Current Affairs Today May 14 2018

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 INDIAN AFFAIRS

Environment Minister launches programme to train 5.5 lakh green skilled workers by 2021
On May 14, 2018, Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan launched Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) aimed to train over 5.5 lakh workers in environment and forest sectors.
Salient features of Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP):
i. Under this programme 5.5 lakh individuals across India will be provided training in environment and forest sectors through 30 courses by 2021.
ii.  Objective of GSDP is skilling the youth of India, especially dropouts and increasing the availability of skilled workforce.
iii. GSDP was launched last year as a pilot project in 10 districts of India. In the pilot project, 154 youths (mainly school dropouts) were trained as parataxonomists and biodiversity conservationists.
iv. A related mobile app (GSDP-ENVIS) was also unveiled by Mr. Harsh Vardhan on May 14, 2018.

Ayushman Bharat Program’s first workshop held in Shimla
First workshop on Ayushman Bharat Program was held in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh on May 14, 2018.
Highlights of First workshop on Ayushman Bharat Program:
i. The workshop was addressed by Union Health Minister J P Nadda.
ii. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Chandigarh during the course of this workshop.
iii. Ayushman Bharat Scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet on March 21, 2018 with budgetary support of Rs 10500 crore.
iv. Under this scheme, Government has set a target to set up 1.5 lakh wellness centres by 2022 to deliver comprehensive primary healthcare. Other component of this scheme is to provide insurance cover to most deprived Indian population.

India witnessed highest number of Internet shutdowns in 2017-18: UNESCO report
According to the ‘Clampdowns and Courage-South Asia Press Freedom Report 2017-18’, released recently by the UNESCO, India alone accounted for 82 out of 97 instances of Internet shutdown among South Asian countries between May 2017 and April 2018.
Highlights of UNESCO’s Report on Internet Shutdown:
i. In context of this news, internet shutdown is referred to as any intentional disruption of the broadband or mobile Internet or Internet-based mobile apps, by an order of the authorities or threat of non-state party, to control communication or online content or slowing down the access to the general public.
ii. In India, nearly half of the cases of Internet shutdown were experienced in Kashmir Valley. Over 10 instances of Internet being affected were witnessed in Rajasthan, while Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and Haryana were among states in which less than 10 cases of Internet shutdown were recorded.
iii. Five out of six biggest instances of Internet shutdown were recorded in India. The longest one was in Darjeeling in West Bengal wherein internet was shut down by authorities for 45-days due to political demonstration, protest and clashes by activists seeking a separate state.
iv. Among other Asian countries, Pakistan witnessed 12 instances while Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka reported just one instance of internet shutdown.

Kerala witnessing advanced demographic transition: Report
As per report, titled ‘Impact of mortality and fertility transitions in Kerala on migration and its implications for state’s economy’ Kerala is currently experiencing an advanced demographic transition.
Highlights of the report:
i. The report has been compiled by a team led by noted demographer S. Irudaya Rajan of the Centre for Development Studies.
ii. It has outlined that Kerala is currently experiencing an advanced demographic transition as the mortality and fertility levels have come down and so migration will play a critical role in shaping the future demographic scenario of the state.
iii. It is to be noted that Kerala was the first Indian state to achieve Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) below 25, in 1989, and then further reduced it to 10 in 2016.
iv. The fall in levels of mortality has also brought down fertility levels considerably and thus the combined effect has led to a decline in the natural growth rate of State’s population.
v. As per the report, migration is the only component that can significantly alter the emerging population scenario in Kerala.
Quick Facts about Kerala:
♦ Capital – Thiruvananthapuram
♦ Current Chief Minister – Pinari Vijayan
♦ Current Governor – P. Sathasivam
♦ Important National Park – Silent Valley National Park

International Children’s Film Festival Of Kerala
On 14^th to 26^th May 2018, the first edition of the International Children’s Film Festival of Kerala is held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
International Children’s Film Festival Of Kerala:
i. Screenings at the festival are organised by the Kerala State Council for Child Welfare, Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, Kerala State Film Development Corporation, and the State Institute of Children’s Literature.
ii. Chairman of the organising committee is actor and MLA, Mukesh. More than 140 films, documentaries and short films will be screened in the festival.
iii. This will be an opportunity for children to view world class films.

