1) World Wetlands Day observed on 02 February
•World Wetlands Day is observed every year on February 2 all over the world. 2022 marks 51 years of the Convention on Wetlands. The international theme for World Wetlands Day 2022 is ‘Wetlands Action for People and Nature’. The day aims to raise awareness about the crucial role played by wetlands for people and our planet.
2) World Interfaith Harmony Week: 1-7 February
•World Interfaith Harmony Week is an annual event observed during the first week of February (1-7 February), after General Assembly designation in 2010. World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW), was conceived to promote cultural peace and nonviolence. The World Interfaith Harmony Week is based on the pioneering work of The Common Word initiative.
•This initiative, which started in 2007, called for Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in a dialogue based on two common fundamental religious Commandments; Love of God, and Love of the Neighbour, without nevertheless compromising any of their own religious tenets. The Two commandments are at the heart of the three Monotheistic religions and therefore provide the most solid theological ground possible.
3) Spituk Gustor Festival celebrated in Ladakh 2022
•Spituk Gustor Festival, a two-day annual celebration of Ladakhi culture and traditional heritage celebrated on 30th & 31st January 2022 in Leh and Ladakh Union Territory. To witness the colourful festivities, devotees arrive at the Spituk Monastery every year and attend the colourful mask dance locally called “Chams”. Spituk monastery is 8 km from Leh. It is a celebration of peace and prosperity that is celebrated at the Spituk Monastery in Leh and Ladakh UT.
•The main attraction of the festival was the colourful mask dance locally called Chams performed by the monks of the monastery in their best robes depicting different deities such as Mahakala (Gonbo), Paldan Lhamo (Shridevi), White Mahakala, Protector Deity. The mask dance began with Serskam followed by Hashang Hatuk, Six Arms Mahakala, Paldan Lhamo, Shawa, Janak Chams. However, local people believe that after this festival, the weather will get warmer and more pleasant.
4) North Korea successfully tests fire most powerful Hwasong-12 ballistic missile
•North Korea successfully tested its Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile from the Jagang Province area. This was the first nuclear-capable missile testing undertaken by the country since 2017. The Hwasong-12 has an estimated range of 4,500 km (2,800 miles). North Korea’s series of missile test-fires, including intermediate-range ballistic missiles, pose a direct and serious threat to us and a grave challenge to international peace and stability.
•The string of launches in 2022 comes at a delicate time in the region, with Kim’s sole major ally China set to host the Winter Olympics next month and South Korea gearing up for a presidential election in March.
5) India’s first geological park will be built in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
•The first geological park of India will be built in Lamheta, Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. Approval for the park was given by the Geological Survey of India, under the ministry of mining. Park will be constructed with an investment of Rs 35 crores, over five-acre land. The geological park will be built in Lamheta, because this place is among significant places in the world, from the geological point of view.
•In 1928, William Henry Sleeman had discovered a Dinosaur fossil from this area. UNESCO has also recognised Lamheta as a geo heritage site. Lameta Formation is also called Infratrappean Beds. It is a sedimentary geological formation found in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. It is associated with the Deccan Traps. It is of the Maastrichtian age and is known for dinosaur fossils.
6) Punjab Chief Electoral Officer unveiled its mascot named ‘Shera’
•Chief Electoral Officer’s office of Punjab unveiled its election mascot, “Shera” (Lion). It aims to increase voter awareness, participation and promote ethical voting in the Punjab Assembly polls that is scheduled on 20 February 2022. The mascot “Shera”, depicting a lion. It represents the rich cultural heritage of Punjab. It is promoted under the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) project of the Election Commission of India (ECI). SVEEP project was started in 2009, as the flagship program of the ECI for voter education.
7) Gandhi Mandiram, Smruthi Vanam built at Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh
•Social activists have built a temple for Mahatma Gandhi and freedom fighters’ Smrithi Vanam at the Municipal Park in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh to inculcate patriotism among the youth by remembering the sacrifices of freedom fighters. Statues of freedom fighters and social activists were erected in the park with the help of donors.
•Mahatma Gandhi statue was unveiled along with Smritivanam on the eve of Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary in Srikakulam City. Srikakulam, also called Chicacole, the North Eastern District in AP is known for temple tourism. After observing the park development, Srikakulam municipal corporation commissioner Obulesh sanctioned Rs 4.60 lakh for the park beautification from the corporation funds.
8) Lt Gen GAV Reddy named as new Defence Intelligence Agency Head
•Lieutenant General GAV Reddy has been appointed as the new head of the Defence Intelligence Agency. General Reddy would be succeeding Lt Gen KJS Dhillon. Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon retired after serving in various strategic positions during his 39-year career in the Indian Army.
•The Director-General of the Defence Intelligence Agency is the head of the organisation and is among the principal advisors on intelligence to the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff. The post of the director general is held on a rotation basis between the three Armed services. The first Director-General of the DIA was Lt Gen Kamal Davar, former director-general of the Indian Army’s Mechanised Forces.
9) Former RBI Governor Urjit Patel quits as Britannia’s Additional Director
•Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor, Urjit Patel has resigned from the post of non-executive and independent director of Britannia Industries Limited, citing a full-time work assignment starting next month. He was a part of the Board of the Company. The former governor also confirmed that there was no other reason other than his new project for the resignation.
•Patel was recently appointed vice president for investment operations in South Asia at the Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). His appointment is effective from 1 February. As the 24th governor of RBI, Patel had succeeded Raghuram Rajan and served as the governor of RBI from 2016-2018. Prior to that, he was RBI’s deputy governor in charge of monetary policy.
10) Antonio Costa re-elected as Prime Minister of Portugal
•The Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costo has been re-elected after his centre-left Socialist Party secured a landslide victory in the 2022 Portuguese legislative election. Socialist Party bagged 117 seats in the 230 seats Parliament. Despite predictions of a tight race, the main opposition centre-right PSD party landed 27.8 per cent for 71 seats. Antonio Costo is serving as the 119th Prime Minister of Portugal since 26 November 2015.
