National Affairs
India hosts Asia Pacific drosophila research conference 1st time; 5th edition overall
The Asia Pacific drosophila research conference (APDRC) is being conducted in India for the 1st time from January 6-10 in Pune, Maharashtra. Overall this is the 5th edition of the biennial conference and is known by the name APDRC5. It is organised by Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER).
Important Points:
- Governor – Bhagat Singh Koshyari
- Chief Minister – Uddhav Thackeray
- Capital – Mumbai
107th Indian Science Congress held in bengaluru, Karnataka
Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 107th edition of the Indian Science Congress (ISC) also known as ISC 2020 at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The theme of ISC for the year 2020 was “Science and Technology: Rural Development”.
The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) participated in the “Pride of India- Science Expo- 2020” at the 107th ISC.
2nd National GST Conference to streamline GST system held in New Delhi
2nd edition of the National GST Conference of the Commissioners of State Tax and Chief Commissioners of Central Tax was held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Dr Ajay Bhushan Pandey, Revenue Secretary of the Ministry of Finance(MoF). The conference was held to streamline the GST (Goods and Service Tax) system and also to plug revenue leakages.
State News
31st International Kite Festival launched in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
The 31st International Kite festival has been launched at Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has inaugurated the colourful kite festival in the presence of Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat on this occasion.
Important Points:
- Lai Haraoba festival – Triupura
- Hornbill festival – Nagaland
- Lohri festival – Punjab.
Gujarat to set up Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Center soon
Gujarat will set its Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Center (VSCIC) soon. The objective of the center is to identify, nurture and promote innovation of children up to 18 years in the state.The innovation centre will come up in Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Extension Research and Innovation at Gujarat University.
Important Points:
- Chief Minister – Vijay Rupani
- Governor – Acharya Devvrat
- State Animal – Asiatic lion
- State Bird – Greater flamingo
- State Flower – Marigold
J&K has registered highest IPD care in the country
Jammu and Kashmir has registered the highest Inpatient Department, IPD care in the country.According to the report released by the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), New Delhi.
As per the report, the 96% IPD care in rural areas of J&K is provided by Public Health Facilities.This facility is highest against the country’s average of 85%.
Important Points:
Lieutenant (Lt) Governors of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K): Girish Chandra Murmu.
Himachal Pradesh Gov. launches “Himachal MyGov” portal & “CM App”
The Himachal Pradesh Government has introduced a portal “Himachal MyGov” and become 11th state in India to have this facility.The portal aims to boost public participation in the governance process. With the help of portal, public will be able to communicate their views, suggestions, feedback as well discontentment to the state government.
This will help the government to formulate policies and programs and make them more effective and result oriented.State also launched “CM App” which is a platform through which people of the state can write directly to the Chief Minister regarding their complaints.
4th ‘Buxa Bird Festival’ kicks off in West Bengal
The 4th edition of ‘Buxa Bird Festival’ has started in Buxa National Park in West Bengal’s, district Alipurduar.More than 50 birdwatchers from pan India and abroad have registered in the festival.
Over 300 rare species including the Sultan Tit, Greater Spotted Eagle and Great Hornbill visit the national park during this festival.
Important Points:
- Governor: Jagdeep Dhankhar
- Chief Minister: Mamta Banerjee
International Affairs
UAE Cabinet validates Multi-entry Tourist Visa valid for 5 years
The UAE Cabinet has validated the Multi-entry Tourist Visa which would be valid for 5 years. The Multi-entry Tourist Visa facility would be available for all nationalities visiting the UAE.
The decision was taken in the UAE’s Cabinet meeting which was held at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi.The decision has been made to boost the UAE’s tourism economy.
Important Points about UAE:
President : Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Capital : Abu Dhabi; Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham.
Indian High Commission organizes “Art Exhibition” in Bangladesh
The Indian High Commission has organized the “Art Exhibition” in Dhaka, Bangladesh.The “Art Exhibition” has been organized to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The art exhibition constituted unique photographs of Mahatma Gandhi from his initial days in South Africa to numerous movements he participated in India.
Important Points:
- Prime Minister of Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina;
- Capital: Dhaka;
- Currency: Taka.
