Current Affairs Oct 2012 /WWGK

INTERNATIONAL

Imran Khan on anti-drone ‘peace march’ to tribal belt

Imran Khan on 6th October 2012 set off on a motorcade “peace march” to the terrorists-riddled South Waziristan to protest US drone strikes in the tribal belt.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Re-Elected for fourth term

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has been re-elected for the third term. Mr Chavez defeated opposition leader Henrique Capriles. Mr Chavez garnered 54.42 per cent of the vote while his rival bagged 44 per cent votes.

Pakistani youth support Malala Yousufzai

Pakistani teenaged rights campaigner, Malala Yousafzai, who was on 14th October 2012 shot by the Taliban for publicly opposing them against the girl education.She got the support from all over the world.

Ali Zidan elected Libya PM

Libya’s 200-member General National Congress has elected a former congressman and human rights lawyer Ali Zidan  as the country’s new Prime Minister on 14th October 2012.

Austrian skydiver breaks sound barrier

Austrian national Felix Baumgartner, who jumped from a height of 39 km, became the first skydiver to record the highest ever freefall and also the first human to go faster than the speed of sound.

Five New Non-Permanent Member Countries Elected to UN Security Council

UN General Assembly elected five new non-permanent members to the Security Council. The New Members are South Korea, Luxembourg, Argentina, Australia and Rwanda.

Iran bans export of 50 basic foods to preserve supplies

Iran has banned the export of around 50 basic goods in order to preserve supplies of essential items in the wake of tightening Western sanctions.

INDIA & WORLD

India, Australia signs MoU to strengthen bilateral cooperation

India and Austrlia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 1st October 2012 for strengthening long-term relationship and bilateral Cooperation on Road and Rail Infrastructure.The agreement was signed  between the Minister of Railways and Road Transport and Highways, Dr. C.P.Joshi and visiting Federal Minister of Transport, Innovation and Technology of Austrlia, Mrs. Doris Burse in New Delhi.

India, Austrlia tie up to develop ‘smart cities’

India tie up with Austrlia to develop two “smart cities” in all states with a host of modern features like intelligent transport and carbon neutral status in each of the states in the second phase of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal mission.Initially half a million to one million population cities will be developed as smart cities with the help  of Austrian Institute of Technology who is expertise in this field.

India gets $500 mn World Bank fund for secondary education

World Bank, the multilateral lending agency, and the government of India 5th October  signed a loan agreement worth $ 500 million for Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) in the country.

India lags behind China, Pak in reducing hunger level

India lags behind neighbouring China, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in reducing hunger level, says the 2012 Global Hunger Index (GHI) released by US-based International Food Policy and Research Institute.India is ranked 65th out of 79 countries in GHI, behind China at 2nd place, Pakistan at 57 and Sri Lanka at 37.

IOC signs MoU with Korea Gas

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), on 17th October 2012, entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Korea Gas Corporation (Kogas) for jointly exploring opportunities in exploration of oil and gas and LNG business.

Cabinet clears Rs 8,000cr missile purchase for armed forces

Proposals worth over Rs 8,000 crore for procuring around 10,000 ‘Invar’ missiles from Russia for the Army’s T-90 tanks and over 200 air-launched versions of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for the IAF were cleared on 18th October 2012 by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

India and Australia Sign Four Agreements of Cooperation

India and Australia agreed to expand cooperation in security and Defence including fight against terrorism.They also agreed to begin negotiations for an agreement on Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation which will precede actual cooperation. Both the countries also signed four agreements in the field of space science technology and education, cooperation in student mobility and welfare, skill development and textiles.

Iran to complete gas pipeline work by year-end

Iran has said it was for India and Pakistan to sort out issues related to the proposed Indo-Iran gas pipeline, even as it committed itself to complete its part of 800 km of gas pipeline to India till Irani boundaries by the end of this year.

India, New Zealand sign five pacts to cooperate in field of education

India and New Zealand signed five Memoranda of Understanding in the different fields of education on 19th October 2012.

India, Switzerland to cooperate in Transport sector

India and Switzerland on 19th October 2012 discussed ways and means for enhancing cooperation in the field of Transport sector including roads and Railways.

India & Pakistan may introduce a common currency called “Papee”

After taking into consideration the decade long success of Euro, and due to increasing demands of businessmen of India (and terrorists of Pakistan), both countries’ ruling leaders (i.e. India’s UPA, and Pakistan’s Military) are thinking about introducing a common currency for India and Pakistan.The name with the highest votes , is a word derived by adding “pa” from ‘Pa’kistan and “pee” from Indian Ru’pee’ i.e. “Papee”

Hyderabad is world’s 3rd best city to visit in 2013

Hyderabad has been named as one of the best cities in the world to visit in 2013 by travel guide book Lonely Planet published on 22nd October 2012.The top 10 cities according to Lonely Planet to visit in 2013 are San Francisco, Amsterdam, Hyderabad, Derry/Londonderry, Beijing, Christchurch, Hobart, Montreal, Addis Ababa and Puerto Iguazu.

