23rd Law Commission of India Established

• President Droupadi Murmu has approved the establishment of the 23rd Law Commission of India, which will operate from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2027.
• This decision follows the end of the term for the 22nd Law Commission, which experienced delays due to the absence of a chairperson.
• The 23rd Law Commission will include a chairperson, 4 full-time members with a Member-Secretary, 2 ex-officio members who are Secretaries of the Legal and Legislative Departments, and up to 5 part-time members.
• The commission’s primary role is to evaluate and suggest improvements to the Indian legal system, ensuring laws remain effective and relevant.
• The previous 22nd commission encountered challenges after Chairman Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi resigned, causing delays in addressing significant issues like the Uniform Civil Code and synchronized elections

South Korea to Conduct Offensive Cyber Defense Operations

•  South Korea will initiate offensive cyber defense operations to safeguard critical national infrastructure from hacking and counter disinformation as of September 1, 2024.
• The National Security Council, along with 14 government agencies, including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, National Defence, and Science and ICT, as well as the spy agency and police, revealed the National Cybersecurity Basic Plan.
• This plan builds on the cybersecurity strategy announced in February, 2024. NSC adviser Shin Won-Sik emphasized that the plan aims to protect cyberspace against threats like deep fakes.
• It includes 100 action tasks, though not all have been disclosed.
• The plan also focuses on developing an information security industry ecosystem through industry-academia collaboration and aims to enhance global competitiveness in cybersecurity.

UAE Launched 2-month Visa Amnesty Programme

• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) initiated a 2-month visa amnesty programme, allowing individuals residing illegally to regularize their status or leave without penalties on September 1, 2024.
• Announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security, the program runs until October 30, 2024.
• It covers expired tourist and residency visas, as well as individuals born in the UAE without documentation and those who have absconded from sponsors.
•  However, it excludes those who entered the country illegally. The UAE government emphasizes that the initiative fosters respect for the law and social cohesion.
• With extended service center hours and online applications available 24/7, the Indian Embassy and Consulate are assisting Indian nationals in availing themselves of this amnesty.

Mayank Chakraborty

• 15-year-old Chess International Master (IM) Mayank Chakraborty from Assam secured his second Grand Master (GM) Norm at a GM Norm Tournament in Greece on September 1, 2024.
• Mayank Chakraborty is just one norm and a FIDE rating of 2500 away from becoming the first Grand Master from North East India, with his current rating at 2431.
• Having become an International Master in April, 2024, he now holds the highest number of GM Norms and the highest rating in the region.
• Meanwhile, IM Sahil Dey, a 17-year-old from North East India, is also vying to be the first Grand Master from the region.

Tuanku Muhriz Trophy 2024

• 4th seed Abhay Singh of India defeated the top seed Tsz Kwan Lau of Hong Kong to Clinch his tenth PSA Tour title in the Tuanku Muhriz Trophy 2024 Squash on September 1, 2024.
• The match took place in Seremban, Malaysia.
•  The 25-year-old, ranked 66th in the world, faced the more experienced world No. 48 for the first time on the PSA Squash Tour.
• Abhay Singh triumphed with a 3-1 victory, overcoming his opponent with scores of 7-11, 11-8, 12-10, and 11-4 in a 41-minute match.
• This win marked a significant achievement for Abhay Singh, adding another title to his growing list of successes on the PSA Tour.

Tejinder Singh

• Air Marshal Tejinder Singh assumed the role of Deputy Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force in New Delhi on September 1, 2024.
• An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Tejinder Singh was commissioned into the IAF's fighter stream on June 13, 1987.
•  He is a Category 'A' Qualified Flying Instructor with over 4500 flying hours and has completed courses at the Defence Service Staff College and National Defence College.
•  His distinguished career includes commanding roles in a Fighter Squadron, a Radar Station, and a premier Fighter Base.
• He was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2007 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022.

Preethi Pal

• At the Paris Paralympics 2024, Indian Para Athlete Preethi Pal added another medal to India’s tally by winning a bronze in the Women’s 200 m–T35 Final on September 1, 2024.
• She achieved this with a personal best time of 30.01 seconds. With this victory, Preethi Pal became the first Indian woman Para Athlete in track and field to win 2 Paralympic medals.
• The T35 classification is designated for athletes with coordination impairments like hypertonia, ataxia, and athetosis.
• Earlier, Preethi Pal made history by securing India’s first athletics medal in a Paralympic track event, winning a bronze in the Women’s T35 100m competition with a personal best of 14.21 seconds.

Nishad Kumar

• Indian athlete Nishad Kumar secured a silver medal in the Men’s High Jump–T47 event with a jump of 2.04 meters on September 1, 2024.
• His highest jump of 2.04 meters placed him behind Roderick Townsend, who achieved 2.12 meters.
• Nishad Kumar a 24-year-old para-athlete, had previously won a silver medal in the same event at the Tokyo Paralympics three years earlier.
• With this medal, India’s tally in athletics at the Paralympics increased to 3 medals.
• Nishad's Kumar consistent performance highlights his skill and determination in high jump competitions at the international level.

Ashutosh Dixit

• Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took on the role of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command on September 1, 2024.
•  He has received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal.
• Commissioned into the Indian Air Force's fighter stream on December 6, 1986, is an experienced experimental test pilot and qualified flying instructor with over 3,300 flying hours on various IAF aircraft.
• He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College (Bangladesh), and National Defence College.
• Throughout his distinguished 37-year career, Ashutosh Dixit has been involved in key operations and exercises, including Op-Safed Sagar and Op-Rakshak, and has held numerous important field and staff positions.

Sangeetha Kala Vibhushan Lifetime Achievement Award

• Maharashtra Governor awarded veteran Nadaswaram exponent Seshampatti Sri T. Sivalingam with the Sangeetha Kala Vibhushan Lifetime Achievement Award at the Nadaswara Thiruvizha on September 1, 2024.
• This event was organized by the Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts & Sangeetha Sabha.
• During the program, Mr. Radhakrishnan also granted a fellowship of ₹1 lakh each to 50 young Nadaswaram musicians.
• The fellowship, known as the Sri Shanmukhananda Nadaswara Chakravarthi T. N. Raja Rathinam Pillai Fellowship, aims to preserve the Nadaswaram instrument and support its musicians.
• The fellowship is provided for three years to encourage and sustain the art form among young talents.

Integrated Mithun Farming for Enhancing Farmers in Arunachal Pradesh

• A 2-day National Seminar on ‘Integrated Mithun Farming for Enhancing Farmers’ Income in the North Eastern Region of India’ in Itanagar, as part of the ‘Mithun Day’ celebration on September 1, 2024.
•  Status papers, leaflets, and literature on Mithun were released and presented awards to progressive farmers.
• The governor highlighted the significance of Mithun farming in Arunachal Pradesh, which houses 89% of the world’s Mithun population.
•  He expressed hope that the seminar would positively impact Mithun conservation and usage.
•  The event aims to address the challenges and opportunities in Mithun husbandry to boost productivity and benefit farmers in the region.