1 Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the first full-fledged Sainik School for Girls in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the first full-fledged Sainik School for Girls, Sanvid Gurukulam Sainik School, at Vrindavan , Mathura in Uttar Pradesh on January 01, 2024 . In this school, education and training will be provided to 870 girl students. This school has been inaugurated as part of the initiative to establish 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership with NGOs/Private/State Government schools in all States and Union Territories, out of which 42 schools have been established. These schools are to be created in addition to the existing 33 Sainik Schools, which are already running the program under the earlier pattern. It is worth remembering that Shri Rajnath Singh in 2019 had approved the admission of girls in Sainik Schools in a phased manner for the academic session 2021-22 . The decision was taken after the success of the pilot project launched by the Defense Ministry at Sainik School Chhingchhip in Mizoram .
2 ISRO successfully launches X-ray Polarimeter satellite for the first time to study black holes and neutron stars in the Milky Way
Indian Space Research Organization – ISRO launched X-ray Polarimeter Satellite-EXPOSAT into space from Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle- PSLV-C58 . The launch was carried out on January 1, 2024 at 9:10 am from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh . Along with this, ten other scientific payloads were also launched. This mission represents India’s first dedicated scientific effort to study the polarization of cosmic X-rays from astronomical sources. After this launch, India has become the second country to send a specialized astronomical observatory to study black holes and neutron stars . ISRO Chairman S. Somnath said that Exposat has been launched successfully. The 10 other payloads launched with Exposat are from institutions like Take Me to Space, LBS Institute of Technology for Women, KJ Soumya Institute of Technology, Inspatiity Space Labs Pvt Ltd, Dhruv Space Pvt Ltd, Bellatrix Aerospace Pvt Ltd and three from ISRO. Payloads are included. It was the first launch of the year and the holiday season, so the space center’s viewing gallery was filled with enthusiastic crowds of people of all ages.
3. Guinness world record for performing collective Surya Namaskar on the first day of New Year was created in Gujarat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the achievement of Gujarat on the occasion of New Year . In a social media post, the Prime Minister said, Gujarat welcomed 2024 with the remarkable achievement of creating a Guinness World Record for the most number of people performing Surya Namaskar simultaneously at 108 places. Shri Modi said, the number 108 has special significance in our culture. He said that the venues for Surya Namaskar included the prestigious Modhera Sun Temple , where many people participated in the event. Shri Modi said that this is indeed a reflection of the commitment of the people towards Yoga and cultural heritage. The Prime Minister urged people to make Surya Namaskar a part of their daily routine.
4 Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged common citizens to participate in the public opinion survey on Namo app.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the common citizens to participate in the public opinion survey on ‘ NaMo App ‘ and share their views about the progress made in the last ten years . In a post on social media, the Prime Minister asked them to send their feedback directly to him using the hashtag Janman Survey. This survey provides an excellent platform for the people to express their opinion about the progress and development of the nation.
5 Government extends tenure of PLI scheme for automobile industry by one year with partial modifications
The government has extended the deadline for Production Linked Incentive Scheme-PLI for Automobiles and Auto Parts by one year with partial modifications . The production based incentive scheme will be applicable for five consecutive financial years starting from the financial year 2023-24 . Incentive benefits will be given in the next financial year 2024-25 . According to the scheme, the applicant will be eligible for benefits for five consecutive financial years, but will not be eligible for more than the financial year ending March 31, 2028 . If the approved company fails to exceed the prescribed limit in sales in the first year, it will not get the incentive for that year. However, on completing the scheduled sales the company will be eligible for profit in the next year. At the same time, if an approved company makes sales more than the prescribed price for the first year, then it will be able to get incentives for the concerned year. The objective of this provision, which is more than value, is to ensure a level playing field for all companies and to protect the interest of companies making advance payments in investment. The ministry said the amendments are expected to provide a boost to the automobile sector due to greater clarity and make the sector growth-oriented and competitive.
