Vigyan Dhara Scheme Approved

• The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of 3 major schemes under a new central sector scheme named ‘Vigyan Dhara’, with a proposed budget of ₹10,579.84 crore for 2025-26 on August 26, 2024.
•  ‘Vigyan Dhara’ aims to bolster India's Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) ecosystem, supporting the Department of Science and Technology's five-year plan and contributing to the vision of a developed India by 2047.
•  It includes three key components:

1. Science and Technology Institutional and Human Capacity Building,
2.  Research and Development, 
3. Innovation Technology Development, and Deployment.

• The scheme's budget will ensure effective fund utilization and improved coordination among various sub-schemes and programs.

India -Singapore Ministerial Roundtable

• The second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable took place in Singapore, focusing on enhancing cooperation in emerging fields on August 26, 2024.
•  Discussions covered 6 key areas: digitalization, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and connectivity.
• The meeting also addressed plans for celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and regional cooperation, including ASEAN and G20 matters.
• The first Roundtable led to successful MoUs in healthcare, education, digital cooperation, and semiconductor development.

Annual Meeting of Pacific Islands Forum

• The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) started its meeting in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, on August 26, 2024, with over 1500 delegates from around 40 countries.
• This year's discussions focus on climate change and the escalating rivalry between China and the US.
•  Established in 1971, the PIF includes 18 Pacific nations such as Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Tonga.
• The Forum's objectives are to boost economic growth, enhance political systems, ensure regional security, and address common challenges.
•  Climate change is a major concern due to rising sea levels affecting many PIF members. The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) is currently $380 million short of its $500 million goal.
•  Another significant issue is the competition between China and the US, with China increasing its presence through security agreements and sending its largest delegation ever, while the US is represented by Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell.

CsPbBr3 Developed by IISER Pune

• The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune developed a new method to grow CsPbBr3 nanoplatelets on August 26, 2024.
• They are tiny crystals useful in light-sensitive devices like solar panels and LEDs.
• Published in the journal Advanced Materials, this research highlights CsPbBr3's strong interaction with light and stability at high temperatures, making it valuable for advanced technologies.
•  Previous challenges in growing high-quality crystals with properties like ferroelectricity and low dark current limited their use.
• The team used a solvothermal synthesis process at near room temperature to produce better-quality crystals.
• They discovered that these crystals exhibit ferroelectric properties, meaning they can change their electric polarization, which is crucial for advanced technological applications.

6-month Global Plan by WHO to combat Mpox (Health)

• The World Health Organization (WHO) on August 26, 2024 launched a 6-month global strategic plan to control the Mpox outbreak.
•  It aims to stop human-to-human transmission through coordinated efforts at global, regional, and national levels.
• The plan, running from September 2024 to February 2025, seeks $135 million in funding and includes strategic vaccination for high-risk groups, such as close contacts of recent cases and healthcare workers.
•  It emphasizes leadership, evidence-based guidance, and access to medical resources for at-risk groups in affected countries.
• The plan is founded on principles of equity, global solidarity, community empowerment, human rights, and coordination among international agencies, civil society, researchers, and member states.

New Plant Species Discovered in Ambagad, Nagpur (Environment)

• A new plant species named *Cleistanthus deekshabhoomiana* was discovered by three botany teachers in Maharashtra's Ambagad forest in Bhandara district on August 26, 2024.
• This plant is a new addition to the Cleistanthus genus, becoming the 135th known species worldwide.
•  This plant, locally called 'Garadi,' was found to have unique characteristics, such as red fruits and branches, distinguishing it from the local Garadi species with green plum-sized fruits.
• Named in honor of Deekshabhoomi, a historic site in Nagpur, it is now the ninth *Cleistanthus* species identified in India and the sixth that is endemic.
• The plant blooms between February and July and thrives in the dry, deciduous, hilly forests of Ambagad.

MoU Signed to Enhance Management of Fisheries

• ICAR-CIFE and VAMNICOM signed an MoU to enhance cooperative management in fisheries on August 26, 2024.
•  It will focus on integrating advanced technology, value addition, and improving practices through joint research, education, and capacity building.
• This partnership seeks to advance fishery cooperatives by promoting modern technology and creating value-added products.
• The collaboration will also explore new opportunities in the fisheries ecosystem through joint initiatives in education, research, and consultancy.
•  ICAR-CIFE, established on June 6, 1961, under the Ministry of Agriculture, is a leading Fisheries University with a rich heritage.
• It has grown into a center of excellence, offering advanced education and research programs in fisheries, training students to become future leaders in the field.

Sindhu Gangadharan

• The NASSCOM on August 26, 2024 appointed Sindhu Gangadharan, Managing Director of SAP Labs India, as its new chairperson, succeeding Rajesh Nambiar.
• Sindhu Gangadharan, who was the first woman to lead SAP Labs India and previously chaired the NASSCOM GCC Council, also serves on the boards of Siemens India and Titan Company and is part of the Steering Committee of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce.
• Rajesh Nambiar, who stepped down as India MD and chairman of Cognizant, will take on the role of president-designate for NASSCOM, succeeding current president Debjani Ghosh, whose term concludes in November 2024.

24th International Mother Teresa Awards

• The 24th International Mother Teresa Awards Ceremony took place at Millennium Plaza Dubai, marking the 114th birth anniversary of the renowned humanitarian on August 26, 2024.
• Organized by the All-India Minority and Weaker Sections Council, this was only the second time the event was held outside India, with both international ceremonies being in Dubai.
• The awards, established in 1997 after Mother Teresa's death, honor outstanding individuals for their significant contributions across various fields such as education, science, culture, sports, social work, medicine, industry, and politics in India.
• This year's ceremony recognized a diverse array of awardees from different countries and sectors.

Zanskar Officially Declared a New District of Ladakh

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced Zanskar as a new district in the Union Territory of Ladakh on August 26, 2024.
• The declaration was celebrated in a press conference led by Executive Councilor Punchok Tashi of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Kargil.
• Punchok Tashi expressed deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Ladakh's LG, Brigadier Tashi, on behalf of Zanskar’s residents.
•  Ladakh now has 5 new districts: Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang, marking a significant administrative change in the region.

Shri Krishna Gaman Path to be developed by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh

• The Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh on August 26, 2024 announced plans to develop a new religious circuit called the ‘Shri Krishna Gaman Path’ to boost religious tourism and cultural heritage.
• This circuit will connect Lord shri Krishna’s birthplace in Mathura with the sacred city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, tracing the footsteps of one of Hinduism’s most revered deities.
• The development of this path will be a joint effort between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, showcasing inter-state cooperation in cultural tourism.
• The Shri Krishna Gaman Path holds significant religious and cultural value, linking various locations associated with Lord Krishna’s journey from his birthplace to his place of education.
• It will allow devotees to follow in the deity’s footsteps, adding a spiritual dimension to the project.