Awards & Honors
Prashant kishor and Kanhaiya kumar are among the‘20 people to watch in 2020s’ list of Forbes; political commentator Hassan minhaj of US tops
According to the Forbes’s prestigious list of ‘20 people to watch in the 2020s’, two Biharis namely Prashant Kishor (Poll strategist and JD(U) national vice-president ) & Kanhaiya Kumar (former JNU Students’ Union president) have been included in the list.
Forbes has placed Kanhaiya in 12th place and Prashant in 16th position.
i.Hasan Minhaj,an American comedian & political commentator is on the 1st position in the list, while Keyna’s Marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge in on the 20th place.
India ranks 34th on World Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) 2019
India was ranked at 34th place in World Economic Forum (WEF)’s World Travel, Tourism Competitiveness Index for the year 2019, a great hike from its previous ranks (i.e.65th rank in 2013, 52nd rank in 2015, 40th rank in 2017).The report was released on September 2019.
Important Points:
- Headquarters- New Delhi.
- Minister of State for Tourism and Culture- Shri Prahlad Singh Patel.
Banking
RBI allows to offer 24×7 rupee trading via select banks
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has enabled select banks in India to offer round-the-clock (24×7) trading in the Indian rupee to allow Indians to safeguard their foreign exchange (Forex) risks at any time.
The select banks in India offered Indian customers foreign exchange rates only in inter-bank market hours from 9 am – 5 pm.
Important Points:
- RBI 25th Governor: Shaktikant Das;
- Headquarters: Mumbai;
- Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata.
2 Indian banks to end their operations in Sri Lanka
The two Indian private sector lenders Axis Bank and ICICI Bank to close their operations in Sri Lanka after the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has permitted.The licenses issued by Central Bank of Sri Lanka will be cancelled once the winding-up operations are complete.
The two banks are no longer to carry their banking operations, including accepting deposits from the public in Sri Lanka.
Important Points:
- Sri Lanka Capitals: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte;
- Currency: Sri Lankan rupee.
- Prime minister: Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Economic Affairs
NSO projects India’s GDP growth rate for 2019-20 at 5%
National Statistical Office (NSO) projects India’s GDP growth rate for 2019-20 at 5%.The decline has been mainly on account of deceleration in manufacturing sector growth, which is expected to come down to 2 per cent in 2019-20 from 6.2 per cent in the year-ago fiscal.
The deceleration was also witnessed in sectors like agriculture, construction and electricity, gas and water supply.
Important Points:
Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics: Rao Inderjit Singh.
Appointments & Resignation
Former PM Zoran Milanovic wins Croatia presidential polls
Zoran Milanovic, 53 years old won Croatia’s presidential election.Zoran Milanovic is Croatia’s center-leftist former Prime Minister.
He defeated center-right incumbent Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic(51 years old), who was the first female president of Croatia.
Important Points:
- Currency-Croatian Kuna.
- Prime Minister-Andrej Plenkovic.
A Sakthivel appointed as the new Chairman of AEPC
Apparel Export Promotion Council of India (AEPC) has appointed A Sakthivel as the new chairman of the organisation from 2020 to 2021. He succeeded HKL Magu. He is also the first person in the history of AEPC, who is sworn-in for the fourth time as Chairman of the AEPC.
Important Points:
- Founded- 1978
- Headquarters- Gurgaon, Haryana.
Sports
World Cup winner Daniele De Rossi from Italy retires from football
Italian Veteran footballer Daniele De Rossi announced his retirement. He won the 2006 world cup title for Italy after defeating France.He has played 117 games for Italy from 2004-17.
Important Points:
- Capital of Italy: Rome
- Currency of Italy: Euro.
- President of Italy: Sergio Mattarella;
- Prime Minister of Italy: Giuseppe Conte
Books & Authors
Union Home Minister Amit Shah released a book ‘Karmayoddha Granth’ on the life of PM Modi
Union Home Minister Amit Shah released a book ‘Karmayoddha Granth’ on the life of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The book states that, politics of appeasement, casteism and dynasty, the three curses of Indian Politics, was removed by the PM Modi after 2014.
Considered as the epitome of selfless service to the nation, Modi laid the foundation of the New India based on ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, from Gujarat and brought the concept of good governance.
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