Current Affairs 1 February 2025

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Highlights of PM Modi’s visit to Odisha and Uttarakhand on 28th January ,2025On January 28 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited the states of Odisha and Uttarakhand to inaugurate ‘Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave 2025’ and 38th National Games.

i.PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the two-day Utkarsh Odisha – The Make in Odisha conclave at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar(Odisha) which was conducted from January 28 to 29, 2025.

• Odisha received investments worth Rs.16.73 lakh crore comprising 593 industrial projects spanning over 20 sectors in the conclave. It also signed 145 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth Rs.12.89 lakh crore across 16 diverse sectors.

ii.PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the 38th National Games at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun, Uttarakhand while celebrating 25 years of the formation of the state.

• The theme for the National Games 2025 is ‘Green Games’ with an aim to focus on sustainability.
• Yoga and Mallakhamb have been included in the National Games for the first time.

About Odisha:
Chief Minister(CM)- Mohan Charan Majhi
Governor– Hari Babu Kambhampati
Capital– Bhubaneswar
Tiger Reserve – Similipal Tiger Reserve, Satkosia Tiger Reserve
>> Read Full News

Dr. Jitendra Singh Commemorated CSIR-IITR’s Diamond Jubilee in Lucknow, UPOn January 28, 2025 Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC), Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T) commemorated the 60th anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) of CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), a constituent laboratory of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research(CSIR), celebrated at its headquarters in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP).

• During the event, he highlighted the institute’s significant milestones and its vital role in addressing public health challenges, advocating for a ‘toxin-free India’ by 2047., aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Note – Dr.Jitendra Singh also serves as the Union Minister of Earth Sciences and Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

Key Points:
i.The Union MoS underscored the institute’s support for startups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through initiatives like:

• Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) led Common Research and Technology Hub (CRTDH) Environmental Monitoring Hub;
• New Delhi (Delhi)-based Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) led Bioincubators Nurturing Entrepreneurship for Scaling Technologies (BioNEST).

Key Facilities and Products Launched:
i.During the event, Union MoS inaugurated various key facilities including,

• the Diamond Jubilee Arches,
• the new Diamond Jubilee Block,
• NaMo-ATAL facility, and VV Sansa, a state-of-the-art reference material hub, at CSIR-IITR.

ii.Launched the WARMEST (Water, Air, Radiation Monitoring for Environment Safety Technologies). the third edition of the WARM series, and EARTH-25 (Environmental Awareness Research Towards Health) conferences were launched during the event.
About CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research(CSIR-IITR):
Director- Bhaskar Narayan
Headquarters- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP)
Established-1965
>> Read Full News

Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Chairs National Conference with Labour Ministers and Secretaries of States & UTs in New DelhiUnion Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E) and Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) chaired the two-day National level conference with Labour Ministers and Secretaries of States and Union Territories (UTs) in New Delhi, Delhi.

• The meeting was held from 29th January to 30th January 2025. The aim of the meeting was to integrate the efforts of the central government, states, and UTs to build a unified legal and administrative framework for reforms to benefit workers and employers.

i.The meeting highlighted that 18 States/UTs have already implemented majority of the reforms, while the remaining States/UTs have made significant progress, during the year.

• All 36 States/UTs are expected to complete pre-publication of unified draft rules in line with the labour codes, by 31st March 2025.

ii.During the meeting, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched two significant initiatives during the conference : State & UT Microsites and Occupational Shortage Index (OSI) under the e-Shram initiative.
Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E):
Union Minister– Mansukh Mandaviya (Constituency – Porbandar, Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS) – Shobha Karandlaje (Constituency – Bengaluru North, Karnataka)
>> Read Full News

CCS Approved Project worth over Rs 10,000 crore for Procurement of  Ammunition for IA’s Pinaka MBRLIn January 2025, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved the project to procure over Rs 10,000 crore worth of ammunition for the Indian Army (IA)’s Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher Systems (MBRLs). The ammunition under this project will be manufactured domestically to meet requirements of IA over the next 10 years.

