1. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai sworn in as first lady judge of Sikkim HC
Meenakshi Madan Rai on 15 April 2015 was sworn in as the first lady judge of the Sikkim High Court. Her oath of the office was administered by the Governor Srinivas Patil at Ashirwad Hall at Raj Bhavan in Gangtok.
Rai is also the third High Court judge who hails from the small border state. This appointment of Rai as the judge of the Sikkim High Court has helped the state to get its full strength of three judges after a gap of about one year
2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs renamed Tourist Visa on Arrival scheme as e-Tourist Visa
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decided to rename Tourist Visa on Arrival-Electronic Travel Authorization (TVoA-ETA) scheme as e-Tourist Visa (eTV) scheme. The renamed scheme will come into effect from 15 April 2105. MHA decided to change the name of the scheme after it observed that the name of the scheme (TVoA-ETA) created confusion among tourists and also it had received requests of name change from some Indian embassies.
In the present scheme of things, tourists presumed that the Visa was granted on their arrival; however, the pre-authorization of Visa to foreigners was given prior to travel.The new name eTV scheme was chosen after the committee constituted for the purpose conducted a contest on mygov.in and selected e-Tourist Visa (eTV) as the appropriate new name. The committee comprised of officers from Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs and Bureau of Immigration (BoI).
Electronic Travel Authorization (TVoA-ETA)
The Union Government launched Tourist Visa on Arrival enabled by Electronic Travel Authorization (TVoA-ETA) on 27 November 2014. The scheme was launched for 44 countries at nine airports to facilitate short duration international travellers.
3. Arun Jaitley inaugurated Vividh Bharati Service of Delhi on FM Mode
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley inaugurated the Vividh Bharati Service of Delhi on FM Mode in a function held at premises of New Broadcasting House of All India Radio (AIR). The service will be available on 100.1 Megahertz frequency.
With this launch, the services of Vividh Bharati of AIR will be available to listeners in and around Delhi. The service will also be available on mobile phones.Apart from this, Jaitley also announced that the DD Kisan channel will be launched in May 2015.
Vividh Bharati
The Vividh Bharati is a service of All India Radio. It was conceptualized to combat Radio Ceylon in 1957. Bharati radio channel was launched on 2 October 1957. The service provides entertainment for nearly 15 to 17 hours a day.
4. China quashed bid of Taiwan to become full member of AIIB
The Chinese Government quashed the bid of Taiwan to become a full member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for lack of appropriate name.The Chinese Government said that it would welcome Taiwan in the future but under a different name.
Taiwan made a last-minute application to join the AIIB as a founding member on the deadline day of 31 March 2015 under the name of Chinese-Taipei. The name was used by the International Olympic Committee and the Asian Development Bank.
Taiwan hoped that joining AIIB as a full member would help its push for regional economic integration and participation in international trade organisations.
Taiwan will now seek to join the bank as an ordinary member, instead of a founding member.
5. Ri Su Yong, the Foreign Minister of North Korea, visited India
Ri Su Yong, the Foreign Minister of North Korea, visited India from 12 April to 14 April 2015. He was on a three-day visit to India and this was the first-ever visit of a foreign minister of North Korea to India.He visited India on an invitation of Sushma Swaraj, the Minister of External Affairs of India.
During the visit, foreign minister level talks were held covering issues of mutual interest including India’s security concerns were discussed. In this regard, India informed Yong about the significance of peace and stability in the Korean peninsula for India’s Act East policy.
Yong appreciated India for its humanitarian assistance provided to North Korea and also sought additional assistance in this regard, which was agreed by India.
6. Assamese film director, actor Bidyut Chakraborty died
Renowned film director and actor of Assam Bidyut Chakraborty died on 15 April 2015 in a private nursing home in Guwahati after brief illness. He was 55.
He directed several Assamese films like Rag- Biraag, Goon Goon Gaane Gaane and Dwaar. In 1996 for Rag Biraag, he won Indira Gandhi national award for Best First Film of a Director. Rag-Birag was based on a novel written by Jnanpith award-winner Mamoni Raisom Goswami.
Dwaar made in 2012, a film based on a short story Bahiroloi Jowa Baat written by Swarnakamal winning film critic Apurba Sharma, was his last film. Swarnakamal awards are one of the National Film Awards given for Best Feature Film, Best Direction among others.
