Women can be Karta of family: Delhi HC

1st Feb, 2016

Women can be Karta of family: Delhi HC

Delhi HC in its landmark verdict said that the eldest female member of a family can be its “Karta".

"Karta" denotes managership of a joint family and is traditionally inherited by men.

The Karta occupies a position superior to that of other members and has full authority to manage property, rituals or other crucial affairs of the family. These include taking decisions on sale and purchase of family assets, mutation of property etc.

Amendments to the Hindu Succession Act in 2005 introduced section 6 that levelled the playing field for women.

The HC ruling is important because it takes the 2005 reform in the Act to its logical conclusion. 

While the amendment restricted itself to providing women equal inheritance rights, the verdict now allows them to manage property and rituals of a joint family.

World Heritage Cities

01st Feb, 2016

World Heritage Cities

Under Organization of World Heritage Cities. Founded in 1993 at Canada.

Any city may become a member of the OWHC if it possesses the following two characteristics. 

Firstly the city has to be the location of a living urban fabric of historic or contemporary interest. Its outstanding universal value has been recognized by the UNESCO and therefore has been registered in the World Heritage List. 

Secondly the city has to adhere to the values of the OWHC.

Ahmedabad has been nominated now for the World Heritage City from India.

Of the 287 world heritage cities across the globe, the only two cities in the Indian subcontinent which enjoy the status are Bhaktapur in Nepal and Galle in Sri Lanka. 

Anti Leprosy Day - 30th Jan

29th Jan, 2016

Anti Leprosy Day - 30th Jan

National Livestock Policy

28th Jan,2016

National Livestock Policy 

The primary focus of the policy is to increase livestock productivity and production in a sustainable manner, while protecting the environment, preserving animal bio-diversity, ensuring bio-security and farmers livelihood. 

The National Livestock Policy would facilitate better inter-state coordination in control of animal diseases many of which are zoonotic, regulating export and import of livestock and livestock products, enhancing availability of feed and fodder, bio-security and conservation of indigenous breed, which are essential for development of livestock sector.

The Mission's emphasis to increase milk production has to be achieved by increasing productivity of the milch animals rather than increase in the number of animals. In order to encourage farmers to produce more milk, effective system of milk collection has to be ensured so that the farmer is assured of selling his produce at a profitable price which can be ensured by putting in place an effective procurement systems connecting milk producers.

The Mission's aim is also to reduce wastage of milk by expanding the cold chain infrastructure in the rural areas to collect and preserve milk till such time it is collected for sale or taken for processing. 

Rashtriya Gokul Mission has been initiated by the Department with the aim to conserve and develop Indigenous Breeds in a focused and scientific manner.

National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation

27th Jan, 2016

National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation

Set up in 1989 as a non profit company under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

The NSFDC provides loans through its Channelizing Agencies at concessional interest rates for self-employment & economic development activities to its target group. 

NSFDC also sponsors skill/entrepreneurial training programmes to assist the unemployed members of scheduled castes in wage/self-employment.

NSFDC implements its schemes through 37 State Channelizing Agencies in 32 States/UTs. NSFDC will also implement its schemes through select Public Sector Banks, Regional Rural Banks and Other Institutions, wherever required, to enhance its outreach. 

International Conference of Family Planning

25th Jan, 2016

International Conference of Family Planning

Taking place at Bali, Indonesia. Family planning is just the first step on a long journey towards growth, equality and development. It works not just because smaller families can be healthier and wealthier but because empowering women is the key to growing economies and healthy open societies.

India formulated its National Population Policy in 2000 which lays emphasis on reducing the unmet needs for family planning, improvement of health care infrastructure and attaining Population Stabilization by the year 2045.

In India FP 2020 has been utilized as a platform to focus on improving access to Family Planning services through provision of fixed day static services, improving the overall quality of services, influencing the demand for contraceptives and expanding the basket of choices

FP 2020

Family Planning 2020 (FP2020) is a global partnership that supports the rights of women and girls to decide, freely, and for themselves, whether, when, and how many children they want to have. 

