Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
THIS GROUP IS MADE FOR ALL GOVT. JOB SEEKER , SO PLEASE IF ANYONE FIND ANY JOB /VACANCY OPPORTUNITY INFORM ALL OF THIS GROUP AND POST HERE , ALSO UPDATE DAILY GK TOPICS AND ANY TRICKS / SHORTCUTS WHICH YOU FIND USEFUL FOR ALL. THIS WILL HELP ALL TO GET THEIR AIM.
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 organizations official news agency. Pakistani Supreme Court Orders Arrest of Prime Minister On 15 January 2013 Pakistans 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 Republics 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.
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 Peoples Party PA Sangma, who broke away with the NCP in 2012 to contest the presidential elections, though unsuccessfully, on 05 January 2013 launched National Peoples 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
STATES
Odisha Launched Public Service Delivery System On 2 January The Odisha government launched the much-sought after Public Service Delivery System for citizens under the Odisha Right to Public Service 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. Presidents Rule Imposed on Jharkhand
CONFERENCES
100th Indian Science Congress held in Kolkata The 100th Indian Science Congress was held from 3 to 7 January in Kolkata (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 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 years 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
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 worlds 100 wealthiest individuals. Mexican telecommunications magnate Carlos Slim remained the worlds 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
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 countrys 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. Malalas Father Appointed as Education Attache in Birmingham On 3 January Malalas 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.
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
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 Vietnams Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh and discussed the both countries bilateral issues , signed several agreements .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 Indias Republic Day celebrations as a Chief Guest.Wangchuck met President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and the United Progressive Alliances Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi.This is the fourth time since 1954 that a Bhutanese King will be a Chief Guest at Indias 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
PLACES IN NEWS
ABBREVIATIONS
CBT-Cash Transfer Benefit EIUEconomist Intelligence Unit CBSCentral Bureau of Statistics NLST-National Large Solar Telescope CEET-Centre for Energy-Efficient Telecommunications CIAAmerican Intelligence Agency WEF-World Economic Forum PBSPravasi Bhartiya Divas MSMEMinistry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises BWFBadminton 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 Indias 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.
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 Afghanistans protracted conflict and gave themselves a six-month deadline to get a deal.British Prime Minister David Cameron hosted Afghanistans President Hamid Karzai and Pakistans President Asif Zardari for trilateral talks on Afghanistans floundering peace and reconciliation process. UNICEF Syria Crisis Humanitarian Situation Report On 8 February According to the UNICEF (United Nations Childrens 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
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 Asias 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
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. Maharashtra Promulgates Ordinance To Amend Cooperative Societies Act On 15 February the Maharashtra Government promulgated an ordinance to amend the Maharashtra Cooperative 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. Indias First Geothermal Plant in Chhattisgarh On 17 February Chhattisgarh has signed an agreement with the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to set up the countrys 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.
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.
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 Worlds Cheapest City Mumbai shares the title of the worlds cheapest city with Karachi, in Pakistan, according to the Worldwide Cost of Living 2013 survey by the Economist Groups 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. Railway Budget 2013-14 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
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 Peoples Political Consultative Conference, one of the houses of Chinese parliament.
B)RESIGNS
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. Obamas Top Science Official Suresh Resigned On 6 February US President Barack Obamas 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 Peoples 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
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. Chinas Table Tennis Legend Zhuang Zedong Died On 10 February the chinas 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, Laws 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 Indian leadership, and sought financial assistance for the 11th five year plan of his country. Frances President Francois Hollande Visited India Frances 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 . Britains PM David Cameron Visited India
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 worlds 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 Britains Most Powerful According to the BBC power list of Britains 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 UKs 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. Worlds 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 southsouthwest 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.
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 TurkmenistanAfghanistanPakistanIndia 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 Subhash Chandra Bose and Germany Book Released 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 Indias 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
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 countrys 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
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. Indias First All-Women Post Office After announcing Indias 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 Womens 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.
STATES
HPCL signed MoU for Rajasthan Refinery On 14 March Min of Petroleum & Natural Gas Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Rajasthan 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
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 years 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 Syrias 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 Africas 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 Indias 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).
ECONOMY
Nine Indian Women in Forbes Asia Power Business Women List
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Nagaland , Tripura , Meghalaya new CMs On 5 March Neiphiu Rio of Naga Peoples 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 .
B)RESIGNS
UP minister Raja Bhaiya Resigned
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
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 Indias major initiatives aimed at fostering equitable growth. This is the Kims first visit to India after taking over as President of the World Bank Group 2012 July. Egypts President Mohamed Morsi Visited India Egypts 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
E)MISCELLANEOUS
Salman Rushdie Named in Al-Qaidas 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 Irans 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 Senates 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 quake-prone 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 PeoplesSolidarity 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
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.
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 (Peoples Pact). Tammam Salam named as Lebanon new Prime Minister On 6 April well-known Sunni lawmaker Tammam Salam has been named Lebanons 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 Chinas mainland foreign exchange market, after the US dollar and the Japanese yen.Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard discussed bilateral security issues with Chinas 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 Nepals 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
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
STATES
Andhra Pradesh Government launched Online Services named Parishkaram for Entrepreneurs Andhra Pradesh Government on 1 April 2013 launched the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporations 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
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 years deliberations is India tomorrow: Imperatives of growth, security and governance. Conference of CMs 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 countrys justice delivery system thats 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) Commissions 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
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
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 DCruz) 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 Kashyaps 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, journalisms 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 countrys 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 countrys 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.
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
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 Banks 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 HSBCs 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.
B)RESIGNS
Kerala minister resigned following domestic violence complaint by wife
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 End in 1992.Jhabvala was born in Germany but emigrated with her family to 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. Britains First Female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Died
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
E)MISCELLANEOUS
Downs syndrome boy sets Everest record A 15-YEAR-OLD American had become the first teenager with Downs 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 Nepals 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 Navys Lt Cdr Abhilash Tomy became the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe, solo and nonstop, 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 boats 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,Egypts 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.
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 Irans 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.
ABBREVIATIONS
CII MSME SCO AMS ICSI TESS WIPO Confederation of Indian Industry Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer Institute of Company Secretaries of India Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite 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 Affairs, Tourism, External Affairs, Culture, Railways, Aviation and Defence on board.
INTERNATIONAL
Every year 2,70,000 Pedestrains are died in the World On May 2 , World Health Organization (WHO) announced that every year 2,70,000 pedestrains are died in road accidents. In case of pedestrains protection is ignored by goverments.So,every week 5 thousands of pedestrains are died. Maryland became the First southern US state to Abolish Death Penalty
NATIONAL
National Urban Health Mission Approved By Cabinet On 1 May The Union Cabinet approved the launch of the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) to reduce rates of infant mortality, maternal mortality and for universal access to reproductive health care.The cost of the National Urban Health Mission for 5 years is 22507 crore rupees and the Central government will share 16955 crore rupees.The mission will be implemented in 779 cities and towns each with the population of more than 50,000 has expected to cover about 7.75 crore people.The Cabinet also gave its nod to a bill which provides for confiscating property illegally acquired by corrupt public servants. 19.57 lakh Hectares of Forest Land Encroached On 1 May According to the latest figures compiled by the Ministry of Environment and Forests reveal that unchecked encroachment on forest land is on the rise.According to the figures, over 19.57 lakh hectares of forest land is under encroachment in various parts of the country.Madhya Pradesh tops the list with 4.87 lakh hectares under encroachment. Followed by Assam (3.30 lakh ha), Andhra Pradesh (2.57 lakh ha) and Maharashtra (1.83 lakh ha). Mobile subscribers largest in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu The countrys most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, accounts for the largest number of mobile subscribers in the country followed by Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, which together account for almost half of the total wireless connections.India, which is the worlds second largest mobile phone market in terms of subscribers, had a total of 861.66 million mobile connections as on February 2013, data from telecom regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) showed.Uttar Pradesh has a total of 121.60 million mobile phone connections, while, Tamil Nadu has 71.81 million subscribers, according to the TRAI data.Maharashtra is at the third position, with a subscriber base of 67.73 million followed by Andhra Pradesh and Bihar at 64.12 million and 60.73 million, respectively. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant got Approval for Operations by the Supreme Court of India
STATES
Congress Won in Karnataka Assembly Elections On 8 May Congress has won 121 seats of the 223 seats on which polls were contested in Karnataka Assembly Elections , the elections were held on 5 May 2013. The ruling BJP and the JD-S won 40 seats each.The Karnataka Janata Party led by former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa bagged a mere six seats.The assembly has 224 elected and one nominated members. The election took place for 223 seats. Tamil Nadu Bans Gutka Products On 8 May The Tamil Nadu government banned the production, possession, distribution and sale of tobacco products such as pan masala and gutka in the state.Tamilnadu Government had constituted a separate department Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Medical Administration, after the Centre announced the Food Safety and Standards Act. Cabinet Approved 2 Major Ports in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh On 9 May the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the proposal of the Ministry of Shipping for setting up of two major ports.The ports will come up in West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh each, through a Public-Private-Partnership mode. As per the proposal, one port will be developed at Dugarajapatnam, Nellore district, in Andhra Pradesh and second port will come up at Sagar Island in West Bengal.
CONFERENCES
ADBs 46th Annual Meeting Held in New Delhi 46th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors, held in Delhi, India, from 2 to 5 May 2013.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh , Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and ADB member board of directors and related financial institutions were attended the meeting.Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced that it is going to provide about 6 billion dollars loan to India over the next three years which was decided at the concluding day of the 46th annual meeting of the funding agency.
