NATIONAL NEWS

PM to Address 30th NCW Foundation Day Programme on 31st January

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will address 30th National Commission for Women (NCW) Foundation Day programme on 31st January, 2022 via video conferencing.

• 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, Department of Women and Child Development in State Governments, University and College teaching faculty and students, voluntary organisations, women entrepreneurs and business associations will be a part of the event.

• Union Minister for Women and Child Development will also be present on the occasion.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Soft Skill Training Programme for Women Entrepreneurs Organised in Dhaka

• Third soft skill training programme for the women entrepreneurs of Bangladesh was organised at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC), Dhaka in hybrid mode.

• The programme is being organised by the High Commission of India in collaboration with the ICT Ministry of Bangladesh, Silk Oak Group and Women & eCommerce forum (WE).

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 Sea lock is 500-meter (1,640-feet) long and 70-meter wide. Construction on the massive infrastructure project began in 2016 and was meant to be done by 2019. It also went over the initially planned budget by around €300 million ($338 million).

• The Ijmuiden lock was designed to allow large, modern cargo ships to reach the port of Amsterdam

INDICES, RANKS & REPORTS

Global Gold Demand Rises 10% in 2021: WGC

• According to the World Gold Council (WGC) report ‘Gold Demand Trends 2021’ has informed that the global gold demand rose 10% 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 WGC said

• “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”.

ABOUT WGC:

• WGC CEO: David Tait.

• HQ: London, United Kingdom.

SPORTS

India beat China to Win Bronze

• India defeated China, 2-0 to win the bronze medal at the 2022 Women’s Hockey Asia Cup tournament. The 2022 Women’s Hockey Asia Cup was the 10th edition of the quadrennial Women’s Hockey Asia Cup.

• The tournament was held from January 21 to 28, 2022 at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat, Oman. Japan defeated South Korea 4-2 in the final to win their third title at the Women’s Hockey Asia Cup tournament.

Rafael Nadal Creates History by Winning Record 21st Grand Slam Title

• Tennis player, Rafael Nadal created history by becoming the only player to win the most grand slam titles.

• The Spaniard defeated World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev in Australian Open men's singles final.

• After being two sets down, Nadal made an incredible comeback in a pulsating match which lasted five hours and 24 minutes and emerged victorious by 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

• This was his first Grand Slam major since the 2020 French Open triumph.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS

The $10 Trillion Dream

• Former Finance Minister Subhash Chandra Garg is making his debut as an author with his latest book, “The $10 Trillion Dream”.

• The book claims to explore the critical policy issues that India faces today.

• It also suggests reforms for the Indian economy to become a USD 10 trillion economy by the mid-2030s.

• The book will be published by Penguin Random House India (PRHI) and will be released in February 2022.

A Little Book of India Celebrating 75 Years of Independence

• Famous author Ruskin Bond’s new book is “A Little Book of India Celebrating 75 Years of Independence”.

• It pays tribute to the country which has been his home for 84 years.

• It is published by Penguin Random House India (PRHI).

• Ruskin has been awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award, Sahitya Akademi’s Children’s Sahitya Award, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan among other prestigious awards.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Data Privacy Day – 28 January

• Data Privacy Day occurs on January 28 every year and is observed primarily in the United States, Canada, European Union, and Israel.

• The objective of the day is to sensitize individuals and disseminate privacy practices and principles.

• This year’s theme is ‘Privacy Matters.’ It instils a sense of responsibility by emphasizing the importance of privacy in everyone’s life.

74th Martyrs’ Day – 30 January

• Martyrs' Day, also known as Shaheed Diwas, is observed is observed every year on January 30 in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi.

• This year nation observed 74th Martyrs’ Day.

• Martyrs' Day, also known as Shaheed Diwas, is observed on two dates in India. On March 23rd, the British hanged three brave independence warriors, Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar. Mahatma Gandhi's death, January 30, is also known as Martyrs' Day or Shaheed Diwas.

World Leprosy Day 2022 – 30 January

• It is observed on the last Sunday of January annually. This year it falls on 30 January.

• It is celebrated on the last Sunday of January to spread awareness about leprosy disease, and call for an end to leprosy-related stigma and discrimination. Leprosy is also known as Hansen's disease.