Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC - 5th January 2024

National News 

1.Jammu and Kashmir DGP launches police grievance redressal portal 'Awaam Se, Awaam ke Liye' 

• Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain launched the Jammu and Kashmir Police Grievance Redressal Portal “Awaam Se, Awaam ke Liye” in an impressive ceremony held at the Police Headquarters. 
• The objective of the portal is to listen to the issues of citizens and police personnel and interact with common citizens or those seeking grievance redressal in a more structured and decentralized manner and improve the intensity and quality of their redressal. 
• The portal allows commanding officers to check the status of applications, forward them to concerned parties and receive updates, thereby increasing the overall efficiency of grievance resolution. 
• Speaking on the occasion, the DGP said, citizens as well as our own personnel at one place without any adulteration in a more structured and decentralized manner. 
• In this portal the same application, if submitted in different offices, can be filtered so as to save time of the citizens and the department. 
• He also congratulated DSP IT PHQ, Junaid Hakim and Director IT, NIC Baijul Ubot for preparing the portal. 
• The portal offers features for complainants such as SMS and email confirmation, 24/7 availability, tracking of complaint status, filing of additional documents and receiving alerts on complaint resolution. 

2.Madhya Pradesh will start 'Rani Durgavati Shri Anna Protsahan Yojana' to promote the production of coarse grains. 

• Madhya Pradesh government has decided to implement 'Rani Durgavati Shri Anna Protsahan Yojana' to promote the production of coarse grains. 
• This decision was taken in the first meeting of the state cabinet in Jabalpur.Under Rani Durgavati Shri Anna Protsahan Yojana, those growing millet will be given Rs 10 per kilogram.Also, the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet decided to institute two awards in the name of Rani Durgavati and Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi for women who have worked under "adverse" conditions and made "extraordinary" contributions to the society. 
• The biographies of these martyred queens will be included in school and college curricula.The Cabinet has decided to increase the irrigation area in the state by 65 lakh hectares, for which irrigation projects worth Rs 32,000 crore have been approved.It has been decided to give Rs 4,000 per bag for the tendu leaves plucked by the tribals. 
• He said this would put an additional burden of Rs 165 crore on the state exchequer.It has been decided to build roads worth Rs 4,500 crore to enhance infrastructure in the state. He said, Madhya Pradesh has a road network of 5.1 lakh kilometers.The cabinet has also decided to give 50 percent exemption in sales tax on automobiles sold at the Gwalior fair. 

3.Assam government launches 'Gunotsav 2024' to holistically evaluate the performance of students 

• Ranoj Pegu, Education Minister, Government of Assam, has launched 'Gunotsav 2024' for the overall assessment of the performance of about 40 lakh students of more than 43 thousand government schools in 35 districts of the state from January 3 to February 8, 2024. 
• The services of more than 18 thousand external evaluators will be used for this evaluation process started in all the primary and secondary schools of the state. The evaluators include state Chief Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretaries, college teachers and government officials. 
• This will identify the learning gaps of each child and ensure quality education with grade-specific outcomes. This process will increase accountability in schools and improve the quality of education. 
• The evaluation will extend beyond individual student performance to include an overall assessment of schools. It will also assess the performance of schools in areas such as scholastic, co-scholastic, availability and utilization of infrastructure and community participation. 
• This year's exercise will be conducted in three phases, with 12 districts in the first round from January 3-6, 13 districts from January 9-12 and the remaining 10 districts in the final phase from February 5-8. Gunotsav was first organized in 2017 and since then four rounds of the exercise have been conducted covering all the districts of Assam. 

4.Programme for students to begin soon at PM's school 

• The Ministry of Education on Thursday launched 'Prerana', an experiential learning programme, which will operate from the vernacular school in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthplace Vadnagar, Gujarat where he had studied. A weekly residential programme, it will host 20 students (10 boys and 10 girls) from across the country on a rotational basis in the town. 
• The programme, which has the best-in-class technology where heritage meets innovation, caters to students from Classes 9 to 12, a Ministry spokesperson said, Students can register through the portal -prerana.education.gov.in.-wherein applicants can fill the requisite details to be a part of the programme. 
• The day-wise programme schedule will feature yoga, mindfulness, followed by and hands-on Interesting learning activities. 

