Assam Current Affairs – March 22 - 28, 2019

Current Affairs Assam – March 22 - 28, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of March 22 – 28, 2019)

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March 22, 2019

Gauhati University and Oil India Limited Signs Mou

Gauhati University and Oil India Limited (OIL) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to extend the facility of the Technology Incubation Centre at GU as part of the flagship National Programme of Startup India.
It may be mentioned that Gauhati University has already constituted a Technology Incubation Centre (TIC) which is working towards fostering industry- academia linkages and formulating an ecosystem for startups and incubators.
GU Registrar Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta signed the MoU on behalf of Gauhati University and Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, OIL Dr Rahul Dasgupta signed it on behalf of Oil India Limited.

FACTFILE – Oil India Limited (OIL)

OIL is the second largest hydrocarbon exploration and production Indian public sector company with its operational headquarters in Duliajan, Assam, India.
The company is a state-owned Navratna under the administrative control of India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas with its corporate offices in Noida in the New Delhi-NCR region.

FACTFILE – Gauhati University

It is the oldest and one of the most renowned universities in North East India.
It is a teaching-&-affiliating university. It is accredited grade “A” by National Assessment and Accreditation Council.
Starting with 18 affiliated colleges and 8 Post Graduate Departments in 1948, Gauhati University, today, has 39 Post Graduate Departments, besides IDOL (Institute of Distance and Open Learning), a constituent Law and Engineering College. It has 341 affiliated colleges offering undergraduate and post graduate courses in the faculties of Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, and Engineering.
Gauhati University is a member of the Association of Indian Universities and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

UN Certificate of Excellence to Guwahati poet Saikh Md Sabah Al-Ahmed

Guwahati-based poet SaikhMd Sabah Al-Ahmed was awarded the United Nations Certificate of Excellence for his excellent poetry at the office of the United Nations Resource Centre (UNRC), North East Region (NER), Khanapara.
The certificate was handed to him by DrAswiniSarma, executive director, UNRC-NER at a ceremony at its Khanapara office.

Japan provides $69 million to UN World Food Programme

Japan has donated 69 million dollars to the United Nations World Food Programme to provide vital aid to 28 countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, with the biggest shares of the money earmarked for Yemen and Iraq.
The Japanese funding will go towards food, nutrition and initiatives to build resilience in vulnerable populations.
$18 million will be used to give continued support needy families in war-wracked Yemen where over 20 million people are struggling to get enough to eat each day.
A total of $3.5 million of life-saving assistance will be given to Malian refugees in Mauritania and to people who have fled their homes due to conflict and food shortages in Mali.
Host communities sheltering the Malian refugees and internally displaced persons will also receive aid.

FACTFILE – The World Food Programme (WFP)

WFP is the food-assistance branch of the United Nations and the world’s largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security.
According to the WFP, it provides food assistance to an average of 91.4 million people in 83 countries each year.
From its headquarters in Rome and from more than 80 country offices around the world, the WFP works to help people who cannot produce or obtain enough food for themselves and their families.
It is a member of the United Nations Development Group and part of its executive committee

Indian writer Raghu Karnad Wins Windham-Campbell Prize

Indian Writer Raghu Karnad has won the Windham-Campbell Prize of $165,000 in the non-fiction category for his debut book- The Farthest Field: An Indian Story of The Second World War.
Karnad is one of the eight winners chosen across four categories- fiction, non-fiction, drama and poetry. The other awardee in the non-fiction category was American writer Rebecca Solnit for the diverse body of work she has produced over her career.
Raghu Karnad is the second Indian to receive the award. Earlier in 2016, Jerry Pinto had won the award for his novel- Em and The Big Hoom.

FACTFILE – Windham-Campbell Prize:

The Windham-Campbell Prize is administered by the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University in the US and was established in 2013.
The award was constituted with the generous gift from writer Donald Windham in memory of his partner Sandy Campbell. The jury selects two winners each for each of the category- fiction, non-fiction, drama and poetry.

