GK & Current Affairs June 2016

The Supreme Court today asked the Centre to frame a uniform national policy to financially compensate rape victims, while terming the Nirbhaya Fund a mere “lip service”.

•    A Vacation Bench led by Justice P.C. Pant said there was too much dichotomy and contradiction among States regarding compensation schemes for rape survivors. 
•    The Bench issued notice to the Centre, States and UTs on the question of effective implementation of Section 357 A of the Cr.PC. 
•    This provision mandates States to co-ordinate with the Centre to prepare a scheme for providing funds to compensate and rehabilitate victims or dependents. 
•    “Setting up of Nirbhaya Fund is not enough… The Union of India must ensure that adequate relief is being provided to the victims of sexual offences,” the Bench observed orally.

A study by Indian researchers at major excavated site of Bhirrana, Haryana suggests that the Indus Valley Civilization is much older than thought before and climate was not only the cause behind collapse of Harappa civilization.
The study was conducted by a research team from IIT Kharagpur, Institute of archaeology, Deccan College Pune, Physical Research Laboratory and Archaeological Survey of India.
The finding was published in prestigious journal Nature Scientific report on 25 May 2016.
•    Bhirrana site shows preservation of all cultural levels of Indus Valley Civilization from Pre-Harappan Hakra phase through Early Mature Harappan to mature Harappan time
•    The study of dated potteries of Early Mature Harappan time by a technique called optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) suggests that these were nearly 6000 years old, the oldest known pottery so far.
•    This means that the Indus Valley civilization is 2500 years older than previously believed and the Indus Valley settlements that spread across Pakistan and northern India is older than the Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations.
•    Researchers used oxygen isotope composition in the bone and tooth phosphates of these 2 remains found at Bhirrana to unravel the climate pattern.
•    The study revealed that the monsoon became progressively weaker from 7000 years onwards but surprisingly the civilization did not disappear, rather they continued to evolve even in the face of declining monsoon condition.
•    In the event of weakening of monsoon changed their subsistence strategy. They shifted their crop patterns from the large-grained cereals like wheat and barley to drought-resistant species of small millets and rice.
•    As a result of lower yield of these later crops the organized large storage system of mature Harappan period was abandoned. In its place more individual household based crop processing and storage system arose.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, has given its approval for additional monthly allocation of 41,800 tonnes of foodgrains for the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families at BPL rates and 20,507 tonnes of foodgrains for Above Poverty Line (APL) families at 2/3rd of Minimum Support Price (MSP) rates to three non-National Food Security Act (NFSA) States, namely, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Nagaland, from April to June, 2016 or till implementation of NFSA by the respective State, whichever is earlier.
•    NFSA has come into force from 05.07.2013 and it provides for coverage of two-third population of the country, based on the population estimates of 2011 for receiving wheat at Rs.2 per kg and rice at Rs.3 per kg.
•    It was expected that the Act would be implemented in all the States/UTs by March, 2016 and beneficiaries under Targeted Public Distribution Systems (TDPS) would get highly subsidized food grains. 
•    Accordingly, during 2015-16 non-NFSA States/UTs were allocated additional food grains for BPL and APL families up to March, 2016. 
•    33 States/UTs have implemented NFSA so far and three States, namely, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Nagaland are still getting allocation of food grains under the erstwhile TPDS. 
•    These States are in the process of implementation of NFSA in the coming months.  

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 1 June 2016 gave its approval for a new broad gauge line between Mau Station of North Eastern Railway and Tarighat Terminal station of East Central Railway.
•    The total length of this new broad gauge line will be 51 kilometers.
•    The estimated cost of the project is 1765.92 crore and expected completion cost is 2109.07 crore rupees with 5 percent escalation per annum.
•    It is estimated that the project will be completed in the next six years during 12th and 13th Plan period.
•    This project will provide alternative, shorter convenient and better transport infrastructure to the area separated by River Ganga.
•    It will ultimately remove the transport difficulties in the area and to boost the socio economic development.
•    The catchment area of project line will serve passenger requirement and will facilitate the people of the area for travelling to different parts of the country.
•    It will provide an alternative route connecting Northern and East Central railway via NE Railway.
•    It has huge potential in enhancing railway traffic and also gives opportunity to develop this area by providing more efficient transportation system.
•    The new line crosses the river Ganges at the downstream of existing road bridge for NH 97.
•    It is located almost parallel to it and joins the existing BG line from Tarighat to Dildar Nagar.
•    This line will be the alternative route for train passing from Howrah to New Delhi and back.
•    Construction of this line will provide a link to Allahabad-Patna double line electrified section.
•    It will also decongest the Allahabad-Mugalsarai-Patna route particularly around Mugalsarai yard.
 

Zimbabwe has axed their coach Dav Whatmore and captain Hamilton Masakadza just days before the arrival of India for a five-match limited-overs tour.
•    Zimbabwe Cricket cited the team’s poor performance at this year’s World Twenty20 tournament where they failed to make it out of the preliminary stage.
•    Former Australian Test batsman Whatmore, who coached the country of his birth Sri Lanka to the World Cup title in 1996, was handed a four-year contract in April last year.
•    He will be replaced on an interim basis by former South Africa fast bowler Makhaya Ntini.
•    Head coach Davenell Whatmore has had his contract terminated with immediate effect. Bowling coach Makhaya
•    Ntini has taken over in an acting capacity until the appointment of a substantive head coach. 
•    The board has also relieved Zimbabwe top-order batsman Hamilton Masakadza of the captaincy for all three formats of the game. His deputy, Graeme Cremer, will act in the interim.
•    Zimbabwe have also signed former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener as a batting coach for two years.
•    Zimbabwe played against India in three one-day internationals in Harare starting on June 11, as well as two Twenty20 games.

