Sreedhar’s CCE CURRENT AFFAIRS...

Sreedhar’s CCE CURRENT AFFAIRS CAPSULE JANUARY-2020

JANUARY-2020

CURRENT AFFAIRS CAPSULE – JANUARY- 2020 BANKING

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched a mobile app “Mobile Aided Note Identifier (MANI)”. The visually challenged people can identify the denomination of a currency note by using the mobile app “MANI”.

Bank of Baroda joins hands with JM Financial for co-lending to home buyers.

Exim Bank grants $75 mn line of credit to Cuba for solar parks.

RevFin partners with PNB MetLife to provide life insurance to its customers.

CSC e-Governance services India ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Paytm Payments Bank ltd (PPBL) for selling FASTags.

Indian Bank signed MoU with TN’s WEWA to provide credit for business establishments.

Health insurance cover in the name ‘Arogya Sanjeevani’ mandatory for insurance companies.

PayPal India launches adoption assistance programme for employees.

The Reserve Bank of India has revised its supervisory framework for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs).

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted “in-principle” approval to Shivalik Mercantile Co-operative Bank Limited for transition into a Small Finance Bank (SFB).

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), gave approval to Uttar Pradesh based Shivalik Mercantile Co-operative Bank Ltd to convert to a small finance bank (SFB).

The two Indian private sector lenders Axis Bank and ICICI Bank to close their operations in Sri Lanka.

State Bank of India has announced a 'residential builder finance with buyer guarantee' (RBBG) scheme. It aims at giving a push to residential sales and improve homebuyers' confidence.

Deutsche Bank projects India's economy to reach $7 trillion by 2030.

German development bank, will assist the Andhra Pradesh government with a Rs 711 crore loan for expanding the climate-resilient Zero-Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) in the state over the next five years.

Paytm launches all-in-one QR for merchants, to enable unlimited payments.

HDFC Bank launches customized apps for municipalities, housing societies.

The Reserve Bank of India has revised the Know Your Customer (KYC) norms for banks and other lending institutions.

Reserve Bank of India permits recurring payments through UPI.

RBI issues new debit and credit card rules to improve convenience and security.

NPCI Launches Blockchain-Based Vajra Platform To Secure Payments.

UN lowers India's GDP growth rate to 5.7% for FY 2019-20.

RBI ranked sixth among central banks in buying gold abroad.

RBI cancels certificate of authorization of Vodafone m-pesa.


JANUARY-2020

ICICI Bank introduces ‘Cardless Cash Withdrawal’ through ATM using ‘iMobile.

ICICI Lombard gets Irdai nod to pilot 5 projects under Regulatory Sandbox.

Apollo Hospitals Group in association with Bajaj Finserv has launched a first-of-its-kind co-branded Health EMI card to make hospital payments easy.

India & World Bank signed $210 million loan pact for Maharashtra’s Agri & Rural Transformation Project.

RBI increased Investment Limits under Voluntary Retention Route (VRR) to Rs 1.5lakh crore.

According to the India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), there have been about 1000 cases of fraud in the urban cooperative banks (UCBs) of the country in the last 5 fiscal years (FY), in which banks have incurred losses of 221 crores.

NABARD predicts Rs 90,395cr credit potential for Odisha in FY21.

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems, has approved part of the banks request to remove interchange fees on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and RuPay card transactions as long as the merchant discount rate (MDR) remains zero.

RBI Executive Director Janak Raj appoints as MPC Member.

ICICI Bank launches first-of-its-kind 24×7 self-service delivery facility , ‘iBox’

Indian Bank launches credit products ‘Corporate Loan’ & ‘Ind Surya Shakthi’ for textile sector.

PERSONS IN NEWS The government has created a Department of Military Affairs, to be headed by Chief of

Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat.

Malavath Poorna from Telangana scaled Mt Vinson Massif, the highest mountain peak in Antarctica at 4,892 meters and she becomes the 1st and youngest tribal women in the World to scale six mountain peaks in six continents.

North Macedonia Prime Minister Zoran Zaev has resigned his post.

P R Seshadri MD and CEO of Karur Vysya Bank has resigned from the position.

The United Nations has declared Pakistani education activist and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai as “Most Famous Teenager of the Decade”.

Italian Veteran footballer Daniele De Rossi announced his retirement.

Uttam prakash agarwal resigns as independent director of Yes Bank.

Captain Tania Shergill, an officer with Army's Corps of Signals, will be the first woman parade adjutant for the Republic Day parade 2020.

Sachin Tendulkar nominated in Laureus's list for most inspiring sporting event of last 20 years.

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez to retire from international cricket after T20 World Cup 2020.

Jacqueline Williams of the West Indies will become the first woman to officiate as the third umpire in a men’s international.

Prime Minister of Slovenian Marjan Sarec has announced his resignation and called for fresh elections as the country’s coalition struggles with political deadlock.

Rajasthan domestic cricket stalwart Vineet Saxena has formally announced his retirement.


JANUARY-2020

Sachin Bansal has resigned as independent director of Ujjivan Small Finance Bank.

New Zealand leg-spinner Todd Astle has announced his retirement from first-class cricket.

Indian women’s hockey team captain Rani Rampal became the 1st-ever hockey player worldwide to win the prestigious ‘World Games Athlete of the Year’ award 2019.

Irish composer Eimear Noone will be the first woman to conduct an orchestra at the Oscars guest-segment.

APPOINTMENTS Name of the Person Name of the Organization

Pedro Sanchez Perez-Castejon

Prime Minister of Spain

Zoran Milanovic Prime Minister of Croatia

A Sakthivel New chairman of Apparel Export Promotion Council of India (AEPC)

M Nagaraj Chairman and MD of State-owned Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO)

Chandra Pal Singh Yadav Chairman of Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO)

Vinod Kumar Yadav Railway Board Chairman

Umesh Sinha Deputy Election Commissioner of India

S. Sundar MD and CEO of Lakshmi Vilas Bank

Suresh Chandra Sharma 1st Chairman of National Medical Commission (NMC)

Hillary Rodham Clinton 1st female Chancellor of United Kingdom’s Queen’s University

Abhinav Kumar Inspector General of Border Security Force (BSF)

Harjeet Kaur Joshi New CMD of Shipping Corporation of India

Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir

Arun Kumar Sahu Next ambassador of India to the mountainous Caribbean island of Dominica

Bipul Behari Saha Member of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)

Lt Col Yuvraj Malik Director of the National Book Trust (NBT)

Tsai Ing-wen President of Taiwan

Robert Abela 14th prime minister of Malta

Madan Lal and Gautam Gambhir

Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) members

Michael Patra Deputy governor of RBI

AP Maheshwari Director-General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)

Lt General Girish Kumar Surveyor General of India

Harish Salve Queen’s counsel for the courts of England and Wales

Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre

Chairman of Road safety committee

Suresh Kishinchand Khatanhar

Deputy MD of IDBI Bank

Shalini Warrier Executive Director of Federal Bank


JANUARY-2020

Arjun Munda President of the Suspended Archery Association of India (AAI)

