India’s first defence satellite all set for launch
India’s
maritime security will get a fresh impetus as the stage is now set for the
launch of an exclusive home-built satellite for the Navy by European space
consortium Arianespace from Kourou spaceport in French Guiana on Friday.
The
GSAT-7 is India’s first dedicated spacecraft for Defence applications.
“It has
frequency bands that will help marine communications”, an official of the
Bangalore-headquartered Indian Space Research Organisation, which built the
satellite, told PTI in Bangalore.
“It has
coverage over India landmass as well as surrounding seas. It’s important from
security and surveillance points of view,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
A senior
space scientist in the know said, “So far, Navy had limitation from line of
sight and ionospheric effects etc.
It was
thought essential to have an integrated platform for their exclusive use.
Earlier, satellite communication in ships was through Inmarsat (a major
provider of global mobile satellite communications services). Now, India will
have its own set up”
ISRO
shies away from calling it an exclusive satellite for the Navy on record, but
privately admits exactly that.
The Rs.
185 crore state-of-the-art satellite carries payloads operating in UHF, S, C
and Ku bands.
GSAT-7
has a lift-off mass of 2,625 kg and is based on ISRO’s 2,500 kg satellite bus
with some new technological elements, including the antennae. Its solar arrays
generate 2,900 W of electrical power.
The
satellite’s A108 Ampere-Hour Lithium-Ion battery enables it to function during
the eclipse period. The propulsion subsystem has a 440 Newton Liquid Apogee
Motor (LAM) and thrusters.
GSAT-7 is
scheduled to be launched into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) by Ariane-5
VA 215 during the 50-minute launch window starting from 2 a.m. on Friday.
The
launch cost for ISRO is around Rs. 470 crore, including insurance. ISRO can’t
launch heavy satellites like GSAT-7 as its home-grown GSLV rocket, with
indigenous cryogenic stage, is still in works and needs two successful flights
before it’s declared operational.
Assam Government decided to set up Assam State
Civil Supply Corporation
The Assam
government on 27 August 2013 decided to set up Assam State Civil Supply
Corporation for better management of public distribution system. Apart from
making the public distribution system hassle free, the proposed corporation
will monitor the implementation of Food Security programme. The concept was
designed by IIM-Shillong and it is expected to cater to the PDS needs for Assam
for the next four to five decades.
The new corporation will include elements of women empowerment, profit surpluses for the community, self governance and long term bonding, competitive managerial capabilities and modern technologies.
The new corporation will include elements of women empowerment, profit surpluses for the community, self governance and long term bonding, competitive managerial capabilities and modern technologies.
Assam
State Civil Supply Corporation is designed to be an efficient management method
that will remove leakages and inefficiencies of the legacy system. It will be
set up on a private-public-partnership model. The new system will have a
two-tier structure consisting of an initiating corporate body and an executing
company.
NASA Lunar Science Institute Detected the Evidence
of Water on Lunar Surface
NASA-funded
lunar research conducted by NASA Lunar Science Institute (NLSI) on 27 August
2013 unveiled about the evidence of water which was locked in the mineral
grains on the surface of the moon from unknown source that was present beneath
the surface of the Moon.
The scientists remotely detected about the presence of magmatic water, using the data from NASA's Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) instrument aboard the Indian Space Research Organization's Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft. Magmatic water is the water which has the source of origin from within the interior of the moon or on the surface of Moon. The findings represented the first detection of this form of water on the Moon. The previous studies had shown existence of the magmatic water in the lunar samples which were brought on the Earth by the Apollo program.
M3 instrument imaged the lunar impact crater Bullialdus. The Bullialdus lies near lunar equator. The scientists wanted to study this particular area because it would have enabled them to quantify the amount of water in the rocks, in a better form. The crater’s location as well as the kinds of rocks on it enabled the scientists to get a better understanding about this. The central peak of Bullialdus is composed of the kind of rock which forms deep inside the lunar crust and mantle when magma is captured underground.
