GK and Current Affairs Updates

Union Government on 31 March 2016 released the Indian Intellectual Property (IP) Panorama in New Delhi. It is a single window interface for information on Intellectual Property and guidance on leveraging it for competitive advantage.
•    The Indian IP Panorama can be accessed on http://ict-ipr.in/index.php/ip-panorama
•    It seeks to increase awareness and build sensitivity towards Intellectual Property, among stakeholders in the SME sector, academia and researchers.
•    The following five modules of the Indian IP Panorama were released:
•    Importance of IP for SMEs,
•    Trademark,
•    Industrial design,
•    Invention and Patent and
•    Patent Information
•    The Indian IP Panorama was developed under the aegis of Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) and Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) under Union Government by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), in close coordination with the Indian IP office.
•    It is a customized version of IP Panorama Multimedia toolkit which was developed by World Intellectual Property Organization, Korean Intellectual Property Office and Korea Invention Promotion Association.
•    The toolkit was adapted to cater to SMEs and start-ups, especially in the ICTE sector of India, based on an agreement signed between WIPO and DeitY.
•    The Indian IP Panorama is thus a customized version of WIPO’s original product and is in accordance with Indian IP laws, standards, challenges and needs of the Indian ICTE sector.
•    India is a member of WIPO and party to several treaties administered by WIPO.
•    Recognizing that the strategic use of intellectual property could contribute significantly to the national development objectives of India, DIPP entered into an MoU with WIPO on 13 November 2009.
•    The Indian IP office has been recognised as an International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority under the Patent Cooperation Treaty as in force from 15 October 2013.
•    It may be recalled that a leading Indian consumer electronics company, Micromax Informatics Limited was recognized with the 1.25 millionth international trademark under WIPO’s Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks.
•    India acceded to Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks at WIPO on 8 July 2013.
•    The Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks (Madrid system) offers trademark owners a cost effective, user friendly and streamlined means of protecting and managing their trademark portfolio internationally.

On 31-March-2016 An agreement for IBRD Credit of USD 250 Million from World Bank for "First Programmatic Electricity Distribution Reform Development Policy Loan for Rajasthan" by Shri Raj Kumar, Joint Secretary (MI), Department of Economic Affairs on behalf of the Government of India and Mr. Onno Ruhl, Country Director, World Bank (India) on behalf of the World Bank. 
•    The Program Implementing Entity Agreement was signed by Mr. Sanjay Malhotra, Principal Secretary, Department of Energy, Government of Rajasthan on behalf of Government of Rajasthan, and the Country Director (India) on behalf of the World Bank. 
•    The project size is USD 250 million, and the total amount will be financed by the Bank. 
•    The objective of the proposed programmatic operation is to support the Government of Rajasthan (GoR)'s program for the turnaround of the distribution sector in Rajasthan under the 24x7 Power for All program.
•    This first operation lays the foundations for legislative changes and institutional reforms to improve the sector's governance, supports the financial restructuring of the sector, and back sanctions necessary to improve operational performance. 
•    The main areas of the GoR program that are supported by the proposed operation are: (a) Strengthening Governance in the Rajasthan Electricity Distribution Sector; (b) Financial Restructuring and Recovery; and (e) Improving Operational Performance' of Distribution Utilities. 
•    The project has been designed. as a result, based financing programme, under which funds will be released only on achievement of agreed results/indicators.

The 13th edition of India-European Union Summit was held in Brussels, capital of Belgium. 
•    Prime Minister Narendra Modi represented Indian side in the summit. 
•    While the European Union (EU) was represented by President of the European Council, Donald Tusk and President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. The 13th summit laid out concrete priority actions for the strategic bilateral partnership in areas like trade and investment, climate, energy, water and migration in the next five years. 
•    Both sides endorsed the agenda to concrete the road-map for the EU-India Strategic Partnership for the next five years. 
•    Both sides agreed to further the negotiations on early conclusion of the BTIA. 
•    Both sides adopted a Joint Declaration on Counter-terrorism to step up cooperation to counter radicalisation and violent extremism. 
•    It will also allow jointly countering the flow of sources of terrorist financing, Foreign Terrorist Fighters and arms supply.
•    The European Investment Bank (EIB) agreed to lend loan of 450 million Euros for the construction of the first metro line in Lucknow. 
•    Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to implement the G20 Skills Strategy and also expressed their intention to organise a high level skills seminar. 
•    The Joint Declaration was adopted in this regard to enhance cooperation on environment issues, including on the ‘Clean Ganga’ and ‘Clean India’ flagship programmes. 
•    Both sides agreed to extend this agreement until 2020 to boost innovation and research in India and Europe. 
•    Both sides agreed to establish this agenda in order to enhance involvement of citizens’ in the strategic partnership. 
•    Both sides expressed their confidence in solving the marine case currently underway in the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Government of Russia 24 March 2016 approved a deal for ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) to acquire 15 percent stake in Vankor oilfield from Rosneft.
•    The deal is worth 1.3 billion US dollars. It was signed between the OVL and Rosneft in September 2015.
•    This deal is in addition to another deal that was signed between the OVL and three other oil companies in March 2016.
•    As per the deal, OVL’s stake in Vankor will raise to 26 per cent from 15 per cent, while the other three companies could together pick up 23.9 per cent. Consequently, Rosneft will retain the remaining 50.1 per cent.
•    Both these deals will help India secure access to lucrative Russia's oil market, while Rosneft will gain access to the Indian market.
•    It is located in Russia’s east Siberia and consists of 500 mn tonnes of oil and 182 bn cubic meters of gas.
•    It started commercial production in 2009 and, at present, produces 440000 barrels of oil per day.
•    The field, which was discovered in 1988, is the largest field in Russia and key provider of volumes to the East Siberia Pacific Ocean (ESPO) Pipeline that fulfills the energy needs of China.

