27-28 sept eng
28 September
Sania Mirza-Martina Hingis won Ghangzhou Open Women’s Doubles title
Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis on 26 September 2015 won the Guangzhou Open title of tennis. The top-seeded Indo-Swiss pair defeated the Chinese pair of Xu Shilin and You Xiaodi 6-3, 6-1 in the summit clash held at Guangzhou of China.
It was Sania's seventh title of the 2015 season and sixth with Hingis. She won one trophy with Bethanie-Mattek Sands in Sydney.
Sania and Hinghis have now won six of 13 events they have played since March 2015 and the titles include Indian Wells, Miami, Charleston, Wimbledon, the US Open and Guangzhou.
Union Government formed B S Baswan committee to revisit civil services examination pattern
Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions in the fourth week of September revealed that an expert committee was constituted to revisit the civil services examination pattern.
The seven member committee was constituted on 12 August 2015 and is headed by B S Baswan. Also, the committee was mandated to submit report within six months from the date of its constitution.
Terms of reference of the expert committee
• To evaluate the effectiveness of the existing scheme of the civil services examination in selecting suitable candidates keeping in view various factors such as inclusiveness, fair mix of candidates from different disciplines, etc.
• To examine the plan of the examination and suggest suitable changes to all the three stages of the examination viz., preliminary, mains and interview.
• To examine the time frame in which the examination is conducted and suggest suitable changes to reduce the time taken for selection of candidates by utilizing information and communication technologies, etc.
• To suggest timeframe for implementation of the revised pattern of examination
• To suggest suitable eligibility criteria for candidates appearing at the examination with special reference to minimum and maximum age limits, number of attempts; to review the eligibility criteria for candidates, who have already been selected to different services, and who desire to reappear for selection to some other services;
• To suggest a mechanism for designing and periodically updating the syllabus for each of the papers in the two states
• To review the logistical requirements and constrainsts of conducting the examination in view of the increasing number of candidates at the preliminary level
Members of the committee
B S Baswan (Chaiman)
B N Nawalawala
Dr Hari Pratap Gautam
Dr Anil Sahasrabudhe
Prof Peter Ronal deSouza
B Mahadevan
M P Tangirala (Member-Secretary, UPSC)
Grant citizenship to Chakma-Hajong Refugees within 3 months: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court (SC) of India on 17 September 2015 directed the Union and Arunachal Pradesh Governments to grant citizenship to Chakma-Hajong refugees within three months. The two refugees migrated to India from Bangladesh in 1964-69 and settled in the state.
The direction issued by of Justice AR Dave and AK Goel said that the two groups have a right to be granted citizenship subject to the procedure being followed and they cannot be discriminated in any manner.
It said that the two groups who were allowed to be rehabilitated under the decision of the Union Government could not be discriminated against in any manner pending formal conferment of rights of citizenship.
It directed the governments at two levels to take all necessary steps to protect them as they are facing hostility from the local population. It also asked the governments to ensure compliance of directions in judicial decisions for protection of their life and liberty against any kind of discrimination.
The verdict was passed on a petition filed by Committee for Citizenship Rights of the Chakmas (CCRC), who in its petition alleged that they were still being treated as foreigners despite living for more than 50 years in the state. The plea also said that they are being deprived from the benefits of various social welfare schemes including Public Distribution System.
What is Chakma-Hajong refugee Issue?
Chakma-Hajong refugees came to India after being displayed from the area which became part of East Pakistan (now in Bangladesh) on construction of Kaptai hydro-electric dam in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The then Indian Government allowed them to rehabilitate themselves in the country after they sought refuge to India.
In 1964, the Union Government temporarily resettled some 35000 Chakmas in the former North Eastern Frontier Agency (NEFA), in the areas that comprise the present day Lohit, Changlang and Papumpare districts of the State.
