· Web viewThe Union Cabinet on 21 September 2016 approved merger of Rail budget with Union...

MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016

NATIONAL

Union Cabinet approves merging of Rail budget with Union Budget

The Union Cabinet on 21 September 2016 approved merger of Rail budget with Union Budget. It also decided to advance the date of presentation of the annual budget from the last day of February to start of February.In addition, it also decided to merge the Plan and the Non-Plan classification in the Budget and Accounts. All these changes will be put into effect simultaneously from the Budget 2017-18.The arrangements for merger of Railway budget with the General budget have been approved by the Cabinet with the following administrative and financial arrangements-• The Railways will continue to maintain its distinct entity -as a departmentally run commercial undertaking as at present• Railways will retain their functional autonomy and delegation of financial powers etc. as per the existing guidelines• The existing financial arrangements will continue wherein Railways will meet all their revenue expenditure, including ordinary working expenses, pay and allowances and pensions etc. from their revenue receipts;• The Capital at charge of the Railways estimated at 2.27 lakh crore rupees on which annual dividend is paid by the Railways will be wiped off. Consequently, there will be no dividend liability for Railways from 2017-18 and Ministry of Railways will get Gross Budgetary support. This will also save Railways from the liability of payment of approximately 9700 crore rupees annual dividend to the Government of India.The decision scraps over nine-decade old tradition of having a separate Railway Budget. The

presentation of separate Railway budget started in the year 1924, and has continued after independence as a convention rather than under Constitutional provisions.The merger will help in • The presentation of a unified budget will bring the affairs of the Railways to centre stage and present a holistic picture of the financial position of the Government.• The merger is also expected to reduce the procedural requirements and instead bring into focus, the aspects of delivery and good governance.• Consequent to the merger, the appropriations for Railways will form part of the main Appropriation Bill.Advancement of the Budget presentationAs per the plan, the advancement of date of the presentation of the budget would be decided after taking into account dates of assembly elections. All proposals on the railways will be included in it. The government will also ensure that there is a separate discussion on the railways each year.Advancement of day of budget presentation is going to help by • Advancement of the date of budget presentation would help the government in following ways.• The advancement of budget presentation by a month and completion of Budget related legislative business before 31 March would pave the way for early completion of Budget cycle and enable Ministries and Departments to ensure better planning and execution of schemes from the beginning of the financial year and utilization of the full working seasons including the first quarter.• This will also preclude the need for seeking appropriation through 'Vote on Account' and enable implementation of the legislative changes in tax; laws for new taxation measures from the beginning of the financial year.Merger of Plan and Non Plan classification in Budget and Accounts:• The merger of the plan and non plan classification in Budget and Accounts from 2017-18 would help in resolving the following issues• The Plan/Non-Plan bifurcation of expenditure has led to a fragmented view of resource allocation

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MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016to various schemes, making it difficult not only to ascertain cost of delivering a service but also to link outlays to outcomes.• The bias in favour of Plan expenditure by Centre as well as the State Governments has led to a neglect of essential expenditures on maintenance of assets and other establishment related expenditures for providing essential social services.• The merger of plan and non-plan in the budget is expected to provide appropriate budgetary framework having focus on the revenue, and capital expenditure.

Third list of Smart Cities released

Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu on 20 September 2016 released the third list of Smart Cities that will get funding for initiating urban reforms. The list includes names of 27 new cities. With this, the number of cities selected under Smart City Mission for financing implementation of smart city plans has gone up to 60.The 27 smart cities announced are from 12 States including 5 from Maharashtra, 4 each from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, 3 from Uttar Pradesh and 2 each from Punjab and Rajasthan. Nagaland and Sikkim have made it to the smart city list for the first time. List of the 27 cities

States Cities

Punjab Amritsar, Jalandhar

Maharashtra Kalyan-Dombivili, Nagpur, Thane, Nashik, Aurangabad

Madhya Pradesh Ujjain, Gwalior

Andhra Pradesh Tirupati

Karnataka Managaluru, Tumakuru, Shivamogga, Hubbali-Dharwad,

Uttar Pradesh Agra, Kanpur, Varanasi

Odisha Rourkela

Tamil Nadu Vellore, Madurai, Thanjavur, Salem,

Rajasthan Kota, Ajmer

Gujarat Vadodara

Nagaland Kohima

Sikkim Namchi

Indian Railways launches Yatri Mitra Sewa for elderly, differently-abledIndian Railways on 19 September 2016 launched Yatri Mitra Sewa to facilitate access to wheelchairs, battery operated cars and porter services. The service was launched to make rail travel comfortable for elderly, differently-abled and ailing travelers.Yatri Mitra or Passenger Friend service can be an assistant or any other person nominated for the purpose. The service will be available at major railway stations across the country. It can be availed at the time of online booking of tickets by calling or messaging 139 or by simply dialling a dedicated mobile phone number to be activated for the purpose. Passengers can also access the Mobile app to avail the service in the future. The App will be developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS). Once the service is booked, the IRCTC will ensure the Yatri Mitra receive the passenger at the entrance of the station and help in boarding the train safely. The assistant will also be available at the coach when the passenger arrives at the designated railway station.

Mission Parivar Vikas to be launched in seven states for improved family planning services


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016The Union Health Ministry has decided to launch Mission Parivar Vikas in 145 High Focus districts in seven states for improved family planning services. The Mission will be implemented in all the 145 districts at one go.Its main objective is to accelerate access to high quality family planning choices based on information, reliable services and supplies within a rights-based framework.These districts having the highest total fertility rates are in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Assam. These states constitute 44 percent of the country’s population.How these districts were identified?These 145 districts have been identified based on total fertility rate and service delivery (PPIUCD and Sterilization performance) for immediate, special and accelerated efforts to reach the replacement level fertility goals of 2.1 by 2025. Recent data suggests that these 145 districts have TFR of more than/equal to 3.0 (56% of the 261 districts in the 7 HFS) and are home to 28% of India’s population (about 33 Crores).However, only 22% of India’s protected couples and 40% of India’s couples with unmet need reside in these districts. These districts also have a substantial impact on maternal and child health indicators as about 25-30% of maternal deaths and 50% of infant deaths occur in these districts Moreover, 115 of these districts (79%) have high percentage of adolescent mothers.Key Strategic Focus areaThe key strategic focus area of this initiative will be on improving access to contraceptives through delivering assured services, dovetailing with new promotional schemes, ensuring commodity security, building capacity (service providers), creating an enabling environment along with close monitoring and implementation.

Union Cabinet approves submarine optical fibre cable connectivity with Andaman & Nicobar IslandsThe Union Cabinet on 21 September 2016 approved the provision of a direct communication link through a dedicated submarine Optical Fibre

Cable (OFC) between Mainland (Chennai) and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The project to be completed by December 2018 will connect the mainland Chennai with Port Blair & five other islands viz. Little Andaman, Car Nicobar, Havelock, Kamorta and Great Nicobar.The estimated cost for development of the project is 1102.38 crore rupees including operational expenses for 5 years. It will equip Andaman & Nicobar Islands with appropriate bandwidth and telecom connectivity for implementation of e-Governance initiatives and establishment of enterprises & e-commerce facilities. It will also enable the provision of adequate support to educational institutes for knowledge sharing, availability of job opportunities and fulfill the vision of Digital India.Currently the only medium of providing telecom connectivity between Mainland and Andaman & Nicobar Islands is though satellites, but the bandwidth available is limited to 1 Gbps. Satellite bandwidth is very costly and its availability is limited due to which future bandwidth requirement cannot be met solely through it. Then, there is an issue of redundancy, that is, no alternate media is available in case of any emergency. Lack of bandwidth and telecom connectivity is also hampering socio-economic development of the islands. Hence it is essential to have submarine OFC connectivity between the Mainland India and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, being the only option for catering to projected future bandwidth requirements.

UIDAI bans sharing of Aadhaar details

In a step to ensure that the details of Aadhaar is not misused, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) asked agencies in possession of Aadhaar number of an individual to not publish or


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016post the information publicly. It said that the agencies will have to ensure security and confidentiality of the 12-digit resident identification number under the Aadhaar Act.Regulations• The core biometric information, collected by the Authority, cannot be shared with anyone for any reason.• Any violation of the Aadhaar Act will constitute an offence and is punishable under the Act.• The agencies that collect the Aadhaar number will also have to specify whether submission of the number or proof of Aadhaar is mandatory or voluntary.• The regulations also provide for obtaining consent of the Aadhaar number holder for collection, storage and use of the same for specified purposes.

India declares itself free from bird flu

India declared itself free from the highly contagious avian influenza (H5N1) or bird flu from 5 September 2016. The declaration was made by the Department of Animal Husbandry under the Agriculture Ministry. The Department in a statement said that it had notified the same to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). However, it also stressed that there is a need for continued surveillance. To make sure that this H5N1 free status is maintained, the union government has asked the chief Secretaries of states to continued surveillance especially in the vulnerable areas bordering infected countries and in areas visited by migratory birds.Avian influenza (AI) is an infectious viral disease of birds. AI viruses are divided into 2 groups based on their ability to cause disease in poultry: high pathogenicity or low pathogenicity. Highly pathogenic viruses result in high death rates (up to 100% mortality within 48 hours) in some poultry

species. Low pathogenicity viruses also cause outbreaks in poultry but are not generally associated with severe disease. Most avian influenza viruses do not infect humans; however some, such as A(H5N1) and A(H7N9), have caused serious infections in people.

Union Government issues model guidelines for states to curb Ponzi schemesThe Union Government on 12 September 2016 issued model guidelines for states to regulate direct selling and multi-level marketing businesses while prohibiting pyramid structures as well as money circulation schemes. The guidelines were issued to protect consumers from Ponzi frauds. The Direct Selling Guidelines 2016 framework was released by the Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan. They have been sent to the states and Union Territories for adoption.Key highlights of the guidelines• In the guidelines, the Union Government has clearly defined legitimate direct selling and differentiates it from pyramid and money circulation schemes to help investigating agencies identify fraudulent players.• Direct selling means marketing, distribution and sale of goods or providing of services as a part of network of direct selling other than under a pyramid scheme.• Pyramid Scheme has also be defined in the framework. Money Circulation Scheme has the same meaning as defined under Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978.• To conduct direct selling business, the guidelines have prescribed many conditions that need to be complied within 90 days.• The guidelines bar direct selling companies from charging any entry fee from agents or compelling them to buy back unsold stocks. These entities will have to enter into an agreement with direct sellers or agents, and give full refund or buy-back guarantee for goods and services sold to them.• The guidelines also mandate direct sellers to constitute a grievance redressal committee to protect consumers’ right.


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016• The guidelines have also made provision for appointment of monitoring authority at both Central and state level to deal with the issues related to direct selling.• They also prohibit direct selling entities from using misleading and deceptive or unfair recruitment practices.• The guidelines have also put conditions for contract between direct sellers and direct selling entity, saying that all such agreements should be in writing describing the material impact of the participation.• The agreement should not compel or induce the direct seller to purchase goods or services in an amount that exceeds an amount that can be expected to be sold to consumers within a reasonable period of time.• The contract should provide direct sellers a reasonable cooling-off period in which they can cancel it and receive a refund for goods and services purchased.• The guidelines have also specified certain obligations of direct sellers such as carrying identity card, and full disclosure of the good and services offered by the entity represented by them.• The new guidelines mandate a seller to provide information about the name of the purchaser and seller, delivery date of goods, procedure of its return and its warranty.

Union Cabinet approves formation of GST CouncilThe Union Cabinet on 12 September 2016 approved the process, formation and functioning of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council. The council will consist of the Finance Minister and State Finance Ministers. It will make recommendations on important issues related to GST, including items and rates. The GST Council and its Secretariat will be set up as per the following details:• Creation of the GST Council as per Article 279A of the amended Constitution• Creation of the GST Council Secretariat, with its office at New Delhi• Appointment of the Secretary (Revenue) as the Ex-officio Secretary to the GST Council

• Inclusion of the Chairperson, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), as a permanent invitee (non-voting) to all proceedings of the GST Council• Create one post of Additional Secretary to the GST Council in the GST Council Secretariat and four posts of Commissioner in the GST Council SecretariatAs per Article 279A of the amended Constitution, the GST Council shall consist of the following members:

Union Finance Minister

Chairperson

The Union Minister of State, in-charge of Revenue of finance

Member

The Minister In-charge of finance or taxation or any other Minister nominated by each State Government

Members

Union Government launches Integration of DigiLocker with Driving Licenses and Vehicle Registration Certificates

Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways and Shipping, and Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology and Law and Justice, on 7 September 2016 jointly launched Integration of DigiLocker with Driving Licenses (DL) & Vehicle Registration Certificates (RC) in New Delhi. The new service will end the need of people carrying around physical copies of their RCs and DLs. They can instead access digital copies of the same on their mobile phones via the DigiLocker mobile app.


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016Driving Licenses and Vehicle Registration documents can now be issued directly to the DigiLockers of individuals in digital formats. These digital copies can be shared with other departments as identity and address proof. They will also be used for on the spot verification through the citizen’s mobile, by various law enforcement authorities like the Traffic Police. Besides being convenient for people, this will also result in assured authenticity of such documents and reduction of administrative overhead. DigiLocker was launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2015. It aims at transforming India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. It is a platform for issuance and verification of documents and certificates digitally. DigiLocker currently has 2126332 registered users with 2411702 uploaded documents and has issued over 42673232 documents as on 1 September 2016.

Union Government approves 450 crore rupees for Swadesh Darshan Scheme

The Union Government on 7 September 2016 approved projects worth about 450 crore rupees under Swadesh Darshan scheme for five states. The five states are: Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim and Tamil Nadu. The scheme was launched with an objective to develop 13 theme-based tourist circuits in India. Various circuits under Swadesh Darshan Scheme• In total, 13 thematic circuits have been identified for development, namely North-East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit,Ramayana Circuit and Heritage Circuit.

• The Ramayana Circuit in Uttar Pradesh: Amount of 70 crore rupees is approved for the project. It envisages development of two destinations, Chitrakoot and Shringverpur. It also includes Ayodhya, for which Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department is preparing a detailed project report.• The Heritage Circuit in Madhya Pradesh: Amount of 100 crore rupees is approved for the project. It will cover Gwalior-Orchha-Khajuraho-Chanderi-Bhimbetka-Mandu.• The Heritage Circuit in Uttarakhand: Amount of 83 crore rupees is approved for the project. The amount will be used for development of infrastructure in Jageshwar-Devidhura-Katarmal- Baijnath sites.• The Coastal Circuit in Tamil Nadu: Amount of around 100 crore rupees is approved for the project. It envisages development of Chennai-Mamamallapuram- Rameshwaram-Manpadu-Kanyakumari.• The North East Circuit in Sikkim: Amount of 95.50 crore rupees is approved for the project. It includes development of eco log huts, cultural centre, paragliding centre, craft bazaar, base camp for mountaineering and meditation hall.

