Union Government approves NIMZ in in Kalinganagar, Odisha

The Union Government has given its final approval to setting up of National Investment & Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) in Kalinganagar, Odisha.

 It will come up on a massive area of 163 square kilometres and on completion will be the third NIMZ of India. For execution NIMZ project, Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has approved fund of Rs. 4241 crore. 

Of this total amount, estimated Rs. 3816 crore will be invested for the first phase of the project which will be completed by 2020. NIMZ in Kalinganagar will create employment opportunities for around 1.5 lakh people. 

It will help Odisha grow as a manufacturing hub and also help Paradip port’s growth. 

About National Investment & Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) 

• Under National Manufacturing Policy (NMP), Union Government in 2014 had announced to set up 16 NIMZs to boost manufacturing sector. 
• Till 2013-14, 16 NIMZs were set up, 8 of them are along the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). NMP aims to enhance the share of manufacturing sector in GDP to 25% and create 100 million employment opportunities over a decade.

Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh wins 2016 India Biodiversity Award

Pakke Tiger Reserve in East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh has won the ‘India Biodiversity Award 2016’. 

The tiger reserve was selected in the conservation of threatened species category for its Hornbill Nest Adoption Programme. 

Hornbill Nest Adoption Programme 

• The Programme is a joint collaboration of Ghora-Aabhe Society, Nature Conservation Foundation and the State Forest Department. 
• Under it, urban citizens contribute money to protect hornbill nests around Pakke Tiger Reserve. 
• The programme has been a major step towards conservation of four hornbill species that are found in the adjoining areas of the reserve. 
• Besides, Hong Niitii, Lower Subansiri has been awarded under category IV Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) award. 

About India Biodiversity Award 

• The awards recognise the contribution of a range of stakeholders towards the conservation of biodiversity. 
• It is given in four categories viz. Conservation of Threatened Species, Sustainable use of biological resources, Successful models for access and benefit sharing and Biodiversity Management Committees. 
• It is joint initiative of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and United Nations Development programme (UNDP). 
• The winner in each category will receive a cash prize of 1 lakh rupees while the runners up receive 50,000 rupees.

Indian Air Force successfully test fires Brahmos missile at Pokaran

 

The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully test-fired a land-attack version of the supersonic cruise missile, BrahMos at the Pokaran field firing range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. 

Test: During the flight trial, the missile met its mission goals and destroyed a designated target. 

Two squadrons of IAF already have been equipped with the land-attack version of the missile version (One squadron has about 70 to 80 missiles). IAF is deploying this version of the missile in the border areas to take out the enemy’s communication towers, runways, and radar in case of a conflict.

About Brahmos missile 

• BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has been designed and developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture of India and Russia.
•  It has derived its name from the names of two rivers, India’s Brahmaputra River and Russia’s Moskva River. 
• It operates on fire and forget principal and is capable of being launched from land, sea, sub-sea and air against sea and land targets.
•  Features: It is capable of carrying a warhead of 300 kilogram and has top supersonic speed of Mach 3 (that is, three times the speed of sound). 
• It can strike a target at maximum range of 290-km. It is two-stage missile, the first one being solid and the second one ramjet liquid propellant. 
• BrahMos missile already has been inducted into the Indian Army and Navy.

President inaugurates Intelligent Operations Centre in Rashtrapati Bhavan

President i Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated an Intelligent Operations Centre (IOC) in Rashtrapati Bhavan. He also launched a mobile application ‘Monitor’ for transformation of President’s Estate into a smart township. During the launching ceremony President announced that President’s Estate will work around the ‘4H’ theme of a humane, Hi-Tech, Heritage and Happy Township.

 Key facts 

Intelligent Operations Centre (IOC): It is a software solution to provide intelligent insights by collecting the rich data streaming in from several sources within the Estate. It is designed by IBM. 

It offers near real-time collaboration, integrated data visualization and deep analytics that will help agencies to prepare for problems, enhance efficiency of services and also coordinate and manage response efforts. 

