Last Six Months Current Affairs
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INTERNATIONAL
Palestinian Authority to be Named „State of Palestine‟
On 7 January Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas ‖has signed a decree changing‖ the name of the Palestinian Authority to the ― State of Palestine, " according to the organization‘s official news agency.
Pakistani Supreme Court Orders Arrest of Prime Minister On 15 January 2013 Pakistan‘s Supreme Court ordered the arrest of the prime minister in connection with a corruption case linked to power projects. The Supreme Court gave authorities 24 hours to arrest Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and 16 others.This is the first in the history of Pakistan to arrest a Prime Minister. The orders of the Court came following the allegations in connection with a corruption case linked to power projects, done during his office of the Water and Power Minister.
Obama Signed 23 Executive Orders on Gun Safety
On 16 January President Barack Obama announced 23 executive actions on gun control laws, making them stricter,which would come into effect immediately after his signatures. One of these measures include requiring the target shooters to keep their guns locked and also to ban military-style assault weapons, high capacity magazine as well as to make the background check mandatory.Obama announced that this was his attempt to keep children safe, keeping in view the massacre of Newtown where 20 first grade children along with six adults were killed.
140 Nations Agreed On Global Mercury Limits
On 19 January , More than 140 nations have agreed on the first legally binding treaty to curb mercury pollution.Delegates at UN discussed in Geneva approved measures to control the use of the highly toxic metal, which is
widely used in chemical production and small-scale mining, in order to limit mercury emissions.The governments agreed to ban the production, export and import of a range of products containing mercury by 2020.The treaty has been discussed for four years, but it is only now that the negotiators agreed over the final version of the document. The treaty, known as the Minamata Convention on Mercury, provides controls and reductions across a range of products and processes where mercury is used, released and emitted.
Milos Zeman Elected as Czech Republic new President
On 25 January A leftist candidate Milos Zeman won the Czech Republic‘s first presidential election decided by direct vote.Milos Zeman, a former prime minister and head of the Citizens‘ Rights Party, won with 54.8% of the vote.He defeated Karel Schwarzenberg, an aristocratic foreign minister with the TOP09 party, who garnered 45.2%.Zeman replaces Vaclav Klaus, who must step down after serving the maximum of two terms.
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INDIA & WORLD
India – Pakistan Exchanged Nuclear Unit‟s Lists
On 1 January India and Pakistan exchanged their nuclear units‘ lists , as it is customary since 20 years. The list which contains the names of nuclear units of two countries, are exchanged between India and Pakistan as a custom and part of an agreement which prevents them from aiming the nuclear installations of each others‘ nations.
Thousands of illegal Indian Migrants in UK
According to a 2012 UK Home Office report, India has been named along with Pakistan, China, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Brazil and Iran as the main sources of illegal immigration to Britain.What the report does not mention is how many of the 863,000 illegal migrants that it says are living in the UK are students. This is a contentious area because critics of the coalition government claim it is counting students among overall immigrants.
World Economic Forum‟s Global Risks Report
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) report , India ranks lowest among the world‘s major economies for its preparedness to tackle global environmental risks and second-lowest for economic risks. Switzerland is best placed among the world‘s 10 major economies for adapting to or recovering
from global economic and environmental risks.While India is ranked 9th in terms of its ability to tackle global economic risks, it comes last at 10th position for environmental risks.However, India fared relatively better at 6th position in terms of the government‘s risk management effectiveness.The US and China were ranked fourth and fifth respectively.
Indians Top the List of Working in Dream Jobs
According to survey conducted by networking website LinkedIn,Indians have emerged at the top of the list of people working in their dream job.The dream job league table:1. India – 44 percent 2. Indonesia – 42 percent 3. United Arab Emirates – 35.7 percent 4. Germany – 33 percent 5. Brazil – 32 percent 6.
Austria – 31 percent 7. Switzerland – 30 percent 8. USA – 29 percent 9. France, Canada, Sweden, South Africa – 28 percent 13. Singapore, Hong Kong – 27 percent 15. Australia – 26 percent 16. New Zealand – 25 percent 17. UK – 21 percent
India – Vietnam Signed on Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
On 15 January India and Vietnam signed an MoU aimed at building capacity for developing institutional framework and identifying thrust areas and opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises in this country.The MoU was signed here between the Ministry of Planning and Investments of Vietnam and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) of India .
India and Sri Lanka signed Anti-terror, Tax evasion Agreements
On 22nd January India and Sri Lanka signed two separate agreements on combating international‖ terrorism and avoidance of double taxation, eyeing elevation of ―robust bilateral ties to building of a special economic partnership.The two key accords were signed after the 8th India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission meeting held at New Delhi , both countries discussed enhanced cooperation in a range of areas including civil nuclear energy.At the meeting, the Indian side was led by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid while the Lankans were led by his counterpart G.L. Peiris.During the meet, both the parties also decided setting up of the Special Economic Zone at Trincomali and a textile and pharmaceutical cluster in Sri Lanka.
International Tea Producers Forum formed
On 22 January India, along with five other tea producing countries, has formed the International Tea Producers Forum (ITPF) at Colombo.Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry D Purandesari signed the joint communique on behalf of India along with representatives of Kenya, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Rwanda and Malawi in Colombo.The ITPF will initially be an independent body but in future may get affiliated to Food & Agriculture Organisation of United Nations.
India , Bangladesh Signed Extradition and Visa Agreements
On 28 January Bangladesh and India signed an extradition treaty and struck a deal to relax business visa restrictions between the neighbouring countries. However, refusal provisions were incorporated into the extradition treaty.Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde signed the agreement with his Bangladeshi counterpart Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir at the end of their bilateral talks.
India Dropped to 140th Rank in Press Freedom
According to the report Reporters Without Borders India has dropped nine places to the 140th rank in the list of 179 countries in the latest World Press Freedom Index.China (173rd, +1) shows no sign of improving. Its prisons still hold many journalists and netizens, while increasingly unpopular Internet censorship continues to be a major obstacle to access information.As last year, the list is topped by three European countries – Finland, Netherlands and Norway.Turkmenistan, North Korea and Eritrea continue to be at the bottom of the list as has been in the last three years.
NATIONAL
Govt Launched Direct Cash Transfer Scheme in 20 Districts
On 1 January 2013 The government launched its scaled down Cash Transfer Benefit (CBT) in 20 districts,but food, fertiliser and fuel subsidies will not be covered in the initial phase. All 26 schemes are ready for rollout. On 1 January 2013 the seven schemes in which payout is due in the (20 selected) districts, the money will be transferred through the direct benefit transfer system using the UIDAI platform.The scheme is going to be rolled out in 43 districts by 1 March 2013, 20 districts from January 1, 11 districts from February 1 and 12
districts from March 1. By end of 2013, the direct cash benefit transfer will be rolled out in all the districts of the country.
PA Sangma launched National People‟s Party
PA Sangma, who broke away with the NCP in 2012 to contest the presidential elections, though unsuccessfully, on 05 January 2013 launched National People‘s Party (NPP), and chosen a book as its symbol. Sangma has chosen to align his party with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
President Released Stamps on Swami Vivekananda
On 12 January The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee released the Commemorative Postage Stamps, at the Commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, in New Delhi .
Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2012
On 17 January According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2012 report has found that learning levels have dipped to an all-time low. So, almost half the 6-7 year-olds (Class I) in India cannot read even one letter in any language, over 57% cannot read any English while almost 40% cannot recognize numbers between 1 and 9.The 12.8% children between Class I and V could not read a single letter while 10.7% could not recognize numbers 1 to 9. The number of children in Class V who could read Class II text fell from 53.7% in 2010 to 46.8% in 2012. In 2010, seven out of 10 children could solve a two-digit subtraction problem with borrowing. This has come down to five out of 10 in 2012.
STATES
On 2 January The Odisha government launched the much-sought after ‖ Public Service Delivery System for citizens under the Odisha Right to Public Service
Odisha Launched „ Public Service Delivery System „
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Act, 2012.Under the new act, people will get services like issue of driving license, birth and death certificates, passport and trade license within a stipulated time.Odisha is among the 12th state to implement the law.
Haryana Government announced Kanyadan Scheme for Bride participants of Mass Marriages
The Government of Haryana on 3 January 2012 announced its plan of launching a Kanyadan Scheme in the state for brides participating in the mass marriage ceremony, which would be organised by any of the registered NGO or the Red Cross Society. The scheme would carry an incentive amount of 11000 rupees and would come into effect from 1 April 2012. The incentive amount of 11000 rupees would be given to brides from all castes, creeds, race, religion and the income category to which the girl belongs.
Arunachal Pradesh Collaborated with NSDL for Adoption of National Pension Scheme
On 9 January The state of Arunachal Pradesh entered into an agreement with signing of MoU with National Securities Depository Ltd (NSDL), permitting it to work as a Central Record Keeping Agency (CRA) for adoption of the National Pension System (NPS).National Pension Scheme NPS is an initiative of the Union Government of India and Arunachal Pradesh is the 26th State to adopt it.
Gujarat Tops List of Indian States on Economic Freedom Policy
According to the Economic Freedom of States in India report which was released by former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor and present Rajya Sabha Member Bimal Jalan.The top state in India in (terms of) economic freedom in 2011 was western Indian state Gujarat. It displaced southern Indian state Tamil Nadu which had been at the top in 2009.Gujarat freedom index has been rising fast and estimated at 0.64 points. The biggest improvement has been registered by Madhya Pradesh with freedom index score rose from 0.42 in 2009 to 0.56 in 2011 enabling it to move up from sixth to third position.
Assembly polls in Tripura,Meghalaya and Nagaland on Febrauary
Assembly elections in Tripura will be held on February 14 and in Meghalaya and Nagaland on February 23 and their results will be out on February 28, the Election Commission announced on 10 January 2013.The EC also announced byelections to nine assembly constituencies in Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Punjab on February 23 and in Assam, Bihar and Maharashtra on February 24, but their results will be out together on February 28.
President‟s Rule Imposed on Jharkhand
On 18 January Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India imposed President‘s Rule in Jharkhand under Article 356(1) of the Constitution.The President‘s
Rule for the third time since its formation 12 years ago.The decision came as a follow up of the recommendation made by the Union Cabinet of India and fall of the state machinery in form of Government on 8 January after the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha the supporting party to BJP led Coalition Government withdrew its support from it. The state was placed under President‘s Rule in 2009 and 2010.
Three New High Courts for North East
The Centre has constituted three new High Courts in the northeast Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura taking the total number of High Courts in the country from 21 to 24.According to Law Ministry sources, the strength of judges in each High Court will be as follows: Tripura 4 (including the Chief Justice), and Meghalaya and Manipur: three each (including the Chief Justice).
CONFERENCES
100th Indian Science Congress held in Kolkata
The 100th Indian Science Congress was held from 3 to 7 January in Kolkata
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(West Bengal) .The theme of the session is | Science for Shaping the Future of | |||
India .The session was inaugurated by | Pranab Mukherjee the President of | |||
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India .In the session Prime Minister Manmohan Singh released The Science, Technology and Innovation Policy(STI) 2013 ‘ .On 4 January Former President Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam inaugurated a Children Science Congress as part of the 100th Indian Science Congress .The 100th Indian Science Congress (ISC 2013) is also organized a special programme‖ ― Women empowerment for the development of the country to showcase the contribution of women in science and technology.This is the 13th time the Indian Science Congress is being hosted by Kolkata
11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas held in Kochi
11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) was held from 7- 9 January at Kochi (Kerala).Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag was the chief guest of this official inaugural session.2000 delegates from 40 countries attended the convention.The theme for this year‘s‖ Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is ―Engaging
Diaspora – the Indian Growth Story .On 7th January in the event they
discussed on problems that people from Kerala face in the region.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurated the annual flagship event and released the postage stamp on Ghadar Movement on 8 January and President Pranab Mukherjee will delivered the valedictory address on January 9 and also presented the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards.Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on January 9 every year to mark the contribution of overseas Indian community in the development of India.The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the first of its kind involving the Indian Diaspora, was held in 2003 at New Delhi.
Fourth Meeting of ASEAN and India Tourism Ministers held in Vientiane
The Fourth meeting of ASEAN and India Tourism Minister (4th M-ATM+ India) was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR from 21 to January in conjunction with the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2013 (ATF2013).The Meeting was jointly co-chaired by H.E. Prof. Dr. Bosengkham Vongdara, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lao PDR, and H.E. Dr. K. Chiranjeevi, Minister for Tourism, Government of India.In the meeting Both the Ministers have signed the Protocol to amend the Memorandum of Understanding between ASEAN and India on Strengthening Tourism Cooperation.
World Economic Forum Summit Held in Davos
The 43rd World Economic Forum Annual Meeting held from 23 – 27 January at Davos-Klosters in Switzerland.The annual forum, which has been running for over 40 years, provides a platform for decision-makers in politics, non-governmental organisations and businesses to gather and to exchange views on the world‘s most pressing problems.The World Economic Forum (WEF) unites international political leaders, business leaders and journalists from across the globe to discussed and shape global, regional and industrial agendas with regards to economics, health and the environment.The WEF was founded in 1971 as a non-profit organization by the German Klaus Schwab, a business professor at the University of Geneva.
AWARDS & HONOURS
Malala won ” 2012 Tipperary International Peace Award “
On 3 January Malala Yousafzai, the teenaged Pakistani school girl shot by a
Taliban gunman last year , has‖ been awarded the ‖ 2012 Tipperary
International Peace Award from Ireland for her courage and determination
to speak out in support of equal access to education for children.Malala is the second Pakistani to get the award. In 2007, it was given to late Benazir Bhutto.
Malala honored with the French ” Simone de Beauvoir ” Prize
On 9 January Malala Yousafzai (15), the schoolgirl from Pakistan shot by Taliban for campaigning girls‘ education, received France‘s Simone de Beauvoir Prize for Women‘s Freedom in Paris. Malala‘s father Ziaudin Yousafzai received the honour on her behalf. he award is accompanied with 2.5 million RupeTes honorarium.
Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2013
On 9 January Pranab Mukherjee President of India presented the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (Awards) 2013 to 14 people, included Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag, He was also the Chief Guest of 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2013. In accordance to Tradition, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (Awards) 2013 have been given to notable Indians living abroad. The other awardees are Prof Dr Gurusharan Singh Chhatwal of Germany for science, Dr Rasik Vihari Joshi (Mexico) for Literature, Gilbert Canabady Moutien (Reunion Island) and Mohammed Rabeeh Karuvanthodi (Saudi Arabia) for business, Patricia Maria Rozario(UK) for Music, Dr Narendra Ramakrishna Kumar (USA) for Healthcare, Subash Razdan (USA) and Islmail Ebrahim (South Afrcia) for Public service. Dr Satendra Kumar Singh (New Zealand), Australia India Society of Victoria (Australia) and Bava Pandalingal (UAE), Ashok Shambhomal Vaswani (Guinea), Indian Doctors Forum, Kuwait for community service, Tan Sri Ravindran Menon from Malaysia for Community service, are among others on the list of awardees.
Mamata Banerjee gets gift from PCB
Overwhelmed‘ by the hospitality at the Eden Gardens during India-Pakistan second ODI in Kolkata, the PCB sent the gift as a silver-coated Quran to the Cricket Association of Bengal who handed it over to the CM during a function at the Netaji Indoor in Kolkata on 10 January 2013.
Mahaveer Golechha Bags Award for Alzheimer‟s Drug On 17 January The London-based Indian researcher Mahaveer Golechha, was selected to be felicitated for an award that includes his work on a drug that can be a potential cure of Alzheimer‘s disease.In the study conducted by Golechha, he found discovered that naringin has essential anti-Alzheimer activity.
70th Golden Globe Awards – 2013
On January 13 The 70th Golden Globe Awards honored the best in film and television of 2012, was presented in California .
Best Film – : Argo
Best Actor – : Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln) Best Actress – : Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) Best Director - Ben Affleck (Argo)
Best Musical or Comedy -: Les Miserables Best Foreign Language Film – : Amour Best Animated Feature Film -: Brave
Krishi Karman Awards 2011- 2012
On 15 January President Pranab Mukherjee presented the Krishi Karman awards for the year 2011-12 at an award ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awards were presented to the State Governments for their excellent performance in increasing the production of food grains in their respective states.
Awards in Different Segments :-
The Awards for Special Contribution to Total Food Grains Production - Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Manipur and Nagaland - Award for Contribution to Production and Productivity of Rice – Bihar - Award for Contribution to Production and Productivity of Wheat - Haryana - Award for Contribution to Production and Productivity of Pulses - Jharkhand - Award for Contribution to Production and Productivity of Coarse Cereals – Uttar Pradesh
58th Filmfare Awards
The 58th Filmfare Awards were held honoring the best films of 2012 from the Hindi-language film industry (commonly known as Bollywood). The ceremony was held on January 20, 2013 at Mumbai.
Best Movie :- Barfi!
Best Actor :- Ranbir Kapoor (Film -Barfi!) Best Actress :- Vidya Balan (Film – Kahaani ) Best Director :- Sujoy Ghosh (Film – Kahaani )
Lifetime Achievement Award :- Yash Chopra (After Death)
Prof C N R Rao awarded by Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Chinese Academy of Sciences was awarded Prof C N R Rao, National Research Professor and Honorary President of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for
Scientific Cooperation Award 2012″. The award is designed to acknowledge outstanding scientists for their contribution to science and for promoting global networking of international science cooperation.
Padma Awards – 2013
President of India Approved the Conferment of 108 Padma Awards
On 25 January Pranab Mukherjee, the President of Union of India approved conferment of 108 Padma Awards. Four people have been conferred with Padma Vibhusan, twenty four are conferred with Padma Bhushan and 80 people would be receiving Padma Shree Awards. Out of all the awardees twenty-four are ladies and 11 people belong to categories like NRIs, PIOs, Foreigners and Posthumous awardees.
Padma Vibhushan
Raghunath Mohapatra, Art, Orissa
S Haider Raza, Art, Delhi Prof Yash Pal, Science and Engineering, Uttar Pradesh Prof Roddam Narasimha, Science and Engineering, Karnataka
Padma Bhushan
Sharmila Tagore, Art, Delhi
Dr (Smt) Saroja Vaidyanathan, Art, Delhi Late Rajesh Khanna, Art, Maharashtra
Late Jaspal Singh Bhatti, Art, Punjab Adi Burjor Godrej, Trade and Industry, Maharashtra Prof Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Literature & Education USA Rahul Dravid, Sports, Karnataka
H Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, Sports, Manipur
Padma Shri
Hosanagara Nagarajegowda Girisha, Sports, Karnataka , Subedar Major Vijay Kumar, Sports, Himachal Pradesh Yogeshwar Dutt, Sports, Haryana B Jayashree, Art, Karnataka Sridevi Kapoor, Art, Maharashtra Ramesh Gopaldas Sippy, Art, Maharashtra
359 Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced
On 26 January President Pranab Mukherjee has approved awards of 359 Gallantry and other Defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel and others on the eve of the 64th Republic Day Celebrations .This includes 01 Kirti Chakra, 11 Shaurya Chakra, 56 Sena Medal (Gallantry), 01 Bar to Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), 03 Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), 03 Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry), 28 Param Vishisht Seva Medal, 03 Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, 06 Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 44 Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 12 Yudh Seva Medal, 02 Bar to Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 37 Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 01 Bar to Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 07 Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 14 Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 04 Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal and 116 Vishisht Seva Medal..Major Abup J Manjali of the Rashtriya Rifles was selected for the award of Kirti Chakra for his extraordinary bravery efforts in counter- terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Taiwan Business Magnate Launched Tang Prize (Asian Noble Prize)
On 28 January Samuel Yin , A business magnate tycoon from Taiwan has launched the Tang Prize(Asian Noble prize) for outstanding achievements in natural and social sciences.He announced that he would establish Tang Prize Foundation which would have an initial donation of 103 million dollar.Tang Prize Foundation was decided that the prizes under the Tang Prize Foundation will be awarded every alternate year to the international leaders in sustainable development, biopharmaceutical science, the rule of law as well as the study of China.
SPORTS & GAMES
Kohli is CEAT ” International Cricketer of the Year “
On 4 January Vice-captain of Indian Cricket team Virat Kohli was named the International Cricketer of the Year while Pakistan cricket team was named as the Best International Cricket Team in the 2011-2012 season at the CEAT cricket awards in New Delhi. Unmukt Chand, who led India to the U-19 World Cup win last year, got the inaugural Indian Youngster of the Year award.The Former Pakistan cricket captain Zaheer Abbas received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Uttarakhand won 63rd National Basketball Championship
On 4 January Uttarakhand won 63rd National basketball championship men‘s title after defeated Punjab in the final at Ludhiana (Punjab).In the women‘s
Tipsarevic won Chennai Open Tennis Title
On 6 January Second-seeded Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia has won the ATP Chennai Open Title after defeated Roberto Bautista-Agut of Spain in the final at Chennai.Tipsarevic won the chennai open title for the first time in his career.
Nicol David won World Series Squash Title
On 6 January Nicol David won the World Series Squash Finals women‘s title after defeated England‘s Laura Massaro in the final at London.In the men‘s final, Egypt‘s Amr Shabana came from behind to beat England‘s Nick Matthew
.
Australia Won Test Against Sri Lanka
Australia secured a five-wicket won in the third and final Test match against Sri Lanka on 6 January at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) .
Brisbane International Tennis Winners – 2013 Womens Single‟s :
Serena Williams (USA) won the WTA Brisbane International womens single‘s title on 5 January with a straight sets demolition of Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Men‟s Singles : In the Men‘s singles Category Andy Murray from scotland won the title after defeated Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov .
Women‟s Doubles : Sania Mirza and her partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands won the women‘s doubles trophy by winning against Kveta Peschke and Anna-Lena Groenefeld Men‟s Doubles : Marcelo Melo – Tommy Robredo won the doubles title after defeated Eric Butorac – Paul Hanley .
Pakistan won the Three – Match Series
On 6 January Pakistan won the three-match series by 2-1 against India.With this win over Pakistan, India lost the three matches one day series .Nasir Jamshed of Paksitan was declared as the Player of the tournament.MS Dhoni was once again chosen as the Player of the match.
Lionel Messi, the man of the four Golden Balls
Lionel Messi became the first four-time winner of the FIFA Player of the Year award after shattering the world record with 91 goals last year(2012) for
Barcelona and Argentina.His 91 goals topped Gerd Mueller‘s mark of 85 for Bayern Munich and Germany in 1972.
Bangar quits first-class cricket
Former India player and Railways captain Sanjay Bangar announced his retirement from first-class cricket after guiding his team to a 122-run victory over Bengal in the final league game of the Ranji Trophy on 01 January 2013 in Kolkata.He played 165 first class matches amassing 8342 runs at an average of 33.35 and has 300 wickets to his credit.
National Table Tennis Championship Winners
On 11 January Soumyajit Ghosh became the youngest national champion after he defeated six-time winner Achanta Sharath Kamal in the summit clash of the 74th National Table Tennis Championship mens singles final at Raipur.Shamini Kumaresan won the womens singles title.Sourav Chakraborty and Ganeshan Sathiyan won the doubles title.In the Women doubles category K. Spoorthy and Nikhat Banu (AP) defeated Madhurika Patkar and Pooja Sahasrabudhe in the final and got the title.
Haryana girls retain U-20 hockey title
Haryana defeated Uttar Pradesh 1-0 to retain their under-20 women hockey national championship at the Gachibowli Stadium on 16 January 2013.
Kerala won 61st National Volleyball Championship Title
On 16 January Kerala defeated Tamilnadu to retain the men‘s title in the 61st Senior National Volleyball Championship at the Sawai Man Singh Indoor Stadium in Jaipur.In the women‘s section, Railways defeated Kerala and won the title in the final.
Malaysian Open Badminton Championship Winners
Men‟s Singles: Lee Chong Wei (Indonesia) won the Men‘s singles title after defeated Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the final at Kuala Lumpur on 20 January. Men‟s Doubles: Mohd Ahsan (Indonesia) -Hendra Setiawan (China) defeated Ko Sung-hyun-Lee Yong-dae (Malaysia) in the final.
Women‟s Singles: Tai Tzu-ying (Thailand) won the women‘s singles title after defeated Yao Xue (Korea)
Women‟s Doubles: In the event Bao Yixin-Tian Qing (China) won the title after defeated Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi (Japan)
Lalith Babu defeated Swapnil Dhopade in the final round to clinch the Chennai Super Kings International Grandmaster chess tournament that concluded at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai on 23 January 2013.Lalith Babu won Rs.200,000 and the trophy after becoming the first Indian player to claim the Chennai Open
Australian Open Tennis Tournament – 2013 Winners
Womens Single‟s :- Victoria Azarenka of Belarus won the Women‘s Singles title of the Australian Open Tennis tournament after defeated Li Na of China in the final at Melbourne on 26 January .
Men‟s Singles:- Novak Djokovic (Serbia) has won the men‘s singles title after defeating Andy Murray (Britain) in four sets. This is Djokovic‘s fourth Australian Open and over all six Grand Slam single title.
Women‟s Doubles:- Top seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci won the title, defeating wild cards Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua in the final.
Men‟s Doubles : Top seeded American brothers Bob and Mike Bryan won the men‘s doubles title. Americans Mike and Bob Bryan won their record 13th Grand Slam doubles title, defeating the Dutch team of Robin Haase and Igor Sijsling .
Magnus Carlsen Won Tata Steel Chess Championship
Magnus Carlsen won Tata Steel 2013 Chess tournament title in the final at Netherlands on 27 January .In the final round tournament, he scored 10 points , winning clear first ahead of second-place finisher Aronian (Armenia).World champion Viswanathan Anand at third position.
Mumbai won 40th Ranji Trophy Title
On 29 January Mumbai won its 40th Ranji Trophy title against Saurashtra by an inning and 125 runs in the final at Wankhede at Mumbai .Wasim Jaffar was declared Man of the Match. Ajit Agarkar was the captain of the winning team.
ECONOMY
Philippines introduced „sin tax‟
A ―sin tax‖ on cigarettes and alcohol was introduced in the Philippines on 01 January 2013, as part of a government bid to boost finances.Many stores started selling tobacco and drink at inflated prices before midnight , ahead of the official implementation of the tax hikes on January 01, hitting partygoers in the pocket.Tax on cigarettes will gradually be raised to 30 pesos ($0.72) per pack by 2017, roughly doubling the current price to around 52 pesos.Duty on alcohol will also increase gradually until 2017, increasing the price of a bottle of beer by 23.50 pesos, with varying levels for other drinks including wine and spirits.
LIC Launched New Jeewan Nidhi & Flexi Plus Policies
The Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India launched two new Insurence policies New Jeevan Nidhi, a pension scheme, and Flexi Plus on 3 January .New Jeewan Nidhi provides the facility of insurance coverage of full amount while the insured person keeps depositing premiums.The Flexi policy is a unit linked insurance product. The plan not only provides a lump sum benefit on death but also maturity benefit irrespective of survival of the policy holder
Mukesh Ambani 18th richest man in world
Indian business magnate Mukesh Ambani is the 18th richest person in the world with a personal wealth of $24.7 billion in 2012, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a daily ranking of the world‘s 100 wealthiest individuals. Mexican telecommunications magnate Carlos Slim remained the world‘s richest person last year holding a personal fortune of more than $70 billion.Microsoft founder Bill Gates and the founder of fashion retailer Zara, Amancio Ortega, got a second and third places respectively.
Indian Companies Top Globally in R&D Investment
According to the European Commission report Indian companies have come on the top globally when it comes to growth in their research and development (R&D) investments, leaving their counterparts in the US and Europe far behind.Indian firms rank far below when it comes to absolute R&D investments made by them and the top-ranked company from the country.These are the only 14 Indian companies present in a list of top-1500 entities worldwide in terms of their annual R&D investments.The top-ranked Indian company is Infosys at 329th place and Japanese company Toyota Motor appears at the top of the ranking in the 2012 Scoreboard.
IMF forecasted Indian Economic Growth Rate to be 5.9 percent in 2013
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 23 January 2013 pegged India‘s economic growth rate in 2013 at 5.9 per cent and projected a higher growth of 6.4 per cent next year in line with the gradual strengthening of global expansion.
