15-16 JULY 2016
Harika Dronavalli wins Fide Women’s Grand Prix trophy in China
India's Grand Master Harika Dronavalli on 14 July 2016 won the Fide Women’s Grand Prix trophy in Chendu, China. This was the first Grand Prix Chess title for the Grand Master from Guntur.
Harika defeated Russia’s Olga Girya to win the title.
Harika finished on 7 points in the round robin tournament featuring the world’s top 12 players to be crowned the champion.
Other Indian Grand Master Koneru Humpy defeated Antoaneta Stefanova to catch up with her compatriot Harika Dronavalli on the shared first place with 7/11 points each. Harika, however, was declared winner for finishing with a better tie-break record in the tournament.
Ju Wenjun was awarded the trophy for third place, after edging Stefanova and Anna Muzychuk on tie-break.
K V R Murthy appointed as CMD of Jute Corp of India
The Jute Corporation of India Limited on 12 July 2016 announced that K V R Murthy has taken over as its Chairman-cum-Managing Director. He took over the position from 2 July 2016.
Murthy’s appointment is for a period of five years or till the date of his superannuation, whichever is earlier.
Murthy was earlier associated with Eastern Railways in the capacity of Chief Commercial Manager.
About Jute Corp of India
•The Jute Corporation of India Ltd. (JCI) is an agency of the Government of India that assists jute cultivators in states where this crop is grown, providing minimum price support.
•JCI was established in 1971.
•It is based in Kolkata.
•An audit issued in February 2010 identified various deficiencies in the JCI operations that were severely handicapping its effectiveness.
•At first a small agency, it has steadily grown and now operates in the main jute-growing states of West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Orissa, and Andhra Pradesh.
Rajesh Kumar Chaturvedi appointed as Chairman of CBSE
Rajesh Kumar Chaturvedi was on 14 July 2016 appointed as the Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for a five-year term. The post had been lying vacant since December 2014.
Until now, Joint Secretary of the Union Human Resource Development Ministry Y S K Seshu Kumar was holding the additional charge of Chairman of the CBSE.
Chaturvedi was appointed after the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) decided that CBSE Chairperson will be appointed through Central Staffing Scheme and not through Search-Cum-Selection Committee method.
Chaturvedi is a 1987- batch IAS officer from Madhya Pradesh cadre. Chaturvedi has wide-ranging experience in the revenue and commerce departments. However, he has never worked in the education sector.
Background
Chaturvedi's appointment came just after the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) rejected former Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani's choice Sarvendra Vikram Bahadur Singh for the crucial post and divested the Ministry of the power to send a panel of names for the appointment.
This was the second time that the name of CBSE chairperson recommended by HRD ministry has been rejected by the ACC.
In early 2015, a search-cum-selection committee had sent the name of Satbir Bedi for the post of Chairman of CBSE, but DoPT rejected him as well on the grounds that he didn't fulfil the basic qualification of having been education administrator for three years.
Time schedule for making payments under Income Declaration Scheme 2016 revised
The Union Government on 14 July 2016 revised the time schedule for making payments under the Income Declaration Scheme 2016.
As per the revised schedule, a minimum amount of 25 percent of the tax, surcharge and penalty can be paid by 30 November 2016 and further amount of 25 percent by 31 March 2017. The balance amount can be paid on or before 30 September 2017.
The decision was taken following practical difficulties expressed by various stakeholders that the time period available under the Scheme up to 30 November 2016 for making payment of tax, surcharge and penalty is very short.
Justice Shah headed SIT on black money recommends ban on cash transactions above 3 lakh rupees
The Supreme Court-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) on black money on 14 July 2016 submitted its fifth report to the apex court. The SIT was headed by retired Justice M B Shah.
The SIT in its fifth report recommended the following:
Cash transactions: It has recommended ban on cash transactions above 3 lakh rupees in a day. It recommended enacting a law to declare such transactions as illegal and punishable.