Monitor App: It is a Residents collaboration tool of the Intelligent Operation Centre. It will help residents and domain (Energy, Horticulture, Waste, Water and Security) supervisors to collaborate in a smarter way for their observations. 

It will enable residents to report issues such as electricity failure, broken street lights, water wastage etc. and also help to check resolution status using their mobile devices. 

This app will also allow residents to report these issues on a real time basis using their mobile devices in the Estate. It will help the residents of the Estate become more socially responsible and collaborative.

First World Conference on Tourism for Development held in Beijing

The first World Conference on Tourism for Development (WCTD) was held in Beijing, China from May 18 to 21, 2016. It was held under the theme ‘Tourism for Peace and Development’ to advance the contribution of tourism to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). 

Key facts 

The event will be jointly organized by the Government of China and United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). 

Its focus was on discussion to align national development strategies of countries with the SDGs and the role of public and private partnerships (PPP) in the 2030 SDGs. 

It also analyzed how to advance the contribution of tourism to the 17 SDGs including the sector’s ability to promote local culture, create jobs and be an agent of change towards more sustainable consumption and production (SCP) practices. 

The conference complemented two high level sessions focusing on 

(i) Tourism for Poverty Reduction 

(ii) Tourism for Peace. Beside China as chair of the G20 also hosted the 7th G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting under the theme “Sustainable Tourism – An Effective Tool for Inclusive Development”.

Indigenously developed fecal incontinence management system ‘Qora’ launched

The Union Government has launched ‘Qora’, an indigenously developed affordable Faecal Incontinence Management System (FIMS). 

It was launched by Union Minister of State (MoS) for Science & Technology Y.S.Chowdary in New Delhi. 

The FIMS-Qora was developed under the Union Ministry of Science & Technology’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Bio design Programme by M/s. Consure Medical. 

What is Fecal incontinence? 

Fecal incontinence (FI) is a medical condition marked by inability to control one’s bowel movements. It causes feces (stool) to leak unexpectedly from the rectum. This medical condition worldwide affects nearly 100 million bed ridden patients. Furthermore, about 50% of the psychiatric ward patients due to long-term neurological diseases have FI. At present, the only available solutions for this condition are absorbent pads and fecal drainage catheters. 

Significance of FIMS-Qora 

This affordable novel technology will help to address the clinical and economic implications of FI by expanding indications for use. It will also help in reducing skill level required to use a device, and introducing a new level of care for patients outside the ICU.

UN appoints Mary Robinson, Macharia Kamau as special envoys for El Nino, Climate

United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Mary Robinson and Macharia Kamau as UN’s Special Envoys for El Nino and Climate. 

These appointments come at a time of great urgency as the drought and flooding associated with El Niño have created massive needs across the world. The El Niño has worst affected four regions of East Africa, Southern Africa, Central America and the Pacific.

Key facts 

These UN Special Envoys will provide the leadership required to tackle challenges and responses to climate change and El Niño in order to scale up our humanitarian response. 

Mary Robinson: She is former President of Ireland. Previously she had worked as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and as UN special envoy for climate change. 

Macharia Kamau: He is Kenyan diplomat. Presently, he is working as ambassador to the United Nations. He is also former president of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Board. He also had served as co-chair of the UN General Assembly working group on sustainable development goals.

El Niño: It is a weather phenomenon, which occurs every two to seven years. It affects rainfall patterns and causes both drought and flooding

Australian researchers develop world’s first Scanning Helium Microscope

Australian researchers have built the world’s first Scanning Helium Microscope (SHeM) to examine materials without disturbing them. The SHeM was developed by the team of researchers from University of Newcastle (UON) led by Professor Paul Dastoor in collaboration with researchers from the University of Cambridge. 

Working of SHeM 

SHeM possesses short De Broglie wavelength of the helium ions and very high source brightness. It enables to obtain high quality data which is not at all achievable with conventional microscopes which use photons or electrons as the emitting source. 

SHeM vs Conventional microscopes 

The SHeM is an imaging technology based on a scanning helium ion beam to penetrate samples without damaging them. However, conventional electronic microscopes use light to penetrate samples, which has major drawback as it can damage them. 