Rachel Klima, a planetary geologist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Md, explained that the rock which usually lives beneath the surface was excavated from the depths of the lunar surface. In comparison with its surroundings, it was found that central portion of Bullialdus contained considerable amount of hydroxyl - a molecule consisting of one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom. This proved that the rocks in the Bullialdus contained water which had the source somewhere beneath the surface of the Moon.
In the year 2009, M3 had provided the first mineralogical map of the lunar surface. It had also discovered the water molecules in polar areas of the Moon. The water found on the lunar surface is considered to be the thin layer formed from solar wind which hits the Moon. Bullialdus crater lies in the region with unfavorable environment for solar wind in order to produce huge amounts of water on lunar surface.
The detection of water from lunar orbit will enable the scientists to test some other findings from sample studies in much broader sense. For years, scientists believed that rocks from the Moon were dry and that there was no water. The water detected in Apollo samples was thought to be contaminated from Earth.
Who conducted the research?
APL or Applied Physics Laboratory is the non-profit division of Johns Hopkins University. The paper which described about the detected of water on the Moon was co-authored by Joshua Cahill and David Lawrence of APL and Justin Hagerty of the U.S. Geological Survey's Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, Arizona.
The research was supported by NASA's Lunar Advanced Science and Engineering Program, the NASA Lunar Science Institute (NLSI) at Ames and the NASA Planetary Mission Data Analysis Program. NLSI is the virtual organization jointly funded by NASA's Science Mission Directorate and NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate in Washington.
The scientists remotely detected about the presence of magmatic water, using the data from NASA's Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) instrument aboard the Indian Space Research Organization's Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft. Magmatic water is the water which has the source of origin from within the interior of the moon or on the surface of Moon. The findings represented the first detection of this form of water on the Moon. The previous studies had shown existence of the magmatic water in the lunar samples which were brought on the Earth by the Apollo program.
M3 instrument imaged the lunar impact crater Bullialdus. The Bullialdus lies near lunar equator. The scientists wanted to study this particular area because it would have enabled them to quantify the amount of water in the rocks, in a better form. The crater’s location as well as the kinds of rocks on it enabled the scientists to get a better understanding about this. The central peak of Bullialdus is composed of the kind of rock which forms deep inside the lunar crust and mantle when magma is captured underground.
Rachel Klima, a planetary geologist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Md, explained that the rock which usually lives beneath the surface was excavated from the depths of the lunar surface. In comparison with its surroundings, it was found that central portion of Bullialdus contained considerable amount of hydroxyl - a molecule consisting of one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom. This proved that the rocks in the Bullialdus contained water which had the source somewhere beneath the surface of the Moon.
In the year 2009, M3 had provided the first mineralogical map of the lunar surface. It had also discovered the water molecules in polar areas of the Moon. The water found on the lunar surface is considered to be the thin layer formed from solar wind which hits the Moon. Bullialdus crater lies in the region with unfavorable environment for solar wind in order to produce huge amounts of water on lunar surface.
The detection of water from lunar orbit will enable the scientists to test some other findings from sample studies in much broader sense. For years, scientists believed that rocks from the Moon were dry and that there was no water. The water detected in Apollo samples was thought to be contaminated from Earth.
Who conducted the research?
APL or Applied Physics Laboratory is the non-profit division of Johns Hopkins University. The paper which described about the detected of water on the Moon was co-authored by Joshua Cahill and David Lawrence of APL and Justin Hagerty of the U.S. Geological Survey's Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, Arizona.
The research was supported by NASA's Lunar Advanced Science and Engineering Program, the NASA Lunar Science Institute (NLSI) at Ames and the NASA Planetary Mission Data Analysis Program. NLSI is the virtual organization jointly funded by NASA's Science Mission Directorate and NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate in Washington.
Former Indian Athlete Henry Rebello Died
Former
athlete Henry Rebello died in Gurgaon on 27 August 2013 after a long illness.
