NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Minister of State Subhas Sarkar launches Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar: Minister of State
for Education, Subhas Sarkar has launched the Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar (SVP)
2021 – 2022 virtually. The Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar recognises, inspires and
awards schools that have undertaken exemplary work in the field of water,
sanitation and hygiene while also providing a benchmark and a roadmap for
schools to make further improvements in future. The Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar
was first distributed by the Department of School Education and Literacy, in
2016-17 to create self-motivation and awareness about sanitation.
2.
Oxfam India released ‘Inequality Kills’ Report: According to Oxfam
India, “Inequality Kills” report, the wealth of India’s richest families
reached to a record high in 2021. In the report, India was described as a ‘very
unequal,’ country, as the top 10 people in India holds 57 per cent of the
wealth. On the other hand, the share of the bottom half is 13 per cent. The
report states that 84% of Indian households witnessed an income decline amid
the covid-19 pandemic. The richest 98 Indians own the same wealth as the bottom
552 million people. The number of Indian billionaires increased from 102 to
142, during 2021. The wealth of the top 100 families is Rs 57.3 trillion.
3.
Narendra Kumar Goenka named as new chairman of AEPC: Narendra Kumar
Goenka has been appointed as the new chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion
Council, AEPC. Former chairman Padma Dr A Sakthivel handed over the charge to
him. Mr. Goenka has been associated with the Council for more than two decades.
He was the Vice Chairman of the apex body of Indian apparel exporters before
taking charge as Chairman of AEPC. AEPC is the official body of apparel
exporters in India, under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, that provides
invaluable assistance to Indian exporters as well as importers/international
buyers.
Note: Apparel Export Promotion Council
Established: 1978; Apparel Export Promotion Council HQ: Gurgaon.
4. A
book titled “Bose: The Untold Story of An Inconvenient Nationalist” by
Chandrachur Ghose: A
new biography titled “Bose: The Untold Story of An Inconvenient Nationalist”
authored by Chandrachur Ghose will be released in February 2022. The book
contains the thoughts and opinions of Subhas Chandra Bose about the development
of independent India, communalism, geopolitics and political ideology. It also
marked the untold and unknown stories of Netaji (Subhas Chandra Bose).
The essence of the book: The biography
attempts to bring new perspectives on Netaji’s thoughts on independent India’s
development, the problem of communalism, geopolitics, his political ideology,
and how he negotiated with the political parties, revolutionary societies, and
the government. The book throws light on Bose’s intense political activities
around the revolutionary groups in Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra, and the United
Provinces; his efforts to bridge the increasing communal divide and his
influence among the splintered political landscape; his outlook on and
relations with women; his plunge into the depths of spirituality; his penchant
for covert operations; and his efforts to engineer a rebellion among the Indian
armed forces.
5.
Legendary Collarwali Tigress who gave birth to 29 cubs passes away: India’s “Supermom”
tigress, popularly known as ‘Collarwali’, has passed away at Pench Tiger
Reserve (PTR) in Madhya Pradesh, due to old age. It was over 16 years old. ‘Collarwali’
tigress was known for giving birth to 29 cubs during her lifetime, which is
believed to be a world record. The official name given to the tigress by the
forest department was T-15 but she was fondly called ‘Collarwali’ by the native
people. She gained the Collarwali title as she became the first tigress in the
park to be fitted with a radio collar in 2008. Madhya Pradesh also gained an
identity as a ‘Tiger State’ due to the significant contribution of this
supermom.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
South Africa Launches 1st ‘made In Africa’ Satellites: South Africa has
launched its first satellite constellation developed entirely in the continent
of Africa. Three locally produced nanosatellites, which made up the country’s
first Maritime Domain Awareness Satellite (MDASat) constellation, were launched
from Cape Canaveral in the United States, as part of American aerospace company
SpaceX’s Transporter-3 mission. Transporter-3, SpaceX’s third dedicated
rideshare mission, carried a total of 105 spacecraft for various organisations
and governments, including CubeSats, microsats, PocketQubes and orbital
transfer vehicles.
2.
Poet Maya Angelou becomes the first black woman to appear on US coin: The US Treasury has
minted coins featuring poet Maya Angelou – the first black woman ever featured
on the US 25-cent coin known as a quarter. Angelou, a poet and activist, was
the first black woman to write and perform a poem at a presidential
inauguration. In 2010, she was given a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the
highest US civilian award by President Barack Obama. The new coin still
features George Washington’s visage on the “heads” side, while the “tails” side
honours Angelou by evoking one of her most famous works, the autobiography “I
Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Goalkeeper Savita Punia named captain of India Women’s Hockey team: Goalkeeper Savita
Punia will lead India at the upcoming women’s Asia Cup in Muscat as Hockey
India named a strong 18-member squad for the event, including 16 players that
featured at the Tokyo Olympics. Since regular skipper Rani Rampal is recovering
from an injury in Bengaluru, Savita will lead the side in the tournament, which
is scheduled to be held between January 21-28. Indian women are the defending
champions. Seven other teams competing at the Women’s Hockey Asia Cup 2022 are
China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.
