UN Secretary-General Honors Indian Peacekeeper Brigadier General Amitabh Jha
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres paid a heartfelt tribute to Brigadier General Amitabh Jha of India, who served with distinction in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights. Guterres lauded Jha’s exemplary leadership and steadfast commitment to UN peacekeeping missions. Brigadier Jha, who notably served as both Deputy Force Commander and Acting Force Commander during critical times, played a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability in this volatile region.
Punjab Achieves Milestone with 100% Piped Water Supply to Rural Households
Punjab proudly announced that it has provided 100% piped water supply to all rural households under the central government’s Har Ghar Jal scheme. This remarkable achievement makes Punjab the fifth state in India to reach this milestone. In addition to this, the state government is undertaking extensive projects to improve water quality and address scarcity issues. Notably, 15 major canal water projects worth Rs 2,174 crore are underway, benefiting approximately 1,706 villages.
Delhi High Court Directs AAP Government to Finalize PM-ABHIM Agreement
The Delhi High Court ordered the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare by January 5, 2025. This directive is crucial for the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), which aims to significantly enhance healthcare infrastructure and services across India. Despite previous delays, the court emphasized the urgency of this agreement to ensure timely progress in bolstering the healthcare system.
Cricket Legend Sachin Tendulkar Accepts Prestigious MCC Membership
The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) announced that legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has accepted an invitation to become an Honorary Cricket Member. The MCC, which oversees the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), recognized Tendulkar for his exceptional contributions to the sport of cricket.
Tendulkar, affectionately known as the “Master Blaster,” has had an illustrious career, amassing an astounding 34,357 runs in international cricket and being a key player in India’s 2011 World Cup victory. This recognition by the MCC adds to his extensive list of accolades, which includes honorary life memberships from both the Sydney Cricket Club and the Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
Russia Declares Federal Emergency Over Catastrophic Black Sea Oil Spill
Russian authorities declared a federal-level emergency following a devastating oil spill along the Black Sea coast. The disaster occurred when two tankers collided during a storm near Crimea, resulting in one tanker sinking and the other running aground. Approximately 9,200 tonnes of fuel oil were released, with around 40% spilling into the sea. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the situation as “critical,” and thousands of volunteers have been mobilized for cleanup operations. However, some Russian scientists have criticized the response as inadequate. The Moscow-installed governor of Crimea, Sergei Aksionov, declared a state of emergency in the region to address the environmental crisis.
India Introduces UG Minor Programme in Quantum Technologies
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), in collaboration with the National Quantum Mission (NQM), launched India’s first Undergraduate (UG) Minor Programme in Quantum Technologies. This groundbreaking initiative aims to prepare India’s workforce for the quantum revolution and position the nation as a global leader in cutting-edge quantum innovation.
The programme, open to engineering students from their third or fourth semester, covers four key areas: Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing and Metrology, and Quantum Materials and Devices. It combines theoretical concepts with practical lab sessions, ensuring students gain both foundational and advanced insights into quantum technologies.