Current Affairs from The Hindu DATE:15-03-15

S.NO. / NEWS ITEM / SYLLUBUS / ESSENCE OF THE ARTICLE
1. / Peace, unity, reconciliation key to development, says Modi (Pg 9) / a) I.R / a) Describing his trip as Triveni Yatra in the North, Modi said he was delighted to be the first Indian PM to set foot in Jaffna.
2. / Modis address a message to our govt: Wigneswaran (Page 9) / a) I.R / a) Sri Lankan Northern CM said that PM Modis address at the Sri Lankan Parliament was a message to Colombo on the need for greater devolution of powers.
3. / Aides absent at meet with Rajapaksa (Pg 9) / a) I.R / a) Officials said that PM Modi wanted to meet Rajapaksa as a matter of courtesy.
4. / Modi promises support to plantation Tamils (Page 9) / a) I.R / a) PM Modi assured leaders representing Indian-origin Tamils in Sri Lanka that India would further engage with them to appreciate their concerns.
5. / PM prays at tree temple in Anuradhapura (Page 9) / a) I.R / a) PM Modi visited Sri Lankas ancient capital Anuradhapura and offered prayers at the holy Mahabodhi tree in a move aimed at projecting Indias Buddhist links in the region.
6. / India-US ties a strategic plus: Verma (Page 8) / a) I.R / a) Characterising the transforming India-US relationship as a strategic plus, US envoy restated the shared India-US vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions of working for a rules based global order.
7. / Abdullah asks India to stay the course (Page 12) / a) International / a) Among concerns in India over the rapprochement by new govt in Afghanistan with Pakistan, Kabul expressed surprise at the level of worries in India and reassured India, asking it to stay the course.
8. / Democracy jailed for 13 years: Nasheeds party (Page 12) / a) International / a) Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in prison on a terrorism charge after what rights groups said was a faulty trial, sparking international concern.
9. / One Rank One Pension by April-end: Army Chief (Page 8) / a) National
b) Social issue / a) Army Chief said that the long-pending One Rank One Pension scheme for military personnel will be implemented by April end.
10. / New butterfly species spotted in West Bengal (Page 7) / a) Environment
b) Geography / a) Wildlife enthusiasts have found the Malayan Green Banded Peacock (a beautiful specimen found in South East Asia) for the first time in India.
S.NO. / NEWS ITEM / SYLLUBUS / BACKGROUND / IMPORTANT POINTS
1. / Peace, unity, reconciliation key to development, says Modi (Page 9) / a) I.R / a) India – Sri Lanka relations
b) Historic and cultural ties
c) Indias projects in Sri Lanka / a) PM Modi said that peace, unity and reconciliation are crucial for the development of the country.
b) The first Indian PM to visit the war-torn Northern Province of the island nation, he said that India and Sri Lanka were not only neighbours but shared strong historic and cultural links.
c) Describing the laying of the foundation stone for the cultural centre, handing over of houses and the launch of train services as his Triveni Yatra in the north, PM Modi said he was delighted to be the first Indian PM to set foot in Jaffna.
2. / Modis address a message to our govt: Wigneswaran (Page 9) / a) I.R / a) India – Sri Lanka relations
b) Devolution of powers / a) Northern CM Wigneswaran said that PM Modis address at the Sri Lankan Parliament was a message to Colombo on the need for greater devolution of powers.
b) He said the Indian PM had planted a very positive idea in the minds of those at the Central govt.
c) He said that Modi promoted cooperative federalism. The transformation in Gujarat under Modis leadership was possible because of the content and quantum of devolution.
3. / Aides absent at meet with Rajapaksa (Pg 9) / a) I.R / a) India – Sri Lanka relations
b) Sri Lankas internal issues
c) 13th Amendment / a) PM Modi ended his two-day visit to Sri Lanka with a meeting with the former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
b) Officials said that PM Modi wanted to meet Rajapaksa as a matter of courtesy.
c) Sri Lankan Minister said he hoped the visit would lead to much closer ties between the two countries and closer transport links.
d) During the visit, Modi announced that India would reciprocate e-visas on arrival for Sri Lankans and Air India would begin direct flights.
e) Senior TNA leader described Modis visit as timely, saying it had put the focus on the need for a resolution to the Tamil question, including the need to implement the 13th amendment for devolution in the Constitution and beyond it.
