Prime Minister Surya Khar Yojana:
- Pradhan Mantri Surya Khar Yojana is a government scheme aimed at providing free electricity to households in India.
- The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 15, 2024.
- Under this scheme, subsidy will be given to install solar panels on roofs of houses.
- The subsidy covers up to 40% of the cost of solar panels.
- It is expected that 1 crore families across India will benefit from this scheme.
Prime Minister Vishwakarma Yojana:
- Prime Minister Vishwakarma, a central sector scheme was launched on September 17, 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide end-to-end support to artisans and craftsmen.
- Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is the flagship ministry of Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana.
- The objective of the scheme is to support people engaged in traditional handicrafts.
- The mission is driven by the desire to financially support artisans and craftspeople, as well as to keep ancient traditions and diverse heritage alive through local products, arts and crafts.
- The scheme covers artisans and craftsmen engaged in 18 industries.
- The Vishwakarma Yojana is a major initiative aimed at reinventing India’s traditional art forms and empowering its artisans.
- It provides skill development and modern technology to reshape the craft industry.
- By combining tradition with innovation, the scheme not only enhances the quality of craftsmanship but also improves the competitiveness of artisans in the market.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana:
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban is being implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India.
- It was launched on 25 June 2015 to address the urban housing shortage among the EWS.
- The scheme aims to provide housing with basic amenities to all homeless households living in dilapidated houses by 2022.
Vellore CMC, IIT Chennai jointly design new robotic device for hand movement therapy:
- Vellore Christian Medical College (CMC) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Chennai) have jointly developed a handheld robotic device for hand movement therapy.
- The plug and drain robot, or Bluto, is an arm nerve rehabilitation device modeled after the design of a mix grinder.
- The device, called Pluto, uses a motor and various attachments to train different hand movements.
August 20: Akshay Urja Day in India
- India Akshay Urja Day is celebrated annually on August 20 to create awareness about the development of renewable energy in India.
- It is a campaign celebrated since 2004.
- This day commemorates the birthday of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
August 20: World Mosquito Day
- World Mosquito Day is observed on August 20 every year to commemorate British physician Sir Ronald Ross’s discovery in 1897 that ‘female mosquitoes transmit malaria to humans’.
August 20: Satbhavna Diwas
- Satbhavna Diwas is observed on 20th August every year in memory of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
- Satbhavna in English means goodwill and firmness.
Important Days:
- Nepal Government has decided to provide 1,000 MW of electricity to India, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, who is visiting India.
- The first review meeting on the functioning of public sector banks was held in Delhi under the chairmanship of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
- VIT University Shanghai ranked second in India in the global academic ranking list.
- VIT University ranks first among private universities in India.
- A 4000 year old Paleolithic monument and stone pits were found at Dindigul.
- Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Chandrayaan 3 Program Director S. Mohanakumar.
- Indian all-rounder Deepti Chama led the London Spirit team to win the women’s 100 cricket tournament held in England.