17-18 JULY 2016
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.
Terrapin 3 Acquisition Corporation acquires Yatra Online for $218 mn
Yatra Online, Inc. and Terrapin 3 Acquisition Corporation on 14 July 2016 entered into a definitive merger agreement. The transaction values Yatra at an enterprise value of 218 million dollars (1458 crore rupees).
Yatra in its statement said that it intends to be listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol"YTRA"following completion of the transaction.
The combined company will continue to be led by Yatra's experienced management team under the leadership of chief executive and co-founder Dhruv Shringi.
Yatra Online
Founded in 2006, Yatra is one of the fastest growing consumer travel platforms and online travel agents in India with more than 4 million customers.
Yatra has emerged as the most trusted eCommerce travel brand in India and has won three awards at the Indian government's Ministry of Tourism National Tourism Awards and they are
• Outstanding performance as a Domestic Tour Operator (Rest of India)
• Outstanding performance as a Domestic Tour Operator in Jammu and Kashmir
• Outstanding performance as an Inbound Tour Operator-Category C
Terrapin 3 Acquisition Corporation
TRTL is a special purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, acquisition, or similar business combination. TRTL was founded by Nathan Leight and was co-sponsored by affiliates of Terrapin Partners, LLC and affiliates of Macquarie Group Limited.
18 July
Pema Khandu sworn-in as Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister
Pema Khandu was sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh at Raj Bhawan in Itanagar on 17 July 2016. Governor Tataghata Roy administered the Oath of Office and Secrecy to him.
Chowna Mein was also sworn-in as the Deputy Chief Minister.
With this, Khandu, 37, also became the youngest chief minister of the country. He has replaced Nabam Tuki, who resigned from the post after stepping down as leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) on 16 July 2016. Tuki also proposed Khandu’s name as the next CLP leader and the new Chief Minister of the state. His proposal was unanimously accepted by all the 43 members present in the CLP meeting.
Pema khandu
• Pema khandu, born on 21 August 1979, is the son of former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh late Dorjee Khandu.
• He is an MLA of Moktu (ST) constituency in Tawang district.
• He first entered the Arunachal Pradesh assembly in 2011 to fill the vacancy caused by his father's death. His father died in a chopper crash in 2011 near Luguthang in Tawang district bordering China.
• He has served the state as minster on various posts such as Minister of Tourism, Urban Development, Rual Works Department (RWD), Water Resources, Civil Aviation and Art & Culture.
• He was part of a group of 30 party lawmakers who had rebelled against Tuki's leadership.
• He is a graduate from Delhi’s Hindu college (Delhi University).
Background
Nabam Tuki who resigned as the Chief Minister of the state was earlier reinstated as chief minister of the state on 13 July 2016 by the Supreme Court. The court in its ruling said that the decision to place Arunachal Pradesh under President's Rule early in 2016 was illegal.
The apex court also ordered the removal of Kalikho Pul who led the rebellion that resulted in fall of Tuki government in the state in December 2015.
Vijender Singh defeats Kerry Hope to clinch WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title
Vijender Singh, the boxing star from India, on 16 July 2016 clinched the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title at the Thyagraj Stadium, New Delhi. To win the title, the six-footer from Haryana defeated former WBC European champion Kerry Hope.
Virender, 30, took all 10 rounds to dismantle the 34-year-old Australian Hope and record his seventh straight win in the circuit. He scored 98-92, 98-92, 100-90 to be the unanimous winner.
With this, Singh also became the country’s first-ever professional boxing title holder. The win also helped him to climb to 15th in the world in his category.
Previous six bouts for Vijender Singh were
• Vijender Singh vs Sonny Whiting in Manchester Arena, Manchester, UK: The knockout match played on 10 October 2015 was won by Vijender Singh.
• Vijender Singh vs Dean Gillen ay National Stadium, Dublin:The knockout match played on 7 November 2015 was won by Vijender Singh.
• Vijender Singh vs Samet Hyuseinov at Manchester Arena, Manchester, UK:The knockout match played on 19 December 2015 was won by Vijender Singh.
• Vijender Singh vs Alexander Horvath at Echo Arena, Liverpool, UK:The knockout match played on 12 March 2016 was won by Vijender Singh.
•Vijender Singh vs Matiouze Royer at Copper Box Arena, London, UK: The knockout match played on 30 April 2016 was won by Vijender Singh.
