Current Affairs 3rd April 2017

Current Affairs 3rd April 2017 - Important Points

• PowerTex India scheme for powerloom sector launched by - Textiles Minister
• India’s longest Chenani-Nashri tunnel inaugurated by - PM Narendra Modi
• Roger Federer defeats Rafael Nadal to secure -  2017 Miami Open Men's Singles title
• 2017 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize awarded to - Dawit Isaak
• Indian Foreign service officer appointed as - New Consul General of Dubai
• Signing of new Air Services Agreement between India and Serbia approved by - Union Cabinet

Current Affairs 3rd April 2017 - Details

PowerTex India scheme for powerloom sector launched by - Textiles Minister

The Union government launched PowerTex India, a comprehensive scheme for the development of the powerloom sector on 1st April 2017. Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani through a video conference at Bhiwandi in Thane district, Maharashtra launched this scheme with a simultaneous launch in 45 other locations across the country including Surat, Erode, Malegaon, Bengaluru, Varanasi and Bhagalpur.

Key Points

• The scheme would especially benefit Maharastra and Tamil Nadu. It comprises new research and development in power loom textiles along with new markets, branding, subsidies and welfare schemes for the workers. 
• It is meant to benefit the small power loom weavers especially. The powerloom sector alone employs more than 44 lakh people. 
• It also includes two new schemes, solar energy scheme (SEC) for powerlooms and Pradhan Mantri Credit Scheme (PMCS) for powerloom weavers.

India’s longest Chenani-Nashri tunnel inaugurated by - PM Narendra Modi

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Chenani-Nashri tunnel,India’s longest highway tunnel in Jammu & Kashmir on 2nd April 2017. This 9 km long twin-tube tunnel is a great example of the government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Skill India’ initiative. PM Modi also announced to invest Rs 7000 crore approximately in highways projects in Jammu and Kashmir in the next two years. A ring road will be built around Jammu at a cost of Rs 2100 crore and the second one around Srinagar at a cost of Rs 2200 crore. 

   Key Highlights 

• This 9 km long all-weather tunnel between Udhampur and Ramban in Jammu & Kashmir is Asia’s longest bi-directional highways tunnel. 
• This tunnel is built at an elevation of 1200 metres on one of the most difficult Himalayan terrains.
• The tunnel cuts the travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by two hours, bypassing about 41 kms of road length. 
• It will also ensure an all weather passage on a route that often sees heavy traffic jams and disruptions due to landslides,sharp curves,snow, breakdown of vehicles and accidents. 
• The structure of the tunnel consists of a 9 km long two-lane main tunnel with a parallel escape tunnel of same length. The two tunnels are connected by 29 cross passages at regular intervals. 
• These cross passages can be used for evacuation of vehicles and commuters in case of breakdown or any other emergency. 
• There are two minor bridges on the south and north sides and 4-lane approach roads with Toll Plazas on both ends of the tunnel. 
• The Traffic Control System in the tunnel has green and red lights, the speed limit signs to control traffic condition inside the tunnel.
• The tunnel has an Incident Detection Systems under which if any accident happens, the control team will get to know before the victim contacts through the SOS call box. 
• The maximum height permitted in the tunnel is 5 meters and for checking the height, special sensors have been installed just before the toll points at both the ends. 
• The tunnel is a part of the 286 km long four-lane of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. 
• The tunnel has an efficient ventilation system with inlets bringing fresh air at 8 metre intervals and outlet for exhaust every 100 metres.
• Zojila tunnel is also under construction between Leh and Ladakh at a cost of Rs 6000 crore.

 Roger Federer defeats Rafael Nadal to secure -  2017 Miami Open Men's Singles title

 Roger Federer outclassed Spain’s Rafael Nadal to win the 2017 Miami Open Men's Singles title on 2nd April 2017. He defeated Nadal in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 to win his third Miami Open title.

Interesting Highlights

• Born on 8th August 1981, Roger Federer is a Swiss professional tennis player.
• He is ranked world No. 4 by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
• He continuously ranked in the top 10 from October 2002 to November 2016.
• He ranked no 1 in ATP for a total of 302 weeks.
• These tournaments is also known as the Miami Masters.
• The 2017 Miami Open Men’s Doubles title 2017 won by - Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo
• The 2017 Miami Open Men’s Doubles title won by - Gabriela Dabrowski and Xu Yifan

2017 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize awarded to - Dawit Isaak

Dawit Isaak, an imprisoned Eritrean-Swedish journalist, was chosen to receive the 2017 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize on 30th March 2017. 

Important Points-

• Isaak was selected for the prestigious award in recognition of his courage, resistance and commitment to freedom of expression.
• The journalist was arrested in a media crackdown that occurred in September 2001. His present location is unknown.
• The Prize will be awarded on 3rd May 2017, World Press Freedom Day, to be hosted in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Indian Foreign service officer appointed as - New Consul General of Dubai

An Indian Foreign Service Officer, Vipul took charge as the new Indian Consul-General in Dubai on 3rd April 2017. Vipul, confirming the same through a tweet on his social media account stated that he looked forward to contribute to India-UAE relations as well as work for the welfare of Indian community living there. He will take this new assignment at the Foreign Service Ministry headquarters in New Delhi.

More about Vipul

• Vipul is an Indian Foreign Service officer from 1998 batch. 
• Before joining the Indian Consulate in Dubai, he was working as the Joint Secretary in the office of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
• He has previously also been a part of Indian diplomatic mission to Sri Lanka and Egypt. 
• He has a good command over Arabic language. 
• Dubai is known for the commercial capital and tourism centre of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 
• The Indian population in the Arab nation is estimated to be around 2.6 million, making it one of the country’s largest migrant population.
• Economical and Cultural wise, India and UAE share a strong bond.

Signing of new Air Services Agreement between India and Serbia approved by - Union Cabinet

The Union Cabinet approved the signing of a new Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Serbia on 31st March 2017. Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi gave the approval on this.

Important Highlights -

• Serbia carriers can establish direct operation to four metros - New Delhi, Mumbai and 2 more points to be specified later.
• Apart from this, through routing flexibility, any intermediate and beyond point can also be served by the designated carriers on both the sides.
• The designated airlines shall be entitled to exercise domestic code share operation to any four additional points in the territory of the other Party over.
• The designated airline of each party can enter into cooperative marketing arrangements with the designated carriers of the same party, another party and in the third countries.