State News

1. Mamata Banerjee Unveils 'Yogyasree' for SC/ST Students in West Bengal

• West Bengal's Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, has recently introduced a groundbreaking social welfare scheme titled “Yogyasree.”
• This initiative is dedicated to providing free training modules for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in West Bengal, specifically focusing on entrance and competitive examinations.
• Under the Yogyasree scheme, fifty training centers will be established across the state, offering cost-free training to SC and ST students, with a particular emphasis on competitive exams.
• Furthermore, 46 centers will extend similar opportunities to those aspiring for government jobs and pursuing careers in civil services.

2. Kerala Prodigy Sets Guinness Record, Sings in 100+ Languages

• In a remarkable display of talent, 16-year-old Kerala prodigy Suchetha Satish set a Guinness World Record during the 'Concert for Climate' in Dubai on November 24, 2023.
• Singing in an astonishing 140 languages, she garnered widespread acclaim for her musical prowess. The event, held at the Indian Consulate Auditorium in Dubai as part of the COP 28 summit, highlighted the global significance of her achievement.
• Satish showcased her versatility by singing in 29 Indian languages and 91 international languages, including a Sanskrit song from the Malayalam movie Dhwani and a Hindi composition by her mother, Sumitha Ayilliath, and renowned Bollywood composer Monty Sharma.

National News

3. Inaugural Meeting of Inland Waterways Development Council in Kolkata

• The Inland Waterways Authority of India, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, made history by hosting the first meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) in Kolkata.
• Led by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the event brought together representatives from waterway states, central government officials, and experts aboard the MV Ganga Queen.
• Key initiatives such as the “Harit Nauka – Guidelines for Green Transition of Inland Vessels” and the “River Cruise Tourism Roadmap 2047” were unveiled during the meeting.
• Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were also signed, symbolizing collaborative efforts towards advancing inland waterways and associated sectors.

4. ONGC Achieves Milestone with First Oil Production in Krishna-Godavari Deep-Water Block

• On January 7, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) achieved a significant milestone by commencing the first oil production from the deep-water KG-DWN 98/2
• Located in the Krishna Godavari (KG) basin off the Bay of Bengal on the Kakinada coast, this development marks a crucial step forward in India’s energy landscape.
• Anticipated peak production from the 98/2 field is remarkable, with expectations set at around 45,000 barrels of oil per day and over 10 Million Metric Standard Cubic Metres per Day (MMSCMD) of gas.
• ONGC is actively working towards the final phase of the 98/2 block, with efforts underway to commence the production of the remaining oil and natural gas by mid-2024.

Business News

5. Government's Massive Investment in River Cruise Tourism and Green Vessels

• Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced a significant government investment of Rs 60,000 crore by 2047 in the development of river cruise tourism and eco-friendly vessels.
• This initiative aims to boost tourism, enhance water transport, and create employment opportunities.
• Sonowal outlined the plan, allocating Rs 45,000 crore to river cruise development, intending to increase passenger capacity from 2 lakh to 15 lakh by 2047.
• Additionally, the government plans to invest Rs 15,000 crore over the next decade in green transport, aiming to develop 1,000 environmentally friendly vessels and ferries.

6. Microsoft's 'AI Odyssey' to Upskill 100,000 Indian Developers: Boosting AI Talent in India

• Microsoft India has unveiled the 'AI Odyssey' initiative, with the goal of training 100,000 Indian developers in the latest AI technologies.
• This program aims to equip developers with essential skills for executing AI projects aligned with business goals, welcoming AI enthusiasts in India, regardless of their experience. The initiative is divided into two levels:
• Level One focuses on using Azure AI services with practical skills, while Level Two involves an online assessment and interactive lab tasks for Microsoft applied skills credentials.
• Completion of the program offers a chance to win a VIP Pass for the Microsoft AI Tour in Bangalore on Feb 8, 2024.

