ENLIGHTENED MINDS_Inspiring Excellence

15 July – Current Affairs National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) : Ø The Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries recently told the Parliament that it has advised NDDB to “extend the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005 to its subsidiary companies including NDDB Dairy Services.” Ø Type: An Institution of National Importance set up by an Act of Parliament of India. Ø History: It was founded by Dr. Verghese Kurien in 1965. Ø Headquarters: Anand, Gujarat. Ø NDDB's subsidiaries include: IDMC Limited-Anand, Mother Dairy, Delhi, NDDB Dairy Services, Delhi and Indian Immunologicals Ltd, Hyderabad. World Youth Skill Day : Ø The fourth anniversary of the Skill India Mission is being observed on July 15, 2019 o the occassion of World Youth Skills Day. Ø The United Nations, at its General Assembly in November 2014, declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day.  Ø Traditionally organized by the Permanent Missions of Portugal and Sri Lanka, together w

14th July-Current Affairs National Green Tribunal : Ø The Supreme Court has agreed to examine whether the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has the power to take cognisance of a matter suo motu (on its own). Ø Established in : 2010. Ø Established under: National Green Tribunal Act 2010. Consequent to enforcement of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, the National Environment Tribunal Act, 1995 and the National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997 have been repealed. Ø What is it? It is a specialized body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues. Ø Functions: o    Effective disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of natural resources. o    Enforcement of any legal right relating to environment. o    Giving relief for damages to persons and property for related matters. Ø Location: Initially, the NGT is proposed to be set up at five places of sittings and

13th July – Current Affairs Second India-Russia Strategic Economic Dialogue (IRSED) : Ø    The Second India-Russia Strategic Economic Dialogue (IRSED) was recently held in New Delhi. Ø    The Second India-Russia Strategic Economic Dialogue (IRSED) was held today in New Delhi, under the chairmanship of Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog and Mr. TimurMaksimov, Deputy Minister of the Economic Development of the Russia. Ø    The meeting focussed on 6 core areas covering Transport, Agriculture, Small and Medium Business, Digital Technologies, Finance, Tourism & Connectivity. Ø    Background: o    The IRSED was established following a bilateral MoU signed between NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russia during the 19th edition of the Annual India-Russia Bilateral Summit held in 2018 in New Delhi. o    The First India-Russia Strategic Economic Dialogue was held in St. Petersburg in November 2018. U.R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC)

12th July –Current Affairs Amendments to POCSO ACT : Ø    The Union Cabinet has approved a new definition for child pornography in its amendments to the POCSO Act , which is likely to be introduced in Parliament next week. Ø    Cabinet has approved the Amendments to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences, POCSO, Act, 2012 to discourage the trend of child sexual abuse by acting as a deterrent due to strong penal provisions incorporated in the Act. Ø    It will make  punishment more stringent for committing sexual crimes against children including the death penalty.  Ø    The amendments also provide for levy of fines and imprisonment to curb child pornography. Ø    The new definition of child pornography reads, “Any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a child which include photographs, video, digital or computer generated image indistinguishable from an actual child and an image created, adapted or modified but appear to depict a child.”