‘Project Mausam’ – India’s answer to China’s ‘Maritime Silk Road’
India will soon launch “Project Mausam”, a PM Narendra Modi government’s utmost noteworthy foreign policy project for answering China’s
rising impact in the Indian Ocean region. After the astonishing triumph
of China’s “Maritime Silk Road” scheme, India plans to soon takeoff its
own Project Mausam, a transnational program aimed to restore its
ancient maritime routes and cultural links with republics in the region.
Titled “Project Mausam”: Maritime Routes and Cultural Landscapes crossways the Indian Ocean, the project emphasizes on the natural wind phenomenon, particularly monsoon winds used
by Indian sailors in ancient times for maritime trade, that has formed
relations amongst nations and groups linked by the Indian Ocean. Project
Mausam purposes to determine the versatile Indian Ocean “world” —
expanding from East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka to the Southeast Asian archipelago.
Though
India is also amongst the nations asked to join China’s maritime silk
route plan, India has been worried by the curiosity displayed by Sri
Lanka andMaldives in the Chinese offer, which supposedly looks to restore ancient economic links.
India
government will try to pull on its ancient connections with nations in
this region as it proposes an alternative, which could counter-balance
the maritime silk route of China. India also faces the difficult job of
matching China’s stress on building landmark infrastructure in the region, including ports in Sri Lanka andPakistan. Whereas the facilities are held to be civilian, India doubts China obtaining operational control of these.
Dating to AD 500-1000, a sailors’ trading map to constructed on wind patterns, displaying India as the pivot
“Timekeepers to the nation” HMT Watches to wind down after 53 years
Once synonymous to watches in India “HMT”
is set to be winded up in a phased manner. Burdened with losses for
more than a decade, the government is set to shut down HMT Watches,
which was restructured in 1999, but nothing changed for HMT.
During 2012-13, HMT reported losses of Rs 242 crore on revenues of Rs 11 crore. In contrast, Titan’s watch business reported sales of Rs 1,675 crore during the year. HMT employs 1,105, which includes 181 executives.
HMT (HMT Limited, formerly Hindustan Machine Tools Limited), a state-owned manufacturing company under the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises in India, was incorporated in 1953 by
the Government of India as a machine tool manufacturing company, as
part of the government’s attempts to shape a modern India. It is like
the Ambassador, another marquee brand of the licence-permit era. Over
the years diversified into watches, tractors, printing machinery, metal
forming presses, die casting & plastic processing machinery, CNC
systems & bearings.
HMT almost had a free run from the time when in 1961 it set up the country’s first watch manufacturing unit in Bangalore in collaboration with Citizen Watch Co. In fact, it claims many
firsts to its credit — the automatic day-date watch to the first
Braille and quartz watches. HMT’s ad punch line depicted it as“timekeepers to the nation”.
But
it was the quartz watches that turn out to be its downfall along with
the entrance of numerous new players in the 1980s, who brought in
fresher designs and more modern production methods. HMT is said to have
been faltered by slow decision-making, frequently linked with PSUs. As a
consequence, numerous efforts to improve the company’s performance
including capital infusion didn’t work. During UPA government’s term,
HMT Watches was referred to the Board for Reconstruction of Public
Sector Enterprises, which suggested revitalization. While the UPA
desisted from resolving on the matter, the BJP government decided to go
ahead with a hard choice.
Integration of BSF with BISAG at Bhuj in Gujarat
Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh launched the integration of Border Security Force (BSF) with Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo Informatics (BISAG) project of Gujarat Government at BSF Camp in Bhuj, Gujarat,in order to provide for devoted, encrypted channel for the Para Military Forces.
BISAG
a State level nodal agency of Gujarat will assist the usage of spatial
and geo-spatial technologies for planning and developmental activities
to agriculture, land and water resource management, wasteland/watershed development, forestry, disaster management, infrastructure and education. The Institute was opened in April 1997 and was formerly known as Remote Sensing and Communication Centre (RESECO) but was later re-named after the great Indian Mathematician of the 12th century, Bhaskaracharya, in December 2003.
Barack Obama authorised air strikes against ISIS militants in Syria
The US President, Barack Obama for the first time, authorized US air strikes against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
militants in Syria. He also asked to increase the airstrikes in Iraq.