FP2020 works with governments, civil society, multi-lateral organizations, donors, the private sector, and the research and development community to enable 120 million more women and girls to use contraceptives by 2020. FP2020 is an outcome of the 2012 London Summit.

International Solar Alliance

25th Jan, 2016

International Solar Alliance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande jointly lay the foundation stone of its headquarters and inaugurate its interim secretariat at the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in Gurgaon. 

"The ISA will be an alliance of 121 solar rich countries lying between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn (Sunshine countries)," Tripathy said. "Many countries expressed interest in becoming members, but only those which lie between the tropics or have islands there are being admitted. 

Others will function as partner countries as opposed to member countries," he said. An international steering committee of the ISA held its first meeting in Abu Dhabi on January 18. 

In its launch resolution, the ISA says it seeks to share collective ambitions to reduce the cost of finance and technology that is needed to deploy solar power widely; generation and storage technologies would be adapted to the individual countries’ needs.

On this occasion, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) announced contribution of US $ 1 million each to the ISA corpus fund. 

It will mobilise more than 1000 Billion US Dollars of investments needed by 2030 for the massive deployment of affordable solar energy.

VIKAS KI NAYI UDAAN (SCHEMES ROUND-UP)

26th Jan, 2016

VIKAS KI NAYI UDAAN (SCHEMES ROUND-UP)

It is the theme name provided to the calendar for the year 2016. Each month sheet emphasizes a particular goal and priority area, which concerns the people at large

1. Swachh Vidyalaya
2. National Scholarship Portal
3. SWAYAM
4. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana
5. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gramin Kaushalya Yojana
6. Jan Aushadi scheme
7. Mission Indradhanush
8. Kayakalp
9. Make in India
10. Start-up India
11. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
12. MUDRA
13. Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission
14. Pradhan Mantri Gram Saddak Yojana
15. Smart Cities
16. Digital India
17. Deen Dayal Antodaya Yojana
18. Van Bandhu Kalya Yojana
19. Nai Manzil, USTTAD,MANAS
20. Beti Bachao,Beti Padhao
21. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
22. Shramev Jayate
23. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
24. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana
25. Soil Health Cards
26. Kisan TV
27. Neem coated urea
28. National Agriculture Market
29. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
30. Blue revolution
31. Rashtriya Gokul Mission
32. PAHAL
33. Give Back & Give it up

National Girl Child Day

24th Jan, 2016

National Girl Child Day - Jan 24

National Girl Child Day is observed on January 24th. Organised by Ministry of Women & Child Development. 

Objective is to increase the awareness of inequalities faced by the girl child. First observed on 2008.

"Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao", scheme for girl child development launched on this day last year. Sukanya samriddhi yojana also provides for girl child development.

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (Itat)

24th Jan, 2016

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (Itat) 

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal completes 75 years of service to the nation through delivery of justice to the tax payers.

The ITAT, since its inception in 1941, has set up new standards for delivery of justice in taxation matters. The established model of ITAT has been used to set up Tribunals in the areas of Indirect Taxes, Administration, Railways and Foreign Exchange. The replication of ITAT model in constitution of other tribunals makes it a ‘Mother Tribunal’ of the country. 

The Indian economy has undergone a major change over the years. The collection of direct taxes in 1860-61 was Rupees 30 lakhs, when Income Tax was introduced in India on 24th July, 1860. For the year 2015-16, estimate for direct tax collection is Rupees 7.98 lakh crores.

The ITAT is the final fact finding authority in the direct taxes litigation system.

Today ITAT have 63 benches, which operate from 27 stations. 

SEEMA DARSHAN

23rd Jan, 2016

SEEMA DARSHAN

The Ministry of Human Resource Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home affairs is organizing ‘Seema Darshan’ programme for students for a period of five days starting from 22nd January 2016. 

The main objective of the programme is to provide the students with a first-hand experience of the prevailing security environment in the border areas. 

The other objectives are to foster patriotism and nationalism among the students and to provide an opportunity for the children to experience the border environment. 

Child artists would demonstrate to the jawans how they are preserving and taking forward the cultural legacy of that country for which the armed forces are constantly on the vigil and also protecting and guarding its borders. 

