Daily Current Affairs and GK | 23 December 2025

Topic: MoUs/Agreements 

1. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between India and Netherlands to boost cooperation in maritime heritage.

• The signing of this agreement marks a major step towards development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal in Gujarat.
• The MoU brings together NMHC and the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam.
• NMHC is being developed under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
• As part of MoU, India and Netherlands will exchange knowledge, expertise and best practices in design, curation and conservation of maritime museum.
• Further, MoU will allow joint exhibitions, research initiatives and cultural exchange programmes.
• As part of MoU, innovative approaches will be adopted to enhance visitor experience, education and public outreach.
• The National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal is planned as a world-class institution, which showcases India’s 4,500-year-old maritime history.
• Cooperation with National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam will enhance the international profile of the project.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

2. The Railway Protection Force won first place in the men’s brass band category at the 26th All India Police Band Competition.

• Assam Rifles and the BSF secured second place in the men’s brass band category at the 26th All India Police Band Competition.
• In the women’s brass band category, CISF won first place and Shashastra Seema Bal was second.
• Maharashtra received the overall men’s championship shield. CISF took the overall women’s championship shield.
• Union Coal Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy presented awards and trophies to the winners.
• He also released a magazine to commemorate the event and praised police personnel for their contributions.
• He congratulated the RPF for hosting the competition.
• 26th All India Police Band Competition was held at Moula Ali, in Secunderabad, Telangana.
• The event included 24 bands from state police, Central Armed Police Forces, and other uniformed services.
• More than 1,300 band members took part in the competition. This included 224 women musicians.