The Daily Brief – 4th September 2018

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18th Asian Games concluded in Indonesia. This edition of pan-continental mega sporting was held from August 18 to September 2, 2018 in two cities – Jakarta (capital of Indonesia) and Palembang (capital of Indonesia’s province of South Sumatra). This was second time Asian Games history, Indonesia had hosted it after first time in 1962 in Jakarta. Indian women hockey captain Rani Rampal was India’s flag-bearer at closing ceremony. India finished at eighth position both in terms of gold medals and total tally. India’s medal tally is its highest ever with 15 gold, 24 silver and 30 bronze. Asiad is second largest multi-sport event after Olympic Games. It is organised by Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) since 1982, prior to that, it was regulated by Asian Games Federation (AGF). The first Asian Games were held in New Delhi, India in 1951.
National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog flagged off cycle rally MOVE Cyclathon to promote promoting cycling for healthier life & less polluting city and spread message of clean mobility to the Indian public and promote cleaner, accessible modes of transport. The cyclathon was held in run up to MOVE: Global Mobility Summit scheduled to be held on September 7, 8 in New Delhi.
Mauritius was top source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into India in 2017-18 followed by Singapore according to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data. The total FDI in FY 18 stood at $37.36 billion in financial year which was marginal rise over $36.31 billion recorded in the previous fiscal 2016-17. FDI from Mauritius was $13.41 billion in 2017-18 where as that from Singapore was $9.27 billion.
Rikako Ikee
Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has chosen Japanese woman swimmer Rikako Ikee (18) as winner of Most Valuable Player (MVP) Trophy Award in 2018 Jakarta and Palembang Asian Games. With this, she became first female winner of MVP award, which OCA introduced at 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand. She was presented with trophy and $50,000 cheque. Rikako Ikee was recognized as MVP for winning 6 gold and 2 silver medals. She is first female athlete in any sport to win six gold medals at a single Asian Games. Ikee is fourth Japanese athlete to win this award since its inception.
Fourth International Ayurveda Congress (IAC) was held in Leiden, Netherlands from September 1 to 2, 2018. It was inaugurated by Minister of State, (IC), for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik. The Congress was jointly organized by International Maharishi Ayurveda Foundation, Netherlands; All India Ayurvedic Congress, New Delhi and International Academy of Ayurveda, Pune in association with Indian Embassy in Netherlands. The congress focused on promotion and propagation of Ayurveda in Netherlands and its neighbouring countries of Europe.
India and Cyprus on September 3, 2018 signed key agreements in various areas to strengthen bilateral ties between both the countries following delegation level talks between President Ram Nath Kovind and Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades. India and Cyprus signed MoUs for strengthening the institutional framework to facilitate investment cross-flows and for cooperation in the field of environment. The agreements were signed during President Kovind’s three-nation (Cyprus, Bulgaria and Czech Republic) visit to Europe. This is his first overseas state visit in the second year of his presidency.
Union Government in 2012 decided to celebrate Major Dhyan Chand’s birthday i.e. August 29 as National Sports Day. Every year on this day, the President of India confers National sports and adventure awards including Arjuna and Khel Ratna to celebrate the achievements of exceptional athletes in the country. However, this year, the date has been postponed to September 25, 2018 in the wake of ongoing Asian Games 2018. Dhyan Chand helped India to win three Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936 in field hockey. He was known as “The Wizard” for his superb ball control. In 1956, he was awarded with the third highest civilian honour of Padma Bhushan.