Prime Minister Shram Awards 2014

announced

 

09-FEB-2016

Union Ministry of Labour and Employment announced the Prime Minister Shram Awards for the year 2014 on 9 February 2016.

There are nine nominations for the Shram Bhushan Award, Nineteen nominations for Shram Vir or Shram Veerangana and twenty six nominations for Shram Shree or Shram Devi Awards.

Even though, the total number of Shram Awards is 32, the number of workers receiving the awards is 54 which Included 3 women, as some of the awards have been shared by workers and/or teams of workers consisting of more than one worker. These include 36 workers from the public sector and 18 workers from the private sector.

Shram awards were set up by the Union Government in 1985 to recognize the outstanding contributions of workers in both public and private sectors.

 

SHRAM RATNA

 

This is the highest award (one in number) among the Shram Awards and carries a cash award of 2 lakh rupees with a Sanad. For the year 2014, this prestigious award was not awarded to any one as screening committee did not consider any nominee eligible for the award.

 

SHRAM BHUSHAN

 

Total number of these awardees is nine. It carries a cash award of one lakh rupees and a Sanad. Nine nominations were found suitable for the award for the year 2014 in respect of Public Sector Undertaking and Private Sector.

And Shram Veer/Veerangana awards carry a cash prize of 60000 rupees and a Sanad. Shram Shree/Devi Awards comprise of a cash prize of 40000 rupees and a Sanad.

 

Union Government signed MoU with

Chhattisgarh for development of

railway infrastructure

 

09-FEB-2016

Union Railway Ministry on 9 February 2016 signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chhattisgarh Government for formation of Joint Venture Companies for development of railway infrastructure in the state.

The Joint Ventures with states for focused project development, resource mobilization, land acquisition, project implementation and monitoring of critical rail projects.

 

Salient Features of the MoU

 

• The MoU envisages formation of a Joint Venture companies having 51 percent stakes of the respective State Government and 49 percent stakes of Union Ministry of Railways. Thus, the JV companies shall be fully owned by the Government.

• The ministry of Railways will sign a concession agreement of 30 years with the project SPV for safe and sound operation, revenue sharing and providing technical & marketing logistics to the SPV. The revenue sharing shall be based on already established formula being used for inter zonal apportionment of revenue.

• The ownership of the land shall vest with the SPVs which is a departure from previous practice. This will give financial leverage to the company to exploit commercial potential of the land. This is likely to result in making project viable which are otherwise not viable.

• At the end of concession period, the railways will have option to take over the assets at a nominal price. This is largely in line with average codal life of the assets as most of the assets will need large scale replacement after 30 years.

• To expedite the projects, Railways have been trying to mobilize resources through other than Gross Budgetary Support.

• Indian Railways have targeted to commission 2000 Km New Lines, 4000 Km Gauge Conversion and 11000 kilometers Doubling/Tripling/ Quadrupling projects over 5 years that is from 2015-16 to 2019-20.

• Formation of Joint Venture Companies with the State Governments will go a long way in faster commissioning of critical rail infrastructure projects as it will not only help in mobilization of funds but also in facilitating various clearances and land acquisition.

 

Royal Navy of UK to study India’s

Operation Raahat

 

09-FEB-2016

Operation Raahat: Massive air and sea operation carried out by India in Yemen in 2015

The Operation Rahaat came in news in second week of February 2016 after the Royal Navy of United Kingdom (UK) presented its desire to officially study India’s humanitarian rescue operation in Yemen.

The Royal Navy wants to study the Operation Raahat in all its details and understand the meticulous planning process that was followed. It also wants to learn the way the plans were executed.

Operation Raahat was one of the most stellar rescue missions ever conducted in a strife-torn area internationally. It was overseen by Minister of State for External Affairs General (retd) VK Singh.

During the operation, the Indian forces rescued about 5600 people including 960 foreign nations from 41 countries in a short span of 10 days.

The operation was executed with the participation of INS Sumitra, INS Mumbai, INS Tarkash, merchant vessels namely, Kavaratti and Coral and two 180-seater Airbus A320 plane. The complete operation saw coordinated efforts of Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Air India, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Railways and the state governments.

The countries whose nationals were rescued includes United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Canada, France, Indonesia, Romania, Egypt, Hungary, Italy, Jordon, Nepal and many more.

 

New species of Hydroid Polyps

emitting green fluorescence

discovered in Red Sea

 

09-FEB-2016

An international team of scientists (biologists) discovered a new species of hydroid polyps emitting green fluorescence in the Red Sea. These polyps were found to be emitting light in the night in association with the gastropod Nassarius margaritifer.

These hydroid polyps also called hydrozoas (presumably a new species of the genus Cytaeis, whose body length reaches 1.5 mm) was found during the investigations of the biodiversity of coral reefs of the archipelago Farasan (Saudi Arabia, south of the Red Sea).

The team included researchers from the Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Russian Academy of Sciences. The results of the study are published in PLOS ONE.

 

Key findings of the study

 

•    For the first time, scientists showed that the localization of glow in certain parts of the body can help to distinguish different species of organisms that have identical structure.

•    The discovered new species form spreading colonies decorating miniature shells of gastropods Nassarius margaritifer (20-35 mm in length) with garlands of 'fluorescent lanterns' emitting a green glow.

•    Intensive green fluorescence with a spectral peak at 518 nm was detected in the hypostome of the Cytaeis polyps, unlike in previous reports that reported fluorescence either in the basal parts of polyps or in other locations on hydroid colonies.

•    The ‘fluorescence’ can be useful for quick identification of hardly recognizable species and for the studies of ecological peculiarities and distribution of hydroids and their hosts – mollusks.

 

What is Green Fluorescence?

 

Fluorescence is a glow of some proteins or pigments under light illumination, fading instantly after the end of the illumination.

Green fluorescent proteins (GFPs) are widespread among the corals Anthozoa and hydroid jellyfishes, and also were found in some lancelets (Cephalochordata) and combjellies (Ctenophora).

For the first time, the scientist Osama Shimomura isolated the famous GFPs from the jellyfish Aequorea Victoria that was later widely used in experimental biology as a glowing marker for study of protein work in cells.

The discovery led to awarding of Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Shimomura in 2008 along with Martin Chalfie and Roger Tsien.

 

DGCA signed grant agreement with

USTDA for India Aviation Safety

Technical Assistance Phase II

 

09-FEB-2016

India’s the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and United States Technical Development Agency (USTDA) were on 9 February 2016 signed the grant agreement for India Aviation Safety Technical Assistance Phase II in New Delhi.

