Current Affairs Daily Digest – January 29 & 30 2022

Current Affairs Daily Digest – January 29 & 30 2022. Read and Download daily, monthly Current Affairs Daily Digest 2022 for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, IBPS, SBI etc,. Download month wise Current affairs 2021 PDF and Current affairs quiz PDF .

Current Affairs Daily Digest – January 29 & 30 2022

1. Lok Sabha secretariat launches Digital Sansad app

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has launched the official mobile application of the Parliament named ‘Digital Sansad App’, to allow citizens to access live proceedings of the House, including the Union Budget 2022 live. The app will make the Parliament and Parliamentary proceedings accessible not only to the members but also to the public of the country.

The app contains information on budget speeches since 1947 as well as House discussions from the 12th Lok Sabha to 17th Lok Sabha. It will also contain a live telecast of Sansad proceedings. 2022 Budget session can also be watched live on this App.

2. World’s-largest canal lock unveiled in Netherlands

The world’s largest canal lock has been inaugurated at Ijmuiden, a small port city, in the Port of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The sea lock was inaugurated by Dutch King Willen-Alexander. The Ijmuiden lock was designed to allow large, modern cargo ships to reach the port of Amsterdam.

The structure is also deep enough that ships will no longer have to wait for a favourable water level to enter the canal. With almost nine meters above the sea leave, the structure is also a defence against the threat of flooding.

3. GoI appoints Anantha Nageshwaran as chief economic advisor

The Government of India has appointed Dr V Anantha Nageswaran as the new Chief Economic Adviser. The announcement came days ahead of the presentation of the 2022 Union Budget on February 1 and the tabling of the 2021-22 Economic Survey on January 31. This post was lying vacant since December 17, 2021, when KV Subramanian left the office. He is a former member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC).

4. TerraPay tie-up with NPCI International to boost cashless transactions

TerraPay has signed MoU with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) to allow Indian customers with an active UPI ID to receive real-time, international payments into their bank accounts via TerraPay’s secure payments technology. It will enable a seamless and convenient cross-border remittances experience. NIPL is an international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). This association with NIPL will allow Indians with an active UPI ID to receive real-time, international payments into their bank accounts via TerraPay’s adaptive and secure payments technology.

5. WGC: Global gold demand rises 10% to 4,021 tonnes

According to the World Gold Council (WGC) report ‘Gold Demand Trends 2021’ has informed that the global gold demand rose 10 per cent in 2021 to 4,021.3 tonnes. The overall gold demand during 2020, which was impacted following Covid-19 related disruptions, stood at 3,658.8 tonnes. The demand for the yellow metal was mainly driven by Central bank buying during the fourth quarter of 2021, recovery in jewellery consumption, mainly in India and China.

6. A new book titled “The $10 Trillion Dream” author by Subhash Garg

The former finance secretary of India, Subhash Chandra Garg has announced his debut book named “The $10 Trillion Dream”. The book is scheduled to hit stands towards the end of February 2022. The new book explores the critical policy issues that India faces today and suggests reforms for it to become a USD 10 trillion economy by the mid-2030s. It is published by Penguin Random House India (PRHI).

7. ‘A Little Book of India: Celebrating 75 years of Independence’ authored by Ruskin Bond

A new book titled “A Little Book of India: Celebrating 75 years of Independence” authored by Ruskin Bond was released, marking 75 years of India’s Independence. The book is the blend of “physical and spiritual” attributes of India and also highlights the last 75 years of India’s progress as a nation. It is published by Penguin Random House India (PRHI). It is a record of some of my memories and impressions of this unique land — of its rivers and forests, literature and culture, sights, sounds and colours — an amalgamation of the physical and spiritual.

8. Data Privacy Day observed on 28 January

Data Privacy Day is celebrated on January 28, every year across the world. The objective of the day is to sensitize individuals and disseminate privacy practices and principles. It encourages everyone to own their privacy responsibilities to create a culture of privacy. Observance of the day is “an international effort of creating awareness on the importance of respecting privacy, enabling trust and safeguarding data”. The theme for this year is ‘Privacy Matters’. It instils a sense of accountability that Privacy is integral to every individual’s life.

9. India’s largest EV charging station opened at Gurgaon

India’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging station with a capacity of 100 charging points for 4 wheelers, was opened at Delhi-Jaipur National Highway in Gurugram. Previously, India’s largest EV charging station was situated in Navi Mumbai with 16 AC & 4 DC charging ports for EVs.