Cash holding: It also suggested capping the cash holding of an industry or individual at 15 lakh rupees. In case any person or industry required holding more cash, it may obtain necessary permission from the Commissioner of Income Tax of the area.
The SIT felt that the cash transaction limit can only succeed if there is a limitation on cash holding.
Background
The Justice MB Shah led SIT was constituted in 2014 to look into the ways to curb generation of black money, unaccounted, untaxed wealth, and bring back funds stashed away overseas.
Apart from this, to catch the undisclosed foreign assets and curb the domestic black money, the Union Government has enacted two different laws and they are
• Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015
• Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Bill, 2015, which the government hopes will get passed in the upcoming monsoon session of parliament.
Who Moved My Interest Rate? authored by Duvvuri Subbarao
Who Moved My Interest Rate?: Duvvuri Subbarao
A book titled Who Moved My Interest Rate?authored by Duvvuri Subbarao, the former Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), will be released on 27 July 2016.
The book gives an account of the dilemmas Subbarao confronted while leading the Reserve Bank through the extraordinary economic and political challenges India and world faced from 2008 to 2013.
The book is a chronicle of Subbarao’s attempts to demystify the RBI and explain to the public its impact on their everyday lives.
Subbarao’s term as the Governor of the RBI from 2008 to 2013 saw a turbulent period for the world and for India. The global financial crisis erupted within a week of his assuming office.
About Duvvuri Subbarao
•Duvvuri Subbarao is an Indian Economist, Central Banker and Civil Servant.
•He was the 22nd Governor of Reserve Bank of India from 5 September 2008, with an extension in 2011 till 4 September 2013.
•He is a 1972 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre.
Misbah-ul-Haq becomes oldest captain to score Test hundred
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq on 14 July 2016 scored 110 against England at Lord's.
With this, the 42 years and 47 days old cricketer became the oldest captain to score Test hundred.
Misbah is also the oldest visiting player to play a Test on English soil in the last 31 years.
The previous oldest was Somachandra de Silva of Sri Lanka, who was 42 years & 73 days old when he played against England at Lord's in 1984.
About Misbah-ul-Haq
•Misbah-ul-Haq is a Pakistani cricketer.
•He is the current Test captain of the Pakistan national cricket team.
•He was also the One Day International (ODI) captain until his retirement from ODI cricket after the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
•He holds the record of the fastest test half century.
•He also scored fastest test century, equalling the record of Sir Vivian Richards, which was later broken by Brendon McCullum.
WHO declares India as Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus free
The World Health Organization (WHO) on 14 July 2016 declared India as Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus free. In this regard, WHO presented certificates to the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda.
Previously in May 2016, WHO certified India yaws-free after a team of experts verified interruption of disease transmission in the country. India is the first country under the 2012 WHO neglected tropical diseases (NTD) roadmap to eliminate yaws.
Yaws is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the skin, bones and cartilages.
Comment
The Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination (MNTE) has been the result of India's focused approach on making maternal and newborn care accessible to all.
Reducing maternal and neonatal tetanus to less than one case per 1 000 live births in all 675 districts has helped improve access to immunization, antenatal care services and skilled birth attendance in the most vulnerable populations.
Both yaws and maternal and neonatal tetanus eliminations were achieved using the existing health system and health workforce.
Rare Marbled Map butterfly sighted in Eastern Ghats
Rare Marbled Map butterfly was sighted in Eastern Ghats near PM Kota village of Maredumilli mandal in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. This is the first time that the Marbled Map butterfly species, usually found in the north-east, was sighted in South India.
The butterfly was found by a group of green enthusiasts including N. Chandramohan Reddy, an Indian Forest Service officer, while they were exploring the thick forest of the Eastern Ghats of the region.
At present, Reddy is working as the managing director of AP Urban Greening and Beautification Corporation Ltd.
