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INTERNATIONAL
Palestinians To Join International Criminal Court
Palestine will join the International Criminal Court on 1 April 2015, announced UN Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon on 6 January .The Palestinians will be able to sue Israel for war crimes, a move the Israeli
administration has consistently opposed for decades.Along with the ICC application, the UN chief
approved other sets of documents, enabling Palestine to join 16 international agreements, conventions
and treaties.
Maithripala Sirisena Elected As Sri Lanka President
Pallewatte Gamaralalage Maithripala Yapa Sirisena (Maithiripala Sirisena) was elected as new President
of Srilanka. Mithripala Sirisena, Health Minister in Rajapaksa government, won the 2015 Presidential
Elections of Sri Lanka. The Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya announced the results on 9
January 2015. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa from United Peoples Freedom Alliance got 47.6
percent and Opposition candidate Maithripala Samisen from United National Party got 51.3 percent of the
votes polled in the Presidential elections held on 8 January 2015.
Alexis Tsipras Elected As New Greece Prime Minister
Alexis Tsipras, leader of the Syriza anti-austerity party, was elected as the new Prime Minister of Greece.
In Greece, anti-austerity Syriza party has won general election.In this election Syriza party has won about
half the seats in Parliament.Alexis Tsipras, leader of the Syriza anti-austerity party, was sworn in as the
new Prime Minister of Greece 26 January 2015.
Sergio Mattarella Elected As New President of Italy
Italys parliament has elected constitutional court judge Sergio Mattarella as the countrys President on 31
January.He will Italys 12th president and succeed Giorgio Napolitano who had resigned earlier in January
2015 citing reason of poor health before his 2020 expiry term.
NATIONAL
Union Govt Established NITI Aayog To Replace Planning Commission
The Union Government on 1 January established NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog ,
as replacement for the Planning Commission. This comes after extensive consultation across the
spectrum of stakeholders, including state governments, domain experts and relevant institutions. NITI
Aayog will seek to provide a critical directional and strategic input into the development process. NITI
Aayog that replaced the 65 year old Planning Commission will be headed by Prime Minister. It will have a
governing council comprising Chief Ministers of all the states and Lt. Governors of Union Territories. Apart
from this, the NITI Aayog will also have a Vice-Chairperson and a Chief Executive Officer (fixed tenure, in
the rank of Secretary to the Government of India), who will be appointed by the Prime Minister.
PM Narendra Modi Releases Coin In Honour Of Jamsetji Tata
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 6 January released a commemorative coin in honour of Jamsetji Tata,
popularly known as father of modern Indian industry, on his 175th birth anniversary in New Delhi.Jamsetji
is the first industrialist felicitated by the Indian government in such a manner.He founded Tata Group,
Indias largest business conglomerate. He was born on March 3, 1839 in Navsari, a small town in south
Gujarat.Jamsetji Tata founded the Tata group in 1868.
PM Narendra Modi Launched Sukanya Samridhi Yojana Under BBBP campaign
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 January launched a small deposit scheme Sukanya Samridhi Yojana
for girl child under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Save the Daughter, Teach the Daughter) campaign. The
scheme was launched at Painpat in Haryana, a state with one of the poorest sex ratio in the country . The
scheme will ensure equitable share to a girl child in resources and savings of a family in which she is
generally discriminated against a male child. Sukanya Samridhi Yojana will enable parents to open bank
accounts of girls who are under 10 years of age.Sukanya Samridhi Account will fetch an interest rate of
9.1 percent and provide income tax rebate.
Union Government Released Commemorative Postage Stamps On Swachh Bharat Mission
Union Government has released set of three Commemorative Postage Stamps on Swachh Bharat
Mission (Clean India Mission). This set of 3 stamps was released by Union Ministry for Communications &
Information Technology and issued by Department of Posts. These stamps were released to in order to
achieve the vision of Clean and Healthy India. Department of Posts has selected the design for the
stamps through a competition among the children on the theme of Swachh Bharat Mission. Swachh
Bharat Mission was launched by the Prime Minister on the 2nd October, 2014 on the occasion of Birth
Anniversary of Father of the Nation- Mahatma Gandhi. This mission seeks to achieve Clean India and
aims to provide access to toilets to all households in the country.
STATES
PM Narendra Modi Launched Scheme For LED bulb Distribution In Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5 January launched a scheme for distribution of LED bulbs under the
Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme in Delhi and a National Programme for LED-based Home and
Street Lighting. Under the scheme, consumers in Delhi would be able to request for LED bulbs under the
Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme through a new Website launched by Narendra Modi.
Presidential Rule Imposed In Jammu and Kashmir
Presidents rule was imposed on Jammu and Kashmir on 9 January.President Pranab Mukherjee
approved the recommendation of the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir N N Vohra. Governor N N Vohra
had recommended for President Rule in light of deadlock over the formation of the new government
continued in Jammu and Kashmir.
