Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 26 December 2011 declared the birthday of the great mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, 22 December as National Mathematics Day. Singh also declared 2012 as the National Mathematical Year as a tribute to the great mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.

The Union Cabinet of India on 18 December 2011 approved a draft National Food Security Bill that seeks to give legal entitlement of cheaper food-grains to 62.5 per cent of the country's population. The total financial liability to implement the law would be 3.5 lakh crore rupees, as funds will be required to raise agriculture production, create storage space and publicity among others.

The Lok Sabha on 13 December 2011 unanimously passed a Bill to further amend the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995. It replaces a Presidential Ordinance of 25 October, 2011. As per the amendments, there will be a check on objectionable contents. Doordarshan will be able to provide more free-on-air channels in the DTH mode to audiences across the country. Cable TV operators violating the provisions of the Bill will face penalty. The legislation will reduce dependence on the television rating points, TRP. By 2014, the entire cable network will be digitized.

More December National News in detail....

NATO ended its training mission in Iraq on 17 December 2011. The mission was aimed at assisting in the development of Iraqi security forces training structures and institutions. It was comprised of 120 soldiers from 12 countries. All of them will leave by the end of 2012. The move follows a day after US military handed over the last military base in Iraq and officially announced shutdown of its operations in the country.

Iran has threatened to close the Strait if Western nations place an embargo on Iranian oil. Iranian navy is currently holding exercises close to the Strait. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow, strategically important strait between the Gulf of Oman in the southeast and the Persian Gulf.

Greek Parliament on 7 December 2011 approved a budget for 2012 pledging tough fiscal goals demanded by European Union partners in return for fresh loans. The austerity budget projects a modest primary surplus excluding interest payments on debt. A broad majority of the parties backing Lucas Papademos' caretaker administration secured the economic blueprint's passage by 258 votes to 41, after the vote concluded.

More December International News....

The Prime Minister of India visited Russia on 15-17 December 2011 to participate in the 12th Indo-Russian annual summit. India and Russia signed five major agreements during this summit, which includes licensed production of an additional 42 Sukhoi combat planes and to manage fly ash residue at thermal plants in Siberia.

More Decemberh National News....