Current Affairs One - Liner : 26th January 2024

• National:
• The ‘Investment Forum for Advancing Climate Resilient Agrifood Systems in India’ was jointly launched by NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations on January 18-19, 2024 in New Delhi. The initiative aims to develop an investment and partnership strategy to advance climate resilient agrifood systems in India.

• The Odisha government has announced the establishment of the world’s first melanistic tiger safari near the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj on 24th January 2024. This reserve is the only tiger habitat in the world with melanistic tigers, which have broad black stripes running across their bodies. The melanistic tiger safari in Odisha is likely to be ready for visitors by October 2024.
• On 23rd January 2024, The VAIBHAV Fellowship, announced by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, is a program to attract Indian-origin scientists abroad for short-term collaborations with Indian institutions. The first batch was awarded to 22 scientists. Fellows commit to spending 1-2 months annually in India for up to three years, receiving a stipend of ₹4 lakh per month and accommodation.
• Banking:
• Max Life Insurance launched the ‘SWAG Pension Plan’ on January 23, 2024. This plan is a retirement savings plan that addresses the concerns of urban Indians about their savings depleting within a short time after retirement. It offers a wide range of annuity options, flexibility, and personalized income timing. This non-linked, non-participating individual/group general annuity savings plan allows customers to tailor their own policies, choosing from an array of annuity options.
• The General Insurance Council (GIC) launched the “Cashless Everywhere” initiative on 24th January 2024. This initiative aims to ease the burden of policyholders who get treated in a hospital not in the network of the Insurance Company. Under “Cashless Everywhere”, the policyholder can get treated in any hospital they choose, and a cashless facility will be available even if such a hospital is not in the network of the Insurance Company.
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of up to approximately 38% of the share capital of MG Motor India Private Limited by JSW Ventures Singapore Pte Limited on January 23, 2024.
• Defence:
• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai on 24 January, 2024, for the acquisition of 14 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The value of the contract is Rs 1070.47 crore. These multi-role FPVs will be indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured by MDL under the ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ category and will be delivered in total 63 months.
• The ‘Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile Barge, LSAM 19 (Yard 129)’, the 5th Barge of the 11 x ACTCM Barge Project, was launched on January 24, 2024. This barge was built by MSME Shipyard, M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane for the Indian Navy. The launching ceremony was presided over by Cmde V Pravin, AWPS (Mbi).
• The Indian Army inaugurated the ‘India Selfie Point’ near the Line of Control in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir on January 24, 2024. This spot, gifted by artist Rouble Nagi, is located along NH-44 and offers a view of the Jhelum river. It aims to enhance community engagement and provide a unique experience for locals and tourists.
• Summits & Conferences:
• The second State Mining Ministers’ Conference was held in Bhopal on January 23, 2024. The event was inaugurated by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and had the theme ‘Mining and Beyond’. The conference aimed to promote sustainable mining and self-reliance in mineral resources in India. It also focused on the exploration of ‘Critical and Strategic Minerals’. The event saw participation from various state mining ministers and officials from the Ministries of Mines and Coal.
• Important Days:
• India celebrated its 75th Republic Day on 26th January 2024. The day marks the anniversary of India officially adopting its constitution, making it a sovereign republic. The focal point of the celebrations is the grand Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath) in New Delhi. The themes for the parade were ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India) and ‘Bharat - Loktantra Ki Matruka’ or India - the mother of democracy.
• Awards & Honours:
• On the eve of India’s 75th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu approved 277 Gallantry awards and 1132 personnel from various services were awarded Gallantry/Service medals. Two personnel were awarded the President’s Medal for Gallantry (PMG) for their contribution to peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Additionally, 80 gallantry awards were announced for Armed forces and security personnel, including six Kirti Chakra and 16 Shaurya Chakra.
• Books:
• The book “Smritivan: An Unparalleled Apotheosis of Commemoration to 2001 Victims of Gujarat Earthquake” was unveiled by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. Published by the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA), it details the transformation of Bhujia Dungar and the development of Gujarat post the 2001 earthquake.

Questions:

Q.1 Who inaugurated the second State Mining Ministers’ Conference?
a. Narendra Modi
b. Amit Shah
c. Pralhad Joshi
d. Rajnath Singh
Q.2 Where was the ‘Investment Forum for Advancing Climate Resilient Agrifood Systems in India’ launched?
a. Mumbai
b. New Delhi
c. Bangalore
d. Kolkata