Current Affairs 29 & 30 December 2024

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 29 & 30 December 2024, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2024 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

PM Modi Visited and Inaugurated Various Projects in Madhya Pradesh Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Madhya Pradesh (MP) on 25th December 2024 on the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and laid foundation stone of various projects.
Key Highlights:
i.PM Modi laid the foundation stone of Ken-Betwa River Link Project (KLBP), in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh on 25th December 2024.The Union Cabinet had approved Rs 44,605 crore for the KBLP project in December 2021.
ii.PM Modi inaugurated the Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project established at Omkareshwar in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh.
iii.PM Modi laid the foundation stone of 1153 Atal Gram Sushasan buildings.
iv.PM Modi released Rs.100 commemorative coin and stamp to honor and celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
About Madhya Pradesh:
Chief minister – Mohan Yadav
Governor– Mangubhai C. Patel
Capital– Bhopal
National Parks– Kanha National Park, Pench National Park, Panna National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park
>> Read Full News

Punjab becomes 5th state to provide 100% piped water supply to rural householdIn December 2024, Hardeep Singh Mundian, Minister for Water Supply and Sanitation, Punjab, announced that Punjab has become the fifth state in India to provide 100% piped water supply to rural households under the “Jal Jeevan Mission(JJM) – Har Ghar Jal(HGJ)” Scheme.

• The Water Supply and Sanitation Department of Punjab achieved this milestone under the leadership of Bhagwant Singh Mann, Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, providing clean drinking water and improved sanitation facilities to the rural population.

Note: As of December 2024, all states and Union territories (UTs) have more than 50% coverage of tap water connections in rural households with 11 states and UTs having 100% coverage.
Achievements and Ongoing Projects for Punjab’s Development:
i.To tackle water quality and scarcity issues, 15 major canal water projects are being implemented across 1,706 villages, with a total investment of Rs. 2,174 crore to benefit approximately 25 lakh people and 4 lakh families.
ii.All villages in the state have achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) status under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) – Rural.

• A total of 5.64 lakh individual household toilets and 1,340 community toilets have been built.

iii.Waste management facilities have been set up in 3,366 villages for solid waste management and 9,909 villages for grey water management . Additionally, 23 plastic waste management units have been established at the block level in rural areas.
iv.In partnership with Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), 20 biogas plants have been set up at the district level to manage cow dung in shelters.
About Har Ghar Jal(HCJ) Scheme:
i.Har Ghar Jal (Water to Every Household) is a scheme launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), Government of India (GoI), as part of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in 2019.
ii.The scheme aims to provide 55 liters(l) of tap water per person per day to every rural household
iii.Har Ghar Jal Status:
100% tap water supply certified states and Union Territories (UTs):

• Goa; Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands; Puducherry; Dadra & Nagar Haveli (D&NH) and Daman and Diu (D&D); Arunachal Pradesh (AR); Haryana and Punjab
• Goa and D&NH and D&D became the first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certified State and UT in the country respectively.

100% tap water supply reported states and UTs:

• Telangana, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh (HP), Gujarat

Gujarat’s Masali becomes First Border Solar Village in India
Masali village in Banaskantha district, Gujarat, has become India’s first border solar village,contributing to the India’s solar energy program aimed at achieving self-reliance in the energy sector and to fulfil the goal of a sustainable future by using renewable energy.

• Masali is one of 17 villages of Banaskantha district under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) ,Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) .
• It has been transformed into a solar-powered community through the efforts of the Revenue Department, Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited, banks, and solar companies.

i.The project, with a total cost of Rs 1.16 crore, is funded by a Rs 59.81 lakh subsidy under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, along with Rs 20.52 lakh in public contributions and Rs 35.67 lakh in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support.
ii.Masali village is Located 40 kilometers from the Pakistan border.It has 119 houses and 800 people, all equipped with rooftop solar panels that generate 225.5 kilowatts (KW) of electricity.
About Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

• The scheme, launched in February 2024, aims to provide free electricity to one crore households in India that install rooftop solar units, offering 300 units of free electricity per month.
• The scheme has an outlay of Rs 75,021 crore and is to be implemented till FY 2026-27. The scheme will be implemented by a National programme Implementation Agency (NPIA) at the National level and by the State Implementation Agencies (SIAs) at the state level.

