NATIONAL NEWS

69th Republic Day Celebrated - India, UAE Soldiers March in Unison 

Republic Day was celebrated on 26 January 2017 across the nation. 

This was the 68th Republic Day of India. 

•    The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the Chief Guest at the 68th Republic Day parade.
●    First Republic Day was celebrated on 26 January 1950 when India became a Republic with Constitution of India coming into force.
●    This year Republic Day Parade on Rajpath witnessed tableaux from 17 States and six Ministries of the Central Government.
●    The tableaux showcased varied themes starting from country’s rich cultural heritage and socio-economic development.
●    The tableaux also showcased nation’s progress in key areas like IT, women, empowerment and environment protection.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
 

India, UAE ink 14 pacts in key areas

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 25 January 2017 signed 14 agreements to boost bilateral relations. The agreements were signed after successful talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The crown prince is the chief guest of Repubilc Day celebrations on 26 January 2017.

Some of the agreements signed are –

●    Agreement on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
●    Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of defence industry
●    MoU on institutional cooperation on maritime transport
●    MoU on mutual recognition of certificates of competency
●    MoU on bilateral cooperation in the road transport and highways sector
●    MoU on cooperation in prevention and combating of human trafficking
●    MoU on agriculture and allied sectors
●    MoU for cooperation in programme exchange
●    Agreement on oil storage and management
●    MoU on cooperation in energy efficiency services
●    MoU on trade remedial measures to promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest

AWARDS
 

Hangpan Dada Receives Ashok Chakra Award Posthumously 

President Pranab Mukherjee posthumously awarded Ashok Chakra to Havildar Hangpan Dada, who was killed near in Jammu and Kashmir in May last year while fighting terrorists. 

The Ashoka Chakra is India's highest peacetime military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield

•    Dada’s sobbing widow Chasen Lowang received from the President the highest peacetime military award given for awarded for valour, courageous action and self-sacrifice.
●    The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the guest of honour and Prime Minister 
●    Narendra Modi, watched in silence as Mukherjee saluted the courage of the dead soldier of Assam Regiment.
●    Dada was killed on the night of May 26 after he first fought three terrorists in close combat in Naugam sector.

SPACE NEWS

NASA's Opportunity Becomes First Teenage Rover to Signalize 13th Birthday on Mars

Who would have thought that NASA’s Mars rover Opportunity would go on functioning for over a decade after it landed on the Red Planet and on January 24, 2017 the rover entered her teenage years by spending 13 years on Mars.

●    These 13 years of constant drive, work and scientific observations started off with the launch of the spacecraft on July 7, 2003 as part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover program. 
●    Opportunity’s 13 years on Mars makes it the first teenager on Mars and mission scientists are optimistic that there is much more life left in the rover and many more discoveries to be made.
●    On January 24, 2004, Opportunity rover landed on Mars’ Meridiani Plan
●    just three weeks after its twin Spirit (MER-A) touched down on the other side of the planet. NASA has an original mission timeline of just 90 sol duration of activity – slightly more than 90 earth days – but the mission continues even after 13 years.

SPACE NEWS

GSLV's Cryogenic Upper Stage Tested Successfully 

The Indian Space Research Organisation’s Propulsion Research Complex at Mahendragiri, about 60 km from here, successfully conducted the stage level test of GSLV MK III’s cryogenic upper stage C-25 on Wednesday night. 

●    Accompanied by his colleagues at IPRC, ISRO Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar witnessed the test that lasted about 50 seconds from 8.40 p.m. 
●    “The 50-second long test of C-25 of the country’s most powerful launch vehicle that can carry satellites weighing 4,000 kg was successful,” said sources.
●    The cryogenic upper stage of the GSLV is the large C-25, the most difficult component of the launch vehicle to be developed.
●    It will be powered by the indigenously developed CE-20 engine.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

World's First Stable Semi-Synthetic Organism created

In a breakthrough, scientists have created the first stable semi-synthetic organism - a single-celled bacterium - that may play important roles in drug discovery and other applications. 