Important Days News

7. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2024: Celebrating NRI Contributions

• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, observed on January 9, commemorates the valuable contributions of the overseas Indian community to India's development.
• This day also symbolizes Mahatma Gandhi's return to India in 1915, signifying leadership in the freedom struggle.
• Instituted in 2003 as an annual event, it transformed into a biennial celebration in 2015. The revised format includes theme-based conferences during alternate years, fostering collaboration among overseas diaspora experts, policy-makers, and stakeholders.

Ranks & Reports News

8. India’s MSME Landscape Revealed: CBRE-CREDAI Report Insights

• A recent CBRE-CREDAI report provides insights into India's Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• As of December 2023, India boasts over 3 crore registered MSMEs, with Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh contributing nearly 40% to this vibrant sector.
• Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu emerge as significant contributors, collectively representing a substantial portion of registered MSMEs.
• Uttar Pradesh secures a notable position among the top three states, holding a 9% share. Policy initiatives, including interest subsidies and stamp duty exemptions, have catalyzed MSME growth in cities like Agra, Kanpur, Varanasi, Lucknow, Meerut, and Ghaziabad.

Agreements News

9. Denmark's Green Fuels Alliance India at GIM 2024

• At the Global Investors Meet (GIM) 2024, Denmark introduced the Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI) under the Green Strategic Partnership (GSP) signed with India in 2020.
• GFAI aims to accelerate collaboration in sustainable energy solutions, aligning with the global goal of carbon neutrality.
• The initiative strives to establish an ecosystem fostering collaboration among businesses, government entities, research institutions, and financial stakeholders, supporting India’s efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.

Appointments News

10. PhonePe Appoints Ritesh Pai as CEO for International Payments Division

• Walmart-owned fintech firm PhonePe has appointed Ritesh Pai as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of its international payments business.
• Ritesh Pai, with a rich background in digital payments, excels in launching innovative solutions and structuring global business partnerships.
• His leadership at TerraPay and Yes Bank showcased expertise in launching and implementing payment products globally.

11. Indra Mani Pandey Assumes BIMSTEC Secretary General Role

• Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, a seasoned diplomat, officially took on the role of Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
• With a diplomatic career since 1990, Ambassador Pandey served as the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations before assuming this crucial position.
• His appointment follows Tenzin Lekphell of Bhutan, marking a significant chapter in BIMSTEC's leadership.

Science & Technology News

12. U.S. Launches Peregrine-1 Lander To Moon: A Historic Lunar Mission

• In a historic lunar mission, the Peregrine-1 lunar lander, operated by private firm Astrobotic, launched successfully from Cape Canaveral.
• Scheduled to land on February 23, the mission under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative aims to study the Moon’s surface environment.
• The Peregrine lander carries NASA payloads and components to measure radiation, water ice, magnetic fields, and the exosphere.
• This mission includes the first Latin American scientific instruments destined for the lunar surface.

Sports News

13. National Sports Awards 2023 Honors Sporting Excellence

• The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announced the National Sports Awards 2023, recognizing individuals and institutions excelling in sports.
• Awardees include World Cup star Mohammed Shami, Asian Games heroes Ojas Pravin Deotale, shooter Aishwarya Pratap Singh Tomar, and Parul Chaudhary.
• Nominees also include badminton players Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty for the Khel Ratna and 26 sports persons for the Arjuna award.

Miscellaneous News

14. Cyclone Alvaro Strikes Madagascar: First Cyclone of 2024

• Tropical Cyclone Alvaro made landfall in southwest Madagascar on January 1st, 2024, marking the first significant cyclone impact in the 2023-2024 cyclone
• Affecting provinces like Atsimo-Andrefana, already facing flooding challenges, Cyclone Alvaro has tested the country’s resilience and disaster management capabilities, following Cyclone Freddy's impact last February.

15. Ancient Tools Unearthed in Telangana’s Mulugu District

• Following devastating floods in July 2023, Telangana’s Mulugu district witnessed an unexpected archaeological discovery.
• Amateur historians found paleolithic quartzite tools, including a significant stone axe, pushing back the understanding of human habitations in Telangana and central India.
• This discovery, made by dedicated researcher Eleswaram Janardanachari, has not only captivated the local community but also adds a new chapter to the region's archaeological significance.