Tuesday, 26 July 2016
IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR PRELIMS 2016 :
1.India moves up in ‘ease of doing business’ ranking :
India now ranks 130 out of 189 countries in the ease of doing business 2016, according to a World Bank report.
• The original ranking for 2015 had been pegged at 142, which would give India a jump of 12 ranks, but the WB's mid-year revision had bumped up India's rank to 134.
• The improvement in two indicators, ‘starting a business’ and ‘getting electricity,’ pushed India up the ladder, according to the report.
• The report also commended the legislative changes that eliminated the minimum capital requirement and the requirement to obtain a certificate to start business operations.
2. 'Sin tax' for alcohol, tobacco industries in GST regime :
Alcohol and tobacco industries will soon have to pay more taxes towards an additional ‘sin tax’under the proposed GST structure.
• There is a provision in the proposed GST bill under which the sinful industries such as alcohol and tobacco will have to pay an additional tax. However, the rate at which this tax would be levied under the proposed GST regime is not yet decided.
What is Sin tax?
• ‘Sin tax’ is a globally prevalent practice under which products like alcohol and tobacco attract higher rates of tax. Typically, ‘sin tax’ is an excise tax that is levied on products and services considered to be bad for health or society such as alcohol, tobacco and gambling.
3. GOLD DEPOSIT SCHEME
The Reserve Bank of India has issued guidelines for the gold monetization scheme that allow banks to fix their own interest rates on gold deposits.
Gold Monetisation scheme:
• Through the Gold Monetisation Scheme, gold in any form can be deposited with banks for a period of one to 15 years. This gold will earn interest and redemption will be at the prevailing market value at the end of the tenure of deposit.
• The scheme also provides for incentives to the banks, while individuals and institutions can deposit as low as 30 gm of gold, while the interest earned on it would be exempt from income tax as well as capital gains tax.
• The scheme is aimed at mobilising a part of an estimated 20,000 tonnes of idle precious metal with households and institutions.
• This scheme was actually announced in the Budget for 2015-16.
4. Maharashtra imposes tax to tackle drought :
In a bid to raise funds to tackle the drought situation, the Maharashtra government has decided to impose ‘drought tax.’
• This is the first time since 1973 that a state government has decided to take such a drastic step.
• This tax is meant to help farmers who have been hit by one of the worst droughts in recent times. Drought tax includes:
• Tax on petrol and diesel, VAT on liquor, cigarettes and beverages, and surcharge on VAT for gold and diamond jewelleries.
• A tax of Rs. 2 per litre would be charged on petrol and diesel, while Value Added Tax (VAT) on liquor, cigarettes and beverages has been raised by 5%. Also, the surcharge on VAT for gold and diamond jewelleries has been raised from 1 to 1.20 %.
5. PRADHAN MANTRI JAN DHAN YOJANA:
The PMJDY was conceived as a national mission on financial inclusion with
the objective of covering all households in the country with banking facilities and having a bank account for each household.
• It is a scheme for comprehensive financial inclusion.
Benefits under PMJDY Scheme:
• Interest on deposit.
• Accidental insurance cover of Rs.1.00 lac
• Accounts can be opened with zero balance. No minimum balance required.
• Life insurance cover of Rs.30,000/-
• Easy Transfer of money across India
• Beneficiaries of Government Schemes will get Direct Benefit Transfer in these accounts.
• After satisfactory operation of the account for 6 months, an overdraft facility will be permitted
• Access to Pension, insurance products.
• Accidental Insurance Cover, RuPay Debit Card must be used at least once in 45 days.
Overdraft facility upto Rs.5000/- is available in only one account per household, preferably lady of the household.
6. India now most attractive investment destination: EY
India has been named the most attractive country for investment in a survey of more than 500 global investors published by accounting firm EY (Ernst & Young).
• According to the survey, the second most favoured investment destination is China and is followed by Southeast Asia and Brazil.
• 32% of the 505 executives questioned said India was their favoured market for investment, with China second on 15% of the vote. About 62% said they were looking at manufacturing, both to serve the Indian and global markets from India.
• Perception about India’s macroeconomic stability is up to 76% in 2015 in comparison to 70% in.
• Perception about political and social stability is up from 59% in 2014 to 74% in 2015.
• For relaxation in FDI policy the score improved from 60% in 2014 to 68% in 2015.
• For government’s efforts to ease doing business the score has improved from 57% in 2014 to 67% in 2015.
• Compared to the 2014 survey, the number of respondents, who believe that India would be among the world’s leading top three destinations for manufacturing by 2020, had increased from 24% to 35%, while those who believed India would evolve as a regional and global hub for operations was up from 9% to 21%.
• Among specific reforms expected to drive growth, 89% of the investors polled said that investment in infrastructure projects and the 100 Smart Cities project would be significant.
• Financial inclusion, including Digital India and the Government’s proposal to reduce the rate of corporate tax from 30 %to 25%, were considered significant by 83% of the respondents.
• Implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and legislation on land acquisition were also mentioned by investors as important for attracting FDI.
• Investors rated India’s domestic market and availability of labour among the most attractive features for doing business.
7. Sunderbans to get a student army of conservationists :
An ambitious project has been started in West Bengal under which Schoolchildren in the Sunderbans area will learn about tiger conservation and pass on the experience to their elders.
• Under this project, two fully equipped edutainment boats carrying a projector, a sound system, generators, a library, films related to conservation and wildlife photographs will be launched in the Sunderbans which will help students in understanding the importance of this area.
Sundarbans:
• The Sundarbans is a natural region in West Bengal and Bangladesh. It is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world.
• The Sundarbans covers approximately 10,000 square kilometers (3,900 sq mi) of which 60% is in Bangladesh with the remainder in India.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
8. Mangroves in India:
• Mangroves in India account for about 3% of the world’s mangrove vegetation. Mangrove cover in India is 4,662 sq. km, which is 0.14% of the country’s total geographical area.
• Sundarbans in West Bengal accounts for almost half of the total area under mangroves in the country. Mangrove in India is famous for its rich variety of flora and fauna.
Composition of Mangroves in India:
The very dense mangrove comprises 1,403 sq. km (30.10% of the total mangrove cover), moderately dense mangrove is 1,658.12 sq. km (35.57 %) while open mangroves cover an area of 1,600.44 sq. km (33%).
9.What is Bioethanol?
Bioethanol is a form of quasi-renewable energy that can be produced from agricultural feedstocks. It can be made from very common crops such as sugarcane, potato, cassava and corn. It is also made from corn, potatoes, milk, rice, beetroot and recently grapes, banana and dates depending on the countries agricultural strength.
uses:
• It is blended with petrol to make a truly sustainable transport fuel.
• It is used in cosmetic and other manufacturing processes.
10. What are INDCs?
These are individual country commitments which are expected to indicate through their form and strength what shape any 2015 agreement might take.
• Countries across the globe have committed to create a new international climate agreement by the conclusion of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris in December 2015.
• In preparation, countries have agreed to publicly outline what post- 2020 climate actions they intend to take under a new international agreement, known as their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs).
• The INDCs combine the top-down system of a United Nations climate agreement with bottom-up system-in elements through which countries put forward their agreements in the context of their own national circumstances, capabilities and priorities, within the ambition to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions enough to keep global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius.
• The INDCs will not only contain steps taken towards emission reductions, but also aim to address steps taken to adapt to climate change impacts, and what support the country needs-or will provide to address climate change.
• In February 2015, Switzerland became the first nation to submit its INDC to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, later followed by the European Union.
11. India to cut emissions intensity :
The Union Environment Ministry has finally submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), committing to cut the emissions intensity of GDP by 33-35% by 2030 from 2005 levels.
• All nations were due to come out with emission targets ahead of a climate change conference in Paris in December, where they are supposed to adopt a landmark deal to fight climate change.
• Including India, 120 countries have now submitted their INDCs.
India’s proposed targets:
1. Reduce emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35% by 2030 from 2005 level.
2. Achieve about 40% electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030 with help of transfer of technology and low cost international finance.
3. Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
12. Green India Mission Plans of Four States Approved :
National Mission for a Green India (GIM) falling under the Environment Ministry has approved annual plans for Kerala, Mizoram, Manipur and Jhakhand.
Green India Mission:
• It is one of the eight Missions outlined under National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
• It acknowledges the influence forests have on environmental amelioration through climate change mitigation, food security, water security, biodiversity conservation and livelihood security of forest dependent communities.
• It hinges on decentralized participatory approach involving grass root level organizations and community in planning, decision making, implementation and monitoring.
• It lays emphasis on landscape approach and convergence with complementary schemes and programmes for better coordination in developing forests and their fringe areas in a holistic and sustainable manner.
13. Taking cue from Centre, State bans a drug to save vultures :
The kerala state government has withdrawn Ketoprofen, a non – steroid anti- inflammatory drug (NSAID) used extensively for veterinary purposes, to save the vulture population in three districts of the state.
• The State government had included Ketoprofen based on an effort to identify an alternative to the banned drug Diclofenac.
• The Centre had banned Diclofenac multi-vial doses after wildlife biologists proved that presence of the drug in the carcasses of the cattle caused the vulture population to dwindle drastically.
How vultures are affected by these drugs?
• Vultures act as scavengers, preying on dead animals. Diclofenac in carcasses lead to slow death of vultures.
• Ketoprofen, which is seen as an alternative, causes the same effect on the vulture population.
14. West Bengal to get India’s first dolphin reserve :
India’s first community reserve to protect the endangered Gangetic river dolphins will come up in West Bengal. This decision was taken at the recently held State Wildlife Board meeting in WB.
• The reserve will be set up in the Hooghly river.
• The methodology to develop the community reserve is being chalked out by a separate committee. The committee will take a decision based on inputs from all stakeholders since it’s a community reserve.
15. Gangetic Dolphin:
• The Ganges River dolphin, or susu, inhabits the Ganges- Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. It is a freshwater dolphin.
• Once found in thousands, there are fewer than 2,000 Gangetic dolphins left in the country in the entire distribution range along the Ganga and Brahamaputra river system.
• It was declared as the National Aquatic Animal in 2010.
• One of the main threats to the species is loss of habitat due in large part to the creation of dams and irrigation projects. It is also threatened by removal of river water and siltation arising from deforestation, pollution and entanglement in fisheries nets.
This species is also referred to as the "blind dolphin".
• It has been classified as “endangered” by the IUCN.
16. Fishermen apprehensive as Kerala prepares to roll out World Bank-aided project :
The Kerala government is gearing up to implement an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) project aimed at livelihood improvement of coastal communities and conservation of the coastal ecosystem, amid voices of protest from the fishermen community.
• The project director has already been appointed by the government.
Why the fishermen are opposing?
The fishermen are apprehensive about the project and its impact on the coastline. They fear the project would pave the way for a construction spree, jeopardising the fragile coastal environment and further endangering their livelihood.
17. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM):
• ICZM aims to improve livelihood of coastal communities and conserve the coastal ecosystem.
• The ICZM plan involves identification of infrastructure requirements and livelihood improvement means in coastal districts. Conservation of mangroves is among the components.
• The national component of the project includes mapping of the country’s coastline and demarcation of the hazard line.
• It is a World Bank assisted project.
• It is being implemented by the Department of Forests and Environment with assistance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai, will provide scientific and technical inputs.
Kerala will be included in the second phase of the Rs.1,155.63-crore project that has already covered Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal.
18. Project Loon:
• Project Loon is a research and development project being developed by Google X with the mission of providing Internet access to rural and remote areas.
• The project uses high-altitude balloons placed in the stratosphere at an altitude of about 32 km to create an aerial wireless network with up to 3G-like speeds.
How it operates?
• The balloons are maneuvered by adjusting their altitude to float to a wind layer after identifying the wind layer with the desired speed and direction using wind data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
• Users of the service connect to the balloon network using a special Internet antenna attached to their building.
• The signal travels through the balloon network from balloon to balloon, then to a ground-based station connected to an Internet service provider (ISP), then onto the global Internet.
Why stratosphere was chosen?
Google asserts that the stratosphere is advantageous because of its relatively low wind speeds and minimal turbulence. Google also claims that it can model, with reasonable accuracy, the seasonal, longitudinal, and latitudinal variations in wind speeds within the 18–25 km stratospheric layer.
19. First Scorpene class submarine set afloat :
Kalavari, the first of Scorpene class submarines being manufactured at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), was recently set afloat in the Mumbai naval dockyard.
• The submarine will now undergo rigorous harbour trials and tests which will certify each system to its fullest capacity.
Kalvari is first of the Indian Navy’s Scorpene class stealth submarines being built under the Project 75, under collaboration with M/s DCNS, France.
20. Chemistry Nobel for mapping how cells repair damaged DNA :
Tomas Lindahl, Paul L. Modrich and Aziz Sancar have jointly won the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for having mapped and explained how the cell repairs its DNA and safeguards its genetic information.
Lindahl, of the Francis Crick Institute in London, was honoured for his discoveries on base excision repair — the cellular mechanism that repairs damaged DNA during the cell cycle.
• Modrich, of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Duke University School of Medicine, was recognised for showing how cells correct errors that occur when DNA is replicated during cell division.
• Sancar, of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, was cited for mapping the mechanism cells use to repair ultraviolet damage to DNA.
21. Kajita, McDonald win physics Nobel for neutrino work :
Takaaki Kajita of Japan and Arthur McDonald of Canada have won the 2015 Nobel Prize in physics for discovering the "chameleon-like" nature of neutrinos, work that yielded the crucial insight that the tiny particles have mass.
Kajita showed in 1998 that neutrinos captured at the detector underwent a metamorphosis in the atmosphere. Three years later McDonald found that neutrinos coming from the sun also switched identities.
22. What are neutrinos?
Neutrinos are miniscule particles created in nuclear reactions, such as in the sun and the stars, or in nuclear power plants. There are three kinds of neutrinos.
• Neutrinos interact with matter via the weak force. The weakness of this force gives neutrinos the property that matter is almost transparent to them.
• Since they rarely interact, these neutrinos pass through the Sun, and even the Earth, unhindered. There are many other natural sources of neutrinos including exploding stars (supernovae), relic neutrinos, natural radioactivity, and cosmic ray interactions in the atmosphere of the Earth.
• The neutrino was proposed by Wolfgang Pauli in 1930; but it took another 26 years for it to be actually detected. In 1956 Reines and Cowan found evidence of neutrino interactions by monitoring a volume of cadmium chloride with scintillating liquid near to a nuclear reactor. Reines was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1995 in part for this revolutionary work.
23. 3 win Nobel Prize in Medicine for parasite-fighting therapies :
Three scientists from the US, Japan and China have won the Nobel Prize in medicine for discovering drugs to fight malaria and other tropical diseases that affect hundreds of millions of people every year.
The three scientists are:
1. Santoshi omura from Japan
2. Youyou tu from China
3. William campbell from Ireland
• Campbell and Omura were cited for discovering avermectin, derivatives of which have helped lower the incidence of river blindness and lymphatic filariasis, two diseases caused by parasitic worms that affect millions of people in Africa and Asia.
• Tu discovered artemisinin, a drug that has helped significantly reduce the mortality rates of malaria patients. Tu Youyou is the first-ever Chinese medicine laureate.
River blindness is an eye and skin disease that ultimately leads to blindness. About 90% of the disease occurs in Africa, according to the World Health Organization.
Lymphatic filariasis can lead to swelling of the limbs and genitals, called elephantiasis, and it’s primarily a threat in Africa and Asia. The WHO says 120 million people are infected with the disease, without about 40 million disfigured and incapacitated.
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that still kills around 500,000 people a year, mostly in Africa, despite efforts to control it.
24. DRDO sets up world's highest terrestrial centre in Ladakh
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has established the world's highest terrestrial centre at 17,600 feet above sea level at Changla near Pengong lake in Ladakh.
key features:
• The centre will serve as a natural cold storage for preserving rare and endangered medical plants for generations to come.
• The centre will act as an important utility for research work in frontal areas of food and agriculture and bio-medical sciences for well being of the soldiers deployed in high altitude cold desert.
• Other activities that are proposed to be undertaken here include human physiological work, designing, testing, validation and demonstration of mobile and portable greenhouses, soil-less microfarming technologies for fresh food in remote landlocked posts besides conservation and propagation of endangered extreme altitude medicinal plants and others.
25. GAGAN:
GAGAN was develped by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at a cost of Rs. 774 crore, over 15 years.
• GAGAN will provide augmentation service for the GPS over the country, the Bay of Bengal, South East Asia and Middle East and up to Africa.
• Some of its benefits are improved efficiency, direct routes, increased fuel savings, approach with vertical guidance at runways, significant cost savings because of the withdrawal of ground aids and reduced workload of flight crew and air traffic controllers.
• Gagan works by augmenting and relaying data from GPS satellites with the help of two augmentation satellites and 15 earth-based reference stations.
The system utilises the satellite-based wide area augmentation system (SBAS) technology which has been developed by Raytheon.
26. Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme – “VIKALP”:
The Rail Ministry has announced a new scheme, called VIKALP, that would allow wait-listed passengers of a train to opt for confirmed accommodation in alternate trains.
• The Alternate Train Accomodation Scheme (ATAS), also called VIKALP, will come into effect beginning 1st November on a pilot basis for six months on Delhi-Lucknow and Delhi-Jammu routes for tickets booked online.
• The scheme has been launched with a view to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and also to ensure optimal utilisation of available accommodation
• In this scheme, wait listed passengers of a train can opt for confirmed accommodation in alternate trains.
26. NPAs:
In August 2015, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the road sector was responsible for the second highest amount of NPAs, after the steel sector.
A recent Crisil report said “almost half of the road projects, being constructed under the build, operate, transfer with a sanctioned debt of Rs. 45,900 crore, are at high risk of not being completed.
27. Indian islands to be developed under Swiss challenge model :
The Centre is going to implement a comprehensive plan to develop Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands, for an integrated modernisation of the region, under its 'Sagarmala' initiative.
• The plan is to develop these islands under the 'Swiss challenge system'.
What is swiss challenge system?
Swiss challenge method is a process of giving contracts. Any person with credentials can submit a development proposal to the government. That proposal will be made online and a second person can give suggestions to improve and beat that proposal.
• It is a method where third parties make offers (challenges) for a project within a designated period to avoid exaggerated project costs.
Is it new to India?
• The Swiss challenge method is one that has been used in India by various states including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and Gujarat for roads and housing projects.
In 2009, the Supreme Court approved the method for award of contracts.
28. Sagarmala Initiative:
The Sagarmala project seeks to develop a string of ports around India’s coast. The objective of this initiative is to promote “Port-led development” along India’s 7500 km long coastline.
• It aims to develop access to new development regions with intermodal solutions and promotion of the optimum modal split, enhanced connectivity with main economic centres and beyond through expansion of rail, inland water, coastal and road services.
• The Union Ministry of Shipping has been appointed as the nodal ministry for this initiative.
29. Nirbhay:
• Nirbhay is an all-weather low-cost long-range cruise missile with stealth and high accuracy. The missile has a range of more than 1000 km. It weighs about one tonne and has a length of 6 metres.
• Its relatively slow flight speed allows it to navigate its way precisely to the target.
• The Nirbhay cruise missile is an Indian version of the American Tomahawk.
• The missile is capable of being launched from multiple platforms on land, sea and air.
• In particular, Nirbhay is being adapted for the Indo/Russian Su- 30MKI. The missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
• The missile is also capable of flying at different altitudes ranging from 500 m to 4 km above the ground and can also fly at low altitudes to avoid detection by enemy radar.
A key hurdle to developing a long-range cruise missile like the Nirbhay is the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), which forbids signatory countries from assisting or providing technology to any other country developing a cruise missile with a range of 300 km or more.
What is Zero rating?
Zero Rating is a practice by which Internet operators offer free data for specific applications. Advocates of Zero Rating services have argued that this enables those offline to try online services, thereby bridging the digital divide.
30. Cyberdome to become operational next month :
Cyberdome, the hi-tech centre for cybersecurity being set up by the Kerala Police, is expected to become operational by mid-November this year. about Cyberdome:
Cyberdome will be a hi-tech centre for cyber security. The project is worth Rs.2-crore. The project is being established on the public-private partnership model with the technical support offered by IT companies.
Unique features of the project:
• As many as 500 ethical hackers and cybersecurity experts would be involved in the project
• It would have centres for social media awareness, protection of children on the Internet, Internet monitoring and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in service delivery.
• It would also host an Anti-Cyber Terror Cell and a cyber security training unit.
• It would be equipped with an automated crime intelligence gathering unit and a unit for anti-piracy on the Internet.
• It will have its server hosted at the State Data Centre. Software companies will provide technical support on a voluntary basis, develop software for the purpose, and supply technical manpower.
• The station will be manned by police officers with IT-related qualifications. The Additional Director General of Police (Crimes) will be in charge of the project.
• Cyberdome would be open to new models of partnership to find solutions to emerging threats and challenges.
31. NISAR:
• The Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is a joint project between NASA and ISRO to co-develop and launch a dual frequency synthetic aperture radar satellite.
• The satellite will be the first radar imaging satellite to use dual frequency and it is planned to be used for remote sensing to observe and understand natural processes of the Earth.
• It is slated to be launched in 2020-21.
• NISAR would provide information about a place more frequently than older satellites orbiting the Earth at present.
• Among the objectives of NISAR are estimation of soil moisture, agriculture and forest biomass.
• It is also designed to observe and take measurements of some of the planet's most complex processes, including ecosystem disturbances, ice-sheet collapse, and natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and landslides.
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Wednesday, 20 July 2016
P.I.B NEWS
National Disaster Plan for Animals :
After wide ranging consultation and elaborate discussion with different stakeholders such as National Disaster Management Authority, National Disaster Response Force, National Institute of Disaster Management, various State Governments and knowledge Institutions, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries has prepared and launched Disaster Management Plan (DMP) for protecting animals and preventing and mitigating loss of livestock resources during various disasters.
DMP is divided into three parts a) Pre-disaster preparedness, b) Disaster response and c) Post-Disaster Plan. Pre-disaster preparedness includes detailed action plan relating to dissemination of early warning, identification of vulnerability amongst livestock, animal vaccination, feed and fodder supply and capacity building of different stake-holders in disaster management etc. Disaster response component includes strategy/action plan relating to effective and prompt response, rescue of livestock, feed & fodder supply, measures against epidemics and diseases and maintenance of Sanitation etc. Post disaster component include strategy for treatment of sick animals, disease surveillance, disposal of carcass, restoration and restocking of livestock population.
