NATIONAL:
1. Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2.0
Why in news - Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate the second edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2023 at Namo Ghat in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Key Points -
• PM Launches multi language and braille translations of Thirukkural, Manimekalai and other classic Tamil literature.
• Flags off the Kanyakumari – Varanasi Tamil Sangamam train “Kashi Tamil Sangamam furthers the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat”
• The first edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam was organized from 16th November to 16th December 2022, by the Ministry of Education working as the nodal agency. Leveraging the experience of the first edition, IIT Madras will be acting as the implementing agency in Tamil Nadu and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Uttar Pradesh.
2. Surat Diamond Bourse
Why in news - PM Modi inaugurates Surat Diamond Bourse in Gujarat.
Key Points -
• The Surat Diamond Bourse building, the world’s largest office complex with more than 67 lakh square feet of floor area, is located at Khajod village near Surat city.
• The Prime Minister describing the project as an “emblem of new India and its strength.”
About SDB:
• The Surat Diamond Bourse is a not for profit organization promoted by SDB Diamond Bourse, a company registered under section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013.
INTERATIONAL:
1. Red Sea
Why in news - World's largest shipping group, MSC announces the diversion of its ships from the Red Sea.
Key Points -
• World's largest shipping group, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has announced that it is diverting its ships away from the Red Sea after an attack on one of its container ships.
• The decision comes after attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
• The Red Sea is one of the world's most important routes for oil and fuel shipments. But the Houthis have been stepping up their attacks, using drones and rockets against foreign-owned vessels.
About Red Sea -
• The Red Sea, one of the most saline bodies of water in the world, is an inlet of the Indian Ocean between Africa and Asia.
• Bordering Countries: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti.
• Connected to the Indian ocean in south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden.
ART & CULTURE:
1. Swarved Mahamandir
Why in news - PM inaugurates Swarved Mahamandir in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Key Points -
• Swarved Mahamandir, as the name suggests, is The Temple of Spirituality.
• The Swarveda Mahamandir is dedicated to the Swarveda, a unique Spiritual Scripture which is providing unmatched resonance and energy to the world; establishing peace, harmony and love .
• World’s largest meditation center.
About Swarved:
• The etymology of Swarved itself is sourced from two words; ‘Swaha’ meaning Brahm, the Universal Energy, and ‘Ved’, meaning knowledge. Hence, the Swarved is an unparalleled Spiritual text dealing with the Knowledge of the Universal Being; The Almighty Himself.
• Swarved is a spiritual text which contains the theory and most importantly, the practical technique of Vihangam Yoga.
DEATH:
1. Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
Why in news - Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah dies at 86.
Key Points -
• Born in 1937, Sheikh Nawaf was the fifth son of Kuwait's late ruler Sheikh Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah who ruled from 1921 to 1950.
• Kuwait's crown prince, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah, was named the country's new emir after the death of his predecessor Sheikh Nawaf.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. International Migrant’s Day 2023 (18-December)
Why in news - Each year, International Migrants' Day is observed on 18 December.
Key Points -
• 2023 Theme: Act Today
• Designated by the United Nations General Assembly on 4 December 2000, in response to increasing migration around the world, the day aims to draw attention to migrants' human rights and highlight their contribution to our societies.
2. Veer Yodha Samman Diwas (16-December)
Why in news - Embassy of India celebrates Veer Yodha Samman Diwas in Saudi Arabia
Key Points:
• The Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia commemorated Veer Yodha Samman Diwas, honoring Armed Forces Veterans in a special event.
• The eve of Vijay Diwas, signifying the decisive victory of the Indian Armed Forces over Pakistan in 1971.
• 2nd Edition of the Veer Yodha Samman Diwas organized by the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.
• The inaugural event took place in December 2022.
SPORTS:
1. Khelo India Para Games
Why in news - First-ever Khelo India Para Games conclude in New Delhi.
Key Points -
• The first-ever Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) concluded in New Delhi with Haryana winning the inaugural title by securing 105 medals including 40 gold, 39 silver, and 26 bronze.
• KIPG 2023, which began on December 10, witnessed the participation of around 1,450 para-athletes from across the country.
BIHAR:
1. Degree in Bhojpuri
Why in news - Country's first Bhojpuri degree given from Banaras Hindu University.
Key Points -
• The second day of the main convocation ceremony of Kashi Hindu University, the country's first (Bhojpuri) degree was given in the Faculty of Arts.
• The entire research was written in Bhojpuri.
• It is historical that researcher Dheeraj Kumar Gupta used Banarasi Bhojpuri language to present the research.
About Bhojpuri Language -
• Bhojpuri is an Indo-Aryan language native to the Bhojpur-Purvanchal region of India and the Terai region of Nepal.
• It is chiefly spoken in eastern Uttar Pradesh, western Bihar and northwestern Jharkhand.
• Inclusion of the Bhojpuri language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India has been one of the oldest demands of the people who speak this language.
• At present, the 8th Schedule of the Constitution has 22 languages but originally there were 14 included in the Constitution. Sindhi language was added in 1967. Thereafter three more languages Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali were included in 1992. Subsequently Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santhali were added in 2004.
POINTERS:
• Hon'ble Vice-President's Address at the International Geeta Mahotsav in which state - Haryana (Kurukshetra)
• Report titled ‘Coal 2023 Analysis and forecast to 2026’ released by -International Energy Agency (IEA)
• “Enhancing Insurance inclusivity and bridging the protection gap in India” report released by -National Insurance Academy (NIA).
• Who has recently been selected for 33rd Vyas Samman, 2023- Pushpa Bharti
• 2-day long Atal Health Fair in Lucknow inaugurates by - Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar
• Indian doctors of which Hospital successfully conduct India's first Bone Marrow Transplant - Army Hospital , Delhi Cant
• Ministry of Defence signed contract with which organisation for Upgraded Super Rapid Gun Mount and other equipment for around 3000 crores-BHEL
• Which state clinched the title of 13th Senior National men’s hockey championship- Punjab
• Second Thomas Shoal, that was in news recently, is located in which sea- South China Sea
• Recently, Bharat Adivasi Party, a lesser-known tribal rights party clinched its first electoral win in which state- Madhya Pradesh
Click here to download Current Affairs English PDF
Click here to download Current Affairs Hindi PDF