CURRENT AFFAIRS – January 2018 A. PERSONS Harjinder Singh He has been appointed as the Chief De Mission for the 23 rd Winter Olympic Games; currently Mr Singh the General Secretary in the Ice Hockey Association of India. Indu Malhotra The Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India (CI) Dipak Misra has unanimously recommended name of senior advocate Indu Malhotra for appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court. With this, she becomes first woman lawyer from the country to be directly elected for post of judge and seventh women judge of the Supreme Court. Salil Parekh He has been appointed the new CEO and Managing Director of Infosys. He took over from interim CEO U.B. Pravin Rao. A.B.Mathur The union government has appointed A. B. Mathur as the INTERLOCUTOR on their behalf to hold talks with United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA). Mr Mathur has already served in RAW as Special Secretary. K. Sivan The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed rocket scientist K. Sivan as next Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of Space Commission and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He will succeed A.S. Kiran Kumar and will have term of three years. Dr V Narayanan Senior scientist Dr V Narayanan has assumed charge as Director of ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC). He succeeded S Somanath who was appointed as Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). S Somanath Noted scientist S Somanath took charge as Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He succeeded K Sivan, who was recently appointed as Chairman of ISRO. Prakash Rawat President Ram Nath Kovind has appointed Election commissioner Om Prakash Rawat (64) as new Chief Election Commissioner. He will succeed Achal Kumar Joti who has retired from post. Anandiben Patel President Ramnath Kovind has appointed former Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel as Governor of Madhya Pradesh. She will replace Gujarat governor Om Prakash Kohli who is holding additional charge of office of Governor of Madhya Pradesh. Sudeep Lakhtakia Senior IPS officer Sudeep Lakhtakia was appointed as new Director General of National Security Guard (NSG). Lakhtakia is a 1984-batch IPS officer of Telangana cadre. He is currently serving as special DG of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Vijay Gokhale The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appointed senior diplomat Vijay Keshav Gokhale (58) as Foreign Secretary, highest post for a diplomat in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Rajinder Khanna The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Rajinder Khanna as Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA). In his new role, he will assist NSA Ajit Doval. Gurcharan Singh Kalkat Noted agricultural scientist and pioneer of India’s Green Revolution, Gurcharan Singh Kalkat (92), passed away in Chandigarh after a brief illness. He was known for his role in bringing Green Revolution and several exemplary agricultural reforms in Punjab. John Young Legendary astronaut of NASA John Young, who walked on the moon and later commanded the first space shuttle flight passed away in Houston, US. He was NASA’s only astronaut to go into space as part of Gemini, Apollo and space shuttle program, and the first to fly into space six times. He was 9th man to walk on moon. B. MAJOR EVENTS Umesh Sinha Committee The ECI has constituted Umesh Sinha Committee to suggest changes to section 126 of the Representation of the People Act. It will study the impact of social media during the silence period and suggest modifications of the election law. Technology Mission Three Ministeries – Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Human resource Development and Ministry of Science & Technology have signed MOU for the Technology Mission. This mission will conduct research and development projects in the fields of heavy haul, safety, energy, environment and urban railways. Essential Jute Packaging In order to protect and promote the interests of the jute growers in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura, the government has made it mandatory that 90% of foodgrains and 20% of sugar must be packed in jute bags. National Voters’ Day The Election Commission of India (ECI) celebrated 8th National Voters’ Day across nation for enhanced participation of citizens in electoral process. The objective of the Day is to increase enrollment of voters, especially of newly eligible ones. 100 th Satellite of ISRO ISRO has launched 31 satellites with a combined weight of 1,323 kilograms with PSLV C-40 rocket for deploying them in earth’s lower orbit. The Indian satellites are 710 kg CARTOSAT-2, 100 kg micro satellite and a 5 kg nano satellite. National Year of Millets Government has approved 2018 as National Year of Millets to boost production of the nutrient-rich millets and the sunrise agri industry involved in it. Earlier in November 2017, India had forwarded proposal to United Nations (UN) for declaring year 2018 as ‘International Year of Millets’. National