Significance: The SHeM facilitate scientists to study human, animal, and plant samples, as well as pharmaceutical drugs and computer chips, without damaging or changing them. It will also provide new insights into structures at a microscopic level. 

Applications: SHeM will be useful in major industries such as defence, explosives, information technology and solar energy. It will also help in clean-up of toxic or radioactive spills, without harming the surrounding flora or fauna.

Union Cabinet approves ordinance to keep state boards out of NEET ambit for one year

Union Cabinet has approved promulgation of an ordinance to keep state boards out of the ambit of common medical entrance exams i.e. National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for one year. 

Through the ordinance, the order of the Supreme Court on NEET will be put on hold for a year i.e. for the academic year 2016-2017.

Background 

Earlier in May 2016, Supreme Court had refused to modify its April 2016 order making NEET mandatory for admission to undergraduate medical courses across the country for one year. 

The apex court order had implied that all government colleges, deemed universities and private medical colleges would be covered under NEET. It also had scrapped all those examinations which had already taken place or were slated to be conducted separately. 

Several State governments and major political parties had favoured deferring implementation of the apex court verdict. Several State governments also wanted their exams to be the basis for admission for their 85 per cent quota for the academic year 2016-2017. 

So far, as per the SC order 6.5 lakh students have already sat for the first phase of NEET held on 1 May 2016. The next phase of the exam was scheduled on 24 July 2016.

US activates land-based missile defence station in Romania

United States has activated a land-based missile defence station (Aegis Ashore Missile Defence System) in Deveselu, Romania. 

The missile defence station is part of NATO’s larger European shield to protect member countries from short and medium-range missiles, particularly from the Middle East. 

Key facts 

The Deveselu missile defence station has a battery of SM-2 missile interceptors. 

It uses powerful computer and radar technology to track and guide weapons to destroy enemy targets.

It also allows on-shore sites and warships to shoot down enemy ballistic missiles while they are still in space. 

The interceptor missiles are fired to hit ballistic missiles before they re-enter the atmosphere, stopping them well before there is any danger of causing any damage. 

US has spent 800 million dollars on the site in Romania, where work had began in 2013.

The missile defence station was activated as part of the Article Five commitment by all 28 NATO members. Under this commitment NATO members have decided in 2010 to create a missile shield based on US technology. The next phase of the project will be launched in Poland at Redzikowo, near the Baltic Sea and is due to be completed in 2020

Anil Kumble re-appointed ICC Cricket Committee chairman

Former India captain Anil Kumble has been re-appointed ICC (International Cricket Council) Cricket Committee chairman for a second term of three years. 

Earlier he was appointed as the chairman for his first term in 2012 and now he will continue to head the panel until 2018. Anil Kumble is all-time highest wicket-taker for India. 

Other appointments 

Besides, former Indian Rahul Dravid was also named member of the ICC Cricket Committee. 

Former Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene also has been appointed member.

Former Australia off-spinner Tim May has been elected as current player representative and shall replace Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, who has completed his three-year term. 

Three-time ICC Umpire of the Year Richard Kettleborough also has been appointed as umpires’ representative in the committee. 

The ICC Cricket Committee is representative of all stakeholders in the game of cricket, including players, umpires and the media. It is empowered to make recommendations on cricket playing issues to the ICC’s Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) and, if the matter is a policy matter, the ICC Board for approval.

Fatma Samoura named first female secretary general of FIFA Council

Senegalese UN diplomat Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura (54) has been named as Secretary General of FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) Council. 

The announcement in this regard was made by FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the 66th FIFA Congress held in Mexico City. With this, she becomes first female to be named as Secretary General of FIFA Council. 

About Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura 

• Currently, Samoura is serving as United Nation’s Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria. She has rich experience of 21 years with United Nations. 
• She had started her UN career in 1995 as senior logistics officer with the World Food Programme in Rome, Italy.
• Since then she has served as UN country representative or director in six countries, namely Djibouti, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Madagascar and Nigeria. 
• Before joining UN, Samoura had worked in the private sector for eight years. She had worked in the fertiliser trading sector for Senchim, a subsidiary of Industries Chimiques du Senegal.

