INTERNATIONAL
Palestinian Authority to be Named
‘State of Palestine’
On 7 January Palestinian Authority President
Mahmoud Abbas has signed a decree changing the name of the Palestinian
Authority to the “”State of Palestine,”" according to the organization’s
official news agency.
Pakistani Supreme Court Orders
Arrest of Prime Minister
On 15 January 2013 Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered
the arrest of the prime minister in connection with a corruption case linked to
power projects. The Supreme Court gave authorities 24 hours to arrest Prime
Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and 16 others.This is the first in the history of
Pakistan to arrest a Prime Minister. The orders of the Court came following the
allegations in connection with a corruption case linked to power projects, done
during his office of the Water and Power Minister.
Obama Signed 23 Executive Orders
on Gun Safety
On 16 January President Barack Obama announced 23
executive actions on gun control laws, making them stricter,which would come
into effect immediately after his signatures. One of these measures include
requiring the target shooters to keep their guns locked and also to ban
military-style assault weapons, high capacity magazine as well as to make the
background check mandatory.Obama announced that this was his attempt to keep
children safe, keeping in view the massacre of Newtown where 20 first grade
children along with six adults were killed.
140 Nations Agreed On Global
Mercury Limits
On 19 January , More than 140 nations have agreed
on the first legally binding treaty to curb mercury pollution.Delegates at UN
discussed in Geneva approved measures to control the use of the highly toxic
metal, which is widely used in chemical production and small-scale mining, in
order to limit mercury emissions.The governments agreed to ban the production,
export and import of a range of products containing mercury by 2020.The treaty
has been discussed for four years, but it is only now that the negotiators
agreed over the final version of the document. The treaty, known as the
Minamata Convention on Mercury, provides controls and reductions across a range
of products and processes where mercury is used, released and emitted.
Milos Zeman Elected as Czech
Republic new President
On 25 January A leftist candidate Milos Zeman won
the Czech Republic’s first presidential election decided by direct vote.Milos
Zeman, a former prime minister and head of the Citizens’ Rights Party, won with
54.8% of the vote.He defeated Karel Schwarzenberg, an aristocratic foreign
minister with the TOP09 party, who garnered 45.2%.Zeman replaces Vaclav Klaus,
who must step down after serving the maximum of two terms.
INDIA & WORLD
India – Pakistan Exchanged
Nuclear Unit’s Lists
On 1 January India and Pakistan exchanged their
nuclear units’ lists , as it is customary since 20 years. The list which
contains the names of nuclear units of two countries, are exchanged between
India and Pakistan as a custom and part of an agreement which prevents them
from aiming the nuclear installations of each others’ nations.
Thousands of illegal Indian
Migrants in UK
According to a 2012 UK Home Office report, India
has been named along with Pakistan, China, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh,
Afghanistan, Vietnam, Brazil and Iran as the main sources of illegal
immigration to Britain.What the report does not mention is how many of the
863,000 illegal migrants that it says are living in the UK are students. This
is a contentious area because critics of the coalition government claim it is
counting students among overall immigrants.
World Economic Forum’s Global
Risks Report
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) report
, India ranks lowest among the world’s major economies for its preparedness to
tackle global environmental risks and second-lowest for economic
risks.Switzerland is best placed among the world’s 10 major economies for
adapting to or recovering from global economic and environmental risks.While
India is ranked 9th in terms of its ability to tackle global economic risks, it
comes last at 10th position for environmental risks.However, India fared
relatively better at 6th position in terms of the government’s risk management
effectiveness.The US and China were ranked fourth and fifth respectively.
Indians Top the List of
Working in Dream Jobs
According to survey conducted by networking website
LinkedIn,Indians have emerged at the top of the list of people working in their
dream job.The dream job league table:1. India – 44 percent 2. Indonesia – 42
percent 3. United Arab Emirates – 35.7 percent 4. Germany – 33 percent 5.
Brazil – 32 percent 6. Austria – 31 percent 7. Switzerland – 30 percent 8. USA
– 29 percent 9. France, Canada, Sweden, South Africa – 28 percent 13.
Singapore, Hong Kong – 27 percent 15. Australia – 26 percent 16. New Zealand –
25 percent 17. UK – 21 percent
India – Vietnam Signed on Micro,
Small & Medium Enterprises
On 15 January India and Vietnam signed an MoU aimed
at building capacity for developing institutional framework and identifying
thrust areas and opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises in this
country.The MoU was signed here between the Ministry of Planning and
Investments of Vietnam and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs) of India .
India and Sri Lanka signed
Anti-terror, Tax evasion Agreements
On 22nd January India and Sri Lanka signed
two separate agreements on combating international terrorism and avoidance of
double taxation, eyeing elevation of “robust” bilateral ties to building
of a special economic partnership.The two key accords were signed after the 8th
India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission meeting held at New Delhi , both countries
discussed enhanced cooperation in a range of areas including civil
nuclear energy.At the meeting, the Indian side was led by External Affairs
Minister Salman Khurshid while the Lankans were led by his counterpart G.L.
Peiris.During the meet, both the parties also decided setting up of the Special
Economic Zone at Trincomali and a textile and pharmaceutical cluster in
Sri Lanka.
International Tea Producers Forum
formed
On 22 January India, along with five other tea producing
countries, has formed the International Tea Producers Forum (ITPF) at
Colombo.Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry D Purandesari signed
the joint communique on behalf of India along with representatives of Kenya,
Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Rwanda and Malawi in Colombo.The ITPF will
initially be an independent body but in future may get affiliated to Food &
Agriculture Organisation of United Nations.
India , Bangladesh Signed
Extradition and Visa Agreements
On 28 January Bangladesh and India signed an
extradition treaty and struck a deal to relax business visa restrictions
between the neighbouring countries. However, refusal provisions were
incorporated into the extradition treaty.Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde
signed the agreement with his Bangladeshi counterpart Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir at
the end of their bilateral talks.
India Dropped to 140th Rank in
Press Freedom
According to the report Reporters Without Borders
India has dropped nine places to the 140th rank in the list of 179 countries in
the latest World Press Freedom Index.China (173rd, +1) shows no sign of
improving. Its prisons still hold many journalists and netizens, while
increasingly unpopular Internet censorship continues to be a major obstacle to
access information.As last year, the list is topped by three European countries
– Finland, Netherlands and Norway.Turkmenistan, North Korea and Eritrea
continue to be at the bottom of the list as has been in the last three years.
NATIONAL
Govt Launched Direct Cash
Transfer Scheme in 20 Districts
On 1 January 2013 The government launched its
scaled down Cash Transfer Benefit (CBT) in 20 districts,but food, fertiliser
and fuel subsidies will not be covered in the initial phase. All 26 schemes are
ready for rollout. On 1 January 2013 the seven schemes in which payout is due
in the (20 selected) districts, the money will be transferred through the
direct benefit transfer system using the UIDAI platform.The scheme is going to
be rolled out in 43 districts by 1 March 2013, 20 districts from January 1, 11
districts from February 1 and 12 districts from March 1. By end of 2013, the
direct cash benefit transfer will be rolled out in all the districts of the
country.
