INDIAN NAVY LAUNCHES ‘OPERATION VANILLA’ TO HELP CYCLONE-HIT MADAGASCAR-
- Indian Navy on January 28 launched ‘Operation Vanilla’ in support of the national disaster in flood-hit Madagascar and diverted a large amphibious ship to provide assistance.
- “INS Airavat, which was mission deployed has been diverted for the same,” the Indian Navy said in a statement.
- Madagascar has been hit by a cyclone and there has been heavy flooding and landslips since last week causing loss of lives and displacement of a number of people.
- According to reports, more than 92,000 people have been affected.
10 MORE INDIAN WETLANDS GET RAMSAR SITE TAG-
- The aim of the Ramsar list is to develop and maintain an international network of wetlands which are important for the conservation of global biological diversity and for sustaining human life.
- This is achieved through the maintenance of their ecosystem components, processes and benefits.
- Wetlands declared as Ramsar sites are protected under strict guidelines of the convention.
SC ALLOWS CENTRE TO BRING AFRICAN CHEETAH TO SUITABLE WILDLIFE HABITAT IN INDIA-
- Stating that the rare Indian cheetah is almost extinct in the country, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had filed an application seeking permission for the introduction of the African cheetah from Namibia.
The apex court set up a three-member committee, comprising-
- Former director Wildlife of India Ranjit Singh
- DG of Wildlife of India Dhananjay Mohan
- DIG, Wildlife, Ministry of Environment and Forests to guide the NTCA in taking a decision on the issue.
SHEIKH KHALID APPOINTED AS NEW PRIME MINISTER OF QATAR-
- Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani was appointed as the new Prime Minister of Qatar on January 28, 2020.
- Sheikh Khalid was appointed by Qatar’s ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani through a royal decree after the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah was accepted.
- Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah announced his resignation from the position on January 28, 2020.
MARTYRS’ DAY OR SHAHEED DIWAS IS OBSERVED EVERY YEAR ON JANUARY 30-
- India observes Shaheed Diwas every year on January 30 and March 23 to pay homage to the victims who fought for the freedom, glory, welfare and progress of India.
- Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse in Birla House on January 30, 1948, he was 78 at that time.
- Godse was not agreeing with Gandhi’s views on the partition of India.
- Apart from this day, March 23 is also observed as Martyr’s Day because Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged on that day.