However, with the upgradation of NEFA into a full-fledged state of Arunachal Pradesh in 1987, the presence of Chakma-Hajong communities in the State is perceived by the locals as a potential threat to their indigenous tribal culture and traditions by the host tribal communities. The perceived threat has seen several campaigns like 'Quit Arunachal Pradesh' notice to the Chakma-Hajong settlers.
Viewing the potential threat by this group, the successive governments of the state started pressing for their deportation. On the other hand, the Chakma-Hajong communities have intensified their struggle for citizenship rights since the early 1990s and accused the State Government of human rights violations.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won 2015 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix title
Lewis Hamilton of Britain and Mercedes racing driver on 27 September 2015 won the 2015 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix title. The final race was held at the suzuka circuit in Mie Prefecture, Japan.
While Hamilton topped the table, his team mate Nico Rosberg of Germany stood second and Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) finished third.
Nico Hulkenberg (Germany) and Sergio Perez (Mexico) of Force India stood at the 6th and 12th positions respectively.
For Hamilton, it was the third victory in Japan having won the titles in 2007 and 2014.
It was also the eighth title in the 2015 season for Hamilton as he won the titles in Australia, China, Bahrain, Canada, the UK, Belgium and Italy prior to the present victory.
Hamilton won more races compared to any other British driver in the history of Formula One and is currently 5th on the all-time list, with 41 wins.
World Tourism Day observed with theme One Billion Tourists, One Billion Opportunities
27 September: World Tourism Day
World Tourism Day was observed across the world on 27 September 2015. The theme of the World Tourism Day 2015 is One Billion Tourists, One Billion Opportunities.
The theme wants you to talk Tourism and help to raise awareness of its impact on countries and communities around the world. It talks about its potential as a force for good and creating a better world for all.
Burkina Faso will host the Official Celebration 2015.
Current developments and forecasts
• International tourist arrivals grew by 4.3 percent in 2014 to 1.133 billion.
• In 2014, international tourism generated 1.5 trillion US dollars in export earnings.
• UNWTO forecasts a growth in international tourist arrivals of between 3 percent and 4 percent in 2015.
Background
• World Tourism Day is held annually on 27 September with purpose to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic value.
• The first World Tourism Day was celebrated in 1980 after decision made by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly in 1979.
• The event seeks to address global challenges outlined in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to highlight the contribution that the tourism sector can make in reaching these goals.
World Bank released report entitled Leveraging Urbanisation in South Asia
World Bank on 24 September 2015 released a report entitled Leveraging Urbanisation in South Asia: Managing Spatial Transformation for Prosperity and Livability.
The report provided original empirical and diagnostic analysis of urbanization and related economic trends in the South Asia region.
Also, it also discussed in detail the key policy areas, the most fundamental being urban governance and finance, where actions must be taken to make cities more prosperous and livable.
Highlights of the report
• South Asia’s urban population grew by 130 million between 2001 and 2011-it is more than the entire population of Japan- and is poised to grow by almost 250 million by 2030.
• Manufacturing and services account for more than 80 percent of the region’s GDP.
• Urabnisation provides South Asian countries with the potential to transform their economies to join the ranks of richer nations in both prosperity and livability but the region has struggled to make the most out of it as its urbanization has been messy and hidden.
• Urban areas expanded at just over 5 percent a year in 1999-2010, against urban population growth for the region of a little less than 2.5 percent a year.
• As a result, an estimated 130 million people, at least, are living in slums characterized by poor quality housing in often hazardous areas and a lack of basic services.
• Cities grew about twice as fast in area as they grew in population, which suggests declining average city population densities and increasing sprawl.
Remedies suggested by the repot
• 800 billion US dollars, at constant prices, should be invested in the development of infrastructure between 2010 and 2050.
• 203 million additional housing units will be required over the period 2010-2050.
• To improve the situation, policy makers must address 3 fundamental urban governance deficits viz., empowerment, resources and availability.
• Policy makers are also advised to focus on urban connectivity, land and housing policy reforms and improved strategies to effectively tackle natural disasters and climate change.