Dima Hasao District Of Assam Got Its First Broad Gauge Railway Track
Dima Hasao District of Assam got its first broad gauge railway track on 12 January. A goods train with 43
wagons reached the main railway station of the Dima Hasao district using this broad gauge track.The
train in its first ever journey covered 98 km from Patharkhula station to New-Haflong station while
crossing 9 tunnels, 15 stations, 15 major bridges and 135 minor bridges.The passenger trains will also be
commissioned on the route from Pathakhula to New-Haflong on the track that is extended up to Silchar
after the approval of Railway Safety Commission.
UN Chief Inaugurates Gujarats Second Canal-Top 10-MW Solar Power Project
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 11 January inaugurated Gujarats second canaltop 10-MW solar power project.It is located on 5.5 km stretch of Vadodara branch of Sardar Sarovar
project canal. The plant is constructed by the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited and is the first of
its kind in the country.It is implemented by Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure
Limited (MEIL).
CONFERENCES
13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Held In Gandhinagar
The 13th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) was held on 7 9 January 2015 at Gandhinagar,
Gujarat.The theme of 2015 PBD was Bharat ko jano and Bharat ko mano.The chief guest of the 13th PBD
was Guyana President Donald Ramotar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 January inaugurated a stateof-the-art museum Dandi Kutir opposite Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.Narendra Modi also
released Commemorative Postage Stamps to mark 100 Years of Mahatma Gandhis Return from South
Africa to India. The coins are of denomination of 100 rupees and 10 rupees, while the stamps are of value
of 25 rupees and 5 rupees. The event concluded with giving away Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards to
15 members of the Indian Diaspora by the Vice-President Hamid Ansari.PBD conventions are being held
every year since 2003 and are celebrated on 9th January every year to mark the contribution of Overseas
Indian community in the development of India.The 13th edition of PBD marked the 100th year of
Mahatma Gandhis return to India from South Africa.
10 January.She defeated Serbias Ana Ivanovic in the final.It was her 34th career title.
Mens Singles :- Switzerlands Roger Federar won the Mens singles title. He defeated Milos Raonic of
Canada in the final.Its a grand number for a 17-time Grand Slam champion, making him the only player
after Jimmy Connors (1,253) and Ivan Lendl (1,071) to win 1,000 times on the mens professional tour. Its
the 83rd career title for this 17-time Grand Slam champion.
South Africas AB de Villiers Scores Fastest One-day International Century
South Africas batsman AB de Villiers hit the fastest century in One-Day International (ODI) cricket. AB de
Villiers scored the century in just 31 balls. He achieved the feat in second ODI match of the 5-match ODI
series played on 18 January at the Wanderers in Johannesburg against West Indies. The previous record
was held by New Zealands Corey Anderson who scored a century in 36 balls against the West Indies on
1 January 2014.On the way to make the world record of fastest century, Villiers went to fifty off 16 balls,
one ball less than Sanath Jayasuriyas 19-year old record of the fastest ODI half-century. Jayasuriya
scored the fifty in 17 balls for Sri Lanka against Pakistan in 1995-96.
Australian Open Tennis Tournament Winners 2015
Womens singles :- Serena Williams of US won the womens singles title of Australian Open 2015 on 31
January 2015 by defeating Maria Sharapova.This was her sixth Australian Open singles title and 19th
singles Grand Slam title. With this she overtook 18-time Grand Slam winners Martina Navratilova and
Chris Evert. She is now just three titles away from Steffi Grafs record of 22 Grand Slam titles.
Mens Singles :- Novak Djokovic (Serbia) won the Australian Open Mens singles title. He defeated
Britains Andy Murray in the final on 1 February.Djokovic had earlier won the Australian Open titles in
2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013. This was his 8th career Grand Slam title. Murray has now been runner-up
four times here, losing twice previously to Djokovic in 2011 and 2013 and to Roger Federer in 2010.
ECONOMY
ICICI Bank Launched Indias Contactless Credit and Debit Cards
ICICI Bank, the countrys largest private sector one, on 7 January launched contactless credit cards and
debits cards called Coral Contactless Credit Card and Expressions Wave Debit Card respectively. These
cards will enable customers to make electronic payments by waving the cards near a merchant terminal
instead of dipping or swiping the cards.
Indias Growth To Reach 6.3 percent In 2016
According to the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2015 report released
on 14 January, Indias growth in terms of GDP is expected to reach 5.9 per cent in 2015 and 6.3 per cent
in 2016.
Highlights of Report :India:- Its growth recovery is partly the result of improved market sentiment after the new government
took office in the second quarter of 2014 and had announced plans to reform the bureaucracy, labour
laws and public subsidies.
South Asia:- Economic growth in South Asia is set to gradually pick up from an estimated 4.9 percent in
2014 to 5.4 percent in 2015 and 5.7 percent in 2016. India, will account for about 70 percent of regional
output in South Asia.
