Current Affairs - January 19, 2024 Current Affairs

MeitY Secretary S Krishnan inaugurated the India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG) and a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Intelligent Internet of Things (IIoT) Sensors in Kerala. The Digital University Kerala and CMET, Thrissur, play crucial roles as technical partners in establishing these pioneering centres.

Moh-Juj, the traditional buffalo fights, made a triumphant return in Assam during the Magh Bihu festival in mid-January 2024 after a hiatus of nine years. This cultural resurgence in Assam reflects the revival of an age-old tradition, and the Assam Government's approval, along with strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensures a balanced approach between cultural preservation and animal welfare.

Sumit Nagal achieved this historic feat by defeating Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik in the opening round of the Australian Open, ending an 11-major drought for Indian representation in the singles main draw. The Indian tennis sensation became the first player from the country to knock out a seeded opponent at a Grand slam since 1989, a feat he achieved after registering a straight-sets victory over Alexander Bublik in Melbourne

The world's tallest statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, known as the 'Statue of Social Justice,' with a height of 206 feet, is set to be unveiled in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. This colossal structure is a tribute to Dr. Ambedkar's national legacy and is one of the top 50 tallest statues globally.

Google Pay has collaborated with NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) to extend UPI payments globally. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two entities aims to enhance the usage of UPI payments for Indian travellers outside their homeland, providing a seamless and convenient transaction experience through Google Pay.

Ranjan Gogoi, former Chief Justice of India and current Rajya Sabha MP, will be honoured with the prestigious 'Assam Baibhav' award, recognizing his notable contributions to the field of justice and jurisprudence. The award ceremony is scheduled for February 10th.

The ‘Money2India (Canada)’ app is a distinctive offering from ICICI Bank Canada, specifically designed to streamline cross-border fund transfers to India for Canadian customers. It enables 24/7 transactions without requiring an account with ICICI Bank Canada, providing a user-friendly and accessible platform.

In 2023, Apple Inc.'s iPhone outpaced Samsung, securing the title of the best-selling smartphone series globally, marking the first time since 2010 that Samsung conceded the top spot in the smartphone market. Apple's sustained success was attributed to aggressive offers and a focus on premium devices.

North Korea conducted the test of its underwater nuclear weapons system, named "Haeil-5-23," as a strategic response to joint military drills by South Korea, the United States, and Japan. This move is perceived as a protest against the regional military exercises.

The inauguration took place in Devanahalli, Bengaluru, where Boeing's Rs 1,600 crore BIETC campus is located. This campus, positioned at Hightech Defence and Aerospace Park, stands as Boeing's most substantial investment globally, outside the United States.

Kokborok Day is celebrated annually on January 19th in Tripura, India. The occasion marks the 46th anniversary of Kokborok's recognition as an official language of the state alongside Bengali and English. The celebration highlights the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the Tripuri people, who consider Kokborok, also known as Tripuri or Tiprakoka, as their native language. This language belongs to the Sino-Tibetan family, closely related to Bodo, Dimasa, and Kachari spoken in Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya.

HDFC Bank, India’s largest private sector lender, is seeking to expand into Singapore and has submitted a banking license application to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The specifics of the license type are currently undisclosed.

The Government of Denmark, in collaboration with the UNDP, has launched the innovative initiative of establishing "green rooms" in Ukraine. These specially designed spaces within police facilities prioritize the well-being and rights of child survivors during investigative processes.

Daljit Singh Chaudhary, a 1990-batch IPS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has been named the Director General of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, with the appointment extending up to November 30, 2025.

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) maintained its dominance as the world's largest exchange in the global derivative segment for the fifth consecutive year in 2023, reaffirming its top position according to statistics from the Futures Industry Association (FIA).