1-2 JULY 2016
Writer and futurist Alvin Toffler dies
Alvin Toffler, the author of Future Shock, passed away on 27 June 2016 in Los Angeles, United States. He was 87.
Toffler’s book Future Shock outlines people's anxiety at the pace of social change in the 1960s.
Who was Alvin Toffler?
•A writer and futurist, Alvin Toffler was known for his works discussing modern technologies.
•His works included the digital revolution and the communication revolution with emphasis on their effects on cultures worldwide.
•In his early works, he focused on technology and its impact, which he termed ‘information overload’.
•In 1970, his first major book about the future, Future Shock, became a worldwide best-seller.
•Future Shock sold over 6 million copies worldwide.
•His ideas and writings were a significant influence on the thinking of business and government leaders worldwide.
•He graduated in English from New York University in 1950.
•His other famous works are The Third Wave, Powershift: Knowledge, Wealth and Violence at the Edge of the 21st Centuryand Revolutionary Wealthamong others.
Sameer emerges fastest athlete of 56th National Inter-state Athletics
Sameer Mon, the veteran sprinter of India, on 30 June 2016 won gold in 100 meter dash in 10.60 seconds at the 56th National Inter-state Senior Athletics Championships in Hyderabad.
With this, Sameer, representing Manipur, also became the fastest athlete in the country.
32-year-old Sameer was a member of the bronze winning Indian 4x100m relay quartet in Delhi Commonwealth Games. He had earlier won the Inter-state titles in 2008 and 2011.
Other results of 56th National Inter-state Senior Athletics Championships are
Women's 100 metre dash: Reena George of Karnataka won Gold by clocking 11.99 seconds. Earlier, she switched from 400 meter dash to 100 meter dash.
Women's pole vault: Khyati Vakharia of Karnataka won Gold by clearing the season’s best 3.80 metre.
Women's 100 metre hurdles: M Sugina of Kerala clocked a personal best of 14.17 seconds to win gold.
Men’s 110 metre hurdles:D Sreekanth of Kerala won Gold by clocking personal best of 14.54 seconds.
Women’s Triple Jump:Shilpa Chacko won third gold for Kerala by clearing 13.22 metre. She was the only jumper among the four participants to leap over 13 metre.
Men's 20 km walk: Gujarat's Babubhai Panocha took his third Inter-state title in men's with a time of 1 hour 31 minutes 26 seconds.
CBDT notifies Rules for calculating Fair market value of Assets
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 30 June 2016 notified rules for calculating Fair Market Value (FMV) of assets located in India with regard to indirect transfer provisions as prescribed in Section 9(1) of the Income-tax Act, 1961.
Under section 9 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, any income arising from transfer of any share of or interest in a foreign company or entity that derives its value substantially from the assets located in India, is deemed to accrue or arise in India.
Purpose behind drafting the Rules for calculating Fair market value of Assets
• Manner of computation of FMV of Indian and global assets of the foreign company or entity
• Determination of income attributable to assets situated in India, and
• Information required to be maintained and furnished by the Indian concern under section 285 of Income-tax Act, 1961
Highlights of the Rules
• The Fair Market Value of listed companies will be computed on the basis of a formula taking into account its market capitalisation, book value of liabilities and total number of shares.
• In case of an unlisted company, the FMV would be determined by a merchant banker or accountant as per internationally accepted valuation methodology.
• In case the shares are listed on more than one recognised stock exchange, the price will be computed with reference to recognised stock exchange which records the highest volume of trading in share.
• The share or interest is said to derive it value substantially from assets located in India, if FMV of assets located in India comprise at least 50 percent of FMV of total assets of the company or entity.
• A share or interest is to be deemed to derive value substantially from assets located in India, if the FMV of the Indian asset is more than 10 crore rupees.
These above rules will be applicable from the date of publication in the Official Gazette of the CBDT.