5.Hizbul terrorist held in national capital: police 

• The Delhi Police arrested Hizbul Mujahideen member Javed Mattu in New Delhi on Thursday. 
• Mattu has been associated with multiple terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. He has been wanted by security agencies for the past 13 years and carries a 10 lakh reward on his head. He was in the Dethl NCR region allegedly to collect arms and ammunition, which were to be used for a series of terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir, said Special Commissioner of Police Special Cell H.G.S. Dhaliwal. "Mat tu got caught in the radar of the Special Cell and central agencies as they had doubled the security in view of the upcoming Republic Day," he added. 
• Following an intelligence alert, a team led by ACP Pramod Singh Kushwah arrested Mattu with a 9 mm star pistol and six live cartridges from the Delhi Noida Direct (DND) flyway. 

6.New rules for granting symbols to new parties 

• The Election Commission of India (ECT) on Thursday brought in new rules for the allocation of symbols to registered unrecognized political parties (RUPPs), making it mandatory for them to furnish audited accounts of the last three financial years, expenditure statements of the last two elections, and the signature of the authorized office-bearer of the party along with the application form for symbols. The new rules would come into effect from January 11. 

7.Health Ministry seeks sto data on single women taking the ART route 

• To assess the functioning nched of the Assisted Reproduc ciential tive Technology (ART) Act, 2021, the Union Health Ministry has sought data from all States and Union Territories on the total number of single women (those divorced and widows) and unmarried women who have successfully used the technology. 
• Fertility experts have welcomed the move, along with the inclusion of single women and unmarried women as a category. 
• The Health Ministry had also sought category-wise figures of the total number of couples and single women who used surrogacy successfully following the implementation of the Surrogacy Act, 2021. 
• The letter issued by the e Health Ministry in December last year had sought the information on a priority basis, to be submitted by January 1. 
• Speaking at the Ministry's initiative, Shobhit Agarwal, CEO, Nova IVF 
• Fertility, said that transparency was one of the core values of the sector, wherein complete information was shared with patients, and realistic expectations set to help them take well- informed decisions in their treatment and care. 
• ART is offered as a treatment for infertility, and to prevent congenital abnormalities, etc. However, it has raised concerns over parameters that limit the number of available donors. India, like the rest of the world, is facing a dip in fertility rates, and increasing costs of ART cycles. 

8.Andhra Pradesh CM boosts social security pension to Rs 3,000. 

• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched the upgraded social welfare pension of ₹3,000 per month with an expanded reach to cover 66.34 lakh beneficiaries. 
• This would mark an increase of ₹250 as till now pension was at ₹2,750. 
• The State government was spending ₹1,968 crore every month on social pensions, and volunteers, irrespective of public holidays were distributing pensions at sun-rise on the first of every month to the pensioners. 
• The State government spent ₹26,000 crore on Amma Vodi, ₹33,330 crore on Rythu Bharosa, ₹19,178 crore on YSR Asara and ₹14,129 crore on YSR Cheyutha benefitting around 45 lakh mothers and Fifty-four lakh farmers. Additionally, the schemes benefitted 79 lakh women of self-help groups and Twenty-six lakh women of 45-to 60-years respectively. 

About Andhra Pradesh 

• Capital – Amaravati 
• Chief Minister – YS Jagan Mohan Reddy 
• Governor – Abdul Nazeer 

