Focus Merit

Date	Day	Theme 2020
04 January	World Braille Day
06 January	Journalist day (in Maharashtra)
09 January	Pravasi Bhartiya Divas
10 January	World Hindi Day
11-17 January	National Road Safety Week	Sadak Suraksha - Jeevan Suraksha.
12 January	National Youth Day
14 January	Armed Forces Veterans Day
15 January	Indian Army Day
18 January	15th Raising day of NDRF
19 January	National Immunization day
24 January	National Girl Child Day
24 January	International day of education	Learning for people, planet, prosperity and peace.
25 January	National Voters' Day	Electoral Literacy for a Stronger Democracy
25 January	National Tourism Day
26 January	International Customs Day	Customs fostering Sustainability for people, prosperity and the planet.
26 January	World Leprosy Day	Leprosy isn't what you think
27 January	International day of the commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust	“75 years after Auschwitz – Holocaust Education and Remembrance for Global Justice”
30 January	World Neglected Tropical diseases day

10th January: “World Hindi Day” celebrated globally

January 10, 2020

World Hindi Day is celebrated globally on 10th January every year. The day is celebrated every year to promote the use of Hindi language worldwide. The World Hindi Day was observed first time in 2006. The day marked the anniversary of first World Hindi Conference held in 1975 in Nagpur.

The Indian Embassies located in other countries outside India celebrates World Hindi Day by organizing special programs. Various government and non-government institutions organise unique programs for the promotion of Hindi.

27th South Asian Trade and Travel Exchange Expo 2020 held in New Delhi

January 10, 2020

The 27th South Asian Trade and Travel Exchange Expo 2020 (SATTE) was held in New Delhi. The SATTE expo was supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and sponsored by Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Department. The objective of the expo was to build new business partnerships and hence was an important place for the promotion of tourism. The SATTE witnessed the participation of over 50 countries and 28 Indian states. During the expo, the Tourism Department of Jammu & Kashmir launched a publicity campaign to showcase diverse tourism attractions.

Ladakh wins 7th National Ice Hockey Championship women trophy

January 10, 2020

Ladakh women team has won the 7th National Ice Hockey Championship women trophy. The match was held at the Karzoo Ice Hockey Rink. In the final match, Ladakh scoring 2 goals against Delhi and won the tournament. The tournament was organised by the Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI) in association with the Ladakh winter sports club. 4 women teams representing Chandigarh, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Ladakh participated in the tournament.

Indian Consulate in Dubai to issue passports under tatkal scheme

January 10, 2020

Indian Consulate in Dubai will issue passports under the tatkal scheme on the same day with certain conditions. The announcement was made by Consul General Vipul on the occasion of the Pravasi Bhatiya Divas celebrations. However, he stated that the application for the passport had to be made before noon and additional fees will be charged for the service. The passport will be given to the applicant by the evening.

Passports under the Tatkal scheme in any case were being given within 24 hours. The announcement came as a boon especially for people who have to travel under emergency condition. The Consulate in Dubai receives about 850 applications for passport applications.

8 North Eastern states to participate in Madhavpur Mela of Gujarat

January 10, 2020

The eight States of the North-East Region will participate in a big way during the Madhavpur Mela held at Madhavpur Ghed in Porbandar district of Gujarat which will commence on 2nd April, a day after the Ram Navami festival. This will mark the cultural integration of Gujarat with the North-East under the Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Madhavpur Mela of Gujarat shares its connect to the Mishmi Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. The Mishmi Tribe traces its ancestry to the legendary King Bhishmak and through him to his daughter Rukmini and Lord Krishna. The festival celebrates the immortal journey which Rukmini undertook from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat with Lord Bhismaknagar, located near Roing in the lower Dibang Valley district, also finds mention in Kalika Purana.

Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Dept launches publicity campaign at SATTE 2020

January 10, 2020

Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department has launched a massive publicity campaign at the ongoing South Asian Trade and Travel Exchange Expo (SATTE) 2020, to showcase diverse tourism attractions of the twin regions. Aimed at building new business partnerships, SATTE is an important avenue for the promotion of tourism.

The three-day expo, sponsored by J&K Tourism Department and supported by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has been organized in New Delhi. The 27th Edition of SATTE has witnessed participation of over 1,000 delegates from over 50 countries and 28 Indian states.

