Current Affair Compilation October 2017 12-05

Prelim Bits 12-10-17
Sewage Treatment Plants in PPP

Government has approved setting up of Indias first ever Sewage
Treatment Plants under Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) at Haridwar
and Varanasi.
It will ensure that untreated sewage from the cities does not flow into
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the Ganga, giving a boost to Namami Gange Programme.
As per HAM, the government will contribute to 40% of the project cost
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to the Private entity in the first five years through annual payments.
The remaining payment will be made on the basis of the assets created
and the performance of the developer.

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Thus the annuity payment based on performance of the sewage
infrastructure assets will ensure the continued performance of the
sewage plants.
It also allows the financial risk to be shared between the government
and private entity.
Nirmal Ganga Sahbhagita
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Nirmal Ganga Sahbhagita is an initiative of Ministry of water
resources.
It is mainly to assist the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) located on the
banks of the river Ganga for achieving the objective of Clean Ganga.
It aims at sensitizing the ULBs about the pollution arising primarily
due to dumping of solid waste in the river and involving them in
stoppage of such dumping.
SANKALP and STRIVE
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Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has recently approved
SANKALP and STRIVE schemes.

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Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion
(SANKALP) aimed at providing market relevant training to youths
across the country.

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Skill Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE)
aimed at improving the quality and the market relevance of vocational
training provided in ITIs.
The project will also strengthen the apprenticeship programme
through industry-cluster approach.
Both Schemes are under the Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship and supported by World Bank loan assistance.
The two schemes will help in setting up national body for vocational
education Vocational Education and Training (VET).
VET shall regulate accreditation and certification in both long and
short term thereby bringing about uniformity in vocational training.
SANKALP is a centrally sponsored scheme and STRIVE is a central
sector scheme.
Central sector schemes and Centrally Sponsored Scheme

Central sector schemes are 100% funded by the Union government
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and implemented by the Central Government machinery.
Central sector schemes are mainly formulated on subjects from the

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Union List.
They account for 11% of the Central Government's expenditure.
In Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) a certain percentage of the

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funding is borne by the States and the implementation is by the State
Governments.
Centrally Sponsored Schemes are formulated in subjects from the
State List to encourage States to prioritise in areas that require more
attention.
They account for 10% of Central governments expenditure.
Film and Television Institute of India
Shri Anupam Kher, veteran cine star, has been appointed as Chairman
of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).
FTII is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting.
It is registered under Societies' Registration Act of 1860.
It is a member of the International Liaison Centre of Schools of
Cinema and Television (CILECT), an organisation of the world's
leading schools of film and television.
Survey in Arabian Sea Region
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The first ever assessment of the conservation status of Sharks, rays
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and Chimaeras in the Arabian Sea Region (ASR) was recently carried
out.
The assessment revealed that 3 marine species viz Pondicherry shark,

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the red sea torpedo and the tentacle butterfly ray might be possibly
extinct in the ASR.
The guitar fish found in coastal waters of Kerala and Tamil Nadu and
the Ganges shark were classified as Critically Endangered.
The ASR covers the waters of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea,
Sea of Oman, and the Gulf.
Chondrichthyans
Chondrichthyes is a class that contains the cartilaginous fishes.
Sharks, rays and chimaeras are collectively called as chondrichthyans.
Cartilaginous fishes are jawed vertebrates with paired fins and
skeletons made of cartilage rather than bone.
They paired nares, scales, a heart with its chambers in series.
India banned the exploitation and trade of sharks fins of all species
and rays.
Source: PIB, The Hindu, BusinessLine.

