Rapid Fire Current Affairs | 27 Jan 2023

Himachal Pradesh Statehood Day

Himachal Pradesh :-

On 25^th January, Himachal Pradesh observed its Statehood Day.

Before independence, the British territories in the hill came under the British Crown after Queen Victoria’s proclamation of 1858 and virtually all rulers of the hill states remained loyal and contributed to the British war effort in WW-1 (1914-18).

Post-independence, the Chief Commissioner’s province of HP came into being on 15th April 1948. It became a part C state (under Part VII) on 26^th January 1950. After recommendation of the State Reorganisation Commission, HP became Union Territory on 1^st November 1956. Kangra and most of the other hill areas of Punjab were merged with HP on 1st November 1966 though its status remained that of a UT.

On 18^th December 1970 the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament and HP became the 18th state of the Indian Union on 25^th January 1971.

Read More - Statehood Day of Himachal Pradesh

History of Republic Day and 26 January

The Constitution of India was adopted officially by the Constituent Assembly on Nov 26, 1949, however, Republic Day is celebrated on 26 January. It is so because on 26/Jan/1930, the historic “Poorna Swaraj” declaration was officially promulgated, beginning the final phase of India’s freedom struggle where the goal would be complete independence from British rule.

Opposing the Motilal Nehru report 1927 which demanded for a dominion status, young leaders such as SC Bose and JL Nehru wanted complete independence for India. On 19 Dec 1929, “Poorna Swaraj” resolution was passed at the Lahore session of INC and officially promulgated on 26 Jan 1930. From 1930 till India finally won its independence in 1947, January 26 was celebrated as “Independence Day”.

Thus, when leaders had to decide on a day to promulgate India’s new Constitution, January 26 was thought to be ideal.

Read More - Republic Day 2022

Kuno Cheetah Detected with Hepatorenal Infection

One of the 8 cheetahs that were introduced in Kuno National Park (MP) has been detected with a hepatorenal infection. Hepatorenal Infection is a condition in which there is progressive kidney failure that occurs in a patient with poor functioning of the liver.

In September 2022, 8 Cheetahs were relocated from South Africa and Namibia into the wild at Kuno Palpur National Park. It was the world’s first inter-continental large wild carnivore translocation project.

Read More - Reintroduction of Cheetah

T+1 Settlement

Indian stock markets have embarked on a shorter settlement cycle or T+1 regime for the final list of large stocks - a move that will help reduce margin requirements for clients and boost retail investment.

T+1 (trade plus one) means that market trade-related settlements will need to be cleared within one day of the actual transactions taking place. Earlier, trades on the Indian stock exchanges were settled in 2 working days after the transaction was done (T+2).

The stock exchanges - National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) - in Nov 2021 jointly announced plans to implement the T+1 settlement cycle in a phased manner with the bottom 100 stocks in terms of market value.