The phase II of the project is aimed at sustaining efforts undertaken during 2014 for restoration of IASA Category 1 status and bringing in more systemic improvements in the area of operation, airworthiness and licensing. It will include components on general aviation and business aviation.

 

Background

 

• The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) had raised certain safety concerns about Indian aviation in its 2012 audit. Following this the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of USA carried out anInternational Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) audit in September 2013 and a review in December 2013.

• India was assigned Category 2 rating in January 2014.

• In March 2014, United States Technical Development Agency (USTDA) in coordination with FAA approached DGCA and offered assistance under a USTDA Grant Agreement project to address the FAA IASA findings and help restore Category 1 status to India.

• Under the Grant Agreement, US based Contractor ‘The Wicks Group’(TWG) assisted DGCA in addressing the findings and prepared for a reassessment by FAA in December 2014.

• Based on this reassessment and a follow-up visit in March 2015, India’s Category 1 status was restored in April 2015.

 

Bangladesh cancelled Sonadia Island

Port Project with China

 

09-FEB-2016

Sonadia Island: A potential deepwater port lying on the Bay of Bengal 

The place Sonadia Island was in news on 8 February 2016. It was in news because, as per newspaper reports, Bangladesh cancelled China’s proposal to develop a deep sea port on the island that lies in the Bay of Bengal.

Sonadia Island is a small island of about 9-sq.km offshore of the Cox's Bazaar coast in Chittagong Division, Bangladesh.

The island is seen as a potential deepwater port that could serve the landlocked parts of India, Myanmar and China.

The island is of geo-strategic significance and development of the deep sea water port by China would have posed threat to India’s maritime interest because of proximity of Chittagong to Indian coastline.

In lieu of Bangladesh cancelling Chinese proposal, India, as it is claimed by reports, has expressed its keenness in developing Bangladesh newest deep sea port at Payra, which is close to Chittagong. This development is an indication of improving Indo-Bangladesh ties.

Also, there are reports that Japan too is expected to develop another deep sea port at Matarbari in Cox's Bazar for Bangladesh.

 

Rajendra K Pachauri appointed as

Executive Vice Chairman of TERI

 

09-FEB-2016

Former Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Rajendra Kumar Pachauri on 8 February 2016 was appointed as the Executive Vice-Chairman of the organisation with the immediate effect.

On the other hand, Ajay Mathur, former chief of Bureau of Energy Efficiency, wasappointed as the Director General of TERI.

The post of Executive Vice Chairman has been recently created and Pachauri will be the first to hold the post.

 

About Rajendra Kumar Pachauri

 

• Rajendra Kumar Pachauri began his career with the Indian Railways at the Diesel Locomotive Works in Varanasi.

• He joined the North Carolina State University in Raleigh, USA, where he obtained an MS in Industrial Engineering in 1972, and a PhD with co-majors in Industrial Engineering and Economics in 1974.

• From August 1974 to May 1975, he served as Assistant Professor and Visiting Faculty Member (Summer 1976 and 1977) in the Department of Economics and Business at NC State.

• He was also a Visiting Professor of Resource Economics at the College of Mineral and Energy Resources, West Virginia University.

• On his return to India, he joined the Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad, as Member Senior Faculty and went on to become Director, Consulting and Applied Research Division.

• In 1982, he joined TERI as Director.

• On 20 April 2002, he was elected Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations panel established by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

• In February 2015, a junior colleague had accused him of sexual harassment following which he had to proceed on leave but joined work in July 2015 with a court quashing the internal committee report that found him guilty of misconduct. He was removed as chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

 

About The Energy and Resources

Institute

 

• The Energy and Resources Institute was established in 1974.

• It was formerly known as Tata Energy Research Institute.

• It is a research institute based in New Delhi that conducts research work in the fields of energy, environment and sustainable development.

• In 2013, the institute was ranked as the topmost global think-tank by the International Centre for Climate Governance (ICCG).

 

Chettinad cotton saree won India

Handloom tag

 

09-FEB-2016

The Chettinad cotton saree in the first week on February 2016 won the India Handloom tag for its unique designs and identity.

The Textiles Committee, Union Ministry of Handlooms and Textiles, Mumbai, registered the Chettinad cotton saree under the India Handloom Brand Scheme after checking various quality parameters stipulated by the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

The Ministry authorised the Amarar Rajiv Gandhi Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society, which produced the sarees, to use the brand and logo for marketing the product.

 

About Chettinad saree

 

• The Chettinad cotton saree, also known as kandaangi, is unique in the dramatic and spontaneous use of colour and pattern with bold checks, stripes and contrasting hues.

• Its vibrancy and weight are its distinguishing factors.

• Records and old photographs show the use of saree by previous generations, before the advent of blouses and underskirts, which is worn rather differently from the regular sari.

 

About India Handloom Brand Scheme

 

• India Handloom Brand is an endorsement to quality of the handloom products in terms of raw material, processing, embellishments, weaving design and other parameters besides social and environmental compliances for earning the trust of the consumers.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the India Handloom Brand at Chennai on 7 August 2015 as part of the First ever National Handloom Day celebrations.

 

UNESCO Medals conferred for

contributions to development of

nanoscience and nanotechnologies

 

09-FEB-2016

Eight scientists on 5 February 2016 received the UNESCO Medals for their contributions to the development of nanoscience and nanotechnologies at Paris.

The winner of the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics, Professor Isamu Akasaki was among the eight.

 

The list of 2016 UNESCO Medal

winners:

 

Name	Country	Contribution
Professor Isamu Akasaki	Japan	Created the blue light-emitting diodes, which resulted in the discovery of white light sources for illumination.
Professor Lei Jiang	China	Designed and fabricated the bio-inspired surfaces with specific wettability.
Professor Philippe Pernod	France	Worked on active nanostructured magnetic and multiferroic films, Micro-Magneto-Electro-Mechanical Systems and their applications, and multistable nanostructures.
Professor Nicholas Kotov	United States of America	Worked on biometric self-organization of Nano colloids, ultra-strong nanocomposites, tissue engineering with nanomaterials, and nanoscale drugs.
Academician Gennady Krasnikov	Russian Federation	For his efforts to broaden the use of nanotechnologies in manufacturing industries
Professor Igor Ashurbeyli	Russian Federation	For his work in the field of the development of new generation microelectronic devices, information systems and technologies.
Doctor Mikhail Dubina	Russian Federation	For his work in research and development of new medical technologies based on the use of nanostructures in the earlier on-line diagnostics as well as the creation of new nano biotechnological devices that could influence the   bioprocesses in the human body.
Doctor Natalya Mikhaylova	Russian Federation	For her work on the application of nanotechnologies in aesthetic medicine, in the fields of cosmetology, polysaccharide development, cancer therapy, reconstructive and plastic surgery.

