1 33 Scientists received National Science Award
President Draupadi Murmu honoured 33 people with National Science Award on 22 August . Biochemist Govindarajan Padmanabhan received the Vigyan Ratna Award for his contribution in the field of science . ISRO’s Chandrayaan team was honoured with the Science Team Award . In the award ceremony, 18 young scientists were given the ‘ Vigyan Yuva Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar ‘ Award. Apart from this, 13 winners received the ‘ Vigyan Shri ‘ award. ‘Vigyan Ratna’ was given to recognise achievements and contribution in the field of science and technology. ‘Vigyan Shri’ was given to recognise special contribution. The central government started the National Science Award in January, starting science awards in the country on the lines of Padma Awards . In this, the winners are given a medal and a citation . No cash is given in the National Science Award. The Ministry of Science and Technology has started the ‘ National Science Award (RVP) ‘ on the lines of Padma Awards and other national awards . There are 4 types of awards given in RVP – Vigyan Ratna Award, Vigyan Shri Award, Vigyan Team Award and Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar. Vigyan Ratna Award recognizes lifetime achievements and contributions in any field of science and technology. Vigyan Shri Award recognizes outstanding contribution in any field of science and technology. Vigyan Team Awards will be given to a team of three or more scientists/researchers/innovators who have made exceptional contributions while working in a team in any field of science and technology. Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) Awards are the highest multidisciplinary science awards in India for young scientists (maximum 45 years). VY-SSB is named after Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, founder and director of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), who was a renowned chemist.
Senior IAS officer Govind Mohan took charge as the new Union Home Secretary on Thursday, August 22. He replaced Ajay Kumar Bhalla , who is completing his 5-year term. Govind Mohan has previously served as Additional Secretary in the Home Ministry. Mohan had already taken over as Officer on Special Duty in the Union Home Ministry. He has also served as Union Culture Secretary. He has extensive experience of working in various positions in Sikkim and the Central Government. He was also the key officer of the government during the Covid-19 pandemic and was tasked with monitoring the implementation of decisions taken for various protocols and ensuring smooth coordination with the states. He holds a B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering from BHU and a PG Diploma in Management from IIM Ahmedabad. His father was the Chief Engineer in the PwD department.
3 Launch of 25 Challenges for Waves under “Create in India Challenge – Season 1” by Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the ‘ Create in India Challenge-Season One ‘ in New Delhi ahead of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit . Mr Vaishnaw said the 25 challenges have been launched reflecting the growth of the Indian economy and the impact of technological advancements. He said the media and entertainment industry has grown, giving a huge boost to the creator economy. Organised by leading industry associations and organisations, these challenges cover a range of disciplines including animation, filmmaking, gaming, music and visual arts . These challenges are being held ahead of the main event.
To realize the resolve of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for a developed India, Khadi and Village Industries Commission of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises signed an important MoU with the Department of Posts working under the Ministry of Communications at the Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Rajghat New Delhi office. Under this, the employees of the Postal Department working across the country will do the physical verification of the new units being set up across the country under the Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Srijan Karyakram . Khadi and Village Industries Commission will also train the employees of the Postal Department for physical verification.
5 Ministry of Labour & Employment releases Management Information System (MIS) Portal of Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW)
The 15th meeting of the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Monitoring Committee with all States and Union Territories was held under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment . Various issues including integration of data pertaining to BOC workers and utilization of BOCW cess fund in welfare activities were discussed in the meeting. On this occasion, in a major initiative for the welfare of BOC workers and unorganized sector workers, the BOCW Management Information System (MIS) portal was launched by Smt. Sumita Dawra, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment. This portal will serve as a centralized data management system for compilation and analysis of data received from BOCW Welfare Boards of the States.
6 REC Power Development & Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL) handed over Rajasthan IV-A Power Transmission Limited to M/s Aprava Energy Pvt. Ltd.
REC Power Development & Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Maharatna CPSU REC Limited under the aegis of Ministry of Power. The Company has awarded the project specific SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) i.e. Rajasthan IV-A Power Transmission Limited to M/s Apravata Energy Private Limited (AEPL) . The project will facilitate evacuation of power from Rajasthan Renewable Energy Region Phase-IV ( Jaisalmer / Barmer Complex) . M/s Apravata Energy Private Limited (AEPL) has emerged as a Transmission Service Provider (TSP) through Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) process conducted by RECPDCL, the bidding process coordinator, for development of the above transmission project on Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis. The project includes 765/400 kV, 4×1500 MVA & 400/220 kV at Fatehgarh-IV, 5×500 MVA pooling station, 184.56 km of 400 kV line and associated works.
7 Dabur to invest Rs 400 crore in Tamil Nadu
Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company Dabur will invest Rs 400 crore in Tamil Nadu . The company has signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) with the Tamil Nadu government to set up a world-class manufacturing plant in Villupuram district . Dabur India Limited was started 140 years ago in 1884 by Dr. S. K. Burman . Initially, Dr. Burman used to make medicines in a small house and deliver it to those who did not have access to health facilities. Dabur Amla and Dabur Red Paste are some of the popular products of the company in the personal care category including Dabur Chyawanprash, Dabur Honey, Dabur Pudin Hara and Dabur Lal Tel. The current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is MK Stalin and the Industry Minister is Dr. TRB Raja.
8 Ronaldo sets world record on Youtube
Portugal ‘s legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has set a new world record of fastest one million subscribers on YouTube. Ronaldo launched his YouTube channel on Wednesday, 21 August. The channel has more than 13 million subscribers in less than a day . YouTube sends a gold button to channels with 1 million subscribers and Ronaldo’s channel crossed this mark in just 90 minutes. YouTube also sent the gold button to his home in just 6 hours. Ronaldo posted several videos along with debuting his channel, including a teaser trailer and a fun quiz game with his partner Georgina Rodriguez . Ronaldo has 112.5 million followers on the X platform, 170 million followers on Facebook and 636 million followers on Instagram. Ronaldo is the world’s highest-earning athlete. According to Forbes, Ronaldo’s total wealth is $260 million (2.18 thousand crores). He is also the first football player to earn more than $1 billion (8.39 thousand crores).
9 Women wrestlers performed brilliantly in Wrestling Under-17 World Championship, won four gold medals so far
India’s women wrestlers performed brilliantly in the Under-17 World Championships in wrestling with four wrestlers winning gold medals in Amman, Jordan and two others in the race for gold. Aditi Kumari in 43 kg, Neha in 57 kg, Pulkit in 65 kg and Manasi Lather in 73 kg won world titles in their respective categories. Kajal in 69 kg and Shrutika Shivaji Patil in 46 kg will also compete in the gold medal bouts in the final. India can win more medals in the championship as Raj Bala in 40 kg will compete in the bronze play-off while Muskan in 53 kg, Rajnita in 61 kg are still in the race for a podium finish by making it to the repechage round. Despite not fielding any wrestler in the 49 kg weight category, India is now certain to win the women’s team trophy. Aditi became the champion in 43 kg by defeating Maria Louisa Gikaka of Greece 7-0 in the title match. India’s Raunak Dahiya and Sainath Pardhi won bronze medals in the Greco-Roman style 51kg category .
10 The first women’s test match at Lord’s Cricket Stadium will be played between India and England in the year 2026
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that the first women’s Test match at Lord’s Cricket Stadium will be played between India and England in the year 2026. ECB Chief Executive Officer Richard Gold said that he is happy and excited for this match to be played between India and England. Meanwhile, the Indian women’s cricket team will also play five Twenty20 and three ODIs in England next year.