Current Affairs For SSC CGL Exam - 29 January, 2014

Current Affairs For SSC CGL Exam

A long-time resident of Rameswaram and former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam inaugurated the centenary celebrations of the Pamban railway bridge — India’s first cantilever bridge, connecting the pilgrim-island of Rameswaram with the mainland.
Mr. Kalam unveiled a plaque and released a book Marvels of South Indian Railway, marking the inauguration of the nearly month-long celebrations.
The 65.23-metre-long rolling central lift span (the bridge is 2.06 km long), named after Scherzer, German engineer who designed and built the span, has been given a fresh coat of paint and decorated with lights. It opens up like a pair of scissors to allow vessels to pass through under the bridge.
Mr. Kalam had played a vital role in preserving the bridge. After the Railways announced its uni-gauge policy in 2006, and almost gave up gauge conversion at the bridge, he brought in IIT-Madras expertise to thrash out an engineering solution.
The bridge was put to test for the first time in December 1964, when a severe cyclonic storm hit this part of the area. All girders, both RCC and steel, were washed away

The Supreme Court has refused to relook into its verdict that criminalised gay sex in India.
A bench of Justices H L Dattu and S J Mukhopadhaya, in inchamber proceedings, dismissed a bunch of petitions filed by the Centre and gay rights activists against its December 2013 verdict declaring gay sex an offence punishable up to life imprisonment.
In a big setback to the LGBT community, the Supreme Court had on December 11 set aside the Delhi High Court judgement decriminalising gay sex and thrown the ball into Parliament's court for amending the law.
The judgement revived the penal provision making gay sex an offence punishable with life imprisonment in a setback to people fighting a battle for recognition of their sexual preferences.
Seeking a stay on the operation of the judgement, gay rights activists, including NGO Naz Foundation, had said thousands from the LGBT community became open about their sexual identity during the past four years after the high court decriminalised gay sex and they are now facing the threat of being prosecuted.
They had submitted that criminalizing gay sex amounts to violation of fundamental rights of the LGBT community.
Challenging the verdict, Naz Foundation had said in its review plea that the verdict is contrary to the well-settled legal principles of the Constitution and proscribing certain sexual acts between consenting adults.

Sri Lanka defeated India by six wickets with seven balls to spare in the third and final women’s Twenty20 match to claim the series 2-1, at the ACA-VDCA stadium.
Sri Lanka captain Shashikala Siriwardene played a responsible knock to remain unbeaten on 46 (42b, 4x4, 1x6) to guide the visitors to victory.
India, opting to bat, was pushed to a corner early in the match as it lost a wicket each in the first four overs.

Star India has licensed the digital distribution rights for IPL 2014 from Times Internet, the digital arm of The Times of India Group. Star India will offer streaming and video on demand on starsports.com, the Star Sports app, and on mobile operator services powered by Star Sports.
Times Internet will distribute IPL streaming and video on demand on its cricket destination on web and mobile, powered by a starsports.com video player. Both companies will market the joint proposition, and Star India will be solely responsible for monetisation, including advertising sales.
Last year, IPL online witnessed a 56 per cent growth in unique visitors, with over 200 million video views. This year, India’s two largest media houses will co-distribute IPL, offering unparalleled reach and viewership.
Times Internet is the largest Indian online media entity, with over 40 million monthly visitors across its numerous digital destinations. Its portfolio includes news, lifestyle content, entertainment, e-commerce, mobile VAS, music & movie streaming, and local services.