Today's Current Affairs 22nd January 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Canada's Oakville, Brampton declare Jan 22 as 'Ayodhya Ram Mandir Day'

• The towns of Oakville and Brampton in Canada's Ontario declared January 22, 2024 as 'Ayodhya Ram Mandir Day' to celebrate the grand opening of the temple in Ayodhya.
• The mayors of Brampton, Patrick Brown and Oakville, Rob Burton, said the inauguration of the temple in Ayodhya "holds immense cultural, religious, and historical significance for Hindus worldwide, signifying the culmination of a centuries-old dream".

NATIONAL

The solar-powered "Surya Tilak" for Ram Lalla has been introduced at the Ayodhya Ram Temple

• The Ayodhya Ram Temple, a site of immense religious significance in India, is set to introduce a groundbreaking feature – a solar-powered “Surya Tilak” for the deity Ram Lalla.
• The “Surya Tilak” is an ingenious system designed to adorn the forehead of Lord Ram’s idol with sunlight in the form of a ‘Tilak’ (a traditional Hindu mark worn on the forehead). This unique feature is planned exclusively for the annual Ram Navami celebration, marking Lord Ram’s birth.
• Developed by a team from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), led by Odia scientist Saroj Kumar Panigrahi, the project involves no electricity, battery, iron, or steel. It is a manually operated system made of brass, ensuring the traditional ethos of the temple is maintained.

G. Kishan Reddy, the Union Minister, has inaugurated five new galleries at the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad

In a momentous event, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, G. Kishan Reddy, inaugurated five new galleries at the renowned Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad.

1) Indian Sculpture Gallery: Featuring nearly 40 artifacts, some dating back to the 2nd Century B.C., including a fragment from Bharhut with a lotus medallion and the Kakatiya period’s ‘Anantsayana Vishnu.’

2) Bidriware Gallery: Showcasing 300 unique objects, including exquisite ‘huqqa’ bases and ewers.

3) Lamp and Chandelier Gallery: Displaying 180 antique objects from around the globe.

4) European Bronze Gallery: Housing over 100 bronze statues.

5) European Marble Gallery: Featuring 50 outstanding marble sculptures.

SPORTS

The complete medal tally for the 2024 Khelo India Youth Games

• The Khelo India Youth Games 2024 has kicked off in Tamil Nadu, showcasing the nation’s young sporting talent in a celebration of skill, determination, and sportsmanship.
• With over 5,600 athletes nationwide, this sixth edition of KIYG promises to be a spectacular event, running from January 19 to 31. Hosted in four vibrant cities – Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, and Coimbatore – the games are a testament to India’s commitment to nurturing sports at the grassroots level.
• This year’s KIYG witnesses the participation of athletes from all 36 States and Union Territories of India, reflecting the diverse and widespread engagement in sports across the nation. Tamil Nadu, as the host, boasts the largest contingent with 559 athletes, setting the stage for an exciting competition.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Inaugural BRICS-CCI Annual Recognition Awards 2024 celebrate excellence, innovation, collaboration

• The first edition of the BRICS-CCI Annual Recognition Awards 2024 (BARA) was held here on Friday, celebrating the unleashing of the power of the BRICS bloc and honouring achievements in various fields.
• Hosted by the BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry, India Chapter, at Le Meridian hotel here, the inaugural ceremony had former President Ram Nath Kovind, as chief guest, sharing insightful perspectives that resonated with the collective vision for expanding the BRICS bloc.
• “The awards being presented today recognise not only excellence but also responsible business practice. This approach is in line with our commitment to sustainable development and the well-being of future generations,” he said.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Praveen Achuthan Kutty has been granted approval by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to serve as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of DCB Bank

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted approval for the appointment of Praveen Achuthan Kutty as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DCB Bank.
• The official confirmation came on January 16, signaling a tenure of three years starting from April 29, 2024, as outlined in the regulatory filing.
• Praveen Achuthan Kutty brings a wealth of experience, boasting over 32 years in Retail and SME banking. Having been an integral part of DCB Bank’s leadership for the past 16 years, Kutty currently oversees Retail, SME, and Agri Banking.