Singapore General Elections

In recently concluded 2015 Singapore General Elections, People’s Action Party (PAP) led by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has emerged victorious. PAP returned to power after scoring a landslide victory by winning an absolute majority of 83 seats in the 89 member Parliament. The opposition Workers’ Party won 6 seats. In this general election, PAP has secured 70 per cent of all valid votes up from 60.14 per cent in the 2011 general elections, when it had won 81 of the 87 constituency. With this victory, governing PAP has secured their 14th consecutive term in office since independence of city-state in 1965. 2015 Singapore General Elections was country’s first election after the death of its founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Parliamentary Elections in Singapore As per Constitution of Singapore, the Parliament has maximum term of five years after that it must be dissolved by the President and elections must be held within three months. Voting is mandatory in Singapore and is based on the first-past-the-post system. The elections are conducted by the Elections Department, which is under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister’s Office.

India and Pakistan

India and Pakistan have started a three-day Director General (DG)-level border dialogue in New Delhi. Director General (DG) Border Security Force (BSF) D K Pathak is leading 23 member Indian delegation and his counterpart Major General Umar Farooq Burki, DG  of Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) is leading a 16 members Pakistani delegation. Both the delegations also have representatives from respective Home and Foreign ministries along with officers from narcotics control and survey department. In this dialogue both sides have Decided to devise new strategies along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to put an end to incidents of ceasefire violations. Agreed maintenance of peace and tranquility on the border is the most important issue and this needs to be implemented on the ground. India also has suggested that rather than debating and contesting about the past incidents, both sides should work on a future strategy in order to make the border peaceful and safe for the troops and civilians alike.

Union Cabinet cleared National Offshore Wind Energy Policy to generate electricity from offshore windmills located in areas within Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the country. Under this policy, Offshore wind power projects and R&D activities will be carried in waters up to the seaward distance of 200 Nautical Miles (EEZ of the country) from the base line. Union Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) will be nodal Ministry. National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) will be nodal agency for allocation of offshore Wind Energy blocks. NIWE has been authorized to carry out allocation of offshore wind energy blocks. It will also frame guidelines for coordination and allied functions with related ministries and agencies. The policy will provide a non-biased playing field to all domestic and international investors/beneficiaries. Implications Pave the way for offshore wind power projects along the 7600 km long Indian coastline to replicate the success of the onshore wind power projects in the offshore wind projects. It would also help India to attain energy security and achieve National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) targets.

Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II on 9th September 2015 became the longest-reigning Monarch of Britain and the longest-reigning female monarch in history. She surpassed the previous record held by her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria who had reigned thousand-year-old dynastical institution of Britain for more than 63 years and 7 months. It should be noted that, presently Queen Elizabeth II (88 years old) is world’s oldest living monarch. About Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II was born as Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on 21 April 1926. She acceded to the throne on 6 February 1952 at the age of 25 after her father, King George VI died. She was crowned as queen of Britain and other realms, including Canada and Australia on 2 June, 1953. Presently, she is Queen of 16 member states in the Commonwealth of Nations which overall consists of overall 53 member states including India. She is also Head of the Commonwealth and Supreme Governor of the Church of England. In 1945, she had actively joined World War II as a driver in the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service (WATS).

Banned the gutka, pan masala

Haryana government has completely banned the gutka, pan masala and other similar products containing tobacco in the state for one year from September 3, 2015. In this regard State Food and Drugs Administration has issued notification in the interest of public health. The ban includes manufacturing, distribution, storage and sale of gutka, pan masala, flavoured or scented tobacco, kharra and other similar products containing tobacco. The ban also includes mix of other ingredients such as heavy metals and anti-caking agents. These substances were banned due to presence of Nicotine which already has been added by state government in the list of poisons substances notified under Haryana Poison Possession and Sales Rules, 1966. Addition of Nicotine in this list means that it is mandatory to follow the same rules which were applicable on those indulged in possession and sales of already notified poisons. Tags: Haryana

The sixth Indo-Maldives joint Training Exercise

The sixth Indo-Maldives joint Training Exercise has commenced at Pangode Military Station in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. Aim of the Joint Exercise is to acquaint forces of both countries with each other’s operating procedure and increase understanding and interoperability between Armies of both countries. In this edition of joint exercise, total of 45 soldiers each from Indian Army (BIHAR Regiment) and the Maldivian National Defence Force will take part. The exercise will cover varied military training activities in order to enhance interoperability between the two defence forces. It will conclude with tactical exercises. It should be noted that the sixth Indo-Maldives joint Training Exercise commenced on 31 August 2015 and it will conclude on 13 September 2015 with the closing ceremony involving cultural events by various military display teams along with aerial acrobatics display by Sarang Team of Indian Air force.

