ePrepTalk - e-PrepTalk Mar 2010

Contents
Major news stories
Simplifying knowledge dissemination
Editor-in-Chief : Sandeep Manudhane Marketing and Sales :

Manish Saraf - 97555-99509
G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G G
Union Budget 2010-11 .......................................................... Vancouver 2010 winter Olympics ......................................... Master blaster Sachin creates history ................................. Rail Budget 2010 ....................................................................
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Cover story
Paradoxes of GM foods ......................................................... 10
Volume 8. Edition 09. March 2010 Editorial Office :

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Current events
India ........................................................................................
World ......................................................................................
16 22 42
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Business and economy ..........................................................
PT Panorama
Cryonics: The technique of life extension .......................... 52
Profiles
Uday Kotak ............................................................................ Shashi and Ravi Ruia ............................................................. 29 32
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News in brief
India ........................................................................................
World ......................................................................................
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Business and economy ..........................................................
Regulars
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An injur y is much sooner forgotten than an insult. Lord Chesterfield We should not fret for what is past, nor should we be anxious about the future; men of discernment deal only with the present moment. Chanakya An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. Benjamin Franklin Worthless people live only to eat and drink; people of worth eat and drink only to live. Socrates When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps. Confucius. You cannot change your future... but, you can change your habits... And sure your habits will change your future. Bernard Shaw However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. Sir Winston Churchill Whether it's the best of times or the worst of times, it's the only time we've got. Art Buchwald The best dreams happen when you're awake. Cherie Gilderbloom
Dearfriends,
The humble vegetable 'Brinjal' has been caught in the eye of a storm. The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee's consent of Bt Brinjal, the first genetically modified crop for human consumption in India has sparked off protests across the country. Genetically modified foods raise many issues scientific, technological, environmental, social, ethical, economic, and political. Our cover story paints a broad picture of GM foods and provides a lead to sources of information by addressing three specific points: What is genetic modification and how does it relate to food production? What are the current and future applications? What concerns do genetically modified foods raise? Undoubtedly, the genetically modified crops are the next best thing to happen after the Green Revolution as it will grow more crops per hectare and the country would be self sufficient in food grains, but reckless embrace of genetically modified crops without any transparency about the process of clearance, bio-safety tests and long-term feeding studies, is a recipe for disaster and could have disastrous impact on the health of our population. And when we do all this we cannot but ignore our farmers. They have to be educated about the adoption of transgenic hybrid varieties and have to be well informed of the implications and cultivation methods of GM crops. That said, giving more time for conducting independent scientific studies to rule out any harmful effect would be the right course of action. Once such research overrules any harm to the society, the product should be ratified for consumption without heeding to any unfounded protests. Hope that some sense prevails in our government and they weigh the pros and cons of GM foods before bringing them to our dining table!
ManishSaraf
COO, PT education
Letters to the editor

Quality education: needs of modern India
The article rightly delved into the Education System. Education or teaching in the broadest sense is any act or experience that has a formative effect on the mind, character or physical ability of an individual. In its technical sense, education is the process by which society deliberately transmits its accumulated knowledge, skills and values from one generation to another. The sub discursive of the article Developing Talent Pool and 2010 A Year of Reforms in Education has shown the real time solutions in the recent values. Alternative education has also become the generous option. It is also known as non-traditional education. Educational alternative in a broad term that may be used to refer to all forms of education outside traditional education (for all age groups and levels of education). This may include not only forms of education designed for students with special needs (ranging from teenage pregnancy to intellectual disability), but also forms of education designed for a general audience and employing alternative educational philosophies and methods. Arth Shah, Ahmedabad
Common Errors in English Language

The PrepTalk team deserves all praise for coming out with a different topic in this issue,' The common errors in English language'. It's true that many words and expressions appear or sound correct due to repeated use. Many of us, even those claiming to have a good command of (not over) English tend to make these mistakes as we have been hearing it over time. These gross blunders paint
a wrong picture of our communication
Idiot Ideas
The article humorously dealt with all the diverse angles this awesome movie had to offer. In a subtle manner, the author brilliantly touched the core issues. What particularly appealed to me about the author is his lucid style. In a matter of fact tone he launched a verbal attack on our faulty education system. Every sentence penned by him had me in splits. The 'Idiot Ideas' have hit me hard and have been deeply savored by me. I always love reading his articles and hope that he keeps churning out such rib tickling articles in the future too. I also appreciate PrepTalk for coming forth with such de-stressing articles. Atul Mahajan, Nagpur
skills. We all need to take these errors seriously and see that we write and speak grammatically correct English. I sincerely request the PrepTalk team to bring out more such articles in its every issue. Rajkumari Gupta, Bhopal
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Major news stories
Union Budget 2010-11
inance Minister, in his speech of Union Budget 2010-11, has emphasized on bringing the economy back on growth rate of 9% and strengthening the mechanism of inclusive growth. The Union Budget will not only provide fresh impetus to investment and consumption in the economy but also promote infrastructure development on a larger scale. The Union Budget this year has aimed to focus on inclusive growth and insuring food security. These concerns for aam aadami have gone hand in hand with credible measures for improving investment climate, strengthening infrastructure and fiscal consolidation. As the country looks to quickly reverting to high GDP growth path in the wake of uncertain times, concerns for inclusive growth targeting the disadvantaged sections form the defining features of the Budget. Three challenges would continue to engage the Indian policy planners for the next few years. The first challenge is to quickly revert to the high GDP growth path of 9% and then find the means to cross the double digit growth barrier. The second challenge is to consolidate recent gains in making development more inclusive. The third challenge is to remove weaknesses at different levels of governance and to improve public delivery mechanism. There is a hope that the economy will reach 10% growth in not too distant a future. After a fall in GDP growth in 2008-09 to 6.7%, the growth has built up and 7.2% growth is expected in 2009-10. The Minister said that the recovery is very encouraging as it has come about despite negative growth in agriculture sector. The growth rate in manufacturing in December 2009 was 18.5%, the highest in the past two decades. Similarly, there are also signs of a turnaround in the merchandise exports with a positive growth in November and December 2009 after a decline
in about twelve successive months. Government has set in motion steps in consultation with the State Chief Ministers to bring down the inflation in the next few months and ensure better management of food security.
FISCAL CONSOLIDATION
Now that the recovery has taken roots, there is a need to review public spending, mobilize resources and gear them towards building the productivity of the economy. The government will follow the recommendations of the Thirteenth Finance Commission by capping the government debt. The Commission has recommended a capping of the combined debt of the Centre and the States at 68% of the GDP to be achieved by 2014-15. For the first time, the Government would target an explicit reduction in its domestic public debt-GDP ratio. A status paper would be brought out within six months, giving a detailed analysis of the situation and a road map for curtailing the overall public debt.
IMPROVING INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT

The number of steps have been taken to simplify the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) regime. The government also intends to make the FDI policy user-friendly by consolidating all prior regulations and guidelines into one comprehensive document. This would enhance clarity and predictability of our FDI policy to foreign investors. With a view to strengthen and institutionalize the mechanism for maintaining financial stability, Government has decided to set up an apex-level Financial Stability and Development Council. It would monitor macro prudential supervision of the economy, including the functioning of large financial conglomerates.
PTs PrepTalk March 2010 05
AGRICULTURE GROWTH
A four-pronged strategy would be followed to spur growth in agriculture sector. The elements of the strategy are (a) agricultural production; (b) reduction in wastage of produce; (c) credit support to farmers; and (d) a thrust to the food processing sector. The Budget provides Rs.400 crore for extending the green revolution to the eastern region of the country. To improve the storage capacity of food grains, Food Corporation of India is being allowed to hire godowns from private parties for a guaranteed period of seven years.
INFRASTRUCTURE
The Budget provides Rs.1,73,552 crore for infrastructure, accounting for over 46% of the total Plan allocation. The allocation for road transport is being increased by over 13% from Rs 17,520 crore to Rs.19,894 crore. Disbursement for infrastructure by India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd(IIFCL) is expected to reach Rs.20,000 crore in 2010-11 as against Rs.9,000 crore this year. Refinancing of bank landing to infrastructure projects by IIFCL is expected to be more than double in 2010-11.
2012. It is also proposed to extend insurance and other services to the targeted beneficiaries. These provisions are expected to cover 60,000 habitations.
UPBEATS OF UNION BUDGET 2010
ENERGY
The Plan allocation for power sector is being more than doubled from Rs.2,230 crore in 2009-10 to Rs.5,130 crore in 2010-11. A Coal Regulatory Authority is proposed to be set up for creating level playing field in the coal sector and resolving various issues. The Plan outlay for New and Renewal Energy Ministry is being increased by 61% from Rs. 620 crore to Rs.1,000 crore, especially to support the ambitious solar energy programme.
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Introduction of DTC and GST by April 2011. Relief for individual tax payers. Reduces current surcharge of 10% on domestic companies to 7.5%. Sets aside Rs 16,500 crore for PSU banks to get minimum 8% tier 1 capital by March 2011. Rs 66,100 crore allocated for rural development in FY11. Allocation of a sum of Rs 1,73,500 crore for infrastructure development. Simplification of FDI policy to woo foreign investors. 13% hike in allocation for road transport. Allocation to power sector doubled to Rs 5,130 crore. Allocation of Rs 40,100 cr in NREGA.
INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT
Stating that inclusive development is an act of faith for the UPA government, the Finance Minister said that after the Right to Information, Right to Work and Right to Education, the government is now ready with the draft Food Security Bill. A sums of Rs.1,37,674 crore, representing 37% of the total outlay, will be spent on social sector programmes. Plan Allocation for school education is being increased from Rs.26,800 crore to Rs.31,036 crore to support the childrens rights to free and compulsory education. In addition, States will have an access to Rs. 3,675 crore for elementary education under the Finance Commission grant for 2010-11. It has been decided to provide appropriate banking facilities to habitations having population in excess of 2000 by March
DOWNBEATS OF UNION BUDGET 2010
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Petroleum products: basic duty of 5% crude , 7.5% on diesel & petrol; 10% on refined products. Central Excise Tariff hike of Re 1/litre on petroleum products. Custom duties on certain products to lead to price rise in products such as Cars, ACs, TVs etc.. Peak excise duty hiked from 8% to 10%. Minimum Alternate Tax up from 15% to 18% on book profits. Rail Budget 2010 on Page 30
06 PTs PrepTalk March 2010
Major news stories
Vancouver 2010 winter Olympics

he Vancouver Winter Olympics drew to a spectacular close on February 28, after 17 days of intense competition. Canada topped the medal table, with 14 golds, seven silvers and five bronze medals, while the United States won the most medals with 37 overall. Amy Williams clinched skeleton gold to win Britain's only medal at the Games. Olympic Chief Jacques Rogge said, This extraordinary embrace by the entire city is something unique and has given a great atmosphere for these Games. The closing ceremony began with the comedic emergence of the Olympic flame's fourth ice crystal leg, which had failed to appear during the opening ceremony. The show, which lasted more than two hours, featured the likes of Canadian actors William Shatner and Michael J. Fox poking fun at their country in a self-deprecating manner. The Games, which featured 2500 athletes from 82 competing nations, had begun in the worst possible way with the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili. The 21-year-old luger was killed when his sled flipped and he hit a steel pole during a training run on the much criticised, high-speed Whistler Sliding Centre track. The speakers of honor, Chief Vancouver organiser John Furlong and International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, each paid tribute to the young athlete. Country CAN GER USA NOR KOR GBR Gold 14 10 9 9 6 1 Silver 7 13 15 8 6 0 Bronze 5 7 13 6 2 0 Total 26 30 37 23 14 1
Furlong paid tribute to Moguls Skier, Alexandre Bilodeau, winner of Canada's first gold medal at these games, and said of the final gold, won by the hockey team, Our last one will be remembered for generations. Rogge then pronounced the games closed, after describing them as excellent and very friendly. Neil Young, the durable Canadian folk-rock star, performed a lyrical version of his Long May You Run and the Olympic flame faded away as he ended. Canada, after a slow start, set a Winter Games record with 14 golds and sparked public enthusiasm in Vancouver that veterans of multiple Olympics described as unsurpassed. The comeback by the Canadian athletes was mirrored by the resilience of the Vancouver Organizing Committee. It struggled with a series of glitches and weather problems early in the games, adjusted as best it could, and reached the finish line winning widespread praise for an exceptional Olympics albeit one tinged with sadness. Later came the traditional handover ceremony, during which the Olympic flag was lowered and presented to the hosts of the next Winter Games in 2014. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson handed over the fiveringed flag to IOC President Jacques Rogge, who passed it on to Anatoly Pakhomov, the Mayor of Sochi, Russia. That was followed by the Russian national anthem and a presentation about Sochi featuring opera, ballet, ice skating and giant glowing spheres called zorbs. After 17 wonderful days of top athletic competition, Canada said congratulations and goodbye to worlds top winter athletes during light-hearted Closing Ceremony of 2010 Olympic Winter Games
Major news stories
Master blaster Sachin creates history
achin Tendulkar rewrote history on February 25, 2010 by smashing the first double century in ODI cricket as India crushed South Africa by 153 runs in the second ODI. Even before he took guard at the Captain Roop Singh stadium Gwalior, Sachin Tendulkar's place in the pantheon of cricketing gods was assured. He had already amassed both the highest number of runs and the maximum tons in Tests and one-dayers alike. Milestone man Sachin Tendulkar said he sensed he could be the first batsman to hit an ODI double century only after he had reached 175. "I was not thinking about it all along. It was only when I crossed 175 and realised that it was still the 42nd over, I felt I have an opportunity. So I decided to take singles and give strike to (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni who was hitting so well," said the batting great. On his epic knock, Tendulkar said, "I don't know how to react. I'd like to dedicate this double-hundred to the people of India for standing behind me for the last 20 years, come what may." The landmark 200 came in the final over of the innings, though Sachin crossed the previous record of 194 in the 46th over; in the interim, several lustily-hit fours and sixes by M S Dhoni were accompanied by groans from millions of spectators desperate to see Sachin on strike. The big moment, though, finally arrived, crowning what is fast turning into one of Sachin's most productive periods with the bat. The last 12 months have seen him score 10 international hundreds: six in Tests - including four centuries in his last four Tests - and four in ODIs. Three of those 4 ODI tons - Wednesday's 200, the unforgettable 175 against Australia and the brilliant 163 in New
Zealand - are among his four highest ODI scores. Only his previous highest score of 186, against the Kiwis, falls outside this golden patch. Indeed, there are no speed limits on Sachin Tendulkar's road to excellence. After two decades of basking in the glory of his sporting pre-eminence on the world stage, India is now privileged to witness the second coming of the most complete and prolific batsman of this age. Even the back-breaking expectations of a billion unrealistic fans, it seems, are a pittance compared to the soaring aspirations of the man himself. Over the last year, Sachin has taken his skills to a whole new level of consistency. The body, close to breakdown in the mid2000s, has been chiselled to accessorize this new-found garb of perfection. Back in 1998, he had scored 12 international tons, 9 in ODIs and 3 in Tests. This purple patch has turned back the clock. In the last 12 months, he has been the only player to score six hundreds in 10 Tests, at an average of 78.3. In 20 ODIs, a format in which his records are set in stone, he has notched up 1158 runs at 72.37, with 4 hundreds.
RECORDSATAGLANCE
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Highest individual scores in one-day international cricket: 1. 200 not out - Sachin Tendulkar, India vs. South Africa, Gwalior, Feb 2010 2. 194 not out - Charles Coventry, Zimbabwe vs. Bangladesh, Bulawayo, Aug 2009 3. 194 - Saeed Anwar, Pakistan vs. India, Chennai, May 1997 4. 189 not out - Viv Richards, West Indies vs. England, Manchester, May 1984 5. 189 - Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka vs. India, Sharjah, Oct 2000 6. 188 not out - Gary Kirsten, South Africa vs. United Arab Emirates, Rawalpindi, Feb 1996 7. 186 not out - Sachin Tendulkar, India vs. New Zealand, Hyderabad, Nov 1999
Highest run-getter in ODIs, with 17,598 runs from 442 matches. Jayasuriya (13,428) and Ponting (12,731) follow Most centuries in ODIs (46), followed by Ricky Ponting (29) and Sanath Jayasuriya (28) His double century is the first in 39 years of ODIs, including 60-overs-a-side matches Highest scorer in Tests, with 13,447 runs from 166 matches. Next best Lara (retired with 11,953) and Ponting (playing with 11,859) Most Test centuries (47), well ahead of Ponting (39) and Kallis (34) among active players, and retd Lara and Gavaskar (34 each)
After Gwalior, and given the form he is in, it's time to ask what's next. Maybe a 100 international hundreds, given that 93 are already in the bag or Brian Laras Test best 400 should be the next target?
Opinion
I loved the method, the mindset and the approach more than the achievement. Finally, he is batting like Sachin Tendulkar should. This is the only way he should play. Kapil Dev, former Indian Caption Pakistani Cricketers should take inspiration from Sachin for his commitment. Javed Miandad, former Pakistani cricketer He is the greatest batsman the game has ever seen. There is just no question about that. See his record! Who else has got 90plus centuries, 17000-plus runs in ODIs and 13000-plus runs in Test cricket? Sunil Gavaskar, former Indian Caption Sachin Tendulkar has yet again rewritten the record books of cricket, by climbing yet another Mt Everest of the game, Pratibha Patil, President of India We will ask the central government to award Bharat Ratna to Sachin, who has mesmerised cricket lovers, the world over. Ashok Chavan, Maharashtra Chief Minister Recently tweeted 'Yes yes yes!! Well done Sachin my friend congrats and well done!! Awesome .Glad I'm not bowling to him today. Shane Warne, former Australian cricketer Among the moderns, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Brian Lara stand apart. Ponting''s greatness is an established fact. Lara has been the genius of the age. Tendulkar is not flawless. Of all modern batsmen, though, he has been the most complete. Peter Roebuck, noted columnist
Cover story
Paradoxes of GM foods
We know that cross-pollination will occur but weve got thirty years of experience to say we know how far pollen will travel. And therefore what weve done is well grow a GM crop at a distance away from a non-GM crop, so the people that want non-GM can buy non-GM, and the people that want GM can buy GM. The two will not get mixed up. Everybody will have the right to choose." - Paul Rylott, Seed Manager for Aventis CropScience. The question is- Is it really possible?
What are GM foods?