Rodrigo Duterte sworn in as Philippines’ president
Rodrigo Duterte was sworn in as the Philippines' 16th president on 30 June 2016 inside the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila. He will have a six-year term.
The first Mindanaoan president of the country, Duterte succeeds Benigno Aquino III.
ALSO READ:Rodrigo "Digong" Duterte wins the Philippines Presidential Election
Firebrand leader Duterte’s anti-crime programme includes plans to reintroduce the death penalty, issuing shoot-to-kill orders to the security services and offering them bounties for the bodies of drug dealers. He has also called on people to kill suspected criminals.
About Rodrigo Duterte
• He was born in 1945 into a political family with a modest background.
• He has served the southern city of Davao, as its mayor for 22 years.
• He is also known as “Dirty Harry” and often compared to the US presidential candidate Donald Trump.
• He captured the public imagination after promising to improve security by killing 100000 suspected criminals.
• As the mayor of Davao he gained popularity across the archipelago, where crime rates dropped drastically under his leadership.
• He has also served as vice-mayor and as congressman for the city.
• He is a lawyer by profession is nicknamed as ‘Digong’, ‘The Punisher’.
International Solar Alliance Cell and World Bank sign Declaration for promoting Solar Energy
The Interim Administrative Cell of the International Solar Alliance (ISA Cell) and the World Bank on 30 June 2016 signed declaration to promote solar energy globally. The declaration was signed during the visit of the World Bank President Jim Yong Kim to India in June 2016.
The declaration was signed by Upendra Tripathy, Secretary of Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Chairperson, ISA cell and Onno Ruhl, India Country Director of the World Bank.
Major areas identified in the Declaration for working jointly
• Developing a roadmap to mobilize financing
• Developing financing instruments including credit enhancement, reduce hedging costs/currency risk, bond raising in locally denominated currencies etc. which support solar energy development
• Supporting ISA’s plans for solar energy through technical assistance and knowledge transfer
• Working on mobilization of concessional financing through existing or new trust funds
Benefits arising out of this Declaration
• The Joint Declaration will help in accelerating mobilization of finance for solar energy.
• The World Bank will have a major role in mobilizing more than 1000 billion US dollars in investments that will be needed by 2030 for the massive deployment of affordable solar energy.
Lesbians, gays and bisexuals are not third gender: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court (SC) of India on 30 June 2016 stated that its 2014 verdict did not include lesbians, gays and bisexual persons under the category of transgenders.
A bench comprising Justices A.K. Sikri and N.V. Ramana refused to modify the 2014 ruling on transgender rights. The apex court also clarified that its 2014 judgment clearly mentioned that lesbians, gays and bisexuals were not transgender.
What the verdict was?
•On 15 April 2014, Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and A.K. Sikri granted legal recognition to transgenders or eunuchs as third gender.
•The SC directed the Union Government and State Governments to treat them as socially and educationally backward classes.
•The top court asked the governments to provide them quotas in admission to educational institutions and public appointments.
•The court also stated that the third gender people will be considered as Other Backward Class(OBC).
•The bench had specially clarified that its verdict pertains only to ‘hijras, eunuchs, Kothis, Aravanis, Jogappas, Shiv-Shakthis’ and not other sections of societylike gay, lesbian and bisexuals.
Indigenously built LCA Tejas inducted in IAF
The first squadron of home-grown Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas was inducted into Indian Air Force (IAF) at the Aircraft System Testing Establishment in Bengaluru on 1 July 2016. The squadron has been named ‘Flying Daggers’ 45.
State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) handed over the first two Tejas aircraft to the Air Force.
The aircraft will be operated for nearly two years by the squadron at Bengaluru before it is moved to its designated location at Sulur near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu.
According to IAF, the idea is to have a total of six aircraft this financial year 2016-17 and about eight in the financial year 2017-18. Tejas will feature in combat plan of the IAF in 2017 and will be deployed in forward bases also.
