26 January 2016 Current Affairs
India celebrates its 67th Republic Day; Francois Hollande is the chief guest
67th Republic Day was celebrated on 26 January 2016 across the nation. This year’s Chief Guest in the parade is President of France Francois Hollande.First Republic Day was celebrated on 26 January 1950 when India became a Republic with Constitution of India coming into force on this day replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India. The celebration was curtailed by 25 minute. The duration was brought down to 90 minutes from 115 minutes, but the format will remain the same. For the first time, an all-women stunt contingent named ‘Women Daredevils CRPF’ comprising of 120 soldiers will performed stunts on bikes.The highlights of this year’s Parade is, for the first time in the history, a 76-member French Army contingent led by a French military band consisting of 48 musicians marching on Rajpath. 17 of states and 6 Union Ministers tableaux are also the part of the parade.
Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Amendment Act, 2015 came into force
The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015 came into force on 26 January 2016. The act was made to ensure more stringent provisions for prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. The act came into force after the Lok Sabha passed this amendment bill on 4 August 2015 while the upper house Rajya Sabha gave its nod on 21 December, 2015. And the final ass ent by the President came on 31 December 2015. The bill was provided to make amendments in the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015.
President gave assent to Central rule in Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh on 26 January 2016 came under central rule as President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to the Union Cabinet’s recommendation on such a course following political instability in the state. President Mukherjee signed the proclamation two days after the cabinet held an unscheduled meeting on January 24 to recommend that the northeasten border state be brought under central rule.
Brazil to deploy 220,000 soldiers in its fight against Zika virus
Brazil’s government says it will deploy 220,000 soldiers in its fight against mosquitoes spreading the Zika virus. The soldiers will go from home to home handing out leaflets on how to avoid the spread of Zika, which has been linked to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains. The announcement came after Health Minister Marcelo Castro said Brazil was losing badly in its fight against the virus. Zika virus, linked to births of babies with smaller than usual brains.
India, France ink 14 pacts
“India and France have singed 14 pacts for enhancing the bilateral cooperation various fields including defence, space, railways, education etc. The agreements were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande, who began his three-day visit to India.
Signed Agreements are
Defence: MoU on purchase of 36 Rafale Aircrafts.
Space: Implementation Arrangement between ISRO and CNES on hosting Argos-4 Payload onboard Oceansat-3 satellite of India.
Railways: Joint Venture Shareholding Agreement between Indian Railways and Alstom for production of 800 electric locomotives in Madhepura plant in Bihar.
Food safety: MOU between Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and ANSES in food safety.
Public Administration: Partnership Agreement on Cooperation in Public Administration between Union Ministry of Personnel & Public Grievances and France.
Cultural exchange: Declaration of Intent (DoI) for conducting Bonjour India (French festival) in 2017 and Namaste France (Indian festival) in 2016, Cultural Exchange Programme between both countries for the period 2016-2018
Science & Technology: Arrangement for establishment of an Indo- French Ministerial level Joint Committee on Science & Technology.
Education: MoU between IIT Mumbai and Thales Systemes Aeroportes for Industry Sponsored Ph.D (Doctorate) Fellowship. Cooperation Agreement for joint research, teaching, exchange of personnel etc between IISER, Pune and ENS de Lyon (France).”
India overtakes Thailand as World’s largest Rice exporter
India has overtaken Thailand as the world’s largest rice exporter in 2015, shipping 10.23 million tonnes.Thai Rice Exporters Association Chairman Charoen Laodhammatas said that Thailand exported 9.8 million tonnes of rice in 2015, down 10.8 per cent year-on-year.Thailand ended 2015 behind India for rice exports. India sold 10.23 million tonnes of rice. Vietnam was third globally while China remained the number one importer of rice.