Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015

Manipur Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed today the Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015 along with other two amendment bills to protect indigenous people of state. Other two bills are Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 and Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015. Apart from these bills, the assembly also passed a resolution welcoming the Peace Accord signed between the Union Government and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN)-IM. Background Recently there was strong violent protest in the North Eastern State of Manipur over the issue of protection of indigenous people of state. The issue came into light after state assembly had passed the Manipur Regulation of Visitors, Tenant and Migrants Workers Bill, 2015 to protect the interest outsiders in the state. It should be noted that there is long standing demand for implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state

Union Cabinet has given its nod for amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Bill, 2015. These amendments seek to make of commercial disputes more user-friendly and cost effective which in turn will lead to expeditious disposal of cases. Key Provisions of Bill Mandatory for arbitrators to settle disputes within 12 months. This period can be extended by 6 months only by a court on sufficient cause.  Cut the fees of arbitrators if the court finds that the delay has been caused due to arbitrators. Rewarding arbitrators with extra fees in case the matter is disposed of within 6 months and the parties agree to pay more. Empower arbitration tribunals to grant all kinds of interim measures that courts provide. Thus giving more teeth to them in order to make tribunals directives enforceable in the same manner as those of courts. Background The amendments to this Bill are based on the Law Commission’s recommendations and suggestions received from stakeholders. Law Commission of India (LCI) in its 246th Report had recommended various amendments in Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 in order to pave way for India to become a hub of International Commercial Arbitration.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the proposal for payment of differential royalty in respect of 28 discovered fields to the respective State Governments concerned. These 28 discovered fields were awarded by the Union Government to different companies in states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Gujarat during the years 1994-95, 2001 and 2004. The royalty payment will be through budgetary allocation from the year 2015-16 onwards instead of Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB) fund. Financial Implication: The estimated expenditure for the year 2015-16 based on this payment mechanism has been estimated at 56 crore rupees of which 30 crore rupees for Arunachal Pradesh and 26 crore rupees for Gujarat. This expenditure is calculated assuming average crude oil price of 50 US dollars per barrel and one US dollar being equivalent to 60 rupees. Background The Standing Committee on Petroleum & Natural Gas (SCPNG) while examining the functioning of OIDB had recommended that differential Royalty to the concerned State Governments should be made through budgetary allocation, rather than OIDB fund in order to ensure proper utilization of the fund. What is Payment of differential royalty? In the approved proposal, payment of differential royalty is the difference between the rates of Royalty as per provisions of Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and the notified rate of Royalty on crude oil production. What is current Royalty payment mechanism? Currently, OIDB pays differential Royalty to respective State Governments based on the Oilfields (Regulation & Development) Act, 1948 and Petroleum & Natural Gas Rules, 1959. In this case, the differential Royalty is the difference between the Royalty rates as per PSC and the notified rate of Royalty on crude oil production. 

India and Australia have signed a Memorandum of Education

India and Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the fields of education, research and training. The MoU was signed by Union Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD) Smriti Irani and her counterpart Christopher Pyne MP, Minister for Education and Training of Australia. It was signed after the 3rd meeting of the Australia-India Education Council (AIEC) which was held in New Delhi. The MoU seeks to intensify existing partnerships between both countries in higher education & research, including professional and technical education, vocational education, schools and training. It also seeks to open up new and innovative areas of cooperation. About Australia-India Education Council (AIEC) It is a bi-national body established in 2011. It was established as per commitment given by the Education Ministers of India and Australia to guide the strategic direction of the education, research and training partnership between the two countries. The AIEC is co-chaired by Education Ministers on both sides and consists of academia, industry and government. It meets in conjunction with the annual Australia-India Ministerial Dialogue on Education Cooperation.

Union Government has launched a telemedicine "SEAHAT"

Union Government has launched a telemedicine initiative dubbed as Sehat to provide healthcare facilities in rural areas in collaboration with Apollo Hospitals. This telemedicine initiative was launched by Union Communication and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad at a function held in New Delhi. Key facts It will seek to provide quality and affordable healthcare services as it is one of the emerging needs of citizens in rural areas. Under the Sehat initiative people will be able to consult doctors through video link i.e. Vice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and also order generic drugs. It will use Common Service Centres (CSCs) for delivering tele-consultation services with support from Medanta and Apollo Hospitals in some areas. CSCs will promote sale of generic drugs through collaboration with Union Health Ministry by setting up Jan Aushadhi Stores and also provide diagnostic services. This initiative has been extended to 60,000 centres across the country for the telemedicine consultation services in the rural areas.

Tata Trusts has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh Government to develop 264 villages. Under this initiative, all 264 villages in the Vijayawada constituency will be developed in order to transform them into smart villages. The project has been jointly undertaken by local Lok Sabha MP Kesineni Srinivas and the Tata Trust as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of Tata Group. It should be noted that this is the first of its kind of project undertaken by Tata Trust in the country to develop all villages of a single Parliamentary constituency. As part of this initiative, the trusts will work in the areas of education, drinking water, health and nutrition, self-employment for the youth, bamboo cultivation, fisheries etc. by developing each village. Around 2.5 lakh households in all villages of this constituency will benefit from this ambitious project. The identified activities which will be under taken in this initiative are based on comprehensive household survey in all villages which was conducted by Tata Trust.

