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Current Affairs Today – 22nd January 2021
NEWS AT A GLANCE
CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS
28 non-official members nominated to startup council
- The government has nominated 28 non-official members on the National Startup Advisory Council.
- The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) had set up the National Startup Advisory Council a year back to advise the government on measures needed to build an ecosystem for nurturing innovation and startups in the country.
- The term of the non-official members of the council is for a period of two years.
The Nominated members:
- Byju Raveendran (Founder of Byju’s)
- Lizzie Chapman (ZestMoney Co-founder)
- Kris Gopalkrishnan (Axilor Ventures founder)
About DPIIT :
- Founded : 1995
- Comes Under Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Niti Aayog Releases Report On Faecal Sludge And Septage Management In Urban Areas
- NITI Aayog released a book on faecal sludge and septage management in urban areas.
- It is Jointly developed with National Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (NFSSM)
- The book presents 27 case studies across 10 states and various service and business models adopted by Indian cities while implementing faecal sludge and septage management (FSSM) initiatives.
- The book was released by NITI Aayog CEO Mr Amitabh Kant, MoHUA Secretary Mr Durga Shankar Mishra, and NITI Aayog Additional Secretary Dr K. Rajeswara Rao in a virtual event.
- The target of open-defecation-free, India has now moved towards becoming ODF+ and ODF++
- This book provides a timely repository of FSSM best practices that can be adapted and replicated appropriately across the country.
About NITI Aayog :
- Formed : 1 January 2015
- Headquarters : New Delhi
- Chairperson : Narendra Modi
- CEO : Mr Amitabh Kant
- Additional Secretary : Dr K Rajeswara Rao
DRDO and Road Transport and Highways Ministry sign MoU for technical exchange on sustainable geo-hazard management
- Road Transport and Highways Ministry and Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration in the field of technical exchange and co-operation on sustainable geo-hazard management.
- The MoU was signed by Secretary Ministry of Road and Transport Giridhar Aramane and Secretary DRDO Dr Satieesh Reddy.
- It has been agreed that both will cooperate in the areas of mutual benefit including, conceptual planning of integrated avalanche and landslide protection schemes for all weather connectivity in snow bound areas of the country.
- This initiative will ensure safety of road users on National Highways in the country and safeguard them from the adverse effects of landslides and other natural calamities.
About Ministry of Road Transport and Highways :
- Headquarters : New Delhi
- Founded : July 1942
- Minister of State : Mansukh L. Mandaviya
- Union Minister : Nitin Gadkari
About DRDO :
- Founded : 1958
- Headquarters : New Delhi
Cabinet approval – Ratle Hydro Power Project in J&K
- The Cabinet has given its approval for the investment of over Rs.5200 crore for 850 MW Ratle Hydro Electric (HE) Project located on river Chenab, in Kishtwar in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
- This will be a new Joint Venture Company (JVC) of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Ltd (JKSPDC) with equity contribution of 51 per cent and 49 per cent respectively.
- The construction activities of the Project will provide direct and indirect employment to around 4000 persons and will contribute immensely in the overall socio-economic development of Jammu and Kashmir.
About Jammu & Kashmir:
- Capital: Jammu (winter), Srinagar (summer)
- Lieutenant Governor: Manoj Sinha
PM Modi releases financial assistance for UP under PMAY-G
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi released financial assistance of around Rs 2,691 crore to over six lakh beneficiaries in Uttar Pradesh under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G), through video conferencing.
- The financial assistance includes release of first installment to 5.30 lakh beneficiaries and second installment to 80 thousand beneficiaries who have already availed first installment of assistance under PMAY-G.
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna has moved rapidly under the present government and has helped the poorest of the poor in Uttar Pradesh.
- He stressed on the aspect of women empowerment in the scheme as these units are mostly in the name of women of the family.
About Uttar Pradesh:
- Capital:Lucknow
- Governor: Anandiben Patel
- Chief minister: Yogi Adityanath
Meghalaya, Manipur & Tripura observes Statehood Day
- President, Vice President and Prime Minister have greeted the people of Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura on the occasion of their Statehood Day on January 21, 2021.
- President Ram Nath Kovind said, blessed with immense natural beauty, rich history and vibrant culture, these states are fascinating.
- He extended his warm wishes as they continue to move ahead on the path of multi-faceted development.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, the culture and warm-hearted nature of the people of Tripura is admired across India.
