Current Affairs Assam – November 2017

Current Affairs Assam – November 2017 e-Magazine

November 22

Brahmos Flight test from IAF’s Su-30MKI Fighter Aircraft

Brahmos, the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile created history after it was successfully flight-tested first time from the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30MKI against a sea-based target in the Bay of Bengal.

The successful maiden test firing of Brahmos Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) from Su-30MKI will significantly bolster the IAF’s air combat operations capability from stand-off ranges.

FACTFILE – BrahMos

  • The BrahMos is a medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarine, ships, aircraft, or land.
  • It is a joint venture between the Russian Federation’s NPO Mashinostroeyenia and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) who together have formed BrahMos Aerospace.
  • It is based on the Russian P-800 Oniks cruise missile and other similar sea-skimming Russian cruise missile technology.
  • The name BrahMos is a portmanteau formed from the names of two rivers, the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia. Russia supplies 65% of the BrahMos’ components, including its ramjet engine and radar seeker.
  • It is the world’s fastest anti-ship cruise missile in operation. The missile travels at speeds of Mach 2.8 to 3.0, which is being upgraded to Mach 5.0.
  • The land-launched and ship-launched versions are already in service, with the air and submarine-launched versions currently in the testing phase.
  • A hypersonic version of the missile, BrahMos-II, is also presently under development with a speed of Mach 7-8 to boost aerial fast strike capability. It is expected to be ready for testing by 2020.

Indian is the second Largest Fish Producing Country in the World

India has become the second largest fish producing country in the world, Union Agriculture Minister Radhan Mohan Singh stated while addressing a conference on the occasion of World Fisheries Day in New Delhi.

The scheme ‘Blue Revolution’ has been launched with the outlay of Rs. 300 crore for the integrated development of the Fisheries sector in the country. As a result, overall fish production has registered an increase of about 18.86% in comparison to the last three years, whereas inland fish production has registered a growth of more than 26%.

Point2Remeber – China is world’s largest producer of fish of 410 lakh tonnes.

FACTFILE – Blue Revolution ( or Neel Kranti Mission)

  • It is visioned to create an enabling environment for integrated development of the full potential of fisheries of the country, alongwith substantially improvement in the income status of fishers and fish farmers keeping in view the sustainability, bio-security and environmental concerns.
  • To fully tap the total fish potential of the country both in the inland and the marine sector and triple the production by 2020.
  • To transform the fisheries sector as a modern industry with special focus on new technologies and processes
  • To double the income of the fishers and fish farmers with special focus on increasing productivity and better marketing postharvest infrastructure including e-commerce and other technologies and global best innovations
  • To ensure inclusive participation of the fishers and fish farmers in the income enhancement
  • To triple the export earnings by 2020 with focus on benefits flow to the fishers and fish farmers including through institutional mechanisms in the cooperative, producer companies and other structures.
  • The restructured Plan Scheme on Blue Revolution – Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries has been approved at a total central outlay of Rs 3000 crore for implementation during a period of five years (2015-16 to 2019-20).

Conference of Commanders of Eastern Air Command commence in Shillong

A two-day conference of all Commanders of Eastern Air Command commenced at Shillong in Meghalaya, where issues pertaining to security are being discussed.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa interacted with the Commanders and exhorted them to put in efforts to upgrade the operational infrastructure and capability of eastern zone.

Point2Remeber – Chief of the Air Staff is Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa

FACTFILE – Eastern Air Command

  • It is one of the five operational commands of the Indian Air Force.
  • Headquartered in Shillong, Meghalaya.
  • Named No 1 Operational Group at the time of its inception, 27 May 1958, it was based at Ranikutir in Kolkata as a part of the Govt’s increasing emphasis on defence of the eastern borders.
  • After the 1962 Indo-Chinese War, the decision was made to raise a full-fledged command at Shillong.
  • The area of responsibility of the command now covers 11 states, and is bound by the international boundaries of Nepal, Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh incorporating 6300 km of common border.
  • Eastern Air Command now has permanent airbases at Chabua, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Barrackpore, Hasimara, Jorhat, Kalaikunda and Tezpur with forward airbases at Agartala, Kolkata, Panagarh and Shillong.
  • Eastern Air Command consists of Air Defence squadrons consisting of the MiG-21 and Ground attack squadrons consisting of the MiG-27.

India ranks 51 on IMD Talent Rankings

India ranked 51st among 63 countries on the IMD Talent Rankings in terms of ability to attract, develop and retain talent.

The annual IMD World Talent Ranking covers 63 countries and assessed methods countries adopted to attract and retain talent. Globally, Europe continues to dominate rankings being most competitive countries. Leading Asian economies in rankings are Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Switzerland topped list followed by Denmark, Belgium, Austria, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Sweden and Luxembourg in top 10.

November 23

Emmerson Mnangagwa is Zimbabwe’s New President

Zimbabwe’s former Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa will be sworn in as the President of the country. Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda stated that the ruling ZANU-PF party has nominated him to fill the vacancy left by Mr Robert Mugabe, who stepped down after 37 years ruling the country.