 

About UNESCO Medal

 

• The Medal was established in 2010 at the initiative of the International Commission responsible for developing the Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies theme for the Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS).

• It is awarded each year by the Director-General of UNESCO to prominent scientists, public figures and organizations that contributed to the development of nanoscience and nanotechnologies in the spirit of UNESCO’s priorities.

• Zhores Alferov, the winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2000 and Chunli Bai, President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences were also received this Medal.

 

Brij Bhushan Singh appointed as

President of South Asian Wrestling

Federation

 

09-FEB-2016

The South Asian Wrestling Federation on 8 February 2016 announced the appointment of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh as its President.

During the General Body Meeting of South Asian Wrestling Federation held on 5 February 2016, Singh was unanimously elected as the president. Tabiur Rehman from Bangladesh was also unanimously elected Secretary General.

The House unanimously authorised Singh to appoint one joint secretary from India, a treasurer from Afghanistan and one executive member from each South Asia Foundation (SAF) countries.

Apart from the two members, Chawdhury Mohd. Ajgar of Pakistan,U.H. Neville Pdmashri from Sri Lanka and Raj Mohammed Ansari of Nepal were elected vice presidents.

 

New Zealand cricket team won

Chappell-Hadlee Trophy

 

09-FEB-2016

New Zealand on 8 February 2016 won the three-match Chappell-Hadlee Trophy of cricket against Australia, 2-1. In the third and final match played at Seddon Park, Hamilton, the Black Caps defeated Australia by 55 runs.

This win of the Black Caps can be termed as the best farewell gift forBrendon McCullum who retired from One-Day International (ODI) cricket after the match. They also retained the Chappell-Hadlee trophy by putting tremendous bowling and fielding display.

 

Series Report

 

1st Match: Played at Eden Park, Auckland on 3 February 2016. New Zealand won by 159 runs. Martin Guptill (New Zealand) was declared the Player of the Match. 

2nd Match: Played at Westpac Stadium, Wellington on 6 February 2016. Australia won by 4 wickets with 21 balls remaining. Mitchell Marsh (Australia) was declared the Player of the Match. Adam Zampa (Australia) played his ODI debut match on the day. 

3rd Match: Played at Seddon Park, Hamilton on 8 February 2016. New Zealand won by 55 runs. Inderbir Singh Sodhi (New Zealand) was declared the Player of the Match.

 

Storm Imogen lashed parts of Britain

 

09-FEB-2016

Storm Imogen on 8 February 2016 battered parts of southern Britain with heavy rain and winds up to 96 miles per hour (mph). It forced the environment agency to issue multiple flood warnings requiring immediate action for parts of the south west, south east and Wales

Isles of Scilly (81mph), Pembrey Sands (84 mph), Carmarthenshire (84 mph) and The Needles off the Isle of Wight (96 mph) were the worst affected areas.

More than 5000 homes were without power in south-West England, south and mid-Wales and the Midlands. The storm also disrupted the Rail services, some cross-Channel ferries were cancelled and drivers urged to take extra care. 

MET department issued a yellow warning with an amber warning "be prepared" for Wales, south-west England, London and south-east England and says coastal areas could see giant waves and localised flooding.

Storm Imogen is the ninth named storm to hit the UK this season. In Britain, the 2016 storms are being names by Met Office and Met Eireann. This exercise is an effort to increase public awareness and safety. They were named by public ballot but there are no names for the letters Q, U, X, Y and Z.

 

Mukesh Ambani, Sam Pitroda elected

members of US National Academy of

Engineering

 

09-FEB-2016

Reliance Industries chairman and managing director (CMD) Mukesh Ambani and Sam Pitroda were on 8 February 2016 elected to be members of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). It is a non-profit organisation based in the United States of America.

Mukesh Ambani was picked for engineering and business leadership in oil refineries, petrochemical products, and related industries while, Pitroda was elected for his efforts in developing rural telecom infrastructure for India.

NAE has elected 80 new members and 22 foreign members which brought the total US membership to 2275 and the number of foreign members to 232. Individuals in the newly elected class will be formally inducted during a ceremony at the NAE’s Annual Meeting in Washington, DC on 9 October 2016.

Only ten members from India were elected to be the members of NAE since its inception. Other Indian members include PC Kapur of IIT-Delhi, scientist RA Mashelkar, Narayana Murthy of Infosys, scientist Roddam Narasimha, Pradip P of TCS, scientist P. Ramarao, chemical engineer MM Sharma and Ratan Tata.

 

About National Academy of

Engineering (NAE)

 

 

• It was founded in 1964.

• It is a private, independent and non-profit organisation that provides engineering leadership with a mission to promote a vibrant engineering profession and giving insights to the US government on related matters.

• Its  membership honours those who have made outstanding contributions to engineering research, practice, or education, including, where appropriate, significant contributions to the engineering literature and to the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education.

 

International Fleet Review 2016

concluded in Visakhapatnam

 

09-FEB-2016

International Fleet Review (IFR) 2016 of the Indian Navy was concluded on 8 February 2016 along the coast of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

The 5-day long event was hosted by the Indian Navy with the theme United through Oceans. It was attended by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

Features of International Fleet Review

2016

 

• The review was aimed at assuring the country of the Indian Navy’s preparedness, high morale and discipline.

• Considered as country’s biggest military exercise, friendly naval contingents from around the world joined Indian navy’s ships and submarines.

• It saw the participation of 50 navies, 90 ships, including 24 warships and over 70 aircraft. Besides, ships of Indian Coast Guard and mercantile marine also participated in the review.

• The list of participating countries included the 5 permanent members of the UNSC – the USA, China, the UK, Russia and France, South Korea, Brazil, Canada, etc.

• During the review, Indian navy showcased latest acquisitions such as carrier-borne MIG 29K strike fighter, the P8I long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft and the KM-31 AEW helicaptor.