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Compound to destruct cancer cells
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Scientists have discovered a new compound that directly drives cancer
cells to commit suicide while sparing healthy cells.
It paves the way for faster and more efficient treatment of cancer cells.
The compound which causes the self-destruction of cancer cells is
BTSA1.
It combats cancer by triggering Apoptosis, a process that rids the
body of malfunctioning cells.
Quasi-Zenith Satellite System

Quasi-Zenith is a regional terrestrial positioning network system
launched by Japan.
The satellite system consists of 4 satellites which will operate at an
altitude of between 33,000 and 39,000 km above the earth in
geosynchronous orbit.
Its function is to improve GPS data accuracy for smartphones and
vehicle navigation systems and complementary use of GPS.
Japan recently launched its fourth and final quasi-zenith satellite into
orbit.
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These satellites will be to establish communications during a
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malfunction of traditional networks due to a natural disaster.
Mitra Shakti
It is India-Sri Lanka joint military exercise.
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It had started in 2012 as a response to Chinas efforts to increase its
influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region.
This year exercise, fifth in the series will be held in Pune.
The armies of India and Sri Lanka also serve together in the United
Nations Peacekeeping missions.
Joint Military Exercises

S. Country Exercise
N
o.
1. Australia Ex AUSTRA HIND
2. Bangladesh Ex SAMPRITI
3. China Ex HAND IN HAND
4. France Ex SHAKTI
5. Indonesia Ex GARUDA SHAKTI
6. Kazakhstan Ex PRABAL DOSTYK
7. Kyrgyzstan Ex KHANJAR
8. Maldives Ex EKUVERIN
9. Mongolia Ex NOMADIC ELEPHANT
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Ex KHAN QUEST
1 Nepal Ex SURYA KIRAN

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11 Oman AL NAGAH
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1 Russia Ex INDRA
2.
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1 Seychelles Ex LAMITIYE
3.
1 Singapore Ex AGNI WARRIOR
4.
Ex BOLD KURUKHESTRA
15 Sri Lanka Ex MITRA SHAKTI

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1 Thailand Ex MAITREE
6.
Ex COBRA GOLD
17 UK Ex AJEYA WARRIOR
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1 USA Ex YUDHABHAYAS
8.
Ex VAJRA PRAHAR
Wind farm
Wind farm is a group of wind turbines used for producing electricity.
Turbines need a wind speed at least 16km/hr.
Ideal location-related criteria for wind farm include near-constant
flow of non-turbulent wind all year round, minimum likelihood of
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sudden burst of powerful wind.
The top 4 wind power countries are China, US, Germany and
India.
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Recent research has found that wind farms located over open seas can
produce five times the amount of energy as compared to the ones

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situated on land.
Europe is currently the world leader in offshore wind power, with the
first farm (Vindeby) being installed in Denmark in 1991.
In India, major wind power producing states are Rajasthan, Gujarat,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Indias total wind energy output 28,700 MW.
India set a new national record producing 3600 MW from new
installations in 2016 which helps in attaining 4th largest market
country.
International Day of the Girl Child

Since 2012, 11th October has been marked as the International Day of
the Girl, to recognize girls rights and the unique challenges girls face
around the world.
UNICEF observes the day to spur global attention and action to the
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challenges and opportunities girls face before, during, and after crises.
IMFs growth projection

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In IMFs recent world economic outlook report, it has raised its
projection for economic growth of major economies, but it drastically
reduced the growth rate for India.

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It projects that India would grow by 6.7% in 2017 and 7.4% in 2018
which are 0.5 and 0.3 percentage points lower than earlier projections.
It cited demonetisation and GST as the reason for slower growth.
At this rate, India will lose the tag of the fastest-growing major
economy. China is projected to grow by 6.8 per cent in 2017.
Source: The Hindu, Indian Express.
Vayoshreshtha Samman
President confers Vayoshreshtha Samman to eminent senior citizens
and institutions in recognition of their services towards the cause of
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elderly persons.
In 2013, it has been upgraded as a National Award.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment serves as the nodal

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ministry for the cause of senior citizens.
The Awards are given to institutions/organisations/individuals from
any part of the country.