This will be the first unrestricted bombing crusade of the US against
jihadist ISIS militants in Syria. As per the strategy, the airstrikes
will be a organized crusade of against the group.
Obama
held that the air strikes were essential counter-terrorism action to
stop the ISIS group to become a threat for the US in future, thus his
order doesn’t need congressional approval. ISIS militants have seized a
swath territory in northern parts of Iraq and Syria.
Apart
from this, the key ten Arab countries have agreed to help the US in its
fight against the jihadist group, Islamic State (IS). They have assured
to offer military backing and humanitarian assistance to the US to stop
the flow of funds and foreign fighters to ISIS. Only, the NATO member, Turkey declined to join in the group of Arab nations that will support the US.
SC clears 3% reservation for disabled in jobs and promotions in all Govt jobs including in IAS
The Supreme Court ruled
3% quota for disabled persons in all government jobs including IAS. A
bench headed by Chief Justice R M Lodha held that the disabled people
have not got their due in the last 19 years even though the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act was passed in 1995.
The
government argued that reservation cannot be given in case of promotion
to Group A and Group B officers category as it is not a case of
appointment and held that the the Persons With Disabilities Act provides
for 3% quota for the differently-abled people.
The bench, however, noted that ‘appointment’ is a wider concept and the Centre is giving a limited interpretation of it. Therefore, Supreme
Court permitted the reservation in all classes of government jobs
containing in the matters of appointment, selection, direct-recruitment,
deputation and also for promotions. The bench held that the principle of not exceeding 50% reservation would not be valid while allowing quota for differently-abled people.
The
bench ruled that the purpose of the reservation policy, as envisioned
by the Parliament, was indisputable that the differently-abled people
must get the advantages with no technical hurdles.
Union government seeks clarification from Supreme Court on its judgment on transgender
Five months after the Supreme Court instructed
the Centre to give OBC status to transgenders, the Union government has
requested clarification on it holding that all such people cannot be
grouped under OBC category as several of them are SC/ST by birth. The
Centre suggested that there
is no difficulty in putting non- SC/ST transgender under OBC category
as that can be achieved via NCBC (National Commission of Backward
Classes), but grouping SC/ST transgender under OBC would trigger
troubles. Central Govt. A group can only be listed as backward if the NCBC, a statutory body under India’s Social Justice Ministry, considered it so, the government argued.
On April 15, 2014 in its landmark judgment, the Supreme Court had accorded legal acknowledgment
to transgenders or eunuchs as third category of gender and directed the
Centre and all states to consider them as socially and educationally
backward classes to expand reservation in admission in educational
institutions and for public appointments.
The
Centre also requested clarification on the meaning of transgender
articulating that Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual cannot be considered under
the category of transgender. The government held in its application that
“Universally, the term LGBT is used for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and
transgenders. While it may be possible for some transgender persons to
also be gay, lesbian or bisexual, that is only an individual’s sexual
orientation and would not result in a lesbian, gay or bisexual by
themselves per se becoming a transgender.” Thus, some people might
misuse the identity of transgender in order to get benefit of OBC
Category in Job reservations.
Ozone layer on road to recovery
Approximately 30 years after the protections of the Montreal Protocol were put into action, there’s more proof that theinternational contract
to safeguard Earth’s ozone layer is effective, as per a fresh by 300
scientists. The large quantity of most ozone-depleting matters in the
atmosphere have fallen since the earlier assessment, in 2010, and
Earth’s shielding ozone layer is displaying signs of recovery, as per
the “Assessment for Decision-Makers,” part of a larger report to be released early next year.
The
report is the most recent in a sequence delivered every four years by
the international scientific community, headed by the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP), and co-sponsored by NOAA, the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) and the European Commission. The Decision-makers
trust on these logical updates and have used them to increase protection
of the ozone layer, banning or restricting the use of ozone-depleting
substances, for example.