2015 Peter Mackler Award

A Syria-based woman journalist Zaina Erhaim has won the prestigious 2015 Peter Mackler Award for Courageous and Ethical Journalism. She was bestowed with this award for her efforts to train citizen reporters in her war-ravaged country. She has trained about 100 citizen reporters (third of them are women) from inside Syria over the last two years. She also has helped in establishing new, independent newspapers and magazines in the war-torn country. Presently, Erhaim lives and works in Aleppo, Syria and will be presented with this award at a ceremony to be held at the National Press Club in Washington in late October 2015. It should be noted that since 2011, the media rights group has listed Syria as the deadliest country for journalists. About Peter Mackler Award The award has been named in the memory of late Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalist Peter Mackler. It was instituted in 2008 to honour the memory of Mackler, who had died of a heart attack in the same year at the age of 58. It is given by journalist training consortium comprising of Reporters Without Borders, AFP and Global Media Forum which was founded by Mackler.

World Athletics Championship

Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt has won world 100 metre title in the World Athletics Championships held in Beijing, China. With this victory he retained his 100 metre title which was won earlier in 2009. In the blue riband event, Bolt ran a season’s best of 9.79 seconds winning gold medal. While Justin Gatlin of United States finished at the second spot in 9.80sec, taking silver medal. Usain Bolt’s Records Usain Bolt is regarded as the fastest person in the world. He is the first athlete to hold both the 100 metres and 200 metres world records. He is Olympic gold medallist and has won medal in 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympic games in 100 metres. He is also the first to achieve a “double double” by winning 100 m and 200 m titles at consecutive Olympics (2008 and 2012).

grown a replica of a human brain

Scientists from United States (US) have successfully grown a replica of a human brain in a laboratory dish. This medical breakthrough research was undertaken team of researchers from Ohio State University led by Professor Rene Anand. Key facts The brain called ‘Organoid’ was created from reprogrammed skin cells. It is about the size of a pencil eraser. In order to build the replica human brain, the research team had transformed adult skin cells by altering their genes into induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells. This had resulted in artificial creation of stem cells which were then wheedled into developing different cell types and signalling circuitry of the brain including neurons and their signal-carrying projections, axons and dendrites along with blood circulation. This artificially grown brain also contains support and immune cells. Potential Application: This medical breakthrough can act as an essential tool in the testing of new drugs and research into brain disorders including Alzheimer.

भारत-प्रशांत द्वीप सहयोग मंच

 भारत-प्रशांत द्वीप सहयोग मंच (Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation – FIPIC) का द्वितीय शिखर सम्मेलन (Summit) 21 अगस्त 2015 को भारत के किस शहर में आयोजित हुआ जिसमें प्रशांत द्वीपीय देशों के 14 राष्ट्राध्यक्षों ने भागीदारी की? – जयपुर (Jaipur)  द्वितीय FIPIC शिखर सम्मेलन का आयोजन कर भारत प्रशांत महासागर स्थित इन द्वीपीय देशों के साथ व्यापार और निवेश सम्बन्धों को और ऊँचाई पर ले जाना चाहता है। उल्लेखनीय है कि ये देश प्राकृतिक संपदा के मामले में काफी धनी हैं। इसके अलावा यह देश दक्षिणी प्रशांत महासागर में अपनी अवस्थिति के लिहाज से रणनीतिक रूप से काफी महत्वपूर्ण हैं। इस शिखर सम्मेलन हुए देश थे – फीजी (Fiji), मार्शल आइलैण्ड्स (Marshall Islands), नौरू (Nauru), नियु (Niue), पलाऊ (Palau), पापुआ न्यू गिनी (Papua New Guinea), समोआ (Samoa), तुवालु (Yuvalu), वनुआतु (Vanuatu), कुक आइलैण्ड्स (Cook Islands), किरिबाती (Kiribati), माइक्रोनेशिया (Micronesia), सोलोमन आइलैण्ड्स (Solomon Islands) और टोंगा (Tonga)।

Mi-35 ‘Hind E

Pakistan and Russia have signed a landmark defence deal including the sale of 4 advance Mi-35 ‘Hind E’ combat helicopters to Pakistan. The agreement was signed by top defence officials from both countries in Rawalpindi as per negotiations for the deal which had taken place in 2014. Earlier in November 2015, both countries had signed a bilateral defence cooperation agreement to strengthen military-to-military relations between them. Mi-35 ‘Hind E’ attack helicopters The Mi-35 helicopter is modernised version of the Mi-24 combat helicopter. It has new advanced onboard equipment and avionics. It is also incorporated with more powerful engine and a different tail rotor. Currently, Pakistan has a number of ‘Mi-17’ combat helicopters. These combat helicopters were delivered to Pakistan by US in order to assist them to fight against growing militancy as part of its special defence package.