International News 

9.Kyrgyzstan declared snow leopard as national symbol 

• The President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Honorable Mr. Sadir Zhaparov has officially declared the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) as the national symbol of the Kyrgyz Republic. 
• The snow leopard has been a totem animal in ancient Kyrgyz culture, associated with the mythological figure Manas. In ancient Kyrgyz culture, the snow leopard was revered as a symbol of greatness, nobility, courage, bravery, and resilience. 
• Its said that leopard was the totem animal of the great Manas. The harmony between man and nature embodied by the snow leopard was vividly portrayed in the recent novel “When Mountains Fall” by globally acclaimed Kyrgyz writer, Chingiz Aitmatov. 
• Kyrgyzstan plays an active role in global wildlife conservation initiatives. At the World Snow Leopard Conservation Forum in 2013, the Bishkek Declaration on Snow Leopard Conservation was unanimously adopted. 
• The Bishkek Declaration has been adopted by the 12 Snow Leopard countries (India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Mongolia, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan). 
• The President instructed the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic to accept the snow leopard as a national symbol, protect its population and ecosystem, prepare a logo and options for the use of the symbol at various levels, and define its ideological content. 

State News 

10.Punjab Becomes First State To Map All Accident Prone Sites

• Punjab has become the first in India to meticulously map all 784 accident black spots using the Mappls App, a cutting-edge navigation system developed by MapMyIndia. 
• In a strategic move, the Punjab Police has teamed up with MapMyIndia to integrate real-time traffic updates and alerts into the Mappls App. This collaboration aims to provide citizens with crucial information about black and blind spots, ensuring a safer driving experience. 
• This initiative aligns with the preparations for the launch of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s flagship project, the ‘Sadak Suraksha Force.’ The comprehensive mapping of accident black spots is a crucial component of this visionary project, aiming to create a robust system for ensuring road safety across the state. 

Defence News 

11.Boosting Indigenous Defence Production: Centre Inks Two Crucial Deals Worth Rs 802 Crore 

• In a significant move towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing, the Ministry of Defence has finalized two pivotal contracts, collectively valued at Rs 802 crore. 
• The agreements include the procurement of 697 Bogie Open Military (BOM) Wagons and 56 Mechanical Minefield Marking Equipment (MMME) Mark II from domestic firms. 
• The contracts, signed with M/s Jupiter Wagons Limited and M/s BEML Ltd, underscore the commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat, with both deals emphasizing the utilization of indigenous equipment and sub-systems. This strategic approach aims to bolster the participation of the private sector in defence production. 

12.Changes in Navy's top deck: Dinesh K. Tripathi is new Vice-Chief of Naval Staff 

• Vice-Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi took over as the Vice- Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS) on Thursday. A day before, Vice-Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh took over from him the responsibility of Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FO- CINC), Western Naval Command, at INS Shikra in Mumbai. 
• The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral R. Hari Kumar, is set to step down on superannuation on April 30 when Vice-Admiral Tripathi will be the senior most Naval officer. All three Services will get new Chiefs this year. In another change, Vice-Admiral V. Srinivas took over as 30th FOCINC of the Southern Naval Command in a ceremonial parade at the Naval Base in Kochi on December 31. He replaced Vice-Admiral M. A. Hampiholi, who retired after close to four decades in the Navy. 
• An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa, and National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Vice-Admiral Tripathi was commis- sioned into the Navy on July 1, 1985. A communication and electronic warfare specialist, on promotion to the rank of Vice-Admiral in June 2019, he was appointed Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala, Kerala, and served as Director-General of Naval Operations from July 2020 to May 2021. 
• Later, from June 2021 to February 2023, he served as the Chief of Personnel. 
• Before taking over as the FOCINC, Vice-Admiral Singh served as the VCNS at Naval Headquarters. He was commissioned in 1986 into the Executive Branch of the Navy.
• Among other appointments, Vice-Admiral Kiran Deshmukh assumed charge as the Chief of Mate- riel (COM). 
• In the Army, Lt. General R.C. Tiwari assumed charge as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command on January 1. 
• Lt. Gen. Navin Sachdeva took over the Command of the White Knight Corps from Lt. Gen. Sandeep Jain. Lt. Gen. Nagendra Singh assumed the command of the Chetak corps. Lt. Gen. Prit Pal Singh as- sumed the command of the Sudarshan Chakra Corps from Lt. Gen. Vipul Shinghal 

