Current Affairs - 2019-20

Notes:
The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for Tolerance is observed every year on 16th of November to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance. The day also recognises the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms. Tolerance is a struggle for peace. This calls for new policies that respect diversity and pluralism on the basis of human rights. Most of all, this calls on each of us, women and men across the world, to act for tolerance in our own lives, in seeking to understand others, in rejecting all racism and hatred, including anti-Semitism.

Notes:
Taro Chatung (57), the veteran journalist of Arunachal Pradesh, has passed away in Itanagar on 26th October 2019. He was one of the first persons in the state to direct and produce a full-length feature film in Hindi as it is spoken in the state. With his “News & Views” programme breaking all records of viewership, Chatung is often referred to as the “Father of the electronic media” in the state.

Notes:
The 2019 edition of National Unity Day (NUD) is observed on 31st of October across India to commemorate 144th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patelwho had played important role in unifying the country. Since 2014, October 31st is observed as the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (or NUD) and people from all walks of life participate in the ‘Run For Unity’.

Notes:
• Article 16 gives the guarantee of equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. Article 16(1) & 16(2) have laid down a general rule that there shall be equal opportunity for all citizens and thus emphasizes on universality of Indian Citizenship.
• Article 29(2) tells that no citizen shall be denied admission in such institutions on grounds only of religion, race, caste, language or any of them. Article 15 prohibits discrimination against citizen on ground of religion, etc. but the scope of two articles is different.
• Article 30(1) of the Constitution of India is a Fundamental Right. It provides that all minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
• Article 31 of the Constitution not only guarantees the right of private ownership but also the right to enjoy and dispose of property free from restrictions other than reasonable restriction. The article states that no person shall be deprived of his/her property, except by authority of law.

Notes:
The Paris Agreement is an agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, dealing with greenhouse-gas-emissions mitigation, adaptation, and finance, signed in 2016. 
The United States has formally notified the United Nations of its withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. On 4 August 2017, U.S. intends to withdraw from the Paris Agreement as soon as it is legally eligible to do so. The formal notice of withdrawal could not be submitted until the agreement is in force for 3 years for the US, in 2019.

Notes:
Ambassador of India to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri inaugurated Mathadhis building for Shree Budhanilkantha Narayan Temple in Kathmandu. Budhanilkantha temple is situated at the foot of Shivpuri hills in Kathmandu valley. It is s a Hindu open air temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Notes:
Community-based tourism start-up NotOnMap (NoM), which has its head quarter in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district, has won NASSCOM Foundation’s Social Innovation Forum (NSIF) award. A total of 10 organisations were selected across different categories out of 1,500 applicants through a rigorous selection criteria and NoM emerged winner in ‘other social innovation category’.
 

Notes:
The two-day socio-military cultural extravaganza is jointly organized by the Indian Army, Tawang civil administration and volunteers at the high-altitude stadium, which stands as a testimony to the spirit of solidarity and patriotic fervour that runs deep amongst the locals of Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh. This festival symbolizes the patriotism of the people of the region and their close relationship with the Armed Forces.
Maitree Diwas is a 2-day socio-military cultural program that is jointly organized by Tawang Civil Administration and Indian Army. The program is organized to celebrate special relationship between the people of Tawang and the Indian army. This year, the theme was Know your army. The objective of the event is to encourage the youths to join armed forces

Notes:
Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde was sworn in as the 47th Chief Justice of India on 18 November 2019. The oath of office was administered by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Durbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He has also decided various key cases and was part of the recent historic Ayodhya verdict. Bobde, 63, succeeded Justice Ranjan Gogoi. Justice Bobde will serve for a period of over 17 months as the CJI. He will retire on 23 April 2021.

Notes:
Acclaimed author and Infosys Foundation chairman Sudha Murty has launched her much awaited book The Daughter from a Wishing Tree Unusual Tales about Women in Mythology. The book was launched at the Crossword book store in Mantri Mall recently in the presence of Biocon MD Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and her husband John Shaw. In mythology there is always talk about Sita and Draupadi.