PA Sangma launched National
People’s Party
PA Sangma, who broke away with the NCP in 2012 to
contest the presidential elections, though unsuccessfully, on 05 January 2013
launched National People’s Party (NPP), and chosen a book as its symbol. Sangma
has chosen to align his party with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance
(NDA).
President Released Stamps on
Swami Vivekananda
On 12 January The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee
released the Commemorative Postage Stamps, at the Commemoration of the 150th
Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, in New Delhi .
Annual Status of Education Report
(ASER) 2012
On 17 January According to the Annual Status of
Education Report (ASER) 2012 report has found that learning levels have
dipped to an all-time low. So, almost half the 6-7 year-olds (Class I) in India
cannot read even one letter in any language, over 57% cannot read any English
while almost 40% cannot recognize numbers between 1 and 9.The 12.8% children
between Class I and V could not read a single letter while 10.7% could not
recognize numbers 1 to 9. The number of children in Class V who could read
Class II text fell from 53.7% in 2010 to 46.8% in 2012. In 2010, seven out of
10 children could solve a two-digit subtraction problem with borrowing. This
has come down to five out of 10 in 2012.
STATES
Odisha Launched ‘ Public Service
Delivery System ‘
On 2 January The Odisha government launched the
much-sought after ” Public Service Delivery System ” for citizens under the
Odisha Right to Public Service Act, 2012.Under the new act, people will get
services like issue of driving license, birth and death certificates, passport
and trade license within a stipulated time.Odisha is among the 12th state to
implement the law.
Haryana Government announced
Kanyadan Scheme for Bride participants of Mass Marriages
The Government of Haryana on 3 January 2012 announced
its plan of launching a Kanyadan Scheme in the state for brides participating
in the mass marriage ceremony, which would be organised by any of the
registered NGO or the Red Cross Society. The scheme would carry an incentive
amount of 11000 rupees and would come into effect from 1 April 2012. The
incentive amount of 11000 rupees would be given to brides from all castes,
creeds, race, religion and the income category to which the girl belongs.
Arunachal Pradesh Collaborated
with NSDL for Adoption of National Pension Scheme
On 9 January The state of Arunachal Pradesh entered
into an agreement with signing of MoU with National Securities Depository Ltd
(NSDL), permitting it to work as a Central Record Keeping Agency (CRA) for
adoption of the National Pension System (NPS).National Pension Scheme NPS is an
initiative of the Union Government of India and Arunachal Pradesh is the 26th
State to adopt it.
Gujarat Tops List of Indian
States on Economic Freedom Policy
According to the ‘ Economic Freedom of States in India
‘ report which was released by former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor and
present Rajya Sabha Member Bimal Jalan.The top state in India in (terms of)
economic freedom in 2011 was western Indian state Gujarat. It displaced
southern Indian state Tamil Nadu which had been at the top in 2009.Gujarat
freedom index has been rising fast and estimated at 0.64 points.
The biggest improvement has been registered by Madhya Pradesh with
freedom index score rose from 0.42 in 2009 to 0.56 in 2011 enabling it to move
up from sixth to third position.
Assembly polls in
Tripura,Meghalaya and Nagaland on Febrauary
Assembly elections in Tripura will be held on
February 14 and in Meghalaya and Nagaland on February 23 and their results will
be out on February 28, the Election Commission announced on 10 January 2013.The
EC also announced byelections to nine assembly constituencies in Mizoram, Uttar
Pradesh, West Bengal and Punjab on February 23 and in Assam, Bihar and
Maharashtra on February 24, but their results will be out together on February
28.
President’s Rule Imposed on
Jharkhand
On 18 January Pranab Mukherjee, the President of
India imposed President’s Rule in Jharkhand under Article 356(1) of the
Constitution.The President’s Rule for the third time since its formation 12
years ago.The decision came as a follow up of the recommendation made by the
Union Cabinet of India and fall of the state machinery in form of Government on
8 January after the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha the supporting party to BJP led
Coalition Government withdrew its support from it. The state was placed under
President’s Rule in 2009 and 2010.
Three New High Courts for North
East
The Centre has constituted three new High Courts in
the northeast Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura taking the total number of
High Courts in the country from 21 to 24.According to Law Ministry sources, the
strength of judges in each High Court will be as follows: Tripura 4 (including
the Chief Justice), and Meghalaya and Manipur: three each (including the Chief
Justice).
CONFERENCES
100th Indian Science Congress
held in Kolkata
The 100th Indian Science Congress was held from 3
to 7 January in Kolkata (West Bengal) .The theme of the session is ”
Science for Shaping the Future of India ” .The session was inaugurated
by Pranab Mukherjee
the President of India .In the session
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh released ‘ The Science, Technology and
Innovation Policy(STI) 2013 ’ .On 4 January Former President Dr.
A.P.J.Abdul Kalam inaugurated a Children Science Congress as part of the 100th
Indian Science Congress .The 100th Indian Science Congress (ISC 2013) is also
organized a special programme “ Women empowerment for the development of the
country” to showcase the contribution of women in science and technology.This
is the 13th time the Indian Science Congress is being hosted by Kolkata
11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas held
in Kochi
11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) was held from 7-
9 January at Kochi (Kerala).Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag was the chief
guest of this official inaugural session.2000 delegates from 40 countries
attended the convention.The theme for this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is
“Engaging Diaspora – the Indian Growth Story”.On 7th January in the event they
discussed on problems that people from Kerala face in the region.Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh will inaugurated the annual flagship event and released the
postage stamp on Ghadar Movement on 8 January and President Pranab
Mukherjee will delivered the valedictory address on January 9 and also
presented the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awards.Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) is
celebrated on January 9 every year to mark the contribution of overseas Indian
community in the development of India.The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the first of
its kind involving the Indian Diaspora, was held in 2003 at New Delhi.
Fourth Meeting of ASEAN and India
Tourism Ministers held in Vientiane
The Fourth meeting of ASEAN and India Tourism
Minister (4th M-ATM+ India) was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR from 21 to
January in conjunction with the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2013 (ATF2013).The
Meeting was jointly co-chaired by H.E. Prof. Dr. Bosengkham Vongdara, Minister
of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lao PDR, and H.E. Dr. K.
Chiranjeevi, Minister for Tourism, Government of India.In the meeting Both the
Ministers have signed the Protocol to amend the Memorandum of Understanding
between ASEAN and India on Strengthening Tourism Cooperation.
World Economic Forum Summit Held
in Davos
The 43rd World Economic Forum Annual Meeting held
from 23 – 27 January at Davos-Klosters in Switzerland.The annual forum, which
has been running for over 40 years, provides a platform for decision-makers in
politics, non-governmental organisations and businesses to gather and to
exchange views on the world’s most pressing problems.The World Economic Forum
(WEF) unites international political leaders, business leaders and journalists
from across the globe to discussed and shape global, regional and industrial
agendas with regards to economics, health and the environment.The WEF was
founded in 1971 as a non-profit organization by the German Klaus Schwab, a
business professor at the University of Geneva.
AWARDS & HONOURS
Malala won ” 2012 Tipperary
International Peace Award “
On 3 January Malala Yousafzai, the teenaged
Pakistani school girl shot by a Taliban gunman last year , has been awarded the
” 2012 Tipperary International Peace Award ” from Ireland for her courage and
determination to speak out in support of equal access to education for
children.Malala is the second Pakistani to get the award. In 2007, it was given
to late Benazir Bhutto.
