National Tribal Carnival

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first National Tribal Carnival(aimed to promote a sense of inclusiveness amongst the tribals and showcase and promote various facets of tribal culture on a large scale) in New Delhi.

The idea behind the carnival is to preserve and promote various facets of the tribal life relating to culture, tradition, customs and their skills.

The carnival hosted activities like displaying documents on traditional socio-culture aspects, exhibition of art/artifacts, cultural performances. It also demonstrated skills like paintings, traditional healing practices, sports, etc.

Workshops on issues like implementation of Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA), Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 were also held.

India-Sri Lanka joint military exercise

India-Sri Lanka joint military exercise Mitra Shakti 2016 conducted at Sinha Regimental Centre in Ambepussa, Sri Lanka from 24 October to 06 November 2016 in order to strengthen the bond between the two nations, .

The main focus of this edition of the joint exercise was to enhance inter-operability while carrying out Counter Insurgency (CI)/Counter Terrorism (CT) operations under the United Nations Mandate. A comprehensive training programme spanning fourteen days has been drawn up for the purpose.The exercise also provided an opportunity to both the armies for greater cultural understanding, sharing experiences and strengthening mutual trust and co-operation.

2016 Man Booker Prize

Paul Beatty's novel  “The Sellout,” has won the 2016 Man Booker Prize,marking the first time an American writer has awarded at a ceremony held in London’s Guildhall. His novel tells the story of a young black man who tries to reinstate slavery and racial segregation in a suburb of Los Angeles.

Jammu and Kashmir tops life expectancy

According to the data given by the Registrar General of India (RGI) Jammu and Kashmir has the highest life expectancy,except life expectancy at birth.According to the RGI's Sample Registration System (SRS) data Jammu and Kashmir has surpassed Kerala as the state with the highest life expectancy which used to be the leader in life expectancy in almost all categories of age till 2010.

Kerala still has the highest overall life expectancy at birth at 74.9 years -- 72 for men and 77.8 for women -- according to the survey.

Delhi is second, with an overall life expectancy at birth at 73.2 years, 72 for men and 74.7 for women.

Jammu and Kashmir stands at third and it had the second-highest life expectancy at birth -- behind only Kerala -- even during 2006-10.

Director of the Enforcement Directorate

Senior IPS officer Karnal Singh has been appointed as Director of the Enforcement Directorate.Decision in this regard was taken by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will be in office till 31 August 2017.

India and New Zealand signed three agreements

 In the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart John Key after the delegation-level talks, signed three agreements between  India and New Zealand.In the areas of double taxation avoidance(DTA), food security and sports.

Agreements that signed are:

Arrangement between the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India(FSSAI) and the Ministry for Primary Industries of New Zealand regarding Food Safety Cooperation.

MoU was signed between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of India and Sport New Zealand on cooperation in the field of youth affairs and sports.

Protocol to the convention between India and New Zealand for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.

ECB norms for start-ups eased

RBI with the view to boosting innovation and promoting job creation in the country eased external commercial borrowing(ECB) norms for start-ups.

 RBI allowed start-up companies recognized by the government to borrow up to $3 million in a financial year for three year tenure through ECB.The money raised can be used for any expenditure connected with the business of the company. “The borrowing can be in the form of loans or non-convertible, optionally convertible or partially convertible preference shares,” RBI said adding that it can be done in any convertible currency or in Indian rupees.