7. Over Hundred people killed during Songkran festival in Thailand
Songkran Festival of Thailand was in news as over 120 people were killed and 1281 were injured while celebrating the festival.
The accident occurred after Thais took trains, planes, cars and bikes to head home to their parents and families to celebrate the festival which started on 10 April 2015 evening.
Songkran festival is a traditional New Year Eve celebration of Thailand. It is also known as Thailand Water Festival.It is originally celebrated as a way for the Thai people to sprinkle water on their family members and elders for good fortune and pay their respects to images of the beloved Buddha.
Bangkok and the northern town of Chiangmai are favourite destinations of foreigners who take part in the festival.
8. India-Germany released Joint Statement to strengthen Strategic Partnership
India-Germany Joint Statement was released with an aim to upgrade and further strengthen the Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
The Joint Statement was released after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Hannover and Berlin. PM Narendra Modi is on a three-day Germany visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Details of Joint Statement
Manufacturing: Utilize the momentum generated by India’s participation in the Hannover Messe 2015 to foster stronger ties between business and industry on both sides in order to support India’s Make in India initiative.
Skill Development: Expansion of existing Indo-German cooperation through new initiatives, including a road-map for enhancing employability of trainees and apprentices by strengthening industry involvement in Skills Development, as in the German dual system.
Science and Technology (S&T): Both sides declared their intent to promote closer R&D cooperation in science, technology and innovation, in particular through extending the tenure of the bi-national Indo-German Science & Technology Center in India.
Urban Development: Strengthen the bilateral cooperation through the establishment of a working group on urban development. Support development of urban planning and infrastructure in India, including
a) Cooperation in the development of new areas of collaboration and mutual benefit in the development of smart cities in India
b) Setting up peer-to-peer network of Municipalities for direct collaboration
c) Assistance in the area of affordable housing
Railways: Support for the modernization of the railway infrastructure including setting up of semi high-speed and high-speed railways and training and skill development of personnel in the rail sector starting with signalling and telecommunications and a high-speed rail system.
Education: To promote closer educational exchanges, including through setting up of an International Center for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences, strengthening collaboration between universities in India and Germany through the Indo German Strategic Partnerships in Higher Education program, and enhancing the exchange of scientists between both countries within the framework of India’s GIAN initiative.
Language: To support the respective programs and efforts in India and Germany to broaden knowledge of each other’s languages among the youth in accordance with the national policy of each country.
Environment: Strengthen the bilateral cooperation through the establishment of two working groups in the areas of water and waste management.
Cleaning of Rivers: Following the completion of the Ganga Scoping Mission in October 2014 by Germany, develop cooperation on Ganga River rejuvenation strategies, capacity support for urban sanitation, setting up of standards, approaches to industrial pollution and innovative financial models.
Renewable Energy: Support India’s proposed objective of 175GW of renewable energy by 2022 through technical and financial support for developing comprehensive solar rooftop and green energy corridor projects in India.
Besides, the two nations also agreed to strengthen their efforts towards carrying on negotiations for an ambitious EU India Free Trade Agreement with a view to its early conclusion.
Both sides also explored ways of expanding dialogue on security issues and foreign policy. Towards this, they welcomed the proposed visits of India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Germany and visit of Defence Minister of Germany to India before the Inter-Governmental Consultations.
Meenakshi Madan Rai on 15 April 2015 was sworn in as the first lady judge of the Sikkim High Court. Her oath of the office was administered by the Governor Srinivas Patil at Ashirwad Hall at Raj Bhavan in Gangtok.
Rai is also the third High Court judge who hails from the small border state. This appointment of Rai as the judge of the Sikkim High Court has helped the state to get its full strength of three judges after a gap of about one year
2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs renamed Tourist Visa on Arrival scheme as e-Tourist Visa
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decided to rename Tourist Visa on Arrival-Electronic Travel Authorization (TVoA-ETA) scheme as e-Tourist Visa (eTV) scheme. The renamed scheme will come into effect from 15 April 2105. MHA decided to change the name of the scheme after it observed that the name of the scheme (TVoA-ETA) created confusion among tourists and also it had received requests of name change from some Indian embassies.
In the present scheme of things, tourists presumed that the Visa was granted on their arrival; however, the pre-authorization of Visa to foreigners was given prior to travel.The new name eTV scheme was chosen after the committee constituted for the purpose conducted a contest on mygov.in and selected e-Tourist Visa (eTV) as the appropriate new name. The committee comprised of officers from Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs and Bureau of Immigration (BoI).