Minister for women and children, Maneka Gandhi unveiled a draft of the country's first-ever comprehensive anti-human trafficking law , which would treat survivors as victims in need of assistance and protection rather than as criminals. 

•    South Asia, with India at its centre, is the fastest-growing and second-largest region for human trafficking in the world , after East Asia, says the U.N. Office for Drugs and Crime. 
•    There are no accurate figures on the number of people trafficked within South Asia, but activists say thousands of mostly women and children are trafficked within India as well as from its poorer neighbours Nepal and Bangladesh. 
•    Many are sold into forced marriage or bonded labour to work in middle class homes as domestic servants, in small shops and hotels or confined to brothels where they are repeatedly raped. 
•    Women's Minister Maneka Gandhi said the draft bill aims to unify existing anti-trafficking laws, prioritize survivors' needs, and prevent victims such as those found in brothel raids from being arrested and jailed like traffickers. 
•    The draft legislation provides for special courts to expedite trafficking cases, more shelters and a rehabilitation fund to help victims rebuild their lives. 
•    It also provides for anti-trafficking committees - at district, state and central levels - that will oversee prevention, protection and victim rehabilitation. 

A new book The Unseen Indira Gandhi authored by Dr KP Mathur was released in May 2016.  Dr KP Mathur was personal physician of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for nearly 20 years till her assassination in 1984.  
•    The Book was published by Konark Publishers.
•    The book provides some interesting peeps into the responses of Mrs Gandhi’s response to challenges both personal and political.
•    The preface of the book was written by her granddaughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
•    The 151-page book describes that Mrs Gandhi was very tense, a bit confused and not sure of herself in early years of her power in 1966.
•    It covers several milestone moments in Indira’s life: the Bangladesh War of 1971; Pokhran Nuclear tests of 1974, imposition of Emergency; death of Sanjay Gandhi and circumstances in Maneka’s walk out of the family.
•    The Doctor in his book said that Mrs Gandhi was always more fond of her elder Daughter in Law, Sonia Gandhi, but after Sanjay’s death she became a little more inclined towards Maneka and wanted Maneka to come and help her in politics.
•    The book is interspersed with messages and written instructions on paper bits which were collected by the author.
•    The book also covers former PM’s relations with foreign counterparts including Margaret Thatcher who was former PM of the United Kingdom.

Noted Kannada writer D Javare Gowda, popularly known as De Ja Gow, passed away on 30 May 2016 following a cardiac arrest in a private hospital at Mysore. He was 101. He is survived by a daughter, a son and grandchildren.
•    He was a disciple of Kannada doyen and poet laureate K V Puttappa.
•    Gowda served as the Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University from 1969 to 1975.
•    He dedicated much of his time and efforts towards protecting Kannada and promoting the language as the medium of instruction in schools.
•    He played an important role in getting the classical language status for Kannada by launching an indefinite fast and threatening to return the Padma Shri that was conferred on him in 2001.
•    He also awarded with the Pampa Prishathi in 1998 and the Guru Award in 2003.
•    In recognition of his contribution to literature and the cause of Kannada, the Karnataka government has honoured him with the Karnataka Ratna (2008) and the Nadoja title (2003).
•    His works include Lakshmishana Jaimini Bharata (1957), Kanakadasara Nalacharitre (1959), Andayyana Kabbigara Kavya (1965), Chikkupadyayana Rukmangada Charitre (1964) and many more.

Snapdeal has established a data sciences centre in San Carlos, California to get top global talent and build high-value solutions.
•    The centre will focus on big-data and advanced analytics to add clarity to Snapdeal's consumer-centric initiatives, help shape business strategy and optimise the operational efficiencies using data.
•    The centre houses experienced data scientists from leading global brands like Groupon , Google , Yahoo and Amazon and is headed by Nitin Sharma, Senior Vice President, Data Sciences.
•    Snapdeal is an online marketplace, based in New Delhi, India. 
•    The company was started by Kunal Bahl, a Wharton graduate as part of the dual degree M&T Engineering and Business program at Penn, and Rohit Bansal, an alumnus of IIT Delhi in February 2010. 
•    Snapdeal currently has 275,000 sellers, over 30 million products and a reach of 6,000 towns and cities across the country Investors in the company include SoftBank Corp, Ru-Net Holdings, Tybourne Capital, PremjiInvest, Alibaba, Temasek Holdings, Bessemer Venture Partners, IndoUS Ventures, Kalaari Capital, Saama Capital, Foxconn Technology Group, Blackrock, eBay, Nexus Ventures, Intel Capital, Ontario Teachers' 

France has finally made a theme park filled with alcohol. La Cité du Vin, which translates to "the city of wine" and probably "heaven on Earth," is a full-blown wine theme park.
•    It's located in Bordeaux, one of France's most famous wine-making regions, and was opened on 1st June 2016.
•    There are no roller coasters at this theme park but there are 20 wine-themed sections and exhibits that cover the history and culture of wine. 
•    There is also a 250-seat auditorium for classes, screenings and wine-tasting sessions in the 10-story building, High Snobiety noted. 
•    La Cité du Vin — which is housed in a stunning structure also has two restaurants on-site. 
•    One offers dishes made from in-season regional produce, while the other boasts 800 bottles of wine from around the world and some special-seeming tapas.
•    There will be no limp corn dogs and under-salted pretzels sold at exorbitant prices. 
•    The cost of entry at the theme park starts at approximately $22 per adult .