Education Poratal For Loan

The portal has been developed and maintained by NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited (NSDL e-Gov) under the guidance of Ministry of Finance, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA). It is a first of its kind portal that provides access to information and makes application for educational loans provided by banks and also government scholarships under a single window. The portal also has a provision to apply to multiple banks for educational loans and facility for banks to download students’ loan applications among others. It also carter facility for banks to upload loan processing status and students can view status of their loan application and linkage to National Scholarship Portal for information and application for government scholarships on the dashboard of the portal. Up till now over 13 banks have registered and 22 educational loan schemes on the Vidya Lakshmi Portal. SBI, Bank of India, IDBI Bank, Canara Bank & Union Bank of India have integrated their system with the portal for providing loan processing status to students.

The US military has launched the largest NATO airborne drills

The US military has launched the largest NATO airborne drills dubbed as Swift Response 15 since the end of the Cold War to enhance security and stability in the European region. Swift Response 15 will be month long simultaneous multinational airborne operations drill in which around 5,000 soldiers from 11 NATO member states will participate. Key facts 11 NATO member courtiers participating are: Bulgaria, Germany, France, Greece, Portugal, Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Britain Spain, and United States. These airborne drills aim to help high-readiness NATO forces in order to act as one single force and to demonstrate its alliance’s capacity to operate and rapidly deploy forces in support to maintaining a strong and secure Europe. In these drills allied warplanes led by US will drop more than one thousand paratroopers and warfare equipment to Hohenfels training area in Germany. Similar air drop drill will also take place the same day at the Novo Selo training area in Bulgaria.

James Tait Black award 2015,

Bangladesh novelist Zia Haider Rahman has won James Tait Black award 2015, UK’s oldest literary prize for his first novel, In the Light of What We Know. His debut novel’s story is based on an investment banker in a lead role who receives a visit from an old friend and addresses a whole range of issues including Afghanistan war, the rise of Muslim fundamentalism and global banking crisis. He received this prize at the 2015 Edinburgh international book festival along with Richard Benson who had won this award for his novel The Valley: A Hundred Years in the Life of a Yorkshire Family in the biography category. Rahman was born in the Sylhet region of rural Bangladesh. Later he had migrated to United Kingdom. Prior to shifting to writing career, he had worked as an investment banker and a human rights lawyer. About James Tait Black award It is annual literary award bestowed on person for literature written in the English language in UK and is oldest literary award in the country. Establish: It was instituted in 1919 in memory James Tait Black. It is given in three categories viz. Fiction, Biography and Drama (introduced in 2012) by the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. The award carries monetary prize of 10000 British pounds.

General Election of Srilanka 2015

United National Party (UNP) led United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) has emerged as largest group by winning 106 seats in a 225 member Sri Lankan. Leader of the UNFGG and UNP and current Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to form a new government with the support of 95 MPs of United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) loyal to President Maithripala Sirisena. Background Sri Lankan parliamentary election 2015 was held on 17 August 2015 to elect 225 members to Sri Lanka’s 15th Parliament. The voter turnout for this election was record 77.66 per cent. Seat Allocation: Of the total 225 seats, 196 were to be directly elected from 22 multi-member electoral districts based on open party-list proportional representation method. While, remaining 29 seats are National list seats which are allotted to the parties on basis of their overall votes secured by them. Party wise results United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) – 93 seats were won in direct election and 13 seats in National list. Thus total seats won are 106. United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) – won 83 seats directly won and 12 seats in National list. Thus total seats won are 95. It should be noted that UPFA was led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Tamil National Alliance (TNA)-won 16 seats. They are largest party representing Sri Lankan Tamils. Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna– won 6 seats. Sri Lanka Muslim Congress– won 1 seat. Eelam People’s Democratic Party- won 1 seat. Comment With this parliamentary election results, Mahinda Rajapaksa era in Sri Lankan politics came to end as he was seeking to return to power after earlier massive defeat in Presidential elections 2015 (He was defeated by Maithripala Sirisena).

Taj Mahal has ranked fifth position in the prestigious list

India’s historic Mughal mausoleum Taj Mahal has ranked fifth position in the prestigious list of most attractive travel hotspot in the world. It was revealed in the recently released Ultimate Travelist of Lonely Planet which has described the monument as a magnificent Mughal masterpiece. Top Four travel hotspot in the world The Temples of Angkor: It was placed at first position in the list. These temples are UNESCO World Heritage site located in northern Cambodia. It has more than 1,000 temples, shrines and tombs which attracts more than 2 million tourists annually. The Great Barrier Reef: A UNESCO World Heritage located in Australia is placed at number two position. Inca city of Machu Picchu: It was placed at third position. It is also UNESCO World Heritage site, located in Peru. Great Wall of China: It was placed at fourth position in the list. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, located in China. Ultimate Travelist of Lonely Planet was compiled based on ideas and voting of travel writers and its staff on their favourites sights which had inspired, enthused and excited them the most.