India, Japan focus on expanding defence cooperation

India and Japan on 22nd October 2012 discussed ways to expand their security and defence cooperation at a meeting of their foreign and defence secretaries in Tokyo.

‘Super 30’ ties up with Tokyo University

The ‘Super 30’ programme for training students of the backward sections for the IIT-JEE tied up on 24th October 2012 with the University of Tokyo, which will sponsor study of its students in Japan.This agreement is a follow-up of the Japanese Government Program named Global 30, of engagement with Super 30 for increasing the flow of Indian Students to Japan.

–7th SAFF begins in Goa

The Seventh South Asia Film Festival (SAFF)-2012 held  at Panaji in Goa from.

India-US-Japan trilateral meet

The US’ ‘pivot-to-Asia’ policy, Iran, China-Japan maritime dispute and South China Sea will be among the issues to be discussed during the 3rd round of India-US-Japan Trilateral dialogue in New Delhi on 29th October 2012. The meet will also focus on finding areas of cooperation between the three countries.

India to give financial assistance to Nepal’s Palpa District

India is to provide an assistance of four crore and thirty-three lakh Nepali rupees for Palpa District in Western Nepal on 31st October 2012.

NATIONAL

FICCI urges Centre to ban bauxite exports

Trade body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has urged the Union ministry of commerce and industry to ban bauxite exports fearing closure of alumina refineries for shortage of the key raw material required to produce alumina.

Supreme Court directs Centre and states to provide basic facilities to students

The Supreme Court on 3rd October 2012 directed all schools across the country to provide basic infrastructure facilities like drinking water and toilets to school children within six months and failure to implement will be viewed seriously. The order was passed on a petition filed by an NGO Environmental and Consumer Protection Foundation.

Kejriwal forms political party, promises to change the system

Social activist Arvind Kejriwal added a new dimension to his movement against corruption as he formally launched his political party and said it belonged to the people of the nation.

Ministry of Rural Development Launched Nirmal Bharat Yatra

Ministry of rural development on 3 October 2012 started a campaign named Nirmal Bharat Yatra which focuses on making the country free from open defecation.The yatra will begin from Wardha District of Maharashtra from 3 october 2012 and will go through Indore, Kota, Gwalior, and Gorakhpur and end up in Bettiah district of Bihar on November 17, covering about 2000 km of distance.

SC orders new survey to identify bonded labour

The Supreme Court on 15th October 2012 directed all states and Union Territories to conduct fresh surveys to identify bonded labour problems in the country and regretted that a large number of children continue to work as domestic help even after the enactment of the Right to Education Act.

Centre to launch Aadhaar based delivery system

The much awaited Aadhaar enabled system for direct cash transfer to beneficiaries under social schemes such as MNREGA and pension will be launched on 19th October 2012 by PM Manmohan Singh at Dudu, Rajasthan.

India’s infant mortality rate drops

India’s infant mortality rate (IMR) has come down by three points from 47 to 44 deaths per 1,000 live births during 2011.

Centre, states sign MoU for broadband linking of villages

The Central government has signed a tripartite agreement with 16 states and union territories and a special purpose vehicle Bharat Broadband Network Ltd (BBNL) has been launched to expedite the mission of connecting every gram panchayat with broadband network.

Reshuffling of Central Cabinet

Cabinet Ministers	Portfolio
M. Veeerappa Moily	Petroleum & Natural Gas
S. Jaipal Reddy	Science & Technology and Earth Science
Kamal Nath	Urban Development & Parliamentary Affairs
Vayalar Ravi	Overseas Indian Affairs
Kapil Sibal	Communications & Information Technology
C.P. Joshi	Road Transport & Highways
Kumar Selja	Social Justice & Empowerment
Pawan Kumar Bansal	Railways
Salman Khursheed	External  Affairs
Jairam Ramesh	Rural Development
K. Rahman Khan	Minority Affairs
Dinsha J. Patel	Mines
Ajay Maken	Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation
M.M. Pallam Raju	Human Resource Development
Ashwani Kumar	Law & Justice
Harish Rawat	Water Resources
Chandresh Kumar Katoch	Culture
Ministers of State with Independent Charge	Portfolio
Jyotiraditya Madharao Scindia	Power
K.H. Muniappa	Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
Sachin Pilot	Corporate Affairs
Jitendra Singh	Youth Affairs & Sports
Manish Tewari	Information & Broadcasting
K. Chiranjeevi	Tourism
Ministers of State	Portfolio
E. Ahamed	External Affairs
D. Purandeswari	Commerce & Industry
Jitin Prasada	Defence & Human Resource Development
S. Jagathrakshakan	New & Renewable Energy
R.P.N. Singh	Home
K.C. Venugopal	Civil Aviation
Rajeev Shukla	Parliamentary Affairs & Planning
Shashi Tharoor	Human Resource Development
Kodikunni Suresh	Labour & Employment
Tariq Anwar	Agriculture & Food Processing Industries
K.J. Surya Prakash Reddy	Railways
Ranee Narah	Tribal Affairs
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury	Railways
A.H. Khan Choudhury	Health & Family Welfare
Sarvey Sathyanarayana	Road Transport & Highways
Ninong Ering	Minority Affairs
Deepa Dasmunsi	Urban Development
Porika Balram Naik	Social Justice & Empowerment
Kruparani Killi	Communication & Inforamtion Technology
Lalchand Kataria	Defence
Resigned Cabinet Ministers	Portfolio
S.M. Krishna	External Affairs
Ambika Soni	Information and Broadcasting
Mukul Wasnik	Tourism
Mahadev Khandela	Minister of State Justice and Empowerment