India inks Project Collaboration Agreement with WHO to promote traditional medicine

India has signed a historic Project Collaboration Agreement (PCA) with World Health Organization (WHO) for cooperation on promoting the quality, safety and effectiveness of service provision in traditional and complementary medicine. The PCA aims at supporting WHO in the development and implementation of the ‘WHO Traditional and Complementary Medicine Strategy. 

Key facts of PCA 

• PCA for the period 2016-2020 will contribute to the global promotion of traditional Indian Systems of Medicine. 
• It will deliver for the first time WHO benchmark document for training in Yoga, and WHO benchmarks for practice in Ayurveda, Unani and Panchakarma.
• These will contribute significantly to the strengthening of national capacities in ensuring the quality, safety and effectiveness of traditional medicine including in establishing regulatory frameworks for traditional medicine.

The PCA with WHO will help India to promote traditional medicine both in India and abroad. It will also spread importance of India’s long history and rich heritage of traditional medicine and its growing relevance in providing holistic and comprehensive health care.

National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy, 2016

The Union Government has approved National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy, 2016 to promote the IP regime and to encourage innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship in India. The first of its king policy in the country seeks to strengthen legislative and legal framework of IPRs, their commercialization and reinforce enforcement and adjudicatory mechanisms for IPR infringements. 

The National IPR Policy will endeavour for a “Creative India; Innovative India: रचनात्मक भारत; अभिनव भारत”.

 The Policy lays down seven objectives 

IPR Awareness: Outreach and Promotion- It seeks to create public awareness about the social, economic and cultural benefits of IPRs among all sections of society. 

Generation of IPRs: It seeks to stimulate the generation of IPRs. 

Legal and Legislative Framework: It call for a strong and effective IPR laws, which will have balance the larger public interest and interests of rights owners. 

Administration and Management: It seeks to strengthen and modernize service-oriented IPR administration. 

Commercialization of IPRs: Provide appropriate value for IPRs through commercialization. 

Enforcement and Adjudication: Seeks to strengthen the adjudicatory and enforcement mechanisms for combating IPR infringements. 

Human Capital Development: Seeks to expand and strengthen human resources, capacities and institutions for teaching, research, training and skill building in IPRs.

 Other highlights of the Policy 

Recognises abundance of innovative and creative energies in the country and prioritizes the need to tap and channelise these energies towards a better and brighter future for all. 

Exploit and create synergies between all forms of intellectual property (IP), concerned agencies and statutes in the country. Sets in place an institutional mechanism for monitoring, implementation and review of IP regime. Aims to incorporate and adapt global best practices to the Indian scenario. 

Makes the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), under the Union Commerce Ministry nodal agency for regulating IP rights in the country. 

Seeks to weave in the strengths of the Government, R&D organizations, educational institutions, corporate entities including start-ups, MSMEs and other stakeholders in the creation of an innovation-conducive environment. 

Facilitates a transparent, stable and service-oriented IPR administration in the country. Recognizes that India has well-established TRIPS-compliant administrative, legislative and judicial framework to safeguard IPRs.

 Meets international obligations while utilizing the flexibilities provided in the international regime to address its developmental concerns. 

Reiterates India’s commitment to the Doha Declaration on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement and Public Health.

GK 2016

• Master Gaurav Menon has won the award for Best Child Artist at the 63rd National film awards 2015 for Malayalam movie Ben.
• Leicester City football club has won the 2016 English Premier League (EPL) title . With this win, Leicester City has become the champions for the first time in their 132-year history. The Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year 2016 has been awarded to Jamie Vardy, footballer of Leicester City.
• The book “Politics of the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations” has been authored by Yeshi Choedon. This book investigate deep into military personnel and financial management by the United Nations in its peacekeeping efforts around the world, which the author claims to be the most important and evident method to control conflicts around the world.
• The United Nations’World Press Freedom Day is observed every year on May 3 to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press. The 2016 Theme is “Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms – This Is Your Right!”. On this day, the 2016 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize has been honoured to Khadija Ismayilova, an investigative journalist from Azerbaijan, in Helsinki, Finland.
• Nico Rosberg, a German Formula One driver for Mercedes Formula One team, has won the 2016 Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix in Sochi, Russia.

CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. Prof. Sriram Ramaswamy, Director of TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences (TCIS), Hyderabad, has been on the list of 50 scientists elected as the Fellows of the Royal Society (FRS) of London, a premier scientific academy of the U.K. and the Commonwealth. Besides him, two other Indian viz.biochemist Ramanujan Hegde, MRC Laboratory of Microbiology, U.K. and applied mathematician Lakshminarayanan Mahadevan, Harvard University were also elected. The Royal Society elects new Fellows and Foreign Members every year. Its mission is to recognise, promote, and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity.
2. In the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s latest Regional Economic Outlook for Asia and the Pacific, India’s growth forecast for 2016 and 2017 has retained at 7.5%. The key to boost India’s economic growth are structural reforms like Goods and Services Tax(GST) and in areas like land and labour.
3. The Supreme Court of India (SCI) has recently constituted R.M. Lodha committee to monitor the functioning of the Medical Council of India (MCI) for at least a year. The apex court has used its rare and extraordinary powers under the Article 142 of the Constitution as the Government of India (GoI) had not acted on the report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare. The 3-member committee will have the authority to oversee all statutory functions under the MCI Act and will be free to issue appropriate remedial directions. All policy decisions of the MCI will require approval of the oversight committee.
4. The World Asthma Day (WAD) is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. It takes place on the first Tuesday of May. The theme of 2016’s event is “You Can Control Your Asthma”.
5. The Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve in Assam. It is a home to a great variety of wildlife, including many endangered species viz. tiger, pygmy hog, Indian rhinoceros and Indian elephant.

Mindtree co-founder Subroto Bagchi to head Odisha Skill Development Authority

IT major Mindtree co-founder Subroto Bagchi has been appointed as head of the Odisha Skill Development Authority. 

He would report directly to the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and has been given the rank of cabinet minister with a token monthly salary of Re 1. Bagchi was born in Patnagarh block of backward Bolangir district of Odisha. 

About Odisha Skill Development Authority Aims to unify the initiatives on the ground and create momentum for unemployed youth to receive skill-based training to make them employable in the state. Functions: It will be overseeing skill development programmes in the state. 

It will also guide state government to implement and oversee all skill development programmes in the state. Earlier in January 2016, Odisha Government had roped Sam Pitroda as its technology adviser for development of telecom, electronics, IT, ITES sectors.

Current Affairs 2016

• Surender Kumar Bhagat, the 1982-batch IPS officer of the Uttarakhand cadre, has been appointed as the new Director General (DG) of Railways Protection Force (RPF). He will succeed Rajiv Ranjan Verma and will serve RPF till the date of his superannuation i.e. on June 30, 2017. Presently, he is working as Special Director General in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
• The book “Param Vir: A War Diary” has been written by Manju Lodha, a well-known Indian social activist. It was recently launched in London by Navtej Sarna, Indian High Commissioner to United Kingdom. The book chronicles the lives of 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, the highest military honour bestowed by India to those serving in the Indian armed forces.
• The Maharashtra Government has recently launched ‘Adi Praman’’ a web-based application, which will facilitate the tribal populace of the state to get the caste validity certificates online. The validity certificate will be bar-coded with a unique identification number and enable authorities to directly verify the status of validity certificate using the unique barcode number. The portal “etribalvalidity.mahaonline@gov.in” will show the real-time status of the applications through email and text messages. This initiative will make the entire process of securing caste validity certificate transparent, fast and easy and will effectively curb the menace of bogus certificates.
• The mobile app “Indian Customs- Guide to Travellers” has been launched by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) to inform traders, exporters and importers about Customs Baggage Rules, 2016. The mobile App has been developed by Bengaluru Customs and is available on Android Play store, Apple Store and Windows Store. The app is user friendly and serves as a useful tool for quick and effective dissemination of information about baggage rules and entitlements and hence serves to clarify doubts and concern of International passengers and also ensure better compliance. The CBEC is the nodal national agency responsible for administering customs, central excise, service tax and narcotics in India.
• The Kerala state branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA) has partnered with UNICEF to promote safe and healthy practices for improving maternal and child health in the state. The initiative will help Kerala to achieve world class level in reducing child mortality rate. As part of the partnership, IMA and UNICEF will orient all the 35,000 doctors of the association in the state, on the importance of prescribing good practices to their patients, besides medicine.