• As per the contract, two types of ammunitions i.e. Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System (EPRS) and Area Denial Munitions (ADM) will be produced by Pune (Maharashtra)-based Munitions India Limited (MIL) and Nagpur (Maharashtra)-based Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Solar Industries India Limited (SIIL).

i.The project will be divided between EEL and MIL in the ratio of 60:40 respectively, as both these entities emerged as lowest bidder.
ii.Under this project, high-explosive pre-fragmented rocket ammunition and ADM will be produced at a cost of Rs 5,700 crore and Rs 4,500 crore respectively.
About Economic Explosives Limited (EEL):
It was incorporated as Non-Government Company on 16th August, 1995. It is primarily engaged in the manufacturing of metals & chemicals, and products.
Chairman- Satyanarayan Nuwal
Headquarters- Nagpur, Maharashtra
>> Read Full News

MoMSME, ONDC Launches Rs.277 Crore Initiative to Empower 5 lakh Small BusinessesOn January 28 2025, the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME), in collaboration with the New Delhi (Delhi) based Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), launched Trade Enablement and Marketing (TEAM) Initiative designed to help Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) join ONDC.

• The initiative with a budget of Rs.277.35 crore over 3 years, aims to onboard 5 lakh micro and small enterprises, 50% of these being women-led businesses.
• The initiative seeks to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt digital commerce and enhance their market reach.

About TEAM Initiative:
i.The TEAM Initiative is a sub-scheme under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) program, focusing on supporting women-owned MSMEs in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
ii.The initiative is designed to assist MSMEs with services such as logistics, account management, packaging, design, and catalogue preparation and digital operations.

• The initiative offers tools such as digital storefronts, integrated payment systems, and logistics support to help businesses reduce operational barriers and expand their reach

iii.With existing programs like Startup India, Pradhan Mantri (PM) Vishwakarma Scheme, and the Digital MSME scheme already strengthening the MSME ecosystem, the TEAM Initiative is set to further enhance these efforts.
About Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME):
Union Minister– Jitan Ram Manjhi (Constituency: Gaya (Lok Sabha), Bihar)
Minister of State (MoS)– Shobha Karandlaje
About Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC):
ONDC is a public technology initiative launched by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) aimed at promoting a decentralized open electronic (e)-commerce model.
Non-Executive Chairperson–  Ram Sewak Sharma
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 2021

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh Launches India’s First Organic Fisheries Cluster in Sikkim
In January 2025, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D) and Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh,  has introduced India’s first Organic Fisheries Cluster in Soreng district of Sikkim at the North Eastern Region (NER) State Meet- 2025, held in Guwahati, Assam.

• National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development(NABARD) is a key stakeholder in developing the fisheries and aquaculture organic cluster in Sikkim.
• This initiative focuses on encouraging fish farming using organic methods, avoiding harmful chemicals, and supporting eco-friendly practices.
• These projects aim to enhance the competitiveness of the fisheries sector.

i.The initiative was launched in the presence of Ministers of State (MoS), Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, and George Kurian, MoFAH&D.
ii.Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh also launched  50 new projects under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with a total cost of Rs 50 crores covering all North Eastern Region states except Arunachal Pradesh (AR) and Mizoram.
iii.In 2016, Sikkim was officially certified as India’s first fully organic state.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit to Oman from January 27-28, 2025Union Minister Piyush Vedprakash Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) visited the Sultanate of Oman from January 27 to 28, 2025.

• During the visit, he participated in the the 11th Session of the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) and the India-Oman Joint Business Council (JBC) meeting in Mascot, Oman.

i.During the meeting, India and Oman exchanged views on a bilateral India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is under advanced stages of negotiations.
ii.Both countries also signed the Protocol to amend the India-Oman Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). 

• This amendment aimed at streamlining cross-border taxation, simplifies tax procedures, and promotes cooperation in tax matters.

