Missile destroyer – INS Mormugao

An indigenously built warship equipped with a range of high-tech missiles was launched and released into the Arabian Sea for the first time.

 -According to the Indian Navy, the stealth destroyer, most advanced guided missile destroyer can be compared with the best vessels in the world. Named Mormugao, the vessel has been built by government-run Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) and belongs to Visakhapatnam class of ships being constructed under Project 15B.

-The vessel would be subsequently known as INS Mormugao after undergoing certain testings required by Indian Navy.

 -Mormugao has a displacement of 7,300 tonne with maximum speed of over 30 knots.

-The warship is equipped with surface- to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles and anti-submarine rocket launchers. It is also capable of carrying two anti-submarine warfare helicopters.

ISRO's GSLV-MkII rocket.

ISRO will be launching a GSLV-MkII rocket on September 8, at 4.10 pm, from the first launchpad at its spaceport in Sriharikota.

-The rocket will be carrying the INSAT-3DR satellite to a geostationary transfer orbit around Earth.

-The mission designation is F05.

INSAT-3DR

Launch date 8 September 2016

Rocket  GSLV Mk II F05

-It is an Indian weather satellite built by the Indian Space Research Organisation and operated by the Indian National Satellite System.

-It will provide meteorological services to India.

-The ISRO has scheduled INSAT-3DR for launch on 10 September 2016 aboard a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV Mk II) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, which was delayed from 28 August.

-The rocket will place it into a geostationary transfer orbit for eventual stationing in geosynchronous orbit at 74° E.

INSAT-3D

-It is a meteorological, data relay and satellite aided search and rescue satellite developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation and was launched successfully on 26 July 2013 using an Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle from French Guiana.

Uniform Civil Code

Uniform Civil Code

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What is the idea behind a Uniform Civil Code for India?

Currently, believers of various religions can marry, adopt, inherit property and divorce under their own customs.

Under a Uniform Civil Code, it is believed, personal laws and sanctioned practices of different religions will be largely harmonised with accepted fair practices for all citizens, underguidelines laid down by Constitution.

Does the Constitution mention a Uniform Civil Code?

Article 44 of the Constitution, which is one of the Directive Principles of State Policy, says: “The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.”

Directive Principles are not justiciable or mandatory, only a guideline.

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Then, what is the debate about?

Articles 29 and 30 guarantee minorities the right to conserve their culture and script, and run their own educational institutions.

It was understood that minorities could practise their religion and follow their customs and traditions.

The Supreme Court asked the central government, whether it was willing to bring a Uniform Civil Code to ride over inconsistent personal laws in different religions.

There was “total confusion” over the incoherent stipulations about marriage, divorce, adoption, maintenance and inheritance.

Currently, different laws regulate these aspects for adherents of different religions.

Is the debate over Uniform Civil Code just a Hindu-Muslim issue?

Far from it. Parsis, Jains, Sikhs, Christians, apart from of course Hindus and Muslims, have their own civil codes.

While the Muslim Personal Law is yet to be codified (because of deep divisions within), Christian and Parsi codes were specified before Independence.

The personal laws of Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and others were codified in the 1950s.

So, What does our secular Constitution say?

Article 25, which guarantees the freedom to practise, profess and propagate any religion. By the 42nd Amendment of 1976, India was declared a secular nation.

The understanding of Article 25, the State and its institutions have not interfered with religious practices, including in relation to various personal laws.

There is a view that this principle runs contradictory to the idea of secularism which requires the State to be inert to religious considerations, and not tacitly support them by following a practice of non-interference, no matter what.

Clause (2) of Article 25 empowers the State to frame any law to regulate or restrict “secular activity which may be associated with religious practice”, therefore, it is argued, Article 25 is no bar to having a Uniform Civil Code.

The inconsistency in personal laws has been challenged on the touchstone of Article 14, which ensures the right to equality.

Historical Judgements

Litigants have contended that their right to equality is endangered by personal laws that put them at a disadvantage.

The first prominent case founded on Article 14 was Shah Bano case (1985) in which the apex court ruled that a Muslim woman was entitled to alimony under the general provisions of the CrPC, like anybody else.

Following protests from Muslim leaders, Rajiv Gandhi’s government in 1986 got the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act passed in Parliament, which nullified the ruling.

In effect, the verdict did a balancing act between the Shah Bano judgment and the 1986 law.

In Githa Hariharan vs RBI (1999), the top court adjudicated upon the constitutional validity of certain provisions of the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956 and the Guardian Constitution and Wards Act, on a petition claiming they violated Articles 14 by treating the father as the natural guardian of a child under all circumstances.