Business News 

13.Adidas To Set Up Its First Asia GCC Outside China In Tamil Nadu 

• Adidas, the renowned athletic footwear and apparel giant, is making strategic moves to enhance its global operations by establishing its first and only Global Capacity Centre (GCC) in Asia outside of China. 
• This significant development underscores the growing trend of multinational corporations choosing India as a prime destination for setting up their GCCs, capitalizing on the country’s abundant software skills. 
• The German corporation, headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, is set to establish its Global Business Services (GBS) hub in Chennai. This move signifies a pivotal step for Adidas, as the Chennai facility becomes the first GCC outside of China in Asia. The choice of Chennai as the location for this hub reflects the city’s rising prominence in the global corporate landscape. 

Economy News 

14.Record FPI Purchases Drive Indian Equities To All-Time Highs In December 

• Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) made historic monthly acquisitions of Indian equities, reaching 661.35 billion rupees ($8 billion) in December, according to National Securities Depository data. 
• This surge catapulted India’s Nifty 50 and Sensex benchmarks to fresh record highs. The first half of December alone witnessed a record fortnightly purchase of shares worth 427.33 billion rupees, attributed to lower U.S. bond yields and expectations of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. 
• Faster-than-expected quarterly GDP growth prompted the Reserve Bank of India to revise upwards its fiscal 2024 growth forecast. State election results signaled policy continuity in 2024, adding to the positive sentiment. 

Schemes and Committee News 

15.PM Modi Launched PRITHVI VIGYAN Scheme Worth Nearly 4,800 Crore Rupees 

• The Indian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has launched an ambitious initiative named PRITHVI (PRITHvi VIgyan), a comprehensive scheme by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. 
• With a significant budget of Rs. 4,797 crore, the program spans from 2021-26, marking a new era in the study and understanding of Earth sciences in India.
• The PRITHVI scheme aims to revolutionize our understanding and interaction with various Earth systems. Its objectives include: Strengthening the continuous monitoring of the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, geosphere, cryosphere, and solid earth to track and record essential changes. 

16.Amit Shah Launches Tur Dal Procurement Portal For Farmers 

• Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a tur dal procurement portal, enabling farmers to register and sell their produce to the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Limited (NCCF). 
• The portal guarantees a minimum support price (MSP) or market price for the farmers. Minister Shah, during the launch, also highlighted plans to extend this facility for urad, masoor, and maize farmers in the future. 
• As part of the inauguration, Minister Shah conducted Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), transferring approximately Rs 68 lakh to 25 farmers as payment for their tur dal sales through the portal. This move is expected to empower farmers by providing them with assured prices and promoting pulses farming, addressing concerns of price uncertainty. 

Appointment News 

17.Shashi Singh Appointed As New President Of AIRIA 

• The All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA), the foremost authority representing India’s rubber industry, has recently announced a significant leadership change. 
• Shashi Singh has been elected as the new President, succeeding Ramesh Kejriwal. This transition marks a new era for AIRIA, with Singh set to advance the association’s mission and goals. 
• Alongside Singh, Zafar Ahmed, the Managing Director of New India Rubber Works Pvt Ltd, has been elected as the senior vice-president for 2023-24. In addition, Indra Parekh takes on the role of vice president. This new leadership team is expected to bring a blend of experience, insight, and fresh perspectives to AIRIA. 

18.Canara Bank CGM P Santhosh Appointed As MD Of NARCL 

• P Santhosh, Chief General Manager at Canara Bank, has been appointed as the Managing Director of National Asset Reconstruction Company (NARCL) with effect from January 5, succeeding Natarajan Sundar, who resigned from the post. 
• Natarajan Sundar, a seasoned banking veteran who previously served as Deputy Managing Director at State Bank of India, is the second high-ranking official to resign from NARCL before completing the designated tenure. 
• Last August, Karnam Sekar, the then Chairman of NARCL, also stepped down without providing a specific reason, leaving the organization amid uncertainty. 
• Both resignations occurred before completing the stipulated two-year period, raising questions about the stability and management structure of NARCL. 