Genetically modified foods are foods derived from genetically modified organisms. Genetically modified organisms have had specific changes introduced into their DNA by genetic engineering, using a process of either Cisgenesis or Transgenesis. These techniques are much more precise than mutagenesis (mutation breeding) where an organism is exposed to radiation or chemicals to create a non-specific but stable change. Other techniques by which humans modify food organisms include selective breeding (plant breeding and animal breeding), and somaclonal variation. GM foods were first put on the market in the early 1990s. Typically, genetically modified foods are transgenic plant products: soybean, corn, canola, and cotton seed oil. But animal products have also been developed. In 2006, a pig was controversially engineered to produce omega-3 fatty acids through the expression of a roundworm gene. Researchers have also developed a genetically-modified breed of pigs that are able to absorb plant phosphorus more efficiently, and as a consequence the phosphorus content of their manure is reduced by as much as 60%. Critics have objected to GM foods on several grounds, including perceived safety issues, ecological concerns, and economic concerns raised by the fact that these organisms are subject to intellectual property law. Methods Genetic modification involves the insertion or deletion of genes. In the process of Cisgenesis genes are artificially transferred between organisms that could be conventionally bred. In the process of Transgenesis genes from a different species are inserted, which is a form of horizontal gene transfer. In nature this can occur when exogenous DNA penetrates the
cell membrane for any reason. To do this artificially may require attaching the genes to a virus or just physically inserting the extra DNA into the nucleus of the intended host with a very small syringe, or with very small particles fired from a gene gun. However, other methods exploit natural forms of gene transfer, such as the ability of Agrobacterium to transfer genetic material to plants, and the ability of lentiviruses to transfer genes to animal cells. Development The first commercially grown genetically modified whole food crop was a tomato (called FlavrSavr), which was modified to
ripen without softening, by a Californian company Calgene. Calgene took the initiative to obtain FDA approval for its release in 1994 without any special labeling, although legally no such approval was required. It was welcomed by consumers who purchased the fruit at a substantial premium over the price of regular tomatoes. However, production problems and competition from a conventionally bred, longer shelf-life variety prevented the product from becoming profitable. A variant of the Flavr Savr was used by Zeneca to produce tomato paste which was sold in Europe during the summer of 1996.The labeling and pricing were designed as a marketing experiment, which proved, at the time, that European consumers would accept genetically engineered foods. Examples of Genetically Modified Foods Crops may be modified to increase resistance to pests and disease, increase adaptability to environmental conditions, improve flavor or nutritional profile, delay ripening, or increase shelf life. Many common crops are genetically modified, such as corn, canola, flax, potatoes, tomatoes, squash, and soybeans. Corn and potatoes may be modified with a gene to produce an endotoxin that protects them against the corn-borer pest and the potato beetle, respectively. A soybean can be genetically modified with a gene from a bacterium to make it herbicide resistant. By inserting two genes from daffodil and one gene from a bacterium, rice can be enriched with beta-carotene. In the early 1990s, genetically modified tomatoes (Flavr Savr by Calgene, Inc.) were deemed safe by the U.S., Canadian, and British governments and introduced into the market. These tomatoes were bred to stay firm after harvest so they could remain on the vine longer and ripen to full flavour. However, the tomatoes were so delicate that they were difficult to transport without damage, and the product was pulled from the market in 1997. In 1999 the United Nations Food Safety Agency unanimously declared the use of rBGH unsafe after confirming reports of excess levels of the naturally occurring insulin-like growth factor one (IGF-1), including its highly potent variants, in rBGH milk and concluding that these posed major risks of cancer . Health Canada also banned the use of rBGH in milk production in 1999, but the hormone is still permitted in the U.S. milk supply. All types of foods and organisms have been genetically engineered: corn, cotton, tomatoes, soybeans, sugarbeets, oilseed rape, maize, salmon, pigs, cows, and the list go on.
Benefits Benefits of GM foods are diversified. Genetic engineering is a vital method, used in crops, to enhance the quantity of nutrients, such as vitamins. Nutritional enhancement is a process, in vogue now. Research is underway in prevention of vitamin A and iron deficiency. Removal of allergic proteins from peanuts is being studied. Modification in genes results in increased yield with better quality and nutrients. Foods with enhanced antioxidants, such as carrots, that are cost effective and nutritious are produced. Increased shelf life and standing period results in long lasting vegetables, like tomatoes. Edible therapeutic bananas carrying rotavirus antigens or bacterial antigens are produced by genetic modification. Environmental degradation is prevented by genetic engineering. Genetically modified crops are at decreased risk to attacks by micro organisms and herbicides. This calls for a reduced usage of herbicides and fungicides, making these genetically modified crops, eco-friendly. Residual levels of these products in the environment are thereby, less. It saves the use of toxic chemicals. GM crops can be made resistant to pests, so pesticides do not need to be sprayed on them. This is also better on the environment! It prevents wasted crops. If pests cannot eat the crops, nothing goes to waste. Therefore, farmers make more money! It could potentially solve hunger. Many people agree that there is not enough food in the world to feed everybody. As genetically modified foods increase the yields of crops, more food is produced by farmers. Of course, others argue that there is enough food to feed everyone, but it is unequally distributed. Others argue the GM crops do not produce higher yields. We can begin to grow foods in different conditions. For instance, strawberries can be genetically engineered to grow in frosts. Other foods that grow in cold climates could be engineered to grow in hot climates (such as Africa where much of the continent does not have enough food). Some foods can be genetically modified to contain higher amounts of important vitamins and minerals. Vitamin A deficiencies cause blindness. In Africa, 500,000 go blind each year. If rice can be modified to contain more vitamin A, the amount of people going blind will decrease. As more research is done the technology is bound to improve. Scientists are already considering genetic modification to make fish, nuts and plants grow faster. Pest resistance: Crop losses from insect pests can be staggering, resulting in devastating financial loss for farmers and starvation in developing countries. Farmers typically use many tons of chemical pesticides annually. Consumers do not wish to eat food that has been treated with pesticides because of potential health hazards, and run-off of agricultural wastes from
excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers can poison the water supply and cause harm to the environment. Growing GM foods such as Bt. corn can help eliminate the application of chemical pesticides and reduce the cost of bringing a crop to market. Herbicide tolerance: For some crops, it is not costeffective to remove weeds by physical means such as tilling, so farmers will often spray large quantities of different herbicides (weed-killer) to destroy weeds, a time-consuming and expensive process that requires care so that the herbicide doesn't harm the crop plant or the environment. Crop plants genetically-engineered to be resistant to one very powerful herbicide could help prevent environmental damage by reducing the amount of herbicides needed. For example, Monsanto has created a strain of soybeans genetically modified to be not affected by their herbicide product. A farmer grows these soybeans which then only require one application of weedkiller instead of multiple applications, reducing production cost and limiting the dangers of agricultural waste run-off. Disease resistance: There are many viruses, fungi and bacteria that cause plant diseases. Plant biologists are working to create plants with genetically-engineered resistance to these diseases. Cold tolerance: Unexpected frost can destroy sensitive seedlings. An antifreeze gene from cold water fish has been introduced into plants such as tobacco and potato. With this antifreeze gene, these plants are able to tolerate cold temperatures that normally would kill unmodified seedlings. Drought tolerance/salinity tolerance: As the world population grows and more land is utilized for housing instead of food production, farmers will need to grow crops in locations previously unsuited for plant cultivation. Creating plants that can withstand long periods of drought or high salt content in soil and groundwater will help people to grow crops in formerly inhospitable places. Nutrition: Malnutrition is common in third world countries where impoverished people rely on a single crop such as rice for the main staple of their diet. However, rice does not contain adequate amounts of all necessary nutrients to prevent malnutrition. If rice could be genetically engineered to contain additional vitamins and minerals, nutrient deficiencies could be alleviated. For example, blindness due to vitamin A deficiency is a common problem in third world countries. Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Institute for Plant Sciences have created a strain of "golden" rice containing an
unusually high content of beta-carotene (vitamin A). Since this rice was funded by the Rockefeller Foundation14, a non-profit organization, the Institute hopes to offer the golden rice seed free to any third world country that requests it. Plans were underway to develop golden rice that also has increased iron content. However, the grant that funded the creation of these two rice strains was not renewed, perhaps because of the vigorous anti-GM food protesting in Europe, and so this nutritionally-enhanced rice may not come to market at all. Pharmaceuticals: Medicines and vaccines often are costly to produce and sometimes require special storage conditions not readily available in third world countries. Researchers are working to develop edible vaccines in tomatoes and potatoes. These vaccines will be much easier to ship, store and administer than traditional injectable vaccines. Phytoremediation: Not all GM plants are grown as crops. Soil and groundwater pollution continues to be a problem in all parts of the world. Plants such as poplar trees have been genetically engineered to clean up heavy metal pollution from contaminated soil. Harmful Effects Despite the many advantages to genetically modified foods there are also many disadvantages. Another disadvantage is the potential impact it could have to human health. The new genes that are put in food could be resistant to certain antibiotics; if we eat them the effectiveness of antibiotics could be reduced. New allergens could be accidentally created and known allergens could be transferred to other foods. For example, if a gene from peanuts was taken and put in a tomato, people allergic to peanuts could be allergic to that tomato. Most importantly, scientists cant actually prove whether genetically modified foods are 100% safe because normal toxicology tests do not work for food. There are many environmental problems involving genetically modified foods. These are mainly about pollination of plants. If genetically modified plants pollinate non-genetically modified plants this could spread them into the wild, where they could compete with other plants. This would upset the balance of nature, as these plants could easily take over. Plants that are made resistant to chemical herbicides could pollinate with weeds. This would be disastrous because then new, stronger sprays would have to be developed to counter them. This would increase ground and water contamination, something genetically modified plants are supposed to prevent.
Environmental activists, religious organizations, public interest groups, professional associations and other scientists and government officials have all raised concerns about GM foods, and criticized agribusiness for pursuing profit without concern for potential hazards, and the government for failing to exercise adequate regulatory oversight. It seems that everyone has a strong opinion about GM foods. Even the Vatican19 and the Prince of Wales20 have expressed their opinions. Most concerns about GM foods fall into three categories: environmental hazards, human health risks, and economic concerns. Environmental hazards Unintended harm to other organisms: Last year a laboratory study was published in Nature21 showing that pollen from Bt. corn caused high mortality rates in monarch butterfly caterpillars. Monarch caterpillars consume milkweed plants, not corn, but the fear is that if pollen from Bt. corn is blown by the wind onto milkweed plants in neighbouring fields, the caterpillars could eat the pollen and perish. Although the Nature study was not conducted under natural field conditions, the results seemed to support this viewpoint. U n f o r t u n a t e l y, B t . toxins kill many species of insect larvae indiscriminately; it is not possible to design a Bt. toxin that would only kill crop-damaging pests and remain harmless to all other insects. This study is being reexamined by the USDA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other non-government research groups, and preliminary data from new studies suggests that the original study may have been flawed. This topic is the subject of acrimonious debate, and both sides of the argument are defending their data vigorously. Currently, there is no agreement about the results of these studies, and the potential risk of harm to non-target organisms will need to be evaluated further. Reduced effectiveness of pesticides: Just as some population of mosquitoes developed resistance to the nowbanned pesticide DDT, many people are concerned that insects will become resistant to Bt. or other crops that have been genetically-modified to produce their own pesticides. Gene transfer to non-target species: Another concern is that crop plants engineered for herbicide tolerance and weeds will cross-breed, resulting in the transfer of the herbicide resistante genes from the crops into the weeds. These "superweeds" would then be herbicide tolerant as well. Other
introduced genes may cross over into non-modified crops planted next to GM crops. The possibility of interbreeding is shown by the defense of farmers against lawsuits filed by Monsanto. There are several possible solutions to the problems mentioned above. Genes are exchanged between plants via pollen. Two ways to ensure that non-target species will not receive introduced genes from GM plants are to create GM plants that are male sterile (do not produce pollen) or to modify the GM plant so that the pollen does not contain the introduced gene. Cross-pollination would not occur, and if harmless insects such as monarch caterpillars were to eat pollen from GM plants, the caterpillars would survive. Another possible solution is to create buffer zones around fields of GM crops. For example, non-GM corn would be planted to surround a field of Bt. GM corn, and the non-GM corn would not be harvested. Beneficial or harmless insects would have a refuge in the non-GM corn, and insect pests could be allowed to destroy the non-GM corn and would not develop resistance to Bt. pesticides. Gene transfer to weeds and other crops would not occur because the wind-blown pollen would not travel beyond the buffer zone. Estimates of the necessary width of buffer zones range from 6 meters to 30 meters or more30. This planting method may not be feasible if too much acreage is required for the buffer zones. Human health risks Allergenicity: Many children in the US and Europe have developed life-threatening allergies to peanuts and other foods. There is a possibility that introducing a gene into a plant may create a new allergen or cause an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals. A proposal to incorporate a gene from Brazil nuts into soyabeans was abandoned because of the fear of causing unexpected allergic reactions. Extensive testing of GM foods may be required to avoid the possibility of harm to consumers with food allergies. Unknown effects on human health: There is a growing concern that introducing foreign genes into food plants may have an unexpected and negative impact on human health. One of the studies claimed that there were appreciable differences in the intestines of rats fed GM potatoes and rats fed unmodified potatoes. Yet critics say that the gene introduced into the potatoes was a snowdrop flower lectin, a substance known to be toxic to mammals. The scientists who created this variety of potato chose to use the lectin gene simply to test the methodology, and these potatoes were never intended for human or animal consumption.
On the whole, with the exception of possible allergenicity, scientists believe that GM foods do not present a risk to human health.
Economic concerns Bringing a GM food to market is a lengthy and costly process, and of course agri-biotech companies wish to ensure a profitable return on their investment. Many new plant genetic engineering technologies and GM plants have been patented, and patent infringement is a big concern of agribusiness. Yet consumer advocates are worried that patenting these new plant varieties will raise the price of seeds so high that small farmers and third world countries will not be able to afford seeds for GM crops, thus widening the gap between the wealthy and the poor. One way to combat possible patent infringement is to introduce a "suicide gene" into GM plants. These plants would be viable for only one growing season and would produce sterile seeds that do not germinate. Farmers would need to buy a fresh supply of seeds each year. However, this would be financially disastrous for farmers in third world countries who cannot afford to buy seed each year and traditionally set aside a portion of their harvest to plant in the next growing season. Issue of Bt. Brinjal Between January 13th, 2010 and February 6th, 2010 public meetings on Bt-brinjal were organised by the Center for Environment Education (CEE), Ahmedabad (a Centre of Excellence supported by the MoE&F) in many places including Kolkata, Bhubaneshwar, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Kolkata and Bhubaneshwar were selected because West Bengal and Orissa account for 30% and 20% of Indias brinjal production respectively. Ahmedabad and Nagpur were selected because Btcotton has been under extensive cultivation in Gujarat and Maharashtra over the past six years. Chandigarh was selected in order to allow farmers from the two agriculturally-advanced states of Punjab and Haryana to express their views. Hyderabad and Bangalore were selected because these are centres for biotechnology R&D. Almost 8000 people from different sections of society participated enthusiastically in these seven public meetings. Those who attended were farmers and farmer organisations, scientists, state agriculture department officials, NGOs, consumer groups, allopathic and ayurvedic doctors, students and housewives.
The commercialisation of Bt Brinjal could last a minimum six years, which is the time needed to set up a bio-safety laboratory by the government if work begins immediately. Such a laboratory is essential if the government is to give clearances on the basis of fresh, independent tests. Bt Brinjal wont get government approval till such time independent scientific studies establish the safety of the product. It will take about five to six years to set up a bio-safety lab and need an investment of Rs 350 crore. If the laboratory had been set up before, then probably Bt cotton would have not come. GM technology has the potential to treat many diseases, but the use of GM technology for pharmacological purposes can be confined and controlled, while Bt Brinjal release will be in the environment which cannot be recalled.There can be an alternative to GM technology.We can have twice as many people in the world with the existing technology. The IPM technology developed by ICAR has not been used widely despite the Agriculture Policy Resolution of the Indian government saying that we must use IPM. Stopping the wastage of food which is about 40%, matching productivity of crops with that of China and Japan, improving soil health and stopping the diversion of agricultural land for SEZs are alternatives to adoption of GM food. Bt-technology is not the only route for reducing pesticide use. How to reduce pesticide use without compromising on food security at the macro-level and returns to farmers at the microlevel is an urgent public policy in our agriculture. In this connection, it is worth recalling that there are now close to 6 lakh farmers in Andhra Pradesh fully practicing NPM (non-pesticide management) agriculture over an area of about 20 lakh acres. The advantage of NPM is that it eliminates chemical pesticide use completely whereas Bt-technology only reduces the pesticide spray, albeit substantially. Incidentally, one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change is the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture of which NPM is an integral part.
The issue of safety tests has been raised repeatedly by critics of Bt-brinjal. The plant family Solanaceae to which brinjal belongs appears to be more problematic than others because it contains several natural toxins that can resurface when metabolism is disturbed. The kind of testing done, it is being said, is not specific or stringent enough to detect toxins. This is an important issue since brinjal is an item of almost daily consumption for most of us. The fact that brinjal is very largely a cross-pollinated crop according to the generally accepted scientific consensus makes the threat of contamination with the use of Bt-brinjal on other varieties a particularly worrisome issue. Monsanto has made substantial investments in India, including in R&D. Many Indian-origin scientists work in Monsanto. As a country, we must learn to derive full benefit of Monsantos expertise and capabilities, without jeopardising national sovereignty and also develop countervailing power to it. Unfortunately, we do not seem to have a large-scale publiclyfunded biotechnology effort in agriculture. Had there been one, there would have been competition to Monsanto. It is true that Mahyco an Indian company is involved in the development of hybrid Bt-brinjal. But 26% of Mahyco is owned by Monsanto itself. It is also true that two government-owned agricultural universities Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore and the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad have developed Bt-brinjal varieties. . But doubts have been raised on how Bt-related research in these two institutions has been funded. Further, the Material Transfer Agreement between TNAU and Monsanto in March 2005 has raised worrisome questions on ownership (both of products and germplasm) and what TNAU can do and cannot do. Apart from being the worlds largest producer of brinjal, India is undoubtedly the country of origin as far as brinjal is concerned as testified by Vavilov in 1928. Data by the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources of the ICAR reveals that there are 3951 collections in the Bureau and the number of diversity-rich districts is 134. The diversity-rich regions are likely to be affected by the introduction of Bt-brinjal due to gene flow. The loss of diversity argument cannot be glossed over especially when seen in light of the experience we have had in cotton where Bt-cotton seed has overtaken non-Bt seeds. Bt-cotton is not comparable to Bt-brinjal no doubt but it is nevertheless necessary to review our experience with it. Undoubtedly, Bt-cotton has catapulted India into second position in the world as far as cotton production is concerned, up from number three after the new technology took root. Over 90% of cotton farmers in India cultivate Bt-cotton. It is also true that many farmers in the public consultations vociferously expressed their support to Bt-cotton on economic grounds. But a number of farmers also expressed doubts. More than that, the
Central Institute of Cotton Research, Nagpur has done a comprehensive review of Bt-cotton in India and this review has thrown up a number of questions. Recent developments Resistance development is a very serious concern for monophagous pests. There is a need to develop baseline susceptibility data of Cry toxins on the fruit and shoot borer populations from all the Brinjal growing states in a Government Institute Laboratory known for its expertise in resistance management. There is also a need to set up a main resistance monitoring laboratory to monitor the changes in baseline susceptibility changes of the fruit borer to Cry proteins after releasing the technology. Resistance Management Strategies are essentially developed based on output profiles of stochastic models which integrate toxicological, ecological, genetic and biological parameters. Stochastic models for resistance should be developed to calculate resistance risk and devise pro-active Insect Resistance Management (IRM) strategies. The structured refuge strategy of 5% conventional Brinjal within the ecosystems of Bt-Brinjal proposed by Mahyco is based on basic simplistic assumptions and not through defined algorithms and modeling. There is a need for a consolidated report on ecology, biology, genetics and population dynamics of insect pests of Brinjal that are available thus far. Based on the ecology, biology and population dynamics, simulation models should be developed so that appropriate strategies can be formulated to prevent the emergence of new pests and delay development of resistance in key pests. Many countries, particularly in Europe, have banned GM foods. Chinas policy is to encourage research in GM technology but to be extremely cautious when it comes to introduction in food crops. In any case, Chinas Bt-cotton is entirely indigenously developed, in marked contrast to the case in India. China has a very strong publicly-funded programme in GM technology unlike India. True, Bt-corn and Bt-soya is widely available in the USA but that is no great compulsion for us to follow suit. If we are what we eat, with all the genetically modified and imitation foods we now eat, what the heck are we?
Current events
India
RICHEST INDIAN MUKESH AMBANI AMONGST FORBES TOP TEN BILLIONAIRES
Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani has become the richest man in the Asia-Pacific region and the fourth in world rankings as per the 2010 Forbes list of worlds billionaires released on March 10, 2010. The number of tycoons from the AsiaPacific region with a ten-figure net worth has risen to 234 from 130 in 2009. This accounts for 23 percent of the 1,011 billionaires on the global list against 16 percent of the 793 billionaires the year before. India has 49 billionaires in 2010 as compared to only 24 last year. The combined wealth of Asian billionaires has also more than doubled to 729 billion dollars compared with dollar 357 billion a year ago. This rate of increase far outpaces that of European tycoons, who saw their collective fortune has risen by fifty percent while their US counterparts enjoyed only an 18 percent increase. Of the 234 Asian tycoons on the list, 62 are first-time billionaires out of a total of 97 new billionaires in the world. The richest man in the world is Mexican telecom titan Carlos Slim Helu and his family. With his fortune swelling to an estimated dollar 53.5 billion, up by dollar18.5 billion in 12 months, Slim surged ahead of Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates, who had held the title of worlds richest man fourteen times in the last fifteen years. Gates, now worth dollar 53 billion, is ranked second in the world. Buffett is ranked third with dollar 47 billion. Eleven countries have at least double the number of billionaires they had a year ago, including China, India, Turkey and South Korea. The seven top billionaires from India are as follows:
World Ranking Name

4 5 28 36 40 44 74
Mukesh Ambani Lakshmi Mittal Azim Premji Anil Ambani Shashi & Ravi Ruia Savitri Jindal Kushal Pal Singh
Wealth
$29.0 $28.7 $17.0 $13.7 $13.0 $12.2 $9.0
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UTTAR PRADESH TEMPLE STAMPEDE
At least 65 people, nearly all of them women and children were killed and 29 others injured in a stampede at Pratapgarh in UP on March 5, 2010 in a local ashram after a collapse of its gate triggered panic among about 10,000 people who had converged for a ritual. 37 women and 26 children were among those killed after they were trampled over by the crowd that had gathered at Kripalu Maharaj's ashram during distribution of food and utensils for the "Shradh" (post-death rites) of his wife, Sub-divisional Magistrate Kunda Shyama Charan said. Inspector General of Police (Allahabad Range) Chandra Prakash said that at least 29 people were injured in the stampede at the ashram in Mangarh area of the district. Eyewitnesses said that many of those killed had fallen into a borewell near the gate. Officials said the district authorities were not given prior intimation about the function.
Angry relatives of victims alleged they were not being allowed by the police to look for the bodies of their loved ones. The ashram is spread over nearly six hectares of land in a remote area.
INDIA, BRITAIN INK NUCLEAR PACT