This kind of programme will not only inspire children but also boost the morale of our soldiers on this Republic Day. 

National Archives of India

24th Jan, 2016

National Archives of India (NAI) 

It is a repository of the non-current records of the Government of India and holds them in trust for the use of administrators and scholars. Originally established as the Imperial Record Department in 1891, in Calcutta, then capital of British India.

Professor G.W. Forrest of Elphinstone College, Bombay was entrusted the job to examine the records of the Foreign Department of the Government of India. In his report, he made a strong plea for transferring all records of the administration of East India Company to a Central Repository. As a result, Imperial Records Department (IRD) came into existence on 11 March 1891

It is under the Ministry of Culture.

Shri K.R. Narayanan, then President of India, declared the "Museum of the National Archives" open to the general public on 6 July 1998.

The holdings in the National Archives are in a regular series starting from the year 1748. The records are in four categories: Public Records, Oriental Records, Manuscripts and Private Papers.

First set of 100 Netaji Files declassified

23rd Jan, 2016

First set of 100 Netaji Files declassified

The Union Government has declassified the first set of 100 files pertaining to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. 

Subsequently, the Ministries of Home Affairs, and External Affairs too initiated the process of declassification of files relating to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in their respective collection which were then transferred to the National Archives of India. 

As a first step, the National Archives of India is placing 100 files relating to Netaji in public domain after preliminary conservation treatment and digitization. The remaining files too shall be placed in public domain after their conservation treatment and digitisation. 

The Government of India has written to the concerned foreign Governments to declassify all files or papers related to Netaji. The Government is committed to pursue this matter with them. 

The digitized files are being put on a website, specially designed by NIC –www.netajipapers.gov.in 

Declassified as per Public Records Rules, 1997. 

Power Tariff Policy

20th January, 2016

 Power Tariff Policy

The amendments are aimed at achieving the objectives of Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) with the focus on 4 Es: Electricity for all, Efficiency to ensure affordable tariffs, Environment for a sustainable future, Ease of doing business to attract investments and ensure financial viability. 

Highlights of Amendments are
Electricity:

• 24X7 supply will be ensured to all consumers and State Governments and regulators will devise a power supply trajectory to achieve this. 

• Power to be provided to remote unconnected villages through micro grids with provision for purchase of power into the grid as and when the grid reaches there. 

• Affordable power for people near coal mines by enabling procurement of power from coal washery reject based plants. 

Environment:

• Renewable Power Obligation (RPO): In order to promote renewable energy and energy security, 8% of electricity consumption excluding hydro power, shall be from solar energy by March 2022. 

• Renewable Generation Obligation (RGO): New coal/lignite based thermal plants after specified date to also establish/procure/purchase renewable capacity

• Affordable renewable power through bundling of renewable power with power from plants whose PPAs have expired or completed their useful life. 




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MoU between India and United Kingdom in the field of Public Administration and Governance Reforms

20th January, 2016

Memorandum of Understanding between India and United Kingdom in the field of Public Administration and Governance Reforms 

The form of co-operation under the MoU will be in areas like sharing good governance practices in public administration, User led service design, Reducing bureaucracy in service delivery, Government Process Re-engineering, Building and developing staff capability, Public Grievance Redress Mechanism, Local Government Reforms, Reforms towards strengthening of social security, Collaboration in strategies for promotion of ethics in Government, Collaboration between Government and Industry on staff management, Mechanisms for public engagement, Crisis and Disaster Management and Digital transformation of Government. 

A Joint Working Group on Public Administration and Governance will be responsible for implementation of the MoU. 

The MoU will help in understanding the system of customer oriented public service delivery in UK with reference to rapidly changing environments in the area of public service management and enable in replicating, adapting and innovating some of the best practices and processes in the Indian Public Service Delivery System, leading to improved public service delivery in India. 

The First Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is scheduled to be held later this month in London. 

Background

Provision of Citizen-Centric Online Services is the foundation of an efficient public administration system. It leads to transparency and accountability in the governance and fosters equitable growth. 