Important Day News 

19.Chhattisgarh declared dry day on January 22 to honor Ram temple 

• Chhattisgarh government has decided to declare January 22 as a “dry day” as the consecration of Ram temple will take place in Ayodhya on that day. 
• Ram Raj has been the model of our good governance, CM said. 
• We are fortunate that Chhattisgarh is Lord Ram’s ‘nanihal’ (the place of Lord Ram’s maternal grandparents) and it is also fortunate that ‘pran pratistha’ of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya will take place on January 22,”. 
• The state’s rice millers association has sent 300 metric tonnes of aromatic rice to Ayodhya for the ceremony and cultivators from the state will also dispatch vegetables to the city in Uttar Pradesh. 
• Lord Ram had passed through several places located in Chhattisgarh during his 14-year exile from Ayodhya. Chandkhuri, a village located 27 km from Chhattisgarh capital Raipur, is considered as the birthplace of Mata Kaushalya, mother of Lord Ram. 
• The ancient Mata Kaushalya temple situated in the village was given a magnificent look during the previous Congress government in the state. 

About Chhattisgarh 

• Capital – Raipur
• Chief Minister – Vishnu Deo Sai (replace Bhupesh Baghel) 
• Deputy CM – Arun Sao & Vijay Sharma 
• Governor – Biswabhusan Harichandan 
• Speaker of Chhattisgarh Assembly – Raman Singh. 

Award News 

20.Bengali Writer Shirshendu Mukyopadhyaya Receives 2023 Kuvempu Award 

• In a prestigious recognition of his literary contributions, renowned Bengali writer Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay has been awarded the 2023 Kuvempu Rashtriya Puraskar. 
• The national award, named in honour of the late Kannada poet Kuvempu, celebrates writers who have made significant contributions to any Indian language. 
• Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, an accomplished author with a prolific literary career, has penned over 90 books, encompassing a diverse range of genres, including travelogues and fiction for children. The esteemed award comes with a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, a silver medal, and a citation. 
• The previous year’s recipient was Tamil writer Imayam, adding to the prestigious list of literary luminaries acknowledged by this esteemed award. 

21.Hero MotoCorp’s Facility Wins CII National Award For Water Management 

• Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has made significant waves in water conservation, bagging the CII National Award for Excellence in Water Management and setting an ambitious goal to become 500% water positive by 2025. 
• Hero MotoCorp’s Gurugram facility emerged victorious in the ‘Within the Fence’ category of the CII award, highlighting its exceptional water management practices within its manufacturing operations. This recognition underscores the company’s commitment to reducing water consumption and wastage within its own premises. 

22.Prof. Adrian Cruise Receives ‘Order Of The British Empire’ For Space Science Leadership 

• The New Year Honours list for 2024 has acknowledged the outstanding contributions of Professor Adrian Michael Cruise, a leading figure in space science research, particularly known for his role in the Gravitational Wave Research Group at the University of Birmingham. 
• Professor Cruise, as Professor Emeritus at the University of Birmingham, led the Gravitational Wave Research Group to affirm the university’s leadership in space science. His groundbreaking 2015 detection of gravitational waves validated Einstein’s prediction, propelling the institution into the forefront of unraveling space-time mysteries. 

Science and technology News 

23.India joins the world's largest radio telescope project 'SKAO' 

• The Government of India has formally signed to join the Square Kilometer Array Observatory (SKAO). It is the world's largest proposed radio telescope, which will be located in Africa and Australia. 
• The project will be jointly funded by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to the tune of Rs 1250 crore, with DAE as the lead agency. 
• SKAO is a new intergovernmental organization dedicated to radio astronomy, headquartered in the UK. February 2021 Approved the establishment of the Square Kilometer Array Observatory. 
• SKAO is not a single telescope but an array of thousands of antennas, which will work as one large unit to observe and study astronomical phenomena. 
• Unlike optical telescopes, radio telescopes are also capable of detecting invisible gas, so it can show areas of space that are not clearly visible due to cosmic dust. 
• This new venture is considered important after the destruction of the world's most famous radio telescope, Arecibo in Puerto Rico, in December 2020. 
• SKAO member countries include Australia, Canada, China, India, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, Netherlands, UK etc. The mega-science project brings together more than 15 countries spanning science, engineering and industry. 
• Earlier during the year, the Government of India contributed $140 million from DAE to Fermi National Laboratory of the US Department of Energy (DOE) for the collaborative development of the Proton Improvement Plan-II accelerator. 