Indore’s Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Becomes India’s 1st Zero-Waste Airport
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore, Madhya Pradesh(MP),became India’s 1st zero-waste airport with the inauguration of  3,000 square feet (sq.ft) Material Recovery Facility(MRF) at the airport by Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Ministry of Civil Aviation(MoCA).

• The airport’s zero-waste achievement is based on the 4R strategy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Restore.
• The Zero-Waste Airport Project is a joint initiative between IndiGo’s corporate social responsibility arm, IndiGoReach, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the AAS Foundation (a non-governmental organization focused on sustainable development).

i.The MRF features a comprehensive waste management system which ensures that all wet and dry waste generated from both airport and aircraft will be segregated and processed on-site.
ii.The newly launched MRF embodies this approach, capable of processing around 750 kilograms of waste daily from airport operations and flights.
iii.Apart from material recovery facility, he also inaugurated the new air traffic control tower, which was constructed at a cost of Rs 55 crore.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

China Approves Construction of World’s Largest Hydropower Dam on Brahmaputra River
On December 25, 2024, China approved the construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on Yarlung Zangbo River, the 5th largest river of China in Tibet (China),a region where the Brahmaputra river flows into India and Bangladesh.

• With an estimated investment of USD 137 billion, the dam, situated near the India-Tibet border, will be the largest infrastructure project in the world.
• The project, part of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), aims to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, more than three times the capacity of the ‘Three Gorges Dam’, currently the world’s largest, in central China.

i.The dam will be constructed at a dramatic gorge where the Brahmaputra River makes a sharp U-turn in the Himalayas.

• This part of the river offers significant hydropower potential due to a 2,000-meter (6,561 feet) drop over just 50 kilometers (31 miles).

Note – India plans to build its second-largest dam on the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh to boost water security, flood control, and hydropower. Estimated at Rs.50,000 crore, the dam will store about 10 billion cubic meters of water.

BANKING & FINANCE

IRDAI Report: Claims Ratio of Non-Life Insurers Declines to 82.5% in FY24; Insurance penetration at 3.7%According to the Annual Report 2023-24 of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), claims ratio(the net incurred claims to net earned premium) of non-life insurance industry declined to 82.52% for the Financial Year 2023-24(FY24), compared to 82.95% in FY23.

• The report showed that the non-life insurance sector underwrote a total direct premium of Rs 2.90 lakh crore in India during FY24, registering a growth of 12.76% from preceding year. This growth is mainly attributed by increased health and motor insurance premiums from individuals.
• India’s insurance penetration was 3.7% in FY24 compared to 4% in 2022-23.

i.The report highlighted that the contribution of public sector general insurers have increased by 8.88%, from Rs 82,891 crore in FY23 to Rs 90,252 crore in FY24.

• While, private sector insurers, including standalone health insurers, underwrote Rs 1.88 trillion in FY24 compared to Rs 1.58 trillion in FY23.

ii.The report highlighted that the life insurance paid total benefits of Rs 5.77 lakh crore in FY24, accounting 70.22% of the net premium.
About Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI):
IRDAI was constituted in 1999 and was later incorporated as a statutory body in April 2000.
Chairperson– Debasish Panda
Headquarters-Hyderabad, Telangana
>> Read Full News

RBI Constituted 8-Member Committee to Develop Framework on Ethical Use of AI in Financial SectorIn December 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that it has constituted an 8 member committee to develop a framework for responsible and ethical enablement of artificial intelligence (FREE-AI) in the financial sector.

• The committee will be chaired by Pushpak Bhattacharya, Professor from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B), Mumbai (Maharashtra).
• The committee is expected to submit its report within 6 months from the date of its 1st meeting.
• RBI’s FinTech Department will provide secretarial support to the newly constituted committee.

