Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju launched the Assam Rifles Public School in Shillong as a Khelo India Sports School today. At present, nine Sports Schools have been approved across the country, out of which five are managed by Defence and Paramilitary forces. In the North-East Region, Assam Rifles Public School is the first Sports School announced under Khelo India scheme.

Union Government shall now bear the expenses for Talented Sports Students of the school in terms of lodging, boarding, education expenses, competition exposure and more. The objective of a Khelo India Sports School is to integrate sports with education and in the process, develop sports in the country and improve the overall profile and outlook of athletes. This will also help in the identification and upliftment of talent from North-eastern, rural or tribal areas.

Prime Minister inaugurates National Metrology Conclave 2021 today through video conferencing. Delivering the inaugural address of the National Metrology Conclave 2021 through video conferencing today, Mr. Modi lauded the feats achieved by Indian scientists and technicians. Speaking about Metrology, he said that it is the foundation of methodology. He said it increases credibility of our products in the world. The Prime Minister said, emphasis should be made not only to boost demand of made in India goods but also to increase its acceptance. He added that the Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya will help manufacture quality products in the country.
 
The Prime Minister said that the country is moving from Industry oriented approach to Consumer based approach. He added that worldwide acceptance of Indian brands will boost the MSME sector in the country and will add to the exports and imports as well. Mr. Modi said that the value chain cycle of Science, Technology and Industry is key for the growth of any country.
 
The Prime Minister dedicated the National Atomic Timescale and Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya to the nation and laid the foundation stone of the National Environmental Standards Laboratory. The National Atomic Timescale generates Indian Standard Time with an accuracy of 2.8 nanosecond. Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya aims at supporting testing and calibration of laboratories for quality assurance, at par with international standards. The National Environmental Standards Laboratory will aid self-reliance in the certification of ambient air and industrial emission monitoring equipment.

Night curfew will be imposed in prominent places across the country in view of New Year celebrations amid COVID pandemic.

In national capital Delhi, night curfew will be imposed for today and tomorrow to check the gatherings, congregations and public celebrations of New Year. The assembling of more than five persons at public places as well as New Year celebratory events and congregations at public places will not be permitted from 11 P.M. tonight to 6 A.M. tomorrow and also from 11 P.M. tomorrow to 6 A.M. on the next day. 
 
However, there will be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods during the curfew period. The decision has been taken in view of threat posed by the mutant UK strain of COVID-19 virus and after observing the local incidents of the pandemic in the national capital. 
 
In his order, Delhi Chief Secretary and Chairman of City Disaster Management Authority, Vijay Dev said, all District Magistrates of Delhi and  their counterpart District Deputy Commissioners of Police and all authorities concerned will ensure strict compliance of this order and will adequately inform and sensitize the field functionaries about these instructions for strict compliance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Bhaupur- New Khurja section and the Operation Control Centre of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor today through video conference.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister expressed happiness on seeing the modern rail infrastructure project getting implemented on the ground.

He said today when the first goods train runs in the Khurja Bhaupur freight corridor we can hear the roar of the Self reliant india. He said Prayagraj Operation Control center is one of the modern control centers and a symbol of the new strength of the new India.

Registrations have commenced for media delegates desirous of attending the 51st edition of the International Film Festival of India, being held in Goa during January 16 – 24, 2021. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 51st IFFI will be held in a hybrid fashion. Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in Press release said that the number of media persons being accredited for physically covering the festival in Goa will be much less than usual due to COVID-19 related protocols.

Interested media persons who need to attend the festival in person may register themselves at https://my.iffigoa.org/extranet/media/.

Applicants should be above 21 years of age as on 1st January 2020 and should have professional experience of covering major International Film Festivals such as IFFI for a minimum of three years. Registrations will close by midnight of 10th January, 2021.

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.