Current Affairs 19th August 2015

Current Affairs 19th August 2015

Updated : 19-Aug-2015

Current Affairs 19th August 2015 - Important Points
Current Affairs 19th August 2015 - Details
Who are recommended for 2015 Dhyan Chand Award - TPP Nair, SP Misra and Romeo James
Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 18th August 2015, the names of TPP Nair, SP Misra and Romeo James are recommended for 2015 Dhyan Chand award by the selection committee headed by former Indian hockey captain Zafar Iqbal.

Under the captainship of former captain of the Indian volleyball team, TPP Nair, the Indian won a bronze medal in the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games and a silver medal in Jakarta Asian Games in 1962.
SP Misra is the chairman of the All India Tennis Association Selection Committee (AITASC) and the former captain of Davis Cup.
In the year 1984, Romeo James, the former goalkeeper of the Indian hockey team, represented the country in Los Angeles Olympics where India.
Do You Know :
In the category of sports and games, Dhyan Chand award is India's highest award for lifetime achievement, represented by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The award was established in 2002 and carries a cash prize of 5 lakh rupees, a plaque and a scroll of honour and is named after the legendary Indian hockey player Dhyan Chand.
Who has won the South Asian Football Federation U-16 title - Bangladesh
Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 18th August 2015, South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) under-16 title was won by the Bangladesh Under-16 team for the first time. Defending champions India was defeated by Bangladesh in the final match held at the Sylhet District Stadium of Bangladesh.

The tournament was participated by Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and the MaldivesBesides.
Name the M-Wallet app launched by SBI - SBI Buddy
On 18th August 2015, a mobile wallet (M-wallet) application named SBI Buddy was launched by the State Bank of India (SBI) in association with Mastercard and Accenture.
Characterstics of Buddy
- The app is available in 13 different languages.
- Facilities provvide in the app are bill payment, all types of ticket bookings payment and booking for movies, hotels as well as for shopping and cash transfer.
- Apart rom this, features like reminders to settle dues, recharge and pay bills instantly are also provided.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley launched the mobile app and also revealed the logo and website of SBI Foundation that will be the performing agency for the corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities of the State Bank group.
Allahabad HC directed government servants, politicians to - send children to government schools
Among the important National Current Affairs, On 18th August 2015, The Allahabad High Court directed the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh to ensure that all government officials, elected representatives, members of judiciary and all other persons who get any benefit or salary from state exchequer or public fund send their children to primary schools run by the state Board for Secondary Education.
Passing the judgement, Justice Sudhir Agarwal also stated that penal provisions be imposed for those who violated the order.
To make the precedent directions effective from the next academic session of primary schools, the Court asked the chief secretary to take steps within six months and also asked to submit a compliance report immediately after the lapse of six months time period.
The court took this decision after looking the serious note of the condition of the primary schools of the state while hearing a petitions filed by Umesh Kumar Singh and several others challenging the process of selection of Associate Teachers for government-run primary and junior high schools for the years 2013 and 2015.