Tamil Nadu tops in organ donation in India

Tamil Nadu state has topped in organ donation in the country by harvesting organs of 683 persons and donating them to over 3000 beneficiaries. It was announced by State Health Minister C Vijaya Bhaskar after state observed Organ Donation Day on 13th August 2015. In Tamil Nadu, the overall organ transplantations included 144 heart transplants, 636 liver transplants, 1233 kidney, 69 lung transplants, 4 pancreas, 618 heart valves, 2 small bowels, 1,032 cornea, 22 skin and 2 blood vessels. The success of the voluntarily organ donation in the state has been attributed of Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu (TATN) which was established in 2008. The TATN had played pivotal role in streamlining organ transplantation in the state.

Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II is set to become Britain’s longest-reigning Monarch in the history. On 10th September 2015, she will become the longest-reigning British head of state and the longest-reigning female monarch in history. She will surpass record held by her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, who reigned thousand-year-old institution of Britain for more than 63 years. It should be noted that, presently Queen Elizabeth II (88 years old) is world’s oldest living monarch. About Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II was born as Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on 21 April 1926. She acceded to the throne on 6 February 1952 at the age of 25 after her father, King George VI died. She was crowned as queen of Britain and other realms, including Canada and Australia on 2 June, 1953. Presently, she is Queen of 16 member states in the Commonwealth of Nations which consists of overall 53 member states. She is also Head of the Commonwealth and Supreme Governor of the Church of England. In 1945, she had actively joined World War II as a driver in the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service (WATS).

Election Commissioner Of India

Om Prakash Rawat as an Election Commissioner (EC) in the Election Commission of India (ECI). He will have tenure of more than three years which will end in December, 2018 i.e. till he attains the age of 65 years. About Om Prakash Rawat Rawat was born on 2 December 1953 and is a 1977 batch IAS officer from Madhya Pradesh cadre. During his long bureaucratic career, he had served at various important portfolios at Centre and state level. In 19993, he had served as a Director in the Defence Ministry. He has also served as Principal Secretary to then Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh to Babu Lal Gaur from 2004 and 2006. He also had served as Secretary at Department of Public Enterprises in the Ministry of Heavy Industries from 2012 till December 2014 when he retired. With Rawat’s appointment, the sole vacancy in the three-member ECI has been filled. Other two members are Nasim Zaidi (Chief Election Commissioner) and A K Joti (EC). About Election Commissioner (EC) As per the provisions of Article 324 of Constitution, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs) are appointed by the President. Tenure: They hold office for the term of 6 years or until they attain age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. Election Commission being multi-member constitutional body, the strength of ECs is decided by President of India.

National Solar Mission target

Central Government has revised the National Solar Mission target of Grid Connected Solar Power projects from 20,000 MW by 2022 to1,00,000 MW by 2022. Centre has envisaged to achieve the 1,00,000 MW target by setting up Distributed Rooftop Solar Projects and Medium & Large Scale Solar Projects. The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has further set two categories under which the target will be achieved. Under category-I: the Ministry has targeted to harvest 40,000 MW solar energy by setting Rooftop Solar panels. Under category-II: the Ministry has targeted to harvest further 60,000 MW energy through the collective efforts like – Scheme for Decentralized Generation of Solar Energy Projects by Unemployed Youths & Farmers, through PSUs, Large Large Private Sector/IPPs, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), Under State Policies and Ongoing programmes incl. past achievements. National Solar Mission: Also known as Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission was approved by Government of India on 11 January 2010. The Solar Mission was initiated with an aim to achieve long term Energy and Ecology security which was planned to implement in three stages to install the capacity of 20,000 MW by the end of the 13th Five Year Plan in 2022. The three stages are as follows Stage-I 2010-2013 target 1,000-2,000 MW. Stage-II 2013-2017 target 4,000-10,000 MW. Stage-III 2017-2022 target 20,000 MW. Note: Custom and excise duty for several input raw materials for manufacturing of solar power devices is exempted by the government to reduce the cost of solar power.

Uninor signed contract with Huawei

Uninor a subsidiary of Norway’s telecom major Telenor has inked an agreement worth 1,200 crore rupees with Chinese firm Huawei for modernising and managing its network across six circles in the country. The advancement of payment will be done in phase manner for three years. As per the partnership Huawei will modernise and manage Uninor’s network by making it future ready for 4G network and internet service. Accordingly Huawei India will modernise its entire telecom network across all six operating telecom circles in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, UP (East), UP (West), Bihar (including Jharkhand), which as of now has 24,000 base stations. Huawei has announced that the network modernisation will be done in environment-friendly green solutions that would lower power consumption by almost 30 per cent and increase spectral efficiency. Significance of this deal is that it is the largest deal of its kind in the Indian telecom industry, where Huawei will also become the managed services partner of Uninor. Uninor has about 40 million mobile customers in the country of which 26 per cent of are active internet users.

