INTERNATIONAL
UK, Afghan, Pakistan Leaders Hold
Talks in Britain
On 4 February The leaders of Britain, Afghanistan
and Pakistan pushed for the Taliban to come to the table for peace talks to end
Afghanistan’s protracted conflict and gave themselves a six-month deadline to
get a deal.British Prime Minister David Cameron hosted Afghanistan’s President
Hamid Karzai and Pakistan’s President Asif Zardari for trilateral talks on
Afghanistan’s floundering peace and reconciliation process.
UNICEF Syria Crisis Humanitarian
Situation Report
On 8 February According to the UNICEF (United
Nations Children’s Fund )Syria Crisis Humanitarian Situation Report, The
vaccination effort in collaboration with the Ministry of Health is well
underway, with over 53,000 children receiving measles vaccinations, over 44,000
receiving vitamin A supplements, and over 10,000 polio doses administered.
Pakistan to Renamed Sindh
Province to ‘Sind’
On 12 February 2013, the Sindh Assembly approved a
bill to rename the southern Pakistani province as Sind.The assembly approved
the Sindh Laws Amendment Bill of 2012, whereby the letter “h” will be removed
from the name of the province.
Russia Rejected U.S. Nuclear
Warheads Proposals
On 14 February Russia rejected U.S. president
Barack Obama proposals , which deployed nuclear warhead delivery systems
including bombers, missile launchers and nuclear submarines – a cut of about
60%.In 2010 Russia and the United States signed on “New START” agreement.The
New Start treaty limits each side to no more than 800 deployed nuclear warhead
delivery systems including bombers, missile launchers and nuclear submarines –
a cut of about 50%.
Rafael Correa Re-elected for 3rd
term as Ecuador’s President
On 17 February Ecuadoreans president Rafael Correa
has been re-elected for a third term with more than 50 percent of votes in his
favour.As per the results, Rafael Correa got 56.7 percent while his closest
competitor Guillermo could secure only 23.3 percent.Correa is a socialist
leader who was first elected in 2006 December and he was sworn in on 15 January
2007 as the 56th president of Ecuador.Correa was re-elected to a second term in
2009.
Pakistan Hands Over Strategic
Gwadar Port To China
On 18 February Pakistan and China signed an
agreement to hand over control of the strategic Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea
to a Chinese company.Under the agreement for transfer of concession rights, the
deep sea port will remain the property of Pakistan while the Chinese company
will share profits from its operation. China Overseas Port Holdings Limited
will fully assume responsibility for Gwadar port in Balochistan province.
Israel’s Netanyahu Announced
Coalition Deal with Tzipi Livni
On 19 Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has
announced a coalition deal with former Foreign Minister and the rival centrist
Hatnua Party Chairwomen Tzipi Livni, at Jerusalem. Under the deal agreement,
Livni will serve as the new Justice Minister and will oversee the peace efforts
with the Palestinians.Tzipi Livni is an Israeli Politician and the first women
to be the leader of opposition in Israel. She is the leader of the new centrist
party, Hatnuah. She served Israel as its Foreign Minister from 2006 to 2009.
Russia and Brazil Signed on
Defence Cooperation Agreements
On 20 February Russia and Brazil signed a Defence,
Energy and Agricultural agreements .Brazil agreed to negotiate the purchase of
Russian anti-aircraft missile batteries on the condition that Russia transfer
the technology to Brazilian defense companies without restrictions.The
agreements are signed by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Brazilian
President Dilma Rousseff .
Nicos Anastasiades Elected as
Cyprus New President
On 24 February the centre-right DISY (the
Democratic Rally) party leader Nicos Anastasiades, has won the presidential
elections of Cyprus with 57.5 percent votes.Nicos Anastasiades had a very easy
going victory over Communist-backed Stavros Malas who secured 42.5 percent
votes in the election.
Raul Castro re-elected for Second
Term as Cuba’s President
On 25 February Raul Castro has been re-elected as
Cuba’s president officially to his last five-year term.The National Assembly of
People’s Power approved, in the capital Havana, Army General Raul Castro Ruz as
president of the Council of State, and elected Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, as
its first vice president.Raul Castro became interim president when his brother,
revolution icon Fidel, took ill in 2006. He then formally became president in
2008.
INDIA & WORLD
India-Malaysia Double Taxation
Agreement in Force
On 2 February India and Malaysia signed on
double-taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA). Dividends paid by Indian companies
to Malaysian investors or entities will attract a lower withholding tax of 5
percent against 10 per cent earlier. The new agreement has also, in line with
international practice, introduced a new article for taxing capital gains from
alienation of property.
India Failed To Curb Sexual
Violence Against Women
According to the Human Rights Watch (HRW) ‘ World
Report 2013 ‘ India has been accused of failure to curb incidents of sexual
violence against women and for restrictions on right to free speech, India “has
a thriving civil society, free media, and an independent judiciary”, the
city-based rights group said in its assessment of rights abuses in India.
Six Indian Institutes in Global
150 Top Think-Tanks
On 3 February Six Indian research institutes,
including Centre for Civil Society (CCS), are among top 150 global think –
tanks in the annual list released by the University of Pennsylvania for the year
2012.The list was topped by Brookings Institution (United States) followed by
Chatham House (United Kingdom) and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
(United States).Other Indian think-tanks featured in the list are:- Institute
for Defence Studies and Analysis , Indian Council for Research on International
Economic Relations , The Energy and Resources Institute , Observer Research
Foundation and Development Alternatives.
India and Austria Signed a Social
Security Agreement
On 5 February India and Austria signed a social
security agreement at Vienna, under which the Indian professionals working in
Austria would be exempted from paying the social security contribution of the
country, if such payments are already made in India. Overseas Indian Affairs
Minister Vayalar Ravi and Austrian Minister for Labour and Social Security,
Rudoulf Hundstorfer signed on the agreement.
India Pledges $100m For Mali
Reconstruction
On 5 February India pledges $100m for Mali
reconstruction .India has committed to giving $1 million for the upgrade of the
Malian army with a pledge to ramp up contributions for reconstruction to $100
million after the situation stabilizes.
