Current Affairs - January 21, 2025 Current Affairs

Ambarish Kenghe has been appointed as the Group CEO of Angel One, effective March 2025. He brings over two decades of experience in fintech, technology, and e-commerce. Kenghe previously held significant roles, including Vice President and General Manager at Google Pay APAC and Chief Product Officer at Myntra. His leadership experience in scaling digital platforms and integrating AI-driven innovations positions him well to steer Angel One through a competitive and rapidly transforming financial services landscape.

The first astronomical observatory in Eastern India was inaugurated atop Panchet Hill in the Garpanchkot area of Purulia district, West Bengal. This observatory, named after the renowned physicist Satyendra Nath Bose, is a significant milestone in advancing astronomical research in the region. It is the sixth astronomical observatory in India, contributing to the country's efforts in promoting research in astronomy, astrophysics, and atmospheric sciences. The observatory is managed by the Satyendra Nath Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences in collaboration with Sidhu Kanu Birsa University.

The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana was launched on 22nd January 2015 as part of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign to promote financial inclusion for the girl child in India. This scheme allows parents to open an account for their daughters at any post office or designated commercial bank branch. The initiative has been widely successful, with over 4 crore accounts opened across the country, and 2025 marks its 10th anniversary. It aims to secure the financial future of girls through savings and interest.

The 7th India-France Maritime Cooperation Dialogue was held in New Delhi, where India and France discussed enhancing cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. Both nations reaffirmed their shared vision for maritime security and their commitment to upholding international law and supporting multilateralism. France, as a key partner of India, plays a significant role in fostering maritime cooperation and ensuring stability in the region. This dialogue reflects the deep strategic relationship between the two countries in promoting global security and regional collaboration.

India and Sri Lanka collaborated to finalise the energy price for the Sampur solar power plant, strengthening their bilateral energy cooperation. A price of 5.97 US cents per kilowatt-hour was agreed upon for the 135 MW project. This joint venture between India’s National Thermal Power Corporation and Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board highlights India's commitment to supporting renewable energy initiatives in neighbouring countries, fostering sustainable energy solutions, and enhancing regional ties.

Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura celebrated their 53rd Statehood Day on January 21, 2025, marking their attainment of full statehood under the North Eastern Region (Reorganization) Act of 1971. Mizoram, however, is not part of this group as it became a state later, on February 20, 1987, through a separate agreement. This distinction makes Mizoram the odd one out in this context.

The Flamingo Festival 2025 took place in Andhra Pradesh, with a focus on the conservation of biodiversity in Pulicat Lake and Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary. The festival, which concluded on January 20, 2025, attracted visitors from across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and beyond. It served as an important platform to raise awareness about the ecological significance of these areas, which are crucial for migratory birds like flamingos. Ministers highlighted the need for sustainable tourism and conservation efforts to preserve the region’s vital ecosystems. The festival’s revival was credited to the leadership of the state government.

SIAM's 3rd International Conference on Sustainable Circularity highlighted the importance of promoting electric vehicles (EVs) as a step towards achieving sustainability and green job creation. The conference underscored initiatives like the FAME and PLI schemes, which aim to increase EV adoption and achieve 35% EV sales by 2030. This goal is part of India's broader strategy to reduce environmental impact, promote a circular economy, and transition towards cleaner energy sources. By setting 2030 as the target year, the government demonstrates its commitment to fostering economic growth while addressing climate change and reducing dependency on fossil fuels.

India has emerged as the seventh-largest coffee producer globally, showcasing significant growth in the sector. In the last financial year, India’s coffee exports reached 1.29 billion dollars, nearly doubling from 719 million dollars in 2020-21. Karnataka leads in coffee production, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu, which are key contributors to this achievement. This growth highlights India's increasing importance in the global coffee industry and the country’s capability to expand its presence in international markets.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) celebrates its Raising Day annually on January 19. Established in 2006, the NDRF is a specialized rescue force dedicated to disaster response and relief. This day honours the formation and contributions of the NDRF in managing natural and man-made disasters effectively. The NDRF consists of battalions drawn from paramilitary forces like the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police. Recognizing this day highlights the essential role of the NDRF in ensuring public safety and disaster preparedness in India.

The Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber (iSNR) initiative was launched in Kottayam, Kerala, to align with global sustainability principles and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This initiative focuses on promoting sustainable rubber farming practices by offering free certification and training to farmers, thereby empowering smallholders. It also aims to prevent deforestation and improve supply chain traceability. Kerala, known for its significant rubber cultivation, was an ideal location for launching this initiative to enhance sustainability in the rubber sector.

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States in a ceremony held at the US Capitol, attended by tech billionaires, cabinet nominees, and former presidents. Leaders from around the world, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, extended their congratulations to President Trump on his assumption of office. This event marks a significant moment in US political history and international relations.

China completed the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel in Xinjiang, which at 22.13 km is the world’s longest expressway tunnel. The tunnel is part of the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway and significantly reduces travel time across the Tianshan Mountains from several hours to just 20 minutes. Built-in a remarkable 52 months, the project faced and overcame extreme environmental and geological challenges at high altitudes, showcasing China’s engineering and infrastructure development capabilities.

Moody’s has revised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY25 to 7%, a decrease from the 8.2% growth observed in the previous fiscal year. This revision reflects a combination of global and domestic economic slowdowns, including weaker-than-expected performance in key sectors. Despite this forecast, India’s GDP per capita at purchasing power parity increased by 11% year-on-year, indicating a positive trend in the standard of living. The revision aligns with similar adjustments made by other organizations like FICCI and the Asian Development Bank.

On January 17, 2025, Russia and Iran signed a 20-year "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty" in Moscow, which aims to enhance bilateral cooperation in various sectors including economic, military, and cultural fields. This agreement comes as a response to shared challenges such as common security threats and Western sanctions. The treaty includes plans for joint defence efforts, scientific exchanges, and energy collaboration, strengthening the relationship between Russia and Iran, which has evolved from historical rivalries to a closer alignment in recent years.