The amendment to the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 has been called a game changer. The Act now states that “anyone who gives or causes to give tobacco products to children shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to a fine which may extend up to Rs.1 lakh”. …
Iran in One-Belt-One-Road loop as first train from China arrives
The first train from China’s trading hub of Yiwu arrived in Tehran on 16.2.2016, signalling Iran’s firm integration in the Beijing led-Belt and Road connectivity initiative along the New Silk Road. The train ferrying 32 containers completed its 14-day journey, covering over 10,399 km, after passing through the arid landscape of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan in Central Asia. The train had …
Facebook stops Free Basics after TRAI order
Social networking giant Facebook has pulled the plug on its controversy-ridden ‘Free Basics’ programme in India, days after telecom regulator TRAI barred operators from charging discriminatory rates for Internet access based on content. Launched in 2014, Facebook is running the programme across 17 countries.
Aquifer mapping
An aquifer is an underground layer of water-bearing rock, from which groundwater can be extracted. During 2017-2022, an area of 14 lakh sq.km is targeted to be covered under aquifer mapping. Advanced technologies like heli-borne geophysical surveys are being used for mapping in certain areas. The mapping would assist in estimating the quantity and quality of ground water in …
Govt. plans to set up 2,000 waterports
Government plans to set up 2,000 waterports as well as “Ro—Ro” services at five select places to transport goods and vehicles. Besides, there is a plan to develop 1,300 islands and 280 light houses as major attractions for tourists. Government will soon start Ro—Ro (Roll—on Roll—off) service at five places including Haldia, Patna, Varanasi and Sahibganj with World Bank assistance. …
IMD to issue summer forecast
For the first time in its history, the India Meteorological Department will issue a summer forecast for April, May and June. Though such a forecast may not be of much help to farmers — who rely on IMD’s rain forecasts to make sowing decisions and don’t plant their crops in these months — the information would be useful to power …
India near bottom of intellectual property index
India was ranked 37 out of 38 countries, with only Venezuela scoring lower, in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce-International Intellectual Property Index. The 38 economies benchmarked in the 2016 Index account for nearly 85 per cent of global GDP. The Index — produced by the Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) — is based on 30 criteria critical to innovation …
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has expanded Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme in additional 61 district (covering 11 states). Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme was launched on 22nd January, 2015. It is a tri-ministerial effort of Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health & Family Welfare and Human Resource Development. In the first phase, 100 districts with low …
National Organic Farming Research Institute
Sikkim has recently been declared as the first organic state in the country. In view of above, Union Minister has given approval to execute NOFRI. The Institute will provide research and technological backstopping to Organic Production System in the country in general and North East Hills Region in particular. The institute will undertake basic, strategic and adaptive research on efficient, …
The curious case of Julian Assange
Personal liberty still eludes WikiLeaks founder and Editor-in-Chief Julian Assange, despite a ruling by a United Nations legal panel that has declared his confinement “arbitrary and illegal”. The ruling of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention — the authoritative UN body that pronounces on illegal detentions based on binding and legal international instruments — has met with support, but …