National News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates The 27th National Youth Festival In Nashik

• Nashik, Maharashtra, played host to the esteemed 27th National Youth Festival from January 12 to 16, 2024.
• Coinciding with the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, this festival illuminated the nation with the vibrancy of youthful talent and skills.
• The event aimed to offer a stage for the nation's youth to display their prowess, aligning with the commitment to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, marking the centennial year of Indian independence.
• Besides celebrating the youth, the festival marked a pivotal step towards empowering the younger generation and bolstering the nation's infrastructure.

International News

US And UK Launch Airstrikes On Yemen’s Huthi Rebels Over Red Sea Attacks

• Responding to the escalating assaults by Iran-backed Huthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea, the United States and the United Kingdom executed airstrikes deploying fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles.
• Controlling a significant portion of Yemen since 2014, the Huthis' intensified attacks on the international sea route raised global concerns.
• The redirection of shipping around South Africa's Cape of Good Hope prompted fears of potential economic repercussions.
• An emergency cabinet meeting convened by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak underscored the gravity of the situation, presenting the international community with the challenge of managing a complex geopolitical scenario in the region.

State News

Naveen Patnaik Inaugurates Malkangiri Airport In Odisha

• On January 9, Odisha's Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, marked a significant achievement with the inauguration of Malkangiri airport in the southwestern region of the state.
• This strategic initiative aims to bolster connectivity and foster development in tribal-dominated areas, representing a crucial step forward in the region's progress.
• The airport, featuring a 1620-meter long and 30-meter wide runway, is initially equipped to accommodate nine-seater aircraft, as confirmed by an official statement. With this addition, Odisha now boasts a total of seven operational airports.

Simmtech To Set Up Semiconductor Plant In Sanand, Gujarat

• India's semiconductor industry receives a substantial boost as South Korean firm Simmtech announces plans to establish a manufacturing plant in Sanand, Gujarat.
• Investing Rs 1,250 crore, Simmtech seeks to contribute to the creation of a robust semiconductor ecosystem in the state.
• With a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) inked with the Gujarat government, the company will be located near Micron's existing facility in Sanand.
• Spanning 30 acres, the construction is set to commence in the next two to three months, with the entire setup process expected to take 6-7 months.

Economy News

India Aims To Reach $5 Trillion Economy By FY28, $30 Trillion By 2047: Finance Minister At Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit

• At the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined ambitious projections for India's economic growth.
• Presently the world's fifth-largest economy at USD 3.4 trillion, India aspires to claim the third spot by 2027-28, achieving a GDP of over USD 5 trillion.
• Projected to grow at 7.3% in the current fiscal year, surpassing the 7.2% recorded in 2022-23, India attracted USD 919 billion in FDI over 23 years until 2023. Notably, 65% of this, amounting to USD 595 billion, flowed in during the past 8-9 years under the leadership of the Narendra Modi government.

Important Days News

National Road Safety Week From January 11 To 17

• A crucial initiative in India, National Road Safety Week is observed annually from January 11 to 17, marking its 35th year in 2024.
• Geared towards raising awareness about road safety, this week-long event plays a vital role in educating citizens about responsible driving, pedestrian safety, and the need for improved road infrastructure.
• Recognizing the gravity of road safety challenges, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) introduced National Road Safety Month (RSM), extending from January 15 to February 14 in 2024, providing an extended period for awareness and education activities.

National Youth Day 2024

• Observed annually on January 12th in India, National Youth Day commemorates the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, acknowledging his significant contributions to Indian society and the world.
• Declared as National Youth Day by the Government of India in 1984, this day is dedicated to motivating and inspiring the youth using the life and ideas of Swami Vivekananda, with the aim of fostering national development.
• The theme for National Youth Day 2024 is "Viksit Yuva-Viksit Bharat," emphasizing youth empowerment and nation-building, aligning with Swami Vivekananda's vision of harnessing youth power for positive societal change.

Schemes News

Mulya Pravah 2.0: UGC’s New Directive For Ethical Education In India

• In a significant move to promote ethical practices in higher education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India has introduced Mulya Pravah 2.0.
• This new guideline comes as a response to surveys that highlighted unethical practices such as favoritism, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination within various educational organizations.
• Mulya Pravah 2.0 is an updated version of the original Mulya Pravah guideline, which the UGC introduced in 2019.
• The main objective of this revised guideline is to instill human values and professional ethics in higher education institutions across India. It aims to create a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency within these institutions.

