Renowned Hindi author, poet Krishna Sobti passes away
Eminent Hindi author and poet Krishna Sobti passed away on January 25, 2019 at a hospital in Delhi. She was 93.
The author had been admitted to a Delhi hospital for the last two months. She was about to complete her 94 years in February. Since the last one week, she was in the ICU. She is a recipient of prestigious awards such as Sahitya Akademi award, Jnanpith and was also offered Padma Bhushan, which she had declined.
National Voters' Day 2019 observed in India
The 9th National Voters' day was observed across India on January 25, 2019 with an aim to increase enrolment of voters, especially of the newly eligible ones. This was the ninth edition of the Day.
The day also aims to spread awareness among voters regarding effective participation in the electoral process. Considering the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2019, the Election Commission chose ‘No Voter to be Left Behind’ as the theme for the 9th National Voters’ Day.
ISRO launches Kalamsat, Microsat-R satellites on PSLV-C44 rocket
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched a students' satellite Kalamsat and an imaging satellite Microsat-R from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on January 24, 2019, marking its first launch of the ISRO in 2019.
The national space agency's rocket, PSLV C44 carried the satellites into the orbit. After about 14 minutes into the flight, the rocket ejected 700-kg Microsat R satellite at an altitude of about 277 km.
The Kalamsat is a 10 cm cube nanosatellite weighing about 1.2 kg and has a life span of about two months.
Indian Navy’s largest-ever coastal defence exercise ‘Sea Vigil’ concludes
Indian Navy’s largest-ever coastal defence exercise - ‘Sea Vigil’- which was conducted by the Navy and Coast Guard, in close coordination with State Governments and Union Territories concluded on January 23, 2019.
The exercise, a first of its kind, was undertaken along the entire 7516.6 km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone of India and involved all the 13 coastal States and Union Territories along with all maritime stakeholders, including the fishing and coastal communities.
The key aim of the exercise was to comprehensively and holistically validate the efficacy of the measures taken since the '26/11' attack in Mumbai.
Article 35-A: Supreme Court to take 'in-chamber' decision on plea challenging the legislation
The Supreme Court on January 22, 2019 ruled that it would take an ‘in-chamber’ decision on listing of a petition challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35-A. The ruling was made by a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices L Nageswara Rao and Sanjiv Khanna.
The Article 35-A was added to the Indian Constitution (Appendix II) through a Presidential Order - The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954. It provides special rights and privileges to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
Child born out of marriage between Muslim man & Hindu woman entitled to father's property: SC
The Supreme Court on January 22, 2019 held that a child born out of a marriage between a Muslim man and his Hindu wife is entitled to claim a share in his father's property.
The bench comprising Justice NV Ramana and Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar observed that the marriage of a Muslim man with Hindu woman or fire-worshipper is neither a valid (sahih) nor a void (batil) marriage, but is merely an irregular (fasid) marriage.
15th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas: India, Mauritius agree upon partnership in various sectors
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas on January 22, 2019 in his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. In the history of Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas, the event is being held for the first time in Varanasi, the cultural and spiritual capital of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Kumar Jugnauth held talks on January 22, 2019 on the sidelines of the event. They discussed ways to boost bilateral trade and investment, including finalisation of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement.
Virat Kohli named ICC Test, ODI Player and Cricketer of the year 2018
Indian skipper Virat Kohli on January 22, 2019 became the first cricketer to win all the top three ICC individual awards including the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year, the ICC Men's Test Player of the Year and the ICC ODI Player of the Year for his performances in 2018,
The Indian captain, who recently led India to its historic series win down under, was also named the captain of the ICC Test Team and the ODI Team of the year 2018, the line-ups of which were dominated by Indian players. Besides, Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant claimed the ICC's Emerging Cricketer of the Year award.
World Economic Forum 2019 begins in Davos
The annual meet of World Economic Forum (WEF) began on January 22, 2019 in Davos, Switzerland. The World leaders from across the globe will attend the Forum at the Swiss Alps for five days to discuss the looming global economic crisis, global cooperation challenges, rapid climate change, increasing pollution levels, habitat loss, fourth wave of globalisation, among others.
The theme of the World Economic Forum 2019 would be 'Globalisation 4.0: Shaping a Global Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution'. The theme will be explored over 350 sessions.
Indians over 65 and under 15 years can use Aadhaar Card to visit Nepal, Bhutan
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on January 20, 2019 announced that Aadhaar Cards are now valid travel documents for Indians under 15 and over 65 years travelling to Nepal and Bhutan. However, Indians belonging to the age bracket of 15 to 65 years will not be able to use Aadhaar to travel to the two neighbouring countries.
Indian citizens going to Nepal and Bhutan don’t need a visa if they have a valid passport, a photo identity card issued by the Government of India or the Voter’s ID card issued by the Election Commission.