DMP aims to supplement the efforts of States/UTs in managing disasters and lays down the broad guidelines for management of animal during disasters like drought, floods, cyclones, earthquakes and other man-made disasters etc. in the states/UTs.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Sudarshan Bhagat today in a written reply to a Lok Sabha question.
DMP is divided into three parts a) Pre-disaster preparedness, b) Disaster response and c) Post-Disaster Plan. Pre-disaster preparedness includes detailed action plan relating to dissemination of early warning, identification of vulnerability amongst livestock, animal vaccination, feed and fodder supply and capacity building of different stake-holders in disaster management etc. Disaster response component includes strategy/action plan relating to effective and prompt response, rescue of livestock, feed & fodder supply, measures against epidemics and diseases and maintenance of Sanitation etc. Post disaster component include strategy for treatment of sick animals, disease surveillance, disposal of carcass, restoration and restocking of livestock population.
DMP aims to supplement the efforts of States/UTs in managing disasters and lays down the broad guidelines for management of animal during disasters like drought, floods, cyclones, earthquakes and other man-made disasters etc. in the states/UTs.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Sudarshan Bhagat today in a written reply to a Lok Sabha question.
‘Government has Taken Series of Steps to Address Pollution-Related Issues’: Environment Minister :
Pollution is a matter of concern in cities and towns and is caused due to introduction of contaminants into the environment viz. air, water and soil that may cause adverse change in ambient conditions. The Government has taken a series of steps to address issues related to water pollution, air & vehicular pollution, industrial pollution, improper waste disposal etc. in cities, towns and metropolises. The major steps being taken by the Government to control pollution inter alia include the following:-
(i) Notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards;
(ii) Formulation of environmental regulations / statutes;
(iii) Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality;
(iv) Introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol blend etc.;
(v) Promotion of cleaner production processes.
(vi) Launching of National Air Quality index by the Prime Minister in April, 2015;
(vii) Implementation of Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV) norms in 63 selected cities and universalization of BS-IV by 2017;
(viii) Decision taken to leapfrog directly from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards by 1st April, 2020;
(ix) Taxing polluting vehicles and incentivizing hybrid and electric vehicles;
(x) Comprehensive amendments to various Waste Management Rules including Municipal Solid Waste, Plastic Waste, Hazardous Waste, Bio-medical Waste and Electronic Waste notified;
(xi) Notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules;
(xii) Ban on burning of leaves, biomass, municipal solid waste;
(xiii) Promotion of public transport network of metro, buses, e-rickshaws and promotion of car pooling, Pollution Under Control, lane discipline, vehicle maintenance;
(xiv) Revision of existing environmental standards and formulation of new standards for prevention and control of pollution from industries;
(xv) Regular co-ordination meetings at official and ministerial level with Delhi and other State Governments within the NCR;
(xvi) Issuance of directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and under Section 18(1)(b) of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981;
(xvii) Installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices by major industries.
(xviii) Preparation of action plan for sewage management and restoration of water quality in aquatic resources by State Governments;
(xix) Implementation of National River Conservation Plan for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers and undertaking conservation activities which inter-alia include interception & diversion of raw sewage, construction of sewerage systems, setting up of sewage treatment plants, low cost sanitation facilities, education and awareness creation, community participation, electric/improved wood crematoria and river front development.
Delhi Government while formulating the Master Plan of Delhi – 2001 had categorized all hazardous/ noxious/ heavy and large industries into ‘H’ category for the purpose of stopping and shifting the identified industries out of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. There is no standard categorization of industries under ‘H’ category from pollution perspective. The Central Pollution Control Board has categorized the industries into Red, Orange, Green and White category based on the composite scores which is calculated on the basis of air pollution, water pollution score and hazardous waste generation. As per this classification, Red category covers 60 industrial sectors, Orange category covers 83 industrial sectors, Green category covers 63 industrial sectors and the newly introduced, White category covers 36 industrial sectors. CPCB had issued directions under section 18(1)(b) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 to all State Pollution Control Boards / Pollution Control Committees (SPCBs / PCCs) on 07.03.2016 to harmonize the criteria of classification of industries.
This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Anil Madhav Dave, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
(i) Notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards;
(ii) Formulation of environmental regulations / statutes;
(iii) Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality;
(iv) Introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol blend etc.;
(v) Promotion of cleaner production processes.
(vi) Launching of National Air Quality index by the Prime Minister in April, 2015;
(vii) Implementation of Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV) norms in 63 selected cities and universalization of BS-IV by 2017;
(viii) Decision taken to leapfrog directly from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards by 1st April, 2020;
(ix) Taxing polluting vehicles and incentivizing hybrid and electric vehicles;
(x) Comprehensive amendments to various Waste Management Rules including Municipal Solid Waste, Plastic Waste, Hazardous Waste, Bio-medical Waste and Electronic Waste notified;
(xi) Notification of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules;
(xii) Ban on burning of leaves, biomass, municipal solid waste;
(xiii) Promotion of public transport network of metro, buses, e-rickshaws and promotion of car pooling, Pollution Under Control, lane discipline, vehicle maintenance;
(xiv) Revision of existing environmental standards and formulation of new standards for prevention and control of pollution from industries;
(xv) Regular co-ordination meetings at official and ministerial level with Delhi and other State Governments within the NCR;
(xvi) Issuance of directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and under Section 18(1)(b) of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981;
(xvii) Installation of on-line continuous (24x7) monitoring devices by major industries.
(xviii) Preparation of action plan for sewage management and restoration of water quality in aquatic resources by State Governments;
(xix) Implementation of National River Conservation Plan for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers and undertaking conservation activities which inter-alia include interception & diversion of raw sewage, construction of sewerage systems, setting up of sewage treatment plants, low cost sanitation facilities, education and awareness creation, community participation, electric/improved wood crematoria and river front development.
Delhi Government while formulating the Master Plan of Delhi – 2001 had categorized all hazardous/ noxious/ heavy and large industries into ‘H’ category for the purpose of stopping and shifting the identified industries out of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. There is no standard categorization of industries under ‘H’ category from pollution perspective. The Central Pollution Control Board has categorized the industries into Red, Orange, Green and White category based on the composite scores which is calculated on the basis of air pollution, water pollution score and hazardous waste generation. As per this classification, Red category covers 60 industrial sectors, Orange category covers 83 industrial sectors, Green category covers 63 industrial sectors and the newly introduced, White category covers 36 industrial sectors. CPCB had issued directions under section 18(1)(b) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 to all State Pollution Control Boards / Pollution Control Committees (SPCBs / PCCs) on 07.03.2016 to harmonize the criteria of classification of industries.
This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Anil Madhav Dave, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, paid respects to the Guru Granth Sahib at the Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha Gurudwara, shortly after arriving in Tehran this evening.
He was presented with a Saropa and a Talwar.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister complimented the Sikh community in Tehran for keeping our rich heritage and traditions alive for the younger generations.
In a series of tweets on his Twitter Account, the Prime Minister said:
"I am looking forward to my visit to Iran today and tomorrow, at the invitation of President Rouhani.
India and Iran enjoy civilizational ties and have shared interest in the peace, security, stability and prosperity of the region.
My meetings with President Rouhani and Hon’ble Supreme Leader of Iran will provide an opportunity to advance our strategic partnership.
Enhancing connectivity, trade, investments, energy partnership, culture and people to people contacts would be our priority.
I also look forward to the conclusion of the Chahbahar Agreement during my visit.
I will visit Gurudwara in Tehran and inaugurate an International Conference on ‘retrospect and prospect’ of India and Iran relations."
A famous poet of Persia, Hafez once said:रोज़े- हिज्रो-शबे-फ़ुर्क़ते-यार आख़र शुद
ज़दम इन फ़ालो-गुज़श्त अख़्तरो कार आख़र शुद्
[Meaning: Days of separation are over; night of wait is coming to an end; Our friendship will stay forever.]
Iran, Afghanistan and India are deeply aware of the richness and reality of our ancient links. Through centuries, art and culture, ideas and knowledge, language and traditions have formed a common bond between us.
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee addressed the Indian community in China at Guangzhou today (May 24, 2016), the opening day of his visit to China.
Addressing the Indian community, the President said India’s policy towards China is expanding areas of cooperation, reducing differences. Frequent bilateral visits reflect expanding relations between the two great nations. There has been phenomenal progress in bilateral relations since 1990. Trade between the two countries has increased from US $ 2.9 billion in 2000 to more than US $ 71 billion today. There is immense potential for growth in trade, investment and mutual economic cooperation.
The President said India and China are closely cooperating with each other in most multilateral fora. India, a founding member of WTO supported the membership of China from day one. It argued in WTO that it is wrong to keep China with its vast population out of the WTO. India and China both are founding members of G-20. As the most advanced emerging economies, they are making major contributions to world growth.
The President said if 2.5 billion people of India and China come together and walk together, it will be a great event. Intensifying cooperation in trade, investment, development experience, sharing of best practices and cooperating in all areas is the biggest guarantor of peace, development and prosperity. This will ensure the onward march to progress of both nations.
The President said members of the Indian Community are unofficial ambassadors of India in the country in which they live. They carry part of India in their hearts at all times. India is proud of its diaspora. He invited the Indian diaspora to contribute its best to the gigantic task underway of transforming lives of billions of Indians.
Monday, 18 July 2016
TRI-NETRA
TRI-NETRA - Terrain imaging for diesel dRivers Infra-red, Enhanced Optical & Radar Assisted system
Ministry of Railways, Railway Board has initiated a proposal to install TRI-NETRA systems on locomotives for enhancing the vision of Locomotive Pilots in inclement weather. TRI-NETRA stands for - Terrain imaging for diesel dRivers INfra-red, Enhanced opTical &Radar Assisted system.
TRI-NETRA system shall be made up of high-resolution optical video camera, high sensitivity infra-red video camera and additionally a radar-based terrain mapping system.
These three components of the system shall act as three eyes (Tri-Netra) of the Locomotive Pilot.
TRI-NETRA is designed to “see” the terrain ahead of the running locomotive during inclement weather by combining the images captured by the three sub-systems and to create a composite video image which shall be displayed in front of the Loco Pilot on a computer monitor.
During fog, heavy rain and also during night, the locomotive pilots face serious challenges in looking out ahead to spot any obstruction on the track such as vehicles which get stuck while crossing the track or trees or boulders which have fallen across the track etc. Because of the heavy momentum of the running train, the train driver has to always adjust the speed of the train such that he or she can stop the train on visually
seeing the obstruction. In fair weather and in daytime, this is not a problem since train driver has a clear view of the track ahead. But in poor visibility, he has to reduce the speed suitably so that the brakes can be applied in time to stop the train without hitting the obstructions.
This is where TRI-NETRA will come into picture and give the locomotive pilot a clear view of the track ahead in bad visibility conditions so that he can apply brakes well in time. Conversely, he can speed up the train even in poor visibility if the TRI-NETRA system shows that the track ahead is clear of obstruction. The system shall also map the terrain ahead so that the driver knows when he is approaching a station or a signal.
The concept of TRI-NETRA was developed by Development Cell under the guidance of Member Mechanical, Railway Board while brainstorming on how to use the technology employed by fighter aircrafts to see through clouds and operate in pitch darkness and the technology used by naval ships in mapping the ocean floor and navigating in the night. Such an “assisted vision” system is not available readily in any of the advanced railway systems but the manufacturers and technology partners who develop components of such systems for defence are very excited with the concept. “Such systems have not been used for peacetime applications and we are excited that Indian Railways have thrown such a challenge at us” said one of the foreign specialists who develops such systems for fighter aircrafts. There has been very enthusiastic response to this Expression of Interest (EoI) published by Railway Board and number of companies from Israel, Finland, USA and Austria have expressed interest in developing such a system.
TRI-NETRA system shall be made up of high-resolution optical video camera, high sensitivity infra-red video camera and additionally a radar-based terrain mapping system.
These three components of the system shall act as three eyes (Tri-Netra) of the Locomotive Pilot.
TRI-NETRA is designed to “see” the terrain ahead of the running locomotive during inclement weather by combining the images captured by the three sub-systems and to create a composite video image which shall be displayed in front of the Loco Pilot on a computer monitor.
During fog, heavy rain and also during night, the locomotive pilots face serious challenges in looking out ahead to spot any obstruction on the track such as vehicles which get stuck while crossing the track or trees or boulders which have fallen across the track etc. Because of the heavy momentum of the running train, the train driver has to always adjust the speed of the train such that he or she can stop the train on visually
seeing the obstruction. In fair weather and in daytime, this is not a problem since train driver has a clear view of the track ahead. But in poor visibility, he has to reduce the speed suitably so that the brakes can be applied in time to stop the train without hitting the obstructions.
This is where TRI-NETRA will come into picture and give the locomotive pilot a clear view of the track ahead in bad visibility conditions so that he can apply brakes well in time. Conversely, he can speed up the train even in poor visibility if the TRI-NETRA system shows that the track ahead is clear of obstruction. The system shall also map the terrain ahead so that the driver knows when he is approaching a station or a signal.
The concept of TRI-NETRA was developed by Development Cell under the guidance of Member Mechanical, Railway Board while brainstorming on how to use the technology employed by fighter aircrafts to see through clouds and operate in pitch darkness and the technology used by naval ships in mapping the ocean floor and navigating in the night. Such an “assisted vision” system is not available readily in any of the advanced railway systems but the manufacturers and technology partners who develop components of such systems for defence are very excited with the concept. “Such systems have not been used for peacetime applications and we are excited that Indian Railways have thrown such a challenge at us” said one of the foreign specialists who develops such systems for fighter aircrafts. There has been very enthusiastic response to this Expression of Interest (EoI) published by Railway Board and number of companies from Israel, Finland, USA and Austria have expressed interest in developing such a system.
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Thursday, 2 June 2016
P.I.B : NEWS (22-5-2016 to 28-5-2016)
1.President appoints Ms. Kiran Bedi Lt. Governor of Puducherry
The President of India has been pleased to appoint Ms. Kiran Bedi, to be the Lt. Governor of Puducherry with effect from the date she assumes charges of her office.
2.PM offers prayers, addresses gathering at Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha Gurudwara, Tehran
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, paid respects to the Guru Granth Sahib at the Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha Gurudwara, shortly after arriving in Tehran this evening.
He was presented with a Saropa and a Talwar.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister complimented the Sikh community in Tehran for keeping our rich heritage and traditions alive for the younger generations.
He said Indians believe in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – the whole world is our family – and therefore assimilate with everyone easily.
The Prime Minister said the occasion of the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh would be celebrated both in India and other parts of the world; and would be leveraged to highlight and generate greater awareness among the younger generation about the martyrdom of the Gurus, and the message of the Holy Guru Granth Sahib.
The Prime Minister said the occasion of the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh would be celebrated both in India and other parts of the world; and would be leveraged to highlight and generate greater awareness among the younger generation about the martyrdom of the Gurus, and the message of the Holy Guru Granth Sahib.
3.PM's visit to Iran
In a series of tweets on his Twitter Account, the Prime Minister said:
"I am looking forward to my visit to Iran today and tomorrow, at the invitation of President Rouhani.
India and Iran enjoy civilizational ties and have shared interest in the peace, security, stability and prosperity of the region.
My meetings with President Rouhani and Hon’ble Supreme Leader of Iran will provide an opportunity to advance our strategic partnership.
Enhancing connectivity, trade, investments, energy partnership, culture and people to people contacts would be our priority.
I also look forward to the conclusion of the Chahbahar Agreement during my visit.
I will visit Gurudwara in Tehran and inaugurate an International Conference on ‘retrospect and prospect’ of India and Iran relations."
4.Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar Visits Oman
The Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar paid an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman from 20 to 22 May 2016 at the invitation of H.E. Bader Bin Saud Bin Harib Al Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defense Affairs of Oman.
Shri Parrikar reiterated the high importance that India attaches to its strategic partnership with Oman. He conveyed his appreciation at the continued support rendered by Oman for the Operational Turnaround (OTR) of Indian Navy ships for anti-piracy patrols as well as technical support for landing and over flight of Indian Air Force aircraft.
Four Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs)/agreements were signed during the visit. These are:
• MOU on Defence Cooperation between the Ministry of Defense of Sultanate of Oman and Ministry of Defence of Republic of India;
• MOU between the Royal Oman Police (Coast Guard) and the Indian Coast Guard in the field of Marine Crime Prevention at Sea;
• MOU between the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and the Government of the Republic of India on Maritime Issues; and
• Protocol between the Government of the Sultanate of Oman represented by Royal Air Force of Oman and the Government of India represented by the Indian Air Force on Flight Safety information Exchange.
Shri Parrikar reiterated the high importance that India attaches to its strategic partnership with Oman. He conveyed his appreciation at the continued support rendered by Oman for the Operational Turnaround (OTR) of Indian Navy ships for anti-piracy patrols as well as technical support for landing and over flight of Indian Air Force aircraft.
Four Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs)/agreements were signed during the visit. These are:
• MOU on Defence Cooperation between the Ministry of Defense of Sultanate of Oman and Ministry of Defence of Republic of India;
• MOU between the Royal Oman Police (Coast Guard) and the Indian Coast Guard in the field of Marine Crime Prevention at Sea;
• MOU between the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and the Government of the Republic of India on Maritime Issues; and
• Protocol between the Government of the Sultanate of Oman represented by Royal Air Force of Oman and the Government of India represented by the Indian Air Force on Flight Safety information Exchange.
5.President meets Award Winning School Teachers attending ‘In-Residence’ Programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee met twelve Award Winning School Teachers from States/Union Territories attending ‘In-Residence’ Programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (May 23, 2016).
This is the first such ‘In-Residence’ Programme for school teachers. Similar programmes exist for writers, artists, grass root innovators, NIT students and inspired teachers.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that all the participants of the ‘In-Residence’ programme should strive continuously for achieving higher goals. For them sky is the limit.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that all the participants of the ‘In-Residence’ programme should strive continuously for achieving higher goals. For them sky is the limit.
He said that no civilizational progress could have been possible if teachers did not give their wisdom to society on the basis of which progress takes place.
He stated that our tradition is that of ‘Guru-Shishya Parampara’. He emphasized that teachers are the most important factor in nation building.
Also present on the occasion was Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of HRD who said that teachers are central to any educational system. He emphasized on three areas relating to education i.e. improving access, equity and improving the quality of education.
Also present on the occasion was Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of HRD who said that teachers are central to any educational system. He emphasized on three areas relating to education i.e. improving access, equity and improving the quality of education.
6.Remarks by Prime Minister at Chabahar Connectivity event (May 23, 2016)
A famous poet of Persia, Hafez once said:रोज़े- हिज्रो-शबे-फ़ुर्क़ते-यार आख़र शुद
ज़दम इन फ़ालो-गुज़श्त अख़्तरो कार आख़र शुद्
[Meaning: Days of separation are over; night of wait is coming to an end; Our friendship will stay forever.]
Iran, Afghanistan and India are deeply aware of the richness and reality of our ancient links. Through centuries, art and culture, ideas and knowledge, language and traditions have formed a common bond between us.
Even through turmoil of history, our societies never lost touch with each other. Today, we meet to write new chapters in our engagement.
Excellencies, The Agreement on the establishment of a Trilateral Transport and Transit Corridor signed just a while ago can alter the course of history of this region.
Excellencies, The Agreement on the establishment of a Trilateral Transport and Transit Corridor signed just a while ago can alter the course of history of this region.
It is a new foundation of convergence between our three nations. The corridor would spur unhindered flow of commerce throughout the region. Inflow of capital and technology could lead to new industrial infrastructure in Chahbahar.
This would include gas based fertilizer plants, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and IT. The key arteries of the corridor would pass through the Chahbahar port of Iran. It's very location, on the mouth of Gulf of Oman, is of great strategic significance. Afghanistan will get an assured, effective, and a more friendly route to trade with the rest of the world. The arc of economic benefit from this agreement would extend beyond our three nations. Its reach could extend to the depths of the Central Asian countries. When linked with the International North South Transport Corridor, it would touch South Asia at one end and Europe at another. And, studies show that as compared to the traditional sea routes, it could bring down the cost and time of the cargo trade to Europe by about 50%. Over time, we could even look to connect it with the strong sea and land based routes that India has developed with the Indian Ocean Region and South East Asia.
Excellencies,
The world of 21st century offers unique opportunities.But, it also poses its own set of challenges.Today, the nature of global engagement requires an attitude more suitable to this century, not the mindset of the century gone by. Today, the watch-words of international tiesare trust not suspicion; cooperation not dominance; inclusivity not exclusion. This is also the guiding philosophy and driving spirit of the Chahbahar Agreement. This will be a corridor of peace and prosperity for our peoples. Motives of economic growth, and empowerment would drive it. It will build our security without making others vulnerable. It would break barriers among our nations and encourage new benchmarks of people-to-people contacts. And, help us to eventually build what we all desire and deserve - a friendly and healthy neighbourhood.
Excellencies,
The world around us is changing in fundamental ways. And, the lack of comprehensive connectivity is not the only challenge that limits our national growth. Political turmoil and undercurrents of economic stress continue to spread in West Asia. In the Indo-Pacific,rise a mix of political competition and economic opportunities is putting pressure on the existing Asian order. Global economy is yet to fully come out of uncertainty and weakness. Our present growth and future prosperity is under threat from the spread of radical ideas and physical terror. Amidst this landscape, our three countries are blessed with the most potent resource—our youth. Our three nations are estimated to have more than 60 percent of their population under 30 years of age. They are an asset in our national and regional development. We want them to walk the road to knowledge and skills; industry and enterprise. And, not fall victim to the path of guns and violence. I am confident that economic fruits of the Chahbahar Agreement will expand trade, attract investment, build infrastructure, develop industry and create jobs for our youth. The Agreement will strengthen our ability to stand in mutual support against those whose only motto is to maim and kill the innocents. Its success will be a positive vote for peace and stability in the region.
Excellencies,
It is my strong belief that trade and transit routes should only be a starting point of our journey to greater connectivity. In my vision, the full spectrum of connectivity agenda between Iran, Afghanistan and India should span:
• from culture to commerce;
• from traditions to technology;
• from Investments to IT;
• from services to strategy; and
• from people to politics.
In a way, it is a pledge to:
• Realize the imperative of better connectivity;
• Establish peace and create stability;
• Build economic prosperity and engineer new trade ties;
• Curb radicalism and remove shadows of terror; and
• Break barriers and spread sweetness of familiarity among our people.
History will look back at this effort with nothing but approval and admiration.
