Current Affairs 2015

28 February observed as National Science Day 

Every year February 28 is celebrated as the National Science Day i.e. Rashtriya Vigyan Diwas (राष्ट्रीय विज्ञान दिवस). In 2015, the theme of the day is “Science for Nation Building”. 
This year’s theme has been chosen for the purpose of raising public appreciation on scientific issues for the development of nation. 

Why National Science Day is celebrated? 

• This day marks the epoch-making discovery of Raman Effect by Indian physicist Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman (CV Raman) on February 28, 1928. 
• In 1930, for this discovery he was awarded with the Nobel Prize in Physics. 
• In 1986, National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) demanded the Union Government to assign February 28 every year as the ‘National Science Day’ for India. 
• In 2000, the first National Science Day was celebrated on February 28, 2000. In 2013, the American Chemical Society designated the ‘Raman Effect’ as an International Historic Chemical Landmark. 
• Theme for the National Science Day 2013 – “Genetically Modified Crops and Food Security”. Theme for the National Science Day 2014 – “Fostering Scientific Temper and Energy conservation”.

AB De Villiers hits fastest 150 in ODI history 
 South African cricketer AB De Villiers has hit the fastest 150 in one-day internationals (ODI’s). He achieved this feat in 64 balls in World Cup Pool B match against West Indies held at Sydney and also broke the previous record of Australia’s Shane Watson by 19 balls. 
AB De Villiers in the innings scored 162 runs from 66 balls and it comprised of 8 sixes and 17 fours. In this match, South Africa scored 408 runs which is the second-highest total in World Cup history. 

Fastest 150s in ODIs 

• AB de Villiers (South Africa) – Scored in 64 balls against West Indies. 
• Shane Watson (Austraia) – Scored in 83 balls against Bangladesh in 2013. 
• Luke Ronchi (New Zealand) – Scored in 92 balls against Sri Lanka in 2015. 
• Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – Scored in 95 balls against England in 2006. 
• Ricky Ponting (Australia) – Scored in 99 balls against South Africa in 2006.

Justice Amitava Roy sworn in as Supreme Court judge 
Justice Amitava Roy has sworn in as a judge of the Supreme Court (SC).
He was administered the oath of office by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) H. L. Dattu and will have a tenure of three years. Prior to this appointment he was Chief Justice of Orissa High Court. 
It should be noted that Amitava Roy was appointed as judge of SC through traditional collegium system rather than newly created National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC). 
With the elevation of Justice Amitava Roy, the strength of the SC judges has gone up to 29 out of total sectioned strength of 31 judges. At present only one woman judge, Justice R Banumathi is among SC judges. 

About Justice Amitava Roy 

• Justice Roy had started his legal career by practicing in the district courts in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia in Assam from 1976 to 1981. 
• Later in 1981, he shifted his lawyer practice in Gauhati High Court and focused mainly on the Constitutional, Civil, Criminal, Labour and Revenue cases. 
• In February 2002, he was appointed as judge of the Gauhati High Court. In 2013, Justice Roy was appointed as Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court and later in August 2014 as the Chief Justice of Orissa High Court.

Highlights from Railway Budget 2015-16 
Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on 26 February 2015 presented the Railway Budget 2015-16 in the Parliament. Below are the highlights of this Budget: 
Railway Fares 

• No new hike in passenger fares 
• While, the Freight fares have been raised incase of urea by 10%, iron and steel by 0.8%, kerosene and cooking gas by 0.8%, coal by 6.3% and cement by 2.7%. 

Railway Finances 

• Plan Budget is gone up by 52 percent Rs. 100011 crore for financial year 2015-16 compared to Rs. 65789 crore in FY 2014-15. 
• For next five year envisaged investment for railways is Rs. 8.5 lakh crore rupees. 
• Funds for railways will be raised from pension, institutional and multilateral agencies. 
• In order to improve passenger amenities, MPs requested to use part of their MPLAD funds. 
• Railways to set up an infrastructure fund and holding company to raise long-term debt.

Passengers Amenities 

• 120 days in advance ticket booking facility for passengers instead of earlier 60 days. 
• Railways is aiming to move towards paperless ticketing. Operation 5 minutes- Passengers can buy railway tickets within five minutes unde. 
• SMS updates to inform passengers about any change in schedule of trains. 
• Open wi-fi facility at 400 railway stations. 
• Mobile charging units will be installed. 
• For women safety CCTVs to be installed in selected trains and suburban trains. 
• Food ordering facility food while booking tickets through IRCTC website. 
• Water-vending machines to be set up at stations. 
• 138 will be a nationwide 24×7 helpline number for railway-related queries. While, 182 will be a toll-free number for security-related issues. 
• On-board entertainment in Shatabdi Express. 

Infrastructure 

• Track capacity will be increased by 10% to 1.38 lakh km. 
• Speed of passenger trains on 9 corridors will increased to 160-200 km/h from 110-130 km/h. 
• Wagon-making scheme will be reviewed in order ease private investment By inviting open bids, station redevelopment policy will be revamped. 
• 10 satellite railway terminals will be developed in major cities in 2015-15. 
• PPP cell of Indian Railways will be revamped. 
• Feasibility report of high-speed train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad expected by mid-2015. 
• Connectivity to North-East India will be improved. In J&K rail connectivity will be on focus. 

Tourism

• Railways will promote Gandhi circuit in order to mark centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi’s return from South Africa. 
• Special travel scheme Kisan Yatra for farmers for farming and marketing technique centres. Under Incredible India, Incredible Rail will be launched.