PREFACE
It gives us great pleasure to release the monthly edition of the PRAVAHINI - Monthly e-Compendium & Weekly e-Periodicals of Current Affairs. The magazine’s members have shown considerable cooperation as well as devotion. We at successmantra.in work tirelessly to create this magazine and bring it to you with a great sense of gratitude.
The PRAVAHINI January-2022 eBook covers the current events that happened in the month of January. Current Affairs is a crucial component of any competitive exams including CLAT, AILET, DU-LLB, HM, CAT, IAS, PCS, SSC, Banking, MBA and various other competitive examinations.
Current Affairs play the bigger role in many competitive and government exams. It holds the power of making or breaking your chance of success. Therefore, the candidates should cover the Current Affairs thoroughly and smartly.
The PRAVAHINI January-2022 eBook is divided into different sections keeping in mind the need of various exams. The sections covered namely International, National, Economy, Ecology and Environment, Science & Technology, Legal Affairs, Sports, States News Makers and few others.
We would also be pleased to receive any suggestion that could assist us with the upcoming editions.
Success Mantra (GTB Nagar, Delhi)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. National Affairs
2. International Affairs
3. Appointments
4. Awards And Honors
5. Important Dates & Sports
6. Reports And Indexes
7. Science & Technology
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
AIR INDIA HANDED OVER TO TATA GROUP
On January 27, 2022, the Union government transferred its shares in Air India to Tata Sons subsidiary, Talace.
Apart from Shares, its control and management were also transferred to Talace. With this, the disinvestment process ended five years ago. Air India has been a public sector undertaking from 1953.
The transaction covers Air India Express, Air India, and the entire 50% stake of the government in a joint-venture ground handling company named AI SATS.
Government’s disinvestment target
Government has set a total disinvestment target of Rs 1.75 lakh crore for financial year 2021-2022.
Tata Group owns three airlines. In Vistara, Tata has 51% stake while in AirAsia India, it has 84% stake. These three airlines together account for 24% of the market share in the aviation sector.
History of disinvestment of Air India: The Union Cabinet gave in principle a nod for disinvestment of Air India, in June 2017. In 2018, the government invited bids for a 76% stake in the airline.
However, it failed to attract any buyers. In January 2020, the government launched a fresh effort to sell off its 100% stake in Air India. In 2000-2001, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government also attempted to sell 40% stake in Air India, but the attempt failed.
AP GOVT. ANNOUNCED FORMATION OF 13 DISTRICTS
The Jagan Mohan Reddy Government of Andhra Pradesh recently created 13 new districts. The districts were created based on Parliamentary constituencies.
With this the total number of districts in Andhra Pradesh has increased to 26.
The Araku Lok Sabha constituency in Visakhapatnam was divided into two districts.
The 26 districts are: Srikulam, Vizianagaram, Manyam, Alluri Sitharama Raju district, Visakhapatnam, Sri Balaji district, Chittor, Annamayya, YSR Kadapa, Sri Sathya Sai district, Ananthapuram, Nandyal, Kurnool, SPS Nellore, Prakasam, Palnadu, Bapatla, Guntur, NTR district, Krishna, Eluru, West Godavari, East Godavari, Kona Seema, Kakinada, Anakapalli.
Before this, a new district was created in 1979 in an undivided Andhra Pradesh. It was in Vizianagaram district.
The power to create a new district is in the hands of the state government. This is either done by passing a law in the state assembly or through an executive order. The State Governments can also pass a notification in the office gazette.
SUPREME COURT VERDICT ON INHERITANCE OF DAUGHTERS
Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that daughters will have equal rights to their father’s property even prior to the enactment of the Hindu Succession Act (HSA) of 1956.
The case involved a dispute over the property of a person who died in 1949 leaving behind a daughter who also died in 1967.
Earlier, the trial court held that since the person had died prior to the enforcement of HSA, 1956 therefore the petitioner and her other sisters were not the heirs as on the date of his death and was not entitled to partition of share in the suit properties. Later, the High Court, too, dismissed the appeal against the trial court.
Daughters Inheritance: It ruled that the property of a man who had died without executing a will and is survived only by a daughter will devolve upon the daughter and not others such as his brother.
Earlier in 2020, the SC has already expanded the Hindu women’s right to be the coparcener (joint legal heir) and inherit ancestral property on terms equal to male heirs.
Ancient Texts & Judicial Pronouncements: The SC referred to ancient texts (smritis), commentaries by various renowned learned persons and even judicial pronouncements which have recognised the rights of several female heirs, the wives and the daughter’s being the foremost of them.
Tracing the sources of customary Hindu law on inheritance, the SC discussed Mitakshara law.
SC also looked into Vyavastha Chandrika, a digest of Hindu Law by Shyama Charan Sarkar Vidya Bhushan which quoted ‘Vrihaspati’ as saying ‘the wife is pronounced successor to the wealth of her husband, in her default, the daughter.