Key Functions:
i.The committee has been mandated to examine the current level of AI adoption in financial services, globally as well as in India.
ii.The committee will be required to review regulatory and supervisory approaches on AI with focus on the financial sector worldwide.
iii.It will also supposed to identify potential risks related to AI, if any, and recommend an evaluation, mitigation and monitoring framework and consequent compliance conditions for financial institutions (FIs) like: banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), FinTechs, among others.
iv.It will recommend a framework including governance feature for responsible, ethical adoption of AI models in the Indian financial sector.
Members:
Apart from chairman, other members of the committee are:
i.Debjani Ghosh, Independent Director of Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) and former President of National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM).
ii.Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India (GoI).

IFSCA Released Revised Framework for ITFS Platforms in GIFT CityIn December 2024, the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has released the revised framework for the setting up and operating of International Trade Financing Services (ITFS) platforms in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City- International Financial Services Centre (GIFT-IFSC), Gandhinagar (Gujarat).

• This move of allowing ITFS to operate in IFSC will help in bridging the financing gap for exporters and importers both in India and globally.
• The new framework has rationalized the net worth requirements and allowed the overseas companies to factor the receivables.

i.On-Tap Registration Process: The new framework has introduced a procedure for grant of provisional registration, process involved in refusal, revocation or surrender of registration. Also, the process of registration for eligible entities can be done through an “on-tap” basis.
ii.Eligible Participants: In addition to previous list of eligible participants like: financiers, exporters, importers, insurance companies,  the list will now includes payment service providers, which will enable easier access for participants to provide currency exchange and receive payments in their local currency in a time-bound and cost-effective manner.
About International Financial Services Centres Authority(IFSCA):
It is the unified regulator for the development and regulation of financial products, financial services and financial institutions such as GIFT-IFSC, in India. It was established under the International Financial Services Authority (IFSCA) Act, 2019.
Chairman– K. Rajaraman
Headquarters– GIFT City,Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Established– 2020
>> Read Full News

Central Bank of Sri Lanka Imposed Penalty on Indian Bank for Non-Compliance
In December 2024, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Central Bank of Sri Lanka has imposed monetary penalty of  Rs 5.85 Lakhs (2 million Sri Lankan rupees(LKR)) on Chennai (Tamil Nadu (TN))-based Public Sector Bank (PSB), Indian Bank Limited for not complying with the provisions of Sri Lanka’s Financial Transactions Reporting Act No.6 of 2006 (FTRA).

• At present, Indian Bank has its two branches in Sri Lanka i.e. in Jaffna and Colombo.

ICICI Bank and Times Internet launched ‘Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card’
Mumbai(Maharashtra) based ICICI Bank Limited and Times Internet, the digital arm of the Times of India (TOI) Group, jointly launched the “Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card,” a super-premium co-branded metal card offering high-net-worth individuals exclusive travel benefits, luxury lifestyle services, and curated privileges for exceptional experiences.

• Powered by Visa Inc., the Credit Card stands out with its inaugural edition crafted from metal infused with historic printing plates of the TOI, symbolizing a seamless blend of legacy and innovation.

i.Cardholders earn 2.5% reward points on international spends and 2% on domestic purchases, along with exclusive access to premium events by ‘The Times Group’.
ii.It offers efficient travel experiences like visa services at home, unlimited access to lounges at over 1,300 international airports, stays at luxurious hotels and resorts, airport transfers, exclusive access to ‘The Quorum Club’, and lifestyle management services by CribLife.

PNB and FCAOI Sign MoU to Enhance Agricultural Infrastructure
Public sector lender Punjab National Bank (PNB), New Delhi(Delhi)  and Federation of Cold Storage Associations of India (FCAOI) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance agricultural infrastructure and cold chain development across India.