●    Life's genetic code has only ever contained four natural bases. These bases pair up to form two base pairs - the rungs of the DNA ladder - and they have simply been rearranged to create all life as we know it, from bacteria to humans. 
●    Building on earlier research in which they synthesised a DNA base pair, scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) in the US created a new bacterium that uses the four natural bases (called A, T, C and G), which every living organism possesses, but that also holds as a pair two synthetic bases called X and Y in its genetic code. 
●    Researchers have now shown that the single-celled organism can hold on to the synthetic base pair as it divides.

NATIONAL NEWS
 

India's 8-Point Climate Change Plan to add 3 more Missions

India’s eight-point plan to fight climate change will soon become an 11-point plan with new missions to address the impact of climate change on health, coastal zones and waste-to-energy on the anvil.

●    Since 2012, the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change India has instituted a National Action Plan on Assessment, Adaptation and Mitigation of Climate Change, that has specified eight national missions. 
●    These include a National Water Mission, Green India Mission, National Solar Mission, National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency, National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem, National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, and a National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change.

On This Day

On 26 January 1957, the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir came into force. The whole episode had started a long time back when Pashtun trials at the behest of the Pakistani government, invaded Kashmir in October 1947. Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir had then signed the Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947 and was accepted by India on 27 October. India then sent its troops to Kashmir to defend from the Pashtun attacks and thus led to the Indo-Pak War of 1947. Polls were conducted in Indian administered Kashmir in August–September 1951. The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference party won and Sheikh Abdullah became the Chief Minister. In 1954 the assembly members who were present cast a unanimous vote ratifying the state's accession to India.  Constitution was drafted which came into force on 26 January 1957.
 

Dear Readers,

We bring you the Current Affairs Today  25th Jan 2017 Section, a section which outlines the latest news headlines which are hardly covered elsewhere. This will help you with the GK and Current Affairs asked in various competitive exams like IBPS, SBI (PO and Clerk), SSC, Railways, LAW entrance exams, UPSC etc. and will help you score good marks. We recommend all our aspirants to go through the section and boost your general awareness before.

GLOBAL NEWS
 

US Senate Confirms Nikki Haley as US's UN Ambassador

The United States Senate on 24 January 2017 confirmed Nikki Haley as the next Ambassador to the United Nations (UN).

●        With this, she will become the first Indian-American to serve on a Cabinet rank position in any presidential administration.

●        Haley is expected to be sworn in shortly. She will replace Samantha Power at the United Nations.

●        Nikki Haley is an American politician.

●        From January 2011 to January 2017, she served as the 116th Governor of South Carolina.

●        Prior to her tenure as governor, she served a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives.

●        On 12 January 2016, she delivered the official Republican response to President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address.

●        On 20 January 2017, President Donald Trump sent her nomination for Ambassador to the United Nations to the Senate.

SPORTS

Indian Women's League to take off from Jan 28 to improve Women's Football

After the Indian Super League, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced the launch of the Indian Women’s League (IWL), which will kick off at the Capital’s Ambedkar Stadium on January 28.

●        The IWL will comprise six teams, short-listed after two stages of competitions. Twenty teams from nine states took part in the preliminary qualifiers, and nine qualified for the IWL preliminaries held in October.

●        The teams will play on a league-cum-knockout basis with the final to be held on February 14.

●        AIFF president Praful Patel said the IWL will not only encourage youngsters to take up football, but also help improve the standard of the game in the country.

●        Union sports minister, Vijay Goel, unveiled the trophy while Rio Olympics bronze medalist, Sakshi Malik, was guest of honour.

●        AIFF has nominated Sara Pilot as the chairman of the league.

●        The captains of the teams are: Sasmita Malik (Rising Students), Oinam Bembem Devi (Eastern Sporting), Sanju Yadav (Football Club Alakhpura), Sumithra Kamaraj (Jeppiaar Institute), Dalima Chibber (Pune City) and K Lalhruaizeli (Aizawal).

