Académique Documents
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Table of Contents
Preface .......................................................................................................................................... 19 Pick of the Month ......................................................................................................................... 20 Chinese Premier Li Keqiangs visit to India ........................................................................... 20 Pakistan Election 2013 .......................................................................................................... 26 Union Cabinet declared Year 2013 as Water Conservation Year ......................................... 28 RBI reduced the Repo Rate by 25 Basis Points to 7.25 Percent ........................................... 29 Union Cabinet raised OBC Creamy layer Criteria to 6 Lakh .................................................. 30 Indian indigenously developed Rotavirus Vaccine revealed ................................................ 30 Report: Arctic Seas Acidifying at a Fast Pace ........................................................................ 31 Angelina Jolie underwent Double Mastectomy.................................................................... 32 US Scientists Created frist Cloned Human Embryo .............................................................. 32 Legendary Footballer, David Beckham announced Retirement ........................................... 33 International ................................................................................................................................. 34 Nevada Became First US State to Legalise Online Casino .................................................... 34 Ireland Unveiled the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill ............................................. 35 Maryland Abolished Death Penalty ...................................................................................... 35 Japan Concluded Deal with UAE on Nuclear Power Technology.......................................... 35 New Gas Reserve discovered in Southern Sindh Province ................................................... 36 India granted Consular Access to Pakistan on Daily Basis .................................................... 36 India-Iran Joint Commission was held in Tehran .................................................................. 37 British Territories Signed Deal on sharing Tax Information.................................................. 38 Chinese Ships Sailed Into Disputed Waters of Senkaku Islands ........................................... 38 Libyas Parliament passed Law Banning Gaddafi-era Officials ............................................. 39 India & China pulled back Troops from Daulat Beg Oldi Sector ........................................... 40 National Front won the 13th General Elections of Malaysia ................................................ 40 www.jagranjosh.com
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Saudi Arabia on Extension of Grace Period for Foreigners .................................................. 40 14th India-Australia JMC Meeting held in New Delhi ........................................................... 41 Najib Razak sworn in as PM of Malaysia for 2nd Term .......................................................... 41 Cuba launched Complaint against Australian Tobacco laws ................................................ 42 China exported Arms worth 11 Billion US $ in 5 Years ......................................................... 43 World Bank agreed Grant of 100mn USD to Afghanistan .................................................... 43 Russia & USA Commitment to Negotiate to End Syrian Conflict .......................................... 44 British Parliament agreed to Outlaw Caste Discrimination .................................................. 44 Arab League agreed to Israel-Palestine Land Swap Agreement ........................................... 45 US Sanctions against 4 Iranian Nuclear Supply Companies .................................................. 45 Eighth India-Seychelles Joint Commission Meet concluded ................................................ 45 India and China signed Protocol to Enhance Cooperation ................................................... 46 Iran gave Reuters Permission to reopen its Tehran Bureau ................................................. 47 India & Netherlands signed MoU in Field of Urban Planning ............................................... 47 INSEE confirmed that France has Slipped into Recession .................................................... 47 State of Emergency in Three States in Nigeria ..................................................................... 48 India-Lanka FTA Handbook released in Colombo ................................................................. 49 India was granted an Observer Status by Arctic Council ...................................................... 49 5th IBSA Women's Forum Resolution Approved .................................................................. 50 UN adopted Resolution on Syria for Political Transition ...................................................... 51 14th Round of IndiaEU BTIA Negotiation Concluded ......................................................... 52 USA cleared Shale Gas Export to India ................................................................................. 52 North Korea Test Fired Four Missiles off Coast in Two Days ................................................ 52 India Asked for more Market Access from Japan ................................................................. 53 Afghanistan blocked Law on Elimination of Violence against Women ................................ 53 Work on Inga Dam on Congo River to Start in 2015 ............................................................. 54