Nripendra Misra Chairman of Nehru Memorial Museum and library executive council

Lieutenant General SK Saini Vice Chief of Army Staff

Challa Sreenivasulu Setty Managing director of SBI

Sanjiv Chadha MD and CEO of Bank of Baroda

Lingam Venkata Prabhakar MD and CEO in Canara Bank

Atanu Kumar Das MD and CEO in Bank of India

Manoj Kohli Head of Softbank group India

Hassan Diab Prime Minister of Lebanon

Katerina Sakellaropoulou 1st Woman President of Greece

Sunil Arora New Chairman of the Forum of the Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA) for the year 2020

Sunil Mehta CEO of Indian Banks’ Association

Taranjit Singh Sandhu Next Indian ambassador to the United States

Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdelaziz Al Thani

New Prime Minister of Qatar

Alastair Nathan Cook and Ricky Skerritt

New members of MCC’s World Cricket Committee

Anil Khanna Life President of Asian Tennis Federation (ATF)

Ramesh Joshi Non-Executive Chairman of Vakrangee Limited

Janak Raj Third internal member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

Gita Sabharwal United Nations Resident Coordinator (RC) of Thailand

INTERNATIONAL

The President of Nepal “Bidhya Devi Bhandari” has launched the “Visit Nepal Year 2020” during the ceremony held at historic Dasaratha Rangashala in Kathmandu.

In the honour of 200th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the World Health Organization designated the year 2020 as the “Year of Nurse and Midwife”.

India and Pakistan exchanged lists of nuclear installations.

US President Donald Trump has signed the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. With the signing of the act, US has authorized the establishment of US Space Force.

The UAE has introduced a multiple-entry tourist visa scheme valid for five years for all nationalities, with the aim of turning the Gulf state into a tourism hub.

The Indian High Commission has organized an “art exhibition” in Dhaka, Bangladesh. An “art exhibition” has been organized to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The Iranian parliament has designated US Armed Forces & Pentagon as ‘Terrorist Entities’ with a motion passed at an open parliament session.

The 18th edition of the Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) 2020 held in Bangladesh. The theme of the festival is ‘Better Film, Better Audience and Better Society’.


JANUARY-2020

First phase of “Bishwa Ijtema” has commenced in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The World Health Organization (WHO) released the Global challenges for 2020. 13 health challenges in this decade were also identified.

South Africa will now offer an e-visa facility for Indian tourists.

As Google-parent Alphabet Inc became the fourth U.S. Company to top a market value of more than $1 trillion.

Guyana has assumes the chairmanship of Group of 77 (G77) for the year 2020 from the State of Palestine.

The Central Government has declared the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to be a “reciprocating territory” under Section 44A of Civil Procedure Code (CPC), 1908.

External Affairs Minister Shri Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has inaugurated the “first Mahatma Gandhi convention centre” in the West African state of Niger.

India and Bangladesh signed an agreement to upgrade the 50.58-kilometre long road between Ashuganj river port and the Akhaura land port in Bangladesh into a 4-lane highway.

New Zealand has minted the world’s smallest gold coin of 2.96 millimeter (0.12 inches).

Prime Minister (PM) of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina Wazed has launched e-passport in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Britain unveiled a commemorative 50 pence coin to mark the country’s imminent departure from the European Union (EU).

The 13th edition of International Children’s Film Festival was inaugurated in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The theme is ‘Under The World’ and slogan is “Future in Frames”.

The UK government has launched 4 million pound (about Rs 37 crore) fund in India to support collaborative research into emerging technologies.

Nepal has set an all new Guinness World Record for the highest altitude fashion show event ever held.

NATIONAL The central Government has formed a 7-member group of ministers (GoM) headed by

Defense Minister to review the crop insurance scheme ,“Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)” & make suggestions to improve it according to the needs of the farmers.

The Delhi Government’s renaming committee has renamed Pragati Maidan metro station as Supreme Court metro station.

The Indian Railways has renamed its security force RPF (Railway Protection Force) as Indian Railway Protection Force Service.

The Indian Railways launched an integrated helpline number 139 for quick grievance and enquiries by the passengers during journeys.

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has announced the 1, 70,000 grave violations against children in conflict were verified which is the equivalent of more than 45 violations a day for the last 10 years.

Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nisank’ inaugurated the 28th edition of New Delhi World Book Fair 2020 (NDWBF) at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, with the theme Gandhi: The Writers’ Writer.

107th international science congress inaugurated in Bengaluru, with the theme Science and Technology: Rural Development.


JANUARY-2020

PM Modi released the 3rd installment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana of Rs.2000 for December 2019- March 2020 period.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has set up a New, Emerging and Strategic Technologies (NEST) division which helps to deal with new and emerging technologies.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai has inaugurating the 4th All India Police Judo Cluster Championship 2019, in New Delhi.

Neutral pronoun ‘they’ has been voted word of the decade by US language experts.

Shri Amit Shah will head the Group of Ministers (GOM) to discuss and examine the proposed National Tariff Policy 2016.

The Union Minister of Commerce and Industries Piyush Goyal inaugurated the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Knowledge Hub in New Delhi.

Defence Minister inaugurated the National Traders Convention at Ramlila Maidan, Delhi.

Union Home Minister has laid the foundation stone of Delhi Cycle Walk project in Tughlakabad, New Delhi.

High Level Committee (HLC) chaired by Amit shah sanctioned Rs 5908 crore to 7 states from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

India to set its New World-Class Facility center in Challakere, Karnataka to train astronauts.

Mizoram will organize the 1st edition of Zo Kutpui festival 2020 across 10 states in India & Maryland in the US (United States), Tahan in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Vijay Rupani has announced the setting up of the Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Center (VSCIC) to identify, nurture and promote children’s innovation in Gujarat.

The Indian Railways has given approval for the installation of Internet Protocol surveillance system across 983 stations under the Nirbhaya Fund. The Project worth Rs 250 crore.

The Union Government has launched 2nd phase of vaccination drive under Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 2.0 at block level in 35 districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme an income of Rs.6000 per year in three equal installments of Rs.2000 is provided to small and regional farmers.

Eight North-Eastern states to celebrate Madhavpur Mela in Gujarat on 2nd April 2020.

The Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has inaugurated the submarine cable works on lying between Chennai – Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The world’s highest railway bridge (Chenab Bridge) is being built in Jammu and Kashmir will connect between Bakkal (Katra) and Kauri (Srinagar).

South Central Railway (SCR)’s Nandyal – Yerraguntla section in Guntakal Division became the first ‘solar section’ in Andhra Pradesh.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) announced that Four Indian airports have received the International recognition for reducing the carbon emission level as per the standards set by Airports Council International (ACI).

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has launched paperless licensing process for road tankers for transportation of petroleum.