ECONOMY
RBI Cuts Repo Rate By 25 Basis Points On 3 May The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reduced the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points, from 7.5 percent to 7.25 per cent with immediate effect as part of its
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Sheikh Salman is New AFC President
B)RESIGNS
Union Railway Minister and Law Minister of India Resigned On 10 May Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal and Union Law Minister of India Ashwani Kumar resigned from their posts.Railway Minister PK Bansal resigned from his office since his nephew Vijay Singla was arrested for his alleged involvement of bribery of 90 lakh rupees from the Railway Board Member, with a promise of promotion. Ashwani Kumar the Union Law Minister submitted his resignation after being into attack by the opposition and the CBI affidavit submitted to Supreme Court for vetting up the CBI report in the Coal Block allocation scam.
C)DEATHS
ATP chairman Brad Drewett died Brad Drewett(54), the former tour player who led the ATP as executive chairman and president since January 2012 died on 3 May 2013 . He helped in increasing the prize money at Grand Slam tournaments. Giulio Andreotti, the former Italian Prime Minister died On 6th May, the former Italian Prime Minister ,Giulio Andreott(94) was dies in Rome.He was one of the most powerful figures in the politics of the country after World War II. Islamic scholar Asghar Ali Engineer Died On May 14,Leading Islamic scholar, author and activist Asghar Ali Engineer, 74, died at his Santacruz home in Mumbai. He was born in 1940 and completed his BSc in civil engineering from Vikram University.From 1980, he edited the journal named the Islamic Perspective and during 1980s he published a series of books on Islam and communal violence in India. His books were based on his
D)VISITORS
China Prime Minister Li Keqiang Visited India Chinas new Prime Minister Li Keqiangs visited India on his first foreign trip to India from 19th to 21st May 2013 since taking his office in March 2013. During the visit he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and discussed India-China border issues , bilateral, regional and global issues of common interest.After the both countries signed on 8 agreements.The Chinese have also agreed to provide greater facilitation to Indian pilgrims on the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra. Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai Visited India Hamid Karzai , President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan visited India from 20-22 May, 2013.During the visit Hamid Karzai was on 20 May conferred an honorary doctorate degree by President Pranab Mukherjee at a professional university in Phagwara.He met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at New Delhi and discussed on various key bilateral and regional issues , the situation in the region in the backdrop of Afghanistans keenness to enhance defence cooperation with India and get supply of lethal and non-lethal weapons.
E)MISCELLANEOUS
First Woman Named To FBIs Most Wanted Terrorist List On 3 May Joanne Chesimard (also known as Assata Shakur), a member of the Black Liberation Army who killed a New Jersey state trooper 40 years ago and has since fled to Cuba,has been named as one of the FBIs most wanted terrorists, making her the first woman ever to make the list.Chesimard was convicted for killing Foerster and sentenced to life in prison. In 1979 she escaped with the help of the Black Army Liberation and has been on the run ever since.The U.S. Justice Department announced a doubling of the reward for her capture to $2 million. Ritankar Das is Centurys Youngest California University Topper
PLACES IN NEWS
Cyclonic Storm Mahasen Hits Bangladesh On 16 May The cyclonic storm Mahasen hit Bangladeshs southern Patuakhali coast with wind speed up to 90 kilometers per hour.More than 48 persons were killed as inflated waters coupled with gusts started ravaging parts of Patuakhali alongside the other areas adjacent to the Bay of Bengal in the region.The system is now located in the west-central bay and is likely to intensify further, move in northeast direction and cross the Bangladesh coast close to Chittagong.
ABBREVIATIONS
NESAC - North Eastern Space Applications Centre ACTO Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization ILO International Labour Organization
CNEN National Commission for Nuclear Energy CNEA - National Commission of Atomic Energy
BOOKS IN NEWS
Understanding Bhagat Singh by Prof. Chamanlal released Understanding Bhagat Singh a book by Prof. Chamanlal was released in the on 3 May 2013.Professor Randhir Singh, Eminent Thinker released the book at School of Social Sciences (SSS- I) Auditorium, JNU in New Delhi.The book Understanding Bhagat Singh has tried to explain the soul or spirit of Bhagat Singh like his principle of achieving objectives with dignity, honesty and fearlessness. Gandhis Outstanding Leadership Book Released On 27 May Gandhis Outstanding Leadership , written by former Indian diplomat-turned-Gandhian Pascal Alan Nazareth, was released at the Peking Universitys Centre.Prof Shang Quanyu, a history professor with the South China Normal University, translated the book into Madarin.
COMMITTEES
G Padmanabhan Committee on Services for the Exporters On 6 May A Reserve Bank of India (RBI) committee recommended setting up of the Indian Bill Payment System (IBPS) in the country.The committee chaired by G. Padmanabhan, Executive Director, RBI, has recommended a cap on interest margins charged by banks lending to exporters.The committee also recommended that export credit be allowed to be a part of priority sector lending (PSL) for all commercial banks, including foreign banks, for a period of three to five years.
INTERNATIONAL
NATIONAL Union Cabinet Approved Real Estate Regulatory Bill On 04 June The Union Cabinet approved the (Regulation and Development) Bill 2013.The bill seeks to make it mandatory for developers to launch projects only after acquiring all the statutory clearances from the relevant authorities.The Bill has provisions under which all relevant clearances for real estate projects would have to be submitted to the regulator and also displayed on a website before starting the construction.The proposed legislation has tough provisions to deter builders from putting out misleading advertisements related to the projects carrying photographs of the actual site. Union Cabinet Approved Extension Of The RSBY Scheme On 4 June Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), to rikshaw pullers, rag pickers, mine workers, sanitation workers and auto rickshaw drivers and taxi drivers.The scheme became operational from 1 April 2008. Roshni Scheme Launched In Naxal Affected Districts On 7 June Union Government of India launched a placement linked skill development scheme Roshni targeting 50,000 rural men and women, mostly tribals, in 24 worst affected districts.Under the scheme, national-level agencies will be designated to act as monitoring and coordinating agencies in the Naxalhit districts.The three-year initiative aims at skilling and placement of 50,000 youth from 24 Naxaliteaffected districts in nine states.The funding for the Roshni scheme would be in the ratio of 75:25 to be shared between the Centre and the states. National Skill Development Agency Constituted On 7 June The Government has constituted the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) by subsuming the Prime Ministers National Council on Skill Development (PMNCSD), the National Skill Development Coordination Board (NSDCB) and the Office of the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Skill Development.The NSDA will endeavour to bridge the social, regional, gender and economic divide by ensuring that the skilling needs of the disadvantaged and marginalised groups like SCs, STs, OBCs,
* Oscar Fernandes - Road Transport and Highways Ministry * Girija Vyas - Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation - Textiles Ministry
List of Four newly appointed State Ministers and their departments:* Manikrao Gavit Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment
* Santosh Chowdhury - Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare * Jesudasu Seelam * E.M.S. Natchiappan - Minister of State for Finance and - Minister of State for Commerce and Industry
STATES First All Women Police Station Opens In Arunachal Pradesh On 4 June the first all-women police station in Arunachal Pradesh has started functioning in Itanagar to specifically deal with crimes against women.To tackle crime against women, the state cabinet has also approved the creation of separate cells in all the seventeen district headquarters and the Police headquarters of the state. Haryana Govt. Launched Priyadarshni Awaas Yojna On 8 June Haryana Chief Minister Bhupender Singh Hooda launched Priyadarshni Awaas Yojna in the state at Karnal to provide affordable housing facility to the people living in rural areas.People eligible under Indira Awaas Yojna and those who get 100 square yard plot under Mahatma Gandhi Gramin Basti Yojna would also be included in the scheme. West Bengal Tops Chart For Crime Against Women
CONFERENCES Chief Ministers Conference on Internal Security held in New Delhi Chief ministers Conference on Internal Security held in NewDelhi on 5th June 2013.The conference chaired by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.In his address, the Prime Minister called for effective coordination between the Centre and the States to face the challenges of Internal Security.The Prime minister stated that the government has instituted several measures in 34 Naxal-hit areas to combat the Naxal menace.The key agenda of the chief ministers conference organised by Home Minister P Chidambaram is the strengthening of anti-terror capabilities and intelligence, Maoist violence, police reforms and capacity building. 39th G8 Summit Held in North Ireland The 39th G8 summit was held on 17 and 18 June 2013 at Lough Erne county, Northern Ireland .The leaders of the G8 countries Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the US, the UK ,attended the summit.In the G8 countries Summit discussed on syria crisis and advancement of trade, ensuring tax compliance and promoting greater transparency in the use of natural resources among countries.At the end of the two day summit, the leaders of G8 nations agreed on the seven point document and released