As a son, so does the daughter of a man proceed from his several limbs. The SC also noted that the book quoted Manu as saying “the son of a man is even as himself, and the daughter is equal to the son.
How then can any other inherit his property, notwithstanding the survival of her, who is, as it were, himself ”.
Old Law: Right of a widow or daughter to inherit the self-acquired property or share received in partition of a coparcenary property of a Hindu male dying intestate is well recognised not only under the old customary Hindu Law.
If a property of a male Hindu dying intestate is a self-acquired property or obtained in partition of a coparcenary or a family property, the same would devolve by inheritance and not by survivorship, and a daughter of such a male Hindu would be entitled to inherit such property in preference to other collaterals”.
Property After Woman's Death: The court also said that if a female Hindu dies intestate without leaving any issue, then the property inherited by her from her father or mother would go to the heirs of her father whereas the property inherited from her husband or father-in-law would go to the heirs of the husband.
In case a female Hindu dies leaving behind her husband or any issue, then Section 15(1)(a) of the HSA 1956 will come into operation and the properties left behind including the properties which she inherited from her parents would devolve simultaneously upon her husband and her issues.
GOVT. TIES UP FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ADI BADRI DAM
Governments of Himachal Pradesh and Haryana have signed an MoU at Panchkula, for the construction of Adi Badri Dam that would come upon 77 acres in Himachal Pradesh near the Adi Badri area of Yamuna Nagar district of Haryana.
The proposed dam aims for the rejuvenation of the Saraswati river with an estimated cost of Rs 215.35 crore.
About the Dam: The Dam would get 224-hectare metre water from Himachal Pradesh’s Somb River that falls in the Yamuna near Adi Badri in Yamuna Nagar district.
The executing agency for the construction of Adi Badri Dam would be Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited. Adi Badri, also Sri Sarasvati Udgam Tirath, is located in the foothills of the Shivalik Hills in the Bhabar area. It is situated in the northern part of Haryana’s Yamunanagar district.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
PM MODI HOSTS FIRST INDIA-CENTRAL ASIA SUMMIT
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has hosted the first India-Central Asia Summit, through the virtual platform. It was the first of its kind engagement between India and the Central Asian countries at the level of leaders.
The central Asian region has five recognized countries. The Summit was attended by the Presidents of these five Central Asian countries.
These are the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan), Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan.
The first India-Central Asia Summit coincided with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Central Asian countries.
During the summit, the Leaders agreed to hold the Summit every 2 years (biennial). The summit is symbolic of the importance attached by the leaders of both sides to a comprehensive and enduring India-Central Asia partnership.
During the summit, PM Modi outlines 3 goals:
Elaborating on the first goal, the Prime Minister said the mutual cooperation between India and central Asia was necessary for regional security and prosperity.
Outlining the second goal, Modi said, “Today’s meeting is to give an effective structure to our cooperation, which will pave the way for the establishment of a platform for regular interaction among all stakeholders.”
For the third goal, Modi said it was crucial to prepare an ambitious roadmap for the cooperation between India and Central Asian countries which, he added, will enable the nations to adopt an integrated approach for regional connectivity and cooperation
XIOMARA CASTRO AS 1ST WOMAN PRESIDENT OF HONDURAS
Xiomara Castro was sworn in as the first female President of Honduras on January 27, 2022.
The inauguration of the 62-years old leftist former first lady will put an end to the 12 years of right-wing National Party rule in the Central American country which has also been grappling with poverty, drug trafficking, migration, and corruption.
Who is Xiomara Castro?
Xiomara Castro is a Honduran politician. She became the first female president of Honduras on January 27, 2022.
She is also the first President of the country who is not a member of either the Liberal Party or the National Party since democracy was restored in the Central American country in 1982.
NATO PARTNERS TO HOLD MARITIME DRILL IN MEDITERRANEAN
The NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member countries will be conducting a 12-day maritime exercise in the Mediterranean Sea from January 24, 2022.
The name of the maritime exercise is “Neptune Strike ’22”. The naval drill will end on February 04, 2022.
The main purpose of this exercise will be to demonstrate and test NATO’s wide range of maritime capabilities.
The US announced the decision to hold NATO naval drills, which will involve the participation of the USS Harry Truman aircraft carrier, a day after Russia said it would demonstrate its own naval capabilities for two months, January and February, from the Pacific to the Atlantic Sea.
• NATO Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.
• NATO Chairman of the NATO Military Committee: Admiral Rob Bauer.
• Member countries of NATO: 30; Founded: 4 April 1949.
CHINA BUILDS BRIDGE AT PANGONG TSO
Amid the ongoing standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh, China is building another bridge on the Pangong Tso. Construction of the new bridge was spotted in satellite images.