I compliment Excellencies Rouhani and Ghani for their leadership in guiding this effort.
Thank you all. Thank you very much.
Excellencies,
The world of 21st century offers unique opportunities.But, it also poses its own set of challenges.Today, the nature of global engagement requires an attitude more suitable to this century, not the mindset of the century gone by. Today, the watch-words of international tiesare trust not suspicion; cooperation not dominance; inclusivity not exclusion. This is also the guiding philosophy and driving spirit of the Chahbahar Agreement. This will be a corridor of peace and prosperity for our peoples. Motives of economic growth, and empowerment would drive it. It will build our security without making others vulnerable. It would break barriers among our nations and encourage new benchmarks of people-to-people contacts. And, help us to eventually build what we all desire and deserve - a friendly and healthy neighbourhood.
Excellencies,
The world around us is changing in fundamental ways. And, the lack of comprehensive connectivity is not the only challenge that limits our national growth. Political turmoil and undercurrents of economic stress continue to spread in West Asia. In the Indo-Pacific,rise a mix of political competition and economic opportunities is putting pressure on the existing Asian order. Global economy is yet to fully come out of uncertainty and weakness. Our present growth and future prosperity is under threat from the spread of radical ideas and physical terror. Amidst this landscape, our three countries are blessed with the most potent resource—our youth. Our three nations are estimated to have more than 60 percent of their population under 30 years of age. They are an asset in our national and regional development. We want them to walk the road to knowledge and skills; industry and enterprise. And, not fall victim to the path of guns and violence. I am confident that economic fruits of the Chahbahar Agreement will expand trade, attract investment, build infrastructure, develop industry and create jobs for our youth. The Agreement will strengthen our ability to stand in mutual support against those whose only motto is to maim and kill the innocents. Its success will be a positive vote for peace and stability in the region.
Excellencies,
It is my strong belief that trade and transit routes should only be a starting point of our journey to greater connectivity. In my vision, the full spectrum of connectivity agenda between Iran, Afghanistan and India should span:
• from culture to commerce;
• from traditions to technology;
• from Investments to IT;
• from services to strategy; and
• from people to politics.
In a way, it is a pledge to:
• Realize the imperative of better connectivity;
• Establish peace and create stability;
• Build economic prosperity and engineer new trade ties;
• Curb radicalism and remove shadows of terror; and
• Break barriers and spread sweetness of familiarity among our people.
History will look back at this effort with nothing but approval and admiration.
I compliment Excellencies Rouhani and Ghani for their leadership in guiding this effort.
Thank you all. Thank you very much.
7.India’s Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD), Successfully Flight Tested
ISRO successfully flight tested India’s first winged body aerospace vehicle operating in hypersonic flight regime today.
In this experimental mission, the HS9 solid rocket booster carrying RLV-TD lifted off from the First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota at 07:00 hr IST. After a successful flight of 91.1 second, HS9 burn out occurred, following which both HS9 and RLV-TD mounted on its top coasted to a height of about 56 km. At that height, RLV-TD separated from HS9 booster and further ascended to a height of about 65 km.
From that peak altitude of 65 km, RLV-TD began its descent followed by atmospheric re-entry at around Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound). The vehicle’s Navigation, Guidance and Control system accurately steered the vehicle during this phase for safe descent. After successfully surviving a high temperatures of re-entry with the help of its Thermal Protection System (TPS), RLV-TD successfully glided down to the defined landing spot over Bay of Bengal, at a distance of about 450 km from Sriharikota, thereby fulfilling its mission objectives. The vehicle was successfully tracked during its flight from ground stations at Sriharikota and a shipborne terminal. Total flight duration from launch to landing of this mission of the delta winged RLV-TD, lasted for about 770 seconds.
In this flight, critical technologies such as autonomous navigation, guidance & control, reusable thermal protection system and re-entry mission management have been successfully validated.
ISRO acknowledges the support of Indian Coast Guard and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) for the mid-sea wind measurement and shipborne telemetry respectively in this mission.
In this experimental mission, the HS9 solid rocket booster carrying RLV-TD lifted off from the First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota at 07:00 hr IST. After a successful flight of 91.1 second, HS9 burn out occurred, following which both HS9 and RLV-TD mounted on its top coasted to a height of about 56 km. At that height, RLV-TD separated from HS9 booster and further ascended to a height of about 65 km.
From that peak altitude of 65 km, RLV-TD began its descent followed by atmospheric re-entry at around Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound). The vehicle’s Navigation, Guidance and Control system accurately steered the vehicle during this phase for safe descent. After successfully surviving a high temperatures of re-entry with the help of its Thermal Protection System (TPS), RLV-TD successfully glided down to the defined landing spot over Bay of Bengal, at a distance of about 450 km from Sriharikota, thereby fulfilling its mission objectives. The vehicle was successfully tracked during its flight from ground stations at Sriharikota and a shipborne terminal. Total flight duration from launch to landing of this mission of the delta winged RLV-TD, lasted for about 770 seconds.
In this flight, critical technologies such as autonomous navigation, guidance & control, reusable thermal protection system and re-entry mission management have been successfully validated.
ISRO acknowledges the support of Indian Coast Guard and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) for the mid-sea wind measurement and shipborne telemetry respectively in this mission.
8.INS Tarmugli Joins the Indian Navy
The Indian Navy today commissioned the highly maneuverable Fast Attack Craft INS Tarmugli at the hands of Vice Admiral HCS Bisht AVSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command at a formal ceremony held at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. INS Tarmugli is being based in Visakhapatnam under the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Andhra Pradesh) and would be deployed for coastal patrol and surveillance operations along the East Coast of India.
Built by M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE), INS Tarmugli is the first Follow-on Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC), is an improved version of WJFAC, earlier constructed by GRSE. Conceived, designed and built indigenously, the commissioning of this ship completes the addition of another chapter to the nation’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and indigenisation efforts in the field of warship design and construction.
Named after a picturesque island in the Andaman group, the 320-tonne INS Tarmugli, measuring 48 meters in length, can achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots. The ship is manned by a team comprising four officers and 41 sailors with Commander Sreejith S Nair at the helm as Commanding Officer.
Built by M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE), INS Tarmugli is the first Follow-on Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC), is an improved version of WJFAC, earlier constructed by GRSE. Conceived, designed and built indigenously, the commissioning of this ship completes the addition of another chapter to the nation’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and indigenisation efforts in the field of warship design and construction.
Named after a picturesque island in the Andaman group, the 320-tonne INS Tarmugli, measuring 48 meters in length, can achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots. The ship is manned by a team comprising four officers and 41 sailors with Commander Sreejith S Nair at the helm as Commanding Officer.
The ship is capable of operating in shallow waters at high speeds and is equipped with enhanced fire power. Built for extended coastal and offshore surveillance and patrol the warship is fitted with advanced MTU engines, water jet propulsion and the latest communication equipment.
The ships armament consists of a 30 mm CRN 91 gun manufactured by Ordnance Factory Medak. An electronic day-night fire control system namely Stabilised Optronic Pedestal (SOP) manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) controls the gun. The ship is also equipped with two 12.7 mm heavy machine guns (HMG) and multiple medium machine guns, besides shoulder-launched Igla surface-to-air missiles to combat aerial threats.
The ships armament consists of a 30 mm CRN 91 gun manufactured by Ordnance Factory Medak. An electronic day-night fire control system namely Stabilised Optronic Pedestal (SOP) manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) controls the gun. The ship is also equipped with two 12.7 mm heavy machine guns (HMG) and multiple medium machine guns, besides shoulder-launched Igla surface-to-air missiles to combat aerial threats.
9.108 Villages Electrified last week ; 7,874 Villages Electrified till date under DDUGJY
108 villages have been electrified across the country during last week (from 16th to 22nd May 2016) under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojna (DDUGJY). Out of these electrified villages, 6 villages belong to Arunachal Pradesh , 26 in Assam, 31 in Jharkhand, 2 in Rajasthan, 8 in Madhya Pradesh , 3 in Uttar Pradesh , 2 in Bihar, 3 in Chhattisgarh, 26 in Odisha , and 1 in Himachal Pradesh . The progress of ongoing electrification process can be tracked on http://garv.gov.in/dashboard
10.India’s policy towards China is 'expanding areas of cooperation, reducing differences', says President
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee addressed the Indian community in China at Guangzhou today (May 24, 2016), the opening day of his visit to China.
Addressing the Indian community, the President said India’s policy towards China is expanding areas of cooperation, reducing differences. Frequent bilateral visits reflect expanding relations between the two great nations. There has been phenomenal progress in bilateral relations since 1990. Trade between the two countries has increased from US $ 2.9 billion in 2000 to more than US $ 71 billion today. There is immense potential for growth in trade, investment and mutual economic cooperation.
The President said India and China are closely cooperating with each other in most multilateral fora. India, a founding member of WTO supported the membership of China from day one. It argued in WTO that it is wrong to keep China with its vast population out of the WTO. India and China both are founding members of G-20. As the most advanced emerging economies, they are making major contributions to world growth.
The President said if 2.5 billion people of India and China come together and walk together, it will be a great event. Intensifying cooperation in trade, investment, development experience, sharing of best practices and cooperating in all areas is the biggest guarantor of peace, development and prosperity. This will ensure the onward march to progress of both nations.
The President said members of the Indian Community are unofficial ambassadors of India in the country in which they live. They carry part of India in their hearts at all times. India is proud of its diaspora. He invited the Indian diaspora to contribute its best to the gigantic task underway of transforming lives of billions of Indians.
11.India signs loan agreement with world bank for IBRD loan of US$ 100 million for ‘Karnataka Urban Water Supply Modernization project’
The Loan and Project Agreements for World Bank (IBRD) assistance of US$ 100 million for the Karnataka Urban Water Supply Modernization project were signed between Government of India/Government of Karnataka and the World Bank here today.
12.Centre committed to Employment Security , Wage Security and Social Security to every Worker:Shri Bandaru Dattatreya
Amendnment to bonus act doubled benefit amount with enhanced reach
Amendnment to bonus act doubled benefit amount with enhanced reach
The Governments paramount priority is the Welfare of Workers and its endeavor is to achieve Employment Security, Wage Security and Social Security to every Worker especially the Unorganised workers who constitute 93% of our workforce. This was stated by Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, the Union Minister of State(IC) for Labour and Employment here today while addressing a Press Conference. The Minister said that during the last two years for the benefit of work force the Government has amended the Bonus Act increasing the eligibility limit from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 21,000 and benefit ceiling from Rs. 3500 to Rs. 7000, Minimum Pension of Rs. 1000 per month in perpetuity which is benefiting more than 20 lakh pensioners. The Minister said, the Government has announced interest @ 8.8% to EPF subscribers for the year 2015-16 which is the highest rate of interest for any saving instrument in the country. Further, our Govt. on March, 29th, 2016 in a historic decision decided to credit interest to 9.23 Crore inoperative accounts of EPFO which was stopped by the UPA Government in February, 2011. A new and pragmatic scheme has been launched for eliminating the social evil of Bonded Labour he added.
He said ,the Ministry of Labour and Employment have initiated process of reforming the archaic labour laws to create a conducive, cordial and harmonious environment in the country. Towards this Ministry is simplifying the 43 Labour Laws into 4 Labour Codes which aims to amalgamate and rationalize the provisions of these 43 Labour Laws : These are Labour Code on Wages,Labour Code on Industrial Relations, Labour Code on Social Security & Welfare and Labour Code on Safety & Working Conditions.
To achieve this huge objective, tripartite consultations are held from time to time for consensus. Two of these codes have been finalized and necessary approvals are being sought, the Minister added.
On Reforms Through Technology ,The Minister said a unified Web Portal ‘Shram Suvidha Portal’ was laubnched on 16.10.2014, to bring transparency and accountability in enforcement of labour laws and ease complexity of compliance. It caters to four major Organizations under the Ministry of Labour, namely Office of Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), Directorate General of Mines Safety, Employees’ Provident Fund Organization; and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation.
The Minister said eradication of Child Labour is a priority and to address the issue Government has proposed to amend the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 with the objective of complete prohibition on employment of children below 14 years and linking the age of prohibition with the age under Right of Children to Free & Compulsory Education, Act, 2009. The amendment also intends to make the punishment for employers more stringent and make the offence cognizable for employers on employing any child or adolescent in contravention of the Act.
The Minister said that the Government is implementing National Career Service (NCS) Project for transforming and strengthening the public employment services in the country with an aim to bring job seekers, employers and training providers on a common platform with efficient use of information technology. National Career Service (NCS) Project aims to address the gaps in the employment market by strategic interventions and partnership with leading institutions and organizations. Central Ministries and State Governments have also been involved in making the NCS Portal (www.ncs.gov.in) a vibrant platform.
The NCS Portal dedicated to the nation in July, 2015 has successfully registered over 3.5 crore candidates and all the 9 lakh establishments having a Labour Identification Number are also registered.
The Minister also spoke about two Social security organizations The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation providing comprehensive medical care and cash benefits in the contingencies of Sickness and Employees Provident Fund Organization providing social security to the organized workforce of the country.
He said ,the Ministry of Labour and Employment have initiated process of reforming the archaic labour laws to create a conducive, cordial and harmonious environment in the country. Towards this Ministry is simplifying the 43 Labour Laws into 4 Labour Codes which aims to amalgamate and rationalize the provisions of these 43 Labour Laws : These are Labour Code on Wages,Labour Code on Industrial Relations, Labour Code on Social Security & Welfare and Labour Code on Safety & Working Conditions.
To achieve this huge objective, tripartite consultations are held from time to time for consensus. Two of these codes have been finalized and necessary approvals are being sought, the Minister added.
On Reforms Through Technology ,The Minister said a unified Web Portal ‘Shram Suvidha Portal’ was laubnched on 16.10.2014, to bring transparency and accountability in enforcement of labour laws and ease complexity of compliance. It caters to four major Organizations under the Ministry of Labour, namely Office of Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), Directorate General of Mines Safety, Employees’ Provident Fund Organization; and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation.
The Minister said eradication of Child Labour is a priority and to address the issue Government has proposed to amend the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 with the objective of complete prohibition on employment of children below 14 years and linking the age of prohibition with the age under Right of Children to Free & Compulsory Education, Act, 2009. The amendment also intends to make the punishment for employers more stringent and make the offence cognizable for employers on employing any child or adolescent in contravention of the Act.
The Minister said that the Government is implementing National Career Service (NCS) Project for transforming and strengthening the public employment services in the country with an aim to bring job seekers, employers and training providers on a common platform with efficient use of information technology. National Career Service (NCS) Project aims to address the gaps in the employment market by strategic interventions and partnership with leading institutions and organizations. Central Ministries and State Governments have also been involved in making the NCS Portal (www.ncs.gov.in) a vibrant platform.
The NCS Portal dedicated to the nation in July, 2015 has successfully registered over 3.5 crore candidates and all the 9 lakh establishments having a Labour Identification Number are also registered.
The Minister also spoke about two Social security organizations The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation providing comprehensive medical care and cash benefits in the contingencies of Sickness and Employees Provident Fund Organization providing social security to the organized workforce of the country.
13.Press Conference by Dr. Najma Heptulla on two years achievements of Minority Affairs Ministry
In 2015-16 Ministry spent over 20% higher than in 2013-14
In 2015-16 Ministry spent over 20% higher than in 2013-14
The Ministry of Minority Affairs has made consistent efforts in the last two years to fulfill the agenda set in the manifesto for minorities and achieved them by formulating new schemes/programmes and reorienting the ongoing schemes. Dr. Najma Heptulla, the Union Minister of Minority Affairs said this while interacting with media on two years achievements of the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
The whole focus of the Ministry revolved around the vision and mission “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikaas”. Going by the National priority, Ministry has taken many new initiatives to strengthen the efforts towards education of minorities and economic empowerment through Skill Development.
The Minister said in fact in the last financial year i.e. 2015-16, the expenditure was more than 20% higher than in 2013-14, which is a significant rise in just 2 years. Moreover, in 2015-16, for the first time in the history of the Ministry, there was no cut imposed in the earmarked Plan budget at Revised Estimate (RE) Stage and it was maintained at the original level of Budget Estimate (BE) i.e. Rs.3712.78 Crore. Ministry spent about 98% of the entire Plan budget in 2015-16. Further, Government has increased the Plan Budget of the Ministry to Rs.3800 Crore for 2016-17, an increase of more than Rs. 168 Crore over the 2015-16 expenditure level, which is again a significant rise.
The Minister said that this is to address development gaps at micro level. In addition to this Ministry’s budget 15% of budget of the implementing Ministries of PM’s 15 point programme is also earmarked for the minorities.
Referring to Educational empowerment, the Minister informed that five minority students with support of the scheme have made it to the Indian Civil Services in the recently declared results. Three of them are Muslim, one Sikh and one Buddhist. She said Rs.2011.82 crore were released for various Scholarship schemes during 2014-15 against Rs.1739.55 crore during 2013-14. i.e. 15.7% more funds were released by the present Government in the first year of its tenure itself for the educational empowerment of the minorities. During 2014-15 about 46% girls benefitted under all scholarship schemes.
On economic empowerment she said that educational cum livelihood scheme ‘Nai Manzil’’ for has been received very well. The World Bank recognizing the concept of the scheme not only gave loan to the tune of US $ 50 million but also recommended it for other countries with similar requirements. This new initiative of the present Government formulated and launched on 8th August, 2015 aims to benefit the minority youths who do not have a formal school leaving certificate, i.e., those in the category of school-dropouts or educated in the community education institutions like theMadarsas, in order to provide them formal education and skills, and enable them to seek better employment in the organized sector and thus to equip them for better lives.
Scheme has been approved with the cost of Rs. 650 Crore for five years. 50% funding will come from the World Bank. This is for the first time in the history of minority welfare programmes when World Bank has agreed to support such a programme.
Another new ambitious initiative of the present Government, “USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/ Crafts for Development)” was formally launched on 14th May, 2015 at Varanasi. The scheme aims at setting standards of traditional skills, design development, capacity building and updating the traditional skills of master craftsmen and artisans, documentation and preservation. It also aims to engage the trained master craftsmen/artisans in training of minority youths in various specific traditional arts/crafts.
About Seekho aur Kamao (Learn & Earn), the Minister said , in conformity with the priority of the present Government for “Skilled India” and “Make in India”, the skill development initiative for minorities “Seekho aur Kamao (Learn & Earn)”, has been strengthened and expanded and the outlay has been increased by almost Eleven times (over the level of 2013-14) by the present Government and Rs.192.45 crore were allocated in 2015-16 for training of 1,13,000 minority youth. Out of this, about Rs. 191.96 Crore (more than 99%) has been sanctioned for training of about 1.23 lakh trainees in various States.
The number of minority youths trained since the inception of the scheme and the funds earmarked by the present Government, as enlisted clearly indicate the shift in focus:
Financial Year
|
Achievement (Number of minority youths trained)
|
Funds released (Rs. in Crore)
|
2013-14
|
20,164
|
16.99
|
2014-15
|
20,720
|
46.21
|
2015-16
|
1,23,330
|
191.96
|
Elaborating on Multi-sectoral Development Programme – Jan Vikaas Karyakram,the Minister said this area development programme, for the construction of basic amenities and infrastructure is implemented in identified 710 Minority Concentration Blocks (MCBs) and 66 Minority Concentration Towns (MCTs).Further, clusters of contiguous minority concentration villages are also covered. In the first two years of this Government 18.4% more funds were sanctioned for this project than the last two years of the earlier Government. In fact in 2015-16, Government gave a major thrust to this project when it sanctioned a whopping 46% more funds than in 2014-15.
During 2014-15 and 2015-16, construction of 51 ITIs, 2 Polytechnics, 5314 Additional Class Rooms (ACRs), 559 school buildings, 10 Degree colleges, 215 Hostels and 1456 Aanganwadi Centers has been approved.
On Women Empowerment , the Minister said that Ministry implements an exclusive scheme “Nai Roshni” for Leadership Development of Minority Women with an aim to empower and instill confidence in women by providing knowledge, tools and techniques for interacting with the Government systems, banks and intermediaries at all levels.
On Concessional Loans to Minorities, the Minister said for the first time in the history of NMDFC, the present Government on 10.02.2015, doubled the Authorized Share Capital of NMDFC i.e. from Rs. 1500 crore to Rs. 3000 crore in 2015 and has also revised the share holding pattern to 73:26:1 from 65:26:9 for the Central Government, State Governments/UT Administrations and Institutions/Individuals respectively.
The Minister also spoke in detail on Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF),Waqf Management and Haj Pilgrimage.
14.National Capital Goods Policy
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for National Capital Goods Policy. This is first ever policy for Capital Goods sector with a clear objective of increasing production of capital goods from Rs.2,30,000 crore in 2014-15 to Rs.7,50,000 crore in 2025 and raising direct and indirect employment from the current 8.4 million to 30 million.
The policy envisages increasing exports from the current 27 percent to 40 percent of production.
The policy envisages increasing exports from the current 27 percent to 40 percent of production.
It will increase the share of domestic production in India’s demand from 60 percent to 80 percent thus making India a net exporter of capital goods. The policy also aims to facilitate improvement in technology depth across sub-sectors, increase skill availability, ensure mandatory standards and promote growth and capacity building of MSMEs.
The Policy will help in realising the vision of ‘Building India as the World class hub for Capital Goods’. It will also play a pivotal role in overall manufacturing as the pillar of strength to the vision of ‘Make in India’.
The objectives of the policy will be met by the Department of Heavy Industry in a time bound manner through obtaining approval for schemes as per the roadmap of policy interventions.
The Policy will help in realising the vision of ‘Building India as the World class hub for Capital Goods’. It will also play a pivotal role in overall manufacturing as the pillar of strength to the vision of ‘Make in India’.
The objectives of the policy will be met by the Department of Heavy Industry in a time bound manner through obtaining approval for schemes as per the roadmap of policy interventions.
15.Union HRD Minister Launches Bharatavani Portal
Bharatavani Becomes the Largest Online Repository of Dictionaries in India on its Very First Day
Bharatavani Becomes the Largest Online Repository of Dictionaries in India on its Very First Day
The Union HRD Minister, Smt Smriti Zubin Iani launched the multilingual knowledge portal www.bharatvani.in at Lucknow today. While launching the app the Minister said that under the Prime Minister Shri Modi’s Digital India Mission, Bharatavani App will perform the task of bringing about digital revolution in the county. The Government’s mission is to showcase the Indian culture and heritage to the world through the medium of technology.
