International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2023

• The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is annually observed on 27th December.
• The day was first observed on 27^th December 2020 by the United Nations General Assembly, after acknowledging the long-term harm caused by major infectious diseases, particularly COVID-19.
• This significant day is to increase understanding about preventing and effectively managing epidemics through education and collaboration.
• This day aligns with the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, promoting global health and well-being.

Government Allows Banks to Import Gold from United Arab Emirates

• The Indian government has granted approval for Indian banks to import gold from the United Arab Emirates at a concessional duty.
• They can import gold within a specified annual quantity under the free trade agreement between the two nations.
• The government has also implemented substantial liberalization of norms governing gold imports from the UAE under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

INS Imphal Commissioned into the Indian Navy

• INS Imphal was commissioned into the Indian Navy in the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at the Naval Dockyard Mumbai.
• The defense minister said that INS Imphal is a symbol of India's growing maritime power, and it will strengthen it further.
• He also said that it will bolster the principle of ‘Jalmev Yasya, Balmev Tasya’ (One Who Controls the Sea is All Powerful) in the Indo-Pacific region.
• INS Imphal is the third of the four 'Project 15 Bravo Visakhapatnam class' guided missile destroyers.

China Appoints Hu Zhongming as New Navy Chief

• China has appointed Hu Zhongming as the new head of its navy.
• He took over the position of Admiral Dong Jun.
• This appointment has been formalized at a ceremony in Beijing in the presence of President Xi Jinping.

Around 1300 Tabla Players Performance at Tansen Festival Enters Guinness World Records

• Around 1,300 musicians playing Vande Mataram on the tabla set a new Guinness World Record.
• They set the record for the "largest tabla ensemble" during the 99th International Tansen Mahotsav in Gwalior.
• The Guinness World Records certificate was officially presented to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

Health Minister Launched ‘MedTech Mitra’

• Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, has launched 'MedTech Mitra,'.
• This platform aims to help the young talents of the country to cultivate their research, knowledge, and logic while providing essential support for obtaining regulatory approval.