Ban on traditional bull taming sport Jallikattu

The Supreme Court has stayed the Union Government’s notification lifting ban on traditional bull taming sport Jallikattu during the festival of Pongal in Tamil Nadu. In this regard the apex court rejected the plea of Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and Tamil Nadu Government. This decision was taken by a SC bench comprising justices Dipak Misra and N V Ramana on petitions filed by various bodies including Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) seeking striking down of the MoEF’s notification. Background Earlier on 8th January 2016, MoEF had lifted the four-year-old ban on holding of Jallikattu ahead of the Pongal festival along with Bullock cart races in Maharashtra. This notification allowed the exhibition or training of bulls and some other animals, as performing animals by following the traditional customs as a part of culture. It also had added a few guidelines to regulate these sports involving animals as performing animals. However, the issued notification was against the Supreme Court’s 2014 ruling which had completely banned use of bulls for Jallikattu (also bull fighting) events or bullock-cart races across the country. The ban was imposed by SC as it violated provisions of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960; fundamental duty Article 51A (g): compassion towards animal; Article 21 (Right to Life), which prohibits any disturbance to the environment, including animals as it is considered essential for human life. About Jallikattu Jallikattu is a bull taming sport played in Tamil Nadu on Mattu Pongal day as a part of Pongal celebrations i.e. harvest festival. It is one of the oldest living ancient tradition practiced in the modern era. Jallikattu has been derived from the words ‘calli’ (coins) and ‘kattu’ (tie), which means a bundle of coins is tied to the bull’s horns. In Sangam literature it is called ‘Yeru thazhuvuthal’ (means to embrace bulls). Tradition: In older times it was popular amongst warriors during the Tamil classical period. The bull tamer sought to remove this bundle from the animal’s head to win gold or silver coins to be called ‘brave’ and ‘valourous’. All castes participate in the event and majority of jallikattu bulls belong to the pulikulam breed of cattle.

India’s first River Information System launched

India’s first River Information System (RIS) was launched by Union Government facilitate safe and accurate inland waterway navigation. It has been launched in phases and the first phase will cover 145-km stretch of National Waterways 1 (Phase I- Haldia to Farakka) on the Ganges River. Inland Waterway Authority of India (IWAI), a statutory body under the aegis of Union Ministry of Shipping is implementing the RIS in India. About River Information Services (RIS) RIS are combination of modern tracking equipment comprising of hardware and software designed to optimize transport and traffic processes in inland water navigation. The system has capability to enhance swift electronic data transfer between mobile vessels and Base stations (on shore) through advance and real-time exchange of information. The main aim of the system is to streamline the exchange of information via Very high frequency (VHF) wireless communication between waterway operators and users. This system would facilitate: (i) Enhancement of inland navigation safety in ports and rivers.  (ii) Better use of the inland waterways.  (iii) Environmental protection. It enables safe and efficient inland water transport by avoiding risks such as (i) Ship-to-Ship collisions. (ii) Ship-Bridge collisions. (iii) Groundings. This system has been successfully implemented and is in operation in countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, China and US. The RIS system will be later extended upto Varanasi in two more phases and in Phase-II, it will cover stretch from Farakka to Patna (410 Km.)

Financing Agreement with the World Bank

The Union Government has signed a Financing Agreement of 50 million dollars with the World Bank for Nai Manzil Scheme- Education and Skills Training for Minorities. Under this agreement, the credit will be facilitated by the International Development Association (IDA), World Bank’s concessionary lending arm. This credit will be in the form of loan which carries a maturity of 25 years, including a 5-year grace period. The loan funds will be used for interventions under this scheme improve the employability and performance of minority youth in the labour market. The total project size is 100 million dollars, out of which 50 million dollars will be available as IDA credit and the remaining balance funding from the Union Budget. About Nai Manzil Scheme The central scheme is designed to address educational and livelihood needs of minority communities lagging behind in terms of educational attainments. It aims to provide educational intervention by giving the bridge courses to the trainees and getting them Certificates for Class XII and X from distance medium educational system. It seeks to provide trade basis skill training in four courses at the same time of formal education, in field of (i) Manufacturing (ii) Engineering (iii) Services (iv) Soft skills. It intends to cover people in between 17 to 35 age group from all minority communities as well as Madrasa students. This scheme will provide new avenues for minorities for continuing higher education and also open up employment opportunities in the organised sector.