This project is in line with the HRD Ministry’s efforts to not only ensure universalization of education but also towards creation of a knowledge society in the digital age. The Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru is implementing this ambitious project of MHRD.
One Point language resource : Bharatavani is the first knowledge portal of its kind in India which focuses on becoming a single point source for multiple language learning, content and technology.
Given India’s diversity, Bharatavani is an attempt to bring the people of India under one portal, its goal being to bridge the Digital and language divide, with the idea to publish as well as involve people in the Open Knowledge movement.
Window to language diversity: Government of India with the launch of this multilingual portal reiterates its commitment to the protection, preservation and inclusion of all Indian languages through technological development without discrimination. India’s diversity includes a treasure trove of knowledge and indigenous culture and the Government will take all measures required to develop the spread of Indian languages across communities and cultures.
Fostering National Integration: By its very nature, Bharatavani aims to foster national integration by emphasizing on multilingual and cross-lingual learning tools and technologies. Many cross-lingual grammar books, learning courses, will not only enable learning of languages but their transliteration will enable us to learn another language instantly. This can be experienced by way of the Bharatavani App, which has been so designed to enable users to read any language in any script through any language interface.
Catalyst to Language Technology Development Technology Development for Indian Languages will be made much easier with Bharatavani turnout to be India’s largest language Corpus. Digitization of hundreds of multilingual, multi-topic dictionaries, will provide Bharatavani a massive data set of linguistic terminologies, thereby leveraging research and development. Bharatavani aims to establish itself as a single point online window to knowledge in and about Indian Languages, dictionaries, language IT tools and textbooks.
Bharatavani Multi-lingual App: Unique multiple source of worlds
Alongwith the Bharatavani portal, MHRD has also launched the Bharatavani Multi-lingual App called Bharatavani. This App will enable users to search for one language text in another language as well as get meanings in different languages. Currently the App has 35 multilingual Dictionaries and MHRD aims to extend it to 250 dictionaries in a years time. This App, on the day of its launch becomes India’sfirst and largest multilingual dictionary. Our endeavour is to make it the world’s biggest online multilingual dictionary source.
Salient features : Bharatavani makes available knowledge already published by Government and publicly funded institutions all over the country and puts its across for free and fair public usage, by deploying a robust, interactive, user friendly web tools. Its content is protected by fair usage clauses under the Indian Copyright Act.
The Bharatavani Portal would publish the content in the following main sections:
1. Paa Thyapustaka Kosha : Textbooks by various authorities
2. Jnana Kosha : Encyclopedic Knowledge base in all languages
3. Shabda Kosha: Dictionaries, Glossaries, Terminologies,
4. Bhasha Kosha: Language learning books
5. Suchanaa Praudyogikii Kosha : It tools ( right now linked to TDIL)
6. Bahumaadhyama Kosha: Multimedia content
Significantly, more than 130 Dictionaries, Glossaries and Terminology books have been posted on the web portal. These dictionaries are available in text and PDF formats.
Many institutions both at National and State level have declared their support to this initiative and have already signed MOUs with Bharatavani. All content in print and other formats will be completely digitized and put onto the portal in the form of searchable text. The portal has been launched in 22 scheduled languages, which eventually will be extended to 100 more languages
16.EESL Distributes LED Bulbs Under “UJALA” in the Range of Rs. 75-95 across 16 States
The LED bulbs under Government of India’ s Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme are being distributed across 16 States in the country in the price range of Rs 75- 95. The project, executed by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under the administration of Ministry of Power, procures high quality LED bulbs from leading manufacturers through a transparent bidding process. In the latest round of procurement, which ended on March 31, 2016, the lowest procurement cost was Rs. 54.90 (exclusive of taxes and administrative costs).
The target of the programme is to replace all the 77 crore incandescent bulbs sold in India by LEDs. This will result in reduction of 20,000 MW load, energy savings of 100 billion kWh and Green House Gas (GHG) emissions savings of 80 million tons every year. The annual saving in electricity bills of consumers will be Rs. 40,000 crore, considering average tariff of Rs. 4 per kWh.
17.Shri Nitin Gadkari dedicates NIRBHAYA buses to the public
In an attempt to provide safe and secure transport to women, the Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Shri Nitin Gadkari dedicated 20 buses of the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation, with IT enabled safety measures to the public, at a function in the capital today. As an initiative of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways under the NIRBHAYA Scheme, 10 luxury buses, 10 general buses have been provided with Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), CCTV cameras and Panic Buttons on every seat to provide immediate help to women passengers in distress.
18.Cabinet gives ex-post facto approval to the Amendments in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and Puducherry
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for introduction of two Bills in the Parliament for certain amendments in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 so as to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in respect of five States, namely, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and identification of new communities in the Union Territory of Puducherry.
The following communities as per approved modalities were found to be eligible for their inclusion in, exclusion from and other modifications in the list of Scheduled Tribes:
Sl.No.
|
State / Union Territory
|
Inclusion / Exclusion / Rectification / Identification
|
Community
|
1.
|
Assam
|
Inclusion
|
i) Boro, Boro Kachari,
Bodo, Bodo Kachari
ii) Karbi (Mikir)
|
2.
|
Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh
|
Inclusion
Rectification of Hindi Version of the Notification
|
iii) Bhuinya, Bhuiyan, Bhuyan
iv) Dhanuhar / Dhanuwar
v) Kisan
vi) Saunra, Saonra
vii) Dhangad
|
3.
|
Jharkhand
|
Inclusion
|
viii) Bhogta, Deshwari, Ganjhu, Dautalbandi (Dwalbandi), Patbandi, Raut, Maajhia, Khairi (Kheri)
ix) Puran
|
4.
|
Tamil Nadu
|
Inclusion
|
x) Malayali Gounder
xi) Narikoravan,
Kurivikkaran
|
5.
|
Tripura
|
Inclusion
|
xii) Darlong
|
6.
|
Puducherry
|
Identification (First Order)
|
xiii) Irular (including Villi and Vettaikaran)
|
After the Bill becomes as Act, members of the communities included in the list of Scheduled Tribes will be able to derive benefits meant for Scheduled Tribes under the existing schemes. Some of the major schemes of this kind include Post Matric Scholarship, National Overseas Scholarship, National Fellowship, Top Class Education, Concessional Loans from National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation, Hostels for ST boys and girls etc. In addition to above, they will also be entitled to benefits of reservation in services and admission to educational institutions.
Consequently, existing entries in list of Scheduled Castes (SCs) in case of Jharkhand and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) / Most Backward Classes (MBCs) of Central / State lists would be modified.
Background:
The Constitution of India provides certain privileges / concessions to the members of Scheduled Tribes which are notified under the provisions of Article 342 of the Constitution of India. First list of Scheduled Tribes in relation to a State or Union Territory is to be issued by a notified Order of the President after having consultation with the State Government concerned. Any subsequent inclusion in or exclusion from the list of Scheduled Tribes can be effected through an Act of Parliament as envisaged under clause (2) of Article 342.
The Government approved Modalities in June, 1999 as amended in June 2002, for considering proposals in regard to modifications in the lists of Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes. According to the approved Modalities, amending legislation to the concerned Constitution Order is proposed only in respect of such proposals of the concerned State Government / Union Territory Administration, which have been agreed to both by the Registrar General of India (RGI) as well as the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).
19.Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi releases Draft Model Rules under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
The Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi released the Draft Model Rules under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 in New Delhi today. The draft rules have been released for stakeholder comments and suggestions. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015 has come into force from 15th January, 2016 repealing the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000.
The Act is a comprehensive law with strengthened provisions for children in conflict with law and those in need of care and protection. Some of the key features include: special provisions for children who commit heinous offences in the age group of 16-18 years; inclusion of new offences committed against children, which were so far not adequately covered under any other law, such as giving intoxicating liquor or narcotic drug or tobacco products to children, sale and procurement of children for any purpose, corporal punishment in child care institutions, etc.; mandatory registration of all Child Care Institutions with punishment in case of non-compliance; and giving statutory status to the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) to enable it to perform its function more effectively.
The Draft Model Rules, 2016 that repeal the Model Rules, 2007, are based on the philosophy that children need to be reformed and reintegrated into society. The Rules are appreciative of the development needs of children and therefore best interest of the child along with child friendly procedures is incorporated across the provisions and is the primary consideration.
One of the key features of the JJ Act, 2015 is special treatment of children in the age group of 16-18 years who commit heinous offences. The Draft rules prescribe detailed child friendly procedures for police, Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) and Children’s Court. The Board and the Children’s Court are to adhere to the principle of best interest of the child and the objective of rehabilitation and reintegration of the child in the society. Every state Government is required to set up at least one “place of safety” in a State for the rehabilitation of such children. The Rules prescribe for extensive services to be provided to such children through regular monitoring.
A principle of JJ Act, 2015 is that keeping children in institutional care should be a measure of last resort. The Act therefore provides for various de-institutionalization measures for children such as adoption, foster care and sponsorship. The Draft rules prescribe detailed procedures to give effect to these provisions. Various models of Group foster care were reviewed and studied before drafting the relevant provisions in the Rules. In addition to these, roles and responsibilities of various functionaries responsible to provide care and protection to children have been re-defined to bring clarity.
To facilitate quick and smooth adoption of children, the entire adoption process has been made online and transparent. Simplified procedures have been laid down for adoption by relatives. Child care institutions are required to develop linkages with Specialized Adoption Agencies so that the pool of adoptable children can be increased and these children can be brought into the adoption process. Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), which was earlier a society has been given the status of a statutory body to enable it to function better. The Draft Rules prescribe for a comprehensive list of function of CARA, to facilitate its smooth functioning.
The JJ Act, 2015 includes a separate chapter on offences against child and several of the offences listed in this chapter were so far not adequately covered under any other law. These include sale and procurement of children for any purpose including illegal adoption, corporal punishment in child care institutions, giving children intoxicating liquor or narcotic drug or psychotropic substance or tobacco products, use of child by militant or adult groups, offences against disabled children and, kidnapping and abduction of children. For the effective implementation of these provisions, the Draft Rules provides for child friendly procedures for reporting, recording and trial. It is proposed that every police station will have child friendly infrastructure, similarly special Children’s Room will be designated in every Court complex.
In addition to the Draft Rules, extensive Forms have also been drafted to standardize and simplify prescribed procedures. A total of 49 Forms have been drafted which is more than double the Forms in Model Rules, 2007. Separate individual care forms for children in need of care and protection and those in conflict with law have been created, form for social background report by the police, which was lacking earlier has been developed to assist the police in recording information about children. Form for period review of children in the age group of 16-18 years who are placed in “place of safety”, will assist in proper review of the progress of the child and also ensure children are provided with adequate services for their rehabilitation. Several other forms related to periodic report by probation officer, case monitoring sheet, Comprehensive psycho-social report, Rehabilitation card, etc. will go a long way in better understanding and implementation of the Act and Rules framed thereunder.
The Ministry constituted a multi-disciplinary Committee to draft the model rules. The committee comprised of a Senior Judge and advocates, members of Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, representatives of State Governments, representatives of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, mental health expert, and civil society organizations, all working in the field of child protection. After a comprehensive review of the Draft Rules by the Ministry, these are being released today. Thereafter, Adoption Regulations and Model Foster Care Guidelines under the JJ Act, 2015 will also be placed in public domain shortly.
The Draft Rules are also being placed on the website of the Ministrywww.wcd.nic.in for inviting suggestions /comments from the Civil Society Organisations, Non-Government Organizations, Individuals, State Governments/UT administrations and Ministries concerned. Comments are to be sent to the Ministry at email id jjrules2016@gmail.com within 15 days starting from today.
20.President Mukherjee Outlines Eight Steps for a People Centric Partnership Between India and China
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee delivered a lecture at Peking University today (May 26, 2016) on the topic “India-China Relations: 8 steps to a people-centric partnership”.
21.Address by the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee at the Peking University, China on the Topic “India –China Relations: 8 Steps to a Partnership of the People”
India and China are the inheritors of a great legacy – borne of our intensive intellectual and cultural contacts since the first millennium. We cannot imagine our common history without the central contribution of Kumarajiva or Bodhidharma or the records and experiences of XuanZangand Fa Xian from China.
There are, of course, periods of which we do not have much information – perhaps these were stretches of time when there was less direct contact.
In the early years of the last century, when India and China were engaged in a common struggle to break free of foreign domination and regain their rightful place in the world order, we had drawn strength and inspiration from each other.
Indians fondly remember the solidarity and support extended by China’s leaders to our freedom movement.
Similarly, the Chinese people recall, with appreciation, the 1925 Resolution of the Indian National Congress in support of China after British-Indian troops had been dispatched to suppress an anti-imperialist struggle in China.
The Medical Mission led by Dr. Kotnis in 1938 was yet another example of the genuine bonds of friendship and humanity between our people.
Mindful of the glorious past of our two civilizations, independent India was determined to seek friendship with China. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, as the President of the Indian National Congress, addressing the Sino-Indian Cultural Society on 28 December 1945 in Shantiniketan, articulated our vision of the India-China friendship. In his words, "A strong and united China and a strong and united India must come close to each other. Their amity and friendship will not only lead to mutual benefit but will also benefit the world at large."
In the last seven decades, our bilateral relations have been tested by difficulties and challenges; but the determination of the Indian people to safeguard their friendship with the people of China has visibly endured.
Today, as India and China pursue their respective developmental goals we both seek to live in friendship and realise our common dream of an Asian Century. Both our nations have reaped rich political and economic dividends from this wise and judicious approach.
Today, at a time of global economic uncertainty, our two countries, despite the pressure of having 40 per cent of the world’s human population, have managed to maintain unity and growth.
Our joint contribution to the world economy as well as regional and global stability, cannot be underestimated: India and China are poised to join the ranks of leading global powers.
It is incumbent on us, as emerging economic powers to remain equally focused on nurturing regional and global prosperity. We both are at the threshold of an opportunity to join hands and create a resurgence, a positive energy, an “Asian Century”. This will not be an easy task. We will need to overcome obstacles with resolve and fortitude. We must persevere to realise this dream. We can do this together. We can do it if we join hands in a durable friendship. I would like to share my vision on how we could do this.
First :
I would stress that political understanding between our two nations is vital for a Closer Developmental Partnership. One of the ways it could be done is through enhanced political communication. We have broadened the “common ground” and learned to manage our differences. There are challenges -including the Boundary Question that still need to be addressed comprehensively. While it is natural for neighbours to have a difference of views on certain issues from time to time, I consider it a test of our political acumen when we are called upon to draw upon our civilisational wisdom and resolve these differences to the mutual satisfaction of both sides. Both sides should work with the aim of ensuring that we do not burden our coming generations by leaving our unresolved problems and differences to them.
It is for these reasons that I am glad that we are steadily diversifying our partnership in every area of common interest. China is our largest trading partner. Our developmental experiences are arguably most relevant for each other. Our respective achievements in infrastructure, mobility, energy, skills development, healthcare, education and urbanization offer a fertile ground for exchange and cooperation. Our defence & security exchanges now include annual military exercises. There is greater Chinese investment in India and vice versa. Government-to-Government mechanisms include high-level dialogues between the National Reform and Development Commission of China and the NITI Aayog of India.
I therefore propose that our two sides should focus on fostering a people-centric partnership to create a broad level of contact between our two countries.
To build a people-centric partnership we must have mutual trust predicated on mutual respect and a better appreciation of our respective political and social systems. This can be achieved by closer contacts at all levels. As you are aware, India chose to be a secular parliamentary democracy. Our system of participative governance is founded on the principles of tolerance, inclusiveness and consensus. Attempts to derail our peace through acts of terrorism have not shaken our faith. Our society is resilient and public interest is protected by a free media, an independent judiciary and a vibrant civil society.
Second, both India and China are ‘young’ societies. Our youth share common aspirations and perceptions. Their annual exchanges have been fruitful but both sides need to synergize their potential by including more educational opportunities, youth festivals, sports exchanges, youth-oriented tourism and social media linkages etc.
Third, as citizens of a digital age, we recognise the power of visual images. This makes joint film production a useful instrument for creating positive perceptions .We should endeavor to expand the reach of our initiatives though regular screening and televising of our films and programmes in both countries.
Fourth, we need to re-invigorate our intellectual and cultural exchanges. Yoga in India and Tai Chi in China as well as traditional medicine are part of our cultural heritage. Our annual India-China Think-Tank Forum and High-level Media Forum are good initiatives. Greater exchanges between institutions of higher learning, more cultural festivals and joint research and scholarship programmes can help dispel the notion that we need to look to the West and not to each other to make progress in education, science & technology.
Fifth, travel can be a very important binding factor. It is obvious that in the coming decade, Indians and Chinese will represent the largest volume of tourist travel globally. The immense potential of India as a tourism destination must be better projected. I commend both Governments for holding the Visit India Year in China last year and the Visit China Year in India this year. We welcome your Government's decision to open a second route for the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage. Indians would like to have more opportunities to travel to their holy sites in China and, in turn, welcome more Chinese visits to Buddhist pilgrimage centres in India.
Sixth, civil society is playing an increasingly significant role in both our societies, addressing a range of common concerns including the challenges of urbanization, environmental degradation, the urgent need for skills development and the digital divide. By pursuing sustainable solutions and sharing experiences, civil societies on both sides can collaborate – duly respecting the parameters in which they are required to operate in our respective countries.
Seventh, we have a common approach to global and developmental issues that facilitate our strong cooperation in multilateral fora including the G-20, BRICS, EAS, AIIB, SCO and the United Nations. We can use such platforms to enhance public awareness of the desire of both our countries for a shared future shaped by us together. As our respective peoples and the world see our Governments working together at the global and regional level, they, too, will support and contribute to the achievement of our shared goals.
Finally, trade and commerce can be the most powerful agents in reinforcing our complementarities. We are pleased that in the past decade there has been substantial growth in our bilateral trade and investment ties, but there is a vast untapped potential waiting to be fully realised. We invite Chinese companies to participate in the 'Make in India' initiative and to join us in Start Up India. Let us jointly innovate to create a new model for business.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am confident that by placing these eight pillars at the foundation of a “people centric” approach we can successfully enhance and strengthen our co-operation to the mutual benefit of both our peoples.
In 1942, Gandhiji had said "I look forward to the day when a free India and a free China will cooperate together in friendship and brotherhood for their own good and for the good of Asia and the world." I call on the peoples of India and China to tirelessly strive for that objective - despite the current challenges. I am confident that we can work together to achieve this golden vision.
22.IAF Participation in Ex Desert Eagle – II at UAE
A bilateral Air Force exercise between India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) is underway at Al-Dhafra Air Base in UAE from 24 May 16 to 03 Jun 16. Ex-Desert Eagle-I with UAE Air Force was held at the same location in Sep 08. Su-30 MkI of the Indian Air Force and Mirage 2000-9, F-16 of UAE Air Force are participating in the exercise.
23.“Mission 11 Million” to engage more than 11 million children in activities relating to Football to be launched in October, 2016
The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has urged the states and Union Territories to take necessary steps to popularize and promote the sport of Football in their territory in order to make the FIFA U-17 World Cup a huge success, by including Football in various programmes of the State Governments.
In a letter sent to all Chief Secretaries of states and Union Territories, the Secretary, Department of Sports Shri Rajiv Yadav has said that FIFA U-17 World Cup is going to be held in India in October, 2017 and it is the first time that this prestigious tournament will be held in India.
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Thursday, 26 May 2016
PIB NEWS : (8.5.2016 to 14.5.2016)
1.PM addresses International Convention on Universal Message of Simhastha
· The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today addressed the International Convention on the Universal Message of the Simhastha, at Ninaura near Ujjain.
· President Sirisena accompanied the Prime Minister from Indore, and both leaders arrived at the Convention together.
· Addressing the gathering, which has also been described as a “Vichar Kumbh” on the sidelines of the Kumbh Mela, the Prime Minister described this convention as the birth of a new effort.
· He said this was a modern edition of what might have happened in ancient times, when thought-leaders of society would gather at the sites of Kumbh melas, to reflect and provide new vision to society.
· Speaking at length on Indian tradition and culture, he said that the mantra of a ‘Bhikshuk’ is “may good happen to the person who gives me alms, and even to the person who does not.”
· The Prime Minister gave several other illustrations of the values and humanism which define Indian culture.
· Referring to the launch of the Simhasth Declaration, which was dedicated to the world by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Prime Minister said this will mark the start of a new discourse not only in India but around the world.
· The Prime Minister suggested that a ‘Vichar Kumbh’ should be held every year, to discuss issues such as afforestation and education of the girl child.
2.Exercise Red Flag:
The IAF Team Sets Course Back at the end of a ‘Perfect Flag’
The IAF Team Sets Course Back at the end of a ‘Perfect Flag’
Red Flag Alaska 16-1, which was an advanced aerial combat training exercise hosted at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska (a successor to the previous COPE THUNDER exercise series) held in the Alaska region, concluded on 14 May 16.
The main phase of the exercise had commenced on 28 Apr 16 with a mix of combat and support elements participating from IAF, USAF and USN.
3.Cabinet approves National Intellectual Property Rights Policy
“Creative India; Innovative India: रचनात्मक à¤ारत; अà¤िनव à¤ारत”
The Union Cabinet yesterday approved the National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy that will lay the future roadmap for intellectual property in India.
The Policy recognises the abundance of creative and innovative energies that flow in India, and the need to tap into and channelise these energies towards a better and brighter future for all.
The Policy recognizes that India has a well-established TRIPS-compliant legislative, administrative and judicial framework to safeguard IPRs, which meets its international obligations while utilizing the flexibilities provided in the international regime to address its developmental concerns. It reiterates India’s commitment to the Doha Development Agenda and the TRIPS agreement.
The broad contours of the National IPR Policy are as follows:
Vision Statement: An India where creativity and innovation are stimulated by Intellectual Property for the benefit of all; an India where intellectual property promotes advancement in science and technology, arts and culture, traditional knowledge and biodiversity resources; an India where knowledge is the main driver of development, and knowledge owned is transformed into knowledge shared.
Mission Statement:
Stimulate a dynamic, vibrant and balanced intellectual property rights system in India to:
· foster creativity and innovation and thereby, promote entrepreneurship and enhance socio-economic and cultural development, and
· focus on enhancing access to healthcare, food security and environmental protection, among other sectors of vital social, economic and technological importance.
Objectives:
The Policy lays down the following seven objectives:
1.IPR Awareness: Outreach and Promotion - To create public awareness about the economic, social and cultural benefits of IPRs among all sections of society.
2.Generation of IPRs - To stimulate the generation of IPRs.