The
stratospheric ozone layer, a fragile shield of gas, safeguards the
Earth from dangerous ultraviolet rays of the sun. Maximum ozone is
located in the stratosphere, far above Earth. The ozone layer acts as a
safeguard, absorbing Ultra-Violet (UV) radiation from the Sun and
safeguarding Earth’s surface from dangerous volumes of UV radiation. In
the 1970s, NOAA researchers started to identify that particular
chemicals, including chemicals called Chloro-Fluoro-Carbons (CFCs) and Halons, used extensively
in cooling and firefighting, could reach the stratosphere and activate
reactions that damages ozone. In 1985, scientists noticed that a
seasonal “Ozone Hole” was establishing in the Antarcticspring, NOAA researchers performed a key role in showing that those same chemicals were triggering the hole.
Because of the Montreal Protocol,
several ozone-damaging chemicals have been substituted by substances
that don’t destroy ozone. Nonetheless, certain new chemicals, including
the CFC-substitute Hydro-Fluoro-Carbons (HFCs), are powerful greenhouse
gases and could substantially lead to climate change in the upcoming
periods. Researchers from NOAA’s Earth System Research Laboratory play a
significant part in this subject, testing offered new materials to
understand if they are harmless for the ozone layer, climate and the
environment.
Key findings:
- Measures taken under the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer are assisting the restore of the ozone layer to yardstick 1980 levels.
- The climate benefits of the Montreal Protocol could be considerably offset by projected emissions of HFCs (Hydro-Fluoro-Carbons) utilized to substitute ozone depleting materials.
- The yearly Antarctic ozone hole has triggered substantial changes in Southern Hemisphere surface climate in the summer. Ozone reduction has contributed to cooling of the lower stratosphere and this is very probable the main reason of noticed changes in Southern Hemisphere summertime circulation over of late decades, with linked effects on surface temperature, precipitation, and the oceans.
- In the Northern Hemisphere, where the ozone depletion is lesser, there is no convincing link between stratospheric ozone depletion and tropospheric climate.
- CO2, Nitrous Oxide and Methane will have an growing influence on the ozone layer. What happens to the ozone layer in the second half of the 21st century will mostly be determined by the concentrations of CO2, methane and nitrous oxide – the 3 key long-lived greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In general, CO2 and methane lead to increase global ozone levels. By contrast, nitrous oxide, a by-product of food production, is both a strong greenhouse gas and an ozone depleting gas, and is expected to become more significant in future ozone depletion.
6th Economic Census Report: Arunachal Pradesh has the highest proportion of hired workers among all Arunachal Pradeshs
As per the the 6th Economic Census Report 2013, Arunachal Pradesh has the maximum percentage of hired workers amongst all states, including in segments like education and health.
- Percentage of female hired workers in Arunachal Pradesh: 30.3%
- Growth rate in the number of establishments over the 5th Economic Census is 34.09% and that of total employment is 17.73%
- Growth rate of total number of persons employed over 5th Economic Census 2005 has been recorded at all India level at 34.73% but at Arunachal Pradesh level it is 17.73%,.
- Total number of establishments in the Arunachal Pradesh is 36,602 with the 19,288 of them in rural and 17,314 in urban areas. The number of establishments in urban areas has increased at 83.22%, which is more than 3 times the population growth. This development is owing to the fact that in between the 5th and 6th Economic Census 10 districts or SDO headquarters having concentration of establishment has been notified as urban areas.
- But in rural areas, the increase of 8.08% is found to be 3 times less than the population growth.
- The average number of workers per establishments was found to be higher than the national average in spite of the having the lowest population density and scarce workers.
The
6th Economic census was organized by the Department of Economics and
Statistics in association with the district administration in 2013. The
activities covered in the 6th Economic Census have a share of about 86%
in total GDP of the country.
New Payment Gateway Integrated to e-Filing System; Indian Patent Office (IPO) becomes first IPO in the World to begin Real Time Transparency
Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India launched
a new payment gateway integrated to the e-filing system of the
Intellectual Property Office (IPO). This new facility will be dedicated
to the working of the Indian Patent Office as InternationalSearching Authority (ISA) and International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
The new facility will facilitate payment by means of internet banking,
credit cards or debit cards of more than 70 Banks as against internet
banking of 2 banks previously. This will result in rise in online filing
of forms for patent and trademarks by 25 to 75%.
