IMPORTANT DAYS

International Literacy Day 2024 celebrated annually on September 8.

• International Literacy Day is celebrated annually on September 8th, a tradition that began in 1967.

• The theme for International Literacy Day 2024 is “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace.”

• The day highlights the significance of literacy in personal development and its role in fostering a just and equitable society.

• In India, individuals aged seven and older who cannot read or write a language are classified as illiterate.

• UNESCO reports that in 2022, approximately one in seven adults over 15 years old was illiterate, and around 25 crore children aged 6-18 were not attending school.

• The UNESCO General Conference established September 8th as International Literacy Day through a resolution passed in 1966.

• The observance serves to remind public authorities and stakeholders of literacy’s vital role in societal development.

World Physical Therapy Day 2024 celebrated annually on September 8.

• World Physical Therapy Day is celebrated annually on September 8, a tradition that began in 1996.

• The theme for World Physical Therapy Day 2024 focuses on managing and preventing low back pain (LBP) through physiotherapy.

• The day aims to increase awareness about the crucial role of physiotherapists in maintaining mobility, independence, and overall well-being.

• The World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) was established on September 8, 1951, by 11 national physiotherapy associations in London.

• In 2020, the WCPT was renamed World Physiotherapy.

• The decision to mark September 8 as World Physical Therapy Day was made by the WCPT in 1996, celebrating its foundation anniversary.

• The observance highlights the impact of physiotherapy on improving quality of life by addressing physical health challenges.

• World Physical Therapy Day serves to recognize and advocate for the essential contributions of physiotherapists in healthcare.

SPORTS

India Achieves Record 29 Medals at Paris 2024 Paralympics

• India concluded its historic Paris 2024 Paralympics campaign with a total of 29 medals.

• The medal haul includes seven gold, nine silver, and thirteen bronze medals.

• India’s tally of 29 medals at Paris 2024 surpassed its previous record of 19 medals from Tokyo 2020.

• The total number of medals won by India in Paralympic history has now exceeded 50.

• A total of 84 Indian para-athletes competed across 12 disciplines in the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

• Avani Lekhara made history as the first Indian woman to win two gold medals in Paralympic Games.

• Harvinder Singh achieved a milestone by becoming India’s first Paralympic archery champion.

• Mariyappan Thangavelu set a record as the first Indian athlete to win medals in three consecutive Paralympic Games.

• Preethi Pal earned India’s first medal in a Paralympic track event.

• At just 17 years old, Sheetal Devi became the youngest Indian Paralympic medalist.

Jannik Sinner won his second Grand Slam title of the year in the US Open Tennis.

• Jannik Sinner clinched his second Grand Slam title of the year at the 2024 US Open, defeating Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 in the final.

• Earlier in 2024, Sinner also won the Australian Open, making him the first Italian to win the US Open.

• The victory at the US Open marked Sinner's sixth title of the year and his 55th match win overall.

• Aryna Sabalenka won the women’s singles title at the 2024 US Open, overcoming Jessica Pegula with scores of 7–5, 7–5

• Sabalenka's win was her third major singles title and she became the first Belarusian woman to win the US Open.

• Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson triumphed in the men’s doubles, defeating Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz.

• Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko secured the women’s doubles title by beating Kristina Mladenovic and Zhang Shuai.

• In mixed doubles, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori emerged victorious over Donald Young and Taylor Townsend.

• The US Open Tennis Championships, organized by the United States Tennis Association, is an annual hardcourt tournament held in Queens, New York City.

RANKING AND INDEX

India has emerged as the largest plastic polluter in the world.

• A recent study by the University of Leeds, published in Nature, identifies India as the largest global contributor to plastic pollution.

• India generates 9.3 million tons of plastic waste annually, surpassing other major contributors like China, Nigeria, and Indonesia.

• The global plastic waste produced each year is equivalent to filling New York City's Central Park and stacking waste up to 157 Empire State Buildings.

• Nearly two-thirds of global plastic pollution results from improperly disposed or uncollected waste.

• About 15% of the world's population lacks access to adequate waste collection services, contributing to the growing issue.

• India has overtaken China in plastic waste production, which previously held the top spot but has since reduced its waste to 2.8 million tons.

