11 Lakh New Lakhpati Didis Certificates Distributed

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi awarded certificates to 11 lakh new Lakhpati Didis at an event in Jalgaon, Maharashtra on August 25, 2024.
• He also interacted with these women, who have crossed the 1 crore mark nationwide and are earning over ₹1 lakh annually.
• These 11 lakh Lakhpati Didis achieved this status during the third term of the NDA Government.
• During the event, the Prime Minister launched a revolving Community Investment Fund worth ₹2500 crore, aiming to support approximately 48 lakh members from 4.3 lakh Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
• Additionally, he announced a bank loan of ₹5000 crore to benefit 25.8 lakh members from 235400 SHGs, supporting their entrepreneurial and economic growth.

The World’s Tallest House of Cards Created a World Record

• Bryan Berg, an American architect and card-stacking artist, achieved a new Guinness World Record on August 25, 2024.
•  In just 8 hours, Bryan Berg built a remarkable 54-level house of cards, requiring him to use a ladder for the final levels.
• The Guinness World Records official account shared a video of the attempt, showing Bryan Berg’s focused effort to create a stable structure.
• Under the supervision of GWR Adjudicator Thomas Bradford, Bryan Berg completed the task without glue, wiring, or metal supports.
• He ensured the ideal conditions by keeping the room nearly airtight and humid, using 7 humidifiers to stabilize the cards.
• Despite the discomfort for the crew, Bryan Berg’s dedication was clear as he built consistently, adding 5-6 levels each hour.

Sri Lanka Grant Visa-free Access to People from 35 countries

• Sri Lanka will grant visa-free access to citizens from 35 countries, including India, the UK, and the US announced on August 25, 2024.
•  Starting October 1, 2024 travelers from these nations to enter Sri Lanka without a visa for 6 months.
• The decision was made by the Sri Lankan Cabinet, with details reported by the Daily Mirror and confirmed by Harin Fernando, Adviser to the Ministry of Tourism.
• The list of countries includes: -

1. Australia, 2. Austria, 3. Bahrain, 4. Belarus, 5.  Belgium, 6. Canada, 7. China, 8. Denmark, 9. France, 10. Germany, 11. India, 12. Indonesia, 13. Italy, 14. Iran, 15. Israel, 16. Japan, 17. Kazakhstan, 18. Malaysia, 19. Nepal, 20. New Zealand, 21. Oman, 22. Poland, 23. Qatar, 24. Russia, 25. Saudi Arabia, 26. South Korea, 27. Spain, 28. Sweden, 29.  Switzerland,  30. Thailand, 31. the Czech Republic, 32. the Netherlands, 33. the UAE, 34. the UK, 35. the US

BioE3 Policy and Vigyan Dhara Schemes Approved

• The Union Cabinet on August 25, 2024 approved the BioE3 policy, which stands for “Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment”.
• This policy aims to leverage biotechnology to achieve India’s development goals by 2047.
•  Its primary objective is to integrate biotechnology into traditional supply chains, enhancing sustainability, driving economic growth, and creating jobs.
• The policy also seeks to position India as a global leader in biomanufacturing, transforming production processes with eco-friendly methods.
• Key initiatives include establishing advanced biomanufacturing facilities, bio-AI hubs, and biofoundries, which will innovate biotechnology applications.
• The policy emphasizes improving recycling and developing environmentally friendly materials, reducing waste and environmental impact.
• Additionally, it promotes collaboration among research institutions to foster biotechnological innovation and applications.

‘Ocean of Magma’ on Moon revealed by Chandrayaan Data (Space)

• Chandrayaan-3 data, reported by ISRO on August 21, 2024, confirms that the Moon's surface was once covered by an ocean of magma.
• The Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) experiment on the rover recorded 23 measurements, revealing that the Moon's surface is primarily composed of ferroan anorthosite (FAN), a type of lunar rock.
•  This finding aligns with earlier sensor data from the Apollo, Luna, and Chang'e 5 missions, which also identified a uniform composition of FAN in the Moon’s regolith, a layer of rock fragments covering airless celestial bodies.
• These observations support the Lunar Magma Ocean hypothesis, suggesting that the Moon was formed from a massive collision that created a molten surface, with anorthosites floating on the liquid lava before solidifying over millions of years.

Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore to return to Earth in February 2025 (Space)

• 2 NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, will return to Earth in February, 2025 aboard a SpaceX spacecraft, as announced on August 25, 2024.
• Initially, on an 8-day mission, their stay was extended to eight months due to problems with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
• SpaceX will send a specially modified Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) with advanced life support systems and extra supplies to ensure a safe journey back.
• The mission, scheduled for early 2025, has brought relief to the space community and the astronauts' families, highlighting the significance of international cooperation and resilience in space exploration.

India’s First Global Centre for PEVC Launched by IIM Bangalore

• The Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore signed an MoU with alumnus Mathew Cyriac to establish India’s first Global Centre of Excellence in Private Equity and Venture Capital on August 25, 2024.
•  This Centre, named after prominent investment banker Tony James, will be located on the IIM-B campus and aims to become a global leader in PE and VC education and research.
• The initiative, supported by Cyriac’s largest-ever financial contribution by an IIM-B alumnus, includes scholarships for postgraduate and PhD students and classrooms named after influential professors.
• The Centre seeks to connect students with industry experts, foster innovation, conduct cutting-edge research, and provide practical exposure to trends and fieldwork in PE and VC.

Asian Surfing Championships 2024

• India won a silver medal at the Maruhaba Cup during the Asian Surfing Championships 2024 in Thulusdhoo, Maldives, on August 25, 2024.
• Japan secured the gold with a score of 58.40, while India followed with 24.13. Chinese Taipei and China placed third and fourth, respectively.
• The Indian team, consisting of Kamali P, Ajeesh Ali, Srikanth D, and Sanjay Selvamani, had earlier topped the Heat 2 semi-final with a score of 32.16.
• This achievement came just a day after India secured its first-ever surfing quota for the Asian Games.
• Both Indian men's and women's teams will compete in the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
• Additionally, Harish Muthu became the first Indian to reach the quarter-finals of the Championships.

Asia U-17 and U-15 Junior Badminton Championships 2024

• India's top junior badminton player, Tanvi Patri, secured the U-15 girls' singles title at the Asia Under-17 & Under-15 Junior Championships in Chengdu, China, on August 25, 2024.
• In the final, the 13-year-old Tanvi Patri triumphed over Vietnam's second seed, Nguyen Thi Thu Huygen, with scores of 22-20, 21-11.
•  Remarkably, Tanvi Patri won the championship without dropping a single game throughout the tournament.
• In the semifinals, she defeated Thailand’s sixth seed, Kungkaew Kakanik, with a score of 21-19, 21-10.
• Tanvi's Patri’s impressive performance highlights her as a rising star in Indian badminton, showcasing her skill and determination on the international stage.

Tribal Health Resource Centre in Karnataka

•  Kaanu, a South Indian Adivasi Knowledge Centre, was inaugurated at the Tribal Health Resource Centre (THRC) in BR Hills, Karnataka on August 25, 2024.
• "Kaanu," meaning evergreen forest in Kannada and Soliga, aims to be the first knowledge center dedicated to the history, culture, and presence of South Indian Adivasi communities.
• The center will feature three main components:

1. A library with publications about and by tribal communities in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu;
2. An annotated bibliography with over 1,200 works on South Indian Adivasi topics; and
3. A Co-written book authored by both Adivasi and non-Adivasi scholars.

• The idea for the South Indian Adivasi Knowledge Centre had been discussed for years, and the launch of Kaanu is the culmination of a year of dedicated work following a 2023 workshop.