Malala honored with the French ”
Simone de Beauvoir ” Prize
On 9 January Malala Yousafzai (15), the schoolgirl
from Pakistan shot by Taliban for campaigning girls’ education, received
France’s Simone de Beauvoir Prize for Women’s Freedom in Paris. Malala’s father
Ziaudin Yousafzai received the honour on her behalf. he award is accompanied
with 2.5 million RupeTes honorarium.
Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award
2013
On 9 January Pranab Mukherjee President of India
presented the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (Awards) 2013 to 14 people,
included Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Mauritius
President Rajkeswur Purryag, He was also the Chief Guest of 11th Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas 2013. In accordance to Tradition, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman
(Awards) 2013 have been given to notable Indians living abroad.
The other awardees are Prof Dr Gurusharan Singh
Chhatwal of Germany for science, Dr Rasik Vihari Joshi (Mexico) for Literature,
Gilbert Canabady Moutien (Reunion Island) and Mohammed Rabeeh Karuvanthodi
(Saudi Arabia) for business, Patricia Maria Rozario(UK) for Music, Dr Narendra
Ramakrishna Kumar (USA) for Healthcare, Subash Razdan (USA) and Islmail Ebrahim
(South Afrcia) for Public service.
Dr Satendra Kumar Singh (New Zealand), Australia
India Society of Victoria (Australia) and Bava Pandalingal (UAE), Ashok
Shambhomal Vaswani (Guinea), Indian Doctors Forum, Kuwait for community
service, Tan Sri Ravindran Menon from Malaysia for Community service, are among
others on the list of awardees.
Mamata Banerjee gets gift from
PCB
Overwhelmed’ by the hospitality at the Eden Gardens
during India-Pakistan second ODI in Kolkata, the PCB sent the gift as a
silver-coated Quran to the Cricket Association of Bengal who handed it over to
the CM during a function at the Netaji Indoor in Kolkata on 10 January 2013.
Mahaveer Golechha Bags
Award for Alzheimer’s Drug
On 17 January The London-based Indian researcher
Mahaveer Golechha, was selected to be felicitated for an award that includes
his work on a drug that can be a potential cure of Alzheimer’s disease.In the
study conducted by Golechha, he found discovered that naringin has essential
anti-Alzheimer activity.
70th Golden Globe Awards –
2013
On January 13 The 70th Golden Globe Awards honored
the best in film and television of 2012, was presented in California .
Best Film – : Argo
Best Actor – : Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln)
Best Actress – : Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark
Thirty)
Best Director - Ben Affleck (Argo)
Best Musical or Comedy -: Les Miserables
Best Foreign Language Film – : Amour
Best Animated Feature Film -: Brave
Krishi Karman Awards 2011-
2012
On 15 January President Pranab Mukherjee
presented the Krishi Karman awards for the year 2011-12 at an award
ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awards were presented to the State
Governments for their excellent performance in increasing the production of
food grains in their respective states.
Awards in Different Segments :-
- The Awards for Special Contribution to
Total Food Grains Production - Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Manipur
and Nagaland
- Award for Contribution to Production and
Productivity of Rice – Bihar
- Award for Contribution to Production and
Productivity of Wheat - Haryana
- Award for Contribution to Production and
Productivity of Pulses - Jharkhand
- Award for Contribution to Production and
Productivity of Coarse Cereals – Uttar Pradesh
58th Filmfare Awards
The 58th Filmfare Awards were held honoring the
best films of 2012 from the Hindi-language film industry (commonly known as
Bollywood). The ceremony was held on January 20, 2013 at Mumbai.
Best Movie :- Barfi!
Best Actor :- Ranbir Kapoor (Film -Barfi!)
Best Actress :- Vidya Balan (Film – Kahaani )
Best Director :- Sujoy Ghosh (Film – Kahaani )
Lifetime Achievement Award :- Yash Chopra (After Death)
Prof C N R Rao awarded by Chinese
Academy of Sciences
The Chinese Academy of Sciences was awarded Prof C
N R Rao, National Research Professor and Honorary President of Jawaharlal Nehru
Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCAR), the prestigious “International
Scientific Cooperation Award 2012″. The award is designed to acknowledge
outstanding scientists for their contribution to science and for promoting
global networking of international science cooperation.
Padma Awards – 2013
President of India Approved the
Conferment of 108 Padma Awards
On 25 January Pranab Mukherjee, the President of
Union of India approved conferment of 108 Padma Awards. Four people have been
conferred with Padma Vibhusan, twenty four are conferred with Padma Bhushan and
80 people would be receiving Padma Shree Awards. Out of all the awardees
twenty-four are ladies and 11 people belong to categories like NRIs, PIOs,
Foreigners and Posthumous awardees.
Padma Vibhushan
Raghunath Mohapatra, Art, Orissa
S Haider Raza, Art, Delhi
Prof Yash Pal, Science and Engineering, Uttar
Pradesh
Prof Roddam Narasimha, Science and Engineering,
Karnataka
Padma Bhushan
Sharmila Tagore, Art, Delhi
Dr (Smt) Saroja Vaidyanathan, Art, Delhi
Late Rajesh Khanna, Art, Maharashtra
Late Jaspal Singh Bhatti, Art, Punjab
Adi Burjor Godrej, Trade and Industry, Maharashtra
Prof Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Literature &
Education USA
Rahul Dravid, Sports, Karnataka
H Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, Sports, Manipur
Padma Shri
Hosanagara Nagarajegowda Girisha, Sports, Karnataka
,
Subedar Major Vijay Kumar, Sports, Himachal Pradesh
Yogeshwar Dutt, Sports, Haryana
B Jayashree, Art, Karnataka
Sridevi Kapoor, Art, Maharashtra
Ramesh Gopaldas Sippy, Art, Maharashtra
359 Gallantry and Other Defence
Decorations Announced
On 26 January President Pranab Mukherjee has
approved awards of 359 Gallantry and other Defence decorations to Armed Forces
personnel and others on the eve of the 64th Republic Day Celebrations .This
includes 01 Kirti Chakra, 11 Shaurya Chakra, 56 Sena Medal (Gallantry), 01 Bar
to Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), 03 Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), 03 Vayu
Sena Medal (Gallantry), 28 Param Vishisht Seva Medal, 03 Uttam Yudh Seva Medal,
06 Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 44 Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 12 Yudh
Seva Medal, 02 Bar to Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 37 Sena Medal (Devotion to
Duty), 01 Bar to Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 07 Nao Sena Medal
(Devotion to Duty), 14 Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 04 Bar to Vishisht Seva
Medal and 116 Vishisht Seva Medal..Major Abup J Manjali of the Rashtriya
Rifles was selected for the award of Kirti Chakra for his extraordinary bravery
efforts in counter- terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Taiwan Business Magnate Launched Tang
Prize (Asian Noble Prize)
On 28 January Samuel Yin , A business magnate
tycoon from Taiwan has launched the Tang Prize(Asian Noble prize)
for outstanding achievements in natural and social sciences.He announced that
he would establish Tang Prize Foundation which would have an initial donation
of 103 million dollar.Tang Prize Foundation was decided that the prizes under
the Tang Prize Foundation will be awarded every alternate year to the
international leaders in sustainable development, biopharmaceutical science,
the rule of law as well as the study of China.
