1st January Daily Current Affairs – English

Working together for the future needs of the Indo-Pacific region: ‘QUAD’ alliance

• The ‘QUAD’ alliance has expressed its commitment to working together for the future needs of the Indo-Pacific region.
• The ‘QUAD’ alliance consists of 4 countries: India, Australia, Japan and the United States.
• It has been 20 years since these countries started cooperating.
• In 2004, a tsunami and earthquake struck the Indian Ocean region.
• At that time, India, Australia, Japan and the United States came together to serve the people of the region.
• Now the alliance consisting of these countries is called ‘QUAD’.
• During the disaster that occurred in 2004, the ‘QUAD’ countries took action to help millions of people and deployed more than 40,000 emergency rescuers.
• The ‘QUAD’ countries are committed to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
• The vision of the QUAD is to have peace, stability and prosperity in a seamless Indo-Pacific region.
• The QUAD reaffirms its commitment to the unity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Toxic foam in the Thenpennai River:

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the Central and Tamil Nadu governments seeking an explanation regarding the toxic foam generated by industrial effluents in the Thenpennai River near Hosur.
• The toxic foam reduces the oxygen level in the river water, leading to the death of fish and the destruction of beneficial algae in the river.
• The Thenpennai River is one of the important rivers of South India.
• The Thenpennai River originates in the Nandi Hills (Nandi Durgam) in Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka, flows for 430 km and finally empties into the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu.
• The Thenpennai River flows for 112 km in Karnataka, 180 km in Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts of Tamil Nadu, 34 km in Tiruvannamalai and Vellore districts, 106 km in Villupuram, Thirukovilur and Cuddalore districts and finally empties into the Bay of Bengal near Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu.
• The Markandeya River, Pambar, Vaniyar, River etc. are its major tributaries.

‘Navika Sagar Parikrama- II: ‘

• The circumnavigation of the world by two women officers in the Indian Naval Ship (INSV) Tarini will inspire the younger generation,’ said Navy Chief Dinesh K. Tripathi.
• Under the initiative of ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama-II’, two women officers, Dilna and Rupa, are circumnavigating the world in the INSV Tarini.
• Indian Navy Chief Dinesh K. Tripathi.

Closure of three types of bank accounts:

• The Reserve Bank has ordered the closure of three types of inactive bank accounts.
• Accounts with no transactions for more than 12 months are classified as dormant accounts.
• Banks have been advised to close ‘zero balance accounts’ that have no balance for a long period of time.

January 1: Global Family DAy.

• It is celebrated as a day of peace and sharing.
• Its objective is to unite and spread the message of peace by considering and promoting the concept of the earth as a global family, in order to make the world a better place for all.

Important Facts:

1. The Union Finance Ministry announced that the interest rates on small savings schemes will remain unchanged in the fourth quarter of the current financial year 2024-25.
2. The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (Selvamagal Savings Scheme) for girl children will be offered at an interest rate of 8.2 percent.
3. The interest rate on the ‘Kisan Vikas’ bond maturing in 115 months will continue to be offered at a rate of 7.5 percent.
4. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that the last week of December will be celebrated as ‘Kural Week’ every year. He said that art, literature and intellectual competitions and seminars related to Thirukkural will be organized every year in 133 higher educational institutions.
5. 3 new passenger boats will be purchased to improve the boating facilities for tourists to reach the Thiruvalluvar statue from Kumari munai, which is surrounded by three seas.
6. The boats will be named after Kamaraj, Marshal Nesamani and G.U. Pope, said Chief Minister Stalin.
7. Pakistan’s Punjab government has opened to tourists the Bhagat Singh Gallery at the historical Poonch House here, where the freedom fighter’s trial was conducted some 93 years ago.
8. 30 people of Indian origin who have set an example in various fields including health, education and voluntary service have been selected for the New Year Awards by Britain’s King Charles.
9. Chief Minister Stalin will inaugurate the 4^th annual flower exhibition in Chennai.