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  • Current Affairs 28th March 2014

    Updated : 28-Mar-2014

    Current Affairs 28th March 2014 - Important Points

    Current Affairs 28th March 2014 - Details

    Super Hercules aircraft of IAF C-130 J crashed in Rajasthan

    In a major set back to IAF, the most modern military transport aircraft C-130J Super Hercules crashed on friday around Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan border. By this accident five IAF personnel on board also killed.

    The aircraft took off from Agra at 10 a.m. for a routine flying training mission when this accident happened on the way. Court of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of accident. 

    Important to note : 

    India has inducted six C-130J Super Hercules Aircrafts, which were brought from the US at a cost of around 6000 crore rupees. Now India is left with 5 such aircrafts.This aircraft can carry a weigh up to 20 tonnes and has the capability to land and take-off from short runways. 

    General Sedki Sobhi is new Defence Minister and Army Chief of Egypt

    Among the international current affairs, important to note that on 27th March 2014 General Sedki Sobhi was sworn in as the new Defence Minister and Army Chief of Egypt. This happened after resignation of Field Marshal Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

    The Interim President of Egypt Adly Mansour confirmed the General Sedki Sobhi appointment. 

    Important to note : 

    Former Army Cheif of Egypt Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi resigned on 26 March 2014 to contest in Presidential election. He led the military coup to overthrew Mohammed Morsi, the then President of Egypt in July 2013.

    All States and UTs directed to implement Manual Scavengers Act by Supreme Court

    All the States and Union Territories were directed by Supreme Court of India on 27th March 2014 to implement Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.

    Bench comprised of Chief Justice P Sathasivam, Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice N V Ramana ordered a series of directions to abolish the practice of manual scavenging. The Apex court also deprecated the practice of manually removing night soil with bare hands, brooms or metal scrappers.

    Guidelines by Supreme Court : 

    • At least one member of their family shall be given, subject to eligibility and willingness, training in livelihood skill and shall be paid a monthly stipend during rehabilitation period. Besides, one adult member of the family is given subsidy or concessional loan for taking up an alternative occupation.
    • To address sewer deaths, it suggested that entering sewer lines without safety gears should be made a crime even in emergency situations. And for such death, a compensation of 10 lakh rupees should be given to the family of the died.
    • The people who were employed as scavengers should be allotted residential plots or constructed houses or money for such construction according to their eligibility and willingness.
    • Persons released from manual scavenging should not have to cross hurdles to receive what is their legitimate due under the law. 
    • Safai karamchari women should be provided support for dignified livelihood in accordance with their choice of livelihood schemes.
    • The Railways should take time-bound strategy to end manual scavenging on the tracks and persons released from manual scavenging should not have to cross hurdles to receive what is their legitimate due under the law.

    Important to note : 

    In the year 2002-03, there were 676009 identified manual scavengers in the country.

    Indian Export of Spices increased by 41percent during April to December 2013

    Spices exports from India has seen considerable increase as, during April-December 2014 it has seen increase of 41 percent. This was brought in the notice by Spices Board of India at Kochi. Pepper and Cardamom were the leading contributors in the spices export with Pepper with 1846 crore rupees.

    Important to note : 

    Spices Board of India comes under Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Current Chairman of Spices board of India is A Jayathilak.

    All banks are required to comply with the Basel III norms by 31 March 2019

    Among the important Banking Current Affairs, on 27th March 2014 RBI announced that it has extended the deadline for Indian banks to meet capital requirements under the so-called Basel III norms by a year to 31 March 2019. RBI offering relief to an industry burdened by bad loans in the face of slower economic growth.

    As per RBI, In view of the implementation of Basel III Capital Regulations, banks need to improve and strengthen their capital planning processes. 

    What is Basel III ?

    Basel III is a comprehensive set of reform measures, developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, to strengthen the regulation, supervision and risk management of the banking sector.

    India certified as Polio Free country by WHO

    A good current affair coming for Indians. On 27th March 2014 The World Health Organisation (WHO) certified India as a Polio free Country officialy. This news was out many days back but its official now. By this India became among the 11 countries of South East Region to hold a tag of polio free country.

    The Union Health Minister of India Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad received official certificate in New Delhi. The polio was eradicated from the country with the help of technological innovations and combined efforts. 

    Important to note : 

    India introduced the oral polio vaccine in 1985. India's first national polio immunization campaign to stop polio was launched in 1995. That time on an average 50000 children were getting affected by polio every year. Now after 2011 there is not even a single case reported of polio.

    Polio is a disease that can be prevented only but there is no cure for it. 

    Gopal Rao won UK Twitter Prize

    Gopal Rao, An Indian origin MBA student at the University of Cambridge has won a Twitter competition which asked a question regarding UK's foreign policy. Prize was to  British Foreign Secretary William Hague and to discuss the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI).

    PSVI was launched on May 29, 2012 by Hague. It aims to strengthen and support international efforts to respond to sexual violence in conflict - including by enhancing the capacity of countries, institutions, and communities to support survivors and end impunity for perpetrators.

    What Gopal Rao wrote on twitter ?

    UK foreign policy should focus on emancipation of girlsandwomen through enterprise, supported by vibrant #socent culture within UK. #meetFS.

    Actor Arjun Kapoor will be Brand Ambassador of Earth Hour 2014

    Bollywood Actor Arjun Kapoor on 27 March 2014 was selected as the brand ambassador of the Earth hour 2014. On 29th March 2014 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m Earth Hour 2014 will be observed. It is very nice initiative which under which citizens are advised to switch off all electricity for an hour.

    Important to note : 

    It was started in Sydney, Australia in 2007. In 2013 it was celebrated on 23 March 2013.

    Friends you are also requested to take part in this event which dedicated to save our earth. Thank you.

    Deodhar Trophy 2014 won by west zone

    Cricket's Deodhar Trophy 2014 was won by West Zone on 27th March 2014. West Zone defeated North Zone in the final at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

    Important to note : 

    Deodhar Trophy is a 50-over over inter zonal knockout Indian domestic cricket tournament. It is annual tournament played among five zonal teams namely North Zone, South Zone, East Zone, West Zone and Central Zone. 

    It is named after Prof. D. B. Deodhar.