Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi inaugurated the second edition of Krishnaveni Sangeetha Neerajanam music festival at the Tummalapalli Kshetrayya Kalakshetra Auditorium in Vijayawada on December 6.

• The three-day festival is being held across three iconic locations in Vijayawada, featuring over 140 talented artists and 35 mesmerising programmes that celebrate the rich legacy of Carnatic music.
• It celebrates the rich legacy of Telugu culture and the remarkable contributions of the Telugu language to classical traditions, showcasing a timeless repertoire of compositions. 
• The festival aims to revive these glorious traditions for the younger generation while promoting GI-tagged handicrafts and handloom products.

The Information & Broadcasting Ministry, in collaboration with the Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), has officially launched the WAVES Anime & Manga Contest. 

• It aims to nurture local talent and tap into the growing interest in Japanese manga and anime among Indian audiences.
• I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled the Create in India Challenge - Season One in Delhi on August 22. 

WAM! Objective

WAM! aims to tap into the burgeoning consumption of manga and anime in India by organizing state-level competitions in 11 cities, culminating in a grand national finale in Delhi.

The event seeks to establish a strong platform for creative expression, offering substantial marketing support and opportunities for international recognition.

Jasleen Kaur has won the 2024 Turner prize for her work animating everyday objects to reflect the pluralities of identity and community.

• At 38, Kaur was the youngest person on the shortlist for the 2024 edition of the prestigious Tate Britain-sponsored art award. The other artists in the running were Pio Abad, Claudette Johnson and Delaine Le Bas.
• Kaur was honoured for her exhibition titled Alter Altar, featuring sculptures and soundscapes that reflect her background growing up in an Indian Sikh family in Glasgow.
• The artist incorporates everyday objects in her work. Her winning exhibition included a red Ford Escort covered in a huge white lace doily, an acrylic "sky" hung with ordinary items, a large rug, and a soundtrack featuring worship bells, Sufi Islamic devotional music, Indian harmonium and pop music tracks.

About Turner Prize

The Turner Prize, named after the English painter J. M. W. Turner, is an annual prize presented to a British visual artist. Between 1991 and 2016, only artists under the age of 50 were eligible (this restriction was removed for the 2017 award).

The prize is awarded at Tate Britain every other year, with various venues outside of London being used in alternate years. Since its beginnings in 1984 it has become the UK's most publicised art award. The award represents all media.

Armed Forces Flag Day is celebrated every year on December 7 and the day has a special importance for not only the defense /armed forces but for the countrymen as well .

• The Armed Forces Flag Day or the Flag Day of India is a day dedicated to honoring the soldiers and veterans of India’s armed forces .
• It has been observed annually in India on December 7 since 1949.
• Immediately after India achieved independence, a need arose for the government to manage the welfare of its defense forces personnel .
• On August 28,1949 a committee set up under the defense minister decided to observe a Flag Day annually on December 7.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will pay an official visit to the Russian Federation from December 08-10, 2024. During the visit, Raksha Mantri and the Defence Minister of Russia Mr Andrey Belousov will co-chair the 21st meeting of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) in Moscow on December 10, 2024.

• The two leaders will review the entire range of multi-faceted relations between the two countries in the field of defence, including military-to-military and industrial cooperation.
• They will also exchange views on contemporary regional and global issues of mutual interest.
• As part of the visit, Raksha Mantri will also commission the Indian Navy’s latest multi-role stealth guided missile frigate ‘INS Tushil’ at Yantra Shipyard, Kaliningrad on December 09, 2024.
• Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi will accompany Shri Rajnath Singh for the commissioning ceremony.
• In addition, Raksha Mantri will pay tributes at ‘The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ in Moscow to honour the Soviet soldiers killed during the Second World War. He will also interact with the members of the Indian community.

President Droupadi Murmu attended the Navy Day celebration and witnessed the Operational Demonstration conducted by the Indian Navy at Puri Beach, Odisha on Wednesday (04 December 2024).

• The day is celebrated on the 4th of December every year to recognize the achievements and role of the Indian Navy. 
• The President greeted all personnel of the Indian Navy on Navy Day .
• The president said that today, on 4th December, we celebrate our glorious victory in the 1971 war and commemorate the selfless service and supreme sacrifice made by naval personnel in defence of the motherland.
• India is grateful to all personnel of the Indian Navy and every Indian salutes them for serving the nation with honour and courage.

The Defence Acquisition Council has approved five capital acquisition proposals amounting to over 21 thousand 772 crore rupees.

• The council under the Chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi yesterday has granted Acceptance of Necessity for the procurement of 31 New Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts for the Indian Navy.
• Defence Ministry said these are designed to perform the task of Low-Intensity Maritime Operations, Surveillance, Patrol, and Search and Rescue operations close to the coast.
• In addition, these vessels will play an effective role in Anti-Piracy missions, especially in and around Indian Island territories.