AWARDS & HONOURS Sulabh Founder Pathak Received French Award On 4 June Environmentalist Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of the famed Sulabh project that provides basic and affordable toilet access to Indias poor, has been presented with the Legend of Planet award in Paris.The award was presented to Pathak by the Vice-President of the French Senate, Chantal Jourdan, at Palais du Luxembourg. Hugo Chavez Awarded Simon Bolivar National Award of Journalism 2013 On 5 June The late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has been awarded the Simon Bolivar National Award of Journalism 2013 even though he was accused of persecuting the press during his 14 years in power.Chavez family will be given the award on June 27 at a ceremony in Miraflores Palace, in Caracas. Kiran Bedi Received Nomura Award On 11 June Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi was honoured with USD 10,000 Nomura Award at Singapore for her outstanding humanitarian works.Bedi was given the award constituted by Nomura Group of Japan for improving the world for future generations. The group is one of the leading financial services group. Bill Clinton Awarded Father of the Year On 11 June Former President of the United States Bill Clinton was honored as 2013 Father of the Year award from the National Fathers Day Committee at a New York City , which benefitted international NGO Save the Children. Shabana Azmi Received Fourth Doctorate On 12 June National award-winning actress Shabana Azmi received her fourth doctorate from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver .Shabana has received doctorates from Leeds University in Britain, the Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi and the Jadavpur University in Kolkata, previously. Delhis IGI Airport Gets Worlds Second Best Airport Award On 14 June Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has been named the worlds second best airport in the 25-40 million passengers category by the Airport Council International. The airport also has been
SPORTS & GAMES Indian Won Six Medals In Slovakia Junior Table Tennis
ECONOMY India 4th In World Steel Production On 5 June According to the World Steel Association (WSA) data , Indias rank in the world order of steel production remained unchanged at fourth slot with an output of 77.06 MT (million tonnes) steel produced in 2012.China gets first ranked in world steel production .China produced 716.05 MT in 2012.Japan produced (2nd rank) 107.02 MT and US (3rd rank) 88.07 Mt in 2012. Dhoni Ranked 16th On Forbes List Of Highest Paid Athletes According to the Forbes List Of Highest Paid Athletes Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni,with earnings of $31.5 million, has been ranked at 16th place.Sachin Tendulukar got 51st place.This list is prepared based on last year annual income.The annual income of MS Dhoni is $31.5
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Lightest Alien Planet Outside Solar System On 3 June European scientists have discovered a new alien planet orbiting a young star about 300 light years from Earth.The exoplanet, HD 95086 b , was observed directly by the European Southern Observatorys (ESO) Very Large Telescope in Chile.Nearly 1,000 exoplanets have been detected indirectly through various means such as radical velocity and transmit method.Of the 12 exoplanets ,the newly discovered HD 95086 b is the least massive planet to have been directly observed outside the solar system .HD 95086 b orbiting its parent star, HD 95086, is estimated to have a mass of four to five times that of Jupiter. Japan Unveiled 500 kmph Bullet Train On 5 June Japan has unveiled its new levitating bullet train, designed to travel at speeds of upto 500 kmph.The track is being extended to 43 kilometres to enable full-fledged test runs.Commercial runs of the maglev train are scheduled to start between Tokyo and Nagoya in 2027.The train magnetic levitation (maglev) as opposed to conventional wheels.The train will travel at speeds of up to 500 kilometres per hour and will link the 2 cities in 40 minutes. Researchers Leads To Discovery To Create Early Warning System For Tsunamis On 7 June Researchers from Stanford University have identified key acoustic characteristics of the 2011 Japan earthquake that indicated it would cause a large tsunami.In 2011, a magnitude 9.0 undersea earthquake occurred 43 miles off the shore of Japan. The earthquake generated an unexpectedly massive tsunami that washed over eastern Japan roughly 30 minutes later.Now, computer simulations by Stanford scientists reveal that sound waves in the ocean produced by the earthquake probably reached land tens of minutes before the tsunami. If correctly interpreted, they could have offered a warning that a large tsunami was on the way. China Successfully Launches Fifth Manned Space Mission On 11 June China successfully launched its fifth and longest manned space mission with three astronauts, including a woman, on board Shenzhou-10 as part of the Communist giants efforts to build a permanent space lab of its own by 2020. Shenzhou-10 (Divine Craft) spaceship carried the three astronauts blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu province for a 15-day-long mission during which it would dock with Tiangong-1 space lab orbiting round the Earth and conduct a
PERSONS IN NEWS A) APPOINTMENTS Justice Kaul Sworn in as Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief On 1st June Haryana Governor Jagannath Pahadia administered the oath of office to Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court at Haryana Raj Bhavan.Justice Kaul, 54, earlier served as the senior most judge of the Delhi High Court and was the acting Chief Justice there in September last year.the strength of judges of Punjab and Haryana High Court has reached 41 as against the sanctioned strength of 68 judges. Shortage of judges leads to pendency in the cases and the ideal strength should be between 50 to 55. Jagmohan Dalmiya is new Interim President of BCC On 1 June Cricket Association of Bengal president Jagmohan Dalmiya , a former president of the BCCI and ICC, has been appointed as the new interim president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).BCCI chief N. Srinivasan agreed to step aside, with Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Jagmohan Dalmiya took over as the boards interim president. Narayana Murthy Re-elected as Executive Chairman in Infosys On 1 June NR Narayana Murthy has been re-elected as Executive Executive Chairman of the Board in Infosys.He would serve as board chairman for 5 years.Narayan Murthy was appointed as the chairman for the second time.Murthy, who founded Infosys in 1981, had stepped down from the Board and became Chairman Emeritus in 2011. He has served as companys CEO from 1981 to 2002. Indian-Origin Diplomat is New Australian Envoy to Israel On 2 June 2013 Indian origin diplomat appointed Devanand Sharma appointed as a Australian envoy to Israel.Devanand Sharma has made history by becoming the countrys youngest Ambassador after he was appointed Canberras envoy to Israel.He got Medicine degree from Sydney University.Mr Sharmas prior international service includes postings as Counsellor at the Australian Embassy in Washington. Nawaz Sharif Sworn in as Pakistans PM On 5 June Nawaz Sharif has been sworn-in for a record third term as Pakistan`s Prime Minister, after he was elected with 244 votes in the 342-seat Parliament.He was sworn-in by the President Asif Ali Zardari at a function in an ornate hall at the Presidency.Sharif has served as the Pakistani Premier during 19901993 and 1997-1999 but was ousted from office before he could complete his term, once on corruption charges and later because of a military coup led by Pervez Musharraf. Virginius Xaxa is new National Advisory Council Member
ABBREVIATIONS BCCI Board of Control for Cricket in India UNDP - United Nations Development Programme RSBY - Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna FIFA - Federation Internationale de Football Association WSA - World Steel Association FCI Food Corporation of India APEC Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation FICCI Federation of India Chambers of Commerce and Industry
BOOKS IN NEWS Dard-E-Dil Likhun Kab Tak Book Released by Vice President of India On 6 June The Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari released a book entitled Dard-e-Dil Likhun Kab Tak (in Urdu and Hindi) authored by Rukhsar Amrohvi. The book is a compilation of poems composed by poetess Rukhsar Amrohvi and some rare pictures of the historic moments of Indian Cinema. This book is a valuable addition to the Urdu Literature. Ambedkar Speaks Book Released On 20 June M Hamid Ansari, vice president of India released a book titled Ambedkar Speaks in New Delhi.The book was authored by by Dr. Narendra Jadhav.The book has been published by Konark Publishers.Ambedkar Speaks is the first ever attempt at a systematic study of Dr Ambedkars 537 speeches.The series is available in four languages Marathi, English, Hindi and Gujarati. The first series was first launched in Marathi. 1857-1947: Forgotten Heroes and Martyrs of Indias Freedom Movement Book Released On 24 June The book titled, 1857-1947: Forgotten Heroes and Martyrs of Indias Freedom Movement, is written by journalist Shivnath Jha was launched on 24 June 2013 in Mumbai by former Bombay High
COMMITTEES Anil Swarup Committee Set Up To Re-start Stalled Projects On 7 June Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram announced a committee has been appointed to identify and help re-start as many as 215 large projects worth over Rs 7 lakh crore which have been stalled for years and assured that each of these projects will be off the ground at the earliest.A committee headed by Anil Swarup. Chandrashekhar Committee To Frame Rules For Foreign Investors The Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) Committee under the chairmanship of Cabinet secretary KM Chandrashekhar,submitted its report on 12 June.The committee has recommended doing away with prior direct registration of foreign institutional investors (FIIs) and sub accounts with Sebi. It also recommended merging FIIs, sub accounts and qualified foreign investors (QFIs) into a new investor class to be called the foreign portfolio investor. Arvind Mayaram Committee Recommends Rise In FDI Limit In Various Sectors On 23 June The Union Government constituted a committee to clearly define the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Foreign Institutional Investment (FII). The report of this committee was submitted to the Ministry of Finance (FinMin) . The committee that was headed by the Arvind Mayaram recommended raising the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit to 49 percent from 26 percent at present in almost all sectors through automatic route.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES International Olympic Day Celebrated Across the World on 23 June 2013 On 23 June International Olympic Day was celebrated across the world . The day is celebrated for