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Indias Investments in Sri Lanka reach 1 Billion Dollars Mark .............................................. 55 India and UK Signed MoU on Cooperation in Health sector ................................................ 55 Indo-Swiss Bilateral MeetConcluded at Geneva................................................................... 56 US senators approved 5000 Visas for Tibetan Refugees ...................................................... 57 2nd US-India Homeland Security Dialogue held in Washington ............................................ 57 Indo-China Bilateral Meet on Healthcare Sector held .......................................................... 58 Robert Mugabe signed Zimbabwe's New Constitution into Law ......................................... 58 Obama Defended Drones calling it Just War of Self Defence............................................... 59 China commissioned Satellite Data Receiving Station.......................................................... 59 India-Saudi Arabia Strengthen Cooperation ......................................................................... 60 Israel became the Worlds largest Exporter of UAVs ........................................................... 60 International Quizzes ............................................................................................................ 61 World Dairy ................................................................................................................................... 63 National ......................................................................................................................................... 67 Union Cabinet approved Launch of NUHM .......................................................................... 67 CCS Approved 11000 crore Project for Modernisation of CPF ............................................. 68 Govt launched Vaccination Programme in High-Risk Areas ................................................. 69 Govt envisaged over 12 billion Dollars Investment in Aviation ............................................ 69 Kudankulam Nuclear Plant Got Approval for Operations .................................................... 70 Union Cabinet approved Changes to Aajeevika of NRLM .................................................... 71 Cabinet approved Low Interest Loans for Women SHG ....................................................... 72 Inter-Ministerial Group to check Money Pooling Activities ................................................. 73 MoU Signed Between NCW and HUDCO .............................................................................. 73 Government Cleared Project for Juhu Airport Redevelopment ........................................... 74 Government approved National Cyber Security Policy ........................................................ 74 Tribal Forest Dwellers Empowerment Scheme Launched .................................................... 75
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Supreme Court dismissed Plea Challenging Cairn-Vedanta Deal ......................................... 75 Amendments in National Food Security Bill Introduced in LS .............................................. 76 Minister for Women & Child Development Launched ISSNIP .............................................. 78 Govt Approved Policy Development of Aviation Hubs in India ............................................ 79 Cabinet Approved Cost Estimates for Phase IV of UID Scheme ........................................... 80 Amendments in Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959 Approved .............. 80 Monetary Assistance under IAY Hiked.................................................................................. 81 Union Government decided to Advertise Best Practices on RTI .......................................... 82 Expert Committee to measure Backwardness of States ...................................................... 83 Union Government of India decided to launch DBTL Scheme ............................................. 83 Government cuts Import Tariff Value of Gold and Silver ..................................................... 84 Life Saving Drugs Cheaper by up to 80% .............................................................................. 85 Two-finger Test on a Rape Victim violates her Right to Privacy ........................................... 86 Election Commission Signed MoU on Electoral Literacy ...................................................... 86 Age limit under JSY for Institutional Deliveries Relaxed ....................................................... 87 Govt. approved Special Recruitment Drive to Fill Backlog Vacancies for SC, ST & OBCs ..... 88 Proposal to Implement National AIDS Control Support Project ........................................... 88 Government reconstituted the Board of Governors of MCI ................................................ 89 Government decided to Set Up Teacher Training Institutes ................................................ 90 SC: Life Convict can't be Released after Spending 14 Years ................................................. 90 UIDAI Inaugurated Three New Aadhaar-Enabled Services ................................................... 90 Government to Roll Out 43000 crore Green Corridor .......................................................... 91 Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference (Twelfth Amendment) Regulations, 2013 ................................................................................................................. 92 Indian National Defence University to come at Binola......................................................... 93 Indian Telecom Sector Became the Second Largest in World .............................................. 95 Union Government notified Cauvery Water Scheme, 2013 ................................................. 95 www.jagranjosh.com
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National Quizzes ................................................................................................................... 96 India Dairy ................................................................................................................................... 101 Economy...................................................................................................................................... 105 BSE launched broad-based Islamic Equity Index ................................................................ 105 SC upheld 51 Percent FDI in Multi-brand Retail ................................................................. 105 CCEA approved Exchange Trade Fund for PSU stocks ........................................................ 106 Foodgrains Output for 2013 Exceeded its Target ............................................................... 106 ADB to provide 6 billion Dollars to India over next 3 years ................................................ 107 India's Services Growth hit 18-month low: HSBC ............................................................... 107 SEBI approved Kerala's Start-up Village Angel Fund .......................................................... 108 FEE from Tourism grew by 7 percent in April 2013 ............................................................ 108 Government set 325-billion Dollars Export Target for 2013-14 ......................................... 109 India is largest Producer and Consumer of Chickpeas in World ......................................... 110 CCEA approved Proposal to set-up 2 Ports in Bengal & Andhra ........................................ 111 Air India to Implement Cost Cutting Measures .................................................................. 