Microsoft sues Indian firm C-Cubed Solutions for technical support scam

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January 1, 2015No comments

Microsoft has sued an Indian company C-Cubed Solutions along with other entities for misusing its name and registered trademarks by providing fraudulent technical support services to unsuspecting consumers.
In this regard, Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit has filed a civil lawsuit in federal court located in the Central District of California against C-Cubed Solutions for unfair and deceptive business practices and trademark infringement.
As per the lawsuit, C-Cubed Solutions along with other entities had used the Microsoft trademarks to enhance their credentials and confuse customers without any authorisation from them. Microsoft is demanding a jury trial against these entities.
Microsoft is also seeking from jury a permanent injunction to restrain and enjoin these entities for the infringement of their registered trademarks and directly or indirectly engaging in false advertising regarding the quality or security of Microsoft software.
It should be noted that, law suit has mentioned C-Cubed as a private company associated under Indian law. Its directors include Marc Haberman, Rachel Eilat Haberman and Jay Wurzberger. It is a subsidiary of California-based Customer Focus Services (CFS) and operates the mail server by which CFS.
Microsoft has chosen to sue these entities after they had received more 65,000 customer complaints regarding fraudulent tech support scams since May 2014.

M Sathiyavathy becomes first woman to be appointed as Director General DGCA

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January 1, 2015No comments

IAS officer M Sathiyavathy has become first woman to be appointed as Director General (DG) of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
She will succeed Prabhat Kumar, to become first woman to become the chief aviation regulator for period of three years till 2017.
She is a 1982-batch UT cadre IAS officer. Earlier she has served in the Civil Aviation Ministry as a Joint Secretary and Financial Adviser since February 2014.
About Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
DGCA is India’s regulatory body for civil aviation. It comes under the aegis of Union Ministry of Civil Aviation.
As a regulatory body, it seeks to promote

Safe and efficient Air Transportation through regulation and proactive safety oversight system in India.
Enforce civil air regulations, air safety and airworthiness standards in India as per International standards.

Union government blocks 32 websites for spreading anti-India views and ISIS propaganda

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January 1, 2015No comments

Union government has blocked access to 32 websites for carrying anti-India views and spreading banned terrorist outfit Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’s (ISIS) propaganda. These websites were blocked after following an advisory given by an anti-terrorism team.
The blocked uniform resource locator’s(URLs) include files, videos and source code-sharing websites.
They were blocked by Department of Telecom(DoT) under Section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and under Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009.
These rules give powers to the central government to block access to information on website’s if it threatens the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of the country, defence of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence.

Government signs $ 75 million loan deal with Asian Development Bank for KIUWMIP

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January 1, 2015No comments

Government has signed a loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for 75 million dollars and 1.8 million dollar grant for Karnataka Integrated Urban Water Management Investment Program (KIUWMIP).
This loan fund will be used in the three towns of Byadagi, Davanagere and Harihar of Karnataka under the KIUWMIP.
This loan seeks to expand and upgrade: urban water supply and sanitation infrastructure, improve water resource planning, monitoring and service delivery, and strengthen operational and administrative capacity in these towns.
As per this agreement, the loan has a 25 year term including a grace period of five years.
Implications: This project by utilizing the loan fund will help these urban towns to increase water treatment capacity by 15,000 cubic meters per day. It will also help expand and upgrade more than 1,000 kilometers of water pipelines and increase sewage treatment capacity by 48,000 cubic meters per day, thereby promoting water efficiency and environmental protection.
About Karnataka Integrated Urban Water Management Investment Program (KIUWMIP)

KIUWMIP- is an investment program that aims to improve water resource management in urban areas of Karnataka State in a holistic and sustainable.
It seeks to modernize and expand urban water supply and sanitation (UWSS) by strengthening relevant institutions related to it in order to enhance their efficiency, productivity and sustainability in water use.
It takes help of innovative social instruments like as public-private partnership (PPP) or reform oriented incentive funds.
This Program also aims to improve the condition of more fragile environments located in North Karnataka that are increasingly affected by water resource degradation by promoting climate-resilient development, capacity-development techniques for conducive adaptation.

Government splits Chairman & MD post in PSU banks and names chiefs for 4 PSU banks

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January 1, 2015No comments

Government has decided to separate the post of Chairman and Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in public sector banks.
With this decision government is breaking the tradition of having the heads of state-run banks act as both chairman and managing director.
As per the Finance Ministry, the Chairman in public sector banks other than State Bank of India (SBI) will be a part- time board member. He will preside over the board meetings and will not be an Executive Chairman.
This means that for the first time, PSU banks will have a non-Executive Chairman, giving operational responsibility to Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
In pursuance of the decision, the government has appointed four Managing Directors and CEOs of following 4 PSU banks

Koteeswaran was named as MD and CEO of Indian Overseas Bank.
Srinivas was named as MD and CEO of United Bank of India.
Animesh Chauhan was named MD and CEO of Oriental Bank of Commerce.
Kishore Sansi was named MD and CEO of Vijaya Bank.

Above 4 MD’s and CEO’s will have tenure of 3 years or till the date of superannuation, whichever is earlier. These appointments were made based on the recommendations of Appointments Board chaired by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor.
Government also has decided to go for a fresh selection procedure for the post of Chairman and MD and CEO in Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank and Canara Bank, which are ‘A’ category large banks.

India and Pakistan exchange list of nuclear facilities

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January 1, 2015No comments

India and Pakistan on 1st January 2015 have exchanged the list of their nuclear installations and facilities under the agreement on Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear installations between India and Pakistan.
The exchange of list was done through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad.
It is the 24th consecutive exchange of such list between the two neighbouring countries which bars them from attacking each other’s atomic facilities.
Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear installations between India and Pakistan
This bilateral agreement bars both nations from carrying out any surprise attack (or to assist foreign power to attack) on each other’s nuclear installations and facilities.
It was signed on 31st December 1988 and entered into force on 27 January 1991. It was signed by then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and his Pakistani counterpart Benazir Bhutto.
Both countries inform each other about their nuclear installations and facilities that need to be covered under the Agreement on 1 January every year.

Union Government renames Planning Commission as ‘Neeti Ayog’

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January 1, 2015No comments

Union government has renamed Planning commission as National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog.
The renaming of the Planning Commission is being seen as the first step towards replacing it with a new-age institution.

Key Facts about National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog

It will serve as a ‘Think Tank’ of the government i.e. a directional and policy dynamo.
It will also provide governments at the central and state levels with relevant strategic and technical advice across the spectrum of key elements of policy formulation.
This includes matters of national and international import on the economic front, dissemination of best practices from within the country as well as from other nations, the infusion of new policy ideas and specific issue-based support

It will work towards the following objectives

Evolve a shared vision of national development priorities
Foster cooperative federalism
Develop mechanisms to formulate credible plans at the village level
Focus on technology upgradation, among other things.

Composition

Chairperson- Prime Minister.
Governing Council- It will consist of- Chief Ministers (of States) and Lt. Governors (of Union Territories).
Regional Council- It will be formed on need basis. It will compromise Chief Ministers (of States) and Lt. Governors (of Union Territories).
Vice-Chairperson- To be appointed by the Prime Minister.
Members- Full time Basis.
Part time members- Maximum of 2. They will from leading universities research organizations and other relevant institutions on a rotational basis.
Ex Officio members- Maximum of 4 members of the Union Council of Ministers to be nominated by the Prime Minister.
Special invitees- They will be nominated by the Prime Minister and will be experts, specialists and practitioners with relevant domain knowledge as special invitees.
Chief Executive Officer- Appointed by the Prime Minister for a fixed tenure, in the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
Secretariat- If deemed necessary.

Background
Government’s decision comes after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2014 Independence Day announcement that the Planning Commission would be replaced with a new-age institution.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7th December 2014 had held consultation meeting with Chief Ministers of states, where most CM’s had favoured restructuring of the Socialist-era planning body. However, some Congress Chief Ministers opposed disbanding of the existing set-up.
You may read more about Planning commission here- Back Ground of Planned Development in India, Planning Commission and National Development Council

Tropical storm Jangmi hits Philippines

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January 1, 2015No comments

Tropical storm Jangmi has hit Surigao del Sur province on northern Mindanao in Philippines. This tropical storm is locally is known as Seniang.
This storm had approached the land with gusts wind of 100 kph resulting heavy rain. This heavy rain has triggered flash floods and landslides in the country.
Jangmi storm has also affected several parts of neighbouring countries of Philippines like Malaysia and Thailand.
In 2014, in total 30 storms had occurred in the Northwest Pacific, 16 of them have affected the Philippines. Among 16 storms, 6 were strong enough to be classified as typhoons. Earlier in December 2014, Super Typhoon Hagupit had lashed central parts of Philippines with winds of 215 kph.

French Economist Thomas Piketty turns down France’s top award

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January 2, 2015No comments

French economist Thomas Piketty has turned down France’s top award, the Legion D’Honneur.
He is the bestselling author of book Capital in the 21st Century which examines income inequality in society.
Earlier in 2014, cartoonist Jacques Tardi had turned down this award. Others who have refused this award include philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre and radiology pioneers Pierre and Marie Curie.
Officier de la Legion d’Honneur (Officer of the Legion of Honour) is the highest award among Civilians and Military conferred by France upon French citizen as well as foreigners.
Some facts: Indian luminaries who have been decorated with France highest honor are Satyajit Ray, Lata Mangeshkar, Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan.

Former MoS for External Affairs Kamala Sinha passes away

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January 1, 2015No comments

Former Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Kamala Sinha passed away in Syracuse, New York in US. She was 82.
About Kamala Sinha

She was born in Dhaka (now in Bangladesh) on 30 September 1932. She is grandniece of Jan Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.
She was married to freedom fighter and Bihar minister Late Basawan Singh, a native of Vaishali district, Bihar. She was initiated into politics by her husband.
She was twice elected a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1972 to 1984 and also had served as the Indian Ambassador to Suriname and Barbados.
For several times, she was elected as the national President of Hind Mazdoor Sabha of the socialists. During the socialist movement of led by Jaya Prakash Narayan in 1974, she was imprisoned under Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA).
She was a member of former Prime Minister I K Gujral’s cabinet from 1997-98.

Delhi Police launches women safety mobile app ‘Himmat’

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January 1, 2015No comments

Delhi police has launched women safety mobile application ‘Himmat’. It was launched by the Union home minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.
It is an android based mobile app, which aims to cater employed women who have smartphones and travel alone late in the night.
This application will allow women to send a distress call to Police Control Room (PCR) and their relatives in case of any emergency.
Key facts of women safety mobile app ‘Himmat’

In case to use this app, user has to download this app on their smartphone.
After downloading the app, new user has to register them with the Delhi Police website by sharing their name, mobile number and that of a minimum of two relatives/friends.
In case of emergency, user can send an alert by shaking her phone or by pressing the power button/soft button.
As soon as the distress button is pressed, it will trigger a 30-second audio and video recording on the phone which will be relayed to the PCR. The victim will get a call back from the PCR.
After distress button is pressed, SMS alert consisting of all the details of the victim, including her location, time will be forwarded to the PCR. Then from PCR, SMS alert it will be forwarded to the police patrol cars in the area and the local station house officer (SHO) through the Delhi Police cyber highway.
In case of emergency, SMS alert will also be sent to minimum of 5 friends and relatives of the user. It will also post a status on the victim’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
In order to tackle false SOS alerts/ alarms the app is provided with inbuilt feature which cancels the registration after 3 such (False SOS alerts) incidents. But, the user can re-register to re-activate the facility.

Greece dissolves parliament ahead of snap elections

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January 2, 2015No comments

Greece’s Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has dissolved the country’s parliament ahead of snap elections to be held on 25 January.
Dissolution of Parliament comes after it failed to elect the President in the third and final round of voting.
In the third and final round for electing President, ruling government’s candidate Stavros Dimas (former European Commissioner) was defeated by 180 votes, resulting in dissolution of the Parliament.
Prime Minister Antonis Samara’s ruling coalition government had came into power in 2012 after the General Elections.
In 2012 General elections, Prime Minister Samaras-led New Democratic Party had won the elections and formed the government.

Central Government appoints A.K. Mittal as Chairman of Railway Board

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January 2, 2015No comments

Central Government has appointed A.K. Mittal as Chairman of Railway Board. His name was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister.
He will succeed incumbent chief Arunendra Kumar whose term had ended on 31st December 2014.
About A.K. Mittal

He is an officer of the Indian Railway Stores Service of the 1976 batch. He has become first-ever officer from the Stores service to be Chairman of Railway Board.
Before this appointment A.K. Mittal was Member Staff of Railway Board and ex-officio Secretary to the Government of India.
He has also served as General Manager of South Western Railway (SWR). He also had held additional charge of General Manager, South Central Railway (SCR).

Gujarat government announces new industrial policy for 2015

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January 2, 2015No comments

Gujarat government has announced its new industrial policy for 2015. It was announced by Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit which begins from January 11, 2015.
This industrial policy aims to make state a global manufacturing hub by playing a pivotal role in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ dream.
Key facts of Gujarat Government’s industrial policy for 2015

This policy will focus on key areas like infrastructure development, simplification of labour laws and motivation of new innovations through technology transfer.
It seeks to cater and provide opportunities to around 60 per cent of Gujarat’s population which is between the age group of 15 years and 59 years.
It aims to create a business friendly environment and motivate ‘start-ups’ through this new policy. It will prepare these people to start their own businesses instead of merely looking for job opportunities.
Besides, it will also give special focus on incentives for youth, women, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and handicapped entrepreneurs.
It will also provide assistance to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector for upgrading technology.
It focuses to reduce pollution by promoting use of clean and green energy as well as setting up zero-effluent discharge plants.
This policy seeks to boost value addition in these existing resources, which will create new jobs and reduce imports as industries like auto components, engineering, drugs, cement and chemicals already have flourished in state.
Special incentives will be given to set up new businesses in sectors like garments, apparel, agro and food processing.

Indian-origin man J Y Pillay reappointed as top advisor to Singapore President

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January 3, 2015No comments

Veteran Indian-origin civil servant Joseph Yubaraj Manuel Pillay was reappointed as the Chairman of the Presidential Council of Advisers (CPA) by Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam.
He was sworn in as top advisor to Singapore’s President for a period of next four years.
As Chairman of the CPA, he will exercise the functions of the President’s office in the absence of President. If he is unavailable, the Speaker of Parliament would act as the head of state.
Presidential Council of Advisers (CPA): This council was formed in 1992. It advises Singapore’s President in various areas, including safeguarding the past reserves of the Government and key appointments in the public services.
About J Y Pillay

He has served in a number of senior civil service positions in Singapore. He was first appointed to the CPA on January 2, 2001 and served its Chairman since September 2, 2005.
He is one of the pioneers who helped build the Singapore economy after its separation from Malaysia in 1965. He also had served as Chairman of Singapore Airlines from 1972 until 1976.
In 2012, for his public service, Pillay was awarded the Order of Nila Utama (First Class) award- one of Singapore’s most prestigious National Day Awards.

Former ISRO chief and Renowned Scientist Dr V R Gowarikar passes away

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January 2, 2015No comments

Former ISRO chief and renowned Scientist Dr. Vasant Ranchod Gowarikar passed away in Pune, Maharashtra. He was 81.
He is considered as the ‘Father of the Indian Monsoon Model’.
About Dr. Vasant Gowarikar

Dr. Vasant Gowarikar was born in Pune on 25th March, 1933.
He was renowned scientist and his significant contribution includes in field of space research, weather and population study and Polymer Chemistry.
In 1965, Dr Gowarikar along with Vikram Sarabhai started working on satellite technology in the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Both of them played important role in laying foundation stone for India’s space technology and space programmes.
He also headed Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). On 17th April 1983, under his leadership Satellite launcher SLV-3 became successfully operational in orbit.
He was the scientific advisor to late Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao from 1991 to 1993. For some time, he was Vice Chancellor of Pune University.
He was also chairman of Marathi Vidnyan Parishad from 1994 to 2000.
Books: Many books and scientific essays are credited to his name. His book ‘I Predict’, an essay on the Indian population, has become famous.
Awards: He was honoured with the Padmashree Award, Padma Bhushan (2008), Fie Foundation Award, Nayak Gold Medal and Doctorates from many prestigious universities.
The Fertilizer Encyclopedia: Dr. Gowarikar, along with his associates in 2008 had compiled the massive The Fertilizer Encyclopedia that featured 4,500 entries of chemical composition of fertilizers. It contains collection of information related to fertilizers consisting of their manufacturing, application and environmental considerations.

IAS officer R K Srivastava takes charges as AAI Chairman

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January 2, 2015No comments

IAS officer R K Srivastava took over as the new chairman of Airports Authority of India (AAI).
Earlier in December, Srivastava was appointed as chairman of AAI by the government for 5 years.
He is a 1984-batch Jharkhand-cadre IAS officer and has replaced Sudheer Raheja who was charge of the post since late August 2014.
Airports Authority of India (AAI)
AAI is statutory body under the aegis of Ministry of Civil Aviation. It is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure in India.
It also provides Air traffic management (ATM) services over Indian airspace and adjoining oceanic areas.
AAI manages around 125 airports in India, which include 18 International Airport, 07 Customs Airports, 78 Domestic Airports and 26 Civil Enclaves at Defense airfields.

PM inaugurates 102nd Indian Science Congress 2015 at Mumbai University

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January 3, 2015No comments

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Indian Science Congress 2015 at the Mumbai University. It is the 102nd edition of this congress and Mumbai is hosting it again after the gap of 45 years.
The theme of 102^nd Congress is Science and Technology for Human Development.
The Congress sessions aims to bring together eminent scientists, research scholars to popularize science and foster a scientific temperament.
Key facts

It is 5 day event and will witness deliberations and presentation of papers by the scientific fraternity from across the globe. More than 12 thousand delegates are going to participate in the session.
In this congress several symposia on relevant themes such as Women’s Science Congress, Children Science Congress and Science Exhibition etc will be also organized.
This edition will cover a wide variety of topics like: Agriculture and forestry, veterinary science, earth science, environment, engineering, information & communication, computer sciences, mathematics, medicine, biology, physics and plant sciences among others.
Other themes of interest include science & technology in SAARC countries, biodiversity conservation, space application, GM crops and the use of modern biotechnology in agriculture, clean energy systems for the future.

Boxing India (BI) gets nod from Union Sports Ministry

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January 3, 2015No comments

Union Sports Ministry has given nod to Boxing India (BI) as the new governing body for the sport.
In this regard, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (Department of Sports) – Government of India has given the nod as it is a recognised member of the International Boxing Association (AIBA).
It will help BI to expedite the administrative formalities and streamlining the overall functioning and activities boxing.
Boxing India President: Sandeep Jajodia

Indian company IRCON restores Jaffna-Kankasanthurai rail track in Sri Lanka

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January 3, 20151 Comment

Indian Railway’s construction company (IRCON) has restored the rail track between Jaffna and Kankasanthurai in North Sri Lanka.
This restored commercial Yal Devi Express service was formally inaugurated by Sri Lanka’s Transport Minister Kumara Welgama.
This 18 kilometer track passes through the high security zone which was freed from the control of Tamil tigers in 2009.
Background
The entire rail line between Colombo and the Northern part of Sri Lanka was destroyed in the late 1980s by the LTTE.
India’s IRCON is playing important role in rebuilding the 252 km railway track on this route. Indian government had provided a line of credit of 800 million dollars for these projects. In 2014, the line upto Jaffna was made operational after it was restored.
Facts about Indian Railway’s construction company (IRCON)

It was established in 1976 by Union Government under the Companies Act, 1956. It is wholly owned by the Ministry of Railways. In 1995, it was renamed as IRCON International Limited.
Since its establishment, this company had undertaken construction of railway projects in India and abroad especially in difficult terrains.
It has completed more than 300 major infrastructure projects in India and over 121 major projects globally in more than 21 countries.

