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National and international Current Affairs of 31st January 2024

1.     Sultan Ibrahim of Johor Installed as Malaysia’s 17th King: Historic Moment Sultan Ibrahim of Johor has been officially installed as Malaysia's 17th king, marking a significant milestone in the country's constitutional monarchy. The ceremony, attended by dignitaries and royal families, highlights the unique rotation of the throne among the rulers of the nine Malay states.

2.     Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Withdraw from ECOWAS Amidst Sanction Dispute: Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS, citing "illegitimate, inhumane, and irresponsible" sanctions after recent coups. The trio formed an "Alliance of Sahel States" to strengthen their position, accusing ECOWAS of straying from its founding principles.

3.     India Nominates “Maratha Military Landscapes” for UNESCO World Heritage List: India has nominated the "Maratha Military Landscapes," a network of forts showcasing Maratha rule's strategic military prowess, for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage list for 2024-25.

4.     Punjab Launches Sadak Surakhya Force for Road Safety: A Game-Changer: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann introduces the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing road safety across the state. This initiative, covering 5,500 km of highways, emphasizes a rapid 15-minute response time to reduce accidents and fatalities.

5.     Indian Army Introduces SARVATRA Bridging System: A Technological Marvel The Indian Army introduces SARVATRA, a Multispan Mobile Bridging System, showcasing cutting-edge technology for seamless connectivity. Developed in collaboration with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), SARVATRA enhances logistical efficiency and national defense capabilities.

6.     IMF Boosts India’s GDP Growth Forecast: Positive Outlook The International Monetary Fund revises India's GDP growth forecast to 6.7% for the current fiscal year, citing robust public investment and favorable labor market outcomes. The positive adjustment extends to the medium-term, indicating sustained economic momentum.

7.     NGEL Signs MoU with Maharashtra for Green Hydrogen Projects: NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) signs a significant MoU with the Government of Maharashtra for the development of Green Hydrogen Projects, aligning with the state's Green Investment Plan.

8.     Sonam Maskar Wins Air Rifle Silver in Cairo World Cup: Sonam Maskar achieves success by winning the air rifle silver at the Cairo World Cup, showcasing India's prowess in international sporting events.

9.     East Bengal FC Clinches 2024 Kalinga Super Cup: Cleiton Silva Leads Triumph: Under the captainship of Cleiton Silva, East Bengal FC secures victory in the 2024 Kalinga Super Cup with a 3-2 triumph.

10.  Filmfare Awards 2024 Highlights: “12th Fail” and “Animal” Reign Supreme Rajkumar Hirani's “12th Fail” dominates the 69th Filmfare Awards, winning seven accolades, including Best Film and Best Director. Sandeep Reddy Vanga's “Animal” claims five awards, including Best Actor In A Leading Role (Male) and Best Music Album.

11.  Republic Day Parade Awards 2024: Honoring Excellence the best marching contingents and tableaux of the Republic Day Parade 2024 were honored by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt. The Sikh Regiment Contingent and Delhi Police Women Marching Contingent received top honors.

12.  Significant Economic Developments in India:

a.       A Snapshot the Finance Ministry releases "Indian Economy – A Review" report.

b.       Import duty on mobile phone components reduced to 10% to boost manufacturing.

c.       No Economic Survey in 2024 due to election context; an alternative report presented.

13. International Zebra Day 2024: Advocating Zebra Conservation International Zebra Day, observed annually on January 31, raises awareness about the conservation of zebras, particularly the critically endangered Grevy’s zebra.

14.  Finance Ministry’s “The Indian Economy: A Decade In Review” Report Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran's comprehensive report evaluates India’s economic journey over the past decade, highlighting challenges and emphasizing the importance of addressing them for sustained growth.

15.  India's Standing in 2023 Corruption Index: 93rd Among 180 Nations Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index places India 93rd out of 180 countries, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to improve public sector integrity.

16.  Key Appointments in Sixteenth Finance Commission: The government appoints key members, including Shri. Ajay Narayan Jha, Smt. Annie George Mathew, Dr. Niranjan Rajadhyaksha, and Dr. Soumya Kanti Ghosh, to the Sixteenth Finance Commission.

17. President Nominates Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu As Rajya Sabha Member: Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu is nominated by the President of India as a Rajya Sabha member, recognizing his contributions to education, philanthropy, and community development.

18.  NTPC Green Energy Inks Rs 80,000 Cr MoU With Maharashtra Govt: NTPC Green Energy Ltd signs a groundbreaking MoU worth Rs 80,000 crore with the Maharashtra government, aiming to pioneer green hydrogen projects and sustainable energy solutions within the state.