[GKmojo] January 2020 file

Important Days in January

Date Day Theme

To mark the contribution of the overseas
9th January
Pravasi Bhartiya Divas Indian community in the development of
2020
India.
To make sure that the students across the
country can be encouraged to learn about
12th January
National Youth Day life, the ideas and philosophy of Swami
2020
Vivekananda and apply them in their
lives.
Lohri is termed as the festival of farmers
13th January
Lohri Day in Northern India. It is observed a night
2020
before Makar Sankranti.
To commemorate the day when General
KM Carriappa took over the command of
15th January
72nd Army Day Army and became the first Commander-
2020
in-Chief of the Indian Army after
Independence.
24th January Theme: “Aware girl child-able Madhya
National Girl Child Day
2020 Pradesh"
25th January To raise awareness about the importance
National Tourism Day
2020 of tourism for the country’s economy.
25th January Theme: ‘Electoral Literacy for Stronger
National Voters Day
2020 Democracy'.
26th January International Customs The role of custom officials and agencies
2020 Day in maintaining border security.
It marks the day when India declared
26th January
Republic Day itself a Sovereign, Democratic and
2020
Republic state.
To honour the sacrifices made by
30th January
Martyrs' Day the Father of the Nation, Mahatma
2020
Gandhi.
Books and Authors

1. Pranab Mukherjee releases Yashwant Sinha’s autobiography

Former President Pranab Mukherjee released the autobiography of Yashwant

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

Appointments

1. V K Yadav to lead Railway Board for 1 more year

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the re-employment

of V K Yadav as the Chairman of Railway Board. The appointment has
been done for a period of one year.

He took over as Railway Board Chairman from Ashwani Lohani on January 1,

2019. He has also held the post of General Manager of South-Central Railway
(SCR).
2. Former PM Zoran Milanovic wins croatia presidential election

Former Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic belongs Social Democratic Party

(SDP) won Croatia’s presidential election.

He defeated centre-right incumbent Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, who was

the first female president of Croatia.

3. New MD and CEOs for Bank of Baroda, Bank of India and Canara
Bank

The Personnel Ministry has approved a new appointment of Managing

Director and Chief Executive Officer of three public sector banks: Bank of
India (BOI), Bank of Baroda (BOB) and Canara bank.

Bank Name Post

Canara Bank Lingam Venkat Prabhakar MD & CEO

Bank of Baroda Sanjiv Chadha MD) & CEO

Bank of India Atanu Kumar Das MD & CEO

• Bank of Baroda headquarters: Vadodara, Gujarat;

Tagline: India’s International Bank.
 • Bank of India of Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra;
Tagline: Relationship Beyond Banking.
• Canara Bank of Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka;
Tagline: Together We Can.

4. Greece’s parliament elects Katerina Sakellaropoulou as its 1st

woman president

Katerina Sakellaropoulou has been elected the Greece’s first

female president.

Sports

1. India hockey captain Rani Rampal named 2019 World Games

Athlete of the Year

Indian women’s team captain Rani Rampal became the 1st-ever hockey player
worldwide to win the prestigious ‘World Games Athlete of the Year’ award
2019.
2. Maharashtra has topped the medal tally of Khelo India Youth
Games 2020

Maharashtra has topped the medal tally of the 3rd season of the Khelo India
Youth Games concluded in Guwahati. The state clinched 256 medals including
78 gold while Haryana stood at 2nd position with a total of 200 medals.
Assam’s swimmer Shivangi Sharma won five gold and two silver medals and
became the most successful female player of the tournament.

3. Saurabh Chaudhary wins gold at 63rd National Shooting C’ship

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-placed Sarabjot Singh of Haryana, while world number two Abhishek

Verma settled for bronze in a high-quality final.