Agreements News

Rural Ministry Partners With SBI For SHG Loans

• In a significant move towards fostering rural development and financial inclusion, the Rural Development Ministry and the State Bank of India (SBI) have joined hands through a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
• The primary objective of this collaboration is to streamline and facilitate enterprise financing for rural self-help groups (SHGs), as announced in an official statement.
• The MoU, a pivotal step towards rural economic empowerment, was formally signed by Mr. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, Additional Secretary – National Rural Livelihoods Mission, and Mr. Shantanu Pendsey, Chief General Manager at the Corporate office of State Bank of India in Mumbai.

Appointments News

Rear Admiral Upal Kundu Takes Charge As Chief Of Staff, Southern Naval Command

• Rear Admiral Upal Kundu, an esteemed alumnus of the Indian Naval Academy, has recently taken over as the Chief of Staff at the Southern Naval Command (SNC).
• This seasoned naval officer brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise, particularly in anti-submarine warfare (ASW).
• The Admiral’s illustrious career includes commanding several key naval vessels. Among them, he steered the guided missile frigate INS Trikand and the missile corvette INS Kuthar with distinction.
• In addition to his accomplishments at sea, Rear Admiral Upal Kundu demonstrated his managerial acumen in ashore commands. His stewardship at INS Tanaji and INS Kadamba showcased his ability to efficiently oversee naval operations from land-based positions.

Sheel Vardhan Singh Assumes Role As UPSC Member

• In a significant development, Sheel Vardhan Singh, the former Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), has been appointed as a member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
• During his tenure as the Director General of CISF from November 2021 to December 2023, Singh played a pivotal role in providing visionary leadership that significantly enhanced security measures across the vital industrial sector.
• Following Singh’s appointment, there are still three vacancies for members in the UPSC, paving the way for potential future appointments.
• This underscores the ongoing efforts to ensure a diverse and experienced panel of individuals to oversee the crucial task of selecting top-tier civil servants.

Books & Authors News

Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav Launched A Book Titled ‘Modi: Energising A Green Future’

• Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, heading the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), has recently unveiled an insightful book titled “Modi: Energising A Green Future”.
• This book, a significant addition to environmental literature, is published by Pentagon Press in collaboration with the Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation.
• The central theme of the book revolves around Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and actions for a sustainable and eco-friendly future.
• It delves deep into the strategies and policies under PM Modi’s leadership that have placed India at the forefront of the global environmental movement.

Science & Technology News

China Deploys ‘Einstein Probe,’ A Lotus-Shaped Satellite, To Monitor Cosmic Turbulence

• China has recently sent a groundbreaking astronomical satellite named Einstein Probe (EP) into space on a mission to observe mysterious transient phenomena in the universe.
• The satellite, shaped like a lotus in full bloom, employs innovative X-ray detection technology inspired by the functioning of a lobster eye.
• Launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, this mission marks a significant step in unraveling the secrets of the cosmos.
• The Einstein Probe, weighing approximately 1.45 tonnes and resembling a full-size SUV, boasts a distinctive lotus shape. Its design includes 12 petals and two stamens, with each petal housing wide-field X-ray telescopes (WXT) and each stamen containing follow-up X-ray telescopes (FXT).

Sports News

Unveiling The Essence Of The 9th Asian Winter Games: Slogan, Emblem, And Mascots

• The 9th Asian Winter Games, set to illuminate the winter sports landscape in 2025, have officially entered an exciting phase with the unveiling of its core symbols – the slogan, emblem, and mascots.
• Embracing the spirit of unity and sportsmanship, the official slogan “Dream of Winter, Love among Asia” resonates deeply with the ethos of the Games.
• This slogan encapsulates the aspirations and passion for winter sports among Asian countries, highlighting the essence of dreams, love, and camaraderie that the Games aim to foster.
• The heart and soul of the Games are personified in its mascots, “Binbin” and “Nini”, two charming Siberian tiger cubs. Inspired by actual tiger cubs born in the Heilongjiang Siberian Tiger Park, these mascots embody the vitality and spirit of the Games.

Rhythm Sangwan Clinches 16th Olympic Quota For 2024 Paris Games

• In a remarkable feat at the Asian Shooting Championships 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia, Rhythm Sangwan secured a bronze medal in the women’s 25m pistol event, obtaining a Paris 2024 Olympic quota for India.
• This accomplishment marked India’s 16th shooting quota for the upcoming Olympics, surpassing the previous record tally of 15 set for the Tokyo 2020 Games.
• During the intense 25m pistol final, Rhythm Sangwan showcased her skills, scoring 28 out of 45 to claim the bronze. The gold and silver medals were secured by Jiin Yang and Yeji Kim from the Republic of Korea, who shot 41/50 and 32/50, respectively.