UTTAR PRADESH

UP’s new film policy gets a thumbs-up from filmmakers

The much-awaited film policy of the UP government was finally released a few days ago at the UP Investor’s Summit in Lucknow. A booklet detailing the policy was released in the presence of Dr Neelkanth Tiwari, minister of state for Law and Justice, Information, Sports and Youth Welfare, Awanish Awasthi, chairman Film Bandhu and producers-directors Sudhanshu Vats, Subhash Ghai, Madhu Mantena, Boney Kapoor, Anurag Kashyap, Rahul Mittra and actor-turned politician Ravi Kishan. With several new heads added to the previous one, the new film policy makes it even more attractive for filmmakers from across the world to shoot in Uttar Pradesh. “This policy aims at promoting talent and generating employment and revenue in the state.

Apart from providing financial aid to filmmakers, the film policy also aims at making provision of state-owned guest houses, rest houses and hotels for filmmakers during shooting in the state. Filmmakers, after requisite permissions and nominal fees will also be able to make use of government airstrips, if the story demands so. Interestingly, the new film policy also includes an annual film award for the films shot in the state organized apart from film festivals, seminars and also the formation of a film development council. Till now, the most attractive scheme of the UP government had been the financial subsidy provided to filmmakers who shot in the state. The same has been included in the film policy too. The new UP Film Policy (2015) offers 50% subsidy of the total cost, for Awadhi, Braj, Bundeli and Bhojpuri films and a maximum of 25% of the total cost for Hindi films and also foreign language films shot in the state. A subsidy of `1 crore will be given if half the film has been shot in UP and with two-thirds of it will make a filmmaker eligible for a subsidy of `2 crore.

Casting five or more main actors from the state will also fetch the producers a subsidy of upto `25 lakhs, having an all UP cast will fetch the producer `50 lakhs as subsidy.

Hailing the new film policy of the state, producers and directors from Bollywood say the revised policy will encourage more filmmakers to come to the state to shoot films here, which will in turn generate employment and opportunities for local talent to emerge and be utilised. A few also welcome the move to include use of government owned properties for the film crew’s accommodation and promotion of tourist destinations.

INTERNATIONAL

· Marshall Islands to launch world-first digital legal tender

The Marshall Islandsin the Pacific Ocean is set to become the first country in the world to recognize cryptocurrency as its legal tender and adopt transparent cryptocurrency as its legal tender and adopt the transparent crypto monetary system.
The parliament of the island has passed a law to create the digital currency call called “Sovereign” with symbol SOV to raise some hard cash to pay bills and boost the economy.
The Marshall Islands is partnering with Israeli fintech startup Neema to launch its SOV.
It will have equal status with US dollar as a form of payment.
SOV issued by the Marshall Islands will be different from other cryptocurrencies including bitcoin because it will be officially recognized by law as legal documents.

· Myanmar puts off border agreement with India

Myanmar has indefinitely deferred signing agreement with India to streamline the free movement of people within 16 km along the open border between two countries.
It has cited domestic compulsions and has asked for more time for the agreement to be sealed.
Background India and Myanmar share 1,643 km unfenced border along four states viz. Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km) and Mizoram (510 km) and permit free movement regime.
To give it shape, Central Government had asked four border states with Myanmar to distribute “border pass” to all the residents living within 16 km.
The agreement will facilitate movement of people on basis of valid passports and visas which will enhance economic and social interaction between two places.

· Rashid Khan Becomes Youngest Captain In International Cricket History

The leg-spinner from Afghanistan, Rashid Khan (19-year-old) become the youngest captain in international cricket history.
He now holds the ICC No. 1 rank for bowlers in both the ODIs and T20Is and also became the youngest player ever to hold the top spot for any form of ICC men’s ranking.
England’s Arran Bindle is the youngest woman player at the age of 19 years and 260 days to lead a team in women’s cricket. She led the England side in a three ODIs in 2001.
Youngest captains in international cricket:
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) – 19 years 159 days.
Rajin Saleh (Bangladesh) – 20 years 297 days.
Rodney Trott (Bermuda) – 20 years 332 days.
Tatenda Taibu (Zimbabwe) – 20 years 342 days.
Nawab Pataudi (India) – 21 years 77 days.

NATIONAL

National Safety Day: 4 March

National Safety Day is a Day which is used to make every people get safe from many issues such as Financial Loss, Health problems and also any types of problems in the life of the citizens.

It is used to celebrate to become more secure from the activities which reflect and change the situation of the people in many ways evil as well as good ways.

It is celebrated on the 4th March every year in India by the National Safety Council of India.

· International Yoga Festival Held In Rishikesh

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat inaugurated the week-long 29th annual, world-famous International Yoga Festival (IYF)in Rishikesh’s Parmarth Niketan.
The IYF offers daily classes from 4 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. with more than 80 revered saints, Yogacharya, presenters and experts from nearly 20 countries around the world.

After 25 years, Manik Sarkar steps down as Tripura CM

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar tendered his resignation to Governor Tathagata Roy, who asked him to continue in office till the next Chief Minister takes over.

The BJP-IPFT coalition has swept the polls, winning 43 of the 59 seats for which elections were held.

The BJP secured 35 seats in the 60-member assembly while its ally IPFT, a tribal based party, has won eight seats.

Conrad Sangma Will be the Next CM of Meghalaya

In Meghalaya, NPP chief Conrad K Sangma met Governor Ganga Prasad and submitted the letter of support from other parties.

The swearing-in of Conard as the chief minister will take place on March 5.

In Tripura, the government formation process is expected to be completed by March 10.

· Viswanathan Anand Wins Tal Memorial Rapid Chess Title

World rapid champion Viswanathan Anandannexed the Tal Memorial rapid chess title in Moscow, Russia after an easy final round draw against Boris Gelfand of Israel.
His solitary loss came at the hands of Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan in the third round.

· Namaste Shalom- Magazine On India-Israel Relations Launched

The Union Minister of State (I/C) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr Jitendra Singh, launched the social media of “Namaste Shalom”, a magazine on India-Israel relations.
The magazine ‘Namaste Shalom’ is edited by Tarun Vijay, former MP.

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06.03.18 UPPCS (Uttar Pradesh) Current Affairs