3.Legal and Legislative Framework - To have strong and effective IPR laws, which balance the interests of rights owners with larger public interest.
4.Administration and Management - To modernize and strengthen service-oriented IPR administration.
5.Commercialization of IPRs - Get value for IPRs through commercialization.
6.Enforcement and Adjudication - To strengthen the enforcement and adjudicatory mechanisms for combating IPR infringements.
7.Human Capital Development - To strengthen and expand human resources, institutions and capacities for teaching, training, research and skill building in IPRs.
These objectives are sought to be achieved through detailed action points.
The action by different Ministries/ Departments shall be monitored by DIPP which shall be the nodal department to coordinate, guide and oversee implementation and future development of IPRs in India.
The National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy will endeavor for a “Creative India; Innovative India.
4.Earth Day :
· The Earth Day is celebrated on 22ndApril every year to create awareness among the public regarding issue related to Environment & Conservation of Mother Earth.
· On the Earth day this year India signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change .
· The Paris Agreement is meant to enhance the implementation of the Convention and aims to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change.
· In this regard, the Government has taken various measures such as introduction of cleaner technologies in thermal power generation, promoting renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, implementation of Green India Mission, programmes related to afforestation and activities aimed at reducing vulnerability to climate change.
5.Climate change
The National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) has implemented following major research activities in respect of climate change on North Pole.
i. Long term monitoring of Kongsfjorden system of Arctic region for climate change studies to study long term variability of physical and biogeochemical parameters of the fjord.
ii. Investigations of atmospheric aerosols and there characterization over the Arctic during summer season to study Arctic haze formation and its impact on ice melt in the region in association with changes in radiative forcing and snow scavenging.
iii. Holocene climate change and sedimentation Pattern in Ny-Ã…lesund area, Svalbard through studying sediment dynamics and deposition of core samples collected.
iv. Mass balance and dynamics of selected glaciers of Spitsbergen, Svalbard to collect relevant number of snow samples (installed stake/snow pit) and further analyse them for ionic and trace metal concentration. Similarly meltwater will be collected from stream for their analysis of ionic and trace metal concentration.
v. Monitoring of Arctic using Micro Rain Radar and measuring the temperature and humidity profiles using a Microwave Radiometer.
vi. Investigation of dissolved as well as sedimentary forms of Organic matter in the Kongsfjorden for Dissolved as well as Particulate Partitioning of organic Matter Pool through measurement of DOC (Dissolved Organic Carbon) and DON (Dissolved Organic Nitrogen). Particulate organic Carbon and Nitrogen (POC and PON) Carbohydrates Monosacharides and Polysacharides.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Y.S.Chowdary in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
i. Long term monitoring of Kongsfjorden system of Arctic region for climate change studies to study long term variability of physical and biogeochemical parameters of the fjord.
ii. Investigations of atmospheric aerosols and there characterization over the Arctic during summer season to study Arctic haze formation and its impact on ice melt in the region in association with changes in radiative forcing and snow scavenging.
iii. Holocene climate change and sedimentation Pattern in Ny-Ã…lesund area, Svalbard through studying sediment dynamics and deposition of core samples collected.
iv. Mass balance and dynamics of selected glaciers of Spitsbergen, Svalbard to collect relevant number of snow samples (installed stake/snow pit) and further analyse them for ionic and trace metal concentration. Similarly meltwater will be collected from stream for their analysis of ionic and trace metal concentration.
v. Monitoring of Arctic using Micro Rain Radar and measuring the temperature and humidity profiles using a Microwave Radiometer.
vi. Investigation of dissolved as well as sedimentary forms of Organic matter in the Kongsfjorden for Dissolved as well as Particulate Partitioning of organic Matter Pool through measurement of DOC (Dissolved Organic Carbon) and DON (Dissolved Organic Nitrogen). Particulate organic Carbon and Nitrogen (POC and PON) Carbohydrates Monosacharides and Polysacharides.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Y.S.Chowdary in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
6.Conversion of sea water into potable water
· The cost of conversion of sea water into potable water depends primarily on the type of technology, capacity of the plant, location and cost of electricity which varies from place to place.
· According to the cost estimates made in August 2010 by an independent agency for Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) technology, indigenously developed and demonstrated by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), an autonomous Institute under Ministry of Earth Sciences, the cost per litre of desalinated potable water is about 61 paise for island based plants.
· NIOT has set up one LTTD plant with its own funds at Kavaratti with a cost of about Rs. 5 crores and two plants, one each at Minicoy and Agatti islands with funds from Lakshadweep Administration with a cost Rs. 10.4 crores and Rs. 16.4 crores, respectively.
· One experimental LTTD plant using condenser waste heat from power plant was set up at North Chennai Thermal Power Station (NCTPS) with an expenditure of Rs. 4.5 crores by NIOT.
7 .Parliament passes the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code :
· Today is a historical day for economic reforms in India when the Rajya Sabha passed the major economic reform Bill moved by the Government i.e. ‘Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016’.
· This is considered as the biggest economic reform next only to GST. The Lok Sabha had earlier passed the Bill on 5th May, 2016.
In India, the legal and institutional machinery for dealing with debt default has not been in line with global standards.
In India, the legal and institutional machinery for dealing with debt default has not been in line with global standards.
· The recovery action by creditors, either through the Contract Act or through special laws such as the Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993 and the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002, has not had desired outcomes.
· Similarly, action through the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985 and the winding up provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 have neither been able to aid recovery for lenders nor aid restructuring of firms.
· Laws dealing with individual insolvency, the Presidential Towns insolvency Act, 1909 and the Provincial Insolvency Act. 1920, are almost a century old.
· This has hampered the confidence of the lender. When lenders are unconfident, debt access for borrowers is diminished.
· This reflects in the state of the credit markets in India.
· Secured credit by banks is the largest component of the credit market in India. The corporate bond market is yet to develop.
· The law aims to consolidate the laws relating to insolvency of companies and limited liability entities (including limited liability partnerships and other entities with limited liability), unlimited liability partnerships and individuals, presently contained in a number of legislations, into a single legislation. Such consolidation will provide for a greater clarity in law and facilitate the application of consistent and coherent provisions to different stakeholders affected by business failure or inability to pay debt.
The salient features of the law are as follows:
i- Clear, coherent and speedy process for early identification of financial distress and resolution of companies and limited liability entities if the underlying business is found to be viable.
ii- Two distinct processes for resolution of individuals, namely- “Fresh Start” and “Insolvency Resolution”.
iii- Debt Recovery Tribunal and National Company Law Tribunal to act as Adjudicating Authority and deal with the cases related to insolvency, liquidation and bankruptcy process in respect of individuals and unlimited partnership firms and in respect of companies and limited liabilities entities respectively.
iv- Establishment of an Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India to exercise regulatory oversight over insolvency professionals, insolvency professional agencies and information utilities.
v- Insolvency professionals would handle the commercial aspects of insolvency resolution process. Insolvency professional agencies will develop professional standards, code of ethics and be first level regulator for insolvency professionals members leading to development of a competitive industry for such professionals.
vi- Information utilities would collect, collate, authenticate and disseminate financial information to be used in insolvency, liquidation and bankruptcy proceedings.
vii- Enabling provisions to deal with cross border insolvency.
The salient features of the law are as follows:
i- Clear, coherent and speedy process for early identification of financial distress and resolution of companies and limited liability entities if the underlying business is found to be viable.
ii- Two distinct processes for resolution of individuals, namely- “Fresh Start” and “Insolvency Resolution”.
iii- Debt Recovery Tribunal and National Company Law Tribunal to act as Adjudicating Authority and deal with the cases related to insolvency, liquidation and bankruptcy process in respect of individuals and unlimited partnership firms and in respect of companies and limited liabilities entities respectively.
iv- Establishment of an Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India to exercise regulatory oversight over insolvency professionals, insolvency professional agencies and information utilities.
v- Insolvency professionals would handle the commercial aspects of insolvency resolution process. Insolvency professional agencies will develop professional standards, code of ethics and be first level regulator for insolvency professionals members leading to development of a competitive industry for such professionals.
vi- Information utilities would collect, collate, authenticate and disseminate financial information to be used in insolvency, liquidation and bankruptcy proceedings.
vii- Enabling provisions to deal with cross border insolvency.
· The essential idea of the new law is that when a firm defaults on its debt, control shifts from the shareholders / promoters to a Committee of Creditors, who have 180 days in which to evaluate proposals from various players about resuscitating the company or taking it into liquidation.
· When decisions are taken in a time-bound manner, there is a greater chance that the firm can be saved as a going concern, and the productive resources of the economy (the labour and the capital) can be put to the best use.
· This is in complete departure with the experience under the SICA regime where there were delays leading to destruction of the value of the firm.
· The vision of the new law is to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.
· Some business ventures will always fail, but they will be handled rapidly and swiftly.
· A key innovation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code is four pillars of institutional infrastructure.
· The first pillar of institutional infrastructure is a class of regulated persons, the ‘Insolvency Professionals’. They would play a key role in the efficient working of the bankruptcy process. They would be regulated by ‘Insolvency Professional Agencies’.
· The second pillar of institutional infrastructure is a new industry of `Information Utilities'. These would store facts about lenders and terms of lending in electronic databases. This would eliminate delays and disputes about facts when default does take place.
· The third pillar of institutional infrastructure is in adjudication. The NCLT will be the forum where firm insolvency will be heard and DRTs will be the forum where individual insolvencies will be heard.
· These institutions, along with their Appellate bodies, viz., NCLAT and DRATs will be adequately strengthened so as to achieve world class functioning of the bankruptcy process.
· The fourth pillar of institutional infrastructure is a regulator viz., ‘The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India’. This body will have regulatory over-sight over the Insolvency Professional, Insolvency Professional agencies and information utilities.
· The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code is thus a comprehensive and systemic reform, which will give a quantum leap to the functioning of the credit market. It would take India from among relatively weak insolvency regimes to becoming one of the world's best insolvency regimes.
· It lays the foundations for the development of the corporate bond market, which would finance the infrastructure projects of the future. The passing of this Code and implementation of the same will give a big boost to ease of doing business in India.
8.Union Home Minister addresses 4th Ministerial Meeting of SAIEVAC
The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh addressed the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children (SAIEVAC), here today.
Chairing the meeting Shri Rajnath Singh said that the safety, security, dignity and wellbeing of our children and young people will determine the wellbeing and strength of our countries.
Following is the text of the Union Home Minister’s address:
9.Literacy Among Muslims
· Pursuant to the receipt of Sachar committee Report, it was decided to carry out a mass mobilization campaign in all districts, having a substantial population of Muslims, to generate awareness about the need for literacy and elementary education and to promote vocational education and skill development.
· A special literacy drive was to be taken up in these districts to improve the overall literacy rate and especially the literacy rate of Muslim women.
· Saakshar Bharat, a centrally sponsored scheme for adult education and skill development, is being implemented since October, 2006 in the rural areas of 410 districts in 26 States and 1 UT that had adult female literacy of 50% or lower as per Census 2001, and all left wing extremism affected districts irrespective of their literacy rates.
· The main goal of the programme is to increase the country’s literacy rate to 80% and reduce the gender gap of 10 percentage points.
· The programme is primarily focused on women, SCs, STs, Muslim minorities and other disadvantaged groups in the rural areas in low literacy States / UTs.
· The principal target of the Saakshar Bharat programme is to impart functional literacy to 70 million adults in the age-group of 15 years and beyond.
· Ministry of Human Resource Development has informed that 30.08% of the total enrolment in minority districts was of Muslim children in 2012-13 which increased to 31.22% in 2013-14.
· Further, as per Census 2011, the literacy rate among Muslims is 68.5% (Muslim Males- 74.7% and Muslim Females- 62%), which is much higher as compared to the literacy rate of 59.1% among Muslims as per Census 2001.
· The percentage of recruitment of minorities in Central Government / Public Sector Undertakings was 8.56% in 2014-15 in comparison to 7.89% during 2013-14. Besides, as per Census 2011, the Work Participation Rate (WPR) for the Muslims was 32.6 % (reason for not working by an individual is not collected in the Census) as compared to 31.3 % as per Census 2001.
The Government is already implementing a number of schemes / initiatives for educational empowerment of minorities, including Muslims, so as to ensure their adequate representation in technical and higher educational institutions as well as the Government jobs for the minorities. A list of schemes/initiatives implemented by theMinistry of Minority Affairs and other Central Ministries for educational empowerment of minorities, including Muslims, is-
10. DETAILS OF SCHEMES / INITIATIVES MEANT FOR EDUCATIONAL ENHANCEMENT/ EMPOWERMENT OF MINORITIES ARE AS UNDER:
1. Pre-Matric Scholarship
2. Post-Matric Scholarship
3.Merit-cum-Means Scholarship
4.Maulana Azad National Fellowship
5.Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme for providing services through Anganwadi Centres
6.Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and opening of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas
7.‘Padho Pardesh'- Interest subsidy on educational loans for overseas studies
8.‘Nai Udaan'- Support for students clearing Prelims conducted by UPSC, SSC, State Public Service Commissions, etc.
9.Scheme for Providing Quality Education in Madarsas (SPQEM)
10.Scheme for Infrastructure Development of Minority Institutions (IDMI)
11.Greater Resources for Teaching Urdu
12.Free Coaching and Allied Scheme
13.Schemes of Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) for promotion of education.
14.Mid Day Meal Scheme
15.Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)
16.Sakshar Bharat/ Maulana Azad Taleem-e-Balighan
17.Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS)
18.Block Institutes of Teachers Education
19. Women’s Hostel.
20.Educational loans given by the National Minority Development & Finance Commission (NMDFC).
21.Educational loans under Priority Sector Lending.
22.Issue of guidelines for giving special consideration for recruitment of minorities.
23.Educational infrastructures created under Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) in the minority concentration blocks/towns.
24.Nai Manzil- A Scheme to Provide Education and Skill Training to the Youth from Minority Communities (a new scheme).
The salient features of the Sachar Committee, which submitted its Report on 17.11.2006, inter-alia, with respect to educational status and Employment and Economic opportunities of the Muslims in the country are at enlisted
Educational status of the Muslims
i.The literacy rate among Muslims was 59.1%, which was below the national average of 64.8%.
ii. The mean years of schooling (MYS) is lower compared to the average MYS for all children.
iii. 25% of Muslim children in the age of 6 — 14 years age group have either never attended school or have dropped out.
iv. The majority of Muslim girls and boys fail in their matriculation examination or drop out before that.
v. Less than 4% of Muslims are graduates or diploma holders compared to about 7% of the population aged 20 years and above.
vi.There is a strong desire and enthusiasm for education among Muslim women and girls across the board.
vii. Schools beyond primary level are few in Muslim localities. Exclusive schools for girls are fewer.
viii. Lack of hostel facilities is a limiting factor, especially for girls.
ix. Muslim parents are not averse to modern or mainstream education and to sending their children to affordable Government schools. They do not necessarily prefer to send children to Madarsas. However, the access to Government schools for Muslim children is limited.
Employment and Economic opportunities of the Muslims
i. Self-employment is the main source of income of Muslims. They are engaged more in self-employed manufacturing and trade activities compared to others.
ii. The share of Muslim workers engaged in street vending is the highest. More than 12 per cent of Muslim male workers are engaged in street vending as compared to the national average of less than 8 per cent.
iii. The percentage of women Muslim workers undertaking work within their own homes is much larger at 70 per cent compared to all workers at 51 per cent.
iv. The share of Muslims in the total workers engaged in the tobacco and textiles/garment related industries are quite significant.
v. The share of Muslim workers in production related activities and transport equipment operation is much higher at 34%, as against 21% of all workers.
vi. More than 16 per cent of Muslims were engaged as sales workers, while the national average was only about 10 per cent.
vii. While the participation of Muslim workers is relatively higher in production and sales related occupations, their participation was relatively lower in professional, technical, clerical and to some extent managerial work.
viii. Muslims, by and large, are engaged in the unorganized sector of the economy and have to bear the brunt of liberalization.
ix. The participation of Muslims in regular salaried jobs is much less than workers of other socio-religious categories.
x. Muslims are relatively more vulnerable in terms of conditions of work as their concentration in informal sector employment is higher and their job conditions, even among regular workers, are less for Muslims than those of other socio-religious communities.
xi. Percentage of households availing banking facilities is much lower in villages where the share of Muslim population is high.
This Information was given by Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, the Minister of State for Minority affairs, in reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
11. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana
The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy has said that Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is a flagship skill development scheme of Government of India targeting to cover 24 lakh youth in the country.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today the Minister said, The scheme is being implemented by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
As on 25th April, 2016, a total of 17.58 lakh candidates have been trained and 5.77 lakh have been certified and 81978 placed under PMKVY.
12.ECO-Tourism Around Freshwater Lakes in India
For development of tourism infrastructure in the country, the Ministry of Tourism has launched the Swadesh Darshan scheme - Integrated Development of Theme-Based Tourist Circuits, in 2014-15. Eco Circuit has been identified as one of the thirteen thematic circuits for development under the scheme. The Ministry has sanctioned following projects to various State Governments under Eco Circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan scheme:
(Rs. in Crore)
Sl. No.
|
Name of the Project
|
Amt. Sanctioned
|
1.
|
Integrated Development of Eco-Tourism, Adventure Sports, Associated Tourism related Infrastructure for Development of Tehri Lake & Surroundings as New Destination-District Tehri, Uttarakhand.
|
80.37
|
2.
|
Integrated Development of Eco Tourism Circuit in Mahaboobnagar district, Telangana.
|
91.62
|
3.
|
Development of Pathanamthitta – Gavi – Vagamon – Thekkady as Eco Tourism Circuit in Idduki and Pathanamthitta Districts in Kerala.
|
99.22
|
13.High Incidence of Sickle Cell Anaemia
The prevalence of Sickle Cell Anemia is higher in the tribal belt of Western,Central and Southern Indian States having Schedule V Areas; not so much in the tribes of North-East India including Schedule VI areas.
The sickle cell gene is passed from generation to generation in a pattern of inheritance. Government has decided to screen three crore tribal children across the country to find the severity of incidences of Sickle Cell Anemia among them.
The children with Sickle Cell trait or disease are counselled through their parents not to marry the other carrying trait or disease in order to control spread of the disease to next generation.
The Ministry organized regional training workshops in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to facilitate State/ UTs to train adequate manpower to undertake the screening exercise using a simple and cost effective screening test developed by ICMR.
In addition, Department of Biotechnology is involved in research to find cure of the disease.
A statement showing result of screening process for determining incidences of Sickle Cell Trait / Disease among ST persons in the States having Schedule V areas is given below:-
S. No.
|
Name of the States having Schedule V areas
|
Result of Sickle Cell Anemia Screening as on 31.12.2015
| |
No. of persons screened
|
No. of Cases Detected Positive (Trait / Disease)
| ||
1.
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
87617
|
53
|
2.
|
Chhattisgarh
|
172893
|
21857
|
3.
|
Gujarat
|
8644928
|
758827
|
4.
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
0
|
NA
|
5.
|
Jharkhand
|
300
|
12
|
6.
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
386288
|
923
|
7.
|
Maharashtra
|
1123475
|
81060
|
8.
|
Odisha
|
48091
|
10241
|
9.
|
Rajasthan
|
143
|
0
|
10.
|
Telangana
|
23392
|
617
|
Total
|
10487127
|
873590
| |
NA = Not Available
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
14.Projects allotted to NGOS
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has formulated the following schemes for the welfare of STs:-
(a) Grants in aid to Voluntary Organizations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes.
(b) Strengthening Education among Scheduled Tribe Girls in Low Literacy Districts.
(c) Vocational Training in Tribal Areas.
(d) Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
The objective of the schemes, inter-alia, is to encourage development of tribal through voluntary efforts for temporarily filling gaps in areas like health, education, livelihood etc. Ministry of Tribal Affairs had got evaluation of the schemes conducted by an Independent Agency in States of Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. The gap-filling intervention thorough these schemes have made positive impact in the life of needy tribals as reported by the independent evaluation study.
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
(a) Grants in aid to Voluntary Organizations working for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes.
(b) Strengthening Education among Scheduled Tribe Girls in Low Literacy Districts.
(c) Vocational Training in Tribal Areas.
(d) Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
The objective of the schemes, inter-alia, is to encourage development of tribal through voluntary efforts for temporarily filling gaps in areas like health, education, livelihood etc. Ministry of Tribal Affairs had got evaluation of the schemes conducted by an Independent Agency in States of Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. The gap-filling intervention thorough these schemes have made positive impact in the life of needy tribals as reported by the independent evaluation study.
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
15.The three day historic meeting of SAARC countries ends with a commitment to set up a uniform toll free Helpline for children across the region
Member countries to cooperate on ICT initiatives to trace missing children, on the lines of Track child and Khoya paya
· The three day historic meeting of South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children (SAIEVAC) ended in New Delhi today with a stepped up commitment to promote child rights and safety and security of children in the SAARC region.
· The meeting saw an enthusiastic participation of Ministers and delegates from across the SAARC region. The Union Home Minister, Government of India, Shri Rajnath Singh was the Chief Guest at today’s Ministerial meeting.
16.Exercise Chakravyuh-II Culminates
In a follow up to ‘Exercise Shatrujeet’ by the Strike Corps (Strike One) last month, the pivot formations held the fortnight-longmilitary training exercise codenamed “Exercise CHAKRAVYUH-II” which concluded today in the general area of Suratgarh in Rajasthan.
· The exercise conceptualized by the Pivot Corps involved rapid mobilization and execution of plans in sync with the Air Force in desert terrain and was declared a success.
· The exercise validated the battle readiness and operational effectiveness of the RAPID Division along with all its affiliated components.
17.Government takes various steps in last two years to curb the menace of Black Money both within and outside the country.
The present Government has taken various decisions and steps to curb the menace of black money both within and outside the country in last two years. Some of the major decisions and actions taken in this regard are given below:
1. Sustained steps taken for curbing black money:-
(a) A new Black Money Act has been enacted with strict penalty provisions.
(b) Special Investigation Team has been constituted which is chaired by ex-Supreme Court Judge Justice M.B. Shah vide notification dated 29th May, 2014.. Many recommendations of SIT have been implemented since then.
(c) A new Income Disclosure Scheme is formulated for domestic black money.
(d) Enhanced enforcement measures have resulted in un-earthing of tax evasion of approximately Rs 50,000 Crore of indirect taxes and undisclosed income of Rs 21,000 Crore (Prov.). The value of goods seized on account of smuggling activities has increased to Rs 3,963 Crore in the last two years (32% increase over corresponding two previous years).