Union Government launches NIDHI for nurturing ideas and innovation into start ups

Union Government on 6 September 2016 launched a new program called National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI). The initiative aims at nurturing ideas and innovation into successful start ups. NIDHI, an umbrella programme of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), will focus on helping startups to meet their funding, infrastructure and other mentorship needs. NIDHI will allow youths


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016of the country to give a concrete shape to their ideas.National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations• The programme focuses on building a seamless and innovation driven entrepreneurial ecosystem especially by channelizing youth towards it and thereby bringing in the positive impact on the socio-economic development of the country.• It aims at providing technological solutions not only to the pressing needs of the society but also targets to create new avenues for wealth and job creation.• By design it connects and strengthens all the links of the innovation chain from scouting to sustaining to securing to scaling to showcasing, because a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.• There are eight component of NIDHI that support each stage of a budding startup from idea to market. The first component is PRAYAS (Promoting and accelerating young and aspiring innovators and startups) which aims to support innovators to grant up to 10 lakh rupees.• The final component is the Seed Support System which provides up to One Crore rupees per start-up and is implemented through Technology Business Incubators.During the financial year 2016-17, Department of Science has allocated 180 crore rupees, with a view to drive the innovation and startup centric new initiative.Key stakeholdersThe key stakeholders of NIDHI includes various departments and ministries of the Union government, state governments, academic and R & D institutions, mentors, financial institutions, angel investors, venture capitalists, industry champions and private sectors.

Union Government launches dedicated pan-India helpline for power outagesThe Union Government on 6 September 2016 launched the Urja Mitra Helpline number 14401, a dedicated pan-India helpline for power outages. With this, consumers can now get an update from power distribution companies about outages in

their area by dialling 14401. The Department of Telecom (DoT) created the helpline for pan-India usage to send information through voice calls and SMSes to apprise customers about power situation in their area. It is a mandatory service, which will be provided by all the telecom operators.

Dharmendra Pradhan launches Gas4India campaign to promote use of natural gas

Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, on 6 September 2016 launched #Gas4India campaign. The campaign is aimed at promoting the use of gas in the country. Public and private sector companies working in the sector have joined hands to promote the natural gas sector. Pradhan also launched the website, Twitter handle, Facebook page and theme song of the campaign.Gas4India is a unified cross-country, multimedia, multi-event campaign. It promotes the national, social, economic and ecological benefits of using natural gas as the fuel of choice. The campaign includes social engagement via social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, LinkedIn, and its official blogsites.

Union Government launches Leprosy Case Detection campaignHealth Ministry on 5 September 2016 launched the Leprosy Case Detection campaign (LCDC) in the country. Objective of the campaign is to detect the disease early so that those affected can be saved from physical deformity. As per the Health Ministry release about 32 crore people across 149 districts of 19 States and Union Territories will be screened under the fortnight-long campaign.It includes, the districts having a prevalence rate of more than one case per 10000 people in the last three years. Around three lakh teams will visit


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016every house in their allotted area and screen all the family members for leprosy. The states and UTs to be covered in this campaign include Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Haryana, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Delhi, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep. Chhattisgarh has the highest number of districts to be covered, followed by Dadra Nagar and Haveli. The first Leprosy Case Detection Campaign was launched in March 2016 in 50 districts of 7 states namely Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. During the campaign, around 65427 suspected cases were identified out of which nearly 4120 were later confirmed.Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It is a leading cause of permanent physical disability. It usually affects the skin and peripheral nerves, but has a wide range of clinical manifestations. The effective way of preventing disability due to leprosy is timely diagnosis and treatment of cases, before nerve damage has occurred. As per records, leprosy cases in India was reduced to one lakh in 2005 from 30 lakh in 2003, but since then there has been no remarkable achievement in terms of its complete elimination.

Union Government notifies National Apprenticeship Promotion SchemeThe Union Government on 1 September 2016 notified National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme. It is for the first time a scheme has been notified to offer financial incentives to employers. The Scheme has an outlay of 10000 crore rupees with a target of 50 Lakh apprentices to be trained by 2019-20. The National Policy of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015 launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi focuses on apprenticeship as one of the key components for creating skilled manpower in India. The policy proposes to work pro-actively with the industry including MSME to facilitate tenfold increase opportunities in the country by 2020. Apprenticeship Training is considered to be

one of the most efficient ways to develop skilled manpower for the country. It provides for an industry led, practice oriented, effective and efficient mode of formal training.Key highlights - It provides for incentivizing employers to engage apprentices. 25% of the total stipend payable to an apprentice would be shared with employers directly by Union Government. It also supports basic training, which is an essential component of apprenticeship training. 50% of the total expenditure incurred on providing basic training would be supported by Union Government.

Union Cabinet approves simplification of FDI Policy 2016 in various sectorsRadical Changes in FDI Policy regime• Radical Changes for promoting Food Products manufactured/produced in India: To permit 100 percent FDI under government approval route for trading in respect of food products manufactured in India.• FDI in Defence Sector up to 100%: FDI beyond 49% has been permitted through government approval route, in cases resulting in access to modern technology. FDI limit for defence sector has also been made applicable to Manufacturing of Small Arms and Ammunitions covered under Arms Act, 1959.• Review of Entry Routes in Broadcasting Carriage Services: 100 percent FDI allowed under automatic route for Teleports, Direct to Home, Cable Networks and Mobile TV. Moreover, infusion of FDI beyond 49% in a company not seeking permission from Ministry will result in change in the ownership pattern.• Pharmaceutical Sector: 100% FDI under automatic route in Greenfield pharma, FDI up to 100% under government approval in Brownfield pharma and 74% FDI under automatic route in Brownfield pharmaceuticals.• Civil Aviation Sector: To permit 100% FDI under automatic route in Brownfield Airport projects. In Scheduled Air Transport Service and regional Air Transport Service, it has now been decided to raise FDI limit to 100%. For NRIs, 100% FDI will continue to be allowed under


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016automatic route.• Private Security Agencies: FDI up to 49% is now permitted under automatic route in this sector and FDI beyond 49% and up to 74% would be permitted with government approval route.• Establishment of branch office, liaison office or project office: No approval from Reserve Bank of India or separate security clearance would be required in cases where FIPB approval or license/permission by the concerned Ministry has already been granted. • Animal Husbandry: It has been decided to do away with the requirement of controlled conditions for FDI in Animal Husbandry, Pisciculture, Aquaculture and Apiculture.• Single Brand Retail Trading: It has been decided to relax local sourcing norms up to three years and a relaxed sourcing regime for entities undertaking Single Brand Retail Trading of products having cutting edge technology.

Kudankulam Plant Unit-2 synchronised with Southern Power Grid

The second reactor of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) was on 29 August 2016 successfully synchronised to the Southern Power Grid situated at Abhishekapatti, Chennai. This marks the generation of electricity and its supply to the grid by the second reactor. The Russian-designed VVER-1000 reactor of Kudankulam is now generating 245 MWe power to the southern grid from the second unit. Output from Kudankulam 2 is being divided between four states: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry.However, the unit will be shut down for a mandatory inspection of the turbine generator after a few days of operation. Generation of power will be raised to 250 MWe, 500 MWe, 750 MWe, 900 MWe and then 1000 MWe in stages. At every

stage, tests will verify the technical parameters mandated by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). Enriched uranium fuel for the entire life of the plant will supplied by Russia.

Union Cabinet approves India-Singapore MoU in the field of Industrial Property CooperationThe Union Cabinet on 28 September 2016 approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Singapore in the field of Industrial Property Cooperation.The MoU will be signed between India's Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) during the visit of Singapore’s Prime Minister to India from 4-7 October 2016. Highlights of the MoU• It will enhance bilateral cooperation activities in the arena of Industrial Property Rights of Patents, Trademarks and Industrial Designs. • It is intended to give a boost to innovation, creativity and technological advancement in both regions.• It includes exchange of best practices, experiences and knowledge on Intellectual Property awareness among the public, businesses and educational institutions of both countries.• It includes exchange of experts specialized in the field of intellectual property.• It includes exchange and dissemination of best practices, experiences and knowledge on IP with the industry, universities, R & D organizations and Small and Medium Enterprises.• It also involves cooperation in the development of automation and implementation of modernization projects.• It calls for partnership in IP-related training for local IP and business communities.

ECONOMY

CCEA approves implementation of Project SAKSHAM


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 28 September 2016 approved ‘Project SAKSHAM’. It is a New Indirect Tax Network (Systems Integration) of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC).It will help in integrating system of Central Board of Excise and Customs with the GST network before the roll out in April 2017. The total project cost involved is 2256 crore rupees which will be incurred over a period of seven years.The project SAKSHAM will help in• Implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST)• Extension of the Indian Customs Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade (SWIFT)• Other taxpayer-friendly initiatives under Digital India and Ease of Doing Business of Central Board of Excise and CustomsThe implementation strategy for the project will be to ensure readiness of CBEC's IT systems by 1 April 2017, when GST is to be introduced. The upgrade of the IT systems will be carried out while keeping the existing Tax-payer services running.As predicted, all taxpayers/importers/exporters/dealers under various indirect tax laws administered by CBEC, presently about 36 lakhs, are likely to go up to over 65 lakhs after introduction of GST.CBEC's IT systems need to integrate with the Goods & Services Tax Network (GSTN) for processing of registration, payment and returns data sent by GSTN systems to CBEC, as well as act as a front-end for other modules like Audit, Appeal, Investigation. There is no overlap in the GST-related systems of CBEC and GSTN.This IT infrastructure is also urgently required for continuation of CBEC's e-Services in Customs, Central Excise & Service Tax, implementation of tax¬payer services such as scanned document upload facility, extension of Indian Customs Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade (SWIFT) initiative and integration with Government initiatives such as E-Nivesh, E-Taal, e-Sign.BackgroundIntroduction of GST will result in a several-fold increase in the number of taxpayers and resultant

document load on the system. CBEC's current IT system was set up in 2008. It cannot cater to the increased load under GST without an immediate upgrade of its IT Infrastructure.Further, CBEC has implemented the Indian Customs Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade (SWIFT) and is integrating other partner agencies involved in Customs clearance in order to make the process simple and fast.The Customs EDI system which is currently operational at about 140 locations in India has to be extended to many more locations with improved response time and better service delivery. Taxpayers have to be given a facility for Upload of Digitally Signed Scanned Documents in order to reduce the physical interface with tax authorities and to increase the speed of clearance. CBEC also aims to introduce mobile services for taxpayers and departmental users to increase the outreach of its services.

CCEA approves 5176 crore rupees Capital Grant for GAIL pipeline projectThe Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 21 September 2016 approved the partial capital grant of 5176 crore rupees to GAIL (India) Limited for development of 2539 km long Jagdishpur-Haidia and Bokaro-Dhamra Gas Pipeline (JHBDPL) project. This grant is 40 percent of the total estimated capital cost of 12940 crore rupees.Highlights of the JHBDPL project• JHBDPL project will connect Eastern part of the country with National Gas Grid.• It will ensure the availability of clean and eco-friendly fuel i.e. Natural Gas to the industrial, commercial and transport sectors in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. • This Capital Grant will encourage the supply of eco-friendly fuel at affordable tariffs to industries and will encourage industrial development in these states.Other DevelopmentThe CCEA also approved the simultaneous development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks in cities namely Varanasi, Patna, Ranchi,


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016Jamshedpur, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Cuttack etc. en-route of JHBDPL project. These distribution networks will be developed by GAIL in collaboration with the concerned State Governments. It will bring clean cooking fuel at the door step of Domestic households as well as provide clean fuel to transport sector in the eastern region.

India, Samoa tax information exchange agreement approvedThe Union Cabinet on 21 September 2016 gave its approval for signing and ratification of agreement between India and Samoa for the exchange of information with respect to Taxes. This agreement will stimulate the flow of exchange of information between the two nations for tax purposes which will help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance.It enables the competent authorities of the two nations to provide assistance through exchange of information that is relevant to the administration and enforcement of the domestic laws of the two countries concerning taxes covered by this Agreement.

Union Cabinet approves establishment of Higher Education Financing AgencyThe Union Cabinet on 12 September 2016 approved the creation of the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA). The HEFA will be established to give a major push for creation of high quality infrastructure in premier educational institutions. The HEFA will be jointly promoted by the identified Promoter and the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) with an authorised capital of 2000 crore rupees. The Government equity will be 1000 crore rupees.The HEFA will be formed as a SPV within a PSU Bank/ Government-owned-NBFC. It will leverage the equity to rise up to 20000 crore rupees for funding projects for infrastructure and development of world class Labs in IITs/IIMs/NITs and such other institutions. It will also mobilise CSR funds from PSUs/Corporates, which will in turn be released for promoting research and innovation in these institutions on grant basis. The HEFA will finance the civil and

lab infrastructure projects through a 10-year loan. All the Centrally Funded Higher Educational Institutions will be eligible for joining as members of the HEFA. For joining as members, the Institution should agree to escrow a specific amount from their internal accruals to HEFA for a period of 10 years. This secured future flows will be securitised by the HEFA for mobilising the funds from the market. Each member institution will be eligible for a credit limit as decided by HEFA based on the amount agreed to be escrowed from the internal accruals.

CBDT launches e-nivaran to resolve Income Tax grievancesCentral Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 8 September 2016 launched e-nivaran (electronic resolution) facility for online redressal of taxpayers’ grievances. The grievances can be related to refunds, Income Tax Returns (ITRs), Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), and Permanent Account Number (PAN) among others. It was started with an aim to reduce instances of harassment of the public when it comes to complaints related to the Income Tax (IT) department. It will be available on the e-filing portal (http://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in) of the department.It will help taxpayers in registering their complaints through their computer and receive a special PIN number on their registered mobile number and email, which will help to keep track on the issues. It will also allow the complainant to track the progress of the complaint. People can lodge their complains and upload the documents related to the same in form od a PDF file and clubbed as a ZIP file. People who don’t have a PAN can also access the e-nivaran facility and lodge their complaints in connection with their I-T case. The ‘e-nivaran’ form will be available in a physical form at the Aaykar Sampark Kendras (ASK) (tax facilitation centre), located in over 300 cities. Later, the form will be fed into the system by tax officials.

Permanent Residency Status to Foreign Investors


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016 The Union Cabinet has approved the scheme for grant of Permanent Residency Status (PRS) to foreign investors subject to the relevant conditions as specified in the FDI Policy notified by the Government from time to time. The scheme is expected to encourage foreign investment in India and facilitate Make in India Programme. Features of the scheme:Under the Scheme, suitable provisions will be incorporated in the Visa Manual to provide for the grant of PRS to foreign investors.The PRS will be granted for a period of 10 years with multiple entry. This can be reviewed for another 10 years if the PRS holder has not come to adverse notice.PRS will serve as a multiple entry visa without any stay stipulation and PRS holders will be exempted from the registration requirements.PRS holders will be allowed to purchase one residential property for dwelling purpose.The spouse/ dependents of the PRS holder will be allowed to take up employment in private sector (in relaxation to salary stipulations for Employment Visa) and undertake studies in India. The scheme will be applicable only to foreign investors fulfilling the prescribed eligibility conditions, his/her spouse and dependents. These include:The foreign investor will have to invest a minimum of Rs. 10 crores to be brought within 18 months or Rs.25 crores to be brought within 36 months.Further, the foreign investment should result in generating employment to at least 20 resident Indians every financial year.

