Current Affairs - August 27, 2024 Current Affairs

Gopichand Thotakura became India's first civilian space tourist by participating in Blue Origin's New Shepard-25 (NS-25) mission. His achievement makes him the second Indian citizen to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma. Thotakura's journey represents a significant step in India's space exploration endeavours, reflecting the nation's growing involvement in space tourism and civilian participation in space missions. His return was celebrated in New Delhi, marking this milestone in India's space history.

The government has reduced the maximum time for resolving citizen grievances to 21 days, down from the previous 60 days under the UPA administration. This change is part of an effort to enhance the responsiveness and efficiency of the Central Public Grievances Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS). By shortening the grievance resolution timeline, the government aims to improve citizen service and accountability, reflecting its commitment to more effective and timely resolution of public complaints.

Google has launched the 'Google Essentials' app for Windows PCs, designed to streamline the installation of various Google services, such as Google Photos, Google Messages, and Google Play Games when setting up a new Microsoft Windows PC. The app simplifies the setup process, offering users easy access to these services and providing eligible users with trial periods for Google One cloud storage. This initiative enhances user convenience by integrating essential Google services into the Windows environment.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated a shooting range named after Olympic bronze medallist Manu Bhaker in Gwalior. The range is located at the historic Jiwaji Club, which has been in existence for 125 years. The newly inaugurated facility includes 10-meter air pistol and rifle ranges, aimed at enhancing shooting sports infrastructure in the city. The dedication of the range coincided with Bhaker's success at the Paris Olympics, where she won two individual bronze medals.

The 2024 Paralympic Games will take place in Paris from August 28 to September 8, 2024. The event will bring together 4,400 athletes from 182 countries, competing in 549 medal events across 22 sports. Iconic venues such as the Eiffel Tower Stadium, Versailles Palace, and Bercy Arena will serve as the backdrop, highlighting both the athletic feats and the cultural heritage of Paris. The Paralympics in Paris promises to be a historic and visually stunning event.

Magic Planet, India's first theme park dedicated to magic and illusion, was founded in 2014 in Kerala. The park, created by magician Gopinath Muthukad, blends street magic with science and education, offering a unique experience for visitors. With attractions like street magic shows, a circus castle, and a fantasy theatre, Magic Planet also focuses on empowering differently-abled children through its Different Art Center. This innovative park highlights the intersection of entertainment, education, and social responsibility.

Rajasthan has introduced a reward scheme under the Ayushman Jeevan Raksha Yojana to encourage quick action in transporting road accident victims to hospitals. The initiative offers Rs 10,000 and a citation to individuals who promptly deliver accident victims to medical facilities and provide necessary personal details. Funded by the Dedicated Road Safety Fund, this program aims to improve emergency response times and reduce fatalities from road accidents, demonstrating the state's proactive approach to enhancing road safety and victim support.

Vietnam's National Assembly has approved the appointment of three new Deputy Prime Ministers, namely Nguyen Hoa Binh, Ho Duc Phoc, and Bui Thanh Son, for the 2021-2026 term. This brings the total number of Deputy Prime Ministers to five, along with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, forming the government for the current term. This development highlights significant changes in Vietnam's political landscape.

Uber is launching its bicycle taxi service in Gaya, Bihar, beginning in August 2024. This initiative is expected to provide a convenient transportation option for both locals and the many national and international tourists visiting the city. The service, covering routes between Gaya and Bodh Gaya, will also create job opportunities for vehicle owners. Uber's introduction of this service in Gaya marks a significant development in the city's transportation infrastructure, offering a flexible and eco-friendly travel option through a mobile app.

Bajaj Auto is preparing to launch the Freedom 125, a new generation 125cc motorcycle available in both petrol and CNG variants. This motorcycle is notable for its unique design, featuring a 21-inch front wheel and a 16-inch rear wheel. Priced at Rs 95,055, the Freedom 125 is positioned in the affordable segment, aiming to attract customers interested in both traditional and electric motorcycles, which Bajaj views as a significant opportunity in India's growing two-wheeler market.

Danny Jansen made history in Major League Baseball (MLB) by becoming the first player to appear for two different teams in the same game. This rare event occurred when Jansen was traded from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Boston Red Sox during a doubleheader. Jansen then played in the second game against his former team, marking a unique milestone in baseball history.

B Srinivasan, a senior IPS officer from the Bihar cadre, has been appointed as the Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG), India's elite counter-terrorism force. His tenure as Director General will last until August 31, 2027. Srinivasan was selected for this key position by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet after the previous director, Nalin Prabhat, was appointed as the Chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The NSG plays a crucial role in combating terrorism and ensuring national security.

The district jail in Mangaluru has introduced an innovative nursery initiative where prisoners cultivate ornamental plants, such as croton, hibiscus, jasmine, and royal farm plants. This program, led by Superintendent B T Oblesappa and expanded to 30 inmates, aims to rehabilitate prisoners by providing them with valuable agricultural skills and a potential livelihood upon release. The initiative has received positive local reception, with strong demand for the saplings, and also contributes to the government's revenues, highlighting a successful approach to prisoner rehabilitation and self-sufficiency.