NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Gujarat, Maharashtra & UP lead in rooftop solar installations under PM Surya Ghar scheme: Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh have emerged as the top three states with the highest number of rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana scheme.The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 15, 2024, aims to provide rooftop solar power to one crore households by March 2027.Under the scheme, installations are expected to cross 10 lakhs by March 2025, double to 20 lakh by October 2025, and reach 40 lakh by March 2026.As of December 9, 2024, over 6.79 lakh installations (total households covered) have been completed since the scheme’s launch. These include more than 5.38 lakh individual residential units and around 1.41 lakh households through installations in residential welfare associations, according to Shripad Yesso Naik, Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, in a Rajya Sabha reply.
2. West Bengal CM launched housing scheme for rural poor: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has launched the “Banglar Bari” scheme to provide houses for the rural poor in the State.Ms Banerjee released the funds to 42 beneficiaries across 21 districts and over 12 lakh beneficiaries in the State are eligible for the first instalment.Under the scheme, a total of ₹1.20 lakh will be given to a family for constructing a house, of which ₹ 60,000 in the first instalment. However, beneficiaries in some areas of Jangalmahal and Dargeeling hills will get ₹1.30 lakh.
3. DPIIT signs MoU with HDFC Bank to strengthen startup ecosystem and foster innovation: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has inked a partnership with HDFC Bank, India’s largest private sector bank by assets, by signing an MoU to empower startups with world-class banking and financial services.The collaboration aims to strengthen the overall startup ecosystem by offering knowledge sharing, mentorship, and capacity-building programs to foster innovation and growth.Startups will benefit from customized banking and financial products designed to cater their specific requirements, such as working capital, credit access, and cash flow management.Director of Startup India- Dr Sumeet Kumar Jarangal
4. DPIIT inks MoU with Tally Solutions Pvt Ltd to mentor manufacturing startups: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has signed an MoU with Tally Solutions Pvt Ltd, a renowned leader in business management software.Pertinently, this strategic partnership is aimed at introducing a comprehensive, module-based workshop series, tailored to address critical challenges faced by startups in areas such as financial management, compliance, marketing, digitization, and investment preparedness.Key features of this collaborative initiative by Tally include:Free One-Year Rental Licenses of Tally Prime software for participants.Targeted Modules covering critical business areas such as accounting principles, tax compliance, marketing strategies, digitization tools, and investor readiness.
5. 18 December – Minorities Rights Day: Minorities Rights Day is observed annually on December 18 in India to emphasise the importance of protecting and promoting the rights of minority communities.Minorities Rights Day in India aligns with the United Nations’ adoption of the ‘Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious, and Linguistic Minorities’ on December 18, 1992.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Moldova joins International Solar Alliance: Moldova has joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) by signing the ISA Framework Agreement in New Delhi, marking its commitment to renewable energy.The ISA, co-founded by India and France in 2015, aims to mobilize USD 1,000 billion for solar energy by 2030.A treaty-based international intergovernmental organisation, International Solar Alliance (ISA), aims at mobilising more than USD 1000 billion of investment needed by 2030 for the massive deployment of solar energy.Last month, Armenia became the 104th full member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
2. Indian REITs Association appoints Alok Aggarwal as Chairman: The Indian REITs Association (IRA) has appointed Alok Aggarwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Brookfield India Real Estate Trust, as its new Chairman.Established in 2023 under the guidance of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) the Indian REITs Association is a non-profit trade organization that supports the growth and development of India’s Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) sector.Its founding members include Brookfield India Real Estate Trust, Embassy Office Parks REIT, Mindspace Business Parks REIT, and Nexus Select Trust.Aggarwal is an alumnus of IIT Delhi, where he earned his engineering degree, and ISB Hyderabad, where he completed his MBA.
3. 18 December – International Migrants Day: International Migrants Day is observed annually on 18th December.Objective – To raise awareness about the issues faced by migrants, including their rights, integration challenges, and contributions to host communities.Theme 2024 – Honouring the contributions of migrants and respecting their rights.International Migrants Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000, in response to the growing number of migrants across the world, in addition to, marking the establishment of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, adopted by the United Nations in 1990, that came into force in 2003.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Ravichandran Ashwin retires from International Cricket: One of the all-time greats of India, Ravichandran Ashwin, has announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket.The unexpected retirement announcement came after the third test of the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy in Brisbane ended in a draw.With 765 wickets in his credit, Ashwin is the second-highest wicket-taker from India after Anil KumbleAshwin has taken 537 wickets at an average of 24 in 106 Test matches. He is also 7th on the overall list of wicket-takers.He is the second fastest to take 500 Test wickets, reaching it in 98 matches.Ashwin also has 37 5-wicket-hauls in an innings, the second most behind Sri Lanka’s legendary Muttiah Muralitharan.Ashwin started his first-class career for Tamil Nadu in a Ranji Trophy Match against Haryana in Chennai in December 2006.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Scientists develop ‘kisan kavach’ to shield farmers from pesticide sprays: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Jitendra Singh has unveiled Kisan Kavach, Bharat’s first-of-its-kind anti-pesticide bodysuit.Designed to protect farmers from the harmful effects of pesticide exposure, this innovation marks a transformative step in ensuring farmer safety.Developed by BRIC-inStem, Bangalore, in collaboration with Sepio Health Pvt. Ltd., the bodysuit offers protection against pesticide-induced toxicity, which often leads to severe health complications, including breathing disorders, vision loss, and, in extreme cases, death.The washable and reusable suit, priced at ₹4,000, can last up to a year and employs advanced fabric technology to deactivate harmful pesticides upon contact, ensuring farmer safety like never before.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Bank of Baroda Unveils Phygital Branches to Transform Customer Banking Experience: Bank of Baroda, one of India’s leading public sector banks, has launched innovative Phygital branches aimed at enhancing customer banking experiences by seamlessly integrating physical and digital services.These Phygital branches are equipped with advanced features like 24/7 self-service kiosks, a video contact center for non-financial services, and universal service desks to provide in-person assistance.By combining the familiarity of traditional brick-and-mortar banking with the efficiency of modern technology, the initiative caters to the diverse needs of customers.
2. Federal Bank Partners with Ecofy to Accelerate Rooftop Solar Financing for MSMEs: Federal Bank, a leading private sector bank in India, has announced a strategic partnership with Ecofy, the country’s first green-only NBFC backed by Eversource Capital, to empower MSMEs with innovative financing solutions for commercial rooftop solar installations.This collaboration is among the first comprehensive co-lending initiatives aimed at addressing the solar financing needs of the MSME sector. The program aims to finance 3,600 kW of rooftop solar installations annually, enabling MSMEs to significantly reduce electricity costs while cutting over 2,500 tons of CO2 emissions each year.Ecofy, with its proven expertise in residential and commercial solarization, has partnered with leading OEMs like Tata Power, Waaree, Luminous, and Mahindra Solarize, as well as over 1,000 EPC partners. This collaboration is set to address financial constraints that have long hindered MSMEs from transitioning to renewable energy.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Kiran Mazumdar gets ‘Jamsetji Tata Award’ for biosciences movement in India: Biocon Group Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw was conferred the prestigious Jamsetji Tata Award by the Indian Society for Quality (ISQ) for pioneering the biosciences movement in India.The Jamsetji Tata Award, instituted in 2004 by ISQ recognises business leaders who have made significant contributions to Indian society.Mazumdar-Shaw received the award from Janak Kumar Mehta, President of ISQ and Chairman and Managing Director, TQM International.
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