National:
1) Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Unveiled to Transform Tourism Development:
- Redesigned Scheme: Swadesh Darshan 2.0 launched with a focus on sustainable and responsible tourism destinations.
- Guidelines Shared: Program emphasizes a tourist and destination-centric approach, offering 100% central funding.
- Holistic Mission: Not an incremental change, SD2.0 marks a generational shift in tourism development.
- Project Sanctioning: Funding subject to availability, suitable Detailed Project Reports, adherence to guidelines, and past fund utilization.
- Destination Focus: Aims to create sustainable and responsible tourism destinations for long-term impact.
- Benchmark Creation: Encourages the establishment of generic and theme-specific benchmarks and standards for tourism development.
- Identified Places: Jhansi, Prayagraj, Gwalior, Chitrakoot, Khajuraho, Ajanta, and Ellora among prominent destinations under consideration.
2) Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri Highlights Achievements in Housing and Urban Affairs:
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Transforming Lives:
- Minister Puri praises the scheme, stating it has sanctioned 1.19 crore houses and completed over 1 crore houses in 9 years.
- 79 lakh houses allotted to beneficiaries, a significant improvement from 2004-2014 where only 13 lakh houses were sanctioned.
- PM SVANidhi Scheme Success:
- Minister highlights the success of PM SVANidhi scheme, providing loans to transform lives during the Covid period.
- More than 59 lakh rupees of loans disbursed in 2024 under the scheme.
- Urban Schemes Capital Expenditure Soars:
- Total capital expenditure of all urban schemes exceeds 18 lakh crore rupees, a significant increase from 1 lakh crore in the previous government’s 10 years.
- Metro Network Expansion:
- Minister emphasizes the transformative changes in the urban transport system.
- Delhi’s metro network alone expands from 250 km to 390 km under PM Modi’s leadership.
- National Metro System Growth:
- The total metro network in the country reaches 905 km, with 956 km under construction.
- India set to become the second-largest metro system globally upon completing 956 km.
- PM Modi’s Vision Realized:
- Prime Minister Modi’s vision to provide affordable housing by 2024 and transform urban transport systems is reflected in successful implementations.
- Schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and PM SVANidhi significantly contribute to positive change.
3) Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra Boosts Government Schemes in Ladakh:
- Doorstep Awareness Campaign: Ongoing Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Ladakh brings government schemes directly to residents.
- Special Two-Day Campaign: Scheduled for January 12-13 at the Tibetan Refugee Settlement Campus in Leh.
- Interactive Sessions: Officials from various government departments engage in sessions to raise awareness about welfare initiatives.
- Community Engagement Focus: Yatra aims at outreach to remote areas, fostering community engagement in different parts of the Union Territory.
- Resident Gratitude: Locals express gratitude for the initiative, acknowledging the government’s efforts in organizing the yatra in the region.
- Challenging Conditions Overcome: Despite challenging weather conditions, recent events in Kargil district, particularly in Barsoo Block, received appreciation.
- Active Local Participation: VBSY programs actively involve local people, ensuring effective communication and dissemination of information.
Top of Form
Top of Form
Top of Form
State news:
1) Odisha’s Chief Minister Inaugurates Malkangiri Airport for Enhanced Connectivity.
- Milestone Achievement: Naveen Patnaik opens strategic airport in tribal-dominated Malkangiri.
- Connectivity Boost: 1620m runway accommodates nine-seater aircraft, fostering regional development.
- Progress Update: Malkangiri airport marks the seventh operational airport in Odisha.
- Strategic Initiative: A crucial step towards development in southwestern Odisha.
2) Simmtech to Establish Semiconductor Manufacturing Plant in Gujarat, India.
- Investment Boost: South Korean firm allocates Rs 1,250 crore for semiconductor plant in Sanand.
- Ecosystem Development: Simmtech aims to contribute to building a robust semiconductor ecosystem in Gujarat.
- MoU with Gujarat Government: World’s largest semiconductor substrate manufacturer signs MoU for plant establishment.
- Proximity Advantage: Plant located near Micron’s facility in Sanand, enhancing industry collaboration.
- Land Allocation: Simmtech secured 30 acres of land for the manufacturing facility.
- Construction Timeline: Construction to begin in the next 2-3 months, with the entire setup process expected to take 6-7 months.
