NATIONAL NEWS
Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 started in New Delhi.
• The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 has begun in New Delhi at Bharat Mandapam.
• The event is organized under the leadership of Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.
• This three-day dialogue offers young leaders a platform to present innovative solutions and interact with policymakers, national icons, and global influencers.
• A total of 3,000 participants have been selected, including 1,500 from the Viksit Bharat Track.
• Prominent personalities like Anand Mahindra and Jonty Rhodes will participate in plenary sessions.
• The dialogue aims to foster discussions on leadership, innovation, and national development.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a Coffee Table Book featuring top essays from the event.
• The PM will also unveil a Youth Anthem during the event.
NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) launched EmpowHER Biz – Sapno Ki Udaan.
• NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) launched EmpowHER Biz – Sapno Ki Udaan to empower women retail business owners.
• The initiative is in collaboration with New Shop, India’s largest convenience retail chain, under its Award to Reward program.
• The goal is to equip women entrepreneurs with the skills and resources needed to succeed in the organized retail sector.
• EmpowHER Biz will provide aspiring women with training in retail management, digital skills, financial literacy, and business development.
• The collaboration with New Shop aims to create a strong retail ecosystem for women entrepreneurs, driving sustainable growth.
• Fifty women entrepreneurs, aged 18-35, will be selected through an online application process.
• The top twenty participants will receive a 100% waiver on New Shop Franchise fees, allowing them to own and operate their businesses.
• The initiative is open to women from Delhi NCR, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
• WEP, launched as an aggregator platform in 2018, became a public-private partnership in 2022.
• The Award to Reward initiative, introduced in 2023, provides a framework for stakeholders to develop impactful programs.
PM Modi will inaugurate the Z-Morh tunnel to provide a year-round connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh.
• PM Modi will inaugurate the Z-Morh tunnel, ensuring year-round connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh.
• This tunnel marks a key step in creating a strategic corridor between Kashmir and Ladakh.
• With the tunnel's completion, Sonamarg will become a year-round tourist destination.
• The tunnel is built beneath the Thajiwas Glacier, connecting Gagangir and Sonamarg.
• An intelligent traffic management system will regulate vehicle flow through the tunnel.
• The tunnel will open new opportunities for adventure tourism at Thajiwas Glacier and the Sindh River.
• Built at a cost of ₹2,680 crore, the tunnel is 10.8 meters wide and includes a 7.5-meter escape tunnel.
• It features an 8.3-meter D-shaped ventilation tunnel and two major culverts, measuring 110 meters and 270 meters.
SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE
India will host the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments of Commonwealth Countries (CSPOC) in 2026.
• India will host the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments of Commonwealth Countries (CSPOC) in 2026.
• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced India’s hosting role at the CSPOC Standing Committee Meeting in Guernsey.
• The 2026 conference will focus on the impact of artificial intelligence and social media on parliamentary processes.
• CSPOC serves as a platform for member countries to share parliamentary practices and enhance collaboration.
• Birla highlighted that India’s role as the host offers an opportunity to showcase its parliamentary traditions.
• The Standing Committee discussed global parliamentary challenges and set the agenda for the 2026 conference.
• India has previously hosted CSPOC in 1970-71, 1986, and 2010.
• Birla extended an invitation to Commonwealth presiding officers to join the event in New Delhi in 2026.
A growth of 5.2% has been recorded in India’s Index of Industrial Production in November 2024.
• India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) recorded a growth of 5.2% in November 2024, the highest in six months.
• In October 2024, the IIP growth was 3.5%, while it was 2.5% in November 2023.
• The manufacturing sector saw a growth of 5.8% in November 2024, up from 4.1% in October.
• Manufacturing contributes the largest share to India’s IIP.
• Compared to November 2023, 18 out of 23 manufacturing industry groups showed growth in November 2024.
• The electricity sector experienced a growth of 1.9% in November 2024.
• The mining sector recorded a 4.4% growth in November 2024.
• Capital goods production increased by 9%, and consumer durables saw a significant rise of 13.1%, indicating higher demand.
STATE NEWS
The 'Kumbhvani' FM channel launched by UP CM Yogi Adityanath to broadcast the Mahakumbh spirit to remote areas.
• UP CM Yogi Adityanath launched the 'Kumbhvani' FM channel to broadcast the Mahakumbh spirit to remote areas.
• The channel was launched during CM Yogi’s visit to Prayagraj to review Maha Kumbh preparations.
• Kumbhvani FM aims to reach those unable to attend the Kumbh, particularly in rural regions.
• The channel will help spread the message of Sanatan Dharma to a wider audience.
• Prasar Bharati has previously launched Kumbhvani during the Kumbh festivals in 2013, 2019, and now in 2025.
• The special FM channel addresses connectivity challenges in remote areas during the festival.
• Kumbhvani will be available on the Box FM channel at 103.5 MHz.
• The OTT-based channel will air daily from January 10 to February 26, from 5:55 am to 10:05 pm.
Himachal Pradesh Cabinet approved renaming Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration after Manmohan Singh.
• The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet has approved renaming the Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) after Dr. Manmohan Singh.
• The decision acknowledges Dr. Singh’s significant contributions to the development of Himachal Pradesh.
• The renaming was approved during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla on January 9, 2025.