About Oman:
Prime Minister(PM) & Sultan – Haitham bin Tariq Al Said
Capital- Muscat
Currency- Omani rial (OMR)
>> Read Full News

Guinea Eliminates HAT Disease : WHO ReportIn January 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Guinea has successfully eradicated the gambiense form of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), commonly known as sleeping sickness, as a public health issue.

• HAT present in Guinea has become the 1st Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) to be eradicated in the country.
• The achievement comes just ahead of the global observance of World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (WNTDD) on January 30, 2025.

Note: HAT cases recorded below the WHO threshold of one case per 10,000 inhabitants in all endemic areas, signaling the successful elimination of the disease as a public health problem.
What is Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT)? 
i.HAT or sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic disease endemic in sub-Saharan Africa.
ii.It is caused by infection with protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Trypanosoma and transmitted to humans through the bite of infected tsetse flies.
iii.The disease exists in 2 forms: one caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, which is responsible for over 92% of cases; and the other caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, accounting for the remaining cases.
iv.The disease leads to symptoms like fever, headaches, joint pain, neurological issues such as confusion, disrupted sleep, behavioral changes and can be fatal.
v.HAT is classified as one of the NTDs, a group of 20 diseases recognized by the WHO. In response to the adoption of World Health Assembly (WHA) resolutions 50.36 in 1997 and 56.7 in 2003, WHO has shown a strong commitment  in assisting HAT-endemic countries in eliminating the disease as a public health concern.
Other Countries:
i.With Guinea, 7 other countries have been validated by WHO for eliminating the gambiense form of HAT: Togo (2020), Benin (2021), Côte d’Ivoire (2021), Uganda (2022), Equatorial Guinea (2022), Ghana (2023) and Chad (2024).
ii.The rhodesiense form of the disease was eliminated as a public health problem in Rwanda (2022).
About Guinea:
Interim President- Mamadi Doumbouya
Capital– Conakry
Currency– Guinean Franc (GNF)

BANKING & FINANCE

IPPB & PNB MetLife Partner to Expand Life Insurance Access in IndiaOn January 30 2025, New Delhi (Delhi) based India Post Payments Bank Limited (IPPB) and Mumbai (Maharashtra) based PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) entered into a bancassurance partnership to enhance the accessibility of Life Insurance Solutions across India.

• This collaboration combines PNB MetLife’s life insurance products with IPPB’s vast network of 650 banking outlets and a customer base of 110 million people.
• The partnership aims to make life insurance available to households throughout India, ensuring financial protection and promoting financial inclusion.

Key Objectives:
i.Financial Inclusion: IPPB and PNB MetLife will focus on making life insurance accessible to more families across India, including underserved rural areas.
ii.Tailored Solutions: Offers a wide range of products such as Child Education, Family Protection, Long-term Savings, and Retirement plans.
iii.Nationwide Coverage: Ensures that even the remotest areas are covered, supporting the Government of India’s (GoI) mission to improve financial inclusion.
About India Post Payments Bank Limited (IPPB):
Managing Director(MD) & Chief Executive Officer(CEO)– R. Viswesvaran
Headquarters- New Delhi (Delhi)
Established- 2018
Tagline- Aapka Bank, Aapke Dwaar (Your bank, at your Doorstep)
About PNB MetLife India Insurance (PNB MetLife):
PNB MetLife, a prominent life insurance company in India, combines the financial strength of MetLife, Inc. with the credibility of PNB, one of India’s oldest nationalized banks.
Managing Director(MD) & Chief Executive Officer(CEO)– Sameer Bansal
Headquarters- Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Established- 2001
Tagline- Milkar Life Aage Badhaein (Life moves Forward Together)

RBI Aligns HFCs’ NCD Private Placement Norms with NBFC RegulationsIn January 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the alignment of regulations governing the private placement of non-convertible debentures (NCDs) by housing finance companies (HFCs) with those applicable to non-banking financial companies (NBFCs).