•Vijender Singh vs Andrzej Soldra at Macron Stadium, Bolton, UK:The knockout match played on 13 May 2016 was won by Vijender Singh.
The Indian Boxing Council's undercard bouts includes
• IBC Super Welterweight national title:Siddharth Verma of Maharashtra won the title by defeating Haryana's Dibagh Thakran.
• Heavy weight title: Haryana's Sumit Rangi won the title by defeating debutant Naveen Rao from Delhi.
• Light-heavy title:Gaganpreet Sharma from Chandigarh defeated Deepak Sheoran
• Super Lightweight title:Indian-origin Brit Sanjeev Sahota defeated Vikas Lohan.
• Special women's bout: Negeinihat (from Mary Kom's Manipur-based academy) defeated Bichong via a unanimous decision.
Three Indian sites listed among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on 17 July 2016 listed Franco-Swiss architect Le Corbusier’s works among its World Heritage Sites.
The listed works include Chandigarh’s Complexe du Capitole, Khangchendzonga National Park and Mount Khangchendzonga.
It is the first time that any country got three sites inscribed in the Word Heritage List at a single session of the committee meeting.
The chosen works of Le Corbusier depict his contributions to the Modern Movement that emerged after World War I. His works emphasize on functionality, bold lines and materials such as concrete, iron and glass.
Three Indian sites listed in the World Heritage Sites are:
Complexe du Capitole, Chandigarh
•The site comprises three buildings, i.e., Legislative Assembly, Secretariat and High Court.
•Following the independence of India, the divided Punjab required a new capital as Lahore was now in Pakistan.Therefore, Le Corbusier was commissioned by first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru to build a new city of Chandigarh as the capital of Punjab.
•The brief for the design was a city unfettered by the traditions of the past, a symbol of the nation's faith in the future.
•Later, Corbusier and his team constructed large assembly and high court building, and also the major buildings in the city.
•At present, many of the buildings are considered modernist masterpieces.
Khangchendzonga National Park and Mount Khangchendzonga:
•The park is located at the heart of the Himalayan range in Sikkim.
•It includes a unique diversity of plains, valleys, lakes, glaciers and snow-capped mountains covered with ancient forests, including the world’s third highest peak, Mount Khangchendzonga.
•It is the first 'Mixed Heritage'site of India.
Besides these, Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites (Antigua and Barbuda) and Pampulha Modern Ensemble (Brazil) were also included in the list.
Who was Le Corbusier?
•Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris, better known as Le Corbusier, was a Swiss-French architect, designer, painter, urban planner and writer.
•He is also recognised as one of the pioneers of what is now called modern architecture.
•His career spanned five decades, with his buildings constructed throughout Europe, India, and the Americas.
•He prepared the master plan for the city of Chandigarh in India, and contributed specific designs for several buildings there.
What is World Heritage Site?
A World Heritage Site is a place (such as a building, city, complex, desert, etc.) that is listed by UNESCO as being of special cultural or physical significance.
The list is maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
The committee is composed of 21 UNESCO member states which are elected by the General Assembly.
In India, there are 35(27 cultural and 7 natural sites and 1 mixed) World Heritage Sites.
11th Asia–Europe Meeting Summit issues Ulaanbaatar Declaration
The eleventh edition of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit on 16 July 2016 issued Ulaanbaatar Declaration.
The Ulaanbaatar Declaration focuses on fight against terrorism and greater connectivity among the Asia and Europe. It has reaffirmed ASEM’s commitment for greater partnership through informal political dialogue and initiatives in economic and socio-cultural fields.
Key highlights of the Ulaanbaatar Declaration
•It committs to foster greater understanding between Asia and Europe.
•It committs to broaden political dialogue, enhance economic cooperation and increase socio-cultural exchanges.
•It committs to deepen Asia-Europe inter-connectedness, shape and forge links and mutually beneficial, multi-layered cooperation for peace and development.
•It committs to create opportunities for broader people-to-people connections, including through the Asia-Europe Foundation.
•It committs to promote effective multilateralism and strengthen other multilateral processes.
About Asia-Europe Meeting Summit 2016
•The 11th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit commenced on 15 July 2016 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
•The Summit brought together high-level delegation from 51 ASEM partners and two intergovernmental organizations.
