Today's Brief 29/08/2025

1 .National Sports Day: is celebrated annually in India on August 29 to commemorate the birth anniversary of legendary field hockey player Major Dhyan Chand.

The day was first designated as National Sports Day in 2012 to honor his immense contribution to Indian sports. Major Dhyan Chand, often referred to as "the Wizard" or "the Magician" of hockey, was a key figure in India's dominance of the sport, leading the team to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936.

The day is not only a tribute to this sporting icon but also serves as a platform to promote the importance of sports and physical activities in the lives of all citizens.

On this occasion, the President of India also bestows prestigious national sports awards, such as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, and Dronacharya Award, to recognize and honor the country's most outstanding athletes and coaches for their achievements.

The celebrations often include various events, sports competitions, and awareness campaigns, encouraging a culture of fitness and sportsmanship across the nation.

2 .AI governance.:

General Studies Paper-II (250 Marks) – Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has expressed strong support for a recent decision by the UN General Assembly to establish two new institutional mechanisms for AI governance.

The decision, outlined in a resolution adopted on August 26, 2025, is seen as a "significant step forward" in global efforts to manage the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence.

The two new mechanisms are:

The United Nations Independent International Scientific Panel on AI: This panel will act as a bridge between cutting-edge AI research and policymaking. Composed of 40 members, it will provide rigorous, evidence-based scientific assessments to help the international community anticipate emerging challenges and make informed decisions about AI governance.

The panel will present its findings in an annual, non-prescriptive report.

The Global Dialogue on AI Governance: This dialogue will serve as an inclusive platform for states and all relevant stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society, and academia, to discuss critical issues concerning AI.

It will provide a forum for sharing best practices, lessons learned, and for facilitating open and transparent discussions on how to ensure AI benefits all of humanity and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals.

The establishment of these mechanisms builds on the Global Digital Compact adopted in September 2024 and represents a concrete step towards a more coordinated and effective global approach to AI governance.

3 .Dinesh K. Patnaik On August 28, 2025, India appointed Dinesh K. Patnaik, a senior diplomat, as its new High Commissioner to Canada. Patnaik, a 1990-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, is currently serving as India's Ambassador to Spain. 

4 .Nuakhai is an agricultural festival primarily celebrated in the western parts of the Indian state of Odisha and in some neighboring states like Chhattisgarh.

The name "Nuakhai" is derived from two words: 'nua', which means new, and 'khai', which means food.

The festival is a celebration of the first harvest of the season.

The festival is held a day after Ganesh Chaturthi, and it is a significant occasion for farmers and the entire community.

The main ritual involves offering the newly harvested rice, known as 'nua', to the local deity, usually Goddess Samaleswari.

Only after this offering, which symbolizes gratitude for a good harvest, do people consume the new rice.

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