Current Affairs: January 15, 2012

January 16th, 2012

137 foundation day of Indian Metrological Department observed

In the year 1875, the Government of India established the India Meteorological Department, bringing all meteorological work in the country under a central authority.
Mr. H. F. Blanford was appointed Meteorological Reporter to the Government of India.
The first Director General of Observatories was Sir John Eliot who was appointed in May 1889 at Calcutta headquarters.
The headquarters of IMD were later shifted to Shimla, then to Poona (now Pune) and finally to New Delhi.
137 foundation day of Indian Metrological Department observed on 15 January 2012.

15th Round of Indo-China Border Talks begins in New Delhi

Special Representatives from India and China meet in New Delhi from January 16 for the fifteenth round of border talks.
India and China have already concluded an agreement on political parameters and guiding principles to address the border issue in 2005.
In addition to the India-China boundary issue discussions on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest are expected to be held in the two day deliberations.
India is represented by National Security Adviser, Shivshankar Menon.
China represented by State Councillor and special representative Dai Bingguo.

Bhogali Bihu festival celebrated in Assam

Bhogali Bihu or Magh Bihu is a harvest festival and marks the end of harvesting season.
The festival celebrates in Assam with traditional pomp and gaiety on 15 January, coinciding with Makara Sankranti.
People exchanged greetings, bid adieu to the winter season and welcome the religious month of Magh.

Pongal celebrated in Tamil Nadu and Other parts of South India

Pongal celebrated with traditional fervour in Tamil Nadu and other parts of southern India.
In Sri Lanka, the Hindus celebrated Thaipongal on this day, the occasion signifies beginning of the month of Thai.

Makaravilakku festival celebrated in Kerala

Thousands of pilgrims thronged the famous Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala for the makaravilakku festival.
Pilgrims flock here every year for darshan of Lord Ayyappa on the most auspicious makarasankranti day.

Ma Ying-jeou re-elected president of Taiwan

Ma Ying-jeou has been re-elected as President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for a four year term.
Ma had previously won the presidency by 58.45% of the popular vote in the presidential election of 2008, and has been recently re-elected in 2012 with 51.5% of the vote.

Australia wins Test Series

Hosts Australia wins the 4-match Test series against India, with the MS Dhoni led side losing the third cricket test at Perth by an innings and 37 runs.
The latest defeat was India's seventh consecutive defeat on international soil.
The latest defeat was also the second straight innings defeat in the tournament.

Moiben Laban wins Mumbai Marathon 2012

Kenya's Moiben Laban wins the Full Marathon category of the Mumbai Marathon 2012.
Moiben accomplished the target in 2 hours and 11 minutes.
India's Ram Singh Yadav won the race among the Indian contenders qualifying for the London Olympics.
Netsanet Abeyo from Ethiopia has won in the women's Marathon.
Indians Soji Mathew and Priyanka Singh were the winners of the half marathon in the men and women's category.