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Nominations are invited from Governmental and Non-Governmental
Agencies.
International Day of Older Persons is observed on 1st of October every
year pursuant to the adoption of a resolution by the UN General
Assembly.
The Ministry has been celebrating the International day of Older
Persons since 2005.
BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise
Home Ministry will inaugurate the First BIMSTEC Disaster
Management Exercise- 2017.
The Exercise will be conducted by the National Disaster Response
Force (NDRF) as the lead agency.
It was decided in the 17th BIMSTEC meeting held in Kathmandu in
February this year that India would organize the first annual Disaster
Management Exercise for the region.
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The exercise is seen as a platform for sharing best practices of Disaster
Risk Reduction (DRR), Disaster management among all 7 nations of

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BIMSTEC.
BIMSTEC grouping - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri
Lanka and Thailand

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New Proposal of Election Commission

EC has urged the law ministry to amend election laws to include
failure to clear dues of public utilities as a disqualification from
contesting Lok Sabha and assembly polls.
The dues include government house rent, electricity and power bills
etc.
Barring candidates will require amendment to the chapter-III of the
Representation of the People Act (RPA) which deals with electoral
offences.
However, the Government has rejected the proposal.
The rationale behind the rejection was the authority issuing the no-
dues certificate to a candidate could be biased and may not give the
required papers.
In cases of dispute on the dues, the matter could be referred to a court
and may take time to settle.
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In such cases, it would not be desirable to deny the candidate with the
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no dues certificate.
Achievements of CSIR
Platinum Jubilee celebration of CSIR was recently celebrated.
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It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Science and
Technology and the largest R&D organization in India.
It has developed the system called Drishti - a visibility measuring
system provides information to pilots on visibility for soft landing and
take-off operation.
It has established the Indias first Lithium Ion Battery fabrication
facility based on indigenous novel materials.
It developed Ksheer-Scanner, a new technical invention to detect
the level of milk adulteration and adulterants.
It has designed the first ever standalone reading machine for visually
impaired system called as Divya Nayan.
It pioneered DNA finger printing technique for medico-legal
applications. India became the 3rd country to develop its own DNA
finger printing.
It developed the worlds first non-steroidal oral contraceptive for
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women under the brand name of Chhaya and Saheli in National
Family Planning Programme.

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It pioneered Indias first five- seater aircraft.
It created a system called Dhvani which is used as modern
indigenous marksmanship training system.

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Conference of Partner NGOs

The first ever conference of Partner NGOs of Women and Child
Development Ministry was recently held in New Delhi.
It aimed at sensitizing NGOs about the various schemes of the
ministry and to give them an opportunity to share their experiences
and insights.
An online facility will be created by WCD Ministry for receiving
complaints/suggestions from NGOs in the field of women and
children.
The broad themes of the conference include violence against women,
national policy for women, trafficking of women and children, cyber
crime and children and implementation of juvenile justice act.
Swachh Iconic Place

Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai has been adjudged the
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best Swachh Iconic Place (clean place) in India.
It is a special clean-up initiative focused on select iconic heritage,

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spiritual and cultural places in the country.
The initiative is being coordinated by the Ministry of Drinking Water
and Sanitation in association with the Ministry of Urban

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Development, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism and the
concerned State governments.
Source: PIB, The Hindu
Mission Bhagiratha
It is being implemented in the State of Telangana to ensure safe and
sustainable piped drinking water supply from surface water sources.
It is aimed at providing tap connection to every household, the surface
water sources being Krishna and Godavari Basin.
It involves integration of all existing water supply schemes and
ongoing drinking water projects.
Water will also be provided to Industrial requirements.
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There is also a plan to install optical fibre pipelines using the extensive
water pipeline network being laid under the mission.

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This will save the state a large amount of funds that would have been
needed to install a separate OFC network.
This Telangana model is also being emulated in Bihar, Karnataka and
Maharashtra states.
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International Conference on Dialogue of Civilisation

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in collaboration with
National Geographic Society is hosting an International Conference
on Dialogue of Civilizations at Delhi, Gandhinagar and Dholavira.
The first conference of this series was inaugurated in Guatemala in
2013 followed by Turkey in 2014 and China in 2015.
The present conference is the fourth in this series, with the final
dialogue planned in Egypt.

