Table of Contents
National News
Decline in Rural-to-Urban Migration in India
According to the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), domestic migration decreased by 53.7 million in 2023, an 11.8% drop from 2011 levels. The overall migration rate fell from 37.6% in 2011 to 28.9% in 2023, with economic migration declining by 5 million, from 45 million in 2011 to 40 million in 2023.
Govt Amends FTP to Require Stakeholder Consultations
In a significant move to enhance inclusivity and transparency in trade policy formulation, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has amended the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023. This amendment mandates consultations with relevant stakeholders, including importers, exporters, and industry experts, during the formulation or amendment of the FTP.
PM Modi Flags Off Namo Bharat RRTS: 40-Min Delhi-Meerut Ride
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a 13-km section of the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor on January 5, 2025. This section connects Sahibabad in Uttar Pradesh to New Ashok Nagar in Delhi and is part of the broader 82-km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor. The RRTS aims to revolutionize regional transit by significantly reducing travel time between Delhi and Meerut.
International News
Hanoi Declared World’s Most Polluted City
Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, has recently been identified as the world’s most polluted city, with PM2.5 levels reaching 266 micrograms per cubic meter. This alarming air quality has raised significant health concerns among residents and prompted government action.
State News
The 38th National Games Torch ‘Tejaswini’
The 38th National Games will be hosted by Uttarakhand for the first time, marking a significant event in the state’s sports history. The torch, named ‘Tejaswini,’ has begun its journey across the state, spreading excitement and awareness about the games. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami flagged off the torch rally from Haldwani, and it is expected to cover 3,823 km, visiting 99 locations in 13 districts before reaching the capital, Dehradun. The National Games will take place from January 28 to February 14, 2025, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Dehradun.
Jallikattu Season Begins! Thatchankurichi Hosts 2025’s First Event
The first Jallikattu event of Tamil Nadu for 2025 was held on January 4 at Thatchankurichi village in the Gandarvakottai taluk of Pudukkottai district. This traditional bull-taming event marks the beginning of the Pongal celebrations and the Jallikattu season in the state. Over 600 bulls and 350 bull-taming participants took part in this iconic event, symbolizing Tamil Nadu’s rich cultural heritage.
Banking News
HDFC Bank Secures RBI Approval to Acquire Stakes in Peer Banks
HDFC Bank, India’s largest private sector lender, has received the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) approval to acquire up to a 9.5% stake in Kotak Mahindra Bank, AU Small Finance Bank, and Capital Small Finance Bank. This strategic move is facilitated through its group entities, including HDFC Mutual Fund, HDFC Life Insurance, HDFC ERGO General Insurance, and HDFC Pension Fund Management.
Schemes News
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: ‘Faral Sakhi’ Initiative Launched in Mira Bhayandar
The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC), in collaboration with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), has launched the ‘Faral Sakhi’ initiative to empower women entrepreneurs in traditional snack production.
PM Modi Inaugurates Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025
On January 4, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event, organized by the Department of Financial Services and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), aims to enhance rural infrastructure, promote self-reliance, and foster innovation within rural communities.
Important Days News
National Bird Day 2025- A Celebration of Avian Diversity and Conservation
National Bird Day, celebrated annually on January 5, is a day dedicated to highlighting the importance of birds in our ecosystems and fostering efforts toward their conservation. This day is an opportunity to appreciate the beauty, diversity, and ecological significance of birds while raising awareness about the challenges they face due to human activities.
First established in 2002 by the Avian Welfare Coalition, National Bird Day underscores the urgency of protecting bird habitats and populations that are under threat from habitat destruction, climate change, and illegal trade.
Sports News
Inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025 Trophies and Mascots Revealed
The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) recently unveiled the trophies and mascots for the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025, scheduled to take place from January 13-19. This global event will feature men’s and women’s teams from 24 countries, showcasing Kho Kho on a global stage. The tournament will be held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium and will be broadcast live, marking a historic milestone for this indigenous Indian sport.
BCCI Will Have New Secretary and Treasurer
Devajit Saikia, a former Assam cricketer, is set to become the new secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), while Prabhtej Singh Bhatia from Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS) will take over as the new treasurer. Both candidates filed their nominations as the lone applicants for their respective posts and are set to be elected unopposed at the BCCI’s Special General Meeting (SGM) on January 12, 2025, in Mumbai.
West Bengal Wins 33rd Santosh Trophy Title
The Santosh Trophy, India’s premier football competition for state teams, continues to showcase the nation’s football talent and historical rivalries. In the 2024 edition, West Bengal reaffirmed its dominance by securing a record-extending 33rd title with a narrow 1-0 victory over Kerala in the final. Held at Gachibowli Stadium, the match saw Robi Hansda score the winning goal in added time, cementing his position as the tournament’s top scorer.
Obituaries News
Former Greek PM Costas Simitis Dies at 88
Costas Simitis, who served as Greece’s Prime Minister from 1996 to 2004, has passed away at the age of 88. He was instrumental in Greece’s integration into the European Union’s single currency, the euro, in 2001. His death occurred on January 5, 2025, at his summer residence in the Peloponnese region.
India’s Nuclear Visionary: Dr. R. Chidambaram Passes Away at 88
Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram, a towering figure in the field of atomic energy, passed away at the age of 88 at Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai on January 4, 2025. His contributions to India’s nuclear program and scientific advancements have left an indelible mark on the country’s technological and strategic development. Dr. Chidambaram was integral to India’s nuclear journey, from the first peaceful nuclear test in 1974 to leading Operation Shakti in 1998, which solidified India’s position as a nuclear power.
World’s Oldest Person, Tomiko Itooka, Dies at 116 Years
Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest person, passed away at the age of 116 in January 2025. Born in May 1908, she experienced an extraordinary life, living through major historical events, including both World Wars, technological advancements, and societal changes. Her legacy continues to inspire through her resilience and longevity.
Miscellaneous News
India Welcomes Its First Generation Beta Baby
As the year 2025 brought upon the world the ‘Generation Beta’, India got its first baby of this gen on New Year’s day, January 1, in Mizoram’s Aizawl. The baby, named Frankie Remruatdika Zadeng, is recognized as India’s first child from the so-called Generation Beta. Born at 12:03 AM on January 1, 2025, at Synod Hospital in Durtlang, Aizawl, the healthy newborn weighed a little over 3.12 kilograms.
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