Daily GK Update- 26th Jan, 2022

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Celebrating 73rd Republic Day on 26 January 2022: India is celebrating the 73rd Republic Day on 26 January 2022. The celebrations this year are special as India is in the 75th year of Independence – being celebrated as ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. Republic Day marks the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950. It replaced the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India.

According to the Ministry of Defence, for the first time, an Indian Air Force (IAF) will show grand flypast by 75 aircraft or helicopters. A drone show by 1,000 indigenously developed drones has been planned for the ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony, along with projection mapping will be shown for the first time. In another first, 480 dancers will perform during the cultural programme at the parade have been selected through a nationwide Vande Bharatam dance competition. Republic Day of India: Importance

(1) India became independent on 15th of august, 1947. Even after independence, the country did not have a sound constitution.

(2) The laws, before the enactment of the constitution, were running on the basis of Government of India Act 1935. Having realized the need for a permanent constitution and its own governing body, the government of India appointed a Drafting Committee on 28th of August 1947 to draft it and Dr, B. R. Ambedkar as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.

(3) After almost 3 years, the 308 members of the Assembly, after many consultations and a few modifications finally signed a constitution on 24th of January 1950, which came into effect on 26th of January 1950.

(4) And, that day, is being celebrated as Republic Day in India ever since then. This day defines the importance of having a proper constitution that all the citizens must abide by.

 

2. 29 Children Awarded Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2022: Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) for the year 2022 has been conferred to 29 children. These winners include 15 Boys and 14 Girls, belonging to 21 States and UTs. The PMRBP award is given by the Government of India to children with exceptional abilities and outstanding accomplishments in 6 categories. The award carries a cash prize of Rs.1,00,000/-.

List of the winners of PMRBP 2022 is:

S. No	Name	Category	State
1	Gauri Maheshwari	Art & Culture	Rajasthan
2	Remona Evette Pereira	Art & Culture	Karnataka
3	Deviprasad	Art & Culture	Kerala
4	Syed Fateen Ahmed	Art & Culture	Karnataka
5	Daulas Lambamayum	Art & Culture	Manipur
6	Dhritishman Chakraborty	Art & Culture	Assam
7	Gurugu Himapriya	Bravery	Andhra Pradesh
8	Shivangi Kale	Bravery	Maharashtra
9	Dhiraj Kumar	Bravery	Bihar
10	Shivam Rawat	Innovation	Uttarakhand
11	Vishalini N C	Innovation	Tamil Nadu
12	Jui Abhijit Keskar	Innovation	Maharashtra
13	Puhabi Chakraborti	Innovation	Tripura
14	Aswatha Biju	Innovation	Tamil Nadu
15	Banita Dash	Innovation	Odisha
16	Tanish Sethi	Innovation	Haryana
17	Avi Sharma	Scholastic	Madhya Pradesh
18	Meedhansh Kumar Gupta	Social Service	Punjab
19	Abhinav Kumar Choudhary	Social Service	Uttar Pradesh
20	Pal Sakshi	Social Service	Bihar
21	Aakarsh Kaushal	Social Service	Haryana
22	Arushi Kotwal	Sports	Jammu & Kashmir
23	Shriya Lohia	Sports	Himachal Pradesh
24	Telukunta Virat Chandra	Sports	Telangana
25	Chandhary Singh Choudhary	Sports	Uttar Pradesh
26	Jiya Rai	Sports	Uttar Pradesh
27	Swayam Patil	Sports	Maharashtra
28	Tarushi Gaur	Sports	Chandigarh
29	Anvi Vijay Zanzarukia	Sports	Gujarat

 

3. Himachal Pradesh and Haryana govts tie-up for construction of Adi Badri Dam: Governments of Himachal Pradesh and Haryana have signed an MoU at Panchkula, for the construction of Adi Badri Dam that would come upon 77 acres in Himachal Pradesh near the Adi Badri area of Yamuna Nagar district of Haryana. The proposed dam aims for the rejuvenation of the Saraswati river with an estimated cost of Rs 215.35 crore.