It ushered in the principle of equality in matters of guardianship for Hindus, making the child’s welfare the prime consideration.

That’s some history! what is today’s scenario ?

The BJP, kept the Uniform Civil Code in its 2014 election manifesto. The BJP and RSS have long demanded it, and cited the example of Goa, which has a common law called the Goa Civil Code.

What the government tells the court next month will be a test of its political will , and mark the next chapter in the evolution of this debate.

So, do we really want a Uniform Civil Code? Is there a way forward ?

Yes, you say? Well, there seems only one way to see through this crazy fog.
Every aspect of the personal laws must be examined in the light of constitutional guarantees to every Indian, equality, justice, right to life.

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2 Indians conferered with the Ramon Magsaysay Award 2016.

TM Krishna and Bezwada Wilson: Indian Recipients of Ramon Magsaysay Award 2016

Two social activists from India, TM Krishna and Bezwada Wilson were conferred with the Ramon Magsaysay Award 2016. They were conferred the award along with 4 others at a ceremony held at Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City on the birth anniversary of Ramon Magsaysay, the former Philippine President, on August 31, 2016.

Following is a detailed list of those who received the often called Asian Noble Prize.-

From India -

Thodur Madabusi Krishna: Krishna was honoured for undertaking social inclusiveness in culture. By profession, he is a Carnatic music vocalist. He was given under the category ‘Emergent Leadership

Bezwada Wilson: A renowned campaigner against manual scavenging, Wilson was honoured for asserting the inalienable right to a life of human dignity. Currently he is the National Convener of the Safai Karmachari Andolan (SKA).

Including Krishna and Wison, so far 50 Indians have been conferred with this prestigious award with first recipient being CD Deshmukh for Community Leadership in 1958.

In 2015 also two Indians received the Magsaysay Award and these were Sanjeev Chaturvedi (IFS) and Anshu Gupta (social entrepreneur and founder of NGO Goonj).

From other Asian countries -

Vientiane Rescue: The Laos based foundation was recognized for volunteering to rescue people and save lives at risk.

Conchita Carpio Morales:  Conchita from Philippines was recognized for restoring faith in the rule of law in her country the Philippines.

Dompet Dhuafa: Dompet from Indonesia was recognized for broadening the transformative influence of zakat.

Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers: The Japan based foundation was recognized for constructing a world of genuine solidarity.

About Ramon Magsaysay Award

Ramon Magsaysay Award is also called Asia’s Nobel Prize. It is the highest honour of Asia. It is being awarded each year to those individuals or establishments from Asia region, who have rendered their altruistic and philanthropic service to the common folk. The award bears a Medallion embossed with the image of erstwhile Ramon Magsaysay, cash prize and a certificate.

The award was instituted in 1957 in the memory of Philippines’ third Head of the state Ramon Magsaysay. It was set up by the trustees of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund of New York City in collaboration with Philippine government.

The awards were given in six categories, five of which were discontinued in 2009. As of now these one award is given for Emergent Leadership and rest of the awardees are uncategorized. The five categories that were discontinued are Government Service, Public Service, Community Leadership, Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts and Peace & International Understanding.

Trinamool Congress becomes 7th National Party of India.

Trinamool Congress becomes 7th National Party of India

The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) was recognized as a National Party by the Election Commission of India (ECI). It was recognised so as it fulfilled one of the three stipulated norms laid down by the ECI in the Symbols Order, 1968.

With this, TMC became the 7th National Party of India. The other six are Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Communists Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M).

Criteria to be recognised as a National Party

Keeping The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 and political scenario of the country in view, the Election Commission recognises such political parties as National Party which fulfils any of the following eligibility criteria:-

It secures at least six percent of the valid votes polled in any four or more states, at a general   election to the House of the People or, to the State Legislative Assembly; orAdditionally, it wins at least four seats in the House of the People from any State or States; orIt wins at least two percent seats in the House of the People (i.e., 11 seats in the existing House having 543 members), and these members are elected from at least three different States.

TMC met the first condition i.e. Mamata Banerjee-led party is recognized as a state party in four states.

However, TMC would not have been able to meet the criteria had the ECI not amended its Symbols Order in August 2016, allowing all political parties to retain their state and national party status for every two election cycles or every 10 years. The Commission amended Paragraph 6C of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 to effect the change to ensure that ruling parties do not lose their status due to anti-incumbency factor after every election.