A book by Issac Kehimkar titled ‘The Book of Indian Butterflies’ says that the Marbled Map (Cyrestis cocles) is listed as a rare butterfly species. Its availability is confined to forested hills in the region between Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bhutan and Myanmar.
Marbled Map (Cyrestis cocles)
• The Marbled Map is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in parts of Asia.
• This species is pale green with faint vertical lines and rounded wings.
• Its wings span is between 50-60 mm.
World Youth Skills Day 2016 observed globally
15 July: World Youth Skills Day
The World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) was on 15 July 2016 observed globally with the theme Skills Development to Improve Youth Employment.
On the occasion, United Nations organised the event facilitated by the UN Envoy on Youth Ahmad Alhendawi. The event was co-organized with the Permanent Missions of Portugal and Sri Lanka to the United Nations, UNESCO and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The day is observed to create more awareness and a discussion on training and the development of skills for the youth of today, in hopes of creating a better opportunity for them when it comes to employment.
Background
The World Youth Skills Day was established by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on 11 November 2014. The Assembly designated 15 July as the World Youth Skills Day in order to raise awareness about the importance of investing in youth skills development.
RBI sets up Sudarshan Sen-headed Inter-regulatory Working Group on Fin Tech and Digital Banking
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 14 July 2016 constituted an inter regulatory Working Group (WG) to study the entire gamut of regulatory issues relating to Fin Tech (financial technology) and Digital Banking in India.
It will view the growing significance of Fin Tech innovations and their interactions with the financial sector as well as the financial sector entities.
The 13-member working group will be headed by Sudarshan Sen, the executive director of RBI. It has been asked to submit its report within six months from the date of its first meeting.
The terms of reference of the Working Group
• To undertake a scoping exercise to gain a general understanding of the major Fin Tech innovations/developments, counterparties/entities, technology platforms involved and how markets and the financial sector in particular, are adopting new delivery channels, products and technologies.
• To assess opportunities and risks arising for the financial system from digitisation and use of financial technology, and how these can be utilised for optimising financial product innovation and delivery to the benefit of users / customers and other stakeholders.
• To assess the implications and challenges for the various financial sector functions such as intermediation, clearing, payments being taken up by non-financial entities.
• To examine cross country practices in the matter, to study models of successful regulatory responses to disruption across the globe.
• To chalk out appropriate regulatory response with a view to re-aligning / re-orienting regulatory guidelines and statutory provisions for enhancing Fin Tech / digital banking associated opportunities while simultaneously managing the evolving challenges and risk dimensions.
• Any other matter relevant to the above issues.
The Working Group may invite views from representatives from any area relevant to its terms of reference and may also, at its discretion, co-opt entities in the payment, telecom, software and start up ecosystem.
Background
Earlier on 26 April 2016, the Financial Stability and Development Council - Sub Committee (FSDC - SC) at its meeting decided to set up such a Working Group to look into and report on the granular aspects of Fin Tech and its implications. The decision was made to review and appropriately reorient the regulatory framework and respond to the dynamics of the rapidly evolving Fin Tech scenario.
India, ADB sign 100 Million US dollar loan agreement for Cauvery Delta project in Tamil Nadu
The Union Government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 14 July 2016 signed a 100 million US dollars loan agreement to strengthen key irrigation and drainage system and improve water management in the Vennar sub-basin of the Cauvery delta in Tamil Nadu.
The financing will be used to strengthen embankments of six major irrigation water channels in the Vennar system and rehabilitate 13 irrigation pumping schemes.
Highlights of the Project
• The project aims to improve existing infrastructure and will provide flood protection and renewed access to irrigation.
• Flood forecasting and warning systems will be installed and a flood risks map drawn up to help communities respond more effectively to extreme events.
• The Water Resources Department of the State of Tamil Nadu is responsible for implementing the project.
• The loan from ADB’s ordinary capital resources has a 25-year term.
• The project is expected to be completed by December 2020.
