1) Nation Celebrates 69th Republic Day
•This year, the guests of honour are-
1. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah-Sultan of Brunei,
2. Hun Sen- Prime Minister of Cambodia,
3. Rodrigo Roa Duterte- President of The Philippines,
4. Joko Widodo- President of Indonesia,
5. Najib Razak- Prime Minister of Malaysia,
6. Nguyen Xuan Phuc- Prime Minister of Vietnam,
7. Halima Yacob- President of Singapore,
8. Htin Kyaw- President of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi- state counsellor of Myanmar,
9. Prayuth Chan Ocha- Prime Minister of Thailand and
10. Thongloun Sisoulith- Prime Minister of Laos.
•The R-Day parade is being led by Parade Commander Lt. Gen. Asit Mistry. The family members of Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala (Posthumous) of the Indian Air Force (IAF), who died fighting militants in Kashmir valley, received India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, Ashok Chakra. This is the third Ashok Chakra for the IAF and its first for ground combat.
2) Punjab CM launches MGSVY for distressed sections of society
•In his brief speech after taking the salute and unfurling the national flag at the Republic Day parade at the YPS Stadium Patiala, Chief Minister announced a development grant of 45 crore rupees for rural areas and 5 crore rupees for urban areas over and above 100 crore rupees already announced by him for the upgradation of infrastructure in both urban and rural segments of the district.
•He said that the government had identified a large number of needy people who had so far been deprived of the pro-poor initiatives, he said, these 2 lakh people shall start getting the benefits of 20 different schemes of the Government from today onwards.
3) Bharat Parv to begin at Red Fort in Delhi
•As part of the Republic Day celebrations, cultural extravaganza Bharat Parv will begin at the Red Fort in Delhi today. The prime objective of the event is to generate a patriotic mood, promote the rich cultural diversity of the country and to ensure wider participation of the general public.
•The event includes display of Republic Day Parade Tableaux, Performances by the Armed Forces Bands, a Multi-Cuisine Food Court, Craft Mela, Cultural Performances from different regions of the country and Photo Exhibition by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity.
•The Cultural Performances include choreographed Folk and Tribal Dances and Music arranged through the North Zonal Cultural Centre as well as performances by cultural troupes from the different States and Union Territories.
4) Kolkata Becomes 1st Indian Metro To Get A Floating Market
•Kolkata has become the first Indian Metro to get a Floating Market. The market will be located on a water-body with boats doubling up as shops. The market, located on the eastern fringes of the city, was inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
•The aim is to rehabilitate over 200 shopkeepers from a nearby market that was demolished for the widening of the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. The market will host at least 114 boats, each one accommodating two shops.
5) Usha Ananthasubramanian Becomes 1st Woman IBA Chief
•Usha Ananthasubramanian, MD and CEO, Allahabad Bank, has been elected the first woman chairman of Indian Banks’ Association (IBA). Usha was elected IBA Chairman for the year 2017-18 by its Managing Committee.
•IBA Chairman’s position fell vacant following the superannuation of Jatinder Bir Singh. Rajnish Kumar, Chairman, State Bank of India, was elected Deputy Chairman of IBA for the year 2017-18.