GK & Current Affairs – May 2016

1. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana will be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at  Ballia

.The scheme aims to provide LPG connections without security deposit to 50 million women from BPL households over the next three years, using the money saved from 1 crore 13 lakh cooking gas users voluntarily giving up their subsidies.

2.China has recently developed the world’s first graphene electronic paper that will catapult the material to a new level. It is developed by The Guangzhou OED Technologies in partnership with a company in Chongqing Province of China. As compared to traditional e-papers, graphene e-paper is more flexible and has more intensity and has high-light transmittance, which means optical displays will be much brighter. The production cost of graphene e-paper (derived from carbon) will be much lower than the traditional e-papers, which use the rare, expensive metal indium.

3.The Gujarat Government has recently declared 10% reservation quota for Economically Backward Classes (EBCs) in general category for higher education and government jobs. The new category would cover all upper castes whose family income does not exceed Rs 6 lakh per annum. The reservation announced by the state government will cross 50% reservation limit set by the Supreme Court of India (SCI) and may face legal hurdles. The state government is already providing 50% reservation to SC/STs and OBCs.

4.India has recently signed four MoUs with Papua New Guinea (PNG) in areas of infrastructure, healthcare, information technology and agriculture. For this, India will provide $100 million credit line for development of infrastructure and will establish India-Papua New Guinea Centre for Excellence in IT in PNG.

5.Tabassum Adnan, a women’s rights activist from Pakistan’s Swat valley, has won the 2016 Civicus Nelson Mandela Graca Machel Innovation Award in individual activist category at Bogota, Colombia. She is the founder of NGO Khwendo Jirga (Sister’s Council), the first women-only ‘jirga’ in Pakistan, to address issues of women’s right, including honour killings and acid attacks.

GK Updates

India becomes fourth largest spender on defence:

India has becomes the world’s fourth largest spender on defence, following a 13.1% increase in its 2016-17 defence budget, according to US research firm HIS Inc. India’s rise in the ranking from sixth position last year is a result of an increase in expenditure to $50.7 billion combined with cuts to military spending by Russia and Saudi Arabia where low oil prices have put considerable strain on their finances.

4th Nuclear Security Summit begins in Washington:

The fourth edition of nuclear security summit (NSS) began in Washington, United states to discuss a gamut of issues pertaining to security. In this edition of summit, heads of about 53 countries and representatives of five international organizations including the UNO, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), European Union (EU), Interpol are taking part. 

Telangana govt launches M Wallet mobile App:

State road transport authority’s brand-new mobile app, M-Wallet was launched by IT minister KT Rama Rao and transport minister P.Mahender Reddy. Telangana state transport authority’s launched brand new mobile app named M-Wallet which is first of its kind in India. It will help motorists to avoid physically carrying documents like driving licence, registration certification and other vehicle related documents, since digital certificates can be uploaded through the App. 

Haryana fixes edu qualification for Urban Bodies’ polls”

Haryana Assembly passed two Bills mandating minimum educational qualification for contesting urban local bodies polls in the state.

• The minimum educational qualification for a general male candidate will be Class X, while that for women and those belonging to SC category would be Class VIII.
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Union Govt launches Startup India portal and mobile app:

The Union govt has launched the startup India portal (http://startupindia.gov.in) and mobile application. They will also provide information regarding incubators and funding agencies recognized for the purpose of recommending startup sup to Rs crore.