March 23, 2019

Karen Uhlenbeck becomes first woman to win the Abel Prize

US Mathematician Karen Uhlenbeck has been chosen for the Abel Prize 2019 for her fundamental work in geometric analysis and gauge theory, which has dramatically changed the mathematical landscape.
Karen Uhlenbeck’s theories have revolutionised the understanding of minimal surfaces, such as those formed by soap bubbles, and more general minimization problems in higher dimensions.
Karen Uhlenbeck is the first woman to win the prestigious Abel Prize.

FACTFILE – The Able Prize

The Able Prize was established by the Oslo government in 2002 honours outstanding scientific work in the field of mathematics, a discipline not included among the Nobel awards.
The Able Prize, also known as Maths Nobel Prize, is named after the 19^th century Norwegian mathematician Niels Henrik Abel.
It comes with a monetary award of 6 million Norwegian Kroner (NOK).
The sole Indian recipient of the Able Prize is Indian American mathematician S. R. Srinivasa Varadhan. He was awarded for his fundamental contributions to probability theory.

2^nd Assam Science Festival from March 23

To to strengthen science, technology and innovative activities in the State, Tezpur University is going to host North East India’s biggest science fest – The 2^nd Assam Science Festival – from March 23 to 25 on the university premises.
The Assam Science Festival is being organised by Assam Science Technology and Environment Council, popularly known as ASTEC, under the aegis of Department of Science and Technology, Government of Assam.
This time the science fest is being organised by the council with the active support of Tezpur University (TU).
The purpose of the festival is to showcase science, technology and innovative activities of various institutions.

India’s 2019-20 GDP forecast is 6.8%
Fitch Ratings cut India’s GDP growth rate projection for the next financial year to 6.8 per cent, from its previous estimate of 7 per cent, on account of weaker-than-expected growth momentum.
It has also changed outlook on the Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy review, projecting another interest rate cut of 25 basis points (bps) in 2019 owing to inflation staying below the target and easier global monetary conditions.
Credit availability has tightened in areas heavily dependent on non-bank financial company (NBFC) credit such as automobiles and two-wheelers, where sales have dropped.
On the banking sector credit to the private sector increased in recent months, filling the void left by NBFCs facing a liquidity crisis.
Further capital injections and a looser regulatory stance of the RBI have the state banks’ capital constraints, while the central bank has raised the limit on collateral-free loans that banks can make to farmers, helping prevent a decline in bank lending.

India cut 84% TB deaths in AIDS patients

India achieved 84 per cent reduction in tuberculosis deaths among people living with HIV by 2017 – three years ahead of the target, said a report by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
India is among the five low or middle-income countries — Eritrea (83 per cent), Djibouti (78 per cent), Malawi (78 per cent) and Togo (75 per cent) — that achieved or exceeded the target of a 75 per cent reduction in TB deaths among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), by 2017, three years ahead of the 2020 target.
Globally, TB deaths among people living with HIV have fallen by 42 per cent since 2010, from 520,000 down to 300,000 in 2017.
The report also showed that between 2010 and 2017, in around 40 countries the number of TB deaths among people living with HIV rose.
In eastern Europe and central Asia, the number of TB deaths among people living with HIV increased by 22 per cent between 2010 and 2017, with increases being seen in all but three countries in the region.

Chinese Scientists Li Ning converts plant waste into jet fuel

Chinese scientists Li Ning, a research scientist at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.have developed a method that could convert plant scraps from agriculture and timber harvesting into high quality jet fuel, an advance which may help reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from airplanes and rockets.
Biofuel is important for mitigating CO2 emissions because it is derived from biomass and it has higher density compared with conventional aviation fuels.
The utilisation of high-density aviation fuel can significantly increase the range and payload of aircraft without changing the volume of oil in the tank.
The aircraft using this fuel can fly farther and carry more than those using conventional jet fuel, which can decrease the CO₂ emissions during the taking off and landing.