• Indian Navy’s ships India’s biggest aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, INS Viraat, destroyers INS Mysore, INS Kolkata and frigates - INS Satpura and INS Shivalik, Teg participated in the event.

• Dolphin was chosen as the mascot for the IFR-2016.

 

About International Fleet Review

 

• A fleet review is a ceremonial and stately inspection of naval warships by the supreme commander of armed forces, the President of India.

• This was the second time an IFR was being held in India.

• The first IFR was held off the coast of Mumbai in 2001 when APJ Abdul Kalam was the President. 29 countries participated in that event.

 

Joshna Chinappa clinched squash

individual gold at the South Asian

Games

 

09-FEB-2016

Joshna Chinappa on 8 February 2016 clinched the gold in women's individual squash after beating Maria Toorpaki Wazir of Pakistan at the South Asian Games.

Top seed Chinappa recovered from one set down to beat second seeded Wazir 10-12 11-7 11-9 11-7 at the R G Baruah Sports Complex in Guwahati.

 

About Joshna Chinappa

 

• Joshna Chinappa reached a career-high world ranking of World No. 13 in December 2015.

• She was the first Indian to win the British Squash Championship title in 2003 in the under 19 category and was also the youngest Indian women's national champion.

• She is the first beneficiary of Mittal Champions Trust.

• At the 2014 Commonwealth Games, she along with Dipika Pallikal won the squash women’s doubles gold medal, making it India's first ever Commonwealth Games medal in the sport.

 

About 2016 South Asian Games

 

• The 2016 South Asian Games, officially the XII South Asian Games, is a major multi-sport event.

• A total of 2672 athletes are scheduled to compete in 228 events over 23 sports.

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 2016 South Asian Games in Guwahati on 5 February 2016.

• The event will be concluded on 16 February 2016 in Guwahati and Shillong, India.

 

Former Nepal Prime Minister Sushil

Koirala died

 

09-FEB-2016

Nepal’s former Prime Minister Sushil Koirala passed away on 9 February 2016 in Kathmandu, Nepal due to chronic respiratory problem. He was 76.

Koirala was a key figure in adoption of Nepal's new constitution in September 2015 with overwhelming support in the Constitution Assembly.

 

About Sushil Koirala

 

• Sushil Koirala was born on 12 August 1939 in Banaras, India.

• He entered politics in 1954 inspired by the social-democratic ideals of the Nepali Congress.

• He was in political exile in India for 16 years following the royal takeover of 1960.

• He also spent three years in Indian prisons for his involvement in a plane hijacking in 1973.

• He had been a member of the Central Working Committee of Nepali Congress since 1979 and was appointed General Secretary of the party in 1996 and Vice President in 1998.

• On 22 September 2010, the 12th general convention of the Nepali Congress elected him as party President.

• The Nepali Congress emerged as the largest party in the 2013 Constituent Assembly elections under Koirala's leadership.

• He was elected as Prime Minister of Nepal by the parliament on 10 February 2014. He served as the Prime Minister of Nepal from 11 February 2014 to 10 October 2015.

• In June 2015, a historic agreement among four major political parties was made, which paved the way for new constitution drafting process in the country.

 

New Zealand cricketer Brendon Barrie

McCullum retired from One-Day

Internationals

 

09-FEB-2016

New Zealand cricketer Brendon Barrie McCullum on 8 February 2016 retired from One-Day Internationals (ODIs).  He announced his retirement on 22 December 2015.

 

About Brendon Barrie McCullum

 

• He made his debut in ODIs as a 20-year-old batsman in 2001 against Australia at Sydney and he played his against the same side in 2016.

• He made his test debut against South Africa in 2003 and has played 99 tests so far and would retire from tests after playing two tests against Australia in February 2016.

• He played 260 ODIs and scored 6083 runs matches. They include 5 centuries and 31 half-centauries.

• He is the first and so far only player to have scored two Twenty20 International centuries; He played 71 T20 Internationals and scored 2140 runs.

• He was the captain for the New Zealand side in 2015 ICC Cricket World cup final which was won by Australia.

• He was conferred with the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal for 2014-15.

• He was selected as New Zealand Cricket Almanack Player of the Year for the years of 2008 and 2015.

• He was honoured as ICC Twenty20 International Performance of the Year in 2010

• He won ICC Spirit of Cricket Award in 2015.

 

Noted Urdu poet Nida Fazli died

 

09-FEB-2016

Noted Urdu Poet and well known Bollywood lyricist Nida Fazli died due to heart attack in Mumbai on 8 February 2016. He was 78. 

His most acclaimed shers include Duniya jise kehte hain jaadu kaa khilona hai, Mil jaaye to mitti hai, kho jaaye to sona hai. Of a few popular film songs written by him are Aa bhi jaa (Sur), Tu is tarah se meri zindagi mein (Aap To Aise Na The) and Hosh waalon ko khabar (Sarfarosh).

His couplet, Kabhi kisi to mukammal jahan nahin milta or Kahin zameen to kahin aasman nahi milta, has become an everyday phrase for articulating the imperfect human condition in modern times.

 

About Nida Fazli

• Nida Fazli, the son of poet Murtaza Hasan Baidi, was born on 12 October 1938 in Delhi, to a Kashmiri family. 
• At the time of partition, his parents migrated to Pakistan while young Nida preferred to stay in India. 
• He moved to Mumbai at an early age in search of job and started working for 'Blitz' and 'Dharamyug'. 
• He has also written several songs for Indian films.
• His poetry used both village and urban landscapes to explore nature and human relations.

 

Nida Fazli received various awards

including

a) Khusro Award
b) Best Poetry Award from Maharashtra Urdu Academy
c) Hindi Urdu Sangam Award 
d) Sahitya Akademi Award for his collection of poems, Khoya Hua Sa Kuchh in 1998
e) He was honoured with National Harmony Award for writing on communal harmony.
f) He has 24 books to his credit in Urdu, Hindi and Gujarati - some of which are assigned as school textbooks in Maharashtra. 
g) He received the Mir Taqi Mir award for his autobiographical novel 'Deewaron Ke Beech'.

His works include

a) Lafzon ke Phool (collection of sher-o-shayari)
b) Mulaqaten (character-sketches)
c) Mor Naach (collected works) in 1978
d) Aankh aur Khwab ke Darmiyan
e)Safar Mein Dhuup to Hogi

 

CSO released Advance Estimates of

National Income 2015-16

 

10-FEB-2016

Central Statistics Office (CSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on 8 February 2016 released the Advance Estimates (AE) of National Income for the financial year (FY) 2015-16.