China is building the bridge near to friction points on the north bank of Pangong Tso and the Chushul sub-sector on south bank.
In India’s perception, the Line of Actual Control lies at Finger 8. Site of the bridge is within India’s claim line. However, this area has been under Chinese control since 1958.
Pangong Tso is a 135-km-long landlocked lake. Around two-thirds of the lake is under Chinese control.
Finger 4 was one among the first friction areas in the current standoff. It has seen frequent clashes.
Furthermore, the banks of Pangong Tso lake were among the most sensitive friction points in May 2020. Troops and tanks faced each other a few hundred meters closer in some places, until their disengagement in February 2021.
FIRST BRICS SHERPAS MEETING OF 2022
On January 18-19, 2022, the first BRICS Sherpas meeting of 2022 was conducted virtually, with participants praising India for its BRICS chairship in 2021.
On January 18-19, 2022, the first BRICS Sherpas meeting of 2022 was conducted virtually, with participants praising India for its BRICS chairship in 2021.
In 2022, China will assume the rotational presidency of the BRICS. BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and it is a grouping of five key emerging economies.
Meanwhile, India's BRICS Sherpa, Sanjay Bhattacharyya, stated that Last year, they saw a big achievement that the delegations brought about in conditions provided on the strengthening and reform of multilateral systems.
These global governance challenges, particularly the UN system and other institutions, are crucial.
RUSSIA-CHINA-IRAN CONDUCTED NAVAL EXERCISE
The Russian, Chinese and Iranian navies undertook naval exercises CHIRU-2Q22 in the Gulf of Oman.
The maritime drills conducted in the northern parts of the Indian Ocean aimed at deepening practical cooperation among the navies of the three countries.
The participants practised various tactics and operations, such as rescuing ablaze vessels, saving hijacked vessels, shooting at targets, nocturnal shooting at aerial targets, and other tactical manoeuvres as a part of the drill.
At least 140 warships and over 60 aircraft with nearly 10,000 military personnel would be taking part in the military exercises.
CHINA TARGETING LITHUANIA, EU ACTION AGAINST CHINA
Recently, the European Union launched action against China at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for targeting Lithuania over its stance on Taiwan.
In November 2021, a Taiwanese Representative Office was opened in Lithuania, notable because it is for the first time that Taiwan was allowed to use its own name to open an office within the EU.
Following this, China has downgraded its diplomatic relations with Lithuania, calling it a violation of the “One China Policy”.
China has also unofficially boycotted products from Lithuania, whether it is sourced directly or indirectly from the country.
China alleges that Lithuania is acting in concert with the American efforts of containment by using the Taiwan card, and to spread discord between China and Europe.
‘One China Policy’ means that countries seeking diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC, Mainland China) must break official relations with the Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan) and vice versa.
Action at WTO: By going to the WTO, the EU lent support to accusations by Lithuanian business leaders and officials that the row has resulted in China blocking imports from Lithuania and other economic restrictions.
China’s crackdown on Lithuanian imports affects other European nations as well. The country has also imposed trade restrictions on goods from countries like France, Germany and Sweden, which include parts from Lithuanian supply chains.
The EU is currently China’s largest trading partner, and about 80-90% of Lithuania’s exports are based on manufacturing contracts with the rest of the EU.
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
NIRMALA SITHARAMAN PRESENTS UNION BUDGET 2022
Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union Finance Minister, presents the Union Budget 2022 for the fourth time.
Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union Finance Minister, presents the Union Budget 2022 for the fourth time. She will give the fiscal year 2022-23 financial results and tax suggestions (April 2022 to March 2023).
As Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman departs the Finance Ministry to present the Budget in Parliament, a Made in India tablet has taken the place of the customary 'Bahi Khata.'
V Anantha Nageswaran, India's Chief Economic Advisor, released the Economic Survey 2021-22 on January 31, 2022.
The Indian economy is expected to develop at an annual rate of 8-8.5 percent in the fiscal year 2022-23, according to the government (FY23).
Constitutional Provisions of Budget:
The Union Budget is a yearly financial report that estimates the government's income and expenditures to propose future long-term growth and development strategies.
The Annual Financial Statement refers to the year's Union Budget, defined by Article 112 of the Indian Constitution (AFS).
It is a statement of the government's expected receipts and expenditures for a given fiscal year (which begins on April 1 of the current year and ends on March 31 of the following year).
The Budget Division of the Ministry of Finance's Department of Economic Affairs is the nodal entity in charge of budget preparation.
In 1947, the first budget of an independent India was presented.
RUSSIA'S BAN ON CRYPTOCURRENCY
On January 20, 2022, the Russian central bank proposed to crack down the cryptocurrencies.
If this move is adopted, it could disrupt the burgeoning virtual money sector because Russia is one of the largest crypto-mining nations worldwide.