National News

January 25 : National Voters' Day

The 7th National Voters’ Day (NVD) was observed across the country on 25 January 2017 by the Election Commission of India.

●        The theme for the 7th National Voters’ Day is ‘Empowering Young and Future Voters.’

●        The Commission’s objective through NVD is to increase enrolment of voters, especially of the newly eligible ones.

●        The National function of the NVD was held in New Delhi and presided over by President of India, Pranab Mukherjee.

●        The National Voters’ Day is observed every year on 25 January.

●        It observed annually to mark the anniversary of Election Commission of India.

●        The National Voters’ Day is also utilised to spread awareness among voters regarding effective participation in the electoral process.

India to Ratify Amended Version of Kyoto Protocol

The Union Cabinet, presided by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 24 January 2017 gave its approval to ratify the Second Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol on containing the emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs).

●        The 2nd commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 2012. As of now, 75 countries have ratified the 2nd Commitment Period.

●        The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international environmental treaty.

●        It was negotiated at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992.

●        The treaty was entered into force on 21 March 1994.

●        The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty, which extends the 1992 UNFCCC.

●        It was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997.

●        It entered into force on 16 February 2005.

●        At present, there are 192 parties to the Protocol. Canada withdrew from the protocol effective December 2012.

Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana 2017 approved by Cabinet

The Union Cabinet, presided by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 24 January 2017 gave its post-facto approval for launching of Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana 2017 (VPBY 2017).

●        The Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana 2017 is a part of Union Government’s commitment for financial inclusion and social security.

●        The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) will implement the VPBY 2017 during the current financial year.

●        The scheme aims at providing social security during old age and protecting elderly persons aged 60 years and above against a future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market conditions.

●        It will provide an assured pension based on a guaranteed rate of return of 8 per cent per annum for ten years.

●        The scheme also has an option to opt for pension on a monthly/quarterly/halfyearly and annual basis.

Awards

Pawar and Kohli among others to receive Padma Awards

The Centre on Wednesday announced the list of Padma awardees which included names of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi, chef Sanjeev Kapoor, singers Kailash Kher and Anuradha Paudwal.

●        Cricketer Virat kohli, wrestler Sakshi Malik and gymnast Dipa Karmakar are also being felicitated with Padma awards this year.

●        The government had begun inviting nominations for the awards in May last year and received around 5,000 entries, from which 500 names were shortlisted in December.

●        Dr Mukut Minz, a Jharkhand tribal also received the honor for his achievements in the field of renal surgery.

●        Madhubani painter from Bihar Baoa Devi, Malayalam poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri, Odisha actor Sadhu Meher and former law secretary TK Vishwanathan have also made it to the list.

●        This year, the Padma awards will be given out to 120 distinguished personalities for their achievements in different fields.

●        These include  75-year-old Sukri Bommagowda, known as the nightingale of the Halakki Vokkaliga tribes, Birkha Bahadur Limboo Muringla from Sikkim, among others.

Appointments

Vishal Kaul appointed as Chief Operating Officer of Ola Cabs

Vishal Kaul, a PepsiCo veteran, was on 23 January 2017 appointed as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the ride-hailing service Ola Cabs.

●        Kaul will head Ola’s operations, strengthen Ola’s market leadership and will work to expand its reach across the country and widen the base of Ola’s customers and driver-partner fraternity.

●        Moreover, the company also elevated current COO Pranay Jivrajika as the Founding Partner.

●        An alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, Jivrajika had earlier served as Associate Vice-President and Vice-President of Ola Operations before taking over as COO in February 2015.

●        Kaul joined the PepsiCo, a FMCG, in 1999.

●        Among many accomplishments, he won PepsiCo President's Ring of Honor and Exceptional Change Leadership awards for his performance in India.