About the Dam: The Dam would get 224-hectare metre water from Himachal Pradesh’s Somb River that falls in the Yamuna near Adi Badri in Yamuna Nagar district. The executing agency for the construction of Adi Badri Dam would be Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited. Adi Badri, also Sri Sarasvati Udgam Tirath, is located in the foothills of the Sivalik Hills in the Bhabar area. It is situated in the northern part of Haryana’s Yamunanagar district.

 

4. CDRI Develops Omicron Testing Kit named “OM”: CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) has developed an indigenous RT-PCR diagnostic kit, ‘Om’, for the testing of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. It is the first kit made by any government institution, and the third to be made indigenously, for specific testing of Omicron. Currently, two more such kits developed by private players are available in the market. The kit will give test results in around two hours.

About “Om”:

(1) Om enables quick and cost-effective detection of omicron variants over genome sequencing for a large population. It was made within two months and will cost around Rs 150.

(2) Further, it will give the test results in around two hours. According to the scientists, it can also be aligned for the detection of other emerging variants of Covid infection and other respiratory infections.

(3) Once the kit gets approval from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), it will be launched by mid-February. The kit has been referred to the ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV) and is yet to be validated.

 

5. Jai Bhim & Marakkar shortlisted for the Oscars 2022: Indian Movie’s  Jai Bhim and Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham have been officially shortlisted for the Oscars 2022.  Jai Bhim is the fourth Indian film to get nominated for Oscars after Mother India, Salaam Bombay, and Lagaan. Marakkar Arabikadalinte Simham has been also nominated for the Global Community Oscar Awards 2021. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has released the list of 276 films eligible for the awards this year.

Not just Jai Bhim and Marakkar, directors Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh’s Writing with Fire, a film about a newspaper run by Dalit women, has been shortlisted in the Best Documentary Feature category at the Oscars 2022. The voting for the nominations will begin on January 27 and conclude on February 1. The nominations will be announced on February 8. The 94th Academy Awards will be held on March 27.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. AIIB invests USD 150 million in data center development to serve emerging Asia: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a multilateral development bank has committed USD 150 million to invest in the development of data centres that mostly serve emerging Asia. This project is being AIIB’s 1st data centre project. India is a key founding member of AIIB. AIIB’s investment of USD 100 million through a parallel fund structure and USD 50 million through co-investments mark the final close of KDCF II, a development fund making strategic investments in the fast-growing data center sector with a focus on the Asia Pacific.

The project is aligned with AIIB’s thematic priorities of Connectivity and Regional Cooperation, Green Infrastructure and Private Capital Mobilization. It will also support Alpha in developing climate finance monitoring indicators, incorporating the joint MDB methodology for tracking climate finance and an Environmental and Social Management System at the Fund level. This partnership benefits AIIB’s geographical diversification given the diverse pipeline covering Southeast Asia and East Asia, among other regions across Asia Pacific.

Note: AIIB Headquarters: Beijing, China; AIIB Membership: 105 Members; AIIB Formation: 16 January 2016; AIIB Head: Jin Liqun.

 

2. International Customs Day: 26th January: The International Customs Day (ICD) is observed on 26 January every year. The day is celebrated to recognise the role of customs officials and agencies and focus on the working conditions and challenges that customs officers face in their jobs. This year, the theme chosen by WCO for ICD is ‘Scaling up Customs Digital Transformation by Embracing a Data Culture and Building a Data Ecosystem’. The International Customs Day’s objective is to boost leadership, guidance, and support to customs administrations as WCO strongly opines that while borders divide, it is the ‘customs’ that establish a connection between countries.

History of the day: The day was instituted by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to commemorate the day in 1953 when the inaugural session of the Customs Cooperation Council (CCC) was held in Brussels, Belgium. In 1994 the CCC was renamed World Customs Organization (WCO).

