Mission IPS: Current Affairs

Showing posts with label Current Affairs. Show all posts

Pictorial/Graphic Health Warnings on Tobacco Products

The Government of India has enacted “The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products(Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003” (COTPA 2003) to regulate consumption, production, supply and distribution of tobacco products, inter-alia, through mandatory depiction of specified pictorial health warnings on all tobacco product packs, in particular through sections 7 to 10 thereof read with rules notified there-under.

The extant provisions under COTPA are substantially compliant with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), except only in terms of the display area required to be occupied by the pictorial health warnings.

All tobacco products manufactured on or after 1st April, 2013 are required to have the new pictorial health warnings notified vide G.S.R. 724(E) dated 27th September, 2012.

The Act (COTPA 2003) and the rules issued there-under for enforcement of the provisions relating to depiction of specified pictorial health warnings on tobacco product packs have notified/authorised officials with the powers of entry, search and seizure and made them competent to act in case of violation of these provisions. The penal provisions for violation of these provisions are laid down in sections 20 and 26 of COTPA, 2003.

In order to ensure mandatory compliance with anti-tobacco laws, Ministry sends regular advisories to the states. Guidelines for implementation of various provisions of COTPA 2003 have been framed and shared with the State Governments. Ministry has written to the Director Generals of Police in all states/UT’s to make compliance with COTPA 2003 a part of the monthly crime review meetings at district level. Ministry has also written to Ministry of Home Affairs to get the compliance with COTPA 2003 included in the agenda of ‘Social Policing’. Ministry issues public notices from time to time in the leading national and regional newspapers to create awareness about the provisions of the extant rules.

Ministry supports and maintains a helpline with toll free number for reporting any violations of the anti-tobacco laws. The reported violations are shared with states for necessary action.

60th National Film Awards

Jury headed by Shri Basu Chatterjee for Feature Films, Ms. Aruna Raje for Non-Feature Films and Shri Swapan Mullick for Best Writing on Cinema announce the Awards

The award for the best feature film has been conferred to Paan Singh Tomar (Hindi)produced by UTV Software communications Ltd. and directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia . In non-feature film category, the award for the Best Film has been conferred to Shepherds of Paradise (Gojri & Urdu) produced and directed by Raja Shabir Khan. In the category of Best Writing on Cinema section, the book Silent Cinema in India – A Pictorial Journey (English) written by B.D. Garga and published by Harper Collins Publisher India has bagged the top honour, whereas Shri P.S. Radhakrishnan has been conferred the award for the Best film Critic.

In the Feature Film category, a total of 38 films from 14 languages have been selected for the 60th National Awards. Chittagong (Hindi) and 101 Chodiyangal (Malayalam) have shared the Indira Gandhi award for the Best Debut Film of a Director. The award for the Best Popular Film for providing wholesome entertainment has been shared by Vicky Donor (Hindi) and Ustad Hotel (Malayalam). The award for the Best Director has been conferred on Shri Shivaji Lotan Patil for the film Dhag (Marathi). The award for the Best Actor has been shared by Shri Irrfaan playing the title role in Paan Singh Tomar and Shri Vikram Gokhale for the film Anumati(Marathi). The award for the Best Actress has been conferred on Ms Usha Jadhav for her performance in Dhag (Marathi). The award for the best Supporting Actor has been conferred on Shri Anu Kapur for the film Vicky Donor. The award for the best supporting Actress has been shared by Ms Dolly Ahluwalia for the film Vicky Donor and Ms Kalpana for the film ThanichallaNjan (Malyalam). The Best Child Artist award has been shared by Master Virendra Pratap for Dekh Indian Circus (Hindi) and Master Minon for 101 Chodiyangal (Malayalam).

The award for the Best Male playback singer has been conferred on Shri Shankar Mahadevan for the song Bolo Na from the film Chittagong. The award for the Best Female Playback singer has been conferred on Ms Aarti Ankalikar-Tikekar for the song Palakein Naa Moon Don from the film Samhita (Marathi). The award for the best Screen play writer (original) has been conferred on Shri Sujoy Ghosh for the film Kahaani. The award for best Screen play writer (adapted) has been conferred on Shri Bhavesh Mandalia and Shri Umesh Shukla for the film Oh My God. The award for the best Dialogue has been conferred on Ms Anjali Menon for the film Ustad Hotel (Malayalam). The award for the best lyrics has been conferred on Shri Prasoon Joshi for the song Bolo Na from the film Chittagong. A special jury award has been conferred on Shri Rituparno Ghosh and Shri Nawazuddin Siddiqui for the films Chitrangadha (Bengali), Kahaani, Gangs of Wasseypur, Dekh Indian circus and Talaash (Hindi). The award for the best choreography has been conferred on Pt. Birju Maharaj for the film Vishwaroopam (Tamil).

