Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on being elected as the Prime Minister of Nepal. 

In a tweet, Mr. Modi said, the unique relationship between India and Nepal is based on deep cultural connect and warm people-to-people ties. Mr. Modi said, he is looking forward to working together with the Nepalese Prime Minister to further strengthen this friendship.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in a historic programme marking Veer Bal Diwas at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi today. On the day of the Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh on 9th January this year, Prime Minister had announced that 26th December will be observed as Veer Bal Diwas to mark the martyrdom of Sri Guru Gobind Singh’s sons Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh. 

During the programme, the Prime Minister will attend a Shabad Kirtan performed by about three hundred Baal Kirtanis. Our Correspondent reports that Mr Modi will also flag off a march-past by about three thousand children in Delhi.

Culture Ministry is organizing an essay writing competition with an aim of introducing children to the historical acts of courage and patriotism of Sahibzaades and inspiring them. It has invited citizens to submit their essay on the topic "Bravery and martyrdom of Guru Gobind ji's sons" in English, Hindi, and Punjabi language within limit of 500 words. The last date of submission of essay is 5th of next month.

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has won Data Security Council of India's (DSCI) Best Security Practices in Government Sector award.

The award was given to UIDAI during DSCI's three-day Annual Information Security Summit (AISS) in New Delhi for its significant role in securing national critical Aadhaar infrastructure that provides digital identity-based welfare services to residents. Speaking at the inaugural session of the summit, UIDAI CEO Dr. Saurabh Garg said that several economies are reaching out to UIDAI for consultation on digital identity programs and the country can play a lead role in guiding them through the Digital Public Goods. He also invited start-ups and tech companies to collaborate and to do research on indigenized digital technology products with UIDAI.

The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today approved revision of pension of Defence Forces Personnel and family pensioners under One Rank One Pension. Addressing media after the Cabinet Meeting in New Delhi, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Singh Thakur said that after the revision, the number of beneficiaries of Defence Forces personnel and family pensioners will go up to over 25 lakh 13 thousand from 20 lakh 60 thousand personnel at present.  He informed me that the total annual cost of this will be 8 thousand 450 crore rupees. He said, the revision will be effective from 1st of July 2019.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA,  today approved Minimum Support Prices for copra for 2023 season. Addressing media after the Cabinet Meeting,  Information and Broadcasting Minister  Anurag Singh  Thakur said , the MSP for fair average quality of milling copra has been fixed at 10 thousand 860 rupees per quintal. He said, MSP for ball copra has been fixed at 11 thousand 750 rupees per quintal. He said, this is an increase of  270 rupees per quintal for milling copra and 750 rupees per quintal for ball copra over the previous season. 

Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur has launched Khelo India’s new Dashboard. 

The Dashboard is inclusive of all the statistical data related to the Khelo India Scheme and the Khelo India events. It will be updated in real-time and it aims to be a unique one-stop platform for the citizens to access all the information regarding various offerings of the Khelo India Scheme. 

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Thakur said that easy accessibility and transparency has always been the top priority of the government and the dashboard is a step taken towards the same. He stated that information about playgrounds with geotagging is available on this dashboard as well.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur will inaugurate the National level Kabaddi championship in Udupi in Karnataka today, December 24. 

The National level Kabaddi tournament will be held under the floodlights on MGM grounds where 12 teams from different states will take part. The winner will get the Atal trophy and a prize money of one lakh rupees. 

The government has invited citizens to participate in designing a Logo for PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, representing the roots of the Robust and Accessible Healthcare system in India. The last date for submission is the 12th of January. 

Union Health Ministry said, the winner will receive a cash prize of one lakh rupees. The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission is one of the largest pan-India health schemes for strengthening healthcare infrastructure. 

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry will organise a one of its kind musical event, Dance to Decarbonise, National Stadium in New Delhi today.

The Ministry has informed that the renewable energy generated through dance will be used to charge electric vehicles.

The event aims at showcasing India’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 weighing against the country's growing economy, rising energy requirements, and the implementation of responsible energy sources over transformational energy systems for the future.