India signed a declaration on civilian nuclear cooperation with the U.K. which officials described as a general umbrella agreement. The two sides are expected to make a public announcement in the coming days. The U.K. becomes the eighth country with which India has signed a civilian nuclear pact since breaking out of restrictions imposed on it. The agreement was signed in New Delhi by Atomic Energy Commission Chairman, Srikumar Banerjee and British High Commissioner Richard, Stagg. The pact will provide a legal framework for British companies that have expertise in supplying components. The declaration was agreed upon during Minister of State for Commerce Anand Sharmas visit. India has so far signed civilian nuclear pacts with Russia, France, the U.S., Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Argentina and Namibia.
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COMMON CURRICULUM IN SCIENCE, MATHS AT SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL
The Council of Boards of School Education (COBSE) took a unanimous decision to adopt a core curriculum for Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics at the senior secondary level. The new curriculum will come into effect from the 2011-12 academic year, Union Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal, said in New Delhi after a meeting with member-boards of COBSE to forge unanimity for the core curriculum. Mr. Sibal described the decision as a milestone in the history of education. Though the meeting began with scepticism among some boards, the Minister claimed that apprehensions were addressed, and now there will be a core curriculum which will be accepted by all stakeholders at the senior secondary level. What it means is that in all schools of India affiliated to boards that are members of COBSE, the core curriculum will be taught, so that all our children have a level-playing field. The core curriculum for these four subjects has been finalised after consultations within COBSE. While the boards will have to draw up the syllabi on the basis of the core curriculum, they will have to work out how to tailor their examinations as per the new regime. And, now that a beginning has been made with the pure sciences and mathematics, COBSE has been asked to explore the possibility of replicating this in the commerce stream. This meeting was attended by representatives of 20 boards, including State boards. With the core curriculum agenda clinched, the Council has now been asked by the Minister to work towards a single entrance examination by 2013 in each discipline where entrance examinations are conducted for entering professional courses. A task force will be set up to explore the possibility.
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AGNI-III LAUNCH A COMPLETE SUCCESS
The launch of Agni-III, the missile with the longest range in Indias arsenal, from the Wheeler Island off Orissa was a complete success. Lifting off majestically, it travelled its entire range of 3,500 km. and came down accurately on its target in the Bay of Bengal. During its 800-second flight, it reached an altitude of 350 km. and its re-entry module sliced into the atmosphere, withstanding searing temperatures of 3,000 deg. Celsius. The two-stage, surface-to-surface ballistic missile can carry nuclear warheads. The nuclear triggering mechanism worked well although the missile carried only chemical explosives as payload. An elated V.K. Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, called it a fantastic launch and a hat-trick.
Talking from the Wheeler Island, he said: It shows the maturity of the missiles design and the quality of its systems because we have had three successes in a row without any blemish. The flight gave us the full range and pinpoint accuracy. The missile travelled accurately its entire range to its last decimal place as we had planned.
It will also result in strengthening the existing public health delivery system. With CCEA approving the proposal the state government medical colleges would get a one-time grant of Rs.1350 crore under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). According to CSS funding pattern the Centre would fund 75 percent and the rest by the respective state government under which the college falls. The CCEA opined that release of funds under the scheme should be made conditional upon States committing to incur necessary recurring expenditure for maintaining the facilities created under the scheme after XI plan period. The CCEA decided to disburse the funds directly to the Head of the Institute in two installments. The State Government will undertake to refund the funds if the stipulated increase in PG seats or starting PG disciplines do not fructify within the prescribed period.
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INDIA'S 38TH TIGER RESERVE OPENS
India's 38th tiger reserve and Kerala's second was declared open on February 20 by Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh. It would be known as the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve. There has been a sharp decline in the number of tigers in India, with only 1,411 of them left, according to official estimates. The tiger reserve was known as the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary when it was set up in 1973 in a 285-sq-km protected area in Chittur area of Palakkad. Another 358 sq km of forests were added, and the tiger reserve now has an area of 643 sq km. It has a rich diversity of animal life. It also has a variety of trees, including teak, neem, sandalwood and rosewood. Kerala's first tiger reserve Periyar Tiger Reserve is situated in Thekkadi in Idukki district.
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CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON POWER MEETS TO DISCUSS HYDRO POWER DEVELOPMENT
The Consultative Committee of Members of Parliament for Power met on Feb.17 in New Delhi to discuss hydro power development in the country with special reference to 11th Plan target. Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde presided over the meeting as its Chairman. The meeting called for accelerated growth in hydropower in view of a huge potential yet to be tapped. Bharatsinh Solanki, Minister of State for Power, was also present. Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, Dr. Baliram, Ramkishun, Kailash Joshi, Maheshwar Hazari, Om Prakash Yadav, Bhudeo Choudhary, Nama Nageswara Rao, K. Bapi Raju, S.R. Jeyadurai, Bajuban Riyan, Meena Singh, Mahabali Singh and Anurag Singh Thakur were among the members who participated in the discussion. They also gave some valuable suggestions to accelerate hydro power development.
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CCEA APPROVES MEDICAL COLLEGES UPGRADATION PLAN
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Feb 18 approved a proposal on strengthening and upgradation of state government Medical Colleges for starting new post graduate disciplines. The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry moved a proposal to increase PG seats by central funding during XI Plan period. The approval will result in an additional 5000 seats in PG courses in 148 State Government Medical colleges in pre and para clinical disciplines.
As per the re-assessment of hydro electric potential carried out by CEA, the hydro potential of the country identified in terms of installed capacity is 148701 MW out of which 145320 MW is from the schemes having installed capacity above 25 MW. The installed hydro generating capacity (with station capacity above 25 MW) including pumped storage schemes in the country is 36885.4 MW (as on 31.12.2009). This does not include small hydro capacity in respect of hydro power plants having installed generating capacity of up to 25 MW which is the mandate of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. During 11th Plan, 15627 MW of hydro capacity has been planned to be added. Further, a tentative list of 20334 MW of hydro projects has been prepared for benefits during 12th Plan.
Mishra had de Villiers leg before with a googly and Harbhajan fired out left-hander Duminy and Steyn leg before in quick succession after lunch. Harbhajan trapped Morkel to end the innings two overs prior to the finish of the match. Amla was declared Man of the Match and Man of the Series for his splendid performance.
India First innings 643 for six declared (Sehwag 165, Laxman 143 not out, Dhoni 132 not out, Tendulkar 106) South Africa First innings 296 (Amla 114, Petersen 100, Zaheer 4-90, Harbhajan 3-64) Second innings 289 (Amla 127 not out, Harbhajan 5-59, Mishra 3-78)
Briefscorecard:
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INDIA BEAT SOUTH AFRICA IN KOLKATA TEST TO RETAIN NO1 SPOT
Te a m I n d i a o n Feb.18, defeated South Africa by an innings and 58 runs to win the second Test match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and retained their number one position in the official Test rankings and level the series 1-1. India, who lost the first Test in Nagpur by an innings and six runs, needed a win or draw to retain the spot. India now leads the Test rankings with 124 points, followed by South Africa at 120. These rankings have been reserved till May. Amla, who made an unbeaten 253 in the first Test and 114 in the first innings of this match, scored a fighting 127 off 394 deliveries with the help of 16 boundaries, but his innings was overshadowed by Indian bowlers, who picked up wickets at regular intervals to keep the visitors under pressure. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh (5-59) and leg-spinner Amit Mihsra (3-78) were the heroes for India, while fast bowler Ishant Sharma chipped in with two wickets. The overnight pair of Amla and Prince stuck out 26.4 overs before Harbhajan struck when the off-spinner had Prince playing loosely to be caught at mid-off.
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SEWAS ELA BHATT CHOSEN FOR NIWANO PEACE PRIZE
Social worker, Ela Bhatt has been chosen for the Niwano Peace Prize this year for her contribution to the upliftment of poor women in India. Ms. Bhatt, recognised as one of the pioneers in the development of the most oppressed and poorest women of India for more than three decades, will receive the award in Tokyo on May 13. The award, which recognises the significant contribution of an individual to inter-religious understanding and cooperation leading to world peace, comes with a certificate, a medal and prize money worth 20 million. She set up the Self-Employed Womens Association (SEWA), a trade union, in 1972. Now, it has over 1.2 million members. In 1974, she established the SEWA cooperative bank, which now reaches out to around three million women.
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PRAVIN MAHAJAN DIES OF BRAIN HAEMORRHAGE
Pravin Mahajan, who was serving a life term for the murder of his brother and BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, passed away on March 3, 2010.
He was on parole and was undergoing treatment in a Thane hospital. On December 11, Pravin was admitted to a private hospital after he suffered a brain haemorrhage. He was very critical and was put on a life support system, doctors attending on him had said. Pravin, 50, was admitted to the Jupiter Hospital after he complained of fatigue and severe headache at home. Pravin was found guilty of shooting his brother in Mumbai on April 22, 2006. Pramod succumbed to bullet injuries 12 days later. He was awarded life imprisonment by a Mumbai court in December 2007 and lodged at the Nashik Central Jail.
"The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a true multi stakeholder community of global decision-makers in which the Young Global Leaders represent the voice for the future and the hopes of the next generation," the WEF Founder and Executive Chairman, Klaus Schwab said.
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NAVY'S AEROBATIC PLANE CRASHES, TWO PILOTS DEAD
A naval aerobatic plane, flying in a formation during an airshow crashed into a three- storeyed residential building in Hyderabad, killing two pilots and injuring seven persons on the ground. The Kiran MK-II plane, which was part of the 'Sagar Pawan' aerobatic team participating in a display at the India Aviation show, crashed around noon, causing a loud bang in the New Bowenpally area, about four kms from the Old Begumpet Airport. Navy Chief, Nirmal Verma, who was in Bhopal, said the pilots had not ejected. "So the possibility is either timewise there was a problem or they (the pilots) were making all efforts to ensure that damage is minimised to any civil area. They are no more," he said. "The inputs that I have got is that about seven people are injured," he said. I have to wait for more information. It is premature for me to say what could have caused the crash at this stage," he further added. The pilots were Commander S K Maurya and Lt. Commander Rahul Nair, a navy spokesman said in New Delhi. Nair belongs to Delhi. The Minister for Aviation Praful Patel has said that the crash of the naval plane at Hyderabad is very unfortunate. He also said that security is a major concern. Hyderabad Police Commissioner, A K Khan said the plane crashed into the residential building which had a cellphone tower on top. A car parked outside the building was smashed as one of the plane's wings fell on it.
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12 INDIANS IN WEF'S GLOBAL LEADERS LIST
As many as 12 Indians, including the youngest parliamentarian Agatha Sangma, Shree Renuka Sugars cofounder Narendra Murkumbi and actress Nandita Das, figure in the list of young global leaders for 2010, prepared by the World Economic Forum. Global non-profit organisation WEF annually compiles a list of up to 200 young leaders across the globe for their outstanding leadership, professional accomplishments and commitment to the society. The other Indians named in this year's young global leaders list include Wipro's Sangita Singh, Tejpreet Singh Chopra of General Electric and Manisha Girotra MD and Chairperson UBS Securities India. In addition, Ashok Aram of Abraaj Capital, Ashok Giri Durgesh of Vindhya e-Infomedia, Sandeep Naik and Sangeeth Varghese of Leadcap Trust also appear in the list. Sanjeev Sanyal of Sustainable Planet Institute and Sriram Raghavan of Comat Technologies are the other two Indians. The list also comprises four people having Indian routes Shamina Singh of CitiGroup, Openwave Systems' Anand Chandrasekaran, Sanjay Gupta of Abraxis BioScience and Ricken Patel of Avaaz.org.
APJ KALAM, RATAN TATA MOST TRUSTED INDIAN PEOPLE

Even though APJ Kalam is no longer the first man of India, but he continues to ignite young Indians along with Tata Group Chairman, Ratan Tata, as both are voted as the most trusted in a list of 100 public figures from across India, according to survey done by Reader's Digest. The list of most trusted people also features Amitabh Bachchan, Kiran Bedi, Sachin Tendulkar and AR Rahman. Indians also reveal some new preferences with the inclusion of Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi, E Sreedharan and Abhinav Bindra in the top 30. Among the most trusted professions in India, teachers lead the list followed by firefighters and humble farmers, while politicians, real estate agents, government officials and police officers are at the bottom of the Trust Survey of 40 everyday Indian professions. The survey, which has been conducted for the first time in India, carries fascinating findings from the Digest's exclusive, independent poll, which reveals the people and professions we trust and those we don't. Around 750 Indians were surveyed online and asked to rank the shortlisted individuals and professions they have the most faith in.
"Today, an important aspect of Rajiv Gandhi's vision has been fully realised with the inauguration of NEIGRIHMS. It has an important role to play in research and treatment," she said. The institute has the most sophisticated cardiology department in the region, well-equipped neurology and urology cells and a 30-bed Intensive Care Unit. Referring to the shortage of faculty, Gandhi said Government would ensure sustained support to attract and retain the best of talents. Currently, there are 39 faculty members, besides 68 senior resident doctors and around 70 junior resident doctors. The institute is being equipped with 35 speciality and superspeciality departments, Union Health and Family Welfare minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said. Designed on the lines of AIIMS, New Delhi, and PGIMER, Chandigarh, the institute is the only postgraduate medical institute in the North Eastern region and the third in the country established by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Envisaged in 1987 during the prime ministership of Rajiv Gandhi, the institute is spread over 275 acres in Mawdiangdiang on the outskirts of the city. Over Rs 550 crore has been spent so far in setting it up.
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NOTED INDUSTRIALIST G P BIRLA PASSES AWAY
Noted industrialist and the secondmost eldest member of the Birla clan, G P Birla passed away after a brief illness. G P Birla, 86, was younger to his cousin B K Birla, who is now 90.His father, late B M Birla was the founder of the GP-CK Birla group which has interests in automobiles, bearings, earthmoving, power transmission equipment, cement, fan, IT and consumer durables among others. The group also set up renowned medical research centres and hospitals besides educational institutions. With the group's turnover hovering around Rs 1,500 crore, G P Birla had passed on the businesses to his only son, C K Birla. Some popular companies like Hindustan Motors, Orient Industries and Birla Technical Services fall under the group's fold.
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SONIA INAUGURATES NE'S FIRST POST-GRADUATE MEDICAL INSTITUTE
The first ever post-graduate medical institute in the NorthEast region on the lines of the prestigious AIIMS was formally inaugurated by Congress President, Sonia Gandhi. The premier North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute for Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), which opened in 2002, was conceived by Rajiv Gandhi nearly two decades ago and will have the best healthcare facilities.
Current events
World
INDIA-SAUDI ARABIA SIGN EXTRADITION TREATY, 9 OTHER PACTS FINALIZED
India and Saudi Arabia finalized 10 pacts, including an E x t r a d i t i o n Tr e a t y a n d agreements in the economic sphere for signing during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's ongoing visit to this oil-rich country. Addressing the influential Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Dr Singh invited entrepreneurs from the oil-rich Kingdom to explore investment opportunities in India in construction, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, health, agriculture, energy, telecommunications, tourism and other sectors. Saudi ministers for oil and mineral resources, commerce and industry and foreign affairs called on Dr Singh during his day's hectic schedule. The two sides finalised an Extradition Treaty and 10 other MoUs and agreements to further bolster bilateral cooperation. India sees Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner for promoting peace, stability and economic development. Such a partnership will bring benefits not only to our two countries but to the region we both belong to, and to the world at large, the Prime Minister said. The Saudi industry captains said India should grant multientry visa to ease movement of businessmen and clear hurdles in investment funds. They said there was tremendous scope for cooperation in the oil, power and IT sectors. Dr Singh said Indian companies are well-equipped to participate in upstream and downstream oil and gas sector projects in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is India's fourth largest trading partner with two-way commerce being to the tune of about USD 25 billion.
Energy cooperation between the two countries has witnessed a massive increase since King Abdullah's Delhi visit in 2006, with Saudi exports jumping from USD 500 million that year to USD 23 billion in 2008, surpassing Iran as the largest supplier of crude oil to India. Dr Singh said India views its economic cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the wider context of its interactions with the entire Gulf region with which the country shares deep and historical ties. tututu
8.8-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE HITS CENTRAL CHILE

A devastating earthquake struck Chile on Feb. 27, toppling homes, destroying bridges and plunging trucks into the fractured earth. A tsunami set off by the magnitude-8.8 quake threatened every nation around the Pacific Ocean roughly a quarter of the globe. Over 700 people are said to have been killed. In the town of Talca, just 105 km from the epicentre, AP journalist, Roberto Candia said it felt as if a giant had grabbed him and shaken him. The town s historic centre, filled with buildings of adobe mud and straw, largely collapsed, though most of those were businesses that were not inhabited during the 3.34 a.m. quake. Neighbours pulled at least five people from the rubble while emergency workers, themselves disoriented, asked for information from reporters. Many roads were destroyed, and electricity, water and phone lines were cut. Experts warned that a tsunami could strike anywhere in the Pacific, and Hawaii could face its largest waves since 1964, according to Charles McCreery, Director of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
A huge wave swept into a populated area in the Robinson Crusoe Islands, 660 km off the Chilean coast, President Michelle Bachelet said, but there were no immediate reports of major damage. Ms. Bachelet had no information on the number of people injured. She declared a state of catastrophe in central Chile. tututu
Mr. Netanyahu had come under pressure from Israeli rightists to include the two shrines. He said the list of sites submitted to the Cabinet was neither final nor closed. But the announcement drew sharp criticism from Palestinian officials and the Fatah party, led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. tututu
ISRAEL'S PLAN STIRS UNREST

Scores of Palestinians clashed with Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Hebron, a day after Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to include two hotly contested sites a Hebron shrine and a tomb in another West Bank city on a list of Israeli national heritage sites. Both sit in areas that Israel controls and that the Palestinians demand as part of the territory of a future state, and both have been focal points of past violence. Their inclusion in the Israeli list enraged Palestinian leaders and prompted the U.N. special coordinator for West Asia to express concern. The Israeli military said one soldier in Hebron was lightly wounded by rocks hurled by Palestinians. There were no reports of injuries on the Palestinian side. Mr. Netanyahu laid out a $100-million government plan to rehabilitate what he called ar chaeological and Zionist heritage sites , during a special Cabinet meeting held in northern Israel at Tel Hai, the scene of a 1920 battle between Arabs and early Zionist settlers. He said he intended to include the Cave of the Patriarchs, also known as Ibrahimi Mosque, the Hebron shrine revered by Jews, Muslims and Christians as the burial place of Abraham, on the list of about 150 sites. In 1994, a Jewish settler, Baruch Goldstein, fatally shot 29 Palestinian Muslim worshippers inside the shrine. Mr. Netanyahu said he also planned to include Rachel's Tomb, a shrine just inside the West Bank city of Bethlehem. P eople must be familiar with their homeland and its cultural and historical vistas, he told the Cabinet. This is what we will instill in this and coming generations, to the glory if I may say of the Jewish people.
INDIA-BANGLADESH POWER PLANT DEAL

India and Bangladesh have decided to set up a joint-venture 1,320-megawatt power plant as a mark of co-operation. The two neighbours have also agreed to a cross-border power grid. The joint-venture power plant, to be constructed in southern Khulna in Bangladesh, will be operational within two years. The decisions were taken at the second meeting of the Bangladesh-India Joint Steering Committee on the power sector which was formed during Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent visit to New Delhi. Bangladesh Power Secretary, Abul Kalam Azad, who led the host team in the talks, said the two countries had finalised the details of the grid and reached a broad agreement on building the coal-fired plant. The two-unit power plant (660mw each) will cost about $1.8 billion. The cooperation will facilitate Bangladesh's import of 250 mw to meet the power demand. Power Secretary, HS Brahma said India was offering the cheapest rates varying between Rs 2 and Rs 2.5 (Tk 3-3.5). India's National Thermal Power Cooperation (NTPC) and the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) signed the MoUs. Mr. Brahma told journalists that the project required 130km grid connectivity 85km in India and 45km in Bangladesh. The grid costs will be shared proportionately Tk 1100 crore by Bangladesh and about Tk 200 crore by India. Mr. Azad said the cost was comparatively higher for Bangladesh as we have to set up a Hi-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) sub-station on our side . The capacity of the transmission will be increased as we plan to import more electricity from India in the next phase.
IRAN COULD BE MAKING NUCLEAR WARHEAD: IAEA

The United Nation's nuclear watchdog has raised concerns for the first time that Iran might be developing a nuclear warhead for a missile.
BRETT LEE RETIRES FROM TEST CRICKET

Tired of battling one injury breakdown after another and to prolong his international limited-over cricket career, Australian pacer Brett Lee announced his retirement from the test cricket. Announcing his retirement, 33-year-old Lee said that he was retiring from this (test) form of the game so that he can preserve his body and continue to represent his country.
In his first report on Iran, new Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano, broke with the more cautious style of his predecessor, Mohamed ElBaradei and suggested Iran could have looked into the construction of a weapon, and that weaponisation work could be under way. Mr. Amano's report to the IAEA board also confirmed that Iran had succeeded in producing 20 per cent enriched uranium, a level of enrichment much closer to weapons grade than it had attempted before. It criticised the Iranian authorities for taking the step without giving IAEA inspectors notice. Iran's envoy to the IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, said the report confirmed Iran's peaceful nuclear activities . But Mr. Amano's comments on the possible military dimensions of the programme are likely to add to the diplomatic pressure on Tehran, as they go further than the official position of U.S. intelligence, that weaponisation work is likely to have been suspended in 2003. Britain, France and Germany have all distanced themselves from the U.S. assessment, and their intelligence agencies now believe that even if Iranian work on warhead design did stop, it has now resumed. American officials have said informally they agree with that conclusion but have yet to update their official position. The report said the IAEA's information raises concerns about the possible existence in Iran of past or current undisclosed activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile . The wording goes much further than earlier reports by Mr. ElBaradei, who repeatedly refrained from explicitly spelling out the implications of evidence on weaponsbuilding his inspectors had gathered. The Foreign Office said, The IAEA's charge sheet against Iran is getting longer and longer with each report.
Lee, who has been bothered by injuries which have restricted him to 76 tests since his debut in 1999-2000, has not played any test since January 2009.Presently, he is nursing an elbow injury. The Australian fast bowler, fourth on the all-time list of Australian wicket-takers after Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Dennis Lille, had claimed 310 test wickets at an average of 30.81. An Australian newspaper had reported that Lee had discussed the matter with Flintoff, and the star English allrounder had convinced him to give up the five-day format for a longer stint in ODIs and Twenty20s. tututu
INCHEON AIRPORT NAMED WORLD'S BEST FOR 5TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Incheon International Airport, the gateway to South Korean capital Seoul, has been chosen as the world's best airport for the fifth straight year in the latest customer satisfaction survey conducted by the Airports Council International, the airport said in a statement. Incheon International Airport topped the ACI's Airport Service Quality survey for the fifth year in a row, defeating about 1,700 airports in 181 countries worldwide, said the statement. It is the first time that a single airport has secured the top post in the ACI's Airport Service Quality survey for five consecutive years. Dubai International Airport in the UAE had topped the ACI survey for three consecutive years in the past.
The ACI annually lists the top 108 airports worldwide with points awarded on the basis of a survey of passengers on 34 aspects of service, operation and facilities. Incheon also claimed the top prizes in three other categories in the ACI survey, namely Best Airport Worldwide, Best Airport in the mid to large range and Best Airport in Asia-Pacific, the statement said. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place at the ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly, Conference and Exhibition scheduled for 13th May in Hainan, China. tututu
INDO-US N-DEAL TO BOOST ECONOMIC TIES

Meera Shankar, Indian Ambassador to US, has said in New York on Feb 21that the Indo-US Civil nuclear deal will boost bilateral economic ties. Addressing a gathering, Shankar described the relations between New Delhi and Washington as attaining unpr ecedented progress. The envoy said the civil nuclear agreement is a symbol of and instrument for the transformation in our relationship. Shankar noted that the deal would boost bilateral economic ties and also address our shared concerns on energy security and climate change. She further said that India would increase nuclear energy generation from 4,000 MW at present to 20,000 MW by 2020. India is today the most competitive producer of small nuclear power plants, she said. As worldwide interest in nuclear energy revives, including the US, India looks forward to building productive international partnerships in this field, she added. tututu
PAK SAYS INDIA CAN DIVERT N-FUEL

Pakistan said it feared India could make 100 nuclear warheads a year by diverting fissile material transferred from the United States and other powers. Zamir Akram, Pakistan's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, said civilian n u c l e a r a g re e m e n t s w e re providing its rival, whose arsenals are larger, with the transfer of unlimited amounts of fissile material. Safeguards arrangements contained in bilateral agreements, aimed at preventing diversion of highly enriched uranium and plutonium stocks to weapons production, were not foolproof , he told the U.N. backed Conference on Disarmament. There is every danger that imported fissile material designated for civilian use will be secretly diverted for weaponsmaking purposes as was done in the past. In such a situation, the annual production of weapons can be as much as 100 nuclear warheads, Akram said in a speech. India's disarmament ambassador, Hamid Ali Rao dismissed Akram's remarks as gratuitous and unfounded. We urge the Pakistani delegation to avoid bringing up extraneous issues designed to create obstacles in the path of the conference on disarmament getting down to serious and substantive work, Rao said in a speech. Pakistan has blocked the start of negotiations at the 65member conference on banning production of fissile material, arguing that would put it at a permanent disadvantage to India, with which it has fought three wars since independence in 1947.
JAPAN TAKES UP CHAIRMANSHIP OF 2010 APEC FORUM

Japan formally took up its chairmanship of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum for 2010 as senior officials from the 21 member economies gathered in Hiroshima to discuss freer trade and investment in the region. The two-day talks come ahead of a series of APEC ministerial meetings during the year and centre on preparatory dialogues to lay the groundwork for APEC leaders to issue an annual joint statement at their summit in November in Yokohama. Their priority issues include making efforts to create a region-wide free trade zone and develop a strategy for the economic growth of APEC as a whole, while the forum, established in 1989, will assess the extent to which its developed members have achieved its Bogor Goals of trade and investment liberalization, set 16 years ago.
As for the potential free trade zone, the senior officials are set to discuss how to explore possible pathways to a Free Trade Area in the Asia Pacific, building on existing analytical studies. It is uncertain, however, how fast they can build a consensus for the FTA AP (Free Trade Area Asia Pacific) as some officials say APEC is too vast an economic bloc to agree on a single opinion, and that some members, especially China, remain cautious toward the United States establishing a strong foothold in Asia. APEC, which accounts for half the world's global economic output and 44 percent of its trade value, also involves Russia, Australia and Singapore. tututu
We have to continue with our efforts to minimize the number of civilian casualties, he said. The NATO Chief called Taliban as the enemies of Afghanistan and blamed them for the civilian causalities. And it's not just me saying this. I base this on statistics from the United Nations, he said. A huge majority of civilian casualties are caused by the Taliban and we also know that the Taliban use or misuse women and children, innocent civilians, as a human shield on roofs, in windows and otherwise. So they don't care and we have to take that into consideration as well, the NATO Chief said. Rassmussen hailed Europe and North America as unique when it came to open rules-based trade between like-minded democracies. Afghanistan is the best demonstration. All 28 allies are in this mission together. Many have taken serious casualties. The five nations with the highest casualty figures per capita are Denmark, Estonia, the UK, Canada and the United States, and in that order, Rasmussen said. tututu
INDIA AND CHINA ARE RISING STARS OF 21ST CENTURY: NATO CHIEF
Describing India and China as two rising stars of this century, a top NATO official has said that there is a need for the alliance to reach out to the Asian giants. I believe we should reach out to the rising stars of this century, such as China and India, where we have common security interests, NATO Secretary General, Anders Rasmussen said in his address to the Center for New American Security, a Washington-based think tank at the Georgetown University. We are pushing ahead with the transformation of our military forces to make them more flexible and more usable, he said. Rasmussen said a group of strategic experts, led by former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, is working on the new security guidelines for the next 10 years, which is expected to be ready by the end of April. Their report will provide the baseline for NATO's internal deliberations. At our next summit in Lisbon in November, we will publish the new strategic concept. The development of our new strategy is the most open and inclusive process ever in the history of the alliance, he said. On the NATO operation in Afghanistan, Rasmussen said the troops have succeeded in reducing the number of civilian casualties significantly in the recent year.
VIKTOR YANUKOVYCH SWORN IN AS UKRAINE PRESIDENT

