August / September / October - 2012-Current Affairs
October 2012 Current Affairs Study Material
INTERNATIONAL
Imran Khan on anti-drone ‘peace march’
to tribal belt
Imran Khan on 6th October 2012 set off on a
motorcade “peace march” to the terrorists-riddled South Waziristan to protest
US drone strikes in the tribal belt.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Re-Elected for
fourth term
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has been
re-elected for the third term. Mr Chavez defeated opposition leader Henrique
Capriles. Mr Chavez garnered 54.42 per cent of the vote while his rival bagged
44 per cent votes.
Pakistani youth support Malala Yousufzai
Pakistani teenaged rights campaigner, Malala
Yousafzai, who was on 14th October 2012 shot by the Taliban for publicly
opposing them against the girl education.She got the support from all over the
world.
Ali Zidan elected Libya PM
Libya’s 200-member General National Congress has
elected a former congressman and human rights lawyer Ali Zidan as the
country’s new Prime Minister on 14th October 2012.
Austrian skydiver breaks sound barrier
Austrian national Felix Baumgartner, who jumped
from a height of 39 km, became the first skydiver to record the highest ever
freefall and also the first human to go faster than the speed of sound.
Five New Non-Permanent Member Countries Elected to
UN Security Council
UN General Assembly elected five new non-permanent
members to the Security Council. The New Members are South Korea, Luxembourg,
Argentina, Australia and Rwanda.
Iran bans export of 50 basic foods to preserve
supplies
Iran has banned the export of around 50 basic goods
in order to preserve supplies of essential items in the wake of tightening
Western sanctions.
INDIA
& WORLD
India,
Australia signs MoU to strengthen bilateral cooperation
India and
Austrlia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 1st October 2012 for
strengthening long-term relationship and bilateral Cooperation on Road and Rail
Infrastructure.The agreement was signed between the Minister of Railways
and Road Transport and Highways, Dr. C.P.Joshi and visiting Federal Minister of
Transport, Innovation and Technology of Austrlia, Mrs. Doris Burse in New
Delhi.
India,
Austrlia tie up to develop ‘smart cities’
India tie
up with Austrlia to develop two “smart cities” in all states with a host of
modern features like intelligent transport and carbon neutral status in each of
the states in the second phase of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal
mission.Initially half a million to one million population cities will be developed
as smart cities with the help of Austrian Institute of Technology who is
expertise in this field.
India
gets $500 mn World Bank fund for secondary education
World
Bank, the multilateral lending agency, and the government of India 5th October
signed a loan agreement worth $ 500 million for Rashtriya Madhyamik
Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) in the country.
India
lags behind China, Pak in reducing hunger level
India
lags behind neighbouring China, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in reducing hunger
level, says the 2012 Global Hunger Index (GHI) released by US-based
International Food Policy and Research Institute.India is ranked 65th out of 79
countries in GHI, behind China at 2nd place, Pakistan at 57 and Sri Lanka at
37.
IOC signs
MoU with Korea Gas
Indian
Oil Corporation (IOC), on 17th October 2012, entered into a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) with Korea Gas Corporation (Kogas) for jointly exploring
opportunities in exploration of oil and gas and LNG business.
Cabinet
clears Rs 8,000cr missile purchase for armed forces
Proposals
worth over Rs 8,000 crore for procuring around 10,000 ‘Invar’ missiles from
Russia for the Army’s T-90 tanks and over 200 air-launched versions of the
BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for the IAF were cleared on 18th October
2012 by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
India and
Australia Sign Four Agreements of Cooperation
India and
Australia agreed to expand cooperation in security and Defence including fight
against terrorism.They also agreed to begin negotiations for an agreement on
Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation which will precede actual cooperation. Both
the countries also signed four agreements in the field of space science
technology and education, cooperation in student mobility and welfare, skill
development and textiles.
Iran to
complete gas pipeline work by year-end
Iran has
said it was for India and Pakistan to sort out issues related to the proposed
Indo-Iran gas pipeline, even as it committed itself to complete its part of 800
km of gas pipeline to India till Irani boundaries by the end of this year.
India,
New Zealand sign five pacts to cooperate in field of education
India and
New Zealand signed five Memoranda of Understanding in the different fields of
education on 19th October 2012.
India,
Switzerland to cooperate in Transport sector
India and
Switzerland on 19th October 2012 discussed ways and means for enhancing
cooperation in the field of Transport sector including roads and Railways.
India
& Pakistan may introduce a common currency called “Papee”
After
taking into consideration the decade long success of Euro, and due to
increasing demands of businessmen of India (and terrorists of Pakistan), both
countries’ ruling leaders (i.e. India’s UPA, and Pakistan’s Military) are
thinking about introducing a common currency for India and Pakistan.The name
with the highest votes , is a word derived by adding “pa” from ‘Pa’kistan and
“pee” from Indian Ru’pee’ i.e. “Papee”
Hyderabad
is world’s 3rd best city to visit in 2013
Hyderabad
has been named as one of the best cities in the world to visit in 2013 by
travel guide book Lonely Planet published on 22nd October 2012.The top 10
cities according to Lonely Planet to visit in 2013 are San Francisco,
Amsterdam, Hyderabad, Derry/Londonderry, Beijing, Christchurch, Hobart,
Montreal, Addis Ababa and Puerto Iguazu.
India,
Japan focus on expanding defence cooperation
India and
Japan on 22nd October 2012 discussed ways to expand their security and defence
cooperation at a meeting of their foreign and defence secretaries in Tokyo.
‘Super
30’ ties up with Tokyo University
The
‘Super 30’ programme for training students of the backward sections for the
IIT-JEE tied up on 24th October 2012 with the University of Tokyo, which will
sponsor study of its students in Japan.This agreement is a follow-up of the
Japanese Government Program named Global 30, of engagement with Super 30 for
increasing the flow of Indian Students to Japan.
–7th SAFF
begins in Goa
The
Seventh South Asia Film Festival (SAFF)-2012 held at Panaji in Goa from.
India-US-Japan
trilateral meet
The US’
‘pivot-to-Asia’ policy, Iran, China-Japan maritime dispute and South China Sea
will be among the issues to be discussed during the 3rd round of India-US-Japan
Trilateral dialogue in New Delhi on 29th October 2012. The meet will also focus
on finding areas of cooperation between the three countries.
India to
give financial assistance to Nepal’s Palpa District
India is
to provide an assistance of four crore and thirty-three lakh Nepali rupees for
Palpa District in Western Nepal on 31st October 2012.
NATIONAL
FICCI
urges Centre to ban bauxite exports
Trade
body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has urged
the Union ministry of commerce and industry to ban bauxite exports fearing
closure of alumina refineries for shortage of the key raw material required to
produce alumina.
Supreme
Court directs Centre and states to provide basic facilities to students
The
Supreme Court on 3rd October 2012 directed all schools across the country to
provide basic infrastructure facilities like drinking water and toilets to
school children within six months and failure to implement will be viewed
seriously. The order was passed on a petition filed by an NGO Environmental and
Consumer Protection Foundation.
Kejriwal
forms political party, promises to change the system
Social
activist Arvind Kejriwal added a new dimension to his movement against
corruption as he formally launched his political party and said it belonged to
the people of the nation.
Ministry
of Rural Development Launched Nirmal Bharat Yatra
Ministry
of rural development on 3 October 2012 started a campaign named Nirmal Bharat
Yatra which focuses on making the country free from open defecation.The yatra
will begin from Wardha District of Maharashtra from 3 october 2012 and will go
through Indore, Kota, Gwalior, and Gorakhpur and end up in Bettiah district of
Bihar on November 17, covering about 2000 km of distance.
SC orders
new survey to identify bonded labour
The
Supreme Court on 15th October 2012 directed all states and Union Territories to
conduct fresh surveys to identify bonded labour problems in the country and
regretted that a large number of children continue to work as domestic help
even after the enactment of the Right to Education Act.
Centre to
launch Aadhaar based delivery system
The much
awaited Aadhaar enabled system for direct cash transfer to beneficiaries under
social schemes such as MNREGA and pension will be launched on 19th October 2012
by PM Manmohan Singh at Dudu, Rajasthan.
India’s
infant mortality rate drops
India’s
infant mortality rate (IMR) has come down by three points from 47 to 44 deaths
per 1,000 live births during 2011.
Centre,
states sign MoU for broadband linking of villages
The
Central government has signed a tripartite agreement with 16 states and union
territories and a special purpose vehicle Bharat Broadband Network Ltd (BBNL)
has been launched to expedite the mission of connecting every gram panchayat
with broadband network.
STATES
Door-to-door
cancer campaign in Punjab
Punjab
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal sanctioned the “biggest ever”
door-to-door campaign for a symptoms-based early detection and awareness about
cancer.At least 50,000 personnel and volunteers would visit 54 lakh households
in 12,603 villages and 217 census towns, for the exercise that begins in
Faridkot district on October 2.
In Goa
Housewives with family income less than Rs 3 lakh to get Rs 1000 to fight
inflation
Housewives
in Goa just got a breather from rising inflation, the Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP)-led coalition government on 2nd October 2012 launched a scheme to provide
an allowance of Rs 1,000 a month to housewives in households whose annual
incomes are less than Rs 3 lakh.
EC
announces dates for assembly polls in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh
The
Election Commission on 3rd October 2012 announced dates for Gujarat and
Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections. While Gujarat will have elections in two
phases – December 13 and 17, Himachal Pradesh will vote on November 4. The
counting for both the assembly elections will take place on December 20.
UP
government announces ban on gutka industry from April 2013
On 3rd
October 2012 Uttar Pradesh government decided to impose a ban on
gutka industry in the state with effect from April 2013.
Supreme
Court bans mining activities in Goa
In Goa,
the Supreme Court imposed a complete ban on the mining activities as well as
transportation of iron and manganese ore on 5th October 2012.
Arvind
Kejriwal launches ‘bijli-paani satyagraha’ in Delhi
Activist
Arvind Kejriwal on 6th Octomber 2012 launched a ‘bijli-paani satyagraha’ in
Delhi to protest against “inflated” power and water bills and hike in tariffs
by restoring electricity connection to the household of a labourer which was
disconnected for non-payment of bills.
EC fiat
to Himachal Pradesh
On 7th
October 2012 The Election Commission (EC) stopped the BJP government in
Himachal Pradesh from distributing free PDS bags carrying photographs of former
prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Maharashtra
tribals demand ban on alcohol
Tribal
women from Maharashtra’s Chandrapur have sent 80,000 postcards to Chief Miniter
Prithviraj Chavan asking to make the district liquor-free.
UPRVUNL,
NLC to set up thermal plant at Ghatampur
The UP
Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (UPRVUNL) and the central government PSU Neyveli
Lignite Corporation Ltd (NLCL) signed a joint venture agreement (JVA) to set up
a 2,000 MW thermal power plant at Ghatampur (Kanpur) on 7th October 2012
.
Union
Government ruled out the decision of Cauvery River Authority
Decision
of the Cauvery River Authority was ruled out by the Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh on 8 October 2012. The Prime Minister ordered Karnataka to release 9000
cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu every day, till 20 October 2012.
Railways
put 400 CCTVs at 10 stations to improve security system
The Delhi
division of Northern Railway authorities have completed the installation
of 400 CCTVs at 10 stations with Rs. 20 crore to ensure better security and
mobility at its stations.Only in the New Delhi Railway station they installed
more than 100 CCTV cameras as part of an integrated security system (ISS).
President’s
son Abhijit Mukherjee wins Jangipur Lok Sabha by-poll
Abhijit
Mukherjee, son of President Pranab Mukherjee and Congress candidate, on 13th
October 2012 won the Jangipur Lok Sabha by-election by 2,536 votes defeating
the CPI-M rival Muzaffar Hussain.
Union
Power Ministry gave its Nod to Implement Islanding Scheme in Delhi
The Union
Power Minister Veerapa Moily on 17 October 2012 announced the implementation of
Islanding Scheme for Delhi by January 2013 to protect it from massive
disruptions caused due to grid failures in power supply. The scheme of Delhi is
different to that of the existing ones in cities like Mumbai and Kolkata
because the transmission lines of different states is routed through Delhi.
Haryana
to give Rs.11,000 to couples at mass weddings
The
Haryana Government has announced on 20th October 2012 that it will give
Rs.11,000 to each newly wedding couple at a mass marriage.
Uttarakhand
Named best Performing States in terms of Environmental standards
The state
of Uttarakhand on 29 October 2012 tops the Environmental Performance Index
(EPI) list of being best-performing States and Union territories in terms of
environmental well-being released by Planning Commission.
CONFERENCES
The
international biodiversity meet in Hyderabad
The XI
Conference of Parties (CoP-11) on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
being hosted by India at Hyderabad starts on 1st October 2012.
Asia
Co-operation Dialogue Summit held in Kuwait
Asia
Co-operation Dialogue Summit has given a call for stronger co-operation among
member nations and to work for the improvement of living conditions.Leaders
from 32 countries pledged to focus on key areas to fulfill the aspirations of
the people. These include sustainable energy and development, economic growth,
food security, trade and commerce, health care, climate change and co-operation
in financial and education sectors.
South
Korea to host next UN biodiversity meet in 2014
South
Korea will host the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP12) to
the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2014, it was announced in Hyderabad
on 19th October 2012.
Third
Worldwide Cybersecurity Summit
The 3rd
Worldwide Cybersecurity Summit organized by EastWest Institute, a New York
based think-and-do tank, kick-started in the New Delhi on 30th October 2012.
AWARDS
& HONOURS
President
Confers Shastri awards to ISRO scientist Tessy Thomas
On 1st
October 2012 President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the prestigious Lal
Bahadur Shastri National Award 2012 to ISRO scientist Tessy Thomas at an award
function in Rashtrapati Bhawan. Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award is conferred
every year for doing excellent work in the field of Public Administration,
Academics and Management.
Banaras
Hindu University VC wins MV Pylee award for best academician
Banaras
Hindu University (BHU) vice chancellor and renowned molecular biology scientist
Dr Lalji Singh has won the 7th MV Pylee award for the best academician. The MV
Pylee award was constituted in year 1996 in honour of Cochin University’s
former vice chancellor MV Pylee. The award includes Rs 2 lakh, a memento and
citation for excellence in teaching and research and contribution to academic
community. It is awarded once every three years.
Sachin
Tendulkar to be made member of Order of Australia
Australian
Prime Minister Julia Gillard made the announcement on 16th October 2012 that
the first Indian sportsperson Tendulkar to be conferred with the
Membership of the Order of Australia, an honour “rarely” bestowed on
non-Australians.
First-ever
India Biodiversity Awards presented
The women
who led the ecological restoration of Gundlaba village in Odisha’s Puri
district after the 1999 super cyclone are among the four winners of the first
India Biodiversity Awards. The awards, instituted by the Ministry of
Environment and Forests and the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP).
Vijay Kumar honoured with
‘Services Best Sportsman’
London
Olympics silver medallist shooter Vijay Kumar was named as the ‘Services Best
Sportsman’ award for 2012 at the Army Headquarters in New Delhi.The award
is given to best sportsman from out of all the three services-Army,
Air Force Navy.
Bangladesh honours fifty-two
Indians
Bangladesh
has honoured foreign friends who contributed to achieve the nation’s
independence from Pakistan in 1971.Of the 61 recipients of the award in the
third phase, 52 are from India and the rest are from Nepal, the United States,
the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Australia, Sweden, and Italy.The former Indian
Prime Minister, I.K. Gujral, and the former Nepalese Prime Minister, the late
Girija Prasad Koirala, received the Bangladesh Muktijuddho Sammanana.
Singham Bravery Award
Posthumously given to IAS and Security Personnel
Narendra
Kumar the IPS officer who was brutally killed by illegal mining mafia in Madhya
Pradesh and many other Security Personnel who had laid down their life for
fighting against Maoists and anti Social element on 21 October 2012 were
awarded with Singham Bravery Awards.
Bangladesh honours Babu Jagjivan
Ram
Former
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of India, late Babu Jagjivan Ram has
been awarded with the “Friends of Liberation War Honour” by the Government of
Bangladesh for his contribution in the 1971 War.
Narayan Murthy honoured with
Hoover Medal
IT giant
Infosys founder, N.R. Narayan Murthy honoured with Hoover Medal for promoting
science at Global Humanitarian Technology Conference in Washington.
Gavaskar to receive BCCI’s
lifetime achievement award
Former
India captain Sunil Gavaskar will be conferred the Col C K Nayudu Lifetime
Achievement award at the annual BCCI awards function on 25th October 2012.
Amitabh Bachchan gets best TV
host award for Kaun Banega Crorepati
Amitabh
Bachchan has won the best television host award for the popular game show Kaun
Banega Crorepati.
Lord Indarjit Singh conferred
Punjab Ratan Award
Lord
Indarjit Singh, the first member of the House of Lords to wear a turban, has
been presented with the ‘Punjab Ratan’ (Jewel of Punjab) award by the World
Punjabi Organisation, in recognition of his contribution to promoting Punjabi
culture, heritage and inter-faith services.
Delhi Metro bags JICA President
Award
The Delhi
Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was awarded the prestigious Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA) President’s Award 2012 on 29th October 2012.
Noted film lyricist and poet
Gulzar presented with Indira Gandhi award for National Integration
The
Indira Gandhi award for National Integration for 2011 has been given to noted
film lyricist and poet Gulzar in recognition of his contribution to national
integration.
SPORTS
& GAMES
Indian
judokas win 2 silver, 3 bronze in Asian Championship
Indian
judokas bagged two silver and three bronze in the Asian Youth and Junior
Championships held in Chinese Taipei.In the Youth Championships, Vijay Kumar
Yadav and Besto Rani Devi won a silver each in boys’ 60kg and girls’ 48kg
categories respectively.Preety and Mongjam Kabita Devi won a bronze each in
gilrs’ 40kg and 44kg respectively in the September 28-30 event.Khaidem Rashi
Devi bagged a bronze in 70kg category in the junior section.Indian judokas had
won one gold, four silver and two bronze in the Asian Youth and Junior
Championships in Lebanon last year.
India
move up to 2nd spot in T20 rankings
India
might have failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing ICC World
Twenty20, but four wins out of five matches have pushed the India by one place
to the second spot in the latest T20 International team rankings released on
3rd October 2012.India now trail Sri Lanka (129) by nine points and are
followed by Pakistan (118) and England (118).
India
168th in FIFA rankings
Indian
football team moved a place up to be 168th in the latest FIFA rankings, India,
who last month won a hat-trick of Nehru Cup titles, have 114 points.
Red Bull
driver Vettel wins Japanese Grand Prix
Sebastian
Vettel ,the driver Red Bull won the Japanese Grand Prix 2012 on 7th
Ocober 2012.
Australia
retain women’s World Twenty20 title
The Australian
Women Cricket team on 7 October 2012 defeated England by four runs to retain
the Women T-20 world cup title.
West
Indies won the ICC World Twenty20 Tournament
West
Indies 7th October 2012 clinched the ICC World Twenty20 crown with a
comfortable 36-run victory over Sri Lanka.
Kaltenborn
becomes first female F1 team principal
India
born Monisha Kalterborn is set to become Formula 1′s first woman team principal
after she takes charges from founder of Sauber chief Peter Sauber on 12th
October 2012.
Jeevan
Neduncheziyan and Prerna Bhambri emerge champions
Jeevan
Neduncheziyan and Prerna Bhambri emerge champions in the Fenesta Open national
tennis championship at the RK Khanna Stadium in New Delhi on 13th October 2012.
Hat-trick
for Vettel
Sebastian
Vettel has claimed his third successive victory at the Korean GP on 14h October
2012.He is already won the Singapore and Japan GP titles.
Novak
Djokovic beats Andy Murray to win Shanghai Masters
Novak
Djokovic beated British Tennis Player Andy Murray, on 14 October 2012 saving
five match points to seal a stunning 5- 7, 7- 6 ( 13/ 11), 6- 3 victory in the
Shanghai Rolex Masters final.