Electronic Travel Authorization (TVoA-ETA)
The Union Government launched Tourist Visa on Arrival enabled by Electronic Travel Authorization (TVoA-ETA) on 27 November 2014. The scheme was launched for 44 countries at nine airports to facilitate short duration international travellers.
3. Arun Jaitley inaugurated Vividh Bharati Service of Delhi on FM Mode
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley inaugurated the Vividh Bharati Service of Delhi on FM Mode in a function held at premises of New Broadcasting House of All India Radio (AIR). The service will be available on 100.1 Megahertz frequency.With this launch, the services of Vividh Bharati of AIR will be available to listeners in and around Delhi. The service will also be available on mobile phones.Apart from this, Jaitley also announced that the DD Kisan channel will be launched in May 2015.
Vividh Bharati
The Vividh Bharati is a service of All India Radio. It was conceptualized to combat Radio Ceylon in 1957. Bharati radio channel was launched on 2 October 1957. The service provides entertainment for nearly 15 to 17 hours a day.
4. China quashed bid of Taiwan to become full member of AIIB
The Chinese Government quashed the bid of Taiwan to become a full member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for lack of appropriate name.The Chinese Government said that it would welcome Taiwan in the future but under a different name.
Taiwan made a last-minute application to join the AIIB as a founding member on the deadline day of 31 March 2015 under the name of Chinese-Taipei. The name was used by the International Olympic Committee and the Asian Development Bank.
Taiwan hoped that joining AIIB as a full member would help its push for regional economic integration and participation in international trade organisations.
Taiwan will now seek to join the bank as an ordinary member, instead of a founding member.
5. Ri Su Yong, the Foreign Minister of North Korea, visited India
Ri Su Yong, the Foreign Minister of North Korea, visited India from 12 April to 14 April 2015. He was on a three-day visit to India and this was the first-ever visit of a foreign minister of North Korea to India.He visited India on an invitation of Sushma Swaraj, the Minister of External Affairs of India.
During the visit, foreign minister level talks were held covering issues of mutual interest including India’s security concerns were discussed. In this regard, India informed Yong about the significance of peace and stability in the Korean peninsula for India’s Act East policy.
Yong appreciated India for its humanitarian assistance provided to North Korea and also sought additional assistance in this regard, which was agreed by India.
6. Assamese film director, actor Bidyut Chakraborty died
Renowned film director and actor of Assam Bidyut Chakraborty died on 15 April 2015 in a private nursing home in Guwahati after brief illness. He was 55.
He directed several Assamese films like Rag- Biraag, Goon Goon Gaane Gaane and Dwaar. In 1996 for Rag Biraag, he won Indira Gandhi national award for Best First Film of a Director. Rag-Birag was based on a novel written by Jnanpith award-winner Mamoni Raisom Goswami.
Dwaar made in 2012, a film based on a short story Bahiroloi Jowa Baat written by Swarnakamal winning film critic Apurba Sharma, was his last film. Swarnakamal awards are one of the National Film Awards given for Best Feature Film, Best Direction among others.
7. Over Hundred people killed during Songkran festival in Thailand
Songkran Festival of Thailand was in news as over 120 people were killed and 1281 were injured while celebrating the festival.
The accident occurred after Thais took trains, planes, cars and bikes to head home to their parents and families to celebrate the festival which started on 10 April 2015 evening.
Songkran festival is a traditional New Year Eve celebration of Thailand. It is also known as Thailand Water Festival.It is originally celebrated as a way for the Thai people to sprinkle water on their family members and elders for good fortune and pay their respects to images of the beloved Buddha.
Bangkok and the northern town of Chiangmai are favourite destinations of foreigners who take part in the festival.
8. India-Germany released Joint Statement to strengthen Strategic Partnership
India-Germany Joint Statement was released with an aim to upgrade and further strengthen the Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
The Joint Statement was released after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Hannover and Berlin. PM Narendra Modi is on a three-day Germany visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Details of Joint Statement
Manufacturing: Utilize the momentum generated by India’s participation in the Hannover Messe 2015 to foster stronger ties between business and industry on both sides in order to support India’s Make in India initiative.
Skill Development: Expansion of existing Indo-German cooperation through new initiatives, including a road-map for enhancing employability of trainees and apprentices by strengthening industry involvement in Skills Development, as in the German dual system.