INDIA & WORLD India Ranks 66th On Global Innovation Index On 2 July India ranked 66th in the Global Innovation Index 2013, published by Cornell University, INSEAD, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as a knowledge partner.Switzerland and Sweden maintained rank 1 and 2 respectively The study ranked 142 economies across the world on their innovation capacity and efficiency. India and Mauritius Signed 5 MoUs On 5 July India and Mauritius signed 5 MoUs (Memorandum of understanding).The 5 MoUs are signed in the presence of the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Anand Sharma and Mr. Sayyad Abd-AlCader Sayed Hossen, Minister of Industry, Mauritius, in Port Louis.Five institutional level MoUs were signed to take the partnership forward. These are: * MoU between Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) and Enterprise Mauritius (EM) * MoU between Northern India Textile Research Association (NITRA) and Mauritius Standards Bureau * MoU between NITRA and National Productivity and Competitive Council (NPCC) of Mauritius * MoU between Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) and Mauritius Export Association (MEXA); and * MoU between Institute of Apparel Management (IAM) and Fashion and Design Institute of Mauritius (FDI) UN Millennium Development Goals Report 2013 On 5 July According to the UN Millennium Development Goals Report 2013, the world has reached the poverty reduction target five years ahead of schedule. In developing regions, the proportion of people living on less than $1.25 a day fell from 47 per cent in 1990 to 22 per cent in 2010. Extreme poverty is also falling in every region.Nevertheless, the gender gap in employment persists, with a 24.8 percentage point difference between men and women in the employment-to-population ratio in 2012. India, Albania Signed Agreement For Avoidance Of Double Taxation On 8 July India and Albania signed an agreement for avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital.The agreement was signed by Ms Sudha Sharma, chairperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), and Mr Fatos Kerciku, Ambassador, Republic of Albania. India, Iraq Signed Agreement To Enhance Co-operation In Energy Sector On 8 July India and Iraq signed a agreement to enhance co-operation in energy security, bilateral trade & commerce, infrastructure development among others.The agreement was signed between the Union
NATIONAL Government Announced National Cyber Security Policy On 2 July the Union Government of India announced the National Cyber Security Policy with an aim to protect information and build capabilities to prevent cyber attacks. The National Cyber Security Policy 2013 to safeguard both physical and business assets of the country.This policy aims at facilitating creation of secure computing environment and enabling adequate trust and confidence in electronic transactions and also guiding stakeholders actions for protection of cyber space.The National Cyber Policy in order to create a secure cyber ecosystem has planned to set-up a National Nodal Agency to coordinate all matters related to cyber security in the country. President Pranab Mukherjee Signed Ordinance On Food Security On 5 July President Pranab Mukherjee signed the ordinance on food security ,which seeks to give legal rights to 67 per cent of the population over subsidised grains every month.Now, with the presidential consent, the bill will be presented before the Parliament when it convenes for the Monsoon Session.The Government had issued the ordinance to give nations two-third population the right to get 5 kgs of foodgrains every month at highly subsidised rates of 1-3 Rupees per kg amid political opposition. District Rural Development Agency Disbanded On 9 July the Union government announced disbanding of the Rural Development Agency (DRDA), the body which looks after implementation of anti-poverty programmes of Rural Development Ministry.The agency will now be rechristened and it will perform its role under zila parishads, the local elected bodies at the district level.The District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) were set up as independent societies in 1980 and since then have been principal organs at the district level to oversee the implementation of the ministrys anti-poverty programmes. Cabinet Approved For Aviation, Women Varsities In Raebareli On 11 July the Union cabinet has approved two universities for Raebareli, the parliamentary constituency of Congress president Sonia Gandhi in Uttar Pradesh.Raebareli will get the first ever allwomen university and first national aviation university in the country.National University for Women in Uttar Pradesh by the name of The Indira Gandhi National University for Women.This will be the first university of the country to be established exclusively for women.The cost involved is Rs.500
STATES Himachal Pradesh Declared First Smoke Free State In Country On 2 July Himachal Pradesh has been declared the first smoke-free State in the country in compliance with Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. The State has achieved 85.45% compliance with the relevant parameters. Uttar Pradesh Grants District Status To Amethi On 5 July the Uttar Pradesh government granted district status to Amethi ,which will include three tehsils of Sultanpur and one of Rae Bareli. The district headquarters of Amethi will be Gauriganj.Sultanpurs Amethi, Gauriganj and Musafirkhana tehsils and Rae Barelis Tiloi will be part of Amethi district.Some revenue villages of Maharajganj tehsil of Rae Bareli were included in Tiloi tehsil of Amethi and in exchange some villages of Tiloi were included in Maharajganj. Karnataka Launched Anna Bhagya Scheme On 10 July Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched the ambitious Anna Bhagya scheme in Bangalore.The scheme under which 30 kg of rice per month will be given to BPL (below poverty line) families across the state at Re 1 per kg. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced the scheme after taking oath on June 13.The government will spend Rs 4,300 crore every year on the scheme. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Starts Fission On 13 July Indias 21st nuclear power reactor and the countrys first pressurised water reactor under the
CONFERENCES First IOR-ARC Economic and Business Conference (IOR-ARC) Economic and Business Conference held in Port Louis, Mauritius on 4 5 July 2013.The Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Anand Sharma co-chaired the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) Economic and Business Conference.India and Mauritius co-hosted the first economic and business conference under the theme of Deepening Economic Linkages for Balanced, Inclusive & Sustainable Growth. The IORARC has 20 members, of which India and Australia are the largest economies.During the meet Trade and industry ministers of member countries and dialogue partners of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IORARC) agreed to push trade within the grouping to promote economic cooperation and development in the strategic Indian Ocean region.The Indian Ocean Rim-Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC), initially known as the Indian Ocean Rim Initiative, is an international organization with 20 member states.It was first established in Mauritius on March 1995 and formally launched on 67 March 1997. National Conference Of State Tourism Ministers Held In New Delhi The National Tourism Ministers Conference was held in New Delhi on 18 July 2013.The Conference was chaired by Union Tourism Minister Shri K. Chiranjeevi. State and Union Territory Tourism Authorities were represented in the conference either through their Tourism Ministers and/ or senior officials.The objective of the conference was discussion of the future strategies for realising the complete tourism
AWARDS & HONOURS 27 Individuals Conferred With National Youth Awards 2011-12 National Youth Award 2011-12 was conferred by Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India on 4 July 2013 to 27 individuals and an organization at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhawan. It is for the first time that the National Youth awards were given by the President of India.A total of 27 individuals and one organisation received he award this year.The youth award carries a Silver Medal, a Certificate and a cash prize of 40000 rupees in cases of individual awardees and 2lakh case prize for voluntary organizations.The selected individuals are expected to possess leadership qualities and use them in carrying out voluntary activities in the field of youth development. IIFA Awards 2013 Winners The 14th IIFA awards held at Macau on 6 July 2013. And this years IIFA will always be remembered for some outstanding performances by veteran actresses Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi.Ranbir Kapoor won the Best Actor Award for Barfi, while Vidya Balan took the Best Actress Award home for Sujoy Ghoshs Kahaani. Winners List :* Best Actor: Ranbir Kapoor (Barfi!) * Best Female Actor: Vidya Balan (Kahaani) * Best Film: Barfi! * Best Director: Anurag Basu (Barfi!) * Best Story : Tani and Anurag Basu (Barfi!) * Best Supporting Actor (Male): Annu Kapoor (Vicky Donor) * Best Supporting Actor (Female): Anushka Sharma (Jab Tak Hai Jaan) * Best Music Director: Pritam (Barfi!)
SPORTS & GAMES Negi Won Continental Chess Open Title On 2 July Indias young Grand Master Parimarjan Negi has won the Continental Chess Association Open title in Washington.The second and third places are won by the International Master Bindi Cheng of Canada and American Grand Master Konrad Holt from Kansas respectively. Chris Martin Announced Retirement From All Cricket On 3 July Chris Martin, the fast Bowler of New Zealand has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.Chris Martin is New Zealands third-highest Test wicket taker only after Richard Hadlee and Daniel Vettori. He had taken 233 Test wickets with an average of 33.81.Martin played 71 Tests, 20 ODIs and six Twenty20s for his country in an international career. Wimbledon Tennis Tournament Title 2013 Winners Womens Singles :- On 6 July Frances Marion Bartoli won the Wimbledon 2013 womens title after defeated Germanys Sabine Lisicki in the final.Bartoli is the fifth oldest woman to become a first-time Grand Slam winner in the Open Era.By finally winning her maiden major title in the 47th Grand Slam appearance of her career, Bartoli surpassed the previous record set by Jana Novotna, who won Wimbledon in 1998 after 45 appearances at the majors. Mens Singles :- On 7 July Andy Murray (Britain) won the Mens Singles title after defeated Novak Djokovic (Serbia) in the final.Andy Murray became the Britains first male winner after almost eight decades, to win the championship. Earlier he was Fred Perry, who won his last Championship in 1936. Womens Doubles :- Hsieh Su-wei (Taiwan) and Peng Shuai (China) won the womens doubles title after defeated Australian duo Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua in the final at Wimbledon. Mens Doubles :- Americans Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan won the Wimbledon mens doubles title after defeated Ivan Dodig (Croatia )and Marcelo Melo (Brazil) in the final. Indian Women Won Gold At Asian Athletics Championship On 7 July India clinched a gold medal in womens 400m relay in a sensational race to finish sixth overall as the curtains were drawn on the 20th Asian Athletics Championships with China confirming their supreme status in the continent.The home team came up with a rich haul of eight medals, one gold, two silvers and five bronzes on the fifth and final day .India ended the Championships with two golds, five silvers and 10 bronzes, a much improved performance than the last edition in 2011 in Kobe.As expected, China, who had been ruling the Asian Championships for the last 15 editions, finished at the top spot with 16 golds, six silvers and five bronzes. Sebastian Vettel Won German Grand Prix On 7 July Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel won the German Grand Prix title .Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean got second and third positions respectively.It was Vettels first victory in his home race and the 30th of his career.