The fourth edition of the India-Malaysia Joint Military Exercise, HARIMAU SHAKTI, began at Bentong camp in Pahang district of Malaysia on Monday( 02 December).

• The event, conducted alternatively in India and Malaysia, will continue till December 15.
• The exercise aims to boost the joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter-insurgency operations in jungle terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate.
• Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI, which will focus on operations in the jungle environment, will be conducted in two phases. Cross-training between both armies, including lectures, demonstrations, and practices of various drills in jungle terrain, will form the first phase of the exercise.
• The second phase will be a simulated exercise, wherein troops will execute various drills, including anti-MT ambush, occupation of harbour, carrying out a recce patrol, ambush and an attack on area taken over by the terrorists.

The inaugural edition of the Joint Tabletop Exercise, CINBAX, between the Indian Army and the Cambodian Army officially began today at the Foreign Training Node in Pune. The exercise will run from December 1st to 8th, 2024.

• The Cambodian Army delegation consists of 20 personnel, while the Indian Army is represented by 20 soldiers from an Infantry Brigade.
• The exercise aims to foster enhanced cooperation and mutual understanding between the two armed forces through simulated scenarios, focusing on operational coordination, crisis management, and strategic decision-making.
• The event marks a significant milestone in strengthening defense ties between India and Cambodia.
• Exercise CINBAX is a specialized planning exercise designed to simulate the conduct of joint Counter-Terrorism (CT) operations in accordance with Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
• The primary objective of the exercise is to enhance coordination between the Indian and Cambodian armies in addressing common security challenges.

The Border Security Force is celebrating its 60th Raising Day after it came into being in 1965. The BSF raising day is celebrated on 1 December every year.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his warm wishes to the Border Security Force (BSF) on their Raising Day.
• He described the BSF as a vital part of India’s defence system, showcasing unmatched bravery, dedication, and commitment to service.  
• The BSF while marking its day has stated that the force remains committed to their moto. “As #BSFturns60 today, we, the Seema Prahari, proudly rededicate ourselves to the service of our Nation. We remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold our motto.” 
• The BSF is the world’s largest border-guarding force securing the 6,386.36 km long International Borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. 
• On the occasion of its Raising Day, the Border Security Force reiterated its commitment to the nation and its motto ‘lifelong duty’.

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi launched an online learning platform for the Indian Army nicknamed as "Eklavya".

• This initiative aligns with the Indian Army propelling itself into the "Decade of Transformation" as envisioned by the COAS and also with Indian Army's theme for 2024 as the "Year of Technology Absorption," a release said.
• The Eklavya software platform has been developed under the aegis of Headquarters Army Training Command with Army War College as the sponsor agency.
• The platform has been developed at zero cost through "Bhaskaracharya National Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics" (BISAG-N), Gandhinagar, along with support from Directorate General of Information Systems.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved opening of 85 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) under Civil/Defence sector across the country and expansion of one existing KV i.e. KV Shivamogga, District Shivamogga, Karnataka to facilitate increased number of Central Government employees by adding two additional Sections in all the classes under the Kendriya Vidyalaya Scheme (Central Sector Scheme).

• The total estimated requirement of funds for establishment of the 85 new KVs and expansion of 01 existing nearby KV is Rs. 5872.08 crore (approx.) spread over a period of eight years from 2025-26.
• This includes capital expenditure component of Rs. 2862.71 crore (approx.) and operational expenditure of Rs. 3009.37 crore (approx.).           
• As on date, there are 1256 functional KVs, including 03 abroad viz. Moscow, Kathmandu and Tehran and a total number of 13.56 lakh (approx.) students are studying in these KVs.   

Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday(6 December 2024) launched PM e-VIDYA Channel 31, a DTH channel dedicated to sign language.

• A historic chapter has been added to the welfare of Divyangs in the form of a new Act which enlarges the scope of the legal framework.
• The National Education Policy 2020 has stressed the education of children with special needs.
• Mentioning acclaimed personalities who were differently-abled, from Soordas to Stephen Hawking, Pradhan said immense potential lies in our Divyang friends and launch of the DTH channel will help unlock that potential.

"Brain rot" has been named the Oxford Word of the Year for 2024. The word winning this title reflects the growing concerns about the impact of consuming trivial social media content on mental health.

The word was chosen from a shortlist of six words – demure, dynamic pricing, lore, romantasy, and slop - after a public vote involving over 37,000 participants.

Oxford University Press (OUP) highlighted the increasing use of "brain rot" to describe the perceived negative effects of excessive consumption of low-quality online content.

Meaning of Brian Rot

In a blog post, OUP describes Brain Rot as a noun which means the “supposed deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as a result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging. Also: something characterised as likely to lead to such deterioration.”

International Civil Aviation Day is observed every year on December 7 to raise awareness about the role of civil aviation in promoting economic growth and global connectivity.

The day aims to Raise awareness of the importance of international civil aviation, to Engage with industry and aviation stakeholders to discuss different topics related to the future of aviation and to Develop international standards for aviation safety.

