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