International News

1. Denmark’s Royal Transition

• Denmark experienced a momentous event on January 14 as King Frederik X assumed the throne, succeeding his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who gracefully abdicated after an illustrious 52-year reign.
• While Queen Margrethe had initially expressed her intent to remain on the throne for life, she cited a significant back surgery in the previous year as a catalyst for her decision.
• King Frederik X and Queen Mary step into their roles amid widespread public support and enthusiasm for the Danish monarchy.

2. Taiwan's Pro-Sovereignty Stance

• In a historic election, Taiwanese voters chose William Lai Ching-te, a pro-sovereignty candidate from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), as their president, marking a notable departure from China.
• Lai, the current vice president, secured an unprecedented third consecutive term for the DPP by defeating his conservative rival.
• This victory underscores majority support for the party’s commitment to preserving democracy, despite Beijing dismissing it as non-representative of mainstream Taiwanese opinion.

State News

3. Delhi's Skybound Celebration

• Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena inaugurated the eagerly awaited 'Patang Utsav' at Baansera, the city’s first bamboo-themed park situated at Sarai Kale Khan on the picturesque banks of the Yamuna River.
• Organized by the Delhi Development Authority, the two-day festival promises a visual feast with over 30 professional kitists showcasing their artistic prowess from states across India.
• The event aims to celebrate the diverse artistry and creativity of the kite-flying tradition.

4. Maharashtra's Night Sky Achievement

• Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra achieved a milestone by becoming India’s first Dark Sky Park, marking its position as the fifth in Asia.
• Recognizing the intrinsic value of the night sky, the International Union for Conservation of Nature played a crucial role in conferring this distinction.
• Preserving natural darkness is emphasized for nature conservation, maintaining ecological integrity, and contributing to the well-being of urban communities.

Defence News

5. Astra Missile for IAF

• Union Minister of State for Defence, Ajay Bhatt, marked a historic moment on January 14 by flagging off the indigenously developed Astra air-to-air missiles.
• The ceremony at the Kanchangbagh unit of Bharat Dynamics Limited in Hyderabad signifies a crucial step towards the missile’s induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Astra Weapon System showcases India’s technological prowess with a range exceeding 100 kilometers.

6. Indian Army Day 2024: In Service of the Nation

• Indian Army Day, commemorated annually on January 15, holds special significance as it marks the anniversary of the Indian Army appointing its first Indian chief in 1949.
• General K.M. Cariappa took the reins from the British, embodying the ethos of "Service Before Self."
• In 2024, the theme is "In Service of the Nation," reflecting the Army's unwavering dedication to serving and protecting the country.

7. Pongal 2024: A Harvest Celebration

• Pongal, also known as Bhogi Pongal, stands as a vibrant harvesting festival widely celebrated in India. Spanning four days, this auspicious festival holds immense significance in Tamil Nadu, symbolizing the transition from winter to the harvest season.
• Falling in January, Pongal begins on the 15th and lasts until the 18th, dedicated to the Sun God, Lord Surya.
• It is celebrated under various names across India, including Magh Bihu in Assam, Lohri in Punjab, and Makar Sankranti in the Northern regions.

8. Makar Sankranti 2024: Embracing Light and Traditions

• In 2024, Makar Sankranti, a Hindu festival marking the Sun’s entry into Capricorn, is celebrated on January 15.
• Rooted in Hindu traditions and solar cycles, it symbolizes the end of winter and the beginning of longer days during the month of Magha.
• Vedic astrology associates this festival with the sun's transition into Capricorn, known as the transit of Suryadev into his son Shani’s sign.
• Makar Sankranti is observed nationwide, with rituals such as Ganga snan and charitable acts forming an integral part of the celebrations.

Schemes News

9. Defense Minister's Initiative for BRO Workers: Financial Security Unveiled

• India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, has approved a groundbreaking insurance scheme designed to provide financial security to casual workers employed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
• These laborers play a crucial role in building infrastructure in the country’s farthest frontiers.
• Under the scheme, families of casual paid laborers will receive a significant INR 10 lakh ($13,500) in the unfortunate event of their demise, ensuring their welfare and financial stability.

10. PM Modi's PM-JANMAN Scheme: A Boost for Pucca Homes

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to release ₹540 crore as the first installment of funding for pucca homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) on January 15.
• This disbursement is part of the recently launched PM-JANMAN package, aiming to foster the comprehensive development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) habitations.
• The release of ₹540 crore signifies the government's commitment to providing durable housing under the PMAY-G.
• Simultaneously, officials across 100 districts will distribute benefits under the PM-JANMAN package to Gram Panchayats and village chiefs, ensuring widespread and efficient implementation.