Bhullar
wins Macau Open golf
India’s
Gaganjeet Bhullar completed a commanding start-to-finish victory at the
Venetian Macau Open golf on 14th October 2012.
India’s
Saina Nehwal win Denmark Open Badminton Title
Indian
badminton player and Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal has won the Denmark
Open Super Series Premier trophy on 21st October 2012.
Martin
Guptill wins NZ top cricket award
Opening
batsman of New Zealand Cricket team Martin Guptill on 18 October 2012 claimed
the top honour at the New Zealand Cricket Awards in Auckland, winning the Sir
Richard Hadlee Medal for 2011-12. Martin Guptill was also named ODI and
Twenty20 player of the year, based on performances between 1 September 2011 and
31 August 2012.
Anaka
Alankamony clinches her second WISPA title
Asian
junior gold medallist Anaka Alankamony today claimed her second title and first
one abroad in the women’s professional squash tour when she beaten the
top seed Kylie Lindsay of New Zealand in the final of the Ipswich Open in
Queensland.
Lance
Armstrong stripped of his 7 Tour de France titles, banned for life
Cycling’s
governing body agreed on 22nd October 2012 to strip Lance Armstrong of his
seven Tour de France titles and ban him for life, following a report from the
US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) that accused him of leading a massive doping
program on his teams.
Women’s
Indian Golf Open from November 30
The
creme-de-la-creme of Indian women’s golf will be up against a strong
international field, including the likes of Laura Davies and defending champion
Caroline Hedwall, when the tri-sanctioned Hero Women’s Golf Open tees off from
November 30.
Sun TV
Network Acquired Hyderabad IPL Franchise
Chennai
based SUN TV Network acquired the Indian Premier League (IPL) Hyderabad
franchise on 25 October 2012 for an enormous amount of 85.05 crore Rupees per
year.
Sebastian
Vettel won F1 Second Indian Grand Prix
Red Bull
driver Sebastian Vettel won the Indian Grand Prix 2012 on 28 October 2012 at
the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) for the second time in a row extending
his Formula One championship lead.This is his fourth consecutive success in
this year.
Pankaj
Advani defeats Russell, clinches seventh World Billiards Championship title
India`s
Pankaj Advani won his seventh World billiards title when he outclassed
defending champion Mike Russell 1,895-1,216 in the final on 28th October 2012.
Joshna
Chinappa wins Penang Open squash title
India’s
top squash player Joshna Chinappa claimed the IJM Land Penang Open, defeating
top seed and local favourite Siti Munirah Jusoh in straight games on 28th
October 2012.
India
retains third spot in ICC ODI ranking
India
retains the third spot in the ICC ODI ranking after England and South Africa.
England has retained the top spot in the latest ODI rankings with 121 points
followed by South Africa. The latest ICC rankings were released in Dubai on
30th October 2012.
India
lifts the Asian Cricket Council Women’s Twenty-20 trophy at
Guangzhou in China
Indian
women lifted the title of Asian Cricket Council Women’s Twenty-20 Asia Cup
cricket tournament by defeatingthe Pakistan by 18 runs in the final match
at Guangzhou in China.
ECONOMY
Govt
approves 49% FDI in insurance & pension sectors
On 4th
October 2012 The Cabinet has cleared proposals to allow more Foreign Direct
Investment or FDI in the insurance and pension sectors.In both the sectors
government approves 49% of FDI’s.
Govt
approves 12th Five-Year Plan
On 4th
October 2012 Government approved the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17) document
that aims to achieve annual average economic growth rate of 8.2 per cent, down
from 9 per cent envisaged earlier, in view of fragile global recovery.
HDFC Bank
partners Indian Oil Corporation to offer rural banking services
HDFC Bank
has partnered Indian Oil Corporation to provide banking services in the rural
areas where IOC’s petrol pump outlets Kisan Seva Kendras will act as the
business correspondents for the banks.
IMF cuts
India’s Growth Forecast for 2012 to 4.9 Percent
The
International Monetary Fund (IMF) has slashed India’s growth forecast to 4.9
per cent for 2012 due to low business confidence and “sluggish structural
reforms”.
India-US
trade to touch $100 bn
Bilateral
trade between India and the US is expected to touch USD 100 billion in the
coming years on increasing economic engagement between the countries.
Rangarajan
lowers FY13 GDP growth forecast to 6%
Prime
Minister’s key advisor C Rangarajan 25th October 2012 lowered the growth
projection for the current fiscal to 6 per cent from 6.7 per cent estimated
earlier.
SCIENCE
& TECHNOLOGY
Scientists discover bacteria that
can produce 24-carat gold
Scientists
have discovered a bacteria that has the ability to withstand incredible amounts
of toxicity and can be the key to creating 24-carat gold.Researchers from the
Michigan State University 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.
India
sucessfully test-fires Prithvi-II ballistic missile
On 4th
October 2012 India sucessfully test-fired surface-to-surface Prithvi-II
ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur of Balasore
district off Odisha coast.
India successfully test-fires
nuclear-capable Dhanush missile
A day
after the launch of Prithvi-II, India successfully test-fired nuclear-capable
Dhanush ballistic missile for its full range of 350 km from a naval ship off
Odisha on 5th October 2012.
Australia launches world’s
fastest radio telescope
In the
remote Australian outback, scientists have launched the world’s fastest radio
telescope which will exponentially increase astronomers’ ability to survey the
universe, mapping black holes and shedding new light on the origins of
galaxies.The Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP), located near
the region of Murchison about 650 kilometres north of Perth, was officially
opened 5th October 2012 by Science Minister Chris Evans.
Indian navy successfully
test-fires BrahMos supersonic cruise missile
The
Indian Navy on 7th October 2012 successfully test-fired the 290-km range
BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, capable of carrying a conventional warhead
of 300 kg, from a warship off the Goa coast.
The Barcode Turns 60 Years Old
October
7, 2012 marks the 60th anniversary of the registration of the first bar code
patent. The original patent for what we know today as the modern barcode was
granted on October 7, 1952 to Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver, its
inventors.
New planet discovered in Earth’s
backyard
Astronomers
have found a new planet called exoplanet in Alpha Centauri , the closest yet
outside our solar system and just an astronomical stone’s throw away at four
light years.Alpha Centauri is a three-star system consisting of two stars
similar to our sun and a faint red star called Proxima Centauriand another one
is the Alpha Centauri B.The Exoplanet orbits Alpha Centauri B.
PERSONS
IN NEWS
a)
Appointments
Congress selects Raja, Suresh
Kalmadi and Kanimozhi as members of standing committee
The
congress on 3 October 2012 nominated the former Union Minister, A. Raja,
Kanimozhi and Suresh Kalmadi as the members of the Parliamentary Standing Committees
on Energy, Home Affairs and External Affairs respectively.Raja was arrested in
the 2G scam case on February 2 last year and is on bail since 15 May 2012.
Suresh Kalmadi, who was accused in the Commonwealth Games scam case, spent
about nine months in jail and was released on bail on 19 January 2012. DMK MP
Kanimozhi, also an accused in some cases related to the 2G spectrum allocation,
was nominated to the Standing Committee on Home Affairs.
Ajit
Saran Appointed as Secretary in National Commission for Women
Senior
IAS officer Ajit M Sharan was appointed as Member Secretary in National
Commission for Women (NCW). Ajit Sharan is a 1979 batch officer of Haryana
cadre.
Vivek Rae appointed new MSME
secretary
On 5th
October 2012 the government appointed Vivek Rae as secretary, ministry of
micro, small and medium enterprises. Rae, a 1978 batch IAS officer of the UT
cadre, is currently director general, acquisition, defence ministry. He will
take over from RK Mathur.
Anil
Kumble appointed chairman of ICC Cricket Committee
Former
India captain Anil Kumble was unanimously appointed chairman of ICC`s
Cricket Committee by the game`s governing body, replacing West Indies great
Clive Lloyd on 11th October 2012.
Jaspal Rana appointed junior
pistol chief coach
Multiple
Asian Games gold medallist, Jaspal Rana, has been appointed chief coach for
junior pistol shooters by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) on
16th October 2012.
Ashok
Kumar appointed India’s ambassador to Brazil
Mr. Ashok
Tomar has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Brazil on 31st
October 2012.
b).
Resigns
Michael Schumacher announces
retirement from Formula One
Michael
Schumacher has announced that he will retire from Formula One at the end of the
season.Schumacher’s announcement follows news last week that he will be
replaced at Mercedes by Lewis Hamilton in 2013.
UP revenue minister resigns due
involved in CMO abduction
UP revenue minister Vinod Singh
was forced to resign on 12th October 2012 for his alleged involvement in the
abduction of Gonda chief medical officer (CMO) SP Singh.
External Affairs Minister S M
Krishna resigned
External Affairs Minister SM
Krishna has resigned from his post ahead of on 28th October 2012 cabinet
reshuffle.
Badminton Player Peter Gade
Retired From International Career
Danish legend Baminton Player,
Peter Gade on 30 October 2012 retired from international badminton.
c).
Deaths
Historian
Eric Hobsbawm dies, aged 95
Eric
Hobsbawm, one of Britain’s most eminent historians, has died at the age of 95,
on 1st October 2012 at the Royal Free Hospital in London .Mr Hobsbawm, a
historian in the Marxist tradition, wrote more than 30 books.He published his
final book, “How to Change the World”, in 2011.
Freedom fighter, ex-Governor
Satyanarayana is dead
Freedom
fighter and former governor of Uttar Pradesh B Satyanarayana Reddy died at a
hospital in Hyderabad on 6th October 2012.
Zimbabwe cricket coach Kevin
Curran passes away
Kevin
Curran, the former Zimbabwean all rounder and coach, has died in Mutare on 10th
Ocober 2012.
Cambodia ex-king Sihanouk dies
Cambodia’s
former king Norodom Sihanouk died on 15th October 2012 in China at Beijing.
Bandya Kakade dead
Bandya
Kakade, former India football goalkeeper, passed away here on 18th October 2012
evening. Kakade and Kuppuswami Sampath (MEG, Bangalore) were the two
goalkeepers of the Indian team that won the bronze medal at the 1970 Bangkok
Asian Games. Kakade was also part of the Indian team
Yash Chopra, the ‘King of
Romance’ passes away
Yash
Chopra, one of Bollywood’s most well-known filmmakers, died of dengue fever on
21st October 2012.
Eminent litterateur Sunil
Gangopadhyay passes away
Eminent
litterateur and Sahitya Akademi President Sunil Gangopadhyay died at his South
Kolkata residence on 23rd October 2012 following a massive heart attack.
d).
Visitors
U.S.
Treasury Secretary Geithner to visit India on Oct. 9
U.S.
Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner visit India on 9th October 2012 to
participate in the third annual meeting of the U.S.-India Economic and
Financial Partnership with Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.
Australia PM Julia Gillard begins
India visit
Australian
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has begun a three-day visit to India.The two
countries are expected to announce negotiations on civil nuclear co-operation
during Ms Gillard’s visit.
Suu Kyi to visit India next month
After 40
years, Myanmar’s Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will travel to India on
November 13. She will deliver the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Lecture
in New Delhi on November 14.
Steven Joyce, Minister for
Tertiary Education, New Zealand visited India
Hon.
Steven Joyce, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, New
Zealand visited the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi
on 18th October 2012.
Ex-Bangladeshi PM Khaleda Zia to
meet PM Manmohan Singh
Bangladesh’s
former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader
Begum Khaleda Zia, who is on a week-long trip to India, will meet Prime
Minister Manmohan Singhin New Delhi on 28th October 2012.
e).
Miscellaneous
Pakistan
spinner Rehman hit with ban after failed drug test
Pakistan’s
Abdur Rehman has been banned from cricket for 12 weeks after testing positive
for cannabis during his recent stint with Somerset.
Mukesh Ambani richest Indian
The
China-based research firm Hurun releases a report on 10th October 2012 declared
Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani is the richest person in
India.
Hyderabad’s last Nizam named
all-time richest Indian
Osman Ali
Khan, the last Nizam (or ruler) of Hyderabad is India’s all-time richest
person.According to a new inflation-adjusted list of the world’s richest people
of all time, the Nizam, who ruled Hyderabad between 1886-1967, was ranked sixth
with $ 236 billion.
Mukesh Ambani tops Forbes India
rich list
Reliance
Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani is the richest Indian for the fifth year in a
row with a net worth of $21 billion, according to the Forbes India rich list.
Manju Seth appointed as next
Ambassador of India to Madagascar
Ms Manju
Seth has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Madagascar.She is
presently Consul General of India in Reunion Island, which is a
French-administered territory in the Indian Ocean between Mauritius and
Madagaskar.
PLACES IN
NEWS
Shadman
Chowk renamed as Bhagat Singh Chowk in Lahore
Pakistan
government has finally renamed Shadman Chowk as Bhagat Singh Chowk in Lahore as
a mark of respect to the martyr and an acknowledgement of his role in the
struggle against British rule.
Mercedes-Benz rolls out M-Class luxury
SUV from Pune facility
Mercedes-Benz
India has rolled out its first locally manufactured M-Class luxury SUV from its
facility in Chakan, Pune. The company has also declared the start of operations
of its paint shop at the same location.India is the only country outside of the
USA where the German luxury car maker has begun production out of the new
ML-Class.
44 killed in Syrian air strikes
At least
44 people were killed in air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held town of Maaret
al-Numan on 18th October 2012.
5.5 magnitude earthquake hits off
Taiwan
A
5.5-magnitude earthquake struck off southern Taiwan on 25th October 2012, the
island’s Seismology Center said, but there were no reports of any damage or
casualties.
Earthquake in Canada triggers
tsunami in Hawaii
A
powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake rattled the west coast of Canada, triggering
tsunami warnings for Hawaii on 28th October 2012.
ABBREVIATIONS
IN NEWS
Abbreviation
of FICCI
Federation
of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
Abbreviate JNNURM
Jawaharlal
Nehru National Urban Renewal mission
Abbreviate NCM
National
Commission for Women
Abbreviate IOC
Indian
Oil Corporation
Abbreviate ASKAP
The
Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder
Abbreviate ISS
Integrated
Security System
Abbreviate LPN
Liquefied
Natural Petroleum
Abbreviate WISPA
Women’s
International Squash Players Association
BOOKS IN
NEWS
Hilary
Mantel wins Booker Prize for Tudor saga
British
writer Hilary Mantel won the prestigious Booker literary prize for a second
time on 16th October 2012 with her blood-soaked Tudor saga. Ms Mantel, who took
the 50,000 pound ($82,000) award in 2009 for “Wolf Hall,” is the first British
author, and the first woman, to achieve a Booker double.
“The Folded Earth and A Free Man”
won the 11th Economist Crossword Book Award
The
Folded Earth written by Anuradha Roy and A Free Man by Aman Sethi won the 11th
Economist Crossword Book Award that was declared at Mumbai.
Governor releases ‘Ek Thhi Kusum’
by former Speaker
Uttarakhand
Governor Aziz Qureshi on 22nd October 2012 released “Ek Thhi Kusum”, a short
stories collection authored by former State Assembly Speaker Prakash Pant.
COMMITTEES
IN NEWS
Rangarajan
panel for total decontrol of sugar industry
Rangarajan
Committee has recommended deregulation of the sugar sector, by giving freedom
to mills to sell sugar in the open market.The Millers should sell the 10%of
sugar to government below the market price,for running the ration shops
,remaining should sell in the open market.
DAYS
& DATES
UP
cancels holiday on Kanshi Ram’s death anniversary
The
Samajwadi Party (SP) government on 6th October 2012 cancelled the October
9 public holiday on the death anniversary of BSP founder Kanshi Ram, which had
been announced by the Mayawati government in May 2007.
World Food Day Celebrated
worldwide on 16 October 2012
World
Food Day is celebrated every year across the globe on 16 October in honour of
the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations in 1945.The aim of this World Food Day is to raise awareness on global
food problems and to create a sense of solidarity in the fight against poverty,
hunger and malnutrition.
September 2012 Current Affairs Study Material
INTERNATIONAL
China to shut hundreds
of coal mines this year
The State Administration of Work Safety
(SAWS) said the country(China) aims to close another 625 small coal mines this
year in an attempt to reduce the number of deadly accidents, as the death toll
in latest coal mine explosion mounted to 43, raising concerns over safety
Smita Shah first
Indian-American to serve as DNC parliamentarian
Smita Shah a close supporter of US
President Barack Obama, is vice-chair of the Chicago Plan Commission, become
the first Indian-American to serve as a Democratic National Convention
parliamentarian on 5th September 2012.As per the publically available
documents, Smita has been an applauded donor to the campaign of the Democratic
Party and Obama.
US strikes Nepal
Maoists from terror blacklist
On 06th September 2012 US has lifted
sanctions and removed the Communist party of Nepal(Maoists) Organization of
Nepal from the list of designated terrorist organisation,years after the rebels
abandoned their named struggle and entered open politics and signed a peace
treaty.
U.S. designates
Haqqani network a terrorist group
The United States said on 7th September
2012 it is designating the Pakistan-based Haqqani network a terrorist
organization, triggering sanctions against a group American officials blame for
high-profile attacks in Afghanistan, and which they say has ties to the
Pakistani state.
Army in Egypt reports
32 deaths in Sinai crackdown
Egyptian armed forces have killed 32
“criminal elements” since launching an operation against Islamist militants in
Sinai on 8th September 2012.
Canada cuts
diplomatic ties with Iran
John Baird,Foreign minister Canada
said: “[Iran] is among the world’s worst violators of human rights; and it
shelters and materially supports terrorist groups, requiring the government of
Canada to formally list Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism under the Justice
for Victims of Terrorism Act.Canada cuts diplomatic ties with Iran.So, Canada
has closed its embassy in Tehran and ordered the expulsion of Iranian diplomats
from Ottawa, partly because of the country’s backing of the Syrian regime.
Somalia gets a new
president
Somalia’s parliament elected Hassan
Sheikh Mohamud as the new leader for the African nation on 10th September 2012.
Japan to buy disputed
East China Sea islands
The uninhabited islands, known as
Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, have long been a source of friction.
Japan and China have competing territorial claims to the islets and surrounding
fishing areas and potentially rich gas deposits.The Japanese government will buy
the islets for 2.05 billion yen ($26.15 million) and the owners will sign a
contract soon.
Biggest Fire Accident
in Karachi 290 Members Die
At least 290 people have been confirmed
dead in a fire that broke out in a garment factory in Karachi on 11th September
2012 night.
Worldwide protests
against the film “Innocence of Muslims”
The attacks will be continued on 14th
September 2012 also in several countries, including Egypt, Iran, Kuwait and
Saudi Arabia due the release of the film Innocence of Muslims.UN Secretary
General Ban Ki-moon has denounced as “hateful” an anti-Islam movie produced in
the United States.
Russia to mine super
hard diamonds
Russia has declassified a huge deposit
of unique super hard diamonds that dwarf the global reserves of the precious
stone and can meet the worldwide demand for another 3,000 years.The deposit,
located in an asteroid crater 120 km in diameter, has been kept under wraps for
nearly 40 decades as the Soviet Union mined enough diamonds elsewhere and also
produced synthetic diamonds.
Bill Gates remains
the richest in U.S.: Forbes
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has
retained his position as the richest person in America for the 19th year in a
row this year, according to Forbes’ annual ranking of the nation’s 400 super
rich people who have a combined net worth of $1.7 trillion.Five
Indian-Americans, including Silicon Valley venture capitalist Vinod Khosla and
founder of IT major Syntel, Bharat Desai (ranked 239),Founder and Chairman of
the Symphony Technology Group Romesh Wadhwani(ranked 250), Google board member
and shareholder Kavitark Ram Shriram (ranked 298),Founder and CEO of the
popular energy drink ‘5-hour energy’ Manoj Bhargava(ranked 311).
