NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Govt annouces 40-100 per cent subsidy to popularise drone in agriculture: Union Agriculture
Ministry has amended the guidelines of Sub-Mission on Agricultural
Mechanization (SMAM) to provide 40-100 per cent subsidy until March 2023 in
purchasing drones for farm mechanization. After the amendment, a grant for the
purchase of drones up to 100 per cent of the cost of agriculture drones or Rs
10 lakhs, whichever is less, can be given. The detail of per cent and maximum
amount of subsidy is given below:
(1) Farm Machinery Training and Testing
Institutes, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes, Krishi
Vigyan Kendras and State Agriculture Universities- 100% subsidy- Rs 10 lakh
maximum
(2) Agriculture graduates establishing
Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs)= 50 per cent subsidy up to Rs 5 lakh
(3) Existing CHCs or new ones, already or
to be set up by a cooperative society of farmers, farmer producers
organizations (FPOs) and rural entrepreneurs are entitled to receive= 40 per
cent subsidy (maximum Rs 4 lakh).
Note: Union Minister of Agriculture:
Narendra Singh Tomar.
2.
NITI Aayog & RMI India releases report ‘Banking on Electric Vehicles in
India’: NITI
Aayog has released a report titled ‘Banking on Electric Vehicles in India’,
which outlines the need and importance of the inclusion of Electric Vehicles in
RBI priority-sector lending guidelines. The report has been developed by NITI
Aayog in collaboration with US-based non-profit organisations Rocky Mountain
Institute (RMI), and RMI India. The report has indicated electric two-wheelers,
three-wheelers, and commercial four-wheelers as early segments to prioritise
under Priority Sector Lending. The suggestion has also been made to recognise
Electric Vehicles as an infrastructure sub-sector by the Finance Ministry and
the incorporation of electric vehicles as a separate reporting category under
RBI.
3.
India’s First “District Good Governance Index” launched: The Union Minister
of Home and Cooperation Amit Shah has virtually released India’s First
“District Good Governance Index” for 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The top
5 districts in the District Good Governance Index” are (1) Jammu, (2) Doda, (3)
Samba, (4) Pulwama and (5) Srinagar.
This index has been prepared by the
Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) in
collaboration with the Government of Jammu & Kashmir. The District Good
Governance Index (DGGI) is a framework document comprising of performance under
ten governance sectors having 58 indicators with 116 data points.
4.
ISRO Successfully Tests Vikas engine in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu: The Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully test-fired the Vikas engine that
would power India’s first human-carry rocket (Gaganyaan human space mission).
This qualification test of the Vikas Engine for the Gaganyaan human space
mission was conducted by ISRO at Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. More such tests on
Vikas Engine will be conducted in the future by ISRO. The test was carried out
to verify the robustness of the engine by operating beyond its nominal
operating conditions (fuel-oxidiser ratio and chamber pressure). The
performance of the engine met the test objectives and the engine parameters
were closely matching with the predictions during the entire duration of the
test.
Note: Chairman and Space Secretary of ISRO:
Dr S Somanath; ISRO Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka; ISRO established: 15
August 1969.
5.
National Voters Day: 25th January: India observes “National Voters’ Day” every
year on January 25 to encourage more young voters to take part in the political
process. Election Commission of India is celebrating 12th National Voters Day
on 25th January 2022. The theme for this year’s NVD, ‘Making Elections
Inclusive, Accessible and Participative’, envisages focus on ECI’s commitment
to facilitate the active participation of voters during the elections and to
make the complete process hassle-free and a memorable experience for all
categories of voters.
History of the day: Since 2011,
National Voters’ Day has been celebrated on January 25 every year, all across
the country to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India,
i.e. 25th January 1950. The main purpose of the NVD celebration is to
encourage, facilitate and maximise enrolment, especially for the new voters.
Dedicated to the voters of the country, the day is utilized to spread awareness
among voters and for promoting informed participation in the electoral process.
6.
