- Pravasi Bharatiya Express Launched 🚂🇮🇳
- What’s Happening? 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.
- Why It Matters: The launch coincides with the 110th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa and aims to connect Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) with India’s rich cultural and religious heritage.
- Lebanon Elects New President 🇱🇧🏛️
- What’s Happening? Lebanon’s parliament elected General Joseph Aoun as the country’s new president, ending a two-year political vacuum.
- Why It Matters: General Aoun, who has led the Lebanese Armed Forces since 2017, secured 99 out of 128 votes in the second round of voting.
- Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles 🔥🌴
- What’s Happening? Southern California is battling some of the most destructive wildfires in its history, with several major blazes wreaking havoc across Los Angeles County.
- Why It Matters: These fires have led to widespread devastation, loss of life, mass evacuations, and severe disruptions to daily life.
- Sir Mo Farah Appointed as Ambassador 🏃♂️🇮🇳
- What’s Happening? Sir Mo Farah has been appointed as the International Event Ambassador for the Tata Mumbai Marathon, scheduled for January 19, 2025.
- Why It Matters: Farah’s involvement underscores the marathon’s growing global stature and its commitment to promoting health and fitness.
- PARTH Yojana Launched in Madhya Pradesh 🇮🇳🏋️♂️
- What’s Happening? The PARTH Yojana (Police Army Recruitment Training & Hunar) was launched in Madhya Pradesh to provide pre-recruitment training to the state’s youth for entry into the Indian Army, Police, and Para-Military forces.
- Why It Matters: The scheme emphasizes physical and mental preparation while instilling patriotism and discipline among participants.
- RBI Lifts Restrictions on Asirvad Microfinance 💸🏦
- What’s Happening? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lifted restrictions on Chennai-based Asirvad Microfinance and Delhi-based DMI Finance.
- Why It Matters: The RBI was satisfied with the companies’ actions to comply with regulatory guidelines, including revamped processes and systems.
- SEBI Amends Credit Rating Agency Regulations 📊📈
- What’s Happening? The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) updated the timelines for credit rating agencies (CRAs), shifting from “days” to “working days” to improve ease of doing business.
- Why It Matters: This change standardizes processes and helps improve the ease of doing business.
- Genome India Project 🧬🌍
- What’s Happening? The Genome India Project aims to map the genetic diversity of India’s population.
- Why It Matters: This project will provide valuable insights into the genetic makeup of the Indian population and contribute to global genetic research.
- Z-Morh Tunnel Inaugurated 🚧🏔️
- What’s Happening? The Z-Morh Tunnel, a strategic infrastructure project, was inaugurated in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Why It Matters: The tunnel enhances connectivity and supports economic development in the region.
- Blue Flag Certification for Beaches 🏖️🌊
- What’s Happening? Several beaches in India have been awarded the Blue Flag certification for their cleanliness and environmental standards.
- Why It Matters: This certification promotes sustainable tourism and environmental conservation.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) 📝
1. What special train was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi? 🚂🇮🇳
- a) Bharat Express
- b) Pravasi Bharatiya Express
- c) Indian Heritage Train
- d) Unity Express
- Answer: b) Pravasi Bharatiya Express ✅
2. Who was elected as the new president of Lebanon? 🇱🇧🏛️
- a) Michel Aoun
- b) Saad Hariri
- c) Joseph Aoun
- d) Najib Mikati
- Answer: c) Joseph Aoun ✅
3. Which city is facing destructive wildfires as of January 10, 2025? 🔥🌴
- a) New York
- b) San Francisco
- c) Miami
- d) Los Angeles
- Answer: d) Los Angeles ✅
4. Who has been appointed as the International Event Ambassador for the Tata Mumbai Marathon? 🏃♂️🇮🇳
- a) Usain Bolt
- b) Eliud Kipchoge
- c) Sir Mo Farah
- d) Haile Gebrselassie
- Answer: c) Sir Mo Farah ✅
5. What is the aim of the PARTH Yojana launched in Madhya Pradesh? 🇮🇳🏋️♂️
- a) Health and wellness
- b) Agricultural development
- c) Pre-recruitment training for youth
- d) Educational scholarships
- Answer: c) Pre-recruitment training for youth ✅
6. Which companies had their restrictions lifted by the RBI? 💸🏦
- a) Paytm and PhonePe
- b) Asirvad Microfinance and DMI Finance
- c) Bharat Financial and Fullerton India
- d) Bajaj Finserv and HDFC
- Answer: b) Asirvad Microfinance and DMI Finance ✅
7. What change did SEBI make to credit rating agency regulations? 📊📈
- a) Increased credit limits
- b) Simplified rating procedures
- c) Updated timelines from “days” to “working days”
- d) Reduced compliance requirements
- Answer: c) Updated timelines from “days” to “working days” ✅
8. What is the Genome India Project focused on? 🧬🌍
- a) Agricultural advancements
- b) Space exploration
- c) Mapping genetic diversity
- d) Climate change research
- Answer: c) Mapping genetic diversity ✅
9. Where was the Z-Morh Tunnel inaugurated? 🚧🏔️
- a) Himachal Pradesh
- b) Uttarakhand
- c) Jammu and Kashmir
- d) Sikkim
- Answer: c) Jammu and Kashmir ✅
10. What certification was awarded to several beaches in India? 🏖️🌊
- a) Green Flag
- b) Blue Flag
- c) Red Flag
- d) Gold Flag
- Answer: b) Blue Flag ✅