The three day long Kathmandu-Kalinga Literary Festival successfully came to an end yesterday in Lalitpur, Nepal. Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud of Nepal had inaugurated the festival.

• This event fulfilled its role in the exchange of culture in the South Asia promoting literary and cultural activities. Llitterateur from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka exhibited in the Festival. The festival showcased literature, music, dance, poetry and other art forms.
• Professor Avadhesh Pradhan, actress and writer Divya Dutta, Prof Madhav Prasad Pokharel and actress Manisha Koirala's were awarded 'Yashaswi Sahitya Samman'.
• Similarly, those awarded with the 'Yashaswi Book Prize' initiated from this year include writer Bibek Ojha towards fiction for his book 'Aithan', Dr Nawaraj KC towards creative non-fiction for his book 'Sunyako Mulya', Renuka GC towards story for her book 'Sanesh', Dr Mahendra Malla towards poetry for the anthology of poems entitled 'Bhasako Bakpatra', Govinda Giri Prerana towards biography for the biography 'Sushree Parijaat' and Anuradha towards children's literature for her book 'Chhamchhako Chhamchhami'.
• Others prized with the 'Yashaswi Book Prize' are Rima KC towards translation for her translation of 'Selected Poems by Amrita Preetam', Narayan Ghimire towards food and medicine for his book 'Raithane Khanpan Ra Chadparva', Lakpa Dendi Sherpa towards autobiography for his autobiography 'Himalayan Maverick' and Sushant Thapa towards English poetry writing for his anthology of poems entitled 'Means of Merit'.

The State Bank of India, country’s largest lender, has launched the ‘Nation First Transit Card’ facilitate the seamless and convenient customer commuting experience and ensure easy digital ticketing fare payments in metro, buses, water ferries, parking, etc., through a single card. 

• The Nation First Transit Card powered by RuPay and National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) technology, is set to revolutionize the commuting experience and is aligned with the national vision of “One Nation One Card”, Dinesh Kumar Khara, chairman, SBI said.
• Individuals can also use the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) for making retail and e-commerce payments.
• SBI entered NCMC programs with transit operators in 2019. As a part of these NCMC programs, SBI successfully launched the “City1 Card”, “Nagpur Metro MAHA Card”, “MUMBAI1 Card”, “GoSmart Card” and “Singara Chennai Card” in Noida Metro, Nagpur Metro, MMRDA Metro Lines 2A & 7, Kanpur Metro and Chennai Metro respectively.

Induslnd Bank has agreed to a multi-year sponsorship deal with the International Cricket Council (ICC). The deal is set to be valued at $20-24 million (approximately Rs 160-200 crore). The multi-year deal would kick off with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, being held in India.

• Mastercard, MRF tyres, Aramco, Emirates and Booking.com have also signed top-tier sponsorship deals with ICC.
• Mastercard and Induslnd Bank are set to replace fintech platform, BharatPe and edtech platform, BYJU’s as the companies decided to end their association with ICC ahead of the deal’s full tenure.
• Unacademy, MPL and PayTM had also decided to end their association with ICC due to the dearth of private equity funding and the companies deciding to shift focus to profitability.

The State Bank of India (SBI) on Monday (4 September) said it has implemented UPI interoperability in its digital rupee, called Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). 

• With this move, the bank aims to deliver unprecedented convenience and accessibility to its customers, SBI said in a statement
• This cutting-edge feature, accessible through the 'eRupee by SBI' application will empower SBI CBDC users to effortlessly scan any merchant UPI QR code for swift and secure transactions, it said.
• SBI was among the first few banks to participate in the RBI's retail digital e-rupee project in December 2022.
• This integration will be a game changer for the digital currency ecosystem, it said, adding, the move is the outcome of our unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of digital innovation to accelerate the transition to a more cashless economy.

Radhika Iyengar, an accomplished author and award-winning journalist, presents ‘Fire on the Ganges: Life Among the Dead in Banaras,’ a thought-provoking exploration of Varanasi, India, and its profound connection to death and the hereafter.

• Released by HarperCollins, this pioneering book is the first of its kind, offering an intimate glimpse into the lives of the Doms in Banaras.
• ‘Fire on the Ganges’ meticulously uncovers the historical tapestry of Banaras while focusing its narrative lens on a handful of resilient individuals from the Dom community.
• Through their compelling stories of resilience, ambition, loss, and love, the book paints a poignant yet inspiring portrait of a community determined to transcend the boundaries imposed by age-old traditions.

Phase Il of the 21st edition of Varuna (Varuna-23) bilateral exercise between Indian and French Navy was conducted in the Arabian Sea.

• The exercise witnessed participation of guided missile frigates, tanker, Maritime Patrol Aircraft and integral helicopters from the two sides.
• The exercise was conducted over three days and witnessed joint operations, underway replenishment and various tactical manoeuvres.
• Units of both navies endeavoured to enhance and hone their war fighting skills, improve interoperability and demonstrate their ability to promote, peace, security and stability in the region.
• The first phase of 'Varuna-2023' was conducted off India's Western Seaboard from 16 to 20 Jan 2023.
• Indian and French Navy bilateral naval exercise was initiated in 1993.
• The exercise was later christened as 'Varuna' in 2001 and has since become a hallmark of robust India-France strategic bilateral relationship. 

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is collaborating with the Drone Federation of India to jointly organize 'Bharat Drone Shakti 2023.'

• This upcoming event, slated for September 25th and 26th, will be held at the IAF's Hindan airbase in Ghaziabad and will showcase live aerial demonstrations, as announced in a Ministry of Defence press release.
• Drones have seen a significant increase in utilization across various sectors in India, encompassing both military and civilian applications.
• The press release highlights how drone technology has swiftly revolutionized both civil and defense industries by enhancing efficiency, minimizing risk, and augmenting capabilities.

'Nabhmitra’, a device developed by ISRO-Space Applications Centre (Ahmedabad) for the safety of fishermen, was successfully tested at Neendakara on Saturday( 2 September 2023)

• The satellite-based communication system enables two-way messaging services from and to the sea.
• This device will send Weather and cyclone warnings in the local language, the boats can also send distress messages to the authorities.
• In emergency situations like capsizing and fire, fishers can press a button on the device and get in touch with the control centre.
• Apart from providing information about shipping channels and maritime boundaries, the device will also help to identify fishing fields. The device was installed on a fishing vessel in Neendakara and tested in the presence of scientists and Fisheries department officials.

On September 5, 2023, the Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, launched the Malaviya Mission - Teachers Training Programme by the University Grants Commission (UGC) on the occasion of Teachers' Day.

• The programme aims to train over 15 lakh teachers across the country through 111 Malaviya Mission centres.
• Organized by the UGC in association with the Ministry of Education, the Malaviya Mission - Teacher Training Programme aims to provide tailored training programs for teachers.
• The program will work to build the capacity of faculty members in higher educational institutions.
• The minister said that the Malaviya Mission will map capacity building to the credit framework to ensure career progression for educators.
• He also said that societal transformation can only be achieved through education and that teachers are the catalysts of change.

President Droupadi Murmu will present the National Teachers’ Award to 75 teachers from across the country on the occasion of National Teachers’ Day. As per the Minister of Education, the award ceremony will take place in Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

• Each award carries a certificate of merit, a cash award of Rs 50,000 and a silver medal.
• The awardees would also get an opportunity to interact with the Prime Minister, said the statement.
• Department of School Education and Literacy of Ministry of Education has been organising a National level function on Teachers Day every year to confer the National Awards to the best teachers in the country, selected through a rigorous, transparent selection process. 
• From this year, the ambit of the National Teachers’ Award has been expanded to include teachers of the Department of Higher Education and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, it added.

Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launched a 3-year partnership “Education to Entrepreneurship: Empowering a generation of students, educators and entrepreneurs” between Ministry of Education, Ministry Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Meta in New Delhi .

• 3 Letters of Intent (LoI) were exchanged between Meta and NIESBUD, AICTE and CBSE. Minister of State for Education Smt. Annpurna Devi and Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar also graced the occasion.
• Under the partnership with NIESBUD, 5 lakh entrepreneurs will get access to digital marketing skills by Meta over the next 3 years.
• Budding and existing entrepreneurs will be trained in digital marketing skills using Meta platforms in 7 regional languages to begin with. Three short films were also showcased highlighting the details about the partnerships.

The Government of India has decided to organise a literacy week from 1st September to 8th September 2023 to celebrate International Literacy Day for generating awareness among all the stakeholders/ beneficiaries/ citizens about the ULLAS- Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram.

• The week-long literacy campaign shall enable mass participation to inculcate a sense of Kartavyabodh and Janbhagidari in each and every citizen of the nation.
• This vision would popularise the scheme and help us attain the goal of making India fully literate.
• The literacy week would encompass a spectrum of activities (given below) followed by the celebration of International Literacy Day on 8th September 2023.Another main objective will be to increase the number of registrations for learners and volunteers on the ULLAS mobile app. 
• A Centrally Sponsored Scheme ULLAS- Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram on Education for All (erstwhile termed as Adult Education), was approved by Government of India for implementation during FYs 2022-27 in alignment with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• The Scheme has five components, namely (i) Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, (ii) Critical Life Skills, (iii) Basic Education, (iv) Vocational Skills, (v) Continuing Education.
• The logo, slogan/tagline-Jan Jan Sakshar and popular name- ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society) of Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram has been launched by the Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan on 29.07.2023 in New Delhi during the celebration of 3rd anniversary of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The National eGovernance Division (NeGD), part of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), is planning to integrate Personalised Adaptive Learning (PAL) into the existing Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) platform.

• PAL employs AI-driven software to provide tailored learning experiences to students based on their individual needs and abilities. DIKSHA, under the Ministry of Education, offers e-content to schools through an online portal and mobile app. 
• Despite its usefulness, DIKSHA lacks dynamic content. The integration of PAL aims to enhance learning outcomes by identifying gaps and looping students back to foundational concepts. 
• The Ministry of Education intends to begin PAL implementation for challenging subjects like Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics for Classes 9 to 12. By focusing on these subjects, the initiative aims to improve learning outcomes and school retention rates, addressing the issue of dropouts after Class 10.

One97 Communications Limited (OCL) that owns the brand Paytm,on announced the launch of Card Soundbox.The company in a statement said that it empowers merchants to accept both mobile and card payments across all Visa, Mastercard, American Express and RuPay networks through its iconic Soundbox with ‘tap and pay’ that will help merchants scale their business. 

• With Paytm Card Soundbox, the company solves two problems for merchants — accepting card payments along with getting instant audio alerts for all payments.
• The launch of Paytm’s unique device will transform in-store payments by expanding payment acceptance for merchants by combining Soundbox with NFC or contactless debit and credit card payments with mobile payments.
• An industry-first solution, the new Soundbox provides both audio and visual payment confirmation through a LCD display to the merchant and the customer.

Hitachi Payment Services launched the UPI-ATM, in association with the National Payments Corporation of India, during the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai. The new platform is claimed to offer secure cardless cash withdrawals. 

• Hitachi Payment Services, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate, Hitachi Ltd., launched India's inaugural UPI-ATM called Hitachi Money Spot UPI ATM.
• The launch, executed in partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), is set to redefine the traditional ATM transaction experience for Indians.
• The state-of-the-art UPI ATM offers cardless cash withdrawals, thereby eradicating the necessity for physical cards. The device, operated on Android OS, empowers users to access funds from multiple accounts using their United Payments Interface (UPI) app.
• This feature is particularly valuable in regions with limited traditional banking infrastructure and card reach, furthering financial inclusion and easy banking access.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) plans to introduce in the era of one-hour trade settlement by early next year, which will be a precursor to settling trades instantaneously, Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch indicated.

• The market regulator is aiming to implement the one-hour settlement cycle by March 2024, while instantaneous trade settlement could come into effect by the end of next year.
• India transitioned to T+1 settlement from T+2 in a phased manner, starting with bottom companies in terms of market capitalisation. Top companies were moved to the shorter settlement cycle only at the end of January.
• Under T+1 settlement, the transfer of securities and funds takes place the following day of the trade. In the one-hour settlement system, shares will be credited to the demat account within an hour. Many countries, including the US, still have a T+2 settlement cycle.
• Sebi is also planning to launch the ASBA (Application Supported by Blocked Amount)-like model for the secondary market by January. The regulator had given the nod for the same in its March board meeting.

Seven major Indian banks, including SBI and Bank of Baroda, have integrated UPI QR code compatibility into their Digital Rupee apps as part of the RBI's CBDC pilot project. 

Customers of seven major banks in India can now enjoy the convenience of using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) QR code for digital rupee transactions.

• This latest development is part of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot project, aimed at revolutionizing digital payments in the country.
• State Bank of India (SBI) and Bank of Baroda have recently joined the UPI interoperability bandwagon, allowing users of their Digital Rupee application to scan QR codes at various merchants.
• This means that customers can seamlessly make payments for their groceries and daily expenses using the digital rupee app.
• HDFC Bank, the country's largest private lender, was the first commercial bank to complete the integration process, introducing a similar UPI QR code interoperability with the digital rupee. Canara Bank also jumped on the digital rupee bandwagon by launching the 'Canara Digital Rupee' mobile app in August.

India has unveiled the world's first portable disaster hospital, known as the 'Aarogya Maitri Cube.' This innovative healthcare solution, developed under the BHISHM project (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri), consists of 72 cubes, organized into three frames, with each frame containing 12 mini-cubes.

• India's Aarogya Maitri Cube, airlifted and versatile, houses critical medical equipment, including operation theatres, mini-ICUs, ventilators, and more, supporting 200 survivors for 48 hours.
• It's a response to PM Modi's Bhishma project, forming a Ministry of Defence task force, and his 'Aarogya Maitri' initiative to aid countries in crises.
• The project debuted at the MedTech Expo, Gujarat, during the G20 Health Ministers' Meeting, showcased to Myanmar officials in July.

World First Aid Day is a global annual event observed annually on the Second Saturday of every September with the intention to promote awareness about the role of first aid in saving lives.

?This year 2023, World First Aid Day is celebrated on the 9th of September (Saturday). 

On this day, many people from local and worldwide organisations gather to work together to educate people about the importance of having basic first aid skills and their role during emergencies.

First aid is an emergency measure that often consists of simple, frequently life-saving measures that the vast majority of individuals can learn to execute with minimum equipment and no prior medical knowledge.

The term “First aid” relates to the administration of care to a human provided by a bystander (s), though it is not considered medical treatment and does not replace expert medical interventions.

The core aims of first aid are to preserve life, promote recovery, prevent further deterioration and ensure safe transportation to the nearby healthcare facility.

The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is annually observed on 7th September .

The purpose of the day is:

1. to raise awareness of the importance of clean air for health, productivity, the environment, and the economy, 
2. to highlight the close link of air quality to other environmental and developmental challenges such as climate change,    
3. to promote and facilitate actions to improve air quality by sharing actionable knowledge best practices, innovations, and success stories, and  
4. to strengthen international cooperation in reducing air pollution and improving air quality.