Awards & Honours

1. The 13-year old Indian girl who has won Global Child Prodigy Award in
Dubai for her talent in being able to sing in 120 languages: Sucheta Satish
2. 77th Golden Globe Awards
Best Motion Picture (Drama): 1917
Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy): Once upon a time Hollywood
Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama

1. Actor: Joaquin Phoenix (Joker)

2. Actress: Renée Zellweger (Judy)

3. Padma Awards 2020

Padma Vibhushan
Public Affairs: Shri George Fernandes (Posthumous)
Public Affairs: Shri Arun Jaitley (Posthumous)
Public Affairs: Smt Sushma Swaraj (Posthumous)
Public Affairs: Sir Anerood Jugnauth GCSK (Mauritius)
Sports: Smt MC Mary Kom
Art: Shri Chhannulal Mishra
Others-Spiritualism: Shri Vishveshatheertha Swamiji Shri Pejavara
Adhokhaja Matha Udupi (Posthumous)

4. BCCI Awards 2018-19

Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award: Krishnamachari Srikanth
BCCI Lifetime Achievemnt Award for Women: Anjum Chopra
Polly Umrigar Award Best International Cricketer - Men: Jasprit Bumrah

5. ICC Awards 2019: Check Complete list of Winners

ICC Annual Awards list has been declared by the International Cricket
Council (ICC). With the list, ICC has also honoured the biggest names in
men’s and women’s international cricket. Some key awards are:

• Ben Stokes has won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for Best Cricketer
of the Year in ICC annual awards 2019
• Pat Cummins has won the award for Test Cricketer of the Year in ICC
annual awards 2019.
• Rohit Sharma has won the award for ODI Cricketer of the Year in ICC
annual awards 2019.

6. Acclaimed Sindhi writer Vasdev Mohi will be honoured with 29th

Saraswati Samman.

Acclaimed Sindhi poet and writer Vasdev Mohi has been selected for the
prestigious Saraswati Samman. He has been selected for his short
stories collection: - Chequebook, published in 2012. He has also
received the Sahitya Akademi Award.

Banking, Business & Economic affairs

1. “MANI” to help visually challenged to identify currency notes

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”.

The application also works offline once installed. The application scans the
currency notes using the camera of the mobile phone and also gives audio
output in Hindi and English. The app does not authenticate a note as either
genuine or counterfeit.
2. Microsoft vows will be carbon negative by 2030

The US tech giant Microsoft has announced that it would become “carbon
negative” by year 2030. Microsoft has also announced its investment of $1
billion in a “climate innovation fund” for technology for carbon capture and
removal.

3. Zomato acquires Uber Eats business in India

“Zomato” has announced the acquisition of Uber Eats business in India. Uber
Eats is an Uber Technologies Inc’s food delivery business in India. The
acquisition was done in an all-stock deal. The deals provides Uber with the
9.99% ownership in Zomato after the acquisition.

4. GoI sets up “National Startup Advisory Council”

The “National Startup Advisory Council” has been set up by the Government
of India to guide the union government to build a strong ecosystem to nurture
innovation and start-ups in India. The council will be chaired by the
Commerce Minister.

5. Bharti Airtel receives approval from Telecom department to

raise FDI in the company to 100%

The Bharti Airtel Ltd has received the approval from the Telecom
department to increase the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the company to
100%. The approval will enable Bharti Airtel company to raise more funds as
per its requirement.

6. NPCI Launches Blockchain-Based Vajra Platform To Secure

Payments
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has launched a
blockchain-technology based payment system ‘Vajra Platform’.

International Affairs

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

Russia has started production of S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile

systems for India. All five units will be delivered to India by 2025. The S-400
air defence missile systems are among the best in the world.

2. WEF begins its 50th Annual Meeting in Davos

The 50th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum begins in Davos,
Switzerland. This year 50th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum
theme will be “Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World”.

3. Indian passport ranked 84th in Henley Passport Index 2020

Henley Passport Index 2020 has been released. The Indian passport
ranked 84th in the world’s most powerful passport index 2020. Which is a
drop by 2 places as it ranked 82nd in 2019.

Now India provides visa-free access to 58 countries. The list was topped
by Japan.

4. EIU Democracy Index 2019

Released by: Economic Intelligence Unit
Rankings

Ranking Country Ranking Country

1. Norway 51 India

2. Iceland 69 Sri Lanka

3. Sweden 80 Bangladesh

New
4. 92 Nepal
Zealand

5. Finland 108 Pakistan

Note: India has slipped from its 2018 rank of 42

5. Global Mobility Index 2020
Released by: World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum’s Global Social Mobility Index provides a new,
holistic assessment of 82 global economies according to their performance on
five key dimensions of social mobility viz: 1. Health; 2. Education (access,
quality and equity, lifelong learning); 3. Technology; 4. Work (opportunities,
wages, conditions); 5. Protection and Institutions (social protection and
inclusive institutions).
Rankings

