29th & 30th December 2024 current affairs

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We at Edusprint Academy are committed to bringing you the most relevant and updated 30th December current affairs 2024, curated from trusted and official sources. These updates are designed to keep you ahead in your exam preparation journey.

Our comprehensive Current Affairs December 2024 coverage aims to enhance your knowledge and boost your scores in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC, and all State Government Exams. Explore our Current Affairs tailored to simplify your exam preparation

National news

India to host World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit – WAVES for first time in 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme that India will host the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) for the first time in 2025.

Objective: WAVES aims to showcase India’s creative talent to a global audience, emphasizing its vibrant and diverse audiovisual entertainment industry.

Role of Youth:

• The PM highlighted the pivotal role of young creators in the preparation for WAVES.
• He appreciated the enthusiasm and innovation of the youth, showcasing India’s dynamic creator economy.

Significance for Economy: WAVES aligns with India’s vision to become a $5 trillion economy, leveraging the growth of the media, entertainment, and creator economy sectors.

Cultural Tribute to Iconic Figures of Indian Cinema

Prime Minister Modi paid homage to the 100th birth anniversaries of legendary figures of Indian cinema in 2024:

• Raj Kapoor: Known as the “Showman of Indian Cinema.”
• Mohammed Rafi: Renowned playback singer whose melodious voice transcended generations.
• Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR): A stalwart of Telugu cinema, often referred to as “Natasamrat” (King of Acting).

First Commercial Aircraft Lands Successfully at Navi Mumbai International Airport

The first commercial aircraft successfully landed today on the runway of Navi Mumbai International Airport. The IndiGo A320, which took off from Mumbai Airport, made a direct landing at Navi Mumbai International Airport. Following the successful landing, the aircraft was given an air salute. The certification test also included a technical evaluation of landing and take-off manoeuvres. Senior officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), and other key agencies, including senior officials from CIDCO, were present for the event.

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA):

• Located in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
• Developed by CIDCO in collaboration with private partners.
• Expected to become a major aviation hub, easing the burden on Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
• Designed to handle 60 million passengers annually once fully operational.

Economy news

Monthly Per Capita Expenditure increases by 9% in rural areas & around 8% in urban areas in 2023-24

The Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE) has increased by nine percent in rural areas and around eight percent in urban areas in 2023-24 from the level of 2022-23. According to the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24 released by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, the average MPCE in rural India has been estimated to be 4 thousand 122 rupees. The average MPCE in urban India has been estimated to be six thousand 996 rupees.

Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE):

Overall Increase:

• Rural Areas: 9% increase in MPCE from 2022-23 to 2023-24.
• Urban Areas: 8% increase in MPCE during the same period.

Average MPCE:

• Rural India: Estimated at ₹4,122 per month.
• Urban India: Estimated at ₹6,996 per month.

Survey Coverage:

• The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24 was conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation.
• It covered over 2.6 lakh households nationwide, providing a comprehensive analysis of consumption patterns.

Urban vs Rural Consumption: Faster Growth in Rural Consumption: Data indicates that rural consumption is growing faster than urban consumption.

Declining Urban-Rural Consumption Gap:

• The urban-rural consumption gap in MPCE has narrowed significantly.
• The gap decreased from 84% in 2011-12 to 71% in 2022-23.

Expenditure Breakdown:

Non-Food Items:

• In both rural and urban areas, non-food items constitute the major part of the average household expenditure.
• Rural Areas: 53% of MPCE is spent on non-food items.
• Urban Areas: 60% of MPCE is spent on non-food items.

Food Items:

• Beverages, refreshments, and processed foods continue to be major contributors to food expenditure in both rural and urban households.
• These items form a significant part of the food basket, indicating changing dietary patterns in both sectors.

Sports news

Konery Humpy crowned 2024 FIDE Women’s World Rapid Champion for record second time

Golden Era For Indian Chess”: Koneru Humpy After Scripting HistoryGrandmaster Koneru Humpy capped off a wonderful year for Indian chess. “Golden Era For Indian Chess”: Koneru Humpy After Scripting History

Grandmaster Koneru Humpy capped off a wonderful year for Indian chess, defeating Irene Sukandar of Indonesia to emerge the FIDE Women’s World Rapid Chess champion in New York Humpy had won the event back in 2019 at Georgia and the Indian No. 1 is only the second player after China’s Ju Wenjun to clinch the title more than once.

D Gukesh’s Achievement:

• Defeated China’s Ding Liren to become the World Classical Chess Champion.
• Event held in Singapore, marking a historic milestone for India.

