Odisha CM announces India's largest Hockey Stadium in Rourkela
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.”
FASTag for all vehicles in country to be mandatory from January 2021
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 being celebrated across the globe today
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 Nitin Gadkari inaugurates highway projects of more than Rs. 8,000 crore in Rajasthan
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.
Indian pugilists bag nine medals including 3 golds in Cologne, Boxing World Cup championship
Indian pugilists bagged nine medals including three gold, two silver and four bronze at the Cologne Boxing World Cup ended in Cologne, Germany yesterday. Amit Panghal won gold in men's category while Manisha Moun and Simranjit Kaur won gold in Women's category.
In the women's category, AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Simranjit Kaur Baath beat the local German opponent Maya Kleinhans hands down with clear punches in the final. The Indian reduced the fighting distance successfully against the taller opponent and won the bout by a split decision taking the gold in the 60kg category.
In the all-India fight in the 57kg category final, Manisha Moun defeated two-time AIBA Women's Youth World Champion Sakshi Choudhary 3:2 in a keenly fought contest. Sakshi ended her campaign with a silver.
The 2018 Asian Games gold medallist and 2019 ASBC Asian Champion Amit Panghal won the round-robin competition at the men's flyweight in 52kg. He defeated France's Billal Bennama on his way to the final. He was given a walkover in the final by his German opponent.
India's super heavyweight (91kg) boxer Satish Kumar had an emotional end to his campaign as he defeated France's Djamili Dini Moindze in the semis but unfortunately, he had to withdraw against Germany's Nelvie Tiafack owing to an injury in the summit clash and settle for Silver.
Sonia Lather (57kg), Pooja Rani (75kg) Gaurav Solanki (57kg) and Mohamed Hussamudin (57kg) won bronze medals in their respective categories.
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PM Modi to launch 'SEHAT', Health Insurance Scheme for UT of J&K on 26th Dec
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.
PM Modi proposes library for traditional Buddhist literature, scriptures in India
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 to attend the 60th Goa liberation day celebration in Panaji.
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
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliver the keynote address at ASSOCHAM Foundation Week 2020
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the keynote address at ASSOCHAM Foundation Week 2020 tomorrow morning through video conferencing. Prime Minister will also present the ASSOCHAM Enterprise of the Century Award to Mr Ratan Tata, who will receive the award on behalf of the TATA Group.
ASSOCHAM was established in 1920 by promoter Chambers representing all regions of India. Having in its fold over 400 Chambers and Trade Associations, and serving over 4.5 lakh members across India, ASSOCHAM has emerged as the fountainhead of knowledge for Indian industry.
Cabinet approves assistance of Rs 3,500 crore for sugarcane farmers
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved assistance of three thousand 500 crore rupees for sugarcane farmers. Briefing the media in New Delhi after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said, Cabinet has taken the decision to help farmers directly by depositing money of subsidy into their accounts. It will benefit five crore farmers and five lakh workers.
Mr Javadekar said, CCEA also approved revised cost estimate of North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project for six States for strengthening of the Intra-State Transmission and Distribution Systems. He said, the projects reflect government's commitment to the total economic development of North Eastern Region and to strengthen the Intra-State Transmission and Distribution Infrastructure in the Region.
The Cabinet also approved auction of spectrum in 700 megahertz, 800 megahertz, 900 megahertz, 1800 megahertz, 2100 megahertz, 2300 megahertz and 2500 megahertz frequency bands, for validity period of 20 years. Talking to reporters, Communication and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, a total of 2 thousand 2 hundred 51.25 megahertz is being offered with total valuation of 3 lakh 92 thousand 3 hundred 32.70 crore rupees at reserve price.