- The state has achieved outstanding progress in various fields.
- He said, India is proud of Manipur’s contribution to national development.
- Manipur is a powerhouse of innovation and sporting talent.
- Mr Modi said, Meghalaya is known for its remarkable kindness and spirit of brotherhood.
- Youngsters from Meghalaya are creative and enterprising.
About Meghalaya:
- Capital: Shillong
- Governor: Satya Pal Malik
- Chief minister: Conrad Sangma
About Manipur:
- Capital:Imphal
- Governor:Najma Heptulla
- Chief minister: N. Biren Singh
About Tripura:
- Capital:Agartala
- Governor:Ramesh Bais
- Chief Minister: Biplab Kumar Deb
CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS
India and EU virtually held first maritime security dialogue
- India and the EU have held their first maritime security dialogue in a virtual format.
- The consultations involved exchanges on developments in maritime security environment, regional cooperation activities, developments of mutual interest and opportunities for cooperation between India and the EU.
- The EU-India Maritime Dialogue was chaired by Director Joanneke Balfoort on the European Union External Action Service side and Joint Secretary Sandeep Arya on the Indian side.
- It seeks to develop mutual understanding and cooperation opportunities between India and the EU in the maritime security domain as another factor of the strategic partnership between the two sides consistent with the India-EU Roadmap to 2025.
About EU :
- Headquarters : Brussels, Belgium
- Founded : 1 November 1993, Netherlands
CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS
Gujarat govt to renames dragon fruit as kamalam
- Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has proposed to rename dragon fruit as ‘Kamalam.
- The dragon fruit has been renamed Kamalam because of the shape of the fruit.
- This was announced at the launch of the Chief Minister Horticulture Development Mission.
- The Horticulture Development Mission, a new scheme to promote horticulture in the State’s unproductive land parcels.
About Dragon Fruit :
- Dragon fruit is the fruit of a species of wild cactus indigenous to South and Central America, where it is called pitaya or pitahaya.
- The world’s largest producer and exporter of dragon fruit is Vietnam, where the plant was brought by the French in the 19th century.
- Dragon fruit is also cultivated in apart from its native Latin America Thailand, Taiwan, China, Australia, Israel, and Sri Lanka.
About Gujarat :
- Capital : Gandhinagar
- Governor : Acharya Devvrat
- CM : Vijay Rupani
CM Thakur launches HP”s first online youth radio station
- Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched Himachal Pradesh”s first online youth radio station ”Radio Hills-Youngistan Ka Dil.
- The chief minister appreciated the efforts of the young entrepreneurs and said the online radio station would go a long way in promoting culture and traditions of the state besides providing an opportunity to the youth to exhibit their talents.
- Deepika and Saurabh, co-founders of the online radio station, informed Thakur that it would also be available on Apple and Android mobile phones.
- Developers of the online radio station Karan, Radio Jockeys Palak, Rahul and Nidhi were also present on the occasion.
- The online radio would go a long way in promoting the culture and traditions of the state, besides providing an opportunity to the youth to exhibit their talents.
Andhra Pradesh CM flagged off Door to door Delivery Vehicles
- In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister S. Jagan Mohan Reddy flagged off Mobile Dispensing Units/ Door to door Delivery Vehicles in Vijayawada.
- As many as 9,260 of such vehicles will supply ration with quality rice at the door steps of ration card beneficiaries across the state.
- The State Government has come forward with the door delivery programme with a view to supply quality rice and also other essential commodities.
- As promised in his Padayatra, Mr Reddy has taken up this initiative to supply quality rice to the BPL people.
- The mobile vehicles were purchased at a cost of Rs 539 crore and these vehicles were provided by the government at 60% subsidy to eligible beneficiaries through various corporations under the Employment Guarantee Scheme for unemployed youth.
- The value of each vehicle is Rs 5,81,000, of which Rs 3,48,600 was provided as subsidy from various Corporations and Civil Supplies Corporation.
About Andhra Pradesh:
- Governor:Biswabhusan Harichandan
- Chief minister: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy
- Capitals:
- Amaravati is the legislative Capital
- Visakhapatnamis the executive capital
- Kurnoolis the judicial capital
Ministry of Minority Affairs organise Hunar Haat in Lucknow
- Ministry of Minority Affairs will organise the 24th Hunar Haat at Avadh Shilpgram, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh from 22nd January to 4th February with the theme of Vocal for Local.