In the Non-Feature Film category, Shri Vikrant Pawar has got the Best Director award for the film Kaatal (Marathi). The Award for the Best Debut Film of a Director has been conferred to Shri Lipika Singh Darai for the film Eka Gachha Eka Manisa Eka Samudra (Odia). Shumona Goel and Shai Heredia for the film I Am Micro (English) and Vasudah Joshi for Cancer Katha (English) have been selected for Special Jury Award. Timbaktu (English) has been awarded as the Best film in the Environmental category and Dreaming Taj Mahal ( Hindi & Urdu) has been conferred the award for the Best Promotional film.

National Water Policy (2012)

Draft National Water Policy (2012)

In pursuance of the strategies identified in National Water Mission Document as well as deliberations in National Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources had initiated the process of reviewing the National Water Policy, 2002. Accordingly, the Drafting Committee on National Water Policy has evolved the draft policy after taking into consideration recommendations of various stake holders. The Salient Features of Draft National Water Policy (NWP, 2012) are:

1. Emphasis on the need for a national water framework law, comprehensive legislation for optimum development of inter-State rivers and river valleys, amendment of Irrigation Acts, Indian Easements Act, 1882, etc.

2. Water, after meeting the pre-emptive needs for safe drinking water and sanitation, achieving food security, supporting poor people dependent on agriculture for their livelihood and high priority allocation for minimum eco-system needs, be treated as economic good so as to promote its conservation and efficient use.

3. Ecological needs of the river should be determined recognizing that river flows are characterized by low or no flows, small floods (freshets), large floods and flow variability and should accommodate development needs. A portion of river flows should be kept aside to meet ecological needs ensuring that the proportional low and high flow releases correspond in time closely to the natural flow regime.

4. Adaptation strategies in view of climate change for designing and management of water resources structures, review of acceptability criteria and increasing water storage have been emphasized.

5. A system to evolve benchmarks for water uses for different purposes, i.e., water footprints, and water auditing be developed to ensure efficient use of water. Project financing has been suggested as a tool to incentivize efficient & economic use of water.

6. Setting up of Water Regulatory Authority has been recommended. Incentivization of recycle and re-use has been recommended.

7. Water Users Associations should be given statutory powers to collect and retain a portion of water charges, manage the volumetric quantum of water allotted to them and maintain the distribution system in their jurisdiction.

8. Removal of large disparity in stipulations for water supply in urban areas and in rural areas has been recommended.

9. Water resources projects and services should be managed with community participation. Wherever the State Governments or local governing bodies so decide, the private sector can be encouraged to become a service provider in public private partnership model to meet agreed terms of service delivery, including penalties for failure.

10. Adequate grants to the States to update technology, design practices, planning and management practices, preparation of annual water balances and accounts for the site and basin, preparation of hydrologic balances for water systems, and benchmarking and performance evaluation.

Availability of Ground Water

Ministry of Water Resources has constituted a Central Level Expert Group headed by Chairman, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and comprising of 27 Members including representatives of Central Government, State Governments and Academicians. The Terms of Reference (TOR) of the Expert Group, inter-alia, includes:-

(i). Ensuring assessment of ground water available in deep/unconfined aquifers.

(ii). Assessment of annual replenish able ground water resources of the States in coordination with the respective State Level Committees for the reference year 2011.

(iii). Supervise estimation of utilization of the annual replenish able ground water resource of States as on 31st March 2011.

(iv). Prepare a National Level Report on assessment of ground water resources and its utilization as on 31st March, 2011.

(v). Integration of ground water and surface water data with a view to facilitating planning for constructive/integrated use of water resources.

For solving the problem of depletion of ground water, Central Government has taken following steps:-

(i). Extending technical and financial support to States/UTs under schemes such as Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme; Command Area Development and Water Management; Repair, Renovation and Restoration of Water Bodies for conservation of water resources in the Country.

