Current Affairs : July 19, 2011

India, Sri Lanka to jointly find a Solution to the problems related to fishing communities

• India and Sri Lanka to work out a “practical arrangement” to help fishing communities of both sides to live peacefully
  
• During the last couple of years, several instances reported where fishermen from both sides have crossed into each others’ territory and have been detained for doing so
  
• Sri Lanka assured that the well well-being of the detained Indian fishermen was of paramount concern for it and under no conditions, use of force is reasonable
  

India, US concur to improve Science & Technology coordination

• India-US agreed on improving Science & Technology coordination b/w the two countries
  
• Cross-cutting areas relating to energy, agriculture, affordable healthcare, nutrition and monsoon forecasting
  
• Need to work towards making agriculture resilient
  
• Need for further research on forecasting various hazards like cyclones and in this connection, usage of instrumental spectra aircraft
  
• Sharing of data on issues relating to monsoon and flood and strengthening the exchange of data
  
• Facilitating exchange of scientists from both the countries by addressing bottlenecks relating to Visa for S&T professionals
  
• India urged for a Liberal visa regime to ensure seamless issuance of visas for Indian scientists willing to work in the US
  
• There was general consensus on substantially increasing financial outlay by both sides
  
• The Indo-US Science and Technology Endowment Fund which is currently $30 million could have its corpus increased and the current allocation of $ 50 million for both the sides for next 5 years could be enhanced to $ 100 million
  

Four Indians in ICC’s “All Time Greatest Test team” for Test Cricket

• Four Indians found place in the ICC’s ‘All Time Greatest Test team’ for Test Cricket
  
• The players are –
  

1. Sachin Tendulkar
   
2. Virender Sehwag
   
3. Sunil Gavaskar
   
4. Kapil Dev
   

• ‘All Time Greatest Test team’ chosen via an online poll across the world
  
• Fans voted on the International Cricket Council’s official website, to pick the leading 11 as part of the celebrations to commemorate the 2,000th Test match, which will be played between England and India at Lord’s from July 21, 2011
  
• The dream team is:
  

  Virender Sehwag, Sunil Gavaskar, Donald Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar Brian Lara, Kapil Dev, Adam Gilchrist, wicket keeper, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram, Curtly Ambrose, Glenn McGrath
  

Kerala CM urges Centre to avert from import of natural rubber

• Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has urged the Centre to avert from the import of natural rubber
  
• The Centre’s decision led to opposition walk out in the Kerala State Assembly
  
• Replying to an adjournment motion, the Chief Minister assured the house that the concern of rubber farmers will be conveyed to the Centre
  
• As per Suresh Kurup, MLA who sought consent for the adjournment motion import is preventable since there is not much difference in domestic and international price of rubber
  

Youth Unemployment still rising around the World: ILO

• As per ILO (International Labour Organization) Youth Unemployment continues to rise around the globe
  
• The jobless rate among 15 to 24 years old is a record high of 13%, about 81 million people
  

Vilasrao Deshmukh: New Science and Tech Minister

Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh took charge as the new Science and Technology Minister. Mr Deshmukh is currently Minister of Science and Technology, Minister of Earth Sciences and President of the Mumbai Cricket Association

Bangladesh to confer country’s highest honour on Indira Gandhi

• Bangladesh to confer the country’s highest honour ‘Bangladesh Swadhinata Sammanona’ on Former Indian Prime Minister Ms Indira Gandhi
  
• Reason for conferring: For Ms Gandhi’s outstanding contribution to Bangladesh’s war of liberation in 1971
  

Tripartite agreement to resolve Darjeeling impasse signed

• The Tripartite agreement to resolve the Darjeeling impasse signed
  
• The historic agreement was signed among the Centre, West Bengal government and Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha in presence of the Union Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram and State Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee and President of the Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha Mr. Bimal Gurung at Pintail village at Sukhna in Darjeeling district
  
• As per Mr. Chidambaram, the signing of the agreement puts an end to the conflict in the region and will mark the beginning of better future for the hilly people
  
• As per Ms Mamata Banerjee there was no scope of division of Bengal in future. She criticized the opposition for politicizing the issue over the name of the new autonomous body
  
• The Gorkhaland territorial administration will be formed through election within six months
  
• This autonomous authority for the Darjeeling hills will replace the existing Darjeeling-Gurkha Hill Council
  
• Centre to provide a `
  600 Crore economic package to the proposed Gurkha Land Territorial Administration in Darjeeling for development work under each jurisdiction
  
• The fund to be released by the Centre over 3 years, starting from 2011

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Month: Current Affairs - July, 2011