NATIONAL NEWS
PM Modi Inaugurates Museums On Netaji Bose, Jallianwala Bagh At Red Fort
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Subhas Chandra Bose museum at the iconic Red Fort in Delhi to mark the freedom fighter's 122nd birth anniversary. He also inaugurated the Yaad-e-Jallian Museum dedicated on the Jallianwala Bagh and Indian soldiers in World War I. He also inaugurated a museum on 1857 India's first war of Independence, and the Drishyakala Museum on Indian Art within the Red Fort complex.
- The museum on Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army showcases various artefacts related to freedom fighter and his movement. The artefacts include a wooden chair and sword used by the leader, medals, badges, uniforms and other artefacts related to the Indian National Army.
- A documentary on Netaji Bose and the INA will help visitors understand the vision of the freedom fighter. Actor Abhishek Bachchan has lent his voice for the documentary.
- The Yaad-e-Jallian Museum provides an authentic account of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre that took place on April 13, 1919. A replica of the memorial erected at the Jallianwala Bagh has also been placed at the museum.
- A poem penned by Sarojini Naidu on the plight of Indian soldiers who fought the World War I for the British Empire is part of the artefacts at the museum. The poem, titled ''The Gift'' describes sacrifices made by 1.5 million Indian soldiers in the First World War.
Centre institutes 'Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar'
The Central government has instituted an annual award titled "Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar", which is to be announced every year on January 23, on the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The award carries a certificate and a cash prize of Rs 51 lakh.
- This year, 8th Battalion of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) located at Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh has been selected for the award for its commendable work in disaster management.
Government Constitutes NITI Aayog-led Committee To Monitor Pricing Of Drugs
The government constituted a standing committee headed by NITI Aayog to oversee the drug pricing regime, a move which could clip the powers of drug pricing regulator, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).
- The committee will be "a recommending body to NPPA, regarding prices of drugs and health products'', and may examine issues suo-moto or on recommendation of department of pharma, NPPA and department of health.
- The committee has been vested with sweeping powers to oversee the pricing regime, at the cost of undermining NPPA, and this may have repercussions on affordability of drugs.
JNPT Becomes Only Indian Port To Be Listed Amongst World’s Top 30 Container Ports
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), India's premier container port, has got listed among the top 30 container ports globally. JNPT notched up five spots to be 28th on the list compared to its previous ranking, according to the latest Lloyds report.
- JNPT also launched an App service to facilitate better tracking of consignment and ease the trade process for their EXIM partners. The App allows traders to access all the relevant information about consignment and port related updates regarding traffic and weather.
Indians are biggest international aid supporters: WEF survey
Indians have emerged as the biggest supporters of international aid, with a global public opinion survey putting India on the top when it comes to people expecting their nation to help other countries.
- The survey released by the World Economic Forum ahead of its high profile annual meeting in this ski resort town on the Swiss Alps showed that South Asian countries, including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, as also Nigeria and Saudi Arabia exhibit widespread support for international aid.
- As many as 95 per cent Indians replied in affirmative, which was the highest for any country, followed by 94 per cent in Indonesia and Pakistan each.
India to engage 12 African nations in joint military exercise
India will engage with 12 African nations in a joint military exercise in Pune in March this year. The final planning for the exercise named 'Indian Africa Field Training Exercise (IAFTX)-2019' will be done at a conference in Pune on 23-24 January. The conference will also work out the modalities for the exercise.
- The IAFTX-2019 is perceived as a positive step towards growing political and military ties with the member nations of the African continent and is expected to boost the strategic cooperation between the countries.
Coast guards of India, Japan undertake disaster control exercise in Yokohama
Coast Guards of India and Japan kicked off their disaster control, search and rescue exercises off the coast of Yokohama in Japan. Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Shaunak is the main Indian ship taking part in the drills. It is a 105-metre class Offshore Patrol Vessel and is one of the largest ships in the Indian Coast Guard.
- Both the forces have huge experience in disaster management as Japan regularly faces earthquakes and sea storms while the Indian Coast Guard round the year manages the over 7,000-kilometre coastline of the country.
Arunachal Government Declares Pakke Hornbill Fest As ‘State Festival’
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Pema Khandu declared Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival (PPHF) as the “State Festival” at Seijosa in East Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh. Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival (PPHF) is only conservation festival of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department will fund the festival from 2020 and permanent infrastructure will be constructed for the festival ground.
Three day Flamingo festival was celebrated in Pulicat Lake,Andhra Pradesh
The three-day annual Flamingo Festival was held at Pulicat lake and Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary in Sullurpet mandal. Flamingo Festival is held every year to promote tourism in Pulicat and Nellapattu.
- Flamingo Festival is being organised for the past 12 years. Migratory birds from Siberia have visit this place during winter season for breeding.
- Extra info.:
Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish water lake or lagoon in India after Chilika Lake.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Indian Diplomat launches bilingual anthology in Brazil
A new anthology of poems titled 'New Brazilian Poems', translated and edited by Indian poet-diplomat Abhay Kumar was launched at the National Association of Writers of Brazil. The event was attended by a large number of poets, diplomats and intellectual community of Brazil.