While hearing the PIL, the court said that until wards of Judges, people’s representatives and bureaucrats do not study compulsorily in these schools, the condition will not improve.
The court also pulled up the state's Basic Education department for negligent and casual amendments in rules pertaining to appointment of teachers, besides Government Orders issued time-to-time which, it said, paved way for multifarious litigations resulting in not only delay in appointment of primary teachers, but also a very heavy pressure on the court.
India’s First Lady Suvra Mukherjee - passed away
On 18th August 2015, India’s First Lady Suvra Mukherjee, wife of President Pranab Mukherjee, passed away due to a cardiac arrest in New Delhi at the age of 74.
Suvra was born on 17th September 1940 in Jessore, Bangladesh and in 1957 she was married to Pranab Mukherjee. Suvra was a passionate fan of India’s national poet Rabindranath Tagore and also was a vocalist of Rabindra Sangeet.
To cultivate Rabindranath Tagore’s philosophy as expressed through his songs and dance-dramas, Suvra founded the Geetanjali Troupe.
Chokher Aloey (personal account of her close interaction with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi) and Chena Achenai Chin (a travelogue recounting her visit to China) are the two books written by her.
Who has won the Sri Lanka Parliamentary Elections 2015 - UNP led UNFGG coalition
Among the important International Current Affairs, On 18th August 2015, United National Party (UNP) led United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) coalition won the 2015 Parliamentary elections of Sri Lanka with 106.
To elect 225 members to Sri Lanka's 15th Parliament, the elections were held ten months ahead of schedule.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe leading UNP came up as the winner with his alliance taking 45% of the vote cast, or about 51 lakh votes. Mahinda Rajapaksa, leader of the main opposition party United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) was able to secure 95 seats with 42% of votes casted or about 47 lakh votes.
The Kumbh Mela: Mapping the Ephemeral Megacity authored by - Tarun Khanna
Among the important National Current Affairs, On 17th August 2015, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav released the book titled The Kumbh Mela: Mapping the Ephemeral Megacity authored by Tarun Khanna. Rahul Mehrotra, Felipe Vera and Diana Eck are the editors of the book.
The book which is a product of Harvard University, is a kind of research work of the University that tells the story of the Kumbh Mela, the largest celebration on earth that depends on the positions of Jupiter, the Sun and the Moon.
A team from Harvard University in the year 2013 judged the large-scale event from its preparation through to the actual celebration, investigating and documenting the prototypes for flexible urban planning.
Who is appointed as MD and CEO of IDBI Bank - Kishor Piraji Kharat
Among the important Appointments, On 18th August 2015, Kishor Piraji Kharat was appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI).
Earlier, he had served Bank of Baroda for 30 years and prior to this appointment he was serving as an Executive Director in Union Bank of India. He is a a certified associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers and a graduate in commerce and law.
Do You Know :
On 1st July 1964, under IDBI Act 1964, IDBI was constituted on the model of Developmental Bank of Canada with an aim to provide direct and indirect finance to Industries.
Which state has made Sanskrit mandatory in government schools - Himachal
On 17th August 2015, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh proclaimed that Sanskrit will be introduced as a cumpulsory subject in all Government schools of the state.
Few other directions given by the Chief Minister
- He recommended the Academy members to continue with their activities and make steady efforts to promote Sanskrit and said that there would not be any dearth of funds to the Academy from the State Government to run its affairs.
- Programmes and projects will be prepared and will be submitted to the Union Government as there was sufficient funds for Sanskrit Colleges and Academies with them.
- The ownership of ‘Divya Jyoti’ monthly magazine will be handed over to the Academy.
Who has became India's first woman to play in English league football - Aditi Chauhan
Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 16th August 2015, Aditi Chauhan became the first Indian Women to play English league football.
She played her first match for the women’s team of the West Ham United in the opening game of the season against Coventry City.
West Ham United Ladies Football Club is affiliated with West Ham United FC and an English women's football club (FC). They were established in 1991 and play at Hornchurch Stadium, Upminster the home of Hornchurch FC.
On 16th August 2015, Aditi Chauhan became the first Indian Women to play English league football.
She played her first match for the women’s team of the West Ham United in the opening game of the season against Coventry City.
West Ham United Ladies Football Club is affiliated with West Ham United FC and an English women's football club (FC). They were established in 1991 and play at Hornchurch Stadium, Upminster the home of Hornchurch FC.
Malayalam actor Paravoor Bharathan died
On 18th August 2015, Malayalam actor Paravoor Bharathan died in Kerala at the age of 86.
He was famous for his skillfulness in the Film Industry as he had played numerous roles including comedy roles, character roles and negative roles.
Some of his famous films include Meleparambil Aanveedu, Aniyan Bava Chetan Bava, Aniathipravu, and In Harihara Nagar.