Correct Answer :   Satnam Singh Sandhu

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President of India Droupadi Murmu has nominated educationist and the founder of Chandigarh University (CU) Satnam Singh Sandhu as a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Vice president and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankar welcomed Sandhu to the Upper House. “I welcome the nomination of Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu Ji to the Rajya Sabha. His rich work in community service and his passion towards education, innovation and learning will be big sources of strength for the Rajya Sabha. I wish him the very best for his tenure,” Dhankar said on X.

Sandhu, son of a farmer, founded the Chandigarh Group of Colleges (CGC) at Landran in Mohali in 2001 and Chandigarh University in 2012.

“He is a philanthropist and is actively involved in large scale community efforts to improve health and wellness and also to advance communal harmony through his two NGOs Indian Minorities Foundation and New India Development (NID) Foundation,” a person aware of the details said.

According to the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of India, the President has been bestowed the right to nominate 12 members to the Rajya Sabha for a six-year term for their contributions towards arts, literature, science, and social services..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Himanta Biswa Sarma

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma unveiled the inaugural 1st edition of ‘Political History of Assam (1947-1971) – Volume 1 on January 25, 2024.

* Emphasising the need for history based on factual evidence rather than ideology, the Chief Minister stated that true history transcends ideological biases.

* The three-volume series, scheduled for completion by 2025, will reportedly chronicle Assam’s political events from 1947 to 2020.

* During the book release event for Shri Rajen Saikia’s work, CM Sarma highlighted historical figures like Raja Prithu, underscoring the need for a comprehensive understanding of Assam’s freedom fighters.

* He also reportedly urged the author to present history objectively, devoid of leftist or rightist perspectives.

* Notably, the project for compiling and publishing the ‘Political History of Assam’ was previously announced by the state government, with Dr. Rajen Saikia, a distinguished historian, serving as the project’s editor.

Correct Answer :   Last Sunday of January

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World Leprosy Day, observed annually on the last Sunday of January, is a crucial event dedicated to raising awareness about leprosy, also known as Hansen’s Disease. As we mark World Leprosy Day on January 28 this year (2024), it’s important to understand the disease, its impact, and the significance of this day.

Understanding Leprosy :

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the skin, nerves, upper respiratory tract, and eyes. Symptoms include blisters, loss of skin color, rashes, reduced sensation of touch, loss of temperature sensation, nerve injury, weight loss, and joint pain. Despite being a curable disease, early detection and awareness are vital for effective treatment.

History of World Leprosy Day :

The first World Leprosy Day was established in 1954 by French Journalist Raoul Follereau. He chose the date as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, who showed compassion and empathy towards people affected by leprosy. The day aims to campaign for awareness about the disease and to highlight available treatment options.

Significance of World Leprosy Day 2024 :

This year’s theme for World Leprosy Day is “Beat Leprosy.” The focus is on combating the stigma associated with the disease and promoting awareness about its curability. The World Health Organisation emphasizes the importance of educating the public that leprosy is caused by bacteria and can be easily cured with proper treatment.

Combating Stigma and Misconceptions :

One of the key challenges in leprosy management is the social stigma attached to the disease. This stigma can lead to discrimination and isolation of the affected individuals, hindering their access to timely medical care. World Leprosy Day serves as an opportunity to dispel myths and educate people about leprosy, ensuring that affected individuals are treated with dignity and respect.

The Path to Treatment and Rehabilitation :

Effective treatment for leprosy has been available since the 1980s, primarily through multi-drug therapy (MDT). Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent disability and to cure the disease. Rehabilitation efforts also focus on the social and psychological aspects, helping individuals reintegrate into society.

Correct Answer :   Naorem Roshibina Devi

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Naorem Roshibina Devi, the pride of Manipur, has clinched the prestigious title of International Wushu Federation Female Athlete of the Year, solidifying her place as a powerhouse in the world of wushu.

Dominance in Wushu :

Roshibina’s triumphs at the Asian Games in 2018 and 2022 have been pivotal moments in her career, showcasing her dominance in the sport. Her silver and bronze medals in the sanda category have earned her widespread recognition and admiration.

Public Mandate :

The month-long public voting process saw Roshibina garner an overwhelming number of votes, a testament to her popularity and prowess in wushu circles worldwide. Her victory over formidable opponents underscores her status as a true champion.

Hangzhou Asian Games :

While Roshibina faced a tough loss to Wu Xiaowei at the Hangzhou Asian Games, her resilience and determination continue to inspire. Her ability to bounce back from setbacks is a hallmark of her character and dedication to her craft.

Global Recognition :

The International Wushu Federation’s Athletes Committee recognized Roshibina’s outstanding achievements among a pool of talented athletes from around the globe. Her selection as Female Athlete of the Year highlights her exceptional talent and contribution to the sport.