• This change replaces the existing framework under Chapter XI of the Master Direction – Non-Banking Financial Company – Housing Finance Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2021 with new guidelines in line with Paragraph 58 of the Master Direction – NBFC– Scale Based Regulation) Directions, 2023. .
• This means that HFCs will follow the similar rules and guidelines as NFBCs when issuing NCDs.
• The RBI also mentioned that existing guidelines specific to HFCs regarding NCD issuance were repealed.
• The updated guidelines will take effect on January 29, 2025, and will apply to all new private placements of NCDs issued by HFCs with maturities exceeding one year.

NBFC- Scale Based Regulation:
i.Under NBFC regulations for the private placement of NCDs, companies are required to formulate a board-approved policy for resource planning, outlining the planning horizon and the frequency of private placements.
ii.The minimum subscription per investor shall be Rs.20,000. The private placement of NCDs will be classified into two segments:

• NCDs with a maximum subscription of less than Rs.1 crore per investor.
• NCDs with a minimum subscription of Rs.1 crore and above per investor.

iii.Additionally, for NCDs with a maximum subscription of less than Rs.1 crore per investor, the total number of subscribers shall be limited to 200 per financial year (FY), and these subscriptions must be fully secured.
About Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs):
i.Non-convertible debentures (NCDs) are fixed-income instruments issued by high-rated companies to secure long-term capital through public offerings. They usually offer higher interest rates compared to convertible debentures.
ii.It can be invested in by individuals, banks, primary dealers, as well as registered companies or unincorporated bodies in India.
iii.They are fixed-income investments that cannot be converted into equity or stock.

Canara Bank Launched ‘Canara Crest Program’ to offer Premium Banking ExperienceIn January 2025, Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Canara Bank, one of India’s leading Public Sector Banks (PSBs) launched ‘Canara Crest’ membership program, a first-of-its-kind initiative led by the bank, offering a personalized and premium banking experience.

• It is designed exclusively to cater the evolving needs of High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWI).

About Canara Crest Program:
i.The program will offer exclusive benefits to its eligible customers like: service lounge access, dining rewards, exclusive hotel stays, unlimited fitness memberships, and more.
ii.The program is structured into two different segments: CREST and CREST PLUS.
iii.Membership for ‘CREST’ segment is available for customers who maintain Quarterly Average Balance (QAB) of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

• Membership for ‘CREST PLUS’ segment is available for customers who maintain Quarterly Average Balance (QAB) of Rs 50 lakh and above.

iv.The Zero Cost membership is available in two scenarios i.e. either by invitation for eligible existing customers or through the opening of a new saving account under the Canara CREST segment. No Minimum Balance Maintenance Charges.
v.Eligible customers can join the program through a simple digital interface, guided by Relationship Manager (RM).
About Canara Bank:
Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- K. Satyanarayana Raju
Headquarters- Bengaluru, Karnataka
Tagline- ‘Together We Can’
Established- 1906

ABHFL Secures Rs 830 Crore Investment from IFC through NCDs
In January 2025, Varavel, Maharashtra-based Aditya Birla Housing Finance Limited (ABHFL), a subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited, a financial services company, secured an investment of Rs 830 crore through non-convertible debentures (NCDs) from the International Finance Corporation (IFC).The investment aims to improve financial inclusion (FI) and support communities in the affordable housing.
Note; IFC is a member of the World Bank Group, based in Washington, United States of America (USA).
i.The funding will be used to provide housing loans to low- and middle-income groups, with a focus on promoting homeownership among women.
ii.Additionally, a portion of the funds will support small and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs), particularly those led by women, to help foster economic growth

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Air India & Kenya Airways Enters Codeshare Partnership to Expand Connectivity
In January 2025, Gurgaon (Haryana) based Air India, owned by the Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, formed a codeshare partnership with Kenya Airways Limited to expand its network and offer more travel options for passengers. The two airlines will also continue their interline partnership.

• As of January 2025, Air India has 16 codeshare agreements and around 100 interline agreements with various airlines.