Benefits of being recognized as a National Party

Having recognized as a national party signifies that a party will be entitled to a reserved symbol for its candidates contesting all around India. The symbol has critical significance for political parties since a large section of voters in India are ignorant and depend on symbols to identify the party they want to vote for. Thus, having a pan-India symbol helps parties reach out to prospective voters.National parties get dedicated broadcast slots on public broadcasters Doordarshan and All India Radio during the general elections.Not only this, Candidates from a national party require only one proposer to register their nominations and are entitled to two sets of electoral rolls; without any charge.Lastly, political parties can nominate ‘star campaigners’ to propagate themselves. A national party can have a maximum of 40 ‘star campaigners’ while a registered unrecognized party can nominate a maximum of 20 ‘star campaigners’, whose travel expenses are not accounted for in the election expense accounts of candidates.

Criteria to be recognized as a State Party

As per ECI, a political party shall be entitled to be recognized as a State party, if any of the following three conditions meet:-

It secures at least six per cent of the valid votes polled in the State at a general election, either to the House of the People or to the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned; orIn addition, it wins at least two seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned; orIt wins at least three per cent of the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State, or at least three seats in the Assembly, whichever is more.

China and US ratifies Paris Climate Change Agreement

China and US ratify Paris Climate Change Agreement

China and the US, the two largest emitter of carbon dioxide, ratified the Paris Climate Change Agreement on September 3, 2016. Both the countries ratified the Paris Agreement just ahead of the annual G-20 Leaders Summit that began in Huangzhou in China.

China and the US, ratifying the Paris Agreement show that the global community can come together to address the threat of climate change. Both the countries are transforming their economies to grow through clean energy rather than fossil fuels, so their citizens can benefit from a cleaner environment and be competitive in the green economy.

The Paris agreement will take effect 30 days after the date when 55 countries representing at least 55 percent of global emissions have formally joined it. The U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change says the U.S. and China joining up brings the total so far to just over 39 percent.

Paris Agreement

Paris Agreement is an agreement within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which deals with greenhouse gases emissions mitigation, adaptation, and finance starting in 2020.  It was adopted by consensus on December 12, 2015.  It was opened for signature on April 22, 2016, which is marked as Earth Day. Till date, 180 countries have signed the agreement.

Countries that ratify the deal will have to wait for three years after it has gone into legal force before they can begin the process of withdrawing from it, according to the agreement signed in Paris last year.

Primary Objective of Paris Agreement

As stated in the agreement, the primary objectives of the convention are as follows -  

• Limiting the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to act on efforts to control the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. Doing this would critically bring down the risks and impacts of climate change;
• Enhancing the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development, in a manner that does not jeopardize food production;
• Making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.

Key Elements of Paris Agreement

• National pledges to cut down emissions: Many countries have submitted “Intended Nationally Determined Contributions” (INDCs), describing their plan to minimise their emissions in the 2020s. The United States is responsible for 17.9 per cent while China covers 20 per cent of global emissions. Russia accounts for 7.5 per cent. Among these, India is pushing out just 4.1 per cent as it stated on April 22, 2016.
• Financial Aid: The agreement states that developed nations will assist developing nations with the costs of going green, and the costs of coping with the effects of climate change.
• A long-term goal: A feasible target for global emissions reductions required by 2050 or 2100 is maintained, to prevent 2 degree Celsius global warming.
• Holding countries to account: A crystal clear framework is designed for measuring whether countries are actually carrying out the emissions cuts they have stated.
• Increasing pledges in future: A mechanism to make countries come back and agree to deeper national emissions cuts.

Kyoto Protocol

Another such treaty under United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was Kyoto Protocol which was signed on December 11, 1997, in Kyoto, Japan. It was entered into force on 16 February 2005. It commits State Parties to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, based on the premise that (a) global warming exists and (b) man-made CO₂ emissions have caused it. Till date, there are 84 signatories and India signed on August 26, 2002.