Journey of Excellence :

Roshibina’s journey to sporting excellence began with a bronze medal at the World Junior Wushu Championships in 2016. Since then, she has continued to rise through the ranks, culminating in the prestigious Arjuna Award, a testament to her dedication and success in wushu.

Correct Answer :   Odisha

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The 4th National Chilika Birds Festival, a hallmark event in Odisha’s calendar, commenced with grandeur on 26th January 2024. Hosted against the breathtaking backdrop of Chilika Lake, this festival brings together birders and enthusiasts from across India to celebrate the State of India’s Birds.

Unveiling the Festivities :

The festival’s inauguration, graced by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, marked the beginning of a three-day extravaganza. A captivating ‘Photo Exhibition’ showcased the vibrant avian life of Chilika, setting the stage for an immersive experience.

Exploring Mangalajodi and Nalabana :

Participants embarked on birding excursions to Mangalajodi and Nalabana, sanctuaries nestled within Chilika’s pristine environs. Mangalajodi, dubbed the “Birds Paradise of Asia,” offered a glimpse into the diverse avian species that call this region home.

Conservation Efforts and Achievements :

State Tourism Minister Aswini Kumar Patra highlighted Odisha’s pioneering efforts in bird conservation. The latest census, unveiled during the festival, underscored the region’s significance in preserving India’s avian heritage.

Community-led Conservation in Mangalajodi :

The festival also showcased Mangalajodi’s exemplary model of community-led conservation. From habitat restoration to extensive census activities, collaborative efforts have established Mangalajodi as a beacon of sustainable wildlife tourism.

Vision for Sustainable Tourism :

Director Nandankanan & Chief Executive Chilika Development Authority Dr. Manoj Nair reiterated the commitment to balancing conservation with tourism development. Chilika’s ecological significance underscores the need for sustainable practices to safeguard its biodiversity.

Promoting Awareness and Appreciation :

The unveiling of the ‘State of India’s Birds’ poster and video, coupled with insightful discussions, enriched participants’ understanding of India’s avian diversity. These initiatives underscored the festival’s mission to foster awareness and appreciation for Odisha’s rich natural heritage.

Odisha’s Commitment to Conservation and Ecotourism :

As the curtains draw on another successful edition of the National Chilika Birds Festival, Odisha reaffirms its commitment to conservation and ecotourism. By celebrating the State of India’s Birds amidst the tranquil shores of Chilika Lake, the festival reinforces Odisha’s status as a premier destination for birding enthusiasts worldwide.

Correct Answer :   Narendra Modi

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated multiple development projects worth over Rs 19,100 crore in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday (25th Jan 2024). In Bulandshahr.

The projects span various sectors, including rail, road, oil and gas, urban development, and housing. The Prime Minister attended a public event in UP's Bulandshahr. Speaking during the event, he said that now it is time to give new heights to 'Rashtra Pratishtha' and the aim is to make Bharat a developed nation by 2047. 

The diverse projects spanned crucial sectors such as rail, road, oil and gas, and urban development.

Rail Connectivity Enhancements :

* Dedication of a 173 Km long double line electrified section between New Khurja – New Rewari on Dedicated Freight Corridor.
* Inauguration of the fourth line connecting Mathura – Palwal section & Chipiyana Buzurg – Dadri section.

Road Development Initiatives :

* Dedication of multiple road projects, including four-laning work, widening, and development projects at a cumulative cost exceeding Rs 5000 crores.

Oil and Gas Infrastructure :

* Inauguration of Indian Oil’s Tundla-Gawaria Pipeline, a 255 km long project costing about Rs 700 crores.

Urban Development Milestones :

* Dedication of the ‘Integrated Industrial Township at Greater Noida’ (IITGN) at a cost of Rs. 1,714 crores.
* Inauguration of the renovated Mathura sewerage scheme, including a sewage treatment plant, at a cost of about Rs 460 crores.

Correct Answer :   Lala Lajpat Rai

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Lala Lajpat Rai Jayanti 2024 : 28 January 2024 marked the 159th birth anniversary of the freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai, popularly known as “Punjab Kesari” or “Lion of Punjab“.

About Lala Lajpat Rai: The Lion of Punjab :

* Schooling : Rai did his primary schooling in Rewari, Punjab, influenced by his father, a government school teacher, and his deeply religious mother.

* Higher Education : He joined Government College at Lahore in 1880, majoring in law, where he was influenced by the Arya Samaj movement.

Lala Lajpat Rai: His Contribution to the Indian National Movement :

* Part of ‘Lal, Bal, Pal’ Trio : Alongside Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal, Rai formed a formidable trio advocating for Swadeshi and home-rule movements.


* Protest against Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre : Rai actively opposed these oppressive British policies.

