National News

Gwalior's Triumph in the World of Music

• Gwalior, recognized as the City of Music, achieved a remarkable feat at the Tansen Festival, held at the historic Karna Mahal of Gwalior Fort.
• The 'Tabla Darbar,' an assembly of 1500 tabla performers, unfolded as part of the annual 'Tansen Samaroh' music festival on December 25th.
• Notable attendees, including Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, witnessed this extraordinary event.
• The presence of a Guinness Book of World Records team added official validation to Gwalior's musical accomplishment.

Revolutionizing Healthcare with 'MedTech Mitra'

• Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya, introduced 'MedTech Mitra,' a strategic initiative fostering the talents of young healthcare innovators in India.
• This platform aims to shape their research and knowledge while providing essential support for regulatory approval.
• 'MedTech Mitra' is designed to comprehensively assist MedTech innovators, refining their ideas and facilitating the approval process for their healthcare solutions.

Empowering Youth through 'MY Bharat' Campaign

• Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Singh Thakur, addressed the youth during the launch of the 'MY Bharat' campaign, expressing confidence in India's global progress.
• He highlighted the country's achievements across various sectors, attributing them to government initiatives.
• Thakur commended India's startup ecosystem, noting its ascent to the third-largest globally. He also praised the Make in India program, propelling India to the seventh-largest manufacturer of mobile phones worldwide.

Amrit Bharat Train Set to Transform Rail Travel

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Amrit Bharat train, featuring push-pull technology for enhanced speed and passenger comfort.
• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the advanced features, including semi-permanent couplers to eliminate shocks.
• The train prioritizes passenger comfort with amenities like charging points at every seat, catering to the growing reliance on electronic devices during travel.

PM Modi's Digital Dominance

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has surpassed 2 crore subscribers on YouTube, solidifying his position as the first world leader to achieve this milestone.
• With over 4.5 billion views on his channel, Modi's digital prowess surpasses his global counterparts, with Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro trailing far behind at 64 lakh subscribers, less than a third of Modi's total.

State News

'Namma Cargo' Revolutionizes Logistics in Karnataka

• Minister for Transport for Karnataka, Ramalinga Reddy, inaugurated 'Namma Cargo,' an initiative introducing cargo services on KSRTC route buses.
• The launch event saw 20 cargo trucks deployed to kickstart services across various districts.
• Minister Reddy envisions expanding 'Namma Cargo' ambitiously, aiming to induct 100 trucks within the first month and escalating to 500 trucks within a year.

Amit Shah's Investment in Chandigarh's Future

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled nine projects in Chandigarh, with a total investment of 368 crore
• Additionally, he laid the foundation stone for three projects worth 32 crore rupees, signaling a substantial commitment to the city's infrastructure and development.
• Shah also flagged off a fleet of Chandigarh Police cars, including the state-of-the-art 'Eagle' police control vehicle, enhancing law enforcement's operational capabilities and efficiency.

Business News

Coca-Cola's Triumph: An 8-Year Global Cricket Partnership with ICC

• In a resounding victory, the iconic brand Coca-Cola has solidified its enduring bond with the world of cricket, inking an eight-year partnership deal as the global partner of the International Cricket Council (ICC) until the culmination of 2031.
• This extension, following the initial five-year agreement in 2019, not only reaffirms Coca-Cola's stature as a major player in cricket but also stands as one of the lengthiest collaborations between the ICC and a singular brand.
• The longevity of this partnership underscores the robust mutual strength and value derived by both entities.

PLI Schemes Garner INR 95,000 Crore Investments by September 2023: Center

• The production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes introduced by the Indian government have emerged as pivotal catalysts for attracting investments and propelling manufacturing across diverse sectors.
• As of September this year, these initiatives have successfully garnered an impressive INR 95,000 crore in investments, signaling a substantial stride towards enhancing India's manufacturing capabilities and exports.
• In the Union Budget 2021-22, a substantial outlay of INR 1.97 lakh crore was allocated for the PLI schemes, emphasizing their strategic significance in fostering economic growth.
• Notably, smartphones constituted USD 44 billion of the total electronics production worth USD 101 billion in 2022-23, with USD 11.1 billion attributed to exports.

Important Days News

International Day Of Epidemic Preparedness 2023

• On December 27th each year, the world unites to observe the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness.
• Established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in December 2020, this day acknowledges the enduring harm caused by major infectious diseases and epidemics, notably exemplified by the ongoing impact of COVID-19.
• Serving as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of infectious diseases, this day aligns with the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, promoting global health and well-being through proactive measures.

Appointments News

Santosh Jha Assumes Role As India’s New Envoy To Sri Lanka

• A new chapter unfolds in India's diplomatic ties with Sri Lanka with the appointment of Santosh Jha as the country's new High Commissioner.
• Taking over from Gopal Baglay, who assumes the role of the next High Commissioner of India to Australia, Jha brings valuable experience to the position.
• Having previously served in Sri Lanka from 2007 to 2010 as Counsellor at the High Commission, Jha played a pivotal role in handling matters related to commercial and economic affairs.

Vita Dani Makes History As First Indian On ITTF Governing Board

• Pioneering sports entrepreneur Vita Dani has etched her name in history by becoming the first Indian to join the governing board of the International Table Tennis Federation’s (ITTF) Foundation.
• Established in 2018, the ITTF Foundation aims to enhance the appeal of table tennis and attract a more diverse audience to the sport.
• President Petra Sorling warmly welcomed Vita Dani to the ITTF family, acknowledging her passion for the sport's growth and its potential as a catalyst for development.

Sports News

Sony Sports Enlists Kartik Aaryan As Brand Ambassador For Football

• Sony Sports Network (SSN) has ushered in a new era of football enthusiasm in India by appointing Bollywood sensation Kartik Aaryan as their official brand ambassador for the beautiful game.
• The primary objective is to bring football closer to a wider Indian audience and foster a passion for the sport across different generations.
• Kartik Aaryan's widespread popularity, particularly among the youth, positions him as an ideal choice to connect with a diverse audience and ignite enthusiasm for football.

Miscellaneous News

‘Word Of The Year’ (2023) By Different Dictionaries

• In the linguistic realm, dictionaries unveil their "Word of the Year" selections for 2023:Oxford Dictionary: "Rizz," a slang term denoting natural charm, charisma, and the ability to attract romantic partners, claims the top spot.
• Merriam-Webster: "Authentic" takes center stage, reflecting a yearning for genuineness and self-expression amid a world saturated with artifice and digital filters.
• Collins Dictionary: The future takes precedence with "AI" (artificial intelligence) crowned as the Word of the Year, recognizing its transformative potential.
• Cambridge Dictionary and Dictionary.com: Surprisingly, both dictionaries converge on "Hallucinate" as the Word of the Year.

Visva-Bharati Researchers Unearth Bacteria Named After Rabindranath Tagore

• Researchers from Visva-Bharati University's botany department have identified a novel bacteria strain named 'Pantoea Tagorei.'
• This bacteria, honoring Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, exhibits the potential to enhance plant growth, offering a sustainable alternative to commercial fertilizers.
• This discovery aligns with Tagore's advocacy for sustainable farming practices and self-sufficiency in food production, potentially leading to cost savings for farmers and increased crop yields.
• Naming the bacteria Pantoea Tagorei serves as a fitting tribute to Tagore's legacy and his contributions to agriculture