Eminent Hindi author and poet Krishna Sobti passed away on January 25, 2019 at a hospital in Delhi. She was 93.
The author had been admitted to a Delhi hospital for the last two months. She was about to complete her 94 years in February. Since the last one week, she was in the ICU. She is a recipient of prestigious awards such as Sahitya Akademi award, Jnanpith and was also offered Padma Bhushan, which she had declined.
National Voters' Day 2019 observed in India
The 9th National Voters' day was observed across India on January 25, 2019 with an aim to increase enrolment of voters, especially of the newly eligible ones. This was the ninth edition of the Day.
The day also aims to spread awareness among voters regarding effective participation in the electoral process. Considering the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2019, the Election Commission chose ‘No Voter to be Left Behind’ as the theme for the 9th National Voters’ Day.
ISRO launches Kalamsat, Microsat-R satellites on PSLV-C44 rocket
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched a students' satellite Kalamsat and an imaging satellite Microsat-R from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on January 24, 2019, marking its first launch of the ISRO in 2019.
The national space agency's rocket, PSLV C44 carried the satellites into the orbit. After about 14 minutes into the flight, the rocket ejected 700-kg Microsat R satellite at an altitude of about 277 km.
The Kalamsat is a 10 cm cube nanosatellite weighing about 1.2 kg and has a life span of about two months.
Indian Navy’s largest-ever coastal defence exercise ‘Sea Vigil’ concludes
Indian Navy’s largest-ever coastal defence exercise - ‘Sea Vigil’- which was conducted by the Navy and Coast Guard, in close coordination with State Governments and Union Territories concluded on January 23, 2019.
The exercise, a first of its kind, was undertaken along the entire 7516.6 km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone of India and involved all the 13 coastal States and Union Territories along with all maritime stakeholders, including the fishing and coastal communities.
The key aim of the exercise was to comprehensively and holistically validate the efficacy of the measures taken since the '26/11' attack in Mumbai.
Article 35-A: Supreme Court to take 'in-chamber' decision on plea challenging the legislation
The Supreme Court on January 22, 2019 ruled that it would take an ‘in-chamber’ decision on listing of a petition challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35-A. The ruling was made by a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices L Nageswara Rao and Sanjiv Khanna.
The Article 35-A was added to the Indian Constitution (Appendix II) through a Presidential Order - The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954. It provides special rights and privileges to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
Child born out of marriage between Muslim man & Hindu woman entitled to father's property: SC
The Supreme Court on January 22, 2019 held that a child born out of a marriage between a Muslim man and his Hindu wife is entitled to claim a share in his father's property.
The bench comprising Justice NV Ramana and Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar observed that the marriage of a Muslim man with Hindu woman or fire-worshipper is neither a valid (sahih) nor a void (batil) marriage, but is merely an irregular (fasid) marriage.
15th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas: India, Mauritius agree upon partnership in various sectors
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas on January 22, 2019 in his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. In the history of Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas, the event is being held for the first time in Varanasi, the cultural and spiritual capital of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Kumar Jugnauth held talks on January 22, 2019 on the sidelines of the event. They discussed ways to boost bilateral trade and investment, including finalisation of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement.
Virat Kohli named ICC Test, ODI Player and Cricketer of the year 2018
Indian skipper Virat Kohli on January 22, 2019 became the first cricketer to win all the top three ICC individual awards including the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year, the ICC Men's Test Player of the Year and the ICC ODI Player of the Year for his performances in 2018,
The Indian captain, who recently led India to its historic series win down under, was also named the captain of the ICC Test Team and the ODI Team of the year 2018, the line-ups of which were dominated by Indian players. Besides, Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant claimed the ICC's Emerging Cricketer of the Year award.
World Economic Forum 2019 begins in Davos
The annual meet of World Economic Forum (WEF) began on January 22, 2019 in Davos, Switzerland. The World leaders from across the globe will attend the Forum at the Swiss Alps for five days to discuss the looming global economic crisis, global cooperation challenges, rapid climate change, increasing pollution levels, habitat loss, fourth wave of globalisation, among others.
The theme of the World Economic Forum 2019 would be 'Globalisation 4.0: Shaping a Global Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution'. The theme will be explored over 350 sessions.
Indians over 65 and under 15 years can use Aadhaar Card to visit Nepal, Bhutan
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on January 20, 2019 announced that Aadhaar Cards are now valid travel documents for Indians under 15 and over 65 years travelling to Nepal and Bhutan. However, Indians belonging to the age bracket of 15 to 65 years will not be able to use Aadhaar to travel to the two neighbouring countries.
Indian citizens going to Nepal and Bhutan don’t need a visa if they have a valid passport, a photo identity card issued by the Government of India or the Voter’s ID card issued by the Election Commission.
