NATIONAL:
1. Hyderabad Tyagaraja Aradhana Music Festival (HTAMF)
Why in news - The 5-day annual HTAMF was organized by Sanskriti Foundation to commemorate saint Tyagaraja.
Key Points –
About Tyagaraja –
• He is an Indian Philosopher and Poet.
• Born on May 14, 1767 in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur.
• He is part of the Trinity of Carnatic Music – Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri.
• He penned the lyrics of thousands of kritis, mostly in praise of lord Rama.
2. Upper Siang Multipurpose Storage Project
Why in news - National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) has submitted the pre-feasibility report (PFR).
Key Points –
• PFR was submitted to the Central Electricity Authority of India for the ‘Upper Siang Multipurpose Storage’ (11GW).
• It is India’s largest hydel power project to date to come up in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Main purpose - To counter China’s water diversion scheme to the Yarlung Tsangpo river in China which flows as Siang (Arunachal) and Brahmaputra (Assam).
• China’s 60 GW dam is on the neck of Arunachal Pradesh in Medong.
• Concern for India - Diversion of water to northern China would lead to a thinning of Siang during our peak season and possible release of water would lead to major flooding.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Sanchi Gate in Berlin
Why in news - A replica of India’s famous East Gate of Sanchi unveiled at Berlin’s Humboldt Forum museum complex.
Key Points –
• It was built by German and Indian sculptors and cost around 1.6 million euros (approximately $1.7 million).
• Features – Weight - 150 tons, 10 meters tall and 6 meters wide.
About Sanchi Stupa –
• It was discovered by the British general, Henry Taylor, in 1818
• It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1989.
• It was built by Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.
• It was vandalized by Pushyamitra Shunga in the mid-2nd century BCE.
2. Feria Internacional Del Turismo (FITUR)
Why in news - The Ministry of Tourism participated in FITUR in Madrid, Spain.
Key Points –
• It is an international tourism trade fair to help expedite the recovery of the country’s inbound tourism to the pre-pandemic levels.
• India also invited them to participate in the first Global Tourism Investors’ Summit being organized from April 10-12 in New Delhi.
3. ‘Education for Democracy’
Why in news - The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution titled ‘Education for Democracy’ on Jan 18, 2023.
Key Points –
• It recognized “education for all” that contributes to the strengthening of democracy.
• It was co-sponsored by India.
• In March 2015, UNGA adopted a similar resolution encouraging all UN entities to use education to promote peace, human rights, and democracy.
4. Jacinda Ardern
Why in news - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stepped down from her position on Jan 19, 2023.
Key Points –
• She was sworn in as the PM at the age of 37 and became the youngest woman worldwide to be the head of government.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR)
Why in news - Hyderabad would host a World Economic Forum Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR).
Key Points –
• The first thematic center in India would focus on life sciences and healthcare.
• C4IR Telangana is the only such center in India with a thematic focus on healthcare and life sciences.
• Telangana accounts for one-third of global vaccine output and contributes about 35% of India’s pharmaceutical production.
• C4IR Telangana is the 18th center to join the Forum’s Fourth Industrial Revolution Network.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. 8th Ajanta-Ellora film Festival
Why in news - Naanera bagged the Golden Kailasha award for the best movie at the Ajanta-Ellora film festival.
Key Points –
• It is a Rajasthani film directed by Deepankar Prakash.
• Kannada film Koli Esru (chicken curry), won awards for best child artist (Apeksha Chorna Halli) and the best actress for Akshatha Pandavapura.
• Best actor prize went to Jeetu Kamal for Bengali film Aparajito.
• The event took place in Aurangabad from January 11 to 15, 2023.
2. 14th International Conference-cum-Awards for Civil Aviation 2023
Why in news - The 14th International Conference cum Awards on Civil Aviation- 2023 was organized by ASSOCHAM at New Delhi.
Key Points –
• New Goa Manohar International Airport won the ‘Best Sustainable Greenfield Airport’ award.
• Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training received the award for the 'Best Air Hostess Training Institute - 2022'.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Geotail Mission
Why in news - The NASA-JAXA Geotail spacecraft has finally come to an end after 30 long years in orbit on Jan 18, 2023.
Key Points –
• It was involved in studying Earth’s magnetosphere, the protective magnetic bubble of the planet.
About Geotail Mission –
• It was launched on July 24, 1992.
• It was a joint project of JAXA (Japan) and NASA.
• It was part of the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) project.
• It identified magnetic reconnection. It is a major conveyor of material and energy from the Sun into the magnetosphere and one of the instigators of the aurora.
BOOKS & AUTHORS:
1. Book “Come! Let’s Run”
Why in news - Tamil Nadu Health Minister Thiru Ma. Subramanian authored a book titled “Come! Let’s Run”.
SPORTS:
1. Shubman Gill
Why in news - Shubman Gill became the youngest Indian Cricketer (23 years and 132 days) in the world to score a double century.
Key Points –
• He scored 208 from 149 balls, laced with 19 fours and 9 sixes.
• He became the youngest cricketer and the fastest Indian cricketer who scored 1000 runs in the ODIs format.
2. Rohit Sharma
Why in news - India captain Rohit Sharma edged former skipper MS Dhoni’s all-time record for most sixes in ODIs for India.
Key Points –
• Top 3 (sixes) –
A. Rohit Sharma (125)
B. MS Dhoni (123)
C. Sachin Tendulkar (71)
BIHAR:
1. Statue of Maharana Pratap
Why in news – Hon CM Nitish Kumar unveiled the statue of Shoorver Maharana Pratap in Patna on Jan 19, 2023.
Key Points –
• It is a 10 feet statue at Swaminand Square near SP Verma Road in Patna.
• This is a bronze statue.
• It was designed by Rashmi Singh.
• 9 May is to celebrated as a state function in Bihar. Maharana Pratap was born on May 9, 1540.
POINTERS:
• Which bank has signed an MoU with Warehousing and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) to provide cheap loans to farmers - State Bank of India.
• Which state government has launched the Shared School Bus System and Agriculture Response Vehicle Scheme – Meghalaya.
• Which Indian American has been honored with the "MLK Grand Parade Special Award" - Krishna Vavilala.
• Which has become the first European country to sign a Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan - United Kingdom.
• When will the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline (IBFPL) start supplying diesel to Bangladesh on a pilot basis - June 2023.
• Which award has been won by 'Bhavin Rabari' of the Gujarati film Chhello Show in the 'Best Breakthrough Performance' category - International Press Academy (IPA) Award.
• Who has recently been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Armenia - Neelakshi Saha Sinha.
• SBI in association with which Information Utility (“IU”) has launched e-Bank Guarantee (e-BG) facility – National E-Governance Services Ltd (NeSL).
• Which became the fourth state to restore the old pension scheme - Himachal Pradesh.
• Which Indian-origin person was sworn in as the first female Sikh judge in the US - Manpreet Monica Singh.