112 Inter-Ministerial Group approved 10% Equity Sale in CIL .................................................. 112 Retail Inflation declined to 9.39 Percent in April 2013 ....................................................... 113 NSE launched Debt Trading Platform ................................................................................. 113 RBI imposed Restrictions on Gold Import by Banks ........................................................... 114 Value of Mineral Production in March 2013 was 20475 Crore .......................................... 114 Exports in India grew up by 1.6 percent in April 2013........................................................ 115 WPI Inflation eased to 4.89 percent in April 2013.............................................................. 115 Government hiked BGRF Entitlement for Uttar Pradesh ................................................... 116 RBI directed Banks to follow Clean Note Policy.................................................................. 116 RBI decided to Launch Inflation Indexed Bonds (IIBs) ........................................................ 116 IMF approved 1.3 bn Dollars Loan for Cyprus .................................................................... 117
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Govt ratified 8.5 Percent interest on PF Deposits for 2012-13 .......................................... 117 CCEA approved the Same Scale of Allocation to APL Families ........................................... 118 Government directed Airlines to Limit No. of Privileged Seats .......................................... 118 Gold Demand in India Increased by 27% from Jan-Mar 2013 ............................................ 119 Stronger Powers to SEBI to tackle Ponzi Schemes ............................................................. 119 Indian Rupee touched new 6-Month Low at 55.83 against US $ ....................................... 120 20751 Additional Posts to be created in it Department ..................................................... 120 RBI imposed Restrictions on Bank Loans against Gold ....................................................... 120 Quarterly Report (Jan-Mar 2013) on Public Debt Management ........................................ 121 SEBI made Registration Compulsory for Investment Advisors ........................................... 122 Economy Quizzes ................................................................................................................ 122 Corporate .................................................................................................................................... 125 CCEA cleared IKEA's Investment Proposal .......................................................................... 125 Samsung launched 8-inch Galaxy Note 510 Tablet in India................................................ 125 Tech Mahindra Signed Agreement with Falcorp ................................................................ 126 Ivan Menezes Named as New CEO of Diageo ..................................................................... 126 Walmart Replaced ExxonMobil to Record Highest Revenue.............................................. 126 Maruti Launched Limited Edition Ertiga Trim Called Feliz .................................................. 127 Nokia unveiled Asha 501 with New Operating System ...................................................... 127 UK's Cairn Energy sold 8% Stake in Cairn India for 910 US $ .............................................. 128 IFFCO signed Agreement with Vale SA ............................................................................... 128 IL&FS IAML Signed MoU with Eight Public Sector Banks .................................................... 129 Star India launched Star Movies Actions ............................................................................ 129 COMPAT Ordered 11 Cement companies to Deposit 630 Crore ........................................ 129 Morgan Stanley to sell its Wealth Management Unit ........................................................ 130 Yahoo Introduced Revamp in Flickr with 1TB Free Storage ............................................... 131
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Gold Coins with Sachin Tendulkars Face and Signature .................................................... 131 Govt. Appointed Five Part-Time Directors on Board of Air India ....................................... 132 Corporate Current Affair Quizzes ....................................................................................... 133 Science & Technology ................................................................................................................. 137 US Scientists Developed First Smart RFID-Enabled Paper .................................................. 137 World's Smallest Stop Motion Film: A Boy & His Atom ...................................................... 138 US Scientists Created Worlds Smallest Flying Robot Called Robo-Fly ............................... 138 Hytholamus Mechanism Responsible for Ageing Discovered ............................................ 139 Global Model developed to analyse Routes of Marine Species ......................................... 140 Worlds First Gun made from 3D Printer Technology Fired ............................................... 140 Effective Method devised to Produce Clean Drinking Water ............................................. 141 Annual Report of Pentagon on China Unveiled .................................................................. 141 Solar Impulse Completed First Leg of Journey to Cross US ................................................ 142 IISC designed a New Concept of Vaccine Delivery System ................................................. 143 Benefits of Exposing Skin to Sun Can Outweigh Risks of Skin Cancer: Research ............... 143 A New Type of Wheat developed to Increase Productivity ................................................ 144 Scientists designed Peptide-based Delivery Platforms to cure Cancer .............................. 144 Researchers discovered New species of Dragonfly in Goa ................................................. 145 ISRO planned to launch GSLV D5 ........................................................................................ 145 Worlds Lightest Substance Carbon Aerogel produced ...................................................... 146 Scientists created World's Smallest Droplets ..................................................................... 146 Cluster of Hydrogen Clouds Discovered ............................................................................. 147 Less Expensive Technique of Creating 3D Images Discovered ........................................... 148 Russian Capsule Bion-M returned from Space Tour ........................................................... 149 Mars Rover discovered Rock Esperance is Weathered by Water ...................................... 149 Accurate 3D Gesture Sensing Technology on Mobiles ....................................................... 150