Report with respect to India
• 13.7 percent of urban population or 1 in 7 in urban areas live below the poverty line in the country compared to 13.1 percent in Pakistan.
• Among the very poorest, under 5 mortality rate is higher in urban than in rural settings.
• Delhi’s air pollution (PM 2.5 concentration) is almost three times higher than in Beijing giving it the dubious distinction of being the world’s most polluted city.
• For the 12 largest Indian cities the proportion of built-up area outside a city’s official boundaries exceeds that within its boundaries.
• Governments at all levels should conduct risk assessments form potential natural hazards especially in cities that lie along the Himalayan range that at risk of earthquakes and heavy inland flooding.
Hoping Stone Lyngdoh, Meghalaya's oldest & longest serving legislator, passed away
Hoping Stone Lyngdoh, Meghalaya’s oldest and longest serving legislator, passed away on 26 September 2015 in Shillong. He was 86.
At the time of his death, he represented the Nongstoin constituency of West Khasi Hills district in the state legislative Assembly. He was also the president of the Hill State Peoples Democratic Party.
The 86-year-old veteran had been a legislator since the inception of the state, in 1972, till his death.
Before the formation of Meghalaya, he was a legislator in the united Assam legislative assembly also.
He was also a member of the parliament for a brief period in 70s.
Further, he was never defeated in his entire legislative career.
Beside the political arena, he was an agriculturist, school teacher and a social Worker.
In the hilly state, he was better known among people for his fight against uranium mining. He was also the forerunner in demanding a separate state for the Khasi-Jaintia tribes.
Manipur Governor Syed Ahmed died
The 16th Governor of Manipur, Syed Ahmed, on 27 September 2015 passed away in Mumbai due to cancer. He was 70.
A member of the Indian National Congress (INC), Syed Ahmed was sworn in as the 16th governor of Manipur on 16 May 2015. During his four-month tenure in office, he refused to give his consent to the Manipur Tenants, Visitors and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015, which was passed by the Manipur Assembly.
Syed Ahmed also served as the 8th Governor of Jharkhand from 4 September 2011 to 15 May 2015.
He was born on 6 March 1945. He obtained two master’s degrees in English and Hindi. He also obtained a doctorate in Urdu.
Ahmed joined the INC in 1977. He was elected five times to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly as a representative of the Nagpada constituency in Mumbai.
He has also written an autobiography, Pagdandi se Shahar Tak.
Former England Fast Bowler Frank Tyson Died
One of the fastest bowlers of all time, former England cricketer Frank Tyson died on 27 September 2015 in Australia. He was 85 years old. Nicknamed Typhoon, Tyson emigrated to Australia in 1960.
Between 1954 and 1959, he played only 17 Tests for England, but captured 76 wickets at an average of 18.56.
In the 1954-55 Ashes in Australia, Tyson helped England to a 3-1 series win, which has been regarded as his best performance. Due to the win, he was also declared as a Wisden Leading Cricketer in the Worldin 1955.
He played 244 first-class matches between 1952 and 1960, capturing 767 wickets. He retired at the age of 30.
Tyson was born on 6 June 1930 in Farnworth, Lancashire. He obtained a degree in English literature at Hatfield College in the University of Durham.
India’s 1st dedicated satellite for astronomy research ASTROSAT launched
Indian Space Research Orgnaisation (ISRO) on 28 September 2015 launched India’s first dedicated satellite for astronomy research, named ASTROSAT.
The satellite was launched from the first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh at 10 am by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C30). PSLV-C30 is the tenth flight of PSLV in its 'XL' Configuration.
It was launched after the end of its 50-hour long countdown for its launch which began on 26 September 2015 at 8am.
Scientific objectives of ASTROSAT
• To understand high energy processes in binary star systems containing neutron stars and black holes.
• Estimate magnetic fields of neutron stars.
• Study star birth regions and high energy processes in star systems lying beyond our galaxy.
