9th International Children’s Film Festival begins in Kolkata
The 9th International Children’s Film Festival begins in Kolkata with the screening of Aizaz Khan directed Hamid. About 250 films from 45 countries will be screened in the week-long festival.
The National Award winner Children actor, Talha Arsad Rishi will inaugurate the festival.
Arjun Munda elected as president of Archery Association of India
Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda was elected as President of the suspended Archery Association of India (AAI).
The elections were held as per the Delhi High Court order. With the support of former AAI president Vijay Kumar Malhotra, Munda, the president of Jharkhand Archery Association, defeated Assam Archery Association president and retired IAS officer BVP Rao by a margin of 34-18.
Centre appoints Nripendra Misra as chairman of NMML executive council
Former principal secretary to the Prime Minister, Nripendra Misra, has been appointed chairperson of the executive council of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML).
According to a government order, the Executive Council of the NMML has been reconstituted and it will be now chaired by Mr Misra. Mr Misra is a 1967-batch retired IAS officer.
The Nehru Memorial Museum & Library is a museum and library in New Delhi, which aims to preserve and reconstruct the history of the Indian independence movement.
China, Myanmar ink 33 deals to accelerate BRI as Xi, Suu Kyi meet despite Rohingya backlash
China and Myanmar signed 33 new deals under BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) to implement China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. Also, a concession agreement was signed by the countries to implement the deep seaport project called Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone.
The agreements were signed to strengthen the collaboration in infrastructure sector that includes rail connectivity, roads and power interconnection projects. However, the controversial Myitsone dam project that is backed by China was not discussed.
The project allows China to have easy of access to Indian Ocean. This is because this route bypasses Strait of Malacca through which China imports most of its oil requirements. Strait of Malacca connects Andaman Sea and South China Sea.
ELECRAMA-Indian Electrical Industry Showcase inaugurated
The ELECRAMA 2020 was held in Noida. The event showcases innovations and achievements of Indian Electrical Industry.
The “ELECRAMA” platform is organized by Indian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers’ Association (IEEMA). It is supported by other ministries such as ministry of renewable energy, power, MSME (Micro Small and Medium Enterprises). It acts a platform to connect Indian industries with the world. The event also helps the world leaders share their ideas and develop cost effective solutions.
Firsts of Census 2021: Cereals eaten, transgender run houses
For the first time, the Census will collect data of transgenders headed houses. Also, the census will enquire about “Main cereal”, which is also included for the first time in the history of census of India.
The Census 2021 is to ask 31 questions to the citizens. For the first time of Indian history, the following are to be included
1. The information about households run by transgender is to be collected. Under the question of sex of household head, male, female and transgender is to be collected.
2. The Census 2021 is to be conducted through mobile phone application
3. Inquiry about main cereal consumed
The questions to be asked are decided by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The census is to begin by September 2020.
GoI launches “Seismic Hazard Microzonation” to minimize earthquake disasters
The Ministry of Earth Science has launched Seismic Hazard Microzonation project in major cities of India. The project aims to reduce hazards of seismic activities by putting in adequate measures.
Seismic Hazard Microzonation is the process of dividing earth quake prone areas based on certain factors. The factors include geological and geophysical characteristics of sites.
So far, the mapping has been done in the State of Sikkim and in other eight cities. The cities are Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Guwahati, Jabalpur, Dehra Dun, Ahmedabad and Gandhidham.
Industrial Meet of ‘Wings India’-Asia’s largest Civil Aviation Event held at Bengaluru
the Industrial meet of the Asia’s largest Civil Aviation was held in Bengaluru. The Civil Aviation event is to be held at Begumpet airport, Hyderabad in March 2020. The theme of the event will be Theme: “Flying for All”.
The aim of the meet is to unite all the regulators and facilitators of the aviation sector. It was announced at the event that GoI has planned to set up a world class training facility for astronauts and pilots together.
The GoI has taken several measures to improve the sector. It includes permitting 100% FDI in sea planes, helicopter services, group handling services and non-scheduled air transport services.
Kiren Rijiju and Pramod Sawant flag off ‘Fit India Cyclothon’ in Panaji
The Fit India Mission under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports organized the inaugural event of ‘Fit India Cyclothon’ event in Panaji. The Cyclothon was flagged off by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant from the Campal Parade Ground in the city.
The Cyclothon event witnessed participation by over 500 cycling enthusiasts who came together to cycle through a five-kilometre stretch within the Panaji city.
