Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur is set to unveil the official logo, jersey, mascot, torch, and theme song today for the upcoming Khelo India Youth Games in Chennai.

The event promises to mark the beginning of an exciting chapter in Indian sports, with the 6th edition of the games scheduled to take place from January 19 to 31, 2024.

The Khelo India Youth Games, a flagship initiative to promote grassroots-level sports across the country, have previously been hosted in Delhi, Pune, Guwahati, Panchkula, and Bhopal. The forthcoming edition will unfold in four vibrant cities of Tamil Nadu – Chennai, Trichy, Madurai, and Coimbatore.

The launch ceremony will witness the presence of Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Government of Tamil Nadu, alongside other dignitaries from the Union Sports Ministry, Sports Authority of India, and the State Government.

The government intends to operationalize a new research station in East Antarctica, near existing Indian research base Maitri.

Site for new station has been identified. Preliminary topographical survey for approach road is underway.

The details of the scheduled timelines for its completion are as follows:

1. Development of Master plan, hiring of consultant & designing: 18 months.
2. Drafting of tender and tendering, award and signing of contract, site survey by consultants, road cutting and formations at site: 18 months.
3. Prefabrication/procurement's at mainland, transportation to Cape Town/ Antarctica/ Indian Barrier to site and preparation for construction in Antarctica by the construction company: 18 months.
4. Transportation of final components from Indian Barrier to site and construction in Antarctica by the construction company: 12 months.
5. Completion of construction: January 2029.

The existing Indian research station ‘Maitri’ is very old. It is imperative to build a new research station. The proposed project envisages adherence to environmental protocol for Antarctica and improving the quality of Indian scientific research in Antarctica.

South Western Railway (SWR) and JSW Minerals Rail Logistics Private Limited entered into an agreement on Friday for operation of five special type of wagons with 'side discharge' arrangement for unloading, officials said.

It will be put to use for transportation of iron ore from the mines at Mineral Enterprises Ltd Siding, Sasalu and Swamihalli to the steel plant of JSW at Tornagallu. This is in addition to seven rakes for which agreement was signed on October 17, they said.

In a statement, SWR officials said, "Total 12 BOBSNS (Bogie open hopper wagons with bottom discharge arrangement to carry ballast ores) rakes shall be procured by JSW Minerals Rail Logistics Private Limited. The rake is manufactured by Titagarh Rail System Limited, Kolkata and the first rake is expected to operate from April, 2024." JSW Minerals Rail Logistics Private Limited is investing Rs. 29.57 crore per rake. A rebate of 10 per cent is granted to the customer on base freight for every booking, it said.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday was presented the first ticket of the Ultimate Kho Kho League Season 2, set to commence on December 24 at JN Indoor Stadium, Cuttack. Host and defending champions Odisha Juggernauts will take on Rajasthan Warriors in the maiden match. The chief minister said on the occasion, “Promotion of traditional Indian sport Kho Kho is crucial for us and Ultimate Kho Kho League provides an opportunity for masses to enjoy the thrill of the unique game. I wish the teams the best and a memorable experience in Odisha.”

CEO and league commissioner of Ultimate Kho Kho Tenzing Niyogi said, “It is a privilege to meet Naveen Patnaik, and we are delighted to present him the first ticket for the second edition of Ultimate Kho Kho. Odisha has emerged as the vibrant nucleus of sports in India, proudly hosting a series of prestigious events in recent years. His vision has laid the foundation for a sporting legacy that continues to inspire and captivate us. As we begin the second chapter of Ultimate Kho Kho, the excitement is extremely high, especially as we host this edition in Odisha.”

Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda inaugurated a two-day tribal orientation programme - Adi Vyakhyan - in New Delhi yesterday. The programme has been organized by the National Tribal Research Institute (NTRI), with the objective to have a deeper understanding of the complexities of tribal traditions and culture and to explore the challenges to their existence. This is an initiative to explore tribal identity and the tribal contributions to the nation’s cultural diversity.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister emphasised tribal identity, their recognition and conservation. He stated that tribal language and literature are important for preserving tribal identity. He further highlighted the efforts made by the government for the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), including the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) initiative for the upliftment of tribal people. The Union Minister also applauded Adi Manthan for furthering discussion on the Panchayats (Extension of Scheduled Areas) (PESA) Act- 1996, the Forest Rights Act (FRA)- 2006 and the Prevention of SC/STs Atrocities Act- 1989.

Sports entrepreneur Vita Dani has become the first Indian to be inducted as a governing board member of the International Table Tennis Federation's (ITTF) Foundation. The Foundation was established in 2018 by the ITTF to attract more people to the sport.

Commenting on her new role, Vita said, “It is a great feeling to be inducted into an organisation that aligns perfectly with my vision for the growth of table tennis and its impact on the community.

"Table tennis is a sport that anybody can play. It has great mental and physical benefits, and our aim is to spread that message and make the game accessible to everyone.”

ITTF and ITTF Foundation President Petra Sorling said, “I am delighted to welcome Ms Vita Dani to the ITTF family as a new member of the ITTF Foundation Governing Board. Her passion for growing our sport and using it as a catalyst for development makes her a valuable member."

The sixth edition of the Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize was awarded to poet-critic Sukrita Paul Kumar for her book, 'Salt & Pepper: Selected Poems'. An amount of USD 5,000, a Tagore statue and a certificate for contribution to literature was given to Kumar at the award ceremony on Monday.

"Receiving the sixth Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize is a deeply humbling experience. This recognition not only validates my artistic journey but also emphasizes the universality of storytelling in connecting diverse cultures. I am profoundly thankful for this acknowledgement," said the 74-year-old poet.

India's new High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha has assumed charge and presented his credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo on Friday. Jha replaces Gopal Baglay, who has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to Australia.

Jha, a senior diplomat, was India's Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium & Luxembourg before taking up his assignment in Colombo.

He has earlier served as Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan from 2019-2020 and as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC from 2017-2019.

NASA may look like a space agency that just keeps its lenses pointed at the sky to click pictures of distant galaxies. But the agency keeps on testing and developing new engines and space vehicles. And it successfully tested a 3D-printed engine on Wednesday (Dec 20). The innovation system of propulsion is called the Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE).

'In fall 2023' as NASA put it, the RDRE was tested at the agency's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The engine successfully completed a 251-second 'hot fire test,' said NASA. The engine generated more than 5800 pounds of thrust.

Renowned women’s rights activist Dr V Mohini Giri died Tuesday following a brief illness. She was 86.

Dr Giri was the former Chair of the National Commission for Women (NCW) (1995–1998) and of the Central Social Welfare Board. She was also the Chairperson of the Guild of Service, a New Delhi–based social service organisation, which provides advocacy for women’s and children’s rights for education, employment, and financial security.

She founded the War Widows Association in 1972. For her efforts in the field of women’s rights, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2007.