Current Affairs 25th January 2016

Important Points : 

• Where did the India’s largest flag with tallest flagpole hoisted - Ranchi
• Who has won Blind T20 Asia Cup - India
• Name the Malayalam film actress who has passed away - Kalpana Ranjani
• Which two countries have signed 16 pacts including chopper venture - India & France 
• Who has won the five-match ODI series - Australia
• Who has won Presidential Election of Portugal - Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa 
• Who has won ITTF World Junior Circuit Finals - Izumo Takuto and Zhu Chengzhu 
• Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards 2015 
• State's first Solar Power operated Mini-Water Supply Plant commissioned in - Maharashtra
• National Bravery Awards 2015 
• Name the scheme launched by Union Government for online booking of LPG cylinders - Sahaj Scheme
• Which day is observed on 24th January - 9th National Girl Child Day

Details :

Where did the India’s largest flag with tallest flagpole hoisted - Ranchi

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 23rd January 2016, the largest flag of the country atop the tallest pole was hoisted by our Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar at Pahari Mandir in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

The flag has a dimension of 99 feet in width , 66 feet in height and hoisted on a 293 feet-tall pole. The flag is prepared with parachute cloth with an estimated cost of 1.25 crore rupees out of which 44 lakh was spent on the flag only.

Historical significance of the flag’s site

• The flagpost is located at the 250-foot-high Pahadi Hill in the heart of Ranchi known as the Pahari temple.
• Earlier it was known as Phansi Tongri.
• This was the place where freedom fighters were hung by the British.
• On every 26th January and 15th August, locals hoist the national flag to give tribute to the martyrs.

Who has won Blind T20 Asia Cup - India

Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 24th January 2016, the first T20 Asia cup cricket for Blind was won by India by defeating Pakistan.

India won this cup by scoring 208 runs in 20 over whereas Pakistan scored 164 runs in 18.2 over.

Name the Malayalam film actress who has passed away - Kalpana Ranjani

On 25th January 2016, famously known as Kalpana, Malayalam film actress Kalpana Ranjani passed away at the age of 51. 

About Kalpana Ranjani

• In the year 1983, she made her film debut as a child artiste. She was known for her comedy acting.
• She won the Best Supporting Actress award for her performance in the film Thanichalla Njan at the 60th National Film Awards in 2012.

Which two countries have signed 16 pacts including chopper venture - India & France 

Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 24th January 2016, 16 agreements were inked at the India-France Business Summit by India and France in Chandigarh. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) were inked in various sectors such as water and waste treatment,  urban development, solar energy and urban transport.

The agreements were signed during the three day visit of French President Francois Hollande to India and is the Chief Guest at the 67th India’s Republic Day celebrations.

The 16 agreements include 

• MOU between EPI ltd – Dassault Systèmes in urban sector development. 
• MOU between EPI-Thales - urban sector development. 
• MOU between EPI-POMA - urban sector development.
• MOU between EPI-Egis - urban sector development.
• MOU between EPI- Schneider Electric - urban sector development.
• MOU between EPI-EDF - urban sector development.
• MOU between EPI-Alstom - urban sector development.
• MOU between EPI-SA CAN - urban sector development.
• MoU between AFD and Maharashtra on technical cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development for development of smart city in Nagpur.
• MoU between AFD and the Union Territory of Puducherry on technical cooperation in the field of sustainable development for development of smart city in Puducherry. 
• MoU between AFD and the Union Territory of Chandigarh on technical cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development for development of smart city in Chandigarh. 
• MOU between EPI-Lumiplan ITS India Pvt Ltd - urban sector development.
• Mahindra-Airbus cooperation to create the new private strategic partner for helicopters within the Make in India initiative.
• Agreement between CEA (the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission) and Green Ventures – Solar photo voltaic projects in the Indian rural areas (Varanasi, U.P.).
• Agreement between CEA (the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission) and Crompton Greaves - To explore opportunities in Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) System with storage function for Indian Airports. 
• Wind Power Development Agreement between EDF JV with SITAC RE India to jointly explore opportunities for development of wind based power project in India. 

Who has won the five-match ODI series - Australia

Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 23rd January 2016, the five-match One Day International (ODI) series against India was won by Australia. In the fifth and final match India defeated Australia.

India will maintain their No. 2 ranking in ODIs as well. The series was named as India tour of Australia, 2016.

Apart from this, a 3-match T20I series, which will be started on 26th January 2016 at the Adelaide Oval.

Rohit Sharma was awarded with the Man of the Series.

Who has won Presidential Election of Portugal - Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa 

Among the important International Current Affairs, On 24th January 2016, the Presidential election of Portugal was won by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa by securing 52 % of votes. 

His opponent, Socialist Antonio Sampaio da Novoa, got 23 % of the vote while Left Bloc candidate Marisa Matias had 10 %.

Sousa is popularly known as ‘Professor Marcelo’ and is the one-time leader of the center-right Social democrats. He will replace President Anibal Cavaco Silva. 

Who has won ITTF World Junior Circuit Finals - Izumo Takuto and Zhu Chengzhu 

Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 24th January 2016, Japan's Izumo Takuto and Hong Kong's Zhu Chengzhu became champions in the boys' and girls' categories, respectively, 2015 ITTF World Junior Circuit Finals.

The winners received a 3800 US dollars while the runners-up received 2100 US dollars each.

About International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)

• It is the governing body for all international table tennis associations.
• ITTF organises the events like the World Table Tennis Championships and the World Junior Circuit.

Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards 2015 

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 25th January 2016, Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards 2015 on 50 persons was approved by President Pranab Mukherjee.

