Current Affairs - August 23, 2024 Current Affairs

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the strong partnership between India and the United States during his visit to Washington. He described the India-US alliance as a "formidable force" crucial for maintaining global peace, prosperity, and stability. This statement reflects the growing strategic and economic ties between the two nations, highlighting their collaborative efforts on the international stage. The choice of the United States underscores the importance of this bilateral relationship in achieving mutual and global objectives.

Avani Lekhara, India's shooting prodigy, is preparing to compete in three shooting events at the Paris Paralympics. She previously made history at the Tokyo Paralympics and is now focused on replicating that success. Avani has shown tremendous growth and maturity as an athlete, crediting her progress to the support from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). Her journey in shooting is marked by significant achievements, and she is now aiming for another gold medal in Paris.

Gas Authority Of India Ltd (GAIL) and Petron Scientech Inc. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the development of a 500 KTA bio-ethylene plant and associated downstream units in India. The agreement includes conducting joint feasibility studies to assess both technical and financial aspects of the project. The goal is to form a 50:50 joint venture based on the outcomes of these studies, which will help in seeking investment approvals and progressing with the project.

The Karnataka State Police Department debunked a viral rumour about a non-existent free travel scheme for women. They urged the public to rely on the actual emergency helpline, 112, for assistance, particularly in situations where urgent help is needed. The clarification was made to prevent the spread of misinformation and to ensure that people use the correct resources in emergencies.

Rakshitha Raju, a visually impaired athlete born with vision impairment but raised by her grandmother, will make history as India's first athlete in the Women’s 1500m T-11 Category at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Born in 1995 and currently residing in Bengaluru, Rakshitha has overcome adversity through her passion for athletics, with the support of CBM India and her coach, Rahul Balakrishna. She has achieved significant success in her athletic career, including a gold medal at the Asian Para Games and a silver at the World Para Athletics Championships. Now, with the nation proudly supporting her, her journey continues as she prepares to represent India on the global stage in Tokyo 2020.

India has announced its largest Paralympic delegation to Paris 2024, comprising 84 athletes, with an increased representation of women to 32 participants. This marks a significant improvement from Tokyo 2020, where India had sent 54 athletes with only 14 women. In Paris, India is competing in three new sports para-cycling, para-rowing, and blind judo, totalling 22 sports across the event. India's Paralympic journey has been marked by both success and challenges. In Paris 2020, India secured 19 medals across six sports, with the most medals being won in shooting. However, there are high hopes and determination for a stronger showing in the 12 Paralympic sports at Paris 2024. India's participation spans a variety of sports, including para archery, athletics, shooting, swimming, and more, showcasing the nation's broad Paralympic program.

Rajesh Nambiar, the former Chairman and MD of Cognizant India, has been appointed as the Nasscom President-designate. He will succeed Debjani Ghosh when her term ends in November 2024. Nambiar brings extensive experience from his roles at TCS, IBM, Ciena, and Cognizant, and he also served as Chairperson of Nasscom in 2023. His appointment comes at a critical time for the IT sector, with a focus on navigating the transition to AI and managing global tech spending challenges.

Bluwheelz has collaborated with SUN Mobility to develop retrofit kits that enable the conversion of internal combustion engine (ICE) or fixed battery-powered vehicles to electric. This partnership aims to reduce operational costs and support the transition to e-mobility, aligning with government mandates. The initiative offers significant financial, environmental, and operational benefits for logistics operators, promoting the adoption of electric vehicles in the sector.

Aman Sehrawat, a 21-year-old wrestler from the Chhatrasal Akhada in Haryana, made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics by securing India's first wrestling medal. His journey from the Chhatrasal Akhada, where he has trained since age 11, culminated in his victory over Darian Cruz of Venezuela. Sehrawat's bronze medal not only marks him as India's youngest Olympic medalist but also brings the nation its only wrestling medal. Despite this achievement, Sehrawat remains focused on the ultimate prize – the gold medal at the 2028 LA Olympics, a testament to his dedication and the high standards set by his coach.

Jaldapara National Park, located in West Bengal, has reported the unfortunate deaths of five rhino cubs in 2023. These deaths are suspected to be caused by a tapeworm infestation, as confirmed by forest officials. This incident raised concerns among conservationists, as the park is renowned for its population of one-horned rhinoceroses. The park authorities are now focused on addressing the tapeworm threat to prevent further losses in the rhino population, which is a critical species in the region.

Prime Minister Narendra presented four BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri) Cubes to Ukraine on Friday, during his visit to Kyiv. These Cubes, part of a unique medical initiative by India, are designed to expedite medical treatment, save lives, and support Ukraine in the face of mass casualty incidents. The Aid Cube, in particular, can be deployed within 12 minutes, offering critical care in emergencies, and is capable of managing up to 200 cases, including surgical interventions. This humanitarian effort highlights India's commitment to international assistance and disaster response cooperation. It underscores the significance of India's medical aid in supporting countries like Ukraine, which is grappling with challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts.

The KAPS-4 reactor, located in Gujarat at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station, began operating at full capacity on August 21, 2024. This 700 MW reactor is part of India's ambitious plan to expand its nuclear energy capacity. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) aims to build 14 more reactors of the same design by 2031-32, contributing to the country's goal of increasing its nuclear capacity to 22,480 MW within that timeframe.

YouTube, the video-sharing platform, is enhancing its security by implementing AI-powered chatbots to help users recover their accounts after hacking incidents. This initiative, which uses Google's AI technology, aims to simplify the redressal process, particularly for creators. The AI chatbot, currently in English, is available on YouTube's Help Center and will eventually be expanded to multiple languages. While this approach may distance YouTube from direct interactions, it represents an effort to streamline account recovery procedures and provide users with a more accessible way to resolve security breaches.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced its plan to launch the first base module of India's first manned space module, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, by 2028. This initial module will be robotic, marking the first step towards fully assembling the space station by 2035. The project is part of India's expanding ambitions in space exploration, which also includes developing new-generation rockets and reducing space debris. The 2028 launch marks a significant milestone in India's journey to establish a permanent presence in space.

India and Ukraine have signed four agreements to boost bilateral ties, covering defence, trade, pharmaceuticals, green energy, and education. The agreements aim to deepen economic and technical cooperation in various sectors. Prime Minister Modi and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy emphasized enhancing cooperation in key areas and exploring a strategic partnership, with specific attention to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and support for India’s UN Security Council membership aspirations. The two leaders directed the Inter-Governmental Commission to restore and expand bilateral trade and economic relations.