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March 24, 2019

Bill passed to bring back total prohibition in Mizoram

Mizoram assembly has passed a bill to bring back total prohibition of liquor in the northeastern state after four years.
The state government decided to prohibit manufacture, import, sale and consumption of liquor for the common people for their general health and help in law enforcement, Excise and Narcotics Minister Dr K Beichhua said while introducing the bill.
Cutting across party lines, all the legislators supported the Mizoram Liquor (Prohibition) Bill, 2019 and it was passed. The ruling party had promised during the assembly election in November last year that if voted to power, it would ensure total prohibition in the state.
Total prohibition was in force in Mizoram from 1997 to 2015. The previous Congress government led by Lal Thanhawla allowed opening of wine shops in the state from March, 2015.

India launching electronic intelligence satellite ‘Emisat’

India on April 1, 2019 will launch an electronic intelligence satellite Emisat for the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) along with 28 third party satellites and also demonstrate its new technologies like three different orbits with a new variant of PSLV rocket.
According to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), a new variant of its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket will first put the 436 kg Emisat into a 749 km orbit.
The rocket will be brought down to put into orbit the 28 satellites at an altitude of 504 km.
Carrying three experimental payloads: Automatic Identification System (AIS) from ISRO for Maritime satellite applications capturing messages transmitted from ships
Automatic Packet Repeating System (APRS) from AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation), India – to assist amateur radio operators in tracking and monitoring position data
Advanced Retarding Potential Analyser for Ionospheric Studies (ARIS) from Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) – for the structural and compositional studies of ionosphere
The 28 international customer satellites (24 from US, 2 from Lithuania and one each from Spain and Switzerland)- will weigh about 220 kg.

FACTFILE – The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

DRDO is an agency of the Government of India, charged with the military’s research and development, headquartered in New Delhi, India.
It was formed in 1958 by the merger of the Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production with the Defence Science Organisation.
It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

Vice Admiral Karambir Singh takes over as next Chief of the Naval Staff

Government of India appointed Vice Admiral Karambir Singh, PVSM AVSM ADC as the next Chief of the Naval Staff, 24^th Navy Chief, on superannuation of Admiral Sunil Lanba PVSM AVMS ADC.
Vice Admiral Karambir Singh would be the first helicopter pilot of the Indian Navy to be appointed as the Chief of the Naval Staff.
Vice Admiral Karambir earned his wings as a helicopter pilot in 1982 and has flown extensively on the Chetak and Kamov helicopters in support of Fleet Operations.
On promotion to the flag rank, the Admiral was appointed as Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command.
His other important flag appointments include Chief of Staff of the Tri-Services Command at Andaman & Nicobar Islands and as the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area.
The Admiral is a recipient of the Param Vishist Seva Medial and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal awarded by the Hon’ble President of India.

FACTFILE – Chief of the Naval

The Chief of the Naval Staff is the commander and the highest-ranking officer in the Indian Navy. The position is usually held by a four-star officer in the rank of Admiral.
The office of the Chief of the Naval Staff was created by The Commanders-In-Chief (Change in Designation) Act of the Indian Parliament in 1955, replacing the erstwhile office of the Commander-in-Chief, Indian Navy.
Appointments to the office are made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
The Chief of the Naval Staff generally reaches superannuation upon serving three years or at the age of 62, whichever is earlier.

SAIL has Launched ‘Smart Garbage Bins’

Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) has launched The Smart Garbage Bins made of stainless steel which integrates technology for smart waste management.
It will send signals to the garbage collection vehicle about the ‘fill-up’ position of the bin. This provides for better cleaning cleaning and lower human intervention.
These are made up of SAIL SALEM stainless steel will be installed in underground Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) pits at the Smart Garbage Station. This will help prevent the spread of stink and diseases.
There will be separate bins for recyclable and non-recyclable wastes. The pits will be covered with a pit cover fabricated out of stainless steel slip-free sheets.
Suitable openings on the pit cover will be provided to allow the sanitation crew to dump the collected garbage into the stainless steel bins placed underground.
IOT (Internet of Things) enabled Gazelle sensors on the pit cover will transmit signals to the collection vehicle about the “fill-up” position.
Compactor will lift the stainless steel bins from the underground pits and empty the garbage into the compactor vehicle.