India and China Tourists Triple
Australian Visits
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics
report , Chinese and Indian visitors, with tourist numbers from those countries
tripled in the past decade.630,000 visits from Chinese tourists in 2012
compared with 190,000 in 2002. Indian visits went from 45,000 to 160,000 in the
same period.Despite a high Australian dollar, Australia’s short-term visitor
numbers were up by nearly five percent since 2011 with 6.1 million short trips
made to Australia 270,000 more than in 2011.
Special Purpose Vehicle Formed
for TAPI Pipeline Project
On 7 February The Union Cabinet gave its approval
for formation of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the
Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Pipeline Project and to permit
GAIL India Ltd. to join the SPV. The four countries involved in the TAPI Gas
pipeline project, signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement along with a Gas
Pipeline Framework Agreement (GPFA).Turkmenistan and Pakistan agreed to the
formation of TAPl Ltd. The 1,680 km pipeline will carry 90 million metric
standard cubic metres a day (mmscmd) of gas, and is scheduled to become
operational in 2018.
India and Japan to Strengthen
Cooperation in Tourism Sector
India and Japan have resolved to strengthen
cooperation in tourism sector. This was decided at a meeting between the
visiting Japanese Senior Vice-Minister of Tourism, Mr. Hiroshi Kajiyama and
Union Tourism Minister Shri K Chiranjeevi in New Delhi on 12 February 2013.
India and France Signed 22
Agreements
On 14 February France and India have signed on 22
agreements after French President Francois Hollande’s meetings with the Indian
president and the prime minister in New Delhi.Both nations exchanged views on a
number of bi-lateral, regional and multilateral issues and signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) in order to facilitate technical cooperation in Railways
to each other.Chairman, Railway Board, India and Chairman and CEO SNCF from the
French side signed this MoU.Both the nations also concluded negotiations on the
short range surface to Air missile to be co-produced in India. They also agreed
on the need to reinvigorate economic engagement between the two countries.
India and Bangladesh Signed Land
Boundary Agreement
On 16 February India and Bangladesh held the second
Joint Consultative Commission meeting in Dhaka .After the meeting , both
countries exchanged one strip map as part of the process of the implementation
of the agreement signed to resolve land boundary issues between them.In
addition, two MOUs were also signed for the construction of a rail link to
connect Akhaura in Bangladesh to Agartala in India and for setting up a
thinktank to be called Bangladesh-India Foundation.The India-Bangladesh Joint
Consultative Commission is an interministerial body of the two countries headed
by the Minister of External Affairs of India and Foreign Minister of
Bangladesh.
CBI probe Ordered into Rs 3700
crore Italian Chopper Deal Scam
In February 2010, India had inked the deal with
Italain Finmeccanica to acquire the 12 three-engine AW-101 helicopters from
AgustaWestland for IAF’s elite Communication Squadron ,which ferries around the
President, PM and other VVIPs.The deal came under the scanner of Italian
agencies after allegations of kickback given in India surfaced.The agencies
arrested Giuseppe Orsi, the head of Italian defence and aerospace giant
Finmeccanica as part of their probe related to international corruption.Around
50 million euros , about 10 per cent of the deal, were alleged to have been
given as bribes to ensure that the company won the contract.On February The
Defence Ministry has ordered CBI probe into alleged scam in a Rs 3600 crore
defence helicopter deal after arrest of head of Italian firm Finmeccanica on
charges of bribery.
India and Britain Discussed on
Nuclear Cooperation
“On 19 February Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh and Britain Prime Minister David Cameron discussed on regional and global
issues ,which included key issues of nuclear energy cooperation, security,
terrorism and trade .The two sides have also decided to commence negotiations
on a bilateral Civil Nuclear Agreement.Britain has assured that it will extend
all cooperation to any Indian probe into the multi-million-dollar helicopter
scam which involves Italian defense giant Finmeccanica’s UK-based subsidiary
AgustaWestland.David Cameron announced that his country is going to introduce
sameday visa service for Indian businessmen in a bid to accelerate the
bilateral trade between the two sides.”
India won Kishanganga Case
Against Pakistan
On 18 February the Court of Arbitration at the
Hague allowed India to go ahead with the Construction of the Kishanganga
hydroelectric project in Gurez valley near Bandipura in North Kashmir, the
court rejected the plea of Pakistan that the construction was a violation of
1960 Indus Water Treaty.The Court of Arbitration, chaired by Stephen M.
Schwebel in its orders stated that India can move ahead with the diversion of
water plans of Kishanganga that is a tributary of Jhelum, for generation of
hydro-electric power. But it restrained India from adoption of the drawdown technique
of flushing for clearing the sedimentation of the run-of-the river project that
had been designed and asked it to adopt a different technique for generation of
330 MW power facilities.
NATIONAL
President Gave Assent to the
Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013
On 3 February President Pranab Mukherjee gave his
assent to the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 which provides for,
amongst other things, stricter punishment for crimes against women. The
Ordinance was to be largely based on the recommendations of the Justice Verma
Committee.However, the Ordinance will have to be passed by Parliament within
six months otherwise the same shall lapse.
All Juvenile Crimes 64% by 16-18
yr Old Age Group
On 4 February According to the National Crime
Records Bureau (NCRB) data shows that most juvenile crimes are committed by
those in the age group of 16-18 years.In 2011 the growth in rape by juveniles
(34%) over 2010 was again among the highest.In 2011, 64% of all juvenile
criminals fall in the age group of 16-18. In 2011, 33,887 juveniles were
arrested for 25,178 instances of crime.All together make for over 50% of all
rape cases by juveniles.
Aero India 2013 “ Held in
Bangalore
The Asia’s biggest airshow “Aero India 2013”, a
biennial air show and aviation exhibition held from 6 – 10th February at the
Yelehanka Air Force Station in Bangalore .In the event displays magnificent
aerobatic skills and belongings that created a chance of winning potential
business tieups and networking. Defence Minister of India, A K Antony inaugurated
the Air Show on 6 February .In the event 53 civil and military aircraft and 27
countries participated and 78 delegations attended from US, Israel and
Russia.The first Edition of the show was organised for the first time in
1996.The next Aero India show is scheduled to be held from 18 February to 22
February 2015 at Bangalore.
Cabinet Approved Rs.38500 cr
Rural Road Development Plan
On 7 February The Union Cabinet approved a Rs
38,500 crore rupees for road connectivity under the Prime Minister’s Gram Sadak
Yojana (PMGSY).The schemes approved were mainly for connectivity to villages in
tribal areas, desert and hilly areas, with a population of at least 250 each.In
82 areas hit by Naxalite violence, villages with less than 250 people are also
to be connected under the scheme.