●        He is an alumnus of Punjab Engineering College and Symbiosis Centre for Management and HRD.

PERSONS

Nita Ambani honoured by The Met in NY for her philanthropic work

Nita Ambani, founder and chairperson, Reliance Foundation, has become the first South Asian to be honoured by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in New York for her philanthropic work in the areas of education, sports, healthcare, rural transformation, urban renewal, disaster response, women's empowerment and promotion of the arts.

●        The Met, recognised as one of the most iconic museums in the world, is currently located at three celebrated sites of New York — The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Breuer, and The Met Cloisters — and houses over 5,000 years of art from around the world.

●        The Met was impressed by the diversity and scale of the work carried out by Reliance Foundation, led by Nita Ambani.

●        The direction she gives the foundation has helped it to focus its work on sustainable urban and rural transformation as well as healthcare, education, grassroots development through sport, and women's empowerment.

●        The foundation supports Indian art and aims to take it across the globe. It has benefited over 10 million Indians, touching the lives of individuals across more than 10,500 urban areas and villages.

On This Day

On 25 January 1914, an Indian mass meeting in Durban in South Africa unanimously endorsed the agreement between General Smuts and Mahatma Gandhi. The Agreement was reached on January 21, 1914. 
This Agreement was called the Gandhi-Smuts Agreement where a commission ruled in favour of the Indian demands - The £3 Tax was repealed, Indian marriages were recognized, the Black Act was abolished, and the Immigration Restriction Act was lightened. In exchange, Gandhi agreed that the Satyagraha would stop. 6 months hence the Indian Relief Act was passed.

Dear Readers,

We bring you the Current Affairs Today  24th Jan 2017 Section, a section which outlines the latest news headlines which are hardly covered elsewhere. This will help you with the GK and Current Affairs asked in various competitive exams like IBPS, SBI (PO and Clerk), SSC, Railways, LAW entrance exams, UPSC etc. and will help you score good marks. We recommend all our aspirants to go through the section and boost your general awareness before.

Sports

Venus Williams becomes oldest Grand Slam Semi-finalist in Australian Open

Venus Williams continued her astonishing late-career revival by felling Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 7-6(3) on Tuesday to reach her first Australian Open semi-final in 14 years.

The quarter-final will hardly be remembered as a classic, with both Williams and the 24th-ranked Russian surrendering serve with alarming regularity despite perfect conditions for tennis at    Rod Laver Arena.

●    In the end it was 36-year-old Williams’s experience that proved decisive when the pressure rose, and Pavlyuchenkova crumbled with a double-fault on match point to boost the American’s hopes of a maiden title at Melbourne Park.
●    A semi-finalist at Wimbledon last year, Williams last reached the last four in Melbourne in 2003 when she made a run to the final and was beaten by younger sister Serena in three sets.
●    The 13th seed will next play the winner of Coco Vandeweghe and Garbine Muguruza for a place in the final, with the mouthwatering prospect of battling Serena for the title if the world number two can get there as well.

Trump withdraws USA from TPP

President Donald Trump today formally pulled the US out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership as he signed an executive action to withdraw from the negotiating process of the 12-nation trade deal, one of the major international trade initiatives of his predecessor Barack Obama.

Trump had vowed during the campaign to withdraw the US from the Pacific trade deal which he argued was harmful to American workers and manufacturing.

●    Trump had said the free trade agreements were lopsided against the US and vowed to implement more protectionist trade policies as president, rallying voters to the polls with his “America First” slogan.
●    The TPP was negotiated under former President Barack Obama, but never ratified by Congress, so withdrawing from it will not have an immediate, real effect on US economic policies, although it does signal a new and very different US outlook on trade under Trump.

Israel approved building permits for 566 settler homes in East Jerusalem

Israel on 22 January 2017 approved building permits for 566 settler homes in annexed east Jerusalem. Israel conquered the region from Palestine in 1967 and was effectively annexed by Israel in 1980.

