National News

Central Railways Elevates Passenger Safety with Panic Switches

• Central Railway, under the leadership of General Manager Ram Karan Yadav, is taking a significant step to enhance passenger safety.
• Yadav recently unveiled plans to install panic switches at 117 railway stations within the Central Railway network. This initiative is a proactive measure aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers.
• The Central Railway has forged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RailTel to implement this safety feature efficiently.
• The goal is to complete the installation of panic switches within a year. These panic switches will serve as direct communication tools for passengers facing emergencies, enabling them to seek prompt assistance from Railway Protection Force (RPF)

French President Macron as Chief Guest on India’s Republic Day

• In a noteworthy development, President Emmanuel Macron is set to be the chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi.
• This marks the sixth instance of a French leader gracing this prestigious occasion, underscoring the significance of the bilateral relationship.
• This year's Republic Day celebrations hold special importance as India and France commemorate the 25th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership.
• The enduring collaboration spans diverse sectors, reflecting the depth and breadth of diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between the two nations.

Textiles Ministry Launches 'Paat-Mitro' App for Jute Farmers

• In its ongoing efforts to support jute farmers, the Ministry of Textiles has introduced the "Paat-Mitro" mobile application.
• Developed by The Jute Corporation of India Limited (JCI), this app provides essential information about Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and agronomy to jute farmers.
• The application covers a range of information, including Jute Gradation Parameters, farmer-centric schemes like 'Jute-ICARE,' weather forecasts, JCI's Purchase Centres' locations, and Procurement Policies.
• It also allows farmers to track the status of payments for the raw jute they sell to JCI under the MSP Operation. The inclusion of a Chatbot provides real-time assistance to address farmers' queries.

International News

WHO Raises Alarm on Severe Malnutrition Crisis in Afghanistan

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a grave warning, revealing that over one million children in Afghanistan are currently experiencing severe malnutrition.
• WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that Afghanistan urgently requires $185 million to effectively combat malnutrition.
• The statement highlighted that 30 percent of the entire Afghan population is currently facing acute food insecurity.
• The alarming statistics include nearly one million severely malnourished children and 2.3 million children suffering from moderate acute malnutrition.

Defence News

IAF & USI Host Inaugural Arjan Singh Annual Lecture

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the United Services Institution of India (USI) joined forces to host the inaugural Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Annual Lecture at USI, Shankar Vihar.
• Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria delivered the first Arjan Singh Annual Lecture, initiating an annual tradition aimed at inspiring and educating the audience about the dedication, vision, and leadership exemplified by Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh.
• The lecture commemorates Arjan Singh's pivotal role as Chief of the Air Staff during the 1965 Indo-Pak War, showcasing his strategic acumen and leadership.

Economy News

SEBI Proposes Two-Phase Transition To Instant Settlement in Indian Stock Market

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is set to revolutionize the Indian stock market with a proposed two-phase implementation of same-day settlement (T+0) and instant settlement.
• The first phase introduces an optional T+0 settlement cycle for trades until 1:30 pm, with fund and securities settlement completed on the same day by 4:30 pm.
• Initially applicable to the top 500 listed companies, this accelerated settlement will be introduced in three tranches based on market capitalization.
• Building on the success of Phase 1, the second phase proposes instant settlement for all trades conducted until 3:30 pm. This immediate trade-by-trade settlement aims to enhance market efficiency and risk management for clearing corporations.

Bima Vistaar: An Innovative All-In-One Insurance Product

• Bima Vistaar, a groundbreaking all-in-one insurance product encompassing life, health, and property coverage, is set to debut in the first quarter of the upcoming financial year.
• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) reports that the product design and crucial rollout aspects are nearing completion, with a keen focus on leveraging technology for a seamless launch.
• Bima Vistaar holds strategic importance as part of the "Insurance Trinity," alongside Bima Sugam (a digital platform) and Bima Vahak (a women-led field distribution force).
• Aligned with IRDAI's vision to achieve universal insurance coverage by 2047, these components aim to address existing gaps in product design, pricing, and distribution.

Important Days News

National Farmers Day 2023 – Celebrating Kisan Diwas

• National Farmer’s Day, also known as Kisan Diwas, is celebrated on December 23 in India to honor the invaluable contribution of farmers to the country’s socio-economic fabric.
• This significant day commemorates the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, a former prime minister of India and a dedicated advocate for farmer welfare.
• Chaudhary Charan Singh, during his political career, introduced pivotal welfare schemes for farmers. Notably, in 1939, he proposed the Debt Redemption Bill, liberating farmers from the burden of moneylenders.
• His influence extended to reshaping land reforms in Uttar Pradesh, where he served as the chief minister twice. Charan Singh’s multifaceted efforts included extensive writings on zamindari abolition and land reforms, leaving an indelible mark on India’s agricultural history.