STATES

Door-to-door cancer campaign in Punjab

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal  sanctioned the “biggest ever” door-to-door campaign for a symptoms-based early detection and awareness about cancer.At least 50,000 personnel and volunteers would visit 54 lakh households in 12,603 villages and 217 census towns, for the exercise that begins in Faridkot district on October 2.

In Goa Housewives with family income less than Rs 3 lakh to get Rs 1000 to fight inflation

Housewives in Goa just got a breather from rising inflation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition government on 2nd October 2012 launched a scheme to provide an allowance of Rs 1,000 a month to housewives in households whose annual incomes are less than Rs 3 lakh.

EC announces dates for assembly polls in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh

The Election Commission on 3rd October 2012 announced dates for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections. While Gujarat will have elections in two phases – December 13 and 17, Himachal Pradesh will vote on November 4. The counting for both the assembly elections will take place on December 20.

UP government announces ban on gutka industry from April 2013

On 3rd October 2012  Uttar Pradesh government  decided to impose a ban on gutka industry in the state with effect from April 2013.

Supreme Court  bans mining activities in Goa

In Goa, the Supreme Court imposed a complete ban on the mining activities as well as transportation of iron and manganese ore on 5th October 2012.

Arvind Kejriwal launches ‘bijli-paani satyagraha’ in Delhi

Activist Arvind Kejriwal on 6th Octomber 2012 launched a ‘bijli-paani satyagraha’ in Delhi to protest against “inflated” power and water bills and hike in tariffs by restoring electricity connection to the household of a labourer which was disconnected for non-payment of bills.

EC fiat to Himachal Pradesh

On 7th October 2012 The Election Commission (EC)  stopped the BJP government in Himachal Pradesh from distributing free PDS bags carrying photographs of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Maharashtra tribals demand ban on alcohol

Tribal women from Maharashtra’s Chandrapur have sent 80,000 postcards to Chief Miniter Prithviraj Chavan asking to make the district liquor-free.

UPRVUNL, NLC to set up thermal plant at Ghatampur

The UP Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (UPRVUNL) and the central government PSU Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd (NLCL) signed a joint venture agreement (JVA) to set up a 2,000 MW thermal power plant at Ghatampur (Kanpur)  on 7th October 2012 .

Union Government ruled out the decision of Cauvery River Authority

Decision of the Cauvery River Authority was ruled out by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 8 October 2012. The Prime Minister ordered Karnataka to release 9000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu every day, till 20 October 2012.

Railways  put 400 CCTVs at 10 stations to improve security system

The Delhi division of Northern Railway  authorities have completed the installation of 400 CCTVs at 10 stations with Rs. 20 crore to ensure better security and mobility at its stations.Only in the New Delhi Railway station they installed more than 100 CCTV cameras as part of an integrated security system (ISS).

President’s son Abhijit Mukherjee wins Jangipur Lok Sabha by-poll

Abhijit Mukherjee, son of President Pranab Mukherjee and Congress candidate, on 13th October 2012 won the Jangipur Lok Sabha by-election by 2,536 votes defeating the CPI-M rival Muzaffar Hussain.

Union Power Ministry gave its Nod to Implement Islanding Scheme in Delhi

The Union Power Minister Veerapa Moily on 17 October 2012 announced the implementation of Islanding Scheme for Delhi by January 2013 to protect it from massive disruptions caused due to grid failures in power supply. The scheme of Delhi is different to that of the existing ones in cities like Mumbai and Kolkata because the transmission lines of different states is routed through Delhi.

