CURRENT AFFAIRS 28-01-2025

SPORTS

Smiriti Mandhana won the ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year award.

• Smriti Mandhana won the ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year award.

• She became the first Indian to win this prestigious award twice.

• Mandhana was the highest run-scorer in women’s ODIs in 2024.

• She became the first woman to score four hundreds in a calendar year in ODIs.

• In 2024, Mandhana amassed 794 runs in 13 matches at an average of 57.46.

• Her competitors for the award included Chamari Athapaththu, Laura Wolvaardt, and Annabel Sutherland.

• Jasprit Bumrah claimed the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award.

• Smriti Mandhana’s outstanding performance made her the standout batter in women’s cricket.

On 28 January, the 38th National Games inaugurated by PM Modi at Maharana Pratap Stadium in Dehradun.

• PM Modi inaugurated the 38th National Games on 28 January at Maharana Pratap Stadium in Dehradun.

• The games are being hosted in Uttarakhand, marking the state’s silver jubilee year.

• The event runs from 28 January to 14 February, spanning 11 cities across 8 districts of Uttarakhand.

• A total of 36 states and one union territory are participating in the National Games.

• Over 10,000 athletes will compete in 35 sports over the 17-day event.

• Medals will be awarded in 33 sports, with two exhibition sports: Yoga and Mallakhamb.

• This is the first time Yoga and Mallakhamb have been included in the National Games.

• The theme of this year’s event is “Green Games,” emphasizing sustainability.

• The medals and certificates will be made from eco-friendly, biodegradable materials.

AWARDS

Doordarshan has been recognized for the “Chunav Ka Parv Desh Ka Garv” series.

• Doordarshan was honored for its voter awareness series, "Chunav Ka Parv Desh Ka Garv."

• It won an award in the Electronic Media category for its efforts in voter education.

• The recognition was for its extensive coverage during the Lok Sabha Election 2024.

• Doordarshan Director-General Kanchan Prasad received the award from President Droupadi Murmu.

• The campaign aimed to create an informed and engaged electorate.

• A total of 30 short films were developed and aired to promote voter education.

• The initiative played a key role in enhancing voter awareness across the nation.

Hariman Sharma received the Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian agriculture.

• Hariman Sharma was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian agriculture.

• Popularly known as the ‘Apple Man of India,’ he developed the HRMN-99 apple variety.

• HRMN-99 is a self-pollinating, low-chilling apple variety suited for tropical and sub-tropical regions.

• It thrives in high summer temperatures (40-45°C), making apple cultivation possible in the plains.

• This variety has been adopted across 29 Indian states and Union Territories.

• Sharma first experimented with apple seeds in Paniala, Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh).

• Through grafting, he refined HRMN-99 into a stable and productive variety.

• The National Innovation Foundation validated HRMN-99 in 2012, leading to nationwide adoption.

• Sharma has received several honors, including the National Award for Grassroots Innovation (2017) and the National Innovative Farmer Award (2016).

STATE NEWS

On 28 January, ‘Utkarsh Odisha-Make-in-Odisha Conclave’ 2025 inaugurated by PM Modi in Bhubaneswar.

• PM Modi inaugurated the ‘Utkarsh Odisha - Make-in-Odisha Conclave 2025’ on 28 January in Bhubaneswar.

• Organized by the Government of Odisha, it is a global investment summit aimed at boosting the state’s industrial growth.

• The event aligns with the Purvodaya Vision, positioning Odisha as a key investment and industrial hub in India.

• This was PM Modi’s second visit to Odisha in January, following his presence at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on 9 January.

• He also inaugurated the Make in Odisha Exhibition, showcasing the state's industrial progress.

• The two-day conclave (28-29 January) serves as a platform for business leaders, investors, and policymakers.

• It highlights Odisha’s investment potential and promotes industrial collaborations.

• Key sessions include CEO roundtables, regional discussions, B2B meetings, and policy dialogues.

¢ The conclave ensures direct engagement with global investors, driving economic opportunities for Odisha.

NATIONAL NEWS

A licence under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) has been granted to the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan.

NATIONAL NEWS

A licence under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) has been granted to the Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan.

• The Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan has been granted an FCRA licence, allowing it to receive foreign donations.

• Previously managed as private property by a priestly family, the temple is now overseen by a court-appointed committee.

• The temple management committee applied for the licence under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.

• The approval follows amendments made to FCRA regulations in 2022.

• One key change lowered the administrative expense limit for foreign funds from 50% to 20%.

• Under the law, organisations must register under FCRA to legally receive foreign contributions.

• The registration is valid for five years and must be renewed periodically.

• All foreign funds must be routed through a designated SBI branch in New Delhi.

• The new licence will help the temple access global financial support for its activities.

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