Current Affairs Quiz 31st January 2022 : Daily GK Update Quiz

Exp. PM Modi addressed 30th Foundation Day of National Commission for Women

PM Narendra Modi addressed the 30th Foundation Day programme of National Commission for Women (NCW) on January 31.

“The theme of the programme is ‘She The Change Maker’, aimed at celebrating the achievements of women in different fields.

The State Commissions for Women and Department of Women and Child Development in State Government will participate.

Teaching faculty and students, voluntary organizations, women entrepreneurs and business associations will also participate.

Rekha Sharma is the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW).

Exp. SPMCIL set up new bank note printing lines at Nashik and Dewas

Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) has set up a new bank note printing lines at its Currency Note Press, Nashik and Bank Note Press, Dewas.

SPMCIL is a Government of India-owned Miniratna company and is engaged in the production of Currency-Bank Notes, Security Paper.

India has four printing presses for printing and supply of Banknotes:

Dewas in Madhya Pradesh

Nasik in Maharashtra

Mysore in Karnataka

Salboni in West Bengal

Exp. Xiomara Castro became first woman President of Honduras

Leftist Xiomara Castro was sworn in as the first woman President of Honduras. She vowed to reform the crime-and poverty-stricken nation into a “socialist and democratic state.”

She replaces President Juan Orlando Hernández, who has held the position for 8 years and has been accused of corruption and drug trade ties.

Castro is wife of former president of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, who ruled Honduras between 2006 and 2009.

Exp. RBI imposed restrictions on Indian Mercantile Cooperative Bank Ltd, Lucknow

The Reserve Bank of India imposed several restrictions on Indian Mercantile Cooperative Bank Ltd, Lucknow, including a cap of Rs 1 lakh on withdrawals.

The restrictions came into force from closure of business hours on January 28, 2022. RBI said the Lucknow-based co-operative bank will not, without its prior approval, grant or renew any loans and advances, or make any investment.

The restrictions would remain in force for six months and are subject to review.

The RBI has imposed above restriction in exercise of powers vested in it under sub-section (1) of Section 35 A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (AACS).

In particular, a sum not exceeding Rs 1 lakh of the total balance across all savings bank or current accounts or any other account of a depositor, may be allowed to be withdrawn, subject to certain conditions.

Exp. India’s Exports of marine products grew by 35% to $6.1 bn during April-Dec 2021

The exports of marine products registered a growth of 35% to $ 6.1 billion during April to Dec 2021.

The exports of Marine Products touched over $ 720 million, registering a growth of over 28 per cent.

The overall exports of Marine Products in the last Financial Year were $ 5.96 billion. Top 5 export destinations: USA, China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand.

PM Modi had launched the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana in 2020 with an array of 100 diverse activities with a budget of over Rs 20,000 crores.

Exp. Tata Steel will buy Neelachal Ispat Nigam for ₹12,100 crore

The government has approved the sale of Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited (NINL) to Tata Steel Long Products.

The CCEA have approved the highest bid of Tata Steel Long Products for 93.71% of shares NINL. The Bid Enterprise Value is ₹12,100 crore.

NINL is a joint venture of 4 CPSEs – MMTC, NMDC, BHEL, MECON and 2 Odisha government PSUs – OMC and IPICOL. The government does not hold any equity in the company.

Exp. Economic Survey pegged India’s GDP growth at 8-8.5% for FY23

The Economic Survey has projected a growth rate of 8-8.5% for the next financial year ending March 2023.

The Economic Survey 2021-22 was tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha on 31 January, while the Budget will be presented on 1 February at 11 am.

The survey expectations for the next fiscal year are conservative compared to the 9% expansion seen by IMF.

For the current financial year, the survey projects a growth rate of 9.2%, led by 11.2% growth in industrial sector and 8.2% growth in services sector. The agriculture sector growth is seen at 3.9% in FY22.

Exp. Meta partnered with FICCI to support women-led SMBs across India

Meta (formerly known as Facebook) has partnered with FICCI to support 5 lakh women-led small businesses across India under its #SheMeansBusiness programme and FICCI’s ‘Empowering the Greater 50%’ initiative.

The announcement was made during Meta’s inaugural National Women Entrepreneurship Summit to encourage industry dialogue and steps to support the MSMEs across sectors.

Meta will be extending support through three initiatives:

Facebook Business Coach (to train women through educational chatbot tool on WhatsApp)

Grow your Business Hub (to provide necessary information, tools to MSMEs)

Commerce Partners Programme (to help businesses go digital and D2C)

Exp. Govt has extended tenure of LIC Chairman MR Kumar by one more year

The government has extended the tenure of chairman of IPO-bound Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) by one more year with a view to facilitate smooth listing of the insurance behemoth.