Theme of International Civil Aviation Day 2024

On December 7th to celebrate the International Civil Aviation Day 2024, the Council has decided that the theme will be “Safe Skies. Sustainable Future: Together for the next 80 years.”.

History of the day

This day was established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to highlight the contribution of sustainable development, peace and security.  It honours the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation promoting economic growth and global connectivity. 7 December 2024 also marks the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation in Chicago, US.

Indian Navy Day is observed every year on December 4 to honour the fearless and brave men and women who safeguard India's maritime boundaries.

• The day also pays tributes to the naval forces who sacrificed their lives during the Pakistan War in 1971.
• This year also marks the anniversary of Operation Trident. 
• This year, the celebrations will take place in Puri with the theme of "Strength and Power through Innovation and Indigestion."

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya honoured hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand on his death anniversary, calling him a global inspiration. 

• Mandaviya shared a photo on X of his floral tribute at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi.
• Hockey India also commemorated the occasion on Instagram, highlighting Dhyan Chand’s leadership of the Indian hockey team that clinched gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
• They noted his legacy continues to inspire players worldwide.
• His birthday, August 29, is celebrated annually as National Sports Day in India.

About Major Dhyan Chand

Born on August 29, 1905, Dhyan Chand was a three-time Olympic gold medalist, helping India win in 1928, 1932, and 1936. Over 185 matches for India, he scored an astonishing 570 goals. Known as 'The Wizard' for his unmatched skills, he passed away on December 3, 1979.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed globally on December 3rd each year.

This date provides an opportunity for governments, organizations, and communities to come together to raise awareness, promote inclusion, and take action to improve the lives of persons with disabilities.

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) joins global partners to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
• WHO emphasises that in order to meet global health objectives, reduce disparities, and build an inclusive future, it is essential to amplify the leadership roles of persons with disabilities.
• This commitment is vital to fostering health equity for all and ensuring that no one is left behind in achieving health and well-being.

Theme of this year

The theme for this year is 'Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future,' underscores the critical need to empower people with disabilities, enabling them to take on leadership roles in the health sector and beyond.

Every year, India observes National Pollution Control Day on December 2 to remember those who lost their lives in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

National Pollution Control Day is observed to spread awareness about the lives we lost due to polluted water, land, and air, and it also highlights industrial disasters such as the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

• This day is observed to make people aware of pollution-related issues and how it affects our daily lives. 
• Pollution is a huge problem across the world and around 7 million people die every year worldwide due to air pollution, reported the National Health Portal of India.

National Pollution Control Day Theme 2024

The Rajya Sabha cleared a bill to provide for the regulation of boilers, safety of life and property of persons from the danger of explosions of steam-boilers and uniformity in registration.

• The Boilers Bill, 2024 seeks to repeal the century old Boilers Act, 1923.
• The bill, which aims to decriminalise seven offences and promote ease of doing business, was cleared in the Upper House by a voice vote.
• The bill also provisions to ensure the safety of persons working inside a boiler, it said, adding, it also talked about repair of boilers to be undertaken by qualified and competent persons.

The Rajya Sabha yesterday gave its nod to the Oilfield (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill 2024. The Bill amends the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948.

• It expands the definition of Mineral oils, which include naturally occurring hydrocarbon, coal bed methane, and shale gas. 
• It clarifies that mineral oils will not include coal, lignite or helium.

Replying to a debate on the Bill, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the Bill ensures policy stability, sharing of infrastructure, carbon capture, decriminalisation and easy resolution of disputes. He said, it only changes terminology and does not hamper the rights of States. 

Supreme Court Justice Murdu Nirupa Bidushinie Fernando was officially sworn in as the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (02) at the Presidential Secretariat.

• She assumes office as the 48th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, succeeding Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, who recently retired.
• Her appointment received approval from the Constitutional Council.
• She began her career at the Attorney General’s Department in 1985, rising through its ranks to become Deputy Solicitor General in 1997 and Additional Solicitor General in 2014.
• With over three decades of service as a State Counsel, she was appointed to the Supreme Court in March 2018.
• The event was attended by Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia’s ruling SWAPO party has been elected president and will be the country’s first female leader, results released by the country’s electoral commission showed on Tuesday( 3 December)

• Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, is the current vice president. Her victory will extend SWAPO’s 34 years in power since it led Namibia to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. 
• She received roughly 57% of valid votes in the presidential race, according to a breakdown given by the Electoral Commission of Namibia. 
• Nandi-Ndaitwah needed to secure more than 50% of the votes to secure a win.

China announced that its first atmospheric monitoring station in Antarctica began operations earlier this week, according to the local outlet China Daily, which could be a move to push the country towards becoming a "polar great power."

• The National Atmospheric Background Station, which is part of the Zhongshan station, officially began its operations on December 1, to commemorate World Antarctica Day.
• The station is the first of its kind to have been established in Antarctica for China, but the ninth of its kind outside of the polar region, according to the China Meteorological Association.
• Not only will the station "bolster global response to climate change," but it will also provide "continuous and long-term operational observation of the change of atmospheric composition and concentration in Antarctica," the meteorological association announced.

