1. Geospatial Hackathon launched to promote innovation and start-ups in India
Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launched Geospatial Hackathon to promote innovation and start-ups in India . Speaking on the occasion in New Delhi, Dr. Singh said that the hackathon is not only aimed at fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors, but also at strengthening the start-up ecosystem. During this, solutions will be found to the challenges being faced in the research and start-up sector.
2. 82 best agri-entrepreneurs trained under agri-clinics and agri-business scheme felicitated
82 best Agripreneurs trained under Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business (AC & ABC) scheme on National Youth Day recentlyAwarded for his significant contribution through agri-clinic and agribusiness services to farmers. Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Scheme is a mega flagship scheme of the government, which was launched by the Government of India in April 2002 in collaboration with NABARD. It aims to transform unemployed youth into self-employed agri-entrepreneurs through 45 days free residential training in different parts of the country along with access to loans and subsidies from banks. And to utilize the expertise of the large number of agriculture graduates available. The scheme is being implemented by the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, Hyderabad through a network of 136 Nodal Training Institutes (NTIS) spread across all states in different states of the country.
3. Demand to revive shipping canal project Sethusamudram project
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin recently introduced a resolution in the state assembly, seeking to revive the Sethusamudram project, a proposed shipping canal project in India that would connect the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. The project, which has been controversial since its inception, was put on hold by the Indian government in 2007. The Sethusamudram project aims to build a shipping canal through the shallow waters of the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar, which will reduce the distance and time required for ships to travel between the east and west coasts of India. The project will bypass the traditional shipping route through the Palk Strait, which is considered a navigational hazard.
4. The Himachal Pradesh government has restored the old pension scheme in its first cabinet meeting.
The Himachal Pradesh government has restored the old pension scheme . Fulfilling the poll promise of the Congress party, the state government in its first cabinet meeting approved the old pension scheme. Under the new system, all those government employees who are currently covered under the defined contributory pension scheme will get the benefit of this pension scheme. About one lakh 36 thousand government employees will be benefited in the state. The cabinet also decided to set up a cabinet sub-committee to chalk out a plan to generate one lakh job opportunities in the state.
5. 21st edition of Dhaka International Film Festival begins in Dhaka
The 21st edition of Dhaka International Film Festival-DIFF, the biggest film festival of Bangladesh began in Dhaka . External Affairs Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen inaugurated the festival at the National Museum Auditorium . He talked about the role of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in promoting film culture . Veteran actor Sabyasachi Chakraborty , who played the role of Feluda in Satyajit Ray ‘s films, was the special guest on the occasion. A total of 36 films from India will be screened in various sections.
6. Bharatiya Janata Party world’s first fully digital party
Bharatiya Janata Party has become the first fully digital party in the world. The number of workers in this party is about 18 crores , out of which the number of people working on the post is about 3 crores . Organization Reporting and Analysis (Simple)Apart from making it easy for the general public to access the executive members of the party from the president to the booth level through an app prepared by the name, it is also an important medium of communication within the party. With the facility of phone and SMS to contact the party, through this app, office bearers of any state in the country can be contacted. The main feature of the app is that with its help it is possible to send real-time messages to any office bearer, so that the facility of activating the office bearers on any issue will be available. Everyone will have the facility to download this app but in a limited amount, access to the major part of the organization in the app will be available only to the office bearers affiliated to the party.
7. NASA’s Webb telescope discovers first Earth-like planet outside the solar system
NASA ‘s James Webb Space Telescope , a next-generation observatory, has confirmed the discovery of its first planet outside our solar system after spending more than a year in the vacuum of space some 15,00,000 km from Earth . The discovery was led by astronomers at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland . According to the research team, LHS 475b is an Earth-sized terrestrial planet but the researchers do not yet know whether the exoplanet or the new planet has an atmosphere. Scientists told that the exoplanet is only 41 light-years away from Earth , the constellation Octan is located in The planet orbits a red dwarf star whose temperature is less than half the temperature of the Sun. LHS 475 b is closer to its star than any of the planets in our Solar System, taking just two days to complete one complete orbit. The Webb telescope observations also indicated that the exoplanet is about 100 degrees hotter than Earth. The research was presented Wednesday at the 241st meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Seattle.