Shri Gadkari Inaugurated Two National Highways and Lay Foundation Stone of a Highway Project in Punjab
On 14^th May 2018, Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways, Shipping, Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the upgraded 4-lane NH-15 from Amritsar to Bhatinda and NH-64 from Zirakpur to Bhatinda in Punjab.
Nitin Gadkari inaugurated Two National Highways:
i. He also laid the foundation stone of 2-laning with paved shoulders of the Munak-Jhakhal-Budhlana section of NH-144B in Punjab.
ii. The 175 kilometre NH-15 stretch was finished in 24 months costing Rs 2893 crore.
iii. This will benefit the commuters since the commuting time now is only two hours between Amritsar and Bhatinda.
iv. The Harike bypass on the NH will also reduce traffic and pollution in the Harike city.
v. Three ROBs (Road over Bridge), five flyovers, 12 underpasses and 31 large junctions have been developed under the project.
vi. The 216 kilometre NH-64 stretch was finished in 24 months costing Rs 2264 crore.
vii. The NH will benefit tourists travelling to Bhatinda, Amritsar and Simla, since the travel time between Chandigarh and Bhatinda has been reduced to three hours.
viii. District Headquarters like, Mohali, Patiala, Sangrur, Bhatinda, Faridkot and Amritsar will be connected by a 4-lane highway.
ix. The project comprises an ROB, 12 flyovers, 22 underpasses and 42 large junctions.
x. The 45.89 kilometre 2-laning with paved shoulders of the Munak-Jhakhal-Budhlana section of NH-144B will be constructed in 18 monthscosting Rs 293 crore.
xi. It will reduce the travel time between Bhikhi and Tohana by 1 hour. It will smoothen the travel between Haryana and Punjab.
x. As a part of this project construction of a flyover in front of Guru Nanak College and a grade separator near football chowk of Buldhana will be done. It includes five kilometres of service roads, two VUPs and six small bridges.
Some stadiums in Punjab:
♦ Guru Nanak Stadium
♦ International Hockey Stadium
♦ Dhruv Pandove Cricket Stadium

Union Home Minister approves Central assistance of Rs 1,161.17 crores to states of Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Rajasthan and UT of Lakshadweep
On 14^th May 2018, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a meeting of the High Level Committee (HLC) for Central Assistance to Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Lakshadweep and Rajasthan.
Union Home Minister approves Central assistance of Rs 1,161.17 crores:
i. The meeting was for Central Assistance to:

• Assam – affected by floods during 2017-18
• Himachal Pradesh – affected by floods/ landslides during 2017-18
• Sikkim – affected by floods/ landslides during 2017-18
• Lakshadweep – affected by cyclone Ockhi during 2017
• Rajasthan – affected by kharif drought during 2017

ii. The High Level Committee (HLC)  approved assistance of Rs 480.87 crore for Assam.
iii. It also approved assistance from NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) worth Rs 84.60 crore for Himachal Pradesh, Rs 67.40 crore for Sikkim, Rs 2.16 crore for Lakshadweep and Rs 526.14 crore for Rajasthan. The total assistance approved was Rs 1,161.17 crore.
About National Disaster Response Force (NDRF):
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi
♦ Director General – Sanjay Kumar