Zardari, Hillary
discuss India-Pak trade ties
Improving trade ties between Pakistan
and India, terrorism and violent anti-U.S. protests were among a host of issues
that Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari discussed with U.S. Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton when they met NewYork on the sidelines of the U.N.
General Assembly session on 25th September 2012.
Buddhist temples
attacked in Bangladesh
Thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims set
fire to at least 10 Buddhist temples and 40 homes in Ramu town and its
adjoining villages — some 350 km from Dhaka in anger over a Facebook photo of a
burned Quran on 30th September 2012.
32 killed in blasts
across Iraq
A wave of bombings and shootings in
Iraq on 30th September 2012 killed at least 32 people and wounded 104 .The
violence was centred in Baghdad and the surrounding areas of Taji, Madain and Tarmiyah.
INDIA & WORLD
America Court Summons to Parkash Singh
Badal
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh
Badal, who was served summons by a US court last month in a case of alleged
custodial torture and extra judicial killings of Sikhs, has sought dismissal of
the motion against him or additional time of 90 days to defend the charges.The
US District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin had issued Summons
against Badal on August 8 when he was in Wisconsin on a private visit to attend
a marriage ceremony.
No mobile connection
for more than 3 months to any foreign tourist: Government
To check misuse of SIM cards, the
government has asked Telecom Service Providers not to provide mobile connection
for more than three months to any foreign tourist visiting India.According to
the fresh guidelines, which have come into effect recently, the Department of
Telecom (DoT) has told the service providers that the proof for issuance of a
mobile connection to any foreigner would be the passport having a valid visa.
India, Pakistan to
ink 3 pacts to boost economic activity
Hoping that the forthcoming visit of
External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna would lead to a liberal visa regime
agreement, Commerce and Industry Minister, Anand Sharma, on 04th September
2012, said India and Pakistan would soon ink three agreements in the areas of
customs co-operation, mutual recognition of standards and redressal of trade
issues to give a fillip to economic activity.
India, China to
resume joint military exercises
India and China announced on 04th
September 2012 they would resume joint military exercises after a four-year
gap, a move designed to build trust in the often prickly relationship between
the world’s two most populous nations.
Five Indian firms in
Forbes list of world’s most innovative companies
Five Indian companies including Larsen
& Toubro, Hindustan Unilever and Infosys are ranked on Forbes magazine’s
list of “The World’s Most Innovative Companies” topped by four US
companies.Larsen & Toubro got the ninth rank,Hindustan Unilever got the
12th rank, Infosys got 19th rank,Tata Consultancy Services got 29th rank and
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries got 38th rank.Four US companies- Cloud computing
king Salesforce.com, drug major Alexion Pharmaceuticals, internet retail giant
Amazon.com and open source software leader Red Hat took the top four places.
India, Pakistan ink
visa agreement
Pakistan and India have announced on
8th September 2012 that they will ease tough visa restrictions, an important
step forward in improving relations between the nuclear armed neighbours.
ECIL to supply
converters to international science centre
Public sector electronic manufacturing
firm, Electronic Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), has been selected to
supply power converters to the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR),
an international science centre at Darmstadt near Frankfurt in Germany.ECIL
signed a bilateral contract for supply of convertors with Bose Institute,
designated nodal agency to coordinate between various departments involved in
the project.Accordingly, ECIL would be involved in design, development,
manufacturing and supply of around 500 ultra stable power converters that cost
around 7.5 million Euros (about Rs. 50 crore) of the total Indian contribution
of around 36 million Euros.
Onno Ruhl appointed
World Bank country director for India
The World Bank has appointed Onno Ruhl
as the country director for India. He will replace Roberto Zagha, who retires
in October. Ruhl, a Dutch national, was previously the director for operation
services and quality in the South Asia region of the World Bank, the
multi-lateral funding agency.
Saudi Arabia, India
hold talks on defence ties
The first meeting of the India-Saudi
Arabia joint committee on defence cooperation was held on 10th September 2012
at New Delhi and both sides discussed proposals for exchange of high-level
visits, training and functional exchanges in various areas.
India pledges
$10-million for Palestine
The Prime Minister Manmohan 11th
September 2012 announced to an assistance of $10 million to Palestine’s budget
for this year to help address its financial requirements.Prime Minister made
this announcement after signing three bilateral pacts – the areas of
information and communication technology, vocational training and education
with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is at present in New Delhi for
his three-day long state visit.
India, Pakistan trade
bodies sign Memorandum of Understanding(MoU)
The Islamabad Women’s Chamber of
Commerce and Industry(IWCCI)and the Punjab, Haryana and Delhi Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) on 12th September 2012 signed an MoU to promote
trade and investment and improve linkages between business communities of the
two countries.
Highest under-5
deaths in India
In the Child Mortality Estimates Report 2012 published by
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), India was placed at the top position
in the chart of 10 countries that topped on the chart. The other countries with
their names on the chart are Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, China,
Pakistan, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.Delhi, Mumbai among least expensive cities around world
A report released Friday by the Swiss bank UBS, covering 72 cities in 58 countries Capital Delhi and financial hub Mumbai are the least expensive cities and Tokyo is the most expensive city for food in the world.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation won work in Jakarta Metro Rail Project
Delhi Metro has bagged the work of Management Consulting Services for building the Phase- I of Jakarta Mass Rapid System in Indonesia.This is the first time that Delhi Metro has got a project outside the country since its inception in 1997.
Afghanistan, US, India hold first trilateral meeting
India, Afghanistan and the US held their first trilateral meeting in New York on 25th September 2012.The major point of discussion was on the situation in Afghanistan along with the issue of terrorism.
India ranks lower than China in global food security index
India has been ranked 66, much lower than neighbouring China, in the 2012 Global Food Security Index released by the American chemical company DuPont on 26th September 2012.India is ranked 66 , China (ranked 39) , Sri Lanka (ranked 62),Pakistan (ranked 75) and Bangladesh ( ranked 81) in the list of 105 countries.
NATIONAL
Sebi plans investor website in 13
Indian languages
Market regulator Sebi is planning to
soon offer its investor website in as many as 13 Indian languages, besides the
existing one in English, to spread awareness among investors and to help
resolve their grievances.
Supreme Court lifts
ban on iron ore mining in Karnataka
Supreme Court partially lifts ban on
iron ore mining in Karnataka on 3rd September 2012, on the basis of the
recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC). CEC divides the
leases of iron ore mines in three categories A,B,C.marginal irregularities and
no irregularities of leases come under A category, most irregularities in
leases come under C category,moderate irregularities come under B category.The
Supreme Court has lifted the banwould only be effective in 18 category A mines,
subject to their compliance with statutory clearances.The ban will continued on
the remaining leases.
Lok Sabha passed two
Bills on 3rd September 2012
Lok Sabha passed two bills on 3rd September
2012 They are 1.Sexual harassment may mean loss of business
licence:Non-compliance with the provisions of the law will be punishable with a
fine of up to Rs 50,000. Repeated violations may lead to higher penalties and
cancellation of licence or registration to do business.2.National Highways
Authority of India (NHAI) expansion bill passed
4.6 magnitude quake
rocks Ladakh, no impact in Kashmir
A 4.6 magnitude quake rock Ladakh
region in Jammu and Kashmir on 4th September 2012 afternoon. However, it was not
felt in the Kashmir valley.Its epicentre was in Southern Xinjiang China,
located at a distance of 327 km from Leh.
MGNREGA work days
raised to 150, crop loans cut to 7%
Empowered Group of Ministers(EGoM) on
drought headed by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar decided to increase the
number of guaranteed work days under Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee (MGNREGA) to 150 days and cut interest rates on crop loans to 7
percent for one year for the farmers in drought-affected states.
Women and Child
Development Ministry launched a Web Portal named Track Child
The Union Women and Child Development
Ministry on 18 September 2012 decided to launch a web portal named Track Child,
which will serve as a central database of all those children who have gone
missing in different parts of the country. The portal will act as a
coordination mechanism between child homes, police departments and state
governments.
Govt launches Rajiv
Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme
The Finance Minister P Chidambaram on
21st September 2012 cut withholding tax on overseas borrowings to 5 percent
from 20 percent and approved the Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme
(RGESS).While the RGESS is aimed at encouraging first time retail investors to
invest in stock markets through tax concessions, the cut in withholding tax to
5 percent seeks to lower the cost of foreign borrowings by the Indian
companies.The RGESS will give tax benefits to new investors who invest up to Rs
50,000 and whose annual income is below Rs 10 lakh.
C P Joshi given additional
charge of Railways
Union Minister of Road Transport and
Highways C P Joshi has been assigned the additional charge of the Ministry of
Railways in place of Mr Mukul Roy, who was among the six Ministers who resigned
from the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government 22nd September 2012.
Election Commission
Ban the usage of animal and birds in poll campaign
The Election Commission of India (ECI)
on 26th September 2012 issued an order banning the use of animals and birds by
political parties during campaigns. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
(PETA) India said that following repeated requests by animal activist, the
Election Commission asked political parties and candidates to refrain from
using animals for their campaigns.
STATES
HC(High Court) fixes
quota in local bodies at 50 percent
The AP High Court on 04 September 2012
ruled that the combined reservations for Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes in the Panchayat Raj local bodies should not exceed the upper
ceiling of 50 per cent.The court directed the state to cut the quota for BCs
and bring the cumulative figure down to 50 per cent.
Bill for special
status for six districts in Hyderabad-Karnataka region introduced
In the Lok Sabha on 7th September 2012
,Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde introduced a Bill to amend the Constitution
and thus provide a special status to the Hyderabad-Karnataka region , under a
new Article 371(J).Once it is approved by Parliament the Hyderabad-Karnataka
region covering six backwards districts – Bidar, Gulbarga, Koppal, Yadgir,
Raichur and Bellary – will get more central funds for development and will be
on par with the Telananga region of Andhra Pradesh. Besides, there will be
reservation in jobs and education for the locals.
Supreme Court issues
notice to Tamil Nadu government on 69 per cent reservation
The Supreme Court 10th September 2012
issued a notice to Tamil Nadu government on a petition challenging the
constitutional validity of the 69 per cent reservation by the state government
in employment and educational institutions. The petition, filed by students,
challenged the government’s decision to exceed the 50 per cent limit in
reservation mandated by the Mandal Commission judgement.The ten student
petitioners from Tamil Nadu had approached the Court after failing to secure
admission to the Medical College despite having secured 198/200.
Punjab government
amends Canal and Drainage Act
The offence of “theft of canal water”
can now attract both fine and 6 months imprisonment after an amendment in the
law relating to canals and drainage.Punjab Irrigation Minister, Janmeja Singh
Sekhon informed that the Punjab government has amended section 70 of the Act
for this.
NHRC issues notice to
Maharashtra over farm suicides
The National Human Rights Commission
(NHRC) has sought a reply from the Maharashtra government over seven farm
suicides that took place last week within a span of 72 hours in the state’s
Vidarbha region.A total of 528 farmers have committed suicide in the Vidarbha
region between Jan 1 and Sep 2 this year.
Ban on gutka in Delhi
comes into effect
A blanket ban on manufacturing, sale,
storage and display of all gutka products in the national capital came into
effect from 13th September 2012. States like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Kerala,
Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar have already announced ban on gutka products.
A similar comprehensive ban came into effect in Gujarat from 12th September
2012.
Haryana government
institute awards for women
Haryana government has instituted four
state-level awards to felicitate women who have done outstanding work in
different fields. These are 1.Indira Gandhi Mahila Shakti Award(given to those
engaged in promoting self help groups or women empowerment initiatives,
established their own business or industry and have contributed to development
of women besides entrepreneurship and done exemplary work in public service.)
2.Kalpna Chawla Shaurya Award(who perform acts of bravery and meritorious
services) 3.Bahin Shano Devi Panchayti Raj Award(exemplary work in promoting
female literacy, health and nutrition, universalisation of education,
sanitation, water, hygiene and other health determinants) and 4.Life time
Achievers Award( given to woman of 60 years of age or above, who has excelled
in administrative skills, career or profession, leadership quality, courage and
creative work) and Women Outstanding Achievers Award(women who have done
commendable work in their respective fields)
CONFERENCES
APEC Russia 2012 Summit
The APEC Russia 2012 Summit is the 24th
annual gathering of APEC leaders of 21 countries.Leaders from the member
economics are currently meeting on Russky Island off the Coast of Vladivostok,
Russia from September 2-9 ,2012 . Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) is a
forum for Rim Countries(formally member Economics) that seeks to promote free
trade and Economics throughout the Asia-Pecific region established in 1989.
Indian National
Science Academy Summit
In the last day of the summit conducted
from 7th to 9th September 2012 in New Delhi,Scientists across South Asia
decided to work closely in research initiatives and advise decision makers in
offering solutions to problems ranging from healthcare to energy security.The
three-day meeting saw participation from the Science Academies of Afghanistan,
Bangladesh, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.
Emerging Kerala
investment meet to see 51 nations taking part
51 countries with 2,500 registered
delegates and around 300 VIPs comprising ambassadors, high commissioners and
ministers have confirmed their participation in the “Emerging Kerala 2012″
investment meet to be held in Kochi from Sep 12-14.KSIDC is the nodal agency
for the event which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.The
main aim of this event is highlight investment opportunities available in
Kerala and advertise to the the world its state of readiness to receive the
investors.
9th World Hindi
Conference To held in Johannesburg
The 9th World Hindi Conference to be
held in Johannesburg ,South Africa from 22-24 September 2012.The first world
Hindi Conference was held in Nagapur from 10-12 January 1975 under aegis of
RashtrabhashaPracharaSamiti ,Wardha.The main theme of the conference is ’Bhasha
Ki Asmita Aur Hindi Ka Vaishvik Sandarbh’.
AWARDS & HONOURS
Dr. M.V. Reddy get the Bharat Jyoti
Award
The Director, Department of Animal
Husbandry,Dr. M.V.Reddy got the Bharat Jyoti Award .This award was presented by
the India International Friendship Society.
Three National awards
for State Literacy Mission
the Andhra Pradesh State Literacy
Mission Authority (SLMA) has received awards for its work in Vizianagaram
district and one gram panchayat P Yeleru of Anantapur district. Andhra Pradesh
is the only State which received the Saakshar Bharat Award in the entire
Country. The Awards comprising a trophy and a certificate which will be given
by the Vice-President of India Hamid Ansari on the occasion of International
Literacy Day to be celebrated on September 8 at Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.
Apollo Hospitals bags
4 awards
The Apollo Hospitals Group has bagged
the Asian Hospital Management Awards ( AHMA) 2012 in four categories.It
received awards for customer service, corporate social responsibility, cost
reduction and patient safety. AHMA 2012 garnered 363 entries representing 89 hospitals
from 12 countries.
Aung San Suu Kyi
Receives US Congressional Gold Medal
Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu
Kyi has received the Congressional Gold Medal – the highest honor Congress can
bestow, at a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on 19th September 2012.
Members of the U.S. Congress from both chambers and both major political
parties gathered to pay tribute to Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi,
who was first awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2008, while she was under
15 years of house arrest in Burma.
Barfi! makes it to
the Oscars
Ranbir Kapoor starrer Barfi! has been
nominated as India’s entry to the Oscars next year in the foreign film
category.
Iran to boycott 2013
Oscars in wake of anti-Islam film
The Iran government will boycott the
2013 Oscars in the wake of the anti-Islam video made in the United States that
denigrates the Prophet Muhammad.
T.S. Subramanian
among winners of nuclear society’s awards
T.S. Subramanian, Associate Editor,
Frontline, Chennai, and R.K. Singh, Head, Media Relations and Public Awareness
Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, have been selected for the
Indian Nuclear Society’s “INS Outstanding Service Award” for 2011 for Science
Communication.The awards will be presented on November 7 during the inaugural
function of the 23 annual conference of the INS to be held in Mumbai.
Waheeda Rehman to get
lifetime achievement award
Veteran actress Waheeda Rehman will
receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the forthcoming 14th Mumbai Film
Festival, which starts on October 18. Mumbai Academy of Moving Image(MAMI) is
organising the film festival.
Ebrahim Alkazi
awarded top French honour
Ebrahim Alkazi, the grand old man of
Indian theatre has been conferred France’s highest cultural award for his contribution
in nurturing and presenting modern theatre in India and preserving the
treasures of photography and other art forms for posterity.Alkazi, was awarded
Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des
Lettres) on 29th September 2012.
DRDO scientist G.
Satheesh Reddy received IETE Award
G. Satheesh Reddy, outstanding
scientist and associate director, Research Centre Imarat, a premier laboratory
of the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Missile complex,
was given IETE B.V. Baliga Memorial Award on 30th September 2012 at Bangalore.
SPORTS & GAMES
India beat Cameroon to lift Nehru Cup
for the third consecutive time
India beat Cameroon in a
thrilling penalty shoot-out to lift the Nehru Cup 2012 football tournament.
This is India’s third consecutive Nehru Cup title, infact they have just won
the three.
India’s Girisha
Hosanagara Nagarajegowda wins silver in London Paralympics
The Girisha Hosanagaara Nagarajegowda
won India’s first medal at the London 2012 paralympic Games.The Karnataka
athlete bagged the silver with a 1.74m effort in the men’s high jump F42 event
on 03 September 2012.
India slips to 169th
in world rankings
The world football governing body FIFA
released the latest FIFA World Rankings on 5th September 2012 in which India
has lost one spot to be now ranked 169th amongst the 209 ranked nations and
territories, while within Asia India remains 32nd amongst 46 nations in the
rankings.
USA wins third FIFA
U-20 women’s World Cup
United States of America beat former
champion Germany 1-0 in Tokyo to claim its third FIFA U-20 women’s World Cup
crown on 8th September 2012.
Oscar Pistorius Wins
Paralympics Gold In 400 Meters
The ‘Blade Runner’ of South Africa
,Oscar Pistorius successfully completed 400m-T44 event in 46.68 sec in
Paralympics and won the gold medal.
Serena clinches
fourth US Open title
Serena Williams captured her 15th Grand
Slam title and fourth career US Open crown with a 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 victory over
World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka on 9th September 2012.
Andy Murray first
Britisher to win Grand Slam men`s singles title in 76 years
Andy Murray has overpowered Serbia’s
Novak Djokovic in five gruelling sets in a classic US Open final to become the
first Britisher to win a Grand Slam men’s singles title in 76 years.
Armadillo to be 2014
FIFA World Cup mascot
A rare species of armadillo is set to
be the official mascot for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil on 12 September
2012.In the previous FIFA World Cup the mascots were:
• FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa- Zakumi the green-haired leopard
• FIFA 2006 World Cup in Germany- Goleo named lion
• FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa- Zakumi the green-haired leopard
• FIFA 2006 World Cup in Germany- Goleo named lion
Dhoni named captain
of ICC ODI team, Kohli, Gambhir in XI
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has
been named captain of ICC’s ‘ODI Team of the Year’ which also includes Virat
Kohli and Gautam Gambhir.This is for the fifth consecutive year in a row that
Dhoni has been selected in ICC’s ‘ODI Team of the Year’.ICC awards are
announced in Colombo on 15th September 2012.
Virat Kohli named ICC
ODI Cricketer of the Year
India’s Virat Kohli was on15 September
2012 rewarded with ‘ODI Cricketer of the Year’.at the ICC annual awards
function in Colombo.
Indian Women’s
football defeated Nepal And Clinch 2012 SAFF Women’s Championship
Defending champions India have won the
SAFF(South Asian Football Federation) Women’s Championship 2012 defeating Nepal
in the finals played on 16th September 2012.
Saina signs up
40-crore deal with Rhiti Sports
The London Olympics bronze-medallist in
badminton Saina Nehwal has signed up a 40-crore deal with Rhiti Sports
Management company, making her the country’s highest paid sportsperson outside
cricket.