• Startup India Hub was established within Invest India will be a single point of contact for the entire Startup ecosystem.
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Flipkart acquires mobile payment firm PhonePe:

India’s largest e-commerce company Flipkart has acquired PhonePe a Bengaluru based mobile payments company. It was co-founded by ex-Flipkart employees Sameer Nigam and Rahul Chari.

Ficci, AIBC sign MoU to strengthen business ties:

In a bid further strengthen and promote business ties with Australia FICCI on Friday announced inking an MoU with Australia India Business Council (AIBC).

• The agreement was signed in the presence of the visiting Finance Minister Arun Jaitley during the ‘Invest in India Round Table Conference’ here.
• The agreement reinvigorates the ongoing relationship between the two organisations to further promote, facilitate and grow the trade and investment relationship between Australia and India.
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Rajiv Gauba takes over as Secretary of Urban Development Ministry:

Rajiv Gauba toll over as Secretary to the government of India in the Ministry of Urban development. Jharkhand govt now is looking for another Chief Secretary.

Renowned Iraqi-British Architech Zaha Hadid passes away:

Renowned Iraqi-British Architech Zaha Hadid passed away due to heart attack. She was 65 year old. She was the first female winner of the top Pritzker Architecture Prize (2004), also known as the Nobel for architecture.

• Zaha Hadid Born on 31st October 1950 in Baghdad, Iraq. Hadid first had studied mathematics at the American University in Lebanon and later pursued architecture at the Architectural Association in London in 1972.

Current Affairs April 2016

France operation “Sangaris” comes to an end in CAR: 

France will end its three years long military operation “Sangaris” in Central African Republic which came onto force in 2013 following a communal violence. The France govt proposed to withdraw its troops citing the formation of the new govt under faustin Archange Touadera and restoration of peace. 

Narendra Modi to launch Asia’s biggest telescope Aries in Nainital:

A Major achievement and progress in the field of Astronomy, the Aryabhatta research institute for observational sciences abbreviated as ARIES the first optical telescope is set to be inaugurated by PM Modi in Nainital.

• It was a contract undertaken by the Aries and Belgian company- Advanced mechanical and optical systems in March, 2007.
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Kachhabali becomes 1st Liquor free village in Rajasthan:

Kachhabali village in Rajasthan and district of Rajasthan has become the first in state to vote in support of closing down the only liquor shop in the village.

• The polling was carried out by the excise department of the state and 94% of the voters demanded that they want a complete ban on the sale of alcohol in the village.
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Mumbai to get its first Arbitration Centre:

The financial capital of India is likely to get the international Arbitration Centre. This will be the India’s first arbitration centre for dealing the financial disputes.

• The financial disputes of India were dealt in the Singapore Arbitration centre, now with the establishment of the International arbitration centre in Mumbai it will be a boon to the Indian companies.
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Japan commits loan worth 14251 crores:

Japan has been providing support to India both financially and technically when it comes to the development of Infrastructure. It has now committed a loan worth 242.2 billion yen for the various infrastructure projects in India.

Faustin-Archange Touadera sworn in as president of central Africa:

Faustin Archange Touadera was sworn-in as President of Central African Republic. With this, 58-year-old Touadera became the first elected President of the country in three years.

Wipro appoints Patrick Dupuis as its board member:

The IT major Wipro has announced the appointment of Patrick Dupuis as its new independent board member. Patrick Dupuis was the Senior Vice President of PayPal holdings. He has also been a part of BJC health care and functioned as the CFO of Site1, one of the largest customer care company.

First female speaker for Vietnam Parliament:

Vietnam has chosen Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan as its first female speaker. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan got 472 votes out of the total 481 votes and got a clean sweep of majority in becoming the speaker of the assembly.

• She became the first female speaker of the nation and also elected as the chairperson of national election council with 467 votes out of 477.
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Babu Bharadwaj passes away:

Renowned writer and journalist Babu Bharadwaj 68 passed away. He breathed his last at a private hospital in the city where he was undergoing treatment after suffering a cardiac arrest.

• He was working as the chief editor of the online news portal Dool News. He had worked with Kairali TV, Chinta Magazine and Media One. He was the first Joint Secretary of Students’ Federation of India (SFI).