National News

G20 Venue Boasts World's Tallest Nataraja Statue

• The G20 Summit venue is set to welcome world leaders with a stunning 27-foot-tall statue of Lord Shiva in his cosmic dance form, Nataraja.
• Crafted from an eight-metal alloy called ashtadhatu, this masterpiece weighs an impressive 18 tonnes, necessitating a 36-tire trailer for its transportation to Delhi.
• This artistic marvel seamlessly combines tradition with modernity, drawing inspiration from ancient Nataraja idols. The statue was meticulously created using the traditional 'lost-wax' casting method, reminiscent of the Chola era.
• Initially intended to be made from panja loha, it eventually took shape in ashtadhatu, at a cost of Rs 10 crore, inclusive of GST.

International News

UK Rejoins EU's Horizon Science Research Programme

• Following a two-year post-Brexit standoff over science funding, the United Kingdom has decided to rejoin the European Union's Horizon science research programme.
• This decision marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations between the UK and the EU, following the resolution of a trade dispute seven months earlier.
• The UK has also chosen to associate with the European earth observation programme, Copernicus, but will not participate in the EU's Euratom nuclear research scheme.
• Instead, it will pursue a domestic fusion energy strategy. Negotiations determined that the UK will not pay for the years it was excluded from Horizon, with a "clawback" mechanism in place to compensate for any funding disparities.

State News

Kerala to Host Inaugural Zayed Charity Marathon in 2024

• The Higher Organizing Committee of the Zayed Charity Marathon has announced a groundbreaking development - the inaugural edition of this renowned marathon will take place in the vibrant state of Kerala in 2024.
• This event signifies a significant collaboration between Kerala State authorities and the Indian community residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), strengthening cultural and economic ties between the two regions.
• The proceeds from the Zayed Charity Marathon in Kerala will support healthcare initiatives in the state, with a particular focus on innovative cancer research and treatments. The event offers substantial monetary prizes, with a total prize fund of AED 1 million.

West Bengal Assembly Resolution on 'Poila Baisakh' as State Foundation Day

• The West Bengal assembly has made a significant decision by passing a resolution to officially observe Poila Baisakh, Bengali New Year's Day, as the state's foundation day on April 15th.
• This move comes amidst controversy and disagreements over the chosen date for this celebration.
• The resolution suggests the observance of Poila Baisakh as 'Bangla Diwas' and the declaration of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's masterpiece, 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol' (Bengal's soil, Bengal's water), as the official state song.
• The historic decision received majority support with 167 members in favor out of a total of 294 members in the House.

Defence News

INS Sumedha Arrives in Egypt for 'Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23'

• Indian Navy's INS Sumedha has reached Port Alexandria, Egypt, to participate in 'Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23.'
• This multinational Tri-Services military exercise involves 34 countries, making it the largest ever joint military exercise in the Middle East and North Africa region.
• The two-week exercise focuses on intensive operations and training, demonstrating the participating navies' ability to operate together cohesively for maritime security and global stability.
• India's participation offers an opportunity to showcase its capabilities, enhance interoperability, and gain valuable insights into the strategies and tactics of partner nations.

Economy News

India Launches 'Hello UPI' and 'Bharat BillPay Connect' for Conversational Payments

• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) unveiled two conversational payments initiatives during the Global Fintech Fest.
• 'Hello UPI' empowers users to conduct payments through interactive conversations with their smartphones, simplifying various transactions.
• 'Bharat BillPay Connect' facilitates effortless bill payments through natural conversations with voice assistants like Alexa, streamlining the payment process.

GST Rules for Casinos and E-Games Notified

• The Ministry of Finance has issued significant amendments to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rules related to online gaming and casinos.
• Notably, visitors to casinos are now required to pay GST on the full value of the chips they purchase initially.
• These changes, with clauses 31B and 31C, ensure comprehensive taxation by including players' claims in the total amount paid or payable.

Summits and Conferences News

Prime Minister Modi's Participation in ASEAN-India Summit and East Asia Summit

• Prime Minister Modi actively engaged in the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and 18th East Asia Summit, emphasizing India's commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
• He advocated for a cooperative approach to address global challenges, including terrorism, climate change, resilient supply chains, and energy security.
• The Prime Minister highlighted India's initiatives in climate change and underscored the importance of ASEAN centrality in the region.

Agreements News

MoU Between Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya Vadodara and Airbus

• Indian Railways' Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) Vadodara and global aviation giant Airbus have entered into a strategic collaboration to fortify the Indian aviation sector.
• This partnership, sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to create numerous job opportunities for students aligned with the aviation industry's evolving demands.
• It is anticipated that around 15,000 students may find placement within Airbus' Indian operations, further enhancing India's position in the global aviation landscape.

Appointments News

Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai Joins the Board of SS Innovations

• Renowned Indian scientist Mylswamy Annadurai, known as the "Moon Man of India" for his pivotal role in Chandrayaan 1 & 2 and Mangalyaan missions, has been appointed as a Director on the Board of Directors at SS Innovations, a leading surgical robotic firm in India. Dr. Annadurai's expertise will guide a team of engineers responsible for creating advanced surgical robotic systems.

Important Days News

International Literacy Day 2023

• International Literacy Day, celebrated on September 8th every year, promotes literacy's importance for dignity, human rights, and sustainable societies.
• In 2023, the theme is 'Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies.' UNESCO will also award the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes to recognize outstanding programs.

World Physiotherapy Day 2023

• World Physiotherapy Day is observed on September 8th to recognize and celebrate the significant contributions of physical therapy and physiotherapists in promoting health and well-being. T
• he theme for 2023 is "Prevention and Management of Osteoarthritis," highlighting inflammatory arthritis types like rheumatoid arthritis and axial spondylarthritis.

Sports News

Street 20: Street Child Cricket World Cup in Chennai

• Chennai will host the heartwarming cricket tournament "Street 20," dedicated exclusively to street children.
• This initiative brings together street children from 15 countries, including India, and aims to unite cricket enthusiasts and advocates for children's rights.
• India will have eight teams in this tournament, showcasing its commitment to empowering street children through sports.

Miscellaneous News

Salem Sago Receives GI Tag

• Salem district in Tamil Nadu gains recognition for its sago production, known as Salem Sago or Javvarisi.
• Derived from tapioca roots, Salem Sago has multiple applications across industries, including food, paper, construction, textiles, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, mining, and alcohol, highlighting its economic significance.