* Leadership in Congress : Rai served as the President of the Indian National Congress from 1920, steering pivotal moments like the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Lala Lajpat Rai: His Associated Organizations :

Hindu Relief Movement : Started in 1897 to aid famine-stricken people, preventing them from falling prey to missionaries.

Dayanand Anglo-Vedic School : He helped establish the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic School in Lahore, promoting nationalistic education.

Punjab National Bank : Rai helped establish this bank in 1894, a significant contribution to India’s economic development.

Servants of People Society : Founded in 1921, this society reflected his dedication to social service.

Arya Samaj and Hindu Mahasabha : Rai’s involvement in these organisations highlighted his commitment to Hindu reform and national politics.

Indian Home Rule League of America : Founded in 1917 during his stay in the U.S., it aimed to promote India’s cause for self-rule.

Lala Lajpat Rai Contributions to Labour Movements and Labor Laws :

*Advocacy for Labor Rights : He was deeply concerned with the plight of workers and advocated for better labour laws and working conditions, contributing significantly to the labour rights movement in India.

Lala Lajpat Rai Newspaper & Literary Works :

* He founded the Arya Gazette in Lahore.
* Rai was a regular contributor to various newspapers:
* Young India,
* England’s Debt to India,
* Evolution of Japan,
* India’s Will to Freedom,
* Message of the Bhagavad Gita,
* Political Future of India,
* Problem of National Education in India,
* The Depressed Glasses, and the travelogue ‘United States of America’.

Lala Lajpat Rai Philosophy :

* Ideological Beliefs : Rai’s philosophy combined nationalism, Hindu reformism, and advocacy for civil liberties and self-reliance.

* Influence of Arya Samaj : His views were significantly shaped by the Arya Samaj movement, emphasising social reform within Hinduism.

Correct Answer :   Nitish Kumar

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Nitish Kumar took oath as the chief minister of BJP-JD(U) government in Bihar on Sunday (28th Jan 2024) after breaking up with RJD.

Nitish Kumar took oath as the chief minister of Bihar for a record ninth time, hours after he tendered his resignation as the chief minister of the RJD-JD(U) government.

Jitan Ram Manjhi, Chirag Paswan, Samrat Chaudhary and JP Nadda were present as Kumar took the oath amid chants of Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Jai Shree Ram.

The last time Nitish Kumar took oath as chief minister was in 2022 when he severed his ties with the NDA and joined the RJD, Congress and the Left alliance in Bihar.

Between 2022 and 2024, Nitish Kumar took the lead in forging the alliance of the opposition parties to unitedly fight the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In June 2023, he hosted the first meeting of the opposition parties before it even adopted the INDIA name.

Nitish Kumar takes oath for the ninth time: Here are top 10 developments :

1. Along with Nitish Kumar, BJP's Samrat Choudhury, Vijay Sinha took oath on Sunday. HAM will also be a part of the new government. Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) president Dr Santosh Kumar Suman took oath on Sunday. Nitish Kumar said Samrat Chaudhury, Vijay Kumar Sinha will be deputy CMs.

2. Overnight, the RJD ministers are out of the cabinet as Nitish Kumar will now get a new cabinet in the changed political equation in Bihar.

3. Tejashwi Yadav said 2024 marks the end of the JD(U) and the game in Bihar is far from being over.

4. Political strategist Prashant Kishor said Nitish's tryst with the BJP will be short-lived and Bihar will again see changes within six months after the Lok Sabha election. But whoever Nitish Kumar goes with, he will not win more than 20 seats in the state election in 2025.

5. Akhilesh Yadav said Nitish Kumar made a new record of betrayal and the BJP is at its weakest now.

6. Nitish Kumar became the CM for the first time in 2000. At that time, he was against RJD and his campaign was based on opposing Lalu. In 2013, Nitish broke away from the NDA and came with RJD in 2015 election.

7. In 2017, Nitish Kumar severed his ties with the RJD and went back to the NDA. In 2022, Nitish Kumar again deserted the NDA and came back to RJD.

8. As Nitish Kumar tendered his resignation on Sunday morning, he explained that things in the INDIA bloc have not been working out.

9. The Congress said it was aware of what was brewing in Bihar but did not comment on it before in the interest of the INDIA bloc. Countering JD(U)'s allegation that the Congress insulted Nitish Kumar time and again, the Congress said if Nitish Kumar wanted to stay, he would have; but he wanted to join the NDA. Earlier, the Congress said Mallikarjun Kharge tried to reach out to Nitish Kumar but was unsuccessful.

10. Kharge said Nitish's switch was pre-planned and Nitish Kumar kept the Congress, and the RJD leadership in the dark..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Narendra Modi

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated (28th Jan 2024) the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Supreme Court of India in Delhi. During the event, he launched several citizen-centric information and technology initiatives, including Digital Supreme Court Reports (Digi SCR), Digital Courts 2.0, and a new bilingual website for the Supreme Court.