SPORTS & GAMES
Kohli is CEAT ” International
Cricketer of the Year “
On 4 January Vice-captain of Indian Cricket team
Virat Kohli was named the International Cricketer of the Year while
Pakistan cricket team was named as the Best International Cricket Team in the
2011-2012 season at the CEAT cricket awards in New Delhi. Unmukt Chand, who led
India to the U-19 World Cup win last year, got the inaugural Indian Youngster
of the Year award.The Former Pakistan cricket captain Zaheer Abbas received the
Lifetime Achievement Award.
Uttarakhand won 63rd National
Basketball Championship
On 4 January Uttarakhand won 63rd National
basketball championship men’s title after defeated Punjab in the final at
Ludhiana (Punjab).In the women’s section, Railways won the title against by
first-time finalist Tamil Nadu in the final.
Tipsarevic won Chennai Open
Tennis Title
On 6 January Second-seeded Janko Tipsarevic of
Serbia has won the ATP Chennai Open Title after defeated Roberto Bautista-Agut
of Spain in the final at Chennai.Tipsarevic won the chennai open title for the
first time in his career.
Nicol David won World Series
Squash Title
On 6 January Nicol David won the World Series
Squash Finals women’s title after defeated England’s Laura Massaro in the
final at London.In the men’s final, Egypt’s Amr Shabana came from behind to
beat England’s Nick Matthew .
Australia Won Test Against Sri
Lanka
Australia secured a five-wicket won in the third
and final Test match against Sri Lanka on 6 January at the Sydney Cricket
Ground (SCG) .
Brisbane International Tennis
Winners – 2013
Womens Single’s :Serena Williams (USA) won the WTA
Brisbane International womens single’s title on 5 January with a straight sets
demolition of Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Men’s Singles : In the Men’s singles Category
Andy Murray from scotland won the title after defeated Bulgarian Grigor
Dimitrov .
Women’s Doubles : Sania Mirza and her partner
Bethanie Mattek-Sands won the women’s doubles trophy by winning against Kveta
Peschke and Anna-Lena Groenefeld
Men’s Doubles : Marcelo Melo – Tommy Robredo won
the doubles title after defeated Eric Butorac – Paul Hanley .
Pakistan won the Three – Match
Series
On 6 January Pakistan won the three-match series by
2-1 against India.With this win over Pakistan, India lost the three matches one
day series .Nasir Jamshed of Paksitan was declared as the Player of the
tournament.MS Dhoni was once again chosen as the Player of the match.
Lionel Messi, the man of the four
Golden Balls
Lionel Messi became the first four-time winner of
the FIFA Player of the Year award after shattering the world record with 91
goals last year(2012) for Barcelona and Argentina.His 91 goals topped Gerd
Mueller’s mark of 85 for Bayern Munich and Germany in 1972.
Bangar quits first-class cricket
Former India player and Railways captain Sanjay
Bangar announced his retirement from first-class cricket after guiding
his team to a 122-run victory over Bengal in the final league game of the Ranji
Trophy on 01 January 2013 in Kolkata.He played 165 first class matches amassing
8342 runs at an average of 33.35 and has 300 wickets to his credit.
National Table Tennis
Championship Winners
On 11 January Soumyajit Ghosh became the
youngest national champion after he defeated six-time winner Achanta Sharath
Kamal in the summit clash of the 74th National Table Tennis Championship mens
singles final at Raipur.Shamini Kumaresan won the womens singles title.Sourav
Chakraborty and Ganeshan Sathiyan won the doubles title.In the Women doubles
category K. Spoorthy and Nikhat Banu (AP) defeated Madhurika Patkar and Pooja
Sahasrabudhe in the final and got the title.
Haryana girls retain U-20 hockey
title
Haryana defeated Uttar Pradesh 1-0 to retain their
under-20 women hockey national championship at the Gachibowli Stadium on 16
January 2013.
Kerala won 61st National
Volleyball Championship Title
On 16 January Kerala defeated Tamilnadu to
retain the men’s title in the 61st Senior National Volleyball Championship at
the Sawai Man Singh Indoor Stadium in Jaipur.In the women’s section, Railways
defeated Kerala and won the title in the final.
Malaysian Open Badminton
Championship Winners
Men’s Singles: Lee Chong Wei (Indonesia) won the
Men’s singles title after defeated Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the final at Kuala
Lumpur on 20 January.
Men’s Doubles: Mohd Ahsan (Indonesia) -Hendra
Setiawan (China) defeated Ko Sung-hyun-Lee Yong-dae (Malaysia) in the final.
Women’s Singles: Tai Tzu-ying (Thailand) won the
women’s singles title after defeated Yao Xue (Korea)
Women’s Doubles: In the event Bao Yixin-Tian Qing
(China) won the title after defeated Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka
Takahashi (Japan)
Lalith Babu takes top honours
Lalith Babu defeated Swapnil Dhopade in the final
round to clinch the Chennai Super Kings International Grandmaster chess
tournament that concluded at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai on 23 January
2013.Lalith Babu won Rs.200,000 and the trophy after becoming the first Indian
player to claim the Chennai Open
Australian Open Tennis Tournament
– 2013 Winners
Womens Single’s :- Victoria Azarenka of Belarus won
the Women’s Singles title of the Australian Open Tennis tournament after
defeated Li Na of China in the final at Melbourne on 26 January .
Men’s Singles:- Novak Djokovic
(Serbia) has won the men’s singles title after defeating Andy
Murray (Britain) in four sets. This is Djokovic’s fourth Australian Open and
over all six Grand Slam single title.
Women’s Doubles:- Top seeds Sara Errani and Roberta
Vinci won the title, defeating wild cards Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua in
the final.
Men’s Doubles : Top seeded American brothers Bob
and Mike Bryan won the men’s doubles title. Americans Mike and Bob Bryan won
their record 13th Grand Slam doubles title, defeating the Dutch team of Robin
Haase and Igor Sijsling .
Magnus Carlsen Won Tata Steel
Chess Championship
Magnus Carlsen won Tata Steel 2013 Chess tournament
title in the final at Netherlands on 27 January .In the final round
tournament, he scored 10 points , winning clear first ahead of second-place
finisher Aronian (Armenia).World champion Viswanathan Anand at third position.
Mumbai won 40th Ranji Trophy
Title
On 29 January Mumbai won its 40th Ranji Trophy
title against Saurashtra by an inning and 125 runs in the final at Wankhede at
Mumbai .Wasim Jaffar was declared Man of the Match. Ajit Agarkar was the
captain of the winning team.
ECONOMY
Philippines introduced ‘sin tax’
A “sin tax” on cigarettes and alcohol was
introduced in the Philippines on 01 January 2013, as part of a government bid
to boost finances.Many stores started selling tobacco and drink at inflated
prices before midnight , ahead of the official implementation of the tax hikes
on January 01, hitting partygoers in the pocket.Tax on cigarettes will
gradually be raised to 30 pesos ($0.72) per pack by 2017, roughly doubling the
current price to around 52 pesos.Duty on alcohol will also increase gradually
until 2017, increasing the price of a bottle of beer by 23.50 pesos, with
varying levels for other drinks including wine and spirits.
