Current Affairs

GENERAL STUDIES
For
UPSC Engineering Services Examination, GATE, State Engineering Services Examination & Public Sector Examination. (BHEL, NTPC, NHPC, DRDO, SAIL, HAL, BSNL, BPCL, NPCL, etc.)
CURRENT AFFAIRS - 1
(FROM APRIL 2012 TO DEC. 2012)
I.E.S MASTER
Institute for Engineers
IES/GATE/PSUs
Office: F-126, Katwaria Sarai, New Delhi - 110 016 Phone: 011-41013406, 7838813406, 9711853908 Website: www.iesmaster.org, E-mail: ies_master@yahoo.co.in
IES Master
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Table of Contents
Chapters 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Page No. Master Articles ............................................................. 001 to 010 National Updates ......................................................... 011 to 040 International & Bilateral Updates ............................. Environment & Ecology Updates ................................ Science & Technology Updates .................................... Defence Updates ........................................................... Committee, Commission & Reports ........................... 041 to 063 064 to 075 076 to 098 099 to 111 112 to 120
Conferences & Summits ............................................... 121 to 129 Games & Sports ........................................................... 130 to 138
10. Awards & Recognition ................................................. 139 to 152 11. Persons & Places in News ........................................... 153 to 162 12. Books & Authors ........................................................... 163 to 167
National Updates
GENERAL ISSUES 13 ECONOMY AND ENERGY ISSUES 19
2.1 2.2 2.3
SOCIAL, HEALTH & EDUCATIONAL ISSUES
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2.1.
General Issues
Meghalaya, Manipur & Tripura to get High Courts

The North-Eastern Areas (Reorganization) and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012, passed recently, will pave the way for creation of the High Courts in Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura by amending the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganization) Act, 1971. Presently, all seven northeastern States come under the jurisdiction of the Guwahati High Court, with Benches in Tripura, Meghalaya (Bench at Shillong), Manipur (Bench at Imphal), Mizoram (Bench at Aizawl), Nagaland(Bench at Kohima) and Arunachal Pradesh (Bench at Itanagar).
Master Tips
Once the three courts are established, the number of High Courts in the country will go up from 21 to 24. The total approved strength of judges in the 21 High Courts was 895, and 260 post were vacant. This meant there was less than one judge for every one million people. The Madras High Court in Chennai, Bombay High Court in Mumbai, Calcutta High Court in Kolkatta are the first three High Courts in India, established in 1862 by High Courts Act, 1861 . Allahabad High Court was also established by High Courts Act, 1861 but in 1866.
60 New Police Stations Set Up In Five Riot-hit Assam Districts

After wanton ethnic violence left nearly 100 dead and thousands of Bodos and Muslims in Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts (BTAD) areas displaced, the government has finally decided to set up 60 more police stations in the five riot-hit districts (Kokrajhar, Chirang, Udalguri, Baksa and Dhubri) of lower Assam to ensure close vigil and better policing.
Master Tips
The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) is a territorial privilege established according to the Memorandum of Settlement of February 10, 2003. BTC came into existence immediately after surrender of BLTF (Bodoland Liberation Tiger Force) cadres. The BTC has 12 electorate members each looking after a specific area of control called somisthi. The area under the BTC jurisdiction is called the Bodo Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD) which is to consist of four contiguous districts Kokrajhar, Baksa, Udalguri and Chirang carved out of seven existing districts Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamrup, Darrang and Sonitpur. The BTAD is created under the sixth schedule of the Constitution of India.
Janamaithri Scheme in 100 More Police Stations

The Janamaithri Suraksha project, the community policing scheme of the Kerala police, will be extended to 100 more police stations, 50 of them tribal stations. As many as 148 stations have been implementing the scheme, launched at 20 stations in 2007 on a pilot basis. In phase two of the scheme, 21 more police stations started implementing it in 2009. Thereafter, following the good response, the other stations introduced it.
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Study Material
SC Directs Karnataka to Release Cauvery Water to Tamil Nadu

Supreme Court directed Karnataka to release 10,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day its neighbouring state and asked the Cauvery Monitoring Committee (CMC) to hold its meeting to decide the amount of water required by the states. A bench of Justices D K Jain and Madan B Lokur said its interim order will continue till CMC files its report. The Bench said that its immediate concern is to save the crops which are allegedly dying because of lack of water and it would decide other issues later on.
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Kaveri River water dispute: The sharing of waters of the Kaveri has been the source of a serious conflict between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The genesis of this conflict rests in two controversial agreementsone signed in 1892 and another in 1924between the erstwhile Madras Presidency and Princely State of Mysore. The 802 km long Kaveri river has 34,273 sq km basin area in Karnataka (42%), 44,016 sq km basin area in Tamil Nadu(54%) and 2,866 sq km in Kerala(3.5%) and 148 sq km in Puducherry. Constitutional Provision and The Interstate River Water Disputes Act 1956 (IRWD Act): Under article 262, Parliament may by law provide for the adjudication of any dispute with respect to the use, distribution or control of the water of Inter-State River or river valley. Parliament by law may exclude such jurisdiction of Supreme Court or any other court. The Interstate River Water Disputes Act,1956 (IRWD Act,1956) was first enacted on 28 August 1956 by the Indian parliament under Article 262 on the eve of reorganization of states on linguistic basis to resolve the water disputes that would arise in the use, control and distribution of an interstate river or river valley. IRWD Act, 1956 Provide for an ad hoc tribunal for adjudication of any dispute arising between two or more States with regard to the water of any Inter-State river or river Valley. The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal:
In its verdict, the tribunal allocated 419 billion ft (12 km) of water annually to Tamil Nadu and 270 billion ft (7.6 km) to Karnataka; 30 billion ft (0.8 km) of Kaveri river water to Kerala and 7 billion ft (0.2 km) to Puducherry. The dispute however, appears not to have concluded, as all four states deciding to file review petitions seeking clarifications and possible renegotiation of the order.
Indias Longest Railway Bridge To Be Built Jointly By WRI and HCC

Indias longest railway bridge over the Brahmaputra that would enhance connectivity between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will be built by jointly by BHELs Welding Research Institute (WRI) and Mumbai-based Hindustan Construction Co Ltd. (HCC). The countrys longest rail-cum-road bridge estimated for completion by the end of year 2015 at a cost of Rs. 3,230 crore would be of strategic importance, reducing the time taken for travelling between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The connectivity will also give a thrust to regional tourism, trade and commerce.
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The Government of India constituted a three man tribunal, headed by Justice Chittatosh Mookerjee in 1990 to look into the matter. After hearing arguments of all the parties involved for the next 16 years, the tribunal delivered its final verdict on 5 February 2007.
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CUSEC : Cusec is a measure of flow rate of water and is abbreviation for cubic feet per second (which is equivalent to a flow of 28.317 litres per second) and 11,000 cusecs flow for a day amounts to 1 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) water.
Office: F-126, Katwaria Sarai, New Delhi - 110 016 Website: www.iesmaster.org, E-mail: ies_master@yahoo.co.in Phone: 011-41013406, 7838813406, 9711853908
Study Material
National Updates
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Operation X: Kasab Hanged, Buried in Yerwada Jail

In a top secret way Operation X, 25-year-old Mohammmed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving gunman of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack was taken to Punes Yerwada Jail and hanged on November 21,2012. Police sources said that Kasab was buried in the Jail. His mercy petition was rejected by President Mr. Pranabh Mukherjee against earlier order of Supreme Court to death penalty.
Master Tips
As mentioned in Article 72 of Indian Constitution, the President is empowered with the powers to grant pardons in the following situations: Punishment is for offence against Union Law Punishment is by a Military Court Sentence is a death sentence
UN Secretary General Visited India
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon visited India in the last week of April 2012. He met the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the then External Minister S.M. Krishna and discussed measures to counter terrorism. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon was conferred the degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by the Chancellor, Lieutenant General (Retd.) M.A. Zaki of the Jamia Millia University.
Master Tips
Ban Ki-Moon: The Korean diplomat is serving his 2nd term as the Secretary-General of UN, succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007. His new five-year term as Secretary-General is from1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016.
Parliament approved amendments to the Copyright Act that entitles artistes to lifelong royalty. The Copyright Act (Amendment) Bill, 2012 was passed by the Lok Sabha unanimously, with members from all parties supporting the measure for creative artistes, whose benefits are cornered by producers under the existing law. The Bill, passed by the Rajya Sabha, declares authors owners of the copyright, which cannot be assigned to producers, as was the practice till now. Salient Features of the new Bill: Song writers, artistes and performer can now claim royalty for their works. The Bill made it mandatory for broadcasters both radio and television to pay royalty to the owners of the copyright each time a work of art was broadcast. It bans persons from bringing out cover versions of any literary, dramatic or musical work for five years from the first recording of the original creation. The Bill provides for exemption from copyright for any work prepared for the physically challenged in special formats such as Braille. It also permits compulsory license to be granted for a certain number of copies in non-special formats to non-profit organizations working to help disabled persons.
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Newly Cleared Copyright Bill Assures Artistes Entitlement to Lifelong Royalty
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Pardoning Power of President:Under Judicial Powers, the President has the right to grant pardon, to suspend, remit or commute the death sentence of any person.
Ban Ki-Moon
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Study Material
3rd NIA Centre In Uttar Pradesh

A regional centre of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was opened in Lucknow, the third, after Hyderabad and Guwahati.
Master Tips
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is a federal agency approved by the Indian Government to combat terror in India. NIA was created after the Nov 2008 Mumbai terror. The founding Director-General of NIA was Radha Vinod Raju. The current DirectorGeneral is S.C Sinha.
Ayur Cant Be Trademark: Intellectual Property Appellate Board

The Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) has ruled that Ayur cannot be used as trade mark as being done and directed the removal of the word Ayur, registered in the name of Three N-Products (P) Ltd. New Delhi, from the trade marks registry. In its order the IPAB said: Ayur is a generic word; to hoard it as mine-own-forever is not in public interest, and such a monopoly was never intended by the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
Master Tips
Ayur is a commonly used word derived from Ayush (life) and a derivative of the word Ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old system of medicine. Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) launched its line of Ayurvedic health and beauty care products under the trade mark Lever Ayush in 2002.
Buddhist Site Discovered In East Godavari
The bricks that were used for constructing walls were 48 cm long and 26 cm wide and 8 cm thick. The saddle querns were used to prepare saddle points for prayers and also for preparing spice powder and herbal medicine.
Researchers Found Paleo-river Near Narmada

The traces of a Paleo-river are claimed to have been found by a group of researchers in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. The researchers are trying to find out whether the ancient stream has anything to do with the Narmada.
Master Tips
A Paleo-channel or Paleo-river is an inactive river or water stream buried under sediment. Due to geological activities, the nearly 65 million year-old river might have got covered under basaltic lava. It flowed in the same direction East to West as the Narmada. The current course of the Narmada is about 10 km from the site of the Paleo-river, parallel to it. Further exploration may throw light on the origin of the Narmada.
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A Buddhist site was discovered at Porupaka of Routhulapudi mandal of East Godavari district in AP by a freelance archaeologist Kadiyala Venkateswara Rao, which is believed to be of third or fourth century A.D. The findings were endorsed by Bangarraju, Assistant Director, Archaeological Survey of India. The newly found Buddhist site, on the hilltop, is spread in 20 acres area from the foot hill to the lower level of the fields on the western side of the hill. The number of huge brickbats, red and black polished pot shreds, conical bowls, terracotta toys, white and red coloured beads, big-size circular ear lobes and number of saddle querns were found at the site.
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National Updates
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Asias Biggest Cattle Fair Sonepur Mela Held

A month-long Sonepur Mela, Aisas largest cattle fair which has attracted international attention was held in November 2012 at Sonepur in Saran district of Bihar state.. Elephants, horses, dogs, donkeys, ponies, rabbits and goats are sold from the mela, which is also known as the Harihar Kshetra Mela. The mela has its origin in ancient times when Emperor Chandragupta Maurya used to buy elephants and horses from across Ganga. Bihar Tourism Department inaugurated the fair which begins during the full moon of the Hindu month of Kartik at the confluence of rivers Ganga and Gandak.
First-ever GTA Elections Held

Election of GTA:
As per the West Bengal government announcement, the election for the GTA was held on July 29, 2012. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) contested the GTA polls. In the elections GJM candidates won from all the constituencies. The newly elected members of the GTA were sworn in on 4 August 2012 at Darjeeling in the presence of home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and West Bengal chief minister Mamta Banerjee. Bimal Gurung, president of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), was elected Chief Executive Officer of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) by the elected and nominated members of the new regional autonomous body. The members of the GTA, that replaces the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC), was sworn in. Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) having administrative, executive and financial powers but no legislative powers, is a semi-autonomous administrative body for the Darjeeling hills in West Bengal, India. The GTA will replace the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC), which was formed in 1988 and administered the Darjeeling hills for 23 years. GTA presently has three hill subdivisions Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong and some areas of Siliguri subdivision under its authority. After three years of agitation for a state of Gorkhaland led by GJM, the GJM reached an agreement with the state government to form a semi-autonomous body to administer the Darjeeling hills. A bill for the creation of GTA was passed in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly on 2 September 2011.
Justice Shyamal Sen Report : The report of the high-power committee headed by retired Justice Mr. Shyamal Sen on inclusion of additional areas from the Dooars and Terai in the GTA was submitted to the state government which recommended that five mouzas in the plains be added to the proposed new body in the Darjeeling hills. The Gorkha janmukti Morcha (GJM) expressed its anger at the report, saying that they had expected the figure to be more than 150.
What is GTA?
AP-MH Signed Agreement For Water Sharing In Pranahita-Chevella

Agreement has been signed by Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra to implement the Rs. 38,500crore mega project of Pranahita-Chevella at Delhi in the presence of Chief Ministers of both States which will provide a new thrust to utilization of water in the Godavari basin. Maharashtras willingness not only to allow the construction of the project but also to participate in it comes as a big relief to Andhra Pradesh in the light of its legal battle against illegal construction of Babli and 11 other barrages across the Godavari, which threatens to curtail inflows to Sriramsagar that lies downstream.
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Demand For Frontier Nagaland And Relared Issues
The Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO) has been demanding creation of Frontier Nagaland out of four border districts- Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire and Longleng districts. It submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister in 2010, saying only a separate State would result in socio-economic development in the border region. The then Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram reportedly assured Nagaland Chief Minister Nephiu Rio of assistance for the speedy development of Eastern Nagaland, but ruled out creation of a separate State Frontier Nagaland. The ENPO has rejected a Rs. 500-crore development package offered by the Nagaland government in lieu of a separate State sticking to its demand for creation of a Frontier Nagaland and all the six tribes passed a resolution on June 12 in Tuensang not to accept any development package or any autonomous or regional council in lieu of a separate State.
Master Tips
The ENPO, which is the apex organization of six Naga tribes including Konyak, Khiamniungan, Chang, Yimchunger, Sangtam and Phom inhabiting the four districts, namely Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire and Longleng.
Cyclone Nilam Severely Affected AP
Andhra Pradesh government estimated the loss of Rs. 1,710 crore caused by NILAM cyclone in agriculture and horticulture crops along with lives.
The three-day Australian Film Festival (AFF) got off to a magnificent start with enthusiasts queuing up to view the films. Dehra Dun is the only non-metro city where the screening of the Australian movies will take place apart from New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. This also happens to be the first international film festival in the city. Yes, Madam Sir is the most anticipated film of the festival. This award-winning documentary on the first woman IPS officer Kiran Bedi has been directed by Megan Doneman. On the threshold of the centenary of the award of Asias first Nobel Prize to Rabindranath Tagore in 1913, President Pranab Mukherjee said that Tagore had realised the special role of Asia in the pattern of vibrations between the self and the world. Mr. Mukherjee inaugurated the centenary celebrations of the award of the Nobel Prize to Tagore with an international seminar at Visva-Bharati University, which was jointly organised by the university and the Institute of Chinese Studies, Delhi. This seminar will not merely celebrate the award of a Nobel Prize to an individual; it will celebrate the potential of the idea of exchange, cooperation and multiculturalism, Mr. Mukherjee said.
Pranab Opens Centenary Fete Of Nobel For Tagore
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Australian Film Festival Begins
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Andhra Pradesh has so far spent Rs 1,600 crore on various packages of the project, which was designed by a group of Telangana expert-engineers to utilise 160 tmcft of Pranahita water and serve 16.4 lakh acres in the most drought-prone areas of Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Nizamabad, Medak, Naglonda and Ranga Reddy. This huge investment would have been a waste if Maharashtra had opposed it. Maharashtras consent is seen crucial because the mammoth barrage required for the project to divert Pranahita waters will have to be built in its territory. The water from this barrage will be transferred into the reservoir of the yellampalli project already constructed across the Godavari, before being released to the intended areas, including Hyderabad (30 tmcft) for drinking purpose. The agreement will provide for constitution of three committees, one of them with Chief Ministers of the two States to oversee the implementation of the project.
Study Material
National Updates
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2.2.
Economy and Energy Issues
Govt. Clears Signing Of Pact For Buying Gas From Turkmenistan-TAPI Pipe Line
The Union Cabinet approved the signing of the Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement (GSPA), for buying gas from Turkmenistan. The rate $0.50 per million metric British thermal unit for allowing passage of gas through their respective territories has been finalized resolving one of the major contentious issues. The delivered price of gas on the Indian border works out to $10-12 per mmBtu as compared to $4.20 per mmBtu price of domestic gas and $16 per mmBtu rate of gas imported in ships in its liquid form (LNG). The pipeline would carry 90 million metric standard cubic meters per day (mmscmd) of gas. Of which, 14 mmscmd would be bought by Afghanistan and 38 mmscmd each would be for India and Pakistan.
Master Tips
The 1735 km long pipeline, which is likely to be operational by 2016, will run from Turkmenistans Dauletabad gas field to Herat and Kandhar province of Afghanistan, before entering Pakistan. In Pakistan, it will reach Multan via Quetta befroe ending at Fazilka Punjab in India. (See Map for clarity.)
IndiaQatar Sign Pact to Boost Oil and Gas Cooperation

A pact to enhance cooperation in the key sector of oil and gas exploration is among the six agreements inked between India and Qatar, which has the worlds third largest natural gas reserves after Russia and Iran. The MoU signed between them, is to establish a cooperative framework to facilitate and to enhance bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector for mutual benefit.
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Proposed TAPI Pipe Line
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RBIs Current Rates And Ratios

Policy Rates* Bank Rate 8.75% Repo Rate Reverse Repo Rate Marginal Standing Facility Rate (MSF) 7.75% 6.75% 8.75% Reserve Ratios* Cash Reserve Ratio 4.00% (CRR) Statutory Liquidity 23.00% Ratio (SLR) *Note: Rates and ratios are revised by the RBI from time to time, so keep updated. Given data is as on date 29st Jan 2013.
Shome Panel On GAAR
Union Cabinet Clears Spectrum Fee On Telecom Firms

The Union Cabinet on November 8, 2012 approved the proposal of an Empowered Group of Ministers (EGOM) to levy a one time spectrum charge of about Rs. 31,000 crore on all existing telecom operators in the country. The EGoM had proposed the GSM based telecom companies pay for all their 2G spectrum holdings beyond 4.4 MHz, while CDMA players were to pay the Levy beyond 2.5 MHz holding prospectively for the remaining period of their licenses. GSM above 6.2 MHz will be levied one-time fee from July, 2008
Producer Price Index (PPI) For Inflation Mooted by RBI

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor D. Subbarao, mooted a proposal for a Producer Price Index (PPI), which would measure the average change over time in the sale prices of domestic goods and services.
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The expert committee on GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules), set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh under the chairmanship of Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) chief Parthasarathi Shome , has begun the process of consultations with various stakeholders. Terms of Reference: To fine-tune the controversial provisions and bring in more clarity and transparency in the draft guidelines announced in Budget 2012 for the introduction of GAAR for the current fiscal, mainly with the objective of checking tax evasion. But, following stiff opposition by foreign and domestic investors and bitter criticism by global tax advisory firms, its implementation was deferred till the next fiscal beginning April 1, 2013 which is now further extended to 2016. GAAR Panel Terms of Reference Expanded: To have greater clarity on tax liability issues pertaining to portfolio investors and foreign institutional investors (FIIs). GAAR Shome Panels recommendations in brief: GAAR should be deferred by three yearsi.e GAAR should apply from assessment year 2016-17. Abolish Capital Gains tax on listed securities. Mauritius treaty to be upheld. Tax mitigation be distinguished from tax avoidance before invoking GAAR. GAAR not to be applicable on FIIs, capital market transactions, payment of dividends, buybacks, setting up branch/subsidiary, funding through debt/equity,intra-group transactions etc. GAAR applicable only in cases of abusive, contrived, artificial deal and a monetary threshold of Rs 3 crore of tax benefit (including tax only, and not interest etc) to a taxpayer in a year should be used for the applicability of GAAR provisions.
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In its present structure, the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) does not capture the price movement of services. Also, it is a hybrid of consumer and producer price quotes. For example, the index captured the price of important commodities such as milk from the retail markets; not at the producer level. In contrast to Consumer Price Index (CPI), PPI measures price changes from the perspective of the seller. Sellers and purchasers prices differ due to government subsidies, sales and excise taxes, and distribution costs. For these reasons, move towards PPI is desirable.
AERB Approved The Loading Of Real Fuel In Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has given its nod for the removal of dummy fuel and loading of real fuel (enriched uranium) in the first unit (1000 MW capacity) of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu. The loading of real fuel would begin soon and thereafter, a trial run would go on for approximately 20 days before attaining criticality (commissioning). KNPP is constantly in the news because of ongoing protests by local people, rights groups and environmentalists regarding their concerns of nuclear safety and implications of nuclear radiation on health and environment. Location :Kudankulam, District : Tirunellveli-Kattabomman, Tamil Nadu State. Sri Lanka has also voiced opposition over the Kudankulam nuclear plant citing their concerns over threats to them in case of nuclear disaster such as Fukushima. But, this is largely seen as the repercussion of Indias vote against Sri Lanka in UNHRC.
Table: Current Status of the Project

Unit Number Reactor Type
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Expected Schedule Date of Date of Commercial Commercial Operation Operation
Physical Progress
Master Tips
International Airport Status to Five More Domestic Airports

On the proposal of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Union government has granted international airport status to five more domestic airports in October 2012. These newly created international airports are Lucknow (UP), Varanasi (UP), Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu), Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) and Mangalore (Karnataka). With these 5 new international airports, the total number of international airports in the country has gone to 23.
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About Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP): Two reactors of theVVER1000model are being constructed by theNuclear Power corporation of India Limited(NPCIL) and Atomstroyexport. Atomstroyexportis theRussian Federationsnuclear powerequipment and service export monopoly. It belon gs to Atomenergopromholding with 49.8% of shares owned byGazprombank.
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SBI Opens ATM In Drass- Kargil

State Bank of India, Drass under the Chandigarh Local head Office (LHO) has become the first bank in the country to install an ATM machine to serve the local dwellers of the town as well as the soldiers guarding the frontiers in the coldest inhabited place in the hostile terrain of the Kargil/Drass sector.
Crop Damage From Frost, Cold Comes Under Natural Calamity
Response Fund (NDRF) or the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
Master Tips
Crops damaged in natural calamities such as drought, floods, cyclone, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm, landslip, avalanche, cloud burst and pest attack were eligible for relief under the NDRF/SDRF. However, since the incidence of damage to crops in extreme cold or frost has gone up in recent years, the government set up the EGoM. The EGoM, earlier headed by Pranab Mukherjee, will now be chaired by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.
New Service Tax Regime Comes Into Effect
As announced in the Union budget, a new service tax regime, based on a negative list of exempted services, will come into effect in which all services except the 38 activities put on the negative list will come under the tax at the increased rate of 12 per cent, taking a major shift from the levying service tax on 119 services based on a positive list. The switch-over to a negative list-based approach is aimed at aligning the indirect taxation system to the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime , which is sought to be introduced to unify the levies of the Centre and the States into a composite system.
Master Tips
The services sector now accounts for 60 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP).The Finance Ministry has set a target of Rs. 1.24 lakh crore for service tax collection
Contract Farming Introduced In Uttarakhand

In an attempt to boost private investment in agriculture and horticulture sectors, the Uttarakhand government has announced its policy of introducing contract farming.
Basel III Implementation From January, 2013: RBI Guidelines

As per the final guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Basel III capital regulation in India would be effective from January 1, 2013, in a phased manner. The Basel III capital ratios will be fully implemented on March 31, 2018. Salient points of RBI guidelines regarding BASEL III: Banks have to maintain Tier I capital, or core capital, of at least 7 per cent of their risk weighted assets on an ongoing basis. Under the existing capital adequacy guidelines based on the Basel II framework, banks are required to maintain Tier I capital of at least 6 per cent of their risk weighted assets.
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during 2012-13 as against the Rs. 97,000 crore mopped up during the previous fiscal.
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The Union Cabinet, at a meeting, approved the recommendation of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on Drought to consider the damage to crops due to extreme cold or frost as a natural calamity. With this the affected farmers will be eligible for financial relief from the National Disaster
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The total capital ratio, including Tier I and Tier II, must be at least 9 per cent, unchanged from the current requirement, compared with the Basel III minimum requirement of 8 percent. For the financial year ending March 31, 2013, banks will have to disclose the capital ratios computed under the existing guidelines (Basel II) on capital adequacy as well as those computed under the Basel III capital adequacy framework.
Master Tips
Micro Insurance Product Jeevan Deep Launched By LIC
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has launched a new micro insurance product named Jeevan Deep. The plan provides for a sum assured (risk cover) ranging from minimum of Rs. 5,000 to maximum of Rs. 30,000 with an optional accident benefit rider, together providing for total death benefit equal to double the sum assured, on death due to accident.
NDC Approves 12th Five Year Plan
Indias apex policy making body National Development Council (NDC) on 27th Dec 2012 approved the strategy to achieve average growth rate of 8% during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17), generating 50 million new jobs and increasing investments in infrastructure sector, as finalized by Planning Commission of India.
Master Tips
The Planning Commission was established on 15 March 1950, with Prime Minister as the
chairman which formulates Indias Five-Year Plans, among other functions. The National Development Council (NDC), set up on August 6, 1952, is the apex body for decision making and deliberations on development matters in India, presided over by the Prime Minister. The Council comprises the Prime Minister, the Union Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers of all States or their substitutes, representatives of the union territories and the members of the Planning Commissions. Its status is advisory to planning commission but not binding but approves the 5 year Plans. Both Planning Commission and NDC are extra-constitutional and non-statutory bodies but executive bodies.
New Category Of NBFCS, NBFC-Factors Introduced By RBI

A new category of NBFCs, Non-Banking Financial Company-Factors was introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Factoring is a financial transaction where an entity sells its receivable to a third-party called a factor at discounted prices. Criteria stipulated by RBI: Every company seeking registration as NBFC-Factors would have a minimum net-owned fund (NOF) of Rs. 5 crore. An NBFC-Factor would ensure that its financial assets in the factoring business constitute at least 75 per cent of its total assets and its income derived from factoring business is not less than 75 per cent of its gross income.
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The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) issued a comprehensive reform package entitled Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems in December 2010, with the objective to improve the banking sectors ability to absorb shocks arising from financial and economic stress. A revised version of this document (Basel III) was issued in June 2011. This will amend certain provisions of existing Basel II framework, in addition to introducing some new concepts and requirements. *To know more on BASEL and other banking norms, refer your economy booklet.
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Existing companies seeking registration as NBFC-Factor but do not fulfill the NOF criterion of Rs. 5 crore may approach the RBI for time to comply with the requirement. An existing NBFC registered with RBI and conducting factoring business that constitute less than 75 per cent of total assets/income shall have to submit to the RBI within six months from the date of this notification, a letter of its intention either to become a Factor or to unwind the business totally within two years from the date of this notification and a road map to this effect. CoR (Certificate of Registration) as NBFC-Factors will be granted only after they reached the required asset or income percentage. The Union Ministry for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has constituted an Offshore Wind Energy Steering Committee (OWESC) under the chairmanship of Secretary, MNRE, to steer the offshore wind power development in a focused manner, especially in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat. The committee will work out a road map for offshore wind power development in the country tapping the vast potential.
Offshore Wind Energy Projects: Panel Set Up To Give Thrust
Panel To Probe Grid Failure
After a massive grid failure, a 3-member panel headed by Central electricity Authority (CEA) Chairman A.S. Singh, has been set up by the Power Ministry to probe the grid collapse. To make up for the deficit due to the collapse of the northern grid, 8,000 MW was diverted from the eastern and western grids and power was also imported from Bhutan. A major collapse of the northern grid took place in 2001-02 also. Possible Cause of Failure: The normal frequency at which electricity is transmitted through the northern grid ranges from 48.5 to 50.2 Hz. At the time of the collapse around 2.35 a.m., it was 50.46 Hz, a few notches above normal. This could have tripped the supply. Impact of Failure: The grid collapse impacted public transport systems including, the Railways, water supply, train movement and Delhi Metro and halted the major economic and industrial activities.
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4 out of 5 grids in the country, northern, eastern, northeastern and western are interconnected except the southern grid. All the grids are being run by the PGCIL, which operates more than 95,000 circuit km of transmission lines. One circuit km refers to one km of electrical transmission line.
Gandhi Power Plant Commissioned

The second 660-MW unit of the Mahatma Gandhi Super Thermal Power Project (MGSTPP) at Khanpur Khurd in Jhajjar (Haryana ) was synchronised with the grid raising the total installed generation capacity within the State to 5505 MW.
Largest Uranium Mine Commissioned

The Thummalapalle mine has the worlds largest reserves of 1.50 lakh tons uranium ore and the most modern underground mine and fully mechanised processing plant in the country and the world.
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Northern grid: It caters for about 28 per cent of the countrys population, covers the regions of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, J&K and Chandigarh. The western region was under-drawing power whereas the northern region was overdrawing it.
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Most of its water requirements are drawn from Chitravathi River. It has been commissioned by the then Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) chairman Srikumar Banerjee on April 20. The Rs. 1,106 crore uranium ore mine and processing plant has been set up by Uranium Corporation of India at Thummalapalle village in Vemula mandal in Kadapa distric (Andhra Pradesh). The Thummalapalle Project would give a fillip to power production from nuclear plants from 3% in 2011 to over 30% by 2050.
reactors. The uranium processing plant has a capacity to treat 3,000 tons of ore a day.
To Review Taxation Of IT Units, Development Centres: Panel Has Been Set Up

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has set up a panel to bring about clarity on taxation matters pertaining to development centres and the IT sector. A four-member panel headed by former CBDT (Central Board of Direct Taxes) Chairman N. Rangachary would hold consultations with stakeholders and government departments concerned to finalize the approach to taxation of Development Centres and suggest appropriate measures. Term of reference is to have a fair tax system in line with best international practices which will promote Indias software industry and promote India as a destination for investment and for establishment of Development Centres. Power Finance Corporation Ltd, the modal agency for UMPPs, has incorporated an SPU, namely, Deoghar Mega Power Limited, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of PFC for obtaining various linkages, clearances and approvals and the undertake the bid process for the UMPP. PFC is undertaking the work of development of the 2nd Ultra Mega Power Project (4000 MW) in Jharkhand for which site has been identified at Hussainabad in Deoghar District.
2nd Ultra Mega Power Project In Jharkhand
RBI Modified NBFC-MFI Norms
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a notification for all the registered non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) intending to convert themselves into non-banking financial company-micro finance institutions (NBFC-MFIs) must seek registration with immediate effect, and, in any case, not later than October 31. Criteria to avail registration of NBFC-MFIs: The NBFCs have to maintain net-owned funds (NOF) at Rs. 3 crore by March 31, 2013, and at Rs. 5 crore by March 31, 2014, failing which they must ensure that lending to the micro finance sector, that is, individuals, SHGs or JLGs, which qualify for loans from MFIs, would be restricted to 10 percent of the total assets,. The RBI made some modifications in the directions issued on December 2, 2011 to NBFC-MFIs. In order to provide encouragement to NBFCs operating in the north-eastern region, the minimum NOF is to be maintained at Rs. 1 crore by March 31, 2012, and at Rs. 2 crore by March 31, 2014. However, all new companies desiring NBFC-MFI registration will need a minimum NOF of Rs. 5 crore except those in the north-eastern region Rs. 2 crore.
Highest Ever Trade Deficit As Crude, Gold Imports Risen

Exports losing steam midway, India ended the 2011-12 fiscal with the highest ever trade deficit of $185 billion in which crude oil and gold alone contributing for over 44 per cent of the total import bill of $489 billion.
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About 1.10 million tons of ore can be mined annually at Thummalapalle. On processing, the ore can yield 250 tons of uranium oxide and, on further processing, can be used as fuel for nuclear
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Nuclear Hurdle in Gujarat

The 6,000 MW Mithivirdi (Gujarat) project of Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL), one of the first after the Indo-Us nuclear deal, has run into opposition over land acquisition and nuclear safety. About Project: Mithivirdi in Gujarat has been chosen as the location of 6,000 MW nuclear power project, The project will be spread over 777 hectares and house 6 nuclear reactors manufactured by US based Westinghouse, which is a subsidiary of Toshiba of Japan, and which has signed an agreement with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL). The ambitious project aims to supply power not only to Gujarat but also to neighbours Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
ONGC and Chinese Company to Explore Gas Together
Indian flagship explorer ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) on June 19, 2012 signed an agreement with China National Petroleum Company for jointly pursuing opportunities in third countries to explore gas.
Record Foodgrains Production In India: In The Year 2011-12

India is all set to achieve an all-time high of food grains production at 252.56 million tons in 2011-12 with a record output of wheat, rice and cotton in the third advance estimates as against the third estimates of 235.88 million tons in 2010-11. The development is good except for some concerns about storage. Food grains include only wheat, rice, coarse cereals and pulses. Table: Annual Output of Indian Main Crops
Main Crops Production in Year 2010-11 (Estimated)
Wheat Rice Coarse Cereals Pulses Oilseeds Cotton
84.27 million tons 94.11 million tons 40.21 million tons 17.29 million tons 30.25 million tons
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33.9 million bales
Norms Relaxed For Foreign Investement

To attract foreign capital and stabilize the rupee, the Centre has permitted residents of the Gulf nations and all EU nations to invest directly in stock markets and individual overseas investors to bring up to $1 billion to the debt market.
US $ 37 Million Loan For Himachal Pradesh By World Bank

The World Bank has approved additional tranche financing of 37 million dollar for the ongoing Mid Himalayan Watershed Development Project in Himachal Pradesh to build sustainable watershed treatment models, an official statement said on September 28, 2012. The original 60 million dollar Mid Himalayan Watershed Development Project has been aimed at reversing the process of degradation of the natural resource base, improve productivity, and raise rural household incomes.
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Production in Year 2011-12 (Estimated)
90.23 million tons 103.41 million tons 41.91 million tons 17.02 million tons (slight drop)
30.06 million tons 35.2 million bales (of 170 kg each)
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National Dairy Plan Phase-I Launched

The first phase of Rs.17,300 crore National Dairy Plan was inaugurated by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar at Anand (Gujarat) on April 19, 2012. In a bid to boost milk production in the country, the government will pump in Rs. 2,242 crore as part of phase-I of the National Dairy Plan. The idea is to ensure an annual growth of 4 per cent across multiple states over the next 15 years besides providing access to organised milk-processing to the countrys 70 million rural milk producers. Demand for milk in India is expected to be about 200 million tonnes by 2021-22 as against the production of 122.8 million tonnes in 2010-11. NDP-1 is a six-year plan to be largely financed through International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank and implemented by National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
Deep Sea Gas Pipeline Project of SAGE: IOC Seeks nod To Join
State-run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has written to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry seeking permission to join the crucial pipeline project with South Asia Gas Enterprise (SAGE) as the authorisation already given to GAIL (India) for pursuing the deep sea natural gas pipeline project from the Middle East to India, IOC had signed a principles of co-operation (POC) with SAGE, which is pursuing deep sea natural gas pipeline project from Oman to India, in a consortium with other international companies. IOC has been a prominent part of all government initiatives in gas pipeline projects.
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SAGE is a project development vehicle set up for the proposed deep sea natural gas pipeline project from the Middle East to India. It is a consortium formed by Siddho Mai Group of India, Intec Engineering of the U.K., Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland, B.V. of Holland and Corus Tubes of the U.K. SAGE pipeline is expected to transport 30 million metric cubic metres of gas per day, the same volume as what Iran has earmarked for India in the proposed Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) pipeline. SAGE would charge a transport fee of around $1 per million
Union Cabinet Approves National Electronics Policy 2012

The Union Cabinet has approved the newly finalized National Electronics Policy 2012 which is set to incubate a $ 400 billion Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) sector and employ over 2.8 crore people over the next 8 years. ESDM is of strategic importance as well. The policy envisages a domestic ESDM industry that is globally competitive. Creating an ecosystem to harbor this sector will require an investment of $ 100 billion. The policy also strategizes setting up a National Electronics Mission which will see participation of the industry. Key objectives under the National Policy on Electronics 2012 include growth of the local chip making sector on a very large scale and building a domestic supply chain of electronic parts and components.
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metric British thermal unit.
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New Telecom Policy 2012
The Union Cabinet approved the National Telecom Policy (NTP) 2012. Salient Features of NTP 2012: Consumers who use national roaming can now expect to pay local call charges i.e free roaming will be initiated. The policy also allows national number portability, but with no visible timelines. It allows resale of services as a way to increase competition without duplicating infrastructure or fragmenting the spectrum by allowing mobile companies to set up resellers as such services resale is universally recognized. It mentions cloud computing, next generation networks, IPV6 and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as thrust areas all of which are forward-looking and embrace future technologies. It expects to take Indias presently 39% rural teledensity to 70% in the next 5 years with the target that every single Indian will have a phone by 2020. The policy also gets a formal approval on the new unified licensing regime which allows companies to provide ISP, fixed line, international long distance, national long distance, and a few other services through a single license, whose cost has been proposed by the DoT at Rs. 10 crore.
Google Brings Cyber Monday To India, Partners E-commerce Sites

Google India said it has partnered with a host of e-commerce players including Flipkart, Snapdeal, Homeshop18, and Makemytrip to bring to India its own version of Cyber Monday on December 12. Internet users can log on to www.gosf.in and get deals for 24 hours on this day from over 50 partners across ecommerce, local and classified, online travel sites and BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance) industries.
Cash Transfer Finds Place In Govt Calendar

The much-talked about Direct Cash Transfer Scheme is the first among the various Government schemes highlighted in the Government of India- Wall Calendar 2013 released. The calender based on the theme Bharat Nirman- Sabka hit, Sabka Haq, was released by the Department of Audio Visual Publicity, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Chinese Firm Second Biggest Sim Card Supplier In India

The government-controlled Eastcompeace Technology, a Chinese company has emerged as the second biggest supplier of SIM cards for mobile phones in India this year. It is supplying the phone chips to Reliance Communications, Tata Teleservices, Airtel and Vodafone, besides providing SBI with smart cards. The company is the biggest player in Pakistan. Its India operation is the largest, with revenue worth $18 million followed by Pakistan ($9m), Russia ($6m) and South Africa ($4m).
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salient points of the National Electronics Policy 2012: To establish ESDM system at global level. To raise the domestic supply of raw material from existing level of 20-25% to 60% by 2020. To raise the exports of ESDM sector nearly 15 times from $ 5.5 billion to $ 80 billion by 2020. Special focus on increasing post graduate education, 2500 PhDs have been targeted to graduate on an annual basis by 2020. To make India a global leader in creating intellectual property in ESDM sector. To develop an appropriate technology to meet domestic demands, particularly of rural sector and also international demand at fair prices.
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FIPB Nod To Stay For FDI In Domestic Pharma Units

The government has decided that all foreign investments in existing domestic pharma firms should be allowed only after clearance by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), amid mounting concerns over availability of affordable essential drugs in the wake of multinationals acquiring local companies.
Supervisory College For SBI And ICICI Bank Set Up
BSE Launches Carbon-Based Thematic Index
The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), has launched BSE Carbonex, the first carbon-based thematic index in the country, which takes a strategic view of organisational commitment to climate change mitigation. This index has been launched with the aim of creating a benchmark and increasing awareness about the risks posed by climate change. The British High Commission in India through the British Foreign & Commonwealth Offices Prosperity Fund supported the development phase of the index. ENDS Carbon , a specialist in environment, social and governance (ESG) ratings and benchmark services provider, has provided its expertise in assessing the companies with data sourced from the carbon disclosure project (CDP).
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IRDA Allows Insurance Compnies To Deal In Credit Default Swaps

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has permitted the use of Credit Default Swap (CDS), a derivative instrument that offers credit protection, for insurance companies to hedge their risk. Insurers are allowed only as users (protection buyers) of CDS subject to condition, IRDA said in a final guideline for investment in CDS.
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CDS : The Credit Default Swap (CDS) is a guarantee in which the buyer of a credit swap receives credit protection, whereas the seller of the swap guarantees the credit worthiness of the product. By doing this, the risk of default is transferred from the holder of the fixed income security to the seller of the swap.
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Ends Carbon : It is a not-for-profit organisation which holds the largest and most continuous set of climate change data in the world. BSE ltd : It is the 10th largest stock exchanges in the world by market capitalization, established as The Native Share & Stock Brokers Association in 1875.
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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set up a supervisory college for State Bank of India (SBI) and ICICI Bank. The move is aimed to deal with supervisory issues revolving around these banks, and establish a cooperation mechanism for cross-border supervision. Supervisory colleges have evolved the world over as an important component of effective supervisory oversight of an international banking group. This mechanism was developed with the aim of reducing supervisory overlap, and filling in supervisory gaps for better supervisory co-operation enunciated in Basel II framework, said the RBI. For SBI, there are nine host country supervisors, while ICICI Bank has seven.
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Citibank Plans Cyber Monday Type E-shopping Sale In India

India may soon have its own version of Cyber Monday, when billion-dollar worth products are sold online at heavy discounts within a day, with Citibank planning a similar mega eshopping sale in India. First coined in 2005 as a marketing term by online retailers for the Monday coming after Black Friday, which itself is the name for Friday after Thanksgiving in the US, the Cyber Monday has become a phenomenon over the years. With rising popularity, the Cyber Mondays have recorded billion-dollar sales during past four years.
Adani Completes Coal Exploration Work In Australia
Adani Group, an integrated infrastructure player, announced the completion of the single largest and most comprehensive coal mining exploration programme undertaken in Australia. A record number of drill rigs were deployed to drastically reduce the exploration time frame at the Carmichael mine in the Galillee basin of Queensland to nine months.
Saral Money Debit Cards Launched
Saral Money, an innovative payment product which ensures that everyone with an Aadhar number automatically has an Aadhar-linked instant account in a bank, was launched by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in Delhi. People would be able to purchase the Saral Money debit card across the counter from grocery shops and bank branches. It would facilitate instant account opening, simplified documentation and accessibility and reach. The project has been launched in collaboration by the UIDAI and five banks Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI, Indian Overseas Bank and the State Bank of India and Visa Card. Under the scheme, an Aadhar number holder can purchase a card for a nominal fee to operate the account. Non-banking financial companies (NBFC) would need RBIs prior approval before making changes in their ownership control, a draft guideline of the central bank said. The draft guidelines, based on the Usha Thorat Committee report, also seek to make mandatory for all deposit-taking NBFCs to obtain credit rating. Appointment of CEOs of NBFCs with asset size of Rs.1000 crore and above would require the RBI approval. Regarding non-performing assets (NPAs), the RBI has proposed that asset classification and provisioning norms should be made similar to that of banks for all registered NBFCs irrespective of the size. At present, the period for classifying loans into NPAs in case of NBFCs is higher at 180/360 days compared to 90 days for banks. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said core investment companies (CICs) would require prior approval from the RBI for investing in joint ventures/subsidiaries or offices overseas in the financial sector.
NBFCS May Need Prior RBI Nod For Ownership Change
Prior Approval Must For CICS To Invest In Overseas JVs: RBI
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CICs are those companies that invest primarily in group companies in different sectors of the economy.
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Cabinet Committee Clears New Urea Investment Policy

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a urea investment policy, which is likely to incentivise fertilizer companies to set up new plants and expand existing capacity. India imports over 30 per cent of its urea requirement and the policy aims at reducing that. But it is unlikely to have any impact on existing prices. The policy, which aims to attract fresh investment of about Rs.35,000 crore to increase domestic production by eight million tonnes, has been cleared as the previous policy failed to attract the much needed funds. Under the new policy, the government will give 12-20 per cent post-tax return on fresh capital infused by the manufacturers for setting up of new plants as well as for expansion and revamp of the existing ones. The country produces 22 million tonnes of urea, against the requirement of 32 million tonnes. A ministerial panel on telecom decided to lower the base price of spectrum in the 1800 Mhz band by 30 per cent in four circles for a fresh auction this fiscal. This is a suggestion that could fetch the exchequer Rs. 6,200 crore. These four circles Delhi, Mumbai, Karnataka and Rajasthan were some of the most expensive circles in last 2G spectrum auction and had attracted no bidders.
Panel Slashes Base Price By 30 % For Unsold Spectrum
ADB Lowers India Growth Forecast To 5.4 Per Cent
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) cut Indias growth forecast to 5.4 per cent in 2012-13, barely two months after it had made a projection of 5.6 per cent growth for the Asias third largest economy.
Wipro To Acquire Waxsons For $144 M
Wipro announced that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire the entire stake of the L.D. Waxsons Group, a Singapore-based fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) company, for a consideration of $144 million. Waxsons, which is expected to earn revenues of about $68 million in 2012, would account for about 9 per cent of Wipros Consumer Care and Lighting Business. The acquisition is to be consummated in 60 days.
ADB Loan In The Offing For Jaipur Metro

The Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation shortly has to obtain loan worth Rs.969 crore from the Manila-based Asian Development Bank for completion of work on a portion of its corridor in the Walled City. The first phase connecting the Mansarovar residential colony with Chandpole is likely to start by July, 2013.
Govt. Allows 49% FDI in Insurance and Pension Sectors

After allowing foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail sector and civil aviation sector, the union government has taken one more step for attracting foreign direct investment in the economy. Government has raised the ceiling of foreign direct investment in insurance sector from existing 26 per cent to 49 per cent. Besides, government has also opened the doors of the economy for foreign direct investment in pension sector with the ceiling of 49 per cent.
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Lok Sabha Approved Constitution (118th Amendment) Bill, 2012

Lok Sabha has approved without debate a Constitution amendment Bill that will grant special status to six backward districts in the Hyderabad Karnataka region, with provision for reservation in education and jobs for local people. The Constitution (118th Amendment) Bill, 2012 seeks to insert a new Article 371-J to provide special recognition for the six backward districts in north Karnataka: Gulbarga, Yadgir, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal and Bellary.
Besides, it will provide a quota in public employment through constitution of local cadres and reservation in education and vocational training institutions for those who belong to the region by birth or domicile. This great move has come 56 years after the Vidharbha and Marathwada regions got special status in 1956, and later Telangana got special status in 1974.
Rail Wheel Factory For Rae Bareli
The countrys biggest forged wheel factory will be set up in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh. With the transition to high-speed trains in the pipeline, the required wheels will be produced at this specialised unit to be set up by Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) in three years at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,000 crore.
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Road Links To All Tribal And Border Habitations
The Centre has initiated the process to connect all tribal habitations and villages in border districts with roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). The Union Cabinet also approved a Rs. 8,500-crore special package for connecting 6,000 habitations in 75 left wing extremist-affected districts and entrusted the Union Ministry of Rural Development with the job of preparing the estimates for the two projects.
Centre Asks States to Adopt AP Fund Model for Mid-day Meals Scheme
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Mid Day Meal: The Centre spent approximately Rs. 10,000 crore on the programme in 2011-12, excluding the contribution of the States and subsidy on food grain. The Centre provides 75 per cent funds, while the States contribute the remaining 25 per cent to implement the scheme. This helps prevent classroom hunger and also promotes school participation and retention at the elementary level. It also fosters social and gender equity.
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With some States defaulting on payment of their share of funds for providing meals to children in government schools, adversely affecting the implementation of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, the Centre has now asked all States to consider adopting Andhra Pradeshs model Green Channel Scheme. The A.P. model makes funds available throughout the year.
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The Bill provides for setting up a separate development board and equitable allocation of funds for development of the region.
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Experts Panel On Poverty Line Review Being Headed By Rangarajan

The government has set up an expert technical group headed by Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC) Chairman C. Rangarajan to review the Tendulkar Committee Methodology for estimating poverty and overhaul the norms in keeping with the present-day prices. Terms of reference: To comprehensively review the existing methodology of poverty estimation and examine whether the poverty line should be fixed solely in terms of a consumption basket or whether other criteria are also relevant. Also recommend how its estimates of poverty, should be linked to eligibility and entitlements from the Central governments for the Central governments schemes and programmes. To examine the issue of divergence between consumption estimates bases on the NSSO (National Sample Survey Organisation) methodology and those emerging from the National Accounts aggregates and suggest a methodology for updating consumption poverty lines using the new consumer price indices launched by the CSO for rural and urban areas State-wise.
Poverty Estimation : According to the Tendulkar Committee formula, besides traditional method of fixing poverty line on the basis of calorie intake, the expenditure on health and education is also factored in. The data also showed that the number of poor in the entire country during 2009-10 was 35.46 crore using the Tendulkar Committee formula for fixing the poverty line.
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The move follows all-round criticism of the Planning Commissions estimates on poverty released in the March 2012 and the controversy it generated on capping the poverty line at a daily consumption of Rs. 28.65 per capita in cities and at Rs 22.42 in rural areas. Based on the Tendulkar panel norms of poverty estimation, the Commission had announced earlier this year that poverty in the country has come down from 37.2 percent in 2004-05 to 29.8 per cent in 2009-10 and the number of poor stood effectively reduced from 40.7 crore to 35.5 crore during the period.
UP: The Most Poor State: Plan Panel
Bihar and Maharashtra had poor population of 5.43 crore and 2.7 crore respectively in the year 2009-10 based on poverty line fixed using the Tendulakar Committee formula, as per data provided by the Planning Commission in a written reply to the Rajya Sabh.
UTKARSHA: Single-Window Project For People With HIV

Swasti, in association with National AIDS Control Organisation and Karnataka State AIDS Cotrol Society, has launched a single-window project in four districts of Karnataka called Utkarsha to facilitate social protection and deliver social entitlements for people living with HIV and communities vulnerable to HIV. The project will be taken up on a pilot basis in Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural, Kolar and Chckballapur districts. It is being funded by United Nations Development Programme and supported by the State Department of Women and Child Development.
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Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of poor population at 7.37 crore, followed by Bihar and Maharashtra in 2009-10.
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47% Of Global Measles Deaths In 2010 Happened In India

Delayed implementation of accelerated disease control in India has led the country to account for 47 per cent of estimated measles mortality in 2010 stated a paper published on April 24, 2012 in The Lancet. At 36 per cent, even the World Health Organisation (WHO) African region accounted for lesser mortality than India. The global measles mortality had decreased by 74 per cent in 2010 but India achieved only 26 per cent reduction in measles mortality between 2000 and 2010, its contribution to the percentage of global measles deaths increased from 16 per cent in 2000 to 26 per cent in 2010.
Master Tips
Measles is a highly contagious viral (virus- a paramyxovirus of the genusMorbillivirus) disease, which affects mostly children. It is transmitted via droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons. Initial symptoms, which usually appear 1012 days after infection, include high fever, runny nose, bloodshot eyes, and tiny white spots on the inside of the mouth. Several days later, a rash develops, starting on the face and upper neck and gradually spreading downwards. There is no specific treatment for measles and most people recover within 23 weeks. However, particularly in malnourished children and people with reduced immunity, measles can cause serious complications, including blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhoea, ear infection and pneumonia. Measles can be prevented by immunization.
Pesticide Causing Cancer Banned In Punjab
The Punjab Government has banned the manufacture, import and use of carcinogenic pesticides, which according to reports, caused cancer among the small farmers in the Malwa region that consists of Southern districts Bathinda, Faridkot, Moga, Muktsar, Ferozepur, Sangrur and Mansa following directions of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). On the direction of NHRC, the State government called for two reports to confirm the incidents. Besides banning the chemicals, the government has also decided to provide medical care, financial assistance, setting up of super-specialty hospitals for treatment and prevention of the deadly disease in the affected districts.
To create a stronger synergy between MGNREGS and agriculture, and allied rural livelihoods, the Centre has unveiled the expanded version of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, allowing over 30 different categories of work related to agriculture, rural sanitation, drinking water, watersheds, fisheries and livestock, as productivity-enhancing activity as recommended by the committee. The Gram Panchayats have been given right to decide on the priority of work to be taken up keeping the 60:40 ratio of spending on labour and material has been made mandatory at the Gram Panchayat level.
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The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is an Indian job guarantee scheme, enacted by legislation. The scheme provides a legal guarantee for one hundred days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage.
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Scope Of Activities Under MGNREGS Enhanced And Work Priority To Be Decided By Gram Panchayats
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Tuberculosis To Be Taken Under Notifiable Disease

The Central government has declared tuberculosis a mandatory notifiable disease with immediate effect as the cases of tuberculosis showing an increase over the years. For the purpose of this notification, health care providers will include clinical establishments run or managed by the government (including local authorities), private or NGO sectors and/or individual practitioners. It is essential to have complete information on all TB cases to ensure proper TB diagnosis and case management, reduce TB transmission and address the problems of emergence and spread of multi-drug-resistant TB (MDRTB) which has become a major cause of concern for different stakeholders. Master Tips
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB (short for tubercle bacillus) is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis typically attacks the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. It is spread through the air when people who have an active TB infection cough, sneeze, or otherwise transmit their saliva through the air.
Panel Set Up To Examine NCERT Textbooks Submitted Report And NCERT To Hold Consultations On Thorat Report
A panel of prominent educationists and academicians headed by the former UGC chairman, S.K. Thorat, set up by the Centre to review the NCERTs Political Science textbooks for schools has submitted its report. It recommended the removal of 21 cartoons and words from the Social Science and Political Science textbooks for Classes IX-XII., which, as per report, are ambiguous, negative or showed politicians and bureaucrats in an incorrect way. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) decided to hold further consultations on the S.K. Thorat Committee report, though the NCERT has left it to the National Monitoring Committee (NMC) to take the final call on the fate of the review committees report. It is for the first time that the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) has been developed jointly by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GOI and the WHO Country Office for India. Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad launched the World Health Organisations New country cooperation strategy with India (2012-17). The CCS has identified strategic priorities including promoting access to and utilisation of affordable, efficiently networked and sustainable quality services by the entire population, financial protection and helping to confront the new epidemiological reality of India to contribute meaningfully to the national health policy and governments health agenda. Sam Pitroda, Adviser to the Prime Minister, along with Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit announced the launch of the first Food Bank as part of the India Food Banking Network (IFBN) with the goal of making India hunger-free by 2020 and by 2020 every district of India has access to a Food Bank. Master Tips
IFBN: IFBN is as an effort to bring the government, private sector, and NGOs together to fight hunger and malnutrition in the country and better hunger relief management. The idea for IFBN emerged from discussions with the Global Food Banking Network in Chicago. Food banks are operational in more than 30 countries globally.
Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS): WHO- GOI Partnership
Indias First Food Bank Inaugurated In Delhi
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New Engineering College/IIT Admission Process In Place

The IIT Council chaired by M.M. Sharma, has approved the recommendations of the Joint Admission Board (JAB) of the IITs adopting the new formula. As per the new formula, there will be two stage exams- 1.JEE Main and JEE-Advance. JEE-Main will be conducted by CBSE and the score obtained in this along with 40% weightage of board marks will determine the ranks for admission to NITs, Central Universities and other state engineering institutes/Private engineering colleges which have consented to use the score of JEE-Main. For admission to IITs, student will be required to clear the common joint entrance examination (JEE)-main with a high score to qualify for the advanced examination i.e JEE-Advance, which will be conducted by IITs for those aspiring to enter the IIT system but among students who crack the advanced examination, only those who are placed in the top 20 percentile in their respective Board exams will be admitted to the IITs. The Supreme Court of India banned all kinds of commercial and tourism activities within a 5 km radius around the Jarawa Tribal Reserve in Andaman and Nicobar Islands to protect the Jarawa tribes upholding the notification to declare an area up to five-km radius around the tribal reserve as a Buffer Zone and prohibit entry of any person other than a member of the aboriginal tribe into it. As per pronouncement, no tourist establishment such as resorts, hotels, restaurants, bars and paying guest accommodations, except government-run guest houses will be permitted within the buffer zone. No commercial establishments/activities which may employ more than 20 persons or have an annual turnover of Rs. one crore or more will be allowed in the buffer zone. Bihar is the third State, after Madhya Pradesh and Kerala, to impose a ban on the manufacture, sale, distribution of Gutka, Pan Masala and its variants, utilizing the provisions in the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sale) Regulation 2011. Following Keralas example, States such as Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, NCT of Delhi too have now banned pan masala under the Food Safety Act.
Commercial and Tourism Activities in Andaman and Nicobar Banned by SC
Cancerous Pan Masala Banned
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Union Govt Clears the Proposal to Replace Word Rape with Sexual Assault
A proposal to replace the word rape with the phrase sexual assault has been approved by the Union Cabinet paving the way for making it a gender-neutral offence and identified acid attacks as a separate offence punishable by a maximum of ten years. It has also been decided by the Cabinet that minors will be defined uniformly as a person below 18 years in both Cr. P.C. and IPC, which is now the legal age for minors.
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After horrendous Delhi gang rape incident of 16th Dec 2012 involving one minor as accused, the age for minority is being debated. So keep a watch over it. Also the minors are treated under Juvenile Justice Act 2000 and Juvenile Justice Boards hear such cases involving Juveniles.
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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which consolidates various acts & orders that have hitherto handled food related issues in various Ministries and Departments which came up with the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011.
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Anti-Ragging Web Portal Launched

A national web portal that will help students follow up on their complaints part of the governments Ragging Prevention Programme was inaugurated by the then Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal.
Ombudsman Made Mandatory In Technical Institutions By HRD

As part of its grievance redressal mechanism, every technical institution in the country, approved or recognized by the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), will have to provide for an ombudsman. The ombudsman, who would be a retired judge, not below the rank of a District Judge, or a retired professor who has at least 10 years of experience, can also recommend the affiliating university for withdrawal or affiliation or withdrawal of status as a university of a Technical university, if established under a State Act. The grievance could include those related with the standards of education, irregularity in the admission process adopted by the institute, refusing admission in accordance with the declared admission policy, withholding or refusing to return any document, and demanding money in excess of that specified in the declared admission policy and complaints of alleged discrimination by students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBC, women, and minority or disabled categories. Harassment and victimization of students, including sexual harassment, will also fall under the purview of the ombudsman. However, no application for revaluation or remarking of answer sheets shall be entertained by the ombudsman.
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As per the All-India Council for Technical Education (Establishment of Mechanism for Grievance Redressal) Regulations, 2002, issued by AICTE, each technical university shall appoint an ombudsman whose order would be mandatory, and failure of compliance could lead to withdrawal of AICTE approval and withdrawal of grants or financial assistance from the Council. The regulations have been issued even as two Bills related to curbing malpractices are pending in Parliament viz. Prohibition of Unfair Practices in Technical, Medical Educational charging capitation fee, and overpricing of prospectus a criminal offence and the Educational Tribunals Bill for dispute redressal.
16 Central Government Schemes Named After Rajiv Gandhi

More than a quarter of the government schemes named after eminent personalities are in the name of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Government-run 58 schemes are named after eminent people as per the Planning Commission data, then minister of state for planning, Ashwani Kumar, said in a written reply to the Lok Sbha in May 2012. Of these 16 schemes, some of important ones are following: Rajiv Awaas Yojana Rajiv Gandhi Udyami Mitra Yojana Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Shashaktikaran Abhiyan Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowships for ST students The State Health Ministry of Arunachal Pradesh launched Rashtriya Aarogya Nidhi scheme in Itanagar on September 14, 2012 which provides financial assistance up to Rs. 1.5 lakh to BPL patients suffering from life threatening diseases.
Rashtriya Aarogya Nidhi Scheme Launched
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Delhis First Solar Water Treatment Plant Open

The city recently got its first solar water purification plant, capable of producing over 5,000 litres of drinking water a day.
Kerosene-Free Delhi Scheme Launched

In an initiative to make the national capital Kerosene free, the Delhi Government launched Kerosene-free Delhi scheme on August 21, 2012 in capital. With this scheme, Delhi is likely to become the first kerosene-free city in the country.
A Blanket Ban On Plastic Bags To Be Imposed
The Delhi government on September 10, 2012 decided to impose a blanket ban on the manufacture, sale, storage and use of plastic bags in the national capital.
UP to launch new pension scheme: Rani Laksmi Bai Pension Scheme

The Uttar Pradesh government headed by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has decided to launch a pension scheme, Rani Laksmi Bai Pension Scheme covering 25.57 lakh families which would be given Rs. 400 per month. The main beneficiaries would be mainly woman head of a family and further those who are not covered under the BPL list, Antyodaya Scheme and other pension schemes would be included in the scheme.
Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) Launches its E-Passbook Service

Over 50 million provident fund subscribers can now access their account statements online as the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched its e-Passbook service. Active subscribers whose electronic challan-cum-return is already uploaded, can download their e-Passbook every month under the service launched by the EPFOs Central Provident Fund Commissioner RC Mishra. The facility shall be available on www.epfindia.gov.in. Also, the online downloading of PF account statement is not available as of now for members of PF trusts which are set up by employers to manage their employees retirement benefit. Members can register themselves on the portal by using photo identification number.
Maila Mukti Yatra Launched

Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh launched a programme Maila Mukti Yatra under Rashtriya Garima Abhiyan. He informed that the Centre has earmarked Rs 1,500 crore to convert dry toilets into flush toilets under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan. Sikkim is the first state in the country where the practice of open-area defecation has been eradicated and states like Kerala, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh also have done well.
Hindustan Zinc To Adopt 92 Schools In Rajasthan

Udaipur-based Hindustan Zinc has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Rajasthan Government for adopting 92 Government schools in phases in Chittorgarh and Bhilwara districts. The group will improve facilities in these schools under the public-private partnership model.
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Children Of Illegally Wedded Wife Entitled To Pension: Govt

Children born to illegally wedded wife of a central government employee are entitled to get family pension, according to a new order. The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, in an order issued, decided that pensionary benefits will be granted to children of a government servant or pensioner from void or voidable marriages. Earlier, children born out of such wedlock of a government servant had no claim on family pension and the legally wedded wife was the sole recipient of the post-retirement benefit. However, the matter was re-examined in consultation with the Ministry of Law and Justice and Ministry of Finance and it was decided to amend the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972. The share of children from illegally wedded wife in the family pension shall be payable to them along with the legally wedded wife. After Indias dismal performance in PISA 2009, the government is planning to choose its participating schools carefully for PISA 2015. While the test is carried out every three years, India did not participate in PISA 2012. India, which made its debut in PISA 2009 with schools from Tamil Nadu and Himachal, was ranked among the bottom countries. China, which also debuted in 2009, emerged as a star performer, having selected students from schools in Shanghai province which are considered among the best.
Schools To Be Chosen For PISA 15
Master Tips
PISA : The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), introduced by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), tests the learning levels of 15-year-olds.
New Act Will Provide Food Security To 90% Of Chhattisgarh Population

The Chhattisgarh State governments Food Security Act passed goes further than the UPAs bill by extending food security to nearly 90% of the States population. Further, the Chhattisgarh Act clearly states that the entitlements shall be on household basis with a family size of 4.47 in rural and 4.79 in urban areas. This is opposed to the central government limiting provision of food grains for the Public Distribution System to per person rather than per household. Chhattisgarh government has declared as Antyodaya households all families of vulnerable social groups including tribal groups, widows or single women, terminally ill persons, physically challenged persons, elderly-headed households with no assured means of subsistence and persons freed from bonded labour. Pregnant women, lactating mothers, malnourished children, children between six months and 14 years and all students in hostels or ashrams will get mandatory subsidised food grains. The State has 78 per cent rural and 22 per cent urban population.
Aadhaar Card, Bank Account Mandatory For Direct Cash Transfer

Set to roll out the direct cash transfer programme from January 1,2013 the Central government has made it clear that money will be transferred to beneficiaries only when they provide an Aadhaar card and a bank account number by the cut-off date in the respective districts. While LPG subsidy is being rolled out separately as per a separate timeline of February 1, 2013, food, fertilizer and kerosene are not included at the moment. For rural development schemes, the postal system has said it will be ready by June 1, 2013 in all 43 districts. The scheme will cover 18 States by April 2013.
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Four More Scheduled Tribes

The government has decided to add four tribes to the list of Scheduled Tribes. The Union Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, decided to add Abuj Maria, Korba, Hill Korba and Kodaku tribes in the list. These tribes are located in Chhattisgarh and Kerala.
One Billion Rising Campaign Launched In Rajasthan
The campaign is a global movement launched to stop violence against women. According to the data released by the United Nations showed that globally one out of every three women was beaten up or raped or both. Statistically, that meant more than a billion women were victims of violence, sexual or otherwise.
TB Drugs Free At Shops: Govt To Pay
In a move to curb multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) cases caused mostly because of irregular medication, the government has decided that relevant medicines will be available for free at all chemist shops and corporate hospitals. The scheme will be rolled out across the country by March 2013. A patient, confirmed positive for TB by a qualified doctor, simply needs to register with the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP). The patient will then be issued a unique ID which will have all information on medicines prescribed and the dosage. The government presently spends about Rs 250 crore on providing free medicines to TB patients. The new scheme will cost about Rs 100 crore more.
Direct Benefit Transfer System Launched In Delhi
United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi has launched the Delhi governments ambitious food security programme, Dilli Annshree Yojana, a direct benefit transfer system and described it as a first-of-its kind food security scheme integrated with the UID Aadhar in the country.
Delhi government had decided to provide assistance to 25 lakh people under the first phase. The purpose of this scheme is to make sure that the governments money being disbursed in pension, scholarship, MNREGA wage payment and social benefit schemes reached the beneficiaries directly, without any delay.
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The scheme, under which a monthly cash subsidy of Rs. 600 will be directly transferred to the bank account of the senior most female member of 2 lakh poor families, will help eradicate hunger from the country.
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The One Billion Rising campaign was launched in Rajasthan on December 10, the International Human Rights Day.
International & Bilateral Updates
3.0 International & Bilateral Updates New Non-Permanent UNSC Members ELECTED
The General Assembly elected Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Morocco, Pakistan and Togo to serve as non-permanent members of the Security Council for two-year terms from 1 January 2012 to 31 Dec 2013. P 5 France USA China The UK Russia UNSC Non-permanent member country 1 Jan 201231 Dec 2013 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Azerbaijan Guatemala Morocco Pakistan Togo UN Secretary-General The current Secretary-General is Ban Ki-moon of South Korea, who is serving his 2nd term The Presidency of the Security Council is held in turn by the members of the Security Council in the English alphabetical order of their names. Each President holds office for one calendar month. Indias term of non-permanent membership terminates from Jan 2013. The UN General Assembly on October 18, 2012 elected the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Luxembourg to a two-year term in the UN Security Council (UNSC) and two joined Argentina, Australia and Rwanda, which were elected earlier, to serve as new non-permanent members of the powerful UN body, UNSC for the duration from 1 Jan 2013 to 31 Dec 2014. 1 Jan 2013 31 Dec 2014 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Korea Luxembourg Argentina Australia Rwanda
Master Tips
The UN Security Council (UNSC) is composed of 5 permanent members (P-5) and 10 nonpermanent members elected for 2 years term by General Assembly and not eligible for immediate re-election. The number of non-permanent members was increased from six to ten by an amendment of the Charter which came into force in 1965. Currently, UN General Assembly has 193 member states. South Sudan became the 193rd member state. Palestine was recognized as a non-member state on 29 November 2012.
Veto Power : Each Council member has one vote. Decisions on procedural matters are made by an affirmative
vote of at least nine of the 15 members. D ecisions on substantive matters require nine votes, including the concurring votes of P-5. This is the rule of great Power unanimity, often referred to as the veto power.
U.S. Takes China to WTO on Dumping Row

