"Wahrew Bridge' – India's Longest Steel Arch Bridge Inaugurated at Meghalaya

• Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma inaugurated India's Longest Steel Arch Bridge Wahrew Bridge' at Tharia Village in Meghalaya. The 169 metre long bridge connects Bholaganj & Sohbar to Nongjri in East Khasi Hills and runs over the river Wahrew.

• The Bridge was dedicated to Dr Donkupar Roy, Former Chief Minister of Meghalaya.

• Estimated cost - INR 49.395 Crore, which was allocated under the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) Scheme of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (M-DONER).

• NLCPR was initiated in 1998 to boost the infrastructure sector of the North Eastern Region.

• India & Bangladesh sign MoU for Launching Pupil Satellite to be developed by Students from both countries

• In order to celebrate the 50 years of India-Bangladesh friendship & the 100th Birth Anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, India & Bangladesh have signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to design & launch the Pupil Satellite TV for PC to be completely developed by Students from both countries.

• The MoU was signed between SpaceKidz India (SKI) on behalf of India & Global Law Thinkers Society, an Global Youth Organization of Bangladesh on behalf of Bangladesh.

• In regard to this agreement, SKI will train 5 college students from Bangladesh in Satellite systems and technology.

• Students will develop Satellite measuring 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm and will consist of basic payloads intended temperature sensors and radiation counters, besides a camera.

About SpaceKidz India (SKI):

• Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - Srimathy Kesan
• Headquarters - Chennai, Tamil Nadu

"Ayu Samvad", Public Awareness Campaign on Ayurveda & COVID-19 Pandemic Organised by AlIA

• The "Ayu Samvad" (My Health My Responsibility), one of the largest public awareness campaigns on Ayurveda and COVID-19 pandemic in the form of lecture series) is organised by All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, an apex Ayurveda institute under the Ministry of AYUSH, from 26th January 2021 to 30th March 2021.

• The campaign is supported by the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).

• This campaign is organised in pursuance to the 5th Ayurveda Day theme "Ayurveda for COVID-19 Pandemic".

• Umesh Tagade Joint Director AllA is the Nodal officer of this programme.

• AIIB has organized an online training of trainers program on Ayush Virtual Convention Centre (AVCC), digital communication platform of the Ministry of AYUSH from 18th January to 21st January 2021.

• The campaign will be monitored through the State AYUSH Directors & National AYUSH Mission (NAM) team.

• The report of the Documentation part Director in the first week of May 2021. lectures and various activities will be submitted by the state AYUSH

About AlIA:

• Director- Tanuja Nesari Location- New Delhi

14th Meeting of India-UK JWC on Counter-Terrorism 2021 held Virtually

• 14th meeting of the India-United Kingdom Joint Working Group (JWC) on Counter-Terrorism 2021 was held virtually where both nations emphasised for strengthening international cooperation to combat the global menace of terrorism.

• Discussions were held to combat terrorism during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Indian side was represented by Mahaveer Singhvi, Joint Secretary for Counter Terrorism in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

• The United Kingdom (UK) side was represented by Tom Hurd, Director General, Office of Security and Counter-Terrorism.

About United Kingdom (UK):

• Capital, London
• Currency- Pound sterling
• Prime Minister- Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson

Indian billionaires Increased their Wealth by 35% during the lockdown: Oxfam report

• In accordance with the Indian supplement of Oxfam report "The Inequality Virus", the top 100 Indian billionaires increased their wealth by 35% during the lockdown to Rs 12,97,822 crore.

• With this amount, a cheque of Rs 94,045 can be provided to 138 million poorest Indians.

• The report was released on the opening day of the World Economic Forum's 'Davos Dialogues

• Notably, the wealth of Indian billionaires increased by 90% since 2009 to $422.9 billion.

• India ranked 6th in the world after the United States (US). China, Germany, Russia, and France where billionaires increased their wealth in COVID times

• The survey for the report covered 295 economists from 79 countries out of which 87% expect an major increase in income inequality in their nation.

• India has the world's fourth lowest health budget in terms of its share of government expenditure,

• If India's top 11 billionaires are taxed at just 1% on the increase in their wealth during the pandemic, it will increase the allocation of Jan Aushadhi Scheme by 140 times.