Nepal has signed a framework agreement with China to move forward on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the country's foreign ministry announced on Wednesday ( 4 December).

• This development comes seven years after an initial pact was signed in 2017, marking a significant step toward implementing infrastructure projects under China’s ambitious global connectivity program.
• The agreement was signed during Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s four-day visit to Beijing, his first foreign trip since taking office in July.
• Historically, Nepal has maintained strong cultural and economic ties with New Delhi.

Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck received a warm welcome from External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar upon his arrival in New Delhi for his two-day official visit to India.

• He was accompanied by Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck and senior officials from the Royal Government of Bhutan.
• During his visit, the Bhutan King will hold a series of bilateral meetings with the Indian leadership to review the diplomatic ties.
• These meetings aim to strengthen existing collaborations and explore new avenues for bilateral cooperation, according to the press statement.
• India and Bhutan share an extraordinary and exemplary relationship underpinned by mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding.

India and Kuwait agreed on measures to bolster their cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, technology and security.

• External affairs minister S Jaishankar and his visiting Kuwaiti counterpart Abdullah Ali Al Yahya reviewed bilateral ties at a meeting and signed a memorandum of understanding on setting up a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) at the level of foreign ministers.
• New joint working groups will be set up under the JCC in the areas of trade, investment, education, technology, agriculture, security and culture, the external affairs ministry said in a statement.
• The JCC will act as an umbrella mechanism to review and monitor the overall bilateral relationship through the new joint working groups and existing ones in areas such as hydrocarbons, health and consular matters.

India and Egypt have reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering their strategic partnership during the 13th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in New Delhi.

• The FOC was co-chaired by Shri Arun Kumar Chatterjee, Secretary (CPV & OIA), from the Indian side and Ambassador Ahmed Shaheen, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs, from the Egyptian side, a PIB release revealed.
• The discussions covered the full spectrum of India-Egypt bilateral relations, emphasizing a shared dedication to enhancing cooperation across various sectors.
• Political, economic, and socio-cultural domains were identified as key areas for further engagement, the release said. Additionally, both sides exchanged perspectives on significant regional and global issues of mutual interest.

India and Vietnam on Thursday( 5 December) held the third India-Vietnam Security Dialogue in Ha Noi, Vietnam.

• The dialogue facilitated an exchange of views on global and regional security issues, as well as the discussions on strengthening cooperation in areas like countering terrorism; combating organised crime; and sharing of information between law enforcement agencies.
• The two sides exchanged views on global and regional security and the implementation of aspects of the Action Plan for the India - Viet Nam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• They discussed strengthening cooperation in areas such as countering terrorism; combating organised crime; and sharing of information between law enforcement agencies.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has staggered from scandal to crisis but he surprised everyone this week by declaring martial law - only then to survive an impeachment vote.

• The plunge back to South Korea's dark days of military rule only lasted a few hours, and after a night of protests and high drama Yoon was forced into a U-turn in the early hours of Wednesday( 4 December)
• But polls show a huge majority of citizens want him out and lawmakers voted Saturday on an impeachment motion brought by the opposition, who control parliament.
• But even though only eight of them needed to support the motion for it to pass, all but three MPs from Yoon's People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote and it failed.

Kuwait Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya has arrived in India for an official visit to the nation on Tuesday ( 04 December).

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed a warm welcome to the Kuwait minister and stated this visit would further strengthen the multifaceted relationship between India and Kuwait.
• Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya will be here in India till Wednesday, December 4.
• His visit will include high-profile meetings, starting with a call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the PM’s residence on Wednesday.
• He will meet with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the Hyderabad House in the national capital.

Senior Italian Minister Adolfo Urso, who is currently on a visit to India, called on Union Minister of State for the Department of Space Dr. Jitendra Singh to discuss the extension of bilateral cooperation.

• The meeting between the two ministers focused on advancing collaborative efforts in science, technology, innovation, and space exploration.
• Dr. Singh underscored India’s achievements, saying that the country ranks third globally in terms of startups, with unicorns flourishing in a dynamic economy.
• He also added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is taking proactive steps to foster innovation and technology partnerships to benefit both nations.
• The two ministers proposed an Indo-Italian Innovation and Incubation Exchange Programme, which aims to connect startups, academic institutions, and policymakers from both countries, fostering a culture of innovation and shared expertise.

The U.S. is preparing to send Ukraine an additional $725 million in military assistance, including counter-drone systems and munitions for its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, which could indicate more of the longer-range missiles are headed to the battlefield.