• The MoU was signed in the presence of Atul Kumar Goel, Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PNB; Kalyan Kumar, Executive Director (ED) of PNB; senior officials from PNB and Mukesh Aggarwal, President of the FCAOI in New Delhi, Delhi.

i.The agreement marks a significant progress in promoting innovation, upgrading agricultural infrastructure, and ensuring farmers and agribusinesses have access to effective storage and cold chain solutions.

ii.Modern storage infrastructure will help transform Indian agriculture by improving cold storage facilities, reducing post-harvest losses, and ensuring better prices for farmers, which in turn will boost economic growth in rural areas.
Note: FCAOI was founded in 1999, a Non-Profit Organisation(NPO) of cold storage consultant services & cold storage rooms. It was headquartered at Agra, Uttar Pradesh(UP).

IFC Invests Rs.630 crore in NDR InvIT’s SLBs
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), headquartered in Washington, DC, United States of America (USA), and a member of the World Bank (WB) Group, has invested USD 75 million (approximately Rs 630 crore) in India’s first sustainability-linked bond (SLB) issued in Indian rupees (INR).

• The bond was issued by NDR Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT), headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and sponsored by NDR Warehousing Private Limited.
• This marks the first time a warehousing InvIT in India has issued an SLB.

i.IFC’s support will help the NDR InvIT to achieve environmental, social, and governance (ESG)goals, including EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certification for its warehouse assets.
ii.IFC will also assist the NDR InvIT in adopting gender-inclusive work practices through the India Gender Collaborative (IGC).
Note: According to industry estimates, warehouse space is expected to grow from 300 million square feet (sq. ft.) in FY23 to 500 million sq. ft. by 2030.

TPREL Partners with Canara Bank for Rooftop Solar Solutions
In December 2024, Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, collaborated with Canara Bank Limited, a public sector bank (PSB), headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, to promote the adoption of rooftop solar systems under the Pradhan Mantri (PM) – Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

• This partnership aims to make solar energy more accessible and affordable for households by providing specially designed loan options with attractive terms and benefits.

i.For Solar Power system up to 3 kW capacity, loans up to Rs 2,00,000 will be offered with a 10% margin, 7% annual interest, no collateral, and a 10-year repayment term.
ii.For Solar Power system between 3 kW and 10 kW, loans up to Rs 6,00,000 will be offered with a 20% margin, 10% annual interest, no collateral, and a 10-year repayment term.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

ASUSE Results for 2023-24: Job Creation Slowed in Unincorporated non-agricultural Sector In December 2024, the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the results of ‘Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) for 2023-24’. The report has covered time period from October 2023 to September 2024.

• As per the report, fresh new employment creation in the unincorporated non-agricultural sector slowed in October 2023 to September 2024 period, with additional job generation declining to 10.97 million compared to 11.74 million in October 2022- September 2023.

i.The number of new establishments in unincorporated sector has increased from 5.34 million during 2022-23 to 8.35 million in 2023-24.
ii.The report highlighted that total number of unincorporated establishments  increased significantly from 65 million (in 2022-23) to 73.4 million (in 2023-24), registering a growth of 12.48%.
iii.The number of workers employed in the sector has increased from 109.6 million between October 2022-September 2023 to 120.6 million between October 2023 and September 2024.
About Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementaion (MoSPI):
Minister of State (MoS)(Independent Charge, IC)–Rao Inderjit Singh (Constituency- Gurugram, Haryana)
>> Read Full News

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Kissht Partners with Sachin Tendulkar to enhance Digital Financial Growth
In December 2024, Kissht, India’s leading digital lending platform operated by OnEMI Technology Solutions Private Limited, has announced a long-term collaboration with Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar as  a strategic Investor and Brand Ambassador. This partnership aims to accelerate Kissht’s growth and strengthen its offerings in speedy and hassle-free credit financing services.

• Sachin Tendulkar, known for his unwavering trust, integrity, and excellence, perfectly aligns with Kissht’s mission to make digital financial services accessible, transparent, and seamless for millions of Indians.

i.Sachin Tendulkar is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history. He was the highest run-scorer in Test and One Day International  (ODI) cricket.
ii.He has been honored with India’s highest civilian award ‘Bharat Ratna’ in 2014.

