GK and Current Affairs Updates

K Ashok Kumar, a research scholar from IIT Kharagpur (KGP), won the prestigious International Plant Nutrition Scholar Award.
•    Kumar, a research scholar at the department of agricultural and food engineering at the Bengal-based IIT, was recently awarded by the US-based International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI). The award carries a cash prize of 2000 US dollar and a recognition certificate.
•    Ashok is pursuing his PhD on 'Comparative Assessment of Direct and Residual Effects of Organic and Inorganic Nutrient Management on Rice-Chickpea Production System in Lateritic Soil.'
•    The objective of this research is to study the soil nutrient dynamics under organic and inorganic nutrient management to improve the crop yield and quality of rice-chickpea cropping system in lateritic soil.
•    The research will help application of organic fertilizers such as vermicompost in right amount and at the right time to the rice crop. It will increase the yield of the rice-chickpea cropping system by 10% as compared to the use of conventional synthetic fertilizers.
•    Further, the organic fertilizer application will improve the nutritional and cooking quality of rice grain and chemical and biological properties of the acid lateritic soil.
•    The International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) Board of Directors offers two awards of interest to graduate students and scientists working in plant nutrition and management of crop nutrients and they are International Plant Nutrition Scholar Awards and IPNI Science Award.
•    The International Plant Nutrition Scholar Awards are open to applicants who are graduate students and attending a degree-granting institution located in any country with an IPNI program. Priority is given to the relevance of the proposed research in support of IPNI's mission.
•    Students in the disciplines of soil and plant sciences including agronomy, horticulture, ecology, soil fertility, soil chemistry, crop physiology, and other areas related to plant nutrition are encouraged to apply for the award.

Union Tourism Ministry on 26 April 2016 launched NOC Online Application and Processing System (NOAPS) Web Portal of National Monuments Authority. 

The Portal was developed through the technology and expertise of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), who are in the process of mapping of 3686 ASI protected monuments and sites.
• In the initial phase, the web portal integrates NMA’s portal with the online portal of local bodies of Delhi and Mumbai viz. NDMC, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and MCDs to facilitate single window clearance for construction on a common application form. 
• The applicant need to fill up a single form which will be sent to the concerned agencies by the local body, from whom No Objection Certificate (NOC) is required. 
• NMA on its part will communicate its decision to the local body within six working day, bringing down the time limit from ninety days, as prescribed in Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958.
• The applicant is not required to visit NMA in connection with his/her application but can track the progress of the application    online.

However, large projects involving construction of building beyond 2000 square metres have been kept out of the purview of Single Window Clearance System, keeping in view their possible impact on the Monument or the site.

Under the present rules of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958, hundred meters area around the monument is a prohibited zone.While the area between 100 to 300 metres is regulated zone for which no-objection certificate is needed for construction-related works. The time limit for availing NoC was 90 days.

The Shyam Benegal-headed committee constituted to revamp Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on 26 April 2016 submitted its report to Information & Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley.
The committee has recommended that CBFC should only be a film certification body whose scope should be restricted to categorizing the suitability of the film to audience groups on the basis of age and maturity.
a) Children and adults are protected from potentially harmful or unsuitable content
b) Audiences, particularly parents are empowered to make informed viewing decisions
c) Artistic expression and creative freedom are not unduly curbed in the process of classification of films
d) The process of certification by CBFC is responsive, at all times, to social change
e) The certification by CBFC keeps within the rights and obligations as laid down in the Indian Constitution.
• The certification of films shall be carried out in accordance with the Guidelines proposed for certification that have been split into three sections, with each section required to be read with the other two – General Guidelines, Issue Related Guidelines and Category Specific Guidelines.
• Recertification of a film for purposes of telecast on television or for any other purpose should be permitted.
• Out-of-turn certification may be permitted for which the applicant would have to pay five times the fee that would have to be paid if the certification were done in the normal course.
• The board can refuse certification under certain cases like
a) When a film contains anything that contravenes the provisions of Section 5B (1) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
b) Certification can also be refused, when content in a film crosses the ceiling laid down in the highest category of certification.
• The applicant must specify the category of certification being sought and the target audience
Regarding the categorisation of films, the committee recommends that it should be more specific and apart from U category, the UA Category can be broken up into further sub-categories – UA12+ & UA15+. The A category should also be sub-divided into A and AC (Adult with Caution) categories.
All nine regions will have advisory panels comprising persons who are acquainted with the languages being certified by that regional office.
a) Members from all walks of life, recommended by the National Film Development Corporation to the Central Government – 25%
b) Members of the general public recommended by the FFSI (Federation of Film Societies of India) - 25%
c) Members recommended by the National Council for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and National Commission of Women (NCW)- 25%
d) Representatives of the local film industry, as recommended by FFI (Film Federation of India) – 25%
e) Women to have 50% representation on each Panel.
• The Board, including Chairman, should only play the role of a guiding mechanism for the CBFC, and not be involved in the day-to-day affairs of certification of films.
• The functions of the Board shall be confined to the duties defined in the existing CBFC rules, which inter alia include an annual review of CBFC work, submission of annual report to the government, review of public reactions to films, and periodic recommendations for revision of guidelines.
• Given these limited functions, the size of the Board should be compact with one member representing each Regional Office. Therefore, the total composition of the Board should not be more than nine members and one Chairman.
• In order to preserve Indian Cinema, the committee recommends that every applicant be asked to deposit the Director’s Cut in the NFAI for preservation of Indian Cinema, instead of the certified version, in order to truly reflect the cinematic history of Indian cinema.
• Also recommended steps for issues of certification relating to clearances to be obtained from the Animal Welfare Board under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
• Also recommended steps for issues relating to depiction of smoking in films wherein films are required to show a disclaimer in every scene that involves smoking, as per a directive from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The Shyam Benegal committee was constituted on 1 January 2016 by the Information and Broadcasting ministry for holistic interpretation of the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952. The committee was asked to take note of the best practices in other parts of the world, especially where the film industry is given sufficient and adequate space for creative and aesthetic expression.
The panel also included actor-filmmaker Kamal Hassan, filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, adman Piyush Pandey and film journalist Bhawana Somayaa, Nina Lath Gupta and Joint Secretary (Films) as Member Convenor.