- Artisans and craftsmen from 31 States and Union Territories of the country will participate in the Hunar Haat.
- About 500 artisans, craftsmen and culinary experts from different States including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Chattisgarh, Jammu-Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal will display and sell their exquisite handmade products.
- The Ministry said, renowned artists of the country will perform cultural events on the theme of Atma Nirbhar Bharat every day at Hunar Haat.
Karnataka CM launches Avalokana software
- In Karnataka, Chief Minister S. Yediyurappa launched Avolokana software that will enable the government to access data on sanctions and expenditures incurred by 39 departments on 1,800 programmes implemented by them.
- District Deputy Commissioners and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officers in Bengaluru, the Chief Minister also unveiled Karnataka statistics on Development programmes for the year 2019-20.
About Karnataka:
- Capital: Bengaluru
- Governor: Vajubhai Vala
- Chief minister: B. S. Yediyurappa
CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING NEWS
Airtel Payments Banks launches ‘safe pay’
- Airtel Payments Bank launched a mode of safe digital transactions to protect customers from online frauds.
About Airtel Safe Pay :
- Airtel Safe Pay is an additional wall that will prevent online frauds when customers transact through UPI (unified payment interface) or net-banking using the Airtel Payments Bank.
- The new payment gateway, which is free of cost, will offer protection against phishing, stolen credentials or passwords, and phone cloning.
- Airtel Safe Pay leverages Airtel’s telecom exclusive strength of network intelligence to provide an additional layer of payment validation compared to the industry norm of two-factor authentication.
- Airtel Safe Pay will allow customers of the payments bank to conduct digital transactions across merchants, online retailers, and transfer money.
- Customers can open an Airtel Payments Bank account through a video call using the Airtel Thanks application.
About Airtel Payments Bank :
- CEO : Anubrata Biswas
- Headquarters : New Delhi
- Founded : 2017
Bank of Baroda desire to be part of Andhra Pradesh’s economic growth
- Bank of Baroda (BoB) Executive Director Vikramaditya Singh Khichi called on Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at the CM’s camp office in Tadepalli.
- Vikramaditya Singh said that the BoB wants to be a part of AP’s economic growth, adding that they are funding various development activities in the State.
Punjab National Bank donates books to children
- Punjab National Bank, one of the leading nationalized banks of the country, established in 1895, and completed 126 years of banking service.
- On the occasion, the Bank’s Zonal Manager, Ashutosh Choudhury, visited Vijayawada circle and participated in the Corporate Social Responsibility activities.
- An industrial jumbo air cooler was donated to Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Devasthanam.
- Bank officials distributed bags, uniforms, books and pens to orphans and needy children at SKCV Children’s trust.
- The bank has also donated the Armed Forces Flag Fund to the Directorate of Sainik Welfare Association, Vijayawada.
- Further, a customer meet of all local branches was conducted and many customers were honoured.
Andhra Pradesh State Cooperative Bank bags first prize
- The Andhra Pradesh State Cooperative Bank (APCOB), Vijayawada was awarded the first prize for the overall best performance for the year 2018-19, among all the state cooperative banks in the country, by the National Federation of State Cooperative Banks, Mumbai, taking into consideration its share capital of Rs 1,600 crore, business turnover of Rs 13,300 crore and Rs 145 crore profit.
CURRENT AFFAIRS : AGREEMENTS
POWERGRID signs MoU with HPSEBL to improve telecom connectivity in hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh
- To improve telecom connectivity in hilly areas, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), the PSU under Ministry of Power, has recently signed an agreement with Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited. (HPSEBL) in Shimla (H.P.)
- This total 850 Kms long telecom network will enable POWERGRID Telecom to reach remote areas of Kangra, Una, Mandi, Kullu, Bilaspur, Sirmour, Palampur, Sundernagar, Banikhet, Amb, Paonta Sahib, Nahan etc.
- Through this OPGW Network, Telecom Service providers will be able to provide uninterrupted mobile/Internet services to the people of the state.
- OPGW: an optical fiber composite overhead ground wire.
About POWERGRID :
- POWERGRID, a ‘Maharatna’ CPSE under the Ministry of Power, Government of India and Central Transmission Utility (CTU) of India, is India’s principal power transmission company and also one of the largest power transmission utilities in the world.
