ndia, which has become the first country in the world to receive the Blue Flag Certification for 8 beaches in a single attempt, hosted the Blue flags in all its beaches on Monday.

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar lauded the outstanding efforts while virtually hoisting the flags in all 8 beaches. Blue Flag certification is a globally recognised eco-label accorded by "Foundation for Environment Education in Denmark" based on 33 stringent criteria.

National level campaign integrated with the BEAMS (Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services) program for continuous awareness and education of people for “Blue Flag” certification journey.

The objective of BEAMS program is to abate pollution in coastal waters, promote sustainable development of beach facilities, protect & conserve coastal ecosystems & natural resources, and seriously challenge local authorities & stakeholders to strive and maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene & safety for beachgoers in accordance with coastal environment & regulations. This program promotes beach recreation in absolute harmony with nature and is unique in that sense.

rime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed that rapid urbanisation must be seen as an opportunity rather than as a challenge.
 
He said, this opportunity can provide the platform to build better infrastructure in the country and improving the ease of living.
 
Mr. Modi today flagged off India’s first ever driverless train operations on Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line which will connect Janakpuri West to Botanical Garden metro stations.
 
He also inaugurated the fully operational National Common Mobility Card service on the Airport Express Line.
 
The National Common Mobility Card will enable the passengers to travel on the Airport Express Line using the RuPay-Debit Card issued from any part of the country.
 
While addressing, the Prime Minister said, this government is committed to convert the challenges into opportunity by developing the urban landscape according to the future requirement.

The wheels to host the prestigious FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup India 2023 started rolling in as Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, announced a new world class Hockey stadium in Rourkela city which would be the biggest stadium for Hockey in India with a sitting capacity of 20 thousand.

This is going to redefine the sports landscape in the region. 

The stadium along with the allied facilities will be developed as a benchmark for other Hockey stadiums around the world. Spread over 15 acres of land, the stadium will be constructed in the Biju Patnaik University of Technology campus, Rourkela.

Announcing this in a video message, Odisha Chief Minister Patnaik said, “As we have announced earlier, Odisha will once again be the proud host of the prestigious Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2023. The tournament will be organized both in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. Sundargarh district is our powerhouse of Hockey Talent. Many great hockey players from the district have represented the country at the international level.”

Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari today announced that FASTag is being made mandatory for all vehicles in the country from new year. Addressing a virtual function today, Mr Gadkari said, FASTag will be enforced from 1st of January, 2021.

Enumerating its benefits, he said, it is useful for the commuters as they will not need to stop at toll plazas for cash payments. It will also save time and fuel.

Four banks together issued nearly a lakh FASTags, launched in 2016. Over 34 lakh FASTags were issued in 2018. The Ministry had issued a notification last month making FASTag mandatory by 1st of January 2021 in old vehicles also sold before 1st December, 2017.
 
The Ministry said, the steps for ensuring the availability of FASTag at multiple channels are being made through physical locations and also through online mechanism so that the citizens are able to have them affixed at their vehicles within the next two months at their convenience.

Christmas is being celebrated across the globe today. Christians all over the world celebrate Christmas to mark the birth of Jesus Christ.

On the occasion, people decorate their houses by putting a Christmas tree, illuminated paper star, Holly wreaths and exchange gifts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed greetings of Christmas to everyone. He said, the life and principles of Lord Christ gives strength to millions across the world.

Mr. Modi wished that the path shown by Lord Christ may keep guiding everyone towards building a just and inclusive society.

In Goa, the mood of traditional fervor of Christmas celebrations is reverberating. Midnight masses were held in Churches and chapels.

Kerala is celebrating Christmas  with prayers and enthusiasm amid strict adherence to Covid protocols.  Houses are decorated with Christmas trees and hanging lamps to welcome Christmas.  Midnight mass and prayers were held in Churches by keeping social distancing norms.  Covid  has affected the gatherings and celebrations to an extent. Christmas prayers were held online in many places.

Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and MSMEs Nitin Gadkari today inaugurated and laid the foundation for 18 highway projects in Rajasthan through video conference.

The virtual function was attended by Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot,  Union minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and other Union Ministers from the state.

AIR correspondent reports that the length of these road projects is about 1127 km, involving expenditure of Rs 8,341 crore.

11 projects costing Rs 6,427 crore were inaugurated today, with a total length of 821 km.

These projects also include construction of Jaipur Ring Road, which will reduce the traffic pressure in Jaipur city.

Similarly, the foundation of 7 projects of 305 km length of 1 thousand 913 crores have been laid today.

These projects will boost tourism in the state, reduce accidents and provide better connectivity to armed forces and villages.

Addressing the program, Gadkari said that 52 projects worth 30 thousand crores have been completed by the Ministry of Roads and Highways in the last six years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch 'SEHAT' - Health Insurance Scheme for the entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on 26th of this month to cover the remaining One crore population which was not covered under Ayushman Bharat Scheme. Under Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), eligible beneficiaries were covered under Health Cover of Rs 5 Lakh. 

Under the PMJAY scheme, 30 lakh people are being covered in J&K. With the launch of the 'SEHAT' Scheme by the Prime Minister on December 26,  J&K will be among the first in the country to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
 
Programs will be organized across the UT and the distribution of Golden cards will be started on the same day. Around 16 Lakh registrations have been done as of the date and the registrations for the rest of the beneficiaries are underway. 


Meanwhile, J&K Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education, Atal Dulloo reviewed arrangements put in place for the effective role out of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Sehat Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir by the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday proposed to create a library of traditional Buddhist literature and scriptures adding that India would be happy to host the facility and provide appropriate resources for it. Speaking at the India-Japan Samwad Conference, the Prime Minister also thanked the Government of Japan for its "constant support to samwad".

"Today, I would like to propose the creation of a library of traditional Buddhist literature and scriptures. We will be happy to create such a facility in India and will provide appropriate resources for it," PM Modi said. Its (the library's) research mandate will also include examining how Buddha's message can guide our modern world against contemporary challenges, PM Modi said further. The Prime Minister said that the library will collect digital copies of all such Buddhist literature from different countries. "It will aim to translate them, and make them freely available for all monks and scholars of Buddhism," he added.

President Ramnath Kovind will attend the 60th Goa liberation day to be held in Panaji today. Goa was liberated from Portuguese rule of around 450 years on the 19th of December 1961. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many other dignitaries have greeted the people of Goa on this occasion. Our Goa correspondent reports that   Goa is saluting today all the freedom fighters and martyrs who fought bravely to free Goa from Portuguese rule. Year long programmes will begin today.

President Ramnath Kovind will arrive at Azad Maidan Panaji to lay a wreath at the martyr’s memorial. Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari,  Ayush Minister Sripad Naik,Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will also be present. President Kovind then will leave for the state organized function at Campal. President is in Goa on two days visit.

In the meanwhile, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant unfurled the tricolour flag in Panaji today morning. He appealed Goans to build a self sufficient Goa with united efforts. With Tushar Jadhav, Mukesh Thali, for Air news from Panaji Goa