August / September / October - 2012-Current Affairs

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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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’.

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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.

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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

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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ABBREVIATIONS IN NEWS

Abbreviate GITEX
Gulf 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

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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.

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COMMITTEES IN NEWS

Rangarajan panel for total decontrol of sugar industry
The Rangarajan panel will submit the report on decontrol of sugar industry within two weeks.

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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.

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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.

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″.

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 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.

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.

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.

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).

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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.

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).

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.

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

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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’.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

P.J. Kurien is Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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’.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.’

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.

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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.

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.

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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’.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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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

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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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