26th January, 2022 Current Affairs

Sakshi Education

National

Nation celebrates 73rd Republic Day; India flaunts Military might on display at Rajpath

The Nation is celebrating 73rd Republic Day on 26th Jan. The main function is being held at Rajpath in the National Capital where President Ram Nath Kovind took the salute of the parade presented by Ceremonial Battery of 871 Field Regiment.
On the occasion, Jammu and Kashmir Police ASI Babu Ram were conferred with Ashok Chakra posthumously for displaying valour and courage during an anti-terror operation in 2020 in Srinagar in which he killed three terrorists. His wife and son received the award from President Kovind.
The Republic Day Parade ceremony started with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the National War Memorial where he led the nation in paying solemn tributes to the fallen heroes by laying a wreath.
The Ministry of Defence has conceptualized a series of new events for the main parade on Rajpath.
Special arrangements have been made to give an opportunity to those segments of society which usually do not get to watch the parade.
Some sections of auto-rickshaw drivers, construction workers, safai karamcharis, and frontline health workers have been invited to watch the Republic Day Parade.
India’s military might, cultural diversity, social and economic progress, are on display in the Republic Day parade at the majestic Rajpath.
There will be a total of 16 marching contingents in the Parade. Six from the Army, one each from Navy and Air Force, four Central Armed Police Forces, one from Delhi Police, two from National Cadet Corps, and one National Service Scheme (NSS).
There will be 12 Tableaux from different Sates, Union Territories and 9 from Ministries and Departments.
The Delhi Police has fortified areas in and around Rajpath with multi-layer security cover and has installed a Facial Recognition System and over three hundred CCTV cameras.

Vice President, PM, other leaders extend wishes to people on 73rd Republic Day

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu has greeted citizens on 73rd Republic Day. In a tweet, Mr. Naidu said, Republic Day is an appropriate occasion to reaffirm our faith in the cherished principles of liberty, equality, fraternity, and justice for all, as enshrined in our Constitution.
He said, it is an occasion to remember with profound gratitude, those freedom fighters whose selfless sacrifices led to the birth of this great Republic.
The Vice President called upon countrymen to celebrate the achievements of our Republic and resolve to dedicate ourselves towards building a peaceful and progressive India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted people on 73rd Republic Day. In a tweet, Mr. Modi said, wishing you all a happy Republic Day. Jai Hind.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah have also greeted people on Republic Day. They called upon everyone to pledge to ensure their commitment to the democratic values of freedom.

President approves 384 Gallantry awards for Armed Forces personnel

The President has approved awards of 384 Gallantry and other Defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel and others on the occasion of 73rd Republic Day celebrations.
These include 12 Shaurya Chakras including, 29 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, 4 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 53 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, 13 Yudh Seva Medals, 3 Bar to Vishisht Seva Medals, 122 Vishisht Seva Medals, 3 Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry).
Besides, 81 Sena Medals (Gallantry), 2 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry), 40 Sena Medals for Devotion to Duty, Eight Nao Sena Medals and 14 Vayu Sena Medals have been approved Devotion to Duty.
Out of the total 12 Shaurya Chakra Awardees, 9 of them have been awarded posthumously. They include Subedar Sreejith M of 17th Battalion of the Madras Regiment, Havildar Anil Kumar Tomar, Rajput Regiment, the 44th Batallion. The Rashtriya Rifles and Havildar Pinku Kumar, the Jat Regiment, 34th Battalion the Rashtriya Rifles.
Olympian Neeraj Chopra who is a Subedar in the Indian Army has been honored with Param Vishisht Seva Medal on the eve of Republic Day. Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal for India in the javelin throw event at Tokyo Olympics.

International

France Prez Macron and German Chancellor Scholz meet in Berlin to discuss Russia

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have decided to meet in Berlin to seek a common response to Russia as fears rise that Moscow could soon attack Ukraine.
Tuesday’s talks in the German capital come a day after Washington put 8,500 troops on heightened alert for possible deployment to Eastern Europe.
Other NATO member states also moved to boost their presence in the region. Russia has massed some 100,000 troops within reach of Ukraine’s border, surrounding its neighbor with forces from the north, east, and south.
The Kremlin denies planning an invasion and Moscow cites the Western response as evidence that Russia is the target, not the instigator, of aggression.