24. New antibiotic could target drug-resistant bacterium: scientists 

• Researchers have Identified a new class of antibiotics with the potential to tackle a drug-resistant bacteria, Acinetobacter bau mannii. Zosurabalpin, the antibiotic, was found to be effective against CRAB (carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii)-induced pneumonia and sepsis in mouse models. 
• Writing in Nature, Zampaloni et al and Pahil et al reported the identification and analysis of the anti- biotic zosurabalpin that can kill Acinetobacter baumannii, antibiotic-resistant strains of which are hard to treat in the clinic. 
• Dr. Zampaloni and colleagues identified a tethered macrocyclic peptide (MCP) that selectively kills A. baumannii. The compound was further optimized for efficacy and tolerability, and the fine-tuning culminated in on zosurabalpin, a drug candidate. 
• In an article, Morgan K. Gugger and Paul I Hergen-rother, Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, wrote that coplous evidence provided by Zampaloni et al indicates that the antibiotic kills A. baumannil through a previously unknown mode of action. It inhibits a key process, transport of the molecule lipopolysaccharide (LPS), by inhibiting a complex of proteins. This complex was essential for transporting LPS to the bacterial surface to create the outer-membrane structure of Gram-negative bacteria. Zosurabalpin blocks LPS transport, and the abnormal build-up of LPS in the cell kills the bacterium. "It was effective against more than 100 CRAB clinical samples tested in the laboratory and it considerably reduced the levels of bacteria in mice with CRAB-induced pneumonia and prevented the death of mice with a CRAB-induced abnormal immune response called sepsis," the article said. 

25.ISRO to perform crucial maneuver tomorrow to bind Aditya-L1 into L1 orbit 

• With the Aditya-LI spacecraft expected to reach the Lagrangian Point (LI) on Saturday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will attempt a crucial maneuver to bind the spacecraft to an orbit around L1. 
• Aditya-Ll, the first Indian space-based observatory to study the sun, was launched on September 2, 2023 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriha rikota. Subsequently, ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (IS- TRAC) in Bengaluru carried out four earth-bound maneuvers between September 3 and 15 last year. L1 is about 1.5 million km from earth and the distance of Li from the planet is approximately 1% of the earth-sun distance. 
• Around 4pm on Saturday, ISRO scientists and engineers from the Mission Operations Complex of ISchial maneuver which will bind Aditya-Li to an orbit around L1. 
• The propulsion system of the spacecraft comprises the 440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) engine plus eight 22 Newton thrusters and four 10 Newton thrusters which will be intermittently fired to perform the maneuver. 
• According to the agency, a satellite placed in the halo orbit around the LI point has the major advantage of continuously viewing the sun
• This will provide a greater advantage of observing the solar activities continuously. 
• Aditya-L1 carries seven payloads to observe the photosphere, chromosphere, and the outermost layers of the sun (the corona) using electromagnetic and particle detectors. 
• Using the special vantage point of LI, four payloads will directly view the Sun and the remaining three payloads will carry out in-situ studies of particles and fields at the Ll. 
• Aditya-Li has a mission life of five years. 

Miscellaneous News 

26.10th Century Kadamba Inscription Written In Kannada, Sanskrit Found In Goa 

• In a remarkable archaeological discovery, an inscription dating back to the 10th century A.D. has been found in the Mahadeva temple at Cacoda in southern Goa. 
• The inscription, written in both Kannada and Sanskrit, sheds light on a historical episode during the Kadamba period, providing valuable insights into the region’s past. 
• Retired associate professor T. Murugeshi, specializing in ancient history and archaeology at Mulki Sundar Ram Shetty College in Udupi district, meticulously studied the inscription. 
• The inscription narrates a significant historical event during the rule of Talara Nevayya, who governed the Mandala region. Talara Nevayya’s son, Gundayya, devoted himself to realizing his father’s ambition of capturing Gopura, the port of Goa. Tragically, Gundayya lost his life in a valiant pursuit of this goal. The inscription serves as a poignant record of this historical episode. 