World Bank‟s “Global Economic Prospects 2013″ Report
According to the World Bank ―Global Economic Prospects 2013″ report , India‘s growth is expected to inch closer to that of China in near future, in which the economies of developing countries like India, China and Brazil are projected to be recovering and higher growth rate.The World Bank expects that by 2015, the growth rate of China would be 7.9% and that of India 7%.While the growth of the world economy growth is projected to inch up from 2.3% in 2012 to 2.4% in 2013, with the high-income countries remaining at the same level of growth of 1.3% in both 2012 and 2013, it is the emerging markets like India, China and Brazil that would show significant signs of recovery.They are expecting a recovery in India from 5.1% growth in 2012 to 6.1% growth in 2013.
India 119th on Economic Freedom Index
According to the Heritage Foundation‘ 2013 Index of Economic Freedom survey report , India has been ranked as the 119th freest country in the world and India‘s economic freedom score stood at 55.2, as its institutional shortcomings continue to undermine the foundations for long-term economic development.The top ten countries in the list include Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Switzarland, canada, Chili, Mauritius, Denmark and US.
India second in steel production globally
India is second only to China in terms of steel production. In the last 5 years India‘s production grew by 33 percent, thus making it behind China among the top 5 steel producing nation. World Steel Association (WSA) data has revealed that China‘s production grew by 39 per cent during 2008-2012, India‘s by 33 percent and India‘s production grew constantly in the last five years from 57.8 MT in 2008 to 63.5 MT in 2009, 69 MT in 2010, 73.6 MT in 2011 and 76.7 MT in 2012
RBI cuts CRR, Repo Rates
On 29 January The Reserve Bank of India slashed its key interest rates by 0.25 per cent and released 18000 crore rupees additional liquidity into the system
to perk up growth through reduced cost of borrowing. RBI in its third quarter monetary policy review surprised the market by cutting short-term lending rate called repo, by 0.25 per cent to 7.75 per cent and Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by similar margin to 4 per cent.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
US approved First new Tuberculosis Drug
On 1 January The US Food and Drug administration approved a Johnson & Johnson tuberculosis drug in 40 years .This is the first new medicine to fight the deadly infection in more than four decades.The disease is rare in the US, but kills about 1.4 million people a year worldwide.
Spiral galaxy IC 2233
Astronomers had captured one of the flattest galaxies known in the universe, sitting like a silver needle in the haystack of space. The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope produced a beautiful image of the spiral galaxy IC 2233, one of the flattest galaxies. The IC 2233 is located about 40 million light-years away from Earth. This galaxy was earlier discovered by British astronomer Isaac Roberts in 1894.
“Immune system „booster‟ may hit cancer”
Japanese research where stem cells were used to clone and produce large numbers of a specialized type of white blood cell. These cells, known as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), are produced by the immune system and are able to recognize specific markers on the surface of various tumour cells, causing them to launch an attack to kill the tumour‖ cells.The researchers are succeeded in using stem cells to ―mass-produce CTLs in laboratory conditions.
Chinese Biologists Discovered Antibiotic In Panda Blood
Chinese biologists have discovered ‖that the blood of the‖ endangered giant panda includes a compound called Cathelicidin-AM which acts as a natural antibiotic. The nature of the blood compound makes it an attractive treatment
for so-called superbugs, those strains of disease that have become immune or resistant to traditional antibiotics.
India to make world‟s largest solar telescope
India is likely to begin construction of the world‘s largest solar telescope on the foothills of the Himalayas in Ladakh to understand the fundamental processes taking place on the Sun by year-end.A 2-metre class, state-of-the-art National Large Solar Telescope (NLST), built by Bangalore-based Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), will permit Indian scientists to carry out cutting edge research aimed to study Sun‘s atmosphere.
Internet emits 830 mt of carbon dioxide annually
According to Researchers from the Centre for Energy-Efficient Telecommunications (CEET) and Bell Labs, Internet and other components of information communication and technology (ICT) industry annually produces more than 830 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main greenhouse gas, and is expected to double by 2020
„Lakshya‟ Missile Successfully Tested
India‘s indigenously developed, Lakshya‘ was sucessfully tested on 7 January
.It was launched from the Integrated Test Range – ITR, at Odisha .25 meters in length, 100 km away from the target to the missile .
17 billion‟ Earth-sized planets in Milky Way
The Milky Way contains at least 17 billion planets the size of Earth.Astronomers using NASA‘s Kepler spacecraft found that about 17 percent of stars in our galaxy have a planet about the size of Earth in a close orbit.The Milky Way is known to host about 100 billion stars, meaning that about one of every six has an Earth-sized planet around it.
Brahmos cruise missile test fired in successfully
Supersonic cruise missile BrahMos scored once again in its 34th launch on 09 January 2013 off Visakhapatnam in the Bay of Bengal, hitting a decommissioned vessel with accuracy.As it took off vertically from a naval warship, reached an altitude of 14 km, levelled out and started cruising at ‖ three times the speed of sound, it performed ―a double manoeuvre in S-form and hit the decommissioned ship, about 290 km away.
Astronomers Found ” NGC 6872 ” Largest known Spiral Galaxy
A team of astronomers from the United States, Chile and Brazil has crowned it the largest-known spiral galaxy, a spectacular behemoth five times bigger than our own Milky Way, based on archival data from NASA‘s Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) mission.The title-holder is now NGC 6872, a barred spiral found 212 million light-years away in the southern constellation Pavo. The distance between NGC 6872′s two huge spiral arms is 522,000 light-years, compared to about 100,000 light-years for the Milky Way.
Indian Scientists Discovered Molecule for Cancer Treatment
A team of Indian researchers, led by Dr Sathees C Raghavan of the Indian Institute of Science at Bangalore, have identified a molecule which they claim will revolutionise ‖the cure for cancer.The molecule has been named after ―Sathees as SCR7 and a detailed account‖ of it has been carried in the international scientific journal ―Cell ".Scientists world over believe that the double strand break (DSB) of DNA is one of the most lethal form of DNA damage, resulting in drastic consequences such as genome instability, and cancer.
“Largest Space structure in the Universe:
Large Quasar Group
An international team lead by astronomer Roger Clowes of the University of Central Lancashire in England discovered the largest known structure in the universe, a clump of active galactic cores that stretches 4 billion light-years from end to end.This is the largest Space structure in‖ the Universe.This structure is known as a ―Large Quasar Group(LQG) .
Indian Scientists Discovered Molecule for Cancer Treatment
A team of Indian researchers, led by Dr Sathees C Raghavan of the Indian Institute of Science at Bangalore, have identified a molecule which they claim will revolutionise ‖the cure for cancer.The molecule has been named after ―Sathees as SCR7 and a detailed account‖ of it has been carried in the international scientific journal ―Cell ".Scientists world over believe that the double strand break (DSB) of DNA is one of the most lethal form of DNA damage, resulting in drastic consequences such as genome instability, and cancer.
On 13 January Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) launched the world‘s first clean energy atlas at IRENA‘S General Assembly , currently offers open-access information on solar and wind power throughout the world and the creators plan to expand to other renewable energy resources over the next two years.The atlas includes information on clean energy resources in 37 countries, including those which have no diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates.The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is working in partnership with the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) to build a qualitative and quantitative data framework for renewable energy in developing countries.
Ancient River Found on Mars
On 17 January The European Space Agency scientists have revealed a 1500 km long and 7 kilometre wide river that once ran across Mars.The images which were captured by the ESA‘s Mars Express showed Reull Vallis, the river-like structure, which is believed to have formed when water ran from the surface of Mars in distant past. The structure which surprised the astronomers stretches for around 900 miles or 1500 km across the Martian surface and also shows various tributaries. These structures, it is believed, were formed somewhere around 3.5 billion years ago.
India Increased Rafale Fighter Jets‟ Order
India could buy up to 189 of the Rafale fighter jets currently being used by France to bomb Islamist militants in Mali, sources close to negotiations on the multi-billion dollar deal .The possibility of an additional 63 jets being added to an expected order for 126 was raised by India .The Indian press has estimated the value of the deal for 126 Rafales at $12 billion (nine billion euros).A 50 per cent increase in the number of planes ordered would take it to around $18 billion, in a huge boost for the French defence industry.
„Japan to replace Fukushima plant with world‟s largest wind farm‟
In the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan had decided to build the world‘s largest offshore wind farm to replace the crippled nuke plant.The country plans to build a total of 143 wind turbines on platforms 16 kilometres off the coast of Fukushima by 2020, which is home to the stricken Daiichi nuclear reactor that hit the headlines in March 2011 when it was damaged by a severe earthquake and tsunami.The wind farm will generate 1 gigawatt of power once completed, and is part of a national plan to increase
renewable energy resources following the post-tsunami shutdown of the country‘s 54 nuclear reactors.The wind farm will surpass the 504 megawatts generated by the 140 turbines at the Greater Gabbard farm off the coast of Suffolk, UK – currently the world‘s largest farm.
India, US finalise Rs 3,000 crore deal for jet engines
India and the US have finalised a Rs 3000-crore deal for supplying 99 jet engines to be used in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas‘ being developed by the DRDO.Around two years ago, India had selected the American company General Electric over its rival European Eurojet 2000 for the LCA Mark II programme expected to be ready around 2014-15.The deal worth Rs 3,000 crore has been finalised with the US for procuring 99 engines for the LCA Tejas MkII.As per the contract, the order could be for 99 engines initially but India will have the option of ordering another 100 engines in the future.
INS Saryu Inducted into Indian Navy
On 21 January Air Marshal PK Roy, Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command, commissioned INS Saryu into the Indian Navy at Goa .INS Saryu is the lead ship of the indigenous Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) Project designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited, the ship aptly demonstrates the immense potential of the country‘s indigenous designing and ship building capabilities.Capable of carrying a helicopter (ALH) onboard, the ship‘s weapon and sensor outfit includes a SRGM 76.2 mm gun with an electro-optic fire control system, two 30mm guns as close in weapon systems, latest navigational and early warning radars, chaff launchers for self protection and an integrated ESM system to undertake all assigned missions.
MIT researchers Created Moisture – Powered Polymer
MIT ( Massachusetts Institute of Technology ) researchers have created a new polymer film that can generate electricity by drawing on a ubiquitous source: water vapor.The new material changes its shape after absorbing tiny amounts of evaporated water, allowing it to repeatedly curl up and down. Harnessing this continuous motion could drive robotic limbs or generate enough electricity to power micro- and nanoelectronic devices, such as environmental sensors.
On 27 January India successfully test fired medium range K-5 ballistic missile ,with a strike range of around 1500 kilometres, from an underwater platform in Bay of Bengal.K-5 is part of the family of underwater missiles being developed by Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) for the Indian strategic forces‘ underwater platforms.
Iran „successfully sent monkey into space‟
Iran on 28 January 2013 announced that it had successfully send a monkey to the space.It also declared that the monkey come back to the Earth successfully.The rocket called Pishgam (meaning Pioneer) reached at a height of 120‖km (75 miles) for a sub-orbital flight before ―returning its shipment intact . The first country to launch the primate into space was US.
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Asif Ibrahim appointed as chief Intelligence Bureau
Indian Police Service officer SA Ibrahim appointed as chief of the Intelligence Bureau on 01 January 2013 and he becoming the first from the country‘s main minority community(Muslim Community) to hold the post. Ibrahim, an IPS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has taken over as from Nehchal Sandhu who retired December 31. He will hold the post for two years.
Urjit Patel appointed as RBI deputy governor
On 02 January 2013 Urjit Patel, a consultant at Boston Consulting Group, had been appointed a deputy governor at the Reserve Bank of India, succeeding Subir Gokarn who was aiding the governor in shaping the monetary policy.
YV Reddy to head 14th Finance Commission
On 02 January 2013 former RBI governor YV Reddy was appointed chairman of the 14th finance commission to suggest principles of sharing of revenues
between the Centre and the states and insulate pricing of public utilities like electricity, water and public transport from policy fluctuations.
Ami Bera and Tulsi Gabbard Sworn In As US Lawmakers
On 4 January Indian American physician from California, Ami Bera, and the young Iraq war veteran from Hawaii, Tulsi Gabbard, created history after being sworn in as new members of the US House of Representatives.Bera is only the third Indian American have ever been elected to the House of Representatives.Tulsi Gabbard is the first Hindu ever to won the Congressional election.
Malala‟s Father Appointed as Education Attache in Birmingham
On 3 January Malala‘s father Ziauddin Yousafzai has been appointed as the education attache at the Pakistan consulate in Birmingham, England.The job is believed to be for up to three years.
Indian American Srinivasan re-nominated as Federal Judge
On 4 January Srikanth Srinivasan a brilliant Indian American legal mind has been re-nominated by US President Barack Obama to serve as Federal Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit.In June 2012 he was nominated by Obama to serve on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Justice D K Jain appointed new Law Commission chief
The Union Cabinet of India on 7 January 2013 appointed Justice D K Jain as Chairman of 20th Law Commission of India. He gives advice to the government on complex legal issues. Justice Jain, 64, will take over as the chief of the law panel on January 24 after retiring from the Supreme Court on the same day.
John Brennan as a CIA director
U.S. President Barack Obama announced on )7 January 2013 John Brennan wasnominated as director of the American Intelligence Agency(CIA) and Chuck Hagel as a Defense secretary. John Brennan played a key role in encounter the Osama Bin Laden.
Indian-origin politician to be Singapore‟s first woman speaker
Indian-origin politician Halimah Yacob elected as the first woman Speaker of Singapore‘s Parliament on 08 Janauary 2013.She take charges from 14 January 2013.Halimah, a former labour lawyer, is a member of Parliament from the ruling People‘s Action Party (PAP).
Kulwant Singh Gill Took charge as new Commandant of NDA
On 8 January Air Marshal Kulwant Singh Gill took charge as the new commandant of the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla, Pune.The NDA provides three-year training in defence and academics to its cadets before they move on to their respective officers‘ training academies for another one-year course and get commissioned into the armed forces.
R.K. Dubey Took Charge as Canara Bank‟s new CMD
On 11 January R.K. Dubey has assumed charge as the Chairman and Managing Director of Canara Bank .Mr. Dubey was previously worked as a Punjab National Bank General Manager in 2008 and was appointed as Executive Director of Central Bank of India in 2010.
Rajkumar Goyal Took Charge as Central Bank of India new ED
On 11 January Rajkumar Goyal has took charge as Executive Director (ED) of Central Bank of India (CBI).He was previously with the bank of India as the General Manager of Human Resources Department
Obama nominated Jack Lew as new Treasury Chief
On 11 January President Barack Obama nominated his chief of staff, Jack Lew, to become the next Treasury secretary and succeed Timothy Geithner.Last year, Lew was named Obama‘s chief of staff, and before that he had served as the White House budget director.
First Gujarati in UK cabinet
Lord Dolar Popat has appointed a minister in the UK cabinet .He become the first Gujarati taking his place in the UK cabinet .Popat was appointed minister for business, innovation & skills and transport.
Mohan Pieris assumes duties as 44th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka
On 15 January 2013 ,Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed his cabinet‘s legal advisor as the country‘s new Chief Justice to succeed Shirani Bandaranayake. Rajapaksa sworn in new Chief Justice Mohan Peiris to replace
Sri Lanka‘s first woman chief justice who was impeached by the parliament in a controversial move.Peiris, a British qualified solicitor who retired in 2011 as the Attorney General was serving as the legal advisor to the Cabinet.
Ved Prakash is UGC chairman
Ved Prakash, serving as acting chairman of the University Grants Commission, had been appointed as its chairman on 18 January 2013.The chairman‘s post remained vacant ever since S. Thorat retired in February 2011. Since then Mr. Prakash had been the acting chairman.
Obama Sworn in as the US President for Second Term
On 20 January US President Barack Obama Barack Obama was sworn in as the President of the country for a second four-year term.Obama as the 44th president of the United States and also he is the third consecutive president to win two terms, after Bush and Clinton. Joe Biden sworn-in for second term as US vice-president.
Suchitra Ella, Founding Chairwoman of CII‟s women wing
Suchitra K. Ella, Joint Managing Director, Bharat Biotech International, had been nominated as the Founding Chairwoman of the Indian Women Network of CII. The network aims to provide a platform for working women to come together and discuss issues and opportunities and share best practices. She is currently the Chairperson of CII Andhra Pradesh State Council for 2012-13. She had earlier been elected to the CII Andhra Pradesh State Council. She has been awarded the International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge award 2007 by the Chamber of Commerce of Barcelona, the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and the FLO GR8 Women Achievers Award 2008 for entrepreneurial excellence.
B)RESIGNS
Jharkhand CM Arjun Munda resigned
Political uncertainty deepened in Jharkhand on 08 January 2013, with Chief Minister Arjun Munda submitted his resignation to Governor Syed Ahmed. On 07 January 2013, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) announced the withdrawal of its support to the BJP-led government.
Rajapaksa Dismissed First Woman Chief Justice of the Country
On 13 January Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President of Sri Lanka dismissed the first woman chief justice of the country, Shirani Bandarnayake after endorsing her impeachment by the Parliament that caught her guilty on the corruption charges.She appointed as a chief Justice on May 2011.
C)DEATHS
Violin maestro MSG passes away
M.S. Gopalakrishnan — legendary violinist known for his mastery of both the Carnatic and Hindustani systems of classical music — passed away on 03 January 2013 in Chennai.In his career spanning 75 years, he not only broke new ground as an accompanist, but also rose to become one of the best solo violinists in the country, along with Lalgudi G. Jayaraman and T.N. Krishnan. The three are considered the violin trinity‘ of south Indian classical music.Despite enviable success and accolades that came in the form of national honours such as the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, and innumerable titles, including the Sangita Kalanidhi‘ title awarded by The Music Academy, Chennai.
Pakistani singer Mehnaz Begum is no more
Renowned Pakistani singer Mehnaz Begum died on 19 January 2013.Mehnaz specialized in ghazal, thumri, dadra, khayal, drupad and reciting salam, noha and marsiya.Mehnaz was the daughter of popular sub-continental singer Kajjan Begum.She sang over 2,500 songs for radio‚ television and films in a variety of genres like ghazal, thumri, dadra, khayal and drupad.
D)VISITORS
Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag Visited India
Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag visited India from 3 – 10 January
.During the visit Purryag met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pranab Mukherjee on 4 January in New Delhi. In Bihar , he visited his ancestral village , Bojeetpore near Patna.President Purryag also the chief guest of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas .He attended the 3 days event 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas held in Kochi (Kerala).
Vice President Hamid Ansari Visited Vietnam
Vice President Hamid Ansari visited Vietnam from 14 to 17 January.During the visit Ansari met Vietnam‘s Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh and
.Ansari attended the closing ceremony of the celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of the India-Vietnam diplomatic ties.
Bhutan King Wangchuck Visited India
The King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck visited India from 23-30 January.During the visit he attended the India‘s Republic Day celebrations as a Chief Guest.Wangchuck met President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and the United Progressive Alliance‘s Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi.This is the fourth time since 1954 that a Bhutanese King will be a Chief Guest at India‘s Republic Day celebrations.
E)MISCELLANEOUS
Ex-Haryana CM Chautala, son get 10 years jail
Former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala and his son Ajay had been sentenced to 10 years in jail in connection with a teachers recruitment scam.Special CBI Judge Vinod Kumar sentenced the Chautalas and seven others to 10 years in jail while one convict was given five years in jail and 45 others four years in jail.
Swaminarayan sect opens $100-million quake-proof temple near Hollywood
One of the biggest Hindu temples in the US, built at a whopping cost of $100 million near the Hollywood city in Los Angeles .The 68th Swaminarayan temple of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) had been built using 35,000 pieces of meticulously hand carved Italian Carrara marble and Indian Pink Sandstone.
Premlata Conquers Summit of Mt Vinson in Antarctica
On 17 January Premlata Agrawal, the oldest woman in India to have climbed Mt. Everest, has conquered Mt. Vinson in Antarctica in pursuit of the Mountaineering Challenge‘ of climbing the Seven Summits‘.She completed her Mt. Vinson expedition on January .The person successful in conquering all the seven summits is considered a member of the Hall of Fame‘ for mountaineers.Premlata will become the first Indian woman and one of the oldest in the world to conquer all seven summits.
Ex-ISRO chairman Inducted in to „ Satellite Hall of Fame „
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced its former chairman and Department of Space secretary Prof U R Rao by inducting him as the member of the prestigious Satellite Hall of Fame , Washington.Since 1987, the SSPI Hall of Fame has been recognising the invaluable contribution of the visionaries who have transformed life on planet earth for the better through satellite technology. Members of the Hall of Fame are recognised pioneers in communications, satellite related aerospace scientific research or development and delivery of applications for business, institutions and government via satellite.
David Headley sentenced for 35 years for 26/11 role(Mumbai attacks)
Pakistani-American Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorist David Headley was on 24 January 2013 sentenced to 35 years in jail by a Chicago court for his unquestionable‘ role in the massacre of 166 people in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Forbes India Celebrity 100 List | ||
According to the Forbes India ― | Celebrity 100 List ― The Bollywood | |
topped the inaugural Forbes India Celebrity 100 | ||
superstar Shah Rukh Khan, | ‖ | ‖ |
list.Forbes India estimates, the total earning of Shah Rukh from October 2011 and September 2012 was 202.8 crore Rupees.The ranking was given based on the popularity as well as income of the biggest entertainers of India. Second on the list was Salman Khan and MS Dhoni followed in the third position.The special edition of Forbes India judged in eight different categories – directors, film actors, TV personailities, models, comedians, sports stars, authors and singers/musicians.The youngest celebrity in the list of Forbes India was Saina Nehwal, aged 23 years.
Switzerland best place to be born, India 66th
Switzerland has been called the best place in the world to be born in 2013 according to the The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a sister company of The Economist. The worst place for a baby to start life was violence-hit African country Nigeria. The survey included 80 nations and Australia ranked second followed by Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Singapore, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Canada and New Zealand were also ranked among top 10. India was ranked 66th place.The survey included significant parameters to judge the best country to be born and these factors included demography, geography, cultural and social characteristics, state of economy, future income per head as well as public policy.
PLACES IN NEWS
Strong Quake in Indonesia
On 22nd January A strong, shallow earthquake rocked parts of western Indonesia early killed 30 persons and panicking residents and ruining homes. Several other people were injured.Indonesia‘s meteorology and geophysics agency put the preliminary magnitude at 6.0 and said the inland quake caused no tsunami. It was centered southwest of the city of Banda Aceh and 10 miles (6 kilometers) beneath the earth‘s crust, according to the U.S. Geological Survey..
233 People Killed in Brazil Night Club Fire Accident
On 27 January The blaze in the university town of Santa Maria nightclub fire killed at least 233 people in southern Brazil .Most of those who died were suffocated by toxic fumes that rapidly filled the crowded club after sparks from pyrotechnics used by the band for visual effects set fire to soundproofing on the ceiling.
ABBREVIATIONS
CBT————-Cash Transfer Benefit EIU————–Economist Intelligence Unit CBS————Central Bureau of Statistics NLST———-National Large Solar Telescope CEET———-Centre for Energy-Efficient Telecommunications CIA———–American Intelligence Agency WEF———-World Economic Forum
PBS———Pravasi Bhartiya Divas
MSME——–Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises BWF———–Badminton World Federation
BOOKS IN NEWS
Swami Vivekananda “The Monk as Man ” Book Released ‖
The renowned Bengali writer Shankar wrote a ―The Monk as Man book on
Swami Vivekananda ,who spread the message of India‘s spiritual heritage
across the world.In the book Shankar described Vivekananda used to emphasise greatly on physical strength and is known for the shocking statement Better to play football than read the Gita‘.
McChrystal “My Share of the Task: A Memoir ” Book Released
General Stanley McChrystal, the former American‖ commander in Afghanistan, wrote a ―My Share of the Task: A Memoir, book which was released on 7 January .In the book Chrystal explained that tensions between the White House and the Pentagon were evident in the Obama administration from its opening months in office.This book is not just for aficionados of military history or for students of American foreign policy .
COMMITTEES
Vijay Kelkar Committee for Fiscal Consolidation
The Vijay Kelkar Committee, which was appointed by Finance Ministry to suggest a roadmap for fiscal consolidation, has suggested immediate hike in fuel prices and complete deregulation of diesel prices by start of 2014-15 fiscal.It also suggested raising kerosene and LPG rates.Now the Kelkar committee recommendation is still at proposal stage.
Justice Verma Committee Submitted Report
On 23 January The three-member committee included former Chief Justice of India, J S Verma, who headed the committee, Justice (Retd.) Leila Seth, former Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court and Gopal Subramanian, former Solicitor General of India , set up to suggest ways to make rape laws stronger in the country, has submitted its report with recommendations to enhance and amend existing laws dealing with cases of sexual crime.The Justice Verma panel recognised failure of governance as primary cause of sexual crimes.The Panel suggested Trafficking should be made punishable with imprisonment ranging from not less than 7 years to 10 years .There was a need for the separate Bill of Rights for women that will make sure that women would have their own rights for having sexual autonomy.
INTERNATIONAL
UK, Afghan, Pakistan Leaders Hold Talks in Britain
On 4 February The leaders of Britain, Afghanistan and Pakistan pushed for the Taliban to come to the table for peace talks to end Afghanistan‘s protracted conflict and gave themselves a six-month deadline to get a deal.British Prime Minister David Cameron hosted Afghanistan‘s President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan‘s President Asif Zardari for trilateral talks on Afghanistan‘s floundering peace and reconciliation process.
UNICEF Syria Crisis Humanitarian Situation Report
On 8 February According to the UNICEF (United Nations Children‘s Fund )Syria Crisis Humanitarian Situation Report, The vaccination effort in collaboration with the Ministry of Health is well underway, with over 53,000 children receiving measles vaccinations, over 44,000 receiving vitamin A supplements, and over 10,000 polio doses administered.
Pakistan to Renamed Sindh Province to „Sind‟
On 12 February 2013, the Sindh Assembly approved a bill to rename the southern Pakistani province as Sind.The assembly‖ approved the Sindh Laws Amendment Bill of 2012, whereby the letter ―h will be removed from the name of the province.
Russia Rejected U.S. Nuclear Warheads Proposals
On 14 February Russia rejected U.S. president Barack Obama proposals , which deployed nuclear warhead delivery systems including bombers, missile launchers and nuclear submarines – a cut‖of about 60%.In 2010 Russia and the United States signed on ―New START agreement.The New Start treaty limits each side to no more than 800 deployed nuclear warhead delivery systems including bombers, missile launchers and nuclear submarines – a cut of about 50%.
Rafael Correa Re-elected for 3rd term as Ecuador‟s President
On 17 February Ecuadoreans president Rafael Correa has been re-elected for a third term with more than 50 percent of votes in his favour.As per the results, Rafael Correa got 56.7 percent while his closest competitor Guillermo could secure only 23.3 percent.Correa is a socialist leader who was first elected in 2006 December and he was sworn in on 15 January 2007 as the 56th president of Ecuador.Correa was re-elected to a second term in 2009.
Pakistan Hands Over Strategic Gwadar Port To China
On 18 February Pakistan and China signed an agreement to hand over control of the strategic Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea to a Chinese company.Under the agreement for transfer of concession rights, the deep sea port will remain the property of Pakistan while the Chinese company will share profits from its operation. China Overseas Port Holdings Limited will fully assume responsibility for Gwadar port in Balochistan province.
Israel‟s Netanyahu Announced Coalition Deal with Tzipi Livni
On 19 Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has announced a coalition deal with former Foreign Minister and the rival centrist Hatnua Party Chairwomen Tzipi Livni, at Jerusalem. Under the deal agreement, Livni will serve as the new Justice Minister and will oversee the peace efforts with the Palestinians.Tzipi Livni is an Israeli Politician and the first women to be the leader of opposition in Israel. She is the leader of the new centrist party, Hatnuah. She served Israel as its Foreign Minister from 2006 to 2009.
Russia and Brazil Signed on Defence Cooperation Agreements
On 20 February Russia and Brazil signed a Defence, Energy and Agricultural agreements .Brazil agreed to negotiate the purchase of Russian anti-aircraft missile batteries on the condition that Russia transfer the technology to Brazilian defense companies without restrictions.The agreements are signed by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff .
Nicos Anastasiades Elected as Cyprus New President
On 24 February the centre-right DISY (the Democratic Rally) party leader Nicos Anastasiades, has won the presidential elections of Cyprus with 57.5 percent votes.Nicos Anastasiades had a very easy going victory over Communist-backed Stavros Malas who secured 42.5 percent votes in the election.
