9-10 JULY 2016
Andhra Pradesh decided to conduct 'Smart Pulse Survey' of 1.48 crore households
Andhra Pradesh government has decided to conduct a 'Smart Pulse Survey' for collecting socio-economic data of 1.48 crore households in the state. The survey started on 8 July 2016 will end on 30 July 2016.
In the first phase of the survey enumerators will be collecting details of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at his riverfront residence at Vundavalli near to Vijayawada.
The State Cabinet on 1 June 2016 decided to conduct the survey to determine the socio-economic status and collect all other relevant details of each household in the state.
Since the Aadhaar database does not reflect the socio-economic data such as caste, community education, income and livelihood details of a citizen, the smart pulse survey is planned to fill in the gaps related to socio-economic details. Citizens can provide their details over the Internet as well.
Kevin Turner resigns as Chief Operating Officer of Microsoft
Kevin Turner on 7 July 2016 resigned as the Chief Operating Officer ( COO) of Microsoft with effect from 31 July 2016. Being the COO, Turner was handling Microsoft's enormous sales operations. He had been at Microsoft for 11 years.
Turner would now be joining Citadel Securities as Chief Executive Officer.
About Kevin Turner
• In his 11 years of service as Chief Operating Officer, Turner has driven a strong track record of results, execution excellence and improved efficiency, while also driving customer satisfaction.
• Prior to his role at Microsoft, Turner spent nearly 20 years at Wal-Mart Stores, where he rose through the ranks and was the youngest corporate officer ever at age 29.
• He held various leadership positions at Wal-Mart, including Chief Information Officer for Wal-Mart Stores.
• He had also served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of SAM’S CLUB, a division of Wal-Mart Stores.
Eminent Pakistani philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi died
Eminent Pakistani philanthropist, social activist, ascetic and humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi on 8 July 2016 died at a hospital in Karachi. He was 88.
He was the founder and head of the Edhi Foundation in Pakistan and ran the organization successfully for over 6 decades.
He was known as Angel of Mercy, Pakistan’s ‘Father Teresa’ and was considered country’s most respected figure.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif paid tribute to him as “a great servant of humanity,” and announced posthumous presidential medal to commemorate his services.
About Abdul Sattar Edhi & Edhi foundation
• Abdul Sattar Edhi was the Chairman of the Edhi foundation which is celebrated for its humanitarian work in Pakistan, South Asia and across the World.
• The foundation provides a range of services including ambulance, hospitals, children services, old-age homes, orphanages, educational services, refugee assistance, morgues, food banks, de-addiction centres, etc.
• The foundation runs one of the world's largest ambulance service, with a fleet of over 1500, providing land, air, and marine ambulance services for the needy.
• Its services are spread across the major cities of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka,
Indonesia, Bangladesh, Japan, the UK and the USA.
• Edhi lived in a bare room in Karachi, alternating between his two suits of black clothes and occasionally listening to recordings of Quranic verses on a battered old tape recorder.
• For his contributions to the humanity, he received numerous accolades including Nishan-e Imtiaz (highest civilian honour), Pakistan Civil Award, etc.
• International honours include Ramon Magsaysay Award, International Balzan Prize, 2007 UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Prize and 2011 London Peace Award among others.
• He wrote the book - Abdul Sattar Edhi, an autobiography: A mirror to the blind.
India connection
• In October 2015, the Union Government coordinated with the Edhi foundation to bring back Geeta, a hearing and speech impaired girl who strayed across the border 15 years ago.
• As a gesture of goodwill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a contribution of 1 crore rupees to the foundation but Edhi denied to accept his charity.
• Edhi was born at Bantvain Gujarat to a family of memon traders in 1928.
• During partition, Edhi migrated to Karachi and started his welfare mission in 1951 opening his first home for homeless and sick in the Kharadar area.
• In 2007, he was conferred with the Gandhi Peace Award in New Delhi.
India, South Africa announced MoUs/Programme in four areas of cooperation
India and South Africa on 8 July 2016 announced Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and Programme in four areas of bilateral cooperation.
