National & International Events - Current Affairs for October, 2015

The first National Tribal Carnival will be held from February 12 to 17, 2016 in Delhi and it will preserve and promote various facets of the tribal life relating to culture, tradition, customs and their skills and showcase it to the population. The ultimate goal will be overall holistic development of the Scheduled Tribes. Live music and dance performances will also be showcased at this event.

PM Narendra Modi celebrated the birth anniversary of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and his being a “Rashtra Ratna” before being a “Rashtrapati”. A statue of the former president was also unveiled in DRDO Bhawan. A commemorative postal stamp was also released on Dr. Kalam. As part of the celebrations, AMRUT/ Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation selected Rameswaram at TN as a city with basic urban infrastructure. This was the 84th birth anniversary of the former president. With the inclusion of this city, TN will now have 32 cities and towns under the Atal Mission.

The 40th edition of the world’s biggest handicrafts and gifts fair, the IHGF Delhi Fair Autumn 2015 will be held from 14th to 18th October at NCR’s Greater Noida India Expo Centre and Mart. Around 2,700 exhibitors have displayed products at this fair covering a 1,90,000 square metre area totalling 14 halls. EPCH/Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts has organised 39 editions of the event recognised as a one stop sourcing event in the Indian export community. More than 5,000 overseas buyers from leading department stores and leading brands such as Bloomingdale’s and Macy will source requirements at the fair. Handicrafts export has expanded on an average at annual growth rate of 15% during the previous decade. Export of handicrafts during 2014-2015 has been pegged at 18,639.14 crore , a growth of 7.96% in rupee terms as against the previous year. Export of handicrafts during 5 months of 2015-2016 is INR 7227.46 crore with a growth of 8.57%. EPCH is the nodal agency for promotion as well as handicraft development.

The President of India, Pranab Mukhergee greeted the people of Spain and Equatorial Guinea on National Day October 12. Next year (2016) would mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between India and Spain. Spain celebrates the National Day on October 12 to commemorate Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in the 1490s. Equatorial Guinea is a west African nation which marks its independence from Spain on October 12, 1968.

Indian and Chinese armies on 12th October 2015 commenced with their 5th annual anti-terrorism exercise in Kunming City, Yunnan Province China. India fielded troops from the Naga Regiment for the first time to take part in the military exercise. Intensive joint training will be undergone by troops of both sides including displays, demonstrations and considerable joint exercise. Aim of the exercise is development of joint operating capabilities. The 12 day exercise will emphasise joint handling of of counter terrorism and ‘Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief’.

21st Meeting of the Western Zonal Council was held on September 29 at Panaji, Goa in the year 2015. Council was chaired by Union Home Minister R. Singh and discussed development issues with social and economic bearing. Council called for enhanced centre- state cooperation and discussed relaxation of provisions of CRZ Notification 2011. Next Zonal Council meeting will be at Mumbai, Maharashtra. The creation of Zonal Councils was first put forth by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru in the 1950s. Besides this, North-Eastern States Council was established under the North Eastern Council Act, 1972. Western Zonal Council comprises the States of Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra and the Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.