The awards are presented to person for their meritorious act of humane nature in saving the life of a person. 

The categories in which the awards are presented are :

• Jeevan Raksha Padak - This is awarded for courage and swiftness in saving life under circumstances of grave bodily injury to the rescuer.
• Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak - This is awarded for courage and swiftness in saving life under circumstances of great danger to the life of the rescuer.
•  Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak - This is awarded for noticeable courage in saving life under circumstances of very great danger to the life of the rescuer.

The awardees are presented in the form of a certificate and a medallion signed by the Union Home Minister and demand draft is presented by the respective State Government.

The recipients are given a lump-sum monetary allowance at the following rates:-

• Jeevan Raksha Padak-40000 Rupees
• Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak-  100000 Rupees
• Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak-60000 Rupees

List of winners of award for 2015

• Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak - Ankit Kumar  Mishra (Posthumous), Uttar Pradesh; Munna alias Ramdars Sisodiya (Posthumous), Madhya Pradesh and Ullas Unnikrishnan (Posthumous), Kerala
• Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak - Jitendra Kumar Soni, Rajasthan; Riya Chaudhary (Posthumous), Uttar Pradesh; Monika alias Manisha (Posthumous), Uttarakhand; Laldinpuia, Mizoram; Shaitan Singh (Posthumous), Rajasthan;  Gaurav Kumar Bharti (Posthumous), Uttar Pradesh; Shourya Veer Singh (Posthumous), Madhya Pradesh; Ravindra Pal Singh (Posthumous), Uttar Pradesh and Shivakumar R., Karnataka.
• Jeevan Raksha Padak - Vikas Kumar Singh, Chhattisgarh; Amar Singh Gond, Chhattisgarh; Abhishek P.V., Kerala; Tomy Thomas, Kerala; Praveen P.K., Kerala; Jineesh,  Kerala; Rabeesh, Kerala; Vipin, Kerala; Kiran Das,  Kerala; Pradeep. M.V., Kerala; Satish Vaijanathrao Bolegave, Maharashtra; Amit Kumar, Haryana; Aditya Raj Aanjaneya, Rajasthan; Podo Soba, Mizoram; Syamol Kanty Chakma, Mizoram; Lalduhawma,  Mizoram; R. Zoengmawii, Mizoram; R. Rothantluanga,  Mizoram; Kuldeep Singh Kumpawat, Rajasthan; Rishipal Singh Kumpawat, Rajasthan; Jawahar Singh Yadav, Uttar Pradesh; Narender Singh, Uttarakhand; Shree Prakash,  Uttar Pradesh; Kesav Kumar Yadav, Uttar Pradesh; Manjeet Singh, Punjab; Yogesh Kumar, Haryana; Abhiruchi Shrivastava, Madhya Pradesh; Muhammed Vahid P, Kerala; Romario Johnson, Kerala; Akshay Anand Tambe, Maharashtra; Mohit Kumar Mongare, Chhattisgarh; Kanhaiya Gadiya, Chhattisgarh; Avinash Pandey, Uttar Pradesh; Md. Javed Hussain, Bihar; Onkar Singh, Jammu & Kashmir; Rizen Wanchok, Jammu & Kashmir; Narendra Singh, Uttarakhand and Harish Kumar Bhil, Rajasthan.

State's first Solar Power operated Mini-Water Supply Plant commissioned in - Maharashtra

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 24th January 2016, Maharashtra’s first Solar Power operated Mini-Water Supply Plant was commissioned in Hingna village of Mouda Taluka in Nagpur district.  

Rite Water Solutions under the supervision of the Zilla Parishad authorities on experimental basis installed the Solar Pump Unit.

With the help of this plant, villagers will get pure water supply at a very low cost.

National Bravery Awards 2015 

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 24th January 2016, the National Bravery Awards was presented to 25 children by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) initiated this award to give recognition to the children who have shown remarkable act of bravery and meritorious service.

The award was first presented by Prime Minister Nehru to a boy and a girl in the year 1957 for their presence of mind and courage. 

Apart from this, ICCW instituted the Bharat Award in 1987-88 for an exceptionally outstanding, meritorious and gallant act. BapuGaidhani Awards (instituted in 1988-89), Sanjay Chopra awards (instituted by ICCW in 1978) and Geeta Chopra were other special awards included.

Name the scheme launched by Union Government for online booking of LPG cylinders - Sahaj Scheme

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 25th January 2016, for online booking of LPG cylinders Sahaj Scheme was launched by the Union Government. Unified web portal www.mylpg.in available in 13 languages can be used for booking.

Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas (Independent Charge) launched this facilty. 

With the help of this facility, customers can book the cylinder around the clock and pay in advance. 

Which day is observed on 24th January - 9th National Girl Child Day

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 24th January 2016, the 9th National Girl Child Day was observed by India. The day is observed to spread awareness about the inequalities faced by the girl child.

In the year 2008, the government initiated this day. 

To contribute to the upliftment of the girl Child, the Ministry has come up with some steps which are as follows : 

• Strive to make neighbourhood safe and violence free for women and girls.
• Oppose dowry and child marriages.
• Secure admissions to and retention of girl Child in schools.
• Celebrate the birth of a girl Child.
• Take the Pride in daughters and oppose the mindset related to Paraya Dhan.
• Find ways to promote equality between boys and girls.
• Engage men and boys to challenge gender stereotypes and roles.
• Report any incident of sex discrimination test.
• Advocate simple Marriages.
• Support women’s right to inherit and own property.