Current Affairs 20th November 2014

Current Affairs 20th November 2014

Updated : 20-Nov-2014

Current Affairs 20th November 2014 - Important Points
Current Affairs 20th November 2014 - Details
Indira Gandhi prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2014 bagged by ISRO
On 19th November 2014, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) was chosen for the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2014. ISRO was chosen for this prestigious award for its contribution in strengthening international cooperation in peaceful use of outer space.

Jury which was chaired by Vice President Hamid Ansari, in its statement said that ISRO is being awarded in recognition of its path-breaking achievement, culminating in the Mars orbiter mission, its significant contribution in strengthening cooperation in peaceful use of outer space.
List of 100 Global Thinkers released by Foreign Policy Magazine
On 17th November 2014, list of 100 Global Thinkers was released by Foreign Policy Magazine of America.
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi was ranked on top in the list of decision makers for enthralling the world's most populous democracy. President of Bharatiya Janata Party Amit Shah was placed on third rank after Angela Merkel of Germany.
Haryana Police arrested Rampal Singh Jatin from his ashram in Hisar after court orders
On 19th November 2014, Self styled Godman Rampal Singh Jatin was arrested by Haryana Police from his Ashram in Hisar of Haryana. He was in news as Haryana and Punjab High Court had ordered Police to produce him in the court as a non bailable warrants were issued against him.
He defied court orders thrice in the contempt case citing bad health. He was sitting inside the Ashram and his supporters were shielding him from police arrest, they were also attacking police.
In 2006 Rampal criticised Dayanand Saraswati who was founder of Arya Samaj. After this there were violent clashes at Karontha ashram between the followers of two sects, in which an Arya Samaj follower was killed. After this Rampal was charged with murder thenafter he was was arrested and spend many months in jail before his release in 2008.

Five death-sentenced Indian fishermen released by Sri Lanka
On 19th November 2014, Sri Lanka released five Indian fishermen. This incident was in news as these five Indian fishermen were sentenced to death on charges of drug smuggling in Sri Lankan waters. On 30th October 2014, Colombo High Court ordered death penalty to them.
After the Indian Govt efforts President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa used his executive powers to commute their death penalty and granted them pardon.
As per SC direction, CBI Director Ranjit Sinha to withdraw himself from 2G case
On 20th November 2014, Supreme Court directed CBI Director Ranjit Sinha to withdraw himself from 2G case and also present CBI chief not to interfere in the ongoing 2G probe. Three most senior officers in the investigating team will be taking role of CBI director in this case.
Bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu said that "To protect the faith in the institution and reputation of Director, CBI, we are not focusing on elaborate reasons and it is suffice to say information furnished by applicants prima facie appears to be credible and therefore required to be accepted".