Current Affairs Jan 18, 2024
National news
1) “Lata Mangeshkar Chowk Illuminated: Ayodhya’s Musical Tribute Unveiled”
- Significant Transformation: Ayodhya undergoes a remarkable change with the upcoming inauguration of the Ram temple.
- Lata Mangeshkar Chowk: A highlight of the transformation, the Chowk is gaining national and international attention.
- Selfie Hotspot: Named after playback singer Lata Mangeshkar, the Chowk becomes a popular selfie destination for locals and tourists.
- Bronze Sculpture: Weighing 14 tonnes and crafted by sculptor Ram Sutar, the 40 feet long, 12 meters high sculpture symbolizes Lata Mangeshkar’s musical legacy.
- Cost and Features: Developed at a cost of Rs 7.9 crore, the sculpture is set in a pond with 92 lotus, representing Mangeshkar’s 92-year lifespan.
2) Heading: “KVIC Unveils ‘Sanatan Khadi Vastra’ to Promote Sustainable Fashion”
- New Clothing Range: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) introduces ‘Sanatan Khadi Vastra’ at its Connaught Place store in New Delhi.
- National Pride and Sustainable Fashion: The launch supports the broader vision of positioning Khadi as a symbol of national pride and promoting sustainable fashion.
- Design Origin: The design for ‘Sanatan Vastra’ is created at the Khadi Center of Excellence (COEK) situated at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).
- Traditional Manufacturing: ‘Sanatan Vastra’ is unique as Khadi manufacturing involves no mechanical or chemical processes, adhering to traditional Indian methods.
3) Heading: “L&T Construction Bags ₹10,000-15,000 Crore Contract for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project”
- Contract Value: L&T Construction’s railways strategic business group secures a significant ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 crore contract for a crucial segment of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project.
- Order Source: The ‘mega’ order is received from a Japanese agency overseeing the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Project (MAHSR).
- Scope of Work: The contract involves the construction of 508 route km of high-speed electrification works for the bullet train project.
- Comprehensive Responsibilities: L&T will handle the design, supply, manufacturing, construction, testing, and commissioning of a 2×25 kV power supply electrification system.
- Components Included: The electrification system encompasses high-speed overhead equipment, traction substations, and MV/LV power distribution equipment works.
4) “PM Modi Releases Commemorative Stamps on Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir”
- Stamp Release: Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases six commemorative postage stamps on Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir.
- Global Tribute: The release includes an album featuring stamps issued worldwide on Lord Ram, emphasizing the global significance of the cultural and religious icon.
- Design Components: The stamp design incorporates elements such as the Ram Mandir, Choupai Mangal Bhavan Amangal Hari, Sun, Sarayu River, and Sculptures in and around the Temple.
- Universal Connection: PM Modi highlights that the stories of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, and Ramayana connect people globally, transcending regional, religious, and caste boundaries.
- Moral Lessons: Ramayana, according to the Prime Minister, teaches about the triumph of love over challenges, imparting moral lessons that resonate with humanity.
- Global Attraction: Modi underscores that the universal appeal of Ramayana has garnered attention worldwide, uniting humanity through its timeless narrative.
5) Minister Inaugurates Wings India 2024: Focused on Future Strategies for Aviation Sector”
- Inauguration: Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurates Wings India 2024 and Global Aviation Summit at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad.
- Organizers: The Airports Authority of India collaborates with the Civil Aviation Ministry and FICCI to organize the four-day event.
- Main Theme: Wings India 2024 centers around ‘Connecting India with the World in Amritkal,’ emphasizing discussions on future strategies and the strategic framework for the country’s aviation sector.
- Duration: The prestigious event spans four days, facilitating deliberations on crucial aspects of the aviation industry.
- Strategic Focus: The summit aims to formulate strategies and frameworks that will shape the future of India’s aviation sector, contributing to its growth and global connectivity.
Banking news
Heading: “EPFO Removes Aadhaar for Date of Birth Proof: Aligns with UIDAI Directive”
- Circular by EPFO: Employees’ Provident Fund Organization issues circular, removing Aadhaar as proof of date of birth for corrections and updates.
- Effective Date: The decision is effective from January 16, 2024, in accordance with a directive from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
- Aadhaar Act, 2016: Aligns with the Aadhaar Act, 2016, which does not recognize Aadhaar as proof of date of birth.
- UIDAI’s Clarification: Aadhaar is affirmed as an identity verification tool, not proof of birth, in line with a memorandum from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and a Bombay High Court judgment.
Scheme
1) Heading: “PM Modi Inaugurates Key Infrastructure Projects in Kochi, Boosting Maritime Sector”
- Inauguration by PM Modi: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates three crucial infrastructure projects in Kochi, Kerala, emphasizing progress in India’s ports, shipping, and waterways sector.
- Collective Worth: The projects, valued over Rs 4,000 crore, align with the Prime Minister’s vision to enhance maritime capabilities and promote self-sufficiency.