* Average inflation in this region is expected remain moderate at 7.8 percent in 2015 and 7.2 percent in
2016, as commodity prices are likely remain subdued and domestic demand picks up gradually.
Global Economy:- It is expected to grow at 3.1 percent in 2015 and 3.3 percent in 2016, compared with
an estimated growth of 2.6 percent in 2014.
World Economic Situation and Prospects 2015 Report Released
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) on 19 January 2015
released World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2015 report. The report projects that the
regional growth will pick up in 2015-16, as average GDP growth will accelerate from 5.0 percent in 2014
to 5.3 percent in 2015 and 5.7 percent in 2016.The report has highlighted that the South Asias economic
growth is set to reach a four-year high in 2015. The average gross domestic product (GDP) growth of
South Asia accelerated from 3.7 percent in 2013 to 4.9 percent in 2014, and is projected to strengthen
further to 5.4 percent in 2015 and 5.7 per cent in 2016.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana scheme sets Guinness Record
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) scheme was conferred with the Guinness record on 20
January 2015. The PMJDY scheme created a Guinness World Record for opening the maximum number
of bank accounts in the shortest possible time. Altogether, 11.5 crore accounts have been opened under
the scheme in less than five months. The scheme was launched on 28 August 2014 with a target of 7.5
crore till 26 January 2015. The Guinness authorities officially handed a certificate to Union finance
minister Arun Jaitley in Delhi on 20 January 2015. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is governments
flagship financial inclusion programme that was launched on 28 August 2014 to help people in opening
bank accounts.
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Arvind Panagariya Takes Charge As NITI Aayog Vice Chairman
Noted economist Arvind Panagariya on 13 January took charge as the first vice-chairman of the newlycreated NITI Aayog. NITI Aayog has replaced the 65-year old Planning Commission. He is an IndianAmerican economist and Professor of Economics at Columbia University.
A.S. Kiran Kumar Took Over As The New Chairman Of ISRO
Alur Seelin Kiran Kumar (A.S. Kiran Kumar) took over as the new Chairman of Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) on 14 January 2015.A.S. Kiran Kumar became the 8th Chairman of ISRO.
HS Brahma Takes Charge As Chief Election Commissioner
Hari Shankar Brahma on 16 January assumed charge as the 19th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
after he was elevated to the post on 14 January.He succeeded VS Sampath, whose tenure ended on 15
January 2015.
B)RESIGNS
Leela Samson Resigned As Chairperson of CBFC
Leela Samson on 16 January 2015 resigned as Chairperson of Central Board of Film Certification,
(CBFC).She was appointed as the Chairperson of CBFC on 1 April 2011.
C)DEATHS
Veteran Scientist Vasant Gowarikar Died
Space veteran and eminent scientist Vasant Gowarikar was died on 2 January in Pune. He was the chief
of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and also the scientific advisor to the Prime Minister of
India in 1991-1993. Gowarikar made valuable contributions to the fields of space research, weather and
population. Gowarikar was involved in space research in early career under Vikram Sarabhai when his
office was in the building of the local St Mary Magdalene Church in Thumba in Kerala. He pioneered solid
propelant development and later served as Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)
between 1979 and 1985.Gowarikar was awarded Padma Shri in 1984 and Padma Bhushan in 2008. He
also received the Fie Foundation Award.
D)VISITORS
U.S. President Barack Obama Visited India
U.S. President Barack Obama visited India from 25 January to 27 January 2015.As a part of his visit, he
met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral relations as well as on
regional and international issues of mutual interest and concern. India and U.S signed several pacts
during the official visit of the President of U.S to India. Barack Obama , the President of U.S was the
Chief Guest of India on the occasion of the Republic Day parade on 26 January 2015. Obama became
the first US president to be chief guest at Indias Republic Day parade. In the visit, the civil nuclear
agreement that would allow nuclear contracts to be signed between U.S. firms and India.
E)MISCELLANEOUS
PLACES IN NEWS
Qantas Named Worlds Safest Airline
Australias national airline Qantas was named as the worlds safest airline by AirlineRatings.com on 6
January. Qantas, which is in its 95th year of operation, was hailed for an extraordinary record of firsts in
terms of its safety history and ranked the best of 449 airlines, including low-cost carriers, assessed by the
website.
ABBREVIATIONS
NRDC - National Research and Development Corporation
POTA - Prevention of Terrorism Act
SAFTA South Asian Free Trade Agreement
SAIL - Steel Authority of India Limited
UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
VSSC Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
BOOKS IN NEWS
Vice President Released The Indian Parliament A Critical Appraisal
The Vice President of India M.Hamid Ansari on 8 January released a book entitled The Indian Parliament
A Critical Apprisal. The book is authored by Prof. Sudha Pai and Avinash Kumar of Jawaharlal Nehru
University, New Delhi.The book examines the credibility and legitimacy of the Indian Parliament and has
scrutinised various aspects of its functioning.
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