Viktor Yanukovych, the opposition leader who won Ukraine's recent election, has been inaugurated as the country's new President. His electoral opponent, Prime Minister, Yu l i a Ty m o s h e n ko , s a i d t h a t M r Yanukovych won through fraud and refuses to recognise his victory. Both Mrs Tymoshenko and the outgoing President, Viktor Yushchenko, did not attend the ceremony in Kiev. International observers have said the February poll was conducted fairly. Mr Yanukovych beat Mrs Tymoshenko in the run-off by 3.5%. He won the support of only about a third of Ukraine's 37 million eligible voters. He is the first Ukrainian President to have been backed by fewer than 50% of those who voted. Despite this, his victory marked a comeback from humiliation five years ago when mass street protests - known as the Orange Revolution - overturned a presidential election that had been rigged in his favour.
US SAYS NO TO NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TO PAK

The US has categorically told Pakistan that it would not get any atomic power plant or civilian nuclear deal on the lines of the one signed with India. The United States is working closely with Pakistan to help meet its growing needs. Nuclear power is not currently part of our discussions, a senior Administration official told. The senior Administration official, preferring anonymity, said the US has also told Pakistan that there is no way that they can get a civilian nuclear deal similar to the one the Obama Administration has signed with India. The Indo-US civilian nuclear deal is specific to India only and there is no thinking going on in the administration to create a template for it, the official said. Moreover, given the past experiences that the US had with Pakistan on nuclear proliferation issue and the episode of disgraced Pakistani scientist A Q Khan accused of transferring sensitive technologies abroad, the official said both the top American lawmakers and those in the US Government have serious concerns about the safety of Pakistani nuclear weapons.
Under these circumstances, it is quite difficult to consider "that (nuclear power)" option for Pakistan, the officials pointed out.
In 2009, Sir David had said the army s role would evolve but Britain would be providing governance, development or security for three or four decades. While he welcomed the extra resources that had been made available by the government, Sir David admitted that British forces had been deprived of key equipment for several years. Sir David, however, warned of the dangers of failure in Afghanistan. I do not think we can afford to fail in Afghanistan because of the intoxicating effect failure will have on those militants who oppose democracy and our freedom, he said. The Taliban is now beginning to realise that they can lose this war, which was not the view they had a year ago. We have to reinforce the view that they can, and will, be beaten, he added. tututu
507-CARAT ROUGH DIAMOND SELLS FOR RECORD USD 35 MILLION

A 507-carat diamond as big as a chicken's egg has been sold for USD 35.3 million , breaking the record for the highest price ever paid for a rough diamond, the supplier has said. The stone, which weighs just over 100 grams was estimated to be among the world's top 20 high-quality rough diamonds. It was discovered in September at South Africa's Cullinan mine. London-listed diamond supplier, Petra Diamonds Ltd said the gem was purchased by Hong Kong-based private jewellry retailer, Chow Tai Fook Jewelry Company Ltd. The price reflected the incredible rarity of the diamond, which combines its remarkable size with exceptional color and clarity, and at 507.5 carats it is the 19th largest gem diamond ever discovered, Petra CEO, Johan Dippenaar said in a statement. "It has the potential to produce one of the world's most important polished gems," he added.
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BRITISH TROOPS TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM AFGHANISTAN BY 2015

British Army Chief, General Sir David Richards has said that the country s troops could be withdrawn from Afghanistan within five years, as they have reached a turning point in the battle against the Taliban. He also indicated that the troop numbers could begin to decline as early as next year. We expect the military conflict to trail off in 2011. The combat role will start to decline in 2011, but we will remain militarily engaged in training and support roles for another five years, and we will remain in a support role for many years to come, Sir David, said. His assessment comes just seven months after warning that Britain s mission in Afghanistan could last for up to 40 years.
The Cullinan mine in South Africa, was sold by De Beers SA to a consortium led by Petra in 2007 for USD 148 million. The mine has turned out some of the world's largest gems, including the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond that was cut to form the 530-carat Great Star of Africa and the 317-carat Lesser Star of Africa set in the Crown Jewels of Britain. tututu
Beijing has in recent years begun enlisting the Panchen Lama in its campaign to vilify the Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 and is portrayed by China as the dictatorial head of a corrupt regime. China claims Tibet has been a part of its territory for centuries, although many Tibetans say they were effectively independent for most of that time. tututu
PANCHEN LAMA NAMED TO TOP ADVISORY BODY IN CHINA

The Panchen Lama, the young man enthroned by Beijing as the second-highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism, has joined China's top legislative advisory body. The 20-year-old Panchen Lama, whose name is Gyaltsen Norbu, is emerging as Beijing's choice to supplant the Dalai Lama as the public face of Tibetan Buddhism and has taken on an increasingly political role in recent years. He has made appearances with Communist Party leaders and publicly praised Chinese rule in Tibet. The Panchen Lama was among 13 people named to the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the news agency reported. The CPPCC, whose annual session kicks off, is made up of about 2,200 business leaders, religious figures, academics and celebrities. It serves in an advisory capacity to the National People's Congress, China's largely ceremonial legislature. Despite Beijing's backing, Gyaltsen Norbu is not widely accepted by Tibetans as the Panchen Lama, a figure that has traditionally advised and worked with the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism's supreme leader. Another boy, Gendun Choekyi Nyima, was named as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama by the Dalai Lama in 1995. The boy and his family, who is from a remote part of Chinese-controlled Tibet, disappeared soon after and have not been heard since.
NASA RADAR ON CHANDRAYAAN-I DETECTS ICE DEPOSITS ON MOON

In a major finding by NASA, 40 ice-filled craters were detected in the moon's North Pole by scientist after using data from a NASA radar that flew aboard India's Chandrayaan-I. More than 40 small craters with water ice were found on the NASA's Mini-SAR instrument, lightweight, synthetic aperture radar. The discovery of ice deposits in more than 40 craters in the moon's North Pole by NASA's Miniature Synthetic Aperture Radar (Mini-SAR) forms a positive direction for future explorations with respect to lunar resources and pursuit of pure science, according to M. Annadurai, Project Director, Chandrayaan-1 and 2. The Mini-SAR is one of the 11 scientific instruments that flew on board India's Chandrayaan-1. NASA's Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3), which was another instrument on board Chandrayaan-1, had earlier indicated that water was getting formed even in the sun-lit regions, he said. J.N. Goswami, Principal Scientist, Chandrayaan-1, described the latest discovery as an interesting and new result. He said, It is quite interesting from our perspective. We thought it would be there, and it is there. I am confident that whatever signals we are getting are correct. The size of the craters varied from 2 to 15 km in diameter. Estimating nearly 600 million metric tons of water ice in the craters, NASA statement said that the finding would give future missions a new target to further explore and exploit.
Profile
Uday Kotak:
Deal maker
here are quite a few more billionaires in the world than you may think. Every country seems to have their fair share. Even though this is the case the economy has been rough on everyone, including the billionaires. They lost money as well but perhaps they did not feel it as much. India boosts a ver y successful entrepreneur who drudged up the determination and passion to take a business and turn it into a billion dollar operation. His name is Uday Kotak. He is 50 years of age and he is a self-made billionaire. He made his money in one of the most risky businesses of all, investment banking. He became the pride of Mumbai and turned finance in India upside down and inside out. This young man who grew up in India living on hopes and dreams became a magnate in banking and achieved success beyond his wildest dreams. Uday Kotak is an Indian businessman. He is the Vice-Chairman and managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Bank. In 2005, he was ranked among India's richest people by Forbes magazine. Uday graduated from the Sydenham College in Mumbai. He also attended the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies in Mumbai. After college he joined with a tycoon who made his fortune in tractors and created a finance company. Over the years the company would adapt to offering new financial options such as bill discounting and auto finance. In 1991 his company took control of FICOM a major marketing network in retail. The very next year they jumped into Funds Syndication. By 1995 the company began to divide into divisions. The Banking division for investments became Kotak Mahindra Capitol Company. In 1998 he begins the mutual market fund in an asset management company. A few years later and they were in the life insurance business as well. The same year they launched their first brokerage site online. In 2003 the finance company changed over to a commercial bank. The next year he created the India Growth Fund. This is a private equity program. In 2005, a real estate fund was incorporated. He continued to maintain a wide range of financial options for those who desire it.
Over the past 22 years, he has built a team of professionals who have been given independent charge of various businesses in Kotak Mahindra group. He was responsible for starting the business as a start-up venture in a limited range of activities and then building it up into a full financial s e r v i c e s g ro u p , m a n y o f t h e constituents of which are among the players in their respective fields. He is also on the Board of Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) and Indian Institute of Banking and Finance. He is on the Board of the following companies; Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, Indian Institute of Banking & Finance, Indian School of Business, Kotak Forex Brokerage Limited, Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Limited etc. Mr. Uday Kotak is also a member of the Investor Relations (Shareholders'/ Investor Grievance) Committee of the Bank, Chairman of the Audit Committees of Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited and Kotak Securities Limited and member of the Audit Committee of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Limited. His financial empire has won numerous awards over recent years. Some of the awards were for being one of the best employers in India. Others were for being the best local bank. He took a small finance company and turned it into a financial conglomerate. That is why he is considered one of the most successful entrepreneurs of his generation. He was part of the financial change in India and he paved the way for many of the alterations. His passion for finance was equaled for the last quarter of a century in his country. He introduced the world of investments and financial options to India in an entirely new way. Uday Kotak has amassed an enormous fortune which is self made.With an estimated current net worth of around $2.2 billion, he was ranked by Forbes (2007) as the 444th-richest person in the world.
Major news stories
Rail Budget 2010
nion Railways Minister, Mamata Banerjee on Fe b r u a r y 2 4 , 2 0 1 0 presented the Rail Budget for the next fiscal in the Lok Sabha, with a special focus on the PSUs network expansion, while leaving the passenger fares and freight rates untouched. Mamata also emphasised on her ministrys commitment to social responsibility and ruled out privatisation of the PSU. She added that the main aim of Railways is to unite the country through rail connectivity. She announced 54 new trains, six long and four short route Duronto trains and 100 new suburban services for Mumbai. On the rail Safety front she said all the 13,000 unmanned level crossings will be manned in next five years and announced creation of Women Wing of Railway Protection Force. On the passenger amenities front she announced Eticketing centres till village panchayat level. Minister also said six water bottling plants for safe drinking water will be constructed. For fast train services she announced creation of National High Speed Rail authority for six high speed passenger corridors. While ruling out any forcible acquisition of land for freight corridor projects she allowed private operators to run special freight trains.
In employees welfare the Minister said all Railway employees will be provided houses in next 10 years. She also announced 500 new hospitals and diagnostic centre for employees. Mamata Banerjee also stressed that out of 120 trains announced in last budget, only three remained to be flagged off. In a budget which she claimed was focused on ''aam aadmi' (common man), she said a special task force would be set up to clear Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) proposals in Railways within 100 days. One thousand km rail lines will be completed in one year and a special drive will be launched for passenger amenities, she said. However, the Railways has decided to sign pacts with the Health and HRD Ministries to develop medical and educational facilities on the railway land. Highlights of the proposals in the Rail budget
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94 stations to be upgraded in one year. 117 new trains will be flagged off by March. 25,000 route kms by 2020. Since independence, only 10, 419 km added to existing railway network Railway Minister appeals to business houses to join hands for building partnership with Railways. Indian Railways to be lead partner for Commonwealth Games Railway Protection Force to be strengthened through amendments in RPF Act; women's wing to be formed in RPF to ensure security of women.
H H H H H H H H H H
Ex-servicemen to be inducted in RPF. Railways to set up Rabindra Museum in Howrah and Geetanjali Museum in Bolpur both in West Bengal to commemorate Rabindranath Tagore's 150th birth anniversary. Railways to enhance contribution to central staff benefit fund. Centre for Railway Research to be set up at IIT-Kharagpur. Chittaranjan Locomotive Works capacity to be augmented from 200 to 275 engines a year. Work on Rae Bareli Coach Factory in Uttar Pradesh to start within a year. Wagon Repair Shop to be set up in Badnera near Amravati in Maharashtra. Integral Coach Factory in Chennai to be modernised and a new unit to be set up there. If land is available, Railways is willing to set up a Diesel Multiple Unit factory in West Bengal, said Banerjee. No forcible acquisition of land for freight corridor project. One member of each family of land losers to be given employment in the freight corridor as also in the new projects, says Banerjee.
H H H H H H H H H H H
Railways to develop ten automobile hubs. High-speed dedicated passenger corridors to be constructed; National High Speed Rail Authority to be set up. Revenue from non-core business of Railways to go up from Rs 150 crore to Rs 1,000 crore. Despite slowdown, Railways to exceed freight loading target by eight million tonnes during 2009-10. Freight loading target for 2010-11 fixed at 944 million tonnes, 54 million tonnes more than the current year's revised target. Gross traffic receipt for 2010-11 pegged at Rs 94,765 crore. Allocation for construction of new lines increased from Rs 2848 crore to Rs 4411 crore. Rs 1,302 crore provided for passenger amenities in the 2010-11 railway budget against Rs 923 crore last year. Railways to have master plan for North Eastern region. Special train between India and Bangladesh to be started to commemorate 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. 101 additional services to start on Mumbai suburban railways.
H H H H H H H H H
Brand Trivia: Nivea

Nivea is a skin and body-care brand owned by the German company Beiersdorf.
The company began in 1911 when stable emulsion of its kind. The company's owner,
Beiersdorf developed a water-in-oil emulsifier as a skin cream with Eucerit,
the
first
Oskar Troplowitz, named it Nivea, from the Latin word meaning snow-white. Hans Rudi Erdt who designed the poster With the
Dr. Oscar Troplowitz had acquired Beiersdorf in Hamburg, Germany, from its founder Paul C. Beiersdorf in 1890.
The first advertisement of Nivea was created by the famous poster artist
likeness of a Lady in 1912.

In 1927, as opposed to the trend in large parts of the western world where tanned skin was considered fashionable, the people in Asia were favouring a pale, white complexion. In 1937,
A Nivea Whitening Paste was meant for users in Japan.

added to them. These calendars became extremely
Nivea advertisements "Nivea"
had the
current weather forecast
popular, in spite of the information not being binding! The trademark was expropriated in many countries following
WWII.
Beiersdorf completed buying back the
confiscated trademark rights in 1997. Nivea Soft ran a
'Simply Beautiful' contest in India.
Profile
Shashi and Ravi Ruia

he Ruias have entered the Forbes list of the 10 richest Indians for the first time with a wealth of $12 billion, and are at the seventh spot. The Essar Group was founded over three decades ago by the Ruia family. The Ruias have been in business since the 1800s. Essar Chairman Shashi Ruia recently remarked about the entrepreneurial spirit that runs in the family: 'I am not just an MBA, but also an MBB (Marwari by birth). In 1969, following their father Nand Kishore Ruia's death, Shashi and Ravi Ruia took over the group. Soon, they transformed a small family business into a diversified corporation dealing in shipping, steel, oil and gas, and telecom. In 2007, the brothers earned $6.3 billion selling their 33 per cent stake in Hutchison-Essar to Vodafone. Shashi Ruia has been instrumental in the company's foray into several new businesses like steel, power, construction, shipping, oil & gas. Ravi Ruia is known for his entrepreneurial skills, innovative spirit and an eye for detail that has enabled the Essar group gain global recognition. Essar is the fourth largest industrial house in India in terms of assets. Ravi Ruia, Vice Chairman, Essar Group, belongs to the generation of industrialists who have played a significant role in leading India's industrial renaissance. He is a Mechanical Engineer by profession and passed out of Anna University in Chennai, India. He has played an important role in steering the Essar Group to its pre-eminent position. Engineers by training, his entrepreneurial abilities have enabled the Essar Group to become one of the leading names in global industry, with a firm value of approximately USD 50 billion. The Essar Group is a diversified business corporation with a balanced portfolio of assets in the manufacturing and services sectors of Steel, Energy, Power, Communications, Shipping Ports & Logistics, Construction and Mining & Minerals. Essar employs more than 50,000 people across offices in Asia, Africa, Europe and
America. Mr Ruia began his career in the family business in 1969 and has ever since worked together with his elder brother, Shashi Ruia, toward steering the Essar Group to its current position of preeminence. Mr Ruia is the architect of the consolidation of Essar's businesses through backward and forward integration. The Ruia family's origins are in Rajasthan. Sometime in the 19th century, it moved to Mumbai and set up its own business. In 1956, Shri Nandkishore Ruia, father to Shri Shashi and Ravi Ruia, moved to Chennai, capital of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, to begin independent business activities. He mentored his two sons in the intricacies of business. When Shri Nandkishore Ruia passed away in 1969, the brothers laid the foundation of the Group. The Essar Group began its operations with the construction of an outer breakwater in Chennai port. It quickly moved to capitalise on every emerging business opportunity, becoming India's first private company to buy a tanker in 1976. The Group also invested in a diverse shipping fleet and oil rigs, when the Government of India opened up the shipping and drilling businesses to private players in the 1980s. Then, in the 1990s, Essar began its steelmaking business by setting up India's first sponge iron plant in Hazira, a coastal town in the western Indian state of Gujarat. The Group went on to build a pellet plant in Visakhapatnam and eventually a fully integrated steel plant in Hazira. Through the 1990s, with the gradual liberalisation of the Indian economy, Essar seized every opportunity that came its way. It diversified its shipping fleet, started oil & gas exploration and production, laid the foundation of its oil refinery at Vadinar, Gujarat, and set up a power plant near the steel complex in Hazira. The Construction business helped the Group build most of its business assets. Essar also entered the GSM telephony business, establishing India's first mobile phone service in Delhi (branded Essar Cellphone) with Swiss PTT as the joint venture partner. The 21st century for the Essar Group has been all about consolidating and growing the businesses, with M&As, new revenue streams and strategic geographical expansion. Today, they are proud to offer their guidance by being mentor and guide to several of India's young entrepreneurs.
opinion
On the Union Budget 2010
A job well done, . You must look at the total picture emerging from the budget. The net revenue gain for the Finance Minister is only Rs.20,000 crore. In an economy as large as India, this resource mobilisation effort and balance should not trigger any inflationary expectation. At the same time, it gives the muscle needed. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister, India It is a very balanced and responsible budget. The growth will continue with this Budget. The changes in Income Tax slabs are a welcome step. Venu Srinivasan, President, CII
Higher outlay for NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) is a good move. Kalpana Morparia, JP Morgan
There is no relief for the poor and the farmers. The fuel hike will indirectly add to the burden of the people, Sushma Swaraj, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
Dada (Pranab Mukherjee) and Didi (Mamata Banerjee) have failed the people. Both are concerned only about West Bengal. The county had seen Didi a few days back. Today it also saw Dada. They did not do anything for Bihar, which was neglected in both budgets. Government which cannot check price is incompetent and an incompetent government has to be changed.
Sinha said that the hike in indirect taxes and petroleum prices will have a huge cascading effect on the economy. If the people of India are perturbed, disturbed and upset about this price rise, then we cannot sit there like school kids and hail the government, which is adding to that price rise. Yashwant Sinha, Former Finance Minister, Member of BJP
Lalu Prasad Yadav, Chief, RJD
The Union Budget guarantees social justice and economic development. I commend him (Pranab Mukherjee) for giving priority to education, people's welfare and infrastructure.
M Karunanidhi, Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu
Budget 2010-11 is judiciously balancedOn the hike in excise duty on petroleum products levied in the Budget was the right thing to do. I don't think the hike will stroke inflation. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission.
This is not a budget for the common people. This will only lead to more trouble for them as they are reeling under price rise, Sharad Yadav, JD-U President
I think its a big positive in terms of fiscal deficit as well as the vision to bring down fiscal deficit in the following year from 5.5% to 4.8% and then down to 4.1%.
Uday Kotak, VC & MD, Kotak Mahindra Bank
The Finance Minister has done a good in balancing job... He has been able to contain the fiscal deficit at 6.9 per cent, which is very good. Harshpati Singhania, Ex. President, FICCI
We would have been much happier if the MAT had not been increased. While reduction on surcharge is welcome, increase in MAT is a disappointment. Rajan Mittal, Vice Chairman, Bharti Enterprises (Now President, FICCI)
Google buys photo editing site Picnik
nternet giant Google Inc has acquired online photo-editing site Picnik, a website that allows users to edit and store photos online. Brian Axe, a Google Product Management Director, said, We're excited to announce that Google has acquired Picnik, one of the first sites to bring photo editing to the cloud.
Google did not disclose the financial terms of the deal for Picnik. Axe further said, Google would not be announcing any significant changes to Picnik today, though we'll be working hard on integration and new features. Google would continue supporting all existing Picnik partners, he added. Picnik allows users to import photos from other services such as Picasa, Flickr and Facebook. In a blog post, Picnik said it had 20 employees and receives millions of visitors a month. Under the Google roof we'll reach more people than ever before, impacting more lives and making more photos more awesome, Picnik added.
Summer Olympic Logos
Paris 1924
Los Angeles 1932
Berlin 1936
London 1948
Helsinki Summer 1952
Melbourne- Stockholm 1956
Rome 1960
Tokyo 1964
Mexico 1968
Munich 1972
Montreal 1976
Moscow 1980
Los Angeles 1984
Seoul 1988
Barcelona 1992
Atlanta 1996
Sydney 2000
Athens 2004
Beijing 2008
London 2012
Winter Olympic Logos
Lake Placid(USA), 1932
Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany), 1936
St. Moritz(Switzerland), 1948
Oslo(Norway), 1952
Cortina dAmpezzo ( Italy), 1956
Squaw Valley(USA), 1960
Innsbruck(Austria), 1964
Grenoble(France), 1968
Sapporo(Japan), 1972
Innsbruck, 1976
Lake Placid, 1980
Sarajevo(Yugoslavia), 1984
Calgary(Canada), 1988
Albertville(France), 1992
Lillehammer(Norway), 1994
Nagano(Japan), 1998
Salt Lake City(USA), 2002

Turin(Italy), 2006
Vancouver(Canada), 2010
Sochi(Russia), 2014
Brand icon
Mc. Donalds
cDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving nearly 47 million customers daily. A McDonald's restaurant is operated by a franchisee, an affiliate, or the corporation itself. The corporation's revenues come from the rent, royalties and fees paid by the franchisees, as well as sales in company-operated restaurants. McDonald's revenues grew 27% over the three years ending in 2007 to $22.8 billion, and 9% growth in operating income to $3.9 billion. McDonald's primarily sells hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken products, french fries, breakfast items, soft drinks, milkshakes, and desserts. In response to obesity trends in Western nations and in the face of criticism over the healthiness of its products, the company has modified its menu to include healthier alternatives such as salads, wraps and fruit. The business began in 1940, with a restaurant opened by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California. Their introduction of the "Speedee Service System" in 1948 established the principles of the modern fast-food restaurant. The original mascot of McDonald's was a man with a chef's hat on top of a hamburger shaped head whose name was "Speedee." Speedee was eventually replaced with Ronald McDonald by 1967 when the company first filed a U.S. trademark on a clown shaped man having a puffed out costume legs. McDonald's first filed for a U.S. trademark on the name McDonald's on May 4, 1961, with the description "Drive-In Restaurant Services", which continues to be renewed through the end of December 2009. In the same year, on September 13, 1961, the company filed a logo trademark on an overlapping, double arched "M" symbol. The overlapping double arched "M" symbol logo was temporarily disfavored by September 6, 1962, when a trademark was filed for a single arch, shaped over many of the early McDonald's restaurants in the early years. The modern double arched "M" symbol that continues to be in use today at McDonald's restaurants did not appear until November 18, 1968, when the company filed a U.S. trademark on the now famous symbol that continues to be in use through the end of the year 2009. The first McDonald's restaurants
opened in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Panama, Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, France, El Salvador and Sweden, in order of openings. The present corporation dates its founding to the opening of a franchised restaurant by Ray Kroc, in Des Plaines, Illinois, on April 15, 1955 , the ninth McDonald's restaurant overall. Kroc later purchased the McDonald brothers' equity in the company and led its worldwide expansion, and the company became listed on the public stock markets in 1965. McDonald's Corporation earns revenue as an investor in properties, a franchiser of restaurants, and an operator of restaurants. Approximately 15% of McDonald's restaurants are owned and operated by McDonald's Corporation directly. The remainder is operated by others through a variety of franchise agreements and joint ventures. The UK business model is different, in that fewer than 30% of restaurants are franchised, with the majority under the ownership of the company. McDonald's trains its franchisees and others at Hamburger University in Oak Brook, Illinois. McDonald's has become emblematic of globalization, sometimes referred to as the "McDonaldization"of society.
Current events
Business and economy