Union Minister Amit Shah has inaugurated the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) in New Delhi and also dedicated National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to the Nation.


JANUARY-2020

Wings India 2020, an international exhibition and conference on civil aviation sector, will be held at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad.

Indian Navy commenced security operations “Operation Sankalp” in order to ensure safe passage of Indian Flag Vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Kolkata Port Trust will be renamed as Syama Prasad Mukherjee Port.

Union Minister of Steel launched mission PURVODAYA for the development of eastern India through integrated steel hub in Kolkata, West Bengal.

Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Textiles, Smriti Irani has launched Yashaswini Scheme for Women entrepreneurship in Goa.

Home Minister Amit Shah has launched the country’s first Cyber Crime Prevention Unit AASHVAST in Gandhinagar.

India's Statue of Unity has been included in the list of eight wonders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has inaugurated a new Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Telugu in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.

Infosys has partnered with automotive transport and logistics provider GEFCO to support its digital transformation over the next five years.

Indian Railways has signed MoU with RailTel for phase 2 of the National Informatics Centre (NIC) e-office project.

Union Culture and Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel has been launched the exhibition “Indian Heritage in Digital Space” at the National Museum in New Delhi.

Mega campaign on fuel conservation 'Saksham' inaugurated in New Delhi.

Goa is hosting the 5th edition of Science Film Festival of India (SCI-FFI 2020).

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has launched the 7th Economic Census process in the state.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has flagged off the 51st K-9 Vajra-T gun at the Larsen and Toubro Armoured Systems Complex at Hazira in Surat.

The Two states Mizoram and Tripura have signed a quadripartite agreement between the central government and representatives of the Bru tribe to end 23-year old Bru-Reang refugee crisis.

Fertilizer Minister D V Sadananda Gowda unveiled the logo and brand 'Apna Urea Sona Ugle' of Hindustan Urvarak and Rasayan Ltd (HURL).

Microsoft announced its investment of $1 billion in a climate innovation fund for technology for carbon capture and removal.

The Indian Postal Department has released a commemorative stamp of legendary Indian footballer Chuni Goswami on his 82nd birthday at his residence in Kolkata, West Bengal.

Bahadurpur and Kheri Viran are set to become India's first 'Model Sports Villages' as part of Institute of Management Technology (IMT) Ghaziabad's plan to evolve a sports culture in the country.

The government awarded the crucial Z-Morh Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir to APCO Amarnathji Tunnelway Pvt Ltd to be built at a cost of Rs 2,379 crore.

The Union Minister for Heavy Industries Prakash Javadekar has inaugurated as ELECRAMA 2020 in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.


JANUARY-2020

Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad has inaugurated ‘Centre of Excellence in Block chain Technology’ in Bengaluru.

The Indian PM Modi and Nepal PM K P Sharma has jointly inaugurate Jogbani-Biratnagar border check post.

Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan announced that the 'One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme will be implemented by June 1 across the country.

The Government of India has set up National Startup Advisory Council to advice the central government to create a strong ecosystem to nurture innovation and start-ups in India.

Brazilian President ‘Jair Messias Bolsonaro‘ will be the chief guest at the 71st Republic Day Parade at Rai Path, New Delhi.

Online bus ticketing platform RedBus has tied up with Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited to start carpool service for train passengers.

The defence ministry has approved procurement of military equipment worth over Rs 5,100 crore.

Bengaluru airport has partnered with Kunz Gmbh to develop and maintain specialized disabled aircraft recovery equipment (DARE) for the airport.

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) NITI Aayog and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) hosted the Youth Co:Lab -national innovation challenge in New Delhi.

The Government of India has providing loan to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME’s) within 59 minutes nearly 70,000 crore rupees has been disbursed till January 13, 2020.

The Union Minister of State Shri Mansukh Mandaviya has participated in the High-level roundtable of United Nations AIDS (UNAIDS) programme at World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The 44th edition of Kolkata Book Fair 2020 (IKBF) has commenced at Central Park Mela Ground in Kolkata, West Bengal with Russia as a “Focal Theme Country”.

Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated India’s first global Mega Science Exhibition “Vigyan Samagam” at National Science Centre, New Delhi.

Bharat Parv 2020, the programme to celebrate the spirit of India, began at Red Fort ground in New Delhi, with the theme ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' and 'Celebrating 150 Years of Mahatma Gandhi’.

Indian Railways has commissioned the country's first governmental waste to energy plant in Bhubaneswar under the East Coast Railway zone.

The govt has announced to set up country’s 1st war memorial for service animals such as dogs, horses, mules in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.

France will be the guest of honour country at the New Delhi World Book Fair 2022.

Dr Jitendra Singh launched the Bhuvan Panchayati V 3.0 web portal in Bengaluru for to enhance network application of gram Panchayati’s.

Oxford University Press announces 'Samvidhaan' as the Oxford Hindi Word of the Year for 2019.

Indian Navy has launched 'Operation Vanilla' to provide support in view of the torrential rains and floods that have ravaged Madagascar.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has commissioned a 3rd high-speed interceptor boat C-448 in Mangaluru, Karnataka.


JANUARY-2020

The 16th edition Mumbai International Film Festival-2020 for Documentary, Short Fiction and Animation films), inaugurated at Nehru Centre Auditorium, Mumbai.

Assam Rifles (military unit) has constructed a war memorial “Veer Samriti” in Nagaland, Kohima for 357 Army & Assam Rifles personnel.

Indian Railways(IR) undertook the Radio-frequency identification (RFID) project which aims for automatic identification & data collection of rolling stock with focus on improving the safety and reliability.

The latest edition of the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary features 26 new Indian English words, including Aadhaar, chawl, dabba, hartal and shaadi are added.

India has announced a new book of compilation of selected writings by former finance minister Arun Jaitley, namely “New India: Selected Writings 2014-19.

List of important MoU’s and agreements

Signed Between Purpose of MOU and Agreements

Government of India and Flipkart For selling the products made by women self-help groups under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) on the e-commerce platform

India and Mongolia To enhancing the Cooperation in the Exploration & Uses of Outer Space for Peaceful and Civilian Purpose

India and Sweden To co-operation in Polar Science

India and United Kingdom To Enabling Energy Self-Sufficiency for Indian Railways

India and Mauritius To cooperation in electoral management

Indian Institute of Management- Indore and ‘Tik Tok’

To produce short video modules on management courses for students and trained professionals.

IIM-Indore and Utter Pradesh Police To provide effective communication and crowd management training to UP Police Personnel

Indian Navy and Geological Survey of India (GSI)

To sharing seabed sediments data, products and expertise regarding naval application in meteorology and oceanography

Indian Oil and National Petroleum Authority of Ghana

For providing its assistance and technical expertise in the implementation of Ghana’s National LPG Promotion Policy

India and Brazil For Cooperation on legal assistance in criminal matters, oil and natural gas sector, early childhood & Geology and Mineral Resources

India, Tunisia and Papua New Guinea For cooperation in electoral management

Ministry of Rural Development and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)

To strengthen grassroots of institutions for rural poor

List of Cabinet approved recently

Cabinet approved Reason

North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid approved

CCEA has approved the North East Gas Grid project of Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) with viability Gap Funding(VGF)/ Capital Grant at 60% of the estimated cost of Rs


JANUARY-2020

9265 crore (Including interest during construction).