The U.S. challenges duties that China had imposed to restrict imports on everything from steel and rare earth minerals to chicken products made in the U.S. in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
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Most recently, the U.S. automobile industry has been caught in the crossfire. As per the U.S. Trade Representative, Washington would be challenging Chinas imposition of anti dumping and countervailing duties on more than $3 billion in exports of Americanproduced automobiles. Once it gains traction at the WTO, this dispute would represent the third instance of the U.S. formally complaining about alleged misuse of trade remedies by China during the Obama administrations time in office.
Master Tips
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an organization that intends to supervise and liberalize international trade. The organization officially commenced on January 1, 1995 under the Marrakech Agreement, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) , which commenced in 1948. Most of the issues that the WTO focuses on derive from previous trade negotiations, especially from the Uruguay Round (19861994). The organization is attempting to complete negotiations on the Doha Development Round, which was launched in 2001 with an explicit focus on addressing the needs of developing countries.
International Sericultural Commission to be Shifted to Bangalore
The headquarters of the International Sericultural Commission (ISC), an apex intergovernmental body of 13 silk producing countries is being shifted to Banglore, India. The ISC headquarters, which is presently located in Lyon, France, is being shifted to India for the first time as the Central Silk Board (CSB) Member-Secretary and bureaucrat Ishita Roy has been elected ISC Secretary-General.
Russia Becomes WTOS 156th Member
With the ratification of agreement by The Federation Council , Russias Upper House of Parliament, Russia joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as its 156th member after 18 years of negotiations on August 22, 2012. The worlds ninth largest, $1.9 trillion Russian economy was the biggest still outside the WTO.
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Procedure to join WTO: Countries joining the body have to agree terms with all existing members and bring their laws into line with WTO rules. Once they have received the green light for membership, they must ratify their membership deal. They have to notify the WTO that they have done so and membership follows automatically 30 days later. Other countries that are not WTO members include Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Belarus, Algeria, Bosnia, Serbia, Sudan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
South Sudan Becomes IMFs 188th Member

The Republic of South Sudan has joined the Washington headquartered International Monetary Fund (IMF) after signing IMFs Articles of Agreement at a ceremony in Washington D.C. The Republic of South Sudan became an independent country in July 2011, and the IMF Board of Governors subsequently offered it IMF membership. South Sudans initial quota in the IMF is SDR 123.0 million (about US $ 189.3 million). With the inclusion of South Sudan, IMF members quotas amount to SDR 238.12 billion (about US $ 366.53 billion).
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Special drawing rights (SDRs) are supplementary foreign exchange reserve assets defined and maintained by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Not a currency, SDRs instead represent a claim to currency held by IMF member countries for which they may be exchanged. It is worth noting that a members quota in the IMF determines in capital subscription, its voting power, its access to IMF financing, and its allocation of SDRs. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an international organization that was created on July 22, 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference and came into existence on December 27, 1945. It is an organization of 188 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world.
China Allows Indian Basmati Import
China has allowed imports of basmati rice from India. It had banned the import because of issues of pest control.
SUU KYIs Debut in Parliment Marks New Phsase in Her Struggle
Myanmars opposition leader and Nobel peace Laureate Aung Suu Kyi made her historic parliamentary debut on July 9, 2012, marking a new phase in her nearly a quarter century struggle to bring democracy to her army-dominated homeland. Suu Kyi will join fellow members of her National League for Democracy (NLD). The NLD has 37 members in the lower house of parliament.
PM Manmohan Singhs Visit To Myanmar
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had visited Myanmarese capital Nay Pyi Taw, towards the end of May 2012 for 3 days which was aimed at improving economic ties with a country that is just beginning to emerge from decades of isolation and is seeking to normalise ties with the outside world. The visit is significant in order to strengthen Look East Policy of India. Pacts Signed Between India and Myanmar: MoU on the India-Myanmar Border Area Development.
MoU on Establishment of Rice Bio Park at the Department of Agricultural Research in Nay Pyi Taw. MoU towards setting up of Myanmar Institute of Information Technology. MoU on establishing of Border Haats across the border between Myanmar and India.
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Sudan and South Sudan Deal on Oil transit Fees

Sudan and South have reached a deal on oil transit fee which would be implemented only after the issue of border security had been resolved, dampening hopes of a quick resumption of southern oil exports through the north.
Oil Crisis and Disputes Between Sudan and South Sudan

The African Union has been mediating talks to resolve disputes between Sudan and South Sudan ever since the South Sudan became independent in July 2011. Post-division, South Sudan took three-quarters of the oil held by the previously united nation, but the pipelines and processing facilities remained in Sudan, The two sides were unable to agree on how much Juba should pay to export its crude, leading the South to shut production in January. Oil generates about 98% of South Sudans revenue and the move crippled the economies of both countries.
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African Union mediator Thabo Mbeki said the parties had until Sept 22 to resolve all their conflicts. The two sides, deeply mistrustful of each other, have often not implemented previous agreements and still need to mark their 1,800 km border and resolve charges both have made of supporting rebels in the others territory.
Sudan & South Sudan Row Over Oil Rich ABYEI Region
The 2012 South Sudan-Sudan border war was an armed conflict between the nations of Sudan and the South Sudan in 2012 over oil-rich regions between the both.
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South Sudan is newly formed country, UNs 193rd nation with capital at Juba after decades of civil war. Sudan has its capital at Khartoum where white and Blue Nile, two tributaries of river Nile meet.
Iran Oil Sector Hit by Cyber Attack
Irans principal oil terminal on Kharg Island in the Gulf has been disconnected from the Internet along with facilities in other parts of the country after massive virus attack and a cyber crisis team has been set up. The Kharg terminal handles 90 per cent of Irans oil exports.
Master Tips
Iran has already suffered a massive cyber assault in 2010 by a worm called Stuxnet that reportedly dealt a big blow to the countrys nuclear programme. Stuxnet, homed in on computers running uranium enrichment centrifuges at Irans nuclear facility in Natanz, destroying thousands of them and setting the atomic programme back months.
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China Builds New city on Disputed ISLE

Chinas newest city is a tiny remote island in the South China Sea, barely large enough to host a single airstrip. Welcome to Sansha, Chinas toehold in the worlds most disputed waters, portions of which are also claimed by Vietnam, the Philippines and other neighbors.
Japan to Take Islands Disputes With Korea to ICJ

Japan said that it will take the long-running islands territorial dispute with South Korea, to the Hague based International Court of Justice (ICJ) , after South Korean President Lee Myung-bak made surprise visit to the islands. The islands known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, lie equidistant from the two mainlands and are believed to contain frozen natural gas deposit potentially worth billions of dollars.
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The oil rich region Heglig is well under controlled of the Republic of Sudan. Certain areas involved, notably Abyei, are claimed by both sides as part of their sovereign territory.
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South China Sea Oil Tender Controversy Over Chinese Tender

Chinas third biggest oil company, a Chinese state-r un oil company , Chi na Natio nal Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) offered tenders to foreign partners for nine oil blocks in the South China Sea which has triggered a protest from Vietnam, amid rising tensions between China and several of its neighbors over the disputed region.
Master Tips
Exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is a seazone prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) over which a state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind. It stretches from the seaward edge of the states territorial sea out to 200nautical miles from its coast.
Chine Japan Tension Over Disputed Islands
Japan summoned Chinese ambassador in Tokyo and lodged a formal protest with China after three Chinese patrol boats were spotted in waters of disputed islands in the East China Sea, over which both countries claim sovereignty. The strain emerged as their Foreign Ministers met in Phnom Penh, on the sidelines of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting, where Chinas territorial disputes with many of its neighbours are in focus. Separately, China has come under pressure from ASEAN countries to adopt a code of conduct to defuse tensions in the disputed South China Sea, in the wake of recent tensions with the Philippines and Vietnam.
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The disputed island is called as Senkaku Islands by Japanese and Diaoyu Islands by Chinese.
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Diaoyu (As per China)
Vietnam, which had earlier angered China by entering into joint exploration projects with India and Russia, described the offer from the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) as illegal. Vietnam said the blocks were located within Vietnams 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
South China Sea: Disputed Islands
Disputed Islands
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North-South Transport Corridor

The North-South Transport Corridor is a term used to describe the ship, rail, and road route for moving freight from South Asia to Europe through Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Russia. The route primarily involves moving goods from India via ship to Iran. From Iran, the freight moves by ship across the Caspian Sea or by truck or rail to Southern Russia. From there, the goods are transported by truck or rail along the Volga River through Moscow to Northern Europe. In 2011, Russia, Iran and India signed an agreement to further develop the route. The Government of India had initiated this project with the view to enhance trade relations between South Asia and Central Asia. The primary step towards trade enhancement, was signing of MoU between Indian and Iran over the development of CHAH BAHAR Port and transshipment facility at Bandar Abbas.
If the proposed Railway line is transformed into reality than trade with Afghanistan may also be possible, since there is well established surface route from Chah Bahar port to Zarang Lake (Border of Afghanistan).
Zarang- Delaram Highway developed by Indi a in Afghanistan will be utilized for transportation in Afghanistan.
Tax Info Rules Eased to Tackle Black Money Menace
The Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) amended its rules on obtaining classified tax information by partner-countries which would ease the disclosure norms to help nab tax evaders and stub the black money menace across the world. Article 26 of the model tax convention, which stands for the international standard on exchange of information related to financial data, including instances of black money and money laundering, has been amended. The OECD has sought to allow the member countries to obtain information about a group of tax payers from another country, without verifying their identities separately.
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OECD: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international economic organization of 34countries founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade. Most OECD members are high-income economies with a very high Human Development Index (HDI) and are regarded as developed countries.
The OECDs headquarters are at the Chteau de la Muette in Paris, France.
TA PROHM: ASI Restoring the BUDDHIST Complex in Cambodia

The conservation and restoration of Ta Prohm is a partnership project of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) and the APSARA (Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap).
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This Int ernat io nal Nort h- South Transport Corridor will have its starting point from JNPT Port in Mumbai, and sea route till Iran, then a railway link will be established between Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and it will finally reach Russia.
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UNESCO inscribed Ta Prohm on the World Heritage List in 1992. Today, it is one of the most visited complexes in Cambodiaa Angkor region. The sights at the Ta Prohm Buddhist monastic complex, built by Cambodian king Jayavarman VII around 1181 CE in Siem Reap province can leave visitors benumbed.
Enrica Lexie: Shoot Out

ENRICA LEXIE is an Italian Aframax oil-tanker involved in the shooting of two Indian fishermen at Indian coast on 15 Feb 2012. ICGS Samar, ICGS Lakshmi Bhai, INS Kabra (T76) and one ICG Do-228 maritime surveillance aircraft were dispatched in pursuit of Enrica Lexie. The merchant ship was ordered to the port of Cochin under escort by the Indian Coast Guard. Two of the ships personnel involved in the shooting incident were arrested. They are being charged with IPC Section 302-Homicide.
Syrian Civil War
The Syrian civil war, also referred to as the Syrian uprising, is an ongoing internal armed political conflict in Syria. The conflict began on 15 March 2011 with public demonstrations as part of the wider Arab Spring and developed into a nationwide uprising and a civil war in 2012. Protesters have demanded the end to nearly five decades of Baath Party rule, as well as the resignation of President Bashar al - Assad. Arab League, United States, European Union, GCC states & other countries have condemned use of violence against the protesters. China & Russia have opposed attempts to agree to a UN resolution condemning Assads actions and advised against sanctions, saying that such methods could escalate into foreign intervention. The Arab League suspended Syrias membership over the governments response to the crisis, but sent an observer mission in December 2011, as part of its proposal for peaceful resolution of the crisis. A further attempt to resolve the crisis has been made through the appointment of former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan as a special envoy. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had repeatedly stated that the Syrian conflict could emerge into an all-out civil war. On 15 July 2012 the International Committee of the Red Cross assessed the Syrian conflict as a non-international armed conflict (the ICRCs legal term for civil war), thus applying the international humanitarian law under the Geneva Conventions in Syria.
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Maldives President Forced Out in a Coup

Then President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed, head of the Maldives Democratic Party (MDP), was forced out by the military after a three-week opposition protest and a police mutiny in February 2012. He was replaced by Vice President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, who sided with the opposition.
Nasheed was elected in 2008 with a sweeping majority, in the first multi-party elections in the countrys history. His election marked the end of 30 years of autocratic rule by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, during which Nasheed was arrested and detained several times and also forced to live abroad for several years.
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The Maldives, with a mostly Sunni Muslim population of 330,000, is one of the poorest countries in the region. It depends mainly on tourism and exporting dried fish. Tourism generates two-thirds of the countys GDP of about $1 billion. Many daily needs including food, clothes and energy have to be imported.
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Coup in Guinea-Bissau
On 12 April 2012, following the first round of a presidential election, elements of the armed forces staged a coup in Guinea-Bissau, just over two weeks before the second round between Carlos Gomes Junior and Mohamed Iala Embalo. On 15 April, an agreement was reached to set up an interim National Transitional Council with a majority of opposition parties and the military.
Tahrir Square: Focul Point of Egyptian Revolution

Recently Tahrir Square was the focal point of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution against former president Hosni Mubarak and protest against current president Morsi in 2012.
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Tahrir Square is a major public town square in Downtown Cairo, Egypt. The square was originally called Ismailia Square but after the Egyptian Revolution of 1919 the square became widely known as Tahrir (liberation) Square.
European Fiscal Compact
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The Fiscal Compact (formally, the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union; also referred to as TSCG or more plainly the Fiscal Stability Treaty) is an intergovernmental treaty that was signed by all of the member states of the European Union (EU) except the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom on 2 March, 2012. The treaty will enter into force for all ratifiers, on the first day of the month following its ratification by the twelfth eurozone member; or provided that the twelfth eurozone member only complete its ratification after 1 January 2013 - it will on that time retrospectively enter into force by 1 January 2013. As per its provision, Fiscal Compact would require ratifying member states to enact laws requiring national budgets to be in balance or in surplus within the treatys definition. These laws must provide for a self-correcting mechanism to prevent their breach. The treaty defines a balanced budget as one which has a general budget deficit less than 3% of GDP and a structural deficit of less than either 0.5% or 1%, depending on a countries debt-to-GDP ratio. If the structural deficit for the annual account or budget is found to exceed those limits, the country will have to correct the issue within the timeline, nature and targeted size deemed as necessary by the European Commission. The treaty also places compliance with its budgetary and other requirements under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. This contrasts with the EU treaties Fiscal Autonomy which specifically exclude this jurisdiction. If ratified, a state found in breach of its obligations can ultimately be fined up to 0.1% of its GDP.
IONS Gearing to Tackle Piracy

Sea-faring nations and littoral countries in the Indian Ocean region have decided to work to address immediate and emerging challenges in the form of: Piracy, Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR). The recent meeting of the 35-member Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) in Cape Town, South Africa, decided to farm out the task of preparing concept papers for three countries Australia on anti-piracy, Singapore on MDA and India on HADR.
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The papers are expected to be prepared in six months and after consideration, the IONS will work towards evolving Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that would be fine-tuned with table top exercises. In the backdrop of the Kochi-incident that led to the killing of two Indian fishermen, the then Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma underscored need to have an SOP in order to avoid recurrence of such tragic incident san clear guidelines for merchant veessels that transit through the Exclusive Economic Zones(EEZ). At the third edition of the IONS, initiative for which was taken by the Indian Navy in 2008, there has been a growth in participation, with 23 delegations from including four nations Brazil, France, Germany and Italy led by their Naval Chiefs taking part.
West African leaders have decided to send troops to coup-hit Mali and Guinea-Bissau to support their return to civilian rule and demanded coup leaders return to barracks in both countries. At an extraordinary summit in Ivory Coast, the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also said the two countries must prepare for legislative and presidential elections within a year. Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara, current head of ECOWAS, pledged a firm response to the instability to prevent sub-region from giving into terrorism and transnational criminality. The coup in Mali on March 22 allowed Tuareg separatist rebels and armed Islamist groups to take control of an area roughly the size of France in the remote desert north.
U.N. Sanctions on Ivory Coast
The U.N. Security Council has voted unanimously to maintain sanctions on Ivory Coast for another year, including an arms embargo and a ban on the import of rough diamonds from the West African nation. A resolution adopted by the council also renews financial sanctions and travel bans on political figures for violating human rights on blocking peace, including former President Laurent Gbagbo, who has been charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court.The resolution adopted extends sanctions until April 30, 2013.
India to Head UN South Asian Regional Commission for Tourism
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India has been made Chairman of the United Nations South Asian regional commission for tourism. This was announced at the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO, HQ: Madrid, Spain) Conference at Gyeongju, South Korea.
Golan Heights Dispute

The Golan Heights forms a rocky plateau in the Anti-Lebanon Mountains that overlooks southern Syria, is internationally recognized as Syrian territory but has been occupied and administered by Israel since the 1967 Six-Day War establishing the Purple Line. The plateau straddles the boundary between Syria and Israeli-held territory.
Elevations range from 2,814 metres (9,232 ft) in the north at Mount Hermon, to below sea level along the Sea of Galilee and the Yarmuk River in the south. The region attracts three million tourists a year and supplies Israel with one-third of its water. Approximately 10% of Syrian Golan Druze has accepted Israeli citizenship.
GCC Cool to Riyadhs Meet 0n Iran-Threat Plan

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates led by Saudi Arabia has formally launched the process for a closer
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Bid to Restore Peace in Mali, Guinea-Bissau
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political integration of the six Gulf monarchies as a hedge against the perceived threat from Iran and to counter any challenge posed by the possible intrusion of the Arab Spring into this energy rich zone.
Quake in Italy
The 5.8 magnitude quake added to the misery being felt in the Emilia Romagna region of towns north of Bologna, one of Italys most agriculturally and industrial protective areas. A powerful earthquake killed at least 15 people as it rocked a swath of northern Italy. Factories and churches collapsed, dealing another blow to a region where thousands are still homeless after a stronger quake just nine days ago.
U.N. Monitors in Syria Confirm AL-Qubeir Atrocity

The United Nations monitors in Syria have recorded evidence of an atrocity in a Syrian hamlet near the embattled city of Hama amid a heated international debate over ways to defuse the escalating crisis in Syria, which faces the threat of sliding into a full-scale civil war.
Syrian opposition claims that 78 people, a majority of them women and children, were killed in cold blood by a pro-government militia after troops had shelled the village of Mazraat alQubeir. The Syrian government has denied the charges and attributed the killings to terrorists.
Afghan Quake
The 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Hindu Kush region, followed by a 5.7-quake. Both were felt as far away as the Afghan capital, Kabul, where buildings shook. Baghlan provinces Burka district, the site of the landslide, is a remote collection of mountain villages.
Soft Coup in Paraguay: Dwindling State of Democracy in South America

The President Fernando Lugo of Paraguay has been removed in a questionable manner by the countrys Senate, nine months before the end of his five-year-term in April 2013, raises doubts about the state of democracy in South America, much as the coup in Honduras did three years ago for Central America. This is cause of concern for a region with a recent transition to democracy in 2008 and a country like Paraguay, dominated till 2008 by 61 years of uninterrupted rule by the Colorado party of General Alfredo Stroessner (1954-1989).
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World Sea Piracy Falls: International Maritime Bureau

According to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), sea piracy worldwide fell by 54 per cent in the first half of 2012, led by a dramatic drop in Somali piracy. The international maritime watchdog attributed the sharp drop to pre-emptive and disruptive counter piracy tactics by international navies patrolling in seas off Somalia as well as increased vigilance by ships including hiring private armed personnel on board. The bureau said 177 attacks were reported worldwide from January to June, down from 266 in the same period last year. It said 20 vessels were hijacked worldwide, with 334 crew members taken hostage and at least four crew members killed. The European Union is holding up a treaty to allow books and other printed works to be converted into a format accessible to the visually impaired and other print disabled people without seeking the permission of the copyright holder.
EU Stalls Treaty Talks to Allow Copyright Waiver for Print Disabilities
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Al-Qubeir, a small settlement of the Sunni Bedouin community, is surrounded by members of the Allawite sect, who have been mostly loyal to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
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India, and most other developing countries, strongly supports such a legally binding treaty currently being negotiated at World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) meeting in Geneva. The treaty would allow organisations working for the blind to import and export accessible works without seeking the copyright holders permission, since very little money is spent in developing countries on converting books into accessible formats, while they are much more readily available elsewhere.
Battle of Aleppo (2012)
Basescu Survives Impeachment Move
Romanian President Traian Basescu escaped impeachment when a referendum on his removal from office fell short of the 50 per cent turnout threshold, despite a resounding vote for his dismissal. His arch rival, Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta had led the efforts to push Mr. Basescu from office.
Somalia Draft Constitution Endorsed
Somalias Constituent Assembly endorsed a draft constitution billed as a key step to ending decades of civil war. The Horn of Africa countrys outgoing government hailed the end of an eight-year interim period. The special assembly chosen by traditional elders in a U.N. - backed process took eight days to debate and votes on the new Constitution, as the graft-riddled government approaches the end of its mandate on August 20. Key steps in the fragile political process remain, including a new Parliament to be selected by traditional elders, with that Parliament to subsequently elect a new President.
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Worlds Largest Refugee Camp Declared Full

The underfunded and overcrowded worlds largest refugee camp Dadaab complex consists of three refugee camps Dagahaley, Ifo and Hagadera - established 20 years ago to house up to 90,000 people. According to Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF), Dadaab, a desert city in Kenya with a population of 450,000 had run out of space for new arrivals. As per MSFs report, it takes an average of 12 days for new arrivals to receive a first ration of food and 34 days to receive cooking utensils and blankets from the U.N.s refugee agency, which runs the camps. The U.N. announced in 2008 that it had no more room for new arrivals, but conflict and the worst drought in years have forced 44,000 Somalis to seek entry into Dadaab since the start of the year 2012. An extension to the camps is unfinished and empty following a breakdown in negotiations between Kenya and the U.N. last year.
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The Battle of Aleppo is an ongoing military confrontation in Aleppo, Syria between the Free Syrian Army a nd the Syrian military. The battle began on 19 July 2012 as a part of the Syrian civil war. The scale and importance of the battle has led to the battle being referred as the mother of all battles.
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Aleppo, located in northwestern Syria 310 kilometers from Damascus, is the largest city in Syria and holds great strategic and economic importance. For centuries, Aleppo was Greater Syria's largest city and the Ottoman Empire's third, after Istanbul and Cairo.
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Saudi Women Get Voting Right

Saudi King Abdullah in an annual speech before his advisory assembly or Shura Council, announced that the nations women would gain the right to vote and run as candidates in local elections to be held in 2015 in a major advancement for the rights of women in the deeply conservative Muslim kingdom. The changes announced would also allow women to be appointed to the Shura Council, the advisory body selected by the King that is currently all-male. The order came after consulting the nations top religious clerics, whose advice carries great weight in the kingdom. The right to vote is by far the biggest change introduced by King Abdullah, considered a reformer, since he became the de facto ruler in 1995 during the illness of King Fahd. King Abdullah formally ascended to the throne upon Fahds death in August 2005.
Tipaimukh Dam: INDO-BANGLADESH Controversy
Tipaimukh Dam is a proposed embankment dam on the river Barak in Manipur state in India for the purpose of flood control and hydroelectric power generation. The project has led to controversy between India and Bangladesh over water rights as well as controversy with Manipuri people to be relocated by the reservoir. Bangladeshi experts have said the massive dam will disrupt the seasonal rhythm of the river and have an adverse effect on downstream agriculture and fisheries. The government of Bangladesh has decided to send an expert team to the Dam area to examine the features and likely impact of the dam on the flow of water into the Surma and the Kushiara.
Russia-Norway Arctic Border Issue Resolved Through Pact

Russia and Norway have signed an Arctic border pact, ending a 40-year dispute over an energy-rich area in the Barents Sea. The Treaty on Maritime Delimitation and Cooperation in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean was signed in the Russian northern seaport of Murmanks by the Russian and Norwegian Foreign Ministers in the presence of their head of states.
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Under the treaty Russia and Norway will equally divide the long contested 176,000 sq. km. zone that lies off their Arctic coastlines and is believed to be rich in oil and gas thus paving the way for joint energy projects between the two countries. It is the 2nd most important border pact postSoviet Russia signed with its neighbours after the border delimitation treaty with China.
Hurricane Ernesto
Ernesto, the second hurricane of the Atlantic season, has made landfall along the southern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula near Mahahual, Mexico. The Categ ory 1 hurricane was located about 40 miles east nor theast of Chetu mal, Mexico, w ith maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour (140 km per hour).
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Eastern Barents Sea Shlokman gas field Murmanks Russias Preferred maritime border Russia
Naryan-Mar
The agreed border
Norways Preferred maritime border
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Cyclones with wind velocity less than 39 mph is not named but become named tropical storms when their winds reach more than 39 mph. They become hurricanes when winds exceed 74 mph.
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Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Suspends Syria

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation suspended Syrias membership at a summit of Muslim leaders in Mecca, citing President Bashar al-Assads violent suppression of the Syrian revolt.
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Organisation Of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is an international organisation consisting of 57 member states. It tries to be the collective voice of the Muslim world and to safeguard the interests and ensure the progress and well-being of its member countries in an atmosphere of international peace. The official languages of the OIC are Arabic, English and French.
China Runs on the Worlds Fastest Train
The Chinese made CRH380 bullet train recorded a world record speed of 420 km per hour. Chinas high-speed rail network now stretches over 7,431 km. The government plans to expand the network to over 16,000 km by 2020. Investment in the high-speed rail network has gathered pace since the first line, connecting Beijing with the port city Tianjin, opened in 2008. China in 2010 unveiled the worlds fastest bullet train, which will connect two of the countrys industrial hubs travelling at an average speed of 350 km per hour. The high-speed rail link between Shanghai and Hangzhou, reduced the travelling time from 78 minutes to 45 minutes to cover the 200-km distance. China has also begun the 1,318-km high-speed rail line linking the countrys two most important cities - Beijing and Shanghai reducing the travel time between the capital and the financial centre half, to just 5 hours.
China Successfully Conducts Test Run of High-Speed Train
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China has successfully conducted a test run of the worlds longest high-speed railway between Beijing and Guangzhou, ahead of the launch of the 2,298-km- long line on December 26, 2012. Running at an average speed of 300 km per hour, it only took two-and-a-half hours for the train to cover the 693 km distance from Beijing to Zhengzhou that links the countrys capital and the southern economic hub. This is the longest high-speed network after China launched the Beijing-Shanghai bullet train in 2011 which brought down travel time to around five hours covering over 1,300 km distance between two of Chinas largest cities.
African Leaders Fail to Agree on Congo Force

African leaders failed to agree on the make-up of a proposed neutral force to tackle the insurgency in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Fighting between M23 rebels and Congolese government forces has displaced nearly half a million people since April. Regional leaders last month brokered a deal for a neutral force to be set up to take on Congobased rebel groups. But the heads of state of east and central African nations meeting to discuss the eastern Congo crisis were divided over whether the troops for a mission to Congo would be drawn from regional countries alone, or would be an international force.
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Rwanda and Uganda, under pressure from the West to cut all links to the M23 insurgency, want a regional force to tackle the rebels. But Congo has in the past resisted such calls, favoring an expanded role for the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo. Rwanda has denied accusations by U.N. experts that its military officials have provided equipment and recruits for the M23 rebellion. Uganda has also rejected similar accusations.
France Clears ROMA Camp in Fresh Wave of Expulsions

French police raided a makeshift Roma camp, evicting 200 people and dozens of police officers in riot gear descended on the camp near the city of Lille, in northern France, shortly after dawn to oversee the evacuation of some 200 Roma living in mobile homes near a highway. The evacuation follows a series of police raids this week in Paris and Lyon during which hundreds of undocumented Roma immigrants from Eastern Europe were forced from their homes.
Master Tips
Roma is a nomadic community of some 12 million living in Eastern Europe, particularly in Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Hungary. An estimated 15-20,000 Roma live in France. While Roma make up a tiny percentage of Frances immigrant population, their nomadic lifestyle and some resorting to pick-pocketing and aggressive begging have made them the subject of controversy. Sarkozys government repatriated thousands of Roma to Romania but many took advantage of porous European Union borders to return to France, having pocketed aid for departure from the French state of 300 euros ($370) each.
Cayman Islands Proposes Income Tax on Foreign Workers
The Cayman Islands is proposing the never before, a direct tax on expatriates to help fix the budget woes of the British territory. The proposed community enhancement fee is effectively a 10% payroll tax on all foreign workers earning income over US $24,000 in the Cayman Islands. The business community in the Cayman Islands raised voice, with some calling for a public protest against taxation without representation.
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Cayman Islands, a beach-lined group of islands south of Cuba is a British Overseas Territory located in the western Caribbean Sea. It has long relied on the no direct taxation model as a cornerstone of its lucrative financial industry and known as a tax haven for the mega rich around the world and home to most of the worlds hedge funds. It was in the news in India due to government of Indias efforts on curbing the black money and tax evasion and also due to the visit of then President of India, Ms. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil.
Volcano Erupts in New Zealand

Ash from eruption of Mount Tongariro fell in areas in central North Island. Mt Tongariro is one of three volcanos inside Tongariro National Park.
Japan aims to Abandon Nuclear Power By 2030

Japans government said it intends to stop using nuclear power by the 2030s, marking a major shift from policy goals set before last years Fukushima disaster that sought to increase the share of atomic energy to more than half of electricity supply. Japan joins countries such as Germany and Switzerland in turning away from nuclear power after last years earthquake unleashed a tsunami that swamped the Fukushima Daiichi plant causing the worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl in 1986.
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International & Bilateral Updates Japan was the 3rd biggest user of atomic energy before the disaster.
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In abandoning atomic power Japan aims to triple the share of renewable power to 30 per cent of its energy mix but will remain a top importer of oil, coal and gas for the foreseeable future.
Sinais Recent History of Conflict

The Sinai Peninsula or Sinai is a triangular peninsula in Egypt about 60,000 square km in area. It is the only part of Egyptian territory located in Asia as opposed to Africa, effectively serving as a land bridge between two continents. Egyptians also refer to it affectionately as the Land of Fayrouz. The region has historically been the centre of conflict between various states, based largely on its strategic geopolitical location. Israel invaded and occupied Sinai during the Six Day War of 1967. On 6 October 1973, Egypt launched the October War to liberate the peninsula, which was the site of fierce fighting between Egyptian and Israeli forces. In 1982, after the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty of 1979, Israel withdrew from the entirety of Sinai. Today, Sinai has become a tourist destination due to its natural setting, rich coral reefs, and biblical history. Mount Sinai is one of the most religiously significant places in Abrahamic faiths.
Draft Hormuz Closure Bill
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Irans parliament has backed a draft law to block the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to close the Gulf to oil tankers in retaliation against European sanctions on Iranian crude. As per proposed law, if the sanctions continue, the countries that have imposed sanctions have no right to cross the Strait of Hormuz without harm.
Strait of Hormuz is a strategic geographic location in the Gulf region through which 40 percent of the world's seaborne oil exports passes. A heavy Western naval presence in the Gulf and surrounding area is a big impediment to any attempt to block the vital shipping route. (Refer Map)
India & UK Amended Tax Pact

In its continuing drive to check tax evasion and proliferation of black money, India has signed a protocol with the U.K. for amending the convention between the two countries for avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and capital gains.
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Typhoon Bopha lashes Philippines

Typhoon Bopha smashed into the Philippines uprooting trees and power lines and forcing more than 40,000 people to cram into shelters to escape the strongest storm to hit the country.
Important International Election Held in 2012

Egyptian presidential election, 2012: A presidential election was held in Egypt on 23 and 24 May 2012. The Muslim Brotherhood declared on 18 June 2012, that its candidate, Mohammed Morsi, won Egypts presidential election, which would be the first victory of an Islamist as head of state in the Arab world. Morsi won by a narrow margin over Ahmed Shafik, the last prime minister under deposed leader Hosni Mubarak. Guinea-Bissau Presidential election 2012: An early presidential election was held in GuineaBissau on 18 March 2012 following the death of President Malam Bacai Sanha on 9 January. A run-off was set to be held on 29 April after being postponed by a week as announced by electoral commission chief Desejado Lima Dacosta. However, after a military coup, the main candidate was arrested and any plan for an early election was cancelled. Malian parliamentary election 2012: A parliamentary election was planned to be held in Mali on 1 July and 22 July 2012. However, after the military coup, the election was canceled. Taiwan (Republic of China) Presidential election 2012: Incumbent Ma Ying-jeou was re-elected as President. Yemeni Presidential Election 2012: A presidential election was held in Yemen on 21 February 2012. Acting President Abd Rabbuh Mansur al-Hadi was the only candidate in the election. He was sworn in as president of Yemen on 25 February 2012 in the Presidential Palace. Turkmenistan Presidential Election 2012: A presidential election was held in Turkmenistan on 12 February, 2012. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow is the President of Turkmenistan. French Presidential Election 2012: A presidential election was held in France on 22 April 2012. Hollande won the runoff with a vote of 51.63% of the vote to Sarkozys 48.37%. Russian Presidential Election 2012: Vladimir Putin received 63.64% of the vote and elected as President. Vladimir Putin on May 7, 2012 took his oath of office to become Russian President for a historic third mandate at a glittering ceremony inside the Kremlin. Putin already served as President for two terms between 2000 and 2008.
UN Recognizes State of Palestine
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The United Nations General Assembly on November 29, 2012 has recognized Palestine as an Observer State, largely means a symbolic up gradation in status that drew criticism and Potential financial Penalties from the US and Israel. The most significant ramification is that the Palestinians will be able to speak at UN meetings and can join United Nations agencies.
UN General Assembly votes 138/9 to recognize Palestine as a non-member observer state. What does it mean? Gives international backing the Palestinian demand for sovereignty over lands Israel occupied in 1856. Palestinians will be able to join UN agencies, sign treaties, for going after Israel for alleged war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Limited Power: Wont grant independence to 4.3 m Palestinians who live in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza-Strip. Palestinian observers can speak as UNGA meets, take part in procedural votes, sponsor and sign resolutions. Cannot vote on resolutions and other substantive matters.
Symbolic Win or Birth Certificate for Palestine?
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US Inducted as dialogue partner of IORAC

The US was on November 2, 2012 inducted as a dialogue partner in the 20-nation Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IORAC) grouping, following hectic back-door diplomacy led by India. The decision to induct the US as the sixth dialogue partner was taken at the ministerial meeting of the group. The other five dialogue partners are China, Japan, the UK, France and Egypt.
Japan Sings Pact to Import Rare Earths From India
Southeast Asian Leaders Signed Human Rights Declaration
Leaders of ASEAN signed a controversial Human Right Pact in their annual summit held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on November 18, 2012. They had also focused on territorial disputes among nations and Myanmars deadly unrest. Head of the 10-members Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) announced their declaration on human rights as a landmark agreement that would help to protect the 600 million people of ASEAN.
Pakistan Launches Education Plan for Children with Focus on Girls

UN special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Browns call to observe NOVEMBER 10 as Global Action Day For Malala Yousufzai. To show Pakistans commitment to Ms. Younsufzais dream of educating the 32 million out-ofschool girls across the world, the Pakistani federal government launched the Waseela-e-Taleem Programme to educate three Million children, especially girls, from the poorest of poor families. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has announced that 10th November, 2012, will be celebrated as Malala Day all over the world.
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Zardari Announces Grant for Girls Education Worldwide

Pakistans President Asif Ali Zardari announced a $10-million donation for a global war chest to educate all girls by 2015 set up in the name of Malala Yousafzai, who was shot by the Taliban for campaigning for girls education.
The Malala Fund for Girls Right to Education aims at raising billions of dollars to ensure that all girls go to school by 2015 in line with UN Millennium goals.
India Decides to Adopt Liberal Visa Policy With Bangladesh

Indias Ambassador to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran said it has decided to adopt a liberal visa policy for people of Bangladesh to promote economic engagement, people-to-people contact and tourism between the two neighbouring nations. However, India did not wait for joint working group (JWG) to be set up to sort out the issue of liberal visa regime. India at present gives nearly 500,000 visas to Bangladesh nationals every year. India has already signed a liberal visa regime with its other neighbour, Pakistan introducing for the first time group tourist and pilgrim visas, multi-city and multi-entry visa for businessmen.
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India and Japan on November 16, 2012 inked two agreements including one that will reduce Tokyos dependence on China for key material that is vital for producing a range of high tech products. The other dealSocial Security Agreement will benefit about 30,000 citizens of both countries. About 22,000 Indians are working in Japan and about 8,000 Japanese are working in India.
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Israel Should Open Nuclear Facilities: UN

The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling on Israel to quickly open its nuclear programme for inspection and backing a high-level conference to ban nuclear weapons from West Asia which was just cancelled. The resolution calls on Israel to join the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) without further delay and open its nuclear facilities to inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Israel refuses to confirm or deny it has nuclear bombs though it is widely believed to have a nuclear arsenal. It has refused to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), along with three nuclear weapon states India, Pakistan and North Korea.
BoJ in Currency Swap Pact with RBI
Japan and India, has signed a Bilateral Swap Agreement (BSA) which enables both countries to swap their local currencies, that is, either Japanese yen or Indian rupee against the U.S. dollar for an amount up to $15 billion. The Bank of Japan (BOJ), acting as the agent for the Ministry of Finance of Japan, and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) concluded a Bilateral Swap Arrangement (BSA) between Japan and India. The BSA would be effective for a three-year period. The BSA was signed by Governor Masaaki Shirakawa of the BOJ and Governor D. Subbarao of the RBI and become effective as of December 4, 2012. In the past, both countries had a similar arrangement for an amount up to $3 billion for three years from June 2008 to June 2011.
Master Tips
Currency Swap : A currency swap is a foreign-exchange agreement between two institutes to exchange aspects (namely the principal and/or interest payments) of a loan in one currency for equivalent aspects of an equal in net present value loan in another currency.
Polaris Launches Ranger RZR XP 900
Polaris India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of US-based off-road vehicle maker Polaris Industries, has launched a new vehicle RANGER RZR XP 900. Polaris India has recently announced its tie up with HDFC Bank to provide easy financing solutions to its customers.
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Russia and 5 CIS Countries to Cut Dollar Dependence

Russia and five other ex-Soviet States have Master Tips agreed to reduce their dependence on the dollar, and promote payments in national The Commonwealth of Independent currencies. States (CIS) is a regional organization At a summit of the Commonwealth of whose participating countries are former Independent States (CIS) in Ashgabat Soviet Republics, formed during the breakup (Tu rkmenistan), Russia, Armenia, of the Soviet Union. Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan and There are 9 member states of the CIS Tajikistan signed an agreement to set up an namely Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, integrated currency market for CIS member Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. States. The agreement is designed to cut the use of There are 2 unofficial members of the CIS: Turkmenistan and Ukraine. Georgia, a the dollar and euro and facilitate transactions former member of the CIS withdrew from the in national currencies in foreign trade and grouping in 2008-09. financial services. It will promote the use of the Rouble as a reserve currency given the dominant position of the Russian economy in the former Soviet Union.
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RIL Arm Exits Yemen Oil Block

Reliance Exploration & Production DMCC, the Dubai-based subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), has signed the completion documents for divestment its 25 per cent working interest in the Yemens Block 9 to Medco Yemen Malik Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of PT Medco Energi Internasional Tbk of Indonesia.
International Credit Rating Agency to be Set up

An international credit rating agency is proposed to be set up soon by rating organisations from five countries, including Indias Credit Analysis and Research Limited (CARE). CARE Ratings Chief General Manager P. N. Satheesh Kumar said that a non-binding MoU was signed by CARE Ratings with four rating agencies one each from Brazil, South Africa, Portugal and Malaysia for the proposed international body.
Maldives Denies China Role in GMR Row
Maldives President Mohamed Waheed has denied the suggestion in the media that China nudged his country to push out the Male airport operator, Indian multinational company GMR. Dr. Waheed said that Maldives was not looking for a foreign investor to develop the Ibrahim Nasir Airport in Male, rather Maldives was looking at developing a few domestic airports through Joint Ventures and partnerships. To drive home his point that no other Indian project had been affected, he said that Maldives had been discussing projects with other Indian firms, such as the Tatas.
Haryana-Bhutan Agree on 2,000 MW Power Deal
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda announced a new joint venture project in Bhutan which will give the State 1,500 to 2,000 MW of additional power within the next five years. He said Haryana is the first State in the country to have gone beyond national frontiers and signed a mutually collaborative understanding.
India-U.S. Collaborate on Solar Energy: SERIIUS
India and the United States have started an initiative to develop solar energy through photovoltaic (PV) projects and concentrated solar power
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(CSP), also known as solar thermal.
The $50 million project, titled SERIIUS (Solar Energy Research Initiative of India and the United States), would be conducted by the Bangalore-based Indian Institute of Science and the Washingtonbased Na tiona l Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Ireland to Allow Abortion to Save Mothers Life

The Irish government has announced that it would bring in legislation to allow for abortion in cases where the mothers life was at risk. The decision follows widespread outrage over the death of Savita Halappanavar, who died after being denied abortion by doctors at a government hospital despite repeated requests, though her life appeared to be at risk. At present, abortion is illegal in Ireland except when the mothers life, as distinct from health, is at risk. But a lack of clear guidelines has meant that doctors refuse it even in genuine cases.
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Unlike traditional solar panels, CSP projects concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a small area of contained liquid. The liquid heats up, emits steam, and a generator converts the steam into electricity.
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Nobel Prize Money Will Benefit War-Hit Children, Says EU

The Norwegian Nobel Prize Committee honoured the European Union with Peace Prize for 2012 in the presence of EU heads of state and government in Oslo. The Committee said the organisation had been given the award for transforming Europe from a continent plagued by war to a continent of peace. The prize was collected on behalf of the EU by President of the European Council, President of Parliament and President of the European Commission. The prize money of 930,000 will be given to projects that help children struggling in war zones by adding 1.07 million, making it 2 million.
The EU: The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of 27 member states which are located primarily in Europe. Important institutions of the EU include the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the European Council, the Court of Justice of the European Union, and the European Central Bank. The European Parliament is elected every five years by EU citizens. The EUs de facto capital is Brussels. With a combined population of over 500million inhabitants or 7.3% of the world population, the EU, in 2011, generated the largest nominal world GDP of 17.6 trillion US dollars, representing approximately 20% of the global GDP when measured in terms of purchasing power parity. Important Office Bearers of EU: President of the European Council: Herman Van Rompuy President of the European Commission: Jose Manuel Barroso President of Parliament: Martin Schulz
Olivia Culpo: U.S. Beauty is Miss Universe 2012

Olivia Culpo, a 20-year-old Rhode Island native, beat 88 other beauty queens to be crowned as Miss Universe 2012 in a gala ceremony in Las Vegas.
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Philippines Janine Tugonon was adjudged the first runner-up followed by Venezuelas Irene Esser. Ms. Culpo, has brought the title back to the U.S. after a decade. Brooke Lee was the last winner in 1997. Ms. Culpo was crowned by 2011 winner Leila Lopez of Angola. Indias Shilpa Singh made only to the top 16 spot.
Australia Introduces Plain Packaging for Cigarettes

A law forcing tobacco firms to sell cigarettes in plain packets came into effect in Australia in an effort to strip any glamour from smoking and prevent young people from taking up the habit. The new law, the first of its kind anywhere the world, came into force despite a vigorous legal challenge by big tobacco, which argued that the legislation infringed its intellectual property rights (IPR) by banning trademarks. All cigarettes will now have to be sold in identical, olive-brown packets bearing the same typeface and largely covered with graphic health warnings.
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India-ASEAN Finalise FTA in Services and Investments

India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has finalised the much-awaited free trade agreement (FTA) in services and investments. This move is likely to boost trade to $100 billion by 2015. At present, trade between India and ASEAN stands at $80 billion. Prime Minister said that following the implementation of FTA in goods, trade grew by 41 per cent in 2011-12. The FTA would also pave the way for discussions on a regional comprehensive economic partnership (RCEP) that ASEAN plans to seal with its six key trade partners, which include India.
ASEAN-India Ties to be Elevated to Strategic Partnership
Asean Economic Minister Chair cum senior Commerce Minister of Cambodia Cham Prasidh has said the Association of South East Asian Nations and India are all set to elevate their ties to a strategic partnership. India became a sectoral dialogue partner of the grouping in 1992. The relationship was elevated to full dialogue partnership in 1996. Since 2002, the two sides have been holding annual summits. The framework of agreement on comprehensive economic cooperation (CECA) was signed in 2003 and the agreement on trade in goods in 2009. After the Commemorative Summit on Dec 20-21, 2012 in Delhi; India has become a strategic partner of ASEAN.
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ASEAN and six partners Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand will start first-round talks on the RCEP in 2013, which are expected to form the worlds economic bloc in 2015.
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Environment & Ecology Updates
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Five New Tiger Reserves to Come up

The National Tiger Conservation Authority has approved in principle, the creation of 5 new tiger reserves in the country at following location
S.No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Pilibhit Ratapani Place State UP MP
Master Tips Currently, there are 42 tiger reserves in India which are governed by Project Tiger and administered by t he Na tiona l Tiger Conservation Authority.
Sunabeda MukundaraHills Satyamangalam
UN Biodiversity Meet (COP 11) At Hyderabad
Developed countries agreed to double the fund flow to developing countries by 2015 on the conclusion of the conference on October 20, 2012. Such funds will help the countries achieve the Aichi Targets, a set of 20 specific goals set two year ago in Nagoya, Japan, to half the rate of biodiversity loss and implement the strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 of the CBD.
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About the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): Opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and entering into force in December 1993, the CBD is an international treaty for the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of the components of biodiversity and the equitable sharing of the benefits derived from the use of genetic resources. With 193 Parties, the Convention has near universal participation among countries.
Frog with Blue Eyes Found in Arunachal
A new frog species with blue eyes has been discovered in the Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary at Sessa in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.
The frog, named Bompu after the locality in the sanctuary where it was found, is native to the forest streams at an altitude of 2,000 metres and lives under leaf litter and rotting logs.
A New Frog Species Called Fejervarya Sengupti was Found in Meghalaya

A new frog species was found by researchers in the second week of March 2012 at Mawphlang, about 25 kilometre from Shilong, capital of Meghalaya. The new species was named Fejervarya Sengupti in honour of Saibal Sengupta. Sengupta was the head of Aryavidyapeeth College and one of the pioneers of amphibian research. The new species was different from all congeners in terms of body size and all characteristics. The discovery of new species shows that northeast part of India is quite rich in terms of its biodiversity, especially in case of amphibians.
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Dehradun-based naturalist Sanjay Sondhi, during a survey conducted as part of the Eagle Nest Biodiversity Project with the support of the State Forest Department, discovered the amphibian species early 2011.
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TamilNadu Odisha Rajasthan
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Himachal Pradesh Becomes 1st Smoke Free State in Country: Bags WHO SEAROS Award 2012
The World Health Organization (WHO) has conferred WHO-South East-Asia Regional Office (SEAROs) Award -2012 to Himachal Pradesh Government for its outstanding achievement in Anti Tobacco campaign.
The Race for Green Energy
New Initiative to Protect Oceans Pollution
The UN chief has announced an initiative to protect oceans from pollution and over-fishing and the combat rising sea levels which threaten hundreds of millions of the worlds people.
Project Wikiflora
The project Wikiflora aims to provide a platform to the research community such as scientists and teachers to share knowledge and findings on biological diversity by the model of citizen science, similar to Wikipedia. In order to digitalize information on Amazonian biodiversity, the Brazilian government signed a partnership agreement with the U.S. Company IBM.
Western GHATS NEW addition in world heritage list

The Western Ghats has made it to the coveted list of World Heritage Sites. The World Heritage Committee, meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia, decided to inscribe 39 serial sites of the Western Ghats on the World Heritage List. The Western Ghats was inscribed under criteria 9 and 10 of the Operational Guidelines of the World Heritage Convention. Criterion 9 of the guidelines deals with properties which are outstanding examples representing significant ongoing ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals. Criterion 10 is relevant for those properties which contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.
Assam RHINO Population Crosses 2,500 Mark

Poachers may have been on the prowl and killing a number of rhinos, especially at Kaziranga National Park in upper Assam. Kaziranga is famous for the highest concentration of the one-horned rhinoceros crossing population of 2,500.
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The US reclaimed the top spot in the world wide clean energy race in 2011. Because of policy uncertainty, however, its leadership is likely to be short-lived after a variety of clean energy programme expired at the end of 2011. Although, Chinas relatively flat year in 2011 cooled the rapid pace of growth in the Asian region, new opportunities are emerging in the flourishing markets of India, Indonesia, Australia and Japan. Clean Energy Investment in India: Clean energy investments in India increased 54% in 2011 to $ 10.2 billion. The wind sector in India led the way, attracting $ 4.6 billion and spurring deployment of 2.8 GW during the year. Indias pursuit of its National Solar Mission, which aims to deploy 20 GW of solar energy by 2020, is evident in the increase in investment to $ 4.2 billion.
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Western Ghats Expert Panel Report

The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) set up in 2010 was headed by Madhav Gadgil which submitted its report with following recommendations. Key recommendations of WGEEP: The Expert Panel has suggested for setting up of a statutory authority Western Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA) to protect the Ghats. It recommended for scrapping of two controversial hydro-power projects Karnatakss Gundia and Keralas Athirapally that had run into difficulty due to opposition from environmentalists. It also called for gradual phasing out of mining activities in ecologically highly-sensitive areas of Goa by 2016. WGEA: The Western Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA), a 24 member body, will have ecologists, scientists, representatives of civil society, as well as tribal groups, officials from the Union Environment Ministry, Planning Commission, National Biodiversity Authority, Central Pollution Control Board, and representatives of the state government as its members. It will be a three layered authority having WGEA at national level, the State Western Ghats Ecology Authorities at state level and District Ecology Committees at district level. Function of WGEA: The WGEA would need to function in a networked fashion, with six constituent State Western Ghats Ecology Authorities, appointed jointly by the State Governments and the Centre. The State Western Ghats Ecology Authorities should interact closely with the State Biodiversity Boards and Pollution Control Boards, as well as State Planning Departments administering the Western Ghats Development Programmes, funded through Five-Year Plans by the Planning Commission. It would be appropriate that all the Western Ghats Development Plan schemes are worked out by the State Governments with the Authority. Master Tips WGEEP proposes that District Ecology Committees in all Western Ghats districts which would work in collaboration with the district-level Zilla Parishad/ Zilla Panchayat Biodiversity Management Committees, as well as District Planning Committees.
WGEA, once created, will have jurisdiction on the location of industry, and land-use planning. It will also be the final authority in declaring ecologically-sensitive areas, where facilities like storage dam wont be permitted.
A Biodiversity Think-tank Launched

The Centre for Biodiversity Policy and Law, a think-tank for suggesting policy and legal formulations on biodiversity has been launched in the country which will be jointly operated by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests in association with Norwegian Division for Nature. Balakrishna Pisupati, Chairman, National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), charted out the mandate of the Centre which would be to provide service to the governments, institutions and stakeholders and would support policies relating to biodiversity at State, Central and global levels.
Indira Gandhi Centre for Sustainable Development at Oxford University Approved

As a tribute to the former Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, the government gave an in-principle approval for setting up of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Sustainable Development at Somerville College, University of Oxford. Mrs. Gandhi was a student of Somerville College. An inter-ministerial committee is already in place to discuss the proposal.
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The Western Ghats have been identified as an extensive region, spanning over six states namely Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu which includes 44 districts, and 142 talukas.
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NHRC Summons Chief Secretary Over ENDOSULFAN Issue

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked Kerala Chief Secretary to appear personally before it, if the State government fails to take action on the compensation recommended for endosulfan victims in Kasaragod district in Kerala. Recently, the State government issued an order taking over the liabilities of the Plantations Corporation of Kerala in this regard. It was the corporation which undertook aerial spraying of endosulfan on its estates spreading across or adjoining a dozen villages in Kasaragod district, disregarding rules.
The commission has recommended that a panel of doctors may assess the extent of physical disability to classify the categories of victims. It has also called for a survey of other populations that may have been affected by the use of endosulfan, including in Palakkad, where there were reports of similar problems faced by villagers.
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Endosulfan is an off-patent organo-chlorine insecticide and acaricide that has been banned in some developed countries. Endosulfan became a highly controversial agro-chemical due to its acute toxicity, potential for bio-accumulation, and role as an endocrine disruptor. The Supreme Court has banned the manufacture, sale and use of toxic pesticide endosulfan in India.
E-Waste Management Rules Come Into Force
The e-waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011, notified in May 2011, will come into effect. Aim: To have reduction in the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment by specifying threshold for use of hazardous material including lead, mercury and cadmium. Applicability: These will apply to every producer, consumer or bulk consumer, collection centre, dismantler and recycler of e-waste involved in the manufacture, sale, and purchase and processing of electrical and electronic equipment or components. Sectors like information and telecommunications equipment and consumer electrical and electronics falling within the specified categories will have to ensure that the products do not contain lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, poly-brominated biphenyls or poly-brominated di-phenyl ethers above a specified threshold. The rules place the main responsibility of e-waste management on the producers of the electrical and electronic equipment by introducing the concept of extended producer responsibility (ERP). Note: These will not apply to lead acid batteries as covered under the Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, micro and small enterprises as defined in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (27 of 2006) and radio-active wastes as covered under the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 (33 of 1962).
Gas now Rebranded as Green Energy

A 80 bn European Union programme has rebranded energy from gas power stations a green, low-carbon source of power. A large chunk of billions of Euros of funds that are supposed to be devoted to research and development into renewables such as solar and wave power are likely to be diverted instead to subsidising the development of the well-established fossil fuel.
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The spraying of endosulfan, which started in the late-1970s, had continued till 2001 rendering thousands of people disabled and diseased over the years. More than 4,000 people have already been identified as victims eligible for relief, and four-stage verification is on in case if 1,400 more applicants. The process includes medical examination by experts and confirmation of places of residence by the Revenue Department.
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The switch follows after intensive lobbying by the European gas industry, which is attempting to rebrand itself as a green alternative to nuclear and coal, and as lower cost than renewable forms of power such as wind and sun. But green groups warned that relying on gas would raise energy prices and fail to tackle climate change, and could fatally stunt the growth of the renewables industry.
Kaziranga Has Over 100 Tigers
Park, Assam, India, 2009-2011, says 118 tigers were recorded in the reserve over the three year-period. The figure includes six tigers which died during the monitoring period.
The study was a joint initiative of the Assam Forest Department and biodiversity conservation group Aaranyak. In 2011, it was carried out in collaboration with the wildlife Institute of India and WWF India.
Indo-German Biodiva Project
The BioDIVA project to conserve traditional landraces, has been jointly undertaken by German and Indian researchers in Keralas Wayanad district. Aim: It seeks to promote agro-biodiversity, enabling small and marginal communities to preserve their traditional knowledge, make a living, and protect the environment. It is led by Martina Padmanabhan, a German agricultural sociologist based at the Institute for Environmental Planning of Leibniz University in Hannover. The team is one of 12 junior research groups funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research. The main partner in Wayanad district is the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) based in Chennai. Master Tips
Filling up Maheshwar Dam Has Been Stopped by Green Tribunal

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in an interim order passed recently, asked to stop the closure of the gates and the partial filling of the Maheshwar dam till the next hearing. The NGT also issued notices to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of Madhya Pradesh, project promoters Shree Maheshwar Hydel Power Corporation Limited (SMHPCL) and the Madhya Pradesh Power Generation Corporation Limited, restraining them from filling of the dam up to a level of 154 meters. The NGT order came in a case challenging the MoEF order of last month which allowed the filling up of the Maheshwar dam up to a height of 154 meters. The MoEF order was challenged on the ground that its implementation would result in the loss of life and livelihoods of thousands of people living in the river-side villages and impact of backwaters would cause irreparable damage to the environment and the life and livelihood of the people.
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Keralss Wayanad district has large areas of paddy fields, with many rice landraces cultivated by indigenous tribes, who constitute a large part of the population.
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Kaziranga is one of the highest density tiger habitats in the country and has a healthy breeding source population. It has over 100 tigers, the estimate based on the annual monitoring carried out in 2009, 2010 and 2011 using the camera trap method. Master Tips The report, Tigers of the Kaziranga National
Kaziranga in Assam, famous for its onehorned rhinoceros, was declared a tiger reserve in 2008, covers over 1,000 square kilometers. The major prey for tiger there, according to the report, is hog deer, sambar, swamp deer, Asiatic wild buffalo and wild pigs.
Indigenous tribes of Wayanad district in Kerala are: Paniyas, Kurumas, Adiyars, Kurichyas, Ooralis, Kattunaikkans.
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The appellants argued the MoEF order was based on false information provided by the district collector, Khargone, who claimed there would be no submergence of lands and houses at 154 metres.
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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, for speedy disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources. The 400 MW Maheshwar dam is Indias first privately financed hydro-electric project and is one of the 39 big dams being built across the Narmada River.
Power Generation From Water Hyacinth: A Breakthrough

Kondala Ruthala, a non-resident Indian from Andhra Pradesh proposes use of biogas produced from water hyacinth to be used for generating electricity, heating and industrial purposes. The aim is to provide efficient energy solution that is reliable, scalable and cost effective. He has submitted the proposal to Krishna district Collector seeking permission to set up a biogas plant at Nandigamalanka in the district. A citizen of USA and equipped with 17 years of experience in crude oil/gas exploration, hightech electronics, medical and silk industreis in the US and in India, he proposes to use indigenous technology developed by VillageVision Biotechnologies, IIT/GBES and National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to set up the gas plant. Besides the fact that farmers will benefit from the project, the Irrigation Department which spends between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 15 lakh every year on removal of water hyacinth, will have a reason to smile.
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Water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes), considered to be one of the worlds most destructive and unbeatable weeds, clogs up rivers, hydroelectric plants, waterways and entire lakes. Due to its ferocious biomass growth rate (up to 17 tonnes per hectare per day, doubling its biomass each week), water hyacinth colonises water bodies in a matter of days, laying dense carpets of flowers over the water. One flower produces up to 1,000 new plants in 50 days.
India Received Pat for National Solar Mission From UNEP
Indias National Solar Mission helps the country stimulate an impressive 62 per cent increase in investments to $12 billion during the year, the fastest investment expansion of any large renewables market in the world. According to report, Solar generation surged past wind power to become the renewable energy technology of choice for global investors in 2011. Solar attracted nearly twice as much investment as wind. Solar photovoltaic capacity moved rapidly into new regions and countries. India also finds place in the report at one among the seven countries of the world for renewable energy capacity, excluding large hydro, accounting for about 70 per cent of the total non-hydro renewable capacity worldwide. The other countries are China, the United States, Germany, Spain, Italy and Japan. By region, the European Union was home to nearly 37 per cent of the global non-hydro renewable capacity by the end of 2011. China, India and Brazil together accounted for roughly one-quarter.
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The report on renewable energy trends in 2011 , launched, by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century took the note of Indias initiative in the renewable energy sector and praised it.
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Rediscovered Tree Still Extinct on IUCN Red List

The latest version of the list released, has described Cynometra beddomeii, a large tree, which has only ever been recorded from Tambacherry Ghat as regionally extinct in Kerala. A rare tree rediscovered from Kerala during the studies on the Flora of Kerala forests 14 years ago is still categorised as Extinct on the Red List of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It had also stated that the plant has not been found since 1870, despite intensive explorations.
Labelling of GM Foods Mandatory: Centre
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has made an amendment to make labeling of every package containing genetically modified food (GM food) mandatory from January 1, 2013. The move will impact the imported GM foods that are flooding the markets.
Bundelkhand: Indias First River-Lake Link Project Launched

The Madya Pradesh government launched the countrys first ever river-lake linking project in the water-scarce Bundelkhand region. The Harpura irrigation and river-lake link project, launched in the Tikamgarh district, will be implemented under the Centres Rs. 7266 crore Bundelkhand package. It will link the perennial Jamni river to the nearby lakes and water bodies built during the Chandel era. Under the project, an additional 1,980 hectares of land are expected to come under irrigation. It is proposed to construct a 44.28 km-long main canal and a 13 km-long branch-canal for filling up the lakes, besides digging 100 wells on either side of the main canal.
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Countrys first ever river linking project the Ken-Betwa river link was expected to be launched in the Bundelkhand region. However, it was abandoned last year after the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests refused environmental clearance, citing the probable submergence of major portions of the Panna Tiger Reserve. *Ken and Betwa are tributaries of River Yamuna.
Tiger Conservation Platform IWBC: CII-World Bank Iniative

The new initiative to promote tiger and biodiversity conservation is called the India Wildlife Business Council (IWBC) is the outcome of an MoU signed between Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the World Bank. It is to improve the dialogue on sustainable development and conservation between business, conservation stakeholders and decision-makers in policy. As an institutionalized platform for collaboration, its objective will be to reverse the massive dwindling of the tiger population due to rapid industrialisation, habitat fragmentation, poaching and illegal trade as the new business and policy models could give priority to tiger habitats while designing land and infrastructure plans, such as Smart Green Infrastructure. This way it may be possible to achieve the target of doubling tiger population worldwide by 2022.
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It needs to be reclassified as Critically Endangered or Endangered following its rediscovery that had not happened in this case.
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132 Species of Plants, Animals From India in Red List

132 species of plants and animals as Critically Endangered, the most threatened category, from India figured in the Red list of threatened species, prepared by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Plants seemed to be the most threatened life form, with 60 species being listed as Critically Endangered, and 141 as Endangered. Two plant species were reported to be extinct in the wild, including the Euphorbia mayuranthanii of Kerala. A leaf frog species and six plants were recorded as extinct, according to the latest assessment. According to the latest figures, 15 species of Indian birds, including the great Indian bustard, Siberian crane and sociable lapwing are there in the list of Critically Endangered birds. River Tern, a wetland-dependent species found in Kerala, has been moved to Near Threatened category from Least concern, and Black-bellied Tern to Endangered from Nearthreatened in the latest list. Swinhoes Storm-petrel which was first sighted in the India in the sea off the Chavakad beach last year, has also been classified as Near Threatened. Four fish species from Kerala, including the Pookode Lake Barb and Nilgiri Mystus, are included in the Critically Endangered fishes of India.
*Important Indian figures:
Uranium/Arsenic in Ground Water: A New Problem in Punjab

The results of ground water sample across Punjab tested positive for presence of uranium. While most of the water was from the cotton belt in the south-western districts of the Malwa region of Punjab, Gurdaspur from the Majha belt reported the presence of arsenic in ground water. Cause: Though the exact cause could not be found immediately, the most popular theory doing the rounds indicated that the heavy metals could have leached into the soil from the excessive use of phosphate-based fertilizers.
The Rs. 4-crore facility would cater to the needs of the northern States. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre would coordinate with the laboratory to assess the presence of heavy metals and hazardous materials drinking water. It would analyse the causes, besides suggesting remedies and viable alternatives to deal with the situation.
Southern African Region to Get Climate Research Centre

Five countries in southern Africa namely South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia signed a declaration and have joined forces to launch a research centre that will work on combating climate change in the region. The Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) to be based at the Namibian capital Windhoek is intended to support cross-border research and land management. Germany is providing 50m in aid for the first four years.
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Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh laid the foundation for a laboratory in Mohali, for the testing of drinking water.
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Lead Poisoning Linked to Gold Mining in North Nigeria

A deadly lead poisoning outbreak that began two years ago in northern Nigeria continues to claim young victims even today which already sickened 4,000 children. The outbreak is linked to gold mining.
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The existence of gold deposits in Zamfara along the border of Niger had been long known. But when gold prices soared in recent years that villagers began heading into the bush to search for it. Soon the poor herdsmen and farmers could sell gold for more than $23 a gram a huge sum in a country where most people live on less than $2 a day.
Locusts: A Threat to Crops in Africa, UN FAO Says
The Rome-based U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned that croplands in Niger and Mali are at imminent risk from desert locust swarms that are moving southward from Algeria and Libya. Locust-control efforts in the region were being hindered by continued insecurity along both sides of the Algerian-Libyan border. Political insecurity and conflict in Mali could also hamper monitoring and control efforts if the locusts reach that country. Locust infestations were first reported in southwest Libya near Ghat in January 2012 and in southeast Algeria. Niger last faced desert locust swarms during the 2003-05 plague that affected farmers in two dozen countries.
Rare Amur Leopard Couple Spotted in China
A pair of endangered Amur leopards has been spotted in north-eastern China, an indication that population of the extremely rare cat is recovering in the country. In 2007, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) concluded that Amur leopards were extinct in China and only 19 to 26 survived in Russia. It is the first time that field cameras caught two Amur leopards at the same time in northeastern Chinese province of Jilin, home to a quarter of all the rarest cats in the world. Amur leopards, classified by the IUCN as critically endangered, are in the highest risk category in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. One of the reasons for the sighting is an improved habitat for the animals.
Countries Unhappy With Proposals, Yet Continue With Doha Talks (COP-18)
The climate talks continued at Doha with Conference of Parties (COP)-18 president Abdullah Bin Hamid Al Hattiyah of Qatar pushing for a conclusion, while accepting that everyone was unhappy with the proposals, but at the same time wanting an outcome. Conference Outcome: The Conference produced a package of documents collectively titled The Doha Climate Gateway over objections from Russia and other countries at the session. The documents collectively contained: An eight year extension of the Kyoto Protocol until 2020 limited in scope to only 15% of the global carbon dioxide emissions due to the lack of participation of Canada, Japan, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, New Zealand and the United States and due to the fact that developing countries like China (the worlds largest emitter), India and Brazil are not subject to any emissions reductions under the Kyoto Protocol. Language on loss and damage, formalized for the first time in the conference documents. The conference made little progress towards the funding of the Green Climate Fund.
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Forest Area Declines in 14 States of India

The forest cover in the country has decreased by 367 sq kms with the green area decreasing in 14 states. According to India State of Forest Report-2011, forest cover has decreased in 14 states including Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Assam, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Meghalaya and Tripura. However, the forest cover has increased in Bihar, Goa, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka and Andaman & Nicobar. Three states - Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Sikkim have maintained their forest cover. In terms of percentage of forest cover in relation to total geographical area, Mizoram tops with 90.68% followed by Lakshadweep with 84.56%.
Category of Forest %age ExtremelyDense 7 Dense 36 Moderatelydense 39 OpenArea 18

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State MadhyPradesh ArunachalPr adesh Chhattisgarh Maharashtra Odisha 77,700sqkms 67,410sqkms 55,674sqkms 50,646sqkms 48,903sq kms
Forest Cover (Area) Rank (Area wise) 1 2 3 4
The Forest Survey of India (FSI), headquartered at Dehradun, Uttarakhand has been publishing a series of biennial assessment report the forest cover in the country since 1987. The India State of Forest Report 2011 is the twelfth report in the series. It is based on interpretation of satellite data recorded during October 2008-March 2009 from the indigenous IRS-P6-LISS III sensor of Resourcesat-1 on a resolution of 23.5m with a minimum mappable area of one hectare.
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Space Odyssey
Transiting Venus: A rare Phenomenon

The Transit of Venus is a unique astronomical phenomenon. The second planet of our solar system was seen as a tiny black dot traversing the face of the sun between sunrise and 10.30 a.m. IST on June 6, 2012.
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Venus is always visible from Earth it appears either before sunrise (the morning star) or right after sunset ( the evening star ). But during transits, Venus, Earth and the Sun line up in space, causing Venus to appear as a black dot against the disc of the sun. Transits of Venus are truly rare. A pair of such events occurs every 105.5 or 121.5 years. The last event occurred in June 2004, and the next will occur 105 years from now, in December 2117.
ISROs Ambitious Mars Mission Cleared by Cabinet

The ISROs mission to Mars, the launch of which is slated for November 2013 from Sriharikota, has been cleared by the Union Cabinet. The Space Commission gave its clearance in December 2011. The project envisages putting a spacecraft in the red planets orbit to study its atmosphere, with the help of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). India joins the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan and China in undertaking such an effort. The spacecraft will have a scientific payload of 25 kg and is proposed to be placed in an orbit of 500 80,000 km around the planet. November was chosen, as the planet would be closest to the earth that time. The next such opportunity will come only in the summer of 2018. The mission is estimated to cost about Rs. 450 crore and an initial provision of Rs. 125 crore was made in this years budget to kick-start the work.
ISRO Scores a Century: Spectular Show in 50 Years

Making history in its space odyssey, India on 9th September 2012 successfully launched its 100thmission with its workhorse PSLV-C21 placing in orbit two foreign satellites in a flawless flight from the spaceport in Sriharikota. The 3rd wholly commercial launch with no Indian satellite was a textbook mission as ISROs PSLV placed in orbit French spacecraft SPOT 6 and Japanese micro satellite PROITERES. The historic mission was described as a spectacular success by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who keenly watched the launch sequence at the mission control centre at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, about 110 km from Chennai.
ISROs Mission to Launch 24 Satellites in 2 Years

