CURRENT AFFAIRS APRIL/9/2015

CURRENT AFFAIRS APRIL/9/2015

1. India ranks 101 among 132 nations on social progress Index

Social progress index is index that grades countries for how well they do on meeting their citizens’ basic human needs, their well-being and opportunity.

It is indicators of well-being such as health, water and sanitation, personal safety, access to opportunity, tolerance, inclusion, personal freedom and choice.

Rank of India in Social progress index

India ranks 101 among 132 nations

U.S at the 16 the place and china at 92 rank

The top Five countries are Norway,sweden,Switzerland,Iceland,New Zeland

India ranks 128th on tolerance and inclusion

India ranks 120th in "Health and Wellness

2. Nasim Zaidi set to become next Chief Election Commissioner

Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi will become the next Chief Election Commissioner later this month as current Chief Election Commissioner H.S. Brahma retires on April 19 of this Month

A 1976-batch IAS officer, Mr. Zaidi has worked in the Civil Aviation Ministry for a long time

Mr. Zaidi will have a tenure up to July 2017, when he attains the age of 65.

After Mr. Zaidi’s appointment, the government will set in motion the process to appoint two Election Commissioners

3. Jnanapith winner Jayakanthan passes away

Legendary Tamil writer  and Jnanapith award winner Jayakanthan who was famous for his bold and progressive works, died following prolonged illness Jayakanthan was a prolific writer of novels and short stories,and essayist.

Facts to know about Jayakanthan:-

Jayakanthan was born in 1934 in a family of agriculturists in Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu)

He left school after completing grade 3 education he was then considered a problematic child  

Jayakanthan ran away from home to Madras and became a member of the Communist party at a very young age

He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1972 and the Jnanpith Award in 2002.

Popular Works of Jayakanthan :-

He has authored over 35 novels ,innumerable short stories and two autobiographies Oru Ilakkiyavathiyin Arasiyal Anubavangal and Oru Arasiyalvathiyin Ilakkiya Anubavangal

He was Known for his work 'Sila Nerangalil Sila Manidhargal'

His novels Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal, Oru Nadigai Nadagam Paarkiral, Yaarukkaga Azhudhaan and Cinemavukku Pona Chithalu were adapted as films.

Jayakanthan himself experimented with film-making and directed Yarukkaka Azhudhaan, Unnai Pol Oruvan and Paathai Theiryuthu Paar.

4. Snapdeal Acquires FreeCharge Online Recharge Service

India’s largest online marketplace has acquired FreeCharge, India’s fastest growing mobile transactions platform. Snapdeal that has a user base of over 40 million can now offer a wide range of products and services, including financial services, mobile recharge and utility payments

Snspdeal had acquired Rupee Power few days ago

About freecharge:-

It is a online recharge website headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra launched on 15 august 2010 FreeCharge is India’s leading mobile commerce platform where users can pay their mobile, DTH and utility payments across most major operators

5. The Union Cabinet approved the Real Estate Bill to protect the interests of consumer

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its approval to amendments to the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2013 pending in the Rajya Sabha, and approved amendments proposed in the Bill.

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill is a initiative to protect the interest of consumers, to curb malpractices in real estate transactions and to ensure timely execution of projects

Key features of the bill:-

The bill ensures uniform regulatory enviornment to protect consumer interest

It emphasis on speedy trial of disputes and promote orderly growth of real estate

The bill contains the provision of registration of real estate projects and registration of real estate agents with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority Establishment of Real Estate Regulatory Authority 

To promote fast track dispute resolution it has the provisions for establishment of a Real Estate Appellate Tribunal; offences and penalties etc

6. Sumit Mazumdar elected as the President of CII for the year 2015-16

Sumit Mazumdar,who is the Chairman and Managing Director, TIL Limited, has been elected as the President of CII(Confederation of Indian Industry)he succeeds Mr Ajay Shriram as the new President.

Ms Shobana Kamineni, Executive Vice-Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Limited (AHEL) has been elected as Vice-President of CII

About Sumit Mazumdar:-

He is a graduate of St Xavier's College, Calcutta

He has obtained a Master's in Business Administration from Sam Houston State University, Texas, USA.

He has undertaken Advanced Management Program at Harvard University, Massachusetts, USA.

He is Chairman and Managing Director, TIL Limited

Mazumder is also the Executive Chairman of TIPL (Tractors India Pvt. Ltd.)