Current Affairs - January 15, 2024 Current Affairs

Union Minister Ajay Bhatt flagged off the Astra air-to-air missiles, developed by DRDO and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited. With a remarkable beyond visual range (BVR) capability exceeding 100 kilometres, the Astra Missile showcases India's technological prowess. This significant step not only advances the Indian Air Force's capabilities but also underscores India's strides toward self-reliance in cutting-edge defence technology.

The Himalayan Wolf, newly assessed on the IUCN Red List, confronts threats leading to an ongoing decline in its population.

The ₹540 crore allocation under PMAY-G, part of the PM-JANMAN package, is directed towards uplifting Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), benefiting one lakh tribal families for the comprehensive development of their habitations.

The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project is situated on Mauna Kea, an inactive volcano in Hawaii, USA. With a 30-meter diameter primary mirror, it is the world’s most advanced ground-based observatory for optical, near-infrared, and mid-infrared observations. Collaboratively developed by institutions from the USA, Japan, China, Canada, and India, TMT incorporates innovations in precision control, segmented mirror design, and adaptive optics, showcasing global collaboration in advancing astronomical research.

Madhya Pradesh emerged as the overall champion at the first-ever Diu Beach Games 2024. The landlocked state showcased remarkable talent with a total of 18 medals, including 7 golds, in a competition that featured 1404 young athletes from 28 states and Union Territories. This victory underscores Madhya Pradesh's prowess in sports and its ability to excel even in beach games despite being a landlocked state.

Pench Tiger Reserve, located in Maharashtra, has achieved distinction as India's inaugural Dark Sky Park, ranking fifth in Asia. Acknowledging the importance of preserving the night sky, the reserve has implemented measures like a night observatory and replaced lights in nearby villages to mitigate light pollution, aligning with global efforts to protect this invaluable natural resource.

Indian Army Day is observed on January 15 each year, with 2024's celebration falling on Monday, January 15. Signifying a historic event, it commemorates the appointment of General K.M. Cariappa as the first Indian chief of the Indian Army in 1949, succeeding the British. The theme for Indian Army Day 2024 is "In Service of the Nation," emphasizing their commitment to serving and protecting the country.

'Bhishm' and the series of six tugs were successfully constructed at Titagarh Rail Systems, Kolkata, marking a significant achievement for the "Make in India" initiative. Aligned with the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" vision, these tugs adhere to the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and are designed to enhance naval operations, including berthing, un-berthing, manoeuvring, and firefighting.

India is on track to become the leading global producer of lentils in the 2023-24 crop years due to expanded cultivation. Known as 'Dal' after processing, lentils are a valuable human food source. Major lentil cultivation states in India include Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, showcasing the country's significant contribution to global lentil production.

Delhi's Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena's recent decision to greenlight 24x7 operations for 32 establishments, under the Delhi Shops and Establishment Act, 1954, reflects the city's commitment to economic dynamism. The approved establishments span diverse categories such as departmental stores, cosmetic shops, and sweets shops, with a focus on ensuring safety measures for women employees working during nighttime.

The maiden National Highway Steel Slag Road was inaugurated on NH-66 Mumbai-Goa. Developed by CSIR-CRRI, this innovation utilizes steel industry waste to contribute to the construction of eco-friendly and robust national highways, aligning with NHAI's efforts to enhance infrastructure sustainability.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting, themed 'Rebuilding Trust,' will convene in Davos, Switzerland from January 15-19, with the presence of Indian leaders Smriti Irani, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Hardeep Puri, engaging in discussions on climate change, conflicts, and misinformation.

The Army's adoption of Topa Pir village as a model village under the Sadbhavana scheme comes in response to the December 2023 incident where a video of alleged civilian torture went viral. This initiative is part of efforts to engage with the local population in the Pir Panjal Valley, aiming to rebuild trust and foster positive relations after the unfortunate incident that sparked significant public outrage and criticism.

In a historic election, Taiwanese voters have chosen William Lai Ching-te, a pro-sovereignty candidate, as their president. Lai secured an unprecedented third consecutive term for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), defeating his conservative rival, Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang (KMT), by over 900,000 votes.

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's request for India's troop withdrawal by March 15, along with his pro-China stance, indicates a potential shift in Maldives' foreign policy, causing concerns in India.