15 October 2016 Current Affairs
International Day of Rural Women: October 15
The International Day of Rural Women is observed across the world on 15 October. The theme for the day for the year 2016 is Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too. Under the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focus is on progress of rural women and enhancing their access to support and information they need to utilize their potential without leaving their communities.
Historic Global Greenhouse gas emission Agreement signed in Kigali
A historic global climate deal was reached in Kigali, Rwanda at the Twenty-Eighth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP28). The so called Kigali Amendment which amends the 1987 Montreal Protocol aims to phase out Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a family of potent greenhouse gases by the late 2040s. Under Kigali Amendment, in all 197 countries, including India have agreed to a timeline to reduce the use of HFCs by roughly 85% of their baselines by 2045. HFCs are a family of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that are largely used in refrigerants in home, car air-conditioners and air sprays etc. These factory-made gases had replaced CFCs under the 1987 Montreal Protocol to protect Earth’s fragile protective Ozone layer and heal the ozone hole over the Antartica.
Russia, India ink defence deal on S-400 Air Defence Systems
India has signed a defence deal worth nearly Rs 39,000 crore with Russia to purchase five state of art S-400 ‘Triumf’ air defence systems. Besides, India also announced to collaborate in making four stealth frigates and setting up a joint production facility for making Kamov helicopters under Make in India. In this regard, inter-governmental agreements (IGAs) were signed between both countries following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 8th BRICS Summit in Goa. An S-400 ‘Triumf’ long-range air defence missile system is one of the most advanced long-range defence systems in the world. It is referred to as SA-21 Growler by NATO. It is an upgraded version of the S-300 defence system and is manufactured by Almaz-Antey. It has been in service in Russia since 2007. It is capable of firing three types of missiles. Thus, it creates a layered defence, and simultaneously engaging 36 targets. It has capability to destroy incoming all airborne targets at ranges of up to 400 km. With it, India can destroy Pakistani aircrafts even when they are in their airspace. The five S-400 systems will be operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). India is the second export customer, after China to purchase this most advance defence system.
Union Govt launches satellite-based illegal Mining Detection System
Union Government has launched Mining Surveillance System (MSS), a pan-India surveillance network to check illegal mining using latest satellite technology. MSS is a satellite-based monitoring system which aims to check illegal mining activity through automatic remote-sensing detection technology in order to establish a regime of responsive mineral administration. Mining Surveillance System (MSS) is developed by Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) in coordination with Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG), Gandhinagar.
Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat retains WBC Asia welterweight title
Indian boxer Neeraj Goyat outpunched Australia’s Ben Kite to retain the WBC welterweight Asia title. The 24-year-old prevailed 120-110, 119-109, 115-113 in an unanimous decision for the gruelling 12-round contest against his 26-year-old rival. Goyat, who came into the contest with 7 wins in 11 fights, is now expected to break into the WBC world rankings.
Saraswati River existed: KS Valdiya committee
The K.S. Valdiya committee in its report submitted to the Union Water Resources Ministry has concluded that Saraswati River so far considered mythical, existed. The committee comprising of geologists, archaeologists and hydrologists say that they have found evidence of the course of the river Saraswati. Earlier, River Saraswati was considered as a mythological river and has been mentioned in the ancient Hindu scriptures like the Rig Veda, Ramayana, Mahabharata and others giving credence that it existed during those times. Committee found that Saraswati River originated in the Himalayas. It was approximately 4,000 km in length and flowed through saraswati-riverIndia and Pakistan before meeting Arabian Sea through Rann of Kutch. Two-third stretch of river measuring nearly 3000 km in length fell in India and reaming one-third of the river stretch fell in present-day Pakistan. The river had two branches viz.
(i) Western Branch: It represented by the Himalayan-born Satluj River of the past which flowed through the channels of present-day Ghaggar-Patialiwali rivulets.
(ii) Eastern Branch: Palaeochannels (remnants of defunct rivers) Sarsuti-Markanda rivulets in Haryana were courses of eastern branch of river, known as Tons-Yamuna.
The confluence of the branches was near Shatrana, 25 km south of Patiala. From this confluence point river flow crossed dessert (Rann of Kutch) and meet gulf of western sea.