Haryana to give Rs.11,000 to couples at mass weddings

The Haryana Government has announced on 20th October 2012 that it will give Rs.11,000 to each newly wedding couple at a mass marriage.

Uttarakhand Named best Performing States in terms of Environmental standards

The state of Uttarakhand on 29 October 2012 tops the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) list of being best-performing States and Union territories in terms of environmental well-being released by Planning Commission.

CONFERENCES

The international biodiversity meet in Hyderabad

The XI Conference of Parties (CoP-11) on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) being hosted by India at Hyderabad starts on 1st October 2012.

Asia Co-operation Dialogue Summit held in Kuwait

Asia Co-operation Dialogue Summit has given a call for stronger co-operation among member nations and to work for the improvement of living conditions.Leaders from 32 countries pledged to focus on key areas to fulfill the aspirations of the people. These include sustainable energy and development, economic growth, food security, trade and commerce, health care, climate change and co-operation in financial and education sectors.

South Korea to host next UN biodiversity meet in 2014

South Korea will host the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP12) to the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2014, it was announced in Hyderabad on 19th October 2012.

Third Worldwide Cybersecurity Summit  

The 3rd Worldwide Cybersecurity Summit organized by EastWest Institute, a New York based think-and-do tank, kick-started in the New Delhi on 30th October 2012.

AWARDS & HONOURS

President Confers Shastri awards to ISRO scientist Tessy Thomas

On 1st October 2012 President Pranab Mukherjee  conferred the prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award 2012 to ISRO scientist Tessy Thomas at an award function in Rashtrapati Bhawan. Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award is conferred every year for doing excellent work in the field of Public Administration, Academics and Management.

Banaras Hindu University VC wins MV Pylee award for best academician

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) vice chancellor and renowned molecular biology scientist Dr Lalji Singh has won the 7th MV Pylee award for the best academician. The MV Pylee award was constituted in year 1996 in honour of Cochin University’s former vice chancellor MV Pylee. The award includes Rs 2 lakh, a memento and citation for excellence in teaching and research and contribution to academic community. It is awarded once every three years.

S.No	Department	Name of the Person/ Organization	Country	Field of Research
1.	PHYSICS	Serge Haroche and	France	For ground-breaking experimental methods that enable measuring and manipulation of individual quantum systems
		David J. Wineland	America
2.	CHEMISTRY	Robert J. Lefkowitz and	America	For studies of G-Protein-coupled receptors
		Brain K. Kobilka	America
3.	PHYSIOLOGY OR MEDICINE	Sir John B. Gurdon and	Britan	For the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent
		Shinya Yamanaka	Japan
4.	ECONOMIC SCIENCES	Alvin E. Roth and	America	For the theory of stable allocations and the practice of market design
		Lioyd S. Shapley	America
5.	LITERATURE	Mo Yan	China	Who with hallucinatory realism merges folk tales, history and the contemporary
6.	PEACE PRIZE	European Union (EU)	Europe	For over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation. Democracy and  human rights in Europe.

 Sachin Tendulkar to be made member of Order of Australia

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard made the announcement on 16th October 2012 that the first Indian sportsperson  Tendulkar to be conferred with the Membership of the Order of Australia, an honour “rarely” bestowed on non-Australians.

First-ever India Biodiversity Awards presented

The women who led the ecological restoration of Gundlaba village in Odisha’s Puri district after the 1999 super cyclone are among the four winners of the first India Biodiversity Awards. The awards, instituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP).

Vijay Kumar honoured with ‘Services Best Sportsman’

London Olympics silver medallist shooter Vijay Kumar was named as the ‘Services Best Sportsman’ award for 2012 at the Army Headquarters in New Delhi.The award  is  given to best sportsman from out of all the three services-Army, Air Force Navy.

Bangladesh honours fifty-two Indians

Bangladesh has honoured foreign friends who contributed to achieve the nation’s independence from Pakistan in 1971.Of the 61 recipients of the award in the third phase, 52 are from India and the rest are from Nepal, the United States, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Australia, Sweden, and Italy.The former Indian Prime Minister, I.K. Gujral, and the former Nepalese Prime Minister, the late Girija Prasad Koirala, received the Bangladesh Muktijuddho Sammanana.

Singham Bravery Award Posthumously given to IAS and Security Personnel

Narendra Kumar the IPS officer who was brutally killed by illegal mining mafia in Madhya Pradesh and many other Security Personnel who had laid down their life for fighting against Maoists and anti Social element on 21 October 2012 were awarded with Singham Bravery Awards.

Bangladesh honours Babu Jagjivan Ram

Former Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of India, late Babu Jagjivan Ram has been awarded with the “Friends of Liberation War Honour” by the Government of Bangladesh for his contribution in the 1971 War.

