UTTARAKHAND

UNDP roped in to restore dry springs

The Uttarakhandforest department has roped in United Nations Development Program (UNDP) agency and other non-government organisations for identification and restoration of dry springs in the forest area. The initiative is aimed at taking immediate measures for spring conservation and rainwater harvesting.

The alarmed forest department has begun this program to reduce the magnitude of forest fires that otherwise is likely to exacerbate due to scant rainfall in the winter season. The study will be completed by May and conservation structures will be built by August.

INTERNATIONAL

China scrapped two-term limit for Presidential rule

China has abolished the limit on how long its leader can serve, meaning President Xi could now rule the country indefinitely.

The amendment overhauls a system introduced by former leader Deng Xiaoping in 1982, which was introduced with the aim of preventing a repeat of the bloody reign of Mao Zedong.

Until now, presidents had been limited to two consecutive terms.

NATIONAL

Multilateral naval exercise begins in Andamans

The Indian Navy began an eight-day-long mega naval exercise along with leading maritime powers of the region at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The biennial exercise — Milan — is taking place in the backdrop of imposition of state of emergency in Maldives and Sri Lanka, two of India’s maritime neighbours.

28 warships including 17 from India and 11 from Australia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand are participating in the 10th exercise.

Diu becomes first UT to run 100% on solar power

The harnessing of solar energy has made Diu the country’s first energy surplus Union territory and a model for an effective way for people to harness this renewable energy source.

In just three years, Diu has made rapid progress in solar power generation.

Diu generates a total of 13 megawatts of electricity from solar power generating facilities daily.

Around 3 MW is generated by rooftop solar plants and 10 MW by its other solar power plants.

India’s top court allows passive euthanasia

Over a decade after NGO Common Clause filed a petition seeking the right for terminally-ill patients “to die with dignity,” India’s Supreme Court has decreed that passive euthanasia is legally valid across the country.

In a judgment delivered on March 09, the court said patients have the right to refuse life-support instead of prolonging their pain, and that a “living will,” in which they can authorise family members in advance to let them die, should be recognised.

The judgment was made by a bench consisting of chief justice Dipak Misra and justices AK Sikri, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud, and Ashok Bhushanin.

India is 22nd country to legalize passive euthanasia.

Gk bit – Euthanasia

Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering.

There are two procedural classifications of euthanasia:

Passive euthanasiais when life-sustaining treatments are withheld. The definitions are not precise. If a doctor prescribes increasing doses of strong painkilling medications, such as opioids, this may eventually be toxic for the patient. Some may argue that this is passive euthanasia.

Others, however, would say this is not euthanasia, because there is no intention to take life.

Active euthanasiais when someone uses lethal substances or forces to end a patient’s life, whether by the patient or somebody else.

Active euthanasia is more controversial, and it is more likely to involve religious, moral, ethical, and compassionate arguments.

Assisted suicide

Intentionally helping a person commit suicide by providing drugs for self-administration, at that person’s voluntary and competent request

CSO projects the growth of GDP to be 6.6 per cent in 2017-18

As per the Second Advance estimates released by Central Statistics Office (CSO) the growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to be 6.6 per cent in 2017-18, which is same as the annual average GDP growth rate during last 30 years, starting from 1987-88 to 2016-17.

However, it may be mentioned that the growth rate of GDP from 2012-13 may not be strictly comparable with the growth rate prior to that period.

· Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates National Legislators Conference On We For Development

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated National Legislators Conference on the theme ‘We For Development’in New Delhi.
The motive of the conference is to bring MPs and MLAs on a single platform where ideas and plans for development can be exchanged.
The conference will hold discussions on how women help in the development work being done for the country where ideas on projects and plans can be debated.
NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant will give a presentation on the first day and the plenary will be presided over by Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai.
Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu will address the concluding session.

· India’s Biggest M&E Services Market, EnTTech 2018 Inaugurated

India’s biggest Media & Entertainment Services Market – enTTech 2018was inaugurated in Mumbai.
The market, spread over two days saw fast matchmaking between 100 international delegates and their Indian counterparts.
The event was organized by Service Export Promotion Council (SEPC) in association with MEAI (Media & Entertainment Association of India) and supported by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. Indian film industry is the world’s largest industry in terms of the number of films produced.

Virat Kohli named Uber India’s first brand ambassador

Popular ridesharing app Uber has announced the appointment of Indian skipper Virat Kohli as its first brand ambassador in India.

This partnership will see Uber and Virat Kohli joining hands to underscore the company’s commitment to serve billions in the country, in the years to come.

President receives the book ‘Fulfilling Bapu’s Dreams – Prime Minister Modi’s tribute to Gandhiji’

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, received the first copy of the book ‘Fulfilling Bapu’s Dreams – Prime Minister Modi’s Tribute to Gandhiji’ from Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, who formally released it at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that this book underscores an important aspect of India’s developmental process.

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