This proposal was made as Russian authorities have been criticising the cryptocurrencies for years, as these can be used for illegal activities. Authorities also called for regulation.
The Bank of Russia called to reinforce the ban on cryptocurrency payments, put ban on cryptocurrency mining, as well as to tight laws on trading virtual money.
Legal status to cryptocurrencies in Russia: In Russia, authorities granted legal status to cryptocurrencies in 2020. However, their use in payments was never authorised.
Using cryptocurrencies creates significant threats to the well-being of Russian citizens as well as to the stability of the financial system.
Swift growth of cryptocurrencies is driven by “speculative demand”, which ultimately leads to formation of a “bubble”.
Cryptos resemble financial “pyramid schemes”, since their value increases with the emergence of new players in the market.
Cryptocurrency is a collection of binary data, working as a medium of exchange. Records of individual coin ownership are stored in a digital ledger.
Digital ledger is a computerized database using strong cryptography for securing transaction records. In general, cryptocurrencies are fiat currencies, because they are not backed by or convertible into commodities.
RBI'S APPROVAL FOR PROPOSAL OF 'BAD BANK'
The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) approval for the implementation of the proposal for setting up a ‘Bad Bank’ is still pending.
In September 2021, the Union Cabinet approved the Rs. 30,600 crore guarantee to back Security Receipts issued by National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL) for acquiring stressed loan assets.
NARCL & IDRCL: The NARCL has been set up and issued a license by the RBI to conduct business as an Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC).
NARCL will acquire stressed assets worth about Rs 2 lakh crore from various commercial banks in different phases.
Public Sector Banks (PSBs) will maintain 51% ownership in NARCL.
Simultaneously, a separate company has been set up to function as an Asset Management Company, named India Debt Resolution Company Limited (IDRCL), which will provide management and resolution of assets and also help in the operational aspects, relating to price discovery and aim at evolving the best possible recovery and the resolution process.
PSBs and Public Financial Institutes (FIs) will hold a maximum of 49% stake in IDRCL. The remaining 51% stake will be with private-sector lenders.
The NARCL is majorly owned by public sector banks with 51% ownership but in the case of the IDRCL, 51% shares are in private hands.
APPOINTMENTS
V ANANTHA NAGESWARAN AS CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISOR
Dr. V Anantha Nageswaran has been named the new Chief Economic Adviser by the Indian government.
The statement came just days before the Union Budget for 2022 on February 1 and the filing of the Economic Survey for 2021-22 on January 31.
This position has been vacant since December 17, 2021, when KV Subramanian resigned. Previously, he served on the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC).
Dr V Anantha Nageswaran: Dr. Nageswaran, a well-known writer, author, teacher, and economic consultant, has lectured at several business schools and management colleges in India and overseas.
He was Dean of the IFMR Graduate School of Business and a guest professor of Economics at Andhra Pradesh's Krea University before being named Chief Economic Adviser.
GOVT. APPOINTED VIKRAM DEV AS CMD OF AIR OF INDIA
Senior bureaucrat Vikram Dev Dutt has been appointed as the chairman and managing director (CMD) of Air India Ltd.
Dutt is a 1993-batch IAS officer of AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territory) cadre.
He has been appointed as the Air India chief in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary, an order issued by the Personnel Ministry. Prior to this, he was the Principal Secretary (Tourism) in Delhi government.
The Centre had in October last year accepted Tata Son’s bid of Rs 18,000 crore to acquire 100 per cent of the debt-laden state-run carrier.
The takeover has not been completed yet. Talace Pvt Ltd, a unit of the holding company of the salt-to-software conglomerate, had made the winning bid of Rs 2,700 crore cash and Rs 15,300 crore debt takeover.
AWARDS & HONOURS
PADMA AWARDS ANNOUNCED BY HOME MINISTRY
The Union ministry of home affairs announced the Padma awards on the eve of the country’s 73rd Republic Day.
The Awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher-order) and Padma Shri (distinguished service).
The award seeks to recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.
These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/ April every year.
This year the President has approved conferment of 128 Padma Awards including 2 duo cases (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one) as per list below.
The list comprises 4 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri Awards. 34 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and 13 Posthumous awardees.
Padma Vibhushan
• Ms. Prabha Atre ---- Art ----- Maharashtra
• Shri Radheyshyam Khemka (Posthumous) ---- Literature and Education ----- U.P.
• General Bipin Rawat (Posthumous) ----- Civil Service
• Shri Kalyan Singh (Posthumous) ----- Public Affairs ----- Uttar Pradesh
ASSAM BAIBHAV CONFERRED TO RATAN TATA
Government of Assam conferred its highest civilian award ‘Assam Baibhav’ on Ratan Tata, on January 24, 2022.
Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on January 23 to confer Assam Baibhav, Assam Saurav and Assam Gaurav Awards, for the year 2021.