Asia’s largest and first of its kind optical telescope Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) was unveiled at Devasthal in Nainital District, Uttrakahnd. 
•    It was remotely activated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Belgian counterpart Charles Michel from Belgium. 
•    Aries telescope was joint collaborative technological effort between Indian and Belgian scientists. 
•    It has been located at a height of 2,500 metres at Devasthal in Nainital district. The site was chosen for getting a clear view of the sky.
•    The ARIES optical telescope has mirror of 3.6 m diameter. The telescope facility has been incorporated with high end technology which enables it to be operated with the help of remote control from anywhere in the world. 
•    It will help in the study and exploration of planets, starts, magnetic field and astronomical debris. 
•    It will also help research of star structures and magnetic field structures of stars. 
•    The ARIES telescope has been a joint international effort between Indian, Russian and Belgian scientist. 
•    In March 2007 ARIES and Belgian company Advanced Mechanical and Optical Systems (AMOS) had entered a contract for design, manufacture, integration, testing, supply and installation of the telescope. 
•    Belgium also had funded 7 per cent of the project whose total cost is estimated to be more than 120 crore rupees.

World Championships bronze-medallist Shiva Thapa (56kg) became the first Indian boxer to make the cut for this year's Olympics by entering the Asian Qualifying Tournament's final but the celebrated M C Mary Kom (51kg) failed to book her Rio Games ticket after losing in the last-four stage.
•    Shiva, given the top seeding in his weight category, lived up to the billing as he sailed past 2013 World Championship bronze-medallist Kairat Yeraliyev of Kazakhstan in the semi-final. He will face second seed Chatchai Butdee of Thailand in the final tomorrow.
•    With today's victory, the 22-year-old Indian is set for his second Olympic appearance, four years after he became the youngest boxer to qualify for the multi-sporting extravaganza.
•    However, it was heartbreak for another top seed, Mary Kom, who went down to old foe Ren Cancan of China in the semifinals, which will only translate into a bronze medal for her. 
•    In the women's category, only the gold and silver medal winners from this tournament will qualify for Rio Olympics.
•    The five-time world champion and London Olympics bronze-medallist, however, has another chance of qualifying for the Rio Games during the World Championships in May.
•    Another Indian in fray in the men's draw was Commonwealth Games silver-medallist and fourth seed L Devendro Singh (49kg) but he lost to top seed Rogen Ladon of Mongolia in the semi-finals.
•    Assured of a bronze medal, Devendro will now fight it out for an Olympic quota place by taking on Mongolia's third-seeded Gan-Erdene Gankhuyag tomorrow.
•    National coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu was effusive in his praise for Shiva, while also lauding the effort of other boxers.

The world’s premier wheelchair motocross athletes will converge in North Texas on Thursday, April 23, and Sunday, April 24, at Alliance Skate Park in Grand Prairie. 

•    This two-day event features WCMX Competitors from around the World competing for cash, prizes, and the WCMX World Championship 2016 Title.
•    The 2016 WCMX World Championship will have something for everyone. This family entertainment event will provide the most amazing wheelchair manoeuvres ever performed by WCMX riders from around the globe. 
•    The event also features an Adaptive Skate Competition Division. 