As per the plan, the new permits are for homes in the settlement neighbourhoods of Ramot, Pisgat Zeev and Ramat Shlomo. 

Meir Turjeman, the deputy mayor for the city, sad, the plans was postponed until the US President Donald Trump took office. Turjeman also heads the planning committee that approved them.
●    Turjeman said the rules of the game have changed with Donald Trump's arrival as president because Trump has pledged strong support for Israel. During his election campaign, Trump vowed to recognise Jerusalem as the country's capital despite the city's contested status.
●    As per reports, Turjenam informed that the plan was approved by the city officials but it was postponed at the request of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. PM Netanyahu requested to postpone the plan in the wake of a UN Security Council resolution in December against Israeli settlement building.
●    Besides, plans for some 11000 other homes were also in process in east Jerusalem. Though, the time when the plan will be moved forward was not informed.
●    The approval of the plan has drawn condemnation from Palestinian leaders. 

National News

Cabinet approves a New Scheme for promotion of Rural Housing in the country 

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved a new scheme for promotion of Rural Housing in the country. 

The Government would provide interest subsidy under the scheme. 

Interest subsidy would be available to every rural household who is not covered under the Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana (Grameen), PMAY(G).
●    The scheme would enable people in rural areas to construct new houses or add to their existing pucca houses to improve their dwelling units. 
●    The beneficiary who takes a loan under the scheme would be provided interest subsidy for loan amount upto Rs. 2 Lakhs.
●    National Housing Bank would implement the scheme. 
●    The Government would provide net present value of the interest subsidy of 3 percent to the National Housing Bank upfront which will, in turn, pass it to the Primary Lending Institutions (Scheduled Commercial Banks, NBFCs etc.). 
●    As a result the equated monthly installment (EMI) for the beneficiary would be reduced.
●    Under the scheme, the Government would also take necessary steps for proper convergence with PMAY-G including technical support to beneficiary through existing arrangements. 
●    The new scheme is expected to improve housing stock in the rural areas, as well as create employment opportunities in rural housing sector.

Uma Bharti calls for active involvement of NPCC in Namami Gange Programme, inaugurates new office complex of the company in Gurugram

Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti has called for active involvement of NPCC into Namami Gange programme.          

Inaugurating the new office complex of National Projects Construction Corporation Limited (NPCC) in Gurugram today the Minister said that our government wants to strengthen PSUs. She said “There was a proposal for the merger of NPCC. But we were not in its favour because we believe in strengthening every PSU”.  

●    The Minister said her Ministry is committed to ensure purity and unrestricted flow of Ganga. She said under Namami Gange programme it will be ensured that waste from the cities does not flow into Ganga and sufficient number of sewage treatment plants are installed. At the same time, the Minister said that people should come forward for 
the construction of Ghats and repair of stairs at Ganga. She said saints and religious leader should also come forward for this.
●    Complimenting NPCC, Dr Amarjeet Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources said that company successfully carried out projects in such far flung areas where no one dares to enter. He said so far the quality of work of NPCC has been excellent and hoped that this will increase in the years to come.    
●    Earlier welcoming the dignitaries CMD, NPCC Shri HL Chaudhary briefly narrated the achievements of the corporation and stated that during the year 2016, the Institute of Economic Studies felicitated the corporation with Excellence Award, keeping in view the achievements gained by the corporation during last 4-5 years.  He said all this could be achieved only due to collective efforts of the employees of the Corporation, cooperation of shareholders, clients and stake holders.  
●    NPCC was established on January 09, 1957 as a premier construction company to create necessary infrastructure for economic development of the country in the core sectors of irrigation and water resources, power and heavy industries under Ministry Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. NPCC comply with quality management requirements of ISO 9001-2008 for execution of civil works for Thermal & Hydro Electric Projects’, River valley projects, Industrial structures, Project Management consultancy services for buildings, Housings, Roads, Bridges and Infrastructure projects. The corporation is making profit for the last five years and now has a positive net worth. NPCC is gearing up to achieve greater heights for “Mini Ratna” status. The corporation has also been awarded credit rating as A+ company by ICRA.
●    During the year 2015-16, company has secured new works valuing Rs.1510 crore against the target of Rs.1500 crore. During the year NPCC has achieved turnover of Rs.1002 crore. Company has earned the profit before tax of Rs. 21.10 crore as against Rs.12.89 crore in previous year and Profit after tax is Rs.10.81crore. During the year, Company has paid a dividend of Rs.11/- per equity share