India and Pakistan exchanged the list of their nuclear installations

India and Pakistan have exchanged the list of their nuclear installations and facilities under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear installations. This exchange is done on 1st of January every year between the two neighbouring countries that bars them from attacking each other’s atomic facilities. This is the 25th consecutive exchange of such list between the two countries, the first one having taken place on 1 January 1992. Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear installations It bilateral agreement signed between India and Pakistan that bars them from carrying out any surprise attack (or to assist foreign power to attack) on each other’s nuclear installations and facilities. It was signed on 31st December 1988 and entered into force on 27 January 1991. It was signed by then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and his Pakistani counterpart Benazir Bhutto. Under it both countries inform each other about their nuclear installations and facilities that need to be covered under the Agreement on 1 January every year.

Financing Agreement with the World Bank

The Union Government has signed a Financing Agreement of 50 million dollars with the World Bank for Nai Manzil Scheme- Education and Skills Training for Minorities. Under this agreement, the credit will be facilitated by the International Development Association (IDA), World Bank’s concessionary lending arm. This credit will be in the form of loan which carries a maturity of 25 years, including a 5-year grace period. The loan funds will be used for interventions under this scheme improve the employability and performance of minority youth in the labour market. The total project size is 100 million dollars, out of which 50 million dollars will be available as IDA credit and the remaining balance funding from the Union Budget. About Nai Manzil Scheme The central scheme is designed to address educational and livelihood needs of minority communities lagging behind in terms of educational attainments. It aims to provide educational intervention by giving the bridge courses to the trainees and getting them Certificates for Class XII and X from distance medium educational system. It seeks to provide trade basis skill training in four courses at the same time of formal education, in field of (i) Manufacturing (ii) Engineering (iii) Services (iv) Soft skills. It intends to cover people in between 17 to 35 age group from all minority communities as well as Madrasa students. This scheme will provide new avenues for minorities for continuing higher education and also open up employment opportunities in the organised sector.

Vijay Hazare Cricket Trophy for season 2015–16

Gujarat has won the 14th season of prestigious Vijay Hazare Cricket Trophy for season 2015–16 for first time in its history of championship. In the final match played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (Karnataka) they defeated Delhi by 139 runs. About Vijay Hazare Trophy It is annual limited-overs cricket domestic competition started in 2002–03 and is played among state teams from the Ranji Trophy plates. The trophy is also known as the Ranji One Day Trophy and is named after the famous Indian cricketer Vijay Hazare. Tamil Nadu has won the trophy for record 4 times i.e. in seasons 2002–03, 2004–05, 2008–09 and 2009–10.

Renowned American science-fiction writer George Clayton Johnson passed away

Renowned American science-fiction writer George Clayton Johnson passed away in Los Angeles, US. He was 86. He was best known for dystopian novel Logan’s Run, which adapted into a 1976 film starring Michael York and was nominated for two Oscars. About George Clayton Johnson Johnson was born on July 10, 1929 in Cheyenne, United States. Prior to becoming writer he had worked as a telegraph operator and draftsman in the United States Army. He had co-written Logan’s Run novel in 1967 and was adapted in film that was nominated for best cinematography and art direction Oscars. He had penned the first Star Trek television episode that was broadcasted in 1966. His notable work includes Logan’s Run, Ocean’s 11, The Twilight Zone, Star Trek.

