Daily Current Affairs- 2nd January 2025
NATIONAL
Delhi government launched - Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana
- Arvind Kejriwal announced the ‘Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana’, Under this scheme, a monthly honorarium of ₹18000 will be given to Hindu and Sikh priests.
- The registration for the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana has started, Earlier, Arvind Kejriwal launched the Mahila Samman scheme to provide a stipend of ₹2100 per month to unemployed women.
SPORTS
Magnus Carlsen & Ian Nepomniachtchi share World Blitz Chess Championship title 2024
- In the World Blitz Chess Championship 2024, Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi shared the title after their final match ended in a tie in New York. Carlsen, who led 2-NIL, needed a draw in the third game to win the title.
OBITUARY
Renowned Botanist K S Manilal Passes Away
- Renowned botanist and Padma Shri awardee K S Manilal, aged 86, passed away due to age-related ailments in Thrissur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded his significant contributions to botany, notably the translation of the ancient Latin text "Hortus Malabaricus".
APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS
Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra Takes Charge as Chief of IAF’s Western Command
- Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra assumed command of the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command. He was Commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot in December 1986. In his 38 years of service, the Air Marshal has tenanted important command and staff appointments. Air Marshal Mishra succeeds Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha, who retired after more than 39 years of service.
Bhuvnesh Kumar assumes charge as Chief Executive Officer of UIDAI
- Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar assumed charge as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Wednesday. He is an officer of the 1995 batch IAS from the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
Manish Singhal Appointed Secretary General of ASSOCHAM
- The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), one of India’s oldest apex business chambers (established in 1920), has appointed Manish Singhal as its new Secretary General. Singhal, an industry veteran with over 35 years of experience, takes over from Deepak Sood, who served for five years and transformed the chamber’s operations, leaving behind a robust financial foundation.
Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar takes oath as 23rd Governor of Kerala
- Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar took oath as the 23rd Governor of Kerala. The ceremony was held at the Raj Bhavan today morning, where Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, Nitin Madhukar Jamdar, administered the oath. The event was attended by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan, Speaker A.N. Shamseer, ministers, Chief Secretary, DGP, and other dignitaries.
Nasscom foundation names Jyoti Sharma as CEO
- Nasscom foundation announced the appointment of Jyoti Sharma as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
- Succeeding Nidhi Bhasin, Sharma brings over 20 years of experience in driving social impact and leading program development, resource mobilisation, and stakeholder engagement.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
SAIL achieved the 'Great Place to Work' certification for the second consecutive year
- An international organisation called the Great Place to Work Institute recognises companies that provide exceptional employee experiences.
- Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) has earned the prestigious 'Great Place to Work' certification for January 2025 to January 2026, awarded by the Great Place to Work Institute, the first certification period for SAIL was December 2023–December 2.