National
REC wins ICAI Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting for FY 2022-23
⇒ REC Limited, a Maharatna Public Sector Unit and a leading NBFC under the Ministry of Power, has been awarded ‘Plaque’ under the ‘Financial Services Sector (Other than Banking and Insurance)’ category at the ICAI Awards for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the financial year 2022-23.
- This is the only award bestowed by the ICAI under this category and the selection has been made based on the company’s accounting practices, disclosure policies, presentation of financial statements, other information contained in the Annual Report and degree of compliance with Indian Accounting Standards, Statutory guidelines and Regulations.
Director (Finance), REC, Shri Ajoy Choudhury; Executive Director (Finance), REC, Shri Sanjay Kumar; and HoD (Finance), REC, Shri Jatin Kumar Nayak received the award from Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, at a ceremony held in Raipur in January 2024.
About Award:
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India through its Research Committee has been organizing the ICAI Awards for Excellence in Financial Reporting since the year 1958, to recognize and encourage excellence in the preparation and presentation of financial as well as non-financial information in annual reports by entities across various sectors.
About REC Limited:
REC Limited is an NBFC focusing on Power Sector Financing and Development across India. Established in 1969, REC Limited has completed over fifty years of operations. It provides financial assistance to state electricity boards, state governments, central and state power utilities, independent power producers, rural electric cooperatives and private sector utilities.
9th Smart Cities India Expo
⇒ The 9th Smart Cities India Expo was held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 17th to 19th January, 2024.
Organized by:
The three-day expo, was organized by India Trade Promotions Organization (ITPO) and the Exhibitions India Group.
Highlights:
- The Expo featured key verticals of smart city framework including Smart ICT, Smart Energy, Buildings, Transport, Water, and Clean India, etc. and provided a platform to enable deeper communication and a practical approach towards making smart cities a reality.
- The Smart Cities Mission (SCM), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) showcased the achievements of the Mission at the ‘National Smart Cities Mission Pavilion’.
- City Leader’s Conclave was organized on 19th January, 2024 which brought forth city leaders as well as private entrepreneurs on the same platform, to discuss city initiatives identifying suitable solutions for building liveable and sustainable cities.
- Smart Cities India Awards were held on 19th January, 2024 recognizing projects that have made impact by making our cities liveable, sustainable and economically viable by honouring best practices in the 100 Smart Cities.
International
54th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting
⇒ The 54th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting was held in Davos, Switzerland from January 15 to January 19, 2024.
Theme:
The meeting brought forth a compelling narrative as India claims a spotlight under the overarching theme, “Building Trust”.
Focus:
The 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum provided a crucial space to focus on the fundamental principles driving trust, including transparency, consistency and accountability.
Participation:
This Annual Meeting brought together over 100 governments, all major international organizations, 1000 Forum’s Partners, as well as civil society leaders, experts, youth representatives, social entrepreneurs, and news outlets.
India’s Presence:
- WEF’s chosen workstreams resonate with India’s vision—growth, carbon neutrality, sustainability, robust economy, and the concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: The World Is One Family,” championed by India during its G20 Presidency.
- India’s presence at Davos reinforces its status as a resilient global economy and a preferred investment destination.
- At WEF, a total of 21 sessions were held over the span of 5 days. India showcased it’s opportunity and opening doors for discussion on Manufacturing, Technology, Gender based impact, Sustainability, Mobility, Startups, Healthcare, AI etc.
India’s commanding presence was marked by securing four distinct spaces at WEF, each dedicated to illuminating the India Opportunity and unfolding its Growth Story to the global investors:
- India Engagement Centre: This lounge will unfold India’s growth narrative, showcasing its digital public infrastructure, vibrant startup ecosystem, and burgeoning energy sector. Fireside chats on globally significant pillars will enrich the dialogue.
- Experience India Centre: This lounge will unveil the technological leaps powered by New India, commitments to sustainability and inclusivity along with its vibrant culture.
- India Investment Centre: This will serve as the center for Government-to-Business (G2B) and Business-to-Business (B2B) networking, hosting roundtables, sessions, and panels on leading topics.
- We Lead Lounge: This year a dedicated gender lounge “We Lead Lounge” will focus on women participation in various walks of life, financial inclusion and bridging the digital gender gap.
Sports
5th Meghalaya Games 2024
⇒ The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 5th Edition of the Meghalaya Games at PA Sangma Stadium in Tura, Meghalaya on January 15, 2024.
The 5th Meghalaya Games 2024 was held from January 15th to 20th, 2024.
- This was also the first time in history that the Meghalaya Games were held outside Shillong.
- Close to 3000 athletes participated in the 5th Meghalaya Games across 23 disciplines, which was played in 16 venues across the Tura town.
Champions:
- East Khasi Hills crowned the overall champions with 359 medals including 132 gold, 105 silver and 122 bronze in the 5th Meghalaya Games.
- Ri-Bhoi was in second place with 79 medals while West Jaintia Hills came third with 68 medals.