- Jairam Thakur appointed as Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister
The Bharatiya Janata Party has named Jai Ram Thakur as legislature party leader in Himachal Pradesh, effectively making him the state’s next chief minister.
The BJP’s central observer Narendra Singh Tomar announced Thakur’s name after a meeting of BJP MLAs was convened, with all unanimously deciding in his favour.
- India to get 1st runway on sea bridge at Lakshadweep airport
India is all set to get its first runway on a ‘sea bridge’ soon, as the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been given a nod to extend Lakshadweep’s Agatti Airport.
The task will be carried out by building an RCC platform on the beach and shallow area which will allow bigger ATRs to operate to the island.
Agatti could be India’s first runway-on-sea bridge. The same plan was considered for Juhu airport in Mumbai and Kullu but, could not be initiated as it wasn’t found suitable.
- Sambhaji Shahu Chhatrapati to head Raigad development body
The Maharashtra government has set up a 17-member development authority for the Raigad fort, capital of warrior king Shivaji, which would be headed by Rajya Sabha member Sambhaji Shahu Chhatrapati.
The state government, in June 2016, had sanctioned a Rs 500-crore development plan for the 17th century fort, situated in neighbouring Raigad district.
Sambhaji Shahu Chhatrapati is a member of the former royal family of Kolhapur and king Shivaji’s descendant.
- Dr Jitendra Singh launches electronic-Human Resource Management System (e-HRMS) on Good Governance Day
Dr Jitendra Singh launched the electronic-Human Resource Management System (e-HRMS). He launched it during the observance of Good Governance Day by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
The Minister launched the 25 applications of 5 modules of the system. The e-service book launched for DoPT during March this year will also be integrated into the e-HRMS.
- Bengaluru becomes first Indian city to have its own logo
The official logo for Bengaluru city is out. The logo, which was chosen by a panel of experts, was unveiled at the Namma Bengaluru Habba at the Vidhana Soudha by the state tourism minister Priyank Kharge.
The red and black logo is part English and part Kannada. With this, Namma Bengaluru joins a select group of global cities like New York City, Melbourne and Singapore to have a tourism logo of its own.
- Khattar launches six more e-services on ‘Good Governance Day’
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has launched six more e-services, thus bringing as many as 100 citizen-centric services pertaining to 12 departments of the state on a single platform.
The e-services were launched on the birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which was celebrated by the Haryana government as ‘Good Governance Day’.
The state government has initiated e-Initiative to end corruption. This will not only save time and money, but will also provide instant services.
- 25 December 2017: Good Governance Day
Good Governance Day is observed annually on December 25th, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Good Governance Day was established in 2014 to honor Mr Vajpayee by fostering awareness among the people of accountability in government.
In keeping with this principle, the Good Governance Day has been declared to be a working day for the government.
8. Russia to build nuclear power station in sudan
Russia has agreed a deal to build a nuclear power station in Sudan, weeks after President al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, visited President Putin.
The deal comes despite Mr Bashir facing charges of genocide and war crimes at the court in the Hague, which has hampered his engagement with the outside world, and the US accusing Sudan of being a sponsor of terrorism.
9. Environment Ministry Launches Pilot Project ‘Blue Flag’ for Beach Clean-up
To enhance standards of cleanliness on beaches, the environment ministry has launched a pilot project for its clean-up and development.
Minister of state for environment and forests Mahesh Sharma, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, said that under the project, each state or union territory has been asked to nominate a beach which will be funded through the ongoing Integrated Coastal Management Programme.
10. UP Government Signs MoU with South Korea
The Uttar Pradesh government has signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea to enhance cooperation in the field of tourism, skill development, culture and farming.
An MoU was signed for giving a new dimension to cooperation in the field of tourism, skill development, culture and farming, which will provide more employment opportunities and development.
11. Mumbai to start building city’s 1st textile museum in Feb
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will start building the city’s first textile museum at the defunct United Mill compound in Kalachowki in Chinchpokli.
The museum — which will document, archive and represent Mumbai’s textile legacy — will be spread over 16.3 acres of land. 14 acres will be used for construction, and the rest for beautification.
12. India finishes runners-up at SAFF U15 Women’s Championship
India lost to Bangladesh 1-0 in the final hurdle to win as the runners-up of the SAFF U15 Women’s Championship in Dhaka.
In a match that was very closely fought, a 41st minute strike by Shamsun Nahar proved to be the difference between the two teams.
Nahar’s produced a moment of individual brilliance to take the game away from the India. India had earlier lost to Bangladesh 3-0 in the group stage of the competition.
13. Veteran Bengali actor Partha Mukherjee passes away at 70
Bengali actor Partha Mukherjee, who was known for his ‘boy next door looks’, died of cardiac arrest. He was 70.
In his later career, he did some memorable roles in ‘Balika Bodhu’ (1967), ‘Dhonnimeye’ (1971), ‘Agnishwar’ (1975) and ‘Amar Prithibi’ (1985). He had even made his mark on the smaller screen.
