CURRENT AFFAIRS MAY/23/2015

CURRENT AFFAIRS MAY/23/2015
• India ranks 24th in Environmental Democracy Index
  • India ranks 24th in the environmental democracy index from the World Resources Institute (WRI) which tracks how 70 countries around the world including 75 legal and 24 practice indicators, based on recognised international standards. 
  • The index evaluates whether Governments are enacting national laws to promote transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in environmental decision making
  • The top ten countries based on national laws are: Lithuania (EDI rank #1), Latvia (2), Russia (3), United States (T-4), South Africa (T-4), United Kingdom (6), Hungary (7), Bulgaria (8), Panama (9) and Colombia (10)
  • This index is a powerful lever that will help governments to become more transparent and ordinary citizens to advocate for more rights
  Key findings from the index :-
  1. 93% of the ciuntries have established the right to environmental information
  2. The Laws on public participation lag behind in many countries out of the vast majority of countries assessed (79%) earned only fair or poor ratings for public participation.
  3.  Most of the courts will hear environmental cases:- Nearly 73 % of the countries assessed  will hear environmental cases. Very few countries assessed have assistance for marginalized groups only 14% have legal mechanisms that help women access courts to obtain redress when their environmental rights are violated.
  4. Most of the countries lag on providing citizens basic environmental information that is nearly half (46%) of countries assessed do not provide any ambient air quality data online for their capital cities.
  Extra Knowledge (EK) :-
  There are three key policies relating to environmental protection in India. They are:-
  1. The National Forest Policy, 1988
  2. Policy statement for Abatement of Pollution, 1992
  3. National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development, 1992
  How is ‘Environment’ defined under Indian Law?
  According to Section 2(a) of the Environmental Protection Act, 1986, ‘Environment’ includes :-
  a) Water, air and land 
  b) The inter-relationship which exists among and between,
  i) water, air, land, and
  ii) human beings, other living creatures, plants, microorganisms and property
• India-Singapore bilateral naval exercise SIMBEX-15 commenced in Singapore from May 23-26
  • SIMBEX-15, a bilateral naval exercise between Singapore Navy and Indian Navy commenced  from May 23-26 at Singapore 
  • Two Indian naval ships, INS Satpura and INS Kamorta, are participating in the bilateral naval exercise 
  • As a part of this deployment, INS Satpura, an indigenously built guided missile stealth frigate, commanded by Captain Hari Krishnan and INS Kamorta, the latest and indigenous anti-submarine warfare (ASW) corvette, commanded by Commander Manoj Kumar Jha, had reached Singapore on May 18.
  • These ships participated in IMDEX-15 and are now conducting SIMBEX-15 being held from May 23-26.
  • Along with Satpura and Kamrota, Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Anti Submarine (LRMRASW) aircraft P 8I will also participate in the exercise.
  • The  naval exercise will strengthen bilateral ties and enhance inter-operability between navies of the two friendly nations," the statement added.
• Indian film ‘Masaan’ wins  critics prize at Cannes
  • Indian director Neeraj Ghaywan's project Masaan, which centres around a group of people in Varanasi, has won the prestigious critics prize in the Un Certain Regard category, which runs parallel to the competition for the main prize, Palme d’Or, at the 68th Cannes Film Festival, the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) announced on 24th May
  • The film set in Varanasi, follows the lives of a young orphan (Nikhil Sahni), a low-caste teenage boy (Vicky Kaushal) who falls in love with an upper-caste girl (Shweta Tripathi), her father (Sanjay Mishra) and a woman (Richa Chadha) caught in a sex scandal. Masaan is Hindi word for crematorium, where the teenage boy works. As their stories collide, in girl's father who is fighting a taboo, the young orphan finds an unlikely father figure
  • Masaan is  a joint production of Manish Mundra, Macassar Productions, Arte France Cinema, Sikhya Entertainment & Phantom Films
  • Films, stars newcomers like Vicky Kaushal and Shweta Tripathi, along with Sanjay Mishra and Richa Chadda
  • Ghaywan previously assisted Anurag Kashyap on Gangs Of Wasseypur
• Union Cabinet clears Rs 3,090-cr PSLV continuation programme
  • The union cabinet gave its approval for the continuation of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) programme for 15 operational flights (PSLV-C36 to PSLV-C50)
  • The programme will cost Rs. 3,090 crores and "enable launch of satellites required for earth observation, navigation and space sciences along with the possibility of clinching commercial launch service contracts
  • The PSLV programme approved will meet the demand of launching satellites at a frequency of four to five launches per year, with a greater focus on enhancing the level of participation by the Indian industry 
  • All the 15 operational flights would be completed during the period 2017-2020 
  • Currently the  PSLV operational flights that were sanctioned in 2008, are being utilised to meet the satellite launch requirements.
  Extra Knowledge (EK) :-
  About PSLV :-
  • The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle,commonly known by its abbreviation PSLV, is an expendable launch system developed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It was developed to allow India to launch its Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites into Sun synchronous orbits, a service that was, until the advent of the PSLV, commercially available only from Russia. PSLV can also launch small size satellites into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).