Lifter Chandrika
first Indian to win medal in Youth Worlds
Chandrika Tarafdar on 19th September
2012 became the first Indian to win a medal in Youth World Weightlifting
Championships after she bagged two bronze in the girls’ 44kg category on the
opening day at Kosice, Slovakia.Tarafdar won a bronze each in clean and jerk
and total lift. She lifted 55kg in snatch, 74kg in clean and jerk for a total
effort of 129kg.
Deepika Kumari won
Silver at Recurve World Cup
Deepika Kumari won Silver at Recurve
World Cup on 23 September 2012 in Tokyo. In the finals of the tournament, she
lost against the Korean double Olympic gold medalist, Ki Bo-Bae.
India got 3rd
position in ICC T20 rankings
India got the third position in
Reliance ICC T20 Championship table released by ICC on 26th September 2012
.South Africa and England got the 1st and 2nd positions respectively.
Indian wrestler
Babita wins world championship bronze
Babita Kumari (51kg) became the second
Indian female wrestler to win a World Championships medal after she clinched a
bronze in Edmonton, Canada.
Humpy wins Ankara
Grand Prix-2012
Grandmaster Koneru Humpy won gold medal
in FIDE Grand Prix in Turkey at Ankara on 28th September 2012
ECONOMY
India’s GDP to remain
below 6% for 2012-13
CII(Confederation of Indian Industry)
survey indicated that the GDP growth during 2012-13 is expected to remain below
6 percent
Planning Commission
for cut in 12th Plan annual GDP growth target to 8.2%
Planning Commission is proposing to
lower annual average growth target for the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) to 8.2
per cent from its earlier projection of 9 per cent in view of uncertain global
environment and sluggish performance of the manufacturing sector at home.
CRR cut to inject
Rs.17,000 crore
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on
17th September 2012, retained the indicative policy rates at the current level
while cutting the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by 25 basis points to 4.50 per cent,
injecting a liquidity of around Rs.17,000 crore into the banking system.
Naveen Jindal tops
executive pay chart with Rs 73.4 crore package
The Chairperson and Managing Director
of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL),Naveen Jindal has topped the executive pay
charts for listed companies in the country with a package of Rs 73.42 crore for
the last fiscal 2011-12, which grew by over Rs six crore from previous year.
SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY
China developing new
class of guided missile destroyer’
The Chinese Navy is developing a brand
new class of guided-missile destroyer, a “new type” of naval warship with
upgraded air-defence missiles, anti-ship and anti-submarine missiles.The new
destroyers are equipped with two 32-unit vertical launch systems capable of
launching HQ-9B air-defence missiles, anti-ship and anti-submarine missiles.The
new destroyer is comparable to the “Aegis” equipped destroyers of the US Navy
which use powerful computers and radars to track and guide weapons to destroy
enemy targets
Gliese 163C: New
Earth-Like Planet Might Sustain Life
Dubbed Gliese 163C, the planet is about
seven times the mass of Earth and orbits a red dwarf, or a small, relatively
cool star. Gliese 163C is 49 light years away. It’s thought to be composed of
mostly rock and water and gets 40 percent more light from its parent star than
Earth gets from the sun, making it hotter with a surface temperature of 60
degrees Celsius.
Air India’s first
Dreamliner landing at IGI Airport
After a four-year delay and subsequent
acrimony, the first of Air India’s advanced Boeing B-787 Dreamliner landing at
the Indira Gandhi International Airport on 08th September 2012.It is capable of
flying over 15,000 km non-stop. For AI, the plane has been configured to have
256 seats — 18 full-flat business class seats and 238 in economy.Air India,
which ordered 27 Dreamliners six years ago, will get two more in the next few
weeks. A total of eight will arrive by March 2013.
PSLV-C21 delivers two
satellites into their intended Orbits
The Indian Space Research
Organization(ISRO) successfully put into orbit two foreign satellites( French
SPOT 6(712kgs) and Japanese micro Satellite(15kgs)) marking Indian space
agency’s 100th mission since the launch of the first satellite,Aryabhata,in
1975 by Russian rocket.
ISRO to launch SARAL
satellite on 12 Dec 2012
Indo-French satellite “SARAL” would be
launched onboard PSLV-C20 from the spaceport of Sriharikota on 12 December 2012
Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K Radhakrishnan said at the Bangalore
Space Expo 2012 on 12th September 2012.
U.S.-Russian space
crew lands safely in Kazakhstan
A Russian Soyuz capsule landed on the
Kazakh steppe on 17th September 2012, delivering a trio of astronauts from a
four-month stint on the International Space Station.
India tests Agni-IV
n-missile
India successfully tested its
nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Agni-IV missile from a military base in
Odisha on 19th September 2012.The new generation missile, which has the
capability to hit targets at about 4,000 km.
India test-fires
N-capable Agni-III missile successfully
India on 21st September 2012
successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable Agni-III surface-to-air missile
with a strike range of over 3000 km and capable of carrying a warhead of 1.5
tonnes from the Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast.
China launches its
first aircraft carrier
China launched its first aircraft
carrier on 25th September 2012. The 60,000 tonne carrier, a former Soviet ship
brought from Ukraine and later refurbished locally is named ‘Liaoning’, after a
Chinese province liberated from Japanese occupation in 1945, in what can be
seen as another symbolic warning to Tokyo. The 300m long Liaoning carrier has
the capacity to bring 33 airoplanes.
NASA says Curiosity
rover finds evidence of water on Mars
NASA scientist say the Curiosity rover
has found evidence of a “vigorous” thousand-year water flow on the surface of
Mars.
India’s heaviest
satellite, GSAT-10 launched from Kourou launch pad in French Guiana
India’s advanced communication satellite
GSAT-10 was successfully launched on board Ariane-5 rocket from Europe’s
spaceport in French Guiana on 29th September 2012.This is the India’s heaviest
satellite of 3,400kg weight.
PERSONS IN NEWS
A)Appointments
Obama appoints IIT
graduate to admin post
U.S. President Barack Obama has
announced to appoint eminent Indian-American, Romesh Wadhwani, to a key
administration post by making him board of trustees of the prestigious John F
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Browne is new
chairman of chiefs of staff
IAF chief Air Chief Marshal N A K
Browne, who has become the senior most among the three Service chiefs after
Admiral Nirmal Verma retired on 31st August 2012, has taken over as the new
chairman of the chiefs of staff committee (CoSC) on 1st September 2012.
Chief Justice of
India names Justice Kabir as his successor
Chief Justice of India S H Kapadia, who
retires 28th September 2012, has recommended the name of seniormost Supreme
Court judge Justice Altamas Kabir as his successor, setting in motion the
process of change of guard in the apex court.
Deveshwar appointed
on RBI board
The government has appointed ITC
chairman Y.C. Deveshwar as a director on the central board of directors of the
Reserve Bank of India.
Kaushik Basu World
Bank chief economist
Kaushik Basu appointed as chief
economist and Senior Vice President of World Bank by World Bank Group President
Jim Yong Kim on 05th September 2012.He take charges from 1st October 2012.
Sachin Pilot commissioned as
Territorial Army officer
Sachin Pilot 06th September 2012 became
the first Union minister to be commissioned as a regular officer in the
Territorial Army, fulfilling his desire to follow his father’s footsteps to be
in the armed forces.
Indian-American elected to Royal
Society of Canada
Ponisseril Somasundaran, an Indian
American member of the faculty of Columbia University School of Engineering and
Applied Science, has been chosen as the sole foreign fellow of the prestigious
Royal Society of Canada.
K N Tilak Kumar elected president of INS
K N Tilak Kumar of Deccan Herald and
Prajavani was on 13th September 2012 elected president of The Indian Newspaper
Society (INS) for 2012-13 at its 73rd annual general meeting held at Bangalore.
He succeeds Ashish Bagga of India Today.
BCCI joint secretary Anurag Thakur
becomes member of Asian Cricket Council
BCCI joint secretary and Hamirpur BJP
MP, Anurag Thakur has been inducted as member of executive board of the Asian
Cricket Council (ACC).BCCI chief N Srinivasan is also the president of ACC.
Mary Kom brand ambassador of Raj
Kundra’s SFL
Actress Shilpa Shetty Monday named
Olympic bronze medal-winning boxer Mary Kom as the brand ambassador of Super
Fight League (SFL).Shilpa’s husband, Britain-based businessman Raj Kundra, has
collaborated with actor Sanjay Dutt for SFL, India’s first professional Mixed
Martial Arts (MMA) event.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan appointed as
International Goodwill Ambassador.
The United Nations Programme on
HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has appointed Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as its
International Goodwill Ambassador.She will raise global awareness on protecting
children from HIV infection and increasing access to antiretroviral treatment.
Ramesh Abhishek is FMC chairman
Ramesh Abhishek, an IAS officer of 1982
Bihar cadre, appointed as chairman of Forward Markets Commission (FMC) on 24th
September 2012
Woman of Pakistani origin becomes
minister in Norway
Norwegian Prime Minister Jens
Stoltenberg has appointed a Pakistani Muslim woman, Hadia Tajik as Norway’s
culture minister.
Sandeep Patil appointed as the Chief
for BCCI Senior Selection Committee
Former Cricketer and all-rounder,
Sandeep Patil was appointed as the Chairman of the five member senior selection
committee of BCCI on 27 September 2012. The other four members of the committee
include Saba Karim, Roger Binny, Vikram Rathour and Rajinder Singh Hans.
Altamas Kabir sworn in as new Chief
Justice of India
Justice Altamas Kabir, seniormost Judge
of the Supreme Court, was sworn in as the 39th Chief Justice of India on 29th
September 2012.
B)Resigns
Australian Cricketer,
Matthew Hayden retired from all formats of the game
Former Australia Test opener Matthew
Hayden has decided to retire from all forms of cricket, adding the Twenty20
version of the game to the Test and international one-day formats he stopped
playing in 2010.Hayden played 103 Tests for Australia, hitting 30 centuries
with a top score of 380 and an average of 50.73.
Ajit Pawar resigns as
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader
Ajit Pawar resigns as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister on 25th September 2012
due the allegations of an irrigation scam when he was the state’s water
resource minister.
The Chief Justice of
the Supreme Court, S.H. Kapadia, retired.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,
S.H. Kapadia, retired on 28th September 2012.
C) Deaths
Dr. Verghese Kurien,
father of India’s White Revolution passes away
Dr. Verghese Kurien, the Father of the
White Revolution, passed away on 9th September 2012 after a brief illness. Dr.
Kurien was the architect of India’s White Revolution, which helped India emerge
as the largest milk producer in the world.
Iraq vice president
sentenced to death
A Baghdad court sentenced in absentia
Iraq’s vice president, Tariq al-Hashemi, to death on hanging for the murder of
a woman lawyer and terrorism charges .
U.S. ambassador to
Libya killed in mob attack
The ambassador of the United States to
Libya, Christopher Stevens, has been killed during an armed mob attack in
Benghazi on the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.Mr. Stevens is the second
U.S. ambassador to be killed during an outstation posting since the death of
Adolph Dubs in 1979 during his tenure in Afghanistan.
Ex-CJI Ranganath
Misra passes away
Former Chief Justice of India Ranganath
Mishra died at a private hospital in Bhubaneshwar on 13th September 2012.Misra,
served as the Chief Justice from September 25, 1990, till November 24, 1991. He
was also the first chairman of the NHRC.
Veteran
actor-director Dinesh Thakur passes away
Veteran theatre actor-director Dinesh
Thakur, known for his character roles in Hindi films of the 70s, passed awayin
Mumbai on 20th September 2012 after prolonged illness.
Freedom fighter,
Telangana leader Bapuji dies
Eminent freedom fighter and a
well-known figure in the Telangana movement, Konda Lakshman Bapuji died in
Hyderabad on 21st September 2012. He earned the nickname Bapuji for his
participation in the Quit India Movement.
Popular Malayalam
film actor Thilakan passes away
Thilakan, who had acted in around 200 films
and had won the national award for the best actor in a supporting role, died in
Thiruvananthapuram on 24th September 2012.
Former National
Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra dead
Brajesh Mishra, the country’s first
National Security Adviser who played a key role in foreign policy matters and
pushed for deeper engagement with the US, died in New Delhi on 28th September
2012 following a heart ailment.
D) Visitors
India, Tajikistan
upgrade ties, sign four pacts
India and Tajikistan, the energy-rich
Central Asian nation, 03rd September 2012 decided to upgrade their ties to the
level of strategic partnership and signed four pacts in areas of education,
health, sports and culture.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held talks with Tajik
President Emomali Rahmon on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global
issues and decided to upgrade their growing ties to the level of a strategic
partnership.
Antony opens army
hospital in Male
Defence Minister A.K. Antony, on a
three-day visit to the Maldives, on 16th September 2012 opened ‘SENAHIYA,’ a
Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) hospital, established in Male with
Indian assistance.Maldives Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim thanked India for its
assistance to his country in all areas of development and said the enduring friendship
between the two countries would improve and expand, irrespective of political
changes.
E)Miscellaneous
Washington Post calls
PM a ‘tragic figure’
Soon after Time magazine labelled Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh an ‘Underachiever’, the noted American news daily,
Washington Post, has referred to him as a “tragic figure”.The Washington Post
said Singh’s image is of a “dithering ineffectual bureaucrat presiding over a
deeply corrupt government”.
Sunita Williams takes
over command at International Space Station
Indian-American astronaut Sunita
Williams has taken over command of the International Space Station (ISS), yet
another feather in her cap as she already holds three records for female space
travellers including a new record for total cumulative spacewalk time by a
female astronaut.
Space Triathlon
Completed By Sunita Williams
Williams became the first person in
history to complete a triathlon in space.Williams, who is currently aboard the
International Space Station finished her half mile swim, 18 mile bike ride, and
four mile run in one hour, 48 minutes, and 33 seconds.
Pakistani Government
Relents in Judicial Standoff Over Zardari Corruption Case
Pakistan’s government relented on 18th
September 2012 to judicial demands that it agree to write a letter to the
authorities in Switzerland regarding corruption charges against President Asif
Ali Zardari.
Nivedita Bhasin
becomes first woman B-787 Dreamliner pilot
Senior Air India pilot Capt Nivedita
Bhasin has become the first woman to command the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.She
is presently the only women pilot for the B-787′s commercial flight in the
world.
$1,00,000 cash reward
for the death of an anti-Islam film producer
A Pakistani government Railways
Minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour has offered a $100,000 (£61,616) reward for the
death of the maker of an anti-Islam film produced in the US.
PLACES IN NEWS
37 killed in Sivakasi
cracker unit blast
37 people have been killed and at least
60 have been injured in a huge fire at a Om Siva Sakthi Crackers in Mudalipetti,
near Sivakasi, in Tamil Nadu.
Two Same magnitude
earthquake in China at Yunnan and Guizhou
80 people were died , more than 730
people were injured,twenty thousand homes were destroyed and nearly one hundred
thousand persons have been evacuated after the two earthquakes at a magnitude
of 5.6 hit Yunnan and Guizhou provinces in China on 07th September 2012.
ABBREVIATIONS IN NEWS
Abbreviate GITEXGulf Information Technology Exhibition
Abbreviate CTS(hint Cheque)
Cheque Truncation System
Abbreviate DCGI(hint Drug)
Drug Controller General of India
Abbreviation of FIFA
International Federation of Football Association.
Abbreviation of WEF
World Economic Forum’s
Abbreviation of APEC
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
Abbrivate MGNREG
Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee
IWCCI Abbreviation
Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry
PHDCCI Abbreviation
Punjab, Haryana and Delhi Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Abbreviation of UNICEF
United Nations Children’s Fund
BOOKS IN NEWS
Vice President
Releases the Book ‘Muslims in Indian Cities’
Vice President after releasing the book
entitled “Muslims in Indian Cities” edited by Laurent Gayer and Christoph
Jafferlot on 10th September 2012 at New Delhi, Shri Ansari has said that
Muslims have lived in India’s religiously plural society for over a thousand
years, at times as rulers, at others as subjects and now as citizens. They are
not homogenous in racial or linguistic terms and bear the impact of local
cultural surroundings, in manners and customs, in varying degrees.
800-year-old Chinese
encyclopaedia on display in Taiwan
Taiwan (AP) – An 800-year-old Chinese
encyclopaedia is on display at a book fair in Taipei. The rare publication was
recently purchased by a Chinese publishing house for US$33 million (S$40.5
million) at an auction in Beijing.
Salman Rushdie
released his Book Joseph Anton
Joseph Anton the 633 page book depicts
a memoir of Salman Rushdie during his 10 years long run to protect himself from
the Fatwa issued by his name was released on 18 September 2012.
COMMITTEES IN NEWS
Rangarajan panel for total decontrol of
sugar industryThe Rangarajan panel will submit the report on decontrol of sugar industry within two weeks.
DAYS & DATES
Aishwarya Rai
Bachchan recites Om Shanti to convey message of peace at United Nations
On the
eve of International Day of Peace Aishwarya Rai Bachchan recited the Sanskrit
mantra ‘Om Shanti’ to convey her message of peace at the United Nations, where
she addressed students and urged them to set aside their egos and individual
desires to find peace within themselves.
August 2012 Current Affairs Study Material
INTERNATIONAL
Pakistan Supreme
Court annulled New Law Protecting the Prime Minister
Supreme Court of Pakistan on 3 August
2012 annulled the new law called Contempt of Court Act 2012(COCA 2012).
Pakistan’s Supreme Court 3 August 2012 struck down a law designed to protect
the new prime minister from being charged with contempt and thrown out of
office like his predecessor. The court ousted the previous prime minister,
Yousuf Raza Gilani, from office in June by charging him with contempt of court
for failing to reopen corruption proceedings against President Asif Zardari.
OIC suspended Syria
The Organisation Islamic
Cooperation(OIC) suspended Syria on 16th August 2012 saying the muslim world
can no longer accept a government that “massacres its people”,further isolating
the embattled regime.
Senkaku Islands
became the Bone of Contention between China and Japan
Ten Japanese on 23 August 2012, made an
unauthorized landing on Uotsuri, which is known in Japan as the Senkaku Islands
and in China as the Diaoyu Islands. The uninhabited islands surrounded by rich
fishing grounds are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China and Taiwan.The
Senkaku Islands dispute engulfs in itself a territorial dispute on a group of
uninhabited islands. Of the ten Japanese people who visited the island, five
were apparently conservative local assembly members.The Senkaku Islands are
located in the East China Sea between Japan, and the Republic of China. The
archipelago contains five uninhabited islands.
Somalia Assembly Passes the Endorses
Draft Constitution
Somalia Constitution on 1 august 2012
endorsed a draft constitution billed a key step to ending the decades of the
civil war. The Horn of Africa country’s outgoing government hailed the end of
an eight-year interim period. Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali expressed
happy and announced that Somalia has from now, left the transitional period.
The special assembly chosen by traditional elders in a U.N.-backed process took
eight days to debate and vote on the new Constitution, as the graft-riddled
government approaches the end of its mandate on August 20.
Myanmar abolished Direct Media
Censorship
Myanmar on 20 august 2012 he latest
dramatic reform by its quasi-civilian regime, but journalists face other
formidable restrictions including a ban on private daily newspapers and a
pervasive culture of self-censorship. Under the new acts journalists no longer have
to submit reports to state censors before publication, ending a practice
strictly enforced during nearly half a century of military rule that ended in
March last year. Previously, every song, book, cartoon, news report and planned
piece of art required approval by teams of censors rooting out political
messages and criticisms of one of Asia’s most repressive governments.
INDIA & WORLD
EC signs MoU with
South Korean counterpart
The Election Commission of India on 01
August 2012 signed an MoU with its South Korean counterpart to help each other
in strengthening the electoral processes and political culture. The
Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Chief
Election Commissioner of India V S Sampath on behalf of the poll panel and by Justice Nung Hwan Kim of the Republic of Korea at a brief ceremony. This is the 13th MoU signed by ECI with other countries and international election panels.
