National news
1) “PM Modi Encourages Students with ‘Your Exam, Your Methods’ Mantra from Exam Warriors Book”
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares snippets from his book “Exam Warriors” titled “Your Exam, Your Methods-Choose Your Own Style.”
- The message emphasizes the mantra of individualized exam preparation methods from the book.
- Students are urged to share their unique exam preparation experiences to motivate fellow Exam Warriors.
- “Exam Warriors” is a book written by PM Modi in 2018, aimed at helping young students cope with exam stress.
- The book is translated into Kannada by Sahitya Panchanan P.K. Narayana Pillai and distributed to all government schools in India.
- A Braille version of Exam Warriors was launched by Modi on World Braille Day, making it accessible to visually impaired students.
- The book is part of initiatives to support and guide students during the exam period.
2) “Adi-Shaurya: Parv Parakram ka – Republic Day Celebrations Showcase Military Tattoo & Tribal Dance Honoring Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose”
- Republic Day celebrations in 2023 include “Adi-Shaurya: Parv Parakram ka” event at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi on 23-24 January.
- The event commemorates the 126th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, celebrated as Parakram Diwas.
- Themed as Military Tattoo & Tribal Dance, it highlights Netaji’s significant contribution to India’s freedom struggle.
- The Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Tribal Affairs jointly organize the event, with the Indian Coast Guard serving as the coordinating agency.
- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is invited as the chief guest for Republic Day 2023, emphasizing India’s diplomatic engagements with the Arab world.
3) “Neelakurinji Listed as a Protected Plant Under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 by MoEF”
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) includes Neelakurinji in Schedule III of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, expanding the protected plant list from six to nineteen species.
- Uprooting or destroying Neelakurinji is now subject to a fine of Rs 25,000 and a three-year imprisonment, while cultivation and possession are prohibited.
- Neelakurinji, a shrub found in the Shola forests of the Western Ghats in Southern India, blooms once every twelve years, lending its blue color to the Nilgiris mountains.
- Typically growing at elevations of 1300 – 2400 m, Neelakurinji reaches a height of 30 – 60 cm.
- The move aims to protect and preserve the unique and periodic flowering shrub in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats region.
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International news
1) “UNSC Designates Pakistan-Based Terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki as Global Terrorist, Despite China’s Previous Block”
- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) designates Abdul Rehman Makki, a Pakistan-based terrorist linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a global terrorist.
- Makki is the brother-in-law of Hafiz Saeed, chief of LeT and mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
- India had previously criticized China for blocking the proposal to list Makki under the Sanctions Committee.
- Abdul Rehman Makki is involved in activities such as fundraising, recruiting, and radicalizing youth for planning attacks, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Both India and the United States had already designated Makki as a terrorist.
2) “China’s Population Declines for the First Time in Six Decades, Fuelling Predictions of Long-Term Demographic Shift”
- China’s population experiences its first decline in six decades, marking a historic shift with implications for the country’s economy.
- The drop, approximately 850,000 to 1.41175 billion by the end of 2022, is the most significant since the Great Famine of 1961.
- This decline strengthens predictions that India is poised to become the world’s most populous nation in the current year.
- Long-term projections by UN experts suggest China’s population could decrease by 109 million by 2050, surpassing their 2019 forecast by more than triple.
Banking news
“WDRA Partners with State Bank of India to Facilitate Low-Interest Loans for Farmers using ‘Produce Marketing Loan'”
- Warehousing Development Regulatory Authority (WDRA) collaborates with the State Bank of India to aid farmers in accessing low-interest-rate loans.
- The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focuses on promoting awareness about the ‘Produce Marketing Loan,’ specifically designed to fund against e-NWRs (electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipts).
- The initiative aims to prevent distressed sales, ensuring better prices for agricultural produce and making a positive impact on the financial well-being of rural depositors.
- The ‘Produce Marketing Loan’ leverages the security and negotiability of the e-NWR system, ultimately enhancing rural liquidity and augmenting farmers’ income.
Economy news
Deficit and Debt-to-GDP Ratio”
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) predicts an enhancement in the financial outlook of Indian states for 2022-23.
- The consolidated gross fiscal deficit to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio is expected to decrease to 3.4 percent from the previous year’s 4.1 percent.
- The states’ fiscal health rebounds from the pandemic-induced strain in 2020-21, attributed to a widespread economic recovery and increased revenue collections.
- During the pandemic, states faced financial pressure due to rising expenditures and limited revenue growth.
