Something About Tamil Nadu

Something About Tamil Nadu

Rivers

Arani, Palar, Penniyar, Manimukta, Vaigai (This River is Eastern Extension of Periyar river), Cauvery, Chittar, 

Lakes:

Pulicut Lake( share with Andhra),  Kilvelli lake, Kollidam, Stanley Res., Krishnaraj Sagar Res,, Bhavani Sagar Res., Shatnur Res.

Eastern Ghat:

Javedi Hills, Shevaroy Hills, Panchamalai Hills

Western Ghat:

Palani Hills, Sirumalai Hills, Varushnad Hills

Agriculture:

Rice, Cotton Yarn, Sugarcane, Tea and Coffee

Industry:

• Siriculture in Kanchipuram, Vellore and Pallavaram Districts
• Automobile and Pharma industries in Ennore
• Aluminium and Iron industries in Salem
• Automobile industry in Coimbatore
• Textile Industry in Erode
• Cement Industry in Dindigul
• Madurai is called Coffee Capital of India
• Cement and Cotton Industries in Virudhnagar
• Firework industries in Shivkashi
• Artificial port in Chennai
• Coal and Iron is imported from Indonesia and Australia through Ennore Port
• Thoothukkudi: Important port for export

Wildlife:

• Vedanthangal: Bird Sanctuary
• Mudumalai: Tiger Reserve
• Kalkad: Tiger Reserve
• Neyyar: Wildlife Sanctuary

Some Important Straits of the World

Some Important Straits of the World

Strait of Bab-el Mandeb: 

It is between Yemen and Eritrea and joins Red sea and Arabian Sea

Suez Canal:

Is is between Egypt and Israel and joins Mediterranean and Red Sea

Strait of Malacca:

It is between Singapore and Sumatra and joins Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean

Makassar:

It is between Celebes Islands and Borneo Islands in Pacific Ocean

Bering Strait:

It is between Russia and Alaska and joins Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea

Strait of Hormuz:

It is between Iran and Oman 

Gilbraltar:

It joins Atlantic ocean and Mediterranean Sea

Magellan Strait: 

It is in the Southern part of Chile

UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

The issue of varying claims of territorial waters was raised in the UN in 1967 by Arvid Pardo, of Malta, and in 1973 the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea was convened in New York. In an attempt to reduce the possibility of groups of nation-states dominating the negotiations, the conference used a consensus process rather than majority vote. With more than 160 nations participating, the conference lasted until 1982. The resulting convention came into force on November 16, 1994, one year after the sixtieth state, Guyana, ratified the treaty.

The convention introduced a number of provisions. The most significant issues covered were setting limits, navigation, archipelagic status and transit regimes, exclusive economic zones (EEZs), continental shelf jurisdiction, deep seabed mining, the exploitation regime, protection of the marine environment, scientific research, and settlement of disputes.

Internal Water

Covers all water and waterways on the landward side of the baseline. The coastal state is free to set laws, regulate use, and use any resource. Foreign vessels have no right of passage within internal waters.
Territorial waters

Territorial Water

Out to 12 nautical miles (22 kilometres; 14 miles) from the baseline, the coastal state is free to set laws, regulate use, and use any resource. Vessels were given the right of innocent passage through any territorial waters, with strategic straits allowing the passage of military craft as transit passage, in that naval vessels are allowed to maintain postures that would be illegal in territorial waters. "Innocent passage" is defined by the convention as passing through waters in an expeditious and continuous manner, which is not "prejudicial to the peace, good order or the security" of the coastal state. Fishing, polluting, weapons practice, and spying are not "innocent", and submarines and other underwater vehicles are required to navigate on the surface and to show their flag. Nations can also temporarily suspend innocent passage in specific areas of their territorial seas, if doing so is essential for the protection of its security.

Archipelagic waters

The convention set the definition of Archipelagic States in Part IV, which also defines how the state can draw its territorial borders. A baseline is drawn between the outermost points of the outermost islands, subject to these points being sufficiently close to one another. All waters inside this baseline are designated Archipelagic Waters. The state has full sovereignty over these waters (like internal waters), but foreign vessels have right of innocent passage through archipelagic waters (like territorial waters).

