21 January 2018 Current Affairs
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Mangalajodi Eco Trust won UNWTO Award
Mangalajodi Ecotourism Trust of Odisha was awarded the “Innovation in Tourism Enterprise” award, at the 14th UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation) Awards ceremony in Madrid, Spain. Mangalajodi Ecotourism Trust is promoted by RBS Foundation India and Indian Grameen Services. It is a community owned and run entity. It is located on the banks of Chilika Lake in Odisha.
Manav Thakkar World No. 2, Diya Chitale No. 5 in TT rankings
Manav Thakkar climbed to World Number 2 in the boys under-18 category while Diya Chitale rose to Number 5 in the girls under-15 category in the International Table Tennis Federation rankings. The top place is within striking distance, which will become India’s moment of crowning glory. He has also broken into the top-15 in the boys’ under-21 rankings. Among other successes, recently crowned Junior National Champion Payas Jain has climbed to the 11th spot, and right behind him is Jeho H at No. 12. In the girls’ under-18 category, Bengaluru lass Archana Girish kamath has moved up from 34 to 18. Selena Selvakumar has also been inching up, and is now at No. 37. Archana has also eased into the top-50 of the under-21 category as well.
Apple named the world’s most admired company for 2018
Technology giant Apple topped Fortune magazine’s list of the ‘World’s Most Admired Companies’ for 2018. E-commerce giant Amazon has retained its second spot, followed by Google’s parent Alphabet. Social media giant Facebook lost its place in the top ten most admired companies this year and was ranked 12th on the list.
India defeats Pakistan to win Blind Cricket World Cup 2018
India beat Pakistan by two wickets to win the Blind Cricket World Cup 2018 for the second time after a thrilling match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the UAE. Hosts Pakistan had set India a target of 308 runs at a loss of eight wickets in their allotted 40 overs after they were put into bat. India conquered the modest target in the 39th over, with two balls to spare and eight wickets lost. For his brilliant all-round performance, Sunil Ramesh was declared the man of the match.
NASA develops aircraft that can fold wings mid-flight
NASA successfully applied a new technology that allows aircraft to fold their wings between zero and 70 degrees while inflight. Built from a shape memory alloy, the system operates without a hydraulic system, reducing the wing weight by up to 80%. The technology’s potential aerodynamic benefit includes increased controllability, which may result in a more fuel-efficient aircraft.
Om Prakash Rawat appointed New Chief Election Commissioner
Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat was appointed as the next chief election commissioner (CEC) of India. Mr Rawat is the 22nd CEC of India. He succeeded Achal Kumar Joti. The government also appointed former finance secretary Ashok Lawasa as an Election Commissioner. Mr Rawat will take over the office from 23rd January 2018 onwards. Sunil Arora is the other Election Commissioner.
Maharashtra govt launches ‘Balasheb Thackeray Shaheed Sanmaan’ scheme
The Maharashtra government launched ‘Balasaheb Thackeray Shaheed Sanmaan scheme, under which family members of martyrs would be provided jobs with the Maharashtra State road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). The scheme was announced in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fednavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. Under this, apart from jobs, wives of martyrs would also be provided with lifetime free bus passes. The MSRTC also launches a scheme for the youth in the Naxal-affected areas, under which driving training schools would be started for them.
Khandu inaugurates World War II Memorial Museum in Arunachal
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated the World War II Memorial Museum in the state’s Changlang district bordering Myanmar. Built by the Union Culture Ministry, the Rs 2.25 crore museum in memory of those who laid down their lives in World War II is located adjacent to the historic Stilwell Road and is expected to boost international and domestic tourist inflow especially from Southeast Asian countries.
President felicitates 112 women achievers
President Kovind felicitated exceptional women achievers who are the first to set a milestone in their respective fields at Rashtrapati Bhawan. 112 women were selected after an extensive research process by Women & Child Development Ministry. The women who have been felicitated are those who have been the first in any field like first woman judge, first woman porter, first Olympian etc.
Among those who were honoured by President include:
Bachendri Pal: First Indian woman to reach the Mount Everest summit
Deepa Malik: first woman to win a medal at the Paralympics
Priya Jhingan: First Lady Cadet to join the Indian Army
P V Sindhu: Olympic silver medallist
Nicole Faria: winner of the Miss earth title
Karnam Malleswari: Olympic medal winning weightlifter Karnam Malleswari
Anshu Jamsenpa: First Indian woman to scale Mt Everest for fifth time
Chhavi Rajawat: India’s first woman Sarpanch
Diana Edulji: First ODI captain of the first ever Indian Women’s Cricket Team.