21-22 January 2017 - Daily Current Affairs


21-22 January 2017 - Daily Current Affairs

21-22 January 2017 - Daily Current Affairs

National Appointments

Om Prakash Rawat appointed new Chief Election Commissioner

  • Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat (1977-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre) has been appointed the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
  • He succeeds the incumbent CEC, A K Joti (retires today).
  • Former Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa has been also appointed as Election Commissioner to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Rawat’s elevation.
  • In August 2004, Mr. Rawat was appointed the principal secretary to then Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Babu Lal Gaur and remained in office till January 2006.
  • Mr. Rawat has a post-graduate degree in Social Development Planning from the United Kingdom (in 1989).
Note:
  • The Chief Election Commissioner heads the Election Commission of India, a body constitutionally empowered to conduct free and fair elections to the national and state legislatures.
  • Election Commissioners have a fixed term of six years but have to step down if they reach 65 years of age before their term expires.

Important Dates

Basant Panchami is being celebrated today across nation

  • Basant Panchami festival is celebrated every year on the fifth day of the month of 'Magha' and marks the beginning of the spring season.
  • In Uttar Pradesh, the fourth bathing festival is being held at Magh Mela in Allahabad.
  • Around 70 lakh devotees are expected to take a holy dip at the Sangam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers on this occasion.
  • On this day, Hindus wearing yellow clothes visit temples and pray to Goddess Saraswati (the goddess of knowledge) and celebrate the day as “Saraswati Puja”.

Honours & Awards

63rd Jio Filmfare Awards 2018: Complete winners’ list

  • The best of Bollywood in the year 2017 at 63rd Jio Filmfare Awards 2018, held at the NSCI Dome in Worli, Mumbai(Maharastra)
  • 'Hindi Medium' bagged honors in the categories of Best Film and Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) for Irrfan Khan's impeccable performance.
  • Vidya Balan won her career's sixth Filmfare award for her passionate portrayal of a middle-aged homemaker who turns into a radio jockey in 'Tumhari Sulu' as she claimed the Black Lady for the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female).

Filmfare awards winners:

  • Best Film: Hindi Medium.
  • Best Director: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari for (Bareilly Ki Barfi).
  • Best Actor (Female): Vidya Balan (Tumhari Sulu).
  • Best Actor (Male): Irrfan Khan (Hindi Medium).
  • Best Playback Singer (Male): Arijit Singh (Roke na ruke naina) 'Badrinath Ki Dulhania'
  • Best Playback Singer (Female): Meghna Mishra ('Nachdi phira') - 'Secret Superstar'
  • Best Music Album: Pritam (Jagga Jasoos)
  • Critics' Award for Best Film: 'Newton'.

National Affairs

Eight-edition of International Conference on Wild Silk Moths begins in Assam

  • Today, the three-day International Conference (eight-edition) on Wild Silk Moths has begun in Guwahati, Assam.
  • Scientists, delegates from 15 countries have come together to discuss strategies and share knowledge on improving wild silk production and quality globally.
  • India is holding the event for the second time with an aim to explore latest research and development.
Note:
  • The conference is being organized by the Central Silk Board and International Society for Wild Silk Moths.
  • A silk product exhibition is being organized along with the conference where producers from across the country will showcase their wares.

4 districts of Nagaland declared Open Defecation Free under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin)

  • Four districts in Nagaland (Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Kiphire, and Longleng) have achieved the status of Open Defecation Free under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).
  • This achievement was conferred last year in the month of July.
  • Ungma Village of Mokokchung District is one such village that has adapted to a cleaner and healthy life.
  • At present, it has more than 250 members who are taking an active part in spreading the message of waste recycling and cleanliness in their area.

4th India International Science Festival to be held in Lucknow

  • The fourth edition of the India International Science Festival will be held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
  • The decision was taken at the first preparatory meeting for the 4th India International Science Festival (IISF) chaired by the Union Minister for Science & Technology, Dr. Harsh Vardhan.
Note:
  • In December, 2015, The first IISF was held at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) New Delhi. 2nd at CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi, and the 3rd in Chennai in October 2017.

Khandu Inaugurates World War II Memorial Museum at Jairampur

  • The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu has inaugurated the World War II Memorial Museum in Jairampur in Changlang District.
  • The war memorial has the collection of the remnants of world war 2, personal belongings of the soldiers and other persons involved.
  • The memorial is a cemetery site where about 833 graves including mass graves have been discovered.
Note:
  • The museum is built through funding from Union Ministry of Culture for Rs 2.25 crores and executed by state PWD.
  • The museum also showcases traditional items from local Tangsa community.

Printing of union budget documents 2018-19 begins

  • The printing of union budget documents 2018-19 started with the traditional annual Halwa ceremony.
  • Finance Minister Arun Jaitley performed the symbolic Halwa ceremony along with Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla and other senior officials at North Block in New Delhi.
  • The Halwa ceremony will stay in Budget printing press until the Budget is presented in Parliament.
  • 1st of Feb 2018, Mr. Jaitley will present the Union Budget in Parliament.

Sports

Soloman Deksisa wins 15th edition of Mumbai Marathon

  • Solomon Deksisa (Ethiopia) has won the Mumbai Marathon (15th edition) with a time of two hours, nine minutes and 33 seconds, prize money worth USD 4 lakhs 5,000.
  • Another Ethiopian, Shumit Akalnaw became the first runner-up, while Joshua Kipkorir (Kenya) came second.
  • Indian Olympic athletes, T Gopi has won in the Indian Elite category, Nitender Singh Rawat came second.
  • Sudha Singh (Central Railways) has won the Mumbai Marathon in the Indian Elite Women category.
  • It is the largest mass participation (44,407 runners) sports event in the continent.

India defeats Pakistan to win blind Cricket World Cup 2018

  • Defending champion India beat host Pakistan by two wickets to win the Blind Cricket World Cup 2018 for the second time after a thrilling match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the UAE.
  • Pakistan had set India a target of 308 runs at a loss of eight wickets in their allotted 40 overs.
  • India conquered the modest target in the 39th over, with two balls to spare and eight wickets lost.
  • All-rounder Sunil Ramesh was declared the man of the match.
Note:
  • The 2018 Blind Cricket World Cup was the fifth Blind Cricket World Cup tournament and was held in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
  • Six teams, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Australia, and Nepal played in the tournament.

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