Closure of CPSE named Hindustan Fluorocarbons Limited

Grant of interest free loan of Rs.77.20 crore by the Govt. to HFL for expenditure exclusively on its closure and it will be helpful in implementation of VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme)/ VSS (Voluntary Separation Scheme, payment of outstanding salary & statutory dues, etc.

Over Rs 4300cr to establishing permanent campus of new NITs

CCEA has approved the revised cost estimates (RCE) for the establishment of permanent campuses of NITs, at a total cost of Rs.4371.90 crore for the period till 2021 – 2022.

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020

It will amend the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. The amendment will increase access of women to safe abortion services

ECONOMY HDFC gets requisite approval to hold a 51.2% stake in Apollo Munich Health Insurance

Company.

According to the data released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India rose 15% to $26 billion in the first half of FY2020.

India to place restrictions on non-essential imports from China by March 2020.

India’s foreign exchange reserve touches a record level of $457.46 bn.

Adani Ports to buy 75% stake in Krishnapatnam Port.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), an Indian state-owned aerospace & defence company, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Wipro 3D.

Uber Technologies Inc and automaker Hyundai Motor have teamed up to develop electric air taxis.

NSE arm launches AI-powered ‘knowledge hub’ to serve financial sector.

According to the National Statistical Office (NSO), India's GDP growth rate for 2019-20 estimated at 5%.

SBI lowers GDP estimates for FY20 to 4.6% from 5%.

World Bank slashes India’s GDP forecast for FY 20 to 5% from 6%.

HDFC completes majority acquisition in Apollo Munich Health Insurance for ₹1,495.81 crore.

Retail inflation rises sharply to 7.35% in Dec 2019 from 5.54% in Nov.

Government to cut 20% wasteful expenses to control fiscal deficit.

India's GDP growth rate for 2019-20 estimated at 5% against 6.8% in FY19.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) slashed India’s growth forecast by 1.3 percentage points to 4.8% for 2019-20.

Adani Capital acquires Essel Finance’s MSME lending business.

Bharti Airtel Ltd has received approval from the telecom department to increase foreign direct investment in the company to 100%.

Reliance Jio becomes 1st telecom operator to launch UPI payments feature.

Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) has signed a licensing agreement with the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) Futures Europe.

Government of India has decided to sell 100 percent stake of Air India.


JANUARY-2020

NTPC to develop 300 MW solar power projects in West African country Togo.

Google announces $1-million grant to promote news literacy in India.

Tata AIG in collaboration with DFI to develop insurance products for drone industry.

The Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Economic Survey 2019-20 in the Parliament. The Key Highlights of the Economic Survey 2019-20 are https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=197771

PLACES IN NEWS 31st International Kite Festival launched in Ahmedabad.

First edition of Krishi Manthan begins in Ahmedabad.

13th Jaipur Literature Festival began in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Srinagar declared Open Defecation Free.

India’s first e-waste clinic opens in Bhopal.

India’s first underwater metro, ‘Kolkata metro’ to be opened by March 2022.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ISRO to set up second launch port in Thoothukodi district of Tamilnadu for small satellite

launch vehicles.

Indian Space Research Organisation will establish a second launch port in Thoothukodi district in Tamilnadu exclusively to launch small satellite launch vehicles.

A contract has been signed by Indian Air Force (IAF) for purchasing 14 Dornier aircraft in 2015, which are flight inspection system planes, for Rs 1,090 Crore from state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind, launched a mobile app named “Telangana Red Cross” of the Red Cross Society of India in Hyderabad, Telangana.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) sets its fourth Regional Academic Centre for Space (RAC-S) at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NIT-K).

An international team of astronomers funded in part by NASA has found the farthest galaxy group identified as “EGS77“.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has signed a pact with Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) to establish an Optical telescope under ‘Project NETRA’ for tracking space objects.

Indian Army to sign MoU with Russia for 7.5 lakh AK-203 assault rifles procurement.

Challakere is the ISRO’s astronaut training hub.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will observe 2020 as the ‘year of mobility’ that will have a special focus on the creation of more residential units and implementation of various welfare measures for the troops.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a web portal for undertaking aerial survey.

NASA Discovers Potentially Habitable Earth-Sized World in Star's 'Goldilocks' Zone.

China successfully launches new communication technology experiment satellite.

For the second time, a collision between two neutron stars in another galaxy has rattled a gravitational-wave detector on Earth.

The naval version of the Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) landed for the first time on an aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya.

Isro's GSAT-30 satellite successfully launched aboard Ariane rocket.

Indian Oil Corporation launches special NATO class diesel for Indian Navy.

https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=197771


JANUARY-2020

Wolf Cukier's 17-year-old intern helps NASA find planet in habitable zone.

Russia to deliver S-400 air defence systems to India by 2025.

India successfully test-fires nuclear-capable K-4 ballistic missile off Andhra.

IAF inducts its first squadron of Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft equipped with BrahMos missiles.

Face recognition app to be used in Telangana Municipal polls on pilot basis.

Meghalaya celebrates 48th anniversary of its statehood day on 21 January.

Scientists of the University of Vermont and Tufts University have created the world’s first living and self-healing robots Xenobots.

POLNET 2.0 was inaugurated by the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai.

Indian Army to induct Artillery gun ‘Sharang’ by March 31, 2020.

The Indian Space Research Organisation has unveiled a human robot that will be sent to space as part of the Gaganyaan mission.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) documents another new snake eel species “Ophichthus kailashchandrai” in Odisha.

The 11th edition of ‘DefExpo 2020’ will be held on February 5 to February 9, 2020 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh with theme “India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub”.

GRSE set to deliver ASW corvette INS Kavaratti to Navy.

New meat-eating Dinosaur species Allosaurus jimmadseni found in Utah, US.

Researchers at IIT-H develops essential-oil-based drug carrier to treat fungal diseases.

Dr Jitendra Singh launched ISRO’s Bhuvan Panchayat V 3.0 Web portal.

New mission launched by NASA & ESA to take first pics of Sun’s poles.

Indian Navy Launches ‘Op Vanilla’ to Support Relief Operations in Cyclone-Hit Madagascar.

Assam Rifles builds war memorial in Nagaland for 357 martyrs.

NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) Launched ‘Searching the missing persons’ & ‘Generate Vehicle NOC’ services.

OPPO signs MoU with IIT Hyderabad for research on 5G, AI.

STATE Kerala became 1st State to pass resolution against citizenship Amendment Act.

UPSRTC launched ‘Damini’ helpline service for women in Uttar Pradesh.

