CURRENT AFFAIRS OF MARCH 1

 1. ‘POLITICAL MOVE’:SRI LANKA URGES RE ECTION OF UNHRC RESOLUTION 

HISTORY 

LTTE, an Association based in Sri Lanka, was banned in India after The assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. 

OB ECTIVE OF LITE 

«To secure an independent state of Tamil Eelam In the north and east of Sri Lanka (areas comprising Tamil majority). 

2. THE CARACAL, A FAVOURITE OF ROYALS, NOW CRITICALLY ENDANGERED 

The national board for wildlife and union Ministry of environment, forest and climate change last month included the caracal,a medium-sized wildcat found in parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, in the list of critically endangered species. Though not under grave threat in its other habitats, the animal is on the verge of extinction in India, some experts believe. 

THE WILD CAT: 

Besides India, the caracal is found in several dozen countries across Africa, the middle East, Central and South Asia. While it flourishes in parts of Africa, its number in Asia are declining. 

The wildcat has long legs, a short face, long canine teeth, / and distinctive ears -long and , pointy, with tufts of black hair  at their tips. The iconic ears are | ad what give the animal its name -f caracal comes from the Turkish 4 Karakulak, meaning ‘black ears’. In India, it is called siya vw F gosh, a Persian name the translates as 'black ear’. 

3. INDIA AND PAKISTAN AGREE TO STOP CROSS BORDER FIRING IN KASHMIR 

India and Pakistan’s militaries Thursday announced that they have agreed to stop firing along the line of control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and other areas with effect from the midnight of February 24 25. 

4. HOW INDIA IS BUILDING ITS OWN FOOTWEAR SIZING SYSTEM 

«By next year, India could have its own 'Footwear Sizing System’, which will hopefully remove some of the confusion involved in buying shoes of 'EU’, 'UK’, or 'US’ sizes, especially online. 

«CSIR Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) will lead a pan India feet scanning survey, data from which will be used to define Indian footwear size standards and which will be included by shoe manufacturers in their size chart. 

WHAT FOOTWEAR SIZE IN SYSTEM DOES INDIA FOLLOW? 

«India has never had its own footwear sizing system. The British introduced English sizes before independence, which are followed still. Manufacturer size footwear according to the English system, will charts mentioning the equivalent European and American sizes. 

"According to this UK system, the average Indian woman wears footwear sizes between 4 to 6, and the average man between 5 to 11. 

WHY IS AN INDIAN SIZING m SYSTEM NEEDED? 

Designing footwear is complex, and requires scientific and Engineering expertise. Optimal comfort and foot health can be expected only with appropriately sized footwear. Bad fits can cause ad ya injuries, more so in those above =-a age 40, women, and diabetics. 

«CLRI will lead a first-of-its-kind pan Indian anthropometric survey that will include 3D foot scans and measurement of feet. The project, which is scheduled to begin later this year and continue for 14 months, is supported by the departmentfor promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) of the Union Ministry of Commerce. 

«The survey, which is estimated to cost rupees 11 crore, will cover 94 districts around Agra, Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Chennai, Jodhpur, Jorhat, Jalandhar, Kanpur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Patna and Shillong. Some 1,05,000 samples will be collected using the 3D feet scanner machines, 30 of which will be imported from Italy. 

*The sizing Scheme is expected to be ready by early 2022. Given fast changing lifestyles, walking styles and footwear requirement similar anthropometric surveys may be needed every 7-8 years going forward,

«India is the second largest footwear producing country after China, producing 2,257 million pairs are sold in the domestic market every year. While India manufacturers all kinds of footwear, the share of men’s footwear is the largest at about 58%. Women’s footwear accounts for 30%. 

5. IMRAN KHAN PITCHES ECONOMIC CORRIDOR TO SRi LANKA 

«It will help boost connectivity, Pakistan PM says in Colombo. 

«Pitching the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as aconnectivity booster, Prime Minister imran Khan, in Colombo ona two-day visit beginning on Tuesday, said Pakistan would find “ways and means to enhance trade and connectivity” with Sri Lanka. 

Pakistan is part of the One Belt and Road Initiative of China, and cpeC is one of its flagship programmes. And it means connectivity,” he Said hours after his arrival. The CPEC, Mr. Khan said, would help enhance Sri Lanka connectivity ‘right up to Central Asia”, while trade ties would bring Pakistan and Sri Lanka “‘closer together”.