29-31 AUGUST
ISRO successfully test-fires Scramjet Rocket Engine
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on 28 August 2016 successfully test launched the Supersonic Combustion Ramjet engine, called Scramjet, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikotta in Andhra Pradesh.
The experimental mission aimed at realisation of an Air Breathing Propulsion System (ABPS) uses hydrogen as fuel and oxygen from the atmosphere air as the oxidiser.
Two scramjet engines were mounted alongside of a two-stage, solid fueled rocket called Advanced Technology Vehicle (ATV), which is an advanced sounding rocket. The national space agency said that its first ever experimental mission met all the specified goals. The rocket carrying Scramjet engines weighed 3277 kg at lift-off.
After a flight of about 300 seconds, the vehicle touched down in the Bay of Bengal, approximately 320 km from Sriharikota. The vehicle was successfully tracked during its flight from the ground stations at Sriharikota.
With this success, India joined the select league of four space faring nations that have demonstrated flight testing of Scramjet engines.
Scramjet engine
• A scramjet (supersonic combusting ramjet) is a variant of a ramjet air breathing jet engine in which combustion takes place in supersonic airflow.
• The scramjet engine is used only during the atmospheric phase of the rocket’s flight.
• It uses hydrogen as fuel and the oxygen from the atmospheric air as the oxidizer.
Benefits of the engine
Once the new technology is adopted, the cost of satellite launches would come down significantly and heavier satellites can also be launched using smaller vehicles. The Air Breathing Propulsion System (ABPS) uses oxygen from the atmosphere for burning the fuel in rockets, whereas, at present oxidizing agents are being used along with the fuels in the rockets, making the vehicles heavy and expensive.
Advanced Technology Vehicle (ATV)
ATV is a two stage spin stabilised launcher with identical solid motors (based on Rohini RH560 sounding rocket) as the first as well as the second stage (booster and sustainer).
Sania Mirza, Monica Niculescu won Connecticut Open doubles title
Saina Mirza and Monica Niculescu on 28 August 2016 won Doubles title at the Connecticut Open in New Haven, the US. In the final clash, the Indo-Romanian team defeated the Ukrainian-Taiwanese pair of Kateryna Bondarenko and Chuang Chia-Jung, 7-5, 6-4.
This is their first title together.
The last time Sania and Niculescu partnered up was in 2010. They had played one tournament together before calling time. Sania had recently parted ways with Swiss Martina Hingis after a hugely successful partnership.
Unified Payments Interface introduced by banks
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was introduced on 25 August 2016 by four banks, namely Axis Bank, Union Bank of India, Federal Bank and Bank of Maharashtra. The app will allow customers to make payments via digital means.
The app went live for these banks after National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) issued letters to them asking them to make the apps available on Google Play Store. Apart from this, the UPI-enabled apps will be available for other 19-banks in next 2-3 working days.
Initially, the facility, which is available on Google Play Store, will be available for bank customers with Android smartphones. Versions for Apple’s iOS operating system will be launched in next six months.
UPI, a product of NPCI, will help move India towards a cashless economy. It will allow account holders across banks to send and receive money from their smartphones using virtual payments address without entering bank account details.
The interface is a brainchild of RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan. The pilot launch was on 11 April 2016 by Dr. Raghuram G Rajan, RBI Governor.
Unified Payments Interface
• It will allow customer to have multiple virtual address for accounts in various banks.
• UPI is a set of standard Application Programming Interface (APIs).
• The new payments interface will also provide an option for scheduling push and pull transactions, such as sharing bills among peers.
• It is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application (of any participating bank), merging several banking features, seamless fund routing & merchant payments into one hood.
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is the umbrella organisation for all retail payments system in India.
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US President Obama expands world's largest protected marine area off Hawaii
US President Barack Obama on 27 August 2016 expanded Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument off Hawaii, creating the world's largest marine reserve.
The announcement quadruples in size of the existing monument originally created by President George W Bush in 2006. Now, the existing Marine National Monument will expand by 442781 square miles, bringing the total protected area of the expanded monument to 582578 square miles.
The White House says the expansion is helping to protect more than 7000 species including whales, sea turtles, pristine coral reefs, deep sea marine habitats, and more. It will also improve the ecological resources in the waters of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands by dealing with ocean acidification and warming.
The expansion will improve ocean resilience, help the region’s distinct physical and biological resources adapt, and create a natural laboratory that will allow scientists to monitor and explore the impacts of climate change on these fragile ecosystems.