India jumps 19 places in Logistics Performance Index The World Bank has recently released a Logistics Performance Index (LPI) 2016 report titled “Connecting to Complete 2016“.The Logistics Performance Index Report is published by World Bank every two years.The Logistics Performance Index (LPI) is an interactive benchmarking tool created to help countries identify the challenges and opportunities they face in their performance on trade logistics

and what they can do to improve their performance.The LPI is based on a worldwide survey of stakeholders on the ground providing feedback on the logistics “friendliness” of the countries in which they operate and those with which they trade.They combine in-depth knowledge of the countries in which they operate with informed qualitative assessments of other countries where they trade and have experience of global logistics environment. Highlights of the report:India has now been ranked 35 amongst 160 countries.In terms of the six-components of the LPI i.e. Customs, Infrastructure, International Shipments, Logistics Quality and Competence, Tracking and Tracing, and Timeliness, India’s ranking is 38, 36, 39, 32, 33 and 42 respectively.Improvement in India’s rank in Logistics Performance Index adequately establishes steady performance in India’s competitiveness in manufacturing and trade that also acts as one of the growth driver of Make in India Programme.

Canada to apply to join China-backed AIIB Canada is all set to join the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. In this regard, Canada will submit its application by the end of September 2016. About AIIB- Key facts:The AIIB was established as a new multilateral financial institution aimed at providing “financial support for infrastructure development and regional connectivity in Asia.”It was founded in October, 2014, and will have its headquarters in Beijing.Its goals are also to boost economic development in the region, create wealth, prove infrastructure, and promote regional cooperation and partnership.The value of AIIB’s authorized capital amounts to $100 billion, with almost $30 billion invested by China.


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016The bank expects to lend $10 billion to $15 billion a year for the first five years of its operations, beginning in the second quarter of 2016.

Jains have highest percentage of literates: Census 2011Census 2011 data on ‘education level by religious community for age 7 and above’ was recently released.Highlights of the data:Jains have the highest percentage of literates above 7 years of age among India’s religious communities, with 86.73% of them as literate and only 13.57% as illiterate.Muslims have the highest percentage of illiterates aged beyond 7 years at 42.72%, as compared to 36.40% among Hindus, 32.49% among Sikhs, 28.17% among Buddhists and 25.66% among Christians.Other minority communities score over both Hindus and Muslims in literacy levels. As compared to 63.60% of 7 years-plus Hindus and 57.28% Muslims in the ‘literate’ category, the percentage of literates among Christians is 74.34%, among Buddhists 71.83% and among Sikhs 67.51%.The overall literacy rates among all communities have gone up since 2001. The following table shows the rise in literacy levels of various religious communities in 2011 when compared to 2001.

Religion 2001 2011

Hindus 54.92 63.60

Muslims 48.05 57.28

Christians 69.45 74.34

Sikhs 60.56 67.51

Buddhists 62.16 71.83

Incorporation of Sagarmala Development Company As part of the efforts to promote port-led development in the country, the Sagarmala

Development Company (SDC) has been incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013.Key facts:SDC will be under the administrative control of the Ministry of Shipping.It will have an initial Authorized Share Capital of Rs. 1,000 Crore and a Subscribed Share Capital of Rs. 90 Crore.SDC will Identify port-led development projects and assist the project SPVs in project development and structuring activities, bidding out projects for private sector participation, putting in place suitable risk management measures for strategic projects cutting across multiple States / Regions and obtaining requisite approvals and clearances.Since the Identified projects will be undertaken by multiple agencies, SDC will also work as the nodal agency for coordination and monitoring of all the currently identified projects as well as other projects emerging from the master plans or other sources.SDC will undertake the preparation of the detailed master plans for the Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs) identified as part of the NPP and provide a framework for ensuring the integrated development of Indian maritime sector.Other important role assigned to SDC is to manage the coastal community development scheme and fund coastal community development projects identified under the Sagarmala Programme. The projects considered would be specific time-bound local interventions and innovative in nature.It will also be raising funds as debt/equity (as long term capital), as per the project requirements/ by leveraging resources provided by the Government of India and from multi-lateral and bilateral funding agencies. SDC will also aim to increase the scope of private sector participation in project development. Background:The Cabinet in July had approved the formation of the SDC. The incorporation of SDC is part of the ambitious Sagarmala Programme by the Government of India. The concept of the Sagarmala Programme was approved by the Cabinet in March 2015. Sagarmala Initiative:


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016The Sagarmala project seeks to develop a string of ports around India’s coast. The objective of this initiative is to promote “Port-led development” along India’s 7500 km long coastline.It aims to develop access to new development regions with intermodal solutions and promotion of the optimum modal split, enhanced connectivity with main economic centres and beyond through expansion of rail, inland water, coastal and road services.The Union Ministry of Shipping has been appointed as the nodal ministry for this initiative. The Sagarmala initiative will address challenges by focusing on three pillars of development, namely:Supporting and enabling Port-led Development through appropriate policy and institutional interventions and providing for an institutional framework for ensuring inter-agency and ministries/departments/states’ collaboration for integrated development.Port Infrastructure Enhancement, including modernization and setting up of new ports.Efficient Evacuation to and from hinterland.Other objectives:In addition to strengthening port and evacuation infrastructure, it also aims at simplifying procedures used at ports for cargo movement and promotes usage of electronic channels for information exchange leading to quick, efficient, hassle-free and seamless cargo movement.It also strives to ensure sustainable development of the population living in the Coastal Economic Zone (CEZ). This would be done by synergising and coordinating with State Governments and line Ministries of Central Government through their existing schemes and programmes such as those related to community and rural development, tribal development and employment generation, fisheries, skill development, tourism promotion etc.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana extended to people of all Hilly States

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has decided to extend the benefits under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana to the people of all Hilly States including North-East States by treating them as ‘Priority States’ and release LPG connections to the eligible beneficiaries.This step of the Ministry will effectively address the difficulty faced by poor people residing in the States of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Tripura in accessing LPG for cooking purposes. About Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana:Aim of the scheme:It aims at Providing Free LPG connections to Women from BPL Households. Who is implementing it?The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. This is the first time in the history of the country that the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas would implement a welfare scheme benefitting crores of women belonging to the poorest households. Details:Under the scheme, Rs 8000 crore has been earmarked for providing five crore LPG connections to BPL households. This Scheme would be implemented over three years, namely, the FY 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19.The Scheme provides a financial support of Rs 1600 for each LPG connection to the BPL households.The identification of eligible BPL families will be made in consultation with the State Governments and the Union Territories.The scheme is being partly funded from the savings of the GiveItUp initiative.

RBI allows banks to sell stressed assets to NBFCs, other lenders


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016 In a move to increase competition that could lead to better price discovery of stressed assets, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed commercial banks to sell such loans to their competitors as well as to non-banking financial companies. Till now, banks are allowed to sell stressed loans to asset reconstruction companies. From now on, prospective buyers (of stressed assets) need not be restricted to securitisation or reconstruction companies.Banks may also offer the assets to other banks/NBFCs/financial institutions, etc. who have the necessary capital and expertise in resolving stressed assets.RBI has advised banks to identify assets that could be sold, at least annually, preferably at the start the year. The regulator also directed that all doubtful assets above a threshold amount be reviewed by the board periodically.Why such move?According to RBI, allowing a wider range of buyers for stressed assets apart from asset reconstruction companies (ARCs) or securitization companies (SCs) will help in better price discovery. What experts say?Experts say permitting banks to buy stressed assets is a mistake.According to them, “Banks should not be in the business of buying and resolving stressed loans. They should ideally be incentivised to sell these loans to someone who is a specialist in the space.”

More than 4 lakh train passengers opt for insurance cover The railways has launched a scheme allowing a person to get an insurance cover of upto Rs 10 lakh on booking a train ticket online by paying less than one rupee.The facility is reserved for passengers of Indian Railways who book e-ticket, excluding suburban trains, through its official website, irrespective of the class of the ticket.A person booking a train ticket through the IRCTC website will be able to opt for travel insurance cover for a premium of 92 paise only.

The cover will not be applicable for children upto 5 years of age and foreign citizens. It will be for passengers holding tickets such as confirmed, RAC and wait-listed ones.The scheme offers travellers/nominees/legal heirs a compensation of Rs 10 lakh in the event of death or total disabilty, Rs 7.5 lakh for partial disability, upto Rs 2 lakh for hospitalisation expenses and Rs 10,000 for transportation of mortal remains from the place of a train accident or where an untoward incident, including terrorist attack, dacoity, rioting, shootout or arson, occurs. However, no refund of the premium will be given in case of cancellation of the ticket.The scheme is being implemented by IRCTC in partnership with ICICI Lombard General Insurance, Royal Sundaram General Insurance and Shriram General Insurance selected through a bidding process. A total of 19 companies had participated in the bidding process and 17 were found eligible.The scheme is also applicable for Vikalp trains, short termination and diverted route. In case of short termination, if the passenger opts for alternate mode of transportation arranged by Railway upto the destination station, then this part of the journey of the passenger shall also be covered under the policy taken.

Green tribunal nod for Vizhinjam seaport project The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has cleared way for the Kerala government’s Vizhinjam International Seaport project being undertaken by Gujarat-based Adani Group.The order was passed on a petition filed before the Tribunal, seeking cancellation of green clearance to the port.About the project:The Vizhinjam International Transhipment Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport is an ambitious project designed primarily to cater container transhipment besides multi-purpose and break bulk cargo.It’s an ambitious project of the Kerala government and the Adani group commenced the construction


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016on December 5 last year. The port is scheduled to be completed on December 4, 2019.The port is about 16 km from Kerala’s capital Thiruvananthapuram and just 10 nautical miles from the International Shipping Lane.With both strategic and commercial importance, the under-construction Vizhinjam International Transhipment Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport is estimated over Rs 7,000 crore. Advantages of Vizhinjam are:Availability of 20m contour within one nautical mile from the coast.Minimal littoral drift along the coast, hardly any maintenance dredging required.Links to national/regional road, rail network.Flexibility in design and expansion being a Greenfield project.Proximity to International shipping route.

Rs.20,000 Crore Long Term Irrigation Fund to be Raised In a move that aims to address the perennial irrigation water crisis affecting rural India, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and NABARD signed an agreement to operationalise the Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF) to be instituted in NABARD as part of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).The agreement aims to complete the 99 prioritized irrigation projects as part of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).The loans from NABARD will be provided at 6% interest rate for a period of 15 years. The Water Users associations will be formed for participatory management of the projects.The Fund, with an initial corpus of about Rs 20,000 crore, was announced in the Union Budget 2016-17 by Finance Minister.Corpus would be raised by way of budgetary resources and market borrowings to fund fast tracking of implementation of incomplete major & medium irrigation projects.PMKSY has been conceived amalgamating ongoing schemes viz. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga

Rejuvenation (MoWR,RD&GR), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) of Department of Land Resources (DoLR) and the On Farm Water Management (OFWM) of Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC).The scheme will be implemented by Ministries of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development.The major objective of PMKSY is to achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level, expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage of water and enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies (More crop per drop). Other details:Programme architecture of PMKSY will be to adopt a ‘decentralized State level planning and projectised execution’ structure that will allow States to draw up their own irrigation development plans based on District Irrigation Plan (DIP) and State Irrigation Plan (SIP).It will be operative as convergence platform for all water sector activities including drinking water & sanitation, MGNREGA, application of science & technology etc. through comprehensive plan.State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) chaired by the Chief Secretary of the State will be vested with the authority to oversee its implementation and sanction projects.The programme will be supervised and monitored by an Inter-Ministerial National Steering Committee (NSC) will be constituted under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister with Union Ministers from concerned Ministries.A National Executive Committee (NEC) will be constituted under the Chairmanship of Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog to oversee programme implementation, allocation of resources, inter ministerial coordination, monitoring & performance assessment, addressing administrative issues etc.

Sebi nod to launch infra investment trusts


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016 More than two years after markets watchdog Sebi had issued guidelines for infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs), the regulator has finally granted three companies — IRB Infrastructure, GMR and MEP Infrastructure — to launch the trusts.Accordingly, these companies will float IRB Invit Fund, GMR Infrastructure Trust and MEP Infrastructure Trust shorly as per Sebi.With a view to help infra developers mop up funds for long-term projects in a more transparent manner, Sebi had in August 2014 introduced InvITs — an investment vehicle that would enable promoters to monetise completed assets. What are InvITs?An Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvITs) is like a mutual fund, which enables direct investment of small amounts of money from possible individual/institutional investors in infrastructure to earn a small portion of the income as return.InvITs can be treated as the modified version of REITs designed to suit the specific circumstances of the infrastructure sector.InvITS are like mutual funds in structure. InvITs can be established as a trust and registered with Sebi.An InvIT consists of four elements: 1) Trustee, 2) Sponsor(s), 3) Investment Manager and 4) Project Manager.

Exchange of Tariff concessions under the Fourth Round of Negotiations APTA The Union Cabinet has approved the exchange of tariff concessions, on Margin of Preference basis, under the Fourth Round of Negotiations under the Asia Pacific Trade Agreement and related amendments. Details:The Cabinet has approved India’s offer 28.01% of dutiable national tariff lines with an average MoP of 33.45%. This will deepen the concessions being offered under this Agreement.Approval was also given to amend the preamble of APTA to effect accession of Mongolia as the 7th APTA Participating State.Other amendments to incorporate the Sectoral Rule of Origin to the Agreement were also approved.

The Fourth Session of the Ministerial Council of APTA, which is scheduled to be held shortly, will formally implement all the above decisions. About Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA):The Asia Pacific Trade Agreement or APTA (formerly the Bangkok Agreement) is an initiative under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) for trade expansion through exchange of tariff concessions among developing country members of the Asia Pacific Region.The current membership of APTA consists of six countries or Participating States (PSs), namely, Bangladesh, China, India, Lao PDR, Republic of Korea, and Sri Lanka.Since this is a preferential trade agreement, the basket of items as well as extent of tariff concessions are enlarged during the trade negotiating rounds which are launched from time to time. Till date, three rounds of trade negotiations have taken place.

Third Phase of Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal for initiation of the Third Phase of Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP). The Project will be implemented as a ‘Central Sector Scheme’ with total project outlay of Rs. 3600 crore.External assistance from the World Bank through International Development Association (IDA) is also being given.The project will be implemented with the facility of Direct Funds Transfer to the accounts of beneficiary institutes.The Focus States are 7 Low Income States (Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh), 3 Hill States (Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand), 8 North-Eastern States (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura) and Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016 About the Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP):The Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP) commenced in 2003 with World Bank assistance as a long term programme to be implemented in three phases.The first phase of TEQIP commenced in 2003 and ended on March 31st, 2009. It covered 127 institutes across 13 States including 18 Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs).TEQIP-II commenced in August 2010, covering 23 States/Union Territories (UTs) and 191 Institutes (including 26 CFTIs). TEQIP-II is scheduled to conclude in October, 2016.The major outcomes of the project will be:Better academic standards, through accreditation, filling up faculty positions, training faculty in better teaching methods, improved research outputs in institution in Focus States/UTs.Better administration of the institutions with improved financial/academic autonomy.Better systems for assessment of Student Learning, higher transition rates.Transparent and expeditious release of funds to institutes by way of Direct Funds Transfer (DFT) System.