RBI signs an information sharing agreement with US banking regulators

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January 3, 20151 Comment

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has signed an information sharing agreement with United States (US) banking regulators for better coordination with them in supervising financial institutions.
Earlier in December 2014, RBI had concluded a Statement of Co-operation (SoC) on “Supervisory Cooperation and Exchange of Supervisory Information” with the US banking regulators like Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System(FRB), Office of the Comptroller of Currency (OCC) and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
SoC was signed by Michael S Gibson- Director, FRB; Martin Pfinsgraff, Senior Deputy Comptroller-OCC; Doreen R Eberley, Director-FDIC and Indian counterpart P R Ravi Mohan, Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Department of Banking Supervision, RBI.

RBI by signing such MoU/SoC with supervisors of other countries is seeking to promote greater co-operation and share supervisory information among the authorities.
In this regard, RBI in total has signed 22 such MoUs, one Letter for Supervisory Co-operation and one SoC, with overseas regulators/supervisors.

Background
In September 2014, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US, both countries had issued a joint statement to boost the efforts of the RBI and American banking regulators and supervisors for exchange of information to enhance the effectiveness of cross border supervision.

Sri Lankan Cricketer Kumar Sangakkara Joins Elite 12,000-Runs scorer Club in Test Cricket

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January 3, 2015No comments

Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara has joined an elite group of cricketers to make 12,000 runs in Test Cricket.
He reached this milestone in Sri Lanka’s second Test match against New Zealand held in Wellington, New Zealand.
He has become the fifth cricketer to make 12,000 runs. Other four cricketers are Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs), Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting (13,378 runs), Jacques Kallis from South Africa (13,289 runs) and India’s Rahul Dravid (13,288 runs).
Earlier in December 2014, he had achieved another feat by becoming only the fourth batsman to surpass the 13,000-run mark in one-day internationals (ODI’s).
Other three batsmen in this list are Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs), Ricky Ponting (13,704 runs) and Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya (13,430 runs).

Union Government extends AFSPA for another one year in Assam

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January 3, 2015No comments

Union Government has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 for another one year in Assam and has declared the entire ‘state of Assam’ as a ‘Disturbed Area’.
As per government notification, this extension will for another one year beyond 03 November 2014 which is presently in force.
Besides Assam, government has declared the area falling within 20 km wide belt along the border of Assam with Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya as Disturbed Area.
In these disturbed areas, Army is empowered to take action for counter Insurgency (CI) operations against the underground (UG) outfits under the provisions of AF (SP) Act, 1958.
Thus it seeks to control the violent incidents caused by the UGs which has direct disturbances to general law and order of the state.
Background
This extension comes after the law and order situation had worsen in the North eastern state of Assam and its border areas due to the violent incidents caused by the underground banned outfits like ULFA(I), NDFB(S), KPLT, UALA, NSCN(IM) and NSCN(K) etc.

Facts about Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958

It was enacted by Parliament on September 11, 1958.
It conferred special powers upon the armed forces in disturbed areas in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. The act was introduced in Jammu and Kashmir in 1990.
AFSPA was enacted to provide army officers and jawans legal immunity for their actions in disturbed areas. Under this act, a member of the Indian armed forces cannot be prosecuted or tried in any criminal or civil court for any act committed by him or her while performing duty in a disturbed area. Moreover, no court or quasi-judicial body can question the government’s decision to declare any area disturbed.

The provisions of AFSPA are very objectionable as it requires the following:

All that is necessary for a part of the State to be handed over to the armed forces is for the Governor or the Central Government to notify it to be in a “disturbed and dangerous” condition.
Even a non-commissioned officer of the armed forces is free, on the mere suspicion of violation of the law or commission of an offence, to fire upon or otherwise use force, even to the causing of death, against any person.
He can also without any warrant, arrest any person and enter and search any premises.
No prosecution of anyone indulging in excesses purporting to act under AFSPA is possible except with the previous sanction of the Government.

UNICEF to prepare a Tea Atlas in Assam

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January 5, 2015No comments

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has decided to prepare a Tea Atlas in India’s North Eastern State Assam. This atlas seeks to create a comprehensive database of the tea gardens and socio-economic condition of its workers in state.
Key facts

It will cover all aspects of the Tea industry, including garden workers who comprise nearly 20 percent of the state population by mapping tea community database, graphs and maps.
It will also provide features like geographical locations of the gardens, proprietorship, various indicators like implementation of Plantations Labour Act and government schemes meant for the tea community.
In this case, tea communities have been identified as the focus of UNICEF Assam’s Social Inclusion and Equity Programming which addresses the issues like early marriage, alcoholism and child labour among them.

Andy Murray wins ATP World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi

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January 4, 2015No comments

Andy Murray has won the ATP World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.
His win comes after world number one Novak Djokovic withdrew from the final match citing reason of illness.
In the Semi-finals, Andy Murray had defeated Rafael Nadal by score of 6-2, 6-0 in straight sets to enter in finals.
While, in another semi-final match Novak Djokovic had defeated Australian Open Champion Stanislas Wawarinka by score of 6-1, 6-2.

RBI relaxes KYC norms for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC’s)

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January 4, 2015No comments

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has relaxed Know-Your-Customers (KYC) norms for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).
In this regard, RBI has amended the KYC norms in order to remove the practical difficulties and constraints being faced by NBFC’s in getting KYC documents at frequent intervals.
Previously, as per the norms it was necessary for NBFC’s to undertake KYC once in every 5 years for low risk category customers and once in two years for both high and medium risk categories.
But as per new norms, full KYC exercise will be required to be done at least every 10 years for low risk and at least every 8 years for medium risk individuals and entities.
While for the high-risk individuals and entities, it should be done in at least every 2 years.
This full KYC exercise will be done by taking into account whether and when client due diligence measures have previously been undertaken and the adequacy of data obtained.
However, the new norm does not mention physical presence of clients for such periodic updations.

Edward Brooke, first black elected US senator passes away

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January 5, 2015No comments

Edward Brooke, the first elected black US senator passed away on 3^rd January 2015. He was 95.
He belonged to US’s Republican Party.
About Edward Brooke

He was elected to US Congress in 1966 by voters of Massachusetts State at a time of widespread racial unrest in the country.
He was also the first African-American to hold the post of attorney general of any state in US. He was attorney general Massachusetts State.
He had served as Congressmen in the US Senate till 1979 and was one of only nine African-Americans to do so, including US President Barack Obama.
His name i.e. the Brooke amendment was given to US federal housing act, passed in 1969, which limited to 25 percent the amount of income a family must pay for rent in public housing.
He lost his bid for the third term to Congress in 1978. After this defeat he returned to private law practice.
In 2004, he was awarded US Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2009, he was also awarded Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award Congress has to honor civilians.

National Flag designer Pingali Venkayya honoured

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January 5, 2015No comments

Freedom fighter and National Flag designer Pingali Venkayya was honoured by naming All India Radio(AIR) Vijayawada (in Andhra Pradesh) building after him.
In this regard, Union Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs, M. Venkaiah Naidu unveiled the statue of Pingali Venkaiah, in the premises of AIR Vijayawada.
On this occasion, minister also released a book on the biography of Pingali Venkayya, translated into Hindi by Mr.Venna Vallabha Rao.

About Pingali Venkayya

He was born in Bhatlapenumarru, near Masulipatnam district in Andhra Pradesh.
In the National Conference of Indian National Congress (INC) held in Kakinada (in Andhra Pradesh) 1921, he had suggested that India should have a flag of its own that impressed Mahatma Gandhi.
After Mahatma Gandi’s request, he had designed the flag which initially had saffron and green colours, but in the course of time, modifications were made with additions like a spinning wheel at the centre and a third colour- white, Chakra i.e Dharma Chakra which depicts the “wheel of the law”.
It should be noted that India’s present flag was adopted during the meeting of Constituent Assembly held on the 22 July 1947, a few days before India’s independence from the British.
He was also an educationist who had set up an educational institution in Machilipatnam district of Andhra Pradesh and was an authority in geology, agriculture.
He died in 1963.

ICICI Bank Launches Digital Village Project in Akodara Village of Gujarat

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January 5, 2015No comments

Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI) Bank has launched its own version of Digital Village Project by adopting entire Akodara Village in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat.
It was launched presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ICICI Bank MD and CEO Chanda Kochar to mark 60-year-celebration of the ICICI group’s existence.

Key facts about ICICI Bank’s Digital Village Project

It is launched in lines with Governments flagship programme of Digital India.
It seeks to provide entire village with services ranging from cashless banking to digitised school teaching.
As part of this project, banking platform at rural part will be digitized by covering all aspects of banking like opening an account to sale of goods to purchase of products including milk from the vendors or local kirana stores.
In case of school teaching, it will digitized all school records alongwith the Gujarat syllabus and even teaching methods and tools.
It will also provide necessary infrastructure needed for digisiting entire village in order to provide villager with the access required to data and information in a digital format.
Besides basic banking facilities like ATMs and other digital banking services, other services like e-health, e-milk producer group, Wi-Fi connectivity and schools with digital black boards in the village, along with a host of other digital facilities will be provided under this project.

About ICICI Bank
It was established in 1955 as ICICI Ltd.
Originally it was set up as an Indian financial institution as the initiative of the World Bank, the Government of India and representatives of Indian industry to provide project financing to Indian businesses.
Later in 1994, it got merged to form ICICI Bank.

Eminent Economist Arvind Panagariya appointed as NITI Aayog vice-chairman

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January 5, 2015No comments

Eminent free-market economist Arvind Panagariya has been appointed as Vice-chairman of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog.
NITI Aayog is established by government to function as both a think tank and a policy forum and replaces decades year old Planning Commission.
As a vice chairman, he will play a pivotal role in coordinating economic strategy and hold position similar to cabinet rank minister.
About Arvind Panagariya

He is an Indian-American economist and Professor of Economics at Columbia University. He holds a Ph.D. degree in Economics from prestigious Princeton University.
He was an ex-Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
He has also worked for the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in various capacities.
He has written around 10 books and the latest was India: The Emerging Giant published in 2008.

Other Appointments of NITI Aayog

Full-Time Members:

Bibek Debroy- Economist.
V.K. Saraswat- Former Secretary Defence R&D.

Ex-officio members:

Rajnath Singh- Union Home Minister.
Arun Jaitley- Union Finance, Corporate Affairs and Information & Broadcasting Minister.
Suresh Prabhu- Union Minister of Railways.
Radha Mohan Singh- Union Minister of Agriculture.

Special Invitees:

Nitin Gadkari- Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping.
Thawar Chand Gehlot-Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Smriti Zubin Irani- Union Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD).

International Hindi Conference 2015 will be hosted in New Jersey

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January 5, 2015No comments

International Hindi Conference-2015 (अंतर्राष्ट्रीय हिंदी सम्मलेन-2015) will be hosted by New Jersey, United States in April 2015.
Theme of 2015 edition of this conference is Expanding World of Hindi: Possibilities and Challenges.

Key facts of International Hindi Conference 2015

This conference seeks to provide a platform for participants to get together and identify challenges and find solutions for the advancement of the Hindi language in North America and the Caribbean region.
In this conference, Hindi scholars from various parts of the world, particularly from United States and India will participate.
Participants are expected to discuss individual and organisational partnerships and leadership and field capacity building and infrastructure building skills and topics.
In this case they are going to discuss topics such as material selection and development funding, professional development of teachers, and volunteer management.
This conference will also hold sessions on topics such as, Hindi in higher education, expanding the use of Hindi in businesses and commerce, Community support for Hindi, Current status of the teaching and learning of Hindi etc.

Union Sports Ministry recommends Saina Nehwal’s name for Padma Bhushan award

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January 5, 2015No comments

Union Sports Ministry has recommended badminton player Saina Nehwal’s name for Padma Bhushan award. As per Sports ministry, recommending her name is a special case.
Earlier, she had expressed anger for not being nominated for this year’s award.
However, Sports ministry earlier did not nominate her citing reason that Badminton Association of India (BAI) did not apply for Saina’s name for award on time. Later on 3^rd January 2015, BAI had acknowledged Saina’s name to Sports ministry paving way for her nomination.
About Saina Nehwal

She was born 17 March 1990 in Hisar, Haryana.
She is the first Indian to win Olympics medal in Badminton and had achieved this feat by winning the Bronze medal at the London Olympics 2012.
She is the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships and was also the first Indian to win a Super Series tournament, by winning Indonesia Open in 2009.
She also has won the China Open Super Series Premier-2014.
She is only Indian badminton player who attained a career best ranking of number 2 in December 2010 by Badminton World Federation.
Awards: Government has awarded her with Arjuna Award (2009), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2009–2010) and Padma Shri (2010).

About Padma Bhushan award

It is the third highest civilian award in India, after Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan. It was established on 2 January 1954 by President and is awarded to recognized person for their distinguished service of a high order to the nation, in any field
Every year it is announced on the occasion of Republic Day. It is conferred to recipient by the President at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Edward Brooke, first black elected US senator passes away

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January 5, 2015No comments

Edward Brooke, the first elected black US senator passed away on 3^rd January 2015. He was 95.
He belonged to US’s Republican Party.
About Edward Brooke

He was elected to US Congress in 1966 by voters of Massachusetts State at a time of widespread racial unrest in the country.
He was also the first African-American to hold the post of attorney general of any state in US. He was attorney general Massachusetts State.
He had served as Congressmen in the US Senate till 1979 and was one of only nine African-Americans to do so, including US President Barack Obama.
His name i.e. the Brooke amendment was given to US federal housing act, passed in 1969, which limited to 25 percent the amount of income a family must pay for rent in public housing.
He lost his bid for the third term to Congress in 1978. After this defeat he returned to private law practice.
In 2004, he was awarded US Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2009, he was also awarded Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award Congress has to honor civilians.

National Flag designer Pingali Venkayya honoured

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January 5, 2015No comments

About Pingali Venkayya

He was born in Bhatlapenumarru, near Masulipatnam district in Andhra Pradesh.
In the National Conference of Indian National Congress (INC) held in Kakinada (in Andhra Pradesh) 1921, he had suggested that India should have a flag of its own that impressed Mahatma Gandhi.
After Mahatma Gandi’s request, he had designed the flag which initially had saffron and green colours, but in the course of time, modifications were made with additions like a spinning wheel at the centre and a third colour- white, Chakra i.e Dharma Chakra which depicts the “wheel of the law”.
It should be noted that India’s present flag was adopted during the meeting of Constituent Assembly held on the 22 July 1947, a few days before India’s independence from the British.
He was also an educationist who had set up an educational institution in Machilipatnam district of Andhra Pradesh and was an authority in geology, agriculture.
He died in 1963.

Sutirtha Bhattacharya takes charge as Coal India Limited’s full-time CMD

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January 6, 2015No comments

Sutirtha Bhattacharya has taken charge as full-time Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Coal India Limited (CIL).
He is a 1985 batch IAS officer and for this post his name was cleared by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet after it was recommended by the Public Enterprises Services Board (PESB).
Prior to this appointment, he was the CMD of state-owned Singareni Collieries Company.
Background
The post of full time CMD was vacant for past six months after then full-time CMD S Narsing Rao had resigned from the post in May, 2014 to join Telangana government.
Till this vacant time, Additional Secretary Coal A K Dubey was given the additional charge as CMD of CIL from June 26, 2014.

About Coal India Limited (CIL)

It is a state-controlled coal mining company. It is headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal.
It is the largest coal producer company in the world and contributes around 81% of the coal production in India.
Union Government of India owns 90% of the shares in CIL and controls the operations of CIL through Ministry of Coal.
In April 2011, CIL was conferred the Maharatna status by Government of India. It is India’s 5th most valuable company in terms of market value.

Tulsi Gabbard and Ami Bera take oath for their second term

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January 7, 2015No comments

Tulsi Gabbard and Dr. Ami Bera have been sworn in for their second consecutive term in US House of Representatives.
Both of them belong to Democratic Party. They were sworn in after the 114th session of the US Congress began.
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is the first Hindu lawmaker in US to take her oath on Bhagavad-Gita. She was administered the oath of office by re-elected Speaker of US House of Representatives John Boehner.
She is representing Hawaii’s second congressional district since 2013. In 2013, she also had taken her oath on Gita.
While Dr. Ami Bera, is only serving Indian-American in the current Congress. He has been elected as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans which is the largest country- specific caucus in the House of Representatives.
He is representing, California’s 7th congressional district since 2013 and is third Indian-American elected to the House of Representatives after Dalip Singh Thind and Bobby Jindal.
Some facts
In 114th session of the US Congress, Republicans have formally taken control of both chambers the House of Representative and Senate for the first time since the 109th Congress (2005-2006).

Government gives nod to Neutrino project in Tamil Nadu

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January 7, 2015No comments

Union cabinet meeting has approved setting up of India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project in Bodi West Hills, Tamil Nadu. This cabinet meeting was headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Key facts about India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project

It is an underground project, jointly supported by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
It will comprise a complex of caverns – the main cavern, which will house detector which is 130 metres long, 26 metres wide and 30 metre high.
Along with main cavern, there will be two smaller caverns that will be used for setting up experiments for neutrino double detector and dark matters.
This underground complex will be approached by a 2-kms long tunnel.
It will host experiments such as the neutrino-less double beta decay and the search for dark matter.
It also involves Inter-Institutional Centre for High Energy Physics (IICHEP) and Iron Calorimeter Detector (ICAL).

Along with project, government has also approved the construction of a 50,000 tonne magnetised iron calorimeter detector (ICAL). It will study the properties of the neutrino, in particular the mass hierarchy among different types of neutrino.

Neutrino

It is an electrically neutral, weakly interacting elementary subatomic particle with half-integer spin. It belongs to the lepton family.
There are three types of neutrinos: electron neutrinos, muon neutrinos and tau neutrinos.

President signs ordinance amending Citizenship Act, 1955

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January 7, 2015No comments

President Pranab Mukherjee has signed the ordinance that amend’s Citizenship Act, 1955.
Earlier, union government had promulgated this ordinance in order to merge Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) schemes. Thus, providing life-long Indian visa facility to PIOs.
It was signed on the eve of the opening of the three-days meet of Indian diaspora i.e. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2015 held in Gujarat.
Key amendments

Citizenship Act amendments will benefit PIO and will give them benefits like life-long visa and exemption from appearing before the local police station on every visit etc.
It will also change the clause of parent Act which says that foreigners who marry Indians must continuously stay in the country for a period of one year before they get an Indian citizenship. In this regards they will get relief of 30 days in a year when they can travel outside the country.
The amendment also clears the way for relaxed visa norms for minor children of OCI cardholders.

Amitabh Bachchan appointed as Brand Ambassador of Andhra Pradesh health sector

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January 7, 2015No comments

Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan is appointed as the brand ambassador for health sector in Andhra Pradesh.
His name was announced by the Andhra Pradesh state Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas.
As a brand ambassador actor Amitabh Bachchan will participate in various health-related campaigns to be taken up by the state government without taking any remuneration for the services.
Implication: It will help bifurcated state to boost and improve its health sector as it worst hit due to bifurcation. At present, state does not have proper health sector facilities due major corporate hospitals and medical and health institutions are located in then capital of undivided state Hyderabad (now capital of Telangana).
Some facts
It should be also noted that, actor Amitabh Bachchan is also brand ambassador of Gujarat Tourism since 1 February 2010.
While in 2002, he was brand ambassador for the Polio Eradication Campaign.

