Welcome back to our daily current affairs class. Today, we will cover a compilation of important news from 26 to 28 January 2025. As a reminder, we did not hold classes on 26 January due to the Republic Day holiday. Let's dive into the highlights of the past three days.
Important Dates and Events
25 January - Himachal Pradesh Statehood Day
- Himachal Pradesh Statehood Day is celebrated on 25 January, marking its establishment as the 18th state of India in 1971.
- The current Chief Minister is Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, and the Governor is Shiv Pratap Shukla.
26 January - Republic Day and Other Observances
- Republic Day is celebrated on 26 January, commemorating the adoption of the Constitution in 1950.
- This year marks the 76th Republic Day celebration.
- International Customs Day is also observed on this date, focusing on the efficiency and security of customs operations.
- International Day of Clean Energy is recognized on the same day, promoting renewable energy sources.
27 January - National Geographic Day
- National Geographic Day is celebrated on 27 January, honoring the National Geographic Society founded in 1888.
- International Holocaust Remembrance Day is also observed on this date, remembering the victims of the Holocaust.
28 January - International Data Privacy Day
- International Data Privacy Day is observed on 28 January, emphasizing the importance of data protection and privacy rights.
Republic Day Highlights
Republic Day Parade
- The Republic Day Parade is a significant event showcasing India's military and cultural heritage.
- This year, the Chief Guest was President Joko Widodo of Indonesia, marking a historic return as Indonesia was also the Chief Guest during the first Republic Day celebration.
- The parade featured 352 members from Indonesia's military, making it the first foreign military contingent to participate since 2016.
- The theme for the tableaux was "Swarnim Bharat: Heritage and Development", with 15 states and union territories participating.
Padma Awards 2025
- The Padma Awards were announced on the eve of Republic Day, with a total of 139 awards given:
- 7 Padma Vibhushan
- 19 Padma Bhushan
- 113 Padma Shri
- Notable recipients include:
- Padma Vibhushan: D. Nageshwar Reddy (Gastroenterologist), Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar (Retired Supreme Court Judge), and others.
- Padma Bhushan: Notable figures from various fields, including economics and arts.
Fiscal Health Index
- The Fiscal Health Index (FHI) was released by NITI Aayog, assessing the financial health of states and union territories.
- Odisha topped the index, followed by Chhattisgarh and Goa. The bottom three were Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Other Notable News
Wetland Cities
- Indore and Udaipur were recognized as India's first accredited wetland cities under the Ramsar Convention, highlighting their efforts in wetland conservation.
Obituaries
- Dr. K. M. Cherian, a renowned cardiologist, passed away recently. He was known for performing India's first coronary bypass surgery.
- Dr. K. Ramachandran, a retired wing commander, also passed away, known for his contributions to early warning control aircraft development.
Sports Updates
- Australian Open 2025 winners:
- Men's Singles: Jannik Sinner (Italy)
- Women's Singles: Madison Keys (USA)
- ICC Awards: Indian cricketers Aashdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Smriti Mandhana received accolades in various categories.
Conclusion
This summary encapsulates the key current affairs from 26 to 28 January 2025, highlighting significant events, awards, and updates in various sectors. Stay tuned for more updates and detailed discussions in our upcoming sessions.