World Water Day Observed on 22^nd March

World Water Day 2019 was observed on 22^nd March with the theme ‘Leaving no one behind’.
The World Water Day encourages people to focus towards marginalized groups as these are often overlooked and discriminated against when they try to access safe water.
The theme ‘Leaving no one behind’ underscores the motto of ‘water for all’ which aims to ensure all including elderly, disabled, marginalized and poor people get access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation, as enshrined under Sustainable Development Goals.

FACTFILE – The World Water Day

World Water Day aims to draw attention to the importance of freshwater and advocates for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
As requested at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, the United Nations General Assembly designated 22nd March World Water Day by passing a resolution.
World Water Day celebrates water and each year World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater.

March 25, 2019

Assam’s tallest golden pagoda installed in North Lakhimpur

A golden pagoda installation ceremony was held at the Buddha Bihar campus in Borpathar Khamti village of Narayanpur in North Lakhimpur district.
The golden pagoda, said to be the tallest and costliest in the State, was dedicated to the people at a function held on the occasion. It is also expected to give a boost to tourism in the area.

India ranks 76^th in the Global Energy Transition Index

India has secured rank 76th on a Global Energy Transition Index compiled by Geneva-based World Economic Forum (WEF). It moved up two places from last year’s position.
The index ranked 115 economies on how well they are able to balance energy security and access with environmental sustainability and affordability.

TOP3 – Sweden, Switzerland and Norway.

SpiceJet Becomes First Indian Budget Carrier to Join IATA

An Indian low-cost airline SpiceJet has joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA). SpiceJet is the first Indian budget carrier to join the IATA, which has over 290 airlines as members.
The membership of IATA will allow SpiceJet to explore and grow its collaborations with international member airlines of IATA through interlining and code shares and also enables to seamlessly expand the network options for its passengers in future.

FACTFILE – the International Air Transport Association (IATA)

International Air Transport Association (IATA) is the trade association for the world’s airlines and represents some 290 airlines which contribute to about 82% of total air traffic.
IATA helps airlines to operate safely, securely, efficiently, and economically under clearly defined rules.
IATA provides professional support is provided to all industry stakeholders with a wide range of products and expert services.
IATA also aims to improve understanding of the air transport industry among decision makers and increase awareness of the benefits that aviation brings to national and global economies.
IATA advocates for the interests of airlines across the globe and challenges unreasonable rules and charges and strive for sensible regulation.

NITI Aayog to organize FinTech Conclave

The NITI Aayog will organise the FinTech Conclave 2019 on financial technologies in the national capital.
The objective is to shape India’s continued ascendancy in fintech, build the narrative for future strategy and policy efforts, and to deliberate steps for comprehensive financial inclusion.
The Conclave will be featuring representatives from across the financial space – central ministries, regulators, bankers, startups, service providers and entrepreneurs.
The conclave will host more than 300 representatives from the leading financial institutions, including HDFC Bank, IndusInd, ICICI Bank, SBI Card, Tata Capital and fintechs like BankBazaar, PhonePe, Capital Float, Zerodha, PayTM, MobiKwik and PayU.
The valedictory session of the conclave will have presentations consolidating sector-specific findings of the various panels on themes such as “digital onboarding of customers and merchants for financial inclusion, building financial products for millennial India and emerging areas of fintech.”

FACFILE – The NITI Aayog

National Institution for Transforming India, is a policy think tank of the Government of India, established with the aim to achieve Sustainable Development Goals and to enhance cooperative federalism by fostering the involvement of State Governments of India in the economic policy-making process using a bottom-up approach.