Note: World Customs Organization headquarters: Brussels, Belgium; World Customs Organization Membership:  182 countries; World Customs Organization Secretary-General: Kunio Mikuriya.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Govt appoints Vinodanand Jha as new chairperson to PMLA Adjudicating Authority: Vinodanand Jha has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Adjudicating Authority, for a period of 5 years. Jha is a 1983-batch retired IRS officer, who was serving as the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax in Pune before this.

About the PMLA Adjudicating Authority:The PMLA Adjudicating Authority is a three-member body whose mandated is to adjudicate the cases of attachment of assets orders issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and order for its continuity and further confiscation or release, considering the merits of the investigation.

Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted by the NDA government to prevent money laundering and to provide for confiscation of property derived from money laundering. PMLA and the Rules notified there under came into force with effect from July 1, 2005.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Swiggy turns decacorn with valuation of $10.7 billion: Food-ordering and instant grocery delivery platform, Swiggy has signed a $700 million funding round led by asset manager Invesco. With this, the total valuation of Swiggy has reached to $10.7 billion i.e. it is now a decacorn. A decacorn is a startup with a valuation of more than $10 billion. Swiggy’s latest valuation is almost double that of Zomato before the latter went for its initial public offering. Zomato was valued at $5.4 billion before its IPO.

Bengaluru-based Swiggy has overtaken budget hospitality company Oyo, whose valuation dropped to $8 billion in 2020 from $10 billion in 2019, and then increased to $9 billion in 2021. Swiggy has overtaken sports technology company Dream Sports, the parent firm of fantasy sports platform Dream11. This investment in Swiggy comes at a time when the adoption of food and online grocery is accelerating and consumer demand for Swiggy’s many services continues to grow.

 

2. Fullerton India partners with Paytm to expand digital lending to MSMEs: Fullerton India and One97 Communications Limited, which owns the brand Paytm, have announced a partnership to provide lending products to merchant partners and consumers. With the partnership, the two established institutions will leverage data-driven insights and wide reach to bring credit to new-to-credit users. They aim to co-create innovative merchant loan products using customer payment behaviour and Fullerton’s years of experience of understanding of this segment.

About the program:

(1) The program will offer Paytm Postpaid (buy-now-pay-later) to millions of consumers on the Paytm platform while utilizing Fullerton’s deep risk assessment capabilities and scale.

(2) Fullerton India and Paytm will further expand their product offerings to include instant personal loans, which are end-to-end digitally originated and disbursed using Paytm’s technology and Fullerton’s pan India presence.

(3) The two institutions would establish a wide network, specifically catering to MSMEs across small cities and towns and help them grow their business.

Note: Fullerton India CEO: Shantanu Mitra; Fullerton India Founded: 1994; Fullerton India Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Ministry of Home Affairs Padma Awards 2022 announced: The Union ministry of home affairs announced the Padma awards on the eve of the country’s 73rd Republic Day. The Awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher-order) and Padma Shri (distinguished service). The award seeks to recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.

These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/ April every year. This year the President has approved conferment of 128 Padma Awards including 2 duo cases (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one). The list comprises 4 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri Awards. 34 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and 13 Posthumous awardees.

 

2. International Cricket Council announced ICC Awards 2021: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the winners of the 17th edition of ICC Awards for the year 2021 to recognise and honour the best international cricket players of the previous 12 months, between January 01, 2021, and December 31, 2021. Notably, these awards honour players for their performances for their respective national side in a year. The apex international cricket governing body has named the winners in the different categories such as: Emerging Cricketer of the Year, T20I Cricketer of the Year and Associate Cricketer of the Year for both men’s and women’s cricket. Winners are listed below:

 

Sr. No.	Category	Winners
1	Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year	Smriti Mandhana (India)
2	Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year	Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
3	ICC Umpire of the Year	Marais Erasmus
4	ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year	Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
5	ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year	Tammy Beaumont (England)
6	ICC Emerging Men’s Cricketer of the Year	Janneman Malan (South Africa)
7	ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year	Fatima Sana (Pakistan)
8	ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year	Zeeshan Maqsood (Oman)
9	ICC Women’s Associate Cricketer of the Year	Andrea-Mae Zepeda (Austria)
10	ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year	Babar Azam (Pakistan)
11	ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year	Lizelle Lee (South Africa)
12	ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year	Joe Root (England)

Daily GK Update- 25th Jan, 2022

 

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 Chucantí, 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.