LIC Launched New Jeewan
Nidhi & Flexi Plus Policies
The Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India
launched two new Insurence policies New Jeevan Nidhi, a pension scheme, and
Flexi Plus on 3 January .New Jeewan Nidhi provides the facility of insurance
coverage of full amount while the insured person keeps depositing premiums.The
Flexi policy is a unit linked insurance product. The plan not only
provides a lump sum benefit on death but also maturity benefit irrespective of
survival of the policy holder
Mukesh Ambani 18th richest man in
world
Indian business magnate Mukesh Ambani is the 18th
richest person in the world with a personal wealth of $24.7 billion in 2012,
according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a daily ranking of the world’s
100 wealthiest individuals. Mexican telecommunications magnate Carlos Slim
remained the world’s richest person last year holding a personal fortune of
more than $70 billion.Microsoft founder Bill Gates and the founder of fashion
retailer Zara, Amancio Ortega, got a second and third places respectively.
Indian Companies Top Globally in
R&D Investment
According to the European Commission report Indian
companies have come on the top globally when it comes to growth in their
research and development (R&D) investments, leaving their counterparts in
the US and Europe far behind.Indian firms rank far below when it comes to
absolute R&D investments made by them and the top-ranked company from the
country.These are the only 14 Indian companies present in a list of top-1500
entities worldwide in terms of their annual R&D investments.The top-ranked
Indian company is Infosys at 329th place and Japanese company Toyota Motor
appears at the top of the ranking in the 2012 Scoreboard.
IMF forecasted Indian Economic
Growth Rate to be 5.9 percent in 2013
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 23 January
2013 pegged India’s economic growth rate in 2013 at 5.9 per cent and projected
a higher growth of 6.4 per cent next year in line with the gradual
strengthening of global expansion.
World Bank’s “Global Economic
Prospects 2013″ Report
According to the World Bank “Global Economic
Prospects 2013″ report , India’s growth is expected to inch closer to that of
China in near future, in which the economies of developing countries like India,
China and Brazil are projected to be recovering and higher growth rate.The
World Bank expects that by 2015, the growth rate of China would be 7.9% and
that of India 7%.While the growth of the world economy growth is projected to
inch up from 2.3% in 2012 to 2.4% in 2013, with the high-income countries
remaining at the same level of growth of 1.3% in both 2012 and 2013, it is the
emerging markets like India, China and Brazil that would show significant signs
of recovery.They are expecting a recovery in India from 5.1% growth in 2012 to
6.1% growth in 2013.
India 119th on Economic Freedom
Index
According to the ‘Heritage Foundation’ 2013 Index
of Economic Freedom survey report , India has been ranked as the 119th freest
country in the world and India’s economic freedom score stood at 55.2, as its
institutional shortcomings continue to undermine the foundations for long-term
economic development.The top ten countries in the list include Hong Kong,
Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Switzarland, canada, Chili, Mauritius,
Denmark and US.
India second in steel production
globally
India is second only to China in terms of steel
production. In the last 5 years India’s production grew by 33 percent, thus
making it behind China among the top 5 steel producing nation. World Steel
Association (WSA) data has revealed that China’s production grew by 39 per cent
during 2008-2012, India’s by 33 percent and India’s production grew constantly
in the last five years from 57.8 MT in 2008 to 63.5 MT in 2009, 69 MT in 2010,
73.6 MT in 2011 and 76.7 MT in 2012
RBI cuts CRR, Repo Rates
On 29 January The Reserve Bank of India
slashed its key interest rates by 0.25 per cent and released 18000 crore
rupees additional liquidity into the system to perk up growth through reduced
cost of borrowing. RBI in its third quarter monetary policy review surprised
the market by cutting short-term lending rate called repo, by 0.25 per cent to
7.75 per cent and Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by similar margin to 4 per cent.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
US approved First new
Tuberculosis Drug
On 1 January The US Food and Drug administration
approved a Johnson & Johnson tuberculosis drug in 40 years
.This is the first new medicine to fight the deadly infection in more than four
decades.The disease is rare in the US, but kills about 1.4 million people a
year worldwide.
Spiral galaxy IC 2233
Astronomers had captured one of the flattest
galaxies known in the universe, sitting like a silver needle in the haystack of
space. The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope produced a beautiful image of the
spiral galaxy IC 2233, one of the flattest galaxies. The IC 2233 is located
about 40 million light-years away from Earth. This galaxy was earlier
discovered by British astronomer Isaac Roberts in 1894.
“Immune system ‘booster’ may hit
cancer”
Japanese research where stem cells were used to
clone and produce large numbers of a specialized type of white blood cell.
These cells, known as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), are produced by the
immune system and are able to recognize specific markers on the surface of
various tumour cells, causing them to launch an attack to kill the tumour
cells.The researchers are succeeded in using stem cells to “mass-produce”
CTLs in laboratory conditions.
Chinese Biologists Discovered
Antibiotic In Panda Blood
Chinese biologists have discovered that the blood
of the endangered giant panda includes a compound called ” Cathelicidin-AM ”
which acts as a natural antibiotic. The nature of the blood compound makes it
an attractive treatment for so-called superbugs, those strains of disease that
have become immune or resistant to traditional antibiotics.
India to make world’s largest
solar telescope
India is likely to begin construction of the
world’s largest solar telescope on the foothills of the Himalayas in Ladakh to
understand the fundamental processes taking place on the Sun by year-end.A
2-metre class, state-of-the-art National Large Solar Telescope (NLST), built by
Bangalore-based Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), will permit Indian
scientists to carry out cutting edge research aimed to study Sun’s atmosphere.
Internet emits 830 mt of carbon
dioxide annually
According to Researchers from the Centre for
Energy-Efficient Telecommunications (CEET) and Bell Labs, Internet and other
components of information communication and technology (ICT) industry annually
produces more than 830 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main
greenhouse gas, and is expected to double by 2020
‘Lakshya’ Missile Successfully
Tested
India’s indigenously developed, ‘Lakshya’ was sucessfully
tested on 7 January .It was launched from the Integrated Test Range – ITR, at
Odisha .25 meters in length, 100 km away from the target to the missile .
17 billion’ Earth-sized planets
in Milky Way
The Milky Way contains at least 17 billion planets
the size of Earth.Astronomers using NASA’s Kepler spacecraft found that about
17 percent of stars in our galaxy have a planet about the size of Earth in a
close orbit.The Milky Way is known to host about 100 billion stars, meaning
that about one of every six has an Earth-sized planet around it.
Brahmos cruise missile test fired
in successfully
Supersonic cruise missile BrahMos scored once again
in its 34th launch on 09 January 2013 off Visakhapatnam in the Bay of Bengal,
hitting a decommissioned vessel with accuracy.As it took off vertically from a
naval warship, reached an altitude of 14 km, levelled out and started cruising
at three times the speed of sound, it performed “a double manoeuvre in S-form”
and hit the decommissioned ship, about 290 km away.