Science and Technology (S&T): Both sides declared their intent to promote closer R&D cooperation in science, technology and innovation, in particular through extending the tenure of the bi-national Indo-German Science & Technology Center in India.
Urban Development: Strengthen the bilateral cooperation through the establishment of a working group on urban development. Support development of urban planning and infrastructure in India, including
a) Cooperation in the development of new areas of collaboration and mutual benefit in the development of smart cities in India
b) Setting up peer-to-peer network of Municipalities for direct collaboration
c) Assistance in the area of affordable housing
Railways: Support for the modernization of the railway infrastructure including setting up of semi high-speed and high-speed railways and training and skill development of personnel in the rail sector starting with signalling and telecommunications and a high-speed rail system.
Education: To promote closer educational exchanges, including through setting up of an International Center for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences, strengthening collaboration between universities in India and Germany through the Indo German Strategic Partnerships in Higher Education program, and enhancing the exchange of scientists between both countries within the framework of India’s GIAN initiative.
Language: To support the respective programs and efforts in India and Germany to broaden knowledge of each other’s languages among the youth in accordance with the national policy of each country.
Environment: Strengthen the bilateral cooperation through the establishment of two working groups in the areas of water and waste management.
Cleaning of Rivers: Following the completion of the Ganga Scoping Mission in October 2014 by Germany, develop cooperation on Ganga River rejuvenation strategies, capacity support for urban sanitation, setting up of standards, approaches to industrial pollution and innovative financial models.
Renewable Energy: Support India’s proposed objective of 175GW of renewable energy by 2022 through technical and financial support for developing comprehensive solar rooftop and green energy corridor projects in India.
Besides, the two nations also agreed to strengthen their efforts towards carrying on negotiations for an ambitious EU India Free Trade Agreement with a view to its early conclusion.
Both sides also explored ways of expanding dialogue on security issues and foreign policy. Towards this, they welcomed the proposed visits of India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Germany and visit of Defence Minister of Germany to India before the Inter-Governmental Consultations.
1. Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai sworn in as first lady judge of Sikkim HC
Meenakshi Madan Rai on 15 April 2015 was sworn in as the first lady judge of the Sikkim High Court. Her oath of the office was administered by the Governor Srinivas Patil at Ashirwad Hall at Raj Bhavan in Gangtok.
Rai is also the third High Court judge who hails from the small border state. This appointment of Rai as the judge of the Sikkim High Court has helped the state to get its full strength of three judges after a gap of about one year
2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs renamed Tourist Visa on Arrival scheme as e-Tourist Visa
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decided to rename Tourist Visa on Arrival-Electronic Travel Authorization (TVoA-ETA) scheme as e-Tourist Visa (eTV) scheme. The renamed scheme will come into effect from 15 April 2105. MHA decided to change the name of the scheme after it observed that the name of the scheme (TVoA-ETA) created confusion among tourists and also it had received requests of name change from some Indian embassies.
In the present scheme of things, tourists presumed that the Visa was granted on their arrival; however, the pre-authorization of Visa to foreigners was given prior to travel.The new name eTV scheme was chosen after the committee constituted for the purpose conducted a contest on mygov.in and selected e-Tourist Visa (eTV) as the appropriate new name. The committee comprised of officers from Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs and Bureau of Immigration (BoI).
Electronic Travel Authorization (TVoA-ETA)
The Union Government launched Tourist Visa on Arrival enabled by Electronic Travel Authorization (TVoA-ETA) on 27 November 2014. The scheme was launched for 44 countries at nine airports to facilitate short duration international travellers.
3. Arun Jaitley inaugurated Vividh Bharati Service of Delhi on FM Mode
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley inaugurated the Vividh Bharati Service of Delhi on FM Mode in a function held at premises of New Broadcasting House of All India Radio (AIR). The service will be available on 100.1 Megahertz frequency.
With this launch, the services of Vividh Bharati of AIR will be available to listeners in and around Delhi. The service will also be available on mobile phones.Apart from this, Jaitley also announced that the DD Kisan channel will be launched in May 2015.
Vividh Bharati
The Vividh Bharati is a service of All India Radio. It was conceptualized to combat Radio Ceylon in 1957. Bharati radio channel was launched on 2 October 1957. The service provides entertainment for nearly 15 to 17 hours a day.