- New Dry Dock (NDD): Inauguration includes the unveiling of the New Dry Dock at Cochin Shipyard Limited, a national pride and engineering marvel with a length of 310 meters and an investment of ₹1799 crores.
- Versatile Capacity: The NDD is designed to accommodate large vessels, including aircraft carriers and other significant ships, contributing to India’s maritime strength.
- Strategic Significance: The projects signify a significant stride towards transforming and modernizing India’s ports, shipping, and waterways infrastructure.
2) “Chhattisgarh Launches ‘Mahtari Vandana Yojana 2024’ to Empower Women Economically”
- Inspiration from Madhya Pradesh: Chhattisgarh introduces Mahtari Vandana Yojana 2024, drawing inspiration from the successful ‘Aarthik Sarkari Ladli Bahna Yojana’ implemented by the Madhya Pradesh government.
- Financial Assistance: The scheme aims to provide one thousand rupees monthly economic assistance to women, totaling an annual financial aid of 12,000 rupees.
- Empowerment Focus: Beyond financial support, the initiative emphasizes fostering self-reliance and skill development among women through the utilization of the provided funds.
- Diverse Utilization: Women beneficiaries can manage personal expenses and leverage financial aid to initiate small-scale enterprises, promoting entrepreneurship and economic independence.
Awards
“REC Limited Receives ICAI Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting”
- Recognition for REC Limited: Maharatna PSU and NBFC, REC Limited, honored with the prestigious ‘Plaque’ at the ICAI Awards for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
- Award Category: Recognized in the ‘Financial Services Sector (Other than Banking and Insurance)’ category for the financial year 2022-23.
- Ministry of Power Affiliation: REC Ltd, under the Ministry of Power, receives the accolade for its exceptional financial reporting practices.
- ICAI Awards Significance: Organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India’s Research Committee since 1958, the awards aim to acknowledge and promote excellence in the preparation and presentation of financial and non-financial information in annual reports across diverse sectors.
Sports
1) “Indian Shooters Shine in Asia Olympic Qualifiers with Multiple Medals”
- Yogesh Singh’s Double Triumph: In the Asia Olympic Qualifiers, Yogesh Singh wins individual gold and leads the Indian trio to team gold in the men’s 25m centre fire pistol competition.
- Exceptional Marksmanship: Singh secures the individual gold with a remarkable score of 573, highlighting his exceptional marksmanship skills.
- Lakshay’s Bronze in Shotgun Qualifiers: Lakshay excels in the shotgun qualifiers in Kuwait City, securing a bronze medal with a commendable six-man final score of 33 and finishing fourth in the qualification round with 119 points.
- Shreyasi Singh’s Performance: Commonwealth Games gold medallist Shreyasi Singh participates in the women’s trap event, securing a fifth-place finish in the final with a total of 19 points.
- Collective Success: The Indian shooters’ impressive performances contribute to a successful outing in the Asia Olympic Qualifiers, showcasing the country’s strength in the sport.
2) “Sue Redfern Makes History as First ICC-Appointed Female Umpire in Women’s Bilateral Series”
- Groundbreaking Appointment: Sue Redfern from England is set to create history as the first ICC-appointed female neutral umpire to officiate in a women’s bilateral series.
- ICC’s Decision: The International Cricket Council (ICC) mandates one neutral umpire for all ICC Women’s Championship series and associated T20I matches, promoting fairness in officiating.
- Neutrality Assurance: The move aims to ensure a degree of neutrality in match officiating, contributing to fair play in women’s cricket.
- Long-Term Development: Redfern’s appointment also aligns with the ICC’s commitment to the long-term development of female umpires, encouraging greater representation in the sport.
3) Rohit Sharma Makes History with Five T20I Centuries and Record Partnership
- Rohit Sharma becomes the first batsman to score five centuries in T20 Internationals (T20Is).
- Achieved milestone during the third T20I against Afghanistan in Bengaluru on January 17, 2024.
- Scored an unbeaten 121 runs off 69 balls, featuring 11 fours and eight sixes.
- Rohit’s exceptional batting skills on display, setting a new standard in T20I cricket.
- Crucial partnership with Rinku Singh, amassing 190 runs for the fifth wicket.
- Partnership between Rohit and Rinku Singh establishes a new record for the highest T20I partnership for India.
Science and technology
“IIT Madras Collaborates with Altair to Establish eMobility Simulation Lab”
- Strategic Partnership: IIT Madras and Altair join forces to establish the eMobility Simulation Lab within the Department of Engineering Design.
- Hub for Research and Training: The eMobility Simulation Lab is designed to be a state-of-the-art hub for advanced research and training in the eMobility field.
- Altair’s Financial Backing: Altair’s generous financial support enables the lab to be equipped with cutting-edge products and tools, featuring Altair’s advanced modeling and simulation technologies.
- Versatile Applications: The lab will support academic endeavors in various eMobility domains, including Batteries, Charging, Power Electronics, Motors and Controllers, and Vehicle Engineering.
- Pivotal Role of Tools: Altair’s modeling and simulation tools will play a pivotal role in enhancing research capabilities and academic activities within the eMobility sector.
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