1. India among top 3 countries to expand organic farming in 2020
India has emerged as one of the top three countries in the world with maximum expansion of area under organic agriculture in 2020 . The total increase under organic farming globally in 2020 was 3 million hectares (mh). Of which, Argentina accounts for 7,81,000 hectares (21 percent increase), followed by Uruguay at 5,89,000 hectares (28 percent) and India at 3,59,000 hectares.
2. Odisha’s Aska became the country’s number one police station
Union Home Minister Amit Shah awarded the Aska police station in Odisha ‘s Ganjam district as the number one police station. Aska police station got this title in the annual ranking of police stations for the year 2022. According to the release, Inspector Prashant Kumar Sahu, in-charge of Aska police station, received the prestigious award along with a citation from Shah. Gangapur police station in Odisha’s Ganjam district has been awarded the second best police station award. Banbasa police station in Champawat district of Uttarakhand has been selected as the third best station.
3. North India’s largest floating solar project inaugurated in Chandigarh
Chandigarh Administrator and Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit recently inaugurated North India’s largest floating solar project of 2000 KWP . A 2000 KWP floating solar power plant has been commissioned at Water Works in Sector 39 at a cost of Rs 11.70 crore. He also inaugurated a 500 KWP floating solar power plant set up on Dhanas Lake . It was constructed at a cost of Rs 3.34 crore. Both the projects have been designed and executed by CREST (Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science and Technology Promotion Society) and will generate a minimum of 35 lakh units (kWh) per annum with 20 per cent module efficiency.
4. Brazilian government declares medical emergency among Yanomami
In Brazil , the government has declared a medical-emergency in the Yanomami region amid reports of children dying from diseases caused by illegal gold mining and malnutrition-related conditions . According to a published government order, the purpose of this declaration is to restore the health services for the Yanomami people that had come to a standstill during the previous government’s tenure. The Yonomami area has been a victim of illegal gold mining gangs for decades. The government has also given instructions to send food packets by air for 26 thousand citizens living there.
5. R Vishnu Prasad Honored as Most Eminent Scientist of the Year 2022
R Vishnu Prasad was honored with the Indian Achievers Award , the most prestigious scientific honor for the year 2022, by Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi . R Vishnu Prasad has 69 patents registered in his name. The award is given for outstanding contributions in various fields including culture, science, sports and innovation.
6. Shamalbhai B Patel appointed as Chairman of Amul
Dairy cooperative leader Shamal Patel was unanimously re-elected as the president of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) . Valamji Humbal was unanimously elected as the Vice President. Patel is also the president of Saber Dairy Union, one of the largest dairy unions in the state. GCMMF has an annual turnover of over Rs 6,800 crore and has 3.85 lakh milk producing farmers as its members.
7. Siddharth Sharma appointed CEO of Tata Trusts
The trustees of Tata Trusts have appointed Siddharth Sharma as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the trust and Aparna Uppaluri as the Chief Operating Officer (COO). His appointment will be effective from 1 April 2023 . Sharma has been in government service for over two decades where he held important assignments in key ministries of the government and served as financial advisor to the 13th and 14th Presidents of India.
8. Oppo India and CSC Academy will train 10,000 women in cyber skills
Oppo India and the government’s Common Service Center (CSC) Academy have announced that they will train 10,000 women in cyber security and cyber wellness in the country. The initiative to empower rural and semi-urban women through the Cyber Sangini program supported by the Ministry of Electronics and IT aims to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to become certified Cyber Sanginis.
9. IAF to conduct Eastern Akash exercise in Northeast
Amid tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the eastern sector with China , Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets will conduct aerial exercises in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and other northeastern states . The IAF said that the Eastern Air Command will conduct its annual command-level exercise during the first week of February. The exercise named Eastern Akash will be conducted after a gap of two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
10. Indian Air Force to conduct exercise ‘Pralay’ in North Eastern part of India
The Indian Air Force is going to conduct a major exercise in Northeast India from February 1 to 5. This war exercise has been named ‘ Pralaya ‘. It is being told that this exercise is going to start in the next few days only. For this, the Indian Air Force has activated the S-400 Air Defense Squadron by deploying it in the area. Let us tell you, the S-400 Air Defense Squadron can intercept any enemy aircraft or missile from a distance of up to 400 km. ‘Pralaya’ will be conducted by the Air Force from all major airbases in the Northeast. The exercise will be conducted in preparation for another Air Force exercise named ‘Eastern Akash’ to be held in the first week of February, an annual Command Level practice.
11. World’s longest calligraphic mural on the road to Mecca’s Grand Mosque
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has installed the world’s longest calligraphic mural on King Abdul Aziz Street , the road leading to the Grand Mosque in Mecca . To enhance the beauty of Mecca, the administration has also installed an Arabic calligraphy mural on the way. The 75-metre-tall mural, designed by artist Amal Felamban , joins a series of sculptures and installations.
12. IIM Ahmedabad named Professor Bharat Bhaskar as the new director
Professor Bharat Bhaskar has been appointed as the new director of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) . Professor Bhaskar is currently Professor in the Department of Information Technology and Systems at IIM Lucknow. Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad informed that Professor Bharat Bhaskar has been appointed as the next Director of the Institute.
13. US to test nuclear engine for future Mars missions
Nuclear thermal propulsion technology may be used for future NASA crewed missions to Mars . NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced a collaboration to demonstrate a nuclear thermal rocket engine in space, an enabling capability for NASA crewed missions to Mars.