Beijing on high alert ahead of Winter Olympics amid Spring Festival rush

As Beijing is getting ready to become the first city to have hosted both the Summer and Winter Olympics, the Chinese capital has been on high alert and has intensified efforts to contain any outbreaks before the Beijing Winter Olympics beginning next week amid Chinese Spring festival travel rush.
The municipality of Beijing has been checking the health codes of anyone entering from any other Chinese province and keeping Olympic participants in a “closed-loop” to minimize the risks after outbreaks of the Omicron and Delta variants in the capital.
As of Sunday, 78 cases had been found among Olympics-related arrivals at Beijing Capital International Airport. COVID cases have been reported inside the Olympics bubble also.
Capital Beijing has another reason to be on high alert as after the Winter Olympics, the city will also host the two sessions, China’s high-profile annual legislative gathering in March.
People across the country have been urged to minimize their travel during the Spring Festival, with some places requiring arrivals to enter quarantine if they have travelled from areas classed as high or medium risk.
With less than a week to go for New Year holidays, in line with China’s zero-tolerance policy towards Covid-19, local governments have doubled down on travel restrictions, fearing that the annual holiday mass migration might contribute to the corona-virus spread.
However, their travel policies differ in the level of strictness and are subject to rapid changes that leave travelers confused. They are upset by lack of clarity on varying provincial measures as parts of the nation battle Delta and Omicron variants.
Entry rules differ in the level of strictness and are subject to rapid changes as local authorities implement zero-Covid policy.

Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh to have 13 new districts

The YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh has 13 new districts notified by the government under AP Districts Formation Act, Section 3(5).
The new districts have been formed based on Parliamentary constituencies.
Adding to the existing 13 districts, the total number of districts in Andhra Pradesh is now 26.
The cabinet decision came late Tuesday following which planning secretary GSRKR Vijaykumar handed over the recommendations to chief secretary Sameer Sharma. The notification was issued subsequently to be released in all districts.

Here is the list of the new and the respective headquarters.

1. Srikakulam - Srikakulam
2. Vizianagaram - Vizianagaram
3. Manyam Dist - Parvathipuram (new)
4. Alluri Sitharama Raju District - Paderu (new)
5. Visakhapatnam - Visakhapatnam
6. Anakapalli - Anakapalli (new)
7. Kakinada - Kakinada (new)
8. Kona Seema - Amalapuram (new)
9. East Godavari - Rajamahendravaram
10. West Godavari - Bheemavaram
11. Eluru - Eluru (new)
12. Krishna - Machilipatnam
13. NTR District - Vijayawada (new)
14. Guntur - Guntur
15. Bapatla - Bapatla (new)
16. Palnadu - Narsaraopeta (new)
17. Prakasam - Ongole
18. SPS Nellore - Nellore
19. Kurnool - Kurnool
20. Nandyal - Nandyal (new)
21. Ananthapuram - Ananthapuram
22. Sri Satyasai District - Puttaparthy (new)
23. YSR Kadapa - Kadapa
24. Annamayya District - Rayachoty (new)
25. Chittoor - Chittoor
26. Sri Balaji Dist. - Tirupati (new)

Sports
India enters semifinals of Women's Asia Cup Hockey tournament

In Hockey, defending champions India have entered the semifinals of the Women's Asia Cup tournament after defeating Singapore 9-1 in their last Pool A match in Muscat.
With this win, India have also sealed a spot for the 2022 FIH Women's Hockey World Cup to be co-hosted by Spain and Netherlands later this year.
After drubbing Malaysia 9-0 in their opener, India slumped to an unexpected 0-2 loss against pool toppers Japan. But the Indian women's team put their last match defeat behind and dished out a much-coordinated display yesterday to steamroll Singapore.
Gurjit Kaur slammed a hat-trick while Monika and Jyoti scored two field goals apiece.
The other goal-getters for India were Vandana Katariya and Mariana Kujur. Li Min Toh scored the only goal for Singapore.
India will take on Pool B leaders Korea in the first semifinal. Japan, who beat Malaysia 8-0 in another Pool B match, will be up against China in the other semi-final.
The final of the tournament will be played on Thursday. The top four teams will automatically qualify for this year's FIH World Cup.

Published date : 26 Jan 2022 05:17PM