Infra pool to have separate funds for roads, clean energy The government has tweaked the structure of the National Infrastructure Investment Fund (NIIF).Key facts:The fund will now have two dedicated funds — one for roads and another for clean energy.This is aimed at getting long-term funds into these two crucial sectors of the economy.This will also reduce pressure on banks, which are the primary source of finance for long-term infrastructure projects. About NIIF:The Union Cabinet, in July 2015, had approved creation of National Infrastructure and Investment Fund (NIIF) as a trust that will have a corpus of Rs 20,000 crore.The Fund aims to attract investment from both domestic and international sources.

The government’s contribution would be limited to 49% of the subscribed capital.The government will seek participation from strategic investors such as sovereign fund, quasi sovereign funds and multilateral or bilateral investors, which can help leverage this fund to many times.Cash-rich PSUs, pension funds, provident funds, National Small Saving Fund will be able to pick up stake in the fund.The government has budgeted to contribute Rs.20,000 crore to the fund in the current fiscal year while another Rs.20,000 crore is expected to be raised through sovereign wealth funds.The objective of NIIF is to maximize economic impact mainly through infrastructure development in commercially viable projects, both greenfield and brownfield, including stalled projects, NIIF would solicit equity participation from strategic anchor partners.

One-third of total maternal deaths in 2015 happened in India: Report

Ahead of the U.N. General Assembly, The Lancet has published a new series of papers on maternal health which reveal that while progress has been made in reducing maternal mortality globally, differences remain at international and national levels.Highlights of the report:Each year, about 210 million women become pregnant and about 140 million newborn babies are delivered. But, nearly one quarter of babies worldwide are still delivered in the absence of a skilled birth attendant.In high-income countries, rates of maternal mortality are decreasing but there is still wide variation at national and international level. For instance, in the U.S., the maternal mortality ratio is 14 per 1,00,000 live births compared to 4 per


MENTOR NOVEMBER 20161,00,000 in Sweden. Nigeria shouldered the maximum burden of 58,000 maternal deaths.The sub-Saharan African region accounted for an estimated 66% (2,01,000) of global maternal deaths, followed by southern Asia at 22% (66,000 deaths). However, not all care is evidence-based, and improved surveillance is needed to understand the causes of maternal deaths when they do occur.There are also new challenges in delivering high quality care, including the increasing age of pregnancy, and higher rates of obesity.While facility and skilled birth attendant deliveries are increasing in many low-income countries, phrases such as ‘skilled birth attendant’ and ‘emergency obstetric care’ can mask poor quality care. Besides, many birth facilities lack basic resources such as water, sanitation and electricity.Also, measuring progress via the current indicator of skilled birth attendant coverage is insufficient and fails to reflect the complexity of circumstances. It is also unethical to encourage women to give birth in places with low facility capability, no referral mechanism, with unskilled providers, or where content of care is not evidence-based. This failing should be remedied as a matter of priority. Reasons for poor maternal health care:According to the report, there are two broad scenarios that describe the landscape of poor maternal health care — the absence of timely access to quality care (defined as ‘too little, too late’) and the over-medicalisation of normal and postnatal care (defined as ‘too much, too soon’).The problem of over-medicalisation has historically been associated with high-income countries, but it is rapidly becoming more common in low and middle-income countries, increasing health costs and the risk of harm. For instance, 40.5% of all births are now by caesarean section in Latin America and the Caribbean. What’s the main concern?In all countries, the burden of maternal mortality falls disproportionately on the most vulnerable groups of women. This reality presents a challenge to the rapid catch-up required to achieve the underlying aim of the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs] — to leave no one behind.

Why India should be concerned?One-third of the total maternal deaths in 2015 happened in India, where 45,000 mothers died during pregnancy or childbirth.

IWAI Signs Contract with DST With its objective of providing safe, environment friendly and economical mode of transportation through National Waterway-1 (NW-1), the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Ministry of Shipping has signed a contract with M/s DST, Germany to design vessels, especially suited to navigate the 1620 km stretch of NW-1. Government is developing NW-1 under the Jal Marg Vikas Project, with assistance from the World Bank at an estimated cost of Rs. 4,200 crore.The project would enable commercial navigation of vessels with capacity of 1500-2,000 tons. Phase-I of the project covers the Haldia-Varanasi stretch.The project includes development of fairway, Multi-Modal Terminals at Varanasi, Haldia, and Sahibganj, strengthening of river navigation system, conservancy works, modern River Information System (RIS), Digital Global Positioning System (DGPS), night navigation facilities, modern methods of channel marking, construction of a new state of the art navigational lock at Farakka etc.

Brazil urges India to broaden MERCOSUR presence Brazil has asked India to expand its commercial and multilateral footprints in South America. Brazil is also planning to take up this issue in the upcoming Goa BRICS summit.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Michel Temer are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting on September 17 where Brazil is likely to push for greater presence of India in MERCOSUR. India at present has over 450 tariff lines with MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market). But, the plan now is to raise the tariff line to 4000. Both sides have already begun to take several steps to firm up India’s involvement in MERCOSUR that


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016covers apart from Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Venezuela. What is MERCOSUR?Mercosur is a sub-regional bloc. Its full members are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela. Its associate countries are Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Suriname.The Mercusor trading bloc was established in 1991 and negotiations with the EU originally started in 2010 with a number of ‘rounds’ of negotiations, which have the overall aim to agree a trade deal between the two blocs to allow easier trading of goods and services as well as government procurement and intellectual property and technical barriers to trade.

INTERNATIONAL

First Russia-Pakistan joint military exercise Druzhba-2016 begins in CheratThe first Druzhba-2016 (Friendship-2016) Russian-Pakistani joint military exercise commenced on 24 September 2016 in Cherat, Pakistan. The exercise will conclude on 10 October 2016.The drills are being conducted at the Pakistan Army’s High Altitude School at Rattu in Gilgit-Baltistan and at a special forces training centre at Cherat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.Key highlights of the exercise• About 200 soldiers from both the sides are taking part in the two-week exercise.• The drill involves experience sharing.• It aims at developing coordination in carrying out practice combat tasks in a mountainous environment, including operations against illegal armed groups.Comment• Russia and Pakistan, the former Cold War-era rivals, are conducting their first-ever military exercise, which signifies shifting alliances in South Asia.• During the Cold War, Pakistan spent a decade helping the United States funnel arms and fighters into neighbouring Afghanistan to help Mujahideen

groups fight Soviet soldiers following their 1979 invasion of Afghanistan.• Druzhba-2016, the high-altitude drill, is being seen as a demonstration of closer defence ties between the Islamabad and Moscow after they signed a military cooperation pact in 2014.

UN Security Council adopts resolution on nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmamentThe UN Security Council on 23 September 2016 approved a resolution urging quick global implementation of Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban treaty that would ban tests of nuclear weapons.With 14 votes in favour and one abstention (Egypt), the resolution welcomed progress made towards universalization of the Treaty, noting that 183 States have signed the Treaty and 166 States have deposited their instruments of ratification.US Secretary of State John Kerry invoked North Korea's latest nuclear explosion in urging ratification of the treaty for a safer, more secure, and more peaceful planet. But the US has not yet done so.The UN's Comprehensive Test Ban Organization already has a network of monitoring stations. But it still cannot go on site to inspect for tests until the treaty enters into force. For that, the holdouts among the 44 countries that are designated nuclear capable, the United States, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, North Korea and Pakistan must ratify.The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty bans all nuclear explosions for both civilian and military purposes. Adopted by the UN General Assembly under resolution 50 (1996), the Treaty will enter into force 180 days after the date of deposit of the instruments of ratification by all.

ADB approves 631 million US dollars loan for Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial CorridorThe Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 20 September 2016 approved 631 million US dollars loan for construction of industrial corridor between Visakhapatnam and Chennai, part of India's first


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016coastal industrial corridor running from West Bengal to Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu.The fund will help develop the first key 800-km section of the planned 2500-km East Coast Economic Corridor which is expected to spur development on India's eastern coast and enable seamless trade links with other parts of South and Southeast Asia.Highlights of the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor Project • The total cost of the project is 846 million US dollars and work on it is expected to be over by 2031. • The remaining 215 million US dollars will be funded by the Andhra Pradesh government. • Loans and grants from ADB comprise a 500 million US dollars two-tranche facility to build key infrastructure and a 125 million US dollars two-tranche loan to help in business promotion. • The loan is for a period of 25 years at interest rate of 0.5 percent plus libor. • The loan will help the government build state-of-the-art industrial clusters, roads, efficient transport, and reliable water and power supplies with a skilled workforce and good business policies. • The new infrastructure will be built in the four main centres- Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Amaravati and Yerpedu-Srikalahasti along the corridor.• It will include 138 km of state highways and roads, water treatment plants, 488 km of drinking water pipeline, 47 km of storm drains, 10 power substations and 281 km of power transmission lines.

Economic Freedom of the World 2016 Report released: India stands at 112th spot on WEF IndexIndia's Centre for Civil Society in collaboration with Canada's Fraser Institute on 15 September 2016 released the Economic Freedom of the World 2016 Annual Report.The report is based on data from 2014 and measures the World Economic Freedom (WEF) Index by analysing the policies and institutions of 159 countries and territories. Highlights of the Index

• Hong Kong topped the index followed by Singapore and New Zealand at second and third position. • The other top 10 countries in the Index are Switzerland, Canada, Georgia, Ireland, Mauritius, the UAE, Australia and the UK. • The 10 lowest-ranked countries are: Iran, Algeria, Chad, Guinea, Angola, Central African Republic, Argentina, Republic of Congo, Libya and lastly Venezuela. • Other notable countries are- the United States (16), Germany (30), Japan (40), France (57) and Russia (102). • The economic freedom has increased throughout the world during the past three decades. Between 1985 and 2014, economic freedom among high-income countries rose from 6.9 to 7.7 points.• Nations in the top quartile of economic freedom had an average per-capita GDP of 41228 US dollars in 2014, compared to 5471 US dollars for bottom quartile nations.• In addition, life expectancy is 80.4 years in the top quartile compared to 64.0 years in the bottom quartile.India's Position in World Economic Freedom (WEF) Index• India has slipped 10 positions and fetched 112th spot among all 159 countries in the Index.• It ranks behind Bhutan (78), Nepal (108) and Sri Lanka (111) but stood higher than China (113), Bangladesh (121) and Pakistan (133) in the Index.• India has fared badly in all categories i.e. legal system and property rights (86), sound money (130), freedom to trade internationally (144) and regulation (132) except the size of the government (8).About Economic Freedom of the World ReportThe Fraser Institute produces the annual Economic Freedom of the World report in cooperation with the Economic Freedom Network, a group of independent research and educational institutes.It uses a ten-point scale that measures the degree of economic freedom in five broad areas-• Size of government: expenditures, taxes, and enterprises• Legal structure and security of property rights• Access to sound money


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016• Freedom to trade internationally• Regulation of credit, labor, and business

ADB approves 631 million US dollars loan for Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial CorridorThe Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 20 September 2016 approved 631 million US dollars loan for construction of industrial corridor between Visakhapatnam and Chennai, part of India's first coastal industrial corridor running from West Bengal to Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu. The fund will help develop the first key 800-km section of the planned 2500-km East Coast Economic Corridor which is expected to spur development on India's eastern coast and enable seamless trade links with other parts of South and Southeast Asia.The total cost of the project is 846 million US dollars and work on it is expected to be over by 2031. The remaining 215 million US dollars will be funded by the Andhra Pradesh government. Loans and grants from ADB comprise a 500 million US dollars two-tranche facility to build key infrastructure and a 125 million US dollars two-tranche loan to help in business promotion. The loan is for a period of 25 years at interest rate of 0.5 percent plus libor. The new infrastructure will be built in the four main centres- Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Amaravati and Yerpedu-Srikalahasti along the corridor. It will include 138 km of state highways and roads, water treatment plants, 488 km of drinking water pipeline, 47 km of storm drains, 10 power substations and 281 km of power transmission lines.

World leaders adopt New York Declaration at UNGA Summit for Refugees and MigrantsThe World Leaders on 19 September 2016 adopted the New York Declaration at the opening of the United Nations General Assembly's (UNGA) first-ever Summit for Refugees and Migrants. The delegations adopted the landmark Declaration containing bold commitments to address current issues and to prepare the world for future

challenges, including, to start negotiations leading to the adoption of a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration in 2018.Highlights of the New York Declaration• Protect the human rights of all refugees and migrants, regardless of status. This includes the rights of women and girls and promoting their full, equal and meaningful participation in finding solutions.• Ensure that all refugee and migrant children are receiving education within a few months of arrival.• Prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence.• Support those countries rescuing, receiving and hosting large numbers of refugees and migrants.• Work towards ending the practice of detaining children for the purposes of determining their migration status.• Find new homes for all refugees identified by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as needing resettlement.• Expand the opportunities for refugees to relocate to other countries through labour mobility or education schemes.• Strengthen the global governance of migration by bringing the International Organization for Migration (IOM) into the UN system.The adoption of the New York Declaration means that more children can attend school; more workers can securely seek jobs abroad and more people will have real choices about whether to move once the conflicts are resolved. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also launched a new campaign called Together – Respect, Safety and Dignity for All to respond to rising xenophobia and turn fear into hope. United Nations and International Organization for Migration (IOM) signed the new agreement by which IOM officially becomes a related organization of the United Nations system.

China and Russia conduct naval exercises Joint Sea-2016 to improve securityThe Chinese and Russian navies on 19 September 2016 concluded Joint Sea-2016, eight days of naval exercises, in the South China Sea. The Joint Sea-2016 was launched as a sign of growing


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016cooperation between their armed forces against the backdrop of regional territorial disputes.The exercises was conducted following a spike in tensions after Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague rejected China’s claims in the South China Sea and slammed it for causing environmental damage there. The Joint Sea-2016 included ships, submarines, ship-borne helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, along with marines and amphibious armoured vehicles who will conduct live-firing exercises. Tasks included defensive and rescue drills, anti-submarine exercises and the simulated seizure of an enemy island by marines from both sides. Compared with previous years, the 2016 drill focused more on confrontational capacity such as surface warships, submarines and land-based defences. Use of an advanced command system made communication between the two navies smoother. It was also the first time the China-Russia joint exercise had been held in the South China Sea.

India, Nepal sign three agreements including improvement of road network

India and Nepal on 16 September 2016 signed three MoUs and agreements to enhance the bilateral agreement between the two nations. The agreements were inked during the four-day-visit (from 15 September to 18 September 2016) of Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda to India.The inked MOUs and agreements are• MoU for project management consultancy services for upgradation/improvement of road infrastructure in Terai area of Nepal – The services will be provided by NHIDCL in pursuance of the MoU signed on 20 February 2016.• First Amendatory Dollar credit line agreement between Nepal and EXIM Bank: Amendatory agreement to 1 billion US dollar Line of Credit

agreement signed on 25 November 2014, enabling reapportioning of unutilised funds for post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Nepal.• Dollar Credit line agreement between Nepal and EXIM Bank: New Line of Credit agreement for 750 million US dollar for post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Nepal.