MICROSOFT UNVEILS WINDOWS PHONE 7
Software giant Microsoft announced that its Windows phone 7 operating system for mobile phones will be available by this Christmas season, as a whole new platform that incorporates social networking, music, video, photos and games to provide a rich, personalised user experience. At the Mobile World Congress that opened in Barcelona, Microsofts Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer unveiled the features that the Windows Phone 7 to be manufactured to specifications laid down by the company, will offer. The phones will support the capacitive touch interface now popular with users, and revolve around the concept of hubs onscreen for people, pictures, office and mail applications, music and video. Making the hubs the core of the navigation system, with dedicated keys for start, search and back the most frequently used functions and providing the ability to display configurable individual tiles on the display screen for the people and applications that matter most to the individual user will differentiate, in Microsofts view, the Windows Phone 7 from the personal computer, and other phones. Thus, a user can feature tiles for individuals, which would show connected activity for them on Facebook, Windows Live and so on. Full-featured synchronisation and integration capabilities with other Microsoft products such as Office, Outlook, the music player Zune and the gaming platform X-Box Live has been built into the new system. It is tightly knit with services such as Bing, the search engine for which the company is strengthening its database and map utility. The mobile browser for the phone is built on the desktop Internet Explorer code, aimed at making for a good web browsing experience with the vast majority of existing websites. A major area that Microsoft is focusing on is active collaboration with hardware manufacturers, to bring about consistency of performance. It has laid down minimum standards for the phones. At the same time, Mr. Ballmer said, it wants diversity and innovation in the form, feel and industrial design of the phones. In the case of developers, a rich kit is being provided to encourage development on the scale that was witnessed for operating systems for computers. Highlighting the features of the Windows Phone 7, Joe Belfiore, Vice-President, Windows Phone Program, said the phone was not a personal computer, was much more personal and lifestyle-oriented, and the new platform had been designed with that fundamental philosophy in mind. Microsoft hopes that the new platform will give it a solid footing in the fast-growing smartphone market, through a series of partnerships with hardware manufacturers including LG, Samsung, HTC, HP Dell, Sony Ericsson and Toshiba, and , technology companies such as Qualcomm. It has been working on similar collaborations with mobile operators for services. Andrew Lees, Senior Vice-President, Microsoft Mobile Communications Business, said over one billion phones were sold every year, and there was a massive shift to the smart phone segment. tututu
TCS, WIPRO EYE UK CLOUD COMPUTING DEAL

Indian Information Technology companies Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro are among the 37 global organisations, including IBM and HP vying for the UK , government's cloud computing project.
Cloud is a metaphor for internet, and the project also involves building a dozen secured data centres, each priced at pound 250 million. Out of the total project, the cloud component alone is valued at pound 300 million, or Rs 2,200 crore (Rs 22 billion). Currently, the UK central government, along with its police forces and local authorities, use 500 data centres. The government alone operates 130 data centres, which it plans to reduce to 10-12. The effort, it is said, will reduce the government's IT infrastructure cost by pound 300 million every year. The cloud project is the key enabler for the UK government's 3.2 billion of savings every year outlined in the "Operational Efficiency Programme". Once ready, it will provide a single access point for information and communication technology services, applications and assets of the government. "Under the auspices of 'Intellect' (a trade body representing the UK technology industry), Wipro is working with major IT players to support the government's strategic assessment of cloud computing potential to reduce costs and improve services. Within a multi-strand programme of work, Wipro is contributing to the business case and service delivery aspects of the study, deploying its own experience of developing an internal cloud approach," said Geoff Llewellyn, Director of UK Public Sector, Wipro Technologies. For both TCS and Wipro, the UK is an important market. In Europe, the UK is the only country that embraced outsourcing and offshoring quite early. Europe's contribution to TCS' revenue was 26.4 per cent for the quarter ended December 31, 2009, of which 16 per cent was from the UK. For Wipro, Europe contributed 21 per cent. Analysts expect Indian vendors to corner 5-10 per cent of the value of the programme. The country is also setting up the Government Applications Store. The idea behind it is to open up the UK government's products and services for the public. This alone is expected to help the UK save pound 500 million every year. Apart from the biggest spender on IT in the UK, the government is also an early adopter of IT outsourcing. The IT budget of the government is close to pound 8 billion annually. Close to 65 per cent of this, according to Suffolk, gets outsourced to third party service providers.
BHARTI TO PAY $9 BN TO BUY ZAIN

Bharti Airtel Ltd., South Asias biggest phone company, may pay $9 billion to buy the African mobilephone operations of Kuwaits Zain, the New Delhi-based company said in a statement. The total size of the transaction is $10.7 billion, including $1.7 billion of debt, the statement said. Bharti hadnt previously disclosed details of the offer. Zains African business spans 15 countries from Nigeria to Uganda. The debt is a sufficiently big number to add to Bhartis balance sheet, on top of whatever it has to take on to finance the rest of the transaction, said Jagannadham Thunuguntla, Chief strategist at SMC Capitals Ltd., in New Delhi. All that debt will likely reduce earnings per share for the next few quarters at least. The Zain offer is Bhartis third attempt to enter Africa. The company, led by billionaire Chairman Sunil Mittal, has tried to gain access to faster-growing markets, including a second failed attempt last year to buy South Africas MTN Group Ltd., for about $23 billion. Zain and Bharti have set March 25 as the deadline for completing exclusive talks, the companies said in separate statements on Feb. 15. Of the total, $700 million will be paid one year after the deal closes, Bharti said in the statement. Both parties have agreed to a $150 million fee if either pulls out before the transaction is complete, the statement said. tututu
OVL, GAIL IN CHINESE PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION

The Indian government has approved the participation of ONGC Videsh and GAIL in the construction of a Chinese pipeline and also make additional investment of over $1.3 billion (Rs.6,008 crore) in the development of Myanmarese hydrocarbon blocks. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved ONGC's overseas arm, ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL)'s investing $167.84 million (Rs.775 crore) in a pipeline being constructed by China National Petroleum Corp to transport gas from offshore A-1 and A-3 blocks in Myanmar. Similarly, GAIL has been approved investment of $83.88 million (Rs.387 crore) in the Chinese pipeline.
This will allow OVL and GAIL to take 8.35 and 4.17 percent participating interest in the pipeline, which will transport gas from Myanmar's A-1 and A-3 offshore blocks. "The additional investment (in development of Myanmar hydrocarbon blocks) is expected to provide additional reserve accretion of hydrocarbons and facilitate production and marketing of Natural Gas from the Blocks A-1 and A-3 having participating interest of OVL and GAIL (India) Limited," said a government press communique. While South Korea's Daewoo is the operator of the blocks with 60 percent equity, ONGC and GAIL hold 17 and 8.5 percent stake. The cabinet also approved additional investment by ONGC's overseas arm ONGC Videsh Limited into Myanmar of $664.7 million (Rs.3,072 crore) in upstream development project for the blocks, with another $361.39 million (Rs.1,670 crore) by GAIL. tututu
When asked about the performance of the 220 MW plants, he said, the plant load factors have increased to 60 per cent and "we expect 25 per cent more by the end of this year at least in Rajasthan nuclear island which is currently using imported Uranium fuel from France and Russia." On the techno-commercial negotiations with Russia and France for setting two more power plants in Koodankulam in Tamil Nadu and two at Jaitapur in Maharashtra, Jain said a number of rounds of talks have already taken place and "we are confident that we will reach some agreement for the plant approval soon. tututu
MICROSOFT-YAHOO SEARCH DEAL APPROVED

Microsoft's plans to buy Yahoo's internet search and search advertising businesses have been cleared by both European and US regulators. The European Commission ruled that the deal "would not significantly impede effective competition". Under the deal, Yahoo's website will use Microsoft's Bing search engine, and the two firms will share the revenues. Microsoft is seeking to increase its share of the search engine industr y, which is dominated by Google. It and Yahoo first announced the planned tie-up in July last year. In explaining its decision, the Commission said that taken together, Microsoft and Yahoo currently have less than 10% of the search engine market in Europe, with Google controlling 90%. The Commission said its investigation showed that the deal was expected to "to increase competition in internet search and search advertising by allowing Microsoft to become a stronger competitor to Google". Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said regulatory approval for the tie-up represented "an exciting milestone". "I believe that together, Microsoft and Yahoo will promote more choice, better value and greater innovation to our customers as well as to advertisers and publishers," he added.
700MW N-PLANT TO BE READY BY 2016

India's first set of indigenous 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors, would be a reality in the next six years, as the excavation work at Kakrapar in Gujarat has already begun, S.K. Jain, Chairman and Managing Director of NPCIL said. The Centre had in October 2009 given a financial sanction of Rs 24,000 crore for four units of 700 MW of PHWRs, two each at Kakrapar and Rawatbhata in Rajashtan, he said. "We will begin the first 'pour of concrete' in Kakrapar and in Rajasthan power project site for reactor raft and wish to finish the construction of the plants within five years " Jain said at the 22nd annual Heavy Water Day. "Since the Centre has given financial sanction for these four, we will be completing the procurement order of all components by September this year," he said. Jain said that NPCIL is also initiating pre-project activities at the sites recently approved (in principle) by the centre Hissar in Haryana and Burgi in Madhya Pradesh where four more 700 MW (two at each site) are expected to come up. "Our aim is to complete the pre-project activities within one to one and a half years," he said.
Yahoo Chief Executive Carol Bartz said the two firms would be creating a "breakthrough search alliance". Under the terms of 10-year Microsoft-Yahoo agreement, Microsoft's Bing search engine will power the Yahoo website, while Yahoo will in turn provide the main advertising sales team for Bing. In exchange, Microsoft will retain 12% of the search engine revenues generated via Yahoo's website for the first five years of the deal, while paying the remaining 88% to Yahoo. Microsoft and Yahoo said they would start to implement the deal "in the coming days". They said they would work with advertisers to make the transition as "efficient and seamless as possible". In 2008, Microsoft offered $47.5bn (30.4bn) to buy the whole of Yahoo, but its bid was turned down. tututu
For the current financial year (2009-10), BSNL's target is to achieve 1.8 million subscribers, of which 1.4 million have been added so far, he said. Mobile services business for the year ending March 31 is expected to be at Rs 10,500 crore. tututu
MOTOROLA TO SPLIT INTO 2 COMPANIES IN 2011

Cell phone maker Motorola said that it aims to split into two independent and publicly traded companies in the first quarter of 2011, which would help improve its position in the different markets. Out of the two firms, one will focus on cellphones and television set-top boxes, and the other on enterprise networking, reports Reuters. Motorola shares rose 2.3 percent to $6.80 in extended trade after the news, which followed months of speculation over what steps management would take to revive its business. The company's money-losing mobile devices unit has been struggling to compete with new smartphones, and has not had a blockbuster since the Razr, although its Droid phone generated some buzz since launching late last year. However, Motorola's latest financial results show its mobile phone business had revenue of $7 billion for 2009. The enterprise wireless business had revenue of $2 billion while home and network sales brought in another $2 billion. "We believe that as independent companies each business will be best positioned to successfully pursue the respective strategies and opportunities for growth," said Greg Brown, who was CoChief Executive Officer of Motorola and will now become CEO of the enterprise mobility and networking business. And Sanjay Jha, the company's other CEO, will head the mobile devices and home business, it said. Both the companies will use the Motorola brand. Additional details including the capital structure of the companies will be announced later, as per Motorola. According to the company, its enterprise and network equipment business will be the entity responsible for Motorola's current public debt and will be capitalized to achieve an investment grade rating. Jha said that the combination of businesses dealing with mobile phones, cable set-top boxes and other home entertainment devices was ideal to meet consumers' demands for "converged" or seamless access to television, phone and Internet.
BSNL PLANS TO FORAY INTO MOBILE BANKING

State-owned telecom firm BSNL plans to add 2.2 crore subscribers next fiscal and may venture into the mobile banking and advertising space. "Next year (2010-11) we are keeping a target of 22 million mobile connections - 20 million 2G connections and two million 3G," Bharat Sanchar Nigam's (BSNL) Director (Consumer Mobility) R K Agarwal told. Agarwal also said that BSNL is working on a mobile banking platform. "We have tested a platform, by which money can be transferred. Pilot testing has been done in Chandigarh on money transfer through (money) order by SMS," he added. "We are in touch with the Postal Department, along with whom we will roll out mobile banking," he said, adding that the proposed roll-out would be done step-by-step as RBI has a "cautious policy" as "they have to check frauds which may occur". BSNL plans to launch mobile advertisements in two-three months, Agarwal said, adding that it expects a pick up in this business only in a year. "We are going to launch mobile advertisement services, location-based services and a host of multimedia services".
Motorola had previously said it would split its handset unit from its other divisions, but executives also looked at other alternatives. Motorola had tried to sell its networking division but a source familiar with the matter recently said the process had slowed down. Tavis McCourt of Morgan Keegan said he was not sure whether the combination of the handset and cable settop box businesses would yield synergies, but still saw the plan as positive. "I'm glad they're doing it. It's nice they're putting timing behind it. It's a sign they're very confident in their handset business this year," he said. The company reiterated that it planned to make the mobile device business profitable in 2010. tututu
RBI had earlier in mid-eighties introduced Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) technology with a view to expediting clearance of cheques. The initiative has helped in handling growing volume of cheque transaction. Over a period of time, banks have added a variety of patterns and design of cheque forms to aid segmentation, branding, identification, and also incorporated a number of security features to reduce the incidence of cheque misuse, tempering, alterations, etc. tututu
SWITZERLAND TO STOP UNDECLARED FUNDS INTO ITS BANKS

In the backdrop of increased international pressure on its banking secrecy practices, Switzerland said it will prevent the flow of undeclared funds from foreign countries into the Swiss banks. India is among many nations seeking details of their respective citizens who are alleged to have stashed away billions of dollars in secret accounts in Switzerland. The Swiss Federal Council in a statement said that it is against attracting "undeclared funds from overseas". The government would draw up various solutions to prevent new, undeclared funds from coming to Switzerland. Explaining its financial market strategy, Switzerland said it would continue to implement the OECD standards in tax issues and continue to cooperate with other countries in combating tax fraud and tax evasion in the future. The Council has called for regularising undeclared assets. Going by Swiss laws, tax fraud is considered as a criminal offence while tax evasion is punished with severe administrative fines and does not attract jail sentence. "The Federal Council continues to reject the automatic exchange of information in terms of laying bare every detail of citizens' lives," the statement noted. Famed for its banking secrecy, Switzerland has come under enormous pressure following the G-20 nations' crackdown on tax havens.
NEW LOGO, WATERMARK TO MAKE CHEQUE SAFER: RBI

Cheques will have more security features like water marks and invisible logo with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) deciding to ask banks to take additional measures to prevent forgeries and frauds. Besides additional security features, the cheques being issued by commercial banks and rural banks will be of standard size, said an RBI circular which was communicated to the heads of all banks. The new features would include use of quality paper, water mark and printing of banks' logos in invisible ink, RBI said, adding "homogeneity of security features is expected to act as a deterrent against cheque frauds". RBI said "Cheque Truncation System-2010 Standard" will be introduced after ascertaining the readiness of the banks to adopt it. The proposed format is based on the recommendations of the Working Group, which was set up by the RBI to examine standardisation of cheques and enhancement of security features. The set of minimum security features, which will include standard size, clutter free background, use of ultra violet images etc, would "ensure uniformity of all cheque forms issued by banks in the country". RBI further said that during April-December 2009, clearing houses in the country have processed on an average around 45 lakh cheques every day.
Currently, India is in talks with Switzerland to renegotiate the bilateral tax treaty for exchange of information on tax evaders. According to the statement, Switzerland has negotiated double taxation agreements with 18 countries based on the OECD standards, since March 13 last year. In a landmark deal with the US, Swiss banking major UBS last year agreed to disclose bank account details of Americans, who are alleged to have evaded tax. The Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) had said that countries seeking secret account information should specifically give the name of the individuals and the bank involved. tututu
The spokesperson said, At Maruti Suzuki, we constantly monitor quality of our products through feedback and internal analysis. In one such exercise in November, 2009, we came across an anomaly reported in the fuel tank in some of the vehicles and by December, 2009, we started contacting the customers through letters. The company started replacing the gasket from December, 2009, and has so far changed the part in about 50,000 units. A-Star is now exported to about 70 countries and is sold as Suzuki Alto in Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Besides, some of the other major markets are Chile, Angola, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Algeria and the UAE, where it is sold as Suzuki Celerio. Japanese car major Nissan also sells A-Star in the European market under a contract manufacturing agreement with MSI's parent Suzuki. Nissan sells the model as Pixo. In December last, A-Star had crossed the one lakh mark of overseas shipments in less than a year of selling the car in the global markets. It started the export of the car since January, 2009. The company is expecting to double its export this fiscal on the back of robust demand from A-Star, as against 70,023 units in 2008-09. tututu
MARUTI RECALLS ONE LAKH A-STARS

In one of the biggest recalls recorded in the Indian automobile industry, leading car marker Maruti Suzuki India announced that it had recalled nearly one lakh A-Star' cars, the company's flagship export model, to replace a faulty fuel pump gasket. The replacement will be done at no cost to the customers and will help check possible fuel leak, although no complaints have been received from customers, the company said. As a proactive step, we decided to check all vehicles from the lot, around one lakh units including those exported overseas, a spokesperson of Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) said. MSI had earlier recalled its hatchback Swift in 2005 to change bolts to reduce the front suspension noise in Swift petrol and in 2007 electronic control units of Swift diesel. Maruti Suzuki had in 2008 replaced speedometers in its popular Maruti 800 and Omni models. The company has so far changed the gasket in about 50,000 units in A-Star. The model was launched on November 19, 2008, and the 998 cc K10B petrol engine car is produced only in India at its Manesar facility. The recalled vehicles belong to a lot made till August 22 last year, the spokesperson said.
BHEL TO SIGN PACT WITH BRITISH FIRM

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) said that it would give a final shape to its much-awaited technology transfer agreement with the U.K.based Sheffield Forge Masters to help it manufacture and upgrade castings and forgings. The agreement would enable BHEL to manufacture new and improved castings and forgings, which were the key components in power equipment, at its Haridwar unit. We will be signing a collaboration pact with Sheffield Forge Masters. It would help us use their technology for upgrading the manufacture of castings and forgings at our Haridwar plant, BHEL Chairman and Managing Director, B. P Rao told . reporters. BHEL is likely to make an initial investment of around Rs. 600-800 crore towards this. Work would start a year after the formal agreement is signed by the end of next fiscal. Within a year, it would be improvised to manufacture castings and forgings, he added.
TATA, AGUSTA SET UP JOINT VENTURE

Tata Sons and Italian defence major AgustaWestland signed an agreement for formation of a joint venture company, which will establish a final assembly line for AW-119 helicopters for the Indian Army and the global market. The agreement was signed by Tata Group Chairman, Ratan Tata and A g u s t a We s t l a n d C E O, Giuseppe Orsi. The AW-119 has been offered to India by Agusta for armys requirement for 197 choppers to replace its ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak light helicopters. The new company would be responsible for AW-119 final assembly, completion and delivery while AgustaWestland would be responsible for worldwide marketing and sales, Agusta officials said. The first aircraft was scheduled to be delivered from the new facility in 2011 with production forecast to rise to 30 aircraft a year to meet worldwide demand, they added. tututu
TOYOTA TO REPLACE OIL HOSE IN 933,800 US CARS

Toyota Motor Corp will replace an oil hose in some 933,800 vehicles in the US due to the risk of a potential leak that could damage the engine if left untreated, the automaker said. On some Camry, Avalon, Rav4 and Lexus vehicles equipped with V6 engines, the rubber portion of the engine oil hose may develop a small hole, potentially causing oil leakage and engine failure, Toyota said in a document sent to U.S. dealers. Owners of the vehicles can have the oil hose replaced with a newly designed one at Toyota dealerships at no charge until March 31, 2013. The work will take about an hour. Safety issues have already forced Toyota, the world's top automaker, to recall more than 8.5 million vehicles worldwide. Toyota global quality control Chief Shinichi Sasaki and North American President, Yoshimi Inaba are scheduled to appear before a Senate committee for a third hearing on its handling of consumer complaints about sudden acceleration. The oil hose service campaign covers 2007-2010 model year Camry, 2005-2009 Avalon, 2006-2009 Rav4, 2007-2008 Lexus ES 350 and 2007-2009 RX 350 vehicles. Toyota is also investigating whether the same condition may affect other Toyota and Lexus vehicles, the document showed. Lyons said a leak would likely be noticed by drivers as the condition may cause abnormal engine noise or cause the oil pressure light to illuminate. Toyota has notified the U.S. National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration of its call to dealers and consumers to service the vehicles. Aaron Bragman, auto analyst with IHS Global Insight, said the oil hose issue is not nearly as significant as safety recalls involving unintended acceleration. Valentines Day originates from the ancient Roman fertility festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated on 14 February in honor of the gods Lupercus and Faunus, as well as the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. During the festival, young men would draw the names of women from a box, and each couple would be paired until next years celebration. Often they would fall in love and marry.
RAJAN MITTAL TAKES OVER AS FICCI CHIEF