Inception:

The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies was held around the world for the first time on 7th September 2020.

In late 2019, the Republic of Korea proposed to launch an annual International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies.

Theme

2023 theme: “Together for Clean Air”.

To signify the role of literacy and education in one's life, the world observes International Literacy Day every year on September 8. The day reminds us of the importance of personal development, literacy, and progress of society. 

• The day was first time observed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The day is a stark reminder of the fact that literacy is not luxury but a fundamental right important for a person's dignity. 
• The day is observed across the world to propagate the agenda of literacy across the world.
• The UNESCO data says that around 76 crore young people and adults globally lacked basic literacy skills in 2020. Know about the significance and history of the day.

To signify the role of literacy and education in one's life, the world observes International Literacy Day every year on September 8. The day reminds us of the importance of personal development, literacy, and progress of society. 

• The day was first time observed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The day is a stark reminder of the fact that literacy is not luxury but a fundamental right important for a person's dignity. 
• The day is observed across the world to propagate the agenda of literacy across the world.
• The UNESCO data says that around 76 crore young people and adults globally lacked basic literacy skills in 2020. Know about the significance and history of the day.

Teachers’ Day is celebrated every year on 5th September in India. All the citizens of India celebrate Teachers’ Day on the occasion of the birth anniversary of its former President Dr. Radhakrishnan Sarvepalli on 5th.

• Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan believed that the teacher decorates the lives of all the students. In such a situation, Teachers’ Day is a day to honor teachers for their contributions.
• For the important contribution of teachers, in the year 1994, UNESCO also announced to celebrate International Teacher’s Day on October 5 to honor teachers.
• The theme for National Teacher’s Day 2023 is ‘Teachers at the heart of education recovery. Now we discuss about International Teachers Day 2023 Theme. The theme for this year is – “The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers“.
• President Droupadi Murmu will confer the National Teachers' Award 2023 on the 75 selected awardees at the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on 5 September. 
• Each awardee will receive a certificate of merit, a cash prize of ?50,000, and a silver medal.

International Day of Charity is celebrated every year on 5 September. The day has been established by the United Nations with an intention to promote and encourage charity and philanthropy across the globe.

• It also commemorates the death anniversary of Mother Teresa – a Noble Prize winner for her heroic acts of kindness, charity, and struggle against poverty.
• The International Day of Charity provides a platform for charitable organizations to educate and aware people about the significant role of charity in eradicating poverty, promoting education, creating inclusive and resilient societies, and addressing plethora of humanitarian issues.

About Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa was a Catholic Nun who helped the downtrodden and the destitute throughout her life. She did her work in Kolkata, India, and founded the Missionaries of Charity. For her works, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

The average processing time for Income Tax Returns (ITRs) has significantly improved over the years . In the Assessment Year 2023-24, it now takes only ten days on average to process an ITR. This is a remarkable improvement compared to the 82-day processing time in the Assessment Year 2019-20 and the 16-day processing time in the Assessment Year 2022-23.

Uttar Pradesh State tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh launched a cruise serve on the Saryu in the temple town of Ayodhya.The air-conditioned two-floor cruise ship is 45-feet-long and 15-feet-wide, and has been built in Gujarat. From Gujarat, it was brought to Delhi and then to Ayodhya.

• Named ‘Jatayu’, the cruise will cover a total distance of 18 km from Naya Ghat to Guptar Ghat before culminating at Naya Ghat.
• The cruise ship, which can accommodate around 70 passengers at a time, will complete its voyage in around one-and-half to two hours.
• During the journey, passengers will be shown a short movie based on Lord Ram and Ayodhya. The movie will also apprise passengers about the temple town’s history.
• Rahul Sharma, the managing director of Ayodhya Cruise Lines Pvt Limited, said the second such service, Garud, would be introduced within a month.
• He added by the end of this year, another cruise service ‘Pushpak Viman’, would be introduced that’d have a seating capacity of 150.

India’s department of posts, as part of its ongoing initiatives to create an export ecosystem for e-commerce in the country, has entered into an agreement with Bigfoot Retail Solution Pvt Ltd (Shiprocket), a leading e-commerce enablement platform.

The collaboration aims to enhance e-commerce exports by leveraging India Post’s extensive presence and reliable shipping solutions.

• The agreement was signed recently in New Delhi in the presence of Alok Sharma, director general postal services; Manju Kumar, chief postmaster general of Delhi; and Saahil Goel, CEO, Shiprocket, marking a significant milestone in India’s cross border e-commerce landscape, India’s ministry of communications said in a press release.
• The new initiative will lead to technical integration between Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra and Shiprocket and enable India-based sellers, using Shiprocket, to directly generate e-PBE and shipping labels from the Shiprocket platform itself.
• The exporters can avail packaging, label printing, pickup facility, and induct their shipments to the nearest DNK in any part of the country.

Bharat Electronics Limited & IAI sign MoU to tap opportunities in Short Range Air Defence Systems’ domain Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel’s leading aerospace and defence company, have inked an MoU for co-operation in addressing India’s requirements in the domain of Short Range Air Defence Systems.

• The MoU was signed by Mr K V Suresh Kumar, Director (Marketing), BEL, and Mr Avi Elisha, VP and General Manager, Missile Systems Division, IAI, in the presence of Mr Bhanu Prakash Srivastava, CMD, BEL, in Bengaluru.
• The MoU aims at leveraging IAI and BEL’s capabilities and is in sync with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ policies of the Government of India.
• BEL and IAI are engaged in several joint development/production/product support programmes for the Indian Defence forces.

Bajaj Auto Limited, a leading player in the Indian automotive industry announced through the stock exchanges that its subsidiary, Bajaj Auto Consumer Finance Limited, has been granted a Certificate of Registration by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the company announced through an exchange filing.

• The said license was received on August 31, 2023, Bajaj Auto said.
• This Certificate of Registration, identified as No. N-13.02465 and dated August 29, 2023, has been issued under section 45-IA of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
• It authorizes Bajaj Auto Consumer Finance Limited to initiate and operate as a non-banking financial institution (NBFC), with the stipulation that it does not accept public deposits. 
• In compliance with RBI guidelines, Bajaj Auto has also issued disclaimers to ensure transparency and awareness.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has given a nod for Vistara’s merger with Air India.  

• Vistara, which is a joint venture (JV) between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines.
• The airline was started in 2015. The Tata Group had said that it will merge Vistara with Air India and Air Asia India with Air India Express to eventually have one full service carrier Air India and one Low Cost Carrier Air India Express.
• The CCI approval has come subject to compliance of voluntary commitments offered by the parties. Air India has taken a commitment to make tweaks to its plan, said source.

The African Union (AU) becames a permanent member of the Group of 20 largest economies (G20) of the world with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing its entry into the top global body.

• In his opening remarks at the inaugural session of the two-day G20 Summit, Modi made the announcement welcoming the 55-nation AU as the new member of the grouping.
• After the announcement, Union of Comoros President and AU chairperson Azali Assoumani took the seat as a full member of the G20.
• The AU is an influential organisation comprising 55 member states that make up the countries of the African continent.

The Joe Biden Administration has abruptly terminated funding for the DEEP VZN program, a research initiative designed to discover and study thousands of exotic pathogens worldwide.

• Led by Washington State University, DEEP VZN faced opposition from lawmakers and scientists who expressed concerns about the potential risks associated with handling these pathogens.
• This decision comes as the U.S. government reevaluated the relative risks and impacts of the research program. Notably, DEEP VZN replaced the previous virus-hunting programs STOP Spillover and PREDICT in 2021, signaling a shift in priorities.
• The DEEP VZN program, officially known as the Discovery and Exploration of Emerging Pathogen-Viral Zoonoses program, aimed to collect over half a million biological samples from around the world and study approximately 12,000 viruses found within these samples.