Assam Baibhav: It is the highest civilian award in the State of Assam. This award was officially declared by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on December 2, 2021.
It was declared on the occasion of “Asom divas” (Assam Day). The Award carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.
Furthermore, the recipient can avail medical treatment at government expense, throughout his life. Obverse of the award has an image of Jaapi and words “Assam Baibhav” has been inscribed in Assamese script, on the leaf of Hollong tree.
Ratan Naval Tata: He is a philanthropist, Indian industrialist, and former chairman of Tata Sons.
From 1990 to 2012, he was also the chairman of Tata Group as well as an interim chairman, from October 2016 to February 2017. He received Padma Vibhushan in 2008 and Padma Bhushan in 2000.
PRADHAN MANTRI RASHTRIYA BAL PURASKAR
Ahead of Republic Day, PM Modi virtually interacted with Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) awardees on January 24, 2022, amid a covid-19 pandemic.
The Prime Minister also presented them with certificates digitally via blockchain technology. The technology was used to present certificates to awardees for the first time.
He referred to these children as "inspiration for the entire society" and asked them to work while considering how they could benefit the country.
The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar was given to 29 children, 14 girls (PMRBP).
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar
• The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, the Prime Minister's National Award for Children, is an Indian civilian honor.
• It is divided into two categories.
• In 2018, the awards were changed its name and combined to form the "Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar."
It is overseen by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The President of India bestows the award during the week preceding India's Republic Day.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
23RD JANUARY TO BE OBSERVED AS 'PARAKRAM DIWAS'
The Indian government has decided to celebrate January 23rd as ‘Parakram Diwas’ to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
This year is the 125th Birth Anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Netaji was born on January 23, 1897. The day is celebrated to honour and remember Netaji’s indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation.
Netaji joined the Indian National Congress in 1921. Netaji started a newspaper called “Swaraj”. He had written a book called “The Indian Struggle”. The book covers the Indian Independence movement between 1920 and 1942.
The term “Jai Hind” was coined by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. With the slogan “Give me blood and I will give you freedom”, he awakened the country towards fighting against the British.
Netaji in the Indian independence struggle
Netaji was prisoned in 1925 for his nationalist activities. Later released in 1927.
After his release, he became the general secretary of the Indian National Congress. He formed the All India Forward Bloc as a part of the Indian National Congress in 1939.
During the second world war, Netaji protested the British Raj for not consulting the Indians before pulling them into the war. He was arrested for his protests. Later he was released and was kept under surveillance.
In 1941, Bose escaped to Germany via Afghanistan and the Soviet Union. In Germany, Netaji met German leaders and other Indian students and European political leaders.
Netaji built a force known as the Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army) giving the slogan of “Dilli Chalo”. Thousands of soldiers of his 60,000-strong army sacrificed their lives for the country.
The Indian National Army supported the Japanese army in their invasion of Northeast India. They together took control of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
NATIONAL GIRL CHILD DAY OBSERVED ON 24TH JAN
Every year the National Girl Child Day is celebrated on January 24. The day is celebrated to promote the rights of girl children in the country. Also the day aims to spread the importance of education, health and nutrition of the girl child.
The Government of India did not announce any theme in 2022.
The first national girl child day was celebrated in 2008. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
International girl child day: The International Girl Child Day is celebrated on October 11.
It is celebrated by the United Nations and several other international organisations. The United Nations celebrated the first International Day of Girl Child in 2012.
Objectives of National Girl Child Day: The National Girl Child Day is celebrated to spread the importance of inequalities faced by the girl children in the country.
The day also promotes the educational rights of girl children. It also spreads the importance of the health and nutrition of girl children.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EDUCATION
The International Day of Education is observed on January 24, annually.
Year 2022 marks the fourth year of celebration. The day was observed with the theme– ‘Changing Course, Transforming Education’.
Celebration took place at the UN Headquarters in New York, Expo 2022 in Dubai, Global Minnesota and Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
History of the day: The International Education Day was proclaimed by “United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)” in December 2018. It was proclaimed to mark the significance of education in ensuring peace and development.
National Education Day: India celebrates National Education Day on November 11, every year. The day marks the birth anniversary of first Education Minister of India, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
INDIA CELEBRATING 73RD REPUBLIC DAY
India is celebrating the 73rd Republic Day on 26 January 2022. The celebrations this year are special as India is in the 75th year of Independence – being celebrated as ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
Republic Day marks the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950. It replaced the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India.
Republic Day Of India: Importance
India became independent on 15th of august, 1947. Even after independence, the country did not have a sound constitution.
The laws, before the enactment of the constitution, were running on the basis of Government of India Act 1935.
Having realized the need for a permanent constitution and its own governing body, the government of India appointed a Drafting Committee on 28th of August 1947 to draft it and Dr, B. R. Ambedkar as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
After almost 3 years, the 308 members of the Assembly, after many consultations and a few modifications, finally signed a constitution on 24th of January 1950, which came into effect on 26th of January 1950.
