12 April 2016 Current Affairs
Haryana Renames Gurgaon as Gurugram
“Haryana Government on 12 April decided to rename Gurgaon as Gurugram and Mewat as Nuh. In this regard, Chief Minister Manohar Lal has approved the proposal to change the names of Gurgaon and Mewat. The decision to change the name of Gurgaon was taken on the basis of the representations received at several forums by the people of Gurgaon. Gurgaon had been a centre of learning where the princes, Pandavas and Kauravas, used to get education from Guru Dronacharya and at that time the city was known as Gurugram. However, Mewat is not a town, in fact it is a geographical and cultural unit spread beyond Haryana in the adjoining States of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Headquarters of Mewat district is at Nuh town. The decision of changing its name was taken following the demand of people of area and the elected representatives. They had been demanding that the name of Mewat be changed as Nuh.”
Maharashtra Assembly Passed Dance Bar Bill
The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on 12 April unanimously passed the Dance Bar Regulation Bill 2016. The bill has provisions for stringent actions against the violators. State Legislative Council cleared the Bill on 11 April 2016 which paved the way for reopening of the dance bars. The Bill will be sent for State Governor’s assent to make it as a law.
Padma Sachdev Selected For 2015 Saraswati Samman
“Author and poet Padma Sachdev on 12 April was selected for the prestigious Saraswati Samman for 2015 for her autobiography titled Chitt-Chete, written in Dogri language. The book, published in 2007, links the personal trials and tribulations of the author with issues concerning society, nation and the world at large. The Saraswati Samman is an annual award for outstanding prose or poetry literary works in any 22 Indian language listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution of India. It is named after Goddess Saraswati, Indian goddess of learning. It is considered to be among the highest literary awards in India. The award was instituted in 1991 by the K. K. Birla Foundation. It consists of 10 lakh rupees, a citation and a plaque. The inaugural award was given to Harivanshrai Bachchan for his four volume autobiography, Kya Bhooloon Kya Yaad Karoon, Needa Ka Nirman Phir, Basere Se Door and Dashdwar se Sopan Tak. The Saraswati Samman for 2014 was given to Veerappa Moily for his work Ramayana Mahanveshanam.”
Ex-army chief JJ Singh gets highest French Civilian Honour
Former army chief Gen. (retd) JJ Singh was on 12 March conferred with the highest French civilian distinction, Officer of the Legion of Honour. He was conferred the honour by French Ambassador to India, Francois Richier in New Delhi. Singh was chosen for the honour in recognition of his stellar role in modernising the Indian Army. It also recognised his pivotal role for initiating robust exchanges between the Indian and French armies leading to “unprecedented” levels of inter-operability and cooperation.