ISROs massive mission to launch 24 satellites will be proceeded in the next 24 months, ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan said at the 40th year celebrations of the ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC).
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GSLV Mark-III to be Launched in 2014

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch Geo-Synchronous Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk-III) in 2014. GSLV Mk-III is intended to launch heavy satellites into geostationary orbit. The initial two phases of GLSV-Mk-III a solid propellant stage with a mass of 200 tonnes (S200) and L-110 re-startable liquid stage have been completed. The development of GSLV Mk-III will allow the country to become less dependent on foreign rockets for heavy lifting.
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The ISRO would launch GSLV-II, which has a cryogenic third stage developed by the ISRO, by the end of year 2012 or early 2013. GSLV-I had a Russian cryogenic engine. Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) where GSLV Mark-III is being developed is P.S. Veeraraghavan. The United States under MTCR raised objections which prevented the transfer of cryogenic technology from Russia to India which led to indigenous development of cryogenic engine by ISRO.
ISRO to Launch GSAT-14 in Early 2013
The Indian Space Research Organisation, which has planned to put 3 satellites into the orbit with its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle towards the end of year 2012 and early 2013. ISRO will send its GSAT-14 with its indigenously developed Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle D-5 during early 2013. GSAT-14 satellite would have C-band communication transponders. Towards achieving self-reliance in the development of the Mark III engine for GSLV, the S-200 solid propellant motor would be subjected to static test, which would be the repeat of the successful test that was conducted in January 2010. There was a successful launch of Meghatropique satellite, an Indo-French joint venture, in September 2011. ISRO has reputed Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre at Mahendra Giri which is now equipped with one more ultra-modern facility Thrust Chamber Test Facility for testing the GSLV Mark III engines cryogenic stage. In a major step, ISRO on May 12, 2012 successfully tested the indigenous engine to be used to propel the countrys Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). The test was conducted at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre at Mahendra Giri in Tamil Nadus Tirunelveli district.
ASTROSAT to be Launched by India Next Year

India is all set to launch ASTROSAT, the countrys first satellite dedicated to astronomy, which will gaze out at the universe in x-ray, ultraviolet and visible light bands. The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai had overall responsibility for developing three of the spacecrafts five instruments. The Canadian Space Agency and the University Of the Leicester in the U.K. would test and qualify the detector systems for the ultraviolet and one of the x-ray telescopes. The satellites soft x-ray telescope proved to be a huge challenge that took 11 years. The success of the Indian X-Ray Astronomy Experiment, an instrument carried on a remote sensing satellite launched in 1996, made it possible to consider a more ambitious effort. In 2004, the government cleared the Astrosat project with a price tag of Rs. 178 crore. The plan then was to launch the satellite in about four years.
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Chandrayaan-2 to be Launched in 2013

The Chandrayaan-2 mission, carrying a Russian-built lander and a small Indian rover, could set off in 2013 to look for water and other volatile substances near the South Pole of the Moon. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has to develop both the orbiter and the rover. The rover would have a robotic arm as well as 2 instruments to study the chemical composition and volatiles in the lunar surface material within a kilometer of the landing site. Chandrayaan-2 has an orbiter, equipped with cameras and scientific instruments, which will circle the Moon. The lander will go down to the lunar surface, carrying its own suite of instruments as well as the rover. Indias Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) Mark-II will place the Chandrayaan-2s orbiter, coupled to the lunar lander and rover, in orbit around the Earth.
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Luna-Glob: It is a proposed Russian lunar mission which is likely to take place in 2014. The lander for this mission is similar to the one flying on the Chandrayaan-2 which is called as Luna-Resource by the Russians.
New SHAR Mission Control Centre
The then President of India Pratibha Patil dedicated the new Mission Control Centre to the nation at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC SHAR) at Sriharikota. The new centre has been developed with state-of-the-art facilities to meet the requirements for the launch of the Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III and future missions of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
ISRO Launched GSAT-10
A 3,400-kg GSAT 10, an Indian communication satellite, has been launched with 30 transponders aboard byAriane-5ECAcarrier rocket in September 2012. It had only C-band transponders, and included a navigation payload to augmentGAGANcapacity. It is to provide communication services in India. The commercial operations start from February 2013. Indias first indigenously built all-weather Radar Imaging Satellite, RISAT-1, with applications ranging from agriculture to natural disaster management, is now in polar orbit after its carrier, the PSLV-C19, was launched successfully from the Sriharikota spaceport of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). RISAT-1 weighing 1858 kg, the heaviest satellite launched yet by the PSLV, is a state-of-the-art Active Microwave Remote Sensing Satellite carrying a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) that will operate in the C-band. The RISAT-1 with magical roving eyes of SAR can beam back clearer imaging of the earth surface features at day and night and under all imagined weather conditions thus making it superior to the generation of optical remote sensing satellites.
ISRO Launched RISAT-1 Sucessfully
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PSLV-C19 is the 21st flight in the PSLV series of satellite launches, the 20th consecutive successful launch and the third to involve the high-end version (PSLV-XL). The two earlier flights of the PSLV-XL were used to launch Chandrayaan-1 in October 2008 and the GSAT-12 communication satellite in July 2011. The rocket is called PSLV-XL ( XL stands for extra-large) because it used six more powerful strap-on motors than those used in the standard PSLV version. If the normal PSLV versions six strap-on motors each use 9 tonnes of solid propellants, each of them in the PSLV-XL use 12 tonnes of propellants.
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India-Russia Deal on GLONASS

India and Russia signed an agreement for receiving precision signals from Glonass, Russian constellation of satellites. Glonass still in the making is an alternative to the U.S.-controlled Global Positioning System (GPS). Indian militarys access to Glonass has been mentioned in the joint statements issued after India-Russia annual summits. These signals will allow missiles, including those fired from nuclear submarine Chakra, to strike within half a metre of distant targets.
Summer Star Vega 200 Million Years Older Than Thought

Vega, a star used by astronomers as a standard to measure other stars brightness for thousands of years, may be more than 200 million years older than previously thought and the mass of the star to be just over two times the Suns. Researchers from the University of Michigan estimated Vegas age by precisely measuring its spin speed with a tool called the Michigan Infrared Combiner (MIRC). MIRC collects the light gathered by six telescopes to make it appear to be coming through one thats 100 times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope.
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Vega, the brightest star in the constellation Lyra is a summer star in the Northern Hemisphere and is just visible toward the west at sunset at 25 light years away.
Scientists Discover Mini Nile River on Saturns Moon Titan

NASA scientists have spotted the longest extraterrestrial river system ever - on Saturns moon Titan - and it appears to be a miniature version of Earths Nile River. As per the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the river valley on Titan stretches more than 400 kilometres from its headwaters to a large sea. Images by NASAs Cassini mission have revealed for the first time a river system this vast and in such high resolution anywhere other than Earth. Titan is known to have vast seas - the only other body in the solar system, apart from Earth, to possess a cycle of liquids on its surface. However, the thick Titan atmosphere is a frigid one, meaning liquid water couldnt possibly flow. The liquids on Titan are therefore composed of hydrocarbons such as methane and ethane.
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The Nile, is a major north-flowing river in northeastern Africa, generally regarded as the longest river in the world of 6,650kms. It runs through the ten countries of Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Egypt.The Nile has two major tributaries, the White Nile and Blue Nile meeting at Khartoum, capital of Sudan. The Nile ends in a large delta that empties into the Mediterranean Sea.(Refer Map for clarity.)
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Sunita Williams Makes 2nd Space Voyage on Soyuz

Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams along with her two colleagues Russian Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency flight engineer Akihiku Hoshide, took off on her second space odyssey on July 15, 2012 on a Russian Soyuz TMA-22 spaceship which blasted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Williams, who earlier worked on the ISS for six months in 2006-07, will further extend the record for the longest stay (195 days) in space for a woman.
Australia Unveils Colossal Telescope
Australia on October 5, 2012 unveiled a colossal radio telescope that will allow astronomers to detect distant galaxies and explore the depths of the universe with unprecedented precision. The Australian SKA Pathfinder telescope, at the remote Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in the Western Australian desert, is made up of 36 antennas, each 12 metres in diameter.
Newly Discovered GLIESE 581G Planet May Support Human Life

Astronomers have claimed to have discovered a planet, formally known as GLIESE 581G that may be capable of supporting human life. The planet is 22 light years away and is known as Super Earth due to its ability to hold on to its gassy atmosphere, which increases its chances of retaining liquid.
NASA Launches Rocket to Study Suns Magnetic FIELDS: SUMI

NASA launched and retrieved a sounding rocket blasted off from a missile test site in New Mexico, carrying an instrument called the Solar Ultraviolet Magnetograph Investigation, or SUMI. It is designed to snap a quick image of the Suns magnetic fields and to obtain data to build a more permanent spacecraft.
China Launched Pakistans 1st Communication Satellite

China launched Pakistans first communications satellite, seen as marking a deepening in technological ties between the 2 countries. The Pakistani Satellite PAKSAT-1R was sent into orbit from western Sichuan on a Long March-3B carrier rocket. It was developed and launched with the help of the government-supported China Great Wall Industry Corporation (GWIC), which has reached out to developing countries, offering both technological expertise and financial assistance to help their space programmes.
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SUMIs short-lived flight of 8 min is important for NASA because the instrument contained an ultraviolet light sensor, allowing scientists to catch a glimpse of th e Suns chromospheres an area of the suns lower atmosph ere that is difficu lt for other instruments as these can only detect visible or infrared light, giving them a more limited view of the solar activity taking place.
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Russias Federal Space Agency Roscosmos announced that the spacecraft departed successfully from the carrier rocket and reached intermediate orbit. The Soyuz TMA spacecraft docked with the ISSs Zvezda service module.
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China Set to Launch Manned Space MISSION: Female Astronaut Liu Yang in Space
China will launch a manned spacecraft, aimed at giving the country a permanent space station by 2020. The Shenzhou-9 spacecraft and its carrier rocket have already been moved to the launch platform at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre Gobi desert in northwest China, Xinhua. The mission would involve three astronauts manually docking with the Tiangong-1 module currently orbiting the Earth. Chinas Shenzhou-9 spacecraft returned to Earth, ending a mission that put the countrys first woman in space and completed a manned docking test critical to its goal of building a space station by 2020. The spacecrafts gumdrop-shaped return capsule descended to Earth by parachute and touched down in Chinas northwestern inner Mongolia region with its three-member crew, including female astronaut Liu Yang.
Chinas Own Version of GPS: COMPASS Or BEIDOU
China has also joined an elite group of nations in launching its own global navigation system, called Compass or Beidou, which will function similar to the American Global Positioning System (GPS), and will be used by both the Chinese military and to develop the telecommunications industry.
China Launches Space Lab Module: Heavenly Palace
China successfully launched its first space laboratory module, a key first step in its objective of becoming only the third country, after Russia and the United States, to assemble its own space station by 2020. The 8.5-tonne Tiangong-1, or Heavenly Palace, laboratory module has a 15 cubic metre space where 2 or 3 astronauts can work and live. The unmanned module, launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in north-western China, will dock with a spacecraft, Shenzhou-8 after orbiting the earth for about a month. China has, in recent years, offered its Long March rockets to launch more than 20 satellites for a number of countries, according to reports in the official media. Chinas mission to achieve a first-ever docking exercise in space, part of plans to build its own space station, was a complete success, as the unmanned Shenzhou-8 aircraft returned to Earth following a more than month-long docking exercise. Shenzhou-8 rendezvoused and docked with the Tiangong-1, or Heavenly Palace, space laboratory module. China is now only the third nation, after the United States and Russia, to achieve a docking in space, though it trails both nations, which completed this feat more than 3 decades ago. Following Shenzhou-8s success, China will launch 3 more spacecraft next year, with at least one of them a manned mission. The successful docking, would pave the way for Chinas launching of its won manned space station by 2020. That is the same year the International Space Station (ISS) is brought down a coincidence of events seen by analysts as reflecting Chinas resurgence and the Wests decline in space programmes.
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ENTERPRISE Marked the End of an Era of Space Shuttle

The Space Shuttle Enterprise- named after the spaceship in Star Trek achieved lift-off when it was hoisted by a crane onto a floating museum in New Yorks Hudson River. NASA is wrapping up the shuttle programme, and Enterprise will become part of New Yorks Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. Enterprise was never used in an actual space mission but was a full-scale test vehicle in the air and on the ground. NASAs shuttle programme ended last year. Enterprises place at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington has been taken by the shuttle Discovery. Shuttle Endeavor is going to Los Angeles, and Shuttle Atlanstis is staying at Floridas Kennedy Space Center.
Shuttle Columbia crashed in 2003 resulting into death of all 7 crew members on board including Indian Kalpana Chawala.
MACE Telescope to be Set Up at Hanle, Ladakh
MACE (Major Atmospheric Cerenkov Experiment) Telescope, the 21-meter instrument, the worlds largest telescope at the highest altitude is being established at Hanle, Ladakh which would enable the study of high energy cosmic gamma-ray bursts from pulsars and stars to find out more about the secrets of universe. Hyderabad based Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) is executing the entire project and manufacturing the telescope for Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The indigenously-built telescope would be remotely operated and powered by solar energy. Its mirrors have an accuracy of 50 nanometers. The telescope would be operational from next year. The telescope is coming up on the campus of Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) at Hanle. Close to the proposed MACE site, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore is operating Himalayan Chandra Optical Telescope (HCOT). A seven element wave front sampling gamma-ray telescope HAGAR (High Altitude Gamma Ray Telescope) was also jointly established by IIA and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). The close proximity of the telescopes would help in coordinated multi-wavelength studies of the cosmos.
50 Years Since the Revolutionary Launch of Telstar

Telstar was the first communications satellite, fired into orbit on July 10, 1962. Telstar transmitted the first five television images between America and Europe, launching the era of the global village in which events on the other side of the world could be experienced in real time. It was to facilitate transatlantic telecommunications from a height of around 8,000 km having a weight of 77 kilograms and equipped with 3,600 solar cells, thereby providing an alternative to the overloaded undersea cables.
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The 1st Private Effort: SpaceX Dragon Returns to Earth

The worlds first commercial space cargo carrier returned to Earth ending its revolutionary voyage to the International Space Station with an old-fashioned splashdown in the Pacific. The unmanned SpaceX Dragon capsule parachuted into the ocean about 800 km off Mexicos Baja California, bringing back more than a half-tonne of old station equipment. It was the first time the U.S. space agency, NASA, received a large load from the orbiting space station since its space shuttles stopped flying last year.
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SpaceX, Space Exploration Technologies is the first of several U.S. competitors to try sending its own cargo-bearing spacecraft to the ISS with the goal of restoring U.S. access to space for human travelers by 2015. International Space Station (ISS) is a $100 billion project of 15 nations that flies some 240 miles above Earth.
Nu-STAR Can Now See Highest Energy X-Rays
The Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) successfully launched on 13 June, 2012, is a space-based X-ray telescope that will use a Wolter telescope to focus high energy Xrays from astrophysical sources, especially for nuclear spectroscopy, and will operate in the range of 5 to 80 keV. It is the 11th mission of the NASA Small Explorer satellite Programme (SMEX-11) and the first space-based direct-imaging X-ray telescope at energies beyond those of the Chandra Xray Observatory and XMM-Newton. To conduct a deep survey for black holes a billion times more massive than the sun. To understand how particles are accelerated to within a fraction of a percent below the speed of light in active galaxies. To understand how the elements are created in the explosions of massive stars by imaging the remains, which are called supernova remnants.
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Large Solar Gregor Telescope Operational

A powerful solar Gregor telescope supposedly the largest in Europe opened recently on Spains Canary Islands. As per scientists involved, it will allow them to study the sun in unprecedented detail. Key features of the telescope: The Gregor telescope will be able to show structures on the sun on scales as small as 70 kilometers with a mirror diameter of 1.5 metres. The telescope also features a retractable roof that prevents air turbulence in its optical path, which allows it to deliver images of sharpness that up till now no terrestrial solar telescope has ever obtained. Gregor was built mainly to study physical processes on the surface of the sun and to see in these layers how energy from its interior emerges and is launched into space, and sometimes, reach the Earth.
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The launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in Florida, carrying the unmanned Dragon and over half a tonne of cargo toward the orbiting lab, marked the first attempt to send a privately built spacecraft to the research outpost, where it plans to do a fly-under followed by a berthing.
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Worlds Largest Thirty Meter Telescope

The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) is a proposed ground-based large segmented mirror reflecting telescope to be built on Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Key Features of the telescope: The telescope is designed for observations from the near-ultraviolet to the mid-infrared (0.31 to 28 m). At wavelengths longer than 0.8 m, this correction would enable observations with 10 times the spatial resolution of the Hubble Space Telescope. The 30 Meter Telescopes segmented primary mirror, which will be nearly 100 feet or 30 metres long, will give it 9 times the lightcollecting area of the largest optical telescopes in use today and its images will also be 3 time sharper. The telescope, known as TMT, will be able to observe planets that orbit stars other than the Sun and enable astronomers to watch new planets and stars being formed. Hawaii as Location: The summit of Mauna Kea volcano It was selected due to relatively mild weather conditions, favorable wind patterns and skies, which would allow for more than 300 nights of observation a year. Air pollution is very low atop the volcano, which is located far from major populated areas, allowing scientists to decrease the blurring effect of the Earths atmosphere. Low average temperatures and very low humidity allows an exciting new discovery space using adaptive optics and infrared observations. Institutions and Partners: Notable Presence of India and China The University of California system, the California Institute of Technology and the Association of Canadian Universities for Research in Astronomy founded the telescope, which is expected to be finished by 2018. China joined as an observer in 2009, followed by India. Both are now partners, with representatives on the TMT board. They will also have a share of the observation time. China and India will pay a share of the construction cost, expected to top $1 billion, for the telescope at the summit of Mauna Kea volcano. Japan, which has its own large telescope at Mauna Kea, the 8.3-meters Subaru, is also a partner.
NASAs Kepler Discovered Planet Kepler-16b

Kepler-16b is a Saturn-mass planet consisting of half rock and half gas, and it orbits a binary star, Kepler-16, with a period of 229 days. It is formally known as Kepler-16 (AB)-b and unofficially referred to as Tatooine is an extrasolar planet. It is the first confirmed example of a circumbinary planet - a planet orbiting not one, but two stars. The planet was discovered using the space observatory aboard NASAs Kepler spacecraft.
ROSAT Falls Into Earth

The defunct 2.7-tonne Roentgen Satellite or ROSAT of Germany fell into earth after languishing in dead orbit for more than a decade.
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SOFIA: NASAs Flying Telescope in Search of Distant Stars

The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a new and powerful telescope being used by NASA astronomers for studying the atmospheres of planets and the formation of stars. The airborne observatory should be fully operational by 2014. SOFIA is not in space rather it flies around mounted on a Boeing 747 jet with a large door cut on the side for it to see out. During its expected 20-year lifetime, SOFIA will be capable of providing Great Observatoryclass astronomical science, providing astronomers with access to the visible, infrared and submillimetre spectrum with optimized performance in the mid-infrared to sub-millimetre range.
SpaceX Flight Opens Door for U.S. Military Payloads
Dragons launch was the third successive flight of SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket, which debuted in June 2010. Flying three times successfully was among the criteria the company needed to meet to become eligible to compete for military business under a new program designed to draw competition into a field now monopolized by United Lunch Alliance, a partnership of Boeing and Lockheed Martin.
US Weather Satellite Launched: First-of-its-Kind
The U.S. space agency launched a first-of-its kind satellite that will send back data on weather and climate to help forecasters predict major storms and other changes in the environment which will circle the Earth at a height of 820 km in a polar orbit. The $1.5-billion National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPP) took off aboard a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. It is one of 14 Earth observation missions currently being managed by NASA which will study temperature and water in the atmosphere, how clouds and aerosols affect temperature, and how plants on land and in the ocean respond to environmental changes. The NPP will help fill in data gaps left by European weather observatories.
GRAIL Lunar Mission
The 2 small spacecraft GRAIL A (Ebb) and GRAIL B (Flow) were launched on 10 September 2011 aboard a single launch vehicle, the most-powerful configuration of a Delta II, the 7920H-10. GRAIL A separated from the rocket about 9 minutes after launch, GRAIL B followed about 8 minutes later. They arrived at their orbits around the Moon 24 hours apart. The first probe entered orbit on 31 December 2011 and the second followed on 1 January 2012.
ORION: New NASA Spaceship Arrives in Florida for Test Flight

An Orion space capsule being designed to carry a crew of four and to fly astronauts to asteroids, the moon and eventually to Mars arrived at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a 2014 test flight. The spacecraft, built by Lockheed-Martin is targeted for launch aboard an unmanned Delta 4 Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, adjacent to the NASA spaceport. It is expected to reach about 3,450 miles above Earth - more than 10 times beyond where the International Space Station files - then slam back into the planets atmosphere with 84 percent of the force that a spaceship returning from the moon would have.
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The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) is an American lunar science mission in NASAs Discovery Program, which will use high-quality gravitational field mapping of the Moon to determine its interior structure.
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Voyager Space Probes Farthest Man-Made Object in Space

The Voyager 1 space probe has reached the edge of the solar system, extending its record for being the most distant man-made object in space. The spacecraft is sending back data to Earth showing a sharp increase in charged particles that originate from beyond the solar system. Voyager 1, along with its sister spacecraft, Voyager 2, was launched in 1977 and is now about 18 billion kilometers from the Sun. It is moving at a speed of about 17 km per second and it currently takes 16 hours and 38 minutes for data to reach NASAs network on Earth. Voyager 2 is about 15 billion kilometers from the Sun. Between them, the probes have explored all the giant planets of the solar system; Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, as well as 48 of their moons.
Go Ahead for Worlds Biggest Optical Telescope
Solar Plane Completes Maiden Intercontinental Trip

A solar energy plane piloted by Swiss pilot Bertrand Piccard landed in Morocco, completing the worlds first intercontinental flight powered by the sun to show the potential for pollutionfree air travel and its sustainability. The solar impulse took off from Madrid (Capital city of Spain) and landed at Rabats (Capital City of Morocco) International airport after a 19-hour flight. Shortly before Swiss pilot Bertrand Piccard landed in Rabats airport, the project co-founder and pilot Andre Borschberg said the aircraft has proved its sustainability. The Solar Impulse project began in 2003 with a 10-year budget of 90 million euros ($112.18 million) and has involved engineers from Swiss lift maker Schindler and research aid from Belgian chemicals group Solvay. The plane, which requires 12,000 solar cells, embarked on its first flight in April 2010 and completed a 26-hour flight, a record flying time for a solar powered aircraft, three months later.
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The European extremely large telescope (ELT) a, 1.1 billion-euro project to build the worlds largest optical telescope will go ahead after getting backing from most of its members of the European organization, European Southern Observatorys (ESO) which is overseeing it. The European extremely large telescope (ELT) hosted on top of the 3,060-metre Cerro Armazones Mountain in the Atacama Desert in Chile, will directly image planets outside the solar system and those orbiting other suns in so-called habitable zones to perhaps answer the question of whether there is life elsewhere in the universe. Key Features: It will use a mirror 39 meters in diameter that will give a more detailed and deeper view of the universe than ever before. Most large ground-based telescopes currently have mirrors eight to 10 meters across. The large mirror on the ELT, made up from nearly 800 hexagonal segments, will gather 12 times more light than the largest optical telescopes operating today. Participants and Partners: The European Southern Observatorys (ESO) council met at its headquarters in Garching, Germany, where 10 countries gave the project full or conditional support. Representatives from Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland voted to start the program while Belgium, Finaland, Italy, and the United Kingdom backed the project pending confirmation from their governments. The remaining four - Denmark, France, Portugal and Spain said they continue to work towards approval. Chile, which will play host to the telescope, is also involved. Brazil plans to join the ESO Council this year.
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SKA: Giant Telescope to Explore Far Reaches of Cosmos

The worlds biggest and most advanced radio telescope, capable of detecting signs of extraterrestrial life in the far reaches of the universe, will be located in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The $2 billion Square Kilometre Array (SKA), when completed in 2024 the telescope will be made up of 3,000 dishes, each 15 meters (50 feet) wide, together with many more antennae, that together will give a receiver surface area of a square kilometer. The telescope will be 50 times more sensitive and 10,000 times faster than any other telescope on the planet. The Britain-based consortium behind the project, The United International Consortium which is funding the $2 billion project includes Canada, China, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom as well as Australia and South Africa.
Science Discover the Source of Water on the Moon
Scientists have discovered that the most likely source of water on Moon is the constant stream of charged particles from the Sun known as the solar wind. The findings by researchers from the University of Michigan imply that ice inside permanently shadowed polar craters on the Moon, sometimes called cold traps, could contain hydrogen atoms ultimately derived from the solar wind.
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Biotech and Medicine
U.S. Approves Anti-HIV Drug TRUVADA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave its first ever nod for an anti-HIV drug, TRUVADA, to pharmaceutical firm Gilead Sciences. Truvada is tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. It has been marketed as a treatment for those already infected with HIV since 2004. Clinical studies demonstrated that the drug could prevent people from contracting the infection in the early 2010.
SYNRIAM: Indigenous Anti-Malaria Drug Launched
India joins the elite club of the countries to have developed a new drug SYNRIAM, indigenously for malaria on the occasion of World Malaria Day, 25th April. The drug, produced by Ranbaxy laboratories in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology and supported by the Indian Council for Medical Research, was formally introduced for marketing. New-age anti-malaria drug SYNRIAM will be used to treat uncomplicated plasmodium falciparum malarial in adults. It provides relief from most malaria-related symptoms, including fever and has a high cure rate of over 95 per cent. The dual-molecule combination drug conforms to the recommendations of World Health Organisation (WHO) and will be required to be taken only once a day for three days. Unlike artemisinin-based drugs, it has a synthetic source, the production of which can be scaled up whenever required and a consistent supply of the drug can be maintained at low cost.
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Malaria claims, half a million lives every year globally and India contributes to 77 per cent of the 2.5 million cases reported annually from South East Asia. Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium , which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells.
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U.S. Patent for Cancer Treatment Granted to Indian Scientist

The nanotechnology scientist, Rao Papineni, received US Patent. In a path-breaking innovation, the scientist hailing from Hydrabad and his colleagues have invented a system in which a nanoparticle carries the payload of anti-cancer drug and releases it only in the cancerous cell, thus protecting healthy cells around.
$10 Million Genome Prize
Tomato Genome Sequenced
In a major step forward in biotechnology research, a group of 300 scientists from across the world, including India, have sequenced the genome of tomato. The achievement is expected to lower the costs and speed up efforts to improve tomato production making it better equipped to combat pests and pathogens, and to tolerate droughts. The work is also expected to help in efforts to improve the productivity of other crops.
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Tomato belongs to a family of vegetables called Solanaceae, other members include potato, pepper and brinjal. The Tomato Genome Consortium was established after a scientific conference organised in 2003 in the U.S. Its members were drawn from the U.S., the U.K., China, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, the Netherland, South Korea, Israel, Spain, Argentina, and Belgium.
Genetic Sleuthing Uncovers Deadly New Virus in Africa
An isolated outbreak of a deadly disease known as acute hemorrhagic fever, which killed two people and left one gravely ill in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the summer of 2009, was probably caused by a novel virus scientists have never seen before. The new microbe has been named Bas-Congo virus (BASV) after the province in the southwest corner of the Congo where the three people lived.
Banana Ggenome Sequenced

Scientists have sequenced the complete genome of the banana, an important crop in developing countries that provides a fruit widely enjoyed the world over and is a staple food in some of the poorest parts of the globe. The draft sequence provided a crucial stepping-stone for genetic improvement of banana. The international team has sequenced the genome of DH-Pahang (Musa acuminata), a banana popular in south-east Asia and which is able to resist the devastating Panama disease fungus that has been spreading in Asia.
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The completion of the genome sequence was important for India, the worlds largest producer of bananas . However, most of the countrys production was consumed locally and exports amounted to only 0.5 per cent of the world trade in the fruit. So, enhanced productivity could boost the export.
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The ARCHON GENOMICS X prize will award $10 million to the first team that sequences the complete genomes of 100 people aged 100 or older in 30 days or less, for no more than $1,000 each, and with an error rate of no more than 0.0001 percent.
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Superbug NDM-1 Still a Global Concern: WHO

The New Delhi superbug remains a global concern because of its resistance to all antibiotics available in the world. The New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 bacteria carrying these mechanisms is a gene that includes the possibility of making anti-microbial not effective. The WHO launched the Global Infection Prevention Control Network to address the growing threat from serious infectious epidemics.
New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) is an enzyme that makes bacteria resistant to a broad range of beta-lactum antibiotics. These include the antibiotics of the carbapenem family, which are a mainstay for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
Kinesio Tape
Athletic tape made in every color under the sun seems to be the latest must-have sports injury treatment at London 2012. It is called KINESIO tape and developed by a Japanese doctor more than 30 years ago; the adhesive strapping is designed to provide muscle and joint support without restricting movement.
Who Endorsed New Test to Diagnose Diabetes
Glycated Haemoglobin or HbA1c, a common test in urban Indian pathological labs to detect diabetes, has finally been endorsed by the World Health Organisation. HbA1c, a type of the red blood cell protein haemoglobin, forms when red cells are exposed to glucose in the plasma. A WHO report recommends the acceptability of HbA1c as an additional test to diagnose this debilitating disease that affects 220 million people worldwide and kills more than one million people annually, almost 80% of which occur in low-and middle-income countries. Almost half of diabetes deaths occur in people aged less than 70 years; 55% of diabetes deaths are in women.
Gas-Filled Aspirin Invented to Fight Cancer
The new Aspirin was dubbed NOSH, which stands for Nitric Oxide and Hydrogen Sulphide. The new Aspirin reduces the harmful side effects . Aspirin is effective against Cancer. But it can also cause bleeding in the gut and ulcers. The gas-filled Aspirin protects the gut from damage by producing nitric oxide and hydrogen sulphide. NOSH-aspirin was 100000 times more effective than the original drug.
Letrozole Banned in India
The Centre has suspended the manufacture, sale and distribution of Letrozole for induction of ovulation in an anovulatory infertility with immediate effect, Letrozole is likely to involve risk to human beings and safer alternatives to the drugs are available. The suspension has been ordered under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940 after the government decided that it was necessary and expedient to regulate distribution of the drug in public interest.
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A scientist from Iran developed a gas-filled aspirin that can enhance the cancer-fighting ability of the drug.
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Key Gene Essential for Sperm Development Discovered

A new type of male contraceptive could be created after discovery of a key gene essential for sperm development. Research, led by the University of Edinburgh, has shown has a geneKatnal 1 is critical to enable sperm to mature in the testes.
Scientists Create Artificial Jellyfish Using Biomimicry

Using cells from rat hearts and a seer polymer film, scientists reported they had created an artificial jellyfish that could one day help save patients with heart disease. The exploit marks an advance in so-called biomimicry, in which a natural wonder inspires copycat innovation in the lab. The interest in the jellyfish lies in its remarkable swimming ability, which comes from muscles that open its bell-like body and then contract it, thus ejecting water and driving the creature along. This pump-like design has been honed by more than 500 million years of evolution to be as simple and energy-efficient as possible. As a result, it offers tempting insights for scientists hoping to make small, reliable heart pumps for the future.
NHRC Recommended to Make Silicosis Notifiable Disease

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recommended that silicosis be made a notifiable disease taking a note of the increasing silicosis-related deaths in the country. Once notified, all government and private health facilities will have to report confirmed as well as suspected silicosis cases to the government. Silicosis also known as Potters rot is an incurable lung disease caused by inhaling of dust containing free crystalline silica.It is a type of pneumoconiosis. Silicosis (particularly the acute from) is characterized by shortness of breath, cough, fever, and cyanosis (bluish skin). It may often be misdiagnosed as pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), pneumonia, or tuberculosis. The potential victims of silicosis are poor migrant workers employed in quarries, mines, gem cutting and other hazardous occupations such as construction sites, a majority of whom are likely to die for lack of specialized treatment.
Robot Fish Take to the Sea
The developers hope the new technology, which reduces the time it takes to detect a pollutant from weeks to seconds, will sell to port authorities, water companies, aquariums and anyone with an interest in monitoring water quality. It could also have spin-offs for cleaning up oil spills, underwater security, diver monitoring or search and rescue at sea.
Human Gender IFTIM3 That Turns FLU into A Killer Discovered

Scientists discovered the genetic flaw that explains the reason why flue makes some people seriously ill. It explains why some people experience mild flue symptoms while others are hospitalized. They found a human gene called IFTIM3 that influences how people respond to flue infections. People who carried a particular variant of IFTIM3 and in large quantities had resisted the viruses in lungs while the others whose IFITM3 levels were lower, the flu virus could replicate and spread more easily, causing more severe symptoms.
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In a test at the northern Spanish port of Gijon, a pollution-hunting ROBOT FISH developed by European scientists to improve pollution monitoring moved from the lab to the sea.
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Pigeon Pea Genome Sequenced by ICRISAT Team

The Hyderabad based International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has led the efforts in cracking Pigeon Pea genome. It has resulted in the identification of 48,680 pigeon pea genes. A couple of hundreds of these genes were found unique to the crop in terms of drought-tolerance, an important trait that can be transferred to other similar crops like soybean, cowpea or common bean that belong to the same family.
Pigeon pea is the first non-industrial crop and the second food legume (after soybean) with a completed genome sequence.
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Once referred to as an orphan crop mainly grown by poor farmers, pigeon pea is also known as the poor peoples meat because of its high protein content, it provides as well-balanced diet when accompanied with cereals. The crop, grown on about 5 million hectares in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and SouthCentral America, is a very important food legume for millions of the poor in the semiarid regions of the world.
Stephen Quake wins Lemelson-MIT Prize
Stephen Quake, a Stanford genome pioneer and prolific inventor whose creative application of physics to biology has lead to multiple developments in drug discovery and genome analysis, has won the prestigious $500,000 Lemelson-MIT prize for outstanding innovators. Quake, a professor of bioengineering and applied physics has applied the technological principles of the Integrated circuit - a chip made of semiconductor material found in almost every modern electrical device - to biology.
BEES Self-Medicate When Infected
Honey bees self-medicate when their colony is infected with a harmful fungus, with the help of antifungal plant resins to ward off the invader.
Scientists have used genome sequencing technology to control an outbreak of the superbug MRSA in a study that could point to faster and more efficient treatment of a range of diseases. MRSA, or Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, is a drug-resistant bacterial infection, or superbug, and major public health problem. When outbreaks occur in hospitals it can lead to the closure of whole wards and lengthy investigations. The bug kills an estimated 19,000 people in the United States alone each year, and even when the infections is successfully treated it can double the average length of a hospital stay and thereby increases healthcare costs.
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Hunt Down Superbug Using Real-Time Gene Sequencing
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It also reveals clues on how the genomic sequence can be useful to crop improvement for sustainable food production, particularly in the marginal environments of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
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5.3
Nuclear Technology
DAE-Rosatom Co-operation MoU Signed

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Rosatom Nuclear Energy State Corporation, of Russia, for cooperation in the activities to be pursued at the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership (GCNEP) being set up by the DAE in Haryana.
Periscope For Fast Breeder Reactor Commissioned
A 10-meter long periscope manufactured by Coimbatore-based Visual Education Aids (VEA) for Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor was dedicated to Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam, was developed at a cost of Rs. 3.9 crore in two-and-a-half years. The periscope has capabilities of resolution of 0.2 mm line at a spacing of 0.5 mm for a target distance of 4 meters and could scan the area of interest, zoom the image, relay the image, focus and rotate the image. The periscope has provisions for simultaneous viewing through one eye piece and video recording through another eye piece.
Russia to Fund 2 More n-Plants in TN
With the Kudankulam nuclear project commissioned, Russia has agreed to extend a $3.4-billion credit for setting up 2 more 1,000-MW atomic power plants at the same site in Tamil Nadu. The two nations signed a protocol in Moscow for financing units 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam project, under which the Russian Federation will extend export credit amounting up to $3.4 billion for 85 per cent of the value of works, supplies and services provided by the Russian organisations for the two units. The protocol also has provisions for state export credit amounting to $800 million, at 4 per cent interest, for financing up to 85 per cent nuclear fuel and control assemblies. The estimated cost of building units 3 and 4 at Kudarkulam will be Rs. 32,000 crore, out of which Rs. 17,000 crore is expected to be met through the Russian state credit.
Another Tritium Leak at Rawatbhata Nuclear Station

Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS) at Rawatbhata near Kota reported yet another leak exposing workers to tritium radiation, and causing concern among the countrys nuclear energy watchers. Four maintenance workers were exposed to tritium radiation on July, 19, while repairing a faulty pipe in PHWR (Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor) Unit 4. The earlier incident, which took place on June 23, reportedly exposed more than 40 persons, working on a coolant at Unit 6, to tritium. Rawatbhata is getting ready for Indias second-biggest Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) with a capacity of 500 tonnes a year.
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The GCNEP would consist of 4 schools studying advanced nuclear energy systems, nuclear security, radiological safety, and applications of radio-isotopes and radiation technologies.
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5.4
Computer, ITES and Miscellaneous
Aakash: the Worlds Cheapest Tablet PC Launched

As part of the governments programme to expand education through IT/ITES, the worlds cheapest tablet PC (Aakash), costing Rs. 2,276, was launched and would be available at around half this price to students by subsidizing 50 per cent to institutes buying it thus costing around Rs. 1,100-1,200 to institutes. The government has also set an ambitious target of bringing down the cost of such device to as low as $10 (around Rs. 500).
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Aakash is first in a series of Android-based tablet computers produced by British company DataWind. It is manufactured by the India-based company Quad, at a new production centre in Hyderabad.
New Cryptology Research Centre at ISI Kolkata
The Centre has approved establishment of an autonomous research centre on Cryptology and Security at the Indian Statistical Institute Kolkata. This was announced by Dr. C. Rangarajan, Chairman of the Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Council. This Institute has emerged as the nerve centre of research on cryptology in the country.
Major Players Met IPV6 Deadline
Major internet service providers (ISPs) in the country met the December 2011 deadline set by the government for making their networks capable of handling traffic under the new Internet address protocol IPv6. As per the IPv6 Task Force(which officially oversees the countrys transition from the old IPv4 protocol to the new one), almost all major ISPs had started providing enterprise IPv6 services and were working towards rolling out retail broadband services. The task force revealed its findings in its newsletter released on the eve of the World IPv6 Day on June 8, when several organizations and service-providers around the globe tested the functioning of the new protocol. In an attempt to replicate its Smartphone success in a tablet market where it faces stiff competition from Apple Inc, Microsoft and Amazon; Google Inc has unveiled its first tablet PC.
Nexus 7 Tablet LAUNCHED: 1St Tablet PC by Google
New National Optical Fibre Network

The Central Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has cleared creation of a National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) with an investment of Rs. 20,000 crore that would provide broadband connectivity to all village panchayats in 3 years. The project will be funded through the Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund. The project will be completed by 2014-15 through a special purpose vehicle (SPV). A World Bank study says a 10 percent increase in broadband connectivity helps in pushing the GDP growth by 1.4 per cent. NOFN will enable effective and faster implementation of various mission mode e-governance projects amounting to Rs. 50,000 crore initiated by the Department of Information Technology as well as delivery of a whole range of electronic services by the private sector to citizens in rural areas.
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The tablet PC is a 7-inch touch screen device with ARM 11 Processor, 256 MB RAM & Android 2.2 OS.
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SARDANA: New technique to Run Ultra-Fast Internet Invented

Researchers in the second week of March 2012 invented fibre-optic technology, under a project called SARDANA to run ultra-fast internet. It demonstrated speed of up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) around 2000 times faster than todays fastest internet speed. The research showed that by using existing fiber infrastructure Internets speed could be increased.
Ultra High Definition Television (UHDTV) Coming up in Big Way

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has recommended the standards which while ensuring great clarity and size could revolutionize television viewing with ultra highdefinition pictures. The latest UHDTV standards that will push picture resolution manifold although the highdefinition TV (HDTV) has been gaining ground over the years, displacing to some extent, the standard definition TV (SDTV). SDTV in use for long delivers pictures of a resolution of 704 or 720 of these pixels across 480 scanning lines.
TV Resolution Approx Picture Size
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The founding father of UHDTV, the Japanese broadcaster NHK believes that the most important UHDTV level is 8k, and hopes to start 8k broadcasting trials before the end of the decade in Japan. But other like Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, JVC, Dolby are developing 4k level equipment.
ICANN Criticised For Commercial Land-Grab of Internet

More than 1,000 new internet top level domains such as .aap, .kids, .love, .pizza and also, .amazon and .google could come online beginning early next year, with the potential to radically change the face of the web. But the move by ICANN, the U.S.-appointed company which decides what new domains can be added to the web, has been criticized by some as allowing a commercial landgrab of the internet. Documents released by ICANN show that Amazon and Google have made dozens of applications to control hundreds of domains Including .shop, .book, .love, and .map and .mba. The most applied-for domain is .app, which 13 organizations have staked a claim to own, including both Amazon and Google. Only one entity can own a top-level domain.
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High-definition TV (HDTV), comes in two formats 1280 720 pixels and 1920 1080 pixels (full HD) delivers pictures that are about 1-2 mega pixels in size. The 1st level of the 2 new standards of UHDTV picture sizes will be of the order of 8 mega pixels (3840 2160 pixels) and at the 2nd level, the pictures will be 32 mega pixels in size (7680 4320 pixels), These are called 4k and 8k UHDTV systems.
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704X480 or 720X480 pixels Less than 1 MP 1-2 mega pixels 1280 720 & 1920 1080(Full HD) pixels 3840 2160 pixels 7680 4320 pixels 8 mega pixels 32 mega pixels
Within next three years, yearly global internet traffic will be measured in Zettabytes (one trillion Gigabytes), which is a four-fold increase from today.
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Indias Proposal for Government Control of Internet

India has submitted its proposal to the UN General Assembly in New York on October 26,2011 and is pushing for creation of a forum called Committee for Internet Related Policies (CIRP) to develop Internet policies, oversee all Internet standards bodies and policy organizations, negotiate Internet-related treaties and sit in judgment when Internet-related disputes come up. The catch is that Indias formal proposal is for a CIRP to be funded by the U.N., run by staff from the UNs Conference on Trade and Development arm and reporting directly to the U.N. General Assembly, which means it will be entirely controlled by the U.N. member-states. At persent, the Internet is governed by a voluntary, multi-stakeholder group called Internet Corporation For Assigned Names And Numbers (ICANN), which keeps the Internet free and decentralized. ICANN already has Government Advisory Council (GAC), which invites participation from governments across the world, including India. ICANN is headquartered in California, essentially because the Internet was born in the US. During President Clintons tenure, the control over its governance was eventually handed over to non-profits by the U.S. government. Last year, Viladimir Putin, who was Russian Prime Minister at the time, stated his goal, to impose international control over the Internet through the International Telecom Union, a treaty based organization under the auspices of the U.N.
INDIA to Phase Out Analogue Cable TV by 2014
The Union Cabinet approved the Information and Broadcasting Ministrys proposal to promulgate the Digitalization of Analogue Cable Systems Ordinance which will pave the way for phasing out of Analogue cable television in 3 years time to make the digitalization of cable services mandatory by 2014. The government is following through on the recommendations made by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in August 2010. Features and Targets: All customers must have a set top box whether they want to receive free-to-air or pay channels. They will be able to watch high quality channels of their choice on an ala carte basis, and are likely to have access to internet and telephone through the same digital cable.
The ordinance aims at complete digitalization of cable television in the 4 metros be March 31, 2012, which has been extended till 1st Nov 2012. The next target will be cities with over 10 lakh population and by the end of 2014; the entire country is expected to have phased out analogue cable TV.
Monsoon Forecast Improvement Mission

A national mission to improve the accuracy of monsoon forecasts, estimated to cost Rs. 400 crore over five years, is designed to improve the current dynamic numerical models through better insight of the highly complex phenomenon of monsoon got the nod of the Union Cabinets Committee on Economic Affairs. Under the project, scientists will work on two models already available from the United Kingdoms Met Office and the United Statess National Centres for Environment Prediction. At present, the IMD makes its forecasts based on a statistical model.
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Broadcasters may be able to generate more revenue directly from subscribers, and thus reduce their dependence on TRPs and advertisers.
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A Solution to Bird-Hits: MAVS

Micro Air Vehicles (MAV) provides a candid solution to the frequent incidence of bird-hit on aircraft. The Rs. 100-crore National Programme on MAVs will look at deploying these miniature air vehicles for disaster management in scenarios such as radiation leaks or fires. The National Design and Research Forum have started a programme to create MAVs that deter birds from venturing close to aircraft in flight. The MAVs will use 3 forms of deterrents- acoustic, chemical spray & laser and another spin-off of the MAV technology is the micro underwater vehicle, which could prove useful in studying underwater minerals and in patrolling safety zones around ocean oil rigs.
Cabinet Approved NECTAR Centre for Shillong
The Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of an autonomous organisation named North East Centre for Technology Application and Research (NECTAR) at Shillong, under the Department Of Science And Technology. The total expenditure involved will be Rs 292 crore during the 12th Plan period (2012-17). NECTAR would promote deployment of carefully selected technologies, emanating from the public funded research institutions under the union and state governments, in consultation with the respective state governments after assessing their application potentials.
Deep-Sea Drilling Record
A Japanese deep-sea drilling probe THE CHIKYU, operated by the Japan Agency for MarineEarth Science and Technology has set a world record for depth, reaching 25,400 feet below the sea surface. It was digging the seabed off Japans northern coast to take fault samples and study last years devastating earthquake and tsunami. As per agency, the probes drilling pipe hit the fault zone at 6,883.5 metres (22,600 feet) undersea before reaching the target of 7,740 meters, nearly 8 km deep.
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Higgs Boson Discovery Biggest Scientific Breakthrough of 2012
Scientists had been chasing the Higgs boson, nicknamed the God particle for more than four decades. In July 2012 the team from the European nuclear research facility at CERN in Geneva announced the detection of a particle that fitted the description of the elusive Higgs. The boson is believed to give matter mass via an associated Higgs field that permeates space. Without the property of mass, the universe we live in could not exist. Scientists used the worlds biggest atom smashing machine, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) on the Swiss-French border, to track down the missing particle. Finding the Higgs topped the list of most important discoveries of 2012 released by Science, a prestigious scientific journal.
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The capture of the most wanted sub-atomic particle in physics - Higgs boson - has topped the chart of the years ten biggest scientific breakthroughs.
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The U.S. vessel Glomar Challenger had set the previous record of 23,130 feet below sea surface in the Marina Trench in 1978 as p er t h e r ec or d s o f M ar it im e organizations.
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Indian Defence Updates
Project Dhruv: DRDO Bunkers to Help Jawans Cope with Stress

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a part of its efforts to provide troops with enriched environment at isolated locations, has started working on Project Dhruv to develop new bunkers to tackle various forms of psychological issues and depression among them. Project Dhruv aims at environment enrichment within the shelter. Such measures would help Jawans cope up with stress induced by their monotonous surroundings and help in creating a lively atmosphere within the bunkers. DRDO has taken a slew of measures to tackle depression among soldiers, which in recent past had led to various incidents of suicides and fratricides in the armed forces. DRDO will equip the bunkers with some of the most modern amenities to ensure a better living for the jawans.
Dhanush Successfully Test-fired

India successfully test-fired the nuclear capable Dhanush ballistic missile for its full range of 350 km from a naval ship off the coast of Odisha on October 5, 2012. This follows the successful flight-testing of the land-based Prtithvi-II ballistic missile for a similar range on October 4, 2012.
Lakshya-1 successful Tested in Odisha

The indigenously developed, micro-light, pilotless target aircraft Lakshaya-1 was successfully test-flown from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) on August 23, 2012 at Chandipur. The test was carried out to check the validity of its engine and duration enhancement.
Shoorveer: A Military Exercise Held

Military exercise Shoorveer the biggest summer war game of Armys South-Western Command involving over 50,000 troops, culminated in first week of may 2012 in Hanumangarh district and nearby areas in Rajasthan.
Stealth Frigate INS SAHYADRI Commissioned

The Indian Navy sharpened its stealth edge on July 21, 2012 with the commissioning of INS Sahyadri a 4900-tonne warship that will beep merely as a fishing boat on enemy radars. It is the 3rd stealth frigate of the Shivalik class. The first two in the class of the frigate INS Shivalik and INS Satpurawere commissioned in April 2010 and August 2011 respectively. These ships had been performing various tasks in the Indian Ocean region. The 4,900-tonne INS Sahyadri is equipped with some of the most advanced surface and airto-air missiles and can carry two helicoptersa mix of Dhruv, Sea King or Kamov onboard for various missions.
Navy Inducts Stealth Frigate INS Teg

With the induction of guided missile stealth frigate INS TEG, the Indian Navy added more teeth to its war fighting capabilities. The formidable ship has been built to meet the specific command and control needs of the Navy for coordinated surface, air, and underwater missions. Weaponry: The weapons suite of the 125-metre, 4,000-tonne frigate includes the BrahMos surface-to-surface missile system, a surface-to-air missile system, 100 mm medium range gun, close-in weapon system (CIWS), torpedo tubes, and anti-submarine rockets.
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The Indian Navy is slated to take delivery of the remaining ships of the Teg Class Tarkash and Trikand by September 2012 and mid-2013.
Navy in Lakshadweep: A Full Fledged Naval Base

The Navy has commissioned a full-scale naval base, INS DWEEPRAKSHAK, at Kavaratti to augment the security of the strategically significant Lakshadweep archipelago. The Navy had put in place radar stations and other surveillance measures across the island chain to monitor shipping traffic and gather operational intelligence.
INS Vindhyagiri to be Destroyed
The Bombay High Court granted the permission to Navy for the destruction of INS Vindhyagiri, after the Navy said the warship might explode due to the presence of ammunition which could not be removed from the vessel. The ship has been grounded for more than a year since it collided with a merchant vessel, M.V. NORDLAKE in January 2011.
Akash Missiles Test Fired
Two surface-to-air Akash missiles were test fired in quick succession from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, off the Odisha coast with one of them failing to hit the target and falling into the sea. Both the post-production tests were carried out as part of regular user exercises by Indian Air Force personnel in which the missiles were fired from road mobile launchers.
India Takes Giant leap in Autonomous Sea Vehicle Programme

With the entry of versatile Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) and submadrones (underwater drones in civil parlance), Indias preparedness for seaward defence has gained a great momentum. The Visakhapatham-based Naval Science and Technology Laboratory (NSTL), a DRDO firm, has fashioned a batch of AUVs from handheld slow-speed ones, to militaryclass, free-flooded platforms weighing 1.7 tonnes, with the capability to assist in the entire gamut of maritime security, straddling coastal and port defence to deep-sea operations.
India Having Missile Defence Shield

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed and successfully tested a missile defence shield, which can be put in place at short notice to protect at least two cities, bringing the country on a par with an elite group of nations. As per the test, an incoming ballistic missile with the range of up to 2,000 km can be destroyed, which will be increased to the range of 5,000 km by 2016.
Interceptor Missile Successfully Hit the Target

When an interceptor missile achieved a direct hit and destroyed an incoming target missile at an altitude of 15 km over the Bay of Bengal, India has achieved a great feat moving closer to the deployment of the indigenous Ballistic Missile Defence (BDM) system. With this success, India joined a select band of four countries which have ballistic missile defence capabilities.
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The 1.7-tonne reconfigurable platform, with an operational depth of 500 metres, can carry payloads of up to 500 kg to accomplish a plethora of operations such as surveillance, sensor deployment, and mine countermeasure, besides delivery of ammunition. It is slated to undergo a fresh set of sea trials in September.
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Soon after the hostile missile, a modified surface-to-surface Prtihvi, was launched from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Orissa, the interceptor, AAD-05, was fired from the Wheeler Island. Equipped for the first time with an omni-directional warhead and travelling at a speed of Mach 5-6, the interceptor homed in on the target and smashed it five minutes later. India plans to put in place a two-tiered BMD system in two phases for endo and exoatmospheric interception on incoming enemy missiles. The first phase seeks to intercept and kill ballistic missiles having a range of less than 2,000 km, the second phase envisages destroying those with ranges of more than 2,000 km. One of the largest military exercises in recent times Sudarshan Shakti, conducted in the deserts near Barmer in Rajasthan aimed at starting the transformation of the forces into a modern, lean, and agile fighting combination capable of leveraging new-age technologies. Sudarshan Shakti is the outcome of a study undertaken by the Army on how to initiate transformation and maintain continuous offensive capabilities with a networked headquarters supported by intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance acting as the nerve-centre of operations.
India Test-Fires Nuclear Capable Agni-IV Missile
India on September 19, 2012 successfully test-fired the indigenously-developed 4000 km nuclear capable strategic ballistic missile Agni-IV, from Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast.
Agni-I Launched Successfully
Agni-I, a surface to surface, nuclear capable missile was launched successfully from the Wheeler Island, off the Odisha coast by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the Indian Army with the missile travelling its full range of 700 km and high degree of accuracy. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) designed and developed Agni-I. The Army has already deployed this short-range missile which can carry nuclear warheads. The maiden launch of Indias Nirbhay, a sub-sonic cruise missile, would take place by 2013 which was envisaged to be launched in September 2012. DRDOs Bangalore based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), has designed Nirbhay which has several technologies derived from Lakshya, a pilotless target aircraft. Nirbhay is Indias equivalent of Tomahawk, a long-range sub-sonic cruise missile in the arsenal of the USA.
Nirbhay to be Launched
INS BAAZ : Naval Air Station Opened in Campbell Bay

With the formal opening of INS BAAZ, the southernmost naval air station at Campbell Bay in the Andaman and Nicobar Island, the country has acquired enhanced ability to mount vigil on the vital maritime channel the Strait of Malacca.
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Cambell Bay
SUDARSHAN SHAKTI Poise to Transform Armed Forces
Master Tips Campbell Bay is located on the island of Great Nicobar, the largest of the Nicobar Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean some 190 km to the north of Sumatra .(Refer Map for clarity .)
Strait of Malacca
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INS Kabra Commissioned

Fast Attack Craft (FAC) INS Kabra, propelled by Water jet is the 8th in a series of 10 Car Nicobar-class FACs designed and built by the Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilder & Engineers (GRSE) for the Navy, which was commissioned at the Kochi naval base. Features of INS KABRA: INS Kabra has speeds in excess of 35 knots. It offers excellent maneuverability and is ideal for high-speed interdiction of fast-moving targets. The low drag also allows the ship to operate in shallow waters close to the coast. Its main armament is a 30-mm CRN-91 gun and also fitted with machine guns of various types and the IGLA shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles, the ship has a crew of 3 officers and 39 sailors. INS Kabra was comparable with any FAC in the world and a cost-effective and fuel efficient platform well suited for anti-smuggling and anti-poaching operations and also it complies with the latest regulations of the International Maritime Organisation on sea pollution control. Smaller ships like FACs were important in tackling peacetime challenges to maritime security such as piracy and low-intensity conflicts, search and rescue operations, anti-smuggling and anti-poaching operations. INS Kalpeni the water jet-propelled FAC commissioned in October 2010 has extensively participated in anti-piracy operations.
INS Kamorta
INS Kamotra, 75-meter-long, 1,200-tonne vessel is the first in a series of 4 anti-submarine corvettes being built by the Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), a defence shipyard, will be delivered to the Navy in June 2012. The shipyard is also constructing 8 inshore patrol vessels for the Coast Guard. It has concluded negotiations with the Navy for construction of 8 Landing Craft Utility (LCU) for which contract will be signed shortly.
INS Kadmatt Launched
Features of INS KADMATT:
The Vessel is 109 metres long, 12.8 metres wide and can achieve a speed of 25 knots and can accommodate 17 officers and 106 sailors. This ships main role is to protect other ships in the convoy and sea ports against submarine attack and to neutralize the enemy submarines using her weapons like torpedoes, rocket launchers and helicopter. The approximate cost of building an Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette was Rs. 1,700 crore. The first in the series, INS Kamorta, which was launched last year, is expected to be delivered to the Navy in 2012 followed by INS Kadmatt in 2013.
INS Godavari Damaged as PNS Babur Brushed Past

The naval warships of India and Pakistan involved in a close encounter on the high seas which caused damage to INS Godavari after PNS Babur brushed past it.
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The second indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette INS Kadmatt, built by the Garden Reach Ship Builders Engineers Ltd. has been launched recently.
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It is known for its speed, agility and quick response.
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A helicopter net was damaged when the Pakistani ship coming from behind moved close to INS Godavari. PNS Babur was escorting Egyptian merchant vessel m.v. Suez, which was released several months after having been held hostage by Somali pirates.
Coast Guard Welcomes Indigenous Pollution Control Vessel Samudra Paheredar
The ship has also infrared surveillance system which detects any oil spill even of minor nature and thereafter dissolves or disintegrates oil.
Prithvi-II Tested Successfully
The 9 metre tall Prtihvi-II, the first ballistic missile developed under the countrys prestigious Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, was fired from a mobile launcher from Launch Complex-III at the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Orissa The nuclear weapons-capable missile was successfully flight-tested for its full range of 350 km by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) personnel of the army as a part of user trial. It has achieved a high degree of accuracy and zeroed-in on the pre-designated target in the Bay of Bengal with a CEP (Circular Error Probability) of less than 10 metres. The single-stage, liquid-fuelled Prithvi-II is capable of carrying payloads ranging from 500-1,000 kg of both nuclear and conventional warheads, had been inducted into the armed forces. It could be launched from anywhere with its mobile launcher having user-driven features.
Farewell Given to Navys Oldest Ship INS SHARABH
NAG Series Trials
With focus on the performance of a modified NAMICA (Nag Missile Carrier) in harsh desert conditions, a series of trials of anti-tank Nag missile, was conducted in the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. The induction of the 3rd generation missile that has a top attack and fire-and-forget capability and 4-km range was delayed, with the Army seeking several clearances in the specially-designed NAMICA, which can hold 12 missiles, with eight of them in readyto-fire mode.
Air Force Version of Akash Test-Fired

India on June 6, 2012 successfully test-fired its indigenously developed surface-to-air Akash missile of Air Force Version from the Integrated Test Range of Chandipur, Odisha.
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Indian Navy has given a farewell to its oldest commissioned (January 1976 at Gdynia, Poland) ship Sharabh, (a landing ship tanker), with a guard of honour and the naval band playing the Last Post in the decommissioning ceremony held at the Naval Jetty.
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Samudra Paheredar, the indigenously built 2nd pollution control vessel, specially designed to mitigate any marine oil spill received a warm welcome from the Coast Guard fraternity on its arrival at Chennai Port on August 21, 2012.
Master Tips 'Samudra Prahari' (Ocean Guard) is the name of the first dedicated pollution control vessel built by ABG shipyard at Surat, launched by the Indian Coast Guard in 2007.
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Rustom-1 Test Successfull

Rustom-1 was test flown from the Taneja Aerospace and Aviation airfield at Hosur near Bangalore. The aircraft took off even in harsh weather conditions for a first flight, flew for 12 minutes and landed successfully, meeting all its objectives. Rustom-1, a medium-altitude and longendurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), dev eloped by the Ban galor e-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE).
Master Tips
Rustom-1 is the 3rd UAV developed by ADE besides Lakshya and Nishant. Lakshya(a drone) is remotely piloted by a ground control station provides aerial subtargets for live-fire training. Nishant is a surveillance aircraft primarily tasked with intelligence gathering over enemy territory.
Unlike the other UAVs, which used to have a free fall with parachutes after executing their tasks, Rustom will carry out copybook style landing.The aircraft has many auto features such as GPS controlled Way Point Navigation.
6.2
Other Countries Defence Updates
Ghauri: Pakistan Tests N-Capable Hatf-V Missile
Pakistan on November 28, 2012 announced the successful launch of the Medium Range Ballistic Missile, Hatf-V (Ghauri) which can carry both conventional and Nuclear war heads to a distance of 1,300 km.
Shaheen-1A: Hatf IV LAUNCHED by Pakistan

Pakistan had successfully conducted the lau nch of th e Intermediate Ra nge Ballistic Missile Hatf IV Shaheen-1A Weapon System.
GHAZNAVI: Pakistan Tests Launch Hatf III

Pakistan announced the successful training launch of HATF III (GHAZNAVI), a shortrange ballistic missile capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads across 290 km.
Pakistan Test Fired Hatf VII: Babur Cruise Missile

Pakistan successfully test fired an indigenously developed multi-tube cruise missile with a range of 700 km and capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads on September 17, 2012. Babur Cruise Missile Haft-VII is a low-flying, terrain-hugging missile, which can strike targets both at land and sea with pinpoint accuracy.
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The missile, capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads is considered as an improved version of Shaheen-1 (range-750 km) in terms of range and technical parameters.
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Advance notice was given to India on the test, in accordance with the May 2005 agreement regarding pre-notification of flight testing of ballistic missiles. India
had similarly informed Pakistan of its test of Agni-V in advance.
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China Commissions First Aircraft Carrier Liaoning

In order to boost Chinas increasing maritime ambitions, the country commissioned its first aircraft carrier on September 25, 2012 in an event hailed by top officials as being of farreaching significance and coming amid rising regional tensions. Chinas first aircraft carrier started its first journey under the Chinese flag and the vessel set sail from the port of Dalian, which narrowly escaped tropical storm MUIFA. It is a former Soviet Navy aircraft carrier that has been fully refitted for its new role as a platform for research and training.
The commissioning of the Liaoning makes China the 10th nation to have an aircraft carrier. Currently, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Spain, Italy, India, Brazil and Thailand operate the 21 active-service aircraft carriers. The development comes amid rising strains between China and Japan over the disputed Diaoyu (China Calls) or Senkaku (Japan Calls) islands in East China Sea.
IRAN Advanced its Short Range Missile Capacity
Iran on August 4, 2012 claimed it had successfully test-fired an upgraded version of shortrange ballistic missile with improved accuracy, increasing the Islamic Republics capability to strike both land and naval targets. The solids-fuelled FATEH-110 has a range of 300 km. SHAHAB-3 Variant with a range of 2,000 km that can reach Israel and southern Europe.
6.3
Indian Defence Ties and Deals
INS Vikramaditya Joining Navy Further Delayed

The delivery of aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya from Russia had been further delayed to the last quarter of 2013, against the envisaged delivery schedule December 2012. Then, the Indian Navy will take charge of the muchawaited aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov, a Kiev-class aircraft carrier). The induction of aircraft carrier will allow the Navy to have two such platforms for a while; a third indigenous aircraft carrier is under construction at the Kochi shipyard.
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After induction of INS Vikrmadiya, the Navy will start thinking about the decommissioning INS Viraat, its lone aircraft carrier since its internal hull is suffering wear and tear.
An MoU Between BEL& IAI on Naval Missiles

A MoU signed between Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) and Israel Aerospace Industries
(IAI) has set the stages for joint development and indigenous production of a set of Long Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (LR-SAMs) to defend Indian warships from enemy attack. BEL will be the lead integrator of this set of missiles and produce some of the major subsystems.
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The ship Liaoning, formerly named Varyag, is an Admiral Kuznetsov Class aircraft carrier that is 304.5 metres long and 37 metres wide, with a displacement of 58,500 metric tonnes.
INS Vikramaditya
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Russia Delivers 3 Upgraded MiG-29S to India

Russia has delivered the first three of the upgraded MiG-29 fighters to India, more than two years behind schedule. The modernisation has added punch and versatility to the potent platform. Originally designed as an air superiority fighter, the upgraded planes have been equipped with air-to-surface missiles to engage ground targets. The MiG-29s have been equipped with new avionics, weapons, radar, glass cockpit, helmet mounted displays and an in flight refuelling system.
Under the contract signed in 2008, Russia is to upgrade the IAFs fleet of 63 MiG-29s. The first six planes are to be overhauled in Russia and the rest in India.
India-Ukraine Signed Defence Cooperation Pact
A broad defence cooperation agreement was among five pacts signed following delegationlevel talks between the visiting Ukrainian President, Viktor Yanukovych, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Instead of dealing with a number of defence enterprises scattered over Ukraine, India will find it easier to conduct focussed negotiations, which could help it get a better deal.
Navy Gets First of 8 P-8I Maritime Surveillance Aircraft

The Navy has received the first of the eight P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft it is to get from Boeing. India had signed a deal worth over $2.1 billion with the American firm in January 2009 for procuring the long-range surveillance aircraft, which are equipped with anti-submarine weaponry.
INS Tarkash Commissioned To Indian NAVY

Tarkash belongs to the 2 nd of three modified Krivak-III (Talwar) class frigates and ordered by India from Russia.
Russian-built multirole stealth frigate INS TARKASH has been commissioned to Navy.
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S.No. 1. 2. 3. INS
As per the contract, the planes service life has been extended to 3,500 flight hours and 40 years.
Status Delivered Delivered Under Trial
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The first frigate of this batch, INS TEG, was delivered in April and the third one, INS TRIKAND is undergoing dock trials and is expected to be handed over next summer after completing sea trials in the Baltic Sea.
INS-TEG INS-Tarkash INS-Trikand
Russia Modernises Indias Submarine

The INS SINDHURAKSHAK submarine came off the slips to the Zvezdochka shipyard in Severodvinsk, marking the completion of a mid-life refit programme for the Indian Navys Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines in Russia.
India and Russia to Make Hypersonic Missile Ready by 2017

India and Russia could be one of the first nations to test hypersonic missiles, which fly at five-seven times the speed of sound (5-7 Mac). The hypersonic version of the BrahMos cruise missile will be ready for testing in 2017.
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MI-17 V5 Inducted Into IAF

The Indian Air Force had added teeth in its medium-lift helicopters with the induction of upgraded Russian Mi-17 V5 helicopters. The first lot of 21 of the 80 helicopters to be procured as per an agreement signed with Russia four years ago arrived in Feb 2012. The armour-plated armed helicopter has effective firepower and powerful engines that enhances the payload carriage capability at high altitudes.
Key Features of MI-17 V5: It is a glass cockpit variant, the first of its kind to get inducted into the IAF. It has autopilot that is compatible with the latest generation (Gen-III) night vision goggles.
Frech Rafale Wins Over Eurofighter Typhoon
In a much hyped and the countrys largest defence deal till date, India has chosen the French Fighter Rafale over the Eurofighter Typhoon in a multi-billion dollar contract for the supply of 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) The deal is estimated to be worth $10.2 billion (Rs. 54,000 crore). As per the plan of deal, it includes acquiring 126 aircraft, 18 of them in fly-away condition and the rest to be made in India at the Hindustan Aeronautics facility under transfer of technology. It is the 3rd biggest defence contract for France. In the current financial year, the Government of India cleared the $2.4 billion for upgrade of 51 Mirage-2000 aircraft and the $970 million for the supply of MICA fire-and-forget missile for the same aircraft.
INS Chakra: India Got Nerpa Nuclear Submarine From Russia

Indian Navy has been handed over the Russias k-152 Nerpa (Indian Name: INS Chakra) nuclear-powered attack submarine. The Project 971, worth over $900 million, Shchuka-B (NATO: Akula II) class submarine has been leased to Indias Navy for 10 years with renaming as the INS Chakra.
India had funded the completion of the submarine at Amur Shipyard before the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. 20 sailors died on the Nerpa in 2008 after the vessels fire-suppression systems were accidentally triggered during sea trials, releasing toxic gases. Its maximum speed is 30 knots, maximum operating depth, 600 m; its endurance is 100 days with a crew of 73 and is armed with four 533 mm torpedo tubes and four 650 mm torpedo tubes. The Indian version is reportedly expected to be armed with the 300-km Club nuclearcapable missiles. Although, the Akula-II class submarines are equipped with 28 nuclearcapable cruise missiles with a striking range of 3,000 km. The submarine is capable of remaining underwater for months and it would be for the first time in more than 2 decades that the Indian navy would have a nuclear attack submarine.
Key features of INS Chakra:
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India has become the 6th operator of nuclear submarines in the world, after the US, Russia, France, Britain and China, though it previously leased another Russian submarine which was then returned.
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Mi-17 V5, an upgrade of Mi-17, has state-of-the-art avionics and onboard navigation systems.
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6.4
Joint Exercises
Indo-Russia Joint Naval Exercise: INDRA

