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By admin: Jan. 22, 2023

International seminar on knowledge sharing on conservation of natural and cultural heritage in Kathmandu

Tags: International News

On the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, an International seminar on Knowledge sharing of conservation of Natural and cultural heritage was organised by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) in Kathmandu.

An overview of the news

• It was organised in coordination with the Embassy of India in Kathmandu. 

• Ambassador of India, Naveen Shrivastav informed about the Indian government’s contribution to conserving cultural heritage.

• The Government of India provided USD 50 million in aid for the reconstruction of two UNESCO heritage sites—Pashupatinath Temple and Bhandarkhal of Patan Durbar Square after the 2015 earthquake in Nepal.

• The guest of honour of the event, Nepal's Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati appreciated the efforts of the Indian Embassy in bringing together conservation experts from India and Nepal for the reconstruction and restoration of the natural and cultural heritage.

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH)

• It was established in 1984 in New Delhi with the objective of heritage awareness and conservation in India.

• Currently INTACH is recognized as one of the largest heritage organisations in the world with more than 190 chapters across the country.

• Over the last 31 years, INTACH has pioneered the conservation of intangible heritage along with natural and built heritage.

India Open Badminton: Korean sensation An Seyoung wins Women's singles final

Tags: Sports Sports News

In the India Open Badminton Championship, Korean sensation An Seyoung wins Women's singles final on 22 January at K D Jadhav Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. 

An overview of the news

• In the finals, An Seyoung beat World No.1 Japanese Akane Yamaguchi 15-21, 21-16, 21-12.

• In the semifinal on 21 January, Viktor Axelsen defeated Indonesia's  Jonatan Christie 21-6, 21-12.  

• Axelsen has earlier won the India Open in 2017 and 2019.

• In other semifinal,  former world junior champion Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn defeated  Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia 27-25, 21-15 to reach the final.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to be Chief Guest at India's Republic Day celebrations

Tags: Person in news National News

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Egypt President Abdel Fattah El Sisi will be the chief guest at the 74th Republic Day celebrations.

An overview of the news

• He will pay a state visit to India from the 24th to the 26th of this month.

• This is the first time that the President of Egypt has been invited as the chief guest on the Republic Day 2023 of India.

• A 180-member strong contingent of the Egyptian Army will also participate in the Republic Day parade.

• The President of Egypt had earlier visited India in October 2015 to attend the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit, followed by a state visit in September 2016.

• President Sisi will have a bilateral meeting and delegation-level talks with PM Modi on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. 

• Abdel Fattah Sisi is a former Army officer who was elected as the president of Egypt t in 2014 and was re-elected in 2018.

About Republic Day Celebration 

• Every year Republic day is observed on 26 January. It was on this day the constitution of India was promulgated in 1950 and India became a republic.

• The President of India presides over the Republic day functions. It is customary to invite a foreign country leader as an honoured guest at the Republic day function.

• In 1955 Rajpath (Now Kartavya Path) became the permanent place for the Republic day parade. 

• The Chief Guest was the Governor-General of Pakistan Malik Ghulam Muhammad.

• President of Indonesia, Sukarno was the first guest at 1950 Republic day parade.

PM Modi distributed land title deeds to Banjaras, an SC group in Karnataka

Tags: State News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi symbolically distributed Hakku Patra (land title deeds) to five families of the Banjara (Lambani) community in the Kalaburagi district of Karnataka recently.

An overview of the news

• The five families were among the 50,000-plus families to whom land title deeds were distributed during the programme. 

• The event was organised by the state Revenue Department at Malkhed, in the Kalaburagi district of Karnataka.

What are hakku patras or title deeds?

• A title deed is a document of ownership of property, and the holder of the document is the owner of the land.

• The title deed enables the owners of the land to get bank loans with the said document.

• They will also be eligible to buy or sell the land for which the title deed has been given by the government.

• It is issued to the underprivileged section of the country, which includes Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, urban slum dwellers, disabled and other disadvantaged populations.

About Banjara/Lambani Community

• Banjara is a nomadic caste who in earlier times used to trade salt, bullocks and other essential commodities in different villages.

• The word 'Banjara' is derived from the words 'Vanaj', which means trade and 'Jara' which means to travel.

• They are mainly settled in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

• The tribe is believed to have originated in the Marwar region of Rajasthan.