•The theme for the summit was 20 Years of ASEM: Partnership for the Future through Connectivity.
•The 11th ASEM Summit also marked the 20th Anniversary since the Asia-Europe Meeting dialogue process was inaugurated on 1-2 March 1996 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Turkish musician Kudsi Erguner named UNESCO Artist for Peace
Turkish musician Kudsi Erguner was on 10 July 2016 appointed as the UNESCO Artist for Peace by the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova.
Erguner was appointed for the post at a ceremony held at the Congress Center in Istanbul (Turkey) after the opening ceremony of the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee, which ends on 20 July 2016.
Kudsi Ergüner was named in recognition of his efforts
• To promote the universal values of music, an essential instrument of dialogue between cultures
• For his contribution to the protection of musical heritage
• His support for the International Decade of the Rapprochement of Cultures (2013-2022)
• His unwavering commitment to the ideals of the Organization
His responsibility as a UNESCO Artist of Peace includes work for the updating of the forgotten musical heritage.
Kudsi Erguner
• Born in Turkey in 1952, Kudsi Ergüner is a musician, one of the best-known players of the Turkish ney (reed flute), composer, musicologist, teacher, author and translator.
• Trained by his father, Ulvi Ergüner, the last great master of the ney flute, he has given concerts all over the worl.
• He is considered a master of traditional Mevlevi Sufi music, built on Persian and Turkish traditions.
• He has helped in reviving the traditional musical trends.
• His collaborations with prestigious artists such as Peter Gabriel, Maurice Béjart, Peter Brook and Didier Lockwood helped to spread this music to Western audiences.
UNESCO Artists for Peace
UNESCO Artists for Peace are internationally renowned personalities who use their influence, charisma and prestige to promote the message and UNESCO programs. UNESCO is working with them to increase public awareness regarding key development issues and the role of the Organization in these areas.
Union Government launches Transforming India Website
The Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology and Law & Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad on 15 July 2016 launched Transforming India website www.transformingindia.mygov.in.
Transforming India website is a repository for sharing the impact of various governance initiatives with citizens in real-time.
Highlights of the website
• It provides information in a user-friendly format enabling citizens to view the content in the form of Infographics, e-books, performance dashboard, videos, daily news corner, etc.
• It facilitates two-way communication between the government and citizens.
• It is also a social platform on which users can share their opinions about various initiatives of the government.
• It acts as a repository of major policies and decisions and provides a central platform to citizens for sharing of transformational changes that they see around themselves.
Key features of the Website
• Performance Dashboard – A holistic view, with real-time updates, on the progress in key parameters in some of the flagships government schemes and initiatives.
• Infographics – Easy accessibility to various government schemes and their progress through pictorial, graphical & animated representations.
•Voice of India –Testimonials from citizens, recorded in their own voice and in their milieu, on the transformative impact in their lives through various schemes and programmes of the government.
• Live Events –Facilitate live interaction between citizens, senior government officials, domain experts and civil society.
• Videos –Short videos about upcoming policy initiatives introduced by the Government of India, as well as video clips of speeches by prominent dignitaries discussing issues of national importance.
• Weekly Summary –A weekly digest of the best #TransformingIndia posts by citizens and senior government functionaries across social media platforms, including on MyGov.
• Citizen Speak –Section devoted especially for citizen voices. Citizens can share stories about transformative growth in India that they see around themselves.
• Social Media Corner –Daily news on policy and governance summarized through best Social Media posts.
Dipika Pallikal Karthik, Saurav Ghosal clinches 73rd Senior National Squash Championship
The 73rd Senior National Squash Championship held from 12 July – 17 July 2016 concluded in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Women: Final Result
Dipika Pallikal Karthik (World no. 19) dethroned defending champion Joshna Chinappa 4-11 11-6 11-2 11-8 to regain the women's title. Dipika was playing in the nationals after a five-year gap when she won in 2011.
Men: Final Result
Top seed Saurav Ghosal defeated fourth seed Harinderpal Singh Sandhu 11-7 7-11 3-11 11-8 14-12 in five hard-fought games to claim the title.
With this win, Ghosal also created a history of winning the title for the 11th time and went ahead of RK Narpat Singh's feat of 10 titles, won from 1946 to 1955.