14. AU Bank launches credit card offering platform SwipeUp
AU Small Finance Bank , India’s largest Small Finance Bank, announced the launch of SwipeUp Platform – a first of its kind platform in the credit card industry . With this platform, AU Bank will provide an opportunity to other bank credit cardholders to upgrade their card to one of AU Credit Cards. The bank has provided a platform to compare the existing credit cards of the customers within 2-3 seconds. Thereafter, within minutes they can upgrade credit limit, cashback, reward points with a quick end-to-end digital process to match their current lifestyle.
15. No foreign investment cap on sovereign green bonds: RBI
The Reserve Bank of India said that there will be no restriction on foreign investment in Sovereign Green Bonds issued by the Government of India . The central bank said in a notification that such securities would be counted as specified securities under the fully accessible route. The RBI earlier this month announced the auction of sovereign green bonds worth 160 billion rupees ($1.93 billion) in two tranches.
16. SEBI releases informational database on municipal bonds
SEBI has released an informative database on the issue of municipal bonds by local bodies . In a recent statement, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) released this database on municipal bonds at an event held in Delhi on January 20-21 to spread awareness about the bond market.
17. Banks transfer ₹9,234 crore loan of Jaypee Infratech to NARCL
The lenders have transferred the entire Rs 9,234 crore Jaypee Infratech loan to the newly formed National Asset Reconstruction Company (NARCL) . This is the first takeover by the government-promoted bad loan bank which was scheduled a year ago. Under the arrangement, NARCL will take over only Jaypee Infratech loans that are currently held by 9 public sector banks.
18. Indian films bagged Best Screenplay Writer and Best Actress awards at DIFF
Two Indian films won the Best Screenplay Writer and Best Actress awards in the Asian Film Competition category at the 21st Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) . Aparajito (The Undefeated) directed by Anik Dutta won the Best Screenplay Award. Ketki Narayan won the Best Actress award for her role in the film Prapeda (Hawk’s Muffin) directed by Krishnendu Kalesh .
19. NABH and HSSC sign MoU to identify and skill healthcare professionals
National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The objective of the agreement between NABH and HSSC is to accredit HSSC certificate for NABH accreditation and to develop training programs for essential skilling, reskilling and upskilling of healthcare professionals.
20. Jammu and Kashmir government to organize its first Saras Mela 2023
The Government of Jammu and Kashmir is all set to organize its first Saras Mela 2023 from 4th February to 14th February 2023 . In Saras Mela 2023, artisans and women self-help groups from across the country will showcase their crafts, handicrafts, handlooms and food. The fair will be organized at Bagh-e-Bahu in Jammu.
21. Women’s IPL teams announced
Women’s IPL teams have been announced. A bid of Rs 4669.99 crore has been made to buy five teams . The Ahmedabad franchise is the costliest sold. Adani Sports Line Private Limited , owned by Adani , has named the Ahmedabad franchise. He bought it for Rs 1289 crore . This women has become the most expensive team of IPL . At the same time, IndiaWin Sports Pvt Ltd , owned by Reliance Group, has given Rs 912.99 crore to the Mumbai franchise .Bought in Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd acquired the Bangalore franchise for Rs 901 crore. JSW GMR Cricket Pvt Ltd bought the Delhi franchise for Rs 810 crore. At the same time, Capri Global Holdings Pvt Ltd bought the Lucknow franchise for Rs 757 crore.
22. ICC announced the best men’s and women’s T20 teams of the year 2022
The International Cricket Council announced the T20I Team of the Year for the year 2022 for both men’s and women’s cricket . The team comprises players from across the world who impressed everyone with their performances with the ball and bat last year. The ICC has selected 11 players for both the men’s and women’s teams and India’s players have been successful in making it to both the teams. These players are Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya , while Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh have got a chance in the women’s team . Jos Buttler , who won England in the T20 World Cup in Australia last NovemberThe team was made the champion, he has been made the captain of the team. New Zealand veteran Sophie Devine has been made the captain of the women’s team .
23. Himachal Pradesh celebrated its 53rd Foundation Day
Himachal Pradesh celebrated its 53rd Foundation Day on 25 January 2023 with great enthusiasm and fervor throughout the state . On this day in 1971, Himachal Pradesh became the 18th state of India . State level function of full statehood day was organized in Hamirpur district where Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu unfurled the national flag and took salute from the march past presented by various contingents.
24. National Tourism Day celebrated on 25 January
National Tourism Day is celebrated every year on 25 January . The day is celebrated to create awareness about the development aspects of the tourism sector. Also, the day aims to spread the impact of the tourism sector on the economic development of the country. The tourism sector in India was first introduced in 1948. A tourism committee was formed in 1948. Later in 1958, a separate Department of Tourism was created under the Ministry of Tourism and Communications. Thomas Cook was an English explorer who founded Thomas Cook & Son, a world-renowned travel agency. He is the inventor of modern tourism.
25. January 26: Republic Day
January 26 is celebrated every year as Republic Day across the country , in fact, on January 26, 1950 , the Constitution of India came into force. This year a colorful program is organized on the occasion of Republic Day in New Delhi. In this program, India’s military strength and India’s achievements in various fields are displayed. The Constitution replaced the Government of India Act, 1935. The Constituent Assembly accepted the Constitution on 26 November 1949, later it was implemented on 26 January 1950. In fact, the Indian National Congress had demanded complete independence on January 26, 1930, rejecting the offer of Dominion Status of the British rule.
26. Former Air Chief Air Marshal Harjit Singh Arora passed away
Former Vice Chief of the Air Force Air Marshal Harjit Singh Arora passed away at Delhi’s Army Research and Referral Hospital. He was 61 years old and retired on June 30, 2021. Air Marshal Harjit Singh Arora was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in December 1981 as a fighter pilot. He had over 2600 hours of flying experience on MiG-21, MiG-29. In his career spanning over 38 years, Arora was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in January 2011 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in January 2020 .
