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Current Affairs Daily Digest – August 31 2024

1. Dhulikhel Becomes Nepal’s First ‘Healthy City’ And Second Healthiest City In Asia: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Dhulikhel Municipality, located in the Kavrepalanchok district, as Nepal’s first ‘healthy city’ and the second healthiest city in Asia. This recognition comes after years of dedicated efforts by the municipality, starting in 2014, to improve the health and well-being of its residents through various programs.

Healthy City Dhulikhel

Dhulikhel Municipality embarked on a journey to become a healthy city with the support and monitoring of WHO since 2021. The city’s commitment to health improvement led to its achievement of this prestigious status. Dhulikhel scored 65.48 points on the WHO’s healthy city indicators, which allowed it to join the WHO Healthy City Network, a group of cities recognized for their efforts in promoting health and well-being.

What Was the Basis for Evaluation?

The evaluation of Dhulikhel’s status as a healthy city was based on several important indicators, including:

Citizens’ Access to Health: Ensuring that all residents have access to healthcare services.
Participation in Health Policy-Making: Involving citizens in decisions related to health policies and initiatives.
Political Commitment to Health: The support and dedication of local government to prioritize health.
Nutrition and Child Health: Programs focused on improving nutrition and child health.
Innovative Health Initiatives: Specific efforts like making the city tuberculosis-free and promoting nutrition-friendly programs.

2. INS Tabar Conducts Maritime Partnership Exercise with Spanish Navy Ship Atalaya

INS Tabar, a leading frigate of the Indian Navy, visited Malaga, Spain, on August 25, 2024, for a two-day engagement. After completing its visit on August 27, the ship participated in a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with the Spanish Navy’s ship, Atalaya, in the Mediterranean Sea. This exercise marks a significant milestone in the growing maritime cooperation between India and Spain, highlighting the strengthening of bilateral relations in the maritime domain.

Exercise Details

The Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) between INS Tabar and the Spanish Navy Ship Atalaya featured several advanced naval drills, showcasing the capabilities and professionalism of both navies.

• Station Keeping: This exercise involves maintaining a specific formation while navigating the sea, demonstrating coordination and precision.
• Replenishment at Sea Approaches (RASAPs): These maneuvers simulate the approach required for ships to refuel or resupply at sea, a crucial skill for extended naval operations.
• Flying Exercise (FYEX): This part of the exercise focused on helicopter operations, including takeoffs, landings, and coordination with ships, vital for maritime security and search-and-rescue missions.
• Steam Past: A ceremonial sail past where ships move in formation, often used to display naval strength and camaraderie between participating forces.
• PHOTOEX Serials: These are photo exercises where ships are positioned in specific formations to capture imagery, often used for documentation and public relations.

3. Indian Air Force Launches First Comic Book Series Celebrating Its Heroes

In an exciting new initiative to educate and inspire young people about the Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari has introduced the first comic book in a series that highlights the brave actions of IAF heroes. This creative storytelling effort is an important step in helping the IAF connect with younger generations, encouraging pride and a sense of duty towards the country.

The comic book series aims to achieve several goals:

Sharing History: To tell the story of the Indian Air Force’s history from when it began.
Highlighting Heroes: To showcase the heroic actions of IAF personnel.
Teaching Tool: To educate readers about the IAF’s role in wars and its history.
Inspiring Youth: To inspire a sense of duty and pride among the young people of the nation.

4. Indian Army Launches Project NAMAN: SPARSH-Enabled Service Centres Nationwide

The Indian Army has launched the first phase of Project NAMAN, a new initiative aimed at providing dedicated support and services to Defence pensioners, veterans, and their families. The project was officially inaugurated by Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and Mrs. Sunita Dwivedi, the President of the Army Wives Welfare Association. This project marks an important step toward improving care and support for the Defence community.

Project Overview and Goals

Project NAMAN is built around the SPARSH (System for Pension Administration Raksha) digital pension system, which is designed to make pension-related processes smoother and more efficient for Defence Pensioners. The initiative focuses on creating accessible support points for veterans and their families across the country, with plans to expand these services nationwide.

5. Kerala Tourism Clinches PATA Gold Award 2024 for Innovative ‘Holiday Heist’ Campaign

Kerala Tourism has earned international recognition by winning the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award 2024. This prestigious award was given for Kerala’s creative online contest, ‘Holiday Heist’, which was honored in the Digital Marketing Campaign category. This achievement highlights Kerala’s leadership in promoting tourism through innovative and engaging strategies.

The Award Ceremony

The award was presented during a grand event in Bangkok on Wednesday, as part of the PATA Travel Mart 2024. The ceremony took place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC), where tourism industry leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region gathered to celebrate outstanding achievements in tourism.

6. Dr. T.V. Somanathan Takes Over as Cabinet Secretary

Dr. T.V. Somanathan, a seasoned IAS officer from the 1987 Tamil Nadu cadre, has taken on the role of Cabinet Secretary for the Government of India. He succeeds Rajiv Gauba, who retired from the position. Dr. Somanathan brings a wealth of experience from his service in both central and state government roles, as well as from his time in international positions, including a significant stint at the World Bank.

Dr. Somanathan is not only a highly experienced civil servant but also a well-qualified academic and professional. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics and is a Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant, and Company Secretary.

7. FICCI Honours Ayushmann Khurrana and Neeraj Chopra as Youth Icons of India

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) recently hosted its prestigious Young Leaders Awards in New Delhi. This event brought together a wide range of talented individuals from different fields, celebrating their remarkable achievements and contributions to society and their industries.

The Award Ceremony

The ceremony highlighted the accomplishments of artists, entrepreneurs, and social leaders, recognizing their efforts in shaping a better future. Among the notable honorees were two prominent figures who received the FICCI Young Leaders Youth Icon Award:

Ayushmann Khurrana: A Bollywood superstar known for his versatility as an actor and singer, Ayushmann has made significant contributions to Indian cinema, often taking on socially relevant roles that challenge norms and inspire audiences.

Neeraj Chopra: An Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw, Neeraj Chopra has become a symbol of excellence in sports, bringing pride to India with his historic achievement and inspiring countless young athletes.

8. International Day for People of African Descent 2024

Observed on 31st August, the International Day for People of African Descent is a significant occasion that highlights the contributions and ongoing challenges faced by individuals of African descent across the globe. This day serves as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage and the vital role people of African descent play in shaping societies worldwide. It also draws attention to the obstacles they continue to encounter.

The International Decade for People of African Descent

As we observe this day, we are also nearing the end of the International Decade for People of African Descent. This initiative, launched by the United Nations General Assembly, aims to protect and promote the human rights of people of African descent, particularly in regions like the Americas, where racial discrimination has deep historical roots.