National Tourism Day:
25th January: The Indian government
established January 25 as the National Tourism Day to raise awareness about the
importance of tourism for the country’s economy. The day is observed to
cultivate awareness among the global community on the importance of tourism and
its social, political, financial and cultural worth. The ministry of tourism is
the nodal agency in India to form national policies for the promotion and
development of tourism. It also coordinates with central, state agencies and
the public sector.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley wins second consecutive term: Barbados Prime
Minister Mia Mottley was sworn in for a second term in office, following a
landslide victory by her party in the 2022 election. She is serving as the
Prime Minister of Barbados since 2018. She is the leader of the Barbados Labour
Party (BLP) since 2008. She is the first woman prime minister of the country as
well as first PM under a republic system.
Note: Barbados Capital: Bridgetown;
Barbados Currency: Barbados Dollar.
2.
NATO partners to hold maritime drills in Mediterranean Sea: The NATO (North
Atlantic Treaty Organization) member countries are conducting a 12-day maritime
exercise in the Mediterranean Sea from January 24, 2022. The name of the
maritime exercise is “Neptune Strike ’22”. The naval drill will end on February
04, 2022. The main purpose of this exercise will be to demonstrate and test
NATO’s wide range of maritime capabilities. The US announced the decision to
hold NATO naval drills, which will involve the participation of the USS Harry
Truman aircraft carrier, a day after Russia said it would demonstrate its own
naval capabilities for two months, January and February, from the Pacific to
the Atlantic Sea.
Note: NATO Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium;
NATO Chairman of the NATO Military Committee: Admiral Rob Bauer; Member
countries of NATO: 30; Founded: 4 April
1949.
3.
Scientists name new species of rainfrog after Greta Thunberg: A new species of
rainfrog, discovered in the Panama jungle, has been named after Swedish
environmental activist Greta Thunberg. The species has been named as
Pristimantis gretathunbergae, or popularly known as the Greta Thunberg
Rainfrog. The frog was originally discovered in 2012 and was thought to be part
of the already categorised Pristimantis family. However, recent DNA analysis
confirmed that the frog is a new species, according to the scientific journal
Zookeys.
The new specimen of the tropical amphibian
was discovered by an international team of biologists led by doctors Abel
Batista, from Panama, and Konrad Mebert (Switzerland) in Cerro ChucantÃ, a
private reserve located in the province of Darién. It was named after Greta
Thunberg when conservation nonprofit The Rainforest Trust held an auction that
allowed the winner to name new species. The frog was discovered at a reserve
established by the conservation organization AdoptaBosque with support from
Rainforest Trust.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Ladakh team wins 9th Women National Ice Hockey Championship 2022: The women’s team
from Ladakh has lifted the 9th National Women’s Ice Hockey Championship in
Himachal Pradesh. The championship was organised by the Ice Hockey Association
of India at Kaza area in the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. A total
of six teams participated in the championship from Delhi, Ladakh, Himachal
Pradesh, Chandigarh, Telangana and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
Note: Ice Hockey Association of India
President: Dr Surinder Mohan Bali.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
Ujjivan Small Finance Bank launched ‘Platina Fixed Deposit’ Scheme: Ujjivan Small
Finance Bank (SFB) has launched ‘Platina Fixed Deposit’, offering interest of
15 basis points (bps) higher than the regular term deposit rates provided by
Ujjivan SFB. The Platina FD is a non-callable deposit, where partial &
premature withdrawal is not applicable. While the interest amount can be
received on monthly, quarterly or at the end of the maturity period.
About the Platina Fixed Deposit: The general FD for
990 days tenure gives 6.75% interest for general citizens and 7.50% for senior
citizens, while Platina FD offers 6.90% & 7.65% interest rates FD limit:
the minimum amount is Rs 20 lakh and the maximum amount is Rs 2 crores, with
tenure ranging from 1 year to 5 years.