Ranking Country Ranking Country

1. Denmark 45 China

2. Norway 59 Sri Lanka

3. Finland 76 India

4. Sweden 78 Bangladesh

5. Iceland 79 Pakistan

6. Corruption Perception Index

Released by: Transparency International
Rankings

Ranking Country Ranking Country

1. Denmark 80 China
1. New Zealand 80 India
3. Finland 93 Sri Lanka
4. Singapore 113 Sri Lanka
4. Sweden 120 Pakistan
Note: Somalia is ranked at the bottom rank of 180
7. Iran’s Gen Qassem Soleimani killed in US airstrike on Baghdad
airport

Iran’s top commander General Qassim Soleimani has been killed in a U.S.
drone strike in Baghdad.

Soleimani, who led a special forces unit of Iran’s elite Revolutionary

Guards, has been a key figure of Iranian and the Middle East politics.

His death exacerbated already-high tensions between Iran and the United
States and triggered concerns of retaliation from Iranian forces.

8. WHO designated 2020 as “Year of Nurse and Midwife”

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”.

This year, WHO is to focus on nursing and midwifery in order to achieve

Universal Health Coverage.

The organization is leading the development of “World Nursing Report” that is

to be launched in 2020.

The report is first of its kind. The year is being dedicated to the midwifery as
well as WHO is also a partner of The State of the World’s Midwifery
Campaign.

9. Ukrainian aircraft boarding 176 people crashes in Iran

The Ukrainian aircraft “Boeing 737” boarding 176 people crashed

in Tehran, Iran.

The aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Imam Khomeini
International Airport located in Tehran, Iran.
Flight data from the airport indicated the obstruction in communication with
the aircraft as fire strucked one of its engines and pilot lost the control of the
aircraft.

10. NBA legend Kobe Bryant passes away

National Basketball Association (NBA) legend Kobe Bryant passed away in a

helicopter crash with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna. Bryant was a 5-time
NBA champion and 2-time Olympic gold medallist is widely regarded as one of
the greatest basketball players in history.

11. Britain Unveils New 50 Pence Coin to Celebrate Brexit

Britain has unveiled a new 50 pence coin minted to mark Brexit (British exit).
Brexit is the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European
Union (EU). Finance Minister of Britain Sajid Javid, who is also Master of the
Mint, was presented with the first batch of coins.
12. Grammy Awards 2020 Announced

Category Winner

Album of The When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?

Year (Billie Eilish)

Record of The
Bad Guy (Billie Eilish)
Year

Best New Artist Billie Eilish

National Affairs

1. Government announces sale of 100% stake in debt-laden Air

India

The government of India announced a sale of 100% stake in debt-laden Air

India. As part of the strategic disinvestment and has set March 17, as the
deadline for submitting an expression of interest (EoI).

2. India’s 1st e-waste clinic opens in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

India’s first e-waste clinic is being opened in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The e-
waste clinic was inaugurated by C K Mishra (Secretary to the Ministry of
Environment, Forest & Climate change, MoEFCC). The e-waste clinic is jointly
set up by the Central Pollution Control Board-CPCB and Bhopal Municipal
Corporation-BMC.
3. West Bengal emerges at the top in vegetable production

West Bengal emerged as the top State in vegetable production in 2018-19.

West Bengal has overtaken Uttar Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh continued to hold
on to the pole position in fruits with 17.61 mt, followed by Maharashtra (10.82
mt) and Uttar Pradesh (10.65 mt).

4. Uttarakhand becomes 1st state to implement agricultural land

leasing policy

Uttarakhand has become the 1st state in the country where the government
has made a policy to lease agricultural land.

5. India-2021 census exercise to begin on 1st April

Census exercise India-2021 to begin on 1st April 2020 and will end on
30th of September 2020.

Census India-2021 will be conducted through a mobile phone application.

The enumerators of the census will seek the information of the mobile number
of the head of the family, information related to TV, Internet, vehicles owned,
toilets, source of drinking water besides asking other questions during the
house listing phase of the exercise.

6. India’s 1st indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant to be

commissioned by 2021

India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant is currently under phase-3

which involves setting to work of machinery and other equipment and to be
commissioned by early 2021 in Indian Navy.

