NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
India announces diplomatic boycott of opening and closing ceremony of Winter
Olympics: The
2022 Winter Olympics has kicked off on February 04, 2022, in Beijing, China and
will continue till February 20, 2022. The Opening Ceremony was held at
Beijing’s National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest. However, India had
announced the diplomatic level boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics opening
and closing ceremony. This means that no Indian officials will attend the
opening and closing ceremony. However, the country has sent one of its
athletes, Arif Khan (skier), to attend the event.
Reason behind the boycott: China has picked a
Chinese soldier (Qi Fabao) as Olympic torchbearer, who was involved in the
Galwan incident on June 15, 2020, which had resulted in the death of 20 Indian
soldiers, including a Colonel.
About the 2022 Winter Olympics
(1) It is the first Winter Olympic Games in
China and the second overall Olympics in China.
(2) Beijing will be the first city in the
world to have hosted both the Summer (2008) and Winter Olympics. The vent will
include a record of 109 events over 15 disciplines in seven sports.
(3) Emblem for the 2022 Winter Olympics:
“Winter Dream”.
(4) Moto for the 2022 Winter Olympics: Bing
Dwen Dwen.
(5) The official slogan for the 2022 Winter
Olympics: “Together for a Shared
Future”.
2.
Uttar Pradesh wins best state tableau of Republic Day parade 2022: The tableau of
Uttar Pradesh has been picked as the best tableau among the 12 States/UTs which
participated in the Republic Day parade on January 26, 2022. The theme of the
tableau of Uttar Pradesh was ‘One District One Product and Kashi Vishwanath
Dham’. A total of 12 states and union territories had participated in the
Republic Day parade on January 26. The second place went to Karnataka for its
tableau based on ‘cradle of traditional handicrafts’ while the third position
went to Meghalaya for its tableau based on ‘Meghalaya’s 50 years of Statehood
and its tribute to women-led cooperative societies & SHGs’.
Other winners of Republic Day parade
2022:
(1) Best marching contingent among three
Services: Indian Navy
(2) Best marching contingent among
CAPF/other auxiliary forces: Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
(3) The tableaux of the ministry of
education and the ministry of civil aviation have been declared as joint
winners in the category of central ministries and departments. The theme of the
tableau of the ministry of education and the ministry of skill development and
entrepreneurship was ‘National Education Policy. The tableau of the ministry of
civil aviation was based on the theme ‘Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik’.
Popular Choice Awards: The popular choice
category award was introduced for the first time in 2022, wherein the general
public was invited to vote for the best marching contingents and best tableaux
through the MyGov platform. The online poll was conducted between January
25-31, 2022. List of winners:
(1) Best state/UTs Tableau: Maharashtra
(Theme ‘Biodiversity and State Bio-symbols of Maharashtra’.);
(2) Best marching contingent among three
Services: Indian Air Force;
(3) Best marching contingent among CAPF/other
auxiliary forces: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF);
(4) Central Ministry: Ministry of
Communication/Department of Posts (Theme ‘India Post: 75 years @ Resolve –
Women Empowerment’.)
3.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled ‘Statue of Equality’ 2022: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi has dedicated to the nation 216-feet tall ‘Statue of Equality in
Hyderabad to commemorate the 11th-century Bhakti saint Ramanujacharya. The
statue has been conceptualised by Chinna Jeeyar Swami of Sri Ramanujacharya
Ashram. The inauguration of the statue is a part of the 12-day Sri Ramanuja
Sahasrabdi Samaroham, the ongoing 1000th birth anniversary celebrations of the
Bhakti saint. A 3D presentation on the life and teachings of the saint will
also be showcased during the event.
Structure of the Statue:
(1) The statue is made of ‘panchaloha’, a
combination of five metals- gold, silver, copper, brass, and zinc. It is among
one of the tallest metallic statues in sitting positions in the world.
(2) The 216-feet tall ‘Statue of Equality
statue is mounted on a 54-feet high base building, called ‘Bhadra Vedi’.
(3) The floors of the building are
dedicated to a Vedic digital library and research centre, ancient Indian texts,
a theatre, an educational gallery detailing works of Sri Ramanujacharya.
About the Ramanujacharya: Ramanuja or
Ramanujacharya was an Indian philosopher, Hindu theologian, social reformer,
and one of the most important exponents of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition within
Hinduism. His philosophical foundations for devotionalism were influential to
the Bhakti movement. Ramanujacharya promoted the idea of equality in all
aspects of life including faith, caste and creed.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg to head Norway central bank: The North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO) chief, Jens Stoltenberg will take over as Norway’s
central bank Governor at the end of the year. The appointment comes amid
escalating tensions between the West and Russia. Western nations fear Moscow
has plans to invade Ukraine, which aspires to join the NATO alliance. But Mr
Stoltenberg, a 62-year-old trained economist, insisted that he would stay on as
NATO Secretary-General until the end of his term in October. Norway’s central
bank determines monetary policy but also manages the country’s enormous
sovereign wealth fund, the biggest in the world.
Note: NATO Founded: 4 April 1949,
Washington, D.C., United States; NATO Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.
2.
International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation: 6th February: International Day
of Zero Tolerance for Female is observed on 6th February globally. This day is
sponsored by the United Nations for their efforts to eradicate female genital
mutilation. It was first introduced in 2003. This year theme of International
Day of Zero Tolerance for Female: Accelerating Investment to End Female Genital
Mutilation.
About the Female genital mutilation: Female genital
mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the
female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognized internationally as a
violation of the human rights, the health and the integrity of girls and women.
