1. Obituary – Dr. Rajgopala Chidambaram Passes Away: On January 4, 2025, India lost one of its prominent scientists, Dr. Rajgopala Chidambaram, who passed away at the age of 88. Dr. Chidambaram, who served as India’s Chief Scientific Advisor, played a pivotal role in India’s nuclear tests. He was part of the 1974 nuclear testing team and led the Pokhran-II tests in 1998. Dr. Chidambaram was awarded the Padma Shri in 1975 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1999. He also served as the Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission from 1993 to 2000.
2. PM Modi Inaugurates Rural India Festival 2025: On January 4, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the “Rural India Festival 2025” in New Delhi. The theme of this festival is “Building Self-reliant Rural India for a Developed India in 2047.” The event showcases India’s cultural heritage through vibrant presentations and exhibitions. The festival aims to bring together government officials, rural entrepreneurs, artisans, and various stakeholders to devise a roadmap for rural transformation.
3. Social Media Accounts for Children Now Require Parental Consent: After the passage of the Data Protection Act 2023, the central government released a draft of rules under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP) on January 4, 2025. The new rules state that social media platforms must ensure parental consent before allowing children to open accounts. The consent must be verifiable, and the identity and age of the parents must be confirmed. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has invited suggestions and objections to the draft until February 18, 2025.
4. 23 Individuals from 27 Countries to Receive 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Samman: On January 3, 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs announced the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards, which will be conferred upon 27 individuals from 23 countries. These awards recognize the outstanding contributions of expatriates across various fields, including education and business. The awards will be presented during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conference from January 8 to 10, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman is the highest honor given to Indians living abroad.
5. Mike Johnson Elected Speaker of the US House of Representatives: On January 3, 2025, Republican Representative Mike Johnson was re-elected as the Speaker of the US House of Representatives. This marks a significant development in the US political landscape, as the speaker plays a key role in shaping legislative agendas and priorities.
