1 Country’s first digital museum made from the stones of Jaisalmer
India’s first digital museum has opened for visitors from all over the world. Built in the Parwadi area on the Mumbai-Pune highway, this museum took 12 years to build and cost about Rs 400 crore. The museum complex has a grand replica of the Chittorgarh fort made of Jaisalmer stones . This museum is based on the history and philosophy of Jainism . Located on the banks of the Indrayani river and close to the 2200-year-old yellow Jain caves, this museum is spread over 3.5 lakh square feet . It has 30 specially designed viewing galleries. There are more than 350 artifacts, statues and replicas here. A thousand-year-old manuscript of Jainism has also been put up in the gallery.
2 During the visit of Prime Minister Modi, agreements were signed with Kuwait in many important areas including defense, culture, sports
During the historic two-day visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi , India and Kuwait agreed to elevate relations to a ‘ strategic partnership’ and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to regularize bilateral cooperation in the defense sector on Sunday. Recognizing defense as an important component of the strategic partnership, both countries say that the MoU will provide the necessary framework to further strengthen bilateral defense relations . This includes joint military exercises, training of defense personnel, coastal defense, maritime security and joint development and production of defense equipment . The establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries will broaden and deepen the base of the long-standing historical relations. At the invitation of Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah , Emir of the State of Kuwait , Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Kuwait from 21 to 22 December 2024. This was his first visit to Kuwait.
3 ISRO will launch Spadex mission on 30th of this month
Indian Space Research Organization- ISRO will launch the Spadex mission on the 30th of this month . Under this, two small satellites will be launched from the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-PSLV at Sriharikota for docking in space . The joining of one spacecraft with another spacecraft is called docking and the separation of two spacecrafts in space is called undocking. Spadex is a low-cost technology which is necessary for landing astronauts on the moon, bringing samples from the moon and building an Indian space station. With the success of this mission, India will become the fourth country in the world with space docking technology.
4 Aero India-2025: 15th edition to be held in Bengaluru from February 10 to 14
‘ Aero India-2025 ‘ will be held from 10 to 14 February 2025 at Air Force Station Yelahanka in Bengaluru, Karnataka . This will be the 15th edition of Aero India. The first three days of this five-day event will be business days. The event will include a major trade exhibition of the aerospace and defense sector as well as air displays by the Indian Air Force and other participants. Apart from global leaders and major companies in the aerospace industry, think-tanks from around the world will also participate in this exhibition. Aero India-2023 was attended by representatives from more than 27 countries and more than 809 exhibitors.
5 major initiatives launched to protect consumer rights, AI tools, e-com safeguards launched
Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi launched several consumer-friendly initiatives on the occasion of National Consumer Day 2024. These include artificial intelligence-enabled helplines and tools to detect deceptive marketing practices . Along with this, major e-commerce companies pledged to enhance online shopping security on this occasion. Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi addressed the National Consumer Rights Day celebrations organized at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi through video conferencing. On this occasion, ‘ Jago Grahak Jago App ‘, ‘ Jagriti App ‘ and ‘ Jagriti Dashboard ‘, ‘ E-Map ‘ portal for all services , legal metrology services, AI-enabled NCH 2.0 and smart standards were launched.
6 new Chief Justices of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand High Courts appointed
On 23 December, Justice GS Sandhawalia was appointed Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court , while Justice Narendra G. was appointed Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court . Justice Sandhawalia is currently a judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court, while Justice Narendra G. is a judge of Andhra Pradesh High Court. The Supreme Court Collegium recommended the name of Justice Narendra G. on 24 September. On 17 September, the Collegium recommended the name of Justice Sandhawalia. The post of Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court was vacant since the retirement of Justice Rajiv Shakdhar on 18 October, now Justice Sandhawalia will replace him. On the other hand, Narendra G. will replace Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari, the acting Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court.
7 French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou announced the new government
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has announced a new government. Former Prime Ministers Manuel Valls and Elisabeth Borne have also been included in the new cabinet. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister of Europe Affairs and Foreign Affairs, and Sebastien Lecornu will remain in key positions as Defense Minister. Prime Minister Bayrou held a cabinet meeting that sought to pass the 2025 budget and address the growing national debt after months of political deadlock. The first cabinet meeting under the new government is scheduled for January 3, 2025.
8 Aisake Valu Ike elected as the new Prime Minister of Tonga
Aisake Valu Ike has been elected as the new Prime Minister of Tonga . He will be officially sworn in as Prime Minister in February next year. He will replace Hukavameliku Siaosi Sowaleni, who resigned on 9 December.
9 BCCI announces 15-member Indian women’s cricket team for 2025 Under-19 T20 World Cup
The Board of Control for Cricket in India – BCCI has announced the 15-member Indian women’s cricket team for the 2025 Under-19 T20 World Cup . Nikki Prasad will captain the team. Sanika Chalke has been made the vice-captain. Kamalini G and Bhavika Ahire have been included in the team as wicketkeepers. The ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup will start on January 18 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
10 Sahu Tushar Mane won gold medal in 10m air rifle event in 67th National Shooting Championship
In the 67th National Shooting Championship in Bhopal , Sahu Tushar Mane defeated Dhanush Srikanth and won the gold medal in the 10 meter air rifle competition . This was his first senior national title. Dhanush Srikanth got the silver medal in this category. Yash Vardhan defeated Rudraksh Patil and won the bronze medal. In the men’s junior national final , Maharashtra’s Rudanksh Patil won the gold medal in the 10 meter air rifle category. Patil is a former world champion. In this category, Abhishek Shekhar of Karnataka won the silver and Haryana’s Himanshu won the bronze medal. In the men’s 10 meter air rifle youth competition, Himanshu won the gold medal with 253.0 points. In this category, Yash Pandey of Madhya Pradesh won the silver medal and Abhinav Shaw of West Bengal won the bronze medal.
11 National Consumer Day
National Consumer Day is celebrated every year on 24 December . On this day the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 came into force. The theme of this year is – Virtual Hearing and Digital Access to Consumer Justice .
12 NHAI launches project for sheltering animals on highways
The National Highways Authority of India has started a pilot project to build animal shelters along national highways . Its aim is to avoid animal-related accidents and make roads safer . The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said that this will improve the travel experience and also take care of homeless animals. These shelters will also be built on National Highways 334B, 148B, 21 and 112.