It also released the Quarterly Estimates (QE) of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the third quarter (Q3) of the FY 2015-16.

Main highlights of Advance Estimates

• The growth in GDP during 2015-16 is estimated at 7.6 % as compared to the growth rate of 7.2 % in 2014- 15.
• Real GDP or Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at constant (2011-12) prices in the year 2015- 16 is likely to attain a level of 113.51 lakh crore rupees.
• Real Gross Value Added (GVA) or GVA at basic constant prices (2011-12) is anticipated to increase from 97.27 lakh crore rupees in 2014-15 to 104.38 lakh crore rupees in 2015-16.
• Anticipated growth of real GVA at basic prices in 2015-16 is 7.3 % against 7.1 % in 2014-15.
• The sectors which are likely to register growth rate of over 7.0 % are financial, real estate and professional services, trade, hotels, transport, communication and services related to broadcasting, and manufacturing.
• The growth in the agriculture, forestry and fishing, mining and quarrying, electricity, gas, water supply and other utility services, construction and public administration, defence and other services is estimated to be 1.1 %, 6.9 %, 5.9 %, 3.7 % and 6.9 % respectively.
• The per capita income in real terms (at 2011-12 prices) during 2015-16 is likely to attain a level of 77431 rupees as compared to 72889 rupees for the year 2014-15.
• The growth rate in per capita income is estimated at 6.2 % during 2015-16, as against 5.8 % in the previous year.
• The wholesale price index (WPI), in respect of the groups - food articles, manufactured products, electricity and all commodities, has risen by 3.0 %, (-)1.3 %, 4.4 % and (-)3.0 %, respectively during April-December 2015-16.
• The consumer price index has shown a rise of 4.8 % during April-December, 2015-16
• GDP at current prices in the year 2015-16 is likely to attain a level of 135.67 lakh crore rupees, as against 124.88 lakh crore rupees in 2014-15 showing a growth rate of 8.6 %.
• The nominal Net National Income (NNI), also known as national income (at current prices) is likely to be 119.62 lakh crore rupees during 2015-16, as against 110.08 lakh crore rupees for the year 2014- 15.
• In terms of growth rates, the national income registered a growth rate of 8.7 % in 2015- 16 as against the previous year’s growth rate of 10.8 %.
• The per capita net national income during 2015-16 is estimated to be 93231 rupees showing a rise of 7.3 % as compared to 86879 rupees during 2014-15 with the growth rate of 9.4 %.
• In terms of GDP, the rates of Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) at current and constant (2011-12) prices during 2015-16 are estimated at 59.8 % and 55.6 %, respectively
• In terms of GDP, the rates of Government Final Consumption Expenditure (GFCE) at current and constant (2011-12) prices during 2015-16 are estimated at 10.7 % and 10.0 %, respectively
• In terms of GDP, the rates of Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) at current and constant (2011-12) prices during 2015-16 are estimated at 29.4 % and 31.6 %, respectively
• The GFCF is expected to register growth rate of 3.6 % at current prices and 5.3 % at constant prices.

 

Advance Estimates of GVA at Basic

Price by Economic Activity (At current

prices)

 

Industry	Percentage over previous year
	2014-15	2015-16
Agriculture, forestry & fishing	4.9	4.4
Mining & quarrying	2.8	3.7
Manufacturing	7.6	8.1
Electricity, gas, water supply& other utility services	12.9	10.5
Construction	7.8	0.6
Trade, hotels, transport, communication and services related to broadcasting	13.3	6.4
Financial, real estate & professional services	13.3	7.0
Public administration, defence and Other Services	17.3	12.5
GVA at Basic Price	10.5	6.8

 

Quarterly GDP growth rates for 2015-

16 at constant (2011-12) and current

prices

 

Growth rates of GDP
	Constant Price (2011-12)	Current Prices
Annual 2015-16 (Advance)	7.6	8.6
Q1 2015-16 (April – June)	7.6	8.7
Q2 2015-16 (July – Sep)	7.7	6.4
Q3 2015-16 (Oct- Dec)	7.3	9.2

 

National Arogya Fair-2016 concluded

at Dehradun

 

10-FEB-2016

The 4-day National Arogya Fair concluded successfully on 8 February 2016 at Dehradun in Uttarakhand.

The themes were based on Immune system, Homeopathy in Women's disorders, Treatment in Ayurveda, Yog se Arogya and Non-Communicable Diseases management in Siddha System etc.

 

Highlights of National Arogya Fair-

2016

 

• It was organized by the Union Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in collaboration with the State government of Uttarakhand and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

• The Fair attracted immense participation from all stakeholders, residents, practitioners, academicians, corporates, institutes, university heads and students.

• Various experts shared valuable information during 17 Learning Sessions organized for the general public.

• It was aimed to showcase and promote the strengths, efficacy and affordability of the AYUSH systems of medicines.

• Information centers set up by the Union Ministry displayed books, literature and visual displays related to Homoeopathy, Ayurveda Sciences, Unani Medicine, Siddha system and Yoga.

• The Center for Research and Yoga and Naturopathy gave live yoga demonstrations.

• Various endangered herbal and medicinal plants were showcased at the Herbarium and Museum by Center Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences.

• The 8 Free Government (AYUSH) clinics served more than 1000 patients in four days. Free medicines were also provided to the patients

 

World’s largest concentrated solar

plant opened in Morocco

 

10-FEB-2016

The Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex, world’s largest solar power plant, was opened on 4 February 2016 in the Souss-Massa-Drâa area in Morocco, 10 km from Ouarzazate town.

The plant holds the capacity to produce enough energy to power over one million homes by 2018 and reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 760000 tons per year.

Phase One of the project involved the construction of a 160MW concentrated solar power (CSP) plant named Noor I, while Phase Two involved the construction of the 200MW Noor II CSP plant and the 150MW Noor III CSP plant, and Phase Three will involve the construction of the Noor IV CSP plant.

The World Bank partially financed construction of the plant through a 97 million US dollar loan from the Clean Technology Fund.

 

Key highlights of Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex

 

• The project forms part of the Moroccan Solar Energy Programme (NOOR), which aims to develop five solar complexes with a combined capacity of approximately 2GW by 2020 to meet the energy demands of the country, which depends on 95% imports.