About Oxfam India:

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - Amitabh BeharHeadquarter- New Delhi

UNGA adopts resolution to safeguard religious sites across the world

• United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution titled "Promoting a culture of peace and tolerance to safeguard religious sites". The resolution was proposed by Saudi Arabia and was co- sponsored by Arab nations including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Yemen, Bahrain, Sudan, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Palestine.India also supported the resolution.

• The resolution condemns offences or mockery against religious sites and symbols, rejects the use of violence to express any point of view.

• It aims to develop a culture of peace as a shield against extremism and intolerance.

About United Nations General Assembly (UNGA):

• Secretary general- Antonio Guterres Headquarters, New York, United States

Bharti AXA General Insurance Launches Krishi Sakha App for Indian Farmers

• Bharti AXA General Insurance launched Krishi Sakha App, for Indian farmers that offers them relevant information to cater their daily farming needs. It also provides guidance to farmers to adopt best farming practices and enhance their productivity.

• The farmers through this app will also have access to the Pradhan Mantri Fasal

• Bima Yojana (PMFBY) portal for crop insurance related information.

• It provides relevant information about the scientific way of farming, crop cultivation, sowing, or harvesting of major crops.

• In addition to this it also offers information relating to weather and enables farmers to have other necessary information and advisories like market price of crops, land unit conversion, news about forthcoming events, crop calendar, etc.,

About Bharti AXA General Insurance:

• It is a joint venture company has a 51% stake from Bharti Enterprises and 49% stake of the AXA Group

• Headquarters, Mumbai, Maharashtra Managing Director(MD) and Chief Executive Officer(CEO)- Sanjeev Srinivasan

• Tagline- Suraksha ka Naya Nazariya

India's GDP Growth to Contract by 8% in FY21: IMF

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its latest World Economic Outlook, titled 'Policy Support and Vaccines Expected to Lift Activity' has projected India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to contract by 8%(-8%) in FY20-21. Earlier in its October's forecast, this estimate was -10.3%.

• It also projected India's GDP growth at 5% in FY 21-22, which makes the country the only major economy of the world to register a double-digit growth 2021 amid the COVID-19.

• While in FY 22-23 the India's GDP will be at 6.8%.

• On the global front, the economy is projected to grow by 5% in 2021 from earlier 5.2%. The projection remained at 4.2% for 2022.

International Day of Education 2021 – 24th January

• The United Nations(UN)'s International Day of Education is annually observed on 24th January to celebrate the role of education for peace and development.

• The annual celebration of this day is organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural

• Organization (UNESCO) in partnership with partners like Global Partnership for Education and the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies (CRI). • The theme of the 3rd International day of Education is "Recover and Revitalize Education for the COVID-19 Generation".

• The events to celebrate the 3rd International day of Education by UNESCO on 25th January 2021 at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris and New York. Learning Planet Festival will be celebrated to reveal the potential of every learner.

• The global events have been planned as 3 segments, they are:

• Learning Heroes

• Innovations

• Financing

13th National Girl Child Day - January 24 2021; National Girl Child Week - January 21 to 26, 2021

• National Girl Child Day is observed annually on January 24 to raise awareness about the rights of the girl child and importance of their education, health and nutrition. The year 2021 marks 13th National Girl Child Day. The initiative was started by the Ministry of Women and Child Development(MoWCD)in 2008.

• On this occasion, the Govt of India organises awareness campaigns under Beti

• Bachao, Beti Padhao-BBBP (Save the girl child, Educate the girl child) scheme.

• As per the Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) data, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 422 of the 640 districts covered under BBBP scheme has improved in Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) from 2014-2015 to 2018 2019.

• HMIS is a digital initiative under National Health Mission(NHM). Scheme Launched by State Government under BBBP Scheme

• On the occasion, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched a scheme namely, 'PANKH(Protection Awareness Nutrition Knowledge Health) Abhiyan' under the BBBP scheme to support the girl child's empowerment and their growth.

• Rajasthan Govt has initiated a new scheme called Ek Paudha Suposhit Beti Ke Naam or A plant on the name of well nourished daughter' under BBBP scheme.

• This scheme aims to create awareness among people about the importance of nourishment of pregnant women and children.

• It also intends to motivate families to accept girl children and create awareness among people about healthy food habits and environment protection.

• Under this scheme, on birth of a girl child, a drumstick plant, a nutritional plant will be given by the district administration to the family members of the girl child.