Election Commissioner of India V S Sampath on behalf of the poll panel and by Justice Nung Hwan Kim of the Republic of Korea at a brief ceremony. This is the 13th MoU signed by ECI with other countries and international election panels.
India-Israel Sign MoU
on research programme
India and Israel on 02 August 2012
entered into a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for launching a programme that
would promote collaborative research across a wide range of disciplines from
medical and information technology to social sciences, humanities and arts. The
programme, which will run for five years will provide support up to $1,00,000 a
research project for three years .The MoU was signed by Chairman of the Israel
science Foundation professor Benjamin Geiger and Chairman of University Grants
Commission ved Prakash.
India, Monaco ink tax
information exchange agreement
Tata Communications’ payment solutions providing arm has bagged an exclusive order to install and manage nearly 14,000 ATMs for all public sector banks in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal,Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands by 2013—14.”Government of India and Government of Principality of Monaco have signed a Tax
Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) on 02.August 2012″.
Tata Communications’ payment solutions providing arm has bagged an exclusive order to install and manage nearly 14,000 ATMs for all public sector banks in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal,Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands by 2013—14.”Government of India and Government of Principality of Monaco have signed a Tax
Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) on 02.August 2012″.
India, Iran &
Afghanistan to expand trade,transit through Chabahar port
India, Iran and Afghanistan have moved one step closer to expand their trade and economic ties. At a trilateral meeting in Teheran, they agreed to work for expanding trade, investment and transit cooperation through Chabahar port in Iran. A joint working group consisting of the representatives of the three countries will meet within the next three months in Chabahar to expedite the process.
India, Iran and Afghanistan have moved one step closer to expand their trade and economic ties. At a trilateral meeting in Teheran, they agreed to work for expanding trade, investment and transit cooperation through Chabahar port in Iran. A joint working group consisting of the representatives of the three countries will meet within the next three months in Chabahar to expedite the process.
India to help Sri
Lanka set up SEZs
India will help Sri Lanka establish a special economic zone to manufacture auto components in Trincomaee, commerce minister Anand Sharma said in colombo on 03 August 2012. The SEZ would promote exports to the production chains in India.
India will help Sri Lanka establish a special economic zone to manufacture auto components in Trincomaee, commerce minister Anand Sharma said in colombo on 03 August 2012. The SEZ would promote exports to the production chains in India.
Indian Scientist ,
Amitabh Ghosh in NASA team helped choose Curiosity’s landing site
An Indian scientist, Amitabh Ghosh part
of the NASA team which had identified the landing site of the ‘Curiosity’ rover
on Mars on 6August 2012 described the Spot as “very exciting and holding “great
promise”.
Pakistan asked India
to register Oil Marketing
Companies (OMCs) with Pakistan State
Oil In the wake of New Delhi’s decision to allow pakistani investments, Islamabad
has asked India to register its oil marketing companies(OMCs) with Pakistani
State Oil to take part in spot tenders for
supply of petroleum products such as petrol,diesel, furnace oil and petcoke.
supply of petroleum products such as petrol,diesel, furnace oil and petcoke.
India Ranked Second
in Search Queries for Education on Google
Indian Ranked second in education
queries on Google.After the US, Indian people from IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmadabad
were the most searched in their respective categories. India was Ranked 8th in
2008, at present it is behind only to the US.
TB screening for
Indians seeking UK visa
From August 16, Indians planning to
travel to UK for more than six months will be screened for tuberculosis before
they are given a visa under a pre-entry TB screening programme extended to
India. However, the screening will not be required for those travelling for six
months or less.The Home Office announced that all such applicants would be
required to submit a certificate from a local clinic approved by the British
Government to show that they are “TB-free’’. There will be a fee of Rs 1500 for
screening, to be borne by the applicant.
India gets first
Embraer jet with Indian airborne radar tech
India, with taking the delivery of the
first Embraer 145 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) in Brazil on
17 August 2012, moved one more step ahead in aerial security.India and Brazil
signed a deal reportedly worth $ 210 million for the supply of three aircraft
by 2014. This includes a comprehensive logistic package that entails training,
technical support, supply of spare parts and ground support equipment.
Government extends
ban on import of milk, milk products from China
The Food Safety and Standards Authority
of India (FSSAI) has recommended the extension of the ban till June 2013 or
until further orders.The banned milk products include chocolate, chocolate
products, candies, confectionery, food preparations with milk or milk solids as
ingredient.
Sonia is Sixth in
Forbes list of 100 most powerful Women
The Forbes magazine on 22nd August 2012
ranked united progressive Alliance(UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi the sixth most
powerful woman in the world in the list of 100women.Germany Chancellor Angela
Merkel got the first place. United States Secretary Hillary Clinton got the
second place and Michelle Obama got the 7th Place.
Ranking by World Bank
As per the World Bank Report, India has
been ranked at 132 amongst the sample 183 Countries.Recognising the need for
Reforming the Regulatory Environment for doing business in India, a Committee
under the Chairmanship of Shri. M.Damodaran has been constituted on 23 August
2012 by this ministry to extensively examine different areas
of root functioning such as financial reforms, governance reforms, liberalized policy framework,process reforms etc, and to suggest a roadmap for improving business climate in India.
of root functioning such as financial reforms, governance reforms, liberalized policy framework,process reforms etc, and to suggest a roadmap for improving business climate in India.
Pak hails India’s
move to allow FDI
Pakistan 01 August 2012 welcomed
India’s decision to allow Pakistani Foreign Direct Investment, saying the move
will create goodwill and give a boost to efforts to normalise bilateral
relations. Foreign Office spokesman Moazzam Khan welcomed the Indian
government’s decision to allow Pakistani investments in all areas except
defence, space and atomic energy. Pakistan can explore sectors like
cement, textiles and sports for investments in India. Besides, the FDI
proposals from Pakistan need to be cleared from the Foreign Investment
Promotion Board (FIPB).
NATIONAL
Ban on SIMI upheld by
Tribunal
A special tribunal has upheld the ban
imposed by the Centre on Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), which has
links with Pakistan-based terrorist outfits including Lashkar-e-Taiba and its
front, Indian Mujahideen. The Home Ministry on February 3 extended the ban on
SIMI by two more years.
India is the
second-largest mobile phone user in world
India is the second-largest mobile
phone user with over 900 million users in the world said Union Health Minister
Ghulam Nabi Azad in London on 03 August 2012. Telecom Regulatory Authority of
India (TRAI) announced that the mobile users in India are increased to 93.4 crore.
Hamid Ansari
re-elected as India’s 14th Vice President
Hamid Ansari has been re-elected as the
14th Vice President of India.He received 490 votes in his favour.His rival, BJP
nominee Jaswant Singh polled 238 voted.He became the only person after Dr.Sarvepalli
Radhakrishnan to get a second term.
PSCC recommends
declaration of tea as ‘national drink’
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on
Commerce (PSCC) headed by BJP Rajya Sabha member Shanta Kumar has recommended
declaration of tea as a ‘national drink‘.Stating this at Palampur on Friday,
Kumar said the 102nd report
of the Committee on the Tea Industry had placed in both houses of the Parliament that 96 percent to 99 percent people in both Urban and Rural areas of the country consume tea and as such it has already acquired the status of a national drink.
of the Committee on the Tea Industry had placed in both houses of the Parliament that 96 percent to 99 percent people in both Urban and Rural areas of the country consume tea and as such it has already acquired the status of a national drink.
NRHM to be expanded
to towns also
The government will expand the scope of the NRHM(National Rural Health Mission) to all towns and cities, by converting it into a National Health Mission(NHM).
The government will expand the scope of the NRHM(National Rural Health Mission) to all towns and cities, by converting it into a National Health Mission(NHM).
Mobile base Station
radiation limit will be cut from September 1
The Union government has told
parliament that exposure limit of radio frequency fields(base station
emissions) will be brought down to one-tenth of the existing level from 1st
September 2012,because they receive petitions in High Courts and Supreme Court
on fears of health hazards like cancer from mobile tower radiations.RF signals
produced by
base stations are caused for short and long term health effects.
base stations are caused for short and long term health effects.
Complete ban on child
labour below 14 approved by Cabinet
The Union Cabinet on 28th August 2012
approved a proposal for amending the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation)
Act, 1986, to ban employment of children aged up to 14 in any form of industry.
It will be an offence to employ such children not only in factories or
industries but also in homes or on farms, if their labour is meant to serve any
commercial interest.
Supreme court upholds
death sentence for Kasab
The Supreme court has upheld the death
sentence for pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab in the 26/11/2008 Mumbai terror
attack.
2% Reservation to Sports Persons
2% Reservation to Sports Persons
Youth Services and Sports – Sports
Policy -Incentives to Sports Persons – Extension of Sports Reservation to Two
(2%) to meritorious sports persons in direct recruitment in Government
Departments / Undertaking / Grant – in – Aid Institutions at all levels –
Instructions and Guidelines – Notification Orders Issued.
STATES
Orissa is the first
state to provide e-payment
facility for government employees Orissa became the First Indian state to provide epayment facility for government employees from 1 August 2012.Now, the government employees in the state will receive their salaries and pensions
through the online Portal of Reserve Bank of India.Employees received their salaries and pensions directly to their bank account.
facility for government employees Orissa became the First Indian state to provide epayment facility for government employees from 1 August 2012.Now, the government employees in the state will receive their salaries and pensions
through the online Portal of Reserve Bank of India.Employees received their salaries and pensions directly to their bank account.
Keshubhai Patel
launched Gujarat Parivartan (GPP) Party
Former Chief Minister of Gujarat,
Keshubhai Patel launched Gujarat Parivartan (GPP) Party on 6 August 2012.
Keshubhai Patel and the former union textile minister Kanshiram Rana resigned
from Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) on 4 August 2012. This Party would contest all
the 182 seats in Gujarat assembly elections which will be held by the end of
2012.
Himachal Bagged top
slot in Environment Index
Environment Performance Index(EPI)-2012
compiled on July Month.According to the Survey Report conducted across all 28
states and 7 Union territories, the EPI is an Indication of the “ Environmental
well-being of a state”. Himachal
bagged first and Andhra Pradesh bagged Second. The rankings, the report added, have been decided based on five broad parameters: air pollution, forests, water quality, waste management and climate change.
bagged first and Andhra Pradesh bagged Second. The rankings, the report added, have been decided based on five broad parameters: air pollution, forests, water quality, waste management and climate change.
MJP merges with
Keshubhai party
The anti-Narendra Modi factions in the
Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)in Gujarat under one umbrella, the Mahagujarat
Janata Party(MJP), formed five years ago, was on 8 August 2012 merged with the
Gujarat Parivartan Party(GPP) formed by the former Chief Minister and Mr.
Modi’s arch rival Keshubhai Patel.
Maharashtra bans Bt
cotton seeds
The Maharashtra government has banned
the sale and distribution of the genetically modified Bt cotton seeds of
Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company (Mahyco), a partner of US multinational
Monsanto, in the state with immediate effect for supplying inferior quality
seeds. “The government has banned the Mahyco company with immediate effect,”
agriculture commissioner Umakant Dangat told IANS(Indo-Asia News Service) 9 August 2012,
when asked about the canceling of the company’s license.
agriculture commissioner Umakant Dangat told IANS(Indo-Asia News Service) 9 August 2012,
when asked about the canceling of the company’s license.
Haryana to ban food articles
containing Nicotine and Tobacco
Haryana government will impose a
complete banon food articles containing nicotine and tobacco from 2012 August
15.
House Sparrow
declared “State Bird of Delhi”
The good old house sparrow, which is
becoming rarer by the day, has been declared “State Bird of Delhi” by Chief
Minister Sheila Dikshit as part of a new campaign to save the species and
enhance awareness about their life and habitat.High court imposed a fine of
Rs.5000 rupees to State Government for the appointment of DGP
The State Government
challenged the Central
Administrative Tribunal(CAT) order in
the High Court. Ironically for the State, the High Court imposed a fine of Rs
5,000 on the government, while declaring the appointment of Dinesh Reddy in the
post of DGP as invalid.
Drug Trial Related
Deaths Highest in Maharastra
According to data released by the Drug
Controller General of India Maharastra has recorded the maximum deaths number
of deaths due to serious adverse events (SAEs) during drug trials, while Madhya
Pradesh saw the least number of such deaths.During the 49 months period
(January 2008 to January 2012) , the country had recorded the 2,061 drug trial
related deaths. while maharastra recorded maximum number of deaths 268 deaths
to stand first among top five states.It is followed by Andhra Pradesh (153),
Delhi/National Capital Region (97), Gujarat (87) and Karnataka (78). The number
of deaths in Maharashtra was over 10 times that of Madhya Pradesh, which is the
lowest among the top 10 States.
Delhi launched the
Kerosene-free Delhi scheme
Delhi Government set to launch an
ambitious scheme(Kerosene-free Delhi scheme ) on 21st August 2012 under which
3.56 lakh households will get LPG cylinder and a gas stove free of cost.
Punjab Approves
Rs.93crore Milk Production Scheme
The Punjab Government has started a
special programme to increase the milk production in the state by spending
Rs.93crore during 2012-13. This was announced by Dairy Development Minister
Gulzar Singh Ranike. Punjab government has bought 3 lakh doses of foreign semen
from America and Canada for improvement of cow breeds in the state.
Uttarakhand Cabinet
increases age limit for jobs
Uttarakhand Cabinet the maximum age
limit for government jobs had been increased from 35 to 40 years for general
category candidates from 21 August 2012 onwords.Candidates belonging to other
categories would also get the benefit of the decision accordingly.
‘Odisha tops in FDI
proposals; Andhra, Gujarat next’
Odisha attracted the largest value of
investments from foreign direct investment (FDI) proposals filed in 2011-12,
followed by Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.Odisha garnered 27 per cent of the total
investments (worth about Rs 49,527 crore), though barely 17 FDI
proposals were filed for the State. Andhra Pradesh ranked second with a share
of about
19 per cent through about 70 proposals, attracting investment worth about Rs 33,936 crore.Gujarat, which received 131 FDI proposals, ranked third with a share of over 11 per cent attracting proposed
investment worth Rs 20,258 crore.
19 per cent through about 70 proposals, attracting investment worth about Rs 33,936 crore.Gujarat, which received 131 FDI proposals, ranked third with a share of over 11 per cent attracting proposed
investment worth Rs 20,258 crore.
Jaane Apna Rajasthan’
scheme for NRIs
The Rajasthan Government on 27 Aug
launched a scheme aimed at making the young non-resident Indians(NRIs)
familiar, with the culture and traditions of the state under the ‘ Jaane Apna
Rajasthan’(Know your Rjasthan)scheme announced by the chief Minister Ashok
Gehlot. According to this scheme the NRIs who visit Rajasthan will be taken
around” historical places, tourist attractions,sanctuaries,famous educational
institutions, ancestral villages and major Industrial projects” will be shown
to them .
CONFERENCES
Cairns in Australia
to host G20 financeministers meet in 2014
The Prime Minister Gillard announced on
05 August 2012, the tropical northen Australian city of Cairns will host a
meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in 2014.
The eleventh Energy
Efficient Summit
The Confederation of Indian Industry
(CII) Summit held in HICC, Novotel Hyderabad. The summit was held between 22
August 2012 to 25 August 2012.The objective of the summit was to facilitate the
Indian industry to improve energy efficiency on a continuous basis and help
them in achieving the target set as part of Perform Achieve and Trade under the
National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency. It was ended on 31st August 2012.
16th Non Alignment
Movement in Iran
The Two-day meet of the 120 grouping of
nations takes place at Tehran in Iran. The key issues like the worsening
situation of Syria, Iran’s nuclear programme and other matters of global are
main agenda of this NAM summit which opened on 30
Aug 2012. Prime Minister Manmohan singh is leading the Indian delegation to the summit, which is being attended by over 30 Heads of state and government. This summit ended on 31 August, 2012.
Aug 2012. Prime Minister Manmohan singh is leading the Indian delegation to the summit, which is being attended by over 30 Heads of state and government. This summit ended on 31 August, 2012.
AWARDS & HONOURS
Ashok sen received Yuri
Milner award
Ashok Sen who is working in Harish
chandra research institute as scientist in physics got Yuri Milner
Fundamental Physics prize of worth Rs 16.7Crore(USD $3 million) on 1st August
2012.This Fundamental Physics prize has been established by Russian Business
man Yuri Milner , which is three times more than Noble prize. He has been
recognised for his work on ‘String Theory’.
“NASI- Reliance
Industries Platinum Jubilee Award 2012” for Bhadra
Dr. Manik Pal Bandra, Principal
scientist of chemical biology division,CSIR Indian Institute of Chemical
Technology Hyderabad, has been selected for the “ NASI- Reliance Industries
Platinum Jubilee award 2012”. Dr.Bhadra was nominated for the award by the
National Academy of science for significant contribution in the area of
applications of orientedinnovations in biological sciences for 2012. He was
given this for his involvement in the synthesizing or
orally administered next generation nano particles to deliver material like DNA an RNA for effective gene therapy. This award will be presented on November 29,2012 at New Delhi.
orally administered next generation nano particles to deliver material like DNA an RNA for effective gene therapy. This award will be presented on November 29,2012 at New Delhi.
Sastra Ramanujan
Prize to Zhiwei Yun
The 2012 sastra Ramanujan prize will be
given to the Professor Zhiwei on December 22, The birth anniversary of
mathematical genius Ramanujan, in New Delhi. The award will be given away
during the closing ceremony of the International conference in the legacy of
Ramanujan, organized by the National Board of Higher Mathematics of India &
co-sponsored by sastra University and Delhi University. prof.Zhiwei Yun has made fundamental contributions to sevaral areas that lie at the interface of representation theory. This Prize will be given to under 32 age, at the same age as Ramanujan died.
co-sponsored by sastra University and Delhi University. prof.Zhiwei Yun has made fundamental contributions to sevaral areas that lie at the interface of representation theory. This Prize will be given to under 32 age, at the same age as Ramanujan died.
Rajiv Gandhi
Sadbhavana award for D.R.Mehta
Renowned social worker DR Mehta,
founder and chief patron of the organization that popularized the Jaipur Foot,
has been selected for the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award for the year
2012. D.R. Mehta will present the 20th Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavna Award at
a function New Delhi on 20 Aug 2012.The award, which carries a citation and
cash of Rs 5 lakh, is being given to Mehta, a former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India, for his “outstanding contribution towards promotion of communal harmony, peace and goodwill”.Former recipients of the award include Mother Teresa, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Lata Mangeshkar, Sunil Dutt, S.N. Subbarao and Dilip Kumar.
cash of Rs 5 lakh, is being given to Mehta, a former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India, for his “outstanding contribution towards promotion of communal harmony, peace and goodwill”.Former recipients of the award include Mother Teresa, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Lata Mangeshkar, Sunil Dutt, S.N. Subbarao and Dilip Kumar.
NRI heart surgeon Dr
Mukesh Hariawala
chosen for ‘India’s Most Admired
Surgeon’award India born internationally acclaimed NRI HeartSurgeon and
Research Scientist from the famed Harvard University, Dr Mukesh Hariawala, has
been unanimously selected by the National Healthcare jury to be honored with
the prestigious ‘India’s Most Admired Surgeon 2012 Award’.
NASI awarded for IICT
Scientist
Dr.SuryaPrakash Singh ,Scientist of
Inorganic and Physical Division, CSIR – Indian Institute of Chemical Technology
in Hyderabad has been selected for NASI(National Academy of
Science,India)-Young Scientist PlatinumAward 2012.