Salman Khan and Tiger Shroff named as brand ambassador for Kho Kho World Cup 2025
The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) has announced Indian actors Salman Khan and Tiger Shroff  as the brand ambassadors for the inaugural edition of the Kho Kho World Cup, which will be held from 13th to 19th January 2025 in New Delhi, Delhi at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi and the Noida Indoor Stadium.

• The announcement was made during an event held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi and attended by KKFI President Shri Sudhanshu Mittal, KKFI General Secretary MS Tyagi, and members of the Indian men’s and women’s teams.

i.The Kho Kho World Cup 2025 features 21 men’s teams and 20 women’s teams from 24 different countries.
ii.Recently in October 2024 KKFI unveiled the World Cup’s official logo and tagline #TheWorldGoesKho

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

SIA-India signs MoU with Ghana’s GSSTI to Boost Space Sector CollaborationIn December 2024, the Satcom Industry Association India (SIA-India), New Delhi(Delhi) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) to enhance cooperation in satellite communications and the broader space industry.

• This collaboration aims to leverage India’s expertise in space technology and enable Ghana to advance its space capabilities.

Key Points:
i.Focus Areas: The MoU emphasizes cooperation in satellite manufacturing, satellite launch services and the development of space applications, which will directly benefit both nations.
ii.Capacity Building: The partnership includes programs designed to train Ghanaian space professionals, equipping them with essential skills for the evolving space sector.
iii.Innovation and Co-Development: India and Ghana will jointly work on satellite projects, ground stations, and space-related tools to unlock new opportunities and foster innovation.
iv.The MoU also paves the way for increased Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government(B2G) simplifying new opportunities for both countries’ private sectors.
v.India’s support through programs such as the Pan African eNetwork Project, the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme and the India-Africa Partnership Fund serves as a foundation for this initiative.

• With India-Africa trade reaching USD 90.5 billion in 2022–23, and a goal to scale it to USD 200 billion by 2030, the partnership reflects the evolving synergy between the two regions.

vi.India’s partnership with Ghana aligns with Africa’s broader vision for the future outlined in Agenda 2063 and the Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024).
About Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI):
Director- Dr. Joseph B. Tandoh
Headquarters- Greater Accra, Ghana
Established-  2012
About Ghana:
President- Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
Capital- Accra
Currency- Ghanaian Cedi(GHS)

Amantya Technologies Awarded Funding under TTDF Scheme for India 5G Stack
On December 24, 2024, Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Amantya Technologies was awarded funding under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT)  for its project titled “Development of ‘India 5G Stack’ with the Next-Gen 3GPP Release 16/17 Compliant ‘Made in India 5G SA Core’ for Public and Enterprise Deployment.”

• TTDF Scheme is managed by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) (recently renamed as “Digital Bharat Nidhi”).
• The project aims to extend high-speed 5th Generation (5G) connectivity to rural & remote areas.
• The project will develop a carrier-grade 5G Standalone (SA) core network solution, compliant with the latest 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) standards.

i.The project will also enhance advanced features like network slicing, Quality of Service (QoS), Voice over New Radio (VoNR), Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), and Massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC).

• The solution will also be cloud-agnostic, supporting deployment on platforms like Kubernetes, OpenStack, and OpenShift.

ii.An agreement was signed during a ceremony in New Delhi (Delhi) attended by Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Centre for Development Of Telematics (C-DOT), Dr. Parag Agarwal, Deputy Director General (DDG) of TTDF at DoT, Anuradha Gupta, CEO of Amantya Technologies, along with Dr. Pankaj Kumar Dalela, Director of C-DOT.
iii.The project aligns with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision, contributing to self-reliance in telecom technology and lowering deployment costs.

SPORTS

India to host ISSF Junior World Cup 2025
India will host the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup 2025, with the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), which regulates sports shooting in India, organizing the event.