4. China quashed bid of Taiwan to become full member of AIIB
The Chinese Government quashed the bid of Taiwan to become a full member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for lack of appropriate name.The Chinese Government said that it would welcome Taiwan in the future but under a different name.
Taiwan made a last-minute application to join the AIIB as a founding member on the deadline day of 31 March 2015 under the name of Chinese-Taipei. The name was used by the International Olympic Committee and the Asian Development Bank.
Taiwan hoped that joining AIIB as a full member would help its push for regional economic integration and participation in international trade organisations.
Taiwan will now seek to join the bank as an ordinary member, instead of a founding member.
5. Ri Su Yong, the Foreign Minister of North Korea, visited India
Ri Su Yong, the Foreign Minister of North Korea, visited India from 12 April to 14 April 2015. He was on a three-day visit to India and this was the first-ever visit of a foreign minister of North Korea to India.He visited India on an invitation of Sushma Swaraj, the Minister of External Affairs of India.
During the visit, foreign minister level talks were held covering issues of mutual interest including India’s security concerns were discussed. In this regard, India informed Yong about the significance of peace and stability in the Korean peninsula for India’s Act East policy.
Yong appreciated India for its humanitarian assistance provided to North Korea and also sought additional assistance in this regard, which was agreed by India.
6. Assamese film director, actor Bidyut Chakraborty died
Renowned film director and actor of Assam Bidyut Chakraborty died on 15 April 2015 in a private nursing home in Guwahati after brief illness. He was 55.
He directed several Assamese films like Rag- Biraag, Goon Goon Gaane Gaane and Dwaar. In 1996 for Rag Biraag, he won Indira Gandhi national award for Best First Film of a Director. Rag-Birag was based on a novel written by Jnanpith award-winner Mamoni Raisom Goswami.
Dwaar made in 2012, a film based on a short story Bahiroloi Jowa Baat written by Swarnakamal winning film critic Apurba Sharma, was his last film. Swarnakamal awards are one of the National Film Awards given for Best Feature Film, Best Direction among others.
7. Over Hundred people killed during Songkran festival in Thailand
Songkran Festival of Thailand was in news as over 120 people were killed and 1281 were injured while celebrating the festival.
The accident occurred after Thais took trains, planes, cars and bikes to head home to their parents and families to celebrate the festival which started on 10 April 2015 evening.
Songkran festival is a traditional New Year Eve celebration of Thailand. It is also known as Thailand Water Festival.It is originally celebrated as a way for the Thai people to sprinkle water on their family members and elders for good fortune and pay their respects to images of the beloved Buddha.
Bangkok and the northern town of Chiangmai are favourite destinations of foreigners who take part in the festival.
8. India-Germany released Joint Statement to strengthen Strategic Partnership
India-Germany Joint Statement was released with an aim to upgrade and further strengthen the Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
The Joint Statement was released after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Hannover and Berlin. PM Narendra Modi is on a three-day Germany visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Details of Joint Statement
Manufacturing: Utilize the momentum generated by India’s participation in the Hannover Messe 2015 to foster stronger ties between business and industry on both sides in order to support India’s Make in India initiative.
Skill Development: Expansion of existing Indo-German cooperation through new initiatives, including a road-map for enhancing employability of trainees and apprentices by strengthening industry involvement in Skills Development, as in the German dual system.
Science and Technology (S&T): Both sides declared their intent to promote closer R&D cooperation in science, technology and innovation, in particular through extending the tenure of the bi-national Indo-German Science & Technology Center in India.
Urban Development: Strengthen the bilateral cooperation through the establishment of a working group on urban development. Support development of urban planning and infrastructure in India, including
a) Cooperation in the development of new areas of collaboration and mutual benefit in the development of smart cities in India
b) Setting up peer-to-peer network of Municipalities for direct collaboration
c) Assistance in the area of affordable housing
Railways: Support for the modernization of the railway infrastructure including setting up of semi high-speed and high-speed railways and training and skill development of personnel in the rail sector starting with signalling and telecommunications and a high-speed rail system.
Education: To promote closer educational exchanges, including through setting up of an International Center for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences, strengthening collaboration between universities in India and Germany through the Indo German Strategic Partnerships in Higher Education program, and enhancing the exchange of scientists between both countries within the framework of India’s GIAN initiative.
Language: To support the respective programs and efforts in India and Germany to broaden knowledge of each other’s languages among the youth in accordance with the national policy of each country.
