Daily Current Affairs: 12 January 2014

1) Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary celebrated: The 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated with fervour throughout the country. It was also celebrated as National Youth Day.  In 1984 the Government of India declared the day as the National Youth Day and since 1985 the event is celebrated in India every year. Also the year-long commemoration of 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda formally came to a close on Sunday with functions organised at various places in the country.

2) Sheikh Hasina sworn in as Bangladesh's Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina was on Sunday sworn-in as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the third time along with her 48 cabinet members, who include 29 ministers, 17 state ministers and two deputy ministers. President Abdul Hamid administered the oath of office of the prime minister to Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina and to the new members of the cabinet in the afternoon at Bangabhaban.

3) RBI to examine proposal for limiting free ATM transactions: The Reserve Bank will consider reducing the number of free ATM withdrawals, as recommended by Indian Banks' Association, in an effort to cut down on cash transactions in the economy. "We will examine that (IBA recommendation of cutting down number of free ATM transaction to 5 per month). Many other proposals have come. The whole idea is that people are using too much of cash and adding to the costs. We will examine all those issue," RBI Deputy Governor H R Khan said.

4) More than 25,000 flee Indonesian volcano: More than 25,000 people have fled their homes following a series of eruptions and lava flows from a volcano in Indonesia, an official said. Mount Sinabung on the western island of Sumatra sent hot rocks and ash up to 5,000 metres in the air “several times” yesterday, National Disaster Mitigation Agency emergency response director Tri Budiarto told AFP.

5) Team India leaves for New Zealand; to play 2 Tests, 5 ODIs: The Indian squad led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni left for New Zealand from Mumbai on Sunday for a five-match ODI series followed by a best-of-two Test rubber against the hosts. The limited overs contest will start on January 19 at Napier and conclude on January 31 at Wellington with the other three games to be held at Hamilton (January 22), Auckland (January 25) and Hamilton (January 28). The Test series would be held after that with the opener scheduled from February 6-10 (Auckland) followed by the second and final match at Wellington (February 14-18).

6) SEBI chief set to get two more years at the helm: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairman U.K. Sinha is set to get two years’ extension when his three-year term ends next month. “Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to sign the order any time from now,” a senior Government official told press.

7) EPFO likely to announce 8.5% interest on Monday on provident fund deposits: Retirement fund body EPFO is likely to retain 8.5 per cent interest on provident fund deposits for its over 5 crore subscribers in 2013-14 on Monday .

8) Bill Gates most admired in world, Sachin 5th: Poll- Microsoft founder Bill Gates has been named as the most admired person on the planet with cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar fifth on a list of 30 people compiled after a poll in 13 countries, including India. Sachin, 40, was fifth with six other Indians featuring in the list- BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi (7th), Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan (9th), former President Abdul Kalam (10th), social activist Anna Hazare (14th), Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal (18th) and business tycoon Ratan Tata (30th).

9) Jaguar Land Rover posts record sales in 2013: Jaguar Land Rover, the largest car manufacturer in Britain, achieved record global sales in 2013, the Indian-owned luxury carmaker said on Sunday.

10) New Zealand thrash India 3-1 in World Hockey League: India disastrous campaign at Hero Hockey World League Final continued as they lost 1-3 to New Zealand to succumb to their second straight defeat in Pool A at the floodlit Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday.

11) Bengal trump Railways, enter Ranji semis: A spirited Bengal downed bitter foes Railways by 48 runs in their match to set up a Ranji Trophy semifinal clash against Maharashtra, at the Eden Gardens.

12) President greets nation on Lohri, Makar Sankranti and Pongal:  President Pranab Mukherjee Sunday greeted the nation ahead of the festivals of Lohri, Makar Sankranti and Pongal. In his message, he said: "On the joyous occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti and Pongal, I convey my greetings and best wishes to all citizens of India and wish them prosperity and happiness."

13) Kapil Dev conferred with BCCI 'Lifetime Achievement Award': Former India captain Kapil Dev was today honoured with the C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the BCCI at its seventh annual awards ceremony in Mumbai on 11 January 2014. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was bestowed with the Polly Umrigar Award for being the best international cricket last season.