US sign 38 billion dollars deal with IsraelThe United States on 14 September 2016 signed a 38 billion dollars deal with Israel to provide the country with military assistance over a 10-year period, from 2019 to 2028. The deal is the largest such agreement the US has ever had with any country. Under the terms of agreement, Israel will receive 3.8 billion dollars a year from the US. At present US gives 3.1 billion dollars to Israel annually under a 10-year deal that ends in 2018. Following 10 months of tense negotiations, the two allies finalised the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a signing ceremony in Washington. It was signed with the hope that this contribution would help in security.

India-Afghanistan inked agreements to enhance bilateral cooperationIndia and Afghanistan on 14 September 2016 signed an Extradition Treaty to facilitate exchange of wanted terrorists and criminals. The two nations also inked agreements on peaceful uses of outer space and on cooperation on civil and commercial matters. The treaties were signed during Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani’s visit to India. He was on a visit to India from 14-15 September 2016.In addition, during the meeting the two leaders President Ghani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought faster implementation of the trilateral agreement among Afghanistan, Iran and India. This agreement was reached in May 2016 with an aim of creating a network of regional connectivity around Iran’s Chahbahar port.Besides, India also extended a one-billion dollar to Afghanistan for capacity and capacity building in areas like empowerment of women, education, skill development, health, energy and others. Prime Minister Modi also proposed to supply


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016world class and easily affordable medicines from India and cooperation in solar energy through mutually agreed instruments.

China, Vietnam agreed to properly manage differences over South China SeaChina and Vietnam on 13 September 2016 agreed to properly manage their differences over territorial disputes in the South China Sea and safeguard stability. This followed as an international tribunal rejected the Chinese claims over the region on a petition brought before it by the Philippines. The agreement was reached after talks between Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Chinese premier Li Keqiang in Beijing. Phuc's visit to China is the first by a top Vietnamese leader after the tribunal verdict on 12 July 2016. The Chinese Prime Minister is known as Premier.Earlier, China rejected The Hague-based tribunal’s verdict. The tribunal in its ruling had concluded that China does not have legal basis to claim historic rights to the bulk of the Sea. It also said that China does not have the right to resources within its nine-dash line which extends hundreds of miles to the south and east of its island province of Hainan and covers some 90 percent of the disputed waters. The ruling was based on the facts that China had no evidence to prove that it had historically exercised exclusive control over the waters or their resources.China is now persuading other claimants - Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei - to settle the disputes bilaterally, without approaching for international arbitration. As per reports, China and Vietnam have agreed to properly manage maritime differences and further enhance bilateral substantial cooperation. Besides, the two leaders also saw the signing of agreements on economy and trade, production capacity, infrastructure and education.

India, 10 South-east Asian countries decided to set up fund for health emergencies in region

India along with 10 other member countries of WHO's South-East Asian Regional Committee on 9 September 2016 decided to set up a dedicated fund aimed at building preparedness for health emergencies in the region. The joint funding stream will be established under the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF). The decision was made at the 69th session of WHO Regional Committee Meeting held at Colombo, Sri Lanka. The decision would help the member countries to invest in human resources and infrastructure at times of emergencies, as it is one of the most disaster-prone regions. In addition, the member countries also passed a resolution for promoting physical activity and expanding health workforces across the region. Insufficient physical activity is a major contributor to rising rates of non-communicable diseases in the region, with four-fifth of adolescents not getting enough of it.In the recent years, earthquakes, cyclones and floods have caused health emergencies in south-east Asian region and it has also been threatened by a range of emerging diseases, including SARS, MERS CoV, pandemic influenza and Zika virus. WHO South-East Asia region committee comprises 11 member states namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

WHO certifies India free from Yaws, Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus

India on 6 September 2016 received certificates from World Health Organisation (WHO) recognising the elimination of Yaws and Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNT) from the country. The certificates were presented to Union Health Minister JP Nadda at the 69th Session of the WHO


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016regional committee for south-east Asia region held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.With this, India became the first country to be officially acknowledged as being yaws-free. The elimination of tetanus as a public health problem means that the annual rate of maternal and neonatal tetanus in India is now less than 1 per 1000 live births. Yaws is a tropical infection of the skin, bones and joints caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum pertenue. It is spread by direct contact with the fluid from a lesion of an infected person. The disease is most common among children, who spread it by playing together. The disease infects only humans.Neonatal tetanus is a form of generalised tetanus that occurs in newborns. It usually occurs through infection of the unhealed umbilical stump, particularly when the stump is cut with a non-sterile instrument.• The disease mostly occurs in developing countries, particularly those with the least developed health infrastructure. It is rare in developed countries.

Nearly 50 million children uprooted worldwide: UNICEF

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on 7 September 2016 released the report titledUprooted: The growing crisis for refugee and migrant children. According to the report, nearly 50 million children have been uprooted across the globe and millions more migrating in the hope of finding a better, safer life.Highlights of the Report• Children represent a disproportionate and growing proportion of those who have sought refuge outside their countries of birth: they make up about half of all refugees.

• In 2015, around 45 percent of all child refugees under UNHCR’s protection came from Syria and Afghanistan.• 28 million children have left their homes due to conflict across borders including 10 million child refugees and an estimated 17 million children displaced within their own countries. • More and more children are crossing borders on their own. In 2015, over 100000 unaccompanied minors applied for asylum in 78 countries; triple the number in 2014. • About 20 million other international child migrants have left their homes for a variety of reasons including extreme poverty or gang violence. • Turkey hosts the largest total number of recent refugees and very likely the largest number of child refugees in the world. • Relative to its population, Lebanon hosts the largest number of refugees by an overwhelming margin: Roughly 1 in 5 people in Lebanon is a refugee. • By comparison, there is roughly 1 refugee for every 530 people in the United Kingdom and 1 for every 1200 in the United States. • When considering refugee-host countries by income level, however, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Pakistan host the highest concentration of refugees.• A refugee child is five times more likely to be out of school than a non-refugee child. Outside the classroom, legal barriers prevent migrant children from receiving services on an equal basis with children who are native to a country. • In the worst cases, xenophobia can escalate to direct attacks. In Germany alone, authorities tracked 850 attacks against refugee shelters in 2015. Six specific actions to protect refugee and migrant children• Protecting child refugees and migrants, particularly unaccompanied children from exploitation and violence.• Ending the detention of children seeking refugee status or migrating by introducing a range of practical alternatives.• Keeping families together as the best way to


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016protect children and give children legal status.• Keeping all refugee and migrant children learning and giving them access to health and other quality services.• Pressing for action on the underlying causes of large-scale movements of refugees and migrants.• Promoting measures to combat xenophobia, discrimination and marginalization.

World Health Organisation certifies Sri Lanka malaria-freeThe World Health Organisation on 5 September 2016 certified Sri Lanka a malaria-free nation. Sri Lanka is the second country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to eliminate malaria after Maldives. Sri Lanka’s anti-malaria campaign adjusted its strategy to intensively target the parasite after the malaria cases jumped in the 1970s and the 1980s and the 1990s. The change in strategy was unorthodox, but highly effective.How Sri Lanka emerged victorious over the deadly disease?• The country deployed mobile malaria clinics in high transmission areas. It helped in prompt and effective treatment and helped in reducing the parasite reservoir and the possibility of further transmission.• Effective surveillance, community engagement and health education enhanced the ability of authorities to respond, and mobilized popular support for the campaign.• The adaptation/ flexibility of strategies and support from key partners such as WHO and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria fast-tracked success.• By 2006, the country recorded less than 1000 cases of malaria per year.• By October 2012, the indigenous cases were down to zero.• From the last three-and-a-half years, no locally transmitted cases have been recorded in the country.Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease affecting humans and other animals caused by parasitic protozoans. The disease is most commonly transmitted by an infected female Anopheles mosquito.

India-Vietnam inked 12 agreements to bolster bilateral relationIndia and Vietnam on 3 September 2016 signed twelve agreements to boost the bilateral relations between the two nations. The agreements were inked after delegation level talks between of Prime Minister of the two nations, Narendra Modi and Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is the first Indian premier to visit the country in 15 years, was on a two day visit (2-3 September 2016) to Vietnam. The last Prime Minister to visit Vietnam was Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who visited the nation in 2001.The signed agreements include• Framework agreement on cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes• Protocol for amending the agreement on avoiding double taxation• Program of cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Matters• Protocol on celebrating 2017 as the "Year of Friendship”• MoU on health cooperation• MoU on cooperation in information technology• MoU on cooperation between the Vietnam academy of social sciences and the Indian council of world affairs• MoU on cooperation in cyber security• MoU for cooperation in the fields of standardization and conformity assessment• MoU on establishment of the centre of excellence in software development and training• Technical agreement on sharing of white shipping information• Contract for offshore high-speed patrol boatsApart from this, India also extended 500 million dollar Line of Credit (LoC) to Vietnam for facilitating deeper defence cooperation with the South East Asian nation. The LoC was extended as the two nations elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to respond to emerging regional challenges. Till now, Vietnam had Strategic Partnership only with Russia and China.


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016India, Egypt sign agreement in area of Maritime Transport India and Egypt on 2 September 2016 signed an agreement on Maritime Transport. The agreement would help the two nations to step-up co-operation on the seas not only in terms of maritime commerce but also in transit of naval vessels. The agreement was signed after delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in New Delhi. President Sisi is on a three-day visit (1-3 September 2016) to India at an invitation of President Pranab Mukherjee.Besides, the two leaders agreed that a special and enlarged "India by the Nile Festival" would be held in 2017 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of India's independence. They also called for the proposal to have the inaugural "Egypt by the Ganga Festival" in 2017.

Michel Temer sworn in as President of BrazilMichel Temer, Brazil's former Vice President, was on 31 August 2016 sworn in as the President of Brazil. Temer is expected to stay in power until the next scheduled election in late 2018. His appointment came following the removal of Dilma Rousseff from the office through the Senators' voting. Senators voted 61-20 to convict Rousseff for illegally using money from state banks to boost public spending, an act seen as a leading factor behind the massive 60 billion US dollars deficit, the worst recession being faced by Brazil, leaving millions of people out of work.

Project Development Fund The Union Cabinet has given its approval to create a Project Development Fund (PDF) for catalysing Indian economic presence in the Cambodia, Laos Myanmar and Vietnam. The fund will be established with a corpus of Rs 500 Crore.It shall be housed in Department of Commerce and operated through the EXIM Bank. It shall be governed by an Inter-Ministerial Committee under the chairpersonship of the Commerce Secretary.Significance of this fund:

CLMV countries namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam have a unique position in the regional value chains and offer a gateway for market access to China/EU and other markets due to various trade agreements.The key advantage of positioning India on the regional value chains is securing on a long term basis, a dedicated market for Indian raw materials and intermediate goods besides a dedicated source for inputs and raw materials for Indian industry.While opportunities are a plenty in CLMV region, Indian entrepreneurs’ endeavors in these countries have, thus far, been limited due to limited information, infrastructure and other contingent risks. The PDF shall benefit India’s industrial community for business expansion, and to maintain cost competitive supply chains, besides integrating with global production networks.

First cargo truck under BBIN pact reaches Delhi

The first cargo truck under the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement for cross border movement reached Delhi recently. Key facts:The cargo truck was dispatched from Dhaka on August 27 as part of a trial run and arrived at the Inland Customs Depot (ICD).According to the Ministry for Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the trial was organised to develop the protocols for implementing the agreement.In India the truck travelled for more than 1,850 km through the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi to reach the customs depot at Patparganj.Significance of this test run:


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016The trial run has demonstrated that time and cost can be saved through facilitation of seamless transport through the sub-region. Cargo trucks often had to be off-loaded at the border and also go through customs clearance. This led to delays and often also caused damage to the goods. The steps being taken to facilitate seamless movement of cargo vehicles will give a major boost to trade and business in the sub-region.The BBIN agreement was signed on June 15 last year in Thimphu, Bhutan to facilitate cross border movement of both passengers and cargo vehicles. Protocols to implement the agreement are being negotiated by the four countries for passengers and cargo vehicles separately.

Expansion of India – Chile Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) India and Chile have signed a pact on the expansion of the India–Chile Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), which is expected to considerably strengthen the commercial relations between both the countries.Chile has offered concessions to India on 1798 tariff lines with margin of preference (extent to which duties are lower than those offered to other countries) ranging from 30% to100%.India’s offer to Chile is on 1,031 products with a margin of preference between 10% and 100%.India and Chile first signed a PTA in March 2006 but it was limited in scope. India’s offer list to Chile in the initial PTA consisted of 178 tariff lines with a margin of preference ranging from 10% to 50%. Chile’s offer list to India comprised 296 tariff lines with margin of preference ranging from 10% to 100%.A preferential trade agreement is a trading bloc that gives preferential access to certain products from the participating countries. This is done by reducing tariffs but not by abolishing them completely.

ENVIRONMENT

92 percent of world’s population is breathing unhealthy air: WHO

World Health Organization (WHO) on 27 September 2016 released its report on pollution, which is extremely worrying. The report claims that 92 percent of the world’s population lives in places where air quality levels exceed WHO limits. This mean, 9 out of 10 people globally are breathing poor quality air.Maria Neira, head of the WHO's department of public health and environment, termed the report as a 'public health emergency'. She also urged governments to take up measures like cutting the number of vehicles on the road, improving waste management and promotion of clean cooking fuel.The WHO report is based on data collected from more than 3000 sites across the globe. According to the report, poorer countries have much dirtier air than the developed world.How the report was made?The report is based on WHO’s new air quality model that is based on data derived from satellite measurements, air transport models and ground station monitors. The model was developed by WHO in collaboration with the University of Bath, United Kingdom.Air pollution’s toll on human healthSome 3 million deaths a year are linked to exposure to outdoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution can be just as deadly. In 2012, an estimated 6.5 million deaths (11.6% of all global deaths) were associated with indoor and outdoor air pollution together.Nearly 90 percent of air-pollution-related deaths occur in low and middle-income countries, with nearly 2 out of 3 occurring in WHO’s South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions.WHO says that 94 percent are due to non-communicable diseases – notably cardiovascular diseases, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. Air pollution also increases the risks for acute respiratory infections.Sources of air pollutionMajor sources of air pollution include inefficient modes of transport, household fuel and waste burning, coal-fired power plants, and industrial activities. However, not all air pollution originates from human activity. For example, air quality can


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016also be influenced by dust storms, particularly in regions close to deserts.

