Current Affairs - January 17, 2024 Current Affairs

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, the 18-year-old chess prodigy from Chennai, secured a monumental victory by outplaying World Champion Ding Liren in Wijk aan Zee during the 2024 Tata Steel Chess Tournament. This remarkable feat elevated Praggnanandhaa to the position of India's top-ranked chess player, surpassing the legendary Viswanathan Anand.

Pixxel's MegaPixxel, a cutting-edge spacecraft manufacturing facility, is located in Bengaluru. The inauguration of this 30,000 sq ft facility on January 15 marks a significant milestone for the Bengaluru-based space tech startup, promising to revolutionize satellite production capabilities in India.

Thiruvalluvar Day is celebrated on January 16 as part of Pongal to honour the Tamil sage for his significant contributions to literature, particularly as the author of the Tirukkural—a collection of couplets on ethics. Thiruvalluvar is believed to have lived in Mylapore, which is now part of Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Luxembourg has emerged as the third-largest country for FPIs in India, exceeding Mauritius, with its Assets Under Custody (AUC) growing by 30% to ₹4.85 lakh crore. Globally, Luxembourg's equity assets are now second only to the United States, attributed to strengthened India-Europe ties and collaborations, including those with GIFT City.

In the 2024 Global Firepower Military Strength Rankings, India secured the fourth position, reflecting a comprehensive assessment of military capabilities worldwide. The rankings consider factors such as troop numbers, military equipment, financial stability, geographic location, and available resources to provide a nuanced perspective on global military strength.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the distribution of ration cards for over 40 lakh people in Guwahati, Assam, under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Each beneficiary is entitled to receive 5 kgs of rice every month free of cost during "Anna Sewa Saptah."

IndoSpace reaffirmed its commitment to Tamil Nadu's economic growth by signing a significant Rs 2000 crore Memorandum of Understanding during the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2024, attended by key dignitaries, including the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and Union Minister of Commerce and Industry.

The Telangana government, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF), is establishing the 19th Centre of the WEF’s Fourth Industrial Revolution Network (4IR) in Hyderabad. This thematic centre, focusing on health tech and life sciences, reflects a strategic partnership aimed at advancing healthcare technology and enhancing lifestyles.

Gujarat and Karnataka were ranked as the 'best performers' in fostering a robust startup ecosystem, according to the DPIIT ranking. Additionally, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Himachal Pradesh were also distinguished as top performers in creating a conducive environment for budding entrepreneurs.

The windfall tax on petroleum crude in India was reduced to 1,700 rupees per tonne from the previous 2,300 rupees per tonne, as indicated by a recent government notification. Windfall taxes are designed to address profits resulting from external events, such as energy price rises due to factors like the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Tamil Nadu, known for its cultural richness, initiated the Jallikattu competition in the village of Avaniyapuram, marking a significant highlight of the Pongal harvest festival celebrated in the second week of January. The three-day event, with Avaniyapuram hosting the first day, Palamedu on the second day, and Alanganallur on the third, showcases the traditional bull-taming sport's excitement.

Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, celebrated as Prakash Utsav, honours the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth and last Sikh Guru. Sikh communities worldwide celebrate this significant day with joy, remembering Guru Gobind Singh's exceptional leadership and teachings, particularly his ascension to Guruship at the age of nine.

Karnataka Bank and Clix Capital have collaborated digitally on the Yubi Co.lend Platform to adhere to RBI guidelines, with a specific focus on supporting India's vital MSME sector, contributing to the country's GDP and employment growth.

The Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan (MMUA) scheme was introduced by the Assam government, aiming to provide financial support and empower rural women entrepreneurs, particularly those associated with self-help groups. The scheme focuses on transforming these women into "rural micro-entrepreneurs" with a target annual income of Rs 1 lakh per member.

The theme for CAPSTER-9 is 'Artificial Intelligence: Transforming Warfare,' focusing on the integration and impact of artificial intelligence in modern military operations.