‘Lai Haraoba’ ritualistic festival begins in Tripura.

10k cameras to be used for 2020 Asiatic lion census in Gujarat.

Odisha govt launches India’s 1st e-Gazette portal for all gazette notifications.

‘Cyber Safe Women’ campaign launched in Maharashtra by state cyber police.

The Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan launched K-RERA (Kerala Real Estate Regulatory Authority) to bring confidence and transparency in real estate sectors among the customers.

Telangana government declared 2020 as AI year.

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) opened its first “Patola Saree” silk processing plant in Gujarat.

1st of its kind rehabilitation centre for freshwater turtles is to be inaugurated in January 2020 in the Bhagalpur forest division of Bihar.

CM Jagan Mohan reddy inaugurates YSR Aarogyasri scheme at Eluru, Andhra pradesh.


JANUARY-2020

Kolkata Police begins 3rd edition of ‘Sukanya’ project.

Madhya Pradesh (MP) state Cabinet led by its Chief Minister (CM), Kamal Nath has approved the Mukhya Mantri Karmchari Swasthya Bima Yojana (Chief Minister Employees Health Insurance Scheme) implementation from April 1, 2020, for the welfare of all 12.55 lakh employees of the state.

Journalists’ Day celebrated on 6th January in Maharashtra.

The 2nd phase of Mission Indradhanush 2.0 rolled out at block level in 35 districts of Uttar Pradesh.

4th edition of the Buxa Bird Festival 2020 has begun in Buxa National Park in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has launched the Himachal MyGov portal – (https://himachal.mygov.in/en) to strengthen public participation in the government system.

Maharashtra CM inaugurates "Advantage Maharashtra expo 2020”.

Smriti Irani launches Yashaswini Scheme for Women entrepreneurship in Goa.

In Tamil Nadu, fresh investment proposals worth 6608 crore rupees have been approved. They have been cleared by the higher-level committee on industrial guidance and single window system, led by the state chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswamy.

3 new species of tiny frogs discovered in Arunachal Pradesh.

Kiren Rijiju and Pramod Sawant flag off ‘Fit India Cyclothon’ in Panaji.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launches a 10-point shorter election manifesto “Kejriwal Ka Guarantee Card”.

Reading of Preamble to become mandatory in Maharashtra schools.

Uttar Pradesh Government has launched Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojana which will provide financial assistance to family of farmers who die or become handicapped while working in fields

Uttarakhand becomes first state to implement agricultural land leasing policy.

Uttar Pradesh government implements ‘Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojana’ for the state’s farmers.

GeM signed MoU with Uttar Pradesh for GOTT Project Management Unit.

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray inaugurates Nagpur Metro’s Aqua line.

Flipkart signs MoU with Gujarat State Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd (GSHHDC) to promote artisans and craftsmen.

Tamil Nadu (TN) Chief Minister (CM) Shri Edappadi K Palaniswami, announced a new scheme, ‘Direct Consent to operate (CTO) scheme for green industries’ to get faster clearances from government for green category industries.

CM Naveen Patnaik launches Odisha Police’s transformational projects including state’s 1st virtual police station.

SURVEYS Indore city in Madhya Pradesh was ranked the cleanest city in India for the fourth time in

a row.

NITI Aayog released the second edition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index, which comprehensively documents the progress made by India’s States and Union Territories towards achieving the 2030 SDG targets.


JANUARY-2020

The union Minister of Finance Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman released a report of the task force on National Infrastructure Pipeline for 2019-2025 (NIP 2019-25) inorder to achieve the $5 trillion economy by 2024-25.

Indian paddler Manav Thakkar became world no.1 in the latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings in the Under-21 men’s singles category.

Chandigarh railway station is fifth in the country and first in North India to inaugurate Navigation facilities for visually impaired.

According to a 2019 report by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) which was based on a study carried out along forest fire points (FFP) identified across the country from 2004 to 2017, about 21.40% of forest cover of the country has been prone to fires.

Uttar Pradesh became 1st state to shortlist migrants for citizenship.

According to the Eurasia Group, India is one of the world's top geopolitical risks for 2020.

Indian passport ranked 84th in Henley Passport Index 2020.

In India, the under-five mortality rate for boys, in 2018, was 36 per 1,000 population while that for girls was 37.

Government launches Integrated Road Accident Database (IRAD) developed by IIT-Madras.

World Economic Forum released 15th Global Risk Report 2020.

As per the Index, India ranked has 76th position with a score of 42.7, while Denmark topped the list.

The 1st edition of Global Social Mobility Report 2020 titled “The Global Social Mobility Report 2020: Equality, Opportunity and a New Economic Imperative” released by World Economic Forum.

The United Nations has released its annual flagship report “World Economic Situation and Prospects Report 2020″.

Survey on trust on climate science & 1st positive impact rating 2020 launched.

NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India), a policy think tank of the Government of India (GoI), released the ranking of Aspirational Districts of the country for the month of December 2019.

SPECIAL DAYS

DATE SPECIAL DAY THEME

06 January Government of Maharashtra celebrates state’s Journalists’ Day

09 January 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, NRI (Non-Resident Indian) day

10 January International Hindi Day

12 January National Youth Day “Channelizing Youth Power for Nation Building”.

13 January The festival of harvest, Lohri celebrated every year

11th-17th Jan 2020. Transport department in Maharashtra observed 31st Road Safety Week


JANUARY-2020

14 January 4th Armed Forces Veterans Day

15 January 145th Foundation Day of India Meteorological Department (IMD)

72nd Indian Army Day

18 January National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) celebrated its 15th Raising Day

A workshop conducted on ‘Urban flooding & challenges’ and ‘Biological Emergencies & New Technology in Disaster Management’.

19 January National Immunization Day (NID) also known as ‘Polio Ravivar’

21 January Meghalaya celebrated the 48th anniversary of statehood day

24 January National Girl Child Day was celebrated in Madhya Pradesh (MP)

“Aware Girl child-able Madhya Pradesh” (Jagruk Balika-Samrath Madhya Pradesh)

2nd edition of International Day of Education

‘Learning for people, planet, prosperity, and peace’

January 24 to 30. National Girl Child Week

25 January 10th National Voters’ Day ”Electoral Literacy for Stronger Democracy”

26 January 71st Republic Day of India

International Customs Day “Customs fostering Sustainability for People, Prosperity and the Planet”

27 January International Holocaust Remembrance Day

“75 years after Auschwitz- Holocaust Education & Rememberance for Global Justice”

January 30 World Neglected Tropical Diseases day 2020

Motto:“#BeatNTDs: For good. For all”.

World Leprosy Day observed in India “Leprosy isn’t what you think”

72nd National Martyrs’ Day

2020 CISF observes 2020 as the ‘Year of Mobility’


JANUARY-2020

SEMINARS AND MEETINGS

SEMINARS AND MEETINGS PLACE THEME/TAGLINE

2nd National GST Conference of the Commissioners of State Tax and Chief Commissioners of Central Tax

New Delhi.