New species of ground-dwelling lizard discovered in MumbaiA new species of a ground-dwelling lizard has been discovered in Goregaon's Aarey Colony and Thane's Badlapur forested belts. The species has been named after a Bengaluru-based scientist Varad Giri.The species is discovered 130 years after the last such gecko was discovered.The findings on the new species were published in the third week of September 2016 in the international scientific journal Zootaxa.About the new lizard species• The new species is named as Cyrtodactylus Varadgirii or Giri's Geckoella.• The species, of the genus Cyrtodactylus known in Southeast Asia, India and Sri Lanka, is a member of the subgenus Geckoella.• Earlier, this new species was considered as Geckoella Collegalensis. However, based on morphological characters and DNA data, it has been described as a new species.• This uncommon species is mostly seen moving among the leaf litter on the forest floor.• They are active during night and take refuge under rocks and logs during the day. It grows the length of around 6 centimeters.• They are found in localities like Sanjay Gandhi National Park in north Mumbai, the Aarey Colony, a few localities in Nanded, Chandrapur and Amaravati districts and a few localities in Gujarat.• The new species is also known to live around human-dominated landscapes and is a widely distributed species in this genus in India.

National Board for Wildlife approves first phase of Ken-Betwa projectThe National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) on 20 September 2016 approved 10000 crore rupees Ken-Betwa project, India’s first inter-State river interlinking project.

With this, India will have a river project will be located within a tiger reserve for the first time.

About Ken-Betwa project• It will irrigate the drought-prone Bundelkhand region but will also submerge about 10 percent of the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.• The main feature of the project is a 230-km long canal and a series of barrages and dams connecting the Ken and Betwa rivers.• It will irrigate 3.5 lakh hectares in Madhya Pradesh and 14000 hectares of Uttar Pradesh in Bundelkhand.• The key areas are the Makodia and Dhaudhan dams, the latter expected to be 77 m high and responsible for submerging 5803 hectares of tiger habitat in the Panna tiger reserve.• Chhatarpur, Panna, Tikamgarh, Raisen, and Vidisha districts of Madhya Pradesh and Mahoba, Jhansi and Banda districts of Uttar Pradesh will benefit from assured irrigation supply, water supply and power. • On the other hand, about 6388 people in 10 villages will be affected due to the submergence by Daudhan reservoir.• Around 13499 people living in the 28 villages will be affected due to the submergence by Makodia reservoir and will have to be resettled. • Seventeen lakh residents of nearby towns and villages in both States will benefit from improved drinking water and irrigation facilities.

Invasive Giant African Land Snails sighted at Goa University

The Giant African Land Snail (GALS) was spotted in the campus of the Goa University at Taleigao. GALS (Achatina fulica) is listed as one of the world’s 100 most invasive species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. The species is a threat to agro-horticulture. It is a threat to the public health as they act as a vector of human diseases like Eosinophilic meningitis, caused by


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016Angiostrongylus cantonensis, a parasite that nematode commonly, resides in the pulmonary arteries of rats. They are known to be dangerous, as they can reproduce faster and take over entire ecosystems and become a menace to crops. Invasive species are plants, animals, or pathogens that are non-native (alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause harm. They can harm the environment, the economy or even, human health.

India announces major initiative for R&D into Next Generation HFC refrigerant alternativesThe Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on 15 September 2016 announced an ambitious collaborative R&D programme to develop next generation, sustainable refrigerant technologies as alternatives to HFCs. This R&D initiative brings together Government, research institutes, industry and civil society to develop long term technology solutions to mitigate impact of currently used refrigerant gases on the ozone layer and climate. With this initiative, India reaffirms its commitment to working with all other nations to safeguard the Earth’s natural ecosystem.Some of the key players of the initiative include• The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and its allied institutions• Department of Science and Technology• Centre for Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences as well as key industry players in the sectorThe collaboration of research institutes as well as industry will create larger ecosystem for developing sustainable solutions, and eventually deploying low global warming potential - GWP HFCs on a national scale. By establishing an effective collaboration between all important stakeholders, the initiative is focused on prioritising areas of research in new refrigerant technologies and natural refrigerants. This shall help the country leapfrog from the current technology high GWP HydroFluoroCarbons or HFCs to technologies with lower climate impact. The proposed initiative is an important step in the direction of enabling the country achieves national

development goals, while continuing to maintain a sustainable environmental footprint.

Newly discovered fish of genus Tosanoides named after Barack ObamaA newly discovered fish of the genus Tosanoides was in September 2016 named in honour of US president Barack Obama for his commitment to protect nature through the expansion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.The fish is found only within the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, a World Heritage site encompassing 1510000 square kilometres of ocean waters, including ten islands and atolls of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The site is the largest swath of protected land or water on Earth and is home to millions of seabirds, endangered turtles, endangered monk seals, and more than 7000 species.This is not the first fish to be named after Barack Obama. A species of darters found only in the Duck River and the Buffalo River in US was named Etheostoma Obama in 2012.

Ghost snake species discovered in MadagascarA team of scientists have discovered a new Ghost Snake Species of elusive, pale grey reptiles dwelling at the Ankarana National Park in Madagascar. The findings were published in the journal Copeia on 1 September 2016. This new Ghost Snake species was named Madagascarophis lolo, which means ghost in Malagasy.The ghost snake is part of a common group of snakes called Madagascarophis or cat-eyed snakes. They are named for their vertical pupils, which is often found among snakes that are active in the evening or night. Many of the cat-eyed snakes are found in developed areas or degraded forests. However, the researchers found the ghost snake on pale grey limestone rocks. The ghost snake’s next closest relative is a snake called Madagascarophis fuchsi, which was discovered at a site about 100 kilometres north of Ankarana years ago.


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016IUCN World Conservation Congress 25th World Conservation Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)has begun in Hawaii. Since IUCN’s foundation in 1948, member countries have gathered 24 times in all corners of the world. The last Congress was held in Jeju, Korea in 2012. This is the first time the US is hosting the event.Theme: The theme for this year’s IUCN Congress is ‘Planet at the crossroads’. Details:The Congress aims to improve how we manage our natural environment for human, social and economic development.The main issues to be discussed at the Congress are wildlife trafficking, ocean conservation, nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation, and private investment in conservation.Over 9,000 delegates from 190 countries, including heads of state, high-level government officials, scientists, indigenous people and business leaders will share, debate and act on the latest issues in conservation and sustainable development and define a global path for nature conservation for the future.The IUCN Congress is expected to set the course for using nature based solutions to help move millions out of poverty, creating a more sustainable economy and restoring a healthier relationship with our planet.

IUCN lists Eastern Gorilla as Critically Endangered

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on 4 September 2016 listed the eastern gorilla, the largest living primate, as critically endangered in its latest red list of threatened species. The eastern gorilla was listed

in the latest update ofThe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species that was released at the IUCN World Conservation Congresstaking place in Hawaii. The IUCN stated that the eastern gorilla has suffered a 70% population collapse over the past 20 years, primarily due to illegal hunting. The largest living primate’s population is now estimated to be fewer than 5000. Grauer’s Gorilla, one subspecies of Eastern Gorilla, has lost 77% of its population since 1994, declining from 16900 individuals to just 3800 in 2015. Hunting represents the greatest threat to Grauer’s Gorillas. The second subspecies of Eastern Gorilla, the Mountain Gorilla, is faring better and has increased in number to around 880 individuals.Four of the six great apes, Eastern Gorilla, Western Gorilla, Bornean Orangutan andSumatran Orangutan, are now listed as Critically Endangered. The Chimpanzee and Bonobo are listed as Endangered.

CIL, ICFRE signs MoU to monitor Environment related issues in Coal Mining ProjectsCoal India Limited (CIL) and Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) on 1 September 2016 signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for effectively monitoring of environment related issues in the coal mining projects. The arrangement would help CIL in proper compliance and monitoring of the conditions that are laid down by the MoEF&CC (Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change) for environment and forest clearances.It will help in improving the rehabilitation and reclamation of the mined out areas. The MoU covers assessment and monitoring of a) Plantation and eco restoration activities b) Preparation of wild life management plans c) Preparation of environmental impact assessment d) Environmental management plans e) Capacity building for the executives of CIL on environment and forestry issues and more.

European Union and neighbouring states join global aviation emissions pact


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016 The European Union and 16 surrounding countries including Turkey, Ukraine and Georgia, are planning to join the first phase of a UN-brokered deal- GMBM (global market-based measure) scheme. It aims to limit carbon emissions from international flights.The United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will shortly meet to finalise the deal. Aviation was excluded from last December’s climate accord in Paris when countries agreed to limit the global average rise in in temperatures to ‘well below’ 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.The proposed new deal on aviation will be voluntary between 2021 and 2026 and then mandatory from 2027 for the world’s largest emitters.The deal aims to cap the carbon pollution of all international flights at 2020 levels.Airlines in participating countries would need to limit their emissions or offset them by buying carbon credits from designated environmental projects around the world.

Centre sends BS-V auto emission norms for a ‘six’ The Centre has notified the Bharat Stage (BS)-VI emission standards for two-wheelers and four-wheelers from April 2020 across the country.Key facts:With this, the government has decided to skip the BS-V emission standards and move directly to BS-VI from the BS-IV norms currently being followed in various cities.The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has given the Union Petroleum Ministry four years to make BS-VI fuels available to auto companies.Oil companies will be investing more than Rs.60,000 crore towards BS-VI fuels. BS-VI is the Indian equivalent of the Euro-VI norms. At present, BS-IV norms are being followed in over 30 cities while the rest of the country followBS-III norms.In a bid to curb vehicular pollution, the government, in January 2016 decided to implement stricter emission norms of Bharat Stage

(BS) VI from April 1, 2020 by skipping BS-V altogether. What are Bharat norms?Introduced in the year 2000, the Bharat norms are emission control standards put in place by the government to keep a check on air pollution. Based on the European regulations (Euro norms), these standards set specifications/limits for the release of air pollutants from equipment using internal combustion engines, including vehicles. Typically, the higher the stage, the more stringent the norms. The BS IV norms were introduced in 13 cities apart from the National Capital Region from April 2010. Currently, BS IV fuel is being made available across the country in stages, with the entire nation expected to be covered by April1 2017. BS-VI Norms:The particulate matter emission in BS-V and BS-VI is same for diesel cars though it is 80% less than BS IV.The nitrogen oxide (NOx) level is, however, 55% less in BS-VI over BS-V which in itself is 28% lower than BS IV.The sulphur content in fuel norms for diesel and petrol under both BS-V and -VI standards does not change at 10 ppm, though it is substantially less than 50 mandated for both the fuels under BS-IV.

SCIENCE

ISRO launched 8 satellites in two different Orbits

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on 26 September 2016 successfully launched eight satellites in two different orbits in a single mission. These satellites were launched with the PSLV C35


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016from the first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikotta.The satellites that was carried into space include the primary payload SCATSAT-1 of India, weighing 371 kg, and seven other customer payloads (five foreign and two domestic) together weighing 304 kg during lift off. The weather satellite SCATSAT-1 will be hurled into a polar sun synchronous orbit of 730 kilometer height.The other seven satellites that will be injected into a different orbit as compared to the principal payload are• Three smaller payloads from Algeria: Alsat-1B 103 kg, Alsat-2B 110 kg and Alsat Nano 7 kg. They are meant for earth observation, remote sensing and technology demonstration.• One from US: Pathfinder-1 of 44 kg. It is a high resolution imaging microsatellite and is owned by BlackSky.• One from Canada: NLS-19 of 8 kg developed at University of Toronto, Canada. It is a nano-satellite to experiment reduction of space debris.• The other two satellites are from India and they area) Pratham: A student-satellite of the IIT, Bombay. It would estimate the total electron count with a resolution of 1km x 1km location grid.b) PISAT (पैसेट): It is developed by a consortium-led by the PES University in Bengaluru. It would explore remote sensing applications.The two Universities/Academic Institute Satellites and the five foreign satellites were placed into a 670 km polar orbit. This was the first mission of PSLV in which launched its payloads into two different orbits.SCATSAT-1 of India would serve as a continuity mission for the highly acclaimed Oceansat-2 that has completed its operational life. Its data to accurately predict the landfall of the Cyclone Phailin in Odisha coast recently helped avoid major loss of lives as precautionary measures could be taken in advance.As per reports, this will be made possible by shutting down and restarting the fourth and last stage of the vehicle twice during the flight. The ISRO has gained valuable expertise on restarting the engine of the polar synchronous satellite

launch vehicle PSLV in space during June 2016 and December 2015. Through them, the scientists of the space agency gained the expertise to use a single launch mission to inject multiple satellites in different orbits altogether.So far, the PSLV has launched 39 remote-sensing satellites of ISRO including the Chandrayaan-1 of 2008 and the Mars mission of 2013-14. Apart from this, it has also launched 74 foreign commercial and university satellites.

MIT develops a spectroscopic technique to detect Martian lifeScientists at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) US have developed a spectroscopic technique that would help the 2020 Mars Rover to non-invasively identify sediments that are relatively unaltered, and maintain much of their original composition. Such pristine samples will allow scientists to identify the signs of former life, if they existed, on the red planet. The new technique is based on an improved way of interpreting the results of Raman spectroscopy, a common, non-destructive process used by geologists to identify the chemical composition of ancient rocks.Raman spectroscopy is a common, non-destructive process that geologists use to identify the chemical composition of ancient rocks. It is used to identify whether a sample contain carbonaceous matter. The presence of carbonaceous matter suggests that the sample may also have harbors sign of life. With the new improve spectroscopy techniques; researchers can now also estimate the ratio of hydrogen to carbon atoms in a sample. Hydrogen can be used as basis to determine if a certain sample is pristine or not. If the sample has low hydrogen, it is possible that it has experience more heating, altering its organic matter and losing hydrogen in a form of methane.

Scientists use stem cells to successfully grow human lungs in a dishA team of researchers from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) created a three-dimensional lung, called as organoids, to study


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The organoids resemble sections of human lungs instead of just cells. The study was published in the journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine.The researchers used stem cells taken from actual adult human lungs to coat tiny sticky hydrogel beads. The beads eventually grew and self-assembled to envelope the hydrogel beads, which were all placed inside linked wells. The resulting structure produced evenly distributed three-dimensional patterns consistent with actual air sacs like those in human lungs. Inside each well, the lung cells grew around the beads, which linked them and formed an evenly distributed three-dimensional pattern. To show that these tiny organoids mimicked the structure of actual lungs, the researchers compared the lab-grown tissues with real sections of human lung. Moreover, when the researchers added certain molecular factors to the 3D cultures, the lungs developed scars similar to those seen in the lungs of people who have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The scientists were not able build a fully functional lung. However, they have been able to take lung cells and place them in the correct geometrical spacing and pattern to mimic a human lung.Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic lung disease characterised by scarring of the lungs. The scarring makes the lungs thick and stiff, which over time results in progressively worsening shortness of breath and lack of oxygen to the brain and vital organs. The term 'idiopathic' is used because the cause of pulmonary fibrosis is still unknown.

HRD Minister inaugurates Super Computer PARAM-ISHAN at IIT GuwahatiUnion Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on 19 September 2016 inaugurated the super computer PARAM ISHAN at IIT Guwahati campus. Students and faculty members of IIT Guwahati are expected to derive huge benefit from the facility.It is the fastest and most powerful computer in North East, Eastern and Southern region. It has

been jointly developed by IIT Guwahati and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, C -DAC. PARAM ISHAN has the power of 250 Teraflops and 300 terabyte capacity and can be used in the application areas like computational chemistry, computational fluid dynamics, computational electromagnetic, civil engineering structures, nana-block self assemble, optimization and others. It can also be used for weather, climate modeling and seismic data processing.