(e) Prosecution has been launched in 1466 cases as against 1169 cases in the previous two years (25% increase).
2. Amendments made in Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002, vide Finance Act, 2015 :
· The definition of proceeds of crime under PMLA has been amended to enable attachment and confiscation of equivalent asset in India where the asset located abroad cannot be forfeited.
· Section 8(8) has been inserted in PMLA providing for restoring confiscated property or part thereof, on the directions of Special Court to claimants with a legitimate interest in the property, who may have suffered a quantifiable loss as a result of the offences of money laundering.
· Section 132 of Customs Act which deals with offence relating to false declaration / documents in the transaction of any business relating to Customs has been made predicate offence under PMLA to curb trade based money laundering.
3. Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 has been amended vide Finance Act, 2015. The amendments provide for seizure and confiscation of value equivalent, situated in India, in case any person is found to have acquired any foreign exchange, foreign security or immovable property, situated outside India, in contravention of Section 4 of FEMA.
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INTERNATIONAL BUDDHA POORNIMA DIWAS 2016 CELEBRATION
They can be divided into two types:
2. Old Bhangar soils:
3. Red Soils :
4. Laterite Soils :
5. Desert Soils :
6. Mountain Soils :
CAUSES OF SOIL EROSION IN India :
1)Heavy population pressure on land: - forest cover as low as 20.55% of total area – population continues to rise at a rapid rate – more forests are destroyed – heavy pressure on land.
2)Nature of Rainfall:-
SOIL CONSERVATION : PREVENTION OF SOIL EROSION :
1.Terrace Farming:
2. Contour ploughing :
3)Afforestation:
7) Ploughing Gullies:
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Sunday, 22 May 2016
P.I.B : NEWS (15-5-2016 to 21-5-2016)
1.“VESAK SAMMAN PRASHASTI PATRA-2016” AWARDS PRESENTED TO BUDDHIST SCHOLARS FOR PROMOTION AND DISSEMINATION OF BUDDHIST STUDIES
INTERNATIONAL BUDDHA POORNIMA DIWAS 2016 CELEBRATION
· ‘International Buddha Poornima Diwas 2016’ was celebrated here today to commemorate the Thrice Blessed Day of Buddha’s Birth, Sambodhiprapti and Mahaparinirvana falling on the auspicious full moon day of the month of Vaishakh.
· UN recognizes the importance of this day. The UN Day of Vesak Celebration is internationally a cultural and humanistic festival of the United Nations International Organizing Committee.
· The established process of this celebration commenced in year 2000.
· Buddha Purnima or Vesak is regarded as the thrice-sacred day that celebrates three momentous events in the history of human kind, regardless of the country or Buddhist tradition to which we belong, namely Buddha’sbirth, sambodhiprapti and mahaparinirvana.
· India is the land of the origin of Buddha dharma, and home to three of the four holiest Buddhist sites, namely Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar, and numerous others connected with Buddha’s life and thereafter.
· Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha in Lumbini in present day Nepal.
· He attained sambodhiprapti in Bodhgaya in Bihar, and mahaparinirvana in Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh.
2.Dr. Mahesh Sharma inaugurates exhibition ‘frontier Gandhi and the Indian Freedom Movement’ to commemorate 125th birth anniversary of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan .
· Addressing on the occasion, Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was a great person who was devoted to the Freedom of India and Hindu-Muslim unity.
· It is a great moment that today his family members are present here in this function. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Gandhi ji were complementary to each other and we will keep his memories alive for the decades to come.
· He said that Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan’s 125th birth anniversary calls for a special exploration of his life of sacrifice, commitment and achievement.
· His life and message are an inspiration for India and humanity at large. He stood for the finest in the Pathan character as seen in his intense passion for freedom, implicit faith in God, indomitable courage, boldness and fearlessness.
· Dr. Sharma said that Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was a staunch nationalist and a pluralist to the core.
· He never accepted the two nation theory and strongly opposed the partition of India. He advocated the unity among the Hindus and Muslims as one nation.
· The Minister said Badshah Khan was of the opinion that when various constitutional formulas failed against the Partition Plan and a Referendum was recommended in the Frontier provinces to decide whether it should join the latter or the former, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was stunned at this decision. He said, "Mahatmaji, you have thrown us to the wolves”.
· The Minister said that Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, popularly known as Badshah Khan or the Frontier Gandhi, was among those truly distinguished leaders, who led the people in an epic struggle against British imperialism.
· He was a deeply religious man, committed social reformer, passionate advocator of Pashto language, believer in the unity of India and above all a staunch Gandhian. He was awarded Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award in 1987.
· He opined said that Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, being a socio-religious reformer to the core, realized that the lack of proper education let the Pakhtuns go astray. He wanted to unite all the tribes of Pakhtuns, educate them and reform the Pakhtun society, and eventually he succeeded in his goal to a great extent.
3.Three rail connectivity projects awarded under Sagarmala
· Three rail connectivity projects under the Ministry of Shipping’s flagship programe ‘Sagarmala’, worth Rs 38.71 crores have been awarded by Indian Port Rail Company Limited (IPRCL).
· These projects will help to increase connectivity and efficiency of ports. The port wise details of the connectivity projects are:
1) Visakhapatanam Port Trust:
2) Visakhapatanam Port Trust:
3) Chennai Port Trust:
IPCRL is also working towards executing 18 more port connectivity projects. All these projects will help in better port connectivity and quick evacuation of cargo.
4.Indigenously developed fecal incontinence management system ‘Qora’ launched
· The indigenously developed fecal incontinence management system ‘Qora’ was launched by Minister of State for Science & Technology Shri Y.S.Chowdary in New Delhi on Thursday, 19th May, 2016.
· Aimed to train the next generation of medical technology innovators in India to develop innovative and affordable medical devices to augment unmet clinical needs of India, an innovative medical device has been developed under Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology supported Bio design Programme by M/s. Consure Medical, NewDelhi.
· Fecal incontinence (FI) is a medical condition marked by inability to control one’s bowel movements, causing stool (feces) to leak unexpectedly from the rectum.
· It affects nearly 100 million bed ridden patients worldwide. Furthermore, about 50% of the psychiatric ward patients have FI due to long-term neurological diseases.
· Absorbent pads and fecal drainage catheters are the only available solutions for this condition a need for a better solution was felt by the team.
· M/s. Consure Medical has been founded in 2012 by Mr. Nishith Chasmawala and Mr. Amit Sharma, the inventors of the technology. This Company has developed this novel technology ‘Fecal Incontinence Management System-Qora’ to address the clinical and economical implications of fecal incontinence by expanding indications for use, reducing skill level required to use a device, and introducing a new level of care for patients outside the ICU.
· The Consure Medical has developed the QoraTM Stool Management Kit, the world’s first FDA 510(k) approved indwelling fecal drainage device for the management of fecal incontinence that can be used across a continuum of care facilities from ICUs to nursing homes. In select markets like India, caretakers of bedridden patients at home can use the device.
5.RGI releases Census 2011 data on Households by religion, Sex of head of household and household size.
Table HH-7 on Households by religion, sex of head of household and household size reveals the percentage of households to total households in main six religious communities as follows:-
Religious Communities
|
Total no. of households (in million)
|
Percentage to Total households
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
Total Households
|
248.8
|
100.0
|
Hindu
|
202.4
|
81.3
|
Muslim
|
31.2
|
12.5
|
Christian
|
6.3
|
2.5
|
Sikh
|
4.1
|
1.7
|
Buddhist
|
1.9
|
0.7
|
Jain
|
0.9
|
0.4
|
As ‘religion not stated’ and ‘Others’ are not included, so total will not tally.
· The highest percentage of female headed households is noticed in Christian Community (17.4%) followed by Buddhist (15.9%).
· The lowest percentage of female headed households is in Jain community (11.5%).
· As observed from the graph below, the average households size is higher in male headed households as compared to female headed households in all the religious communities.
Sex wise variation is highest among Hindu community (Male headed HH size 4.9, Female headed HH size 3.8) and the least variation is seen among Sikh community (Male headed HH size 5.1, Female headed HH size 4.6).
6.Health Minister launches ‘Kayakalp Fortnight’ to be observed across the country in Central Government hospitals
· “To implement the vision and philosophy behind Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan launched by the Hon. Prime Minister, the Health Ministry launched the Kayakalp initiative last year to set protocols for hygiene and sanitation at government health facilities.
· The initiative towards total “Swacchta” in public health facilities is aimed towards building confidence of the users in public health facilities, provide quality service and encourage team work”.
· the initiative will encourage every public health facility in the country to work towards standards of excellence to help the facilities stay clean and hygienic.
· The Union Health Minister was speaking at the launch of the ‘Kayakalp Fortnight’ which shall be observed throughout the country in various central government hospitals from 20th May, 2016 to 3rd June, 2016 with a view to intensifying the Kayakalp initiatives under the Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan.
· Shri Nadda launched the Kayakalp Fortnight at AIIMS, New Delhi today. Shri Nadda stated that as part of the various activities to be taken up during the fortnight, senior officers of the Ministry will be inspecting various Central Hospitals in the country to take stock of the existing status and to intensify the Swachhta drive. The States have been requested to take up similar campaigns in their respective States.
7. Indian Navy Ships from Kochi deployed for Assistance in Sri-Lanka
· Two Indian Navy warships, INS Sutlej and INS Sunayna, have been deployed to Sri-Lanka on 20 May 16 to provide assistance consequent to the calamity caused due to the cyclone “Roanu”.
· The ships sailed from Kochi with 30-40 tons of relief material which includes inflatable rafts, fresh water, medical supplies, clothing and other provisions necessary for disaster relief operations and are scheduled to reach Colombo harbour on 21 May 16 during the morning hours.
· A Chetak helicopter has also been embarked for the deployment.
8. Cyclonic Storm ‘ROANU’ Over West Central Bay of Bengal
The cyclonic storm ‘ROANU’ over west central Bay of Bengal remained practically stationary and lay centred at 1130 hrs IST of today, the 19th May, 2016 .
9. WCD Minister Smt Maneka Gandhi releases Draft National Policy for Women, 2016 for consultation
· Union WCD Minister Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi released the draft National Policy for Women, 2016 today for stakeholder comments and consultations.
· Releasing the draft policy at a press conference in New Delhi, the Minister stated that the Policy is being revised after 15 years and is expeceted to guide Government action on Women’s issues over the next 15-20 years.
· The Minister stated that several things have changed since the last Policy of 2001 especially women's attitude towards themselves and their expectations from life.
· She stated that in view of this the new draft Policy shifts the focus from entitlements to rights and from empowerment to creating an enabling environment.
· She has requested for widespread comments on the draft policy so that the final policy document can be a true reflection of the voice of all women.
The Salient features of the policy are as follows:
Background:
· Nearly a decade and half has passed since the National Policy for Empowerment of Women, 2001 was formulated.
· The discourse on women’s empowerment has been gradually evolving over the last few decades, wherein paradigm shifts have occurred –from seeing women as mere recipients of welfare benefits to mainstreaming gender concerns and engaging them in the development process of the country.
· These changes have brought forth fresh opportunities and possibilities for women’s empowerment while at the same time presenting new and emerging challenges which along with persisting socio-economic problems continue to hinder gender equality and holistic empowerment of women.
· The policy aims to create sustainable socio-economic, political empowerment of women to claim their rights and entitlements, control over resources and formulation of strategic choices in realisation of the principles of gender equality and justice.
PRIORITY AREAS
I.Health including food security and nutrition:
· Focus on recognizing women’s reproductive rights, shift of family planning focus also to males, addressing health issues in a life cycle continuum such as psychological and general well-being, health care challenges related to nutrition/ hygiene of adolescents, geriatric health care, expansion of health insurance schemes and addressing the intergenerational cycle of under-nutrition
II.Education:
· Improve access to pre-primary education, enrolment and retention of adolescent girls, implement innovative transportation models for better schooling outcomes, advocate gender champions and address disparities with regard to ICTs.
III.Economy:
· Raising visibility, engendering macro-economic policies and trade agreements, generate gender-disaggregated land ownership database, skill development and training for women, entrepreneurial development, review of labour laws and policies, equal employment opportunities with appropriate benefits related to maternity and child care services, address technological needs of women.
IV.Governance and Decision Making:
· Increasing women’s participation in the political arena, administration, civil services and corporate boardrooms,
III. Violence Against Women:
· Address all forms of violence against women through a life cycle approach, Legislations affecting /relating to women will be reviewed/harmonized to enhance effectiveness, Improve Child Sex Ratio (CSR), strict implementation of advisories, guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) and protocols, prevention of trafficking at source, transit and destination areas for effective monitoring of the networks.
IV. Enabling Environment:
· Gender perspective in housing and infrastructure, ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation, gender parity in the mass media & sports, concerted efforts towards strengthening social security and support services for all women especially the vulnerable, marginalized, migrant and single women.
V. Environment and Climate Change:
· addressing gender concerns during distress migration and displacement in times of natural calamities due to climate change and environmental degradation. Promotion of environmental friendly, renewable, non–conventional energy, green energy sources for women in rural households.
· The policy also describes emerging issues such as making cyber spaces safe place for women, redistribution of gender roles, for reducing unpaid care work, review of personal and customary laws in accordance with the Constitutional provisions, Review of criminalization of marital rape within the framework women’s human rights etc. relevant in the developmental paradigms.
Operational strategies
Create an enabling environment through continued and additional initiatives:
1. Enabling safety and security of women :
· with initiatives such as One Stop Centres, Women Helpline, Mahila Police Volunteers, Reservation of women in police force, creating immediate response mechanism through panic buttons in mobiles, public and private transport, surveillance mechanisms in public places.
2.Creating eco-systems to encourage entrepreneurship amongst women:
· through platforms like Mahila E-Haat, dedicated theme based exhibitions, focussed skill training, mentoring through Women Entrepreneurship Council, availability of easy & affordable credit and financial inclusion.
3.Training and capacity building of all stakeholders :
· including youth through Gender Champion initiative, frontline workers, women sarpanches and all officials dealing with policy and delivery systems impacting women.
4.Facilitating women in workplace :
· through gender friendly work place, flexi timings, increased maternity leave, provision of child care / creches at workplace, life cycle health care facilities.
10. Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurates “Purbashree stall” at Dilli Haat
· The North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd (NEHHDC) has set up the Purbashree stall to give further boost to the development and promotion of North East handicrafts and handlooms products.
· While inaugurating the stall, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that for the first time, the stall has been set up on permanent basis which is devoted exclusively to North east.
· The stalls showcasing northeast were earlier put up on temporary basis, he added.
· He said that these stalls will not only showcase the North Eastern culture and ethnicity, but will also help in generating the revenue. The Minister said that the permanent stalls in Dilli Haat is a significant milestone.
· The setting up of North east stalls will help showcase the talent of north east and will help in the promotion of start-ups, he added.
11. Shri Nitin Gadkari Launches INFRACON, ePACE and up-Scaled INAM PRO: Calls Upon All Stakeholders to Use International Best Practises in Road Building
· ePACE (Projects Appraisal & Continuing Enhancements) is an online integrated Management Information System that brings projects from all wings of the Ministry under a common platform.
· ensuring their effective and real time tracking.
· More than 2000 projects being executed by multiple agencies are currently listed on the portal and it is possible to get any information about their real time status, fund utilization etc.
· The portal can be freely accessed by anybody, and information regarding projects in any particular state can be found at the click of a button.
· INFRACON is the National Portal for Infrastructure Consultancy Firms and Key Personnel.
· This portal acts as a kind of bridge between consultancy firms working in the road engineering and construction sector and domain experts and key personnel who are deployed both for project preparation and supervision.
· The portal hosts the credentials of consultancy firms and key personnel and has linkages to Aadhar and Digi-locker for data validation and purity.
· INAM PRO has been developed as a web-based application (www.inampro.nic.in) for Infrastructure and Material Providers.
· It is a kind of a web based market place that brings together the material providers and the prospective buyers on a common platform.
· Ex :The platform was launched in March 2015 to facilitate contractors and cement buyers engaged in executing central/state funded roads and highways and bridge construction projects to place cement orders online with the registered cement companies offering cement at competitive rates in the vicinity of project execution locations. Cement companies are facilitated to update their offered stocks and the prices on the portal.
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Wednesday, 18 May 2016
MAJOR SOIL TYPES IN INDIA
SOIL :
· Soil is the uppermost layer of Earth’s crust.
· Soil is the medium in which plants grow and thus it supports the lives on earth.
The soils of India on the basis of their formation are divided in the following two broad catagories :
1.Residual Soil- which form at the place of their origin. Like – black soils
2.Transported Soil- which are transported from place of their formation. Like alluvial soils.
Factors that control the formation of soil :
A number of factors contribute to the soil formation and fertility.
1.Parent rocks: -
· the rock on which the soil is formed decomposes and disintegrates under the processes of weathering.
· The characteristics of rocks influence the characteristics of soils. For example on lava rocks black soils and iron oxide rich rocks red soils are formed.
2.Climate: - climate influence the rate of weathering of rocks and type of vegetation, thus these influence the characteristics of soils.
3.Slope: -the nature of relief and slope influence the accumulation of soils. Mountains have thin soil cover but the plains have thick soil cover.
4.Time: - time provides maturity to the soil.
5.Various forces of nature such as change in temperature, actions of running water, wind and glaciers, activities of decomposers etc. contribute to the formation of soil.
6.Chemical and organic changes which take place in the soil are equally important.
1. Alluvial Soils :
· Alluvial soil is the most important soil type of India.
· It covers the vast valley areas of the Sutlej, Ganga and Brahmaputra and the fringes of the southern peninsula. It is thin near the fringe of the plateau.
· It covers about 40 percent of land area of the country.
· They are depositional soils, transported and deposited by rivers and streams.
· These soils are formed by the deposition of fine sediments and silt by the rivers along their banks.
· The soils vary from sandy loam to clay in texture and are rich in potash but deficient in nitrogen and organic matter.
· Generally, the colour varies from grey to reddish brown.
· These soil are formed of deposits of silt and sand brought down by the rivers flowing from the Himalayas and the Great Indian plateau.
· Being young, the soils lack profile development.
· Being extremely productive, these soils are most important from the point of view of Indian agriculture.
· In delta region, they are ideal for jute cultivation.
· Almost all crops are grown on these soils.
· The higher proportion of clay makes the soil sticky and drainage is often poor.
1. Young Khadar soils:
· these are newer alluvium of sandy, pale brown composition,found in lower areas of valley bottom which are flooded almost every year.
· The newer alluvium is a light friable loam with a mixture of sand and silt. It is found in river valley, the floodplains and deltas.
· It is non phorous, clayey and loamy.
2. Old Bhangar soils:
· these consist of older alluvium of clayey composition and aredark in colour.
· On the other hand, the older alluvium lies on the inter fluves.
· They are coarse in nature, contain kankar (lime nodules), pebbles, gravels. They are found 30 m above flood level of the rivers.
· Both are different in texture, chemical composition, drainage capacity and fertility.
2. Black Soils (Regur) :
· The black soils are found mainly on the Deccan lava region covering large parts of Maharashtra, some parts of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh and small parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
· 16.6 % of the total land area of the country.
· The soils are formed by disintegration of volcanic basaltic lava.
· The colour of the soil is generally black due to presence of compounds of aluminium and iron.
· Rich in lime and iron, magnesia and alumina . Also contain potash .
Lack phosporus, nitrogen and organic matter .
Lack phosporus, nitrogen and organic matter .
· The soil is locally known as regur which extends roughly to 64 million hectares.
· It is generally clayey deep and has low permeability and impregnable.
· But it’s depth varies from place to place. It is very thick in lowlands but very thin on highlands.
· The most important characteristics of this soil are its ability to retain moisture even during the dry season.
· The soils form wide cracks during summer due to moisture loss and swell and become sticky when saturated.
· Thus, the soil is aerated and oxidised to deep levels which contribute to maintain its fertility.
· This continued fertility is favourable in the area of low rainfall for cotton cultivation even without irrigation.
· Other than cotton, this soil is favourable for the cultivation of crops like sugarcane, wheat, onion and fruits.
3. Red Soils :
· Red soils cover large part of the Peninsular upland in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, South east Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Chotanagpur Plateau and Meghalaya Plateau.
· They encircle the black cotton soil zone.
· They have developed on the crystalline rocks like granite, gneisses and cover roughly 10.6% of the total land area of the country .
· Iron compounds are abundant making the soil reddish in colour but they are deficient in organic matter.
· The red soils are generally less fertile and are not as important agriculturally as the black and alluvial soils.
· Rich in potash & Deficient in nitrogen,lime, magnesia, humus and phosphate.
· But the productive capacity can be raised through irrigation and use of fertilizers.
· This soil is suitable for rice, millet, maize, groundnut, tobacco and fruits.
· Red due to its very high iron content .
4. Laterite Soils :
· laterite = brick (Latin word) These soils are formed under conditions of high temperature and heavy rainfall with alternate wet and dry periods.
· Thus its formation takes place strictly under monsoon conditions.
· Residual soils formed by leaching in areas of heavy rain.
· Leaching is a process in which the nutrients get percolated down below the soil due to heavy rainfall; thus leaving the top soil infertile. Also called DESILICATION.
· The laterite soils are commonly found in area of high altitude and heavy rainfall in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Assam and Meghalaya extending over 13 million hectares.
· They generally form under hot and humid climatic conditions.
· The lateritic soils are particularly found on high flat erosion surfaces in areas of high and seasonal rainfall.
· Loss of nutrients by accelerated leaching is the most common feature which renders the soil infertile.
· The lateritic soils Is of coarse texture, soft and friable.
· It is red due to the presence of iron oxide which is formed by leaching. The soluble plant foods like potash are removed from the top soil leaving alumina and iron oxide.
· it Is a porus soil, silica is removed from it by chemical action.
· It Is poor in lime and magnesium, and deficient in
nitrogen.
nitrogen.
· The pebbly crust is the important feature of laterites which is formed due to alteration of wet and dry periods.
· As a result of weathering, laterite becomes extremely hard.
· Thus, their characteristics include complete chemical decomposition of the parent rock, complete leaching of silica, a reddish brown colour given by the oxides of aluminium and iron and lack of humus.
· The crops which are generally grown are rice, millets, sugarcane on lowland and tropical plantation such as rubber, coffee and tea on uplands.
5. Desert Soils :
· The desert soils occur in western Rajasthan, Saurashtra, Kutchchh, western Haryana and southern Punjab.
· The occurance of these soils is related to desert and semi-desertic conditions and is defined by the absence of water availability for six months.