4. / Modi promises support to plantation Tamils (Page 9) / a) I.R / a) India – Sri Lanka relations
b) Tamils issue / a) PM Modi assured leaders representing Indian Origin Tamils in Sri Lanka that India would further engage with them to appreciate their concerns.
b) Modi told them that he was beginning to learn more about issues of Tamils living in southern Sri Lanka.
c) Officials said that Modi invited the leaders to India for further discussions and information, and assured them that after evaluating his visit to Sri Lanka he would positively respond to the proposal put forth by them seeking 20,000 houses for Plantation or Upcountry Tamils.
d) The community (originally from India) came to Sri Lanka in the early 19th century when the British brought them from south India as workforce for the plantations, mostly tea.
5. / PM prays at tree temple in Anuradhapura (Page 9) / a) I.R / a) India – Sri Lanka relations
b) Anuradhapura
c) Mahabodhi tree
d) Ruwanweliseya
e) Dagoba / a) PM Modi visited Sri Lankas ancient capital Anuradhapura and offered prayers at the holy Mahabodhi tree in a move aimed at projecting Indias Buddhist links in the region.
b) Legend has it that the southern branch of the holy Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya in India under which Buddha was said to have attained enlightenment was brought to Sri Lanka in 288 BC by Princess Sanghamitra, daughter of Ashoka. The fig tree is the oldest living tree in documented history of the world.
c) Modi also visited Ruwanweliseya, a stupa built in 140 BC.
d) Anuradhapura is an ancient city, located at a distance of 206 km from Colombo. The city is the capital of North-Central province. Anuradhapura was established in 4th century BC. It was the first capital of Sri Lanka and remained so until 8th century AD.
e) Anuradhapura has several monuments of historical importance. The city is considered very dedicated by Buddhists and is home to the largest dagobas in Sri Lanka.
f) A dagoba is a dome enshrining holyartefacts or the bodily remains of the Buddha, or articles used by Him like the alms bowl and other objects of worship.
6. / India-US ties a strategic plus: Verma (Page 8) / a) I.R / a) India – US relations
b) India-US vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions / a) Characterising the transforming India-US relationship as a strategic plus, US Ambassador restated the shared India-US vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions of working for a rules based global order.
b) He said our shared goals include working together and with other interested partners on increasing regional economic integration, promoting accelerated infrastructure connectivity and supporting rules based order.
7. / Abdullah asks India to stay the course (Page 12) / a) International / a) Pakistan – Afghanistan relations
b) Indias concerns
c) India – Afghanistan relations
d) Terrorism
e) Taliban / a) Among concerns in India over the rapprochement by new govt in Afghanistan with Pakistan, Kabul expressed surprise at the level of worries in India and reassured India, asking it to stay the course.
b) Afghan official stated that the two countries were bound by common objectives for a stable Afghanistan and thanked India for its constant support.
c) On the upcoming visit of Ashraf Ghani to India, he saidthe different aspects of the Strategic Framework agreement with India would be reactivated during the visit.
d) He said that the Former President Hamid Karzai had initiated Chinas role in talks with the Taliban to encourage Pakistan to cooperate in achieving peace in Afghanistan.
8. / Democracy jailed for 13 years: Nasheeds party (Page 12) / a) International / a) Maldives internal issues
b) Anti-Terrorism Act / a) Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in prison on a terrorism charge after what rights groups said was a faulty trial, sparking international concern.
b) He was convicted under the countrys Anti-Terrorism Act for ordering the arrest of a chief judge, when he was President in Jan 2012.
c) Sources said the Anti-Terrorism Act classifies an act of terrorism to include kidnapping, holding as hostage or apprehending someone against their will or attempts to kidnap, hold hostage or apprehend someone without their will, for the extra judicial enforced disappearance of the sitting Chief Judge of Criminal Court.
d) The conviction came among growing opposition to the govt of President Abdulla Yameen and will effectively prevent Nasheed from running for President at 2018 elections.
e) India expressed deep concern over the developments in the Island nation.
9. / One Rank One Pension by April-end: Army Chief (Page 8) / a) National
b) Social issue / a) One Rank One Pension (OROP) Scheme / a) Army Chief said that the long-pending One Rank One Pension scheme for military personnel will be implemented by April end.
b) The govt has already assured that the OROP would be implemented from April 1 2015.
d) OROP is a long-pending demand of the armed forces seeking parity in the pension of personnel retiring at the same rank and duration of service. This decision would benefit about 2 million ex-servicemen.
10. / New butterfly species spotted in West Bengal (Page 7) / a) Environment
b) Geography / a) Malayan Green Banded Peacock
b) Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary / a) For the first time in India, wildlife enthusiasts have found the Malayan Green Banded Peacock (a beautiful specimen found in South East Asia) at Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary in West Bengal.
b) The butterfly with a dusty green base having a bluish green band spread over both wings in the shape of an arc is found in southern Myanmar and peninsular Thailand south-eastward into Borneo and the Philippines.

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