“IMPORTANT DAY”

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2024

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, also known as Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Day, holds a significant place in the Indian calendar. Celebrated on January 9, it serves as a tribute to the contributions and achievements of the overseas Indian community to the development of India. The day also marks the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India in 1915, symbolizing the leadership that fueled India’s freedom struggle. The thematic focus of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is chosen to align with the current priorities and concerns of the Indian diaspora. In 2021, the theme centred around “Contributing to Atmanirbhar Bharat,” while 2023’s theme was “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kaal.”

 “APPOINTMENT”

Ashwani Gupta Appointed as CEO of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone

Ashwani Gupta has been appointed as CEO of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone. He was the former global Chief Operating Officer at Nissan Motors. This appointment is part of Adani Port’s internal restructuring that also elevated Karan Adani to the role of Managing Director and Gautam Adani has been re-designated as ‘Executive Chairman’ of APSEZ. Gupta, an automotive market veteran was appointed Nissan COO in December 2019 and has a notable track record in fostering key partnerships worldwide, and brings nearly three decades of experience across the automotive, retail and manufacturing sectors. He has played key role in the Renault Nissan Alliance as well.

Indra Mani Pandey Takes On BIMSTEC Secretary General Role

In a significant development, Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, a seasoned diplomat from India, officially assumed the role of Secretary General (SG) of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). This appointment marks a crucial chapter in the organization’s leadership, with Ambassador Pandey succeeding Tenzin Lekphell of Bhutan. Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey becomes the fourth Secretary General of BIMSTEC, succeeding Tenzin Lekphell.

“AWARDS”

Kerala Woman Sets Guinness Record, Sings In 100+ Languages

Kerala teenager Suchetha Satish achieved a remarkable feat by setting a Guinness World Record during her performance at the ‘Concert for Climate’ in Dubai on November 24, 2023. Singing in an astounding 140 languages, she captivated the audience and earned widespread acclaim for her musical prowess. The selection of 140 symbolizes the nations participating in the COP 28 summit held in Dubai.

“BOOK & AUTHOR”

General VK Singh releases book ‘Sanskriti ke Ayaam’ written by Manorama Mishra

General V.K. Singh (Retd.), Union Ministers of State (MoS), Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) released the book ‘Sanskriti ke Ayaam’ authored by Manorama Mishra. The book, authored in Hindi language, is published by the National Book Trust, India functioning under the Ministry of Education (MoE). The book speaks about Indian knowledge, tradition and culture.

Indian Army Chief Gen MM Naravane’s Book “Four Stars of Destiny”

In a remarkable literary venture, General Manoj Mukund Naravane, the former Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) of the Indian Army, has penned his autobiography titled “Four Stars of Destiny: An Autobiography.” Scheduled to be published in January 2024 by Penguin Veer, an imprint of Penguin Random House India, the book delves into the diverse experiences that have shaped Gen MM Naravane’s character, spanning from his childhood to his illustrious years in the armed services.

 “NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS”

U.S. Launches Peregrine-1 Lander to Moon in Historic Lunar Mission

In a monumental achievement, the Peregrine-1 lunar lander, operated by private firm Astrobotic, successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, marking the first American lunar mission in 51 years. Scheduled to land on February 23, the mission, conducted under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, aims to study the Moon’s surface environment in preparation for upcoming human missions.

Chennai Tops As Best City For Indian Women

Chennai emerged as the top Indian city for women in 2023 in terms of inclusivity and conduciveness to working women, as per findings from diversity, equity, and inclusivity consultant Avtar Group’s Top Cities for Women in India (TCWI) 2023. Tamil Nadu cities topped both categories that the study covered – 49 cities in the million-plus population category and 64 cities in the less than a million-population category. Chennai topped the million-plus category, and Tiruchirappalli came on top of the less than a million category. The southern state also had a total of seven cities featuring in the lists.

International Purple Fest 2024: A Global Celebration of Inclusivity and Empowerment in Goa

In a groundbreaking initiative, the International Purple Fest – Goa 2024, India’s inaugural inclusive festival for persons with disabilities, kicked off today and is set to captivate audiences until January 13. The festival, organized by the Office of the State Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities, Government of Goa, and supported by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, showcases unity and diversity in a spectacular display.

Inauguration of India’s First All-Girl Sainik School

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the first all-girl Sainik School in Vrindavan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh. This groundbreaking event marks a significant advancement in women empowerment and educational reform in India. The Defence Minister hailed this initiative as a “golden moment in the history of women empowerment.” The Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School, with a capacity of nearly 870 students, is part of a broader initiative to establish 100 new Sainik Schools across India in partnership with NGOs, private entities, and state governments. This initiative aligns with the objective of increasing educational opportunities for girls aspiring to join the armed forces.