1.PM Modi to host India-Central Asia summit
The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi , India-Central Asia Summit on 27 Januarywill host. Presidents of five Central Asian countries will participate in this summit. These five countries are Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic. This is the first India-Central Asia summit. This summit will be held virtually. During this summit, the leaders are expected to exchange their views on international and regional issues. They are expected to primarily focus on security issues. These countries share their borders with Afghanistan. The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021 after the US withdrew from Afghanistan. Due to this Indian development work in Afghanistan remained incomplete. Also, Indian investment for the development of Afghanistan went in vain. Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic share their borders with China. India is now involved in a 21-month standoff with China.
2.India and France sign MoU for research and research cooperation in health sector
India and France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for research and research cooperation in the health sector . The Ministry of Science and Technology informed that the agreement between the Council of Science and Industrial Research-CSIR and the French Institute was signed yesterday. The two institutes will jointly conduct research in the area of emerging infectious and genetic diseases. Ways to provide accessible and effective healthcare solutions will be explored for not only the people of both countries, but also in the global interest. The agreement will help in increasing scientific and technological cooperation in various areas of human health.
3.Western Naval Command conducts joint maritime exercise ‘Paschim Lehar (XPL-2022)’
A joint maritime exercise ‘ Paschim Lehar (XPL-2022) ‘ conducted by the Indian Navy off the west coast concluded on January 25, 2022. The exercise lasted for a period of 20 days and was conducted with an aim to strengthen the operational plans of the Western Naval Command and enhance inter-service synergy between the Indian Navy, the Indian Air Force, the Indian Army and the Coast Guard . The exercise was conducted under the aegis of FOC-in-C, Western Naval Command. The intra-theatre exercise saw the engagement and participation of over 40 ships and submarines of the Indian Navy.
4.World Bank to provide Rs 1000 crore loan to West Bengal
The World Bank has recently approved a loan of Rs 1000 crore for the Government of West Bengal . This loan amount will be used to implement 400 programs being run by the state government . This loan will be used to help the weaker and poorer groups of the society. This loan will be used for:
- To promote digital payments and enhance financial inclusion
- Distribution of funds in government schemes
- to support people with disabilities
- To provide medical assistance through telemedicine
The state government will use the loan amount in the “West Bengal Building State Capability for Inclusive Social Protection” operation. The operation aims to support the poor, serve the vulnerable and expand coverage. The financial assistance will help in promoting the ‘Duare Sarkar’ programme. The Duare Sarkar program was launched by the Government of West Bengal to deliver government services and food grains at their doorsteps. Beneficiaries under this social security scheme do not need to approach the government. This program identifies the beneficiaries.
5.Government notifies Drone Certification Scheme to make certification of drones simple, fast and transparent
The government has notified the Drone Certification Scheme to make certification of drones simple, fast and transparent . The Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a tweet that liberalized rules, air space map, PLI scheme and single window digital sky platform will help the drone manufacturing industry in India. The ministry said that this will be an effective step towards making India the drone hub of the world by the year 2030. Center has created digital sky platform for drone registration and operation. Users will have to register on it and get permission online for each flight in Yellow and Red zones.
6.Delivery of AK-203 rifles to India started
As a part of the larger contract to manufacture AK 203 assault rifles in India , the armed forces received the first batch of 70,000 rifles from Russia. The first batch has been delivered at a fast pace, at the request of India, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The first batch is likely to be used by the Air Force . The rifles made in the Amethi factory will be given to the army. Indian Army has demanded 6,00,000 AK 203 rifles . The AK rifles are being manufactured under a complete technology transfer clause. This section will also enable export of rifles to friendly countries in future. These rifles are manufactured in Russian by Indo Russian Rifles Private Limited .The joint venture between Rosboronexport and Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (OFB) . The deal for AK 203 rifles was done in December 2021. The Rs 5,124 crore deal is the biggest defense deal between the two countries in recent years . Under this deal, the Russian side assured to build with technology transfer within two to three years. In addition, Russia is sending technical teams to assist the Indian partners.
7.India’s growth rate will be 9% in 2021-2022: International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund ( IMF) released its World Economic Outlook on January 25, 2022 . According to this report, global economic growth will fall by half a percentage point from earlier estimates . The growth will decline from 5.9% in 2021 to 4.4% in 2022 . This will further reduce to 3.8% in 2023.Will be According to the IMF forecast, India will grow at the rate of 9% in 2021-2022. In its October 2021 estimate, the IMF had projected India’s growth prospects for the year at 9.5%. The IMF has now projected 9% growth for India’s economy in 2022-23. In the October assessment, growth was projected at 8.5% in 2022-23 and 7.1% in 2023-24. India’s prospects for 2023 have been projected based on expected improvements in credit growth.
8.The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, retired Brigadier B.D. Mishra dedicated the ‘General Bipin Rawat Hall’ of Raj Bhavan in Itanagar to the people of the state.
The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh , retired Brigadier B.D. Mishra dedicated the ‘ General Bipin Rawat Hall ‘ of Raj Bhavan in Itanagar to the people of the state on the occasion of Republic Day . Former Chief of Defense Staff, Late General Bipin Rawat’s daughters- Kritika Rawat and Tarini Rawat were also present at the function. Speaking on the occasion, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that in honor of the late General Rawat, the road from Walong to Kibithu would be named after him. General Rawat rendered valuable services here as the Commanding Officer of his battalion 5/11 Gorkha Rifles.
