IMPORTANT DAYS
National Sports Day observed on August 29.
• National Sports Day is observed every year on August 29.
• The Theme for National Sports Day 2024 is ‘Sport for the Promotion and Peaceful and Inclusive Societies,’ emphasizing the role of athletics in strengthening social bonds, promoting inclusivity, and fostering peace in communities
• The day marks the birth anniversary of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand.
• Major Dhyan Chand's contributions to Indian hockey are honored on this day.
• He won Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936."
• The Fit India Movement was launched by the government on National Sports Day 2019.
• This day serves as a reminder of the impact of sports on a nation's health and well-being.
SPORTS
Karthik Venkataraman won the 61st National Chess Championship.
• Karthik Venkataraman clinched the title at the 61st National Chess Championship.
• He finished with nine points out of 11 rounds, along with Ganguly and Neelash Saha.
• The Buchholz System was used to break the tie, placing Karthik first.
• The championship took place at RPS International School in Gurgaon, organized by the Haryana Chess Association.
• Karthik was awarded a trophy and a cash prize of six lakh rupees (approximately USD 7,150).
• The tournament saw participation from 341 players across India.
• The total prize fund for the event was thirty lakh rupees (approximately USD 35,000).
• The All India Chess Federation served as the chief guest and distributed the awards.
• The 61st National Chess Championship showcased intense competition among top players.
AWARDS
24th International Mother Teresa awards given for significant contributions
• The 24th International Mother Teresa Awards Ceremony was held in Dubai, marking the second time it took place outside India.
• Organized by the All-India Minority and Weaker Sections Council, the event celebrated the 114th birth anniversary of Mother Teresa.
• The awards honored exceptional contributions across various fields, including education, science, culture, and sports.
• Individuals in social work, medicine, industry, and politics were also recognized for their significant achievements.
• The ceremony brought global attention to the impactful work of a diverse group of awardees.
• Dubai has now hosted the International Mother Teresa Awards twice.
• The event highlighted the enduring legacy of Mother Teresa's humanitarian spirit.
STATE NEWS
Sports University inaugurated in Rajgir by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
• Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated a sports university, sports academy, and sports complex in Rajgir on National Sports Day, August 29.
• This venue is the first in India to feature both a sports university and a sports complex in the same location.
• The Rajgir Sports Complex includes facilities for 24 indoor and outdoor sports.
• A 24-bed hospital with modern facilities for treating sports injuries is part of the complex.
• The sports university will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs in sports management, nutrition, and sports science technology.
• Three Centers of Excellence have been established for wrestling, weightlifting, and athletics to nurture new talent.
• The university will house the largest sports library in India, second only to the National Institute of Sports in Patiala.
• The newly inaugurated facilities aim to promote sports and physical education in Bihar.
• The Rajgir campus is equipped to support the development of future sports professionals and athletes.
NATIONAL NEWS
She-Box portal has been launched by the government to make workplaces safer for women.
• The government launched the She-Box portal to enhance workplace safety for women.
• Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi unveiled the portal in New Delhi on August 29, 2024.
• She-Box serves as a centralized platform for registering and monitoring complaints of workplace sexual harassment.
• The portal allows users to file complaints, track their progress, and ensure timely processing by internal committees.
• Annpurna Devi emphasized that this initiative is a significant step toward providing a safer and more efficient mechanism for addressing workplace harassment.
• The platform is designed to streamline the handling of sexual harassment complaints at work.
• The She-Box portal aims to create a more secure and supportive environment for women in the workplace.
• This initiative reflects the government's commitment to improving workplace safety and accountability.