2.
Russia’s Aslan Karatsev wins Sydney Tennis Classic: In tennis, Aslan
Karatsev defeated Andy Murray by 6-3, 6-3, to win men’s single title at the
Sydney Tennis Classic final, to claim his third ATP Tour title. The women’s
single title was claimed by Spanish world number nine Paula Badosa, who
defeated Barbora Krejcikova 6-3 4-6 7-6(4), to capture her third career title.
The winner’s list of Sydney Tennis
Classic 2022:
Men’s Single: Aslan Karatsev (Russia)
Women’s Single: Paula Badosa (Spain)
Men’s Double: John Peers (Australia and
Filip Polášek (Slovakia)
Women’s Double: Anna Danilina (Kazakhstan)
and Beatriz Haddad Maia (Brazil)
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
The Union Cabinet Approved Infusion Of 1500 Crore Rupees In IREDA: It will help
generate 10,200 jobs a year and reduce carbon emissions equivalent to
approximately 7.49 million tonnes per year. The IREDA played a big role in the
field of renewable energy and its portfolio had increased from ₹8,800 crore to
₹28,000 crore in the past six years. IREDA is a Non-Banking Financial
Institution engaged in promoting, developing, and extending financial
assistance for setting up projects relating to new and renewable sources of
energy.
Note: IREDA Founded: 1987; IREDA
Headquarters: New Delhi; IREDA Chairperson: Pradip Kumar Das
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
Yes Mutual Fund renamed as White Oak Capital Mutual Fund: The name of YES
Asset Management has been rechristened as WhiteOak Capital Asset Management and
therefore the name of YES Mutual Fund has been changed to WhiteOak Capital
Mutual Fund. The change in the names are effective from January 12, 2022. White
Oak got the license to run a mutual fund. White Oak Capital group provides
investment management and advisory services for equity assets of over Rs 42,000
crore. In November 2021, White Oak Capital Group, through its subsidiary, GPL
Finance and Investments, acquired the mutual fund business, Yes Asset
Management, of Yes Bank. The White Oak Capital group provides investment
management and advisory services for Indian equity investors.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
Former West Indies Cricketer Clive Lloyd Receives Knighthood: Former West Indies
Captain Clive Lloyd received Knighthood from Prince William, the Duke of
Cambridge at Windsor Castle, for his services towards the game of cricket. On
the same day, England’s world cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan was awarded with
CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) by Prince William for his
services towards the game of cricket. The CBE is the highest-ranking Order of
the British Empire award, followed by OBE (Officer of the Order of the British
Empire) and then MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire).
About the award: A knighthood is a
title that is given to a man by a British king or queen for his achievements or
his service to his country. A man who has been given a knighthood can put ‘Sir’
in front of his name instead of ‘Mr’.
2.
India’s Navdeep Kaur wins Best National Costume award at Mrs World 2022
pageant: India’s
Navdeep Kaur has won the award for the Best National Costume at the prestigious
Mrs World 2022 pageant in Nevada, Las Vegas. She is the winner of Mrs India
World 2021, was representing the country at Mrs World 2022. Navdeep hails from
a small town near Odisha’s Steel City, Rourkela. The “avant garde” outfit was
inspired by Kundalini Chakra, which “symbolises the movement of energy in
chakras of the body from the base to the spine up through the crown”. Cobra
embellishments on the shoulder were added to represent the “mystical serpent
native to India”, while the golden colour was chosen as it represents novelty,
power and glory.
3.
Mrs World 2022: Mrs America Shaylyn Ford Takes The Crown: 37 Years old Shaylyn
Ford was crowned as the winner of Mrs World 2022. She was crowned by the
outgoing queen Kate Schneider from Ireland. Mrs Jordan Jaclyn Stapp & Mrs
UAE Debanjali Kamstra were the runner up. Shaylyn Ford represented America in
the pageant and battled out 57 other contestants from across the globe to claim
the title. This is the 8th time an American representative won the title of
Mrs. World.
About Shaylyn Ford: Shaylyn Ford
hails from Granville, Ohio, USA. She won the annual Mrs American pageant on
November 19, 2021. She is a professional makeup artist, who has worked in every
setting, from movie sets to make-a-wish projects. She has been married to her
pastor husband for the past seven years and has three children. She also serves
as a charitable director and does a lot of volunteer work to bring services to
special needs families.
OBITUARIES
1. Former Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita passes away: The former President of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who was ousted in a military coup, has passed away. Mr Keita had ruled Mali for seven years, since September 2013, till he was overthrown in a military coup in August 2020. He had also served as prime minister of the country from 1994 to 2000. He had promised to restore Mali’s honour as a model for democracy in West Africa as he campaigned as a unifying figure in his fractured country, pledging “zero tolerance” for corruption.
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