Punjab bans sale of loose cigarettes and tobacco

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January 7, 2015No comments

Punjab has become first state in India, to completely ban the sale of loose cigarettes (even as single sticks) and loose tobacco.
State government had banned the sale of loose cigarettes and tobacco under Section 7 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA Act, 2003).
Section 7 of COTPA bans sale of these products if they are traded, supplied or distributed without specified warning including pictorial warning on it.
State government notification in this regard clearly mentions that loose cigarettes and tobacco products do not carry a pictorial or a written warning so they are banned.
Earlier state government had banned sale of nicotine in the form of e-cigarette.
About COTPA Act, 2003
It was enacted by Parliament in 2003. It prohibits advertisement and regulates tobacco business in India.
This Act has put restriction on tobacco products which includes cigarettes, gutka, panmasala (containing tobacco), cigar, cheroot, Beedi, Snuff, chewing tobacco, hookah, tooth powder containing tobacco.

BCCI announces India’s squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

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January 7, 2015No comments

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced Indian squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
It was announced by the BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel, after the meeting of the selection committee of BCCI.
Indian squad for the ICC CWC – 2015
MS Dhoni (Captain & Wicket Keeper), Virat Kohli (Vice Captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Stuart Binny, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Ambati Rayudu, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Md. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma.
ICC Cricket world cup 2015
ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will be the 11th edition and in total 49 matches will be played across 14 venues.
It will start on 14th February 2015 in Christchurch and co-host New Zealand team will play against Sri Lanka.
On the same day in Melbourne, Australia will play against England.

Pakistan enacts new law to create constitutional military courts to try terrorists

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January 8, 2015No comments

Pakistan government has enacted new law, to create constitutional military courts to try and punish terrorists.
This new law came into effect after it was signed by Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain.
Earlier, Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2015 and 21st Constitution Amendment Bill, 2015 was passed by Pakistan’s National Assembly and the Senate.
Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2015 aims to set up Constitutionally protected military courts to try and punish terrorists.
While, 21^st Constitution Amendment Bill, 2015 provides constitutional cover for the establishment of military courts in Pakistan.
Background
For past few years, Pakistan is struggling to come up with an adequate response to deal with the increasing menace of militancy.
Pakistan’s ruling government was under pressure after Peshawar School attack that had killed around 150 people including 132 children. So there was need of strict law to deal with the militants.
Summary
The law will give a tough message to militants who often are wriggled out of ordinary courts. Thus it will help to curb and eliminate militancy in Pakistan. Presently, Pakistan has already lifted moratorium on death penalty and hanged seven convicted militants.

Dinesh Oraon elected as Speaker of Jharkhand Assembly

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January 8, 2015No comments

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Dinesh Oraon was unanimously elected as the Speaker of Jharkhand Legislative Assembly.
It was announced by the Protem Speaker Stephen Marandi. His name for the post was proposed by the Chief Minister Raghubar Das.
He is the 10th Speaker of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly since the state was granted statehood status after bifurcating from Bihar on 15 November 2000.
About Dinesh Oraon
He is a member of Jharkhand Legislative Assembly from Sisai constituency of Gumla district. He has represented this constituency twice, first time in 2000 and for second time in 2014. He has studied M A. and was lecturer in Ranchi University.

ICICI Bank launches India’s first contactless credit and debit cards

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January 8, 2015No comments

India’s largest private sector bank Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI) Bank has launched country’s first ‘contactless’ debit and credit cards.
These cards will provide its customers to make electronic payments by waving the cards near the merchant terminal instead of dipping or swiping.
Facts about ICICI Bank’s contactless cards

These cards are based on the Near Field Communication (NFC) technology and powered by MasterCard contactless and Visa payWave technologies.
It provide customers with the improved convenience of speed as these cards require significantly less time than traditional cards to complete a transaction.
It also enhances security features for the customer.

Presently, bank has introduced these cards in cities like Gurgaon, Hyderabad and Mumbai. ICICI Bank also has provided with over 1200 Electronic Data Capture (EDC) machines that are capable of accepting contactless payments in these cities.

Kotak Mahindra-ING Vysya merger gets shareholders nod

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January 8, 2015No comments

Private sector Kotak Mahindra Bank has received its shareholders nod for merger of Bengalaru-headquartered ING Vysya Bank with itself.
It was approved by the 99.30 per cent in number representing 99.93 per cent in value of the shareholders present.
This approval is considered as important step for merging of two banks to form new entity. Now this merger is subject to the final approval from Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Competition Commission of India (CCI) and such other approvals.
Background
In November 2014, Kotak Mahindra Bank had announced that it is acquiring ING Vysya Bank in an all-stock deal.
This merger will make Kotak the fourth-largest private bank in India in terms of total business. The biggest three private banks are ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank.
The management of these banks are expecting that the new merged entity will be operational by April 1, 2015.
The acquisition will help Kotak Mahindra Bank to widen its reach in South Indian market and also help in acquiring SME customers as ING Vysya Bank was having stronghold in SME customers.
After merger the combined banking entity will have a widespread network of 1,214 branches across pan India.

Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi’s Prize for Display at Rashtrapati Bhavan museum

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January 8, 2015No comments

Kailash Satyarthi’s Nobel Prize has been put up for display at Rashtrapati Bhavan museum.
It was put for display, after Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi dedicated his prize to the nation. He presented his medal to President Pranab Mukherjee in a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Now, visitors to Rashtrapati Bhavan will now be able to get a glimpse of the Nobel Peace Prize received by him.
The medal made up of 18 carats gold and weighing 196 grams will be kept at Rashtrapati Bhavan museum for display.
Rashtrapati Bhavan museum: It was inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee in July 2014. This museum provides public an inside view of the Rashtrapati Bhavan along with its art, architecture and lives of past presidents.
About Kailash Satyarthi
He is the eighth Nobel laureate to have been born in India. He is an adherent of Gandhian philosophy. He has upheld Mahatma Gandhi’s practice of engaging and conducting peaceful protests against the exploitation of children for financial gain. He is the founder of the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the Childhood Movement). Through his NGO, he campaigns for protection of child rights and to abolish illegal human trafficking.

Indian diplomat Atul Khare named as UN Under Secretary-General for Field Support

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January 8, 2015No comments

Indian diplomat Atul Khare is named as UN Under Secretary-General for Field Support, Department of Field Support (DFS). It was announced by Secretary-General of United Nations Ban Ki-moon.
He will succeed Bangladesh’s Ameerah Haq. This appointment makes him as one of the highest ranking Indian officials in UN.

UN Department of Field Support (DFS)

This department provides dedicated support to peacekeeping field missions and political field missions around the world.
It also provides support in the areas of finance, logistics, Information, communication and technology (ICT), human resources and general administration to help missions promote peace and security.
His appointment to this position will bring strategic management and innovative reform expertise in both headquarters and field perspective of UN’s DFS.

About Atul Khare

He belongs to 1984 cadre of Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
Diplomat career: As Indian diplomat, he has served in Indian Missions in Paris, Dakar, Port Louis and London as well as the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York.
He is Former Director of The Nehru Centre and Minister (Culture), High Commission of India in London (2005-2006).
United Nations career: Previously, he was Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste and Head of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) at the level of Under Secretary-General (2006-2009).
Earlier he also has worked as Chief of Staff and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General with the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET).
He also has served as Assistant Secretary-General leading the Change Management Team (2011-2012) and Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations and Deputy Head of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations in New York (2010-2011).

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Dandi Kutir museum in Gujarat

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January 9, 2015No comments

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Dandi Kutir museum in Gujarat’s capital of Gandhinagar. It is a state-of-the-art three-storey museum, based upon the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi.
It was inaugurated on the occasion of the 13th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) and 7th edition of Vibrant Gujarat.

Key facts about Dandi Kutir museum

It is the biggest permanent museum in the world based on life of one person- Mahatma Gandhi.
It traces the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi through various faces as barrister, his struggles in South Africa, return to India and successfully leading the freedom struggle.
Each and every aspect of Gandhi’s life is portrayed in the form of sculptures in the ‘salt-mound’ at Mahatma Mandir.
Dandi Kutir is located inside a 41-metre high salt-mound. This salt-mound depicts Gandhiji’s famous Dandi march of 1930 against the salt tax provisions imposed by the British regime.
Through number of exhibits that are displayed in museum, key concepts of Gandhian thoughts like Satyagraha, non-violence, self-reliance, Gram Swaraj are elaborately explained.
This museum also showcases 3D short film and also an audio-visual presentation of milestone incidents of the Indian Independence Movement.

19th National Youth Festival begins in Guwahati, Assam

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January 8, 2015No comments

The 19th National Youth Festival has begun in Guwahati, Assam. This festival coincides with the 152nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
Theme of this edition of youth festival is Youth for Clean, Green and Progressive India. It aims to spread to spread national integration and harmony.
Events: It is 5 day event, which will provide platform to the young talents to perform their level best in music and cultural events.
During this festival, different competitions, exhibitions, cultural programs, and seminars will be held.
In this festival sports persons including Virender Sehwag, Sushil Kumar and Mary Kom along with several young MPs are participating to motivate the young minds towards nation building. This youth festival is also likely to give a boost to the tourism industry of the state.
It will showcase various shades of youth talent through Yuva Kriti, Food Festival, Young Artist Camp, Youth Convention, Suvichar and Adventure activities.
Besides these there will be other competitive and non-competitive events between youths of different states.
Opening ceremony: It was attended by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Minister of State for Home state Kiren Rijiju at Nehru Stadium in Guwahati.
About National Youth Festival
It is an annual gathering of youth during National Youth Week i.e. from 12 to 16 January. It is celebrated to mark birth anniversary of youth icon Swami Vivekananda.
It is organized by Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with one of the State Governments.

President signs ordinance to pave way for e-rickshaws on Delhi roads

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January 8, 20151 Comment

President Pranab Mukherjee has signed an ordinance to amend the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 as per Article 123 of Constitution. This ordinance will pave the way for plying of e-rickshaws on roads of Delhi.
Earlier, in December 2014 Union Cabinet had approved promulgation of the ordinance as a bill in this regard was not able to pass in the recently concluded winter session of Parliament due to logjam in Upper House (Rajya Sabha).
Background
Previously in July 2014, Delhi High Court had banned E-rickshaws or battery-operated three-wheeler vehicles on safety concerns.
Union government had brought Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill, 2014 to amend to parent Act in order to legalize E-rickshaws. It was passed by the Lok Sabha.
Article 123 of Constitution: It gives legislative power to President. He can issue ordinances when Parliament is in recess i.e. not in session if there is urgent need to have a law on some urgent public matter. The ordinance has similar effect to an act of parliament.
However, every ordinance must be laid and approved by both houses of the parliament within 6 weeks from the reassembling. If not placed and approved by both houses of the parliament after reassembling it becomes invalid.

Japanese automaker Honda pays $ 70 million fine to US after failing to report safety issues

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January 9, 2015No comments

Japanese automaker Honda has agreed to pay US 70 million dollars in fines to the US authorities for failing to report safety issues involving its cars.
It was announced by the US regulator National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) after Honda had accepted liability for the breach on safety issues.
As per NHTSA, Honda failed to report more than 1,700 death and injury claims involving its cars between July 2003 and June 2014.
In this regard, Honda will pay two $35 million fines, making it as the largest amount ever paid by any automaker.
Background
Honda was under investigation for violations of NHTSA’s Early Warning Reporting regulations.
As per the NHTSA rules, it is necessary for the automakers to report quickly any information about possible defects, deaths and injuries or damage and warranty claims made by consumers.
But Honda failed to reveal and report 1,729 cases involving deaths or injuries between July 2003 and June 2014 to the NHTSA.
NHTSA earlier had reported that, few incidents of Honda cars involved Takata Corp air bags that had ruptured and had been the subject of massive recalls.
But, Honda attributed this incident to its data entry and computer programming errors. Thus, failing to comply NHTSA rules and regulations. So the fine was imposed by US regulator.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Dandi Kutir museum in Gujarat

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January 9, 2015No comments

Key facts about Dandi Kutir museum

It is the biggest permanent museum in the world based on life of one person- Mahatma Gandhi.
It traces the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi through various faces as barrister, his struggles in South Africa, return to India and successfully leading the freedom struggle.
Each and every aspect of Gandhi’s life is portrayed in the form of sculptures in the ‘salt-mound’ at Mahatma Mandir.
Dandi Kutir is located inside a 41-metre high salt-mound. This salt-mound depicts Gandhiji’s famous Dandi march of 1930 against the salt tax provisions imposed by the British regime.
Through number of exhibits that are displayed in museum, key concepts of Gandhian thoughts like Satyagraha, non-violence, self-reliance, Gram Swaraj are elaborately explained.
This museum also showcases 3D short film and also an audio-visual presentation of milestone incidents of the Indian Independence Movement.

Governor’s rule imposed in Jammu and Kashmir

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January 9, 2015No comments

Governor’s rule has been imposed in the state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
It was imposed after President Pranab Mukherjee approved the recommendation of J&K Governor N. N. Vohra as there is deadlock in the State over formation of a new government after state assembly election.
Earlier, Governor had submitted a report to the President, after caretaker Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had resigned.
Background
Jammu Kashmir State assembly election held in December 2014 had given hung verdict as no party has majority to form government in State.
In this election, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has emerged as the single largest party with 28 seats in the 87 members House. While Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has emerged second largest party winning 25 seats. But both parties failed to get the magic figure of 44 to form a government.
Other parties like National Conference (NC) have 15 MLAs while Indian National Congress (INC) has 12 MLA’s.

What is Governor Rule in Jammu & Kashmir?

In case of failure of constitutional machinery in any other state of India, the President’s Rule is imposed under Article 356 of the Constitution.
But in case of J&K, as per Section 92 of state Constitution, the Governor’s Rule can be imposed in the state for a period of six months only after the consent of the President of India in case of failure of constitutional machinery. During the Governors rule, State Assembly is either suspended or dissolved.
If the Constitutional machinery is not restored before the expiry of this six month period, the provision of Article 356 of the Constitution of India are extended to J&K and the President’s rule is imposed in the State.
It should be noted that, Governors rule has been imposed in the state for the 6 time since 1977.

M. Karunanidhi re-elected as DMK Chief for 11th time

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January 9, 2015No comments

M. Karunanidhi has been re-elected as the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Party’s President for the 11^th time. He was elected by the newly constituted general council of party.
Facts about Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Party

It is a state political party in South Indian state of Tamil Nadu and Union Territory (UT) Puducherry.
It was founded in 1949 in then Madras Presidency by C. N. Annadurai as a breakaway faction from the Dravidar Kazhagam (known as Justice Party till 1944) headed by Periyar.
It was a former member of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
Karunanidhi was elected President of the Party on July 27, 1969 after C.N. Annadurai’s death. Since then he is President of Party.
This party also holds the distinction of being the first party in India other than the Indian National Congress (INC) to win state-level elections with a clear majority on its own in any state.

Chief Ministers of DMK in Tamil Nadu

N Annadurai- He was first CM of DMK. He was in office from 1967-69.
M. Karunanidhi- He was CM on five separate occasions. They are 1969-71, 1971-76, 1989-91, 1996-2001, 2006-11.

NASA’s Kepler Telescope achieves big milestone with 1,000th exoplanet discovery

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January 9, 2015No comments

NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope has achieved a big milestone after it had discovered 1000 exoplanet.
In order to achieve this milestone, planet hunting telescope had continuously monitored more than 150,000 stars beyond our solar system.
It has offered scientists an assortment of more than 4,000 candidate planets for further study and recently, 1,000 exoplanet was verified among these monitored stars.
Key facts

Using Kepler’s data, scientists have reached this millenary milestone after validating 8 more planet candidates that were spotted by the telescope.
Kepler team also has added another 554 candidates to the roll of potential planets. Among them 6 are near-Earth-size and orbit in the habitable zone of stars similar to our Sun.
As per Kepler team, 3 of the newly-validated planets are located in their distant suns habitable zone. They are in the range of distances from the host star where liquid water might exist on the surface of an orbiting planet.
Of the three planets, two are likely made of rock like Earth. They were named as Kepler-438b and Kepler-442b.
Both Kepler-438b and Kepler-442b orbit stars smaller and cooler than our Sun. Thus making the habitable zone closer to their parent star, in the direction of the constellation Lyra.

Exoplanet: It is is a planet that does not orbit the Sun and instead orbits a different star, stellar remnant, or brown dwarf. It is also termed as extrasolar planet.

Aziz Qureshi sworn in as Governor of Mizoram

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January 10, 2015No comments

Aziz Qureshi has sworn-in as the Governor of Mizoram. Justice Michael Zothankhuma, Judge of the Gauhati High Court, administered the oath of office to Qureshi.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Durbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan in Aizawl. It was attended by the s Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla and some of his cabinet colleagues.
Earlier Aziz Qureshi was governor of Uttarakhand. But in December 2014, he was transferred from Uttarakhand and was appointed as the Mizoram Governor.
Constitutional provisions of Governor

Article 153: It says that there shall be Governor for each state. But 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956 facilitated the appointment of the same person as a governor for two or more states.
Article 156: Governor is appointed by President and hold office during the pleasure of President. It should be also noted that this article also mentions tenure of Governor. In this regard it says that Governor shall hold office for the term of 5 years from date he enters office.

15 NRIs awarded Pravasi Bharatiya Samman 2015

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January 9, 2015No comments

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman 2015 has been awarded to 15 prominent non-resident Indians (NRI’s) on the concluding day of 13^th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas.
They have been conferred with award for their contribution in various fields. The awards were presented by Vice-President Hamid Ansari at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Recipients of awards are

Satyanarayan Nadella- CEO of tech giant Microsoft.
Donald Rabindernauth Ramaotar- He is President of Guyana and awarded for his work for the Indian diaspora in Guyana.
Mala Mehta- For her contribution to Hindi language. She is founder of Indo- Australian Bal Bharatiya Vidyalaya in Thornleigh suburb in Sydney. Since its establishment, she has been pursuing the growth of Hindi in Australia.
Rajaram Sanjaya- He is India-born Mexican scientist. He is winner of the ‘2014 World Food Prize’ for developing 480 wheat varieties that have been released in 51 countries.
Kanwaljit Singh Bakhshi- He is Member of Parliament (MP) from New Zealand. He is also known for work he had done for the Indian diaspora in New Zealand.
Essop Goolam Pahad- He is a South African politician. He was Minister in the Presidency from 1999 to September 2008 in South Africa.
Mahendra Nanji Mehta- Uganda-based businessman of Indian origin.
Professor Nathuram Poori -He is founder of Purico Group are also chosen for their contribution to Indian diaspora.
Lord Raj Lumba- He is a philanthropist and founder of clothing company Rinku Group. He is a Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords, United Kingdom.
Kamlesh Lulla- He is chief scientist for Earth observation in the Human Exploration Science Office at the Johnson Space Centre at NASA. He has named for the award for his exceptional service to the space science.
Nandini Tandon- She has been given this award for her work in life sciences and Healthcare and IT in USA and India along with other emerging markets.
Rajmal Parakh
Duraikannu Karunakaran
Shah Bharatkumar Jayantilal
Ashraf Palarkunnummal

About Pravasi Bharatiya Samman

It is the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians. As a part of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), this award is conferred by the President of India on

Non-Resident Indian, Person of Indian Origin (PIO) or
An organization or institution established and run by the Non-Resident Indians or Persons of Indian Origin.