Mexico's Supreme Court has decriminalized abortion across the country. In a statement, the court said, that system that penalizes abortion is unconstitutional since it violates the human rights of women.

• The judgement comes after two years follows a similar ruling that stated abortion is not a crime and gave women access to abortion without fear of prosecution in the country.
• After the judgement, the Information Group on Reproductive Choice which has been carrying out campaigns for abortion rights, welcomed the step of decriminalising abortion at the national level.
• It said that the court concluded that the federal penal code's portion which criminalises abortion is no longer effective. No woman or pregnant person, nor any health worker will be able to be punished for abortion. Previously abortion had been decriminalized in a dozen of Mexico's 32 states, starting with Mexico City in 2007. 

China's premier Li Qiang said on Wednesday( 06 September 2023) major powers must oppose a new Cold War, a thinly veiled reference to Washington as top Asian and US officials gathered for talks in Indonesia.

• The 10-member Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) is holding separate summits with China, Japan, South Korea, the United States and Canada, providing an arena for big powers to lobby the bloc and their rivalries to play out.
• US Vice President Kamala Harris is attending in place of President Joe Biden, while Li was taking part instead of President Xi Jinping.
• Wednesday's meetings come before an 18-member East Asia Summit on Thursday to be attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, where broader geopolitical issues are expected to top the agenda.
• The Russian embassy in Indonesia posted an image of Sergei Lavrov arriving in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Vanuatu’s parliament elected Sato Kilman as the nation’s new prime minister Monday after a court upheld a vote of no-confidence in the nation’s former leader and amid China-U. S rivalry in Pacific Islands.

• Kilman, a former prime minister and leader of the People’s Progressive Party, was elected prime minister 27/23 in a secret ballot by MPs.
• Vanuatu was plunged into political crisis last month when opposition parties lodged a no-confidence petition criticising then leader Ishmael Kalsakau Kalsakau for actions including signing a security pact with Australia.
• Opposition MPs said the security pact with Australia compromised Vanuatu’s “neutral” status and could jeopardise development assistance from China, its biggest external creditor.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has refused to restore the Black Sea Grain deal. He reiterated that the landmark deal allowing Ukraine to export grain safely across the Black Sea, will be restored only after the West meets Moscow’s demands on its agricultural exports.

• The remarks came after a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Black Sea city of Sochi.
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Russia in the hope of reviving the agreement seen as vital for global food supplies, especially in Africa,and  West Asia. 
• Ukraine is among the world’s biggest exporter of foodgrains, such as wheat and corn, and a major contributor to the UN’s food aid programmes. Russia  blockaded its ports. This raised fears of food security in the poorer nations of the world amid the rising food prices.
• The United Nations and Turkiye then brokered a deal called Black Sea Grain Initiative on July 22, 2022. Under this deal, cargo ships would be allowed to travel from and to three Ukrainian ports, after inspection that they were not carrying arms. The deal expired in July this year. Turkiye and the UN have since been trying to revive the agreement.

India has entered into eight memorandums of understandings (MoUs) with countries such as Armenia, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Antigua, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Papua New Guinea and Mauritius, offering them the India Stack and digital public infrastructure (DPI) at no cost and with open-source access.

• These nations now have the opportunity to adopt and utilise these resources within their borders, further developing their unique innovation ecosystems, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said here.
• These nations now have the opportunity to adopt and utilise these resources within their borders, further developing their unique innovation ecosystems, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said here on Tuesday.
• Interacting with media, he discussed the significant outcomes of the Digital Economy Ministers’ Meeting held last month and highlighted how, in a historic move, under India’s Presidency, G20 Digital Economy Ministers reached a groundbreaking consensus on how to effectively shape DPI of the future.
• Chandarsekhar said that the consensus between nations focused broadly in three key areas — DPI, Cybersecurity and Digital Skills

The state of Georgia in the United States has officially designated October as ‘Hindu Heritage Month’ to recognise and celebrate the contributions of the 'vibrant' Hindu-American community within the state. 

• Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued a proclamation declaring October as the month to celebrate 'Hindu heritage'. The proclamation said that the celebration will focus on Hindu heritage's culture and spiritual traditions rooted in India.
• Earlier this year, the state's Assembly had passed a resolution condemning Hinduphobia.
• The resolution made Georgia the first American state to take legislative action against anti-Hindu bigotry. 

The French government intends to end the sale of disposable vapes (cigarettes électroniques) as part of a national anti-smoking campaign to be announced in the coming weeks.

• Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne told French radio network, RTL, that she would continue the work of former health minister, François Braun, in banning the devices, which are commonly known as 'puff' vapes. 
• The prime minister did not give an exact timeline for the ban, but former health minister Braun had previously stated that the goal would be to enact legislation getting rid of the devices by the end of 2023. 
• The disposable vapes, nicknamed 'puffs', are less expensive than cigarettes, with prices ranging from €8 to €12 for a '500 puff device'.
• The electronic cigarettes can contain up to 20mg of nicotine. 

The Nobel Foundation has reversed its decision to invite ambassadors from Russia and Belarus to this year’s Nobel awards ceremony in Stockholm after the invitation sparked anger.

• In 2022, the Nobel Foundation, which organises the annual Nobel prize ceremony and banquet in Stockholm, decided not to invite the Russian and Belarusian ambassadors to the awards event because of the war in Ukraine.
• It made the same decision regarding the Iranian envoy over the country’s crackdown on protests.
• The Swedish foundation said that it was returning to its previous practice of inviting ambassadors from all countries represented in Sweden.
• This sparked a wave of angry reactions, with several Swedish politicians saying they would boycott this year’s Nobel prize ceremony.

Indias leading women’s fashion brand – W, on-boarded famous Bollywood actor and entrepreneur Anushka Sharma as its brand ambassador.

• With this partnership the brand prepares to launch its high-decibel festive campaign that beautifully merges the warmth of festivities with the spirit of modernity.
• The campaign talks about every festival having a story that is synonymous to the story of women.
• It captures the essence of women being the centre of every celebration, thereby urging women to cherish their individuality and ‘Celebrate your story‘.

About W
W for Woman is a mirror for the new-age Indian women who are rooted at home and taking on the world with panache, playing myriad of roles with lan and taking on the challenges in her stride. With a unique design sensibility, the Indian Salwar – Kameez was transformed into its chic & urban yet comfortable form. 

Renowned Hindustani classical vocalist Malini Rajurkar, known for her simplicity and profound musicality, has passed away in a Hyderabad hospital at the age of 82. She had been battling age-related ailments.

• Malini Rajurkar’s musical journey was marked by her exceptional performances in major music festivals across India, including Gunidas Sammelan in Mumbai, Tansen Samaroh in Gwalior, Sawai Gandharva Festival in Pune, and Shankar Lal Festival in Delhi.
• She was particularly noted for her mastery of the Tappa and Tarana genres. Additionally, she excelled in lighter musical forms.
• Her renditions of Marathi natyageete and songs like “pandu-nrupati janak jaya,” “naravar krishnasamaan,” and “ya bhavanatil geet purane” were particularly cherished by audiences and music enthusiasts, contributing to her enduring legacy in the world of Indian classical music.

Arun Kumar Sinha, the director of the Special Protection Group (SPG), passed away at Gurgaon’s Medanta Hospital early Wednesday. He was 61.