And, that day has been celebrated as Republic Day in India ever since then. This day defines the importance of having a proper constitution that all the citizens must abide by.
NATIONAL VOTERS' DAY OBSERVED ON JAN 25TH
Every year, National Voters Day is celebrated on January 25. The day is celebrated to increase the enrolment of new voters in the country.
Theme of National Voters Day 2022: Making elections Inclusive, Accessible and Participative
Every year, the National Awards for the Best Electoral Practices are conferred at state and district level on the National Voters Day.
The awards are presented for election management, security management, IT initiatives and accessible elections. Also, the awards are presented for Election Commission of India icons, media groups and other important stakeholders. The awards are presented by the Election Commission of India.
National Voters Day has been celebrated in the country since 2011. The then broadcasting minister Ambika Soni (during Manmohan Singh government) announced that the participation of youths reaching the eligible age of 18 years were showing less interest towards electoral rolls.
The day was launched to increase their interest. Thus, the day targets the young population.
DATA PRIVACY DAY OBSERVED ON 28TH JAN
Data Privacy Day is celebrated on January 28, every year across the world. The objective of the day is to sensitize individuals and disseminate privacy practices and principles.
It encourages everyone to own their privacy responsibilities to create a culture of privacy.
Observance of the day is “an international effort of creating awareness on the importance of respecting privacy, enabling trust and safeguarding data”.
The theme for this year is ‘Privacy Matters’. It instills a sense of accountability that Privacy is integral to every individual’s life. Data privacy has been one of the hot topics of discussion in a digitally connected world.
The issue has become pertinent at the time of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic when more and more people are forced to spend time in the online world.
MARTYR'S DAY OR SHAHEED DIWAS OBSERVED ON 30TH JAN
Martyr’s Day or Shaheed Diwas is observed every year on January 30 in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, who was assassinated at Gandhi Smriti in the Birla House by Nathuram Godse in 1948.
This year the nation observed the 74th Martyrs’ Day or Shaheed Diwas. The day is observed to remember the sacrifices made by freedom fighters in the struggle for India’s independence and to pay our respects to them.
Martyrs' Day is also observed in India on March 23 to pay respect to Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar, who were hanged to death on this day in 1931.’
Significance of the Day: The President, the Vice President, the Prime Minister, and the Defense Minister on 30 January get together at the Rajghat to the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi to pay honour by putting a garland of flowers to the statue of the Bapu.
An honourable salute is also given by the armed forces personnel and inter-services contingent to pay respect to the martyrs.
History of the Day: The Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse in the Birla House during his evening prayers on 30 January 1948.
Nathuram Godse was trying to justify his crime by holding Gandhiji and saying that he is responsible for the partition of the country and the killing of thousands during the freedom struggle. He called Gandhiji a pretender and in no way felt guilty for his crime.
On 8th November, Godse was sentenced to death. So, on this day i.e. 30 January Bapu breathed his last and was martyred. The Government of India announced the day as Shaheed Diwas or Martyr’s Day.
SPORTS
PV SINDHU WON SYED MODI INT. TOURNAMENT
PV Sindhu, an ace Indian shuttler, has won the women's singles title at the Syed Modi International Tournament in Lucknow.
PV Sindhu, an ace Indian shuttler, has won the women's singles title at the Syed Modi International Tournament in Lucknow.
Winners
• Men's singles: The final between Arnaud Merkle and Lucas Claerbout was declared a 'No Match' after one of the finals tested positive for Covid-19.
• Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun won the men's doubles (Malaysia)
• Anna Cheong and Teoh Mei Xing won the women's doubles (Malaysia)
• Ishaan Bhatnagar and Tanisha Castro in Mixed Doubles (India).
NEERAJ CHOPRA: PARAM VISHISHT SEVA MEDAL
Olympian Neeraj Chopra will be honoured with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal on the eve of Republic Day by President Ram Nath Kovind.
He is the first track and field athlete to win a gold medal for India at the Olympics. Neeraj is a Subedar in the Indian Army. He had enrolled in 4 Rajputana Rifles as a direct entry to Naib Subedar in 2016.
He was chosen for training at the Mission Olympics Wing and Army Sports Institute in Pune.
Other honour of Neeraj Chopra: Chopra was conferred with the Arjuna Award in 2018 and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) in 2020 for his excellence in sports.
The Haryana state will also showcase the life-size replica of Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra in the form of a tableau during the 2022 Republic Day parade.
Gallantry awards: President Ram Nath Kovind will honour 384 defence personnel with Gallantry and other awards at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
LUCKNOW TEAM TO BE KNOWN AS LUCKNOW SUPERGIANTS'
Lucknow’s IPL franchise, which is owned by Sanjiv Goenka (RPSG Group), has been renamed Lucknow SuperGiants ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 mega auction.
