JANUARY 2012

 

National

India and Pakistan on 1 Jan. 2012 exchanged lists of their nuclear installations and facilities under a two – decade – old pact prohibiting attacks on atomic assets.

Mali signs $100-m line of credit with Exim Bank of India.

India’s ranking in a global press freedom index fallen to 131 out of 179 on the press freedom index compiled by reporters without borders .

India Has The Most Toxic Air, India holds the very last rank among 132 nations in terms of air quality with regards to its effects on human health.

NTPC to build a 1,320 mw coal fired power plant in Bangladesh.

India to Grant $1.5 Million to University Of Chicago to establish a Vivekananda Chair for Indian Studies.

India selected the French fighter Rafale over the Euro fighter  Typhoon in a multibillion dollar contract for the supply of 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) the country ‘s largest defence deal estimated to be worth of $ 10.2 billion (54,000 crore).

Union Government gives nod to much-awaited National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC). The counter-terrorism agency will be a separate body under the control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

India inks a multi lateral global pact to check tax avoidance and evasion with Germany and France

Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, also  the Chief Guest at the 26 Jan., 2012 Republic Day Parade in India has signed six accords, including one on defence cooperation, as the Southeast Asian nation acknowledged India’s credentials for a permanent seat in United Nations Security Council.

Union government notified the rules allowing 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in single-brand retail.

India and Trinidad & Tobago signed five agreements during the visit of Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar.

Home ministry of India launched the first batch of RICs (Resident Identity Cards) at Porthrapur village in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Asian Development Bank, signed an agreement with Union government of India to give a loan of 24.3 mn USD to boost investment in Maharashtra Agribusiness Infrastructure.

The Government of India and the World Bank signed an IDA credit of 130 mn USD to finance the project called NERLP (North East Rural Livelihoods Project).

The 10th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas was held in the pink city of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The event is held annually between 7th to 9th January.

Madhya Pradesh government launched Panch Parmeshwar scheme. The objective of the scheme is to further empower village Panchayats.

Government doubled the import duty on gold and silver by changing the customs and excise duty structure on precious metals.

International

Obama signs bill to suspend $ 1.1 bn aid to Pakistan

Pakistan wins temporary UN Security Council Seat for a term of Two Year securing 129 out of 193 votes in United Nations General Assembly

Pakistan Court issues Contempt Notice on 16 January 2012 against Prime Minister Gilani for failing to carry out its order to re-open a corruption case against the President.

25 out of 27 EU Nations agreed to sign a new treaty called Fiscal Compact

Romney wins first round battle for GOP’s (Grand Old Party), (US Republican Political Party )  US President nominations.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani dismissed Defence Secretary Lt Gen Khalid Naeem Lodhi.

Dutch government approves burqa ban.

World Future Energy Summit held in Abu Dhabi.

Sports

Novak Djokovic won in themen’s single category of the 2012 Australian Open

Victoria Azarenka won in the women category of the 2012 Australian Open

Rajasthan won the 78th Ranji Trophy by defeating Tamil Nadu.

Awards & Honours

69th Annual Golden Globe Awards

Best Picture: Drama - The Descendants
Best Actor: Drama - George Clooney (The Descendants)
Best Actress: Drama - Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)
Best supporting Actor - Christopher Plummer (Beginners)
Best Supporting Actress - Octavia Spencer (The Help)
Best Screenplay - Midnight in Paris (Woody Allen)
Best Picture: Comedy or Musical- The Artist
Best Actor: Comedy or Musical - Jean Dujardin (The Artist)
Best Actress: Comedy or Musical - Michelle Williams (My Week With Marilyn)
Best Director - Martin Scorsese (Hugo)
Best Foreign Language Film - A Separation (Iran)
Best Animated Film - The Adventures of Tintin
Best Original Score - Ludovic Bource, The Artist

Books & Authors

NON STOP INDIA – Mark Tully

HIS MONSOON BRIDE - Aastha Atray

VIRTUOUS SIN - Shadan Ahmad

THE WORLD AT HIS FEET - Pullela Gopichand

Business & Economy

Net FII buying crossed the $2-billion mark in January 2012, making January the best month in terms of foreign fund flows since November 2010.

RBI cut the cash reserve ratio (CRR) by 50 basis points from 6 per cent to 5.5 per cent with effect from 28 January 2012.

US beverage maker Coca Cola retained its top position in Interbrand's list of the top 100 global brands in 2011.

SEBI allowed auctioning of securities through stock exchanges and introduced a new method for institutional placement of stocks.

Science & Technology

A team of scientists identified a group of cancer cells that play a main role in preventing the development of the disease.

Researchers identified a new species of earthworm in Port Blair, the capital of Andaman and Nicobar islands. The species was named Moniligaster Ivaniosi.

UK scientists discovered a new gene in maize plants, called Meg 1. The gene regulates the transfer of nutrients from the plant to the seed.

Personalities

Pankaj Pachauri, senior TV journalist, appointed as Communication Advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Aamir Khan, appointed as UNICEF ambassador for promoting nutrition among children.

M O H Farook, Kerala governor and three-time Puducherry chief minister and MP, died in Chennai on 26 January 2012.

Sukumar Azhikode, award-winning Malayalam writer, scholar and one of the most influential Gandhian intellectual in Kerala, died on 24 January 2012.

Ricky Ponting appointed an officer in the general division of the Order of Australia, highest civil honour of Australia, for distinguished service to cricket & the community.

C. Jagannatha Rao, Senior congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh died.

Nikhat Kazmi, noted Times of India film critic who had been suffering from breast cancer died.

Homai Vyarawala, India’s first woman photo-journalist died.

Vice Admiral M.P. Muralidharan took charge as the 19th Director-General of the Indian Coast Guard.

Noted mathematician & Pro-Vice Chancellor, IGNOU Prof. Parvin Sinclair was appointed the Director of NCERT.

Laura Dekkar, 16 yrs old Dutch girl on 21st Jan 2012, became the youngest sailor to complete a solo circumnavigation of the world.

Events

World Hindi Day - January 10.

National Youth Day - January 12.

National Girl Child Day - January 24.

National Electorate Day - January 25.

Martyrdom Day - January 30