Current Affairs– March 3 2016

INDIAN AFFAIRS

Rajya Sabha passes carriage by Air amendments bill

The parliament passed the Carriage by Air amendment bill to empower Union government to revise the limits of liability for airlines and compensation as per the Montreal Convention which India accepted in 2009.

• The Bill intends to review the liability limit for damage in case of death or bodily injury for each person
• The bill enhances compensation for air travellers in case of death, injury, lost baggage or even inordinate delay in flights

Cabinet nods to MoU’s signed by Railways with Russia and Japan

The Union cabinet apprised the MoU signed by the Railway ministry with Japan and Russiafor technical cooperation in the railway sector.

• An MoC was signed between the Ministry of Railways and the Japan’s Ministry of Land,Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) for technical cooperation in the railways

Telengana to illuminate 25 municipalities with LED Bulbs

The Telengana government as a part of development has decided to replace the existing bulbs with LED in 25 municipalities within 100 days.

• A high level meeting held on Tuesday consisting of IT Minister KT Rama Rao, Energy Minister G Jagadish Reddy, Housing Minister A Indrakaran Reddy and officials of power sector held a discussion with ESSL to supply LED at lower prices

CCEA Approved Winding Up Of National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council (NMCC)

The National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council (NMCC) will be wound up with immediate effect as it has fulfilled the mandate for which it was constituted.

• To review economic trends, problems and prospects to evolve an efficient and consistent economic policy framework for India
• To direct and coordinate all economic policies and activities, including foreign investments that need economic decisions of the highest order.

Tikhor park to be set up in Guwahati and Shillong
Organizing Committee of the 12^th South Asian Games has decided to set up Tikhor Park (Games Mascot) in Guwahati and Shillong and Rs. 2 Crore has been earmarked on behalf of the project.

• The Parks are mean to preserve the legacy of the South Asian Gamesconcluded recently in Guwahati and Shillong.
• These Parks will would be set up at Guwahati University and Shillong based North Eastern Hill University.
• The allocated fund comes from the savings of the Mega Event including contributions from Central Public Sector Companies.

The chairman of Organizing Committee and Union Sports Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has approved the decision.
NHAI ties up with Indian School of Business for skill development of its technical and managerial manpower
National Highway Authority of India joined hands with Hyderabad based Indian School of Business for skill development of its technical and managerial manpower.

• Road sector is seen as the one of the key areas to achieve the objective and ensure sustained economic growth.
• ISB to train officials from NHAI on Leadership Programme in Infrastructure Management aims at developing skills and competencies relating multiple disciplines including strategic Planning , Finance, Economics, Law, Social and Environmental Issues.
• ISB would identify four key officials after stringent scrutiny and evaluation. This Programme is funded by NHAI.

NHAI is planning to create officials who can play a critical role in ensuring professional capability to shoulder the responsibilities to its senior officers and guide to the sector.
NHAI:

• Founded: 1988
• Chairman: Raghav Chandra

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

EU releases 252 million euros in aid for Palestinians

To support the Palestinian Authority’s health and education programmes and to offer services to their refugees in the middle east, EU has released 252 mn Euros($274 millions).

• The aid will help Palestine become prepared for a more accountable and democratic state in the future. It is the first part of the 2016 aid package.

London-the most expensive city to live

A recent UK study reveals that London is the most expensive city to live in overtaking Hong Kong .The study conducted by real estate firm Savills survey revealed that the most expensive city to live and work in is London

• The study compares the total annual cost of renting both residential and office accommodation per person in some of the world’s leading cities

China launches first self propelled floating dock
In a move to modernize Beijing’s Navy, China has launched its first self propelled floating dock, giving it the ability to repair warships from the coast.

• The dock , Huachuan No.1 would enable the navy to return damaged ships to fighting capability in ‘very rapid time’ and is designed to be sent into combat zones. With this achievement, the warships with minor damages can be repaired at mobility far out in the sea.
• The dock can handle cruisers, destroyers and submarines, but not Aircraft Carriers and cope with waves upto 2 m high.

Other Facts

• China’s Currency: Yuan/Renminbi
• Capital: Beijing
• President: Xi Jinping
• Premier: Li Keqiang

BANKING & FINANCE

Government Cancels IRB Contract
Union Government has cancelled the contract for the RS. 10, 050 crore Zojila Pass Tunnel Building Project.

• South Asia’s longest Tunnel project at Zojila Pass in Jammu & Kashmir to offer all weather connectivity to the Lah – ladakh region.
•  Mumbai based IRB Infrastructure Developers Limited said that the Ministry of Road and Transport & Highways cancelled the letter of award without citing any reasons.
• With this cancellation of the contract, IRB’s order size will decline to about Rs. 6, 500 crore.

Jammu & Kashmir:

• Capital:  Jammu (winter) & Sri Nagar (summer)
• Governor: Narinder Nath Vohra

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Ratan Thiyam conferred with META Awards

Ratan Thiyam a veteran playwriter and a director is conferred with Lifetime achievement award 2016 at the upcoming Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META).