Seminar on Humanitarian and Disaster Relief held in Delhi
On 14^th and 15^th May 2018, Head Quarter Western Air Command conducted a seminar on Humanitarian and Disaster relief (HADR) at Subroto Park, Delhi.
Seminar on Humanitarian and Disaster Relief:
i. The seminar was held to focus on effective measures to manage HADR situations in North India.
ii. Representatives from Indian Air Force (IAF), NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), NDRF (National Disaster Response Force, ITBP (Indo Tibetan Border Police), secretary level delegations from Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir took part in the seminar.
iii. Discussions were held on National Perspective on Disaster Management & Capability Building, Enhancement of disaster relief for the participating states and response procedure using IAF platforms.
About NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority):
♦ Chairman – Prime Minister Narendra Modi
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi

IIM-Ahmedabad launches Bharat Inclusive Initiative
IIM-Ahmedabad’s Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) has launched a Bharat Inclusion Initiative to develop knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship in areas like financial inclusion, livelihood, education and health.
Bharat Inclusive Initiative:
i. Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) at IIM Ahmedabad helps entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into businesses.
ii. The initiative aims to utilise nearly $25 million in the next 3-4 years in backing start-ups, utilising digital transformation in India, to develop access to services that were inaccessible for a large segment of Indians.
iii. CIIE will invest in seed and pre-Series-A start-ups through Bharat Inclusion Seed Fund. Its initial closing has been announced as $7.5 million. It is expected to make a final close at $15 million by July 2018.
iv. Neharika Vohra is the chairpeson of the CIIE initiative. Bharat Inclusion Initiative aims to catalyse entrepreneurs.
v. It will provide in-depth research to build knowledge about the under-served and incubate new start-ups and provide access to soft and patient capital.
About IIM-Ahmedabad:
♦ Chairman – Kumar Mangalam Birla
♦ Location – Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Govt to link 200 more mandis to eNAM portal this fiscal : Agriculture Secretary
On May 13^th , the agriculture secretary SK Pattanayak announced the inclusion of 200 more wholesale mandis to the eNAM portal .
Objectives:
To incorporate all the wholesale markets from all states in a virtual marketplace for transparent trade of agricultural commodities facilitating farmers, traders and buyers.
Salient Features:
i. Encouragement ofinter-mandi trade and transactions and improvement in quality is of utmost priority
ii. Once the system is fully operational more mandis will be linked to it.
iii.  As of now 585 mandis of 14 states have been linked. These 14 states are Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarkhand
iv. Through these procedure the government wants to ensure all the wholesale  mandis are making use of the online auction and that would help in gradually shifting towards a full –fledged online trading platform for mandis within a state and even outside the state.
eNAM Portal:
♦ Its an online trading platform of agricultural commodities aimed at bringing all the wholesale mandis (marketplace) at one place electronically to help them engage in trade and transactions virtually without any geographical barriers. It is also a mobile app that can be accessed through 8 different regional languages supported by it.
♦ As of now 73.50 lakh farmers , 53,163 commission agents and over one lakh traders have been registered in this portal (http://www.enam.gov.in/NAM/home/index.html).

UNDP to set up a skill development centre in Hyderabad
With an aim to impart skill training and self-sufficiency the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has decided to set up a centre at‘BHAROSA’ in Hyderabad .
 Key points:
i. The agreement has been signed by the UNDP & Hyderabad policeunder the ‘DISHA’ project to provide skill training to the distressed women effected by violence .
ii. This aims at enabling rehabilitationand job creation like desk jobs and in the field of enterprenuership for the women involved depending on their educational qualification.
UNDP:
♦ Headquarters : New York City, US.
♦ Objective: To impart and help in promoting self-development and train people in need of developing countries involved with it. To assist them with technical and financial cooperation.
BHAROSA:
♦ It is a centre open 24×7 for distressed women and children seeking services related to health, medicine, legal , therapeutic counseling etc. It has support staff well equipped with gadgets and technical services that might help the victim.
♦ Since it’s inception it has helped 3560 victims out of which 2600 of them are victims of domestic violence.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Visit of Vice President to Guatemala, Panama and Peru
i. Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu was on an official visit to Guatemala, Panama and Peru in Latin America from 6^th -12^th May, 2018. This was Mr. Naidu’s first official overseas visit. On this visit, Mr. Naidu was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Jasvantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor.
ii. On May 8, 2018, India and Guatemala agreed to support each other’s candidature for the non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
iii. On May 8, 2018, India and Guatemala signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for expanding cooperation in the area of diplomatic training through their respective Foreign Service Institutes.
iv. Panama has welcomed India’s proposal for setting up a Telemetry, Tracking and Tele Command (TTC) Earth station in Panama for supporting operations of geostationary communication and meteorological satellites of the Indian Space & Research Organization (ISRO).
v. Celebrations commemorating the 55th Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Peru were held during this visit in Peruvian capital Lima…………………………………………………….Click here to Read More