Environment: Strengthen the bilateral cooperation through the establishment of two working groups in the areas of water and waste management.
Cleaning of Rivers: Following the completion of the Ganga Scoping Mission in October 2014 by Germany, develop cooperation on Ganga River rejuvenation strategies, capacity support for urban sanitation, setting up of standards, approaches to industrial pollution and innovative financial models.
Renewable Energy: Support India’s proposed objective of 175GW of renewable energy by 2022 through technical and financial support for developing comprehensive solar rooftop and green energy corridor projects in India.
Besides, the two nations also agreed to strengthen their efforts towards carrying on negotiations for an ambitious EU India Free Trade Agreement with a view to its early conclusion.
Both sides also explored ways of expanding dialogue on security issues and foreign policy. Towards this, they welcomed the proposed visits of India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Germany and visit of Defence Minister of Germany to India before the Inter-Governmental Consultations.
Meenakshi Madan Rai on 15 April 2015 was sworn in as the first lady judge of the Sikkim High Court. Her oath of the office was administered by the Governor Srinivas Patil at Ashirwad Hall at Raj Bhavan in Gangtok.
Rai is also the third High Court judge who hails from the small border state. This appointment of Rai as the judge of the Sikkim High Court has helped the state to get its full strength of three judges after a gap of about one year
2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs renamed Tourist Visa on Arrival scheme as e-Tourist Visa
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decided to rename Tourist Visa on Arrival-Electronic Travel Authorization (TVoA-ETA) scheme as e-Tourist Visa (eTV) scheme. The renamed scheme will come into effect from 15 April 2105. MHA decided to change the name of the scheme after it observed that the name of the scheme (TVoA-ETA) created confusion among tourists and also it had received requests of name change from some Indian embassies.
In the present scheme of things, tourists presumed that the Visa was granted on their arrival; however, the pre-authorization of Visa to foreigners was given prior to travel.The new name eTV scheme was chosen after the committee constituted for the purpose conducted a contest on mygov.in and selected e-Tourist Visa (eTV) as the appropriate new name. The committee comprised of officers from Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs and Bureau of Immigration (BoI).
Electronic Travel Authorization (TVoA-ETA)
The Union Government launched Tourist Visa on Arrival enabled by Electronic Travel Authorization (TVoA-ETA) on 27 November 2014. The scheme was launched for 44 countries at nine airports to facilitate short duration international travellers.
3. Arun Jaitley inaugurated Vividh Bharati Service of Delhi on FM Mode
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley inaugurated the Vividh Bharati Service of Delhi on FM Mode in a function held at premises of New Broadcasting House of All India Radio (AIR). The service will be available on 100.1 Megahertz frequency.With this launch, the services of Vividh Bharati of AIR will be available to listeners in and around Delhi. The service will also be available on mobile phones.Apart from this, Jaitley also announced that the DD Kisan channel will be launched in May 2015.
Vividh Bharati
The Vividh Bharati is a service of All India Radio. It was conceptualized to combat Radio Ceylon in 1957. Bharati radio channel was launched on 2 October 1957. The service provides entertainment for nearly 15 to 17 hours a day.
4. China quashed bid of Taiwan to become full member of AIIB
The Chinese Government quashed the bid of Taiwan to become a full member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for lack of appropriate name.The Chinese Government said that it would welcome Taiwan in the future but under a different name.
Taiwan made a last-minute application to join the AIIB as a founding member on the deadline day of 31 March 2015 under the name of Chinese-Taipei. The name was used by the International Olympic Committee and the Asian Development Bank.
Taiwan hoped that joining AIIB as a full member would help its push for regional economic integration and participation in international trade organisations.
Taiwan will now seek to join the bank as an ordinary member, instead of a founding member.
5. Ri Su Yong, the Foreign Minister of North Korea, visited India
Ri Su Yong, the Foreign Minister of North Korea, visited India from 12 April to 14 April 2015. He was on a three-day visit to India and this was the first-ever visit of a foreign minister of North Korea to India.He visited India on an invitation of Sushma Swaraj, the Minister of External Affairs of India.
During the visit, foreign minister level talks were held covering issues of mutual interest including India’s security concerns were discussed. In this regard, India informed Yong about the significance of peace and stability in the Korean peninsula for India’s Act East policy.