- POWERGRID’s vast transmission network comprises ~168,140 circuit kilometers of transmission lines, 252 EHVAC & HVDC substations with transformation capacity of about 420,630 MVA, spread across the country.
- This network has been consistently maintained at an average availability of >99%. The Company’s shares are listed on the BSE and the NSE and are a part of S&P BSE SENSEX and NIFTY.
About HP :
- Governor : Bandaru Dattatreya
- Chief Minister of HP: Jairam Thakur
CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS
Five day Indo-French Air exercise, Ex Desert Knight-21 begins in Jodhpur
- Indian Air Force and French Air and Space Force are conducting a bilateral Air exercise, Ex Desert Knight-21 in Jodhpur . The exercise marks an important milestone in the series of engagements between the two Air forces.
- It is unique as it includes fielding of Rafale aircraft by both sides and is indicative of the growing interaction between the two premier Air Forces.
- The French side will participate with Rafale, Airbus A-330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport, A-400M Tactical Transport aircraft and approximately 175 personnel.
- The Indian Air Force aircraft participating in the exercise will include Rafale, Mirage 2000, Sukhoi-30 MKI among other aircraft.
About France :
- President : Emmanuel Macron
- Capital : Paris
- Currency : Euro
CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS
Joe Biden takes oath as 46th US President
- Joe Biden took oath as the 46th President of the United States of America at a scaled-back ceremony in the US Capitol building in Washington.
- 78 year old Biden has become the oldest US President and only the second Roman Catholic president.
- Biden, who was vice president under Barack Obama and first ran for president in 1987, plans to kick off his tenure with a flurry of 17 orders.
- His deputy Kamala Harris was also sworn in as 49th Vice-President of the country.
- Kamala Harris made history as America’s first woman and first person with south Asian roots to take the office of the Vice President.
- She was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor
About US :
- President : Joe Biden
- Capital : Washington, D.C.
Government appoints Siddhartha Mohanty as managing director of LIC from Feb 1
- The government appointed Siddhartha Mohanty, currently serving as the managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of LIC Housing Finance, as the MD of India’s largest insurer Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) from February 1 onwards.
- He will serve as the MD of LIC till his superannuation on June 30, 2023. Mohanty will be replacing TC Suseel Kumar, who is set to retire on January 31, 2021.
- LIC has four MDs and one chairman. Currently, MR Kumar is serving as the chairman of the corporation and TC Suseel Kumar, Vipin Anand, Mukesh Kumar Gupta, and Raj Kumar are serving as the MDs of LIC.
- Mohanty was the chief operating officer of LIC Housing Finance before he was appointed the CEO of the housing finance company. Prior to that, he was with the executive director in LIC, handling the legal department.
About LIC :
- Chairperson : M R Kumar
- Founded : 1 September 1956
- Headquarters : Mumbai
ACC appoints MTNL Director Sanjeev Kumar as new CMD of TCIL
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Sanjeev Kumar as the new Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) .
- According to an order from the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Kumar has been appointed to the post for a period of five years from the date of assumption of the charge of the post, or till the age of superannuation, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. He is currently serving as Director (Technical) in Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL).
About TCIL :
- Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) is a Miniratna PSU under the administrative control of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications. TCIL, a premier telecommunication consultancy and engineering company is making available its vast and varied telecom expertise to friendly developing countries.
- CIL has extended its telecom consultancy and turnkey project execution services to telecom operators, bulk users and others in India and 80 other countries in the Middle East, Africa, South & South East Asia.
- Founded : 1978
- Headquarters : New Delhi
Sundaram Finance names Rajiv Lochan as Managing Director
- Chennai headquartered Non-Banking Finance Company Sundaram Finance has announced that Managing Director TT Srinivasaraghavan will retire on March 31, 2021 and Rajiv Lochan will become the next Managing Director from April 1.
- TT Srinivasaraghavan, the current MD, completes his term on March 31 and is retiring from service after 38 years with the company, the last 18 years being the MD.
- Harsha Viji, deputy MD, will assume the office of executive vice chairman, and take responsibility for the overall strategy and direction of Sundaram Finance and other group companies in financial services.
