27 January 2015 Current Affairs
India and US to Set Up Task Force For Developing 3 Smart Cities
India and the US on 27 January decided to set up a task force for jointly developing Allahabad, Ajmer and Vishakhapatnam as Smart Cities with a mandate of preparing the roadmap within three months. The decision was taken at a meeting between Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and visiting Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, two days after the two countries signed pacts under which the three cities will be developed as Smart Cities with the help of United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). According to the decision, the task force comprising officials from the Centre, state governments and USTDA will be constituted for three cities.The road map will be worked out in three months to develop these cities as Smart City.
Alexis Tsipras Sworn In As New Greek Prime Minister
Greek left-wing leader Alexis Tsipras was sworn in as Prime Minister of Greece. He became the first prime minister in Greek history to be sworn in without the traditional oath on a Bible and blessing of basil and water from the Greek Archbishop. He became first to take a civil rather than a religious oath of office. He became the youngest Prime Minister of Greece since 1865.
Arundhathi Subramaniam Won Khushwant Singh Memorial Prize
Poetess Arundhathi Subramaniam has won the inaugural Khushwant Singh Memorial Prize for Poetry at Jaipur Literature Festival. Her name was announced at a prize ceremony held at Jaipur Literature Festival. Khushwant Singh Memorial Prize was instituted in 2014 by Suhel Seth in memory of the late Khushwant Singh. The award is open for Indian poets writing in English or Indian language translation to English. The award carries a cash prize of 2 lakh rupees.