* : Doctor ne kaha, Cig-Bidi se dur rehna.

2) Pappu in Sansad in poetic mood –

*TELL ME WHY❓❓❓

*How we woke correct time in the morning. How our age brings changes in our physical appearance…How It happens*

It is because of Biological clock⏰ that we have in our mind. Biological clocks are an organism’s innate timing device. They’re composed of specific molecules (proteins) that interact in cells throughout the body. Biological clocks are found in nearly every tissue and organ.

The circadian biological clock is controlled by a part of the brain called the *Suprachiasmatic Nucleus (SCN),* a group of cells in the hypothalamus that respond to light and dark signals. From the optic nerve of the eye, light travels to the SCN, signaling the internal clock that it is time to be awake.

It is the program that limits the lifespan of an individual. Circadian clock, a molecular mechanism that results in a circadian rhythm in a living organism. Circadian rhythm, biological process that displays an oscillation about 24 hours, such as the human sleep-wake cycle (the “body clock”), mensuration process in women.

Biological clocks are an organism’s innate timing device. They’re composed of specific molecules (proteins) that interact in cells throughout the body. Biological clocks are found in nearly every tissue and organ. Researchers have identified similar genes in people, fruit flies, mice, fungi, and several other organisms that are responsible for making the clock’s components.

*LEARN SANSKRIT*

*Hyaha* (yesterday),
*adya* (today),
*shvaha* (tommorow), *parashvaha* (day after tomorrow) and *praparashavaha* (day after the day after tomorrow)

*HOW IT WORKS* ⁉

*How rock salt forms*

The scientific name for rock salt is *Halite* , and its chemical formula is *NaCl* or sodium chlorine. Table salt is also made from rock salt, which is a naturally occurring mineral often found in large deposits near the surface of the earth.

*Formation*
Rock salt is found in old ocean sea beds that have long ago dried up. The compound originates from a body of sea water that undergoes an intense evaporation process, leaving behind large rings of sea salt. Then through the long process of geologic aging, the salt layers are covered with marine sediments.

‍♂️ *GK TODAY*

The *Japanese Yen* is the official currency of *Japan*
Symbol: *¥*

*VEDIK GYAN*

*This is the another story behind Garlic and Onions, why they are not been used by Vaishnavas*

According to Vishnu Purana, Devas and the asuras jointly churned Kshirabdhi (Milky Ocean) wherefrom emerged Dhanvantari with the Amrtakumbha (pot of nectar).

But an asura mayavi (magician) called *Saimhikeya* absconded to Patala with the Amrtakumbha which nobody noticed as everybody was busy with dividing other divine objects. Only after the mayavi’s disappearance was it noticed that the Amrtakumbha was missing. At once Mahavisnu assumed the figure of a beautiful woman, got back the Kumbha and gave it to the devas. The devas began drinking the amrta when, at the instance of some other devas, Saimhikeya, the mayavi, assuming the form of an old Brahmin reached svarga, (Heaven) got a share of the amrta and began to drink it. Surya and Candra (Sun and Moon) who were on guard at the gates divined the secret of the ‘old Brahmin’ and informed Mahavishnu about it. Shri Vishnu immediately cut the throat of the pseudo-Brahmin with his Sudarshana Chakra. But, half of the nectar he had drunk stayed above the throat and the other half below it. Therefore, though the head and the trunk were severed they remained alive. These two parts, in course of time, evolved as Rahu and Ketu

When the throat was cut some blood dropped on the ground, and became the red onion and the white onion (garlic) respectively. So both onion and garlic originated from the throat and blood of the demons or asuras, thus their consumption brings us closer to tamo guna (mode of ignorance) which characterizes the nature of the demons and thus is detrimental to bhakti.

*HEALTH CARE: HOME REMEDIES*
( *Note* : These home tips followed in villages/ancient traditions, it is up to you to use it or not)

*Rock salt* provides all the essential trace minerals and greatly improves the body’s immune system,” It fights harmful bacteria and helps kick illnesses to the curb. “Rock salt is beneficial for people suffering from respiratory problems and sinus.

Rock salt is used as a condiment and preservative in Indian cuisine, especially during fasting days. It adds a great flavour to chaats, chutneys, raitas and many other savoury Indian snacks and vegetable preparations. Its coarse texture makes it easy to pick up and sprinkle on food during or after cooking.

_Hence, too less or too_ _much of salt can be dangerous for health and adding the right amount_ _of salt is important. For an average adult daily salt intake should be approximately around 2,300 mg per day._ _However, in the case of high blood pressure, the ideal intake should be 1,500 mg per day._

PLZ FOLLOW GOVT. NORMS, MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCE, KEEP YOURSELF & YOUR FAMILY SAFE ENDS