Daily Current Affairs- 3rd January 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 3rd January 2025

NATIONAL

IIT Madras, Agriculture Ministry to partner on project VISTAAR to empower farmers

• The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has announced a collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare on Project VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources). The initiative aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the agricultural extension system through digitalisation. 

PM Modi inaugurated, laid the foundation stone of various development projects in Delhi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects in Delhi. He inaugurated around 1700 newly constructed flats for the JJ cluster dwellers and handed over keys to eligible beneficiaries in Ashok Vihar, the national capital. 

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated several projects in Assam

• Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Railways and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw visited Guwahati to flag off, dedicate and inaugurate several projects in Assam. Our correspondent reports that Assam Governor L P Acharya, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with other dignitaries will accompany the Union minister. 

Blinkit Launches 10-Minute Ambulance Service in Gurgaon

• Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa announced the launch of an instant ambulance service, where residents of Gurgaon can book an ambulance through the Blinkit app and have it arrive within 10 minutes. This initiative aims to address the critical need for quick emergency medical transport in urban areas. 

OBITUARY

Sanskrit Scholar Dr. Pierre-Sylvain Filliozat passes away

• Mysuru: French-Indian Sanskrit Scholar and Padma Shri awardee, Dr. Pierre-Sylvain Filliozat aged 89 who was residing at Yadavagiri in the city, passed away following illness in Paris, Pierre-Sylvain Filliozat will be remembered for his exemplary efforts to popularise Sanskrit studies, especially in the field of literature and grammar. He was deeply connected with India and Indian culture. 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Manipur Governor-designate Ajay Kumar Bhalla sworn-in

• The Governor Designate of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla arrived in Imphal The swearing-in ceremony of the new Governor took place at Raj Bhavan, Shri Bhalla is a retired IAS officer and served as Home Secretary for nearly five years. He was appointed as the Governor of Manipur by the President of India last month and he succeeded Lakshman Prasad Acharya who assumed office as Governor of Manipur in July last year. 

Sanjiv Ranjan appointed as the next Secretary General of IORA

• Shri Sanjiv Ranjan was appointed as the next Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Rim Association. Shri Sanjiv Ranjan will be the next Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Rim Association. He is an Indian Foreign Service Officer of the 1993 batch and is presently an Officer on Special Duty in the Ministry. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Mind-Body Wellness Day

• International Mind-Body Wellness Day is celebrated annually on January 3rd. The day aims to promote holistic health by highlighting the connection between mental and physical well-being. This concept has roots dating back thousands of years to the natural medicine movement, with Hippocrates regarded as its pioneer. 

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

National Sports Awards 2024

• The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has announced the prestigious National Sports Awards for 2024, recognizing outstanding sportspersons, coaches, universities, and entities for their exemplary contributions to sports.

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024

1.    Shri Gukesh D     (Chess)
2.   Shri Harmanpreet Singh  (Hockey)
3. Shri Praveen Kumar (Para-Athletics)
4. Ms. Manu Bhaker  (Shooting)

Arjuna Awards (Lifetime) for Outstanding Performance in Sports 2024

1. Shri Sucha Singh  (Athletics)
2. Shri Murlikant Rajaram Petkar (Para-Swimming)

Dronacharya Award for Outstanding Coaches in Sports and Games 2024

Regular Category:

1. Shri Subhash Rana (Para-Shooting)
2. Deepali Deshpande  (Shooting)
3. Shri Sandeep Sangwan (Hockey)

Lifetime Category:

1. Shri S Muralidharan  (Badminton)
2. Shri Armando Agnelo Colaco  (Football) 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

RBI Reports 98.12% of ₹2,000 Notes Returned

• As of December 31, 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that 98.12% of the ₹2,000 denomination banknotes have been returned to the banking system, with ₹6,691 crore still held by the public