(ii). CGWB has prepared a Master Plan for artificial recharge to ground water in the Country.

(iii). Setting up of National Water Mission with the objective of, inter-alia, conservation of water resources.

(iv). Circulation of a Model Bill by the Ministry of Water Resources to all the States/UTs to enable them to enact ground water legislation for its regulation, development and conservation; and

(v). Advisory by Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) to all the Chief Secretaries of the States and Administrators of the Union Territories, having ‘Over-exploited’ blocks, to take measures to promote/adopt artificial recharge to ground water / rain water harvesting.

Creamy layer bar for OBCs raised

‘Creamy layer’ is the income limit beyond which OBCs are not eligible for quotas. A group of ministers has decided to raise the ‘creamy layer’ bar from Rs 4.50 lakh to Rs 6 lakh annually as part of the revision done every four years. Thus OBCs earning over 6 lakh will not be eligible for reservations in jobs and education with The increase, however, marks a setback for the ‘backward lobby’ of ministers that blocked the proposal for fixing creamy layer at Rs 6 lakh in the Cabinet last June, arguing it did not reflect the fall in value of currency and inflation.

A group of ministers headed by P Chidambaram is learnt to have weighed in favour of retaining the income level suggested by social justice ministry that ran into resistance in the Cabinet last year. Narayanasamy, along with petroleum minister Veerappa Moily and overseas Indian affairs minister Vayalar Ravi, had opposed the Rs 6 lakh proposal in the Cabinet, saying that it should be at least Rs 7 lakh. The resistance forced the prime minister to refer the issue for consultations.

Thus finally after consultations the Chidambaram-led ministerial panel’s move to keep a “uniform Rs 6 lakh salary bar” is way below the recommendation made by National Commission for Backward Classes that it should be Rs 12 lakh in urban areas and Rs 9 lakh in rural areas.

The income ceiling was introduced at Rs 1 lakh in 1993 and was revised to Rs 2.50 lakh in 2004 and Rs 4.50 lakh in 2008.

As against NCBC’s suggestion of Rs 12 lakh that reflected Mandal satraps’ long-held aversion for the concept of creamy layer, the Centre seems to have been deterred by the backlash of a huge hike.

While there can be a judicial challenge arguing that setting the bar too low is designed to neutralize the income ceiling, there are fears in the ruling dispensation that quota for rich OBCs would lead to demands from upper castes that their poor too be given reservations.

FEATURED TOPIC: WATER ON THE MOON

Recent Findings

In Nov 2009 NASA’s Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) space probe detects significant presence of water on the moon
The water was found in the Cabeus crater near the south pole of the moon
This followed ISRO’s detection of water near the Shackleton crater in Sep 2009. The water was found by NASA’s Moon Mineralogy Mapper probe carried onboard ISRO’s Chandrayaan I spacecraft

Scientific understanding of lunar water

Probe said to detect significant amount of hydroxyl group (OH) in the material thrown up by an impactor that impacted the lunar surface
Evidence points to hydroxyl group being chemically bound to minerals on the lunar surface (rather than as free water)
Water may have been delivered to the moon over a long period by the regular bombardment of water-bearing comets, or may have been produced in situ by the hydrogen atoms (protons) of solar wind
Liquid water cannot persist at the moon’s surface and water vapour is quickly lost to space. However, it is believed that water ice could survive in the cold permanently shadowed craters near the poles, which is exactly where water has been found presently.

History of observations

The first evidence of water ice on the moon came from the US military’s Clementine probe in 1994.
In 1998, the Lunar Prospector Probe found significant amounts hydrogen at the lunar north and south poles
Sep 2009: Presence of hydrogen in the form of hydroxyl group reported by NASA’s Moon Minerology Mapper aboard ISRO’s Chandrayaan I
Nov 2009: Presence of hydroxyl group in significant quantities confirmed by NASA’s LCROSS mission

Significance of lunar water

Availability of hydroxyl group in significant quantities enables the extraction of water from lunar soil in a cost-effective manner
Extraction of water would permit permanent human settlements on the moon. This would permit colonization of the moon
Discovery of water on the moon raises questions on who owns the water and who has the right to exploit it
The UN’s Outer Space Treaty does not prevent the exploitation of lunar surfaces. However, the treaty, ratified by most space-faring nations including India, does prevent the appropriation of the Moon by individual nations.
The Moon Treaty (Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies) specifically stipulates that exploitation of lunar resources is to be governed by an international regime. However, this treaty has not been ratified by major space-faring nations. India has signed the treaty but not ratified it.

