Current Affairs 16/01/2024

Rohit Sharma Becomes The First Men’s Player To Play 150 T20Is

India skipper Rohit Sharma on Sunday, January 14 became the first player in the history of cricket to play 150 T20 internationals when he featured in the second T20 match against Afghanistan at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Rohit has so far played the most number of T20Is among all players and Paul Stirling of Ireland is at the second position in the list of most matches played in T20is by all players. The Irish skipper has played 134 matches. Following him is yet another Irish George Dockrell, who has featured in 128 matches. Among the Indians, Virat Kohli is in the second position with 116 T20Is to his name. He is followed by MS Dhoni, who played 98 matches for the Indian team.

54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum begins in Davos

The five-day 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) is being held in Davos, Switzerland from 15 January 2024. The 54th meeting takes place at a time when the world is facing many crises such as climate change, conflicts and fake news.  The theme of this year's meeting is 'Rebuilding Trust'.  According to WEF President Borge Brende, this meeting takes place in the most complex and challenging geo-political and geo-economic scenario. Amid all circumstances, WEF chief Borge Brende has described India as a major country with more than eight percent of GDP.
More than 2,800 leaders from different countries are participating in the 54th meeting. These include heads of more than 60 nations and governments.

Deepa Bhandare Makes History As First Female To Receive VSI Award

Deepa Bhandare made history by winning the distinguished Best Environment Officer Award, becoming the sole woman in Maharashtra's sugar industry to achieve this honor in its long history Deepa Bhandare, associated with Shri Datta Cooperative Sugar Factory (SSK) in Shirol taluka of Kolhapur, emerged as a trailblazer as she clinched the prestigious Best Environment Officer Award at the ceremony. The award, conferred by VSI Chairman Sharad Pawar, marks a historic moment as Bhandare becomes the only woman in the long and illustrious history of Maharashtra’s sugar industry to receive this accolade.

Operation Sarvashakti Launched

The Indian Army has launched Operation Sarvashakti in Jammu and Kashmir. It involves security forces on both sides of the Pir Panjal range. The goal is to flush out terrorists who have ambushed Indian troops in Rajouri and Poonch. Sarvashakti is modeled on 2003’s Operation Sarpvinash in the region south of Pir Panjal. Operation Sarpvinash was implemented by the Indian Army and the Rashtriya Rifles. That three-month operation killed nearly 100 terrorists. It brought peace until 2017-2018.

'Yuva Nidhi' scheme launched for unemployed youth in Karnataka

· The Karnataka government has promised to give Rs 3,000 per month to degree holders and Rs 1,500 per month to diploma holders who were unable to get a job in the past six months and are not pursuing higher studies. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah issued cheques to unemployed graduates who came from various parts of the state at Freedom Park in Shivamogga.

Today’s History: 16^th January

• In 1945, German Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler retreated to his underground bunker after his defeat in World War II
• In 1973, the popular American western series Bonanza concluded on NBC after 14 seasons.
• In 1979, BBC’s iconic nature series "Life on Earth," presented by David Attenborough, was first shown on BBC One.
• In 2003, the final flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia aboard the STS-107 commenced, carrying Kalpana Chawla and six other crew members.
• In 2006, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was sworn in as president of Liberia and became the first elected leader of an African country.
• In 2019, Golden State guard Stephen Curry became the first player in NBA history to hit 8+ three-point FGs in 3 consecutive games; goes 9-of- 17 threes in the Warriors' 147-140 win over New Orleans
• In 2021, India kicked off the COVID-19 vaccination program, with sanitation worker Manish Kumar receiving the first shot.
• In 2022, World No. 1 ranked tennis player Novak Đoković was deported by the Australian government due to his unvaccinated status against the COVID-19 virus.