10 May 2016

Ranglal Jamuda appointed Odisha food commission chairman

The Odisha government has constituted a three-member State Food Commission with Ranglal Jamuda, former Union secretary, Food Processing Industries, as its chairman.

·  According to an official release, two other members of the Commission are former CBI Special Judge Manoj Kumar Panda and former Kendrapara MLA Sipra Mallick.

·  The newly formed Commission will probe any matter relating to implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA) in the state.

Indian Army conducts ‘Chakravyuh-II’ training exercise in Rajasthan

Indian Army had conducted major military training exercise ‘2016 Chakravyuh-II’ in Suratgarh, Rajasthan. Purpose of the exercise: Validate battle readiness and operational effectiveness of the Pivot Formation and Rapid Division of Indian Army along with all its affiliated components.

Key facts 

The Chakravyuh-II exercise involved rapid mobilisation and execution of battle plans in conjunction with the Indian Air Force (IAF). It envisaged mechanised manoeuvres in the entire spectra of new generation weapons, systems and platforms in the rapid urbanisation and development areas along the border. It has provided an opportunity to all commanders in planning and conducting large scale operations in an integrated theatre environment along with IAF. It mainly included fighter ground attack aircrafts, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), attack helicopters, remotely piloted vehicles and communication helicopters. During the exercise surveillance, intelligence, reconnaissance and communication systems were put to test in a network-centric battlefield environment and were supported by required operational logistics. Improved mobility, extensive use of information technology and inventory management techniques were also validated to ensure logistics are deployed in the fast paced operational environment.

World Migratory Bird Day is observed on - 10 May 2016

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is being observed across the world on 10 May this year. The main aim of this day is to raise awareness and highlight the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats. 

Theme of year 2016 is - “Stop the Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds”. 

On this special day people around the world organize public events such as bird festivals, education programmes, exhibitions and bird-watching excursions to celebrate WMBD.

Know more – 

• WMBD which is known as World Migratory Bird Day was first initiated in 2006 by the United Nation as an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. 

• This day was founded as an effort of the United Nation’s Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Water birds.

Anti-Hijacking Bill, 2016 passed by - Parliament 

Parliament has finally passed the Anti-Hijacking Bill, 2016 to widen ambit of law dealing with this anti-hijacking crime.
This Bill was first passed in the Rajya Sabha and later in the Lok Sabha in May 2016.
As per Article 111 of Indian Constitution, the Bill will go for Presidential assent. Key provisions of the Bill The Bill defines hijacking as seizing control of an aircraft in service, unlawfully and intentionally, by coercion, technological means or by exercising force or any other form of intimidation.
This bill also covers several acts within the definition of hijacking.
It includes -
(i) attempt and abetment of hijacking
(ii) organizing or directing others to commit hijacking and
(iii) making a credible threat to commit hijacking

RBI released draft guidelines for licensing of Universal Banks 

in Private Sector

· The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released Draft Guidelines for on tap Licensing of Universal Banks in the Private Sector.

· It also sought views and comments on the draft guidelines from banks, non-banking financial institutions, industrial houses, other institutions and the public at large latest by 30 June 2016.

· RBI will issue the final guidelines will after receiving feedback, comments and suggestions on draft guidelines.

Indian boxers won 4 medals at - 7th Asian Youth Championship

Among Important Sports Current Affairs, On 9 May 2016 Indian boxers won four medals at the 7th Asian Youth Championships held in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan
India finished at third in the overall standings with three silver and a bronze medal in the tournament.
The Indian boxers names include who won silver medals are National champion Ankush Dahiya (60kg), Ashish Kulhirya (64kg) and Reyal Puri (81kg). Manjeet Singh (+91kg) won the solitary bronze.

Gujarat Government to kick-start solar rooftop project for citizens

· The state government is now all set to launch its grid-connected Rooftop Solar Power Project with an aim of scaling up the present solar power generation in Gujarat.

·The Rooftop Solar project was initiated by Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA), which is the state nodal agency to promote renewable energy.

·The GEDA agency has set a target of generating 50 megawatt (MW) of electricity by installing such rooftop solar photovoltic units across Gujarat in the current fiscal of 2016-17.

Indian scientist bags SGD 3 million grant from - Singapore's NRF

•      Dr Manvendra K Singh, a scientist from Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur city, was awarded a grant of SGD 3 million (about 14.7 crore rupees) by Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF).

• Dr. Singh in the first week of May 2016 announced that he is among the seven young scientists from across the world to be endowed with the Singapore NRF fellowship

• The scientist has been awarded the fellowship to pursue research in the field of congenital and adult cardiovascular diseases.