Parliament Attack Case Convict
Afzal Guru Hanged
On 9 February in a top secret operation , the 2001
Parliament attack case convict Mohammed Afzal Guru was hanged in Delhi’s Tihar
jail.Afzal Guru was given the death sentence by the Supreme Court in 2004.The
President rejected the Afzal Guru’s mercy petition on 23 January 2013.The code
name of the secret operation was Operation “Three Star “ .
Centre Notified Cauvery Dispute
Tribunal Award
After six years,on the directions of the Supreme
Court, the Central Government of India has notified the final award of the
Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) on sharing the waters of the Cauvery
system among the basin States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala and Union
territory of Puducherry on 20 February.The Tribunal, comprising chairman
Justice N.P. Singh and members N.S. Rao and Sudhir Narain, in a unanimous award
in February, 2007 had determined the total availability of water in the Cauvery
basin at 740 thousand million cubic (TMC) feet at the Lower Coleroon Anicut
site.In, what was then described as a balancing act, the Tribunal gave Tamil
Nadu 419 TMC of water (as against the demand of 562 TMC); Karnataka 270 TMC (as
against its demand of 465 TMC); Kerala 30 TMC and Puducherry 7 TMC.After the
issuance of the notification, institutions like the Cauvery River Authority
(CRA) chaired by the Prime Minister and the CMC will cease to exist.
STATES
Sonia Gandhi Launched “Rashtriya
Bal Swasthya Karyakram “ Scheme
On 6 February Congress President and UPA
Chairperson Sonia Gandhi launched “ Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)”, a
new children health care project initiative in Palghar, a tribal block in Thane
district of Maharashtra.The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, is a part of the
National Rural Health Mission of the Union Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare. The scheme is aimed at improving overall quality of life of children
through early detection of birth defects, diseases and deficiencies, which are
among key factors for child mortality.
Maharashtra Promulgates Ordinance
To Amend Cooperative Societies Act
On 15 February the Maharashtra Government
promulgated an ordinance to amend the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act,
which aims to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic
control and professional management of co-operative societies.The ordinance is
to amend the Act to make it in consonance with the 97th constitutional
amendment by Parliament last year.
India’s First Geothermal Plant in
Chhattisgarh
On 17 February Chhattisgarh has signed an agreement
with the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to set up the country’s
first geothermal power plant in its newlyformed Balrampur district.A memorandum
of understanding (MoU) for the project was signed between the NTPC and the
Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA). The plant will come
up at Tata Pani in Balrampur, a district located in extreme northern region of
the state.
Rajasthan Constituted a Task
Force to Check the Spread of Swine Flu in State
On 19 February the State Government of Rajasthan
decided to constitute a task force to control Swine Flu effectively. Chief
Secretary of the State, CK Matthew was appointed as the head of the task force
constituted.The state had witnessed 148 cases of death and 834 positive cases
since April 2012. A central team that constitutes of five doctors and
microbiologist is on the state visit and would pay a visit to Jodhpur, Ajmer
and Bikaner, areas worst affected from the disease.
Cabinet Approved NTPC Power
Project in Jharkhand
On 20 February the Cabinet Committee on Investment
(CCI) approved the setting up of the 1,980 MW North Karanpura Super Thermal
Power Plant in Jharkhand by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).The
Cabinet committee of investment also agreed for restoring the original coal
linkage for the project and declared that the project will be based on
environment friendly super-critical technology. This supply will be made
available in the 13th Five Year Plan.
Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland
Assembly Elections Results
Northeastern states of Tripura ,Meghalaya and Nagaland
Assembly election was released on 28 February .The Assembly elections in the
three states, having 60 seats each, were held February 14 and February 23.In
Tripura the CPI-M on its own won 49 seats out of the total 60 seats and stormed
back to power in Tripura for the fifth straight term.Chief Minister Manik
Sarkar won from Dhanpur by a margin of around 5,000 votes. It was Sarkar’s
sixth win.Meghalaya – The Indian National Congress here has won 29 seats in the
election to the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly with Chief Minister Mukul Sangma,
winning with huge margins.Nagaland – Ruling Naga Peoples Front combine returned
to power with an absolute majority in Nagaland winning 39 seats in the
60-member Assembly.The ruling NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN)
alliance will form government for a third consecutive term.Congress managed to
win eight seats. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio won from Northern Angami
II seat by defeating his nearest Congress rival Kevise Sogotsu of Congress by
12,671 votes.
Desalination Plant in Tamil Nadu
Commissioned
On 22 February J. Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of
Tamil Nadu inaugurated a desalination plant at Nemmeli in Kanchipuram district
of the state.The plant which will benefit over 15 lakh residents in Velachery,
Pallipattu and Tiruvanmiyur areas of south Chennai has been set up with an
investment of Rs 871 crore. About 265 million ltrs of water will be drawn from
the sea to realise 100 million ltrs per day of drinking water through the plant
spread over 40 acre.
CONFERENCES
13th Delhi Sustainable
Development Summit (DSDS)
The 13th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit
(DSDS) concluded on 2 February at NewDelhi.The theme of the summit is ‘The
Global Challenge of Resource Efficient Growth and Development’.”Among from 30
countries Heads of Governments , research institutions, policy-makers, NGOs and
corporates attended the summit.The Summit organized annually since 2001 by The
Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), is an international platform for
exchange of knowledge on all nuances of sustainable development.
AWARDS & HONOURS
Malala Yousafzai nominated for
Nobel Peace Prize
Malala Yousafzai, who was shoot by the Talibans
against the girl education was nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, as
the deadline expired on 01 February 2013. French, Canadian and Norwegian MPs
have all separately nominated Malala.This year’s award will be announced in
early October, but speculation was already underway as the deadline for
nominations ran out on 1 February .
L. N. Tallur won Skoda Art Prize
2012
On 1 February Karnataka artist L. N. Tallur, whose
works depict majorly the underbelly of India, has won the Rs 1 million Skoda
Prize 2012 for contemporary art, from among a shortlist of four artists
including an artist collective.
