Current Affairs - January 13, 2024 Current Affairs

The culinary tradition of 'Kai Chutney' using red weaver ants in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Savita Kanswal, a courageous resident of Lothru village in Uttarkashi, was honoured with the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award for her outstanding accomplishments as a mountaineer. She made history by conquering both Mount Everest and Mount Makalu in just 16 days, showcasing exceptional physical prowess and unwavering determination at the age of 25.

Ayodhya achieved a world record with the longest solar light line installation, connecting Ghats from Guptar Ghat to Jhunki Ghat and extending to Nayaghat. This initiative by the Ayodhya administration precedes the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony and aims to seamlessly link previously segmented ghats.

The International Camel Festival commenced with fervour in the culturally rich district of Bikaner, Rajasthan. The festival featured a Heritage Walk, vibrant traditional attire, and captivating performances by local folk artists, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of the region.

Tata Consumer Products Ltd (TCPL) successfully acquired a 100% stake in Capital Foods, the company famous for brands like 'Ching’s Secret' and 'Smith & Jones,' for ₹5,100 crore. The strategic acquisition is phased, with an initial 75% equity shareholding and the remaining 25% to be acquired over the next three years.

The groundbreaking UPI-PayNow linkage, announced by the NPCI, has opened avenues for real-time remittances from Singapore to India. Major UPI and bank apps, such as SBI, Axis, ICICI, BHIM, PhonePe, and Paytm, have been enabled for this service. This collaboration marks a significant advancement in facilitating instant, secure, and cost-effective cross-border transactions between India and Singapore.

The State Bank of India (SBI), the largest bank in the country, introduced the SBI Green Rupee Term Deposit (SGRTD) to accumulate funds dedicated to environmentally-friendly projects. This initiative aligns with the government's goal of achieving net carbon neutrality by 2070, contributing to the development of a green finance ecosystem in India.

The Indian and Japanese Coast Guards successfully conducted the joint exercise 'Sahyog Kaijin' off the coast of Chennai. This collaborative effort, initiated on January 8, aimed at enhancing interoperability and sharing best practices in maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, and pollution response at sea.

Scientists at Stanford University have developed an eco-friendly method using sisal leaves to create a highly absorbent material. This sustainable alternative has a higher absorption capacity than traditional materials like cotton and wood pulp, and cultivating sisal requires less water compared to cotton.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed an unprecedented security agreement in Kyiv, highlighting its importance for Ukraine's safety and symbolizing a robust alliance with the United Kingdom. The accord, effective until Ukraine joins NATO, represents a strategic commitment between the two nations.

Deepa Bhandare has made history by becoming the first woman in the sugar industry to receive the Best Environment Officer Award, as recognized by Vasantdada Sugar Institute Chairman Sharad Pawar. This remarkable achievement stands out in a traditionally male-dominated sector.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah introduced the 'Yuva Nidhi' scheme in Shivamogga, Karnataka, as the fifth and final poll guarantee of the Congress party. The initiative aims to assist unemployed graduates and diploma holders who completed their degrees during the academic year 2022-23 by providing Rs 3,000 per month to degree holders and Rs 1,500 per month to diploma holders not pursuing higher studies.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a significant milestone with the successful flight test of the New Generation AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. The test demonstrated the system’s capability to intercept high-speed unmanned aerial targets at very low altitudes.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd has partnered with IIT Madras to establish a 'Hydrogen Innovation Valley' in Tamil Nadu. The collaboration involves a grant of INR 100 crore (over $12 million) from Hyundai for the dedicated hydrogen initiative, and the agreement was exchanged between Unsoo Kim, CEO of Hyundai Motor India, and V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries marked a key development in Japan’s aerospace capabilities and strategic surveillance with the successful launch of an H-IIA rocket carrying Japan’s Information-Gathering Satellite “Optical-8”.

Sarbananda Sonowal is set to inaugurate the Research Institute of Homoeopathy in Guwahati and lay the foundation stone for the permanent campus of the Regional Research Institute for Homoeopathy and Integrated Ayush Wellness Centre at Azara. The project, sanctioned at Rs. 53.89 crores, aims to provide a permanent facility for the institute that originated as a Clinical Research Unit of Homeopathy in 1984.

'Work4Food' was developed by IIT Delhi to ensure government-mandated minimum wage compensations for delivery workers. The concept, presented at the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence, aims to minimize unnecessary travel among delivery agents, potentially curbing air pollution from vehicular emissions.

India ranks 80th in the 2024 Henley Passport Index, indicating it provides visa-free access to 62 destinations. This position reflects the country's standing in global travel freedom, showcasing its passport's level of acceptance worldwide.

Tim Southee, New Zealand's veteran pace bowler, made history by becoming the first bowler to reach the milestone of 150 wickets in T20 Internationals. This achievement was accomplished during a T20 match against Pakistan, where New Zealand secured a convincing victory.

Papua New Guinea declared a State of Emergency following riots sparked by a pay dispute, leading to 16 fatalities and widespread lawlessness. Prime Minister James Marape took action, suspending top officials and initiating a review, while military personnel standby to control further unrest. The government denies imposing new taxes on police and promises to address the pay shortfall.