Jaipur Bags JRD TATa
Award for Health schemes
Odisha’s Jaipur district has bagged the
coveted fifth“JRD Tata Memorial Award 2011” for Population reproductive health
and Family planning programme. The award was presented by the Nobel Laureate
Amartyasen at JRD Tata memorial Award and Oration Function held in New
Delhi.
Indian Urdu
Literature to get Rare Pakistani’s Honour
An Urdu literature Professor Gopi Chand
Marang’s name figures in the list of Civilian honours announced by Pakistan on
its Independence day. He has been confered”Sitara-i-Imtiaz”(Star of excellence)
the third highest civilian honour bestowed by the nation.He received the “
Padma Bhushan”. It was great that an Indian selected for Pakistan’s highest
honour
for his selfless work for urdu. eminent poet Josh Mahihabadi also selected for “ Hilal-i-Imtiaz’.
for his selfless work for urdu. eminent poet Josh Mahihabadi also selected for “ Hilal-i-Imtiaz’.
P.K.B Pattnaik
Honoured with Damien -Dutton Award
State Leprosy Officer P.K.B. Pattnaik,
has been selected for the coveted Damien-dutton award for the year2012 for his
work in the field of leprosy eradication. Mother Teresa, Babu Amte and
Dr.Dharmendra has given this award. He is an
Odisha doctor. He said that”We have been able to treat 12 lakh leprosy patients, rehabited 40,000 patients with leprosy and performed surgical defromitry correction on 3,500 patients”.
Odisha doctor. He said that”We have been able to treat 12 lakh leprosy patients, rehabited 40,000 patients with leprosy and performed surgical defromitry correction on 3,500 patients”.
Gruber cosmology
Prize 2012 to Charles L Bennett
Johns Hopkins University professor
Charles L. Bennett and members of the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe
(WMAP) space mission that he led will receive the Gruber Foundation’s 2012 Cosmology
Prize in Beijing, China.Bennett and the 26-member WMAP team will
share the $500,000 prize and are being recognized by the foundation for
their transformative study of an ancient light dating back to the infant
universe.
“The Best Story”
Award for Indo-American
Indian American Rajan Gangahar has won
the “Best Story” award for the movie “Kushiyaan” at the Punjabi International
film Academy Award (PIFAA) held in Toronto. New york based Rajan was presented
with the award at a function held in
Toronto. His first film as a story writer, Rajan wrote dialogue and scree play for “Khushiyaan”, made by another Indo-American Trilok Malik.
Toronto. His first film as a story writer, Rajan wrote dialogue and scree play for “Khushiyaan”, made by another Indo-American Trilok Malik.
Pakistan’s Highest
Civilian Award to Saadat Hasan Manto
The Writer Saadat Hasan Manto
Posthumously received the Pakistan’s Highest award”Nisan-i- Imtiaz”. He died at
42 in 1955, Manto is best known for his short stories, especially he
explored the impact of the partition of the subcontinent into India &
Pakistan in 1947. along with Manto, renowned singer Mehdi Hassan was also
Posthumously honoured with “Nishan-i-Imtiaz” Hassan Popularly known as the
“Shahenshah-e-Ghazil” who died in June 2012 at the age of 84.
Delhi Scientist Aditi
Mukherji won Morman Baorlaug award
A Delhi based scientist, Aditi Mukherji
has won the world’s most prestigious award for young researchers in food and
water management, named after the father of India’s Green revolution Norman
Borlaug on 29 Aug 2012. The World food prize Foundation started by Borlaug has
picked Mukherji for the first ever Norman Borlaug award for his application of
work in transforming access to water for thousands of farmers in west Bengla.
The award comes with $10,000 prize. It will present to Mukherji on October 17
in Dea Moines , lawa US.
Indian American
selected as Presidential Innovation Fellow
Indian American entrepreneur Karl Mehta
has been selected among the 18 ‘Presidential Innovation Fellows’ who will work
on five ‘high-impact’ projects in the US capital.Selected from an applicant
pool of nearly 700 innovators from across the
country, the “Fellows” would spend six months in Washington DC to work on five high-impact projects aimed at upporting entrepreneurs, small businesses and the economy, while significantly improving how the Federal Government serves the American people.
country, the “Fellows” would spend six months in Washington DC to work on five high-impact projects aimed at upporting entrepreneurs, small businesses and the economy, while significantly improving how the Federal Government serves the American people.
Utsa Patnaik gets
V.V. Giri award
The V.V. Giri Memorial Award 2011 for
outstanding contribution to labour studies was conferred on Utsa Patnaik,
Professor in Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi on 29 August 2012. The
award, instituted by the V.V Giri National Labour Institute, was
conferred by Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge, who stressed on the importance
of
systematic and sound research to understand the nature and characteristics of the emerging labour landscape.
systematic and sound research to understand the nature and characteristics of the emerging labour landscape.
University of Calicut
to honour Montek, M.S. Swaminathan, Fathima Beevi
University of Calicut will confer
honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) degrees on noted agriculture scientist
M.S. Swaminathan, economist and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek
Singh Ahluwalia and jurist and former Supreme Court judge Fathima Beevi.
“Young woman In
Science Award” for Indian Origin Sorojini Nadar
Indian Origin has been selected for a
prestigious science award in south Africa for her contribution to the
avancement of science and building the knowledge base.Sarojini Nadar has
been named the winner of the Distinguished Young Women in Science
Award, which was announced by Naledi Pandor, South African Minister of Science
and Technology.
Eight Sporting
Coaches received Dronacharya Award for
2012
Dronacharya Award is an award presented
by the government of India for excellence in sports coaching. Eight Sporting
Coaches selected for the Dronacharya Award for 2012 are Wrestling coach Yashvir
Singh, Boxing Coach BI Fernandez, Athletics Coaches Virender Poonia,
J.N.Bhatia, Kabaddi Coach Sunil Davas, Parathletics Coach Dr. Satyapaul ,
Hockey Coach Harinder Singh, Table Tennis Coach Bhavani Mukherjee,.Fernandez
will become the first foreign coach to be awarded the the Dronacharya Award
Arjuna Awards:
Deepika Kumari , Laishram Bombayla Devi
(archery),
Sudha Singh , Kavita Ramdas Raut
(athletics),
Ashwani Ponnappa , Parupalli Kashyap
(badminton),
Aditya S Mehta (billiards and Snooker),
Vikas Krishan (boxing),
Yuvraj Singh (cricket),
Sardar Singh (hockey),
Yashpal Solanki (judo),
Anup Kumar (kabaddi),
Samir Suhag (polo),
Annu Raj Singh, Omkar Singh, Joydeep
Karmakar (shooting),
Deepika Pallikal (squash),
Sandeep Sejwal (swimming),
Ng. Sonia Chanu (weightlifting),
Narsingh Yadav , Rajinder Kumar , Geeta
Phogat (wrestling),
M. Bimoljit Singh (wushu),
Deepa Mallick, Ramkaran Singh
(athletics, Paralympics).
Four Sports persons
receive Dhyan Chand Award-2012
Dhyan Chand Award is India’s highest
award for lifetime achievement in sports and games, given by the Government of
India. Four persons selected for the Dhyan Chand Award-2012 are Jagrajsinghman
(Athletics), Gundeep Kumar(Hockey), Vinod Kumar (wrestling), Sukhbeer Singh
Tokan (para sports).
9 Indian- Americans
Awarded for Enhancing Indo-US Ties
9 Indian- Americans were awarded by
Indo American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) for their
contribution towards enhancing relationships between India & US. The 2012
Excellence Award, was presented to Suresh
Khator. RK Chopra was awarded International Business Advocate of the Year. Woman entrepreneur of the year award was presented to Vijay Dhingra and Pushpa Shenoy.
Khator. RK Chopra was awarded International Business Advocate of the Year. Woman entrepreneur of the year award was presented to Vijay Dhingra and Pushpa Shenoy.
SPORTS & GAMES
Olympics 2012
The 30th Olympics 2012 held at London
on 27 July and ended on 12 August. This is a 17 days Festival of Five
Rings. There are 204 countries and more than 10,000 athletes participated in
300 events. US secured top place in medals of acquiring 104 medals in
total, 46 gold, 29 silver and 29 bronze. the next place occupied by China of 99
medals. Britain stood at 3rd place of acquiring 65 medals in total. India stood
at 55th place by acquiring 6 medals in total, 2 silver and 4 bronze. India got
6 medals among 81 athletes who participated in London Olympics. The next
Olympics will be host by Rio De Janeiro on
2016. The Winter Olympics 2014 will be host by Russia, Sochi.
2016. The Winter Olympics 2014 will be host by Russia, Sochi.
The name of the
Indian Medalists are
1. Gagan Narang won the bronze Medal in
the event of Men’s 10m. Air Rifle shooting.
2. Vijay Kumar won the Silver Medal in
the event of individual 25 metre rapid fire pistol. He was awarded Khel Ratna
by the Government of India of his performance
inLondon Olympics 2012.
3. Saina Nehwal won the Bronze medal in
the Event of Badminton Women’s Singles.
4. Mary Kom won the bronze medal in the
event of Women’s Fly 51kg. Boxing.
5. Yogeswar Dutt won the bronze medal
in the event of Men’s 60kg. Free style wrestling. He was awarded Khel Ratna by
the Government of India of his performance in London Olympics 2012.
6. Sushil kumar who is an Indian Flag
Bearer and also won Silver Medal in the event of Men’s 66kg. Free style
wrestling.
Gold Medalists:
Andrian Clinhes Gold
by a Finger Tip
Nathan Andrian clinched the Olympic 100
m free style gold by a fingertip on 1 August 2012 to become the first American
to hold the title since 1988.
Serena Williams Wins
Olympic Gold
Serena Williams secured her first ever
gold medal victory in the women’s singles with 6-0, 6-1 win over the Russian
beauty, Maria Sharapova at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon on 4
August 2012.Serena becomes the second women to win the Olympic gold medal in
addition to all four different Grand Slam titles. she also set the record of
being the only female professional to attain the number one spot in both
singles and doubles category.
Ben Ainslie
Claims a Record
Britain’s Ben Ainslie became the most
successful Olympic sailor on 5 August 2012 won a gold medal in the single
handed finn class to claim a record breaking fifth consecutive medal.
Murray Won
Olympic Gold
Britain’s Andy Murray demolished Roger
Federer 6-2,6-1,6-4 in the men’s final on 5 Aug 2012 to wins first gold medal
ad avenge his Wimbledon final defeat against the world no1. Roger Federer
bagged Olympic Silver , Juan Martin del potro bagged copper.
Serena and Venus
Williams won Olympics Gold in Women’s Doubles
Serena and Venus Williams teamed to win
women’s doubles title at the Olympics on 5 August 2012. The third time the
dynamic duo taken Home the gold medal.
Lin Defends Olympic
Badminton Gold
China’s Lin Dan over hauled Lee Chong
Wei in the final to win Olympic men’s badminton singles on 5 August 2012.
Salimikordasiabi Won
Olympic Gold
Inran’s Beh Salmi Kordasiabi won gold
in the event of weightlifting competition at London to claim the title of
“Strongest man at the Olympics”. He lifted 455 kg in total.silver for sajjad
Anoushiravani. He is from Iran. Bronze for Russia’s Rulsan ALbegor with 448kg.
Sally Pearson Won
100m Hurdled Olympic Gold
Sally Pearson an Australian Won 100m
hurdles Olympic Gold. She made an Olympic record time of 12.35seconds at
Olympic Stadium, London. The Victory margin record time of 12.37 seconds
made by Joanna Hayes of US in Athens.
Decathlon Gold for
Ashton eaton
Decathlon is the toughest event in the
Olympics. which consists of 10 events as one event.On 10 Aug America based
Ashton eaton who is an Olympic Gold winner of Decathlon of total of 8,869
points made at London. Previously he made a World Record by acquiring 9,026
points at U.S. Olympic trials.
Yodisha Won Women’s
Wrestling Title
Japan’s saori Yodish won a third Olympic
55 kg women’s free style Wrestling title on 9 August 2012.
Women’s Soccer Won By
America
The U. S Women’s Football team won its
third straight Olympic medal on 9 August 2012 by beating Japan of 2-1.The
midfielder Carli Lloyd, who made critical 2 goals to
America’s victory.
Oscar Pistorius
South African athlete Oscar Pistorius
made a history when he became the first double amputee to participate in an
athletics event of 400meters at the Olympics on 04 August 2012.
Olympic Swimming:
Power Ranking Michael Phelps’ 18 Gold Medal Performances
Michael Phelps is an American swimmer
who has won 22 Olympic medals (18 Gold, 2 Silver, & 2 Bronze). He is an
Olympic legend who broke the record for most medals while participating at the
London 2012 games. Michael Phelps swam in four Olympic Games. He broke 39 world
records. He beat the record of Larisa Latynina Soviet Union gymnast.
Nicola Adams wins
first ever women boxing gold
Britain’s Nicola Adams became the first
ever Olympic women’s boxing champion with a 16-7 flyweight final win over
China’s world champion Ren Cancan on 9 August 2012.
Lysenko bags Gold
World champion Tatyana Lysenko of
Russia added the Olympic gold to her collections with an Olympic record 78.18m
in women’s hammer throw at the Olympic stadium on 10 August 2012.
Roger Federer and
Lina were Crowned the
Cincinnati Masters Tennis Championship
World No.1 Tennis player Roger Federer won a record fifth Western and Southern
open title (Cincinnati Masters) at Cincinnati on 19 August 2012. Federer beat
second seeded Novak Djokovic 6-0, 7-6. This was the first time when top seeded
men’s players clashed in the final.
India beat Australia
to win Under-19 World Cup
India won their third Under-19 World
Cup title as captain Unmukt Chand saved his best for last, coming up with a
crucial, unbeaten ton in the final against Australia on 26 August 2012.
New Heaven Open title
to Czench star
Petra kvitova beat Maria Kirilenko on 25 Aug to win the New Haven Open, the Czech star’s second WTA tournament title.
Petra kvitova beat Maria Kirilenko on 25 Aug to win the New Haven Open, the Czech star’s second WTA tournament title.
South Africa’s Hashim
Amla becomes fasters
players to 3,000 ODI runs South Africa’s Hashim Amla became the fastest player to 3,000 one-day international runs during the course of his 150 that set up the Proteas’ 80- run win over England at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
players to 3,000 ODI runs South Africa’s Hashim Amla became the fastest player to 3,000 one-day international runs during the course of his 150 that set up the Proteas’ 80- run win over England at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
Lydia Ko won CN
Canadian Women’s Open LPGA Golf
Lydia Ko Won CN Canadian Women’s Open LPGA Golf on 26 Aug to become the youngest winner in LPGA Tour History and only the fifth amateur championship. she is 15-year-old .
Lydia Ko Won CN Canadian Women’s Open LPGA Golf on 26 Aug to become the youngest winner in LPGA Tour History and only the fifth amateur championship. she is 15-year-old .
US PGA Golf champion
is Rory Mccllroy
Rory Mallory won US PGA Golf
Championship at kaiwah Island on 12 August 2012.This is his second major title
with a record setting eight shot victory. The Northern Irishman,23, hit a
six-under 66 to finish 13 under and return to world number one.
Dhoni named Castrol
Indian cricketer of the year
The Castrol Awards for Cricketing
Excellence are the premier cricketing awards recognizing outstanding
performances by Indian cricketers – past, present and future. Mahendra
Singh Dhoni was declared the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year
2011 whilst Ajit Wadekar received the Castrol Lifetime Achievement Award and India’s Under 19 World Cup winning Captain Unmukt Chand was awarded the Castrol Junior Cricketer of the Year Award.
2011 whilst Ajit Wadekar received the Castrol Lifetime Achievement Award and India’s Under 19 World Cup winning Captain Unmukt Chand was awarded the Castrol Junior Cricketer of the Year Award.
V.V.S. Laxman retired
from international cricket
V.V.S. Laxman retired from
international cricket on 18 August 2012. He played 134 tests, amazing 8781 runs
and an coverage of 45.97 and hitting 17 hundreds. He played 86 ODI for an
aggregate of 2338 runs at an average of 30.76.
Life Long Ban on
Lance Armstrong
The U.S. anti doping agency 14 years of
Lance Armstrong strong career on 24 Aug , including his record of seven tour
de France Titles and banned him for life from the sport. He was cyclist
who retired an year ago. He would no longer challenge USDA and declined to
exercise his last option by entering arbitration. He denied again that he ever
took banned substances in his career, called USADA’s Investigation a “witch
hunt” without any physical evidence.
ECONOMY
China’s millionaire
number crosses million mark
“The number of millionaires in China
crossed a million mark for the first in the Communist nation, putting it in the
elite club of the wealthy nations like US and Japan. The elite millionaires
group includes 63,500 billionaires, according to Hurun Report, a Chinese
event and publishing group which compiled the China’s list of the rich.The
number of Chinese
worth more than 10 million yuan (USD 1.6 million) broke the million mark in 2011 for the first time, with 1.02 million people now in this elite group. Of these million-plus wealthy individuals, 84 per cent are concentrated in the eastern, northern and southern regions of China, with Beijing home to the greatest number, at 1.79 lakh millionaires.
worth more than 10 million yuan (USD 1.6 million) broke the million mark in 2011 for the first time, with 1.02 million people now in this elite group. Of these million-plus wealthy individuals, 84 per cent are concentrated in the eastern, northern and southern regions of China, with Beijing home to the greatest number, at 1.79 lakh millionaires.
Crisil Research cuts
2012-13 GDP growth forecast to 5.5%
Crisil Research has cut India’s real GDP growth forecast for 2012-13 from 6.5 per cent to 5.5 per cent. This downward revision in GDP is due to deficient monsoon and worsening of the Euro Zone economic outlook.
Crisil Research has cut India’s real GDP growth forecast for 2012-13 from 6.5 per cent to 5.5 per cent. This downward revision in GDP is due to deficient monsoon and worsening of the Euro Zone economic outlook.
CIBIL working on Risk
Index to help banks
Credit Information Bureau (India) Ltd
(CIBIL) is planning to introduce a risk index that will help the country’s
banks take quicker decisions on extending loans to corporates and business
houses. The index follows the credit information firm’s TransUnion score for
individual borrowers being used by financial institutions and banks to take
decisions in respect
of credit cards and home loans. “Any individual with over 750 score can be considered as good”.
of credit cards and home loans. “Any individual with over 750 score can be considered as good”.
P.M.’s Economic Panel
Lowers the Indian
Growth Estimate to 6.7% for 2012-13
Prime Minister’s economic advisory panel on 17 August 2012 pegged GDP growth
for the current financial year to 6.7 percent. This is mainly due to poor
Monsoon which will pull down the agriculture
growth rate to 0.5 percent from 2.8 percent last year. “Economy will grow at 6.7 percent in 2012- 13, Prime Minister’s economic Advisory council (PMEAC) chairman C.Rangarajan said that while releasing “Economic outlook for 2012-13”. He asked the government to open multi – brand retail to foreign investment and raise diesel prices in one (or) more steps to contain the subsidy bill. India has registered 6.5% growth in the fiscal year 2011- 12. Which was the lowest in the past nine years.
growth rate to 0.5 percent from 2.8 percent last year. “Economy will grow at 6.7 percent in 2012- 13, Prime Minister’s economic Advisory council (PMEAC) chairman C.Rangarajan said that while releasing “Economic outlook for 2012-13”. He asked the government to open multi – brand retail to foreign investment and raise diesel prices in one (or) more steps to contain the subsidy bill. India has registered 6.5% growth in the fiscal year 2011- 12. Which was the lowest in the past nine years.
Government Detected
Rs.49,325 crore Black Money in India
Government said that Rs.49,325 crore
has been detected in the country in the last three years while tax evasion of
Rs.600 crore found on input from abroad under multi-prolonged efforts to heck
black money menance. this information has been contained in a 13 page
fact-sheet released by the Finance Ministry.The fact-sheet say the Central
Board of Direct Taxes(CBDT) has detected undisclosed income of over
Rs.32,000 crore besides seizing assets valued at over Rs 2,600 crores.