13th Delhi Sustainable
Development Summit (DSDS) Awards
Sustainable Development Leadership Award :- The
Seychelles President, Mr James Michel has been awarded the Sustainable
Development Leadership Award at the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit .
Georgescu roegen Award : The award is Kozo Mayumi (Professor at Faculty of
Integrated Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokushima). The co-winners of
the Georgescu-Roegen Award (bioeconomic practice) are Accion Ecologica and
Oilwatch.
South Sudan Bishop Taban won UN
Peace Award
On 9 February A South Sudan’s Bishop Emeritus
Paride Taban has won a coveted 2013 UN peace prize ( Sergio Viera de Mello
Prize ) in recognition of his efforts to build trust among warring communities
in the conflict-torn region.Vieira de Mello, the UN’s former human rights
chief, was killed in a bombing in Iraq in 2003. The annual prize in his honour
is awarded to a person, community or institution that has made an exceptional
contribution to reconciliation of communities or groups in conflict, and whose
example can be duplicated elsewhere.
Pandit Ravi Shankar honoured with
the Lifetime Achievement Grammy award
Sitar legend Pandit Ravi Shankar was honoured with
the Lifetime Achievement Grammy award, which was jointly accepted by his
daughters Anoushka Shankar and Norah Jones on 9 February 2013.He was
posthumously awarded the best world music album trophy at the 55th Grammys, a
day after being honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award by The Recording
Academy.He got “55 Grammy award for his album ‘The Living Room Sessions Part 1’
.
National e-Governance award for
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh had been conferred upon the
prestigious National e-Governance Gold Award for 2012-13, for its ‘Sparsh
Abhiyan’ aimed towards the disabled and the aged.
Amartya Sen honoured with
France’s highest civilian award
The French president Mr Francois Hollande honoured
the Amartya Sen with the France’s highest civilian award, ‘Commandeur de la
Legion d’Honneur’ (Legion of Honour) after delivering the Madhavrao Scindia
Memorial Lecture in New Delhi on 15 February 2013.The prestigious honour is the
reason for his enormous contribution to the field of economics and for his
exchanges with French academic institutions would also be recognised.
Paul Hansen Won “2012 World Press
Photo “ Award
On 15 February Swedish photographer Paul Hansen has
won the “2012 World Press Photo award” with a picture of two Palestinian
children killed in an Israeli missile strike being carried to their funeral.The
picture shows a group of men marching the dead bodies through a narrow street
in Gaza City.World Press Photo, one of photojournalism’s most prestigious
contests, issued awards in nine categories to 54 photographers of 32
nationalities.
63rd Berlin Film Festival Awards
The awarding ceremony of the 63rd Berlinale ended
on 16 February in Berlin.Romanian film “Child’s Pose” won the Golden Bear, the
top jury prize awarded to the best film in the Berlin International Film
Festival.
Best Film :- Child’s Pose ( Romania )
Best Actor :- Nazif Mujic in “Life of an Iron
Picker” (Bosnia/France/Slovenia)
Best Actress :- Paulina Garcia in “Gloria”
(Chile/Spain)
Best Director :- David Gordon Green for “Prince
Avalanche” (US)
Best ScreenPlay :- Jafar Panahi for “Parde” (Closed
Curtain) Iran.
Ela Bhatt honoured with Indira
Gandhi Peace Prize
Ela Bhatt, founder of the Self Employed Women’s Association
(SEWA), was presented with the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and
Development for the year 2011 by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee at
Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on 18 February 2013.Ela Bhatt was honoured for
her life time achievements in empowering women, promoting grassroot level
entrepreneurship and for her contribution towards promoting equitable
development and peace.
Ratan Tata receives E&Y
lifetime award
Former Tata Group head Ratan Tata is this year’s
recipient of the ‘life time achievement award’ instituted by Ernst & Young,
for ‘asserting a greater role for Indian entrepreneurs on the global business
landscape’.The entrepreneur of the year (2012) award went to Godrej Group
Chairman Adi Godrej.The entrepreneur of the year is the only business award to
be based on self-nomination.
Oscars Awards-2013
85th Oscar awards presentation ceremony held in Los
Angels on 25 February 2013.In this ceremoney Life of Pi cinema got a 4 Oscar
awards.
Best Picture: Argo
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln)
Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings
Playbook)
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz (Django
Unchained)
Best Supporting Actress:Anne Hathaway (Les
Misérables)
Best Directing: Ang Lee(Life of Pi)
Best Adapted Screenplay:Chris Terrio( Argo)
Best Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino (Django
Unchained)
Best Documentary Feature: Searching for Sugar Man
Best Original Song:Skyfall” from Skyfall, music and
lyrics by Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth
Best Original Score: Life of Pi
Best Animated Feature: Brave
Best Cinematography:Life of Pi
Best Costume Design: Anna Karenina
Best Documentary Short Subject:Inocente
Best Film Editing:Argo
Best Foreign Language Film:Amour (Austria)
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Les Misérables
Best Production Design:Lincoln
Best Short Film (Animated): Paperman
Best Short Film (Live Action): Curfew
Best Sound Editing: Skyfall (TIE), Zero Dark Thirty
(TIE),
Best Sound Mixing: Les Misérables
Best Visual Effects: Life of Pi
SPORTS & GAMES
Leander Paes, Jaideep Mukherjee
Received” Davis Cup Commitment “ Award
On 2 February Indian tennis legends Leander Paes
and Jaideep Mukherjee were felicitated by the All India Tennis Association
(AITA) at the RK Khanna Tennis Stadium , when they were presented with the
Davis Cup Commitment Trophy.Mukherjee made his Davis Cup debut in 1960 against
Thailand and had a 62-35 win-loss record while Paes is currently playing his
49th Davis Cup tie here against South Korea.
Graeme Smith Captains his 100th
Test
On 4 February South African test cricket team
captain Graeme Smith has created a unique record by leading the side in 100th
test.As the South African captain Graeme Smith stepped on the field against
Pakistan, he became the only captain in the world to have led the team in 100
test matches.Earlier, the record for captaining in most number of test matches
was held by former Australian skipper Allan Border. Allan Border led the
Australian test cricket team in 93 test matches. Sourav Ganguly holds the
record of captaining Indian test team in most number of test matches. Sourav
played as skipper in 49 test matches. Now, Graeme Smith is the only cricketer
to play as captain in 100 test matches.