• Detect new briefly bright X-ray sources in the sky.
• Perform a limited deep field survey of the Universe in the Ultraviolet region.
Characteristic features of ASTROSAT
• ASTROSAT is India’s first dedicated multi wavelength space observatory.
• The mission is capable of performing observations in Ultraviolet (UV), optical, low and high energy X-ray wavebands at the same time.
• The satellite is of about 1513 kg and was placed in a 650 km orbit inclined at an angle of 6 deg to the equator around the Earth.
• It carries four X-ray payloads, one UV telescope and a charge particle monitor.
• ASTROSAT’s life span is five years.
The satellite during its mission life will be managed by the spacecraft control centre at Mission Operations Complex (MOX) of ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) at Bangalore.
Payloads of ASTROSAT
ASTROSAT has five payloads which have been developed by ISRO in collaboration with four Indian institutions and two foreign organisations, namely Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Raman Research Institute (RRI), Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and University of Leiscester (UoL), UK.
Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT):capable of observing the sky in the Visible, Near Ultraviolet and Far Ultraviolet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC): It is designed for study the variations in the emission of X-rays from sources like X-ray binaries, Active Galactic Nuclei and other cosmic sources.
Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT):It is designed for studying how the X-ray spectrum of 0.3-8 keV range coming from distant celestial bodies varies with time.
Cadmium Zinc Telluride Imager (CZTI): functioning in the X-ray region extends the capability of the satellite to sense X-rays of high energy in 10-100 keV range.
Scanning Sky Monitor (SSM): It is intended to scan the sky for long term monitoring of bright X-ray sources in binary stars, and for the detection and location of sources that become bright in X-rays for a short duration of time.
Six foreign satellites carried by PSLV-C30
PSLV-C30 also carried six small satellites from different countries. This launch also marked the first ever commercial flight of US Satellites from India, four of which share the boardroom of the PSLV-C30. The other two payloads are of Canada and Indonesia.
LAPAN-A2, Indonesian:76-kg satellite is a micro-satellite from the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space and will provide maritime surveillance using automatic identification system (AIS). It will support Indonesian radio amateur communities for disaster mitigation and carrying out earth surveillance using video and digital camera.
NLS-14 (Ev9), Canada: 14-kg is a maritime monitoring Canadian nano satellite using the next generation AIS. It was designed by the Space Flight Laboratory, University of Toronto Institute for Advanced Studies.
LEMUR nano, the US:These are four non-visual remote sensing satellites developed by Spire Global Inc, San Francisco, US with focus primarily on global maritime intelligence through vessel tracking via AIS and high-fidelity weather forecasting using GPS radio occultation technology.
Why the launch is unique?
Astrosat is India’s major scientific mission after the highly acclaimed Chandrayaan-I and Mangalyaan and this attempt of ISRO will help it to set up an observatory in space, a place from where it can study cosmological phenomena.
This launch and its success makes India a member of elite group of nations having their own space observatory after the US, Japan, Russia and Europe.
This is the third time that an Indian rocket carried seven satellites in a single mission. In 2008, ISRO launched 10 satellites in one go including India's Cartosate-2A satellite.
Qualcomm Announced Investment of 150 Million US Dollars for Indian Start-Ups
Silicon Valley based chip-maker Qualcomm on 27 September 2015 announced that it will invest 150 million US dollars for Indian start-ups. The investment will come through a venture fund.
The announcement was made after the company’s executive chairman Paul E Jacobs met the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Digital Economy event in San Jose. The venture fund was in support of Indian Government’s Digital India and Make in India initiatives.
Qualcomm will provide local innovative start-ups the support required to help country’s Mobile and Internet of Everything (IOE) ecosystem grow. The company is also set to extend its support to the start-ups in financial, marketing and technology fields.
Qualcomm has been investing in Indian start-ups since 2007.
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm Inc. is an American tech giant that designs and markets wireless telecommunications products and services.
