Current Affairs

Weekly Current 27january to 2 February, 2014

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National perspective Governance

Minimum two years for IAS, IPS and IFS to spend at each postings
As per the new rules circulated by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Services officers will get a two-year fixed tenure in a post and states will have to set up a Civil Service Board headed by the state chief secretary to recommend all appointments or any premature transfer. In case the state government wants an officer to be transferred before he completes two years in a particular post, it will send a report to the Civil Services Board with a detailed justification. The Board will then approach concerned officer to obtain views of the officer. The government can reject the Board's opinion but it have to record the reasons for such a transfer 'in writing'.

Social issues and empowerment

MOU with Digital Green
Ministry of Rural Development and Digital Green signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to exchange the relevant livelihood practices among rural communities under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). It will be kick-started through self-help groups working with women farmers engaged in traditional agriculture, non-timber forest produce and livestock projects. Digital Green: It is an international, non-profit development organization supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation and Government of India. Mission: to integrate innovative technology with global development efforts to improve human well being.

National Waqf Development Corporation Limited (NAWADCO)

It is a new Central Public Sector Enterprise under Ministry of Minority Affairs for the development of Waqf properties for the community welfare particularly for Muslims in India. Corporation has been established with Authorized Share Capital of Rs.500 Crore with a paid up capital of Rs.100 crore with National Minority Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) has 49% shares. NAWADCO will facilitate and mobilize financial resources for the development of Waqf properties The NAWADCO may also be an institution which can facilitate issuing of Shariahcompliant bonds to channelize savings of Muslims for community welfare. The establishment of NAWADCO is a follow up of Sachchar Committee recommendation. India has the largest number of Auqaf (Waqf properties) in the world. A Waqf/ Wakf, is basically donating (a building/ plot of land/ cash) for Muslim religious/ charitable purposes. These donated assets / grants (known as Mushrut-ul-Khidmat) are held by a charitable trust.

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE India and world

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) a U.S. aviation regulatory body has downgraded Indias aviation safety ranking, bringing it below that of Pakistan and on a par with Ghana, Barbados and Bangladesh. The FAA decision means that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) does not meet the safety standards set by the U.N. agency, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Impact of the move Now Indian flights would have to go through more engineering and other safety checks in the U.S. Air India and Jet Airways will now be barred from increasing the number of flights to the U.S. and will not be able to enter into any new code-sharing arrangement with any U.S. airline.

INT. Affairs
Geneva-2 talks fail
The first round of the Geneva 2 Syrian peace talks wrapped up without any promising output. Main roadblock-whether Syrian president Bashar al-Assad would play a role in post-war Syria The next round of talks is scheduled for February 10, 2014. The Geneva II Conference on Syria (also called Geneva II Middle East peace conference or simply Geneva II) is a United Nations-backed international peace conference with the aim of ending the Syrian Civil War, by bringing together the Syrian government and the Syrian opposition to. The conference is taking place in Geneva (Switzerland). It is pursued by UN peace envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi in cooperation with the United States and Russia. India has been invited to this important forum.

Ukrain crisis
Protests have gripped Ukraine since the government rejected a far-reaching accord with the EU in favour of stronger ties with Russia in November 2013. Main causes: The protesters are, mainly from the Kiev area and western Ukraine where there is a greater affinity with the EU. The original trigger for the protests was President Yanukovych's decision not to sign a major partnership deal with the EU and Russia and Ukraine announced a major deal under which Russia would buy $15bn-worth of Ukrainian government bonds and slash the price of Russian gas sold to Ukraine. Another cause is law passed by parliament to restrict the right to protest. Ukraine's Importance Both the EU and Russia are trying to pursue Ukrainian govt. to strengthen ties. Ukraine provides two things: strategic position and agricultural and mineral products. Russian perspective From the Russian point of view tighter Ukrainian-EU integration represented a potentially mortal threat to Russian national security. Ukraine-Kazakh gap provides Russia access to the Caucasus, its defensible southern border. Ukraine is home to two critical ports, Odessa and Sevastopol which are important for Russias influence in the Black Sea and access to the Mediterranean. European Perspective Ukraine is most important for its location, particularly as a transit state for energy.

Ukraine dominated by Russia would represent a potential threat from southern Poland to Romania. Ukraine is an important country in terms of economy and size. It has the second largest population. These factors, along with its relatively high per-capita gross domestic product, make Ukraine an attractive market.

Indonesia
Indonesias Mount Sinabung, an active volcano erupted, causing number of casualties. Mount Sinabung is among about 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia, which is prone to seismic upheaval due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanoes and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin. The volcano is on the western island of Sumatra.

ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE
India Inclusive Innovation Fund ( IIIF)
The government has launched the India Inclusive Innovation Fund, with the initial corpus of Rs 500 crore. The ministry of small and medium enterprises would pump in Rs 100 crore while the rest would come from banks and overseas financial investors. Registered under Sebi's Alternative Investment Fund Category, the fund will invest in innovative ventures that are scalable, sustainable and therefore profitable but address social needs in areas of healthcare, food, nutrition, agriculture and education. Focus on: healthcare, food and nutrition, agriculture, education, energy, financial inclusion, environment, technology as an enable.

