Current Affairs - January 28, 2025 Current Affairs

The Telangana government introduced four major beneficiary schemes: Rythu Bharosa, Indiramma Atmiya Bharosa, Indiramma Indlu, and New Ration Cards. These schemes aim to support farmers, farm labourers, and the homeless poor, benefiting over 6.15 lakh citizens. The government allocated more than ₹570 crore through BDT for financial assistance. Implemented across 561 villages in all mandals of Telangana, these initiatives reflect the state's commitment to social welfare and economic upliftment.

The Union Territory of Ladakh emerged as the overall winner of the 5th Khelo India Winter Games 2025, securing a total of seven medals, including four golds. Tamil Nadu followed in second place with five medals, including three golds, while Maharashtra secured the highest number of medals (10) but finished third due to having only two golds. The event featured over 400 athletes, highlighting Ladakh’s growing significance as a winter sports destination in India.

Rakesh Sharma has been reappointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of IDBI Bank for a three-year term starting March 19, 2025, following approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He has played a crucial role in improving the bank’s financial performance, leading it out of the Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework in 2021. Sharma has extensive experience in the banking sector, having previously served as MD & CEO of Canara Bank and held leadership roles at Lakshmi Vilas Bank and the State Bank of India (SBI). His reappointment aims to ensure stability and continued growth for IDBI Bank.

Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, hosted the inaugural International Pashmina Festival, organized by the Nepal Pashmina Industries Association and the Confederation of Nepalese Industries. The festival, held over three days, showcased over 150 domestic stalls, with 40 dedicated to pure Nepali Pashmina. The event highlighted the traditional craftsmanship behind the iconic Pashmina fabric, especially the superior quality "Chyangra Pashmina." It also underscored Nepal's global recognition as a leading producer of this exquisite, hand-woven textile made from the undercoat of Chyangra goats.

Alexander Lukashenko has been re-elected as the President of Belarus for a seventh term, securing nearly 87% of the vote in an election widely condemned as fraudulent. Opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received only about 3%, and many opposition figures were either exiled or imprisoned. Western nations, including the European Union and the United States, rejected the election results, citing human rights violations and suppression of political dissent. Meanwhile, Russia and China extended their support to Lukashenko, reinforcing his long-standing authoritarian rule in Belarus.

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup founded in 2023, has recently surpassed OpenAI's ChatGPT as the most downloaded free app in the U.S. on Apple’s App Store. The company gained recognition with its advanced AI models, particularly the R1 reasoning model, which rivals OpenAI’s technology. Despite challenges like cybersecurity threats and regulatory scrutiny, DeepSeek has managed to achieve success due to its innovative approach and relatively low development costs, growing out of the AI research unit of High-Flyer, a quantitative hedge fund.

India is preparing to launch its first human-operated underwater submersible as part of the Deep Ocean Mission. The submersible is initially designed to reach depths of up to 500 meters, with plans to extend its capability to 6,000 meters by the following year. This mission is significant for India’s advancement in marine exploration, resource identification, and the development of marine and space technologies. It aligns with the country’s broader goals of enhancing scientific knowledge, exploring new marine biodiversity, and contributing to sustainable development through its blue economy.

Doordarshan, India’s national broadcaster, was recognized for its exceptional voter awareness and education campaign during the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. The award was given in the Electronic Media category, specifically for its special series “Chunav Ka Parv Desh Ka Garv”. This initiative played a key role in educating voters, particularly first-time voters, and strengthening India’s democratic process. The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu to Doordarshan’s Director-General Kanchan Prasad on Republic Day 2025, highlighting the broadcaster's commitment to responsible media outreach across the country.

Google Maps is implementing a change where the Gulf of Mexico will be renamed as the Gulf of America for users in the United States. This update aligns with modifications in the U.S. Geographic Names System, as previously directed by former President Donald Trump. However, the name remains unchanged for users outside the U.S., including Mexico. Google Maps has a history of using different naming conventions for disputed locations, such as "Sea of Japan (East Sea)" and "Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf)," to accommodate regional perspectives.

Pune, Maharashtra, has recently reported a sudden increase in cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare but serious neurological disorder. This condition occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system, leading to muscle weakness, numbness, and, in severe cases, paralysis. The exact cause of GBS remains unknown, but it is often triggered by infections, vaccinations, or major surgeries. Given the rising cases, health authorities in Pune are actively investigating the situation and implementing necessary measures to manage and control its impact.

The ‘Utkarsh Odisha, Make-in-Odisha Conclave’ is a flagship Global Investment Summit hosted by the Odisha government. It aims to establish Odisha as a leading industrial hub and investment destination in India. The event will take place at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar, which is the capital of Odisha and a key centre for economic and industrial activities in the state. The conclave aligns with the Purvodaya vision, emphasizing the growth of eastern India as a major economic powerhouse.

Indore and Udaipur have been recognized as part of the Global Wetland Cities list, an exclusive group of 31 cities worldwide that integrate wetland conservation into their urban planning. Indore, known for its cleanliness, is home to Sirpur Lake, which is designated as a Ramsar site. Udaipur, famous as the "City of Lakes," has several significant wetlands, including Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai. Their inclusion highlights efforts toward sustainable urban development and wetland preservation.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has declared 2025 as the ‘Year of Community’ under the slogan “Hand in Hand.” This initiative aims to promote unity, inclusion, and social cohesion within the country. It emphasizes shared responsibility and sustainable growth by encouraging community service and cultural diversity. Through various programs and initiatives, the UAE seeks to strengthen social bonds and foster a spirit of collaboration among its residents.