• A senior officer said Sinha was not well for the past few months and was being treated at the Medanta Cancer Institute.
• His family members are present in the hospital and other senior government officials and his batchmates have been informed about his death, added the official.
• Sinha, a Kerala cadre IPS officer of the 1987 batch, was the additional director general of police (Special Service and Traffic) in the state when he was asked in 2016 by the Centre to head the SPG, which handles the security of the Prime Minister 
• Sinha, a Kerala cadre IPS officer of the 1987 batch, was the additional director general of police (Special Service and Traffic) in the state when he was asked in 2016 by the Centre to head the SPG, which handles the security of the Prime Minister. Before he joined, there was no full-time chief of SPG for around 15 months.

The International Esports Federation (IESF) General Body has appointed Lokesh Suji, director of the Esports Federation of India (ESFI), and Vice-President of the Asian Esports Federation, to its membership committee for a three-year term.

This is the first time an Indian has been elected to the International Esports Federation's membership committee.

Suji's Election Benefits Indian Esports

The elections for Suji's appointment were held during the IESF's recent Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) on August 28 in Iasi, Romania, where a majority of 42 member countries voted in favor of his appointment. As a member of the membership committee, he will now use his knowledge and expertise to oversee the process's execution, thereby contributing to esports' future within the IESF.

N. Valarmathi, an ISRO scientist, who lent her voice on countdowns for rocket launches in Sriharikota, passed away in Chennai at a private hospital on September 3 due to cardiac arrest.

• Ms. Valarmathi was a part of the Range Operations Programme Office at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre where she used to announce the countdown on all launches, said ISRO PRO. 
• The scientist, was the daughter of a government employee, from Ariyalur. After completing her schooling in Tamil medium, she went on to pursue her pre-university course at the Government Arts College, Ariyalur, before moving on to the Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, and from there to the Anna University’s Guindy campus. 
• The voice of Valarmathi Madam will not be there for the countdowns of future missions of ISRO from Sriharikotta. 
• Chandrayan 3 was her final countdown announcement. 

Nasscom has announced the appointment of Rajesh Nambiar, chairman and managing director, Cognizant India, as its chairperson. Nambiar takes on the new role from his previous role as vice chairperson.

• He succeedes Anant Maheshwari, former president, Microsoft India.
• Chairperson Rajesh Nambiar along with President Debjani Ghosh, will continue to work with the Nasscom Executive Council, industry, and the government in strengthening India's position as a global technology hub while navigating the current volatile macro environment.
• The leadership’s core priorities will focus on accelerating the adoption and widespread impact of cutting-edge emerging and deep technologies, enhancing India’s talent capabilities aligned with evolving job roles and tech acceleration, focusing on integrated industry solutions for scale efficiencies, sustainability and rapid innovation and building a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment for all.

Popular comedian and actor RS Shivaji died in Chennai on Saturday morning, September 2, 2023.

• The actor predominantly worked in Tamil Cinema. Born in Chennai in 1956 to actor and producer M.R. Santhanam, Shivaji was 66 years old.
• Shivaji had a strong collaboration with actor Kamal Haasan and his production house Raaj Kamal Films International, contributing to many successful Tamil projects.
• Besides acting, Shivaji's career skills extended to assistant direction, sound design, and line production for multiple Tamil films. 
• Prior to his death, Shivaji's last appearance was in the Yogi Babu-starrer ‘Luckyman,’ released on Friday, September 1.

Senior Indian Information Service officer Dr. Vasudha Gupta has assumed charge as the Principal Director General of Akashvani and News Services Division. She was serving as Director General in Akashvani. In the last one year, Dr Gupta has been instrumental in the revamping and reviving of Akashvani.

• A 1989-batch officer, Dr. Gupta has served in various capacities in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in her over 33-year-long career. She has also served as Director General, Press Information Bureau (PIB).
• Dr. Vasudha Gupta played an instrumental role in devising and implementing information dissemination products during the challenging period of COVID pandemic.
• She is credited for leading the important initiative of developing a feedback dashboard for the Government of India across various media platforms, as also, as establishing of Fact-Check system for the Government.

Heath Streak, former Zimbabwe cricket captain and the nation’s all-time leading wicket-taker, has died at the age of 49 after battling liver and colon cancer. 

• ESPN reported that he had been receiving specialist treatment at a Johannesburg hospital in South Africa on a biweekly basis since May.
• An outstanding fast bowler and capable batsman, Streak was a key member of Zimbabwe teams that were competitive against cricket’s bigger nations in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
• His cricket career ended in ignominy, however, when he was banned for eight years for breaching the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption code.

Uday Kotak has resigned as the managing director and chief executive officer of Kotak Mahindra Bank, the bank said in a stock exchange filing on Saturday."Uday Kotak has ceased to be the Managing Director & CEO of the Bank, with effect from September 1, 2023 on account of his resignation considered at the Bank's Board meeting and has become a non-executive Director of the Bank," the filing said.

• Joint managing director Dipak Gupta will be the chief executive until December 31, it said.
• Kotak's resignation comes four months ahead of his planned retirement at the end of this year.
• In the meantime, the bank has already made an application for the new managing director to India's central bank. In India top posts at lenders are approved by the Reserve Bank of India.

Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged 538 crore rupee money laundering case linked to Canara Bank.

• He was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after a long session of questioning at ED office in Mumbai. Naresh Goyal will be produced before a special PMLA court in Mumbai today.
• Earlier, the ED conducted raids on Goyal, his wife Anita, and his associates in July 2020 after CBI registered an FIR against them based on the Canara bank's complain.
• According to the FIR, the bank alleged that it sanctioned credit limits and loans to Jet Airways to the tune of 848.86 crore rupees - out of which 538.62 crore rupees is outstanding. 

The world's tallest Nataraja statue has been installed at Bharat Mandapam, the venue of the G20 summit in Delhi.

• The 28-foot-tall statue weighing 20 tonnes was made in a record time of seven months by sculptor Radhakrishnan Sthapathy and his team at Swamimalai in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu.
• The statue was built in Ashtadhatu (8 metals) using the traditional casting method.
• The statue was transported to the national capital in four days and a special green corridor was created for its transportation. 

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu unveiled the 12 feet high statue of Mahatma Gandhi and inaugurated ‘Gandhi Vatika’ at Gandhi Darshan Museum in New Delhi . Speaking on the occasion, the President said that Gandhi's ideals and values have given a new direction to the whole world.

1. Unveiling the Gandhi Darshan in Delhi, Murmu said that Mahatma Gandhi's statues at Gandhi Vatika will inspire the visitors, especially the children.
2. The statue and the 'Gandhi Vatika' are located on the Gandhi Darshan's premises near Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Rajghat.
3. The statue is located at the entrance of the 45-acre Gandhi Darshan complex, and a selfie-point has also been created at the 'vatika' for visitors and it will also have multiple statues of Mahatma Gandhi.
4. The statue and the Gandhi Vatika have been sculpted by artisans from Jaipur, and show him seated on a bench and in his meditative pose.
5. The entire Gandhi Darshan complex is undergoing renovation due to the damage caused by the recent floods. Flooding of the complex damaged books at its library

The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has achieved a remarkable milestone by providing tap water connections to 13 crore rural households, marking a transformative journey since its launch on India’s 73rd Independence Day, August 15, 2019.