Union Cabinet approves extension of contract between India and ISA for exploration of Polymetallic NodulesThe Union Cabinet on 12 September 2016 approved the extension of contract between Ministry of Earth Sciences and the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for exploration of Polymetallic Nodules. The contract has been extended for a further period of 5 years (2017-2022). The earlier contract is expiring on 24 March 2017. By extending the contract, India's exclusive rights for exploration of Polymetallic Nodules in the allotted Area in the Central Indian Ocean Basin will continue. It will open up new opportunities for resources of commercial and strategic value in area beyond national jurisdiction. Besides, it will provide strategic importance for India in terms of enhanced presence in Indian Ocean where other international players are also active. At present, India has an area of 75000 sq.km. located about 2000 km away from her southern tip for exploration of Polymetallic nodules.Polymetallic nodules are also known as manganese nodules. They are potato-shaped, largely porous nodules found in abundance carpeting the sea floor of world oceans in deep sea. Besides manganese and iron, they contain nickel, copper, cobalt, lead, molybdenum, cadmium, vanadium, titanium. Out of the minerals found in it, nickel, cobalt and copper are considered to be of economic and strategic importance.

NASA launches OSIRIS-REx to collect samples from asteroid


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016The US space agency, NASA, on 8 September 2016 launched OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer) spacecraft. The unmanned spacecraft, OSIRIS-REx, blasted off onboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.OSIRIS-REx is United States’ first mission to collect samples from an asteroid and return to Earth. The 800 million dollar mission will travel for two years on a journey to Bennu, a near-Earth asteroid about the size of a small mountain. NASA feels that the asteroid may hold clues to the origin of the solar system and the source of water and organic molecules found on Earth. Scientists at NASA said OSIRIS-REx's main goal is to gather dirt and debris at least 60 grams (2.1 ounces) from the surface of the asteroid and return it to Earth by 2023 for further study.

ISRO launches advanced weather satellite INSAT-3DRIndian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched advanced weather satellite, INSAT-3DR on 8 September 2016. The advanced weather satellite was launched with the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F05), from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. GSLV-F05, the tenth flight of India's GSLV, carried 2211 kg INSAT-3DR into a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). GSLV is designed to inject 2 - 2.5 ton class of satellites into GTO. After reaching GTO, INSAT-3DR will use its own propulsion system to reach its final geosynchronous orbital home and will be stationed at 74 deg East longitude.INSAT-3DR• INSAT-3DR is an advanced meteorological satellite of India configured with an imaging System and an Atmospheric Sounder.• INSAT-3DR is an improved variant of INSAT-3D, the improvements incorporated includesa) Imaging in Middle Infrared band to provide night time pictures of low clouds and fogb) Imaging in two Thermal Infrared bands for estimation of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) with better accuracy

c) Higher Spatial Resolution in the Visible and Thermal Infrared bands• Like its predecessor INSAT-3D, INSAT-3DR carries a Data Relay Transponder as well as a Search and Rescue Transponder. Thus, INSAT-3DR will provide service continuity to earlier meteorological missions of ISRO and further augment the capability to provide various meteorological as well as search and rescue services.• INSAT-3DR is based on ISRO's two Tonne Class platform (I-2K bus) employing light-weight structural elements like Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP).• The satellite has a solar array generating 1700 Watts of power.• INSAT-3DR will provide a variety of meteorological services to the country.• It will have an advanced imager, a sounder and transponders for data relay and search and rescue missions.• It will have an operational life of about ten years.GSLV-F05• It is the flight in which the indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) was carried on-board for the fourth time during a GSLV flight. Its flight was significant as it was the first operational flight of GSLV carrying CUS.GSLV-F05 vehicle is configured with all its three stages including the CUS similar to the ones successfully flown during the previous GSLV-D5 and D6 missions that in January 2014 and August 2015 successfully placed GSAT-14 and GSAT-6 satellites.Existing Meteorological satellites of IndiaKALPANA-1, INSAT-3A and INSAT-3D are three operational meteorological satellites of India. These satellites are operational in the geostationary orbit for the past one decade at 74, 93.5 and 82 degree East longitudes respectively.KALPANA-1 and INSAT-3A have imaging systems that helps in providing images in the Visible, Near-Infrared, Shortwave Infrared, Water Vapour and Thermal Infrared bands.Launched in 2013, Atmospheric Sounding System of the INSAT-3D provides vertical profiles of temperature (40 levels from surface to - 70 km),


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016humidity (21 levels from surface to - 15 km) and integrated ozone from surface to top of the atmosphere. INSAT-3DR, the latest meteorological satellite built by ISRO, is similar to INSAT-3D.

Magnetars Recently, astronomers picked up strange X-ray bursts using NASA’s Swift telescope. These strange bursts were very similar to that of a magnetar — an extremely dense type of neutron star that can produce magnetic fields trillions of times stronger than our sun’s.The magnetar, called 1E 1613 — at the centre of RCW 103, and the remains of a supernova explosion located about 9,000 light years from Earth — rotates once every 24,000 seconds (6.67 hours). What are Magnetars?A magnetar is a type of neutron star, a strange object with an incredibly powerful magnetic field that powers the emission of highly energetic X-rays and gamma rays. Neutron stars are formed when the largest stars in the universe reach the end of their lives. When these stars run out of fuel, their core collapses causing outer layers to come crashing in towards the centre.As stars are so large the crushing forces created can be phenomenal. These pressures can squash the core of the star together and because of this, a neutron star – and hence a magnetar – is made of some of the densest material in the known universe. In fact, their material is so dense that one teaspoon of it contains the same amount of mass as 900 Egyptian pyramids.Key facts:The theory regarding these objects was proposed by Robert Duncan and Christopher Thompson in 1992.Like other neutron stars, magnetars are around 20 kilometres in diameter and have a mass 2–3 times that of the Sun. The density of the interior of a magnetar is such that a thimble full of its substance would have a mass of over 100 million tons.Magnetars are differentiated from other neutron stars by having even stronger magnetic fields, and

rotating comparatively slowly, with most magnetars completing a rotation once every one to ten seconds, compared to less than one second for a typical neutron star.The active life of a magnetar is short. Their strong magnetic fields decay after about 10,000 years, after which activity and strong X-ray emission cease.Given the number of magnetars observable today, one estimate puts the number of inactive magnetars in the Milky Way at 30 million or more.

India successfully test fires long range surface-to-air missile India has successfully test-fired the Barak-8 long-range surface-to-air nuclear-capable ballistic missile, jointly developed with Israel, from a defence test facility off the Odisha coast. About the missile:LRSAM is also called Barak 8 missile in Israel which in Hebrew language means Lightning. The missile configuration is same for both LRSAM/MRSAM.For the LRSAM, DRDO has designed and developed Dual Pulse Propulsion System and other safe arm mechanisms for Solid Propulsion system.It has the ability to hit targets within radii of 70 km to 90 km.The missile is designed to defend against any type of airborne threat including aircraft, helicopters, anti-ship missiles, and UAVs as well as cruise missiles and combat jets.Both maritime and land-based versions of the system exist. The LRSAM programme consists of Missiles, MFSTAR (Radar), Weapon Control System, Vertical Launcher unit and Two- way data link.

SPORTS

Sania Mirza and Barbora Strycova lifts Toray Pan Pacific Open trophy in TokyoIndia's Sania Mirza and her Czech partner Barbora Strycova on 24 September 2016 lifted the women’s doubles title in the Toray Pan Pacific Open trophy in Tokyo. In the final clash, the Indo-


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016Czech pair defeated the unseeded Chinese pair of Chen Liang and Zhaoxuan Yang 6-1, 6-1.This is Sania and Strycova's second title in three tournaments since they have paired together.This is Sania and Strycova's second title in three tournaments since they have paired together. They won their first title in Cincinnati.The victory puts Mirza and Strycova one step closer to a potential spot in the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global. Entering Tokyo the duo sat at No.19 on the Road to Singapore Leaderboard, trailing the Top 8 by about 500 points. With 470 points now in the bag, the team received a major boost in their standings.

Priyesha Deshmukh wins bronze in World Deaf Shooting ChampionshipsHearing-impaired Indian shooter Priyesha Deshmukh on 14 September 2016 won the bronze medal in her first-ever international competition at the first World Deaf Shooting Championships. The Championships was held in Kazan, Russia from 7 September to 15 September 2016. Deshmukh won the bronze in the 10m air rifle category.

Track Asia Cup 2016 concluded; Indian finished secondThe 2016 Track Asia Cup concluded on 16 September 2016 at the Cycling Velodrome in IG Stadium in New Delhi. Hong Kong topped the chart with 18 medals which comprise 11 Gold, four Silvers and three bronze.On the other hand, India the hosts of the tournament ended their campaign at second position with 16 medals, including five gold, four Silver and seven bronze.The Track Asia Cup cycling completition is being held from 14 September to 16 September 2016 at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex velodrome. This is the third year in succession that India is hosting the event. The event is recognised by the International Cycling Federation and is part of the World Championship qualifier. The event is being held in four categories namely elite and juniors in men and women.

India Blue wins 2016-2017 Duleep TrophyGautam Gambhir-led India Blue on 14 September 2016 won the inaugural day/night Duleep Trophy Cricket tournament held in Greater Noida. In the final, India Blue defeated India Red, captained by Yuvraj Singh, by a massive 355 runs. The Duleep Trophy is a domestic first-class cricket competition played in India between teams representing geographical zones of India. The competition is named after Kumar Shri Duleepsinhji of Nawanagar. The 2016–17 Duleep Trophy was the 55th season of the Duleep Trophy. In June 2016, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that the tournament will feature day/night matches and pink ball will be used.

Mariyappan Thangavelu wins India’s first Gold medal at Rio Paralympic GamesMariyappan Thangavelu won India’s first gold medal at the Rio Paralympics. He won the gold in the Men’s High Jump T-42 event with a leap of 1.89 metres. With this, Thangavelu also became the first Indian high-jumper to win gold at the Paralympics. This was India’s overall third gold at the Games and the first after 12 years.

Javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia wins gold at Rio ParalympicsJavelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia on 13 September 2016 became the first Indian to clinch two gold medals at the Paralympics. He broke his own world record to clinch the medals at the Rio Games. Jhajharia, who won his previous gold in the 2004 Athens Games, bettered his own world record to finish on top in the men’s F46 event.

Deepa Malik becomes first Indian woman to win medal at ParalympicsIndian athlete Deepa Malik on 12 September 2016 became the first Indian woman to bag a medal at the Paralympics. Malik clinched a silver medal in the shotput F-53 event. Her throw of 4.61m was the best in her six attempts.


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016

Stan Wawrinka defeats Novak Djokovic to win 2016 US Open Men’s Singles titleThird seed Stan Wawrinka on 11 September 2016 defeated world number one Novak Djokovic to lift the 2016 US Open Men’s Singles title. In the final, Swiss Wawrinka defeated Serbian Djokovic 6-7, 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 to clinch the title. This is Wawrinka’s maiden US Open title and his third major title.The 2016 US Open was a tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts. The 2016 US Open was the 136th edition of the US Open, the fourth and final Grand Slam event of the year.

Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares win 2016 US Open Men’s Doubles titleBritain’s Jamie Murray and Brazil’s Bruno Soares on 10 September 2016 won the 2016 US Open Men’s Doubles title. Murray and Soares defeated Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2 6-3. With this, Murray became the first British man for 44 years to win the US Open doubles title. Soares also became the first Brazilian to win more than one Grand Slam doubles title.

Angelique Kerber wins 2016 US Open Women’s Singles titleGermany’s Angelique Kerber on 10 September 2016 defeated Karolina Pliskova by 6–3, 4–6, 6–4 to win 2016 US Open Women's Singles title. It was Kerber's second Grand Slam singles title. With this, she became the first German to win the US Open since Steffi Graf in 1996.

Army Green beat Neroca FC 6-5 to lift Durand CupArmy Green on 11 September 2016 won the Durand Cup football title. In the final of Asia's oldest football tournament in New Delhi, Army Green defeated Neroca FC 6-5 via penalty shoot outs.Durand Cup is a football competition in India and was first held in 1888. It is co-hosted by the Durand Football Tournament Society (DFTS) and Osians. The Tournament is named after its

founder, Sir Mortimer Durand, Foreign Secretary in charge of India from 1884 to 1894.

Nico Rosberg wins 2016 Italian Grand PrixNico Rosberg on 4 September 2016 won the 2016 Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Monza, Italy. It is Rosberg’s seventh victory of the 2016 Formula One season. In this season, he has won the 2016 Australian Grand Prix, the 2016 Bahrain Grand Prix, the 2016 Chinese Grand Prix, the 2016 Russian Grand Prix, the 2016 European Grand Prix and the 2016 Belgian Grand Prix.

MISCELLANEOUS

Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh presented Antyodaya Krishi Puruskars Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh on 25 September 2016 gave away Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Antyodaya Krishi Puruskars to 12 farmers for their contribution in the agriculture sector. They were felicitated during a function at the birth place of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay in Mathura.Winners of the awardNational Award for the year 2016: Krishna Yadav, an enterprising lady farmer from, Dinpur, Najafgarh, New Delhi for her outstanding achievements in the processing and value addition of food especially fruits and vegetables.Zonal awardees includesAward from Zone I: Jinder Singh, a small farmer from Roopnagar, Punjab won the award for starting a nursery of vegetable crops under the brand name ‘Chamkaur Sahib Paniri Farm’. Zone I comprises of the states of Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi.Award from Zone II: Pooja Sharma, a small Haryana farmer won the award for her innovative ways of farming. Zone II comprises of the states of Rajasthan, Haryana and DelhiAward from Zone III: Moti, a small farmer from Saidasaunkh village in Mathura won the award for


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016his outstanding skills in innovative ways of farming which includes production of seeds of new varieties and planting material and distributing it among the fellow farmers at reasonable rates. Zone III covers entire Uttar Pradesh.Award from Zone IV: Deepak Kumar Singh from Bishanpur Banka, Bihar won the award for cultivation and sale of mushroom which has enabled him to earn a sizeable income from this activity. Zone IV comprises of the states of Bihar and Jharkhand.Award from Zone V: Ashok Kumar Sarkar, Nimbudera, a small farmer from, Andaman and Nicobar Island was awarded for his outstanding entrepreneurial skill in agriculture production. Zone V comprises of the states of West Bengal, Orissa and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.Award from Zone VI: Anuradha Chhetri of Pakyong, East Sikkim was awarded for diversification of agricultural activities with orchids can be a boon for the farmers having small landholding in the hilly regions of the country. Zone VI comprises of the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.Award from Zone VII: Biswajit Majumder from Sabroom, Tripura has been awarded for establishment of a farmer’s club in his village. Zone VII comprises of the eastern states of Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Meghalaya.Award from Zone VIII: Hasam Bhai Jumabhai Musangara, an enterprising fish farmer from Gir, Somnath, Gujarat was awarded for his outstanding achievements in Agriculture especially fisheries. Zone VIII comprises of the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Daman & Diu and Dadra Nagar Haveli.Award from Zone IX: Balaram Patidar a progressive and innovative farmer from Sarangi, in Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh was awarded for cultivating horticultural and cash crops using scientific technologies. Zone IX comprises of the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.Award from Zone X: Alluri Suryanarayana Murthy, a small farmer from East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh was awarded for adopting an

integrated farming system which has enabled the farmers in his surrounding areas to reap huge benefits. Zone X comprises of the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.Award from Zone XI: A traditional fisherman A Baburaj from Kozhikode, Kerala won the award for successfully adopting sustainable brackish water aquaculture practices as a livelihood option. Zone XI comprises of the states of Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep.Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Antyodaya Krishi PuruskarAs part of the Centenary Celebrations of Deendayal Upadhaya, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has instituted Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Antyodaya Krishi Puruskar at national and zonal levels in 2016. The awards include one award at national level comprising one lakh rupees and 11 zonal awards comprising of 50 thousand rupees each along with a citation and certificate. This award was instituted for recognizing the contributions of marginal, small and landless farmers for developing integrated and sustainable models of agricultural farming.

