IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JANUARY 4th, 2020

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JANUARY 4th, 2020 

World Braille Day: 4 January
World Braille Day is annually celebrated on January 4, the birthday of Braille inventor, Louis Braille.

1)     The day recognizes the contributions of Louis Braille in helping blind and visually impaired people to read and write.

2)     In November 2018, the General Assembly decided to proclaim 4 January as World Braille Day.

3)     World Braille Day, celebrated since 2019, is observed to raise awareness of the importance

of Braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and partially sighted people.

2020 Designated as “Year of Nurse and Midwife”
In the honour of 200th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, WHO designated the year 2020 as the “Year of Nurse and Midwife”.

1)     This year, WHO is to focus on nursing and midwifery in order to achieve Universal Health coverage. WHO will launch the reports prior to 73rd session of WHO which is to be held in Geneva between February 3 and 8, 2020.

2)     Every year, the day is celebrated on May 12. The day is celebrated by the International Council of Nurses.

Ritualistic festival ‘Lai Haraoba’ begins in Tripura
In Tripura, Lai Haraoba, a ritualistic festival observed by Manipuri meitei communities since ancient times, began in Agartala. Lai Haraoba is celebrated through oral literature, music, dance and rituals.

1)     This festival is jointly organised by Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, Government of Tripura, Puthiba Lai Haraoba Committee and Puthiba Welfare & Cultural Society, Agartala.

2)     The five-day long festival was inaugurated by Speaker of state legislative Assembly, Rebati Mohan Das.

3)     The festival aims to uphold tradition and cultural values of Meitei community.

Maharashtra Govt launches ‘Cyber Safe Women’ initiative
Maharashtra Government has launched a ‘Cyber Safe Women’ initiative under which awareness camps will be held across all the districts of the state regarding cyber safety.

1)     The initiative will help in educating women about how the web is used by anti-social elements and child predators to commit various types of crimes.

2)     Mr. Thackeray said rising instances of cyber-crime need to be curbed and the government is looking to take all measures to ensure that women and children do not fall prey to these criminal activities.

Telangana Teen Malavath Poorna Scales Antarctica's Highest Peak
18, Malavath Poorna, who has won laurels for scaling Mount Everest thereby becoming the youngest girl in the world to achieve the feat, has added another feather to her cap by conquering Mt. Vinson Massif, the Antarctica continent's highest mountain peak (4,987m).

1)     She is now gearing up to scale Mt. Denali (North America’s highest mountain peak).

2)     At the age of 13 years she became the world’s youngest girl who scaled Mt. Everest.

3)     She scaled Mt. Everest in 2014, Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2016, Mt. Elbrus in 2017, Mt. Aconcagua in 2019, and Mt. Cartsnez in 2019.

UPSRTC launches women’s special helpline Damini
UP State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) launched a dedicated women helpline, Damini, a calling and a WhatsApp service.

1)     A unique number, “81142-77777”, has been subscribed for the helpline which was launched by transport minister Ashok Kataria. Women officers from UPSRTC will monitor this service from 9 a.m to 6 p.m everyday. After 6 p.m complaints can be lodged using general helpline number 1800-180-2877.

2)     The helpline is an extension of “Nirbhaya Yojana” of the Centre.

Abhinav Kumar gets extension as BSF IG
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the proposal of Ministry of Home Affairs for extending the deputation tenure of IPS Abhinav Kumar, Inspector General, Border Security Force (BSF), up to June 27, 2021, in relaxation of IPS Tenure Policy.

1)     BSF formed in 1 December, 1965

2)     Motto of BSF: Duty Unto Death

3)     DG BSF: V K Johri

5th IHAI National Ice Hockey Championship-2020 begins in Leh
The 5th Ice Hockey Association of India (IHAI) National Ice Hockey Championship -2020 has begun in Leh.

1)     The tournament is being organized at the Karzoo Ice Hockey Rink located in the largest city of the union territory of Ladakh.

2)     6 Teams from hosts Ladakh, Indian army, Chandigarh, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Delhi are participating in the boy’s U-20 category.

3)     In the girl’s category, 4 teams from Ladakh, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Maharashtra are participating in the 5th edition of the tournament.

4)     Since April 1989, the Ice Hockey Association of India is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).

Senior NCP Leader DP Tripathi Passes Away After Prolonged Illness at 67
Senior NCP leader DP Tripathi passed away after a prolonged period of illness. The NCP General Secretary passed away at the age of 67.

1)     He was the former MP of Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra.

2)     He was one of the founders of NCP along with Sharad Pawar and P.A. Sangma.

3)     He played an important role in the establishment of democracy in Nepal.

Noted Assamese Theatre Personality Ratna Ojha, Dies at 88
Renowned Assamese dramatist, writer and social activist Ratna Ojha passed away in Guwahati, Assam at 88. He took part in an ongoing protest against the amended Citizenship Act.

1)     In 1971, he introduced street plays in Assam.

2)     He also received prestigious Natyasurya Award in 2005 for his contribution in the field of theatre.