January 30 – National Martyrs’ Day
- The nation pays homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on his 71st death anniversary. The day is also observed as Martyrs’ Day. He was assassinated on this day in 1948
Former Union Minister George Fernandes passed away
India signs an agreement with OECD for participation in PISA 2021
Human Resources Development Ministry signed an agreement with Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for India’s Participation in Programme for International Student Assessment- Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2021.
India improves global corruption index ranking by 3 points to 78 in 2018
India has improved its ranking on a global corruption index in 2018, while its neighbour China lagged far behind, according to the annual index released by an anti-graft watchdog.
Maharashtra govt launched special scheme to curb infant deaths
The Maharashtra government launched a special scheme to curb infant deaths. Child Development Minister Pankaja Munde distributed baby-care kits to the children born in primary health centres and government hospitals.
BANKING
RBI to inject Rs 37,500 crore through OMO in February
The Reserve Bank of India said that it will inject Rs 37,500 crore into the system through purchase of government securities in February to increase liquidity. RBI stated that it has decided to conduct purchase of government securities under Open Market Operations (OMOs) for an aggregate amount of Rs 375 billion in the month of February 2019through three auctions of Rs 125 billion each during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th week.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
IIT Mandi team finds Malarial drug inhibits Zika virus growth
- Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi have found a drug hydroxychloroquine or HCQ, that is already being used for treating malaria to be effective in inhibiting Zika virus growth and replication.
APPOINTMENTS
- Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar – Assumes charge as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.
- Suman Kumari – First Hindu woman to be appointed Civil judge in Pakistan.
SPORTS
South Korean footballer Ki Sung-yueng announces retirement
Midfielder Ki Sung-yueng announced his retirement from the South Korean national team. The midfielder had hinted at retirement after the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia but decided to compete in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, currently being held in the United Arab Emirates.
