Current Affairs 27th May 2017

Current Affairs 27th May 2017 - Important Points

• Manchester United beat Ajax to claim - 2016–17 UEFA Europa League title
• JE vaccination drive in 38 districts of UP launched by - UP CM Yogi Adityanath
• Who has been appointed as Secretary of CBSE? - Anurag Tripathy
• PM Narendra Modi inaugurates India's longest bridge Dhola-Sadiya in Assam
• In-flight Wi-Fi Net access soon to be provided by - Indian Flights
• Indian researchers find a new way to kill - Tuberculosis bacteria
• India’s concerns over China’s - One Belt, One Road Initiative
•  Water conservation campaign launched by - Uttarakhand CM
• ICC Cricket Committee recommends - DRS for T20 Internationals
•  Sale of cattle for slaughter banned by - Union Environment Ministry
• 'Best Destination for Romance' award given to - Kerala’s Munnar

Current Affairs 27th May 2017 - Details

Manchester United beat Ajax to claim - 2016–17 UEFA Europa League title

Manchester United won their first ever UEFA Europa League title on 24th May 2017. For the Manchester United, it is the second major trophy of the season and their first win for the season was the 2016-17 EFL Cup.

More about Manchester United

• Manchester United Football Club is a professional football club based in Old Trafford in Greater Manchester, England.
• It competes with the top flight of English football in the Premier League.
• It was founded in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR Football Club. In 1902, Its name was changed to Manchester United.
• In England, It is the most successful club in England, having won a record of 20 League Titles, a joint-record 12 FA Cups, 5 League Cups and a record 21 FA Community Shields.
• The club became the first in the history of English football to get the treble of the Premier League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League in 1998-99.

JE vaccination drive in 38 districts of UP launched by - UP CM Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a massive immunisation drive in 38 districts of the state to eradicate Japanese Encephalitis (JE) on 25th May 2017 from Kushinagar district. 

Important Highlights of this drive

• This government has fixed the target to immunize more than 88 lakh 55 thousand children in the age group of 1 to 15 years during the drive in the targeted districts.
• The government is also involved all the voluntary and social organisations in these JE prone districts.
• A toll free number to get or provide any information about encephalitis is also launched by CM. The number is 18001805544.
• The drive will be continued till 11th June 2017.
• Almost entire eastern Uttar Pradesh is in the grip of Japanese Encephalitis with major JE prone districts like Gorakhpur, Deoria, Gonda, Basti, Sidharthnagar, Sankabrinagar, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Balrampur, Ghazipur and Azamgarh, these districts have been declared as Encephalitis-affected districts. 

Do you know?

The disease has killed more than 10000 children in UP, Bihar and other parts of the country so far which was identified way back in 1978-79. 

Who has been appointed as Secretary of CBSE? - Anurag Tripathy

Senior bureaucrat Anurag Tripathy was appointed as the Secretary of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on 25th May 2017. Tripathy will serve the post for a period of five years. He is a 1998 batch officer of Indian Railway personnel Service (IRPS).

Key Highlights

• CBSE is a Board of Education of public and private schools under the Union Government.
• It affiliates all Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), all Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), private schools and the other schools approved by the Union Government. 
• It is responsible for conducting the final examinations for Higher and Higher Secondary classes every year. 
• It is also conducts JEE(Main) examination for admission to undergraduate courses in engineering and architecture and NEET-UG (Undergraduate) examination for MBBS and BDS courses.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates India's longest bridge Dhola-Sadiya in Assam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's longest river bridge- the Dhola- Sadiya Bridge in Assam on 26th May 2017. This is three lane 9.15 kilometre bridge  which has been built over river Lohit, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, that links Dhola to Sadiya in Assam.