Narayan Murthy honoured with Hoover Medal

IT giant Infosys founder, N.R. Narayan Murthy honoured with Hoover Medal for promoting science at Global Humanitarian Technology Conference in Washington.

Gavaskar to receive BCCI’s lifetime achievement award

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar will be conferred the Col C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement award at the annual BCCI awards function on 25th October 2012.

Amitabh Bachchan gets best TV host award for Kaun Banega Crorepati

Amitabh Bachchan has won the best television host award for the popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati.

Lord Indarjit Singh conferred Punjab Ratan Award

Lord Indarjit Singh, the first member of the House of Lords to wear a turban, has been presented with the ‘Punjab Ratan’ (Jewel of Punjab) award by the World Punjabi Organisation, in recognition of his contribution to promoting Punjabi culture, heritage and inter-faith services.

Delhi Metro bags JICA President Award

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was awarded the prestigious Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President’s Award 2012 on 29th October 2012.

Noted film lyricist and poet Gulzar presented with Indira Gandhi award for National Integration

The Indira Gandhi award for National Integration for 2011 has been given to noted film lyricist and poet Gulzar in recognition of his contribution to national integration.

SPORTS & GAMES

Indian judokas win 2 silver, 3 bronze in Asian Championship

Indian judokas bagged two silver and three bronze in the Asian Youth and Junior Championships held in Chinese Taipei.In the Youth Championships, Vijay Kumar Yadav and Besto Rani Devi won a silver each in boys’ 60kg and girls’ 48kg categories respectively.Preety and Mongjam Kabita Devi won a bronze each in gilrs’ 40kg and 44kg respectively in the September 28-30 event.Khaidem Rashi Devi bagged a bronze in 70kg category in the junior section.Indian judokas had won one gold, four silver and two bronze in the Asian Youth and Junior Championships in Lebanon last year.

India move up to 2nd spot in T20 rankings

India might have failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing ICC World Twenty20, but four wins out of five matches have pushed the India by one place to the second spot in the latest T20 International team rankings released on 3rd October 2012.India now trail Sri Lanka (129) by nine points and are followed by Pakistan (118) and England (118).

India 168th in FIFA rankings

Indian football team moved a place up to be 168th in the latest FIFA rankings, India, who last month won a hat-trick of Nehru Cup titles, have 114 points.

Red Bull driver Vettel wins Japanese Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel ,the driver  Red Bull won the Japanese Grand Prix 2012 on 7th Ocober 2012.

Australia retain women’s World Twenty20 title

The Australian Women Cricket team on 7 October 2012 defeated England by four runs to retain the Women T-20 world cup title.

West Indies won the ICC World Twenty20 Tournament

West Indies 7th October 2012 clinched the ICC World Twenty20 crown with a comfortable 36-run victory over Sri Lanka.

Kaltenborn becomes first female F1 team principal

India born Monisha Kalterborn is set to become Formula 1′s first woman team principal after she takes charges from founder of Sauber chief Peter Sauber on 12th October 2012.

Jeevan Neduncheziyan and Prerna Bhambri emerge champions

Jeevan Neduncheziyan and Prerna Bhambri emerge champions in the Fenesta Open national tennis championship at the RK Khanna Stadium in New Delhi on 13th October 2012.

Hat-trick for Vettel

Sebastian Vettel has claimed his third successive victory at the Korean GP on 14h October 2012.He is already won the Singapore and Japan GP titles.

Novak Djokovic beats Andy Murray to win Shanghai Masters

Novak Djokovic beated British Tennis Player Andy Murray, on 14 October 2012 saving five match points to seal a stunning 5- 7, 7- 6 ( 13/ 11), 6- 3 victory in the Shanghai Rolex Masters final.

Bhullar wins Macau Open golf

India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar completed a commanding start-to-finish victory at the Venetian Macau Open golf on 14th October 2012.

India’s Saina Nehwal win Denmark Open Badminton Title

Indian badminton player and Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal has won the Denmark Open Super Series Premier trophy on 21st October 2012.

Martin Guptill wins NZ top cricket award

Opening batsman of New Zealand Cricket team Martin Guptill on 18 October 2012 claimed the top honour at the New Zealand Cricket Awards in Auckland, winning the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal for 2011-12. Martin Guptill was also named ODI and Twenty20 player of the year, based on performances between 1 September 2011 and 31 August 2012.

Anaka Alankamony clinches her second WISPA title

Asian junior gold medallist Anaka Alankamony today claimed her second title and first one abroad in the women’s professional squash tour when she beaten the  top seed Kylie Lindsay of New Zealand in the final of the Ipswich Open in Queensland.

Lance Armstrong stripped of his 7 Tour de France titles, banned for life

Cycling’s governing body agreed on 22nd October 2012 to strip Lance Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles and ban him for life, following a report from the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) that accused him of leading a massive doping program on his teams.

