Current Affairs 24th October 2018

Current Affairs 24th October 2018 - Important Points

• India inked agreement on security cooperation with - China
• SC permits sale, manufacture with stringent conditions of which type of crackers - green crackers
• Harit Diwali-Swasth Diwali campaign launched by - Ministry of Environment
•  UAE, US to conduct military exercise Iron Magic 19 near - Dubai
• India, Myanmar sign MoU on operationalisation of - Sittwe Port
• Fali S. Nariman awarded 19th Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence in - Public Administration
• United Nations Day 2018 observed across the world on - 24th October 2018

Current Affairs 24th October 2018 - Details

India inked agreement on security cooperation with - China

India and China have inked contract on internal security cooperation. It is the 1st such pact to be inked between the two nations. The pact was inked by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and China’s State Councillor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi in New Delhi.

Important Points

• The contract on internal security cooperation goals to fortify and consolidate assistance in counter-terrorism, organised crimes, drug control, human trafficking and information exchange, marking a new start between the both nations.
• It covers areas of intelligence sharing, exchange program, sharing of best practices, teamwork in disaster mitigation besides others.

First high-level meeting

The contract followed 1st high-level meeting on bilateral security cooperation co-chaired by Rajnath Singh and Zhao. During this meeting, both sides deliberated counter-terrorism assistance and welcomed amplified collaboration between the both nations in the area of security during the meeting.

Zhao was leading delegation of more than 30 Chinese officials during his visit to India from October 21st-25th, 2018. As China’s State Councillor and Minister of Public Security, accountable for day-to-day law enforcement in China and guides approximately 19 lakh personnel. While, India’s Rajnath Singh is the head of 8 central armed police forces with a joint strength of around 10 lakh personnel.

SC permits sale, manufacture with stringent conditions of which type of crackers - green crackers

The Supreme Court of India on October 23rd, 2018 ruled not to levy a blanket ban on the sale and production of firecrackers ahead of the popular Indian festival, Deepawali.

The supreme court, however, finalised to permit the same with a set of strict conditions. The Supreme Court bench consisting Justices A.K.Sikri and Ashok Bhushan allowed the sale and production of green and low emission crackers alone. 

SC Judgement

• The top court governed that only firecrackers with decreased emission and decibel levels will be allowed during all festivals.
• The court also well-ordered a restriction on the online sale of firecrackers and put a limitation on e-commerce portals from selling them. The accountability of the same has been placed on the firms. 
• Should the e-commerce firms be utilised for the sale of the restricted firecrackers then, the concerned firm will be apprehended for contempt.
• The top court has also fixed a time limitation for the bursting of the crackers. On Diwali, people will only be permitted to burn crackers between 8 pm to 10 pm. The time limitations for New Year and Christmas has been set from 11:45 pm to 12:15 am. 
• The apex court has instructed the Central Pollution Control Board to record air quality seven days earlier and seven days following Deepawali.
• Further, the court has allowed bursting of crackers in only selected community areas in Delhi National Capital Region acknowledged by CPCB.

Significance

The Apex Court’s rulings apply to all festivals and functions including marriages.

Only crackers with decreased emission would be allowed to be manufactured. Hence, noisy crackers for instance chain firecrackers will be restricted.

The sale of the crackers will also only occur via licence holders. In case of sale of the restricted firecrackers, the station house officers of the local police station concerned will be held responsible.

Harit Diwali-Swasth Diwali campaign launched by - Ministry of Environment

Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has initiated Harit Diwali-Swasth Diwali campaign focused to decrease adverse environmental conditions especially pollution in the nation post Diwali celebrations due to extreme bursting of fire crackers which results expressively to air and noise pollutions.

Harit Diwali-Swasth Diwali campaign

This campaign was started in 2017-18 to educate children about injurious fire crackers and encourage them to celebrate Diwali in environment-friendly manner and not to buy fire crackers, instead buy gifts, food products or sweets for poor and deprived children living in their locality.

Under this campaign, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change will undertake different actions for spreading and generating awareness among various shareholders and inspire people to participate in fighting against air pollution. This campaign was tremendously successful and the air quality had not worsened after Deepawali in 2017 unlike what was knowledgeable in 2016.

2018 Campaign:

After its earlier preference, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has started similar campaign. It also fused this year’s campaign with “Green Good Deed” movement that has been started as social mobilization for maintenance and shielding environment. All schools and colleges have been stimulated to be part of this campaign.

Did you know?

Air pollution is a thoughtful health issue in the nation especially in northern parts during winter as well as festival seasons. The air pollution in northern region is mainly due to dust, burning of kharif crop residue in certain states, construction activities and prevailing climatic conditions. This air pollution has bad impacts on health of children, aged people and people suffering from respiratory illness. Deepawali festival also falls during same period and people have been celebrating this festival by bursting crackers. Crackers contains combustible chemicals including potassium chlorate powdered magnesium, aluminium, salts of barium, copper, sodium, lithium, strontium etc. and releases hazardous smoke along with sound.  This smoke and sound have serious health impacts on children, aged people and also animal and birds.