• The newly announced $725m in assistance will include Stinger anti-air missiles, anti-drone weapons, artillery shells and long-range Himars rocket munitions, and anti-armour missiles, as well as spare parts and other assistance to repair damaged equipment from US stocks, the state department said.
• The new shipments of weapons come as Ukraine is desperately seeking to stabilise its frontlines.
• Russia has made grinding progress toward the crucial logistics town of Pokrovsk, as well in the Kursk region of Russia, where Ukrainian forces are bracing themselves for an assault by Russian and North Korean troops

Iceland’s centre-left Social Democratic Alliance became the biggest party in a snap election that unseated the ruling coalition of the past seven years, the final count showed on Sunday( 1 December 2024).

• The Social Democrats party was led by Kristrun Frostadottir.
• The party gained 15 seats in the 63-seat parliament with 20.8% of votes.
• Frostadottir, 36, took over as party leader two years ago and has championed the Nordic welfare model, vowing to tackle a cost-of-living crisis sparked by high inflation and borrowing costs.
• The Independence Party, led by Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson, came second with 19.4% of votes, gaining 14 seats

Sri Lanka's consumer prices fell by 2.1 percent in November, the highest deflation rate recorded by the economically fragile island nation since 1961, official data showed Saturday( 01 December 2024)

• An unprecedented financial crash in 2022 brought months of consumer goods shortages, with inflation peaking at nearly 70 percent that year.
• Since then, a $2.9 billion bailout loan from the International Monetary Fund, tax hikes and other austerity measures have slowly made headway in repairing the island's economy.
• The bank said inflation was likely to return to its target level of five percent in the coming months.
• Sri Lanka had already seen deflation of 0.8 percent in October and 0.5 percent in September.

India co-sponsored a UN General Assembly draft resolution that was unanimously adopted to proclaim December 21 as World Meditation Day.
With this, December 21 will be observed as World Meditation Day every year.

• India, including Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mexico and Andorra, was a member of the core group of countries that guided the unanimous adoption of the resolution titled 'World Meditation Day' in the 193-member UN General Assembly on Friday( 5 December).
• Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar express his happiness on X.
• India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish said India's leadership in overall human wellbeing stems from "our civilisational dictum of #VasudhaivaKutumbakam - the whole world is one family".
• Harish noted that December 21 marks the Winter Solstice, which in Indian tradition is the beginning of "Uttarayana - an auspicious time of the year, especially for inner reflection" and meditation.

Neale Fraser, the icon of Australian tennis who was the last man to win singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles at a single grand slam, has died aged 91, Tennis Australia announced on Tuesday ( 3 December).

• Fraser won 19 grand slams including singles titles at Wimbledon and the US National Championships, the precursor to the US Open.
• He is best remembered for his success with Australia’s Davis Cup team.
• During a golden age for Australia in the sport, the lefty was a key member of the team which won four consecutive titles between 1959 and 1962.
• Fraser was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame in 1994.
• In 2008, he was awarded the International Tennis Federation’s Philippe Chatrier Award for his outstanding service to the sport.

Kannada cinema and television actress Shobitha Shivanna has been found dead at her apartment in Hyderabad's Kondapur on Sunday.

• As per police, she allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself at her residence in Kondapur under the Gachibowli police station area.
• The exact reason behind her tragic death is not known yet, with authorities currently investigating the case.
• Shobitha Shivanna was born on September 23, 1992, in Bengaluru,
• Shobitha was interested in arts and entertainment from a young age.
• She completed her schooling at Baldwin Girls High School and pursued a degree in Fashion Designing from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Bengaluru.

US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Indian-American Pentagon official Kashyap "Kash" Patel as FBI director.

• Mr Patel, a Trump loyalist, has been a vocal advocate of dismantling what he refers to as the "deep state" within the US government. 
• "Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and 'America First' fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People" said Trump.
• Mr Patel rose to prominence during Mr Trump's first term and was part of the House Republicans' investigation into the FBI's handling of the Russia probe.

About Kash Patel

Mr Patel was born in Queens, New York, to parents of Gujarati descent who emigrated from East Africa. After earning his law degree, Mr Patel worked as a public defender in Florida, representing clients in state and federal courts. He later joined the Department of Justice as a prosecutor, handling high-profile international terrorism cases across East Africa and the United States.

Known for acclaimed performances in '12th Fail', Actor Vikrant Massey has announced his decision to retire from acting post next year. 

His note read, "Hello, The last few years and beyond have been phenomenal. I thank each and every one of you for your indelible support. But as I move forward, I realise it's time to recalibrate and go back home. As a Husband, Father & a Son. And also as an Actor.”

• 'The Sabarmati Report', and 'Sector 36', the 37-year-old actor shared the news through an emotional Instagram post on Monday ( 2 December).,
• Vikrant, who will be seen in 'Zero Se Restart' took everyone by surprise when he released a statement sharing that he planned to step back from acting after 2025.
• According to reports, Vikrant is currently busy with 'Yaar Jigri' and 'Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan'.

The Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh was declared a tiger reserve following in-principle approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change through the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

• The notification delineates the core and buffer areas, making this the eighth tiger reserve in the state.
• The core area spans 763.8 square kilometers, while the buffer area covers 507.6 square kilometers, making the total area of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve 1,271.4 square kilometers.
• It is located in the Raisen district with a substantial cover of teak forests and is less than 50 kilometres away from Bhopal.

About Ratapani Tiger Reserve

The Ratapani Tiger Reserve, located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, in Vindhya Range in central India, is one of the finest teak forests in the state and is less than 50 kilometres (31 mi) away from the capital Bhopal.

According to UBS' latest Billionaire Ambitions Report India had as many as 185 billionaires in 2024, making its billionaire count highest in the world after the United States (835) and China (427). 

Key Points

• India added 32 billionaires during the past 12 months, a jump of around 21%, and more than double (123%) since 2015, the report found.
• Over the past year, the net worth of billionaires in India rose 42.1% to $905.6 billion.
• The US added 84 billionaires, and in China, the number dropped by 93.
• The combined wealth of billionaires in America climbed to $5.8 trillion from $4.6 trillion, while for China, it fell to $1.4 trillion from $1.8 trillion.

Elon Musk has emerged as the richest person, with an astounding fortune of $343.8 billion. The collective wealth of the world's billionaires has skyrocketed to an unprecedented $14.2 trillion, highlighting a year of significant financial gains for many.

• This year, the number of billionaires reached an all-time high, with two-thirds of them seeing an increase in their fortunes compared to last year.
• Following Musk, Jeff Bezos holds the second position, while Larry Ellison rounds out the top three.
• The United States dominates the top tier of wealth, with eight of the top ten billionaires hailing from the country, underscoring its robust economic influence.
• Mukesh Ambani is India's richest person with a net worth of $119.5 billion, as per India's 100 Richest list by Forbes.
• Gautam Adani is placed second with $116-billion wealth, followed by Savitri Jindal ($43.7 billion), Shiv Nadar ($40.2 billion) and Dilip Shanghvi ($32.4 billion).

The European Space Agency (ESA) launched Proba-3, an advanced Sun-observing mission, aboard the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) flagship rocket on Thursday( 5 December), promoting global efforts to assess the economic and technological risks of space weather.

• ISRO successfully launched the PSLV-C59/Proba-3 mission from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
• The PSLV-C59 vehicle carried the Proba-3 spacecraft into a highly elliptical orbit as part of a dedicated commercial mission by NSIL.
• Originally scheduled for Wednesday ( 4 December), the mission was postponed due to an anomaly detected in the Proba-3 spacecraft.
• ISRO Chief S. Somanath said that the PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 mission was successfully completed. 
• He explained that the spacecraft is now positioned in its intended orbit, which is highly elliptical. “PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 Mission is successfully accomplished.

ISRO's PSLV-C59 mission, carrying the European Space Agency's Proba-3 satellites, was successfully launched on December 5, 2024, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

• The mission's objectives, including deploying the satellites into their designated orbit, were achieved with precision, according to ISRO Chairman S. Somanath.
• The Proba-3 mission is a part of ESA's in-orbit demonstration initiatives.
• It comprises two spacecraft designed to perform precise formation flying, achieving control down to a single millimeter.
• Details shared by ESA reveal that the satellites will create artificial solar eclipses in orbit, enabling extended studies of the Sun's corona.

Union Minister of State for Forest, Environment and Climate Change Sh. Kirti Vardhan Singh launched ‘Nano Bubble Technology’ for cleaning and purifying water of the National Zoological Park, Delhi to promote the health of aquatic animals.

• This technology can clean dirty pond water by removing algae and similar growths.
• It is being tested in the zoo for the first time as a 15-day trial. If successful, it will be used in the zoo.
• This new technology will improve water quality and benefit the animals.
• National Zoological Park Director Sanjeet Kumar, Senior Officers of the Ministry and Anand Kapoor from the Nano Bubble Company were also present on the occasion.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday invited Israeli startups to collaborate with Indian firms on the National Quantum Mission.

• Singh made the offer to Israel's Industry and Economy Minister Nir Barkat who met him here.
• The two leaders discussed collaboration in startups in the space, quantum technology, agriculture and health sectors.
• Singh invited Israeli startups, known for their pioneering work in quantum computing, to partner with Indian institutions to co-develop critical quantum technologies.

The Bharat National Cyber Exercise (NCX) 2024, a milestone event in India's cybersecurity initiatives, concluded on 29th November on a high note, setting unparalleled benchmarks in cyber resilience, innovation, and collaboration.

Key Features

• Director General of the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) launched National Cybersecurity Reference Framework.
• Bharat National Cyber Range 1.0, an indigenously developed platform unveiled by Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) aimed at advancing India's cyber defense abilities.
• This initiative brought together over 600 participants, including cybersecurity professionals, policymakers, defense personnel, academia, and industry leaders, to collectively strengthen the nation’s cyber preparedness.
• The Bharat CISOs Conclave facilitated high-level talks on strategic cybersecurity policies, while the BHARAT Cybersecurity Startup Exhibition presented state-of-the-art innovations by Indian startups, reflecting the country's growing technological prowess.