RECENT NOTEWORTHY DEVELOPMENTS

DOMESTIC

Mukesh Ambani is the richest person in India with a net worth of $32 bn. According to the Forbes India Rich List, Lakshmi Mittal is second with $30 bn and Anil Ambani is third with $17.5 bn
Railways exams to be conducted in regional languages too. Minister of Railways, Mamata Banerjee, announces that in addition to English, Hindi and Urdu, Railways exams will be conducted simultaneously in regional languages as well.
General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC) pays Rs 167 cr to the Taj and Oberoi hotels for the 26 Nov terrorist attacks. GIC is the administrator of the terror insurance pool formed in 2001 to pay claims arising out of terrorist attacks.
India to introduce Mobile Number Portability on Dec 31. MNP allows users to retain their mobile phone numbers even if they switch operators. It is being implemented by TRAI
Madras High Court judges declare their assets on the court website. Taking a cue from the SC, all 54 judges of the Madras HC, including the Madurai Bench, declared their assets under the Voluntary Disclosure of Assets resolution passed by the Madras HC in Sep 2009
Hockey: Rajpal Singh to lead India in the Champions Challenge at Salta, Argentina Dec 6-13
Chess: Vishwanathan Anand finished second in the World Blitz Championship in Moscow, behind Magnus Carlsen of Norway

INTERNATIONAL

Nepal: Maoist-Government talks fail. Maoists announce they will begin a third
“People’s movement” in Dec. A general strike has also been called for Dec 20-22 to force the government to accept Maoist demands. The Maoists have also threatened to proceed with their plans to announce the division of Nepal into nearly a dozen autonomous states.
UNICEF says Afghanistan is the most dangerous place to be born in. Afghanistan has the highest infant mortality rate in the world (257/1000) and over 70% of the population lack access to clean water. Increasing Taliban attacks have also forced school shutdowns, crippled vaccination efforts against polio and measles and closed off more than 40% of the territory to aid agencies.
Indian economist Siddharth Tiwari is named Secretary of the IMF. As Secretary, his role will involve working with the IMF’s Executive Board and daily interactions with management and staff. He will be working under the MD of IMF Dominique Strauss-Kahn. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Delhi, a masters from the London School of Economics and a doctorate in economics from the University of Chicago.
Sri Lanka to allow refugees help in camps to leave for short period from next month. More than 130000 people have been held in special camps since the end of the war with the LTTE in May 2009. Sri Lanka’s decision follows months of international criticism over holding people in the camps against their will. The govt. says presently people will not be allowed the leave the camps permanently.
China’s Tianhe-1 becomes the fifth most powerful supercomputer in the world. It packs 563 teraflops (trillion calculations per second) and is housed at the National SuperComputer Centre, Tianjin. India’s most powerful supercomputer is the HP Cluster Platform 3000 at the Computational Research Lab, Pune (132 teraflops). The top five supercomputers in the world are
1. Jaguar, Oak Ridge National Lab, US (1.7 petaflops)
2. Roadrunner, Los Alamos National Lab (1 petaflops)
3. Kraken XT5, University of Tennessee, US (831 teraflops)
4. Jugene, Forschungszentrum Juelich, Germany (825 teraflops)
5. Tianhe-1, National SuperComputer Centre, China (563 teraflops)

FEATURED TOPIC: COMMONWEALTH GAMES

About the Commonwealth Games

It is held every 4 years, involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations
Typically involves around 5000 athletes
The Commonwealth Games Federation is responsible for administration of the Games
The 19^th edition of the Games will be held in New Delhi 03 – 14 Oct 2010
The 2014 Games will be held in Glasgow (Scotland)

Keywords: ias, study material, general studies, current affairs, commonwealth

History of the Commonwealth Games

The first Games, called the British Empire Games, was held in Ontario, Canada in 1930
The name of the Games changed to British and Commonwealth Games in 1954, to British Commonwealth Games in 1970, and to Commonwealth Games in 1978
Only six teams have attended every Games: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, England, Wales and Scotland
Australia has been the highest scoring team in 10 tournaments and England in 7
At the first Games, there were 6 sports: athletics, aquatics (swimming and diving), boxing, lawn bowls, rowing and wrestling
Women competed for the first time in 1930 in swimming, in 1934 they started competing in athletics too. This was the first time women’s athletics was given full recognition on the international stage
India participated for the first time in 1934, in London