This award carries a bilingual Sanad (certificate) under the hand and the seal of the President. In addition, it includes a citation, a gold medallion and a miniature of the medallion in the form of a lapel pin.

Maithripala Sirisena sworn-in as 7th President of Sri Lanka

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January 9, 2015No comments

Maithiripala Sirisena has sworn-in as 7th President of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court Judge K. Sri Pawan administered the oath of office to Maithiripala Sirisena at a oath taking function held at the Independence Square in Colombo.
While, United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickramasinghe was sworn-in as Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister.
Election verdict: Maithiripala Sirisena was declared elected in Presidential elections after he had defeated incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa by more than 4 and a half lakh votes. In this election he had secured 51.28 per cent of total votes casted.
Summary on Sri Lanka’s 2015 Presidential Election

After the result was declared, incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa had conceded defeat. It should be noted that for the first time in Sri Lanka, an incumbent President was defeated.
Mahinda Rajapaksa was President for one decade and had played important role to end LTTE militancy in 2009.
He also played important in huge development projects in the island nation, but failed to address the political aspirations of the minority Tamil community, protect the Muslims from Buddhist hardliners and secure a better economic deal for the poor.
Maithiripala Sirisena was Health Minister Rajapaksa’s government. But after Presidential were declared in November 2014 he opposed Mahinda Rajapaksa by contesting the elections.
In this Presidential election, Maithiripala Sirisena got huge support of rainbow coalition of several parties and minority communities as he had promised constitutional, electoral and administrative reforms within a hundred days of coming to power.
He also had promised to abolish Executive Presidency in Sri Lanka and hand over political power to the Prime Minister and the Parliament.

Maithripala Sirisena

He was born on 3 September 1951 and is son of a World War II veteran.
Political career: He had joined mainstream politics in 1989 through the Sri Lankan Freedom Party. He was first elected to Sri Lankan Parliament in 1989. He has held several ministries in Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga government. He was Minister of Agriculture in the first Rajapakas government elected in 2005. He was reelected in 2010 and appointed Minister of Health.
In 1971, he was arrested on suspicion of leading a revolt against the government and was in jail for almost two years.

Tata’s Vistara airline starts domestic flight operation

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January 10, 2015No comments

Tata’s Vistara airline has started domestic flight operation in India. Vistara started its flight operation after first flight took off from Delhi to Mumbai on 9 January 2015.
Vistara airline is a joint venture of Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines (SIA). Earlier in 2014, Tata Group had to launch a full-service carrier in India with the help of SIA.

Some facts about Vistara airline

As part of joint venture Tata group owns 51 percent stake of Vistara airline, while Singapore Airlines holds 49 percent of stake.
In the first year of their service, they will operate flights from Delhi to Goa, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Srinagar, Jammu and Patna.
To start full-service, Vistara has leased two A320s air crafts.
It will be the third full-service airlines in India, after state-run Air India and private carrier Jet Airways.

This is the second time the Tata group, has entered the full service airline business in India. First time in 1932, they had started Tata Airlines, which was later renamed Air India in 1946, and was nationalised in 1953.

Chinese Physicist Yu Min awarded State Preeminent Science and Technology Award 2014

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January 10, 20151 Comment

Prominent Chinese theoretical physicist Yu Min has been awarded State Preeminent Science and Technology Award for 2014.
Chinese President Xi Jinping gave him the award in the ceremony held at Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
He was awarded for his groundbreaking research which led to the development of China’s first hydrogen bomb in 1967. It was tested after China’s first successful atomic weapons test. He is famously known as China’s ‘Father of Hydrogen bomb’.

About Yu Min

He was a researcher at the Modern Physics Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
His work on nuclear weapon theory played a critical role in the design of the nuclear weapons of China and number of high-tech research projects.
He has also won China’s national scientific progress prizes three time and was honored as a national labor model, and in 1992 was awarded the Guanghua Special Prize.

About State Preeminent Science and Technology Award of China

It is China’s highest prize, awarded annually by the State president to country’s scientists. It is also referred to as the State Supreme Science and Technology Award and considered as the China’s Nobel Prize.
It was started in 2000 and declared in month of January of every year.
This award consists of monetary sum of 5 million Renminbi (official currency China). Out of this total sum, 10% is given to the awarded scientist, and 90% is given as the fund for his scientific research project.

Union Government merges PIO and OCI cards

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January 10, 2015No comments

Union Government has merged Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card-holders with Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card-holders.
Union Home Ministry in this regard has issued notification mentioning that all PIO card-holders henceforth are deemed to be OCI card-holders with effect from 9th January 2015.
Thus, withdrawing PIO cards with immediate an effect. Now only OCI cards facility with enhanced benefits will exist to provide maximum possible benefits to Indian Diaspora.
This notification was announced on the concluding day of 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas.
Background
Earlier on January 6, 2015 Government had promulgated Ordinance to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955.
This amendment changed the eligibility and provided additional benefits of PIO Card holders that have been incorporated in OCI Card and certain other relaxation to OCI Card holders.
Governments this decision comes in lines with Prime Minister Narendra Modi previously made announcement in USA and Australia visits.
During this visit he had announced that PIO and OCI cards will be merged and the Indian Diaspora will be given maximum possible benefits.

World Hindi Day is being observed on 10 January every year

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January 10, 2015No comments

Every year 10 January is being observed World Hindi Day. Objective of this day is to promote use of Hindi language abroad.
To mark the occasion, special functions are being organized. It is usually, observed by Union Ministry of External Affairs (MoEF) and Indian Missions abroad.

Background of World Hindi Day

On this day in 1975, the First World Hindi Conference was organized in Nagpur by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It was held from 10 to 12 January 1975.
In first conference, then Prime Minister of Mauritius Seewoosagur Ramgoolam was Chief Guest. This conference was attended by 122 delegates from 30 countries.
Since then every year 10th January is being observed as the World Hindi Day.

Sindhushree Khullar appointed as Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog

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January 10, 20151 Comment

Appointment Committee of the Cabinet has appointed senior bureaucrat Sindhushree Khullar as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NITI Aayog.
She will serve in the post for one year starting from 1st January.
She is 1975-batch officer of the Indian Administrative Service’s (IAS) Union Territories cadre. She had retired from the service in March 2013. Earlier, she was member-secretary of Planning Commission.
Background
Union Government had replaced 6 decade year old Planning Commission with a new institution named National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) on 1st January.
This new institution aims to serve as Think Tank of the Government. Noted Economist Arvind Panagariya was appointed Vice Chairman of the NITI Aayog.

3 day Flamingo Festival begins near Pulicat Lake in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh

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January 10, 2015No comments

3 day Flamingo Festival has begun at the famous brackish water of Lake Pulicat in Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary located at Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. It will be hosted in Doravari Satram mandal, in Nellore district.
This festival provides a unique opportunity for people, particularly ornithologists, environmentalists, bird watchers, forest and tourism officials

To study the bio-diversity of Pulicat and Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary
To initiate measure to conserve the bio-zones for future generations in this area.

It also promotes eco-tourism in the district. In this three day festival, several cultural and entertainment programmes will take place.

Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary

The Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, considered one of the biggest habitats for some hundreds of pelicans and other birds.
It is located about 20 km north of the Pulicat Lake on the Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu border.
This sanctuary spread in an area about 459 hectares.
Every year from October to March, different species of migratory birds, roosting migrants and some rare and endangered species from various parts of the world visit the habitat.
This sanctuary plays important role in nesting of various birds especially migratory birds.
Birds found in this sanctuary are: Flamingos, Pelicans, Siberian Storks, Open Billed Storks, Night Herons, Egrets, Little Cormorant, Golden Backed Wood Pecker, Spotted and Ring Doves, King Fishers, Painted Storks, White Necked Storks, Spoon Bills and other species of birds.
The villagers in area nearby to this sanctuary treat the migratory birds with affection and provide protection to them.

People from 11 countries take part in First Buddha Heritage Walk in Bihar

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January 11, 2015No comments

People from 11 countries have taken part in First Buddha Heritage Walk in Bihar.
In this heritage walk over 500 pilgrims from 11 countries walked through a 13-km-long forest trail.
They walked through the trail which Lord Gautam Buddha had taken to reach Rajgir from Bodh Gaya around 2,543 years ago.
It was organized by Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC).
Buddhist monks from Japan, China, South Korea, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, and India took part in it.
Some facts about this route

As per scholars, this well documented route is among such several routes taken by Buddha during his 45 years of preaching in various parts of India.
It passes through lush green forest, hills and valleys and several ancient Stupas can be seen in the along the route.
It is also believed that Bimibsara (emperor of the Magadha Empire from 542 BC till 492 BC) took Lord Buddha to Venu Van near Rajgir on this route and offered him place to stay as a gift. Buddha had stayed there during his visit.

DRDO successfully tests advance EW suite in Tejas-PV1 Aircraft

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January 11, 2015No comments

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested an advanced electronic warfare (EW) suite.
It was tested onboard of the country’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas-PV1.
Key facts about Electronic Warfare (EW) suite

It is developed by Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) of DRDO.
EW suite consists of Radar Warner and Jammer.
This suit gives pilot an additional capability of nullifying the effect of detected radar threat by appropriate mode of jamming.
It will replace existing EW systems, which are fitted on various combat aircraft as they consist of basic equipment – Radar Warner Receiver. It only has capability to provide warning to the aircraft pilot in case of detection of a radar threat.

Union Government unblocks 32 websites

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January 11, 20151 Comment

Union Government has unblocked 32 websites which were blocked earlier in November 2014.
These websites were unblocked after they had promised to cooperate with the authorities and remove objectionable content.
They were blocked for carrying anti-India views and spreading banned terrorist outfit Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’s (ISIS) propaganda.
Background
Earlier in November 2014, these websites were blocked following complaint of Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
They were blocked by Department of Telecom (DoT) under Section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009.
These rules give powers to government to block access to information on websites if it threatens the interest of

Sovereignty and integrity of the country.
Defence of India.
Security of the state.
Friendly relations with foreign states or public order.
For preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence.

January 12 being observed as National Youth Day

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January 12, 2015No comments

In India, January 12 is being observed as National Youth Day.
This day marks birthday anniversary of social reformer, philosopher and thinker Swami Vivekananda.
On this day, numbers of functions are being organised nationwide to celebrate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
Background
Union Government in 1984 had declared and decided to observe the birthday of Swami Vivekananda i.e. 12 January as a National Youth Day every year from 1985 onwards.
Significance of day: It will help to propagate the philosophy and the ideals of Swami Vivekananda for which he lived and worked. It will also help and act as a great source of inspiration for the Indian Youth.
About Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda was born on 12 January 1863 and died on 4 July 1902.
He was born Narendranath Dutta and was chief disciple of the 19th century saint Ramakrishna Paramhamsa and the founder of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission.
He was one of the most prominent figures of India who introduced Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the “Western” World.

First China-CELAC Forum ministerial meeting concludes in Beijing

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January 11, 2015No comments

First ministerial meeting of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) concluded in Beijing.
It was two-day meeting and was co-chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Costa Rican counterpart, Manuel Gonzalez Sanz.
First China-CELAC Forum ministerial meeting passed three major documents:

Beijing Declaration.
Five-year cooperation plan.
Regulations on the China-CELAC forum.

Both sides also reached a consensus on deepening political mutual trust, expanding cooperation and promoting development of the forum.
On the concluding day it was announced that forum’s next meeting will be held in Chile in 2018.
Implication of this forum: It is considered as historical meeting as it launched to improve overall cooperation between China and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean region. It will also build a closer CELAC-China relationship and benefit people from both sides.
Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)
CELAC is a regional bloc of Latin American and Caribbean countries. It was outcome of Rio Group–Caribbean Community Unity Summit.
It was created in 2011, in Caracas, Venezuela, with the signature of The Declaration of Caracas.
This bloc consists of 33 sovereign countries as its members in the southern American region representing around 600 million people.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates 7th vibrant Gujarat summit

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January 11, 2015No comments

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 7th Vibrant Gujarat Summit in Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar.
Key facts

Inaugural ceremony was attended by United Nations General Secretary and US State Secretary John Kerry.
Apart from them, several ministers from Europe, Japan, Australia and Canada and over 50 CEOs of top Indian as well as international companies attended it.
Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Ben Patel earlier had welcomed all head of states dignitaries, diplomats and deligates to the summit.
This edition will be 3 day event, starting from 11 January and conclude on 13 January 2015.
For the first time, eight countries Canada, Japan, China, Australia, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa and U.S. have become partner for the summit with State.
This event is expected to bring in record investments to Gujarat. State government expects to sign over 20,000 Expression of Interest during the summit.

About Vibrant Gujarat Summit

This mega business event is brainchild of PM Narendra Modi and had started it when he was Chief Minister of State.
It is biennial event and started in 2003.
The summit is advertised as a platform to understand and explore business opportunities in the State of Gujarat.
It aims to provide single window platform to bring together business leaders, investors, corporations, thought leaders, policy and opinion makers.
In previous six Vibrant Gujarat Summits, state government had signed MoUs worth Rs. 48 lakh crore.

Roger Federer records 1000th win after winning Brisbane title

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January 12, 2015No comments

Tennis living legend Roger Federer has recorded 1000 titles wins in men’s professional circuit career.
He made his 1000 win after winning Brisbane International Tennis title. In his 1,000 career match, he defeated Milos Raonic with score of 6-4, 6-7, 6-4.
It should be noted that Roger Federer is third tennis player to win more than 1000 titles. Other two tennis player are Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl.
About Roger Federer

He is a Swiss professional tennis player.
Currently, he is ranked world No. 2 by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
He has won the most prize money of any player in history of tennis.
In 2008 Olympic Games, he has won the Olympic gold medal in doubles with his compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka and the Olympic silver medal in singles at the 2012 Olympic Games.
He also holds record of winning 17 Grand Slam singles titles and reaching each Grand Slam Final at least five times.

72nd Golden Globe Awards

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January 13, 2015No comments

72nd edition of Golden Globe Awards was organized at Beverly Hills, California.
The winners of various awards in 72nd Golden Globe Awards are as follows:

Best Motion Picture Drama: Boyhood
Best Motion Picture Musical/Comedy: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Best Director in Motion Picture-Drama: Boyhood
Best Actor in Motion Picture-Drama: Eddie Redmayne for The Theory of Everything
Actress in Motion Picture-Drama: Julianne Moore for Still Alice
Best Actor in Motion Picture or Musical or Comedy: Michael Keaton for Birdman
Best Actress in Motion Picture Musical or Comedy: Amy Adams for Big Eyes
Best Actor in a Supporting role in Motion Picture: K. Simmons for Whiplash
Best Actress in a Supporting role in Motion Picture: Patricia Arquette for Boyhood
Best Original Score Motion Picture: Jóhann Jóhannsson for The Theory of Everything
Best Foreign Language Film: Leviathan (Russia)

Union Government appoints Pournima Gupte as IRDA actuary

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January 13, 2015No comments

Union Government has appointed Pournima Gupte as member (actuary) of Insurance Regulatory Authority of India (IRDA).
With her appointment, IRDA got an actuary after a gap of three years. Since 2011, this post was lying vacant after R Kannan retired from IRDA.
It should be noted that for the first time a woman has been appointed on the board of IRDA.
Earlier, Pournima Gupte had worked with Life Insurance Corporation and has worked as actuary at Reliance Life Insurance and IDBI Federal.
About Insurance Regulatory Authority of India (IRDA)

IRDA is an apex statutory body that regulates and develops the insurance industry in India.
It was constituted as per provisions of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999.
Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana.
Structure and Composition: It is 10 members body consisting of: Chairman, 5 full-time members, 4 part-time members. All members are appointed by Union Government.
Current chairman of IRDA is T.S. Vijayan.
On 31^st December 2014, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) was renamed as ‘Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India’.

Union Finance Minister Jaitley adopts 4 Gujarat villages as part of Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana

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January 12, 2015No comments

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has adopted 4 villages in Vadodara district in Gujarat as part of the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana.
He has adopted following 4 villages of Vadodara district:

Karnali village
Pipaliya village
Valida village
Baglipura village

About Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY)

SAGY encourages Members of Parliament (MP’s) from both Houses to identify and develop one village from their constituency as a model village
Under this scheme, MPs will be responsible for developing the socio-economic and physical infrastructure of three villages each by 2019, and a total of eight villages each by 2024.
Key objectives of the Yojana include:

The development of model villages, called Adarsh Grams, through the implementation of existing schemes, and certain new initiatives to be designed for the local context, which may vary from village to village.
Creating models of local development which can be replicated in other villages.

Under this SAGY, the first Adarsh Gram must be developed by 2016, and two more by 2019.
From 2019 to 2024, five more Adarsh Grams must be developed by each MP, one each year. This implies that a total of 6,433 Adarsh Grams, of the 2,65,000 gram panchayats, will be created by 2024.
Thus, SAGY aims to transform lives of many for whom economic development never happened and also bring about a sense of pride, volunteerism, and self-reliance in villages.

Arvind Panagariya takes charge as Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog

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January 13, 2015No comments

Eminent Economist Arvind Panagariya has taken charge as first Vice-Chairman of the newly-created National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog on 13 January 2014.
After taking charges, he was briefed about newly created NITI Aayog by its CEO Sindhushree Khuallar and other senior officials.
About Arvind Panagariya

He is an Indian-American economist and Professor of Economics at Columbia University. He holds a Ph.D. degree in Economics from prestigious Princeton University.
He was an ex-Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
He has also worked for the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in various capacities.
He has written around 10 books and the latest was India: The Emerging Giant published in 2008.

Background
On 5 January 2015, Union government had announced the appointment of Vice- Chairman, 2 full time members, 4 ex-officio members (Union ministers) and 3 special invitees of Aayog.
They were appointed after government on 1 January 2015 had announced that NITI Aayog has replaced the 65-year old Planning Commission.
It should be noted that Prime Minister is Ex-Officio Chairman of NITI Aayog.
Prime Minister Narendra also had appointed Economist Bibek Debroy and former DRDO chief V K Saraswat as full-time members of Aayog.
While, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Suresh Prabhu and Radha Mohan Singh were appointed as the Ex-Officio members of Aayog. Other Union Ministers like Nitin Gadkari, Smriti Zubin Irani and Thawar Chand Gehlot are Special Invitees in Aayog.

Odhisa’s Sun Temple gets ASI’s Adarsh Monument tag

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January 13, 2015No comments

Sun Temple at Konark, Odhisa has been the coveted with Adarsh Monument tag by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Along with Sun Temple, three other monuments of eastern India were given Adarsh Monument tag. They are

Hazarduari Palace in Murshidabad district of West Bengal.
Vaishali-Kolhua in Bihar.
Rang Ghar in Sibsagar (Sivasagar) district of Assam.

At present, 25 out of 3,680 protected monuments in India have been selected under the Adarsh Smarak Yojana.
It includes monuments like Taj Mahal, Khajuraho, Qutab Minar and Red Fort which have highest number of tourists visiting them.
By awarding this monument Adarsh Monument tag, Central government gives them special attention in order to boost international tourism.
Under Adarsh Smarak Yojana, ASI provides amenities of international standards like washrooms, drinking water, signs, cafeteria, audiovisual centres, Wi-Fi connectivity, interpretation centres and encroachment-free areas around these monuments.
Konark SunTemple: It is a 13th century temple of Odisha, built by Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. It is also known as Black Pagoda.
It’s a World Heritage Site. It is considered as architectural marvel for which Odisha, best known worldwide.