17,325 crore income detected in survey. Government also disclosed that under
Double Avoidance agreement(DTAA), investigation of information from German and
France has led to detection of tax evasion of Rs.600 crore and
realization of Rs.200 crore in taxes.
Union Finance
Minister Approved the Proposal FDI raise up to 49%
The Union Finance Minister
P.Chidambaram approved the raise of FDI in Insurance and Pension sector
up to 49%. Earlier the limit of FDI was up to 26%. This Proposal of
49% raise of FDI was made during the tenure of Pranab mukherjee. It was
delayed because of resistance from the cronies.
ISC directs Sahara
Group to refund Rs 17,400 crore to investors
In a major setback to the Sahara Group,
the Supreme Court on 31st August 2012 directed two of its companies to refund
around Rs 17,400 crore to their investors within three months with 15 percent
interest.A bench of justices K S Radhakrishnan and J S Khehar directed SEBI to
take action against the companies, Sahara India Real Estate Corporation
and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation, if they fail to refund the money.
and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation, if they fail to refund the money.
India, China joint
panel to address trade concerns
India and China have agreed to
establish a joint working group to address all trade-related issues, including
the widening trade balance between the countries. The decision was taken at a
meeting between trade minister Anand Sharma and his
Chinese counterpart Chen Deming in New Delhi on 27th August 2012.Trade between the countries was $75.4 billion in 2011-12, against $59 billion in 2010- 11. In 2011-12, exports to China stood at $17.9 billion while imports from there stood at $57.5 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $39.6 billion.
Chinese counterpart Chen Deming in New Delhi on 27th August 2012.Trade between the countries was $75.4 billion in 2011-12, against $59 billion in 2010- 11. In 2011-12, exports to China stood at $17.9 billion while imports from there stood at $57.5 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $39.6 billion.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
SPOT6 reached to SHAR
The Satish Dawan Space Centre in Nellore district at Sriharikota will launching PSLV C-21 rocket(100th rocket) with French satellite SPOT6(800kg) and a small Japanese satellite weighing around 15kg in the month of September.This is the hundredth rocket in the 49 years of ISRO history.
The Satish Dawan Space Centre in Nellore district at Sriharikota will launching PSLV C-21 rocket(100th rocket) with French satellite SPOT6(800kg) and a small Japanese satellite weighing around 15kg in the month of September.This is the hundredth rocket in the 49 years of ISRO history.
Cabinet Clears Mars
mission
The Union Cabinet on 03 August 2012 cleared the Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO) mission to Mars next year November The project envisages putting a spacecraft in the red planet’s orbit to study its atmosphere with the help of the polar Satellite launch vehicle. 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 its proposed to be placed in an orbit of 500 x 80,000 km around the planet.The mission is estimated to cost about Rs $450 crore.
The Union Cabinet on 03 August 2012 cleared the Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO) mission to Mars next year November The project envisages putting a spacecraft in the red planet’s orbit to study its atmosphere with the help of the polar Satellite launch vehicle. 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 its proposed to be placed in an orbit of 500 x 80,000 km around the planet.The mission is estimated to cost about Rs $450 crore.
Curiosity Landed on
Red Planet
The Robotic Explorer Curiosity blazed through the pink skies of mars, steering itself to gentle landing inside again crater for the most ambitious dig yet into the red planet. It was NASA’s seventh landing on earth’s Neighbor.In November 2011 American Space Research Centre NASA Launched the curiosity into the space. On 6 Aug 2012 the Curiosity landed safely on the Mars.The Voyage to Mars took more than eight months and spanned 352m million miles(566 million kilometers). It sliced through Martian atmosphere ay 13,000mph(21,000kph). The first of what scientists predict will be enormous
amounts of Information, Including a possible answer to whether Mars ever supported conditions for Organic life, to find evidence of life itself,alive or fossilized-its raft of 10 scientific instruments will hunt for carbon based compounds considered essential to microbial life. It stays 2 years in Mars to collect all these Information. This is the next space mission of NASA after 1970. Ashwini, Indo-American scientist involved in this mission.
The Robotic Explorer Curiosity blazed through the pink skies of mars, steering itself to gentle landing inside again crater for the most ambitious dig yet into the red planet. It was NASA’s seventh landing on earth’s Neighbor.In November 2011 American Space Research Centre NASA Launched the curiosity into the space. On 6 Aug 2012 the Curiosity landed safely on the Mars.The Voyage to Mars took more than eight months and spanned 352m million miles(566 million kilometers). It sliced through Martian atmosphere ay 13,000mph(21,000kph). The first of what scientists predict will be enormous
amounts of Information, Including a possible answer to whether Mars ever supported conditions for Organic life, to find evidence of life itself,alive or fossilized-its raft of 10 scientific instruments will hunt for carbon based compounds considered essential to microbial life. It stays 2 years in Mars to collect all these Information. This is the next space mission of NASA after 1970. Ashwini, Indo-American scientist involved in this mission.
NASA picks 3 firms to
develop space taxis
NASA picks 3 firms to develop space taxis,the companies are the Boeing Co,Space Exploration Technologies called SpaceX, and Sierra Nvada Corp.
NASA picks 3 firms to develop space taxis,the companies are the Boeing Co,Space Exploration Technologies called SpaceX, and Sierra Nvada Corp.
A new oxidant in the
atmosphere identified
Scientists have found for the first time unequivocal evidence of another oxidant playing a vital role in the formation of gaseous sulphuric acid in the atmosphere. Until now, it was thought that the combination of OH (hydroxyl radical) oxidant with sulphur dioxide (SO) was the dominant way by which gaseous sulphuric acid is formed in the atmosphere. They found the new oxidant has “significant capacity” to oxidise sulphur dioxide.
Scientists have found for the first time unequivocal evidence of another oxidant playing a vital role in the formation of gaseous sulphuric acid in the atmosphere. Until now, it was thought that the combination of OH (hydroxyl radical) oxidant with sulphur dioxide (SO) was the dominant way by which gaseous sulphuric acid is formed in the atmosphere. They found the new oxidant has “significant capacity” to oxidise sulphur dioxide.
Largest 3D Map of
Galaxies
Astronomers have unveiled the largest ever 3D map of the sky, encompassing massive galaxies and distance black holes, based on sloan digital sky survey III(SDSS- III). These galaxies are captures by a 2.5 meter wide -angle telescope located at the Apache Point observatory in New Mexico.The release Includes of 200 million galaxies and spectra of 1.35 million galaxies, according to a Harvardsmith soniam statement with SDSS-III.
Astronomers have unveiled the largest ever 3D map of the sky, encompassing massive galaxies and distance black holes, based on sloan digital sky survey III(SDSS- III). These galaxies are captures by a 2.5 meter wide -angle telescope located at the Apache Point observatory in New Mexico.The release Includes of 200 million galaxies and spectra of 1.35 million galaxies, according to a Harvardsmith soniam statement with SDSS-III.
Agni-II Test Fired
Successfully
Surface to Surface missile Agni-II soared to a successfully test fired on 9 august 2012 at Wheeler Island of the Odisha. It have a height of 20km and weighted as 17 tonnes and have the capacity to carry a nuclear war head of weighing one ton. The missile Ranging Agni-I 700km , Agni-II 2,000 km , Agni- III-3,300km. The future projects are Agni 4 andAgni 5 to launch.
Surface to Surface missile Agni-II soared to a successfully test fired on 9 august 2012 at Wheeler Island of the Odisha. It have a height of 20km and weighted as 17 tonnes and have the capacity to carry a nuclear war head of weighing one ton. The missile Ranging Agni-I 700km , Agni-II 2,000 km , Agni- III-3,300km. The future projects are Agni 4 andAgni 5 to launch.
Print High Resolution
Images Without Ink aNew Technology Developed
The team of scientists with Indian origin has developed a new technology of printing high resolution images without ink. The Institute of materials research and Engineering in Singapore has demonstrated that 1,00,000 dots per inch(dpi) can
produce sharp and full spectrum color images.Which can be applicable in reflect colour displays , anti-counterfeiting, and high density optical recording.Karthik Kumar says that size and spacing of the nanodots is critical to the final image quality. “The closer the dots are together and because of their small size, the higher the resolution of the image.
The team of scientists with Indian origin has developed a new technology of printing high resolution images without ink. The Institute of materials research and Engineering in Singapore has demonstrated that 1,00,000 dots per inch(dpi) can
produce sharp and full spectrum color images.Which can be applicable in reflect colour displays , anti-counterfeiting, and high density optical recording.Karthik Kumar says that size and spacing of the nanodots is critical to the final image quality. “The closer the dots are together and because of their small size, the higher the resolution of the image.
Nanotechnology for
Solar panel efficiency
A University of Houston researchers has developed a nano particle coating for solar panel that makes it easier to keep them clean. This helps in keeping them efficient and cuts maintains cost. NASA spies cosmic supermom Scientists have found a cosmic supermom, a galaxy that gives birth to more stars in a day than Earth’s does in a year. Astronomers used NASA’s Chandra X-ray telescope to spot this distant gigantic galaxy creating about 740 new stars a year. By comparison,
our Milky Way Galaxy spawns just about one new star each year.
A University of Houston researchers has developed a nano particle coating for solar panel that makes it easier to keep them clean. This helps in keeping them efficient and cuts maintains cost. NASA spies cosmic supermom Scientists have found a cosmic supermom, a galaxy that gives birth to more stars in a day than Earth’s does in a year. Astronomers used NASA’s Chandra X-ray telescope to spot this distant gigantic galaxy creating about 740 new stars a year. By comparison,
our Milky Way Galaxy spawns just about one new star each year.
Prithvi-II missile
test, a Success
The strategic Forces Command, which is in charge of nuclear weapons, successfully fired the surface to surface Prithvi-II missile from Chandipur in Odisha’s Balasore district on 25th August 2012, confirming yet again that the armed forces are
capable of launching nuclear missiles independently.
The strategic Forces Command, which is in charge of nuclear weapons, successfully fired the surface to surface Prithvi-II missile from Chandipur in Odisha’s Balasore district on 25th August 2012, confirming yet again that the armed forces are
capable of launching nuclear missiles independently.
China Military test
fires 14,000km range missile
The china central television(CCTV) reported that the china’s military had successfully tested the new 14,000 rang Dong feng-41 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). It have the capacity to carry 10 nuclear war heads.
The china central television(CCTV) reported that the china’s military had successfully tested the new 14,000 rang Dong feng-41 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). It have the capacity to carry 10 nuclear war heads.
Blue moon on 31st
August 2012
When a full moon appears in the night sky for the second time in a calendar month ,it is called a ‘blue oon’.The next blue moon will occur on July 31,2015.
When a full moon appears in the night sky for the second time in a calendar month ,it is called a ‘blue oon’.The next blue moon will occur on July 31,2015.
In US, India’s First
C-17 transport aircraft takes shape
Now the Indian Air Force is planned to introduce a C-17 Globemaster III heavy lift military planes in place of old Cargo planes for the next year June. So India made deal with Boeing for $410 crores in the last year.C-17 has the capacity to fill oil in the air.
Now the Indian Air Force is planned to introduce a C-17 Globemaster III heavy lift military planes in place of old Cargo planes for the next year June. So India made deal with Boeing for $410 crores in the last year.C-17 has the capacity to fill oil in the air.
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) Appointments
Sushil Kumar Shinde
as the new Leader in house of Lok Sabha
Sushile Kumar Shinde has been appointed as the new Leader in the House of Lok Sabha taking the place of Pranab Mukherjee who has now become the President on 3 August 2012.
Sushile Kumar Shinde has been appointed as the new Leader in the House of Lok Sabha taking the place of Pranab Mukherjee who has now become the President on 3 August 2012.
Hyderabadi Advocate
becomes a Vice-Chairman of ABA
Hyderabad based lawyer Mr.JLN Murthy has been appointed to the Vice-Chairman of the AmericanBar Association Section of International Law, Europe Committee, for the year 2012-13.The main aim of this association is to focus on several international legal issues.
Hyderabad based lawyer Mr.JLN Murthy has been appointed to the Vice-Chairman of the AmericanBar Association Section of International Law, Europe Committee, for the year 2012-13.The main aim of this association is to focus on several international legal issues.
Nasim Ahmad Zaidi is
new election commissioner
Former civil aviation secretary Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi was 7 August 2012, appointed an election commissioner by President Pranab Mukherjee.The former EC V.S. Sampath took charge as CEC(Chief Election Commissioner.
Former civil aviation secretary Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi was 7 August 2012, appointed an election commissioner by President Pranab Mukherjee.The former EC V.S. Sampath took charge as CEC(Chief Election Commissioner.
Dimple Yadav and M.
Raja Mohan Reddy takes oath as Lok Sabha member
Dimple Yadav, the wife of Uttar Pradesh
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, 8 August 2012 took oath as a Lok Sabha member
from Kannauj. She had won the by-election, caused by her husband’s resignation,
unopposed in June.Along with Yadav,
M. Raja Mohan Reddy, the newly-elected MP from Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, also took oath. Reddy is from the YSR Congress.
M. Raja Mohan Reddy, the newly-elected MP from Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, also took oath. Reddy is from the YSR Congress.
Raghuram Rajan is
chief economic advisor
The government has issued formal orders to appoint Raghuram Rajan, former International Monetary Fund chief economist, as the chief economic advisor in the finance ministry. The economist, who is currently a professor at Chicago University’s Booth School of Business, is not expected to take charge for the next few weeks due to academic commitments. Rajan will take over at a time when the government is trying to combat a hostile economic climate.
The government has issued formal orders to appoint Raghuram Rajan, former International Monetary Fund chief economist, as the chief economic advisor in the finance ministry. The economist, who is currently a professor at Chicago University’s Booth School of Business, is not expected to take charge for the next few weeks due to academic commitments. Rajan will take over at a time when the government is trying to combat a hostile economic climate.
Cabinet nod for
Customs’ first-ever woman chief
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has given its nod for Praveen Mahajan to be a full-fledged Chairperson of the Central Board of Excise and Customs(CBEC). She is the first lady ever to head the highest policy-making body on indirect
taxes.Prior to this elevation, she was Member (Personnel and Vigilance) in the CBEC from August 2011.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has given its nod for Praveen Mahajan to be a full-fledged Chairperson of the Central Board of Excise and Customs(CBEC). She is the first lady ever to head the highest policy-making body on indirect
taxes.Prior to this elevation, she was Member (Personnel and Vigilance) in the CBEC from August 2011.
Ansari takes oath for
second term
Hamid Ansari became the second Vice-President of India to take oath of office for second consecutive terms in New Delhi on 11 August 2012 Ansari, a former diplomat, followed Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan who served two successive terms as Vice-President.
Hamid Ansari became the second Vice-President of India to take oath of office for second consecutive terms in New Delhi on 11 August 2012 Ansari, a former diplomat, followed Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan who served two successive terms as Vice-President.
Indian origin Sanjay
Reddy, appointed as the director of new York University’s Centre
New York’s leading University, the new school, has named an Indian-origin academician as director of its center of trans-regional study, which is focused on research on the relations between India, china and U.S. He associate ‘Professor of Economics,has been named academic director of the new school’s India, China Institute(ICI) along with Mark Frazier, Professor of Politics on 16 August 2012.
New York’s leading University, the new school, has named an Indian-origin academician as director of its center of trans-regional study, which is focused on research on the relations between India, china and U.S. He associate ‘Professor of Economics,has been named academic director of the new school’s India, China Institute(ICI) along with Mark Frazier, Professor of Politics on 16 August 2012.
New Envoy to Syria is
Lakhdar Brahimi
The United Nations on 17 August, 2012 confirmed that Veteran Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi will replace the former UN Secretary general Kofi Annan as the International mediator on Syria as the 17 month old conflict slides deeper into civil war. Brahimi, who served as Algeria’s foreign minister from 1991 to 1993 and joined UN in 1994 and
served various high profile positions until he retired in 2005.
The United Nations on 17 August, 2012 confirmed that Veteran Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi will replace the former UN Secretary general Kofi Annan as the International mediator on Syria as the 17 month old conflict slides deeper into civil war. Brahimi, who served as Algeria’s foreign minister from 1991 to 1993 and joined UN in 1994 and
served various high profile positions until he retired in 2005.
P.J. Kurien is Rajya
Sabha Deputy Chairman
P.J. Kurien is unanimously elected as Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha on 21 August 2012.
P.J. Kurien is unanimously elected as Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha on 21 August 2012.
Poonam Kishore Saxena
appointed as Chairman of CBDT
The government appointed Dr.Poonam Kishore Saxena,a 1975 batch IRS officer as the Chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 22nd August 2012.
The government appointed Dr.Poonam Kishore Saxena,a 1975 batch IRS officer as the Chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 22nd August 2012.
P. M. Nair Appointed
as Director General,NDRF & CD
Shri P. M. Nair, IPS has been appointed as Director General, National Disaster Response Force & Civil Defence (NDRF & CD), Ministry of Home Affairs.Shri Nair is presently working as Special Director General, Central Reserve Police Force.
Shri P. M. Nair, IPS has been appointed as Director General, National Disaster Response Force & Civil Defence (NDRF & CD), Ministry of Home Affairs.Shri Nair is presently working as Special Director General, Central Reserve Police Force.
Admiral D K Joshi
takes charge as new Navy chief
Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi took over as the new Indian Navy chief on 31st August 2012.Admiral Joshi is the 21st Chief of Naval Staff of independent India and the 19th Indian to command the Indian Navy.
Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi took over as the new Indian Navy chief on 31st August 2012.Admiral Joshi is the 21st Chief of Naval Staff of independent India and the 19th Indian to command the Indian Navy.
New President Of
Libya is Mohammad Magarief
National Assembly of Libya elected their former Opposition leader Mohammed Magarief as its New President. Mr.Magarief seen as a Moderate Islamist, will head the 200-member congress. The 72-year-old Magarief who is the head of National
front party. An economist and former Libyan ambassador to India who had lived in exile since the 1980s, Magarief was a leading figure in Libya’s oldest movement opposition movement. Magarief won 113 votes versus independent Alli zindan who secured 85 votes.
National Assembly of Libya elected their former Opposition leader Mohammed Magarief as its New President. Mr.Magarief seen as a Moderate Islamist, will head the 200-member congress. The 72-year-old Magarief who is the head of National
front party. An economist and former Libyan ambassador to India who had lived in exile since the 1980s, Magarief was a leading figure in Libya’s oldest movement opposition movement. Magarief won 113 votes versus independent Alli zindan who secured 85 votes.
New Jammu Varsity
Chancellor is Vohra
Jammu & Kashmir governor N.N.Vohra has been appointed the first chancellor of the Central University of Jammu. Pranab Mukharjee on his visit to that University appointed Mr. Vohra the chancellor if the University for a period of five years.
Jammu & Kashmir governor N.N.Vohra has been appointed the first chancellor of the Central University of Jammu. Pranab Mukharjee on his visit to that University appointed Mr. Vohra the chancellor if the University for a period of five years.
B) Resigns
Gopal Goyal Kand Home
Minster of Haryana Quits
Haryana Minster of state for home, Goyal Kanda resigned on 5 August 2012 night after a 23-year – old farmer air hosters named him in a suicide note before hanging herself.
Haryana Minster of state for home, Goyal Kanda resigned on 5 August 2012 night after a 23-year – old farmer air hosters named him in a suicide note before hanging herself.
Kofi A.Annan Resigns
as Syria Peace Envoy
FreeJobAlert.com Current Affairs 20 Kofi A.Annan resigned as the UN Peace envoy to Syria on 2 August 2012 by complaining the international community had not done enough to support his bid to persuade Bashar al-Assad to
accept a peace plan. His term as UN peace interlocutor was set to expire on 31 August 2012. Annan was appointed the UN-Arab League Peace envoy to Syria in February 2012.