He had represented India in the 1948 Olympic Games in London. He was 84 years
old and is survived by a daughter and two sons. Rebello was a triple jumper of
the highest quality. He won the top spot in a pre-Olympic event for foreign
athletes in London and was a top performer in the preliminary rounds of the
main event.
However,
he pulled a muscle in his first jump in the finals, and had to withdraw.
Rebello was born in Bangalore and was a self-made athlete. He used to racer
against cars during his training.
Rebello
was commissioned into the Indian Air Force, and retired as a Group Captain
after the London Olympics. Later on he served as a Director in the Sports
Authority of India.
RBI Released the Discussion Paper on ‘Banking
Structure in India – The Way Forward’
The
Reserve Bank of India on 27 August 2013 released the Discussion Paper on
‘Banking Structure in India – The Way Forward’.
Primary Features of the Discussion Paper on ‘Banking Structure in India – The Way Forward’
• The paper focuses on certain building blocks for the reorientation of the banking structure with a view to addressing various issues such as enhancing competition, financing higher growth, providing specialised services and furthering financial inclusion.
• The paper also emphasised the need to address the concerns arising out of such changes with a view to managing the trade off for ensuring financial stability.
• The paper discussed that the overall thrust of the reorientation is to impart dynamism and flexibility to the evolving banking structure, while ensuring that the structure remains resilient and promotes financial stability.
Crucial issues covered by the Discussion Paper on ‘Banking Structure in India – The Way Forward’
• Small banks vs. large banks: The paper discussed how small local banks play an important role in the supply of credit to small enterprises and agriculture and banking services in unbanked and under-banked regions in India. However, while permitting large number of small banks, there are certain issues which need to be addressed suitably and these issues include their size, numbers, capital requirements, exposure norms, regulatory prescriptions, corporate governance and resolution.
• Universal Banking: The paper discussed that the universal banking model remains the dominant and preferred model in most of the post crisis world because of the failure of many investment banks during the crisis. In this banking model, the Financial Holding Company (FHC) structure offers a range of benefits and therefore becomes a preferred model. The paper discussed that there is a need of promoting investment banks as well as investment banking activities.
• Continuous Authorisation: The RBI, in its paper discussed that there is a case for reviewing the current ‘Stop and Go’ licensing policy and consider adopting a continuous authorisation policy, as continuous authorisation keeps the competitive pressure on the existing banks and also does not strain the banking system as the block licensing may do. The entry norms should however be stringent in order to encourage the entry of only well-qualified entities.
• Conversion of UCBs into commercial banks: The RBI in its paper discussed the possibilities of converting the UCBs to commercial banks or small banks in order to help them reach the regions that are characterised by poor banking outreach.
• Consolidation: The RBI suggested, in its paper that taking into account the pros and cons of consolidation, it has to be taken into consideration that while consolidation of commercial banks with established synergies and on the basis of voluntary initiatives is welcome, it cannot be imposed on banks. A measured approach is to be made both on consolidation and global presence even if attaining global size is not imminent.
• Presence of Foreign Banks in India: The importance of the foreign banks in India has increased tremendously after the crisis. Domestic incorporation of these banks through the route of subsidiarisation has gained momentum.
• Presence of Indian Banks at International Locations: The RBI suggested local incorporation by large banks either individually or in joint venture mode with other banks or with overseas banks, at the international locations. This will enable the large Indian banks to engage in a much wider range of activities and have greater potential for growth. Eventually, this may facilitate banks increasing their global reach.
• Government Ownership: The Central Bank suggested that optimal ownership mix in the banking sector is required to promote a balance between efficiency, equity and financial stability. The Government of India may consider options from menu of choices available such as issue of non-voting equity shares or differential voting equity shares, adopting FHC structure or diluting stake in PSBs.
• Deposit Insurance and resolution: The RBI, in its paper discussed that the existence of an effective resolution regime is essential for any type of banking structure India may pursue. The FSB key attributes could be the guiding principles for setting up a resolution framework in India.