INDRA, joint military exercise with Russia, is being held in Mumbai from November 28 to December 3. Destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov, replenishment oiler Irkut and rescue tug Alatau of the Russian Federations Navy Pacific Fleet (PF) Task Unit and Indias INS Mysore and INS Talwar are participating in the exercise. INDRA began in year 2003 and is being conducted every two years.
It will be helpful for wider cooperation and mutual understanding between two navies. Both countries have over the past five years conducted five of the INDRA series ground and naval exercises. The joint exercise at the Buryatia military training base in southeast Russia, near the border with Mongolia was held in Aug 2012.
OP SAMPRITI: INDIA-Bangladesh Joint Exercise
Indian and Bangladeshi forces have launched a joint exercise in the northeastern Sylhet as part of efforts to deepen military ties and cooperation in counter-terrorism and counterinsurgency operations. This is the second phase of Op Sampriti which is aimed at developing professional expertise of both the armies and strengthening military to military relationship. The first phase of Op Sampriti was held at Jorhat in Assam from November 1 to 4 last year.
Second India-Oman Joint Air Exercises
The Indian Air Force completed its second joint exercise with its counterparts from Oman, whose northern tip is located at the Straits of Hormuz, entrance to the crucial Gulf. The exercise is part of Indias efforts to build strategic ties with Oman, whose ports have been utilized by Indian Navy frigates for anti-piracy duty off the Gulf of Aden. The previous exercise was held in 2009, the first such full-fledged endeavour with a Gulf State.
Sahyog-Kaijin-XI: Indo-Japan Joint Exercise

The Indo-Japan Coast Guard Joint Exercise, codenamed Sahyog-Kaijin-XI, which alternates between India and Japan every year, was organised off the Bay of Bengal where fleets headed by the newly-commissioned Indian Coast Guard vessel Vishwast and the Japanese ship Settsu simulated a range of search-and-rescue, pollution control and antipiracy operations.
IndiaSingapore Conduct Exercise: Bold Kurukshetra 2012

The Indian Army has conducted a joint bilateral armour exercise, codenamed Exercise Bold Kurukshetra 2012, with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) at Babina Field Firing Range in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The 8 months long bilateral exercise, which commenced on 1 March 2012, involves participation from more than 750 personnel as well as infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and main battle tanks (MBTs) from SAFs 46th armoured regiment and Indian armys 27th Armoured Brigade.
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Oman is the first Arab State to have formalized defence ties with India.
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The main objective of this exercise is to enhance interoperability, which will be useful if both the navies are working against the common threat like the pirates in the Gulf of Aden.
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List of Some Important Joint Exercises

C o de N am e Ind ra -2 0 12 O p S a m p r it i 2 nd In d ia- O m a n J oin t Pa rti ci pa tin g C o u ntr ies In d ia a n d R u ss ia In d ia-B a n gla d esh In d ia-O m an A rm y /A ir /Na v al N av a l E x erci se Jo in t Ar m y E xe rcis e Air E xer cis e
Ex ercises S ahy og -K a ijin -XI Eku v erin-20 12 Ex ercise M aitr ay ee Ex ercise Va j ra Pra h ar S ha k ti 2 01 1 Bol d K ur uk sh etra 2 0 12 Va ru n Y ud h A b h ya s 20 11 -1 2 Ex ercise M ala b ar
H an d -in - Han d 2 00 9
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In d ia-J a pa n In d ia-M a ld iv e s In d ia-T h aila nd In d ia-U S In d ia-F r an ce In d ia-S in g ap o re In d ia-F r an ce In d ia-U S U S -In d ia-Ja p anAus tr alia - S in g apo re In d ia-C h in a
Co ast G ua rd s E x e rcise Jo in t Ar m y E xe rcis e Jo in t Ar m y E xe rcis e Jo in t Ar m y E xe rcis e Jo in t Ar m y E xe rcis e
Jo in t Ar m y E xe rcis e N av a l E x erci se
Jo in t Ar m y E xe rcis e N av a l E x erci se
Jo in t Ar m y E xe rcis e
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7.2
INTERNATIONAL CCR
NATIONAL CCR
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International CCR
TI Report 2012: India Ranked 94th In Corruption

India has been ranked 94th out of 176 countries in Transparency Internationals (TI) 2012 Corruption Perception Index (CPI). Master Tips In 2011, India was ranked 95 out of 183 countries that were studied. CPI (Corruption Perception Index): In 2012, India earned a very low score of 36 The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is a on a scale from 0 (most corrupt) to 100 (least c om po si t e in d ic a t or t h a t m e a su r es corrupt). perceptions of corruption in the public sector Transparency International India attributed in different countries around the world which the low score to the recent scams and h as b een d eve lop e d s inc e 1 99 5 by incidents of corruption in the public sector Transparency International. involving government officials, private officials and private companies.
The Berlin (Germany) based Transparency International (TI) founded in 1993 is a non-profit, nongovernmental organisation dedicated to fighting corruption. It is best known for its Corruption Perceptions Index. The organization is present in more than 100 countries.
India ranks 7th in Global Service Trade

India has been ranked by the Geneva based World Trade Organisation (WTO) as the seventh largest player in the global services trade, with value of exports and imports aggregating $ 261 billion in 2011. With exports at $ 137 billion and imports at $ 124 billion, India is among the five countries among the top 10 players, which ended the year 2011 with a surplus of trade in commercial services. Indian economy is mainly driven by services sector contributing over 55 per cent of the country GDP. According to the report, the United States continues to retain its reputation of a global power house of commercial services with exports of $ 581 billion, far exceeding its imports of $ 395 billion.
India Holds 65th Rank in Global Hunger Index 2012

According to the findings of the Global Hunger Index 2012, Indias propor tion of undernou rish ed people, underweight children and child mortality between 1996 and 2012 has remained the same, though country has moved to healthy economic growth and heavy social sector spending during the period. The basic theme of the report for the 2012 Global Hunger Index was The Cha lleng e of Hung er: Ensuring Sustainable Food Security under La nd, Water, and Energy Stresses.
THE GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX 2012 Indias latest score on the global hunger index has returned to the 1996 level, after showing a minor deterioration between 1996 and 2011 Rank 2. 9. 18. 30. 37. 52. 57. 60. 65. 68. Country China Thailand Indonesia Sri Lanka North Korea Pakistan Nepal India Bangladesh Global hunger score 2012* 5.1 8.1 12.0 14.4 19.0 19.7 20.3 22.9 24.0
South Africa 5.8
Master Tips
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI,Washington DC), NGOs Welthungerhilfe & Concern Worldwide released the report on Global Hunger Index for 7th year.
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India Likely to Miss MDG on Maternal Health: UN

As per latest United Nations report, India is likely to miss the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) related to maternal health. At present, the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) of India is 212 per one lakh live births, whereas the countrys target is 109 per one lakh live births by 2015. While there is an improvement from maternal death in every six minutes in 2010 to 10 minutes now, the MDG target in this respect is unlikely to be met.
India has done better on infant health, and is well within reaching the MDG of reducing IMR to 42 per 1000 live births. As per the latest estimates, Indias IMR stands at 47. Indias progress on the MDG of combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB is also satisfactory. India needs to focus on Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, where the MMR is still high.
Master Tips
India Ranked 111th in Economic Freedom List

India ranks very low at 111th position in terms of economic freedom, behind countries like China, Nepal and Bangladesh, a global study has claimed in a worldwide index of 144 nations. The ann ual r anking, titled Economic Freedom of the World : 2012, is topped by Hong Kong, followed by Singapore, New Zealand, Switzerland and Australia in the top five.
India 119th ON Economic Freedom Index: Report

As per the report compiled by Heritage Foundation, India has been ranked as the 119th freest country in the world out of 177 in the 2013 index of economic freedom. Among the BRIC economies, China and Russia were ranked below India in the index, while Brazil was above India. India was ranked in the mostly unfree category and was ranked below countries like the Philippines, Tanzania, Fiji, Oman, Peru among others. The top ten countries in the list include Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Switzarland, Canada, Chili, Mauritius, Denmark and US.
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Master Tips
India has reduced MMR significantly from 437 per one lakh live births in 1999 to 212 now, but needs to hasten the pace under the National Rural Health Mission to achieve the related MDG.
Maternal deaths are defined as the number of women who die during pregnancy or within 42 days of the termination of pregnancy per one lakh live births. India's MMR is 212 per one lakh live births and IMR is 47 per 1000 live births.
The index has been prepared by Canadabased public policy think-tank, Fraser Institute, in cooperation with independent institutes in 90 nations and territories, and claims to measure the degree to which the policies and institutions of countries support economic freedom.
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India Badly Impacted by Terrorism: Global Terrorism Index

India, Pakistan and Afghanistan were among the nations most impacted by terrorism in 2011, according to a new global study, which said the terror strikes worldwide had increased fourfold since the start of the Iraq war in 2003. The inaugural Global Terrorism Index (GTI) said Pakistan, India and Afghanistan accounted for 12 per cent, 11 per cent and 10 per cent of global terrorist incidents respectively from 2002 to 2009. In 2011, Middle East, India, Pakistan and Russia were the areas most impacted by terrorism. The US, Algeria and Colombia had the biggest improvements over the last ten years. Master Tips TheGlobal Terrorism Index (GTI) is the first index to systematically rank and compare 158 countries according to the impact of terrorism which is produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace. The GTI maps and analyses trends in terrorism over the last 10 years. The index is based on data from the Global Terrorism Database (GTD) from the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) at the University of Maryland, US.
State of Food Insecurity in the World 2012 Report: Hunger Declining World Wide
The United Nations says its 2009 announcement that 1 billion people in T h e R o me b a s ed U N F oo d a n d the world were hungry was off-target Agriculture Organization (FAO), a and that the number is actually 870 specialized UN Agency released State of million because of flawed methodology Food Insecurity in the World 2012 and poor data for the projection report. As per the FAOs State of Food FAO established on 16 October 1945 in Insecurity in the World 2012 Quebec city, Canada, work under parent report, the good news is that the body UN Economic and Social Council. number of hungry people has actually 16 October is Celebrated as world Food been declining steadily over the past two decades, althou gh Day. progress has slowed since 2007. The UN Body Says that the great recession of 2008-09 resulted in only a mild slowdown in GDP growth in many developing countries, and increases in domestic staple food prices were very small in China, India and Indonesia.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
UNICEF Focus on Treatment of HIV+ Pregnant Mothers to Curb AIDS

United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has noted in its latest report that while new HIV infections in children are down, reaching the goal of an AIDS-free generation requires that more HIV positive pregnant women receive anti-retroviral treatment to decrease the risk of infection for their babies. AIDS statistics of India: In India over 14,000 children got infected in 2011, with a 13 percent decline from 2009. The number of estimated deaths among children (0-14 years old) due to AIDS was 10,213 in 2011. The total number of people living with HIV in the country has seen a decline from approximately 2.3 million to 2.1 million. The drop has been much higher among men (16 per cent) than among women (2.6 per cent).
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India Ranked at 115th on Women Empowerment Scale: Survey

India has been ranked at a poor 115 by a global survey which looked into the level of economical empowerment of women in 128 countries . The report prepared by the international consulting and management firm Booz & Company ranked countries on various parameters like access to work policy, entrepreneurial support, advancement, and equal pay. The list was topped by Australia and followed by three Scandinavian countries Norway, Sweden and Finland. At the bottom of the list were Yemen, Pakistan, Sudan and Chad.
Economic Empowerment of women

Rank
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Index Rankings of 128 Countries Score

Australia Norway Sweden Finland New zealand Nether land Canad Germany Belgiuni France
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70.6 70.6 69.5 69.3 67.7 67.2 67.2 67.1 66.8 65.3
Environment Performance Index: India Ranks Last
India holds the very last rank among 132 nations in terms of air quality with regard to its effect on human health revealed in a new study by Yale and Columbia Universities in its Environment Performance Index rankings which means India has the most toxic air in the world. Master Tips India scored a minuscule 3.73 out of a possible 100 points in the analysis, lagging far behind The Yale Center for Environmental the next worst performer, Bangladesh, which Law and Policy and Columbia's Center scored 13.66. for Internationa l Earth Science In fact, the South Asian region fares badly, with Nepal, Pakistan and China taking up the remaining spots in the bottom 5 of the rankings.
Information Network have brought out the Environment Performance Index rankings every 2 years since 2006.
At the other end of the scale, the European nations of Switzerland, Latvia and Norway captured the top slots in the index.
Child Development Index: India Ranked 112th
The CDI, launched in 2008 as a tool to monitor the progress in child wellbeing, calibrates the best and worst places for children and improvements in child wellbeing at the global level and within countries. It enumerates 3 indicators, the number of children in school, infant mortality rates and number of underweight children.
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The Child Development Index (CDI), report released by NGO Save the Children makes an aggregate analysis of the Child Development Index in three time periods 1995-1999, 20002004 and 2005-2010 of 141 countries across the globe. Indias CDI ranking fell by three notches (100 to 103) between 1995 and 1999 and by another nine ranks (103 to 112) between 2005 and 2010. India reports 1.25 million infant deaths annually; 42 per cent of its children are underweight; 58 per cent children are stunted by the age of two; and 8.1 million children are out of school with a huge chunk of them being from the rural areas. India has slipped by 12 ranks in the global grading on the child development index, which denotes health, education and nutrition, between 1995 and 2010. Japan is the best place in the world to be a child, while Somalia is the worst, a latest report has suggested. Master Tips
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Around 30% Indians With Allergic Diseases: WAO

According to White Book on Allergy brought out by the World Allergy Organisation (WAO), around 20-30 per cent of Indias population was affected with one or more allergic diseases which were increasing. It mentioned that asthma and rhinitis were reported to be 1-10 per cent respectively in 1964 in India, but recent reports suggest asthma varying from 3-14 per cent and rhinitis as more than 20 per cent.
Major allergens involved in allergic diseases, including pollens, were also mentioned.
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Interim Report of Deepak Parekh Committee on Financing of Infra Sector

Deepak Parekh panel on financing of infrastructure submitted its interim report to the Prime Minister, expresses the view that regulatory structure needs to be more responsive to investment and the needs of the sector. The panel has projected an investment of 51.46 lakh crore in the 12th Five Year Plan, pegging the private sector share in this investment at 47% and suggested Public-Private Partnership (PPP) as the means of achieving it. It has also called for increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in telecoms to 100% from the current 74% and privatization of state-owned monopolies. The panel has recommended PPP initiatives for railways to mobilize private investment. The panel has suggested for reinventing the dedicated sector financier India Infrastructure Finance Corporation Ltd. (IIFCL).
UPSC Suggests Changes in Civil Services Exams
Justice Verma to Head Inquiry Panel

In the aftermath of wide protests after gruesome Delhi Gang rape incident on 16th December 2012, the Union Home Ministry has constituted a 3 member Commission of Inquiry, headed by former Chief Justice J.S. Verma that will suggest ways for improving safety and security of women, besides looking into the gang-rape incident. Justice Lalita Seth and former Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam will be its two other members. The Commission will suggest ways to make stricter rape laws. It will submit its report within 30 days.
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The Union Public Service Commission has suggested changes in the prestigious Civil Services examination to make it more relevant in the present day, global as well as internal scenario. The UPSC have submitted a proposal to the central government, suggesting certain changes in the existing scheme of Civil Services (Main) Examination to make it more relevant with the on the basis of the report of a committee. The committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Prof Arun S Nigavekar, former chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC).
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As per report, in India, woods and cows dung are still used in rural areas as fuel which cause heavy smoke leading to triggers of allergy and asthma besides other pollutants such as SO2 and NO2 aggravating factors.
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Ashok Chawla Comittee Report on Allocation of Natural Resources

With the ensuing issues and criticism of Govt (by CAG and others) for lacking transparency in allocation of natural resources which include Land, Coal, Petroleum, Water, Spectrum etc. Union government appointed Ashok Chawla Committee. Major recommendations: Adoption of an open, transparent and competitive mechanism for allocation and greater disclosure of the existing approval process. Competitive bidding for allocation of coal blocks. Switching to open acreage licensing for allocation of oil and gas blocks. Making public the minutes of the meeting of the Standing Linkage Committee (Long Term) pertaining to allocation decisions on coal. Putting in public domain the minutes of the managing committee (MC) for oil and gas blocks. Making the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) an independent entity.
PANEL FINDS Mullaperiyar Dam Structurally & Hydrologically Safe

The Empowered Committee, headed by the former Chief Justice of India A.S. Anand, has said the Mullaperiyar dam is structurally and hydrologically safe and Tamil Nadu can raise the water level from 136 to 142 feet after carrying out certain repairs. Thus, the controversy over the safety of the 116-year-old Mullaperiyar dam has been set to rest. On Keralas demand for construction of a new dam, the committee said that in view of the age of the existing reservoir, building a new one could be considered as an alternative proposal. If a new dam was constructed, the maximum water level (MWL) should be fixed at 155 ft and a fresh agreement signed between the two States on water sharing and maintenance.
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J&K Interlocutors Report
The report of the Centres interlocutors on J&K eminent journalist Dileep Padgaonkar, academician Radha Kumar, and former information commissioner M. M. Ansari submitted the final report. The final report has ruled out a return to the pre-1953 position. They recommended the setting up of a Constitutional Committee (CC), to review all Central Acts and Articles of the Constitution of India, extended to the State after the signing of the 1952 Agreement. The interlocutors favoured creation of three Regional Councils , one each for Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. It suggested that Parliament should make no laws applicable to the State unless it relates to the countrys internal and external security and its vital economic interests, especially in the areas of energy and access to water resources.
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The Mullaperiyar Damis a masonrygravity dam on the Periyar Riverin the Kerala state ofIndia. It is located 881m (2,890ft) above mean sea level, on the Cardamom Hillsof theWestern GhatsinThekkady,Idukki DistrictofKerala. It was constructed between 1887 and 1895 by the British Government to divert water eastwards to the Madras Presidency area (present-day Tamil Nadu). It has a height of 53.6m (176ft) from the foundation, and a length of 365.7m (1,200ft).ThePeriyar National Parkin Thekkady is located around the dams reservoir. The dam is located in Kerala on the riverPeriyar,but is controlled and operated under a period lease by neighboringTamil Nadustate. Although the Periyar river has a total catchment area of 5398km2with 114km2in Tamil Nadu, the catchment area of the Mullaperiyar dam itself lies entirely in Kerala. The control and safety of the dam and the validity and fairness of the lease agreement have been points ofdispute between Kerala and Tamil Nadu states.
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Educational Development Index Ranking

Puducherry and Lakshadweep are occupying the first two slots and Punjab has replaced Kerala as the best in the composite educational development index (EDI), to be among the top three States. The study, conducted in the 35 States and Union Territories by the National University of Educational Planning and Administration, shows that Punjab jumped four places, from the seventh last time. Kerala, which stood third, last year, has gone down to fifth, and Tamil Nadu moved up to the fourth rank.
Rangrajan Committee report on Decontrol of Sugar Industry

The committee led by Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Councils (PMEAC) chairman C. Rangrajan has submitted its report to the Prime Minister on decontrol of sugar industry. Committee suggested the removal of the concept of a minimum distance of 15 km between any two sugar mills, obligating a mill to buy cane from growers within the reservation area. Instead, mills must enter into contracts with farmers. This would help to phase out the cane reservation area and bonding. According to the panels view the State Administered Price (SAP) of sugar cane set by the States should be done away with, in favour of the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) set by the Centre as the minimum. Mills must share 70 per cent of the value of sugar and each by product, including bagasse, molasses and press-mud (ex-mill), as cane dues payable to farmers for supplies. The payment to farmers will be made in two steps : the first, the minimum FRP set by the Centre; and the second, subsequent to the publication of half-yearly ex-mill prices. The committee recommended that the system of levy sugar should be done away with. Under it, the mills are required to sell 10 per cent of their production to the government at below market price for the poor under TPDS. Instead, the panel said, the States that wanted to provide sugar under the TPDS might procure from the open market through competitive bidding, and also fix the issue price. Committee also asked the government to rationalize the current issue price for TPDS sugar, which has not been revised for many years. (Now, the Food Ministry has proposed to double the issue price to around Rs 23 a kg.).
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Disfavoring quantitative or movement restrictions on by-products, the committee said the prices of by-products should be market-determined with no earmarked end use allocations.
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The study, Elementary Education in India: Progress towards Universal Elementary Education, is based on the data received from 1.36 million schools in 637 district. At the bottom are Bihar, Assam, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
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8.0 Conferences & Summits 20th ASEAN Summit 2012

The 2-day 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit concluded at Phnom Penh (Cambodia), during April 3-4 2012, promoting the target of ASEAN Community Building by 2015 a step forward. Theme: ASEAN: One Community, One Destiny, the summit adopted four outcome documents, namely: The Phnom Penh Agenda on ASEAN Community Building, The Phnom Penh Agenda on ASEAN: One Community, One Destiny, The ASEAN Leaders Declaration on Drug-Free ASEAN 2015 and The Global Movement of Moderates. In celebration of the blocs 45the anniversary, the summit also discussed the progress of the implementation of the ASEAN Charter, roadmap for ASEAN connectivity, roadmap for an ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation, and exchanged views on regional and international issues.
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21st ASEAN Summit 2012

21st ASEAN Summit 2012 was held at Phnom Penh (Cambodia) during November 18-20 2012. ASEAN Minus X Mechanism The blocs ASEAN Minus X mechanism Association of Southeast Asian allows flexible implementation of Nation (ASEAN), established in 1967, commitments, by enabling members to opt havi ng 10 m embe r states Br un ei, out of economic schemes if they are not ready. Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, This has already been used. Singapore and Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Loas are the only members pushing ahead Thailand and Vietnam. with an agreement on education services. Six countries including Vietnam signed an agreement to link their stock markets by the end of 2011, to spur electronic cross-border trading, but only Singapore and Malaysia are implementing it.
East Asia Summit 2012

The Seventh East Asia Summitt was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 20 November 2012. The ongoing tensions arising from the territorial disputes in the South China Sea and the disputes in the East China Sea (the Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Islands) overshadowed the effort to advance the trade and economic arrangements between members of the Summit. Vladimir Putin did not attend and was represented by the Russian Foreign Minister. The other members leaders attended. The Chairmans statement noted progress in the areas of environment and energy, education, finance, global health issues and pandemic diseases, natural disaster mitigation and ASEAN connectivity.
Master Tips
The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a forum held annually by leaders of, initially, 16 countries (10 ASEAN countries plus six namely India, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea) in the East Asian region. Membership expanded to 18 countries including the United States and Russia at the Sixth EAS in 2011. EAS meetings are held after annual ASEAN leaders meetings. The first summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on December 14, 2005.
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Iran Hosted The 16th Non-Aligned Movement Summit (NAM)

The 16th Non-alignment Movement(NAM) Summit which represents around half the world, with 120 countries participating in its deliberations concluded in Tehran (Iran) on August 31, 2012. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh represented India and held talk with Iranian counterpart. A host of key issues like the worsening situation in Syria, Irans nuclear programme and other matters of global concern dominated the agenda of the NAM Summit.
Master Tips
Non-alignment Movement(NAM) Summit which represents around half the world, with 120 member countries (including Palestine) and 17 observers, was founded in the aftermath of cold war era by the 3rd world and developing countries formally not aligned to or against any power bloc. The organization was founded inBelgradein 1961. It was largely the brainchild ofYugoslaviaspresident,Josip Broz Tito; Indonesias first president,Sukarno; Egypts second president,Gamal Abdel Nasser; Ghanas first presidentpresidentKwame Nkrumah; and Indias first prime minister,Jawaharlal Nehru.
G-20 Summit At Los Cabos In Mexico
The G-20 Summit of developed and developing countries was held in the third week of June, 2012 at Los Cabos, Mexico in the backdrop of the eurozone crisis. Los Cabos Declaration G-20 nations concluded a much-awaited meeting at Los Cabos with a declaration which endorsed Indian stand that investment in infrastructure was critical for sustained growth, global economic recovery, poverty reduction and job creation. This was endorsed by the leaders that included US President Barak Obama, German President Angela Merkel, Chinese Prime Minster Wen Jiabao and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a document that is formally called the G-20 leaders declaration. 2011 G-20 Summit was held at Cannes, France and 2013 Summit will be held at Saint Petersburg, Russia in September 2013.
Master Tips
G-20 is theGroup of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governorsfrom 20 major economies which include 19 countries plus theEuropean Union, which is represented by thePresidentof theEuropean Counciland by theEuropean Central Bank. The grouping G-20 economies account for more than 80 % of the gross world product(GWP),80% ofworld trade(including EU intra-trade), and two-thirds of theworld population.
India to Host ADB Annual Meet IN the Year 2013

India will be hosting the 46th annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the Manilabased Asian Development Bank (ADB) in May 2013. Theme of the meeting: Development through Empowerment, The four-day event will provide an opportunity to policy-makers and official delegations from 67 countries to brainstorm on developmental issues.
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Last Summit (15th) was held at Sharm El Sheik, Egypt in 2009 and next Summit (17th ) will be held at Caracas, Veneuela in 2015.
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Cyber Security Summit

2-Day Cyber Security Summit was held at Bangalore to address the newly emerging trends in cyber crime and find solutions. The summit focused on the theme Empowering security in the digital world. Representatives of the government, law enforcement agencies, legal fraternity, corporate sector, banking sector, academia and other stakeholders came together at Summit.
RIO+20: Second Earth Summit

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, popularly known as RIO+20 or Second Earth Summit was held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which concluded on June 22, 2012. At the conference Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh articulated the aspirations of the developing world, saying it cannot be forced or even expected to share equally the burden of environmental degradation enjoyed by rich nations in the past. (Refer Focus Articles for details.)
38th G-8 Summit Held at Camp David in USA
Leaders of G-8 countries, the group of developed countries of the world met at Camp David, Maryland, USA on May 19 in the backdrop of the euro zone crisis. 2011 (37th ) Summit was held at Deauville, France and 2013 (39th ) & 2014 (40th ) Summits will be held in UK and Russia respectively.
Master Tips
G-8 is theGroup of eight governments of larger economies (developed) of the world. The forum originated with a 1975 summit hosted by France that brought together representatives of 6 governments:France,Germany,Italy,Japan, theUK and theUS, thus the name, Group of SixorG6. The summit became known as theGroup of SevenorG7 the following year with the addition ofCanada. In 1997,Russiawas added to the group which then became known as the G8.
Haryana Hosted World Economic Forum on India Summit 2012

Haryana hosted the three-day World Economic Forum on India Summit in Gurgaon from November 6 to 8, 2012 in partnership with the World Economic Forum. Theme of the summit this year was from deliberation to transformation.
The Second Aman ki Asha Indo-Pak Economic Conference

The second Indo-Pak Economic Conference was held in Lahore on May 7-8, 2012 with Aman ki Asha as its theme. The conference aimed at exploring ways to further strengthen Indo-Pak ties, boost trade between the two countries and lay a solid ground work for regional peace.
Master Tips
Aman ki Asha is a campaign jointly started by the two leading media houses The Jang GroupinPakistanandThe Times of India (Bennet & Coleman, the holding company of Times Group)inIndia. It started on 1 January 2010. The campaign aims for mutual peace and development of the diplomatic and cultural relations between the two nations inSouth Asia.
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International Conference on Science Communication

International Conference on Science Communication was held at Nancy in France during 3-7 Sept. 2012. The Theme of conference - Science Communication : International Perspective, Issues & Strategies
AP to host world meet on prison administration & BD COP-11

The Andhra Pradesh will host the Asia Pacific Conference on Correctional Administration in October next year and delegates from close to two dozen countries converge here to discuss the existing processes in prison administration and the scope for reform. The State had been selected as venue for setting up a National Prison Academy. AP has also hosted the prestigious Conference of Parties (COP-11), the global biodiversity conference this year (2012).
9th E-9 Ministerial Review Meeting: India hosted GLOBAL MEET on teachers training
India chaired the Ninth E-9 Ministerial Review Meeting on Inclusive, relevant quality Education for All identified as the theme for the two coming years. The meeting assumes importance as shortage of teachers has been identified as a major challenge in the successful implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and universalisation of secondary education and the Right to Education act (RTE) that came into force in April 2010. The event started with the meeting of the International Task Force on Teachers for Education for All which was held for the first time in Indiafollowed by a two day conference on, Teachers for Education for All in India and the E-9 meeting.
Master Tips
The E-9 Initiative, a consortium of the nine most populous countries of the South was put in place in 1993, following the World Conference on EFA in Jomtien, Thailand in 1990. E stands for education and 9 for those nine countries which are home to over half of the worlds population as well as to almost half of the worlds out of school children and two thirds of the worlds illiterates. These are Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria and Pakistan.
19th International AIDS Conference in US
The 19th International Aids Conference was held in Washington, D.C. from 22 to 27 July 2012 at Washington. In addition, the conference included a number of programme activities, such as the Global Village and the Youth Programme, which are an integral aspect of the International AIDS Conference. Theme of the conference: Turning the Tide Together The AIDS 2012 Joint Programme Committee is an international committee of experts and professionals with exceptional experience in their respective fields. These individuals will work together to construct a balanced and representative conference programme. The Joint Programme Committee met for the first time in May 2011 to begin the programme building process. India to Host Alternative International Aids Conference: India will host a parallel event at Kolkata for those who cannot make it there at Washington to participate in the International AIDS Conference (IAC).
E-ASIA 2011 Conference

The 5th annual e-ASIA 2011 conference and exhibition took place in Dhaka, Bangladesh on December 1-3, 2011. It is an annual international Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) meet for development. Around 150 exhibitors took part which would include software and ITES companies providing business solutions, e-Governance solution providers, communication companies and solution providers, portals, IT training institutes/Universities, outsourcing companies etc.
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Indias Resolution on Mental Healh Adopted at World Health Assembly

India has moved an important resolution at the 65th World Health Assembly held at Geneva calling upon the member-states and the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop an action plan for coordinated response to addressing mental disorders from health and social sectors. The resolution received warm support before being approved. India had been separately working on strengthening interventions in the 12th Plan for the care of people with mental illness, including emphasis on family and community care and training of health and community workers, and short and long stay homes. Indian government has begun a major exercise to develop a mental health policy and also expects to shortly introduce new legislation to replace the Mental Health Act, 1987 to bring India into conformity with international commitments to protect the rights of persons with mental illness.
International Conferences on Afganistan

PL AC E B on n (2 01 1 ) H O ST /C HA IR H ost ed b y G erm a ny a nd ch a ire d b y Afgh a n ist a n G erm a ny PAR T IC IPA N T S
B ru ss e ls (2 01 2 )
K a b ul M eet (2 01 2 )
Afgh a n ist a n
C h ica g o S um m it (2 01 2 )
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Tok yo (2 01 2 )
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D el hi S um m it (2 01 2 )
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8 5 Sta tes , 1 5 Int ern a ti ona l O rg a ni zation s a n d th e U N Th e U .S. a n d its a llie s in NA TO 2 9 -n a ti on m in is teri a l-le ve l con feren ce in cl ud in g m aj or play ers like R u ss ia a nd C hi na H ea ds o f sta te a n d h e a ds of g ove rnm e n t of th e N orth At la n tic Tr ea ty O rg a ni zation (N A TO ) At te n de d by a b ou t 7 0 cou nt ries a nd org a ni zation s . At te n de d b y 4 0 cou n tri es, in cl ud in g I ra n , Ch in a an d Pa k is ta n
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C iv il aspec ts o f the tra n si ti on pr oces s, th e rol e o f in ter na ti on al com m u nity in A fgh a n ist a n a ft er the h a ndo ver , a n d lo n g -t erm poli ti ca l sta b ili zat io n of th e cou n try .
To i nc rea si ng ly m ov e t he a fg ha n s in to a le a d com b at rol e; To kee p som e in te r na ti on a l tr o ops i n Afg ha n is ta n b e yon d 2 0 1 4, the y ea r a ll U .S . for ces a r e su ppose d to b e h om e; a n d to pa y b ill ion s o f do lla r s a ye ar to su ppor t th e A fgh an s ecu rity for ces. Th ey t ook de cis ion to es ta b l ish w ork in g g rou ps for fig ht in g terr oris m a n d dru g tr affic kin g . T he g ro ups w ill in ter ac t w ith th e S ha n gh a i Coo pe ra ti on O r ga n is a ti on ( S C O ) a nd th e ru ss ia -led C oll ecti ve Se cur it y Tr ea ty O rg a ni sa ti on (C S T O ).
A s t ra n si ti on of se cur ity r espon si b ility i s com plete d a t t he en d of 2 0 14 , N A T O w ill h av e m a de t he s h ift from a c om b a t m is s ion to a n ew tra in i ng , ad vi sing a nd a s si st an ce m i ss ion , w h ich w il l b e of a di ffer en t na tur e to th e cu rre nt N A T O -l ed in te rn a tio na l sec urity a ss is ta n ce force (ISA F) m i ss ion . ISA F ren ew ed t hei r firm com m itm ent to a sov ere ig n, se cu re a nd de m ocr at ic A fgh an ista n. T he m a jor do n o rs con fer ence ple d ges $ 1 6 b ill ion to Afg ha n is tan a im ed a t set ti ng a id le v el s fo r t h e c ru cia l per iod th rou g h a n d b e yo nd 20 1 4 , w h en m o s t N AT O -le d fo r eig n tr o ops w il l lea v e a n d the w a r-tor n cou ntry w ill a s su m e r espo ns ib il it y fo r m os t o f i ts ow n sec ur ity .
O rg a ni sed b y C on fed era ti on of I nd ia n I ndu s try ( C II ) w i th th e s up port of the g o ver nm ent s of I nd ia an d A fg ha n is ta n an d in coop era ti on w ith re le va n t A fgh a n i n ves tm ent a nd b u si ne ss or ga n iza ti on s to m ob i lize flo w o f pri va te ca pita l to t h e w ar -t orn cou ntry .
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World Congress of Community Based Rehabilitation Ends in Agra

The first world congress of Community based Rehabilitation (CBR) of the disabled ended in Agra on November 28, 2012, with a call for partnerships development for the promotion and implementation of CBR across the globe. Adopting Agra Declaration, the Congress said the CBR should be part of development policies and programs at the local, national and international levels.
Master Tips
11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to be Held in Kochi
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Kochi on January 8. About 1,500 delegates from various countries would attend the three-day programme. Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag would be the chief guest at the official inaugural session and will be conferred with Pravasi Bhartiya Samman.
ILOs SCORE Allows SMEs to Soar Over Industry Benchmarks

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) held a workshop at Chennai to raise awareness about its global programme aimed at helping small and medium enterprises to help improve their productivity, competitiveness and working conditions. The programme, Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE), is being implemented by ILO in association with the Ambattur Industrial Estates Manufacturers Association Technology Centre (AIEMATC). It will seek to reduce the vulnerability of SMEs to external shocks and improve their productivity, working conditions, quality and bottom-line.
Master Tips
The International Labour Organization (ILO), founded in 1919, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is a United Nations agency dealing with labour issues, particularly international labour standards and decent work for all. Almost all (185 out of 193) UN members are part of the ILO. In 1969, the organization received the Nobel Peace Prize for improving peace among classes, pursuing justice for workers, and providing technical assistance to developing nations. Juan Somava was the ILOs director-general since 1999 until October 2012, when Guy Ryder was elected as his replacement.
UNs World Conference on Internet and Telecommunications (WCIT)

A group of mainly African nations moved and won a resolution accompanied by a set of binding treaty-based International Telecom Regulations (ITRs) at the UNs World Conference on Internet and Telecommunications (WCIT) in Dubai. The move was supported by China, Russia and mostly Arab states. 89 countries had endorsed the global treaty on telecom regulations, with nearly 45 nations led by the United States, the U.K., the European Union, Japan, Australia and even Kenya, either refusing to sign or buying time to study the proposals. India, which initially backed the ITRs and Master Tips the accompanying resolution during a sudden vote, later announced that it would sign the Mo hame d N ass er Al Ghanim, Treaty only after consultation with domestic Director General of the Telecom Regulation stakeholders. Governments do not have to Authority of UAE is the chairman of WCIT. sign immediately and have until January 1, 2015 to ratify the Treaty.
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Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) is a term collectively used for numerous schemes and policies aimed at enhancing the quality of life of differently disabled persons and their families by ensuring their participation in various social and economic practices.
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ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit 2012

To mark the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN-India dialogue partnership and the 10th anniversary of ASEAN-India Summit-level partnership, India hosted the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in New Delhi on December 20-21, 2012. The theme of the summit was ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace and Shared Prosperity. The Summit has resulted in the adoption of the Vision Statement which will chart the future direction of ASEAN-India relations. The ASEAN-India Eminent Persons Group (AIEPG) submitted their recommendations to the Leaders on future relations between ASEAN and India at the 10th ASEAN-India Summit in Phnom Penh. Two flagship events being organized as part of the commemorative year events are the ASEAN Shipping Expedition of INS Sudarshini and the 2nd ASEAN-India Car Rally.
10th Bio Asia conference would be Held in Hyderabad
The 10th edition of Bio Asia 2013, the annual Biotechnology and Life Sciences Conference, will be held in Hyderabad on January 28-30, 2013. With the theme of Biologics and Biosimilars, discussions will be focused on drug discovery, monoclonal antibodies, regenerative medicine, intellectual property rights and financial ecosystem. A parallel event focusing on agricultural biotechnology and food technology with the support of Hyderabad-based International Crops Research Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) will also be held. Bio Asia 2013 will be hosted by the government of Andhra Pradesh with the support of the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) and Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil).
Delhi to Host Film-Makers From South Asian Region
To give a fillip to the cultural ties between India and Pakistan, the first edition of Delhi International Film Festival, to be held from December 21 to 27, 2012 which will screen Pakistani Films and give away awards in various fields.
Kashmiri film-maker Suresh Goswamis film Ziyarat on the displacement of Kashmiri Pandit families from the Valley will be screened at the festival. Interestingly, the festival to commemorate 100 years of Indian cinema will be presenting centenarian stage actor Zohra Sehgal, with the Minar e Dilli award. While Polish film 80 Million will be the opening film, Pakistani production Lamha will be screened as the closing film. In all, 178 films from 32 countries would be screened.
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Bollywood actor Sharmila Tagore will be honoured with the Life Time Achievement Award at the festival.
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9.1
Cricket
God of cricket RETIRED from ODI cricket

Sachin Tendulkar announced his retirement from Oneday Internationals on Dec 23, 2012, and with it comes to an end one of the memorable eras in world cricket. The genius batsman from Mumbai ends his extra-ordinary ODI career with 49 hundreds, 18,426 runs, 463 appearances, and 96 half-centuries all world records earned over a massive 23-year-long career but he will value his 2011 World Cup win above all these.
India Wins Under-19 Cricket World Cup

India clinched Under-19 cricket World Cup beating Australia, the defending champion, by six wickets at the Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville, Queensland (Australia) on August 26, 2012. Indian Captain Unmukt Chand played a match winning innings of 111 runs in the final and led India to the glorious achievement.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni Appointed as a Brand Ambasador of Nepal Cricket Association Jayawardene Named Captain of ICC World T20 Team Malinga Named World Twenty-20 Ambassador
ICC World T-20 Cup 2012 Won By West Indies

The West Indies thrashed Sri Lanka by 36 runs to win the ICC Twenty-20 Cricket World Cup 2012 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on October 7, 2012. West Indies Marlon Samuels was chosen Man-of-the-Match for his all round performance. Australias Shane Watson was honoured with Player-of-the-Tournament award.
ICC Womens Twenty-20 Cricket World Cup 2012

Australia, the defending champion clinched the ICC Womens Twenty-20 Cricket World Cup 2012 beating England by 4 runs at the R. Premdasa Stadium in Colombo on October 7, 2012.
East Zone Wins Duleep Trophy

East Zone clinched the prestigious Duleep Trophy beating Central Zone in the final by virtue of 43 runs lead in the first innings as the match ended into a draw on October 25, 2012 in Chennai. It was the second straight defeat of Central Zone by East zone in the final of Duleep Trophy.
India Wins Womens T-20 Aisa Cup

The Indian women clinched the inaugural Asian Cricket Councils Women T-20 Aisa Cup beating arch-rival Pakistan by 18 runs in the final on October 31, 2012 in Guangzhou.
Kolkata Knight Riders Win Indian Premier League Cricket Title

Manvinder Bisla and Jacques Kallis struck half-centuries to help Kolkata Knight Riders win the Indian Premier league on May 27, 2012 defeating two-time defending champion Chennai Super Kings by five wickets in a high-scoring final.
Ricky Pointing RETIRED from Test Cricket

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting announced his retirement from Test cricket after playing in the third Test against South Africa which begins from November 30, 2012.
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9.2
Tennis
Paes and Stepanek Claim Miami Masters Doubles Title

Seventh seeded Indo-Czech pair of Leander Paes and Radak Stepanek claimed the doubles title of Miami Masters on March 31, 2012. It was 50th doubles career title for Paes.
Agnieszka Radwanska Clinches Miami Masters Title

Fourth seeded Agnieszka Radwanska, on March 31, 2012, defeated Russian Tennis star Maria Sharapova to clinch Miami Masters women singles title.
French Open 2012:
Nadal clinches historic sixth tittle and Sharapova wins completing her career grand slam at the french open for the first time.
Shanghai Masters Tennis Tournament
Serbias Novak Djokovic defeated Britains Andy Murrray in the final on October 14, 2012 in Shanghai to win Shanghai Masters Mens singles title. Indias Leander Paes and his Czech partner Radek Stepanek clinched the Shanghai Masters mens doubles title beating Indian pair of Rohan Bopanna and Mahesh Bhupathi in the final.
Serena Williams Claims WTA Championships
Americas Serena Williams defeated Russias Maria Sharapova in the final to win the seasonending WTA Championship in Istanbul (Turkey) on October 28, 2012.
Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams crowned ITF world champions
ATP TENNIS TOURNAMENT WINNERS

Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez win ATP World Tour Doubles Title. Marc Lopez and Marcel Granollers claimed a victory over Mahesh Bhupati and Rohan Bopanna to win the doubles title at the ATP World Tour Finals.
Bhupathi-Bopanna Clinch 1st ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Team Crown
Fifth seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna won their first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title together in November 2012 as they defeated seventh seeds Aisam-Ul Haq Qureshi and Jean-Julien Rojer in the final of the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris.
Novak Djokovic Wins ATP World Title

Novak Djokovic put a firm stamp on his position as world number one with a stunning victory over Roger Federer of Switzerland in the ATP World Tour Finals.
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Serbias Novak Djokovic and US player Serena Williams were announced as this years International Tennis Federation world champions, based on their performances in tournaments throughout 2012. The sports governing body also said that US brothers Bob and Mike Bryan were mens doubles world champions for the ninth time in 10 years, while Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy were the womens equivalent. Dutch wheelchair tennis legend Esther Stephane Houdet Esther Vergeer Vergeer won the title for the 13th year in succession after she won Paralympic singles gold for the fourth Paralympics in a row and Stephane Houdet of France won the mens award in the wheelchair category.
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9.3
Badminton
China Wins Thomas Cup and Uber Cup

China retained the Thomas Cup (Mens World Team Championships) and Uber Cup (Womens World Team Championships) in convincing style by beating archrival South Korea 3-0 at the Wuhan Sports Complex Gymnasium on May 27,2012.
Scottish Open Badminton Title
Saina Wins her Third Indonesia Open Title.
Olympic-bound Indian Badminton Ace Saina Nehwal displayed nerves of steel to clinch her third successive Indonesia Open Super Series title after beating Chinas Xuerui Li in a seesaw summit clash in Jakarta in June 2012.
Saina Nehwal Clinches Demark Super Series Badminton Championship

Saina Nehwal of India thrashed Juliane Schenk of Germany to clinch Denmark Open Super Series Badminton Championship on October 21, 2012 in Odense.
The 77th Senior National Badminton Championship 2012

The 77th Senior National Badminton Championship 2012 was played in October , 2012 at Srinagar and results are as follows:
Category Winner Runner
Mens Singles Mens Singles
Mens doubles
Womens doubles
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9.4
Hockey
Indias Chef-de-Mission for the London Olympics 2012 :AJIT PAL SINGH
Three-time Olympian and former Captain of the Indian hockey team Ajit Pal Singh became the first sportsperson to be named Indias Chef-de-Mission for London Olympic Games 2012 by Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Indian Hockey finished at bottom in London Olympics 2012 without winning a single game.
New Zealand Wins Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament

New Zealand beat Argentina to win Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament at Ipoh, Malaysia in June 2012. Andy Hayward scored the only goal for New Zealand in the summit clash, which prevented Argentina, the 2008 winner, to reclaim the trophy.
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P. Kashyap Sayali Gokhale Manu Attri and B. Sumeeth Reddy Aparna Balan and N. Sikki Reddy Aparna Balan and Arun Vishnu
Continuing with his impressive run this year Anad Pawar, the Mumbai shuttler won the Scottish International Challenge tournament at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2012.
Ajay Jayaram P.V. Sindhu
Akshay Dewalkar and Pranav Chopra Varsha Belawadi and G.M. Nischitha Ashwini Ponappa and Tarun Kona
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9.5
Kabaddi
Pakistan Wins the Asian Kabaddi Championship

Pakistan on November 2012 was declared as champion of the Asian Kabaddi Championship after Indian team walked out from the field in a protest against the referees decision of penalizing the Indian Coach
Indian Women Clinched Kabaddi World Cup
India annihilate Pakistan to retain Kabaddi World Cup title

Indian mens Kabaddi team put in a stellar performance as they literally thrashed archrivals Pakistan 59-22 in the finals of the 3rd Kabaddi World Cup in Punjab. The Indian team got richer by handsome prize money of Rs 2 crore, which was more than double that they got in the second edition of the Kabbadi World Cup whereas the Pakistani team got Rs 1 crore for bagging the runners-up position. The Canadian team which finished third got Rs 51 lakhs for their feat. 16 nations participation has propelled Kabaddi onto the international map as it wont be long that the game might be included in Olympics too.
9.6
Chess
Anand Wins World Chess Champion Title for 5th Time
Indian Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand retained the World Chess Championship title, his fifth crown and fourth in a row, after beating Israels Boris Gelfand in a tense rapid game tie-breaker in Moscow on May 30, 2012.
M. Mahalakshmi and R. Vaishali Win Gold at the World Youth Chess Championship Sahaj Becomes a Grand Master
G. Akash Wins the Senior-National Chess Championship

Sixteen-year-old G. Akash of Tamil Nadu clinched the Tata 50th National Premier Chess Championship on October 14, 2012 in Kolkata by holding GM Deep Sengupta of Petroleum. World Champion Vishwanathan Anand had also claimed the Senior National Chess Championship at the age of 16.
9.7
Grand Prix
Fernando Alonso Wins European Grand Prix

Ferraris Fernando Alonso became the first driver to win two races this season thanks to his success at the European Grand Prix in Velencia June 24, 2012, despite starting the event 11th on the grid.
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Indias Sahaj Grover beat Jorge Cori of Peru in the ninth round of the World Junior Chess Championship in Athens and became Grand Master.
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The Indian womens team defeated Malaysia to win a one-sided final of the kabaddi World Cup held in Ludhiana (Punjab).
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Hamilton Clinches Canadian Grand Prix

The 28-year-old Briton Lewis Hamilton made it a magnificent record as seven different winners in seven races this year on June 12, 2012 when he drove with flawless speed and control to win the Canadian Grand Prix at Montreal.
Jenson Button Wins Belgian Grand Prix

McLarens Jenson Button clinched the Belgian Grand Prix on September 2, 2012 leaving behind Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel.
Sebastian Vettel Wins Singapore Grand Prix
Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel positioned himself as the main challenger to Fernando Alonsos Formula One title chances by earning his second straight Singapore Grand Prix win in September 2012, jumping up to second place in the drivers championship.
Vettel Wins the Japanese Grand Prix
Red Bulls double defending Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel won the Japanese Grand Prix on October 7, 2012 in Suzuka (Japan).
Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher win Race of Champions

Germany, represented by Formula One world champions Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher, won the Race of Champions team crown for the sixth successive year in Bangkok.
Vettel Wins Korean Grand Prix
Red Bulls Sebastain Vettel won Koreon Grand Prix by defeating Marks Webber.
Vettel Wins Indian Grand Prix
Red Bulls Sebastain Vettel won the Indian Grand Prix on October 28, 2012 at the Buddha International Circuit in Greater Noida. Vettel finished the race in 1 hour, 31 minutes and 1.744 seconds and extended his lead by 13 points with his nearest rival Ferraris Fernando Alonso to win the Formula One Championship for a third year in a row. It was the fifth win of Vettel of the season and 26th of the career. By winning this race, Vettel came closer for a bid of Formulas One Championship2012 having 240 points, 13 more than Alonso. Ferraris Alonso secured second place in the race by finishing the race in 10 seconds more than Vettel. Red Bulls Mark Weber finished at third place with 1 : 31 : 23.961 seconds. Force Indias Nico Hulkenberg came on the eighth place.
Sebastian Vettel Becomes Youngest Triple Champion in Formula One History

Sebastian Vettel of Germany, the Red Bull driver became youngest triple champion in the history of Formula One on November 25, 2012 by finishing 6th behind Jenson Button in the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Hamilton Wins USA Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton upset Sebastian Vettels hopes of clinching the drivers World Championship in his 100th race on November 19, 2012 when he produced a dazzling drive for McLaren to win a thrilling United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. Fernando Alonso of Ferrari finished third in the race.
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9.8
Miscellaneous
Football Services Wins Santosh Trophy

Services beat Tamil Nadu to win the 66th Santosh Trophy on May 30, 2012. Services won the Santosh Trophy for the second time, the earlier one was in 1960.
Squash Saurav Ghosal Wins EI Gouna International Squash Open

Top Indian squash player Saurav Ghosal registered a victory over Englands Robbie Temple to clinch EI Gouna International Open in EI Gouna, Egypt in 2012.
Indian Women Squash Team Wins Maiden Asian Squash Championship

Indian women squash team won its maiden gold at the 16th Asian Squash Championship in Kuwait on May 5, 2012. The women team created a history by defeating the top seeded Hongkong team in the title clash. Indian women 71st seeded Joshna Chinnappa and 14th seeded Dipika Pallikkal defeated world number sixteen Joey Chan and world number seven Annie Au respectively.
Dipika Pallikal is first Indian to break into top 10
Squash ace Dipika Pallikal became the first Indian to break into the top 10 of the world rankings. Pallikal jumped three places to be ranked 10th by Womens International Squash Players Association (WISPA).
Billiards
Pankaj Advani Clinches World Billiards Championship Golf
Proffessional Golf Player of the Year
Smriti Mehra, Indias most successful golfer on the domestic Womens Professional Golf Tour, has been adjudged the Player of the Year for 2011-12 season.
SCOTT FLEMMJING BECOMES THE NEW INDIAN BASKETBALL TEAM COACH

Scott Elemming was appointed as the head coach of the mens National Basketball Team by the Basketball Federation of India (BFI).
Carrom
RASHMI KUMARI WINS WORLD CARROM CHAMPIONSHIP

Rashmi Kumari won the World Carrom Championship held at Colombo, Srilanka in November 2012 2012. Rashmi won the Carrom Championship for the second time in her career. She won the World Carrom Championship earlier in 2000 , the National Championship in January 2012 when she was in her eighth month of pregnancy. Rashmi is a Human Resources Executive with the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation in Delhi . The current mens world champion is a Sri Lankan, Nishantha Fernando.
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9.9 Sport Related Other News IOC suspends Indian Olympic Association
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has suspended the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) because of government interference, a development which puts a bar on the countrys Olympic participation. Suspension meant that the IOA will stop receiving IOC funding and its officials will be banned from attending Olympic meetings and events. Indias athletes will be barred from competing in Olympic events under their national flag, but they can participate under the IOC banner. The IOC had repeatedly told the IOA not follow the governments sports code for the elections on the ground that it would be a violation of the Olympic Charter and compromise autonomy but the IOA went ahead saying they were bound by the Delhi High Court order. The All India Football Federation appointed retired Supreme Court judge and chairperson of the West Bengal Human Rights Commission, A.K Ganguly, as the one-man committee to probe and decide the fate of the abandoned 10th round I-League match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.
AIFF forms probe panel
Indian boxing federation suspended by international body

Close on the heels of the suspension of the Indian Olympic Association, Indias boxing body and its former president Abhay Singh Chautala were handed a knock down when the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) provisionally suspended the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) at Lausanne, Switzerland. 2013 will see the Asian Boxing Championships, the venue and dates for which are yet to be decided and the World Championships in October 2013 to be held in Kazakhstan.
HIL signs de Nooijer as brand ambassador
Hockey India League (HIL) has signed legendary Dutchman and three-time FIH World Player of the Year Teun de Nooijer as its third Brand Ambassador for the tournament starting in January 2013.
Jeev honoured
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Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh won the Asia Pacific Lifetime Achievement award along with Jack Nicklaus and Colin Montgomerie.
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10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4
ART, CULTURE & LITERARY AWARDS SPORT AWARDS SCIENCE AWARD GENERAL AWARDS & HONOURS
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Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna
Nobel Prize
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10.1 Art, Culture & Literary Awards Man Booker Prize 2012
British novelist Hilary Mantel made literary history by becoming the first woman and the first British author to be a two-time winner of the Man Booker Prize for fiction. Mantel picked up the prize, one of the highest profile awards in English-language literature, for Bring up the Bodies , part two of the Thomas Cromwell trilogy, at a ceremony at Londons Guildhall. The 60-year-old first won in 2009 with Wolf Hall, the first of the historical fiction saga with King Henry VIIIs Chief Minister as the protagonist. Indian writer Jeet Thayil was also in the running for his work Narcopolis, which explores heroin addiction in Mumbai.
Master Tips
The Man Booker Prize:
The Man Booker Prize launched in 1969 aims to promote the finest in fiction by rewarding the best novel of the year written by a citizen of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland. The winner of the Man Booker Prize receives 50,000 and, like all the shortlisted authors, a cheque for 2,500 and a designer bound copy of their book. The winner of the Man Booker Prize 2011 wasJulian Barnes'sThe Sense of an Ending. The Man Booker International Prize: Launched in 2005, worth 60,000, the prize is awarded every two years to a living author who has published fiction either originally in English or whose work is generally available in translation in the English language. The winner is chosen solely at the discretion of the judging panel and there are no submissions from publishers. Why it is called Man Booker? The word Man comes from the name of title sponsor company named Man, founded in 1783, which is a world-leading alternative investment management business. In 2012, Man managed $60.0 billion .
Pratibha Ray Honoured with Jnanpith Award 2011

Leading Oriya novelist and academician Pratibha Ray, who got Padma Shri in 2007, has 20 novels, 24 short stories, 10 travelogues, two poetry collections and a number of essays to her credit, was named for the prestigious Jnanpith Award for the year 2011. At a meeting chaired by writer and Jnanpith award winner Sitakant Mahapatra, it was decided that Ray, 69, will be the winner of the 2011 Janapith Award. Ray will be the 47th author to be bestowed with the honour.
Jnanpith 2010 for Kamber

Chandrashekar Kambar, regarded as one of the finest Kannada poets has been honoured with the Jnanpith Award, the eighth for Kannada. Dr. Kambr is among the finest playwrights as well. His plays Jokumaraswamy and Sangya Balya have seen thousands of performances, not only in Kannada, but several other Indian languages as well. Dr. Kambar is the recipient of the Sangeet Natak Academy Award, the Sahitya Academy Award, the Kalidas Samman, The Pampa Award, the Kabir Samman, and the Tagore Literature Award. The versatile writer served as chairman of the National School of Drama and as president of the Karnataka Nataka Academy.
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The Jnanpith Award, a literary award instituted in 1961, along with the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, is one of the two most prestigious literary honours in the country. Any Indian citizen who writes in any of the official languages of India is eligible for the honour. It is presented by the Bharatiya Jnanpith, a trust founded by the Sahu Jain family, the publishers of the The Times of India newspaper .The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 7 lakh, a citation and a public felicitation.
IFS Officer Abhay Kumar Nominated for Pushcart Prize
Saraswati Samman 2011 to A A Manavalan
The K K Birla Foundation announced on 22 March 2012 its decision to honour Tamil writer A A Manavalan with the Saraswati Samman 2011 for his book on Ramayana. Retired professor and head of the department of Tamil in Madras University, Manavalan is be bestowed w ith the 21st Sar aswati Samman for his work Irama Katha iy um Iramayakalum (Ramakatha and Ramayanas) published in 2005. The award-winning book, Irama Kathaiyum Iramayakalum is a comparative study of 48 Ramayanas in the languages of Pali, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Tibetan, Tamil, Old Javenese, Japanese, Telugu, Assamese, Malayalam, Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, Hindi, Odissi, Persian, Malay, Burmese, Phillipines Language, Thai, Laotian and Kashmiri (all in chronological order).
Master Tips
The Saraswati Samman is an annual award for outstanding prose or poetry literary works in any Indian language listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution of India. It is considered to be among the highest literary awards in India. The award consists of Rs 7.5 lakh, a citation and a plaque. The Saraswati Samman was instituted in 1991 by the K. K. Birla Foundation . Candidates are selected from literary works published in the previous ten years by a panel that included scholars and former award winners.
Vyas Samman 2011 to Ramdarash Mishra

Noted Hindi writer Professor Ramdarash Mishra was selected for the 21st Vyas Samman for his poet r y collect ion Aam Ke Patte published in 2004.
Master Tips
The Vyas Samman is a literary award in India, first awarded in 1991 . It is awarded annually by the K.K. Birla Foundation and includes a cash payout of Rs 2.5 lakh. To be eligible for the award, the literary work must be in the Hindi language and have been published in the past 10 years.
Naresh Fernandes Wins Shakti Bhatt Prize

Naresh Fernandes has won the 2012 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize for ' Taj Mahal Foxtrot: The Story of Bombays Jazz Age', which gives the reader an engaging account of the citys thriving music scene between the 1930s and 1960s. Mr. Fernandes is also the co-author of 'Bombay Then and Mumbai Now' , a historical narrative, and co-editor of 'Bombay Meri Jaan' .
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An Indian Foreign Service officer, Abhay Kumar, currently posted in Kathmandu has been nominated for the prestigious American Pushcart Prize 2013 by the Sahitya Akademi. Already having authored eight books, including four poetry collections, Abhay K has been nominated for his three poems Whats a Beach, Masseur and Everything has Secrets.
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The prize will be presented at the British Council Auditorium in New Delhi on December 20. Jamil Ahmad was winner of 2011 for ' The Wandering Falcon'. The other shortlisted books are: Tamasha in Bandargaon by Navneet Jagannathan, The Purple Line by Priyamvada Purushottam, The King in Exile by Sudha Shah, The Inexplicable Unhappiness of Ramu Hajjam by Taj Hassan and Calcutta Exile by Bunny Suraiya.
Soumitra Chatterjee Conferred Phalke Award
Pragya Award For Book by Sakhalkar
The Rajasthan Hindi Granth Akademi has selected the book Adhunik Chitrakala Ka Itihaas (History of modern art), authored by eminent litterateur and artist Ratnakar Vinayak Sakhalkar based in Ajmer, for its prestigious Pragya award .
Akademi Award Presented to Sanoo
Renowned scholar and critic M.K. Sanoo was presented with the prestigious Kendra Sahitya Akademi award for 2011
Pt. Ravi Shankar Conferred First Tagore Cultural Harmonly Award

Classical sitar maestro Ravi Shankar has been awarded the first Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony by a jury chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
Shyam Bengal Honoured with South Asian Cinema Foundations Excellence in Cinema Award Pulitzer Prizes 2012
T.K. Dayanand and V.Gayatri to Get Counter Media Award

The counter Media Award for Excellence in Development Journalism, instituted by renowned journalist P. Sainath, has been awarded to freelance reporters T.K. Dayanand and V. Gayatri. The award comprises purse of Rs. 25,000 and a digital camera.
Sangeet Natak Akademi Announces Tagore Samman: Honours 100 Eminent Artists
To commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Gurdev Rabindranath Tagore, the Sangeet Natak Akademi, an autonomous body of the Union Minstry of Culture has instituted a onetime honour to 100 artists called the Tagore Samman (50 Tagore Ratna and 50 Tagore Puraskar) to persons of the age 75 years and above, who have made a significant contribution in the field of performing arts.
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The prestigious Pulitzer Prizes in the field of journalism were presented on April 16, 2012 in which Public Service category The philadphia inquirer for its exploration on pervasive violence in the citys school and Breaking News Reporting category The Tuscaloosa News staff for its enterprising coverage of a deadly tornado got the awards.
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Veteran actor of Bengali cinema Soumitra Chatterjee was honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award by Vice-President Hamid Ansari at the 59th National Film Awards for 2011 at Vigyan Bhavan for his outstanding contribution to the growth of Indian cinema.
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Pandit Ravi Shankar to Receive Lifetime Achievement Grammy award

Legendary sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar would receive the lifetime achievement Grammy award, organisers of the top music award announced. Shankar would receive the award posthumously on February 10 at the 55th Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, said the Recording Academy, which gives the prestigious Grammy Awards .
Sahitya Akademi Awards for 24 Authors
Twelve of the 24 awards have gone to works of poets, who include K. Sachitandandan (Malayalam Marannu Vacha Vazhikal ), the late Bal Krishna Bhaura (Dogri Tim-Tim Karde Tare ) and Makhan Lal Kanwal (Kashmiri Yath Aangnaz Manz ). Thayil, has been selected for his poetry collection, These Errors are Correct, in the English category.
International Award for Sudarsan Pattnaik
Internationally-acclaimed sand artist from odisha Sudarsan Pttnaik has been congratulated by the then President Pratibha Patil and a host of other dignitaries for winning the Copenhagen Sand Art Championship 2012.
NTR National Literary Award for Ashokamitran
Noted Tamil writer Ashokamitran, known for his novel Thanneer and other works, is the recipient of the 6th NTR National Literary Award.
Award for Poet: Kadengodlu Kavya Prashasti
Poet M.S. Rudreshwara Swamy has bagged Kadengodlu Kavya Prashasti (Kadengodlu poetry award) instituted by Rashtrakavi Govinda Pai Research Centre for his anthology of poems, Aa Teerada Moha, for 2012. His first anthology of poems. Preeti Mathu Neeru, was appreciated by readers and critics. He bagged an award for this work.
Orange Prize 2012

Madeline Miller won the Orange Prize 2012 for her debut novel The Song Of Achilles. The winner of 2011 Orange prize for fiction was Ta Obreht, a first time novelist for her debut novel, The Tiger's Wife. The prize money is 30,000.
Master Tips
The Women's Prize for Fiction (previously called Orange Prize for Fiction (2008-2012) and Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction (1996-2008)) is one of the United Kingdom's most prestigious literary prizes, annually awarded to a female author of any nationality for the best original full-length novel written in English, and published in the United Kingdom in the preceding year . The prize was originally sponsored by Orange, a telecommunications company. In May 2012, it was announced Orange would be ending its sponsorship of the prize. As of October 2012, the award is formally known as the Women's Prize for Fiction, and is sponsored by "private benefactors" led by Cherie Blair and writers Joanna Trollope and Elizabeth Buchan.
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Booker-nominated Jeet Thayil and Bengali novelist Subrata Mukhopadhyaya were among the 24 authors selected for Sahitya Akademi Awards 2012.
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10.2
Sport Awards
National Sports Award 2012

National Sports Awards ceremony for the year 2012 was held at President house in New Delhi. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2012 Shooter Vijay Kumar and Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt were bestowed the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. Arjuna Awards 2012 25 sports personalities were conferred with 2012 Arjuna awards including Deepa Mallick (Athletics -Paralympics) and Ramkaran Singh (Athletics-Paralympics). Dronacharya Awards 2012 The following were the recipients of the Dronacharya Awards for 2012:
1. Shri Virender Poonia 2. Ms. Sunil Dabas Athletics
3. Shri Yashvir Singh
4. Shri Harendra Singh 5. Dr. Satyapal Singh 6. Shri J.S. Bhatia
7. Shri Bhawani Mukherjee
8. Shri B.I. Fernandez, Cuban Boxing Coach
Wisdens Leading Cricketer of the Year 2011
ICC Annual Awards 2012
ICC Annual Awards ceremony for the year 2012 was held in Colombo (Sri Lanka) on September 15, 2012 ahead of the ICC T-20 World Cup in Sri Lanka. Indias batting sensation Virat Kohli was honoured with the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year Award .
ICC Awards 2012: At a Glance Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) Virat Kohli (India) ICC Cricketer of the Year Award ICC Test Cricketer of the Year Award ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year Award
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Kumar Sangakkara is Wisdens Leading Cricketer of the Year 2011 who also figures in ICC Cricketers of the Year List 2012.
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Boxing- for Life Time Achievement
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Usain Bolt & Allyson Felix Named IAAF World Athletes of the Year 2012
Usain Bolt won the IAAF world Athlete of the Year Award 2012 for the fourth time and United States sprinter Allyson Felix won womens World Athlete of th e Y ear Aw ar d 2012 on November 24, 2012 during the IAAF s 100 th An n iv er s ar y Celebr ation . Th e Jamaic an spr in ter Bolt h ad w on for defending his gold medals in the 100 and 200 meter races of the summers Olympic Games 2012.
List of the Awardees IAAF male athlete of the year IAAF female athlete of the year IAAF male performance of the year IAAF female performance of the year IAAF male rising star Usain Bolt (Jamaica) Allyson Felix (USA) David Rudisha (Kenya) 4 100 m relay team (USA) Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago)
10.3
Science Awards
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize 2012
Eleven scientists have been selected for Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize 2012, Indias premier awards in the field of science and technology. Shantanu Chowdhury of the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology and Suman Kumar Dhar of the Special Centre for Molecular Medicine at the Jawaharlal Nehru University bagged the prize in the field of biological sciences. Sandip Basu of the Radiation Medicine Centre at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre bagged the prize in the medical sciences category. In physical sciences, Arindam Ghosh of IISc got the prize.
Bhatnagar Prizes 2011
Award for M.S. Swaminathan

Noted agricultural scientist Dr. M.S. Swaminathan has been selected for the Nandiyode Rajan Memorial Award instituted by the Thiruvananthapuram Regional Cooperative Milk Producers Union (TRCMPU).
Two ICAR Scientists get MS Swaminathan Award

Two agricultural scientists from ICAR institutions R. Sai Kumar of the Directorate of Maize Research (DMR) and N. Shobha Rani of the Directorate of Rice Research (DRR) were jointly awarded the fourth MS Swaminathan Award for outstanding agricultural research. The award was given to R. Sai Kumar, Director of DMR, for his work as a maize breeder in the development and release of 14 maize hybrids and varieties. N. Shobha Rani, Principal Scientist, DRR, was selected for her contribution to genetic enhancement of Basmati and other quality rice varieties that lead to higher productivity.
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Mahan Maharaj gets the award for his outstanding contribution in the area of mathematical sciences. The other winners are Palash Sarkar of the Indian Statistical Institute; Shiraz Minwalla of the Indian Institute of Science; Shirshendu De of IIT-Kharagpur; A.P. Sharma of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; R.Shankaranarayan of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology; G.N. Sastry of the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology and B. Sundaram of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research.
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IAAF female rising star
Antonque Strachan (Bahamas)
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Six Scientists of Indian Origin Elected Fellows of Royal Society

Bangalore-based biologist Krishna Swamy Vijai Raghavan and Professor Tejender Singh Virdee of Imperial College, London, who was associated with the design and construction of the Large Hadron Collinder(LHC), are among six internationally renowned scientists of Indian origin elected to the prestigious Fellowship of the Royal Society, Britains premier science academy.
Nobel Prize Winners 2012

Discipline Chemistry Recipients Kobilka, Brian K. Citienship U.S. Contibution Studies of G-protein-coupled receptors Studies of G-protein-coupled receptors Work on market design and matching theory
Lefkowitz, Robert J. Economics Roth, Alvin E.
Shapley, Lloyd S. Literature Peace Physics Mo Yan
European Union Haroche, Serge
Wineland, David J.
Physiology/ Medicine
Gurdon, Sir John Bertrand
Yamanaka, Shinya
Isreali Micro-Irrigation Innovator Wins World Food Prize

It was recognition of the importance of efficient water use in agricultural practices that undergirded the announcement of this years winner of World Food Prize (WFP), Israeli scientist Daniel Hillel. Dr. Hillel was given the prestigious award, established in 1987 by Nobel Peace Prize winner and Green Revolution champion Norman Borlaug, for pioneering a radically innovative way of bringing water to crops in arid and dry-land regions. It was especially fitting that the WFP honoured an individual who understood the critical role water played in agriculture and the importance of using every last drop efficiently.
10.4 General Awards and Honours 2012 Padma Vibhushan Awardees