Contiguous zone

Beyond the 12-nautical-mile (22 km) limit, there is a further 12 nautical miles (22 km) from the territorial sea baseline limit, the contiguous zone, in which a state can continue to enforce laws in four specific areas: customs, taxation, immigration and pollution, if the infringement started within the state's territory or territorial waters, or if this infringement is about to occur within the state's territory or territorial waters.[4] This makes the contiguous zone a hot pursuit area.

Exclusive economic zones (EEZs)

These extend from the edge of the territorial sea out to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres; 230 miles) from the baseline. Within this area, the coastal nation has sole exploitation rights over all natural resources. In casual use, the term may include the territorial sea and even the continental shelf. The EEZs were introduced to halt the increasingly heated clashes over fishing rights, although oil was also becoming important. The success of an offshore oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico in 1947 was soon repeated elsewhere in the world, and by 1970 it was technically feasible to operate in waters 4000 metres deep. Foreign nations have the freedom of navigation and overflight, subject to the regulation of the coastal states. Foreign states may also lay submarine pipes and cables.

Continental shelf

The continental shelf is defined as the natural prolongation of the land territory to the continental margin’s outer edge, or 200 nautical miles (370 km) from the coastal state’s baseline, whichever is greater. A state’s continental shelf may exceed 200 nautical miles (370 km) until the natural prolongation ends. However, it may never exceed 350 nautical miles (650 kilometres; 400 miles) from the baseline; or it may never exceed 100 nautical miles (190 kilometres; 120 miles) beyond the 2,500 meter isobath (the line connecting the depth of 2,500 meters). Coastal states have the right to harvest mineral and non-living material in the subsoil of its continental shelf, to the exclusion of others. Coastal states also have exclusive control over living resources "attached" to the continental shelf, but not to creatures living in the water column beyond the exclusive economic zone.



Aside from its provisions defining ocean boundaries, the convention establishes general obligations for safeguarding the marine environment and protecting freedom of scientific research on the high seas, and also creates an innovative legal regime for controlling mineral resource exploitation in deep seabed areas beyond national jurisdiction, through an International Seabed Authority and the Common heritage of mankind principle.
Landlocked states are given a right of access to and from the sea, without taxation of traffic through transit states.

Indian Nuclear Arrangements

Indian Nuclear Arrangements

Department of Atomic Energy, India has been pursuing the nuclear program in 3 stages

1st Stage :

• It is the only stage in commercial domain
• In this stage the Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR)is developed
• Natural Uranium (Uranium 235) is used  as fuel
• Heavy Water is used as moderator or coolant
• The Nuclear Power Corporation of India ltd (NPCIL) is responsible for design, construction and operation of nuclear reactors
• PHWRs are at Kundankulam, Kakrapar(Gujrat), Rawatbhata(Rajasthan)

2nd Stage:

• This stage is in Demostration Stage
• In this stage Fast Breeder Reactors (FBS) are developed 
• Plutonium is produced by irradiation of Uranium 238
• Liquid Sodium is used as Coolant
• Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research (IGCAR)  is engaged in design and development of reactors
• Prototype FBR is  working at Kalpakkam
• Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam (BHAVINI) is implementing the project at Kalapakkam

3rd Stage:

• This stage is in Development Stage
• This stage is based on Thorium-Uranium-233 Cycle
• Uranium-233 is obtain by irradiation of Thorium
• In this stage Advanced Heavy Water Reactor(AHWR) is Developed at BARC
• AHWR is first time developed in the world
• A research reactor KAMINI is operational at Kalapakkam

In all the 3 stages only 1st is in commercial use, 2nd stage is in demonstration, and the 3rd stage is in developmental stage

 

Biosphere Reserves of India

Biosphere Reserves of India

Biosphere Reserves of India

• Great Rann of Kutch Gujarat
• Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu
• Sundarbans West Bengal
• Cold Desert, Himachal Pradesh
• Nandadevi, Uttarakhand
• Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu,Kerala andKarnataka
• Dihang-Dibang, Arunachal Pradesh
• Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
• Seshachalam Hills, Andhra Pradesh
• Simlipal, Odisha
• Achanakamar -Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh,Chhattisgarh
• Manas, Assam
• Khangchendzonga, Sikkim
• Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
• Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Nokrek, Meghalaya
• Dibru-Saikhowa, Assam
• Panna, Madhya Pradesh