• The ISSF Junior World Cup 2025 will feature competitions in the rifle, pistol, and shotgun categories. Junior World Cup competitions include both Olympic and non-Olympic events.

i.The upcoming edition, will be the 11th Junior Shooting World Cup, and India will host the competition for the first time.
ii.This will be the third top-tier ISSF event in India in three years. In 2024, New Delhi hosted the season-ending 2024 World Cup Final and Bhopal hosted the senior ISSF World Cup in 2023.
iii.India has hosted six ISSF competitions, including two World Cup Finals and four senior ISSF World Cups, in addition to two continental championships.
About National Rifle Association of India (NRAI):
President – Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo
Established – 1951
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi

OBITUARY

Renowned Malayalam writer and Padma Bhushan Awardee MT Vasudevan Nair passed awayRenowned Malayalam writer,filmmaker and Padma Bhushan Awardee MT Vasudevan Nair(known as MT), passed away at the age of 91 in Kozhikode, Kerala. He was born in 1933 at Kudallur, Kerala.

• In 2005, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour for literature and education.

About MT Vasudevan Nair:
i.MT Vasudevan Nair began his career as a sub-editor in the Malayalam weekly ‘Mathrubhumi’ in 1956 and later became its editor in 1968.
ii.He authored 9 novels, 19 collections of short stories and published several collections of essays and memoirs over a career spanning seven decades.
iii.His literary works includes Naalukettu, Randamoozham, Manju, Kaalam, Asuravithu, and Iruttinte Athmavu.
iv.He directed six films, including the evocative Nirmalyam, a Malayalam film, along with two documentaries. He wrote around 54 screenplays and his screenplays have earned four National Awards and 11 State Awards.
Awards:
i.His novel Naalukettu (Ancestral Home- translated to English as The Legacy) won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1958. He received the  Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary honour in 1995 for his overall contribution to Malayalam literature.
ii.In 2013, he received the J C Daniel Award for lifetime achievement in Malayalam cinema and he was honoured with the inaugural Kerala Jyothi Award, the highest civilian honour from the Kerala government in 2022.
iii.He won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay a record four times, for ‘Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha’ (1989), ‘Kadavu’ (1991), ‘Sadayam’ (1992), and ‘Parinayam’ (1994).
iv.He also received several awards including the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award, Vallathol Award, Ezhuthachan Award, Mathrubhumi Literary Award, and O N V Literary Award.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

HarperCollins India to Release Deepa Malik’s ‘Bring It On: The Incredible Story of My Life
In December 2024, HarperCollins Publishers India Private Limited, headquartered in Gurgaon, Haryana, a subsidiary of HarperCollins Publishers Limited (United Kingdom, UK), has announced the release of Bring It On: The Incredible Story of My Life, a memoir by Deepa Malik, India’s first female Paralympic medalist.
i.The book shares Deepa Malik’s inspiring journey of overcoming numerous challenges, including surviving three spinal tumors. She discusses her fight against societal biases, patriarchy, and politics, all while breaking barriers as a wheelchair-liberated athlete.
ii.Deepa Malik is India’s leading para athlete, having won 23 international medals. She made history as India’s first female Paralympic medalist with a silver at the Rio Paralympics 2016. She has received the Padma Shri, Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, and holds four Limca Book of Records (LBR).

• She has served as the first female president of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), holds three honorary doctorates, the Asian Order, and now serves as South Asia’s representative on the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) board.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Good Governance Day 2024- December 25Good Governance Day, also known as ‘Sushasan Diwas’ in Hindi, is annually observed across India on 25th December to mark the birth anniversary of the former (10th) Prime Minister (PM) Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The day also aims to create awareness of accountability and administration of government among the people.

• 25th December 2024 marks the 11th Good Governance Day and 100th birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• Theme of Good Governance Day 2024 “India’s Path to a Viksit Bharat: Empowering Citizens through Good Governance and Digitalisation,”.
• The 4th Good Governance Week (Sushasan Saptah) is celebrated annually from 19th to 25th December.

Background: 
i.In 2014, the Government of India (GOI) declared 25th December as Good Governance Day to honor the legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

• The first Good Governance Day was observed on 25th December 2014.

