National Current Affairs
1. Captain Tania Shergill become 1st Woman to lead Republic Day contingent
Indian Army Officer Captain Tania Shergill will be the first woman parade adjutant for the Republic Day parade 2020. Tania Shergill commissioned in March 2017 from the Officer Training Academy, Chennai. She is an electronics and communications graduate.
2. Parshuram Kund Mela’ started in North-Eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh
Parshuram Kund Mela started in North-Eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. Parshuram Kund, a Hindu pilgrimage centre situated on the Brahmaputra plateau in the lower reaches of the Lohit River.
‘Parshuram Kund Mela’ begins in Arunachal Pradesh
The famous Parshuram Kund Mela begins in Arunachal Pradesh. Parshuram Kund is a Hindu pilgrimage centre situated on the Brahmaputra plateau in the lower reaches of the Lohit River. Thousands of pilgrims visit the place in winter every year, especially on the Makar Sankranti day for a holy dip in the sacred kund which is believed to wash away one’s sins.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh: Pema Khandu.
- Governor of Arunachal Pradesh: B. D. Mishra.
Appointments
3. Anand Prakash Maheshwari to Director General of CRPF
Anand Prakash Maheshwari has appointed Director General (DG) of Central Reserve Police Force. Anand Prakash Maheshwari is an IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre. This decision was taken due to the retirement of former head (DG) of CRPF, Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar.
Important Days
4. 15 January celebrated as Indian Army Day
January 15 celebrated as Indian Army Day every year. This year (2019) 72nd Army Day is being celebrated across the country. Army of India has the dedication to the motherland by being effective responders during calamities and through the contributions to wider nation-building.
5. IMD celebrated its 145th foundation Day on 15 January
The India Meteorological Department or IMD is celebrating its 145th Foundation Day on 15 January 2020. IMD was created in 1875.
Financial/Business News
6. India will get USD 1 billion investment from e-commerce company Amazon
The e-commerce company, Amazon has announced the incremental investment of 1 USD bn in India. The investment by Amazon will have the prime objective of digitising the small and medium businesses (SMB’s) in India.
Awards
7. Nitin Gadkari presenting the National Highway Excellence Awards 2019
Nitin Gadkari (Union Road, Transport and Highway Minister) presenting the National Highway Excellence Awards 2019 in New Delhi. Thare are seven categories of the award includes:
(a) Excellence in Project Management
(b) Excellence in Operation and Maintenance
(c) Excellence in Toll Management
(d) Excellence in Highway Safety
(e) Innovation
(f) Outstanding Work in Challenging Conditions
(g) Green Highway
8. Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu National Award to MS Swaminathan
Dr MS Swaminathan, a famous Agricultural Scientist was honoured as the first recipients ‘Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu National Award for Excellence’ for his distinguished contribution to the field of agriculture. Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu National Award for Excellence carries a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakhs and a citation. Dr Swaminathan is the “Father of the Green Revolution in India and the Doyen of Agricultural Science”.
9. Ishwar Sharma wins ‘Global Child Prodigy Award’
Indian yoga boy Ishwar Sharma, a 10-year-old British wins Global Child Prodigy Award. Ishwar Sharma chosen from the United Kingdom for the awards, honour child prodigies from across 45 countries and 30 different categories such as palaeontology, biking, choreography, fitness and martial arts etc.
10. Puri recieves Swachhata Darpan Awards 2019
Puri, a city of Odisha has been awarded for its initiatives for plastic waste management with the Swachhata Darpan Awards 2019. Award ceremony was held during the Open Defecation Free Sustainability Workshop held in National Capital New Delhi.
Summit and Conference
11. India, Bangladesh Information and Broadcasting Ministers’ Meet 2020 held in New Delhi
India and Bangladesh Information and Broadcasting Ministers’ Meet 2020 was held in New Delhi. Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Bangladeshi counterpart Muhammad H Mahmud representing their respective countries in this meet.
Obituries
12. Filmmaker Manmohan Mohapatra demise
Veteran filmmaker Manmohan Mohapatra passed away at the age of 69 in Bhubneshwar. Manmohan Mohapatra was an Odia filmmaker considered as the ‘Father of New Wave Odia Cinema’ and won eight national awards consecutively for ‘Best Feature Odia film’