World’s largest e-waste recycling hub opened in Dubai

The world’s largest e-waste recycling facility has opened in Dubai, Located at the Dubai Industrial Park, the 280,000 square feet plant will process Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), IT asset disposition (ITAD), refrigerant gas and specialised waste.
The facility will utilise state-of-the-art reclamation technology, which surpasses the European Union’s standards for e-waste.
It has a processing capacity of 100,000 tonnes of total integrated waste per year, of which 39,000 tonnes is e-waste.
The facility can process the entire range of WEEE from consumer and industrial to commercial and military.

FACTFILE – Electronic waste or e-waste

These are describes discarded electrical or electronic devices. Used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal are also considered e-waste.
Informal processing of e-waste in developing countries can lead to adverse human health effects and environmental pollution.
Electronic scrap components, such as CPUs, contain potentially harmful materials such as lead, cadmium, beryllium, or brominated flame retardants.

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March 26, 2019

RBI Defers the Implementation of Indian Accounting Standards

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has deferred the implementation of new accounting rules, Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) for banks.
This delay in the implementation of Ind AS will give banks more time to prepare for the expected credit-loss model. This is the second extension provided by the RBI. Earlier in April 2018, RBI had postponed the implementation of Ind AS by the banks by one year.
RBI has reasoned that since the legislative amendments recommended by the RBI are under consideration of the government, it has been decided to defer the implementation of Ind AS till further notice.

FACTFILE – Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS)

Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) is a set of accounting norms developed by Indian authorities, which converge with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) shall not be required to apply Ind AS and shall continue to comply with the existing Accounting Standards.
Fitch Ratings estimated that India’s state-run lenders would have had to increase provisions by as much as 1.1 trillion rupees ($16 billion) in the fiscal first quarter ending June 30 if the rules had gone ahead. Which would have forced public sector lenders to raise substantial amounts of extra capital, beyond the estimated 1.9 trillion rupee infusion already committed by the government.

Delhi Airport is world’s 12th busiest airport

Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has now become the world’s 12th busiest airport according to the preliminary World Airport Traffic Rankings 2018 released by Airports Council International.
The ACI report states that the IGI airport witnessed 6.9 crore domestic and international flyers in 2018

Busiest Airports – Atlanta-Hartsfield-Jackson Airport kept the top place and handled over 107 million passengers. Beijing Airport was at the second position.

HAL rolls out 16^th Tejas fighter

State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has rolled out its 16^th Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fighter in the initial operational clearance (IOC) configuration to be inducted into the fleet of Indian Air Force (IAF).
The Tejas aircraft was inducted into the IAF squadron ‘Flying Daggers’ on July 1, 2016.

FACTFILE – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

HAL is an Indian state-owned aerospace and defence company headquartered in Bangalore, India.
It is governed under the management of the Indian Ministry of Defence.
The government-owned corporation is primarily involved in the operations of the aerospace and is currently involved in the design, fabrication and assembly of aircraft, jet engines, helicopters and their spare parts.

Adani Power got nod to set up India’s first power SEZ

The government paved the way for Adani Power Limited (APL) to set up India’s first power sector special economic zone (SEZ) by amending guidelines.
With the amendment to power-related guidelines for SEZ by the Ministry of Commerce earlier this year, APL is set to build a power-specific SEZ over 425 hectares in Jharkhand’s Godda district, the existing site for its coal-fired thermal power plant.
Adani Power got the go-ahead from the SEZs board of approval on February 25, a month after the Commerce Ministry prompted the amendment in January. With the SEZ status, it would now enjoy duty waiver, tax exemptions and faster clearances.
As per the memorandum of understanding signed between APL and Bangladesh in August 2015, the plant will supply most generated power, about 1,600 megawatt (MW), to the neighbouring country.