Rajan Bharti Mittal, the Vice- Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Enterprises, a diversified group dominant in telecom, insurance and retail, took over as the President of industry chamber FICCI. Mittal, 50, succeeds Harsh Pati Singhania, the Managing Director of JK Paper. An alumnus of Har vard Business School, Mittal oversees Bharti Enterprises at the corporate level. He is also involved in group's new business ventures like retail. His elder brother and group Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal was at the helm of the rival chamber CII in 2007-08. Mittal takes over charge of the apex business chamber at a time when the industry has just about come out of a severe slowdown that afflicted it following the global meltdown. The Indian economy is set to grow by 7.5-8 per cent in the current fiscal, while growth is expected to be 8.5 per cent in 2010-11.
Pepsi Logo
epsi-Cola is one of the most famous soft drinks consumed worldwide. Manufactured and marketed by PepsiCo, it was first developed and produced in the early 1890s by Caleb Bradham, a pharmacist in New Bern, North Carolina labeled as Brads drink. In 1898, Bradham renamed his drink into PepsiCola. On June 16, 1903, the title Pepsi-Cola was trademarked and had since remained unchanged. But one aspect of Pepsi-Cola that witnessed many transformations over the years is the Pepsi logo. The Pepsi logo is one of the most famous and well-recognized logos in the world. In 1898, Bradham used a scribbled logo script as the first Pepsi logo to brand the product. When his business got established and people started enjoying his drink, Bradham decided to modify the Pepsi logo into a more customized version of the previous logo script. Thus, in 1905, a modified script logo was introduced, followed by a second change in Pepsi logo in 1906 with the inclusion of the slogan, The Original Pure Food Drink, in it. During the 1933s sugar crisis, Loft, Inc. bought Pepsi-Cola. As part of their marketing strategy, Pepsi-Cola doubled the quantity of its drink from six-ounce package size to twelveounces for 10 cents. Thus, the slogan Refreshing & Healthful was added to the Pepsi logo, which was printed on the bottle. When the price for the twelve-ounce bottle dropped to 5 cents, Pepsi-Cola excluded that tagline from the Pepsi logo. In 1940, Walter Mack, the CEO of Pepsi-Cola, adopted the idea of 12-oz. embossed bottle with Pepsi-Cola baked into the glass. He further developed the idea of introducing the new bottle design with crown, labeled with the Pepsi logo. In 1941, the Pepsi bottle crown colors were changed to red, white and blue, along with the Pepsi logo, to commemorate the war efforts of the country.
By 1943, the Pepsi logo adopted a bottle cap look that included the slogan, Bigger Drink, Better Taste. Later, in 1962, the Pepsi logo was replaced with two bulls-eye marks encircling Pepsi, and then again in 1973, into a boxed Pepsi logo with minor typeface changes. In 1991, Pepsi commemorated the evolution of its scripted Pepsi logo by featuring a logo design with an italic capital typeface. Later at the companys 100 years celebration in 1998, Pepsi-Cola unveiled a new logo that symbolized the brands innovation and global recognition. The new Pepsi logo consists of a three-dimensional globe against an ice blue background, with the inclusion of the previously designed Pepsi typeface. It has been the official Pepsi logo of PepsiCo, till date. Over the past century, the Pepsi logo has been evolved into remarkable designs with significant modifications. All in all, Pepsi logo is an exemplary piece of creativity and innovation. No doubt, it is one of the most recognized logos, ever. Flickr was developed by Ludicorp, a Vancouver based company. The service emerged out of tools originally created for Ludicorps Game Neverending, a web-based massively multiplayer online game. In 2005, Yahoo! acquired Ludicorp and Flickr.
Guestroom
Just Do It!
Lt. Col P Deogirikar (Retd.) . In one of the training sessions, when Time management was being deliberated, one colleague got up and asked a question which forms the basis of this article. He asked, It is easier said than done, I know I should work in the second (quality) quadrant but I cant! One thing is laziness which makes me start my day late and, second, there are so many distractions that dont allow me to follow a strict time table. How do I get over this?
n fact, there have been youth (those who took liberty with me) who have asked me pointedly, Sir, at your age (nearing 60) it is much easier to be disciplined; you dont have those distractions and the deadlines which we have. I can bet that you were not this way when you were our age! I have to agree with him, albeit reluctantly. But, at the same time, I must point out that comparing two different generations has been one of the major problems in our society. Thats how a saas hates a bahu when the latter gets the freedom she could not. Thats how a parent (of my age) finds it difficult to digest late night party on a valentine day. And so on. Yes, we agree our parents had more control over us and also that we did not have one-tenth distractions which the youth has today. That we were not this disciplined when we were their age. But, why pick me? There are many achievers today who follow strict discipline - more than what we ever did - despite all the odds. Sachin Tendulkar, a living legend, who was the talk of this cricket-crazy nation after his double hundred in a one day game recently, must be observing strict discipline despite his distractions, many more than what we have. This would be grudgingly accepted by even those who do not like his spending time and energy in the field of advertisements. I remember reading in a local newspaper about the wrestler Sushil Kumar, Olympic medallist, who had been to Indore confessing that he had not seen a single Bollywood movie! There are some quite-well-to-do parents who do not keep a TV at home to ensure that their children do not get distracted! Have I convinced you that it is possible to be disciplined even in these days? I hope you agree! Lets get back to the question of that colleague. Following exclamations, which could come from many of the youngsters today, would prove to you that it is universal.
1. Oh, it is already 8 AM, I had set the alarm for 5 I dont even remember putting off the alarm! (One of my colleagues told me once that some engineering students from BITS, Pilani would even make a small current flow through their alarm clocks to get shocked to get up! An idiot way, surely!) I would not be surprised if the next one from this young person is Now what is the use, let me continue my dream sleep. 2. How can I? I plain forgot to send that application for that job and today was the last day! You see, this picnic happened suddenly and there was no time left. 3. This Sunday I was to finish that important chapter, but my friends managed the tickets of that controversial movie and 4. Oh, I missed the bus again (or train or flight). I had a
Thank you, Sir. After reading this newsletter article Just Do It, I understood the meaning of the word, Nike, someone who motivates us to become leaders (nayak/nayika) through the mantra Just Do It!...
dry tank and had to drag the bike and the mobile was not working as it was discharged. And this list could go on and on. Let us try to go back to that question again. One thing is that your thoughts influence your actions, another is that your actions influence your thoughts. The first one is known as cognitive while the second is reflexive. As an example, an 80 year old lady who takes a dip in the cold water of Ganges at 4 in the morning, does not even think that she could live without it! You might find it difficult to walk half a kilometer without a vehicle but when you have a flat tyre, you might walk miles just because there was no alternative. You might find it difficult to keep even once hungry and would create a scene at home if the dinner is delayed by half hour. But when it is as Navratri or as Ramzan you could do it for days or weeks together! Your body is capable if forced to do it; it is your mind which is weak. So, why not force that adamant mind through the body? I would like that colleague (and those in similar boat) to use reflexive way if cognitive does not work. Your motto should be that of Nike, Just Do It! One study says that if you continue one thing for 21 days continuously, it becomes a habit. So, if you spring from the bed when the alarm goes off for a month continuously (to be on the safer side), this problem could be taken care of. If you write down your to-do lists and ensure you go tick-marking it regularly, you should not miss any bus/train/flights or have a dry tank or discharged mobile (I did not have it till date). You would leave the movie half way for attending that boring class and would have cent-percent attendance. More importantly, the starting time of your movie
would also be automatically adjusted next time. You would also be more selective in choosing your movies. Finally, one last point. On the constant duel between quality and deadline. Most of us would prefer quality to deadlines but that is incorrect. Let me give an example from my personal life. While at the hostel studying engineering way back in late sixties, we had the bad habit of getting our examinations postponed. If the exam was on 5th of March, we would collectively decide on 2nd/3rd March that we were not ready. Then we would go to the Principals bungalow and start our narebazi. As the exam was an internal affair, it was not difficult getting it postponed. And we had flimsy excuses. The electric supply in the hostels was disrupted, or there was an election in the varsity. The exam would be postponed by a week or 10 days. If it was now on 15th, we were exactly at the same condition on 12th or 13th which we were on 2nd or 3rd! It had made absolutely no difference that the exam was postponed by 10 days! But those padhakus (we would like to call them Chaturs, even if some of them may have been Ranchos) who were ready on 2nd/3rd, were ready now as well. The reason was simple. It was not the time available, it was our ATTITUDE which was responsible for our not being ready. And this attitude would follow us whenever the next exam would be scheduled. Hence, it should be deadline which should be preferred unless extreme conditions arise. Once one is in a habit of achieving deadlines, quality does seep into his/her work. Thats how a good cartoonist is able to churn out good quality cartoons day in - day out. If you are not able to control your mind to make your body work as per the schedule, make your mind work as per your body. If your cognitive attempt fails, use reflexive one. And convert the duel between the quality and deadline into a duet. Wake up, Sid! Just Do It!
Brand Trivia: Hamdard

r r r r r In one of the by lanes of the historic old Delhi, a small unaniclinic came into being in the year 1906. The man behind it was Hakeem Hafiz Abdul Majeed, one of the well known unani practitioners of his days. Hakeem Abdul Majeed had come from a family that included many Unani doctors, and he joined the unani pharmacy of the renowned Unani physician, Ajmal Khan. As he developed his knowledge of medicine, he too became a Hakim and decided to establish his own pharmacy and clinic, which he called Hamdard Dawakhana. Hamdard has over 600 OTC & Ethical products including household brands like Rooh Afza, Safi, Cinkara, and Roghan Badam Shirin. Rooh Afza' brand is named after the daughter of Muzaffar Shah, the King of Firdaus (Heaven).
PT Panorama
Cryonics:
The technique of life extension
ryonics is the practice of storing human bodies in a deep freeze state in hopes that they can be revived sometime in the future. The mentality of scientists who practise cryonics is that if a human being dies of an incurable disease today, the body can be frozen until a cure is found. At that time, the body would be thawed, revived and treated. This type of preservation is called, cryonic suspension. It is against the law to put a human being who is alive into a state of cryonic suspension. Before this can be done, the person must be declared legally dead by a physician or coroner, which means that the heart has ceased to beat. This doesn't mean the person is totally dead, because the brain may still be active. When the person is placed in a state of cryonic suspension, brain cell function continues. This means that the legally dead body can be revived at a future date.
PERFORMING CRYONICS
Have you ever thought of being preserved by cryonic suspension? If so, you have to become a member of a cryonic facility. Annual membership costs approximately $400. At the time a physician or coroner states that you're legally dead; when your heart ceases to beat, an emergency response team (ERT) stabilizes your body and supplies your brain with sufficient blood and oxygen to keep it functioning until you reach the cryonics facility. The ERT also packs your body in ice and administers the anticoalagulant, Hyperin by injection. Herapin prevents your blood from clotting or congealing while your body is taken to the cryonics facility. When you arrive at the facility, a medical cryonics team is ready to induce your body into a state of cryonic suspension by removing all water from your cells. This step is imperative. If your body was submerged in a vat of liquid nitrogen without removing the water, the cells would shatter because of expansion when freezing took place.
The water from your cells is replaced with cryoprotectant, which is made up of a glycerol chemical mixture. It does much the same as antifreeze in a car radiator. It prevents your body organs and tissue from crystallizing at the extremely low temperature that is necessary to induce a state of cryonic suspension. Vitrification, as it is called, is the process of deep cooling without freezing. This induces body cells into a complete state of suspended animation. After your body water is replaced with cryoprotectant, it is placed on dry ice until it reaches a temperature of minus 132 degrees Celsius, which is 202 degrees Fahrenheit. When the proper temperature has been reached, vitrification is complete.
STORAGE
Now it's time for your body to be placed in a container and put into a metal tank that contains liquid nitrogen. The temperature inside the metal tank that contains the liquid nitrogen is minus 196 degrees Celsius or minus 320 degrees Fahrenheit. The body is placed head down in case of a tank leak. This assures that your head will always remain submerged in the liquid nitrogen.
the cryonic researchers and medical teams admit that this technology will not be available anytime soon. The problem is that if the body isn't properly unthawed at exactly the right speed, the cells will be turned into ice crystals and shatter.
REVIVED ORGANISMS
Though humans have not been revived from cryonic suspension, other living organisms have been. These include human embryos that have been frozen at fertility clinics, thawed and implanted in the mother's womb. This procedure has a high success rate and babies have been born healthy and without birth defects.
THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY COST

Cryonics is a very expensive procedure. To have your entire body preserved, you will pay over $150,000. If you think this is a bit pricey, you can choose to have only your brain preserved. This procedure is known as neurosuspension. Scientists hope that in the future there will be sufficient knowledge and technology to clone the rest of the body so the brain can be surgically placed in the skull of the clone. Cryonic scientists are now working on new technology known as nanotechnology, which is the use of microscopic equipment that will be able to maneuver tiny pieces of organisms and allow rebuilding and repair of human cells and tissues. The hope among scientists is that one day in the future, nanotechnology can be used to repair any damage to cells that is done in the process of cryonic suspension and to stop the process of aging and disease.
WHO HAS BEEN PRESERVED?

Hundreds of people have chosen to take advantage of cryonic suspension and their bodies are stored in various facilities. The best known of these is probably baseball star, Ted Williams. However, there is no technology available at this time to revive these bodies. Critics of cryonics say the process is a scam and
CONTROVERSY
Many groups and individuals are critical of cryonics, as they feel it goes against nature and that the reversing of the process might cause mutants. Others feel that if they can undergo cryonic suspension that they have found the secret to immortality.
THE EIFFEL TOWER

