The first Kho-Kho World Cup started

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1 The first Kho-Kho World Cup started

The first  Kho-Kho World Cup  started  on 13 January at  Indira Gandhi Stadium   in  the national  capital  New Delhi . India defeated Nepal  42-37 in the first match of the first Kho-Kho World Cup. This  World Cup is being organized under the Sports Authority of India (SAI)  . 21 men’s and 20 women’s teams from 24 countries from 6 continents will participate in the tournament. The first Kho-Kho Asian Championship was held in 1996, while since 2010 it is being played on indoor mats. So far, a total of 15 Kho-Kho players have been awarded the Arjuna Award.

2 PM Modi launched ‘Mission Mausam’ on the 150th foundation day of IMD

Prime Minister  Narendra Modi  on Tuesday  launched  ‘ Mission Mausam ‘  on the occasion of the 150th foundation day  of  the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) . Mission Mausam aims  to develop state-of-the-art weather monitoring technology and systems . The PM also released a coin on the completion  of 150 years of the Meteorological Department  . Along with this, he also released the ‘IMD Vision-2047’ document, which has a blueprint for weather forecasting, weather management and planning to deal with the problem of climate change.  In 1875 , IMD   was established on 15 January on the occasion of Makar Sankranti .

3 Singapore President arrives on a five-day state visit to India

 

Singapore  President  Tharman Shanmugaratnam arrived in New Delhi  on a state visit to India from January 14-18   . He is accompanied by a high-level delegation including ministers, members of parliament and officials. This   is  Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s first visit to India as the President of Singapore. Singapore President Tharman has arrived in New Delhi on a state visit on the special occasion of the 60th anniversary  of  India-Singapore diplomatic relations  . He was warmly welcomed by Minister of State Jitin Prasada at the airport. Earlier, PM Modi visited Singapore in September 2024 and met Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during this period.

 

4 Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the National Turmeric Board in Nizamabad

Union Commerce and Industry Minister  Piyush Goyal  inaugurated   the  National Turmeric Board . During this, he said that the National Turmeric Board will help in doubling the production of turmeric to 20 lakh tonnes in the next five years. Also, efforts will be made to increase the export of turmeric and explore new opportunities in the international market. Piyush Goyal  also informed about appointing  Palle Ganga Reddy  as  the first chairman of the board . The headquarters of the National Turmeric Board has been established in Nizamabad  ( Telangana ). Calling it an auspicious day, he said that this board will help in improving the lives of turmeric farmers. India is the largest turmeric producer, consumer and exporter in the world.  India’s share in global trade  is more than 62% .

5 Odisha government will give Rs 20,000 monthly pension to those who went to jail during emergency

 

The Odisha  government on Monday   approved a  monthly pension of Rs 20,000  and  free healthcare for  those jailed during the Emergency  in 1975-77  . According to the latest notification issued by the state home department, the pension will be granted to persons jailed under MISA (Internal Security Act, 1971)  or  DIR (Defence of India Rules) or DISIR (Defence of India and Internal Security Rules)  from June 26, 1975 to March 21, 1977. It said the pension will be sanctioned in favour of living persons (i.e. those who were alive as on January 1, 2025) irrespective of the period of their stay in jail. They can avail free medical treatment as per the provisions of the Health and Family Welfare Department. These benefits will be provided for the period starting from January 1, 2025. No benefit will be given for the period prior to January 1, 2025, the home department said. Apart from doubling the pension of freedom fighters,  Chief Minister  Mohan Majhi announced on January 2 that those arrested under MISA during the Emergency will be given a monthly pension of Rs 20,000. Three states in the country have launched pension schemes for MISA or DIR detainees during the Emergency.  While Madhya Pradesh  is giving Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 per year to Emergency victims,  Chhattisgarh is giving  Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 per month and  Rajasthan  is giving Rs 20,000 per month.