Following 5 renowned personalities were given the 2nd highest civilian award of the republic of India, Padma Vibhushan for the year 2012.
S.No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Name Sh. K.G. Subramanyan Late Sh. Mario De Miranda Late (Dr.) Bhupen Hazarika Dr. Kantilal Hastimal Sancheti Sh. T.V Rajeshwar Work Area Art-Painting & Sculpture Art-Cartoonist Art-Vocal Music Medicine-Orthopedics Civil Service State West Bengal Goa Assam Maharashtra Delhi
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U.S. U.S. U.S. China (founded 1993) France U.S. U.K. Japan
Work on market design and matching theory Novelist, short-story writer Stellar role in restoring peace in WW-2 ravaged Europe Development of methods that enable measuring and manipulation of individual quantum systems Development of methods that enable measuring and manipulation of individual quantum systems
Discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent Discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent
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Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmement & Developement Announced

The former President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was awarded with Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2010 on November 22, 2012 at Rashtrapati Bhavan by President of India, Pranab Mukherjee . Lula was conferred with the award for his contribution towards elimination of hunger. He has also brought inclusive growth in his country. He was awarded for advocating stronger ties among the developing economies as well as for the seminal contribution for India-Brazil partnership. President. In 2006, President A.P.J. Abdu l K alam con fer red h im with Jaw ah ar lal Ne h r u Aw ar d for International Understanding.
The Government of India has also named President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia as the recipient of the 2012 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peac e, D isa r mamen t an d Development.
Master Tips
The Indira Gandhi Prize or the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize or the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development is the prestigious award accorded annually by India to individuals or organizations in recognition of creative efforts toward promoting international peace, development and a new international economic order; ensuring that scientific discoveries are used for the larger good of humanity, and enlarging the scope of freedom. The prize carries a cash award of 25 lakh Indian rupees and a citation .
Indira Gandhi Award for Naional Integration

Renowned lyricist, poet and author Gulzar has been
Master Tips
The Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration is a prestigious award accorded by the Indian National Congress , after its former President and Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. This Award is given annually starting from 1985 to distinguished persons/ institutions for promoting national integration and understanding and fellowship amongst religious groups, communities, ethnic groups, cultures, languages and traditions of India and the strengthening, through thought and action of the nation's sense of solidarity.
Mathura Refinery Bags 13th Annual Green Tech Environment Award

Indian Oils Mathura Refinery was awarded the Platinum Award in the 13th Annual Green Tech Environment Awards.
Autar Kaw Wins US Professor of the Year Award 2012

Indian Born Academic, Autar Kaw, a mechanical engineering professor at University of South Florida (USF) on Novermber 15, 2012 was declared winner of the prestigious 2012 US Professor of the Year award.
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awarded the 27th Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration. He has received this honour in recognition of his great contribution in promoting and preserving spirit of national integration.
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Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 Lula de Silva of Brazil
Lula is the most renowned Brazilian
Recent Recipients: Indira Gandhi Prize For Peace, Disarmament And Development
Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh
Ela Bhatt of India (Founder of SEWA) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia
Year Recent Recipients: Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration 2009 Balraj Puri 2010 A.R. Rahman & Ramakrishna Mission Ashram (jointly) 2011 Mohan Dharia 2012 Gulzar
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Jawaharlal Nehru Award for Integnational Understanding

Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany will be conferred with Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding for the year 2009.
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Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International U nde r s ta nd ing is a n in t erna tio na l aw ard present ed by th e G overn men t o f Ind ia. I t w as founded in 1965 and is administered by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) to people "for their outstanding contribution to the promotion of international understanding, goodwill and friendship among people of the world". The money constituent of this award is 1 crore rupees.
Year Recent Recipients: Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding . 2006 Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil 2007 Olafur Ragnar Grimsson of Iceland 2009 Angela Merkel of Germany
Law Day Award Winners
Chief Justice of Nepal Khil Raj Regmi and Justice V. S. Sirpurkar, Chairman of the Competition Appellate Tribunal, are among the winners of the prestigious International Jurists Awards and National Law Day Awards. The National Law Day Award-2012 was presented to J. Venkatesan. The other winners of awards are Ashok Aggarwal, Advocate-General of Punjab (Civil Law), Gourab Banerji, Addl Solicitor-General of India (Jurisprudence), Vijay Aggarwal (Criminal law), Anand Bhushan Kanade, Senior Advocate (Constitutional law), Janak Raj Jai (Legal writing), Irshad Wali, IPS (Law & order), C.D. Singh (Advocacy) and M. Antony Selvaraj (Legal aid).
Aung San SUU KYI Chosen for Bhagwan Mahavir World Peace Award
Aung San Suu Kyi, who claimed victory in Myanmars historic by-election for parliamentary seats, has been chosen for the first international Bhagwan Mahavir World Peace Award. Suu Kyi has been chosen for her devotion to promote non-violence and peace for the welfare of the people.
Kaiga Generating Station Chosen for Power Line Award
The Kaiga Generating Station (KGS) units 1 and 2 have been chosen for the Power Line Award 2012 in the best performing nuclear power station category.
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The Power Line Awards are given to power companies under various categories by Ministry of Power, based on judgment of a seven member jury consisting of distinguished and accomplished power sector personalities and supported by research conducted by Power Line magazine.
Aung San Suu Kyi Receives US Congress Highest Honour

The Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi received, the US congress highest Civilian Honour at a ceremony organized in the Capitol Rotunda on September 19, 2012, before her meeting with the US President Barack Obama. Other Awards Received by Suu Kyi was Nobel Peace Prize in the year 1991. The government of India awarded her with Jawharlal Nehru Awards for International Understanding in the year 1992.
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The Power Line Award is based on the past three years performance of Kaiga Generating Station units 1 and 2.
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Dalai Lama Awarded Templeton Prize 2012

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso , Spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, and 1989 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been awarded Templeton Prize 2012. The Dalai Lama described India as the ideal place for religious co-existence, as he received the prestigious 1.1 million Templeton Prize for his contribution to affirming lifes spiritual dimension. He announced that he was giving away the prize money to charity, most of it to the Save the Children fund in India.
The Templeton Prize is an annual award presented by the Templeton Foundation. Established in 1972, it is awarded to a living person who, in the estimation of the judges, "has made an exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery, or practical works". The prize is named after Sir John Templeton (19122008) , an American-born British entrepreneur and businessman, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1987 for his philanthropic efforts. The inaugural winner of the prize, in 1973, was Mother Teresa , six years before she received the Nobel Peace Prize.
Dr. Binayak Sen & Bulu Imam Bestowed with Gandhi Peace Award 2011
The Gandhi Foundation International Peace Award 2011 was presented on 12the June, 2012 to Dr. Binayak Sen and Bulu Imam for their humanitarian work and their practice of non-violence.
Bharti Foundation and NGO Pratham Get WISE Awards
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Pratham: Pratham is the largest non-governmental organization in India. It works towards the provision of quality education to the underprivileged children in India. It was established in Mumbai in 1994 to provide pre-school education to children in slums, it now has activities in 21 states of India and has supporting chapters in the United States, UK, Germany and UAE. Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) is released by Pratham annually since 2005.
Bravery of a Different Kind

On September 27, 2009, 20-year-old Rukhsana Kousar of upper Kalsi, a Class X dropout, had done ever since the insurgency broke out around her birth in 1989. With an axe, she hacked to death a Lashkar-e- Taiba terrorist Abu Usama, forcing two other armed intruders to flee from her home. She became the first National Bravery Award recipient from Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.
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It was India shining at the fourth World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) organised by the Qatar Foundation in Doha, Qatar. Two prestigious prizes went to India. Madhav Chavan, co-founder and CEO of Pratham, was awarded the 2012 WISE Prize for Education which is known as the Nobel prize for Education on November 13, 2012 at the WISE Summit in Doha, the capital of Qatar. The award comprises U.S. $ 5,00,000 and a specially minted gold medal. Pratham is a non-governmental organisation providing basic literacy and numeracy for underprivileged children in India which works in 17 States. Prathams projects address pre-school education, learning support to both inschool and out-of-school children, computer literacy, vocational training and special programmes for vulnerable and working children.
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Named for Pushkin Award

K. Govindan Nair, former Head of the Department of Russian, University of Kerala, has won the Pushkin Award of the Russian Federation. The Pushkin Award is given by the Russian Federation to citizens of India for overall contribution in popularisation of Russian culture, language, and literature. He is the first Keralite to get a PhD in Russian Literature and the first Indian teacher in the Department of Russian of the Kerala University.
The director general of Indias The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), R.K Pachauri, has been conferred the Mexican order of the Aztec Eagle by Mexicos President Felipe Calderon on the margins of the G-20 Summit in June 2012 in Los Cabos (Mexico) The award is the highest decoration awarded by Mexico to foreigners for their contributions to humankind. An official communique said Pachauri, who is also President of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), helped Mexico ensure the link between economic growth and sustainable development.
Sachin Tendulkar Honoured with the Membership of the Order of Australia

This membership is rarely given to non-Australians personnel and Tendulkar is only the second Indian to be given this honour after former Attorney-General Soli Sorabjee. Sorabjee was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2006 for his contribution to IndiaAustralia bilateral legal relations.
Magsaysay Award 2011 for Two Indians
Nileema Mishra, who works with the poorest in Maharashtra, and Harish Hande, who revolutionized the use of solar lights, are among six persons chosen for the Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2011.
Magsawysay Award 2012 for Tamil Nadu Activist
Apna Khata: Online Load Records Project Bags International Award

Apna Khata (our account), a land record computerization project launched in Rajasthan has bagged an international award in recognition of its significant contribution to rural development. The project was developed by the State office of the National Informatics Centre. NIC-Rajasthan team members received the public choice award at the E-world Forum2012 organised in New Delhi.
Banga Bibhushan Award Conferred on Suchitra Sen

Eminent actor Suchitra Sen was honoured with East Bengals highest award Banga Bibhusan. Instituted last year to honour eminent people from different walks of life, Banga BIbhusan includes a citation and a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh. Suchitra Sen had ruled the silver screen till the 1970s by acting in Hindi and Bengali films like Saat Paake Bandha, Saptapadi and Bimal Roys Devdas.
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Kulandei Francis, 65, whose pioneering community initiatives in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, empowered thousands of rural women to from micro enterprises and break out of poverty, is among six winners of the Magsaysay Award 2012.
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Some Other Important Awards List

Name of Award
Nat ional Communal Harmony M inistry of Home Affairs Award 201 1 by the
R ecent Recipients
Shri Khamliana from Mizoram a nd Shri M d. Abd ul Bar i of Odisha Na garaja, Senior Technic al Assistant of the Bhar at Electronics Lim ited (BEL) N. Ram
SHR AM RAT NA AWARD, 20 08 (the country's highes t award given by the M inistry of La bour and Employment.) 200 9 M ohamm ed Abd ul Rahman Sa hib A wa rd (for the Best M ed ia P er sona lity, ins tituted by the Qa tar-based Thr issur Jilla Souhrida Vedi) Ind ira Gandhi P aryavaran P ura skar (instituted by the M inistry of Environm ent and F ores ts in 19 87 for individuals and orga nisation)
Lokmanya Tila k A wa rd for excellence in journa lism
David
Journalism ( given annually b y the American Geophysical Union (AGU)) Pr id e Of India Award , 20 09 SAST RA R amanujan Prize
Perlman
Award
for
Excellence
Orange Prize 2 011
Rab indranath Tagore P eace P rize b y the Indian Institute of Planning and M anagement (IIP M)
Lal Ba ha dur Shast ri Award for Excellence in P ublic Adm inistration, Academics and Management (given by GOI)
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H .K. Dua (201 1) Shra van Garg (201 2) P allav Bagla( first in Science
2008-Sad guru Jaggi Vasudev (of IS HA F OUNDATION) :P roject Greenhands 200 9- Neyveli L ignite C orpor ation L imited, Neyveli, Tam il N adu and Ca re Earth, Chennai, T amil Na du along with two individuals-V ijay Ja rdhari and Prof. C.R. Babu
Ind ian to ge t in 2010)
Sir M ot a Singh (UKs first S ikh and Asian Jud ge) 2011-Roman H olowinsky (Ohio Stat e University) 2012-Zhiwei Yun (St anfor d Univers ity)
T ea Obreht for The Tigers Wife Anna Haz are(2011 ), Irom Sharmila(2012)
P rof Ya sh Pal(20 11), Smt. Tess y Thomas(2 012)
Legendary Sitar Maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar passed away
Persons & Places in News

PERSONS IN NEWS
155 162
PLACES IN NEWS
World Bank President Jim Yong Kim
Chinese Space Woman Liu Yang
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11.1
A. General
Two Members of First Parliament Honoured

Rishang Keishing and Resham Lal Jangde are the only surviving members of the Lok Sabha that sat from 1952-57. The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha held a special sitting to mark the 60th anniversary of the first session of Parliament, in which two surviving members of the First Parliament were honoured.
Miss World 2012

Chinas Wen Xia Yu was crowned Miss World 2012 title on Ordos (China). This is the second time China has bagged Miss World title. Miss World 2011 Ivian Sarcos handed over Miss World Crown to Wen Xia. The 23-yearold Miss World Wen is a music teacher.
Wen Xia Yu
MIss Universe 2012

Olivia Culpofrom USA was crowned 61stMiss Universe pageant held on December 19, 2012, at thePlanet Hollywood Resort & CasinoinLas Vegas,Nevada, United States.
Czech Beauty is New Miss Earth 2012
Tereza Fajksova of the Czech Republic won the Miss Earth 2012 crown, followed by Stephany Stefanowitz (Miss Earth Air) of the Philippines and Venezuelas Osmariel Villalobo (Miss Earth Water) in second and third places, respectively, at the beauty pageant held in Philippines in November 2012. Camila Brant of Brazil came in fourth for the title of Miss Earth Fire.
Olivia Culpo
Stunning Spectacle at Olympic Stadium Designed by Indian

There was a touch of Indian flavor at the Olympic stadium in East London as a $22.7 million towering steel structure, designed by Mumbai-born artist Anish Kapoor and partly funded by Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, was unveiled amid comparisons with the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty. The 35-storey Arcelor Mittal Orbit, a tangled web of spiraling red steel in the form of five Olympic rings and located at the heart of the Olympic Park, provides a panoramic view of Londons increasingly cluttered skyline. Billed as an Iconic cultural legacy of the London Games, it is Britains tallest structure at 115 metres and taller than the Statue of Liberty.
Liberias TAYLOR gets 50 years in jail for war crimes

A U.N.-backed war crimes court sentenced the former President of Liberia, Charles Taylor, to 50 years in jail for arming rebels in Sierra Leone in return for blood diamonds. Mr. Taylor, 64, was convicted of all 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for aiding and abetting Sierra Leones Revolutionary United Front during the countrys brutal 1991-2001 civil war.
Liu Yang: 1st Chinese woman into space

33-year-old mother of one Liu Yang alongwith 2 other astronauts on board Shenzhou-9 spacecraft was launched from Jinguan Satellite Launch Centre of the Gobi desert in western China, to perform the first manned docking mission and lay the ground work for plans to build a space station.
Liu Yang
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Capt. Nivedita Bhasin

Senior Air India Pilot Capt. Nivedita Bhasin has become the first woman to command the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner which landed in New Delhi on September 19, 2012.
President Lugo Impeached

Paraguays Senate removed President Fernando Lugo from office in a rapid impeachment trial. Vice-President Federico Franco was promptly sworn in as President.
Sunita begins her second space odyssey
Indian-American record-setting astronaut Sunita Williams, along with her two colleagues, took off for her second space odyssey on a Russian Soyuz rocket, which blasted off successfully from a cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Microbiologist Khaleel Chisti can go home
Microbiologist Khaleel Chisti, involved in a 1992 case of murder in Ajmer, was freed by the Supreme Court and allowed to go back to Pakistan. A Bench of Justices P. Sathasivam and Ranjan Gogoi, however, convicted him under Section 324 of the IPC (causing simple injuries). For this offence, the sentence of one year and four months, already served by Dr. Chisti, sufficed.
Shanti Gandhi
Great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi was elected to a State Assembly in the United States during the general elections held on November 6, 2012. Shanti Gandhi (72), contesting as Republican Party candidate, defeated his Democratic candidate Mr.Ensley.
Bhanu Athaiya returns Oscar fearing theft
Renowned Bollywood costume designer Bhanu Athaiya has returned her Oscar statuette, the first to be won by an Indian, to its original owner, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, Los Angeles, for safekeeping fearing it could meet the same fate as Rabindranath Tagores Nobel medal which was stolen. The statuettes were couriered in a special container and have been received by the Academy.
NKP Salve
Farmer Union Minister and former BCCI President NKP Salve died on April 1, 2012 in Delhi. He was 90. Born in Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, Salve was associated with cricket administration for several years and had brought the cricket World Cup to the Indian subcontinent in 1987. The first time it was organised outside England. The Challenger Trophy was named after him.
Capt. Lakshmi Sehgal Passes Away

Legendary freedom fighter Captain Lakshmi Sehgal, who was part of Netaji Subhash Chandra Boses Indian National Army (INA) died on July 23, 2012. When Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose arrived in Singapore on July 2, 1943, she joined the INA and was made head of Rani Jhansi regiment, a one of its kind women army unit.She was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1998.
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Noted Rajasthani-Hindi Lyricist-Poet Passes Away

Eminent poet and lyricist Gajanan Verma passed away in his native town Ratangarh in Churu district of Rajasthan. Mr. Verma was also one of the founder members of the Indian Peoples Theatre Association (IPTA) in Rajasthan.
A.K. Hangal
Padma Bhushan awardee and popular character actor A.K. Hangal who played on screen fathers and uncles to leading Bollywood actors for more than decades, passed away at a Mumbai hospital on August 25, 2012. He was 95. The Rahim Chacha of Sholay worked in all genres of films, worked with debutants as well as superstars, and yet managed to make an impact on each of them.
Yash Chopra: the King of Romance Passes Away
Veteran Hindi filmmaker and King of Romance Yash Chopra passed away at a hospital in Mumbai on October 21, 2012. He was 80. Chopra was known for land-mark Bollywood films such as Trishul, Deewar, Silsila, Chandni, and Dil Toh Pagal Hail etc.
Jaspal Bhatti Dies in Road Accident
Popular Satirist and Filmmaker Jaspal Bhatti, the man behind hit comedy shows like Ulta Pulta and Flop Show was last breathed in a road accident on October 25, 2012. He bacame popular in his college days for his street plays.
Sunil Gangopadhyay
Noted litterateur and Sahitya Akademi President Sunil Gangopadhyay passed away in Kolkata on October 23,2012. Author of over 200 books, Mr. Gangopadhyay declared that poetry was his first love. He was the founder editor of Kritibus, a seminal poetry magazine that started publishing in 1953 and became a platform for a new generation of poets experimenting with new forms.
Abid Hussain Dead
Ghazal Maestro Mehdi Hassan Passes Away

India- born Ghazal legend Mehdi Hassan, died on June 13, 2012 following multiple organ failure at the age of 84. Hassan was born into a family of traditional musicians at Luna Village in Indias Rajasthan state in 1927. His family migrated to Pakistan at the time of partition in 1947.
I.K. Gujral
Former Prime Minister of India Indra Kumar Gujral passed away in Dec. 2012. He was the architect of Indian Foreign Policy vis-a-vis our neighboring countries (called as Gujral Doctrine).
Dara Singh
Champion wrestler-turned-actor-politician Dara Singh passed away on July 12, 2012. He was 83.
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Abid Hussain, passed away after a massive heart attack. He was 85 years old. Dr. Hussain was one of the key persons who set the ball rolling for Indias economic liberalization. He chaired six committees of which the ones on trade and small scale industries are still important reference markers.
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Rajesh Khanna
Veteran actor Rajesh Khanna passed away on July 18 after prolonged illness. His very name spelt magic in the 1970s. Kaka, as he was popularly known, was one of the highest paid actors of his time. His record of consecutive solo super hits are still unbroken.
First US Female Astronaut Dies

Sally Ride, the first US woman to go the space died on July 23, 2012 after a 17-month battle against cancer. She was 61. Ride joined NASA in 1978 and in 1983 she became the first American woman in space as a crew member on space Shuttle Challenger for STS-7. At 32 years old, she was also the youngest American space traveler at the time.
Neil Armstrong
Legendery American astronaut, who took One giant step for mankind as the first human to set foot on the moon in 1969 during the cold war space died on August 25, 2012. He was 82. A quiet, private man at heart and an engineer and crack test pilot, Armstrong made history on July 20, 1969, as the commander of the Apollo II spacecraft. It had taken Apollo II craft, carrying Armstrong and fellow astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, four days to complete the nearly 4,000,00 km journey.
Maurice Sendak
Maurice Sendak, the celebrated author of Where the Wild Things Are, widely considered the most important childrens book artist of the 20th Century died on May 8, 2012 in Connecticut, USA.
11.1
C. Appointment
Jim Yong Kim
Jim Yong Kim, the Korean- American physician has been selected a new President of the World Bank.
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R.K. Sinha takes over as AEC chairman
Jim Yong Kim
V.S. Sampath: Chief Election Commisioner of India

The senior most election commissioner of India V.S Sampath has been appointed the new Chief Election Commissioner of India.
Antonis Samaras
Pro-bail out conservative New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras was sworn in on June 20, 2012 as Prime Minster of debt-crippled Greece. He pledged to work hard to give people tangible hope.
Justice Altamas Kabir : New CJI

Justice Altamas Kabir, a senior judge of the Supreme Court has been appointed the new Chief Justice of India. He has taken over from the incumbent CJI S.H Kapadia who retired on Sept. 29, 2012.
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Ratan Kumar Sinha, Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay, took over as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), from Srikumar Banerjee, who retired after 45 years of distinguished service.
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Ajay Chadha named ITBP chief

Ajay Chadha, special secretary (Internal Security) in the home ministry, has been appointed chief of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
Subhash Joshi new BSF chief

Subhash Joshi has been appointed as the new chief of Border Security Force (BSF).
Zuma Re-elected ANC Leader

National Congress (ANC) Party.
Park Elected South Korean President
South Korea elected its first woman President , handing a slim but historic victory to conservative ruling party candidate Park Geun-hye, daughter of the former military ruler.
S.K. Jain Elected Chairman of International Nuclear Body

Shreyans Kumar Jain, former chairman and managing director, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), has been unanimously elected to the post of Chairman of the Governing Board of the World Association of Nuclear Operators - Tokyo Centre (WANO-TC), Japan.
Master Tips
WANO, World Association of Nuclear Operators, is an international nuclear organization of utilities/operators committed to work for enhancement of safety and reliability to next higher level. All the utilities which operate nuclear power plants are members of WANO.
New chief of Indian Intelligence Agencies

CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) IB (Intelligence Bureau) Ranjit Sinha Alok Joshi
Rahul Khullar appointed TRAI Chief

Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar, 59, has been appointed Chairamn of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for three years. He will succeed J.S. Sarma.
Justice Swatanter Kumar to be appointed as first NGT chief

Justice Swatanter Kumar, a judge of the Supreme Court, is all set to become the new chairperson of the National Green Tribunal.
Vahanvati Re-appointed Attorney-General

The then President Pratibha Patil re-appointed Goolam E. Vahanvati Attorney-General for 2 more years with effect from June 8. Mr. Vahanvati, 63, was appointed to the post in 2009 for three years, and his term ends in the forenoon of June 8.
Nancy Powell
Nancy Powell has been appointed new US ambassador to India.
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Syed Asif Ibrahim
Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, has been re-elected as the leader of the ruling African
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Justice Bhandari elected to ICJ

Indias nominee Justice Dalveer Bhandari of the Supereme Courth was elected to the post of Judge of the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the elections held in New York, United States. He defeated the 84-year-old Justice Florentino Feliciano of the Philippines in the elections held to fill the casual vacancy following the resignation of Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh from Jordan in October 2011.
Aishwarya Rai Appointed as International Goodwill Ambassador
Tony Hall is BCC Chief
Tony Hall, Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House, was appointed as BBCs Director-General succeeding George Entwistle who was forced to quit due to controversy of sexual abuse.
India-Born Suma Chakrabarti to Head European Development Bank

India-born Suma Chakrabarti will succeed Germanys Thomas Mirow as the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Mr. Chakrabarti, a permanent Secretary in the U.K. Ministry of Justice, has won the race for the leadership of the bank by prevailing over four other candidates.
First African to Head ICC Team
Gambian lawyer Fatou Bensouda was sworn in as the International Criminal Courts chief prosecutor, pledging she was ready to lead the fight against the worlds worst war criminals. The 51year-old Bensouda is the first woman and the first African to head the team of prosecutors at the Tribunal, which is investigating 15 cases in seven countries, all of them African.
Indian-American as Federal Judge
Chandigarh-born Indian-American legal luminary Srikanth Sri Srinivasan has been nominated by United States President Barack Obama, to the U.S. court of Appeals for the American capital the nations second-highest court.
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Shivakumar is Satellite Centre Chief

Scientist and associate director of ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC) S. K. Shivakumar took over as its director. He succeeds T.K. Alex.
Mauritius Appoints new President

Rajkeswur Purryag was named Mauritius new president, cementing the Labour Partys control of the islands top posts and replacing his predecessor who quit the ceremonial position to challenge the ruling coalition.
First Woman to head AU Commission

In a historic vote, a woman was elected to head the African Union (AU) Commission. South Africas Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma won a tightly fought vote to become the new A.U. Commission head. Ms. Dlamini-Zuma (63) is a veteran of the fight against apartheid. A doctor by training, she has also served as Health and Foreign Minister.
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The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has appointed Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as its International Goodwill Ambassador. Her job will be to raise global awareness on protecting children from HIV infection and to increase access to antiretroviral treatment.
ISAC is an ISRO's centre for conceptualization, design, fabrication, testin g, integrat ion and in-orb it commissioning of satellite systems involving various cutting edge technologies.
Study Material
161
Marissa Mayer
Yahoo Inc has picked Google Incs Marissa Mayer to become its new CEO, turning to an engineer with established Silicon Valley credentials to turn around the struggling former internet power house. Mayer, Googles 20th employee and first female engineer, had led a number of its business, and was credited for envisioning the clean, simple Google search interface still in use today, a major selling point for Web surfers.
Hamid Ansari Brazils Graziano Elected FAO Chief
Jose Graziano da Silva of Brazil has been elected Director-General of the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the U.N. agency tasked with reducing world hunger at a time of record high food prices.
Morsi Elected as Egypt President
Egypts Muslim Brotherhood has claimed victory for its presidential candidate Mohamed Morsi who had been pitted against Ahmad Shafiq in a bitterly contested run off that took place in the midst of an assertion of political power by a military group, marked by the dissolution of an elected lower House of Parliament and an attack on civil liberties.
Naveen Raheja Heads Real Estate Council
Raheja Developers Limited chairman and managing director Naveen Raheja has been appointed president of National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), a regulatory body under Union Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation.
Mongolia Gets New PM
Norov Altanhuyag of the Democratic Party (DP) was confirmed as Mongolias new prime minister, ending weeks of political uncertainty after the party failed to win enough seats in a June election to form a government on its own.
Libyan Assembly Votes Mohammed Magarief as President
Algerias Brahimi
Veteran Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi has agreed to replace Kofi Annan as the international mediator on Syria, as the conflict slips deeper into full-scale civil war.
Som Mittal to Continue as NASSCOM President

Som Mittal will remain as the Nasscom President until early 2013.
Master Tips
NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies), established in 1988, a non-profit organization is a global trade body with over 1200 members, of which over 250 are global companies from the US, UK, EU, Japan and China and repr esentsInd ianInformation Tec hnology(IT) an dBus iness Proc ess Outsourcing(BPO) industry. Natarajan Chandrasekaran is current chairman of NASSCOM.
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Libyas national assembly picked former opposition leader Mohammed Magarief as its president as the North African countrys newly elected congress began its rule.
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Hamid Ansari was elected for a second term as the Vice-President of India.
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Raghuram G.Rajan
Raghuram G.Rajan, former IMF chief economist has been appointed as the Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) in the finance ministry of India.
Prince Salman is Saudi Arabian Crown Prince

Saudi Arabias ruling family named Defence Minister Prince Salman bin Abdul-Aziz as the new crown prince. Prince Salman served for more than four decades in the influential post of governor of Riyadh and is the patriarch of family businesses that include stakes in the pan-Arab daily newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat.
11.2
PLACES IN NEWS
The Daocheng Yading Airport
The worlds highest altitude civilian airport in China started operations recently after a successful landing test. The Daocheng Yading airport, built at an altitude of 4,411 metres above the sea level in Sichuan province, is just 130 km from the scenic Yading natural reserve. The Bangda airport in Tibet, located 4,334 metre above sea level, previously held the record as the worlds highest altitude airport.
Tongariro Volcano
The Tongariro Volcano in Mount Tongariro at Tongariro National Park, New Zealand erupted on November 2012
Rampura Bhatiyan
Rampura Bhatiyan village near Jodhpur came into news when Commerce and Industry Minster Anand Sharma and Rajasthan Chief Minster Ashok Gehlot in April 2012 dedicated the first spice park in this village, built at a cost Rs. 27 crore, to the nation. The spice park, which is the second such park in the country, has been constructed in Rampura Bhatiyan village in Mathania near Jodhpur.
Magama Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port
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The Magama Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port in Hambantota built with Chinese assistance was opened on November 18, 2010. The inauguration function was graced by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Phase One of the new Hambantota port was constructed by the China.
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Books
A Soldiers General : An autobiography Between Clay and Dust Beyond the Lines : An Autobiography Fahrenheit 451 The Dream of the Celt When China Rules the World The Meadow The Presidents Club Tigers in Red Weather Maharani
Authors
Gen. (Retd.) J.J. Singh former Army Chief of India. Musharraf Ali Farooqi Kuldip Nayar Ray Bradbury Mario Vargas Llosa Martin Jacques K.R. Singh Nikita Sud Adrian Levy and Cathy ScottClark Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy Richard Miniter Liza Klaussmann Ruskin Bond Prem Kumar Dhumal, Former Chief Minister of HP Muchkund Dubey J.K. Rowling Khuswant Singh Akash Kapur Penguin Viking Hilary Mantel (2012 Man Booker Prize) Julian Barnes (2011 Man Booker Prize)
(Kuldip Nayars Beyond the Lines is an activist newsmans autobiography showcased as an inside view of India since 1947.)
Coastal Security : Maritime Dimensions of Indias Homeland Security Liberalization, Hindu Nationalism And the State : A Biography of Gujrarat. Pax Indica : India and the world of the 21st Century Shashi Tharoor
Leading from Behind : The Reluctant President and the Advisors to Decide for Him
The Real Action : Green Growth Development Story of Himachal Pradesh
Indias Foreign Policy : Coping with the changing World The Casual Vacancy The Free Thinkers Prayer Book India Becoming Bring up the Bodies The sense of an Ending
India Grows at Night:A Liberal Case for Strong StateGurucharan Das
(Akash Kapur uses an immersive approach drawn from anthropology to present an astute picture of a changing India.)
Taj Mahal Foxtrot : The story of Bombays Jazz Age Naresh Fernandes (2012 Shakti Bhatt 1st Book Prize)
166 The Wandering Falcon Aam Ke Patte The song of Achilles The Tigers Wife River of Smoke Narcopolis
Books and Authors
Study Material Jamil Ahmad (2011 Shakti Bhatt 1st Book Prize) Ramdarash Mishra (Vyas Samman 2011) Madeline Miller (Ora nge Prize 2012) Tea Obreht (Orange Prize 2011) Amitav Ghosh Jeet Tha yil (DSC So uth Asian Literature Prize 2013)
(Indian writer Jeet Thayils first novel Narcopolis, described as a compelling tale of Mumbais hazy world of opium addiction has made it to the six-author shortlist for the Man Booker Prize 2012.)
Walls of Delhi A journey
A Centenary History of the Indian National Congress
A tale of two revolts (India 1857 and the American Civil War) A World Without Islam
Amazon.com : Revolution 2020 : Love. Corruption. Ambition Chetan Bhagat An Inspirational Journey CBI and 2G Controversially Yours Pratibha Devisingh Patil Nasreen Munni Kabir Joginder Singh C.K. Prahalad, Gary Hamel Shoaib Akhtar Narendra Modi Nelson Mandela Andrew Reeves George Bush Arvind Subramanian C. Rangarajan and D.K. Srivastava M.S. Swaminathan Arvind Virmani Joseph Lelyveld Dr. C. Rangarajan AR Rahman : The spirit of music Competing for the Furture
Convenient Action : Gujrats Response to Challenges of Climate Change Conversations with Myself Counselling Suicidal Clients Decision Point
Eclipse : Living in the Shadow of Chinas Economic Dominance Federalism and Fiscal Transfers in India From Green to Evergreen Revolution From Unipolar to Tripolar World
Great Soul : Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle With India
Growth and Finance
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Uday Prakash
Pranab Mukherjee
Tony Blair Rajmohan Gandhi Gram Fuller
Study Material India for a Billion Reasons Indomitable Spirit Kashmir and Beyond 1966-84 Keeping The Faith : Memoirs of a Parliamentarian Makers of Modern India Matters of Discretion Milestone Mumbai Seas No Higher Honor Non-Stop India Amit Dasgupta A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Karan Singh Somnath Chatterjee Ram Chandra Guha I.K. Gujral Gen. Deepak Kapoor P.C. Dogra Condoleezza Rice Mark Tully Gopalkrishna Gandhi S.Y. Quraishi Arjun Vajpayee Andre Agassi Imran Khan
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Of a Certain Age : Twenty Life Sketches Old Delhi Living Traditions
On Top of the World : My Everest Adventure Open (An Autobiography) Pakistan a Personal History
Reintegrating India with the world economy Restoring Values Standing My Ground
Sachin - Genius Unplugged Sticky wicket
Science and Sustainable Food Security
The Emperor of all Maladles
The Grand Design
The Masque of Africa The Sunset Club The Winning Way
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The Mad tibetan
Turbaned Tornado
Understanding reforms : post 1991 India Wake Up Call for Indian Republic When Loss is Gain
Where China Meets India : Burma and the New Crossroads of Asia Thant Myint-U Anil Kumble Anjum Chopra, Sunil Yash Kalra Wide Angle Womens Cricket World
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T.N. Srinivasan, Suresh D. Tendulkar E. Sreedharan Mathew Hayden Suresh Menon M.S. Swaminathan Malcolm Speed Sinddhartha Mukherjee (Book on Cancer, 2011 Pulitzer Prize) Stephen Hawking Deepti Naval V.S. Naipaul Khushwant Singh Harsha Bhogle Khushwant Singh Suresh D. Tendulkar Justice V.R. Krishna Pavan K. Varma
GENERAL STUDIES
For
UPSC Engineering Services Examination, GATE, State Engineering Services Examination & Public Sector Examination. (BHEL, NTPC, NHPC, DRDO, SAIL, HAL, BSNL, BPCL, NPCL, etc.)
CURRENT AFFAIRS - 2
(FROM JAN 2013 TO MARCH 2013)
I.E.S MASTER
IES/GATE/PSUs
IES Master
No part of this booklet may be reproduced, or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise or stored in a database or retrieval system without the prior permission of IES MASTER, New Delhi. Violaters are liable to be legally prosecuted.
Table of Contents
Chapters 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Master Highlights ....................................................... Page No. 001 to 010
National Updates ......................................................... 011 to 030 International & Bilateral Updates ............................. Environment & Ecology Updates ................................ Science & Technology Updates .................................... Defence Updates ........................................................... Committee, Commission & Reports ........................... 031 to 046 047 to 054 055 to 066 067 to 076 077 to 082
Conferences & Summits ............................................... 083 to 086 Games & Sports Updates ............................................. 087 to 096
10. Awards & Recognition ................................................. 097 to 108 11. Persons in News ........................................................... 109 to 116 12. Books & Authors ........................................................... 117 to 119
Master Highlights
Union Budget-2013 3 Rail Budget-2013 Economic Survey-2012-13 7 9
1.1
1.2 1.3
Master Highlights-1
UNION BUDGET-2013: At a Glance

Subsidies 2013/14 major subsidies bill estimated at Rs 2.48 trln from Rs 1.82 trillion Petroleum subsidy seen at Rs 65000 crore in 2013/14 Revised petroleum subsidy for 2012/13 at Rs 96,880 crore Estimated 900 bln rupees spending on food subsidies in 2013/14 Revised food subsidies at 850 bln rupees in 2012/13 Revised 2012/13 fertiliser subsidy at 659.7 bln rupees Tax Propose surcharge of 10 pct on rich taxpayers with annual income of more than 10 mln rupees a year To increase surcharge to 10 pct on domestic companies with annual income of more than 100 mln rupees For foreign companies, who pay the higher rate of corporate tax, the surcharge will increase from 2 pct to 5 pct To continue 15 pct tax concession on dividend received by India companies from foreign units for one more year To impose withholding tax of 20 pct on profit distribution to shareholders Amnesty on service tax non-compliance from 2007 10 bln rupees for first instalment of balance of GST (Goods and Services Tax) payment Propose to reduce securities transaction tax on equity futures to 0.01 pct from 0.017 pct To introduce commodities transaction tax (CTT) CTT on non-agriculture futures contracts at 0.01 pct Growth India faces challenge of getting back to its potential growth rate of 8 pct India must unhesitatingly embrace growth as highest goal
Amid high expectations of reversing the sharp slowdown in the country's economic growth, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram presented India's 82nd budget in the Lok Sabha on 28th feb 2013. The Key Highlights are as follows:
Fiscal Deficit Fiscal deficit seen at 5.2% of GDP in 2012/13 Fiscal deficit seen at 4.8 pct of GDP in 2013/14 Borrowing Gross market borrowing seen at Rs 6.29 trillion in 2013/14 Net market borrowing seen at Rs 4.84 trillion in 2013/14 Short-term borrowing seen at Rs 198.44 trillion in 2013/14 To buy back Rs 50000 crore worth of bonds in 2013/14 Spending Total budget expenditure seen at Rs 16.65 trillion in 2013/14 Non-plan expenditure estimated at about Rs 11.1 trillion in 2013/14 India's 2013/14 plan expenditure seen at Rs 5.55 trillion Revised estimate for total expenditure is Rs 14.3 trillion in 2012/13, which is 96 pct of budget estimate
Revenue Expect 133 bln rupees through direct tax proposals in 2013/14 Expect 47 bln rupees through indirect tax proposals in 2013/14 Target 558.14 bln rupees from stake sales in state-run firms in 2013/14 Expect revenue of 408.5 bln rupees from airwave surcharges, auction of telecom spectrum, licence fees in 2013/14
Current Account Deficit India's greater worry is current account deficit Will need more than $75 bln this year and next year to fund current account deficit Inflation Food inflation worrying, will take all steps to augment supply side Corporate Sector and Markets To issue inflation-indexed bonds Propose capital allowance of 15 pct to companies on investments of more than 1 bln rupees Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) can use investments in corporate, government bonds as collateral to meet margin requirements Insurance, provident funds can trade directly in debt segments of stock exchanges FIIs can hedge forex exposure through exchange-traded derivatives Investor with less than 10 pct stake in a company will be regarded as FII, more than 10 pct stake as FDI (foreign direct investor) Stock exchange regulator will simplify knowyour-customer norms for foreign portfolio investors To implement quickly recommendations of financial sector legislative reforms commission To cut factory gate duty on trucks to 13 pct from 14 pct Power and Energy Sector Zero customs duty for electrical plants and machinery Move to revenue-sharing from profitsharing policy in oil and gas sector To equalise duties on steam and bituminous coal to 2 pct customs duty and 2 pct cvd (countervailing duty) Foreign Trade To cut duty on exports of precious and semiprecious stones to 2 pct from 10 pct Banking To provide Rs 14,000 crore capital infusion in state-run banks in 2013/14 Defence To allocate Rs 2.03 trillion to defence in 2013/14 Agriculture & Rural Development Rs 80,194 crore to rural development in 2013/14 Rs 27,049 crore for agriculture in 2013/14 Health and Education Health for all and education to all remains priority. Rs 37,330 crore allocated to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. New National Health Mission will get an allocation of Rs 21,239 crore.
Rs 4,727 crore for medical education, training and research. Rs 150 crore provided for National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly. Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy are being mainstreamed. Allocation of Rs 1,069 crore to Department of AYUSH. Rs 1,650 crore allocated for six AIIMS-like institutions. Allocation of Rs 65,867 crore to the Ministry of Human Resource Development, an increase of 17 perent over the RE of the current year. Rs 27,258 crore provided for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA). An increase of 25.6 per cent over RE of the current year for investments in Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA). Rs 5,284 crore allocated to Ministries/Departments in 2013-14 for scholarships to students belonging to SC, ST, OBC, Minorities and girl children. Mid Day Meal Scheme (MDM) to be provided Rs 13,215 crore. Government committed to the creation of Nalanda University as a centre of educational excellence. Road Construction A regulatory authority for road sector. 3000 kms of road projects in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh will be awarded in the first six months of 2013-14. Industrial Corridors Plans for seven new cities have been finalised and work on two new smart industrial cities at Dholera, Gujarat and Shendra Bidkin, Maharashtra will start during 2013-14 Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) to be provided additional funds during 2013-14 within the share of the Government of India in the overall outlay, if required. Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor to be developed. Preparatory work has started for Bengaluru Mumbai Industrial Corridor. Oil and Gas A policy to encourage exploration and production of shale gas will be announced. The 5 MMTPA LNG terminal in Dabhol, Maharashtra will be fully operational in 201314. Coal In the medium to long term need to reduce our dependence on imported coal. One way forward is to devise a PPP policy framework with Coal India Limited as one of the partners. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Benefits or preferences enjoyed by MSME to continue up to three years after they grow out of this category. Refinancing capacity of SIDBI raised to Rs 10,000 crore. Another sum of Rs 100 crore provided to India Microfinance Equity Fund. A corpus of Rs 500 crore to SIDBI to set up a Credit Guarantee Fund for factoring. A sum of Rs 2,200 crore during the 12th Plan period to set up 15 additional Tool Rooms and Technology Development Centres with World Bank assistance. Ministry of Corporate Affairs to notify that funds provided to technology incubators located within academic Institutions and approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology or Ministry of MSME will qualify as CSR expenditure. Textiles Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) to continue in 12th Plan with an investment target of Rs 1,51,000 crore. Allocation of Rs 50 crore to Ministry of Textile to incentivise setting up Apparel Parks within the SITPs to house apparel manufacturing units. A new scheme called the Integrated Processing Development Scheme will be implemented in the 12th Plan to address the environmental concerns of the textile industry. Working capital and term loans at a concessional interest of 6 per cent to handloom sector. Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) extended to 800 clusters during the 12th Plan. Foreign Trade Support to measures to be taken to boost exports of goods and services. Insurance A multi-pronged approach to increase the penetration of insurance, both life and general, in the country. Number of proposals finalised, in consultation with IRDA such as empowering insurance companies to open branches in Tier-II cities and below without prior approval of IRDA, KYC of banks to be sufficient to acquire insurance policies, banks to be permitted to act as insurance brokers, banking correspondent allowed to sell micro-insurance products and achieving the goal of having an office of LIC and an office of at least one public sector general insurance company in towns with population of 10,000 or more. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana to be extended to other categories such as rickshaw, auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers,
sanitation workers, rag pickers and mine workers. A comprehensive social security package to be evolved for unorganised sector by facilitating convergence among different schemes. Capital Market Proposal to amend the SEBI Act, to strengthen the regulator, under consideration. Number of proposal finalised in consultation with SEBI. Designatged depository participants, authorised by SEBI, may register different classes of portfolio investors, subject to compliance with KYC guidelines. SEBI will simplify the procedures and prescribe uniform registration and other norms for entry for foreign portfolio investors. Rule that, where an investor has a stake of 10 per cent or less in a company, it will be treated as FII and, where an investor has a stake of more than 10 per cent, it will be treated as FDI will be laid. FIIs will be permitted to participate in the exchange traded currency derivative segment to the extent of their Indian rupee exposure in India. FIIs will also be permitted to use their investment in corporate bonds and Government securities as collateral to meet their margin requirements. SEBI to prescribed requirement for angel investor pools by which they can be recognised as Category I AIF venture capital funds. Small and medium enterprises, to be permitted to list on the SME exchange without being required to make an initial public offer (IPO). Stock exchanges to be allowed to introduce a dedicated debt segment on the exchange. Other proposals Backward Regions Grant Fund New criteria for determining backwardness to be evolved and reflect them in future planning and devolution of funds. Skill Development Target of skilling 50 million people in the 12th Plan period, including 9 million in 201314. Defence Allocation for Defence increased to ` 2,03,672 crore including Rs 86,741 crore for capital expenditure. Constraints not to come in the way of providing any addition requirement for the security of nation. Science and Technology Despite constraints substantial enhancements given to Science and Technology, Space and Atomic Energy.
Rs 200 crore to be set apart to fund organisations that will scale up S&T innovations and make these products available to the people. Institutions of Excellence A grant of Rs 100 crore each made to 4 institution of excellence. Sports National Institute of Sports Coaching to be set up at Patiala at a cost of Rs 250 crore over a period of three years. Broadcasting All cities having a population of more than 1,00,000 will be covered by private FM radio services. Panchayati Raj Augmentation in the Budget allocation of Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA) to Rs 455 crore in 2013-14. An additional Rs 200 crore proposed to be provided. Post Offices An ambitious IT driven project to modernise the postal network at a cost of Rs 4,909 crore. Post offices to become part of the core banking solution and offer real time banking services. Ghadar Memorial Government to fund the conversion of the Ghadar Memorial in San Francisco into a museum and library. Central Schemes Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and Additional Central Assistance (ACA) Schemes to be restructured into 70 schemes. Central fund for the schemes to be given to the States as part of central plan assistance. New Plans and Schemes rolled out in the Union Budget 2013-14: Nirbhaya Fund: The Finance Minister announced the setting up of a fund called the Nirbhaya Fund - with the Government contributing 1000 crore Rupees for safety and security of the women in India. The Finance Minister announced that various initiatives were underway as well as a lot more were undertaken by Government and NGOs for empowering women and providing them safety and security. 1000 crore Rupees scheme for training youth: A 1000 crore Rupees scheme for training youth for boosting up their employability and productivity was rolled out in the budget. The National Skill Development Corporation would be required to set up curriculum and standards for training different skills. The trained youth who will pass the test by the end of the training would get monetary reward of 10000 Rupees on an average. This initiative would motivate 10 lakh youth. Proposal to set up Indias first Womens Bank as a public 6 sector bank with 1000 crore Rupees as initial capital.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme to be rolled out throughout the country during the term of UPA Government. This scheme will help the poor. Under the scheme, a bank account will be opened for each beneficiary; and the bank account will be seeded with Aadhaar in due course. 10000 crore Rupees earmarked for National Food Security towards the incremental cost. Drinking water and sanitation will receive 15260 crore Rupees. 1400 crore Rupees is being provided for setting up water purification plants to cover arsenic and fluoride affected rural areas. Proposal to launch Inflation Indexed Bonds or Inflation Indexed National Security Certificates to protect savings from inflation. Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme launched for recovering service tax dues. 9000 crore Rupees earmarked as the first installment of balance of CST compensations to different States/UTs. The Interest Subvention Scheme: This scheme for shortterm crop loans is proposed to be continued for loans by public sector banks, RRBs and Cooperative banks, and expanded to private scheduled commercial banks. Under the scheme, a farmer who repays the loan on time is able to get credit at 4 cent per year. National Livestock Mission: 307 crore Rupees have been provided for setting up of the National Livestock Mission. This will attract investment and enhance livestock productivity. A sub-mission of this Mission seeks to increase the availability of feed and fodder. Assistance of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank will be sought to build roads in the North Eastern States and connect them to Myanmar. The body of Rural Infrastructure Development Funds (RIDF) is proposed to be raised to 20000 crore Rupees. Plans for seven new cities were finalized for industrial corridors and work on two new smart industrial cities at Dholera (Gujarat) and Shendra Bidkin (Maharashtra) will start during 2013-14. Two new ports will be established in Sagar (West Bengal) and in Andhra Pradesh. A power transmission system will be constructed from Srinagar to Leh and for this 226 crore Rupees were provided in 2013-14. Apparel Parks are proposed to be set up within the Integrated Textile Parks, to house apparel manufacturing units. Standing Council of Experts: Standing Council of Experts is proposed to be constituted in the Ministry of Finance to analyse the international competitiveness of the Indian financial sector. A number of proposals relating to capital market have been finalized in consultation with SEBI. These include simplification of procedure and uniforms norms for foreign portfolio investors, clarity relating to FDI investment, allowing FIIs to participate in new areas, etc.
Master Highlights-2
RAIL BUDGET-2013: At a Glance

Complementary passes of freedom fighters to be renewed every three years instead of annually New forged wheel factory at Rae Bareli in collaboration with Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd Greenfield Mainline Electrical Multiple Units (MEMU) manufacturing facility at Bhilwara along with Rajasthan government and BHEL Coach making unit at Sonepat in collaboration with Haryana government Midlife rehabilitation workshop at Kurnool along with Andhra Pradesh government. Railway energy management company to be set up to harness solar and wind energy 1,000 crossings to be energised by solar power 1.51 lakh vacancies to be filled up Locomotive cabs to be air-conditioned Azadi Express for travel to places associated with freedom struggle India in 1 billion tonne freight club By end of 2013-14, 1,500 km of contracts to be awarded for two dedicated rail corridors Rs 1 lakh crore target set for public-privatepartnership route Free Wi-Fi to be provided on some trains Rs 100 crore for improving stations in New Delhi 179 escalators and 400 lifts at A 1 and other select stations E-ticketing through mobile phones SMS alerts for passengers on reservation status Next generation e-ticketing system by end of 2013 Seventeen bridges identified for repair Smoke and fire detection system envisaged Fire extinguishers to be kept in guard vans Making corporate Safety Plan for a 10 year period (2014-24) Introduction of Train Protection Warning System on Automatic Signalling Systems Rigorous trials of indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System Introduction of 160/200 kmph Self Propelled Accident Relief Trains Elimination of 10,797 level crossings during the 12th Plan and no addition of such crossings Six more Rail Neer bottling plants to be set up
Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal presented the Union Railway Budget for 2013-14 in Lok Sabha on 26 February 2013. The thrust areas of the Rail Budget are: 1. Safety; 2. Consolidation; 3. Passenger Amenities; 4. Fiscal Discipline
Key Highlights are as follows: No hike in passenger fares Superfast and Tatkal charges to rise Annual plan for 2013-14 set at Rs 63,363 crore Losses up from Rs 22,500 crore in 2011-12 to Rs 24,600 crore in 2012-13 Accidents per million km down from .41 to .13 Raised four companies of women RPF personnel; another eight to be raised for women's safety 67 new Express and 26 new passenger trains to run; 8 DEMU services and 5 MEMU services to be introduced; run of 57 trains to be extended; frequency of 24 trains to increase 22 new rail lines to be taken up in 2013-14 New debt service fund to be set up Will close fiscal 2012-13 with fund balance against previous deficit; need to build fund balance to Rs.30,000 crore by end of 12th Plan Operating ratio of 88.8 percent achieved Dividend reduced from 5 to 4 percent Electrification of 1,200 km to be completed this year 72 additional suburban services in Mumbai and 18 in Kolkata Rs 6,600 crore increase in earnings from fare adjustment in January Rs 63,000 crore investment in 2013-14 1,047 million tonnes freight loading estimated during 2013-14 Passenger earnings of Rs 42,000 crore estimated in 2013-14 Indian Railways Institute of Financial Management to be set up at Secunderabad Chair at Delhi to promote research in reducing carbon footprint Winners of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Dhyan Chand awards to get free first class passes Complementary first class passes for parents of unmarried posthumous awardees of Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra
Some of the major Initiative proposed in Railway Budget 2013-14 are as under: Anubhuti Indian Railways will introduce one coach in select trains which will provide an excellent ambience and latest modern facilities and services responding to the Increased Popularity of Shatabdi and Rajdhani Trains. Such coaches will be named Anubhuti with commensurate fare structures. Amenities for Differently-abled Passengers To facilitate the boarding of trains and exit from the stations for the differently-abled and the elderly, there is a proposed provision of 179 escalators and 400 lifts at A- 1 and other major stations, affixing Braille stickers indicating the layout of coaches including toilets, provision of wheel chairs and battery operated vehicles at more stations and making coaches wheel-chair friendly. In order to provide an employment avenue to the disabled people, there is proposal to reserve a specified number of Jan Sadharan Ticket Booking Sewak (JTBS) for them, keeping in view the fact that the PCOs at stations have become largely redundant after the mobile revolution in India. IT Initiatives for passenger benefits There will be now Use of Aadhar scheme by Indian Railways. The database generated, can be extensively and efficiently used by railways not only to render more user friendly services such as booking of tickets, validation of genuine passengers with GPS enabled handheld gadgets in trains, but also to provide a better interface with its employees in regard to their salaries, pension, allowances etc. Some of the other measures proposed under IT Initiative of Railways are: Extending availability of the facility of internet ticketing from 0030 hours to 2330 hours Making e-ticketing possible through mobile phones as a follow up to overwhelming response to IR website and Integrated Train Enquiry Service under 139, a project of SMS Alerts to passengers providing updates on reservation status is being rolled out shortly. Covering larger number of trains under Real Time Information System (RTIS), whereby rail-users will be able to access information through nominated websites and mobile phones. Some measures taken to curb malpractices in reserved tickets including Tatkal are: Mandatory carrying of ID cards by passengers with reserved tickets Rigorous drive leading to prosecution of more than 1800 touts in the current year In case of tatkal, reduction of advance reservation period to one day, issue of tickets only on production of ID proof at PRS counters, issue of only one tatkal ticket per train per day to web service agents; Denial of access to agents to internet booking between 0800 to 1000 hrs. Other Major Initiatives A Centralised Catering Services Monitoring Cell with a Toll free number 1800 111 321 has started functioning w.e.f. 18th January, 2013 to facilitate redressal of complaints/suggestions on real-time basis. For effective quality control, arrangements are being tied up with food testing laboratories in addition to third party audit. State-of the- art base kitchens are proposed to be set up in railway premises for better monitoring of quality of meals. ISO certification will now be insisted upon for all base-kitchens. Green Energy Initiatives Some of the new steps that have been taken or are proposed to be taken include: Setting up of Railway Energy Management Company (REMC) to harness potential of solar and wind energy Setting up of 75 MW windmill plants and energizing 1000 level crossings with solar power Deployment of new generation energy efficient electric locomotives and electrical multiple units (EMUs) saving about 60 crore units in 2011-12. Railways have also won the National Energy Conservation Award Encourage more usage of agro-based and recycled paper and ban use of plastic in catering. Some of the New Plans and Schemes proposed in Railway Budget 2013-14 are as under: Proposal for setting up of Railway Tariff Regulatory Authority formulated and at inter-ministerial consultation stage. Fuel Adjustment Component (FAC) linked revision for freight tariff to be implemented from 1 st April 2013 and for passenger tariff later. To provide a memorable experience to the visitors especially the children, a revamp plan will be rolled out for National Railway Museum in 2013-14. To create a corpus for meeting IRs committed liabilities for debt servicing of JICA and World Bank loans taken for the DFC Project, it is proposed to set up a new Debt Service Fund. In order to meet the growing demand, 72 additional services in Mumbai and 18 in Kolkata are being introduced. Besides, rake length is being increased from 9 cars to 12 cars for 80 services in Kolkata and 30 services in Chennai. A target to complete 500 km of new lines has been set for 2013-14. There is target to convert 450 km of MG/NG lines to broad gauge during 2013-14. Announcement of resumption of work on new line projects of Chickmagalur - Sakleshpur and Bengaluru Satyamangalam, which were pending for want of resources and other mandatory clearances, after State Government of Karnataka agreed to give land free of cost and bear 50% of the cost.
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ECONOMIC SURVEY-2012-13: At a Glance

Following are the major Higlhlights of the Economic Survey 2012-13 GDP growth seen at 6.1-6.7 percent in 2013/14 Government target for fiscal deficit is 4.8 pct of GDP in 2013/14 Government target for fiscal deficit is 3 pct of GDP in 2016/17 Headline WPI inflation may decline to 6.26.6 pct by March2013 Focus on curbing imports, making oil prices more market determined to reign in current account deficit Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) flows need to be targeted towards long-term rupee instruments Prioritisation of expenditure seen as key ingredient of credible medium-term fiscal consolidation plan Raising tax to GDP ratio to more than 11 percent seen as critical for sustaining fiscal consolidation Room for accommodative monetary policy with expected fiscal consolidation India likely to meet fiscal deficit target of 5.3 pct of GDP in 2012/13, despite significant shortfall in revenues Recommends curbing gold imports to reign in current account deficit Room to increase exports in the short run limited Industrial output seen growing around 3 pct in 2012/13 Govt priority to fight inflation by reducing fiscal impetus to demand as well as by focusing on incentivizing food production. More jobs in low productivity construction sector Balance of Payments under pressure with net exports decline Service sector has shown more resilience despite global slowdown Pitches for hike in price of diesel and LPG to cut subsidy burden Railway freight grows by 5.1 per cent in 2012-13 Foreign Exchange reserves remains steady at USD 295.6 Billion at December 2012 end.
Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on 27 February presented the Economic Survey 2012-13 in the Lok Sabha of the Parliament. India's Economic Survey for 2012-13 pegs the country's growth at 6.1-6.7% and inflation at 6.2-6.6% for the next fiscal 2013-14 and made a strong call for cutting subsidies. Economic Survey is presented every year, just before the Union Budget. It is a flagship annual document of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. Economic Survey reviews the developments in the Indian economy over the previous 12 months. It summarizes the performance on major development programmes, and highlights the policy initiatives of the government and the prospects of the economy in the short to medium term. The economic survey 2012-13 was prepared by a team of economists led by Chief Economic Advisor Raghuram Rajan, and pitches for speeding up economic reforms to activate a sluggish economy. It serves as an indicator of what is likely to be contained in the General Budget proposals.
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2.1 General Issues
2.2 Economy and Energy Issues
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2.3 Social Health & Educational
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Current Affairs - 2
National Updates
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2.1 GENERAL ISSUES

Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura High Courts inaugurated
Highcourts in Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura were inaugurated by Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir and Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar in March 2013. The strength of judges in Tripura HC is 4, Meghalaya HC is 3 and Manipur HC is 3 (including the Chief Justice in each case). With the functioning of 3 new high courts, the total number of High Courts in the country has increased from 21 to 24. Prior to this, six north-eastern States functioned with benches of the Guwahati High Court. In May, 2012, the Parliament passed the North-Eastern Areas (Re-organisation) and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012, allowing for the creation of three, new High Courts.
High Court
Meghalaya High Court Manipur High Court Tripura High Court
Master Tips
Appointment of Judges in a high court:
Chief Justice of a high court is appointed by the President of India after consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the governor of the concerned state. Other judges of a high court are appointed by the President of India after consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the governor of the concerned state along with the Chief Justice of the concerned high court. The salaries and allowances of a high court are charged on the consolidated fund of state. *But, the pension of a high court judge is charged on the consolidated fund of India, not the state.
Asias largest Tulip garden on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar was thrown open to visitors, marking the beginning of the new tourism season in the Valley. The 15-hectare garden in the foothills of Zabarwan Range was officially opened to visitors. The state Floriculture department said a total of over 1.5 million tulips, of over 80 varieties are presently in bloom at the garden. Formerly known as Siraj Bagh, now called as the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip garden was opened in 2008.
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Asias Largest Tulip Garden Opened to Visitors
Master Tips
Floriculture or flower farming is a discipline of horticulture concerned with the cultivation of flowering and ornamental plants for gardens and for floristry, comprising the floral industry. Government of India has identified floriculture as a sunrise industry and accorded it 100% export oriented status. The country has exported 3,09,26,023 MT of floriculture products to the world for the worth of Rs.365.32 crores in 2011-12 Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), is responsible for export promotion and development of floriculture in India.
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1st Chief Justice Seat of HC Shillong Imphal Justice T Meena Kumari Justice Ahay Manohar Sapre Justice Deepak Gupta Agartala
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SC Directives on Tourism in Jarawa Reserve

The Supreme Court has said tourist activity in Jarawa reserves in Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be carried out in compliance with the amended regulations, which prohibit all commercial and tourism activities in the buffer zone of 5-km radius of the Jarawa Tribal Reserve on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Acc ordin g to the r egulation s in the notification of January 17, 2013, an area up to 5 km radius adjacent and contiguous to the Jarawa Tribe Reserve area, starting from Constance Bay in South Andaman to Lewis inlet Bay in Middle Andaman has been declared as a buffer zone by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. The Supreme Court has banned tourists from taking the Andaman Nicobar Trunk Road that passes through the area where the Jarawas live. The road is used to reach the Limestone Cave.
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the Shopmen : restricted to the hinterland of Great Nicobar. the Karen tribe (over 2,000 people): in the Mayabunder tehsil of North Andaman district, almost all of whom are Christians. Despite their tribal origins, the Karen of Andamans has OBC status in the Andamans .
Assembly Elections Results 2012-13
Different Indian states have undergone elections during 2012-13 and new governments have been formed as per the summary table given below: INC: Indian National Congress, BJP: Bharatiya Janata Party, CPI (M)/LF: Communist Party of India (Marxist)/Left Front, NPF: Naga Peoples Front.
Summary of Results: Assembly Elections in States held in 2012-13 State Total MLA Seat Election held in Chief Minister Ruling Party Himachal Pradesh 68 Nov-Dec 2012 Virbhadra Singh INC Gujrat 182 Dec 2012 Narendra Modi BJP Tripura Meghalaya Nagaland 60 60 60 Feb 2013 Feb 2013 Feb 2013 Manik Sarkar Mukul Sangma Neiphiu Rio CPI(M)/LF INC NPF
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Classical Status for Malayalam

Malayalam is set to get the status of a classical Indian language as per announcement made by Kerala Chief Minister Oommen C ha ndy . U ni o n Mi ni ster fo r C ulture Chandresh Kumari also announced that the Ministry had decided to grant the classical language status to Malayalam. Spoken by over 30 million people, Malayalam was the only major language in south India that had not been classified as the classical language. Belonging to the family of Dravidian languages, Malayalam has a rich heritage of more than 2,300 years. The benchmark set for granting classical language status to Indian languages is 1,500-2,000 years.
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Criteria for Classical Languages of India: As per Union Ministry of Culture: High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years; A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers; The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community; The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots. Indian Classical Languages declared so far: Tamil (in 2004), Sanskrit (in 2005), Kannada and Telugu (in 2008).
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National Updates
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Hague Court Upholds Indias Right on Kishanganga Project

The International Court of Arbitration at The Hague upheld Indias right to divert water from the Kishanganga hydroelectric project (KHEP). Pakistan has been objecting to the construction of the hydroelectric project on the Kishanganga River (a tributary of river Jhelum) in Kashmir, which is called Neelum upon entering Pakistan. The Kishanganga plant, in Bandipora district of north Kashmir, is part of a runof-the-river hydroelectric scheme that is designed to diver t water from the Kishanganga River to a power plant in the Jhelum River basin. In November 2009, Pakistan had proposed the establishment of a Court of Arbitration and the appointment of a neutral expert to resolve the Kishanganga dam dispute.
Master Tips
The Indus Waters Treaty 1960: The IWT is a water-sharing treaty between the Republic of India and Islamic Republic of Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank. The treaty was signed in Karachi on September 19, 1960 by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and President of Pakistan Mohammad Ayub Khan. IWT provides appointment of a neutral expert by the World Bank as a last option to resolve water related issues between the two countries. According to this treaty, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, which constitute the eastern rivers, are allocated for exclusive use by India before they enter Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistan has exclusive use of the Western Rivers Jhelum, Chenab and Indus but with some stipulations for development of projects on these rivers in India.
Cabinet Nod to Land Swap with Bangladesh
The Cabinet has approved a Constitutional Amendment Bill that will facilitate the implementation of the India-Bangladesh boundary agreement signed in 2011. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, gave its nod to the draft of the Constitutional Bill to amend the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement, 1974.
Gonds Converge for Nagoba Jatara
The day-long rituals associated with bheting or admission of new women members into the clan marked the start of the famous Nagoba jatara, a five-day annual pilgrimage of the Mesram clan of Gonds at Keslapur village in Indervelli mandal, Adilabad District, Andhra Pradesh.
Afzal Guru Hanged in Secrecy, Buried in Tihar Jail
Presidents Rule Imposed in Jharkhand

President Pranab Mukherjee has imposed Presidents rule in Jharkhand, following its approval by the Union Cabinet. The former Union Home Secretary, Madhukar Gupta, and the former Central Reserve Police Force Director General, K. Vijay Kumar, have been appointed advisers to Jharkhand Governor Syed Ahmed. The President has proclaimed the imposition of Presidents Rule in Jharkhand under Article 356(1) of the Constitution. Jharkhand has been placed under Presidents rule as the Arjun Munda government fell after being reduced to a minority following the Jharkhand Mukti Morchas withdrawal of support.
President Promulgates Ordinance on Crime Against Women

President Pranab Mukherjee promulgated an ordinance on sexual violence against women under which rape that leads to death of the victim can now attract death penalty. The President has given his assent to the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance 2013. The ordinance based on the recommendations of the Justice J S Verma Committee(formed after the horrendous gang rape incident of 16th Dec 2012 in Delhi) and going beyond, also proposes to replace the word rape with sexual assault to expand the definition of all types sexual crimes against women.
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The 2001 Parliament attack case convict Mohammed Afzal Guru was hanged on 9th Feb 2013 and buried inside the Tihar jail complex. The President (Pranab Mukherjee) rejected the mercy petition on February 3. ( Refer Current Affairs 1 for pardoning power of the president ).
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It also proposes enhanced punishment for other crimes against women like stalking, voyeurism, acid attacks, indecent gestures like words and inappropriate touch.
Master Tips
Ordinance Making Powers of President: Our constitution under Article 123 gives special legislative powers to President of India by promulgating ordinance under certain circumstances. Thus if both the houses of parliament is not in session and it becomes necessary to make laws then president can make laws within the powers provided by the constitution of India. Following are the important provisions regarding ordinance making powers of the President: The President gets the powers only when the Parliament is not in session. Even if one house of Parliament is not in session, the President can pass on ordinance. The Councils of Ministers should suggest the passing of an ordinance on such matters.
The President himself should be satisfied about the need for the ordinance and he cannot be compelled. Once an ordinance is passed, it should be placed before both the Houses of Parliament and approved by them within six weeks of their respective dates of reassembly. The ordinance lapses if it is not approved within the aforesaid six weeks or if it is rejected earlier or if the President himself withdraws the ordinance.
Kapil Sibal Launches Website for Urdu Poetry Lovers
Minister of Communications and Information Technology Kapil Sibal launched the website www.rekhta.org - an initiative by Rekhta Foundation in New Delhi. The website is a gateway to the world of Urdu poetry and features recitation, a dynamic dictionary, a search engine, rare e-books, etc for ardent Urdu lovers.
Private Mantra Airlines Launches the 1ST Civil Air Connectivity for Kargil
First ever civil aviation service between Kargil and Jammu has been launched as the landing of Mantra Airlines 17- seater at Kargil created history as never before has a civil passenger aircraft been spotted there. Kargil is one the worlds coldest towns, frozen under a minus 20 degree Celsius temperature. The Indian Air Force has been operating an AN-32 aircraft three times a week in the Jammu-Kargil sector and once a week between Srinagar and Kargil.
New Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy 2013

India has unveiled a new science policy that lays greater thrust on innovation, establishing research institutes and encourages women scientists with an aim to position itself among the top five scientific powers in the world by 2020. The Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy, 2013 also speaks of modifying the intellectual property regime (IPR) to provide for marching rights for social good when supported by public funds and co-sharing of patents generated in the public private partnership mode. India first unveiled its Scientific Policy Resolution in 1958 which resolved to foster, promote and sustain the cultivation of science and scientific research in all its aspects. The Technology Policy Statement of 1983 focused on the need to attain technological competence and self reliance.
Chandigarh Shatabdi to Have 1st Anubhuti Coach

Chandigarh Shatabdi will be the first train to have Anubhuti coaches, the special AC luxury class proposed in this years rail budget, providing higher travel comfort to passengers. Anubhuti, the first of its kind modern LHB coach with ergonomically designed cushioned seats, LCD screens, modular toilets and world class interiors is estimated to cost about Rs.2.80 crore. The first-ever locomotive fitted with AC in drivers cabin is estimated to cost Rs.12 crore and aims to provide relief to loco pilots on duty.
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The President has powers to pass ordinance on the matters on which the Parliament has powers.
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Centre Notified the Cauvery Final Award