The new EV charging station has been developed by tech-piloting company Alektrify Private Limited. This EV charging station will not only boost the electric vehicles industry in the region but will also act as a benchmark for large EV charging stations across the nation in future.

10. Telugu short film selected for first prize in NHRC competition

Telugu short film depicting the story of a street urchin with a strong message on right to education has bagged the first prize in a competition organised by the National Human Rights Comments (NHRC).

• ‘Street Student’ by Akula Sandeep has been selected for the first prize worth Rs 2 lakh in the seventh Short Film Award Competition.
• ‘Karfew’ by Romi Meitei has been selected for the second prize worth Rs 1.5 lakh. The film, through the story of a child in Manipur, pitches in hope for a better world, wherein people’s right to life, liberty, dignity and equality can be protected against odds including stereotyped fear psychosis.
• ‘Munghyar’ by Nilesh Ambedkar has been selected for the third prize worth Rs 1 lakh. The film is a poignant tale of the victims of discrimination on the basis of caste and creed amounting to violation of right to life, liberty, equality and dignity. It is in Marathi with subtitles in English, it said.

11. Women’s Asia Cup hockey: India beat China 2-0 to win bronze, Japan win title

Last edition champions India defeated China 2-0 to win a consolation bronze medal at the women’s Asia Cup hockey tournament. Japan emerged champions after beating Korea 4-2 in the summit clash.

12. Ashleigh Barty Wins Australian Open Women’s Singles Title

Ashleigh Barty made history by becoming the first Australian woman to win the year’s first Grand Slam in 44 years. The world No 1 ended decades of hurt with a memorable victory, recovering from 5-1 down in the second set to clinch a 6-3 7-6 (7-2) victory over first-time major finalist Danielle Collins and claim her third Grand Slam title.

13. India tie-up with Israel to convert 150 villages into ‘Villages of Excellence’

The Government of India has joined hands with the Government of Israel to create 150 ‘Villages of Excellence’ in 12 States of the country, to help farmers to adopt the latest technology in the farm sector. Israel would provide Technical assistance and other expertise to make agriculture a more profitable business.

The 150 villages that are located around CoEs will be converted into ‘Villages of Excellence.’ Out of which, 75 villages are being taken up in the first year to commemorate the 75th year of India’s independence. Already, the Israeli government has established 29 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in 12 states.

14. Meta tie-up with FICCI to support 5 lakh women-owned SMBs across India

Social media giant Meta has partnered with industry body the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) to support five lakh women-led small businesses across India. Meta will undertake this initiative under its #SheMeansBusiness programme, in partnership with FICCI’s ‘Empowering the Greater 50%’ initiative. The initiative will create a supportive ecosystem for women and inspire them to become contributors to the overall development of the country.

15. Paytm Money launches “India’s first” intelligent messenger called ‘Pops’

Paytm Money has introduced “India’s first” intelligent messenger called ‘Pops’. The company has launched ‘Pops’, with which users can receive specific information related to their stocks, analysis about their portfolio, market news, and important market movements in an easy to consume format, all in one place.

The platform will also serve as a marketplace to offer sophisticated stock recommendations, news insights, and other services. Paytm Money is partnering with InvestorAi to offer stock recommendations based on signals generated using artificial intelligence. Now, with Pops on the Paytm Money app, these investors can monitor their portfolios regularly and learn from the market movements with alerts curated for them.

16. Tata Group choose SBI, BoB and HDFC Bank to finance Air India’s old debt

Tata Group has chosen State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and HDFC Bank as preferred bankers for Air India. Recently Tata Group has taken over Air India from the government. Air India is the largest international carrier out of India with an 18.6% market share. Tata Sons have availed of a Rs 10,000-crore loan from SBI and a Rs 5,000-crore loan from BoB. The loan from HDFC Bank is not known yet. The loans are unrated, unsecured, and pegged at 4.25% [interest rate] annually.

17. World Leprosy Day 2022: 30 January

World Leprosy Day is observed globally on the last Sunday of January every year. In 2022, the World Leprosy Day falls on January 30, 2022. The day is celebrated to raise global awareness of this deadly ancient disease and call attention to the fact that it can be prevented, treated and cured.

In India, World Leprosy Day is celebrated every year on 30 January, the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s death. This year theme of World Leprosy Day 2022 is “United for Dignity”. The day was initiated in 1954 by French philanthropist and writer, Raoul Follereau, as a tribute to the life of Mahatma Gandhi who had compassion for people afflicted with leprosy.