Important Highlights of the Dhola-Sadiya bridge

• Dhola-Sadiya Bridge project, including the approach roads on each side, is 28.50 km long where bridge itself is 9.15 Km long.
• It was constructed on BOT Annuity basis with a total cost of Rs 2056 crore, as a part of the Arunachal Package of Roads and Highways.
• It will ensure 24X7 connectivity between upper Assam and Eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh.
• The  distance will be reduced from Rupai on NH-37 in Assam to Meka/Roing on NH-52 in Arunachal Pradesh by 165 KM with this bridge.
• The travel time between the two places will come down from the current six hours to just one hour. It will save petrol and diesel worth Rs 10 Lakh daily.
• It will provide efficient road connectivity to remote and backward areas with poor road infrastructure.

In-flight Wi-Fi Net access soon to be provided by - Indian Flights

A revised proposal has been sent by the department of Telecommunications that will enable in-flight access to voice, data and video services. Confirming the same, the Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey stated that the DoT has sent a revised proposal for consideration to the Committee  of Secretaries after re-examining its earlier proposal related to interception by security agencies when required. Choubey added that the proposal will be taken up at the next meeting of the Secretaries.

Important Details

• In order to provide on-board Wi-Fi services, the union government would have to make changes in the Telegraph Act, 1885 as well as the related Indian Telegraphy Rules.
• At present, passengers – both domestic and international - are unable to use in-flight Internet services over Indian airspace.
• Even the International airlines that offer the service have to disconnect it while the aircraft is flying over the Indian airspace.
• Explaining mmore on the need for in-flight connectivity, India’s industry body Assocham had stated in a letter addressed to PM Modi in 2016 that the facility would only help substantially improving safety of airlines as it enables flight tracking in near real-time, streaming of flight data recorder of the aircraft in real-time and facilitating real-time intervention for safety and security based on flight data monitoring. 

Indian researchers find a new way to kill - Tuberculosis bacteria

Indian researchers team achieved a 100-fold reduction in tuberculosis bacterial load in lungs of mice after 60 days of treatment using bergenin. Bergenin is a phytochemical taken from tender leaves of sakhua or shala tree (Shorea robusta). Unlike traditionally used antibiotic drugs that target the TB bacteria, the bergenin compound modulates the immune system to kill the bacteria found inside the macrophages, which is a type of white blood cells.

Important highlights

• The study conducted by the Indian researchers showed that the bergenin compound can be used to clear the bacteria.
•  In fact,in combination with other TB drugs, the compound can produce good results.
• The compound can not directly kill TB bacteria.

India’s concerns over China’s - One Belt, One Road Initiative

The First One Belt, One Road (OBOR) Summit was concluded on 15th May 2017 in Beijing, China. The Summit, showcased China’s plans to build a network of trade routes under the One Belt, One Road initiative to the representatives of 57 participating countries. As a founding-member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which is a financial arm of the OBOR, India is supposed to take part in the summit. But, it boycotted the summit by raising three concerns, which are related to sovereignty, procedures and leadership. While boycotting the OBOR, India said, "No country can accept a project that ignores its core concerns on sovereignty and territorial integrity". Against this backdrop, it is more important to understand the features of One Belt One Road initiative, its scope and benefits and reasons behind India’s concerns over OBOR.

One Belt, One Road initiative

• For the first time, China’s top economic planning agency, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) released an action plan for One Belt, One Road initiative on 28th March 2015.
• This initiative seeks to establish new routes linking three continents - Asia, Europe and Africa by 2049.
• As the name, One Belt, One Road, suggests, the initiative has two parts – Silk Road Economic Belt and Maritime Silk Road.
• Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) seeks to link China to Europe by cutting through mountainous regions in the Central Asian Region.
• Belt is a planned network of overland road and rail routes, oil and natural gas pipelines, and other infrastructure projects.
• This network stretches from Xi’an in Central China, through Central Asia, and ultimately reach as far as Moscow, Rotterdam, and Venice.
• Its focus is on jointly building a new Eurasian Land Bridge and developing China-Mongolia-Russia, 
• China-Central Asia-West Asia and China-Indochina Peninsula economic corridors by taking international transport routes benefits.
• Though the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor are not part of the OBOR but these are closely related to it.