China's first counter-terrorism law

China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee, the top organ of China’s parliament has adopted the country’s first counter-terrorism law. The legislation was approved with large majority at the end of a week-long bimonthly session China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee. Key facts The law expanded the definition of the term terrorism and is the latest attempt of China to address terrorism at home and help maintain world security. The law grants overarching powers to security agencies and also allows the military to venture overseas on counter-terror operations. Under the new law a separate clause makes terrorism a crime including fabricating it and disseminating information on fabricated terrorist incidents. The law allows news media only to report on the personal details of on-scene workers, hostages or authorities’ response to terrorist activities and it will require approval from counter-terrorism authorities. It is mandatory for technology firms to give sensitive data like encryption keys to the government when asked for under this law.

National Industrial Corridor Development Authority

Union Government has adopted the strategy of developing integrated industrial/economic corridors across the country in partnership with respective State Governments for boosting industrial development. This information was given by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. It was also announced that National Industrial Corridor Development Authority (NICDA) with its headquarter in Pune (Maharashtra) has not been constituted yet. The five industrial/economic corridors are Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC): The project spans the 6 states viz. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. This corridor lies along the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) of the railways. It would initially have 8 nodes (cities) in the six DMIC states for development purpose. Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC): It has three industrial nodes (cities) viz. Ponneri (Tamil Nadu), Tumkur (Karnataka) and Krishnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). Bengaluru-Mumbai Economic Corridor (BMEC): One node (city) has been identified for master planning viz. Dharwad (Karnataka). Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC): Two nodes (cities) for master planning have been identified. They are Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Srikalahasti-Yerpedu (Andhra Pradesh). Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC): Feasibility study with respect to the Inception Report of this corridor has been completed.

National Consumer Day

In India, 24th December is being observed as National Consumer Day. On this day the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 had received the assent of the President. The enactment of this Act was considered as a historic milestone in the consumer movement in the country. This Act aims to provide consumers with effective safeguards against different types of exploitation such as defective goods, unsatisfactory services and unfair trade practices. This day provides an opportunity for individuals to highlight the importance of the consumer movement and the need to make every consumer more aware of their rights and responsibilities. It should be also noted that World Consumer Rights Day is observed on 15th March every year. Some facts about Consumer Protection Act, 1986 It provides consumers with speedy and inexpensive redressal grievances mechanism and specific relief or award of compensation. It recognizes six of the eight rights of the consumer as provided in the UN charter. It envisages following rights of consumers (i) Right to Protection. (ii) Right of Information. (iii) Right of Choice. (iv) Right of Hearing. (v) Right of Redressal. (vi) Right of Education.

Build Liquefied natural gas ships

India has joined select club nations to build Liquefied natural gas (LNG) ships after state owned Cochin Shipyard has received certification in this regard. Cochin Shipyard also became first shipyard in India to get the nod to build LNG-transporting ships for any client world-wide. Key facts In this regard, Cochin Shipyard has signed a license agreement with French technology company Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT). GTT holds patented technology for LNG ships and provides the certification in design engineering and membrane-type containment systems for the transportation and storage of LNG. GTT would provide technology for the cryogenic containment and handling system which is most critical part of an LNG ship as the LNG is carried at a temperature of -163 degrees. This license agreement authorises Cochin Shipyard to use the membrane type technologies of GTT for any liquid gas carriers, more particularly the LNG carriers. With this India joins the league other nations including South Korea, Japan and China building LNG transportation ships. It also opens a new chapter in ship-building technology in India and marks a big step for Make in India.

Bans on the use of polythene bags- U.P.

Uttar Pradesh government has decided to enforce the ban on the use of polythene across the state to protect the environment and public health. Decision in this regard was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav as per the directives of Allahabad High Court to prohibit its usage. Key facts The ban prohibits manufacturing, importing, purchasing and storage of all kinds of plastic carry bags in state. Henceforth, no shopkeeper, wholesaler or retailer in the state would be able to use, store or purchase plastic carry bags for eatable or non-eatable items. However, the ban will not be applicable on carry bags used for packaging purposes. State Government is also looking at alternative material that can be distributed to the people. ​Background On November 18, 2015 Allahabad High Court had directed the state government to issue a notification for complete ban on the sale of polythene across the state by December 31, 2015 in view of its negative impact on people’s health as well as environment.

