Daily GK Update- 22nd Jan, 2024

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Modi unveils Ramlalla Idol in Ayodhya: The much-anticipated Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Shri Ramlalla unfolded today in Ayodhya, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking the lead in conducting rituals at the newly constructed majestic temple. Amidst the vibrant atmosphere, the Prime Minister also unveiled the idol of Ram Lalla in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. To the enchanting Bhajan of "Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram," choppers showered flower petals over the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple premises.

 

2. Kishan Reddy inaugurates five new Galleries in Hyderabad: Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy inaugurates five diverse galleries at Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, showcasing ancient Indian sculptures, Bidriware, antique lamps, European bronze statues. The Indian Sculpture Gallery has some of the 40 sculptures dated back to the 2nd century B.C. like an ‘Anantsayana Vishnu’ from the Kakatiya period. The Bidriware Gallery presents 300 unique objects which include exquisite ‘Huqqa’ bases and unique jugs while The Lamp.

 

3. BJP President Nadda launches Gaon Chalo Abhiyaan in Delhi: BJP President JP Nadda launched the Gaon Chalo Abhiyaan in Delhi on Saturday to be run from 4th to 11th February. Under the Gaon Chalo Abhiyaan, BJP workers will go to seven lakh villages and all urban booths to take the work done by Narendra Modi government to the last person. Over 30 lakh party workers will participate in the Abhiyaan.

 

4. Union Minister Puri launches first pilot project to make jet fuel from alco: The first pilot technology project to make jet fuel from alcohol was inaugurated by Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in Pune. This project will produce sustainable biological aviation fuel or SAF. This pilot project has been set up in the research and development department of Praj Udyog Group in Pirangut Industrial Estate near Pune.

 

5. Dhankhar attends foundation day ceremony of Indira Gandhi Agricultural Univ: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar attended the foundation day ceremony of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. On this occasion, Vice President Shri Dhankhar also launched three products Sanjeevani Instant,\ Sanjeevani Madhu Kalk and Sanjeevani Rice Bar made from the new immunobooster and anti-cancer variety of paddy 'Sanjeevani' developed by Indira Gandhi Agricultural University.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Qatar set to sign cheaper long-term LNG deal with India: The Indian companies and Qatar Energy have agreed on terms and a contract could be signed by the end of this month or early in February. It would extend contracts set to expire in 2028 for the supply of 8.5 million metric tons per year (tpy) LNG to Indian buyers and play a part in meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aim to raise the share of natural gas in the country's energy mix to 15 per cent by 2030 from 6.3 per cent now.

 

2. UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis arrived to India: The President of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Dennis Francis arrived in New Delhi on a five-day visit to India. The visit is an opportunity to advance India-UN ties and exchange views on India’s priorities and global challenges. He will also deliver a public address at the Indian Council of World Affairs on Multilateralism and Peace, Prosperity, Progress, and Sustainability.

 

3. EAM S Jaishankar to co-chair 6th India-Nigeria Joint Commission Meeting: The President of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Dennis Francis arrived in New Delhi on a five-day visit to India. The visit is an opportunity to advance India-UN ties and exchange views on India’s priorities and global challenges. He will also deliver a public address at the Indian Council of World Affairs on Multilateralism and Peace, Prosperity, Progress, and Sustainability.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Tata Group to continue as IPL title sponsor until 2028: Tata Group will pay Rs 2,500 crore, the highest-ever sponsorship amount in the history of the Indian Premier League, as it won the title sponsorship rights of IPL, which has become a decacorn and is the richest cricket league in the world. Tata has won the rights for five years. The TATA Group earlier held the title sponsorship rights for the IPL in 2022 and 2023, paying Rs 670 crore for the two-year rights. Tata is also the title sponsor of the Women’s Premier League, the largest women’s T20 league globally. Tata retained title sponsorship rights from 2024 to 2028 by matching Aditya Birla Group’s (ABG) bid, sources had told ET earlier. Aditya Birla Group and Tata Sons were the only companies in contention for the title sponsorship rights of IPL.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IREDA, Indian Overseas Bank ink pact to co-finance renewable energy projects: State-owned Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) has partnered with the Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) to co-finance renewable energy projects in India. The agreement was signed in the presence of IREDA CMD Pradip Kumar Das and IOB MD and CEO Ajay Kumar Srivastava in the national capital. The partnership aims to streamline loan syndication and underwriting processes, management of Trust and Retention Account (TRA) for IREDA borrowers, and work towards fixed interest rates over a 3-4-year period for IREDA borrowings. This collaboration builds upon IREDA’s successful partnerships with other prominent financial institutions, including Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Union Bank of India, India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited, and Bank of Maharashtra.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Bangalore & Delhi Airports jointly bagged best airport award: Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia has presented the Wings India Awards 2024 at an event held in Hyderabad.

Bangalore and Delhi Airports have jointly bagged the best airport award for the year at the 4th edition of “Wings India Awards” in the Civil Aviation Sector. Vistara bagged the Best Airline of the Year award. Air India has been recognized for International Connectivity while Alliance Air has recognition for Regional Connectivity. Air India Express was declared a Sustainability Champion.

GMR Group has been honoured as the Best Aviation Service Provider while Skyways Air Services for cargo services, Indian Oil Skytanking Pvt. Ltd for Fuel Services, GMR for Aero Academy.