The Lucknow team roped in KL Rahul as their captain and also roped in Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi.
The official IPL team of Lucknow crowdsourced its name from fans and a consumer engagement campaign was launched on social media on 3rd Jan 2022.
Last year, the franchise was purchased by the Sanjiv Goenka-owned RPSG group for an amount of Rs 7090 Crores. The other new team to enter the competition is from Ahmedabad who were bought by the Irelia Company Pte Ltd. (CVC Capital Partners) for Rs 5635 Crores.
REPORTS AND INDEXES
HUNGER IN INDIA: REPORTS
Recently, the Union government informed the Supreme Court (SC) that no starvation death (Death by Hunger) has been reported by any state or Union territory (UT) in recent years.
The court is hearing a petition that highlights how starvation deaths continue to eat into the right to life and dignity of social fabric and a “radical” new measure like community kitchens need to be set up across the country to feed the poor and the hungry.
The petition also referred to Rajasthan’s Annapurna Rasoi, Indira Canteens in Karnataka, Delhi’s Aam Aadmi Canteen, Anna Canteen of Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Dal Bhat and Odisha’s Ahaar Centre.
SC’s Ruling: The SC asked the Centre to explore the possibility of a “model” community kitchen scheme by which it could support the States to ensure food security for the poor.
It asked the Centre to make a model scheme and leave it to the States to follow the guidelines depending on their individual food habits.
CORRUPTION PERCEPTION INDEX (CPI) 2021
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2021 was announced by Transparency International, and India was rated 85th (Score of 40).
The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2021 was announced by Transparency International, and India was rated 85th (Score of 40).
Three countries, Denmark, Finland, and New Zealand shared first place in the ranking (Score of 88).
India was placed 86th with a score of 40 last year (for 2020). The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for this year shows that corruption is at an all-time low around the world.
For the tenth year in a row, the global average remains steady at 43 out of 100 points.
Different Index Ranks of India 2020-2021:
• Global Health Security Index 2021: 66th
• 5th Truecaller’s Global Spam & Scam Report 2021: 4th
• Hurun’s Global Unicorn Index 2021: 3rd
• “2019 Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) Report: 3rd
• Henley Passport index 2022: 83rd
• Global Drug Policy Index 2021: 18th
• Climate Change Performance Index 2022: 10th
• 2021 TRACE global Bribery Risk Rankings: 82nd
• World Talent Ranking report 2021: 56th
IMF PUBLISHED WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
On January 25, 2022, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) published its World Economic Outlook.
According to the analysis, global economic growth will be half a percentage point lower than previously projected. The rate of growth will slow from 5.9% in 2021 to 4.4 percent in 2022. In 2023, it will drop even lower to 3.8 percent.
According to the IMF, the reduction in global growth predictions is mostly due to the IMF's assessment of economic prospects in China and the United States.
In the United States, the removal of Joe Biden's Build Back Better strategy from the baseline, early withdrawal of monetary support, and supply constraints resulted in a 1.2 percentage point downward revision for growth in 2022.
Disruptions connected to China's zero-tolerance Covid policy and persistent financial hardship among property developers resulted in a 0.8 percentage point negative revision.
India: India will grow at a rate of 9% in 2021-2022, according to the IMF. India's growth prospects were assessed by the IMF to be 9.5 percent for the year in October 2021.
India's GDP is expected to grow at 9% in 2022-23, according to the IMF. According to the October prediction, growth will be 8.5 percent in 2022-23 and 7.1 percent in 2023-24.
India's prospects for 2023 are predicted based on expected credit growth increases. Furthermore, the financial sector's improved performance is boosting investment and consumption.
The World Bank recently predicted a decline in global growth, with the rate remaining at 4.1 percent in 2022.
Omicron Variant Impact: According to the IMF, governments have reimposed mobility restrictions in response to the introduction of the Omicron Covid-19 strain.
In the United States and other developing countries and emerging markets, rising energy prices and supply interruptions have resulted in increased and much more broad-based inflation than predicted.
China's ongoing real estate contraction, as well as a delayed rebound in private spending, have hampered economic forecasts.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
ISRAEL SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRED ARROW 3
The test was performed at a test site in central Israel, and led by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
It was developed in a joint project between the Defense Ministry’s Missile Defense Organization and the American Missile Defense Agency.
The Arrow 3 was first tested successfully in February 2018, after months of delays and technical problems.
It is considered one of the most powerful weapons of its kind in the world and has been in development since 2008.
MISCELLANEOUS
'ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE' GREATEST CAUSE OF DEATH
Antimicrobial resistance is now the greatest cause of death, according to a new Lancet study. It has overtaken both HIV and malaria in terms of prevalence.