FACTFILE – Special Economic Zone (SEZ)

SEZ is a geographical region that has economic laws that are more liberal than a country’s domestic economic laws. India has specific laws for its SEZs.
The category ‘SEZ’ covers a broad range of more specific zone types, including free-trade zones (FTZ), export processing zones (EPZ), free zones (FZ), industrial estates (IE), free ports, urban enterprise zones and others.
It’s goal is to increase foreign direct investment by foreign investors.

India’s HWB to supply heavy water in India for non-nuclear use

India’s Heavy Water Board (HWD) plans to supply heavy water to Indian companies to produce deuterated compounds within the country.
A deuterated compound is one in which the ordinary isotope of hydrogen has been replaced with deuterium.
Presently deuterated compounds are imported in the country, intend to make heavy water available for the Indian companies to produce them indigenously at much lower costs.
Few products like Acetone-d6, Acetonitrile-d3, Benzene-d6 and others have been commercially launched by HWB through Board of Research in Isotope Technology (BRIT) for the benefit of Indian industry and society at large.
Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research & Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Mumbai, to establish the anti-cancer potential treatment of Deuterium Depleted Water.

FACTFILE – Heavy water

Heavy Water a compound of hydrogen’s deuterium isotope and oxygen, is used as a coolant or moderator in pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWR).
Deuterium Depleted Water of 25 to 120 ppm (parts per million) has applications in anti-cancer, anti-ageing, anti-diabetic, nonspecific immune defence of the body. Deuterium and deuterium labelled compounds have potential applications in life sciences for increasing the stability of organic molecules, macromolecules, viruses and vaccines.

March 27, 2019

India successfully tested Anti-Satellite (A-SAT) Missile

India demonstrated its capability to interdict and intercept a satellite in outer space based on indigenous technology The Anti-Satellite (A-SAT) Missile test, Mission Shakti, conducted from the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island launch complex in Odisha, a technological mission carried out by the DRDO.
The test was fully successful and achieved all parameters as per plans. The test required an extremely high degree of precision and technical capability.
The significance of the test is that India has tested and successfully demonstrated its capability to interdict and intercept a satellite in outer space based on complete indigenous technology.
With this test, India joins an exclusive group of space faring nations consisting of the US, Russia and China.
The satellite used was an Indian satellite and DRDO’s Ballistic Missile Defence interceptor was used, which is part of the ongoing ballistic missile defence programme.

India reduced poverty rate from 55% to 28% in 10 years: Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2018

According to the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2018 Report prepared by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, India has reduced its poverty rate drastically from 55% to 28% in 10 years.
The country still has the largest number of people living in multidimensional poverty in the world – 364 million people.
The report which covers 105 countries states that, 1.3 billion people in the world live in multidimensional poverty

FACTFILE – Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)

The Global Multidimensional Poverty Index(MPI) was developed in 2010 by the Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative and the United Nations Development Programme and uses different factors to determine poverty beyond income-based lists. It replaced the previous Human Poverty Index.
The global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is an international measure of acute poverty covering over 100 developing countries.
It complements traditional income-based poverty measures by capturing the severe deprivations that each person faces at the same time with respect to education, health and living standards. The MPI assesses poverty at the individual level.
These characteristic make the MPI useful as an analytical tool to identify the most vulnerable people – the poorest among the poor, revealing poverty patterns within countries and over time, enabling policy makers to target resources and design policies more effectively.

Joint Naval Exercise ‘AUSINDEX’ between India and Australia

Third session of the Joint Naval Exercise of India and Australia- AUSINDEX will be held off the coast of Vishakhapatnam from April 2 to 16, 2019.
The joint exercise will focus on anti-submarine warfare, as part of efforts to ramp up bilateral naval cooperation in the strategic Indian Ocean region.