Girls who undergo female genital mutilation face short-term complications such
as severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, infections, and difficulty in
passing urine, as well as long-term consequences for their sexual and
reproductive health and mental health.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
U19 World Cup 2022: India beat England in final to win 5th title: India defeated
England by four wickets to clinch a record-extending fifth title at the Sir
Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua. India added the fifth title to their
collection, having previously won the trophy in 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018. Yash
Dhull becomes the fifth Indian captain to win the title after Mohammad Kaif,
Virat Kohli, Unmukt Chand and Prithvi Shaw. Earlier, England opted to bat after
winning the toss but they were shot out by India for 189 in 44.5 overs. India
chases down the target of 190 with 2.2 overs to spare.
Player of the Match: India’s Raj Angad
Bawa was announced Player of the Match of the ICC Under19 World Cup 2022 Final
between India and England. The Indian all-rounder picked 5/31, the best bowling
figures for any final in the history of the championship and also scored
crucial 35 runs with the bat to help his team in its 4 wicket win.
Player of the series: South Africa’s
Dewald Brevis who broke all records to score 506 runs in only six innings, the
most for any batter in any Under19 World Cup ever, was named Player of the
Series for his record-breaking showing.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
Govt of India has done a Switch Operation of Rs. 1,19,701 crores: The Government of
India has done a conversion switch transaction of its securities with the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for an amount of 1,19,701 crores (face value). The
transaction involved buying back securities that are being matured in FY
2022-23, FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 from the RBI and also issuing fresh
securities for equivalent market value, to make the transaction cash neutral.
The transactions were carried out using Financial Benchmarks India Private
Limited (FBIL) prices as of January 28, 2022. The GOI undertakes switch
operations with RBI and also with market participants to smoothen the liability
profile as well as for market development.
Government securities: They are the debt
instruments. They are issued by GoI. The two categories of government
securities are short term instruments that mature in 91 days, 182 days or 364
days and long term instrument that matures within 5 years to 40 years. The
securities are cleared by the clearing Corporation of India Limited. These
securities are issued through auctions conducted by RBI.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
Brand Finance report: LIC 10th most valued insurance brand globally: As per a brand
valuation report released by Brand Finance, Life Insurance Corporation has been
ranked at 10th in the list of insurance brands globally. LIC is the only Indian
insurance company in the top 10 list. LIC has a valuation of USD 8.656 billion
(around Rs 64,722 crore). Of the top 10, as many as 5 are Chinese insurance
companies, with by Ping An Insurance emerging as the world’s most valuable
insurance brand, despite recording a 26 per cent drop in brand value. The US
has two companies in the top 10, while France, Germany, and India have one each
in the list.
As per Brand Finance, the market value of
LIC will become Rs 43.40 lakh crore (USD 59.21 billion) by 2022, and Rs
58.9-lakh crore (USD 78.63 billion) by 2027. It must be noted that LIC was
ranked as the 206th most valuable brand in 2021, from 238th slot in 2020.
Note: LIC Chairperson: M R Kumar; LIC
Headquarters: Mumbai; LIC Founded: 1 September 1956.
2.
IndiGo’s co-founder Rahul Bhatia named as first MD of the company: The low-cost Indian
airline, IndiGo has appointed its co-founder and promoter Rahul Bhatia as the
Managing Director (MD) of the company with immediate effect. He is the
first-ever MD of Indigo, because before this the company never had a managing
director. Ronojoy Dutta is the CEO of the Indigo. The board of directors,
during its meeting, unanimously approved the appointment of Bhatia as the managing
director with immediate effect, subject to the approval of the shareholders.
IndiGo is back in the black with a net profit for the December quarter at Rs
130 crore. The profit comes after the airline posted a loss for a series of
straight quarters.
Note: IndiGo Founded: 2005; IndiGo
Headquarters: Gurugram.
DEFENCE
1.
Sea Trials of 1st Sea Sortie of 5th Scorpene Submarine ‘Vagir’ begins: The Indian Navy‘s
brand-new submarine, the fifth of the six French-designed Scorpene-class
submarines named “Vagir”, sailed out on its first sea sortie and will now
undergo rigorous trials before it is delivered to the Navy later this year. The
submarine-designated “Yard 11879” during its construction by Mazagon Dock
Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in collaboration with the Naval Group of France will
be named “Vagir” after it is commissioned into service.
Note: Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral R Hari
Kumar; Indian Navy Founded: 26 January 1950.
OBITUARIES
1.
Veteran actor and Producer Ramesh Deo passes away: Prominent film personality
Ramesh Deo, known for playing a diverse range of roles, in Marathi and Hindi
movies, passed away due to a heart attack. During his career spanning several
decades, the multi-faceted film personality has acted in over 450 Hindi and
Marathi feature films, apart from working in several television shows and
commercials.
2.
Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar passes away: Legendary singer
Lata Mangeshkar has passed away at the age of 92 after suffering a multi-organ
failure. The Bharat Ratna awardee was admitted to the hospital after being
diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for the coronavirus disease in
January. She is survived by her 3 sisters – Usha Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Meena
Khadikar and brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar.
In her seven-decade-long career:
(1) She began her career as a singer back
in 1942 and never looked back. She recorded innumerable songs in over 36 Indian
and foreign languages.
(2) She gave us musical gems such as Aye
Mere Watan Ke Logo, Lag Jaa Gale, Yeh Kahan Aage Hain Hum and Pyar Kiya To
Darna Kya, among others.
(3) Having led an eventful and rich life of several milestones, Lata Mangeshkar was conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1990. For her contribution to Indian music, she also was bestowed with Padma Bhushan in 1969 and Bharat Ratna in 2001.
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