Top Current Affairs of the Week (23-29 Jan 2022): Download PDF

P.V. Sindhu wins Women’s singles title at Syed Modi International tournament

 Two-time Olympic medalist, P.V. Sindhu has won the Women’s singles title at the Syed Modi International tournament.

• Sindhu defeated compatriot Malvika Bansod 21-13, 21-16 in the summit clash in Lucknow.
• Earlier in the day, the Men’s singles final of the tournament was declared as a ‘No Match’ after one of the finalists tested positive for Covid-19.
• The all-French clash was scheduled between Arnaud Merkle and Lucas Claerbout.

Subhas Chandra Bose birth anniversary celebrated as Parakram Diwas

• Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's birth anniversary is marked as "Parakram Diwas"
• The central govt has decided to celebrate his birthday on the 23rd January every year as Parakram Diwas to inspire people of this country.
• On this occasion, Narendra Modi unveiled the hologram statue of Netaji at India Gate.
• Trinamool Congress celebrate Bose's birth anniversary as 'Desh Nayak Diwas'.
• Bose, called as Netaji, was one of the most prominent leaders of Indian freedom struggle.

Defence Online Coaching 2022

India’s first para-badminton academy launched in Lucknow

• Country's first state-of-the-art, high-performance para-badminton academy with advanced equipment and facilities has been set up in Lucknow.
• The centre has been launched by Dronacharya awardee and head national coach of Indian para-badminton team, Gaurav Khanna, in association with Ageas Federal Life Insurance.
• Khanna also unveiled the Ageas Federal ‘Quest for Fearless Shuttlers’ programme to spot and nurture new talent for the 2028 and 2032 Paralympics.
•  

Prajakta Koli becomes UNDP India's first youth climate champion

• Content creator and actress, Prajakta Kolihas become the first UNDP India Youth Climate Champion.

• The title has been conferred to her following her contribution towards mental health, women's rights and girl child education through various global social campaigns
• UNDP aims to eliminate poverty, achieve sustainable growth and scale up human development in countries where it is required the most.
• She is a global ambassador for YouTube's 'Creators For Change' initiative

ISRO Successfully Tests Vikas Engine of India's Gaganyaan Space Mission

• ISRO successfully fired the high thrust Vikas engine that would power India's first human-carry rocket.
• The Vikas engine for the Gaganyaan human space mission underwent the qualification test for a duration of 25 seconds at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
• Two engines have undergone tests under nominal operating conditions for a total duration of 480 seconds. 
• The trial involved stress testing the fuel-oxidiser ratio and chamber pressure. 

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

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

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.

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

 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.

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

Smriti Mandhana named as ICC women’s Cricketer of the Year

International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the winners of 17th ICC Awards for 2021 to recognize best international cricket players 

• Winners:
• Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year: Smriti Mandhana (India)
• Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year: Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
• ICC Umpire of the Year: Marais Erasmus
• ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer: Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
• ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer: Tammy Beaumont (England)

Tamil socio-drama 'Jai Bhim' nominated for Oscar 2022

• Suriya's hard-hitting Tamil socio-drama ‘Jai Bhim’ has been nominated for best feature film in Oscar 2022.
• It is in competition with other acclaimed flicks like 'Jockey,' 'Cruella,' 'Dune, 'Eternals,' 'Godzilla VS Kong,' 'King Richard,' among other movies.
• It is inspired by a real-life incident from the 1990s in Tamil Nadu.
• Jai Bhim is the fourth Indian film to get nominated for Oscars after Mother India, Salaam Bombay, and Lagaan.

Mansukh Mandaviya launches Revamped CGHS Website and Mobile App

Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya has digitally launched revamped CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) website (www.cghs.gov.in) and mobile app, ‘MyCGHS’.

• Revamped CGHS website linked with mobile app is an important and timely step towards catering to India’s increasing digital penetration.
• It has several updated features which shall hugely benefit more than 40 lakhs beneficiaries (both in-service and retired personnel) with real-time information 

PM confers Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2022

• PM Modi has conferred 29 Children with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2022, from all regions of the country for their exceptional achievements
• Award is presented in Innovation (7), Social Service (4), Scholastic (1), Sports (8), Art & Culture (6) and Bravery (3) categories.
• Digital certificates was given to winners of PMRBP 2021 and 2022 using Block Chain-driven technology developed by IIT Kanpur under National Blockchain Project
• Cash prize: Rs.1,00,000

Armenia's president resigns over position's lack of power

Armenian President Armen Sarkissian tendered his resignation, saying he believes the country's constitution does not give him sufficient powers to influence events.

• He served as the 4th President of Armenia from 9 April 2018 to 23 January 2022.
• At a referendum in December 2015, Armenia became a parliamentary republic, while presidential powers were significantly curtailed.