Daily GK Update- 24th Jan, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Haryana and Himachal inks MoU to revive Saraswati river: The state governments of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to revive the Saraswati river. The MoU was signed in the presence of Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar and Himachal CM Jai Ram Thakur in Panchkula. Under the MoU, the Haryana Government will construct a dam and a reservoir inAdi Badri area near Yamunanagar district,which is situated on the border of Himachal Pradesh. The cost of the project is estimated at Rs 215.33 crore and will be borne entirely by Haryana government. Adi-Badri is considered as the origin of the Saraswati river. It is planned that the dam will be delivered 224 hectare metre water from Som river, which starts from Himachal Pradesh and falls into the Yamuna river in Yamunanagar. Out of the 224 hectare metre water, 62 hectare metre water will be given to Himachal Pradesh and the remaining 162 hectare metre water will be used for the Saraswati river in Haryana throughout the year.

 

2. Himachal Pradesh CM launched ‘Apna Kangra’ app: Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Jai Ram Thakur has launched the ‘Apna Kangra’ app and hampers handcrafted by self-help groups (SHGs) at Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh. The app aims to provide a hassle-free experience for tourists and to boost sales of local handicrafts. While the app is bound to provide a unique experience for tourists on the one hand, on the other it will serve as an e-marketing platform for SHG products from the district.

The CM also virtually inaugurated Radhe Krishna Cow Sanctuary at Luthan in Jawalamukhi Vidhan Sabha area of Kangra. The govt of HP initiated the scheme ‘Mukhya Mantri HIMCARE’ to provide medical services to cattles.

Note: Himachal Pradesh Capital: Shimla (Summer), Dharamshala (Winter); Himachal Pradesh Governor: Rajendra Arlekar; Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister: Jai Ram Thakur.

 

3. Karnataka became India’s first state to launch AVGC Center of Excellence: The government of Karnataka has launched India’s first AVGC Center of Excellence (CoE) (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) in Mahadevapura, Bengaluru, Karnataka. AVGC CoE was launched with pioneering high technology digital media hub under its Innovate Karnataka initiative. It is funded by the Department of Electronics Information Technology Biotechnology and Science & Technology. Karnataka became India’s first state to set up such an AVGC CoE, it is also the biggest centre in Asia. The centre also has a finishing school that offers unique courses based on emerging technology such as virtual reality, digital compression, photogrammetry, gamification of education, real-time virtual production, and other emerging technologies.

Note: Karnataka Capital: Bengaluru; Karnataka Chief Minister: Basavaraj S Bommai; Karnataka Governor: Thawar Chand Gehlot.

 

4. GoodDot ropes in Neeraj Chopra as its brand ambassador: Plant-based meat company GoodDot has roped in Neeraj Chopra as its brand ambassador. With this association, the company wants to create awareness about the new category of plant-based meats. It also wants to send out a message that small changes in lifestyle and food choices can go a long way in making the world a better place. The company provides alternatives to mutton, chicken and eggs and is a Direct-to-consumer (D2C) player so far and sells also through online marketplaces like Amazon, Flipkart, etc. It also sells in countries like Canada, Singapore, Nepal, Dubai, South Africa, Mauritius, and Oman.

 

5. National Girl Child Day: 24th January: In India, the National Girl Child Day (NGCD) is observed annually on January 24. The day aims to focus on the inequalities faced by girls, to promote the education, health & nutrition of the girl child, and to spread awareness about the rights of a girl child. The day was observed for the first time in 2008 as an initiative by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Government of India.

