Current Affairs of 3 and 4th June 2019

Fee waived off for SC/ST Candidates in Jan Shikshan Sansthans

As per the decision was taken at MSDE’ review the meeting, all those SC/ST candidates who join vocational training under Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSS), which operates under the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) their fees will be waived off. In January 2019, comprehensive reforms were brought in for Directorate of Jan Shikshan Sansthan (DJSS), which was formerly under Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) and was transferred to Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship in 2018. This decision follows those recent comprehensive reforms. 

#SelfiewithSapling campaign: launched by Environment Minister

Union Environment Minister, Shri Prakash Javadekar urged all people to join the campaign and plant a sapling and post selfie with the planted sapling on social media. He also stressed that ‘Jan Bhagidari’ (means Peoples Participation) is integral towards tackling environmental issues and environmental protection has to be a people’s movement for achieving success in the domain. Such initiatives are needed so as to create a carbon sink. Also, environmental concerns cannot be addressed solely by the government and have to be a people’s program.

Bulletin: PM approves changes in Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme

The rates of scholarship have been increased from Rs.2000pm (per month) to Rs.2500pm for boys and from Rs.2250pm to Rs.3000pm for girls. The ambit of Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme is now extended to include the wards of State Police officials who are or were martyred during terror or Naxal attacks. The new scholarships quota for wards of state police officials will be 500 in one year. For the implementation of it, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will be the nodal Ministry.

NDF was set up in 1962. It was meant to take charge of voluntary donations (in cash and kind) received for promotion of national defence effort, and also to decide on their utilisation. National Defence Fund also accepts online voluntary contributions.

Ajit Doval reappointed as National Security Adviser

Ajit Doval is reappointed as National Security Advisor (NSA) of India for another ve-year tenure. In recognition of his earlier contribution in the national security domain, he has also been elevated to the rank of Cabinet Minister for this term. During his first term, 2014-2019 NSA was given the rank of Minister of State (MoS).

He is a 1968-batch IPS officer. For over 33 years he worked as an intelligence officer during which he served in North East, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. 

NSA is the chief adviser to the prime minister of India on national and international security policy matters. He serves at the discretion of Prime Minister of India.

Nilekani Panel suggests measures to encourage Digital Payments

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) appointed Nandan Nilekani committee has submitted its suggestions on measures to encourage digital payments in India to RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.In January 2019 the RBI had set up the ve-member panel under the chairmanship of Nandan Nilekani to provide suggestions on deepening digital payments with a view of encouraging digitization of payments and of enhancing financial inclusion through digitization.

Indian Army installs Air Quality Monitor at Fort Williams

The Indian Army has commissioned a “Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System” (CAAQMS) at its Eastern Command headquarters in Fort William Military Station, Kolkata in West Bengal. The commission of air quality monitor is part of Army’s countrywide ‘Go Green’ initiative, which was started in April 2019.

3 June: World Bicycle Day celebrated

The World Bicycle Day was globally celebrated on 3 June 2019 by organizing group rides on the event to popularize the use of bicycles in daily life. In 2018, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 3 June as World Bicycle Day to observe the day as a celebration of “uniqueness, longevity, and versatility” of the bicycle. Professor Leszek Sibilski of Montgomery College, Maryland,  United States with his Sociology class petitioned for the bicycle to have its own day and to recognize all its good qualities.

Elephanta Festival of Art and Culture begins

The Elephanta Festival of art and culture commenced at the iconic Gateway of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The festival was inaugurated by state Tourism Minister government’s commitment towards Elephanta island tourism in all possible ways. The Elephanta Festival of art and culture was started in 2012 and since then is held every year to promote tourism and culture of Mumbai. It is held on Gharapuri island (also known as Elephanta Island) where Elephanta Caves are located.

The annual gala event is organised on Elephanta Island by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). It is promoted by Maharashtra government.

Cricket World Cup: The Indian Challenge’ Book

Celebrated cricket broadcaster Ashis Ray released a new book titled ‘Cricket World Cup: The Indian Challenge’. It the new book he has Ray penned down the journey of Indian cricket at the World Cups since the inaugural edition of WCs in 1975.

U.S. Visa process now needs Social Media Profiles

Under a new rule, the United States has asked all Visa applicants to must provide information on their social media use and declare their social media profiles going back ve years. The new Visa rules originate from a March 2017 executive order issued by US President Donald Trump which was intended to put extreme vetting into place to curb immigration into US. Later in April 2018, the US State Department first published the rule to expand social media history data collection to all immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants. The move is an attempt by US to enhance the careful examining of foreign nationals seeking Visa and to screen out terrorists and other dangerous individuals seeking entry into America.