Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 14 March 2015

:: National ::

Haryana set to ban cow slaughter

Haryana is all set to bring legislation for banning cow slaughter and making it a punishable offence. The move is not only likely to have an adverse impact on the cuisine and business of premier hotels in the State but also the livelihood of a large number of people dependent on butchery, especially in the minority-dominated district of Mewat.
Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij said that the State Government is framing a stringent law to clamp a complete ban on cow slaughter which would help in the protection and promotion of cows. “Since cows represent a strong identity of our ancient culture, it is the duty of every single person to protect them,” he said.
The government had in the Governor’s address to the Assembly made its intent clear to bring in a legislation to protect and preserve the cow. It had noted that “gaudhan” (wealth of cows) was central to India’s great civilisation from ancient Vedic times.”
Haryana Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma had also observed that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream to provide proper protection and care to cows. Mr. Sharma said before the elections, the BJP had also promised to ban slaughter of cow and sale of beef in the State.
Following Maharashtra’s ban on beef, Haryana now looks all set to follow suit. Haryana Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Om Prakash Dhankar had also confirmed that stringent punishment would be handed out for cow slaughter and sale and storage of beef in the State.
The government noted that “gaudhan” (wealth of cows) was central to India’s great civilisation from ancient Vedic times.

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:: International :

Modi calls for implementation of 13th Amendment in full

India stands for a “united Sri Lanka,” but wants an “early and full implementation of the 13th Amendment” that provides for devolution in the Tamil majority Northern and Eastern provinces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said .
Mr. Modi, who was speaking at the historic Presidential Secretariat after talks with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, also referred to “going beyond” the 13th Amendment that would “contribute to the process” of building a “future that accommodates the aspirations of all sections of society, including the Sri Lankan Tamil community.”
The Prime Minister’s comments came a day ahead of his visit to Jaffna and Talaimannar, the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister.
In an interview to The Hindu this week, Chief Minister of the Northern Province C.V. Wigneswaran had called upon India to remember its role as “guarantor” of Tamil rights, saying the 13th Amendment was “inadequate” and seeking “something beyond it.”

Japan, France sign pact

France and Japan agreed on Friday to work together on researching military equipment, as Tokyo looks to broaden its defence ties and bolster its international profile.
In the latest in a spate of meetings, involving defence and foreign ministers, the fellow G7 members signalled a closer working relationship.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida pledged to fight terrorism, to help bring stability to Ukraine, and to seek political solutions to Syria and Iraq.

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:: Science & Technology ::

INS Alleppey decommissioned

INS Alleppey , one of the six Ponchicherry class coastal minesweepers purchased from the erstwhile USSR in the 1970s, decommissioned at sunset after nearly 35 years of service under the Western Naval Command.
After INS Alleppey ’s decommissioning, the Indian Navy will be left with six other operational minesweeper vessels.
The ship was decommissioned by Rear Admiral MS Pawar, Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area at Mumbai Naval Dockyard.

:: Sports::

Jackie Chan song for Olympics app

Jackie Chan has recorded a theme song for the application of 2022 Winter Olympic Games titled ‘Wake up Winter.’ Songwriter Wang Jiuping explained that the song was a “call to people around the world”.