Significance: The day was initiated to spread awareness among people about all the inequalities faced by girls in the country. The day promotes awareness about the rights of a girl child and increases awareness on the importance of girl education, health, and nutrition.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Indonesia names new capital Nusantara, replacing sinking Jakarta: Indonesia will move its capital to mineral-rich East Kalimantan, an Indonesian province on the island of Borneo. The name of the new capital will be Nusantara, which means “archipelago” in Javanese. It will be based in the regions of North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kartanegara. The new project is likely to cost around 466 trillion rupiah ($32 billion).

The heavily populated city of Jakarta is home to 10 million people (30 million if you include the greater metropolitan area) and has been facing the growing issue with the overuse of groundwater by home drilling due to large-scale city developments. The problem is worsened when combined with rising sea levels. This shift of development is set to slow down the rate at which Jakarta sinks into the Java Sea.

 

2. India extends $190-million line of credit to Mauritius for the Metro Express Project: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth jointly inaugurated the India-assisted Social Housing Units Project in Mauritius through video-conferencing. The two leaders also launched the Civil Service College and the 8MW Solar PV Farm projects in Mauritius, being undertaken with India’s development support. An agreement was exchanged in which India is extending a $190-million line of credit to Mauritius for the Metro Express Project and other infrastructure projects.

Meanwhile, in defence sector, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Government of Mauritius (GoM) have signed a contract, under which HAL will export one Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH)-MkIII for the Mauritius Police Force. Mauritius already operates a ALH and Dornier Do-228 aircraft built by HAL.

 

3. International Day of Education: 24th January: The International Day of Education is marked every year on 24 January globally to celebrate the role of education in bringing global peace and sustainable development. The first-ever International Day of Education was celebrated on 24 January 2019 as per the resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly on December 3rd 2018 to celebrate the role of education in development. The theme of 4th International Day of Education in 2022 is Changing Course, Transforming Education. The celebration is led by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. PV Sindhu wins title at Syed Modi badminton 2022: Ace Indian shuttler, PV Sindhu has bagged the women’s singles title at the Syed Modi International Tournament in Lucknow. Sindhu beat fellow Indian Malvika Bansod 21-13 21-16 to win her second Syed Modi title after 2017. The 2022 Syed Modi International badminton tournament was held at Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh from 18 to 23 January 2022.

Winners in other categories:

Men’s singles: Final was declared a ‘No Match’ between Arnaud Merkle and Lucas Claerbout, after one of the finalists tested positive for Covid-19.

Men’s doubles: Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun (Malaysia)

Women’s doubles: Anna Cheong and Teoh Mei Xing (Malaysia)

Mixed Doubles: Ishaan Bhatnagar and Tanisha Castro (India).

 

2. India’s first para-badminton academy launched in Lucknow: India’s first para-badminton academy has been set up in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. It has all the advanced equipment and facilities. The set-up will improve India’s medal prospects at the 2024 Paralympics to be held in Paris, France at Stade de France stadium. The badminton centre has been launched by the head national coach of the Indian para-badminton team, Gaurav Khanna, in association with Ageas Federal Life Insurance.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. UNCTAD report: FDI flows to India falls by 26% in 2021: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows to India fell by 26 per cent in 2021, compared to 2020, as per the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Investment Trends Monitor published. In 2020, FDI to India was recorded at USD 64 billion. This was 27 per cent more compared to USD 51 billion in FDI in 2019. UNCTAD said that low FDI in India was mainly because large cross-border mergers & acquisitions (M&A) deals recorded in 2020 were not repeated. The global FDI flows increased by 77 per cent to an estimated USD 1.65 trillion in 2021, from USD 929 billion in 2020.

 

2. IIMK LIVE and Indian Bank ink MoU to disburse loans upto Rs 50 Crore for Startups: Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode’s (IIMK) Business incubator Laboratory for Innovation Venturing and Entrepreneurship (LIVE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Bank to financially support early-stage startups. Under the MoU, a startup funding scheme, ‘IndSpring Board’ has been launched. Under this scheme loans up to Rs, 50 Crore will be disbursed to the startups. Benefit of the MoU:

(1) The startups can use the loan amount to meet their operational expenditure and capital expenditure which includes working capital, purchase of fixed assets and other expenses.

