Current Affairs 1st July 2014

Current Affairs 1st July 2014

Updated : 01-Jul-2014

Current Affairs 1st July 2014 - Important Points
Current Affairs 1st July 2014 - Details
India and China signed three key MoUs
On 30th June 2014, India and China signed three key MoUs. These MoU's include one on industrial parks and flood data of Brahmaputra river, coinciding with the China visit of Vice President Hamid Ansari.

The agreements were signed in the presence of Vice Preisdent of India Mr. Ansari and his Chinese counterpart Li Yuanchao after their talks.
The MoU on industrial parks is aimed at attracting Chinese investments in India and provides an enabling framework for Chinese companies to invest in industrial parks and zones.
Under the MoU, the two countries have agreed to cooperate to increase mutual investment in each other's economies for mutual benefit.
The MoU on flood data sharing will provide India with 15 days more of hydrological data of river Brahmaputra. The data helps India in flood forecasting.
India provides money for maintenance of three hydrological centres on the Chinese side. The data will be provided from May 15 to October 15 each year.
The third MoU will help the two countries establish a framework for regular interactions between administrative officials to share experiences and learn from each other's best practices. Specific programmes of cooperation will be worked out subsequently.

India, China release first encyclopedia of cultural contacts
On 30th June 2014, India and China released the first encyclopedia on their age-old cultural contacts, tracing back their history to over 2,000 years, starting from the visit of Chinese scholar Huen Tsang to India in the 7th century to bring Buddhist scriptures to China.
The encyclopedia was released in both English and Chinese versions. It features over 700 entries, encapsulating the rich history of contacts and exchanges between the two countries in the trade, economic, literary, cultural and philosophical spheres. The work of compilation of the encyclopedia was undertaken by a joint compilation committee comprising of officials and scholars from both India and China.
It was released by Vice President M H Ansari and his Chinese counterpart Li Yuanchao during their bilateral meeting. As we are aware that Vice President of India M H Ansari is on five visit to China.
India-China relations have expanded significantly in both scope and intensity over the past decade, according to an official statement.
National Doctor's Day observed across India on 1st July
On 1st July 2014, National Doctor's Day observed across India. Day is observed in the honour of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, a legendary physician whose birth and death He received the Bharat Ratna on 4th February 1961.
Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy was a legendary physician who also served West Bengal as its second Chief Minister from 1948 to 1962.
US named a mountain in Antarctica after an Indian-American scientist
Indian American scientist Akhouri Sinha got adjunct professor in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development at the University of Minnesota, was recognised by the US Geological Survey. The mountain has been named Mt Sinha for the work done by the scientist as an explorer in 1971-72.
Akhouri Sinha was a part of the team that catalogued population studies of seals, whales and birds in the pack ice of the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas using US Coast Guard Cutters Southwind and Glaciers in 1972 and 1974.

India announced new liberal visa policy for Afghanistan nationals
On 30th June 2014, India announced a new liberal visa policy for nationals of Afghanistan on humanitarian grounds. The Policy was released by Union Home Ministry and will be effective from 1st July 2014.
As per the policy, Afghanistan nationals will be allowed to stay in India on stay visa/resident permit up to two years at a time. Exemption from police reporting will be granted for Afghans below 12 years or above 65 years.
There would be liberal provisions in relation to exemption from the requirement of police reporting under various categories, including for Afghan students, medical patients, short-term visitors, businessmen, scholars, eminent persons, etc.
Malala Yousafzai bagged Liberty Medal for the year 2014
On 30th June 2014, The National Constitution Center announced today that 17-year-old Malala Yousafzai will receive the 2014 Liberty Medal for her continued demonstration of courage and resilience in the face of adversity and for serving as a powerful voice for those who have been denied their basic human rights and liberties.
She will receive the award at a ceremony to be held at the centre in Philadelphia on 21 October 2014.
Do you Know ?
Malala Yousafzai is youngest recipient of medal in 25-year history.
France announces one billion Euros credit line to India
On 30th June 2014, France announced to provide one billion Euros (8200 crore rupees) line of credit over a three years period to India. The announcement was made by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius who is on a visit to India.
The credit will be offered through the Agnece Francaise de development (French Development Agency) for creation of sustainable infrastructure and urban development in India.
Earlier, Fabius held talks with his counterpart Sushma Swaraj on the crucial issue of climate change. He said that his country was looking forward to make the Paris Climate Change Conference of the UN in December 2015 a success one.