South Asian Trade and Travel Exchange Expo (SATTE), 2020

New Delhi

5th edition of the prestigious Raisina Dialogue

New Delhi

6th meeting of the Island Development Agency (IDA)

New Delhi "Holistic development of islands".

India Bangladesh Information and Broadcasting Ministers' Meet 2020

New Delhi

Indian Army conducts biggest airborne exercise ‘Winged Raider’

North-Eastern theatre, New Delhi

1st session of India-Norway Dialogue on Trade and Investment

New Delhi

Conference on Census 2021 New Delhi

3rd edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2020 New Delhi

2nd edition of NIC Tech Conclave-2020 New Delhi “Technologies for Next-Gen Governance”

32nd edition of PRAGATI platform meeting

New Delhi

An International Summit on Women in STEM - Visualizing the Future: New Skylines

New Delhi

1st Ganga-Volga Dialogue of civilizations 2020 between India & Russia

New Delhi

World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2020

New Delhi ‘Towards 2030 Goals: Making the Decade Count’

12th South Asia Conference New Delhi India’s “Neighbourhood First” Policy: Regional Perceptions.

3rd Global Potato Conclave 2020 Gandhinagar, Gujarat

International Conclave on ‘Globalising Indian Thought’

IIM Kozhikode, Kerala

18th meeting of the SCO’s Council of heads of government 2019

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

19th council of heads of government of India


JANUARY-2020

the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

14th Global healthcare summit in 2021 Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

107th Indian Science Congress (ISC) Bangaluru, Karnataka

"Science and Technology for Rural Development"

Women Science Congress inaugurated at the Indian Science Congress

Bengaluru, Karnataka

Global Investors Meet: ASCEND 2020 Kochi, Kerala

3rd international symposium on marine ecosystems challenges and opportunities (MECOS-3)

Kochi, Kerala

1st tri-dimensional expedition ‘Maha-Navy Connect 2020’ was launched by Indian Navy

Mumbai, Maharshtra

12th naval exercise ‘Naseem-Al-Bahr’ between India and Oman

Mormugao Port in Goa

5th Asia Pacific drosophila research conference (APDRC)

Pune, Maharashtra

International naval exercise ‘MILAN’ in March 2020.

Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

‘Synergy Across the Seas’

5th edition 'The Pulses Conclave' 2020 Amby Valley City in Lonavala, Maharashtra.

Coast Guards of India and Japan took part in a joint exercise 'Sahyog-Kaijin'

Chennai Coast

7th Conference of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region g

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

'ROLE OF LEGISLATORS'

First ever Food Processing Summit Ladakh

3rd North Zone Conference of Media Units.

Jammu

3rd international symposium on marine ecosystems challenges and opportunities (MECOS-3)

Kochi, Kerala

1st edition of Krishi Manthan- the largest Food, Agri-business and Rural Development Summit of Asia

IIM, Ahmedabad

SAMPRITI-IX: India-Bangladesh Joint Military Exercise

Umroi, Meghalaya

50th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum

Davos, Switzerland “Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World”

Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) with four workshop sessions

Ottawa, Canada The theme of the 1st workshop is 'Parliamentary Engagement: Openness,


JANUARY-2020

Transparency, and Accountability. 2nd 'Challenges and Opportunities Arising from the Displacement of a Parliamentary Assembly'. 3rd 'Parliamentarians as Effective Legislators and Constituency Representatives: Evolving Support Required'. 4th 'Security of Individuals in the Parliamentary Context and Beyond'

23rd Persian Gulf International Conference

Tehran, Iran

World Future Energy Summit UAE "Rethinking Global Consumption, Production, and Investment."

AWARDS AND HONOURS Piyuus Jaiswal has been awarded the Global Bihar Excellence Award 2019 by Rajya Sabha

MP (Member of Parliament) and Padma Shri Awardee Dr CP Thakur & Bihar Women Commission president Dilmani Devi in Patna, Bihar for his invaluable and outstanding contribution towards social welfare, women empowerment and introducing new talent in the field of arts and culture.

Famous Portuguese professional football player Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded by 11th Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2019 as the best men’s player of the year in the international football function held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Ronaldo has won the award six times out of its nine years of its existence and also marked 4th consecutive time.

Krishnamachari Srikkanth & Anjum Chopra will be conferred with the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.

Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB) Shri Prakash Javadekar conferred the 1st edition of the Antarrashtriya Yoga Diwas Samman (AYDMS) to 30 media organisations in New Delhi. The awards were given as an honour to media organisations for contributing to the spread of yoga in the society.

The 17th edition of Crossword Book Awards was held in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Twinkle Khanna won the Popular Best Fiction Award for her novel ‘Pyjamas Are Forgiving’.

Eminent Sindhi writer Vasdev Mohi will be conferred with 29th Saraswati Samman. He has been selected for this prestigious literary award for his short stories collection- Chequebook.

Ishwar Sharma from the UK has been honoured with the Global Child Prodigy Award 2020. The award recognized for the achievements in spiritual discipline yoga.

Road, Transport and Highway Minister, Nitin Gadkari presents National Highway Excellence Awards 2019 in New Delhi.


JANUARY-2020

A five-year-old boy from Hyderabad, Aashman Taneja has made a Guinness world record in Taekwondo for the most full contact knee strikes in one-hour non-stop.

Kerala Sports Minister EP Jayarajan announced the sports awards instituted by Kerala State Sports Council with Indian sprinter Muhammad Anas winning GV Raja award (Male) for athletics. Anas had won silver for India in the 400-meter race at Jakarta Asian games

The Iranian film ‘Castle of Dreams’ directed by Reza Mirakarimi won the Best Film Award in Asian Competition section of the 18th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF). The film also won the Best Director Award.

The winners of the 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, which honours the year’s biggest achievements in TV and film were announced at an event held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, USA.

'cVIGIL' and 'Voter Helpline App' -- two innovative ICT applications of the Election Commission of India, developed in-house, have won the eGovernance 'Award of Excellence' for the year 2019. The award was presented at KiiT, Bhubaneswar

President Ramnath Kovind conferred the Bal Shakthi puraskar awards to 49 children in the age group of 5-18 years at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was conferred with the "Champion of Change Award-2019" for his work in the Barhait and Dumka assembly constituencies in the state.

The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind presented the 14th Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in New Delhi. These awards are one of the most prestigious awards in India in the field of journalism, held annually since 2006.

Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW), which selects children for the National Bravery Awards every year, Twenty two children - 10 girls and 12 boys - from 12 states have been selected for the ICCW National Bravery Awards 2019. One award has been given posthumously.

The Home Ministry announced the winners of Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2020. The award will be conferred to Uttarakhand’s Disaster Mitigation & Management Centre in the institution category and Kumar Munnan Singh in the individual category.