A Naval Detachment (NAVDET) was on 26 April 2016 inaugurated at the Androth Island of Lakshadweep Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, AVSM, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command.
The Officer-In-Charge of the Detachment is Lt Cdr Angom B Singh who will function under the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Lakshadweep and Minicoy Island). 

• The setting up of this naval detachment will extend Indian naval presence at Androth Island.
• It will provide communication network connectivity with mainland.
• It will enable Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC) monitoring
• It will function as an Observance and reporting organisation, besides radar surveillance. 

The setting up of a Naval Detachment at Androth Island will enhance the Navy’s reach and surveillance, and contribute significantly to strengthen maritime security and stability. Lakshadweep and Mnicoy Islands occupy a strategic location in the Arabian Sea. A number of shipping lanes pass close to these islands. A number of infrastructure facilities at naval units located on Kavaratti, Minicoy, Agatti and Androth islands are also being progressively upgraded.The Naval Detachment at Kavaratti was commissioned as a naval establishment, INS Dweeprakshak in 2012. Suitable ships are also being based at the Islands to provide enhanced surveillance and immediate response capability.

The Heart of Asia (HoA) conference began in New Delhi with the objective of bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan. 
The conference was attended by officials of a number of countries and is likely to deliberate on a host of issues like combating challenge of extremism and terrorism. 
•    HoA process have been to devise a sustained, incremental approach to implementation of the confidence building measures (CBM) in Afghanistan/ It will also seek to speed up reconstruction in Afghanistan with a focus on enhancing investment and connectivity to the country. 
•    Energy, infrastructure and investment deals to shore up economic growth of Afghanistan may figure in the talks. 
•    HoA conference is a part of the Istanbul Process established 2011 which provides a platform to discuss an agenda of regional cooperation with Afghanistan at its centre. 
•    The 14 member countries of HoA engage in result-oriented cooperation for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and, by extension, a secure and prosperous region as a whole. 
•    14 participating countries: Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Azerbaijan and Turkey. Supporting countries: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Iraq, Japan, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, UK and US. Supporting Organisations: UN, NATO, SAARC, SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) and OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation).

Professional football club Mohun Bagan and India striker Jeje Lalpekhlua on 25 April 2016 won the Football Players’ Association of India (FPAI) Indian Player of the Year award at its annual awards function held in Mumbai.
Lalpekhlua received the highest number of votes from fellow professional footballers to finish on top in the shortlist which included India captain Sunil Chhetri, BikashJairu, David Lalrinmuana and Dhanachandra Singh.
Nigerian striker Ranti Martins, who played for East Bengal in the I-League, was named the Foreign Player of the Year.
The Manipur-born Udanta Singh of I-League champion Bengaluru FC bagged the Young Player of the Year award. Bengaluru FC’s coach Ashley Westwood won the Coach of the Year award.
DebjitMajumder was named the Fans’ Player of the Year.• Born on 7 January 1991 in Mizoram, JejeLalpekhlua is an Indian footballer who plays for Chennaiyin in the Indian Super League.
• He scored the only goal in a win against Afghanistan in the SAFF Cup group stage match in Bangladesh.
• He led the Indian U19 team to the South Asian games in Sri Lanka.
• Mohun Bagan Athletic Club is a professional football club based in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
• The club was established in 1889 by BhupendraNath Bose and is the oldest existing football club in India.
• The club was awarded the distinction of being the National Club of India by former Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi as well as by the All India Football Federation in 1989.

