Current Affairs 3rd November 2018

Current Affairs 3rd November 2018 - Important Points

• Opening up of International Solar Alliance membership to all UN countries approved by - Union Cabinet
• Justices Hemant Gupta, R Subhash Reddy, MR Shah and Ajay Rastogi sworn-in as Supreme Court Judges on - 2nd November 2018
• Lt General Rajeshwar takes over as 12th Chief of -  Integrated Defence Staff
• Cabinet approves MoU between India and South Korea for strengthening cooperation in - Tourism
• First India-Japan military exercise Dharma Guardian-2018 begins in - Vairengte, Mizoram

Current Affairs 3rd November 2018 - Details

Opening up of International Solar Alliance membership to all UN countries approved by - Union Cabinet

The Union Cabinet led by PM Narendra Modi has issued ex-post facto sanction for initiating International Solar Alliance membership to all nations that are members of the UN. In this concern, Cabinet has sanctioned to present Resolution in 1st Assembly of International Solar Alliance for
modifying the Framework Agreement of International Solar Alliance.
Importance

• It will put solar energy in global schedule with universal request for developing and deploying solar energy.
• It will make International Solar Alliance inclusive, whereby all member nations of United Nations
  could become member.
• Thus, escalating membership will lead to International Solar Alliance initiative profiting the world at large.
  International Solar Alliance
• International Solar Alliance is an alliance devoted to the promotion of solar energy among its member nations.
• The International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement had become effective in December
  2017 and officially became de-jure treaty based International Intergovernmental Organization.
• It is HQ at Gurugram, India. The main aim of International Solar Alliance is to comprise global deployment of more than 1,000 gigawatt of solar production capacity and mobilisation of investment of more than US$ 1000 billion into solar energy by 2030.
• International Solar Alliance also goals to work as an action-oriented organization by carrying together nations with rich solar potential to combine global demand, thereby dropping prices through bulk purchase.
• It also pursues to simplify deployment of present solar technologies at scale, and encouraging collaborative solar R&D and capacity building.

Justices Hemant Gupta, R Subhash Reddy, MR Shah and Ajay Rastogi sworn-in as Supreme Court Judges on - 2nd November 2018

Justices Hemant Gupta, R Subhash Reddy, M R Shah and Ajay Rastogi took oath as the Judges of the
Supreme Court on November 2nd, 2018. Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi directed oath of office to the 4 judges.
Previously on November 1st, 2018, President Ram Nath Kovind allotted a notification assigning these 4 judges as the Supreme Court judges.
Earlier to this promotion, Justice Gupta worked as the Chief Justice of the MP High Court; Justice Rastogi as the Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court; Justice Shah as the incumbent Chief Justice of the Patna High Court and Justice Reddy as the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court.
Strength of Supreme Court Judges

• With their promotion, the number of judges at the Supreme Court increased to 28.
• The approved strength of Supreme Court judges in 31. 2 judges, namely, Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Madan B Lokur are going to retire in November and December 2018 correspondingly.
  Justice Hemant Gupta
• Justice Hemant Gupta sworn-in as the Chief Justice of MP High Court on March 18th, 2017. 
• He was promoted as the Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where he worked the longest tenure on July 2nd, 2002. He was one of most senior judges of the high court.
• Justice Gupta worked as Additional Advocate General of Punjab from 1997-1999.

Justice Ramayyagari Subhash Reddy 

• Justice Ramayyagari Subhash Reddy worked as the Judge of the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad for the State of Telangana and the State of AP.
• He was designated as the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court on February 3rd, 2016. 
• He was designated as judge of High Court of AP on December 2nd, 2002.
  Justice Mukeshkumar Rasikbhai Shah
• Justice Mukeshkumar Rasikbhai Shah was designated as the Chief Justice of Patna High Court on August 4th, 2018. On March 7th, 2004, he was designated as the Judge of Gujarat High Court.

Justice Ajay Rastogi

Justice Ajay Rastogi was suggested by the Collegium for being designated as Chief Justice of Tripura High Court on February 1st, 2018.

Lt General Rajeshwar takes over as 12th Chief of -  Integrated Defence Staff

Lt Gen P.S.Rajeshwar sworn-in as 12th Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to Chairman, COSC. Earlier to
this designation, he was working as Director General (Perspective Planning) at Integrated HQ, Ministry
of Defence.
More about Lt Gen PS Rajeshwar

• He was commissioned into Regiment of Artillery in December 1980. He is alumnus of IMA, Dehradun, National Defence College, Delhi.
• He clutches Masters in National Security Administration from National Defence College, Philippines.
• He has rich operational and staff experience with difference of serving in operational environments including Counter Insurgency area in the North East and Counter Terrorist Operations in J&K, High Altitude Area, apart from UN Peacekeeping Operations.
• During 38 years of his memorable career, he has directed Artillery Regiment during Operation Parakram, Infantry Brigade at LoC, Counter Insurgency Force in Jammu and Kashmir and Corps in the desert sector.
  Integrated Defence Staff
• Government had recognized Integrated Defence Staff, led by Chief of Integrated Staff as Chairman to make sure high degree of synergy between Armed forces.
• It performs as point group for integration of policy, doctrine, war fighting and obtaining by employing best management performs.
• It was formed on 1st October 2001 based on commendations of Group of Ministers which was formed in 2000 to review India’s defence management.
• It has representation from all 3 services, including Ministry of External Affairs, DRDO and Department of Defence and Def (Finance).

First India-Japan military exercise Dharma Guardian-2018 begins in - Vairengte, Mizoram

The 1st joint military exercise titled ‘Dharma Guardian’ between India and Japan started at Indian Army’s Counter-Insurgency Warfare School at Vairengte, Mizoram. The exercise is intended at emerging mutual understanding and respect among militaries of two nations, as also simplify in tracking around the world phenomenon of terrorism.
More about Dharma Guardian

• In this exercise, Indian Army will be signified by 6/1 Gorkha Rifles, while Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force will field its 32 Infantry Regiment.
• The importance of this exercise will be on developing interoperability.
• Armies of two nations will mutually train, plan and execute series of well-established tactical drills for neutralization of probable threats that may be encountered in urban warfare scenario.
• Moreover, specialists from both nations will also organise detailed talks to share their expertise on
  varied operational aspects.

Cabinet approves MoU between India and South Korea for strengthening cooperation in - Tourism

The Union Cabinet Narendra Modi has sanctioned inking of MoU between India and South Korea for
solidification of collaboration in the field of Tourism.
Objects of MoU

• To expand bilateral collaboration in tourism sector.
• To upsurge exchange of data and information associated with tourism.
• It will inspire assistance between tourism shareholders including hotels and tour operators.
• It will begin exchange programs for cooperation in Human Resources Development
• Exchange visits of tour Operators, decision or opinion makers, media for promotion of both-way tourism.
• To discuss experience in areas of promotion, marketing destination development and management.
  Encourage participation in travel fairs/exhibitions in each other’s nation.
• To promote safe, honourable and sustainable tourism.
  Did you know?
  India and South Korea have enjoyed robust diplomatic and long economic associations. Both nations are now desiring to reinforce and further develop recognized ties in field of tourism. South Korea is one of leading tourist producing markets for India from East-Asia region. Inking of this Memorandum of Understanding will be instrumental in growing arrival in India from this source market.