08-Aug-2024

News for the Day (8th August, 2024)

Current Affairs

Current Affairs

VINESH PHOGAT


Why in the News?

Vinesh Phogat, one of India's top wrestlers, has announced her retirement from the sport after a heartbreaking incident at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She was disqualified from the 50 kg Women's Wrestling gold medal match against the USA's Sarah Hildebrandt for exceeding the weight limit by 100 grams.

About the Wrestler

  • She is an Indian professional wrestler and a three-time Olympian from Haryana.
  • She became the first Indian female wrestler to reach an Olympic final.
  • Awards
    • 2016: Awarded the Arjuna Award
    • 2018: Nominated for Padma Shri by the Sports Authority of India
    • 2019: Nominated for the Laureus World Sports Awards, the first Indian to receive this nomination
    • 2020: Awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, India's highest sporting honor
    • 2022: Nominated for the BBC Indian Sportswoman of The Year award
  • Achievements
    • Commonwealth Games
      • Gold Medal (2014, Glasgow) - 48 kg category
      • Gold Medal (2018, Gold Coast) - 50 kg category
      • Gold Medal (2022, Birmingham) - 53 kg category
    • Asian Games
      • Gold Medal (2018, Jakarta) - 50 kg category
      • Bronze Medal (2014, Incheon) - 48 kg category
    • World Wrestling Championships
      • Bronze Medal (2019, Nur-Sultan) - 53 kg category
      • Bronze Medal (2022, Belgrade) - 53 kg category
    • Asian Wrestling Championships
      • Gold Medal (2020, New Delhi) - 53 kg category
      • Multiple other medals in various categories over the years

Vinesh Phogat, Indian Wrestler

RASHTRIYA VIGYAN PURASKAR (RVP) AWARDS


Why in the News?

Former director of Indian Institute of Science G Padmanabhan, the team behind Chandrayaan-3 and Annapurni Subramaniam, director of Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Astrophysics, along with 30 others, have been selected for the inaugural Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP), the new set of national science awards that were finalized last year.

About RVP Awards

  • Establishment: Instituted last year, replacing all existing science awards including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize.
  • The Award Ceremony to be held on August 23 on the first National Space Day.
  • Venue: Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre
  • Up to 56 awards across four categories notified by the Ministry of Science and Technology in January.
  • Categories
    • Vigyan Ratna: Lifetime achievement
    • Vigyan Shri: Distinguished contributions by scientists of all ages
    • Vigyan Yuva: Scientists under 45 years
    • Vigyan Team: Collaborative research work

Key Awardees

  • G. Padmanabhan
    • Former director of Indian Institute of Science
    • Celebrated biochemist known for work on the malaria parasite
    • Recipient of Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan
    • To be awarded Vigyan Ratna
  • Chandrayaan-3 Team
    • Achieved India's first spacecraft landing on the Moon
    • To be awarded Vigyan Team award
  • Annapurni Subramaniam
    • Director of Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru
    • Research on the formation and evolution of star clusters and galaxies
    • To be awarded Vigyan Shri
  • Other Vigyan Shri Awardees
    • Jayant Bhalchandra Udgaonkar, biologist and former director of IISER Pune
    • Naba Kumar Mondal, particle physicist from Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata
  • Vigyan Yuva Puraskar Awardee
    • Vivek Polshettiwar, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai; works on carbon capture technologies
    • Urbasi Sinha, Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru; expert in quantum research
    • Roxy Mathew Koll, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune; climate scientist

QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT DAY 2024

  • It is annually celebrated on the 8th of August.
  • It is also called August Kranti Day.
  • In 2024, India commemorates its 82nd anniversary
  • Background
    • The failure of the Cripps Mission in March 1942 increased discontent with British rule.
    • On August 8, 1942, during the All-India Congress Committee session in Bombay, the Quit India Resolution was adopted.
    • Mahatma Gandhi's "Do or Die" speech became the movement's rallying cry.
    • The main objective was immediate withdrawal of British forces from India.
    • It received support from Communist Party of India, Hindu Mahasabha and Indian Muslim League.
  • Key leaders: Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Subhash Chandra Bose, Biju Patnaik, Aruna Asaf Ali, Ram Manohar Lohia, Usha Mehta, Sucheta Kriplani, and Jai Prakash Narain.
    • Aruna Asaf Ali - known as the 'Grand Old Lady' of the Independence Movement, is famous for hoisting the Indian flag at Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai during the Movement.
    • Yusuf Meherally - He coined the slogans "Quit India" and "Simon Go Back."

GREEN NATIONAL HIGHWAY PROJECT


Why in the News?

The Government of India and the World Bank have agreed on the Green National Highway Corridors Project (GNHCP), with the World Bank providing a $500 million loan for the $1,288.24 million project.

About the Project

  • States Covered: Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh
  • Distance: 781 kilometers
  • Total Cost: Rs. 7,662.47 crore
  • World Bank Loan: $500 million
  • Completion Date: May 2026
  • Green Technology Focus
    • Materials: Cement-treated sub-base, reclaimed asphalt pavement, local and sustainable materials (fly ash, waste plastic)
    • Techniques: Bioengineering for slope protection, coco fiber/jute erosion control, hydroseeding, Shotcrete crib walls with vegetation

World Bank

  • Established: July 1, 1944
  • Members: 189 member countries
  • Headquarters: Washington, D.C., USA
  • President: Ajay Banga
  • Purpose: Provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries for development projects (e.g., infrastructure, education, health) that are expected to improve economic prospects and quality of life.
  • Main Institutions
    • International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD): Focuses on middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries.
    • International Development Association (IDA): Provides concessional loans and grants to the world's poorest countries.

Logo of World Bank

General Knowledge

SHOBHANA RANADE

  • She was Gandhian social worker, known for her services towards her cause of destitute women and children.
  • She died on 4th August 2024 at the age of 99.
  • At the age of 18, she met Mahatma Gandhi, which shaped her lifelong commitment to Gandhian principles and social service.
  • Key Projects
    • Adim Jati Seva Sangh: Empowered Naga women with spinning wheel skills.
    • Maitri Ashram: Community development in North Lakhimpur, Assam.
    • Bal Griha and Balsadan: Institutions for vulnerable girls in Saswad, Pune.
    • Hermann Gmeiner Social Centre: Pilot project for SOS Children’s Villages supporting street children.
    • Kasturba Mahila Khadi Gramodyog Vidyalaya: Institute for destitute women, for training them in 20 village trades and skills.
  • Awards
    • Padma Bhushan – 2010
    • Jamnalal Bajaj Award – 2011
    • Reliance Foundation – CNN IBN Real Heroes 2012 Lifetime Achievement
    • Rabindranath Tagore Prize
    • Rajeev Gandhi Manav Seva Award – 2007
    • Pride of Pune Award – Pune University
    • National Award for Child Welfare Work – 1983
    • Mahatma Gandhi Award

Shobhana Ranade, A renowned Gandhian