India willing to join the fight against the Islamic State

India is willing to join the fight against the Islamic State terror group under the flag of the United Nations if such a resolution is adopted by the world body. “We have made it clear that if there is a UN resolution and if there is UN flag and a UN mission, then as per India’s policy to operate under UN flag, we will participate,” Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar  in response to questions after paying homage at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate on the eve of Vijay Diwas. Mr. Parrikar’s is the first comment by a senior minister of the Modi government detailing the stand of the government on the IS and India’s willingness to militarily join the fight against the terror group. India is an active participant of UN peace keeping operations, but has not actively engaged its military in any offensive abroad after the disastrous Indian Peace KeepingForce (IPKF) operations in Sri Lanka. There are only sporadic instances of offensive military engagements under the UN flag. India had been under pressure from the US to join the western coalition that has launched airstrikes against IS which is controlling large areas in Syria and Iraq and has established a Caliphate.

Prestigious South East Asia Write Award 2015

Indian-origin writer Jamaludeen Mohamed Sali from Singapore has been awarded prestigious 2015 South East Asia Write Award. The award was bestowed upon him at the annual ASEAN regional award for literary excellence in Bangkok, Thailand. About Jamaludeen Mohamed Sali Jamaludeen Mohamed Sali (famously known as J M Sali) was born in Madras in 1939. He had moved to Singapore at the age of 25 after he was invited to be an assistant editor of newspaper Tamil Murasu by its founder late G Sarangapani. In Singapore, he had worked at local broadcasting station and produced books on famous people including martial art icon Bruce Lee and legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. He has been writing for over 5 decades and has written 57 books, 80 plays and more than 400 short stories. His short stories like Vellai Kodugal (White Lines), Alaigal Pesuginrana (the Sound Of The Waves) are being studied by Tamil Literature students in Singapore and Indian universities. Awards and Honours: He has won several literary awards to his credit including Singapore’s prestigious Cultural Medallion.

Varanasi City of Music

Two cities are Varanasi City (Uttar Pradesh): It has been added in the City of Music category of network. Jaipur City (Rajasthan): It has been added in the City of Crafts and Folk Art category of network. It was announced by UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova. They are among the 47 cities from 33 countries that have been designated as new members of UNESCO Creative Cities Network. About UNESCO Creative Cities Network UCCN was launched in 2004. It aims to strengthen cooperation with and among cities that have recognised creativity as a strategic factor of sustainable development in regards with the economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects. The Network covers seven creative fields including Crafts and Folk Arts, Film, Media Arts, Gastronomy, Design, Literature and Music.

Saudi voters elect 20 women candidates for the first time

Saudi voters have elected 20 women for local government seats, according to results, a day after women voted and ran in elections for the first time in the country’s history. The women who won hail from vastly different parts of the country, ranging from Saudi Arabia’s largest city to a small village near Islam’s holiest site. The 20 female candidates represent just one per cent of the roughly 2,100 municipal council seats up for grabs, but even limited gains are seen as a step forward for women who had previously been completely shut out of elections. Women are still not allowed to drive and are governed by guardianship laws that give men final say over aspects of their lives like marriage, travel and higher education. Though there are no quotas for female council members, an additional 1,050 seats are appointed with approval by the king who could use his powers to ensure more women are represented.