It will be fully operated by 2022. Vikrant is being built at the Cochin

Shipyard Limited (CSL) Kochi, Kerala.

7. Kolkata Port Trust renamed as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port

Kolkata Port Trust was renamed as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port on the
occasion of 150th years celebration of Kolkata Port Trust. The event was also
attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He dedicated a Commemorative
Stamp to mark 150 years of Kolkata port trust to India.

8. Raisina Dialogue begins from 14 January

India’s flagship global conference on geopolitics and geo-economics Raisina

Dialogue begins in New Delhi from 14 January 2020. Prime Minister of India
Narendra Modi inaugurated session. This is the 5th edition of the Raisina
Dialogue has organised by jointly the Ministry of External Affairs and the
Observer Research Foundation.
9. Mega campaign ‘Saksham’ launched by Petroleum Minister
A mega campaign “Saksham” has been launched by Union Minister of
Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan. It is a campaign of
Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) which aims to aware
the people regarding fuel conservation and greener environment across India.

10. The venue of 107th Indian Science Congress held from 03 to 07 Jan with
the theme Science and Technology: Rural Development: University
of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru

11. The temperature which has been made default setting for air conditioners
with effect from 01.01.2020 by the Central Govt in consultation with Bureau of
Energy Efficiency: 24 degree Celsius

12. The ozone depleting chemical which has been successfully and completely
been phased out by India: Hydrochlorofluocarbon (HCFC)-141b

13. Launch of GSAT-30

Launch date: 17 Jan 20
Launched from: Kourou, French Guiana
Launch vehicle: Arian 5 VA-251
GSAT-30 has a lift-off mass of 3357 kg. It will replace INSAT-4A. The satellite
will provide communication services to Indian mainland and islands through
Ku-band and wide coverage covering Gulf countries, a large number of Asian
countries and Australia through C-band”.

14. Republic Day Parade 2020

Chief Guest: Jair Bolsonaro, President of Brazil
Best Marching Contingent (Armed Forces): Indian Air Force
Best Marching Contingent (CAPFs): CISF
Best Tableau - States: 1. Assam; 2. Odisha and Uttar Pradesh

15. ISRO will set up launch port for small satellite launch vehicles

The ISRO Chairman announced that the Indian Space Research

Organisation (ISRO) will establish a 2nd launch
port in Thoothukodi district in Tamil Nadu.
This launch port will be used exclusively to launch small satellite launch
vehicles. The launch port will be established in 2300 acres. He announced that
the process of Astronaut selection is over for India’s 1st manned mission to
outer space i.e. “Gaganyaan” to be launched by 2022.

The ISRO Chairman also announced that

the Government has approved the Chandrayaan–3 mission to the moon,
comprising of a lander and a rover.

16. Adani Ports to buy 75% stake in Krishnapatnam Port

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), India’s largest
private sector port operator, has agreed to buy a 75% stake in
Krishnapatnam Port Co. Ltd (KPCL) at an enterprise value of Rs 13,572
crores.

The Krishnapatnam Port is located in southern Andhra Pradesh and is a

multi-cargo facility.

It handled 54 million tonnes (mt) of cargo in the year ended 31 March 2019.

The purchase will accelerate Adani Ports’ plan to expand its cargo-handling
capacity to 400mt by 2025.

17. 2nd phase of Mission Indradhanush-2 begins

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

The aim of the program launched by the central government in 2017 is to

achieve 90% vaccination coverage in children of less than 2 years in the state.

Under the program around 66 thousand sessions will be organized for

vaccination of more than 5.5 lakh children and around 1.3 lakh pregnant
women of the state.
The focus of immunization is on urban, underserved population and tribal
areas. Intensified Mission Indradhanush will be conducted till March 2020.

18. India’s first underwater metro expected to be complete by

March 2022

The country’s 1st underwater metro project is set to complete its East-West
Project of Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation, which runs partly under the
Hooghly river, West Bengal, by March 2022.

19. Surajkund Mela 2020: The Largest Crafts Fair in The World

President Ram Nath Kovind will inaugurate the 34th Surajkund International
Crafts Fair on February 1, 2020, in Faridabad, Haryana. For the 34th
Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2020, the partner country of the fair is
Uzbekistan. The state of Himachal Pradesh has been chosen to be the Theme
State.

All the best by GKmojo