Yoga Makes it to Intangible cultural heritage list of UNESCO.

TNPSC Current Affairs December 2 2016

Yoga has got the global recognition as it was inscribed in the UNESCO’s representative list as the Intangible cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Decision was taken during the 11^th session of the intergovernmental committee for the safeguarding of the Intangible cultural Heritage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The committee has also recognised Belgium’s Beer Culture and Cuba’s Rumba Dance as the Intangible cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Yoga is the 13^th Intangible cultural Heritage to be listed from India by UNESCO.

About Intangible Cultural Heritage:

It is established by UNESCO with the aim of better protection of important intangible cultural heritages across world and the awareness of their significance. Intangible Cultural Heritage not only includes monuments and objects but also includes the traditions or living expression inherited from ancestors and passed to our descendants.

TeamIndus to launch India’s First Private Mission to the Moon.

TNPSC Current Affairs December 2 2016

Bengaluru Based private aerospace company, TeamIndus has planned to launch first Private mission to the Moon on Dec 28, 2017.

TeamIndus has secured a contract with the Indian Space Research Organisation to land a spacecraft in moon in Dec 27 2017 in an attempt to win the $30 million Google Lunar XPrize.

TeamIndus is the only Private organisation from India competing to win the $30 million Google Lunar XPrize. It requires landing their spacecraft on the surface of the moon, travelling 500 meters, and broadcasting high definition video, images and data back to earth.

About Google Lunar XPRIZE

Google Lunar XPRIZE has started with the aim involve private organisation in space mission to study about moon. Google believes that studying moon will help us in developing better understanding of our universe.

Union cabinet approves India’s Position at Kigali climate conference on Hydro fluorocarbons.

TNPSC Current Affairs December 1 2016

Union Cabinet has approved the recent negotiation to phase down the climate damage refrigerants Hydro fluorocarbons at the 28^th meeting of the parties to the Montreal protocol at Kigali, Rwanda.

Montreal protocol aims to phase down the Ozone depleting substances, which came into force in January 1989.

In Kigali Meet India has successfully negotiated the baseline and freeze year to phase down the use of Hydro fluorocarbons.

It was agreed that there would be 2 sets of baseline years of developing countries. India along with other 9 developing countries have baseline years of 2024-26 and developing countries like China, Brazil, south Africa will have 2020-22.

The Freeze year for India is 2028 and can be extended till 2030 if there will be a technology review. The Freeze year for China, Brazil and South Africa is 2024.

About HFCs

HFCs (Hydro fluorocarbons ), a family of greenhouse gas that are mainly released from Air-conditioner and Refrigerator. The Agreement would lead to reduction of 0.5 Degree global temperature by end of the Century

India Inks Rs 5,000 Crore deal with US to buy 145 M777 Howitzers

TNPSC Current Affairs December 1 2016

India and US has signed a for RS 5,000 crore deal to buy 145 M777 ultra-light Howitzers in the two day meeting of the 15^th India-US military Cooperation Group (MCG). India has signed the letter of Acceptance which formalises the contract between India and US for these guns.

Mostly these Guns will deploy near the borders of China. This was India’s first deal for artillery guns since Bofors scandal in 1980s.

The first batch of 25 guns will come to India in fly-away condition and the rest will be assembled in India at proposed Assembly Integration and Test Facility for the weapon system in India with partnership with Mahindra.

The first 2 M777 howitzers will be delivered within 6 months of the contract being inked and rest will be delivered at 2 per month.

About India and US MCG

India US Military cooperation group (MCG) is a forum established to progress Defence cooperation between HQ Integrated Defence Staff and US Pacific command at the strategic and Operational Levels.