DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Jan. 21, 2025

Nehru Yuva Kendra Hosts Border Area Youth Exchange Program in Delhi

Tags: National News

Why in the news?

• The Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS)successfully organized the Border Area Youth Exchange Program at the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (GSDS) in Rajghat, New Delhi, from January 15 to 19, 2025. 

Important points:

• The event brought together young people from various border areas across India, providing them with a platform to interact, learn, and share experiences of unity, peace, and cultural exchange.

• The five-day program focused on fostering national integration, promoting youth leadership, and creating awareness about the rich cultural diversity of India's border regions. 

• It saw the participation of over 100 youth representatives from Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Uttarakhand.

• The program included a mix of cultural activities, workshops, discussions, and visits to significant places in Delhi, including the Raj Ghat Memorial, where Mahatma Gandhi's legacy of peace and non-violence was highlighted. 

Raman Research Institute faculty honored with the Gates-Cambridge Impact Prize 2025

Tags: Person in news

Why in the news?

• Professor Urbasi Sinha, faculty in the Light and Matter Physics theme at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), was honored with the Gates-Cambridge Impact Prize 2025 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation at Cambridge, UK.

Important points:

• Prof. Sinha is among the eight winners of Gates-Cambridge's Impact Prize to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

• Prof. Sinha is a researcher in both quantum fundamentals and technologies, and she heads the Quantum Information and Computing (QuIC) lab at RRI an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology. 

• Her lab was one of the first in India to manufacture and establish the usage of heralded and entangled photon sources towards various applications in the following areas: quantum communication, quantum computing, quantum optics and quantum fundamentals and information processing. 

• She was awarded the prestigiousRashtriya Vigyan Yuva Puraskar by the Government of India.

• She is also a recipient of the Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Photonic Quantum Science and Technologies, University of Calgary, Canada. 

Mines Ministry to Host 3rd National Mines Ministers’ Conference

Tags: National News

Why in the news?

• The Ministry of Mines, in collaboration with the Government of Odisha, is hosting the 3rd National Mines Ministers’ Conference on January 20-21, 2025, at Konark. 

Important points:

• The two-day event aligns with the vision of "Vikasit Bharat 2047" and will bring together more than 16 State Mining Ministers along with senior officials from the Central and Odisha Governments.

• The conference will be presided over by Union Minister for Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, with Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi gracing the inaugural session as the Chief Guest.

Key Highlights of the Conference:

• Release of the Report on States’ Best Practices in Mining: Showcasing innovative governance models implemented by states, the report aims to improve efficiency and transparency in mining practices.

• Launch of the Mining Tenement System (MTS) Module: A landmark step towards digital governance, this module will streamline mining operations and enhance accountability.

• Handing Over of Sanction Letters to Startups: Selected startups will receive sanction letters under initiatives promoting innovation in sustainable mining practices.

• Handing Over of Geological Memoranda (GMs) and Geological Reports (GRs): Comprehensive data will be provided to the Ministry of Mines and states, boosting exploration activities.

• Transfer of Critical Mineral Block GRs by Chhattisgarh: GRs of critical mineral blocks will be handed over to the Ministry of Mines, supporting India’s self-reliance in critical minerals.

• Awards to Best-Performing States: States excelling in mineral auctions and mining reforms will be honoured for their outstanding contributions.

• Launch of the 5th Tranche of Critical Mineral Blocks: The launch aims to accelerate exploration and attract private sector investment in critical minerals, reducing import dependency.

PM congratulates the Indian Men’s team on winning the Kho Kho World Cup

Tags: Sports

Why in the news?

• The Indian men's team beat Nepal 54-36 in the final to win the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup title in New Delhi on 19th January , 2025.

Important points:

• The Indian men's team clinched the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup championship by defeating Nepal 54-36 in the final on Sunday. 

• This victory followed the Indian women's team's triumph over Nepal in their respective final.

• The final match saw India's commanding performance, with captain Pratik Waikar and star player Ramji Kashyap showing exceptional leadership.

• In the opening attack, Ramji Kashyap executed a brilliant sky dive to capture Nepal's Suraj Pujara. 

• India secured 10 points within four minutes when Suyash Gargate successfully touched Bharat Sahu.