• Punjab government has announced January 2021 to be the month of the girl child" and launched Dheeiyan Di Lohri

11th National Voters Day - 25th January 2021

• The National Voters Day is annually celebrated across India on 25th January to spread awareness among the voters and to promote informed participation in the electoral process.

• 25th January 2021, marks the celebration of the 11th National Voters Day by Election Commission of India (ECI). The theme of the National Voters Day 2021 is "Making Our Voters Empowered, Vigilant, Safe and Informed".

• The National Voters Day has been observed on 25th January since 2011 to mark the foundation of the ECI on 25th January 1950.

• President also launched "Hello Voters" , the web radio of ECI which can be accessed through the ECI's website.

• Conducting Election During Pandemic- A Photo Journey - A photo book featuring the struggles of conduction election amid pandemic.

• SVEEP Endeavours: Awareness initiatives during Lok Sabha Election, 2019:- the book provides insight into voter awareness interventions, innovations and initiatives during the 17th General Election, conducted in 2019.

• He also launched the e-EPIC(Elector Photo Identity Card) programme and distributed e-EPCI and he also felicitated and handed over the EPIC to 5 new voters.

• The e-EPIC can access through voter helpline app and portal https://www.nvsp.in/

• The e-EPIC is a non-editable secure portable document format (PDF) version of the EPIC and will have a secured QR code with image and demographics like serial number, part number, etc.

• In the first phase from 25th January to 31st January 2021, all the new voters who have applied for their ID and registered mobile numbers in form 6 will be availed the e-EPIC through mobile authentication

• In the second phase starting from 1st February, will be open for the general voters who have registered their mobile numbers

• The e-EPIC will have significance in the upcoming polls in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

• About Election Commission of India:
• Chief Election Commissioner- Sunil Arora
• Election Commissioner- Sushil Chandra & Rajiv Kumar
• Headquarters- New Delhi

National Tourism Day 2021 – 25th January

• National Tourism Day is annually observed across India on 25th January to encourage tourism in India and to highlight the role of tourism in the economic development of the nation.

• The theme of National Tourism Day 2021 is "Dekho Apna Desh".

• In India the Tourism Department was established under the Ministry of Tourism and Communication in 1958.

• Annually, the contributions of the Tourism Industry in India affects the GDP of India.

• The 38 UNESCO world heritage sites in India attracts a lot of tourism across the globe.

• As a part of the National Tourism Day, Union Minister of Tourism, Prahlad Singh Patel announced a branch of Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering(IISM) in Kargil, Ladakh to encourage the local talent to achieve their dreams.

• The ministry has also organised a National Level Adventure Tourism in Linkipal Ski Slope Pashkum, Kargil.

International Customs Day 2021 - 26th January

• International Customs Day(ICD) is annually celebrated across the globe on 26th January to recognise the contributions and roles of the customs officials and agencies in maintaining border security.

• The World Customs Organization(WCO) dedicated the International Customs Day 2021 is dedicated to the efforts of the customs to emerge from the pandemic situation and its efforts towards strengthening the global supply chain to support the people and business.

• The theme of the 2021 ICD is "Customs bolstering Recovery, Renewal and Resilience for a sustainable supply chain".

• In India, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) observed the International Customs Day, 2021 & holds ceremony for World Customs Organisation Certificate of Merit Award 2021.

• Customs Cooperation Council(CCC) instituted the International Customs Day to commemorate the first session of CCC held on 26th January 1953 at Brussels, Belgium.

• 17 European Countries attended the 1953 CCC session.

• The CCC was renamed as the World Customs Organisation(WCO) in 1994 and presently the custom organisations from around 183 countries are the members of WCO (Including India).

About WCO:

• Secretary General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya Headquarters - Brussels, Belgium

• Members- 183

International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust 2021 - 27th January

• United Nations(UN)'s International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust (International Holocaust Remembrance Day) is annually observed across the globe on 27th January to commemorate the victims of the Tragedy of Holocaust during the World War II. The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau by Soviet troops on 27 January 1945.

• The year 2021 marks the 76th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi German concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.

• The theme of 2021 International Holocaust Remembrance Day is "Facing the Aftermath: Recovery and Reconstitution after the Holocaust".

• History of Holocaust:

• Halocaust is also known as "The Shoah", a systematic state-sponsored persecution and mass murder of around 6 million European Jews and more than 5 million of others, including Romani people, the intellectually disabled, dissidents and homosexuals by the German Nazi regime during World War II between 1933 and 1945.