Chess Olympiad Success:

• India won gold medals in both the Open and Women’s categories in the 2024 Chess Olympiad held in Budapest.
• First-ever gold medals in these categories for India.

Golden Era of Indian Chess:

• The year 2024 witnessed remarkable achievements, including individual and team victories.
• India’s dominance in chess highlights the strength and depth of its players.

17-year-old from Mumbai becomes the youngest female in world to scale highest peaks on each of 7 continents

Kaamya Karthikeyan, a 17-year-old student from Navy Children School in Mumbai, has made history by becoming the youngest female in the world to scale the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. Demonstrating an extraordinary feat of mountaineering prowess, the 17-year-old adventurer has conquered Africa’s Mt Kilimanjaro, Europe’s Mt Elbrus, Australia’s Mt Kosciuszko, South America’s Mt Aconcagua, North America’s Mt Denali, Asia’s Mt Everest and culminating the current climb in Antarctica.

Seven Summits Conquered:

• Africa: Mt Kilimanjaro
• Europe: Mt Elbrus
• Australia: Mt Kosciuszko
• South America: Mt Aconcagua
• North America: Mt Denali
• Asia: Mt Everest (scaled at the age of 16)
• Antarctica: Mt Vincent (summited on December 24, 2024, at 17:20 hrs Chilean Standard Time)

The Climb to Mt Vincent (Antarctica): Kaamya reached the summit of Mt Vincent along with her father, Commander S. Karthikeyan, marking the completion of the Seven Summits Challenge.

Significance of the Achievement:

This incredible accomplishment places Kaamya in the record books as the youngest female to complete the Seven Summits Challenge, a rare and prestigious mountaineering feat.

She was just 7 years old when she embarked on her first trek in Uttarakhand, marking the beginning of her passion for mountaineering.

Awards and Recognition:

• In 2021, Kaamya was awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Shakti Puraskar, India’s highest national honor for young achievers.
• She has also received accolades from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann-ki-Baat for her remarkable achievements.

Banking news

RBI Constitutes 8-Member Committee for Ethical AI in Financial Sector (FREE-AI)

In December 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the formation of an 8-member committee to develop a framework for the responsible and ethical enablement of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial sector. The committee is named FREE-AI (Framework for Responsible and Ethical Enablement of AI).

Committee Leadership: The committee will be chaired by Pushpak Bhattacharya, a Professor from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B), Mumbai.

Timeline: The committee is expected to submit its report within 6 months from the date of its first meeting.

Key Functions and Mandates:

• Examine AI Adoption: The committee will assess the current level of AI adoption in the financial services sector, both globally and in India.
• Review Regulatory Approaches: It will review existing regulatory and supervisory frameworks on AI in the financial sector across the world, with a particular focus on how these approaches can be adapted to India.
• Identify Risks and Mitigation: The committee will identify potential risks related to AI and recommend a framework for evaluation, mitigation, and monitoring of AI-related risks in financial institutions (FIs) such as banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and FinTechs.
• Recommend Ethical AI Governance: It will propose a framework that includes governance mechanisms for the responsible and ethical adoption of AI models in India’s financial sector.
• Secretarial Support: The RBI’s FinTech Department will provide secretarial support to the committee.

RBI:

• Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata
• Incumbent: Sanjay Malhotra
• Headquarters: Mumbai

ICICI Bank and Times Internet Launch ‘Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card’

In December 2024, ICICI Bank and Times Internet, the digital arm of Times of India (TOI) Group, launched the “Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card”, a super-premium co-branded metal card aimed at offering exclusive benefits to high-net-worth individuals.

Key Features of the Card:

Reward Points: Cardholders can earn 2.5% reward points on international spends and 2% reward points on domestic purchases.

Exclusive Access: The card provides exclusive access to premium events organized by The Times Group, ensuring privileged experiences for its holders.

Luxury Travel Benefits:

• The card offers a wide array of luxury travel services, including:
• Visa services at home for a hassle-free experience.
• Unlimited access to lounges at over 1,300 international airports.
• Stay at luxurious hotels and resorts.
• Airport transfers for added convenience.
• Exclusive access to ‘The Quorum Club’, a premium business and lifestyle club.
• Lifestyle management services by CribLife, a luxury concierge service.

Design and Symbolism: The inaugural edition of the card is crafted from metal infused with historic printing plates of The Times of India, symbolizing a blend of legacy and innovation.