Economy news: India Targets USD 5 Trillion Economy by 2027-28, Says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
- Growth Projections: Aims to become the world’s third-largest economy from the current fifth position.
- Current Economy Status: India presently holds the fifth-largest economy spot at USD 3.4 trillion.
- Economic Growth Rate: Forecasted growth of 7.3% in the current fiscal year, exceeding the 7.2% recorded in 2022-23.
- FDI Inflow: India attracted USD 919 billion in Foreign Direct Investment over 23 years until 2023.
- Leadership Impact: Remarkably, 65% of the total FDI (USD 595 billion) flowed in during the past 8-9 years under Narendra Modi’s government.
- Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit: Finance Minister outlines ambitious economic goals during the summit.
Top of Form
important dates:
1) India Observes 35th National Road Safety Week from January 11-17.
- Educational Initiative: Week-long campaign focused on raising awareness about responsible driving and pedestrian safety.
- Ministry’s Role: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) actively involved in promoting road safety.
- Extended Awareness Period: MoRTH introduces National Road Safety Month from January 15 to February 14.
- Comprehensive Approach: Aims to address road safety challenges and improve infrastructure across the country.
- Annual Tradition: National Road Safety Week has been observed for 35 years, emphasizing its ongoing significance.
- Citizen Engagement: Encourages public participation in creating safer road environments.
2) India Celebrates National Youth Day on Swami Vivekananda’s Birth Anniversary (January 12).
- Government Declaration: January 12 declared National Youth Day in 1984 to honor Swami Vivekananda’s contributions.
- Youth Inspiration: Dedicated to motivating and inspiring youth for national development.
- 2024 Theme: “Viksit Yuva-Viksit Bharat” – Focus on youth empowerment and nation-building.
- Swami Vivekananda’s Vision: Emphasizes harnessing youth power for positive societal change.
- Birth Anniversary Commemoration: National Youth Day marks Swami Vivekananda’s significant impact on Indian society and the world.
- Contributions Recognized: Acknowledges Swami Vivekananda’s role in fostering national development through youth inspiration.
Awards news : Indore and Surat Share Cleanest City Title at Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023.
- Seventh Consecutive Win: Indore maintains cleanest city title for the seventh time, sharing with Surat.
- Awards Ceremony: Hosted by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, President Droupadi Murmu confers accolades.
- Award Categories: Recognition across various cleanliness categories for 13 distinguished awardees.
- Unique Joint Victory: Indore and Surat jointly honored as the cleanest cities.
- Top Performers: Cities with populations under 1 lakh – Sasvad, Patan, Lonavala. Cleanest Cantonment Board: Mhow Cantonment Board, MP.
- Ganga Towns: Varanasi and Prayagraj recognized as the cleanest Ganga towns.
- Best Performing States: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh top the list.
- Safaimitra Surakshit Sheher Award: Chandigarh recognized for promoting
Books and author: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Unveils Book “Modi: Energising A Green Future”.
- Authoritative Release: Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change presents the insightful book.
- Title and Publisher: “Modi: Energising A Green Future” published by Pentagon Press in collaboration with Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation.
- Central Theme: Focuses on PM Narendra Modi’s vision and actions for a sustainable and eco-friendly future.
- In-depth Exploration: Book delves into strategies and policies under PM Modi’s leadership, positioning India in the global environmental movement.
- Significant Contribution: Adds to environmental literature by highlighting India’s role in global sustainability efforts.
- Published Collaboration: Joint effort between Pentagon Press and Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation
Science and technology: China Launches Einstein Probe to Explore Cosmic Transient Phenomena.
- Groundbreaking Satellite: China sends Einstein Probe (EP) to observe mysterious transient phenomena in the universe.
- Unique Design: Shaped like a lotus, the satellite employs innovative X-ray detection technology inspired by a lobster eye.
- Launch Site: Launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Sichuan Province, southwest China.
- Significant Mission: Aiming to unravel secrets of the cosmos, EP is a major step in astronomical exploration.
- Distinctive Features: Weighing 1.45 tonnes, EP resembles a full-size SUV with a lotus shape, including 12 petals and two stamens.
- Technology Utilized: Wide-field X-ray telescopes (WXT) in each petal and follow-up X-ray telescopes (FXT) in each stamen.
- Innovation Inspiration: Lobster eye-inspired technology enhances X-ray detection capabilities for advanced astronomical observations.
Top of Form
