IMPORTANT DAYS
World Braille Day 2025 observed on 04 January
• World Braille Day is observed on January 4 every year to honour Louis Braille's birthday.
• Louis Braille, born in France in 1809, invented the Braille script.
• The United Nations declared January 4 as World Braille Day in 2019.
• The day raises awareness about the significance of Braille for blind and partially sighted individuals.
• Braille is a universal system, not a language, used to write and read various languages like Sanskrit, Arabic, and Spanish.
• Braille uses six dots to represent letters and numbers in a tactile format.
• It is the key tool that enables visually impaired individuals to lead dignified lives.
• On this day, the National Federation of the Blind held a program in New Delhi, including Braille competitions for visually impaired students.
NATIONAL NEWS
The Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025 inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in Delhi on 4 January.
• The Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025 was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in Delhi on January 4.
• The event will run for six days, from January 4 to 9.
• Its goal is to highlight rural India’s entrepreneurial potential and cultural heritage.
• The theme focuses on "Building a Resilient Rural India for a Viksit Bharat 2047."
• Organized by NABARD under the Department of Financial Services, the event aims to enhance rural infrastructure and promote self-sufficiency.
• The program includes workshops, sessions, and classes led by industry experts.
• Key focus areas include financial inclusion, sustainable agriculture, and rural economic stability, especially in Northeast India.
• The event will also support rural women’s entrepreneurship and foster interactions between government representatives, business owners, and artisans.
Government notified amendment in the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023.
• The government has notified an amendment in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023.
• The amendment includes Para 1.07A and 1.07B to provide legal backing for stakeholder consultations.
• The changes aim to encourage stakeholder participation in the policy-making process.
• The amendment ensures that feedback, views, and suggestions from relevant stakeholders are considered.
• A mechanism is introduced to inform stakeholders about reasons for not accepting their feedback.
• The objective is to enhance inclusiveness in trade-related decision-making.
• The new provisions will improve transparency and accountability in policy formulation.
• The amendment strengthens the interaction between the government and stakeholders in shaping trade policy.
• This initiative marks a shift towards a more collaborative approach in India's trade policy.
STATE NEWS
Jammu is to be the 69th Railway Division of the Indian Railway
• The Union Ministry of Railways will establish its 69th division at Jammu under the Northern Railway Zone.
• The official announcement was made on January 1, 2025, via the ministry's communication to the Northern Zone.
• Currently, Indian Railways has 68 divisions; Jammu will become the 69th division once the notification is issued.
• India ranks fourth in the world for the largest rail network, after the USA, China, and Russia.
• Indian Railways is the largest railway system globally under a single management.
• It is also the world’s largest employer, with around 1.25 million employees.
• Indian Railways operates through 17 Zones to manage its extensive network.
• Divisions are created within these Zones to handle the operations more efficiently.
• Northern Railway Zone is the largest zone in Indian Railways.
AWARDS
Odia poet Prativa Satpathy will be honoured with the Gangadhar National Award
• Odia poet Prativa Satpathy will receive the Gangadhar National Award for Poetry 2023.
• The award will be presented by Sambalpur University on its 58th foundation day.
• Prativa Satpathy is a Sahitya Akademi Award winner.
• Her Odia writings have been translated into various Indian and foreign languages.
• The Gangadhar National Award was established by Sambalpur University in 1989.
• The award includes a citation, a shawl, and a cash prize of ₹1,00,000.
• Previous recipients of the award include renowned poets like Gulzar and Kedar Nath Singh.
• The award recognizes excellence in the field of poetry.
BANKING, ECONOMY AND FINANCE
India world’s sixth largest exporter of Textile & Apparel in 2023
• India is set to become the 6th largest exporter of textiles and apparel globally in 2023.
• The country's share in the global textiles and apparel market stood at 3.9% in 2023.
• China remains the top exporter of textiles and apparel, followed by the European Union and Bangladesh.
• For the April-October period of FY 2024-25, India's export of textiles, apparel, and handicrafts reached USD 21.358 billion.
• During the same period, India’s imports amounted to USD 5.425 billion.
• India primarily imports textiles and apparel for re-exporting purposes.
• Imported textiles often serve as raw materials for India’s manufacturing sector.
• The textile and apparel sector plays a significant role in India’s economy and trade.
• India’s growing share in global exports reflects its expanding influence in the textile industry.
SPORTS
International Championship of Handball (IHF) Trophy Men’s Youth and Junior (Continental Phase – Asia) has begun.
• The International Handball Federation (IHF) Men’s Youth and Junior Championship (Asia) has started in Lucknow.
• The tournament is being held at the KD Singh Babu Stadium for the first time.
• Four countries are participating: Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and India.
• On the opening day, Kazakhstan defeated Bangladesh in both youth and junior categories.
• India played against Uzbekistan in both categories on the first day.
• This is a qualification tournament for the World Handball Championship.
• The winner of the tournament will secure a spot in the World Championship.