PERIYAR IAS CURRENT AFFAIRS 13-FEBRUARY-2018
Paper
1:
Topic:
Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and
Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Sahitya
Akademi
Context: Kannada
litterateur Chandrashekar Kambar has been elected as president of the Sahitya
Akademi. Kambar, who has been recipient of various awards including Sahitya
Akademi Award, Padma Shri and Pampa Award, will serve as president of the
Akademi for a period of five years. Hindi poet Madhav Koushik has been elected
as vice-president.
Prof.
Kambar is the third Kannada writer to head the country’s premier literary
institution, after Vinayak Krishna Gokak
(1983) and U.R. Ananthamurthy (1993).
About
Sahitya Akademi:
Sahitya
Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, is the central institution for
literary dialogue, publication and promotion in the country and the only
institution that undertakes literary activities in 24 Indian languages,
including English. Though set up by the Government, the Akademi functions
as an autonomous organisation.
The
Sahitya Akademi was formally inaugurated by the Government of India on 12 March
1954. The Government of India Resolution, which set forth the constitution of
the Akademi, described it as a national organisation to work actively for the
development of Indian letters and to set high literary standards, to foster and
co-ordinate literary activities in all the Indian languages and to promote
through them all the cultural unity of the country.
Awards: Akademi
gives 24 awards annually to literary works in the languages it has recognized
and an equal number of awards to literary translations from and into the
languages of India. It also gives special awards called Bhasha Samman to
significant contribution to the languages not formally recognized by the Akademi
as also for contribution to classical and medieval literature.
Sources:
the hindu.
Paper
2:
Topic:
India and its neighbourhood- relations.
India
gets access to strategic Oman port Duqm for military use
News: In
a strategic move to expand its footprint in the Indian Ocean region, India has
secured access to the key Port of Duqm in Oman for military use and logistical
support. Following this pact, the services of Duqm port and dry dock will be
available for maintenance of Indian military vessels. This was one of the key
takeaways of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Oman.
Significance
of this move:
The
Port of Duqm is situated on the southeastern seaboard of Oman, overlooking the
Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. It is strategically located, in close
proximity to the Chabahar port in Iran. With the Assumption Island being
developed in Seychelles and Agalega in Mauritius, Duqm fits into India’s
proactive maritime security roadmap. This is also part of India’s maritime
strategy to counter Chinese influence and activities in the region. The Port of
Duqm also has a special economic zone, where about $1.8 billion investments are
being made by some Indian companies.
The
Indian Ocean is important for the following reasons:
§ It
enjoys a privileged location at the crossroads of global trade, connecting the
major engines of the international economy in the Northern Atlantic and Asia-Pacific.
This is particularly important in an era in which global shipping has
burgeoned.
§ Indian
Ocean is also rich in natural resources. 40% of the world’s offshore oil
production takes place in the Indian Ocean basin. Fishing in the Indian Ocean
now accounts for almost 15% of the world’s total.
§ Mineral
resources are equally important, with nodules containing nickel, cobalt, and
iron, and massive sulphide deposits of manganese, copper, iron, zinc, silver,
and gold present in sizeable quantities on the sea bed. Indian Ocean coastal
sediments are also important sources of titanium, zirconium, tin, zinc, and
copper. Additionally, various rare earth elements are present, even if their
extraction is not always commercially feasible.
India’s
Importance in the Indian Ocean:
The
Indian Ocean holds particular importance for India, as the littoral’s most
populous country. Indeed, for the rest of the Ocean’s littoral states, and even
those outside the region, India’s leadership role will be important in
determining the strategic future. India is geographically located at the
Ocean’s centre, and has over 7,500 kilometres of coastline. Finally, there is a
strong security dimension to India’s engagement with the Indian Ocean, beyond
traditional naval considerations.
Way
ahead:
Indian
ocean region is the primary area of concern for India. Securing its position
here is vital before venturing elsewhere. For India, geographically the area of
concern, and so the area of focus, should remain the IOR, stretching from the
Gulf of Aden to the Strait of Malacca. While reiterating its commitment to
upholding the established laws of the global commons, New Delhi should not go
adrift in the larger Indo-Pacific. As more powers make inroads into this
strategically crucial space, India must consolidate its position and not expect
others to do its job, for it would only mean ceding space in the long run.
Sources:
the hindu.
Topic:
Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure,
mandate.
World
Government Summit
Context: The
sixth Edition of World Government Summit was held in Dubai, UAE.
About
World Government Summit:
The
World Government Summit is a global platform dedicated to shaping the future of
government worldwide. Each year, the Summit sets the agenda for the next
generation of governments with a focus on how they can harness innovation and
technology to solve universal challenges facing humanity. It functions as a
thought leadership platform and networking hub for policymakers, experts, and
pioneers in human development.
The
Summit is a gateway to the future as it functions as a stage for analysis of
the future trends, issues, and opportunities facing humanity. It is also an
arena to showcase innovations, best practice, and smart solutions to inspire
creativity to tackle these future challenges.
Sources:
the hindu.
Topic:
Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure,
mandate.
Tanzania
withdraws from UN refugee programme
Context: Tanzania
has decided to withdraw from UN refugee programme for reasons of security and
lack of funds. Tanzania has long been considered a safe haven for refugees,
particularly from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
About
UN refugee programme:
The
New York Declaration lays out a vision for a more predictable and more
comprehensive response to these crises, known as the Comprehensive Refugee
Response Framework, or CRRF. It calls for greater support to refugees and the
countries that host them. The New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants is
a milestone for global solidarity and refugee protection at a time of
unprecedented displacement across the world.