India Won Record 46 Medals in
Special Olympics
On 6 February India’s differently-abled athletes
returned with the largest haul of medals in the 2013 Special Olympics World
Winter Games at Pyeong Chang, South Korea.The Indians won 46 medals – 13 gold,
17 silver and 16 bronze – from among mentally-challenged 2200 athletes from
over 120 nations in the Games .India doubled its medal tally from the World
Winter Games 2009.The Games are being competed in eight sports .
Sachin Equaled Sunil Gavaskar’s
First Class Cricket Record
On 8 February Sachin Tendulkar equaled the record
of Sunil Gavaskar of 81 first class hundreds in first class cricket at Mumbai.
He managed to equal Gavaskar’s record after scoring an unbeaten 140 runs in
Irani Trophy against Rest of India in the first innings of the tournament of
Mumbai team.When he reached 106, Tendulkar also completed 25,000 runs in first
class cricket.
Wrestling Dropped From 2020
Olympic Games List
On 12 February the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) leaders dropped wrestling from the 2020 Olympic Games.Wrestling will be
included at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.The IOC board acted after
reviewing the 26 sports on the current Olympic program. Eliminating one sport
allows the IOC to add a new sport to the program later this year.Wrestling will
now join seven other sports in applying for inclusion in 2020. The others are a
combined bid from baseball and softball, karate, squash, roller sports, sport
climbing, wakeboarding and wushu. They will be vying for a single opening in
2020.The last sports removed from the Olympics were baseball and softball,
voted out by the IOC in 2005 and off the program since the 2008 Beijing Games.
Golf and Rugby will be joining the program at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Victoria Azarenka won Qatar Open
Tennis Title
On 18 February Defending champion Victoria Azarenka
from Belarus defeated Serena Williams (America) to won the Qatar Open tennis
title in the final at Doha.
Sania Mirza won Dubai Tennis
Championship Title
On 23 February India’s Sania Mirza and her American
partner Bethanie-Mattek Sands won the Dubai Tennis Championship title. The
Indo-American duo defeated the second seeded Russian-Slovenian combination of
Nadia Petrova and Katarina Srebotnik. Sania bagged her second Doubles title of
the season.
ECONOMY
BHEL and GAIL Granted Maharatna Status
On 1 February The Union Government of India granted
Maharatna status to BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd ) and GAIL (Gas
Authority of India Limited), a development which will provide them greater
financial and functional autonomy and also ensure better valuation for shares
of the two public sector undertakings.Ideally any Maharatna firm has a capacity
to take investment decision of around 5000 crore Rupees without taking
assistance from the government. On the other hand, forms with Navratna status have
the capability of 1000 crore Rupees.For any company to qualify for Maharatna
status, the annual turnover should be over 25000 crore Rupees in past three
years, as per the guidelines issued by Department of Public Enterprises.
Per capita Monthly Income Growth
Eases to 14% in 2011-12
On 1 February According to the the revised data of
national accounts the per capita monthly income, a measure to assess standard
of living, grew at a slower rate of 13.7 per cent to Rs 5,130 in 2011-12 at
current prices compared to Rs 4,513 in 2010-11.On the Gross Domestic Saving
(GDS) front, the data revealed that the growth at current prices in 2011-12
slowed to 30.8 per cent of GDP at market prices against 34 per cent in the
previous year.The gross domestic capital formation has increased from “Rs
28,71,649 crore in 2010-11 to Rs 31,41,465 crore in 2011- 12 at current
prices.It further revealed that the per capita private final consumption
expenditure (PFCE) at current prices in 2011-12 is estimated at Rs 42,065 as
against Rs 36,677 in the year 2010-11, showing an increase of 14.7 per cent
against an increase of 15.7 per cent in the previous year.
Argentina Censured by the IMF for
Economic Data
On 3 February The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
has censured Argentina for the quality of its official inflation and GDP
data.Inflation in Argentina is estimated by private economists to be at 25% a
year and rising but the government reported it at 11% or less for last
year.Argentina became the first country to be censured by the International
Monetary Fund for not providing accurate data on inflation and economic growth
under a procedure that can end in expulsion.
Mumbai Is World’s Cheapest City
Mumbai shares the title of the world’s cheapest
city with Karachi, in Pakistan, according to the “Worldwide Cost of Living
2013” survey by the Economist Group’s Economic Intelligence Unit.After Mumbai
and Pakistan comes Delhi ,Algiers, Bucharest, Colombo and Panama City.According
to the report, the five most expensive cities in the world are Tokyo and Osaka
in Japan, Sydney, Oslo and Melbourne.
Railway Budget 2013-14
On 26 February Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal
presented the 2013-14 Railway Budget in the Loksabha . Railway Budget 2013-14
Highlights :-
2013-14 Railway Budget Estimates – Rs.42,210 crores
Highest ever plan outlay of Rs.63,363 crores in
2013-14
Good Earnings – Rs.93,554 crores
Good Traffic Receipts – Rs.1,43,742 crores
Total Revenue Receipts – Rs.1,46,626 crores
Ordinary Working Expenses – Rs.96,500 crores
Operating Ratio to be 87.8%. -
A new Forged Wheel Factory at Rae Bareli, Coach
Manufacturing Unit in Sonepat District (Haryana) ,Midlife Rehabilitation
Workshop at Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh), new wagon maintenance workshop in
Kalahandi (Odisha).
Highest ever plan outlay of Rs.63,363 crores
5.2 per cent growth in passenger traffic expected
in 2013-14
Freight loading of 1047 MT, 40 MT more than
2012-13.
67 new Express trains to be introduced.26 new
passenger services, 8 DEMU services and 5 MEMU services to be introduced. Run
of 57 trains to be extended. Frequency of 24 trains to be increased.22 new rail
lines to be taken up in 2013-14
Proposal for setting up of Railway Tariff
Regulatory Authority formulated and at inter-ministerial consultation stage.
Fuel Adjustment Component (FAC) linked revision for freight tariff to be
implemented from 1st April 2013.
72 additional suburban services in Mumbai and 18 in
Kolkata
An independent Rail Tariff Authority has been
formalised
ndian Railways Institute of Financial Management to
be set up at Secunderabad
Recruitment to RPF with 10% vacancies reserved for
women.Seek to fill 1.52 lakh vacancies in railways this year. 47000 vacancies
for weaker sections and physically challenged to be filled up soon
By end of 2013-14, 1,500 km of contracts to be
awarded for two dedicated rail corridors Economic Survey of contracts to be
awarded for two dedicated rail corridors.
