National

‘Jalvahak’

• Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal unveiled the cargo promotion scheme ‘Jalvahak’ to boost cargo movement on three national waterways.
• Jalvahak aims to incentivize the movement of long-haul cargo via national waterways on the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Barak rivers.

'President's Colour' to Chhattisgarh Police

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the 'President's Colour' to Chhattisgarh Police and urged Maoists to surrender arms.

About Chhattisgarh

1.0-hectare integrated agriculture system model

• The 1.0-hectare integrated agriculture system model developed by Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University in Hisar, Haryana, under the All India Integrated Agricultural System Research Project, has gained national recognition.

About Haryana

New helicopter route Jammu-Poonch-Mendhar

• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved a new subsidized helicopter service for the Mendhar sector in Poonch district, offering routes between Jammu-Poonch-Mendhar and Jammu-Mendhar-Jammu.

International

India Moldova Relations

• External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova Mihail Popsoi jointly inaugurated the Embassy of Moldova in New Delhi.
• Moldova also signed the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement and officially joined the ISA.

About Moldova

Britain joined CPTPP

• Britain joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as its 12th member, becoming the first European nation in the bloc.

Economy

PSBs in India have recorded highest ever total net profit

• Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in India have recorded their highest ever total net profit of around Rs 1 lakh 41 thousand crore in the financial year 2023-24.

Award

Ram temple project received 'Sword of Honour' award

• The Ram temple project in Ayodhya has received the 'Sword of Honour' award from the British Safety Council, announced Nripendra Misra, chairman of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust's Construction Committee.

About Ram Mandir

Guinness World Record Tansen Music Festival

• The 100th Tansen Music Festival in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, set a Guinness World Record with 9 musical instruments played simultaneously for 9 minutes.

About Tansen Music Festival

Famous personality

Zakir Hussain

• Legendary tabla player Zakir Hussain passed away at the age of 73 in the United States.

Awards and honours

Important Days

Vijay Diwas

• Vijay Diwas, celebrated on December 16, marks India’s 1971 victory over Pakistan. On this day, General AA Khan Niazi and 93,000 troops surrendered to Indian forces and Mukti Bahini, leading to East Pakistan’s liberation as Bangladesh.

Sherqui-La Victory Day

• The Indian Army, in partnership with the local community, commemorated Sherqui-La Victory Day on 15 December at Government Higher Secondary School, Silmoo, Kargil, celebrating the historic liberation of the strategic Sherqui-La Pass during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.

Sports

38th National Games

• Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the logo, anthem, mascot 'Mouli', and tagline "Sankalp Se Shikhar Tak" for the 38th National Games in Dehradun. The mascot, inspired by the state bird Monal, symbolizes Uttarakhand's beauty and culture.
• Yoga and Mallakhamba, two traditional Indian sports, have been officially included in the Games.

Uttarakhand:

India won the Women's Junior Asia Cup 2024

• India won the Women's Junior Asia Cup 2024 in Muscat, Oman, by defeating China 3-2 in a penalty shootout to retain their title. Goalkeeper Nidhi made three key saves during the shootout, while Sakshi Rana, Ishika, and Sunelita Toppo scored for India.