Women’s Indian Golf Open from November 30

The creme-de-la-creme of Indian women’s golf will be up against a strong international field, including the likes of Laura Davies and defending champion Caroline Hedwall, when the tri-sanctioned Hero Women’s Golf Open tees off from November 30.

Sun TV Network Acquired Hyderabad IPL Franchise

Chennai based SUN TV Network acquired the Indian Premier League (IPL) Hyderabad franchise on 25 October 2012 for an enormous amount of 85.05 crore Rupees per year.

Sebastian Vettel won F1 Second Indian Grand Prix

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel won the Indian Grand Prix 2012 on 28 October 2012 at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) for the second time in a row extending his Formula One championship lead.This is his fourth consecutive success in this year.

Pankaj Advani defeats Russell, clinches seventh World Billiards Championship title

India`s Pankaj Advani won his seventh World billiards title when he outclassed defending champion Mike Russell 1,895-1,216 in the final on 28th October 2012.

Joshna Chinappa wins Penang Open squash title

India’s top squash player Joshna Chinappa claimed the IJM Land Penang Open, defeating top seed and local favourite Siti Munirah Jusoh in straight games on 28th October 2012.

India retains third spot in ICC ODI ranking

India retains the third spot in the ICC ODI ranking after England and South Africa. England has retained the top spot in the latest ODI rankings with 121 points followed by South Africa. The latest ICC rankings were released in Dubai on 30th October 2012.

India lifts the Asian Cricket Council Women’s Twenty-20  trophy at  Guangzhou in China

Indian women lifted the title of Asian Cricket Council Women’s Twenty-20 Asia Cup cricket tournament by defeatingthe Pakistan by 18  runs in the final match at Guangzhou in China.

ECONOMY

Govt approves 49% FDI in insurance & pension sectors

On 4th October 2012 The Cabinet has cleared proposals to allow more Foreign Direct Investment or FDI in the insurance and pension sectors.In both the sectors government approves 49% of FDI’s.

Govt approves 12th Five-Year Plan

On 4th October 2012 Government approved the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17) document that aims to achieve annual average economic growth rate of 8.2 per cent, down from  9 per cent envisaged earlier, in view of fragile global recovery.

HDFC Bank partners Indian Oil Corporation to offer rural banking services

HDFC Bank has partnered Indian Oil Corporation to provide banking services in the rural areas where IOC’s petrol pump outlets Kisan Seva Kendras will act as the business correspondents for the banks.

IMF cuts India’s Growth Forecast for 2012 to 4.9 Percent

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has slashed India’s growth forecast to 4.9 per cent for 2012 due to low business confidence and “sluggish structural reforms”.

India-US trade to touch $100 bn

Bilateral trade between India and the US is expected to touch USD 100 billion in the coming years on increasing economic engagement between the countries.

Rangarajan lowers FY13 GDP growth forecast to 6%

Prime Minister’s key advisor C Rangarajan 25th October 2012 lowered the growth projection for the current fiscal to 6 per cent from 6.7 per cent estimated earlier.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Scientists discover bacteria that can produce 24-carat gold

Scientists have discovered a bacteria that has the ability to withstand incredible amounts of toxicity and can be the key to creating 24-carat gold.Researchers from the Michigan State University have found that the metal-tolerant bacteria ‘Cupriavidus metallidurans’ can grow on massive concentrations of gold chloride or liquid gold, a toxic chemical compound found in nature.

India sucessfully test-fires Prithvi-II ballistic missile

On 4th October 2012 India sucessfully test-fired surface-to-surface Prithvi-II ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur of Balasore district off Odisha coast.

India successfully test-fires nuclear-capable Dhanush missile

A day after the launch of Prithvi-II, India successfully test-fired nuclear-capable Dhanush ballistic missile for its full range of 350 km from a naval ship off Odisha on 5th October 2012.

Australia launches world’s fastest radio telescope

In the remote Australian outback, scientists have launched the world’s fastest radio telescope which will exponentially increase astronomers’ ability to survey the universe, mapping black holes and shedding new light on the origins of galaxies.The Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP), located near the region of Murchison about 650 kilometres north of Perth, was officially opened 5th October 2012 by Science Minister Chris Evans.

Indian navy successfully test-fires BrahMos supersonic cruise missile

The Indian Navy on 7th October 2012  successfully test-fired the 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, capable of carrying a conventional warhead of 300 kg, from a warship off the Goa coast.

The Barcode Turns 60 Years Old

October 7, 2012 marks the 60th anniversary of the registration of the first bar code patent. The original patent for what we know today as the modern barcode was granted on October 7, 1952 to Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver, its inventors.