National Ganga Mission Begins Conservation of wet lands along the Ganges
The National Mission of Clean Ganga (NMCG) has taken up the initiative under Namami Gange Project to conserve wetlands of the Ganges basin. The primary aim of Namami Gange project is to rejuvenate the river by increasing its flow. It also includes recharging aquifers and conservation of wetlands.
The wetlands provide nutrient recycling, flood and drought mitigation, surface and groundwater recharge.
Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that was established in 1971 by UNESCO. It is a treaty that was signed for the conservation of wetlands. There are 27 Ramsar sited in India.
NDRF Celebrates its 15th Raising Day
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) celebrated its 15th Raising Day on 19th January. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), a specialized multi-skilled, humanitarian force of the country, came into existence on January 19th, 2006 has been playing a vital role in Disaster Management and Community awareness for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in the country.
Rajshahi Royals wins Bangladesh Premier League Trophy
The Rajshahi Royals defeated Khulna Tigers in the finals of the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL) Twenty20 trophy in Dhaka.
West Indian cricket player and Rajshahi Royal skipper Andre Russel was named the player of the match for his performance in the finals. He was also declared the player of the tournament for his 225 runs and 14 wickets over the course of the tournament.
The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has been named Bangabandhu BPL to commemorate the centenary year of Bangladesh’s father of Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Rome Ranking Series: Bajrang Punia enters finals of 65 kg freestyle category
India’s star wrestler Bajrang Punia entered the final of the 65 kilogram freestyle category at the Ranking Series event in Rome.
He prevailed 5-4 over Zain Allen Retherford of USA, assuring himself at least a silver medal. Bajrang will take on another American wrestler Jordan Michael Oliver in the finals.
Sania Mirza wins women’s doubles title of WTA International trophy at Hobart
In Tennis, Sania Mirza and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok have won the women’s doubles title of the WTA International trophy at Hobart in Australia.
In the final, they beat Shaui Peng and Shuai Zhang of China 6-4,6-4. It is Sania’s 42nd WTA doubles title and first since Brisbane International trophy in 2007 with American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
Vinesh Phogat wins gold medal in Rome Ranking Series
A dominant Vinesh Phogat won her first gold medal of the 2020 season at the Rome Ranking Series event after teen sensation Anshu Malik settled for a silver in 57kg competition, in Rome.
Vinesh downed two tough Chinese rivals on her way to the 53kg gold medal bout in which she overpowered Ecuador’s Luisa Elizabeth Valverde 4-0. She won by technical superiority against Khrystyna Bereza (10-0) and Lannuan Luo (15-5) before getting the better of Qianyu Pang (4-2).
WHO endorses India’s TB test TrueNat for more accuracy
Government of India renamed its National TB Control Programme to National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme. Also, the WHO (World Health Organization) endorsed on technology developed by Indian scientists to detect the disease called TrueNat MTB in terms of accuracy.
WHO stating that TruNat MTB, the molecular test developed by Indian Scientists has greatest accuracy, has increased India’s confidence in eliminating the disease as planned.
The TrueNat test a new molecular test that can diagnose Tuberculosis in one hour. The test uses polymerase chain reaction to detect bacteria. The device that conducts the test is battery operated.
World Gold Council report: RBI ranks 6th in buying gold abroad
The World Gold Council (WGC) released its report, “World Gold Outlook 2020”. The report says that gold has performed the best since 2010 in 2019. In 2019, the gold trade in USD has increased by 18.4% as compared to 2010.
According to the WGC, RBI (Reserve Bank of India) currently holds 625.2 tonnes of gold. This is 6.6% of the country’s foreign exchange. With this, India ranks sixth in the world among other central banks.
The other 5 countries that have bought more gold than India include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Poland.
The WGC is a market development organization. The headquarters of WGC is located in London.
World’s shortest man Khagendra Thapa Magar passes away
World’s shortest man Khagendra Thapa Magar passed away. He was born on 14 October 1992, stood at 67.08 cm (2 ft 2.41 in) tall.
He was born in the Baglung district of Nepal. He first came to the attention of Guinness World Records in early 2010, when he was measured by Records Manager Marco Frigatti on the GWR Italian TV show Lo Show Dei Record and confirmed to be the shortest teenager (male) living.
He made his first appearance in the GWR 2011 book, alongside Jyoti Amge, the shortest teenager (female) living.