About Sundaram Finance :
- Founded : 1954
- Founder : T.S.Santhanam
- Headquarters : Chennai
CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS
Karuna Sagar IPS bags Bharat Gaurav Award
- Karuna Sagar, a 1991 batch IPS officer of the TN cadre, has bagged the prestigious Bharat Gaurav Award for the year 2020 under the public service category.
- The award ceremony, held at the national capital, was presided over by Union Minister Mansukh L Mandaviya and Minister of State Faggan Singh Kulaste.
- The awards are given out annually to citizens who make exemplary contributions in their fields or go beyond the call of duty in service to society.
- Previous winners of the awards include Padma Shri awardees Kalpana Saroj and A Muruganantham aka ‘PadMan’.
CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOU
Union Cabinet approves MoU between India, Uzbekistan
- The Union Cabinet was apprised of signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Uzbekistan for cooperation in the field of Solar Energy.
- The main area of work under the MoU is to identify research, demonstration and initiation of pilot projects between the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, India and the International Solar Energy Institute, Uzbekistan.
- The research and cooperation will primarily focus in the areas of Solar Photovoltaic, Storage Technologies and Transfer of Technologies.
- Based on mutual agreement, both parties would work for implementation and deployment of pilot projects in International Solar Alliance (ISA) member countries.
About Uzbekistan:
- Capital: Tashkent
- President:Shavkat Mirziyoyev
- Currency:Uzbekistani som
Road Transport and Highways Ministry signed MOU with DRDO
- Road Transport and Highways Ministry and Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration in the field of technical exchange and co-operation on sustainable geo-hazard management.
- The MoU was signed by Secretary Ministry of Road and Transport Giridhar Aramane and Secretary DRDO Dr Satheesh Reddy.
- It has been agreed that both will cooperate in the areas of mutual benefit including, conceptual planning of integrated avalanche and landslide protection schemes for all weather connectivity in snow bound areas of the country.
CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES
Former Arunachal Pradesh Governor Mata Prasad Dies At 95
- Former Arunachal Pradesh Governor Mata Prasad He was 95 years old.
- Mata Prasad served as minister in the Congress government in Uttar Pradesh in 1988- 89 and was appointed as Governor of Arunachal Pradesh in 1993.
Malayalam actor Unnikrishnan Namboothiri passes away
- Veteran actor Unnikrishnan Namboothiri passed away in Kannur. He was 98.
- Unnikrishnan made his acting debut with Desadanam 1996. However, he became a household name among the Malayalam film audience for his performance as a witty grandfather in Kalyanaraman (2002).
- He had also played a pivotal role in Kamal Haasan’s hit comedy-drama, Pammal K Sambandam (2002).
- Unnikrishnan Namboothiri was known for movies like Kaikudunna Nilavu (1998), Kaliyattam (1997), Sadanandante Samayam (2003), Madhuranombarakattu (2000), Rappakal (2005), and Pokkiri Raja (2010).
Gajendra Singh Shaktawat, Congress MLA from Vallabhnagar, passes away
- Congress legislator from Udaipur’s Vallabhnagar constituency Gajendra Singh Shaktawat He was 48.
- He is the fourth legislator of the current Rajasthan assembly to have died of illness in past six months
Daily CA On Jan 21 :
- Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has been assigned the additional charge of the Ministry of AYUSH.
- The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified Inter Country Transport Vehicles Rules, 2021 which would facilitate and regulate the movement of passenger and goods vehicles between India and neighbouring countries.
- Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the LNG truck-loading unit of Shell India at Hazira, Gujarat.
- Flight lieutenant Bhawana Kanth is set to become the first woman fighter pilot to take part in the Republic Day parade.
- Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his entire Cabinet resigned to take political responsibility for a scandal involving investigations into child welfare payments that wrongly labeled thousands of parents as fraudsters.
- The country’s first Labour Movement Museum, showcasing the history of world labour movement, would be launched in Kerala’s houseboat tourism hub, Alappuzha.
- Kerala has become the 8th State in the country to successfully undertake Ease of Doing Business reform stipulated by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.
- In Gujarat, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced the ‘Horticulture Development Mission’ (Bagayat Vikas Mission).
- The Maharashtra government renamed Nagpur’s Gorewada International Zoo as Balasaheb Thackeray Zoological Park .
- ICICI Bank on January 20 launched a new mobile application ‘InstaFX’ for authorised money changers to help customers of any bank get ‘ICICI Bank Forex Prepaid Card’ swiftly.
