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India Partners with France Museums Développement to Establish Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum as a Global Cultural Landmark.

The Ministry of Culture announced the partnership with France Museums Développement (FMD) to develop the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum as a world-class cultural institution. This ambitious project is an integral part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project and is set to span approximately 1,55,000 square meters across the iconic North and South Blocks in New Delhi.

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India Partners with France Museums Développement to Establish Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum as a Global Cultural Landmark.

The museum, envisioned as a celebration of India’s unbroken civilizational history, was first announced by the Prime Minister at the International Museum Expo in May 2023 and further highlighted during the inauguration of Bharat Mandapam in the following July.

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India Partners with France Museums Développement to Establish Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum as a Global Cultural Landmark.

As part of this agreement, India and France will collaborate on a comprehensive feasibility study, encompassing museum case studies, interpretive planning, and building programming.

This strategic partnership builds on years of cultural cooperation between the two nations. France’s renowned expertise in museum development, exemplified by the Grand Louvre,

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India Partners with France Museums Développement to Establish Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum as a Global Cultural Landmark.

will play a pivotal role in shaping this project. The Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum will redefine the museum experience, offering a platform that celebrates India’s heritage while embracing contemporary narratives. Through this collaboration, India and France continue to strengthen their cultural bonds, setting a benchmark for international partnerships in heritage.

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Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) sign $42 million loan to strengthen coastal protection.

The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $42 million loan to provide coastal and riverbank protection to increase resilience of local communities and natural ecosystems in the state of Maharashtra.

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Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) sign $42 million loan to strengthen coastal protection.

ADB will help build the capacity of the Maharashtra Maritime Board in shore management planning, including the establishment of a coastal infrastructure management unit. The project will support capacity building of stakeholders on gender equality and social inclusion, coastal management, and livelihood activities.

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9-hour spacewalk: Chinese astronauts top US record, making space history.

Two Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station have set a new world record for the longest single spacewalk, breaking a record that had stood for over 23 years. At 9.57 pm Beijing time on Tuesday, astronauts Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong completed a nine-hour extravehicular activity, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

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9-hour spacewalk: Chinese astronauts top US record, making space history.

Their spacewalk surpassed the previous record of eight hours and 56 minutes, set by Nasa astronauts James Voss and Susan Helms in 2001 during a mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

The spacewalk is not only a record-breaking feat but also a milestone in China’s space exploration journey.

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9-hour spacewalk: Chinese astronauts top US record, making space history.

Earlier this year, astronauts aboard the Shenzhou-18 mission had set new benchmark by spending over eight hours outside the Tiangong space station. The astronauts’ ability to endure longer spacewalks was supported by the second-generation ‘Feitian’ spacesuits, which were capable of supporting up to eight hours of external work, a significant improvement over the pr. design.

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9-hour spacewalk: Chinese astronauts top US record, making space history.

The spacewalk was particularly notable for Song Lingdong, who became the first Chinese astronaut born in the 1990s to complete a spacewalk.

China’s journey into spacewalks began in September 2008 when astronaut Zhai Zhigang became the first Chinese astronaut to perform a spacewalk, spending just under 20 minutes outside the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft.

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Salman Khan joins hands as Brand Ambassador to promote inaugural Kho Kho World Cup.

Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) announced the onboarding of Indian superstar Salman Khan as the brand ambassador to promote the inaugural edition of the kho kho World Cup, set to take place in New Delhi between January 13th to January 19th, 2025.

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Salman Khan joins hands as Brand Ambassador to promote inaugural Kho Kho World Cup.

The Kho Kho World Cup will see 21 Men’s and 20 Women’s teams competing in the week-long tournament, seeing participation of 24 nations traveling for the tournament to India.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has officially confirmed its partnership with the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), pledging unwavering support for the event.

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KKFI President- Shri Sudhanshu Mittal

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NITI Aayog Releases Report on “S.A.F.E. Accommodation: Worker Housing for Manufacturing Growth”.

Niti Aayog has mooted several policy interventions to enable creation of mega workers’ accommodations near factories, including classifying the land as residential units for levying lower property tax, power and water tariffs so as to ensure better living standards, providing viability gap funding to develop these projects in public-private-partnership (PPP) mode,

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NITI Aayog Releases Report on “S.A.F.E. Accommodation: Worker Housing for Manufacturing Growth”.

and GST exemptions, among others.

The lack of suitable accommodations restricts migration of workers, particularly women, thereby limiting the manufacturing sector’s growth potential, NITI Aayog said in a report titled ‘S.A.F.E (Site Adjacent Factory Employee) Accommodation-Worker Housing for manufacturing growth’ released.

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NITI Aayog Releases Report on “S.A.F.E. Accommodation: Worker Housing for Manufacturing Growth”.

The report also called for GST exemptions for accommodations meeting specified criteria (e.g., Rs 20,000 per person per month for a continuous stay of 90 days).

The report pitched for including S.A.F.E. accommodations under the exemptions provided for industrial sheds, schools, colleges, and hostels in the draft notification issued by the

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NITI Aayog Releases Report on “S.A.F.E. Accommodation: Worker Housing for Manufacturing Growth”.

Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF & CC).

The report further suggested amending zoning regulations to allow mixed-use developments near industrial hubs, facilitating worker housing close to workplaces.

To overcome financial barriers, the report pitched for providing up to 30%-40% of project costs (excluding land) through VGF (Viability Gap Funding).

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NITI Aayog Releases Report on “S.A.F.E. Accommodation: Worker Housing for Manufacturing Growth”.