Youth Day The National Youth Day is observed every year on 12 January to mark the birth anniversary of social reformer, philosopher, thinker and youth icon of India Swami Vivekananda. This year it is 155th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated every year on January 9 to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development of India. This year’s PBD celebrated ASEAN-Indian partnership and was themed Ancient Route, New Journey: Diaspora in the Dynamic ASEAN INDIA Partnership. C. ECONOMY India 6th wealthiest country According to New World Wealth Report, India was ranked sixth in list of wealthiest countries with total wealth of US $8,230 billion in 2017.The total wealth, refers to private wealth held by all individuals living in each country/city. First NIIF investment The NIIF has made its first investment by partnering with DP World to create $3-billion investment platform for ports, terminals, transportation and logistics businesses in India. The platform will invest in opportunities in ports sector and beyond sea ports into areas such as river ports and transportation, port-led special economic zones, freight corridors, inland container terminals, and logistics infrastructure including cold storage. Indian economy to grow at 7.4% in 2018: IMF In the latest World Economic Outlook (January 2018 update) released by International Monetary Fund (IMF), India is projected to grow at 7.4% of its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018 as against China’s 6.8%. The projection makes India fastest growing major economy in the world. Global Index of Talent Competitiveness India was ranked 81st among 118 countries in 2017 Global index of talent competitiveness (GTI) list. India has improved its position from 92nd last year. The index measures ability of countries to compete for talent i.e. how countries grow, attract and retain talent. It is produced by global business school INSEAD in partnership with Adecco Group and Tata Communications. Inclusive Development Index 2018 India was ranked at 62nd place among emerging economies on Inclusive Development Index (IDI-2018) released by World Economic Forum (WEF). Norway again remained world’s most inclusive advanced economy, while Lithuania again topped list of emerging economies. India’s position is much below China (26th) and Pakistan (47th). Mauritius: largest source of FDI in India in 2016-2017 According to Census on Foreign Liabilities and Assets of Indian Direct Investment Companies 2016-17 released by Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Mauritius was largest source of foreign investment (FDI) in India. It was followed by USA, UK, Singapore and Japan. Singapore (19.7%) was major ODI destination, followed by Netherlands, Mauritius, and US. Global Manufacturing Index The World Economic Forum (WEF) has ranked India at 30th position among 100 countries on its Global Manufacturing Index (GMI). The index was released as part of WEF’s first Readiness for the future of production Report which analysed development of modern industrial strategies and urges collaborative action. NCDEX launches India’s first agri-options trading in Guarseed The National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Ltd (NCDEX) unveiled India’s first agricultural-commodity options in Guarseed designed as hedge for farmers to safeguard against price risks. World Bank Report projects 7.3% growth for India in 2018 The 2018 Global Economics Prospect (GEP) released by the World Bank has projected India’s growth rate to 7.3% in 2018 and 7.5 for the next two years i.e. 2019 and 2020. Logistics Ease Across Different States index Gujarat has topped among 22 states in the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) index released by Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Punjab has acquired second position followed by Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. 7.75% Savings (Taxable) Bonds 2018 The Union Finance Ministry has launched 7.75% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2018 scheme to help citizens invest in a taxable instrument, without any monetary ceiling. It will enable resident citizens/Hindu Undivided Families (HUF) to invest in a taxable bond, without any monetary ceiling. D. STATES Arunachal Pradesh Arunachal Pradesh was officially declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) state. It is second State from Northeast, after Sikkim and overall fifth state after Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Haryana to be declared ODF state. The announcement comes after three remaining districts – Upper Subansiri, Siang and Changlang were officially declared ODF. Arunachal Pradesh has total 21 districts and it attained this major cleanliness feat under Swach Bharat Abhiyan much before (one year and 10 months ahead) the national deadline of October 2, 2019 . The state has also inaugurated the World War II memorial Museum in Changlang district. Goa Goa will host the third edition of the Science Film Festival of India “SCI-FFI” from 16 th January 2018 with the objective of boosting the culture of the science festivals.