These current affairs today are a part of our daily current affairs. We cover a wide range of topics from state, national, and international news that are relevant and important for competitive exams. Our team prepares today’s current affairs after going through many newspapers, such as The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, PRS, etc.
Scroll down for current affairs of 2nd January, 2024.
Observing Global Family Day 2024
- Global Family Day, an annual celebration on January 1, signifies a universal commitment to peace, unity, and shared human values. Also recognized as World Peace Day, Global Family Day goes beyond symbolic observance.
- It serves as a call to action for harmony and understanding in a world often divided by conflicts and strife. Celebrating this day involves raising awareness of global issues, promoting peace, and fostering a sense of a global community.
- The theme for 2024, “Embracing Diversity, Strengthening Families,” urges us to celebrate our differences while acknowledging the fundamental bonds that connect us. It invites recognition of the diverse tapestry of human experience and its contribution to the strength of familial bonds worldwide.
Renowned Economist Arvind Panagariya Chosen as Chairman of the Sixteenth Finance Commission by Government
- The government has selected Arvind Panagariya, a former vice chairman of Niti Aayog and a professor at Columbia University, as the head of the Sixteenth Finance Commission.
- This commission holds the vital responsibility of proposing the formula for sharing tax revenue between the Center and the States for the upcoming five-year period, starting from April 2026.
- Arvind Panagariya, an esteemed trade economist, previously served as the first vice chairman of Niti Aayog from 2015 to 2017.
- Niti Aayog, established to replace the Planning Commission, plays a pivotal role in shaping economic policies and strategies for the Indian government.
David Warner Bids Farewell to One-Day Cricket Before Final Test Match
- On New Year’s Day, Australian cricket icon David Warner officially declared his retirement from ODI cricket, just before his last Test match against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
- In his remarkable ODI journey, Warner accumulated 6,932 runs in 161 matches, showcasing an average of 45.30 and an impressive strike rate of 97.26.
- Noteworthy highlights of his career include 22 centuries and 33 fifties, with a personal best of 179 runs in a single match.
Mudra Loans Exhibit Unprecedented Growth, Reaching ₹3-Lakh Crore in Q3 FY24
- In a promising development for small enterprises in the New Year, loans distributed under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) have surged to an unparalleled ₹3-lakh crore in December 2023, showcasing a remarkable 16% year-on-year growth.
- Recent statistics indicate that sanctioned loans amounted to ₹2,99,457 crore a week before the conclusion of the third quarter in the current fiscal year on December 22, 2023, surpassing the ₹2.58-lakh crore mark during the same period in the previous fiscal year.
- Provisional data suggests that the milestone of ₹3-lakh crore was achieved by December 29, marking a robust performance. Government data emphasizes the pivotal role of women applicants in propelling the growth of Mudra loans, with approximately 70% of loans sanctioned to women.
Koneru Humpy Wins Silver in Women’s Event at World Rapid Chess Championship
- India’s Koneru Humpy demonstrated her chess prowess by securing the women’s individual silver medal at the 2023 World Rapid Chess Championships held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
- Despite a determined effort, the 36-year-old Grandmaster succumbed to Russian player Anastasia Bodnaruk in a tie-break sudden death on time.
- With this silver, Humpy completes a set of medals at the women’s world rapid championships, having previously won bronze in 2012 in Moscow, Russia, and being crowned world champion in 2019 at Batumi, Georgia.
Gujarat Achieves Guinness Record with Grand Surya Namaskar Display
- Renowned for its profound cultural legacy and dedication to well-being, Gujarat marked a noteworthy milestone on the morning of New Year’s Day by etching its presence in the Guinness Book of World Records.
- The state orchestrated the largest synchronized performance of Surya Namaskar, involving more than 4,000 participants from 108 diverse locations across 51 categories.
- The chosen number, 108, holds particular significance in Indian culture, with iconic venues like the Modhera Sun Temple participating in this spectacular event. In Vedic tradition, the number 108 symbolizes complete existence, connecting it to the Sun, Moon, and Earth.
Indian Youngster Anahat Singh Triumphs in Girls’ U-19 2023 Scottish Junior Open at Edinburgh
- Anahat Singh, an emerging talent in Indian squash, clinched victory in the girls’ under-19 category at the 2023 Scottish Junior Open squash event held in Edinburgh.
- Anahat Singh displayed her dominance on the squash court with a powerful performance in the final against local favorite Robyn McAlpine. The young prodigy secured the win with a decisive score of 11-6, 11-1, 11-5, leaving no doubt about her supremacy in the girls’ under-19 division.
- In an all-Indian boys’ under-13 final, Shresht Iyer emerged triumphant, defeating Shreyansh Jah with a scoreline of 11-8, 11-8, 3-11, 11-8.
Dong Jun Named as China’s New Defense Minister
- China has recently appointed Dong Jun as its new defense minister, a decision made two months after the removal of his predecessor, Li Shangfu.
- Li Shangfu was last seen in public in August, and the announcement of Dong Jun’s appointment occurred during a Standing Committee meeting of the National People’s Congress in Beijing, underscoring the strategic significance of this choice.
- Dong Jun, a former navy commander, now takes on the role of China’s defense minister at 62 years old.
- His extensive military experience includes serving as the commander of the navy since August 2021 and as the deputy commander of the Chinese military’s Southern Theatre Command, operating in the contested South China Sea region.
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