Current Affairs: November 28, 2011

Nuclear reactors are safe: Dr Bigot

• In a bid to allay fears arising over the proposed nuclear power plant at Jaitapur in Maharashtra’s coastal Ratnagiri district, Chairman of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, Dr Bernard Bigot, held that the interim report of the French Nuclear Safety Authority has stated that the nuclear reactors are safe despite Fukushima nuclear disaster. His statement assumed significance in the backdrop of Fukushima incident and fierce local resistance to the Jaitapur nuclear power project, whose six nuclear reactors of 1650 MW, will be provided by French company AREVA NP.

Steady decline in parliament’s work hours: Study

• There has been a steady decline in the productive time of Lok Sabha over the last 25 years, with the 15^th Lok Sabha sitting only for 72% of its work hours and entering history books as the most disrupted.

Punjab issues directions to stop honour killings

• The Punjab government has issued directions to stop honour killings in the state. Fresh directions and guidelines issued for strict compliance in this regard. The threatening attitude of parents/relatives in the wake of inter-caste marriages by their children and subsequently disruption of law and order situation would be dealt with firmly. The security would be extended to such couples till they felt safe. Protection centres set up by the state would facilitate the young married couples with boarding and lodging for a period of six weeks after their marriage. As per the fresh guidelines, mediation/counselling cells would be set up in the offices of commissioners/SSPs.

China warns India against giving ‘platform’ to Dalai Lama

• China opposed to any country providing “a platform” to the Dalai Lama for his “anti-China activities” even as the Tibetan leader’s envoy in New Delhi said India was right in letting him speak at an ongoing Buddhist conference.

Veteran sports journalist S K Sham passes away

• Veteran sports journalist and former president of the Press Club, S K Sham (71) passed away. He served as a prolific and respected sports journalist at the Free Press Journal, Indian Post and finally Arab News. He also served as president of the Sports Journalists Association of India.

Durban Climate meet opens; India for renewing Kyoto Protocol

• Representatives from about 190 in Durban for the Climate Change conference which has before it the crucial issue of the second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol which expires in December 2012. India has already made it clear that any solution to the climate change crisis has to be found within UNFCC. India wants an agreement on the second commitment period for existing Kyoto Protocol and was against any new legally binding clause.

“Kishori Scheme” for personal hygiene of girl students launched

• Delhi launched “Kishori Scheme” – a unique scheme of personal hygiene for girl students to ensure menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls. Delhi became the first state to touch the lives of 7.50 Lakh girls with one stroke and help them live a better and healthier life with dignity. The Government will provide free sanitary napkins to such girl students every month during their difficult days to ensure that they are not affected with bacterial infection and cervical cancer.

‘Mattu Gulla’ -Brinjal gets GI certificate

• The local variety of brinjal, popularly known as “Mattu Gulla” was awarded the GI certificate by the Geographical Indication Registry (GIR) of the Union Government, in Chennai.

”Bank on Wheels” launched in Meghalaya

• The State Bank of India introduced Bank on Wheels in Meghalaya to provide banking facilities to its customers and especially to 4,500 unbanked villages in the state. The programme is part of financial inclusion plans of the Central Government and RBI.

India-Japan hold 3^rd round of Dialogue on Africa

• India and Japan took stock of their cooperation with African countries at the 3^rd round of their Dialogue on Africa that took place in Tokyo on November 24 and 25, 2011. The two sides held wide ranging discussions on their respective cooperation with the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) of Africa. They also discussed economic cooperation with select African countries, and issues of mutual political interest including regional affairs in Africa and UNSC Reforms and impact on Africa of major political developments in the region.

Ashwin bags Dilip Sardesai award

• Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will be given the Dilip Sardesai award for being the best performer in the recently concluded home Test series against West Indies. Ashwin will be given the award at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) awards ceremony on December 10, 2011 in Chennai. The award comprises a trophy and a cheque for Rs 5 lakh.
• The BCCI instituted the Dilip Sardesai Award in 2007 for the player who performs best in bilateral series between India and West Indies.
  

Apex court notice to SEBI on Sahara companies’ plea

• The Supreme Court Monday issued notice to the SEBI on a plea of two Sahara group companies which challenged a Securities Appellate Tribunal’s (SAT) award directing them to refund Rs.17,400 crore they had collected from investors through OFCD (Optional Fully Convertible Debentures).

Nagaland bags Gold Medal in International Fair in Delhi

• The Nagaland State Pavilion has been awarded a gold medal under North East State category during the 31^st India International Trade Fair 2011 held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The award was given for outstanding performance in excellence in display during the trade fair which was held from November 14 to 27.

US’ Maryland signs sister state agreement with Andhra Pradesh

• US state Maryland signed a Sister-State agreement with Andhra Pradesh, the first such agreement with any Indian state.

British hospitals waste money importing food from China

• As per a Study, Hospitals across Britain are wasting millions of pounds by importing food from Thailand and China instead of making patients’ meals from local produce.

China bans commercials during TV dramas

• China has barred the airing of commercials during TV dramas effective Jan 1, 2012.

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Month: Current Affairs - November, 2011

Category: Government Schemes Current Affairs