While the MoUs cover the information and communication technology (ICT), grass root innovation and tourism, the Programme of Cooperation will cover segments of arts and culture.
The MoUs and the Programme were announced after summit level talks between the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Jacob Zuma in Johannesburg, South Africa.
During the meeting, both the leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral and international issues including reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC).
Prime Mister Narendra Modi began his four-nation tour of African countries – Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya on 7 July 2016.
Kerala Government proposed 14.5 per cent fat tax on junk food
Kerala Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac on 8 July 2016 proposed 14.5 percent tax on pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and tacos sold through branded outlets.
The so-called ‘fat tax’ was proposed in the maiden State Budget of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Government that came into power in May 2016.
The tax is aimed at dissuading children from eating a lot of energy dense foods. Its imposition has become necessary as Kerala is the second most obese State in the country.
As per an estimate, over 10 per cent of adolescent girls in Kerala experiencing various effects of obesity like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
WHO advice
Kerala Government’s decision to impose fat tax on junk fund is in tune with the World Health Organization’s advocacy of using fiscal tools to promote healthy eating.
In its 2015 report titled Using price policies to promote healthier diets, the WHO suggested the policy makers to impose taxes on junk foods as they are the leading cause of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, etc.
10 July
2nd Anti-Drug Working Group meeting of Heads of Drug Control Agencies of BRICS concluded
The 2nd Anti-Drug Working Group meeting of Heads of Drug Control Agencies of BRICS countries concluded on 8 July 2016 in New Delhi.
The day-long meeting was organised by the Narcotics Control Bureau of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Besides the Indian delegation, it was attended by officials and policy makers from the other BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa.
During the meeting, the participants discussed the following issues –
• Drug trafficking situation including the illicit cultivation and production of Opium and Heroin in South West Asia and South East Asia
• Illicit cultivation of Coca bush in South America
• Illicit cultivation of Cannabis plant used for production of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, Diversion and trafficking of precursor chemicals
• Illicit financial flows from drug proceeds and financing of terrorism in certain cases
• Maritime drug trafficking
• Challenges and emergence of new psycho-active substances that have posed serious threat to health, safety and well being of society across globe, especially of the youth
At the end of deliberations, the delegates resolved to develop and enhance cooperation and collaboration among the Member States to monitor current trends and drug trafficking routes.
They also agreed to exchange of information among the drug law enforcement agencies, share and exchange experiences, and best practices and enhance capacity building in order to prevent and counter illicit drug trafficking and related crimes.
Background
• The meeting was the second such meeting of the Heads of Drug Control Agencies. The first such meeting was held in Moscow, Russia in 2015 in keeping with the spirit of the eThekwani Declaration.
• The eThekwini Declaration and Action Plan that was adopted by the 5th BRICS Summit in Durban, South Africa calls for enhanced engagement among member nations.
• The present meeting also assumes significance as India shall be hosting the 8th BRICS summit in October 2016 in Goa.
NATO Summit 2016 concluded in Warsaw
The 2-day long NATO Summit concluded on 9 July 2016 in Warsaw, Poland. It was the 27th summit biannual summit of NATO since its inception in 1949.
The summit was attended by Heads of State and Heads of Government of NATO members including the USA President Barack Obama, Polish president Andrzej Duda and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
Besides, the summit also saw the presence of Heads of Government of non-member States and organizations of NATO including Afghanistan.
The agenda of the biannual summit included-
• The situation in Eastern Europe
• The risks emanating from the Middle East
• Reform of NATO’s partnership policy
• Question of enlargement
• Debate about the future nuclear strategy of the Alliance
At the end of the summit, the leaders agreed to deploy more troops along its eastern borders in Poland and Estonia. Besides, the leaders also supported Georgia’s membership aspirations.
About NATO
• The NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is also called the North Atlantic Alliance.
• It is an intergovernmental military alliance based on the North Atlantic Treaty which was signed on 4 April 1949.
• The previous summit was held in Wales, the United Kingdom in 2014.
• The grouping has 28 member countries including major countries of North America and Europe.