Sanjay Dutta, Ritesh Sarothiya selected for Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement AwardsTwo Indian forest officials, Sanjay Dutta and Ritesh Sarothiya, have been selected for the 2016 Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Awards. Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Awards honours individuals engaging in exemplary law enforcement actions to protect wildlife.Sanjay Dutta is the range officer of Belakoba Forest Range Jalpaiguri in West Bengal and Ritesh Sarothiya is the assistant conservator of Madhya Pradesh State Forest.Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Awards The Species Survival Network, in cooperation with the Animal Welfare Institute, coordinates the presentation of the Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Awards to individuals who engage in exemplary law enforcement actions to protect wildlife.


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016The Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Awards are named in memory of the late Chief of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's Division of Law Enforcement, who pioneered the Division's highly effective use of covert investigations and "sting" operations to uncover illegal wildlife trade. The awards have traditionally been presented by the Secretary-General of CITES during meetings of the Conference of the Parties.Conserving wildlife is frequently difficult, dangerous and sometimes deadly. The Bavin Awards recognize the extraordinary efforts that law enforcement officers and other field-based individuals are willing to make in order to protect the world's wildlife.

2016 Right Livelihood Award announced The 2016 Right Livelihood Award widely referred as the Alternative Nobel Prize was announced on 22 September 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden. The laureates of this year’s Right Livelihood Award include• Syria Civil Defence (The White Helmets)• Egypt’s Mozn Hassan and Nazra for Feminist Studies• Russia’s Svetlana Gannushkina• Turkish daily CumhuriyetThe laureates will share the 3.0-million-kronor (350000 dollar) prize.The White Helmets of Syria was awarded for their outstanding bravery, compassion and humanitarian engagement in rescuing civilians from the destruction of the Syrian civil war’. It is the first time that a Right Livelihood Award goes to a Laureate from Syria.Mozn Hassan and Nazra for Feminist Studies from Egypt were awarded for asserting the equality and rights of women in circumstances where they are subject to ongoing violence, abuse and discrimination.Russia’s Svetlana Gannushkina was awarded for her decades-long commitment to promoting human rights and justice for refugees and forced migrants, and tolerance among different ethnic groups.

The Turkish newspaper, Cumhuriyet was awarded for their fearless investigative journalism and commitment to freedom of expression in the face of oppression, censorship, imprisonment and death threats’The jury said all of this year’s winners upheld fundamental human rights and values in the face of war and repression.The Right Livelihood Award is an international award to honour and support those offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges being faced by the world today. The prize was established in 1980 by German-Swedish philanthropist Jakob von Uexkull, and is presented annually in early December. It was created after the Nobel Foundation refused to create awards honouring efforts in the fields of the environment and international development.

Nadia Murad Basee Taha appointed UNODC Goodwill AmbassadorNadia Murad Basee Taha, who survived trafficking at the hands of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), on 16 September 2016, was appointed the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking. The appointment marks the first time a survivor of atrocities is bestowed with this distinction.Murad is a 23-year-old Yazidi woman who was kidnapped and held by the Islamic State in August 2014. She was subject to grave abuses at the hands of ISIL fighters and was bought and sold various times. She was recently named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2016.

Indian-American Dinesh Bharadia wins 2016 Marconi Society Paul Baran Young Scholar AwardIndia-born researcher Dinesh Bharadia on 14 September 2016 was chosen for the prestigious Marconi Society Paul Baran Young Scholar Award. Bharadia was chosen for his contribution to send and receive radio (wireless) signals, including mobile telephony and data on the same channel. His research disproved a 150-years long


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016assumption that it is not possible for a radio to receive and transmit on the same frequency band because of the interference that results.The Marconi Society is named after Nobel laureate Guglielmo Marconi, who invented radio. The Marconi Society awards annually outstanding individuals whose scope of work and influence emulate the principle of creativity in service to humanity. The Paul Baran Young Scholar Award is an equivalent of the Nobel Prize in science and technology domain. The award includes 4000 US dollar prize and expenses to attend its annual awards event. The Society also honours distinguished scientists with the 100000 US dollar Marconi Award and Fellowship for emulating the principle of creativity in service to humanity.

President Pranab Mukherjee presented Rajbhasha awardsPresident Pranab Mukherjee on 14 September 2016 presented the Rajbhasha awards at Rashtrapati Bhawan. The awards were given away on the occasion of Hindi Divas. The Rajbhasha awards were instituted by the Department of Official Language of Home Ministry to recognize the excellent contribution of Ministries, Departments and Nationalized Banks in the field of Hindi. Hindi Divas is celebrated annually on 14 September because on this day in 1949 the Constituent Assembly of the country adopted Hindi language as the official language of India.

Indian American scientist Ramesh Raskar wins US$500000 2016 Lemelson-MIT PrizeIndian American Ramesh Raskar on 13 September 2016 won the 2016 Lemelson-MIT Prize. Raskar is the co-inventor of radical imaging solutions including femtophotography, an ultra-fast imaging system that can see around corners, low-cost eye-care solutions for the developing world and a camera that allows users to read pages of a book without opening the cover.The Lemelson Foundation awards several prizes yearly to inventors in the United States. The largest is the Lemelson–MIT Prize which was

endowed in 1994 by Jerome H. Lemelson. It is administered through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The winner receives 500000 US dollars, making it the largest cash prize for invention in the U.S.

Novel on Apatani tribe of Arunachal, Into the Hidden Valley, wins MM Bennetts AwardNovel, Into the Hidden Valley authored by Stuart Blackburn on 4 September 2016 won the 2016 MM Bennetts Award for Historical Fiction in the UK. The author was presented the award at the HNS Conference in Oxford. The book published by Speaking Tiger narrates the story of the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh during British India. It also looks into a little-known episode in the colonial history of British India.The award is named in memory of writer-historian MM Bennetts who was a specialist in early 19th century British history and the Napoleonic wars as well as a keen cross country and dressage rider. Before turning to writing novels full-time, Bennetts was a French translator and a longstanding book critic for the Pulitzer-prize winning newspaper, 'The Christian Science Monitor'.

Indian conservationist Bibhuti Lahkar wins Heritage Heroes Award of IUCN

Indian ecologist and conservation activist Bibhuti Lahkar on 4 September 2016 became the first Asian to be awarded the prestigious Heritage Heroes Award by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Lahkar received the award at the IUCN's World Conservation Congress in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Indian ecologist was among five conservationists across the globe to be nominated for 2016 Heritage


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016Heroes Award. The Heritage Heroes Award is aimed at recognising outstanding efforts around the globe in making a difference in the conservation of World Heritage sites in challenging situations. Bibhuti Lahkar has researched grassland ecosystems in the Indian state of Assam. He was the recipient of the prestigious grants from Rufford's Foundation for his work on community conservation in Manas World Heritage site and conservation of Hoolock Gibbon at Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. He also conducted the first GIS survey of the Royal Manas National Park. His research findings and recommendations are a critical component in the Manas Tiger Conservation Plan.

Jan Shikshan Sansthan conferred with 2016 UNESCO Confucius Prize for LiteracyThe Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) of Malappuram, Kerala was on 1 September 2016 conferred with the 2016 Unesco Confucius Prize for Literacy. The award was conferred on the JSS in recognition of its literacy-linked skill development activities among the underprivileged in rural areas.The JSS bagged the prestigious international award for its initiatives in applying new technology in literacy. Innovations such as Braille applications and the Talking Pen used by the JSS impressed UNESCO. The award sponsored by China consists of 20000 US dollars, a diploma, and a silver medal. Moreover, a JSS team will be given a free study tour to China.

Mother Teresa canonised as Saint by Pope Francis at VaticanMother Teresa on 4 September 2016 was proclaimed a Saint by Pope Francis in a ceremony at the Vatican. Thousands of pilgrims attended the canonisation of Mother Teresa in St Peter's Square. With this, Mother Teresa became the fourth Indian to be made saint. Those who received the honour before her include Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara, Sister Euphrasia and Sister

Alphonsa. Saint Gonsalo Garcia, though of Portuguese parentage, was born in India, and is considered an India born saint.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw appointed Knight of the National Order of the French Legion of HonourKiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairperson and Managing Director of Biocon Limited, was on 1 September 2016 appointed Chevalier de l'Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur (Knight of the National Order of the French Legion of Honour). Shaw was honoured for her contribution to biosciences and research. The award will be conferred on behalf of the President of the French Republic at a ceremony later in 2016. Chevalier l'Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur is the highest civilian award of the French Republic for outstanding contribution in diverse fields.

Bezwada Wilson, Thodur Madabusi Krishna receive Ramon Magsaysay Award 2016

Carnatic singer Thodur Madabusi Krishna and Bezwada Wilson, campaigner for eradication of manual scavenging, on 31 August 2016 received the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award 2016. They were among six persons who received the award. Four others who received the award are: Conchita Carpio-Morales of the Philippines, Dompet Dhuafa of Indonesia, Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and Vientiane Rescue of Laos.About Bezwada Wilson• Wilson, the national convenor of the Safai Karmachari Andolan (SKA), got the award for asserting the inalienable right to a life of human dignity.• He has been leading a grassroot movement to eradicate the degrading servitude of manual


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016scavenging in India, reclaiming for the Dalits the human dignity that is their natural birthright.• He has spent 32 years on his crusade, leading not only with a sense of moral outrage but also with remarkable skills in mass organising, and working within India’s complex legal system.About Thodur Madabusi Krishna• Krishna won the award under the Emergent Leadership category for bringing social inclusiveness in culture. He is a Carnatic music vocalist.• His forceful commitment as artist in breaking barriers of caste and class to unleash what music has to offer not just for some but for all led to his selection for the award.

World Rabies Day observed with theme Rabies: Educate. Vaccinate. Eliminate.World Rabies Day was observed on 28 September 2016. The theme for World Rabies Day is Rabies: Educate. Vaccinate. Eliminate. The day is annually celebrated to raise awareness about rabies prevention and to highlight progress in defeating the disease. The theme of the day emphasises on the two crucial actions that communities can do to prevent rabies. It also reflects the global target to eliminate all human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030.Rabies is a zoonotic disease (a disease that is transmitted from animals to humans), caused by the rabies virus, of the Lyssavirus genus, within the family Rhabdoviridae. Domestic dogs are the most common reservoir of the virus, with more than 95% of human deaths caused by dog-mediated rabies. The virus is transmitted in the saliva of rabid animals and generally enters the body via infiltration of virus-laden saliva from a rabid animal into a wound (e.g. scratches), or by direct exposure of mucosal surfaces to saliva from an infected animal (e.g. bites). The virus cannot infiltrate intact skin.Once the virus reaches the brain, it further replicates, resulting in presentation of clinical signs from the patient. There are two clinical manifestations of rabies – furious (classical or encephalitic) and paralytic. Furious rabies is most

common form of human rabies, accounting for approximately 80% of cases.

World Tourism Day 2016 observed with theme Tourism for All - promoting universal accessibilityWorld Tourism Day 2016 was observed across the world on 27 September 2016. The theme of the World Tourism Day 2016 is Tourism for All - promoting universal accessibility. The theme for the year promotes accessible tourism for all to create environments that can cater for the needs of all of us, whether we are travelling or staying at home. The official World Tourism Day 2016 celebrations will be held in Bangkok, Thailand.

International Day of Peace observed with theme Building Blocks for PeaceInternational Day of Peace was observed across the world on 21 September 2016. The 2016 theme for the day is The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace. The day is dedicated to world peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access. The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire.

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2016 observed across the worldThe 2016 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer was observed across the world on 16 September 2016. The theme for the year 2016 is Ozone and climate: Restored by a world united. The theme for the 2016 International Ozone Day recognizes the collective efforts of the parties to the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol towards the restoration of the ozone layer over the past three decades and the global commitment to combat climate change.


MENTOR NOVEMBER 2016The UN General Assembly in 1994 proclaimed 16 September as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer to commemorate the date of the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987.

International Day of Democracy observedInternational Day of Democracy was observed on 15 September 2016 with theme Democracy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The day provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in the world.The 2016 theme of the day is based on the United Nations resolution that was adopted in September 2015 by all 193 Member States that is the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 agenda seeks to achieve a better future for all by ending extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and protect Earth.It was created by the UN General Assembly through a resolution in 2007 to strengthen national programmes devoted to the promotion and consolidation of democracy. It was observed for the first time in 2008.

National Hindi Divas observed across IndiaNational Hindi Divas (Hindi Day) was observed across India on 14 September 2016. The day was observed to promote the Matra Bhasha – the mother tongue of India and show its importance as a language in the country and the world at large. As a part of Hindi Diwas Samaroh, a special function named ‘Hindi Hain Hum’ was also organised at the PHD Chamber of Commerce in Delhi.On the occasion of Hindi Divas, the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee presented Rajbhasa awards in various categories at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. These awards were instituted by the Rajbhasha Vibhag, Ministry of Home Affairs to recognize the excellent contribution of Ministries, Departments and Nationalized Banks and others in the field of Hindi.National Hindi Divas is observed annually in India. Hindi Day is observed because on 14

September 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted Hindi written in Devanagari script as the Official Language of the Union.

International Literacy Day 2016 celebrated across the worldThe International Literacy Day was celebrated on 8 September 2016 across the world. The theme of International Literacy Day 2016 isReading the Past, Writing the Future. The theme was chosen to honour the past five decades of national and international engagement, efforts and progress made to increase literacy rates around the world.Besides, literacy is also a part of Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The target is that by 2030 all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy.First World Literacy Day was celebrated on 8 September 1966 and it was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1965. Every year, a theme is chosen to highlight the importance of literacy associated issues. The theme for 2015 was Literacy and Sustainable Societies. On this day, the UNESCO presents International Literacy Prizes at its headquarters in Paris. Literacy Prizes consists of five prizes. They are International Reading Association Literacy Award, Noma Literacy Prize, UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize, The Malcolm Adiseshiah International Literacy Prize and UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy.


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