The expansion will prohibit all commercial resource extraction activities, including commercial fishing and any future mineral extraction. Noncommercial fishing, such as recreational fishing and the removal of fish and other resources for Native Hawaiian cultural practices, is allowed in the expansion area by permit, as is scientific research.
Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument
The monument was originally created in 2006 by President George W. Bush and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. Since that time, new scientific exploration and research has revealed new species and deep sea habitats as well as important ecological connections between the existing monument and the adjacent waters.
Maharashtra Government unveiled Mumbai-Nagpur Super Communication Expressway project
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on 27 August 2016 unveiled the 46000-crore rupee, ambitious Mumbai-Nagpur Super Communication Expressway project in Mumbai.
The project to be implemented by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation will create state-of-the art road connectivity within a period of three years and give a fillip to investment.
Highlights of the Mumbai-Nagpur Super Communication Expressway Project
• It would be carried out in the Land Pooling model with farmers being made partners and some percentage of developed land given back to them.
• The six-lane super communication highway, connecting the entire breadth of Maharashtra, would require 9000 hectares of land.
• Facilities like CCTV cameras, trauma centres, electronic toll points, two lanes of service roads, utility shifting, bypass, and other structures will be installed to enhance operational and safety standards.
• The 706-km link that will pass through 10 districts.
• It seeks to connect 24 districts with an aim to improve access of rural communities in the east to commercial hubs in the west.
• The project also known 'Maharashtra Prosperity Corridor' will reduce travel time between the two cities from 12-16 hours to six to eight hours.
Union Finance Ministry constitutes High-level Committee to suggest steps to promote card payments
The Union Finance Ministry on 26 August 2016 constituted a high-level committee to suggest steps to promote card payments through incentives like tax rebates and cash back schemes. The committee was constituted with an aim to discourage cash transactions.
The 11-member committee will be headed by former Finance Secretary Ratan P Watal. The committee will have representatives from the Reserve bank of India (RBI), Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the tax department and various industry bodies in the payments space.
Terms of reference of the committee
• It will recommend various measures to incentivise transactions through cards and digital means, e.g., through tax rebates/incentives, introduction of cash back/lottery.
• It will review the payments system in the country and recommend measures for encouraging digital payments.
• It will study feasibility of creating Payments History of all digital payments and ensure that consumers can leverage the data to access instant, low cost micro-credit through digital means.
• The panel will also study and recommend need for changes, if any, in the regulatory mechanism under various laws, relevant for the purpose of promotion of payments by digital modes.
• It will also study and recommend ways for leveraging Unique Identification Number or any other identity proof for authentication of digital transactions and setting up of a centralised KYC Registry.
• It will study introduction of single window system of payment gateway to accept all types of cards/digital payments of government receipts and enable settlements via NPCI or other agencies.
UNU-EHS releases World Risk Report 2016: India ranked 77th in World Disaster Risk Index
The United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) and Bundnis Entwicklung Hilft on 25 August 2016 released the World Risk Report 2016, that analyzes the role of infrastructure in shaping a country's disaster risk.
The World Risk Index is an integral part of the report as it ranks 171 countries according to the risk of becoming a victim of a disaster as a result of natural hazards such as floods, cyclones, or earthquakes.
The Index was prepared and calculated by the University of Stuttgart in Germany.
Highlights of the Report
• It finds that inadequate infrastructure and weak logistic chains substantially increase the risk that an extreme natural event will become a disaster.
• When it comes to aid measures following extreme natural events, the challenges mostly lie in the last mile of the logistics chain: organising transportation despite destroyed streets or bridges.
• Crumbling transport routes, unreliable electricity grids and dilapidated buildings not only hinder humanitarian aid from overseas, but also delay crucial aid for those affected in the disaster.
• Sufficient, high-quality infrastructure cannot only prevent the often catastrophic consequences of natural hazards such as flooding or storms.
• Critical infrastructure can thus reduce the risk of natural hazards for populations and it can mitigate economic losses.
• Over the last few decades, the world has experienced an increasing number of catastrophic earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, storms and droughts.
• Disasters are not natural per se. A disaster occurs when natural hazards hit a highly vulnerable society. Vulnerability results from the complex interplay of social, economic, environmental and governance-related factors like public infrastructure, poverty and inequality.
• Infrastructure can be decisive in determining the impact of disasters. Countries and their economies depend on critical infrastructure like communication, transportation public institutions to function.