Idukki district of Kerala becomes India’s first district with rural broadband network

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January 13, 20151 Comment

Idukki district of Kerala has become first district in India to have high speed Rural Broadband Network i.e. National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) Internet connectivity.
Union Minister of Information Technology and Communications Ravi Shankar Prasad commissioned this Hi-speed rural broadband network under the governments flagship Digital India programme.
In Idukki, 8 block offices and 52 village panchayats out of 53 will benefit from this project.

Facts about National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN)

NOFN is the largest rural connectivity project of its kind in the world.
It aims to transform the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
It seeks to link each of the 2.5 lakh village panchayats in the country spread over 6600 blocks and 631 districts through broadband optical fibre network in order to provide a minimum bandwidth of 100 Mbps.
On its completion, NOFN is expected to facilitate Broadband connectivity to over 600 million rural citizens of the country.
NOFN, is being funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), Department of Telecom, Ministry of Communications & IT.
It will offer people with friendly services like e-governance, e-health, e-education, e-banking, public internet access etc. It will also enable delivery of various government services such as local planning, management, monitoring and payments of Government schemes at panchayat level.

Thus it will help to provide non-discriminatory telecom infrastructure, in order to bridge the gap of digital divide in rural internet access.

Border haat to enhance trade between India, Bangladesh opens in Tripura

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January 13, 2015No comments

India and Bangladesh inaugurated third border haat in Srinagar-Purba on the Tripura-Bangladesh border.
It was inaugurated by Union Commerce and Industries Minister Nirmala along with her Bangladeshi counterpart Tofail ahmed in the presence of Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.
This is the first border haat opened in state Tripura which shares 856-km border with Bangladesh.
Key facts of Border Haat

Haats in India Language means Rural Market. The aim of this border haat is to enhance border trade between the two countries.
It will also cater to the needs of the people living within a five km radius in this border area.
It will facilitate bilateral trade of 16 locally produced goods between both nations. It includes agricultural and horticultural crops, spices, poultry, dairy products, cottage industry items, furniture and handicrafts and hand-looms.
It will also boost people to people contacts between the two countries.

Background

Border haats along the border of two countries are established under a MOU for Border Trade and Border Haats. It was signed by the two countries in October 2010.
As per the rules and guidelines of this MOU, traders in communities of both India and Bangladesh can trade their local produce without any duty.
This bilateral trade will take place once a week in this haat and each trader is allowed to do business of US $ 100 per day.

Justice S K Sinha becomes first Hindu Chief Justice of Bangladesh

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January 13, 2015No comments

Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha was appointed Chief Justice of Bangladesh by President Mohammad Abdul Hamid.
With this appointment, he has become the first Hindu to hold highest judicial post in the Muslim-majority country.
He will succeed incumbent Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain as he is retiring on 16 January 2015 and will have a term of around three years.
About S K Sinha

Legal career: He started his legal career in 1974 as an advocate of the district court, Sylhet after completing LLB.
He was an advocate of the high court in 1978 and later in the appellate division in 1990.
In 1999, he was appointed as judge of the High Court and later in 2009 as judge of the Appellate Division.
It should be noted that Bangladesh has unitary Supreme Court structure and comprises two divisions – the Appellate Division and the High Court division.
Key judgments: His landmark judgments include on assassination of Bangladesh’s first President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 5th and 13th amendments to the country’s Constitution.

Cristiano Ronaldo wins FIFA Ballon d’Or award for the third time

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January 13, 2015No comments

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the FIFA Ballon d’Or award for year 2014.
He has earned this title of world’s best football player for a third time. Earlier he was conferred with award in 2008 and 2013.
He has retained this highest individual honour in football after scoring 61 goals for Real Madrid and Portugal in 2014. He also had played important role, by making record tally of 17 goals in a Champions League season that helped his club to win an unprecedented 10th European Cup title.
While in women’s section, Germany’s midfielder Nadine Kessler has been awarded FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year title.

FIFA Ballon d’Or Award

It is an annual football association award given by FIFA to the male player who has performed the best in the previous calendar year.
This award was instituted in 2010 after France Football’s Ballon d’Or and the men’s FIFA World Player of the Year award were merged.
It is awarded to the male player, based upon highest votes secured by him from national team coaches and captains, as well as journalists from around the world.
Inaugural 2010 FIFA Ballon d’Or was awarded to Lionel Messi. Later he won this award for consecutive two years i.e. 2011 and 2012.

Haryana Government unveils new sports policy

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January 13, 2015No comments

Haryana government has unveiled new sports policy named Haryana Physical Activities and Sports Policy-2015.
It was announced Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar at function organized at Rohtak.
Key facts of Haryana Physical Activities and Sports Policy-2015
New sports policy, substantially increases the award money given to winners of international and national sports events.
Olympic and Paralympic games

Gold medal winners: Will get Rs 6 crore. Earlier they were given Rs 5 crore.
Silver medal winners: Will get Rs 4 crore. Earlier they were given Rs 3 crore.
Bronze medal winners: Will get Rs 2.5 crore. Earlier they were given Rs 2 crore.
Participants: will get Rs 15 lakh cash awards. Earlier they were given Rs 11 lakh earlier.

Asian Games

Gold medal winners: Will get Rs 3 crore. Earlier they were given Rs 2 crore.
Silver medal winners: Will get Rs 1.5 crore. Earlier they were given Rs 1 crore.
Bronze medal winners: Will get Rs 75 lakh .Earlier they were given Rs 50 lakh.

Commonwealth Games

Gold medal winners: Will get Rs 1.5 crore. Earlier they were given Rs 1 crore.
Silver medal winners: Will get Rs 75 lakh. Earlier they were given Rs 50 lakh.
Bronze medal winners: Will get Rs 50 lakh .Earlier they were given Rs 25 lakh.

World Cup/World Championship winners

Gold medal winners: Will get Rs 20 lakh. Earlier they were given Rs 10 lakh.
Silver medal winners: Will get Rs 15 lakh. Earlier they were given Rs 8 lakh.
Bronze medal winners: Will get Rs 10 lakh .Earlier they were given Rs 6 lakh.

State government also has increased the award money for various other sports competitions including World University Games, Youth Olympic Games, National School Games, All India University Tournaments, World Marathon for Mentally Challenged, among other events.
Eligibility and conditions: Cash award will only be given to those sportspersons who has represented the state of Haryana in any sports. The sportspersons or their parents should be residents of Haryana.
As per the policy, players will be given awards for the performance of preceding financial year only and not for past performance or achievements.

Government appoints Alur Seelin Kiran Kumar as ISRO chairman

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January 13, 2015No comments

Alur Seelin Kiran Kumar has been appointed chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
His name was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He will replace former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan who had retired on 31 December 2014. He will have tenure of 3 years from the date he take charge.
Previously, Shailesh Nayak, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, was given additional charge of ISRO till the appointment of a new head following the retirement of K Radhakrishnan.
About Alur Seelin Kiran Kumar

Education: He has an honours degree in Physics from National College, Bangalore University and an M Tech in Physical Engineering from Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore.
ISRO career: In 1975, he started his ISRO career with the Space Application Centre.
He had played a key role in developing image sensors for Bhaskara- India’s first remote sensing satellite launched in 1979.
He also had played important role in developing key components of India’s Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan missions.
Before this appointment, he was director of Space Application Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad.
Awards: In 2014, he was awarded Padma Shri.

Border haat to enhance trade between India, Bangladesh opens in Tripura

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January 13, 20151 Comment

Haats in India Language means Rural Market. The aim of this border haat is to enhance border trade between the two countries.
It will also cater to the needs of the people living within a five km radius in this border area.
It will facilitate bilateral trade of 16 locally produced goods between both nations. It includes agricultural and horticultural crops, spices, poultry, dairy products, cottage industry items, furniture and handicrafts and hand-looms.
It will also boost people to people contacts between the two countries.

Background

Border haats along the border of two countries are established under a MOU for Border Trade and Border Haats. It was signed by the two countries in October 2010.
As per the rules and guidelines of this MOU, traders in communities of both India and Bangladesh can trade their local produce without any duty.
This bilateral trade will take place once a week in this haat and each trader is allowed to do business of US $ 100 per day.

Railway Ministry flagged off India’s first CNG train in Haryana

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January 13, 2015No comments

Railway Ministry has flagged off India’s first compressed natural gas (CNG) powered train between Rewari and Rohtak in Haryana.
It was flagged off by Union Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu at Rewari junction of the Northern Railway zone.
Some facts about CNG train

It is powered by Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU). It is based on dual fuel system- diesel and CNG.
This train is integrated with 1,400 HP engine to run on dual fuel through fumigation technology.
It is capable of running at a speed of 100 km per hour.
Train comprised of two power cars and six car coaches, manufactured by Integral Coach Factory at Chennai with the CNG conversion kit supplied by Cummins.
Its successful implementation, marks a major landmark in adoption of green fuel by Indian Railways.

Implications:

It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions of Railways and also the consumption of diesel. Thus, contributing in environment conservation.
It will help to reduce the operating cost of locomotives by over 50% compared to conventional trains powered by diesel and electricity.

RBI governor Raghuram Rajan wins Governor of the Year award

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January 13, 2015No comments

A British magazine has named RBI Governor and well-known economist Raghuram Rajan as the Governor of the Year in the Central Banking Awards for 2015.
It was announced by British magazine Central Banking.
Governor Raghuram Rajan was chosen for this award by magazine for his disciplined and focused approach in leading the Reserve Bank of India(RBI) during his first year as Governor.
It also mentioned that, RBI Governor deserved the award for his deep understanding of the root causes of India’s economic problems.
About Raghuram Rajan

He is 23 Governor of RBI and had taken charge in September 2013.
Earlier, he was chief economic adviser (CEA) to India’s Ministry of Finance in 2013.
He was chief economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from 2003 to 2007.
He is also a celebrity economist known across the globe for predicting the 2008 global meltdown.
He has authored many books on economics and is professor of finance at the graduate business school at the University of Chicago.

Awards:

Fischer Black Prize- In 2003, he was awarded this award by the American Finance Association for contributions to the theory and practice of finance.
Deutsche Bank Prize for Financial Economics- In 2013, he was awarded this award for his ground-breaking research work which influenced financial and macro-economic policies around the world.
Best Central Bank Governor award- In 2014, he was awarded this award by Euromoney magazine.

Kamal Kishore Goyanka selected for Vyas Samman 2014

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January 13, 2015No comments

Well-known Hindi scholar and writer Dr Kamal Kishore Goyanka has been selected for the prestigious Vyas Samman for the year 2014.
He has been chosen for this award for his research work ‘Premchand Kee Kahaniyo Kaa Kaalkramanusar Adhyayan’.

Vyas Samman

This award is instituted by the K.K. Birla Foundation. It was started in 1991.
It is awarded annually in recognition of the hindi literary work published in past 10 years.
The award carries monetary award of 2.5 lakh rupees, a citation and a plaque.

ISRO Mars Orbiter Mission team wins 2015 Space Pioneer Award

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January 14, 2015No comments

The team of ISRO’s Mars Mission has been awarded 2015 Space Pioneer Award in the Science and Engineering category by National Space Society (NSS).
They are being conferred with this award for achieving the rare feat of entering Mars orbit in maiden attempt.
Mars Orbiter Programme Team will receive the award during NSS’ 34^th International Space Development Conference which will be held in Toronto from 20 May 2015.
ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Mission(MOM)

It was launched on 5 November, 2013. It made history on 24 September 2014 after it entered Mars orbit in maiden attempt.
It achieved two significant missions. First, entering into orbit around Mars and secondly, taking full-disk colour imagery of Mars with its onboard high resolution camera.
It should be noted that, the Mars Orbiter programme team located in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It is headed by eminent ISRO scientist Mylswamy Annadurai.

About Space Pioneer Award
It recognizes those individuals and teams whose accomplishments have helped to open the space frontier. It was instituted in 1988.
This prestigious award is be given by the National Space Society (NSS), an American educational and scientific organization.
Award memento consists of a silvery pewter Moon globe cast. It is casted by the Baker Art Foundry in Placerville, California. Originally, this sculpture was created by Don Davis, the well-known space and astronomical artist.

Government sacks DRDO Chief Avinash Chander, 16 months before end of his tenure

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January 14, 2015No comments

Union Government has sacked chief of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) Avinash Chander, 16 months before his contract end.
Termination of his contract was approved by Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with effect from 31 January 2015.
He was appointed as DRDO chief in June 2013. He was to retire on 30 November 2014, but government had extended his tenure beyond his retirement on contract basis.
About Avinash Chander

In 1972, he had joined DRDO after completing graduation in Electrical Engineering from IIT Delhi. He is a fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineers.
He is the chief architect of Agni series of ballistic missile systems and considered as Agni man of India.
India’s range of Agni missiles were developed missiles under his technology forecast, perspective planning and relentless efforts.
Awards: He was awarded Padma Shri for his contribution in the successful development of 5000-km range Agni-V missile.

USAID, Gates Foundation to partner with government for Swachchh Bharat Mission

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January 14, 2015No comments

Union Urban Development Ministry, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Bill and Milinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) have agreed to partner in Swachh Bharat programme.
In this regard, USAID has inked a pact with the Urban Development Ministry while BGMF signed a Memorandum of Cooperation.
The Memoranda were signed in presence of Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and US Ambassador to India, Richard Verma.
Key facts

As a global partner in Swachh Bharat programme, USAID will assist union governments flagship programme by knowledge exchange and identification and sharing of best practices for water and sanitation services.
It will also provide technical support and promote public private partnership (PPP) and spend about $2.50 million per year on these activities.
While, BMGF as a partner will provide technical and management support in the implementation of the mission.
It will provide coordination of decentralised and non-sewered sanitation solutions, implementation and management through skill development focusing on towns located along the Ganga river at a cost of $2.50 million annually.

Thus it can be said that Government’s Swachchh Bharat Mission got global boost, which will take sanitation beyond construction of toilets and offers holistic solutions towards cleanliness.

Eminent Sanskrit scholar Prabhu Nath Dwivedi named for Sahitya Akademi Award 2014

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January 14, 2015No comments

Eminent Sanskrit scholar Prabhu Nath Dwivedi has been conferred with prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award 2014 for Sanskrit language.
He was chosen for his work Kanakalochanaha- a collection of 16 short-stories based upon various social issues eroding the system.
His book was selected by a three-member jury of the Sahitya Akademi.
Mr Diwedi is Sanskrit teacher and has been teaching in various universities for more than three decades.
Backround
Earlier in December 2014, Sahitya Akademi had announced names of 22 poets and authors for prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award 2014. But they had not announced the winners of Manipuri and Sanskrit language.
About Sahitya Akademi Award

Sahitya Akademi Award (साहित्य अकादमी पुरस्कार) is conferred on writers of outstanding works in one of the twenty-four major Indian languages.
24 major Indian languages are- Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Rajasthan, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
The award consists of a casket containing an engraved copper-plaque, a shawl and a cheque of 1 Lakh rupees.

SHAR director MYS Prasad selected for Vikram Sarabhai Memorial Award 2014-15

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January 14, 2015No comments

M.Y.S. Prasad, director of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota Range (SHAR), has been selected for the prestigious Vikram Sarabhai memorial award 2014-15.
He will be presented award by the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA).
He was selected for this award for his outstanding contribution to R&D in the field of space science in his long and chequered career at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Prior to Dr. Prasad, former ISRO chairmen Dr. Satish Dhawan, Dr. K. Kasturi Rangan, Dr. G. Madhavan Nair and Dr. K. Radhakrishnan have received this prestigious award.
Vikram Sarabhai memorial award

It was instituted in 1997-98 by ISCA- a premier scientific organization of the country.
Every alternate year it is awarded to distinguished scientist of the country in recognition of their outstanding contributions.
This award comprises a gold medal and certificate and presented at the inaugural function of the Annual Session of ISCA.

Pope Francis declares Indian priest Joseph Vaz as saint in Colombo

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January 14, 2015No comments

Pope Francis has declared 17th century Indian priest and missionary Joseph Vaz as saint in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Pope announced it while addressing a holy mass for 5 lakh people at the Gall Face Green in Colombo. Joseph Vaz has become first priest from Sri Lanka, canonised as saint.
About Joseph Vaz

He was born on 21 April 1651 in Benaulim Goa (then Portuguese India) and was ordained as priest in 1676 in Goa.
Later in 1687, he moved to Sri Lanka and worked for revival of Catholic Church in a period of Dutch repression of Catholics.
Since then he had founded several churches and chapels, helping revive the faith of Catholics by Calvinists in Sri Lanka.
He died in 1711 and was beatified by Pope John Paull II in Colombo on 21 January 1995.

India’s Open water swimmer Bhakti Sharma sets world record in Antarctic Ocean

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January 15, 2015No comments

India’s open water swimmer Bhakti Sharma has set a new world record by swimming 1.4 miles in 52 minutes in one degree temperature in the Antarctic Ocean.
She has bettered the earlier record of British open water swimmer Lewis Pugh and American swimmer Lynne Cox. She is also the first Asian girl and youngest in the world to achieve this feat.
Hindustan Zinc had sponsored her to achieve this feat and pursue swimming career.
About Bhakti Sharma

She has been pursuing open water swimming for the last 10 years.
She holds the distinction of being the youngest female swimmer in the world to swim in 5 oceans (Indian, Atlantic, Pacific, Antarctic and Arctic) and 7 seas.
Awards: She is recipient of the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award-2010.

Government hands over new Maritime Security Gadget to Navy, Coast guard

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January 15, 2015No comments

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has handed over Resident Identity Card (RIC) readers to Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan and Coast Guard Director General Vice-Admiral A G Thapliyal.
As part of RIC Scheme, these maritime security gadgets will be used by security agencies to check identity cards of the residents of coastal areas issued under RIC Scheme.
Government had issued more than 65 lakh people mainly residents of coastal villages with identity cards as per RIC Scheme under the National Population Registrar.
Key facts of Resident Identity Card (RIC) scheme

It aims to strengthen coastal security measures in 9 states and 4 Union Territories which have a sea-line running along their borders.
The scheme of issuing Cards is being implemented by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner- an office under the aegis of Union Home Ministry.
Under this scheme, Union Government will prepare National Population Registrar (NPR) in 3,331 coastal villages by issuing Resident Identity Cards (RIC).
RIC readers will be used by coastal security agencies to authenticate an individual’s demographic and biometric authentication without using Internet services.
RIC cards are manufactured indigenously and can be read only when the key present in the RIC readers.
RIC reader is temper-proof and self-destructs itself if it is opened in an unauthorized manner.
Initially, these card readers will be issued to the Navy and Coast Guard. Later it will be given to Maritime Police stations and state governments.

Italy’s President Giorgio Napolitano resigns

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January 14, 2015No comments

Italy’s President Giorgio Napolitano has resigned from office. He has resigned citing reason of poor health ahead of his 2020 expiry term. He also announced his retirement after stepping down as President.
About Giorgio Napolitano

He was a long-time member of the Italian Communist Party and was elected to Italian parliament for first time in 1953.
He was Minister of Interior from 1996 to 1998 under then Prime Minister Romano Prodi.
President: In 2006, he was elected by parliament as President of Italy for first time. He was re-elected as President in 2013 and was to retire in 2020. He is longest-serving President of Italy and was in office for around 8 years.
As a President, he was regarded as a guarantor of stability amid of current unstable governments and Italy’s longest recession since World War II.