Yong appreciated India for its humanitarian assistance provided to North Korea and also sought additional assistance in this regard, which was agreed by India.
6. Assamese film director, actor Bidyut Chakraborty died
Renowned film director and actor of Assam Bidyut Chakraborty died on 15 April 2015 in a private nursing home in Guwahati after brief illness. He was 55.
He directed several Assamese films like Rag- Biraag, Goon Goon Gaane Gaane and Dwaar. In 1996 for Rag Biraag, he won Indira Gandhi national award for Best First Film of a Director. Rag-Birag was based on a novel written by Jnanpith award-winner Mamoni Raisom Goswami.
Dwaar made in 2012, a film based on a short story Bahiroloi Jowa Baat written by Swarnakamal winning film critic Apurba Sharma, was his last film. Swarnakamal awards are one of the National Film Awards given for Best Feature Film, Best Direction among others.
7. Over Hundred people killed during Songkran festival in Thailand
Songkran Festival of Thailand was in news as over 120 people were killed and 1281 were injured while celebrating the festival.
The accident occurred after Thais took trains, planes, cars and bikes to head home to their parents and families to celebrate the festival which started on 10 April 2015 evening.
Songkran festival is a traditional New Year Eve celebration of Thailand. It is also known as Thailand Water Festival.It is originally celebrated as a way for the Thai people to sprinkle water on their family members and elders for good fortune and pay their respects to images of the beloved Buddha.
Bangkok and the northern town of Chiangmai are favourite destinations of foreigners who take part in the festival.
8. India-Germany released Joint Statement to strengthen Strategic Partnership
India-Germany Joint Statement was released with an aim to upgrade and further strengthen the Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
The Joint Statement was released after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Hannover and Berlin. PM Narendra Modi is on a three-day Germany visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Details of Joint Statement
Manufacturing: Utilize the momentum generated by India’s participation in the Hannover Messe 2015 to foster stronger ties between business and industry on both sides in order to support India’s Make in India initiative.
Skill Development: Expansion of existing Indo-German cooperation through new initiatives, including a road-map for enhancing employability of trainees and apprentices by strengthening industry involvement in Skills Development, as in the German dual system.
Science and Technology (S&T): Both sides declared their intent to promote closer R&D cooperation in science, technology and innovation, in particular through extending the tenure of the bi-national Indo-German Science & Technology Center in India.
Urban Development: Strengthen the bilateral cooperation through the establishment of a working group on urban development. Support development of urban planning and infrastructure in India, including
a) Cooperation in the development of new areas of collaboration and mutual benefit in the development of smart cities in India
b) Setting up peer-to-peer network of Municipalities for direct collaboration
c) Assistance in the area of affordable housing
Railways: Support for the modernization of the railway infrastructure including setting up of semi high-speed and high-speed railways and training and skill development of personnel in the rail sector starting with signalling and telecommunications and a high-speed rail system.
Education: To promote closer educational exchanges, including through setting up of an International Center for Advanced Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences, strengthening collaboration between universities in India and Germany through the Indo German Strategic Partnerships in Higher Education program, and enhancing the exchange of scientists between both countries within the framework of India’s GIAN initiative.
Language: To support the respective programs and efforts in India and Germany to broaden knowledge of each other’s languages among the youth in accordance with the national policy of each country.
Environment: Strengthen the bilateral cooperation through the establishment of two working groups in the areas of water and waste management.
Cleaning of Rivers: Following the completion of the Ganga Scoping Mission in October 2014 by Germany, develop cooperation on Ganga River rejuvenation strategies, capacity support for urban sanitation, setting up of standards, approaches to industrial pollution and innovative financial models.
Renewable Energy: Support India’s proposed objective of 175GW of renewable energy by 2022 through technical and financial support for developing comprehensive solar rooftop and green energy corridor projects in India.
Besides, the two nations also agreed to strengthen their efforts towards carrying on negotiations for an ambitious EU India Free Trade Agreement with a view to its early conclusion.
Both sides also explored ways of expanding dialogue on security issues and foreign policy. Towards this, they welcomed the proposed visits of India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Germany and visit of Defence Minister of Germany to India before the Inter-Governmental Consultations.
Q-3 ans is wrong..... its none....
ReplyDeleteimmediately preceded by a vowel and also immediately followed by a consonant?.....ur ans is wrong plz ..correct it....how can we trust if u provide wrong anss
ReplyDelete