• Having infrastructure in place is only the first step. People and the institutions should ensure that critical infrastructure is maintained and managed properly to mitigate the negative impacts of natural hazards.
• Southeast Asia, Central America, Oceania and the Southern Sahel are consistently disaster risk hotspots. These regions consistently face higher disaster risk due to their high vulnerability and high exposure to natural hazards such as earthquakes, storms, floods, droughts and to sea level rise.
• It identifies a strong need for action for improving the logistics and infrastructure in the countries Benin, Burundi, Haiti, Cambodia, Cameroon, Madagascar, Myanmar, Zimbabwe and Chad, which are at severe risk of extreme natural events.
Highlights of the World Risk Index 2016
• Vanuatu is the country with the highest risk of disaster (index value: 36.28) among the 171 countries included in the World Risk Index 2016.
• Tonga (index value: 29.33) and the Philippines (index value: 26.70) rank number 2 and 3.
• Germany is ranked at number 147 (index value: 2.95).
• The hotspot regions for the risk of disaster are located in Oceania, South-East Asia, Central America and in Southern Sahel.
•Netherlands is a country with a very high hazards exposure (rank 12), meaning that almost one third of its population is exposed to floods, storms, sea-level rise, or other hazards.
• Bangladesh also has high hazards exposure level (rank 10) but ranks near the top (5) on the overall risk index.
• Pakistan ranks 72th while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at 63rd and 5th position respectively.
• China and Nepal are ranked at 85th and 108th position respectively.
India's position in World Risk Index 2016
India ranks 77 on the World Risk Index, marginally better positioned than Pakistan which is placed at 72nd position.
International Day Against Nuclear Tests observed globally
29 August: International Day Against Nuclear Tests
International Day Against Nuclear Tests was on 29 August 2016 observed across the world with an aim to raise people’s awareness on the need to prevent nuclear catastrophes to avert devastating effects on humankind, the environment and the planet.
The Day was first celebrated in 2010 and since then, the day has been observed by coordinating various activities throughout the world such as symposia, conferences, exhibits, competitions, publications, instruction in academic institutions, media broadcasts and others.
Background
The United Nations General Assembly declared 29 August as the International Day against Nuclear Tests by unanimously adopting resolution 64/35 on 2 December 2009.
The resolution was initiated by the Republic of Kazakhstan, together with a large number of sponsors and cosponsors with a view to commemorate the closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test site on 29 August 1991.
The Day is meant to galvanize the United Nations, Member States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and the media to inform, educate and advocate the necessity of banning nuclear weapon tests.
Mukesh Mehta appointed as President of India Bullion and Jewellers Association
Mukesh Mehta was on 28 August 2016 appointed as the President of India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA). He is also a Director on the Board of IBJA.
Mehta succeeds Mohit Kamboj, who resigned in the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of IBJA on 24 August 2016.
Mukesh Mehta is director of Mark Bangles and has already been on the board since the last four years. He has also served on various committee's in the last four years.
IBJA is a 97 year old apex organization for bullion dealers and jewellers and any change at the top leadership is microscopically viewed by its members and other allied associations.
30 August
National Sports Day celebrated on 29 August
29 August: National Sports Day
National Sports Day was observed across India on 29 August 2016. The day is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of the legendary hockey player Dhyan Chand who was born on 29 August 1905.
On this occasion, President Pranab Mukherjee conferred National Sports and adventure awards on sports person at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi.
Winners of 2016 National Sports Awards are
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna: The award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years.
It was conferred on four sports person and they are PV Sindhu (Badminton), Dipa Karmakar (Gymnastics), Jitu Rai (Shooting) and Sakshi Malik (Wrestling).
Dronacharya Awards: The award is conferred on coaches for producing medal winners at prestigious international sports events.
It was conferred on six sports coaches and they are Nagapuri Ramesh (Athletics), Sagar Mal Dhayal (Boxing), Raj Kumar Sharma (Cricket), Bishweshwar Nandi (Gymnastics), S Pradeep Kumar (Swimming (Lifetime)) and Mahabir Singh (Wrestling (Lifetime)).
Arjuna Awards: The award is given for consistently outstanding performance for four years.