6 Future Minerals Forum: 2025 launched in Riyadh

 

Future Minerals Forum: 2025 began in  Riyadh . Mining industry representatives from more than 85 countries  are participating   in it to discuss the challenges of the mineral sector  . Union Coal and Mining Minister G. Kishan Reddy  also attended the event along with ministers and officials from more than 50 countries. The three-day event is being organized by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia. Its objective is to promote investment in increasing mineral supplies in Africa, West and Central Asia.

7 Ayushman Jan Arogya Yojana implemented in Odisha

Odisha  has become  the 34th state or union territory   to implement  Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPM-JAY). Now only Delhi  and  West Bengal  do not have Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is a major health scheme of the Government of India, which  was launched in September 2018. In this,  health insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh every year  is provided  to every eligible family . This scheme  is run by  the National Health Authority (NHA) . This scheme is an important step towards ‘ Universal Health Coverage’ .

 

8 Two groups of migratory birds Rosy Pelican were seen for the first time at Jodhpur Jhal Wetland

 For the first time,  a rare species of   migratory birds, Rosy Pelican (Great White Pelican),  has been seen  at Jodhpur Jhal Wetland  in  Mathura . Two groups of these birds, totaling 38,  have arrived at the wetland. Their presence has made the area more attractive. This   is being considered a major success of the conservation efforts of  Uttar Pradesh Braj Tirtha Vikas Parishad . Jodhpur Jhal Wetland is located between Agra and Mathura. Earlier, this species of pelican was seen only at places like Bharatpur  and  Sursarovar  in  Agra  , but now it has also reached Jodhpur Jhal Wetland. According to bird expert  Dr. KP Singh  , three major species of pelicans are found in India, of which Dalmatian Pelican and Rosy Pelican are migratory birds. These birds come to India in winter. Rosy Pelican is famous for its large size and unique way of catching fish. Clean water lakes are ideal habitat for them.

9 India-Nepal joint military exercise Suryakiran concluded successfully

The joint military exercise ‘Suryakiran’ between the Indian and Nepalese  armies,  which was going on since  December 31,   concluded successfully on January 13. It was organized  at Saljhandi in Rupandehi district  . In the closing ceremony of the joint military exercise, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Pradeep Jung KC thanked all the concerned agencies for their support in successfully completing the military exercise. Director of the joint exercise Brigadier General Suraj Gurung gave information about the joint exercise. A total of 668 military personnel from both the countries took part in the exercise in which the Nepali contingent was led by Lieutenant Colonel Niranjan Katwal while the Indian Army was led by Colonel Jpendra Pal Singh.

10 India’s GDP growth likely to reach 6.7 percent: Crisil

 

 Rating agencies around the world are looking positive   about the growth rate of  the Indian economy even in 2026. A report by Crisil Intelligence  on Monday said that  India’s  gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate may  improve  to 6.7 percent in the next financial year (FY26)   . Also, the continued decline in food inflation and softening of non-food inflation will raise hopes of interest rate cuts in the coming months. With food inflation declining for the second consecutive month and non-food inflation stabilizing, core inflation continued to move towards the central bank’s 4 percent inflation target. Consumer price index inflation declined from 5.5 percent to 5.2 percent in November and food inflation declined from 9 percent to 8.4 percent, while non-food inflation stood at 3.1 percent.

11 President Murmu inaugurates major dairy and livestock initiative in Odisha

President of India  Smt. Draupadi Murmu virtually inaugurated/launched the Cow Induction, Giftmilk and Market Support for  Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (OMFED)  initiatives  of  National Dairy Development Board  from Rashtrapati Bhavan   . These programmes are aimed at enhancing rural livelihoods, improving livestock productivity and addressing nutritional challenges in the sector. These initiatives were launched under the leadership of Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. This will enable Odisha to increase its milk procurement capacity from 5 lakh to 10 lakh litres per day. During the event, the President inaugurated the Cattle Induction Programme in Mayurbhanj under Rashtriya Gokul Mission. The initiative involves distribution of 3,000 high-genetic-merit cattle to identified beneficiaries in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.