India’s Mairaj Ahmed Khan has won the silver medal in the men’s skeet event at ISSF World Cup held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 
•    In the final, Mairaj lost gold medal to Sweden’s Marcus Svensson and the bronze medal was won by TamarroCasandro of Italy. 
•    With this victory, he becomes first Indian shooter to win skeet medal for India at a World Cup. 
•    Earlier in September 2016 he had qualified for his maiden Olympics after finishing in sixth place at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup. 
•    He is the first Indian to qualify in the skeet event at the Olympics. 
•    In the 2010, Commonwealth Shooting Championship he had won a team gold medal which was his best international performance earlier.
•    Mairaj's best international performance previous to this was a team gold in the Commonwealth Shooting Championship in 2010.
•    Out of 26 World Cup appearances this was his best ever finish in his first-ever final round.

The Lok Sabha on 25 April 2016 passed the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The bill – already passed by the Rajya Sabha on 16 March 2016– seeks to amend the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 with effect from 8 October 2003.
It proposes removal of an exception made for Sahajdharis in 1944 that allowed them to vote in elections for the Board and committees instituted under the Act.
The 1925 Act provided that every Sikh who is above 21 years of age and is registered as a voter will be entitled to vote in the elections to the SGPC and management committees. However, no person who trims or shaves his beard or hair will be entitled to vote in these elections.  

In 1944, the Act created an exception for Sehjdhari Sikhs who trim or shave their beard or hair, and allows them to vote.  The Bill removes this exception, disentitling Sehjdhari Sikhs from voting if they carry out these activities.
• It proposed to remove the exception given to Sehajdhari Sikhs in 1944 to vote in the elections for selecting members of the board and the committees constituted under the Act.
• This amendment will debar Sahjdhari Sikhs voting rights. As Sehajdhari Sikhs are continuously exercising their voting rights in the Shiromani GurdwaraParbandhak Committee (SGPC) elections since 1949.
• However, the notification was quashed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on 20 December 2011, leaving it to the appropriate and competent legislature to decide as to whether or not to amend the Act to that effect.
Earlier, the Union Cabinet on 10 March 2016 approved the proposal of Home Ministry to amend the Sikh Gurudwaras Act, 1925, with effect from 8 October 2003.
As per the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, only Sikhs who follow all the fundamental tenets of being a Sikh can contest the election. But as per a 1944 rule, the electorate included Sahajdhari Sikhs as voters as well — a tradition decried by the Sikh community.
A Sehajdhari is a person who has chosen the path of Sikhism, but is not baptized. He believes in all tenets of Sikhism and teachings of the Sikh Gurus, but may or may not adorn the five symbols of the Sikh faith.
Under the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, Sehjdhari Sikhs are those persons who: (i) perform ceremonies according to Sikh rites, (ii) do not consume tobacco or halal meat, (iii) have not been expelled from the religion for committing a religious transgression, and (iv) can recite the Mul Mantra (a Sikh prayer).

The 11^th Indo-Mongolia joint training Exercise, titled ‘Nomadic Elephant - 2016’ commenced on 25 April 2016 in Mongolia. The exercise aims at promoting military associations between India and Mongolia will culminate on 8 May 2016.
The aim of this exercise is to develop synergy and inter operability between the two armies to fight in Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism environment under the United Nation mandate.
• A platoon of the Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army along with a team of two observers will be taking part in the event.
• From the Mongolian Armed Forces, a total of 60 personnel will take part in the exercise.
• The event will culminate in a 48 hours joint outdoor exercise covering specialized operations in Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism environment.
• The Indian contingent will share their practical experiences of Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism operations through a series of classroom lectures and outdoor demonstrations.
• Besides, during the military training both the contingents will also share their techniques of unarmed combat, specialized rappelling and participate in various sports events during the two weeks exchange.

The World Intellectual Property Day 2016 was on 26 April 2016 observed across the world with the theme Digital Creativity: Culture Reimagined. 
•    On this day, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) works together with various government agencies, non-government organizations, community groups and individuals to hold different events and activities to promote World Intellectual Property Day.
•    The day is celebrated to spread awareness about the role that intellectual property rights (patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright) play in encouraging innovation and creativity.
•    This year theme explores the future of culture in the digital age: how we create it, how we access it, how we finance it. A balanced and flexible intellectual property system helps ensure that those working in the creative sector and artists themselves are properly paid for their work, so they can keep creating.
•    In October 1999, the General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) approved the idea of declaring a particular day as a World Intellectual Property Day.
•    In 2000, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) designated 26 April as an annual World Intellectual Property (IP) Day to address the perceived gap between Intellectual Property as a business/legal concept and its relevance to people’s lives. 
•    April 26 was specifically chosen as the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization, first entered into force in 1970 on this date.