It was conferred on 15 sports from different discipline of sports and they are Rajat Chauhan (Archery), Lalita Babar (Athletics), Sourav Kothari (Billiards & Snooker), Shiva Thapa (Boxing), Ajinkya Rahane (Cricket), Subrata Paul (Football), Rani (Hockey), Raghunath VR (Hockey), Gurpreet Singh (Shooting), Apurvi Chandela (Shooting), Soumyajit Ghosh (Table Tennis), Vinesh (Wrestling), Amit Kumar (Wrestling), Sandeep Singh Mann (Para-Athletics) and Virender Singh (Wrestling (Deaf)).
Dhyan Chand Award 2015: The award is conferred for life time contribution to sports development.
It was conferred on three sports person and they are Athlete Satti Geetha, hockey player Sylvanus Dung Dung and Rower Rajendra Pralhad Shelke.
Rashtriya Khel Protsahana Purushkar: The award is given to the corporate entities (both in private and public sector) and individuals who have played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development. The award was conferred on seven organisations they were
• Reserve Bank of India for employment to sportspersons and other welfare measures
• India Infrastructure Finance Corporate Limited for encouragement to sports through corporate social responsibility
• Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society for sports development
• Hockey Citizen Group, Dadar Parsee Zorostrian cricket club, Usha School of Athletics and STAIRS were awarded for identification and nurturing of budding and young talent.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy: The trophy is given to the overall top performing university in inter-university tournaments. It was conferred on Punjabi University, Patiala.
Major Dhyan Chand – The Hockey Wizard
Major Dhyan Chand was India’s greatest hockey player. He has scored over 1000 goals between 1926 and 1948. He helped India win 3 Olympic Gold medals including the first in 1928 (Amsterdum Olympic games) and then in 1932 (Los Angeles Olympic games) and 1936 (Berlin Olympic games).
He became synonymous with hockey. He became the parameter of hockey by which other player’s caliber is measured. It is surprising to know that Dhyan Chand, who came to be known as Hockey Magician, started playing hockey only after joining the Army at the age of 16.
India, Myanmar signed four agreements to boost bilateral cooperation
India and Myanmar on 28 August 2016 signed four Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation and bilateral relations between the two countries.
The pacts were inked after delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting President of Myanmar U Htin Kyaw in New Delhi. President Kyaw was on a four day visit to India from 27 August to 30 August 2016.
The four agreements signed include
• MoU on cooperation in the construction of 69 Bridges including AP Aproach Roads in the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa Road Section of the Trilateral Highway in Myanmar.
• MoU on cooperation in the construction / upgradation of the Kalewa – Yagyi Road Section.
• MoU on cooperation in the Field of Renewable Energy.
• MoU on cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine.
India–Myanmar relations
Bilateral relations between Myanmar (Burma) and India have improved considerably since 1993, overcoming tensions related to drug trafficking, the suppression of democracy and the rule of the military junta in Burma.
Myanmar that is located south of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India acts as a bridge that connects India with South East Asia. The Indo- Myanmar border stretches over 1600 kilometers.
India, US signed LEMOA
India and the United States on 29 August 2016 signed Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA). The logistics agreement will enable the forces of the two nations to use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies.
The agreement was signed in Pentagon during Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s visit to the US. The two leaders had agreed on the memorandum in principle when they last met in India in April 2016.
Highlights of the agreement
• It makes joint operations easier and more efficient.
• It does not allow each nation to set up bases on the other, but to use bases and equipment only for operating together when they choose to.
On arrival at the Pentagon, Parrikar was given an enhanced honour cordon. The enhanced honour is reserved for valued guests and visitors during which national anthems are played. After the ceremonial welcome, Parrikar laid wreath at the 9/11 Memorial, following which the two leaders headed for talks.
The talks between the two defence leaders at Pentagon, the sixth meeting between the two defense chiefs, comes ahead of key annual exercises in India between US and Indian forces. The joint drills of the two forces named Yudh Abhyas will take place in the mountain of the northern India on September 2016.
Padma Sachdev gets Saraswati Samman for year 2015
Eminent author Padma Sachdev was awarded the prestigious Saraswati Samman for the year 2015 for her autobiography 'Chitt-Chete' written in Dogri language. She was felicitated by Delhi's Lt Governor Najeeb Jung in New Delhi on 29 August 2016.
The 76-year-old poet and novelist's autobiography, published in 2007, was shortlisted from 22 works written in as many languages published between 2005 and 2014.
Padma Sachdev
• Born in Jammu, Padma Sachdev is first modern woman poet of Dogri language.
• She has published her several poetry collection including Meri Kavita Mere Geet that has won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1971.
