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By admin: Jan. 16, 2025

Global Winter School 2025 Concludes Successfully in Rajasthan.

Tags: National News

Why in the news?

• Global Winter School 2025, the fourth edition of this prestigious program organized by Cultural Bridge, concluded with resounding success.

Important points:

• Held in theheritage rich city of Pali, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, the program brought together 15 participants from across the globe, including India, Germany, Turkey, and Croatia.
• The event offered a transformative platform for cultural immersion, academic exploration, and field engagement, centered around the critical theme of inequalities.
• The field engagement component was a key highlight, with visits to villages such as Ramasiya, Endla, Guda, and Digai and meeting locals. Participants experienced the rich traditions of ceramic craftsmanship in Ramasiya while gaining awareness of the socio economic challenges faced by the potters' community. In Gudaendla, discussions with the village Sarpanch provided valuable insights into grassroots governance, education, and the aspirations of rural communities. 
• A visit to the Swavlamban Foundation offered an inspiring perspective on empowering specially abled children and addressing their unique challenges.
• Adding a cultural dimension, a heritage treasure hunt encouraged participants to explore Pali’s rich traditions, cuisine, and local culture, fostering camaraderie and showcasing the region’s diversity. 
• The strength of the Global Winter School 2025 lay in its ability to spark meaningful dialogue. Participants engaged with artisans, children, policymakers, and villagers, creating a vibrant exchange of ideas on social inequality, economic divides, and cultural nuances. 
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SpaceX launches two lunar landers toward moon for U.S., Japanese companies

Tags: International News

Why in the news?

• In a two-for-one moonshot,SpaceX launched a pair of lunar landers  on January 15, 2025 for U.S. and Japanese companies looking to jumpstart business on Earth’s dusty sidekick.

Important points:

• A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from pad 39A with a payload of a pair of lunar landers at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on January 15, 2025.

  Only five countries have successfully placed spacecraft on the moon since the 1960s: the former Soviet Union, U.S., China, India and Japan

  The two landers rocketed away in the middle of the night from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Kennedy Space Center, the latest in a stream of private spacecraft aiming for the moon. 

  They shared the ride to save money, taking separate roundabout routes for the monthslong journey.

  
  

Novak Djokovic breaks Roger Federer’s record for most Grand Slam matches played

Tags: Sports

Why in the news?

• Novak Djokovic added yet another record to his lengthy list, breaking a tie with Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam matches played in tennis history by reaching 430 on January 15, 2025 at the Australian Open in what was a tougher-than-expected second-round victory.

Important points:

• Novak Djokovic, 37, defeated 21-year-old Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria in four sets to advance to the third round.

• Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after defeating Jaime Faria of Portugal in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on January 15, 2025.

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Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launches Registration Portal for Kashi Tamil Sangamam

Tags: National News

Why in the news?

• Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, launched the registration portal for the 3rd edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS). 

Important points:

• This year, the government has decided to bring around 1000 delegates from Tamil Nadu under five categories/groups: (i) Students, Teachers, and Writers; (ii) Farmers and Artisans (Vishwakarma Categories); (iii) Professionals and Small Entrepreneurs; (iv) Women (SHG, Mudra Loan beneficiaries, DBHPS Pracharaks); and (v) Start-up, Innovation, Edu-Tech, Research.
• This year, an additional group of around 200 students of Tamil origin studying in various CUs will be a part of this event to enliven the bond between Kashi and Tamil Nadu. Participation of youth in all categories will be encouraged this year.
• The duration of the tour will be 8 Days (4 for travel, 4 at site). The first group will leave Tamil Nadu on 13th February 2025 and the last group will return to Tamil Nadu on 26th February 2025.

About Kashi Tamil Sangamam :

• Kashi Tamil Sangamam isbeing organized by the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India in collaboration with other ministries including Culture, Textiles, Railways, Tourism, Food Processing, I&B etc. and the Govt. of UP.
• The programme aims to provide an opportunity for scholars, students, philosophers, traders, artisans, artists and people from other walks of life from the two regions to come together, share their knowledge, culture and best practices and learn from each other’s experience. 
• It also aims to make the youth aware and experience cultural oneness. The endeavour is in sync with NEP 2020’s emphasis on integrating the wealth of Indian Knowledge Systems with modern systems of knowledge. 
• IIT Madras and BHU are the two implementing agencies for the programme.
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THREE NEW ALLIANCE AIR FLIGHTS CONNECTING MANIPUR LAUNCHED.

Tags: National News

Why in the news?

• The Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Sh. Rammohan Naidu, along with the Chief Minister of Manipur, Sh. N. Biren Singh, flagged off Alliance Air flights on three routes including two new routes. 

Important points:

• These flights, launched as part of a joint effort by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the State Government of Manipur, have been made operational with Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support from the state.
• Alliance Air will now connect new routes from Imphal to Kolkata & back, Imphal to Guwahati & back in addition to supplement additional flight from Imphal to Dimapur & back.
• The Union Minister highlighted that new flights will significantly enhance connectivity, improve the investment ecosystem and impart ease of doing business in the state, creating jobs and new opportunities for the people of Manipur. 
• The minister stated that with three flights of Alliance Air to and from Imphal, Manipur will witness aboost to its 3 Ts: Trade, Travel, and Tourism, ultimately delivering 3 Es: Economy, Employment and Empowerment to the youth of Manipur.
• Sh. Ram Mohan Naidu credited the progress in the North East to the Prime Minister of India Sh. Narendra Modi, whose emphasis on inclusive growth through UDAN and Act East has ensured that the aspirations of every citizen in the region are met with opportunity.