- Abhay has been hosting a monthly literary event 'Cha com Letras' since his arrival in Brasilia in January 2016 in which hundreds of Brazilian writers and intellectuals have participated.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
India Ranks 80th On Global Talent Competitiveness Ranking: Survey
India has moved up one position to rank 80th on the Global Talent Competitive Index, but remains a laggard among the BRICS nations. Switzerland continues to top the list, released on the first day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos by INSEAD business school in partnership with Tata Communications and Adecco Group.
- With an overall position of 45th and despite a fall of two places, China is the best performer among BRICS countries, while India remains the laggard of this grouping, the report said.
- Switzerland is followed by Singapore, the US, Norway and Denmark in the top five on the list.
TCS named fastest growing brand of the decade in IT services
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced that it has been accredited as the fastest growing brand in the IT services sector over the past decade. The company's brand value increased by 447 per cent from 2.34 billion dollars in 2010 to 12.8 billion dollars in 2019 according to Brand Finance, the world's leading brand valuation firm.
- The report released at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, said TCS continues to be among the top three global IT services brands.
India ranks at 54th position among most innovative countries
India figures at 54th position among the world's most innovative countries, according to Bloomberg 2019 Innovative Index. It is for the first time that India has made it to the rankings. The development comes as world leaders gather at the ongoing annual World Economic Forum in Davos.
- South Korea has retained the top spot with a score of 87.38, while Germany scored 87.30 for improvements in research and education.
- Among the new entrants annual Bloomberg Innovation Index are some of the world's largest emerging economies: India, Mexico, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia.
India among the most trusted nations globally:2019 Edelman Trust Barometer report
India is among the most trusted nations globally when it comes to government, business, NGOs and media but the country's brands are among the least-trusted, according to a report. The 2019 Edelman Trust Barometer report released, ahead of the the World Economic Forum (WEF) meet in Davos, noted that the Global Trust Index witnessed a marginal increase of 3 points to 52.
- China topped the Trust Index among both the informed public and the general population segments, with scores of 79 and 88 respectively. India was at the second place in the informed public category and third place in the general population category.
- In terms of trust in companies headquartered in each market, the most trusted are those from Switzerland, Germany and Canada.
India's GDP Likely To Grow 7.4% This Fiscal, At 7.6% In 2019-20: UN Report
The Indian economy is expected to grow at 7.4 per cent in the current fiscal and its GDP growth will rise to 7.6 per cent in 2019-20, before tapering down to 7.4 per cent in 2020-21, according to a UN report.
- The report United Nations' World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2019 said that India's growth continues to be underpinned by robust private consumption, a more expansionary fiscal stance and benefits from earlier reforms.
SPORTS
Mohammed Shami Becomes Fastest Indian Bowler To Reach 100 ODI Wickets
Pacer Mohammed Shami became the fastest Indian to claim 100 wickets in One-day Internationals, reaching the mark in the opening match against New Zealand in Napier. This was his 56th game in the 50-over format.
- Before Shami, Irfan Pathan reached the 100-wicket mark in 59 ODIs, while Zaheer Khan (65 matches), Ajit Agarkar (67) and Javagal Srinath (68) are the other Indian bowlers to complete a century of wickets in the quickest time.
Khelo India Youth Games: Hosts Maharashtra finish top with 228 medals
Hosts Maharashtra walked away with the Overall Trophy at the Khelo India Youth Games, as they amassed a mammoth 85 gold, 62 silver and 81 bronze for a total of 228 medals. Their sportspersons and officials received the trophy from Union Minister Prakash Javadekar and Maharashtra Sports Minister Vinod Tawde at the closing ceremony in Pune.
- Maharashtra finished ahead of Khelo India School Games 2018 winners Haryana, who were second with 62 gold, 56 silver and 60 bronze for a total of 178 medals. Delhi stood third with 48 gold, 37 silver and 51 bronze, a tally of 136 medals.
AWARDS
Noted Gujarati Poet Sitanshu Yashashchandra Awarded Saraswati Samman 2017
Noted Gujarati poet Sitanshu Yashashchandra has been awarded Saraswati Samman,2017, for his poetry collection in Gujarati named “Vakhar”. This is the 27th edition of the prestigious award instituted by K.K.Birla foundation given every year to an outstanding work of an Indian citizen published during the last 10 years in any of the languages mentioned in Schedule 8 of the constitution.
OBITUARIES
Former Indian Hockey Player Raghbir Bhola Passes Away
Former India hockey player Raghbir Singh Bhola, a two-time Olympic medallist, has passed away aged 92. Bhola represented India in the 1956 Melbourne and 1960 Rome Olympics, winning a gold and silver medals respectively for the country.
Tony Mendez, the real CIA spy behind Argo passes away
Ex-CIA agent Tony Mendez, who inspired the Oscar-winning film Argo, has passed away at the age of 78. He had been suffering from Parkinson's Disease. At the CIA, Mendez specialised in disguises, forgery and rescues.
- He is best known for smuggling six American diplomats out of Iran during the 1979-81 hostage crisis by posing as a film producer.
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