• Indicative reorientation of the banking structure: The RBI suggested that the reoriented banking structure would comprise four tiers. The first tier may consist of three or four large Indian banks with domestic and international presence along with branches of foreign banks in India. The second tier is likely to comprise several mid-sized banking institutions including niche banks with economy-wide presence. The third tier may encompass old private sector banks, Regional Rural Banks, and multi state Urban Cooperative Banks. The fourth tier may embrace many small privately owned local banks and cooperative banks.
The need of Discussion Papers by the Reserve Bank of India
The need of reviewing the banking systems has been taken up by various jurisdictions, primarily after the global meltdown. The motive of current exercise in reviewing the banking structure in India is to put forth various options to enable the banking system to cater to the needs of a growing and increasingly globalising economy.
Various studies have been undertaken in order to examine whether the nature of the banking structure matters for the economic growth of a country.
In the light of all this, the Reserve Bank of India issued guidelines for licensing of new banks in the private sector on 22 February 2013. In those guidelines, it was stated that there was a need for an explicit policy on banking structure in India, keeping in view the recommendations of the Narasimham Committee, Raghuram Rajan Committee and other viewpoints.
Primary Features of the Discussion Paper on ‘Banking Structure in India – The Way Forward’
• The paper focuses on certain building blocks for the reorientation of the banking structure with a view to addressing various issues such as enhancing competition, financing higher growth, providing specialised services and furthering financial inclusion.
• The paper also emphasised the need to address the concerns arising out of such changes with a view to managing the trade off for ensuring financial stability.
• The paper discussed that the overall thrust of the reorientation is to impart dynamism and flexibility to the evolving banking structure, while ensuring that the structure remains resilient and promotes financial stability.
Crucial issues covered by the Discussion Paper on ‘Banking Structure in India – The Way Forward’
• Small banks vs. large banks: The paper discussed how small local banks play an important role in the supply of credit to small enterprises and agriculture and banking services in unbanked and under-banked regions in India. However, while permitting large number of small banks, there are certain issues which need to be addressed suitably and these issues include their size, numbers, capital requirements, exposure norms, regulatory prescriptions, corporate governance and resolution.
• Universal Banking: The paper discussed that the universal banking model remains the dominant and preferred model in most of the post crisis world because of the failure of many investment banks during the crisis. In this banking model, the Financial Holding Company (FHC) structure offers a range of benefits and therefore becomes a preferred model. The paper discussed that there is a need of promoting investment banks as well as investment banking activities.
• Continuous Authorisation: The RBI, in its paper discussed that there is a case for reviewing the current ‘Stop and Go’ licensing policy and consider adopting a continuous authorisation policy, as continuous authorisation keeps the competitive pressure on the existing banks and also does not strain the banking system as the block licensing may do. The entry norms should however be stringent in order to encourage the entry of only well-qualified entities.
• Conversion of UCBs into commercial banks: The RBI in its paper discussed the possibilities of converting the UCBs to commercial banks or small banks in order to help them reach the regions that are characterised by poor banking outreach.
• Consolidation: The RBI suggested, in its paper that taking into account the pros and cons of consolidation, it has to be taken into consideration that while consolidation of commercial banks with established synergies and on the basis of voluntary initiatives is welcome, it cannot be imposed on banks. A measured approach is to be made both on consolidation and global presence even if attaining global size is not imminent.
• Presence of Foreign Banks in India: The importance of the foreign banks in India has increased tremendously after the crisis. Domestic incorporation of these banks through the route of subsidiarisation has gained momentum.
• Presence of Indian Banks at International Locations: The RBI suggested local incorporation by large banks either individually or in joint venture mode with other banks or with overseas banks, at the international locations. This will enable the large Indian banks to engage in a much wider range of activities and have greater potential for growth. Eventually, this may facilitate banks increasing their global reach.
• Government Ownership: The Central Bank suggested that optimal ownership mix in the banking sector is required to promote a balance between efficiency, equity and financial stability. The Government of India may consider options from menu of choices available such as issue of non-voting equity shares or differential voting equity shares, adopting FHC structure or diluting stake in PSBs.
