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By admin: Jan. 26, 2023

England's Ben Stokes and Nat Sciver win ICC annual awards

Tags: Sports Awards Sports News

England Test captain Ben Stokes and all-rounder Nat Sciver have won ICC cricketer of the year 2022 awards.

An overview of the news

• All-rounder Stokes was named the Men's Test Cricketer of the Year, while Sciver won the Rachael Hayhoe Flint Trophy for the ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year.

• Sciver, 30, is also named Women's one-day international (ODI) Cricketer of the Year.

• The 31-year-old Stokes took over the Test captaincy from Joe Root in April 2022 and has won nine of his 10 Tests in charge.

• Stokes previously won the overall Men's Cricketer of the Year award in 2019.

• Babar Azam has been given the Men's ODI Player of the Year award (Sobers Trophy), before Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi won the award for 2021.

ICC awards winners for 2022

• Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy: Babar Azam (Pakistan)

• Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy: Nat Sciver (England)

• Men's Test Cricketer of the Year: Ben Stokes (England)

• Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year: Babar Azam

• Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year: Nat Sciver

• Men's T20 International Cricketer of the Year: Suryakumar Yadav (India)

• Women's T20 International Cricketer of the Year: Tahlia McGrath (Australia) 

• Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year: Marco Jansen (South Africa)

• Women's Emerging Cricketer of the Year: Renuka Singh (India)

• Men's Associate Cricketer of the Year: Gerhard Erasmus (Namibia)

• Women's Associate Cricketer of the Year: Esha Oza (India)

• David Shepherd Trophy: Richard Illingworth (England)

• Spirit of Cricket Award: Aasif Sheikh (Nepal)

Union Health Minister unveils world’s first intranasal COVID19 vaccine, iNNCOVACC

Tags: Science and Technology National News

Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on 26 January unveiled world’s first intranasal COVID-19 vaccine, iNNCOVACC in New Delhi.

An overview of the news

• The vaccine was launched in the presence of Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology (Independent Charge).

• It is developed by Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) in collaboration with Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance (BIRAC).

• An initial manufacturing capacity of several million doses per year of the vaccine has been established, to be scaled up to one billion doses as needed.

• iNCOVACC has been priced at Rs 325 per dose.

• On September 9, 2022, Bharat Biotech's iNCOVACC, the world's first nasal COVID-19 vaccine, was approved for emergency use in adults.

• On November 28, 2022, Bharat Biotech announced that the vaccine has been approved for restricted emergency use in adults.

About iNCOVACC Vaccine

• Bharat Biotech's intranasal COVID-19 vaccine is a recombinant replicating adenovirus vectored vaccine.

• A recombinant vaccine means that it has been manufactured using bacterial cells or yeast cells or parts of a virus to introduce viral proteins into the host.

• It removes critical parts of the genome of SARS-CoV-2, so that the viral vector can no longer replicate.

• Phase I, II and III clinical trials of the vaccine have yielded successful results.

• The vaccine will be given intranasally through drops in the nose, a system that has been designed and developed to be cost-effective in low- and middle-income countries.

• The maximum temperature range for storage and distribution of iNCOVACC is two to eight degrees Celsius.

Working of iNCOVACC

• An intranasal vaccine stimulates a broad immune response by producing a wide range of antibodies including neutralising Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and mucosal Immunoglobulin A (IgA). 

• The vaccine also initiates T cell responses. 

• When the iNCOVACC vaccine is given to an individual, the immune cells in the body express the immobilized spike protein.

• As a result, the body starts producing antibodies against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2.

• After a person is exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the immune system will block Covid-19 infection in both the upper and lower respiratory tract due to the presence of antibodies.

• Therefore, iNCOVACC has the potential to block SARS-CoV-2 and prevent the transmission of Covid-19.

Republic Day 2023: This year's parade witnessed multiple events for the first time

Tags: National National News

India celebrated its 74th Republic Day on 26 January. This year's parade was special with many events taking place for the first time.

Programs to be organised for the first time in 74th Republic Day Parade

• This was the first Republic Day celebrations hosted at the ceremonial boulevard after Rajpath was renamed to 'Kartavya Path' last year.

• For the first time, 12 women riders were part of the Border Security Force's (BSF) camel contingent and 16 march contingents of the armed forces.

• The old howitzers with 25-pounder guns, which traditionally thundered during the 21-gun salute during Republic Day celebrations, were replaced by 105 mm Indian field guns this year.

• A team of "Daredevils" motorcycle riders from the Corps of Signals, co-led by a woman officer, became part of the parade for the first time.

• Nine Rafale aircraft and the Navy's IL-38 participated in the air show for the first time.