Scope of the plan

• The scope of the OBOR extends way beyond infrastructure construction. It also includes efforts to promote greater financial integration and 
• use of the chinese currency Renminbi by foreign countries.
• The plan further extends to create an Information Silk Road linking regional information and communications technology networks, and lower barriers to cross-border trade and investment in the region, among other initiatives.
• Regional institutions, such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and New Silk Road Fund (NSRF) are also designed in part to complement and support the OROB initiative.
• Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) aims primariliy to finance infrastructure projects in Asia. 
• Following a 15 month participatory process, the USD 100 billion fund started functioning on 16th June 2016.
• At present it has 53 members, including India, which is also a founding-member of the AIIB.
• AIIB approved first loans for projects in four countries – Pakistan, Bangladesh, Tajikistan and Indonesia worth USD 509 million, in June 2016.
• The AIIB approved USD 160 million loan for a power project in Andhra Pradesh, the first credit from the bank for an Indian project in May 2017.

Benefits of OROB

• Many of the infrastructure projects proposed under the OROB are running through some of China’s poorest and least developed regions and is expected to provide stimulus to help cushion the effects of the deepening slowdown of China.
• The OROB initiative will improve China’s internal economic integration and competitiveness and boost more regionally balanced growth.
• The construction is intended to help make use of China’s huge industrial over capacity and ease the entry of Chinese goods into foreign regional markets.
• The plan would enhance China’s importance as an economic partner for its neighbors.
• Increased investment in energy and mineral resources, especially in Central Asia, could also help reducing China’s reliance on commodities imported from overseas, including oil transiting the Strait of Malacca.
• The Belt and Road Initiative represents a powerful platform for economic growth and regional co-operation as per UNDP (United Nations Development Programme).
• It touches the lives of more than 4 billion people in 68 countries, many of them live in developing countries.
• The augmented infrastructure facilities will also help developing and developed countries in the region in achieving the goals set by the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
• Resources of the energy rich countries in the Central Asia Region will help emerging economies like India and China in meeting their energy demands.
• The principles of shared interests, destiny and responsibility will help in achieving mutual political trust, economic integration and cultural inclusiveness as per NDRC.

India’s concerns 

• As per the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), funded by the Ministry of Defence, the OBOR initiative doesn’t pose an open threat to India’s national security.
• However, as per the IDSA, unfolding the details of the OBOR suggests subtle security concerns and challenges for India.
• The biggest SREB challenge comes from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
• The CPEC project is meant to connect Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang Province with the strategic port of Gwadar in Pakistan. 
• India is always concerned about the China-Pakistan understanding over the Gwadar Port.
• The CPEC project runs through the strategic Gilgit-Baltistan region in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), an integral part of India. 
• It assumes that China may emerge as a ‘direct party’ in the Kashmir dispute in future.
• Though China has maintained a somewhat ‘neutral’ position on the Kashmir issue in recent years particularly since the Kargil war, terming it mostly as a ‘bilateral historical dispute’, the Chinese pursuit of the CPEC project may force it to revisit its position on Kashmir in future.
• For the MSR - it poses two broad challenges to India –
• First challenge is on India’s presence as a maritime power in the context of the South China Sea and India’s dominance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
• Second challenge is the maritime understanding evolving in the IOR between India and other powers such as the United States (US), Australia and Japan.
• The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) today expects India to play a bigger role. 
• The US too has been persuading India to pursue a more active policy in the ASEAN region under its Pivot to Asia Policy. 
• The MSR will certainly be testing India’s maritime influence in the region and the Act East Policy in the coming years in future.

 Water conservation campaign launched by - Uttarakhand CM

The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Trivendra Singh Rawat launched a campaign on water harvesting and conservation on the occasion of Water Day on 25th May 2017 in the state’s capital, Dehradun.