China and Pakistan signed

China and Pakistan have signed 20 more agreements worth 1.6 billion dollars to implement the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. These agreements were signed at the CPEC Forum held at Karamay city in Xinjiang province of China bordering Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In this forum both countries also issued the Karamay Manifesto. About China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project 3,000 km strategic CPEC project is brainchild of China and is part of its ambitious six economic corridors conceived under Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. It connects Xinjiang Province of China with Pakistan’s strategic Gwadar Port and passes through PoK. It was launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Pakistan in April 2015. During this visit, around 51 agreements were signed of which 30 were linked to this strategic corridor. Significance: CPEC project seeks to boost economic cooperation, political trust and cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan. It is regarded as the biggest connectivity project between the two countries with total investments around 46 billion dollars. The project includes building of railways, highways as well as pipelines in order to shorten China’s energy imports route from the Middle East by about 12,000 kms. India’s Concern: As it passes through disputed territory of PoK, India has conveyed its objections to China.

स्कूल नर्सरी योजना

देश के स्कूली छात्रों को पर्यावरण के नजदीक लाने के उद्देश्य से केन्द्रीय पर्यावरण मंत्रालय द्वारा 10 अगस्त 2015 को शुरू की गई उस योजना को क्या नाम दिया गया है जिसके तहत स्कूलों में पौधों की नर्सरी तैयार कर बच्चों को वृक्ष लगाने के लिए प्रेरित किया जायेगा? – “स्कूल नर्सरी योजना” (“School Nursery Yojana”) का केन्द्रीय पर्यावरण मंत्री प्रकाश जावडेकर ने 10 अगस्त 2015 को उद्घाटन किया। इस योजना का मुख्य उद्देश्य देश को हरा-भरा तथा स्वच्छ रखने के लिए बच्चों को पर्यावरण से जोड़ना है। योजना के तहत स्कूली बच्चे अपने विद्यालय में बीजों को बो कर तथा पौधों को लगाकर नर्सरी तैयार करने का काम करेंगे। खास बात है कि जीव-विज्ञान विषय से जुड़े बच्चों के लिए यह कार्य उनके विषय का हिस्सा माना जायेगा जबकि अन्य विषयों का अध्ययन कर रहे बच्चों के लिए इसे गैर-अकादमिक गतिविधियों (Extra-Curricular Activities) का हिस्सा माना जायेगा। इसके अलावा योजना के तहत बच्चे अपने स्कूल और मोहल्ले में वृक्ष गणना (Tree Census) करने का काम करेंगे। वहीं इसके तहत विद्यालयों में न्यूनतम 100 वर्ग मीटर क्षेत्र में नर्सरी तैयार करने का प्रावधान किया गया है। योजना को पहले वर्ष देश के 1,000 स्कूलों में शुरू करने की योजना है जबकि दूसरे साल इसे 5,000 स्कूलों तथा तीसरे साल 10,000 स्कूलों में शुरू करने की सरकार की तैयारी है।

नेपाल (Nepal) में नया संविधान (New Constitution) बनाने की प्रक्रिया

नेपाल (Nepal) में नया संविधान (New Constitution) बनाने की प्रक्रिया में एक अत्यंत अहम घटनाक्रम में देश के चार राजनीतिक दल प्रस्तावित नए संविधान में संघवाद के जटिल मुद्दे पर सर्वसम्मति बन गई तथा इसके तहत अब देश को प्रांतों में विभाजित किया जायेगा। इस मुद्दे पर हुए समझौते के अनुसार देश को कुल कितने प्रांतों (Provinces) में बाँटा जायेगा इस मुद्दे पर बनी सहमति में प्रधानमंत्री कोइराला तथा देश की चार प्रमुख राजनीतिक दल शामिल थे। ये दल हैं – नेपाली कांग्रेस (Nepali Congress), सीपीएन-यूएमएल (CPN-UML), यूनीफाइड सीपीएन-माओवादी (Unified CPN-M) तथा मधेशी पीपुल्स राइट्स फोरम – डेमोक्रेटिक (MPRFD)। समझौते के अनुसार देश को कुल छह प्रांतों में बाँटा जायेगा तथा इस सभी प्रांतों की सीमा भारत की सीमा से सटी होंगी। उल्लेखनीय है कि नेपाल में नया संविधान बनाने की प्रक्रिया चल रही है जिसके तहत संविधान सभा (Constituent Assembly) तमाम जटिल तथा विवादास्पद मुद्दों को सुलझाने की प्रक्रिया से गुजर रही है। देश को प्रांतों में बाँटने का मुद्दा काफी विवादित मुद्दा था तथा इस मुद्दे को सुलझा कर इस संविधान को पूरा करने की प्रक्रिया भी अपने अंतिम पड़ाव पर पहुँच गई है। यहाँ उल्लेखनीय है कि जहाँ देश में प्रांतों की संख्या और इनकी सीमा के बारे में सहमति बन गई है वहीं प्रांतों के नाम तय किया जाना शेष है। समझौते के तहत सभी छह प्रांतों की सीमा भारत से सटी होंगी तथा सबका भारत से आवागमन होगा। राजधानी के जिला काठमाण्डू को प्रांत संख्या 2 में रखा जायेगा तथा इस प्रांत के अलावा शेष सभी प्रांतों को तीन भौगोलिक भागों में बाँटा जायेगा – पर्वतीय भाग (mountain region), पहाड़ी भाग (hilly region) तथा दक्षिण का मैदानी भाग (southern plains)।