Good Governance Day 2024- Events:
i. Inauguration of National Workshop Good Governance Practices 2024
ii.Inauguration of  ‘Prashasan Gaon ki Ore’ Campaign 2024
iii.DoPPW Welfare Observes National Good Governance Week 2024
iv.Defence Secretary,Rajesh Kumar Singh Launches ‘Rashtraparv Website & Mobile App’
v:Launched ‘Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi’ to Empower Grassroots Governance
vi.Union Minister Launched Five Pioneering Initiatives
vii.Gujarat Signs MoU with SAC-ISRO for Improved Water Resource Management
>> Read Full News

Veer Bal Diwas 2024 – December 26Veer Bal Diwas is annually observed across India on 26th December to mark the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas- Sri Guru Gobind Singh’s 4 sons of the 10th Sikh guru- Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who sacrificed their lives in the 17th century.

• 2024 marks the 3rd observance of Veer Bal Diwas

Background:
i.On 9th January 2022, during the Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Prime Minister declared that 26th December would be celebrated as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’.
ii.The first ever Veer Bal Diwas was observed on 26th December 2022.
2024 Event:
i.The national event for Veer Bal Diwas 2024, held on 26th December 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, Delhi was graced by the Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi, with the Union Minister Annapurna Devi, Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoW&CD), and other dignitaries.
ii.On 26th December 2024, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, conferred the awards of Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) 2024 to 17 children (7 boys and 10 girls) from 14 States/UTs who were selected for the honour. Each recipient received a medal, certificate, and citation booklet.
iii.PM Narendra Modi launched “Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyan” at the event of Veer Bal Diwas 2024.
>> Read Full News

International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2024 – December 27The United Nations (UN)’s marks the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness on December 27th each year to stress the importance of preventing and preparing for epidemics. It highlights the need for global cooperation and working together to protect communities from health crises.

• 27th December 2024 marks the 5th observance of the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness

Background:
i.On December 7, 2020, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/75/27, declaring December 27th as the “International Day of Epidemic Preparedness” to be observed annualy.
ii.The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness was first observed on December 27, 2020.
United Nations (UN)
Established – 1945
Headquarters – New York, United States of America (USA)
Secretary-General – Antonio Guterres
Member countries – 193
>> Read Full News

STATE NEWS

Karnataka Gov declared December 26 as Computer Operators’ Day The Karnataka government issued an order to celebrate Computer Operators’ Day every year on December 26 to mark the birth anniversary of  English mathematician and Inventor of Digital Computer Charles Babbage. It was observed by the Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Department (RDPR), Karnataka.

• First-Ever Computer Operators’ Day was observed on December 26 2024.
• The day ensures the Computer operators who play a vital role in facilitating the successful implementation of government schemes and programs, administered by the RDPR .

About Charles Babbage:
i.Charles Babbage was born on December 26, 1791, in London,United Kingdom (UK). He is often called the “father of the computer” for his conceptual designs of a mechanical computing device of modern computing.
ii.He was an English mathematician, philosopher, inventor, and mechanical engineer who is best known for designing the first automatic mechanical computer.

• 1812-1813: He conceived the idea of mechanically calculating mathematical tables. This led him to develop a small calculator capable of performing computations to 8 decimal places.

iii.Difference Engine (1822):His first major invention was the Difference Engine, designed to compute polynomial functions and tabulate logarithms and trigonometric functions.
iv.Analytical Engine (1837):The Analytical Engine was his more advanced design, conceptualized as a general-purpose mechanical computer.It included key features of modern computers, such as:

• A control unit, which would perform calculations.
• A memory unit, which would hold data and results.
• Input and output mechanisms, such as punched cards, a precursor to later computing devices.

v.Punched Cards: He used punched cards, a concept borrowed from the textile industry, to input data and instructions into the Analytical Engine. This was a precursor to the use of punched cards in later computers.
v.In 1843, his collaborator, Ada Lovelace, translated a French paper on the Analytical Engine, becoming the first person to write a computer program.