National Waterway-four
Indian Government launched the development project of the National Waterway-four (NW-4) between Sholinganallur to Kalpakkam in South Buckingham Canal in Tamil Nadu. It will cover a total length of 1078 Km consisting of Kakinada-Puducherry canal systems integrated with Godavari and Krishna Rivers. Other stretches of the National Waterway-4 will cover Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Indias national waterways: N W1: from Allahabad to Haldia runs through the Ganges, Bhagirathi and Hooghly river system, the longest National Waterway in India. N W2: on Brahmaputra River from Sadiya to Dhubri in Assam state. N W3: from Kollam to Kottapuram. The 205 km long West Coast Canal is Indias first waterway wit h all time navigation facility. N W5: connects Orissa to West Bengal using Brahmani River, East Coast Canal, Matai River and Mahanadi River Delta. N W6: proposed waterway in Assam state and will connect Lakhipur to Bhanga in river Barak.

SCIENCE HEALTH &MEDICINE

Fish oil from GM crop
A genetically-modified plant that produces seeds packed with fish oils is set to be grown in open fields in the UK. Researchers from Rothamsted Research in Hertfordshire have developed the new GM plant Benefits The oils could provide feed for farmed fish.

 Could be used as a health supplement in human foods. GM crops could help to solve the problem of over-fishing. Scientists took seven genes that algae use to produce omega-3 fatty acids and inserted them into the genome of the plant Camelina saliva. The seeds of the modified plant yielded the same proportions of omega-3 fatty acids as in fish oil. The flesh of oily fish such as mackerel and salmon are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, known to reduce the risk of heart disease, but supplies are limited and unsustainable at current fishing levels.

Water-jet printer invented

It is like any ordinary printer but instead of ink, it uses only water, and the used paper fades back to white within a day, enabling it to be reused. The paper is treated with an invisible dye that colours when exposed to water and fades away within about 22 hours at temperatures below 35 degrees Celsius as the water evaporates quicker if exposed to high heat. The ink-jet printer can be used as water-jet by replacing ink in the cartridge with water.

REPORTS AND SURVEYS

World Banks global economic forecast
Global GDP will grow by 3.2% this year, up from 2.4% in 2013 with much of the pick-up coming from developed economies. Developing nations will grow by 5.3% this year, up from 4.8% in 2013. The U.S. Federal Reserves decision to gradually end its massive stimulus programme poses significant risks to the developing economies. By 2016, the Indian economy is expected to grow by 7.1 per cent.

Education for All Global Monitoring Report (GMR)

The report is released annually by United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The theme of the report was Teaching and Learning: Achieving quality for all. According to UNESCO's education report more children across the world's poorer countries are illiterate than previously believed. Poor access to education and poorly trained teachers lay at the root of the trend. Most of the children came from Arab states, Sub-Saharan Africa or South and West Asia. Highlights in the Indian context In India, education expenditure is 3.3% of the GNP (gross national product) far below the target of 6. Allocation for education in India varies widely across states. The expenditure of Kerala on education on per pupil was about 685 dollar per year while in Himachal Pradesh it was 542 dollar. In contrast, in West Bengal it was 127 dollar and in Bihar 100 dollar. India has the highest population of illiterate adults, 287 million which is 37% of the total population of such people across the world. In India, even after completing four years of school, 90% of children from poorer household remain illiterate. Rich young women have already achieved universal literacy but the poorest will only do so around 2080. The Education for All Global Monitoring Report was established in 2000 at Dakar in Senegal. The main objective of the Report is to inform, influence and sustain commitment to achieving the Education for All goals by 2015.

International IP Index
Global Intellectual Property Centre (GIPC) of USs International IP Index ranked India lowest among 25 countries surveyed. The US received the highest score of 28.3 out of a perfect score of 30. The index assessed nations for protection and enforcement of Intellectual Property Practices. It is the second edition of the chambers GIPC index. In both the 2012 and 2014 GIPC Index, India finished last as the country continues to allow for the deterioration of its IP climate.

Environmental Performance Index (EPI)

The 2014 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) issued by Yale University ranked India at 155th place out of 178 countries with. India ranks behind China (118), Pakistan (148) and Nepal (139). Among the BRICS nations, South Africa was placed at 72nd position, followed by Russia (73), Brazil (77) and China (118). The list is topped by Switzerland followed by Luxembourg, Australia, Singapore and Czech Republic. Ranking is based on High -priority environmental indicators: health impacts, air quality, water and sanitation, water resources, agriculture, forests, fisheries, bio-diversity and habitat, climate and energy.

Personalities
V.S. Naipaul
Mr. V.S. Naipaul is Nobel Prize-winning author of Indian-origin, have been named among Britains 500 most influential people. The first-ever Influential 500 list, compiled by specialist publisher Debretts and The Sunday Times, includes personalities in 25 areas chosen by experts in their field. Trinidad-born Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul was singled out for his Nobel Prize in Literature in 2001. Pakistani teenage campaigner Malala Yousafzai has also been named for the list.