President of Italy: His role is mainly ceremonial but can declare legislation unconstitutional. He also has the power to dissolve parliament, nominate prime ministers and call early elections. He has tenure of 7 years.

RBI cuts repo rate by 25 basis point

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January 15, 2015No comments

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cut down repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.75 percent from 8 percent, with immediate effect.
It was announced ahead of the scheduled date of monetary policy announcement on 3rd February 2015 as part of RBI’s 6th bi-monthly monetary policy statement.
RBI’s 6^thbi-monthly monetary policy statement says that

Repo rate: RBI has reduced the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points from 8.0 per cent to 7.75 per cent.
Cash reserve ratio (CRR): RBI has unchanged CRR and kept it at 4.0 per cent of net demand and time liabilities (NDTL).
Reverse repo rate: RBI has adjusted reverse repo rate under the LAF to 6.75 per cent.
While, RBI has adjusted Marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate to 8.75 per cent with immediate effect.

Team India unveils new eco-friendly ODI jersey kit

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January 15, 2015No comments

Indian cricket team has unveiled new eco-friendly ODI jersey ahead of the triangular series in Australia starting 16 January 2015. It was unveiled in Melbourne.
Key facts of Team India’s eco-friendly ODI jersey

It is made out of 100% recycled polyester with a total of 33 recycled plastic bottles used to create the entire kit.
The new light weight kit combines high performance innovation with sustainability.
The jersey is light, comfortable and packed with innovation.
This eco-friendly jersey kit is made by BCCI’s official apparel sponsor Nike.

Army Day is being observed on 15 January

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January 15, 2015No comments

In India, Army Day is being observed every year on 15 January.

Significance of Day: In 1949, on this day Lt. General (later Field Marshal) Kodandera Madappa Cariappa became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army (of the independent India) by succeeding British Army General Roy Butcher.
Events: It is celebrated every year at all the Army Command headquarters and national capital by organizing army parades including many other military shows.

This day inspires the troops to continue to enrich the glorious traditions of the Indian Army with their dedication and sacrifice.
On 15 January 2015, it will be the 67th Indian Army Day.

Leela Samson resigns as Chairperson of Central Board of Film Certification

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January 16, 2015No comments

Chairperson of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Leela Samson has resigned.
She resigned after Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) cleared the controversial film Messenger of God featuring Dera Saccha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in lead role.
The Censor Board headed by Ms. Samson had earlier denied the clearance certificate to the film saying that the movie depicts Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh as a God.

Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT)

FCAT is a statutory body. It has been constituted under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
It comes under the aegis of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Headquarters: New Delhi.
The Tribunal has a Secretary to look after its day to day affairs.
Function: It hears the appeals filed as per provisions of Cinematograph Act. Any applicant can file an appeal before the tribunal for a certificate in respect of a film who is aggrieved by an order of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Leela Samson

She is a Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, instructor and writer.
She is recipient of the many awards for her contributions to Bharatanatyam. It includes Padma Shri (1990), Kalaimamani (2005) given by Government of Tamil Nadu, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1999–2000).

HS Brahma appointed as Chief Election Commissioner of India

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January 15, 2015No comments

President Pranab Mukherjee has appointed Harishankar Brahma as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India.
He will be 19th CEC of India and succeed V S Sampat who had retired after attaining age 65 on 15 January 2015.
He will take charge on 16 January 2015.
About Harishankar Brahma

He is a retired IAS officer of 1975 batch from the Andhra Pradesh cadre.
He hails from the state of Assam. He is second person from North East India to become Chief Election Commissioner after J. M. Lyngdoh.
He had assumed charge of Election Commissioner on 24 August 2010, after he retired from position of Secretary in Ministry of Power.

Chief Election Commissioner
As per the provisions of Article 324 of Constitution

Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners are appointed by the President.
They hold office for the term of 6 years or until they attain age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only through impeachment by Parliament.

US designates Taliban Chief Mullah Fazlullah as Global Terrorist

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January 15, 2015No comments

United States has designated Maulana Fazlullah, chief of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)- an outfit of Pakistan’s Taliban, as global terrorist and has imposed sanctions against him.
It was announced after US Secretary of State John Kerry had asked Pakistan to target all terror outfits like the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Taliban and the Haqqani Network that pose a threat to itself, neighbours like India and to US.

What does it means?

Being designated as global terrorist, all the property and interests of Maulana Fazlullah that are in US or that come within the US, or the possession or control of US persons will be freezed.
It also prohibits US nationals against engaging in transactions with Maulana Fazlullah.

Why Maulana Fazlullah is designated as global terrorist?

In November 2013, he was elected as TTP chief commander after the death of former TTP leader Hakimullah Mehsud.
Under his leadership, TTP had carried out barbaric attack on army school in Peshawar on 16 December 2014, killing at least 150 people, mostly children.
In 2012, prior to becoming the leader of TTP, he was behind the killing of Pakistani Army Major General Sanaullah Niazi as well as ordering the shooting of schoolgirl and activist Malala Yousafzai (later won Nobel peace prize-2014).
He is also responsible for the beheading of 17 Pakistani soldiers.

It should be noted that United Nations and US already have declared Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as banned Terrorist Organisation after Al-Qaeda.

Haryana government announces yoga guru Ramdev its brand ambassador

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January 16, 2015No comments

Haryana government has announced yoga guru Ramdev as its brand ambassador.
By appointing the yoga guru as its brand ambassador state aims to promote yoga and Ayurveda in the state.
It was announced by Haryana’s minister of sports and health Anil Vij.
In order to promote ayurveda in a big way, state government is planning to to develop a first ever herbal forest with over 25,000 plants over 1,000 acres of land in the state.
State government also plan to open “Vyayamshalas” and “Yogshalas” in 6,500 villages and cities of Haryana.

SEBI notifies stringent insider trading norms

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January 16, 2015No comments

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has notified stringent revamped rules related to the Insider trading.
Insider trading refers to the trade of a company’s stocks or other securities and making unethical profits with access to the non-public information. This is detrimental to the other / small investors who don’t have such information.
In this regard market regulator has issued SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015. Thus, revamping nearly two-decade old regulations on insider trading.
The key facts about new rules are as follows:

It highlights greater clarity on concepts and definitions along with a stronger legal and enforcement framework for prevention of insider trading.
The new rules has expanded the definition of insider. It says that that anyone who is in contractual, fiduciary or employment relations with the promoters will be presumed to be ‘insiders’. Thus, the new rules include the immediate relatives of promotes, directors and employees who are in possession or have access to such information, within the scope of insiders.
The new rules make it mandatory that the perpetual insiders such as promoters and directors will have to disclose their future trading plan in advance to the stock exchanges. They are required to trade strictly as per that plan in order to protect the interest of investors
The definition of the unpublished price sensitive information (UPSI) has been broadened. Earlier, it has reference to only to company but now, it will have reference to company as well as securities.

Background
The rules have been prepared after taking into consideration recommendations of Sodhi panel and other panel recommendations.
It should be noted that a panel headed by former Justice N K Sodhi (former Chief Justice of Karnataka and Kerala High Courts) had submitted its report on insider trading norms in December 2013.

Leela Samson resigns as Chairperson of Central Board of Film Certification

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January 16, 2015No comments

Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT)

FCAT is a statutory body. It has been constituted under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
It comes under the aegis of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Headquarters: New Delhi.
The Tribunal has a Secretary to look after its day to day affairs.
Function: It hears the appeals filed as per provisions of Cinematograph Act. Any applicant can file an appeal before the tribunal for a certificate in respect of a film who is aggrieved by an order of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Leela Samson

She is a Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, instructor and writer.
She is recipient of the many awards for her contributions to Bharatanatyam. It includes Padma Shri (1990), Kalaimamani (2005) given by Government of Tamil Nadu, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1999–2000).

Missing Mars probe Beagle 2 found on Mars after 11 years

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January 17, 2015No comments

A British-built space probe Beagle 2 has been found on the surface of Mars, 11 years after it was thought that it was lost on Mars.
It was discovered in the high-resolution images taken by HiRISE camera mounted on NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO).
Thus, its discovery has ended the decade long mystery of what happened to the mission since 2003.
After the discovery, the Royal Society has announced an award in commemoration of Prof Colin Pillinger (died in 2014) who was Principal Investigator of Beagle2 probe.
About Beagle2

Beagle2 was released to its landing trajectory from its mother craft- European Space Agency’s Mars Express (MEx) orbiter on 19 December 2003.
After its release, it was due to land six days later on Mars surface using parachutes and airbags.
But nothing was heard from probe’s radio contact after its scheduled touchdown.
It was assumed by many scientists that it had been destroyed in a high-velocity impact during landing.

Veteran freedom fighter Ghelubhai Naik passes away

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January 16, 2015No comments

Veteran Gandhian and freedom fighter Ghelubhai Naik passed away in Dangs district of Gujarat. He was 90.
He was well-known for his social work and tribal development in Dangs district of Gujarat.
About Ghelubhai Naik

Being Gandhian and freedom fighter, he was close to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Following Gandhian principles, he started his social work in Dangs as the Sarvodaya worker in 1948.
He along with Chunilal Vaidya had set up Swaraj ashram in Dangs district for spreading the education among the tribal.
He also played important role in changing names of thousands of tribal people, who earlier beared names like Ravio, Thagio, Nariyo etc, in order to bring them in mainstream society.
His lifelong social work played key role in promoting education, de-addiction and spreading awareness about health and upliftment of Dangi tribe.

J&K wins National e-Governance award 2014-15 for best district-level initiative

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January 16, 20152 Comments

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has been selected for National e-Governance award 2014-15 for its best district level initiative in the country.
J&K state has been selected for this award by Department of Administrative Reforms for its e-Panchayat project.
This award will be presented during 18th National Conference on e-Governance to be held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 30-31, 2015.
Background

J&K’s e-Panchayat project was shortlisted among 53 nominees for spot study which was done by PriceWater Coopers Ltd and officers of Department of Administrative Reforms of PMO in November-December 2014.
Finally it was is selected by the by jury headed by Secretary Administrative Reforms and conferred after approval of Prime Minister who heads Ministry of Personnel, Department of Administrative Reforms.

J&K’s e-Panchayat project

It was launched in 2013-14 for strengthening 147 panchayats in the state.
This project provided platform for a decentralized regime of panchayats in the state by shifting the service delivery from block level to panchayat level.

National e-Governance award

It was instituted in 1997. It is given by Department of Administrative Reforms.
Purpose of the award

It recognizes the achievements in the area of e-Governance.
It seeks to disseminate knowledge on effective methods of designing and implementing sustainable e-Governance initiatives.
Encourage incremental innovations in successful e-Governance solutions.
Promote and exchange experiences in solving problems, Mitigating risks, resolving issues and planning for success.

It should be noted that J&K state has bagged this award for first time in 18 years since award was instituted.

Union Cabinet gives nod to FM Phase 3 auction

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January 17, 2015No comments

Union Cabinet has given its nod for conducting FM Phase-III auction and renewal of Private FM Radio licenses from Phase-II to Phase-III in 69 existing cities for 135 channels.
It was decided in Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Key facts of FM Phase-III auction

The Phase III will e-auction around 839 FM channels in 294 cities. It is expected to commence before the end of the present fiscal year. However, it will continue over the next three years.
It will be done according to recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on payment of migration fee.
Union Government already had appointed an e-auctioneer to monitor the e-auction.
Successful auctions of all proposed channels in Phase-III seeks to add an estimated revenue of over 550 crore to the National Exchequer.

Background

Earlier, the decision relating to Phase-III was taken by then Union Cabinet of UPA Government on 7 July 2011.
But it was delayed as channel auction was proposed on e-auction basis.
In March 2014, the Empowered Committee had decided to charge a fee for migration to existing operators who wanted to move to Phase-III.

In India, as of now two phases of Private FM Radio have been implemented. They are Phase-I (1999-2000) and Phase-II (2005-06). While, there are 243 private FM channels operating in 86 cities of the country, spanning 26 States and three Union Territories.
Thus, cabinet’s decision for auction is critical for the private radio industry since some of the licenses of the channels are expiring on 31 March, 2015.

Tribal Food Festival-2015 begins in New Delhi

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January 17, 2015No comments

Tribal Food Festival-2015 has begun in New Delhi. It was inaugurated by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram.
It is 3 day event organized by Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) on behalf of the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
The main objective of Tribal Food Festival-2015 is to introduce and create awareness on the varieties of ethnic Tribal Foods to the people of Delhi. It also seeks to provide additional source of income to the tribals.
In this unique event, tribals from various States including Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Nagaland and Odisha have participated.

Sania Mirza, Bethanie Mattek-Sands wins Sydney doubles title

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January 17, 2015No comments

India’s Sania Mirza along with her American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands has won doubles title at the Sydney International Tennis Tournament 2015.
Indo-American in the finals defeated top-seeded Americans Abigail Spears and Raquel Kops-Jones by score of 6-3, 6-3.
It should be noted that it was fifth WTA title won by Sania and Bethanie together as partner. While, this win is Sania’s first title of the season and 23rd of her career.

Sydney International Tennis Tournament

It is one of the oldest professional tennis tournaments in the world, dating to 1885.
It is currently noted as an ATP 250 point event on the men’s tour and a WTA Premier event on the women’s tour.
It is played annually at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre in Homebush, New South Wales, Australia.

President launches pulse polio immunization programme

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January 17, 2015No comments

President Pranab Mukherjee has launched the Pulse Polio Immunization(PPI) Programme by administering polio drops to children at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
It was launched by President ahead of the National Immunization Day which is observed on 18 January.
PPI Programme is a Government drive to sustain polio eradication from the country. As part of it children less than 5 years of age are given polio vaccine drops.
Background

Since 1995, India has been implementing the Pulse Polio Immunization Programme.
On 27 March 2014, India and 7 other Asian countries were declared polio-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
7 other Asian countries are: Bangladesh, Bhutan, North Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, the Maldives and Myanmar.
It should be noted that WHO declares any country polio free if no case is reported for three consecutive years.

Key facts about Polio

Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease, which mainly affects young children below age of 5.

Transmission: The virus is transmitted from person-to-person. It mainly spreads through the faecal-oral route (e.g. contaminated water or food). After entering body, it multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system and can cause paralysis.
Symptoms: Initial symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the limbs. In some cases, it causes permanent paralysis. There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented by immunization.

You may read more about Pulse Polio Immunization(PPI) Programme here

New travel and trade rules between US and Cuba come into effect

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January 17, 2015No comments

New travel and trade rules between the United States (US) and Cuba have come into effect on 16 January 2015.
It is considered as biggest policy shift between the two countries in more than 50 years after restrictions were imposed on travel and trade .
New travel and trade rules between the US and Cuba

It allows US citizens to use credit cards in Cuba and US businesses to export some technologies. Earlier this facility was not available to US citizens.
It also allowed US citizens to take home up to 100 dollar in alcohol and tobacco from Cuba.

Background

These new travel and trade rules are implemented after US and Cuba agreed to re-establish diplomatic ties between the two countries in December 2014.
Enmity between US government and Cuba’s communist government started in 1959 after the Cuban revolution led by Fidel Castro had overthrown then Cuban President Fulgencio Batista.
In 1961, Cuba had broken all its diplomatic relations with US and had joined hands with US cold war rival Soviet Union. During this time, US had imposed travel and trade ban on Cuba.
Enmity between both nations had attained its peak in 1962 after Cuban missile crisis that brought whole world to the brink of nuclear war.
But after the fall of Soviet Union in 1991, Cuba was left alone without any strong international support.

Winners of men’s & women’s single title of Sydney International Tennis tournament

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January 18, 2015No comments

Men’s single title

Viktor Troicki of Serbia has won the men’s single title of Sydney International Tennis tournament 2015.
In the finals, he defeated Russia’s Mikhail Kukushkin by score of 6-2, 6-3.
It is Viktor Troicki’s 2nd career title. His first title was 2010 Kremlin Cup.

Women’s single title

Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic has won the women’s single title of Sydney International Tennis tournament 2015.
In the finals, she defeated Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic by score of 7-6, 7-6.
It is Petra Kvitova’s 15th career title. She is two times Wimbledon Champion (2011 and 2014) and currently ranked World no. 4.

Sydney International Tennis Tournament

It is also known as Apia International Sydney, is one of the oldest professional tennis tournaments in the world, dating to 1885.
It is currently noted as an ATP 250 point event on the men’s tour and a WTA Premier event on the women’s tour.
It is played annually at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre in Homebush, New South Wales, Australia.

Egypt’s best-known actresses Faten Hamama passes away

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January 18, 2015No comments

One of Egypt’s best known actresses Faten Hamama has passed away. She was 83.
She was known as the Lady of the Arabic Screen and was a star of the golden age of Egyptian cinema.
About Faten Hamama

She was born in 1931. She had started her film career in 1939, when she was only 7 years old in Youm Saeed (Happy Day), alongside legendary singer Mohamed Abdel Wehab.
She was an Arab film icon who had appeared in almost 100 films.
Her film career was at its peak in the 1950s when she met fellow three-time Golden Globe winner actor Omar Sharif, later whom she married.
She played important role in improving the cinema industry in Egypt and emphasized the importance of women in cinema and Egyptian society.
She had appeared in films including Struggle in the Valley (1954), The Nightingale’s Prayer (1959), I Want a Solution (1974) and The Night of Fatima’s Arrest (1985).
She also had appeared on several TV shows, such as 1992’s Dameer Abla Hekmat (The Conscience of Mrs. Hekmat) and 2000’s Wagh Al-Qamar (Face of the Moon).

IAF gets first indigenously-built Light Combat Aircraft Tejas

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January 17, 2015No comments

First indigenously-built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas was handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar at ceremony held at Bengaluru, Karanataka.
It was handed over after it was granted Initial Operational Clearance (IOC)-II, which signifies that aircraft is airworthy to fly in different conditions.
About Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas

Tejas is outcome of India’s LCA programme, which began in the 1983 to replace country’s aging MiG-21 fighters.
It is a lightweight multi-role jet fighter indigenously-built by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
It is a tailless and having compound delta wing design. It is powered by a single engine.
It is mounted with inbuilt MultiMode Radar (MMR), Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) systems.
As part of LCA programme, 20 aircraft will be built by 2017-2018, to make the first squadron of the aircraft.
IOC-I was granted to the aircraft in January 2011 after it was built by HAL. While, IOC- II was granted in September 2014, after the aircraft successfully completed its maiden flight.
It is yet to receive the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) and excepted to receive it by the year-end which includes testing mid-air refuelling and its long-range missiles capabilities.

Andhra Pradesh government signs pact with ICRISAT to boost sustainable farming

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January 18, 20153 Comments

Andhra Pradesh government has signed a pact with the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) to boost sustainable farming in the state.
In this regard, Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed by state government with ICRISAT.
Key highlights of agreement

It seeks to provide assistance in making agriculture sustainable and profitable in state by increasing productivity of agriculture and allied sectors.
Strategy paper: ICRISAT will prepare a strategy paper for primary sector mission, hold research and development (R&D) and establish sites of learning in districts of Andhra Pradesh.
Use of Technology: Best technological tools and scientific practices from across the world will be incorporated into primary sector activities of state.
International expertise: ICRISAT will bring in international expertise from CGIAR centres. It will include consortium of international organisations like International Livestock Research Centre (ILRI), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), International Water Management (IWMI), Asia Vegetable Research and Development Centre (AVRDC), International Centre for Improvement of Maize and Development Centre (AVRDC), World Fish Centre and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
This consortium will also bring in regional and national research institutions for the benefit of farmers.
Pilot sites: It will be established in 13 districts (10,000 hectares each) of state to educate farmers for increasing productivity, profitability and sustainability through science-led development and climate-smart agriculture
Quality assurance system for soil analytical laboratories: It will be developed to undertake capacity building for staff and upgrade existing soil labs for nutrient profile analysis.
Public–private partnership (PPP): ICRISAT will assist state government in developing PPP mode guidelines, mobilise private entrepreneurs and organise a Global Investors Meet.

Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani lays Foundation stone of IIM-Visakhapatnam

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January 18, 2015No comments

Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani has laid the foundation stone for Indian Institute of Management (IIM)-Visakhapatnam at Gambheeram village of Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh.
Key facts

It is the first institution among the 11 Central premier institutions to be established in the state as per the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
IIM- Visakhapatnam will start its functioning from 2015-16 from the campus of Andhra University till the construction of campus is completed.
It should be noted that IIM- Visakhapatnam will be fourteenth IIM of the country.

Union Government is also planning to introduce a bill on Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) in Parliament, in order to empower these public, autonomous institutes to award MBA degrees instead of postgraduate diploma certificates.

5th General Assembly of IRENA begins in Abu Dhabi

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January 18, 2015No comments

The 5^th General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has began in Abu Dhabi.
Government leaders from more than 150 countries including India and representatives from more than 110 international organizations are taking part in this two day meet.
5^th meet of IRENA seeks to address global issues like enhancing the share of renewable energy in the overall energy mix and to tackle global challenges like climate change, energy access and energy security.

About International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

It is an intergovernmental organization to promote adoption and sustainable use of renewable energy. It is the global hub for renewable energy cooperation and information exchange within its member nations.
It was founded in 2009 and its statute entered into force on 8 July 2010.
Headquarters: Abu Dhabi.
Members: In total it has 138 Members. India is one of the 33 Permanent members of IRENA.

Indian-American Frank Islam presented with Martin Luther King Award

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January 19, 2015No comments

Frank Islam, an eminent Indian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist has been presented with the prestigious Martin Luther King Jr Award.
He was given the award for his contribution to the legacy of the great leader through his efforts in international service and civil engagement.
About Frank Islam

He was born in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh to a peasant father. He had moved to US when he was only 15 years old.
He is an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist.
In 1993, he had bought a struggling IT company in Maryland. Later in 2007, he sold it to spent rest of his life in philanthropy, both in India and the US.
Currently, he heads the FI Invest Group a firm that he established after selling his IT Company.
He is also board member of several think tanks, academic and cultural organisations including pretigious Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts, the Brookings Institute and US Institute of Peace.
Books: He has written two well-regarded books on the American condition. They are Working the Pivot Points: To Make America Work Again (2013). Renewing the American Dream: A Citizen’s Guide for Restoring Our Competitive Advantage (2010).

Martin Luther King Jr Award

It is an annual award started in 1991.
It honors the legacy of noble peace recipient civil right leader Martin Luther King Jr and the legendary Dorothy I Height and their impacts both at home and abroad.

2014 hottest year on record: US scientists

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January 19, 2015No comments

According to US scientists, year 2014 was the hottest year on record, with global average temperature increasing about 0.8 degrees Celsius since 1880.
It was revealed by two separate analyses carried out by NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Key outcomes

10 warmest years since records began in the 19th century have all been since 1997.
In 2014, record temperatures were spread around the globe. It included most of Europe stretching into northern Africa, the western United States, far eastern Russia into western Alaska, parts of interior South America, parts of eastern and western coastal Australia and elsewhere.
Recent trends of warming have been dominated by human emissions of greenhouse gases.
Earlier, it was thought of chaotic weather patterns. But later it was considered that year-to-year fluctuations in average global temperature are caused by phenomena such as El Nino or La Nina.
El Nino or La Nina phenomena generally warm or cool the tropical Pacific oceanic region and are thought to have played a role in the flattening of the long-term warming trend over the past 15 years.
However, 2014’s record warmth occurred during an El Nino-neutral year.

South African cricketer AB de Villiers hits fastest century in ODIs

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January 18, 20151 Comment

South African cricketer AB de Villiers has hit the fastest century and half-century in one-day internationals (ODI).
He achieved the feat in second match as part of the 5-match ODI series against West Indies. Overall in this match, AB de Villiers made 149 off 44 balls.

Fastest century: He made the century in just 31 balls and broke earlier record of New Zealand’s Corey Anderson who had hit the century in 36 balls in 2013-14.
Fastest half-century: He also made fastest half-century, off 16 balls breaking Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya’s previous record who had made half-century in 17 balls.
Most sixes in an innings: His innings included 16 sixes. It equalled the previous record set by India’s Rohit Sharma against Australia in Bangalore in 2013/14.

Second Highest innings totals: In this match, South Africa scored 439, which is the second highest total in one-day internationals. They surpassed their previous record of second highest score of 438 which they had made in a record run chase against Australia in 2005/06.
It should be noted that, Sri Lanka holds the world record of highest innings. They had made this record by scoring 443 runs against the Netherlands in 2006.

World Future Energy Summit begins in Abu Dhabi

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January 19, 2015No comments

The World Future Energy Summit 2015 has begun in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
It is eight edition of the summit and will be four day event.
It will provide platform to delegates including world leaders, international policy makers, industry leaders, investors, experts, academia, intellectuals and journalists from all over the world including India.
Delegates will discuss the future of renewable energy and how to overcome the challenges in tapping potential of it.
Key highlights of World Future Energy Summit

It will provide a platform for commercial solutions to clean and green energy.
It will include exhibition of first-of-its-kind, fully integrated hybrid product that captures both solar and wind energy to provide more consistent power generation.
Summit will also display a mobile solar power plant on a trailer with a 4.8 kWp capacity and battery storage of up to 20 kWh and a new turbine that converts energy from sea waves.
It will also display parabolic sun-dish concentrators combined with a specialized steam generator suitable for enhanced oil recovery, power generation, water desalination operations and power generations are on display.

United Nation and Mali government declares country Ebola-free

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January 19, 2015No comments

Mali Government has declared country Ebola free. It was announced after no new case of deadly virus was reported in last 42-day period (i.e. two incubation periods of 21 days for Ebola virus).
While, United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) has also declared that Mali as Ebola free.
Key facts

Mali was the sixth West African country to record cases of Ebola virus.
First case was reported in October 2014.
As per World Health Organisation (WHO) in Mali, in total 8 cases were reported, killing 6 of them.

According to WHO, it is the worst Ebola (viral haemorrhagic fever) outbreak in history which has infected at least 21,296 people.
Till date deadly Ebola virus has killed more than 8,400 people mostly from West African countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Union Government reconstitutes Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)

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January 20, 2015No comments

Union Government has reconstituted Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). In this regard, government has appointed 1 chairperson and 9 board members.

Chairperson: Filmmaker Pahlaj Nihalani was appointed chairperson. He will be office in for a period of three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
9 Members are: BJP leader Vani Tripathi Tikoo, filmmakers Ashoke Pandit and Chandra Prakash Dwivedi, film writer Mihir Bhuta, Syed Abdul Bari, Ramesh Patange, actor George Baker, actor-filmmaker Jeevitha and actor- playwright S Ve Shekhar.

Background

Earlier, then Chairperson of CBFC Leela Samson had resigned after Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) cleared the controversial film Messenger of God featuring Dera Saccha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in lead role.
As the Chairperson of Censor Board she had denied the clearance certificate to the film saying that the movie depicts Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh as a God.
Following her resignation, 9 board members also had resigned creating vacancies in the booard.

Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)

It is a statutory body under the aegis of Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The Board, consists of non-official members and a Chairman (all of them are appointed by Union Government)
Headquarters: Mumbai.
Its function is to regulate the public exhibition of films in India under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952 by granting them certificate under 4 categories. They are

U: Unrestricted Public Exhibition.
UA: Unrestricted Public Exhibition- but with a word of caution that Parental discretion required for children below 12 years.
A: Restricted to adults.
S: Restricted to any special class of persons.

Eminent political scientist Rajni Kothari passes away

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January 20, 2015No comments

Eminent political scientist, scholar and former Planning Commission member Rajni Kothari passed away in New Delhi. He was 86.
About Rajni Kothari

He was born on 16th August, 1928.
He was a well-known political thinker, political theorist, academician and writer.
He had started his career as a lecturer at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (Baroda University). In 1961, for first time he received recognition when his essays series, Form and Substance in Indian Politics were published in Economic and Political Weekly (then Economic Weekly) over six issues.
In 1963, he had founded Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) – a social sciences and humanities research institute based in New Delhi.
In 1980, he had founded Lokayan (Dialogue of the People), a forum for interaction between activists and intellectuals.
He was member of the Planning Commission during the national Front Government led by then Prime Minister V P Singh.
He was also associated with number of prestigious institutions including Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), International Foundation for Development Alternatives and People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL).
Books: His famous published works include Politics in India (1970), Caste in Indian Politics and Rethinking Democracy (1973), In Search of Humane World Order Poverty: Human Consciousness (1989) and the Amnesia of Development and Communalism in Indian Politics (1995).
Awards: In 1985 on behalf of Lokayan, he has received the Right Livelihood Award from the Swedish Parliament in Stockholm (widely referred as the Alternative Nobel Prize). He has also received the UGC’s Swami Pranavananda Award in Political Science.

IIT, ONGC ink MoU to develop indigenous technologies to enhance oil exploration

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January 20, 2015No comments

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) have signed a Memorandum of Collaboration to develop indigenous technologies to enhance oil exploration.
It was signed in the presence of the Union Minister of Human Resource Development Smriti Irani and the Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi.
Key facts

As per Memorandum of Collaboration both parties will work towards a collective Research and Development Programme.
This programme will aim for developing indigenous technologies to enhance exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons and alternate sources of energy.
It is a long-term initiative between both parties for sustained research, development and capacity building.
It will provide a multi-pronged approach that will help to foster research capability and transform experiential based learning in oil exploration sector.
It will also help to realize full potential of India’s inherent strengths to develop indigenous technologies in order to make country global leader in this sector.

First successful organ donation from newborn takes place in UK

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January 20, 2015No comments

Doctors from United Kingdom (UK) have carried out the first successful organ donation from a newborn baby.
It is considered as a milestone in neonatal care after donor’s kidneys and liver were used to save the lives of two patients.
Successful organ donation involved

Kidneys, which were transplanted into a patient with renal failure.
Liver cells (hepatocytes), which were transfused into a further recipient.

The donor was six-day-old baby girl who had died after she was born in extremely poor health. After donors death, her parents had given their consent for organ donation in order to benefit of other sick patients.

Implication: In future organ donation from newborns will play significant role in saving the lives sick newborns dying due to organ failure.

India’s growth to reach 6.3 per cent in 2016: UN WESP report

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January 20, 2015No comments

According to the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2015 report, India’s growth in terms of GDP is expected to reach 5.9 per cent in 2015 and 6.3 per cent in 2016.
Key highlights of report

India: Its growth recovery is partly the result of improved market sentiment after the new government took office in the second quarter of 2014 and had announced plans to reform the bureaucracy, labour laws and public subsidies.
South Asia: Economic growth in South Asia is set to gradually pick up from an estimated 4.9 percent in 2014 to 5.4 percent in 2015 and 5.7 percent in 2016. India, will account for about 70 percent of regional output in South Asia.
Average inflation in this region is expected remain moderate at 7.8 percent in 2015 and 7.2 percent in 2016, as commodity prices are likely remain subdued and domestic demand picks up gradually.
Global economy: It is expected to grow at 3.1 percent in 2015 and 3.3 percent in 2016, compared with an estimated growth of 2.6 percent in 2014.

About United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) report

This report is published at the beginning of each year by the combined efforts of

UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
5 UN regional commissions.
World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

Australian cricketer David Warner fined over speak English incident

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January 20, 2015No comments

Australian cricketer David Warner was fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) over speak in English spat with Indian counterpart Rohit Sharma.
He was fined 50 per cent of his match fee over the incident.
Incident: David Warner had demanded Sharma speak English instead of his native Hindi during India- Australia’s tri-series ODI match held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
The incident was sparked after India batsman Rohit Sharma ran a contentious single off an overthrow the Australians believed came after Warner’s return deflected off Sharma. It should be noted that Cricket etiquette dictates that batsmen do not run when a throw deflects off their body or bat.

Punjab government launches e-stamping project

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January 21, 2015No comments

Punjab government has launched e-stamping project in the state. It was launched by state Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.
This project seeks to computarise revenue departments of the state in order to remove malpractices and end leakage of government revenue. It also seeks to make revenue transactions safe and secure.
Key facts

At present, e-stamping has been initiated as a pilot project in five districts of state. They are Mohali, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Bathinda.
All districts of state will be covered under this project by 31 March 2015.
This project will help citizens to pay the exact fee through a wire transfer, a draft or even a cheque for stamp instead of buying it from middlemen at higher cost.
E-stamps have various safety features which includes a unique ID generated by computer and could be verified online and also UV, ultra violet, micro film and thermal fixtures besides an encrypted 2 D bar code.

Maharashtra government declares Chandrapur as dry district

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January 21, 2015No comments

Maharashtra Government has declared mineral rich Chandrapur district (in Vidarbha region) as dry district.
Thus imposing ban on the sale, purchase, production and consumption of liquor in the district.
In this regard, state government has cancelled all alcohol permits in Chandrapur district and henceforth will be shifted to other districts.
Chandrapur district is third district in state to be declared dry district. The demand for banning liquor in Chandrapur was made in late 2010, following which a committee was set up by state government. Thus, this decision was taken that in the interest of health of the people of Chandrapur, liquor consumption must be prohibited.
Earlier, Wardha and Gadchiroli districts from same region were declared dry districts.
Wardha was declared dry district as it is closely linked to Mahatma Gandhi with his ashram situated in Sevagram.
While, in the case of Gadchiroli the decision to declare it as a dry district was taken in 1992 owing to a public outcry to ban alcohol in view of growing Naxal movement.

India’s Tigers population increases by 30% since 2011

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January 20, 2015No comments

As per tiger census report 2014, the population of tigers in India has increased from 1,706 in 2011 to 2,226 in 2014.
This tiger census report was released by Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar.
Key facts of tiger census report 2014

It shows an increase of 30 per cent in country’s tiger population compared to 2011 tiger census report.
The latest tiger census figures show that Karnataka has the highest number of tigers in the age group of 1.5 years and more. It has 408 tigers in that age group.
While census figures show that 340 tigers are in Uttarakhand, 308 in Madhya Pradesh, 229 in Tamil Nadu, 190 in Maharashtra, 167 in Assam, 136 in Kerala and 117 in Uttar Pradesh.
As per new census, India is estimated to be home to around 70% of the world’s tigers.
For census, total of 3,78,118 sq km of forest area in 18 tiger states was surveyed with a total of 1,540 unique tiger photo captures.

Tiger census
In India, tiger census is carried out after a gap of every three years by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
2008 tiger census: Tiger population estimated was 1,411.
2011 tiger census: Tiger population estimated was 1,706.

EU decides to lift ban on import of mangoes from India

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January 21, 2015No comments

European Union (EU) has decided to lift seven-month-long ban on the import of mangoes from India. In this regard, a European Commission committee unanimously voted to lift the ban.
The ban was lifted after an audit carried out by the European Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office in India in September 2014.
This audit had showed that India world’s biggest producer of mangoes have made significant improvements in the phytosanitary export certification system of mangoes.
Background

EU had imposed temporary ban on import of mangoes from in 1 May 2014 after authorities in Brussels found consignments of the premium Alphonso mangoes infested with fruit flies.
Along with Alphonso mangoes they also had banned import of 4 vegetables- aubergines, bitter gourds, snake gourds and patra leaves.
They had imposed ban citing the reason that fruit flies from these consignments may damage European salad crops.

However, it should be noted that EU has not lifted ban on these 4 vegetables and will be reviewed at later stage after collecting more evidence.

India ranks 78th globally in Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2014

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January 21, 2015No comments

India ranked 78th globally in Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2014 list of 93 countries in terms of talent competitiveness of its human capital.
This GTCI list was compiled by INSEAD business school in partnership with Adecco and Human Capital Leadership Institute of Singapore (HCLI).
GTCI measures a nation’s competitiveness based on the quality of talent it can produce, attract and retain.

Key facts of Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2014 list

Top twenty scoring countries in the GTCI 2014 are all high-income countries. While, the top rankings were dominated by European countries, with only six non-European countries in the top 20 which included Singapore (2nd), the United States (4th), Canada (5th), Australia (9th), New-Zealand (16th) and Japan (20th).
Rich countries were able to top in the list, since they tend to have better universities and a greater ability to attract foreign talents through higher quality of life and remuneration, making them more talent competitive.
Top 10 in GTCI list: Switzerland (1st), Singapore (2nd), Luxembourg (3rd), United States (4th) and Canada (5th), Sweden (6th), United Kingdom (7th), Denmark (8th), Australia (9th) and Ireland (10th).
India’s lower position indicates acute shortage of skilled workforce. It also ranks at last among BRICS members.
India’s neighbuors in GTCI list: China (41th), Sri Lanka (76th), Pakistan (89th), Bangladesh (90th).

Union Government launches monitoring system for skill development scheme

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January 21, 2015No comments

Union Government has launched Management Information System (MIS) to check progress and implementation of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY) scheme in different states.
MIS aims to check real time progress on skill development and enhancing livelihood opportunities for urban poor under DAY scheme.
It was launched by Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) Minister M Venkaiah Naidu.
Key facts about Management Information System (MIS)

This system is developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC) at a cost of Rs 2.24 crore.
It enables real time and regular monitoring of the progress of DAY scheme and its seven components which include employment through skill training and placement, self-employment groups, shelters for urban homeless and support to urban vendors.
It will help to remove the deficiencies in the present manual submission of monthly progress reports which are submitted by states.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana features into Guinness book of World Records

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January 21, 2015No comments

NDA government’s flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has entered into Guinness book of World Records.
Guinness book of World Records has given certificate stating it as most bank accounts opened in one week.
In one week, 18,096,130 bank accounts were opened as part of the financial inclusion campaign from 23rd to 29th August, 2014. It was achieved by the Department of Financial Services (Government of India).
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)

It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the goal of eradicating financial untouchability of the poor by opening at least one bank account for every family in the country in less than six months.
It seeks to financially empower the poor by providing them access to formal banking system.
It also seeks to provide platform for Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) which will curb leakages in government subsidies and thus saving government exchequer.
Initially, after its launch the scheme had a target of opening 7.5 crore bank accounts by 26 January, 2015, but later it was revised and raised to 10 crore bank accounts.
As on 17th January 2015, PMJDY has achieved feat of opening of 11.50 crore bank accounts under it in the short span of 5 months since it was launched against the original target of 7.5 Crore by 26th January, 2015.

Japanese automaker Toyota tops in global vehicle sales

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January 21, 2015No comments

Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp. has topped in global vehicle sales in 2014 by selling 10.23 million vehicles, beating Volkswagen and General Motors.
While, Germen automaker Volkswagen AG is second in global vehicle sales list and has sold 10.14 million vehicles in 2014.
Detroit-based General Motors (GM) is third in the list and has sold at 9.92 million vehicles.
Some facts

In 2014, Toyota’s sales grew 6 per cent in the U.S, 13 per cent in China, and 10 per cent in Brazil compared to year 2013.
But in 2011, company had suffered a setback in top position rank, when its production was hit by the earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan but it made a comeback as No. 1 in 2012.
It should be noted that, GM was top-selling automaker for more than seven decades. But in 2008, it was surpassed by Toyota.

