Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa resigned from his post to join the Philippines-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) as vice-president next month.

Mr. Lavasa has submitted his resignation to President Ram Nath Kovind and has requested to be relieved by the end of this month. Last month, the ADB had announced his appointment to the post.

1984 batch Gujarat cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana has been appointed as the Director General of Border Security Force, BSF. He will be in the post up to 31st July, 2021, the date of his superannuation.

The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the creation of the National Recruitment Agency (NRA). The aim is to pave the way for a transformational reform in the recruitment process for central government jobs. NRA will conduct a Common Eligibility Test (CET) to screen/shortlist candidates for Group B and C which is for non-technical posts.

Google has introduced a new product for non-Classroom users called Assignments, an application for the learning management system (LMS) that gives educators a faster, simpler way to distribute, analyze and grade student work.

Retired Air Vice Marshal, Arjun Subramaniam has authored a new book titled, “Full Spectrum: India’s Wars, 1972-2020″.

The Union Home Ministry has approved the renaming of Manduadih railway station in Uttar Pradesh as ‘Banaras’. The Uttar Pradesh government had sent a request for renaming the railway station in Varanasi district.

MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari launched an online farm-to-fork service VedKrishi.com promoted by farmers for selling non-toxic farm produce.

The platform set-up by Nagpur-based farmer producer organization VedKrishi Farmer Producer Company will home deliver grocery products including dairy goods, vegetables, grains, and pulses, apart from pickles, juices, sauces, etc.

The company will connect farmers directly with consumers through the platform. Registered consumers would be able to schedule their order in advance for one year.

Vedkrishi will also support other farmers through consultation around best practices in organic farming. However, the online portal is not operational as of now and will take some time to launch services.

Draupadi Murmu, governor of Jharkhand and Hemant Soren Chief Minister of Jharkhand introduced the New State emblem at the Aryabhatta Auditorium, Ranchi. The Logo came into effect from 15th August 2020. The new circle shaped emblem incorporates and represents the progress of the state along with the traditions, cultural heritage and flora and fauna of the state. The logo represents reflects the real spirit of the state.The inner circle exhibits the motifs of dance representing the cultural heritage, tradition, musical instruments, folklore and dance of the state.The second ring in the logo depicts white elephants, which symbolizes the natural wealth and prosperity of the state. The Indian elephant is also Jharkhand’s state animal.The third ring showcases state flower Palash, reflecting the beauty of Jharkhand. Besides, the red colour in the flower is also a symbol of revolution, which reflects the struggle of people of the state.

To enhance immunity and prevent any disease, The Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) has launched a three-month campaign on “Ayush for Immunity” through webinar on Ayush Virtual Convention Centre (AVCC),which aims to increase awareness about affordable and easy practices to boost immunity. Shripad Yesso Naik is the MoS Independent charge for AYUSH ministry.

Ceres was first spotted by Giuseppe Piazzi in 1801. It is the largest object in the main asteroid belt that lies between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. With a diameter of 940 km (580 mi), Ceres is both the largest of the asteroids and the only dwarf planet inside Neptune’s orbit.

On the occasion of the 74th Independence Day, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said that a “Task Force” on the economy has been formed to suggest reforms for rejuvenating the economy in the short, medium and long-term.
Based on the recommendations, the state government will launch the “Restart Meghalaya Mission”.

The State Governments and the 272 District Collectors launched a seven-month-long anti-drugs campaign namely “NashaMukt Bharat” or “Drug-Free India” by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (SJE) which will run till March 31, 2021. In order to give impetus to this launch, Union Minister of SJE Thaawarchand Gehlot addressed 272 district collectors, 31 State Secretaries as well as doctors, NGOs (non-government organizations) and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officers through videoconferencing.

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has been asked to discharge the duties of Goa governor in addition to his duties, stated the Rashtrapati Bhavan communique.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has launched Konkurs Missile Test Equipment and Konkurs Launcher Test Equipment, which have been indigenously designed and developed by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

Nagaland government has rolled out “Yellow Chain” a centralized e-commerce platform, to encourage local business and entrepreneurship in the state.

The International Solar Alliance is an alliance of 121 countries initiated by India, most of them being sunshine countries, which lie either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

The center has set up a committee chaired by Jaya Jaitly to reconsider the minimum age for marriage for women and appropriate action will be taken after a report is submitted. The government is focused on equal opportunities for self-employment and employment to women.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be inaugurating the first-ever World Solar Technology Summit on September 8, 2020. The summit is being organised by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) on a virtual platform.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM). Every Indian will have an Aadhar like ID card containing all relevant information about his/her medical conditions and treatments and tests.

A campaign against child trafficking was launched in Bihar by the foundation of child rights activist and Nobel laureate, Kailash Satyarthi. The foundation claimed that the state was among the worst affected by the migrant crisis when lockdown was first announced. ‘Mukti Caravan’, a campaign. which has been running in various parts of the country for many years, was launched digitally in Bihar over a webinar hosted by Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF).

The 4th Session of the BRICS Anti-Drug Working Group comprising of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa was held virtually. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Rakesh Asthana, Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau. The session was held over the video conference on August 12, 2020. The 4th session was chaired by Russia.

On the occasion of 74th Independence Day the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) launched the digital campaign “Ek India Team India” as a part of the adaptation of the new identity and logo of IOA, marking its 100 years of participation in Olympic games.

Rhonda Byrne’s “The Greatest Secret” is coming out Nov. 24.

“The Greatest Secret” takes readers on a journey that provides the most direct way out for those experiencing hardship and the path to end pain and suffering endured by so many.

Byrne’s new book, like “The Secret,” will be released through publisher Judith Curr. She was head of the Simon & Schuster imprint Atria Books in 2006 when “The Secret” came out, and she is now president and publisher of HarperOne.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi the launch of Project Lion and Project Dolphin during his Independence Day speech on August 16, 2020. The two projects have been launched for the conservation of the two endangered species in the country using modern technology.

State Bank of India (SBI) has introduced “KCC (Kisan Credit Card) Review option” on its digital agricultural solution platform, YONO Krishi, to enable farmers to access their KCC limit in four clicks.

The book, titled “A Bend in Time: Writings by Children on the Covid-19 pandemic”, is a collection of 12 engrossing stories and essays by children and young adults from across the country. Its introduction is written by award-winning children’s author Bijal Vachharajani.

The contributing authors of the book are: Archita Agrawal, Ishaan Ghosh, Lavanya Sinha, Mira Gupta, Omkar Mantri, Sharvari Sonawani, Shiv Malik, Shivani Sharma, Shreya Aiyer, Sofia Kakar, Tishya Tara and Uk!Yo.

The Chief Minister of Chattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel has announced the launch of the Padhai Tuhar Para Scheme (Education up to your locality), a new scheme on 15th August, Independence Day. Under the scheme, the students will be able to study in their own neighbourhoods as classes were suspended due to the outbreak of covid-19.

Lok Sabha has started a beginner-level course in French for the officials and staff of the Lok Sabha Secretariat at the Parliament House. As many as 57 officials registered for the course.

ISRO has named a crater on the Moon, captured by Chandrayaan-2, after Indian astrophysicist Vikram Sarabhai on the occasion his birth centenary on August 12, 2020.