Raul Castro re-elected for Second Term as Cuba‟s President
On 25 February Raul Castro has been re-elected as Cuba‘s president officially to his last five-year term.The National Assembly of People‘s Power approved, in the capital Havana, Army General Raul Castro Ruz as president of the Council of State, and elected Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, as its first vice president.Raul Castro became interim president when his brother, revolution icon Fidel, took ill in 2006. He then formally became president in 2008.
India-Malaysia Double Taxation Agreement in Force
On 2 February India and Malaysia signed on double-taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA). Dividends paid by Indian companies to Malaysian investors or entities will attract a lower withholding tax of 5 percent against 10 per cent earlier. The new agreement has also, in line with international practice, introduced a new article for taxing capital gains from alienation of property.
India Failed To Curb Sexual Violence Against Women
According to the Human Rights Watch (HRW) World Report 2013 India has been accused of failure to curb incidents of sexual violence against women and for restrictions on right to free speech,‖ India ―has a thriving civil society, free media, and an independent judiciary , the city-based rights group said in its assessment of rights abuses in India.
Six Indian Institutes in Global 150 Top Think-Tanks
On 3 February Six Indian research institutes, including Centre for Civil Society (CCS), are among top 150 global think – tanks in the annual list released by the University of Pennsylvania for the year 2012.The list was topped by Brookings Institution (United States) followed by Chatham House (United Kingdom) and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (United States).Other Indian think-tanks featured in the list are:- Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis , Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations , The Energy and Resources Institute , Observer Research Foundation and Development Alternatives.
India and Austria Signed a Social Security Agreement
On 5 February India and Austria signed a social security agreement at Vienna, under which the Indian professionals working in Austria would be exempted from paying the social security contribution of the country, if such payments are already made in India. Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi and Austrian Minister for Labour and Social Security, Rudoulf Hundstorfer signed on the agreement.
India Pledges $100m For Mali Reconstruction
On 5 February India pledges $100m for Mali reconstruction .India has committed to giving $1 million for the upgrade of the Malian army with a
India and China Tourists Triple Australian Visits
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics report , Chinese and Indian visitors, with tourist numbers from those countries tripled in the past decade.630,000 visits from Chinese tourists in 2012 compared with 190,000 in 2002. Indian visits went from 45,000 to 160,000 in the same period.Despite a high Australian dollar, Australia‘s short-term visitor numbers were up by nearly five percent since 2011 with 6.1 million short trips made to Australia 270,000 more than in 2011.
Special Purpose Vehicle Formed for TAPI Pipeline Project
On 7 February The Union Cabinet gave its approval for formation of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Pipeline Project and to permit GAIL India Ltd. to join the SPV. The four countries involved in the TAPI Gas pipeline project, signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement along with a Gas Pipeline Framework Agreement (GPFA).Turkmenistan and Pakistan agreed to the formation of TAPl Ltd. The 1,680 km pipeline will carry 90 million metric standard cubic metres a day (mmscmd) of gas, and is scheduled to become operational in 2018.
India and Japan to Strengthen Cooperation in Tourism Sector
India and Japan have resolved to strengthen cooperation in tourism sector. This was decided at a meeting between the visiting Japanese Senior Vice-Minister of Tourism, Mr. Hiroshi Kajiyama and Union Tourism Minister Shri K Chiranjeevi in New Delhi on 12 February 2013.
India and France Signed 22 Agreements
On 14 February France and India have signed on 22 agreements after French President Francois Hollande‘s meetings with the Indian president and the prime minister in New Delhi.Both nations exchanged views on a number of bi-lateral, regional and multilateral issues and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in order to facilitate technical cooperation in Railways to each other.Chairman, Railway Board, India and Chairman and CEO SNCF from the French side signed this MoU.Both the nations also concluded negotiations on the short range surface to Air missile to be co-produced in India. They also agreed on the need to reinvigorate economic engagement between the two countrie
India and Bangladesh Signed Land Boundary Agreement
On 16 February India and Bangladesh held the second Joint Consultative Commission meeting in Dhaka .After the meeting , both countries exchanged one strip map as part of the process of the implementation of the agreement signed to resolve land boundary issues between them.In addition, two MOUs were also signed for the construction of a rail link to connect Akhaura in Bangladesh to Agartala in India and for setting up a thinktank to be called Bangladesh-India Foundation.The India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission is an interministerial body of the two countries headed by the Minister of External Affairs of India and Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.
CBI probe Ordered into Rs 3700 crore Italian Chopper Deal Scam
In February 2010, India had inked the deal with Italain Finmeccanica to acquire the 12 three-engine AW-101 helicopters from AgustaWestland for IAF‘s elite Communication Squadron ,which ferries around the President, PM and other VVIPs.The deal came under the scanner of Italian agencies after allegations of kickback given in India surfaced.The agencies arrested Giuseppe Orsi, the head of Italian defence and aerospace giant Finmeccanica as part of their probe related to international corruption.Around 50 million euros , about 10 per cent of the deal, were alleged to have been given as bribes to ensure that the company won the contract.On February The Defence Ministry has ordered CBI probe into alleged scam in a Rs 3600 crore defence helicopter deal after arrest of head of Italian firm Finmeccanica on charges of bribery.
India and Britain Discussed on Nuclear Cooperation
―On 19 February Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Britain Prime
Minister David Cameron discussed on regional and global issues ,which included key issues of nuclear energy cooperation, security, terrorism and trade .The two sides have also decided to commence negotiations on a bilateral Civil Nuclear Agreement.Britain has assured that it will extend all cooperation to any Indian probe into the multi-million-dollar helicopter scam which involves Italian defense giant Finmeccanica‘s UK-based subsidiary AgustaWestland.David Cameron announced that his country is going to introduce sameday visa service for Indian‖businessmen in a bid to accelerate the bilateral trade between the two sides.
India won Kishanganga Case Against Pakistan
On 18 February the Court of Arbitration at the Hague allowed India to go ahead with the Construction of the Kishanganga hydroelectric project in Gurez valley near Bandipura in North Kashmir, the court rejected the plea of Pakistan that the construction was a violation of 1960 Indus Water Treaty.The Court of Arbitration, chaired by Stephen M. Schwebel in its orders stated that India can move ahead with the diversion of water plans of Kishanganga that is a tributary of Jhelum, for generation of hydro-electric power. But it restrained India from adoption of the drawdown technique of flushing for clearing the
sedimentation of the run-of-the river project that had been designed and asked it to adopt a different technique for generation of 330 MW power facilities.
NATIONAL
President Gave Assent to the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013
On 3 February President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 which provides for, amongst other things, stricter punishment for crimes against women. The Ordinance was to be largely based on the recommendations of the Justice Verma Committee.However, the Ordinance will have to be passed by Parliament within six months otherwise the same shall lapse.
All Juvenile Crimes 64% by 16-18 yr Old Age Group
On 4 February According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data shows that most juvenile crimes are committed by those in the age group of 16-18 years.In 2011 the growth in rape by juveniles (34%) over 2010 was again among the highest.In 2011, 64% of all juvenile criminals fall in the age group of 16-18. In 2011, 33,887 juveniles were arrested for 25,178 instances of crime.All together make for over 50% of all rape cases by juveniles.
Aero India 2013 “ Held in Bangalore
‖
The Asia‘s biggest airshow ―Aero India 2013 , a biennial air show and
aviation exhibition held from 6 – 10th February at the Yelehanka Air Force Station in Bangalore .In the event displays magnificent aerobatic skills and belongings that created a chance of winning potential business tieups and networking. Defence Minister of India, A K Antony inaugurated the Air Show on 6 February .In the event 53 civil and military aircraft and 27 countries participated and 78 delegations attended from US, Israel and Russia.The first Edition of the show was organised for the first time in 1996.The next Aero India show is scheduled to be held from 18 February to 22 February 2015 at Bangalore.
Cabinet Approved Rs.38500 cr Rural Road Development Plan
On 7 February The Union Cabinet approved a Rs 38,500 crore rupees for road connectivity under the Prime Minister‘s Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).The schemes approved were mainly for connectivity to villages in tribal areas,
desert and hilly areas, with a population of at least 250 each.In 82 areas hit by Naxalite violence, villages with less than 250 people are also to be connected under the scheme.
Parliament Attack Case Convict Afzal Guru Hanged
On 9 February in a top secret operation , the 2001 Parliament attack case convict Mohammed Afzal Guru was hanged in Delhi‘s Tihar jail.Afzal Guru was given the death sentence by the Supreme Court in 2004.The President rejected the Afzal Guru‘s mercy petition on 23 January 2013.The code name of the secret operation was Operation ―Three Star ― .
Centre Notified Cauvery Dispute Tribunal Award
After six years,on the directions of the Supreme Court, the Central Government of India has notified the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) on sharing the waters of the Cauvery system among the basin States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala and Union territory of Puducherry on 20 February.The Tribunal, comprising chairman Justice N.P. Singh and members N.S. Rao and Sudhir Narain, in a unanimous award in February, 2007 had determined the total availability of water in the Cauvery basin at 740 thousand million cubic (TMC) feet at the Lower Coleroon Anicut site.In, what was then described as a balancing act, the Tribunal gave Tamil Nadu 419 TMC of water (as against the demand of 562 TMC); Karnataka 270 TMC (as against its demand of 465 TMC); Kerala 30 TMC and Puducherry 7 TMC.After the issuance of the notification, institutions like the Cauvery River Authority (CRA) chaired by the Prime Minister and the CMC will cease to exist.
STATES
Sonia Gandhi Launched “Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram “ Scheme
On 6 February Congress President and UPA Chairperson‖ Sonia Gandhi launched ― Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) , a new children health care project initiative in Palghar, a tribal block in Thane district of Maharashtra.The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, is a part of the National Rural Health Mission of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The scheme is aimed at improving overall quality of life of children through early detection of birth defects, diseases and deficiencies, which are among key factors for child mortality.
On 15 February the Maharashtra Government promulgated an ordinance to amend the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, which aims to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of co-operative societies.The ordinance is to amend the Act to make it in consonance with the 97th constitutional amendment by Parliament last year.
India‟s First Geothermal Plant in Chhattisgarh
On 17 February Chhattisgarh has signed an agreement with the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to set up the country‘s first geothermal power plant in its newlyformed Balrampur district.A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the project was signed between the NTPC and the Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA). The plant will come up at Tata Pani in Balrampur, a district located in extreme northern region of the state.
Rajasthan Constituted a Task Force to Check the Spread of Swine Flu in State
On 19 February the State Government of Rajasthan decided to constitute a task force to control Swine Flu effectively. Chief Secretary of the State, CK Matthew was appointed as the head of the task force constituted.The state had witnessed 148 cases of death and 834 positive cases since April 2012. A central team that constitutes of five doctors and microbiologist is on the state visit and would pay a visit to Jodhpur, Ajmer and Bikaner, areas worst affected from the disease.
Cabinet Approved NTPC Power Project in Jharkhand
On 20 February the Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) approved the setting up of the 1,980 MW North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Plant in Jharkhand by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).The Cabinet committee of investment also agreed for restoring the original coal linkage for the project and declared that the project will be based on environment friendly super-critical technology. This supply will be made available in the 13th Five Year Plan.
Northeastern states of Tripura ,Meghalaya and Nagaland Assembly election was released on 28 February .The Assembly elections in the three states, having 60 seats each, were held February 14 and February 23.In Tripura the CPI-M on its own won 49 seats out of the total 60 seats and stormed back to power in Tripura for the fifth straight term.Chief Minister Manik Sarkar won from Dhanpur by a margin of around 5,000 votes. It was Sarkar‘s sixth win.Meghalaya – The Indian National Congress here has won 29 seats in the election to the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly with Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, winning with huge margins.Nagaland – Ruling Naga Peoples Front combine returned to power with an absolute majority in Nagaland winning 39 seats in the 60-member Assembly.The ruling NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) alliance will form government for a third consecutive term.Congress managed to win eight seats. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio won from Northern Angami II seat by defeating his nearest Congress rival Kevise Sogotsu of Congress by 12,671 votes.
Desalination Plant in Tamil Nadu Commissioned
On 22 February J. Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu inaugurated a desalination plant at Nemmeli in Kanchipuram district of the state.The plant which will benefit over 15 lakh residents in Velachery, Pallipattu and Tiruvanmiyur areas of south Chennai has been set up with an investment of Rs 871 crore. About 265 million ltrs of water will be drawn from the sea to realise 100 million ltrs per day of drinking water through the plant spread over 40 acre.
CONFERENCES
13th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS)
The 13th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) concluded on 2 February at NewDelhi.The theme of the summit‖ is The Global Challenge of Resource Efficient Growth and Development‘. Among from 30 countries Heads of Governments , research institutions, policy-makers, NGOs and corporates attended the summit.The Summit organized annually since 2001 by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), is an international platform for exchange of knowledge on all nuances of sustainable development.
Malala Yousafzai nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
Malala Yousafzai, who was shoot by the Talibans against the girl education was nominated for this year‘s Nobel Peace Prize, as the deadline expired on 01 February 2013. French, Canadian and Norwegian MPs have all separately nominated Malala.This year‘s award will be announced in early October, but speculation was already underway as the deadline for nominations ran out on 1 February .
L. N. Tallur won Skoda Art Prize 2012
On 1 February Karnataka artist L. N. Tallur, whose works depict majorly the underbelly of India, has won the Rs 1 million Skoda Prize 2012 for contemporary art, from among a shortlist of four artists including an artist collective.
13th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) Awards
Sustainable Development Leadership Award :- The Seychelles President, Mr James Michel has been awarded the Sustainable Development Leadership Award at the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit . Georgescu roegen Award : The award is Kozo Mayumi (Professor at Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokushima). The co-winners of the Georgescu-Roegen Award (bioeconomic practice) are Accion Ecologica and Oilwatch.
South Sudan Bishop Taban won UN Peace Award
On 9 February A South Sudan‘s Bishop Emeritus Paride Taban has won a coveted 2013 UN peace prize ( Sergio Viera de Mello Prize ) in recognition of his efforts to build trust among warring communities in the conflict-torn region.Vieira de Mello, the UN‘s former human rights chief, was killed in a bombing in Iraq in 2003. The annual prize in his honour is awarded to a person, community or institution that has made an exceptional contribution to reconciliation of communities or groups in conflict, and whose example can be duplicated elsewhere.
Pandit Ravi Shankar honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Grammy award S
itar legend Pandit Ravi Shankar was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Grammy award, which was jointly accepted by his daughters Anoushka Shankar and Norah Jones on 9 February 2013.He was posthumously awarded
the best world music album trophy at the 55th Grammys, a day after being honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award by The Recording Academy.He got ―55 Grammy award for his album The Living Room Sessions Part 1‘ .
National e-Governance award for Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh had been conferred upon the prestigious National e-Governance Gold Award for 2012-13, for its Sparsh Abhiyan‘ aimed towards the disabled and the aged.
Amartya Sen honoured with France‟s highest civilian award
The French president Mr Francois Hollande honoured the Amartya Sen with the France‘s highest civilian award, Commandeur de la Legion d‘Honneur‘ (Legion of Honour) after delivering the Madhavrao Scindia Memorial Lecture in New Delhi on 15 February 2013.The prestigious honour is the reason for his enormous contribution to the field of economics and for his exchanges with French academic institutions would also be recognised.
Paul Hansen Won “2012 World Press Photo “ Award
On 15 February Swedish photographer‖ Paul Hansen has won the ―2012
World Press Photo award with a picture of two Palestinian children killed in an Israeli missile strike being carried to their funeral.The picture shows a group of men marching the dead bodies through a narrow street in Gaza City.World Press Photo, one of photojournalism‘s most prestigious contests, issued awards in nine categories to 54 photographers of 32 nationalities.
63rd Berlin Film Festival Awards
The awarding ceremony of the 63rd Berlinale ended on 16 February in Berlin.Romanian film ―Child‘s Pose won the Golden Bear, the top jury prize
Berlin International Film Festival. Best Film :- | |||||
awarded to the best film in the | ‖ | ||||
Child‘s Pose ( Romania ) Best Actor :- Nazif Mujic in ―Life of an Iron Picker | |||||
(Bosnia/France/Slovenia) Best Actress :- Paulina Garcia in ―Gloria | ‖ | ||||
Avalanche | |||||
(Chile/Spain) Best Director :- David Gordon Green for ―Prince | ‖ | ‖ | |||
(US) Best ScreenPlay :- Jafar Panahi for ―Parde (Closed Curtain) Iran. | |||||
‖ | |||||
Ela Bhatt honoured with Indira Gandhi Peace Prize
Ela Bhatt, founder of the Self Employed Women‘s Association (SEWA), was presented with the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for the year 2011 by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on 18 February 2013.Ela Bhatt was
honoured for her life time achievements in empowering women, promoting grassroot level entrepreneurship and for her contribution towards promoting equitable development and peace.
Ratan Tata receives E&Y lifetime award
Former Tata Group head Ratan Tata is this year‘s recipient of the life time achievement award‘ instituted by Ernst & Young, for asserting a greater role for Indian entrepreneurs on the global business landscape‘.The entrepreneur of the year (2012) award went to Godrej Group Chairman Adi Godrej.The entrepreneur of the year is the only business award to be based on self-nomination.
Oscars Awards-2013
85th Oscar awards presentation ceremony held in Los Angels on 25 February 2013.In this ceremoney Life of Pi cinema got a 4 Oscar awards.
Best Picture: Argo
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln)
Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook) Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained) Best Supporting Actress:Anne Hathaway (Les Misérables) Best Directing: Ang Lee(Life of Pi)
Best Adapted Screenplay:Chris Terrio( Argo)
Best Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino (Django Unchained) Best Documentary‖ Feature: Searching for Sugar Man Best Original Song:Skyfall from Skyfall, music and lyrics by Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth
Best Original Score: Life of Pi
Best Animated Feature: Brave Best Cinematography:Life of Pi Best Costume Design: Anna Karenina
Best Documentary Short Subject:Inocente Best Film Editing:Argo
Best Foreign Language Film:Amour (Austria)
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Les Misérables Best Production Design:Lincoln
Best Short Film (Animated): Paperman
Best Sound Mixing: Les Misérables Best Visual Effects: Life of Pi
SPORTS & GAMES
Leander Paes, Jaideep Mukherjee Received” Davis Cup Commitment “ Award
On 2 February Indian tennis legends Leander Paes and Jaideep Mukherjee were felicitated by the All India Tennis Association (AITA) at the RK Khanna Tennis Stadium , when they were presented with the Davis Cup Commitment Trophy.Mukherjee made his Davis Cup debut in 1960 against Thailand and had a 62-35 win-loss record while Paes is currently playing his 49th Davis Cup tie here against South Korea.
Graeme Smith Captains his 100th Test
On 4 February South African test cricket team captain Graeme Smith has created a unique record by leading the side in 100th test.As the South African captain Graeme Smith stepped on the field against Pakistan, he became the only captain in the world to have led the team in 100 test matches.Earlier, the record for captaining in most number of test matches was held by former Australian skipper Allan Border. Allan Border led the Australian test cricket team in 93 test matches. Sourav Ganguly holds the record of captaining Indian test team in most number of test matches. Sourav played as skipper in 49 test matches. Now, Graeme Smith is the only cricketer to play as captain in 100 test matches.
India Won Record 46 Medals in Special Olympics
On 6 February India‘s differently-abled athletes returned with the largest haul of medals in the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games at Pyeong Chang, South Korea.The Indians won 46 medals – 13 gold, 17 silver and 16 bronze – from among mentally-challenged 2200 athletes from over 120 nations in the Games .India doubled its medal tally from the World Winter Games 2009.The Games are being competed in eight sports .
Sachin Equaled Sunil Gavaskar‟s First Class Cricket Record
On 8 February Sachin Tendulkar equaled the record of Sunil Gavaskar of 81 first class hundreds in first class cricket at Mumbai. He managed to equal Gavaskar‘s record after scoring an unbeaten 140 runs in Irani Trophy against Rest of India in the first innings of the tournament of Mumbai team.When he reached 106, Tendulkar also completed 25,000 runs in first class cricket.
Wrestling Dropped From 2020 Olympic Games List
On 12 February the International Olympic Committee (IOC) leaders dropped wrestling from the 2020 Olympic Games.Wrestling will be included at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.The IOC board acted after reviewing the 26 sports on the current Olympic program. Eliminating one sport allows the IOC to add a new sport to the program later this year.Wrestling will now join seven other sports in applying for inclusion in 2020. The others are a combined bid from baseball and softball, karate, squash, roller sports, sport climbing, wakeboarding and wushu. They will be vying for a single opening in 2020.The last sports removed from the Olympics were baseball and softball, voted out by the IOC in 2005 and off the program since the 2008 Beijing Games. Golf and Rugby will be joining the program at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Victoria Azarenka won Qatar Open Tennis Title
On 18 February Defending champion Victoria Azarenka from Belarus defeated Serena Williams (America) to won the Qatar Open tennis title in the final at Doha.
Sania Mirza won Dubai Tennis Championship Title
On 23 February India‘s Sania Mirza and her American partner Bethanie-Mattek Sands won the Dubai Tennis Championship title. The Indo-American duo defeated the second seeded Russian-Slovenian combination of Nadia Petrova and Katarina Srebotnik. Sania bagged her second Doubles title of the season.
ECONOMY
BHEL and GAIL Granted Maharatna Status
On 1 February The Union Government of India granted Maharatna status to BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd ) and GAIL (Gas Authority of India
Limited), a development which will provide them greater financial and functional autonomy and also ensure better valuation for shares of the two public sector undertakings.Ideally any Maharatna firm has a capacity to take investment decision of around 5000 crore Rupees without taking assistance from the government. On the other hand, forms with Navratna status have the capability of 1000 crore Rupees.For any company to qualify for Maharatna status, the annual turnover should be over 25000 crore Rupees in past three years, as per the guidelines issued by Department of Public Enterprises.
Per capita Monthly Income Growth Eases to 14% in 2011-12
On 1 February According to the the revised data of national accounts the per capita monthly income, a measure to assess standard of living, grew at a slower rate of 13.7 per cent to Rs 5,130 in 2011-12 at current prices compared to Rs 4,513 in 2010-11.On the Gross Domestic Saving (GDS) front, the data revealed that the growth at current prices in 2011-12 slowed to 30.8 per cent of GDP at market prices against 34 per cent in the previous year.The gross domestic capital formation has increased from ―Rs 28,71,649 crore in
2010-11 to Rs 31,41,465 crore in 2011- 12 at current prices.It further revealed that the per capita private final consumption expenditure (PFCE) at current prices in 2011-12 is estimated at Rs 42,065 as against Rs 36,677 in the year 2010-11, showing an increase of 14.7 per cent against an increase of 15.7 per cent in the previous year.
Argentina Censured by the IMF for Economic Data
On 3 February The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has censured Argentina for the quality of its official inflation and GDP data.Inflation in Argentina is estimated by private economists to be at 25% a year and rising but the government reported it at 11% or less for last year.Argentina became the first country to be censured by the International Monetary Fund for not providing accurate data on inflation and economic growth under a procedure that can end in expulsion.
Mumbai Is World‟s Cheapest City
Mumbai shares the title of the world‘s cheapest city‖ with Karachi, in Pakistan, according to the ―Worldwide Cost of Living 2013 survey by the Economist Group‘s Economic Intelligence Unit.After Mumbai and Pakistan comes Delhi ,Algiers, Bucharest, Colombo and Panama City.According to the report, the five most expensive cities in the world are Tokyo and Osaka in Japan, Sydney, Oslo and Melbourne.
On 26 February Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal presented the 2013-14 Railway Budget in the Loksabha . Railway Budget 2013-14
Highlights :- 2013-14 Railway Budget Estimates – Rs.42,210 crores Highest ever plan outlay of Rs.63,363 crores in 2013-14
Good Earnings – Rs.93,554 crores
Good Traffic Receipts – Rs.1,43,742 crores Total Revenue Receipts – Rs.1,46,626 crores Ordinary Working Expenses – Rs.96,500 crores Operating Ratio to be 87.8%. -
A new Forged Wheel Factory at Rae Bareli, Coach Manufacturing Unit in Sonepat District (Haryana) ,Midlife Rehabilitation Workshop at Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh), new wagon maintenance workshop in Kalahandi (Odisha). Highest ever plan outlay of Rs.63,363 crores
5.2 per cent growth in passenger traffic expected in 2013-14 Freight loading of 1047 MT, 40 MT more than 2012-13. 67 new Express trains to be introduced.26 new passenger services, 8 DEMU services and 5 MEMU services to be introduced. Run of 57 trains to be extended. Frequency of 24 trains to be increased.22 new rail lines to be taken up in 2013-14
Proposal for setting up of Railway Tariff Regulatory Authority formulated and at inter-ministerial consultation stage. Fuel Adjustment Component (FAC) linked revision for freight tariff to be implemented from 1st April 2013. 72 additional suburban services in Mumbai and 18 in Kolkata An independent Rail Tariff Authority has been formalised ndian Railways Institute of Financial Management to be set up at Secunderabad Recruitment to RPF with 10% vacancies reserved for women.Seek to fill 1.52 lakh vacancies in railways this year. 47000 vacancies for weaker sections and physically challenged to be filled up soon By end of 2013-14, 1,500 km of contracts to be awarded for two dedicated rail corridors Economic Survey of contracts to be awarded for two dedicated rail corridors.
Union Budget 2013-14
On 28 February Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram Presented the Rs.16,65 279 Crore(Planed Expenditure Rs. 5,55,322 crore , Non Planed Expenditure Rs 11,09,975 crore) Union budget in the Lok Sabha for the financial year 2013-14.This is the 82‘nd Budget for India and 8th Budget for the Finance Minister P Chidambaram.In the past, former Prime Minister Morarji Desai presented the Union Budget 8 times as Finance Minister. The Highlights of Union Budget 2013-14: Total budget expenditure seen at 16.65
trillion rupees in 2013-14. on-plan expenditure estimated at about 11.1 trillion rupees in 2013-14. India‘s 2013-14 plan expenditure seen at 5.55 trillion rupees Revised estimate for total expenditure is 14.3 trillion rupees in 2012-13, which is 96 point of budget estimate Expect 133 billion rupees through direct tax proposals in 2013-14 Expect 47 billion rupees through indirect tax proposals in 2013-14 Target 558.14 billion rupees from stake sales in state-run firms in 2013-14 Expect revenue of 408.5 bln rupees from airwave surcharges, auction of telecom spectrum, licence fees in 2013-14 But will give some tax relief of Rs. 2000 for every person who has an annual income of up to Rs. 5 lakh RBI expected GDP growth of 5.5% for Financial Year 2013-14 Rs.1000-crore Nirbhaya Fund announced for the empowerment of women Rs.6,000 crore to be allocated for rural housing fund Defence allocation increased to Rs. 2.03 lakh crore Rs. 6,275 crore to ministry of science and technology, Rs. 5,880 crore to Department of Atomic Energy Rs.27,049 crore allocation to the Agriculture Ministry Rs. 37,330 crore allocated for Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Rs.110 crore to be allocated to the department of disability affairs Rs.37,330 crore allocated for Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Rs.14000 crore will be provided for PSB recapitalization. He will constitute a panel on transaction costs, and financial policies. Rs.6,5867 crore for Education , an increase of 17 percent over RE for 2012- 13.
Rs 6275 crore to Ministry of Technology
Rs.2 trillion for defence sector Rs.15,260 crore to be allocated to Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. Rs.14,873 crore for JNNURM for urban transportation Rs.80,194 crore allocation for Ministry of Rural Development Rs.33,000 crore for MGNREGA Rs.37,330 crore allocated for Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
Rs.13215 crore for mid-day meal programme
Rs.41,561 crore for SC plan and Rs 24,598 crore for tribal plan. 3511 crore allocation to minorities which is 12 per cent hike over budget estimates, 110 crore rupees allotted for welfare of disabled. 65867 crore rupees have been allocated to the Ministry of Human resources development which is 17 per cent hike over the revised estimates. A surcharge of 10 percent on persons (other than companies) whose taxable income exceeds Rs.1 crore have been ‖ levied. Relief of Rs. 2000 for the tax payers in the first bracket of 2 to 5 lakhs.
Iran launches new fighter jet
Iran had unveiled a new home-made combat aircraft on 02 February 2013.Iran announced that this is the most Sophisticated aircraft in the world.The name of this aircraft was Qaher F313 (Dominant F313).Qaher F313 was designed using the Advanced Electro-Aviation System.