New planet discovered in Earth’s backyard

Astronomers have found a new planet called exoplanet in Alpha Centauri , the closest yet outside our solar system and just an astronomical stone’s throw away at four light years.Alpha Centauri is a three-star system consisting of two stars similar to our sun and a faint red star called Proxima Centauriand another one is the Alpha Centauri B.The Exoplanet orbits Alpha Centauri B.

PERSONS IN NEWS

a) Appointments

Congress selects Raja, Suresh Kalmadi and Kanimozhi as members of standing committee

The congress on 3 October 2012 nominated the former Union Minister, A. Raja, Kanimozhi and Suresh Kalmadi as the members of the Parliamentary Standing Committees on Energy, Home Affairs and External Affairs respectively.Raja was arrested in the 2G scam case on February 2 last year and is on bail since 15 May 2012. Suresh Kalmadi, who was accused in the Commonwealth Games scam case, spent about nine months in jail and was released on bail on 19 January 2012. DMK MP Kanimozhi, also an accused in some cases related to the 2G spectrum allocation, was nominated to the Standing Committee on Home Affairs.

Ajit Saran Appointed as Secretary in National Commission for Women

Senior IAS officer Ajit M Sharan was appointed as Member Secretary in National Commission for Women (NCW). Ajit Sharan is a 1979 batch officer of Haryana cadre.

Vivek Rae appointed new MSME secretary

On 5th October 2012 the government appointed Vivek Rae as secretary, ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises. Rae, a 1978 batch IAS officer of the UT cadre, is currently director general, acquisition, defence ministry. He will take over from RK Mathur.

Anil Kumble appointed chairman of ICC Cricket Committee

Former India captain Anil Kumble was  unanimously appointed chairman of ICC`s Cricket Committee by the game`s governing body, replacing West Indies great Clive Lloyd on 11th October 2012.

Jaspal Rana appointed junior pistol chief coach

Multiple Asian Games gold medallist, Jaspal Rana, has been appointed chief coach for junior pistol shooters by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) on 16th October 2012.

Ashok Kumar appointed India’s ambassador to Brazil

Mr. Ashok Tomar has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Brazil on 31st October 2012.

b). Resigns

Michael Schumacher announces retirement from Formula One

Michael Schumacher has announced that he will retire from Formula One at the end of the season.Schumacher’s announcement follows news last week that he will be replaced at Mercedes by Lewis Hamilton in 2013.

UP revenue minister resigns due  involved in CMO abduction

UP revenue minister Vinod Singh was forced to resign on 12th October 2012 for his alleged involvement in the abduction of Gonda chief medical officer (CMO) SP Singh.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna resigned

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna has resigned from his post ahead of on 28th October 2012 cabinet reshuffle.

Badminton Player Peter Gade Retired From International Career

Danish legend Baminton Player, Peter Gade on 30 October 2012 retired from international badminton.

c). Deaths

Historian Eric Hobsbawm dies, aged 95

Eric Hobsbawm, one of Britain’s most eminent historians, has died at the age of 95, on 1st October 2012 at the Royal Free Hospital in London .Mr Hobsbawm, a historian in the Marxist tradition, wrote more than 30 books.He published his final book, “How to Change the World”, in 2011.

Freedom fighter, ex-Governor Satyanarayana is dead

Freedom fighter and former governor of Uttar Pradesh B Satyanarayana Reddy died at a hospital in Hyderabad on 6th October 2012.

Zimbabwe cricket coach Kevin Curran passes away

Kevin Curran, the former Zimbabwean all rounder and coach, has died in Mutare on 10th Ocober 2012.

Cambodia ex-king Sihanouk dies

Cambodia’s former king Norodom Sihanouk died on 15th October 2012 in China at Beijing.

Bandya Kakade dead

Bandya Kakade, former India football goalkeeper, passed away here on 18th October 2012 evening. Kakade and Kuppuswami Sampath (MEG, Bangalore) were the two goalkeepers of the Indian team that won the bronze medal at the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games. Kakade was also part of the Indian team

Yash Chopra, the ‘King of Romance’ passes away

Yash Chopra, one of Bollywood’s most well-known filmmakers, died of dengue fever on 21st October 2012.

Eminent litterateur Sunil Gangopadhyay passes away

Eminent litterateur and Sahitya Akademi President Sunil Gangopadhyay died at his South Kolkata residence on 23rd October 2012 following a massive heart attack.

d). Visitors

U.S. Treasury Secretary Geithner to visit India on Oct. 9

U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner  visit  India on 9th October 2012 to participate in the third annual meeting of the U.S.-India Economic and Financial Partnership with Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.

Australia PM Julia Gillard begins India visit

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has begun a three-day visit to India.The two countries are expected to announce negotiations on civil nuclear co-operation during Ms Gillard’s visit.