Mughal Art and paintings

Mughal painting reflects an exclusive combination of Indian, Persian and Islamic styles. As the name suggests, these paintings evolved as well as developed during the rule of Mughal Emperors in India, between 16th to 19th century. The Mughal paintings of India revolved around themes, like battles, court scenes, receptions, legendary stories, hunting scenes, wildlife, portraits, etc. The Victoria and Albert Museums of London house a large and impressive collection of Mughal paintings.

History of Mughal Painting

Indian Mughal paintings originated during the rule of Mughal Emperor, Humayun (1530-1540). When he came back to India from the exile, he also brought along two excellent Persian artists, Mir-Sayyid Ali and Abd-us-samad. With time, their art got influenced by the local styles and gradually; it gave rise to the Mughal painting of India. The earliest example of the Mughal style is the Tutinama ('Tales of a Parrot') Painting, now in the Cleveland Museum of Art. Then, there is the 'Princess of the House of Timur', a painting redone numerous times. 

Growth of Mughal Painting

Mughal paintings of India developed as well as prospered under the rule of Mughal Emperors, Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. 

Under Akbar

Mughal painting experienced large-scale growth under the reign of Emperor Akbar. During that time, hundreds of artists used to paint under the direction of the two Persian artists. Since the Emperor was fond of tales, one can see the paintings mainly being based on the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Persian epics. Mughal paintings also started illustrating an enhanced naturalism, with animal tales, landscape, portraits, etc. 

Under Jahangir

Emperor Jahangir reigned from 1605 to 1627 and extended great support to various art forms, especially paintings. This period saw more and more refinement in brushwork, along with the use of much lighter and subdued colors. The main themes of the Mughal paintings revolved around the events from Jahangir's own life, along with portraits, birds, flowers, animals, etc. One of the most popular examples of Mughal paintings of this time include the pictorial illustrations of the Jehangir-nama, the biography of Emperor Jahangir. 

Under Shah Jahan

The grace and refinement of the Jahangir period was seen at the time of Emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658). However, the sensitivity of the paintings was replaced by coldness and rigidity. The themes of that time revolved around musical parties, lovers on terraces and gardens, ascetics gathered around a fire, etc. 

Decline of Mughal Painting

The trend that was seen during the time of Shah Jahan was also found under the rule of Aurangzeb (1658-1707). However, the emperor did not pay too much attention on the growth of the Mughal paintings. Still, the art form continued to survive with the support received from its other patrons. However, gradually, because of diminishing support, a declining trend set in. The time of Muhammad Shah, (1719-1748), did experience a brief revival of the Mughal paintings. Nonetheless, with the arrival of Shah Alam II (1759-1806), the art almost became extinct and another school of painting, known as Rajput paintings, started evolving.

Food Park

Three more food processing industries in Odisha have been accorded the status of designated food parks by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) on 7 August 2015. The three industrial estates that got food park status are Agro Industrial Estate for maize, Nabarangpur, Jagatpur industrial estate in Cuttack and Mancheswar industrial estate in Bhubaneswar. Earlier in June 2015 the Union ministry had accorded the status of designated food park to MITS mega Food Park, Khordha mega Food Park and sea Food Park at Deras in the state but rejected to accord the above said Industrial Estates with designated Food Parks. The number of Food Parks in Odisha has now gone to six and now all these parks will be eligible to access concessional credit from the Rs 2,000 crore fund available with Nabard. Mega Food Park: It is a flagship program of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries which proposes to develop a demand driven pre-marketed model, which also has a strong backward/forward linkages and sustainable supply chain. Its prime objective is to facilitate establishment of integrated value chain, creating infrastructure for farm level primary processing centre-cum- cold chain in identified clusters. It aims to promote processing of intermediate products, to carter cutting edge technologies and testing facilities. Recently central government has announced to set 42 Mega Food Parks in coming four years.