Powered by Visa: The Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card is powered by Visa Inc., ensuring seamless transactions and global acceptance.

ICIC bank:

• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Founded: January 1994 in Vadodara
• Head: Sandeep Bakhshi

PNB and FCAOI Sign MoU to Enhance Agricultural Infrastructure

In December 2024, Punjab National Bank (PNB) and the Federation of Cold Storage Associations of India (FCAOI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote agricultural infrastructure and develop the cold chain network across India. The MoU was signed in the presence of key officials from both organizations, including:

• Atul Kumar Goel, Managing Director (MD) & CEO of PNB
• Kalyan Kumar, Executive Director (ED) of PNB
• Mukesh Aggarwal, President of FCAOI

Key Points:

Objective:

• The MoU aims to promote innovation and upgrade agricultural infrastructure, particularly focusing on storage and cold chain solutions that benefit farmers and agribusinesses.
• The initiative will help reduce post-harvest losses by improving cold storage facilities, which is expected to lead to better prices for farmers and enhance economic growth in rural areas.

Impact on Farmers: The modern storage infrastructure will help farmers by reducing spoilage and waste, ensuring that produce can be stored and transported efficiently. This will result in better profits for farmers and a more sustainable agricultural supply chain.

Economic Growth in Rural Areas: The upgrade in cold storage and agricultural infrastructure is expected to boost the agricultural economy, creating opportunities for rural development and job creation in the sector.

Defence news

18th India -Nepal Military exercise Surya Kiran to commence in Nepal

• The 18th edition of the Surya Kiran military exercise is set to take place in Saljhandi, Nepal from 31st December 2024 to 13th January 2025.
• The Indian Army contingent, consisting of 334 personnel, has already departed for the event. The exercise is hosted alternately by the Indian Army and Nepali Army each year.
• The 17th edition of Surya Kiran was held in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand from 24th November to 7th December 2023.

Participants: The Indian contingent for the 18th edition includes members from the 11th Gorkha Rifles Regiment, which is historically significant as the first regiment of the Indian Army raised after India’s independence.

The Nepali Army will be represented by the Srijung Battalion.

Objectives and Key Features: The primary aim of Surya Kiran is to foster closer bilateral military relations between India and Nepal, enhancing mutual trust, and sharpening professional skills.

Key Focus Areas of the exercise:

• Joint operations in jungle warfare and counter-terrorism operations.
• Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, in line with the UN Charter.
• The exercise will provide both armies with an opportunity to enhance their combat skills and operational capabilities, especially in challenging environments.

India-Nepal Defence Relations:

• Strong Defence Ties: India and Nepal share strong military connections, with Nepali Gorkhas being recruited into the Indian Army.
• Honorary Ranks: Both countries traditionally confer honorary ranks on each other’s military heads. Recently, General Upendra Dwivedi (Indian COAS) was awarded the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army by the Nepali President, and General Ashok Raj Sigdel (Nepali COAS) was honored with the honorary rank of General of the Indian Army by Indian President Droupadi Murmu in December 2024.

Nepal:

• Capital: Kathmandu
• Currency: Nepalese Rupee
• Official language: Nepali

Appointment news

‘Dr. Sandip Shah’ Appointed new Chairperson of NABL-QCI

Government of India has appointed Dr Sandip Shah as the Chairperson of the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). Dr Shah succeeds  Prof. Subbanna Ayyappan who conceptualised and launched India’s first Drive-through COVID testing facility.

The NABL is a constituent of the Quality Council of India (QCI) that works to improve the quality of testing and calibration services, ensuring trust in the products and services used by consumers, businesses, and regulators.

About Quality Council of India

• The Quality Council of India was set up in 1996 under the Union Ministry of  Commerce.
• It is a joint venture of the government of India and the three premier Industry bodies-Indian Industry represented by the three premier industry associations- FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry);  ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India); and CII (Confederation of Indian Industry).
• It is registered as a non profit organsiation under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860.
• The nodal agency of the QCI is the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

Salman Khan and Tiger Shroff as Brand Ambassadors for Kho Kho World Cup 2025

In December 2024, the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) announced Salman Khan and Tiger Shroff as the brand ambassadors for the Kho Kho World Cup 2025. The inaugural edition of this event will take place from 13th to 19th January 2025 in New Delhi and Noida, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium and Noida Indoor Stadium.

Key Highlights:

Announcement Event:

The announcement was made during an event at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, which was attended by KKFI President Sudhanshu Mittal, KKFI General Secretary MS Tyagi, and members of the Indian men’s and women’s Kho Kho teams.

