Current Affairs 27/01/2024

Sat Jan 27, 2024

Padma Awards 2024 announced

The Padma Awards are among the highest civilian honors in India, and they are conferred in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. These awards are given to individuals who have made exceptional contributions and achievements in various fields and have rendered distinguished service to the nation. Here is a brief overview of the three categories:

1. Padma Vibhushan: This is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service. It is the second-highest civilian award in the Republic of India. 2. Padma Bhushan: This is awarded for distinguished service of a high order. It is the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India. 3. Padma Shri: This is awarded for distinguished service in any field. It is the fourth-highest civilian award in the Republic of India.

S.No.	Awardee Name	Field	State
1.	Ms. Vyjayantimala Bali	Art	Tamil Nadu
2.	Shri Konidela Chiranjeevi	Art	Andhra Pradesh
3.	Shri M Venkaiah Naidu	Public Affairs	Andhra Pradesh
4.	Shri Bindeshwar Pathak	Social Work	Bihar
5.	Ms. Padma Subrahmanyam	Art	Tamil Nadu

Sreeja Akula wins maiden international table tennis title at WTT Feeder Corpus Christi 2024

Indian table tennis player Sreeja Akula won her maiden international title after securing top podium in the women’s singles event at the WTT Feeder Corpus Christi 2024 in Texas, USA on Thursday. The 25-year-old Indian defeated world No. 46 Lily Zhang of the USA, a three-time Olympian, 3-0 (11-6, 18-16, 11-5) in the final, which lasted just over 30 minutes. Sreeja Akula faced a formidable opponent in the final, going up against world No. 46 Lily Zhang of the USA, a three-time Olympian. In a convincing display of prowess, Sreeja defeated Lily Zhang 3-0 (11-6, 18-16, 11-5) to claim the top spot on the podium. The final lasted just over 30 minutes, showcasing Sreeja’s command over the game.

Smita Das Jain co-authored Intl. Bestseller, "Cracking the Rich Code"

Executive and Life Coach Smita Das Jain has contributed a chapter to the internationally renowned book, "Cracking the Rich Code: Vol 12", endorsed by Tony Robbins. In “Destiny by Design: The Empower Yourself Blueprint to Success," Smita chronicles her journey from corporate ambiguity to coaching excellence and provides practical strategies for success.

75th Republic Day of India: January 26, 2024

· Republic Day theme, 2024: "Viksit Bharat" and "Bharat - Loktantra ki Matruka"

· French President Emmanuel Macron is the chief guest at the 75th Republic Day parade, while the first parade at Rajpath (now Kartavyapath) occurred in 1955, with Pakistan's Governor General Malik Ghulam Muhammad as the chief guest.

· DRDO displayed multiple advanced technologies in the 75th Republic Day Parade, themed "Women power in protecting the nation in all 5 dimensions."

· On the eve of Republic Day, 2024, a total of 1132 personnel of the Police, Fire Service, Home Guard & Civil Defence, and Correctional Service have been awarded Gallantry/Service Medals.

· Among 277 Gallantry Awards, majority are for personnel from Left Wing Extremism areas, Jammu and Kashmir region, and other areas for gallant actions.

· The first Republic Day of India was celebrated on January 26, 1950.

· This replaced the Government of India Act 1935, and it turned the nation from a dominion into a republic.

· Manipur tableaux featured a woman collecting lotus stems from Manipur's Loktak lake.

· Tableaux of Andhra Pradesh reflected the subject of transforming school education.

PRITHVI Scheme to Advance India’s Earth System Sciences

The Indian government under Prime Minister Modi has approved the Prithvi Vigyan scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences representing planned investments of Rs 4797 crores from 2021 to 2026. This all-encompassing initiative promises to transform the country’s approach towards earth science research and real-world applications.

PRITHVI brings together 5 existing earth science sub-schemes under MOES: ATMOSPHERE, OCEAN, CRYOSPHERE, SEISMIC & CAPACITY BUILDING – thereby enabling synergies.

Alabama Conducts First Nitrogen Gas Execution In US

The Alabama attorney general said Friday that nitrogen gas is now a "proven" method of execution and that he believes more such executions will follow after the first one in the U.S. was carried out.

The inmate, Kenneth Smith, 58, was pronounced dead at 9:25 p.m. ET Thursday at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama – about 120 miles southwest of Montgomery – after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a last-minute effort to halt the execution.

"What occurred last night was textbook," Attorney General Steve Marshall said during Friday's press conference. "And I now suspect that many states will follow. As of last night, nitrogen hypoxia as a means of execution is no longer an untested method. It is a proven one. It's the method that Kenny Smith ultimately chose."