‘BHARAT PARV’ being Organized at Red Fort from 26th to 31st  January 2017

The “Bharat Parv” event is being organized by the Government of India at the Red Fort, Delhi from 26th to 31st January 2017, as part of the Republic Day 2017Celebrations. The prime objective of organizing the event is to generate a patriotic mood, promote the rich cultural diversity of the country, to ensure wider participation of the general public and to popularise the idea of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

●    The Ministry of Tourism has been designated as the nodal Ministry for the event, the highlights of which include display of the Republic Day Parade Tableaux, Performances by the Armed Forces Bands (static and moving), a Multi-Cuisine Food Court, Crafts Mela, Cultural Performances from different regions of the country and a Photo Exhibition by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
●    The Cultural Performances include choreographed Folk / Tribal Dances and Music from across the country arranged through the North Zonal Cultural Centre as well as 
performances by cultural troupes from the different States/ UTs of the country. The Food Court will have 50 stalls set up by the States / UTs, National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) showcasing food from different regions as well as by the Institutes of Hotel Management and ITDC. The Crafts Mela with 50 stalls will showcase the diverse handicrafts of the country, arranged by the State Governments and Ministry of Textiles through the Office of the Development Commissioner of Handicrafts. There will be 11 Theme State Pavilions where each State would showcase their achievements and initiatives, tourism products and destinations, etc. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is also setting up a Photo Exhibition on the theme “Mera Desh Badal Raha Hai, Aage Badh Raha Hai”. The big attraction of the event are the Republic Day Parade Tableaux which will be stationed at the venue for the duration of the event.
●    The Bharat Parv Event will be inaugurated at 5:00 p.m. on 26th January 2017and will be open to the public from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m, on 26th January 2017 and from 12 noon to 9 p.m. from 27th to 31st January 2017. The Event is open to the public and entry is free. However, identity proof is necessary for entry.

NCPCR Organises Short Film, Photograph and Poster Competition for Promotion of Child Rights in the Country 

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is organising an All India Short Film, Still Photograph and Poster Competition for promoting child rights in the country. 

The Commission has invited entries from film makers, producers, artists and individuals who are Indian citizens of above 18 years of age.  There is no entry fee for this competition. Entries for short films can be in any language with sub-titles in Hindi or in English.

●    Detailed Terms and Conditions for the competitions are available at NCPCR website www.ncpcr.gov.in and the last date for receiving entries is February 13, 2017.
●    There are first, second and third prizes for each category of competitions. The first prize for short films is One Lakh Rupees and second & third prize are Rs. 75,000 & Rs. 50,000 respectively. The winners of all categories will be awarded at a function on the Foundation Day celebrations of the Commission in New Delhi, on 5th March, 2017.  
●    This is the first time that the Child Rights body is organizing such a competition after it came into existence in the year 2007.

National Girl Child Day 2017 observed across India

The National Girl Child Day was observed across the country on 24 January 2017. 

On the occasion, the Union Ministry of Women & Child Development threw the light on the exemplary achievements by nation’s daughters during 2016. 

The theme of this year National Girl Child Day was Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.

●    The Ministry also applauded the performance of females at the Olympics and Paralympics. It also highlighted the historic induction of the first female fighter pilots into the Indian Air Force.
●    The event was attended by Avani Chaturvedi (Women Fighter Pilot), Arunima Sinha (First women amputee to climb Mount Everest), Deepa Malik (Silver medalist at Rio Paralympics 2016) and Shanno (Editor, Badhte Kadam). 
●    The occasion was also marked by the release of The National Plan of Action for Children 2016. The Ministry also felicitated 10 districts under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme for their exemplary performance.

