Important Current Affairs 17th August 2020

National

PM Modi Announces One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative

• PM Modi in his speech of Independence Day 2020, announced the “One Sun, One World, One Grid” (OSOWOG) plan. Under this, there will be a trans-national electricity grid, for supplying solar power across the globe.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi first announced this idea of OSOWOG in 2018 during the first assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
• As per the draft plan prepared by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the OSOWOG will connect 140 countries through a common grid that will be used to transfer solar power.

International

European Union’s 1-Million-Euro ‘Nirmanshree’ Project To Skill Women In Housing Sector

• European Union has launched project ’Nirman shree’ for enhancing the women skill towards housing construction sector. This is the first-of-its-kind sustainable housing on a large scale in India with 1-million-euro.The project will be implemented in Beed and Osmanabad districts of Maharashtra and the Dhenkanal and Jajpur districts of Odisha.
• A non-profit organisation, Habitat for Humanity India has also join hands with EU for funding this project.
• The total cost of the project is EUR 9,49,694 (INR 7,40,85,628 or US$1,075,307).90 percent of fund provides by EU and remaining 10 percent will be issued by Habitat for Humanity India.
• 3,000 women will be trained for technical and entrepreneurial skills in housing sector which focus on area such as masonry, plumbing and electrical fitting, among others.

Science and Technology

Chandrayaan-2 captures crater on Moon, ISRO names it after Vikram Sarabhai

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday announced that Chandryaan-2 has captured images of the Moon, and named one of the craters after Vikram Sarabhai. Sarabhai is the father of the Indian space programme.
• Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh said that it is a fitting tribute to his legacy, who completed his birth centenary year on August 12. Singh also lauded the the achievements of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) which has put India in a leading position for space research.
• The Sarabhai Crater is around 250 to 300 kilometres east of the crater where the Apollo 17 and Luna 21 Missions had landed.

ISRO and IISc Researchers develops sustainable process for making ‘Space Bricks’ on Moon

• Team of researchers of Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, Karnataka and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) developed a sustainable process for making brick-like structures named “Space Bricks” on the surface of the moon. The process uses the lunar soil, bacteria and guar beans to make the space brick.
• The process uses the Urea – sourced from human urine and lunar soil as the raw materials for the construction on the lunar surface which reduces the overall expenditure.

Obituary

Former Indian cricketer and Uttar Pradesh Minister Chetan Chauhan

• Former Indian cricketer and Uttar Pradesh minister ChetanChauhan has passed away due to multiple organ failure. He was 73.
• Chauhan played 40 Tests matches for India, during his 12-year-long cricket career, scoring 2084 runs with 16 half-centuries and two wickets.
• He was Minister for youth and sports in the state of Uttar Pradesh Cabinet in 2018 and has also served as Minister of Sainik Welfare, Home Guards, PRD and Civil Security in the UP Cabinet.

Sports

Lewis Hamilton wins F1 Spanish Grand Prix 2020

• Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain) has won the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix 2020 held on August 16, 2020. This was his 4th win of the season and the 88th win of his career.
• Max Verstappen (Red Bull – Netherlands) came second followed by Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-Finland) at third.

Appointments and Resignations

Kaushik Khona appointed as CEO of GoAir

• Kaushik Khona has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of GoAir. He will replace Vinay Dube.
• GoAir is an Indian low-cost airline based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is owned by the Indian business conglomerate Wadia Group.