The company was founded by Irwin M. Jacobs, Andrew Viterbi, Harvey White, Adelia Coffman, Andrew Cohen, Klein Gilhousen and Franklin Antonio in 1985 in San Diego, California.
Mathematician Jacob Tsimerman won 2015 SASTRA Ramanujan Prize
Mathematician Jacob Tsimerman of the University of Toronto, Canada on 28 September 2015 was chosen for the prestigious 2015 SASTRA Ramanujan Prize.
Tsimerman is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the University of Toronto. He primarily conducts research in Number Theory.
He will be conferred with the prize during the International Conference on Number Theory at SASTRA University in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu where the prize is given annually.
About SASTRA Ramanujan Prize
Founded by Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA) University in 2005 after the name of the genius mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, the SASTRA Ramanujan Prize is awarded every year to a young mathematician.
The age limit for the prize is 32 years as Ramanujan died at 32. The current prize money for the award is 10000 US Dollars.
Lucknow-based CSIR-CIMAP won CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development, 2014
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow on 26 September 2015 won the CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development (CAIRD) 2014.
CSIR-CIMAP was awarded for enhancing incomes of farm communities through Vetiver based Technological Interventions.
The award was announced on the occasion of CSIR Foundation Day by the DG, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Dr. Girish Sahni.
CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development
The award was instituted by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in the year 2006 to recognize and honour S&T innovations that have helped transform the lives of rural people.
The effort through this award, in a way, is also to give a boost to rural development through intrinsic innovation and its implementation at ground level. The award, which has emerged as a very prestigious one, carries a cash prize of 10 lakh rupees, a citation and a shield.
Nepal imposed vehicle curbs due to fuel shortage
Nepal on 27 September 2015 enforced an odd-even licence plate system for plying of vehicles on alternate days.
With this, drivers are permitted on the roads only on alternate days depending on whether their licence plates end in odd or even numbers.
The step was taken due to growing fears of a fuel shortage after protesters, belonging to Madhesi community, blocked a major Indo-Nepal border trade route. The route is blocked since the night of 24 September 2015.
The protestors are seeking amendments to Nepal’s new Constitution adopted on 20 September 2015.
Hundreds of protestors called for changes in the constitution as they jammed a bridge crossing in the town of Birgunj, 90 km south of Kathmandu that serves as the key centre for oil and food imports into the landlocked nation from India.
Why Madhesis are protesting in Nepal?
The Madhesi community is seeking amendments to the plans adopted under the Constitution to divide the country into seven federal provinces. As they feel that it has failed to satisfy the Madheshis and Tharus who constitute 70 percent of the Terai population and they regard the formation of seven federal provinces as per the Constitution as grossly unfair to them.
As per the Nepal’s new constitution, only eight districts in the Terai region, from Saptari in the East to Parsa in the West, have been given the status of a province; the remaining 14 districts are to be joined with the hill districts, with the sole purpose of converting the local people into a minority.
Google teamed up with Indian Railways to provide free Wi-Fi at 400 Stations
Internet search engine giant Google on 27 September 2015 announced its tie-up with Indian Railways that will provide free Wi-Fi facilities to 400 stations. The Wi-Fi facilities will be provided under Project Nilgiri.
The plan will initially start with 100 busiest railway stations. Later, the facility will be extended to the remaining stations.
The project will make Internet hot-spots available to more than 10 million people just with the first 100 stations online. This will make it the largest Wi-Fi project in the country.
The Access & Energy team of Google together with Indian Railways and RailTel, which provides Internet services as RailWire via its extensive fiber network, will bring the first station online in the coming months.
As per the initial plan, Indian Railways will introduce Wi-Fi services at 400 A1 and A category stations throughout the country and in select trains in a phase-wise manner. Indian Railways will introduce Wi-Fi services at 75 A1 category station by the end of 2015.
Google on 28 September 2015 released a map of the first 100 stations online that will get high-speed Wi-Fi hot spots in India.