Top Best Current Affairs 17 August 2020

The Central Water Commission along with Google has launched flood forecasting initiative. Under the initiative, numerous alerts can be sent to the public regarding flood situation in the region. Also, people can learn about current water level in the flood affected regions in the country.

The Republic of India is celebrating its 74th Independence Day on 15 August 2020. It was on August 15, 1947 that India got freedom from the British empire, after nearly 200-year-long British rule. This year, due to coronavirus pandemic, the Independence Day celebrations is being held at small scale in New Delhi. The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi unfurled theNational Flag at Red Fort and addressed the nation. This was his seventh consecutive Independence Day speech as the Prime Minister of India, making him the longest serving non-Congress PM to achieve this feat.

HDFC Bank launched "Shaurya KGC Card" that will offer agriculture loans for military and paramilitary professionals. The product will target 5 lakh military and paramilitary professionals, for catering to their family's agricultural needs. "Shaurya KGC Card" entails both short-term loans for cropping and also long-term ones for farm investments for a period of up to five years which will be reviewed at regular intervals. It also offers a life insurance cover with limit of Rs 10 lakh.

Indian Cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni has announced retirement from all forms of international cricket. Dhoni shared this information on Instagram on August 15, 2020 as- "Thanks. Thanks for ur love and support throughout. from 1929 hrs consider me as Retired". Dhoni is the only Captain to win all three major International Cricket Council (ICC) trophies - the World Cup, the World Twenty20 and the Champions Trophy.

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.

On August 14, 2020 the Arunachal Pradesh Government formed a committee under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein to discuss possible solutions of the Patkai Autonomous Council and Mon autonomous Region. What is the issue? the regions under the Autonomous councils of Arunachal Pradesh are currently under the Fifth Schedule of Indian Constitution.

On August 15, 2020, PM Modi launched Project Lion and Project Dolphin during his speech at the 74th Independence Day celebrations. Highlights Project Lion is to involve conservation of Asiatic Lions. It will focus on habitat development by engaging modern technologies. Also, the project is to address Human-Wildlife conflict.

On August 15, 2020, PM Modi announced the Optic Fibre Linking of Lakshadweep Islands with the mainland during his address at the 74th celebrations of Independence Day. Highlights The undersea Optical Fibre Cable link to be established between Lakshadweep and the mainland is second in the country.