Current Affairs - January 22, 2026 Current Affairs

Amelia Valverde, a football coach from Costa Rica, has been appointed as the head coach of the Indian senior women’s football team by the All India Football Federation. She joins the team, popularly known as the Blue Tigresses, in Antalya, Türkiye, as part of their preparations for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026. Valverde will work closely with the existing coaching staff to enhance team performance and tactical readiness. Her appointment brings international experience and recognition, including being named the CONCACAF Female Coach of the Year in 2016, which highlights her credentials and coaching excellence.

Bisleri partnered with the National Book Trust to introduce a children’s comic book focused on environmental awareness and waste management. Launched at the World Book Fair 2026, the comic titled “Chhota Bheem & Vidya's - Big Green Mission” aims to educate young readers about recycling, sustainable consumption, and responsible waste practices. By making the comic available in 48 languages, including 22 constitutional languages, the initiative ensures broad accessibility across diverse linguistic groups. This effort highlights the role of corporate and institutional collaboration in promoting environmental responsibility among children from an early age.

Punjab has initiated a large-scale law enforcement drive called ‘Operation Parhar’ with the objective of eliminating organized gangster networks. The operation involves the deployment of around 2,000 police teams across the state to target not only major gangsters but also their associates. The initiative focuses on dismantling the complete criminal ecosystem, including financial support systems, logistics, safe houses, weapons supply, and communication networks. To encourage public participation, an Anti-Gangster Helpline has been introduced, ensuring confidentiality and swift action. This comprehensive approach reflects the state’s commitment to creating a safer and gangster-free environment.

India has secured the 16th position in the Responsible Nations Index, which evaluates 154 countries based on ethical governance, societal well-being, environmental responsibility, and contribution to global stability. The index measures performance across three key dimensions: internal responsibility, environmental responsibility, and external responsibility. Singapore leads the rankings, followed by Switzerland and Denmark in second and third positions respectively. Developed by the World Intellectual Foundation, this index provides a comprehensive benchmark to compare how nations balance domestic progress with environmental care and international responsibility, highlighting India’s relatively strong performance among a large group of countries.

Mumbai is the city where Aksigen IVF launched India’s first immersive fertility knowledge centre, known as the Bharat Daftary Knowledge Centre. The centre has been designed to provide interactive and guided experiences that help individuals and couples better understand fertility and the science behind IVF treatments. By addressing common myths and misconceptions, the initiative promotes awareness and transparency in fertility care. Its core objective is to empower patients to make informed and dignified decisions by offering accurate information along with real-world support throughout their fertility journey.

Bhubaneswar is the city where the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation launched its first government-supported creche, marking an important step toward supporting working parents. The facility, located at Saheed Nagar, provides affordable and reliable day care services for children aged between 6 months and 6 years. Operating from Monday to Saturday, the creche offers extended hours to accommodate working schedules. It has been thoughtfully designed to promote early childhood development through play materials, learning aids, and an engaging environment. This initiative reflects an urban welfare approach aimed at balancing workforce participation with child care needs.

Odisha & Meghalaya have entered into a collaborative agreement aimed at strengthening Early Childhood Care and Development through shared learning and capacity building. The partnership focuses on improving holistic child development by addressing nutrition, health, early learning, and community engagement. By combining Odisha’s community-based Early Childhood Development models with Meghalaya’s innovative approaches in tribal regions, the initiative seeks to promote equitable and inclusive outcomes. This cooperation allows both states to exchange best practices, enhance institutional capabilities, and create a more integrated framework for supporting children during their formative early years.

The Federation of Indian Granite and Stone Industry announced its leadership team for the 2026–2028 term with a clear focus on strengthening India’s natural stone sector. Among the key appointments, Ishwinder Singh has been elected as the President of FIGSI. This role places him in charge of guiding the organization’s vision, supporting industry growth, and encouraging innovation across the sector. Alongside other office bearers such as the General Secretary, Treasurer, Vice Presidents, and Joint Secretaries, the President plays a crucial role in shaping policies and representing the interests of the granite and stone industry at national and international levels.

Roorkee served as the venue for the virtual inauguration of the National Paralympic Powerlifting Championship in January 2026 by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The event highlighted India’s growing achievements in para-sports and celebrated the contributions of divyang athletes on the global stage. During the inauguration, the past decade was described as a golden chapter for Indian sports, reflecting significant progress and international success. India’s medal achievements at major events such as the Paris 2024 Paralympics and the Asian Youth Para Games 2025 further underscore the country’s commitment to inclusive sports development and excellence.

Bank of Baroda has collaborated with India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd to strengthen infrastructure financing across the country. This partnership focuses on lending and syndicating loans for a wide range of infrastructure projects, ensuring better access to large-scale funding. The initiative is designed to support the timely completion of critical infrastructure by improving financial availability and execution capabilities. Through co-financed project execution, the collaboration aims to accelerate growth in key sectors such as transport, energy, and urban development, contributing to sustainable economic growth and improved national infrastructure capacity.