All squadrons of Tejas will have 20 planes in total, including four in reserve. As per the plan, while 20 would be inducted under the Initial Operational Clearance, another 20 will be inducted later with Beyond Visual Range Missile (BVR) and some other features.
IAF plans to induct over 80 aircraft with better specifications known as Tejas 1A. The upgraded version of Tejas, with Active Electrically Scanned Array Radar, Unified Electronic Warfare Suite, mid-air refueling capacity and advanced beyond the vision range missiles, will cost between 275 crore and 300 crore rupees.
Characteristics of Tejas
• The Light Combat Aircraft Tejas is a supersonic, single-seat, single-engine multirole light fighter aircraft that uses fourth generation technologies.
• It was co-developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency in cooperation with the Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
• It is built from CFC materials and has unstable aerodynamics
• It is equipped with a quadruplex digital fly-by-wire flight control system to ease handling by the pilot
• It incorporates an advanced glass cockpit that comprises all the round dialed electro-mechanical instruments
• It is fitted with the coherent pulse-Doppler Multi Mode Radar that is designed to operate equally effectively in the Air to Air and Air to Surface domains.
• It is fitted with Open Architecture Computer (OAC)
Comment
This induction of the two aircrafts in the IAF helped in ending the three decades long wait of induction of a homemade aircraft in forces. India in 1970s conceptualised the idea of having an indigenous fighter aircraft but the actual work on the same was started in 1980s.
Union HRD Ministry launches teacher education portal Prashikshak
The Union Minister for Human Resource Development Smriti Zubin Irani on 30 June 2016 launched the Prashikshak, a teacher education portal, with a vision to strengthen District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) and bring quality teachers into the Indian school education system.
For now, Prashiskshak Portal works only for DIETs, however it will cover block level institutes in the future and identify gaps at the bottom of the pyramid.
Highlights of the Portal
• Prashikshak is a unique IT initiative, a first of its kind in the country, which will contain a comprehensive database of all DIETs in the country with all relevant performance indicators.
• It will help benchmark DIETs to enable aspiring teachers to make informed choices about their future.
• It will give the opportunity to Union and State Governments to do real time monitoring of the institutions.
• The major users of Prashikshak will be Pre-service teacher educators, DIET principals and faculty, Policy makers at District, State Government and National Level and the General public.
• It was established through joint collaboration between UnionMinistry of Human Resource Development and Central Square Foundation.
Ministry of Tourism releases data on domestic and foreign tourist visits to states and UTs
The Market Research Division of Ministry of Tourism on 30 June 2016 released data on domestic and foreign tourist visits to States and Union Territories (UTs) for the year 2015.
The Ministry compiled the data received from Departments of Tourism of various State Governments and UT Administrations.
Domestic Tourist Visits to States and UTs during 2015:
•The number of Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs) to the States and UTs was 1432 million. The number was 1282.8 million in 2014. Therefore, 2015 registered a growth of 11.63% over 2014.
•The State that topped the list of the top ten States in terms of number of domestic tourist visits is Tamil Naduthat garnered 333.5 million domestic visits. Uttar Pradeshsecured the second place with 204.9 million visits, while Andhra Pradeshbagged the third position with 121.6 million visits.
•The contribution of top 10 States was about 83.62% to the total number of domestic tourist visits during 2015.
Foreign Tourist Visits to States and UTs during 2015:
•The number of Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs) to the States and UTs in 2015 registered a growth of 4.4% over 2014. India garnered 23.3 million visits in 2015 as compared to 22.3 million in 2014.
•The State that topped the list of the top ten States in terms of number of FTVs during 2015 isTamil Naduwith 4.68 million visits. Maharashtraand Uttar Pradeshsecured second and third place with 4.41 million visits and 3.1 million visits respectively.
•The contribution of top 10 States was about 88.4% to the total number of FTVs in the country during 2015.