Dear Readers,

We bring you the Current Affairs Today Section, a section which outlines the latest news headlines which are hardly covered elsewhere. This will help you with the GK and Current Affairs asked in various competitive exams like IBPS, SBI (PO and Clerk), SSC, Railways, LAW entrance exams, UPSC etc. and will help you score good marks. We recommend all our aspirants to go through the section and boost your general awareness before.

Govt lays down specific 'timeline' for completing enquiry against officers and members of All India Services

Government has laid down specific timeline for completing enquiry against officers and members of All India Services (AIS) within a given deadline, in a time-bound manner. Giving details about the DoPT (Department of Personnel & Training) decision, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the AIS (D&A) Rules, 1969 have been amended to provide specific timelines at different stages of the enquiry, with a view to complete the disciplinary proceedings against the members of All India Services in a time-bound manner.

• As per the amended rules, a time limit of six months has been fixed for completion of departmental enquiry and submission of report. In case it is not possible to complete the enquiry within six months for justifiable reasons to be recorded in writing, additional time limit not exceeding six months at one time can be granted by the Disciplinary Authority, thereby ensuring accountability for completion of enquiry. Further, 30 days’ timeline has been fixed for the delinquent officers to give his representation to the charge-sheet which can be extended to not more than 30 days by the Disciplinary Authority and, in any case, no extension will be provided beyond 90 days. Similarly, a period of 15 days has been provided to send a representation on the advice of UPSC regarding the penalty to be imposed on the delinquent officer and for such representation also, no extension will be provided beyond 45 days.

• Dr Jitendra Singh said, this amendment in the All India Service Rules has been brought, in keeping with the spirit of the Union Government led by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, to bring in more accountability and time-bound completion of every exercise in the course of governance. The new amendment in the Rules, he said, will certainly strengthen the culture of working within deadlines and timelines without showing any slackness.

• Meanwhile, Chairperson, Uttar Pradesh State Social Welfare Board (UPSSWB), Dr (Ms) Rupal Agarwal today called on Dr Jitendra Singh and provided her assessment about the performance of the various functionaries in the Board. She also brought to the notice of the Minister acts of omission or commission by certain officials. Dr Jitendra Singh took a note of the different issues raised by Dr Rupal Agarwal. He said, the Central Government accords high priority to programmes relating to upliftment of women, children and poor sections of the society. He also assured her that the issues raised by her will be brought to the notice of the concerned quarters.

Urdu poet and lyricist Naqsh Lyallpuri passes away

Renowned Urdu poet Jaswant Rai Sharma, known to the world by his pen name Naqsh Lyallpuri, passed away on 22 January 2017 following a prolonged illness.

• He was 89.
• Born in Llallpur in Pakistan as Jaswant Rai, Lyallpuri came to Mumbai in the late 1940s to make a career in Hindi cinema.
• He got his first break in 1952 in the film Jaggu with the song Agar Teri Aakhon Se Aakhein Mila Doon, while he got the real success in the 1970s.
• He wrote the lyrics in films like Chetna, Aahista Aahista, Tumhare Liye and Gharonda among others.
• Lyallpuri retired from Bollywood in the late 1990s and began penning songs for television.

Sushmita Sen to judge the 65th Miss Universe pageant

Former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen will be on the judges panel of the upcoming 65th edition of Miss Universe pageant.

• The news was announced in the third week of January 2017.
• The contest will take place on 30 January 2017 in Philippines.
• Roshmitha Harimurthy will represent India at the 65th Miss Universe pageant.
• Born on 19 November 1975, Sushmita Sen is the first Indian to win the Miss Universe crown.
• She had won the pageant of 1994 held in Manila, Philippines.
• She had won the Femina Miss India in 1994.
• After completing her reign, she started her career with the Hindi film, Dastak.
• She received critical acclaim for her female-oriented roles in films such as Filhaal..., Zindaggi Rocks and others.