§ Adopted
by all 193 Member States of the United Nations in September 2016, it contains
historic and wide-ranging commitments that reaffirm the commitment by Member
States to respect the human rights of refugees and migrants and to support the
countries that welcome them.
§ UN’s
“comprehensive refugee response framework” provides lasting solutions for
refugees, including integration into host communities. The framework approach
is based on the idea that refugees should be included in their host
communities. When refugees have access to education and the right to work
legally, they can develop their skills and be more self-reliant, contributing
to the local economy.
Sources:
the hindu.
Paper
3:
Topic:
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources,
growth, development and employment.
National
Productivity Council
Context: The
National Productivity Council observed National Productivity Day on February 12th.
It is the 60th Anniversary of the National Productivity Council and is being
celebrated as Diamond Jubilee Year.
Theme: “Industry
4.0 Leapfrog Opportunity for India ” has been selected as the theme for the
National Productivity Week -2018.
About
Industry 4.0:
Industry
4.0 or the fourth industrial revolution as it is called, is emerging globally
as a powerful force and is being called as the next industrial revolution. It
is characterized by the increasing digitization and interconnection of
products, value chains and business models. Industry. Industry 4.0 would mean
the convergence of real and virtual worlds-the next phase in bringing together
conventional and modern technologies in manufacturing. This will result in the
“Smart Factory”, which is characterized by versatility, resource efficiency,
ergonomic design and direct integration with business partners.
National
Productivity Council:
What
is it? NPC is national level organization to promote productivity
culture in India. Established by the Ministry of Industry, Government of India
in 1958, it is an autonomous, multipartite, non-profit organization with equal
representation from employers’ & workers’ organizations and Government,
apart from technical & professional institutions and other interests. NPC
is a constituent of the Tokyo-based Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an
Inter Governmental Body, of which the Government of India is a founder member.
Functions: NPC
teams up with its clients to work out solutions towards accelerating
productivity, enhancing competitiveness, increasing profits, augmenting safety
and reliability and ensuring better quality. It provides reliable database for
decision-making, improved systems and procedures, work culture as well as
customer satisfaction both internal & external. The solutions can be
all-encompassing or specific depending on the nature of the problem. The
council also helps monitor, review and implement the identified strategies.
Organization: The
Union Minister for Industry is the President of the NPC, and the Secretary
(Industrial Policy and Promotion) is its Chairman.
Sources:
the hindu.
Topic: infrastructure,
roadways.
India’s
first ‘Highway Capacity Manual’ released
‘Indo-HCM’, country’s
first ever Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) has been released.
About
Indo- HCM:
The
manual has been developed by CSIR-CRRI on the basis of an extensive,
country-wide study of the traffic characteristics on different categories of
roads like single lane, two-lane, multi-lane urban roads, inter- urban highways
and expressways and the associated intersections on these roads. It will guide
road engineers and policy makers about road expansion.
The
manual lays down guidelines for when and how to expand or manage different
types of roads and their intersections and the level of services to be put in
place. It has been developed based on the unique nature and diversity of
traffic on Indian roads.
Benefits
of this manual:
India
was among the very few South Asian countries which did not have the practice of
having a country specific HCAP manual. The US and Danish authorities had
pioneered the practice of having a key document to set highway construction
standards all across their countries. This manual would now help in the
scientific planning and expansion of road infrastructure in the country.
Way
ahead:
Highways
are crucial for country’s development and there is a need to follow successful
best practices in the world regarding construction of roads and highways. The
government should popularise the use of new material like fly-ash, plastic, oil
slag and municipal waste in road construction. Researchers and engineers should
also expedite formulation of a good design for safe and effective speed
breakers for Indian roads.
Sources:
the hindu.
Facts
for Prelims:
World
Radio Day:
Context:
World Radio Day is celebrated on February 13th.
Theme
of World Radio Day 2018: Under the ambit of theme “Radio and Sports” are three
sub-themes for World Radio Day 2018. They are: Diversity in Sports Coverage,
Gender Equality in Sports Coverage and Peace and Development through Sports
Coverage.
History
of World Radio Day: The idea of World Radio Day was first proposed by Spain’s
Radio Academy in 2010. The following year, in 2011, UNESCO declared the first
World Radio Day. February 13 was chosen to mark World Radio Day, coinciding
with the anniversary of the United Nations Radio, the United Nation’s
international broadcasting service which was established on February 13, 1946.
World Radio Day was first celebrated in 2012, following its declaration by the
UNESCO General Conference. It was subsequently adopted as an International Day
by the United Nations General Assembly.
First
Hindu Temple Project In Abu Dhabi:
Context:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently officially launched the foundation
stone-laying ceremony for the first Hindu temple in the capital of the UAE,
home to over three million people of Indian origin.
Key
facts: Swaminarayan temple of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam
Swaminarayan Sanstha, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi will come up on
55,000 square metres of land. The temple will be hand-carved by Indian temple
artisans and assembled in the UAE. It will be completed by 2020, and open to
people of all religious backgrounds. It will be the first traditional Hindu
stone temple in the Middle East.
Mumbai
12th richest city in the world:
Context:
Mumbai is placed at 12th position in New World Wealth’s list of top 15
wealthiest cities globally. Mumbai, also features among the top 10 cities in
terms of billionaire population. The city is home to 28 billionaires,
individuals with $1 billion or more in net assets.
Top
performers: The list of 15 wealthiest cities was topped by New York with a
total wealth of $3 trillion. London ranked second in the list with $2.7
trillion, followed by Tokyo ($2.5 trillion), and San Francisco Bay area ($2.3
trillion).
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