In his address, the Prime Minister congratulated everyone on the occasion, marking the beginning of the Supreme Court's 75th year. He highlighted the significant role the Supreme Court plays in upholding the principles of freedom, equality, and justice outlined in the Indian constitution.

PM Modi emphasized the importance of today's judgments in shaping India's future and noted the milestone decisions on individual rights and freedom of speech. He outlined the government's goals for the next 25 years, underscoring the impact of current economic policies on India's vibrant future.

Acknowledging the global attention on India, PM Modi urged capitalizing on opportunities in areas such as ease of living, ease of doing business, travel, communication, and ease of justice. He stressed that every Indian citizen has the right to ease of justice, and the government is prioritizing accessibility to the Supreme Court, even in remote areas.

PM Modi highlighted the government's commitment to improving the physical infrastructure of courts and informed about the approval of Rs 800 crore for expanding the Supreme Court Building Complex. He praised the Chief Justice of India for monitoring the digitization of all courts in the country.

Commenting on the digital initiatives, PM Modi expressed happiness about decisions being available in a digital format and the translation of Supreme Court decisions into local languages. He suggested implementing similar technology in other courts for the benefit of common people.

The Prime Minister concluded by acknowledging the significant role the Supreme Court will play in shaping the country's future over the next 25 years. He congratulated the institution on its 75th anniversary, mentioning the posthumous conferment of Padma Bhushan to M. Fathima Beevi.

The event was attended by Chief Justice of India Dr D Y Chandrachud, Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, and other prominent figures in the legal system. During the celebration, PM Modi launched Digital Supreme Court Reports (Digi SCR), Digital Courts 2.0, and the new bilingual website for the Supreme Court. The Digital SCR initiative aims to make Supreme Court judgments available to citizens free of cost and in an electronic format. Digital Courts 2.0, under the e-Courts project, focuses on providing electronic court records to district court judges, incorporating AI for real-time transcription..

Source : DD News

Correct Answer :   January 28th

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Indian Newspaper Day, observed on January 28th each year, is a tribute to the rich legacy of journalism in the country. It marks the inception of newspapers in India, a historic moment when James Augustus Hicky introduced the first printed newspaper, Hicky’s Bengal Gazette, in 1780. This article delves into the significance of this day, the historical backdrop of Hicky’s Bengal Gazette, and the evolving role of newspapers in today’s digital age.

History Unveiled: Hicky’s Bengal Gazette :

Hicky’s Bengal Gazette, also known as the Calcutta General Advertiser, emerged as a trailblazer in journalism. Launched on January 29, 1780, in Kolkata, it played a pivotal role during the British Raj by introducing a new era of information dissemination. Despite its eventual halt in 1782 due to government concerns, it left an indelible mark for its sarcastic and thought-provoking content advocating for the rights of the poor and challenging societal norms.

Evolution of Indian Newspaper Day :

Every year on January 28th, Indian Newspaper Day commemorates the launch of Hicky’s Bengal Gazette, acknowledging its impact on shaping public discourse. It is an occasion to reflect on the integral role newspapers have played in India’s socio-political landscape, emphasizing their commitment to democratic principles, freedom of expression, and the dissemination of accurate information.

Significance in the Modern Context :

Indian Newspaper Day is not just a nod to history but a celebration of the contemporary relevance of newspapers. While digital platforms have altered the reading landscape, the day encourages a return to the roots – reading newspapers the old-fashioned way. The event emphasizes the enduring role of newspapers in fostering informed decision-making, citizen empowerment, and the sustenance of India’s democracy.

Hickey’s Legacy and Its Impact :

Hicky’s Bengal Gazette was not just a medium for news; it was a catalyst for social awareness. Its fearless approach to taboo subjects and commitment to proto-class consciousness paved the way for future journalistic endeavours. The newspaper’s combination of compelling articles, images, and research-backed content empowered the public to critically evaluate information, setting a precedent for responsible journalism.

Educational Benefits of Reading Newspapers :

As we celebrate Indian Newspaper Day, it’s crucial to recognize the educational benefits newspapers offer, especially for the younger generation:

* Vocabulary Enhancement : Newspapers introduce new words, expanding vocabulary and improving communication skills.

* Reading and Comprehension Skills : Daily exposure to newspapers enhances reading and comprehension skills in children.

* Analytical Thought : Newspapers foster analytical thinking by presenting diverse perspectives on current events.

* Awareness of the World : Amid personalized social media feeds, newspapers provide a broader understanding of global events and issues.

* Civic Engagement : Newspapers serve as a gateway to understanding local and global social problems, promoting civic engagement.