Sale of Electoral Bonds at Authorised Branches of SBI

January 10, 2020

State Bank of India (SBI), in the XIII Phase of sale, has been authorised to issue and encash Electoral Bonds through its 29 Authorized Branches w.e.f. 01.2020 to 22.01.2020. As per provisions of the Scheme, Electoral Bonds may be purchased by a person who is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India. A person being an individual can buy Electoral Bonds, either singly or jointly with other individuals.

Only the Political Parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951) and which secured not less than one per cent of the votes polled in the last General Election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of the State, shall be eligible to receive the Electoral Bonds.

The Electoral Bonds shall be encashed by an eligible Political Party only through a Bank account with the Authorized Bank. It may be noted that Electoral Bonds shall be valid for fifteen calendar days from the date of issue and no payment shall be made to any payee Political Party if the Electoral Bond is deposited after expiry of the validity period. The Electoral Bond deposited by an eligible Political Party in its account shall be credited on the same day.

Bengaluru: SBI launches promotional campaign with Metro Cash & Carry India

January 10, 2020

State Bank of India (SBI), in a joint promotional campaign with Metro Cash & Carry India, has launched value-added services at its Bengaluru Centre. Similar promotional campaigns are planned at Metro Cash & Carry centres across the country. Under the arrangement, SBI will offer existing and new customers of Metro Cash & Carry, services such as opening SBI current accounts, issuing business debit cards, POS machines, digital products and other asset products.

Loans are also being offered to eligible Metro customers for renovation of their outlets. The campaign was launched simultaneously at three Metro Cash & Carry stores at Yeshwanthpur, Binneypet and Kanakapura and at SBI Mahalaxmi Layout, Chamrajpet and Doddakallasandra branches. SBI’s existing and new SME customers will also be offered pre-approved Metro Cash & Carry cards along with a welcome gift voucher.

HDFC Bank launches myApps to boost digital payments

January 10, 2020

HDFC Bank launched myApps application to boost digital payments in India. myApps is a unique customised suite of banking products to benefit urban local bodies, housing societies, local clubs and gymkhanas and religious institutions. In a first, HDFC bank is helping organisations to entirely digitise their ecosystem through myApps. At present HDFC Bank is offering four types of applications — mySociety, myClub, myPrayer and myCity.

myApps will allow institutions to customise their branding and content. One can publish their application on the Google PlayStore or Apple AppStore in the name of the institution, myApps will be free to all members of each institution. There will be no monthly subscription charges. Members can pay monthly bill or fee and make an online booking for different facilities via myApps.

myApps will enable the organisation to get easy access to reports on payments, facilities booked by members, requests and complaints registered by users. They can also use the app to broadcast notices and engage with members on various events. There are also no restrictions on the number of users.

India needs 6.3% labour productivity growth to achieve 8% GDP: India Ratings

January 10, 2020

India Ratings and Research stated India will have to raise its labour productivity growth to 6.3% to achieve 8% GDP growth while it has to be up by 7.3% in order to achieve economic growth of 9%. The labour productivity growth in the current financial year has been pegged at 5.2%. Labour productivity during 2004-05 to 2007-08 have stood at 8.5%.

It is 40.4% higher than the level attained in FY19. Given the growth slowdown, it looks unlikely in the near term but is not unachievable. India’s labour productivity growth, like other nations, came under pressure in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, especially during FY11-FY15 (5.0%). However, it recovered thereafter and grew at 5.8% during FY16-FY19.

January 2020 Current Affairs

10th January: “World Hindi Day” celebrated globally

27th South Asian Trade and Travel Exchange Expo 2020 held in New Delhi

Ladakh wins 7th National Ice Hockey Championship women trophy

Indian Consulate in Dubai to issue passports under tatkal scheme

8 North Eastern states to participate in Madhavpur Mela of Gujarat

Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Dept launches publicity campaign at SATTE 2020

Sale of Electoral Bonds at Authorised Branches of SBI

Bengaluru: SBI launches promotional campaign with Metro Cash & Carry India

HDFC Bank launches myApps to boost digital payments

India needs 6.3% labour productivity growth to achieve 8% GDP: India Ratings

All In One Current Affairs

State-Wise Static GK