Union Government announced names of 98 smart cities

The Union Government has been declared the names of 98 cities for its ambitious smart cities project. The aspirant cities were selected by the States and Union Territories on the parameters set by the Centre.

  • The selected cities include 12 from Uttar Pradesh, 12 from Tamil Nadu, 10 from Maharashtra, 7 from Madhya Pradesh, 3 each from Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.
  • All other states have also got one or two cities for the purpose, except Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Government will release two crore rupees each for the cities for the preparation of the smart city plan in the next few days.
  • Union government proposes to give financial support to the Mission to the extent of 48000 crores rupees over next five years.

Vassiliki Thanou sworn in as first female Prime Minister of Greece

President of Greece’s Supreme Court Vassiliki Thanou has been appointed as the first female Prime Minister of the heavily indebted country which is center of Eurozone crisis. She was sworn in as head of a caretaker government that will lead nation until next snap election which is scheduled to be held in September 2015.

Outgoing Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had resigned from the office after members of his radical-left Syriza party had rebelled against his government over the issue of austerity measures demanded by the nation’s creditors.

“Waterman of India” Rajendra Singh Receives Stockholm Water Prize

Indian conservationist and activist Rajendra Singh, known as the “Waterman of India,” received the Stockholm Water Prize in recognition of his efforts toward water restoration efforts and improving water security in rural India on August 26th, 2015. The prize was presented by H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.)

Biggest harvest festival Thiru Onam celebrated in Kerala

Kerala is celebrating its biggest harvest festival Thiru Onam. Celebrations started in Kerala with Onam Pookkalam, which is the floral carpet laid on the floors in the early morning. This Onam Pookkalam (floral carpet) is made to welcome legendary King Mahabali.

Government gives nod to rename Delhi’s Aurangzeb Road as Abdul Kalam Road

Union Government has given its nod to rename Delhi’s famous Aurangzeb Road has been renamed after former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam. It was decided by New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) to rename road as APJ Abdul Kalam Road, as the jurisdiction of the road comes under it.

National Sports Day Celebrated on 29 August

Every year August 29 is being observed as National Sports Day across the country. The day marks the birth anniversary of Hockey Wizard, Major Dhyan Chand. On this National Sports awards including Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards and Dronacharya Awards are bestowed upon sports personalities by the President of India.

Novak Djokovic appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

World No. 1 tennis player Novak Djokovic on 27th August 2015, appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and in his new role he will focus on children’s rights and access to early childhood care and development.

Indian Women’s Hockey Team qualifies for Olympics

Indian women’s hockey team has qualified for the next year’s Rio Olympics after a long gap of 36 years. India took the quota place on the basis of its fifth-place finish in the women’s Hockey World League Semi-finals.

Note: Other Eight countries are Korea as Asian Games champions, Argentina as Pan Am Games champions and Great Britain, China, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and the USA through the Hockey World League Semi-Finals.

Lionel Messi conferred with UEFA Best Player in Europe award

Argentina’s Lionel Messi has been named the UEFA Best Player in Europe for the 2014-15 season for helping Barcelona to a Treble of trophies. The Argentine star defeated the other finalists, his Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the award a year ago, after a live vote of journalists. Messi last won the award in 2011, the first year that Europe’s governing body awarded the honour. After that Iniesta won it in 2012, Ribery in 2013 and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2014.

Current Affair One-Liner

  • The Sixth Joint Military Training Exercise between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Forces (EXERCISE EKUVERIN – VI), will be conducted at Pangode Military Station, Trivandrum, Kerala from 31 Aug to 13 Sep 2015.
  • U Mumba Beat Bengaluru Bulls to Win Second Season of Pro Kabaddi League.
  • South Africa’s captain AB de Villiers became the fastest to score 8’000 ODI runs in 182 innings, surpassing former Indai skipper Sourav Ganguly.
  • Australian Captain Michael Clarke and Sri Lanka Batsman Kumar Sangakkara retire from Test Cricket.
  • Air India has won the Guru Tegh Bahadur Hockey title by defeating defending champions Army XI 3-1 in the finals played at the MHA-Mahindra Stadium, Mumbai.