Current Affairs 17th April 2019

Current Affairs 17th April 2019 - Important Points

• Election Commission bars Maneka Gandhi, Azam Khan on - 15th April 2019
• Cabinet approves continuation of GSLV Program-Phase 4 on - 16th April 2019
• NIRBHAY Missile test-fired effectively on - 15th April 2019
• Himachal Pradesh Celebrates 72nd State Day on - 15th April 2019
• Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific Congress 2019 held by -  International Council 
  Current Affairs 17th April 2019 - Details

Election Commission bars Maneka Gandhi, Azam Khan on - 15th April 2019

The Election Commission on April 15th, 2019 restricted UP CM Yogi Adityanath, BSP leader Mayawati, Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan and Union minister Maneka Gandhi from campaigning for a defined time period due to their hateful remarks.
The restriction, which will be applicable across the nation, became effective on April 16th, 2019. While Adityanath and Azam Khan have been barred for 72 hours, Mayawati and Gandhi faced a 48 hours restriction.
This is for the 1st time an all-India restriction has been executed on politicians for their campaigns in elections and it is also for the 1st time such a restriction has been forced against a sitting minister.
Important Highlights 

• The restriction was enforced over Adityanath, Mayawati and Gandhi, following they were found
  embarrassed of violating the model code of conduct. 
• On the other hand, Khan, who had faced a state-specific restriction during 2014 polls, not only
  dishonoured the Model Court of Conduct but also overlooked its directive asking politicians to desist from deeds/actions interpreted as being repugnant to the honour and dignity of females.
• In its order on Adityanath, the Commission said it strongly convicts the disputed statement made by  the Uttar Pradesh CM and censured him for misconduct.
• The EC order to bar these leaders came within hours of the Supreme Court taking note of the
  communal comments made by Adityanath and Mayawati and asking the poll watchdog about the action it has initiated against them.

Cabinet approves continuation of GSLV Program-Phase 4 on - 16th April 2019

The Union Cabinet, led by the PM Narendra Modi, on April 16th, 2019 sanctioned the enduring Phase- 4 of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle program. Under the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Continuation Program, 5 Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle flights have been prearranged during the period 2021-2024.

The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Program- Phase 4 will permit the launch of 2 tonne class
of satellites for Geo-imaging, Navigation, Data Relay Communication and Space Sciences into the
Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Continuation Program- Phase 4 will meet the launch
need of satellites for providing critical Satellite Navigation Services and Data Relay Communication for
supporting the Indian Human spaceflight program “Gaganyaan” and the upcoming interplanetary
mission to Mars.
The total fund need for the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Continuation Program is Rupees
2729.13 crores including the cost of 5 Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle vehicles, essential
facility augmentation, program management and launch campaign.

The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Continuation Program- Phase 4 will fulfil the demand
for the release of 2 satellites every year with supreme participation by the Indian industry. All the
operational flights would be completed during the period 2021-24.
Importance

• The operationalisation of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle has made the nation self-reliant in the launching capability of 2 tonne class of satellites for communication and meteorological satellites.
• The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Continuation Program will benefit sustain the self-
  reliance in the launching of similar satellites for national needs including next generation navigation
  satellites, data relay communication satellites and interplanetary missions.

NIRBHAY Missile test-fired effectively on - 15th April 2019

The DRDO on April 15th, 2019 effectively test fired indigenously developed Long Range Sub-Sonic Cruise Missile ‘Nirbhay’ from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha.
The missile effectively confirmed its sea-skimming capability to cruise at very low altitudes. The whole flight was completely tracked by a chain of Electro Optical Tracking Systems, Radars and Ground
Telemetry Systems deployed all along the sea coast. All the mission objectives were accomplished.
NIRBHAY cruise missile

• The missile was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation at its aeronautics Research and Development lab, Aeronautical Development Establishment, based in Bengaluru.
• The avionics of the missile was delivered by the Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad. The Defence
  Research and Development Organisation also contributed to the development of the missile.
• The missile has the capability to linger and cruise at 0.7 mach at altitudes as low as 100 meters.
  The guidance, control and navigation system of the missile is arranged around the indigenously
  developed Ring Laser Gyroscope and MEMS based Inertial Navigation System.
• It can carry conventional and nuclear war heads and is manoeuvrable and can fly at tree-top level, making it difficult to be sensed on radar.
• It can hit the targets above 700 kilometres away carrying nuclear warheads giving India the capability to hit deep into enemy territory.

Himachal Pradesh Celebrates 72nd State Day on - 15th April 2019

Himachal Pradesh observed 72nd Himachal Day on 15 April with gaiety and fervour. Himachal Day is observed to honour its creation.
Genesis of the Himachal Day

• Before independence, most of the areas of HP was part of Punjab state and during that time this region was separated into 4 different regions such as Chamba, Mandi, Shimla etc.
• After the independence, in 1948 the state was declared as a Union Territory.
  On the 15th April Chief Commission initiated this territory and following that this day was observed as ‘Himachal Day’ every year.
• Later in the 1970 the union territory was announced as a separate state. On 25 January 1971, it became the 18th state of the nation.
• The small hill-state HP has developed rapidly after coming into existence on April 15th, 1948, after the merger of 30 princely states. Difficult geographical conditions, inaccessible areas and
  other complexities could not affect the courage of the people.

Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific Congress 2019 held by -  International Council 

The 4th Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific 2019 Congress is being held by International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and hosted by South Delhi Municipal Corporation in New Delhi. The congress will offer cities and regions from Asia-Pacific a diversity of innovative solutions that shaped resilience to climate change at the sub-national level.
The congress will host grouping of high-level plenaries and technical sessions on the execution and  achievement of the SDGs, the Nationally Determined Contributions, and the New Urban Agenda of 2016,
while at the same time bringing together specialists and practitioners who will share their experiences and  encourage cities to take actions on resilience.
Objectives of RCAP Congress 2019

• To share and learn about good urban resilience practices and demonstrate innovative ideas, solutions and  initiatives.
• To deliver local governments with exposure and access to tools and procedures that benefit mainstream resilience considerations into policy and practice.
• To deliver a networking platform to promote concerted and synchronized action in Asia among the main players in the field of urban resilience.
• To discover tangible opportunities for generating partnerships between local governments and the private sector.
• To bring together funders and cities and facilitate the match-making between available financial resources and  present cities’ requirements.