Current Affairs 16th April 2016

Current Affairs 16th April 2016 - Important Points

• G20 Countries seek to crackdown on - Tax Havens & Terror 
• Which state ranked 44th among world’s 50 Future-ready Cities – Delhi
• Which state government launched Bhimrao Ambedkar Awas Yojana for widows - Jharkhand Government
• Panagarh airbase renamed after which former IAF chief - Arjan Singh
• What is the name of the Malian photographer who died recently - Malick Sidibe

Details - 

G20 Countries seek to crackdown on - Tax Havens & Terror 

Including India, the G20 countries have sought a crackdown on tax heavens, shell companies and terror financing in the wake of the ‘Panama Papers’ scandal.

After meeting of its Finance Ministers and Governors of Central Banks at Washington, a communique was issued by G20 countries on the sidelines of the annual Spring Meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

In this regard a communiqué was issued by G20 countries after meeting of its Finance Ministers and Governors of Central Banks on the sidelines of the annual Spring Meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank at Washington.

Know About G20 – 

• G20 which is also known as the Group of Twenty, an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies. 

• The members of this group include 19 individual countries—Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States—along with the European Union (EU). 

• In 1999, the G-20 was founded with the aim of studying, reviewing, and promoting high-level discussion of policy issues pertaining to the promotion of international financial stability.

Which state ranked 44th among world’s 50 Future-ready Cities – Delhi

National Capital of India, Delhi has been recognized as the world’s 50 ‘future-ready economies cities’ that are embracing technology for growth. Delhi got the rank 44th on the list which is topped by San Jose, followed by San Francisco.

Delhi has been evaluated on the parameters of human capital, infrastructure and commerce. 

The Future-Ready Ranking of 10 Global Economies are:

•San Jose, Calif.

•San Francisco, Calif.

•Singapore

•London

•Washington, DC

•Boston, Mass.

•Austin, Texas

•Raleigh, N.C.

•Stockholm

•Sydney 

Which state government launched Bhimrao Ambedkar Awas Yojana for widows - Jharkhand Government

A great step has been taken by Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das, on 14 April 2016 he launched the Bhimrao Ambedkar Awas Yojana for widows.

The main aim of this step is to create equality and harmony in society, ensuring all round development. According to reports, Ambedkar Awas Yojana for Dalit widows, under which 11,000 houses will be built in the next financial year. Whereas, the government also announced setting up of atleast 100-bed hostel for Scheduled Caste children in Ranchi and two residential schools for Dalit children in Ranchi too.

Know About Ambedkar Awas Yojana:

•Yojana programme is with a budget allocation of aound  80 crore rupees and a target of 11000 units (houses) for widows is all set in next 2016-17 financial year.

•Around 75000 rupees would be granted to build a house in districts in hilly terrains and 70000 rupees in plains.

•Announced that the widows would also get pension.

Panagarh airbase renamed after which former IAF chief - Arjan Singh

On 16 April 2016, Panagarh Air Force Base of West Bengal was renamed as Air Force Station Arjan Singh. On the occasion of 97th birthday of Arjan Singh, a rare honour has been given to the nation’s oldest soldier Marshal of Air Force.

At a simple ceremony Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Air Marshal C. Hari Kumar said that ‘It is a proud moment for the Indian Air Force and the state of West Bengal. He is an icon and a role model. We have to work hard to ensure that the name is suitably looked after in terms of capability and performance.’

Do You Know – Panagarh is about 150 kms from Kolkata. It is located in Burdwan district. The airbase in Panagarh was constructed during the Second World War, in 1944.

Know About Arjan Singh – 

•Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh led the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the 1965 India-Pakistan war.

•It was year 1966, when Arjan Singh was the first Indian Air Chief to be elevated to the rank of Air Chief Marshal.

•Arjan Singh is the first and the only Five Star rank officer with the Indian Air Force.

What is the name of the Malian photographer who died recently - Malick Sidibe

Malick Sidibe, who is a famous Malian Photographer died on 14 April 2016. His age was 80.

Sidibe was very creative. He used to be known for his black and white studio portraits that captured the lives of young Malians in the 1960s and 1970s. According to critics, his photos of Mali's post-colonial period helped people see the West African nation in a new light.

Know About Malick Sidibe – 

•He became the first photographer and the first African to be awarded the Golden Lion lifetime achievement award at the Venice Biennale, in 2007.

•He also got the Hasselblad Award for photography and an International Center of Photography Infinity Award for Lifetime Achievement.