Tournament Details: The Kho Kho World Cup 2025 will feature 21 men’s teams and 20 women’s teams from 24 countries.

Official Logo and Tagline: The official logo and tagline for the World Cup, #TheWorldGoesKho, were unveiled by KKFI in October 2024.

State news

Government of Andhra Pradesh Declares ‘Ratha Saptami’ as a State Festival

In December 2024, the Andhra Pradesh (AP) government announced the declaration of ‘Ratha Saptami’ as a State festival. The festival will be celebrated for three days at the Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple in Arasavalli, Srikakulam, AP.

Key Highlights:

Festival Dates for 2025: Ratha Saptami will be celebrated from February 4 to February 6, 2025.

Significance:

• The festival marks the birthday of Lord Surya (Sun God), also known as Surya Jayanti.
• It emphasizes Andhra Pradesh’s cultural and spiritual heritage, boosts the local economy, and enhances religious tourism in the state.

Cultural Importance: Ratha Saptami is symbolic of the transition from winter to spring, marking the harvesting season’s commencement.

About Ratha Saptami:

Religious Observance:

• Celebrated in the Hindu month of Magha (February/March), the festival is dedicated to Lord Sri Suryanarayana Swamy.
• Devotees worship the Sun God as a symbol of energy and prosperity.

Venue: The main festivities occur at the Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple in Arasavalli, a renowned pilgrimage site in Srikakulam Town, Andhra Pradesh.

Andhra Pradesh:

• Capital: Amaravati
• Chief minister: N. Chandrababu Naidu
• Governor: Syed Abdul Nazeer

Punjab Achieves 100% Piped Water Supply Under Jal Jeevan Mission

In December 2024, Punjab became the fifth state in India to achieve 100% piped water supply to rural households under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal (HGJ) Scheme. This achievement was announced by Hardeep Singh Mundian, the Ministry for Water Supply and Sanitation of Punjab, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Key Highlights:

• 100% Piped Water Supply: Punjab is the fifth state to provide 100% piped water supply, benefiting rural households with clean drinking water.
• Milestone: As of December 2024, 11 states and Union Territories (UTs) have achieved 100% coverage, and all states/UTs have over 50% coverage in rural tap water connections.

Punjab’s Ongoing Development Projects:

Water Quality and Scarcity Solutions: 15 major canal water projects with an investment of Rs. 2,174 crore are being implemented across 1,706 villages to benefit around 25 lakh people.

Open Defecation Free (ODF) Status: All villages in Punjab have achieved ODF status under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), with the construction of 5.64 lakh individual toilets and 1,340 community toilets.

Waste Management:

• Waste management facilities have been established in 3,366 villages for solid waste and 9,909 villages for grey water management.
• 23 plastic waste management units have been set up at the block level in rural areas.

Biogas Plants: 20 biogas plants have been set up to manage cow dung in shelters in partnership with Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA).

About Har Ghar Jal Scheme:

Launched by: Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), Government of India in 2019.

Objective: To provide 55 liters of tap water per person per day to every rural household.

States and UTs with 100% Tap Water Supply:

• Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab.
• Conclusion: Punjab’s achievement in providing piped water to rural households reflects the state’s commitment to improving water supply, sanitation, and overall rural development.

Punjab:

• Capital: Chandigarh
• Chief minister: Bhagwant Mann
• Governor: Gulab Chand Kataria

India’s First Sports Management Mobile App Launched in Andhra Pradesh

On December , 2024, the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) launched the ‘Kreeda App’, India’s first mobile app dedicated to enhancing sports management. The app was launched by Mandipalli Ramprasadh Reddy, Minister for Youth and Sports of Andhra Pradesh, at an event in Vijayawada.

Key Features of the Kreeda App:

One-Stop Solution for Athletes: Athletes can update profiles, track performance, and access achievement certificates via DigiLocker.

Enhanced Sports Management: Features for tracking coaches’ performance, real-time inventory management, addressing grievances, and asset management.

Central Sports Calendar: A comprehensive calendar to help players apply for tournaments efficiently.

Transparency and Efficiency:

• Prevents misuse of sports quota certificates.
• Facilitates player registration, performance tracking, tournament applications, and equipment management.

Significance:

Digital Achievement Certificates: Currently, only Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu issue digital certificates for sports achievements or participation.

