National News

Government's Sixth Rashtriya Poshan Maah in September 2023

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development is set to observe the 6th Rashtriya Poshan Maah in September 2023.
• This year, the focus is on combatting malnutrition through a comprehensive life-cycle approach.
• Poshan Maah 2023 aims to raise public awareness about crucial stages in human life, including pregnancy, infancy, childhood, and adolescence.
• With the theme "Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat" (Nutrition-rich India, Educated India, Empowered India), the objective is to promote nutritional literacy across India.

India's Largest Indigenous Nuclear Plant Commences Operations

• In a significant milestone for India's energy sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the full-scale operation of the 700 MW thermal power station located in Kakrapar, Gujarat.
• This achievement represents a pivotal moment in India's pursuit of energy self-reliance and underscores the country's commitment to harnessing indigenous nuclear technology.
• Although the Kakrapar Nuclear Power Project (KAPP) began its operational phase on June 30, 2023, initially operating at 90% capacity, it reached its maximum operational capacity on August 31, 2023.

ASI to Launch "Adopt a Heritage 2.0" Program for Indian Heritage

• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is preparing to launch the "Adopt a Heritage 2.0" program on September 4, 2023, at the Samvet Auditorium, IGNCA, New Delhi, with the aim of preserving and enhancing India's rich cultural heritage and legacy.
• This revamped initiative builds upon its predecessor introduced in 2017 and encourages corporate stakeholders to contribute their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to improve amenities at heritage sites.
• The goal is to enrich the visitor experience while safeguarding and showcasing India's cultural treasures.

NCERT and UNESCO Launch Comic Book "Let's Move Forward" in 11 Languages

• NCERT and UNESCO jointly unveiled a new comic book titled "Let's Move Forward" on August 29, 2023.
• The book, launched by Union Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, aims to promote holistic well-being among children.
• It features entertaining and engaging stories to facilitate enjoyable learning experiences for students, with a central focus on promoting good health and overall well-being.
• The book will be available in 11 different languages.

Appointment News

Jaya Verma Sinha Becomes First Woman to Lead the Railway Board

• Jaya Verma Sinha has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Railway Board, making her the first woman to assume this role in the board's 118-year history.
• She previously served as the Member (Operations and Business Development) and will officially take office on or after September 1, with her tenure extending until August 31, 2024.
• Jaya Verma Sinha succeeds Anil Kumar Lahoti.

Awards News

BRICS Innovation Forum Recognizes Shanta Thoutam with World Innovation Award

• Shanta Thoutam, Telangana's Chief Innovation Officer (CIO), was honored with the World Innovation Award during the inaugural BRICS Innovation Forum held in Moscow from August 27 to 29.
• This recognition was bestowed in acknowledgment of her exceptional contributions to Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to provide equitable access to quality education and enhance opportunities for a better life.
• The forum saw participation from representatives of more than 30 countries.
• Shanta Thoutam has amassed seven years of experience within Telangana's innovation ecosystem, having begun as Vice President at T-Hub and subsequently holding positions such as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for the State Handlooms and Textiles Department, ultimately becoming the state's first female CIO.
• As a panelist at the Cloud City Conference, Shanta Thoutam showcased the pioneering initiatives and achievements of the Telangana government in areas such as open data, digital innovation, and urban development.
• She highlighted the Command Control Center in Hyderabad, which enhances citizen security by analyzing data from 100,000 CCTV cameras, and the Open Data Portal, which promotes transparency in government operations by sharing datasets with the public, encouraging innovative solutions from various stakeholders.

65th Ramon Magsaysay Awards 2023 Recipients

• The Ramon Magsaysay Award, often referred to as the 'Nobel Prize of Asia,' recognized four outstanding individuals in its 65th edition.
• These recipients, Korvi Rakshand from Bangladesh, Eugenio Lemos from Timor-Leste, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer from the Philippines, and Dr. Ravi Kannan R. from India, join the ranks of previous awardees such as Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, Mother Teresa, Dalai Lama, and Satyajit Ray.
• Each recipient received a certificate, a medallion featuring the likeness of the late President, and a cash prize of USD 50,000.
• Dr. Ravi Kannan R., the first formally trained oncologist at the Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (CCHRC), played a pivotal role in transforming the non-profit facility into a comprehensive treatment center.
• He was honored for his unwavering dedication to the medical profession, emphasizing pro-health and people-centric healthcare, and extending inclusive healthcare services to millions in India, including those from Assam.

Defence News

Indian Army Contingent Departs for Exercise Bright Star-23 in Egypt

• A contingent of 137 personnel from the Indian Army has embarked on Exercise Bright Star-23, scheduled from August 31 to September 14, 2023, at the Mohammed Naguib Military Base in Egypt.
• This multinational tri-services joint military exercise, led by US CENTCOM and the Egyptian Army, was initially established as a bilateral biennial training event between the US and Egypt during the Camp David Accord of 1977.
• Starting in 1995, other nations were invited to participate.
• The previous Exercise Bright Star involved armed forces from 21 countries, while this year's Exercise Bright Star-23 will feature 34 countries, making it the largest-ever joint military drill in the Middle East and North Africa region.
• Notably, the Indian Armed Forces will participate with a substantial contingent of 549 personnel, representing the 23rd JAT Battalion.

International News

Tharman Shanmugaratnam Emerges Victorious in Singapore's Presidential Election

• Tharman Shanmugaratnam, an Indian-origin economist, secured a significant victory in Singapore's presidential election, marking the country's first contested presidential polls since 2011.
• Tharman Shanmugaratnam received an overwhelming 70.4 percent of the votes, surpassing two other contenders of Chinese origin, Ng Kok Song and Tan Kin Lian, who received 15.7 percent and 13.88 percent of the votes, respectively.

Important Days

World Coconut Day 2023

• World Coconut Day, celebrated on September 2 each year, serves as an opportunity to promote awareness of the benefits of coconuts.
• In India, states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh are major coconut producers.
• Farmers and stakeholders in the coconut industry commemorate the day with activities and events aimed at raising awareness about the advantages of coconut consumption and promoting sustainable coconut farming practices.