• Deposit Insurance and resolution: The RBI, in its paper discussed that the existence of an effective resolution regime is essential for any type of banking structure India may pursue. The FSB key attributes could be the guiding principles for setting up a resolution framework in India.
• Indicative reorientation of the banking structure: The RBI suggested that the reoriented banking structure would comprise four tiers. The first tier may consist of three or four large Indian banks with domestic and international presence along with branches of foreign banks in India. The second tier is likely to comprise several mid-sized banking institutions including niche banks with economy-wide presence. The third tier may encompass old private sector banks, Regional Rural Banks, and multi state Urban Cooperative Banks. The fourth tier may embrace many small privately owned local banks and cooperative banks.
The need of Discussion Papers by the Reserve Bank of India
The need of reviewing the banking systems has been taken up by various jurisdictions, primarily after the global meltdown. The motive of current exercise in reviewing the banking structure in India is to put forth various options to enable the banking system to cater to the needs of a growing and increasingly globalising economy.
Various studies have been undertaken in order to examine whether the nature of the banking structure matters for the economic growth of a country.
In the light of all this, the Reserve Bank of India issued guidelines for licensing of new banks in the private sector on 22 February 2013. In those guidelines, it was stated that there was a need for an explicit policy on banking structure in India, keeping in view the recommendations of the Narasimham Committee, Raghuram Rajan Committee and other viewpoints.
Birendra Prasad Baishya Appointed As the Chairman
of the Ethics Commission of the IWF
Indian
Weightlifting Federation President Birendra Prasad Baishya was appointed as the
chairman of the Ethics Commission of the International Weightlifting Federation
in Beijing in the executive board meeting. His term will be of four years.
Birendra Prasad Baishya is also the Member of Parliament and senior member of Indian Olympic Association Executive Council. During the meeting of IWF Executive Board, heads of various Commissions as well as the Chairpersons of three elected committees -- technical, medical, coaching and research were also appointed.
It was decided that according to the new constitution, fully independent Anti-Doping Commission will also be established. Apart from this, approval was given to the Development Program of a very large scale for providing support to the Member Federations, Continental Federations and Regional Federations.
Who is Birendra Prasad Baishya?
• Birendra Prasad Baishya was born on 29 January 1956.
• He belongs to the Asom Gana Parishad Party.
• He is a Member of Rajya Sabha from Assam
Birendra Prasad Baishya is also the Member of Parliament and senior member of Indian Olympic Association Executive Council. During the meeting of IWF Executive Board, heads of various Commissions as well as the Chairpersons of three elected committees -- technical, medical, coaching and research were also appointed.
It was decided that according to the new constitution, fully independent Anti-Doping Commission will also be established. Apart from this, approval was given to the Development Program of a very large scale for providing support to the Member Federations, Continental Federations and Regional Federations.
Who is Birendra Prasad Baishya?
• Birendra Prasad Baishya was born on 29 January 1956.
• He belongs to the Asom Gana Parishad Party.
• He is a Member of Rajya Sabha from Assam
Petroleum Sports Promotion Board Won 43rd
Institutional Table Tennis Championships
Soumyajit
Ghosh, the table tennis national champion defeated Anthony Amalraj 4-1 to
retain his men's singles title at the Institutional Table Tennis Championships,
which concluded in Dharwad on 27 August 2013. In the women’s category, the
singles title was won by women's national champion K Shamini who defeated
Poulomi Ghatak 4-0. Both men and women titles were thus retained by the
Petroleum Sports Promotion Board.
Soumyajit Ghosh won the cash prize of 75000 Rupees, while K Shamini grabbed 58000 Rupees.
In the doubles’ category, the men's doubles title was grabbed by Sourav Saha and G Sathiyan, while the women’s doubles was grabbed by Shamini and Patkar.
Final Results were as follows:
Men (Final): Soumyajit Ghosh bt Anthony Amalraj 4-1 (11-9, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6); Doubles (Final): Sourav Saha/G Sathiyan bt Jubin Kumar/ A Amalraj 3-1 (8-11, 11-8, 12-10, 12-10).