It was launched with an objective to encourage scholarly and public
discourse about the five ancient, literate civilizations of the world, i.e.
Egypt, Mesopotamia, South Asia, China and Mesoamerica.
Project Loon
Project Loon developed by Google 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 18 km to create an aerial wireless network.
It helps to improve communication during natural disasters to
affected regions.
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It was recently deployed in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane
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Maria.
Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP)

It is the worlds first initiative that aims to conserve high mountain
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ecosystems by protecting snow leopard in the region.
It unites all 12 range country governments, nongovernmental and
inter-governmental organisations, local communities, private sector.
Arunachal Pradesh is one of the 22 priority landscapes of the GSLEP.
Recently, Scientists have obtained the first evidence of presence of
Snow leopard in Community Conserved Area (CCA) in Arunachal
Pradesh.
In 2004, WWF-India introduced the concept of CCAs in the State to
empower local communities to become active decision-makers and
implement conservation initiatives.
Snow leopard, native of central and south Asia, is listed as a
vulnerable category in the Red List of IUCN.
12 range countries - Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan,
and Uzbekistan.
Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR)
Commission Joint Research .in

The EDGAR information system is a joint project of the European
Centre and the Netherlands

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Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL).
It stores global emission inventories of greenhouse gases and air
pollutants from anthropogenic sources both on a per country and

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region basis as well as on a grid.
According to its data, Indias emissions have gone up by 4.7% in 2016.
For most major GHG emitters in the world, the emission figures have
gone down, barring India and Indonesia.
U.S. saw a fall of 2%, the Russian Federation 2.1%, Brazil 6.1%, China
0.3%, and, within the European Union, the United Kingdom 6.4%.
INS Trishul
INS Trishul belongs to Talwar class of frigates.
The Talwar-class guided missile frigate use stealth technologies and a
special hull design to ensure a reduced radar cross section.
Recently, it thwarted a piracy attempt near Gulf of Aden.
Hurricane Nate
It is the fourth major storm to strike the United States in less than two
months after Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria.
It has weakened to tropical storm after attaining a wind speed of 70
miles per hour (110 km per hour).
Source: PIB, The Hindu, BusinessLine
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Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

Three Americans won the Nobel Prize in Physiology for their
discoveries about the biological clock.
They have isolated a gene that controls the bodys normal daily
circadian rhythm.
Biological clocks produce circadian rhythms and regulate their timing.
Circadian rhythm regulates the periods of tiredness and wakefulness
during the 24-hour cycle in synchronizes with earths rotation.
It adapts the workings of the body to different phases of the day.
It influences sleep, behavior, hormone levels, body temperature and
metabolism.
The body responds primarily to light and darkness and is found in all
living things viz plants, animals (including microbes) and human
beings.
Nobel Prize in Chemistry
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It was awarded for the development of technique called cryo-electron
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microscopy which helps in determining the structure of biomolecules
in solution.
It takes accurate and detailed pictures of living things at atomic scales.

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The high-resolution, 3D images can help in cancer drug research and
better understanding of the Zika virus.
Nobel Prize in Physics

It was awarded for decisive contributions to the LIGO detector and the
observation of gravitational waves.
Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space-time released by
violent events such as mergers of black holes,
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) is
the scientific project that made gravitational wave detection possible.
There are two LIGO detectors in USA (Louisiana and Washington),
one in Italy (Virgo) and one planned in India (INDIGO) and in Japan
(KAGRA).
Nobel Peace Prize

It was awarded to International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear
Weapons (ICAN).
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It was given for its efforts to draw attention to the catastrophic
humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and to

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achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons.
ICAN is a Geneva-based coalition of non-governmental organisations
from over 100 countries around the globe.

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It began in Australia and was officially launched in Vienna in 2007.
It has been the leading civil society actor in the effort to achieve a
prohibition of nuclear weapons under international law.
Embryo Transfer Technology

Government has undertaken a Mass Embryo Transfer programme in
Indigenous Breeds under National Mission on Bovine Productivity.
Embryo transfer refers to a step in the process of assisted
reproduction in which embryos are placed into the uterus of a female
with the intent to establish a pregnancy.
It is implemented with the objective of conservation and development
of indigenous breeds under Rashtriya Gokul Mission.
Under this programme, embryos of higher genetic merit indigenous
bovines are being transferred in to surrogate cows.
Embryos of Indigenous breeds such as Sahiwal, Gir, Red Sindhi,
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Ongole, Deoni and Vechur have been proposed to be transferred under
this programme.
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Source: PIB, The Hindu.
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Neelakurinji
Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) is a shrub that is found in the
shola forests of the Western Ghats in South India.
It belongs to the genus Strobilanthes which has around 250 species.
Blooming periods of different species of Kurinji differ from each other.

