National
Commemorative Postal Stamp on COVID-19 Vaccine
⇒ Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare released a commemorative Postal Stamp on COVID-19 Vaccine to mark the 1st anniversary of India’s National Covid-19 Vaccination program on 16 January 2022.
The commemorative stamp design features a healthcare worker inoculating a senior citizen with COVID-19 vaccine, along with an image of ‘COVAXIN’ vial.
This stamp signifies the remarkable work done by our frontline healthcare workers and scientific community across the country in protecting the people against the COVID pandemic.
New Chairman of AEPC
⇒ Shri Narendra Kumar Goenka, took charge of Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) as its new Chairman on 17 January 2022.
AEPC is the official body of apparel exporters in India, under the aegis of Ministry of Textiles, that provides invaluable assistance to Indian exporters as well as importers/international buyers.
Open Data Week
⇒ Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched the ‘Open Data Week’ to encourage adoption of open data and promote innovation across India’s urban ecosystem.
It was conducted during the third week of January, i.e., from 17th January 2022 to 21st January 2022.
The Event saw participation from all 100 Smart Cities that published high quality datasets and data blogs on the Smart Cities Open Data Portal.
Aim:
The aim of the Event was to show the benefits of open data such as increased efficiency, transparency, a spur in innovation, and economic growth. The Event was designed to promote the use of and spread awareness about data.
MoU between International Financial Services Centers Authority and Insurance Institute of India
⇒ The International Financial Services Centers Authority (IFSCA), with an objective of capacity building of professionals in the insurance sector in International Financial Services Centres, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Insurance Institute of India (III).
Key areas of MOU:
(i) III would undertake study to make changes to the academic curriculum in meeting the current needs of the insurance industry participants in IFSCA with the view to introduce certificate courses and professional examinations.
(ii) III would be working on fulfilling the medium- and long-term capacity building requirements of insurance professionals resulting into deepening of insurance business activities in the IFSCA.
(iii) III would jointly with IFSCA conduct seminars/ workshops/ conferences to pool knowledge of professional workforce for the insurance industry at the infrastructure and facilities available with III for academic activities.
(iv) III would promote research topics/ subjects relating to working of IFSCA to the students enrolling for doctoral studies under its agreement with the University of Mumbai.
(v) On the request of IFSCA, III would nominate its faculties for training and research on global insurance reinsurance laws and regulations of major financial hubs.
International
Indian Navy PASSEX with Russian Navy
⇒ Indian Navy’s indigenously designed and built guided missile destroyer, INS Kochi, exercised with Russian Federation Navy’s RFS Admiral Tributs on 14 January 2022 in the Arabian Sea.
The exercise showcased cohesiveness and interoperability between the two navies and included tactical manoeuvres, cross-deck helicopter operations and seamanship activities.
World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda
⇒ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered ‘State of the World’ special address at the World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda on 17th January, 2022. The virtual event was held from 17th to 21st January 2022.
Theme:
The theme of the event was “The State of the World.”
It was also be addressed by several Heads of State including- Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan; Ursua von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia; Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia; Naftali Bennett, Prime Minister of Israel; Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China among others.
The event also witnessed participation of top industry leaders, international organizations and civil society, who deliberated on critical challenges being faced by the world today and discussed how to address them.
India & Denmark agreed to initiate joint research and development
⇒ India & Denmark agreed to initiate joint research and development on green fuels including green hydrogen, during the Joint S&T Committee meeting on 14th January 2022.
The Joint Committee discussed national strategic priorities and developments in Science, Technology, and Innovation of both countries with a special focus on green solutions of the future-strategy for investments in green research, technology, and innovation at the virtual meeting.
Death
Legendary Kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj
⇒ Legendary Kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj passed away on 16 January 2022 in Delhi. He was 83.
He was fondly called Pandit-ji or Maharaj-ji by his disciples and legions of followers, and was one of India’s best-known artistes. He received the second-highest civilian award in the country – Padma Vibhushan in 1986.
Noted social worker and Padma Awardee Smt Shanti Devi
⇒ Noted social worker and Padma Awardee Smt Shanti Devi passed away on Sunday night, 16 January 2022 at Gunupur, Rayagada district of Odisha. She was 88.
President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the Padma Shri upon Shanti Devi on January 25, last year, for her social work in the Maoist-hit Rayagada region.
She served the poor for nearly six decades, dedicating her life to the education and upliftment of tribal girls. She is also known for the eradication of Yaws, a chronic bacterial infection.