Chinese State-Run Bank Launches India-Dedicated Investment Fund
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) , a state-run Chinese bank has launched ICBC Credit Suisse India Market Fund, China’s first India-dedicated publicly offered investment fund.

Salient features of ICBC Credit Suisse India Market Fund:
i. The fund will invest in exchange-traded funds listed on more than 20 exchanges in Europe and the US that are based on the Indian market.
ii. ICBC is pitching this fund to investors stating that Indian market offers the best opportunity for Chinese investors due to the prospects of double-digit growth.
iii. Interestingly, this fund has been launched within a fortnight after the first ever informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at Wuhan.
Quick Facts about ICBC:
♦ Founded in – 1984
♦ Headquarters – Beijing, China

Nepal to host 2018 BIMSTEC summit
i. On 12^th May , Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli announced that Nepal will be the host for the upcoming 2018 BIMSTEC Summit .

ii. This was announced during the bilateral talks between the Prime Minister of Nepal and India on commitment towards building the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal initiative.
Key point:
On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Nepal , several talks were held among which the Prime Minister of Nepal announced that Nepal will be the host for  the 2018 Bay of Bengal Initiative of Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation Summit (BIMSTEC).
BIMSTEC:
♦ Headquarters: Dhaka, Bangladesh.
♦ It is a sub-regional group of seven countries namely Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand in the South-Asia region.
♦ Establishment :  6^th june 1997 through Bankok Declaration.
♦ Objective: To work in collaboration with its member countries in all 14 sectors including agriculture, poverty, counter terrorism, environment, culture , trade, technology etc. for better development in the South Asian region.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

WPI inflation jumps to 3.18% in April
As per data released by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation stood at 3.18 percent in the month of April 2018.
Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation, April 2018:
i. WPI for April 2018 at 3.18 percent is higher as compared to 2.47 percent for the previous month.
ii. The rise can be attributed to increment in index of ‘Food Articles’ group which went up by 1.9 percent to 139.8 (provisional) from 137.2 (provisional) for the previous month.
iii. The increment was mainly on account of higher price of tea, fruits and vegetables, pork, paddy and maize.
iv. However, index of Non-Food Articles’ group declined by 0.9 percent to 119.1 (provisional) from 120.2 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of raw silk, floriculture, gaur seed and gingelly seed.
v. Other indexes that rose in April 2018 are Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas, Coal, Mineral Oils, Manufacture of Textiles, Manufacture of Leather and Related Products while index for Manufacture of Tobacco Products group declined.

 AQUISITIONS & MERGERS

DoT approves Bharti Airtel and Telenor India merger
On 14^th May 2018, Department of Telecom (DoT) approved the merger of Telenor India with Bharti Airtel.

