Today's Current Affairs 26th August 2023

NATIONAL

NCGG completes training of 27th batch of civil servants

• The 2-week Capacity Building Programme (CBP) for civil servants of Maldives organised by the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) concluded on 25th August, 2023 today at New Delhi. NCGG has signed MoU with the Government of Maldives to enhance the skills and capabilities of 1,000 civil servants in the field of public administration and governance by 2024. As part of the agreement, NCGG has already imparted training to 858 officers from Maldives which includes 29 officers of ACC, Maldives.
• NCGG's efforts are aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's philosophy of “Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam” and “Neighbourhood First” policy and keeping citizens at the forefront while designing developmental strategies and implementing public policies. It is in this context that these programmes reinforce the principles of citizen centric governance and promote the exchange of knowledge, information and innovations and promote the adoption of best practices and digital governance. It is also an effort in the direction of strengthening bilateral ties and fostering regional cooperation with neighbouring countries.

Assam Issues Notification Banning Plastic Water Bottles Below 1000 ml

• In a decisive move towards environmental conservation, the Assam Environment and Forest Department has taken a significant step by announcing the ban on the use and production of plastic water bottles below 1000 ml capacity within the state. This transformative initiative, set to be enforced from October 2 this year, reflects Assam’s commitment to combat plastic pollution and promote sustainable practices.
• Recognizing the environmental hazards posed by such smaller plastic bottles, the Assam government’s decision aligns with its commitment to safeguard the state’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
• The Assam government made headlines by declaring its intent to prohibit the production and use of drinking water bottles made from Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with a volume of less than 1 litre. This commendable decision has now materialized into official action, with the Assam Environment and Forest Department issuing a resolute notification on August 23. The notification effectively puts an end to the manufacturing, import, stocking, distribution, and sale of plastic water bottles below the specified capacity.

 SPORTS

World Athletics Championships 2023: Neeraj Chopra Qualifies for Final

• Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw, continues to make waves in the world of athletics. His recent performance at the World Athletics Championships has not only secured his place in the finals but has also guaranteed his participation in the Paris Olympics 2024.
• Neeraj Chopra’s remarkable throw of 88.77 meters in the men’s javelin throw event during the World Athletics Championships is an evident to his dedication and skill. This throw not only secured his spot in the finals of the championships but also surpassed the minimum qualification distance of 85.50 meters for Paris Olympics 2024. As the only athlete to achieve this qualification mark in the championship, Neeraj Chopra has showcased his consistence excellence.

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports sanctions 634 athletes to take part in Asian Games

• Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports sanctioned 634 athletes across 38 sporting disciplines for participation in the upcoming Asian Games. Neeraj Chopra, Praggnanandhaa Ramesh Babu, Lovlina Borgohain, Nikhat Zareen, Lakshay Sen and Mirabai Chanu Saikhom are among the others who met the set selection criteria. The selection was made against the 850 athletes recommended by the Indian Olympic Association.
• A total of 572 athletes participated in the last edition of Asian Games in 2018 where India returned with 70 medals including 16 Golds.

Indian women bag free pistol gold in World Championship

• The women’s free pistol team helped India sign off from the World shooting championship on a golden note in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Friday.
• Even though the running target events would continue for the next few days, the regular shooting was done, as India wound up second on the medals’ table with six gold and eight bronze medals.
• China was on top with 15 gold, seven silver and six bronze. USA was third with five gold, two silver and a bronze.
• Tiyana Phogat, Sakshi Suryavanshi and Kirandeep Kaur won the 50-metre free pistol team gold with a total of 1573, six points ahead of China. Tiyana also won the individual bronze with 533 as she missed silver by one point.

 APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Infosys onboards tennis player Iga Świątek as global brand ambassador

• In a groundbreaking move that further bridges the worlds of sports and technology, Infosys, a global leader in consulting and digital services, has announced a multi-year partnership with women’s tennis World No. 1, Iga Swiatek. The collaboration establishes Swiatek as the global brand ambassador for Infosys, with a key focus on promoting Digital Innovation and inspiring women worldwide.
• This announcement comes on the heels of Infosys signing tennis legend Rafael Nadal for the same prestigious role, solidifying the company’s commitment to both tennis excellence and technological advancement.
• Central to this partnership is the strategic alignment between Infosys and Swiatek’s team to create a cutting-edge data analytics and video dashboard powered by artificial intelligence (AI). The ultimate goal is to enhance Swiatek’s training regimen by leveraging AI insights, amplifying her strengths, and devising precise match strategies. Drawing parallels between the data-driven approach in tennis and the strategies adopted by Infosys’ clients, the partnership signifies a mutual commitment to harnessing digital technologies for optimal performance.

Infosys signs tennis legend Rafael Nadal as brand ambassador

• Infosys announces a three-year partnership with global tennis icon Rafael Nadal, appointing him as the brand ambassador and the face of Infosys’ Digital Innovation.This partnership not only marks a milestone for Nadal but also signifies Infosys’ dedication to transforming the tennis landscape through cutting-edge technologies.
• At the heart of this collaboration lies the creation of a match analysis tool infused with the power of artificial intelligence. This personalized tool is set to offer real-time insights to Nadal’s coaching team, enabling them to simultaneously track data from his live matches during his return to the tour. The tool will merge this live data with historical match information, facilitating a comprehensive analysis that will undoubtedly enhance Nadal’s performance strategy.

 IMPORTANT DAYS

International Dog Day 2023: 26th August

• International Dog Day, observed on August 26th every year, is a heartwarming tribute to our furry companions who enrich our lives with their unwavering devotion and boundless affection. This day holds a special place in the hearts of animal lovers worldwide, as it acknowledges the profound impact that dogs have on our lives, from their incredible abilities to their role in rescue operations, and, most importantly, their capacity for unconditional love.
• Dogs, often referred to as “man’s best friend,” occupy a unique place in our hearts and homes. Their unwavering loyalty and boundless love create an unbreakable bond that transcends words. Beyond companionship, dogs play pivotal roles in various aspects of human life. Some are trained to provide essential support to people with disabilities, enhancing their independence and quality of life. Others showcase their exceptional olfactory senses in search and rescue operations, saving lives with their remarkable ability to locate individuals in dire circumstances.

After Chandrayaan-3: India to celebrate August 23 as ‘National Space Day

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 26 announced to celebrate August 23, when India’s Chandrayaan-3 landed on the Moon, as National Space Day. He also announced that the spot where the lander landed on the Moon will be known as ‘Shivashakti’ and where Chandrayaan-2 touched down will be called as ‘Tiranga Point’.
• The Prime Minister was addressing the scientists at the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network Mission Control Complex in Bengaluru, Karnataka. PM Modi said that experts suggest that in a few years, India’s space industry will become $16 billion from $8 billion.
• To congratulate ISRO team for the successful touchdown of Chandrayaan-3 lander on August 23, PM Modi visited to Bengaluru, immediately after returning from his two-nation visit to Greece and South Africa. He was accorded a warm reception as he arrived at the ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru on Saturday morning.

 SUMMIT'S & MOU's

Defence Ministry Inks Rs 19,000 Cr Deal with HSL

• The defence ministry has signed a contract with Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam, to acquire five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) for the Indian Navy at a total cost of approximately Rs 19,000 crore. These FSS ships will be designed and constructed indigenously by HSL, Visakhapatnam. The Cabinet Committee on Security approved this acquisition during its meeting on August 16.
• The primary role of the FSS ships will be to replenish other naval vessels at sea with fuel, water, ammunition, and stores, allowing the Indian Naval Fleet to operate for extended periods without returning to harbour. This acquisition will enhance the strategic reach and mobility of the fleet and significantly boost the Indian Navy's blue-water capability. Additionally, these ships can be deployed for evacuation and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.