Neelakurinji blooms once in 12 years and its gregarious blooming are
expected in July next year.
It grows at an altitude of 1300 to 2400 metres.
Besides the Western Ghats, Neelakurinji is also seen in the Shevroys in
the Eastern Ghats.
Mission Rice
Mission rice is organised under the Kudumbasree mission in Kerala.
The project aims to conserve and propagate seven vanishing
It includes Gandhakasala,
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indigenous rice seeds of Wayanad District.
Jeerakasala, Palthondi, Chenellu,

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Rakthashali, Veliyan and Adukkan.
The project has been executed through Joint liability groups (JLGs) of
the mission.
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Bioslurry pellet method, an innovative method of rice cultivation is
followed under the mission.
JLG - It is an informal group comprising of 4-10 individuals coming
together for the purpose of availing bank loan on individual basis or
through group mechanism.
Pradhanmantri Grameen Digital Saksharata Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)
It is the new scheme launched by the Ministry of Electronics and IT,
envisage to make 6 crore citizens digitally literate in rural India by
2019.
It is an integral component of Digital India Initiative of the
Government.
It is expected to be one of the largest digital literacy programs in the
world.
It would empower the citizens by providing them access to
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information, knowledge and skills for operating computers / digital
access devices.
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The scheme also focuses on enabling digital financial transactions
among the citizens.
Under the Scheme, Digital Saksharata Abhinanadan Samaroh event

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will be held in Gandhinagar.
Various Common Service Centres and Village level entrepreneurs will
be participating in this event.
Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav (RSM) 2017

RSM-2017 will be held in Ahmadabad, Indias 1st World Heritage City.
It was conceived in 2015 by Ministry of Culture.
It was organised with intent to showcase the rich cultural heritage of
the country.
This year, Ministry of Culture in partnership with Ministry of Tourism
is organising a RSM under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat mission.
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

The Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat programme under Ministry of HRD,
aims to actively enhance interaction between people of diverse
cultures living in different States and UTs in India.
As per the programme, each year, every State/UT would be paired
with another State/UT in India for reciprocal interaction between the
people.
India Water Week

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It is an international event organised by Ministry of Water Resources.
The 5th edition of this event will be held this month with the
participation of 13 countries.
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The theme of India Water Week 2017 is Water and Energy for
Inclusive Growth.
It is seen as a platform to elicit ideas and opinions from global-level
decision makers, researchers and entrepreneurs in the field of water
resources development and management.
National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB)

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) established National
Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) in the year 1972.
It is the only organization involved in continuous collection of data on
actual dietary intakes 0f population.
It collects information from households as a whole, as well as by
individuals belonging to different age and physiological groups, in
different states.
In its recent nation-wide study to assess urban nutrition, it highlighted
that Indians consume far less than the recommended quantum of
several micro-nutrients and vital vitamins.
Source: PIB, The Hindu.

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Report on Modern Slavery

A study on Global Estimates of Modern Slavery was conducted by a
Walk Free Foundation (WFF), Australia based Human Rights Group.
The report was published on behalf of the global body International
Labour Organisation (ILO).
The country wise figures are not mentioned in the report but it has
revealed that 40.3 million people are victims of modern slavery in
2016.
Global Slavery Index is computed by WFF every year.
Anna Politkovskaya Award

The award is given by a London-based non-governmental organisation
Reach All Women in War (RAW in War).
The organisation supports women human rights defenders and
victims of war.
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The award was instituted in the name of well-known Russian
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Journalist who was killed in 2006 in Moscow for uncovering state
corruption and rights abuses.
Journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh becomes first Indian Journalist to

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win this award.
The award is also given to Gulalai Ismail, a Pakistani peace activist
who has faced death threats for speaking out against the Taliban.
The institute also honoured Rohingya refugee Jamalida Begum, who
spoke out publicly about her rape by Myanmar security forces.
Kaleshwaram Project
NGT has recently ordered an interim stay on Telangana governments
Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project.
Pranahitha-Chevella Lift Irrigation Scheme was taken up in 2007 to
utilise the water of Pranhita tributary of Godavari River.
After the formation of Telangana, the project was redesigned into two
sections.
The original component serving the Adilabad area was called the
Pranahitha project.
The second part is called Kaleswaram Project serving the Karimnagar,
Warangal, Nizamabad and Medak districts.
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Water from Godavari River after the confluence by the Pranahita
tributary is lifted to provide lift irrigation facility.