6 Joint military exercise ‘Desert Cyclone’ of India and UAE in Rajasthan
The joint military exercise Desert Cyclone-2024 between India and the United Arab Emirates will begin in Rajasthan . The objective of the fortnight long exercise is to promote interoperability by sharing and learning best practices in urban operations. The Ministry of External Affairs said that the potential areas of bilateral cooperation in the defense sector include development and production of defense equipment, joint exercises of the armed forces, especially naval exercises, sharing of strategic and ideological information, technology cooperation related to Intermediate Jet Trainer. Are. The first India-UAE joint air force exercise was held at Al Dhafra Base, Abu Dhabi in September 2008 .
7 State Bank of India will be authorized to sell electoral bonds, issue bonds and return cash
The sale of electoral bonds in the country will start from January 2 . These can be purchased at 29 authorized branches of State Bank of India till 11th of this month . The branches where these bonds will be sold include bank branches in Delhi , Haryana , Punjab , Himachal Pradesh , Jammu and Kashmir , Uttarakhand , Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh , Odisha , Bihar and West Bengal . The Finance Ministry has said that in the 30th tranche of sale of these bonds, State Bank of India has been authorized to issue them and return cash in their place.
8 A Dhaka court in Bangladesh has sentenced Nobel Prize winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus and three top executives of Grameen Telecom to six months in prison for violating labor laws.
A court in Dhaka in Bangladesh has sentenced Nobel Prize winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus and three top executives of Grameen Telecom to six months in prison for violating labor laws . The court has also imposed a fine of thirty thousand taka on each accused. In case of non-payment of fine, he will have to undergo 25 more days of normal imprisonment.
9 The BRICS summit to be held in Russia in October may prove to be a game changer.
The BRICS summit to be held in Russia in October this year could prove to be a game changer. There are preparations to include five new members in the organization along with its five founding countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa . This may include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates . It is anticipated that this change will promote multipolarity in the international world, where struggling middle nations can challenge the Western-led world order. This step is being seen as a strategic effort to reshape the international system in a multipolar world.
10 Dairy Minister Parshottam Rupala and Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan launches 10th phase of Sagar Parikrama from Chennai Port today
Sagar Parikrama of the 10th phase started from Chennai Port . Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala and Union Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan jointly launched this campaign. This expedition will visit Nellore, Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam. The Union Minister will interact with the fishermen community living in the coastal areas. They will also discuss the schemes brought by the government for fishermen. The Union Minister will also distribute certificates of welfare schemes related to the fishermen community. Dr. L. Murugan said that on the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first phase of Sagar Parikrama was started last year from Kutch in Gujarat passing through Maharashtra and other coastal states. He said that a trip to the sea is necessary to understand the plight of fishermen.
11 In Jharkhand, Governor Shri Radhakrishnan and Union Minister Shri Munda inaugurated the Kisan Samagam.
Jharkhand Governor Shri C.P. Under the chairmanship of Radhakrishnan and the chief hospitality of Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Arjun Munda, Kisan Samagam (Agriculture Fair cum Training Program) was inaugurated in Kharsawan, Jharkhand on the theme of Developed Village-Developed India . Kisan Samagam (Agricultural Fair cum Training Programme) is being organized by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare at Gondpur Maidan, Kharsawan, Jharkhand on the theme of Developed Village-Developed India. Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has organized various institutions of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), National Seed Corporation, Birsa Agricultural University, IFFCO, National Horticulture Board, ATARI (Patna), Krishi Vigyan Kendras, NAFED, NABARD and various institutions of the state. This huge event was organized together, in which thousands of farmers participated.
12 Gujarat to launch country’s first submarine tourism in Dwarka
The Gujarat government is planning to launch submarine tourism in Bet Dwarka , a small island off the coast of Dwarka , by signing an MoU with Mazagon Dockyard Limited . The project aims to provide a unique underwater experience to tourists by exploring the ancient waters and the lost city of Dwarka. Weighing approximately 35 tonnes, the submarine will have the capacity to carry 30 passengers, with each seat offering a window view to a depth of 300 feet. This initiative is expected to boost tourism, employment and investment in the region.