(2) The loan amount disbursed to startups under the IndSpring Board scheme from IIMK LIVE and Indian Bank can be used to meet a startup operational expenditure and capital expenditure which includes working capital, purchase of fixed assets and other expenses.

(3) Startups selected under this scheme would have to be committed towards working on innovation, development or improvement of products or processes or services, or present a scalable business model with a high potential of employment generation or wealth creation.

Note: Indian Bank Headquarters: Chennai; Indian Bank CEO: Shri Shanti Lal Jain; Indian Bank Founded: 15 August 1907.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Sushmita Sen wins International Association of Working Women Award: Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen has been conferred with the International Association of Working Women Award at the Washington DC South Asian Film Festival (DCSAFF) 2021. The former Miss Universe has been felicitated for outstanding performance by a female actor in a TV series for her show ‘Aarya 2’. The Aarya 2 series is created by Ram Madhvani and had released on December 10, 2021, on Disney+Hotstar. The DC South Asian Film Festival (DCSAFF) 2021 is organised virtually from January 16 to January 30, to showcase the best in alternative cinema from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and Sri Lanka.

 

2. Former Japan PM Shinzo Abe given Netaji Award 2022: Former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was conferred with the Netaji Award 2022 by Netaji Research Bureau. Consul General of Japan in Kolkata Nakamura Yutaka received the honour on behalf of Mr. Abe at a function at the Elgin Road residence of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on his 125th birth anniversary.

Satoshi Suzuki, the Japanese Ambassador to India, addressed the program remotely from New Delhi. Abe is a tremendous admirer of Netaji, according to Sugata Bose, the famed liberation fighter’s grand-nephew and Director of the Netaji Research Bureau. Moreover, in January 2021, India bestowed the Padma Vibhushan on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the country’s second-highest civilian honour.

Daily GK Update- 23rd Jan, 2022

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. PM Narendra Modi unveils hologram statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled a hologram statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at India Gate on Parakram Divas. The size of the hologram statue is 28 feet in height and 6 feet in width. A grand statue, which will be made of granite, will replace the hologram statue once it is completed. The statue is being installed on the 125th birth anniversary as a tribute to the immense contribution of Netaji in the country’s freedom struggle and would be a symbol of the country’s indebtedness to him.

The prime minister also conferred the ’Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar’ for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 in the investiture ceremony. A total of seven awards were presented during the ceremony. Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management (in the Institutional category) and Professor Vinod Sharma (in the Individual category) have been selected for the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar for their excellent work in Disaster Management for the year 2022.

 

2. PM Modi to unveil 216-foot statue of saint Ramanujacharya: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a 216-foot statue of Ramanujacharya in a sitting position in Hyderabad on February 5, 2022, to celebrate the 1,000th birth anniversary of the saint. Ramanujacharya was an 11th-century saint and a revolutionary social reformer. The statue will be called as the ‘Statue of Equality’. It is located in a 45-acre complex at Shamshabad on the outskirts of Hyderabad in Telangana.

About the project: The project is built at a cost of Rs. 1,000-crore, which was funded entirely by donations from devotees globally. President Ram Nath Kovind will unveil the inner chamber of the statue of Ramanujacharya on February 13, 2022. The Statue of Equality is the world’s second-tallest statue in a sitting position. The Buddha statue in Thailand is considered as the world’s tallest statue in a sitting pose.

 

3. Jerri hamlet declared as first ‘Milk Village’ of J&K: In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the administration has declared Jerri settlement in Reasi district as the first ‘Milk Village’ of the Union Territory and sanctioned 57 more dairy farms under the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme (IDDS) for the hamlet. The village, which houses 73 individual dairy units with 370 cows, will give the local farmers financial security.

After being declared as ‘Milk Village’, a total of 57 units have been sanctioned under the IDDS for the village. Under the IDDS, dairy units of five animals are provided with a 50 per cent subsidy. The scheme also has a provision for milking machine, bulk milk cooling unit at 50 per cent subsidy (maximum Rs 5 lakh), paneer making machine, khoya making, Dahi making, cream separator, ice cream making machine, butter and ghee making machine (max subsidy Rs 3. 5 lakh), milk van (maximum subsidy Rs 2 lakh), milk ATM subsidy of Rs 5 lakh.