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Lift Irrigation project - Pumps are used to lift the water from canals or
rivers at lower level to the area at higher level for irrigation purpose.
Committee on Corporate Governance

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Uday Kotak on corporate governance has proposed rules aimed at
bringing more transparency to the functioning of boards in the listed
companies.
The committee also proposed several measures to strengthen the role
of independent directors.
One of the proposals is to keep out relatives of promoter group from
occupying the independent directors place on the board.
It recommended an amendment to regulate the information rights of
significant shareholders and promoters.
The other key proposal is to separate the role of Chairperson and
MD/CEO at listed entities with more than 40 per cent public
shareholding with effect from April 1, 2020.
SEBI regulations do not mandate a separation of these posts.
Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI)

Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City)'s International
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Financial Services Centre (IFSC) has bagged the 10th spot in GFCI.
GIFT IFSC is ranked tenth, ahead of Luxembourg, Seoul, Abu Dhabi,

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Toronto and Beijing in the list of the GFCI report.
The report presents parameter for measuring the attractiveness of
financial centres and understanding the growth and competitiveness

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of financial centres.
It is produced bi-annually by the China Development Institute (CDI)
in Shenzhen and a commercial think tank in London.
Global Aurora
Recently, a strong solar storm hit Mars sparking a global aurora and
doubling radiation levels on the red planet.
This aurora is 25 times brighter than any previously seen by the
MAVEN orbiter.
The event has occurred strangely during the Suns 11-year sunspot and
storm-activity cycle.
These events will improve the understanding the effects of solar storm
on the Martian environment.
Source: The Hindu, BusinessLine, Business Standard
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Grand Renaissance Dam
Grand Renaissance Dam is a gravity dam on the Blue Nile River in
Ethiopia.
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It is formerly known as the Millennium Dam and sometimes referred
to as Hidase Dam.
It has been under construction since 2011 and likely to be finalized late
2017 or early 2018.
It is the first major dam on the Blue Nile and has the reservoir with the
capacity of 74 billion cubic meters of water.
The capacity is equivalent to entire annual flow of Blue Nile at Sudan
Border.
It will be the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa as well as the
7th largest in the world.
Paryatan Parv
The programme will be organised by the Ministry of Tourism from 5th
to 25th October 2017.
The objectives of the programme are focussing on the benefits of
tourism, showcasing the cultural diversity of the country and
reinforcing the principle of Tourism for All.
It will be inaugurated at the Humayuns Tomb, Delhi.
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The Adopt a Heritage project launched by the Ministry of Tourism
will be implemented at key sites during this period.

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India and Lithuania
Cabinet has approved signing of an extradition treaty between India
and Lithuania.
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The treaty provides a mutual legal framework for seeking deportation
of terrorists, economic offenders and other criminals.
India has signed extradition treaties with 37 countries and extradition
arrangements with eight other nations.
Extradition Treaty Vs Arrangement

An extradition treaty is a mutually agreed text signed and ratified by
two Governments.
The arrangement is made in the absence of an extradition treaty on
the assurance of reciprocity including under an international
convention.
In the arrangement, two countries consider any international
convention as the legal basis for extradition in respect of any offence
to which the convention applies.
It does not cover all offences.
For e.g India has signed extradition arrangement with Italy.
India and Italy are both States Parties to the 1988 UN Convention
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against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
This Convention has been notified under the Extradition Act by the
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Government of India.
Thus the legal basis for extradition will be based on this convention.
German aid for Bullet train