Besides, the government has also extended the tenure of one of the managing directors, Raj Kumar, for one year.

With the extension, M R Kumar will continue as chairman of LIC till March 2023. This is the second extension for the LIC chairman. The government owns a 100 per cent stake in LIC.

Exp. Australian Open 2022: Rafael Nadal & Ashleigh Barty won the Men’s & Women’s Singles title

The 2022 Australian Open was a Grand Slam tennis tournament that took place at Melbourne Park, Australia from 17 to 30 January 2022.

It was the 110th edition of the Australian Open, the 54th in the Open Era, and the first Grand Slam of the year.

Rafael Nadal and Ashleigh Barty won the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles titles, respectively.

Nadal claimed his record-breaking 21st major title by defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final, coming back from two sets to love down. Ashleigh Barty won the first Australian Open singles title by an Australian in 44 years by defeating Danielle Collins in straight sets in the final.

Men’s Singles: Rafael Nadal (Spanish)

Women’s Singles: Ashleigh Barty (Australian)

Exp. Australian Open 2022: Rafael Nadal & Ashleigh Barty won the Men’s & Women’s Singles title

The 2022 Australian Open was a Grand Slam tennis tournament that took place at Melbourne Park, Australia from 17 to 30 January 2022.

It was the 110th edition of the Australian Open, the 54th in the Open Era, and the first Grand Slam of the year.

Rafael Nadal and Ashleigh Barty won the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles titles, respectively.

Nadal claimed his record-breaking 21st major title by defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final, coming back from two sets to love down. Ashleigh Barty won the first Australian Open singles title by an Australian in 44 years by defeating Danielle Collins in straight sets in the final.

Men’s Singles: Rafael Nadal (Spanish)

Women’s Singles: Ashleigh Barty (Australian)

Exp. Odisha Open 2022: Unnati Hooda & Kiran George won women’s and men’s singles title

Teenager Unnati Hooda has won women’s singles title at 2022 Odisha Open badminton tournament by defeating compatriot Smit Toshniwal.

She became the youngest Indian to win a Super 100 tournament. While unseeded Kiran George emerged triumphant in men’s singles final of tournament.

21-year-old Kiran George beat Priyanshu Rajawa. The 2022 Odisha Open is a BWF Super 100 tournament, organised at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Cuttack, Odisha.

Exp. A book titled ‘Operation Khatma’ authored by R C Ganjoo & Ashwini Bhatnagar released

A book titled ‘Operation Khatma’ has been released which is authored by journalists RC Ganjoo and Ashwini Bhatnagar. It is an eyewitness account by them.

The book is based upon the operation by Special Operations Group of Jammu & Kashmir Police which led to the killing of 22 terrorists of the Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF).

It is a graphic first-hand thriller on the terrorism in Kashmir. The blood-splattered rivalry between JKLF and HM, and the short, sharp surgical strike -OPERATION KHATMA- that broke the back of terrorism in the Valley.

Exp. 30 January: World Leprosy Day 2022

World Leprosy Day (WLD) is celebrated on the last Sunday of January. In 2022, World Leprosy Day is 30 January.

This international day is an opportunity to celebrate people who have experienced leprosy, raise awareness of the disease, and call for an end to leprosy-related stigma and discrimination.

The “United for Dignity” campaign calls for unity in honoring the dignity of people who have experienced leprosy. Leprosy is also known as Hansen’s disease.

In India, World Leprosy Day is celebrated every year on 30 January, the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s death.

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.

Theme 2022: ‘United for Dignity’

Exp. 30 January: World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day

World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is observed on January 30 every year to raise awareness about neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) as a critical public health challenge so that we can progress towards their elimination.

The first World NTD Day was held on 30 January 2020. The proposal to recognise the day was made by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

74th World Health Assembly endorsed a decision recognizing 30 January as World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (‘World NTD Day’). World NTD Day commemorates the simultaneous launch of the first NTD road map and the London Declaration on NTDs on 30 January 2012.

Theme 2022: ‘Achieving health equity to end the neglect of poverty-related diseases’.

Slogan 2022: “From neglect to care”.

Exp. Akal Academies’ founder Baba Iqbal Singh passed away

Founder of Akal Academies and Padma Shri awardee Baba Iqbal Singh passed away. He was an Indian socio-spiritual leader of the Sikh community and an educationalist.

Baba Iqbal Singh had worked relentlessly in only one direction — imparting value-based education in rural India. He established Eternal University in 2008 and Akal University, Guru ki Kashi in 2015.