Keywords: ias, study material, general studies, current affairs, commonwealth

The Commonwealth Games 2010

This is the first time the Commonwealth Games will be held in India, and the second time in Asia (Kuala Lumpur, 1998)
The opening ceremony will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on 03 Oct 2010
The Games will be opened by President Pratibha Patil
The closing ceremony will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on 14 Oct 2010
Motto of the Games: Come Out And Play
Mascot of the Games: Shera (Tiger)

Keywords: ias, study material, general studies, current affairs, commonwealth

Preparations for the Games

The total estimated budget for hosting the Games is around USD 1.6 bn, making it the most expensive Commonwealth Games ever
Infrastructure projects for the Games include
- Better transportation facilities regarding roads, the airport, high capacity bus systems and the Delhi Metro
- Better security facilities by deploying additional forces specifically trained in tourism related security
- Better power production and distribution facilities to assure adequate supply of power to Delhi
The Thyagaraj Stadium, the venue for Netball, is being constructed as a model Green Stadium. It is being built with the latest Green technologies solar power, rainwater harvesting etc. Once functional, the Stadium is expected to feed electricity to the power grid.

Keywords: ias, study material, general studies, current affairs, commonwealth

Participation at the Games

There will be 71 teams at the tournament, representing the 53 member nations of the Commonwealth
The four constituent countries of the UK send separate teams to the tournament: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, the UK sends a single team to the Olympics
Separate teams are also sent from the British Crown Dependencies – Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man – and many British Overseas Territories
The Australian external territory of the Norfolk Island also sends a separate team. The Cook Islands and Niue states in free association with New Zealand, also send separate teams
Tokelau (a territory of New Zealand) is expected to participate for the first time in 2010

Keywords: ias, study material, general studies, current affairs, commonwealth

Recognized sports at the Games

Three sports played in the Commonwealth Games but not at the Olympics are lawn bowls, rugby sevens and netball
There are a total of 31 sports, two multi-disciplinary sports and 7 para-sports approved by the Commonwealth Games. However, only 17 sports are competed in any edition of the Games
There will be 17 streams at the Games in 2010: Archery, aquatics, athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowls, netball, rugby sevens, shooting, squash, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling
Elite Athletes with Disabilities will compete in 15 events across 4 sports namely athletics, swimming, powerlifting and table tennis

Keywords: ias, study material, general studies, current affairs, commonwealth

Queen’s Baton Relay

The relay began on 29 Oct 2009 when the Queen handed over the baton to the first relay runner – Abhinav Bindra from India
The baton will be handed back to the Queen at the opening ceremony on 03 Oct 2010
The relay will travel some 170000 km across the world, and an additional 20000 km in India. In India, it will travel to every state and its capital
The baton for the 2010 Games was designed by a consortium of Foley Designs, Titan Industries and Bharat Electronics, under the leadership of Michael Foley
The baton has been coated with red, black and yellow soils, as a symbol of India’s diversity
The technology features of the baton include
- Ability to capture images and sound as it travels through the Commonwealth
- GPS technology though which the exact location of the baton can be tracked on the Games’ website
- Embedded LED’s that will display the colours of a country’s flag whilst in that country
- Text messaging facility so people can text their congratulations and encouragements to baton runners

Keywords: ias, study material, general studies, current affairs, commonwealth

RECENT NOTEWORTHY DEVELOPMENTS

DOMESTIC

Government to re-introduce Bills in Parliament
1. Government seeks to re-introduce the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill 2009 and Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill 2009
2. Both Bills were earlier passed by the Lok Sabha in Feb 2009. However they lapsed due to the dissolution of the Lok Sabha
3. Seeks to rehabilitate and resettle people affected by land acquisition for public projects
4. Land required for major projects would not be acquired if 70% of farmers don’t give assent
5. Farmlands where more than one crop is grown per year would not be affected