10 Day IUCN World Congress 2016.

10-day IUCN World Conservation Congress begins

1. News: The opening ceremony of the 25th World Conservation Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) took place at the Neal Blaisdell Center in Hawaii
2. Theme: Planet at the crossroads
3. Hawaii is the endangered species capital of the world. 
4. Islands are the frontlines of biodiversity loss and most vulnerable to climate change

Indian representation at IUCN Congress

1. Three Indian conservationists will be felicitated for their work on nature conservation
2. Kolkata-based ecologist Dhrubajyoti Ghosh will be awarded the prestigious Luc Hoffmann Award
3. He is being recognized for his pioneering work on the East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW), which have been designated a Ramsar Site (Wetland of International Importance)
4. Bibhuti Lahkar from Assam is one of the three persons to be receive the IUCN Heritage Heroes Award
5. Lahkar, a grassland specialist working in Manas National Park, is the only Asian to get nominated
6. The International Brandwein Medal will be awarded to Kartikeya V. Sarabhai, for his lifetime work in creating an exemplaryeducation movement focused on nature, the environment, and sustainability across India
7. Sarabhai is the founder director of Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Ahmedabad

Current Affairs -Sept 3, 2016

Current Affairs Sept 3,  2016

1. BCCI to conduct compulsory bimonthly fitness tests

2. Goa to host first Bird Festival in the States in November.

3. Modi 1st Indian PM to visit Vietnam in 15 years. Signed 12 agreements. Announced a new line of credit of $500 million for Vietnam to facilitate defence cooperation.

4. Trinamool Congress becomes India's 7th National Party. Now recongnised in West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Manipur.

5. BRICS film Festival opens in Delhi.

6. Mother Teresa will enter into sainthood on September 4, 2016 after a relatively short period of 19 years since her away on September 5 September 1997.

7. BRICS Convention on Tourism held on 1st and 2nd September 2016 at Khajuraho, MP.

8. Majuli (in Assam) is all set to be the first island district of the country.

9. Michel Temer former Vice President of Brazil has been sworn in as President of Brazil.

10. 14th ASEAN-India Summit2016 and 11th East Asia Summit2016 will be held in Vientiane, Laos on September 2016. It will be attended by Heads of 10 ASEAN and 18 East Asia Summit.

11. Jharkhand has become the first indian state to have implemented Public Fund Management System PFMS.

12. Kerala government appoints the Legendary Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar as brand ambassador for anti- liquor and anti-drug campaign.

13. The people of Jammu and Kashmir living in other states can report their grievances to Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India directly by calling on the Helpline numbers. MHA has nominated a Director level officer as the Nodal Officer to help the people of J&K living in other states.

14. The United States and China, together responsible for 40% of the world's carbon emissions have ratified the Paris global climate agreement.

15. Former BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu all set to float his own political outfit 'Awaaz-e-Punjab'.

16. Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated on Sept 13th across country; in Kerala, Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated on Sept 12th.

17. India and Egypt have signed an agreement in the area of Maritime Transport to step up co-operation on the seas. The agreement was signed after delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in New Delhi.

18. India and African nations have decided to take major steps to boost collaborations in joint medical research and work to harmonise regulatory frameworks to develop the pharmaceutical market in Africa. "India and over 20 African nations, agreed to take concrete steps to boost health and research collaborations.

19. 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in January 2017 to be held in Banglore. 

Current Affairs Sept 1, 2016

1. Odisha become the sixteenth state to ratify the GST bill, decks cleared for presidential assent.

The approval of 16 states has come far ahead of centre's targeted deadline of rolling out the new taxation system from April 1, 2017.

2. BRICS Convention on tourism to be held on 1st & 2nd September 2016 at Khajuraho, MP.

3. Assam: Majuli is all set to be the first island district of the country.

On 8th of September the river island Majuli will be upgraded to a district from sub-division.

Majuli covers an area  of around 340 miles and one of the prime tourists destination of North East.

Nearly 1 lakh 60 thousand people reside at the Majuli river island.

4. India has now been ranked 35 amongst 160 countries.

In terms of the six-components of the LPI i.e. Customs, Infrastructure, International Shipments, Logistics Quality and Competence, Tracking and Tracing, and Timeliness, India’s ranking is 38, 36, 39, 32, 33 and 42 respectively.


5. Gabon’s incumbent President Ali Bongo has won a closely fought presidential election.
Bongo had obtained 49.80 percent of  vote, beating  rival candidate Jean Pin who received 48.23 percent.

6. Brazil’s Senate has removed President, Dilma Rousseff, from the office for breaking budgetary laws.

This ends an impeachment process that polarized the country and paralyzed its politics for nine months.

Michel Temer has been sworn in as 37th President of the country.

7. The rhino horn verification committee (RHVC) has found one of the world’s largest horns in central Assam’s Nagaon treasury.

According to forest officials, the massive horn belonged to the Bagori range of Kaziranga National Park & it was found in Aug,1982.

The horn weighs 3 kg and 51 grams and its height is 36 cm.

The only recorded horn bigger than this could be found in the British Museum, London