1.Russia to deliver S-400 air defence systems to India by 2025
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Russia said it has started production of S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems for India, and all five units will be delivered by 2025.In October 2018, India signed a USD 5 billion deal to buy the air defence missile systems.
Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin also said that a contract will be finalised shortly for joint production of Kamov lightweight multi-role military helicopters for India.
The Indian Armed forces will receive the first batch of 5,000 Kalashnikov rifles this year as well.
These will be produced in India under a joint venture.
2.50th World Economic Forum in Switzerland on 21 January; Union Minister Piyush Goyal to lead Indian delegation
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The four day 50th World Economic Forum at Davos in Switzerland will begin on 21 January.53 heads of state or government from 117 countries are participating in the event.
The theme of this year’s WEF is ‘Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World’.
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will lead the Indian delegation.
Among other highlights of the forum is Indian actress Deepika Padukone, who will be given a WEF crystal award for her work on mental health while the US rapper William Adams will be talking about ending gun violence.
3.9th International Children’s Film Festival begins in Kolkata
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The 9th International Children’s Film Festival begins in Kolkata with the screening of Aizaz Khan directed Hamid.About 250 films from 45 countries will be screened in the week-long festival.
The National Award winner Children actor, Talha Arsad Rishi will inaugurate the festival.
Besides the screening of films, an exhibition on the children’s film festival will also be organised.
4.Prakash Javadekar inaugurates ELECRAMA 2020, a flagship showcase of electrical industry in India
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Union Minister for Heavy Industries Prakash Javadekar inaugurated ELECRAMA 2020, the flagship showcase of the Indian electrical industry, in Greater Noida.He asked the power industry to focus on the quality of electrical equipment.
He urged the industry to become a part of the production chain and not just a supplier of spare parts.
5.Kiren Rijiju and Pramod Sawant flag off ‘Fit India Cyclothon’ in Panaji
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The Fit India Mission under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports organized the inaugural event of ‘Fit India Cyclothon’ event in Panaji.The Cyclothon was flagged off by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant from the Campal Parade Ground in the city.
The Cyclothon event witnessed participation by over 500 cycling enthusiasts who came together to cycle through a five-kilometre stretch within the Panaji city.
6.Centre appoints Nripendra Misra as chairman of NMML executive council
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Former principal secretary to the Prime Minister, Nripendra Misra, has been appointed chairperson of the executive council of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML).According to a government order, the Executive Council of the NMML has been reconstituted and it will be now chaired by Mr Misra.
Mr Misra is a 1967-batch retired IAS officer.
The Nehru Memorial Museum & Library is a museum and library in New Delhi, which aims to preserve and reconstruct the history of the Indian independence movement.
7.Arjun Munda becomes President of suspended AAI
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Union Minister Arjun Munda was elected as President of the suspended Archery Association of India (AAI) in its much-delayed elections.The elections were held as per the Delhi High Court order.
Mr Munda had a smooth sailing as he beat his rival B V P Rao by a margin of 34-18 votes.
A three-time Jharkhand Chief Minister, the 51-year-old Munda is a hugely popular tribal leader who also runs an archery academy which was instrumental in the rise of former world number one Deepika Kumari.
8.Vinesh Phogat wins gold medal in Rome Ranking Series
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A dominant Vinesh Phogat won her first gold medal of the 2020 season at the Rome Ranking Series event after teen sensation Anshu Malik settled for a silver in 57kg competition, in Rome.Vinesh downed two tough Chinese rivals on her way to the 53kg gold medal bout in which she overpowered Ecuador’s Luisa Elizabeth Valverde 4-0.
She won by technical superiority against Khrystyna Bereza (10-0) and Lannuan Luo (15-5) before getting the better of Qianyu Pang (4-2).
9.World’s shortest man Khagendra Thapa Magar dies
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The world’s shortest man who could walk, as verified by Guinness World Records, died in Nepal.Khagendra Thapa Magar, who measured 67.08cm (two feet and 2.41 inches), died of pneumonia.
Magar was first declared the world’s shortest man in 2010 after his 18th birthday.
Magar became an official face of Nepal’s tourism campaign, which featured him as the smallest man in a country that is home to the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest.
10.Former cricketer Bapu Nadkarni Passes Away
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Former India all-rounder cricketer Bapu Nadkarni, who built an extraordinary career with his parsimonious left-arm spin, has died at the age of 86.Nadkarni enjoyed a 13-year international career, during which he played 41 Tests and snared 88 wickets.
The legendary cricketer will be best remembered for bowling 21 consecutive maiden overs against England in a Test match in Chennai.
He also served as a member of the National Selection Committee and also as the Joint Honorary Secretary of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