16 July
Madhya Pradesh becomes first state to approve setting up of Happiness Department
Madhya Pradesh Cabinet on 15 July 2016 gave its nod to set up Happiness Department in the state. The department will work as knowledge resource centre on the subject of happiness.
With this approval, Madhya Pradesh became the first state of the country to set up such a Department.
Apart from the department, the cabinet also decided to establish a state Happiness Institute under the Happiness Department. Initially it will have a budget of three crore 60 lakh rupees.
Functions of the Happiness Department
• It will prepare guidelines for coordination between different departments for propagating happiness in the state.
• It will identify and define the parameters of happiness and efficiency.
• It would also prescribe action plan and activities for experiencing happiness.
• The department will assess mind-set of state's people from time to time.
• It would compile and publish survey reports pertaining to status of happiness.
• It will undertake constant researches regarding means of expanding happiness and improve norms to assess them.
The Happiness Department will include a Chairman, a CEO, a director each for Research and Coordination and an accounts officer, four posts of Research Assistant, six Junior Assistant and five peons.
Background
Earlier, the plan of having a Happiness Department was announced by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in April 2016. The decision of having such a department was made after making an in-depth study of the measures undertaken by United Nations, the Government of Bhutan and the US' International Management Institute to assess the status of happiness among citizens.
At present, Bhutan is the only country to have officially adopted gross national happiness instead of gross domestic product as their main development indicator. It adopted the happiness index after UN General Assembly in July 2011 passed a resolution inviting member countries to measure the happiness of their people and to use this to help guide their public policies.
Courage & Commitment authored by Margaret Alva
Courage & Commitment: An Autobiography: Margaret Alva
A book titled Courage & Commitment: An Autobiography by Margaret Alva was in news in the second week of July 2016.
Via this book, Alva narrates her forty-year career under four Prime Ministers, namely Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh. It also tells about her transition from politician to Governor.
In the book, the Alva narrates her trials and triumphs and controversies that rocked her career as a politician leading to expulsion from Congress Party in 1979. She provides details of her spats with Sanjay Gandhi, her role in framing Rajiv Gandhi’s last campaign tour and her involvement with the Jain Hawala investigation when in charge of the CBI.
In the book, Alva also speaks about her denunciation of the manipulation of seats by her own party; and the events leading to her resignation in 2008 from the post of the AICC General Secretary in charge of eight states.
At the same time, she also offers rare insights into the lives of national and international political luminaries.
Margaret Alva
• Margaret Alva is a political leader from the Indian National Congress
• She was the governor Rajasthan and Uttarakhand
• She was elected to Rajya Sabha in 1974, 1980, 1986 and 1992 as a representative of Congress
• During her time in the Rajya Sabha, she was its vice-chairman (1983-85)
• She also served terms as Union Minister of State in the ministries for Parliamentary Affairs, Youth and Sports and Women and Child Development, and more
• In her HRD role, between 1985 and 1989, Alva oversaw the Rajiv Gandhi-led government's 28-point plan intended to improve the rights and involvement of women and children.
• Her 1989 proposal that 33 percent of seats in panchayat raj (local government) elections should be reserved for women became law in 1993
• She was elected to the 13th Lok Sabha as a Member of Parliament in 1999
‘Ramayana month’ begins in Kerala
Kerala on 16 July 2016 started observing Ramayana month in the temples. In Malayalam it is termed as the Ramayana Masam. The Ramayana Month starts with the commencement of Malayalam month ‘Karkidakam’.
During this month the temples and homes of the state recites Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu written by medieval devotional poet Thunjath Ezhuthachan for the 30 days. Ezhuthachan is regarded as the father of Malayalam literature.
The reading of epic Ramayana begins on the first day of the month and is completed on the last day of the month Karkkidakom. The Ramayana is recited by the elder members’ everyday in the evenings after lighting traditional lamp Nilavilakku.