· The soil is sandy to gravelly with poor organic matter, low humus contents, infrequent rainfall, low moisture and long drought season.
· The soils exhibit poorly developed horizons. Plants are widely spaced. Chemical weathering is limited.
· The colour of the soil is either red or light brown. Generally, these soils lack the basic requirements for agriculture, but when water is available, variety of crops like cotton, rice, wheat etc. can be grown with proper dose of fertilizers.
· suitable for drought resistance crops like millets, barley, cotton, maize and pulses.
6. Mountain Soils :
· The mountain soils are complex and extremely varied.
· The soils vary from deep alluvium in the river basins and lower slopes to highly immature residual gravelly on higher altitudes.
· Because of complex topographic, geologic, vegetation and climatic conditions, no large areas of homogenous soil groups are found.
· Areas of steep relief are mostly devoid of soil.
· Various types of crops are grown in different regions like rice in valley, orchards on slopes and potato in almost all areas.
7. SALINE AND ALKALINE SOILS :
· Soils with high proportion of salts and alkalis are called saline and alkaline soils . They are formed due to accumulation of tidal water in adjoining coasts where drainage is poor.
· They are found in drier parts of Bihar, Rajasthan, U.P., Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra. These soils contain many salts like sodium,
magnesium and calcium which make them infertile and render unfit for agriculture.
magnesium and calcium which make them infertile and render unfit for agriculture.
8. MARSHY SOIL :
· Found in continuously water-logged areas, or marshy areas especially in the coastal regions near the sea or near the deltas.
· It covers about 56,000 sq km.
· They are formed as a result of water-logging.
· It contain iron and varying amount of decayed organic matter.
· Found in southern parts of Siwaliks, Jammu and Kashmir, U.P.
SOIL EROSION :
· Soil erosion is described as the carrying away of soil. It is the theft of the soil .
Common Causes :
· Deforestation
· Over-grazing
· Action of wind, water, glacier, etc.
· Faulty methods of agriculture, over-irrigation, shifting agriculture, wrong ploughing, etc.
· Other anthropogenic factors(mining activities,industrial activities,etc).
CAUSES OF SOIL EROSION IN India :
1)Heavy population pressure on land: - forest cover as low as 20.55% of total area – population continues to rise at a rapid rate – more forests are destroyed – heavy pressure on land.
2)Nature of Rainfall:-
receives 80 to 90 per cent of rainfall in the monsoon season. – heavy downpour during during monsoon months causes floods. - remaining months – droughts – these affect soils.
3)Overgrazing :–
3)Overgrazing :–
number of domestic animals, esp cattle highest in world – cattle freely graze in open lands making them bare of vegetation-winds carry away dry soil particles – Rajasthan
4). Bad farming techniques :–
4). Bad farming techniques :–
plough fields in traditional ways – small size of holdings, absence of terracing, contour cultivation, crop rotation, improper use of manure have caused erosion
5) Topography: –
5) Topography: –
North –Eastern parts of India, Shiwaliks and the hilly regions in south India are affected by soil erosion because of steep slopes and heavy rainfall. During heavy rainfall, soils are washed away by running water down the slope.
6) Deforestation:
6) Deforestation:
destruction of forests for cultivation – cutting of trees exposes the soil to water and wind which leads to soil erosion.
SOIL CONSERVATION : PREVENTION OF SOIL EROSION :
1.Terrace Farming:
On hilly slopes, terraces act as bunds and prevent the soil from being washed away.
2. Contour ploughing :
Ploughing along contourson a slope prevents soil being washed away by rainwater or by surface run off. Contours act like bunds.
Terraces are levelled into step like small fields with even slope.
3)Afforestation:
planting of trees along the edges of the fields, the waste land and on steepy slopes to prevent soil erosion as wellas to enahnce the capacity of the soil to retain water.
4) Shelter Belts:
Farmers plant trees in several rows to check wind erosion. Known as wind breaks.
5) Strip cropping:
5) Strip cropping:
Crops are grown in alternate strips of land to check the impact of the winds.
6) Construction of dams:
Rivers cause soil erosion. Dams are built in the upper course of rivers to control erosion of soil.
This would check the speed of water and thereby save soil from erosion.
6) Construction of dams:
Rivers cause soil erosion. Dams are built in the upper course of rivers to control erosion of soil.
This would check the speed of water and thereby save soil from erosion.
7) Ploughing Gullies:
The gullies made in the soil are plugged with deposition of silt during heavy rains.
8) Shifting or Jhuming or slash and burn type of agriculture should be banned.
8) Shifting or Jhuming or slash and burn type of agriculture should be banned.
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Wednesday, 11 May 2016
RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY IN ANCIENT INDIA
RELIGION :
· Religion is the science of soul. Morality and ethics have their foundation on religion.
· Religion in India was never static in character but was driven by an inherent dynamic strength.
· Indian spirituality is deeply rooted in ancient philosophical and religious traditions of the land.
· Indian sages called Rishis or ‘seers’, developed special techniques of transcending the sense and the ordinary mind, collectively called yoga.
· The sages found that the true nature of the human being is not the body or the mind, which are ever changing and perishable but the spirit which is unchanging, immortal and pure consciousness. They called it the Atman.
· The Atman is the true source of human’s knowledge, happiness and power.
· The rishis further found that all individual selves are parts of infinite consciousness which they called Brahman.
· Brahman is the ultimate reality, the ultimate cause of the universe.
· Ignorance of human’s true nature is the main cause of human suffering and bondage.
· By gaining correct knowledge of Atman and Brahman, it is possible to become free from suffering and bondage and attain a state of immortality, everlasting peace and fulfillment known as Moksha.
· Religion in ancient India meant a way of life which enables a human to realize his true nature and attain Moksha.
PRE-VEDIC AND VEDIC RELIGION :
· From the archaeological findings in the pre and proto-historic sites it seems that these people believed in the sanctity of the creative force and venerated the male and female aspects of divinity.
· It appears that they were worshippers of the forces of nature like the
sun and the moon.
sun and the moon.
· The nature of the religious beliefs and practices of the Aryans is also known from the Rig Veda, They believed in many gods like Indra, Varuna, Agni, Surya and Rudra.
· Sacrifices, and ritual offering of food and drink to fire in honour of the Gods, constituted the main religious practices.
· The Sama Veda and the Yajur Veda elaborated the different aspects of the sacrificial acts and this ritualism was further elaborated in the Brahmanas.
· The Atharva Veda contained a great deal of animistic beliefs.
VEDIC PHILOSOPHY :
· Religion of the Rig Vedic people was very simple in the sense that it consisted mainly of worship of numerous deities representing the various phenomena of nature through prayers.
· It was during the later Vedic period that definite ideas and philosophies about the true nature of soul or Atman and the cosmic principle or Brahman who represented the ultimate reality were developed.
· These Vedic philosophical concepts later on gave rise to six different
schools of philosophies called shada darshana.
schools of philosophies called shada darshana.
· They fall in the category of the orthodox system as the final authority of the Vedas is recognised by all of them.
Samkhya System :
· The Samkhya philosophy holds that reality is constituted of two principles one female and the other male i.e. Prakriti, Purusha respectively.
· Prakriti and Purusha are completely independent and absolute.
· According to this system, Purusha is mere consciousness, hence it cannot be modified or changed.
· Prakriti on the other hand is constituted of three attributes, thought, movement and the change or transformation of these attributes brings about the change in all objects.
· The Samkhya philosophy tries to establish some relationship between Purusha and Prakriti for explaining the creation of the universe.
· The propounder of this philosophy was Kapila, who wrote the Samkhya sutra.
· Infact Samkhya school explained the phenomena of the doctrine of evolution and answered all the questions aroused by the thinkers of those days.
Yoga :
· Yoga literally means the union of the two principal entities.
· The origin of yoga is found in the Yogasutra of Patanjali believed to have been written in the second century BC.
· By purifying and controlling changes in the mental mechanism, yoga systematically brings about the release of purusha from prakriti.
· Yogic techniques control the body, mind and sense organs.
· Thus this philosophy is also considered a means of achieving freedom or mukti.
· This freedom could be attained by practising self-control (yama), observation of rules (niyama), fixed postures(asana), breath control (pranayama), choosing an object (pratyahara) and fixing the mind (dharna), concentrating on the chosen object (dhyana) and complete dissolution of self, merging the mind and the object(Samadhi).
· Yoga admits the existence of God as a teacher and guide.
Nyaya :
· Nyaya is considered as a technique of logical thinking.
· According to Nyaya, valid knowledge is defined as the real knowledge, that is, one knows about the object as it exists.
· For example, it is when one knows a snake as a snake or a cup as a cup.
· Nyaya system of philosophy considers God who creates, sustains and destroys the universe.
· Gautama is said to be the author of the Nyaya Sutras.
Vaisheshika :
· Vaisheshika system is considered as the realistic and objective philosophy of universe.
· The reality according to this philosophy has many bases or categories which are substance, attribute, action, genus, distinct quality and inherence.
· Vaisheshika thinkers believe that all objects of the universe are composed of five elements–earth, water, air, fire and ether.
They believe that God is the guiding principle.
They believe that God is the guiding principle.
· The living beings were rewarded or punished according to the law of karma, based on actions of merit and demerit.
· Creation and destruction of universe was a cyclic process and took place in agreement with the wishes of God.
· Kanada wrote the basic text of Vaisheshika philosophy.
· A number of treatises were written on this text but the best among them is the one written by Prashastapada in the sixth century AD.
· Vaisheshika School of philosophy explained the phenomena of the universe by the atomic theory, the combination of atoms and molecules into matter and explained the mechanical process of formation of Universe.
Mimamsa :
· Mimamsa philosophy is basically the analysis of interpretation, application and the use of the text of theSamhita and Brahmana portions of the Veda.
· According to Mimamsa philosophy Vedas are eternal and possess all knowledge, and religion means the fulfillment of duties prescribed by the Vedas.
· This philosophy encompasses the Nyaya-Vaisheshika systems and emphasizes the concept of valid knowledge.
· Its main text is known as the Sutras of Gaimini which have been written during the third century BC.
· The names associated with this philosophy are Sabar Swami and Kumarila Bhatta.
· The essence of the system according to Jaimini is Dharma which is the dispenser of fruits of one’s actions, the law of righteousness itself.
· This system lays stress on the ritualistic part of Vedas.
Vedanta :
· Vedanta implies the philosophy of the Upanishad, the concluding portion of the Vedas.
· Shankaracharya wrote the commentaries on the Upanishads, Brahmasutras and the Bhagavad Gita.
· Shankaracharya’s discourse or his philosophical views came to be known as Advaita Vedanta.
· Advaita literally means non-dualism or belief in one reality.
· Shankaracharya expounded that ultimate reality is one, it being the Brahman.
· According to Vedanta philosophy, ‘Brahman is true, the world is false and self and Brahman are not different, Shankaracharya believes that the Brahman is existent, unchanging, the highest truth and the ultimate knowledge.
· He also believes that there is no distinction between Brahman and the self.
· The knowledge of Brahman is the essence of all things and the ultimate existence.
· Ramanuja was another well known Advaita scholar.
· Among different schools of philosophy was found one philosophy which reached the climax of philosophic thought that the human mind can possibly reach, and that is known as the Vedantic philosophy.
· Vedanta philosophy has ventured to deny the existence of the apparent ego, as known to us, and in this respect Vedanta has its unique position in the history of philosophies of the world.
· Vedanta is a philosophy and a religion.
· As a philosophy it inculcates the highest truths that have been discovered by the greatest philosophers and the most advanced thinkers of all ages and all countries.
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Friday, 6 May 2016
PLATE TECTONICS
· The uppermost outer solid and rigid layer of the earth is called crust. Its thickness varies considerably.
· It is as little as 5 km thick beneath the oceans at some places but under some mountain ranges it extends upto a depth of 70 km.
· Below the crust denser rocks are found, known as mantle crust.
· This upper part of mantle upto an average depth of 100 km from the surface is solid.
· This solid mantle plus upper crust form a comparatively rigid block termed as lithosphere.
· Mantle is partially molten between 100 to 250 km depth.
· This zone is said to be asthenosphere, also known as Mohr discontinuity, a simplification of Mohorovicic, the name of the seismologist who discovered it.
· The lithosphere is broken into several blocks.
· These blocks are known as plates, which are moving over asthenosphere. There are seven major plates.
1. Eurasian plate,
2. African plate,
3. Indo-Australian plate,
4. Pacific plate,
5. North American plate,
6. South American plate and
7. Antarctic plate.
Apart from these major plates minor plates are about 20 in number, a few important among them are :-
· Arabian plate, Philippine plate, Cocos plate, Nazca plate, Caribbean plate, Scotia plate, etc.
· The major and minor plates constitute the whole surface of the earth.
· Plate tectonics is a method or way of understanding the land-water distribution of the earth.
· Tectonics is a sort of movement of plates.
· Through the movement, internal forces are explained which are responsible for the distribution of earth’s crust, formation of mountain chains and distribtion of earthquakes and volcanism.
Mechanism of plate Movement :
· Arthur Holmes, a British geologist, in 1928 – 1929, proposed that convectional currents exist underneath the lithosphere.
· The centre of convectional current is not exactly known, but it is believed that it has an average depth of about 100 to 250 km below the surface.
· The inception of the current is initiated by heat generation due to radio-active minerals.
· Due to integration and disintegration of atomic minerals heat is produced and hence the melting of surrounding rocks.
· In this way currents start operating. These currents are classified into rising and falling with divergence and convergence activities, respectively.
· With rising convectional current, transport of hot and viscous matter takes place upwardly.
· After reaching about 100 kms below the surface that current gets diverged leading to split into the upper part.
· The molten material penetrates into the split and thus creation of new surface and the draft of the mammoth plate in opposition direction.
· It happens below the mid-oceanic ridge.
· On the other hand two sets of diverging thermal convectional currents brings two plates together and it is called convergent boundary where subduction takes place.
· Plates of lithosphere are constantly in motion because of convectional currents.
· Their relative motion depends upon the force operating over them.
· Boundaries are very distinct and easy to identify.
· They are associated with newly formed mountain systems, oceanic ridges and trenches.
· Plates are moving continuously and have relative direction of movement.
· Based on the direction of movement three types of plate boundaries can, easily, be identified.
(i) Divergent boundary
(ii) Convergent boundary
(iii) Fracture or transform boundary fault.
· The convectional current are caused due to radio-activity.
· These currents get diverted on approaching the crust layer.
Divergent boundary :
· Diverging currents produce tension at the contact-zone of crust leading to fracture.
· Magamatic material penetrates into the fractroges and gets solidified.
· This continuous process pushes the blocks in opposite direction and creates a new zone, known as “zone of construction”.
Convergent boundary:
· At convergent boundary, two adjacent plates come further and further closer to each other and collide.
· When both sides are of continental nature, a mountain formation is evident.
· When one of the two is continental and the other maritime again mountain comes into being along the boundary.
· In this case, continental plate overrides the maritime.
· When both plates are of maritime, both of them break, subduct and penetrate below and, hence, trenches are formed.
· Along this boundary earthquakes and volcanic activities are prominent.
· In all these three situations, surface area is reduced, therefore, this is also known as “zone of destruction”.
Fracture or transform boundary fault :
· Transform fault is the one when two adjacent plates slide past each other.
· Direction of movement may be along or against but they move parallel to each other.
· Therefore, neither there is any construction of fresh area nor it has any destruction. Hence, it is known as “zone of preservation”.
· Plates are not a permanent features but they vary in size and shape. Plates can split or get welded with adjoining plate.
· Almost all tectonic activities occur along the plate boundaries.
Plate Tectonics Vs Earthquakes and Volcanoes :
· The distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes over the globe clearly reveals that they are strongly associated with the boundaries of plates.
· Plate boundaries are the zones where every sort of tectonic activity does take place.
· The release of energy created because of the movement of plates is manifested in this zone in the form of earthquakes and volcanic eruption.
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Wednesday, 4 May 2016
CONTINENTAL DRIFT
· According to Alfred Wegener, the entire landmass of the globe was together about 280 million years ago.
· It was termed as Pangea, a super continent.
· The huge water body surrounding the Pangea was known asPanthalasa.
· From 280 to 150 million years ago, Pangea was broken latitudinally into northern and southern parts known as Laurasia (Angaraland) and Gondwanaland, respectively.
· Both of them drifted away and in between a shallow sea emerged by filling up the water from Panthalasa. It was known as Tethys sea.
· Later on Laurasia and Gondwanaland rifted and finally drifted to form the present day distribution of land and water on the earth.
Evidences of Drift :
· Wegener gave a number of evidences in support of the unification of landmass in geologic past.
· They are such which cannot be negated even today.
a. Jig-saw-fit:-
· Eastern coast of South America is identical to Western coast of Africa which fits to a certain depth in the ocean.
· To a certain extent coastal areas and continental shelves have been modified by oceanic waves through denudation.
b. Geological similarities:-
· The mountain systems of Southern Atalantic coast in South America and Africa show the similarity of the extension in both continents.
c. Coal and Vegetation evidences:-
· The distribution of coal and vegetation over South America, Africa, India and Australia proves that they were together in geological past.
· The classical glacial deposits during carboniferous period over these landmasses resemble each other which tells the story of togetherness.
· Today they lie in different climatic zones. Apart from above evidences put forward by Wegener, other evidences (known later) are also there which support the idea of continental drift.
d. Evidences from paleomagnetism :–
· Paleomagnetism is the study of the direction of pole through ages.
· Magnetically susceptible minerals like haematite, pyrhotite magnetite etc. get aligned with the magnetic pole of the earth and recorded in the solidification of magma during that time.
· It is found that periodic changes have occurred and poles have wandered which is not possible for the entire earth.
· Hence, it is the twist and turn of the landblock and not for the entire earth which has again explained that the continents have shifted their positions.
e. Sea floor spreading :–
· Along the mid Atlantic ridge, magma comes out at the sea bed and gets solidified.
· A new zone is formed and this process is continuing since millions of years.
· It is leading for diversion of continental block, and hence the size of the Atlantic ocean is increasing which is termed as sea floor spreading.
· It is the classical example of the shifting of continents.
· The explanation of continental drift through sea floor spreading and the study of paleomagnetism is commonly known as Plate Tectonics.
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Friday, 29 April 2016
CONCEPT OF ISOSTASY
· The term “Isostasy” is derived from “Isostasios”, a word of Greek language meaning the state of being in balance.
· You already know and must have seen that the mountain have many peaks and relatively great heights.
· Similarly plateau and plain have flat surfaces. They have moderate and lower height, respectively.
· On the contrary oceanic beds and trenches have greater depths. There is a great difference in height among these features.
· You also know that the earth is rotating while keeping perfect balance among its various features.
· Thus, our earth is considered to be in isostatic equilibrium.
· Example:- Suppose you are holding one stick each in your both hands vertically with varying heights, say 5’ and 15’ and you are moving in a particular direction.
· Do you have any difficulty in maintaining a balance in congruence with your body as well as two sticks together? Definitely, smaller stick will be easy to make a balance than the longer one. It is just because of the centre of gravity.
· The centre of gravity with smaller stick will be nearer to your holding hand in comparasion to the longer stick. In the same way smaller surface features like plains are more stable than the tall mountains.
A. Isosatic Balance: views of Airy
· Airy, a geologist, considered the density of different columns (plains, plateaus, mountains, etc.) to be the same. Hence, he proposed the idea of ‘uniform density with varying thickness’.
· We know that the upper crust of the earth is made up of lighter material. In this layer, silica and aluminium are found in abundance, hence it is known as ‘Sial’.
· It is less denser than the lower one. Airy assumed that the Sialic crust is floating over the Sima (silica and magnesium, lower denser layer).
· Crustal layer is uniform in terms of density with varying length of columns. Therefore, those columns are projecting down into the asthenosphere depending upon the proportions of the column.
· It is due to this reason that the root has developed or the sima has been displaced from below.
· To prove this concept, Airy took an example of wooden blocks of various sizes and immersed them into water .
· All blocks are of same density. They get immersed differently in proportion to their sizes.
· In the same way higher features with great height seen on the surface of the earth have deeper roots whereas short in length has shorter roots beneath.
· It is the concept of root which is sustaining the higher elevation. He is of the openion that the landmasses are floating like a boat in the substratum (magmatic asthenosphere).
· According to this concept, the root beneath the Mt. Everest would be 8848X8 = 70784 metre below the sea level.
· On this bases Airy has been criticized that the root is not possible to be at such a great depth. Because the root material will melt due to higher temperature found at that depth.
B. Isostatic Balance: views of Pratt
· Pratt considered land blocks of various heights to be different in terms of their density.
· The taller landmass has lesser density and smaller height features to be denser. In other words, there is an inverse relationship between height and density.
· If there is a higher column, density will be lesser and if there is a shorter column, density will be higher.
· Assuming this to be true, he accepted that all blocks of different height get compensated at a certain depth into the substratum.
· In this way a line is being demarcated above which there is equal pressure with varying heights.
· Thus, he denounced the root concept of Airy and accepted the ‘concept of a level of compensation’.
· For proving his concept he took a number of metal bars of varying density with same weight and put them into mercury .
· In this way they form a line by all those bars, which he regarded to be the level of compensation.
Differences between the views of Airy and Pratt :
Views of Airy
|
Views of Pratt
|
Uniform density of crustal material.
|
Varying density of crustal material.
|
Varying depth upto which root penetrates. crustal material reaches.
|
Uniform depth upto which crustal material reaches.
|
Deeper root below the mountain and smaller beneath plain.
|
No root formation, but a level of Compensation.
|
C. Global Isostatic Adjustment :
· It is quite apparent that there is no complete isostatic balance over the globe. The earth is unstable.
· Endogenetic forces often disturb the crustal balance.
· The regular earthquakes and volcanic eruptions along a particular belt do not signify any balance but a sort of adjustment is needed continuously.
· Endogenetic forces and their tectonic effects are the causes of imbalance on the surface but nature always tries to make an isostatic adjustment with itself.
· Exogenetic forces are trying to eliminate the differences on the surface of the earth and in this process they are peeling off, transporting down to far flung places, and depositing them.
· In this process, isostatic balance is maintained by the underneath flowage of material by subsidence at the place of deposition and upliftment at the peeling of place in their proportion to the denudation ..
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Monday, 25 April 2016
PLATEAUS
· The plateaus cover about 18% of the earth’s surface.
· This landform has a large elevated area on its top unlike a mountain and has nearly even surface out there.
