Current Affairs january-11th-2024


National News

Ujjain Unveils India’s First Hygienic Food Street ‘Prasadam’

Usthadian Academy / Ujjain Unveils India’s First Hygienic Food Street ‘Prasadam’

  • Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya recently inaugurated ‘Prasadam,’ India's inaugural healthy and hygienic food street, in a grand ceremony at Neelkanth Van, Mahakal Lok, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Spanning an impressive 939 square meters, “Prasadam” stands as a symbol of holistic development. Positioned near the Mahakaleshwar Temple, it is designed not just as a food street but as a multifaceted destination contributing to various aspects of community life.
  • The food street comprises 17 shops, each offering a unique culinary experience. “Prasadam” goes beyond offering culinary delight.
  • It provides an array of facilities, including a dedicated kids’ play area, drinking water facility, CCTV surveillance, ample parking, public conveniences, and spacious seating areas, aimed at enhancing the overall experience for visitors and locals alike.

International News

Gabriel Attal Becomes France’s Youngest-Ever Prime Minister At 34

Usthadian Academy / Gabriel Attal Becomes France’s Youngest-Ever Prime Minister At 34

  • French President Emmanuel Macron has made a significant political move by appointing Gabriel Attal as the new prime minister of France.
  • At 34 years old, Attal not only becomes the youngest prime minister in the country’s history but also the first openly gay official to hold this prestigious position.
  • Attal’s appointment comes in the midst of a cabinet reshuffle initiated by Macron to breathe new life into his government.
  • With the departure of outgoing Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, Attal is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the direction of the administration.

U.S. Designates Countries Including China, North Korea, Pakistan For Religious Freedom Violations

Usthadian Academy / U.S. Designates Countries Including China, North Korea, Pakistan For Religious Freedom Violations

  • The United States, led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has identified several nations as ‘Countries of Particular Concern’ due to severe violations of religious freedom.
  • This decision aligns with the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, emphasizing the commitment to advancing freedom of religion globally.
  • China, North Korea, Pakistan, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Myanmar have been labeled as ‘Countries of Particular Concern.’
  • Algeria, Azerbaijan, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Vietnam are placed on the ‘Special Watch List’ for tolerating severe religious freedom violations.

Banking News

IndusInd Bank Introduces ‘Samman RuPay Credit Card’ For Government Employees

Usthadian Academy / IndusInd Bank Introduces ‘Samman RuPay Credit Card’ For Government Employees

  • In a strategic collaboration with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), IndusInd Bank has launched the UPI-enabled ‘Samman RuPay Credit Card,’ exclusively tailored for government sector employees.
  • The Samman RuPay Credit Card combines traditional credit card advantages with advanced UPI features, streamlining financial transactions.
  • Benefits include cashback on various expenditures, complimentary movie tickets, no cash advance charges, and surcharge waivers for IRCTC and fuel transactions.
  • The card not only offers financial incentives but also aims to simplify and enrich the day-to-day transactional experience for government employees. Users can link RuPay credit cards to UPI IDs, facilitating secure and convenient payment transactions.

Business News

LIC Approves Acquisition Of 10% Stake In NHB-Promoted Company

Usthadian Academy / LIC Approves Acquisition Of 10% Stake In NHB-Promoted Company

  • In a recent regulatory filing, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) announced its board’s approval to acquire up to 10% stake in a new company promoted by the National Housing Bank (NHB).
  • The investment is targeted towards residential mortgage-backed securities and will be made through equity contribution in one or more tranches.
  • While the specific details about the company in question have not been disclosed, LIC’s move signals a strategic venture into the residential mortgage sector.
  • The decision aligns with LIC’s broader financial portfolio and underscores its commitment to diversifying investments in promising sectors.

Important Days News

World Hindi Day 2024

Usthadian Academy /World Hindi Day 2024

  • Every year on January 10th, the world celebrates World Hindi Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the cultural significance and global influence of the Hindi language.
  • In 2024, the theme of the World Hindi Day is “Hindi–Bridging Traditional Knowledge and Artificial Intelligence”. The journey of Hindi to this global stage began in 1949 with a momentous occasion – its first address at the United Nations General Assembly.
  • In 2006, under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the first Vishwa Hindi Diwas was officially observed, marking January 10th as World Hindi Day on the global calendar.
  • World Hindi Day serves as a platform to celebrate and promote using Hindi in various spheres. Educational institutions hold events like essay writing competitions, poetry recitals, and plays to highlight the beauty and depth of the language.

Summits & Conferences News

Piyush Goyal Inaugurates Indus Food 2024 In Greater Noida

Usthadian Academy / Piyush Goyal Inaugurates Indus Food 2024 In Greater Noida

  • Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal inaugurated ‘Indus Food 2024’ at India Exposition Mart, Greater Noida.
  • Commending India’s diverse food industry, Goyal emphasized its global potential and underscored the need for technological innovation in the culinary landscape.
  • Recognizing the rising global demand for Indian foods, Goyal highlighted India’s diverse agro-climatic zones, 158 food and agri Geographical Indications, and 708 unique food items under the One District One Product initiative.
  • Acknowledging successful government initiatives like ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana,’ Goyal praised efforts to ensure food security, free food grains to 81 Crore people, and zero starvation deaths.

