Table of Contents
National News
Pravasi Bharatiya Express: A Gift to Indian Diaspora
On January 9, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special state-of-the-art tourist train for the Indian diaspora, from Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The launch coincides with the 110th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa on this date in 1915. The train, designed under the Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana (PTDY), aims to connect Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) with India’s rich cultural and religious heritage by offering a fully sponsored tour across the country.
International News
Lebanon Elects General Joseph Aoun as President After 2-Year Deadlock
Lebanon’s parliament has elected General Joseph Aoun as the country’s new president, effectively ending a two-year political vacuum. The election, held on January 9, 2025, concluded a prolonged period of political paralysis that began after the term of former President Michel Aoun ended in October 2022. General Aoun, who has led the Lebanese Armed Forces since 2017, secured 99 out of 128 votes in the second round of voting, surpassing the required majority.
Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles A State in Crisis
In January 2025, Southern California is battling some of the most destructive wildfires in its history, with several major blazes wreaking havoc across Los Angeles County. These fires have led to widespread devastation, loss of life, mass evacuations, and severe disruptions to daily life. As climate change continues to exacerbate conditions conducive to such fires, the region faces a significant crisis. This article provides a detailed look at the ongoing situation, the impact of the fires, and the contributing factors.
State News
Mo Farah to Lead 20th Mumbai Marathon as International Ambassador
The Tata Mumbai Marathon, scheduled for January 19, 2025, is set to celebrate its 20th edition with a record-breaking 60,000 participants. In a significant development, Sir Mo Farah, the renowned British long-distance runner, has been appointed as the International Event Ambassador. Farah’s involvement underscores the marathon’s growing global stature and its commitment to promoting health and fitness.
Schemes News
PARTH Yojana: Preparing Youth for Recruitment in Security Services
The PARTH Yojana (Police Army Recruitment Training & Hunar) is an innovative scheme launched in Madhya Pradesh with the objective of providing pre-recruitment training to the state’s youth for entry into the Indian Army, Police, and Para-Military forces. Announced by CM Mohan Yadav during the State Level Youth Festival, the scheme emphasizes both physical and mental preparation while instilling patriotism and discipline among participants.
Ranks & Reports News
India’s Ranking in the Henley Passport Index 2025
India’s ranking in the Henley Passport Index for 2025 has dropped to 85th, five points lower than its 80th position in 2024. The index, based on data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA), is a globally recognized tool for assessing passport mobility. Singapore retains its top spot for the second consecutive year, while Japan ranks second after holding the top position from 2018-2023.
Economy News
India’s Economic Growth Projections: United Nations’ “World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025” report
The United Nations’ “World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025” report forecasts India’s economy to grow by 6.6% in 2025 and 6.7% in 2026, driven by robust private consumption and investment.
India’s Economic Growth Projections for FY2025-26: Bank of Baroda
Recent forecasts indicate that India’s economy is poised for significant growth in the fiscal year 2025-26, with projections ranging from 6.6% to 6.8%. This anticipated expansion underscores India’s resilience and its pivotal role in driving regional economic development.
Banking News
PhonePe, ICICI Lombard Launch Maha Kumbh Mela Insurance
In anticipation of the Maha Kumbh Mela, scheduled from January 13 to February 26, 2025, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, PhonePe has partnered with ICICI Lombard General Insurance to offer specialized insurance coverage for attendees. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive and affordable protection for millions of devotees participating in this significant spiritual gathering.
Business News
Swiggy’s ‘Snacc’ App: 15-Minute Delivery Sparks Industry Debate
Swiggy has introduced ‘Snacc’, a standalone application promising delivery of snacks, beverages, and meals within 15 minutes. This initiative aligns with the industry’s shift towards rapid food delivery services.
Appointments News
Justice B.N. Srikrishna to Lead Advisory Board of Equal and OneMoney
Retired Justice B.N. Srikrishna has been appointed as the Chairman of the newly established Advisory Board for Equal, an identity verification and data-sharing platform, and its strategic investee, OneMoney, an account aggregator. This appointment aligns with the government’s recent release of the draft rules for the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, signaling a stronger regulatory push for data security and privacy.
Agreements News
UP Govt Teams Up with Google Cloud for AI Agri Network
The Uttar Pradesh government has signed an MoU with Google Cloud (India) to launch the Uttar Pradesh Open Network for Agriculture (UPONA). Powered by Gemini AI and Beacon technology, this digital public infrastructure aims to revolutionize agriculture in the state by providing farmers with one-stop access to advisory services, credit, mechanization, market connectivity, and real-time data on weather and microclimates. The initiative aligns with the government’s goal of doubling farmers’ income and promoting digital empowerment in agriculture.
Important Days News
World Hindi Day 2025- Celebrating the Global Significance of Hindi
The World Hindi Day, popularly called the ‘Vishwa Hindi Diwas’, is celebrated on January 10 every year to promote Hindi as one of the most widely spoken languages around the world, along with English and Mandarin. World Hindi Day is an occasion that celebrates Hindi as a global language. Recognized as one of the most spoken languages in the world, Hindi is not merely a medium of communication but an emotion that binds millions of people. With a rich history and cultural significance, Hindi has evolved over the centuries, incorporating words from various languages and becoming more refined and understandable. From the media to contemporary writers, Hindi has established itself as a vital language of expression.
Science and Technology News
Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket to Launch on January 10, 2025
Blue Origin is poised to launch its New Glenn rocket on January 10, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the company’s space exploration endeavors. This inaugural mission aims to demonstrate the rocket’s capabilities and establish Blue Origin as a formidable competitor in the commercial space industry.
Obituaries News
Renowned Playback Singer P. Jayachandran Passes Away
P. Jayachandran, affectionately known as “Bhava Gayakan,” was a celebrated playback singer whose voice resonated deeply with emotions such as love, devotion, and longing. He passed away at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. Known for his soulful renditions across multiple languages, Jayachandran’s death has left an irreplaceable void in the Indian music industry. His extensive contribution to the world of music spanned over six decades, with more than 16,000 songs in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi. His passing is mourned by music lovers and fans alike, with tributes pouring in from across the nation.
H Lakshmanan Key Figure in TVS Passed Away
H Lakshmanan, the former Executive Director of Sundaram-Clayton (now TVS Holdings Ltd), passed away at the age of 91 after battling age-related ailments. He was a key figure in the TVS Group for nearly seven decades, contributing significantly to its growth and success. Starting as a typist, Lakshmanan rose to become a trusted confidant of the TVS family, known for his exceptional management skills, strategic vision, and unwavering dedication to the company.
09th January 2025 Current Affairs (Daily...
08th January 2025 Current Affairs (Daily...
07th January 2025 Current Affairs (Daily...