World‟s Largest Prime Number Discovered with 17,425,170 digits
Researchers from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg discovered the largest prime number of the world, Contains 17 Million Digits. This is the 48th Mersenne prime found so far. However there are certain rare kinds of prime numbers called Mersenne primes which have the form 2 multiplied by itself p times minus 1, where p denotes a prime number. The new largest prime is 2 multiplied by itself 57885161 times minus 1.
First Complete Bionic Man Unveiled in U.K | |||
On 7 February The world‘s first complete Bionic Man‘ named ― Rex | was | ||
using 1 | |||
unveiled at London‘s Science Museum. The bionic man was created | ‖ | ||
million US dollar limbs as well as organs.Rex has a human face with brown eyes and a height of 6.5 feet. It was designed jointly with assistance from 18 universities and companies.
Rudra Inducted into the Army
On 8 February The first indigenously‖ built Weapon System Integrated
Advanced Light Helicopter, ―Rudra was handed over to the Indian Army by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) .Rudra is the Mk-IV variant of the Advanced Light Helicopter designed and manufactured by HAL. The helicopter is fitted with weapons, targeting systems, warning and counter-measure systems and survivability features.This is the first of the 60 armed helicopters provided to the army by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) after the Defence Ministry handed over the control of all attack helicopters to the land force.
Indian Coast Guard Ship „Rajratan‟ Commissioned
On 11 February Indian Coast Guard ship ― Rajratan ― , the fifth in a series of eight Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs), was commissioned by Indian Coast Guard.The vessel has been indigenously built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders
and Engineers, Kolkata.The 50m long IPV can achieve a maximum speed of 34 knots, with an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles at an economical speed of 16 knots.
North Korea conducted third nuclear test ‖
On 12 February 2013,North Korea ―successfully conducted a third
underground nuclear test with the violation of United Nations sanctions.In the
past North Korea two times conducted nuclear tests but this is most powerful than those tests.North Korea announced that,a miniaturised nuclear device had been detonated successfully at the test site.The test was reported to have taken place at a test site in the North Hamgyeong province, where the Punggye-ri nuclear complex that conducted tests in 2006 and 2009 is located.
Asteroid “ 2012 DA14 “ Passed Very Near To Earth
The small Asteroid named ― 2012 DA14 ― with an estimated diameter of 50 meters (160 ft) and an estimated mass of 190,000 metric tons passed within about 3.5 Earth radii of the Earth‘s surface on February 15.During its 2013 close passage, the asteroid passed 27,700 km (17,200 mi) from the surface of Earth. Scientists at NASA estimated that an asteroid the size of 2012 DA14 flies this close to Earth about once every 40 years. A 2012 DA14-size asteroid impacts Earth once every 1,200 years, on average.
PSLV-C20 Successfully Launched „SARAL‟ and 6 Other Satellites
On 25 February ISRO‘s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dawan Space centre‖ at SPSR Nellore in Sriharikota , launched the Indo-French satellite ―SARAL along with six commercial payloads from Austria, Britain, Canada and Denmark into a 785-km polar sunsynchronous orbit.It was the 23rd mission of PSLV, which has an impeccable record of 21 consecutive successful flights. About SARAL:- – The Saral mission results from the common interest of both ISRO and CNES in studying the ocean from space. For instance, it can provide information on seasonal forecasting, study on animal migration, locating buoys‘ and fishing vessels, collecting environmental data such as ocean temperature profiles and currents.
Besides Saral, the PSLV-C20 has put into orbit two micro-satellites UniBRITE and BRITE (both from Austria), AAUSAT3 from Denmark and STRaND from UK. It also carried one micro-satellite (NEOSSat) and one mini-satellite (SAPPHIRE) from Canada.With a lift-off mass of 407 kg, Saral is the 56th satellite to be launched by PSLV.The six commercial payloads from abroad
together have a lift-off mass of 259.5 km.PSLV-C20 is the ninth PSLV in core alone‘ configuration (without solid strap-on motors).
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Mo Yan and Jackie Chan Selected As Members of Chinese Parliament
On 3 February Mo Yan, the winner of Nobel Prize for literature, 2012 and Jackie Chan, the movie star were given a political role in China by being selected as members of the Chinese People‘s Political Consultative Conference, one of the houses of Chinese parliament.
Prachanda elected as Maoist president of ruling UCPN-Maoist party
Prachanda, the powerful Maoist leader who became prime minister after toppling the 239-year-old monarchy in Nepal, was elected as the president of the ruling UCPNMaoist party on 08 February 2013.58-yearold Prachanda, whose real name is Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Indian American Subra Suresh Appointed as President of Carnegie Mellon
On 9 February US President Obama‘s top science official and Indian American Padma Shri awardee Dr Subra Suresh has been appointed as the new president of Carnegie Mellon University. He will succeed Dr. Jared L. Cohon, who led the university to unprecedented growth during his 16-year tenure. Dr Suresh will assume office on July 1 after Dr Cohon would step down on June 30, this year.
Ratan Tata Elected To “National Academy of Engineering“
On 9 February Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of the Tata Group, has been elected as a member of the prestigious National Academy of Engineering of the US along with 10 new foreign members.This is the highest professional distinction accorded to an engineer in the US.Ratan Tata has been selected for his outstanding contributions to industrial development in India and the world.
D.C.Chief Financial Officer Natwar Gandhi To Resign
Indian American, Natwar M. Gandhi, Chief Financial officer (CFO) of Washington DC ,announced his resignation on 1 February.He will resign on 1 June 2013.Gandhi has held the office since 2000 and was appointed to a new, five-year term last year.
Solicitor-General Rohinton Nariman resigns
Solicitor-General of India Rohinton Nariman resigned 04 February 2013.Mr. Nariman was appointed as the second most senior law official of the country on July 23, 2011 following the resignation of Gopal Subramanium on July 14, 2011.
Obama‟s Top Science Official Suresh Resigned
On 6 February US President Barack Obama‘s top science official and Padma Shri awardee Subra Suresh has resigned from his current position to join the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University as its chief.As director of National Science Foundation (NSF) since 2010, Suresh was responsible for driving scientific research of the country.Suresh has co-authored more than 240 journal articles, registered 21 patents and written three widely used materials science books.
Nagaland Home Minister resigns
Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L. Imchen was resigned from the ruling Naga People‘s Front (NPF) government on 19 February 2013.Mr. Imchen put in his papers after the Election Commission authorities seized cash amounting to more than Rs.1 crore and weapons from his vehicle on 18 February by troopers of Assam Rifles at Sathupang area in Wokha district.
Pope Benedict XVI Resigned
On 28 February Pope Benedict XVI a position in which he serves dual roles as Sovereign of the Vatican City State and leader of the Catholic Church resigned his post.Pope Benedict XVI‘s birth name is Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger.Benedict
XVI was elected on 19 April 2005 in a papal conclave, celebrated his Papal Inauguration Mass on 24 April 2005, and took possession of his cathedral, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, on 7 May 2005. A native of Bavaria, he has both German and Vatican citizenship.
C)DEATHS
Former Puducherry CM Shanmugam passes away
Former Chief Minister of Puducherry P. Shanmugam passed away at the Karaikal Government Hospital on 02 February 2013.A bachelor, Shanmugam was the chief minister of Puducherry from March 22, 2000 to Oct 27, 2001 and represented the union territory in the Lok Sabha between 1980-1991.
China‟s Table Tennis Legend Zhuang Zedong Died
On 10 February the china‘s table tennis legend , Zhuang Zedong died in Beijing
.Zhuang Zedong is a three-time world table tennis champion.Zhuang Zedong remained a crucial figure in ping-pong diplomacy of 1971 and is popularly also called the Architect of Ping-Pong Diplomacy. Pingpong diplomacy means exchange of the table tennis (ping-pong) players between China and US
American Philosopher and Legal Scholar Dworkin Died
Ronald Dworkin a renowned American philosopher and a Constitutional Law expert died on 14 February at London .He wrote books named A Matter of Principle, Law‘s Empire and Justice for Hedgehogs.
Radhakishan Malviya former Union Minister died
Former Union Minister and senior Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Radhakishan Malviya died on 19 February 2013 in Indore.Malviya was elected MLA from Sanver in Indore district in 1972. A three-time Rajya Sabha MP, he was Labour Minister in the Rajiv Gandhi government in mid-1980s. Malviya was Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee president during 1998-2003 when Digvijay Singh was the chief minister.
D)VISITORS
Bhutan Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley Visited India
Prime Minister of Bhutan Jigmi Y Thinley visited India from 7 – 9 February.During his three-days visit he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at NewDelhi and discussed on developmental issues of his country with the
France‟s President Francois Hollande Visited India
France‘s President Francois Hollande Visited India from 14th and 15th February.During the 2 day visit he met manmohan singh at NewDelhi and discussed the sale of Rafale fighter jets , bilateral issues , after signed the both nations on several agreements .
Britain‟s PM David Cameron Visited India
David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland , visited India from 18 – 20 February.During the visit on 18 February he attended India – Britain delegations meeting in Mumbai .On 19 February Cameron met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi and discussed bilateral and global issues.The British Prime Minister last visited India in July 2010.
E)MISCELLANEOUS
Three Year Old Girl Joins Mensa After Taking IQ Test in Russian
A brainy 3 year old girl Clever Alice Amos has been unveiled as the youngest new member of Mensa with a higher IQ than Stephen Hawking.Amos has been granted full membership of the brain box society after scoring an incredible 162 on an IQ test – she took in Russian.Her IQ of 162 ranks her higher than a list of the world‘s greatest luminaries – dead and living.Former US presidents Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin and Bill Clinton could only muster 128, 160 and 137 respectively.
Mohamed Nasheed Took Refuge In Indian High Commission
On 13 February the former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed took refuge in the Indian High Commission in Capital Male to evade arrest, a year after he was toppled.He turned up at the single-storey Indian mission around noon to evade arrest warrant issued by a court in a case concerning the detention of Chief Judge of the Criminal Court during his Presidency in January last year.The Indian government has permitted him to stay in Mission.
Queen Elizabeth II named Britain‟s Most Powerful
According to the BBC power list of Britain‘s most influential women, Queen Elizabeth II has been named the most powerful woman in Britain, while two Indian-origin women also found a place in the list of UK‘s 100 most powerful women. Two Indian-origin women who featured among the 100 most powerful British women were Kolkata-born Pinki Lilani, founder of the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in the UK, and human rights champion and director of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti.
World‟s oldest woman is Misao Ookawa
Misao Ookawa,the oldest woman in the world receives a Guinness World Records certificate in Osaka, Japan,on 27 February 2013.She will ready to celebrate its 115th birth anniversary on 5 March 2013. The oldest man in the world,Jiroemon Kimura(115) also belongs to Japan.
PLACES IN NEWS
Strong 6.6 Magnitude Quake Hits Solomon Islands
On 6 February a strong 6.6-magnitude tremor struck the Solomon Islands , the latest in a series of aftershocks from a powerful earthquake that triggered a tsunami The quake hit 36 kilometres south-southwest of Lata, the main town on the remote island of Ndende.At least six people were confirmed dead and some 3,000 left homeless but the national disaster management office has been struggling to get a clear picture of the scale of destruction on the island, more than 600 kilometres‖ from the capital Honiara.The Solomons are part of the ―Ring of Fire , a zone of tectonic activity around the Pacific that is subject to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Snow Storm “ Nemo “ Hits US and Canada
On 8 February Seven people have been killed in the United States and Canada as the massive blizzard Winter Storm Nemo dumped nearly two feet of snow in New England and knocked out power to more than a half a million homes.Throughout the Northeast, more than 600,000 homes and businesses lost electricity. Airlines cancelled more than 5,300 flights today, and New York City‘s three major airports and Boston‘s Logan Airport closed.
Huge Meteorite Hits The Russia
On 15 February A huge meteor hits the Russia, injuring more than 1000 people, many hurt by broken glass, and causing explosions.Fragments of the
meteor fell in a thinly populated area of the Chelyabinsk region.The meteorite, which weighed about 10 metric tons and may have been made of iron, entered Earth‘s atmosphere and broke apart 30-50 km (19-31 miles) above ground.The meteorite explosion, a very rare spectacle, also unleashed a sonic boom.The energy released when it entered the Earth‘s atmosphere was equivalent to a few kilotonnes, the power of a small atomic weapon exploding.
ABBREVIATIONS
DSDS – Delhi Sustainable Development Summit BHEL – Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd
GAIL – Gas Authority of India Limited TERI – The Energy and Resources Institute EIU – Economist Intelligence Unit
NSF – National Science Foundation
TAPI – Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India POTA – Prevention of Terrorism Act
IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency CAIR – Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
CITU – Centre of Indian Trade Unions FAO – Food and Agriculture Organisation HDI – Human Development Index
UNHCR – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees WIPO – World Intellectual Property Organisation
BOOKS IN NEWS
“Khushwantnama: The Lessons of My Life” Book Released
On 2 February The indomitable Khushwant Singh ‖has released a new book named ―Khushwantnama: The Lessons of My Life on his 98th birthday in which he writes about his life, lessons it has taught him, politics, future of India and what religion means to him.The book, published by Penguin Books India, is dedicated to Kaur who is a close friend of the author.Khushwant Singh was a Member of Parliament from 1980 to 1986. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1974 but returned the decoration in 1984 in protest against the storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar by the Indian Army. In 2007, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose new book named Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Germany‘ released on 6 February.The First copy of the book by Professor Anita B. Pfaff was given to the President of India Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan at NewDelhi. The book was brought out by the Federation of Indo-German Societies in India.The book is a collection of the records shared by Professor Anita Pfaff as well as other known biographers and writers.The book portrayed some interesting facets of the life of Netaji and his extraordinary contribution to India‘s freedom struggle.
COMMITTEES
Padmanabhan Committee To Help Boost Bank Finance For Exports
On 3 February The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) constituted a technical advisory committee to iron out existing issues and boost bank finance for exports.The committee will be headed by RBI Executive Director G Padmanabhan.The committee look into the issues related to exporters, we have decided to constitute a technical working group which will also look non-cost issues like transaction costs, accounting norms, documentation required, procedural difficulties.
INTERNATIONAL
China, Russia, Pakistan discuss Afghanistan situation
Officials from China, Russia and Pakistan on 3 April 2013 held talks on the issue of coordination between their positions on Afghanistan.The officials from three nations backed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) that is grouping to play a great role in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of NATO Forces in 2014. These talks were held to enhance coordination. The talks followed a similar meeting India, China and Russia held in Moscow recently, reflecting the delicate balancing act — and increasingly complicated regional dynamics — as different countries look to push their interests in the lead up to 2014.
Malaysia PM Dissolves Parliament
On 3 April Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has dissolved the Parliament ahead of a general election.This dissolution will pave the way for the 13th general election.The elections have to be held before June 2.The Barisan
Nasional coalition that has ruled Malaysia since independence in 1957 is expected to face a stiff challenge in the polls from the opposition three-party Pakatan Rakyat (People s Pact).
Tammam Salam named as Lebanon new Prime Minister
On 6 April well-known Sunni lawmaker Tammam Salam has been named Lebanon s new prime minister , after receiving overwhelming parliamentary support.His appointment comes after previous prime minister Najib Mikati resigned and effectively brought down his Hezbollah-dominated government.
China, Australia Signed Direct Currency Exchange Agreement
On 10 China and Australia have signed a currency swap agreement in a bid to promote bilateral trade and investment.The agreement makes the Australian dollar the third major currency to directly trade in China s mainland foreign exchange market, after the US dollar and the Japanese yen.Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard discussed bilateral security issues with China s President Hu Jintao.
China Pledges $548 million Aid To Cambodia
On 10 April China has pledged $548 million in aid to Cambodia for infrastructure and irrigation systems.Agreements covering $500 million in soft loans and $48 million in grants were signed during Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen .
Nepal Peace Process Ends
On 13 April Nepal s much delayed peace process with end of the decade long civil war has finally reached conclusion.Though the peace process had started on 2006, the Special Committee was formed in 2008 to oversee the army integration process.The last meeting of the cross-party Special Committee decided to accept application of 47 Maoist combatants to quit the Nepal Army training.
Nicolas Maduro Wins Venezuelan Presidential Election
Nicolas Maduro,Socilist Party member who became Hugo Chavez s protege, was declared the winner of Venezuela s presidential election on 14 April 2013.Maduro secured 50.8% of votes while opposition candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski won 49.0%.Maduro got 3 lakhs votes of majority than Henrique.
New Zealand Approved Gay-Marriage Bill
On 17 April New Zealand s parliament has approved the bill to legalise same-sex marriage.New Zealand has become the first country in the Asia-Pacific egion to do so. No other country in the Asia-Pacific region allows gay marriage.Cheers and applause ring out in parliament building after 77 of 121 members vote to allow gay couples to wed.New Zealand is now the 13th country to legalise gay marriage.
U.S Senate Rejects Gun Control Bill
On 18 April The US Senate has rejected a strong gun control bill.US Senators supported the measure with just 54-46 votes , falling short of the 60 votes required to pass the amendment.The legislation was considered the best hope for gun control sought by President Obama in the wake of the mass shooting at Newtown Elementary School last year.Among them, a vote to ban assault weapons was rejected by 40 votes to 60, while a measure to limit the size of gun clips received just 46 votes in its favor.
US House of Representatives Passed CISPA
On 18 April The US House of Representatives has passed the controversial Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protect Act (CISPA).The aim of CISPA is to fight with the cyber threats, by enabling the law enforcers to get access to the web data.This is the second time Cispa has been passed by the House.Senators threw out the first draft, saying it did not do enough to protect privacy.Senators had earlier rejected the first draft of this bill on the grounds that it wasn t providing enough for protecting the privacy.
Napolitano Re-elected as Italy‟s President
On 21 April Italy s Parliament re-elected Giorgio Napolitano as the Italy s President for second 7-year term .Giorgio Napolitano will be the first Italian president to be re-elected to serve a second term.He got 738 votes, far more than the 504 needed for victory.More than 1,000 national and regional lawmakers had convened to elect the next Italian president, with the overwhelming majority of them ultimately backing Napolitano.The People of Freedom party of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi got second place in Italy elections.He is the first President of Italy to have been a member of the Italian Communist Party and the first to be elected to a second term as President.Giorgio Napolitano is the 11th President of the Italian Republic since 2006.
Horacio Cartes Elected as Paraguay‟s new President
On 22 April Businessman Horacio Cartes of the Colorado Party has been declared Paraguay s new president.The electoral board announced that Cartes had 46.1 percent of the vote and his main rival Senator Efrain Alegre of the ruling Liberal Party 36.9 percent.The conservative Colorados held Paraguay s presidency for 60 years until leftist former Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo was elected in 2008.
French Parliament Approved Gay Marriage Law
On 23 April France parliament approved a new law to allow gay marriage. Parliament passed the bill by 331 votes for and 225 against.France has become the 14th country to allow gay marriage..
UK Approved Caste Discrimination Bill
On 25 April Britain has outlawed caste discrimination, after the House of Lords voted for legal protection to be given to the most vulnerable, mainly in the Indian and Sikh communities.The UK now looks set to become the first country in Europe to outlaw discrimination based on caste.
Cuba and Venezuela Signed 51 Cooperation Projects
On 28 April Cuba and Venezuela have signed at Havana accords for 51 joint projects worth two billion U.S. dollars.At the close of 13th Cuba-Venezuela Intergovernmental Meeting , Cuban President Raul Castro and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced the deals for projects in such areas as education, health, sports, cultur, food production, construction, transport, communications, energy and support of social missions.Havana and Caracas agreed to jointly invest two billion dollars to develop these projects and also signed a memorandum to establish a bilateral medium- and long-term economic agenda.The investment also covers joint ventures in vital and strategic economic areas in both countries.
Pakistan court bans Musharraf from contesting polls for life
A four-judge bench of the Peshawar high court headed by chief justice Dost Muhammad Khan imposed the life ban while dismissing Musharraf s appeal challenging the rejection of his nomination papers for May 11 general election.The lifetime ban was imposed because Musharraf had abrogated the Constitution twice and detained judges during the 2007 emergency.
INDIA & WORLD
India and Singapore Signed MoU on Air Services
On 2 April India and Singapore signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral air services arrangement in the presence of Civil Aviation Minister, Shri Ajit Singh and Minister of Transport of Singapore, Mr Lui Tuck Yew in Singapore.
India, Azerbaijan ink 3 key pacts
Aimed at creating the necessary legal framework in areas of extradition, India and Azerbaijan on 04 April 2013 inked three key pacts which also included treaties for mutual legal assistance in criminal and civil matters.Visiting Justice Minister of Azerbaijan Fikrat Mammadov held a meeting with Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde where the extradition treaty was signed.
India and Tanzania Signed Agreement To Explore Mineral Wealth
On 6 April India and Tanzania have signed an agreement for forging an alliance to explore mineral wealth in the African nation.The agreement was signed by the Union Minister of Steel, Beni Prasad Verma and Sospeter Muhongo, the Minister of Energy and Minerals, United Republic of Tanzania at Der es Salaam.
India and Russia signed Regulation of Co-operation Agreement
On 10 April India and Russia signed a Regulation defining the structure, functions and procedure of the Joint Commission at Moscow.The agreement was signed by Vladimir Puchkov, Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters and Sushil kumar Shinde, the Union Minister of Home Affairs.
Two Day India-China Counter-Terrorism Dialogue on
Afghanistan ended
The two-day India-China counter-terrorism dialogue ended on 12 April 2013 in Beijing China. The two nations discussed upon the ways to step up cooperation to counter terror in Afghanistan as a follow up plan after the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan in 2014.
India – Mauritius Signed MoU on Electoral Cooperation
On 12 April India and Mauritius signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on cooperation in the field of Election Management and Administration. The MoU was signed by Chief Election Commissioner of India, V.S. Sampath and the Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius, Mohammad Irfan Abdool Rahman.
India – Mauritius Signed MoU on Electoral Cooperation
On 12 April India and Mauritius signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on cooperation in the field of Election Management and Administration. The MoU was signed by Chief Election Commissioner of India, V.S. Sampath and the Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius, Mohammad Irfan Abdool Rahman.
Bangladesh Inks $1.6 Billion Power Deal with India
On 20 April India and Bangladesh signed its biggest-ever joint venture agreement with India involving investment of $1.6 billion for 1,320 MW coal-fired power plant which is expected to be operational in the next five years.The two country s signed three deals under a pact to run the plant at Rampal of Bagerhat while the two others were Power Purchase Agreement and Implementation Agreement.A supplementary joint venture agreement floating the company was signed by Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) chairman Abdual Wahab Khan and NTPC Chairman and Managing Director Arup Roy Choudhury while the two others agreements were signed by officials concerned of the two countries.
Indian origin boy won spelling championship
12 years old Indian origin boy won the very popular spelling competition beating another 30 competitors, held at Singapore. The name of the competition was R.B.H- The Straight Times National Spelling Championship. The name of the boy is Ashwin Shiv Kumar, who won the top place in this championship on 27 April 2013 . He is the student of 6th grade at Anglo-
Chinese school. He was awarded by 5000 Singapore Dollars, as a prize he got. He passed through 10 stages and won the competition.
NATIONAL
Prez Pranab Mukherjee clears anti-rape bill
President Pranab Mukherjee had given his assent to the anti-rape bill which provides for life term and even death sentence for rape convicts besides stringent punishment for offences like acid attacks, stalking and voyeurism.Mukherjee accorded his assent to the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill-2013 on 03 April 2013.This is called as the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013.The law, passed by Lok Sabha on March 19 and by Rajya Sabha on March 21.
Union Government Approved Project for NOFN Creation in Gram Panchayats
On 12 April The Government of India approved the project for creation of National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) connecting all the 250000 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country through Optical Cable (OFC). The Union Government decided to fund the project through Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
Government Approved For 13 Power Projects
On 22 April The Cabinet Committee on Investment cleared 13 power projects that involves investment of 33000 crore rupees. The projects on which the investments will be made include one hydro and two thermal project as well as ten transmission projects. 25 oil and gas blocks with investment commitment of about seven billion US dollars also got approval during the same meet. Of these 16 blocks were given conditional clearances, while nine blocks were approved without any condition. Approval of these projects was pending due to the objections raised by the Ministry of Defence over national security.
Mukherjee Gives Assent To Sexual Harassment of Women at
On 25 April President Pranab Mukherjee has given his assent to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2013.Sexual harassment at workplace is a violation of women s right to gender equality, life and liberty.It creates an insecure and hostile work environment, which discourages women s participation in work, thereby adversely affecting their economic empowerment and the goal of inclusive growth. (ANI)
STATES
Andhra Pradesh Government launched Online Services
named Parishkaram for Entrepreneurs Andhra Pradesh Government on 1 April 2013 launched the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation s online services for entrepreneurs and grievance redressal system. The platform is proposed to be a link between the APIIC and entrepreneurs which would make the process of application and registration of land for setting up industries a paperless one.
EC issues notification for Karnataka assembly polls
The Election Commission on April 10 issued the notification for the Karnataka Assembly polls.The nomination papers will be scrutinised on April 18. The last day for withdrawing the nominations is April 20. The votes polled on May 5 will be counted on May 8.
Himachal Govt To Connect All Gram Panchayats With Broadband
On 12 April Himachal Pradesh government signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Department of Telecommunication, Govt of India (GOI) and Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) for providing broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats of the state by establishing of an optical fiber network.
Himachal celebrates 66th anniversary
On 15 April 2013 Himachal Pradesh celebrated 66th Himachal Day.Himachal Pradesh came into existence on 15 April 1948 with the merger of 30 princely states.During the function, the Chief Minister announced many schemes for the state which are under development phase like Mukhyamantri Adarsh Krishi Gaon Yojana, Skill Development Allowance. In the skill development Allowance, the government would provide 1000 rupees per month to
India‟s first automatic toll collection system launched in
Maharashtra
The country s first interoperable RIFD(Radio Frequency Identification Device )-based electronic toll system was rolled out on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai National Highway and the system would allow vehicles fitted with electronic tags to sail through six toll plazas automatically.
Tamilnadu Planned Rs.7000 crore Underground Hydel Power Station
On 25 April Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa announced the government planned a Rs 7,000 crore underground hydel power station in Nilgiris district besides the ongoing related schemes,which in all will cost over Rs 20,000 crore.The first unit of North Chennai Thermal Power plant, third unit of Vallur project and 2x 500 MW each of Tuticorin Power project would start generating power between March 2014.The first unit of North Chennai Thermal Power plant, third unit of Vallur project and 2x 500 MW each of Tuticorin Power project would start generating power between this year May and March 2014
CONFERENCES
PM inaugurated CII national conference
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurated the two-day national conference and annual general meeting of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi on 03 March 2013.Around 1,500 industrialists from across the country will attended the meeting. The theme for this year s deliberations‖ is ―India tomorrow: Imperatives of growth, security and governance .
Conference of CM‟s of States & Chief Justices of High Courts held at New
Delhi
Conference of Chief Ministers of States & Chief Justices of High Courts held at New Delhi on 7 April.The conference presided over by Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir, aims to address pressing issues related to the country s justice delivery system that s often criticised for being tardy.Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh inaugurated the joint conference.Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has called upon the judiciary and executive to work together to make the Indian judicial system an arrear free.
Hyderabad will host ICSE conference in 2014
The 36th International Conference on Software Engineering, ICSE2014, will be held in Hyderabad, India from 1 June 2013 to 7 June 2013. India is home to some of the largest software companies in the world, and Hyderabad is one of the main centers for software development in India.This conference is going to be a premier software engineering conference that is going to provide a forum for researchers, practitioners and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, experiences and concerns in the field of software engineering.This is the first time conducted in India.
UNWTO Conference Held in Hyderabad
United Nations World Tourism Organisation ( UNWTO) Commission s Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development and 25th Joint Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia, Pacific and South Asia will be held at Hyderabad from 12th to 14th of this month.The conference attended by dignitaries belonging to 29 countries spread across in East Asia & Pacific and South Asia, eight UNWTO affiliate members, two regional organizations as well as industry organizations. The UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai along with his team of senior delegates presented at the meeting .The delegates discussed the market trends of the region in the year 2012 and tourism prospects for the year 2013.The next Joint Meeting would be held in Philippines and the 21st Session of General Assembly of UNWTO will be held in Cambodia.