Western Naval Command conducts Joint maritime exercise Paschim Lehar XPL-22

• Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy has conducted a joint maritime exercise Paschim Lehar (XPL-2022) off the West Coast.
• The exercise continued for 20 days and was conducted with an aim to enhance Inter-Service synergy among the Indian Navy, IAF, Indian Army and Coast Guard. 

Three command–level formations of the Indian Navy

1. The Western Naval Command (HQ- Mumbai)
2. Eastern Naval Command (HQ- Visakhapatnam)and 
3. Southern Naval Command (HQ- Kochi)

India, France sign MoU with scope for cooperation in health research

• India and France have signed an MoU with scope for cooperation in health research, Science and Technology Ministry.
• The MoU was signed between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Institut Pasteur, France.
• CSIR and Institut Pasteur will jointly research and focus on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and inherited disorders and enable delivery of effective and affordable healthcare solutions.

Olympian Neeraj Chopra gets Param Vishisht Seva Medal

• Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra has been bestowed the Param Vishisht Seva Medal on the eve of Republic Day by President Ram Nath Kovind.
• The PVSM is usually accorded to three-star officers for distinguished service to the nation. Chopra is a Subedar in the Rajputana Rifles.
•  He is the first track and field athlete to win a gold medal for India at the Olympics.
• Neeraj was chosen for training at the Mission Olympics Wing and Army Sports Institute in Pune.

Muthoot Homefin, India Mortgage Guarantee Corp partner to offer home loan

India Mortgage Guarantee Corporation (IMGC) partnered with with Muthoot Homefin to offer mortgage guarantee-backed home loan products to MHIL’s customers seeking home loans in the affordable housing segment.

• Muthoot Homefin aims to leverage mortgage guarantee as a risk mitigation tool as demand for affordable and mid-income housing increases.
• The tie-up with IMGC will help Muthoot Homefin deepen its penetration in existing markets across its 108 branches/locations.

'Grama One' launched in 12 districts of Karnataka

• Karnataka govt has launched 'Grama One', a technology-driven programme.

• It would offer services of various government departments in rural areas of 12 districts.
• The services will be extended to all districts across Karnataka by the end of March.
• It enables access to a host of services offered by the departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Revenue, Women and Children Development.
• Karnataka CM: Basavaraj Bommai
• Karnataka Governor: Thaawar Chand Gehlot

Padma Awards 2022 conferred on 128 people

• Padma Award 2022 has been conferred on 128 winners that included 4 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan awardees, and 107 Padma Shri awardees.
• Padma Vibhushan: Prabha Are, Radheyshyam Khemka, Bipin Rawat (Posthumous), Kalyan Singh (Posthumous)
• Padma Bhushan: Ghulam Nabi Azad (Public Affairs), Victor Banerjee (Art), Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Devendra Jhajharia, Pratibha Ray 
• Padma Shri: Prahlad Rai Agarwala (Trade and Industry), Najma Akhtar (Literature and Education)

First-ever Fit India Quiz Preliminary Round result announced

• Results of Preliminary Round of first-ever Fit India Quiz, India's biggest sports and fitness quiz for students has been announced.
• Organized by: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
• Results has revealed that two students from Uttar Pradesh have outperformed students from all other states to become top scorers of Preliminary Round
• Divyanshu Chamoli of Delhi Public School, Greater Noida won the top spot, followed by Shashwat Mishra of Sunbeam School, Varanasi.

South Maubuang becomes Mizoram’s first ODF plus village

• South Maubuang in Aibawk block of Aizawl district in Mizoram has been declared as the model ODF Plus village.
• The village has fulfilled all the criteria as per SBM-G Phase II guidelines and all households and institutions have functional toilets and measures in place for effective management of solid and liquid waste
• It has a population of 649 individuals from 116 households has emerged as the first ODF Plus village in the State of Mizoram. 

India’s largest EV charging station inaugurated at Gurgaon

• India’s largest 100-point electric vehicle charging station for four-wheelers was inaugurated in Gurugram.

•  The station is bound to attract city residents to switch to electric vehicles in the near future
•  The project was launched by the National Highway for Electric Vehicle. 
• It is a private entity which has expertise in carrying out pilot projects and is working with government agencies and the NITI Aayog.
• The station will be able to charge 576 vehicles in a single day.

Israel to help India convert 150 villages into ‘Villages of Excellence’

• The Centre has decided to convert as many as 150 villages into 'Villages of Excellence' in 12 states with technical assistance from the Israeli government.
• Already, the Israeli government has established 29 Centre of Excellence (CoEs) in 12 states.
• The 150 villages that are located around CoEs will be converted into 'Villages of Excellence.'
• Out of which, 75 villages are being taken up in the first year to commemorate the 75th year of India's independence. 

   Click to Download Current Affairs of the Week (23 -29 Jan 2022) 

Thanks 

Download the BYJU’S Exam Prep App Now

The Most Comprehensive Exam Prep App

#DreamStriveSucceed