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Mangalore University and BARC Signed MoU .................................................................... 150 First and Only Satellite of Ecuador, Pegaso Collided With Russian Space Debris .............. 151 NASA to Lease Historic Launch Pad of First Moon Mission ................................................ 152 Canadian Scientists: Neuron Growth cuts Memory Space ................................................. 152 NASA's Observatory discovered Exotic Neutron Stars ....................................................... 152 Opportunity Broke Extraterrestrial Distance Record.......................................................... 153 Scientists discovered that Vitamin C kills Tuberculosis (TB) ............................................... 154 India Test Fired BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile .......................................................... 154 Lost Apollo 11 Moon Dust Discovered After 40 Years ........................................................ 154 Solar Impulse Plane HB-SIA set a new Distance Record ..................................................... 155 Centuries-Old Frozen Plants Called Bryophytes Discovered .............................................. 155 ISRO Navigation Centre Inaugurated by V. Narayanasamy ................................................ 156 Science and Technology Quizzes ........................................................................................ 157 Enviornment & Ecology .............................................................................................................. 159 Camarillo Springs Wildfire Broke Out In California ............................................................. 159 Critically Endangered Syzygium Travncoricum from Red List............................................. 161 iCED Inaugurated by the Vice President Hamid Ansari in Jaipur ........................................ 161 Decision to Put a Ban on the Trade of Peacock Feathers ................................................... 161 Increase in Mercury Level Leading to Drastic Decline in Arctic Foxes: Research ............... 162 ESA Gave Green Signal to Biomass Satellite to Monitor Forests ........................................ 163 Elephant Killing Took Place in Central Africa ...................................................................... 164 EU decided to issue Ban on Pesticides that Harm Bees ..................................................... 165 Global Warming Slump will Lead to Lower Rise in Temperatures: Research ..................... 165 Dolphins among Top 100 Mammals Facing Extinction Threat ........................................... 166 10% of UK Wildlife Is Endangered: State of Nature Report................................................ 167 Chile Issued Red Alert in Wake of Copahue Volcano Eruption........................................... 169
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45-day Fishing Ban came to an End in Tamil Nadu ............................................................. 169 Scientists Solved the Mystery Behind Bengal White Tigers ............................................... 169 UNESCO declared Nicobar Islands as World Biosphere Reserve ........................................ 170 Fossilised Skeleton of Flying Dinosaur Discovered in China ............................................... 171 Sports .......................................................................................................................................... 172 Haryana won 3rd Hockey India Sr. Women Nat. Championship ........................................ 172 Haryana won 3rd HI Jr. Women Nat. Championship .......................................................... 172 S Salman Elected President of Asian Football Confederation ............................................ 172 Somdev Recommended for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2013 .................................... 173 Shuttler PV Sindhu won Malaysia Badminton Grand Prix Title .......................................... 173 Vikas Gowda Clinched Gold at IAAF World Challenge Meet 2013 ..................................... 173 Stanislas Wawrinka won ATP World Tour, Portugal Open 2013 ........................................ 174 Alex Ferguson Retired as Manchester United Manager ..................................................... 174 Stiliyan Petrov, Aston Villa Captain of Retired from Football ............................................. 176 India Bagged 2 Silver in Commonwealth Championship .................................................... 176 Madrid Open 2013: Rafael Nadal won Mens Singles Trophy ............................................ 177 Stability Certificate of M.A. Chidambaram Stadium Cancelled .......................................... 177 Matt Prior named England's Cricketer of the Year for 2012-13 ......................................... 177 Sreesanth Arrested for Spot-Fixing ..................................................................................... 178 Lausanne Talks to bring India Back to Olympic Fold ........................................................... 178 India won Gold at FIBA Asia 3x3 basketball tournament ................................................... 179 Indian Women's Compound Team won Bronze in Archery................................................ 179 CLTA signed a Deal with its Spanish Counterpart MTF ....................................................... 179 Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federar to win Italian Open 2013 ............................................... 180 Serena Williams won Italian Open ...................................................................................... 180 Indonesian Men won Thanthi TV-Asia Pacific Championship ............................................ 180