Union Budget 2013-14
On 28 February Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram
Presented the Rs.16,65 279 Crore(Planed Expenditure Rs. 5,55,322 crore , Non
Planed Expenditure Rs 11,09,975 crore) Union budget in the Lok Sabha for the
financial year 2013-14.This is the 82’nd Budget for India and 8th Budget for
the Finance Minister P Chidambaram.In the past, former Prime Minister Morarji
Desai presented the Union Budget 8 times as Finance Minister. The Highlights of
Union Budget 2013-14: Total budget expenditure seen at 16.65 trillion rupees in
2013-14.
on-plan expenditure estimated at about 11.1
trillion rupees in 2013-14.
India’s 2013-14 plan expenditure seen at 5.55
trillion rupees
Revised estimate for total expenditure is 14.3
trillion rupees in 2012-13, which is 96 point of budget estimate
Expect 133 billion rupees through direct tax
proposals in 2013-14
Expect 47 billion rupees through indirect tax
proposals in 2013-14
Target 558.14 billion rupees from stake sales in
state-run firms in 2013-14
Expect revenue of 408.5 bln rupees from airwave
surcharges, auction of telecom spectrum, licence fees in 2013-14
But will give some tax relief of Rs. 2000 for every
person who has an annual income of up to Rs. 5 lakh
RBI expected GDP growth of 5.5% for Financial Year
2013-14
Rs.1000-crore Nirbhaya Fund announced for the
empowerment of women
Rs.6,000 crore to be allocated for rural housing
fund
Defence allocation increased to Rs. 2.03 lakh crore
Rs. 6,275 crore to ministry of science and
technology, Rs. 5,880 crore to Department of Atomic Energy
Rs.27,049 crore allocation to the Agriculture
Ministry
Rs. 37,330 crore allocated for Ministry of Health
& Family Welfare
Rs.110 crore to be allocated to the department of
disability affairs
Rs.37,330 crore allocated for Ministry of Health
& Family Welfare
Rs.14000 crore will be provided for PSB
recapitalization. He will constitute a panel on transaction costs, and
financial policies.
Rs.6,5867 crore for Education , an increase of 17
percent over RE for 2012- 13.
Rs 6275 crore to Ministry of Technology
Rs.2 trillion for defence sector
Rs.15,260 crore to be allocated to Ministry of
Drinking Water and Sanitation.
Rs.14,873 crore for JNNURM for urban transportation
Rs.80,194 crore allocation for Ministry of Rural
Development
Rs.33,000 crore for MGNREGA
Rs.37,330 crore allocated for Ministry of Health
& Family Welfare.
Rs.13215 crore for mid-day meal programme
Rs.41,561 crore for SC plan and Rs 24,598 crore for
tribal plan.
3511 crore allocation to minorities which is 12 per
cent hike over budget estimates, 110 crore rupees allotted for welfare of
disabled.
65867 crore rupees have been allocated to the
Ministry of Human resources development which is 17 per cent hike over the
revised estimates.
A surcharge of 10 percent on persons (other than
companies) whose taxable income exceeds Rs.1 crore have been levied.
Relief of Rs. 2000 for the tax payers in the first
bracket of 2 to 5 lakhs.”
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Iran launches new fighter jet
Iran had unveiled a new home-made combat aircraft
on 02 February 2013.Iran announced that this is the most Sophisticated aircraft
in the world.The name of this aircraft was Qaher F313 (Dominant F313).Qaher F313
was designed using the Advanced Electro-Aviation System.
World’s Largest Prime Number
Discovered with 17,425,170 digits
Researchers from the University of Central Missouri
in Warrensburg discovered the largest prime number of the world, Contains 17
Million Digits. This is the 48th Mersenne prime found so far. However there are
certain rare kinds of prime numbers called Mersenne primes which have the form
2 multiplied by itself p times minus 1, where p denotes a prime number. The new
largest prime is 2 multiplied by itself 57885161 times minus 1.
First Complete Bionic Man
Unveiled in U.K
On 7 February The world’s first complete ‘Bionic
Man’ named “ Rex ” was unveiled at London’s Science Museum. The bionic man was
created using 1 million US dollar limbs as well as organs.Rex has a human face
with brown eyes and a height of 6.5 feet. It was designed jointly with
assistance from 18 universities and companies.
Rudra Inducted into the Army
On 8 February The first indigenously built Weapon
System Integrated Advanced Light Helicopter, “Rudra” was handed over to the
Indian Army by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) .Rudra is the Mk-IV
variant of the Advanced Light Helicopter designed and manufactured by HAL. The
helicopter is fitted with weapons, targeting systems, warning and
counter-measure systems and survivability features.This is the first of the 60
armed helicopters provided to the army by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
(HAL) after the Defence Ministry handed over the control of all attack
helicopters to the land force.
Indian Coast Guard Ship
‘Rajratan’ Commissioned
On 11 February Indian Coast Guard ship “ Rajratan “
, the fifth in a series of eight Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs), was
commissioned by Indian Coast Guard.The vessel has been indigenously built by
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata.The 50m long IPV can achieve a
maximum speed of 34 knots, with an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles at an
economical speed of 16 knots.
North Korea conducted third
nuclear test
On 12 February 2013,North Korea “successfully”
conducted a third underground nuclear test with the violation of United Nations
sanctions.In the past North Korea two times conducted nuclear tests but this is
most powerful than those tests.North Korea announced that,a miniaturised
nuclear device had been detonated successfully at the test site.The test was
reported to have taken place at a test site in the North Hamgyeong province,
where the Punggye-ri nuclear complex that conducted tests in 2006 and 2009 is
located.
Asteroid “ 2012 DA14 “ Passed
Very Near To Earth
The small Asteroid named “ 2012 DA14 “ with an
estimated diameter of 50 meters (160 ft) and an estimated mass of 190,000
metric tons passed within about 3.5 Earth radii of the Earth’s surface on
February 15.During its 2013 close passage, the asteroid passed 27,700 km
(17,200 mi) from the surface of Earth. Scientists at NASA estimated that an
asteroid the size of 2012 DA14 flies this close to Earth about once every 40
years. A 2012 DA14-size asteroid impacts Earth once every 1,200 years, on
average.