Ozone layer in Antarctic is healing: Study
Researchers in their study claimed that the hole in the Earth’s ozone layer over Antarctica has begun to heal. They said that in September 2015 the hole was around 4 million square kilometers smaller than it was in the year 2000, an area roughly the size of India.
The gains in the protective layer can be credited to the long term phasing out of ozone-destroying chemicals which was adopted in the 1989 Montreal Protocol.
Findings of the Study
• Industrial chlorofluorocarbons that cause ozone depletion have been phased out under the Montreal Protocol.
• A chemically-driven increase in polar ozone (or “healing”) is expected in response to this historic agreement.
• Fingerprints of September healing since 2000 was identified through
a) Increases in ozone column amounts
b) Changes in the vertical profile of ozone concentration
c) Decreases in the areal extent of the ozone hole
• Along with chemistry, dynamical and temperature changes contribute to the healing, but could represent feedbacks to chemistry.
• Volcanic eruptions episodically interfere with healing, particularly during 2015 (when a record October ozone hole occurred following the Calbuco eruption).
This is the first clear evidence of healing after the thinning of the layer was first reported in 1980s. The then report suggested a hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica every that was of an average of about 18 million square kilometers in September 1987 and widened to nearly 25 million square kilometers in September 2000.
The study was published on 30 June 2016 in the journal Science. Susan Solomon, the lead author of the study along with his team carried out detailed measurements of the amount of ozone in the stratosphere between 2000 and 2015.
What helped in finding the hole in Ozone in 1980s in Antarctica?
Extreme cold conditions and large amount of light helped the scientists to find thinning of the ozone over Antarctica. These two factors helped in producing Polar Stratospheric Clouds and the chlorine chemistry in these clouds helps in destroying the ozone.
Process
The ultraviolet (UV) light of the sunlight on striking the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) into the atmosphere breaks their chemical bonds and freezes chorine. These free chlorine atoms helps in striping oxygen from Ozone molecules (O3) to form chemicals, destroying the ozone itself.
The ozone hole reaches its peak size in October, and by November, the stratosphere heats up enough to break apart this polar vortex fill the hole.
Ozone
Ozone layer lies at the lower edge of the stratosphere at a distance of about 20 to 30 kilometer above the Earth’s surface. The layer protects the planet from the Sun’s ultraviolent radiation.
Railways Ministry launches NIVARAN portal for employees' grievances redressal
The Railways Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu on 30 June 2016 launched NIVARAN portal, an online system for redressal of service related grievance of serving current and former railway employees.
The Portal is developed by CRIS, the IT arm of Indian Railways, on the basis of process designed by Establishment directorate of Railway Board which deals with staff matters.
Highlights of the NIVARAN portal
• This new initiative is a portal for the internal Grievance Redressal of Railway Employees & Former Railway Employees.
• It facilitates the employees to lodge their grievances and also monitor their progress.
• The system would also provide facility for lodging appeal to the higher authority in case the decision is not found satisfactory.
• Highest controlling authorities shall also be able to monitor the progress of grievance redressal by field offices.
2 July
Rapid Rural Police Response System launched in Punjab
A Rapid Rural Police Response System was launched across Punjab on 1 July 2016.
The system was launched to ensure prompt and effective police response in over 12000 villages in Punjab.
Key highlights of Rapid Rural Police Response System
•The Rapid Rural Police Response System was launched by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.
•400 new motorcycles and 220 new Bolero jeeps were also flagged off under the new system.
•Under the system, the police will respond to any crime or law and order situation within 20 minutes of it being reported.
•Two lines were set up under the system to avoid call rush or delays.
•The Police Department had divided 446 villages spread over four blocks of the district into 25 beats.
•A special control room equipped with computer-aided dispatch software had also been set up for the purpose.
Eminent Marathi literary scholar Ramchandra Chintaman Dhere dies
Renowned Marathi writer Ramchandra Chintaman Dhere passed away on 1 July 2016 following prolonged illness. He was 86.
