Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 09 June 2014

‘Tricolour revolution’

India needs to harness its ‘demographic dividend’, preparing a generation of teachers to educate not just in India but also abroad if it is to move ahead, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, in a significant speech on his priorities in tackling the economy.
Athe launch of a book by the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, titled ‘Getting India Back on Track’ Mr. Modi also fleshed out his campaign theme of what he calls a “tricolour revolution,” referring to a second green revolution focusing on growing protein-rich pulses, of a white revolution focusing on the care of cattle and livestock, a saffron ‘energy’ revolution looking at solar energy, and a blue revolution on clean water, and the welfare of fishermen. Blue is the colour of the Ashok Chakra.
At the function to launch a compilation of essays edited by former US diplomat Ashley Tellis and economist Bibek Debroy on various aspects of reviving the economy, Mr. Jaitley warned that the government would require “credibility” to carry out the reforms advised. Striking a cautionary note ahead of the Budget to be presented in this Parliament session, Mr. Jaitley said it would be better if India didn’t adopt a course of “transient and temporary populism” and pay for it later in the government’s tenure.
Speaking to journalists after the function, Mr. Modi also listed foreign policy objectives of the government, emphasising that relations with India’s neighbours would always be his first priority, as those closest to India “affect us the most”.

Conviction of poachers in Nagarahole park

The recent conviction of seven persons accused of poaching animals in the Nagarahole National Park has been described as a welcome development that augurs well for wildlife conservation.
Though innumerable cases are routinely registered by the Forest Department, a conviction is rare. The conviction rate is less than 5 per cent of the total number of cases registered.
The seven persons accused of hunting a monitor lizard were found guilty by a local court in Ponnampet of violating the Wildlife Protection Act. Since the incident took place in a tiger reserve, the court held that the accused were not entitled for benefit under the Probation of Offenders Act, which the counsel sought.
All seven were sentenced to undergo simple imprisonment for three years and asked to pay a fine of Rs. 50,000 each for the offence, punishable under Section 51 (C) of the Wildlife Protection Act. If they did not pay the fine, they would have to spend an additional three months in prison. The court also cancelled their bail and surety bonds and acting under Section 51 (2) of the Wildlife Protection Act, their vehicle was forfeited.
Sources pointed out that the law did not act as a deterrent against poachers due to poor conviction rates and the failure of the Forest Department to build a strong case against suspected poachers. Sources working on wildlife issues said more than a 1,000 cases have been registered in Nagarahole National Park alone in the last 10 years pertaining to violation of provisions of the Wildlife Act and the Forest Act. Rarely are the accused convicted.

National Sports Talent Search System

Government has promised to facilitate development and promotion of sports, particularly rural sports, and said it will launch a National Sports Talent Search System.
Addressing the first joint sitting of Parliament after the recent Lok Sabha polls, President Pranab Mukherjee said the new government will also formulate a National Education Policy and set up IITs and IIMs in every State. Maintaining that India is the world’s oldest civilisation and today it is also a country with the largest population of the youth, the President said government must equip and nurture the youth with the right kind of education, skill-set and opportunity to reap this demographic dividend.

Nepal Parliament obstruction

Belying hopes of breakthrough to resume proceedings of the Parliament, the three major political parties on S failed to reach agreement after claiming they were close to it. As a result, the opposition parties obstructed Parliament for the 10th straight day.
Speaking in the Parliament after the talks ended inconclusively, Bijay Gachchhadar of Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum (Democratic) accused the ruling coalition of breaching a previous agreement on a number of issues, including forming a high level political committee (HLPC) comprising of political parties.
When Mr. Gachchhadar said NC President and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and other ruing party leaders should go to Sarnath in India if they failed to deliver a Constitution, the ruling MPs objected to his remarks. With neither side relenting, Speaker Subas Nembang, adjourned the House.
Mr. Nepal said the Nepali Congress and his party are in favour of rotating leadership of the HLPC.

"One India, One Rate scheme"

Reliance owned- RCom has introduced One India, One Rate scheme.
As per this plan RCom's customers will pay the same rate for local, STD and roaming calls from anywhere in India.

Nadal’s ninth title

After all the consecutive victories and the confidently clenched fists, after the new hires and the new attitude, the 2014 French Open was just another red-clay rerun for Novak Djokovic.
He arrived in Paris full of fresh and legitimate hope. He will depart again without the trophy, which is officially called the Coupe des Mousquetaires but which is clearly in need of a name change at this belief-beggaring stage of the tournament’s history.
In the modern era, no man has had a tighter grip on a Grand Slam event than Rafael Nadal, whose 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Djokovic allowed him to win his ninth French Open by the age of just 28.