Astronomers Found ” NGC 6872 ”
Largest known Spiral Galaxy
A team of astronomers from the United States, Chile
and Brazil has crowned it the largest-known spiral galaxy, a spectacular
behemoth five times bigger than our own Milky Way, based on archival data from
NASA’s Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) mission.The title-holder is now NGC
6872, a barred spiral found 212 million light-years away in the southern
constellation Pavo. The distance between NGC 6872′s two huge spiral arms is
522,000 light-years, compared to about 100,000 light-years for the Milky Way.
Indian Scientists Discovered
Molecule for Cancer Treatment
A team of Indian researchers, led by Dr Sathees C
Raghavan of the Indian Institute of Science at Bangalore, have identified a
molecule which they claim will revolutionise the cure for cancer.The molecule
has been named after “Sathees as SCR7” and a detailed account of it has been
carried in the international scientific journal “Cell”".Scientists world
over believe that the double strand break (DSB) of DNA is one of the most
lethal form of DNA damage, resulting in drastic consequences such as genome instability,
and cancer.
“Largest Space structure in the
Universe:Large Quasar Group
An international team lead by astronomer Roger
Clowes of the University of Central Lancashire in England discovered the
largest known structure in the universe, a clump of active galactic cores that
stretches 4 billion light-years from end to end.This is the largest Space
structure in the Universe.This structure is known as a “Large Quasar
Group(LQG)”.
Indian Scientists Discovered
Molecule for Cancer Treatment
A team of Indian researchers, led by Dr Sathees C
Raghavan of the Indian Institute of Science at Bangalore, have identified a
molecule which they claim will revolutionise the cure for cancer.The molecule
has been named after “Sathees as SCR7” and a detailed account of it has been
carried in the international scientific journal “Cell”".Scientists world
over believe that the double strand break (DSB) of DNA is one of the most
lethal form of DNA damage, resulting in drastic consequences such as genome
instability, and cancer.
World’s First Global Renewable
Energy Atlas Launched
On 13 January Abu Dhabi-based International
Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) launched the world’s first clean energy atlas
at IRENA’S General Assembly , currently offers open-access information on solar
and wind power throughout the world and the creators plan to expand to other
renewable energy resources over the next two years.The atlas includes
information on clean energy resources in 37 countries, including those which
have no diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates.The International
Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is working in partnership with the Renewable
Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) to build a qualitative and
quantitative data framework for renewable energy in developing countries.
Ancient River Found on Mars
On 17 January The European Space Agency scientists
have revealed a 1500 km long and 7 kilometre wide river that once ran across
Mars.The images which were captured by the ESA’s Mars Express showed Reull
Vallis, the river-like structure, which is believed to have formed when water
ran from the surface of Mars in distant past. The structure which surprised the
astronomers stretches for around 900 miles or 1500 km across the Martian
surface and also shows various tributaries. These structures, it is believed,
were formed somewhere around 3.5 billion years ago.
India Increased Rafale Fighter
Jets’ Order
India could buy up to 189 of the Rafale fighter
jets currently being used by France to bomb Islamist militants in Mali, sources
close to negotiations on the multi-billion dollar deal .The possibility of an
additional 63 jets being added to an expected order for 126 was raised by India
.The Indian press has estimated the value of the deal for 126 Rafales at $12
billion (nine billion euros).A 50 per cent increase in the number of planes
ordered would take it to around $18 billion, in a huge boost for the French
defence industry.
‘Japan to replace Fukushima plant
with world’s largest wind farm’
In the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster,
Japan had decided to build the world’s largest offshore wind farm to replace
the crippled nuke plant.The country plans to build a total of 143 wind turbines
on platforms 16 kilometres off the coast of Fukushima by 2020, which is home to
the stricken Daiichi nuclear reactor that hit the headlines in March 2011 when
it was damaged by a severe earthquake and tsunami.The wind farm will generate 1
gigawatt of power once completed, and is part of a national plan to increase
renewable energy resources following the post-tsunami shutdown of the country’s
54 nuclear reactors.The wind farm will surpass the 504 megawatts generated by
the 140 turbines at the Greater Gabbard farm off the coast of Suffolk, UK –
currently the world’s largest farm.
India, US finalise Rs 3,000 crore
deal for jet engines
India and the US have finalised a Rs 3000-crore
deal for supplying 99 jet engines to be used in the indigenous Light Combat
Aircraft ‘Tejas’ being developed by the DRDO.Around two years ago, India had
selected the American company General Electric over its rival European Eurojet
2000 for the LCA Mark II programme expected to be ready around 2014-15.The deal
worth Rs 3,000 crore has been finalised with the US for procuring 99 engines
for the LCA Tejas MkII.As per the contract, the order could be for 99 engines
initially but India will have the option of ordering another 100 engines in the
future.
INS Saryu Inducted into Indian
Navy
On 21 January Air Marshal PK Roy,
Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command, commissioned INS Saryu into
the Indian Navy at Goa .INS Saryu is the lead ship of the indigenous Naval
Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) Project designed and built by Goa Shipyard
Limited, the ship aptly demonstrates the immense potential of the country’s
indigenous designing and ship building capabilities.Capable of carrying a
helicopter (ALH) onboard, the ship’s weapon and sensor outfit includes a SRGM
76.2 mm gun with an electro-optic fire control system, two 30mm guns as close
in weapon systems, latest navigational and early warning radars, chaff launchers
for self protection and an integrated ESM system to undertake all assigned
missions.
MIT researchers Created Moisture
– Powered Polymer
MIT ( Massachusetts Institute of Technology )
researchers have created a new polymer film that can generate electricity
by drawing on a ubiquitous source: water vapor.The new material changes its
shape after absorbing tiny amounts of evaporated water, allowing it to
repeatedly curl up and down. Harnessing this continuous motion could drive
robotic limbs or generate enough electricity to power micro- and nanoelectronic
devices, such as environmental sensors.
India Sucessfully Test Fired K-5
Ballistic Missile
On 27 January India successfully test fired medium
range K-5 ballistic missile ,with a strike range of around 1500 kilometres,
from an underwater platform in Bay of Bengal.K-5 is part of the family of
underwater missiles being developed by Defence Research and Development
Organization (DRDO) for the Indian strategic forces’ underwater platforms.
Iran ‘successfully sent monkey
into space’
Iran on 28 January 2013 announced that it had
successfully send a monkey to the space.It also declared that the monkey
come back to the Earth successfully.The rocket called Pishgam (meaning Pioneer)
reached at a height of 120 km (75 miles) for a sub-orbital flight before
“returning its shipment intact”. The first country to launch the primate into
space was US.
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Asif Ibrahim appointed as
chief Intelligence Bureau
Indian Police Service officer SA Ibrahim appointed
as chief of the Intelligence Bureau on 01 January 2013 and he becoming the
first from the country’s main minority community(Muslim Community) to hold the
post. Ibrahim, an IPS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has taken over as
from Nehchal Sandhu who retired December 31. He will hold the post for two
years.
Urjit Patel appointed as RBI
deputy governor
On 02 January 2013 Urjit Patel, a consultant at Boston
Consulting Group, had been appointed a deputy governor at the Reserve Bank of
India, succeeding Subir Gokarn who was aiding the governor in shaping the
monetary policy.
YV Reddy to head 14th Finance
Commission
On 02 January 2013 former RBI governor YV Reddy was
appointed chairman of the 14th finance commission to suggest principles
of sharing of revenues between the Centre and the states and insulate pricing
of public utilities like electricity, water and public transport from policy
fluctuations.