ECONOMY Indian Internet Economy To Touch USD 100 Billion By 2015 On 3 July According to the Economist Intelligence Unit Good to Grow: The Environment of Asias Internet Business report ,Indias Internet Economy that stands at 1.6 per cent of GDP is slated to touch USD 100 billion by 2015 .Online advertising in Asia will grow from 24 per cent of worldwide online advertising in 2010 to 26 per cent by 2015.However, Asias mobile advertising market is expected to account for one-third of the mobile advertising market globally by 2015. Latvia Gets EU Approval To Join Eurozone On 9 July European Union (EU) states approved the adoption of the euro by Latvia as of January 1, 2014. The country will be the 18th member of the European Monetary Union.Latvia is the second Baltic republic to join the euro zone. In 2011, Estonia adopted the currency. Lithuania plans to do so as well, in 2015. Indias Growth Forecast To 5.6% For 2013-14 On 9 July the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has scaled down Indias economic growth forecast by 0.2 percentage points to 5.6 per cent for 2013-14 from 5.8 per cent forecasted in April 2013 World Economic Outlook (WEO) projections.The growth projection for FY 2014-15 was also scaled down by 0.1 percentage points to 6.3 per cent. Indians Among Top Five Buyers Of Property In US On 10 July According to the National Association of Realtors survey report ,Buying property worth nearly $3.5 billion .Indians are among top five international real estate buyers in the US.India along with Canada, China, Mexico and the United Kingdom accounted for approximately 53 percent of international transactions worth $68.2 billion.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ISRO PSLV C22 Successfully Launched IRNSS 1A Navigation Satellite On 1 July ISROs Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C22, has successfully launched IRNSS-1A, the first satellite in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota ,Nellore District (Andhra Pradesh)This is the 23rd consecutively successful mission of PSLV.The IRNSS-1A was launched on 1 July 2013 at 11.41 p.m.It was the first near midnight satellite launch by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).The satellite has been designed to provide accurate position information services to users in India as well as to the regions extending up to 1,500 km from its boundary.IRNSS-IA is among the first seven satellites that constitutes the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) Space Segment. The mission has a life of 10 years. IRNSS will provide two types of services :- standard positioning service using signals in the L5-band to an accuracy of 20 meters for all users and an encrypted service in S-band provided for authorized users. About PSLV-C22 :* Rocket Height 44-metres * Weight 320 tonnes * Satellite IRNSS-1A * Satellite Weight 1425 kg Russias Proton-M Rocket Failed On 2 July Russia has launched an unmanned Proton-M , carrying three Russian Glonass positioning, navigation and timing satellites failed 17 seconds after liftoff , with the rocket crashing some 2.5 kilometers from the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch pad in Kazakhstan. Scientists Created 3D Bionic Ear With 3D Printer On 4 July Princeton University scientists , including an Indian-origin researcher Naveen Varma,have created a 3D-printed bionic ear that can hear radio frequencies far beyond the range of normal human capability.Using off-the-shelf printing tools, the scientists at Princeton University explored 3D printing of cells and nanoparticles followed by cell culture to combine a small coil antenna with cartilage, creating a bionic ear.This is the first time that researchers have demonstrated that 3D printing is a convenient strategy to interweave tissue with electronics. World`s First Human Liver Created From Stem Cells Japanese scientists have grown a functional human liver tissue from stem cells for the first time.Takanori
PERSONS IN NEWS A) APPOINTMENTS New Governors and Lieutenant Governors Appointed * On 1 July Vice Chancellor of Jamia Milia University Najeeb Jung was appointed as the 20th Lt Governor of Delhi.Njaeeb Jung has replaced Tejendra Khanna, who was the 1961 batch Indian Administrative Service officer and the last Lt Governor of Delhi. * Former Delhi police commissioner K.K. Paul has been appointed the Meghalaya governor, replaced Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary. * Lt. General A.K. Singh (retd) was appointed as the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, replaced Lt. General Bhopinder Singh (retd). * Virendra Kataria has been appointed as the new Lt. Governor of Puducherry, replaced Iqbal Singh. * Senior parliamentarian Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil has been appointed as the new governor of Sikkim.He is also a former IAS officer, replaced incumbent B P Singh. Sujatha Singh Is New Foreign Secretary Of India On 2 July Sujata Singh has been appointed as Indias new foreign secretary.She succeeds Ranjan Mathai..Singh is the third woman to head the services after Chokila Iyer and Nirupama Rao.Previously Singh worked in Europe including Italy ,France and Germany. Adli Mansour Sworn In As Egypts Interim President On 4 July the Chief Justice of Egypts Constitutional Court ,Adli Mansour has been sworn in as Egypts interim president.Mansour will serve as Egypts head of state until a new president is elected.Earlier, the first democratically elected President of Egypt, Mohamed Morsi was deposed from his office in a military coup. Abdoulaye Bathily Appointed As Deputy Head Of UN Mission In Mali On 8 July UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the appointment of Abdoulaye Bathily of Senegal as his new Deputy Special Representative for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).Mr. Bathily has been serving as Senior Minister in the office of the President of Senegal since 2012. Mr. Bathily also served as a Member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, member of the African Union Contact Group on the crisis in Madagascar.
PLACES IN NEWS Incheon Named World Bank Capital For 2015 On 19 July UNESCO announced South Koreas western port city of Incheon has been chosen to be the World Book Capital for the year 2015.Incheon became the 15th city to be designated as the World Book Capital following the Nigerian city of Port Harcourt for 2014 and Bangkok for the year 2013. Strong Earthquake Hits China On 22 July a strong earthquake in northwestern China ,measuring 6.6 on Richter scale, that has killed more than 89 people and injured 412.The quake hit along the border of two counties Min and
ABBREVIATIONS PSLV - Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle IRNSS - Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization CMAI - Clothing Manufacturers Association of India AEPC Apparel Export Promotion Council CISF Central Industrial Security Force CRPF Central Reserve Police Force DGCA Directorate General of Civil Aviation CAA Civil Aviation Authority GSPA Gas Sale Purchase Agreement MMRCA - Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft ESMA Essential Services Maintenance Act
BOOKS IN NEWS A Bouquet Of Vivekanandas Writings Book Released Swami Vivekananda The book titled A Bouquet Of Vivekanandas Writings was released on 10 July.The book contains a number of hand-written poetries, essays and even letters written by Vivekananda in Bengali and English.19th century philosopher-monk Swami Vivekananda have been compiled in a book as a facsimile copy of his original handwriting. An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradictions Book Released An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradictions authored by Jean Dreze, the development economist and Amratya Sen, an economist, a philosopher and a Nobel Prize winner.The book was released in month of July 2013.The book has been published by Penguin Books India.In the book authors have presented a far reaching analysis of the conditions of contemporary India with a compilation of the wealth of illuminating data. The New Bihar Rekindling Governance and Development Book Released On 21 July The New Bihar Rekindling Governance and Development was released by Noble laureate Amartya Sen.President Pranab Mukherjee received a copy of book from Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen (centre) at Rashtrapati Bhavan .The book has been edited by N.K. Singh. An Agenda for Indias Growth: Essays in Honour of P. Chidambaram Book Released On 31 July The book entitled An Agenda for Indias Growth: Essays in Honour of P. Chidambaram was
COMMITTEES Harshvardhan Patil Committee On Agricultural Marketing Submits Report On 3 July The Committee of State Ministers In-charge of Agriculture Marketing to Promote Marketing Reforms has submitted final report to the Agriculture Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar.It has called for an effective implementation of Model APMC Act in all the states. This committee was constituted in March, 2010 under the Chairmanship of Shri Harshvardhan Patil, Minister for Cooperation and Parliamentary Affairs, Govt.of Maharashtra.The committee has also recommended the setting up of multiple and competitive marketing channels; independent regulatory authority to encourage private investors; need for viability gap funding to attract private sector investment; higher investment in marketing infrastructure.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES Nelson Mandela International Day Observed On 18 July Nelson Mandela International Day was observed across the world on 18 July 2013 to earmark freedom, justice and democracy. The overarching objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good. Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere. Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day.In November 2009, the UN General Assembly declared 18 July as the Nelson Mandela International Day to recognize the former South African Presidents contribution to the culture of peace and freedom. World Population Day Observed Across The World On 11 July World Population Day was observed on 11 July 2013 across the world. The theme for the year 2013 is Focus is on Adolescent Pregnancy. In 1989, in its decision 89/46, the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) declared 11 July as the day that should be observed as World Population Day by the International Community.The UNDP recommended 11 July as world Population Day, in order to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues in the context of overall development plans and programmes and the need to find solutions for these issues.The 2013 World Population Day is being observed with an aim of raising awareness on the issue of adolescent pregnancy with the hope of delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted and every childbirth is safe, and every young persons potential is fulfilled. The 2013 aim has been proposed because as per reports about 16 million of girls under 18 years of age give birth to a child every year. Apart from this about 3.2 million undergoes an unsafe abortion and about 90 percent of the pregnant adolescents in the developing world are married.
Rajeev Rishi is new CMD of Central Bank On 1 August Rajeev Rishi appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of Central Bank of India. Prior to the new appointment, Mr. Rishi served as the Executive Director of Indian Bank, since October 2010. Before joining Indian Bank, he was the General Manager of Oriental Bank of Commerce.
Karnataka Launched KsheeraBhagya Scheme On 1 August Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah launched KsheeraBhagya scheme at Hoskote.Government schools and anganwadicentres kids across the State will now receive 150 ml of milk three times a week under the KsheeraBhagya scheme.
2 August 2013 Current Affairs SAARC Goodwill Ambassador Runa Visited India RunaLaila, the SAARC Goodwill Ambassador for HIV/AIDS visited India from 31 July 2013 to 2 August 2013. The objective of the visit was to extend support to the cause of HIV/AIDS especially on the issues of Stigma and Discrimination related to People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV).