The Minister flagged off two mechanised rath, one each for Kumaon and Garhwal regions.The vans would be using audio material and related literature to spread awareness and information on water conservation in the two regions. The Minister stressed that the objective of the campaign cannot be achieved without the participation of the common people.

Important Details

• The CM has advised the members to have a rainwater harvesting system fitted in their residential premises.
• The Minister also requested the mass not to use water beyond what is sufficient to flush toilets.
• This campaign’s launch also coincides with the creation of a web portal that would have the entire database relating to natural springs across the state.
• The portal would also include data on structures of natural springs,the vegetation types around them and the iron and fluoride content present in them.
• The state’s CM is seeking full cooperation of the people for the success of the drive. The campaign would conclude on 30th May 2017.

ICC Cricket Committee recommends - DRS for T20 Internationals

The ICC Cricket Committee chaired by Anil Kumble, India's head coach has made a host of recommendations concerning future international cricket. The recommendations were made by the group that met in London on 23rd May and 24th May 2017. One of the key recommendations is the use of Umpire Decision Review System (DRS) for all the T20 Internationals. Another important recommendation of the Committee is to give power to on-field umpires to send-off players in response to the most serious incidents of misconduct like violence on the field by players. On the other hand, the committee also expressed full support for the implementation of a Test cricket competition and for cricket being involved in the Olympic Games. If the ICC Chief Executives' Committee gives green signal to these recommended changes, the new ICC playing conditions will come into effect from 1st October 2017.

Key Highlights Umpire Decision Review System

• The Umpire Decision Review System is a technology-based system used in the cricket sport, first introduced in Test cricket.
• It was introduced for the sole purpose to review controversial decisions made by the on-field umpires as to whether or not a batsman had been dismissed.
• The system was first tested in an India vs Sri Lanka match in 2008.
• It was officially launched by the International Cricket Council on 24th November 2009 during the first Test match played between New Zealand and Pakistan at the University Oval in Dunedin.
• It was first used in One Day Internationals during England's tour of Australia in January 2011.

Sale of cattle for slaughter banned by - Union Environment Ministry

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests came up with new regulations that ban the sale of all kinds of cattle for slaughter across India on 23rd May 2017. The rules were issued under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. This rule will be implemented in next three months. It requires anyone purchasing cattle to provide an undertaking mentioning that animals are bought for agricultural purposes and not slaughter. These cattles include bulls, bullocks, cows, buffalos, steers, heifers, calves and camels.

Key highlights

• The cattle trade is permitted only among farm land owners in India.
• Cattle can only be sold to a person possessing documents stating that he/she is an agriculturist.
• A trader has to submit five copies of proof of sale at the local revenue office, the local veterinary doctor in the district of the purchaser, animal market committee, apart from one for seller and buyer each.
• The new regulations state that cattles bought cannot be resold within six months and young and unfit animals cannot be traded.
• Animal markets cannot be set up within 50 kms of an international border and 25 kms of a state border.
• Transporting cattles outside India will require special approval of the state government nominee.

'Best Destination for Romance' award given to - Kerala’s Munnar

• Munnar, a popular hill station in Kerala has won the award for 'Best Destination for Romance' at the Lonely Planet Magazine Indian Travel Awards 2017.
• The award was conferred by Bollywood actress Diana Penty to P Bala Kiran, Director of Kerala Tourism at the sixth edition of the event conducted in Mumbai recently.
• Speaking on the occasion, Bala Kiran stated that such awards inspire other travel enthusiasts to visit and experience unexplored destinations. 
• He added saying that Kerala,India’s greenest state, has witnessed a constant growth in domestic as well as international tourists since 2011.
• In numbers, the foreign and domestic tourist arrivals in the state has risen by 6.23 percent and 5.67 percent respectively as compared to 2016.
• To further enhance the growth, the state government of Kerala has increased its focus on improving the state’s tourism infrastructure and it would also be coming up with a new tourism policy.