National & International Appointments
1. Former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe honoured with Netaji Award
- Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been conferred with Netaji Award 2022 by Netaji Research Bureau, based in Kolkata.
- The award was accepted by Consul General of Japan in Kolkata, Nakamura Yutaka on behalf of Shinzo Abe.
- Netaji award was presented on January 23, 2022 to commemorate 125th birth anniversary celebration of legendary freedom fighter, Subhas Chandra Bose at his Elgin Road residence in Kolkata.
- He revamped the Indian National Army (INA)
Important Dates
2. International Day of Education: 24th January
- International Day of Education is observed every year on 24th January across the world to celebrate the role of education in bringing global peace and sustainable development.
- Theme 2022: Changing Course, Transforming Education.
- It was first observed in 2019.
- United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution, proclaiming January 24 as International Day of Education on 3rd December 2018
- It is led by UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Defense
3. NATO partners commences 12-day maritime drills in Mediterranean Sea
- NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) members kick off 12-day maritime exercise titled as ‘Neptune Strike ’22’ in the Mediterranean Sea.
- Naval drill will conclude on February 4, 2022.
- Aim: to demonstrate NATO’s ability to integrate high-end maritime strike capabilities of an aircraft carrier strike group
- NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance between 27 European countries, 2 North American countries, and 1 Eurasian country.
- HQs: Brussels, Belgium
Honours & Awards
4. Koozhangal won best film award at Dhaka International Film Festival
- P S Vinothraj directed film Koozhangal from India won the best film award in Asian Film Competition section at 20th Dhaka International Film Festival
- Apart from this, four more Indian movies were included among 17 awards
- Best actor award: Jayasurya for Ranjith Sankar-directed film Sunny.
- Best Script Writer Award: Indranil Roychowdhury and Sugata Sinha for India-Bangladesh film Mayar Jonjal.
- Special audience award was given to Aimee Baruah Directed film Semkhor.
Science & Technology
5. Scientists find evidence of secret ocean on Saturn’s moon Mimas
- Scientists at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), US have discovered underground ocean buried beneath the surface of ‘Death Star’ like moon of Saturn, named Mimas
- It will help the scientists in understanding Saturn’s rings and pave the way for further investigation towards possible signs of life on the planet.
- If the discovery turns out to be true, Mimas Ocean will represent a new class of small, ‘stealth’ ocean worlds.
- This report was published recently in Icarus journal
National Affairs
6. India emerges as largest exporters of cucumber and gherkins in the world
- India has emerged as the World’s largest exporter of cucumber and gherkins after exporting cucumber and gherkins to the tune of 1,23,846 Metric Tonnes with a value of USD 114 million during April-October, 2021.
- India has crossed $ 200 million mark of export of agricultural processed product, pickling cucumber, which is globally referred as gherkins or cornichons
- India had shipped 2,23,515 Metric Tonnes of cucumber and gherkins with a value of USD 223 million in 2020-21
Honours & Awards
7. Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2022
- Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2022 has been conferred to recognize and honour invaluable contribution and selfless service by individuals and organizations in the field of disaster management
- Winners:
- Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management (Institutional category)
- Professor Vinod Sharma (Individual category)
- Award carries a cash prize of Rs. 51 lakh and certificate in case of an institution and Rs. 5 lakh and certificate in case of an individual.
National Affairs
8. Govt announces subsidy to popularize drone in agriculture
- Union Agriculture Ministry has amended guidelines of Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) to provide 40% to 100% subsidy until March 2023 in purchasing drones for farm mechanization.
- After amendment, grant for the purchase of drones up to 100% of the cost of agriculture drones or ₹10 lakhs, whichever is less.
- Existing CHCs or new ones or to be set up by cooperative society of farmers, FPOs and rural entrepreneurs are entitled to receive 40% subsidy
National Affairs
9. MNRE to infuse ₹1,000 crore in SECI for financing renewable energy capacity
- Ministry of New and Renewable Ministry (MNRE) has announced to infuse ₹1,000 crores in Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
- It has been done to enhance the capital asset base of SECI
- As per present RBI norms, agency can extend loans on 20% of its net worth
- With infusion of Rs 1000 crore in SECI its network will increase and hence it can extend more loans.
- With this additional capital infusion, the government aims at financing renewable energy capacity of 3,300 MW
Honours & Awards
10. Jahnavi Dangeti becomes first Indian to complete NASA’s IASP programme
- Jahnavi Dangeti (19 years) from Andhra Pradesh has created history by becoming first and only Indian to undergo and complete International Air and Space Program (IASP) at NASA Launch Operations’ Kennedy Space Centre in Alabama, U.S.
- She was one among only 20 young people from all over the world selected for IASP programme.
- She hails from Palakollu, of West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh is currently pursuing her engineering second year from a private university in Punjab.
State Affairs
11. Kerala gets its first ever scientific bird atlas
- Kerala Bird Atlas (KBA), first-of-its-kind State-level bird atlas in India, has created solid baseline data about distribution and abundance of bird species across all major habitats, giving an impetus to futuristic studies
- It is being conducted as a citizen science-driven exercise with participation of over 1,000 volunteers of the birdwatching community
- KBA has been prepared based on systematic surveys held twice over 60 days year.
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