Current Affairs 19th November 2015

Current Affairs 19th November 2015

Updated : 19-Nov-2015

Current Affairs 19th November 2015 - Important Points
Current Affairs 19th November 2015 - Details
Who has been appointed as Chief Justice of India - Justice T S Thakur
Among the important appointments, On 18th November 2015, Justice Tirath Singh Thakur was appointed as the Chief Justice of India by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee.

About Justice T. S. Thakur
- On 31st October 2015, he was conferred Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) degree by Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow.
- On 17th November 2009, he was elevated as Judge of Supreme Court.
- On 11th August 2008, he took over as Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana.
- On 9th April 2008, he was appointed as Acting Chief Justice of Delhi High Court.
- He was transferred as a Judge of the High Court of Delhi in july 2004.
- In March 1994, he was transferred as Judge of the High Court of Karnataka.
- On 16th February 1994, he was appointed as an Additional Judge of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir.
- In 1990, he was designated as a Senior Advocate.
- In 1986, he was elected as the President of the Bar Association.
- He practised in Constitutional, Taxation, Civil, Criminal and Service matters.
- In October 1972, Justice Thakur was enrolled as a Pleader.
Setting up of National Resource Facility for Bio-medical Research approved by - Union Cabinet
Among the important National Current Affairs, On 18th November 2015, The proposal of the Department of Health Research in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was approved by the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to the proposal, the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) will set up a National Resource Facility for Bio-medical Research (NARF) at Genome Valley in Hyderabad.
For the establishment of NARF for Biomedical Research, state government has allotted 102.69 acres of land at Genome Valley, Hyderabad to the ICMR.
Key highlights of National Resource Facility for Bio-medical Research
- It will help in smoothening research in universities, Biotech/Bio-pharma companies, medical colleges, research and academic institutions.
- Training facilities will be provided in the field of biomedical research for personnel in the specialized areas.
- It will be India’s first institution of its kind for quality laboratory animals for basic and applied biomedical research.
- It will be developed as a world-class facility for breeding and housing of animals.
Indian Resource Panel (InRP) on Resource Efficiency constituted.
On 18th November 2015, formation of Indian Resource Panel (InRP) on Resource Efficiency was announced by Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar.
The purpose of this panel is to promote sustainable development of the country by utilising secondary resources to acquire developmental needs.

Which government has declared 50 districts as drought-hit - Uttar Pradesh Government
On 18th November 2015, 50 out of 75 districts were declared as drought-hit by Uttar Pradesh Government.
The districts which are included in the list of drought-hit areas got less than 60 % rain during the period from June to September 2015 or where more than 33 % crops were ruined.
This decision was made on the recommendation of a natural calamity committee.
CCEA approved four rail line projects worth - 8351 crore rupees
Among the important National Current Affairs,On 18th November 2015, The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave approval to four rail line projects in Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha with an approximate cost around 8351 crore rupees.
The four rail line projects are:
- Third and fourth lines between Budhapank and Salegaon via Rajathgarh Railway Line
- Doubling of Kottavalasa-Koraput Railway line
- Doubling of Koraput-Singapur Road Railway line
- Doubling of Jagdalpur-Koraput Railway line
Who has won five medals on the opening day of Track Asia Cup - Indian cyclists
Among the important Sports Current Affairs,On 18th November 2015, Indian men and women elite cyclists won five medals on the opening day of the Track Asia Cup.
One gold medal, three silver medals and one bronze medal were won by the cyclists at the event.
The winners are as follows :
- Gold medal was won by Amritha Reghunathan, from SAINCA.
- Silver medal was won by Anu Chutia in the 500m race in the junior women category.
- Cyclists Deborah grabbed a silver medal in women's elite event of 500m race distance.
- Duo Anu Chutia and Rajesh Nayana won a gold medal in Team Sprint event.
- Duo Deborah and Kezia Vargheese won silver in Team Sprint
- The trio of Ranjith Singh, Arkaprava Baul and Emerson in junior men category won one bronze in Team Sprint event.
Who has approved Jan Lokpal Bill, 2015 - Delhi Government
Among the important National Current Affairs, On 18th November 2015, The Delhi Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal approved the Delhi Jan Lokpal Bill, 2015.
The Bill envisions the establishment of an independent authority to investigate offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Background
It is the newer version of Janlokpal Bill, 2014, that had led CM Arvind Kejriwal to resign in February 2014. He had resigned after the version 2014 was unable to get through the legislative assembly.
Who has launched Ek Kadam Unnati Ki Aur initiative from Telangana - Intel
Among the important National Current Affairs, On 18th November 2015, Ek Kadam Unnati Ki Aur initiative from Nadimpalle village in Mahabubnagar district of Telangana was launched by Intel India by opening an Unnati Centre.
The aim of the initiative is to augment digitalization of rural India. It complements the Digital India initiative of the Union Government and will be implanted in 10 states across the country.
Characterstics of Unnati Centre
- Under the Telangana government's e-panchayat scheme, it provides various citizen services.
- It creates opportunities for development and empowerment and provides devices, relevant local content and training for citizens.
- It will be used to create the framework for the Telangana model digital village.
Which two countries has inked MoU for cooperation in the field of Animal Health - India & Vietnam
On 18th November 2015, The Union Cabinet gave its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the field of Animal Health between India and Vietnam.
Following points are coveredd under the MoU :
- Set up Mutual Recognition Agreement on veterinary hygiene, health certificate between competent authorities of the two parties.
- Cooperate in the training and upgrading human resources in the field of animal health.
- Information on animal health in general and particularly information on status of animal diseases of common concern, standards and procedures for animal quarantine and inspection status and progress of surveillance and monitoring programmes in place for animal diseases and food borne pathogens.
- Information on meat processing, meat products and slaughter houses/abattoirs will be exchanged.
World Toilet Day observed on - 19th November
Among the important International Current Affairs, On 19th November 2015, World Toilet Day (WTD) was observed across the world with the theme "Sanitation and Nutrition".
The motive of the WTD in 2015 was to bring the world’s attention to the importance of toilets in supporting improved health and better nutrition.
Since 2001, the day had been observed by the World Toilet Organisation. On 24th July 2013, as the 67th session of UN General Assembly approved it through the Sanitation For All resolution it became an official UN day.