Women (Final): K Shamini bt Poulomi Ghatak 4-0 (11-7, 11-1, 11-8, 11-2); Doubles (Final): K Shamini/Madhurika Patkar bt Ankita Das/Reeth Rishya 3-0 (11-9, 11-5, 11-5).
About the Institutional Table Tennis Championships
The Institutional Table Tennis Championships are organised by the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI). This was the 43rd Institutional Table Tennis Championships, which was held from 22 August 2013 to 27 August 2013. TTFI was established in 1926 and is also the founder member of International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). TTFI has affiliation of 32 units as well as 37 institutions.
Soumyajit Ghosh won the cash prize of 75000 Rupees, while K Shamini grabbed 58000 Rupees.
In the doubles’ category, the men's doubles title was grabbed by Sourav Saha and G Sathiyan, while the women’s doubles was grabbed by Shamini and Patkar.
Final Results were as follows:
Men (Final): Soumyajit Ghosh bt Anthony Amalraj 4-1 (11-9, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6); Doubles (Final): Sourav Saha/G Sathiyan bt Jubin Kumar/ A Amalraj 3-1 (8-11, 11-8, 12-10, 12-10).
Women (Final): K Shamini bt Poulomi Ghatak 4-0 (11-7, 11-1, 11-8, 11-2); Doubles (Final): K Shamini/Madhurika Patkar bt Ankita Das/Reeth Rishya 3-0 (11-9, 11-5, 11-5).
About the Institutional Table Tennis Championships
The Institutional Table Tennis Championships are organised by the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI). This was the 43rd Institutional Table Tennis Championships, which was held from 22 August 2013 to 27 August 2013. TTFI was established in 1926 and is also the founder member of International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). TTFI has affiliation of 32 units as well as 37 institutions.
Malala Yousafzai won 2013 International Children's
Peace Prize
Malala
Yousafzai on 27 August 2013 won the International Children’s Peace Prize 2013.
She will receive the award from 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winner and women's
rights campaigner Tawakkol Karman at a ceremony in The Hague on 6 September
2013. The peace prize carries a cash value of 100000 euros (133000 US dollars)
which is invested in projects relating to the winner's cause.
The
International Children's Peace Prize is an initiative of the Amsterdem-based
Dutch KidsRights Foundation. It was launched in the year 2005 by former Soviet
President Mikhail Gorbachev, when he chaired the Summit of Nobel Peace
Laureates in Rome. Since then, the prize has been awarded every year by a Nobel
Peace Prize Laureate.
The prize
is presented annually to an exceptional child, whose courageous or otherwise
remarkable actions have made a difference in countering problems, which affect
children around the world. The motivation behind the prize is to provide a
platform to children to express their ideas and personal involvement in
children’s rights. KidsRights feels that children should be recognized, awarded
and motivated in their fierce efforts to improve their own situation and that
of the children in their environment and even the world.
The
International Children's Peace Prize is sponsored by ABN AMRO and AkzoNobel.
ABN AMRO is the main sponsor of the Children’s Peace Prize and AkzoNobel
provides the project fund; the AkzoNobel Children’s Peace Fund. This fund
supports local initiatives in the theme and country of the Children’s Peace
Prize winner.
Teenage
activist Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by a Taliban militant in October
2012 after she campaigned for girls' right to education. She was treated in
Britain where she lives now. Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani school pupil and
education activist from the town of Mingora in the Swat District of Pakistan's
northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
2012
International Children’s Peace Prize’s winner was 13-year-old Cris Kesz Valdez
for his work with street children of Philippines while he himself was
destitute. Cris had received the prize from South African peace icon and Nobel
Peace laureate Desmond Tutu.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Visited
Jaffna and Other War-Affected Sri Lankan Areas
UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on 27 August 2013 visited those parts
of Sri Lanka's northern region which were badly worn out because of 30 years of
civil war between the military and the Tamil Tigers.