9.PMC Bank merged with Unity Small Finance Bank
On January 25, 2022 , Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that the government has merged Unity Small Finance Bank (SFB) of Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank .A draft plan for integration with The final scheme envisages starting payment for the balance amount of around Rs 5 lakh within one year for the depositors as opposed to two years in the draft of the scheme. Further, the final plan says that Unity Small Finance Bank has to be given to the Housing Development and Infrastructure (HDIL) group to buy back the Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preference Shares (PNCPS) issued to institutional depositors. The recovery from the loan taken should be used. This amalgamation came into effect from the date of notification of the scheme, i.e. January 25, 2022. All branches of PMC Bank will function as branches of Unity Small Finance Bank from this date.
10.’Jai Bheem’ and Marakkar shortlisted for Oscars 2022
Indian Movie Jai Bhim and Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Singham have been officially shortlisted for Oscar 2022 . Jai Bhim is the fourth Indian film to be nominated for an Oscar after Mother India, Salaam Bombay and Lagaan . Marakkar Arabikadalinte Singham has also been nominated for the Global Community Oscar Awards 2021 . The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has released a list of 276 films eligible for the award this year.
11.The retired ship ‘Khukri’ will be handed over to Diu administration on January 26
INS Khukri, the lead ship of the Indian Navy ‘s Khukri class and equipped with surface-to-surface missile, INS Khukri , which has the distinction of being part of both the Western and Eastern Fleet, is to be handed over to the Diu Administration on 26 January 2022. Mazagon Dock ShipbuildersThe ship, built by M/s, was commissioned on 23 August 1989 in Mumbai by Shri Krishna Chandra Pant, the then Hon’ble Defense Minister and Smt. Sudha Mulla, wife of the late Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla, MVC. After more than 32 glorious years of service to the nation and participating in all forms of naval operations, the ship was decommissioned in a government ceremony on 23 December 2021. As part of Developing and Revitalizing the Khukri Memorial, the Diu Administration approached the Defense Ministry in 2019 to gift a decommissioned naval vessel for public display. As a result of this, it was time to provide the second Khukri vessel. This is the vessel that will be officially handed over to the Diu Administration.
12.Ujjivan Small Finance Bank launches ‘Platina Fixed Deposit’ scheme
Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (SFB) has launched ‘ Platina Fixed Deposit ‘, which is 15 basis points (bps) higher than the regular fixed deposit rates offered by Ujjivan SFB. Platina FD is a non-callable deposit where partial and premature withdrawal is not applicable. Whereas the interest amount can be received monthly, quarterly or at the end of the maturity period. For a tenure of 990 days, the normal FD offers 6.75% for general citizens and 7.50% for senior citizens, while Platina FD offers 6.90% and 7.65% interest rates. Limit of FD: The minimum amount is Rs 20 lakh and the maximum amount is Rs 2 crore, with tenure ranging from 1 year to 5 years.
13.Fullerton India partners with Paytm for digital lending to MSMEs
Fullerton India and One97 Communications Limited , which owns the Paytm brand, have announced a partnership to provide lending products to merchant partners and consumers. With the partnership, the two established institutions will leverage data-driven insights and wider reach to bring credit to new-to-credit users. They aim to co-create innovative merchant loan products using Fullerton’s years of experience in customer payment behavior and understanding of this segment.
14.Swiggy becomes Decacorn with a valuation of $10.7 billion
Food-ordering and instant grocery delivery platform, Swiggy has signed a $700 million funding round led by asset manager Invesco . With this, the total valuation of Swiggy has reached $ 10.7 billion i.e. now it is decacorn . A Decacorn is a startup with a valuation of over $10 billion. Swiggy’s latest valuation is almost double what it was before Zomato’s initial public offering. Zomato was valued at $5.4 billion before the IPO.
15.Olympian Neeraj Chopra honored with Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Olympian Neeraj Chopra will be awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal by President Ram Nath Kovind on the eve of Republic Day . 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 in 2016 as a direct entrant of Naib Subedar . He was selected to train at the Mission Olympic Wing and Army Sports Institute in Pune. Chopra was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2018 and the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2020 for his outstanding performance in sports.
16.73rd Republic Day
The nation celebrated the 73rd Republic Day on 26 January , in fact the Constitution of India came into force on 26 January 1950 . The main function was held at Rajpath in the national capital Delhi. The Constitution had replaced the Government of India Act, 1935 . The Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949 , later it came into force on 26 January 1950. In fact, the Indian National Congress declared the Dominion Status of British rule .Rejecting the offer, he demanded Poorna Swaraj on 26 January 1930. This year the Republic Day celebrations have special significance as the country is celebrating the 75th year of independence as the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence. On this occasion, the Ministry of Defense has prepared a series of new programs during the parade at Rajpath. Special arrangements have been made to give opportunities to those sections of the society who usually do not see the parade. In these, auto rickshaw drivers, laborers, sanitation workers and frontline health workers have been specially invited to watch the parade.
17.Famous Kathakali dancer Milena Salvini passes away
Padma Shri awardee famous Kathakali dancer Milena Salvini has passed away. She was born in Italy and was a citizen of France . The Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri in 2019 as a mark of respect for his contribution in the field of acting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the demise of famous Kathakali dancer Milena Salvini. In 1962, Salvini received a two-year scholarship to train in Kathakali in Kerala’s Kalamandalam. Together with a fellow artist, he established the Pavilion Center in Paris in 1975 to teach classical dance. He also got help from UNESCO.
