Current affairs : August 22, 2016
Parliamentary panel on Chennai deluge
A
Parliamentary panel has rejected Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi’s
contention that there cannot be preparation for a disaster like the Chennai
floods which “occurs once in 100 years”.
- The Parliamentary Standing Committee
on Home Affairs in its report on ‘Disaster in Chennai caused by torrential
rainfall and consequent flooding’ has strongly recommended that the
Ministry of Home Affairs, through its subordinate concerned agencies,
bolster its disaster preparedness.
BRICS Women
Parliamentarians’ Forum adopts Jaipur Declaration
The
meeting of women Parliamentarians from BRICS nations concluded recently in
Jaipur.
- During the meeting the
parliamentarians expressed commitment to work together in the field of
economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection.
Myanmar to support Silk Road, BCIM
Myanmar’s
State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, during her recent visit to China, announced
Myanmar’s support to China backed Silk Road initiative and
Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) economic corridor.
- She also sought China’s support for
her country’s infrastructure projects while taking into consideration the
demands of environmental groups back home, who oppose such foreign-backed
initiatives.
Railways to
partner with Google for showcasing its heritage
Google has agreed to partner with Railways to
digitise its heritage assets and help create a digital repository for universal
online access free of cost.
- Indian Railway has a huge list of heritage assets
including bridges, steam locos, buildings, artefacts and museums which can
be showcased for global audience.
Uma Bharti launches Rs 560 cr projects under Namami
Gange prog
Union Minister for Water Resources, River
Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti launched various Projects
on the Bank of Ganga worth Rs. 560 crore under Namami Gange programme at Ganga
Barrage in Kanpur.
The Projects: 1.Interception and diversion plan of Sisamau drain—worth Rs. 63 crore.
The Projects: 1.Interception and diversion plan of Sisamau drain—worth Rs. 63 crore.
2.Networking schemes at Bithoor–Worth Rs. 397
crore
3.River front development scheme at Bithoor–worth
Rs. 100 crore.
4.Ghats and five crematoria will be constructed
at Bithoor.
BSNL and Microsoft India join hands for effective
connectivity and telecom
solutions
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) inked pact
with Microsoft India to offer telecom and IT solutions for big businesses
promoting the demand for IT and cloud services.
- MoU will assist audio and video needs
of the BSNL's enterprise customers and government organizations.
- The agreement was signed and exchanged by BSNL chairman and managing director Anupam Shrivastava and Microsoft India chairman Bhaskar Pramanik.
Longest glass bridge:
The world’s highest and longest glass-bottomed
bridge was recently opened in China.
- The bridge connects two mountain cliffs known as the Avatar Mountains in Zhangjiajie, Hunan province.
Person in News:
1. Manjula Chellur
Justice Manjula Chellur on Monday took oath as
the Chief Justice of the Bombay HC.
- Chelluar, who was the Chief Justice of
Calcutta HC, was transferred following the retirement of DH Waghela on
August 10.
- Chellur is 2nd woman to hold the post,
after Sujata Manohar in 1994.
2. Ramachandran
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President, N. Ramachandran
was awarded the Olympic Order for his outstanding services to the Olympic
movement.
- The Olympic Order is the highest award of the Olympic
Movement and is awarded for particularly distinguished contributions to
the Olympic Movement, that is, recognition of efforts worthy of merit in
the cause of sport. It was established in May 1975.
3. Kamal Hasan:
Actor Kamal Haasan will be awarded the
prestigious Chevalier de L’Ordre Arts et Lettres or The Knight of the Order of
Arts and Letters by the French Government.
- The order is a part of France’s premier award, the Legion of
Honor.
- The Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters is a recognition
to people who have contributed to furthering arts in France and throughout
the world.
- Other Indians who have been conferred the Chevalier
Order include actors Sivaji Ganesan, Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai,
Nandita Das and Shah Rukh Khan.
4. Najma Heptulla:
Former Union Minister Najma Heptulla was sworn-in
as the governor of Manipur.
- Heptulla, the 18th governor of the state, replaced Shanmuganathan who was holding the dual charge of Governor of Manipur and Meghalaya.