• Besides the IL-38 aircraft, the formations like 'Bheem' and 'Vajrang' showcased over the Kartavya Path for the first time.

• It is the first time that the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, has been invited as the chief guest on the Republic Day.

• A military contingent from the Egyptian Army also participated in the Republic Day parade for the first time.

• During the Beating Retreat Ceremony 2023, 3-D anamorphic projection was held for the first time on the façade of North and South Block.

• Newly appointed Agniveer was also a part of the parade for the first time.

• The Narcotics Control Bureau also presented a tableau for the first time.

International Customs Day

Tags: Important Days

On the occasion of 74th Republic Day, another important day is being celebrated all over the world on 26 January which is called International Customs Day.

An overview of the news

• The role and contribution of customs agencies is remembered on this day.

• The day marks the contribution of officers as well as their challenging working conditions.

• Customs agencies play an important role in the smooth flow of goods across borders.

• The theme of 2023 International Customs Day is- ‘Nurturing the next generation: promoting a culture of knowledge-sharing and professional pride in Customs’.

Background of the day

• The day was first established in 1953 and ratified by the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) for the first time.

• The session was inaugurated in Brussels, Belgium. Many delegates from 17 European countries participated in it.

• Later in the year 1994, CCC was renamed as World Customs Organization (WCO).

• Presently, WCO consists of 182 member states around the world.

Significance of the day

• It is the customs department that establishes a strong bond between the countries.

• The Customs Department is the agency that collects tariffs and manages the flow of goods across borders.

• The day is a reminder of the hard work done by customs agents to hold government securities.

Ministry of Tourism to organise six - day mega event “Bharat Parv” at Red Fort lawns

Tags: National News

The six - day mega event “Bharat Parv” event is going to be organised by the Government of India at the Lawns and Gyan Path in front of Red Fort, Delhi from 26 to 31 January, 2023, as part of the Republic Day Celebrations.

An overview of the news

• The Ministry of Tourism has been designated as the nodal Ministry for the event.

• The event included display of the best Republic Day parade tableaux at the venue, cultural performances by Regional Cultural Centers as well as cultural troupes of States/UTs, an All India Food Court and an All India Crafts Bazaar with 65 handicraft stalls.

• Bharat Parv was earlier held in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 and 2021 (virtually) on the lawns in front of the Red Fort and on the Gyan Path.

• This physical event is being organised after a gap of 2 years on the lawn and Gyan Path of the Red Fort.

• Branding and promotion of Dekho Apna Desh, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, G20 and Mission Life will be done during the event.

Himachal Pradesh Foundation Day

Tags: State News Important Days

January 25 is celebrated as Himachal Pradesh Statehood Day, Himachal Pradesh was granted full statehood on January 25, 1971.

An overview of the news

Background of the State

• After India's independence, Himachal Pradesh was formed on April 15, 1948 by uniting 30 hill princely states of the region.

• It was granted the status of a Union Territory on November 1, 1956.

• After this, in the year 1966, the hilly areas of Punjab were included in Himachal Pradesh.

• On December 18, 1970, the Parliament passed the Himachal Pradesh Act, and on January 25, 1971, Himachal Pradesh came into existence as a full-fledged state and became the 18th state of India.

Himachal Pradesh State

• The state is bordered by Jammu and Kashmir to the north, Punjab to the west and southwest, Haryana to the south, Uttarakhand to the southeast, and China to the east.

• Capital: Shimla

• Chief Minister - Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu

• Governor: Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar

• State Symbol

• State Animal: Snow Leopard

• State Bird: Western Tragopan

• State Flower: Pink Rhododendron

India becomes No 1 ODI team in ICC Rankings after 3-0 series win over New Zealand

Tags: Sports Sports News

In cricket, India climbed to the top of the ICC Men's ODI rankings after winning the series 3-0 against New Zealand at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.

An overview of the news

• Team India, led by Rohit, defeated the New Zealand team by 90 runs in the third match.

• Two-time world champions India have scored 5,010 points in 44 matches.

• World Champions England are second with 3,400 points from 30 ODIs.

• Former world champions Australia are third with 3,572 points (112 rating points) while New Zealand are now placed fourth in the latest ICC Team Rankings.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh felicitates 25 winners of Veer Gatha 2.0

Tags: Defence Awards

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh felicitated 25 winners of Veer Gatha 2.0 at an event in New Delhi on the eve of Republic Day.

An overview of the news

• Rajnath Singh gave away the winners a cash prize of Rs 10,000, a medal and a certificate, in the presence of Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan and Raksha Rajya Mantri Ajay Bhatt. 

• Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane were also present. 

• More than 100 NCC cadets and students from Army Public School and Cantonment Board were present in the programme.

Veer Gatha project 

• The 'Veer Gatha Project' has been launched by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for students of grades 3-12.

• The aim of the project is to commemorate the courage of the armed force officers and personnel.

• It aims to honour the acts of bravery and sacrifice of the Armed Forces, other legally constituted forces and officers.

• Veer Gatha 2.0 is the second edition of Project Veer Gatha.

• Last year, Veer Gatha Edition-1, which was launched jointly by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Education as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, was a huge success.

President Murmu approves 412 Gallantry Awards to Armed Forces personnel

Tags: Defence Awards

President Droupadi Murmu on 25 January approved 412 Gallantry awards, including six Kirti Chakras and 15 Shaurya Chakras for Armed Forces personnel and others on the eve of the 74th Republic Day. 

An overview of the news

• These include six Kirti Chakras, including four posthumous, and 15 Shaurya Chakras including two posthumous. 

• These include one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 92 Sena Medals, including four posthumous, one Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), seven Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry) and 29 Param Vishisht Seva Medals.

• The Kirti Chakra is India's second highest gallantry award after the Ashoka Chakra. The Shaurya Chakra is the country's third highest gallantry award.

• The President has also awarded the President's Tatrakshak Medal to Indian Coast Guard personnel for conspicuous gallantry, exceptional devotion to duty and distinguished service.

Kirti Chakra Awardees

• Major Shubhang of the Dogra Regiment from Indian Army

• Naik Jitendra Singh of the Rajput Regiment from Indian Army

• Jammu and Kashmir police constable Rohit Kumar (Posthumous)

• Sub Inspector Deepak Bhardwaj (Posthumous)

• Head constable Sodhi Narayan (Posthumous)

• Head constable Shrawan Kashyap (Posthumous)

Shaurya Chakra Awardees

• Major Aditya Bhadauria, Kumaon Regiment, Indian Army

• Captain Arun Kumar, Kumaun Regiment, Indian Army

• Captain Yudhvir Singh, mechanised infantry, Indian Army

• Captain Rakesh TR, Parachute Regiment, Indian Army

• Naik Jasbir Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, Indian Army (Posthumous)

• Naik Vikas Choudhary, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, (Posthumous)

• Constable Mudasir Ahmad Sheikh, Jammu and Kashmir Police

• Group Captain Yogeshwar Krishnarao Kandalkar, Air Force

• Flight Lieutenant Tejpal, Air Force

• Squadron leader Sandeep Kumar Jhajhria, Air Force

• Corporal Anand Singh, Air Force

• Leading aircraftman Sunil Kumar, Air Force

• Assistant Commandant Satendra Singh

• Deputy Commandant Vikki Kumar Pandey

• Constable Vijay Oraon

Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry)

• Major Rakesh Kumar, Indian Army

Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry)

• Late CDR Nishant Singh (Posthumous), Navy

Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)

• Wing Commander Sumedh Ashok Jamkar, Air Force

• Squadron leader Krishna Kumar Singh, Air Force

• Junior Warrant officer Srikanth Bonam, Air Force

• Sergeant Pankaj Kumar Rana, Air Force

• Corporal Satendra Kumar, Air Force

• Corporal Anthony Mang Kham, Air Force

• Leading Aircraftman Ravinder Singh, Air Force

Uttam Yudh Sewa Medal

• Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari, Indian Army

• Lieutenant General Anindiya Sengupta, Indian Army

• Lieutenant General Amardeep Singh Aujla, Indian Army

Padma Awards 2023: Mulayam Yadav, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Dilip Mahalanabis among 6 awarded Padma Vibhushan

Tags: Awards

The Centre has announced the Padma Awards on the eve of Republic Day 26 January.

An overview of the news

• Of the total 106 Padma Awards announced, six are Padma Vibhushan, nine are Padma Bhushan and 91 are Padma Shri.

• Nineteen of the awardees are women. 

• Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) pioneer Dilip Mahalanobis will be posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan in the field of medicine (paediatrics).

• He pioneered the widespread use of ORS, which is believed to have saved more than five crore lives globally.

• Former Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav will be posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan in the public sector.

• Tabla player Zakir Hussain will also be awarded the Padma Vibhushan.

• Those who will be awarded the Padma Bhushan include Kannada novelist and screenwriter S L Bhairappa, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla and author and philanthropist Sudha Murthy.

• The prominent names among Padma Shri awardees include stockbroker Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Rasna founder Areez Khabatta, former union minister and Manipur BJP president Thounaojam Chaoba Singh, former Tripura minister and Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura president Narendra Chandra Debbarma, RRR music composer M M Keeravani. 