On the direction of Supreme Court, the Centre has notified the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) dated February 5, 2007. The court had ordered the government to notify the final award on or before February 20, 2013 . (Refer Current Affairs1 for CWDT in detail).
Head of Supreme Court-Appointed Panel for Bhopal Victims Quits

The head of the Supreme Court appointed monitoring committee to oversee the functioning of hospitals meant for the treatment of Bhopal gas disaster survivors, Dr H H Trivedi , resigned citing indifference by the Madhya Pradesh government. The SC in August 9, 2012 had directed the state government to ensure facilities such as office space with furniture and office staff including a secretary and a doctor (to act as coordinating officer) and a Hindi and English stenographer-cum-typist along with a peon to the committee.
The Bhopal gas tragedy:
The Bhopal gas tragedy was a gas leak incident in India, considered the worlds worst industrial disaster. It occurred on the night of 23 December 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The leaked gas was methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas (IUPAC name), other names of the gas are isocyanatomethane or methyl carbylamine. Methyl isocyanate (MIC) is an organic compound with the molecular formula CH3NCO. MIC is an intermediate chemical in the production of carbamate pesticides (such as carbaryl, carbofuran, methomyl and aldicarb). It has also been used in the production of rubbers and adhesives. As a highly toxic and irritating material, it is extremely hazardous to human health. UCIL was the Indian subsidiary of Union Carbide Corporation (UCC). Warren Anderson was the UCC CEO at the time of the disaster. Dow Chemical Company purchased UCC in 2001.
2.2 ECONOMY AND ENERGY ISSUES
Jeevan Sugam Insurance Policy Launched by LIC
Indias External Debt Rises to $376 Billion

Indias total external debt was USD 376.3 billion as of December end, up 8.9 percent from March, on account of long-term and short-term components. Long-term debt, which accounted for 75.6 percent of total external borrowings, stood at USD 284.4 billion at end-December 2012, up 6.4 percent over March 2012. Within long-term, commercial borrowings accounted for 30 percent of total external debt, followed by NRI deposits at 18 percent and multilateral debt at 13.7 percent. Debt denominated in US dollars was the highest in external debt stock at 56.8 percent as of December 2012, followed by Indian rupee (23.1 percent), SDR (7.9 percent), Japanese yen (7.6 percent) and euro (3.2 percent).
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The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has launched Jeevan Sugam, a new nonlinked single premium plan. The new plan, which is available for a limited period, is a conventional close-ended plan with guaranteed returns. The plan provides a risk cover of 10 times the single premium paid for a fixed term of ten years. The latest policy is available for those between 8 and 45 years. The minimum sum to be invested is Rs60000, while there is no upper limit for the investment.
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RBI Loan Boost for New Power Projects

The new Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) in the pipeline could find it easier to raise funds now with the RBI allowing banks to treat loans to infra projects as secured loans without collaterals. It is expected to expedite UMPPs in the pipeline in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Orissa, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. These include projects handled by Tatiya Andhra Mega Power in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh Sarguja Power, Coastal Maharashtra Mega Power, Coastal Karnataka Power, Orissa Mega Power and Deoghar Mega Power in Jharkhand.
Cairn Begins Sale of Gas From Barmer Block

Cairn India began commercial sale of natural gas, while also starting production from the Aishwariya oil field from its RJ-ON-90/1 block in Barmer district, Rajasthan. The project will produce initial commercial volumes of about 5 million metric standard cubic feet (mmscf) per day. ONGC has a 30 per cent stake in the project. The block, at present, produces about 30 mmscf of gas per day from the Raageshwari Deep Gas field and the Mangala and Bhagyam fields (as associated gas along with crude oil).
No Capital Gains Tax for NIMZs
The Central Government, on March 22 2013, came out with sops for setting up of National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZs) doling out various benefits, including exemption from capital gains tax on sale of plant and machinery and eligibility for viability gap funding ( which cannot exceed 20 per cent of the project cost. ) as per the document notified by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). Developers of NIMZs will be allowed to raise funds through external commercial borrowings (ECBs) for developing the internal infrastructure. Soft loans from multilateral institutions will be explored for funding infrastructure development in NIMZ. The government has proposed to set up 11 NIMZs to enhance the share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP) from 15 to 25 per cent within a decade and creating 100 million jobs.
India Ratings, WB Estimates Economy to Grow Over 6 % & Govt at 6.1 to 6.7%
India Ratings & Research Private Ltd. and World Bank estimate the economy to grow over 6 per cent in 2013-14 if the government continued with its recent policy initiatives aimed at attracting more investment and infrastructure development. Government in its budget proposal estimated growth rate in 2013-14 to be in the range of 6.1 to 6.7%.
SBI to Open 1,200 Branches, 8 Overseas Offices Next Fiscal

State Bank of India (SBI) plans to open about 1,200 branches in the country and another eight branch offices overseas, including China and the UK, in the next fiscal. With addition to these eight branches, SBIs offshore network will increase to 59. Plans are afoot to open two branches each in Bangladesh and the UK and one each in China, the Netherlands, South Korea and Sri Lanka. In the case of South Korea, the existing representative office of SBI would be upgraded into a full-fledged branch. SBI, Indias largest bank, has 14,677 branches across the country. Under the banks domestic expansion plans, about 100 branches would be opened in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
Former Bihar Bureaucrat Navin Kumar to Head GST Network Outfit

Ex Bihar Chief Secretary Navin Kumar, a 1975 batch IAS will head the Goods and Services Tax Network SPV (GSTN SPV) which was set up to create an enabling environment for smooth introduction of the new indirect tax regime. GSTN was necessary to implement GST and it can also be used by the states for improving Value Added Tax (VAT) system.
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RBI Cuts Policy Rate by 25 Basis Points

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reduced the indicative policy rate (repo rate) by 25 basis points from 7.75 to 7.50 per cent. Repo rate is the rate at which banks borrow short-term funds from the central bank (RBI).
*Policy Rates Bank Rate Repo Rate Reverse Repo Rate Marginal standing Facility Rate (MSF) 8.50% 7.50% 6.50%
*Policy Ratios Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) 4.0% 23.0%
HPCL to set up refinery in Rajasthan
The Rajasthan Government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) for setting up a refinery-cum-petrochemical complex in the Barmer region. The 9-million tonne refinery, to come up in the Barmer-Sanchore basin, has been a long-pending demand of Rajasthan. The project is expected to be completed in four years. At Rs.37,230 crore, it is being hailed as the single largest investment in the history of the State.
Reliance Power Synchronises First Unit of Sasan
Reliance Power has announced the successful synchronisation of the first 660 MW unit of its 3,960 MW Sasan Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP) with the grid. The electricity generated from the project would be sold to 14 distribution companies across seven States. The Sasan UMPP and coal mining project attached to it has an estimated investment of over Rs.23, 000 crore. Coal production has already commenced from the Moher and Moher-Amlohri coal mines. Chhatrasal coal block has received forest clearance and is under development.
Current Account Deficit Rises to 5.4% in Q2

Indias Current Account Deficit (CAD) as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) rose to an all-time high of 5.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2012-13 on account of widening of trade deficit and slower growth in invisibles, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said in its monthly bulletin for March 2013. CAD represents the difference between inflows and outflows of foreign currency. High import of gold is adding to the CAD despite efforts by the government to check import of the precious metal. Gold accounts for second largest import in value terms after crude oil.
United Bank Ties up With SIDBI

United Bank of India (UBI), which has recently eased loans for the MSME (micro, small and medium Enterprises ) sector , has now signed a memorandum of understanding with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to ensure smooth credit flow to the MSME sector under the programme Collaboration for facilitating Enterprise Loans (COFEL). SIDBI, as a facilitator of the small and medium enterprises, will work with the MSMEs by sponsoring investment-grade proposals to United Bank and the latter will look at the credit linkage part under its various products.
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from time to time, so keep updated.
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Final Unit of Mundra UMPP Synchronised

Tata Power, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Coastal Gujarat Power Limited (CGPL), announced the synchronisation of 800 MW Unit 5 of its Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP) at Mundra in Gujarat to the grid . This makes the countrys first UMPP 4,000 MW plant fully operational. With this, the total power generation capacity of Tata Power stands at 8,500 MW. The 4,000-MW Mundra UMPP is the first of the UMPPs that heralds the entry of 800 MW super-critical boiler technology into India, which is environment-friendly and efficient.
Welspun Ties up Funds for Solar Project

Welspun Energy has announced that it had achieved financial closure for its 130 MW solar project at Neemuch in Madhya Pradesh through a consortium of leading financial institutions. It had secured long-term project funding of Rs.885 crore for the project, and it is slated to be commissioned by May 2014. Welspun Solar Madhya Pradesh Private Limited (WSMPPL) won the project in May 2012, by quoting the second lowest tariff of Rs. 8.05 per unit.
Wipro: Worlds Most Ethical (WME) Company 2013
Wipro Ltd has been recognised by the Ethisphere Institute , a leading business ethics thinktank, as one of the 2013 Worlds Most Ethical (WME) Companies, for the second year in a row. This recognition is for Wipros strong commitment to ethical leadership, compliance practices, and corporate citizenship. The Ethisphere Institute is a leading international organisation dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, governance, anti-corruption and sustainability.
HPCL to Partner Shapoorji Pallonji Group for LNG Terminal
State-owned Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) and Mumbai-based infrastructure major Shapoorji Pallonji plan to set up a terminal for import of liquid gas (LNG) on Gujarat coast at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore. HPCL and SP Ports Pvt Ltd, a unit of Shapoorji Pallonji Group, plan to set up the liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal at Chhara in Gujarats Junagadh district through a 50:50 joint venture. Gujarat already has two functional ports at Dahej and Hazira. A third one is under planning by Gujarat State Petroleum Corp (GSPC) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at Mundra. The Chhara terminal would be the fourth in the state.
Rs. 1,000-crore Tax-Free Bonds From Ennore Port
NASSCOM Sets $300 Billion Target by 2020

The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM), the apex body of the Indian business process outsourcing and software services industry, announced that it is targeting revenues of $300 billion by 2020, 177 per cent more than that earned in 2012.
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Ennore Port Ltd. has launched a public issue of tax-free bonds to raise up to Rs.1000 crore from the market to meet its capital investment plans. The tax-free instruments are in the form of secured redeemable nonconvertible bonds of the face value of Rs.1000 each having tax benefits under Section 10(15) (iv) (h) of the Income-tax Act, 1961.
Ennore Port, located on the Coromandel Coast about 24km north of Chennai Port, Chennai, it is the 12th major port of India, and the first port in India which is a public company. The Ennore Port is the only corporatised major port and is registered as a company. The Centre holds a stake of about 68 per cent in the Ennore Port and the remaining 32 per cent is held by the Chennai Port Trust.
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India 19th Largest Exporter & 12th
Largest Importer in World
India is the 19th largest exporter with a share of 1.7 percent in the worldwide merchandise trade. On the other hand, the country is the 12th largest importer with a share of 2.5 percent in 2011. In commercial services, the country is the eighth largest exporter in the world with a share of 3.3 percent and the seventh largest importer with a share of 3.1 percent.
ONGC is No 1 Profit-Making PSU & BSNL Worst Performer

ONGC has retained the top position in the coveted list of 10 most profit-making PSUs, while BSNL was the biggest loss-making state-run company in 2011-12, according to a government survey. ONGC, the countrys largest oil and gas producer, earned a net profit of Rs 25,122 crore in 2011-12. BSNL, on the other hand, suffered losses of Rs 8,850 crore in the same period, replacing Air India as the biggest loss-making PSU. Power major NTPC is the second biggest profit-making state-run company, the same position as in 2010-11 survey. The worlds largest coal producer Coal India jumped to third position in 2011-12 from seventh rank in the previous survey, pushing Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) down to the seventh position. In 2010-11, IOC was at the third position. Largest iron-ore producer NMDC was fourth, while Maharatna company BHEL ranked fifth.
Govt to Set up Two Ports in Andhra Pradesh & West Bengal
The government has said it will set up a port each at Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal in 2013-14, to effectively handle increased cargo traffic. Ministry of Shipping, in the Maritime Agenda 2010-20, had proposed setting up of two major ports which handle heavy cargo traffic in the country. It had envisaged developing two new major ports, one each on east and west coasts. At present there are 12 major ports in India Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Kolkata (with Haldia), Chennai, Cochin, Paradip, New Mangalore, Marmagao, Ennore, Tuticorin, Kandla and Visakhapatanam.
Air Asia and Tata Group Join Hands for Budget Airline
Tata Group Signs MOU with UKIBC

The Tata Group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the U.K. India Business Council (UKIBC) for skill development and delivery in India. Tata Group said the MoU will initially include projects in Odisha and Mumbai for replicable skills training across India.
Centre to revive sick PSUs

The Department of Public Enterprises said that the proposals to revive about half-a-dozen sick units were in the process. The Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises (BRPSE) had already recommended the revival of HMT Ltd., Hindustan Cables Ltd. (HCL) and Hindustan Photo Films Manufacturing Company.
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The Tata Group is making yet another bid to enter the aviation space. Malaysias no-frills carrier AirAsia has sought the approval of the Indian Government to join hands with the Tata Group to enter the aviation sector. This would be the first investment in the sector by a foreign airline after the Government hiked the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit from 26 per cent to 49 per cent in 2012. Tata Sons will hold 30 per cent in the joint venture but will not have any operating role in the airline. AirAsia will hold 49 per cent stake in the JV, while Hindustan Aviation of the Bhatias will hold 21 per cent. AirAsia, through its operations based in Thailand and Malaysia, flies to Chennai, Bangalore, Kochi, Tiruchirappalli and Kolkata in addition to 20 countries across Asia.
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Bihar Fastest Growing State and Gujarat 2nd Fastest

Gujarat stands second after Bihar on the list of fastest growing states during the last seven years. Between 2005-06 and 2011-12, Gujarat clocked a Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth of 9.98% while Bihar registered the highest growth rate of 10.17 per cent, states the Economic Survey 2012-13. Gujarat stood fourth on the list of states as far as GSDP growth for 2011-12 was concerned. With 8.2 per cent growth, Gujarat was behind states like Bihar (16.71%), Madhya Pradesh (11.98%) and Maharashtra (8.54%). In the category of unemployment rate (per 1,000) for 2009-10, Gujarat has the lowest number of unemployed in urban areas, while it stands behind Rajasthan, Maharashtra, MP and Karnataka as far as unemployment in rural areas is concerned.
India Infra Debt Gets First IDF-NBFC Licence
Dabhol-Bangalore Gas Pipeline of GAIL Goes on Stream
GAIL (India), the newest Maharatna PSU, commenced delivery of gas through its 1,000 km-long Dabhol-Bangalore pipeline. The first recipient of the gas was Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts, which will utilise the fuel for its captive 6.5 MW power plant. The company has installed a 73 km pipeline in Bangalore. GAIL also signed a gas transmission agreement with Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. (KPCL) for the supply of 2.1 million metric standard cubic metres per day (mmscmd) of natural gas for its 700 MW power plant at Bidadi in 30 months. The pipeline, built at a cost of Rs.4,500 crore, has a total capacity of 16 mmscmd. GAIL Chairman and Managing Director B. C. Tripathi pointed out that the pipeline traversed through about 700 km across Karnataka.
Master Tips
Criteria for Maharatna Status :
A company qualifying for the Maharatna status should have an average annual turnover of more than Rs 25,000 crore in the last three years
GAILs Dabhol LNG terminal on stream

GAIL (India) has announced the successful commissioning of the Dabhol LNG terminal located at Ratnagiri in Maharashtra, around 340 km south of Mumbai. This 5 million tonnes capacity LNG terminal has been set up with an investment of Rs.4,000 crore. The Dabhol LNG terminal would serve as a gateway for entry of natural gas
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the PSU must have a net worth of over Rs 15,000 crore and net profit of more than Rs 5,000 crore during the last three years already among Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)- listed on stocks Autonomy after becoming Maharatna CPSE: Including other operational and financial autonomy in decision-making, a Maharatna firm can take investment decision of up to Rs 5,000 crore without going to the government. For Navratna firms, this limit is Rs 1,000 crore. With the Maharatna Status granted to GAIL and BHEL in Feb 2013, there are now seven Maharatna companies- ONGC, Indian Oil, GAIL, BHEL, NTPC, SAIL & CIL. As of Feb 2013: There are 14 Navratna CPSEs, 52 Miniratna Category - I CPSEs &16 Miniratna Category - II CPSEs..
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The countrys first Infrastructure Debt Fund (IDF) under the NBFC (non banking finance company) structure was formally launched with Finance Minister P. Chidambaram handing over the first IDF-NBFC licence to India Infra Debt Limited (Infradebt) in the presence of its four promoters ICICI Bank (31%), Bank of Baroda (30%), Citibank (29%) and Life Insurance Corporation of India (10%).
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to the southern and western parts of the country. The terminal is operated by RGPPL, a joint venture of GAIL (India) and NTPC. GAIL had taken this terminal for a 25-year lease and had announced plans to enhance its capacity to 10 million tonnes in four years in two phases. The Punjab Government has inked a memorandum of understanding with Monsanto Holdings Private Limited to jointly establish three centres of excellence for promotion of cotton, maize and vegetables in the State.
Punjab Govt. inks MoU with Monsanto for centres of excellence
Master Tips
Monsanto Company is a publicly traded American multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation headquartered in Creve Coeur, Missouri. It is a leading producer of genetically engineered (GE) seed and of the herbicide glyphosate, which it markets under the Roundup brand. Monsanto has had a controversial history in India, starting with the accusation that Monsanto used terminator genes in its seeds, causing demonstrations against the company. Later, its GM cotton seed was the subject of NGO agitation because of its higher cost, sometimes lower than claimed yield and environmental concerns, sometimes leading to stress and suicide cases of farmers. It was in news in India due to controversy regarding field trial of Bt Brinjal & Bt Maize and its monopoly over genetically modified (GM) Bt Cotton. About Bt: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a Gram-positive, soil-dwelling bacterium, commonly used as a biological pesticide; alternatively, the Cry toxin may be extracted and used as a pesticide. B. thuringiensis also occurs naturally in the gut of caterpillars of various types of moths and butterflies, as well on leaf surfaces, aquatic environments, animal feces, insect rich environments, flour mills and grain storage facilities. The bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) naturally produces a chemical harmful only to a small fraction of insects, most notably the larvae of moths and butterflies, beetles, and flies, and harmless to other forms of life.
Bihar potato farmer sets new world record
Countrys first monorail to roll out in Mumbai in August

The 8.8-km-long first phase of the project, which will be open to the public from August, is a part of the 19.54-km stretch. This will be the worlds second-longest monorail corridor when completed the longest being Japans Osaka monorail corridor, which is 23.8 km. The project work began in 2008 and was expected to continue till the end of 2011. The total cost of the project has been estimated at Rs.3,000 crore. Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is building the monorail, undertook the trial run of the monorail on the first phase stretch from Central Mumbais Vadala to Chembur, a suburb in eastern Mumbai.
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Bihars farmers have done it again. A farmer from Sohdih village of Bihars Nalanda district has set a new world record in potato production through organic farming. The potato farmer, Rakesh Kumar, has harvested 108.8 tonnes of potato per hectare and set a new world record in potato production. In 2012, a farmer of Darveshpura village in Nalanda had set a world record in potato production through organic farming. Bihar is the third-largest potato producing state, after Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Last year, five farmers here created a world record, producing 224 quintals of paddy per hectare.
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TCS overtakes RIL to become Indias most valued company

TCS has surpassed Reliance Industries to become the countrys most valued company as the IT majors market capitalisation soared to over Rs 2.83 lakh crore on the back of a spurt in its share price. This is about Rs 6,523 crore more than RILs market value of Rs 2,76,686 crore. ONGC with a market value of Rs 2,75,187 crore was at third spot, while ITC (Rs 2,36,855 crore) was at fourth position and Coal India (Rs 2,21,704 crore) at fifth place.
Parle-G becomes Indias first homegrown Rs 5K crore FMCG brand

When Parle Products launched Parle-G in 1939 during the British rule, the firm considered it a responsibility to sell affordable biscuits to Indians. Today, the same value plank has helped the glucose biscuit brand become the first Indian FMCG brand to cross the Rs 5,000-crore mark in retail sales in a year.
ANERT to set up 2-MW solar power plant at Palakkad
Govt to sell stake in BALCO & Hindustan Zinc through OFS
The government is considering a proposal to use the offer for sale (OFS) route for selling its residual stake in Hindustan Zinc (HZL) and BALCO. The move would enable not only Vedanta Resources, which is the majority stakeholder of the two companies , but also ordinary investors to bid for shares. The government currently holds 29.5 per cent stake in HZL and 49 per cent stake in BALCO, but is planning to exit from both companies. The government had sold controlling stake in them between 2001 and 2003.
Agriculture exports could cross $42 billion in 2013
Import duty on gold and platinum raised to 6%

The Union Government has raised the import duty on gold and platinum from four per cent to six per cent with immediate effect in an urgent bid to curb imports of the precious metals and contain the widening current account deficit (CAD). In 2011-12, gold imports accounted for a massive $56.5 billion in foreign exchange the second-highest item after crude oil in the import bill .
LPG portability launched: New IT/web-enabled initiative Lakshya

The Union government has launched portability of LPG connections. Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Veerapa Moily has launched new IT/web-enabled initiative, Lakshya to enable consumers book and track refills online as well on mobile phone. It would enhance transparency in distribution of cylinders. Under the new initiative, customers can rate their distributors on service and anybody found wanting could possibly face termination of dealership.
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According to a paper written by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) chief Ashok Gulati along with Surbhi Jain and Anwarul Hoda, in 2011-12 agricultural exports by India were more than $37 billion against an import of commodities worth around $17 billion. India has emerged as the worlds largest exporter of rice, replacing Thailand and Vietnam and the country has also become the biggest exporter of buffalo meat beating traditionally strong countries such as Brazil, Australia and the US. CACP discussion paper titled Farm trade: Tapping the hidden potential has stated that agricultural exports have increased more than 10 fold from $3.5 billion in 1990-91 to $37.1 billion in 2011-12 and could cross $42 bn in 2013.
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The Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT) expects to start work on a 2-MW solar power plant at Kuzhalmannam in Palakkad in 2013. ANERT was launching a State-wide project to equip 10,000 houses with rooftop solar power plants of 1 kW capacity. To be executed with financial assistance from the Union government, the programme would generate a total of 10 MW and produce about 1 crore units of power every year to bridge the demand-supply gap in the States power sector.
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MOU signed for thermal power plant at Chausa Bihar

The Bihar Government has signed a memorandum of understanding for a 1,320-MW coal-based thermal power project at Chausa in Buxar district. The State expects to procure 85 per cent of the total power generated or 1,054 MW from two units of 660 MW each. The MoU for the joint venture was signed by Bihar State Power Holding Company Ltd (BSPHCL), Bihar Power Infrastructure Company Pvt. Ltd (BPIC) and Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd. (SJVN-a joint venture company of the Union and Himachal Pradesh govts.) The project is slated to be completed by 2016-17 and expected to provide 7,848 million units of power to Bihar annually.
Cabinet nod for continuation of JNNURM till March 2014
GAAR will come into force from April 2016
The Union government has announced the postponement of the implementation of the controversial GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) by two years to April 1, 2016. The postponement and other modifications in GAAR provisions marks the acceptance of the recommendations of the Parthasarathi Shome Committee, which was set up by Prime Minister following concerns expressed by investors on the Budget provision in this regard and the subsequent withdrawal of portfolio investment by foreign investors.
IOC loses 50 lakh litres petrol in Hazira depot fire
Punjab National Bank acquires 30% stake in Metlife

Punjab National Bank (PNB) said it has received all regulatory approvals for acquiring 30 per cent stake in Metlife India Insurance. Following this, the private sector life insurer would be re-branded as PNB Metlife India Ltd. Both PNB and MetLife India had approached the fair trade regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) for approval on December 7, 2012. Currently, MetLife India stakeholders, include Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Shapoorji Pallonji and other investors, besides MetLife.
Mahindra Revas next generation electric car: e2o

Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles has dubbed its next generation electric car as the Mahindra e2o. Pronounced as Ee-too-oh, the electric vehicle has undergone extensive testing, validation and has been certified as road worthy in India. The car would use next generation lithium ion batteries and have a range of 100 km per charge, which is adequate for most daily journeys within the city. It will enable users to charge their vehicle through any 15 ampere plug point at home, or at the workplace.
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A major fire broke out at state-owned Indian Oil Corporations fuel storage depot at Hazira in Gujarat. IndianOil chairman R S Butola told the fire broke out in one of the petrol storage tanks and destroyed about 50 lakh litres of petrol which was in stock at the time. The tank has a capacity to store about 90-100 lakh litres of fuel. This is the second major fire at an IOC storage depot since 2009. On October 29, 2009, a fire broke out at its Jaipur terminal and raged for 11 days. Some 11 lives were lost and property worth Rs 280 crore was destroyed.
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The government has decided on continuing the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) to sanction new projects till March 2014. The new projects and capacity building activities will be under Urban Infrastructure and Governance (UIG) and Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) components of JNNURM. New Urban infrastructure projects and capacity building activities in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in states and Union Territories (UTs) would be approved till March 31, 2014. The proposal would enable making provisions for creation of urban infrastructure, particularly in small and medium towns in all states and UTs.
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Special offer for women from LIC Housing: Bhagyalakshmi

LIC Housing Finance has launched a new home loan product called Bhagyalakshmi for women home seekers. It is offered at an interest rate that begins at 10 per cent for the first two years, which is 25 basis points lower than current rates and floating rates thereafter.
Indias per capita income rises to Rs 5,729 per month

Indias per capita income, a gauge for measuring living standard , is estimated to have gone up 11.7 per cent to Rs 5,729 per month in 2012-13 at current prices, compared with Rs 5,130 in the previous fiscal. The estimated rate of growth in per capita income for the current fiscal, however, is lower than the previous fiscal when it grew by 13.7 per cent. The per capita income at current prices during 2012-13 is estimated to be Rs 68,747 as compared to Rs 61,564 during 2011-12, showing a rise of 11.7 per cent as per data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The data also estimated an increase of 13.8 per cent in the government final consumption expenditure (GFCE) to Rs 11.87 lakh crore at current prices for 2012-13 against Rs 10.43 lakh crore in 2011-12.
2.3 SOCIAL, HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL ISSUES
PSUs required to double minimum CSR contribution from 2013-14

Top earning Central Public Sector Enterprises will have to double their minimum expenditure on corporate social responsibility (CSR) from beginning of 2013-14 fiscal, as per the new norms of the Department of Public Enterprises. Under the new norms, PSUs with net profit of over Rs. 500 crore in the previous year will have to earmark 1 per cent of it from the current level of 0.5 per cent for carrying out such activities. But the upper limit of 2 per cent remains unchanged.
Centre sanctions Rs. 2,892-crore disaster relief for seven States
National Institute of Biotic Stress Management for Chhattisgarh

The Union cabinet has approved the proposal of the department of agricultural research and education under the Ministry of Agriculture for the establishment of the National Institute of Biotic Stress Management (NIBSM) at Raipur, Chhattisgarh during the 12th Five Year Plan at a cost of Rs 121.10 crore. This will be the first institute to address the impact of biotic stress and harness potentials of emerging tools of biotechnology in agriculture. The state government has allotted 105 acres of land for the institute in Baronda, about 25 km from Raipur. The institute will be under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
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The Union government has declared the highest relief package in recent years of over Rs. 2892 crore for seven States including drought-hit Maharashtra to deal with the impact of calamities. It also revised the guidelines for relief under crop loss and raised the assistance by 50 per cent in all categories including rain-fed and irrigated areas and for perennial crops. The expenditure for cattle at camps, including the cost of medicines and water supply, was also raised. The decisions were taken by the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on Drought headed by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar. The relief package, to be released from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF), will be implemented from March 1. The total relief package for Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Gujarat, Kerala and Uttarakhand is Rs. 2,892.61 crore, excluding the funds allocated for cattle camp in Maharashtra.
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19 lakh teachers to be appointed under SSA

The Centre has sanctioned appointment of 19.82 lakh school teachers across the country under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme, according to a communiqu issued by the Press Information Bureau. The Centre had requested the State governments to expedite recruitment as well as redeployment of teachers in order to ensure appropriate pupil-teacher ratio as mandated under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The communiqu also stated that the Centre had sanctioned a Rs. 6,300 crore project to strengthen teacher education in the country during the 12th plan. The National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE) had permitted State governments to train over five lakh teachers through distance education mode.
Bihar Cabinet nod for 50 % quota for women in cooperatives
Master Tips
Bihar was the 1st state to give 50% reservations to women in the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) which was then followed by various states like Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tripura and Uttarakhand. Taking the note, later on, Central Government introduced the Constitution (110th Amendment) Bill, 2009 to amend Article 243D to enhance the reservation for women from existing 33% to 50% for members as well as chairpersons of PRIs.
Manipur bans smokeless tobacco products
Having banned smoking at public places, Manipur has prohibited the manufacture, display, stocking, sale and consumption of smokeless tobacco products, becoming the second State in the north-east to do so, after Mizoram. A notification, issued by the Commissioner of Food Safety, says those who violate the ban, imposed under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Regulation on sales) Regulation, 2011, are liable to punishment, including a fine of up to Rs. 2 lakh. ( Refer Current Affairs-1 for FSSAI .)
Sonia Gandhi inaugurates first all-women medical college

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi has used the opportunity of inauguration of the first womens Government Medical College of independent India at Khanpur Kalan , Sonepat, Haryana on the occasion of International Womens Day to reiterate the need to take concrete steps to curb crimes against women and promised a law in this regard soon. Spread over 88 acres, the Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women is the first women college of the country since Delhis Lady Hardinge Medical College was established in 1914. The hospital at the college now has 450 beds and 211 doctors.
About 30% people were BPL in 2009-10

About 30 per cent of people in India were below the poverty line in 2009-10 that was based on the monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) of Rs 673 for rural areas and Rs 860 for urban areas, Parliament was informed. As per the latest available information, the percentage of people living below poverty line in the country in 2009-10 has been estimated at 29.8 per cent.
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The State Cabinet has passed a proposal to give effect of 50 per cent reservation for women in cooperatives. As per the decision, 50 per cent of the seats in all cooperatives, primary agricultural cooperative societies (PACS) will be reserved for women. From the quota, two seats each will be reserved for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and Economically Backward Classes.
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Plan panel secretary appointed mission director of DBT scheme

Planning Commission secretary Sindhushree Khullar was appointed as Mission Director for the UPA governments ambitious Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) scheme. Under the scheme, the government provides welfare subsidies to beneficiaries by transferring the money directly into their bank accounts but food, fertiliser and fuel subsidies will not be covered in the initial phase. A post of Officer on Special Duty (OSD) has also been created in the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
Hiked MGNREGA wages to be paid starting April 1

MGNREGA workers will get more money with the Centre revising their daily wages from April 1. Under the recent wage revision, workers will be paid the maximum daily wage of Rs 214 in Haryana, followed by Rs 210 and Rs 209 in the Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Chandigarh, respectively. On the lower side of the wage payment are states like Sikkim, Tripura, Nagaland, where MGNREGA workers will be paid Rs 135 per day. Workers in Bihar and Jharkhand will get a daily wage of Rs 138. The notification regarding revising wage rates is linked to the Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labour (CPI-AL) from April 1 every year.
Tamil Nadu ranks 2nd in employing women under MGNREGS
Data put out by the central government in the Economic Survey shows that the Tamil Nadu ranks second in employing maximum number of women under the rural job scheme MGNREGS. In 2011-12, more than 73.3% of women in rural Tamil Nadu were employed under the MGNREGS, second only to Kerala where 92.7% women were employed.
Delhi becomes first State to ban manual scavenging
MH gives Gram sabhas rights for TENDU leaves

The Maharashtra government becoming 1 st state in the country, has decided to give gram sabhas with community forest rights (CFR) in Gadchiroli and Gondia districts in Vidarbha the right to collect, use, sell, store and process tendu leaves from this season. The leaves are mainly used to make beedis. In April 2011, Maharashtra was the first to give the Mendha Lekha gram sabha in Gadchiroli the rights to collect, transport and sell bamboo. The village earned nearly Rs. 1 crore in sales in a year and allotted 50 per cent of the amount for its development fund. Mendha has community forest rights on 1,800 hectares and had fought long and hard for the rights to be given to the people of the village.
Pallam Raju lays foundation stone of first NIT in Arunachal

Union HRD Minister M.M. Pallam Raju has laid the foundation stone of the first National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Arunachal Pradesh at its permanent site in picturesque Jote village, near Itanagar. The institute, which is being run in a temporary campus at Yupia since its establishment in July 2010, is offering undergraduate courses in Computer Science, Electronics & Electrical and Electronics & Computers Engineering.
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Delhi has become the first State in the country to ban manual scavenging and has barred the deployment of safai karamcharis (cleaning staff) for manual sewer cleaning . Delhi government is providing all amenities to the safai karamcharis as per service rules and is taking steps to modernise their working and provide them proper training. The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Bill, 2012 is still pending in the Parliament. As per this Bill, the district magistrates would be required to make sure that no one in their jurisdiction was engaged in manual scavenging. The Bill made it obligatory for the cantonment boards and municipalities along with the railway authorities to build adequate sanitary community bathrooms within 3 years after the Act comes into force.
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Habitations with 100 plus tribal population to get roads

All habitations with a population of 100 tribals and above in 82 Naxal-hit districts will now be connected with all-weather roads under governments flagship programme PMGSY. At present, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), envisages connecting all habitations with a population of 250 persons and above in tribal areas in Naxal-affected districts. The proposal came after Tribal Affairs Minister Kishore Chandra Deo pointed out that bulk of the habitations in tribal areas are below the 250-mark. Government is giving utmost priority to provide road connectivity to tribal districts in the country as most of these areas are affected by Naxal violence.
Norms relaxed to speed up road work in Naxal areas

In a bid to speed up road construction in areas affected by Naxal violence, the government has decided to fund dirt roads and not just blacktop or metalled roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Since its harder to bury explosive devices under blacktop roads, Maoists prevent their construction. But they are not against katcha sadak [unmetalled road], points out Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh. The scheme will now be split into two phases for the 82 districts affected by left wing extremism (LWE). The first stage will include levelling, construction of the gravel base and slope stabilisation.
Sonia launches universal child health screening service RBSK
Hepatitis C scare in Valley village: 300 test positive

Of the 4,000 inhabitants of Takiya Magam village in south Kashmir, 300 have been found to be suffering from Hepatitis C. The Hepatitis C victims include people from all age groups from a boy of 12 to a 62-year old man. The outbreak of Hepatitis C, a contagious lifethreatening liver disease that primarily spreads by blood-to-blood contact largely through intravenous drug use, infected medical equipment or contaminated transfusions was discovered by accident.
Re 1/kg rice scheme launched in Malkangiri

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the ambitious scheme giving rice at Re 1 a kg for BPL families, in Maoist affected Malkangiri district, giving the first spatula of rice to a woman from the primitive Bonda tribe. The rice would be available to all BPL families and even to APL families in KBK (Kalahandi Balangir Koraput Region) at Re 1 per kg.
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Sonia Gandhi has launched her Governments new child healthcare initiative, Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram in the predominantly tribal taluka of Palghar in Thane district of Maharashtra. A child health screening and early intervention service, the new programme is part of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). It aims at providing comprehensive healthcare for all children up to 18 years of age. The new programme which is a package of health services for children - will be extended to cover all districts of the country in a phased manner. When fully implemented, the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram is expected to benefit approximately 27 crore children across the country. A set of 30 common ailments and health conditions have been identified for screening and early intervention. The identified common ailments include: Birth defects like down syndrome, congenital cataract, deafness and heart defect, while deficiency conditions that have been listed are: Anaemia, malnutrition and goitre, developmental delays and disabilities like hearing impairment and vision impairment. The services will be provided through dedicated mobile health teams, comprising two AYUSH doctors (one male and one female), nurse and a pharmacist, located in every block.
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Enrolment in schools rises 14% to 23 crore: AISES

In a significant leg up to the governments literacy initiative, a national survey has revealed that almost 23 crore children are studying in 13 lakh schools across the country with a 13.67% growth in students enrolment from Class I to XII. Encouragingly, there is a 19.12 % increase in girls enrolment. However, one-fifth of the total primary schools in rural areas still do not have drinking water facility, three out of 10 are without usable urinal facilities and about half do not have playgrounds. 8th All India Education Survey (AISES) conducted by NCERT covering the school education system with respect to access, enrolment, retention, teachers and availability of basic facilities. A comparison of enrolment data from 2002 to 2009 for primary schools shows a drop in enrolment in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa, and Tamil Nadu.
ASER 2012 finds dwindling state of Education quality
According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2012, facilitated by NGO Pratham, almost half of the Class 5 students in rural schools cannot solve a two-digit subtraction problem. Less than half of them can read text meant for a Class 2 child. Rural school enrolment continues to be high and educational infrastructure may have improved in the two years since the Right to Education Act came into effect, but the village childrens ability to read and do basic arithmetic has been on a sharp decline since then. In 2010, 70.9 per cent of Class 5 children were able to solve subtraction problems. Last year, that fell to 61 per cent. This year, there has been a further drop to 53.5 per cent. In fact, almost 20 per cent cannot even recognise two-digit numbers. Apart from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala, which have held steady or improved, every major State has seen a substantial drop in basic arithmetic levels, according to the survey.
Tamil Nadu tops in implementation outcomes of NRHM
J&K dedicates 2013 to daughters: Save the Girl Child Year

The Jammu & Kashmir Government has decided to dedicate the year 2013 to daughters and observe it as Save the Girl Child Year.
Jeevandan scheme kicks off with first organ donation

The first deceased organ donation and transplantation under the government-run Jeevandan project took place when relatives of a 62-year-old person, who suffered brain haemorrhage and was pronounced braindead by doctors at Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG), Hyderabad decided to donate his organs. The idea behind Jeevandan scheme is to encourage deceased organ transplantation instead of living organ donation.
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An evaluation has ranked Tamil Nadu at the top for implementation outcomes of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and described it as a benchmark for other States. Analysis of data also reveals that in physical infrastructure per 1 lakh population with respect to Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, and First Reference Units, Jammu and Kashmir is far ahead of Tamil Nadu and the other States. The seven States surveyed are: Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Jammu and Kashmir. For the utilisation of public health facilities for ante-natal care and post-natal care services, Tamil Nadu is the best performing State and Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Assam are the worst.
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UN passes historic Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)

The UN made history by passing an unprecedented arms trade treaty (ATT) to better regulate the international sale in weapons. It was passed in the General Assembly with 154 members voting in favour ; three Iran, Syria and North Korea voting against; and 23, including India, abstaining. India opposed the current provisions which favour the arms exporting countries and does not protect the interests of importers and it falls short of striking an appropriate balance of interests and obligations among the exporters and importers as well as the affected states. Under the ATT, ratifying nations are expected to accept fixed international standards for conventional weapons sales, linked to the protection of human rights.
Master Tips
The adopted treaty text covers weapons such as tanks, armoured combat vehicles, largecalibre artillery systems, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, missiles and missile launchers, and small and light arms. However it does not explicitly cover predator drones and grenades. Ammunition exports are subject to the same criteria as the other included items, although its imports are not covered.
India inks Tax pact with Liechtenstein
India entered into a Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) with Liechtenstein for facilitating exchange of information on banking and ownership data based on international standards of transparency. The agreement, signed in Bern (Switzerland) is aimed at tracking black money, checking tax evasion and routing of illicit funds.
Master Tips
Liechtenstein, officially the Principality of Liechtenstein (as it is a constitutional monarchy headed by a prince) is a doubly landlocked alpine country (only country to lie entirely within the Alps ) in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and by Austria to the east and north. Its area is just over 160 sq km, and it has an estimated population of 35,000. Its capital is Vaduz. The biggest town is Schaan.
Hinduja Groups lubricant plant commissioned in the UAE

A state-of-the-art lubricant manufacturing plant and grease processing unit, jointly set up by the Hinduja group and the government in UAEs Ras Al Khaimah emirate , has been commissioned with an aim to gain a regional market share of up to 8 per cent in the next four years.
Japan to grant India Aid & Loan

India and Japan have agreed to promote their bilateral strategic and global partnership especially in economic and security areas, with Tokyo granting a $2.32 billion aid for infrastructure building. Along with the aid to India for infrastructure building, a 71-billion-yen loan ($753.17 million) was also granted for the subway project in Indias financial capital Mumbai. The package consists of four projects, including a freight railway project connecting New Delhi and Mumbai, and a subway construction project in southern India.
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Liechtenstein has the highest gross domestic product per person in the world when adjusted by purchasing power parity ( PPP), and has the worlds lowest external debt. It is a member of the European Free Trade Association and part of the European Economic Area and the Schengen Area, but not of the European Union. It has been identified as a tax haven that is why India entered into TIEA.
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The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is a multilateral treaty that regulates the international trade in conventional weapons which has been estimated to reach US$70 billion a year. The treaty was negotiated at a global conference under the auspices of the United Nations from 227 July 2012 in New York, where it was not possible to reach an agreement on a final text at that time. On 2 April 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted the ATT.
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Malala Yousafzai seals $3 mn deal to publish memoir I am Malala,

Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl shot in the head at point-blank range by Taliban for advocating girls education, has become a millionaire by signing a deal for around USD 3 million to publish her memoir. The life story of a 15-year Pakistani girl who was shot by the Taliban will be published later in 2013, in a deal reported to be worth around 2 million pounds (USD 3 million). The book, titled I am Malala, will be published by Weidenfeld & Nicholson in the UK and Commonwealth and by Little, Brown in the rest of the world.
BRICS bank & $100 billion contingency fund get nod

The BRICS summit held in Durban Durban, South Africa from 26 to 27 March 2013 endorsed the setting up of a BRICS Development Bank and creation of a $100 billion contingency relief arrangement (CRA) in a bid to sow the seeds of an alternate financial structure for developing countries. China will be the largest contributor with $41 billion while India, Russia and Brazil will pledge $18 billion each. South Africa will pledge $5billion.
Iran replaces ONGC with state company in oil field
Iran has awarded the development of an offshore oil field that state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) had abandoned as commercially unviable, to a domestic company. ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) and its partners Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Oil India Ltd (OIL) had in 2009 dropped plans to develop the Binaloud oil field in the Farsi offshore block as it found one billion barrels of reserves commercially unviable. Binaloud holds about 3.5 billion barrels of oil in place, more than three times ONGCs estimate of 1 billion barrels of heavy crude with 14-degree API gravity. OVL-IOC-OIL joint venture had in 2006 made an oil discovery in the Farsi offshore block, which was later named Binaloud. The discovery was found to be commercially unviable primarily due to high sulphur content in the oil.
Zambian delegation visits Hindustan Zinc Ltd. in Rajasthan
China becomes 5 th in Arms exporter and India biggest Importer

China has become the worlds fifth largest weapons exporter on the back of a rapid increase in sales to Pakistan, which now accounts for more than half of Chinas arms exports and overall 3rd biggest importer in the world after India and china. China, accounting for five per cent of global arms sales, replaced Britain in the exclusive club of five biggest weapons sellers, according to report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The United States is the biggest exporter, accounting for 30 per cent of global exports. Russia with 26 per cent, Germany with seven per cent and France with six per cent exceed Chinas sales.
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Zambian Vice-President Guy Scott, accompanied by a high-power delegation, arrived in Udaipur town of Rajasthan to visit the facilities of Hindustan Zinc Limited, the worlds largest integrated zinc producer and also the largest lead and silver producer in India. Vedanta Resources, which operates HZL in Udaipur, runs copper operations in Zambia through Konkola Copper Mine (KCM), which is one of the worlds largest copper producers. KCM operates two mines at Nchanga, comprising an underground mine and four open pits, the Nchanga smelter, Konkola mine, Nkana refinery and the Nampundwe pyrite mine. KCM is also Zambias largest private sector employer with nearly 22,000 permanent and contract employees. The Konkola Copper Mines head office is located at Chingola in Copperbelt province of Zambia. KCM has operations in Chililabombwe, Chingola, Nampundwe and Kitwe.
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India remains the biggest importer(70% of its armament needs met by import having failed to develop a domestic defence industrial base ), accounting for 12 per cent of the worlds imports and continuing to rely on countries such as Russia for its defence needs. China is the second biggest importer accounting for six per cent , even with its surging domestic industries supplies to the Peoples Liberation Army.
Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project launched ignoring US unease

The long-pending Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project inched closer to reality with the launch of its final phase under which a 781-km-long pipeline would be laid on the Pakistan side of the border. To run from Irans border to Nawabshah in Sindh, the pipelines construction was inaugurated in the Iranian port city of Chabahar by the Presidents of the two countries.
A glance at the IP project :
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Source Reserves: Distance upto Iran-Pak Border: Pakistan Segment Distance: Gas Volume: Optimum Pipeline Configuration: (Pakistan Segment) Targeted Gas Flow
Initially, India was also part of the negotiation of the proposed Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) Pipeline or Peace Pipeline but in 2009, India withdrew from the project over pricing and security issues, and after signing a civilian nuclear deal with the United States in 2008. But, even in future, India, looking into its energy needs, can consider the project. Iran has the worlds 2nd largest natural gas reserves after Russia . Iran is also planning to build a gas pipeline up to Iraq and Syria from its Assaluyeh (near the south pars gas field in southern Iran) to the Iran-Iraq border and from Baghdad to the Syrian border. Refer route Map for clarity.
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South Pars in Iran 1,150 km 781 km 750 MMcfd 42 inch 31st Dec 2014
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China-Pakistan signed deal on 1,000 MW reactor

Chinese companies are reported to be involved in the construction of at least two new reactors at the Chashma nuclear power complex in Pakistan, where China has already built two reactors. China and Pakistan reportedly signed another deal for a 1,000 MW reactor at Chashma by a Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission delegation to China between February 2013.
Panchen Lama on top Chinese panel

The Communist Party of China (CPC) has elevated the role of the 11 th Panchen Lama on a top political advisory body, in a move that would pave the way for the Chinese-appointed religious leader to make greater political contributions. The Panchen Lama was chosen as member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a top political advisory body that is in charge of minority issues.
The 11th Panchen Lama, Gyaincain Norbu , was chosen as a member of the CPPCC in 2010, and has been seen by many Tibetans as a controversial figure. The 23-year-old was chosen as the 11th reincarnation of the Panchen Lama the second most important figure for the Gelugpa or Yellow Hat sect of Buddhism after the Dalai Lama in place of Gendun Choekyi Nyima. Gendun Choekyi Nyima was first chosen as the reincarnation with the Dalai Lamas backing, but subsequently disappeared.
Tata Steel acquires 51 % in Canadian mines company LIM
Tata Steel, through its subsidiary Tata Steel Minerals Canada (TMSC), has acquired majority stake in Canadian company Labrador Iron Mines (LIM) for Canadian $30 million (Rs.163 crore). This will enable Tata Steel to seamlessly transport raw material from its existing mines in Canada through rail and a port facility to the U.K. where it has major operations. This is possibly the first acquisition by the Tata Group after Cyrus Mistry took over as Chairman.
Falkland Islands vote in referendum with eye on world
Falkland Islanders hold a referendum to send a message to the world that they want to stay British, although Argentina has already dismissed the vote as illegal.
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Ocean forecast services launched for Maldives by Indian Agency INCOIS

Hyderabad-based Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has launched three new products, including Ocean State Forecast services for 22 atolls of Maldives. The forecasts would be routed through Bangkok based Regional Integrated MultiHazard Early Warning System (RIMES) and also posted on INCOIS website.
Worlds tallest Buddha statue comes up in China

Worlds tallest statue of Lord Buddha, built at a cost of $161 million (totally funded by private donations), was unveiled in east Chinas Jiangxi Province. The 48-metre high, bronze statue of Amitabha Buddha was built at the Donglin Temple in Xingzi County of Jiujiang City.
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Fakland Islands Dispute: Sovereignty over the Falkland Islands or Islas Malvinas in Spanish is disputed between Argentina and the United Kingdom . The British claim to sovereignty dates from 1690, and the United Kingdom has exercised de facto sovereignty over the archipelago almost continuously since 1833. Argentina has long disputed this claim, having been in control of the islands for a brief period prior to 1833. The dispute escalated in 1982, when Argentina invaded the islands, precipitating the Falklands War . Contemporary Falkland Islanders prefer to remain British. They gained full British citizenship with the British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983, after the Falklands War.
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North Korea conducts 3 rd Nuclear test and UNSC Sanctions imposed

North Korea said it had conducted a successful underground nuclear test, a move that brought condemnation from its neighbours and threatened to heighten regional tensions. It said the test the third conducted by the country since 2006 and the first under the new leader Kim Jong-un was a response to outrageous American hostility and the sanctions imposed on the country for a rocket launch in December 2012. The test was reported to have taken place at a site in the North Hamgyeong province, where the Punggye-ri nuclear complex that conducted tests in 2006 and 2009 is located. The 2009 test brought tighter sanctions from the United Nations Security Council and triggered fresh tensions with South Korea and Japan. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) approved a new regimen of sanctions against North Korea for its underground nuclear test , imposing penalties on North Korean banking, travel and trade in a unanimous vote that reflected the countrys increased international isolation. The resolution, drafted by the United States and China, was passed 15-0 in a speedy vote hours after North Korea threatened for the first time to launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike against the United States and South Korea.
India contemplating widening of visa-on-arrival list to boost Tourism

Ministry for Tourism mooted a proposal to grant visa-on-arrival (VoA) to tourists fr om Germany, Russi a, Fra nce and South Africa under its active consideration. The Ministry had also asked the Home Ministry to consider grant of VoA for 16 more countries in an attempt to give a big push to arrivals. Tourism Ministry has included Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Ukra i ne, Uz beki sta n, Ka z a khsta n, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago in the proposed VoA list.
China overtakes US as worlds largest oil importer
China becomes biggest trading nation surging ahead US

China surpassed the US to become the worlds biggest trading nation as measured by the sum of exports and imports of goods , a milestone in the Asian nations challenge to the US dominance in global commerce that emerged after the end of World War II. US exports and imports of goods totaled $3.8 trillion in 2012. Chinas customs administration reported that the countrys total trade in goods in 2012 amounted to $3.9 trillion.
Iran building 3,000 advanced uranium-enrichment centrifuges

Iran is building about 3,000 advanced uranium-enrichment centrifuges, in a development likely to add to Western concerns about the Islamic states disputed nuclear programme. Iran announced earlier that it would install the new-generation centrifuges at its Natanz uranium enrichment plant.
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China has overtaken the US as the worlds largest net importer of oil. The US has been the worlds largest net importer of oil since the mid-1970s. China has already taken a more assertive foreign oil policy in countries such as Sudan, Angola and Iraq, where state-owned Chinese companies have invested billions of dollars.
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Foreign tourist arrivals to India constitute only 0.64 per cent of the world tourist arrivals and foreign exchange earnings account for 1.61 per cent of the world tourism receipts. The VoA facility is now available for tourists from countries such as S in gapo re , New Zealan d, Japan , Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar and Philippines. India is also mulling to extend VoA to Pakistani elders aged 65 yrs. & above.
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Quake off Indonesia causes panic in East Timor

An undersea earthquake rocked eastern Indonesia, causing panic among residents in neighboring East Timor. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude 5.7 quake that struck in the evening was centred 202 km east of East Timors capital, Dili, at a depth of 35 km. Indonesias Meteorology and Geophysics Agency put
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Indonesia and East Timor are prone to seismic upheaval due to their location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.
the magnitude at 6.2 with a depth of 10 kms.
China operationalises key railway line to connect ASEAN bloc
India finances power project in Mozambique
India has made USD 250 million available to finance a power project in Maputo region in southern Mozambique. The project will kick off by June 2013 and end in 2016.
China takes control of Gwadar Port
Remains of poet Pablo Neruda to be exhumed

A Chilean judge has ordered the remains of poet and Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda exhumed as part of an investigation into his death. The leftist poet, who died 12 days after the 1973 military coup that ousted the socialist president Salvador Allende and brought General Augusto Pinochet to power, was long believed to have died of prostate cancer. He won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1971.
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China has taken control of Pakistans Gwadar Port located at the mouth of the Persian Gulf just outside the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The official transfer of Concession Agreement from the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) to the China Overseas Port Holding Company was carried out recently. Gwadar Deep Sea Port is billed as Pakistans biggest infrastructure project, which has failed as a business venture till date because the security situation in Balochistan discouraged PSA from investing in the development of the port and off-shore infrastructure.
String of Pearls Policy of China: It is a strategic endeavor of China to encircle India and to have dominant position & multiple accesses in Indian Ocean , primarily for twin reasons of its energy supply security and advantageous position against India by having good relation with Indias neighbours and countries around. In furtherance of this policy, China built & controls ports in Marao, Maldives; Gwadar, Pakistan; Chittagong, Bangladesh; Sittwe, Burma; Lamu, Kenya; and Hambantota, Sri Lanka.
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Amid deepening dispute with Southeast Asian countries over South China Sea, Beijing has operationalised its 141-km long railway link connecting ASEAN countries to firm up the burgeoning trade links with the regional bloc. This 141-km long railway link between Yuxi and Mengzi, with a designed maximum speed of 120 km per hour, is part of the eastern line of the planned Pan-Asia Railway network. It passes through 35 tunnels and crosses 61 bridges, which together account for 54.95 per cent of the eastern lines total length. A railway that links Chinas southwestern Yunnan Province with the ASEAN countries became operational after seven years of construction. China, which has a free trade area arrangement with the bloc, continued to have robust trade that rose by 23.9 per cent year-on-year to USD 362.85 billion last year. This despite its deepening disputes with key ASEAN countries like Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei over Beijings claims to almost all of South China Sea, which they bitterly oppose. (Refer Current Affairs - 1 for disputed South China Sea Islands)
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Abu Dhabi firm makes oil discovery in new Darwin oil field
Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA) has discovered oil in the new Darwin oil field in the Northern North Sea area near the Shetland Islands in Scotland. In February 2012, TAQA acquired a 50 percent interest in the prospective exploration acreage known as Darwin, located south of the former NW Hutton Field. TAQA had started first oil production from the Cormorant East field development in the UK North Sea, which is expected to contain 10-30 million barrels of oil in place.
Nasheed takes refuge in Indian High Commission

The former Maldivian President, Mohamed Nasheed, walked into the Indian High Commission in Male after an arrest warrant was issued against him for failure to appear in a local court. After hectic diplomatic negotiation by Indian Mission, Nasheed left the Indian High Commission. Earlier, Maldives cancelled a contract to an Indian-Malaysian consortium for modernising and operating the airport at Male. The United States has launched its complaint against India in the World Trade Organisation over the Indian governments domestic content requirement, for solar modules used in the projects awarded under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission. Indian manufacturers want protection against the much cheaper products from abroad, especially from the Chinese crystalline silicon manufacturers and the American thin film manufacturers, both of whom often bring in cheap funding for their buyers. In India, the solar power industry is a 3-year-old baby. On the solar power generation side, the total installed solar power capacity in India in 2010 was 18 MW.
GAIL-EDF Trading sign MoU
GAIL India Ltd said it has signed a preliminary agreement with French energy trader EDF Trading for jointly acquiring oil and gas assets in North America and trading of US gas/LNG. The MoU may lead to the two firms jointly acquiring shale gas assets in North America as well as the French firm investing in downstream trading and marketing venture in India. GAIL already has a 20 per cent stake in Carrizo Oils Eagle Shale gas assets in Texas, US and has also signed to import 3.5 million tons of liquid gas, called LNG, from Cheniere Energys Sabine Pass shale gas project in Louisiana.
Russia sets arms sale record above $15 bn
Scotland Plans for Independence

The people of Scotland were given a glimpse of what the future would look like if Master Tips they decide to vote for independence in a The UK: The countries of the United r efer en du m n ex t y ear as th e Sc ottish Kingdom are England, Northern Ireland, government unveiled a transition plan which Scotland and Wales: four countries that w ou ld see th e c ou n tr y bec ome for mally together form the sovereign state of the independent in March 2016 severing its United Kingdom. 300-y ea r- o ld uni o n wi th t he Uni ted The Great Britain: Great Britain refers to Ki ng do m ( U. K. ). Th e dec la r ation of En glan d, Scotlan d an d Wales in independence would be followed by elections to combination, but not Northern Ireland. Parliament in May, Mand the new independent Parliament would draw up a written constitution reflecting the values of the people of Scotland, according to a 16-page document published by the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP).
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The worlds number two arms exporter Russia said it had sold a record $15.2 billion in weaponry in 2012 while expanding its list of clients to more African nations. Russia trails closely behind the United States in world arms exports and has expanded its sales by 46 per cent in the past two years. Its contracts reached $13.2 billion in 2011 and $10.4 billion in 2010 figures reliant heavily on military ties with India and China. Russias new list of 2012 clients included Ghana and Oman as well as Tanzania.
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US complains against India in WTO on Solar Panels
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India presents Dornier aircraft to Seychelles

India handed over a Dornier-228 maritime reconnaissance aircraft manufactured by defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics to Seychelles to help the country keep its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) under better surveillance as well as guard against terrorism and piracy. Earlier, India had announced $5 million assistance for Seychelles, in keeping with Indias overall policy to provide economic and military aid to Indian Ocean Region (IOR) countries to counter Chinas inroads into the region. Navy has been deploying Dorniers and helicopters in Seychelles on a regular basis as well as stepping up the visits of its warships to the region to help in anti-piracy operations.
Master Tips
EEZ: An exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is a seazone prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) over which a state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production from water and wind. Generally, a states EEZ extends to a distance of 200 nautical miles (370km) out from its coastal baseline. The exception to this rule occurs when EEZs would overlap; that is, state coastal baselines are less than 400 nautical miles (740km) apart. When an overlap occurs, it is up to the states to delineate the actual maritime boundary. Generally, any point within an overlapping area defaults to the nearest state. Territorial Waters: As per UNCLOS, the territorial waters stretch till 12 NM (22km) from the coastal baseline. States also have rights to the seabed of what is called the continental shelf up to 350 nautical miles (648km) from the coastal baseline, beyond the EEZ, but such areas are not part of their EEZ. *Refer the schematic.(Important for Geography because of Killing of Indian Fishermen off the Kerala Coast by two Italian Marines (ENRICA LEXIE-Italian Oil Tanker 2012).)
Tenitorial Contiguous water zone
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zones of National Jurisdiction 1982 Law of the sea Convention 12 nm 24 nm Exclusive Economic zone Continental shelf
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UNESCO to help protect Malis heritage

The Paris-headquartered United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) will do everything possible to safeguard and rebuild Malis cultural heritage, the UN agencys director-general Irina Bokova said following burning of ancient manuscripts and destruction of mausoleums by Islamist rebels in the west African nation. UNESCO said it would spare no effort to help rebuild the mausoleums of Timbuktu and the tomb of Askia in Gao.
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Mali, a French colony until 1960, has been in turmoil since a military coup in March 2012 with Islamists seizing a vast area of northern Mali and trying to impose strict Sharia law. The rebels have burnt ancient manuscripts and destroyed mausoleums and Sufi shrines in Timbuktu, calling them blasphemous.
Chinas first AP 1000 nuclear power reactor getting ready
Chinas first nuclear power reactor using US-based Westinghouse Electric AP 1000 technology is expected to begin operations in October 2014. The AP1000 is a two-loop pressurized water reactor sold by Westinghouse Electric Company. Construction on the reactor, the No. 1 reactor of the Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant in east Chinas Zhejiang Province, has been underway since 2009. The company had previously planned to bring the reactor online in 2013, but construction slowed after a devastating tsunami crippled a nuclear power plant in Japan in March 2011. China had 15 nuclear power-generating units in operation with a total installed capacity of 12.54 GW, and another 26 units currently under construction will add another 29.24 GW, according to a government white paper on energy policy released in October 2012.
CCEA approves OVL acquisition in Azerbaijan Oilfield
India-aided housing project in Sri Lanka makes good progress

Its been hardly four months since the second phase of the India-assisted housing project got under way here, but already about a dozen houses of the 43,000 planned have been completed. Already about 10 houses are ready under our area itself, said United Nations Human Settlement Programmes National project Manager I.A. Hameed. UN-HABITAT is one of the three implementing agencies selected by the Indian authorities. Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka said work on building more than 5000 houses had already commenced. The project, aiming at construction of 50,000 houses for Sri Lankas internally displaced, is the largest Indian development project abroad. The project, worth nearly Rs. 1400-crore, is expected to be completed by October 2015.
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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved ONGC Videsh Ltds acquisition of stake in an Azerbaijan oilfield for USD 1.001 billion. The CCEA headed by PM approved OVL acquiring US energy major Hess Corps 2.7213 percent stake in the Azeri, Chirag and the deep water portion of Guneshli fields in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea and 2.36 percent interest in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline. ACG, which is located in the south Caspian Sea, about 95 km off the coast of Azerbaijan, is the largest oil and gas field complex in Azerbaijan and one of the largest producing oil fields in the world. UKs BP plc is the operator of the ACG fields with 34.1 percent stake.
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Timbuktus three major mosques - Djingareyber, Sankore and Sidi Yahi - along with 16 mausoleums, were first inscribed on Unescos World Heritage List in 1988. The Askia Tomb in the city of Gao followed in 2004.
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BHEL commissions STG unit at Ethiopia plant

State-run BHEL said it has commissioned steam turbine and generator (STG) unit at a power plant in Ethiopia, the companys first ever in Africa. The steam turbine generator set of 12 MW capacity has been commissioned at the Finchaa Sugar Factory for the plants own use. BHEL, which supplies products and systems for thermal, gas and hydro power plants has presence across 75 countries.
China gives go-ahead for 3 new Brahmaputra dams

China has given the go-ahead for the construction of three new hydropower dams on the middle reaches of the Brahmaputra River, ending a two-year halt in approving new projects on the river amid concerns from India and environmental groups. The three new dams have been approved by the State Council, or Cabinet, under a new energy development plan for 2015. China has, so far, only begun construction on one major hydropower dam on the main stream of the middle reaches of the Brahmaputra or Yarlung Zangbo as it is known in China a 510 MW project in Zangmu in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), which began to be built in 2010. A 640 MW dam will be built in Dagu, which lies 18 km upstream of Zangmu. Another 320 MW dam will be built at Jiacha, also on the middle reaches of the Brahmaputura downstream of Zangmu. A third dam will be built at Jiexu, 11 km upstream of Zangmu .
Key China-Myanmar oil & gas pipelines to be completed in May 2013

China is set to operationalise its 1,100-kilometre-long oil and natural gas pipelines with Myanmar that will give China first ever access to the strategic Bay of Bengal. Crude oil will be shipped from the Middle East via the Indian Ocean- instead of the riskprone Strait of Malacca - before reaching Myanmar and entering China via the oil pipeline. The pipelines run from the port of Kyaukpyu on Myanmars west coast and enter China at Ruili, Yunnan Province. The oil pipeline has a designed annual transport capacity of 22 million tonnes, while the natural gas pipeline has a designed annual transport capacity of 12 billion cubic meters.
Indias euro route for Iranian imports may close

India may be forced to end 18-month old arrangement of paying for Iranian crude oil imports through a Turkish bank as a new set of US sanctions against the Islamic nation comes into force from February 6. India has been, since July 2011, using euros to clear most of its purchases of Iranian oil through Ankara-based Turkiye Halk Bankasi. As much as 55 per cent of the USD 10 billion oil imports from Iran are settled through Halk Bank, while the rest of the payments are made in rupees in Kolkata- based UCO Bank. The new US Treasury sanctions, which go into effect from February 6, bar banks from transferring Irans oil revenues from importing nations to Tehran.
China calls for talks with Japan to resolve disputes

After months of high profile military posturing over the disputed islands with Japan, China said it attaches importance to the ties with Tokyo and called on the Japanese government to resolve the dispute through dialogue to keep the relations on track. The two countries were locked in a showdown since September 2012 over the islands in East China Sea, called Diaoyu by China and Senkakus by Japan.(Refer Current Affairs-1 for details.)
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Japan to replace N-plant with worlds largest wind farm

In the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan has decided to build the worlds largest offshore wind farm to replace the crippled nuke plant. The country plans to build a total of 143 wind turbines on platforms 16 kilometres off the coast of Fukushima by 2020, which is home to the stricken Daiichi nuclear reactor that hit the headlines in March 2011 when it was damaged by a severe earthquake and tsunami. The wind farm will generate 1 gigawatt of power once completed, and is part of a national plan to increase renewable energy resources following the post-tsunami shutdown of the countrys 54 nuclear reactors. The project is part of Fukushimas plan to become completely energy self-sufficient by 2040, using renewable sources alone. The prefecture is also set to build the countrys biggest solar park. The wind farm will surpass the 504 megawatts generated by the 140 turbines at the Greater Gabbard farm off the coast of Suffolk, UK -currently the worlds largest farm.
OVLs project wins award in Russia
ONGC Videsh Ltd, the overseas arm of state-owned Oil & Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), said the De-Kastri oil terminal of its Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project in Russia has bagged the best oil terminal award of Russia. OVL holds 20 per cent stake in the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas fields in far East Russia. The terminal is used to storage and export the crude oil produced from the Sakhalin-1 fields. Oil is transported to the terminal from the Sakhalin-1 onshore production facilities at northeast of Sakhalin island via a 226-kilometer pipeline.
OVL discovers oil in first well at Columbian field
ONGC Videsh Ltd, the overseas arm of state-owned Oil & Natural Gas Corp, has discovered oil in the very first well it drilled on an onland block in Colombia. OVLs first well on the Block CPO-5 struck oil at two places and produced 120-300 barrels per day on testing. OVL is the operator of exploration block CPO-5 in Colombia with 70 percent stake. The CPO-5 block is located on land in llanos basin of Colombia and is presently under phase 1 of exploration.
All Boeing 787 Dreamliners grounded over fire risk
US recognises Somali government

The US has officially recognised the Somali government in Mogadishu after more than two decades. For the first time since 1991, the US is recognising the Government of Somalia. Washington had not recognised Somalias government since dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991. Currently, Somalia President is Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
ArcelorMittal to sell $1.1 bn stake in Canada iron ore unit to POSCO

ArcelorMittal, the worlds biggest steelmaker, will sell a $1.1 billion stake in a Canadian iron ore mine operator to a consortium that includes South Korean steelmaker POSCO and Taiwan-listed China Steel Corp. ArcelorMittal, formed in 2006 when India-born Lakshmi Mittals steel business bought European peer Arcelor for $33 billion, is battling sluggish steel demand and is looking to offload assets to cut debt.
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Regulators and airlines grounded all Boeing 787 Dreamliners until a fire risk is fixed, which could take weeks as problems with the high-tech plane threaten the American makers bold strategy. Authorities in Chile, Ethiopia, Europe, India, Japan and Qatar followed the lead of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by halting all 787 flights after a Japanese Dreamliner was forced by a smoke alert to make an emergency landing.
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Toyota retakes global auto sales crown from General Motors

Toyota has once again dethroned General Motors as the worlds top-selling automaker. The Japanese company sold 9.7 million cars and trucks worldwide in 2012, although its still counting. GM sold 9.29 million. Both companies saw higher sales, but Toyotas growth was far larger as it rolled out new versions of popular models like the Camry. GM was the top-selling carmaker for more than seven decades before losing the title to Toyota in 2008. But GM retook the sales crown in 2011 when Toyotas factories were slowed by an earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Red Cross head Peter Maurer makes first-ever visit to Myanmar

Peter Maurer, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross has arrived in Myanmar to meet with President Thein Sein and other officials, the first-ever visit to the nation by an ICRC president. Maurer plans to visit the western state of Rakhine, where the ICRC is carrying out aid work among people affected by communal violence. The communal unrest in the state has clouded optimism over sweeping political changes since Myanmars widely praised emergence from decades of army rule in early 2011. The ICRC said it was also ready to provide aid to people in states such as Kachin and Kayin, also affected by conflict.
Master Tips
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a humanitarian institution based in Geneva, Switzerland and a three-time Nobel Prize Laureate. States parties (signatories) to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977 (Protocol I, Protocol II) and 2005, have given the ICRC a mandate to protect victims of international and internal armed conflicts. Such victims include war wounded, prisoners, refugees, civilians, and other non-combatants.
Thailand surrendered its crown as the worlds top rice exporter to INDIA
Thailand starts the new year having surrendered its crown as the worlds top rice exporter, and saddled with an ever-growing stockpile of the grain as the costs of its subsidy scheme mount. Thailand is estimated to have exported about 6.8 million tonnes of rice in 2012, down about 35 percent from the prior year, as the costs of the intervention scheme made Thai prices uncompetitive. India is the new number one rice exporter, taking the title for the first time since 1983, with exports likely to be about 8.5 million tonnes to the end of March 2013. In second spot is Vietnam with 2012 exports of about 7 .7 million tonnes. It is no surprise that Thailands rice exports slumped, since its prices are about 37 percent above those of Vietnam and India.
China constructing new N-plant with 4 th generation reactor

