Daily Current Affairs and GK | 13 December 2024

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

1. World Ayurveda Congress and Ayurveda Expo started in Dehradun from 12 December.

• This prestigious event will provide an important platform for research, development and breakthroughs in the field of Ayurveda.
• The theme of this year's event is “Digital Health, Ayurvedic Approach,” which focuses on the integration of traditional Ayurveda with modern technological advancements.
• Over 5,500 Indian delegates and over 350 international participants are attending the four-day conference, who will discuss the latest technologies and research related to Ayurveda and healthcare.
• Special emphasis will be laid on incorporating cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality and Blockchain in the field of Ayurveda.
• The exhibition will showcase products and services of leading Ayurvedic institutions from India and abroad.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Sports

2. India finished at sixth in the Asian Women's Handball Championship after losing to China.

• On December 10, India finished sixth at the Asian Women's Handball Championship (AWHC) after losing 30-41 to 10-time silver medallists China, their best-ever performance.
• India gave a tough fight to China in the fifth-sixth place playoff match but lost the match.
• Japan won 25-24 after beating defending and record champions South Korea in a thrilling final.
• Japan won their second title, breaking South Korea's streak of winning seven consecutive championships.
• Earlier, Kazakhstan defeated Iran 28–22 in the third-place play-off match to win their second bronze medal of the tournament.
• The 20th edition of the Asian Women's Handball Championship was held from December 3 to December 10, 2024, in New Delhi, India.
• This was the first time that India hosted the event.

Topic: State News/ Delhi

3. Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Scheme has been launched by the Delhi Government.

• Under this scheme, a monthly assistance of ₹1,000 to women in Delhi.
• This amount would be raised to ₹2,100 after the elections.
• The scheme was announced in the 2024-25 budget with an allocation of ₹2,000 crore.
• It is expected to benefit approximately 38 lakh women out of the 67 lakh women voters in the city.
• The criteria of the scheme are as follows:
  • Permanent resident of Delhi.
  • Annual family income should not exceed ₹3 lakh.
  • The applicant must be female and 18 years or older.
  • Must not be government employment or taxpayer, and pensions.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

4. President Droupadi Murmu conferred an honorary General Rank to Nepali Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel.

• Ashok Raj Sigdel has received the award for his military prowess and contribution to fostering Nepal’s long and friendly association with India.
• Since 1950, there has been a tradition of conferring the title of Honorary General to the Army Chiefs of Nepal and India.
• He also visited Defence Industries in Pune and the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun.
• Nepali Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel will be in India from December 11-14.

(Source: News on AIR)