NATIONAL NEWS

World's Largest Yoga Center

world's largest yoga center has been constructed in Varanasi.

This yoga center has been named 'Swarveda Mahamandir'.

This yoga center was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

20,000 people can sit for meditation at a time in this center.

The construction work of Swarveda Mahamandir started in the year 2004.

The seven-story Swarveda Mahamandir is spread over 68000 square feet.

It symbolizes the wonderful harmony of craft and cutting-edge technology.

It is a spiritual temple dedicated to Swarveda.

Prime Minister Modi addressed the audience and expressed his optimism about the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

NTPC Group Achieves 300 Billion Units Electricity Generation

NTPC Group has achieved the fastest ever 300 Billion Units (BU) electricity generation.

This milestone was achieved in just 262 days in FY 2023-24, which is 18 days early compared to the last financial year.

In FY 2022-23, the company had crossed 300 BU generation on 05 January 2023.

On a standalone basis, 256 BU generation has been recorded from NTPC stations in FY 2023-24.

This accomplishment reinforces NTPC's commitment to delivering reliable and affordable power to the Nation.

The company is committed to achieve 60 GW of Renewable Energy capacity by the year 2032.

Along with power generation, NTPC has also ventured into various new business areas including e-mobility, Waste-to-Energy, Green Hydrogen solutions and has participated in the bidding for power distribution of Union Territories.

 

BANKING

'Reliance Health Global' Insurance Policy

Reliance General Insurance Company introduced “Reliance Health Global", a healthcare policy aimed at providing Indians with access to global healthcare.

The policy offers extensive coverage both within India and worldwide, catering to individuals with a global lifestyle.

It is designed for those seeking top-notch healthcare services globally, ensuring a seamless healthcare experience.

Substantial sum-insured coverage is up to $1 million, providing a robust sense of security for medical treatment abroad.

Aside from covering scheduled hospitalization, the policy includes provisions for travel, accommodation, and comprehensive Visa and assistance services, addressing unforeseen situations like lost passport or emergency cash needs.

The policy covers expenses related to organ donors, providing financial support for critical medical procedures.

LIC Announces Increase in Gratuity Limit for Agents

Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has notified an increase in gratuity limit to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 3 lakh for LIC agents with an aim to bring substantial improvements to the working conditions and benefits for them.

The increase was affected by amending the Life Insurance Corporation of India (Agents) Regulations, 2017.

These regulations may be called the Life Insurance Corporation of India (Agents) Amendment Regulations, 2023.

These regulations came into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette dated 06 December 2023.

It also enabled the reappointed agents to be eligible for renewal commission, thereby providing them with increased financial stability.

Currently, LIC agents are not eligible for renewal commission on any business completed under the old agency.

Razorpay and Cashfree to Operate as Payment Aggregators

Razorpay and Cashfree have received the final authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as Payment Aggregators (PAs).

Payment Aggregators (PAs) are entities that facilitate e-commerce sites and merchants in accepting various payment instruments from customers, streamlining the payment process without requiring merchants to create their systems.

PAs collect payments from customers, pool them, and transfer them to the merchants, offering a seamless transaction experience.

 

SPORTS

Inter State-Inter Zonal Badminton Championship

In team events of the 75th Inter State-Inter Zonal Badminton Championship 2023, Maharashtra bagged women's and Airport Authority of India (AAI) won the men's title events in Guwahati.

The national championship organized by Badminton Association of India is being held in Assam after four years.

The dominant AAI team appeared in both the men’s and women’s team finals and won the title in the men’s category as they outclassed Karnataka 3-0.

In the women’s team event final, Maharashtra dominated AAI 3-0.

Khelo India Partnered with Svayam

Khelo India, the flagship program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and Svayam, India's pioneering accessibility organisation, joined hands to ensure transportation and infrastructure are accessible in New Delhi during the Khelo India Para Games.

Accessible transportation services were provided for more than participating 1400 para-athletes.

More than 300 volunteers, and officials associated with the Games were sensitised at the beginning of this 8-day-long event.

Accessible buses and minivans were kept ready for all the Para-Athletes, Para-Officials, and Para-Coaches from their arrival in the city to their departure, including from railway stations, bus stations, and the airport.

Khelo India Para Games conclude in New Delhi       

Khelo India Para Games concluded in New Delhi.

This was the first edition of Khelo India Para Games.

Haryana secured the top position in this game.

Haryana won 105 medals including 40 gold, 49 silver, and 26 bronze medals.

Uttar Pradesh secured second position by winning 62 medals including 25 gold, 23 silver and 14 bronze medals.

Tamil Nadu secured third position by winning 20 gold, 8 silver and 14 bronze medals.

The winners were awarded by Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Director General of Prisons

Senior IPS officer Maheshwar Dayal was appointed as Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services.

As Inspector General of Police (IG) Economic Offences in the Tamil Nadu Police, Dayal played a pivotal role in addressing complex economic crimes.

His tenure saw effective strategies implemented to curb financial wrongdoing.

The officer’s commitment to maintaining law and order led to subsequent appointments as IG Anti-Naxal Commando force, Government of India and IG Anti-Naxal Operations with the CRPF in Ranchi.

These roles underscore his dedication to tackling insurgency and maintaining internal security.

 

DEFENCE

DRDO has Shot Down 4 Targets Simultaneously Using Akash Missile

Defense Research and Development Organization has shot down 4 targets simultaneously using Akash missile system.

DRDO demonstrated the capability of the Akash missile system to simultaneously engage four aerial targets at a range of 25 kilometers.

India became the first country to demonstrate the capability to engage 4 air targets simultaneously at a distance of 25 km by command guidance using a single firing unit.

This ability is Displayed in 'Astra Shakti’ military exercises.

Akash is a short-range surface-to-air missile with a strike range of up to 25 km.

It is mainly used to protect vulnerable areas and points from air attacks.

                                  

IMPORTANT DAYS        

Good Governance Week

Good Governance Week is being organized every year in the country from 19 to 25 December.

This week of the year 2023 was inaugurated by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology.

The third edition of Good Governance Week is being organized in the year 2023.

This week was organized for the first time in the year 2021.

Good Governance Week is organized by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances.

The events of Good Governance Week yield very positive results and generate a greater sense of commitment and solidarity in the Government's firm objective of promoting administrative reforms.

Good Governance Week is organized in the memory of former Prime Minister of the country Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

 

OBITUTARY

Kuwait's Ruling Emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah

Kuwait's ruling emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah passed away at the age of 86.

He was appointed governor of Hawalli on 21 February 1962 and held the post until 19 March 1978

He was minister of interior (1978–1988, 2003–2006), minister of defense (1988–1991) and deputy prime minister (2020–2023).

Following the liberation of Kuwait in the Gulf War, Nawaf was appointed the acting minister of labour and social affairs on 20 April 1991 and held the post until 17 October 1992.

On 16 October 1994, Nawaf was appointed deputy chief of the Kuwait National Guard and held that post until 2003.

He was Emir of Kuwait from 29 September 2020 until his death in 2023.