Agni-V To Be Tested Twice This Year, Could Be Inducted By 2015 on 2 August 2013,the Director of Agni Missile Project, Defence Research and Development OrganisationTessy Thomas announced that the Agni V missile would become operational by 2015, with two or three successful test firings. The announcement was made at the National Conference on Systems, Energy and Environment organised by the Government College of Engineering at Mangattuparamba 3 August 2013 Current Affairs Arundhati Bhattacharya Appointed Managing Director Of SBI On 2 August Arundhati Bhattacharya was appointed the managing director and chief financial officer of the State Bank of India(SBI).Arundhati succeeded DiwakarGupta.With over three decades of experience at SBI, Bhattacharya has undertaken various assignments spanning credit, forex, treasury and retail operations.
Robert Mugabe Re-elected As President Of Zimbabwe On 3 August Zanu-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front), the political party of the incumbent President Robert Mugabe has won the Presidential election of Zimbabwe .Mugabe won 61 percent of the vote against the 34 percent won by the Morgan Tsvangirai, the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party.With this win, Mugabe has won his seventh term to the office of the President of Zimbabwe .
India Won Bronze Medal at Junior Women Hockey World Cup On 4 August Indian Junior Women Hockey team won its first ever Bronze medal in ERGO Hockey Junior World Cup at Monchengladbac, Germany .India defeated England by 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out.Indian forward Rani was declared the Best Player of the ERGO Junior Women Hockey World Cup 2013.
Japan Sends Worlds First Talking Robot Into Space On 4 August Japan has successfully launched the worlds first talking humanoid robot called Kirobo in to space , to serve as companion to astronaut Kochi Wakata who will begin his mission in November.Kirobo boarded the kounotori 4 cargo transfer vehicle launched from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agencys Tanegasimha space center a top an H-IIB launch vehicle.The robot is part of a program that aims to provide companionship using such devices to people living alone including the elderly.The 34 centimetres tall robot can speak Japanese and is designed to provide emotional support for people isolated for long periods.The Robot designed by Tomotaka Takahashi, of the University of Tokyo."Kirobo derived from the Japanese words for hope and robot.
5 August 2013 Current Affairs Franklin Wins Record 6 Golds at World Swimming Championships On 5 August American swimmer Missy Franklin became the first woman to win six gold medals at a world-championships.Franklin earned her record sixth gold medal of the world championships in Barcelona, Spain.Franklin, who won four golds and a bronze at the 2012 London Games, joins American men Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz as well as German woman Kristin Otto with six golds in either a world or Olympic competition.
11-year-old UK girl has higher IQ than Albert Einstein On 5 August an 11-year-old schoolgirl in the UK has achieved the highest possible score of 162 on a Mensa IQ test, making her brainier than scientists Stephen Hawking and Albert
Karnataka Becomes First State To Establish Calamities Relief Fund On 5 August Karnataka Government has become the first state in the country to establish State Natural Calamities Relief fund of Rs. 125 crore.The Relief Fund will provide for a natural calamities relief fund which would provide for building capital assets and relief in respect of man-made disasters that are not covered under the state disaster response fund guidelines of the Government of India.
Scientists Discovered Evidence Of Brains Grid Cells On 5 August A team of scientists in the US has discovered a new type of cell in the brain that helps people to keep track of their relative location while going through an unfamiliar area. These cells have been dubbed grid cells because they get activated in a triangular grid pattern.A research team from Drexel University, the University of Pennsylvania, UCLA and Thomas Jefferson University has discovered a new type of cell in the brain that helps people to keep track of their relative location while going through an unfamiliar area.The grid cell is distinct among brain cells because its activation represents multiple spatial locations.
Samantha Stosur Won Carlsbad Open Tennis Title On 5 August Sam Stosur (Australia) won Carlsbad Open tennis title ,after defeated Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) in the final at Carlsbad (California ).The title was Stosurs third in her career and the first since she won her only major, the 2011 U.S. Open. 6 August 2013 Current Affairs RaghuramRajan Appointed as the New Governor of RBI On 6 August Chief economic adviser RaghuramGovindRajan has been appointed as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).He will take up the mantle of governorship in the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) from 5 September 2013. The present incumbent D Subbarao will demit his office on 4 September 2013.Rajan will have a term of three years.He will be the 23rd Governor of RBI.He is 50 years of age and so far, he is the youngest person to become the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.He was appointed as the youngest-ever Economic Counselor and Director of Research (chief economist) at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from October 2003 to December 2006.Rajan was appointed as Chief Economic Advisor to the Ministry of Finance, Government of India on 10 August 2012.
Astronomers Discovered Lowest-mass Exoplanet Around a Sun-like Star On 6 August Astronomers have announced that they had discovered the lowest mass exoplanet ever to be found orbiting a sun-like Star. The planet has the cryptic name GJ 504b.The image of the exoplanet was captured by making use of the infrared data from the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii. The newly captured exoplanet was dubbed as GJ 504b. It is the lowest-mass planet ever detected around the star, by making use of the direct imaging techniques.GJ 504b has the dark cherry blossom, a dull magenta colour.This planet orbits around its star at approximately 9 times the distance Jupiter orbits around the Sun.The researchers found that GJ 504b is about four times more massive than Jupiter and has an effective temperature of about 237 degrees Celsius
7 August 2013 Current Affairs India Successfully Test Fired Pinaka Rockets On 7 August 2013,India successfully test-fired two rounds of indigenously developed Pinaka rockets from a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) from a base at Chandipur-on-sea near Balasore, off the Odishacoast.The tests were routine trials conducted for training purpose. Earlier IN 2013, ten rounds of Pinaka rockets were tested from the same base. More advanced and second generation Pinaka Mark II Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher System had undergone successful firing trials at Chandhan area in Pokhran field firing ranges in western Rajasthan during July 2013.
New International Terminal Became Operational at Chennai On 7 August the New International Terminal at Chennai airport would begin operations.The cost for the construction of the new terminal was about Rs. 2,000 crore
India Signs DTAC protocol with Morocco On 8 August India signed a Protocol amending the India Morocco Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) in New Delhi .The Protocol was signed by DrSudha Sharma, Chairperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes on behalf of Government of India and H.E. Mr. LarbiReffouh, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to India on behalf of Government of the Kingdom of Morocco.The Protocol is based on international standards of transparency and exchange of information. It provides for effective exchange of information including banking information between tax authorities of the two countries.
Union Cabinet Approved the Setting up of BharatiyaMahila Bank On 8 August the Union Cabinet approved the proposal for setting up of BharatiyaMahila Bank (BMB) with an initial corpus of Rs 1,000 crore.The proposed bank will be headquartered in New Delhi.TheMahila Bank will start with 6 branches one each in north, south, east, west, central and north eastern part of the country.The proposed bank is likely to begin operations by November this year.
RajyaSabha Passed Companies Bill 2012 The Companies Bill 2012 was passed in RajyaSabha on 8 August.The bill will provide improved corporate governance norms and will raise the level of transparency of the corporate companies. It will also protect interests of investors.Earlier, the bill was passed by the LokSabha on 18 December 2012.The legislation will replace the 57-year old Companies Act, 1956 after getting the final consent from Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India.
Uttar Pradesh Launched BhumiSena Scheme On 8 August BhumiSena Scheme was launched in Uttar Pradesh by the Chief Minister of the State, AkhileshYadav. The scheme was launched in a function held at KalidasMarg, Lucknow for reclamation of the barren, usar (alkaline soils) and ravenous land. The scheme would help in increasing cultivation area
9 August 2013 Current Affairs Indian Physicist To Head Innovation Chair At New York University On 9 August India-born distinguished experimental physicist, DrKatepalliSreenivasan, has been appointed to the Kleiner Chair for Innovation in Mechanical Engineering at the New York University (NYU). Sreenivasan, who currently serves at the Polytechnic Institute of NYU as dean of engineering and is known for his research on the behaviour of fluids and turbulence.The endowed chair, named in honour of Eugene Kleiner, co-founder of Fairchild Semiconductor, the worlds first computer chip producer, was given to Sreenivasan by NYU Provost David McLaughlin.
Indian-American Teens Win World Geography Championship Three Indian American teens who represented the United States at the 11th National Geographic World Championship won the top prize defeating 17 other teams. Team captain GopiRamanathan from Sartell, Minnesota; along with Asha Jain from Minocqua, Wisconsin; and NeelamKaurSandhu from Bedford, New Hampshire , edged past Canada, which came in second.They also beat 3rd-place India in a tense tiebreaker round, according to the National Geographic website.
INS Arihant Nuclear Reactor Activated On 9 August India has activated the reactor on board the INS Arihant nuclear submarine, the first to be designed and built in India.With this success, India became a member of the exclusive club of countries that have built their own nuclear powered submarines along with Russia, US, UK, China and France.After the nuclear reactor is activated, INS Arihant has been undergoing trials at Navys key submarine base in Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and would be launched for sea trials soon since the nuclear reactor has gone critical.Nuclear triad has the ability to fire nuclear-tipped missiles from land, air and sea.Arihant means destroyer of enemies in Sanskrit is an Indian submarine, which is 111 meter long, 11 broad and 15 meter tall.The 6,000 tonne vessel was built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam ,at a cost of around Rs 15,000 crore .INS Arihant, was introduced to the public on 26 July 2009 at a symbolic launch ceremony by Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs wife GursharanKaur.India operates the INS Chakra, which is an Akula II class submarine leased from Russia for ten years and has plans of building two more nuclear submarines indigenously.
Saudi King Pledges $100 Million To UN Counter-Terrorism Centre On 9 August King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia donated $100 million to the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT).In 2011, Saudi Arabia signed an agreement with the United Nations to create the UNCCT and donated $10 million to its establishment.
