National news:
1) Key Events at Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit:
- PM Modi Engages in Bilateral Talks: Met President José Ramos-Horta to enhance bilateral and cultural ties; Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel joined discussions on potential areas of cooperation.
- CEO Engagement: Scheduled meeting with global corporate leaders at Mahatma Mandir to explore collaborations and investments.
- Inauguration of Largest Trade Show: PM to inaugurate the nation’s largest Global Trade Show at Helipad Ground, Gandhinagar, highlighting economic opportunities and initiatives.
2) FitRise-75 Culminates with Triathlon Event:
- Closing Ceremony Highlights: Triathlon event of Swimming, Cycling, and Running concludes FitRise-75 at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVP NPA) in Hyderabad.
- Inspiration from PM Modi’s Fit India: Director Amit Garg cites PM Modi’s Fit India initiative as inspiration for FitRise-75, emphasizing fitness, especially among police and armed forces.
- Massive Participation: Over three lakh police personnel, families, and the public engaged in the 75-day fitness program, enhancing interest in fitness among police ranks.
- Inauguration by Home Minister Amit Shah: FitRise-75 initiated during SVP NPA’s 75th anniversary, drawing participation from 1200 units of 60 different organizations nationwide, aiming to improve endurance for a daily 5 km run
3)PM Modi Celebrates Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas:
- Greeting the Indian Diaspora: PM Modi extends wishes, highlighting the significance of Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in acknowledging the global contributions of the Indian diaspora.
- Praise for Diaspora Dedication: Commends the diaspora’s commitment to preserving India’s heritage and enhancing global connections.
- Unity in Diversity: Recognizes the diaspora’s role in embodying India’s spirit worldwide, fostering unity amidst diversity.
4) Massive Investment Plan for River Cruise Tourism and Eco-Friendly Vessels Announced:
- Government’s Bold Investment: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal unveils a Rs 60,000 crore investment plan by 2047, aiming to revolutionize river cruise tourism and eco-friendly vessel development.
- River Cruise Development: Rs 45,000 crore earmarked to amplify river cruise capacity from 2 lakh to 15 lakh passengers by 2047, fostering tourism and generating employment.
- Green Transport Initiative: Allocation of Rs 15,000 crore over the next decade to build 1,000 environmentally friendly vessels and ferries, enhancing water transport sustainability.
5) CBRE-CREDAI Report Unveils Indian MSME Landscape:
- Over 3 Crore Registered MSMEs: India houses a vibrant MSME sector, with Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh contributing nearly 40% of the total registered MSMEs as of December 2023.
- Maharashtra & Tamil Nadu Lead: Both states emerge as significant players, collectively representing a substantial portion of India’s MSMEs.
- Uttar Pradesh’s Notable Growth: Securing a 9% share nationally, UP stands among the top three states, benefitting from policy initiatives like interest subsidies and stamp duty exemptions, fostering MSME expansion.
- Emergence of MSME Clusters: Cities like Agra, Kanpur, Varanasi, Lucknow, Meerut, and Ghaziabad witness robust MSME cluster growth, actively participating in the Udyam scheme, contributing to the sector’s dynamism.
6) Paleolithic Tool Discovery Amid Telangana Floods:
- Archaeological Revelation Post-Floods: Mulugu district, Telangana, witnesses an unexpected find of paleolithic quartzite tools after July 2023 floods.
- Significance of Discovery: Amateur historians unearth hand axes, notably pushing back the understanding of human habitation in Telangana and central India.
- Notable Findings: Stone axe measuring 15.5cm x 11cm x 5.5cm among the discovered tools between Gurrevula and Bhupatipuram villages.
- Eleswaram Janardanachari’s Discovery: Dedicated researcher Janardanachari leads the remarkable discovery, captivating the local community and reshaping historical understanding.
Agreement:
Denmark Launches Green Fuels Alliance India at Global Investors Meet 2024:
- Initiative Unveiled: Denmark introduces the Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI) at the Global Investors Meet, aligning with the Green Strategic Partnership between India and Denmark established in 2020.
- Objective: GFAI aims to expedite collaboration in sustainable energy solutions, supporting the joint global goal of carbon neutrality.
- Key Goals: Establishing an ecosystem fostering cooperation among businesses, government bodies, research institutions, and financial stakeholders.
- Supporting India’s Net Zero Emissions Target: GFAI reinforces India’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2070, showcasing dedication to sustainable energy advancement.
Top of Form
Sports:
National Sports and Adventure Awards 2023 Highlights:
- Presented by: President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- Arjuna Awardees: Cricketer Mohammed Shami, Chess player R Vaishali, Archers Ojas Pravin Deotale and Aditi Gopichand Swami, Golfer Diksha Dagar, Kabaddi players Pawan Kumar and Ritu Negi, and more.
- Dronacharya Awardees: Wrestling coach Lalit Kumar, Chess coach R. B. Ramesh, Para Athletics coach Mahaveer Prasad Saini, Hockey coach Shivendra Singh, among others.
- Dhyan Chand Awardees: Manjusha Kanwar for Badminton, Vineet Kumar Sharma for Hockey, Kavitha Selvaraj for Kabaddi, honoring lifetime achievements in sports and games.
Important date: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, also known as Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Day, celebrated on January 9, serves as a tribute to the contributions and achievements of the overseas Indian community to the development of India.
Appointments: Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey Assumes BIMSTEC Secretary General Role:
- Leadership Transition at BIMSTEC: Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey takes over as Secretary General, succeeding Tenzin Lekphell, marking a significant moment in the organization’s leadership.
- Diplomatic Career Background: With a career spanning the Indian Foreign Service since 1990, Ambassador Pandey served as India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and International Organizations in Geneva.
- Fourth Secretary General of BIMSTEC: Ambassador Pandey becomes the fourth individual to hold the prestigious position, bringing a wealth of diplomatic experience to further the objectives of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