Ami Bera and Tulsi Gabbard Sworn
In As US Lawmakers
On 4 January Indian American physician from
California, Ami Bera, and the young Iraq war veteran from Hawaii, Tulsi
Gabbard, created history after being sworn in as new members of the US House of
Representatives.Bera is only the third Indian American have ever been
elected to the House of Representatives.Tulsi Gabbard is the first Hindu ever
to won the Congressional election.
Malala’s Father Appointed as
Education Attache in Birmingham
On 3 January Malala’s father Ziauddin Yousafzai has
been appointed as the education attache at the Pakistan consulate in
Birmingham, England.The job is believed to be for up to three years.
Indian American Srinivasan
re-nominated as Federal Judge
On 4 January Srikanth Srinivasan a
brilliant Indian American legal mind has been re-nominated by US President
Barack Obama to serve as Federal Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit.In
June 2012 he was nominated by Obama to serve on the US Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia Circuit.
Justice D K Jain appointed new
Law Commission chief
The Union Cabinet of India on 7 January 2013
appointed Justice D K Jain as Chairman of 20th Law Commission
of India. He gives advice to the government on complex legal issues. Justice Jain,
64, will take over as the chief of the law panel on January 24 after retiring
from the Supreme Court on the same day.
John Brennan as a CIA
director
U.S. President Barack Obama announced on )7
January 2013 John Brennan wasnominated as director of the American
Intelligence Agency(CIA) and Chuck Hagel as a Defense secretary. John
Brennan played a key role in encounter the Osama Bin Laden.
Indian-origin politician to be
Singapore’s first woman speaker
Indian-origin politician Halimah Yacob elected as
the first woman Speaker of Singapore’s Parliament on 08 Janauary 2013.She
take charges from 14 January 2013.Halimah, a former labour lawyer, is a member
of Parliament from the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).
Kulwant Singh Gill Took charge as
new Commandant of NDA
On 8 January Air Marshal Kulwant Singh Gill took
charge as the new commandant of the National Defence Academy (NDA) at
Khadakwasla, Pune.The NDA provides three-year training in defence and academics
to its cadets before they move on to their respective officers’ training
academies for another one-year course and get commissioned into the armed
forces.
R.K. Dubey Took Charge as Canara
Bank’s new CMD
On 11 January R.K. Dubey has assumed charge as the
Chairman and Managing Director of Canara Bank .Mr. Dubey was previously worked
as a Punjab National Bank General Manager in 2008 and was appointed as
Executive Director of Central Bank of India in 2010.
Rajkumar Goyal Took Charge as
Central Bank of India new ED
On 11 January Rajkumar Goyal has took charge as
Executive Director (ED) of Central Bank of India (CBI).He was previously with
the bank of India as the General Manager of Human Resources Department
Obama nominated Jack Lew as new
Treasury Chief
On 11 January President Barack Obama nominated his
chief of staff, Jack Lew, to become the next Treasury secretary and succeed
Timothy Geithner.Last year, Lew was named Obama’s chief of staff, and before
that he had served as the White House budget director.
First Gujarati in UK cabinet
Lord Dolar Popat has appointed a minister in the UK
cabinet .He become the first Gujarati taking his place in the UK cabinet .Popat
was appointed minister for business, innovation & skills and transport.
Mohan Pieris assumes duties as
44th Chief Justice of Sri Lanka
On 15 January 2013 ,Sri Lankan President Mahinda
Rajapaksa appointed his cabinet’s legal advisor as the country’s new
Chief Justice to succeed Shirani Bandaranayake. Rajapaksa sworn in new Chief
Justice Mohan Peiris to replace Sri Lanka’s first woman chief justice who was
impeached by the parliament in a controversial move.Peiris, a British qualified
solicitor who retired in 2011 as the Attorney General was serving as the legal
advisor to the Cabinet.
Ved Prakash is UGC chairman
Ved Prakash, serving as acting chairman of the
University Grants Commission, had been appointed as its chairman on 18 January
2013.The chairman’s post remained vacant ever since S. Thorat retired in
February 2011. Since then Mr. Prakash had been the acting chairman.
Obama Sworn in as the US
President for Second Term
On 20 January US President Barack Obama Barack
Obama was sworn in as the President of the country for a second four-year
term.Obama as the 44th president of the United States and also he is the third
consecutive president to win two terms, after Bush and Clinton. Joe Biden
sworn-in for second term as US vice-president.
Suchitra Ella, Founding
Chairwoman of CII’s women wing
Suchitra K. Ella, Joint Managing Director, Bharat
Biotech International, had been nominated as the Founding Chairwoman of the
Indian Women Network of CII. The network aims to provide a platform for working
women to come together and discuss issues and opportunities and share best
practices. She is currently the Chairperson of CII Andhra Pradesh State Council
for 2012-13. She had earlier been elected to the CII Andhra Pradesh State
Council. She has been awarded the International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge
award 2007 by the Chamber of Commerce of Barcelona, the Manhattan Chamber of
Commerce and the FLO GR8 Women Achievers Award 2008 for entrepreneurial
excellence.
B)RESIGNS
Jharkhand CM Arjun Munda resigned
Political uncertainty deepened in Jharkhand on 08
January 2013, with Chief Minister Arjun Munda submitted his resignation to
Governor Syed Ahmed. On 07 January 2013, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)
announced the withdrawal of its support to the BJP-led government.
Rajapaksa Dismissed First Woman
Chief Justice of the Country
On 13 January Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President of
Sri Lanka dismissed the first woman chief justice of the country, Shirani
Bandarnayake after endorsing her impeachment by the Parliament that caught her
guilty on the corruption charges.She appointed as a chief Justice on May 2011.
C)DEATHS
Violin maestro MSG passes away
M.S. Gopalakrishnan — legendary violinist known for
his mastery of both the Carnatic and Hindustani systems of classical music —
passed away on 03 January 2013 in Chennai.In his career spanning 75 years, he
not only broke new ground as an accompanist, but also rose to become one of the
best solo violinists in the country, along with Lalgudi G. Jayaraman and T.N.
Krishnan. The three are considered the ‘violin trinity’ of south Indian
classical music.Despite enviable success and accolades that came in the form of
national honours such as the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, and innumerable
titles, including the ‘Sangita Kalanidhi’ title awarded by The Music Academy,
Chennai.
Pakistani singer Mehnaz Begum is
no more
Renowned Pakistani singer Mehnaz Begum died on 19
January 2013.Mehnaz specialized in ghazal, thumri, dadra, khayal, drupad and
reciting salam, noha and marsiya.Mehnaz was the daughter of popular
sub-continental singer Kajjan Begum.She sang over 2,500 songs for radio‚
television and films in a variety of genres like ghazal, thumri, dadra, khayal
and drupad.
D)VISITORS
Mauritius President Rajkeswur
Purryag Visited India
Mauritius President
Rajkeswur Purryag visited India from 3 – 10 January .During the visit
Purryag met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pranab Mukherjee on 4 January in
New Delhi. In Bihar , he visited his ancestral village , Bojeetpore near
Patna.President Purryag also the chief guest of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
.He attended the 3 days event 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas held in Kochi
(Kerala).