National Sports Club of India Snooker Open Crown 2023

Tags: Sports News

Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB's) Laxman Rawat 'Boulkline' emerged winner at the NSCI All India Snooker Open, defeating fellow PSPB challenger Aditya Mehta 9-6 in a best-of-17-frame final.

An overview of the news

• Laxman Rawat had finished runner-up in the previous edition of the tournament, losing to Sourav Kothari.

• This is Rawat's first major title after two-three years.

NSCI Snooker Open Crown

• The NSCI Snooker Open Crown is a snooker tournament organised by the National Sports Club of India (NSCI).

• The tournament is open to players from all over India and consists of a best-of-17-frames final.

• The tournament is considered a major title in Indian snooker and the champion of the tournament is awarded the NSCI Snooker Open Crown.

Sports Ministry suspends all activities of Wrestling Federation of India

Tags: Sports Sports News

The Sports Ministry has suspended all activities of the Wrestling Federation of India till the appointment of a monitoring committee to oversee the functioning of the Wrestling Federation of India on 21 January.

An overview of the news

• These include suspension of ranking events and refund of entry fees collected from participants.

• The government has already suspended Vinod Tomar, assistant secretary of the federation.

• The Monitoring Committee will investigate the allegations levelled against the Executive Committee of the Federation and ensure efficient management of the Federation.

• Wrestling Federation of India President Brij Bhushan Singh was accused by the wrestlers of running the union arbitrarily and sexually abusing women players.

Punjab government launches 'School of Eminence' project

Tags: Government Schemes State News

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched the ambitious project 'School of Eminence'.

An overview of the news

• The objective of this project is to ensure holistic development of the students along with the rejuvenation of education in government schools so that they become responsible citizens.

• Under the 'School of Eminence' project, 117 government schools in 23 districts will be upgraded.

• Special emphasis will be given through the project from class 9th to 12th.

• A budget provision of Rs 200 crore has been made for the 'School of Eminence' project.

• State-of-the-art infrastructure, academics, human resource management, sports and co-curricular activities and community engagement are the major five pillars of the project.

Punjab State -

• Capital – Chandigarh

• Governor - Banwari Lal Purohit

• Chief Minister - Bhagwant Mann

• Legislative Assembly - 117 seats

• Lok Sabha - 13 seats

Brazilian President sacks army chief after anti-govt riots

Tags:

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sacked the country’s army chief, Julio Cesar de Arruda after rioting in the capital. 

An overview of the news

• Arruda has been sacked in Brazil over the occupation of government buildings by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

• General Tomás Miguel Ribeiro Paiva has been appointed as the country's army chief in place of Arruda.

• Unrest erupted in Brazil as supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed government buildings, the Brazilian Congress, the presidential palace and the Supreme Court.

• Military intervention was called for by the protesters to dismiss the newly elected Lula.

• Elections were held in Brazil in October. Bolsonaro was defeated in these elections, won by a leftist party led by Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

• Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was sworn in as the President of Brazil for the third time. After this, Bolsonaro's supporters refused to accept the election results.

About Brazil 

• It is the fifth largest country in the world area wise after Russia, Canada, China, and the United States.

• It covers almost half of the South American Continent.

• 60% of the Amazon rainforest which is considered the lung of the earth lies in Brazil.

• Capital: Brasilia 

• Currency: Brazilian Real 

• President: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

New Zealand's ruling Labor Party elected Chris Hipkins as the country's 41st prime minister

Tags: Person in news International News

New Zealand's ruling Labor Party on 22 January elected Chris Hipkins as its leader and the country's 41st prime minister, replacing Ms Jacinda Ardern.

An overview of the news

• Hipkins was the only candidate for the position and was confirmed by 64 MPs in what is known as the Labor caucus.

• Known as "Chippy", Hipkins played a key role in the response to COVID-19.

• He was first elected to Parliament in 2008 for the Labor Party.

• He was appointed Minister of Health in July 2020 before becoming the Minister of COVID Response.

• Before Hipkins can officially become prime minister, Ardern must submit her resignation to King Charles III's representative in New Zealand, Governor General Cindy Kiro.

• Kiro Hipkins will then be appointed to the role and sworn in.

• The Labour party has also selected Carmel Sepuloni as the deputy prime minister.

About New Zealand

• Prime Minister: Chris Hipkins

• Capital: Wellington

• Currency : New Zealand dollar