Cabinet Approved Proposal For Establishing New Media Wing On 9 August the Union Cabinet approved the proposal for establishing a New Media Wing in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for publicizing governments initiatives through multiple social media platforms.The proposal for establishment of New Media Wing has been drawn on the basis of the experience of the initiative undertaken by the Ministry recently, on a pilot basis to position itself on the social media platforms such as Youtube, facebook and Twitter.
Number Of PhDs Increasing In India On 9 August According to figures compiled by the University Grants Commission ( UGC) ,An increasing number of Indians are being awarded research degrees though the nation still lags behind countries like the US and China.The number of research degrees awarded increased by over 50 percent from 10,781 in 2008-09 to 16,093 in 2011-12. As per data compiled by Unesco Institute of Statistics, Indias contribution to worlds research publications has increased from 26,000 in 2002 to 44,000 in 2007.This, however, is far behind nations like the US and China.As per a paper published by the Yale University, the number of students to get PhDs in the US was 41,464 in 2007, while China had 48,112 PhDs in the same year. 10 August 2013 Current Affairs PV Sindhu Won Bronze Medal at World Badminton Championships On 10 August Indian shuttler P V Sindhu has settled for a bronze medal in womens singles category at the BWF World Championships 2013 after defeated by the world number three RatchanokInthanon in the semifinals in Guangzhou, China . PV Sindhu is also became the third badminton player to win a medal in World Badminton Championship. PrakashPadukone won the mens singles bronze in 1983 while JwalaGutta and AshwiniPonnappa won bronze in womens doubles in 2011.
ICGSRajveer Commissioned On 10 August ICGS Rajveer was commissioned at Visakhapatnam (AndhraPradesh) by defence secretary R K Mathur in the presence of vice-admiral Anurag G Thapliyal, director general of Indian Coast
11 August 2013 Current Affairs World Badminton Championship 2013 Winners Womens Singles :- Thailands RatchanokIntanon won the womens singles title ,after defeated Li Xuerui (China) in the final at the World Badminton Championships at Guangzhou.This is the first time any shuttler from Thailand has won a gold at the Worlds in any category. Mens Singles :- Chinas Lin Dan reinforced his claim to being the greatest badminton player in history after he defeated arch rival Malaysian Lee Chong Wei in the World Championship final to become the first man to win five world singles titles. Womens Doubles :- Chinas top seeds Xiaoli Wang and Yang Yu won the womens doubles title after defeated South Koreas Hye Won Eom and Ye Na Jang in the final. Mens Doubles :-HendraSetiawan and Muhammad Ahsan ( Indonesia ) won the title ,after defeated Mathias Boe and CarstenMogensen (Denmark) in the final Mixed Doubles :-Tontowi Ahmad and LilyanaNatsir (Indonesia) won the title ,after defeated Xu Chen and Ma Jin (China) in the final.
SoumyajitGhosh, ManikaBatra Win Titles In Brazil Open On 11 August Indian table tennis player SoumyajitGhosh won the Under 21 mens title while ManikaBatra bagged the Under 21 womens trophy at the GAC Group 2013 ITTF World Tour Brazil Open at Santos.Ghosh defeated Benjamin Brossier of France to win the mens singles title.Manika defeated the host nations Caroline Kumahara to take the Under-21 womens singles crown.
Rogers Cup Tennis Tournament 2013 Winners Womens Singles :- On 11 August Serena Williams (U.S) won the Rogers Cup Tennis Tournament Womens singles title ,after defeated Romanias SoranaCirstea in the final at Montreal (Canada).Serena Williams won the Rogers Cup womens title for the third time. Mens Singles :- Rafael Nadal (Spain) won his third Rogers Cup Mens Singles title , after defeated Canadas Milos Raonic in the final.
Former Union minister Devendra Prasad Yadav Died On 11 August Former Union minister and senior Congress leader from Bihar, Devendra Prasad Yadav, died in NewDelhi.Yadav was a three-time Member of Parliament from Munger parliamentary seat of Bihar and had served as Minister of State for Education between 1971-77 in Indira Gandhis cabinet.He was also a member of the Congress Working Committee, the apex decision making body of the party, during Rajiv Gandhis tenure. 12 August 2013 Current Affairs India Launched First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant On 12 August 2013, Indias first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant was launched by the Defence Minister A K Antonys wife Elizabeth at Kochi shipyard . Other nations capable of designing and building a ship of equivalent size are the US, the UK, Russia and France.It carries upto 37,000 tonnes of weight. Vikrant come into operations by 2018.The weight of this aircraft was 40 tonnes. The launch of warship, which has a length of 260 metres and is 60 metres wide, is behind schedule by three years. It is set to go for extensive trials in 2016 before being inducted into the Navy by 2018 end. Fighter aircraftMig-29K, Light Combat Aircraft and Kamov-31 helicopterswill deployed on board the carrier which will also carry an array of other weapons systems.
India Successfully Test Fired Nuclear Capable Prithvi-II Missile On 12 August India has successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II missile from a mobile launcher in salvo mode from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at (Odisha) Chandipur.Prithvi-II missile was launched by the personnel of the Strategic Force Command (SFC) from ITRs Launch Complex-III as part of routine user training. The missile scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) monitored the launch operations.The missile, with a range of 350 km, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) .The missile, 9 metres in height with a launch weight of 4.6 tonnes, is capable of carrying a warhead of more than 500 kg.The last users trial of Prithvi-II was successfully carried out from the same base on on December 20, 2012
Ibrahim Boubacar Keita Wins Mali Presidential Election On 12 August Former Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has won the Malis Presidential elections , after his opponent and Ex-Finance Minister SoumalaCisse, conceded defeat. He was Prime Minister of Mali from 1994 to 2000 and President of the National Assembly of Mali from 2002 to 2007. He founded a political party, Rally for Mali (RPM), in 2001 and he has led the party since then.In addition to serving
13 August 2013 Current Affairs Arjuna Award ForViratKohli, PV Sindhu and RonjanSodhi gets KhelRatna Award On 13 August The Government of India announced the Arjuna Awards and KhelRatna awards for the year 2013 .Ace Double trap shooter RonjanSodhi was recommended for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi KhelRatna.Cricketer ViratKohli and shuttler PV Sindhu among the 14 sportspersons picked for the Arjuna award .This years Arjuna awardees list features just one boxer, World Championship bronze medallistKavitaChahal.Government of India has recomended the Arjuna Award for the following Members:Rajiv Gandhi KhelRatna :- Ace shooter RonjanSodhi The Arjuna awardees:-ViratKohli (Cricket), ChekrovoluSwuro (Archery), RenjithMaheshwary (Athletics), P V Sindhu (Badminton), KavitaChahal (Boxing), Rupesh Shah (Snooker), GaganjeetBhullar (Golf), Saba Anjum (Hockey), RajkumariRathore (Shooting), JoshnaChinappa (Squash), Mouma Das (Table Tennis), NehaRathi (Wrestling), DharmendraDalal (Wrestling), Amit Kumar Saroha (Athletics).
RajyaSabha Passed The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2012 On 13 August RajyaSabha passed a bill to make registration of marriages mandatory.The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2012, which was passed by RajyaSabha, seeks to provide compulsory registration of marriages irrespective of religion. The registration of marriages will not apply to those who have registered their marriage under any other law.Atpresent, there is provision for registration of only births and deaths.
Chad Foreign Minister MoussaFakiMahamat Visited India MoussaFakiMahamat, Minister for Foreign Affairs and African Integration of Republic of Chad visited India on 12-13 August .During his visit he met Salman Khurshid, external affairs of India and discussed on increasing bilateral cooperation between the India and Chad. Chad is a member of TEAM-9 (TechnoEconomic Approach for African Movement) initiative comprising of eight West and Central African countries seeking to benefit in technical and economic spheres through cooperation with India.
Egypt Vice President ElBaradei Resigned Egyptian vice-president, Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei, announced his resignation in a letter to the interim president on14 August .The resignation comes after scores were killed in a crackdown by security forces on loyalists of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.
15 August 2013 Current Affairs Canadian Street Named After Mahatma Gandhi A street in Canadas Winnipeg city has been named after Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of Indias 67th Independence Day on 15 August. The street leading to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights will now be known as Honorary Mahatma Gandhi Way . At a ceremony , the Mayor of Winnipeg Sam Katz explained that the street was named so after an individual who is synonymous with the struggle for human rights.
Marion Bartoli Retires From Tennis On 14 August Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli of France announces her retirement from professional tennis.She announced the retirement after losing in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters to Romanias SimonaHalep. She is ranked seventh in the world.Besides Wimbledon 2013,Bartoli won seven other WTA Tour titles, the first one was in Auckland in 2006. Recently she won two tournaments both in 2011 at Eastbourne and Osaka, Japan, prior to Wimbledon.
Former Nepal Prime Minister Man Singh Shrestha Died Former Nepalese Prime Minister Marich Man Singh Shrestha has died in Kathmandu on 15 August.He had served as Nepals Prime Minister for about four years till April 1990, when the political parties launched an agitation to restore democratic rights.
Astronomers Solved Mystery of Magellanic Streams Origin Astronomers have solved a 40-year mystery on the origin of the Magellanic Stream, a long ribbon of gas stretching nearly halfway around our Milky Way galaxy.Since the streams discovery by radio telescopes in the early 1970s, astronomers have wondered whether the gas comes from one or both of the satellite galaxies.Now, new Hubble Telescope observations reveal most of the gas was stripped from the Small Magellanic Cloud about 2 billion years ago, and a second region of the stream originated more recently from the Large MagellanicCloud.The team used Hubbles Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) and ESOs Very Large Telescope to measure the abundances of heavy elements, such as oxygen and sulfur, at six locations along the Magellanic Stream.
