NATIONAL:
1. Octave 2023
Why in news- Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi inaugurated the Octave 2023 in Chennai.
Key Points –
• Aim - to showcase the indigenous art and culture of the North East India.
• It was held under the aegis of the South Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjavur.
2. Sari Festival “VIRAASAT”
Why in news – The 2nd phase of the Sari Festival “VIRAASAT”- Celebrating 75 handwoven Saris of India concluded on Jan 17 2023 in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• The Ministry of Textiles organized the festival.
3. North East Krishi Kumbha-2023
Why in news – Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurated the three-day 'Northeast Krishi Kumbh-2023' at Umiam in Meghalaya.
Key Points –
• Event held at ICAR Research Complex in Meghalaya from Jan 4-6, 2023.
4. Bikaner Solar Power Project
Why in news – President Droupadi Murmu virtually laid the foundation stone of 1,000 MW Bikaner Solar Power Project.
Key Points –
• It is being developed on 5000 acres of land near the village Banderwala, district Bikaner of Rajasthan.
• Cost of the project - ₹5492 crores.
• It is scheduled to be commissioned by March 2024.
• It would help achieve India’s renewable target of 500 GW by 2030.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. Y20 Summit
Why in news – The Curtain raising event of Y20 (Youth 20) Summit held in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• Anurag Singh Thakur launched the themes of Y20 summit, logo and website.
• India is hosting the Y20 summit for the first time.
• Themes of Y20
A. Future of Work: Industry 4.0, Innovation & 21st Century skills
B. Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction: Making Sustainability a way of life
C. Peace-building and Reconciliation: Ushering in an era of No War
D. Shared Future: Youth in Democracy and Governance and Health, Wellbeing & Sports: Agenda for Youth.
2. 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Why in news – PM Modi inaugurated the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD, Jan 8 to 10) convention in Indore on January 9, 2023.
Key Points –
• Prominent participants –
A. Mohammad Irfaan Ali (President of Guyana).
B. Chandrika Prasad Santokhi (President of Suriname).
C. Zaneta Mascarenhas (Member of Parliament of Australia).
• 9th January (1915) marks the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Award for Global Leadership
Why in news – CJI D Y Chandrachud has been selected for the "Award for Global Leadership" by the Harvard Law School Centre.
Key Points –
• Reason - In recognition of his lifetime service to the legal profession in the country and around the world.
• He was sworn in as the 50th CJI on November 9, 2022.
RANKS & INDICES:
1. PE Survey 2021-22
Why in news - Recently Public Enterprises Survey 2021-22 was published by Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), Ministry of Finance.
Key Points –
• Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (Power Grid), a Maharatna CPSE of Ministry of Power has been ranked 1st in the Services Sector.
• It has also been ranked 3rd amongst the Top 10 Profit Making CPSEs.
2. Top Cities for Women in India Report
Why in news – The study titled, Top Cities for Women in India was released by Avatar Group, a diversity, equity & inclusion solutions firm.
Key Points –
• The report ranks 111 cities on parameters nurturing a conducive ecosystem for women’s employment.
• Top 3 cities –
A. North - Delhi, Srinagar, and Amritsar.
B. South - Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
C. East – Kolkata, Dhanbad and Patna.
D. Western - Pune, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad.
E. Central - Raipur, Indore, and Bhopal.
3. Top-Performing Global Airports of 2022
Why in news – Cerium Aviation Analytics released the list of the top-performing global airports of 2022.
Key Points –
• The top 3 best performing global airports –
A. Haneda Airport (Tokyo, Japan)
B. Kempegowda International Airport (Bengaluru, India)
C. Salt Lake City International Airport (Salt Lake City, USA)
• From India –
A. Bangalore’s Kempegowda International Airport (Rank 2).
B. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (Rank 7).
• Most punctual airline worldwide - Azul Airlines (Brazil).
• Global operational excellence - Delta Airlines.
4. 3rd largest Auto Market
Why in news – As per Nikkei Asia report, India surpassed Japan and became the third largest auto market in the world.
Key Points –
• Total sales of new vehicles in India - 4.25 million units (Japan - 4.2 million).
• Other top markets – China and USA.
PERSON IN NEWS:
1. Keshari Nath Tripathi
Why in news – Former Governor of West Bengal and three-time UP Assembly Speaker Keshari Nath Tripathi died.
Key Points –
• He had held additional charge as the Governor of Bihar, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
• He was jailed in 1953 for participating in the ‘Kashmir Andolan’ and again in 1990 for taking part in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
SPORTS:
1. Belinda Clark
Why in news – Belinda Clark became the first female cricketer to be honoured with Bronze statue at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) precinct.
Key Points –
• She joined an elite list of 73 male cricketers who have statutes in the precinct.
• She is a World Cup winner and a former Australian skipper.
2. Jaydev Unadkat
Why in news – Saurashtra team captain Jaydev Unadkat has created history by taking a hat-trick in his first over in the Ranji Trophy.
Key Points –
• He has become the first bowler in this domestic tournament to take a hat-trick in the first over of the match.
• He took hat-trick against Delhi.
BIHAR:
1. 161st Foundation Day of Patna College
Why in news – The 161st foundation day of Patna College was celebrated on January 9, 2023.
Key Points –
• The college is the oldest college in Bihar and the fifth oldest college in the country.
• In July 1835, the high school was established for the first time in Patna.
• In 1839, on the orders of Viceroy Lord Auckland, a plan was made to open a Central College in Patna.
• Finally, Patna College was established on Jan 9, 1863.
POINTERS:
• Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated National Genome Editing & Training Centre (NGETC) in which state - Mohali, Punjab.
• Who has signed an agreement to become the network partner of Manchester City FC in India - Jio Platforms.
• Who has inaugurated the 18th National Jamboree of “Bharat Scouts and Guides” in Pali, Rajasthan - President Draupadi Murmu.
• In which state Amit Shah has inaugurated a 120 feet tall statue of a polo player riding a pony- Manipur.
• Which Union Minister has participated in credit outreach program in Kota, Rajasthan - Nirmala Sitharaman.
• Which bank has launched the 'Jahan Bandhan, Vahan Trust' campaign - Bandhan Bank.
• Which state has signed a Rs 2275 crore agreement with ADB to improve power distribution network – Tripura.
• According to the National Statistical Organization (NSO), the economic growth rate is estimated to be what percent in 2022-23 – 7%.
• Who has written the new book 'Breaking Barriers' - Kaki Madhav Rao.
• Which state government has decided to give chicken and fruits to the children in the mid-day meal - West Bengal.