AWARDS & HONOURS
National Awards for State Industries
On April 1st ,the state of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) got the National Awards .In the Research &
Development Efforts in MSMEs category includes three Awards (First, Second and Third) for Micro and Small Enterprises and have gone to entrepreneurs from Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Haryana respectively.Three National Awards (First, Second and
Third) for Micro Enterprises in Outstanding Efforts in
Entrepreneurship category Haryana , West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh got first,second and third respectively.Three National Awards (First, Second and Third) for Small Enterprises. First Award has gone to an entrepreneur from Himachal Pradesh. Second Award has been given jointly to four entrepreneurs from Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Third Award has been given jointly to three entrepreneurs from Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka.This awards will be presented by the President Pranab Mukherjee.
Desmond Tutu Won Prestigious “2013 Templeton Prize “ | ||
On 4 South Africa s Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has won ― 2013 | ||
Templeton Prize ― for his life-long work in promoting love and | ‖ | |
prize was announced at the foundation s headquarters in | ||
forgiveness.The | ‖ | |
West Conshohocken in Pennsylvania and is valued at $1.7-million (about Rs.15.6-million).Last year s prize was awarded to the exiled Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
ICSI National Awards for Excellence in Corporate Governance – 2012
Chairman of the Awards Jury of the ICSI (Institute of Company Secretaries of India) and former Chief Justice of India Shri Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah in New Delhi on 05 April 2013 presented the ICSI National Awards for Excellence in Corporate Governance -2012 to two Best Governed Companies : 1. Indian Oil Corporation Limited; and 2. HCL Technologies Limited. The Awards were presented during the ongoing 2nd CSIA International Corporate Governance Conference. ICSI Life Time Achievement Award for the year 2012 was presented to Shri Deepak S. Parekh, Chairman, Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd. for translating excellence in Corporate Governance into reality.Certificates of Recognition were presented to the Top Five Companies. These are : 1. CMC Limited 2. Engineers India Limited 3. ONGC Limited 4. Persistent Systems Ltd. 5. Powergrid Corporation of India Limited
Barfi! wins top honours at The Times of India Film Awards
Barfi movie was the top winner at the maiden edition of The Times of India Film Awards, bagging the Best Film, Best Director (Anurag Basu), Best Actor (Ranbir Kapoor), Best Actress (Priyanka Chopra) and Best Debut Female (Ileana D Cruz) trophies. The award for the Best Debut Male went to Ayushmann Khurrana for Vicky Donor, which also won the Best Supporting Actor award for Annu Kapoor and the Best Supporting Actress trophy for
Dolly Ahluwalia. Anurag Kashyap s Gangs of Wasseypur got the Critics Choice award for Best Film. Abhishek Bachchan, who won the Best Actor in a Comic Role award for Bol Bachchan, dedicated the honour to his wife Aishwarya.
Pran gets Phalke Award
On 12 April 2013,Hindi film actor Pran Krishan Sikand will be conferred with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2012. The 93-year-old actor, popularly known as Pran, will be the 44th recipient of the top-most film award in the country.Pran, who has acted in over 400 films in his six-decade-long career.The award, named after the father of Indian cinema Dada Saheb Phalke, will be conferred on Pran on May 3, which will also mark the 100 years of cinema this year.
New York Times won four Pulitzer Prizes
The New York Times won four Pulitzer Prizes on 15 April 2013, including the award for investigative reporting for stories that detailed how Wal-Mart used bribery to expand in Mexico.The Sun Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was awarded the public service Pulitzer for its reporting on off-duty police officers reckless driving.The Pulitzer in breaking news photography went to The Associated Press for its coverage of the civil war in Syria.The Pulitzers, journalism s highest honour, are given out each year by Columbia University on the recommendation of a board of journalists and others. Each award carries a $10,000 prize except for the public service award, which is a gold medal.
Raj Chetty won John Bates Clark young economist award
Delhi-born Raj Chetty, the professor in the Department of Economy at the Harvard University won John Bates Clark medal for 2013, also called Baby Nobel.John Bates Clark medal is conferred upon the American economist whose age is below 40 years and the one who has made crucial contribution to economic knowledge and thought.Baby Nobel is one of the most prestigious awards of economy. Infact, it is second only after Nobel Prize in economic science.Raj Chetty, 33, is the first Indian-origin person to win this high honour. His areas of work include social insurance, tax policy as well as education policy.
Telugu writer Ravuri Bharadwaja honoured with Jnanpith award
Telugu writer Dr Ravuri Bharadwaja got the country s prestigious Jnanpith award for 2012 for his contributions to‖ Telugu literature over 60 years.He got this award for his novel ―Pakudurallu .He is the third recipient of the country s highest literary award from Andhra Pradesh, after Dr Viswanatha Satyanarayana in 1970 for his Srimad Ramayana Kalpavriksham and Dr C. Narayana Reddy in 1988 for his book Viswambhara. Eighty six-year-old Dr Bharadwaja was chosen for the award by a selection Board chaired by poet Sitakant Mahapatra, said a statement of the Jnanpith award committee.
RGIA is Named the Best Airport in India
On 17 April The GMR Group operated and managed Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) has been rated as the No.1 airport in India, the fifth best regional airport in Asia and also as the eighth best airport in the 5 to 10 mppa capacity.The ratings were given at the recently concluded Skytrax-World Airport Awards held at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Geneva.
Manmohan Singh, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi Named Among Top 5 Most Influential Asians
On 17 April Congress president Sonia Gandhi (2nd Rank), Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (4th Rank) and AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi (5th Rank) have been named among top 5 in the world s 100 most influential list of Asians topped by China s new President Xi Jinping.Among the other key Indians to make the grade included Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani for owning Indias most valuable company in ninth place, followed by President Pranab Mukherjee at 19th place and steel magnate Lakshmi N Mittal at 20th position.Indian entries dominated the Top 100 with 39 names, followed by 15 from China and six from the Philippines.While Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy was named Philanthropist of the Year, industrialist Adi Godrej bagged Entrepreneur of the Year award for his contribution to Indian industry and Ravi Ruia, vice-chairman of the Essar Group, won in the Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability category, for his company s high sustainability ratings
NRI Kartar Lalvani Received Queen‟s Award
On 20 April Vitabiotics, a company founded by NRI entrepreneur Kartar Lalvani, has received the coveted Queen s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for its research on vitamins. Vitabiotics , UK s largest supplier of minerals and vitamin supplements to the retail trade, won the award for the development
Saina Nehwal Selected for „Yudhvir „ Award
Yudhvir Foundation has selected ace badminton player Saina Nehwal for the 22nd Yudhvir Memorial Foundation Award for the year 2013, which was being given every year to honor the individuals who excel in some field of human endeavor. The award was established in the name of late Yudhvir, founder editor of the Hindi Milap daily in 1991 after his demise.Saina Nehwal was selected for the Award as she won a medal in Olympics in badminton and also the first to win the Asian Satellite Badminton tournament (India Chapter) twice keeping the country s image high abroad.The previous Yudhvir awardees include Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Classical maestro Pandit Jasraj, Space Scientist Prof. UR Rao, Amar Chitra Katha founder late Anant Pai and eminent film maker Shyam Benegal and others.
Asha Bhosle, Mala Sinha to get Phalke Academy awards
The Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Awards will be bestowed on singer Asha Bhosle, actress Mala Sinha, late filmmaker Yash Chopra, and late superstar Rajesh Khanna among several others at a ceremony in Mumbai on April 30.Asha, who has regaled music lovers with her melodious voice in her over six decades old career, will receive the‖ Phalke‖Ratna‖ Award from‖ the ‖academy, while Mala‖ Sinha, who has acted in ― Pyaasa ", ― Maryada " and ― Hariyali Aur Rasta " will get the Golden Era Award.
Major Anup Joseph awarded Kirti Chakra, 12 others get Shaurya Chakra
Major Anup Joseph Manjali was on Saturday awarded the second-highest peacetime gallantry award Kirti Chakra by President Pranab Mukherjee for killing three foreign militants in Jammu and Kashmir. 12 defence personnel were awarded the Shaurya Charkra for their acts of bravery including Captain A Rahul Ramesh and Naik Krishna Kumar who were given the honour posthumously.
Seven South African Indians get National Orders
The awards(National Orders)are presented on the Freedom Day of South Africa that is celebrated on April 27 to mark the day on which Nelson Mandela took over as the country s first democratically-elected President in 1994. Among the recipients of the order was veteran Indian diplomat Enuga
Sreenivasula Reddy who had led the fight against apartheid at the UN since 1963 received the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo(Silver).The second highest award called the Order of the Baobab was presented to Lenasia-‖based community worker Suraya Khan, popularly known to all as ―Aunty Bibi , while the same order in Silver went to journalist and community activist Yusuf Abramjee and pioneering skin cloning plastic surgeon Dr Ridwan Mia. Prof Quarraisha Abdool Karim received the Order of Mapungubwe in Bronze for her internationally acclaimed research into HIV Aids.
SPORTS & GAMES
Rahi Sarnobat won a Gold medal in 25-M Pistol Event
Rahi Sarnobat clinched the first gold for India in International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Korea on 5 April 2013. She defeated Kyeongae Kim 8-6 in 25m pistol final. She is the first pistol shooter from India who won the Gold in World Cup.
Indian Women‟s Cricket Team Won the Twenty20
International Series against Bangladesh
The Indian women s cricket team finished the Twenty20 International series against Bangladesh Women with 3-0 clean sweep in Vadodara in the final match on 5 April 2013. India won the final match by 10 runs against Bangladesh. The T-20 International series against Bangladesh began on 2 April 2013.
Nanjappa wins bronze in men‟s 10m air pistol at World Cup
India s Prakash Nanjappa won a bronze medal in the men s 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup at Changwon, Korea on 06 April 2013.This is Nanjappa s first ever medal in an ISSF competition. He had also finished eighth at the men s 50 metre pistol final. He scored 180.2 points.The gold was won by Vietnam s Xuan Vinh Hoang, the 2012 Asian champion, with a total score of 200.8 points while the silver went to China s Wang Zhiwei, the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, who shot 200.1.
Narayanan Srinath Won Asian Junior Chess Title
On 6 April India s International Master Narayanan Srinath won Asian Junior chess title that concluded at Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.Sahaj Grover of Delhi was second, as he also remained undefeated just like Srinath.Top seed Grandmaster Salem Saleh of UAE finished third losing to Srinath and to a Vietnamese.Vo Thi Kim Phung (Vietnam) won the Asian Junior girls blitz championship title.
Rupesh Shah Won ONGC 12th Asian Billiards championship
On April 7 the world champion Rupesh Shah won the 12th Asian Billiards championship at Indore Tennis Club,Indore.He defeated Alok Kumar .It is is the 10th Asian Billiards title for Rupesh
Shah.Rupesh Shah already qualified for 2013 World Championship as the defending champion.
Serena Williams Won Family Circle Cup Tennis Title
On 7 April The top-ranked Serena Williams (USA) won the Family Circle Cup Tennis title after defeated Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) in the final at Charleston (South Carolina).Williams successfully defended her title by claiming her third overall Charleston crown.She earned her 49th career singles title.
India got Silver in World Youth Weightlifting Championships 2013
Jamjang Deru gave India the first medal in the World Youth Weightlifting Championships as he won a silver in the 50kg boys category at Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Deru won the silver in clean and jerk with an effort of 110 kg and finished fourth in the total lift with 195kg. He lifted 85kg in snatch.In the same category, Deepak Lather finished 12th in total lift with an effort of 174kg (80+94).
India Women Complete Clean Sweep Over Bangladesh
India Women completed a 3-0 One-Day International series clean sweep over Bangladesh Women with a 58-run victory in the final match in Ahmedabad.India batted first in the third match and posted 154.
Pakistan bans two umpires over spot-fixing
Pakistan cricket authorities on 13 April 2013 banned two umpires.The allegations against the umpires first came up after a television sting operation last year. The PCB set up an inquiry committee led by PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf soon after and passed on its findings to the board s integrity committee
to determine the punishments.Nadeem Ghauri, the Pakistan umpire, has been handed a four-year ban by the PCB after its integrity committee found him guilty of being willing to accept money for favourable umpiring decisions. His colleague Anis Siddiqi was banned for three years.
Ferrari‟s Fernando Alonso wins Chinese Grand Prix 2013
Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso won the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix on 14 April 2013.Lotus Kimi Raikkonen and Mercedes Lewis Hamilton got second and third positions respectively.Red Bull s Sebastian Vettel got a 4th position.But Force India s Paul di Resta got 8th Position.
Adam Scott Won Augusta Masters Golf Tournament
Australia s Adam Scott won the 77th Masters (2013 Masters Tournament), become the first Australian golfer to capture the green jacket.It was Scott s first major championship and the first time an Australian has won the Masters.
Chandigarh win Hockey India sub-junior men‟s national championship
Chandigarh defeated Punjab 2-1 to lift the 3rd Hockey India Sub- Junior Men National Championship (North Zone) title at Sonepat on 15 April 2013.Meanwhile, Haryana won the 3rd Hockey India Sub-Junior Women s National Championship (North Zone) after getting the better of Chandigarh, 3-1 in the final.
Amit won gold, three other Indians bag a bronze each
Amit Kumar clinched a gold medal in men`s 55kg category while three other grapplers bagged a bronze medal each for India in the Senior Asian Wrestling Championship in New Delhi on 20 April 2013.In the women`s category, Vinesh (51kg) and Babita Kumari (55kg) won their bronze medal bouts while Bajrang (men`s 60kg) pocketed a bronze, to end the day three of the championships on a high after two medal-less days.
Sebastian Vettel Won Bahrain Grand Prix Title
On 21 April The Red Bull s Sebastian Vettel from Germany won the Bahrain Grand Prix 2013 by defeating Lotus drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean. Kimi Raikkonen got second postion.Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes
took fifth position and Fernando Alonso of Ferrari was successful in grabbing the eighth position in the listings
Novak Djokovic Won Monte Carlo Masters Title
On 21 April World Number One Novak Djokovic won his first Monte Carlo Masters title.Djokovic defeated Spain s Rafael Nadal in the final.The Serbian inflicted Nadal s first defeat in Monte Carlo in 47 matches and avenged last year s final defeat to lift his first Masters title.
Amit Kumar Dhankar won Gold
Amit Kumar Dhankar won India s second gold medal of the championships in Men s 66kg Freestyle at KD Jadhav Stadium in New Delhi on 22 April 2013. India topped the medals tally in Freestyle division with 2 gold and 2 bronze medals.India finished top of the Men s freestyle rankings with 2 golds and 2 bronze medals. India got 48 points to br crowned champion for the first time in the history of the Asian Wrestling Championships.India finished with nine medals – 2 gold, 1 silver and 6 bronze.
Chris Gayle Hits Cricket‟s Fastest-ever Century in IPL Match
On 23 April Chris Gayle, the West Indies opener, hit the fastest ever century in the history of cricket by reaching 100 in merely 30 balls during Royal Challengers Bangalore-Pune Warriors IPL match.Gayle scored a total run of 175 runs in merely 66 balls, which included 17 sixes and 13 boundaries. It is important to note that this is the most number of runs scored in any T20 innings. This was also his fourth century in the IPL career.
Lancashire‟s Jordan Clark hits 6 sixes in 1 over
Lancashire all-rounder Jordan Clark had become only the fifth professional player to hit six sixes in one over, achieving the feat in a second XI match against Yorkshire on 25 April 2013. Clark joins an illustrious list that contains former West Indies allrounder Garfield Sobers (1968), India s Ravi Shastri (1985), South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs and India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh (both 2007).
Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championship in Patiala
Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championship in Patiala on 25 April 2013. Men: 4x100M relay: Andhra Pradesh (K Pavan Kumar, E Gopi, Md Baba, M Manikanand Raj) 41.06 seconds, 1; Tamil Nadu A (Silambarasan, Al Ameen, Vijayakumar, Balamurugan) 41.10, 2; Kerala A (Anuroop John, Jeris Jose, Rahul G Pillai, Renjith KG) 41.39, 3. Women: 4x100M relay: Chhattisgarh (Niksy Joseph, Shilpa, Priya PK, Sini S) 47.40 seconds, 1; ONGC A (Mounika Gaddam, Meghna Shetty, Purnima Hembram, Duteechand) 47.78, 2; Kerala A (Merlin K Joseph, Neethu Mathew, Neethu Rajan, Rengitha C) 48.24, 3.
Dhoni fined for slow over rate
Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was fined $20,000 for his team s slow over rate in their 14-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders in a Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter in Chennai on 28 April 2013.
India Open Super Series Badminton Tournament Winners
Men s Singles:-On 28 April World number one Lee Chong (Malaysia) won the men s singles title at India Open Super Series badminton tournament at NewDelhi.In the final Lee Chong defeated Kenichi Tago of Japan and got the title. Women s Singles:-Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand won the women`s singles title after defeated Juliane Schenk of Germany in the final .
Rafael Nadal Won Barcelona Open Tennis Title
On 28 April Rafael Nadal from Spain won the Barcelona Open Tennis title for the eighth time.In the final at Barcelona ,Nadal defeated Nicolas Almagro from Spain.It was Nadal s 54th career title and fourth this year
Maria Sharapova Won Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Title
On 28 April Maria Sharapova from Russia won Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Title.She defeated China s Li Na in the final at Porsche Arena in Stuttgart, Germany.It was her 16th consecutive clay court title.
ECONOMY
India Joins The Madrid Protocol System
On 8 April India joined the International Registration of Marks at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) by depositing the instrument of
accession to the Madrid Protocol.India is the 90th member to join the international trademark system.India is the 90th member to join the international trademark system and the treaty will enter into force with respect to India on 8 July 2013.The Madrid Protocol system provides for the international registration of trade marks by way of one application that can cover more than one country. The opportunity of having a single registration to cover a wide range of countries gives advantages, both in terms of portfolio management and cost savings, as opposed to a portfolio of independent national registrations.
Yamaha to Develop Cheapest Bike of the World in India
Yamaha, the Japanese two-wheeler company on 9 April 2013 announced that it will soon roll out the cheapest motorcycle of the world in India. The price of this bike would be around 500 US dollar or 27000 Rupees approximately.
WTO cuts 2013 global trade growth forecast to 3.3%
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) on 10 April 2013 cut its forecast for global trade growth in 2013 to 3.3 percent, from the previous prediction of 4.5 percent.
Gujarat Tops in Attracting‖ Private Investment
According‖ to the ― Composition of Outstanding Private Investments Across States ― report released by Assocham ,Gujarat has ranked on top for attracting investment across the country — cornering about 14 per cent of total outstanding private sector investment worth over Rs 75 lakh crore as of December 2012.Odisha ranks second with private investment commitments worth over Rs 8 lakh crore.With a share of about 9.4 per cent and 9.3 per cent, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra both have attracted private investments worth over Rs 7 lakh crore respectively.The private sector accounts for over 62 per cent of total outstanding investments worth about Rs 122 lakh crore attracted by India as of December 2012.Of the total investments from private sources worth over Rs 75 lakh crore, the domestic private sector accounts for a majority share of about 58 per cent.Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Assam account for a share of less than even one per cent in the total private investment commitments attracted by India.
IMF slashed Economic Growth Rate of India to 5.7 percent from 5.9 percent for 2013
IMF(International Monetary Fund) in its latest release on 16 April 2013 of the World Economic Outlook (WEO) slashed the growth projection of India from its earlier prediction of 5.9 percent to 5.7 percent for the calendar year 2013.
Ambani Brothers 20th Richest in World
Mukesh and Anil Ambani, India s leading industrialist brothers, have been together listed as 20th richest in the world in the Sunday Times Rich List 2013.The Walton family of the US, who own Supermarkets (Walmart), are the richest in the world with a 90 billion pounds fortune in 2013 as against 51 billion pounds last year.The Hinduja brothers, Srichand and Gopichand Hinduja, Chairman and Co-Chairman respectively of the Hinduja Group, are 47th richest in the world with a fortune worth 11 billion pounds in 2013 as against 9 billion pounds last year.
Spain Unemployment Rate Hits New Record
On 24 April According to the National Statistics Institute data ,Spain s unemployment rate soared to a new record of 27.2% of the workforce in the first quarter of 2013.The total number of unemployed people in Spain has now passed the six million figure, although the rate of the increase has slowed.The jobless rate, which stood at 7.9% in mid-2007, has risen relentlessly since the collapse in 2008 of a Spain s labour-intensive property boom.
India became the world‟s eighth most powerful nation
According to Delhi-based Foundation for National Security Research (FSNR), the world s 10 most powerful countries, India had been ranked 8th. India is ranked eighth in 27 countries. Professor Satish Kumar says that we study about the selection of powerful countries on several grounds. Some of these countries had to fulfill the necessary criteria. For instance, were the countries, whose population was more than 5 million. The level of
GDP was over U.S. $ 500 billion. India is one of such
countries.Study states that the United States is the world s most powerful country and China stood in 2nd position.
India‟s GDP likely to improve to 5.7% in 2013: IMF
According to International Monetary Fund s(IMF) Regional Economic Outlook: Asia and Pacific report ,the GDP of India in 2013 is 5.7% and in 2014 it is 6.2%.
Cicada‟s Insect Wing‟s Kills Bacteria
Human eye cells have been grown on cicadas wings after it was found that the wings surface kills bacteria and boosts cell growth.Dr Greg Watson, a researcher at James Cook University in Cairns, began looking more closely at cicadas after noticing, while out on a walk more than a decade ago, that their wings took much longer to decompose than their bodies.It is the first time scientists have found that tiny features found on a natural surface, rather than chemicals, kill bacteria.
Supreme Court of India Rejected Novartis‟ Patent Plea for
Cancer Drug Called Glivec
The Supreme Court of India on 1 April 2013 rejected the plea of Novartis, the Swiss drug maker, to patent the updated version of cancer drug called Glivec. A bench of justices Aftab Alam and Ranjana Prakash Desai dismissed the patent plea to Novartis on the basis that there was no inventiveness or novelty in the new version of the drug. In its ruling, the Supreme Court of India declared that because the application for patent on betacrystalline salt did not meet any inventiveness or novelty standard, therefore the company s plea for patent was dismissed.
World‟s first solar plane to fly across US
A first of its kind ultra-lightweight plane powered completely by the sun is set to fly coast-to-coast this spring.The Solar Impulse plane will stop in Dallas city in Texas during its historic cross-country journey that begins on May 1.The plane, which requires zero fuel and relies solely on solar panels and battery power, would be the world s first plane powered purely by solar energy.
Obama Announced $100 Million “Brain Initiative” Project
‖
On 2 April US President Barack Obama has announced the ―BRAIN Initiative
a $100 million brain-mapping project.The BRAIN initiative will attempt to find ways to treat Alzheimer s disease and strokes while also aiding in job growth.
Carbon aerogel world‟s lightest material
Chinese scientists have developed the world s lightest substance — carbon aerogel — with a density only one sixth of that of the air.Scientists at Zhejiang University produced the solid material which has a density of only 0.16
mg/cubic centimetre, breaking the previous record of the world s lightest material held by graphite aerogel.The graphite aerogel was developed by German scientists last year with a density of 0.18 mg/cubic centimetre.
Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer Detected Evidence of Dark Matter
On 3 April NASA scientists announced the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) placed on the International Space Station (ISS) may have detected the elusive dark matter. The scientists made the announcement after they observed an excess of positrons in the Cosmic Ray Flux, which can be the reason of the presence of elusive dark matter.
100 billion Earth-like planets in our galaxy
Scientists have proposed a new method for finding Earth-like planets in our Milky Way galaxy and they anticipate that their number may be up to a whopping 100 billion.The strategy devised by researchers at The University of Auckland uses a technique called gravitational microlensing, currently used by a Japan-New Zealand collaboration called MOA (Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics) at New Zealand s Mt John Observatory.
German Shipyard Launches World‟s Largest‖ Private‖ Yacht
On 5 April A German shipyard has launched ― Azzam " , the world s largest private yacht at 590-feet long, which also happens to be among the fastest vessels, costing a whopping USD 609 million.The luxury private vessel Azzam
– with a beam 68-feet high – overshadows previous longest superyacht, The Eclipse, by 57-feet. Designed by Nauta Yachts in Italy and constructed by German company Lurssen Yachts, Azzam is almost two football fields long and rivals the size of some cruise ships.It took four years to complete the superyacht from concept to construction.With 94,000 horsepower generated from two gas turbines and two diesel engines, the Azzam can reach speeds of over 55.5kph, which makes it one of the fastest yachts in the world.
New Camera System That Can Captured Images From 1 km Away
In the month of April the team of researchers from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh , developed a New Laser powered Camera System that can take image of any object from a distance of about one kilometer by creating high-resolution 3D images.The technique on which the camera is based is called Time-of-Flight (ToF) navigation systems for autonomous vehicles. In this
principle of photography, to capture the image of the far away object, a laser beam is bounced on the object and measure the time that is taken by the beam of light to be back to the detector.
India test-fires nuclear capable Agni-II missile
The medium-range, nuclear capable Agni-II missile was successfully test-fired with a strike range of more than 2,000 kms from the Wheeler Island off Odisha coast on 07 April 2013.The trial of the surface-to-surface missile was conducted from a mobile launcher from the Launch Complex-4 of Integrated Test Range (ITR).The 20-metre-long Agni-II is a two-stage, solidpropelled ballistic missile. It has a launch weight of 17 tonnes and can carry a payload of 1,000 kgs over a distance of 2,000 kms.The state-of-the-art Agni-II missile was developed by Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) and integrated by the Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Hyderabad.Agni-II is part of the Agni series of missiles developed by DRDO which includes Agni-I with a 700 km range, Agni-III with a 3,000 km range, Agni-IV with 4,000 km range and Agni-V with a more than 5,000 km range.
NASA Approved “TESS” Project
NASA has approved a The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), a $200 million mission to search for Earth-size planets orbiting the nearby stars.Led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with seed funding from Google, TESS was one of 11 proposals selected for NASA funding in September 2011, down from the original 22 submitted in February of that year.TESS, along with the Neutron star Interior Composition ExploreR (NICER), had been selected for launch in 2017. The project will come into full swing within the next four years.
Pakistan Tests Nuclear-Capable Hatf-IV Missile
Pakistan successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable Hatf-IV ballistic missile on 10 April 2013. The missile has a range of 900 km and it can also hit targets in India. Hatf- IV ballistic missile is also called Shaheen-1.
Indian Astronomer Discovered Blue Super-Giant Star
An Indian scientist Dr. duo Ananda Hota and his Taiwanese colleague Dr. Youichi Ohyama have discovered a blue supergiant star located in the constellation Virgo, far beyond our Milky Way Galaxy. Over 55 million years
ago, the star emerged in an extremely wild environment, surrounded by intensely hot plasma (a million degrees centigrade) and amidst raging cyclone winds blowing at four million kilometres per hour.This star is in small IC 3418 Milky Way Galaxy and it is about 5.5 billion light-years away from Earth.
Astronomers find most Earth-like planets yet
NASA scientists announced on 19 April 2013 that they discovered two earths like plants which are 1200 light years far from earth. NASA discovered the five plants which are rotating around Kepler 62 star using the Kepler Space Telescope. Two of the five planets orbiting a sun-like star called Kepler-62 are squarely in what astronomers call the habitable zone — not too hot, not too cold and possibly bearing water. These two plants are named as a Kepler-63e and Kepler 62f.
China Tested Self Developed Biofuel Flight
On 24 April China successfully conducted a first test flight powered by self-developed biofuel made mainly from palm oil and recycled cooking oil.An Airbus A320 operated by China Eastern Airlines landed at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport ,after completing an 85-minute journey using aviation biofuel produced by Sinopec, the country s top oil refiner.The success made China the fourth country after the United States, France and Finland to boast independent production of bio-jet-fuel.
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Jonty Rhodes named South African tourism ambassador in India
Former cricketer Jonty Rhodes was named as the brand ambassador of South African Tourism in India.
Chitra Ramkrishna Took Over as NSE chief
On 1 April Chitra Ramkrishna took over as National Stock Exchange (NSE) new Managing Director and CEO .As MD and CEO of the NSE, Ramkrishna succeeds Ravi Narain who would assume the role of non-executive Vice Chairman .She is the first female head of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in its nearly 20-year history of operations as a bourse.
Rakesh Bhatia is Catholic Syrian Bank‟s new MD & CEO
Rakesh Bhatia had taken over as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Syrian Bank.He was previously the Global Head of HSBC s Trade and Receivables Finance Division.