• Plastic pollution spans every corner of the Earth, from the deepest ocean trenches to mountain peaks and even the human brain.

• The scale of plastic waste highlights a significant environmental challenge, with a considerable portion remaining improperly managed.

• China’s improvement in waste management contrasts with the increasing pollution levels in India.

• The staggering volume of global plastic waste underscores the urgent need for enhanced waste management and reduction strategies.

Government has decided to launch rankings for working women’s hostels.

• The government will introduce a ranking system for working women's hostels across the nation to enhance security.

• This initiative follows recent incidents of violence against women, such as the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata.

• The ranking system will be integrated into a one-stop portal listing all working women’s hostels.

• The portal aims to improve female workforce participation, especially in urban areas, by ensuring safer living conditions.

• Rankings will cover hostels managed by private entities, institutions, and government bodies at both the central and state levels.

• The Quality Council of India (QCI) will establish specific parameters for these rankings, focusing on security, cleanliness, and other essential amenities.

• The portal will also provide rankings for creches in cities nationwide, promoting transparency and quality.

• The initiative is part of the existing 'Sakhi Niwas' scheme under Mission Shakti, which offers hostel facilities for working women.

• This step reflects the government's commitment to addressing women's safety and improving hostel standards nationwide.

In the Union Environment Ministry's Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2024, Surat city achieved first place.

• Surat city secured first place in the Union Environment Ministry's Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2024.

• The city was honored as the "National Clean Air City" by Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav in Jaipur.

• Surat was awarded a cheque of Rs 1.5 crore, presented to Mayor Daxesh Mawani and Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agrawal.

• In the previous year's Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2023, Surat ranked 13th, with Indore leading the list.

• Last year, Surat also topped the national rankings for the cleanest cities.

• The Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2024 awarded Surat 194 out of 200 points, followed by Jabalpur and Agra.

• Ferozabad led the list of Category 2 cities (population between 3 and 10 lakh), with Amravati and Jhansi as runners-up.

• Rae Bareli, Nalgonda, and Nalagarh were the top three cities in Category 3 (population under 3 lakh).

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

"Jaishankar Attends First India-GCC Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Riyadh"

• Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar is attending the inaugural India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Riyadh.

• The meeting aims to strengthen ties between India and Gulf countries, focusing on enhanced collaboration in energy, trade, and investment.

• The GCC region, home to approximately 8.9 million Indian expatriates, is crucial for India's foreign policy.

• During his visit, Dr. Jaishankar is expected to engage in bilateral talks with his counterparts from GCC member states.

• On the first day of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, he explored significant cultural sites in Riyadh.

• He visited the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (DARAH), Murabba Palace, and the Saudi National Museum.

• This diplomatic engagement underscores India's commitment to deepening relations with the Gulf nations.

• The Foreign Ministers' Meeting represents a significant step towards fostering stronger economic and strategic partnerships.

STATE NEWS

Odisha will be the site of the first silicon carbide manufacturing facility in India.

• Odisha will host India's first silicon carbide manufacturing facility.

• The facility, developed by RIR Power Electronics Limited, will be located in Bhubaneswar's EMC Park, Infovalley.

• The project will require an investment of Rs. 620 crore over three years.

• Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility.

• This development is a significant step in Odisha's goal to become a leading semiconductor hub in India.

• The facility is expected to create approximately 500 new jobs across various levels.

• The establishment of this plant marks a major milestone in the state’s industrial growth.

• RIR Power Electronics Limited’s new plant will play a key role in advancing semiconductor manufacturing in India.

Tamil Nadu unveiled its Cyber Security Policy 2.0.

• Tamil Nadu has introduced its updated Cyber Security Policy 2.0.

• The policy aims to safeguard the government's information assets, including infrastructure, software, and citizen services.

• It outlines procedures for protecting these assets through guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and measures for auditing, compliance, and monitoring cyber threats.

• The policy will replace the previous Tamil Nadu Cyber Security Policy 2020.

• It will focus on developing a risk reduction strategy, building security capabilities, and ensuring layered protection for mission-critical systems and data.

• Inputs for the policy were provided by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), IIT Madras, and the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency.

• State government departments are required to appoint officials to liaise with the Cyber Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT).

• The new policy aims to enhance the state's ability to address and manage cyber threats effectively.