Keywords: ias, study material, general studies, current affairs, commonwealth

INTERNATIONAL

IAEA censures Iran
1. The IAEA castigated Iran for blocking enquiries into its nuclear program
2. The resolution condemning Iran passed 25-3
3. India, China and Russia voted in support of the resolution
4. Current IAEA chief Dr. Mohamed El Baradei is preparing to step down after 12 years at the head of the UN agency
Dubai defaults on debt
1. Dubai World, the centerpiece of Dubai’s economy announces a 6-month suspension on debt repayments
2. Dubai World has a debt of almost USD 60 bn, a large portion of Dubai’s total debt of USD 80 bn
3. Dubai World is a conglomerate that sets the direction for Dubai’s economy. Its subsidiary Nakheel was the builder of the landmark palm tree shaped development islands off Dubai
4. Dubai does not have oil resources (unlike neighbouring Abu Dhabi) but relies on tourism, shipping and real estate to fuel its economy
5. The primary cause of Dubai’s default seems to be rampant speculation in the real estate market
6. Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are part of the United Arab Emirates
7. Dubai is ruled by the Al Maktoum family since 1833
8. The current ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is also the Prime Minister of the UAE
US, China pledge hard targets on emissions
1. China proposes to reduce carbon intensity (i.e. the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of economic output) by 40-45% compared to 2005 levels
2. US proposes to reduce total tonnage of greenhouse emissions by 17% compared to 2005 levels by 2020
3. China’s proposal will not decrease the amount of greenhouse emissions but merely reduce the rate of increase of emissions
4. China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, the US is the second largest
5. Canada has also pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: 20% compared to 2006 levels by 2020
Commonwealth summit opens in Trinidad
1. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was inaugurated in Trinidad by Queen Elizabeth II
2. The top items on the agenda are expected to be climate change and communicable diseases
3. In an unusual move, three non-Commonwealth world leaders are attending this year: French President Nicholas Sarkozy, Danish Prime Minister Lars Rasmussen and UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon
4. Rwanda (a French-speaking former Belgian colony) is trying to join the Commonwealth as its 54^th member
5. Zimbabwe may be re-admitted after its suspension in 2002
6. Established in 1949, the Commonwealth primarily consists of States belonging to the former British Empire
7. It comprises some of the world’s largest, smallest, richest and poorest nations
8. Representing around 2 billion people (one third of world human population), the Commonwealth is the second largest international organization of nations (after the UN)
India, Canada reach civil nuclear agreement
1. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Commonwealth summit in Trinidad
2. Canada has become the eight country with which India now has civil nuclear agreements
3. The other seven countries with which India has agreements are: the US, France, Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Argentina and Namibia
4. Canada is the world’s largest exporter of uranium, and has the second largest proven reserves (the first is Australia)

FEATURED TOPIC: THAILAND-CAMBODIA TEMPLE DISPUTE

Overview of the dispute

Location of the Preah Vihear Temple

Dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over possession of the ancient Preah Vihear Temple
The dispute has been in existence for about a century, but tensions flared up in Oct 2008 and again in April 2009
Talks underway between the two sides but the border remains tense

Keywords: India, ias, upsc, civil service, study material, general studies, current affairs

History of the dispute

In 1907 the border between Thailand and Cambodia was mapped by France (the colonial power in Cambodia) on behalf of a bilateral border commission. Although the border was intended to follow the watershed line (putting the temple in Thailand), the map submitted put the temple inside Cambodia. This map was used extensively by both governments
During WW II, Thailand took advantage of the French surrender and annexed the region
Following defeat in WW II, Thailand returned the territories to France
Following Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953, Thailand occupied the Preah Vihear Temple in 1954
Following a protest, the International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962. Thailand handed the territory over to Cambodia, however has not fully withdrawn its claims
The UNESCO designated the Preah Vihear Temple a World Heritage Site in 2008.
Following persistent tensions, both sides moved troops to the area. Occasional clashes have erupted every few months

Keywords: India, ias, upsc, civil service, study material, general studies, current affairs

About the Preah Vihar Temple

The Preah Vihear Temple - the center of the dispute between Thailand and Cambodia

Built in the 11^th century by the Khmer Empire during the reigns of Suryavarman I and Suryavarman II. Suryavarman II also built the Angkor Wat temple, dedicated to the deity Vishnu
It is a Hindu temple, the main deity is Shiva
It is situated atop a cliff in the Dangrek Mountains in eastern Thailand and northern Cambodia
In July 2008, the temple was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Keywords: India, ias, upsc, civil service, study material, general studies, current affairs