• She has also received the Padma Shri, the Indian fourth highest civilian award in 2001, and the Kabir Samman for poetry for the year 2007-2008, given by Government of Madhya Pradesh.
• She has 60 books to her credit and recited poems in several regional languages, including Gujarati and Punjabi.
Saraswati Samman
• The award is given every year for an outstanding literary work written by an Indian citizen in any of the 22 Indian languages listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution of India, published during the last 10 years.
• The award carries a sum of 15 lakh rupees besides a citation and a plaque.
• It is named after Goddess Saraswati, Indian goddess of learning.
• It is considered to be among the highest literary awards in India.
• The award was instituted in 1991 by the K. K. Birla Foundation.
• The inaugural award was given to Harivanshrai 'Bachchan' for his four volume autobiography, Kya Bhooloon Kya Yaad Karoon, Needa Ka Nirman Phir, Basere Se Door and Dashdwar se Sopan Tak.
Madhukar Gupta Committee on border protection submits report to MHA
The Madhukar Gupta Committee on border protection submitted its report to the Home Minister Rajnath Singh on 29 August 2016.
The panel has made a detailed study on threat perception, field visits and made a detailed recommendations pertaining to strengthening of border protection on Indo-Pakistan Border. It studied security and threats at Border States of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu.
The Committee headed by former Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta was appointed on 5 April 2016 for strengthening border protection and addressing the issue of gaps and vulnerability in border fencing along Indo-Pakistan Border.
It was constituted three months after terrorists belonging to Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed had breached the Indo-Pak border in Punjab and attacked the Pathankot airbase killing seven security personnel.
Nico Rosberg wins 2016 Belgian Grand Prix
Nico Rosberg of Mercedes on 28 August 2016 won the 2016 Belgian Grand Prix of Formula One (F1).
It was Rosberg’s first ever win at Spa and sixth of the 2016 season. This win has narrowed the gap between Hamilton and him to nine points in the championship standings.
Result of 2016 Belgian Grand Prix
• First Position: Nico Rosberg (Germany) of Mercedes team
• Second Position: Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) of Red Bull
• Third Position: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) of Mercedes Team
• Fourth Position: Nico Hulkenberg (Germany) of Force India
• Fifth Position: Sergio Perez (Italy) of Force India
Belgian Grand Prix
• The Belgian Grand Prix is an automobile race, part of the Formula One World Championship.
• It is one of the most popular races on the Formula One calendar, due to the scenic and historical Spa-Francorchamps circuit being a favorite of drivers and fans.
• The first national race of Belgium was held in 1925 at the Spa region's race course, an area of the country that had been associated with motor sport since the very early years of racing.
• To accommodate Grand Prix motor racing, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps race course was built in 1921 but it was only used for motorcycle racing until 1924.
• Since inception, Spa-Francorchamps has been known for its unpredictable weather.
PM Modi launches first phase of SAUNI project in Jamnagar, Gujarat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 30 August 2016 launched the first phase of SAUNI (Saurastra Narmada Avataran Irrigation) project at Sanodara of Jamnagar district of Gujarat. Modi released water from AJI-3 Dam.
SAUNI is a project that aims to solve the water problems of a parched Saurashtra.
Under the project, nearly 10 dams and reservoirs of Rajkot, Jamnagar and Morbi will be filled up with the water of Narmada River.
The 12000 crore rupees project will fill up nearly 115 dams of Saurashtra region which faces shortage of water for irrigation and drinking purposes. The overflowing water of the Narmada is sent to different reservoirs through network of canals.
Saruashtra, which comprises 11 districts, faces drought like situation often and has been reeling under severe water scarcity due to scanty rainfall in the last two years. This project is considered to be an ambitious one for PM Modi. It was announced in 2012 when Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation Yojana (SAUNI Yojana)
Sauni Yojana has been launched to divert one MAFt excess over flowing flood water of Narmada allocated to Saurashtra Region. The excess over flowing flood water of Narmada will be distributed to 115 reservoirs of eleven districts of Saurashtra through total 1126 km long four link pipelines benefitting 1022589 acre land. These links are
Link 1 from Machhu-II dam of Morbi district to Sani Dam of Jamanagar District: Having carrying capacity of 1200 cusecs, 30 reservoirs of Rajkot, Morbi, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamanagar Districts will be filled and 202100 acre area will be benefitted. The works for about 57.67 Km long pipeline of initial reach of this link are awarded and are under progress.