• This mission, driven by the principles of speed and scale, has swiftly expanded access to clean water in rural areas, soaring from 3.23 crore households in August 2019 to an impressive 13 crore in just four years.
• As of the latest data, several states and union territories, including Goa, Telangana, Haryana, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, have achieved 100% coverage.
• Bihar and Mizoram are rapidly approaching full coverage, with 96.39% and 92.12% respectively. In these regions, villagers have collectively confirmed that all households and public institutions receive adequate, safe, and consistent water supply.
• Across the country, 145 districts and 1,86,818 villages report 100% coverage, showcasing the mission’s widespread impact.

Japan launched a “moon sniper” lunar exploration spacecraft on Thursday( 7 Septembet 2023) aboard a homegrown H-IIA rocket, hoping to become the world's fifth country to land on the moon early next year.

• Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said the rocket took off from Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan as planned and successfully released the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM).
• Unfavourable weather led to three postponements in a week last month.
• Japan aims to land SLIM within 100 metres of its target site on the lunar surface.
• The $100-million mission is expected to start the landing by February after a long, fuel-efficient approach trajectory.
• The big objective of SLIM is to prove the high-accuracy landing to achieve 'landing where we want' on the lunar surface, rather than 'landing where we can'," JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa told a news conference.

Scientists at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi have decoded the whole genome of the Indian oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps). 

CMFRI has said in a statement that this is the first time that the genome of a marine fish species from the Indian subcontinent is being decoded. It is a milestone in Indian marine fisheries and can also help in climate studies.

• Indian oil sardine, which is a trans-boundary resource, contributed around ten percent of the total marine fisheries industry of the country.
• CMFRI director Dr A Gopalakrishnan said that the decoded genome would be a valuable resource for understanding the biology, ecology and evolution of the oil sardine. It could be used to improve the management strategies for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of this species.
• The whole genome information can also be utilised for certification of the fishery and identification of the origin of catch. Small pelagic fishes like the Indian oil sardines can be considered as model organisms to study the climatic as well as fishing impacts on the Indian Ocean resources.

Scientists have successfully grown kidneys made of mostly human cells inside pig embryos — taking researchers yet another step down the long road toward generating viable human organs for transplant.

• The results, reported September 7 in Cell Stem Cell, mark the first time a solid humanized organ, one with both human and animal cells, has been grown inside another species.
• The achievement offers a potential solution to the shortage of transplant organs, particularly kidneys, which are in high demand.
• More than 1,800 embryos were then transferred into surrogate sows, of which five were harvested for study within the first 28 days. All five had normal kidneys consistent with their level of development, and the organs contained 50 percent to 60 percent human-derived cells. That’s the highest percentage of human cells yet observed in any organ grown inside a pig, Tan says. 

lobal Fintech Fest 2023 (GFF 2023) concluded on Thursday and will host the 5th edition on October 8-10, 2024. The three-day conference brought together on one platform policymakers, regulators, bankers, industry captains, academicians and professionals of the fintech landscape from all over the world.

• Besides discussions around a range of topics, GFF 2023 hosted an exhibition, investment pitches, master classes and workshops.
• The event hosted 900 speakers from 30+ countries, regulatory dignitaries from 100+ countries, 300+ exhibitors, 300+ investors, 100+ product launches, release of 80+ whitepapers, launch of 22 thought leadership reports, 3 hackathons (SEBI, NABARD and SBI) and a footfall of 65,000 delegates from 100+ countries, the organisers informed. 
• GFF 2023 was supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MietY), the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and was organized by the Payments Council of India (PCI), Fintech Convergence Council (FCC), and National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

SS Innovations, India’s first and only home-grown surgical robotic firm has announced the on-boarding of Padmashri Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, popularly known as the Moon Man of India as a Director on its Board of Directors in both the Indian entity – SS Innovations Private Limited as well as in the global entity, SS Innovations International Inc,

• SSI MANTRA, the first and indigenously developed surgical robotic system and the brain child of Dr. Sudhir Prem Srivastava is second to none on features, usage, technology and stands on par with international surgical robotic systems.
• Padmashri Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, popularly known as the Moon Man of India is an Indian scientist who is credited with two major missions of ISRO – Chandrayaan 1 & 2 and Mangalyaan. His most highly publicized post was serving as program director of the Mars Orbiter Mission.
• Dr. Annadurai was bestowed with the Padmashri award in 2016 for Science and Technology from Govt. of India, India’s fourth highest civilian award; the Rajyotsava Prashasti award for Science in 2008 from Govt. of Karnataka, IEI-IEEE(USA) Engineering Excellence Award 2016 and more than 100 national and international awards.

Japan on Thursday (September 7) launched a rocket carrying what it plans to be the country's first successful Moon lander, as was seen in the live footage shared by the country's space agency.

• The H2-A rocket, carrying the precision "Moon Sniper" lander blasted off at 8:42 am (2342 GMT Wednesday) and is expected to touch down on the lunar surface in a span of four to six months.
• The rocket was launched from Tanegashima in southern Japan after getting postponed three times due to bad weather and garnered around 35,000 online viewers.
• The rocket is also carrying a research satellite which has been developed by NASA, the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai on Friday(11 september 2023) launched ‘Mashaal’ for 37th National Games at a program held in Durbar Hall Raj Bhavan, Donapaula.

• Durbar Hall Raj Bhavan: Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai on Friday launched ‘Mashaal’ for 37th National Games at a program held in Durbar Hall Raj Bhavan, Donapaula.
• The 37th National Games will be held in Goa from October 25 to November 9.
• The Governor also released anthem (theme song) of national games for which actor Amitabh Bachchan has given his voice.

The Indian men's team secured a bronze medal finish at the Asian Table Tennis Championships 2023 after falling short in their semi-final clash against Chinese Taipei in Pyeongchang, the Republic of Korea.

• The Indian men's table tennis team comprising a mix of experienced as well as youth talent of Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran lost 0-3 in the final four.
• The two losing semi-finalists are awarded bronze medals at the competition.
• Commonwealth Games champion Sharath Kamal opened the proceedings for the Indian men's team and lost 0-3 to Chuang Chih-Yuan, who is a former doubles world champion.

The country’s leading milk cooperative Amul will be the official sponsor of the Indian Contingent for the 19th Asian Games 2022 to be held in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8, 2023.

• Jayen Mehta, Managing Director, Amul is quoted as saying Gujarat’s dairy cooperative is pleased to be associated with Asian Games 2022 and the Indian Olympic Association. 
• Mehta further said that milk is the world’s original energy drink, and every sportsperson nourishes their health with milk.
• The XIX Asian Games 2022 will feature 482 events across 40 sports. The Asian Games, also known as Asiad, is a continental multi-sport event held every fourth year among athletes from all over Asia.

Divya Deshmukh, India’s 17-year-old Chess Woman Grandmaster from Maharashtra, has won the women’s title in the rapid section of the Tata Steel Chess India tournament.

She got to play in India’s Tata Steel Chess India tournament only because R. Vaishali pulled out at almost the last minute. She began as the 10th seed in a field of 10 in the women’s rapid section. And she finished right at the top.

• The 17-year-old from Nagpur authored one of the most remarkable stories – and there have been many – in Indian chess of late to become the champion.
• Her story had a dramatic ending too. Deshmukh stunned second seed Koneru Humpy in the last round, with black pieces.
• She still had to wait for the result of the game between top seed and World champion Ju Wenjun of China and defending champion Anna Ushenina of Ukraine. Ushenina did Divya a favour, holding Ju to a draw.

Runaway Formula One leader Max Verstappen secured a record 10th straight win with victory at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday(3 September 2023), with a Red Bull one-two on Ferrari's home track

• No Formula One driver has ever won as many races in a row in a season. The Red Bull driver had matched the previous all-time record of nine, set by Sebastian Vettel 10 years ago, at last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.
• Victory at Monza was Verstappen’s 12th of the year and increases the likelihood of Red Bull becoming the first F1 team to win every race in a season.
• McLaren came close to doing so in 1988, winning all but one of the 16 races on the calendar, but such is Red Bull’s supremacy no team looks close to being able to topple them over the course of the 23-race season.