This aims to further Government's efforts at revamping of Public Administration system, Public Grievance Redress Mechanism, ushering in e-Governance, Digital India, etc., more so in the context of the goal of 'Minimum Government with Maximum Governance' through e-Governance based Citizen Centric End-to-End On-line Services. 

As part of its efforts in seeking international collaboration for initiatives in Good Governance and Administrative reforms, DARPG has so far entered into bilateral MoU with China, Malaysia, Singapore and with Brazil and South Africa (trilateral). The recent MoU with United Kingdom is a step in that direction as UK also ranks high in the UN E-Government Survey. 

Promotion of City Compost

20th Jan, 2016

Promotion of City Compost

Under the policy, a provision has been made for Market development assistance of Rs. 1500 per tonne of city compost for scaling up production and consumption of the product. 

Market development assistance would lower MRP of city compost for farmers. 

Compost from city garbage would not only provide carbon and primary/secondary nutrients to soil but also help in keeping the city clean. Eco-Mark standard for City Compost would ensure that environment friendly quality product reaches the farmers. 

Composting can reduce the volume of waste to landfill/dumpsite by converting the waste into useful by-products. This also prevents production of harmful greenhouse gases (especially methane) and toxic material that pollutes groundwater apart from polluting the environment. City Waste composting would also generate employment in urban areas. 

Fertilizer companies and marketing entities will also co-market City Compost with chemical fertilizers through their dealers' network. The companies will also adopt villages for promoting the use of compost. Government Departments and Public Sector undertakings will also use City Compost for their horticulture and related uses. 

Concerned Ministry/Department will carry out IEC campaigns to educate farmers on the benefits of city compost and will take steps to increase setting up of compost plants across all States. 

A joint mechanism will be set up by Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Urban Development and Department of Agriculture to monitor and facilitate availability of adequate quantity of City Compost at terms mutually agreeable between compost manufacturers and Fertilizer Marketing companies. They will also be authorised to resolve any co-ordination related issue that may arise. 

Shri-Durga-Saptashati – an illustrated book of the glory of the Goddess.

21st Jan, 2016

Shri-Durga-Saptashati – an illustrated book of the glory of the Goddess

The book has been compiled by Dr. Sandeep Joshi, a research scholar from Rajasthan. 

The Prime Minister complimented Dr. Sandeep Joshi for this work, which he said was an effort towards documentation of India's heritage. 

(MoU) between ISRO and Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research

20th Jan, 2016

(MoU) between Department of Space / Indian Space Research Organization (DOS/ISRO) and Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR) 

The MoU will enable pursuing potential interest areas in both cooperative and commercial mode, namely: 
(1) Use of data from Indian Remote Sensing satellites by KISR for initiating a few research and     application projects; 
(2) Training; and 
(3) Building and launching of remote sensing and communication satellites on commercial terms. 

The MoU will lead to setting up of a Joint Working Group, drawing members from ISRO and KISR, which will further work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementing this MoU. 

The MoU will provide impetus to explore newer research activities and application possibilities in the field of remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication; satellite navigation; space science and exploration of outer space. 

The Z Factor- Book Release

20th Jan, 2016

The Z Factor

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today released a book named "The Z Factor" written by Shri Subhash Chandra. 

Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG)

19th Jan, 2016

Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG)

Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) is a premier research organization under Department of Science and Technology and is involved in research on Geomagnetism and allied fields. 

Its Headquarters is located at New Panvel  near Mumbai. It has two Regional Centres and twelve magnetic observatories located across the length and breadth of the country. 

It actively participates in the Indian Antarctic Program

IIG has taken a new initiative in establishing the Shillong Geophysical Research Centre (SGRC) as its third regional centre. The focus of research at this newly formed centre at Shillong would be on deciphering the pre- and co-seismic signatures in various atmospheric regions over the North-East using a variety of observational techniques aided by numerical modelling tools. 

The proposed multi-parametric study to be initiated at the Shillong regional centre,  in an across the discipline manner, is a modest attempt towards identifying the anomalous seismic zones in North-East India to understand the generation mechanisms of great earthquakes in the region.