Twitter buys Indian start-up ZipDial

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January 21, 2015No comments

Leading social networking website Twitter has bought Indian mobile marketing start-up ZipDial. It will be first Indian technology product startup to be bought by Twitter.
This deal is expected to cost Twitter around $34-35 million (Rs 215 crore).
About ZipDial

It is Bengaluru based startup, founded in 2011. It is co-founded by Valerie Wagoner, an American origin entrepreneur who graduated from Stanford University.
ZipDial’s mobile marketing platform gives information about businesses to users when they place a missed call.
This interaction information is useful in areas where people aren’t always connected to the Internet or can access data only through intermittent Wi-Fi networks
Its mobile mobile marketing platform has nearly 60 million users, which includes the world’s leading brands and media companies.

Union Government launches HRIDAY scheme

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January 21, 2015No comments

Union government has launched a Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) scheme to preserve and rejuvenate the rich cultural heritage of the country.
Union governments ambitious Rs 500 crore HRIDAY project was launched by Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi.
In the initial phase, 12 heritage cities have been identified which will be rejuvenated and developed under HRIDAY.
The 12 cities are: Amritsar, Varanasi, Gaya, Puri, Ajmer, Mathura, Dwarka, Badami, Velankanni, Kanchipuram, Warangal and Amaravati.

HRIDAY- Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana

It aims to bring urban planning, economic growth and heritage conservation together for heritage cities.
It also seeks beautification in an inclusive and integrated manner with focus on cleanliness, livelihoods, skills, safety, security, accessibility and faster service delivery of heritage cities.
Heritage management plan (HMP) will be prepared for the identified cities which will outline heritage resources and develop policies to guide their conservation, restoration, future use and development.
It will seek to improve last-mile connectivity heritage sites by documentation, conservation of areas, providing more facilities for women, senior citizens and differently abled citizens.
HRIDAY will be dovetailed with the Tourism Ministry’s Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme which has an outlay of Rs 100 crore for augmentation of infrastructure at pilgrimage sites across the country.

Cyberabad CP awarded by ECI for Best Electoral Practices-2014

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January 21, 2015No comments

Cyberabad Police Commissioner (PC) CV Anand has been conferred with the Election Commission of India’s (ECI’s) National Special Category Award for the Best Electoral Practices- 2014.
He has been bestowed this award for the commendable election related measures taken by him in the area of ‘Expenditure Monitoring and Tackling Money Power’ during the General Elections of 2014.
He will receive the award in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on January 25 on the occasion of National Voter’s Day Function.
ECI’s National Special Category Award

It was instituted in 2011.
It recognises the efforts and innovations of the officers and to commend and encourage individual and team accomplishments in diverse fields of election management.
It carries a cash reward of Rs 50,000 along with a plaque and citation.
Lok Sabha election 2014 was the first General Election after Institution of the award.

Union Budget Session will begin on February 23

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January 22, 2015No comments

The Budget Session of Parliament will begin on 23 February 2015.
Railway Budget will be presented on 26 February, while Economic Survey on 27 February.
It will be first full-year General Budget of the NDA government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It will be presented on 28 February 2015.
These dates were announced by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs that met under the chairmanship of Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu.
Some facts

Budget is a statement of the estimates receipts and expenditure of Union Government in a financial year.
Constitutional provisions of Budget are mentioned Article 112. It should be noted that word Budget is not mentioned in Constitution rather it is referred as ‘Annual Financial Statement’.
Budget is presented in two parts namely: The Railway Budget and the General Budget.
Railway Budget: It is estimates of receipts and expenditure of Ministry of Railways only .
General Budget: It is estimates of receipts and expenditure of all Ministries of Union Government.

Microsoft unveils virtual assistant Cortana for Windows handsets

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January 22, 2015No comments

Technology giant Microsoft has unveiled virtual assistant- Cortana for Windows Phone handsets.
Cortana is female voice-controlled application. It uses Microsofts search engine Bing and data stored on the handsets to make personalised recommendations and carry out tasks.
It is named after AI system in the firm’s Halo video game franchise.
Initially, it will be made available in US, then in UK and China and finally other markets as part of a wider Windows Phone 8.1 system software update.
It should be noted that Apple and Google already offer comparable facilities on their iOS and Android platforms.

Economist Bibek Debroy takes over as member of NITI Aayog

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January 22, 2015No comments

Economist Bibek Debroy has taken over as the full-time member of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog.
Bibek Debroy

He has been working as a professor at the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi.
Previously he has worked as Director of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies and as a Consultant in Finance Ministry in various capacities.
He was also the Chairman of High Powered Committee of the restructuring on Railways.
He has been associated with a number of prestigious institutes in the field of academics. It includes Presidency College Kolkata Delhi School of Economics Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, the National Council of Applied Economic Research, Trinity College, Cambridge, and institute for South Asian Studies , Singapore.
He has authored several books, papers and articles on Economic issues. He also has authored a ten-volume unabridged English translation of the Hindu epic the Mahabharata.

Background
Earlier on 5 January 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appointed Bibek Debroy along with Scientist V K Saraswat as full time member of NITI Aayog.

Prof Kaptan Singh Solanki sworn-in as governor of Punjab

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January 22, 2015No comments

Haryana governor Prof Kaptan Singh Solanki took over the additional charge of Governor of Punjab. He will be 34th governor of Punjab.
He was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Shiavax Jal Vazifdar at Punjab Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh.
He was given the additional charge of Punjab after the tenure of then governor Shivraj V Patil retired on 21 January 2015 after his tenure came to an end.
Constitutional provisions of Governor

Article 153: It says that there shall be Governor for each state. But 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956 facilitated the appointment of the same person as a governor for two or more states.
Article 156: Governor is appointed by President and hold office during the pleasure of President. It should be also noted that this article also mentions tenure of Governor. In this regard it says that Governor shall hold office for the term of 5 years from date he enters office.

Union Government launches Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign

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January 22, 20151 Comment

Union Government has launched ambitious Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao(BBBP) campaign to save and empower girl child.
The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Panipat in Haryana.
Why Haryana was chosen to launch Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign?

Haryana was chosen to launch the nation-wide Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao initiative because of the skewed sex ratio in the state.
It has one of the lowest Child Sex Ratio in country which stands at 879 girls per 1,000 boys as against the national child sex ratio of 918 girls per 1000 boys.

Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao (BBBP)campaign

It aims to spread awareness about the declining trend of Child Sex Ratio in the country.
Objective: To prevent gender biased sex selective elimination by strict enforcement of laws with stringent punishment to violators.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD), is the nodal agency for the implementation of the scheme. While, Centre has provided initial corpus of 100 crore rupees for it.
It will be implemented in 100 districts of the country, including 12 districts of Haryana.
In this regard, union government will try to ensure access and availability of essential requirements related to nutrition, health-care, education, protection and elimination of discrimination of girl child.
This scheme will also generate awareness and improve the efficiency of delivery of welfare services meant for women.

Kerala’s Periyar tiger reserve wins NTCA biennial award

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January 22, 2015No comments

Periyar Tiger Reserve located in Kerala has won the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) biennial award for encouraging local public participation in managing the reserve.
Public participation in managing the Periyar Tiger Reserve

India Eco-Development project (IEDP): People’s participation started in the reserve in December 1996 by establishing India Eco-Development project (IEDP). It was a community-based eco-tourism initiative, which promoted tourism activities which helped visitors. It also promoted pepper growing in this region and marketing it.
Periyar Foundation: Later in 2006, reserve set up the Periyar Foundation which was a model for other reserves in biodiversity conservation and community participation in managing natural resources. It involved 75 communities living around the reserve, including tribal people.
There are around 19 different eco-tourism programmes apart from village eco-development programmes for public participation in managing the reserve.

Yemen government resigns under pressure from Shia Houthi rebels

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January 23, 2015No comments

President Mansour Hadi of Yemen along with Prime Minister Khaled Bahah and his cabinet have resigned.
Yemen government’s resignation comes after the President agreed to the demands of Shia Houthi rebels, who had stormed his palace and private home in Sana’a (Capital of Yemen) earlier.
However parliament speaker Yahia al-Rai refused to accept the President’s resignation.

Who are Shia Houthi rebels of Yemen?

This rebel group takes its name from Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, their former commander, who was killed by Yemeni army forces in September 2004.
They adhere to a branch of Shia Islam known as Zaidism (a sect of Islam exclusively present in Yemen).
These rebels are members of a group also known as Ansar Allah (Partisans of God). They are fighting to win greater autonomy for their heartland of Saada province, and also to protect Zaidi religious and cultural traditions from perceived encroachment by Sunni Islamists.
It should be noted that Zaidis make up one-third of the population of Yemen. They had ruled North Yemen under a system known as the imamate for almost 1,000 years which came to end in 1962.
After death of Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, his successors had led five uprisings. But in 2010, ceasefire was signed between Yemeni government and Houthi rebels.
But current crisis began after President Hadi had declared that Yemen will be federation of six regions by drafting constitution in February 2014.
Houthi rebels have rejected this draft constitution creating federation of six regions in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz passes away

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January 23, 2015No comments

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has passed away. He was 93-year old patriarch.
Abdullah’s brother Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is his successor and new King of Saudi Arabia. Salman in turn, has named his half-brother Muqrin as the new crown prince and his heir.
Earlier, king Salman was the Crown Prince and defence minister since 2012. He was also the Governor of Riyadh province for five decades before that.
About Abdullah bin Abdulaziz

Believed born in Riyadh in August 1924 (although actual date is disputed).
In 1962, he was appointed commander of the Saudi National Guard.
In 1982, he became crown prince and first deputy prime minister when King Fahd succeeded King Khalid.
In August 2005, he succeeded to the throne following the death of then King Fahd. He had handled the affairs of the country for a decade, before when his predecessor King Fahd suffered a debilitating stroke.
He played important role in introducing the cautious changes ultraconservative Muslim kingdom by bringing significant reforms in the country. These include increased women’s rights and economic deregulation.
Under his leadership Saudi Kingdom joined hand with its powerful ally U.S. to fight against al-Qaida.
King Abdullah had been the guiding force behind Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as the Head of world’s largest crude oil producer and exporter.

Supreme Court bars N Srinivasan from contesting BCCI elections

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January 22, 2015No comments

Supreme Court (SC) has barred Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President-in-exile N Srinivasan, from contesting any BCCI election on grounds of conflict of interest.
This judgment was given by two-member SC bench of Justices T S Thakur and F M I Khalifulla.
SC judgment in case BCCI elections

It struck down the Amendment in the BCCI rules that allowed Srinivasan to own IPL team. It mentioned the Amendment is bad as conflict of interest in cricket leads to great confusion.
No one who has commercial interest including N Srinivasan shall be eligible for any post in the BCCI and so he is disqualified on the ground of commercial interest.
The Bench directed BCCI to hold fresh elections of office bearers within six weeks.

The SC bench also held that charges against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team official Gurunath Meiyappan (son in law of Srinivasan) and Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra stands proved in the 2013 IPL betting scam. However, charges against Srinivasan were not proved.
Along with judgment, SC also set up a judges committee under a former Chief Justice of India to decide on the punishment in the 2013 IPL betting scam.

US scientist makes safe GMO

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January 23, 2015No comments

US scientists have taken the first step towards making safe genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) by using synthetic biology so they cannot spread in the wild.
Using synthetic biology, scientists have re-written the genetic code of bacteria by using synthetic chemicals to grow them. In this case, scientists have engineered organisms so that they require synthetic amino acids for survival or for life.
Key characteristic of these GM bacteria is that they die if escaped into nature as they fed synthetic amino acids for survival.
Implication of this research

Currently, genetically engineered micro-organisms are used in Europe, the US and China to produce drugs or fuels under contained industrial conditions.
With this GMOs scientist can build safety measures so that their spread could be controlled and can be used in the outside world.

Now the future challenge is to re-engineer the code of other lifeforms.

Vodafone appoints Sunil Sood as India CEO

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January 23, 2015No comments

Vodafone has appointed Sunil Sood as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for its India operations. He will be first Indian CEO of Vodafone.
He will replace Martin Pieters will step down on 1 April 2015. Presently, he is Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company
Martin Pieters was the longest serving CEO of a telecom firm in the country and was CEO since 2009.
Under Pieters’ leadership, Vodafone India had doubled its revenues and added more than 100 million customers. He also played important role in increasing market share of Vodafone India and launched data services which is used by more than 57 million customers.
About Sunil Sood

He had graduated with a B Tech from IIT Delhi and PGDM from IIM Kolkata. He is also a graduate of Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.
In 2000, he had joined Vodafone India’s predecessor business, Hutch and has held roles leading the company’s operations in Gujarat, Kolkata and Chennai.
He had previously worked for Pepsi in a range of Indian and international leadership roles.

Telugu comedian and director M.S.Narayana passes away

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January 23, 2015No comments

Popular Telugu comedian and director Mylavarapu Surya Narayana has passed away in Hyderabad, Telangana. He was 63.
He is noted for his comic timing and facial expressions with witty dialogues in Telugu Cinema.
About Mylavarapu Surya Narayana

He was born on 16 April, 1951 in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.
He is popularly known as M.S.Narayana and had acted in over 700 Telugu movies.
He had started his career as a teacher and later graduated into acting.
He had won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor- Telugu film Dookudu. He also had won Andhra Pradesh State Nandi Award for Best Male Comedian five times for the films Maa Nanna ki Pelli, Ramsakkanodu, Sardukupodam Randi,Shivamani and Dookudu.
S. Narayana had made his debut as director in the film Koduku with his son Vikram in 2007.

Jhumpa Lahiri wins DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2015 Share on email Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on print Share on google January 23, 2015No comments Jhumpa Lahiri Indian American Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri has won prestigious DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2015. Fifth edition of this prize was announced at the Jaipur Literature Festival. She has received the prestigious $50,000 DSC Prize for her book The Lowland. Her book was chosen by 5 judges from 75 books. The Lowland is a tale of two Indian brothers during time of 1950’s in Calcutta. It depicts story of both brothers one who get involved in the Naxalite movement in the late 1960s and the other leaves for the United States. Jhumpa Lahiri Her original name is Nilanjana Sudeshna. Works- Her debut short story collection Interpreter of Maladies (1999) has won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Her first novel was Namesake (2003) was adapted in a movie with the same name which was directed by Mira Nair. Suresh Kalpenn acted in this movie. The Lowland (2013). Currently, she is a member of US President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities. DSC Prize for South Asian Literature It is awarded annually to writers of any ethnicity or nationality writing about South Asia such as culture, politics, history, or people. It was instituted in 2011. It is funded by infrastructure company the DSC Group. Other recipients are: Pakistani author H.M. Naqvi (Homeboy)- 2011, Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka (Chinaman)-2012, Jeet Thayil(Narcopolis) 2013 and Cyrus Mistry (Chronicle of a Corpse Bearer)-2014.

Read more at: http://currentaffairs.gktoday.in/month/current-affairs-january-2015/page/22

Saraswathi Menon named on Panel to Review UN Peace-Building Architecture Share on email Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on print Share on google January 24, 2015No comments Saraswathi Menon Saraswathi Menon, an eminent Indian academician has been named on advisory panel to Review UN Peace-Building Architecture. She is among seven experts nominated by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to conduct a policy and institutional review on UN’s peace-building architecture and make recommendations. The other 6 experts are: Anis Bajwa (Pakistan), Funmi Olonisakin (Nigeria), Sahel Sahara Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah (Mauritania), Charles Petrie (France), Gert Rosenthal (Guatemala) and Edith Grace Ssempala (Uganda). 7 expert’s advisory group function: It will undertake studies in countries like Burundi, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Timor-Leste in order to conduct a policy and institutional review of the UN peace-building architecture. It will also develop findings and recommendations based on this work. The group will submit a report to the General Assembly and the Security Council for further consideration through an inter-governmental process. Background Earlier in December 2014, the Presidents of the UN General Assembly and the Security Council had asked the Secretary-General to nominate up to seven experts to form an Advisory Group on the review of the peace-building architecture. About Saraswathi Menon She is former Director of the Policy Division in UN-Women and has extensive experience as a researcher and academician as well as in the UN system. Earlier she was Director of UN Development Programme’s (UNDP) Evaluation Office. Her UN career includes experience in both policy and programme areas. She has served in UNDP as Resident Coordinator, Deputy Resident Representative in various countries. Before joining the UNDP, she was lecturer in sociology at the Madras University, Tamil Nadu. Ban Ki-moonSaraswathi MenonUN Development ProgrammeUN Peace-Building Architecture SBI signs 100 mn euro loan pact with EIB Share on email Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on print Share on google January 23, 2015No comments sbi India’s largest bank State Bank of India (SBI), has signed a loan agreement for 100 million euro (about Rs 700 crore) with European Investment Bank (EIB). This agreement was facilitated by SBI Capital Markets, a subsidiary of SBI. It is the third tranche of a total sanctioned loan of 200 million euro by EIB to SBI for lending it to private businesses in the country. SBI will utilize this loan to support the development of private sector in country in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It will be also utilized social and economic infrastructure as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation. Earlier on 25 June and 28 November 2014, first tranche of Euro 55 and second tranche of Euro 45 million was signed between both banks. European Investment Bank (EIB)SBI Capital MarketsState Bank of India (SBI) India, US inks pact to cooperate in ICTE to facilitate Digital India programme Share on email Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on print Share on google January 23, 20151 Comment India-US India and United States have agreed to cooperate in the field of Information and Communications Technology and Electronics (ICTE) to facilitate Union government’s ambitious Digital India programme(DIP). In this regard, Joint Declaration of Intent for cooperation was signed by Secretary in the Department of Electronics and IT- RS Sharma and US Ambassador to India- Richard Rahul Verma. Key highlights of Joint Declaration It will facilitate Union government’s flagship DIP, including electronic manufacturing and cyber security and several other such related fields between the two countries. Within period of next five years, it will help in strengthening industrial, technological, research and innovation and economic cooperation between India and the US. Under the umbrella of the ongoing India-US ICT Dialogue, it will also provide platform to US companies for exploring opportunities to collaborate in DIP, electronics manufacturing and human resource development

Read more at: http://currentaffairs.gktoday.in/month/current-affairs-january-2015/page/21

Tuesday, 24 February 2015

Friday, 2 January 2015

Key Facts about National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog

Composition

Facts about Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958

About Pingali Venkayya

Key facts about ICICI Bank’s Digital Village Project

Other Appointments of NITI Aayog

Key facts of International Hindi Conference 2015

About Padma Bhushan award

About Pingali Venkayya

About Coal India Limited (CIL)

Key facts about India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project

Neutrino

UN Department of Field Support (DFS)

About Atul Khare

Key facts about Dandi Kutir museum

Key facts about Dandi Kutir museum

What is Governor Rule in Jammu & Kashmir?

Recipients of awards are

About Pravasi Bharatiya Samman

Some facts about Vistara airline

About Yu Min

About State Preeminent Science and Technology Award of China

Background of World Hindi Day

Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary

About Vibrant Gujarat Summit

About Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY)

Facts about National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN)

FIFA Ballon d’Or Award

Vyas Samman

Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT)

Leela Samson

What does it means?

Why Maulana Fazlullah is designated as global terrorist?

Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT)

Leela Samson

J&K’s e-Panchayat project

National e-Governance award

Sydney International Tennis Tournament

Key facts about Polio