Saina Nehwal wins 2017 Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold

Saina Nehwal on 22 January 2017 won the 2017 Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold Women’s Singles title.

• Nehwal defeated Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong by a score of 22-20, 22-20 in a 46-minute clash.
• It was Nehwal’s 23rd title overall and the first after 2016 Australian Open.
• The 2017 Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold was held at the Sibu Indoor Stadium in Sarawak, Malaysia from 17 January to 22 January 2017.
• Saina Nehwal has been maintaining her world ranking in the top ten since 2009.
• She has clinched over twenty international titles, which include ten Superseries titles.
• She attained the World No. 1 ranking in 2015.
• She represented India thrice in the Olympics, winning bronze medal in her second appearance.

Union Cabinet approved MoU between India and Vietnam in the field of cyber security

The Union Cabinet in January 2017 gave its  ex-post facto approval to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Vietnam in the field of cyber security.

• The approval was given at a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
• The MoU was signed between Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and the Cyber Security Department of Vietnam on 3 September 2016 at Hanoi in Vietnam.
• India-Vietnam relations have been exceptionally friendly and cordial since their foundations were laid by Prime Minister Nehru and President Ho Chi Minh more than 50 years ago.
• The traditionally close and cordial relations have their historical roots in the common struggle for liberation from foreign rule and the national struggle for independence.
• Former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was one of the first visitors to Vietnam after its victory against the French in 1954.

PVR Pictures launched Vkaao theatre-on-demand service

Multiplex chain operator PVR Pictures in January 2017 launched its theatre-on-demand service Vkaao.

• Vkaao is an online platform that enables consumers to watch any movie of their choice at a theatre of their choice.
• However, the minimum requirement for a show to be confirmed would be 50 seats.
• Vkaao is very disruptive and gives control to customers to choose what they want to watch, when and where.
• PVR Cinemas, a group company of PVR Pictures, operates 562 screens in 122 properties in 48 cities across India.
• The company is planning to add 30 more screens by the end of 2016-17 financial year and another 70-80 screens during the 2017-18 financial year.
• Half of these new screens will come in the those cities where the PVR has the presence already and the other half of the screens will be in new cities.
• In January 2017, Warburg Pincus bought 14 per cent equity in PVR for about Rs 820 crore.

Anurag Thakur elected Himachal Olympic Association president

Ousted as BCCI President following a Supreme Court order, Anurag Thakur was on Saturday unanimously elected head of the Himachal Pradesh Olympic Association (HPOA) for a four-year term.

• Thakur, who had to step down as BCCI President owing to the Supreme Court ruling on Lodha Committee reforms, was elected at the HPOA’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday.
• Nirwan Mukherjee was Observer from Indian Olympic Association for the polls. Other observers included NP Gulleria,
• Hockey Coach, and Ratan Lal Thakur, Observer Himachal Pradesh Government Sports Council. Surat Singh Thakur was the Returning Officer to conduct the elections.
• Virender Kanwar was elected Senior Vice-President, while Rajesh Bhandari, who is a Vice President in the Boxing Federation of India, was elected General Secretary.

China commissions 31st stealth warship

China has commissioned its 31st stealth warship as it got its battle group under its first aircraft carrier ready amid tensions with the U.S. and other nations over its assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea.

• The People’s Liberation Army Navy has commissioned its 31st Type—056 class corvette, marking a new addition to the world’s largest fleet of modern corvettes, official media reported.
• With a maximum speed of 52 km/h, the ship features good manoeuvrability, a high-level of automation and stealth capability, and is capable of hitting aircraft, ships and submarines, the PLA Daily, the official organ of the Chinese military said.
• The CNS Ezhou with a hull number of 513 was delivered to the East Sea Fleet in a naval base in East China’s Fujian province.