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

Greenpeace report: Jharia most polluted city, Delhi reduces air pollution

January 22, 2020

According to a Greenpeace India report – Jharia, the coal-belching town in Jharkhand continues to be the most polluted city in India, while Delhi has made marginal improvement in reducing its air pollution level.

Jharkhand’s Dhanbad, known for its rich coal reserves and industries, is the 2nd-most polluted city in India while Delhi is the 10th-most polluted city in India

Six of the top-10 polluted cities are in Uttar Pradesh — Noida, Ghaziabad, Bareilly, Allahabad, Moradabad and Firozabad. Mizoram’s Lunglei is the least polluted city in the country.

India secures 5th rank in Carbon Disclosure Project 2019

January 22, 2020

Global non-profit organization published the annual Carbon Disclosure Project 2019. The United States of America secured the top spot followed by Japan, United Kindom and France while India secured the 5th spot on the project report.

The Report said that a total of 58 companies shared details about the environment-related activities undertaken by them in this year. The report also claims that over 98 percent of top Indian companies have formed some type or committee or group within its organization to drive and address climate-related issues.

Carbon Disclosure Project, an initiative of the Global Reporting Initiative, is aimed at measuring the carbon reduction activities undertaken by different companies and firms operating in various countries across the globe.

Gujarat emerged as top governing state in 2019 Skoch rankings

January 22, 2020

Gujarat replaced West Bengal to become the top governed state in the 2019 Skoch rankings. Poll-bound Delhi was at the 19th place, lower than 15th spot it occupied in the previous two years.

Delhi is ranked fifth on the parameter of health, one of its main claims of governance. There are 22 parameters that go into the overall ranking, while health and cleanliness dominated the good governance initiatives across the country in 2019.

Hyderabad in global top 20 in home price appreciation

January 22, 2020

Hyderabad has emerged as the only Indian city in top 20 among 150 global cities, in terms of appreciation in residential real estate prices, standing at the 14th spot with a 9% on-year rise in home prices, as per the Knight Frank’s Global Residential Cities Index Q3 2019.

Budapest leads the index, with the highest annual growth rate of 24%, followed by Xi’an and Wuhan in China at 15.9% and 14.9 per cent, respectively. Among other Indian cities that have seen an appreciation in home prices, New Delhi stood at the 73rd rank globally, with a 3.2% rise; Bengaluru at the 94th rank with a 2% appreciation and Ahmedabad at the 108th rank with a 1.1% growth.

Among the Indian cities which have seen de-growth in home prices, Kolkata was ranked at the 130th spot with a decline of 2%, Mumbai at the 135th rank with a de-growth of 3% and Chennai at the 136th rank with a fall of 3%. Pune was the lowest-ranked Indian city standing at the 138th spot, registering a 3.5% decline in home prices.

Indian shooters bags Gold medal in Meyton Cup held in Austria

January 22, 2020

Indian shooters Divyansh Singh Pawar and Apurvi Chandela have clinched a gold medal each in Meyton Cup in Innsbruck, Austria. While Divyansh won the gold in the men’s 10m air rifle event with an effort of 249.7, Auprvi bagged the metal in the 10m air rifle women’s category with a 251.4.

Deepak Kumar and Anjum Moudgil also a bagged bronze medal each in men’s and women’s 10m air rifle events respectively. Deepak shot 228 en route the bronze, while Anjum’s effort of 229 also fetched her a podium finish. The Meyton Cup is a private tournament where shooters go on their own to participate to gain experience before international events.

Tendulkar and Walsh to coach Aussie bushfire relief match

January 22, 2020

Sachin Tendulkar and Courtney Walsh will coach star-studded teams in a charity match to raise funds for victims of Australia’s bushfires. The former Test captains are the latest players to come out of retirement for the appeal, joining Aussie greats Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Michael Clarke and Shane Watson. India’s Tendulkar and Windies fast bowler Walsh will coach teams skippered by Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting respectively. Steve Waugh and Australian coach Justin Langer will also have non-playing roles.

The bushfire relief match will take place ahead of the Big Bash final with the venue to be confirmed on January 31 after the Qualifier is played with the winning team hosting the final. Before that double-header, the Australia and India women’s teams will play their tri-series match in Melbourne and it could be the city hosts the trio of matches if the Melbourne Stars secure the BBL final at the MCG.

Former Indian cricketer Man Mohan Sood passes away at 80

January 22, 2020

Former Test batsman and National selector Man Mohan Sood passed away at the age of 80. Sood played one Test and 39 first-class matches with one century in his cricket career.

Sood made his first class debut against Services in 1957 and played his final Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir in 1964. His lone Test appearance came against Richie Benaud-led Australia at Madras in 1960 when India lost by an innings and 55 runs.

‘The Gateway’ A Social Commentary on Safety of Senior Citizens

January 22, 2020

‘The Gateway’ by Hariharan Balagopal draws attention to the plight of senior citizens who are susceptible to a multitude of crimes against them – ranging from petty robberies to murders. The novel also stresses on the importance of preventing self-isolation by senior citizens.

Within the bracket are several other crimes committed against the elderly, often undetected and unreported, like ill-treatment, rape, deliberate neglect, and physical harm by own kin. Bonding over food and drinks is one of Delhi’s essential characteristics, and ‘The Gateway’ employs it effectively for a cause.

Ashwani Kumar’s ‘Dignity – A purpose in perpetuity’ launched

January 22, 2020

The launch of former Union minister Ashwini Kumar’s book ‘Human Dignity — A purpose in perpetuity’ , Singh stated institutions of “our liberal and libertarian democracy” have been put to test on several occasions when fundamental freedoms were threatened.

The book is published by US based publisher Lexis Nexis. The books portrays the author’s view on issues related to freedom, dignity and justice faced in society. Former Vice-President Hamid Ansari also took part in this occasion.

‘National Startup Advisory Council’ to be set up by Government of India

January 22, 2020

The ministry of commerce has officially announced the establishment of the National Startup Advisory Council to provide representations to the Indian startup ecosystem during policy-making processes. The council will be led by union minister Piyush Goyal. The Council will advise the Government on measures needed to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and startups in the country to drive sustainable economic growth and generate large scale employment opportunities.

Although the commerce ministry hasn’t finalised on the name of the members yet, the central government will be nominating the members for a period of two years. The council will consist of founders of successful startups, entrepreneurs, representatives from incubators and investors, along with representatives from government departments and regulators that deal with startups.

January 2020 Current Affairs

Greenpeace report: Jharia most polluted city, Delhi reduces air pollution

India secures 5th rank in Carbon Disclosure Project 2019

Gujarat emerged as top governing state in 2019 Skoch rankings

Hyderabad in global top 20 in home price appreciation

Indian shooters bags Gold medal in Meyton Cup held in Austria

Tendulkar and Walsh to coach Aussie bushfire relief match

Former Indian cricketer Man Mohan Sood passes away at 80

‘The Gateway’ A Social Commentary on Safety of Senior Citizens

Ashwani Kumar’s ‘Dignity – A purpose in perpetuity’ launched

‘National Startup Advisory Council’ to be set up by Government of India

All In One Current Affairs

State-Wise Static GK