Suu Kyi to visit India next month

After 40 years, Myanmar’s Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will travel to India on November 13. She will deliver the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Lecture in New Delhi on November 14.

Steven Joyce, Minister for Tertiary Education, New Zealand visited India

Hon. Steven Joyce, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, New Zealand  visited the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi on 18th October 2012.

Ex-Bangladeshi PM Khaleda Zia to meet PM Manmohan Singh

Bangladesh’s former prime minister and  Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)  leader  Begum Khaleda Zia, who is on a week-long trip to India, will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singhin New Delhi on 28th October 2012.

e). Miscellaneous

Pakistan spinner Rehman hit with ban after failed drug test

Pakistan’s Abdur Rehman has been banned from cricket for 12 weeks after testing positive for cannabis during his recent stint with Somerset.

Mukesh Ambani richest Indian

The China-based research firm Hurun releases a report on 10th October 2012 declared  Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani  is the richest person in India.

Hyderabad’s last Nizam named all-time richest Indian

Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam (or ruler) of Hyderabad is India’s all-time richest person.According to a new inflation-adjusted list of the world’s richest people of all time, the Nizam, who ruled Hyderabad between 1886-1967, was ranked sixth with $ 236 billion.

Mukesh Ambani tops Forbes India rich list

Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani is the richest Indian for the fifth year in a row with a net worth of $21 billion, according to the Forbes India rich list.

Manju Seth appointed as next Ambassador of India to Madagascar

Ms Manju Seth has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Madagascar.She is presently Consul General of India in Reunion Island, which is a French-administered territory in the Indian Ocean between Mauritius and Madagaskar.

PLACES IN NEWS

Shadman Chowk renamed as Bhagat Singh Chowk in Lahore

Pakistan government has finally renamed Shadman Chowk as Bhagat Singh Chowk in Lahore as a mark of respect to the martyr and an acknowledgement of his role in the struggle against British rule.

Mercedes-Benz rolls out M-Class luxury SUV from Pune facility

Mercedes-Benz India has rolled out its first locally manufactured M-Class luxury SUV from its facility in Chakan, Pune. The company has also declared the start of operations of its paint shop at the same location.India is the only country outside of the USA where the German luxury car maker has begun production out of the new ML-Class.

44 killed in Syrian air strikes

At least 44 people were killed in air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held town of Maaret al-Numan on 18th October 2012.

5.5 magnitude earthquake hits off Taiwan

A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck off southern Taiwan on 25th October 2012, the island’s Seismology Center said, but there were no reports of any damage or casualties.

Earthquake in Canada triggers tsunami in Hawaii

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake rattled the west coast of Canada, triggering tsunami warnings for Hawaii on 28th October 2012.

ABBREVIATIONS IN NEWS

Abbreviation of FICCI

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry

Abbreviate JNNURM

Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal mission

Abbreviate  NCM

National Commission for Women

Abbreviate IOC

Indian Oil Corporation

Abbreviate ASKAP

The Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder

Abbreviate ISS

Integrated Security System

Abbreviate LPN

Liquefied Natural Petroleum

Abbreviate WISPA

Women’s International Squash Players Association

BOOKS IN NEWS

Hilary Mantel wins  Booker Prize for Tudor saga

British writer Hilary Mantel won the prestigious Booker literary prize for a second time on 16th October 2012 with her blood-soaked Tudor saga. Ms Mantel, who took the 50,000 pound ($82,000) award in 2009 for “Wolf Hall,” is the first British author, and the first woman, to achieve a Booker double.

“The Folded Earth and A Free Man” won the  11th Economist Crossword Book Award

The Folded Earth written by Anuradha Roy and A Free Man by Aman Sethi won the 11th Economist Crossword Book Award that was declared at Mumbai.

Governor releases ‘Ek Thhi Kusum’ by former Speaker

Uttarakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi on 22nd October 2012 released “Ek Thhi Kusum”, a short stories collection authored by former State Assembly Speaker Prakash Pant.

COMMITTEES IN NEWS

Rangarajan panel for total decontrol of sugar industry

Rangarajan Committee has recommended deregulation of the sugar sector, by giving freedom to mills to sell sugar in the open market.The Millers should sell the 10%of sugar to government below the market price,for running the ration shops ,remaining should sell in the open market.

DAYS & DATES

UP cancels holiday on Kanshi Ram’s death anniversary

The Samajwadi Party (SP)  government on 6th October 2012 cancelled the October 9 public holiday on the death anniversary of BSP founder Kanshi Ram, which had been announced by the Mayawati government in May 2007.

World Food Day Celebrated worldwide on 16 October 2012

World Food Day is celebrated every year across the globe on 16 October in honour of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945.The aim of this World Food Day is to raise awareness on global food problems and to create a sense of solidarity in the fight against poverty, hunger and malnutrition.