FreeJobAlert.com Current Affairs 20 Kofi A.Annan resigned as the UN Peace envoy to Syria on 2 August 2012 by complaining the international community had not done enough to support his bid to persuade Bashar al-Assad to
accept a peace plan. His term as UN peace interlocutor was set to expire on 31 August 2012. Annan was appointed the UN-Arab League Peace envoy to Syria in February 2012.
Indo American Fareed
Zakaria resigned from Yale Government Board
After a long association with Yale University the noted Indo American Writer and and journalist Fareed Zakaria has resigned from its governing body to focus on journalistic career.Zakaria, who received his bachelor’s degree from the university, was associated with the Yale Corporation for past six years. The decision of Zakaria to shed some of his
non-journalistic responsibilities has come close on the heels of accusations of plagiarism against him.
After a long association with Yale University the noted Indo American Writer and and journalist Fareed Zakaria has resigned from its governing body to focus on journalistic career.Zakaria, who received his bachelor’s degree from the university, was associated with the Yale Corporation for past six years. The decision of Zakaria to shed some of his
non-journalistic responsibilities has come close on the heels of accusations of plagiarism against him.
Mohammed Tawfiq
Allawi Quit as Iraq communication Minister
Iraqi Communications minister Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi quit his post in 27 Aug accusing Prime Minister Nuri – Maliki of “Political Interference” in his ministry. Allawi’s resignation is the first by a cabinet member since Iraq’s national unity government was formed in December 2010.
Iraqi Communications minister Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi quit his post in 27 Aug accusing Prime Minister Nuri – Maliki of “Political Interference” in his ministry. Allawi’s resignation is the first by a cabinet member since Iraq’s national unity government was formed in December 2010.
C)Deaths
Contrarian Author
Gore Vidal Dies
“Writer Gore Vidal, who filler his novels and essays with acerbic observation on politics,sex and American culture. While carrying on feuds with bigname literary rivals,died on 1 August 2012 at home in Los angels of complications from pneumonia,age 86. His historical novels was ‘Burr’, ’18762 .’Lincoln’,’The Golden Age’.
“Writer Gore Vidal, who filler his novels and essays with acerbic observation on politics,sex and American culture. While carrying on feuds with bigname literary rivals,died on 1 August 2012 at home in Los angels of complications from pneumonia,age 86. His historical novels was ‘Burr’, ’18762 .’Lincoln’,’The Golden Age’.
Vilasrao Deshmukh
passes away
The Union Minister for science and Technology and Ex. chief Minister of Maharashtra Vilasrao Deshmukh ,who was suffering from sclerosis of the liver, passed away at a chennai hospital on 2012 August 14th.
The Union Minister for science and Technology and Ex. chief Minister of Maharashtra Vilasrao Deshmukh ,who was suffering from sclerosis of the liver, passed away at a chennai hospital on 2012 August 14th.
Hindi cinematographer
Ashok Mehta Passed away
The ace cinematograoher Ashok Mehta, who lost the battle with lung cancer at a mumbai hospital on 15 August 2012.The man who worked with best in the business, raging from the highly accomplished shyam benegal, Girish Karnad and shekhar Kapur, hugely populared Sunhash Ghai. He did films like Utsav, Mandi,36 chowsinghee Lane.
The ace cinematograoher Ashok Mehta, who lost the battle with lung cancer at a mumbai hospital on 15 August 2012.The man who worked with best in the business, raging from the highly accomplished shyam benegal, Girish Karnad and shekhar Kapur, hugely populared Sunhash Ghai. He did films like Utsav, Mandi,36 chowsinghee Lane.
Science Friction
Writer Harry Harrison Passed Away
American Author Harry Harrison has died in Britain on 16 august 2012 at 87. He was best known for his”The Stainless Steel rat” series. His 1966, “Make room! Make Room!- a Science Friction take on the horrors of over population. The Other works included anthologies, collections and children’s stories-including one particularity goofs tale about an Intergalactic force of Mutant pigs.
American Author Harry Harrison has died in Britain on 16 august 2012 at 87. He was best known for his”The Stainless Steel rat” series. His 1966, “Make room! Make Room!- a Science Friction take on the horrors of over population. The Other works included anthologies, collections and children’s stories-including one particularity goofs tale about an Intergalactic force of Mutant pigs.
Philippine Minister
Jesse Robredo died in Plane Crash
The most powerful minister of Philippine died in plane crash on 19 August 2012. The Interior secretary Jesse Robredo. This crash was held at the central island of Masbate.
The most powerful minister of Philippine died in plane crash on 19 August 2012. The Interior secretary Jesse Robredo. This crash was held at the central island of Masbate.
Prime Minister of
Ethipio Meles Zenavi passed away
Meles Zenavi, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, passed away on 20 August 2012 following prolonged illness. He was 57 Ethiopio’s foreign minister will assume the change as the acting P.M. of the country.
Meles Zenavi, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, passed away on 20 August 2012 following prolonged illness. He was 57 Ethiopio’s foreign minister will assume the change as the acting P.M. of the country.
US Astronaut Neil
Alden Armstrong passed away
US Astronaut , Armstrong, as the commander of the Apollo 11 mission, became the first human to land on the moon on 20 July 1969,passed away on 25th August 2012.
US Astronaut , Armstrong, as the commander of the Apollo 11 mission, became the first human to land on the moon on 20 July 1969,passed away on 25th August 2012.
Veteran actor Hangal
Passed away
Actor A.K.Hangal, who had the rare ability to imbue the smallest and the most ordinary of roles with quality and dignity, passed away on 26 Aug at Mumbai followed Health complications caused by a recent hip fracture.
Actor A.K.Hangal, who had the rare ability to imbue the smallest and the most ordinary of roles with quality and dignity, passed away on 26 Aug at Mumbai followed Health complications caused by a recent hip fracture.
D) Visitors
Fijian President
calls on Pranab
Fijian President Ratu Epeli Nailatikaw called on his Indian counter part Pranab Mukherjiee at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on 7 August 2012 and discussed the scope for expanding trade and bilateral ties.Mr. Mukherjiee also granted Fiji for
joining the Non-Alignment movement.
Fijian President Ratu Epeli Nailatikaw called on his Indian counter part Pranab Mukherjiee at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on 7 August 2012 and discussed the scope for expanding trade and bilateral ties.Mr. Mukherjiee also granted Fiji for
joining the Non-Alignment movement.
Chinese defence
minister to visit India
India and China are expected to discuss ways of strengthening defence ties during the three-day visit of Chinese defence minister General Liang Guanglie starting September 2 in Mumbai.
India and China are expected to discuss ways of strengthening defence ties during the three-day visit of Chinese defence minister General Liang Guanglie starting September 2 in Mumbai.
E)Miscellaneous
Miss China Crowned Miss
World
Chaina’s Wen Xia Yu was on 18 August 2012 crowned Miss world-2012 the competitions are conducted in China at Innar Mangolia Erina. Wales Sophie Moulds was first runner up and the second runner up position to Jessica. Kahawaty of Australia. Indian beauty Vanya Mishra on the 6th position by winning two awards in miss world competition. The
multimedia award and social networking skin & beauty.
Chaina’s Wen Xia Yu was on 18 August 2012 crowned Miss world-2012 the competitions are conducted in China at Innar Mangolia Erina. Wales Sophie Moulds was first runner up and the second runner up position to Jessica. Kahawaty of Australia. Indian beauty Vanya Mishra on the 6th position by winning two awards in miss world competition. The
multimedia award and social networking skin & beauty.
Student Prafull
Sharma Discovers SOHO
A Delhi boy has discovered a new comet using data from NASA and European Space Agency;s Space Craft-based observatory SOHO that studies the sun. Prafull sharma, is a XII class student of Ahlcon public school, the new comet SOHO-2333 is a fragment believed to have separated from a relatively larger comet Machholz when it last came close to the sun in 2007. sharma, who has been associated with Delhi-based NGO science. Popularization Association of Communicators and educators (SPACE), ia apart of a world wide team os comet hunters. Who scour through images of the sun transmitted back to earth by Solar and Heliosphere Observatory(SOHO).
A Delhi boy has discovered a new comet using data from NASA and European Space Agency;s Space Craft-based observatory SOHO that studies the sun. Prafull sharma, is a XII class student of Ahlcon public school, the new comet SOHO-2333 is a fragment believed to have separated from a relatively larger comet Machholz when it last came close to the sun in 2007. sharma, who has been associated with Delhi-based NGO science. Popularization Association of Communicators and educators (SPACE), ia apart of a world wide team os comet hunters. Who scour through images of the sun transmitted back to earth by Solar and Heliosphere Observatory(SOHO).
Zakaria suspended by
CNN/TIME Magazine
Indo – American Journalist and author Fareed Zakaria has been suspended by his employers and Time Magazine because he copied some Portions of an article he wrote on “ Gun Control for Time”, from the New Yorker Magazine. He suspended for one month.
Indo – American Journalist and author Fareed Zakaria has been suspended by his employers and Time Magazine because he copied some Portions of an article he wrote on “ Gun Control for Time”, from the New Yorker Magazine. He suspended for one month.
Ex-Prez Pratibha
Patil spent 140Cr on air Travel
According to RIT report India’s ex-President visited 18 Countries in 10 trips from November 2008 to October 2011.India’s former president Pratibha Patil sets a new record by spending 140 Cr travel expenses alone. Patil was the most frequent flyer using IAF planes 255 times as compared to PM ManMohan(108) abd Vice President Ansari(106).
As A.P.J.Abdul Kalam visited 17 Countries in 7 trips and K.R.Narayana covered 10 Countries in 6 trips. S.D.Shrama covered 16 Nations in 4 trips.
According to RIT report India’s ex-President visited 18 Countries in 10 trips from November 2008 to October 2011.India’s former president Pratibha Patil sets a new record by spending 140 Cr travel expenses alone. Patil was the most frequent flyer using IAF planes 255 times as compared to PM ManMohan(108) abd Vice President Ansari(106).
As A.P.J.Abdul Kalam visited 17 Countries in 7 trips and K.R.Narayana covered 10 Countries in 6 trips. S.D.Shrama covered 16 Nations in 4 trips.
Himachal Hotel Gets
Heritage Status
The Castel Magar, Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation’s prime hotel in the picturesque, Kullu Valley was notified under the heritage status by the Union tourism ministry on 23 August 2012. Maggar was the capital of the erst
while kullu state for about 1460 years. The Castle was built by Raja Sidhi Singh in the 16th century.
The Castel Magar, Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation’s prime hotel in the picturesque, Kullu Valley was notified under the heritage status by the Union tourism ministry on 23 August 2012. Maggar was the capital of the erst
while kullu state for about 1460 years. The Castle was built by Raja Sidhi Singh in the 16th century.
Amir Khan on the Cover
Page of Time Magazine
The most successful Tv show Satyamev Jayate made Amir Khan features in the cover page of the Time Magazine.Aamir Khan is featured on the cover of Time with the caption ‘Khan’s Quest’. Bollywood actors who have featured before on Time cover are Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Parveen Babi. Parveen Babi became the cover girl of Time’s July 1976 issue, after acting in super hit flick Deewar. The cover story was titled ‘Asia’s Frenetic Film Scene’.On one of 2003 issues, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was called ‘New Face Of Film’. The magazine mentioned: ‘Aishwarya Rai leads the invasion as Bollywood goes global and becomes hip.’
The most successful Tv show Satyamev Jayate made Amir Khan features in the cover page of the Time Magazine.Aamir Khan is featured on the cover of Time with the caption ‘Khan’s Quest’. Bollywood actors who have featured before on Time cover are Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Parveen Babi. Parveen Babi became the cover girl of Time’s July 1976 issue, after acting in super hit flick Deewar. The cover story was titled ‘Asia’s Frenetic Film Scene’.On one of 2003 issues, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was called ‘New Face Of Film’. The magazine mentioned: ‘Aishwarya Rai leads the invasion as Bollywood goes global and becomes hip.’
9 IAF personnel
killed in mid-air copter collision
Nine IAF personnel, including five officers, were killed when two Mi-17 medium-lift utility helicopters collided in mid-air while on a “live firing exercise” at the Sarmat field range near the Jamnagar airbase in Gujarat on 30 August 20112.
Nine IAF personnel, including five officers, were killed when two Mi-17 medium-lift utility helicopters collided in mid-air while on a “live firing exercise” at the Sarmat field range near the Jamnagar airbase in Gujarat on 30 August 20112.
PLACES IN NEWS
Death toll in Iran’s
twin earthquakes is over 250
Two strong earthquakes that struck north-west Iran on 11th August 2012 killed more than 250 people and left grieving survivors — buffeted by repeated aftershocks — in a state of trauma.The first quake, of magnitude 6.2, jolted the Ahar area around 1600 hours local time, Fars News Agency (FNA) reported. Almost an hour later, a quake of 6 magnitude rocked the city of Varzaqan and its surroundings in the same province.Thousands of people, rattled by at least 35 aftershocks, fled from their homes. Many families spent the night in parks, braving chilly conditions that prevail in the mountainous province.
Two strong earthquakes that struck north-west Iran on 11th August 2012 killed more than 250 people and left grieving survivors — buffeted by repeated aftershocks — in a state of trauma.The first quake, of magnitude 6.2, jolted the Ahar area around 1600 hours local time, Fars News Agency (FNA) reported. Almost an hour later, a quake of 6 magnitude rocked the city of Varzaqan and its surroundings in the same province.Thousands of people, rattled by at least 35 aftershocks, fled from their homes. Many families spent the night in parks, braving chilly conditions that prevail in the mountainous province.
Typhoon Haikui Hit
East Coast China
Typhoon Haikui hit to the east coast china on 8 August 2012. By hitting hard the area around the business metropolis of shanghai with heavy wind and rain. The storm’s wind’s were at ‘Severe typhoon”. It made land fall in the Province of Zhejiang, about 225 kilometers(140 miles) south of Shanghai. The wind speed in between 150 and 184 kilometers per
hour. Chinese officials had relocated 374.000 people from shanghai and 250,000 from zhejiang.
Typhoon Haikui hit to the east coast china on 8 August 2012. By hitting hard the area around the business metropolis of shanghai with heavy wind and rain. The storm’s wind’s were at ‘Severe typhoon”. It made land fall in the Province of Zhejiang, about 225 kilometers(140 miles) south of Shanghai. The wind speed in between 150 and 184 kilometers per
hour. Chinese officials had relocated 374.000 people from shanghai and 250,000 from zhejiang.
BOOKS IN NEWS
“Mission That Killed
Osama Bin Laden”: A New Book released
No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission that Killed Osama Bin Laden was written by a Navy SEAL under the pseudonym Mark Owen with co-author Kevin Maurer and is to be released next month on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. This book has claimed that Abbottabad house where al-Qaeda chief lived was “carved out”from Pakistan Military Academy compound and its powerful army chief may have been briefed beforehand on the ‘Kill Osama Mission’.
No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission that Killed Osama Bin Laden was written by a Navy SEAL under the pseudonym Mark Owen with co-author Kevin Maurer and is to be released next month on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. This book has claimed that Abbottabad house where al-Qaeda chief lived was “carved out”from Pakistan Military Academy compound and its powerful army chief may have been briefed beforehand on the ‘Kill Osama Mission’.
COMMITTEES
Pak Prez Formed a
Panel to Talk with Pak Hindus
Pakistan President Asif Ali zardari has set up a three member committee of Parliamentarians to meet and reassure Hindus in sindh of their security after their families decided to flee their homes. Zardari has taken serious notes of reports of the “Sense of Insecurity” among hindus families in sindh and directed authorities to address their unfair treatment and report to him. This panel consists of senator Hari Ram, National Assembly member Lal Chand and Federal Minister Moula Bakhsh Chandio.
Pakistan President Asif Ali zardari has set up a three member committee of Parliamentarians to meet and reassure Hindus in sindh of their security after their families decided to flee their homes. Zardari has taken serious notes of reports of the “Sense of Insecurity” among hindus families in sindh and directed authorities to address their unfair treatment and report to him. This panel consists of senator Hari Ram, National Assembly member Lal Chand and Federal Minister Moula Bakhsh Chandio.
Panel to Examine
Western Ghats Report
Environment Ministry has constituted a
high level working panel to headed by eminent space scientist and panning
commission member K Kasturirangan to examine the Western Ghats ecology expert
panel report “in a holistic and multidisciplinary fashion”. The nine
member group will examine the the Madhav Gadgil committee report released
recently “in a holistic and multidisciplinary fashion keeping in view the
comments received from the concerned state
governments, central ministries, stakeholders”.It will also study the “effects and challenges of climate change in the ecologically significant Western Ghats region,” “the implications of the UNESCO heritage site recognition of some parts of the Western Ghats” and the constitutional implications of Centre-State relations regarding the conservation and sustainable development of the region.” It is also expected to “recommend further course of action” regarding the
report within two months.
governments, central ministries, stakeholders”.It will also study the “effects and challenges of climate change in the ecologically significant Western Ghats region,” “the implications of the UNESCO heritage site recognition of some parts of the Western Ghats” and the constitutional implications of Centre-State relations regarding the conservation and sustainable development of the region.” It is also expected to “recommend further course of action” regarding the
report within two months.
Two Member Panel to
Study on Universal Health coverage
The National Advisory council has set up a two member working group to study the report on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) prepared by the high level expert scope of the National rural health Mission(NRHM) and convert it into a National
Health Mission. The Two-member group, comprising Mirai chatterjee and A.K.Shiva kumar,will work closely with the Ministry of Health and Family welfare and the planning commission to resolve any possible issues arising on health.
The National Advisory council has set up a two member working group to study the report on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) prepared by the high level expert scope of the National rural health Mission(NRHM) and convert it into a National
Health Mission. The Two-member group, comprising Mirai chatterjee and A.K.Shiva kumar,will work closely with the Ministry of Health and Family welfare and the planning commission to resolve any possible issues arising on health.
SL Committee pulled
up for diluting civilnuclear Liability Rules
The subordinate legislation committee of the lok sabha has pulled up the department of atomic energy for ‘diluting’ the civil. liability for clear Damage(CLND)Act. The committee monitors whether the rules tabled in parliament are in tune
with the act passed by parliament. This is 15 member panel has represented from all parties.
The subordinate legislation committee of the lok sabha has pulled up the department of atomic energy for ‘diluting’ the civil. liability for clear Damage(CLND)Act. The committee monitors whether the rules tabled in parliament are in tune
with the act passed by parliament. This is 15 member panel has represented from all parties.
ABBREVIATIONS
EPT
– Environment Performance Index
NASI – National Academy of Science, India
SPSS – Sloan Digital Sky Survey
SFC – Strategic Forces Command
DRDO – Defense Research and development Organization
DTAA – Double Taxation of direct Agreement
CBDT – Central Board of Direct Taxes
SPACE – Science Popularization Association of Communicators and educators
SOHO – Solar and HelioSpheric Observatory
NASI – National Academy of Science, India
SPSS – Sloan Digital Sky Survey
SFC – Strategic Forces Command
DRDO – Defense Research and development Organization
DTAA – Double Taxation of direct Agreement
CBDT – Central Board of Direct Taxes
SPACE – Science Popularization Association of Communicators and educators
SOHO – Solar and HelioSpheric Observatory
DAYS & DATES
August 1 – World Breast-feeding Week
August 5 – Friendship Day
August 6 – Anti Nuclear Day
August 6 – Hiroshima Day
August 9 – Nagasaki Day/Quit India Day
August 9 – International Day of the
World’s Indigenous People
August 12 – International Youth
Day
August 13 – World Left Hander’s Day
August 19 – World Humanitarian Day
August 19 – World Photography Day
Aug 20 –World Mosquito Day/sadbhavana
divas
August 23 – International Day for the
Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition
August 26 -Namibia Day
August 29 – National Sports Day
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