FACTFILE – AUSINDEX 2019

AUSINDEX 2019 will be held off the coast of Vishakhapatnam from April 2 to 16.
From the Australian side, HMAS Canberra, Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessel, two frigates – HMAS Newcastle and HMAS Parramatta and P8I and P8 maritime patrol aircraft will be involved in the exercise.
A Kilo-class submarine, land-based Hawk aircraft that will provide the air attack element for the exercise, a Kamorta class anti-submarine vessel, besides a stealth destroyer will lead the Indian deployment for the exercise.
AUSINDEX 2019 will also witness the largest ever deployment of an Australian defence group to India, over 1000 Australian defence personnel will take part.

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March 28, 2019

Cabinet approves creation of additional posts in NCLAT

The Union Cabinet approved the creation of additional posts of three judicial members and three technical members in the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).
The posts will be created in Level 17 (Rs 2,25,000 fixed per month) plus allowances as admissible.
This will ensure to meet the mandate provided to the NCLAT by the Finance Act, 2017, the Companies Act, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 and the time frame provided for disposal of cases.

FACTFILE – The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)

NCLT is a quasi-judicial body in India that adjudicates issues relating to Indian companies.
The NCLT was established under the Companies Act 2013 and was constituted on 1 June 2016 by the government of India & is based on the recommendation of the justice Eradi committee on law relating to insolvency and winding up of companies.
All proceedings under the Companies Act, including proceedings relating to Arbitration, Compromise, arrangements and reconstruction and winding up of companies shall be disposed of by the National Company Law Tribunal.
The National Company Law Tribunal is the Adjudicating Authority for Insolvency resolution process of Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

Sharda Peeth Corridor proposal in POK Approved by POK Government

Pakistan government has approved a proposal to establish a corridor which would allow Hindu pilgrims from India to visit Sharda Peeth in the region of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Sharda Peeth Corridor will be the second corridor to be established after the Kartarpur Corridor which provides access to Gurudwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur in Pakistan.

FACTFILE – Sharda Peeth

Sharda Peeth is an abandoned Hindu temple and an ancient centre of learning.
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Sharada, the Hindu Goddess of learning.
Sharada Temple is located at Sharada village and it is here that river Kishanganga and two streams Madhmati and Sargun meets, in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Goddess Sharada is the ‘Kuldevi’ of Kashmiri pandits.
It is also one of the three famous tirthas, or holy sites, for Kashmiri Pandits, the other two being the Martand Sun Temple and the Amarnath Temple.
Sharada Peeth is also revered as one of 18 Maha Shakti Peethas, or “Grand Shakti Peethas” which commemorates the location of fallen body parts of the Hindu Goddess Sati.
Sharada Peeth is believed to be a foremost centre of learning Between the 6th and 12th centuries CE hosting scholars such as Kalhana, Adi Shankaracharya, Vairostana, Kumarajiva, and Thonmi Sambhota.

Singapore’s Changi Airport is awarded world’s best aviation hub for 7^th time

Singapore’s Changi Airport has been crowned the world’s best aviation hub for the seventh time in a row, while New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport featured at number 59.
The prestigious accolade was awarded at the Passenger Terminal Expo 2019 in London. The Skytrax World Airport Awards are voted for by customers in a global airport customer satisfaction survey.
Singapore Changi Airport is known for its rooftop swimming pool, two 24-hour movie theatres and shopping spots.
At number two on the list is Tokyo International Airport (Haneda), up one place from 2018. Three is Incheon International Airport, down one place from its second-place spot in 2018. Incheon remains a stalwart of the airport rankings, also nabbing an award for World’s Best Transit Airport.

Point2Remember – Indian Airport in the list

New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport featured at number 59
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 64
Rajiv Gandhi Hyderabad International Airport at 66
Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport at 69

Assamese artist Sanjoy Das receives award at Canadian gallery

A painting by Assamese artist Sanjoy Das, titled Exuberance, received a ‘Special Merit Award’ in the 10th Annual Abstract Competition at the Lightspacetime Gallery in Los Angeles, California.

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