13 NASA to study asteroid ‘Apophis’ that will come close to Earth on April 13, 2029
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched OSIRIS-APEX ( Origin, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and Protection – Apophis Explorer ) to study asteroid Apophis and take advantage of the asteroid’s close pass by Earth in 2029 . The asteroid, named after the Egyptian god of Chaos, is predicted to pass within a remarkable distance of 32,000 kilometers from the Earth’s surface on April 13, 2029. This event presents a unique opportunity for scientists to gather valuable data about this 370-meter diameter asteroid. In Egyptian mythology, Apophis is depicted as a serpent-shaped god, representing darkness and chaos aimed at destroying the world.
14 ‘Superiority’ Scheme
Recently the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has highlighted the ‘ Shreshtha ‘ scheme. The scheme is known as Residential Education Scheme for High School Students in the target areas (SHRESHTA) . Its basic objective is to uplift the socio-economic status of Scheduled Caste people by providing high quality education to children in the best private residential schools of the country. Admission will be provided in class 9 and class 11 of private schools affiliated to CBSE. Scheduled Caste students who are studying in class 8th and 10th in the current academic year (2021-22) are eligible to avail the benefits of the scheme. Students from Scheduled Caste community belonging to marginalized income group with annual income up to Rs 2.5 lakh are eligible under this scheme.
15 Government added 34 lakh farmers back to PM-Kisan scheme
The Government of India has re-enrolled 34 lakh farmers under its PM-KISAN programme . Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana provides annual income support of Rs 6,000 to farmers in three installments . Eligible landholding families with annual income less than Rs 6 lakh get Rs 2,000 every four months. More than 12 crore farmers have received funds under the program since its 2019 launch. Before the decline, enrollment had reached an all-time high of 10.47 crore during April-July 2022. This number had fallen to 8.57 crore by August-November 2022 and to 8.12 crore in December 2022-March 2023. Due to this, the total disbursement also reduced from Rs 67,121 crore in 2021-22 to only Rs 58,258 crore in 2022-23.
16 Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, AVSM, VSM, takes over as Chief of Materiel
Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh , AVSM, VSM takes over as Chief of Materiel . Vice Admiral Deshmukh is an alumnus of VJTI, Mumbai University and was commissioned into the Indian Navy as an Engineer Officer on 31 March 1986 . He holds a Master’s degree in Engineering and is a post graduate from the Defense Services Staff College, Wellington. Flag Officer Shri Deshmukh has also held various important appointments at Naval Headquarters as Command Staff in the Staff Personnel and Materiel Branch, Testing Agencies, Materiel Organisation, Naval Dockyard and HQENC.
17 Anahat Singh won the 2023 ‘Women Under-19 Scottish Junior Open’ title in squash.
Talented Indian player Anahat Singh has won the Scottish Junior Open Squash-2023 title with her strong performance in the Girls Under-19 event held in Edinburgh . Anahat defeated Robin McAlpine 11-6, 11-1 and 11-5 in the final. It was a stellar year for Delhi ‘s Anahat, who set double records at the Under-19 and Senior National Championships and won mixed doubles bronze medals with Abhay Singh at both the inaugural Mixed Doubles Championships and the Asian Games.
18 Australian batsman David Warner announced his retirement from international one-day cricket matches.
Australian batsman David Warner has announced his retirement from international one-day cricket-ODI matches . The two-time ODI Cricket World Cup winner had earlier announced his retirement from Test career after the Test match against Pakistan in Sydney. However, this opening batsman said that he is available for the 2025 Champions Trophy. David Warner is Australia’s sixth-highest run-scorer in the ODI format. David Warner is second after former captain Ricky Ponting to score the most centuries in the ODI format for Australia.