•    Beginners Clinic is free for anyone with a physical disability that participates in their own wheelchair. 
•    Participants of the clinic will be instructed by the best WMCX Professional Riders in the world and will test their skills on the Pro ramp course and be assigned 1-2 volunteers who will assist, spot and encourage riders and skaters. 
•    If riders are unable to push their own wheelchairs, volunteers will navigate them through the course. All safety pads and helmets will be provided by RISE Adaptive Sports.
•    RISE is an Irving, Texas based non-profit organization with a mission “to assist persons with physical challenges to Recover, Inspire, Succeed, and Empower themselves and others by providing inclusive adaptive recreational sports programs”. 

Union Govt unveils Defence Procurement Procedure 2016
Procurement Procedure 2016 (DPP 2016). It was unveiled on the sidelines of the Defexpo-2016 that was inaugurated by him at Naqueri Quitol in Quepem Taluka, Goa.
•    The DPP 2016 will replace the Defence Procurement Procedure 2013 (DPP 2013). It will come into force on 1 April 2016.
•    The key provisions of the DPP 2016 are based on the Dhirendra Singh committee report that was appointed in May 2015 to review the DPP 2013.
•    The aim of the DPP is to ensure timely procurement of military equipment, systems, and platforms as required by the armed forces through optimum utilization of allocated budgetary resources.
•    Except for medical equipment, it will cover all capital acquisitions undertaken by the Ministry of Defence, Defence Services and Indian Coast Guard both from indigenous sources and ex-import.
•    Capital Acquisitions: Capital Acquisition schemes are broadly classified into 3 categories - Buy, Buy and Make and Make.
•    The Buy scheme refers to an outright purchase of equipment and procurements under this scheme are further categorized as Buy (Indian – IDDM), Buy (Indian), and Buy (Global).
•    Under the Buy and Make scheme, the procurements are categorized as Buy and Make (Indian) and Buy and Make.
•    In decreasing order of priority, the procurement of defence equipment under this procedure are categorized as
•    Buy (Indian – IDDM)
•    Buy (Indian)
•    Buy and Make (Indian)
•    Buy and Make
•    Buy (Global)
•    The Make category aims at developing long-term indigenous defence capabilities and procurements under this category would be pursued in isolation, in sequence or in tandem with any of the five categories under Buy or Buy and Make classifications.
•    It allows the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) to take a fast-track route to acquire weapons, which was limited to the armed forces till now.
•    The Buy (Indian - Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured or IDDM) category was created to boost indigenous production. For procurements under this category, it is mandatory that 40 percent of the content to be sourced locally.
•    This new category was created to promote domestic manufacturing, including government funding for Research & Development and recognition of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in technology development.
•    Validity of the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) has been brought down to six months from the earlier one year. It will help the defence forces to issue tenders faster.

The United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on 29 March 2016 launched animate film series ‘Unfairy Tales’.
•    The series seeks to help frame positive perceptions towards the tens of millions of children and young people on the move globally.
•    As per an estimate, at least 65 million children and young people globally are on the move to escape conflict, poverty and extreme weather and find a stable life and a place to call home.
•    It is a collection of 3 animations that explain the horror behind fleeing of three children in real life.
•    One story – “Ivine and the Pillow” – animates the true story of 14-year-old Ivine and her pillow, Pillow. After a perilous escape from Syria, Ivine settles at a refugee camp in Germany only to face new challenges.
•    “Malak and the Boat”, tells the tale of a young girl’s voyage in a leaky boat.
•    The third animation depicts the story of Mustafa, who after fleeing his home, wonders who is left to be his friend.
•    These tales are part of the #actofhumanity initiative that emphasise that children are children, no matter where they come from, and that every child has rights and deserves a fair chance.
•    The ad agency 180LA conceived and fully produced the series with help from animation houses Consulado, House of Colors, Bubba’s Chop Shop and Gilles+Cecilie Studio.

Htin Kyaw was sworn-in President of Myanmar on 30 March 2016 at a joint session of parliament in the capital Nay Pyi Taw.
•    With this, Aung San Suu Kyi's close aide Kyaw also became the first elected civilian leader to be the President of the country after 53 years of military rule. Army took power in a 1962 coup.
•    Htin Kyaw, 69, from the National League for Democracy (NLD) took over from Thein Sein, who introduced wide-ranging reforms during his five years in power.
•    Although, NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi is barred from the Presidency, she said that she will rule by proxy. 
•    The handover completes the transition that began after the NLD won a landslide win in elections in November 2015.
•    Kyaw was elected as the president of the country by the Myanmar's Parliament on 15 March 2016. Others to sworn-in included Vice-presidents Henry Van Thio and Myint Swe, who lost to Kyaw in the presidential vote on 15 March 2016. 
•    They were also sworn in, as were new cabinet ministers. Suu Kyi will be in charge of foreign affairs, the president's office, education, and energy and electric power.
•    Besides, the military also appointed its own nominees for three key ministries namely defence, home affairs and border affairs.