- The India Digital Summit, the flagship event of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) is one of the biggest conferences for the digital industry scheduled on January 19 and 20, 2021.
- India and Singapore signed an implementing agreement on submarine rescue support and cooperation between their navies during the 5th Defence Minister’s Dialogue held over video conference,
- Infosys has accredited with the Google Cloud Partner Specialisation within the information and analytics area.
- NITI Aayog released the second edition of the India Innovation Index-2020. The index demonstrates the government’s continued commitment towards transforming the country into an innovation-driven economy.
- Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has scored a decisive election victory to win a sixth term.
- The board of directors of RBL Bank, approved the re-appointment of Vishwavir Ahuja as the Managing Director and CEO of the bank for three years.
- Ajinkya Rahane-led India defeated Australia by three wickets in the final fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21
Daily CA On Jan 22 :
- The government has nominated 28 non-official members on the National Startup Advisory Council.
- NITI Aayog released a book on faecal sludge and septage management in urban areas. It is Jointly developed with National Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (NFSSM)
- Road Transport and Highways Ministry and Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration in the field of technical exchange and co-operation on sustainable geo-hazard management.
- The Cabinet has given its approval for the investment of over Rs.5200 crore for 850 MW Ratle Hydro Electric (HE) Project located on river Chenab, in Kishtwar in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi released financial assistance of around Rs 2,691 crore to over six lakh beneficiaries in Uttar Pradesh under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G), through video conferencing.
- President, Vice President and Prime Minister have greeted the people of Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura on the occasion of their Statehood Day on January 21, 2021.
- India and the EU have held their first maritime security dialogue in a virtual format.
- Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has proposed to rename dragon fruit as ‘Kamalam.The dragon fruit has been renamed Kamalam because of the shape of the fruit.
- Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched Himachal Pradesh”s first online youth radio station ”Radio Hills-Youngistan Ka Dil.
- In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister S. Jagan Mohan Reddy flagged off Mobile Dispensing Units/ Door to door Delivery Vehicles in Vijayawada.
- Ministry of Minority Affairs will organise the 24th Hunar Haat at Avadh Shilpgram, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh from 22nd January to 4th February with the theme of Vocal for Local.
- In Karnataka, Chief Minister S. Yediyurappa launched Avolokana software that will enable the government to access data on sanctions and expenditures incurred by 39 departments on 1,800 programmes implemented by them.
- Airtel Payments Bank launched a mode of safe digital transactions to protect customers from online frauds.
- Bank of Baroda (BoB) Executive Director Vikramaditya Singh Khichi called on Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at the CM’s camp office in Tadepalli.
- Punjab National Bank, one of the leading nationalized banks of the country, established in 1895, and completed 126 years of banking service.
- The Andhra Pradesh State Cooperative Bank (APCOB), Vijayawada was awarded the first prize for the overall best performance for the year 2018-19
- To improve telecom connectivity in hilly areas, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), the PSU under Ministry of Power, has recently signed an agreement with Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited. (HPSEBL) in Shimla (H.P.)
- Indian Air Force and French Air and Space Force are conducting a bilateral Air exercise, Ex Desert Knight-21 in Jodhpur .
- Joe Biden took oath as the 46th President of the United States of America at a scaled-back ceremony in the US Capitol building in Washington.
- The government appointed Siddhartha Mohanty, currently serving as the managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of LIC Housing Finance, as the MD of India’s largest insurer Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) from February 1 onwards.
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Sanjeev Kumar as the new Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) .
- Chennai headquartered Non-Banking Finance Company Sundaram Finance has announced that Managing Director TT Srinivasaraghavan will retire on March 31, 2021 and Rajiv Lochan will become the next Managing Director from April 1.
- Karuna Sagar, a 1991 batch IPS officer of the TN cadre, has bagged the prestigious Bharat Gaurav Award for the year 2020 under the public service category.
- The Union Cabinet was apprised of signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Uzbekistan for cooperation in the field of Solar Energy.
- Road Transport and Highways Ministry and Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration in the field of technical exchange and co-operation on sustainable geo-hazard management.
- Former Arunachal Pradesh Governor Mata Prasad He was 95 years old.
- Veteran actor Unnikrishnan Namboothiri passed away in Kannur. He was 98.
- Congress legislator from Udaipur’s Vallabhnagar constituency Gajendra Singh Shaktawat He was 48.