2 Indians selected for Yale fellowship programme
Abhik Sen, Managing Editor, The Economist Group, and Prodyut Bora, State General Secretary of BJP in Assam, have been selected as the two Indian representatives for 2013 Yale World Fellows Program.About 16 people have been selected for the programme.Since 2002, the university has welcomed a group of exemplary mid-career professionals from a wide range of fields and countries for an intensive four-month period of academic enrichment and leadership training.With the selection of Sen and Bora, the total number of Indian fellows stands at 13.
Infosys‟ S Gopalakrishnan is the new CII President
S. Gopalakrishnan (Kris), co-founder and executive co-chairman, Infosys Technologies Limited, had been elected as the President of CII for the year 2013-14. He succeeds Mr Adi Godrej as the new President.
S.C. Sinha Appointed as NHRC Member
On 5 April National Investigation Agency (NIA) chief S.C. Sinha has been appointed as a member of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) .S C Sinha, a 1975 batch Haryana cadre officer.He will now get a five year term at NHRC.
Krishna Kumar Natrajan appointed as the New Chief of NASSCOM
Krishnakumar Natarajan, CEO and Director of Mindtree on 8 April 2013 was appointed as the Chairman of Nasscom for the year 2013-14. He succeeded N Chandrasekaran, MD and CEO of TCS, who was the Chairman for the year 2012-13.
On April 8,Dr. Mannepalli Lakshmi Kantam, had been appointed as Director of the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), the first woman scientist to head any of the 37 laboratories belonging to Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in the country.
Kenyatta sworn in as Kenya‟s president
Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in as Kenya s fourth president on 09 April 2013, becoming the second sitting president in the world to be indicted for crimes against humanity and creating a challenge for western governments keen to sustain links with a strategic east African ally.
PJ Kurien elected Chairman of Asian forum of Parliamentarians
On April 11 Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, PJ Kurien was unanimously elected as the Chairman of the prestigious Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) during the during the 73rd Executive Committee Meeting of AFPPD at Bangkok. He replaced Yasuo Fukuda, former Prime Minister of Japan as the Chairman of AFPPD. PJ Kurien at present is also the Chairman of the Indian Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development.
Five new judges sworn-in
Five new judges to the Andhra Pradesh High Court were sworn-in by acting Chief Justice N.V. Ramana in Hyderabad on 12 April 2013.The new judges who were administered the oath of office and secrecy are: Challa Kodanda Ram, A. Rajasekhar Reddy, P. Naveen Rao, A.V. Sesha Sai and S.V. Bhatt.
Two Judges Sworn in Supreme Court
On 12 April with two more judges sworn in the strength of the Supreme Court has risen to 30.Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir.While Justice Sikri was the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Bobde was the Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court. The sanctioned strength of the apex court is 31 judges including the CJI.
Sunil Kumar Takes over as Managing Director of CRIS
On 16 April 2013,Sunil Kumar took over as the Managing Director of Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS).
Shri Asoke Kumar Mukerji appointed as the Permanent Representative of India to the UN
On April 17,Shri Asoke Kumar Mukerji, took charges as the Ambassador/Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations at New York.
CRPF gets first woman Special DG
On April 18, Senior IPS officer Aruna Bahuguna appointed as the Special Director General of the country s largest paramilitary force CRPF. This is the first time a woman officer is occupying the second top post in the hierarchy of the force. She is a 1979-batch IPS officer. She was till now serving as the Chairman of the AP police housing corporation. Bahuguna is expected to take charge at the force headquarters in New Delhi within 15 days.
Abdul Hamid elected Bangladesh President uncontested
Abdul Hamid is to be Bangladesh s 20th president after no other candidate was nominated in the poll to replace President Zilliur Rahman who died on 20 March 2013. Abdul Hamid was elected uncontested as the 20th President of Bangladesh.
Sunil Bharti Mittal Appointed as Vice Chairman of ICC
On 22 April Sunil Bharti Mittal , the Chairman and Group CEO of Bharti Enterprises appointed as the Vice-Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC),which is one of the world s oldest global business organisations.With the appointment as the Vice Chairman of ICC, Mittal became the third business person from India in the history of ICC to be appointed on the ICC Executive Board.
Ajay Devgn, Runa Laila named SAARC ambassadors for HIV/AIDS
Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn, Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila and Oscar-winning Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy have been named as SAARC Goodwill Ambassadors for HIV/AIDS.A meeting of the selection committee was held recently at the SAARC Secretariat and of the 10 nominations received from the member states, the three celebrities were nominated.
Takehiko Nakao is new ADB President
On 27 April Takehiko Nakao has been unanimously elected president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) by the Board of Governors at New Delhi.He succeeds Haruhiko Kuroda, who resigned in March to take up his assignment as Bank of Japan governor.Nakao assumed office as ADB s ninth president on 28 April.
Gulzar‟s appointment as chancellor elates Assam University
Lyricist-writer and Padma Bhushan awardee, Gulzar has been appointed the new chancellor of Assam University.Established in 1994, the Assam University campus is situated in Dargakona, about 20 km from Silchar.
B)RESIGNS
Kerala minister resigned following domestic violence complaint by wife
Kerala Forest minister K.B.Ganesh Kumar resigned his post on 02 April 2013 due to domestic violence complaint by wife in the local police station.He is only one Congress person in the Congress- UPF Coalition Alliance government in Kerala.
Cyprus Finance Minister Michalis Sarris Resigns
On 3 April Cyprus Finance Minister Michalis Sarris has resigned citing his role as chairman of Laiki Bank, whose failure was a major contributor to the island s near financial meltdown, as one of the reasons behind his decision.
UP Goverment suspends cabinet minister Raja Ram Pandey
The Uttar Pradesh government on 13 April 2013 removed cabinet minister of Khadi and Gramudyog, Raja Ram Pandey for making sexist comments.Pandey had promised‖ to ―build roads as smooth as Hema‖ Malini s and Madhuri Dixit s cheeks besides giving the state s roads ―a facial while addressing a function in Pratapgarh on 12 April 2013.UP CM Akhilesh Yadav, who is now in charge of 63 ministries, has taken charge of Pandey s ministry.
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad Resigned
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad resigned on 13 April 2013 after falling out with president Mahmud Abbas. Salam Fayyad was tasked with the role of caretaker for the current government until a new prime minister is appointed.
On April 19,the Supreme Court bid farewell to Justice Aftab Alam marking the end of his five and a half year tenure at the Supreme Court. Justice Alam enrolled as an Advocate on March 27, 1973. He practised in the Patna High Court and was designated as Senior Advocate by the Patna High Court on February 1, 1984. He was appointed as Judge of the Patna High Court on July 27, 1990 and was later transferred to the Jammu & Kashmir High Court, where he was appointed as the Acting Chief Justice on June 06, 2007. He assumed office as Supreme Court judge on November 12, 2007.
C)DEATHS
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, Oscar winner and novelist, died
‖
Oscar, the Booker Prize winner novelist and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, author of ―Heat and Dust and many other books set in India, died
on 03 April 2013.Jhabvala also worked on several movie adaptations with
filmmakers James Ivory and Ismail Merchant, winning two Academy Awards
‖
for her screenplays for 1985 movie ―A Room With a View | and ―Howards | ||
emigrated with her family to | |||
End in 1992.Jhabvala was born in Germany but | ‖ | ||
Britain during the Nazi regime. She later married an Indian architect and moved to India, where she began to write about her life there.Jhabvala collaborated with Merchant‖ and Ivory on more than 20‖ movies including
―The Remains of the Day and ―Mr. And Mrs. Bridge.
Bratindra Nath Mukherjee passes away
A Padmashri winner, Professor Bratindra Nath Mukherjee, renowned historian and an expert in epigraphy who deciphered several ancient scripts, died in Kolkata on 04 April 2013.
Britain‟s First Female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Died
Margaret Thatcher, Britain s first and still only female prime minister has died on 8 April at London.Thatcher was the Prime Minister of Britain from 1979 to 1990 from Conservative party of
Britain and was the first lady to hold the post of Prime
Minister.She was the longest-serving British Prime Minister of the 20th century and is the‖ only woman‖ to have held the office. A Soviet journalist called her the ― Iron Lady ", a nickname that became associated with her uncompromising politics and leadership style. ―This first volume of Margaret
Test-tube baby pioneer dies
British scientist Robert Edwards, 87, who won the Nobel Prize for his pioneering work in in vitro fertilisation, leading to the birth of the first test-tube baby, died in London on 10 April 2013.He born in Yarkfire in North England on 27 September 1925.Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe both proceeded to achieve in-vitro fertilisation‖ (IVF), resulting in the birth of Louise Brown, the first ―test-tube baby , on 25 July 1978..
Polio Vaccine Developer Koprowski Died
On 11 April Dr Hilary Koprowski , a Polish researcher who developed the first successful oral vaccination for polio died in Philadelphia. He was 96 years of age.He was a Polish virologist and immunologist and was known for developing the first effective polio vaccine. In 2006, he was conferred with the record 50th grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Justice Chinnappa Reddy dead
Justice O Chinnappa Reddy, one of the highly respected members of the Indian judiciary, died at his jubilee hills residence in Hyderabad on 13 April 2013. He was born at Gooty in Anantapur district on September 25, 1922.Justice Reddy was appointed as judge of the Supreme Court from January 17, 1978 and continued in the post for about 10 years.He retired on 24 September 1987.After his retirement he became chairman of the Karnataka BC commission.
Playback singer PB Srinivas passes away
Veteran playback singer PB Srinivas who rendered more than 3,000 songs in eight languages died in Chennai on 14 April 2013.He debuted as a singer with Hindi film Mr. Sampath in 1952. His last song was from the 2010 Tamil film Aayirathil Oruvan.
Ex-CEC, governor VS Rama Devi dead
Former Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh Governor V S Ramadevi, the only woman to head the Election Commission, died in Bangalore on 17 April 2013.Born on March 15, 1934, Ramadevi was the Chief Election Commissioner of India from November 26, 1990 to December 11, 1990. She was the only woman who became the CEC. She was succeeded by T N Seshan.She had served as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh from July 26, 1997 to December 1, 1999 and as the Governor of Karnataka from December 2, 1999 to May 20, 2002.
Dina Thanthi MD Sivanthi Adithan dead
Veteran journalist and managing director of Tamil daily Dina Thanthi B Sivanthi Adithan died in Chennai on 19 April 2013.He was also head of the Indian Olympic Association before Suresh Kalmadi took over and is the former vice president of Olympic Council of Asia. At the time of his death, Sivanthi Adithan was the life president of IOC and president of the Volleyball Federation of India.Sivanthi Adithan was honoured with Padmashree in 2008.
Mathematical Genius Shakuntala Devi Died
On 21 April The human computer mental calculator , mathematics whizard Shakuntala Devi died at Bangalore.Her name was recorded in Guinness Book of World Records for her ability of making calculations at lightning-speed.In the year 1977, she calculated the 23rd root of digit number 201 in just 50 seconds.Some of her books were Puzzles to Puzzle You, Mathablit, Astrology for You, Fun with Numbers and Awaken the Genius in Your Child.
Former England Captain Mike Denness Died
On 19 April Michael Henry Denness, popularly known as Mike Denness, the former England captain died in London.Mike Denness played county cricket for Essex and Kent. He scored over 25000 runs in the first-class career.He was the captain of Kent to six domestic trophies between 1972 and 1976.He was among first few inductees into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame.He was also named as the Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1975.
Former Chief Justice of India J S Verma dead
Former Chief Justice of India J S Verma, who headed the government-appointed committee to frame a tough law to tackle crime against women in the wake of the December Delhi gangrape incident, died in Gurgaon on 22April 2013.Justice Verma was the 27th Chief Justice of India and served from March 25, 1997 until his retirement on January 18, 1998.He began his
legal career in 1955 and became a Judge of Madhya Pradesh High Court in June-1973. He became Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court in June,1986 and also served as Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court from September, 1986 to mid- 1989.Justice Verma was also a former Chairman of National Human Rights Commission.He was also the first Chairperson of News Broadcasting Standards Authority.
Veteran violinist Lalgudi Jayaraman died
Celebrated violinist and composer Lalgudi Jayaraman, who carved out a niche for himself in the Carnatic music with his unique style, died in Chennai on 22 April 2013. Jayaraman, who began his music career at the age of 12 as an accompanying artist, later achieved fame as a solo violinist and also had success as a composer in four languages – Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Sanskrit.Considering his contribution to the field of music, he was conferred with several awards including Padma Shri in 1972 and Padma Bhushan in 2001.He was also feted with state Vidhwan of Tamil Nadu and also fellow of Sangeet Natak Akademi.
Legendary Singer Shamshad Begum Died
On 23 April Legendary singer Shamshad Begum died in Mumbai . She was 94 years of age. She was one of the first few playback singers of the Hindi film industry. She was conferred with the O P Nayyar award for contribution to Hindi film music, in the year 2009.In 2009 again, she was conferred with the third-highest civilian honour of India, Padma Bhushan.
Sripathi Rajeswara Rao dead
Former Telugu Desam Minister Sripathi Rajeswara Rao who founded the All India NTR Fans Association several decades ago, died of kidney ailment at NIMS in Hydearabad on 28 April 2013.
Sailendra Nath Roy died In Zip-Line Ponytail Stunt
Sailendra Nath Roy, a 49-year-old police officer, was attempting to cross the River Teesta in the state of West Bengal on 28 April 2013 on a 180m (594ft) wire above the water.After attaching his shoulder-length hair to a pulley on the wire, Mr Roy had completed around half the distance but then became entangled and found himself unable to move.After sometime he dead. Mr Roy achieved the Guinness World Record after covering 82.5m (271ft) on a zip-line while attached by his hair in 2011 at the Neemrana Fort, a heritage hotel in the desert state of Rajasthan.
On 29 April 2013 the Scientist, Padma Shri award recipient died in Hyderabad.He got Padma shri award in 1959 for his Contribution in field of India s Atomic reactor.The Petrotech 2003 Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Padmashri Dr. Nuthakki Bhanu Prasad for his contribution to India s Upstream Petroleum Industry.He is also worked as a Chairman of ONGC.
D)VISITORS
Indian PM schedules UAE visit in August ‖
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will pay a ―stand Alone visit to the United
Arab Emirates in early August, the first by an Indian prime minister to the Gulf
nation since Indira Gandhi visited nearly three decades ago.
PM Manmohan Singh leaves for Germany on a three-day visit
On April 10, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had left India on a three-day official visit to Germany, where he will co-chair inter – governmental consultations and witness the signing of a series of agreements on education, science and technology and renewable energy.The PM is leading a high-level delegation to Berlin that includes five cabinet ministers: Salman Khurshid (external affairs), Anand Sharma (commerce), Farooq Abdullah (renewable energy), MM Pallam Raju (human resource development) and S Jaipal Reddy (science and technology).
Prime Minister of India Visited Germany: Important Documents Signed
Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh visited Germany from 10 April 2013 to 12 April 2013 for participating in second round of Inter Governmental Consultations with Germany. During his visit, certain documents were signed. These documents are as follows:
1.Joint Declaration of Intent regarding promotion of German as a foreign language in India
2.Intergovernmental MoU between India & Germany on Cooperation in the field of Higher Education
3.Joint Declaration of Intent on Indo-German cooperation in the area of Civil Security Research
4.Joint Declaration for the bilateral ―‖Kooperations Program‖ of the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection and the National Seeds Association of India and the
German Association of Plant Breeders
5.Joint Declaration of Intent on the Establishment of an Indo- German Working Group on Quality Infrastructure for Cooperation in Standardisation, Conformity Assessment and Product Safety 6.Joint Declaration of Intent on Indo-German Development Cooperation regarding the Establishment of Green Energy Corridors
Vice President Hamid Ansari Visited Tajakistan
The Vice-President of India, Hamid Ansari visited Tajikistan from 14 April to 17 April 2013.During the visit he was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries and four Members of Parliament.On 15 April , the Vice President met the President Emomalii Rahmon and Oqil Oqilov the Prime Minister of Tajikistan.
E)MISCELLANEOUS
Down‟s syndrome boy sets Everest record
A 15-YEAR-OLD American had become the first teenager with Down s syndrome to reach Everest Base Camp, according to his father, in an attempt to inspire different attitudes towards disabilities.Eli Reimer, from Oregon, reached the 5364-metres high camp in Nepal s Himalayan mountains in mid-March after 10 days of trekking.Tom Whittaker, a British mountaineer, became the first person with a disability to summit the peak in 1998 after a car crash almost two decades earlier had forced him to have his foot amputated.
Abhilash Tomy Becomes First Indian To Sail Round The World
Indian Navy s Lt Cdr Abhilash Tomy became the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe, solo and non-stop, over a 150-day voyage.He was addressed a function after welcoming Lt Cdr Abhilash Tomy whose boat INSV Mhadei reached the Gateway of India after commencing its historic journey from the same spot on November 1 last year.He has sailed around 23,100 nautical miles, crossing the Indian, Southern, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.Lt Cmdr
Abhilash Tomy is the first Indian and the second Asian to do so. Lt Cdr Tomy, a maritime pilot, switched off his boat s engine soon after leaving Mumbai harbour and switched it on again on 6 April to get the boat alongside the Gateway of India.
K Vishwanath Name in Limca Book Of Records
Legendary director K.Vishwanath is the only Telugu person in the Person of the year – 2013′ announced by the famous Limca books of Records. This list which contained several other prominent names like Mani Ratnam, Kamal Haasan, Santosh Sivan, Prabhu Deva, Sreekar Prasad and Naseeruddin Shah was released on the occasion of Indian cinema completing 100 years. Tabu, Vidya Balan, Shabana Azmi, Kajol and Ranbir Kapoor are also on this list.
Nepali TV Anchor Made Guinness(World) Record for Longest Talk Show
A TV anchor in Nepal set a world record of longest television talk show by staying on air for 62 hours and 12 minutes.The 36 years old Rabi Lamichhane lived in America and came back to Nepal after hosting the program Lord Buddha Was Born in Nepal .Lamichhane broke the world record of Pavlo Kuzheyew and Tetiana Danylenko of 22 hours. They made that record in 2011 at the Independence Day anniversary of Ukraine. According to the rules of Guinness World Record Lamichhane got the break of five minutes after every hour.
Mahatma Gandhi figured among the Top Three Leaders of the World As per the 16th Annual Global CEO survey, Mahatma Gandhi figured among
the top three most admired leaders of the world.In this list Winston Churchill , Steve Jobs(Co-founder of Apple) and
Mahatma Gandhi got the first,second and third places respectively .
Egypt PM sentenced to one-year jail
On April 17,Egypt s Misdemeanor Dokki Court sentenced Prime Minister Hesham Qandil to one year in prison and ordered his removal from job, accusing him of failing to implement a verdict to return a privatised company to the state.
Chidambaram, Aamir in Time‟s 100 most influential global list
Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and actor Aamir Khan have been named by Time magazine among the 100 most influential people in the world in its annual list of global achievers that also includes teenaged Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai and US President Barack Obama.
pakistan former president musharraf arrested
The Islamabad High Court on 18 April 2013 ordered Musharraf s arrest for detaining senior judges when he imposed emergency rule in 2007.So, Pakistani police arrested Musharraf on 19 April 2013.
Gates‟ foundation to put $1.8bn to eradicate polio
Bill Gates announced in Abu Dhabi on 25 April 2013 his foundation will contribute $1.8 billion to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a third of the total funds needed. He announced this contribution in Global Vaccine summit in Abu Dhabi.
8 killed as bomb targets Syria‟s prime minister
Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halki survived a bomb attack on his convoy in Damascus on 29 April 2013.8 members(including PM s car driver and Personal security) are killed in the blast.
PLACES IN NEWS
7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Indonesia
A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit the Papua province in Indonesia on 06 April 2013.But there was no damage or injuries. It occurred in a north east to Capital of Papua province, about 75 kilometers (46 miles) in depth.
A Powerful earthquake in Iran
On April 9, A powerful earthquake was strucked close to Iran s only nuclear power station, killing at least 37 people and injuring 850 as it destroyed homes and devastated two small villages.Its epicentre was 89 km south-east of the port of Bushehr.The magnitude of the earthquake on Richter scale is 6.3.
Strong earthquake hits Japan
A strong earthquake estimated at magnitude 6.3 strucked the western Japan, on 13 April 2013.In this event 23 people were injured in that 7 are serious.The earthquake was centered on Awaji Island, just south of Kobe, at a depth of 15
kilometres.The quake was in the area where a magnitude-7.2 temblor killed more than 6,400 people in 1995.
Musharraf disqualified from parliamentary polls
Courts in Pakistan have disqualified former president Pervez Musharraf for contesting parliamentary elections for suspending the constitution and imposing emergency in 2007 during his rule.
Earthquake of Magnitude 7.8 Jolted Iran and Pakistan
Earthquake that measured 7.8 on the Richter scale struck on 16 April 2013 in Iran killed more than 40 people leaving behind several injured. Epicenter of the quake was near Pakistan-Iran Border in the southeastern city of Khash. The tremors of the quake were felt across India, Middle East and Pakistan.
Fertiliser plant explosion in the US
On April 18, massive explosion at a fertilizer plant in the Town of West, in Central Texas. It is 120km far from Dallas town in the Texas state. In this explosion 15 were died and 200 people were injured
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Delhi gets “Dildaar Delhi” tagline
Delhi got its own tagline ―Dildaar Delhi . Penned by Amit Anand, a cashier in
a small confectionery shop in Keshavpuram, the tagline was selected out of 12,000 entries of a competition organized by Delhi government and Delhi Tourism department.
German Bakery blast: Himayat Beg sentenced to death
On April 18, a Pune court sentenced Indian Mujahideen operative Mirza Himayat Inayat Baig to death in the German Bakery bomb blast case.The terror attack on the popular pune joint had killed 17 people and injured 64 in February 2010. On 15 April 2013, Pune sessions court special judge NP Dhote had held Baig guilty in the case.
China hit by strong earthquake
On 20 April ,China was hit by strong earthquake and killed at least 157 people and injured more than 5,700.The magnitude 7.0 quake hit a remote mountainous area of southwestern China s Sichuan province at 8:02 a.m. (0002 GMT), close to where an earthquake killed almost 70,000 people in 2008.The quake struck in Lushan county, near the city of Ya an, at a depth of 12 km (7.5 miles)
ABBREVIATIONS
CII —- Confederation of Indian Industry
MSME —- Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
SCO —- Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
AMS —- Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer
ICSI —- Institute of Company Secretaries of India
TESS —- Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite
WIPO —- World Intellectual Property Organisation
BOOKS IN NEWS
Vice President Released Book titled Religion, Law & Society-Across the Globe
On 12 April 2013,The Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari released a book titled Religion, Law & Society – Across the Globe. The book is authored by Prof. Tahir Mahmood.
COMMITTEES
Uday Kumar Committee To Act as Single Window Clearance for Film Projects
On 15 April the Government of India announced creation of an inter-ministerial panel that will work as a single window clearance system for international and domestic film projects.The committee will be headed by I&B Secretary Uday Kumar Varma .The constitution of the committee is expected to mainstream a proactive mechanism and coordination process of granting permissions through a single window provision. Apart from the I&B secretary, the committee will have joint secretaries from the ministries of I&B, Home
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
World Health Day was Celebrated on 7th April
World Health Day is celebrated every year on 7 April, under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO).
National Safe Motherhood Day Observed across the Country
National Safe Motherhood day was observed across India on 11 April 2013 to create awareness on proper healthcare and maternity facilities to pregnant and lactating women.
INTERNATIONAL
UN Imposed New Sanctions on North Korea
On 7 March The UN Security Council approved a new regimen of sanctions against North Korea for conducting an underground nuclear test recently, imposing penalties on North Korean banking, travel and trade in a unanimous vote that reflected the country s increased international isolation. The resolution, which was drafted by the United States and China, was passed in a speedy vote hours after North Korea threatened for the first time to launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike against the United States and South Korea.
Obama Signed „ Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act 2013 „
On 8 March the US President, Barack Obama signed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act 2013′ on the eve of International Women s Day. The Violence Against Women Act was first passed in 1994. Reauthorised since then, the new Act offers support to the organisations which serve to the victims of domestic violence.
Uhuru Kenyatta Won Kenya Presidential Election
On 9 March In Kenya, Deputy Prime Minister Kenyatta has won presidential election with a slim margin of 50.03 percent of votes. He defeated his rival Raila Odinga.
On 13 March The US has renewed the exemptions for Japan and ten European Union countries from tough American sanctions imposed on nations buying oil from Iran.The third six-monthly exemption to Japan, under the Iran Sanctions Act.The 10 European Union countries, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the UK, have also qualified for a renewal of the exemption from sanctions because they have not purchased Iranian oil since July , 2012.
Pakistan Parliament Completes Full 5 Year Term
On 16 March Pakistan s Parliament has made history by becoming the first National Assembly in the country s history to complete a full term of five years, with the conclusion of the House s 50th session, setting the stage for the holding of elections.Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari announced that general elections would be held on 11 May 2013.
Cyprus Gets New Bailout Deal
Cyprus secured a 10 billion ($16.2 billion) bailout from its international creditors on 24 March 2013.Eurozone finance ministers had also approved a new bailout plan for Cyprus, putting an end to uncertainties over the fate of the Mediterranean island country in the euro area.The new bailout program includes deep restructuring of the country s two biggest banks, Bank of Cyprus and Popular Bank of Cyprus.Under the new agreement, all bank deposits under •100,000 will be secured and guaranteed by the state.
South Africa, China Sign Deals To Boost Cooperation
On 26 March South African President Jacob Zuma and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping met in Pretoria ahead of the fifth BRICS Summit.The two leaders signed a number of agreements, focusing on trade, tourism, education and social cooperation.The two sides agreed on future collaboration on research and development initiatives, manufacturing, marketing and the construction of cross-border infrastructure throughout the continent.
North Korea Declares „State of War‟ with South Korea
On 29‖ March North Korea declared that it had formally entered a ―state of war with South Korea.The announcement was made in a joint statement attributed to all government bodies and institutions.The two Koreas have thus technically remained at war for decades.
India, South Korea Hold Security Talks
On 1 March 2013 India and South Korea hold discussions over emerging dynamics of global and regional security, cooperation in cyber security, defense and space sectors and reviewing bilateral ties. Arvind Gupta,Director General of IDSA, led the Indian side while Lt.G (retd.) Bang, Hyo-Bok president of KIDA and former vice army chief,represented the Korean side in the talks.
India,UK Signed MOU To Strenghen Cooperation In Earth Sciences
On March 1, India and UK signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their cooperation in Earth Sciences and environmental research by sharing information on meteorology,hydrology and climate variability.The MoU between the Earth System Science Organisation of the Ministry of Earth Sciences and UK s Natural Environment Research Council was inked in New Delhi in the presence of Science and Technology Minister S Jaipal Reddy .
India and Bhutan signed Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement
On 4 March India and Bhutan signed the double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA), a move that will facilitate exchange of information on banking between the two nations and help check tax evasion.This is the first ever DTAA for Bhutan with any country. The treaty was signed by Finance Minister P Chidambaram and his Bhutanese counterpart Lyonpo Wangdi Norbum, on behalf of the Royal Government of Bhutan.
India and Republic of Portugal Signed a Social Security Agreement
On 4 March A Social Security Agreement (SSA) was signed between India and Republic of Portugal ,after the both countries meeting end at NewDelhi.The agreement was signed by Vayalar Ravi, the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs and Paulo Sacadura Cabral Portas, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs of Portugal.
India World‟s Third Largest „Spam Spewing Nation‟
On 6 March According to statistics from SophosLabs ,India has been placed third on the list of the countries distributing spam across the world.US is still firmly on the top, distributing more spam than any other country in the world.China took the second spot and India the third, with 8.2 percent and 4.2 percent of the world s spam.
India‟s Tourism Industry Competitiveness 65th in World
According to the fifth Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report by the WEF, India has moved up by three notches to 65th out of 140 countries in terms of the competitiveness of the travel and tourism industry.India has been ranked in the 11th place in the region and 65th overall, gaining three positions since the last edition.
India and Romania Signed Two Agreements
On 8 March India and Romania signed on Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income.The agreement was signed after External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid held talks with his Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean on the entire gamut of bilateral relations, regional and international issues of mutual interest.
India and Bhutan Signed $100m Currency Swap Agreement
On 8 March India and Bhutan signed a currency swap agreement for up to $100 million to further economic co-operation between the two countries.The currency swap arrangement was signed between the Reserve Bank of India and the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan (RMAB).