Note: Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Founded:
2017; Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Headquarters: Bengaluru; Ujjivan Small Finance
Bank MD & CEO: Ittira Davis.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
Jio tie-up with Finland’s University of Oulu to accelerate 6G research: Jio Platforms (JPL)
has signed a pact with the University of Oulu, Finland, to accelerate research
and standardization in 6G technology. JPL and the University of Oulu will
collaborate in Research and Development (R&D) of aerial and space
communication, holographic beamforming, 3D-connected intelligence in
cybersecurity, microelectronics, and photonics. The collaboration will develop
competency with 6G enabled products in the defence, automotive, white goods,
industrial machinery, consumer goods, efficient manufacturing, novel personal
smart device environments, and experiences such as urban computing and
autonomous traffic settings.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
Youtuber Prajakta Koli become India’s first UNDP Youth Climate Champion: Prajakta Koli has
become India’s first UN Development Programme (UNDP) Youth Climate Champion.
She is a content creator on various online platforms like youtube, Instagram,
etc. She has been conferred the title for her contribution towards mental
health, women’s rights and girl child education through various global social
campaigns. With this title, Prajakta will now have the responsibility to
interact with the young generation to raise awareness around climate crisis,
global warming and biodiversity loss and their impacts. She is also the global
ambassador for YouTube’s ‘Creators For Change’ initiative.
2.
India’s Koozhangal gets the best film award at Dhaka International Film
Festival:
P S Vinothraj directed film Koozhangal from India won the best film award in
the Asian Film Competition section at the 20th Dhaka International Film
Festival. Information and Broadcasting Minister of Bangladesh Hasan Mahmud gave
away the awards as Chief Guest during the concluding session organised at the
National Museum auditorium in Dhaka.
The list of the award for different
categories are:
(1) The best actor award was given to
Jayasurya for Ranjith Sankar-directed film Sunny.
(2) The Best Script Writer Award went to
Indranil Roychowdhury and Sugata Sinha for Indranil Roychowdhury-directed
India-Bangladesh film Mayar Jonjal.
(3) The special audience award was given to
Aimee Baruah Directed film Semkhor.
(4) Sujit Bidari directed film Aina Jhyal
Ko Putali from Nepal got the best director award.
(5) In the Women film maker’s section, the
best feature film award was given to Maryam Bahrololumi directed film
Shahrbanoo (Lady from the City) from Iran.
(6) Two Bangladeshi films, Nurul Alam
Atique directed Lal Moroger Jhuti and N Rashed Chowdhury directed Chandrabati
Kotha got the Audience Award.
DEFENCE
1. Indian
Armed Force selected ‘Saab’ for supply of Anti-Armour weapon: Swedish defence
company ‘Saab’ had been selected by the Indian Armed Force through a
competitive programme for the supply of single-shot anti-armour weapon AT4. AT4
will be used by the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. The order includes
the AT4CS AST, which can be fired from confined spaces such as from inside
buildings, bunkers and other urban environments. Carl-Gustaf system of Saab is
being already used by the Indian Armed Forces.
About the AT4:
(1) AT4 will be operated by a single
soldier and its single-shot system has proven efficacy against structures
landing craft helicopters armoured vehicles and personnel. Its 84 mm calibre
warhead offers enhanced power and performance to the Indian armed forces.
(2) The weapon can be fired with a range of
projectiles, such as high-explosive anti-tank rounds, anti-structure
tandem-warheads, and high explosive rounds. It can penetrate more than 17.5
inches (44 centimetres) of armour.
(3) The AT4 is equipped with an optical
night sight for missions in low-light environments and has a minimum arming
distance of 10 meters (32.8 feet), making it more accurate when hitting closer
targets.
Note: Saab Founded: 1937; Saab
Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden; Saab President and CEO: Micael Johansson.
OBITUARIES
1.
Eminent archaeologist Thiru R. Nagaswamy passes away: Noted Indian
historian, archaeologist and epigraphist from Tamil Nadu, Ramachandran
Nagaswamy, has passed away. He was 91. He first director of the Tamil Nadu
government’s Department of Archaeology. Nagaswamy was known for his work on
temple inscriptions and art history of Tamil Nadu.
In 2018, Nagaswamy was conferred with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award. He has authored more than 100 books and his latest book was ‘Senthamizh Naadum Pandbum’, published in January 2022.
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