 

4. Jahnavi Dangeti becomes first Indian to complete prestigious Nasa programme: Jahnavi Dangeti, a young girl from Andhra Pradesh, has just completed NASA’s International Air and Space Program (iasp nasa) at the Kennedy Space Centre in Alabama, US, making her the first Indian to accomplish this feat. She is part of a carefully shortlisted group of 20 students from around the world. She has been a campus ambassador for numerous organisations, including Star (Space Technology and Aeronautical Rocketry), an Indian private aerospace company. She is a member of the International Organization of Aspiring Astronauts (IOAA). She participated in many events and workshops of Nasa, Isro and other space agencies.

 

5. A book titled ‘The Legend of Birsa Munda’ authored by Tuhin A Sinha & Ankita Verma: Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has released a book titled ‘The Legend of Birsa Munda’, authored by Tuhin A Sinha and co-authored by Ankita Verma. The Book is the story of a lesser-known tribal hero, Birsa Munda, who courageously fought against the oppressive British Raj for the rights of his tribal community.

 

6. Parakram Diwas: 23rd January: The Indian government has decided to celebrate January 23rd as ‘Parakram Diwas’ to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. This year is the 125th Birth Anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Netaji was born on January 23, 1897. The day is celebrated to honour and remember Netaji’s indomitable spirit and selfless service to the nation. About Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose:

(1) Netaji’ was born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack in Odisha. He acquired a degree in philosophy and was later selected for the Indian Civil Services. He refused to join as he did not want to serve the British Government.

(2) Netaji joined the Indian National Congress in 1921.

(3) Netaji started a newspaper called “Swaraj”.

(4) He had written a book called “The Indian Struggle”. The book covers the Indian Independence movement between 1920 and 1942.

(5) The term “Jai Hind” was coined by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

(6) With the slogan “Give me blood and I will give you freedom”, he awakened the country towards fighting against the British.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. ILO Report: Global unemployment level in 2022 projected at 207 million: The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has released its World Employment and Social Outlook – Trends 2022 (WESO Trends) report. The report analyses comprehensive labour market projections for 2022 and 2023 and assesses how labour market recovery has unfolded worldwide. In the WESO 2022, ILO has downgraded its forecast for labour market recovery in 2022.

Key figures of the report:

(1) The global unemployment level in 2022 is estimated at 207 million, compared to 186 million in 2019.

(2) Total working hours globally in 2022 is projected to be 2% below the pre-pandemic level, and that is equivalent to the loss of 52 million full-time jobs.

(3) The global labour force participation rate in 2022 is projected to remain 1.2 percentage points below that of 2019 before the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic began.

(4) In 2022 around 40 million people will no longer be participating in the global labour force.

(5) ILO states that there can be no real recovery from this pandemic without a broad-based labour market recovery.

Note: International Labour Organisation Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland; International Labour Organisation Director-General: Guy Ryder; International Labour Organisation Founder: Paris Peace Conference; International Labour Organisation Founded: 1919.

 

2. Oxford University Press declares ‘Anxiety’ as Children’s Word of the Year 2021: The Oxford University Press (OUP) has picked up ‘Anxiety’ as the Children’s Word of the Year 2021, based on their recent research. Apart from “anxiety” (21%), “Challenging” (19%), “isolate” (14%), “Wellbeing” (13%) and “resilience” (12%) were the children’s top five words. In 2020, Coronavirus was the Children’s Word of the Year by OUP.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. TCS Becomes Title Sponsor of Toronto Waterfront Marathon: TCS has partnered with Canada Running Series (CRS) to become the new title sponsor and official technology consulting partner of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon and Virtual Race through November 2026. Tata Consultancy Services and Canada Running Series aim to modernize marathon running in Canada through a new official race app. It will offer a first-of-its-kind environmental impact calculator that will enable runners and spectators to track and offset their environmental impact. TCS will also work with CRS to create a hybrid and immersive race experience for all runners and spectators around the globe.

