Current Affairs – January 16 2023
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Current Affairs – January 16 2023
1. Varuna 2023: India-France Bilateral Naval Exercise
The 21st edition of the bilateral naval exercise between India and France, Exercise Varuna, has begun on the Western Seaboard on January 16th, 2023. The bilateral exercise, which was initiated in 1993, was named ‘Varuna’ in 2001 and has become a defining feature of the India-France strategic bilateral relationship.
- This edition of the exercise will see the participation of the Indian Navy’s indigenous guided missile stealth destroyer INS Chennai, guided missile frigate INS Teg, maritime patrol aircraft P-8I and Dornier, integral helicopters, and MiG29K fighter aircraft.
2. Thiruvalluvar Day is observed on January 16
The Thiruvalluvar Day is celebrated annually on January 15th or January 16th in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal (or Sankranti) celebrations. The day is dedicated to honoring the contribution of the Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar, who is best known for his literary work, the Thirukkural.
- The Thirukkural is a collection of 1330 couplets divided into 133 sections, and is considered one of the greatest works of Tamil literature.
- The Thirukkural, written by Thiruvalluvar, is divided into three parts: Dharma, Artha, and Kama.
3. National Startup Day 2023 is observed on January 16
National Startup Day is celebrated annually on January 16th in India, to recognize and promote the country’s vibrant startup ecosystem.
- The day is marked by a week-long event, the Startup India Innovation Week, organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
4. Rajasthan’s Blindness Control Policy
The state of Rajasthan has made history by implementing the first-ever policy for blindness control in the country, with the objective of “Right to Sight.”
- Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has taken an innovative initiative towards realizing the concept of “Nirogi Rajasthan” (Healthy Rajasthan) in the state.
- The policy aims to bring light in the lives of more than 3 lakh people suffering from visual impairment in the state. The prevalence rate of blindness in the country was 1.1% in 2020, and the government aims to bring it down to 0.3% through the Blindness Control Policy.
5. RRR won Critics Choice Awards 2023 for Best Foreign Language Film
The 28th Critics Choice Honors was conducted on January 16, 2023, IST, and SS Rajamouli’s RRR won two awards, making India proud once again.
- RRR won Best Song for Naatu Naatu and Best Foreign Language Film. In addition, RRR received nominations for Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Visual Effects.
- The film had already won a Golden Globe for Best Song with the song Naatu Naatu, despite opposition from Rihanna’s Lift Me Up.
6. Kerala’s Kollam to be considered as first Constitution Literate District of India
Kerala’s Kollam district has been declared the first constitution-literate district of India.
- The chief minister declared Kollam to be India’s first constitution-literate district, saying that constitutional ideals must be integrated into our daily lives and government in order to attain comprehensive constitutional literacy.
- As part of the initiative, about 16.3 lakh persons over the age of ten in the area have been taught various elements of the Constitution.
7. Miss Universe 2023: R’Bonney Gabriel grabbed the title
- R’Bonney Gabriel of the United States was crowned Miss Universe 2022 on January 15, 2023.
- Divita Rai of India, who finished in the top 16, was unable to advance in the beauty contest held in New Orleans.
- Venezuela and the Dominican Republic were the other two countries in the top three.
8. DotFEST Festival has been organized in Odisha
The second edition of ‘Dot Fest,‘ a part of city festivals commemorating the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023, will be held in Odisha from January 15 to 29, 2023.
- As part of the festival, six main festivals and activities will be held, including Bhubaneswar live, an international cuisine festival, the story-telling festival BhuFesto, Ekamra walks, a night flea market, and the ‘Sebe-O-Ebe’ picture show.
9. Himachal Pradesh Govt Restores Old Pension Scheme in First Cabinet Meeting
The Himachal Pradesh government restored the old pension scheme in its first cabinet meeting. The cabinet decided to provide OPS to all government employees who are presently covered under the defined contributory pension scheme, also referred to as NPS. This scheme will benefit about 1.36 lakh NPS employees in the state.
10. Virat Kohli becomes fifth highest run scorer in ODI cricket
Star cricketer Virat Kohli became the fifth-highest run-scorer in history of ODI cricket, overtaking Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardene to enter into top-five. At the time of becoming the fifth-highest run-scorer, Virat had 12,652 runs in 268 ODIs at an average of 57.78, with 45 tons and 65 half-century. His best score in the format is 183.
As per records, the highest run-scorer in ODI history is Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, who has scored 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83. He has 49 centuries and 96 fifties in this format, with the best of 200*. Followed by Sachin, Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara (14,234 runs in 404 matches), Australian Ricky Ponting (13,704), Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya (13,430 in 445 matches) and Virat.