National Bravery Awards

18th Jan, 2016

National Bravery Awards

Twenty five children – 3 girls and 22 boys – have been selected for the National Bravery Awards 2015. Two of the Awards have been given posthumously. 

History

The National Bravery Awards consist of five categories, which are listed below.

1. The Bharat Award, since 1987
2. The Sanjay Chopra Award, since 1978
3. The Geeta Chopra Award, since 1978
4. The Bapu Gaidhani Award, since 1988
5. General National Bravery Awards, since 1957

The National Bravery Award Scheme was initiated by the ICCW (Indian Council of Child Welfare) to give due recognition to the children who distinguish themselves by performing outstanding deeds of bravery and meritorious service and to inspire other children to emulate their example. 

It was in 1957 that two children – a boy and a girl – were first rewarded for their presence of mind and courage. Since then ICCW decided to confer national awards on children every year. 

The awardees receive a medal, certificate and cash. Eligible awardees will be granted financial assistance until they complete their schooling. Some State Governments also provide financial assistance to them.

Mahanishkraman - Jan 16

16th Jan, 2016

Mahanishkraman - Jan 16th

75^th anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s ‘Mahanishkraman’ (The Great Escape) on January 16, 2016.

        

On the historic night of January 16-17, 1941, Netaji set out in his Wanderer car from his ancestral home on Elgin Road, Kolkata and reached Gomoh (Jharkhand) on the first stage of his escape from British India.  He took the Delhi-Kalka Mail from Gomoh to Delhi and then proceeded to Peshawar in the Frontier Mail.  From Peshawar, he went on to Kabul and then, obtained a visa to go to Moscow under the assumed name of an Italian. 

This Mahanishkraman marked the departure of Subhas and advent of Netaji in the pages of history.  

The daring and carefully planned escape serves as an inspiration to the youth of our country.

        

On reaching Europe in April 1941, Subhas Chandra Bose was united with his wife Emilie Schenkl, whom he had first met in Vienna in June 1934 and secretly married in December 1937. Their daughter Anita was born on 29th November 1942.

18th Jan, 2016

Zinnia is first flower grown in space

The flower was grown as part of an experiment astronauts are conducting on how plants grow in microgravity. 

The flowers were grown inside the Veggie lab aboard International Space Station (ISS) which was installed in early May 2014. 

Growing zinnia plants will help advance our knowledge of how plants flower in the Veggie growth system, and will enable fruiting plants like tomatoes to be grown and eaten in space using Veggie as the in-orbit garden

The system, according to scientists, uses red, blue, and green LED lights to simulate sunlight, making the successful growth of the flower

12th South Asian Games

17th Jan, 2016

 12th South Asian Games

India is hosting the 12th South Asian Games, 2016 in Guwahati and Shillong from February 05 to February 16, 2016.

The South Asian Games (SAG) is a biennial multinational multi-sport event held amongst the athletes from South Asia and being organized in the similar format of Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games (CWG). 

In the 12th edition of the South Asian Games this year, athletes from eight member countries namely, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be participating. 

More than 3500 athletes and sports officials from eight countries will participate in the Games in North East India. 

National Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

17th Jan, 2016

National Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Highlighted the contribution of the GoI effort to Agriculture.

1. Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojna
2. Prime Minister Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
3. Soil Health Cards
4. Neem Coated Urea scheme
5. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
6. National Agriculture Market

18th Jan, 2016

The Prime Minister digitally launched the logo of “Sikkim Organic.” The Prime Minister said he is in Sikkim as the guest of the farmers of the State. 

The Prime Minister exhorted States to identify a district, or even a block, to convert to a 100 percent organic area. The Prime Minister suggested that a digital online platform of progressive farmers should be developed in each State.  He reiterated his suggestion for a small amount of fruit juice to be mixed with aerated drinks. 

National Immunization Day.

17th Jan, 2016

National Immunization Day - 17th January.

India is having “Polio-free status for five years". 

Polio is now endemic in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, the world is at last stage of polio eradication

Start-up India

16th Jan, 2016

 Start-up India

Start-up

An entity incorporated or registered in India less than five years and having annual turnover less than Rs. 25 crores than the preceding financial year.