• 1991-2000: The Difference Engine No. 2 was built by British scientists, following his designs, showcasing the accuracy of his original vision.
• He contributed to the modern postal system in England, UK compiled the first reliable actuarial tables, and invented the locomotive cow catcher and a type of speedometer.

vi.Awards: He was the first awardee to receive the ‘Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society(RAS)’ , highest award of RAS in 1824 for his invention of an engine for calculating mathematical and astronomical tables.
vii.He was passed away at the age of 79 on 18 October 1871.
Facts about Computer:
i.The first computer was invented by Charles Babbage between 1833 and 1871.
ii.The first keyboard, replacing punch cards, was created in 1947.
iii.The first computer mouse was made out of wood in 1964 by Douglas Engelbart and Bill English at the Stanford Research Institute.
iv.The first personal computer, Kenbak-1, was sold in 1971 for USD 750 (approximately Rs 62,000).
v.India’s first computer was installed in 1955 at the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata, West Bengal(WB).
vi.The SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) system is the most expensive computer ever built, costing an estimated USD 8 billion.

Govt of AP declares ‘Ratha Saptami’ as State festival
In December 2024, the government of Andhra Pradesh(AP) declared ‘Ratha Saptami(also known as Sun God festival)’ as a State festival for 3 days at the Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple in Arasavalli, AP. The festival is celebrated every year to mark the birth day of Sun God.

• Ratha Saptami 2025 will be celebrated from February 4 -6, 2025.
• The festival also highlights the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the region, contributing to the local economy and enhancing religious tourism.

About Ratha Saptami:
i.Ratha Saptami or Magha Saptami is an important festival dedicated to Lord Sri Suryanarayana Swamy, celebrated at the Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple in Arasavalli, located in Srikakulam Town, AP, India.

• It falls in the month of February or March and is considered the birthday of Lord Surya and also known as Surya Jayanti.

ii.Ratha Saptami symbolizes the end of the winter season and the beginning of the spring season, marking a shift to the harvesting period.

Mizoram signs MoA with Partner Banks for Bana Kaih Scheme
In December 2024, the Mizoram government entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with its partner banks – State Bank of India (SBI), Mizoram Rural Bank (MRB), and Mizoram Co-operative Apex Bank Limited (MCAB) for the disbursement of loans under the Bana Kaih(handholding) Scheme. The agreement was signed at the Chief Minister’s Conference Hall in Aizawl, Mizoram.
i.The signing ceremony was chaired by Pu Lalmalsawma Pachuau, Secretary of Planning & Programme Implementation Department(PPID) of Mizoram.
ii.The Bana Kaih Innovation Challenge has also been launched to organize a series of competitive events, which will be coordinated by the PPID of Mizoram during the same event.
About The Bana Kaih Scheme –It is a key program initiated by the Mizoram government designed to promote self-reliance and economic growth. The main feature of the scheme is the “progress partners” initiative, offering loans via partner banks and up to 100% interest subsidy for timely repayments.

• The primary objective of the scheme is to contribute to the realization of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

India’s First Sports Management Mobile App Launched In AP
On December 19, 2024, the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) launched a ‘Kreeda App’, a first-of-its-kind mobile app to improve sports management across the state.The app was officially launched by Mandipalli Ramprasadh Reddy, Minister for Youth and Sports of Andhrapradesh, at an event in Vijayawada, AP.
i.The ‘Kreeda App’ is designed to be a one-stop solution for sports-related matters. It allows them to update their profiles, track their performance, and access achievement certificates through DigiLocker.
ii.In addition to benefiting athletes, the app also includes features for tracking coaches’ performance, managing inventory in real time, addressing grievances, and managing assets.
iii.The app also includes a central sports calendar that makes it easy for players to apply for tournaments.
iv.The app aims to prevent misuse of sports quota certificates and offers a transparent system for player registration, performance tracking, tournament applications, and managing sports equipment.
Note: Only Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Tamil Nadu (TN) are currently issuing digital certificates for sports achievements or participation.

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