Kerala Tourism's Barrier-Free Tourism Project has won global recognition with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) making a special mention of the south Indian state as an "Emerging Global Destination" in the Accessible Destination Awards 2019.

This year the President has approved conferment of 141 Padma Awards including 4 duo cases (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one) as per list below. The list comprises of 7 Padma Vibhushan, 16 Padma Bhushan and 118 Padma Shri Awards. 33 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 18 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and 12 posthumous awardees.

Full list of Padma Awards: https://padmaawards.gov.in/PDFS/2020AwardeesList.pdf

Eminent journalist and chairman of The Hindu Group of Publications N Ram has been selected for the Kerala Media Academy's national media award for his outstanding contribution to journalism.

https://padmaawards.gov.in/PDFS/2020AwardeesList.pdf


JANUARY-2020

Graphic designer Sneha Pamneja was awarded this year's Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize at the Jaipur Literature Festival for designing the cover of "Tiffin: Authentic Recipes Celebrating India's Regional Cuisine".

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has announced that it will be felicitating actor-director Andy Serkis for 'revolutionary' contribution to cinema at its annual film awards.

N Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, has been conferred ‘Harit Ratna Award 2019’ by the All India Agricultural Students Association for dissemination of ₹30-crore entrepreneurship project in agri-business and for motivating students to the agriculture sector in the State.

The Hindu Tamil has won the Election Commission of India’s award for its voter awareness and education campaign in 2019 as part of the poll panel’s national awards given on the occasion of the 10th National Voters Day.

Bajaj Housing Finance Limited (BHFL), a 100% subsidiary of Bajaj Finance Limited, has won the 'BFSI Digital Innovation Award' for Cloud Solutions at the recently held Express BFSI Technology Conclave and Awards 2020.

Noted theatre personality Sanjna Kapoor, the daughter of Bollywood actor Shashi Kapoor, will be conferred prestigious French honour, Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, for her outstanding contribution to theatre.

Ayurveda Day celebrated at the European Parliament, Dr Chauhan conferred with prestigious Ayurveda Ratan Award in Brussels.

Senior journalist from Jammu and Kashmir Yusuf Jameel has been selected for the 2019-2020 PEN Gauri Lankesh Award for Democratic Idealism.

SPORTS Chief Executive Officer of “Khelo India Games” has announced that “Lawn bowls” and

“cycling” will be included in the 3rd edition of Khelo India Games. The two games will be included in the event for the first time. The 3rd edition of the tournament will be held in Guwahati, Assam in January 2020.

Indian women’s hockey team defender Sunita Lakra aged 28, who was part of the 2018 Asian Games silver-winning side, announced her international retirement, citing a knee injury.

Humpy Koneru (32), an Indian chess grandmaster from Andhra Pradesh, has settled 12th overall in the 2-day FIDE World Blitz competition 2019 held at at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia. Kateryna Lagno (13 points) of Russia and Magnus Carlsen of Norway (16.5 points) retained their titles in the Women’s and Men’s Blitz Championships respectively

Indian shooter Saurabh Chaudhary has won the men’s 10 metres air pistol gold medal at the 63rd National Shooting Championship in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Second-place Sarabjot Singh of Haryana, while world number two Abhishek Verma settled for bronze in a high-quality final. Abhishek and Sarabjot together won the team gold for Haryana. Sarabjot also won the junior men’s gold.

The 1st edition of Khelo India University Games is scheduled to be held at the KIIT University in Bhubaneswar, Odisha from February 22 to March 1, 2020. Union Sports


JANUARY-2020

Minister Kiren Rijiju and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik unveiled the logo and jersey of Khelo India University Games.

New Zealand‘s batsman Leo Carter has become the seventh batsman in the history of cricket to smash six 6s in an over. He achieved the feat in New Zealand’s domestic T20 tournament Super Smash.

Former Roma & Italian professional footballer and the 2006 FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) world cup winner Daniele De Rossi (36 years) has announced his retirement.

India’s grandmaster (GM) Magesh Chandran Panchanathan from Madurai, Tamil Nadu wins the title in the 95th edition of the prestigious Hastings International Chess Congress at Hastings in England.

Weightlifter Sarbjeet Kaur from Punjab has been banned for four years by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) for a doping violation.

Ladakh lifted the 7th National Ice Hockey Championship Women trophy held at the Karzoo Ice Hockey Rink in Ladakh.

Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli has retained his top position with 928 points in the list of Test batsmen. Cheteshwar Pujara slipped one place to 6th spot with 791 points while Ajinkya Rahane dropped two places to 9th position with 759 points.

In Bowling Australian speedster Pat Cummins was at the top of the standings with 904 points ahead of Neil Wagner (852) and West Indies' Jason Holder (830).

Double Asian Games medallist equestrian Fouaad Mirza secured an Olympic quota after finishing as the top-ranked rider in his group in the qualifiers, ending a wait spanning nearly two decades.

Serbian professional tennis player, Novak Djokovic has defeated Rafael Nadal of Spain to make Serbia the champion of 1st edition of ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) Cup i.e. ATP Cup 2020 held at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney, Australia

India finished the year 2019 as the top shooting nation in the world, leapfrogging Olympic heavyweights China and the USA.

Japanese badminton player Kento Momota (world number 1 ranked) won the Malaysia Masters 2020 title. He has defeated Viktor Axelsen from Denmark by 24-22, 21-11.

Norwegian chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen has stretched his unbeaten run to a record-breaking 111 games after securing a draw in a tournament. The reigning world champion surpassed the 110 classical games undefeated set by Sergei Tiviakov in 2005 after drawing against Jorden van Foreest in the fourth round of the Wijk aan Zee tournament.

The ICC Under-19 World Cup Cricket begins in South Africa. Indian team, under the captaincy of Priyam Garg, will look to defend the title when it begins its campaign against Sri Lanka at the Oval, Bloemfontein.

In a dream start to her second innings after a two-year break, Sania Mirza lifted the WTA Hobart International trophy with partner Nadiia Kichenok after edging out Shaui Peng and Shuai Zhang in the final.

Vinesh Phogat won her first gold medal of the 2020 season at the Rome Ranking Series event after teen sensation Anshu Malik settled for a silver in 57kg competition


JANUARY-2020

Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon lifted the Indonesia Masters 2020 women's singles title after defeating Carolina Marin in the summit clash, Intanon defeated Marin 21-19, 11-21, 21-18 in one hour and twenty minutes long match.

Rohit Sharma became the fastest to claim 7000 ODI runs as an opener. He achieved this feat in 137 innings. In this case, he left behind former South African batsman Hashim Amla (147 innings) and Sachin Tendulkar (160 innings).

Indian captain Virat Kohli broke the record of former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He became the fastest captain to complete 5000 runs in ODIs. Dhoni had scored 5000 runs in 127 innings. At the same time, Kohli reached in his feat by just 82nd innings. Ricky Ponting of Australia arrived in 131 innings.