 UAE, US to conduct military exercise Iron Magic 19 near - Dubai

The joint military exercise Iron Magic 19 among UAE and United States started near Dubai. The 2-week
military exercise is part of series of joint military exercises organised throughout the year between
United Arab Emirates armed forces and armed forces of other nations.
More about Iron Magic 19

• The exercise pursues to reinforce teamwork, joint actions and exchange of expertise in military areas between both nations.
• This will contribute to maximizing battle capabilities and growing synchronization between United Arab Emirates and the United States armed forces.
• The majority of United Arab Emirates military hardware, for instance F-16 fighter jets, Mirage jets and Apache Longbow attack helicopters are mostly mass-produced by organisations from United States, Britain and France.
• United Arab Emirates, which is a major oil supplier, has recognized growing defence industry in recent years, mainly in armoured vehicles and naval military equipment.

India, Myanmar sign MoU on operationalisation of - Sittwe Port

India and Myanmar signed Memorandum of Understanding for employment of private port operator for
Operation and Maintenance of Sittwe Port, Paletwa Inland Water Terminal and related amenities
included in Kaladan Multi Model Transit Transport Project. The Memorandum of Understanding was
inked by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on behalf of Government of India and by U Win Khant,
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Communications on behalf of Myanmar Government.
Important Facts

• Sittwe port in Myanmar will join India’s landlocked north-east region to Bay of Bengal through Mizoram.
• It will also deliver alternate route to Kolkata. After this Memorandum of Understanding, process of
  identifying bidders to maintain these amenities will be initiated by floating Request for proposal.
• Succeeding to commencement of operations at this port, it will propose new infrastructure for trade including between India and Myanmar.
• It is also important step in implementation of India’s Act East Policy as it will enhance connectivity, job creation and development in whole region, particularly in Myanmar’s strife-torn Rakhine and Chin States.
  Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project
• This project seeks to connect seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe seaport in Myanmar by sea.
• It will then connect Sittwe seaport to Lashio in Myanmar via Kaladan river boat route and then from Lashio to Mizoram in India by road.
• This project will decrease distance from Kolkata to Mizoram by about 1000 kilometres and slash travelling time to 3-4 days for transport of goods.
• It will deliver alternative to current route from North East to Kolkata port via chicken neck which faces heavy traffic and transportation of cargo via this route takes many days to reach port.

Fali S. Nariman awarded 19th Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence in - Public Administration

Eminent jurist Fali S. Nariman aged 89 was bestowed 19th Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for
Excellence in Public Administration. He was given the award by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu at a
function organised in New Delhi.
More about Fali S. Nariman

• Nariman is one of India’s most distinguished constitutional lawyers and he has claimed several leading cases.
• He was the senior advocate to Supreme Court of India since 1971 and has continued President of Bar Association of India since 1991. He is internationally recognised jurist on international arbitration.
• He was Additional Solicitor General of India from May 1972 to June 1975. He has been bestowed Padma Bhushan award in 1991, Padma Vibhushan in 2007 and Gruber Prize for Justice in year 2002.
• He was designated by President as member of Rajya Sabha, Upper House of Parliament for single term from 1999 to 2005.
  Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award
• The award was initiated in 1999 by Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management in memory of India’s 2nd Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.
•  It is presented yearly to Indian who is exceptionally outstanding and distinguished business leader, management practitioner, public administrator, educator for his/her continued individual contributions and accomplishments.
• The award consists of cash award of Rupees 5,00,000 with citation and plaque.
• In 2017, it was given to Bindeshwar Pathak, originator of Sulabh International.

United Nations Day 2018 observed across the world on - 24th October 2018

The United Nations Day was celebrated worldwide on October 24th, 2018, marking the 73rd anniversary of the United Nations Charter’s entry into force. The United Nations Day was celebrated with an objective to celebrate everything that the United Nations represents and has attained since its establishment in 1945. On this eve, all the associate states of the UN donated finances to its operation to support further its goals.

In 1948, the UN General Assembly acknowledged 24th October, the anniversary of the Charter of the UN, as the United Nations Day. In 1971, the UN General Assembly accepted a further resolution known as United Nations Resolution 2782 announcing that UN Day shall be an international holiday and suggested that it should be celebrated as a public holiday by all UN member states.
Charter of United Nations

• The United Nations Charter of 1945 is the foundational treaty of the United Nations.
• It was inked at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Centre in San Francisco, USA, on 26th June 1945, by 50 of the 51 original member nations.
• It came into existence on 24th October 1945, after being sanctioned by the original 5 permanent members of the Security Council.
• As a charter, it is a constituent treaty, and all members nations are guaranteed by its articles.
• Furthermore, Article 103 of the United Nations Charter explains that responsibilities to the United Nations overcome over all other treaty compulsions.