Note: Tata Consultancy Services Founded: 1 April 1968; Tata Consultancy Services Headquarters: Mumbai; Tata Consultancy Services CEO: Rajesh Gopinathan

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI Paper: Optimal hedge ratio for ECBs is at 63%: According to a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Working Paper, the optimal hedge ratio for the External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) raised by firms in India is estimated at 63 per cent for the periods of high volatility in the foreign exchange (forex/FX) market. An optimal hedge ratio is a ratio that implies the percentage of total asset or liability exposure that an entity ought to hedge against exchange rate fluctuations. According to the Paper, domestic economic activity and movements in the exchange rate of the Indian rupee are the two major factors influencing the ECBs issuance. Depreciation of the Indian rupee has an adverse impact on the issuance of ECBs in the short as well as long run.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. SEBI Launches Saa₹Thi Mobile App On Investor Education: The new app aims to empower investors with accurate knowledge about the securities market. The app will cater largely to individual investors, who have recently entered the markets and carry out trading via their mobile phones. The app will be helpful in easily accessing all the relevant information like the basic concepts of Securities Market, KYC Process, trading and settlement, mutual funds, recent market developments, investor grievances redressal mechanism, etc. It is currently available in Hindi and English.

Note: SEBI Founded: 12 April 1992; SEBI Headquarters: Mumbai; SEBI Chairperson: Ajay Tyagi

 

2. Microsoft to acquire video gaming company Activision Blizzard: Microsoft Corp. is set to acquire game making company, Activision Blizzard Inc., in an all-cash transaction for $68.7 billion. ($95.00 per share). This acquisition will boost the competitiveness of Microsoft in the mobile gaming business and virtual-reality technology, across mobile, PC, console and cloud and will provide building blocks for the metaverse.

Activision Blizzard is famous as the maker of Candy Crush and Call of Duty, Xbox, among other leading video games. Upon the completion of the deal, Microsoft will become the world’s third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony. This is the biggest deal ever by Microsoft and also the largest-ever deal in the history of the gaming industry.

Note: Microsoft CEO and Chairman: Satya Nadella; Microsoft Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, United States.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla wins $1 million Genesis Prize for COVID-19 vaccine: The global pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc.’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Albert Bourla, has been awarded with the prestigious Genesis Prize 2022 on January 19, 2022. He has been awarded for his efforts in leading the development of a COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine). The award comes with a cash prize of $1 million.

About the awards: The annual prize is awarded to Jewish people who have achieved significant professional success, in recognition of their accomplishments, contributions to humanity, and commitment to Jewish values and/or to the State of Israel. It is widely referred to as the “Jewish Nobel Prize”.

 

DEFENCE

 

1. India Successfully Test Fires BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile: BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, with increased indigenous content and improved performance, was successfully test-fired from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. The launch was conducted by Brahmos Aerospace in close coordination with Defence Research and Development Organisation. This flight test was monitored by all the sensors of the range instrumentation including telemetry, radar and electro-optical tracking systems deployed across the eastern coast and the down range ships. Brahmos was successfully test-fired from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on January 20, 2022. The flight test is a major milestone in the way forward for BrahMos programme. The highly maneuverable missile cruised at supersonic speed for its maximum range and all mission objectives were met. BrahMos Aerospace, the joint venture between DRDO and NPO Mashinostroyeniya, Russia, has been continuously upgrading the powerful, highly versatile BrahMos to increase its effectiveness and lethality against sea and land targets.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former India footballer Subhas Bhowmick passes away: Former India footballer Subhas Bhowmick has passed away at the age of 72 years due to prolonged illness. He was born in West Bengal. He was part of the Indian Football team that won a bronze medal at the 1970 Asian Games (held in Bangkok). He also scored a hat-trick against the Philippines in the Merdeka Cup in 1971. He has also served as the coach for football teams like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.