Indian captain Virat Kohli also held the record for being the fastest captain to score 11,000 international runs. He scored 11,208 international runs as captain, surpassed the previous record held by MS Dhoni with 11,207 runs. Kohli has played 199 innings as captain, while Dhoni had played 330.

The team of the Indian Consulate in Dubai defeated the team of the Pakistan Consulate to lift the Diplomat Cup Cricket Championship of 2020. The Championship was organized by Skyline University College in Sharjah. Consulates of eight countries participated in the tournament.

ICC Women's World Cup 2021 will be held in New Zealand. Christchurch to host final

World Archery decided to lift the suspension imposed on the Archery Association of India (AAI). The decision was taken by World Archer's executive board postal vote and this comes after AAI's independent elections.

Dattu Bhokanal’s two-year suspension on charges of tanking a race during the 2018 Asian Games was lifted by the Rowing Federation of India (RFI), after the intervention of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Narinder Batra.

Brazilian Joao Souza has been banned from tennis by the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) for life after being convicted of multiple match-fixing and other corruption offences

The 71st edition of International Boxing Tournament “Strandja”2020 was held in Sofia, Bulgaria from January 19-26, 2020.

India set to host Barca Academy Cup, Asia Pacific for second Year in row. Over 650 aspiring footballers from seven countries will take part in the Barca Academy Cup - Asia Pacific, scheduled to be held in Gurgaon from January 30 to February 2.

Saurav Ghosal missed out on his maiden PSA world tour event title after suffering a straight-game defeat to top seed Fares Dessouky of Egypt in the final of the Pittsburgh Open squash tournament.

Indian cyclist Esow Alben has bagged a gold in the men's Keirin individual event of the Six Day Berlin Tournament.

Indian women’s football star Ngangom Bala Devi has become the first Indian woman to earn a professional football contract abroad after signing for Scottish giant Rangers FC.

Canadian forward Christine Sinclair became the all-time top scorer in international soccer, breaking the mark held by American Abby Wambach when she netted her 185th goal against St. Kitts and Nevis in south Texas


JANUARY-2020

BOOKS AND AUTHORS Name of the Book Author Speaks About

The Cuckoo’s Nest A.Sethumadhavan

In "The Cuckoo's Nest", the author attempts to fight against these divisions in society through the character of the eternal optimist, Madam Agatha, a former nun.

PAX SINICA:Implications for the Indian Dawn

Samir Saran and Akhil Deo

PAX SINICA presents a comprehensive view of how President Xi Jinping’s, China will implicate the world order in the 21st century.

Essays & Reminiscences: A Festschrift in Honour of Nani A Palkhivala

Arvind P Datar

This book is a collection of essays on law, policy, economics and governance, and reminiscences written by people who knew and worked with Palkhivala.

The Winning Sixer Woorkeri Venkat Raman The book deals with all the attributes required for a leader that exists in each one of us.

The Gateway: A Social Commentary on Safety of Senior Citizens

Hariharan Balagopal

'The Gateway' by Hariharan Balagopal draws attention to the plight of senior citizens who are susceptible to a multitude of crimes against them - ranging from petty robberies to murders

Human Dignity – A purpose in perpetuity

Ashwani Kumar

The books portrays the author’s view on issues related to freedom, dignity and justice faced in society.]

The Story of Yoga: From India to the Contemporary World

Alistair Shearer The book discusses about the practice of yoga since ancient time in India till now.

Balwa Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi’s

The book revolve the concepts of society misleding by religious, political and administrative machinery.

Relentless Yashwant Sinha The book describes Sinha’s journey from a normal life to a high political powered life.

Calcutta Nights Hemendra Kumar Roy

The book discusses about past Calcutta, the capital of British India attracted many people from different parts of the country besides europeans & other


JANUARY-2020

foreigners.

OBITUARIES Name of the Person Field/Importance

Vikho-o Yhoshu Nagaland Assembly Speaker

Alajangi Viswanath Swamy Former Rajya Sabha member

Devi Prasad Tripathi NCP leader

Ratna Ojha Renowned Assamese dramatist, writer and social activist

Qassem Soleimani Iran’s top commander General

David Joel Stern The former commissioner of the NBA (National Basketball Association)

Bhim Chandra Jana Centenarian Freedom fighter

P.H. Pandian Former Tamil Nadu Assembly speaker

T.N.Chaturvedi Former Karnataka Governor

Kamal Bahadur Singh Former Member of Parliament (MP) of the country’s 1st Lok Sabha

Prem Nath Hoon Former Western Army Commander Lieutenant General

Hans Tilkowski Former West Germany football Goalkeeper

Akbar Padamsee Padma Bhushan artist

Minati Mishra Veteran Odissi Danseuse

R.P.Ulaganambi Former Vellore Lok Sabha MP

Idu Sharif Dhadi folk singer

Buck Henry Veteran screenwriter

Gopinath Gajapati Narayan Deo

Odisha’s Gajapati dynasty head and the former MP

Qaboos bin Said Sultan of Oman from 23 July 1970 until his death.

Chidananda Murthy Noted Kannada scholar

Obaid Siddiqui Veteran broadcaster, poet and academician

Neil Peart Canadian rock group drummer

Thomas Antony Eminent caricaturist and Kerala Cartoon Academy secretary

Paulo Goncalves Portuguese motorbike racer

Manmohan Mohapatra 8-time National Award winner

Roger Scruton British philosopher and conservative lightning rod

Rocky Johnson Canadian professional wrestler

Liang Jun China's first female tractor driver, and national icon

Ummer Koya Veteran chess administrator

Bapu Nadkarni Former India all-rounder

Khagendra Thapa Magar World's shortest man

Ashwini Kumar Chopra Former Member of the Lok Sabha

Sunanda Patnaik Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee & Odia Hindustani vocalist

Shamsher Singh Surjewala Former Haryana Congress Chief


JANUARY-2020

***

Man Mohan Sood Former India Test batsman

Saleha Sultan Titular Queen of Bhopal

Terry Jones Monty Python star

Jagannath Rout Former Minister of Odisha

Melhupra Vero Nagaland’s first MP to Rajya Sabha & Padma Shri awardee

Kobe Bryant American basketball player

Sher Singh Kukkal Noted artist and sculptor

Kodman Amarnath Shetty JDS leader and former Karnataka Minister

Golok Chandra Goswami Assamese linguist

Sunita Chandra Former women’s hockey team captain

Vinay Sinha Veteran film producer

Robbie Rensenbrink Netherland’s football player

Sunita Chandra Former Women’s Hockey Captain

Jameela Malik Veteran south actress

Abdul Ghafoor Former Bihar minister & RJD party (Rashtriya Janata Dal) MLA

Tushar Kanjilal Padma Shri awardee and Indian Social Worker

M. Kamalam Former Kerala Minister

Ajmal Sultanpuri Noted Urdu poet

Matthew Satya Babu Former India basketball captain

Sashi Sarma Assamese litterateur

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