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.