She visited the areas which included Mullivaika as well as Jaffna, two places where maximum numbers of civilians were killed during the war.
Navi Pillay explained that she would report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. Looking at the human rights situation in Sri Lanka was the primary aim of her visit to Sri Lanka. Also, the aim of her visit was to look into the role of the Government of Sri Lanka in complying with the human rights standards which are set for the whole world.
The Sri Lankan Civil War: A Background
Sri Lankan Civil War was a civil war fought on the island of Sri Lanka. It started on 23 July 1983. The war was actually the movement of insurgency against the Government by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (the LTTE, also known as the Tamil Tigers). LTTE was a separatist militant organisation which fought for the creation of Tamil Eelam, the independent Tamil state.
The civil war continued for almost 30 years and after years-long military campaign, the Tamil Tigers were defeated by the military of Sri Lanka in May 2009. The civil war in Sri Lanka caused hardships not just for the population, but also for the economy and environment of Sri Lanka. Around 80000 to 100000 people were killed during the war.
She visited the areas which included Mullivaika as well as Jaffna, two places where maximum numbers of civilians were killed during the war.
Navi Pillay explained that she would report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. Looking at the human rights situation in Sri Lanka was the primary aim of her visit to Sri Lanka. Also, the aim of her visit was to look into the role of the Government of Sri Lanka in complying with the human rights standards which are set for the whole world.
The Sri Lankan Civil War: A Background
Sri Lankan Civil War was a civil war fought on the island of Sri Lanka. It started on 23 July 1983. The war was actually the movement of insurgency against the Government by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (the LTTE, also known as the Tamil Tigers). LTTE was a separatist militant organisation which fought for the creation of Tamil Eelam, the independent Tamil state.
The civil war continued for almost 30 years and after years-long military campaign, the Tamil Tigers were defeated by the military of Sri Lanka in May 2009. The civil war in Sri Lanka caused hardships not just for the population, but also for the economy and environment of Sri Lanka. Around 80000 to 100000 people were killed during the war.
Iran approves bill to sue US over 1953 coup
Iran’s
parliament gave preliminary approval on Wednesday to a bill requiring the
government to sue the U.S. for its involvement in the 1953 coup that overthrew
the country’s democratically elected Prime Minister.
The bill
follows the release of newly declassified documents offering more details of
how the CIA orchestrated the overthrow of Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh 60
years ago.
It calls
for setting up a committee to study the issue and provide a report within six
months before legal action is launched against the U.S. government in an
international court.
Of 196
lawmakers attending the session of parliament, 167 voted in favor of the bill
while five opposed it. The session was broadcast live on state radio.
The coup
restored the despotic regime of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. He was overthrown
in the 1979 Iranian revolution.
Lawmaker
Mahdi Mousavinejad said Iran should take legal action and make the U.S. take
responsibility for its actions.
“America’s
oppressive behavior (in 1953) shows that the Iranian nation has to stand up and
pursue its trampled rights”, he said.
But
Mohammad Mahdi Rahbari, another lawmaker, opposed the bill, saying it won’t
bring anything tangible for Iran.
“Pursuing
this bill has no benefits for our country. It will waste the parliament’s
time”, he said.
Lawmakers
said the documents prove that the U.S. has a history of bad intentions toward
Iran and that the admission was sufficient evidence to get compensation.
In a
document revealed earlier this month titled “The Battle for Iran”, the CIA
reveals the coup plan was called “Operation TPAJAX”.
The
unnamed author of the history writes that previously published accounts miss
the point that “the military coup that overthrew Mossadegh ... was carried out
under CIA direction as an act of U.S. foreign policy, conceived and approved at
the highest levels of government”.
The U.S.
cut off diplomatic relations with Iran after militant students stormed the U.S.
Embassy in Tehran to protest Washington’s refusal to hand over the toppled shah
back to Iran for trial.
The two
countries are now at loggerheads over Iran’s disputed nuclear program. The West
says Iran aims at weapons development but Iran denies this, saying the program
is for peaceful purposes.
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