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India is tapping Germany to finance and execute the proposed
Chennai-Bengaluru high-speed rail project.
In October last year, India and Germany signed a deal on bilateral
cooperation in the rail sector.
According to the pact, Germany is expected to look at the possibility of
a bullet train and increasing the speed of trains on existing routes to
200 kmph.
There are also five other planned high-speed routes Viz Delhi-
Mumbai, Mumbai-Chennai, Delhi-Kolkata, Delhi-Nagpur, and
Mumbai-Nagpur.
Karnataka Forest Act

The Karnataka High Court recently declared Karnataka Forests
(Amendment) Act, 2016 as unconstitutional.
The court directed the government to refund the amount collected as
the Forest Development Fee (FDF) from private mining leaseholders.
Earlier, the state has imposed Forest Development Tax (FDT) on the
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sale of minerals by private mining companies.
The High Court in its 2015 judgement had held that private mining
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leaseholders in forest areas are not liable to pay the FDT and urged the
state to refund the collected tax.
In order to circumvent the judgment, the government has enacted an

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amendment in 2016 and imposed the FDF of 12 percent.
Now, the High Court has quashed the amendment saying that
imposition of levy by changing the name from tax to fee is
impermissible.
Choppiness Index
It is an index used by traders in financial markets to analyse the
movement of prices.
It helps to determine whether prices are trending in a particular
direction, either upward or downward, or are moving sideways in a
choppy manner.
Source: PIB, The Hindu and BusinessLine
.in
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Current Affair Compilation October 2017 12-05

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Prelim Bits 12-10-17

Sewage Treatment Plants in PPP

Treatment Plants under Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) at Haridwar

and the performance of the developer.

Thus the annuity payment based on performance of the sewage

infrastructure assets will ensure the continued performance of the

It also allows the financial risk to be shared between the government

and private entity.

Nirmal Ganga Sahbhagita

It is mainly to assist the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) located on the

It aims at sensitizing the ULBs about the pollution arising primarily

due to dumping of solid waste in the river and involving them in

stoppage of such dumping.

SANKALP and STRIVE

SANKALP and STRIVE schemes.

(SANKALP) aimed at providing market relevant training to youths

across the country.

Skill Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE)

aimed at improving the quality and the market relevance of vocational

training provided in ITIs.

The project will also strengthen the apprenticeship programme

through industry-cluster approach.

Both Schemes are under the Ministry of Skill Development and

Entrepreneurship and supported by World Bank loan assistance.

education Vocational Education and Training (VET).

VET shall regulate accreditation and certification in both long and

short term thereby bringing about uniformity in vocational training.

SANKALP is a centrally sponsored scheme and STRIVE is a central

Central sector schemes and Centrally Sponsored Scheme

Central sector schemes are mainly formulated on subjects from the

They account for 11% of the Central Government's expenditure.

In Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) a certain percentage of the

funding is borne by the States and the implementation is by the State

Centrally Sponsored Schemes are formulated in subjects from the

State List to encourage States to prioritise in areas that require more

They account for 10% of Central governments expenditure.

Film and Television Institute of India

of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).

FTII is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Information

It is registered under Societies' Registration Act of 1860.

It is a member of the International Liaison Centre of Schools of

Cinema and Television (CILECT), an organisation of the world's

leading schools of film and television.

Survey in Arabian Sea Region

The assessment revealed that 3 marine species viz Pondicherry shark,

extinct in the ASR.

the Ganges shark were classified as Critically Endangered.

Sea of Oman, and the Gulf.

Cartilaginous fishes are jawed vertebrates with paired fins and

skeletons made of cartilage rather than bone.

They paired nares, scales, a heart with its chambers in series.

Source: PIB, The Hindu, BusinessLine.

Prelim Bits 11-10-17

Scientists have discovered a new compound that directly drives cancer

cells to commit suicide while sparing healthy cells.

The compound which causes the self-destruction of cancer cells is

It combats cancer by triggering Apoptosis, a process that rids the

body of malfunctioning cells.

Quasi-Zenith Satellite System

The satellite system consists of 4 satellites which will operate at an

altitude of between 33,000 and 39,000 km above the earth in

Its function is to improve GPS data accuracy for smartphones and

vehicle navigation systems and complementary use of GPS.

It had started in 2012 as a response to Chinas efforts to increase its