Dhere was known for his exhaustive research in folk literature and bhakti tradition of Maharashtra.
Who was R C Dhere?
• Ramchandra Chintaman Dhere was a Marathi writer from Maharashtra.
•He was born in the town of Nigade in Pune district.
• He obtained a Doctorate of Literature from Pune University.
•He wrote over 100 scholarly books on Marathi folk literature and culture, Marathi literature, religious sects in Maharashtra, and lives of saint poets.
•He also composed a few poems and musical plays.
• He received a Sahitya Akademi Award in 1987 for his work Shri Vitthal: Ek MahaSamanvay.
•His other important literary works are Dakshinecha Lokdev Khandoba, Marathi Loksanskrutiche Upasak, Gangajaliand Musalman Marathi Santkaviamong others.
President Pranab Mukherjee presents B C Roy National Awards for 2008, 2009 and 2010
President Pranab Mukherjee on 1 July 2016 presented the Dr. B. C. Roy National Awards for 2008, 2009 and 2010.
The awards were presented at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on the occasion of Doctors' Day.
List of awardees for the year 2008
•Dr. Mammen Chandy
•Prof. Rajeshwar Dayal
•Dr. Rohit V. Bhatt
•Dr. Neelam Mohan
•Prof. Mohan Kameswaran
•Dr. Harsha Jauhari
•Dr. Gopal H. Badlani
•Dr. Yash Gulati
List of awardees for the year 2009
•Dr. KH Sancheti
•Dr. Atul Kumar
•Dr. Renu Saxena
•Dr. Kanan A. Yelikar
•Dr. A.K. Kriplani
•Dr. G.V. Rao
•Dr. H.S. Bhanushali
•Dr. Moti Lal Singh
•Dr. C.N. Purandare
•Dr. C.V. Hari Narayan
List of awardees for the year 2010
•Dr. Nikhil C. Munshi
•Dr. Tejinder Singh
•Prof. O.P. Kalra
•Dr. Amrinder Jit Kanwar
•Dr. Subash Gupta
•Dr. Rajendra Prasad
•Dr. Glory Alexander
About Dr. B. C. Roy Award
•The B.C. Roy Awards were instituted by the Medical Council of India in 1976.
•The award was instituted in memory of renowned physician and former West Bengal Chief Minister Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy.
About Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy
•Bidhan Chandra Roy was the second Chief Minister of West Bengal.
•He remained in his post for 14 years as an Indian National Congress candidate, from 1948 until his death in 1962.
•He was a highly respected physician and a renowned freedom fighter.
•Dr. Roy is often considered the great architect of West Bengal.
•He founded five eminent cities, Durgapur, Kalyani, Bidhannagar, Ashokenagar and Habra.
•He was an alumnus of the Medical College Calcutta of the University of Calcutta.
INS Tarasa, Follow-on Water Jet Fast Attack Craft, launched by Indian Navy
Indian Navy on 30 June 2016 launched the fourth in the series of Follow-on Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (FO-WJFAC) called INS Tarasa. It was launched at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata.
The name of the ship, like the previously launched FO-WJFACs, is based on the picturesque island in the Andaman and Nicobar islands in the Bay of Bengal.
Follow-on Water Jet Fast Attack Craft INS Tarasa
• These are powered by the latest MTU engines.
• Along with an advanced machinery control system and water jets it can attain a maximum speed of up to 35 Knots.
• The indigenous CRN 91 Gun with Optronic Pedestal gives the ships the requisite firepower to undertake its role of patrolling at sea effectively.
• The FO-WJFAC, Yard 2112 is designed in-house and built by GRSE, Kolkata for the Indian Navy
Exercise RIPMAC 2016 begins
Exercise RIMPAC 2016, the Pacific military exercise, began on 30 June 2016 at Hawaii with 26 nations participating in the war games that will cover the Hawaiian Island and southern California.