It has to work towards innovation, development, deployment or commercialization of new products, processes or services driven by technology or intellectual property.

Features

Dedicated Start-up fund worth Rs. 10,000 crore will be created for funding of Start-ups. 

Start-ups will be exempted from paying income tax on their profit for the first three years. He said the Government is working on a simple exit policy for Start-ups. He also said the Government is working towards fast-tracking of Start-up patent applications. 

He announced an eighty percent exemption in patent fee for Start-up businesses, and said a self-certification based compliance system for Start-ups would be introduced for 9 labour and environment laws. He said the Atal Innovation Mission will be launched to give a boost to innovation. 

Bharat Standard - VI

15th Jan, 2016

BS-VI norms

Bharat Stage emission standards are used to regulate output of air pollutants from internal combustion engine. These were introduced by the Union government in 2000

It is based on European regulation. Oil PSUs will invest about Rs 28,750 crore for switching over to BS-VI auto fuels

Vehicles will have to be fitted with DPF (diesel particulate filter), mounted inside the engine compartment.

Reason for Implementation

India pledged at the recent global climate summit to reduce the carbon emission intensity of its GDP by 33-35% by 2030 from 2005 levels.

It has also pledged the creation of an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.

Enemy Property Ordinance, 2016

15th Jan, 2016

Enemy Property Ordinance, 2016

It makes amendments to the Enemy Property Act, 1968. 

The amendments through the Ordinance include that once an enemy property is vested in the Custodian, it shall continue to be vested in him as enemy property irrespective of whether the enemy, enemy subject or enemy firm has ceased to be an enemy due to reasons such as death etc; that law of succession does not apply to enemy property; that there cannot be transfer of any property vested in the Custodian by an enemy or enemy subject or enemy firm and that the Custodian shall preserve the enemy property till it is disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the Act. 

Background

In the wake of the Indo-Pak war of 1965 and 1971, there was migration of people from India to Pakistan. Under the rules framed under the Defence of India Act, the Government of India took over the properties and companies of such persons who had taken Pakistani nationality. 

After the 1965 war, India and Pakistan signed the Tashkent Declaration on 10.01.1966. The Tashkent Declaration inter alia included a clause, which said that the two countries would discuss the return of the property and assets taken over by either side in connection with the conflict. 

Bharat Innovation Fund

15th Jan, 2016

Bharat Innovation Fund

It is aimed at creating and providing support to disruptive startups in impact areas.

The Bharat Fund is a public-private-academia partnership set up by Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad’s Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE). 

The Bharat Fund shall be managed and coordinated by CIIE at the IIM, Ahmedabad. 

The fund aims at catalysing over $150 mn for innovative Indian startups through a venture fund and, in addition to capital, provide technical support to entrepreneurs.

Garuds (IAF Special Forces)

15th Jan, 2016

Garuds (IAF Special Forces) 

The Garuds (Special Forces of the IAF) were formed in 2003 towards providing specific in-house role capabilities to the IAF. 

Garuds are specially trained to be a Quick Reaction Force at important IAF bases, protect IAF high value assets, conduct search and rescue during the peace and war, and undertake counter-terrorism tasks and special missions. 

They are regularly tasked to assist civil authorities for disaster relief operations during calamities. Garuds have been effectively employed in Indian missions in support of the UN and during extrication of Indian national from war zones. 

The initial Garuds trained in Commando Courses with the Indian Army, Indian Navy, ITBP, NSG and Special Frontier Force, imbibing best capabilities by their varied exposure. These Garuds were deployed in the Kashmir Valley for direct on-the-job exposure as well. Having built on the experience gained over the last 12 years, Garuds are now trained in-house by the IAF at the Garud Regimental Training Centre. 

Small batches of Garuds also train for specialist roles with other Services and Para-Military organizations. This special force of the IAF has participated in exercises with foreign special forces and given a good account of their training and capabilities. 

With their exposure to the best special force capabilities on land, at sea and in air, the Garuds are a valuable force multiplier in all kinds of combat and counter terrorism operations and are always a much- sought asset in difficult situations. 