According to the study, antimicrobial resistance affected more than 1.27 million individuals worldwide in 2019. This is higher than the number of people who died from malaria or HIV.
Antimicrobial resistance is particularly prevalent in low and middle-income nations.
Antimicrobial resistance was responsible for 1.27 million of the world's 4.95 million fatalities in 2019. Malaria claimed the lives of 640,000 people. AIDS claimed the lives of 860,000 people.
The researchers looked at 23 distinct types of bacteria that cause sickness. Only six of these caused 3.57 million deaths. Antibiotics, which are used as the first line of defense, failed in 70% of the cases, resulting in death.
Fluoroquinolones were among them. Lactams, for example, is a type of beta. Antibiotics are commonly used to treat infections such as bone infections, lung infections, and urinary tract infections.
Anti–Microbial Resistance: It is a condition wherein the disease-causing microbes such as bacteria, the virus becomes resistant to drugs.
The drugs and antibiotics taken are no longer killing them. The microbial resistances are life-threatening. As the microbes are gaining resistance, doctors increase the dosage. Powerful doses do kill the microbes.
But they also affect the human body cells. And organs begin to defunct. Human bodies cannot take antibiotics after a certain level.
OMICRON DETECTION KIT NAMED 'OM'
CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) has developed an indigenous RT-PCR diagnostic kit, ‘Om’, for the testing of the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
It is the first kit made by any government institution, and the third to be made indigenously, for specific testing of Omicron.
Currently, two more such kits developed by private players are available in the market. The kit will give test results in around two hours.
About “Om”: Om enables quick and cost-effective detection of omicron variants over genome sequencing for a large population.
It was made within two months and will cost around Rs 150. Further, it will give the test results in around two hours. According to the scientists, it can also be aligned for the detection of other emerging variants of Covid infection and other respiratory infections.
Once the kit gets approval from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), it will be launched by mid-February. The kit has been referred to the ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV) and is yet to be validated.
WORLD'S FASTEST AI SUPERCOMPUTER BY META
Meta, Facebook parent company, has said that its newly unveiled artificial intelligence supercomputer will be the fastest in the world by mid-2022.
In an official statement on January 24, 2022, Meta said that the company is introducing AI Research SuperCluster (RSC), which is believed to be among the fastest AI Supercomputers running today. It will be the fastest in the world once fully built out in mid-2022.
Earlier in October 2021, the social media company had changed its name to Meta to reflect its focus on metaverse, which will be the successor to the mobile internet.
Meta’s AI Research SuperCluster (RSC): Significance
AI Research SuperCluster (RSC) will help the company in building better AI models that will be able to learn from the trillions of examples, and work across hundreds of languages.
It will be able to analyze images, texts, and videos together to determine if the content was harmful.
RSC will also help in building the technologies for the next major computing platform- the metaverse, where AI-driven applications and products will play a significant role.
What is Metaverse?
Facebook in October 2021 had announced that it is changing the company name to Meta. The change was announced by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg at the company’s Connect Virtual Reality Conference.
INDIA'S FIRST FEMALE RAFALE PILOT
India's first female Rafale pilot is Shivangi Singh. At the Republic Day celebrations, she was a part of the Indian Air Force Tableau. In 2017, she enlisted in the Indian Air Force.
She is only the second woman pilot to take part in the Tableau of the Indian Air Force. Bhawna Kanth, a fighter jet pilot, was the first woman to take part in the IAF tableau.
Shivangi Singh was part of the second group of female fighter pilots to be commissioned. Before Rafale, she was a MiG-21 pilot.
She is a member of the squadron known as the Golden Arrows. Shivangi Singh was born in the Indian state of Bihar. Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology was where she earned her bachelor's degree in technology.
She continued her education at Jaipur's Malaviya National Institute of Technology. "Indian Air Force Transforming for the Future" was the theme of the 2022 IAF Tableau.
The tableau included the Aslesha radar and indigenously produced Light Combat Helicopters. The Gnat aircraft was also displayed by the IAF.
FIRST GEOLOGICAL PARK TO BE BUILT IN MP
The first geological park of India will be built in Lamheta, Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. Approval for the park was given by the Geological Survey of India, under the ministry of mining.
Park will be constructed with an investment of Rs 35 crores, over five-acre land. The geological park will be built in Lamheta, because this place is among significant places in the world, from the geological point of view.
In 1928, William Henry Sleeman had discovered a Dinosaur fossil from this area. UNESCO has also recognised Lamheta as a geo heritage site.
Lameta Formation is also called Infratrappean Beds. It is a sedimentary geological formation found in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
It is associated with the Deccan Traps. It is of the Maastrichtian age and is known for dinosaur fossils.
What is geopark?
Geopark is a unified area, which advances the protection and use of geological heritage in a sustainable manner. It also promotes the economic well-being of the people living there.