Agreements News

Ministry Of Rural Development and JioMart Empower Rural Artisans

• In a groundbreaking collaboration, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with JioMart, a venture of Reliance Retail.
• This strategic partnership aims to amplify the reach of products crafted by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) associated with the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), empowering rural artisans.
• The MoU facilitates the onboarding of SHGs as sellers on the JioMart e-commerce platform. JioMart, in turn, will assist SHGs in setting up and navigating their accounts on the platform.
• The collaboration extends opportunities for SHGs to participate in marketing promotions on the JioMart platform, fostering economic growth and empowerment in rural areas.

Awards News

SASTRA Ramanujan Awards – Honoring Mathematical Excellence

• In a prestigious ceremony at the SASTRA campus in Kumbakonam, mathematicians Yunqing Tang and Ruixiang Zhang, affiliated with the University of California in Berkeley, were honored with the SASTRA-Ramanujan Awards for 2022 and 2023.
• These awards, presented annually on the birthday of the legendary Indian mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan, carry a commendable cash prize of USD 10,000 and a citation.
• Instituted by SASTRA in 2005, the awards recognize individuals under the age of 32 who have made remarkable contributions to the field of mathematics, promoting and celebrating excellence in the mathematical realm.

UNESCO Awards Spotlight Indian Heritage Conservation Efforts

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has acknowledged four Indian projects for their outstanding contributions to cultural heritage conservation in the Asia-Pacific region.
• The resilient urban revitalization project of Rambagh Gate and Ramparts in Amritsar, Punjab, received the highest honor, the “Award of Excellence.”
• These awards recognize and commend India's diverse architectural heritage and dedication to preserving its historical treasures.
• The projects showcase India's commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in heritage conservation, contributing to the broader community's benefit.

Bengaluru Airport’s T2 – Recognized Among UNESCO’s ‘Most Beautiful Airports’

• In a remarkable achievement, Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) Terminal 2 (T2) has been recognized among UNESCO’s ‘Most Beautiful Airports’ in the Prix Versailles 2023.
• Chaired by renowned fashion designer Elie Saab, the world judges panel bestowed this honor, making it the sole Indian airport to receive such esteemed recognition.
• The airport received the prestigious ‘Special Prize for an Interior,’ highlighting its outstanding design. This global acknowledgment emphasizes the airport’s commitment to exceptional design and architectural brilliance on an international level, setting new standards in airport aesthetics.

Poet Sukrita Paul Kumar Wins Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize

• The Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize has named poet-critic Sukrita Paul Kumar as its sixth recipient for her book, “Salt & Pepper: Selected Poems.”
• This prestigious award recognizes outstanding literary work from around the globe, promoting world peace, literature, art, education, and human rights.
• Founded in 2018 by US-based publisher Peter Bundalo, the Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize celebrates literary excellence and champions human rights and world peace.
• Kumar’s significant contribution to literature earned her a cash prize of USD 5,000, a Tagore statue, and a certificate, underscoring the prize’s commitment to artistic and social impact.

Sports News

Sakshi Malik’s Retirement Amidst Wrestling Federation Leadership Change

• Acclaimed Indian wrestler Sakshi Malik, a bronze medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, declared her retirement in protest of the Wrestling Federation of India’s (WFI) recent leadership change.
• The move comes in the wake of allegations of sexual abuse against the ousted president, Brij Bhushan Singh, and the controversial election of his close ally, Sanjay Singh.
• Sakshi Malik, who made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to secure a medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, leaves a lasting legacy. Her retirement symbolizes a stand against misconduct in sports leadership, highlighting the need for ethical governance in sports federations.

Obituaries News

Dr. V Mohini Giri: A Pioneer in Women’s Rights Passes Away

• V Mohini Giri, a prominent advocate for women’s rights, passed away at the age of 86 after a brief illness.
• Her significant contributions to empowering women were recognized during her tenure as the Chair of the National Commission for Women (NCW) from 1995 to 1998 and her leadership of the Central Social Welfare Board.
• In 1972, Dr. Giri founded the War Widows Association, dedicated to supporting women who lost their spouses in wars.
• Her commitment to women’s rights earned her the prestigious Padma Bhushan award in 2007. Dr. V Mohini Giri’s legacy lives on as a trailblazer in championing women’s causes and advocating for their rights.