In order to bring certainty in tax liability and avoid disputes in taxation with the multinationals operating in India, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) for the first time has entered into an Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) with ‘Rollback’ provision with the two US MNCs. Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) with ‘Rollback’ provision facilitates tax liability for future transactions for five years and transactions of previous four years that now provide tax certainty to applicant for nine years altogether, which was mere five regular years of APAs initially. Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had entered into this APAs with US MNCs is first ever since the Finance Ministry made announcement in March 2015. Over all CBDT has signed14 APAs of which 13 are unilateral APAs and one is a bilateral APA but did not had facility of rollback provision. Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) It is an agreement between a taxpayer and the tax authority that settles transfer prices and of setting prices of international transactions in advance and normally covers multiple years. Implications: It provides certainty to taxpayers regarding transfer pricing that aim to avoid disputes between taxpayer and tax regulator. This will introduce certainty in tax law reduces compliance costs and makes tax regime investment friendly. It will give a boost to the Indian economy as the investors will adopt this APA route with rollback provision to reduce litigation and to business with ease. Note: With an aim to avoid dispute regarding taxation with the MNCs recently India and US has signed Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP) provision of Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC).

Province of Syria conflict

The radical militants of Sunni Islamist militant group Islamic State (IS) have seized Qaryatain, a key town in central Syria. It was seized following heavy clashes with Syrian forces. It is IS’s biggest advance after it had captured the historic town of Palmyra in May 2015. The town of Qaryatain lies southwest of Palmyra and it is heavily populated town with a mixed population of around 40,000 Sunni Muslims and Christians, as well as thousands or internally displaced people. Qaryatain lies midway between the cities of Palmyra, Homs and Damascus and is home to towering Roman ruins. Its capture gives the IS group strategic link up to areas under its control around and in Palmyra with areas in the eastern countryside of Qalamoun in Damascus province of Syria.

राजपूत वास्तुकला

राजपूत शासक खूबसूरत मंदिरों, किलों और महलों के निर्माण के सन्दर्भ में एक गहरी अंतर्दृष्टि रखते थे.
राजपूतों द्वारा मंदिर का निर्माण
600 ईस्वी से 900 ईस्वी के आस-पास राजपूत शासकों नें विविध मंदिरों का निर्माण कार्य करवाया था. इनमें प्रमुख था एलोरा का कैलाश मंदिर, महाबलीपुरम के रथ मंदिर और एलिफेंटा के गुफाएं.   
इसी तरह 900 ईस्वी से 1200 ईस्वी के बीच भी राजपूत शासकों के द्वारा पल्लव, चोल और होयसल मंदिरों का निर्माण कार्य किया गया. साथ ही कंदरिया का महादेव मंदिर, भुवनेश्वर का लिंगराज मंदिर, कोणार्क का सूर्य मंदिर, खजुराहो मंदिर आदि की भी निर्माण किया गया. इस सूची में माउंट आबू का तेजपाल मंदिर और पूरी का जगन्नाथ मंदिर भी शामिल है. इन सारे मंदिरों की एक सबसे बड़ी विशेषता है इनकी सुन्दरता, इनकी बनावट और इनपर की जाने वाली कढाई. जैसे इन मंदिरों में गुलाबी और पीले रंग के पत्थरों का इस्तेमाल किया गया है. इन मंदिरों की एक और विशेषता हैं और वह है इनकी खिड़कियाँ. इन मंदिरों के द्वारों और खिडकियों और खम्बो पर ढेर सारे फूलो से कढ़ाईयां की गयी हैं. इन पर इसके अलावा बहुत सारे अनेक चित्रों को भी विकसित किया गया है, जैसे परियां की कथाएँ, आत्मायें आदि.
विश्वनाथ मंदिर का निर्माण कार्य 1002 ईस्वी में, एक चंदेल राजा धंग द्वारा करवाया गया. ने बनवाया था. खजुराहो का कंदरिया मंदिर इन सबमें सबसे बड़ा स्मारक है जिसका निर्माण कार्य 1017 ईसवी से 1029 ईसवी के बीच किया गया था.बनाया गया था.
950-70 ईस्वी के दौरान निर्मित पार्श्वनाथ मंदिर खजुराहो के मंदिरों की सूची में सबसे बडे जैन मंदिरों में से एक था. इस मंदिर का आकार आयताकार है. इसके अलावा मंदिरों के शहर पालिताना में श्री ऋषभ देव का मंदिर और चौमुख मंदिर स्थित हैं.
1088 ईस्वी में, दिलवाड़ा का जैन मंदिर सफेद संगमरमर से निर्मित किया गया था. इस मंदिर में एक कक्ष में स्थित देवता को उचें मंच पर विराजमान दिखाया गया है जिसके चारो तरफ एक आंगन है. इसके अलावा विमलवसही मंदिर और तेजपाल मंदिर भी प्रमुख मंदिर हैं.
राजपूतों द्वारा निर्मित किला और महल
राजपूतों शासकों नें चित्तौड़गढ़, अम्बर (जयपुर), जैसलमेर, जोधपुर, रणथम्भौर, ग्वालियर, और कई अन्य स्थानों पर महत्वपूर्ण किले का निर्माण किया था. यह ध्यान देने वाली बात हैं की इन सभी किलों का निर्माण छोटी पहाड़ियों पर किया गया है साथ ही इन किलों में कोई अन्य लोग प्रवेश न कर सके इसके लिए उसे चहारदीवारी से घेरा भी गया है. इन किलों में दीवारें और अनेक टावर आदि बने होते थे.
चित्तौड़गढ़ किला भारत के सभी किलों में सबसे अधिक विशाल किला है. इस किले का निर्माण कार्य मौर्य शासकों के द्वारा 7 वीं शताब्दी में करवाया गया था. इस किले में साथ दरवाजे बने हुए हैं. इसके अलावा इस किले में कई स्मारक भी बने हुए हैं. जैसे कीर्ति स्तम्भ, प्रकाश स्तम्भ,विजय स्तम्भ आदि. इन सभी स्मारकों में सबसे महत्वपूर्ण स्मारक विजय स्मारक है जिसे टावर आफ़ विक्ट्री भी कहा जाता है. इसका निर्माण चितौड़ में किया गया है. इस स्मारक में 9 तल्ले बने हुए हैं और इसकी ऊंचाई 37 मीटर है. इस टावर की दीवारों पर हिन्दू देवी-देवताओं के ढेर सारी चित्रलिपियाँ बनाई गयी हैं. इस स्तम्भ को चितौड़ के राजा महाराजा कुम्भा ने मालवा के शासक महमूद पर विजय की स्मृति में 13 वीं शताब्दी में बनवाया था. इस स्तम्भ का iआकर वर्गाकार हैं जिसमें चारो तरफ छज्जे और खिड़कियाँ बनी हुई हैं.
जैसलमेर किले का निर्माण कार्य भाटी राजपूत शासक राव जैसल द्वारा 1156 ईस्वी में जैसलमेर में करवाया गया था. यह किला थार रेगिस्थान में त्रिकुटा चोटी पर अवस्थित है.
उदयपुर पैलेस महाराणा उदय सिंह  द्वारा निर्मित पिछोला झील के तट पर स्थित है. जयपुर में हवा महल  राजा जय सिंह द्वारा बनवाया गया था. उनकी वास्तुकला में दर्पण और सजावटी संगमरमर का इस्तेमाल किया गया है. इन पर छोटे-छोटे चित्रों के साथ काफी कारीगरी की गयी है.