Agreement News

27.Nepal To Export 10,000 MW Of Power To India In Next 10 Years 

• India and Nepal solidified their commitment to a long-term energy partnership with the signing of an agreement for the export of 10,000 MW of power to India over the next 10 years. 
• The bilateral agreement, signed by India’s Energy Secretary Pankaj Agrawal and Nepal’s Energy Secretary Gopal Sigdel, is a testament to the shared vision of sustainable energy cooperation. 
• In addition to the power export agreement, an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in renewable energy was signed between the Nepal Electricity Authority and India’s National Thermal Power Corporation Limited. This underscores the joint commitment towards sustainable and eco-friendly energy solutions. 

28.REC Invests Rs. 35,000 Cr In Multi-Modal Projects With Rail Vikas Nigam For 5 Years 

• REC Limited, a prominent Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise established in 1969 under the Ministry of Power, has recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). 
• This collaboration aims to provide financial support of up to Rs. 35,000 Crores for a range of Infrastructure Projects over the next 5 years, showcasing the commitment of both entities to drive essential developments in the sector. 
• The infrastructure projects set to benefit from this collaboration span various domains, including multi-modal logistics hubs, rail infrastructure, roads, ports, and metro projects. 

Sports News 

29.For the first time in India, Multi Sports Beach Games started in Diu 

• More than 1,200 players from twenty states and union territories of the country will participate in the first Multi Sports Beach Games starting in Diu from January 4, 2024. The games will run for seven days, ending on January 11, 2024. 
• Players will compete in eight sports across different age groups under the age of 21 years at the beautiful Ghoghla Beach in Diu. 
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed all the players participating in the Multi Sports Beach Games through virtual medium. Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur was the chief guest. 
• Shri Thakur participated in My India program at Malala Auditorium Diu. The eight beach sports included in the event are Pencak Silat, Beach Boxing, Beach Soccer, Mallakhamb, Tug of War, Sea Swimming, Beach Kabaddi and Beach Volleyball. 
• Apart from the games, the event will also include vibrant cultural events, including performances, music, local arts and crafts, a flea market, a food street, a night market, a kite festival and a beach clean-up activity. 
• The closing ceremony of the Beach Games will be held at INS Khukri Memorial. India is hosting the Beach Games, an international sporting event organized by the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), for the first time. 
• The ANOC World Beach Games are held biennially, focusing on nonOlympic beach and water sports. Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) 
• It was established in June 1979 during the Constitutional General Assembly in San Juan, Puerto Rico. ANOC's headquarters were located in Paris between 1982 and 2010, before being moved to Lausanne in May 2010. Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 
• In the year 2019, the Central Government has created a new union territory by merging Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, located on the western coast near Gujarat. 
• There is only one district in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, while there are two districts in Daman and Diu. Both these union territories were ruled by the Portuguese for a long time. 
• Both got independence from Portuguese rule in December 1961. From 1961 to 1987, Daman-Diu was a part of the Union Territory of Goa, but when Goa became a state in 1987, it was made a separate union territory. 

Obituary News 

30.Former India defender Prabir Majumdar passes away

• Former Indian defender Prabir Majumdar passed away at the age of 77
• A stylish wing-back of the 1960s and 1970s, Majumdar was a member of the Indian team in the 1974 Asian Games. 
• He also featured for the national side during the 1974 Asian Games held in Tehran, where the team failed to create an impact and finished at the bottom of the group table. 
• In the domestic circuit, Majumdar was a part of East Bengal and Eastern Railways, besides also representing Bengal in the Santosh Trophy. 
• Majumdar won several titles with East Bengal, which included the Calcutta Football League, IFA Shield, Durand Cup, Rovers Cup, DCM Trophy, Bordoloi Trophy, and many more.