Impact:

• The app aims to streamline sports administration, making it easier for athletes and officials to manage sports activities while promoting transparency and efficiency.
• This innovative step by Andhra Pradesh demonstrates a significant stride toward leveraging technology to support sports development and administration in India.

Andhra Pradesh:

• Capital: Amaravati
• Chief minister: N. Chandrababu Naidu
• Governor: Syed Abdul Nazeer

Science and tech news

ISRO to Launch SpaDeX Mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its Space Docking Experiment, SpaDeX, on Monday. In an interview, Minister of State for Space Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that ISRO’s year-end mission will be a historic one as it will seek the rare feat of docking or merging two satellites in space.

Significance:

• Marks India’s entry into the elite group of nations mastering space docking technology.
• Demonstrates India’s indigenous capability in advanced space technologies.

Technology:

• PSLV Rocket: Launch vehicle for SpaDeX.
• Bhartiya Docking System: Indigenous system used for docking.

Minister’s Remarks:

• Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the mission as a historic milestone for India’s space program.
• Highlights ISRO’s capability to execute complex space maneuvers.
• This mission will position India at the forefront of space exploration and technology.

ISRO:

• Founded: 15 August 1969
• Headquarters: Bengaluru
• Head: Sreedhara Panicker Somanath

Ranks and report news

Country records highest-ever coal production in the year 2023-24.

India has witnessed the highest ever coal production in 2023-24 year. The all-India coal production in the year 2023-24 was 997.826 Million Tonne (MT) in comparison to 893.191 Million Tonne in the year 2022-23 with a growth of about 11.71 percent. The Ministry of coal in statement said that the country has supplied about 963.11 MT of coal till 15th of this Month.

Coal Production Figures:

• Total coal production in 2023-24: 997.826 Million Tonnes (MT).
• Comparison with 2022-23: Increased from 893.191 MT, showing a growth of 11.71%.
• Coal supply till 15th December 2023: 963.11 MT.

Coking Coal Production:

• Domestic raw coking coal production: 66.821 MT in 2023-24.
• Future projections: Under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, domestic coking coal production is expected to reach 140 MT in the next five years.

Significance:

• India achieved its highest-ever coal production, reflecting the success of government initiatives and increased domestic supply.
• Focus on increasing self-reliance in coal production, reducing dependence on imports.

IRDAI Annual Report 2023-24: Key Highlights of Non-Life Insurance Industry

According to the Annual Report 2023-24 of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), claims ratio(the net incurred claims to net earned premium) of non-life insurance industry declined to 82.52% for the Financial Year 2023-24(FY24), compared to 82.95% in FY23.

Total Premium Underwritten:

• The non-life insurance sector in India underwrote a total direct premium of Rs 2.90 lakh crore in FY24, showing a growth of 12.76% from the previous year.
• The growth was mainly driven by increased premiums in health and motor insurance.

Insurance Penetration: Insurance penetration in India stood at 3.7% for FY24, a decrease from 4% in FY23.

Public vs Private Sector Performance: Public sector general insurers saw an increase in their contribution by 8.88%, rising from Rs 82,891 crore in FY23 to Rs 90,252 crore in FY24.

Private sector insurers, including standalone health insurers, underwrote Rs 1.88 trillion in FY24, up from Rs 1.58 trillion in FY23.

Life Insurance Benefits: The life insurance sector paid total benefits of Rs 5.77 lakh crore in FY24, accounting for 70.22% of the net premium.

About IRDAI:

• Constitution and Establishment: IRDAI was constituted in 1999 and became a statutory body in April 2000.
• Chairperson: Debasish Panda
• Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana

Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) for 2023-24

In December 2024, the National Statistical Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI), released the results of the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) for the period October 2023 to September 2024. The report highlights key developments in the unincorporated non-agricultural sector:

Key Highlights:

Employment Creation: Fresh employment generation slowed during the period, with an increase of 10.97 million jobs, down from 11.74 million in the previous year (October 2022-September 2023).

Growth in Establishments: The number of new establishments in the unincorporated sector grew significantly, from 5.34 million in 2022-23 to 8.35 million in 2023-24.

Total Number of Establishments: The total number of unincorporated establishments increased from 65 million in 2022-23 to 73.4 million in 2023-24, showing a growth of 12.48%.

Employment in the Sector: The number of workers employed in the sector rose from 109.6 million (October 2022-September 2023) to 120.6 million (October 2023-September 2024).

Conclusion: The ASUSE report reflects continued growth in the unincorporated non-agricultural sector, with a notable increase in the number of establishments and workers employed. However, the growth in fresh job creation showed a slight decline compared to the previous year.