DoT approves Bharti Airtel and Telenor India merger:
i. The Supreme Court had rejected DoT’s petition for security deposit of Rs 1,700 crore from the companies and ordered it to approve the merger.
ii. The guarantee included Rs 1,499 crore for one-time spectrum charge for the radio waves allocated to Airtel without auction, and more than Rs 200 crore for spectrum payment which is to be made by Telenor.
iii. Airtel will obtain an additional 43.4 MHz spectrum in the 1800 MHz band. Telenor India operates in 7 circles: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, UP (East), UP (West) and Assam.
iv. DoT has asked Airtel to reduce its market share based on adjusted gross revenue (money earned from telecom services) in Bihar service area to a limit of 50 %, within one year from the date of approval of the merger of two companies.
v. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had approved the merger on 8 March 2018.
About Department of Telecommunications (DoT):
♦ Chairman of Telecom Commission and Telecom Secretary – Aruna Sundar Rajan
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO developing environment-friendly propellant
Scientists of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have progressed in the development of an environment-friendly propellant to power satellites and spacecraft.
ISRO developing environment-friendly propellant:
i. The scientists are working to replace the conventional hydrazine rocket fuel with a greener propellant. The hydrazine rocket fuel is a highly toxic and carcinogenic chemical.
ii. Initial tests by scientists at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) have given expected results in the formulation and tests of a propellant blend based on hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN).
iii. The LPSC team formulated the HAN-based monopropellant and performed various tests to study its characteristics.
iv. A monopropellant is a chemical propulsion fuel which does not need a separate oxidizer. It is used in satellite thrusters for orbital correction and orientation control.
v. The new formulation comprises HAN, ammonium nitrate (AN), methanol and water. Methanol was added to reduce combustion instability. AN was added to control the burn rate and lower the freezing point of propellant.
vi. The propellant formulation was tested for compatibility with four metal samples for a period of six months.
About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
♦ Chairman – Dr. K. Sivan
♦ Headquarters – Bangalore, Karnataka

SPORTS

Federer replaces Nadal as number one, Djokovic on the slide
Roger Federer has replaced Rafael Nadal as world no. 1 in the men’s singles tennis ATP rankings published on May 14, 2018.

Federer regains top spot:
i. Roger Federer returned to the top spot despite of not having played since March 2018.
ii. Rafael Nadal lost the No. 1 spot to Roger Federer due to surprise quarter-final exit at the Madrid Masters.
iii. Former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic slipped six places to 18th on account of second-round defeat in Madrid Masters. This is Djokovic’s lowest ranking since October 2006.
iv. The highest mover in the men’s charts is Russian player Denis Shapovalov who jumped 14 spots to a best ever 29th
ATP rankings as on May 14, 2018:

4-nation football Tournament: India U-16 crowned champions
On 13^th May 2018, the Indian U-16 national football team emerged as champions of the Four-Nation Tournament in Serbia.
India U-16 crowned champions:
i. Indian U-16 national football team defeated Tajikistan 4-2 in the finals and became the champions.
ii. In the Four-Nation tournament, Indian U-16 team faced Serbia, Jordan, and Tajikistan. The Four-Nation tournament was hosted by Serbia.
About All India Football Federation (AIFF):
♦ President – Praful M Patel
♦ Headquarters – New Delhi

Kvitova up two places to 8th in WTA rankings
zech Republic’s tennis player Petra Kvitova jumped two spots to eighth in the women’s singles tennis, WTA rankings published on May 14, 2018.
i. On May 12, 2018, Petra Kvitova won the Madrid Open after beating Kiki Bertens.
ii. In the past, Kvitova had won Madrid in 2011 and 2015 as well.
iii. Romania’s Simona Halep topped the WTA rankings.
WTA rankings as of May 14, 2018:

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Wildlife Photographer Latika Nath unveiled her book ‘Hidden India’ to promote protection of Indian Elephants
i. On 12^th May, renowned wildlife photographer Latika Nath unveiled her book ‘Hidden India’ in New Delhi.
ii. ‘Hidden India’ is a coffee table book that comprises of all the photographs of some of her “closest wildlife encounters” as per a statement. The proceeds from this book will go to the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre which would promote protection of Indian Elephants.
About Latika Nath:
♦ Latika Nath is India’s first female biologist with a doctorate on tigers and was named “The Tiger Princess” by National Geographic.