Note: A codeshare partnership enables an airline to book its passengers on a partner carrier’s flights, providing a seamless travel experience with a single ticket.
Key Points:
i.Under the codeshare agreement, Air India will assign its Artificial Intelligence (AI) designator code to Kenya Airways’ twice-daily flights between Nairobi (Kenya) and Mumbai (India).
ii.The codeshare agreement will enable passengers to travel on Air India flights via Mumbai to or from destinations such as Bangkok (Thailand), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Malé (The Maldives), Melbourne (Australia), and Singapore (Singapore).

• This partnership will also allow Kenya Airways to assign its Kenya Airways (KQ) designator code to Air India-operated flights between Delhi (India) and Nairobi (Kenya).

iiiBoth airlines plan to gradually expand the codeshare agreement by adding more destinations across their networks.
About Air India:
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Campbell Wilson
Headquarters – Gurgaon, Haryana
Founded – 1932

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri Announces Winners of ‘Avinya’25’ & ‘Vasudha’ Startup ChallengesIn January 2025, Union Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) announced the winners of two startup competitions, ‘Avinya’25’ and ‘Vasudha’ during the ‘Energize India: Catalyzing Growth Through Startup Innovation conclave’, featured insightful panel discussions on identifying opportunities in the energy sector.

• This event was held at the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) headquarters in New Delhi (Delhi).
• These startup challenges are part of India Energy Week 2025 which is scheduled to be held in New Delhi from February 11-14, 2025. The winners of these startup challenges will be featured at the India Energy Week 2025.

Avinya’25:
India’s Premier Energy Startup Competition Avinya’25 recognized the India’s leading competition for energy startups, specifically designed to foster innovation within the energy sector.

• This year, the competition attracted strong participation, with a total of 173 startups applications across India.

Avinya’25 winners:

Vasudha Global Startup Challenge:
The Vasudha Global Startup Challenge in Oil and Gas recognizes the international scope of the competition showcasing the global diversity and innovation in the energy sectors.
Vasudha Winners:

Hackathon:
The Hackathon Winner and Runner demonstrated the crucial role of educational institutions in driving energy sector innovation and cutting-edge technologies.
Hackathon Winners:

Points to Note:
i.In January 2025, India has reached 19% ethanol blending in fuel and is expected to surpass the 20% target ahead of schedule.
ii.The MoPNG has established a Rs. 547.35 crore startup fund, providing Rs. 286.36 crore in support to 303 startups.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Ahmed al-Sharaa Appointed as Interim President of SyriaIn January 2025, an Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Ahmed al-Sharaa was appointed interim president of Syria after the ‘The Conference for Announcing the Victory of the Syrian Revolution’ event in Damascus, Syria.

• He succeeds former Syrian Ba’ath Party leader Bashar al-Assad whose government fell on December 8, 2024, ending his nearly 14-year struggle to retain power.
• Syria’s old constitution and parliament had been dissolved and Ahmed al-Sharaa was authorised to form a temporary legislative council for the transitional phase.

About Ahmed al-Sharaa:
i.Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, is the leader of HTS. The group was once affiliated with al-Qaeda but has since denounced its former ties.
ii.In 2003, he left Syria to join Al-Qaeda in Iraq, led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Consequently, he was detained for five years, which hindered his rise within the jihadist organization.
iii.In 2011, after the outbreak of Syria’s civil war, he founded the Al-Nusra Front, al-Qaeda’s Syrian branch, which later evolved into HTS.
v.However, in 2016, Ahmed al-Sharaa distanced himself from al-Qaeda and began rebranding HTS as a nationalist force rather than a jihadist insurgency.
About Syria:
Interim President – Ahmed al-Sharaa
Capital – Damascus
Currency – Syrian Pound(SYP)

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic Resigns 
On January 28, 2025, Serbia’s Prime Minister (PM) Milos Vucevic resigned from the position of PM along with Novi Sad Mayor Milan Djuric following weeks of anti-corruption protests sparked by the deadly collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station, Serbia in November 2024, which killed 15 people.