Iran and Pakistan Launched Gas Pipeline Project
On 11 March Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari was officially inaugurated the final construction phase of the multi-billiondollar Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.The 1,244-mile pipeline would each day transport more than 750 million cubic feet of natural gas to Pakistan from Iran s South Pars gas field in the Persian Gulf.This Project was started from Chabahar city in Iran to Karachi in Pakistan with $7.5 Billion. Initially they have an idea to extend this project to New Delhi in India but India was dropped from this project in 2009.
Britain & India Signed Agreement To Support R&D Projects
On 13 March Britain and India have signed an agreement to launch a joint programme to encourage industry and business in the two countries to work
together towards commercialisation of research leads in a range of key areas, including energy and health care.As part of the deal, Global Innovation and Technology Alliance (GITA) sponsored by the Indian government s Department of Science and Technology and UK s Technology Strategy Board (TSB) will support UK and Indian businesses and academics in joint R&D and innovation projects over a three-year period.
India Ranks 136 in Human Development Index
On 14 March According to the Human Development Report 2013 released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ,India has been ranked 136 among 187 countries evaluated for human development index (HDI).Norway (1st rank), Australia (2nd rank) and the Netherlands (3rd rank) lead the Human Development Index (HDI).The other countries ranks are:-Netherlands (4th rank) , Japan (10th rank), Denmark (15th rank) , South Korea (12th rank).
China Unveils 5-Point Formula To Improve Ties With India
On 18 March China s new President Xi Jinping has unveiled a five-point formula to improve relations with India, and that the resolution of the boundary dispute between the two nations won t be easy and pending its final settlement peace and tranquility should be maintained on the border without affecting the overall ties. The Xi Jinping 5 Points are :- 1. ―First,to maintain strategic communication and keep bilateral relations on the right track. 2. Second, we should harness each other s comparative strength and expand win winwin cooperation in infrastructure, mutual investment and other areas. 3. Third, we should strengthen cultural ties and constantly increase mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples. 4. Fourth, we should expand coordination and collaboration in multilateral affairs to jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and tackle global challenges. 5. Fifth, we should accommodate each other s core concerns and properly handle problems and differences existing between the two countries.
India – Egypt Signed Seven Agreements
On 19 March In a bid to deepen ties and strengthen economic bonds, India and Egypt signed 7 agreements after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy held bilateral talks in New Delhi.The seven agreements included a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of cyber security, cooperation in the field of protection of intellectual
property rights and prevention of illicit traffic of antiquities besides others.The two leaders also agreed to enhance cooperation in Defence and in international forums like UN.
India Signed Social Security Agreements With 18 Countries
On 20 March India has signed Social Security Agreements (SSAs) with Belgium,France, Germany (social insurance for posted workers only), Switzerland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Hungary, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Republic of Korea, Norway, Germany, Finland, Canada, Japan, Sweden, Austria and Portugal.Bilateral labour Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) have also been signed with United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Malaysia and Bahrain for ensuring protection and welfare of overseas Indian workers.
India Votes Against Sri Lanka at UNHRC
On 21 March India has voted for the resolution against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva.The UN Human Rights Council adopted a US-sponsored resolution on human rights violation in Sri Lanka.The 47-member Geneva forum adopted the resolution with 25 countries in favour, including India.13countries opposed it, including Pakistan. 8 abstained and one delegation was absent.The US-backed resolution that addresses alleged war crimes by Lankan forces during the country s civil war with the Tamil Tigers.The 26-year civil war that ensued, which ended with the LTTE s military defeat in 2009.
Japan Grants India $2.32 Billion Aid For Infrastructure Building
On 27 March India and Japan have agreed to promote their bilateral strategic and global partnership especially in economic and security areas, with Tokyo granting a $2.32 billion aid for infrastructure building. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida ,External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid discussed about both countries bilateral issues the meeting held at Tokyo .During the meeting Kishida unveiled a 220 billion yen (USD 2.32 billion) aid to India for infrastructure building and a 71-billion-yen loan ($753.17 million) for the subway project in India s financial capital Mumbai.
NATIONAL
Cabinet Approves Bill for Time-Bound Services to Citizens
On 7 March the government gave its nod to a Bill aimed at providing time-bound delivery of services like passports, pensions and birth and death certificates, among others, to the citizens.The Right of Citizens for Time-Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of their Grievances Bill, 2011, was approved by the Union Cabinet at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh .
President Released the Commemorative Postage Stamp on Sahir Ludhianvi
On 8 March the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee released the Commemorative Postage Stamp on Sahir Ludhianvi on occasion of his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.Sahir Ludhianvi died on 25 October 1980 and was a renowned Urdu poet.He fought for recognition of lyric writers through the Film Writers Association.
India‟s First All-Women Post Office
After announcing India s all women public bank, the central government on 08 March 2013 started an all women post office in New Delhi on the occasion of the International Women s Day. Communications & Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal inaugurated the post office at Shastri Bhawan – the hub of central government offices in central Delhi. All the employees in these post office are women only.
Cabinet Approved Electronic Delivery of Services Bill
On 18 March the Union Cabinet approved a bill that aims to provide access to all central and state government services such as passport, ration card and driving licences electronically.The Bill requires public authorities to deliver all public services electronically within a maximum period of 8 years.
Cabinet Approved Food Security Bill
On 19 March the union cabinet has approved the National Food Security Bill which aims to give the right to food to around 67% of India s 1.2 billion people.The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2011 and had been sent to a parliamentary standing committee for further consideration.In the bill, the government had proposed 7 kg of grain per month per person to priority households and at least 3 kg of foodgrain at half the price for general households.
Rajya Sabha Passed Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2013
On 21 March the Rajya Sabha passed the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2013 that provides for capital punishment in cases of brutal rape, and also deals with several other crimes against women.On 19 March Lok Sabha passed the Bill with an aim of providing a strong deterrent against rapes and gang rapes, the Bill states that an offender can be sentenced to rigourous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 20 years, but which may extend to life, meaning imprisonment for the remainder of that person s natural life and with a fine.
Supreme Court upholds Death for Yakub Memon
On 21 March the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence of Yakub Abdul Razak Memon in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case that had claimed 257 lives and left 713 injured.The Supreme Court also upheld the conviction of actor Sanjay Dutt under the Arms Act in the terror attack and sent him to five years in prison.The capital punishment of the other 10 death row convicts was commuted to life sentence by a bench of justices P Sathasivam and B S Chauhan which also upheld the life term awarded to 16 out of 18 convicts.
68 million Indians Living in Slums
On 21 March According to the first such census report on slum households prepared by the Registrar General of India, approximately 68 million Indians are living in slums. In all 1.73 crore census houses have been reported in houselisting blocks, categorised as slums in India, comprising 1.37 crore slum households.The report also noted that in 19 cities with million-plus population, 25 per cent of households live in slums.A majority-71 per cent- of these are located in six states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, west Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.90 per cent of slum households use electricity, 70 per cent slum households have television, 72.7 per cent have telephone facility while 10.4 per cent households have computer or laptop in their house.
STATES
HPCL signed MoU for Rajasthan Refinery
On 14 March Min of Petroleum & Natural Gas Hindustan
Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Jaipur for setting up a Rs 37,320cr refinery-cum-petrochemical complex in Barmer, Rajasthan. The project will be a joint venture between HPCL and Rajasthan State Refinery Limited, apart from other equity partners.The MoU was signed by Subhash Pant, Secretary Mines and Petroleum, Government of Rajasthan and K.Murli, Director (Refineries) of HPCL.
Madhya Pradesh Spice Park Inaugurated in Guna
On 16 March In Madhya Pradesh, Union power ministry inaugurated a Spice Park in Mawan area of Guna district. This spice park has been built at a cost of fifty five crore rupees.
Delhi Launched a Comprehensive Five-In-One Vaccine
On 12 March the Chief Minister of Delhi,Sheila Dikshit launched a comprehensive five-in-one vaccine in order to provide protection to children against certain diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria and pertusis.The CM announced that instead of three injections, now there will be a requirement of only one injection for providing protection against the diseases.
Karnataka State Assembly Elections Schedule Released
On March 20 The Election Commission of India has announced the dates for Karnataka Assembly Elections 2013.The elections will be a single-phase election and counting would take place on May 8.The Polls would be held on May 5.
Three High Courts Opened in Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya
Tripura, Meghalaya and Manipur on 23 March 2013 got their own High Courts. Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre, Judge of
Chhattisgarh High Court took oath as the first Chief Justice of Manipur High Court on 23 March 2013. Justice Deepak Gupta along with three other judges would be administered the oath to the High Court of Tripura .Justice Meena Kumari took oath as the first Chief Justice of Meghalaya. With the opening of the three high Courts in the North Eastern states of India, the total number of high Courts in India has gone up to 24 from previous 21.
Arunachal Pradesh became the first state to introduce e-GPF or electronic GPF.The state Finance Department facilitated the online access to 34000 GPF accounts through its redesigned Web site, which was launched by Chief Minister of Arunachal Pardesh Nabam Tuki.
Housing stock, Amenities and Assets in Slums Report
On 29 March Union Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation released the report on Housing stock, Amenities and Assets in slums based on Houselisting & House Census, 2011.Registrar General presented the important features of the report and outlined its importance.In all 1.73 Crore Census houses have been reported in the House listing Blocks categorized as Slums in India, comprising 1.37 Crore slum households.There are 19 cities with million plus population where more than 25% households live in slums.A majority (71%) of these are located in six States namely, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.Out of these 19 cities, five cities namely, Vishakhapatnam, Jabalpur, Mumbai, Vijayawada and Meerut have more than 40% slum households.Out of total slum houses, 92.7% are occupied and 7.3% are vacant.84.9% Census Houses are used for residence/residence-cum-other use.58.4% residential census houses are in good condition, 37.5% are livable and rest 4.0% are in dilapidated condition.70.2% Slum households are owned.
Punjab, Haryana, Delhi Top in Well Being Index
According to the Tata Strategic Management Group Survey report , Punjab, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana have been ranked at the top of the Well Being Index,while southern states, Gujarat and most of the north-eastern states emerged as the most secure ones for women in the Female Security Index.The states of Punjab, Delhi, HP, Haryana and Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh were ranked at the top of the Well Being Index. On the Female Security Index, Chennai and Bangalore were at the top.
CONFERENCES
24th Arab League Summit Held in Doha The 24th summit was held in Doha (Qatar) from 21 to 26 March 2013.A total of 15 heads of state of Arab countries attended the summit.The Arab League currently consist of 21 countries, after Syria was suspended form the league due to excessive
violence during the Arab Spring. However, the Syrian opposition umbrella organization, the Syrian National Coalition, will attend this year s summit and will be offered a seat formerly occupied by Damascus.The Arab League summit called for an international conference in the framework of the United Nations for Syria s reconstruction. The Qatari leader meanwhile proposed a mini- Arab summit, led by Egypt and leaders of Fatah and Hamas, in Cairo as soon as possible to achieve Palestinian national reconciliation. He also called for Arab countries to establish a fund of 1 billion U.S.dollars to support the Palestinians, pledging that his country will offer a quarter of the amount. The Arab League was formed in 1945.
5th BRICS Summit Held in Durban
The 5th BRICS Summit was held in Durban, South Africa from 26 to 27 March 2013. The summit an international relations conference attended by the head of states or heads of government of the five member states Brazil, Russia,
India, China and South Africa.Theme of the summit was , ―BRICS and Africa:
Partnership for Development,‖ Integration and
Industrialisation .BRICS Leaders President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff ,Russian president Vladimir Putin,Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singhm,Chinese president Ji Xinping, South Africa s president Jacob Zuma also discussed swap arrangements among the national currencies as well as reserve pooling. BRICS nations have decided to establish a new development bank to finance infrastructure projects and to create a USD 100 bn contingency fund to tackle any financial crisis in emerging economies, in what is seen as a major win for India s campaign to reform global financial architecture. BRICS‖Summit took place in South Africa for the first time. BRICS, originally ―BRIC before the inclusion of South Africa in 2010, is the title of an association of emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS).
AWARDS & HONOURS
Indian-Origin Writer Anil Ananthaswamy Won “ British Physics Journalism “ Prize
‖
On 1 March Anil Ananthaswamy, a London based Indian origin writer, has won the inaugural ―Physics Journalism Prize sponsored by the Institute of
Physics (IOP) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). The
Edge of Physics‖, has won the prize for his article ―Hip Hip Array,‖ which focuses on the Square Kilometre Array, an international project to design and build the largest radio telescope ever conceived.
On 4 March The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee was conferred with the Liberation War Honour Award by the President of Bangladesh, Zillur Rahman. The award was given away to Pranab Mukherjee for contributions to the Liberation War.
Indian Women Selected For State Dept Award For Environment Awareness
On 5 March Dr Shubhalaxmi Vaylure has been selected for the US State Department s International Exchange Alumni Member of the Month for March for her dedication to build greater environmental awareness in India. Shubhalaxmi first came to the US in 2003 as part of the Fulbright Indo-American Environmental Leadership Programme which took her to the University of Montana to study educational nature centers.Upon eturning from this programme, she drew inspiration from her Fulbright programme as she implemented innovative educational programs at the Mumbai Conservation Education Center.
Arun Jaitley, Karan Singh, Sharad Yadav Best Parliamentarians
On 6 March Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley, Congress veteran Karan Singh and JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav have been selected for the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award .Jaitley, who is Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, gets the award for the year 2010, Karan Singh for 2011 and Sharad Yadav for 2012. The Indian Parliamentary Group had instituted the award in 1994 which is conferred each year.
Tagore Award For Ravi Shankar
President Pranab Mukherjee presented the first annual Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony to late Pandit Ravi Shankar at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 07 Marchi 2013.Sukanya Shankar, wife of Ravi Shankar, received the award.
Stree Shakti Award For „Nirbhaya‟
President Pranab Mukherjee presented the Stree Shakti award on International Women s Day( 08 March 2013) for Nirbhaya . Stree Shakti award as a tribute to her courage and strength.The award was recevied by her family members.As a measure of recognition of achievements in individual women in the field of social development, the government had instituted of 6 national awards which are called Stree Shakti Puraskar . The awards are in the name of the eminent women personalities namely Devi Ahalya Bai Holkar, Kannagi, Mata Jajabai, Rani Gaidinliu Zeliang, Rani Lakshmi Bai and Rani Rudramma Devi (which is open to both men and women). Nirbhaya was honoured with the Sree Shakti award of Rani Lakshmi Bai.The Rani Rudramma Devi Award for the year 2012 was awarded to Smt. Pranita Talukdar from Assam. She was honoured for her commendable work for the overall development of women.
US Bravery Award for Nirbhaya
The Delhi gang-rape victim, Nirbhaya was honoured by the US government with an International Women of Courage Award for 2013.In this year this award was given to 10 women in Washington on March 8, which is also International Women s Day.
National Tourism Award Winners 2011-12
National Annual Tourism Awards for 2011-12 was announced by Tourism Ministry on 12 March 2013. The Ministry announced 86 awards in 36 Categories. The awards presented by President of India on 18th March. Winners of National Tourism Awards for
2011-12 :-
Best State/ UT Comprehensive Development of Tourism (Rest of India): – Andhra Pradesh (First Prize) – Rajasthan (Second Prize) – Gujarat (Third Prize) Best State/ UT Comprehensive Development of Tourism –(North East, Jammu and Kashmir) – Jammu & Kashmir
Best Civic Management of a Destination Category B City – Municipal Council of Mandav (Mandu),District Dhar, Madhya
Pradesh
Best Heritage City – Warangal City, Andhra Pradesh Best Airport ( Class X Cities) – Rajiv Gandhi International Airport,
Hyderabad
Best Airport (Rest of India) – VishakhapatnamAirport, Vishakhapatnam The special National Tourism Awards for Yann Martel, author of the book, Life of
Tan Twan Eng Declared Winner of 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize
Tan Twan Eng on 14 March 2013 was announced as a winner of the 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize. With this, he became the first Malaysian author to win the most prestigious literary prize of Asia.Tan Twan Eng won the 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize for his novel The Garden of Evening Mists.
Poetess Sugathakumari Selected For Saraswati Samman Award
On 17 March Sugathakumari, the Malayalam poetess was selected for the Saraswati Samman 2012 for the poetry collection Manalezhuthu, which means The Writing on the Sand in English. The Saraswati Samman is constituted by K. K. Birla Foundation.
60th National Film Awards
On 18 March The prestigious 60th National Film Awards for the year 2012 were announced in New Delhi.Irrfan has won the Best Actor award for his powerful performance in Tigmanshu Dhulia s Paan Singh Tomar and Marathi actress Usha Jadhav has won the Best Actress award for Dhag . The List of Award Winners :- Best Feature Film: Paan Singh Tomar Best Actor: Irrfan for Paan Singh Tomar and Vikram Gokhale for Anumati (Marathi)
Best Actress: Usha Jadhav for Marathi film Dhag
Best Child Artist: Virendra Pratap for Dekh Indian Circus (Hindi) and Minon for 101 Chodiyangal (Malayalam) Best Popular Film for wholesome entertainment: Vicky Donor (Hindi), Ustad (Malayalam) Best Animation Film: Delhi Safari Best Children s Film: Dekh Indian Circus Best Film on Social Issues: Spirit (Malayalam) Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film On National Integration: ThanichallaNjan (Malyalam) Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director: Chittagong (Hindi) and 101 Chodiyangal (Malayalam) Best Special Effects: Eega (Telugu) Best Hindi Film: Filmistan Best Telugu Film: Eega
Reliance Industries Bags „Refiner of the Year Award‟
On 23 March Reliance Industries has been awarded the prestigious International Refiner of the Year 2013 at HART Energy s 27th World Refining & Fuel Conference at San Antonio, Texas, USA.This is the second time that RIL has received this Award for its Jamnagar Refinery, the first being in 2005.
Indian Manish Kumar Among 28 Naturalised at White House Ceremony
Manish Kapoor from India was one among the lucky 28 to be granted the American citizenship at the White House in the presence of the US President, Barack Obama.List of 28 service members, who were naturalised at the White House ceremony included three from South Asia Manish Kapoor, Nazo Raoufi from Afghanistan and Mohammed Hossain from Bangladesh.
Paris Honours Nelson Mandela
On 26 March the city of Paris made antiapartheid hero Nelson Mandela an honorary citizen, but refused to grant an honour to Venezuela s late leftist firebrand leader Hugo Chavez.
2013 Abel Prize To Belgian Pierre Deligne
Belgian mathematician Pierre Deligne who is regarded as one of the most celebrated mathematicians of the 20th century, has been chosen for this year s prestigious Abel Prize in Mathematics.Award is given to him for his ―seminal contributions to algebraic geometry and for their transformative impact on number theory, representation theory and related fields.
Veteran Lensman Pranlal Patel Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award
On 28 March The 2nd National Photo Awards- 2011-12 were conferred by the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Ms. Meira Kumar to eminent photojournalists at a function held in Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.The Life-Time Achievement Awards were given to eminent photographers Shri Pranlal Patel, Shri T.S. Nagarajan and Shri T.N.A. Perumal.In the Professional Category, the Best Professional Photographer of the Year 2011-12 has been given to Shri Salil Bera.
SPORTS & GAMES
Duty Free Dubai Tennis Championship-2013
Men s Singles: On 2 March Serbian Novak Djokovic won the ATP Dubai Open Tennis Men s singles title after defeated the Czech Republican Tomas Berdych in the final at Dubai . Women s Singles : This title was won by Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic). In final she defeated the Sara Errani(Italy).
ATP Mexican Open 2013 Tennis Tournament Winners
Men s Singles: Rafael Nadal won ATP Mexican Open 2013 Tennis Title after he defeated the top seed and defending champion David Ferrer on 2 March 2013 in the final. This is the 38th clay court title of Nadal. Women s singles : In the women s singles Italy s Sara Errani won the title after defeated Carla Suarez-Navarro (Spain) in the final.
Services Won Santosh Trophy Title
On 3 March Services team won the final of the 67th Santosh Trophy in Kochi at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium by beating hosts Kerala .The Man of the Match title was clinched by Services striker Lalian Mawia. The Services team bagged their third Santosh Trophy title
Delhi Won Vijay Hazare Trophy
On 3 March Delhi team won Vijay Hazare Trophy after defeated Assam in the final at the ACA-VDCA stadium.
All England Open Badminton Championship Winners
Women s Single s : On 10 March Tine Baun (Denmark) won the women s singles title after defeated Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand in the All England Open Badminton Championship at Birmingham. Men s Singles : Chen Long won the singles title after defeating Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia at Men s singles final.
Laureus World Sports Awards 2013
―On 11 March Laureus World Sports Awards 2013 were organised in Rio de
Janeiro.The Prestigious awards were claimed by sports stars- Jessica Ennis, Usain Bolt , Andy Murray and Sebastian Coe. The List of the Awardees :-Laureus World Sportsman of the Year -Usain Bolt Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year – Jessica Ennis Laureus World Team of the Year – European Ryder Cup Team Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year – Andy Murray Laureus World Comeback of the Year – Feliz Sanchez Laureus World
Action Sportsperson of the Year – Felix Baumgartner Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability – Daniel Dias
Ukrainian Women Won World Chess Championship
On 13 March Women s chess team of Ukraine won the World Chess Team Championship. The second place went to team from China, and the third to the Russian , Fifth place to India.
India Won Eight Medals in Asian Grand Prix Archery Championship
On 14 March India won a total of eight medals in the inaugural Asian Grand Prix Archery Championship at Bangkok . India won two gold, two Silver and four bronze.
Australia Won Azlan Shah Trophy
On 17 March Australia, the World Champions won the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament title for the seventh time after defeated defeated Malaysia in the final.
Kimi Raikkonen Won Australian Grand Prix
On 17 March Finland s Kimi Raikkonen won the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne.It was the 20th Grand Prix win for Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion.
Indian Wells Tennis Tournament Winners
Mens Singles : On 18 March Rafael Nadal of spain won the Mens singles title after defeated Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in the final at California .This is Nadal s third Indian Wells ATP Masters title and first hard court title since 2010. Women s Singles :- Maria Sharapova defeated Caroline Wozniacki in the women s final in straight sets to win her second Indian Wells ATP Masters title.
S
wiss Open Badminton 2013 Winners
Men s Singles :- On 18 March Wang Zhengming from china won the Swiss Open Badminton Men s singles title after defeated Du Pengyu in the final at basel. Women s Singles:- In the Women s singles Wang Shixian from china got the title after defeating Ratchanok Inthanon (Thailand) in the final.
West Zone Won Deodhar Trophy
On 13 March Defending champion West Zone won the Prof. D.B. Deodhar Trophy for the 12th time after defeated North Zone s challenge in the final at the Nehru Stadium.
Neha Tripathi Won Sixth Leg of Hero Women‟s Pro Golf Tour
2013 Kolkata s Neha Tripathi won sixth leg of Hero Women s Pro Golf Tour 2013 in Panchkula on 21 March 2013. This is the third victory of Neha Tripathi in 2013 season. With this victory, Neha Tripathi overtook Smriti Mehra in the Hero Order of Merit 2013.
Sebastian Vettel Won F1‟s Malaysian Grand Prix
On 24 March Three-time world champion Sebastian Vettel won the Malaysian Grand Prix 2013 at the Sepang International Circuit.
ECONOMY
Nine Indian Women in Forbes Asia Power Business Women List
On 1 March ICICI Bank CEO and MD Chanda Kochchar, Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and film producer Ekta Kapoor are among the nine Indian women named in Forbes magazine s inaugural Asia Power Businesswomen list .The list also includes Britannia Industries Managing Director Vinita Bali ; HT Media Chairman and Editorial Director Shobhana Bhartia ; AZB & Partners Founder and Senior Partner Zia Mody ; Axis Bank CEO and Managing Director Shikha Sharma ; and Tractors & Farm Equipment Chairman Mallika Srinivasa; Kapoor, TV and movie producer.
Mukesh Ambani Is Richest Indian on Forbes‟ list
As per an annual ranking published on 4 March 2013 by business magazine Forbes,Mukesh Ambani has retained his title as India s richest person for sixth year in a row,with networth of $ 21.5 billion.In the overall rich list of world s billionaires, Mukesh Ambani is ranked 22nd, while the second-richest Indian Lakshmi Mittal is at 41st position with a networth of USD 16.5 billion.Mexican business tycoon Carlos Slim has topped the rankings with a networth of USD 73 billion, followed by Bill Gates (USD 67 billion), Spain s Amancio Ortega (USD 57 billion), Warren Buffett (USD 53.5 billion) and Larry Ellison (USD 43 billion) in top five.
Airports of Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad are among the top five airports in the world providing international standard services.Airports Council International (ACI),a global body of airports, has adjudged Delhi s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport as second best after Seoul s Incheon airport in the category of airports handling 25-40 million passengers per annum (MPPA) for their service quality for the year 2012.Mumbai s Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport was adjudged the third best in this category.Hyderabad s Rajiv Gandhi International airport (RGI) has bagged the second position for their service quality in the category of five to 15 MPPA. Japan s Nagoya airport was adjudged the best in this category. Seoul s Incheon ranked first, Singapore s Changi second and Beijing was placed at the third spot.
RBI to Launch Plastic Currency Notes in 5 Cities
On 12 March The Union Government and RBI decided to introduce one billion pieces of 10 Rupees bank notes made of plastic on a field trial basis in five cities.A 10 Rupees note in polymer/plastic on a field trial basis will be introduced first; Minister of State for Finance .The field trail is supposed to be conducted in five cities of Kochi, Mysore, Jaipur, Bhubhaneswar and Shimla with varied geographical locations and climatic conditions.As per the RBI, the primary objective of introduction of polymer notes is to increase its life, it could also help in combating counterfeiting.
Gujarat Tops in FMCG Consumption
On 12 March According to the Evolution of Indian Rural MarketsDuring 2004-05 to 2009-10 report released by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) , Gujarat has garnered maximum growth in per capita food and non-food consumption expenditure across the country between FY05 and FY10 with growth rate of about 28% and 33% respectively. Besides registering a growth of about 24.69%, Gujarat has also topped in terms of household consumption of fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) during the fiveyear period.West Bengal has seen least growth of just about 1.6% and about 8% in per-capita food and non-food consumption expenditure, respectively.The per capita food and non-food consumption expenditure across India has increased at over 14% and 17%, respectively, between FY05 and FY10.
On 13 March As the export price of Indian rice was more competitive than the Thai rice, India has displaced Thailand from the position of top exporter of rice during 2011-12, Minister of State Commerce and Industry was informed to Rajya Sabha.In 2010-11, the rice exports stood at 24.71 lakh tonnes from 21.56 lakh tonnes in the previous fiscal.Rice exports were at 74.67 lakh tonnes during April-December 2012 against 71.75 lakh tonnes in the full fiscal year of 2011-12.
India 5th in World Billionaire Rich List ‖
According to the Knight Frank ―Wealth Report 2013 , India stands 5th among the top 10 countries with the largest number of billionaires with 122 and the number is expected double by 2022.Mumbai has secured the 7th spot in the list of top global cities with a High Net Worth Individual HNWI population.Presently, the city has 2,105 HNWIs and is expected to touch 4,988 with a 137 per cent rise by 2022. Delhi is not too far behind Mumbai; it ranks 11th with a current HNWI population of 1,945 which is likely to grow by 120 per cent and reach 4,278 by 2022. In the cities that that matter to HNWI s , New York and London are the first two places in the list.
India May Become 5th Largest Manufacturing Nation
According to the Boston Consultancy Group (BCG) report titled People productivity-Key to Indian manufacturing
competitiveness , India may become the 5th largest manufacturing nation from 9th position at present, if the country is able to increase the share of manufacturing in GDP to 25 per cent.The National Manufacturing Policy envisages that India s manufacturing sector should increase its share of GDP from 15 percent at present to 25 percent by 2022, in line with global peers.It will help India become the fifth-largest manufacturing nation.
Hindujas are Britain‟s Richest Asians
Leading NRI businessmen Srichand Hinduja and Gopi Hinduja, Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Hinduja Group, have emerged as the richest Asians in Britain in 2013.After playing second fiddle for years to steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, the Londonbased Hinduja brothers have come out top this year with net wealth assessed at 12.5 billion pounds – up 3 billion pounds on the 2012 figure.