United state Food and Drugs Administration (USFDA) has hiked its fees by 30 percent for new generic drug applications. Earlier the fee for Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) was 58,730 dollars and now has risen by 30 per cent to 76,030 US dollars. This fee is applicable from 1 October 2015. This move will hit Indian drugmakers as the generic medicines are sold on large scale in Indian market. Meanwhile USFDA as reduced the fees for facility inspection of foreign companies, this will promote more firms to opt for audit of their facilities by the regulator US FDA. Further the regulator has also increased the rates of Drug Master File (DMF) by twenty per cent making it 42,170 dollars. All above changed fees is valid till 30 September 2016. Implications: The hike in fees for new generic drug will put extra burden on small generic drug makers as its costing will increase and eventually will affect the customers  in India who primly opt for generics due to its less pricing. Fees reduction in facility inspection will encourage Drug Company to opt for auditing from regulator.

The water treatment engineering company Polutech Limited of Murugappa Group signed an agreement with Organo Corp of Japan to set an industrial water treatment requirement company in a Joint venture. According to the agreement signed the Murugappa Group will hold 51 per cent in JV and the remaining portion will be with the Organo Group. The estimated new venture will deal in industrial water treatment requirements services, which will deal to meet growing demand of industries for waste water management. Murugappa Group’s Polutech is a key player in the water treatment engineering services in India; it manufactures equipment and designs systems for water and waste water treatment plants. Whereas, Japan’s Organo is a key player in general water treatment engineering. It provides water treatment systems, management and maintenance of delivered systems and also deals in sales of standard products and chemicals.

Union Cabinet gave its nod to a proposal to sign an agreement

Union Cabinet gave its nod to a proposal to sign an agreement with

UNESCO for establishment of a Centre for World Natural Heritage Management and Training for Asia-Pacific region. This centre will be established as a category-2 centre (C2C) of the UN body at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. By signing this agreement WII Dehradun will be first existing institute to be accorded recognition by UNESC. It will be also the first institute to get natural heritage recognition by UNESCO as currently there are 9 C2C institutes related to cultural heritage. It should be noted that this agreement has been mooted by the Union Environment Ministry. While, Union Government will provide capacity building for establishing this centre in order to support countries in the region for up keeping of heritage and natural sites. Centre for World Natural Heritage Management and Training for Asia-Pacific region will provide Services for evaluation and preparation of proposals for new cultural and heritage sites in Asia-Pacific region. Capacity building and training on management and monitoring of heritage sites. Thus its establishment will have a catalytic effect in case of improving management of heritage sites in the country. Presently, India has 32 UNESCO heritage sites of which 7 are natural sites and 25 are cultural sites. Implications: Operationalization of the UNESCO C2C at WII, Dehradun will enable India to establish leadership in the Asia-Pacific region that comprises of around 50 countries. This leadership will be in matters related to management, identification and monitoring of world heritage sites and to build capacity of a range of professionals and stakeholders.
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