Army Day

15th Jan, 2016

Army Day

It in recognition of Lieutenant General (later Field Marshal) K. M. Cariappa's taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India, on 15 January 1949.

The day is celebrated in the form of parades and other military shows in the national capital New Delhi as well as all headquarters. 

1950 India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship

14th Jan, 2016

 1950 India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship

Official name "Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between The Government of India and The Government of Nepal".

The treaty was signed at Kathmandu on 31 July 1950 by the last Rana Prime Minister of Nepal Mohan Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana and Indian ambassador to Nepal, Chadreshwar Narayan Singh and came into force the same day as per Article 9 of the Treaty.

It has ten articles in it. The treaty allows free movement of people and goods between the two nations and a close relationship and collaboration on matters of defense and foreign policy.

As per Articles 6 and 7, the two governments agree to grant, on a reciprocal basis, to the nationals of one country in the territories of the other, the same privileges in the matter of residence, ownership of property, participation in trade and commerce, movement and other privileges of a similar nature. 

This enables the Nepali and Indian citizens to move freely across the border without passport or visa, live and work in either country and own property or do trade or business in either country. 

Background

Established after an abortive attempt in 1952 of the Communist Party of Nepal to seize power with Chinese backing the country, India and Nepal stepped up military and intelligence cooperation under treaty provisions, and India sent a military mission to Nepal.

Neeranchal National Watershed Project

14th Jan, 2016

Neeranchal National Watershed Project

For achieving the major objectives of the Watershed Component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana (PMKSY) and for ensuring access to irrigation to every farm (Har Khet Ko Pani) and efficient use of water (Per Drop More Crop), 

The programme will lead to reducing surface runoff of rainwater, increasing recharge of ground water and better availability of water in rainfed areas resulting in incremental rainfed agriculture productivity, enhanced milk yield and increased cropping intensity through better convergence related programmes in project areas. 

Project is implemented at the National level as well as in the nine States of Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana.

Neeranchal is primarily designed to address the following concerns: 

1. Bring about institutional changes in watershed and rainfed agricultural management practices in India,
2. Build systems that ensure watershed programmes and rainfed irrigation management practices are better focused, and more coordinated, and have quantifiable results,
3. Devise   strategies   for   the   sustainability   of   improved   watershed. management practices in programme areas, even after the withdrawal of project support,
4. Through   the  watershed   plus   approach,   support   improved   equity, livelihoods, and incomes through forward linkages, on a platform of inclusiveness and local participation.

National Voter’s Day

14th Jan, 2016

National Voter’s Day

The Chief Election Commissioner of India, Dr. Nasim Zaidi said that National Voters Day is mark of the power of every individual vote. 

This year’s theme is ‘inclusive and qualitative participation’ and slogan is that ‘no voter should be left behind’. 

26th Jan, 2016

This constitutional body came into existence on January 25, 1950 just a day before the celebration of the first Republic Day. 

Article 326 of the Constitution had fixed the minimum qualifying age of voting at 21 years. But, there were persistent demands that the voting age should be lower. Finally, the Constitution (Sixty-First) Amendment Act, lowered the minimum qualifying age to 18 years.

NOTA

The Election Commission of India told the Supreme Court in 2009 that it wished to offer the voter a "none of the above" option on ballots, which the government had generally opposed.

On 27 September 2013, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the right to register a "none of the above" vote in elections should apply, and ordered the Election Commission to provide such a button in the electronic voting machines, noting that it would increase participation.

The Election Commission also clarified that even though votes casted as NOTA are counted, they are considered as invalid votes so they will not change the outcome of the election process. They are not taken into account for calculating the total valid votes and will not be considered for determining the forfeiture of security deposit.

Before the NOTA option came in existence, people casting negative votes were required to enter their names in a register and cast their vote on a separate paper ballot.

Under Section 49 (O) of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, a voter could enter his electoral serial number in Form 17A and cast a negative vote. The presiding officer would then put a remark in the form and get it signed by the voter. This was done to prevent fraud or misuse of votes.

This provision was, however, deemed unconstitutional by the SC as it did not protect the identity of the voter.