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. The Eiffel Tower stands 986 feet high! Add the antenna for a whopping total of 1052 feet. Only one worker was killed during the construction. The Eiffel Tower weighs seven thousand tonnes. The Eiffel Tower is painted once every seven years and it takes 50 tons of paint to complete the job. On a clear day visitors can see more than 40 miles from the tower's top. The base of the Eiffel Tower covers two and a half acres of land. There are 1,665 steps from the bottom to the top of the tower. The first televised transmission from the Eiffel Tower took place in 1957. The Eiffel Tower was inaugurated on March 31st, 1889. The tower was named after Gustave Eiffel, the contractor.
Business Trivia
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Uncle Pai is a successful publisher who was associated with Amar Chitra Katha once roaringly successful children's literature. Indra Nooyi is the top executive of Indian origin with Pepsi Cold Drinks who has been regarded as the 50 most powerful women in corporate America by a leading corporate magazine. Royal Dutch Shell commonly known as Shell is the biggest Petroleum Company in the world. Dhunji Rana the robust male model who has a stylish and sophisticated presence was the model for Zodiac Man for the brands Indian advertising promotions. CEAT tyre company which gives cricket ratings belongs to RPG Enterprises group an Indian company which manages various business areas such as Power, Transmission, IT, Speciality, Carbon Black, Tyre, Retail and Entertainment. Living Media India Ltd is the media group that has launched India's first electronic newspaper, or e-paper. Tata Finance has launched a credit card with a tie up with American Express credit card company.
Daniel Goleman, author of the 1995 best seller 'Emotional Intelligence', has authored a new book Ecological Intelligence Ruyan which means like smoking in Chinese introduced the world's first electronic cigarette in 2004. Only in a Woman's World' is a marketing initiative of PepsiCo brand Frito-Lay to roll out a portfolio of products developed specifically with women in mind. Surround sound was invented by Peter Scheiber back in the late seventies. At that time, Dolby Labs leased Peter Scheiber's patent for use in theaters. Dolby claimed it was theirs, but still pays royalties to Mr. Scheiber. Cruise control (sometimes known as speed control or autocruise) is a system that automatically controls the speed of a motor vehicle. The system takes over the throttle of the car to maintain a steady speed as set by the driver. Modern cruise control (also known as a speedostat) was invented in 1945 by the blind inventor and mechanical engineer Ralph Teetor. His idea was born out of the frustration of riding in a car driven by his lawyer, who kept speeding up and slowing down as he talked. The first car with Teetor's system was the Chrysler Imperial in 1958. In 1860, Benjamin Franklin Sturtevant invented the first exhaust fan that he installed in his Boston shop when the fine wood dust from his wood turner disturbed his employees. Ingersoll Rand is known for its brands, such as Club Car golf cars, Schlage locks and Trane air conditioning systems and services. Wheel of Fortune is an American television game show created by Merv Griffin. Three contestants (occasionally three pairs of contestants) compete against each other to solve a word puzzle.
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Swedish-German philanthropist Jakob von Uexkull founded the Right Livelihood Award in 1980, also known as the 'alternative Nobel'. The beer brand Cobra is the most preferred as an accompaniment to India food. C. K. Prahlad the Management Guru of Indian Origin is most associated with the phrase Core Competence. Raymond is the Indian textile brand which proudly proclaims Since 1925 in its advertisements.
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F A C T , ( Fe r t i l i s e r A n d Chemical Travancore Ltd) India's first large scale fertiliser unit was set up in 1943. In 1947, FACT Udyogamandal started production of Ammonium Sulphate with an installed capacity of 10,000 MT Nitrogen. FACT became a Kerala State Public Sector Enterprise on 15th August 1960 and 21st November 1962, the Government of India became the major shareholder. Liverpool's Hope University has launched a Master's degree program exploring how Liverpool helped shape the music of Beatles Group. Appropriate Rural Technology Institute (ARTI), Pune is known for its charcoal based Sarai cookera nonpressurised steam cooker that can cook meal for 4-5 in 45 minutes using 100 gm of charcoal. The Drudge Report, a news aggregation website run by Matt Drudge, is the most famous for being the first news source to break the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal to the public after Newsweek decided not to publish the story. A freelancer, freelance worker, or freelance is a selfemployed person who pursues a profession without a longterm commitment to any particular employer. The term freelance was first coined by Sir Walter Scott (17711832) in his well-known historical romance Ivanhoe to describe a medieval mercenary warrior (or 'free-lance'). Accenture (ACN) has developed a Facebook-style program called Performance Multiplier in which, among other things, employees post status updates, photos, and two or three weekly goals that can be viewed by fellow staffers. Nikkei 225 is a stock market index for the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE). It has been calculated daily by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) newspaper since 1950. Former RBI Governor Bimal Jalan and other publicspirited individuals have set up a Public Interest Foundation, which is leading a pre-election campaign to keep criminals out of politics. Vijay Mallya paid $1.8 million for a pair of glasses, a 1910 silver Zenith pocket watch, sandals, a bowl, a thali and letters of authenticity belonging to Mahatma Gandhi.
In 1882, American Express launched its money order business to compete with the US Post Office's money orders. Glaxo introduced Vitamin D as a separate product called Ostelin. Deep channel green and red Windsor maroon were the first two colours other than black offered by Henry Ford. In 1925, General Electric introduced the first hermetically sealed domestic refrigerator called Monitor Top. Roteiro is the official ball of the UEFA 2004 European Football Championship. Roteiro means route in Portuguese and is a reference to the discoveries made by the Portuguese in the 15th and 16th century. The Pratt & Whitney Company was founded in 1860 by Francis Pratt and Amos Whitney, with headquarters in Hartford, Connecticut. In 1925, Frederick Rentschler approached Pratt & Whitney for funding and a location to build his new aircraft engine. Pratt & Whitney allowed him the use of the Pratt & Whitney name. Pratt & Whitney's first engine, the Wasp exhibited performance and reliability that revolutionized American aviation. In 1929, Rentschler ended his association with Pratt & Whitney Machine Tool and formed United Aircraft and Transport Corporation, the predecessor to United Technologies Corporation, Boeing Aircraft Company, and United Air Lines. His agreement allowed him to carry the name with him to his new corporation. In 1932, Proctor & Gamble sponsored a radio soap opera 'The Puddle Family' thus beginning the era of soap operas. Fritos isthenameofabrandofcornchipsmadeby Frito-Lay. Originally called Fritatas, Elmer Doolin was so taken with the bag of corn chips served with his lunch in San Antonio, Texas that he paid $100 for the recipe. In 1932, he started the Frito Corporation. Zenith introduced the world's first portable radio in 1924.
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General Knowledge
1. Who was the first Chairman of the Planning Commission? (1) Gulzari Lal Nanda (2) Jawaharlal Nehru (3) Dr. C.D. Deshmukh (4) Dr. K.C. Neogy Which of the following is not a statutory body? (1) Election Commission (2) Finance Commission (3) Planning Commission (4) Union Public Service Commission To whom does the Public Accounts Committee submit its reports? (1) Chairman of Rajya Sabha (2) President of India (3) Speaker of Lok Sabha (4) Union Finance Minister According to the Preamble to the Constitution, India is a (1) Sovereign Democratic Republic (2) Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic (3) Sovereign Socialist Democratic Republic (4) Sovereign Secular Democratic Republic The Constitution of India borrowed the concept of the Directive Principles of State Policy from the Constitution of (1) Ireland (2) USA (3) UK (4) Canada The insect, which lays eggs in water is (1) Sandfly (2) Butterfly (3) Dragonfly (4) Housefly The official languages of the United Nations are (1) Afrikaan, Chinese, English, French, German Spanish (2) Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian Spanish (3) Arabic, Japanese, Chinese, English, French German (4) Chinese, English, French, Hindi, Japanese Spanish 8. The Group of 77 is a/an (1) Economic group (2) Political group (3) Social group (4) Cultural group The one which does not belong to underground stem vegetable is (1) Onion (2) Garlic (3) Kachalu (4) Sugar beet
2.
9.
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10. The visible part of the sun is (1) Ionosphere (2) Hydrosphere (3) Photosphere (4) Troposphere 11. Name the two planets lying between the sun and the earth. (1) Mercury and Mars (2) Venus and Mars (3) Mercury and Venus (4) Jupiter and Saturn 12. Which of the following planets takes the least time to complete one revolution around the Sun? (1) Earth (2) Mercury (3) Mars (4) Venus 13. Which planet has the maximum number (63) of natural moons? (1) Jupiter (2) Mars (3) Earth (4) Saturn 14. India has? (1) Socialistic economy (2) Gandhian economy (3) Mixed economy (4) Free economy
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5.
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and and and and
15. The most important source of capital formation in India has been? (1) Household savings (2) Public sector savings (3) Government revenue surpluses (4) Corporate savings 16. In India, the Public Sector is most dominant in? (1) Transport (2) Steel production (3) Commercial banking (4) Organised term lending financial institutions.
23. Fresh evaluation of every item of expenditure from the very beginning of each financial year is called? (1) Fresh Budgeting (2) Deficit Budgeting (3) Performance Budgeting (4) Zero-based Budgeting 24. India's wage policy is based on? (1) Cost of Living (2) Standard of living (3) Productivity (4) None of these 25. The main source of India's national income is? (1) Industry (2) Agriculture (3) Forestry (4) None of these An ad valorem duty is a tax on the basis of (1) The price of a commodity (2) The value added (3) The advertisement expenditure (4) The unit of the commodity
17. One of the problems in calculating the national income in India correctly is? (1) Under - employment (2) Inflation (3) Non -monetised consumption (4) Low savings 18. Among Indian Economists who had done pioneering work on National Income? (1) P N. Dhar . (2) Jagdish Bhagwati (3) V. K. R. V. Rao (4) Prof. Shenoi 19. Which of the following is not a method of estimating national income? (1) Income method (2) Value - added method (3) Expenditure method (4) Export - import method 20. In our country, which of the following affects poverty line the most? (1) Level of prices (2) Production quantum (3) Per capita income (4) Quantum of gold reserve 21. The largest revenue in India is obtained from? (1) Sales Tax (2) Direct Taxes (3) Excise Duties (4) None of these 22. Which of the following is not true about 'vote on-account'? (1) It is a budget presented in the Parliament to cover the deficit left by the last budget. (2) It does not allow the Government to set for the economic policies of the new plan which starts from April 1. (3) It prevents the Government from imposing fresh taxes or withdrawing old one. (4) This allows the Government to withdraw an amount for a period with the consent of Parliament.
26.
27. The income tax in India is (1) Indirect and progressive (2) Direct and proportional (3) Direct and progressive (4) Indirect and proportional 28. Fiscal Policy is connected with (1) Issue of currency (2) Exports and imports (3) Public revenue and expenditure (4) None of these 29. Which of the following is not a direct tax? (1) Wealth Tax (2) Income Tax (3) Estate Duty (4) Sales Tax 30. Which one of the following diseases is caused due to presence of excess arsenic in water? (1) Alzheimer's disease (2) Parkinson's disease (3) Skin cancer (4) Indigestion 31. Which among the following is the first country in the world to declare Internet broadband access a legal right? (1) France (2) Italy (3) Ireland (4) Finland
32. Which of the following reflects the importance of 8th November 2008 in the history of India? (1) Chandrayaan-I was launched this day (2) Chandrayaan - I was put into the orbit of the moon on this day. (3) This was the day on which ISRO completed 50 yrs of its existence. (4) This was the day on which Chandrayaan-I landed on the surface of the moon. 33. Which of the following is associated with Cricket? (1) Beighton Cup (2) Rangaswamy Cup (3) Rohinton Baria Trophy (4) Santosh Trophy
39. The annual use of global water resources for agriculture, according to UN Food and Agriculture Organization, is (1) 50 percent (2) 55 percent (3) 70 percent (4) 75 percent 40. The government of ., on December 8, 2009, unveiled $81 billion of new stimulus spending to keep the worlds second-biggest economy from lurching back into recession. (1) USA (2) Great Britain (3) United Arab Emirates (4) Japan 41. Which of the following companies became India's first listed IT firm to have crossed $1 billion turnover? (1) Wipro (2) TCS (3) Infosys (4) Satyam 42. Who among the following was not a member of the Royal Commission on the Public Services in India, 1912? (1) Gopal Krishna Gokhale (2) Valentine Ghirol (3) Abdur Rahim (4) Bal Gangadhar Tilak 43. In which year Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act came into force? (1) 2005 (2) 2006 (3) 2007 (4) 2008 44. In context of the Nobel prizes which of the following year till now has been a year for female achievers? (1) 2009 (2) 1992 (3) 2006 (4) 2007 45. Boris Gelfand of Israel, on December 15, 2009 won the Chess World Cup, defeating former World champion Ruslan Ponomariov of .. in Khanty Mansiysk in Russia. (1) Latvia (2) Uzbekistan (3) Ukraine (4) Russia 46. What is an ECO- MARK? (1) A scheme for labelling Environment Friendly Consumer Product. (2) A Schemefor labellingpollutionfree industrialUnit. (3) A Cost-effective Production Technique (4) An International Certification recognizing, Eco Friendly building
34. Which of the following countries in the world is the biggest consumer of gold? (1) USA (2) Bangladesh (3) Russia (4) India 35. Which of the following companies has launched "World Ahead" Programme in various parts of India including Meghalaya in North East? (1) IBM (2) Intel (3) HP (4) None of these 36. Which among the following is also known as "world's most translated document"? (1) Kyoto protocol (2) Universal Declaration of Human Rights (3) United Nations Millennium Declaration (4) Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 37. The recently published book that compiled the treasury of landmark speeches of the Indian leaders named "Great Indians and their Landmark Speeches" is written by (1) Manohar and Sarita Prabhakar (2) Alyquee Padamsee (3) Gita Mahajan (4) Kiran Desai 38. The Nepali government, on December 4, 2009, held a Cabinet meeting at - in the Everest region, at an altitude of 17, 192 ft, endorsing a declaration on climate issues. (1) Neela Aasmaan (2) Ujala Patthar (3) Kalapatthar (4) Ucha Pahad
47. The .desert, on December 7, 2009, hosted a very modern spectacle when Sir Richard Branson unveiled Virgin Galactic's Space Ship Two (SS2). (1) Mojave (2) Atacama (3) Sahara (4) Thar 48. According to the recent finding a medical journal said that the core reason for the blood pressure increase that finally leads to coronary heart disease is caused by (1) Bacteria (2) Virus (3) Fungus (4) Nemathelminthes
54. Vitali Klitschko, on December 13, 2009, retained his WBC heavyweight title, scoring a unanimous points decision over .. of the United States in Bern. (1) David Clayton (2) Kevin Johnson (3) Mark Richardson (4) Alex Montfort 55. Which one of the following is responsible for blue baby syndrome? (1) Fluoride (2) Nitrate (3) Arsenic (4) Lead 56. Who has taken over as Chief Election Commissioner after the retirement of Shri N. Gopalaswami? (1) V. S. Sampath (2) S. Y. Quraishi (3) Navin Chawla (4) M.S. Gill 57. Which is the only state that has applied the electronic payment facility for its traders so that they could make their VAT payment through e-payment? (1) Gujarat (2) Maharashtra (3) Tamil Nadu (4) Kerala 58. The 9th South Asian Federation Games were held in which of the following cities? (1) Islamabad (2) Hyderabad (3) Kathmandu (4) Colombo 59. Which statement is correct? I. The climate Change Bill passed by the US Congress recently is called by the name of Waxman-Marney Bill. II. The Bill was passed by a landslide victory with even the Republican supporting it. (1) I is correct (2) II is correct (3) Both are correct (4) Both are incorrect 60. Who is the Chairman of the 13th Finance Commission? (1) C. Rangarajan (2) N. N. Vohra (3) Bimal Jalan (4) Vijay Kelkar
49. U.S. scientists recently claimed to have developed a slimming pill, ., that can burn off as many calories as 80 minutes of walk or a 25-minute jog. (1) Capsiplex (2) Chilplex (3) Pepiplex (4) Capperplex 50. Which one of the following is included in the World List of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO? (1) Kinnaur Region (2) Spiti Valley (3) Nallamalai HIlls (4) Sunderbans 51. Sampurna Gramin Rojgar Yojana was launched on (1) 1st April, 2001 (2) 25th September, 2001 (3) 1st April, 1999 (4) No scheme of such title has yet launched
52. Kaiane Aldorino of ., on December 12, 2009, won the 2009 Miss World crown at a glittering ceremony in Johannesburg, defeating 111 contestants from across the world. (1) Gibraltar (2) Mexico (3) Venezuela (4) Poland 53. Out of the following artists, who has written the book "The Science of Bharat Natyam"? (1) Yamini Krishamurthy (2) Raja Reddy (3) Saroja Vaidyananthan (4) Geeta Chandran
61. Who among the following women has become the highest individual scorer in an innings in Tests? (1) Mithali Raj (2) Kiran Baloch (3) Diana Eduljee (4) None of these 62. Which nation at present has the highest number of Cheetahs in the world? (1) Namibia (2) Tanzania (3) Iran (4) Kenya 63. Which are the two nations having the highest SDR (special drawing right) in the IMF (1) USA & Germany (2) USA & UK (3) USA & Japan (4) USA & France 64. Who amongst the following is the author of the book "No Full Stops in India"? (1) Mark Tully (2) B.K. Nehru (3) D.R. Mankekar (4) R.K. Narayan 65. Researchers from Columbia Initiative in Systems Biology recently discovered two genes, C/EPB and Stat3, responsible for the most aggressive forms of human .. (1) Hepatitis B (2) AIDS (3) Blood Cancer (4) Brain Cancer 66. Recently, ASEAN launched AICHR. AICHR is the first body of ASEAN related to which of the following? (1) Human Rights (2) Human Resources (3) Hegemony (4) Regional Trading 67. When did the largest cruise liner "Oasis of the Sea" start its maiden voyage? (1) September 2009 (2) October 2009 (3) November 2009 (4) December 2009 68. The financial markets of which of the following countries were badly affected by sub-prime crisis? (1) Russia (2) Brazil (3) UK (4) USA
69. Recently, we read about the Goldstone report in the newspapers. Goldstone report is related to which of the following? (1) The fact-finding report on the Swine Flu (2) Violation of Human Rights in Gaza Conflict (3) International trade and embargo (4) The menace of somalian sea pirates 70. Sakharov Prize is given to individuals / organizations dedicating their lives to the defense of human rights & freedom. Russian Civil Rights Society Memorial was conferred with this award in 2009. Which among the following body gives this annual Prize? (1) Russian Government (2) World Economic Forum (3) European Parliament (4) United Nations Commission on Human Rights 71. Recently, Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY), which was in implementation from 1997 has been revised and relaunched in 2009-10. It has been divided into how may components? (1) 3 (2) 5 (3) 7 (4) 6 72. ONGC, on December 23, 2009, announced to have made two gas discoveries in the well . drilled in the Kutch offshore block-1 in western coast. (1) GK-21-1 (2) GK-26-1 (3) GK-28-1 (4) GK-36-1 73. Oceansat-II satellite was launched by which launch vehicle of ISRO (1) PSLV-C14 (2) PSLV-16 (3) PSLV-C (4) PSLV-C6 74. According to a report released by the UN in October 2009, how many people worldwide go hungry? (1) 75 million (2) 1 billion (3) 1.5 billion (4) 2 billion 75. India has signed an agreement to procure Advanced Jet Trainer (Hawk) from which of the following countries? (1) USA (2) UK (3) France (4) Russia
76. Which one of the following Indian Cricketers has been declared "The Leading Cricketer of 2008" by Wisden? (1) M. S. Dhoni (2) Virender Sehwag (3) Anil Kumble (4) Saurav Ganguli 77. What is the deadline fixed by RBI for all the regional Rural Banks across the country to be fully CBS (Core Banking Solution) compliant? (1) April 2010 (2) April 2011 (3) September 2010 (4) September 2011 78. Who among the following has authored the recently published book, "Think Big! Becoming Big! - Fulfill Your Dreams"? (1) Tarun Engineer (2) William Cline (3) Ahmad Bashir (4) Rajnish Parashar 79. Cortes Generales is the name of the Parliament of which one of the following countries? (1) Norway (2) Spain (3) Sweden (4) Denmark 80. Recently at a meeting of the cabinet led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the government has raised the budget of the 2010 Commonwealth Games from Rs. 767 crore to .? (1) Rs. 1,620 crore (2) Rs. 1,020 Crore (3) Rs. 1,520 Crore (4) Rs. 1,420 Crore 81. In which year, India launched Targeted Public Distribution System? (1) 1995 (2) 1997 (3) 2004 (4) 2007 82. Recently(Sep 2009), according to the latest data released by United Nation Development Programme (UNDP); Dharavi was overtaken by which slum located at which city as the infamous title of being the Asia's largest slum (1) Campetras of Malayasia (2) Competos of Philipines (3) Orangi of Karachi (4) Orangi of Papuaa Guinea
83.
IEX and PXIL are (1) Two commodity exchanges of India (2) Two power exchanges working in India (3) Over the counter exchange working in India (4) Green vehicles promoted by thr Reva company of India
84. The implementation of Jawahar Rojgar Yojana rests with (1) Gram Panchayats (2) District Collectors (3) State Governments (4) Union Government 85. ., in December 2009, became the first Indian boxer to clinch a gold medal in the inter-continental President's Cup, winning the flyweight (51 kg) final in Baku. (1) Suranjoy Singh (2) Avinash Duggal (3) Mohnish Sharma (4) Dinesh Gunjal 86. According to an announcement made in September, 2009 by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Mr. Kapil Sibal, which State of India would get two Central Universities? (1) Bihar (2) Uttarakhand (3) Jharkhand (4) Jammu and Kashmir 87. WIPO is related to? (1) Investment (2) Intellectual property (3) International trades (4) Indigenous people 88. Which of the following Asian countries has the highest online shoppers? (1) China (2) South Korea (3) Japan (4) Australia 89. The largest coffee growing country in the world is. (1) India (2) Brazil (3) Russia (4) Canada 90. How many members are there in ASEAN? (1) 8 (2) 10 (3) 12 (4) 14 91. How many centuries has Sachin Tendulkar scored in Test career? (1) 42 (2) 47 (3) 46 (4) 44
92.
What is the currency of South Korea? (1) The Yuan (2) The Yen (3) The Won (4) The South Korean Dollar
102. The 44th Amendment of the Indian Constitution withdrew the Fundamental Right (1) To freedom of religion (2) To constitutional remedies (3) To property (4) Against exploitation 103. 'Abhinava Bharat', a secret society of revolutionaries,was organized by (1) Khudiram Bose (2) V.D. Savarkar (3) Prafulla Chaki (4) Bhagat Singh 104. Endoscopy, a technique used to explore the stomach or
93. GDP is the total value of . produced during a particular year (1) All goods and services (2) All final goods and services (3) All intermediate goods and services (4) All intermediate and final goods and services 94. Who amongst the following is included in the list of Biggest Brains in Business? (1) Kumar Mangalam Birla (2) L.N.Mittal (3) Mukesh Ambani (4) Ratan Tata 95. The daily 'National Programme'of Doordarshan was first introduced in the year (1) 1970 (2) 1972 (3) 1980 (4) 1984 96. The mass of the sun is nearly (1) 1030 kg (3) 3 x 1030 kg 97. Triton is a natural satellite of (1) Saturn (3) Uranus
other innerpartsof the body, is basedon the phenomenonof

Total internal reflection Interference Diffraction Polarisation
(1) (2) (3) (4)
(2) (4)
2 x 1030 kg 5 x 1030 kg
105. Which one of the following lakes forms an international boundary between Tanzania and Uganda? (1) Chad (2) Malawi (3) Victoria (4) Zambezi 106. The ruins of an ancient Indian university are at (1) Nalanda (2) Taxila (3) Ujjain (4) Vikramashila 107. India's maximum foreign exchange is spent on (1) Import of foodgrains (2) Import of iron and steel (3) Import of petroleum products (4) Import of technical known-how 108. Who among the following was the first to estimate the country's per capita National Income during the British rule for the year 1868? (1) Pt Jawaharlal Nehru (2) Prof. P Mahalanobis .C. (3) Dadabhai Naoroji (4) None of these 109. The rupee coin was first minted in India during the rule of (1) Shahjahan (2) Sher Shah Suri (3) East India Company (4) Razia Begum
(2) (4)
Jupiter Neptune
98. The Sun is (1) Made of rock and metal (2) A solid body (3) A mass of hot gases (4) Partly rock and mental and partly a mass of hot gases 99. Who is the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka? (1) Chandrika Kumaratunga (2) Ranil Wickremesinghe (3) Mahinda Rajapakse (4) None of these 100. The rupee coin was first minted in India in (1) 1542 (2) 1601 (3) 1809 (4) 1677 101. The 'Chilka Lake region' lies in between the deltas of (1) Ganga and Mahanadi (2) Godavari and Krishna (3) Mahanadi and Godavari (4) Krishna and Kaveri
110. Paper currency first started in India in (1) 1862 (2) 1542 (3) 1601 (4) 1680 111. Whose signature appears on ten-rupee currency notes? (1) Minister of Finance (2) Governor, Reserve Bank of India (3) Secretary, Ministry of Finance (4) None of these 112. Who is known as the 'Father of Geometry'? (1) Kepler (2) Euclid (3) Pythagoras (4) Newton 113. Maria Montessori's name is associated with (1) Christian mission (2) Child education (3) Women's rights (4) Mission hospitals 114. Who among the following has been nominated to become the U.S. Attorney for Southern District of New York, by US President Barack Obama? (1) Preet Bharara (2) Suresh Modi (3) Rajiv Khurana (4) Suresh Kalmadi 115. The Magna Carta is (1) The name of an English king (2) One of Napolean's Wars (3) A British naval ship (4) A historical document curbing the king's power 116. The Magna Carta was signed during the reign of (1) Edward II (2) Henry IV (3) John II (4) Queen Elizabeth 117. Tiger Woods is associated with which of the following sports? (1) Table Tennis (2) Tennis (3) Golf (4) Boxing 118. The Baikonur Cosmodrome is the world's first and largest operational space launch facility. In which country is it located? (1) France (2) Kazakhstan (3) Uzbekistan (4) Germany
119. The International Hockey Federation has decided to allot the Hockey World Cup in 2010 to India. In which year did the Hockey World Cup tournament start? (1) 1971 (2) 1974 (3) 1976 (4) 1977 120. Which among the following clubs has won the Spanish league title for the first time in three years on May 17, 2009? (1) Barcelona (2) Inter Millan (3) Real Madrid (4) Manchester United 121. Recently Suranjoy Singh of India sizzled with Gold on the concluding day of the European Grand Prix boxing as India finished its campaign with four medals. This contest was held in (1) Czech Republic (2) Hungary (3) Serbia (4) Austria 122. The first Winter Olympic Games were held at (1) Innsbruck (Austria) (2) Lake Placid (USA) (3) Chamonix (France) (4) Calgary (Alberta) 123. Who among the following is known as 'Kipper'? (1) Napolean Bonaparte (2) Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa (3) Gen Erwin Rommel (4) Younger Pitt 124. The government formed the panel after many exservicemen returned their medals to protest the rejection of their 'one rank one pension' demand. Who is heading this panel? (1) K.M. Chandrasekhar (2) R Balakrishanan (3) B S Padmanabham (4) T. Raja Shekhar 125. The height of the net in the centre of the tennis court is (1) 2 ft. 10 inches (2) 2 ft. 11 inches (3) 3 ft. 1 inch (4) 3 ft. 2 inches 126. 'Open Market Operation 'is a part of (1) Income Policy (2) Fiscal Policy (3) Credit Policy (4) Labour Policy
127. Madhu Kannan has joined on May 2009 as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of which exchange? (1) Bombay Stock Exchange (2) National Stock Exchange (3) Delhi Stock exchange (4) None of these 128. The Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports is located at (1) Bangalore (2) Kolkata (3) Darjeeling (4) Patiala 129. What is the name of the first satellite launched by Iran on Feb 3, 2009? (1) Shahab (2) Hatf (3) Zulfiqar (4) Omid 130. Indian Navy commissioned INS Airavat on 19 May 2009. Which among the following terms precisely describes INS Airavat? (1) Landing Ship Tank (2) Waterjet Propelled Fast Attack Craft (3) Guided Missile Frigate (4) GPS Craft 131. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has entered the Limca Book of Records as the largest animal rights organisation. (May 11, 2009). In which year did PETA begin? (1) 1995 (2) 2000 (3) 1999 (4) 1980 132. SDR, the currency of the IMF, is in the form of (1) Paper Currency (2) Gold (3) Silver and Gold both (4) Book keeping entry only 133. At present, who is the Prime Minister of Hungry? (1) Victor Orban (2) Gorden Bajnai (3) Jeno Fock (4) Ference Gyurcsany 134. At present, who is the Prime Minister of Denmark? (1) Anders Fogh Rasmussen (2) Lars Looke Rasmussen (3) Poul Nyrup Rasmussen (4) Poul Hartling
135. Who is the Author of the book My China Diary? (1) Kanwal Sibal (2) Salman Haider (3) J.N. Dixit (4) Natwar Singh 136. The Winter Olympic Games came into being in (1) 1912 (2) 1916 (3) 1920 (4) 1924 137. Vidya Pillai is related to which sport? (1) Snooker (2) Golf (3) Archery (4) Billiards 138. How many players are there on each side in the game of Basketball? (1) 4 (2) 5 (3) 6 (4) 7 139. Which country has launched a navigational Satellite? (1) South Korea (2) North Korea (3) India (4) China 140. Where will the Final of the Cricket World Cup 2011 be held? (1) Colombo (2) Mumbai (3) New Delhi (4) Dhaka 141. When is the Commonwealth Day celebrated? (1) May 1 (2) May 3 (3) May 15 (4) May 24 142. What is the full form of PTC? (1) Public Transport Certificate (2) Pubic Telecommunications Council (3) Products Through Consumer (4) Pass Through Certificate 143. Which of the following organizations/agencies has established a fund known as investor protection fund? (1) SEBI (2) NABARD (3) Bombay Stock Exchange (4) AMFI 144. Who amongst the following is the Head of the RBI at present? (1) Mr. M.V.Kamath (2) Mr. Y.V.Reddy (3) Mr. N.R.Narayanmurthy (4) Dr. Duvvuri Subbarao
145. Majority of rural people still prefer to go to which of the following for their credit needs? (1) Money lenders (2) Foreign Bankers (3) NABARD (4) RBI 146. India has different categories of commercial banks. Which of the following is NOT one such category? (1) Private Banks (2) Commodities Banks (3) Nationalized Banks (4) Cooperative Banks 147. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) imposed a restriction on money flow in equity through 'P Notes'. What is the full form of 'P Notes'? (1) Permanent Notes (2) Purchase Notes (3) Participatory Notes (4) Private Notes
148. Many times we read in financial news paper about 'FII'. What is the full form of 'FII'? (1) Final Investment in India (2) Foreign Investment in India (3) Formal Investment in India (4) Foreign Institutional Investment 149. Which of the following types of Banks are allowed to operate foreign currency accounts? (1) Foreign Banks (2) Regional Rural Banks (3) Nationalized Banks (1) Only 1 (2) Only 2 (3) Only 3 (4) All 1,2 and 3 150. Serena Williams won the women's singles Australian Open Tennis Championship-2010 after defeating (1) Swetlana Kuznetsova (2) Justine Henin (3) Dinara Safina (4) Venus Williams
Answers to General knowledge

