NATIONAL:
1. Polo Statue
Why in news - Amit Shah unveiled a 120-feet-tall statue of a polo player riding a pony in Manipur’s Imphal.
Key Points –
• Manipur is considered the birthplace of the game.
• This game was earlier known as 'Sagol Kangjei', 'Kanjai-Baji' or 'Pulu'.
• The oldest polo ground in the world is the Imphal Polo Ground in Manipur.
2. Astro Tourism
Why in news - National Council of Science Museums has organized Astro Tourism - A Sky Gazing event at Delhi's India Gate.
Key Points –
• It was inaugurated by Arjun Ram Meghwal.
• It includes various activities like astro talks by expert astronomers, an exhibition on astronomy, storytelling related to celestial objects etc.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. "Start Me Up" Mission
Why in news - Britain’s attempt to become the first Western European nation to launch satellites into space ended in failure.
Key Points –
• It was launched with Virgin’s LauncherOne rocket carried under the wing of a modified Boeing 747 called “Cosmic Girl”.
• UK Space Agency name – Archer.
• In Dec 2022, the Italian-built Vega-C rocket mission failed after lift-off from French Guiana.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme
Why in news - Mysuru and Hampi have been chosen for development under the scheme.
Key Points –
• A total of 36 heritage sites in 19 states and union territories have made it to this list.
• Other sites are –
A. Gandikota (Grand Canyon of India) and Arakku- lambassingi in Andhra Pradesh.
B. Bomjir and Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh.
C. Gaya and Nalanda in Bihar,
D. Dholavira and Dwarka in Gujarat etc.
About Swadesh Darshan Scheme –
• It was launched in 2015 under which 75 sites were developed.
• Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) - July 2022.
• Central Sector Scheme.
• Aim - for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in the country.
• 15 thematic circuits have been identified e.g., North East Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Sufi Circuit etc.
SECURITY:
1. Prithvi-II Missile
Why in news – India carried out a successful test launch of tactical ballistic missile Prithvi-II off the Odisha coast.
Key Points –
• It is a short-range ballistic missile.
• It has a range of around 350 km and can carry 500-1,000 kg of warheads.
• Prithvi was developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
RANKS & INDICES:
1. Henley Passport Index
Why in news – Henley Passport Index has released the list of countries with powerful passports.
Key Points –
• Top 3 –
A. Japan
B. Singapore, South Korea (tie)
C. Germany, Spain (tie)
• Japanese passport allows visa-free access to as many as 193 countries.
• India’s rank - 85th .
• Last (weakest) – Afghanistan.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Oscar Reminder List 2023
Why in news – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) came out with a list of 301 movies that are eligible to be nominated for the Oscars 2023.
Key Points –
• Indian movies –
A. The Kashmir Files
B. Gangubai Kathiawadi
C. Kantara
D. RRR
• This is perhaps the first time India has made it to four Oscar shortlists.
• The final nominations are to be announced on January 24, 2023.
2. Patangrao Kadam Award
Why in news – Adar Poonawalla has been conferred with the first Dr. Patangrao Kadam Memorial Award.
Key Points –
• Adar Poonawalla is the CEO of the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, Serum Institute of India.
• Dr. Patangrao Kadam created 190 institutes to provide quality education and created quality human resources.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. Startup India Innovation Week
Why in news – DPIIT (M/o Commerce and Industry) organized Startup India Innovation Week from Jan 10 to Jan 16, 2023.
Key Points –
• Aim - to celebrate the Indian Startup Ecosystem as well as National Startup Day (16th January 2023).
• Startup India was launched in 2016.
• India is ranked third among global startup ecosystems.
2. National Science Day 2023
Why in news – Jitendra Singh released the theme for “National Science Day 2023".
Key Points –
• Theme - “Global Science for Global Wellbeing".
• National Science Day is celebrated every year on February 28.
• It is celebrated to commemorate the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ by Indian physicist Sir C. V. Raman on February 28, 1928.
3. 34th Road Safety Week
Why in news – M/o Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) observed the Road Safety Week from 11th to 17th January 2023.
Key Points –
• Aim - To encourage road safety practices among people.
• Theme “Parvah krenge surakshit rahenge”.
• The World Road Statistics, 2018 ranked India first in terms of road fatalities.
4. National Youth Day
Why in news – India celebrates National Youth Day on January 12.
Key Points –
• It is celebrated to honour the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
• PM Modi inaugurated the 4-day National Youth Festival in Karnataka's Hubbali.
• The theme of this festival is "Viksit Yuva - Viksit Bharat".
• He is well-known across the globe for his famous speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893.
STATES/UTs:
1. ‘UP Global City’ Campaign
Why in news - The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a statewide 100-day ‘UP Global City’ campaign.
Key Points –
• Aim - to transform the lifestyle of urban bodies of the state on par with global standards.
• Launched by - Arvind Kumar Sharma.
• The ‘Swachh Virasat Abhiyan’ is set to start on January 14.
• Global Investors Summit would begin on Feb 10, 2023 and conclude on Feb 12, 2023 at Lucknow.
• UP has set a target of making the state a US Dollar 1 trillion economy by 2027.
2. Saharsh Initiative
Why in news - The Tripura government introduced a special education program titled ‘Saharsh’.
Key Points –
• Aim - to encourage social and emotional learning.
• It was launched in August 2022 in 40 schools in the state on a pilot basis.
POINTERS:
• Osmanabad district court has become the first 'e-court' of which state - Maharashtra.
• Which player of India has created a world record by winning two gold in the World Powerlifting Tournament held in Russia - Pooja AjayKumar Mehta.
• Who is the author of the book 'Revolutionaries: The other story of how India won its freedom' - Sanjeev Sanyal.
• Who has become the fastest player to reach 1,500 runs in T20 International cricket in terms of balls faced - Suryakumar Yadav.
• Who is the winner of the singles tennis title at the 2023 Maharashtra Open - Tallon Griekspoor.
• Which state/UT government has imposed a temporary ban on plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in view of the worsening air quality – Delhi.
• Which country has announced an additional USD 100 million to Pakistan for its recovery and reconstruction efforts after the 2022 devastating floods - United States.
• Who has been appointed as the new Chief Technologist of NASA - A C Charania.
• Who has released the autobiography of techno-educationalist K.K. Abdul Gaffar titled 'Njaan Sakshi' (me as the witness) – MS Dhoni.
• Which player has won the 92nd tour title of his career - Novak Djokovic.