• He assumed the role of Serbia’s Prime Minister in May 2024.

i.Miloš Vučević is Serbian Lawyer, Politician, and Leader of the Serbian Progressive Party who currently serves as the President of the Serbian Progressive Party.
ii.His political career spans over a decade, he served as the Mayor of Novi Sad from 2012 to 2022.
iii.He served as Deputy PM of Serbia and Minister of Defence from 2022 to 2024.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

CCI Approves Renew Exim DMCC’s Acquisition of Stake In ITD Cementation
On January 29 2025, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved Dubai, (United Arab Emirates,UAE) based Renew Export Import (Exim) Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC’s) proposal to acquire up to 72.64% stake in Italian-Thai Development (ITD) Cementation India Limited (Engineering & Construction Company) for Rs.5,757 crore. 
i.Renew Exim DMCC, an Adani group affiliate owned by Vinod Adani, will purchase approximately 46.64% of ITD Cementation India Limited’s total equity (about 8,01,13,180 shares) for Rs.3,204 crore. 
ii.Under the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2011, Renew Exim DMCC has made an open offer for acquisition of up to 4,46,64,772 fully paid-up equity shares of approximately 26% of the company’s shares for Rs.2,553 crore, subject to full subscription.
iii.Mumbai(Maharashtra)-based ITD Cementation India Ltd specializes in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects like dams, bridges, tunnels, and airports.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

GRSE Limited & AMS Private Limited Sign MoU for Defence and Aerospace CollaborationOn January 30, 2025, Kolkata, (West Bengal, WB) based Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) and Hyderabad (Telangana) based Apollo Micro Systems (AMS) Private Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a 5-year partnership aimed at advancing cutting-edge technologies and strengthening India’s Defence and Aerospace capabilities.

• The partnership focuses on joint Research and Development (R&D), co-production, and the supply of a wide range of Underwater Weapons and Vehicles, Underwater Mines, Underwater Communication Systems, and Air Defence Systems and Vehicles.

Signatories:
The MoU was signed between Commodore Shantanu Bose, Indian Navy (IN) (Retired), Director of Shipbuilding, GRSE Limited and Karunakar Reddy Baddam, Managing Director (MD), AMS Private Limited in the presence of Commodore P R Hari, IN (Retired), Chairman and Managing Director (MD), Subrato Ghosh, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Indian Coast Guard (ICG) (Retired), and other senior officials of both companies.
Key Points:
i.The collaboration aimed at addressing the present and future needs of the Indian Defence Forces (IDFs), Paramilitary Forces (PMFs), Police Organizations, Government Agencies at both Central and State levels, the Civil Sectors, and Global Export Markets.
ii.A key element of this partnership is the enhancement of both companies’ manufacturing infrastructure to produce critical components and sub-assemblies for these advanced systems.
iii.The collaboration offers services for the modernization and upgrade of existing systems, ensuring they meet evolving requirements and remain state-of-the-art.
iv.Through this partnership, GRSE reaffirms its commitment to enhance indigenous capabilities and support the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
About Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE):
Chairman & Managing Director (MD)– Commodore PR Hari, IN (Retired)
Established- 1884
Headquarters– Kolkata, West Bengal (WB)
About Apollo Micro Systems Private Limited (AMS):
MD– Baddam Karunakar Reddy
Established– 1985
Headquarters– Hyderabad, Telangana

SPORTS

Australia Wins ICC Women’s Championship Trophy for the 3rd timeAustralia won International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Championship trophy 2022-2025. Australia secured the championship for the third consecutive time.

• This was the 3rd edition of the ICC Women’s Championship.
• Each Team has to play 3 One Day International (ODI) matches against all other teams. At the end of the cycle, Team which secured top position will be awarded.

Note:
Captain Alyssa Healy (Australia) received the trophy in Melbourne, Australia on behalf of the ICC by Cricket Australia Chair and ICC Director Mike Baird.
Key Highlights:
i.Australia finished the 3rd edition series with the highest total of 39 points (17 wins, three no-results, three losses) in 24 matches.