Around 7,000 candidates, among them 979 women, competed in the election for a seat on the municipal councils, which are the only government body elected by Saudi citizens. The two previous rounds of voting for the councils, in 2005 and 2011, were open to men only. The conservative capital of Riyadh saw the most women candidates win, with four elected. The Eastern Province, where minority Shiites are concentrated, saw two women elected, saidHamad Al-Omar, who heads the General Election Commission’s media council. SaudiArabia’s second largest and most cosmopolitan city, Jeddah, also elected two women, as did one of the most conservative regions, Qassim. The mayor of the city of Mecca, Osama al-Bar, told the AP that a woman won in a village called Madrakah, about 150 kilometres north of the city that houses the cube-shaped Kaaba to which Muslims around the world pray. Another woman won in Medina, where the Prophet Muhammad’s first mosque was built. Other women hailing from the kingdom’s northernmost areas won, with two elected in Tabuk, one in al-Jawf and another in Hail. Additionally, a woman won in Saudi Arabia’s southern border area of Jizan, another in Asir and two won in al-Ahsa. Many women candidates ran on platforms that promised more nurseries to offer longer daycare hours for working mothers, the creation of youth community centers with sports and cultural activities, improved roads, better garbage collection and overall greener cities.

India has fourth position in black money

India has been placed at fourth position in black money outflows among the developing and emerging economies. It was revealed by Global Financial Integrity’s (GFI’s) Illicit Financial Flows from Developing Countries: 2004-2013 Report.  Key facts Record 1.1 trillion dollars flowed illicitly out of developing and emerging economies in 2013. Top 10 countries: China (1st), Russia (2nd), Mexico (3rd), India (4th), Malaysia (5th), Brazil (6th), South Africa (7th), Thailand (8th), Indonesia (9th) and Nigeria (10th). China tops the list with 139 billion dollars average outflow of black money per annum. It was around 258.64 billion dollars in year 2013. China was followed by Russia (104 billion dollars per annum) and Mexico (52.8 billion dollars per annum). The illegal capital (black money) outflows are mainly attributed to tax evasion, crime, corruption and other illicit activity. In case of India, 51 billion dollars black money outflowed per annum between the decade long period from 2004 to 2013.

Human Rights Day

Human Rights Day (HRD) is marked annually on 10th December to commemorate the day in 1948 when the United Nations (UN) adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The theme chosen for the year 2015 HRD is ‘Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always’. It marks the launch of a 1 year campaign commemorating two international human rights treaties International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Both of the treaties were adopted in 1966. Background Human Rights Day was formally established at the 317th Plenary Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 4 December 1950. It was established after UNGA declared Resolution 423(V) by inviting all member states and any other interested organizations to celebrate the day to the mark the first global enunciation of human rights and one of the first major achievements of the UN.

Female Badminton Player of the Year award 2015

World number one women shuttler Carolina Marin from Spain has won the 2015 Female Badminton Player of the Year award. She was presented with the award by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) President Poul-Erik Hoyer in Dubai. India’s Saina Nehwal along with Zhao Yunlei of China (2014 winner) and another Chinese Bao Yixin were in race for this annual award in Female category. Other categories winners Male Player of the Year award: Chen Long (China). Most Promising Player of the Year: Zheng Si Wei (China). Male Para-Badminton Player of the Year award: Lee Sam Seop (South Korea). Female Para-Badminton Player of the Year award: Helle Sofie Sagoy (Norway). Carolina Marín is currently ranked No. 1 in the world by Badminton World Federation Women’s Singles 2015 rankings. She has won in World Championships in women’s single category two times in 2014 and 2015 respectively. She also has won five World Superseries titles.

Imphal-Myanmar bus service launched

Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Wednesday flagged off a tourist bus from Imphal. It will go up to Mandalay in Myanmar. The bus carrying 27 passengers including five officials of the Ministry of Road Transport is travelling will be run on an experimental basis.
While more and more people from India want to travel to Myanmar there are many Manipuri origin settlers in that country who long for visiting India.
Officials hopes the bilateral ties will improve once there is regular service. Meanwhile, the Centre is planning to open ‘visa on arrival’ facility in Manipur for the benefits of the travellers from South East Asian countries. n they visit either of the countries.