FACTFILE – Zimbabwe

  • It is a landlocked country located in southern Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers.
  • It is bordered by South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique.
  • The capital and largest city is Harare.
  • Population – 16 million
  • It has 16 official languages.

“Umang app” launched by PM Narendra Modi

Prime minister Narendra Modi has launched Umang mobile application, an integrated platform for government to citizen services. Umang- an acronym for “unified mobile app for new age” e-governance – currently hosts around 162 services from 33 government departments of central and state governments. The app has been developed by the ministry of electronics and information technology (MEITY).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate 5th Global Conference on Cyber Space in New Delhi

The Global Conference on Cyber Space will begin in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the two-day mega event. For the first time, the event is being organized in India.  The theme of the conference is Cyber for All: A Secure and Inclusive Cyberspace for Sustainable Development.  The story of Digital India and Digital Inclusion of citizens will be discussed in the conference. Over 10 thousand delegates will take part in the conference in person. There will also be virtual participation from over 2800 locations across the world that will be connected in an interactive mode.

The goal of GCCS 2017 is to promote an inclusive Cyber Space with focus on policies and frameworks for inclusivity, sustainability, development, security, safety & freedom, technology and partnerships for upholding digital democracy, maximizing collaboration for strengthening security and safety and advocating dialogue for digital diplomacy.

Northeast development summit held in Manipur

Manipur hosted the first- ever North East Development Summit (NEDS) 2017 in Imphal on21st and 22nd November 2017. NEDS 2017 was jointly organized by Manipur State Government in collaboration with Union Commerce Ministry and India Foundation.

The main objective of this summit was to showcase the economic potential and to attract investments in food processing, bamboo industry, real estate and other businesses within the state. During the course of this Summit, around 20 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were signed between various Departments of Manipur State Government and National and International Companies/Investors.

Union Government Cabinet Approves Setting up of 15th Finance Commission

The Union Cabinet approved the setting up of the 15th Finance Commission which will assess the tax resources of the nation and suggest a formula for their devolution among states. Its recommendations will have to be in place before April 1, 2020, it takes 2 years for Finance Commission to give its recommendations.

As per Article 280 of the Constitution, the Commission is required to make recommendations on the distribution of the net proceeds of taxes between the Centre and the States.

Point2Remember – N.K.Singh is the Chairman of 15th Finance Commission

FACTFILE – The Finance Commission

  • The Finance Commission was established by the President of India in 1951 under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution.
  • It was formed to define the financial relations between the central government of India and the individual state governments.
  • The Finance Commission (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1951 additionally defines the terms of qualification, appointment and disqualification, the term, eligibility and powers of the Finance Commission.
  • As per the Constitution, the Commission is appointed every five years and consists of a chairman and four other members.

Union Cabinet Approves India’s Membership for EBRD

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved India’s Membership for European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD).

The Membership of the EBRD would enhance India’s international profile and promote its economic interests and contribute to an improved investment climate in the country.  It would increase the scope of cooperation between India and EBRD through co-financing opportunities in manufacturing, services, Information Technology, and Energy.

Point2Remember – President of EBRD is Sir Suma Chakrabarti ( YES!! He was born in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal)

FACTFILE – European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

  • The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is an international financial institution founded in 1991.
  • As a multilateral developmental investment bank, the EBRD uses investment as a tool to build market economies.
  • Initially focused on the countries of the former Eastern Bloc it expanded to support development in more than 30 countries from central Europe to central Asia. Similar to other multilateral development banks, the EBRD has members from all over the world (North America, Africa, Asia and Australia, see below), with the biggest shareholder being the United States, but only lends regionally in its countries of operations.
  • Headquartered in London, the EBRD is owned by 65 countries and two EU institutions.

November 24

Shubhangi Swaroop becomes first female pilot in Indian Navy

Shubhangi Swaroop became the first-ever female pilot to be inducted into the Indian Navy. Swaroop who has been appointed in the Naval Armament Inspection (NAI) branch will now undergo pilot training at Dundigal Air Force Academy near Hyderabad. She is among the 328 cadets who passed out from the Indian Naval Academy’s first batch of female officers.

YONO, an App for Financial Services launched by SBI

State Bank of India, the country’s largest public sector bank, has launched a unified integrated app called YONO (You Need Only One) that would offer all kinds of financial and lifestyle products. YONO will also allow customers to meet their lifestyle needs across 14 categories including booking and renting cabs, entertainment, dining experience, travel and stay, medical needs etc.

Union Government to initiate Safe city plan for women in eight cities

Union Government will soon initiate a comprehensive ‘safe city’ plan for women in eight cities for women in eight metropolitan cities of the country. The Safe city plan will serve as robust emergency response system and provides police-verified public transport will come into place. The plan will be forwarded by respective State Level Committee headed by Chief Secretary of the state.

 

Current Affairs Assam November 2017 - Assamexam

 

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