Amara Raja Infra has completed construction of India's first green hydrogen fuelling station in Leh, Ladakh, for NTPC Ltd. 

• Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal inaugurated the facility.
• The fuelling station project with a capacity of producing GH2 of 80kg per day was completed in two years, at extreme conditions at a height of 3,400 meters above sea level with temperatures varying between -25°Celsius to 30°Celsius.
• The landmark project will enable emission-free transport in and around Leh - making India among the few countries to take the lead in the green mobility space, 

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, launched on January 22, 2015, under the Ministry of Women & Child Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, has achieved notable progress in improving the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) and Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for girls.

• The scheme has improved the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24 and increased the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of girls in secondary education from 75.51% to 79.4% during the same period.
• The scheme focuses on eliminating gender-biased practices, ensuring girl child protection, and promoting education.
• BBBP is a centrally sponsored scheme with 100% funding by the Central Government in all the districts of the country under Sambal vertical of Mission Shakti. 

The National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) and the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) signed a memorandum of understanding on Saturday to promote entrepreneurship among marginalized communities.

• This partnership is expected to add a new dimension in the socio-economic empowerment of minorities and marginalized communities by combining the expertise and resources of NMDFC and DICCI, an official statement said.
• The NMDFC has mandate to provide concessional finance for self-employment and income-generation activities.
• It has transformed the lives of over 24 lakh families belonging to minority communities since inception in 1994 with credit support exceeding Rs 9,000 crore, the statement said.

The Indian hockey team beat Pakistan 5-3 in the final to win the Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup 2024 in Muscat, Oman on Wednesday to successfully defend their title.

• Araijeet Singh Hundal (4’, 18’, 47’, 54’) was in top form for India while Dilraj Singh (19’) scored the other goal.
• Pakistan's captain Shahid Hannan (3’) and Sufyan Khan (30’, 39’) did their utmost to keep their team in the tie for the majority of the game.
• The win handed the Indian colts, currently coached by two-time Olympic medallist PR Sreejesh, a record-extending fifth title (2024, 2023, 2015, 2008 and 2004) in the competition and also helped keep arch-rivals Pakistan from winning their fourth crown.

India's Pavan Kampelli claimed the bronze medal in eFootball, the country's first-ever podium finish in the event, at the 2024 Asian Esports Games in Bangkok.

On way to the bronze medal, Pavan, popularly known as 'Mr Tomboy', also defeated the 2022 eFootball World Finals Winner (Mobile), Asgard Azizi of Team Indonesia, 2-1.

Pavan competed against some of the best eFootball players from across Asia and faced a tough start against eventual winner, TXRO of Team Thailand.

However, he showed remarkable resilience and bounced back by securing hard-fought victories over players from Indonesia, Syria, and Laos -- all with an identical 2-1 margin -- to bag the historic medal.

What is eFootball?

eFootball Pro Evolution Soccer, known as eFootball Winning Eleven in Japan, was a series of association football simulation video games developed by Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. and published by Konami.

Ian Redpath, one of Australia's most respected opening batters, has passed away at the age of 83, having represented Australia in 66 Test matches and five ODIs between 1964 and 1976.

• Born in Geelong, Victoria, Redpath made an immediate impact on the international stage on his Test debut against South Africa in 1964, dismissed for 97 at the MCG.
• Redpath was celebrated for his technical skill, particularly his precise judgment of the off-stump and his ability to navigate short-pitched bowling in an era before helmets.
• His contributions extended beyond individual performances; he served as vice-captain to both Ian and Greg Chappell and played a pivotal mentoring role in Greg's debut century in the 1970-71 Ashes series.

Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi has become the second Indian after legendary Viswanathan Anand to cross the gold-standard 2800 ELO ratings.

• Arjun achieved the elusive feat after beating Russia’s Dmitry Andreikin in the fifth round of the European Chess Club Cup 2024 while playing for the Alkaloid team.
• He achieved the win with White Pieces and has also become the World No.3 in the live rating list.
• Arjun has become the second Indian and 16th overall to touch the elusive feat.
• He is the youngest Indian to cross the barrier. 

Jay Shah, the outgoing secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), officially assumed the role of International Cricket Council (ICC) Chair on December 1, succeeding Greg Barclay, who vacated the position on Saturday ( 1 December 2024).

• In his inaugural statement, Shah expressed gratitude to the ICC Directors and Member Boards, while laying out his vision for his tenure.
• He emphasised making cricket more popular worldwide and preparing for the sport’s inclusion in the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028.
• Shah also highlighted the need to accelerate the growth of the women’s game. 
• Shah’s first and perhaps biggest challenge as ICC Chair will be finding an amicable solution for the ongoing Champions Trophy issue between BCCI and Pakistan Cricket Board.