Biosphere Reserves Recognized by UNESCO

• Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh
• Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu
• Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Uttarakhand
• Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, TamilNadu, Kerala, Karnataka
• Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Meghalaya
• Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
• Simlipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha
• Sundarbans national park, West Bengal

Potential Sites for Biosphere Reserve

• Namdapha, Arunachal Pradesh
• Thar Desert, Rajasthan
• Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
• kavalam, Assam
• Kanha, Madhya Pradesh
• North Islands of Andaman Andaman & Nicobar
• Abujmarh, Madhya Pradesh
• Chintapalli, Andhra Pradesh
• Lakshadweep Islands, Lakshadweep
• Singbhum

SABLA

SABLA

The original name of this scheme is Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG)

This scheme covers out of school and school going Adolescent girls under 11 to 18 age group

This scheme has two components: Nutritional Components and Non Nutritional Component

Nutritional Component:

• Take home ration or hot cooked meal for out of school going girls under 11 to 14 years age
• Also take home ration or hot cooked meal for school going girls under 14 to 18 years age

Non-Nutrition Component:

• For out of school girls under 11 to 18 years of age
• They are provided Iron&Folic acid supplement, Health check up, nutrition and health education, counselling/guidance on family welfare, adolescent reproductive sexual health, child care practices and life skill education, and accessing public services

Vocational Training:

• For all girls under 16 to 18 age

Other provisions:

• Anganwadi are the implementation agencies
• 100% central assistance under non-nutritional components
• 50% central assistance under nutritional components

Disability and Govt. Policy

Disability and Govt. Policy

India is a Country which posses all types of disabilities like Visual, Hearing, Speech, Locomotors and Mental Disabilities.

The constitution of India, specially the articles 17,21,21A,14 ensure equality, freedom, justice and dignity of all individuals and implicitly mandate an inclusive society for all including the persons with disabilities.

Some international conventions, of India is signatory:

• Declaration on the Full Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities in the Asia Pacific Region
• Biwako Millennium Framework: For action towards an inclusive, barrier free and rights based society.
• UN Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities.

Some National Mechanisms:

National Policy for Persons with Disabilities 2005:

• It focuses on prevention of desabilities and physical and economic rehabilitation of persons with disabilities 

Persons with Disabilities(Equal opportunities, Protection of rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995

• Focuses on Education, Employment, Vocational Training , Creation of Barrier free environment, Rehabilitation Services, Institutional Services and Supportive Social Security Measures like unemployment allowance and grievance redressal machinery.

National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999

• India is the only country in the world to have legislation for Autism
• This act focuses on extending support to registered organisations providing need based services
• Also focuses on to evolve procedures for appointment of legal guardians for persons with disabilities.

Rehabilitation council of India:

Statutory body setup under the Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992. Its working areas are

• Standardization and Regulation of Training Courses for profession trainers
• Recoginsation of institutions and universities running training courses in area of rehabilitation of disabled within and outside the country
• Promotion of research in rehabilitation and special education
• Maintenance of Central Rehabilitation Register for Professionals possessing the recognised rehabilitation qualification
• Encouragement of continuing rehabilitation education programmes

Other National Mechanisms:

• Office of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities
• National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation
• Schemes for Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances

Some Institutes in Field of Rehabilitation and Special Education

• National Institute for Visually Handicapped, Dehradun
• National Institute for Orthographically Handicapped, Kolkata   
• Ali Yavur Jung National Institute for Hearing Handicapped, Mumbai
• National Institute for Mentally Handicapped, Secunderabad
• National Institute for Rehabilitation Training and Research, Cuttack
• Institute for Physically Handicapped, New Delhi
• National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities, Chennai
• Artificial Limb Manufacturing Corporation of India, Kanpur

Judicial Arrangements in India

Judicial Arrangements in India

National Judicial Academy:

• Registered in 1993 under Societies Registration Act 1860
• Provides training to Judicial Officers
• Academy is located at Bhopal with registered office at Delhi

Arrangement for free legal aid to Poor:

1)National Legal Service Authority (NALSA)