16 August 2013 Current Affairs Voyager Becomes First Man-Made Object To Leave The Solar System According to the new research shows , NASAs long-lived Voyager probe crossed into interstellar space last year, becomes the first man-made object to leave the solar system.Voyager 1 spacecraft was launched in 1977 along with a sister probe, Voyager 2, to observe the outer planets. Voyager 1 is now approximately 120 times farther away from the sun than Earth. Voyager 2 is heading out of the solar system in a different direction.The probes are powered by the slow decay of radioactive plutonium. Voyager 1 will begin running out of energy for its science instruments in 2020. By 2025, it will be completely out of power.
Former Cricketer KalyanMitter Died On 16 August Former Bengal Cricketer and Coach KalyanMitter passed away inKolkata.KalyanMitters first class career spanned from 1953 to 1969 during which he played 51 matches for Bengal and Bihar during which he scored 1698 runs and also took 50 wickets.He was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award by the Cricket Association of Bengal in 2011.
KapilDevs Former Coach DeshPrem Azad Died On 16 August DeshPrem Azad, the former coach of cricketer KapilDev and Dronacharya awardee died in Mohali.He trained cricketers such as KapilDev, Ashok Malhotra, Chetan Sharma and Yograj Singh in the late 1970s.Desh Prem Azad represented Haryana, the Maharaja of Patialas XI and Southern Punjab, while playing 19 first-class matches. In these matches, he scored 658 runs while grabbed 8 wickets in all.
17 August 2013 Current Affairs Indian American Professor Received Top US Environmental Award On 17 August An Indian American professor of biological and agricultural engineering has been recognised by a top US environmental and water resources institute for his pioneering work in hydrology.Vijay P Singh, professor and Caroline & William N Lehrer distinguished chair in the department of biological and agricultural engineering at Texas A&M University, was named a recipient of the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Society of Civil Engineers Environmental and Water Resources Institute (ASCE-EWRI).His work has developed the application of kinematic wave theory to the point where it is widely used throughout the world in hydrologic models used for water resource modeling, flood planning and hydrologic design.Singh has made numerous advances in hydrologic and environmental modelling and received prestigious awards for hydrology from multiple professional societies.Singhs work on entropy theory has given rise a new branch of hydrology, called entropic hydrology.
DilipTrivedi is new CRPF chief On 17 August Senior IPS officerDilipTrivedi has been appointed as the new chief of the countrys largest paramilitary force CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force). Trivedi, a 1978-batch officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre has served in various positions in the state police and has also served in the Centre as ADG of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.He succeeded PranaySahay who retired on 31 July 2013.
VirginiusXaxa Committee To Asses Status Of Scheduled Tribes On 17 August On the pattern of Sachar Committee for Muslims, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has set up a committee to assess the status of scheduled tribes with an aim of ensuring their uplift, particularly in socio-economic, health and education fields.Prof. VirginiusXaxa was appointed as the chairman of the seven-member committee.The committee will finalise and present its report within nine months from the date of this notification.The Prime Ministers decision of setting up a committee came after the government found that the STs, who form 7.5 percent of the countrys population, are not getting enough dues despite the special status in the constitution.
My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions By Abdul Kalam Released In the month of August My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions by former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was launched by the RupaPublication.In his new book Kalam shares the inspiration and the lessons he learned from personal stories of his life. The book describes the lesser known events from his life
19 August 2013 Current Affairs India & Bangladesh signed MoU on Textiles Cooperation On 19 August India and Bangladesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in textiles.The Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, ZohraChatterjee and the Sr. Secretary, Textiles, Bangladesh, AshrafulMoqbul have signed this MoU for cooperation in Textile sector, in the presence of the Union Minister for Textiles, Dr. KavuruSambasivaRao, the Minister of Textiles Bangladesh, Abdul LatifSiddique and Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Textiles, Panabaka Lakshmi, in New Delhi.
Singapore Honours Indian Librarian RasuRamachandranFor Contribution To Field On 19 August Singapore has honoured Indian origin librarian, RasuRamachandran, for his contributions to the development of the library profession over the past four decades.Ramachandran received Lifetime Contribution Award from Singapore President Tony Tan at a ceremony .Ramachandran, who joined the library in 1969, has helped draft the National Library Board (NLB) Act in 1995 which established the library with more flexibility and freedom to expand.Ramachandran served as a deputy chief executive officer of NLB for four years (2000-04), and as the secretary-general of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) for a year.The awards were given as part of Singapore hosting the 79th IFLA World Library and Information Congress.
20 August 2013 Current Affairs Muslims Have Lowest Living Standard In India On 20 August According to the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) study titled Employment and Unemployment Situation Among Major Religious Groups in India among various religious groups,Muslims have the lowest living standard in the country * According to the survey data , Muslims average per capita expenditure of just Rs 32.66 in a day.At the other end of the spectrum, Sikh community enjoys a much better lifestyle as the average per capita spending among them is Rs 55.30 per day, while the same for Hindus is Rs 37.50. For Christians it is Rs 51.43. * At all-India level, the average monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE) of a Sikh household was Rs 1,659 while that for a Muslim household was Rs 980 in 2009-10.The average MPCE for Hindus and Christians were Rs 1,125 and Rs 1,543, respectively.The survey said that average monthly per capita consumption at all-India level was Rs 901 in villages and Rs1,773 in cities. Overall, the average MPCE was Rs 1,128. * Muslims were at the bottom in rural areas, with an average MPCE of Rs 833, followed by Hindus at Rs 888, Christians at Rs1,296 and Sikhs 1,498. * In urban areas, Muslims average MPCE was also the lowest at Rs 1,272 followed by Hindus at Rs 1,797, Christians Rs 2,053 and Sikhs at Rs 2,180.
Dhoni Beats Rafael Nadal Usain Bolt In Forbes List Of Highest Paid Athletes On 20 August Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been ranked 16th in the latest Forbes list of highest-paid athletes with an earning of $31.5 million (around Rs.180 crore).In the list, he was placed above Rafael Nadal and UsainBolt.As per the latest Forbes list of highest-paid athletes in the world, dhoni earned $31.5 million between June 2012 and June 2013.List of places don above F1 Fernando Alonso, who is on the 19th, Lewis Hamilton on the 26th, Novak Djokovic on the 28th, Rafael Nadal is in 30th place, and Usain Bolt in the 40th grade.Doni has risen 15 places in this years list. It took 31 th rank in the last year. Sachin Tendulkar is the only Indian athlete, who is one of the rank of 31 and a total annual revenue of $ 22 million (Rs 125 crore).List is topped by golfer Tiger Woods, who made $ 78.1 million last year, followed by Roger Federer, who earned $ 71.5 million, basketball player Kobe Bryant with earnings of $ 61.9 million.The calculation is based on earnings estimates, which includes salaries, bonuses and cash prizes from both the club and the national team, as well as approval of revenue.
Sonia Gandhi Launches Food Security Scheme In Delhi On 20 August Congress president Sonia Gandhi launched the Centre-Sponsored Food security scheme on the occasion of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhis 69th birth Anniversary.Delhi was the first state to implement the scheme.Under the scheme, a total of 73.5 lakh people will get foodgrain at highly subsidisedrates.The food security programme would provide subsidised grains for 67 per cent of the population and would see government spending an estimated Rs. 1,25,000 crore to supply 62 million tonnes of grains. Under the scheme, beneficiaries would get wheat at Rs. 2 a kg, rice at Rs. 3 a kg and coarse grain at Rs. 1 a kg.Congress party ruled northern states Haryana and Uttarakhand have also launched this scheme.
Renowned Rationalist NarendraDabholkar Shot Dead In Pune On 20 August Maharashtras Renowned rationalist NarendraDabholkar ,who fought for a law against superstition and black magic, was shot dead in Pune in Maharashtra.NarendraAchyutDabholkar was an Indian rationalist and author from Maharashtra. He was the founder-president of Maharashtra AndhashraddhaNirmoolanSamiti (MANS), an organization set up to eradicate superstition.Dabholkar started focusing on eradication of superstition, and joined the AkhilBharatiyaAndhashraddhaNirmoolanSamiti (ABANS). In 1989, he founded the Maharashtra AndhashraddhaNirmoolanSamiti (Committee for Eradication of Superstition in Maharashtra), and campaigned against superstitions, confronting dubious tantriks and claimed holy men who promised miracle cures for ailments.In 2010, Dabholkar made several failed attempts to get an anti-superstition law enacted in the state of Maharashtra. Under his supervision, MANS drafted the Anti-JaaduTona Bill (Anti-Black Magic Bill).
21 August 2013 Current Affairs India Third Largest Internet Using Nation
Maharashtra Cabinet Approved Anti-Black Magic and Superstition Ordinance On 21 August the Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the Anti-Black Magic and Superstition Ordinance after the death of anti-superstition activist NarendraDabholkar.The decision was taken by the state cabinet in wake up of the protests that followed after the murder of Dabhokar in Pune on 20 August 2013.Dabholkar was at the forefront of a campaign to persuade the Maharashtra government to pass an anti-superstition and black magic bill.
Robert Mugabe Sworn In As Zimbabwe President On 21 August Robert Mugabe has been sworn in for a new five-year term as President of Zimbabwe.Mugabe of Zanu-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front) party won the Presidential election (Parliamentary Election) by winning 61 percent votes in his favour on 3 August