Daily Current Affairs 23rd August 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

Health Ministry constitutes the National Task Force on Healthcare Worker Safety

The Health Ministry has formed a 14-member National Task Force (NTF) to address the safety and working conditions of medical professionals in India. In response to ongoing protests and as mandated by the Supreme Court, the NTF will develop recommendations focused on preventing violence against healthcare workers and establishing national protocols for dignified and safe working conditions across the medical profession.

Ashwini Vaishnaw Launches ‘Create In India Challenge-Season One’

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched ‘Create in India Challenge-Season One’ in New Delhi on August 22 in the run-up to the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Vaishnaw said that reflecting the evolution of Indian economy and the impact of technological advancements, 25 challenges have been launched.

India’s KAPS-4 Nuclear Plant Achieves Full Capacity

The Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat, India, has reached full operational capacity with its second 700 MW nuclear reactor, KAPS-4, which started operating at full power on August 21, 2024. This achievement follows the reactor’s commercial operation start on March 31, 2024, and its first criticality on December 17, 2023. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) confirmed that Unit 4 at KAPS was previously operating at 90% capacity before reaching its full 700 MW output.

International News

India and Denmark Collaborate on Clean River Initiative

Diana Pundole, a teacher and mother from Pune, has made history as the first Indian woman to win the national championship in the saloon category at the MRF Indian National Car Racing Championship 2024 held in Chennai. Her achievement is especially notable as it comes in a sport traditionally dominated by men, highlighting her determination and skill despite numerous challenges.

States News

Strategic Alliance for Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR) in Varanasi

The Green Strategic Partnership between India and Denmark has led to the creation of the Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR) in Varanasi. This tripartite initiative, involving the Government of India, IIT-BHU, and Denmark, aims to rejuvenate the Varuna River using sustainable approaches. The project features a hybrid lab model at IIT-BHU and an on-field living lab at the Varuna River, fostering collaboration among government bodies, academic institutions, and local communities.

South Indian Adivasi Knowledge Centre To Be Launched In B.R. Hills

Kaanu, a South Indian Adivasi Knowledge Centre, will be launched at the Tribal Health Resource Centre (THRC) at BR Hills, Karnataka on August 25. Prashanth N. Srinivas, a medical doctor and public health researcher working at the Institute of Public Health, Bangalore’s field station in B.R. Hills, says that Kaanu, which means evergreen forest in both Kannada and Soliga language.

Agreements News

MSDE Exchanged An MoU With Flipkart’s SCOA

Flipkart’s Supply Chain Operations Academy (SCOA) exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) at the Samarth event with the mission to upskill thousands of employable youth across India.

Appointments News

Deepti Gaur Mukherjee Assumes Charge as MCA Secretary

Deepti Gaur Mukherjee, a 1993 batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has taken over as the Secretary of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), succeeding Manoj Govil, who recently assumed the role of Expenditure Secretary. Before this, Mukherjee served as the CEO of the National Health Authority.

Sports News

26th CEAT Cricket Awards 2024: Celebrating Excellence in Cricket

Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian men’s cricket team, was bestowed with the coveted CEAT International Cricketer of the Year Award. This recognition came on the back of his exemplary performance in the 2023-24 season.

Neeraj Chopra Finishes Second in Lausanne Diamond League

Neeraj Chopra, India’s star javelin thrower, showcased his resilience and skill at the Lausanne Diamond League meet. Despite facing challenges, Chopra secured a commendable second-place finish, marking another significant achievement in his illustrious career.

Books and Authors News

Tarun Chugh’s book, “Modi’s Governance Triumph Released

A significant literary event took place in New Delhi with the release of BJP General Secretary Tarun Chugh’s book, “Modi’s Governance Triumph: Reshaping India’s Path to Prosperity“. The book launch was graced by the presence of prominent political figures, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy, underscoring the importance of this literary work in India’s political discourse.

Sports News

Diana Pundole: First Indian Woman Racer to Win National Championship

Diana Pundole, a teacher and mother from Pune, has made history as the first Indian woman to win the national championship in the saloon category at the MRF Indian National Car Racing Championship 2024 held in Chennai. Her achievement is especially notable as it comes in a sport traditionally dominated by men, highlighting her determination and skill despite numerous challenges.

Important Days

National Space Day 2024: A Celebration of India’s Space Achievements

India is set to commemorate its first National Space Day in 2024, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s journey of space exploration. Spearheaded by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), this day represents a momentous occasion to celebrate India’s growing prominence in the global space community. National Space Day is not merely a reflection on past triumphs but a forward-looking event aimed at inspiring future generations and underscoring the pivotal role of space science and technology in shaping our world.

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition 2024

On the night of August 22-23, 1791, a momentous event occurred in Saint Domingue, known today as the Republic of Haiti. This night marked the beginning of an uprising that would play a pivotal role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. The rebellion, which later evolved into the Haitian Revolution, sent shockwaves through the colonial world and became a symbol of resistance against slavery and oppression.