Books & Authors News

11. "Gandhi: A Life in Three Campaigns" by M.J. Akbar: Unveiling Mahatma's Struggles

• Renowned author M.J. Akbar, in collaboration with K. Natwar Singh, introduces a new literary masterpiece titled "Gandhi: A Life in Three Campaigns."
• The book intricately explores Mahatma Gandhi's life, shedding light on three pivotal mass campaigns that shaped India's history.
• These campaigns include the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920), emphasizing Gandhi’s ability to mobilize masses against British rule; the Salt Satyagraha (1930), where a pinch of salt transformed into a symbol of resistance against colonial exploitation; and the Quit India Movement (1942), a decisive call for the end of British colonialism in India.
• These campaigns are depicted as crucial moments that challenged and eventually led to the dismantling of the British Empire in India.

Sports News

12. Shaun Marsh Bids Farewell to Cricket: A Stalwart’s Retirement

• In a moment that echoes through the annals of cricket, Australia’s stalwart, Shaun Marsh, formally announces his retirement from all forms of the sport.
• Originating from Western Australia, Marsh earned recognition for his skill and dedication, marking a prominent international career with the Australian cricket team.
• Marsh participated in 38 Test matches, 73 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 15 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
• His remarkable contributions include an impressive batting average of 40.78 and a strike rate of 81.42 in ODIs. Even in Test matches, Marsh maintained a noteworthy average of 43.32 in 68 innings, underscoring his significant impact on the field.

13. Rohit Sharma's Milestones in T20Is: A Captain's Legacy

• In a historic feat for Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma, the captain of Team India, achieves a remarkable milestone by becoming the first men’s player to participate in 150 T20 International matches.
• This achievement unfolds during the second T20I against Afghanistan at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, marking not only an individual triumph for Sharma but also emphasizing his leadership prowess.
• Earlier, in the first T20I against Afghanistan, Sharma secured another milestone by becoming the first player to win 100 T20Is.
• These accomplishments reflect not only Sharma's personal excellence but also the success of the team under his astute captaincy.

14. Madhya Pradesh Dominates Diu Beach Games 2024: A Sporting Triumph

• In a spectacle of sporting prowess, Madhya Pradesh emerges as the undisputed overall champion at the inaugural Beach Games 2024 hosted in Diu.
• The landlocked state clinches an impressive total of 18 medals, including 7 golds, showcasing the depth of its athletic talent. The competition, held from January 4-11 at Ghoghla Beach, features 1404 young athletes from 28 states and Union Territories, engaging in various disciplines.
• Maharashtra secures 14 medals with 3 golds, while Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and hosts Dadra, Nagar Haveli, Diu & Daman each bag 12 medals.
• Assam excels with 8 medals, including 5 golds, and Lakshadweep creates history by winning gold in Beach Soccer, diversifying the medal tally and emphasizing the inclusive nature of the Diu Beach Games.

Obituaries News

15. Tribute to Dr. Prabha Atre: A Loss in Classical Music

• The Indian classical music fraternity mourns the passing of Prabha Atre, a revered classical vocalist and luminary of the Kirana Gharana.
• Atre, who passed away in Pune at the age of 91, was not just a classical vocalist but also an academician, researcher, composer, and author.
• Her contributions were acknowledged through prestigious awards such as the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1991), Padma Shri (1990), Padma Bhushan (2002), and the Padma Vibhushan (2022), India’s second-highest civilian honor.

16. Remembering Urdu Poet Munawwar Rana: A Literary Icon

• Urdu literature bids farewell to Munawwar Rana, a celebrated Urdu poet who passed away at the age of 71 due to cardiac arrest in Lucknow.
• Rana, known for his significant contributions to Urdu literature and poetry, battled a prolonged illness, including throat cancer, kidney, and heart-related ailments.
• Renowned for his ghazals, Rana's poetic style was marked by accessibility, incorporating Hindi and Awadhi words to resonate with Indian audiences.
• One of his most famous poems, 'Maa,' celebrated the virtues of a mother within the traditional ghazal form.

Miscellaneous News

17. FCI's 60th Anniversary: A Decade of Food Self-Sufficiency

• The Food Corporation of India (FCI) celebrates its 60th anniversary, with Union Minister Piyush Goyal lauding India’s food self-sufficiency as a remarkable achievement in human history.
• As a statutory organization responsible for managing the government’s granaries, FCI has played a pivotal role in achieving food self-sufficiency.
• Through its procurement process at federally fixed minimum support prices (MSP), FCI buys millions of tonnes of farm produce from Indian farmers, preventing distress sales.
• This food is then distributed free of cost to 800 million impoverished citizens under the National Food Security Act, showcasing FCI's crucial role in ensuring food security for the nation.