Timeline of the dispute

Keywords: India, ias, upsc, civil service, study material, general studies, current affairs

FEATURED TOPIC: FARMERS’ SUICIDES IN INDIA

Overview of farmers’ suicides

An estimated 17,000 farmers kill themselves every year in India
The problem is especially acute in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Punjab
Suicide crisis reported among farmers of all crops and land-holding sizes
Crisis first reported by P. Sainath, journalist for The Hindu in the 1990s. He won the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2007 for this contribution

eywords: India, ias, upsc, civil service, study material, general studies, current affairs

Causes of the suicide crisis

Limited availability of credit. Most credit only available at very high interest rates
Lack of advice and expertise on agricultural practices
Misuse of agricultural chemicals due to lack of guidance
Inadequate farming income even to meet basic household expenses
Lack of support systems such health facilities for farmers

eywords: India, ias, upsc, civil service, study material, general studies, current affairs

Responses to the crisis

For details regarding governmental schemes and programmes, see Indian Economy #3: Agriculture in India

Increase in Minimum Support Price for cotton
Restitution to the families of deceased farmers
Increase in credit availability directly from financial institutions and improvement in access of farmers to credit
Farmer credit cards and crop insurance schemes
Farmer helplines for counseling and agricultural advice

RECENT NOTEWORTHY DEVELOPMENTS

DOMESTIC

Airports stop swine flu screening
- All international airports in India have been instructed to stop screening for H1N1 virus
- Director General of Health Services recommended termination of screening saying the virus has spread inside India and airport screening was useless
- Screening started on 30 April 2009 at 22 international airports
- Less than 2% of swine flu cases in India could be attributed to international travel
- The WHO does not recommend airport screening or any other form of travel restriction

Keywords: India, ias, upsc, civil service, study material, general studies, current affairs

INTERNATIONAL

Spain wins Davis Cup 2009
1. Spain won the Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic in Barcelona
2. Felicano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco of Spain beat Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic to win the tournament
3. The teams for 2009 Davis Cup:
  1. Spain: Feliano Lopez, Fernando Verdasco, Albert Costa (captain), David Ferrer and Rafael Nadal
  2. Czech Republic: Radek Stepanek, Tomas Berdych, Jaroslav Navratil (captain), Lukas Dlouhy and Jan Hajek
4. Spain won the Davis Cup in 2008 as well. Spain has now won the Davis Cup four times
5. Spain is the sixth most successful team at the Davis Cup after the US (32 titles), Australia (28), France (9), Britain (9) and Sweden (7)
6. India last competed in the World Group for the Davis Cup in 1998
7. Current Indian team: Shiv Prakash Misra (captain), Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Somdev Devvarman, Rohan Bopanna
8. India first competed in the Davis Cup in 1921 and finished runners up in 1966, 1974 and 1987
Guinea leader survives assassination attempt
1. Guinea’s military ruler Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara has survived an assassination attempt and is undergoing recovery in Morocco
2. The attempt was made by his close aide Lt. Abubakar Toumba Diakite
3. Capt. Camara has drawn widespread international criticism for the massacre of unarmed demonstrators in Sep 2009
4. Lt. Diakite has been identified as being present and in command during the killings
5. Capt. Camara seized power in Guinea after the death of longtime dictator Lansana Conte in Dec 2008
6. The capital of Guinea is Conakry
Large Hadron Collider restarted
1. The Large Hadron Collider at CERN near Geneva was restarted on 21 Nov 2009 after a gap of one year
2. Housed in a 27 km underground tunnel, the Collider has accelerated electron beams to 1.18 trillion eV.
3. It is now the largest and most powerful particle accelerator in the world. Now the second most powerful accelerator is the Tevatron at Fermilab in Chicago
4. The Collider was launched in July 2008, but suffered an electrical failure only nine days later
5. The Collider was built by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) with the intention of testing high-energy physics
6. The CERN, established in 1954, is the world’s largest particle physics laboratory. It consists of 20 member states (from Europe) and 6 observer states (US, Russia, Israel, India, Japan and Turkey)
7. Around 200 of the 2000 scientist participating in the Large Hadron Collider are from India
8. Precision motion positioning systems for the Collider were supplied by the Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore, by the Electronics Corporation of India
9. Monetarily, India has contributed USD 25 million to the USD 10 billion project

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