8. Significant improvement in infrastructure along LAC
According to India’s Army Chief, there has been a significant improvement in infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) . The military has significantly increased the country’s infrastructure on the Indian side of the LAC with China, from building 6,000 km of border roads to boosting all-weather communications in Ladakh and Kameng . For example, Zojila tunnel and Z-bend tunnel in Ladakh and Sela tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh.Currently under construction. The Army is working on five major areas viz. Restructuring and Adaptation, Modernization and Technology, Human Resource Management like Agneepath Scheme, Jointness and Integration, Improvement in Systems and Processes. At present, the Army is seeking to induct women officers into the Artillery Regiment, this will establish the identity of women in the context of combat arms.
9. Cognizant appoints Ravi Kumar S as Chief Executive Officer
Cognizant has announced the appointment of former Infosys Chairman Ravi Kumar S as CEO and member of the board, with immediate effect. Ravi Kumar S has replaced Brian Humphries in both the roles . To facilitate a smooth transition, Brian Humphries will remain with the company as a Special Advisor until March 15, 2023.
10. Indian Patrol Vessels ICGS Shaurya and ICGS Rajveer accorded warm welcome on arrival in Bangladesh
As part of the ongoing cooperation between the Coast Guards of Bangladesh and India, two patrol vessels of the Indian Coast Guard arrived in Chattogram, Bangladesh on a six-day visit. They were warmly received by the Bangladesh Coast Guard. These Indian Coast Guard ships ICGS Shaurya and ICGS Rajveer , built with state-of-the-art indigenous technology, are an important part of the defense partnership between the two countries. These reflect the Indian Coast Guard’s willingness and commitment to “serve and protect” the maritime interests of the country.
11. India’s Direct Tax Collection in FY2023
According to government data, the country ‘s gross direct tax collection for the current financial year (FY2023) increased by 24.58% to Rs 14.71 lakh crore till January 10 . The Finance Ministry said that the provisional figures of direct tax collections are registering a steady growth. After adjusting refunds, the net direct tax collection stood at Rs 12.31 lakh crore, a 19% increase over the same period last year. The Finance Ministry said on January 11 that the Centre’s direct tax collections reached 86.7% of the budgeted target for 2022-23.
12. A new book titled “Irrfan Khan: A Life in Movies”
In the book Irrfan Khan: A Life in Movies , film critic Shubhra Gupta engages prominent people including directors Mira Nair, Vishal Bhardwaj and Anurag Basu in conversation on the actor’s art, craft and legacy. The book features interviews with key people who worked closely with Irrfan, including Irrfan’s wife Sutapa Sikdar, Tilottama Shome, Irrfan’s NSD Timangshu, Shoojit Sircar, Tabu, Anurag Kashyap and many others. Publisher Pan Macmillan said in a statement that the book will be a collection of new interviews with commentary by Shubhra, offering a complex portrait of Irrfan the actor and the person.
13. Punjabi will be taught in Australian schools
Punjabi is set to become the newest language taught in public schools in Western Australia . The Australian government has decided to include Punjabi language in schools. Australia’s Education Minister Sue Ellery said that students in Australia will be given the option of studying Punjabi, as the syllabus from pre-primary to 12th will be prepared this year. After including Tamil, Hindi and Korean languages in the curriculum in 2021, it has been decided to teach Punjabi in schools. With over 190 languages spoken in Australia, linguistic diversity is a great strength that provides social, cultural and economic benefits.
14. Startup firm IG Drones develops India’s first 5G-enabled drone
Tech startup firm IG Drones has developed India’s first 5G-enabled drone capable of vertical take-off and landing. This drone is called Skyhawk.The name has been given. Apart from defense and medical applications, it can also be used in other areas. Skywalk can fly for about five hours with a payload of 10 kg, as well as this drone is also equipped with capabilities like artificial intelligence and thermal imaging. Due to the facility of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), it does not require any special runway or track for take-off or landing, so it can be operated in any area. This drone is IP67 rated and can be controlled through a combination of NavIC + GPS navigational satellites. This drone can travel 100 km in 12 to 15 minutes at its maximum speed.
15. MS Dhoni launches surveillance drone ‘Droni’ in partnership with Garuda Aerospace
Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Garuda Aerospace have launched a surveillance drone named Droni . The veteran cricketer had unveiled the surveillance drone at the Global Drone Expo in Chennai last year. The battery operated quadcopter surveillance drone will be mainly used in the agriculture sector.
16. NASA names Indian-American space expert AC Charania as chief technologist
Indian-American aerospace industry expert AC Charania has been appointed as the new Chief Technologist of the US space agency NASA . AC Charania will serve as Principal Advisor to Administrator Bill Nelson at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters and advise on technology policy and programs. He replaced fellow Indian-American Bhavya Lal , who was acting chief technologist until January 3.
17. Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP): Money doubles in 120 months
The current interest rate on Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) account deposits is 7.2% per annum . The revised rate was announced on December 30 . This rate will be applicable for KVP deposits made in the first quarter of New Year 2023. The rate of interest on small savings has been increased by 1.10 percent from the central government. Under this, Kisan Vikas Patra will now get interest at the rate of 7.20 percent. Earlier, 7 percent interest was available under the scheme. At the same time, instead of 123 months, the money will be doubled in 120 months only . That is, after the new change, now the maturity will be in 10 years. Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) is a savings scheme available in the post offices of India in the form of certificates. It was first launched in 1988 by India Post.
18. Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni pair won Bangkok Open tennis tournament
In Nonthaburi-Thailand , top seeded Indian pair of Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni defeated Christopher Roongkat and Akira Santillan to clinch the Bangkok Open doubles title. The Indian pair, playing their seventh final together, defeated the Indonesian-Australian pair 2-6, 7-6, 14-12 in a thrilling encounter. A win on Saturday could propel the 28-year-old Yuki to a career-best ranking of 90 in doubles while hard-serving Saketh Myneni, 35, could achieve a career-best ranking of 74 in ATP doubles. Now this pair will enter the first Grand Slam Australian Open match of the season where they have got wild card entry.
19. Makar Sankranti
Recently, the Prime Minister has greeted the people of the country on the occasion of the harvest festivals of Makar Sankranti, Bhogi, Lohri and Pongal . In this festival, farmers across the country celebrate their hard work and enterprise. Makar Sankranti marks the entry of the Sun into Capricorn as it travels on its celestial path. The day marks the beginning of summer and marks the beginning of six months of auspicious time, known to Hindus as Uttarayan or the rising of the Sun.
20. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights celebrated its 18th Foundation Day on 12th January
Recently the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, which was established in the year 2007 under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, celebrated its 18th Foundation Day on 12 January . To dedicate the occasion completely to children, a quiz competition was started by the Commission on National Youth Day (Swami Vivekananda Jayanti) to develop awareness among children about child rights. It is a platform to empower children with their rights.
21.7th Armed Forces Veterans Day
The Indian Armed Forces celebrated the 7th Armed Forces Veterans Day on January 14, 2023 . Field Marshal KM Cariappa OBE , the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, retired on this day in 1953 . Armed Forces Veterans Day from January 14, 2017 is being celebrated. The day is dedicated to reflect, remember and honor the heroes who have made the supreme sacrifice and served the nation selflessly, with an aim to ensure harmony between the retired, serving and the nation. Wreath-laying ceremonies and veterans’ meetings were held across the country at several places such as Dehradun, Delhi, Jalandhar Chandigarh, Jhunjhunu, Panagarh, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata cities. The ceremony was celebrated at nine places while the main function held at Dehradun was presided over by Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh .
22. Congress Lok Sabha member from Jalandhar Santokh Singh Chowdhary passed away in Ludhiana
Congress Lok Sabha member from Jalandhar Santokh Singh Chowdhary died in Ludhiana . Earlier , he had suffered a heart attack while participating in the Bharat Jodo Yatra . He was 76 years old. He was representing the Jalandhar Lok Sabha constituency since 2014 and was also a minister in the Punjab cabinet .
23. Constantine II, the last king of Greece, died
The former and last king of Greece , Constantine , died in a private hospital in Athens . Constantine was 82. In 1964, at the age of 23 , he ascended the throne as Constantine II . He was already very popular for winning the Olympic gold medal in rowing, and his fame increased after he became king. However, after a military coup in 1967, Constantine took on the military rulers and faced exile. The dictatorship abolished the monarchy in 1973, and after democracy was restored in 1974, a referendum ended any hope of Constantine ruling again.
24. British linguist Ronald E Usher, expert on Dravidian languages, passes away
Dravidian languages expert teacher and British linguist Ronald E. Usher passed away at the age of 15 in London. He was 96 years old. Asher, a member of the Royal Asiatic Society of London , won the Gold Medal from the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, Thrissur in 1983 and was honored by the Royal Society in Edinburgh in 1991 . He also received a medal from the Collège de France, Paris, in 1970 . Usher was born on July 23, 1926, in Gringley-on-the-Hill, England. He had a connection with Kerala through V.K. It was made through a long and thought-provoking speech by Krishna Menon .