• The institution will now be called Dr. Manmohan Singh Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration.
• The Cabinet recognized Dr. Singh’s transformative role in India's economy and his impact on Himachal Pradesh.
• Dr. Singh’s efforts in addressing the economic crisis and laying the groundwork for India’s financial reforms were highly appreciated.
• The Cabinet also approved the establishment of a Special Task Force (STF) to combat drug abuse in Himachal Pradesh.
• The STF will focus on dismantling drug trafficking and organized crime networks using a multi-faceted approach.
• These decisions reflect the state government’s commitment to addressing both developmental and security challenges.
Madhya Pradesh government launched the PARTH scheme.
• The Madhya Pradesh government has launched the PARTH scheme to help youth prepare for recruitment in the Indian Army, Police, and Para Military forces.
• PARTH stands for Police Army Recruitment Training and Hunar.
• Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the scheme during the State Level Youth Festival’s closing ceremony.
• The scheme aims to provide physical fitness training and written exam preparation for youth.
• Training will be offered at the divisional level using sports department infrastructure.
• A dedicated youth portal will be created for interested candidates to register and access information.
• The portal will list available training centers across the state.
• The initiative focuses on strengthening both the physical and mental preparedness of candidates.
• This scheme supports the government's efforts to equip youth with the necessary skills for a career in defense and law enforcement.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Lebanon parliament elected Joseph Aoun as head of state.
• Lebanon's parliament elected Joseph Aoun as the country’s new head of state after a two-year delay.
• Aoun, the army commander, secured 71 votes in the first round and 99 votes in the second round of voting.
• He promised to enhance control over Lebanon's borders during his presidency.
• Joseph Aoun is the fifth former army commander to become Lebanon’s president.
• The Lebanese president is elected by a two-thirds majority in the first round or a simple majority in subsequent rounds.
• Aoun was appointed as the army chief in March 2017 and had his term extended twice during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
• His election marks the resolution of Lebanon’s long-standing presidential vacancy.
Neeraj Chopra named best javelin thrower of the year by US Magazine
• Neeraj Chopra, the Tokyo Olympics gold medalist, has been named the best javelin thrower of 2024 by Track and Field News.
• Anderson Peters of Grenada was ranked second by the same magazine.
• In 2024, Chopra competed in six international events, securing two victories and four runner-up finishes.
• He won a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, finishing behind Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, the gold medalist.
• Nadeem, despite winning gold, was ranked 6th by the magazine, having participated in only two events in 2024.
• Chopra’s first competition in 2024 was the Doha Diamond League, where he finished second to Czechia’s Jakub Vadlejch.
• Neeraj Chopra won the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland and the National Federation Senior Athletics Competition in India.
• He achieved his career-best throw of 89.49 meters at the Lausanne Diamond League.
• Chopra wrapped up the 2024 season with a second-place finish at the Diamond League Final in Brussels, behind Anderson Peters.
AWARDS
President Confers Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award at 18th PBD 2025
• President Droupadi Murmu presented the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award at the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention in Bhubaneswar on 10th January 2025.
• The PBD Convention took place from January 8-10, 2025, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating the event.
• The valedictory session was addressed by President Droupadi Murmu, marking the conclusion of the event.
• Since 2003, January 9th is observed as Pravasi Divas in India, commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa in 1915.
• The Ministry of External Affairs organizes the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention every two years since 2015.
• The convention brings together the Indian diaspora to celebrate their contributions to the country.
• This year’s event was held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, highlighting the state's role in the country’s development.
• The list of awardees in 2025:-
1) Ajay Rane - Australia - Community Service
2) Marialena Joan Fernandes - Austria - Education
3) Dr. Philomena Ann Mohini Harris - Barbados - Medical Science
4) Swami Sanyuktanand - Fiji - Community Service
5) Saraswati Vidya Niketan - Guyana - Community Service
6) Lekh Raj Juneja - Japan - Science & Technology
7) Dr. Prem Kumar - Kyrgyz Republic - Medical Science
8) Soukthavy Chowdhury - Laos - Business
9) Krishna Savjani - Malawi - Business
10) ‘Tan Sri’ Subramaniam K.V. Sathasivam - Malaysia - Politics
11) Sarita Boodhoo - Mauritius - Community Service
12) Abhaya Kumar - Moldova - Business
13) Ram Niwas - Myanmar - Education
14) Jaggannath Shekhar Asthana - Romania - Business
15) Hindustani Samaj - Russia - Community Service
16) Sudha Rani Gupta - Russia - Education
17) Dr. Syed Anwar Khursheed - Saudi Arabia - Medical Science
18) Atul Arvind Temurnikar - Singapore - Education
19) Robert Masih Nahar - Spain - Community Service
20) Dr. Kaushik Laxmidas Ramaiya - Tanzania - Medicine
21) Christine Carla Kangaloo - Trinidad & Tobago - Public Affairs
22) Ramakrishnan Sivaswamy Iyer - UAE - Business
23) Bonthala Subbaiah Setty Ramesh Babu - Uganda - Community Service
24) Baroness Usha Kumari Prashar - UK - Politics
25) Dr. Sharad Lakhanpal - USA - Medicine
26) Sharmila Ford - USA - Community Service
27) Ravi Kumar S - USA - Business (IT & Consulting).