Grand Prix of Formula One

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain won 2015 Italian Grand Prix of Formula One. This was his seventh victory of the season. His win for the season 2015 of Formula One began with Australian Grand Prix and later won Chinese Grand Prix, Bahrain Grand Prix, Canadian Grand Prix, British Grand Prix and Belgian Grand Prix. Ranking after British Grand Prix 2015 1st position: Lewis Hamilton (Britain) of Mercedes. 2nd position: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) of Ferrari. 3rd position: Felipe Massa (Brazil) of Williams. 4th position: Valtteri Bottas (Finland) of Williams. 5th position: Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) of Williams. 6th position: Sergio Perez (Mexico) of Force India. 7th position: Nico Hulkenberg (Germany) of Force India.

Teachers Day

Every year in India 5th September is being observed as National Teachers Day. Significance of Day: This day commemorates the birthday of India’s first Vice President and second President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. This year’s celebration: On occasion of National Teachers Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi releasesed commemorative coins of 125 rupees and 10 rupees denomination in honour of former President S Radhakrishnan. About Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on 5 September 1888 in Thiruttani in then Madras Presidency of British India. He was an Indian philosopher and statesman and one the best known scholars in the field of comparative religion and philosophy in India in the 20th century. He had tremendously contributed towards the new contemporary Hindu identity in the eyes of the ill-informed Westeners. He held great respect for teachers and always believed that  teachers are real nation builders and thus should always be the best minds in the country. Important Posts: First Vice President of India (in office from 1952–1962), Second President of India (in office from 1962 to 1967). Awards: He was honoured with Bharat Ratna (1954), British Royal Order of Merit (1963) etc. Note: He was first recipient Bharat Ratna, India highest civilian award along with politician C. Rajagopalachari, scientist C. V. Raman.

India and Australia have agreed to deepen their bilateral defence partnership

India and Australia have agreed to deepen their bilateral defence partnership based on their shared strategic interests by setting up of a joint working group on defence research and material cooperation. This decision was taken after the delegation-level talks between Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his visiting Australian counterpart Kevin Andrews in New Delhi. Both sides also decided Focus on maritime security ties in the Indian Ocean region and acknowledged the importance of freedom of maritime navigation. First-ever bilateral Maritime exercise AUSINDEX between both countries is scheduled to be held in September 2015. Agreed that maritime security should remain a key component of the bilateral defence relationship between both countries. India will take part in the first ever air exercise with Australia. Implement the action plan outlined in the Framework for Security Cooperation (FSC) which was agreed by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and his counterpart Tony Abbott in November 2014.

Commonwealth Games

South African city of Durban has been selected as the host for the 22nd edition of Commonwealth Games to be held in 2022. For the first time in the history of Commonwealth Games, African nation has been chosen as host of the Games. The city was chosen by the Federation’s general assembly in New Zealand as it was the only bidder for the multi-sports event. It was lone bidder after Canadian city Edmonton withdrew from contention race in February 2015 over the economic slowdown in Canada. 22nd Commonwealth Games would be held from 18 to 30 July 2022. The opening ceremony will be held on the birth date of the late South African President and Anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela. Note: Australian City of Gold Coast is hosting 21st edition of Commonwealth Games to be held in 2018. About Commonwealth Games These multi-sport events feature athletes from over 50 member countries of Commonwealth nations. The games were first held in 1930 and since then they are held every 4 years. Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is nodal agency to oversee the games. It also controls the sporting programme and selects the host cities. India had hosted 19th edition of Commonwealth Games in New Delhi from 3 to 14 October, 2010.