  • As of 2014 the PSLV has launched 71 spacecraft (31 Indian and 40 foreign satellites) into a variety of orbits. Some notable payloads launched by PSLV include India's Chandrayaan-1 lunar probe and the Mars Orbiter Mission
  Importance of  PSLV :-
  • PSLV has made the country self-reliant in the launching capability of satellites for earth observation, disaster management, navigation and space sciences
  • PSLV Continuation Programme will sustain this capability and self-reliance in the launching of similar satellites for national requirements.
  • PSLV has emerged as a versatile launch vehicle to carry out Sun-Synchronous Polor Orbit (SSPO), Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and low inclination Low Earth Orbit (LEO) missions
• 'Blast-proof' wallpaper developed by US Army
  • US army has developed "Blast-proof" wallpaper that could protect soldiers from explosions.
  • A Rolls of lightweight sticky wallpaper, lined with tough Kevlar fibres that can be carried easily by troops to reinforce the walls of temporary buildings
  • The lining reduces the amount of debris sent flying at the occupants of a building in the event of an explosion.
  • What makes it unique is it can be quickly and easily applied by non-specialised units at short notice. It provides significant potential tactical advantages.
  • The ballistic wallpaper was displayed at the first Department of Defense Lab Day among 100 innovations from US Army engineers
  Extra Knowledge (EK) :-
  • In US Defense's most advanced research and development goes on at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where work is underway on everything from a jet that shoots across the sky at Mach 20 to disaster-response robots. 
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approximately 37,000 dedicated Civilians and Soldiers delivering engineering services to customers in more than 130 countries worldwide
• 22 May observed as International Day for Biological Diversity
  • The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues
  • On May 22, 1992, the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted by the of the United Nations at a conference in Nairobi, Kenya. Since 2001, the International Day for Biological Diversity is celebrated each year on the anniversary of this date.
  • "Biodiversity for Sustainable Development" was the theme for International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) 2015
  • This year’s theme reflects the importance of efforts made at all levels to establish a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the United Nations Post-2015 Development Agenda for the period of 2015-2030 and the relevance of biodiversity for the achievement of sustainable development.
  • Humanity’s fate is tightly linked with biological diversity the variety of life on earth. Biodiversity is essential for sustainable development and human well-being. It is crucial to the reduction of poverty, due to the basic goods and ecosystem services it provides
• Veteran jazz musician and a Grammy-winning Bob Belden passes away at 58
  • Noted Jazz musician Bob Belden passes away of a heart attack at 58at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan.
  • Belden was born in Evanston, Illinois, and raised in South Carolina. He studied saxophone and later attended the University of North Texas
  • He was an American saxophonist, arranger, composer, bandleader and producer.He may be best-known for his Grammy Award winning jazz orchestral recording, "The Black Dahlia".
  • In 2008, he arranged and produced Miles from India, a world fusion music record, based on the compositions of Miles Davis. In the record, he assembled alumni of Davis and musicians of India
  • Belden earned three Grammy Awards throughout his career, including for 1996's Miles Davis and Gil Evans 
  • Belden also served as an A&R executive for legendary jazz label Blue Note Records
  In February, Belden and his group, Animation, went on a four-day tour of Iran, performing tunes by Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Belden's own compositions. The visit, which came as Tehran and Washington engaged in nuclear talks, was arranged by Search for Common Ground, a U.S. nonprofit organization that aims to promote better ties between the long-time rivals.
• Andaman & Nicobar Police proposed to reserve 33% seats for women
  • Andaman & Nicobar Police has  proposed to reserve 33 percent of the seats for the posts of constable and sub-inspector for women.
  • The decision to keep 33 percent women in police will help the vulnerable sections like women, children and the old to voice their grievances without fear and help resolve many problems in a better way
  • Earlier in June 2014, Gujarat Government also announced 33 percent quota for women in police force.
  • NDA has already given it's nod for 33 per cent reservation  for women in police forces in all seven union territories including Delhi 
  Extra Knowledge (EK)
  • The CRPF has three battalions staffed entirely by women. The first battalion No 88 was raised in 1986 with its headquarters at New Delhi. The second battalion 135 came into existence in 1996 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The third battalion, Number 213 is located at Ajmer, Rajasthan
  • There are approximately 200,000 American women on active duty in the US armed forces. They constitute nearly 20 percent of its strength
• ArcelorMittal, SAIL Inked MoU to Set up Steel Plant in India
  • ArcelorMittal and Steel Authority of India have signed a MoU to set up an automotive steel manufacturing facility in India 
  • MoU was signed between Lakshmi Mittal, Chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal and SAIL Chairman CS Verma in London
  • The MoU is the first step of a process to establish a JV between the two companies
  • The proposed Joint Venture will construct a state-of-the-art cold rolling mill and other downstream finishing facilities in India that will offer technologically advanced steel products to India's rapidly growing automotive sector 
  • The MoU will increase the availability of indigenously produced automotive steel would reduce India’s reliance on imports and provide the Indian steel industry and the automotive industry with a sustainable competitive advantage.
  Extra Knowledge (EK) :-
  • SAIL is on the verge of completing a comprehensive modernisation and expansion programme to increase its hot metal capacity from 14 million tons per annum (MTPA) to 23.5 MTPA, with a quantum jump in production of value added steels.
  • ArcelorMittal is the world’s leading steel supplier to the global automotive sector, with a market share of about 17 per cent. In 2014, ArcelorMittal shipped over 13 million tonnes of steel to automotive customers globally, resulting in revenues in excess of USD 12 billion