Current Affair October 25 , 2015

Human Rights

News : Karnataka first to propose separate welfare commission for transgender.

Issue: This step will ensure dignified position for transgender who are treated as "exiting invisible" in the society. From very young age they are ostracized by their families due to fear of social stigma. Most of them are illiterate, school drop-outs and very few has completed graduation. Due to lack of higher education and social stigma they are treated as social burden and forced into begging and bribery. Creation of constitutional body to uphold their rights will improve the condition of the community.

Science

1. A prototype for generating alert in event of wild elephant strays into human habitation has been invented under project "Fauna Espy" .Prototype uses RF camera and motion detector sensor which are mounted  on cable pole on boundary of reserve areas. Whenever an elephant crosses the reserve area alarm is set off. This will go in long way to minimize the loss life and crop that happen due to animals straying in human habitation. It is better option then electric fencing of farms that is dangerous for both animal and humans

Environment

News: India's first bird festival is being organized at Chambal Wildlife sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh. U.P has 500 bird species which is almost half of countries total. 

Issue: It is a welcome step as it will sensitize  the people about rich biodiversity in state and also popularize the bird watching tourism , a growing sector worldwide.

History

Hampi festival is an annual cultural event where people have glimpse of ancient monuments under Word Heritage Sites in Vijaya Nagar in Karnataka  from the sky. It is in news because of introduction of “ paragliding service” which provide an opportunity to get 3-dimensional view of ancient monument.

Economy

A.      All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) has announced bank strikes on December 2 to press their demand for
1. Delinking of associate banks from SBI
2. Extending compassionate appointments according to government guidelines.

    B. Centre is asking tough question to Andhra Pradesh government on accounts furnished by it. Centre is reluctant to believe that such a huge revenue deficit run by state is due to bifurcation only. It has also asked for comparative statements in revenue and expenditure of both Andhra Pradesh and Telegana. It wants to ensure that state is not fettering away the limited resources it has before finalizing   the financial package under A.P Bifurcation Act 2013.

C.    News: RBI has issued guidelines to banks regarding gold monetization scheme which will allow banks to fix their own interest rate on gold deposit . Guidelines also mention that stocks of gold deposit will count toward general SLR request which means banks will have additional capital to invest in other productive sectors.

  

   CRR: portion of total deposit which has to be kept with RBI in cash

  SLR: portions of the total deposit compulsorily parked in government securities.

Issue : Gold monetization schemes are attempt to mobilize  a part of 20,000 tones of idle gold  with households and institutions. So that it can be used in more productive areas.  

Women Empowerment

A.     By June 2017 first batch of women fighter pilots will be inducted into Air force combat stream. It will be first formal entry of women into combat role for  any arm of military. This announcement was made by IAC chief on Air force Day on October 8 .

International

A.    News: Vice President Ahmed Adheef of Maldives was arrested on charge of high treason for his involvement into the  blast which hit Presidential boat on September 28,2015.

Issue: Maldives may be moving toward 'political emergency “.  Not good news for India as Maldives is very important ally.

  

B.   News : PM  Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan is facing contemplation charges for violating country's   Supreme Court order which require speech to be delivered in Urdu at U.N General assembly.

Issue : Let's see how story developed. Can be argued that democracy is progressing in Pakistan. But let's wait and watch.