PSLV-C20 Successfully Launched
‘SARAL’ and 6 Other Satellites
On 25 February ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch
Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dawan Space centre at SPSR Nellore in
Sriharikota , launched the Indo-French satellite “SARAL” along with six
commercial payloads from Austria, Britain, Canada and Denmark into a 785-km
polar sunsynchronous orbit.It was the 23rd mission of PSLV, which has an
impeccable record of 21 consecutive successful flights.
About SARAL:- – The Saral mission results from the
common interest of both ISRO and CNES in studying the ocean from space. For
instance, it can provide information on seasonal forecasting, study on animal
migration, locating ‘buoys’ and fishing vessels, collecting environmental data
such as ocean temperature profiles and currents.
Besides Saral, the PSLV-C20 has put into orbit two
micro-satellites UniBRITE and BRITE (both from Austria), AAUSAT3 from Denmark
and STRaND from UK. It also carried one micro-satellite (NEOSSat) and one
mini-satellite (SAPPHIRE) from Canada.With a lift-off mass of 407 kg, Saral is
the 56th satellite to be launched by PSLV.The six commercial payloads from
abroad together have a lift-off mass of 259.5 km.PSLV-C20 is the ninth PSLV in
‘core alone’ configuration (without solid strap-on motors).
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Mo Yan and Jackie Chan Selected
As Members of Chinese Parliament
On 3 February Mo Yan, the winner of Nobel Prize for
literature, 2012 and Jackie Chan, the movie star were given a political role in
China by being selected as members of the Chinese People’s Political
Consultative Conference, one of the houses of Chinese parliament.
Prachanda elected as Maoist
president of ruling UCPN-Maoist party
Prachanda, the powerful Maoist leader who became
prime minister after toppling the 239-year-old monarchy in Nepal, was elected
as the president of the ruling UCPNMaoist party on 08 February 2013.58-yearold
Prachanda, whose real name is Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Indian American Subra Suresh
Appointed as President of Carnegie Mellon
On 9 February US President Obama’s top science
official and Indian American Padma Shri awardee Dr Subra Suresh has been
appointed as the new president of Carnegie Mellon University. He will succeed
Dr. Jared L. Cohon, who led the university to unprecedented growth during his
16-year tenure. Dr Suresh will assume office on July 1 after Dr Cohon would
step down on June 30, this year.
Ratan Tata Elected To “National
Academy of Engineering“
On 9 February Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of the
Tata Group, has been elected as a member of the prestigious ‘ National Academy
of Engineering ‘ of the US along with 10 new foreign members.This is the
highest professional distinction accorded to an engineer in the US.Ratan Tata
has been selected for his outstanding contributions to industrial development
in India and the world.
B)RESIGNS
D.C.Chief Financial Officer
Natwar Gandhi To Resign
Indian American, Natwar M. Gandhi, Chief Financial
officer (CFO) of Washington DC ,announced his resignation on 1 February.He will
resign on 1 June 2013.Gandhi has held the office since 2000 and was appointed
to a new, five-year term last year.
Solicitor-General Rohinton
Nariman resigns
Solicitor-General of India Rohinton Nariman
resigned 04 February 2013.Mr. Nariman was appointed as the second most senior
law official of the country on July 23, 2011 following the resignation of Gopal
Subramanium on July 14, 2011.
Obama’s Top Science Official
Suresh Resigned
On 6 February US President Barack Obama’s top
science official and Padma Shri awardee Subra Suresh has resigned from his
current position to join the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University as its
chief.As director of National Science Foundation (NSF) since 2010, Suresh was
responsible for driving scientific research of the country.Suresh has
co-authored more than 240 journal articles, registered 21 patents and written
three widely used materials science books.
Nagaland Home Minister resigns
Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L. Imchen was
resigned from the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) government on 19 February
2013.Mr. Imchen put in his papers after the Election Commission authorities
seized cash amounting to more than Rs.1 crore and weapons from his vehicle on
18 February by troopers of Assam Rifles at Sathupang area in Wokha district.
Pope Benedict XVI Resigned
On 28 February Pope Benedict XVI a position in
which he serves dual roles as Sovereign of the Vatican City State and leader of
the Catholic Church resigned his post.Pope Benedict XVI’s birth name is Joseph
Aloisius Ratzinger.Benedict XVI was elected on 19 April 2005 in a papal
conclave, celebrated his Papal Inauguration Mass on 24 April 2005, and took
possession of his cathedral, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, on 7 May
2005. A native of Bavaria, he has both German and Vatican citizenship.
C)DEATHS
Former Puducherry CM Shanmugam
passes away
Former Chief Minister of Puducherry P. Shanmugam
passed away at the Karaikal Government Hospital on 02 February 2013.A bachelor,
Shanmugam was the chief minister of Puducherry from March 22, 2000 to Oct 27,
2001 and represented the union territory in the Lok Sabha between 1980-1991.
China’s Table Tennis Legend
Zhuang Zedong Died
On 10 February the china’s table tennis legend ,
Zhuang Zedong died in Beijing .Zhuang Zedong is a three-time world table tennis
champion.Zhuang Zedong remained a crucial figure in ping-pong diplomacy of 1971
and is popularly also called the Architect of Ping-Pong Diplomacy. Pingpong
diplomacy means exchange of the table tennis (ping-pong) players between China
and US
American Philosopher and Legal
Scholar Dworkin Died
Ronald Dworkin a renowned American philosopher and
a Constitutional Law expert died on 14 February at London .He wrote books named
A Matter of Principle, Law’s Empire and Justice for Hedgehogs.
Radhakishan Malviya former Union
Minister died
Former Union Minister and senior Madhya Pradesh
Congress leader Radhakishan Malviya died on 19 February 2013 in Indore.Malviya
was elected MLA from Sanver in Indore district in 1972. A three-time Rajya
Sabha MP, he was Labour Minister in the Rajiv Gandhi government in mid-1980s.
Malviya was Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee president during 1998-2003 when
Digvijay Singh was the chief minister.
D)VISITORS
Bhutan Prime Minister Jigmi Y.