BJP legislature party leader Devendra Fadnavis was sworn-in as the new chief minister of Maharashtra on Thursday evening( 5 December) at a grand ceremony at Azad Maidan attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other dignitaries from Bollywood and Sports field.

• Fadnavis, was sworn-in as the CM's post for the third time, along with two deputy chief ministers - Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde.
• Pawar became Deputy CM for the sixth time while Shinde for the first time after serving as CM of the Mahayuti 1.0. 
• Radhakrishnan administered oath of office to the three leaders. BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar told reporters that other members of the cabinet will take oath later. 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said UNESCO has declared the state as a top destination for heritage tourism, asserting that the sector generated employment for lakhs of youths.

• Mamata Banerjee, speaking in the assembly, said the state has taken "giant strides" in religious, heritage and tea tourism.
• The chief minister also said the under-construction Jagannath temple at Digha will soon be open for devotees.
• Minister of State for Tourism Indranil Sen said a "record" 2,489 homestays opened in the state, and 65 per cent of those are located in north Bengal.
• Mamata Banerjee also said that a tender has been floated for construction of a bridge over the Muriganga river in the Ganga Sagar Island, where the annual Gangasagar Mela is held.

Gujarati “Gharcholas” traditionally worn on weddings within Hindu and Jain communities has received a Geographical Indication or GI tag from the Government of India, an official release stated here.

• The coveted GI tag for Gharchola handicrafts was presented to Gujarat at the “GI and Beyond – Virasat Se Vikas Tak” program in New Delhi, hosted by the Handlooms Development Commissioner of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
• This is the 27th GI tag that Gujarat has received. The GI recognition for Gharchola demonstrates Gujarat’s commitment to guarding its rich artistic heritage, the release added.
• These Gharchola sarees are traditionally crafted in auspicious colours such as red, maroon, green, and yellow, which hold special significance in Hindu customs. 
• Along with the Gharchola saree, several other remarkable handicrafts have also earned GI tags under the Hastakala Setu Yojana. 

The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday(01 December 2024) declared the Maha Kumbh area a new district ahead of the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela.

• The new district will be known as Maha Kumbh Mela district.
• The decision marked a significant administrative move to better manage the upcoming religious event that is slated for January next year.
• The initiative aims to ensure seamless coordination of logistics, law enforcement, and facilities for the pilgrims expected to attend the event in Prayagraj.
• The newly created district will have a dedicated administrative team to oversee preparations and maintain services during the mela.

Arunachal Pradesh celebrated a transformative milestone with the launch of Mission Arun Himveer and a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Marketing Board (APAMB).

• This initiative aims to empower local farmers by establishing direct market linkages, allowing ITBP to procure fresh produce directly from them.
• Officials highlighted that this collaboration will benefit farmers, enhance food security, and reduce wastage, marking a significant step towards self-sufficiency in the region.
• The primary stakeholders in this initiative include the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Marketing Board (APAMB), and local farmers.
• The collaboration was initiated by proposals made to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team, reflecting a commitment to agricultural development in the state.

Mission Overview

Mission Arun Himveer is designed to create sustainable market linkages for farmers in Arunachal Pradesh. The MoU signed between ITBP and APAMB facilitates the procurement of fresh, locally-grown produce directly from farmers, addressing previous challenges related to market access and produce wastage.

Nagaland commemorated its 62nd Statehood Day at the civil secretariat plaza in Kohima Sunday( 1 December) with chief minister Neiphiu Rio reflecting on the enduring sentiment of peace for development.

• The northeastern state of Nagaland was formed on this day in 1963.
• Extending the statehood day greetings to the people of the state, Rio appealed to every citizen to strive together to take the state to greater heights.
• President Droupadi Murmu, PM Narendra Modi greeted the people of Nagaland on their statehood day.

The Indian Embassy in Austria announced that India has been chosen to Chair the 68th Session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). 

• India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, Ambassador Shambhu S Kumaran, officially assumed the Chairmanship of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs. 
• This is the first time that India has been named to Chair this important UN body.
• The CND is the principal policy-making body of the United Nations on drug-related matters.
• It is mandated to monitor global drug trends, support Member States in formulating balanced policies, and oversee implementation of the major international drug conventions. 
• The CND is one of the functional commissions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and a Governing Body of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) which is headquartered in Vienna.
• As Chair, India will be expected to articulate interests of the Global South in line with its role in promoting interests and perspectives of developing nations in global discussions. 

The World Maritime Technology conference (WMTC), a triennial global event under the auspices of the World Maritime Technology Congress, will be held in Chennai from December 4 to 6.

• This marks the return of the conference to India after a gap of 15 years, with the last edition hosted in Mumbai, CV Subba Rao, forum chairperson of the Conference, said.
• The previous conference, which was delayed due to the Covid pandemic, was held in Copenhagen in April 2022. Some of the cities that hosted the event in the past include Shanghai, Houston and St Petersburg, he said.
• Some of the key topics to be discussed at the conference includes climate change, sustainability and geopolitical dynamics, and their implications for the maritime industry.