• The Noor I CSP plant is expected to offset 240000 tons a year of CO2 emissions, and generate approximately 1000 construction jobs and 60 permanent jobs during the operations and maintenance phase. The Noor II and Noor III plants combined will help offset 533000 tons of CO2 emissions a year.

• The plant uses concentrating solar power which is more expensive to install than the widely used photovoltaic panels. However, CSP enables the storage of energy for nights and cloudy days.

• Mirrors focus the sun's light and heat up a liquid, which, when mixed with water, reaches around 400 degree Celsius. The steam produced from this process drives a turbine and generates electrical power.

• A cylinder full of salt is melted by the warmth from the mirrors during the day, and stays hot enough at night to provide up to three hours of power.

 

Committee on Aviation Environmental

Protection of ICAO proposed binding

carbon emission standards for aviation

industry

 

10-FEB-2016

Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) of United Nations’ (UN) International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on 8 February 2016 proposed binding carbon emission standards for aviation industry. Hence, it paved the way for its ultimate adoption by ICAO Governing Council.

CAEP has ensured that the full range of sizes and types of aircraft used in international aviation used in present times are covered while proposing the standards. And it comprehensively encompassed all technological feasibility, emissions reduction potential, and cost considerations.

 

CAEP Recommendations on the Carbon

Emission Standards(CES):

 

• The new CO2 emissions standard would not only be applicable to new aircraft type designs as of 2020, but also to new deliveries of current in-production aircraft types from 2023.

• A cut-off date of 2028 for production of aircraft that do not comply with the standard was also recommended.

• In its current form the standard equitably acknowledges CO2 reductions arising from a range of possible technology innovations, whether structural, aerodynamic or propulsion-based.

• The proposed global standard is especially stringent where it will have the greatest impact: for larger aircraft.

• Operations of aircraft weighing over 60 tonnes account for more than 90% of international aviation emissions.

• They also have access to the broadest range of emissions reduction technologies, which the standard recognizes.

 

Goal of proposed carbon emission

standards

 

The goal of this process is ultimately to ensure that when the next generation of aircraft types enters service, there will be guaranteed reductions in international CO2 emissions. The aviation sector at present accounts for fewer than 2 percent of the world’s annual CO2 emissions.

However, it is estimated that global passengers and flights would be doubled by 2030 which should be managed responsibly and sustainably.

 

About International Civil Aviation

Organization (ICAO)

 

• It is a UN specialized agency which was established in 1944 to manage the administration and governance of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention).

• It works with the Convention’s 191 Member States and industry groups to reach consensus on international civil aviation Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and policies in support of a safe, efficient, secure, economically sustainable and environmentally responsible civil aviation sector.

 

Quinton de Kock of South Africa

became fastest cricketer to make 10

ODI centuries

 

10-FEB-2016

Quinton de Kock, the wicketkeeper-batsman of South Africa, on 9 February 2016 became the fastest to make 10 One Day International (ODI) centuries. He took mere 55 innings to reach as many centuries.

He achieved the feat during the third ODI match against England at Centurion. In the match, South Africa riding on knock of 135 runs of Kock defeated England by seven wickets chasing 318 runs.

With this, he broke the record of Virat Kohli of India who took 80 innings to reach as many centuries.

Meanwhile, South Africa, which are now 1-2 against England in the five-match series, will play their next match at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on 12 February 2016.

 

About Quinton de Kock

 

• De Kock represented South Africa for the first time, at T20 level, on 21 December 2012 against New Zealand
• In November 2013, he was selected in the first XI of South Africa against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates
• In February 2014, de Kock made his Test debut for South Africa against Australia
• He became the fourth player to score three successive one-day centuries and the second player to score four ODI centuries before his 21st birthday

 

UN Secretary‑General launched One

Humanity: Shared Responsibility

report

 

10-FEB-2016

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on 9 February 2016 launched a report titled One Humanity: Shared Responsibility. The report called for a global campaign to prevent the erosion of humanitarian law and protect civilians in conflict.

The report was launched as part of the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit that is scheduled to be held from 23 May to 24 May 2016 with the theme One Humanity: Shared Responsibility.

The summit aims at providing an opportunity for concrete steps towards ending the suffering experienced by billions of people at present.

 

Five Core Responsibilities:

 

The Secretary-General’s Agenda for Humanity calls on global leaders to commit to five core responsibilities. They are:

 

Global leadership to prevent and end

conflict

 

• Preventing conflicts and finding political solutions to resolve them.

• As per the report, conflicts drive 80 per cent of all humanitarian needs.

 

Uphold the norms that safeguard

humanity

 

• Every day, civilians are deliberately or indiscriminately killed in wars. In this regard, leaders must recommit to upholding the rules that protect humanity.

• As per the report, 90 per cent of people killed or injured by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas are civilians.

 

Leave no one behind

 

• Reaching everyone and empowering all women, men, girls and boys to be agents of positive transformation. It means reducing displacement, supporting refugees and migrants, ending gaps in education and fighting to eradicate sexual violence.

 

Change people's lives – from delivering

aid to ending need

 

Ending need will require three fundamental shifts in the way system works:

• Reinforce, don't replace national systems
• Anticipate, do not wait for crises
• Transcend the humanitarian-development divide

At present, 43 per cent of people live in fragile situations. By 2030, the figure is estimated to reach 62 per cent.

 

Invest in humanity

 

• Accepting and acting upon the shared responsibilities for humanity requires political, institutional and financial investment.

• As per the report, only 0.4 per cent of official development assistance spent on disaster preparedness in 2014.

 

Background

 

The report states that the year 2015 witnessed some of the greatest challenges of the time:

• 125 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance
• 60 million people were forced to flee from their homes
• 37 countries were affected
• 20 billion US dollars were needed

The above statistics forced the UN Secretary-General to organise the first ever World Humanitarian Summit, which aims at reaffirming the commitment to humanity and charting a course for change.

 

580 crore rupees sanctionedfor

construction of railway track to

connect Kolkata & Tripura via

Bangladesh

 

10-FEB-2016

To connect Kolkata with Tripura via Bangladesh through railway, the Union Government on 10 February 2016 sanctioned about 580 crore rupees. The money was sanctioned for constructing the 15-kilometer railway track between Kolkata and Tripura. 

The project that is expected to be completed by 2017 will pass through Bangladesh. 

The Agartala-Akhaura rail-link between Indian Railway and Bangladesh Railway will reduce the current 1700 km road distance between Kolkata to Agartala via Siliguri to just 350-kilometer by railway.

