NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. National Health Authority and IIT Kanpur sign MoU for development of digital public goods for AI in Healthcare: The National Health Authority (NHA) and IIT Kanpur signed an MoU in the presence of Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra.The MoU was signed by Ms. L. S. Changsan, Addl. Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare & CEO, NHA, and Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur.Under this MoU, a federated learning platform across a variety of machine learning model pipelines, a quality-preserving database, an open benchmarking platform for comparing & validating AI models, and a consent management system for research under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) would be developed by IIT Kanpur.
2. PM Modi inaugurates SEMICON India 2024 in Greater Noida: The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has inaugurated SEMICON India 2024 at India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The three-day conference showcase India’s semiconductor strategy and policy which envisions making India a global hub for semiconductors.With India’s electronics sector now valued at over $150 billion, the Prime Minister outlined a larger goal to grow the country’s electronics sector, to $500 billion and create 6 million jobs by the end of this decade.Under this vision, SEMICON India 2024 is being organized with the theme “Shaping the Semiconductor Future”.
3. Govt to launch PAIR programme to boost research in higher education institutions: The government will launch the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) programme designed to elevate research capabilities in higher education institutions (HEIs) by linking top-tier research institutions with those where research capability is limited, creating a collaborative mentorship environment.The decision was taken during the inaugural Governing Board meeting of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Prof Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology.Through PAIR, ANRF will link top-tier research institutions with those where research capability is limited, creating a collaborative mentorship environment.The goal is to create a “Hub and Spoke” framework that will enable these institutions to systematically enhance their research excellence. Additionally, ANRF is set to launch the Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas (MAHA) to focus on critical areas of research.
4. Sheetal Devi & Rakesh Kumar team up as ECI National PwD Icons for voter awareness: Paralympic archery champions Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar team up to inspire voters nationwide as ECI’s national icons for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).In an event organised at Nirvachan Sadan, CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu felicitated Arjuna Awardee and ECI’s national PwD icon, Ms. Sheetal Devi, and her mixed doubles team partner Shri Rakesh Kumar, in recognition of their outstanding achievement in winning a bronze medal in Archery at the Paris Summer Paralympics 2024.On the occasion, the Commission also announced Shri Rakesh Kumar, renowned Paralympian as the ECI National icon for PwDs.
5. Cabinet approves implementation of the PMGSY-IV during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the proposal of the Department of Rural Development for “Implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana – IV (PMGSY-IV) during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29”.The financial assistance is to be provided for the construction of 62,500 Kms road for providing new connectivity, to eligible 25,000 unconnected habitations and construction/upgradation of bridges on the new connectivity roads. The total outlay of this scheme will be Rs. 70,125 crore.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India hosts 2nd Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation: Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, addressed the media regarding the 2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation 2024, at Rajeev Gandhi Bhawan New Delhi.The 2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, India.The event is co-hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. The first Ministerial Conference of the Asia Pacific region was organized in 2018 in Beijing, China. During the first conference, India volunteered to host the second Conference in 2020, however, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the conference was postponed.Highlighting the importance of the conference, Shri Naidu said “It will focus on unlocking this potential, building robust partnerships, and addressing critical challenges such as infrastructure development, market gaps, sustainability, and workforce shortages.
2. Nepal Becomes 101st Member of International Solar Alliance: Nepal has become the 101st country to join the International Solar Alliance-ISA as a full member.The Ministry of External Affairs said that Nepal handed over its Instrument of Ratification to the ISA in New Delhi.The Instrument of Ratification was exchanged during a meeting between Nepal’s Charge d’ Affairs Dr. Surendra Thapa and Joint Secretary.The ISA initiative aims to increase solar energy technology deployment in its member countries. The goal is to improve energy access, security, and transition. India and France launched the ISA at the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in Paris to support the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.
3. 14 September 2024 – World First Aid Day: World First Aid Day is observed annually on the second Saturday of September to highlight the importance of first aid in saving lives. This year, World First Aid Day falls on September 14.The day aims to educate people about the crucial role first aid plays in tackling medical emergencies and encouraging them to come forward when a situation arises.Theme 2024 – First Aid and SportsThe International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) declared the second Saturday of September the World First Aid Day in 2001.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Defence Minister Rajnath SIngh inaugurates IDAX-24 Expo in Jodhpur: The India Defence Aviation Exposition (IDAX-24) was officially inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Jodhpur.This major event coincides with Exercise Tarang Shakti-24, one of the largest multinational air exercises hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF). IDAX-24 highlights the significant advancements and contributions of the Indian aviation industry.This edition of IDAX at Jodhpur will have grand participation from industry and host a wide range of products, and technologies. This will be an opportunity for the FFCs and Indian audiences to witness, experience, and interact with participants from the Indian Aviation Industry including DPSUs, DRDO, Private Industries (Tier-I, Il, III), and top-notch Start-Ups.