Nelson Mandela International Day 2016 observed
18 July: Nelson Mandela International Day
Nelson Mandela International Day was observed across the world on 18 July 2016 to honour the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela (1918-2013).
The day is aimed at inspiring individuals to take action to help change the world for the better.
The Day was celebrated for the first time on 18 July 2010 as per a UN General Assembly resolution of November 2009.
Background
In November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly declared 18 July as Nelson Mandela International Day in recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom.
It recognized Nelson Mandela’s values and his dedication to the service of humanity, in the fields of conflict resolution, race relations, the promotion and protection of human rights.
SpaceX launched unmanned Dragon cargo capsule to International space station
SpaceX on 18 July 2016 launched its unmanned Dragon cargo capsule to the International Space Station, carrying a key piece of equipment that was lost in 2015 due to rocket explosion. The launch to the ISS is a resupply mission for NASA.
Dragon spaceship was packed with nearly 23000 kilograms of gear, including science experiments and equipment for the astronauts living in space.
After blasting off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, the rocket separated after sending the cargo to orbit. Then the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket landed back on the solid ground in Cape Canaveral at the NASA facility.
As per the plan, the Dragon is expected to arrive at the space station early 20 July 2016.
With this, SpaceX now has five successful rocket landings to its name. The first occurred in December 2015, when a Falcon 9 first stage came back to Cape Canaveral during a commercial satellite launch. The other three successful launches happened in April (one) and May (two), these launches were featured with sea landings, on a robotic ship named Of Course I Still Love You.
Dragon spaceship
• Dragon is a free-flying spacecraft developed by SpaceX, an American private space transportation company based in Hawthorne, California.
• It is launched into space by the SpaceX Falcon 9 two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle, and SpaceX is developing a crewed version called the Dragon 2.
• The spacecraft is designed to deliver both cargo and people to orbiting destinations.
• Dragon made history in 2012 when it became the first commercial spacecraft in history to deliver cargo to the International Space Station and safely return cargo to Earth, a feat previously achieved only by governments.
• It is the only spacecraft currently flying that is capable of returning significant amounts of cargo to Earth.
TRI-NETRA System developed for enhancing the vision of Locomotive Pilots in inclement weather
The Ministry of Railways on 17 July 2016 developed the TRI-NETRA system on locomotives for enhancing the vision of Locomotive Pilots in inclement weather. TRI-NETRA stands for Terrain imaging for diesel dRivers INfra-red, Enhanced opTical &Radar Assisted system.
TRI-NETRA system is be made up of high-resolution optical video camera, high sensitivity infra-red video camera and additionally a radar-based terrain mapping system. These three components of the system act as three eyes (Tri-Netra) of the Locomotive Pilot.
Highlights of the TRI-NETRA system
• TRI-NETRA is designed to see the terrain ahead of the running locomotive during inclement weather by combining the images captured by the three sub-systems.
• It will create a composite video image which shall be displayed in front of the Loco Pilot on a computer monitor.
• It will give the locomotive pilot a clear view of the track ahead in bad visibility conditions so that he can apply brakes well in time.
• *It will also map the terrain ahead so that the driver knows when he is approaching a station or a signal.
Concept of TRI-NETRA
The concept of TRI-NETRA was developed by Development Cell under the guidance of Member Mechanical, Railway Board while brainstorming on how to use the technology employed by fighter aircrafts to see through clouds and operate in pitch darkness.
Guruprasad Mohapatra appointed as Chairman of Airports Authority of India
Odisha-born bureaucrat Guruprasad Mohapatra was on 15 July 2016 appointed as the Chairman of Airports Authority of India (AAI) with effect from 19 July 2016.
Guruprasad Mohapatra is a 1986 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre.
About Guruprasad Mohapatra
• Prior to the recent posting, he was posted as Joint Secretary in Union Ministry of Commerce.
• Mohpatra also served the Sales Tax department as Special Commissioner (Enforcement), and as a Commissioner of Commercial Taxes and as the Commissioner of Transport.
• He was the Joint MD of Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) during his service in Gujarat.
• He had also served as Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad for over three years.
• He started in the State Electricity Sector with the erstwhile Gujarat Electricity Board in 2002 and worked with various Electricity Companies such as GSEC and the distribution companies such as PGVCL, DGVCL & UGVCL.
• He is an MA in Political Science, MPhil in Diplomacy (International Relation) and also an MBA degree holder.