The project ranks high on Prime Minister's 'Act East’ Policy, and is expected to increase connectivity and boost trade between India and Bangladesh.

The two countries had agreed to lay the Agartala-Akhaura rail-link during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India in 2010, the modalities of which were finalised during former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visit to Bangladesh in 2011.

 

US Supreme Court stalled Obama’s

Clean Power Plan

 

10-FEB-2016

The Supreme Court of United States of America (USA) on 9 February 2016 stalled President Barack Obama's Clean Power Plan to regulate emissions of carbon dioxide from US power plants.

The court’s five conservative member bench in its verdict ruled that the President’s Clean Power Plan could not go forward until all legal challenges were heard.
Designed to cut US emissions by 32 percent by 2030, the scheme put huge emphasis on a shift to renewable energy.

It formed the key element of the US pledge at UN climate negotiations held in Paris in December 2015.

A group of 27 states, utilities and coal miners sought to block the proposal in the courts. They argued that the plan was an infringement on states' rights.

This is the second time that the executive action of President Obama was stalled by the court. Earlier, the court stalled Obama’s plan to deport at least 4 million illegal immigrants. The decision is pending for the high court’s review.

 

Sikkim Government to construct Mini

Sikkim for showcasing state’s diverse

& rich culture

 

10-FEB-2016

Sikkim’s Chief Minister Pawan Chamling on 9 February 2016 announced that the state government will construct a ‘Mini Sikkim’, which will be a centre for showcasing the state’s diverse and rich culture.

The ‘Mini Sikkim’ will be constructed under the Namthang Ratheypani constituency in South Sikkim district. 

The announcement was made while inaugurating a newly constructed market at Maniram Bhanjyang in the district.

As per reports, the new project will consist of traditional houses of fifteen ethnic communities of Sikkim. Traditional museums will also be put in place alongside commercial outlets throughout the State.

This initiative will help the state in garnering domestic and international tourists throughout the year.

Apart from this, the Chief Minister also announced setting up of a memorial and museum exclusively dedicated to the Indian freedom fighters in West Sikkim district. The memorial will have statues of martyrs from the state as well as those from other parts of the country.

 

National Deworming Day observed on

10 February

 

10-FEB-2016

10 February: National Deworming Day (NDD)
India on 10 February 2016 observed the first National Deworming Dayin schools and preschools (anganwadis). 

The day is observed to combat parasitic worm infections among preschool (anganwadi) and school-age children. 

During this albendezole 400 mg chewable tablets are provided to children at government, government-aided, and private schools, and anganwadis. Out-of-school children will be administered the deworming tablet at anganwadis.

The albendazole tablets will be given free-of-cost to children.

The National Deworming Day will be followed by a mop-up day on 15 February 2016 to administer the deworming tablet to children who were absent from the school or anganwadi on 10 February.   

Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda declared 10 February as the National Deworming Day in February 2015. National Deworming Day is an initiative focused on reducing the threat of parasitic worm infections, a widespread health issue affecting over 24 crore children in India alone.

 

RBI released PG Apte Working Group

Report on Introduction of Interest

Rate Options in India

 

10-FEB-2016

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 8 February 2016 released the Report of the Working Group on Introduction of Interest Rate Options in India. The report was prepared by RBI committee chaired by Prof PG Apte.

 

Key recommendations of the Apte

Committee

 

• To begin with, simple call and put Options, caps, floors, collars and swaptions may be permitted. Complex structures may be introduced subsequently.
• Both Over-the-Counter (OTC) as well as exchange traded options may be introduced. While in the OTC segment only European options may be permitted, both American and European structures may be permitted on Exchanges.
• Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association of India (FIMMDA)/Financial Benchmark India Private Limited (FBIL) may come out with the list of eligible domestic money or debt market rates as benchmarks like G-Sec, T-Bills, MIBOR,OIS, MIFOR, IRF etc.
• While banks, PDs and other regulated entities having sound financials and prudent risk management may be allowed as market makers subject to the approval of concerned regulator, all domestic entities having underlying interest rate risk may be permitted as users.
• While no documentation relating to underlying exposure may be required for exposures up to 5 crore rupees, large corporate may also be allowed to take hedging positions for their anticipated interest rate exposures.
• The minimum lot size of the contract is to be kept at 2 lakh rupees on Exchanges and on the OTC, it is 5 crore rupees and in multiples of 5 crore rupees thereof among the market makers. Transactions between user and market maker may be standardized.

The RBI placed the recommendations of the panel for comments, which can be emailed by 26 February 2016. Final guidelines will be issued by the end March 2016 taking into account the feedback received.

Background

The Working Group under Chairmanship of Prof PG Apte was constituted by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Reserve Bank on Financial markets on 21 April 2015. The Working Group was tasked to comprehensively look into all relevant issues and give recommendations on the framework for introduction of Interest Rate Options in India.

At present, interest rate derivatives (IRD) in India exists only in the form of Interest Rate Swap (IRS) and Forward Rate Agreement (FRA) in the OTC segment and Interest Rate Futures (IRF) on the Exchanges. These were made available by the RBI in 1999.

IRS market has evolved over a period of time and is fairly liquid. Trading in IRF market has gradually increased with wider participation by different categories of participants. These IRDs can be used by the banks and other market participants to manage market risk effectively in their books.

However, the financial entities, including banks, do not have any instruments to manage the embedded options on their balance sheets.

 

Andhra Pradesh proposed to develop

INS Viraat as Tourism Center

 

10-FEB-2016

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on 8 February 2016 announced plans to develop aircraft carrier INS Viraat as a tourism center. It will be developed as a tourism centre after its decommissioning at Vishakhapatnam in June 2016.

During the International Fleet Review held in Vishakhapatnam, the Andhra Pradesh government requested the Defence Ministry to allot INS Viraat to it after decommissioning.

For this, Naidu said that a joint venture would be set up by the Andhra Pradesh government the Indian Navy and a private organisation to take up the tourism-related activities such as yachting, sea sports, sailing, gliding and cruising would be promoted.

With nearly 1500 rooms, a conference hall with a capacity to seat 500 people and a helipad are available in the aircraft carrier, the State government has plans to establish a restaurant too. 

INS Viraat, the aircraft career that has had a service life of 56 years - first as HMS Hermes in the Royal British Navy and in its present avatar since 1987 - will be decommissioned in June 2016. It saw action in the Falklands War. 