Vice President Hamid Ansari
Visited Vietnam
Vice President Hamid Ansari visited Vietnam from 14
to 17 January.During the visit Ansari met Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister
Vu Van Ninh and discussed the both countries bilateral issues , signed several
agreements .Ansari attended the closing ceremony of the celebrations to mark
the 40th anniversary of the India-Vietnam diplomatic ties.
Bhutan King Wangchuck Visited
India
The King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
visited India from 23-30 January.During the visit he attended the India’s
Republic Day celebrations as a Chief Guest.Wangchuck met President Pranab
Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and the United Progressive Alliance’s
Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi.This is the fourth time since 1954 that a Bhutanese
King will be a Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations.
E)MISCELLANEOUS
Ex-Haryana CM Chautala, son get
10 years jail
Former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala
and his son Ajay had been sentenced to 10 years in jail in connection with a
teachers recruitment scam.Special CBI Judge Vinod Kumar sentenced the Chautalas
and seven others to 10 years in jail while one convict was given five years in
jail and 45 others four years in jail.
Swaminarayan sect opens
$100-million quake-proof temple near Hollywood
One of the biggest Hindu temples in the US, built
at a whopping cost of $100 million near the Hollywood city in Los Angeles .The
68th Swaminarayan temple of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan
Sanstha (BAPS) had been built using 35,000 pieces of meticulously hand carved
Italian Carrara marble and Indian Pink Sandstone.
Premlata Conquers Summit of Mt
Vinson in Antarctica
On 17 January Premlata Agrawal, the oldest woman in
India to have climbed Mt. Everest, has conquered Mt. Vinson in Antarctica in
pursuit of the ‘Mountaineering Challenge’ of climbing the ‘Seven Summits’.She
completed her Mt. Vinson expedition on January .The person successful in
conquering all the seven summits is considered a member of the ‘Hall of Fame’
for mountaineers.Premlata will become the first Indian woman and one of the
oldest in the world to conquer all seven summits.
Ex-ISRO chairman Inducted in to ‘
Satellite Hall of Fame ‘
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
announced its former chairman and Department of Space secretary Prof U R Rao by
inducting him as the member of the prestigious ‘ Satellite Hall of Fame ‘ ,
Washington.Since 1987, the SSPI Hall of Fame has been recognising the
invaluable contribution of the visionaries who have transformed life on planet
earth for the better through satellite technology. Members of the Hall of Fame
are recognised pioneers in communications, satellite related aerospace scientific
research or development and delivery of applications for business, institutions
and government via satellite.
David Headley sentenced for 35
years for 26/11 role(Mumbai attacks)
Pakistani-American Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorist David
Headley was on 24 January 2013 sentenced to 35 years in jail by a Chicago court
for his ‘unquestionable’ role in the massacre of 166 people in the 2008 Mumbai
attacks.
Forbes India Celebrity 100 List
According to the Forbes India “” Celebrity 100 List
“” The Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, topped the inaugural Forbes
India Celebrity 100 list.Forbes India estimates, the total earning of
Shah Rukh from October 2011 and September 2012 was 202.8 crore Rupees.The
ranking was given based on the popularity as well as income of the biggest
entertainers of India. Second on the list was Salman Khan and MS Dhoni followed
in the third position.The special edition of Forbes India judged in eight
different categories – directors, film actors, TV personailities, models,
comedians, sports stars, authors and singers/musicians.The youngest celebrity
in the list of Forbes India was Saina Nehwal, aged 23 years.
Switzerland best place to be
born, India 66th
Switzerland has been called the best place in the
world to be born in 2013 according to the The Economist Intelligence Unit
(EIU), a sister company of The Economist. The worst place for a baby to start
life was violence-hit African country Nigeria. The survey included 80 nations
and Australia ranked second followed by Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Singapore,
Netherlands, Hong Kong, Canada and New Zealand were also ranked among top 10.
India was ranked 66th place.The survey included significant parameters to judge
the best country to be born and these factors included demography, geography,
cultural and social characteristics, state of economy, future income per head
as well as public policy.
PLACES IN NEWS
Strong Quake in Indonesia
On 22nd January A strong, shallow earthquake
rocked parts of western Indonesia early killed 30 persons and panicking
residents and ruining homes. Several other people were injured.Indonesia’s
meteorology and geophysics agency put the preliminary magnitude at 6.0 and said
the inland quake caused no tsunami. It was centered southwest of the city of
Banda Aceh and 10 miles (6 kilometers) beneath the earth’s crust, according to
the U.S. Geological Survey..
233 People Killed in Brazil Night
Club Fire Accident
On 27 January The blaze in the university town of
Santa Maria nightclub fire killed at least 233 people in southern Brazil .Most
of those who died were suffocated by toxic fumes that rapidly filled the
crowded club after sparks from pyrotechnics used by the band for visual effects
set fire to soundproofing on the ceiling.
ABBREVIATIONS
CBT————-Cash Transfer Benefit
EIU————–Economist Intelligence Unit
CBS————Central Bureau of Statistics
NLST———-National Large Solar
Telescope
CEET———-Centre for Energy-Efficient
Telecommunications
CIA———–American Intelligence Agency
WEF———-World Economic Forum
PBS———Pravasi Bhartiya Divas
MSME——–Ministry of Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises
BWF———–Badminton World Federation
BOOKS IN NEWS
Swami Vivekananda “The Monk as
Man ” Book Released
The renowned Bengali writer Shankar wrote a “The
Monk as Man ” book on Swami Vivekananda ,who spread the message of India’s
spiritual heritage across the world.In the book Shankar described Vivekananda
used to emphasise greatly on physical strength and is known for the shocking
statement ‘Better to play football than read the Gita’.
McChrystal “My Share of the
Task: A Memoir ” Book Released
General Stanley McChrystal, the former American
commander in Afghanistan, wrote a “My Share of the Task: A Memoir,” book which
was released on 7 January .In the book Chrystal explained that tensions between
the White House and the Pentagon were evident in the Obama administration from
its opening months in office.This book is not just for aficionados of military
history or for students of American foreign policy .
COMMITTEES
Vijay Kelkar Committee for Fiscal
Consolidation
The Vijay Kelkar Committee, which was appointed by
Finance Ministry to suggest a roadmap for fiscal consolidation, has suggested
immediate hike in fuel prices and complete deregulation of diesel prices by
start of 2014-15 fiscal.It also suggested raising kerosene and LPG rates.Now
the Kelkar committee recommendation is still at proposal stage.
Justice Verma Committee Submitted
Report
On 23 January The three-member committee included
former Chief Justice of India, J S Verma, who headed the committee, Justice
(Retd.) Leila Seth, former Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court and
Gopal Subramanian, former Solicitor General of India , set up to suggest ways
to make rape laws stronger in the country, has submitted its report with
recommendations to enhance and amend existing laws dealing with cases of sexual
crime.The Justice Verma panel recognised failure of governance as primary cause
of sexual crimes.The Panel suggested Trafficking should be made punishable with
imprisonment ranging from not less than 7 years to 10 years .There was a need
for the separate Bill of Rights for women that will make sure that women would
have their own rights for having sexual autonomy.”
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