For first time all-women contingent marches on 66th Republic Day parade

The Republic Day Parade of 2015 became historic for the women of the country whose empowerment remained the central theme of this event. For the first time in the history of India’s Republic Day, an all-women contingent from the three forces Army, Air Force and Navy marched in the parade.

  •  Army contingent was led by Capt. Divya Ajith.
  •  Navy contingent was led by Lt Commander Sandhya Chauhan.
  •  Air Force contingent was led by Squadron Leader Sneha Shekhawat.

Major Mukund Varadarajan and Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh awarded Ashok Chakra posthumously

India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, the Ashoka Chakra, has been given posthumously to two soldiers who died fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir – Major Mukund Varadarajan of 44th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles and Naik Neeraj Kumar singh of 57 Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles (13 Rajputana Rifles). The awards were received by their wives at the 66th Republic Day celebrations.

Greece anti-bailout leader Tsipras made prime minister

40-year old Alexis Tsipras took oath as Greece’s youngest Prime Minister on 26 January, a day after his leftwing Syriza party swept to a sensational victory. He was administered oath by President Karolos Papoulias in a brief ceremony held at capital Athens. A majority of voters in Greece have essentially rejected a core policy for dealing with the euro zone crisis as devised by the European Union (EU) and the European Central Bank (ECB).

Eminent cartoonist RK Laxman dies at 93

Eminent cartoonist, illustrator and humorist Rasipuram Laxman passed away in Pune. He is best known for the creation of the iconic character The Common Man, for his daily cartoon strip, “You Said It” in The Times of India. It was started in 1951. He is recipient of Padma Vibhushan (2005) and Ramon Magsaysay Award (1984).

Miss Colombia crowned Miss Universe in Miami

22-year old Paulina Vega triumphed over first runner-up, Miss USA Nia Sanchez in the final round to win the coveted title 2015. This was the 63rd edition of Miss Universe pageant. Miss Colombia was crowned by Miss Universe 2014 winner Gabriela Isler of Venezuela.