“IMPORTANT DAY”

International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2023 Observed on 27th December

Every year on December 27th, the world unites to observe the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness. This vital day serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of infectious diseases and the critical need for proactive measures to combat them. In the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has exposed the vulnerabilities of our interconnected world, the importance of epidemic preparedness has never been greater.

Veer Bal Diwas 2023 Observed on 26th December

Since 9th January 2022, the day of the Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Hon. Prime Minister had announced that 26th December would be observed as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’, to mark the martyrdom of sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh – Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji. Veer Bal Diwas is a solemn occasion to pay tribute to the immense sacrifices made by Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh. These young sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji played a crucial role in shaping the legacy of courage and resilience in the face of adversity.

 “AWARD”

Oscar Nominations 2024

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently unveiled the highly anticipated nominations for the 96th Oscars across ten categories. Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie‘ emerged as a frontrunner with five nominations, while Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ secured nods in three categories, including Makeup and Hairstyling, Sound, and Original Score. Unfortunately, no Indian film made the shortlist this year.

“DEFENCE”

INS Imphal, India’s first warship named after a northeastern state, commissioned

INS Imphal (Pennant D68), the third of four warships of Project 15B that together form the Visakhapatnam class stealth-guided missile destroyers, is set to be commissioned into the Indian Navy in Mumbai. The move aimed at boosting its maritime capability amid China’s increasing forays into the Indian Ocean region. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was the Chief Guest at the event.

It is the first warship to have been named after a city from the Northeastern region, the approval for which was accorded by the President in April 2019.

“APPOINTMENT”

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

India’s diplomatic ties with Sri Lanka have taken a new turn with the appointment of Santosh Jha as the country’s new High Commissioner. In a significant ceremony held in Colombo on Friday, Jha officially assumed charge and presented his credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe. This development comes as Jha takes over the role from Gopal Baglay, who has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to Australia.

“NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS”

Sony Sports ropes in Kartik Aaryan as brand ambassador for football

Sony Sports Network (SSN) has kicked off a new era of football enthusiasm in India by appointing Bollywood heartthrob and Gen Z icon Kartik Aaryan as their official brand ambassador for the beautiful game. This strategic partnership aims to bring football closer to a wider Indian audience and ignite passion for the sport across generations.

Aditya-L1’s Arrival Confirmed For January 6 By ISRO Chairman

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman, S Somanath, recently announced a significant milestone in India’s space exploration journey. The Aditya-L1, India’s first solar mission, is set to reach the Lagrangian point L1 on January 6. This point, located 1.5 million kilometers away from Earth, marks a critical stage in the mission’s objectives.

Vita Dani Makes History As First Indian On ITTF Governing Board

In a groundbreaking achievement, Vita Dani, a prominent sports entrepreneur, has etched her name in history by becoming the first Indian to be appointed as a governing board member of the International Table Tennis Federation’s (ITTF) Foundation. The ITTF Foundation, established in 2018, aims to enhance the appeal of table tennis and attract a more diverse audience to the sport.

UP to build India’s first AI city in Lucknow

Uttar Pradesh is set to establish the country’s first AI city in Lucknow. This initiative aims to create a thriving hub for artificial intelligence, integrating cutting-edge technology, research centers, and educational institutions to foster innovation and nurture the workforce of the future. A report by Grand View Research pegged the global AI market size at $137 billion in 2022 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 37.3 percent from 2023 to 2030. Lucknow houses Centres of Excellence in areas like AI and MedTech (with extensive AI integration). The AI COE (centre in IIIT Lucknow) alone supports more than 15 AI/ML start-ups, nurturing a culture of creativity and entrepreneurship. The government will provide 40 acres in Nadarganj Industrial Area for the project, which is free from all encumbrances and supports land acquisition, zoning regulations, and other relevant clearances.