Current Affairs Jan 20, 2024
National news
1) PM Modi’s Historic Day in Solapur, Maharashtra: Key Highlights
- Foundation stone laid for 8 AMRUT projects.
- Dedication of 90,000+ completed houses under PMAY-Urban.
- Distribution of PM-SVANIDHI benefits to 10,000 beneficiaries.
- Inauguration of 15,000 houses in Raynagar Housing Society, benefiting various sectors.
- PM initiates distribution of 1st and 2nd instalments to 10,000 PM-SVANIDHI beneficiaries in Maharashtra, emphasizing inclusive development.
2) Himachal Pradesh Launches ‘My School-My Pride’ Campaign to Enhance Education Quality
- Aligned with NEP-2020, Himachal Pradesh unveils ‘My School-My Pride’ under ‘Apna Vidyalay.’
- Aiming for a holistic approach, the initiative seeks to elevate the quality of education in government schools.
- Stakeholders encouraged to contribute time, expertise, and finances for infrastructure, events, scholarships, and support Mid-Day Meal (MDM) program.
3) Udhampur’s Jagannath Temple Hosts Glorious ‘Gole Mela’ Celebrations
- Udhampur witnesses vibrant celebrations at the annual ‘Gole Mela’ in Jagannath Temple.
- ‘Gole Mela’ becomes a symbol of collective faith, drawing people from diverse backgrounds.
- Festival venue transforms into a lively fairground with stalls featuring local handicrafts and delectable delicacies, adding festive charm.
4) Unique Offerings to Ram Mandir: World’s Largest Lock and Colossal Laddoo for Pran Pratishtha Ceremony
Key Points:
- Ram Mandir in Ayodhya prepares for Pran Pratishtha ceremony with unique offerings.
- A 400 kg lock, crafted by locksmith Satya Prakash Sharma of Aligarh, becomes the world’s largest.
- The lock, measuring ten feet in length and four and a half feet in width, is a remarkable piece of artistry.
- Additionally, a colossal 1,265 kg laddoo Prasad is presented as part of the consecration ceremony.
Economy news
CDSL Marks Silver Jubilee with Inclusive Investor Initiatives
- CDSL, Asia’s first listed depository, celebrates silver jubilee with a focus on inclusivity.
- Introduces ‘Apka CAS – Apki Zubaani’ allowing investors to receive statements in their preferred language among 23 Indian languages.
- Launches multi-lingual chatbot ‘CDSL Buddy Sahayta 24*7’ for round-the-clock assistance in navigating securities markets.
- Initiative promotes accessibility and aims to simplify investor journeys towards self-sufficiency in the capital market landscape.
Top of Form
banking news
LIC Unveils Jeevan Dhara II Plan for Enhanced Annuity Options
- LIC Chairman Siddhartha Mohanty unveils Jeevan Dhara II plan, a non-participating, individual savings, deferred annuity option.
- Offers life cover during the deferment period, enhancing policyholders’ financial security.
- Provides increasing annuity rates as policyholders age, ensuring a stable income stream in later years.
- Guarantees annuity from inception, with 11 annuity options for policyholders to choose from.
- Minimum entry age set at 20 years, enhancing accessibility for a diverse range of individuals.
Summits
India Launches “Alliance for Global Good-Gender Equity and Equality” at WEF
- India unveils Alliance for Global Good-Gender Equity and Equality at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.
- Key partners include World Economic Forum (WEF) and Invest India, emphasizing global support.
- Initiative aligned with G20 Leaders’ Declaration, reflecting India’s commitment to women-led development.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s advocacy for women-led development highlighted by Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani.
Awards
1) Wings India Awards 2024 Honors Bengaluru and Delhi Airports as ‘Best Airport of the Year’
- Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru and Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi jointly awarded ‘Best Airport of the Year.’
- Prestigious accolade recognizes outstanding contributions to the aviation industry, particularly during challenging times.
- Kempegowda International Airport also receives ’25 MPPA Traffic Award’ for handling over 25 million passengers annually.
2) Headline: Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024: Outstanding Achievements of 19 Children Recognized
Key Points:
- President Droupadi Murmu to present awards at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on January 22.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to engage with awardees on January 23.
- 19 children from diverse backgrounds honored for their remarkable accomplishments.
- Awardees to participate in the Republic Day parade on January 26, 2024.
- Ministry of Women and Child Development announces prestigious awards.
3) Headline: Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024: Outstanding Achievements of 19 Children Recognized
- President Droupadi Murmu to present awards at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on January 22.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi to engage with awardees on January 23.
- 19 children from diverse backgrounds honored for their remarkable accomplishments.
- Awardees to participate in the Republic Day parade on January 26, 2024.
- Ministry of Women and Child Development announces prestigious awards.
4) Headline: India Accelerates Digital Agriculture with Tripartite MoU on AI Integration
- Tripartite MoU signed between National Farmers’ Welfare Programme Implementation Society, IndiaAI, and Wadhwani Foundation.
- Collaborative effort focuses on advancing AI-driven digital agriculture in India.
- Aims to leverage Wadhwani Foundation’s expertise for formulating and executing a robust AI strategy.
- Initiative geared towards propelling India to the forefront of technological innovation in agriculture.
Sports
Tata Secures IPL Title Sponsorship for 2024-2028 Through Right to Match Card
Key Points:
- Tata Sons successfully utilizes Right to Match card, retaining IPL title sponsorship for 2024-2028.
- Decision follows BCCI’s release of Invitation to Tender (ITT) for Title Sponsor Rights in late December 2023.
- Tata Group initially replaced Vivo as the IPL title sponsor for 2022-2023 with a contribution of INR 365 crore per season.
- Extended association positions Tata for a prominent role in the lucrative Indian Premier League over the next five seasons.
BOOKS AND AUTHOR
“Conversations with Aurangzeb” – Charu Nivedita’s Novel Blends History and Satire in Unique Narrative:
- “Conversations with Aurangzeb” by Charu Nivedita, translated into English by Nandini Krishnan.
- A fusion of historical narrative and satirical commentary, offering a fresh perspective on both past and present themes.
- The novel starts with a writer attempting seances with Shah Jahan’s spirit for a new book.
- Represents a unique literary exploration that combines historical elements with satirical storytelling.