- The debt of Indian states is projected to ease from 31.1 percent of GDP in 2020-21 to 29.5 percent in 2022-23, although it remains higher than the 20 percent suggested by the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Review Committee in 2018.
Defence news
“21st Edition of India-France Naval Exercise ‘Varuna’ Commences with Advanced Maritime Operations”
- The Ministry of Defence announces the commencement of the 21st edition of the bilateral naval exercise “Varuna” between India and France.
- The exercise takes place on the western seaboard and involves the indigenous guided missile stealth destroyer INS Chennai, guided missile frigate INS Teg, P-8I and Dornier maritime patrol aircraft, integral helicopters, and MiG29K fighter aircraft from the Indian Navy.
- The French Navy’s participation includes the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, frigates FS Forbin and Provence, support vessel FS Marne, and maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique.
- Scheduled from January 16 to 20, 2023, the exercise will feature advanced air defense exercises, tactical manoeuvres, surface firings, underway replenishment, and various maritime operations.
- “Varuna” signifies the strong naval cooperation and strategic partnership between India and France.
Summits
“India Hosts Inaugural Business 20 (B20) Meetings in Gandhinagar, Sets Stage for G20 Leadership under PM Modi”
- The first 15 meetings of the Business 20 (B20) India Inception Meeting will be held in Gandhinagar from January 22nd to 24th, 2023.
- Gujarat Government to host a dinner for G20 delegates, followed by a delegation visiting Dandi Kutir as part of the event.
- India assumes G20 leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aiming to play a significant role on the global stage by finding practical global solutions for universal welfare.
- The G20 chairman role for India is historic, coinciding with the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations.
- The 18th G20 Summit is scheduled for September 2023, with preparations underway in Gujarat to facilitate discussions, consultations, and meetings during this significant event.Top of Form
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Science and technology
“ISRO’s Venus Mission Faces Potential Delay to 2031 as Government Approval Awaited, says P. Sreekumar”
- P. Sreekumar, Satish Dhawan Professor at ISRO, reveals that the Indian government’s approval for the Venus mission is pending, potentially delaying Shukrayaan I until 2031.
- Shukrayaan I, the ISRO Venus mission, initially scheduled for a December 2024 launch, has faced delays in receiving government approval.
- The concept for the mission was conceived in 2012, with preliminary investigations starting in 2017 after a budget increase in the Department of Space.
- Payload proposals were requested from research institutions in April 2017 as part of mission preparations.
- The delay may impact ISRO’s schedule, with the American (VERITAS) and European (EnVision) space agencies planning Venus missions for 2031, while China’s mission could happen earlier, possibly in 2026 or 2027.
Sports news
1) “Barcelona Secures Spanish Super Cup Victory with 3-1 Win Over Real Madrid in Riyadh”
- Barcelona wins the Spanish Super Cup for the first time since its revamp and relocation to Saudi Arabia, defeating Real Madrid 3-1.
- Goals from Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, and Pedri at King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh secure Barcelona’s first Super Cup trophy since 2018.
- This victory is Barcelona’s first title under coach Xavi, who took over in 2021, and since the departure of Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain.
- The Final-Four format, initiated in 2020 through a lucrative deal for the Spanish football federation, witnesses Barcelona’s success in the revamped tournament.
- With this win, Barcelona sets a record by clinching the Spanish Super Cup 14 times, while Real Madrid has 12 titles to their name.
2) “Akane Yamaguchi and Viktor Axelsen Triumph at Malaysia Open Super 1000 Singles Titles”
- Akane Yamaguchi, the reigning world champion, secures the Malaysia Open Super 1000 women’s singles title with a comeback victory over world no. 4 An Se Young in Kuala Lumpur.
- Yamaguchi, who won her first Super Series Premier title at the China Open in 2017, adds another prestigious title to her achievements.
- Viktor Axelsen emerges victorious in the men’s singles category at the Malaysia Open Super 1000, showcasing his prowess on the badminton court.
- The tournament in Kuala Lumpur features intense competition and sees Yamaguchi and Axelsen claiming the women’s and men’s singles titles, respectively.
3) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that Viacom 18 have grabbed the media rights for the upcoming Women’s IPL for a whopping Rs 951 crore for five years, pipping other bidders, including Disney Star and Sony, in the auction. The auction for the T20 League was conducted by the cricket board in Mumbai
Important day
16th January, the founding day of Startup India is commemorated as the National Startup Day. The event is being celebrated since 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement last year by calling startups as backbone of new India
Obituaries News
The last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mukarram Jah Bahadur, who passed away on Saturday night in Turkey, will be buried in the family vault in the Mecca Masjid courtyard.