• Ratan Thiyam the theatre guru is going to be awarded the Lifetime achievement award at the 11^th META function
• He is currently the chairman of National school of drama

Bhagwathi Lal Vyas chosen for Bihari puraskar prize of 2015

 Eminent poet Bhagwathi Lal Vyas has been chosen for the Bihari Puraskar Prize in the year 2015 for his anthology poems ‘Katha Sun Aawe Hai Sabad’

• He was born on 10 July 1941 in village Gilund of Raj Samand district of Rajasthan.
• He has authored several short stories and poems and his acclaimed works includeShatabdi Niruttar (1977), Footpath Par Chiriya Nachti Hai (1984) and Suraj Leelti Ghatiyan

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

Portugal nominated ex-refugee chief for UN Secretary-General

A former UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) , Antonio Guterres has been nominated for UN Secretary General by Portugal as the incumbent Ban Ki Moon of South Korea  is about to end his tenure in 2016.

• He was the Prime Minister of Portugal between 1995 and 2002. He was from the Socialist Party. He served as the 10^th UN high Commissioner from 2005 until 2015.

Sanjiv Kapoor named Vistara’s new chief strategy officer
Sanjiv Kapoor has been appointed as Chief strategy and commercial officer succeeds Giam Ming Toh who is returning to Singapore airlines on completion of his term.

• Sanjiv will be responsible for inflight services and ground operations also oversee strategic planning and commercial operations.
• Prior to his new appointment he served as a Chief Operating Officer at Spice Jet also have 19 years of experience in the Airline Industry.

Tata Company holds 51% stake in the joint venture Gurgaon based Airline Company Vistara, Singapore Airlines is the minor stake holder in Vistara.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Hinduja group acquires Britain Building

Hinduja group have officially acquired the famous 1,100 room Old War Office Building of Britain in central London for an undisclosed sum.

• The historic Old War Office Building in Central London is situated near the Britain parliament
• The building covers 580,000 square feet spread over seven floors connected by more than three kilometres of corridors

CCS gives nod to acquire 2 AWACS from Israel
Cabinet Committee on security gives nod to acquire two advanced Israeli Phalcon AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) from Israel.

• This decision is taken in the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi also prior to the PM’s Visit to Russia and Israel scheduled later this year.
• The two AWACS will be the tune of Rs. 7500crore and will enhance India to detect any threat by aerial route than ground based radars.
• AWACS with the Israeli 360-degree Phalcon early-warning radar communication suite mounted on Russian IL-76 heavy lift military aircraft will be significant boost for Indian Air Force.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Jual Oram Launches New Website of NCST
Union Tribal Affairs Minister JualOram launched the revamped website http://www.ncst.gov.in of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes in the Capital.

• The new website will be a tool of source for students, media and the common man, the site would come with interactive section, mobile app and customer focused Toll free interactive service.
• The ministry will assist NCST in organizing seminars in Delhi and outside on various tribal issues.
• This website will cover wide range of issues in the society in relation with tribal welfare.

Tribal Affairs Ministry:

• Union Cabinet Minister: Jual Oram
• Constituency: Sundargarh (Odisha)
• Union Minister of state: MansukhbhaiVasava
• Constituency:  Bharuch (Gujarat)

SPORTS

Meghalaya to bid for 2022 National Games
Meghalaya Government has decided to bid for 2022 National Games after the successful host of 12th south Asian Games concluded recently in the state.

• Allotment of National Games is done by Indian Olympic Association from the bids submitted to the Association.
• Meghalaya government proposes to bid for Nation Games in 2022. The sports ministry is emphasized that potential of talented sportspersons available in the Northeastern region of the country.
• The Ministry has approved grant of Rs. 87.50 crore for 15 sports infrastructure projects under Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme.
• The projects include multipurpose halls, astro-turfs for hockey and synthetic athletic tracks.

Meghalaya:

• Capital: Shillong
• Chief Minister: MukulSangma
•  Governor: V.Shanmuganathan

OBITUARY

Former New Zealand cricket captain Martin Crowe passed away

Auckland born right handed elegant batsman and Former New Zealand Skipper Martin Crowe passed away of cancer .

• The New Zealander made with 17 Test Centuries including his career best of 299against Sri Lanka. He scored 5, 444 test runs at an average of 45.36.
• Crowe played 77 Tests and 143 One Day Internationals for New Zealand in his 13 year cricket career.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Wildlife Day – March 3

World Wildlife Day celebrated every year on 3^rd March is celebrated with the aim of preserve the rich flora and fauna of our World and to protect the endangered species from extinction.

• 2016 :theme is “The future of wildlife is in our hands”, with African and Asian elephants being the main focus of global campaign

National Defence Day
National defence day is celebrated on March 3 every year.The national Defence Academy is a joint services academy of the Indian Armed forces. The Cadets of these 3 services are trained together before they go on to pre-commissioning training on their respective training academies.

• This day is commemorated with flag unfurling function being world’s largest and tallest Indian Tricolour was unfurled at Town Park Faridabad.
• The flag weighs 48 kg and has a 96 feet by 64 feet dimension. It was hoisted at a height of 250 feet, making it the largest and highest hoisted Indian flag in the world.

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