Mumbai Falls to 66th Rank Among Leading Global Financial Hubs
According to the latest Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI), Mumbai which is India s financial capital has slipped to 66th rank in the list of leading financial centres around the world, with New Delhi failing to even make a mark.GFCI offers profiles,ratings and rankings for 79 financial centres around the world positioned Mumbai at the 66th place, which is down three places from last year when it was ranked 63rd on the much coveted list.Mumbai is the only Indian city on the list. London topped the list, followed by New York ranking second in the list. Hong Kong and Singapore in the third and fourth place respectively.
RBI Cuts Repo Rate by 25 Base Points
On 19 March The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.5 per cent from 7.75 percent in its midquarter review of the monetary policy. Consequently, the reverse repo rate under the LAF stands adjusted to 6.5 per cent from the earlier 6.75 per cent and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate to 8.5 per cent with immediate effect.The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) has been retained at 4 per cent.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Spinning Black Hole Observed for the First Time
The Spinning black holes are first identified by Paranal Observatory astronomers in Chile.The enormous black hole at the center of the spiral galaxy NGC 1365 is spinning about 84 percent as fast as Einstein s general theory of relativity allows it to, researchers determined. NGC 1365, located about 56 million light-years from Earth.
Pinaka‟ Rockets Successfully Test-Fired
On 1 March Indigenously developed Pinaka rockets were successfully test-fired by Indian army from a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) by an armament establishment from a base at Chandipur-on-sea, about 15 km from Balasore. Pinaka is an area weapon system with a range of 40 km. Pinaka system can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds ,adding that the battery of six launchers can neutralise at a time a target area of 3.9 sq km.
Large Meteorite Found in Antarctica
On 1 March the international group of researchers has discovered the18-kg meteorite in eastern Antarctica, the largest found in that area in 25 years.
Astronomer Measured Exact Distance to Our Closest Neighbouring Galaxy
On 7 March Astronomers have for the first time accurately measured the distance to one of the Milky Way s neighbouring galaxy and it is just 163,000 light-years away.
Japan Pioneers Gas Extraction From Seafloor Methane Hydrate
On 12 March Japan has become the first country in the world to extract natural gas from frozen methane hydrate successfully off the central coast. According to the Japanese study, it was estimated that around 1.1tn cubic metres of methane hydrate existed in the offshore deposits. This is equal to the gas consumption of Japan in more than 10 years.
World‟s Largest Telescope Inaugurated in Chile
On 13 March The world s largest radio telescope has been inaugurated in Chile on a mountain high above the Atacama Desert, wielding unprecedented power to peer into the remotest regions of the universe.The ceremony attended by President Sebastian Pinera and other dignitaries.The ALMA space observatory consists of 66 antennae creating a telescope array 16 kilometres in diameter.
UAE Inaugurated World‟s Largest CSP Solar Power Plant
On 17 March United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan inaugurated the 100-megawatt solar plant ―Shams 1 ― in the desert of Abu Dhabi,the world s largest concentrated solar power plant in operation.Covering an area of 2.5 square km, the 600-million-U.S. dollars project incorporates the latest in parabolic trough technology and features more than 258,000 mirrors mounted on 768 tracking parabolic trough collectors, capable of delivering green electricity to 20,000 homes.
India Successfully Test Fired World‟s First Underwater
Supersonic Cruise Missile
On 20 March India has successfully test fired its submarinelaunched version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile of the over 290 km-range in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of the southern port city of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh).The launch of Missile is counted as the first test-firing of an
underwater supersonic cruise missile anywhere in the world. The missile travelled its complete range of over 290 km.
Big Bang Radiation Map Unveiled
On 21 March The European Space Agency (ESA) has unveiled the most detailed map yet of relic radiation from the Big Bang,revealing new data it hopes will shed light on the creation and expansion of our Universe.The map results suggest the universe is expanding more slowly than scientists thought, and is 13.8 billion years old, 100 million years older than previous estimates.
India and US Agreed for Future Cooperation in Moon and Mars Missions
On 23 March India and the US agreed for cooperation on future missions to the Moon and Mars after successful collaboration in
Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission. The highly successful
Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission which was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in October 2008 led to strong evidence of the presence of lunar water.
Crew Reaches Space Station in Less than 6 Hours
On 29 March An astronaut from the U. S.with three Russian cosmonauts took a short cut to reach space station and saved around 45 hours of journey. The crew took only 5 hours and 45 minutes to reach the space station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.This is for the first time that any crew has used this express route to reach space station in the minimum possible time.Three members on this Russian Soyuz are Chris Cassidy from NASA, Alexander Misurkin and Pavel Vinogradov from Russia.
NTPC Commissioned New Solar Power Project in Andaman & Nicobar
On March 30,NTPC Ltd has commissioned a 5-MW solar photovoltaic power project at Port Blair in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.It is the first grid-connected solar photo-voltaic project in these islands and also the first greenfield renewable solar PV project of NTPC.
New Indian Ship „ASWC Kiltan‟ Launched in Kolkata
INS Kiltan is an anti-submarine warfare corvette of the Indian Navy built under Project-28. It is the third of four Kamorta class corvettes under various stages of induction with the Indian Navy. The ship was built by the Garden
Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata and launched on 26 March.The ship takes its name from the Kiltan island, a coral island that is part of India s archipelagic Union Territory of Lakshadweep.The Kiltan is to be armed with a range of indigenously developed cutting edge weapons and sensors including a medium range gun, torpedo tube launchers, rocket launchers and a close-in weapon system.
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Nagaland , Tripura , Meghalaya new CM‟s
On 5 March Neiphiu Rio of Naga People s Front (NPF) party was sworn in as Chief Minister of Nagaland for the third straight term. – On 5 March Mukul Manda Sangma of Congress party was sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Meghalaya for the second term. – On 6 March ManikSarkar of CPM party was sworn in as chief minister of Tripura for the fourth consecutive time .
Panabaka Lakshmi Assumes Additional Charge of Textiles
On 5 March Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Panabaka Lakshmi assumed additional charge as Union Minister of State for Textiles.Lakshmi was minister of state for textiles until she was shifted to petroleum and natural gas ministry in the same rank after the reshuffle in end October 2012.
IAEA Chief Amano Wins Second Term
The UN atomic agency s board of governors on 06 March 2013 approved giving Japanese director general Yukiya Amano a new four-year term without even resorting to a vote.
Nicolas Maduro sworn in as Venezuela‟s Interim President
On 8 March Venezuelan Vice- President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in as Venezuela s acting president, despite the Opposition resistance as it is being considered to the violation of the country s constitution.
New Governors For 5 States
On 9 March President Pranab Mukherjee appointed new Governors for 5 states – Former CBI Director, Ashwani Kumar appointed as Governor of
Nagaland. – Congress veteran SC Jamir appointed as Governor of Odhisa . – Governor of Tripura DY Patil transferred to Bihar – Bihar Governor Devanand Konwar shifted to Tripura – Nikhil Kumar, who was serving as Governor of Nagaland, has been transferred and appointed as Governor of Kerala .
Aung Suu Kyi Re-elected As Opposition NLD Leader
On 10 March Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been re-elected head of the new executive board of the National League for Democracy at a landmark maiden party congress.
Jorge Bergoglio Elected As 266th Pope
On 13 March Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina is selected as the new leader for 120 crore Catholics across the world.George was the Buenos Aires Archbishop and he was chosen as the new Pope by 115 qcardinals.He changed his name as Francis- 1.He is the 266th Pope (head of the Roman Catholic Church).Francis-1 is the first Pope from the Jesuit community. He is also the first pope from Latin America. He is also the first pope to be selected from a non European country in the modern history.There are five Indian also among the cardinal electors.
Xi Jinping Took Over As China‟s New President
On 14 March Xi was elected as President by 3000-strong National People s Congress, which also endorsed his appointment as the Chairman of the Military Commission. China s parliament formally elected Xi Jinping as president, four months after he took charge of the Communist Party.
Khil Raj Regmi Sworn as Nepal PM
On 14 March Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi was sworn-in as the new Prime Minister of Nepal .Khil Raj Regmi will be the head of interim government which will have its elections by 21 June 2013. This is the first time in Nepalese political history that a sitting Chief Justice is being named as the Head of the Government.
Sundar Pichai To Take Over as Google‟s Android Chief
Google on 13 March 2013 , announced that Andy Rubin, who was heading the company s Android division, is stepping down. He will be replaced by SundarPichai, an IITian, who also heads Google s Chrome division.
Li Keqiang Appointed as China‟s new Prime Minister
On 14 March Li Keqiang was appointed prime minister at the annual session of China s National People s Congress.Mr. Li is the latest Communist Party leader. He succeeds Wen Jiabao in a position that entails steering the economy and government operations through the State Council, or cabinet.
Bobby Ghosh is Time International Editor
Eminent Indian journalist Bobby Ghosh had been named the new editor of Time International. Ghosh was appointed on 15 March 2013 as the first non-American world editor in TIME s history.
Indian American Appointed Vice Chairman of Illinois Innovation Council
On 18 March Indian-American politician Raja Krishnamurthy has been appointed vice chair of the Illinois Innovation Council by the Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. Krishnamurthyis currently the president of Sivanathan Laboratories.
Mir Hazar Khan Khoso Sworn in as aretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan
On 25 March Justice Retd. Mir Hazar Khan Khoso took oath as the sixth caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan on 25 March 2013 in Islamabad.
Renee Ramaswamy Nominated to the National Council of the Arts
On 22 March Renee Ramaswamy, founder of the Ragamala Music and Dance Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been nominated by President Barack Obama to the National Council of the Arts for a fiveyear term.
Obama Appoints First Woman Secret Service Director
On 26 March President Barack Obama chose veteran agent Julia Pierson as Secret Service director, the first woman to lead the male-dominated agency.
Ralph Waters new World Cup 2015 Chairman
Ralph Waters has been named new chairman of the local organizing committee for the 2015 World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Waters was previously the deputy chairman of the committee and succeeds James Strong, the previous chairman.
B)RESIGNS
UP minister Raja Bhaiya Resigned
UP s food and civil supplies minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya, who is an accused in the murder of a deputy superintendent of police, on 04 March 2013 met chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and tendered his resignation.
Odisha Law Minister Raghunath Mohanty Resigned
A senior Odisha minister, Raghunath Mohanty, resigned on 16 Marchi 2013, after his daughter-in-law accused him of torturing her for dowry.
Mukesh Ambani To Exit Board of Bank of America
Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani will step down as the board of director of Bank of America He has served on the Bank of America board since March 2011 and became a director prior to the establishment of the global advisory council.
Five Cabinet Ministers Resigned
On 20 March the 5 Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party Cabinet ministers resigned from the Union Council of Ministers, which were accepted by the Pranab Mukherjee President of India. Pranab Mukherjee, also allocated the charge of Chemicals and Fertilizers Ministry to Srikant Jena who is Minister of State in the same ministry.The five cabinet ministers are :- (i) M K Alagiri ( Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers) (ii) S S Palanimanickam (Minister of State (Finance) ) (iii) S. Gandhiselvan (Minister of state for Health and Family Welfare) (iv) S. Jagathrakshakan (Minister of State for Commerce & Industry) (v) D. Napoleon (Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment).
Italy Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi Resigned
Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi resigned on 26 March, over his government s decision to return two marines to India to face trial for the murder of local fishermen while on anti-piracy duty.
C)DEATHS
Venezuelan President Chavez Died
On 5 March Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez died at Caracas .Hugo Chavez was the President of Venezuela from 1999 till his death in 2013. He Served as
the President of Venezuela for three times.A coup attempt was made in Venezuela in April 2002 to overthrow Hugo Chavez from his office.
Former West Bengal Governor Viren J Shah passed away in Jordan
On March 9th,the former West Bengal Governor and industrialist Viren J Shah died in Jordan. He was also member of the Rajya Sabha twice from 1975 to 1981 and from 1990 to 1996. He was the Governor of West Bengal from 1999 to 2004.
Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman Died
On 20 March Bangladesh President Mohammad Zillur Rahman, died at Singapore .Rahman, was made the ceremonial head of the state in 2009 after Awami League was elected in the landmark December, 2008, general elections.
Pietro Mennea, the Italian Athlete Died
Pietro Mennea, the Italian athletics died in Rome on 21 March 2013. Pietro Mennea was the gold medal winner in the 200m at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Nigerian Author Chinua Achebe Died
On 22 March Renowned Nigerian author Chinua Achebe has died at the age of 82 .One of Africa s best known authors, his 1958 debut novel Things Fall Apart, which dealt with the impact of colonialism in Africa, has sold more than 10 million copies.
Two Time Pulitzer Winner Anthony Lewis Dies
On 25 March Anthony Lewis, who has died aged 85, was a New York Times columnist and author who twice won a Pulitzer Prize, the highest award in American journalism.Anthony Lewis was a prominent public intellectual, who wrote for The New York Times op-ed page and The New York Review of Books, among other publications.
Grammy Award Winning Producer and Engineer Phil Ramone Died
On 30 March Phil Ramone, the Grammy Award-winning engineer and producer who applied his platinum touch to recordings with Ray Charles, Billy Joel and Paul Simon, has died at the age of 72.Ramone won 14 Grammy awards and worked with Frank Sinatra and Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney, Elton John and Tony Bennett.
D)VISITORS
President of India Visited Bangladesh
President of India, Pranab Mukherjee visited Bangladesh from 3 – 5 March
.During the visit he met with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and discussed the Teesta and land border issues.
President Mukherjee Visited Mauritius
The President of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, visited Mauritius from 11 to 13 March .During the visit he attended the Mauritius 45th Independence anniversary celebrations as a Chief Guest. He met the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Rajkeswur Purryag , Prime Minister, Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam and discussed the bilateral double taxation avoidance convention.
World Bank President Jim Yong Kim Visited India
Jim Yong Kim the President of World Bank, visited India from 11th to 13th March.During the visit Jim Yong Kim met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P.Chidambaram and discussed India s major initiatives aimed at fostering equitable growth. This is the Kim s first visit to India after taking over as President of the World Bank Group 2012 July.
Egypt‟s President Mohamed Morsi Visited India
Egypt s President Mohamed Morsi visited India from 18 to 20 March .During the visit Morsi met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in NewDelhi and discussed the forge closer cooperation in economic and other fields.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Visited South Africa
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited South Africa from 25 to 28 March.During the visit he attended the BRICS Summit and met Russian president Vladimir Putin and discussed about the substantive progress being made on the other remaining phases of the joint nuclear energy programme between India and Russia at Kudankulam. Manmohan Singh also met China new president Xi Jinping and discussed the issue of Beijing s proposal to construct three dams across the Brahmaputra river on its side.
E)MISCELLANEOUS
Salman Rushdie Named in Al-Qaida‟s „Most-Wanted List
Indian-origin British author Salman Rushdie had been named in the most-wanted list of Islam critics to kill released by al-Qaida in the new issue of its English online magazine. A fatwa was issued against Rushdie by Iran s late leader Ayotollah Khomeini in 1989 over passages in his book The Satanic Verses.
Maldives Ex-President Nasheed Arrested
On March 5,Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed had been arrested, to face charges of abuse of power during his tenure, after he failed to appear for a hearing and evaded two arrest warrants. He is charged with illegally ordering the arrest of a senior judge, a move that led to his fall from power in 2012.
Czech Senate Accuses President Vaclav Klaus of High Treason
On 5 March Czech President Vaclav Klaus dismissed a decision by lawmakers to press high treason charges against him as politically motivated.The Senate s actions were prompted by an amnesty granted by President Klaus , which will free over 6,000 prison inmates and halt the prosecution of prominent business executives and officials charged with asset stripping, bribes and fraud.
12 Year Old Neha Ramu has IQ Higher than Albert Einstein
On 5 March Neha Ramu, 12-year-old Indianorigin girl in UK has stunned everyone after she scored an incredible 162 on her IQ test – even higher than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.The score puts the tween in the top one per cent of brightest people in the UK and means she is more intelligent than physicist Hawking, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and scientist Albert Einstein, who are all thought to have an IQ of 160.
Navneet Kaur Dhillon Crowned Femina Miss India 2013
On 24 March Navneet Kaur Dhillon was crowned Femina Miss India 2013 in a star studded grand finale of the 50th edition of the beauty pageant.The first and second runners-up were Sobhita Dhulipala and Zoya Afroz respectively.
PLACES IN NEWS
Strong Earthquake in Taiwan
On 27 March a strong earthquake struck central Taiwan , killing at one person and injuring 19 as it damaged buildings on the quakeprone island.The Central Weather Bureau said the magnitude-6.1 earthquake was felt throughout the island.The U.S. Geological Survey placed the magnitude at 6.0.Nantou is a rural county about 250 kilometres south of Taipei.
ABBREVIATIONS
BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa
NABARD - National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development AWACS - Airborne Warning And Control System
CMIE - Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy OECD - Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
AICTE - All India Council for Technical Education NDMA - National Disaster Management Authority DTC - Direct Taxes Code
AAPSO - Afro-Asian Peoples Solidarity Organization TIEA - Tax Information and Exchange Agreement DTAA - Double taxation Avoidance Agreement AFSPA - Armed Forces Special Powers Act
NOIDA - New Okhla Industrial Development Authority IAAI - International Airports Authority of India. FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation
BOOKS IN NEWS
Vice President of India Released Walking With Lions: Tales from a Diplomatic Past
The Vice President of India, M. Hamid Ansari released a book titled Walking with Lions: Tales from a Diplomatic Past, written by K. Natwar Singh, the former Union Minister for External Affairs on 1 March 2013. This was Published by Harper Collins India.
Yuvraj Singh “The Test of My Life” Book Released
On 19 March Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh launched his new memories Auto biography book The Test of My Life . The Test of My Life is a book that talks about Yuvraj Singh s battle with cancer and his love for cricket. The book was launched in Mumbai where all his fellow cricketers came to show their support.
Taliban Shooting Victim Is Publishing A Memoir : „I Am Malala‟
Malala Yousafzai, the teenage girl shot by the Taliban for promoting girls education, is to tell her life story in a book due out later this year.In a deal ‖ reportedly worth around $3 million. The book will be entitled ―I Am Malala .
COMMITTEES
Govt Appoints Mukul Mudgal Committee To Probe Wal-Mart Lobbying Activities
On 5 March The union government has appointed a one-man Inquiry Committee, headed by former Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court Justice Mukul Mudgal, to inquire into reports on the US lobbying activities of Wal-Mart for access to India market. The Committee has to submit its report within three months and it is being provided administrative and functional support by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs in its probe.
May 1 – International Labour Day
May 3 – World Press Freedom Day May 3 – International Energy Day May 3 – World Asthma Day May 4 – Anti – Tobacco Day May 4 – World Athletics Day May 8 – World Red Cross Day May 11 – National Technology Day May 13 – National Solidarity Day May 17 – World Telecommunication Day May 20 – World Metrology Day May 21 – Anti – Terrorism Day May 24 – Commonwealth Day May 31 – World No Tobacco Day May, 2013
Highlights of Indian Union Budget 2013-2014
Tax credit of Rs. 2,000 for income upto Rs. 5 lakh
Surcharge of 10 per cent for taxable incomes above Rs. 1 crore, No review of tax slabs
Excise duty on SUVs to be increased to 30 per cent from 27 per cent, SUVs registered as taxis exempted
Commodities transaction tax levied on non—agriculture commodities futures contracts at 0.01 per cent
Rs 532 crore to make post offices part of core banking
Direct Taxes Code (DTC) bill to be introduced in current Parliament session Duty-free limits raised to Rs 50000 for men and Rs 1 lakh for women
18% rise in excise duty on Cigarattes, cigars and cheerots Service tax on all A/C restaurants
Royalty tax hiked from 10% to 25%
Tax Deducted at Source to be fixed at 1% on land deals over Rs 50 lakh
No change in peak custom, excise rates.
5 to 10 per cent surcharge on domestic companies whose taxable income exceeds Rs 10 crore
11 lakh beneficiaries have received benefit under Direct Benefit Transfer scheme. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme to be rolled out throughout the country during the term of UPA Government.
Modified GAAR norms to be introduced from April 1, 2016.
Administration reform commission proposed
Rs 5,87,082 crore to be transferred to states under share of taxes and non plan grants in 2013—14
"To the women of India - we have a collective responsibility to ensure the dignity and safety of women. Recent incidents have cast a long dark shadow on our credentials. As more women enter public spaces...there are more reports of violence against them. We stand in solidarity with our girl children. We pledge to everything possible to keep them swcure. A number of measures are in the works and they will be taken up Government and Non-government sources…I will set up a fund of Rs 1000 crore to achieve this end. Minstry of Women will come up with a plan on how to use these funds."
Rs. 1,000 crore each for women, youth funds
Rs. 1,000 crore for Nirbhaya fund
Promise to women, youth and senior citizens
289 more cities to get private radio FM stations
Grant of Rs 100 crore each to AMU (Aligarh), BHU (Varanasi) and TISS (Guwahati) and INTACH
"Rs 6275 crore to Ministry of Technology, Rs 5216 crore to Department of Space, Rs 5280 crore to Department of Energy. These amounts are substantial increases."
Rs. 2 trillion for defence sector
First home loan from a bank or housing finance corporation upto Rs. 25 lakh entitled to additional deduction of interest upto Rs. 1 lakh.
Proposal to launch Inflation Indexed Bonds or Inflation Indexed National Security Certificates to protect savings from inflation.
On oil and gas exploration policy, the Budget proposes to move from the present profit sharing mechanism to revenue sharing. Natural gas pricing policy will be reviewed.
Insurance companies can now open branches in Tier 2 cities and below without prior approval. All towns of India with a population of 10000 or more will have an LIC branch and one other public sector insurance company.
Income limit for the tax-saving Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme is raised to Rs. 12 lakh from Rs. 10 lakh
All public-sector banks have assured the Finance Minister that they will all have ATMs in their branch areas by 2014
India's first women's bank as a PSU proposed, Rs. 1,000 crore working capital announced
India Infrastructure Finance Corporation (IIFC), in partnership with ADB will help infrastructure companies to access bond market to tap long term funds.
Regulatory authority to be set up for road sector
Four Infrastructure debt funds have been registered
Rs 7 lakh crore target fixed for agri credit for 2013—14 compared to Rs 5.75 lakh crore in the current year.
Eastern Indian states to get Rs 1,000 crore allocation for improving agricultural production.
Green revolution in east India significant. Rice output increased in Assam, Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal;
Rs 500 crore allocated for programme on crop diversification
ICDS gets Rs. 17,700 crore.
Average annual growth rate of agriculture and allied services estimated at 3.6 per cent in 2012—13 when 250 MT foodgrains was produced
Rs 27,049 crore allocation to the Agriculture Ministry in 2013—14
The target for farm credit for 2013-14 has been set at Rs. 7,00,000 crore against Rs. 5,75,000 crore during the current year.
Rs 14,873 crore for JNNURM for urban transportation in 2013—14 against Rs 7,880 crore in the current fiscal
Foodgrain production in 2012—13 will be over 250 million tons
Rs 15,260 crore to be allocated to Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
Rs 80,194 crore allocation for Ministry of Rural Development in 2013—14. About Rs 33,000 crore for MGNREGA
Rs. 5,000 crore for NABARD for agri storage facilities
Godowns to be constructed with help of panchayats. Food grain productions have been raised drastically and only increase with each year.
Rs 17,700 crore to be allocated for Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS): FM.
“National Food security bill is a promise of the UPA government. I hope the bill be passed as soon as possible. I have set apart Rs 10,000 crore to the expected cost of the act.”
An Institute for agricultural biotechnology will be set up in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
Rs 1069 crore allocated to Department of Aryush: FM
Rs 4,727 crore to be allocated for medical education and research. Rs 1,069 crore to be given to Department of Ayush.
Medical colleges in six more AIIMS—like institutions to start functioning this year; Rs 1650 crore allocated for the purpose.
Rs 37,330 crore allocated for Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
Rs 110 crore to be allocated to the department of disability affairs, says FM.
Additional sum of Rs 200 crore to Women and Child Welfare Ministry to address issues of vulnerable women.
Rs 3511 crore allocated to Minority Affairs Ministry which is 60 per cent of the revised estimates.
Rs 13215 crore for mid-day meal programme: Chidambaram
The idea of setting up a PNGSY-2 causes uproar in the Parliament. The minister is interrupted the round of shouting, who clarifies that states that have completed PNGSY -1 will get the second version, the rest will continue under the first version
The Right to Education Act is firmly in place, says Chidambaram, while announcing Rs. 27,250 crore to Sarva Shikhsa Abhiyaan in FY14.
The Human Resources Development ministry meanwhile gets Rs. 65,867 crore, a rise of 17% from revised estimates.
"Government committed to reconstruction of Nalanda University" - But no specific funds for the project was announced.
Chidambaram announces additional fund allocation of Rs 200 crore to the Women and Child Development Ministry. He says women 'belonging to the most vulnerable groups must be able to live with self-esteem and dignity'.
169 crore given for development of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani (Natural medicine) and homeopathy
Rs 41,561 crore for SC plan and Rs 24,598 crore for tribal plan. The move comes with a strong statement
Plan Expenditure placed at Rs. 5,55,322 crore. It is 33.3 percent of the total expenditure while Non Plan Expenditure is estimated at Rs. 11,09,975 crore.
Fiscal Deficit for 2013-14 is pegged at 4.8 percent of GDP. The Revenue Deficit will be 3.3 percent for the same period.
On oil and gas exploration policy, the Budget proposes to move from the present profit sharing mechanism to revenue sharing. Natural gas pricing policy will be reviewed.
On coal, the Budget proposes adoption of a policy of pooled pricing.
Benefits or preferences enjoyed by MSME to continue upto three years after they grow out of this category.
Refinancing capacity of SIDBI raised to Rs. 10,000 crore.
Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) for textile to continue in 12th Plan with an investment target of Rs. 1,51,000 crore.
Rs. 14,000 crore will be provided to public sector banks for capital infusion in 2013-14.
A grant of Rs. 100 crore each has been made to 4 institutions of excellence including Aligarh Muslim University, Banaras Hindu University, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati and Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).
A surcharge of 10 pe rcent on persons (other than companies) whose taxable income exceeds Rs.1 crore have been levied.
Generation based incentives to wind energy projects reintroduced, Rs 800 crore provided for the purpose to Ministry of New & Renewable Energy
Rs 14,000 crore capital infusion into public sector banks in 2013—14
Standing Council of Experts in Ministry of Finance to examine transaction cost of doing business in India
Incubators set up by companies in academic institutions will qualify for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities
Rs 500 crore would be allocated for addressing environmental issues faced by textile industry
Concessional six per cent interest on loans to weavers.
SEBI will simplify procedures for entry of foreign portfolio investors
SIDBI’s re—financing facility to MSMEs to be doubled to Rs 10,000 crore
5 million tons Dabhol LNG import terminal to be operated at full capacity in 2013—14
Coal imports during Apr—Dec 2012 crossed 100 million tonnes and expected to go up to 185 million tonnes in 2016—17,
Government will provide Rs 14000-crore capital infusion in state-run (public-sector) banks in 2013/14
Oil and gas exploration policy will be reviewed and moved from profit sharing to revenue sharing
Policy on exploration of shale gas on the anvil; natural gas pricing policy will be reviewed and uncertainty removed
Rs. 9,000 crore earmarked as the first installment of balance of CST compensations to different States/UTs.
Govt to construct power transmission system from Srinagar to Leh at the cost of Rs 1,840 crore, Rs 226 crore provided
Rs 2400 crore for textile technology upgradation
Two new ports in West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh
Many manufacturing projects stalled due to regulatory process
A company investing Rs 100 crore or more in plant and machinery in April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2015 will be allowed 15 per cent investment deduction allowance apart from depreciation
To provide appropriate incentives for semiconductors industry including zero customs duty on plants and machineries.
Fresh push for Bangalore-Chennai industrial corridor. Minister says the corridor to be developed in co-operation with the Japanese.
DIPP and Japan’s JICA preparing plan for Chennai— Bengaluru Industrial corridor
Power sector gets a nod - States encouraged to restructure financial systems to improve sector as a whole and sign MoUs for the same effect.
Rs 25,000 cr to be raised through tax free bonds: Chidambaram
"Doing business in India must be seen as easy, friendly and mutually beneficial" - Second reference to increasing FDI in India. Government seems to betting heavily on a large FDI influx to help with the deficient
"We will use innovative and new financial methods to increase investment in infrastructure," says the Minister.