India
UP govt. to provide free coaching to students for competitive exams
Uttar Pradesh will launch a state-wide, free coaching programme named ‘Abhyudaya’ from February. This coaching programme will help students to prepare for various competitive examinations.
Assam: 1st Bodoland Territorial Region Accord Day celebrated at Kokrajhar
Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, attended the first BTR (Bodoland Territorial Region) Accord Day celebration at Kokrajhar in Assam. The first BTR was celebrated on January 24, 2021. Shah assured the Bodo people on preserving the Bodo language and the culture & political rights of Bodo people.
National Girl Child Day celebrated on Jan 24
The National Girl Child Day is celebrated every year on January 24, 2021. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
32 children awarded Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar
Thirty-two children, from the 32 districts of 21 states and Union Territories, have been awarded the ‘Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar’ this year for their exceptional abilities and outstanding accomplishments in the fields of innovation, scholastics, sports, arts, culture, social service and bravery.
Economy & Corporate
First commercial flight service between Delhi and Sikkim begins
The first commercial flight services between Delhi and Sikkim commenced on January 23, 2021 with a Bombardier Q400 aircraft of SpiceJet airline. The flight landed at Pakyong airport in the Himalayan state with 57 passengers.
World
International Day of Education observed on 24 January
The International Day of Education was observed on January 24, 2021. The United Nations General Assembly had adopted the resolution proclaiming 24 January as International Day of Education on December 3, 2018.
Nepal: PM KP Sharma Oli removed from ruling Nepal Communist Party
The rival faction of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) removed Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli from the party on January 24, 2021. He was removed because of increasing political unrest after his decision to dissolve the lower house of the Parliament.
Dhaka International Film Festival organised from Jan 16 to 24
The 19th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) was organised from January 16 to 24, 2021. Kyrgyz film ‘The Road to Eden’ jointly directed by Bakyt Mukul and Dastan Zhapar won the best film award. While, the Best Director award was given to Ksenia Langutina for the film ‘Farida’. The film is jointly produced by Azerbaijan and Russia.
China empowers its coastguards to fire on foreign ships to prevent threats
China passed its coastguard legislation that allows it to fire on foreign vessels. This move could stoke tensions with its neighbours in contested waters.
China: 11 workers rescued from gold mine in Shandong province
Eleven workers who were trapped by an explosion inside a Chinese gold mine in Shandong province from January 10, were brought safely to the surface on January 24, 2021.
Ageing dams in India, U.S., other nations pose growing threat: UN report
UN report ‘Ageing water infrastructure: An emerging global risk’ highlights that, over a thousand large dams in India will be roughly 50-years-old in 2025 and such aging structures across the world pose a growing threat. most people on Earth will live downstream of tens of thousands of dams built in the 20th century.
Sports
Thailand Open badminton: Carolina Marin, Viktor Axelsen win singles titles
Spain’s Carolina Marin beat Tai Tzu-ying (Chinese Taipei) 21-19, 21-17 in the final to win the women’s singles title at Thailand Open badminton on January 17, 2021. Viktor Axelsen (Denmark) won men’s singles title by beating Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus (Denmark) in the final 21-11, 21-7.