About MoSPI: Minister of State (MOS) (Independent Charge): Rao Inderjit Singh (Constituency: Gurugram, Haryana)

Obituary news

Architect of the Car Revolution in India Osamu Suzuki passes away

Osamu Suzuki, founder and former chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation, passed away at the age of 94. He was suffering from lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.

Legacy and Contributions:

• Leadership at Suzuki: Osamu Suzuki was at the helm of Suzuki Motor Corporation for over 40 years, during which he transformed the company into a global automobile powerhouse. He played a crucial role in establishing Maruti Suzuki India Limited, which revolutionized the Indian car industry with the Maruti 800 — a small, affordable car that became a symbol of personal mobility for millions in India.
• Suzuki’s Entry into India: Despite initial resistance from both the Japanese embassy in India and the general reluctance of foreign companies to invest in India at the time, Suzuki took a bold step to establish operations in the country. This decision, driven by Suzuki’s vision, led to the creation of Maruti Udyog Limited in 1981, which later became Maruti Suzuki India Limited. His investment laid the foundation for Suzuki’s success in India, making it a key player in the global automobile market.

Business Expansion:

Partnerships: Under Suzuki’s leadership, Suzuki forged strategic ties with General Motors and Volkswagen, expanding the company’s footprint in North America and Europe.

Global Expansion: Suzuki became a significant player in small cars and motorcycles, with a focus on affordable and fuel-efficient vehicles.

Maruti Suzuki’s Impact in India:

Maruti 800: Launched in 1983, the Maruti 800 changed the landscape of India’s passenger car industry, providing affordable cars for the masses.

• Production Milestones: Maruti Suzuki India now produces over 20 lakh vehicles per year. India has become a key hub for small cars, and Suzuki’s cumulative production in India reached 3 crore vehicles by March 2024, making India the second country after Japan to achieve this milestone.
• Recognition: In 2007, the Government of India conferred the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, on Osamu Suzuki for his monumental contribution to the Indian automobile sector and for strengthening the India-Japan relationship.

Renowned Malayalam Writer and Filmmaker MT Vasudevan Nair Passes Away at 91

MT Vasudevan Nair, renowned Malayalam writer, filmmaker, and recipient of the Padma Bhushan, passed away at the age of 91 in Kozhikode, Kerala. Born in 1933 in Kudallur, Kerala, MT Vasudevan Nair, popularly known as MT, was a towering figure in Malayalam literature and cinema.

About MT Vasudevan Nair:

Career in Journalism:

• Began his career as a sub-editor at the Malayalam weekly ‘Mathrubhumi’ in 1956.
• Became the editor of ‘Mathrubhumi’ in 1968.

Literary Contributions:

Authored 9 novels, 19 collections of short stories, and numerous essays and memoirs over his 70-year career.

Notable works include:

• Naalukettu
• Randamoozham
• Manju
• Kaalam
• Asuravithu
• Iruttinte Athmavu

Contributions to Cinema:

• Directed 6 films, including the critically acclaimed Nirmalyam.
• Directed two documentaries.

Wrote approximately 54 screenplays, earning:

• 4 National Awards
• 11 Kerala State Awards

Awards and Honors: Conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2005, India’s third-highest civilian honor.

Books and author news

Deepa Malik’s Memoir ‘Bring It On: The Incredible Story of My Life’ to be Released by HarperCollins India

In December 2024, HarperCollins Publishers India Private Limited, headquartered in Gurgaon, Haryana, announced the release of “Bring It On: The Incredible Story of My Life”, a memoir by Deepa Malik, India’s first female Paralympic medalist.

Highlights of the Memoir:

Inspiring Journey:

• The book narrates Deepa Malik’s incredible journey of resilience and determination.
• She overcame challenges such as surviving three spinal tumors, societal biases, patriarchy, and political struggles.
• Her story exemplifies her fight to excel as a wheelchair-liberated athlete.

Achievements and Accolades:

• Deepa Malik is a leading para-athlete with 23 international medals to her name.
• She created history by becoming India’s first female Paralympic medalist, winning a silver medal at the Rio Paralympics 2016.

Recognized with numerous honors, including:

Padma Shri: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (now Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna)

Arjuna Award: Four Limca Book of Records (LBR) entries.

Leadership Roles:

• Served as the first female president of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI).
• Currently represents South Asia on the board of the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC).
• Holds three honorary doctorates and the Asian Order for her contributions.