China has launched construction of a new USD 476 million nuclear power plant with a 200 MW 4th generation reactor, claimed to be the first in the world for commercial usage. China has broken ground on a 3 billion-yuan (USD 476 million) nuclear power project that will be the first in the world to put a reactor with fourth-generation features into commercial use. Construction of the project at Shidao Bay in the coastal city of Rongcheng in east Chinas Shandong Province w ith the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor will start generating power by the end of 2017.
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BRICS countries agree to collaborate on health issues

The health ministers of BRICS countries have agreed to collaborate and cooperate for development of capacity and infrastructure to deal with the disease multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) recognizing it as a major public health problem in BRICS due to its high prevalence and incidence mostly among the marginalized and vulnerable sections of society. BRICS nations committed to strengthen cooperation to combat malaria through enhanced diagnostics, research and development and to facilitate common access to technologies developed or under development in the BRICS countries.
Master Tips
TB: Tuberculosis (TB) (short for tubercle bacillus) is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually called as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Tuberculosis typically attacks the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. It is spread through the air when people who have an active TB infection cough, sneeze, or otherwise transmit respiratory fluids through the air. MDR-TB: Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is defined as tuberculosis that is resistant to at least ionized (INH) and rifampicin (RMP) , the two most powerful first-line treatment anti-TB drugs. Isolates that are multiply resistant to any other combination of anti-TB drugs but not to INH and RMP are not classed as MDR-TB. MDR-TB develops during treatment of fully sensitive TB when the course of antibiotics is interrupted and the levels of drug in the body are insufficient to kill 100% of bacteria. Malaria: Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by protists (a type of microorganism) of the genus Plasmodium . It begins with a bite from an infected female Anopheles mosquito, which introduces the protists through saliva into the circulatory system. The disease is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions in a broad band around the equator, including much of Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
China to give Belarus $16 mn Chernobyl aid
Nepal elected UN-ECOSOC member

The 33rd Plenary Meeting of the UN General Assembly elected Nepal as a member of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the term 2013-2015. The Meeting elected 18 members for the Council from different regions. The other elected members from the Asia and the pacific group are Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.
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China is to donate some $16 million to Belarus to support children in areas hit by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. The money is to be spent on construction of recreational facilities equipped with swimming pools for children living in the districts contaminated by the worlds worst nuclear accident at the Chernobyl nuclear plant, located just over the border in neighbouring Ukraine. The radioactive fallout from the accident contaminated some 23 percent of Belarusian territory, an area of 45,000 km populated by 2.6 million. The radiation also affected an area of around 50,000 sq. km in Ukraine and 60,000 sq. km in Russia. The accident is estimated to have caused thousands of premature deaths in the contaminated areas.
About ECOSOC : The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) constitutes one of the principal organs of the United Nations. It is responsible for coordinating the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, their functional commissions and five regional commissions. ECOSOC has 54 members . India is a member of ECOSOC.
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2.1 Un passes Historric Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)
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Earth Hour 2013

Earth Hour 2013 was held on March 23, 2013 from 8:30p.m. to 9:30p.m. during participants local time. Iconic landmarks and skylines were plunged into darkness as the Earth Hour switch-off of lights around the world got under way to raise awareness of climate change. While more than 150 countries took part in last years event, the movement has spread even further afield this year, with Palestine, Tunisia, Suriname and Rwanda among a host of newcomers pledging to take part.
Master Tips
Earth Hour is a worldwide event organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and held towards the end of March annually, encouraging households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour to raise awareness about the need to take action on climate change. The event, conceived by WWF and Leo Burnett, first took place in 2007 , when 2.2 million residents of Sydney participated by turning off all non-essential lights.
Tiger population rises to 1,468 at present
Forty years of tiger conservation efforts in the country seem to have borne fruit with the number of big cats rising. The project tiger was launched from Corbetts Dhikala range on April 1, 1973 by the then Union Minister Karan Singh. (Refer Current Affairs - 1 for more information on Project Tiger, National Tiger Conservation Authority and 5 New Tiger Reserves recently approved in principle.)
Sparrow survey Citizen Sparrow : Now Bihars State bird

Among all major Indian cities, Chennai and Bangalore have the least number of spots for sparrow sightings, according to a survey conducted recently by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). Surprisingly, Mumbai has the largest number of spots. The results of the online survey, Citizen Sparrow, allow for a closer evaluation of the widespread impression that sparrow populations have declined over the years. Sparrow has been declared Bihars State bird in a bid to save the endangered species.
CoP-16 Meeting 2013 to CITES held in Bangkok

The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP16) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) convened in Bangkok, Thailand from 3-14 March 2013. Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra officially opened the meeting. More than 2000 participants from 170 countries, including more than 200 NGOs and intergovernmental organizations, attended. CoP16 adopted 55 new listing proposals, including on sharks, manta rays, turtles and timber. CoP-17 will be hosted by South Africa in 2016.
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CITES was established as a response to growing concerns that over-exploitation of wildlife through international trade was contributing to the rapid decline of many species of plants and animals around the world. The Convention was signed by representatives from 80 countries in Washington, DC, on 3 March 1973, and entered into force on 1 July 1975 . There are currently 178 parties to the Convention. The CITES Secretary-General is John E. Scanlon .
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Eco-friendly biodigester toilets along Ganga

The Ganga Action Parivar (GAP) has taken primary steps towards constructing the first zero-waste, biodigester toilet in Uttar Pradesh along the banks of the Ganga. The initiative is part of GAPs drive to build 5,000 eco-friendly toilets in villages along the 2,500-km stretch of the Ganga and also integrates its Green Kashi and Green Prayag campaign. The model of the toilets has been developed by GAP in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
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DRDOs bio-toilet is based on anaerobic biodegradation of organic waste by unique microbial consortium and works at a wide temperature range. The consortium has been made through acclimatisation, enrichment and bioaugumentation of coldactive bacteria collected from Antarctica and other low temperature areas . The innovation degrades and converts the human waste into usable water and gases in an eco-friendly manner . The generated gas can be utilized for energy/cooking and water for irrigation purposes. The process involves the bacteria, which feed upon the fecal matter inside the tank, through anaerobic process which finally degrades the matter and releases methane gas that can be used for cooking, along with the treated water . The Bio-digester technology has been developed by Gwalior based Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE) and Tezpur based Defence Research Laboratory (DRL).
2012 among 10 warmest years in global record
The U.S. space agency NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration jointly issued two reports on 2012 world temperatures. NASA ranked last year the ninthwarmest since record-keeping began in 1880 , while NOAA found year 2012 was the tenthwarmest. The 2012 global surface temperature, including land and water, was 1 degree F (.56 degree C) warmer than the 1951-1980 average. That was enough to increase extreme high temperatures last year.
Minamata Convention on Mercury
MoEF sets deadline to declare ESZs around National Parks, Sanctuaries

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has given one last opportunity to all the States to submit site-specific proposals by February 15, a decade after the National Board for Wildlife envisaged declaring areas within 10 km of the boundary of national parks and sanctuaries as eco-sensitive zones (ESZs). As per the guidelines, commercial mining, setting up of industries causing pollution, commercial use of firewood, establishment of all hydroelectric projects, use or production of any hazardous substances, tourism activities like flying over the national park area by any aircraft or hot-air balloons and discharge of effluents and solid waste in natural water bodies or terrestrial area are prohibited.
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Under the auspices of UN, delegations from some 140 countries agreed to adopt a groundbreaking treaty limiting the use and emission of health-hazardous mercury . The treaty has been named the Minamata Convention on Mercury, in honour of the Japanese town where inhabitants for decades have suffered the consequences of serious mercury contamination. The worlds first legally binding treaty on mercury will aim to reduce global emission levels of the toxic heavy metal, also known as quicksilver , which poses risks to human health and the environment. Mercury is found in products ranging from electrical switches, thermometers and lightbulbs, to amalgam dental fillings and even facial creams. Large amounts of the heavy metal are released from small scale gold mining, coal-burning power plants, metal smelters and cement production.
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White Pelican spotted in Atapaka Bird Sanctuary

White pelican, also known as American White Pelican, was spotted in the natural bird habitat at Kolleru Lake in Atapaka village. White pelican is one among the eight species in pelican family and is the largest aquatic bird found in North America. The bird rarely visits the sanctuary.
White Pelican
Master Tips
American white pelicans have large wings with huge bill. These pelicans weigh about 12 to 14 kg., which are double the grey pelicans. Several species of birds migrate to Kolleru from far off places every year during winter but, white pelicans have not visited Atapaka Bird Sanctuary in the last few years.
Ozone thinning has changed ocean circulation
A hole in the Antarctic ozone layer has changed the way waters in the southern oceans mix, which scientists say could impact global climate change. The situation has the potential to alter the amount of CO 2 in the atmosphere.
Master Tips
CFC-12 was first produced commercially in the 1930s and its concentration in the atmosphere increased rapidly until the 1990s when it was phased out by the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer.
IRENA launched Global Atlas on renewable energy
Elusive Snow Leopard offers glimpse in Himachal

The rare and elusive snow leopard has been sighted for the first time in Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh. The species is listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and is classified as endangered by the IUCN Red List.
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The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has launched the worlds first atlas on clean energy which will offer open-access information on countries renewable energy potential. The Global Atlas is the largest ever initiative to help countries assess their renewable energy potential, and companies bringing together data and maps from leading technical institutes and private companies worldwide. The Global Atlas provides a powerful new tool in international efforts to double the worlds share of renewable energy by 2030. Thirty-seven countries, including Israel which has no diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, have so far contributed information on their renewable energy potentials to the atlas.
Established in 2011, Abu Dhabi-based IRENA is mandated by 159 countries and the European Union to promote the sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy.
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Kolleru Lake is a 2nd largest freshwater lake located in Andhra Pradesh. Kolleru is located between Krishna and Godavari delta. Kolleru spans into two districts - Krishna and West Godavari. The lake serves as a natural flood-balancing reservoir for these two rivers.
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Snow leopards inhabit the nonforested zone above the tree line - around 3,200 metres in the western Himalayas and around 4,200 metres in the eastern Himalayas, going over the Greater Himalayan crest into the Trans Himalayan region. The snow leopard distribution and population in India is at 400-600 along the Himalayan region and about 4080 - 6590 across the world, found in 12 countries. Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, besides Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, are amongst the five States in the country that are believed to have snow leopards.
Master Tips
The Project Snow Leopard launched in 2009 by MoEF, is an initiative for strengthening wildlife conservation in the Himalayan high altitudes, covering 5 states Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. It aims at promoting a knowledge-based and adaptive conservation framework that fully involves the local communities, who share the snow leopards range, in conservation efforts. Project Snow Leopard is at par with other flagship species programmes of the country such as Project Tiger and Project Elephant.
New Lizard species found in Madagascar
As per Frances National Centre for Scientific Research , a new lizard species has been discovered in Madagascar and named Moby Dick mermaid skink after the albino sperm whale imagined by Herman Melville for its flipper-like forelimbs and unpigmented skin,. Sirenoscincus mobydick presents a unique combination of anatomical features that can be found in amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds. The discovery was made by French, Malagasy, American and German researchers. The centre said the Moby Dick lizard was discovered in the dry north-western forests of Madagascar. Because of its life underground, the animals skin has lost pigmentation and its eyes have almost disappeared. Although the lizard has retained forelimbs, its hindlimbs have completely disappeared. The centre called it a morphological organisation reminiscent of cetaceans, the carnivorous marine mammals such as whales and dolphins.
New Gas that triggers ozone destruction found
Scientists have found that a gas released from the oceans on Earth may play a significant role in the destruction of ozone layer. Researchers at the Universities of York and Leeds found that the principal source of iodine oxide can be explained by emissions of hypoiodous acid (HOI) - a gas not yet considered as being released from the ocean - along with a contribution from molecular iodine (I2). Since the 1970s when methyl iodide (CH3I) was discovered as ubiquitous in the ocean, the presence of iodine in the atmosphere has been understood to arise mainly from emissions of organic compounds from phytoplankton - microscopic marine plants. The new research, published in Nature Geoscience, builds on an earlier study which showed that reactive iodine, along with bromine, in the atmosphere is responsible for the destruction of vast amounts of ozone around 50 per cent more than predicted by the worlds most advanced climate models in the lower atmosphere over the tropical Atlantic Ocean.
Tata Power earned Carbon Credits from Gujarat Solar Plant

Tata Power has said its 25 MW solar project in Gujarat has been registered under the United Nations Clean Development Mechanism, a move that would allow the company to trade carbon credits from the plant. This allows the company to trade Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) units it would earn from the renewable energy project. It is the companys second project, after the 50.4MW Khandke wind farm in Maharashtra , to get registered under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
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The Mithapur plant would help in reducing an annual average of 37,696 tons of carbon dioxide, by producing 39,597 MWh per year (average) equivalent amount of clean energy. The countrys largest private power producer, Tata Power, has an installed generation capacity of about 7,700 MW.
Master Tips
The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is one of the flexibility mechanisms defined in the Kyoto Protocol that provides for emissions reduction projects which generate Certified Emission Reduction (CER) units which may be traded in emissions trading schemes. Carbon Credit: A carbon credit is a generic term for any tradable certificate or permit representing the right to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide or the mass of another greenhouse gas with a carbon dioxide equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide. 1 Certified Emission Reduction (CER) Unit: For trading purposes, one allowance or CER is considered equivalent to one metric ton of CO 2 emissions.
Emissions from coal plants causing high mortality and diseases

Emissions from coal-fired power plants are taking a heavy toll on human life across large parts of India. In 2011-2012, a first-of-its-kind study in the country estimates it resulted in a whopping 80,000 to 1,15,000 premature deaths and more than 20 million asthma cases from exposure to a total PM10 (particulate matter) pollution. Titled Coal Kills An Assessment of Master Tips Death and Disease caused by Indias With approximately 210 gigawatts (GW), dirtiest energy source, was done by India is the fifth largest generator of Urban Emissions.info and Greenpeace electricity in the world. India, with support from Conservation At present, about 60% of this power Acti on Trust (CAT) by Sarath K. generation capacity is from coal. Guttikunda and Puja Jawahar. The 12th Five Year Plan (2012-2017) includes The study says emissions from coal-fired an addition of 76 GW and the 13th Five Year power are responsible for a large mortality Plan (2017-2022) includes 93 GW, most of and morbidity burden on human health. which is coal based. The largest impact of emissions is over Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Indo-Gangetic plain, and most of central east India.
Power Generation (Fuel Wise) MW 141713.68 Coal Gas Oil 121,610.88 18,903.05 1,199.75 39,416.40 4,780.00 25,856.14 2,11,766.22 %age 66.91 57.42 8.92 0.56 18.61 2.25 12.20 100.00
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Total Thermal Hydro (Renewable) Nuclear RES** (MNRE) Total
Renewable Energy Sources (RES) include SHP, BG, BP, U&I and Wind Energy SHP= Small Hydro Project, BG= Biomass Gasifier, BP= Biomass Power, U & I=Urban & Industrial Waste Power, RES=Renewable Energy Sources MNRE = Ministry of New & Renewable Energy.
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Science & Technology Updates

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5.1 Space Odyssey
5.2 Biotech & Medicine
5.3 Computer, ITES &Miscellaneous
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5.1 SPACE ODYSSEY

ISRO to set up research centre near Rohtang Pass
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has decided to set up an observatory at Kothi near the 13,050-feet-high Rohtang Pass to study the impact of global warming on melting of glaciers and environment in general. Scientists would be studying the behavior of aerosols, glaciers and back carbon aerosols at the popular mountain tourist spot.
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Reasons for melting of Glaciers: With thousands of vehicles passing through Rohtang, especially during peak tourist season, on a daily basis, the white snow cover turns black due to carbon emission from vehicles. Increased quantity of black carbon aerosols in the atmosphere is absorbing more heat, due to which incoming solar radiation is being absorbed more and not reflected accordingly, resulting into faster melting of glaciers.
On the southern side of this pass, the Beas River emerges from underground and flows southward and on its northern side, the Chandra River, a source stream of the river Chenab, flows westward.
ISROs 1 st navigational satellite IRNSS-1 set to fly & GAGAN by 2014

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to launch the countrys 1 st regional navigational satellite, IRNSS-1 in June. After all the required satellites were launched, India would be in a position to provide navigation service through indigenous GPS Gagan probably by 2014. The remaining six spacecraft that form the regional navigational constellation may follow over the next 18 months after tests on the first one. IRNSS-1 is to be flown on the domestic PSLV-C22 rocket from Sriharikota. The navigational spacecraft are expected to provide a sub-continental system similar to the GPS and vastly improve location and movement on ground, air or sea when they are fully in place. There would be 12 missions (including both satellites and launchers) in the next 12 months. Apart from IRNSS-1, three satellites were in the final stages of integration the GSAT-7, GSAT-14 and the advanced meteorology satellite INSAT-3D. GSAT-7 and INSAT-3D are planned to be flown on the European Ariane rocket around August and September depending on the schedule of the launch service agency Arianespace.
Comet streaks past Earth in closest-ever approach

A recently discovered comet made its closest-ever approach to Earth. The comet, which has passed through the inner solar system this month, is known officially as comet C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS). It was discovered in June 2011 by astronomers using the Panoramic Survey Telescope & Rapid Response System, or PanSTARRS telescope, in Hawaii.
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Established in 1969 and Headquartered in Bangalore, ISRO is the primary space agency of the Indian government. ISRO is amongst the six largest government space agencies in the world, along with Americas NASA, Russias RKA, Europes ESA, Chinas CNSA and Japans JAXA.The current ISRO Chairman is K. Radhakrishnan. S Ramakrishnan has assumed charge as Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Tiruvananthapuram.
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Rohtang Pass: Rohtang Pass is a high mountain pass on the eastern Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas around 51 km from Manali. It connects the Kullu Valley (in south having Hindu Culture) with the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys (in north having Buddhist Culture) of Himachal Pradesh. Manali-Leh Highway, the highest motarable road in India, a part of NH 21, transverses Rohtang Pass.
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Chinas BeiDou navigation system to get full global coverage by 2020

In order to counter Americas Global Positioning System(GPS), China expects that its home-grown navigation system BeiDou will be achieving full-scale global coverage by around 2020. The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) will then be able to provide highly accurate and reliable positioning, navigation and timing service with the aid of a constellation of 35 satellites, said Ye Peijian, chief commander of Change-3, Chinas lunar probe mission.
China to Launch 2 nd Manned Space Mission

China will send its second manned mission this year to dock with a space module currently orbiting the Earth, as the country continues experiments to set up a Spacelab to rival International Space Station (ISS). (ISS by NASA, JAXA, ESA, RKA, CSA (Canada); is completing 15.7 orbits/day at altitude between 330km and 435km.) Three Chinese astronauts will board the Shenzhou-10, which is expected to dock with the orbiting lab module Tiangong-1. The Tiangong-1 was sent into space in September 2011. It later docked with the Shenzhou-8 unmanned spacecraft in November 2011 and with the Shenzhou-9 manned spacecraft in June, 2012. In 2012, China sent its first woman astronaut Liu Yang aboard Shenzhou-9.
ISROs 101 st Solar Mission PSLV-C20 launches 7 satellites
Indias Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C20 rocket carrying seven satellites , including the Indo-French Satellite with ARgos and ALtika (SARAL), blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The successful launch of the satellites will take ISROs tally of launching foreign satellites to 35. ISRO started putting into space third-party satellites for a fee in 1999 on its PSLV-C2 rocket. The ISRO-built SARAL is a 410-kg satellite with payloads Argos and Altika from French space agency CNES for enhancing the understanding of the ocean. The six smaller payloads in the mission launched include two from Canada, two from Austria and one each from Denmark and UK. NEOSSat (Near-Earth Object Surveillance Satellite) (74 kg) is built by Microsat Systems Canada Inc (MSCI). The Satellite has a space telescope dedicated for detecting and tracking asteroids and satellites in Geo-stationary orbit. Canadas NEOSSat will join global efforts to discover and track asteroids that might pose a threat to our planet. Sapphire (148 Kg), a satellite built by MacDonald, Dettwiler and Association (MDA), Canada, is a space based optical sensor system aimed at an operationally acceptable space based surveillance to contribute to the US Space Surveillance Network (SSN). NLS 8.1 (UniBRITE) (14 Kg) and NLS 8.2 (BRITE) (14 Kg) are two scientific satellites launched and operated by Austria. NLS 8.3 (AAUSAT3) (3Kg) is the third student cubesat from Aalborg University in Denmark, which has device for feasibility study of receiving AIS signals from ships in arctic regions and a Phoenix GPS receiver from DLR, Germany. The vehicle also carried STRaND-1, the first satellite in the series of Surrey Training, Research and Nanosatellite Development programme , built by SSTL (Surrey Training Technology Ltd), UK, to fly state-of-the art technologies and new developments in low Earth orbit.
Jupiters moon Europa likely to harbour life

Jupiters moon Europa is the most likely candidate in the universe beyond the Earth that could harbour life. Researchers say Europa, the sixth closest moon to Jupiter, is far more likely to be habitable than the desert covered Mars, which has been the focus of recent exploration. Under a new $2-billion exploration project called Clipper, NASA would team up with physicists of Johns Hopkins University, if the project got permission.
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The mission follows the success of Cassini, a probe that closely explored Titan, a moon of Saturn. Clipper could be launched by 2021 and would take a further three-six years to reach Europa. Europa was first examined by the Voyager mission in 1979 and by Galileo in the 1990s. Scientists believe that Enceladus, the sixth largest moon of Saturn, could also be habitable.
NASAs Kepler Mission discovers yet another Earth-like Planet Kepler-37b

NASA has discovered the smallest known planet outside our solar system which is slightly larger than the Moon and orbits its Sun like host star every 13 days. NASAs Kepler space telescope detected the smallest planet yet found around a star similar to the Sun in a new planetary system. The planets are located in a system called Kepler-37, about 210 light-years from Earth in the constellation Lyra. The smallest planet, Kepler-37b, is slightly larger than our Moon, measuring about onethird the size of Earth. The Moon-size planet and its two companion planets were found by scientists with NASAs Kepler mission to find Earth-sized planets in or near the habitable zone, the region in a planetary system where liquid water might exist on the surface of an orbiting planet. Kepler-37c, the closer neighbouring planet, is slightly smaller than Venus, measuring almost three-quarters the size of Earth. Kepler-37d, the farther planet, is twice the size of Earth.
Meteor hit Chelyabinsk: The largest celestial body to hit Earth in 100 yrs
The meteor, which closely missed the Russian city of Chelyabinsk and Russias Urals region, is likely to go down in history as the largest celestial body to have hit the Earth over the past hundred years. As per NASA scientists, the object was a tiny asteroid that released 300 to 500 kilotons of energy when it exploded, which is roughly equivalent to 20 atomic bombs of the type dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This would make the Chelyabinsk meteor the largest since 1908 when a meteor hit Tunguska in Siberia, a 60-metre cosmic body, levelling an estimated 80 million trees. The energy of the Tunguska blast is estimated to have been up to 50 megatons. Scientists believe the Chelyabinsk meteor was about 17 metres across and weighed 10,000 tons. Shock waves from its explosion over Chelyabinsk wounded 1,200. It was the biggest celestial body ever observed on its flight through the atmosphere and there was a good chance of finding its fragments before exposure to the elements contaminates them. Divers searched the bottom of frozen Lake Chebarkul about 80 km from Chelyabinsk where a chunk of the meteor is believed to have plunged, but found nothing.
Asteroid named 2012 DA14 makes closest pass to Earth

As per NASA, an asteroid half the size of a football pitch made the closest pass ever observed from Earth, some 28,000 kilometres above Indonesia. The near-Earth object, named 2012 DA14 after it was discovered in 2012 by astronomers from an observatory in La Sagra in southern Spain, is 45 metres in diameter. DA14 is roughly comparable in size to the meteor believed to have caused the 1908 Tunguska event, when a massive blast laid waste to 2,000 square kilometres of uninhabited Siberian forest. DA14 is likely a similar silicate rock as the Tunguska meteor and would probably explode in the atmosphere if it were bound for Earth. DA14 passed within 27,650 kms of Earth and was visible with the aid of binoculars or a small telescope from much of the eastern hemisphere.
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Difference among Comet, Asteroid, Meteoroid, Meteor & Meteorite
Scientists discover youngest black hole in our galaxy
NASAs new mission to estimate impact of asteroids on Earth

NASA plans to launch a new mission in 2016 to find potentially hazardous asteroids and predict their impact threat to Earth. NASAs OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission will arrive at RQ36 in 2018 and orbit the asteroid until 2021. By communicating continuously with a spacecraft in orbit around RQ36, the team will get a much better idea of the asteroids orbit.
NASA eyes one of the flattest galaxies in universe

The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope produced a beautiful image of the spiral galaxy IC 2233, one of the flattest galaxies known. Lying in the constellation of Lynx, IC 2233 is located about 40 million light-years away from Earth. This galaxy was earlier discovered by British astronomer Isaac Roberts in 1894. This object is a prime example of a super-thin galaxy, where the galaxys diameter is at least ten times larger than the thickness. These galaxies consist of a simple disk of stars when seen edge on.
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NASA scientists have spotted the youngest black hole yet in the Milky Way galaxy, which is just 1000-years old and only 26,000 light-years away from Earth. New data from NASAs Chandra X-ray Observatory suggested a highly distorted supernova remnant may contain the most recent black hole formed in the Milky Way galaxy. The remnant, called W49B, appears to be the product of a rare explosion in which matter is ejected at high speeds along the poles of a rotating star.
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5.2 BIOTECH AND MEDICINE

Vaccinated Mosquitoes to prevent dengue
Australian scientists were in New Delhi looking for a partnership to help India, which reported the highest dengue cases 37,000 in 2012, control the menace. The scientists have transferred the Wolbachia bacteria from the fruit fly into mosquitoes and found that when it is present in the mosquitos, it reduces their ability to transmit the dengue virus thus scientists have vaccinated mosquitoes against dengue, as a result of which they would not be able to transmit it to humans. Wolbachia acts like a vaccine for the mosquito by blocking dengue virus transmission by mosquitoes and thereby preventing human infection with dengue. Wolbachia bacteria has the potential to be used against other insect transmitted diseases.
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The Eliminate Dengue Research Programme is a not-for-profit international collaboration active in Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Singapore, Colombia and Brazil. Dengue fever, also known as breakbone fever, is an infectious tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles. The disease can develop into the life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever, resulting in bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage, or into dengue shock syndrome, where dangerously low blood pressure occurs. Dengue is transmitted by several species of mosquito within the genus Aedes, principally A. aegypti.
Software DDSS for rapid diagnosis of dengue
A software tool that can rapidly diagnose dengue fever based on symptoms and clinical parameters has been developed and validated by scientists of the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) in Hyderabad. The Dengue Decision Support System (DDSS) has been developed by U.S N. Murty, Chief Scientist and Head of Biology Division and his group. The DDSS would help health authorities in finding out the disease within 10-15 minutes, which was vital in saving the life of the patient.
Awareness walk marks World Kidney Day: 14 th March
Pfizer gets rejection from UK cost body for cancer drugs

Pfizer suffered a second rejection from Britains health cost watchdog NICE as its new kidney cancer drug Inlyta was turned down for use on the state health service. As per The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), the new treatment was not a cost-effective use of National Health Service resources. The decision follows a similar rebuff for Pfizers lung cancer drug Xalkori.
Tech billionaires announce new Life Sciences prize

Some of the worlds best-known technology tycoons, including Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg , launched a $15-million annual prize to reward groundbreaking achievements in life sciences. The idea behind the Breakthrough Prize for Life Sciences is to generate excitement and financial reward for outstanding scientific achievement. In the inaugural year 2013, prizes of $3 million each were awarded to 11 scientists in the field of cancer and genetic research.
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A large number of people from different walks of life participated in an awareness walk organised on the occasion of World Kidney Day on 14th March at Visakhapatnam.
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Maharashtra 1 st to keep tabs on Diclofenac sale

Maharashtra is showing the way for conservation of critically endangered vultures in the country. It is the first State to go for real time monitoring of post-surveillance ban on the veterinary use of diclofenac by the Central Government in 2008, through directive issued by the State Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to its officials for submission of monthly reports on its sale and purchase of livestock painkiller. Maharashtra has a population of two species of vultures, white backed and long billed found in the Melghat and Konkan reserves , besides in the Western Ghats.
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Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) taken to reduce inflammation and as an analgesic reducing pain in certain conditions. The name is derived from its chemical name: 2-(2,6-dichloranilino) phenylacetic acid. Uses: Widely used as cheap painkiller for livestock in Indian Subcontinent. There is is ban on the veterinary use of diclofenac by the Central Government in 2008 under Section 18(a) (iv) of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Ecological Impact: Use of diclofenac in animals has been reported to have led to a sharp decline in the vulture population in the Indian Subcontinent. The mechanism is presumed to be renal failure, a known side effect of diclofenac. Vultures eat the carcasses of livestock that have been administered veterinary diclofenac, and are poisoned by the accumulated chemical, as vultures do not have a particular enzyme to break down diclofenac. At a meeting of the National Wildlife Board in March 2005, the Government of India announced it intended to phase out the veterinary use of diclofenac. Meloxicam is a safer candidate to replace use of diclofenac. It is more expensive than diclofenac, but the price is coming down as more drug companies begin to manufacture it.
Scientists find lower arsenic Bangladeshi rice strain
Aromatic rice from Bangladeshs Sylhet region has a lower arsenic content than many other grains offering a safer alternative in a country with a huge poisoning burden from rice grown in contaminated water. The Sylheti rice also contained higher levels of the essential nutrients selenium and zinc, according to a study published in the journal Biomedical Spectroscopy and Imaging. Rice is the main staple in Bangladesh, Master Tips where a study published in The Lancet in Chronic exposure to arsenic is linked to 2010 found that as many as 77 million people out of a population of some 160 cancers of the liver, kidney, bladder million may have been exposed to toxic and skin, as well as heart disease. levels of arsenic in contaminated ground Rice is highly efficient at absorbing arsenic water. from soil and water, and is reported to be the The UNs World Health Organisation has highest arsenic-containing cereal. called the countrys arsenic crisis the largest mass poisoning of a population in history. Under a 1970s campaign to provide villagers with clean, germ-free water, millions of wells were dug unfortunately many of them into soil heavily laced with naturally occurring arsenic.
Wockhardt gets FDA nod to sell anti-epilepsy drug

Wockhardt has received final approval from the United States Food & Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) to market Lamotrigine, a drug used to treat epilepsy. Wockhardt already markets other products in the U.S. in the central nervous system (CNS) segment, especially anticonvulsant drugs.
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ICRISAT led the decoding of Genome sequence of 90 chickpea lines

The global research partnership, led by the International Crop Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) based in Hyderabad, succeeded in identifying an estimated 28,269 genes of chickpea after sequencing CDC Frontier, a kabuli (largeseeded) chickpea variety. Master Tips This will help chickpea farmers become Chickpea is the second largest cultivated more resilient to emerging challenges grain food legume in the world, grown in brought about by the threat of climate about 11.5 million hectares mostly by resource change with improved grain yields and poor farmers in the semi-arid tropics. quality , gr eater drought and disease The research by ICRISAT will contribute to income generation and improved livelihoods resistance. of smallholder farmers in African countries The genome map can also be used to harness such as Ethiopia,Tanzania and Kenya, and is genetic diversity by broadening the genetic crucial to the food security in India. base of cultivated chickpea gene pool.
Malaria-causing parasite found in Andamans
Researchers have located a new malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium Knowlesi for the first time in humans in India. A team of researchers, consisting of Manoj Kumar Das of the National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), Shiv S. Singh of G.B. Pant Hospital, Port Blair, Rupesh K. Tyagi and Yagya D. Sharma of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) located the plasmodium in tribal people in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Mr. Das said monkeys, especially crab-eating ones found in the islands, served as hosts for this parasite. From the infected monkeys, this parasite gets transmitted to humans through the Leucosphyrus group of Anopheles mosquitoes that serve as vectors. The parasite may have migrated to the islands from the south-east Asian countries. Poachers from Thailand and Indonesia are said to secretly visit the islands. Mr. Das, who has 16 years of research at the malaria research centre in Car Nicobar, received the ICMR award for senior bio-medical scientists for the year 2012-13 for his research.
USFDA approves 1 st new TB drug Sirturo in 40 years
The US Food and Drug administration has approved a Johnson & Johnson tuberculosis drug that is the first new medicine to fight the deadly infection in more than four decades. The agency approved J&Js pill, Sirturo, for use with older drugs to fight a hard-to-treat strain of tuberculosis that has not responded to other medications. However, the agency cautioned that the drug carries risks of potentially deadly Master Tips heart problems and should be prescribed Roughly one-third of the worlds population is carefully by doctors. estimated to be infected with the bacteria Si rturo , kno wn chemi ca lly a s causing tuberculosis. The disease is rare in the US, but kills about 1.4 million people a year beda qu i li ne , is th e fir st medic in e worldwide. Of those, about 150,000 succumb to specifically designed for treating multi the increasingly common drug-resistant forms drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). of the disease. About 60% of all cases are concentrated in China, India, Russia and Thats a form of the disease that cannot Eastern Europe. be treated with at least two of the four (Refer International & bilateral updates primary antibiotics used for tuberculosis. to read more about MDR-TB.)
Indian scientists identify molecule to help cancer treatment

A team of Indian researchers, led by Dr Sathees C Raghavan of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, have identified a molecule which they claim will revolutionise the cure for cancer. The molecule has been named after Sathees as SCR7 and a detailed account of it has been carried in the international scientific journal Cell.
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New varieties of black gram developed

Scientists at the Regional Research Agricultural Station, Lam, Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, have developed a new variety of disease resistant and high yielding variety of Black gram seed. The new varieties LBG 787, LBG 791 and LBG 792 have been developed at RARS and are at advanced testing stage. For years, the Yellow Mosaic Virus (YMV) has caused havoc, destroying blackgram sown in hundreds of acres in the rice fallow in Guntur in Andhra Pradesh. The YMV renamed as YMD was characterised by blighting of leaves distinctly visible by the mosaic patterns of the leaves and discolouring of the pods.
Biocon gets nod to market anti-psoriasis drug

Biocon has received approval from the Drug market its product Itolizumab, used in the received market authorisation from the DCGI molecule, for the treatment of chronic plaque launch of the drug later in 2013 in India. Controller General of India (DCGI) to treatment of psoriasis. The company has for its novel biologic Itolizumab, anti-CD6 psoriasis. This approval paves way for the
5.3 COMPUTER, ITES AND MISCELLANEOUS
C-DAC unveils Indias fastest supercomputer Param Yuva II
Precise weather forecasting, faster tapping of natural resources in the sea and designing of customized drugs for individuals will now be possible using Param Yuva II, Indias fastest supercomputer. Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Param Yuva II was inaugurated recently. The supercomputer has been upgraded to 524 teraflops, about 10 times faster than the present facility. With an investment of Rs 16 crore, it was developed in a record 3 months.
Worlds largest magnet being designed at BARC
The worlds largest magnet, weighing 50,000 tonnes and slated to be several times bigger than the one at the Compact Muon Solenoid detector at CERN, Geneva, is being designed at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The massive magnet will play a major role in the Rs 1,500-crore India based Neutrino Observatory coming up 4,300 feet below a cave in a mountain not far from Madurai in Tamil Nadu. It will be iron-based, weighing 50,000 tonnes while the weight of the one at CERN ranges between 4,000 and 5,000 tonnes. United Airlines has introduced onboard satellite-based Wi-Fi internet connectivity on selected overseas routes. This has made it the first US-based international carrier to offer passengers to stay connected with the Wi-Fi on long-haul overseas routes. The aircrafts of United Airlines are being outfitted with Panasonic Avionics Ku-band satellite technology , offering customer s faster in-flight internet service than air-to-ground technology (ATG).
Airbus to drop lithium-ion batteries in A350

European planemaker Airbus is dropping lithium-ion batteries from its new A350 airplane because of uncertainty surrounding the technology that has led to the grounding of Boeings 787 Dreamliner. It has decided to revert to nickel-cadmium batteries for the A350. The plane is a wide-body jet rival to the Boeings 787 Dreamliner and is expected to make its first flight around the middle of the year.
Ancient Continent Mauritia found

Researchers have found evidence for a landmass that would have existed between 2,000 and 85 million years ago. The strip of land, which scientists have called Mauritia, eventually fragmented and vanished beneath the waves as the modern world started to take shape. The study is published in the journal Nature Geoscience.
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United Airlines becomes 1 st US carrier to launch Wi-Fi service
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Antarctic drillers reach Lake Whillans buried beneath ice

US scientists have successfully drilled into Lake Whillans , a body of water buried almost one kilometre under the Antarctic ice. The Whillans project is one of a number of such ventures trying to investigate Antarcticas buried lakes. In December 2012, a British team had abandoned its efforts to get into Lake Ellsworth after encountering technical difficulties. Lake Whillans is situated in the west of Antarctica, on the southeastern edge of the Ross Sea. It is less of a lake and more of a dense system of streams, almost like a delta, that covers some 60 square kilometre. The liquid body is quite shallow - just a few metres in depth.
External Affairs minister Salman Khurshid visits Antarctica
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The Indian Antarctic Program is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional program under the control of the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India. It was initiated in 1981 with the first Indian expedition to Antarctica. The program gained global acceptance with Indias signing of the Antarctic Treaty. India has three research stations in Antarctica: 1. Indias first research station in Antarctica was Dakshin Gangotri (1983) , which had to be decommissioned after it got buried under ice, and has now been marked as an historic site. 2. The second permanent settlement, Maitri, was put up in 198889 on the Schirmacher Oasis and has been conducting experiments in geology, geography and medicine. India built a freshwater lake around Maitri known as Lake Priyadharshini . Maitri has been hosting summer team of about 70 members and winter team of 25 members every year since 1988-89, is the gateway for Indian scientists to venture into interior Antarctic mountains.
Bi-Fi : New era in Genetic Engineering

Stanford University Researchers are harnessing the key attributes of a virus, called M13, to develop the first biological Internet, or Bi-Fi , by creating a mechanism to send genetic messages from one cell to another . The system greatly increases the complexity and amout of data that can be communicated between cells and could lead to greater control of biological functions within cell communities. Stanford University bioengineering researchers Monica Ortiz and Drew Endy have parasitised the parasite and harnessed the M13s key attributes its non-lethality and its ability to package and broadcast arbitrary DNA strands to create Bi-Fi.
Gold producing bacteria Cupriavidus metallidurans discovered

Researchers from the Michigan State University have discovered a bacteria that has the ability to withstand incredible amounts of toxicity and can be the key to creating 24-carat gold. Scientists have found that the metal-tolerant bacteria Cupriavidus metallidurans can grow on massive concentrations of gold chloride or liquid gold , a toxic chemical compound found in nature.
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3. Bharti: India has demarcated an area beside Larsmann Hill at 69S, 76E for its third settlement and second active research station.
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External Affairs minister Salman Khurshid has visited Antarctica during his visit to Chile, becoming the first Union minister to visit the planets southernmost continent after Pranab Mukherjee, who had travelled to the region as defence minister in 2005. Khurshids visit was facilitated by Chile during what is the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Latin America in 13 years. He also visited Argentina. He travelled to Antarctica from Puenta Arenas in Chile.
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6.1 INDIAN DEFENCE UPDATES

3 rd Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette Kiltan launched in Kolkata
In a major step towards indigenisation and making the Navy self-reliant, the third antisubmarine warfare (ASW) corvette, designed under the ambitious Project-28 (P-28) by the Navys Directorate of Naval Design , was launched in Kolkata. Being built by one of Indias leading shipbuilders, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), it has been named after an island Kiltan in the Lakshwadweep archipelago of India. The first GRSE-built ASW corvette, Kamorta, is expected to be delivered to the Navy by end of 2013. It was launched on April 19, 2010 and had suffered a delay of nearly one year.
K-15: Underwater missile takes off successfully
Pinaka rockets successfully test-fired
Indigenously developed Pinaka rockets were successfully test-fired from a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) by an armament establishment from a base at Chandipur-on-sea. Pinaka , which has undergone several tough tests since 1995, has already been inducted into the armed forces.
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India plans Missile test ranges in Andhra and Andamans

Indias Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will set up missile test ranges in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Andhra Pradesh and the process has been initiated to acquire land. DRDO had proposed to set up a missile test range each at Rutland Island in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Nagayalanka in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh.
Wankel Engine indigenously developed to power UAVs

The 55-hp Wankel engine , developed by three national research agencies, has passed muster to power the unmanned aerial vehicles used by the Army and the Air Force. Wankel is a major achievement for the defence research establishment. It has been certified to be the engine for all future UAV programmes. This will be used to power the home-grown UAVs Nishant, Lakshya and Rustom-1 and 2 versions used to observe and survey border areas.
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Pinaka is an area weapon system with a range of 40 km . The quick reaction time and high rate of fire of the system gives an edge to the army during a low-intensity conflict situation. The unguided rocket system is meant to neutralise large areas with rapid salvos. Pinaka system can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds and the battery of six launchers can neutralise at a time a target area of 3.9 sq km.
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India achieved a major milestone by establishing underwater missile launch capability when K-15 missile, code-named B05, was successfully test-fired off the Visakhapatnam coast. The 10-metre-high Submarine- Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM), lifted off from a pontoon as it was ejected by a gas generator, rose to an altitude of 20 km and reached its full range of 700 km before splashing down in the waters of the Bay of Bengal with singledigit accuracy. With the completion of developmental trials, the missile is now ready for integration with INS Arihant, the indigenously-built nuclear-powered submarine. In the coming years, India will have four nuclear-powered submarines. Besides Arihant, a nuclear-powered submarine is being built at the Visakhapatnam Naval Dock Yard and the hulls of two other submarines are under fabrication in Vadodara, Gujarat. India is the 5th country to have underwater missile capability. The other nations are the United States, France, Russia and China.
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Indian Army Modernising two Firing Ranges

The Army has embarked on modernization of its field firing ranges at Pokhran in Rajasthan and Babina in Madhya Pradesh , at a cost of Rs. 20 crore each. The Army has also taken up upgrade of infrastructure and other facilities at its largest field firing range, Mahajan, which spreads over Bikaner and other adjoining districts and measures 50 km in length and 30 km in breadth.
IAFs Iron Fist sets desert sky ablaze

The skies of Pokhran came alive with the Indian Air Forces first ever day-night full combat and fire demonstration, named Iron Fist. President Pranab Mukherjee, the supreme commander of the armed forces, was the chief guest at the event at Chandan Range near Jaisalmer. More than 200 fighter and transport aircraft, including Sukhoi 30, Mirage 2000, Jaguar, MiG 27, MIG 21, MIG 29, unmanned aerial vehicles and the AWACS, participated in the demonstration. Indigenous aircraft like Light Combat Aircraft Tejas and Light Combat Helicopter Rudra also proved their calibre at the show. The other aircraft displayed were the C130J, the AN-32, the Embraer and the IL-76. The chopper fleet included Mi-8, Mi-17 1V, and the newly inducted Mi-17 V5 and Mi-35. Another new entrant, the Swiss Pilatus PC-7 Mk II basic trainer, also graced the sky.
New interceptor boat C-154 commissioned in Indian Coast Guard

An interceptor boat (IB), C-154 built by M/s Bharati Shipyard Ltd. at a cost of Rs. 18 crore, with new generation Arneson Surface Drive (ASD), was commissioned in Mumbai. By mid-2014, the Coast Guard will add 14 more such ships to its fleet. ASD, a surface-piercing propeller drive, can turn the boat while in high speed. The 28metre-long boat, with 75 tonnes displacement, can achieve a maximum speed of 35 knots. Besides latest navigation and communication equipment, it has medium-range armament. It can perform high-speed interception, close coast patrol, low-intensity maritime operations, search-and-rescue and surveillance. It has two main engines of 1,630 kW each and has a complement of one officer and 12 men.
Indian Army placed orders for 20 HAL Cheetal Helicopters
INS Dega airport fully operated by Defence ministry

Defence ministry has agreed to fully operate the Naval airport, INS Dega, from March 1. Defence ministry has given its in-principle nod to run the airport. At present, the airport which is under Navy, is operational only for 12 hours a day and there is an increasing demand for extending flying hours in both civil and military spheres.
Govt nods for AWACS project

The Government has given approval to the DRDO to develop an indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) that can help the IAF keep an eye deep inside enemy territory. After the approval, the DRDO will now work towards finalising the further details of the programmes and the number of such aircraft that the IAF would require for giving a complete coverage of Indias boundaries.
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The Army has ordered 20 Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL)-made Cheetal helicopters worth Rs. 418 crore. The Cheetal is the re-engined, fuel-efficient variant of the older, proven Cheetah helicopter which HAL has been making for over 40 years. It is powered by the Turbomeca TM 333-2M2 turboshaft engine. An important feature is the FADEC (full authority digital engine control) system for engine control; an electronic backup control box system automatically takes over engine control if the FADEC fails.
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India developing Agni-VI ballistic missile: MIRV Capability

India is developing a long-range nuclear-capable Agni-VI ballistic missile that would carry multiple warheads allowing one weapon system to take out several targets at a time. Th e for c e mu ltiplier c apability of th e missile w ou ld be bec au se of its multi ple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) capability. The Agni-5 ballistic missile, which was test-fired in April 2012, has a range of upto 5,500 kms and it is believed that the Agni-6 would have a range of over 6,000 km. It will have force multiplier capability by the MIRV approach which would enable us to deliver many payloads at the same time using only one missile. So far, all the strategic missiles developed by the DRDO Agni-I, II, III, IV and V, and the submarine-launched K-15 and its land-based version Shourya can carry only single nuclear warhead. Agni -VI will carry four or six warheads depending upon their weight. Both Agni-V and Agni-VI have three stages, all powered by solid propellants, and their diameter is two metres. While Agni-V weighs 50 tonnes and is 17.5 metres long, Agni-VI belongs to the 65-70tonne class and will be 20 metres long.
DRDO set to develop Anti-radiation Missile in 3-5 years
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to develop a new state-of-the art , anti-radiation missile that can target enemy radars and communication facilities. The government recently gave the go-ahead for the project, and the design work has already begun at one of the key DRDO laboratories. At present there is no such missile in Indias arsenal, while some advanced countries, including the US, Israel and Russia, have such a weapon. The new air-to-surface 100-km range tactical missile picks up radiation or signals emitted by radars and communication systems, homes on to the target and destroy the network. The missiles front-end comprises a sensor to pick up various radio frequencies. It will be a single-stage, liquid-propelled system. After a series of developmental trials, it will be integrated with fighter aircraft, including Sukhoi and Light Combat Aircraft.
Nirbhay tested successfully
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The flight trial of Indias first subsonic cruise missile, Nirbhay by February-end has been done successfully by DRDO. The canister-launch capability to strategic weapons, Agni-V, Agni-IV and integrating air-to-air Astra missile with Sukhoi fighter aircraft constitute the major plans of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) this year.
Indian Navy commissioned INS Saryu for maritime surveillance

The Indian Navy commissioned its largest offshore patrol vessel INS Saryu for maritime surveillance around Andaman and Nicobar islands. Built at Goa Shipyard Limited , the 105-meter vessel is the first of the four new class naval off shore patrol vessels (NOPVs) that would be commissioned by the Indian Navy over next one-and-half year. INS Saryu will also be important to provide secured environment for oil installations off Andaman and Nicobar coast. The ship is the Indian Navys largest off shore patrol vessel, the first in its class.
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V.K. Saraswat is the Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and Director General of DRDO, has been awarded with 'Padma Bhushan 2013' by President of India.
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PGM: Multiple-target Missiles to redefine Warfare

Scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are set to complete in a year the technology demonstration of an ambitious project to fire hi-tech preci sio n-gui ded muni tio ns (PGMs) from a mother missile at v ariou s tar gets simultaneously. PGMs are miniaturised missiles with small seekers, actuators and on-board computers and will be integrated with tactical missiles having a range of 100-200 km. The major advantage of PGMs is that collateral damage could be avoided while attacking multiple targets in a war scenario with sub-metre accuracy. A series of trials using a Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) to simulate the speed of the mother missile while ejecting the PGMs will be conducted at Balasore, Orissa. Initially, the RPV will be tested using two seekers IIR (Imaging Infra-Red) and mmW ( millimetric wave) to track the target.
FPV Aadesh for Coast Guard launched
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has launched the vessel, named Aadesh, the first in a series of 20 fast patrol vessels (FPV) being built by it for the Coast Guard. It is designed to have a maximum speed of 33 knots, the primary role of these ships would be fisheries protection and monitoring; patrol within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ); and coastal patrol, anti-smuggling, search, and rescue operations and anti-piracy operations. The vessels are being built under the dual classification requirements of the American Bureau of Shipping and the Indian Register of Shipping.
India test-fires manoeuvrable version of BrahMos
India has successfully test-fired a highly manoeuvrable version of the 290-km range supersonic cruise missile BrahMos from a naval warship off the coast of Vishakhapatnam in Bay of Bengal. This is the 34th launch of BrahMos after the successful launch in 2012 from INS Teg in the Arabian Sea. The BrahMos missile system was inducted into the Indian Navy in 2005 when it began arming the Rajput-class guided missile destroyers and inducted subsequently in many warships. BrahMos is capable of acquiring data not only from the American GPS but also from Russian GLONASS satellite systems, which ensures double redundancy.
6.2 OTHER COUNTRIES DEFENCE UPDATES

Great Prophet 8 Military drill: Iran tests Suicide drones
Iran has tested unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs) including suicide drones. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) started a three-day military drill, code-named Great Prophet 8 and tested different asymmetric tactics and UAVs during military drills in the countrys east.
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BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land. It is the worlds fastest cruise missile in operation. The missile travels at speeds of Mach 2.8 to 3.0. I t is a j o in t vent ure b et ween Ind ia s D RDO a nd Rus s ia n F e d e r at io n s N PO Mashinostroeyenia who have together formed BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited. The name BrahMos is a formed from the names of two rivers, the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia. Currently, chief executive officer of BrahMos Aerospace is A. Sivathanu Pillai.
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Qaher (Conqueror) F-313: Iran develops fighter jet

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad unveiled a futuristic looking fighter jet believed to be ranked among the most sophisticated aircraft. Code-named the Qaher (Conqueror) F313 and shaped similar to stealth bombers, the grey warplane was designed and built domestically.
Pakistan successfully test fires nuclear-capable Hatf-IX missile: Nasr

Pakistan has successfully tested the nuclear-capable Hatf-IX tactical missile with a range of 60 km, designed to defeat all known anti-tactical missile defence systems. The Hatf-IX or Nasr, which has inflight maneuver capability, can carry nuclear warheads of appropriate yield with high accuracy. This quick response system, which can fire a four-missile salvo, ensures deterrence against threats in view of evolving scenarios. The first test of the Hatf-IX was conducted in April 2011.
China successfully conducted Interceptor Missile test
China has successfully carried out its second interceptor missile test as part of its efforts to build a missile shield to intercept incoming warheads. A similar anti-missile interception test was successfully conducted on January 11, 2010.
Largest Russian naval exercise in post-Soviet era
Billed as the largest naval manoeuvres since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian Navy has begun its biggest war games in the high seas in decades that will include manoeuvres off the shores of Syria with the purpose to improve coordination among different naval groups during missions in far-away sea zones. More than two dozen ships drawn from all four fleets as well as long range warplanes, will conduct nine-day exercises in the Mediterranean and Black seas. Experts suggested the exercises would serve to project Russias naval power to a highly explosive region and render moral support for the embattled regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Russia leases a naval base at the Syrian port of Tartous. The naval manoeuvres will involve training for landing operations on the Syrian shore.
5 th Generation Sukhoi T-50 completes first long-range flight
Iran launches Jamaran-2 destroyer in Caspian Sea

Iran launched its second domestically-made warship Jamaran-2 destroyer in the Caspian Sea. The destroyer, with a displacement of around 1,420 tons, is powered by a 20,000-horsepower engine with a speed of 30 knots and has the capability to carry helicopters, different surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, advanced artilleries and torpedo system. It is also equipped with electronic war system. Jamaran-2 will officially join the fleet of Irans Navy after the completion of final tests. In February 2010, Irans navy launched Jamaran-1 destroyer in the Persian Gulf, which is equipped with modern radars and electronic warfare capabilities. The multi-mission Jamaran-1 destroyer, which has a top speed of 30 knots as well, can carry 120-140 personnel onboard and is also armed with a variety of antiship and surfaceto-air missiles.
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Russias prototype fifth-generation Sukhoi T-50 fighter jet has carried out its first longrange flight. The T-50, also known as project PAK-FA, first flew in January 2010 and was presented to the public at the Moscow Air Show in 2011. The T-50, which will be the core of Russias future fighter fleet, is a fifth-generation multirole fighter aircraft featuring elements of stealth technology, super-maneuverability, super-cruise capability (supersonic flight without use of afterburner), and an advanced avionics suite including an X-band active phased-array radar.
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6.3 INDIAN DEFENCE TIES AND DEALS

India to tie up with Russia in Naval Ship-building
India is planning to tie up with Russia for enhancing self reliance in capabilities for design and development of all types of warships, including submarines, for the Navy and the Coast Guard. The Defence Ministry is planning to have a tie-up between the Kerala-based National Institute of Research and Development in Defence Shipbuilding (NIRDESH) and Russian Krylov Institute for working in this direction. The Russian institute, set up in 1890s, has been working in this field for a very long time and can help NIRDESH to augment its capabilities. NIRDESH was launched on January 4, 2011 by Defence Minister A K Antony to help in developing a robust defence industrial base by providing technology support and promote ancillary industry participation in the defence shipbuilding sector.
Airbus A-330 MRTT bags deal to supply re-fuelling aircraft to IAF

European Airbus A 330 MRTT aircraft has emerged as the lowest bidder for the 8,000crore contracts for six mid- air refueling tanker aircraft for the IAF edging out its Russian rival IL-78. The Defence Ministry will now start commercial negotiations with the Airbus manufacturers, this aircraft was the lowest bidder on the basis of life-time cost of operating over its Russian competitor. The new aircraft will join the fleet of six IL-78 mid-air re-fuellers now in IAF service and enhance the reach of fighter jets.
Russia buys Radar Computers from HAL
Russia has placed orders worth Rs 65 crore for procuring 34 radar computers for Su30s of its air force. Irkut Corporation of Russia has confirmed purchase of 34 sets each of Radar Computer-I & Radar Computer-II for Russian Air force requirements from HAL with delivery schedule commencing from January 2014 onwards. Radar computers are integrated into Airborne Radar System in Su-30s and are very critical for mission operation of the aircraft. Under the Indian programme, more than 190 Su-30MKIs would be produced in Indian facilities in Nashik, which is the HAL hub for manufacturing Russian-origin aircraft.
Swiss Pilatus: IAFs first trainer aircraft arrives in India
INS Sindhurakshak: Russia hands over refitted submarine to India

An Indian Navy diesel-electric submarine has been handed back to India following a major refit at Russias Zvezdochka shipyard. The contract for the refit and modernization of the INS Sindhurakshak (S63), a Project 877 EKM (NATO Kilo-class) submarine was signed in June 2010. Part of the refit involved installation of equipment for Klub-S (3M54E1 anti-ship and 3M14E land attack) cruise missiles and over 10 Indian and foreign-made systems, including the Ushus hydro-acoustic (SONAR) system and CSS-MK-2 radio communications system.
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The first of the 75 Swiss Pilatus trainer aircraft procured by the IAF under a Rs 2,800 crore deal to train its rookie pilots landed at Jamnagar in Gujarat. The fleet of 75 aircraft will help in replacing the fleet of HPT-32 basic trainers which were grounded after a fatal crash in 2009. The Government of India had signed a contract with the Swiss firm in May 2012 after the approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). According to the contract, Pilatus will also do a transfer of technology to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for maintenance of the fleet for the next 30 years.
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6.4 JOINT EXERCISES

Multinational Military Exercise in Nepal
Soldiers from 23 nations began military exercises in Nepal to train for UN peacekeeping missions in areas hit by conflicts. Altogether, 871 soldiers are participating from countries including Australia, Britain, Canada, Japan, Jordan, Philippines, South Korea and Thailand. They will train in skills used for peacekeeping operations such as patrolling, checkpoint controls and convoy operations. Nepal has been sending soldiers on U.N. peacekeeping missions since 1958.
Key Resolve & Foal Eagle: US-South Korea Joint Military Exercises
The United States and South Korea announced plans for major annual joint military exercises as regional tensions run high following North Koreas third nuclear test. A joint air, ground and naval field training exercise known as Foal Eagle will be held from March 1 to April 30. Separately, the US and South Korean troops will stage a computersimulated drill named Key Resolve from March 11-21. Foal Eagle will include about 10,000 US forces along with a far bigger number of South Korean troops. Key Resolve involves about 3,500 US and 10,000 South Korean soldiers. The United States has based troops in the South since the 1950-53 Korean War and the force currently numbers 28,500. Pyongyang is already under international sanctions for conducting two nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009, which both came after long-range rocket launches.
Cobra Gold 13
The 11-day military exercise Cobra Gold 2013, an annual, multi-national military training programme that incorporates jungle survival techniques, taking place in Thailands Chon Buri province, covers amphibious assault, humanitarian relief, and evacuation of friendly forces, as well as jungle survival techniques. The U.S. Marines were taking part in Cobra Gold 13 alongside Thai military personnel and soldiers from five other countries Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.
Aman-13: Joint Multi-nation exercise in Pakistan
The multi-national exercise, named Aman-13 in Pakistan , will begin on March 4 in the North Arabian Sea. The Peoples Liberation Army Navys (PLAN) 14th Chinese fleet that set sail for the Gulf of Aden on an anti-piracy escort mission will participate in naval exercises with Pakistan and other countries in the waters of the Arabian Sea. The fleet, which left the northeastern port of Qingdao, is comprised of missile destroyer Harbin, frigate Mianyang and a supply ship, in addition to two helicopters and 730 troops. The escort mission marked the first instance of the destroyer and frigate being deployed on an anti-piracy mission. China has organised 14 missions to the Gulf of Aden. The PLAN has, since 2012, also begun to coordinate schedules of escort mission with India and other countries.
India-China planned for Joint Military Exercises

India and China have agreed to hold their first joint military exercise in five years and to expand exchanges between their armies, navies and air forces. The decisions were made at the fifth annual defence dialogue. Defence Secretary Sashi Kant Sharma and Chinese Deputy Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Qi Jianguo reached an agreement. The two sides also agreed to expand exchanges covering their armies, navies and air forces, and reviewed the measures in place to maintain peace along the disputed border.
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Some Important Joint Exercises @ a Glance

Name Country Bold Kurukshetra India, Singapore in UP Cormorant Strike- India, Srilanka, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and III Maldives. (held in Sri Lanka) Garud Shakti India, Indonesia Indiaex-2012 India, US Indra India, Russia, bi annual Iron Fist Only India. In Rajasthan Jimex India, Japan Konkan India, UK Malabar India, US India and 14 other countries: Australia, Milan Bangladesh etc. Passex India, Japan Pralay India only, in North East Red Flag India, US in Nevada Shakti India, France in Uttarakhand Shatrujeet India, US in California Shoor Veer Only India, Rajasthan border Simbex India, Singapore TROPEX=Theatre Level Operational Readiness Tropex Exercise.India only Vajra Prahar India, US in Uttarakhand Varuna India, France Yudh Abhyas India, US in Rajasthan
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Committee, commission & Reports (CCR)

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7.1 INTERNATIONAL CCR

India ranked 136 th in HDI 2013 by UNDP
India has been ranked 136 among 187 countries evaluated for human development index (HDI), a measure for assessing progress in life expectancy, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living or gross national income per capita. The Human Development Report of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for 2013 puts Indias HDI value for the last year at 0.554, placing it in the medium human development category, which it shares with Equatorial Guinea. On the positive side, Indias HDI value went up from 0.345 to 0.554 between 1980 and 2012, an increase of 61 per cent or an average annual increase of 1.5 per cent. Life expectancy at birth increased by 10.5 years, mean years of schooling by 2.5 years and expected years of schooling by 4.4 years. Importantly, the gross national income (GNI) per capita went up 273 per cent. Despite Indias progress, its HDI of 0.554 is below the average of 0.64 for countries in the medium human development group, and of 0.558 for countries in South Asia. From South Asia, countries which are close to Indias HDI rank and population size are Bangladesh and Pakistan with HDIs ranked 146 each.
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The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistic of life expectancy, education, and income indices to rank countries into four tiers of human development. It was created by Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq and Indian economist Amartya Sen in 1990 and published by the United Nations Development Programme. In Human Development Report, the HDI combines three dimensions: A long and healthy life: Life expectancy at birth Education index: Mean years of schooling and Expected years of schooling A decent standard of living: GNI per capita (PPP US$)
India ranks 132 nd on Gender Inequality Index (GII) 2013
Ev en on th e G en der I n eq u al it y I n de x , i n eq ua l i t i es i n r ep ro d uc ti v e hea lt h, empowerment and economic activity, India has been ranked 132nd among the 148 countries for which data is available even lower than Pakistan (123), according to the United Nations Development Programs Human Development Report 2013. In India, only 10.9 per cent of the parliamentary seats are held by women, and 26.6 per cent of adult women have reached a secondary or higher level of education, compared with 50.4 per cent of their male counterparts. For every 100,000 live births, 200 women die of causes related to pregnancy, and female participation in the labour market is 29 per cent, compared with 80.7 per cent for men. The report said all countries in South Asia, with the exception of Afghanistan, were a better place for women than India, with Sri Lanka (75) topping them all. Nepal ranked 102nd and Bangladesh 111th . In United States which ranks 42 nd on the list, 57.5% women and 70.1% men are a part of the labor force. China fared even better, landing 35 th .
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The Gender Inequality Index (GII) is a new index for measurement of gender disparity that was introduced in the 2010 Human Development Report 20th anniversary edition by the UNDP. The GII is a composite measure which captures the loss of countrys progress and human development because of gender inequality, and uses three dimensions: (i)Reproductive Health, (ii) Women Empowerment (ii) Labor Market Participation .
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53.7% of Indians are Poor as per MPI

The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) which identifies multiple deprivations in the same household in education, health and living standard, Indias value averages out at 0.283, a little above Bangladeshs and Pakistans. According to MPI, 53.7 per cent of the population lived in multidimensional poverty, while an additional 16.4 per cent were vulnerable to multiple deprivations. The new measure says that thatacute poverty prevailsin eight Indian states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, together accounting for more poor people than in the 26 poorest African nations combined.
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The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) was developed in 2010 by Oxford Poverty & Human D evelopment Initiative (OPHI) and the Unite d Nations Deve lopment Programme and uses different factors to determine poverty beyond income-based lists. It replaced the previous Human Poverty Index.The index uses the same three dimensions as the Human Development Index: health, education, and standard of living. These are measured using ten indicators. Each dimension and each indicator within a dimension is equally weighted. (i) Education: Years of schooling and child enrollment, (ii) Health: Child mortality and nutrition and (iii) Standard of living: Electricity, flooring, drinking water, sanitation, cooking fuel and assets.
India ranks 28 th in Women on Board 2013
Women account for nearly 40 percent of the total workforce of India Inc, but their presence is less than 7% when it comes to board-level positions. India is ranked at 28th in terms of the presence of women directors, a slight improvement from 30th position of 2013, according to Women On Board 2013. The ranking is better than that of a few major countries like Japan. The survey was conducted on more than 1,400 companies in India and it found that the women constituted just 6.81 percent of the total number of board members in 2013. The female presence on company boards is highest in Norway (37.23 %), followed by Sweden (27 %), Finland (24 %), South Africa (17.31 %) and the US (16.67 %). The countries having lower women representation on company boards include Italy (4.23 %) & Japan (1.26 %).
Switzerland best place to be born in 2013: EIU Survey
7.2 NATIONAL CCR

Damodaran panel report to be delayed
The panel headed by former chief of capital market regulator SEBI, M Damodaran, set up to suggest ways to improve the countrys overall business climate, will take more time to finalise its report to the Corporate Affairs Ministry and is now expected to submit to the government by end of April 2013.
Kelkar Panel on Energy security constituted

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry constituted a committee headed by economist Vijay Kelkar to put in place a policy on energy security and prepare a roadmap for enhancing domestic oil and gas production to reduce dependence on exports by 2030.
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Switzerland is the best place to be born in 2013 with the best quality of life, as per a study by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a sister company of The Economist. India occupies a 66th spot in the last 15, while Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh are at numbers 63, 75 and 77. The violence hit oil-rich African nation of Nigeria was rated as the worst place to be born-in in the survey of 80 states that saw Nordic countries(Scandinavian countries) like Norway (3), Sweden (4) and Denmark (5) notch the top slots, along with Australia(2). The survey used 11 statistically significant indicators, including geography, demography, social and cultural characteristics, public policy, the state of the world economy and future income per head to arrive at its rankings.
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Y.V. Reddy to head 14th Finance Commission

The government has announced the constitution of the 14th Finance Commission under the chairmanship of former RBI Governor Y. V. Reddy, which would look into issues like disinvestment, GST compensation, sale of non-priority PSUs and subsidies among others. It would also suggest steps for pricing of public utilities like electricity and water in an independent manner. The five-member panel is to submit its report by October 31, 2014. Apart from Dr. Reddy in the chair, other members of the Commission are former Finance Secretary Sushma Nath, NIPFP Director M. Govinda Rao, Planning Commission Member Abhijit Sen and Former Acting Chairman of National Statistical Commission Sudipto Mundle. Master Tips
The Finance Commission of India: The Finance Commission of India came into existence in 1951. It was established under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution by the President of India. It was formed to define the financial relations between the centre and the state. As per the Constitution, the commission is appointed every five years and consists of a chairman and four other members. Till date, 13 th Finance Commissions headed by Vijay Kelkar, have submitted their reports.
Justice D K Jain to be new 20 th Law Commission chief
Justice D K Jain, a Supreme Court judge has become the chairman of the Law Commission. The 20 th Law Commission was constituted through a Government Order with effect from 1 st September, 2012. It has a three-year term, ending on 31 st August, 2015. It will have four full-time members, besides the chairman. The law secretary and the legislative department secretary are the Commissions ex-officio members. It was asked to identify obsolete laws for their repeal and also suggest suitable measures for quick grievance redressal of citizens grievances in the field of law. Master Tips
Law Commission of India: Law Commission of India is an executive body established by an order of the Government of India. Its major function is to work for legal reform. It membership primarily comprises legal experts, who are entrusted a mandate by the Government. The Commission is established for a fixed tenure and works as an advisory body to the Ministry of Law and Justice. The 19 th Law Commission of Indias Chairman was Mr. Justice P. V. Reddi.
Srikrishna Panel proposes Indian Financial Code Bill
Vijay Kelkar Committee report on cutting fiscal deficit The Kelkar Committee, appointed by Finance Ministry to suggest a roadmap for fiscal consolidation, has suggested immediate hike in fuel prices and complete deregulation of diesel prices by start of 2014-15 fiscal and to raise kerosene and LPG rates. State-owned oil companies currently sell diesel at a loss of Rs 10.16 per litre, kerosene at Rs 32.17 a litre and LPG at Rs 490.50 per 14.2-kg cylinder. ICMR report found Indians deficient in Vitamin D The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has reported that surveys carried out in India indicate that despite ample sunlight, people are deficient in Vitamin D, leading to problems like low bone mineral density, leading to weaker bones and fracture risk among the population. The synthesis of Vitamin D in the body is dependent on multiple factors like duration and time of exposure to sunlight, latitude, atmospheric pollution and skin pigmentation.
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The Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission (FSLRC), headed by Justice B. N. Srikrishna , in its final report, suggested an Indian Financial Code Bill to enable creation of a super regulator, merging oversight functions of market, commodity, insurance and pension regulators, while leaving the banking business regulation under the Reserve Bank of India. The Unified Financial Agency (UFA), as suggested by the FSLRC, would subsume the functions of key agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) , the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) , the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority ( PFRDA ) and the Forward Markets Commission (FMC) .
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5 th BRICS Summit 2013