• Constituted under Legal Service Authorities Act 1987
• Provides Free Legal Aid to eligible person
• Organises Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes
• Eligible Person: Women, Children, SC,ST, Industrial Workmen, Victims of disaster and violence, Disabled Person, Person in Custody, Victims of Trafficking

2)Lok Adalats:

• Statutory Status under Section 19 of Legal Service Authorities Act 1987
• Handles only Civil Cases
• Its decisions are final and binding and person can not appeal against the decision of Lok Adalat
• Permanent Lok Adalats are available specially for the cases related to Public Utility Services

Bar Council of India:

• Under  Advocates Act 1961

Law commission of India:

• It is a non statutory body constituted time to time in every 3 years
• Current Chairman is  D.K. Jain

Scheduled Caste and Govt. Schemes

Scheduled Caste and Govt. Schemes

• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal authority 
• Present population of scheduled caste in the country is 16.2%

National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation(NSCFDC)

• Under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. 
• Provides the credit facilities to person of SC living below double the poverty lines limits.
• Provides 40000 per year for rural and 55000 per year for urban for income generation activitia

National Commission for Scheduled Castes

• It is a constitutional body under article 338
• Monitors the safeguard and review issue concerning welfare
• It has the power of Civil Court

Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955

• This act is made under the article 17 of constitution and provides punishment for practice of untouchability

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes(Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989

• Prevents the commission of offence by a person other than SC&ST against SC&ST
• Acts extends to whole of India except J&K

Educational Development

• Post Matric Scholarship
• Pre- Matric Scholarship for Children engaged in unclean Occupation
• Under Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme, which was launched under 11th Five Year Plan, Scholarship is Provided for Higher Educations like Mphil, Phd and research degree. This scheme is implemented by UGC
• Reservation
• Free Coaching for competitive exams
• Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana

National Overseas Scholarship Scheme

• Assistance in Institution fee, Monthly Maintenance allowance, Incidental journey premium, annual Contingency allowance
• For only one child of same parents. 
• For under 35 years of age
• Only for master degree and Phd in Engineering, Technology and Science

Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Caste sub Plan:

• Central Govt gives the assistance to Sub plan for SC by State govt.
• For Economic Development of SC BPL people
• 50% of assistance for subsidy (10000per beneficiary)
• 10% for infrastructure development of village having 50% SC population
• 15% of assistance for SC Women

Scheduled Caste Development Corporation:

• Identifying Eligible SC Family
• Motivating them to incorporate economic development scheme
• Sponsoring Scheme to financial institutions for credit support
• Providing financial support in form of Marginal money at low interest rate
• Subsidy to reduce repayment liabilities 
• Providing necessary tie ups with Poverty alleviation programs

Other Schemes:

• National Scheduled caste finance and Development Corporation
• Self Employment Scheme of Rehabilitation of Manual Scavenging
• Voluntary Organisations 
• National Safai Karmachari Finance and Development Corporation
• Dr. Ambedkar Foundation  

Something About Andaman and Nicobar

Something About Andaman and Nicobar

• Andaman and Nicobar islands provide highest number of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National parks in India
• It has Bay of Bengal on Western Side and Andaman Sea on eastern Side
• In northern Andaman, there is Coco Island which belongs to Myanmar and is an area of dispute between India and Myanmar
• Narcondam Island in western part of North Andaman is an Extinct Volcano
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the extension of Eastern Himalayas (Purvanchal), That is why they are continental island. In western Himalayas they are part of specially Arkan Yoma and Peg Yoma ranges in Myanmar.
• Barren Island in Middle Andaman is the only active Volcano in India
• Havelock Island in Middle Andaman is important for Heavy Biodiversity and many endemic species
• Sentinel is the tribe of Southern Andaman, Jarawa is the tribe of Northern Andaman and was in controversy in recent times
• Duncan Passage is between Southern Andaman and Little Andaman
• Mount Harriet in Duncan Passage is a National Park
• Saddle Peak is the Highest peak of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Ten Degree Channel is between Little Andaman and Car Nicobar.
• Nancowry Island in Nicobar Island group was worst affected by Tsunami
• Katchall Island in Nicobar is having huge deposits of Petroleum
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands have all types of Coral Reefs
• Indira Point in Great Nicobar is the Southern most part of India