In Athletics, India’s Avinash Sable qualified for his maiden Diamond League Final after finishing fifth in the men’s 3000m steeplechase race at the Xiamen Diamond League 2023 in China yesterday( 2 September 2023)

• Avinash Sable clocked 8:16.27 in overcast conditions at the Egret Stadium. Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali, the reigning Olympic and world champion, won the Xiamen track and field event with a meet record of 8:10.31.
• Samuel Firewu of Ethiopia clinched the second spot in 8:11.29 while Amos Serem of Kenya claimed the third place in 8:14.41. Commonwealth Games champion Abraham Kibiwot of Kenya came fourth with a timing of 8:15.87.
• The race in Xiamen was the sixth and last race men’s 3000m steeplechase event in the Diamond League series this year. India’s Neeraj Chopra (men’s javelin throw) and Murali Sreeshankar (men’s long jump) have already made the cut for the Diamond League Final.

Mohun Bagan side beat East Bengal 1-0 in the Durand Cup final at the Vivekanada Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Sunday (September 3, 2023). Dimitros Petratos scored the only goal in the 71st minute to give MBSG a famous win over their city rivals. Neither team could break the deadlock in an exciting first half, in which EB's Nandhakumar Sekar and MB's Petratos went close to scoring. There were four yellow cards in added time of the first half as the match became ill-tempered. Anirudh Thapa was sent off for a second yellow, but Dimitros Petratos made it 1-0 for 10-man MB in the 71st minute.

• The Durand Cup holds the distinction of being the oldest existing football club tournament in Asia and the third oldest in the world. As the 132nd edition approaches, football enthusiasts eagerly await the kickoff of the tournament, scheduled to begin on August 3, with the final match set for September 3.
• This prestigious tournament will feature 24 teams, including three foreign teams, and will take place across the cities of Guwahati, Kokrajhar, and Kolkata.
• The tournament is named after its founder, Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, who served as the foreign secretary of India from 1884 to 1894.

In Hockey, India beat Pakistan in penalty shootout in the final to win the inaugural Men’s Hockey 5s Asia Cup 2023 in Salalah, Oman, yesterday. The win also served as Asia’s qualifying tournament for the FIH Men’s Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024. Subsequently, India qualified for the FIH Men’s Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024.

• This is the first time in three meetings that India have beaten Pakistan in the Hockey 5s format.
• From 2-4 down in the second half, India took the game to the shootout after two goals from Mohammed Raheel. In the shootout, Pakistan missed all their chances while Maninder Singh hit the hammer in the coffin to score India's second goal in the shootout.
• Earlier in the evening, India thrashed Malaysia 10-4 in the semifinals.  Pakistan reached the final after defeating Oman 7-3.For their remarkable performance and the important win.
• Hockey India announced Rupees Two Lakh to each player of the team, while Rupees One Lakh each for the support staff. Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey congratulated the team on qualifying for the FIH Men's Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024 and winning the Gold medal

The Salem Starch and Sago Manufacturers Service Industrial Cooperative Society Ltd (popularly called as SAGOSERVE) received Geographical indication tag or GI tag for Salem sago recently

• Sago, derived from raw tapiocas, is in the form of small hard globules or pearls and is pearl white in colour.
• Tapioca is a major horticulture crop cultivated on nearly 3 lakh hectares in Tamil Nadu, producing 60 lakhs tonnes of the crop.
• Sago was produced first in Salem district, which is the main centre for sago production in the country, on a cottage scale basis.
• Sago is manufactured from the wet starch powder crushed from tapioca roots.
• The wet starch powder is used for producing sago and the dry powder has been used as a raw material for industrial purposes.

The state cabinet meeting has decided to initiate a cyber security project valued at Rs 837 crore. The objective of this project is to promptly address cybercrimes.

• Chief Minister Eknath Shinde presided over the meeting. Under this project, citizens will have the ability to file complaints via a call center that operates 24X7. Advanced cyber technology will be employed to investigate these complaints, enabling the exposure of crimes and an increase in conviction rates.
• Cybercrime has become the largest organized crime globally, necessitating the use of cutting-edge technology to combat this issue.
• The state is witnessing an increase in cyber fraud cases as the use of state-of-the-art technology by citizens continues to rise. Additionally, the number of individuals with criminal tendencies resorting to virtual crimes using cyber technology is on the rise.

The first underground transformer in the country was inaugurated at Malleswaram 15th Cross on Tuesday. The 500 kVA transformer has been commissioned as a joint project between Bescom and BBMP. 

• Inaugurating the facility, Energy Minister KJ George said that underground transformers will enhance the safety and reliability of the power supply. 
• The transformer is expected to bring down the impact due to accidents and reduce losses during transmission. Further, it will also help clear the footpaths and make it safe for pedestrian movements. 
• Given the host of advantages the transformer brings, the energy department is considering setting up more such facilities. 

The West Bengal  legislative assembly on 7 September 2023  passed a resolution to designate Poila Baisakh as the State Day.  The Poila Baisakh is the first day of the Bengali calendar and it is observed on 15 April every year by the Bengali community in India.

• The resolution also proposed to make Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s 'Banglar Mati, Banglar Jol' (Bengal’s soil, Bengal’s water) as the state song.
• The resolution was passed by the West Bengal legislative assembly with 167 members voting in favour of the resolution .
• However  the sixty-two MLAs of the BJP voted against the resolution. The BJP member wants June 20 to be observed  as Bengal’s foundation Day. The total strength of the West Bengal Assembly is 294.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the Mukhya Mantri Sporting Abilities, Rebuilding Aspirations and Livelihood Scheme (SABAL) from his home assembly segment Nadaun.

• He also announced to set up a 'Rajya Chayan Aayog' in place of the now-dissolved Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission in Hamirpur within the next two months to ensure fairness in the selection criteria of candidates.
• The SABAL scheme intends to take care of specially-abled children in around 400 schools across Hamirpur, Solan and Shimla districts. 
• Sukhu said the Sabal Yojana is aimed at improving the lives of specially-abled children in the state.
• The initiative focuses on providing essential facilities and opportunities for them. 
• He said the state government has made a provision of two percent reservation in government jobs for specially-abled individuals and the recruitment process for this, was set to commence on a mission mode shortly.
• The chief minister announced to set up 'Rajya Chayan Aayog' in place of the Staff Selection Commission in Hamirpur within the next two months.  
• He said 6,000 teachers will be recruited through this new commission soon and the state government would conduct examinations for recruitment of more than 10,000 people this year.
• The HPSSC was dissolved in February 2023, two months after the paper leak was unearthed on December 23, 2022 when the vigilance arrested senior assistant of commission Uma Azad with solved question paper and Rs 2.5 lakh in cash. So far no new commission has been constituted..

The Yogi Adityanath government has issued directives to speed up the digital crop survey in the state.

• While in 21 districts the survey work has been completed, instructions have been issued to complete the crop survey in all villages under the supervision of the district magistrate within the specified time frame.
• Additionally, officials have been instructed to increase the number of surveyors in order to expedite the survey work.
• The officials have also been directed to ensure that each surveyor completes surveys of 1,500 plots per month and 2,250 plots within 45 days.
• Furthermore, directions have been given to complete the survey within the next 15 days in 10 revenue villages of 54 districts.

