30 January- Current affairs

Vijay Keshav Gokhale took charge as foreign secretary
  • Vijay Keshav Gokhale, currently secretary, economic relations in the Indian foreign ministry, who played a key role in resolving the 73-day-long Dokalam standoff between India and China, took charge as the new foreign secretary on Monday.
  • He succeeds S Jaishankar, who completed three years as India’s foreign secretary on Sunday—earning the distinction of being one of the longest serving foreign secretaries in India. He was given a farewell by colleagues on Sunday.
Current fiscal growth at 6.75%, next at 7-7.5%: Economic Survey
  • India's Economic Survey for 2017-18 has pegged the country's growth at 6.75 per cent for the current fiscal and 7 to 7.5 per cent for 2018-19.
  • The Survey, tabled in parliament by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday, also said the reform measures undertaken in 2017-18 can be strengthened further in 2018-19.
Republic Day: ITBP wins best marching contingent trophy
  • The contingent of the Sino-India border guarding force ITBP was adjudged the best among all paramilitary and auxiliary forces that marched down the majestic Rajpath on Republic Day.
Blue Moon, Super Moon and Blood Moon
  • Get ready for a rare lunar event that has kept the Internet abuzz from the beginning of the year. A Super Moon, Blue Moon and a total lunar eclipse can be seen on the evening of January 31.
Six awards for Bruno Mars
  • R&B artist Bruno Mars won the top prize at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, denying rappers Kendrick Lamar and Jay-Z the honour of becoming the first hip-hop artist in 14 years to win the coveted album of the year award. 
  • Mars won six Grammys, including song of the year for his hit single “That's What I Like,” and both record and album of the year for “24K Magic.”
  • Kendrick Lamar won five awards.
India beat Pakistan by 203 runs to reach U19 World Cup Final
  • India defeated Pakistan by 203 runs to reach the final of the ICC Under 19 World Cup on Tuesday. 
  • Playing the second semi-final in Christchurch, India chose to bat after winning the toss and determinedly scored run after run despite Pakistani bowlers' persistent attempt at taking wickets, giving Pakistan a target of 272 runs against a nine-wicket loss. 
  • Pakistan batsmen failed to put up a decent fight and were bowled out for 69 runs after just 21 overs. 
Sumit Sangwan, Sarjubala Devi assured of medals 
  • Asian silver-medallist Sumit Sangwan (91kg) and world silver-medallist Sarjubala Devi (51kg) were among the four Indian boxers, who assured themselves of medals after facile wins in the inaugural USD 100,000 India Open tournament for men and women in New Delhi on Monday.