- National:
- On 20th December 2023, Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, marked the first foundation day of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa by releasing a commemorative postal stamp. The event was jointly organized by the All India Institute of Ayurveda and India Post and took place at the Transport Bhawan in New Delhi.
- The actress Aastha Rawal was indeed crowned with the title of Miss Continental International 2023. This event was particularly significant as it was the first time that the Miss Continental International pageant was held in India, breaking away from the traditional locations of the Philippines or Malaysia.
- The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) unveiled its new CA India logo at the Global Professional Accountants Convention (GloPAC) in Gandhinagar. The logo was launched by the Hon’ble Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, in the presence of Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, CA. Piyush Goyal, and other dignitaries.
- Angola has announced its departure from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) due to a dispute over output quotas. This decision came after OPEC and 10 allied nations decided to further reduce oil production in 2024 to stabilize global prices. Angola, which joined OPEC in 2007, produces about 1.1 million barrels of oil per day. With Angola’s exit, OPEC now has 12 members, with a combined oil production of about 27 million barrels per day, which is around 27% of the world crude market.
- The ‘Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023’ was passed by the Indian Parliament on December 21, 2023. It modernizes the registration process for periodicals, introduces a Press Registrar General, allows online submission of press information, and includes provisions for suspending a periodical’s registration. It also requires digital news platforms to do a “one-time registration”.
- International:
- Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was sworn in as the 17th Emir of Kuwait. He started his political career through security and military work, spending over 56 years in these fields. He graduated from Britain’s Hendon Police College in 1960. Sheikh Meshal was born in 1940 and grew up in the ruling house. He is the seventh son of the ruler and the half-brother of three consecutive emirs of Kuwait.
- Banking:
- Hinduja-promoted IndusInd Bank recently sold its entire 2.86% stake in Nippon Life India Asset Management for Rs 795 crore through open market transactions. The shares were disposed of at an average price of Rs 445.35 per piece, taking the combined transaction value to Rs 795.27 crore. The buyers included SBI Mutual Fund, ICICI Prudential MF, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance, ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company, Societe Generale, and Morgan Stanley Asia Singapore. This transaction was carried out through 13 tranches, offloading 1,78,57,355 shares.
- Defence:
- Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) has indeed achieved a significant milestone by delivering the 250th fuselage for the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter on 20th December 2023. This fuselage was manufactured at TBAL’s state-of-the-art facility in Hyderabad, India.
- Reports:
- According to the India Skills Report 2024, Kerala has indeed emerged as the most preferred state to work in India. The report highlights that both male and female job seekers across the country prefer Kerala. Two cities in Kerala, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, have been identified as the most preferred places to work among the youth. The report, was published by talent assessment agency Wheebox.
- Sports:
- In the Chennai Grand Masters 2023 tournament, Indian chess prodigy, Dommaraju Gukesh clinched the title by holding compatriot Pentala Harikrishna for a draw on 21st December 2023. Meanwhile, Arjun Erigaisi secured the second spot.
- Science & Technology:
- Scientists have recently identified volcanic activity on Mars, specifically in regions known as Elizabeth Planitia and Elysium Planitia. This discovery reveals recent eruptions and ongoing volcanic processes. The findings could have significant implications for research into whether Mars could have harbored life at some point in its history.
- Important Days:
- The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on 25th August 2023, proclaiming 21st December as World Basketball Day. This day was chosen because basketball was played for the first time on 21st December 1891 at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. The theme for the inaugural UN World Basketball Day on 21st December 2023 was "Basketball: Crafting an Enduring Legacy for A Better Future".
- Awards & Honors:
- The poet-critic Sukrita Paul Kumar has indeed won the 2023 Tagore Literary Prize for her book, 'Salt & Pepper: Selected Poems’. This prestigious award was founded in 2018 by US-based publisher Peter Bundalo and serves as a platform for world peace, literature, art, education, and human rights.
- The Rambagh Gate and Ramparts in Amritsar, Punjab, were indeed awarded the prestigious Award of Excellence at the 2023 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The Rambagh Gate is one of the main entrances to the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine of Sikhism. The ramparts are part of the historic city walls of Amritsar, which were built in the 18th century.
- Appointments:
- Sanjay Singh has been elected as the new president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). He has been associated with the WFI since 2011 and has been serving as the joint secretary since 2019.
- Obituaries:
- Dr. V. Mohini Giri, a renowned women’s rights activist and former chairperson of the National Commission for Women, passed away following a brief illness. She was 86 years old. Dr. Giri was a significant figure in the women’s rights movement and made substantial contributions to the field.
Questions:
Q.1 What award did the Rambagh Gate and Ramparts in Amritsar, Punjab receive in 2023?a. The Nobel Prize for Architecture
b. The Pritzker Architecture Prize
c. The Award of Excellence at the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation
d. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture
Q.2 Who won the Chennai Grand Masters 2023 tournament?
a. Pentala Harikrishna
b. Dommaraju Gukesh
c. Arjun Erigaisi
d. None of the above