The theme of RIMPAC 2016 is Capable, Adaptive, Partners. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
Highlights of the RIPMAC 2016
• Twenty-six nations, 45 ships, five submarines, more than 200 aircraft, and 25000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise that is scheduled from 30 June to 4 August 2016.
• This year's exercise includes forces from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, China, Peru, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States.
• Hosted by US Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2016 will be led by US Vice Adm Nora Tyson, commander of the US 3rd Fleet (C3F), who will serve as the Combined Task Force (CTF) commander.
• Royal Australian Navy Rear Adm Scott Bishop will serve as deputy commander of the CTF, and Japan Maritime Self Defence Force Rear Adm Koji Manabe as the vice commander.
• Other key leaders of the multinational force will include Commodore Malcolm Wise of the Royal Australian Navy, who will command the maritime component.
• Brig Gen Blaise Frawley of the Royal Canadian Air Force will command the air component
• The amphibious task force will be led by Royal New Zealand Navy Commodore James Gilmour.
• Three nations Denmark, Germany, and Italy will participate in RIMPAC for the first time in 2016.
• The participating nations and forces will exercise a wide range of capabilities ranging from disaster relief and maritime security operations to sea control and complex warfighting.
• The relevant training program includes amphibious operations, gunnery, missile, anti-submarine, and air defence exercises as well as counter-piracy, mine clearance operations and salvage operations.
• Unfortunately, due to unforeseen scheduling commitments, Brazil will not participate in RIMPAC '16.
• Indian Naval ship Satpura, an indigenously built guided missile stealth frigate, will participate in the exercise.
India's Participation in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise
• The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster cooperative relationships that are critical to ensure the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans.
• Exercise RIMPAC is held biennially in the Western Pacific Ocean and Indian Navy’s association commenced with participation as an Observer in 2006, 2010 and 2012.
• In 2014, Indian naval participation was enhanced with deployment of Sahyadri in the 24th edition of the exercise.
National Doctors’ Day 2016 observed across India
1 July: National Doctors’ Day
The 2016 National Doctors’ Day was observed on 1 July 2016 across India.
The day is observed to honour legendary physician, Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy whose birth and death anniversary falls on the same day.
Dr Roy was honoured with the Bharat Ratna on 4 February 1961.
The National Doctors’ Day gives an opportunity to raise the awareness about the doctor’s role in daily life.
About Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy
•Bidhan Chandra Roy was the second Chief Minister of West Bengal.
•He remained in his post for 14 years as an Indian National Congress candidate, from 1948 until his death in 1962.
•He was a highly respected physician and a renowned freedom fighter.
•Dr Roy is often considered the great architect of West Bengal.
•He founded five eminent cities, Durgapur, Kalyani, Bidhannagar, Ashokenagar and Habra.
•He was an alumnus of the Medical College Calcutta of the University of Calcutta.
•The Dr B.C. Roy National Award was instituted in his memory.
•He was born on 1 July 1882 in Patna and died on 1 July 1962.
India's first Integrated Defence Communication Network launched
India's first Integrated Defence Communication Network (DCN) was launched on 30 June 2016.
The DCN was inaugurated by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar at South Block.
The network enables the Army, the Air Force, the Navy and the Special Forces Command to share situational awareness for a faster decision-making process. It is the first tri-service communication and IT network of the Armed Forces.
Key highlights of the Integrated Defence Communication Network
•The Defence Communication Network is a strategic, highly secure and scalable system.
•It has a pan-India reach, i.e., from Ladakh to the North East to island territories.
•The DCN offers high quality voice, video and data services covering 111 entities spread across India.
•The network provides converged voice, data and video services to the three Services based on secured system with adequate redundancy.
•The tri-communication network makes voice data and video data accessible to the three services over a secured network.
•It is capable of working on terrestrial as well as satellite mode of communication.
•It has also been fixed onboard different military vehicles.
•The network has been fully designed and developed in India by HCL Infosystems