• India secured 2nd position with 37 points in the table.

ii. Top 6 team from the points table will be directly qualified for the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup hosted by India.

• Australia (39), India (37), England (32), South Africa (25), Sri Lanka (22) and New Zealand (21) are the direct entrants.

About Australia Women’s Team:
i.Australia has won the greatest number of World Cups in the 50-over format of the game—1978, 1982, 1988, 1997, 2005, 2013 and 2022.
ii. They have also won the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2023.
About ICC Women’s Championship:
The first and second editions of 2014-16 and 2017-20 consisted of eight teams – Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

• Later, Bangladesh and Ireland were added in the 3rd edition played from 2022-2025 totaling it to 10 teams.

23rd National Para Athletics Championship : Official Logo and Mascot Launched in TNIn January 2025, The official logo and mascot of the 23rd National Para Athletics Championship 2025 were unveiled in an event in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN).

• The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Paralympic Sports Association(TNPSA), is supporting the event.

Key Attendees: The unveiling ceremony was attended by several distinguished personalities, including Atulya Misra, the Additional Chief Secretary(CS) of TN, Meghanath Reddy, the Member Secretary of SDAT, Jayawant Gundu, Secretary of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), Thulasimathi Murugesan, an Arjuna Award-winning Indian para-badminton player, and Kirubakara Raja, Secretary of the TNPSA.
About logo and mascot :
i.The logo includes elements that symbolize the dynamic nature of para athletics and the inclusive spirit of the event.

• The logo highlights the championship’s core values of empowerment and equality.

ii.The mascot is an elephant, representing strength and determination.

• The mascot, an elephant, symbolizes resilience, reflecting the unwavering spirit of para-athletes.

About 23rd National Para Athletics Championship :
i.The 23rd National Para Athletics Championship 2025 is set to take place from February 17 to 20, 2025, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, with over 1,700 para-athletes from across the country.
ii.SDAT is also organizing the SDAT-Asia Triathlon Cup  at Indian Naval Ship (INS) Adyar, scheduled for February 16, 2025.

• The Asia Triathlon Cup is the first of nine stages, with 15 countries confirming their participation. India will be sending a team of 10 young athletes to compete in the event.

Note: For the first time, India will host the 12th edition of the Para Athletics World Championships, scheduled to take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi(Delhi) from September 26 to October 5, 2025.
About Tamil Nadu (TN):
Chief Minister (CM)-Muthuvel Karunanidhi (MK) Stalin
Governor– Ravindra Narayana Ravi
Capital– Chennai
Tiger Reserves -Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Anamalai Tiger Reserve

OBITUARY

World Oldest Living Olympic Gold Medalist in Athletics, Greg Bell, Passes AwayIn January 2025, Gregory Curtis Bell (Greg Bell), the American long jump legend and the world’s oldest living Olympic gold medalist in athletics, passed away at the age of 94 in Indiana, the United States of America (USA). He was born on November 7, 1930, in Indiana.
About Greg Bell:
i.Greg Bell was the world’s leading men’s long jumper during the 1950s.
ii.In 1956 Melbourne Olympics, Greg Bell won the gold medal in the long jump with a leap of 7.83 meters (m) under challenging conditions to win by 15 centimeters (cm) ahead of his compatriot John Bennett
iii.He set a personal best of 8.10 m in Austin, the USA, in 1957, which was just 3 cm short of the world record set by Jesse Owens in 1935.
iv.In 1959, he won the silver medal at the Pan American Games in Chicago, the USA. He retired after finishing fourth at the 1960 U.S. Olympic Trials.
v.He served as the director of dentistry at Logansport State Hospital, the USA for 50 years before retiring in 2020 at the age of 89.
vi.In 1982, he was inducted into the Indiana University (IU) Hall of Fame and was inducted into the USA Track and Field (USATF) Hall of Fame in 1988.

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