CURRENT AFFAIRS 20th August, 2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS

20 August, 2024

1. RGIA WINS BEST AIRPORT AWARD FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR –

• The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad has once again been recognized as the Best Airport at the India Travel Awards for the third year in a row. This achievement highlights RGIA’s dedication to providing an exceptional experience for its passengers.
• This isn’t the first time RGIA has been recognized. Earlier this year, the airport also won the Skytrax award for the ‘Best Airport Staff in India & South Asia 2024’.
• This further strengthens its position as a top provider of excellent customer service, making it one of the best airports not just in India, but in the entire South Asian region.

2. MAHARASHTRA LAUNCHES FIRST SOLAR VILLAGE –

• Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has launched the Solar Village Scheme. This program aims to power 100 villages with 100% solar energy. Manyachiwadi in Satara district is the first village to benefit from this scheme, making it the first fully solar-powered village in the state.
• This is a government initiative to promote renewable energy, specifically solar power, in Maharashtra. The plan is to provide complete solar power to two villages in each district.
• No Electricity Bills: Households will not need to pay for their electricity under the PM Suryagarh Muft Bijali Yojana.
• Free Power for Farmers: Farmers will receive free electricity.
• First Success: Manyachiwadi has become the first village in Maharashtra to be entirely powered by solar energy.

3. PM MODI TO ADDRESS THIRD VOICE OF GLOBAL SOUTH SUMMIT –

• India hosted the third Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS), following the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ which means “the world is one family.” This summit supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of development that includes everyone.
• The VOGSS is designed to empower countries in the Global South by providing a platform to discuss and address ongoing challenges like conflicts, food and energy crises, and climate change—issues that heavily impact developing nations.
• All countries from the Global South are invited to join the summit, which is held online. The event includes a Leaders’ Session and several sessions for different ministers.

4. PAETONGTARN SHINAWATRA, THE YOUNGEST PRIME MINISTER OF THAILAND –

• Paetongtarn Shinawatra was elected as Thailand’s youngest prime minister at the age of 37. Her election came after the dismissal of Srettha Thavisin, marking a major change in Thailand’s political scene amid ongoing instability.
• Paetongtarn is the daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, a highly influential and controversial figure in Thai politics. She is the third member of the Shinawatra family to become prime minister, following her father and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra. Her rise highlights the family’s strong and lasting political presence.

5. CENTRAL INDIA FORESTS FACE HIGH FIRE RISK, STUDY WARNS –

• Forests in Khandwa and North Betul, located in Central India, are increasingly at risk of forest fires due to a combination of human activities and natural factors. This concern was highlighted in a study published on August 14, 2024.
• The research was led by Vibha Sahu from the Indian Institute of Forest Management. By analyzing 22 years of satellite data from the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer), the study uncovered a troubling trend: the number of forest fires in Khandwa has been rising by an average of three fires per year, while North Betul has seen an increase of one fire per year.
• The study found that about 45% of Khandwa’s forests and 50% of North Betul’s forests are now in areas classified as having a high or very high risk of fire. In Khandwa, the most vulnerable areas are in the northern and southeastern regions. In North Betul, the high-risk zones are mainly in the northwestern and northeastern parts.