AIS-155
Why in news?
- The Union Ministry of Road Transport issued a notification regarding Automotive Industry Standards (AIS)-155 in respect of Microdot identifiers if affixed on the motor vehicles and their parts.
News summary
- This was done through amendment in Rule 92 of the Central Motor vehicles (Fourteenth Amendment) Rules 1989.
- As per a new notification, the Manufacturers who are affixing microdot identifiers in the motor vehicles and their parts, components, assemblies, sub-assemblies shall conform to Automotive Industry Standards (AIS)-155 as amended from time to time.”
About Microdot Technology:
- Microdot technology involves spraying the body and parts of the vehicle or any other machine with microscopic dots, which give a unique identification.
- The microdots and adhesive will become permanent fixtures/affixation which cannot be removed without damaging the asset, that is the vehicle itself. These nearly invisible microdots can only be read physically with a microscope and identified with ultra violet light source.
- Use of this technology will help check theft of vehicles and also use of fake spare parts.
Nagpur Resolution
Why in news?
- The ‘Nagpur Resolution- A holistic approach for empowering citizens’ was adopted during the Regional Conference on ‘Improving Public Service Delivery – Role of Governments’, in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
News summary
- The conference was organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Government of India, in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra.
- The Conference resolved that Government of India and the State Governments shall collaborate to:
- empower the citizens through timely updation of citizens charters, implementation of enactments and benchmarking standards for continuous improvement;
- empower citizens by reduction in timelines of grievance redressal;
- adopt a holistic approach for improved service delivery through digital platforms;
- achieve a sense of common identity by exchange of expertise in the areas of Improved Service Delivery between the paired States under the Ek Bharat – Shresht Bharat Program;
- Ensure timely publication of Good Governance Index to identify the quality of governance in 10 sectors especially those pertaining to welfare and infrastructure at the Union, State and District levels.
Winter Solstice
Why in news?
- December 22 was Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, conversely, December 22 was Summer Solstice, the year’s longest day.
News summary
- The Earth’s axis of rotation is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees away from the perpendicular.
- This tilt — combined with factors such as Earth’s spin and orbit — leads to variations in the duration of Sunlight that any location on the planet receives on different days of the year.
- The Earth’s North Pole points towards the North Star over an extended period, as the Earth moves around the Sun through the course of a year.
- The Northern Hemisphere spends half the year tilted in the direction of the Sun, getting direct sunlight during long summer days. During the other half of the year, it tilts away from the Sun, and the days are shorter.
- Winter Solstice, December 21, is the day when the North Pole is most tilted away from the Sun.
UN Olympic Truce Resolution
Why in news?
- International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Thomas Bach has thanked President Ram Nath Kovind for co-sponsoring the United Nation Olympic Truce Resolution, which was recently adopted in the United Nation General Assembly.
News summary
- The resolution will aim to ensure a halt to all hostilities, allowing the safe passage and participation of athletes and spectators for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.
- The Olympic Truce, or ekecheria, is based on an ancient Greek tradition, dating back to the original Olympic Games in Ancient Olympia in 776 BC.
- The Truce was revived by United Nations Resolution 48/11 of 25 October 1993.
- In 1999, the International Olympic Committee announced the establishment of the International Olympic Truce Foundation and the International Olympic Truce Centre in cooperation with Greece.