PM Modi Inaugurates Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show In Gandhinagar

Usthadian Academy / PM Modi Inaugurates Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show In Gandhinagar

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show in Gandhinagar, alongside esteemed guests including President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel.
  • Covering a sprawling two lakh square meters, the trade show stands as India’s largest-ever Global Trade Show. A staggering 100 countries are actively participating, with 33 countries engaged as partners.
  • The event hosts over 1,000 exhibitors in the research sector, representing 20 countries, including notable participants from Australia, South Korea, Singapore, UAE, UK, Germany, and Norway.
  • The trade show places a strategic emphasis on emerging sectors such as electric vehicles, green hydrogen, renewable energy, semiconductors, and cybersecurity, reflecting India’s commitment to innovation and sustainable practices.

Agreements News

Gensol Engineering Allocates Rs 2,000 Crore For Gujarat EV Plant

Usthadian Academy / Gensol Engineering Allocates Rs 2,000 Crore For Gujarat EV Plant

  • Gensol Engineering, a prominent player in the sustainable energy sector, has initiated a significant venture through a strategic partnership with the Government of Gujarat.
  • This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalized during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, signifies a landmark agreement between the two entities.
  • Demonstrating its commitment to sustainable growth, Gensol Engineering has pledged a substantial investment of Rs 2,000 crore for establishing an Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in Gujarat.
  • The proposed plant is expected to catalyze economic growth, creating approximately 1,500 jobs and providing a substantial boost to employment opportunities in the region.

Awards News

Singapore’s Changi Airport Earns The Title Of World’s Best Airport For 2023

Usthadian Academy / Singapore’s Changi Airport Earns The Title Of World’s Best Airport For 2023

  • Singapore’s Changi Airport has once again been honored with the title of the World’s Best Airport for the year 2023, according to the prestigious awards presented by the air transport research firm, Skytrax.
  • Reclaiming its status as the best in the world for the twelfth time, Changi Airport has surpassed its competitors.
  • These annual Skytrax awards are a significant benchmark in the aviation industry, recognizing excellence in airport services and facilities.
  • The accolades are based on customer satisfaction surveys from international air travelers, providing a true reflection of the passenger experience.

Appointments News

Samir Kumar Sinha Assumes Role As DG (Acquisition) In Defence Ministry

Usthadian Academy / Samir Kumar Sinha Assumes Role As DG (Acquisition) In Defence Ministry

  • In a recent bureaucratic reshuffle, the Centre has announced several key appointments, signifying a strategic realignment of responsibilities.
  • Among the notable changes, Senior IAS officer Samir Kumar Sinha has been appointed as Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition) in the Defence Ministry.
  • Samir Kumar Sinha, a 1994-batch IAS officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, has been entrusted with the crucial position of Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition) in the Defence Ministry. His extensive experience and background make him an apt choice for this vital role.

Sports News

Alexander Zverev-Led Germany Defeats Swiatek’s Poland In United Cup

Usthadian Academy / Alexander Zverev-Led Germany Defeats Swiatek’s Poland In United Cup

  • Germany emerged victorious over top seeds Poland in the United Cup, with Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund winning the deciding mixed doubles tie against Hubert Hurkacz and Iga Swiatek.
  • In a thrilling final showdown, the German duo secured a hard-fought victory, showcasing their skill and determination.
  • The closely contested match culminated in a 6-4, 5-7, 10-4 win in the mixed doubles, ultimately securing the United Cup title for Germany.

FIH And Viacom18 Ink Four-Year Media Rights Deal

Usthadian Academy / FIH And Viacom18 Ink Four-Year Media Rights Deal

  • The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has inked a significant media rights partnership with Viacom18, covering the four-year period from 2023 to 2027.
  • This exclusive agreement encompasses all FIH events, excluding the FIH Nations Cup. Fans can catch the action on Viacom18’s linear channels under the Network Sports18 umbrella and on the OTT platform JioCinema.
  • This comprehensive media rights deal ensures hockey enthusiasts across India have access to an extensive array of FIH events, enhancing the sport’s visibility and popularity.

Miscellaneous News

Red Ant Chutney Of Odisha Receives Geographical Indication (GI) Tag

Usthadian Academy / Red Ant Chutney Of Odisha Receives Geographical Indication (GI) Tag

  • In the heart of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, a unique culinary tradition known as ‘Kai Chutney’ has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
  • Crafted using red weaver ants, scientifically identified as Oecophylla smaragdina, this savoury delight showcases the region's cultural and economic significance.
  • Harvested from the lush forests of Mayurbhanj, including the renowned Similipal forests, these ants add a unique flavor to the culinary creation.

EU Scientists Confirm 2023 As Hottest Year Ever Recorded

Usthadian Academy / EU Scientists Confirm 2023 As Hottest Year Ever Recorded

  • The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) has declared 2023 as the hottest year on record, surpassing previous temperatures and potentially marking the warmest period in the last 100,000 years.
  • This announcement sheds light on the alarming trajectory of global warming, emphasizing the urgent need for global action.
  • The global average temperature in 2023 was 1.48 degrees Celsius warmer than the pre-industrial period of 1850-1900, underscoring the challenges posed by climate change and the critical need for intervention.