Following the decommissioning of the first Indian carrier INS Vikrant in 1997, it remained as the sole aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean for over a decade.

 

US President unveiled Cyber Security

National Action Plan to protect US from

risks from new technologies

 

10-FEB-2016

The President of United States (US) Barack Obama on 9 February 2016 unveiled a Cyber Security National Action Plan. The action plan called for an overhaul of aging government networks and a high-level commission to boost security awareness.

The action plan was unveiled on eve of Safer Internet Day designated by governments and technology firms to boost awareness on cybersecurity issues.

 

Main highlights of Action Plan

 

• The plan seeks to address both short-term and long-term threats, with the goal of providing every American a basic level of online security.
• Obama issued an executive order creating a 12-memberCybersecurity Commission to make recommendations to both the public and private sectors. The panel will submit the report to the president by 1 December 2016.
• The plan also called for a new federal chief information security officer to direct cybersecurity across the federal government.
• Step up efforts with the help of private sector to help consumers improve online security, in part by adding new protection to services requiring passwords.
• Launching National Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign calling for "moving beyond just passwords and adding an extra layer of security," such as biometric identification or multi-factor authentication using a secure code.
• The campaign will rope in major technology firms such as Google, Facebook, Dropbox, and Microsoft as well as financial service providers such as MasterCard, Visa and PayPal.
• The government will also step up security for its own transactions with citizens with effective identity proofing and strong multi-factor authentication methods

Budget for Cyber Security Action Plan

Obama asked for 19 billion US dollar for cyber security efforts in his budget request, a 35 percent increase from current levels, with 3 billion US dollar earmarked to help modernise the patchwork of computer systems used in government agencies.

 

Background

 

The action plan was unveiled following the disclosures made in 2015 that personal data from some 20 million federal employees, contractors and others were leaked in a massive breach at the Office of Personnel Management. 

Though there is system in place since 1960s in the form of Social Security Administration but these systems and codes are outdated and no successful business could operate this way.
Moreover, the US Intelligence Chief James Clapper in his testimony highlighted the heightened risk from new technologies and named Russia, China, Iran and North Korea as leading threat actors which pose risks for US security.

 

Hindu Marriage Bill 2015 approved in

Pakistan

 

10-FEB-2016

A National Assembly committee of Pakistan on 8 February 2016 unanimously passed Hindu Marriage Bill 2015.

The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Law and Justice cleared the final draft of the bill, where five Hindu lawmakers were specially invited.

The committee adopted the bill unanimously after making two amendments to fix the minimum age of the marrying male and female at 18 and making the law applicable to the whole of Pakistan.

The bill will now be tabled in the National Assembly where it has fair chances of being passed as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party is supporting it.

 

The panel recommended following

amendments in clauses 2 to 25:

 

• As per the Clause 12 sub-section (2)(C), a spouse may also apply for termination of his/her marriage on the grounds that the other partner has been sentenced to imprisonment for a period of four years instead of three years.

• Clause 12(2d) that relates to termination of marriage will be deleted.

 

Background

 

Hindus in Pakistan have been living without documentation of their marital status ever since Independence. Zero documentation of their marital status affects particularly Hindu women as they are deprived of legal rights such as inheritance, adoption of children or remarriage.

 

Justice Dhirendra Hiralal Waghela

appointed as Chief Justice of Bombay

High Court

 

10-FEB-2016

Justice Dhirendra Hiralal Waghela on 8 February 2016 was appointed the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.

Justice Waghela, currently serving as the Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court, has been asked to assume charge by 16 February 2016.

The Bombay High Court has been functioning with an officiating Chief Justice since October 2015, after the retirement of Justice Mohit S Shah in September 2015.

Born in August 1954 at Rajkot in Gujarat, Justice Waghela began legal practice in his hometown in November 1975 and was elevated to the Bench of the Gujarat High Court as Additional Judge in September 1999.

 

9th Indo-Nepal Combined Battalion

level Military Training Exercise Surya

Kiran started in Uttarakhand

 

10-FEB-2016

The 9th Indo-Nepal Combined Battalion level Military Training Exercise Surya Kiran commenced at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand on 8 February 2016. The 14-day long exercise will take place till 21 February 2016 under the aegis of Panchshul Brigade of Central Command.

An Infantry battalion from Indian Army will represent the exercise while Nepalese Army is being represented by officers and troops of the elite Shree RudraDhoj battalion.

During the exercise, the two armies would be training together and sharing their experiences of Counter Terrorism operations and Jungle Warfare in mountain terrain. They will also focus on humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations, including medical and aviation aspects.

 

Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for North-

East released

 

10-FEB-2016

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on 9 February 2016 released the Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for north-east India.

The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has consciously and constantly focused efforts towards making hydrocarbons a tool to enable social and economic development. One such initiative has been the Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for North East Region. It undertook series of consultations with the state governments while drafting the vision document. While, CRISIL Infrastructure Advisory has been the knowledge partner to develop the Vision report.

The states covered under this vision are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.

 

Main Features of the Hydrocarbon

Vision 2030

 

The vision is

• It outlines the steps to leverage the hydrocarbon sector for development of the region in Guwahati.

• It is focused and consultative exercise to develop a common and shared aspiration for benefiting people of the north east region with involvement and inputs of various stakeholders, industry players and state governments.

• It not only includes the ambition for the region but also an actionable roadmap.

• The objectives of the plan are to leverage the region’s hydrocarbon potential, enhance access to clean fuels, improve availability of petroleum products, facilitate economic development and to link common people to the economic activities in this sector.

• It rests on five pillars: People, Policy, Partnership, Projects and Production.

• People: It foresees clean fuel access to households alongside fostering skill development and involvement of the local community.

• Policy: It focuses on moderation in light of specific terrain and weather conditions of the region coupled with ensuring fund planning for new projects.

• Partnership: The stress is on greater involvement of state governments in planning and implementation, and on boosting trade with neighbouring nations.

• Projects: The focus is on pipeline connectivity for carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, and petroleum products, oil and lubricants (POL); building refineries and import links; and development of compressed natural gas (CNG) highways and city gas distribution network.

• Production: It emphases include production enhancement contracts, technology deployment and fast-track clearance, and development of service provider hubs.

• It aims at doubling Oil and Gas production by 2030, making clean fuels accessible, fast tracking projects, generating employment opportunities and promoting cooperation with neighbouring countries.