• Ghazal singers Ahmed Hussain and Mohd Hussain, and Bollywood actor Raveena Tandon are also among Padma Shri awardees.

Padma Vibhushan

• Mulayam Singh Yadav (posthumously)

• Balkrishna Doshi (posthumous)

• Zakir hussain

• SM Krishna

• Dilip Mahalanabis (posthumous)

• Srinivasa Vardhan

Padma Bhushan

• SL Bhairappa

• Kumar Mangalam Birla

• Deepak Dhar

• vani jairam

• swami chinna jiyar

• Suman Kalyanpur

• Kapil Kapoor

• Sudha Murthy

• Kamlesh D Patel

Padma Shri

• Sukma Acharya

• Jodhaiyabai Baiga

• Premjeet Baria

• Usha Burle

• Munishwar Chandawar

• Hemant Chauhan

• Bhanubhai Chitra

• Hemoprova Chutiya

• Narendra Chandra Debbarma (posthumous)

• Subhadra Devi

• Khadar Valli Dudekula

• Hem Chandra Goswami

• Pratikana Goswami

• Radha Charan Gupta

• Modadugu Vijay Gupta

• Ahmed Hussain and Mohammad Hussain (pair)

• Dilshad Hussain

• Bhikhu Ramji Idate

• C I Issac

• Ratan Singh Jaggi

• Bikram Bahadur Jamatia

• ramkuiwangbe jane

• Rakesh Radheshyam Jhunjhunwala (posthumous)

• Ratan Chandra Kar

• Mahipat Kavi

• M M Keeravani

• Arez Khambatta (posthumous)

• Parshuram Komaji Khune

• Ganesh Nagappa Krishnarajnagar

• Maguni Charan Kunar

• Anand Kumar

• Arvind Kumar

• Domar Singh Kunwar

• Rising Bor Kurklang

• Hirabai Lobi

• Moolchand Lodha

• rani machaiya

• Ajay Kumar Mandavi

• Prabhakar Bhanudas Mande

• Gajanan Jagannath Mane

• Antaryami Mishra

• Nadoja Pindipapanahalli Munivenkatappa

• Pro. (Dr.) Mahendra Pal

• Uma Shankar Pandey

• Ramesh Parmar and Shanti Parmar (Pair)

• Nalini Parthasarathy

• Hanumantha Rao Pasupuleti

• Ramesh Kites

• Krishna Patel

• K Kalyanasundaram Pillai

• V P Appukuttan Poduval

• Kapil Dev Prasad

• S R D Prasad

• Shah Rashid Ahmed Qadri

• C V Raju

• Bakshi Ram

• Raman of Cheruvayal

• Sujata Ramadorai

• Abbareddy Nageswara Rao

• Pareshbhai Rathwa

• B Ramakrishna Reddy

• Mangala Kanti Rai

• K C Runremsangi

• Vadivel Gopal and Masi Sadaiyan (Pair)

• Manoranjan Sahu

• payat sahu

• Ritwik Sanyal

• Kota Satchidananda Shastri

• Shankurtri Chandra Shekhar

• K Shanathoiba Sharma

• Nekram Sharma

• Gurcharan Singh

• Lakshman Singh

• Mohan Singh

• Thounaojam Chauba Singh

• Prakash Chandra Sood

• Nihunuo Sorhi

• Dr. Janam Singh Soy

• Kushok Thiksey Nawang Chamba Stanzin

• S Subbaraman

• moa subong

• Palam Kalyana Sundaram

• Raveena Ravi Tandon

• Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari

• Dhaniram Toto

• Tula Ram Upreti

• Gopalasamy Veluchamy

• Ishwar Chand Verma

• Coomi Nariman Wadia

• Karma Wangchu (posthumous)

• Ghulam Muhammad Jazz

India-Egypt signed MoU between Prasar Bharati and National Media Authority of Egypt

Tags: International News

India and Egypt on 25 January signed an MoU to facilitate content exchange, capacity building, and Co-Productions between Prasar Bharati and the National Media Authority of Egypt.

An overview of the news

• Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur and Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shoukry, Government of Egypt signed the MoU.

• The MoU was exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in New Delhi.

• Under this MoU, broadcasters of both the countries will exchange their programs on bilateral basis in different genres of sports, news, culture, entertainment and many other fields and these programs will be broadcast on their radio and television platforms.

• The validity of this MoU will be for three years.

Arab Republic of Egypt 

• It is an Arab country which is located on the African continent.

• President: Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

• Capital: Cairo

• Currency: Egyptian pound