Corning Inc. has chosen Telangana to set up their gorilla glass manufacturing facility, a first-of-its-kind investment in India. The proposed facility will manufacture cover glass for market leaders in the smartphone industry.

• Headquartered in New York, Corning Inc. is a Fortune 500 materials science company with expertise in glass science, ceramics science, and optical physics.
• With over 172 years of history, Corning Inc. has been at the forefront of innovations and are the inventors of gorilla glass, a strengthened glass that is widely used in portable devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and laptops.
• The proposed investment of ?934 crore by Corning along with their partners will be a strategic investment and play a pivotal role in driving the smartphone manufacturing ecosystem in Telangana and in India. The proposed facility in Telangana is expected to generate employment for over 800 people.
• Minister for IT and Industries K.T.Rama Rao met with senior vice-president John Bayne, global operations executive Ravi Kumar, and director-Government Affairs Sarah Cartmell from Corning Inc. in New York.

The Assam government has constituted a three-member panel to draft the proposed law to end polygamy in the State, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said .

• The members of this committee are Advocate-General Devajit Saikia, Legal Remembrancer Kuntal Sharma Pathak, and Director-General of Police Gyanendra Pratap Singh.
• Mr. Sarma said the Assam government had earlier formed a committee headed by former Gauhati High Court judge, Justice Rumi Phookan (retd.), to examine the legislative competence of the State legislature to enact an anti-polygamy law.
• The Justice Phookan panel had scrutinised the provisions of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Act, 1937, along with Article 25 of the Constitution of India, in relation to the Directive Principles of State Policy for a uniform civil code.
• The Chief Minister had earlier said a lot of cases of polygamy were detected in southern Assam’s Barak Valley and central Assam’s Jamunamukh and Hojai. These areas have a sizeable population of Bengali-speaking Muslims.
• There are hardly any cases of polygamy among indigenous Muslims and others who are educated, he had said.

The fourth G20 Sherpa meeting will kick-start in Haryana's Nuh district from September 3.

• The meeting will be held till September 7 and will see the participation of sherpas and delegates from invited countries besides G20 member countries.
• G-20 Sherpas to sit for final round of pre-summit negotiations
• Special decorations have been made by the Haryana government on the route from the Sirhaul border to the Khedki Daula toll plaza, Rampura flyover. Two lanes each have been set up on both sides of the Kherki Daula toll plaza for the meeting, officials said.

The 8th Eastern Economic Forum 2023 will take place on 10–13 September 2023 in Vladivostok on the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) campus.

• The Eastern Economic Forum is a key international platform for establishing and strengthening ties within the Russian and global investment communities, and for comprehensive expert evaluation of the economic potential of the Russian Far East, the investment opportunities it offers, and business conditions within advanced special economic zones.
• The Eastern Economic Forum was established by decree of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in 2015 to support the economic development of Russia’s Far East and to expand international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
• The Forum was attended by more than 7,000 participants and media representatives from 68 countries and territories, including Russia, with around 1,700 business representatives from 700 companies.
• Over 100 events were held as part of the main programme, including more than 70 at thematic venues. More than 750 speakers and moderators took part in the events, which were held in the format of sessions, business dialogues, and roundtables.
• A record number of investment agreements, as well as memorandums and agreements of intent, were signed at the Forum. In total, 296 agreements were signed for a grand total of RUB 3.272 trillion, including agreements on infrastructure and transport projects, the development of large mineral deposits, as well as construction, industry, and agriculture.

The Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Giriraj Singh, chaired a significant National Conclave on September 6, 2023 focusing on the ambitious mission to enable 2 crore 'Lakhpati Didis' within India. The conclave was organised by Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) in New Delhi.

• This initiative, part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), aims to empower Self-Help Group (SHG) Didis to achieve a sustainable annual income of at least Rs one Lakh per household.
• The National Conclave provided a platform for key stakeholders to review and strategize the implementation of the 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative, which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day address on August 15, 2023.
• In his address to the participants, He emphasized the importance of adopting a Whole of Government approach, leveraging convergence for maximum impact, and transforming the rural economy by enabling 'Lakhpati Didis.' He also highlighted that DAY-NRLM is the world's largest initiative aimed at improving the livelihoods of the poor.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Indonesia to attend the 18th East Asia Summit and 20th ASEAN-Indian Summit in the early hours of Thursday( 7 September 2023)

• The Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Jakarta International Airport. PM Modi was received by I. Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati, Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Protection.At the airport, the Indonesian cultural dance was performed. 
• Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived at the hotel Ritz-Carlton in Jakarta where he met the Indian diaspora.
• Members of the Indian community were all excited to welcome PM Modi.

The  World Health Organization (WHO) has released the outcome document of the first WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit 2023 in the form of the “Gujarat Declaration”, the Ministry of AYUSH informed here.

• The summit was organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and co-hosted by the Ministry of Ayush, from August 17-18, 2023, at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. 
• WHO underlined that the application of rigorous scientific methods is needed to better understand, assess and, apply more holistic, context-specific, complex and personalized approaches for health and well-being for all.
• The Gujarat Declaration talks about scaling up efforts to further implement evidence-based TCIM (Traditional complementary integrative medicine) interventions and approaches in support of the goal of universal health coverage (UHC) and all health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• It states the role of multi-regional, multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder collaborations demonstrated at the Global Summit through the WHO GCTM that is aligned with and complementary to the work of WHO major offices, to maximize evidence-based benefits of TCIM in global health.

The G20 Summit 2023 New Delhi is the 18th Meeting of the G20 Group in India which is the President country of this summit. 

• Representatives from all the participating countries will meet as per the G20 Summit 2023 Schedule on 9th and 10th September 2023 at Pragati Maidan which was recently inaugurated by PM Modi after reconstruction.
• The events of these meetings are also planned according to the G20 Summit 2023 Kashmir. 
• The G20 group comprises--Tnida, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU).

The 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Jakarta will be held from 5th to 7th of this month.

• The meeting comes amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea, after China released a new map laying claims over large swathes disputed by some ASEAN members, triggering protests by these states.
• Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will lead a delegation to the summit where the bloc’s leaders will discuss the crisis in Myanmar, among other issues. Singapore’s Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement today that ASEAN leaders will discuss ways to ensure the bloc’s continued relevance and centrality in the evolving regional architecture. 
• The leaders will also discuss strengthening ASEAN integration and expanding collaboration in key areas such as the digital and green economies.

The Naval Commander Conference 2023 is scheduled to be held in New Delhi from September 4 to 6. The conference will be held in New Delhi and will be the second edition of the naval conference.

• The Conference is the apex-level biannual event facilitating interaction between the Naval Commanders for deliberation and formulation of important policy decisions. The three-day conference will be held in hybrid format.
• The senior leadership of the Indian Navy, under the Chairmanship of the Chief of the Naval Staff, will review major operational, materiel, logistics, HR, training, and administrative activities undertaken during the previous six months.
• Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will address the Naval Commanders during the conference and interact with them. The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) will also attend the event.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit is slated to be held in Dehradun in December, 2023, during the unveiling event of the logo and website for the summit.

• The investment target of Rs 2.5 lakh crore has been set for this edition Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit, Dhami stated. 
• Dhami also launched a website for the event to give out details and information about the state government's policies and the different sectors in which investments can be made.
• The two-day summit to be held in Dehradun on December 8-9 has set a target of attracting investments worth ?2.5 lakh crore in various sectors, including tourism and wellness, agriculture and horticulture, health and education, the chief minister said at the launch.
• He said there is a positive environment in the state for investments. "Not only big industrial houses and groups are keen to invest in the state but also those already here are willing to expand their activities," Dhami added.