· Very often rivers or streams cut out deep valleys and gorges in a plateau region.
· In place of its original smooth topography, it then changes into a disected plateau.
· Though normally 600 metres above sea level, there are plateau of Tibet and Bolivia, more than 3600 metres above sea level.
CLASSIFICATION OF PLATEAUS :
On the basis of their geographical location and structure of rocks, the plateaus can be classified as:
(a) Intermontane Plateaus
(b) Piedmont Plateaus
(c) Continental Plateaus
(a) Intermontane Plateau :
· The plateau which are bordering the fold mountain range or are partly or fully enclosed within them are the intermontane plateaus .
· Vertical movements raise this extensive landforms of nearly horizontal rocks to thousands of metres above sea level.
· The extensive and over 4500 metres high plateau of Tibet is one such example.
· It is surrounded by folded mountains like Himalaya, Karakoram, Kunlun, Tien Shah on its two sides.
· The plateau of Colorado is another well known example, over one km high into which rivers have cut the Grand Canyon and a series of gorges.
· The plateau of Mexico, Bolivia and Iran are all other examples of this type.
(b) Piedmont Plateau :
· The plateaus that are situated at the foot of the mountains and are bounded on other sides by a plain or an ocean are called piedmount plateau.
· The plateau of Malwa in India, those of Patagonia facing the Atlantic ocean and the Appallachian situated between the Appalachian Mountain and the Atlantic Coastal Plain in U.S.A are their examples.
· In their case, the areas once high have now been reduced by various agents of erosion.
· For this reason, these are also called the plateaus of denudation.
(c) Continental plateau :
· These are formed either by an extensive continental uplift or by the spread of horizontal basic lava sheets completely covering the original topography to a great depth.
· The volcanic lava covered plateau of Maharashtra in India, Snake River Plateau in North West USA are the examples of this type.
· These are also, called the ptateau of accumulation.
· All continental plateaus show an abrupt elevation in contrast to the nearby lowland or the sea .
· As compared to other, these plateaus, cover a vast area like the Great Indian Plateau and those of Arabia, Spain, Greenland, Africa and Australia.
· They may be tilted on one side without any disturbance in the horizontal nature of underlying rock strata as in the case of Great Indian plateau.
· Due to continuous erosion of their surface, we observe the prevalence of a patchy or the slow development of agriculture and building of roads on the plateaus.
Nevertheless plateaus are extremely useful to mankind in the following ways:
(1) Storehouse of Minerals :
· Most of the minerals in the world are found in the plateaus.
· Besides, the extraction of minerals is relatively easier on plateaus.
· We get gold from the Plateau of Western Australia; copper, diamonds and gold from the Plateaus of Africa and coal, iron, manganese and mica from the Chota Nagpur Plateau in India.
(2) Generation of Hydel-power :
· Rivers falling down the edges of plateaus form water-falls.
· These waterfalls provide ideal sites for generating hydel-power.
(3) Cool Climate :
· The higher parts of the plateaus even in tropical and sub-tropical regions have cool climate.
· Hence they have attracted Europeans to settle there and develop their economy e.g. South and East Africa.
(4) Useful for Animal-rearing and Agriculture :
· Plateaus have large grassland areas suitable for animal-rearing specially sheep, goat and cattle.
· They provide a veriety of products such as wool, milk, meat and hides and skin.
· The lava plateaus as compared to all other plateau are richer in agriculture since their soil is very fertile.
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Friday, 22 April 2016
Water: Ocean
Water: Ocean
Learning Goals:
- Ocean Waves
- Tsunami
- Tides
Ocean circulation:
Unlike the calm waters of a pond or lakes, ocean water keeps moving continuously. These movements can be classified into:
· Waves
· Currents
· Tides
Wave :
· When the water on the surface of the ocean rises and falls alternately, they are called waves.
· They are formed when winds scrape the ocean floor.
· When we throw a ball in the ocean, it gets washed back to the shore by the waves.
· The stronger the wind blows, the bigger the wave becomes.
· During a storm, the wind blows at a very high speed forming huge waves.
· These may cause tremendous destruction.\
· The following can shift large amounts of ocean water:
- An earthquake
- A volcanic eruption
- Underwater landslide
Due to the above, a huge tidal wave called tsunami is formed. It may be as high as 15 metres. The highest tsunami ever measured was 150 m high. These waves travel at a speed of 700 km/h.
Tides : (prlms 2015)
· The rhythmic rise and fall of water twice in a day is called a tide.
High Tide:
· This occurs when water covers much of the shore by rising to its highest level.
Low Tide:
· There is a low tide when water falls to its lowest level and recedes from the shore.
· Tides are caused by the strong gravitational pull exerted by the sun and the moon on the earth’s surface.
· The rise and fall of water due to tides is used for generating electricity in some places.
· The water of the earth closer to the moon gets pulled under the moon’s gravitational force and causes a high tide.
Types of Tides:
Spring Tides:
· During the full moon and new moon days, the sun, the earth and the moon are in the same line and the tides are the highest.
· These tides are called spring tides.
Neap Tide:
· When the moon is in its first and third quarters, the ocean waters get drawn in diagonally opposite directions by the gravitational pull of the sun and the earth.
· This results in low tides; called neap tides.
Advantages of High Tide:
· They help in navigation. They raise the water level close to the shores and help the ships to arrive at the harbor more easily.
· They help in fishing. More fish come closer to the shore during high tides. This helps the fishermen to have a good catch and earn more.
Ocean Current
· They are streams of water flowing continuously on the ocean’s surface in definite directions.
· They influence the temperature conditions of the area. They may be warm or cold.
Warm Current:
· They originate near the equator and move towards the poles. The Gulf Stream is a warm current.
· They bring warm temperature over land surface.
Cold Current:
· They carry water from polar or higher latitudes to tropical or lower latitudes. For example; the Labrador Ocean Current.
· They result in cold temperature over the land surface.
Effect of the meeting of warm and cold currents: (prlms 2013)
- They provide the best fishing grounds of the world.
- Some example of these are: Seas around Japan and Seas around the eastern coast of North America.
- They lead to foggy weather which makes navigation difficult.
Tsunami
· Tsunami or the harbor wave brought large scale destruction in the Indian Ocean on 26 December 2004.
· It was due to an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 on the Richter scale.
· The epicenter of this earthquake was near the western boundary of Sumatra.
· There was a sudden movement of sea floor causing earthquake, as the Indian plate went under the Burma plate.
· The ocean floor was displaced by about 10 to 20 m and huge mass of ocean water filled the gap that was created by the displacement.
· Tsunami travelled at a high speed of about 800 km/h.
· The Indira Point in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands got submerged after the tsunami.
· Some of the islands in the Indian Ocean got completely washed away.
· The destruction killed more than 10000 people and affected more than one lakh houses.
· Coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were the worst affected areas in India.
· Early warning systems are in place which can give a warning of tsunami three to four hour in advance.
· Such warning systems were in place in the Pacific Ocean but not in the Indian Ocean because tsunamis are rare in the Indian Ocean.
· The first indication that tsunami is approaching is the rapid withdrawal of water from the coastal region, followed by a destructive wave.
Keywords
Terrarium: It is the artificial enclosure for keeping small house plants.
Salinity: It is the amount of salt in grams present in 1000 grams of water.
Do You Know?
- The average salinity of the ocean is 35 parts per thousand. Dead Sea in Israel has salinity of 45 parts per thousand. Swimmers can float in it because the increased salt content makes it dense.
- World Water Day is celebrated on March 22. On this day the need for conservation of water is reinforced.
- Tsunami is a Japanese word. It means the ‘harbor waves’ as the harbors get destroyed whenever there is a tsunami.
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Tuesday, 19 April 2016
OCEANS SUBMARINE RELIEF :
OCEAN BASINS :
· About 71 % of the earth’s surface is covered by water.
· Oceans form a single, large, continuous body of water encircling all the landmass of the earth.
· They account for four- fifth of the Southern Hemisphere and three fifth of the Northern Hemisphere.
· They contain 97.2 percent of the world’s total water.
· There are four principal oceans in the world which are separated largely on the basis of their geographical locations.
· These are the Pacific Ocean, the Indian ocean, the Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic Ocean.
· All the other seas, inland seas or the arms of the oceans, are counted within these four main oceans.
THE RELIEF OF THE OCEAN BASINS :
The Ocean basins are broadly divided into four major sub-divisions.
They are:
(a) Continental shelf;
(b) Continental slope;
(c) Abyssal plains and
(d) The ocean deeps.
(a) Continental Shelf :
· There is no clear or well-defined line separating oceans from continents.
· Infact, continents do not end abruptly at shoreline.
· They slope seaward from the coast to a point where the slope becomes very steep.
· The shallow submerged extension of continent is called the continental shelf.
· The depth of this shallow sea water over the continental shelf rangesbetween 120 to 370 metres.
· The width of the continental shelf varies greatly ranging between afew kilometres to more than 100 kilometres.
· This variation can be seen even in the context of Indian peninsula.
· The continental shelf off the eastern coast of India is much wider than that of the western coast.
· Similar variations are seen all over the world.
· They are much narrower or absent in some continents, particularly where fold mountains run parallel or close to the coast as along the eastern Pacific Ocean.
· Most of the continental shelves represent land which has beeninundated by a rise in sea level.
· Many regard their formation due to the erosional work of waves or due to the extension of land by the deposition of river borne materialon the off-shore terraces.
· Off the coast regions which were once covered by ice sheets, they may have developed due to glacial deposits.
· The continental shelves are of great importance to man.
· The shallow water over the shelf enables sunlight to penetrate through the water to the bottom and encourages growth of microscopic plants and animals called planktons.
· These planktons are the food for fishes.
· Continental shelves are the source of fishes, mineral including sand and gravel.
· A large quantity of the world’s petroleum and natural gas is obtained from these shelves.
· The Bombay High and the recent discovery of petroleum in the Godavari basin are examples of on shore drilling on the continental shelf.
· Coral reefs and lipoclastic materials are also common on continental shelves.
· One of the striking features of the continental shelf is the presence ofsubmarine canyons which extend to the continental slope.
· These canyons are ‘steepsided valleys’ cut into the floor of the seas.
· They are very similar to the gorges found on the continents.
· Godavari Canyon in front of the Godavari river mouth is 502 metres deep .
· One of the reasons for the formation of submarine canyon is underwater landslide.
· The sediments collected on the continental shelves get dislodged by a storm or a earthquake.
· The force of these moving sediments erode the slopes as they come down and as a result submarine canyons are carved out.
· The continental shelf is generally considered to be territorial water extent of the nations to which it adjoins.
(b) Continental Slope :
· The continuously sloping portion of the continental margin, seaward of the continental shelf and extending down to the deep sea floor of the abyssal plain, is known as continental slope.
· It is charactersied by gradients of 2.5 degrees.
· It extends between the depth of 180 to 3600 metres.
· Continental slopes, mainly due to their steepness and increasing distance from the land have very little deposits of sediments on them.
· Sea life is also far less here than on the shelf.
· Along the base of the continental slope is a deposit of sediments. This belt of sedimentary deposits form the continental rise.
· In some regions the rise is very narrow but in others it may extend up to 600 km in width.
(c) Abyssal Plain :
· Abyssal plains are extremely flat and featureless plains of the deepocean floor.
· In fact, the abyssal plains are likely the most level areas on the earth.
· Abyssal plains covering a major portion of ocean floor between thedepth of 3000m to 6000m.
· They were once regarded as featureless plains but modem devices have shown that they are as irregular as the continental plain or surface.
· They have extensive submarine plateaus, hills, guyots and seamounts.
· The floor of the abyssal plain is covered by sediments.
· The plains close to the continents are covered mostly by sediments brought down from the land.
· But those seas which favour, an abundant growth of organisms have a thick layer of sediments, formed from the remains of living things.
· These sediments are called oozes.
· Some of the open seas do not support enough life to produce ooze on the floor.
· They are covered with a type of sediment called red clay which is of volcanic origin or made up of tiny particles brought by wind and rivers.
(i) Submarine Ridges :
· The lofty mountain systems which exist on the continents is also represented beneath the ocean waters.
· These oceanic mountains are known as submarine ridges.
· They are linear belts occurring near the middle of the oceans and are also called mid-oceanic ridges.
· All the mid oceanic ridges constitute a world-wide system which isinterconnected from ocean to ocean.
· These ridges are intersected by faults.
· The oceanic ridge is the site of frequent earthquakes.
· Volcanism is common in ocean ridges and it produces many relief features.
· The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is the largest continuous submerged mountain ridge which runs from north to south in the Atlantic-Ocean. It is in the shape of S.
· At some places, the peaks, rise above the surface of water in the form of islands. Many of the islands are volcanic in origin.
· The East Pacific Ridge and Carlsberg Ridge are some of the important submarine ridges.
(ii) Seamounts and Guyots :
· Scattered over the entire sea floor are thousands of submerged volcanoes with sharp tops called seamounts.
· Sometimes they rise above the sea as isolated Islands.
· Hawaii and Tahiti Islands are the exposed tops of volcanoes.
· Volcano rising above the ocean floor whose top has been flattened by erosion and is covered by water is called guyot.
(d) The Ocean Deeps :
· They are long, narrow, steep sided and flat-floored depressions on the ocean floor.
· They are generally called submarine trenches.
· These trenches are not always located in the middle of the ocean basins, as may be generally expected but are situated very close or parallel to the continents bordered by fold mountains.
· They are usually found adjacent to the areas of volcanic and earthquake activity.
· Great earthquakes and tsunamis are born in them. They occur in all the major oceans.
· The Pacific Ocean has the largest number of trenches.
· The Mariana Trench in ‘the Pacific Ocean is the deepest known part of the oceans.
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Saturday, 16 April 2016
LANDFORMS PRODUCED BY SEA WAVES
· The work of sea waves as an agent of gradation includes erosion, transportation and deposition.
(A) EROSION BY SEA WAVES :
· Sea waves have a great erosive force.
· In their role of an erosional agent they perform four functions.
· When the sea water loaded with rock fragments and sand attack the coastal rocks it is called abrasion.
· The rock particles present in the water hit against each other and break into progressively smaller particles. This process is calledattrition.
· Thirdly the broadening of cracks and crevices in the cliffs along the coast due to the attack of the sea waves is called the hydraulicaction.
· The rocks made up of limestone are subjected to solution action by the sea waves.
· All these processes help in formation of new features on the coastal margins.
Landforms Produced by sea Wave Erosion :
Landforms Produced by sea Wave Erosion :
· Waves, like streams erode the coastal rocks with the help of rock fragments present in the water.
· important features made through sea wave erosion are mentioned here:
(i) Sea Cliff
(i) Sea Cliff
· The maximum impact of the sea waves is observed on the lower part of the coastal rocks and consequently the lower part of the rocks is eroded more rapidly than the upper part.
· This results in the formation of a hollow under the rock and with the passage of time this excavation in the lower part of the rock keeps on becoming larger.
· The upper part of the rock is thus left projecting out towards the sea.
· After sometime, this projecting part fall into the sea under its own weight. As a result a vertical wall is left. This vertical wall is called a cliff.
· In India a number of sea cliffs are found along the Konkan Coast of India.
(ii) Sea Caves :
· When the upper part of the coastal rock is hard and the lower part is soft, the erosion is not uniform.
· The lower part of the rock in such circumstances is eroded much faster than the upper part.
· Due to differential erosion a hollow is created in the lower part of the rock.
· When the waves pound against this hollow, air present
in the hollow gets compressed.
· When the wave comes out of the hollow, the pressure on air is also released and it expands.
· Due to continuous compression of the air in the hollow, the rocks are subjected to a great pressure and they break.
· In this process, the hollows in the lower part of the rock keep on enlarging.
· With passage of time they attain the form of caves and are known as sea caves.
(iii) Sea Arches :
(iii) Sea Arches :
· When a part of coast extends to some distance into the sea, sea waves working from opposite directions cut a passage through the soft rocks.
· In the initial stages, this passage is a narrow hole but it enlarges into a broad arch.
· These broad doorlike features are called sea arches or natural bridges.
(iv) Sea Stacks :
(iv) Sea Stacks :
· When the roof of an arch is broken by erosion or under its own weight or due to any other reason a part of the original rock remains standing as a solitary mass.
· It may be the rock forming the side of the arch. This type of a feature is called a seastack.
· Sometimes they take the shape of islands but such islands are not
permanent.
· Small underwater stacks are known as stumps.
(B) Transportation by Sea Waves :
(B) Transportation by Sea Waves :
· Sea waves, currents and tides are the main agents of transportation of eroded material in the coastal regions.
· However, the role of waves is more important in connection with the formation of coastal relief features.
· The material deposited on the coasts by the rivers and glaciers etc. is removed and transported by the waves.
Transportation by sea waves is carried out in two ways:
Transportation by sea waves is carried out in two ways:
(i) Removal and transportation, towards the sea, of the material deposited by river etc. on the coast.
(ii) Carrying of material found in the sea to the coastal areas. During this process, the oceanic materials like pearls, conches and other shells are brought to the coast.
(C) Deposition by Sea Waves :
(C) Deposition by Sea Waves :
· Sea waves are helpful in the deposition of the material eroded from the coastal areas.
· Oceanic current are also helpful in deposition of the transported material.
· Deposition of the material along the coast is selective.
· The larger particles are deposited first therefore they are found near the coast.
· On the other hand, the finest particles are deposited last and they are deposited generally away from the coast.
· This selective deposition is sometimes altered or affected by a change in the intensity or force of the waves.
· Thus it is sometimes possible to find very fine particles deposited near the coast where generally larger particles are deposited.
· A number of topographical features are formed due to deposition by waves and currents.
Some of these topographical features are discussed here:
Some of these topographical features are discussed here:
(i) Beach :
· Most of the material eroded and picked up by the waves is deposited near the coast.
· Due to this deposition, the sea becomes shallow and a part of the coastal area is raised above the water level.
· This raised portion is almost like a flat plain of a platform formed of gravel and sand.
· This type of depositional features along the coast is called a beach. Beaches are centres of tourist attraction.
· Marina Beach of Chennai and Kovalam Beach of Thiruvananthapuram are the famous beaches of India.
(ii) Sand Bar :
· Sometimes the deposits of sand and gravel laid down by waves and currents form embankment, separating shoreline from the sea.
· They thus form barriers between the sea and the mainland.
· Such deposits are called sand bars.
· They sometime pose difficulties in navigating.
(iii) Spit Earth :
· When one end of a bar is attached to the coast and other extends into the sea, it is called a spit.
· These spits are formed by the accumulation of materials brought by waves like sand and gravel.
· Sometimes due to deposition of waves and currents both the ends of the bar join to enclose a part of the sea water between the coast and the bar.
· This enclosed part of the sea forms a lake of saline water.
· This saline water lake is called a lagoon.
· Sometimes the lagoons are formed due to wave erosion also.
· A lagoon is generally connected with the sea through a narrow passage. The Chilka and Pulicate lakes on the north-eastern coast and lake Vembanad on Kerala coast are examples of lagoon lakes in India.
· Topographical features like beaches, bars, spits and lagoons are formed by the action of waves.
measures :
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Wednesday, 13 April 2016
LANDFORMS PRODUCED BY UNDERGROUND WATER :
· Topographical features formed by underground water can be seen particularly, in an highland composed of limestone on a large scale.
· This distinctive topography formed due to the action of underground
water in limestone region is known as Karst topography.
· ‘Karst’ word comes from the Karst region of Adriatic Sea coast in Croatia (Yugosalvia) where such formations are noticeable.
· This region is made up of limestone rocks, where underground water is the most active agent of gradation.
· The topographical features created by the work of underground water on limestone are of two types.
(a) Topographical features formed on the surface, like sink holes and swallow holes.
(b) Topographical features formed underground like caverns, stalactites and stalgmites.
a) Topographical features formed on the surface :
1. Sink Holes :
· A sinkhole is a surface depression in a region of limestone or chalk terrain.
· Some sinkholes are filled with soil washed from nearby hillsides, while others are steepsided, dugholes.
· They develop where the limestone is more susceptible to solution, weathering or where an underground cover near the surface has collapsed.
2. Swallow Holes :
· They are cylindrical in shape lying underneath the sinkholes at some depth.
· In limestone regions, the surface streams often enter the sinkholes and then disappear underground through swallow holes.
· It is so, because these holes are connected to the underground caverns on their other side.
b) Topographical features formed underground :
3. Caverns :
· Caverns are interconnected subterranean cavities in bedrock formed by the corrosions action of circulating underground water on limestone.
· They are found near Dehradun in Uttarakhand and in Almora in Kumaon Himalayas.
· The caves of Kotamsar in the tribal district of Bastar in Chhattisgarh are famous caverns of India.
4. Stalactites :
· They are the major depositional features formed in the caverns in limestone regions.
· The water containing limestone in solution, seeps through the roofs of the caverns in the form of a continuous chain of drops.
· A portion of the water dropping from the ceiling gets evaporated and a small deposit of limestone is left behind on the roof.
· This process continues and deposit of limestone grows downwards like pillars.
· These beautiful forms are called stalactites.
5. Stalagmites :
· When the remain in portion of the water dropping from the roof of the cavern falls on the floor, a part of it is again evaporated and a small deposit of limestone is left behind.
· This deposit grows upward from the floor of the cavern.
· These type of depositional features are called stalagmites.
· As the process grows, both stalactite and stalagmite often join together to form vertical columns in the caverns.
C.SPRINGS :
· Springs are surface outflow of ground water through an opening in a rock under hydraulic pressure.
· In such cases the aquifer is either exposed at the surface or it
underlies an impermeable rocks.
· The amount of water in the aquifer depends upon the amount of rainfall in that area, landform characteristic and the size of the aquifer.
Hot Spring :
· Sometimes the water that flows out of the spring is hot.
· Such springs are called hot springs.
· They generally occurs in areas of active or recent vulcanism.
· In volcanic regions the underground water gets heated up by coming in contact with hot rocks or steam.
· Hot springs are found in many parts of India, especially in theHimalaya in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
· They also occur in Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Haryana and Assam. Manikaran in Kulu Valley, Tatapani near Shimla, Jwalamukhi in Kangra, Sohna in Haryana, Rajgir and Sitakund in Jharkhand and Badrinath in Uttarakhand have hot springs.
D.GEYSERS :
· Springs emitting hot water and steam in forms of fountains or jets at regular intervals are called geysers.
· In case of a geyser, hot water is ejected violently because of the pressure created by steam.
· The water does not come out continuously but it flows out intermittently.
· The period between two emissions is sometimes regular.
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