Fresh initiatives:
Fresh office of IPO: This
new facility will be dedicated to the working of the Indian Patent
Office as International Searching Authority (ISA) and International
Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) under the Patent Cooperation
Treaty (PCT).
IP Expressions: First
issue of IP Expressions, a technical magazine released. The magazine
offers a stage for the officials of Intellectual Property Office (IPO)
to share the experience acquired in the field of Intellectual Property.
Initially it will start as a twice-a-year publication, the IP
Expressions is likely to help the IP groups, researchers, scholars,
academicians and public at large as a source of IP information.
Stock and Flow: This
facility at present existing for trademarks has now been extended to
patents also. Via this service the work occurring in the whole Patent
office will be now open to the world. The stock and flow in the Patent
Offices at various places is shown on a real time basis on the official
website. IPO is the first amongst intellectual property offices
throughout the world to attain this extreme transparency.
NGT bans tyre burning in the open, re-use of tyres as fuel
The western zone bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has banned the burning of tyres in public areas and also the reuse of old tyres as fuel in industries and brick kilns.
The bench has instructed the environment division of the state government to take a resolution on the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board’s (MPCB)suggestions
in 8 weeks and release essential notification in 2 weeks later. Burning
of tyres in open areas, public places and localities, such as
residential areas, schools, hospitals and offices, is banned, the bench
noted whilst holding the police, district administration and ULBs (Urban
Local Bodies) accountable for executing the prohibition. Any
disobedience has to be regarded as an offence under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (disobedience to order promulgated by public servant), it said.
The
direction was circulated on a petition filed by city-based Sahyog
Trust, which upraised thoughtful worries over burning of tyres on human health as tyre burning yields poisonous smoke which is dangerous to the total environment and human health.
The bench observed that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPBC) is
fostering the use of old tyres as fuel in cement, power and steel
industry, however several aspects such as the pollution latent, tyre
generation data, technology choices, techno-economic feasibility and
social consequences must be well thought-out.
Why burning of tyres is harmful for environment?
Burning
tyres emit toxic soup of pollutants that contains harmful gases and
chemicals viz. carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, chromium, arsenic, zinc,
barium, cobalt, copper, iron, aluminum, manganese and vanadium, etc.
which are hazardous to the human beings as well as to the environment.
Minuscule particles released during the burning can settle deep in the
lungs. Tyres contain 25 % extender oils derived from benzene, 25%
styrene, a derivative of benzene, and 25% 1,3 butadiene. – both benzene
and 1,3 butadiene are suspected human carcinogens. (A carcinogen is any
substance, radionuclide or radiation, that is an agent directly involved
in causing cancer).
About National Green Tribunal
- A special fast-track court to handle the expeditious disposal of the cases pertaining to environmental issues.
- Established on October, 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
- Objective: For effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
- Shall not be bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.
- New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai shall be the other four place of sitting of the Tribunal.
Note: The National Green Tribunal ruling can only be challenged in the Supreme Court.
Over next 5 years, China will invest nearly $100 billion in India
On September 17, 2014 i.e. PM Modi’s Birthday, the Chinese president Xi Jinpingwill land in Gujarat and will carry besides him $100 billion or Rs 6 lakh crore of investment promises over 5 years through his forthcoming India visit. This is approximately thrice the $35 billion locked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent Japan trip.
China will
firstly invest $7 billion in industrial parks in Pune and Gandhinagar,
which is just the tip of the iceberg as Chinese firms are eyeballing
over $50 billion worth of investments in transformation of the Indian railways and running bullet and hi-speed trains in India. The Indian Railways has been granted approval for 100% FDI,
and consequently it will come up with a wide-ranging plan for
facilitating FDI in the sector. China is eager to invest additional $50
billion in roads, ports and the NDA government’s determined
river-linking plan. The Chinese leader is coming with a delegation of
over 100 business heads,
involving those from China Harbour, China Railway Construction Group
and Huawei, midst others, and will speak to a trade gathering of over
400 Indian CEOs in Delhi. Thegiant 4 Chinese banks (Bank of China, Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), China Construction Bank and the Agriculture Bank of China) are also arriving with the delegation to give billions of dollars in advances to Indianinfrastructure plans to be completed in joint venture with Chinese companies.
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