The 2013 BRICS summit, the fifth annual BRICS summit, was an international relations conference attended by the head of states or heads of government of the five member states Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The summit was held in Durban, South Africa from 26 to 27 March 2013. This completed the first cycle of BRICS summits. The theme of this year summit was: BRICS and AFRI CA: Pa rtnershi p fo r Develo pment, Integration and Industrialization The two main outcomes of this years BRICS summit are the agreement to set up a BRICS development bank and the building of a forex r eser v e po ol (c r eation of a $1 00 billion contingency relief arrangement (CRA) )besides launching of the BRICS Business Council, the key institution expected to drive private sector investments among the five members. 4th BRICS Summit was held at New Delhi.
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BRICS is an acronym for the powerful grouping of the worlds leading emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The first BRIC Summit took place in Yekateringburg, Russia in 2009, where the elected leaders of the four countries formally declared the membership of the BRIC economic bloc. South Africa joined the bloc in 2010, resulting in BRICS.The acronym BRIC was coined by Jim ONeill of Goldman Sachs in a 2001 paper entitled Building Better Global Economic BRICs. BRICS collectively represent 40% of world population, 30 % of worlds land mass & 25% of world GDP.
100 th Indian Science Congress
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The 100th edition was hosted by the University of Calcutta in the city of Kolkata from 3 to 7 January 2013. It was inaugurated by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee in the presence of the Prime Minister of India Dr.Manmohan Singh and the Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee. The theme of the Centenary Congress was: Science for shaping the future of India The General President of the 100 th Congress: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh The five-day, 99th edition of the ISCA, from 3 to 7 January 2012 was hosted by KIIT University and National Institute of Science Education and Research(NISER) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) is a premier scientific organization of India, started in the year 1914 in Kolkata, with Headquarters at Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It meets annually in the first week of January every year. Today, it has membership strength of more than 30,000 scientists. ISCA owes its origin to the foresight and initiative of two British Chemists, namely, Professor J. L. Simonsen and Professor P.S. MacMahon. The first meeting of the congress was held from 1517 January 1914 at the premises of the Asiatic Society, Calcutta. Honorable justice Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee, the then Vice Chancellor of the University of Calcutta presided over the Congress. One hundred and five scientists from different parts of India and abroad attended it.
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Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2013

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in partnership with Government of Kerala had organized the 11th Annual Diaspora conclave- Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) from 7-9 January 2013 at Kochi. The theme of the 2013 Pravasi Bhartiya Divas was: Engaging Diaspora: The Indian Growth Story. President Pranab Mukherjee has given away the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman to 15 distinguished persons including Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purry ag , who wa s the chi ef g uest a t the inaugural of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2013. 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2012 was held at Jaipur, Chief Guest of this event was the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Kamla PersadBissessar
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Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January every year to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development of India. January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion since it was on this day in 1 915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa, led Indias freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever. Established in 2003, it is sponsored by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs of the government of India and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region of India. During the event, individuals of exceptional merit are honoured with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to appreciate their role in Indias growth.
Autism Conference
Indias Call to Action: Child Survival and Development Summit

India will launch a strategic roadmap with focus on adolescent health at the upcoming national meet on Indias Call to Action: Child Survival and Development Summit in Tamil Nadu. Entitled Strategic Approach to Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A), the meet is aimed at accelerating reductions in preventable child deaths. It will engage with all partners to arrive at actionable goals and commitments for high-burden States aimed to reduce the deaths of children from preventable causes.
Nuclear Security Summit 2012

The 2012 Nuclear Security Summit was held at the COEX Convention & Exhibition Center in Seoul, South Korea, on March 26 and 27, 2012 . It was the second edition of the conference after the 2010 Nuclear Security Summit. Agenda priorities at the 2012 summit: To deepen cooperation and to strengthen the institutions and partnerships which help prevent nuclear materials from ever falling into the hands of terrorists. To strengthen the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). To take specific and concrete actions to secure the nuclear materials and to prevent illicit trafficking and smuggling.
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South Asian countries including India, adopted an official charter of the South Asian Autism Network (SAAN) at a conference organised on 11th Feb, 2013, at New Delhi. SAAN was conceptualised in Dhaka in 2011 to combat autism, which is now emerging as a public health crisis. It will identify common challenges each country is facing and form a partnership to develop a solution in a collaborative and coordinated fashion.
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9.1 Cricket 9.2 Tennis 9.3 Badminaton 9.4 Football 9.5 Athletics 9.6 Grand Prix 9.7 Miscellaneous 9.8 Sport Related Other News
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South Africa receives ICC MACE
South Africa captain Graeme Smith received the ICC Test championship mace and prize money of $450,000 for leading the team to the top spot in ICC Test rankings on the annual cut-off date of April 1.
Third spot for India in ICC Test Ranking

With the cut-off date as April 1, England finished with the No. 2 ranking while India with third position. South Africa had already sealed its position as the No.1 ranked Test side, meaning it not only retained the Test mace but is also assured of $450,000.
India maintain ODI top spot
Michael Clarke gets Allan Border Medal
Australian captain Michael Clarke won his fourth Allan Border Medal as the nations Cricketer of the Year at a gala ceremony at Melbourne. Clarke and his predecessor as captain, Ricky Ponting, are the only players to win the medal, considered Australian crickets most prestigious individual prize, four times.
India clinches 1 st 4-0 Test series win against Aussies
India had sealed a 4-0 series whitewash against Australia in an unprecedented feat for India. With this India captured the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Dhoni is the most successful Indian Test Captain
Mahendra Singh Dhoni has become the most successful Indian Test captain, surpassing Gangulys record of 21 test wins. The 31-year-old Dhoni has also recorded two World Cup wins (2007T20, 2011-ODI).
Delhi lifts Vijay Hazare Trophy
Delhi ended Assams dream run with a 75-run win in the final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Australia wins the ICC Womens World Cup
Mumbai thrash Saurashtra to clinch Ranji Trophy crown for 40 th time

A dominant Mumbain under skipper Ajit Agarkar lifted their 40th Ranji Trophy title. Mumbai, thus, clinched their 40th national title in 44 appearances in the final contest and their first after two blank seasons.
Kohli is CEAT cricketer of the year

Virat Kohli beat off the challenge of some top cricketers of the world to win the CEAT international cricketer of the year 2011-12 award. The inaugural CEAT Indian youngster of the year went to Unmukt Chand, who led the Indian team to victory in the under- 19 World Cup. Pakistan bagged the team of the year award. Zaheer Abbas was given the lifetime achievement award.
McGrath inducted into Hall of Fame

Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath was inducted into the International Cricket Councils Hall of Fame, making him its 68th male member. McGrath joins fellow 2012-13 inductees West Indian Brian Lara and Englands Enid Bakewell in being recognised by the ICC and the living members of the Hall of Fame.
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Australia wrapped its hands around the World Cup for the sixth time after defeating first time finalist West Indies played at the Brabourne stadium Mumbai. India hosted the event.
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Team India maintained their top position in the latest ICC ODI ranking list followed by England and Australia. Since India top the table as per cut-off date, they will receive the shield and will collect a cheque of USD 175,000, while England will receive USD 75,000 for finishing second.
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9.2 TENNIS
Australian Open 2013
The 2013 Australian Open tennis tournament was held in Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, from 14 to 27 January 2013. It was the 101st edition of the Australian Open, and the first Grand Slam event of the year. Winners were Novak Djokovic (Serbia) in mens singles, Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) in womens singles, Bob and Mike Bryan (USA) in mens doubles, and Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci (Italy) in womens doubles. Australian Jarmila Gajdoov and Matthew Ebden won their first mixed doubles title.
Rafael Nadal won Indian Wells ATP

Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro to win his third Indian Wells ATP Masters title. The 11-time Grand Slam champion from Spain claimed his first hard court title since 2010 and a record 22nd title in an elite Masters event. He had previously shared the record of 21 with Roger Federer.
Sharapova defeated Wozniacki to win Indian Wells title Nadal beats Ferrer to win Mexican Open
Maria Sharapova beat Caroline Wozniacki to win her second Indian Wells WTA title in emphatic style. Rafael Nadal beats David Ferrer to win the Mexican Open as he claimed his second title in three events since returning from a lengthy injury lay-off to win his 38th clay court title. Nadal has won 12 of his 13 matches, finishing as runner-up in Vina del Mar, Chile, before triumphing in Sao Paulo in January 2013. In the womens final, Italian top seed Sara Errani breezed past second seed Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain .
Djokovic wins Dubai Open and Bhupathi wins the double
World No.1 Novak Djokovic claimed the Dubai Open title for the fourth time, beating the Czech Republics Tomas Berdych. It was the top seed Djokovics 18th win in a row and followed the successful defence of his Australian Open title. Mahesh Bhupathi with Frenchman Michael Llodra won the first title of the 2013 season by defeating Robert Lindstedt and Nenand Zimonjic in the summit.
Sania & Mattek-Sands duo claims Dubai Duty Free tennis championships
Sania Mirza and Bethanie Mattek-Sands clinched their second doubles title, beating Nadia Petrova and Katarina Srebotnik in the title clash of the Dubai Duty Free tennis championships in Dubai. The unseeded Indo-American duo prevailed over the RussianSlovenia combination in a tightly-contested final of the hard court event. The pair had won the Brisbane International in January 2013 to make a superb start to the 2013 season.
Rafael Nadal returns to win Brazil Open

Rafael Nadal showed he is back in business by clinching his first title since ending a sevenmonth knee injury layoff, winning the Brazil Open. The Spanish former world number one and currently the world number five, Nadal beat Argentinas David Nalbandian.
Azarenka beats Serena to retain Qatar title

Victoria Azarenka avenged the loss of her world number one ranking to Serena Williams by beating the American for only the second time in 13 attempts to successfully defend her Qatar Open title. She also completed back-to-back title defences after defending the Australian Open title in Melbourne.
Rafael Nadal wins doubles debut at Brazil Open

Spains Rafael Nadal teamed up with Argentinas David Nalbandian to post a three-set doubles victory in the Brazil Open. Sao Paulo is the second stop on Nadals comeback to the ATP World Tour. The Spaniard won the Brazil Open in 2005 when it was held in Costa do Sauipe.
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Bryan Brothers win record 13th Grand Slam doubles title

Mike and Bob Bryan have captured their record 13th Grand Slam doubles title, defeating the Dutch team of Robin Haase and Igor Sijsling in the Australian Open final. The Americans had been level with the Australian legends John Newcombe and Tony Roche with 12 major titles. The Bryans now have six Australian Open titles to go along with four at the U.S. Open, two at Wimbledon and one at the French Open.
Djokovic retains No.1 spot & Nadal out of top four

Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic retained his place as mens world number one in the ATP rankings released. The Serb became the first player in the professional era to win three straight Australian Open titles with his defeat of Andy Murray. Britons Murray remains third behind Roger Federer of Switzerland. Rafael Nadal of Spain has meanwhile slipped out of the worlds top four for the first time in more than seven years. Nadal drops to fifth, with Spains David Ferrer moves up a place to fourth.
Davis Cup award for eight Indians
The cream of Indian tennis, spanning about 60 years, will be presented Davis Cup Commitment awards instituted by the International Tennis Federation (ITF ) as part of the centenary celebrations. Ramanathan Krishnan, Jaidip Mukerjea, Premjit Lall, Vijay Amritraj, Anand Amritraj, Ramesh Krishnan, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi figure in the ITF honours list among Indians in an overall compilation of 299 players from 80 countries.
WTA Tour prize money hike
The WTA has said total prize money for the 54 events in 2013, not including Grand Slams, will rise from $53.3 million to $58.7 million.
Sania and Bethanie Mattek-Sands ranked No. 1
Sania and Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the US started off with a doubles victory in the Brisbane International, is now ranked World No. 1 in the doubles team rankings.
Tipsarevic beats Agut to win ATP Chennai Open
World number nine Serb Janko Tipsarevic won the ATP Chennai Open with a masterful fightback to defeat young Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in the final.
9.3 BADMINTON
Saina nominated for Female Player of the Year Award

Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal was nominated for the 2012 Female Player of the Year award of the Badminton World Federation following an impressive performance in the season which had seen her win a bronze medal in the London Olympics. World No. 2 Saina is the only non-Chinese among the five contenders for the top annual award among women shuttlers instituted by the BWF. The four Chinese are world No. 1 Li Xuerui of China who won eight titles in 2012, including the London Olympic gold medal, Olympic silver medallist Wang Yihan and Olympic womens doubles gold-winning pair Tian Qing & Zhao Yunlei (China). Among those nominated for the Male Player of the Year for 2012 are two-time Olympic gold medallist Lin Dan of China and his rival Malaysias Lee Chong Wei, the current world No. 1 one and two-time Olympic silver medallist.
Shixian Wang wins Swiss Open title

Chinas Shixian Wang has defeated Thai sensation Ratchanok Intanon to win the Swiss Open badminton championship.
Saina remains at 2 nd Position

Indias ace shuttler Saina Nehwal managed to retain the second position in the womens singles rankings issued by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). She is placed behind reigning Olympic champion Li Xuerui of China.
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Among other Indians in the fray, the promising P.V. Sindhu also remained static at a career-best 16th spot . In the rankings for men, Olympic quarterfinalist P. Kashyap also retained his careerbest World No. 9 position.
Master Tips
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is the international governing body for the sport of badminton. Founded in 1934 as the International Badminton Federation with nine member nations, the BWF has since expanded to 169 member nations around the world. On September 24, 2006, it was decided to adopt the new name Badminton World Federation (BWF) . Its head office was located in Cheltenham, UK since its founding, but on October 1, 2005, was relocated to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Its current president is Kang Young-Joong.
BAI launched IBL from 2013

Badminton Association of India (BAI) has launched the inaugural season of Indian Badminton League (IBL) from the year 2013. The inaugural edition of the IBL will take place in India from 24th June to 11th July 2013. This will have Indian as well as foreign players. The USD one million league, the highest prize money Badminton Tournament in the world, will see the participation of as many as 50 foreign and Indian players including Chinese superstar Lin Dan and world No.1 Lee Chong Wei.
Master Tips
Badminton Association of India (BAI) is the governing body for Badminton in India. Based in Lucknow , BAI is an association registered under the Societies Registration Act1860. It was formed in 1934 and has been holding national-level tournaments in India since 1936.Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta is the current President of BAI.
9.4 FOOTBALL
Services won the Santosh Trophy 2013
The 2013 Santosh Trophy was held from 1 February to 3 March 2013 in Uttar Pradesh and Kerala . Services won the Santhosh Trophy 2013 after defeating Kerala in the final at Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kaloor, Kochi.
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India won Nehru Cup 2012

Nehru Cup 2012 was held from August 22 to September 2, 2012. The tournament was hosted in New Delhi. A total of 5 teams participated in the tournament through being invited by the All India Football Federation. The final match happened between India and Cameroon B and India won the match in penalty shoot-out. The 2012 Nehru Cup was the 15th edition of the Nehru Cup and 3rd Nehru Cup since it was revived in 2007.
David Beckham: The richest footballer

David Beckham has been named the worlds richest footballer with a whopping 175 million fortune, 60 million more than Lionel Messi.
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The 2013 Santosh Trophy is the 67th edition of the Santosh Trophy, the main state competition in Indian football. The tournament first began in 1941, and was the premier football competition in the country before the National Football League started in the year 1996. The trophy as named after the late Maharaja Sir Manmatha Nath Roy Chowdhary of Santosh, which is now in Bangladesh, who had been the President of the Indian Football Association, the football organisation of Bengal and the donators of the trophy. The first winners were Bengal, who also leads the all-time winners list with 31 titles till date.
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Bhutia appointed as Chairman AIFF technical committee

Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia has been appointed chairman of the All India Football Federations (AIFF) technical committee, marking the Sikkimese snipers foray into administration. Bhutia, who retired from international football in 2011, was the torchbearer of Indian football during a career spanning 16 years.
Nigeria wins Africa Cup of Nations

Nigeria returned to the top of African football by beating Burkina Faso in the Cup of Nations final for its first continental title in nearly two decades.
AIFF lifts suspension of Mohun Bagan

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has lifted the two-year suspension and deemed withdrawal of Mohun Bagan from the I-League while putting certain conditions for the Kolkata clubs continued participation in the competition. Mohun Bagan had been suspended for walking out of its match against East Bengal. The AIFF Executive Committee removed the suspension but slapped a Rs. 2 crore fine on the club.
Lionel Messi wins Player of the Year award for fourth time
Argentinas Lionel Messi was named the worlds best player for an unprecedented fourth year. The award, officially known as the FIFA Ballon dOr, came after the Barcelona player scored a remarkable 91 goals in 2012. Real Madrid and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo was second, the third time the 2008 winner has finished runner-up. Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta was third. Spains Vicente del Bosque was voted as coach of the year for the first time after his team won Euro 2012.
9.5 ATHLETICS
Gurmeet wins bronze in Asian 20km race walking championship

National champion Gurmeet Singh claimed the third spot in the Asian 20km race walking championship in Nomi City, Japan. Even as severe cold and rain affected the performances of the athletes, Gurmeet, a silver winner in 2012, overcame the challenges.
Kipruto wins Lake Biwa marathon
Kenyas Vincent Kipruto emerged victorious in a shoulder-to-shoulder battle against Tariku Jufar of Ethiopia in the last 200 metres to win the Lake Biwa marathon in Otsu (Japan).
Bolt and Fraser-Pryce win awards

Sprint hero Usain Bolt and back-to-back Olympic 100 metre champion Shelly-Ann FraserPryce collected the top awards at the Jamaican Athletics Administrative Association (JAA) awards ceremony. Bolt achieved his legendary status by defending his three gold medals 100m, 200m, 4x100m at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
9.6 GRAND PRIX
Vettel snatches a controversial win in Malaysian Grand Prix

World champion Sebastian Vettel incensed Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber as he pulled off a risky overtaking move to snatch victory in a pulsating but contentious Malaysian Grand Prix. It was his 27th race win.
9.7 MISCELLANEOUS
Archery India wins a gold and bronze in Asian archery Grand Prix
The Indian mens compound team clinched gold while the recurve trio bagged a bronze medal in the Asian archery Grand Prix in Bangkok.
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The compound team, comprising Sandeep Kumar, Abhishek Verma and Jignas Chittibomma emerged a winner over the Vietnam team to clinch the gold. The recurve mens team of Atanu Das, Rahul Banerjee and Binod Swansi defeated Russia in the bronze medal contest in four sets. The Indian womens recurve team of Dola Banerjee, Rimil Buriuly and L. Bombayla Devi missed the bronze as it lost to Indonesia.
Squash Indian girls team wins Asian Gold and boys team Silver
The Indian squash team returned with a gold and silver medal from the 16th Asian junior team squash championships in Seoul, Korea. India clinched gold in the girls section, where it beat Hong Kong 2-1 in the final, while settling for silver in the boys section after Pakistan won 2-0.
Woods is No.1
Tiger Woods regained golfs world No. 1 spot as he captured the PGA Tours Arnold Palmer Invitational with a two-shot victory.
Johnson wins PGA Tour opener
Dustin Johnson ended a windy week with a wild ride that carried him to the first win of the PGA Tour season. Johnson, who finished at 16-under 203, won for the sixth straight season. Only Phil Mickelson with nine straight years has a longer active streak of most consecutive seasons with a PGA Tour victory.
Handball
Indian women retain title South Asian womens handball championship

Defending champion India retained the title defeating Pakistan in the final of the fourth South Asian womens handball championship in Lucknow. India remained undefeated through the tournament that was held at the KD Singh Babu Stadium. Manisha top-scored with 11 goals and Varuni Negi scored seven goals for India. For Pakistan, Madiha Latif was the top scorer with five goals.
Cycling
Mei Yu Hsiao retains title at Asian cycling championship
Chess
Indian finish 5 th in the world womens team chess championship

India finished fifth in the world womens team chess championship at Astana, Kazakhstan. Ukraine won the title and China finished runner-up while Russia was third. India was represented by Mary Ann Gomes, Eesha Karvade, Nisha Mohota, Padmini Rout and Soumya Swaminathan.
Anand finishes second in the Zurich Chess Challenge

World champion Viswanathan Anand capitalised on a blunder by Vladimir Kramnik of Russia to beat him in the final round and finish 2 nd in the Zurich Chess Challenge.
Wrestling Las Vegas to host 2015 World wrestling championship

The International Wrestling Federation (FILA) executive board has selected US city Las Vegas as venue for the 2015 World championship.
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Chinese Taipeis Mei Yu Hsiao became the womens road race champion for the third consecutive time as she won the event in two hours, 38 minutes and six seconds at the Hero Cycles Asian cycling championship. Hsiao faced intense competition from the Chinese duo of Liu Xiaohui and Zhao Na before posting victory in a close finish.
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No wrestling in 2020 Olympics

Wrestling, an Olympic sport since the first Games in ancient Greece, looks set to be dropped, after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has voted to remove it from the programme for 2020. Wrestling first appeared in 708 BC and has so far not appeared in Olympic Games only in 1900. It has a chance of regaining its berth if some IOC members not on the board vote against decision.
9.8 SPORT RELATED OTHER NEWS

Prabhat Chaturvedi elected TTFI president
Prabhat Chaturvedi , a retired IAS officer, has replaced the jailed Ajay Singh Chautala as the Table Tennis Federation of India president at the TTFIs Annual General Meeting in Lucknow.
National Games for Deaf
Asian Grand Prix shifted to Colombo
With the Tamil Nadu Government refusing to host Sri Lankan athletes on political grounds, the third leg of the Asian Grand Prix scheduled to be held in Chennai on May 16 has now been shifted to Colombo. After the Tamil Nadu Government cancelled the prestigious Asian athletics championship scheduled to be held in Chennai from July 3 to 7, the Asian Athletics Association has decided to hold the third leg of the Asian GP in Colombo on May 12.
IOC allows Indian Boxers to participate International Events
The Indian boxers have been allowed to participate in international competitions after being kept out following the suspension of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The president of the International Boxing Federation (AIBA), Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu, communicated the good news to the IOC member in India, Randhir Singh(a six-time Olympian and Asian Games gold medallist).
Armstrong tops Forbes list of most disliked athletes
Jaipur craftsman Amit Pabuwal designs worlds biggest trophy

The Guinness World Record holder Amit Pabuwal has designed worlds biggest and heaviest sports trophy which would be given to the winner in the inaugural edition of iGATE CEO Cup Golf tournament featuring the CEOs of 2000 companies based in North America. It is 21 inch tall trophy that weighs 8.6 kg and is embellished with diamonds and rubies. It will be the worlds largest gold sports trophy. It will be larger than the iconic FIFA World Cup trophy.
Vijay Kumar & NRAI get FICCI awards

Olympic silver medallist, rapid-fire pistol shooter Vijay Kumar was presented the best breakthrough award by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in New Delhi. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) was adjudged the best National Sports Federation for running the sport in a professional and transparent manner and on the basis of the excellent performance of the shooters. The president of NRAI, Raninder Singh, received the trophy at the FICCI auditorium.
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Disgraced US cyclist Lance Armstrong has topped a new list by Forbes magazine of the most disliked athletes after confessing of doping to win all seven of his Tour de France titles . Manti, who got second place in Heisman Trophy voting as last seasons top player which made him a top National Football League prospect, reportedly faked the death of a fictitious girlfriend to gain sympathy. Third on the list, at 19 percent appeal, is 14-time major golf champion Tiger Woods, following an epic sex scandal that destroyed his marriage and damaged his marketing image and sponsorship deals.
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The All India Sports Council of the Deaf has announced the 18th National Games for the Deaf 2013. The competition will be held at the Sri Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore, from April 25-29. The event will also be used to select the Indian team for the 22nd Summer Deaflympics to be held in Sofia, Bulgaria, in July-August 2013.
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Awards & Recognition

10.1 Art, Culture & Literary Awards 10.2 Science Awards 10.3 General Awards & Honors 99 101 103
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10.1 ART, CULTURE & LITERARY AWARDS

Jeet Thayil wins DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2013
Mr. Thayil is the first Indian to win the prize for Narcopolis which is based on the theme of drug addiction destroying the poor, deranged and marginalised people in Mumbai during 1970s and 80s. Narcopolis was also nominated & shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2012.
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The DSC Prize for South Asian Literature given at Jaipur Literary Festival, is sponsored by construction company DSC Limited , which is the principal sponsor of the lit fest. The prize, carrying a cash award of $ 50,000, is given every year to an international author or shared with the translator for a work of fiction thematically linked to the South Asian region.
Jeet Thayil in Man Asian Literary Prize shortlist
Indian author Jeet Thayils debut novel Narcopolis is among five other works shortlisted for the USD 30,000 Man Asian Literary Prize.
Sahitya Akademi award 2012 presented to Jeet Thayil
Sahitya Akademi president Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari has presented the Sahitya Akademi Award-2012 to Jeet Thayil in New Delhi. His poetry collection, These errors are correct, was given the Sahitya Akademi award for English in 2012.
Saraswati Samman 2012 & 2013
Malayalam poetess Sugathakumari has been selected for the Saraswati Samman 2013 for her poetry collection Manalezhuthu (Writing on the Sand). For 2012, it was conferred on Rohit Gautam for Bang Bhoomi.
Vyas Samman 2012 to Narendra Kohli
Eminent Hindi litterateur Narendra Kohli has been selected for the prestigious Vyas Samman for 2012 for his historical novel Na Bhooto Na Bhavishyati, published in 2004, based on Swami Vivekananda and the era he belonged to. Instituted by the K. K. Birla Foundation in 1991, the award is given annually for an outstanding literary work in Hindi published during the past ten years. The award carries a cash purse of Rs 2.5 lakh.
60 th National Award: Paan Singh Tomar adjudged best film

Paan Singh Tomar , for its powerful presentation of a true life story which highlights the urgent need for a social support system for sportspersons especially in rural India, has bagged the 60th National Award for the best feature film. Shepherds of Paradise , portraying the life of a nomadic shepherd family in Kashmir, was awarded the best non-feature film. Bedabrata Pains Hindi film, Chittagong , and the Siddhartha Siva-directed Malayalam film, 101 Chodiyangal , shared the Indira Gandhi award for the best debut film of a director.
85 th Academy Awards: The Oscar

The 85th Academy Awards ceremony (referred to as The Oscars) was held on February 24, 2013. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) presented its annual Academy Awards to honor the best films of 2012 that played in the United States. Life of Pi won four awards (the most), including Best Director for Ang Lee. Argo won three awards, including Best Picture. Daniel Day-Lewis was adjudged best leading actor for the film Lincoln and Jennifer Lawrencewas adjudged best leading actress for the film Silver Linings Playbook. Les Misrables also won three awards. Django Unchained, Lincoln and Skyfall won two awards each.
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Sri Lankan debut novelist Shehan Karunatilaka for his book Chinaman had won the prize in 2012 and Karachi-based author H.M. Naqvi for his book Home Boy got it in 2011.
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IPI Journalism award for The Tribune

The International Press Institute (IPI)India award for excellence in journalism 2012 was awarded to the English daily The Tribune for its outstanding journalistic work done in 2011. An investigation by the dailys Prabhjot Singh that exposed the loot of Punjabs public transport by politicians and bureaucrats was selected for the award.
Alka Dhupkar gets Chameli Devi Jain award

Alka Dhupkar, a journalist with Marathi-language TV news channel IBN-Lokmat, has won the prestigious Chameli Devi Jain Award for an outstanding woman media person.
Sahitya Bharati Samman-2012 to Patnaik

Noted litterateur, veteran political leader, and incumbent Assam Governor Janaki Ballav Patnaik will receive the prestigious Sahitya Bharati Samman-2012 .
The Hindu Literary Prize 2013 goes to Jerry Pinto

Journalist-author Jerry Pinto has bagged The Hindu Literary Prize 2013 for his novel Em and the Big Hoom. The book is Mr. Pintos first work of fiction and is set in Mahim, Mumbai.
Argo wins top BAFTA Prize 2013
Iran hostage drama Argo continued its journey from awards season outsider to favourite, winning three prizes, including best picture, at the British Academy Film Awards. Ben Affleck was named best director for the based-on-reality story of a long shot plan to rescue a group of American diplomats from Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and the film also took the editing trophy. Daniel Day-Lewis won his universally expected best actor trophy for Lincoln the only prize out of 10 nominations for Steven Spielbergs historical biopic. Emmanuelle Riva was named best actress for Michael Hanekes poignant old-age portrait Amour. French revolutionary musical Les Miserables won four prizes, including best supporting actress for Anne Hathaway. James Bond adventure Skyfall spied some elusive awards recognition, winning trophies for music and best British film. Kathryn Bigelows Osama bin Laden thriller Zero Dark Thirty was shut out of the prizes, despite five nominations.
Indian & Pakistani in the Man Booker International Prize 2013 shortlist
National awards for Chennai musicians

Three artistes from Chennai have bagged Sangeet Natak Akademis Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar award for 2011 in music. Carnatic vocalist Abhishek Raghuram, veena artiste Punya Srinivas and violinist H.N. Bhaskar are among those who will receive the national honour in the category of music. Bharatanatyam artiste, Meenakshi Srinivasan, also from Chennai, is among the dancers being honoured with the title.
Samagana Matanga 2012 Award for Pt. Jasraj

Hindustani classical vocalist Pt. Jasraj has been selected for the Samagana Matanga 2012 award instituted by the Bharatiya Samagana Sabha, Bangalore. The award, carrying a purse of Rs. 1 lakh, will be presented to the Mevathi Gharana fame vocalist on the concluding day of the five-day music festival on February 17.
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Two of the biggest names in literature from India and Pakistan Kannada writer U.R. Ananthamurthy and Urdu novelist Intizar Husain are among the 10 writers from around the world shortlisted for 60,000 Man Booker International Prize 2013. It is awarded every two years to a living author in recognition of his or her achievement in fiction.
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Muse India awards 2012 for Pant and Sinha

Writers Meghna Pant and Arunava Sinha will receive the annual Muse India National Literary Awards for the year 2012 on January 18, coinciding with the three-day Hyderabad Literary Festival. While Ms. Pants name was chosen for the Young Writer Award in recognition of her debut novel One-and-a-Half Wife,. Mr. Sinhas recognition for the Translation Award was for When the Time is Right, his translation of Buddhadeva Boses 1949 Bangla novel Tithidore. Recipients of the Muse India Awards 2011, were Anindita Sengupta (Young Writer) and Ranjit Hoskote (Translation).
ANR National Award for Shyam Benegal
10.2 SCIENCE AWARDS
Abel Prize: Belgian Mathematician Pierre Deligne
Belgian mathematician Pierre Deligne, who is regarded as one of the most celebrated mathematicians of the 20th century, has been chosen for this years prestigious Abel Prize in Mathematics. The 69-year-old professor emeritus of the Institute of Advanced Study, Princeton, is being awarded for his seminal contributions to algebraic geometry and for their transformative impact on number theory, representation theory and related fields.
Master Tips
The Abel Prize is considered equivalent to the Nobel Prize , which is not awarded in the field of mathematics . It carries a cash award of 6 million Norwegian krone (about 800,000 or $1 million). Norwegian Academy of Sciences and Letters has instituted this award in 2002.
Japanese architect Toyo Ito wins Pritzker Prize 2013
DAEs lifetime achievement award

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Presented the lifetime achievement awards of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to four of its veteran scientists. He paid special tributes to nuclear scientist and Principal Scientific Advisor to the government, R. Chidamabaram for guiding Indias atomic energy programme with such great distinction. The scientists who were presented the lifetime achievement are: R.B. Grover , who played a key role in negotiating the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal, K. Balaramamoorthy , who developed nondestructive testing techniques, mathematician R. Balasubramanian , and S.K. Sikka , a key player in the nuclear tests of 1974 and 1998.
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Japanese architect Toyo Ito has won the 2013 Pritzker Prize, often called the Nobel Prize of architecture. Itos buildings, which include libraries, theaters and homes, have been praised for their fluid beauty and balance between the physical and virtual world.
Founded in 1979 by Jay A. Pritzker and his wife Cindy, the award is funded by the Pritzker family and sponsored by the Hyatt Foundation and is considered one of the worlds premier architecture prizes and is often referred to as the Nobel Prize of architecture. The recipients receive US$100,000, a citation certificate, and since 1987, a bronze medallion.
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Well-known filmmaker Shyam Benegal will receive the 8th Akkineni Nageswara Rao National Award. Instituted by Mr. Nageswara Rao in 2005, the first awardee was Dev Anand in 2005 and followed annually from then on by Shabana Azmi, Anjali Devi, Vyjayantimala Bali, Lata Mangeshkar, K. Balachander and Hema Malini in 2011. The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh and a citation.
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G. D. Birla Award for Scientific Research

Prof. Nibir Mandal of Jadavpur University has been selected for the G. D. Birla Award for Scientific Research for his work in the area of structural geology.
Master Tips
The G. D. Birla Award for Scientific Research set up in 1991 by the K. K. Birla Foundation for scientists below the age of 50, carries a cash prize of Rs.1.5 lakh. G.D.Birla Award for Scientific Research is given every year and is available in any branch of science including medical science, basic as well as applied. The emphasis is particularly on the work done by the scientist during the last five years. K. K. Birla Foundation: The noted industrialist, educationist, philanthropist and parliamentarian Dr. Krishna Kumar Birla had created the K.K. Birla Foundation during his lifetime in 1991. Passionate about Indian art, education, culture and literature, K.K. Birla felt the need to recognize contributions made by authors and scholars in advancing the literary and cultural traditions of India. Over the years, the K.K. Birla Foundation has instituted six Awards, four of which are given in recognition of literary excellence in all the major Indian languages while one for scientific research and one for philosophical writing as mentioned below: the Saraswati Samman- 7.5lakh for prose/poetry work in any Indian language the Vyas Samman- 2.5lakh for prose/poetry work in Hindi the Bihari Puraskar- 1lakh for prose/poetry work in Hindi/Rajasthani, only authors from Rajasthan are eligible the Shankar Puraskar- 1.5 lakh culture and/or art for a work in Hindi concerning Indian philosophy,
the Vachaspati Puraskar- 1lakh for any work in Sanskrit the G.D. Birla Award for scientific research- 1.5lakh
Scientist S. Venkat gets National Bioscience Award for 2012
Senior scientist at the Bioengineering and Environmental Centre (BEEC) of Indian Institute of Chemical Technology Hyderabad, Dr. S. Venkat Mohan , has been selected for the National Bioscience Award for 2012.
Lifetime achievement award for scientist Dr. V. Jayathirtha Rao
National Geo-science Award-2011 Awards for NGRI scientists

Dr. Prakash Kumar, Principal Scientist, seismology group, CSIR- National Geophysical Research Institute Hyderabad, was selected for the National Geo-science Award-2011 in the Applied Geophysics category for his contribution in seismology and geodynamics. He earlier received the CSIR Young Scientist award. Dr.V. Vijaya Rao, Chief Scientist of controlled seismic studies group of NGRI received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant research contributions in geophysics.
Kakodkar awarded Maharashtra Bhooshan

Renowned nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar was awarded Maharashtra Bhooshan by Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan at the Gateway of India. The award was given in recognition of Dr. Kakodkars contribution to the field of nuclear power.
International award for Psychiatrist Roy Abraham Kallivayalil

Roy Abraham Kallivayalil, national president of Indian Psychiatric Society has been awarded International Distinguished Fellowship by American Psychiatric Society, the highest honour instituted by them.
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The Chief Scientist and Head of Crop Protection Division, Dr. V. Jayathirtha Rao at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, has been awarded the lifetime achievement award by the Indian Institute of Oriental Heritage, Kolkata.
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Infosys Prize-2012
Infosys Prize 2012 to seven recipients in six categories, were given away on January 3 by former Prime Minister of Norway and former Director General of the World Health Organization, Gro Harlem Brundtland. The award comprises a gold medallion, a citation expounding the laureates work and Rs 50 lakh as prize money. Engineering & Computer Science-Dr. Asish Lele , of National Chemical Laboratories, Pune Humanities (History)- Prof. Sanjay Subrahmanyam, of University of California Humanities (Literary Studies)- Prof. Amit Chaudhuri of University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK Life Sciences- Prof. Satyajit Mayor, of National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore Mathematical Sciences- Prof. Manjul Bhargava, of Princeton University Phy si ca l Sci ences- D r. Ay yappanpillai Ajay ag osh , of National In stitu te for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Social Sciences- Prof. Arunava Sen, of Indian Statistical Institute, Delhi
Aryabhatta Award for Muthunayagam and Saraswat
The former secretary of the Department of Ocean Development, A.E. Muthunayagam, will receive the prestigious Aryabhatta award, instituted by the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), for 2010 and V.K. Saraswat , Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, will receive the award for 2011. They have been selected for their achievements in rocketry.
10.3 GENERAL AWARDS & HONORS
Marimuthu Bharathan gets Dutch Human Rights Tulip 2012
Marimuthu Bharathan, a Dalit activist who was selected for the Dutch Human Rights Tulip 2012 award from among 66 contenders across the globe, could not attend the function held on January 9 after being denied a passport. Bharathans message was read out before the award, which carries a cash prize of 1 lakh Euros, was handed over in absentia.
Dravid amongst Padma Awardees
Dravid, who served India with distinction both as batsman and captain, retired in 2012, has been honoured by Padma Bhushan 2013 alongwith yesteryear film actors late Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore.
Bangladesh honour for ex-IAS officer Himangshu Mohan Chowdhury
Basu among those honoured by Bangladesh

Jyoti Basu has been awarded Friends of Liberation War Honour .The highest honour was awarded to former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in July 25, 2012.
Fatehpur Sikri monuments bag Tourism Award

The Fatehpur Sikri group of monuments in Agra has bagged the prestigious National Tourism Award 2011-12 for the best maintained and disabled-friendly monument. The award was given away by President Pranab Mukherjee and presided over by Minister of State for Tourism K. Chiranjeevi.
Vishwakarma Award 2013 for GSL

A modernisation project of Goa Shipyard Ltd. (GSL), the south Goa-based defence shipyard, has been awarded the prestigious Vishwakarma Award for 2013. The award, instituted by the Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC), was presented to GSL under the Best Construction Project category.
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Mr. Himangshu Mohan Chowdhury is now being felicitated by the Government of Bangladesh in helping with relief operations that were carried for migrants from Dhaka who had sought refuge in Sonamura during the 1971 Bangladesh liberation struggle. Mr. Chowdhury, who has been invited by Dhaka, will be felicitated at a ceremony being held to honour friends of Bangladesh.
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Padma Vibhushan 2013

The second highest civilian award by Govt. of India announced on the eve of republic day has been conferred on following persons:
Personality Raghunath Mohapatra S. Haider Raza Prof. Yash Pal Prof. Roddam Narasimha Area Art Art Science and Engineering Science and Engineering State Orissa Delhi Uttar Pradesh Karnataka
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Bharat Ratna: Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian Award of the country, which was instituted in the year 1954. It is awarded in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour. The actual award is designed in the shape of a peepul leaf and carries with the words Bharat Ratna, inscribed in Devanagari script along with an image of the Sun. The reverse side of the medal carries the state emblem and motto. 1st Bharat Ratna awardees were Chakravarti Rajgopalachari, Sir C. V. Raman, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan in 1954. Last Bharat Ratna awardee was Hindustani classical singer Bhimsen Joshi in 2008. Of the 41 awards so far, there has been two non-Indians, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1987) and Nelson Mandela (1990). Padma Awards: Padma Awards were instituted in the year 1954. Except for brief interruption(s) during the years 1978 and 1979 and 1993 to 1997, these awards have been announced every year on Republic Day. The award is given in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. Padma Shri (4th highest civilian award) is awarded for distinguished service; Padma Bhushan (3rd highest civilian award) for distinguished service of a high order; and Padma Vibhushan (2nd highest civilian award) for exceptional and distinguished service. National Sports Awards: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna- Indias highest honour given for achievement in sports. Arjuna Award- Recognizes outstanding achievement in National sports. Dronacharya award- an award presented by the government of India for excellence in sports coaching. Dhyan Chand Award- Indias highest award for lifetime achievement in sports and games. The award is named after the legendary Indian hockey player Dhyan Chand. Vir Chakra Valour awards: Param Vir Chakra- Highest military award for valour. Maha Vir Chakra- the 2 nd highest military decoration in India and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air. Vir Chakra- It is third in precedence in the war time gallantry. Peacetime gallantry awards: Ashok Chakra Award- an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. It is the peace time equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra. Kirti Chakra- It is second in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards. Shaurya Chakra- It happens to be third in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards and comes after the Ashoka Chakra and the Kirti Chakra.
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The national Stree Shakti Puraskar 2012

In the national Stree Shakti Puraskar 2012 award ceremony, Delhi braveheart was honoured with the Rani Lakshmibai Award. The award presented by the President Pranab Mukherjee was received by the deceased victims mother on International Womens Day ( 08 March 2013). The Rani Rudramma Devi Award for the year 2012 was awarded to Pranita Talukdar from Assam for her work for the overall development of women. Mata Jijabai Award for 2012 was given to Sonika Agarwal from Delhi in recognition of her service in the areas of education and promotion of self help groups amongst women. The Kannagi Award for 2012 was given to Guramma H. Sankina from Karnataka for her service in the areas of educational awareness, promotion of self help groups and income generating activities amongst women. The Rani Gaidinliu Zeliang Award for 2012 was given to Omana TK from Kerala for her service in the areas of rehabilitation of destitute women and victims of violence, environment protection, empowerment of women and women employment. The Devi Ahilyabai Holkar award for 2012 was given to Olga Dmello of Maharashtra for her work in the areas of health, hygiene awareness and creating consciousness on womens issues in the community.
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The annual National Stree Shakti Puruskars are given by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to recognise and honour women for outstanding contributions to society and thereby helped in improving the lives of numerous Indian women.The awards are in the name of the eminent women personalities namely Devi Ahalya Bai Holkar, Kannagi, Mata Jajabai, Rani Gaidinliu Zeliang, Rani Lakshmi Bai and Rani Rudramma Devi (which is open to both men and women). The awards, other than the Rani Rudramma Devi award (which was instituted in 2007), were instituted in 1999.The award carries a citation and a cheque of Rs.3 lakh.
Outstanding parliamentarian award for 2010, 2011 & 2012
The parliamentary award committee has selected BJP leader Arun Jaitley, Congress MP Karan Singh and JD (U) MP Sharad Yadav for the outstanding parliamentarian award for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively.
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Pranab Mukherjee receive top award in Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Liberation War Honour Award has been conferred on President Pranab Mukherjee by Bangaldesh government in recognition of his contribution to the struggle that led to the birth of this nation 42 years ago.
US to give courage award to Delhi braveheart posthumously

United States has selected the 23-year-old Delhi braveheart for the International Women of Courage Award. The award to the braveheart would be presented posthumously by the First Lady Michelle Obama and the Secretary of State John Kerry, on March 8. The Secretary of States International Women of Courage Award annually recognises women around the globe who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for womens rights and empowerment, often at great personal risk. Since inception of the award in 2007, the Department of State has honoured 67 women from 45 different countries.
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T he O ut st a nd ing Pa r liam e nta r ia n Aw ar d is a n a wa rd given b y t he India n Parliamentary Group to an outstanding sitting Member of the Indian Parliament. It was instituted in 1992 by Shivraj Patil who was then the Speaker of Lok Sabha from 1991-96. Indrajit Gupta was honored with the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award in 1992.
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Delhi airport wins International Safety Award 2013

The IGI airport in New Delhi, operated by DIAL, has become the first Indian facility to bag the International Safety Award from British Safety Council. This makes Indira Gandhi International airport (IGI), as the first and the only airport in India to win this prestigious award in field of health and safety.
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British Safety Council is one of the largest independent occupational health, safety and environmental organisations in the world. The International Safety Awards are open to all companies across industries globally and the applicants are adjudged across 12 parameters related to health and safety management. The award benchmarks health and safety performance of an organisation on an international level to recognise the leaders in this field.
NRI education pioneer Dr Sugata Mitra wins TED prize
Dr Sugata Mitra, a Professor of Educational Technology at the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences at Newcastle University, UK, known for his innovative hole-in-the-wall experiment to give computer education to slum children, has been awarded with the prestigious USD 1 million TED prize. Mitra developed the concept of the Cloud from his 1999 hole in the wall experiment, in which he carved a hole from his research center into an adjoining Delhi slum. After receiving the award, Mitra said he will use prize to launch global initiative for selfdirected learning releases toolkit for schools and families to create self-organised learning environments. TEDs annual prize of USD one million gives an exceptional individual the chance to conceive and launch a high-impact project.
Indian-American Scientist Rangaswami Srinivasan Honoured by Obama

US President Barack Obama presented the prestigious National Medal of Technology and Innovation to Indian-American scientist Rangaswami Srinivasan for his groundbreaking work with laser.
Asian Nobel launched in Taiwan: Tang Prize
Samuel Yin, one of Taiwans richest men has launched the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize the Tang Prize by donating Tw$3 billion (about $101 million) for it. The prize is named after Chinas Tang Dynasty (618-907) which inspired generation after generation with admiration for its vibrant characteristics of self confidence and cosmopolitan inclusiveness the qualities that the Tang Prize seeks to promote. Beginning in 2014, prizes will be awarded every two years in four categories: sustainable development; biopharmaceutical science; sinology; and the rule of law to individuals, regardless of nationality. The winner in each category will receive Tw$50 million ($1.7 million), compared to the eight million Swedish kronor ($1.2 million) that comes with a Nobel Prize.
Mauritius Honours Bihar Folk Singer Nitu Kumari Nutan

A Bhojpuri folk singer from Bihar was honoured by the Mauritius government on the occasion of Bihar Diwas celebrations in the Indian Ocean island nation. Nitu Kumari Nutan was conferred the prestigious Mauritius Samman by President Rajkeswur Purryag. Bihar Diwas was celebrated in the state and in Mauritius by residents of Bihar origin. It marks the day when the British carved out the state from Bengal Presidency March 22, 1912.
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Krishi Karman Award 2011-12

The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on 15 January 2013 presented the Krishi Karman Awards for the year 2011-2012 at an award ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awards were presented to the State Governments for their excellent performance in increasing the production of food grains in their respective states. The award carries Rs 2 crore and a citation certificate. The Krishi Karman Award function was organised by department of agriculture and cooperation, Union Ministry of Agriculture. From the eight awards winning states , for the first time one male and one female farmer were also awarded for their outstanding performance.
Awards in different segments Awards The Awards for Special Contribution to Total Food Grains Production
Award for Contribution Award for Contribution Award for Contribution Award for Contribution
to Production to Production to Production to Production
President decorates Nepal Army chief
President Pranab Mukherjee has conferred the honorary rank of Suprabal Jana Sewa Shree of the Indian Army on General Gaurav Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana, Chief of the Army Staff of Nepal, for his commendable military prowess and immeasurable contribution to further fostering the long and friendly association with India.
Tipperary International Peace Prize for 2012 to Malala
Sanjiv Bhatt gets Mother Teresa award

Suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt was conferred the 5th Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice for 2012.
Order of Canada honour to scientist Venkatesh Mannar

A Chennai - born scientist of Indian origin, Venkatesh Mannar , President, Micronutrient Initiative, has been honoured with Canadas highest civilian award the Order of Canada. Mannar has ben working for almost 40 years to reduce debilitating micronutrient deficiencies among the the worlds most vulnerable.
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Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani schoolgirl shot by a Taliban gunman in 2012, is to be given Irelands prestigious Tipperary International Peace Prize for 2012 for her courage and determination to speak out in support of equal access to education for every child. She was one of the five nominees, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi and outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Malala is the second Pakistani to get the award. In 2007, it was given to Benazir Bhutto. Malalas father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, has been appointed education attach at the Pakistani consulate in Birmingham, paving the way for her to continue to stay on in Britain after her medical treatment.
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and Productivity and Productivity and Productivity and Productivity
Sates Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Manipur and Nagaland of Rice Bihar of Wheat Haryana of Pulses Jharkhand of Coarse Cereals Uttar Pradesh
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11.1 GENERAL
Mexican business tycoon Carlos Slim: Worlds richest by Forbes
As per the annual ranking published by Forbes on March 4, Mexican business tycoon Carlos Slim was the wealthiest in the world with a networth of USD 73 billion, followed by Bill Gates (USD 67 billion), Amancio Ortega (USD 57 billion), Warren Buffett (USD 53.5 billion). Mukesh Ambani was ranked 22nd, while the second-richest Indian Lakshmi Mittal is at 41st position with a networth of USD 16.5 billion.
Paris makes Mandela honorary citizen

The city of Paris made anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela an honorary citizen but refused to grant an honour to Venezuelas late leftist firebrand leader Hugo Chavez.
Ratan Tata elected to National Academy of Engineering
Lebanese poet Wadi-al-Bustani transalated Ramayana in Arabic

An Arabic version of the Ramayana translated by noted Lebanese poet Wadi-al-Bustani was unveiled at the Jaipur Literature Festival. As per Syed Shahid Mahdi, vice president of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the book, titled Ramayana, will promote crosscultural understanding and appreciation of each others spiritual heritage.
Bhutan King Wangchuck: The chief guest at Indias Republic Day parade
Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was the chief guest at Indias Republic Day parade 2013. The King and Queen of Bhutan have paid a state visit to India from January 23 to 30.
Erection of Basaveshwaras statue in the UK
The UK government has granted permission to install the statue of 12 century social reformer from Karnataka, Basaveshwara, at the Albert embankment in London.
U.R. Rao to join Satellite Hall of Fame
The former ISRO chairman, U.R. Rao, is all set to join the prestigious international Satellite Hall of Fame on March 19. Prof. Rao, who presided over the countrys space programme as Secretary, Department of Space, and Chairman of the Space Commission for 10 years from 1984, will join some 40 space celebrities who include Arthur Clarke. Late visionary Apple co-founder Steve Jobs has topped a list of the worlds best chief executives. The global list, compiled by French business school Insead for Harvard Business Review, ranked the former Apple head first. Jobs was followed by Amazons Jeff Bezos in second and Samsungs retired boss Yun Jong-Yong in third.
Delhi Boy Suraj Sharma gets BAFTA nomination

Actor Suraj Sharma has been nominated for the Rising Star award for his role in director Ang Lees acclaimed film Life of Pi in this years prestigious BAFTA awards, which are regarded as Britains equivalent of the Oscars. The film, based on Yann Martels ManBooker-Prize-winning novel , is in contention for the Best Film with four others, including Steven Spielbergs Lincoln , and Kathryn Bigelows Zero Dark Thirty , which is based on the capture of Osama bin Laden.
Postal Stamp released on Sahir Ludhianvi

President Pranab Mukherjee released a commemorative postage stamp in honour of the late Sahir Ludhianvi on his birth anniversary. Ludhianvi was widely acclaimed as a peoples poet who wrote on the trials and tribulations of the everyday life of the common man with great intensity and deep empathy.
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Steve Jobs tops list of worlds best chief executives
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11.2 OBITUARIES
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dies of cancer at 58
A living legend for millions of poor in his country and a divisive figure in global politics, the Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez died. He was 58. After battling cancer for two years during which he underwent multiple rounds of surgeries and chemotherapy in Cuba and at home, the Venezuelan president breathed his last at a military hospital in the capital Caracas. With his death, the socialist leaders 14-year rule of the South American country with the largest reserves of oil in the world has come to an end.
Pulitzer Prize-winner Anthony Lewis dies

Anthony Lewis, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist , author and New York Times columnist , has died. He was 85. Lewis won the Pulitzer in 1955 for national reporting for the Washington Daily News and again in 1963 for national reporting for The New York Times. From 1969 to 2001, he wrote the column Abroad at Home for the Times. His books included Portrait of a Decade: The Second American Revolution, Gideons Trumpet, and Make No Law: The Sullivan Case and the First Amendment.
Padma Shri recipient S. Sukumari passed away
Veteran South Indian actor and Padma Shri recipient S. Sukumari passed away in Chennai after battling burns suffered following an accident at her residence. She was 74. Born in 1940 in then Travancore, Sukumari began her career at the age of 10 with a cameo in Tamil movie Oru Iravu in 1951. She acted in over 2,500 films, including in Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Oriya and Bengali. Wife of famous film director-producer late Bhim Singh, Sukumari received numerous accolades, including the Tamil Nadu States Kalaimani Award in 1991-92, the Kerala State Award on four occasions, Padma Shri in 2003 and the National Award for the best supporting actress in 2011.
Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman passed away
Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman, a veteran ruling party politician and a close aid of the nations founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, died in a Singapore hospital. He was 84. Mr. Rahman, who had made his name as an activist who pushed for Bangladesh to break free from Pakistani rule, was named to the largely ceremonial post in 2009.
Khmer Rouges Ieng Sary dead
Ping-pong diplomacy initiator dies

Chinas table tennis legend Zhuang Zedong, who played a key role in initiating the famous ping-pong diplomacy with the U.S. leading to the then President, Richard Nixons icebreaking visit to Beijing in 1972, died.
Carnatic vocalist Pinakapani dies

Legendary Carnatic musician and medical practitioner Sripada Pinakapani, 100, passed away at his residence at Kurnool. He was considered the healer of malady (as doctor) and producer of melody (as musician). He produced a voluminous treatise on Carnatic music.
Ramankutty Nair: The doyen of Kathakali passes away

Padma Bhushan-winning Kathakali exponent Kalamandalam Ramankutty Nair, 88, passed away at his house at Vellinezhi, near Palakkad.
Madanjeet Singh passes away

Former diplomat, artist, writer and freedom fighter, Madanjeet Singh, a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador since 2000, passed away in Beaulieu sur Mer in France. Born in Lahore on
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Ieng Sary , who co-founded Cambodias brutal Khmer Rouge movement in 1970s , was its public face abroad and decades later became one of its few leaders to be put on trial by a joint Cambodian-international tribunal along with two other former Khmer Rouge leaders for the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people, died.
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April 16, 1924, he was passionate in his commitment to South Asian regional cooperation and solidarity on a secular, democratic, and progressive basis. This commitment was backed by an extraordinary financial contribution to the South Asia Foundation (SAF).
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South Asia Foundation (SAF) is a regional youth movement that now has chapters in eight countries. SAF offers scholarships to South Asian students under various disciplines in its 12 UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institutions of Excellence . These institutions are located in all eight countries of South Asia. Madanjeet Singh sponsored the bi-annual UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Award for the promotion of tolerance and nonviolence.
11.3 APPOINTMENTS
Xi Jinping appointed Chinese President
Xi Jinping (59) was named as Chinas new President and head of the military succeeding Hu Jintao, completing a generational transition of power in the worlds most populous country. Chinas Parliament formally elected Xi, as President, four months after he took charge of the Communist Party. Xi has been appointed as the Chairman of the Powerful Military Commission, when he was elected as the new leader of the party in November 2012. The Military Commission supervises 2.3 millionstrong and the worlds largest standing Army called Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), incorporating Army, Navy and Air Force. His elec tion w as a for mality as th e NPC, dominated by the CPC functionaries, completed the once-in-a-decade power transfer from the administration headed by Hu, who along with Xi Jinping team of leaders including Premier Wen Jiabao formally retires. Li Keqiang (57), Communist Party of Chinas second ranking leader, wa s elected a s Pri me Minister by the Parli ament succeeding Wen Jiabao who retired after a generational transition of power in the worlds most populous country.
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Justice Kuriakose sworn in as the new Chief Justice of Sikkim HC

Justice Pius Chakkalayil Kuriakose has been sworn in as the new Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court. Sikkim Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh administered the oath to Justice Kuriakose in Gangtok. Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling attended the swearing-in ceremony.
Karnataka Gets New Lokayukta

The BJP government in Karnataka has put in place a new Lokayukta. Former chief justice of the Karnataka High Court Justice Y Bhaskar Rao was sworn in by Governor H R Bhardwaj in what is seen as an attempt ahead of elections by the BJP government to arrest criticism of systematically undermining the office of the anticorruption ombudsman after investigations under former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde forced the BJP CM B S Yeddyurappa to quit in July 2011.
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Justice Kothari appointed as Rajasthan Lokayukta

Former judge of the Rajasthan high court Justice Sajjan Singh Kothari was sworn in as Lokayukta. Governor Margaret Alva administered him oath of office in the presence of chief minister Ashok Gehlot.
Sudarshan Reddy is new Lokayukta of Goa

Former Supreme Court Judge B. Sudarsan Reddy had been sworn in as Lokayukta of Goa in March 2013.
Bobby Ghosh: New TIME International editor

Eminent Indian journalist Bobby Ghosh has been named the new editor of Time International. Ghosh was appointed as the first non-American world editor in TIMEs history. Bobby joined TIME in 1998, replaces Jim Frederick, who now becomes a contributing editor.
Bergoglio became the new Pope

Jorge Mario Bergoglio (76) of Argentina, the first from Latin America, was elected to be the new leader of the troubled Roman Catholic Church. He would take the name Francis I.
IITian Pichai named Android chief
Google appointed Chennai-born Sundar Pichai, an IIT-Kharagpur alumnus , as head of its Android Division in place of Andy Rubin who has stepped down from the top post to take on a new role. Sundar Pichai will lead Android, in addition to his existing work with Chrome and Apps.
Master Tips
Google was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin while Ph.D. students at Stanford University in January 1996 as a research project. Together they own about 16percent of its stake. They incorporated Google as a privately held company on September4, 1998. An initial public offering followed on August19, 2004. Eric Schmidt is the Executive Chairman and Larry Page is the CEO of the company.
New Governors for Nagaland, Odisha & Other States
Kenyatta wins Kenya presidency

Uhuru Kenyatta, the son of Kenyas first Prime Minister and President Jomo Kenyatta, has won the presidential election.
Tashi Rabstan: First judge from Ladakh

Tashi Rabstan has became the first Buddhist and the first person from Ladakh to become a judge of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.
Ghose & Joseph: Two Supreme Court judges sworn in

Former Chief Justices of the Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh High Courts Pinaki Chandra Ghose and Kurian Joseph were sworn in as Supreme Court judges by Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir. With their appointment, the strength of Supreme Court judges has gone up to 28, against the sanctioned strength of 31.
Maduro to be sworn in as acting president of Venezuela

Vice President Nicolas Maduro has been sworn in as acting president of Venezuela after a state funeral is held for Hugo Chavez, who died after prolong battle with cancer.
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Former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Ashwani Kumar and senior Congress leader S.C. Jamir were appointed as Governors of Nagaland and Odisha respectively. The President also transferred Governor of Tripura D.Y. Patil to Bihar and shifted Bihar Governor Devanand Konwar to Tripura. Similarly, former Delhi Police Commissioner Nikhil Kumar, who was serving as Nagaland Governor, has been shifted to Kerala.
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Yukiya Amano wins 2 nd term as IAEA chief

Yukiya Amano secured a second four-year term as head of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The veteran Japanese diplomat was approved by consensus by the IAEAs 35-nation governing board.
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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957. Though established independently of the United Nations through its own international treaty, the IAEA Statute, the IAEA reports to both the UN General Assembly and Security Council. The IAEA has its headquarters in Vienna, Austria.
Takehiko Nakao: Japan nominates vice finance minister to lead ADB

Japan has nominated Takehiko Nakao, its deputy finance minister for international affairs, to become president of the Asian Development Bank. The Finance Ministry proposed that Nakao succeed current ADB president Haruhiko Kuroda, who has been nominated to become Japans next central bank governor and resigned as ADB president effective March 18.
USAID chief Raj Shah to travel to India & Myanmar
Dr Rajiv Shah, the Administrator of US Agency for International Development (USAID) would travel to India and Myanmar, adding in Mumbai he would announce a major programme to reduce preventable child deaths. 39-year-old Shah is the highest ranking IndianAmerican in the Obama Administration.
T.S. Vijayan new Chief of IRDA
Former LIC chief T.S. Vijayan, has took over as the Chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA). Mr. Vijayan succeeds J. Hari Narayan who completed his five-year term on Feb. 21. IRDA chairpersons tenure is for five years or till the age of 65 years.
Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan secures second term
Incumbent Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has won Armenias presidential election with over 58 percent of the vote. Mohan Parasaran, the most senior Additional Solicitor- General, has been appointed SolicitorGeneral to succeed Rohinton Nariman.
A P Singh & Manbir Singh appointed UPSC members

Former CBI Director Amar Pratap Singh, a 1974-batch IPS officer of Jharkhand cadre, has been appointed a member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Former Indian Foreign Service officer Manbir Singh, a 1976 batch IFS officer, was administered the oath by UPSC Chairman Professor D. P. Agrawal.
K. K. Chakravarty: New Chairman for Lalit Kala Akademi

K. K. Chakravarty, a retired bureaucrat, the 1970 batch IAS officer, who had steered the National Museum and other cultural institutions in the past, was named the new Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi.
John Kerry: New US Secretary of State

John Kerry, the veteran American politician and 2004 presidential candidate, has been sworn in as the US secretary of state, replacing Hillary Clinton. For the last four years he was Chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
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Mohan Parasaran appointed as Solicitor-General
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Vasudeva Rao: New IGCAR chief

Distinguished scientist P.R. Vasudeva Rao took over as the new director of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) from S.C. Chetal who retired on January 31,2013.
IGCAR, the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research is involved in designing a fast breeder reactor (reactor that breeds more fuel than it consumes), is located at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
Milos Zeman: 1 st directly elected Czech President

Milos Zeman, a former left-leaning Prime Minister staged a big return to power by winning the Czech Republics first directly elected presidential vote, the largely ceremonial post.
Czechoslovakia split into Slovakia and the Czech Republic in 1993, since then the Czech Republic has had two Presidents elected by Parliament Vaclav Havel and Vaclav Klaus.
Joe Biden : US Vice President for second term
US Vice President Joe Biden was sworn for his second term, hours before President Barack Obama takes his second oath of office at the White House. Obama and Biden are being sworn, January 20, the Constitutionally-mandated date for the president to be sworn in to office.
Shirani Bandaranayake impeached & Ex-Attorney General made CJ

Sri Lankas former Attorney-General Mohan Peiris, who has never been on the Bench, has been appointed the Chief Justice of Sri Lankan Supreme Court. Parliament had voted to impeach the countrys first woman Chief Justice Ms. Bandaranayake by a two-thirds majority, despite Court of Appeal quashing the basis of the impeachment motion.
R. K. Dubey takes over as Canara Bank CMD
R.K. Dubey has assumed charge as the Chairman and Managing Director of Canara Bank. Mr. Dubey joined Punjab National Bank in 1977 as a management trainee and moved up to the ranks of a General Manager in 2008 and was appointed as Executive Director of Central Bank of India in 2010.
Ved Prakash: UGC chairman
Ved Prakash, serving as acting chairman of the UGC, has been appointed as its chairman; almost two years after the post fell vacant.
Indian American Srikanth Srinivasan re-nominated as federal judge
Vanitha Narayanan appointed as IBM India MD

IBM has appointed Vanitha Narayanan as managing director of IBM India.
Nepal CJ sworn in as interim Prime Minister

Chief Justice Khila Raj Regmi was sworn in by President on 14th March as the head of interim government mandated to hold elections for a new Constituent Assembly by June 21.
Suu Kyi re-elected party chief amid calls for new blood
Aung San Suu Kyi was re-elected Myanmar opposition (National League for Democracy (NLD)) chief at a landmark congress that disappointed some members hoping for new blood in the wider leadership ahead of a key 2015 election.
Ecuadors Rafael Correa declares victory in presidential poll

President Rafael Correa declared victory in the first-round of Ecuadors presidential vote. About 30 percent of Ecuadors 15 million people live below the poverty line. Voting is obligatory for people age 18 to 65, and optional for youths 16 years and older as well as for people over 65.
IE S
IES/GATE/PSUs
Indian-American Srikanth Srinivasan is among the 33 federal judges re-nominated by the US President Barack Obama for the US Court of Appeals. Srinivasan is the only Indian American re-nominated by Obama for the District of Columbia Circuit. Srinivasan was born in Chandigarh, and grew up in Lawrence, Kansas.
M A ST ER
12
Books & Authors
pppp
Ceneral Science
Books and Authors
119
Books
Walking with Lions: Tales from a Diplomatic Past My Beloved World Er Ist Wieder Da (Hes Back) Between Clay and Dust The Briefcase Silent House
Authors
- Natwar Singh
- Sonia Sotomayor (USA) - Timur Vermes (Germany) - Musharraf Ali Farooqi (Pakistan) - Hiromi Kawakami (Japan) - Orhan Pamuk (Nobel laureate,Turkey)
The Garden of Evening Mists Please Look After Mom The Extras Difficult Pleasures Bitter Wormwood
Em and the Big Hoom The Good Muslim
Our Lady of Alice Bhatti The Walls of Delhi *Home Boy *Chinaman
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One-and-a-Half Wife Thin Paths Open City To the River Connemara
*These errors are correct
*The Sly Company of People Who Care
IES/GATE/PSUs
M A ST ER
- Kiran Nagarkar - Anjum Hasan - Easterine Kire - Jerry Pinto - Tahmima Anam - Mohammed Hanif - Uday Prakash - H.M. Naqvi - Shehan Karunatilaka - Jeet Thayil - Meghna Pant - Rahul Bhattacharya - Julia Blackburn - Teju Cole - Olivia Laing - Tim Robinson
- Tan Twan Eng (Malaysia) - Shin-Kyung-sook (South Korea)

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GENERAL STUDIES

2.1 2.2 2.3

SOCIAL, HEALTH & EDUCATIONAL ISSUES

Meghalaya, Manipur & Tripura to get High Courts

60 New Police Stations Set Up In Five Riot-hit Assam Districts

Janamaithri Scheme in 100 More Police Stations

SC Directs Karnataka to Release Cauvery Water to Tamil Nadu

Indias Longest Railway Bridge To Be Built Jointly By WRI and HCC

Operation X: Kasab Hanged, Buried in Yerwada Jail

UN Secretary General Visited India

Institute for Engineers

Newly Cleared Copyright Bill Assures Artistes Entitlement to Lifelong Royalty

3rd NIA Centre In Uttar Pradesh

Ayur Cant Be Trademark: Intellectual Property Appellate Board

Buddhist Site Discovered In East Godavari

Researchers Found Paleo-river Near Narmada

Institute for Engineers

Asias Biggest Cattle Fair Sonepur Mela Held

First-ever GTA Elections Held

AP-MH Signed Agreement For Water Sharing In Pranahita-Chevella

Institute for Engineers

Demand For Frontier Nagaland And Relared Issues

Cyclone Nilam Severely Affected AP

Pranab Opens Centenary Fete Of Nobel For Tagore

Australian Film Festival Begins

Economy and Energy Issues

IndiaQatar Sign Pact to Boost Oil and Gas Cooperation

Institute for Engineers

RBIs Current Rates And Ratios

Shome Panel On GAAR

Union Cabinet Clears Spectrum Fee On Telecom Firms

Producer Price Index (PPI) For Inflation Mooted by RBI

Institute for Engineers

Table: Current Status of the Project

International Airport Status to Five More Domestic Airports

Institute for Engineers

SBI Opens ATM In Drass- Kargil

Crop Damage From Frost, Cold Comes Under Natural Calamity

Response Fund (NDRF) or the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

New Service Tax Regime Comes Into Effect

Contract Farming Introduced In Uttarakhand

Basel III Implementation From January, 2013: RBI Guidelines

Institute for Engineers

Micro Insurance Product Jeevan Deep Launched By LIC

NDC Approves 12th Five Year Plan

New Category Of NBFCS, NBFC-Factors Introduced By RBI

Offshore Wind Energy Projects: Panel Set Up To Give Thrust

Panel To Probe Grid Failure

Gandhi Power Plant Commissioned

Largest Uranium Mine Commissioned

To Review Taxation Of IT Units, Development Centres: Panel Has Been Set Up

2nd Ultra Mega Power Project In Jharkhand

RBI Modified NBFC-MFI Norms

Highest Ever Trade Deficit As Crude, Gold Imports Risen

Nuclear Hurdle in Gujarat

ONGC and Chinese Company to Explore Gas Together

Record Foodgrains Production In India: In The Year 2011-12

Wheat Rice Coarse Cereals Pulses Oilseeds Cotton

33.9 million bales

Norms Relaxed For Foreign Investement

US $ 37 Million Loan For Himachal Pradesh By World Bank

Institute for Engineers

Production in Year 2011-12 (Estimated)

30.06 million tons 35.2 million bales (of 170 kg each)