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. Ans.(2) Ans.(3) Ans.(3) Ans.(2) Ans.(1) Ans.(3) Ans.(2) Ans.(1) Ans.(4) Ans.(3) Ans.(3) Ans.(2) Ans.(1) Ans.(3) Ans.(1) Ans.(3) Ans.(3) Ans.(3) Ans.(4) Ans.(3) Ans.(3) Ans.(1) Ans.(4) Ans.(1) Ans.(2) 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. Ans.(1) Ans.(3) Ans.(3) Ans.(4) Ans.(3) Ans.(4) Ans.(2) Ans.(3) Ans.(4) Ans.(2) Ans.(2) Ans.(1) Ans.(3) Ans.(3) Ans.(4) Ans.(3) Ans.(4) Ans.(2) Ans.(1) Ans.(3) Ans.(2) Ans.(1) Ans.(1) Ans.(1) Ans.(4) 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. Ans.(2) Ans.(1) Ans.(3) Ans.(2) Ans.(2) Ans.(3) Ans.(4) Ans.(1) Ans.(1) Ans.(4) Ans.(2) Ans.(1) Ans.(3) Ans.(1) Ans.(4) Ans.(1) Ans.(2) Ans.(4) Ans.(2) Ans.(3) Ans.(2) Ans.(3) Ans.(1) Ans.(2) Ans.(2) 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97. 98. 99. 100. Ans.(2) Ans.(4) Ans.(1) Ans.(2) Ans.(1) Ans.(2) Ans.(3) Ans.(2) Ans.(1) Ans.(1) Ans.(4) Ans.(2) Ans.(2) Ans.(2) Ans.(2) Ans.(2) Ans.(3) Ans.(2) Ans.(2) Ans.(2) Ans.(2) Ans.(4) Ans.(3) Ans.(3) Ans.(1) 101. 102. 103. 104. 105. 106. 107. 108. 109. 110. 111. 112. 113. 114. 115. 116. 117. 118. 119. 120. 121. 122. 123. 124. 125. Ans.(3) Ans.(3) Ans.(2) Ans.(1) Ans.(3) Ans.(1) Ans.(3) Ans.(3) Ans.(2) Ans.(1) Ans.(2) Ans.(2) Ans.(2) Ans.(1) Ans.(4) Ans.(3) Ans.(3) Ans.(2) Ans.(1) Ans.(1) Ans.(1) Ans.(3) Ans.(2) Ans.(1) Ans.(4) 126. 127. 128. 129. 130. 131. 132. 133. 134. 135. 136. 137. 138. 139. 140. 141. 142. 143. 144. 145. 146. 147. 148. 149. 150. Ans.(3) Ans.(1) Ans.(4) Ans.(4) Ans.(1) Ans.(4) Ans.(4) Ans.(2) Ans.(2) Ans.(4) Ans.(4) Ans.(1) Ans.(2) Ans.(4) Ans.(2) Ans.(3) Ans.(4) Ans.(3) Ans.(4) Ans.(1) Ans.(2) Ans.(3) Ans.(4) Ans.(3) Ans.(2)
News in brief
India
r K.N. Raj, widely respected development economist and teacher and one of the architects of the Indian Plan edifice, passed away. He was 85. Dr. Raj who was the Economic Adviser to Prime Ministers from Jawaharlal Nehru to P .V. Narasimha Rao, and set the pace of India's economic growth story from the First Five-Year Plan died from a cardiac arrest. S.C. Sinha has been appointed Director-General of the National Investigation Agency. He succeeds the first Chief of the agency, Radha Vinod Raju, whose tenure ended last month. Actor Nirmal Pandey, who acted in many films down the years, passed away. The actor suffered from a cardiac arrest, and breathed his last at Mumbai's Holy Spirit hospital, in the western suburb of Andheri. A graduate from the National School of Drama, Nirmal is best known for his films like Bandit Queen, Iss Raat... and Godmother. His last film was the Telugu movie, Kedi, co-starring Nagarjuna. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of India's Planning Commission, is among the 19 members of the high-level advisory group set up by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon seeking to mobilise financing to help developing countries combat climate change. In a decision that will bring cheer to research scientists in state universities, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has directed the UGC to fix their retirement age at 65 years - on par with their counterparts in Central universities. The country's first indigenously produced vaccine against H1N1 virus will be ready for use from mid-May. The vaccine produced by Ahmedabad-based Zydus Cadila may be rolled out first, followed closely by others like Serum Institute and Panacea Biotec. r r India and Australia are expected to sign a social security pact by June this year which will relieve their workers from double taxation and provide for orderly migration. The decision to conclude the Social Security pact between the two countries was taken at a meeting between visiting Australian Foreign Minister Stephan Smith and Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi. India and Russia will sign defence deals worth USD 4 billion for purchase of 29 more carrier based MiG-29Ks as well as ink the final agreement for joint manufacture of fifth generation fighters during Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin's forthcoming visit to India. In a move that will provide relief to the salaried class, the Union cabinet gave its consent for enhancing the gratuity limit at the time of retirement to Rs 10 lakh. The government will bring an amendment to the gratuity Act by tabling a fresh bill in the current session of Parliament in the coming days. Major Dimple Singla was charged with accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 from an advocate, who was the counsel of an accused army official. The court held her guilty of corruption, indiscipline, professional impropriety. The Drug Controller General's office banned advertising of all emergency contraceptives like Unwanted-72 and I-Pill on January 11, 2010, after serious concerns were raised that the ads were promoting the drugs as regular contraceptives and misrepresenting abortion. The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill proposing to lay down new norms and guidelines for judges of the higher judiciary would prefer the judges to keep mum when it comes to political issues. The Union health ministry on February 26 gave the three units BCG Vaccine Laboratory (Chennai), Pasteur Institute of India (Coonoor) and the Central Research Institute (Kasauli) a full fledged go ahead to start manufacturing vaccines once again.
World
r U.S. President, Barack Obama honoured actor and Director Clint Eastwood and singer Bob Dylan with arts awards. The White House called Mr. Dylan an icon of youthful rebellion and poetic
sensitivity and said Mr. Eastwood's films and performances are essays in individuality, hard truths and the
The former U.S. Secretary of State, Alexander Haig, a four-star General who served as a top adviser to three Presidents and had presidential ambitions of his own, died of complications from an infection. Pakistani President, Asif Ali Zardari ordered the reopening of corruption cases against him in Switzerland in line with a Supreme Court order, according to media reports. Advocating genuine friendship between India and China, the Dalai Lama said it was essential for the two most populous nations to develop mutual trust, which can be achieved if China transforms into an open society. The Pakistani Air Force inducted the first squadron of JF17 Thunder multi-role combat aircraft it jointly developed with China as part of its efforts to maintain a balance of conventional forces in the region. The induction of the jets was held at one of the PAF's operational bases, said an official statement. Barack Obama suffered a setback to his green energy agenda when three major corporations including BP America dropped out of a coalition of business groups and environmental organisations that had been pressing Congress to pass climate change legislation. A team of civil nuclear experts from India is in South Korea to explore avenues of broad-based cooperation in the sensitive domain, according to diplomatic sources. Experts from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India attended a two-day professional workshop in Seoul. Australia's private education sector is receiving 50 per cent less enrolments from South Asian countries, particularly India, following the spate of attacks on Indian students, industry officials have said.
essence of what it means to be American. r Zhaoxing, the Chairman of the National People`s Congress (NPC) Foreign Affairs Committee, has said the use of the Taiwan issue by certain country to interfere into China's internal affairs is unacceptable. British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown was at the centre of a growing row over allegations that he 'bullied' his staff after an anti-bullying helpline confirmed claims in a new book about his treatment of people working for him in Downing Street. Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev has launched a sweeping reform of the Interior Ministry amid growing public outcry over an avalanche of police crimes. Mr. Medvedev sacked 18 Generals including two Deputy Interior Ministers and police chiefs in eight regions, replacing them with new appointees. r
Police fired tear gas and clashed with demonstrators in Athens after some 50,000 people finished a peaceful march against cutbacks intended to fix the country's debt crisis.
Novelist Salman Rushdie joined the growing chorus of criticism of Amnesty International for working with a suspected Islamist group, Cageprisoners, formed by a former Guantanamo Bay prisoner Moazzam Begg. He accused Amnesty of 'moral bankruptcy' saying it had done 'incalculable damage' to its reputation.
Business and economy

r Hewlett-Packard (HP) has set up a new global business unit managed enterprise solutions (MES) under its imaging and printing group to cater to the growing managed print services (MPS) market. The Indian team of MES will focus on enterprise customers. The company had also sub-branded its product offerings for small, medium and large enterprises separately. MPS is a consulting and outsourced service offered to help enterprises reduce the number of printers and cut printing costs. Radhika Piramal, the younger daughter of Dilip and Gita Piramal is taking charge of Managing Director (MD) at VIP Industries. It will be effective from April 10, 2010, replacing the incumbent Sudhir Jatia who recently quit. IBM has announced that it has signed a data centre agreement with iYogi , engaged in providing a comprehensive direct-to-consumer and small business remote tech support. According to a release, the implementation will enable iYogi to scale its hardware infrastructure to address the growing business demand for its remote tech support services across the globe, says a release. Bhairavi Jani has taken over as National Chairman of CII's Young Indians (Yi) for 2010-11. Bhairavi Jani, Director, SCA Group of Companies, and Executive Director, TranSmart, is a fourth generation entrepreneur. Shankar Vanavarayar has taken over as National Vice Chairman of Yi, says a release. Unity Infraprojects has bagged the excellence award in appreciation of its best practices implemented in safety, human resource management, productivity, cost management and client service. According to a release, the award was constituted by the Institute of Economic Studies along with Indo-Thai Economic Forums. r r India Business Law Journal, a leading international magazine to focus on business and legal issues in India, has announced the winners of its 2009 Indian law firm awards. The top award of law firm for the year goes to Delhi-based Luthra & Luthra. According to a release, the firm won major deals such as $3.8 billion financing of the 4,000 MW Sasan Ultra Mega Power Project in Madhya Pradesh which will be developed by Reliance Power. The award for best overall law firms 2009 is shared by Amarchand Mangaldas, AZB & Parntrs, J. Sagar Associates, Khaitan & Co, Luthra & Luthra and Trilegal. The promoters of AEGON Religare Life Insurance have infused an additional capital of Rs. 85 crore into the company to support building of distribution as part of the growth strategy for 2009-10. This enhances the total capital to Rs. 550 crore as of February 1, says a company release. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a notification introducing a new category of Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) as Infrastructure Finance Companies (IFCs). The existing categories of NBFCs are Asset Finance Companies (AFCs), Loan Companies (LCs) and Investment Companies (ICs). Further with a view to encouraging larger flow of funds to infrastructure, the exposure of a bank to infrastructure finance companies has been enhanced up to 20 per cent of its capital funds. The IFCs should deploy a minimum of 75 per cent of its total assets in infrastructure loans. Net owned funds of Rs. 300 crore or above with a minimum credit rating 'A' or equivalent of Crisil, Fitch, CARE, ICRA or equivalent rating by any other accrediting rating agencies could enter infrastructure financing. Korean steel major Posco has begun checking out West Bengal, raising hopes of the State hosting an investment by Korea's biggest steel company whose plans to set up a 12 million tonne plant in Orissa is in a limbo.
Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has appointed PwC India Chairman Gautam Banerjee to its Corporate Governance council for a two year term starting from February. The council headed by Singapore Press Holdings CEO Alan Chan, comprises 13 private sector professionals and has been entrusted with reviewing standards of corporate governance in Singapore as well as the code for corporate governance, says a release. Kingfisher Airlines has received government approval to operate the following international flights. From New Delhi, it will fly to London, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Dubai and from Mumbai to Colombo, Bangkok and Dubai, a company release said. Honda Motorcycles and Scooters has launched its first
mass segment bike, the CB Twister, in Thiruvananthapuram.
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) said that it would give a final shape to its much-awaited technology transfer agreement with the U.K.-based Sheffield Forge Masters to help it manufacture and upgrade castings and forgings. The agreement would enable BHEL to manufacture new and improved castings and forgings, which were the key components in power equipment, at its Haridwar unit. Coca-Cola has opened a state-of-the-art 'Analytical Services Centre' in Pune that will provide analytical and technical support to Coca-Cola's operations in India and South Asia as well as to countries in Eastern Europe, southern Eurasia and West Asia. Built with an investment of over Rs.18-crore, the world-class laboratory is one of six locations strategically selected by the company for the creation of a global network of analytical testing facilities. HCL Technologies has signed an IT infrastructure management engagement with Electrolux. The scope of this five-year engagement covers support of workplace services for Electrolux, including proactive monitoring and management of network, servers, IT security and end-user computing environment in 12 countries in the APAC region including Australia, says a release. Reliance Media World's radio division 92.7 Big FM has joined hands with a large telecom VAS provider, OnMobile Global, to roll out the radio experience on the mobile platform. For the first time in India, Big Mobile Radio will give mobile users the option to listen to 17 multi-lingual specially programmed channels anywhere in India. According to a proposal being evaluated by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), calls made by customers to the phone company, other than complaints, will have to be charged. The proposal is backed by industry associations, also asking for a common toll-free number across operators. Tata Motors will launch the electric version of the world's cheapest car Nano in Europe within the next two-and-ahalf years. The company, which unveiled the electric version of the small car - Tata Nano EV, would also launch the version in the domestic market. However, no possible timeframe has been fixed for its launch in the home market.
Priced between Rs 44,000 and Rs 50,000-plus across the three models in the Kerala market, the CB Twister offers style, unmatched performance, good mileage and convenience at an affordable cost, a company spokesman said. Equipped with a new 110 cc engine that delivers 9 BHP of power and Tubeless tyres are the unique feature of the CB Twister, the first time in the segment, they added. r Tata Power Company and Korea East West Power Company (EWP), one of the largest generation utilities of Korea, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to identify and execute O&M (operation and maintenance) opportunities relating to third party generation assets in Asia, West Asia and Africa. Anand G. Mahindra, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of Mahindra Group, has been named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the year 2009. The Lifetime Achievement Award has gone to N. Vaghul for his unparalleled contribution to the Indian financial sector. Reliance Money has launched a new product, Trade Unlimited, for high net worth individuals (HNI), which allows investors to undertake unlimited delivery trading by paying Rs. 6,000 for a period of three months. Vikrant Gugnani, Executive Director, Reliance Securities, said the new offering, which is on offer till February 28, is aimed at investors who trade more than Rs. five lakhs per day or Rs. one crore per month.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has bagged a multiyear deal from the British government to administer the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST). "TCS is delighted to be confirmed as the preferred bidder to deliver the NEST scheme administration solution and services," N Chandrasekaran, CEO and MD of TCS told. Tata group firm Indian Hotels and auto major Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) are the only Indian brands included in the list of 27 top 'Great Brands of Tomorrow' compiled by Credit Suisse. Strong brand companies have consistently generated out-sized longterm growth and returns for shareholders. To become a consulting partner for the Unique Identification Development Authority of India (UIDAI) project, professional services firm Ernst & Young has bagged the contract from the UIDAI. Ernst & Young will help plan and formulate the overall programme management strategy for the programme. The Passport Seva Project of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), which aims to issue passports in three days, is expected to be launched by next month. "TCS Passport Seva Project is all set to be launched by end-March. The infrastructure is ready, software problems have been fixed and security issues are in place for the project to start," said Ministry of Communication & Information Technology, Additional Secretary, S R Rao. ADA Group Company Reliance Venture Asset Management (RVAM), which already has two investments in American start-ups, has tied up with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as an exclusive sponsor for their entrepreneurship development programme. Google is no longer the leading business facing brand in the world, as Microsoft has taken its place in the annual Business Superbrands Top 500 survey, compiled by the Centre for Brand Analysis. Google is now fifth on the list. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked nationalised banks to provide banking services in all villages, far-flung areas and human habitations in the country, RBI deputy governor Subir Gokarn has said.
To manage the complete life-cycle of enterprise information, from its inception to its final disposal, Sify Technologies in partnership with Hitachi Data System announced the launch of its utility based on-demand storage service. The number of mobile phone users across the world will swell to five billion this year, said a UN telecommunication agency. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the number of mobile phone subscriptions worldwide has reached 4.6 billion and is expected to increase to five billion this year. Godrej properties has roped in Skidmore Owings and Merrill (SOM), the architectural firm who built world's tallest building Burj Khalifa, to build homes for the Gujarat Township project. The Chicago-based architects and engineers will create the blueprint for the township which will be spread across 300 lakh square feet in Ahmedabad. It is expected that India's spend on information technology (IT) and e-governance may touch about $4 billion next fiscal. "For IT and e-governance, the planned expenditure for the next year should be around $2 billion with a similar amount envisaged on the non-planned side," said R. Chandrashekhar, Secretary, Ministry of IT and Communications. Aditya Birla Minacs, the BPO firm which is a part of the AV Birla Group, has acquired the Bangalore based technology solutions provider Radifinity. Incubated at the NS Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL), IIM-Bangalore, Radifinity provides technology solutions in areas such as radio frequency identification, smart cards, GPS and GPRS. The value of the acquisition is not yet known. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has started consultation for the next level of telecom services or the fourth generation or 4G technology, which offers download at faster speed known as ultra-broadband and high definition video on demand among other such services. 4G or LTE is a successor to 3G and 2G standards, with the aim to provide a wide range of data rates up to ultrabroadband (gigabit-speed) Internet access to mobile as well as stationary users.
Brand icon
Maruti Suzuki
aruti Suzuki India Limited is a publicly listed automaker in India. It is the largest automobile manufacturer in South Asia. Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan holds a majority stake in the company. It was the first company in India to mass-produce and sell more than a million cars. It is largely credited for having brought in an automobile revolution in India. It is the market leader in India and on 17 September 2007, Maruti Udyog Limited was renamed Maruti Suzuki India Limited. The company's headquarters are located in Delhi. Maruti Suzuki is one of India's leading automobile manufacturers and the market leader in the car segment, both in terms of volume of vehicles sold and revenue earned. Until recently, 18.28% of the company was owned by the Indian government, and 54.2% by Suzuki of Japan. The Indian government held an initial public offering of 25% of the company in June 2003. As of 10 May 2007, Govt. of India sold its complete share to Indian financial institutions. With this, Govt. of India no longer has stake in Maruti Udyog. Maruti Udyog Limited (MUL) was established in February 1981, though the actual production commenced in 1983 with the Maruti 800, based on the Suzuki Alto kei car which at that time was the only modern car available in India, its' only competitorsthe Hindustan Ambassador and Premier Padmini were both around 25 years out of date at that point. Through 2004, Maruti Suzuki has produced over 5 Million vehicles. Maruti Suzukis are sold in India and various several other countries, depending upon export orders. Models similar to Maruti Suzukis (but not manufactured by Maruti Udyog) are sold by Suzuki Motor Corporation and manufactured in Pakistan and other South Asian countries. The company annually exports more than 50,000 cars and has an extremely large domestic market in India selling over 730,000 cars annually. Maruti 800, till 2004, was the India's largest selling compact car ever since it was launched in 1983. More than a million units of this car have been sold worldwide so far.
Currently, Maruti Suzuki Alto tops the sales charts and Maruti Suzuki Swift is the largest selling in A2 segment. Due to the large number of Maruti 800s sold in the Indian market, the term "Maruti" is commonly used to refer to this compact car model. Maruti Suzuki has been the leader of the Indian car market for over two decades. Its manufacturing facilities are located at two facilities Gurgaon and Manesar south of Delhi. Maruti Suzukis Gurgaon facility has an installed capacity of 350,000 units per annum. The Manesar facilities, launched in February 2007 comprise a vehicle assembly plant with a capacity of 100,000 units per year and a Diesel Engine plant with an annual capacity of 100,000 engines and transmissions. Manesar and Gurgaon facilities have a combined capability to produce over 700,000 units annually. More than half the cars sold in India are Maruti Suzuki cars. The company is a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, which owns 54.2 per cent of Maruti Suzuki. The rest is owned by the public and financial institutions. It is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange in India. During 2007-08, Maruti Suzuki sold 764,842 cars, of which 53,024 were exported. In all, over six million Maruti Suzuki cars are on Indian roads since the first car was rolled out on 14 December, 1983. Maruti Suzuki has a firm belief that the success of car industry is completely based on fulfilling the demands of excellence in diverse areas including good products, robust sales, support network, and acumen for logistics and inventory. Increasingly, the company has laid its successful business on a prosperous design and development capability. Since its inception in the country, Maruti Suzuki India has nurtured its supplier base, dealer network and even the customer base to reach the height it is rejoicing today. The company has always maintained a disciplined team of skilled and talented professionals who have the vitality of kaizen. Apart from this, the company has always been successful in meeting the changing demands of the changing generation. It has just turned out to be perfect in all operations and endeavours. Customer delight has always been the first priority for Maruti. In regards to this priority, the company always keeps the door of past and future open for its customers so that they can cherish the past and rejoice the upcoming.
Book review
FORTUNE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PYRAMID

by C.K.Prahalad
What is it all about?

This book, for a refreshing change, is not about BPO, but BOP the bottom of the pyramid, , the real source of market promise. Whether you're a business leader or an anti-poverty activist, this book shows you why you can't afford to ignore "Bottom of the Pyramid" (BOP).
The author demonstrates that the process of making products more affordable to the world's poor can provide substantial returns to create real partnerships and innovations for established companies. He has used examples in this reference.
Do the poor care about brand names?

The author's research shows that brand consciousness among the poor is universal. Prahalad points out that companies who want to invest in BOP markets must make it part of their core business, and not make the mistake of considering it a corporate social responsibility initiative. On the contrary, this is real investment that takes attention, planning, and resources. It may seem improbable that companies can make money by selling to people who have limited purchasing power, but, as author demonstrates, companies that have actually bothered to try are flourishing. C.K. Prahalad concedes that change will not be easy, but he does present well-researched case studies and compelling reasoning for why the BOP is a market worthy of attention. The book brims with interesting facts and statistics.
The man at the BOP is a consumer too

University of Michigan Business School professor C.K. Prahalad challenges business's common beliefs about the world's impoverished and introduces readers to the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP), an untapped market of more than four billion people, many of whom are seen as poor in the public eye. This is what market companies should be paying attention to, he says, even more so than the few rarified consumers at the high-profit pinnacle, or even the growing middle markets. In short, author's vision is not about philanthropy and corporate social responsibility, but is centered around the idea that "If we stop thinking of the poor as victims or as a burden and start recognizing them as resilient and creative entrepreneurs and value-conscious consumers, a whole new world of opportunity will open up."
Is it as easy as he makes it sound?

This book may not be superbly written but all the same it reeks of the indomitable force of detail and meticulous research. It challenges so many conventional theories about the poor and economically deprived, that it is sure to not only create a ripple in the world of finance but also generate some controversy. Globally, this is a movement in the making that will affect each and every human being in the broad sense. The book's content is a challenge to the way in which we approach the world. And the responses to the challenges are illustrated by powerful and convincing examples. It is only a very obdurate mind that will not receive a dose of ground-breaking thinking and zeal for the opportunities that can be created by adopting an altered and innovative approach with respect to one's business activities concerning the bottom or for that matter even the top of the pyramid.
Constant innovation is the need of the hour

According to the author, we need to find new and innovative approaches to rise to the challenge of this fast growing population. One of the assumptions that he makes is that the poor need to be seen as a market, but one different from the conventional perception of a market. This assumption has some immediate consequences - all of the traditional business concepts are applicable but each and every one of those concepts needs to be applied from a distinct perspective. What results is a practical example of the application of innovative thinking and innovation to an intractable problem How to cater to the more than 4-billion humans who do not form part of the target market of the organizations that are driven by conventional assumptions about products, services, value and needs.

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Contents

Major news stories

Simplifying knowledge dissemination

Editor-in-Chief : Sandeep Manudhane Marketing and Sales :

Volume 8. Edition 09. March 2010 Editorial Office :

Business and economy ..........................................................

Business and economy ..........................................................

To be a world class training and education

Letters to the editor

Common Errors in English Language

Send feedback to: preptalk@PTeducation.com

Major news stories

Union Budget 2010-11

IMPROVING INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT

UPBEATS OF UNION BUDGET 2010

DOWNBEATS OF UNION BUDGET 2010

06 PTs PrepTalk March 2010

Major news stories

Vancouver 2010 winter Olympics

PTs PrepTalk March 2010 07

Major news stories

Master blaster Sachin creates history

08 PTs PrepTalk March 2010

PTs PrepTalk March 2010 09

What are GM foods?

PTs PrepTalk March 2010 11

World Ranking Name

16 PTs PrepTalk March 2010

INDIA, BRITAIN INK NUCLEAR PACT

PTs PrepTalk March 2010 17

18 PTs PrepTalk March 2010

PTs PrepTalk March 2010 19

20 PTs PrepTalk March 2010

APJ KALAM, RATAN TATA MOST TRUSTED INDIAN PEOPLE

PTs PrepTalk March 2010 21

8.8-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE HITS CENTRAL CHILE

ISRAEL'S PLAN STIRS UNREST

INDIA-BANGLADESH POWER PLANT DEAL

IRAN COULD BE MAKING NUCLEAR WARHEAD: IAEA

BRETT LEE RETIRES FROM TEST CRICKET

INCHEON AIRPORT NAMED WORLD'S BEST FOR 5TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

INDO-US N-DEAL TO BOOST ECONOMIC TIES

PAK SAYS INDIA CAN DIVERT N-FUEL

JAPAN TAKES UP CHAIRMANSHIP OF 2010 APEC FORUM

VIKTOR YANUKOVYCH SWORN IN AS UKRAINE PRESIDENT

US SAYS NO TO NUCLEAR POWER PLANT TO PAK

507-CARAT ROUGH DIAMOND SELLS FOR RECORD USD 35 MILLION

BRITISH TROOPS TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM AFGHANISTAN BY 2015

PTs PrepTalk March 2010 27

PANCHEN LAMA NAMED TO TOP ADVISORY BODY IN CHINA

NASA RADAR ON CHANDRAYAAN-I DETECTS ICE DEPOSITS ON MOON

28 PTs PrepTalk March 2010

PTs PrepTalk March 2010 29

Major news stories

Rail Budget 2010

Brand Trivia: Nivea

Beiersdorf developed a water-in-oil emulsifier as a skin cream with Eucerit,

likeness of a Lady in 1912.

A Nivea Whitening Paste was meant for users in Japan.

Nivea advertisements "Nivea"

current weather forecast

Beiersdorf completed buying back the