Thinley Visited India
Prime Minister of Bhutan Jigmi Y Thinley visited
India from 7 – 9 February.During his three-days visit he met Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh at NewDelhi and discussed on developmental issues of his country
with the Indian leadership, and sought financial assistance for the 11th five
year plan of his country.
France’s President Francois
Hollande Visited India
France’s President Francois Hollande Visited India
from 14th and 15th February.During the 2 day visit he met manmohan singh at
NewDelhi and discussed the sale of Rafale fighter jets , bilateral issues ,
after signed the both nations on several agreements .
Britain’s PM David Cameron
Visited India
David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland , visited India from 18 – 20
February.During the visit on 18 February he attended India – Britain
delegations meeting in Mumbai .On 19 February Cameron met Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh in New Delhi and discussed bilateral and global issues.The
British Prime Minister last visited India in July 2010.
E)MISCELLANEOUS
Three Year Old Girl Joins Mensa
After Taking IQ Test in Russian
A brainy 3 year old girl Clever Alice Amos has been
unveiled as the youngest new member of Mensa with a higher IQ than Stephen
Hawking.Amos has been granted full membership of the brain box society after
scoring an incredible 162 on an IQ test – she took in Russian.Her IQ of 162
ranks her higher than a list of the world’s greatest luminaries – dead and
living.Former US presidents Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin and Bill Clinton
could only muster 128, 160 and 137 respectively.
Mohamed Nasheed Took Refuge In
Indian High Commission
On 13 February the former Maldivian President
Mohamed Nasheed took refuge in the Indian High Commission in Capital Male to
evade arrest, a year after he was toppled.He turned up at the single-storey
Indian mission around noon to evade arrest warrant issued by a court in a case
concerning the detention of Chief Judge of the Criminal Court during his
Presidency in January last year.The Indian government has permitted him to stay
in Mission.
Queen Elizabeth II named
Britain’s Most Powerful
According to the BBC power list of Britain’s most
influential women, Queen Elizabeth II has been named the most powerful woman in
Britain, while two Indian-origin women also found a place in the list of UK’s
100 most powerful women. Two Indian-origin women who featured among the 100
most powerful British women were Kolkata-born Pinki Lilani, founder of the
Asian Women of Achievement Awards in the UK, and human rights champion and
director of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti.
World’s oldest woman is Misao Ookawa
Misao Ookawa,the oldest woman in the world receives
a Guinness World Records certificate in Osaka, Japan,on 27 February 2013.She
will ready to celebrate its 115th birth anniversary on 5 March 2013. The oldest
man in the world,Jiroemon Kimura(115) also belongs to Japan.
PLACES IN NEWS
Strong 6.6 Magnitude Quake Hits
Solomon Islands
On 6 February a strong 6.6-magnitude tremor struck
the Solomon Islands , the latest in a series of aftershocks from a powerful
earthquake that triggered a tsunami The quake hit 36 kilometres south-southwest
of Lata, the main town on the remote island of Ndende.At least six people were
confirmed dead and some 3,000 left homeless but the national disaster
management office has been struggling to get a clear picture of the scale of
destruction on the island, more than 600 kilometres from the capital
Honiara.The Solomons are part of the “Ring of Fire”, a zone of tectonic
activity around the Pacific that is subject to frequent earthquakes and
volcanic eruptions.
Snow Storm “ Nemo “ Hits US and
Canada
On 8 February Seven people have been killed in the
United States and Canada as the massive blizzard Winter Storm Nemo dumped
nearly two feet of snow in New England and knocked out power to more than a
half a million homes.Throughout the Northeast, more than 600,000 homes and
businesses lost electricity. Airlines cancelled more than 5,300 flights today,
and New York City’s three major airports and Boston’s Logan Airport closed.
Huge Meteorite Hits The Russia
On 15 February A huge meteor hits the Russia,
injuring more than 1000 people, many hurt by broken glass, and causing
explosions.Fragments of the meteor fell in a thinly populated area of the
Chelyabinsk region.The meteorite, which weighed about 10 metric tons and may
have been made of iron, entered Earth’s atmosphere and broke apart 30-50 km
(19-31 miles) above ground.The meteorite explosion, a very rare spectacle, also
unleashed a sonic boom.The energy released when it entered the Earth’s
atmosphere was equivalent to a few kilotonnes, the power of a small atomic
weapon exploding.
ABBREVIATIONS
DSDS – Delhi Sustainable Development Summit
BHEL – Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd
GAIL – Gas Authority of India Limited
TERI – The Energy and Resources Institute
EIU – Economist Intelligence Unit
NSF – National Science Foundation
TAPI – Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India
POTA – Prevention of Terrorism Act
IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency
CAIR – Centre for Artificial Intelligence and
Robotics
CITU – Centre of Indian Trade Unions
FAO – Food and Agriculture Organisation
HDI – Human Development Index
UNHCR – United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees
WIPO – World Intellectual Property Organisation
BOOKS IN NEWS
“Khushwantnama: The Lessons of My
Life” Book Released
On 2 February The indomitable Khushwant Singh has
released a new book named “Khushwantnama: The Lessons of My Life” on his 98th
birthday in which he writes about his life, lessons it has taught him,
politics, future of India and what religion means to him.The book, published by
Penguin Books India, is dedicated to Kaur who is a close friend of the
author.Khushwant Singh was a Member of Parliament from 1980 to 1986. He was
awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1974 but returned the decoration in 1984 in
protest against the storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar by the Indian
Army. In 2007, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan.
“Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and
Germany” Book Released
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose new book named ‘Netaji
Subhas Chandra Bose and Germany’ released on 6 February.The First copy of the
book by Professor Anita B. Pfaff was given to the President of India Pranab
Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan at New Delhi. The book was brought out by the
Federation of Indo-German Societies in India. The book is a collection of the
records shared by Professor Anita Pfaff as well as other known biographers and
writers. The book portrayed some interesting facets of the life of Netaji and
his extraordinary contribution to India’s freedom struggle.
COMMITTEES
Padmanabhan Committee To Help
Boost Bank Finance For Exports
On 3 February The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
constituted a technical advisory committee to iron out existing issues and
boost bank finance for exports.The committee will be headed by RBI Executive
Director G Padmanabhan.The committee look into the issues related to exporters,
we have decided to constitute a technical working group which will also look
non-cost issues like transaction costs, accounting norms, documentation
required, procedural difficulties.
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