Silverine Swer
Silverine Swer the first Padma Shri awardee from Meghalaya has passed. She was affectionately called Kong Sil. She joined as the assistant controller of rationing in 1944 during World War II under the Assam government, and continued to serve till 1949.

Kathy Cross
Kathy Cross of New Zealand has became the first woman to be inducted in the International Cricket Councils (ICCs) umpires panel. Previously, she was officiated in the Womens World Cup in Australia in 2009 and in India in 2013. The umpires on the ICC Associate and Affiliate Panel of International Umpires can be assigned to ODI and T20 matches involving Associate and Affiliate Members, Intercontinental Cup matches Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Divisions 3 to 6 and other Associate and Affiliate tournaments, as well as Development.

Ela Gandhi
Granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, Ms. Ela Gandhi honored with the Prestigious South African Award, Amadelakupha by the South African Government in recognition for her lifetime contribution to the freedom struggle in South Africa. She is a Peace activist and was a Member of Parliament in South Africa from 1994-2004

This award was also given to Sunny Singh and Mac Maharaj of Indian Decent.

Dr. Tej Vir Singh

Professor Dr. Tej Vir Singh won the 2013 UNWTO Ulysses Prize for Excellence in the Creation and Dissemination of Knowledge in Madrid, Spain. Mr. Singh Belong to Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh). He Established the CTRD in 1976, a Non-Government Organization (NGO) devoted to the cause of tourism academics and research, with a special focus on India.

Awards
Grammy Awards
The 56th Annual Grammy Awards were held on, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Best album Random memories of the year Best record Get Lucky of the year Best song of Royals the year access Daft Punk Daft Punk , Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers Lorde

A Grammy Awards are given by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry. The first Grammy Awards ceremony was held in 1959. Winners are selected from more than 25 fields, which cover such genres as pop, rock, rap, R&B, country, reggae, classical, gospel, and jazz, as well as production and postproduction work, including packaging and album notes. To be eligible for a Grammy from NARAS, the recording or music video must be released in the United States between October 1 of the previous year and midnight September 30 of the given Grammy year.

Padma Awards
127 personalities from various fields have been selected for Padma Awards. Padma Awards, the countrys highest civilian awards, are conferred in three Categories viz. Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. Two Padma Vibhushan, 24 Padma Bhushan and 101 Padma Shri Awards have been announced this year. 2014 Padma Vibhushan Awards: These are awarded for exceptional and distinguished service. This year both the awardees were from Maharashtra: Dr. Raghunath A. Mashelkar (Science and Engineering) Shri B.K.S. Iyengar (Yoga)

Miscellaneous
Students create record for largest Lezim dance

Students from Maharashtra set the world record of forming the largest Lezim dance. Their feat was registered in the Guinness Book of World Records About Lezim dance Lezim is a folk dance form, from Maharashtra, a male performance, combines beautifully physical exercise and dancing. Done with a Lezim or a small mallet, it is a fascinating dance performed in the formation of a circle, in twos or fours. The accompanying instruments are the drums. It involves a lot of stepping, hopping, bending, squatting, etc. to the perfect timing of the strikes of the Lezim. A large group of boys and girls doing Lezim dance presents a beautiful sight while the Lezims strike rhythmically in perfect unison. Now-adays Lezim dances are performed as a part of physical drill and exercise in schools and colleges of Maharashtra.

Pamban Railway Bridge

Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam inaugurated the centenary celebrations of the Pamban railway bridge. About Pamban Railway Bridge:-The Pamban Bridge on the Palk Strait connects Rameswaram Island to mainland India. It refers to both the road bridge and the cantilever railway bridge, though primarily it means the latter. It is the second longest railway bridge (2km) in India after Vembanad Bridge (4km) in Kochi, Kerala. The bridge was built in 1914

Indian Gallantry Awards

PARAM VIR CHAKRA :---------- It is the highest decoration of valour awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or some daring or prominent act of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy on land, sea or air. MAHA VIR CHAKRA :------------ It is the second highest decoration. It is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air. VIR CHAKRA :---------------------- It is the third in the order of awards for acts of gallantry in the face of the enemy on land, sea or air. ASHOK CHAKRA :----------------- Awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or some daring act of valour or self-sacrifice on land, at sea or in the air. KIRTI CHAKRA :------------------- Awarded for conspicuous gallantry. SHAURYA CHAKRA :------------- Awarded for an act of gallantry. Awarded in recognition of distinguished service of the most PARAM VISHISHT SEWA exceptional order. MEDAL :----------------ATI VISHISHT SEWA MEDAL:- Awarded in recognition of distinguished service of an exceptional order. VISHISHT SEWA MEDAL :------ Awarded in recognition of distinguished service of a high order. SENA MEDAL / NAU SENA : For good work on the field, at sea or in the air. MEDAL/VAYU SENA MEDAL