The report also emphasised on transparent bidding processes to determine VGF support, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

It recommended leveraging VGF to upgrade brownfield worker accommodations, enhancing their safety, capacity, and utility.

The report highlights several challenges that hinder the development of worker accommodations, including

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NITI Aayog Releases Report on “S.A.F.E. Accommodation: Worker Housing for Manufacturing Growth”.

restrictive zoning laws, high operating costs, and conservative building bye-laws, among others.

Identifying several benefits of providing S.A.F.E. accommodations for industrial workers, the report said multinational corporations and global investors increasingly evaluate worker welfare and operational efficiency when making investment decisions.

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Former Haryana CM, INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala dies at 89.

Former Haryana chief minister and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chief, Om Prakash Chautala, died at the age of 89. He served as the state chief minister for five terms.

Chautala, a seven-time MLA, served as the Chief Minister of Haryana for a record five terms, starting in December 1989, with his final two consecutive terms spanning from 1999 to 2005.

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Former Haryana CM, INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala dies at 89.

Born in January 1935 into a prominent political family, Chautala is the son of Chaudhary Devi Lal, who served as the 6th Deputy Prime Minister of India. Devi Lal was also a Chief Minister of Haryana.

He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1987 and served there until 1990.

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MoD inks Rs 7,629 crore contract with L&T for K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns for Indian Army.

Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro Limited for procurement of 155 mm/52 calibre K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns for the Indian Army under Buy (Indian) category at a total cost of Rs 7,628.70 crore. The contract was signed by senior officials of the Ministry and representatives of L&T.

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MoD inks Rs 7,629 crore contract with L&T for K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns for Indian Army.

The project will generate an employment of more than nine lakh man-days over a period of four years and encourage active participation of various Indian industries including MSMEs. The project will be a proud flag-bearer of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in consonance with the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative.

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M2P Fintech Collaborates with SBI to Revolutionise Prepaid Payment Solutions.

In a strategic move to enhance the prepaid payment ecosystem, M2P Fintech has joined hands with the State Bank of India (SBI) to deliver seamless and secure payment experiences. This collaboration aims to introduce innovative and user-friendly solutions, positioning prepaid payment systems as smarter, more efficient alternatives in the financial landscape.

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M2P Fintech Collaborates with SBI to Revolutionise Prepaid Payment Solutions.

The partnership focuses on leveraging M2P Fintech’s advanced technology platform, renowned for its agility and scalability, combined with SBI’s vast network and customer base. Together, they seek to address the evolving needs of digital payment users, ensuring convenience, security, and reliability.

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M2P Fintech Collaborates with SBI to Revolutionise Prepaid Payment Solutions.

This partnership is a significant step toward driving digital transformation in India’s payment infrastructure. It aligns with shared vision of both entities to promote financial inclusion and empower users with cutting-edge payment tools.By introducing innovative prepaid solutions, the collaboration also contributes to the government’s goal of fostering a cashless economy.

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International Human Solidarity Day| 20 December

The General Assembly, on 22 December 2005, by resolution 60/209 identified solidarity as one of the fundamental and universal values that should underlie relations between peoples in the twenty-first century, and in that regard decided to proclaim 20 December of each year International Human Solidarity Day.

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International Human Solidarity Day| 20 December

Through initiatives such as the establishment of the World Solidarity Fund to eradicate poverty and the proclamation of International Human Solidarity Day, the concept of solidarity was promoted as crucial in the fight against poverty and in the involvement of all relevant stakeholders.

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Goa Liberation Day| 19 December

Goa Liberation Day is celebrated every year on December 19 to mark the freedom of Goa from Portuguese rule in 1961. This ended the struggle of freedom fighters against the 451 years of colonial rule. Goa gained independence on this day and became an integral part of India.

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Goa Liberation Day| 19 December

The people of India celebrate December 19 every year as Goa, Daman, and Diu Liberation Day with great enthusiasm and grandeur.

Goa Liberation Day was the day when Goa officially became part of the Indian Union in 1961 after centuries of Portuguese colonial rule.

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RBI imposes Rs 27.30 lakh penalty on IndusInd Bank.

A penalty of Rs 27.30 lakh has been imposed on IndusInd Bank for non-compliance with certain provisions of norms related to 'interest rate on deposits', the Reserve Bank said. The RBI had conducted a statutory inspection for supervisory evaluation of the bank with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2023, and had issued a notice to the private sector lender.

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RBI imposes Rs 27.30 lakh penalty on IndusInd Bank.

The RBI, however, added the penalty is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transactions or agreement entered into by IndusInd Bank with its customers.

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Shriram Finance announces green finance vertical, aims Rs 5,000 crore under AUM in 4 years.

Shriram Finance announced the consolidation of its green financing initiatives under Shriram Green Finance to grow and expand beyond electric vehicle (EV) financing. Additionally, the company has set a target for assets under management (AUM) of Rs 5,000 crore for the vertical over the next 3–4 years.

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Shriram Finance announces green finance vertical, aims Rs 5,000 crore under AUM in 4 years.

Building on its existing expertise in financing electric vehicles, Shriram Green Finance will provide sharper focus and clarity to its sustainability efforts. It consolidates the green finance business with a vision to build a robust green finance portfolio through financing EVs, battery charging stations, renewable energy products and solutions, energy-efficient machinery.

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Shriram Finance announces green finance vertical, aims Rs 5,000 crore under AUM in 4 years.

By leveraging its extensive customer base, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas, Shriram Finance has the potential to play a transformative role in green financing.

The growth in India’s renewable energy sector over the past decade, driven by government initiatives and a focus on sustainability, provides an opportunity for Shriram Finance to grow.

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