During this observation of the Ramayana month in the state, several competitions and cultural activities based on Ramayana is organised across the state. This unique custom has been preserved across the state over the centuries.
Karkkidakam
Karkkidakam (July - August) is the last month of Malayalam calendar and is considered as month of rain and scarcity (Panjamaasom). As per belief, the month brings good luck and prosperity to the families as well as spiritual strength to go through different difficulties that comes during monsson.
Karkkidakam month comes ahead of Chingam that brings colourful festival of Onam for the Malayalis.
Tata Advanced Systems signs deal with Bell Helicopter
Tata Advanced System (TASL) and Bell Helicopter, a Textron Company on 14 July 2016 signed an agreement to work together in support of India’s aviation and defense modernization initiatives. The agreement was inked with an emphasis on ‘Make in India’.
As per the agreement, TASL and Bell Helicopters will join to develop both commercial and government (including military) rotary wing markets in India in the light utility and reconnaissance segments.
Scope of Agreement
• It is intended to include potential production and assembly capabilities, certain training and maintenance, repair and overhaul requirements.
• It will also include research and development programs and technology sharing that will grow industrial capabilities and result in innovative ‘Make in India’ solutions.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, is the strategic Aerospace and Defence arm of the TATA Group. TASL is both an operating & a holding company.
TASL group is fast emerging as a key Defence and Aerospace player in India with established capabilities and demonstrated deliveries in the following areas:
• Missile Systems and sub-systems
• Radar Systems and sub-systems
• Command & Control Systems
• Aerospace & Aero-Structures
• Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Optronic Systems
• Homeland Security Solutions
• Missile Systems
About Bell Helicopter
Founded in 1935 as Bell Aircraft Corporation, Bell Helicopter continues to set the pace for the industry and expand the scope of vertical lift. It was the first company to obtain commercial certification for a helicopter. Over its 80-year history, Bell Helicopter has delivered more than 35000 aircraft to its customers around the world.
Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, Bell Helicopter has additional plants in Amarillo, Texas and Mirabel, Canada. It also maintains its key logistics supply and service centers in Amsterdam, Prague, Canada and Singapore as well as in the United States.
First Bell helicopter was delivered to India in 1953. At present, more than 90 Bell aircrafts are operational in India in various sectors like commercial, civil/government, and military operations.
Nalanda Mahavihara inscribed as 33rd World Heritage Site in India
The ruins of ancient Nalanda Mahavihara known as old Nalanda University of Bihar on 15 July 2016 got inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
With this, Nalanda University ruins became the second World Heritage Site in Bihar after Bodhgaya's Mahabodhi temple and 33rd such site in India.
The ruins comprise the archaeological remains of monastic and scholastic institutions dating from the 3rd century BC to the 13th century AD.
The ruins have large number of remains of stupas, shrines and viharas and important art works in stucco, stone and metal.
Benefit:Listing into UNESCO’s heritage site list will help in conserving and protecting the site in a better way with increased funds and many more way.
Nalanda Mahavihara
This World Heritage Site is located at a distance of about 98 km from Patna, the capital city of Bihar. The site stands for the most ancient university of the Indian subcontinent that transmitted knowledge over a period of some 800 years or more. Its historical development shades lights on development of Buddhism into a religion as well as growth of the educational traditions.
Nalanda Mahavihara was founded by Kumargupta I of the Gupta dynasty in 5th century CE. It was patronized by various rulers including King Harshavardhana of Kannauj (7th century CE) and the Pala rulers (8th – 12th century CE) as well as various scholars.
Records say that the Nalanda University was destroyed three times by the invaders but was rebuilt twice. The third destruction was caused by the Muslim army led by the Turkish leader Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1193 AD.
About six centuries after Nalanda’s decline, the site was first discovered and reported by Sir Francis Buchanan. The site was systematically excavated and consolidated by Archaeological Survey of India from 1915 to 1937 and again from 1974 to 1982.