Link 2 from Limbdi Bhogavo-II Dam of Surendranagar District to Raidi Dam of Amreli District: having carrying capacity of 1050 cusecs, 17 reservoirs of Bhavnagar, Botad and Amreli Districts and area of 274700 acres will be benefitted. The works for about 51.28 Km long pipeline of initial reach of this link are awarded and are under progress.
Link 3 from Dholidhaja Dam of Surendranagar District to Venu-I Dam of Rajkot District:having carrying capacity of 1200 cusecs, 28 reservoirs of Rajkot, Jamanagar, Dev bhoomi Dwarka, Porbandar, Morbi and Surendranagar Districts and 198067 acre area will be benefitted. The works for about 66.30 Km long pipeline of initial reach of this link are awarded and are under progress.
Link 4 from Limbdi Bhogavo-II Dam of Surendranagar District to Hiran-II Irrigation scheme of Junagadh: having carrying capacity of 1200 cusecs , 40 reservoirs of Rajkot, Surendranagar, Junagadh, Porbandar, Gir Somnath, Amreli and Botad Districts and area of 3,47,722 acre will be benefitted. The works for about 54.70 Km long pipeline of initial reach of this link are awarded and are under progress.
Thus, under SAUNI Yojana work of about 230 Km length of pipeline works are commenced since March 2014 and are under progress.
31 August
Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt’s London Olympics bronze medal upgraded to silver
Indian wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt's bronze medal from the 2012 London Olympics was upgraded to silver on 30 August 2016. The medal was upgraded after second-place finisher late Besik Kudukhov of Russia was stripped off his medal for failing a dope test.
As per Russian agency, flowrestling.org, Kudukhov, who had died in a car crash in 2013 in southern Russia, was found to have used a banned substance in a test conducted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
As a result, Yogeshwar, who had bagged a bronze medal in men's 60kg freestyle category in the London Games, has now joined Sushil Kumar as the other silver medallist wrestler from the 2012 Olympics.
Besides, Kudukhov, another legendary wrestler, Artur Taymazov (120kg) of Uzbekistan was stripped off from his 2008 gold medal for taking performance enhancing drugs
Man Kaur, 100-year-old athlete from India, wins Gold Medal at Masters Games
India’s 100-year-old athlete, Man Kaur, on 30 August 2016 won Gold medal at the American Masters Games in the 100-meter dash. She took a minute-and-a-half to cross the finish line in Vancouver.
Kaur from Chandigarh was the only female competitor in her age category at the competition for older athletes.
Earlier, she won gold medals in the javelin and shot put. Kaur has now won more than 20 medals in Masters Games across the globe.
The World Masters Games is an international multi-sport event that takes place every four years, with regional games in between. The average age of the athletes is 49, and there's one man who is even older than Kaur 101-year-old Nihal Gill of Richmond, British Columbia.
West Bengal to be renamed as Bangal in Hindi and Bengal in English
The West Bengal State Assembly on 29 August 2016 passed a resolution to change the name of the state from West Bengal to Banglain Bengali, Bengalin English and Bangalin Hindi.
The resolution was moved by state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee under rule 169 of the rules of procedures of the House. The resolution was passed by a voice vote.
However, the move to change the name was opposed by the opposition Congress, BJP and Left Front.
In Bengali, the state is currently referred to as Paschim Bangaor Paschim Bangla.
In 2011, the State Government had sent a proposal to the Union Government for renaming West Bengal as Paschim Bango. However, the proposal never received a green signal.
Background
•When India gained independence in 1947, Bengal was partitioned along religious lines.
•The western part went to India and was named West Bengal.
•The eastern part joined Pakistan as a province called East Bengal. It was later renamed East Pakistan, giving rise to independent Bangladesh in 1971.
CRPF decides to appoint P V Sindhu as Commandant and brand ambassador
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), India’s largest paramilitary force, on 29 August 2016 decided to appoint ace badminton player P V Sindhu as its brand ambassador.
CRPF will also bestow the honorary rank of Commandant on the Olympic silver medallist.
The force has moved a formal proposal in this regard to the Union Home Ministry. After getting required sanctions, Sindhu will be honoured and presented the rank badges and camouflage combat fatigues of the CRPF at a ceremonial event.
A Commandant rank in the CRPF is equivalent to the position of a Superintendent of Police (SP).
Background
•Ace shuttler P V Sindhu won a historic silver medal in the women’s singles badminton at the recently concluded Rio Olympic Games.
•She was recently conferred the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honour.