SPORTS
1. Indian boxer Deepali Thapa becomes 1st ever Asian Schoolgirl Champion: Indian boxer Deepali Thapa has made history by becoming the first-ever Asian Schoolgirl Champion in Al Ain, UAE.Her victory led India to secure seven female titles at the Asian Championships. In the 33 kg weight category, Thapa defeated Ukraine’s Liudmyla Vasylchenko in the final.In the 35 kg category, Bhoomi defeated Kazakhstan’s Assel Jalimbekova in the final to secure India’s second title. Nischal Sharma continued India’s winning streak in the 37 kg weight class, overcoming Ukraine’s Maria Matsiura in a closely contested final that claimed India’s third title.In the 43 kg title, Rakhi beat Ukraine’s Veronika Holub using close-distance strategies and finishing the about strong to earn India’s fourth title.
2. Irani Cup 2024 to be played in Lucknow from October 1-5: The 2024/25 Irani Cup game, which was supposed to be held in Mumbai from October 1 to 5, has been shifted to Lucknow.The match will be played between current Ranji Trophy winners Mumbai and a Rest of the India side selected by the national selection committee.Last year, Rest of India won the Irani Cup after beating Saurashtra by 175 runs in Rajkot.The inaugural edition of the Irani Cup was played in March 1960, and is named after Zal R Irani, who served as Treasurer and President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Rest of India has won the trophy 26 times, while Mumbai has emerged victorious 14 times.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. MongoDB partners with AICTE; to upskill 500,000 students: MongoDB has announced the expansion of MongoDB for Academia in India, including a new partnership with the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Ministry of Education, Government of India.The company stated this partnership will be supported by SmartBridge’s SmartInternz learning platform to give over 150,000 Indian students access to virtual internships and to gain the skills required to use MongoDB Atlas—a multi-cloud developer data platform.The program aims to provide full-stack development skills to the students, with each internship including 60 hours of experiential learning, boot camps, courses, and project work, and simulated corporate environments.This collaboration will make the MongoDB Developer Learning Path available to the platform’s 25 million registered users and is expected to reach more than 100,000 aspiring developers.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI imposed penalty on HDFC Bank, and Axis Bank for non-compliance with regulations: The Reserve Bank of India has imposed a penalty of ₹1.91 crore on Axis Bank and ₹1 crore on HDFC Bank for non-compliance with regulations.Both banks opened certain savings deposit accounts in the name of ineligible entities. The monetary penalty on Axis Bank pertains to violations done in FY23.The bank allotted multiple customer identification codes to certain customers instead of a unique customer identification code for each customer and obtained collateral security for agricultural loans up to ₹1.60 lakh in certain cases. Besides, Axis Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary undertook business as a technology service provider, which is a violation of the Banking Regulation Act.
2. CCI approves Tata Motors Finance merger with Tata Capital: The Competition Commission of India has approved the merger of Tata Motor Finance with Tata Capital.The merger, announced in June, will see Tata Capital issue its equity shares to the shareholders of Tata Motor Finance resulting in Tata Motors effectively holding a 4.7% stake in the merged entity.In a filing to the exchanges, Tata Motors said that the Board of Directors of Tata Motors, Tata Capital, and Tata Motors Finance have approved a merger of Tata Motor Finance with Tata Capital through an NCLT scheme of arrangement.
3. RBL Bank & DMI Finance Launches Co-Branded Credit Card: RBL Bank and DMI Finance Private Limited (“DMI”), part of the DMI Group, announced a strategic agreement to provide co-branded credit cards to DMI Finance’s existing customers.This collaboration intends to increase credit card access to clients in India’s metro and non-metro cities by combining RBL Bank’s extensive credit card experience, with DMI’s proven track record of enabling digital financial inclusion at scale.The credit card will offer spend-driven perks such as expedited reward points, no-cost EMI alternatives, and discounts at popular merchants.This partnership will enhance financial inclusion in India by bringing credit card access to underserved, creditworthy individuals across the country.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. President confers National Florence Nightingale Awards 2024 to 15 Awardees at Rashtrapati Bhavan: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards for the year 2024 to the nursing professionals at a function held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.In all, 15 nurses were conferred the award in recognition of their outstanding commitment to duty and service to the community.The National Florence Nightingale Award was instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in the year 1973 as a mark of recognition for the meritorious services rendered by the nurses and nursing professionals to the society.The award is given to outstanding nursing personnel employed in Central, State/UTs, and Voluntary Organizations.The nurse in her/his regular job in the hospital or community setting, educational or administrative setting is eligible for the national award. Each award consists of a Certificate of Merit, Cash Award of Rs.1,00,000/- and a medal.
2. Indian-origin lecturer wins Singapore Literature Prize for English fiction, ‘Nine Yard Sarees’: An Indian-origin lecturer at Nanyang Technological University has won the prestigious Singapore Literature Prize for English fiction with her debut short story collection, Nine Yard Sarees.Prasanthi Ram, 32, saw her work published in late 2023. Her collection explores the lives of a Tamil Brahmin family spread across cities like Singapore, Sydney, New York, and Connecticut.
The award for best English creative non-fiction went to Shubigi Rao, an Indian-origin artist, for her book Pulp III: An Intimate Inventory Of The Banished Book (2022). This book is the third part of her decade-long project on banned literature.
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