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Mike and Bob Bryan won Rome Masters ........................................................................... 181 India won 2013 International Limassol Cup held in Cyprus ............................................... 181 Preeti won Gold in 2013 Sr. Nat. Women's Boxing Championship .................................... 182 NSDF to offer Financial Assistance to MKRBF, Imphal ....................................................... 182 Mumbai Indians Lifted its First IPL Trophy ......................................................................... 183 Sachin Announced Retirement from Twenty20 Cricket Format ........................................ 184 3rd National Sub-Junior Hockey: Odisha clinched Boy's Title ............................................ 184 Ananya won Bronze Medal in World School Chess Champship ........................................ 184 Jamjang Bagged 3 Medals in 15th AYWC ........................................................................... 185 Akshay B. Gaikwad Won 3 Gold Medals in 15th AYWC ...................................................... 185 Sports Current Affairs Quizzes ............................................................................................ 185 State ............................................................................................................................................ 188 President Inaugurated 14 Mega Watt Solar Power Project ............................................... 188 TN Govt announced 9 Crore Grant to Jeevan for Stem Cell Storage .................................. 189 Punjab increased Minimum Wages on the Eve of Labours Day ........................................ 189 Delhi Government decided to hike Auto Fares by 25 Percent ........................................... 190 Haryana hiked DA Rate from Existing 72 Percent to 80 Percent ........................................ 190 Andhra State Government set up State Security Commission ........................................... 190 Kashmir Festival 2013 for Tourism Promotion in Kashmir ................................................. 191 Tamil Nadu Government decided to set up Property Tax Board ....................................... 191 Haryana Government issued Shiksha Setu Cards to Students ........................................... 192 Planning Commission finalized Haryana Annual Plan 2013-14 .......................................... 192 J&K Govt. decided to set up J&K Medical Supplies Corporation ........................................ 193 Support Measures of 985 crore allocated to Tamil Nadu .................................................. 193 Congress won in Karnataka Assembly Elections 2013 ........................................................ 194 Govt of Tamil Nadu banned Pan Masala, Gutka in the State ............................................. 195
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DDA cleared 26 New Areas for Development .................................................................... 196 Land Pooling Policy in Master Plan Delhi 2021 Approved .................................................. 196 Jharkhand to Impart Technical Training to Unemployed Youth ......................................... 198 UP to ensure Time-bound Clearances to Industries ........................................................... 198 Calcutta HC directed State Govt to hold Panchayat Polls .................................................. 199 Puducherry Government launched Dairy Development Scheme ...................................... 199 TN decided to Implement Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction Project ................................... 199 Bihar Plan for 2013-14 Finalized at 34000 Crore Rupees ................................................... 200 Planning Commission finalized Annual Plan for Maharashtra ........................................... 201 Andhra Govt allocated 500 Crore for Agriculture Loans .................................................... 202 Kerala and Himachal announced Cooperation ................................................................... 202 ADB provided 110-m Dollars loan to Jammu &Kashmir ..................................................... 202 Census 2011: Gurgaon has Lowest Sex ratio in Haryana .................................................... 203 MP Plan for 2013-14 Finalised at 35500 Crore Rupees ...................................................... 205 Govt sanctioned 100 Crore under UIDSSMT to Develop MP ............................................. 205 Himachal Pradesh Assembly Celebrated Golden Jubilee ................................................... 206 Policy to Check Exploitation of Ground Water in Punjab ................................................... 206 MP Government hiked DA Allowance by Eight Percent ..................................................... 206 Planning Commission finalized 2000 Crore Nagaland Plan ................................................ 207 Delhi Police Issued Notification to Curb Sale of NH4NO3 .................................................. 208 Meghalaya Plan for 2013-14 Finalised at 4151 Crore Rupees ............................................ 208 Punjab approved Online Lottery System to Increase Revenue .......................................... 209 Maharashtra approved Grant for Minority Welfare Schemes ........................................... 209 Tripura Plan for 2013-14 Finalised at 2500 Crore Rupees .................................................. 210 One Liners ................................................................................................................................... 211 News Capsule .............................................................................................................................. 213
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Appointments of the Month ................................................................................................... 213 PK Mohanty appointed as Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh .......................................... 213 Subhash Kumar appointed as Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand .......................................... 214 Staffan de Mistura appointed as Italian Special Envoy to India ......................................... 214 Brazil's Roberto Azevedo appointed Head of WTO ............................................................ 214 Srinivasan Appointed as CEO of Anglogold Ashanti ........................................................... 215 NRI Sunil Chopra elected Deputy Mayor of a London Borough ......................................... 215 Nirbhay Sharma appointed Governor of Arunachal Pradesh ............................................. 216 Shashi Kant Sharma Appointed as CAG of India ................................................................. 216 Chandy Won UN Public Service Award ............................................................................... 217 US Senate confirmed Srinivasan as top US Court Judge ..................................................... 218 Siddaramaiah sworn-in as the 22nd CM of Karnataka ....................................................... 219 Laxman Singh Rathore Elected as Member of WMO ......................................................... 219 Kushal Singh Appointed as the Chairperson of NCPCR....................................................... 220 Awards in the Month of April .................................................................................................. 220 Mary Nongkynrih won ISRO Young Scientists Award for 2013 .......................................... 220 Aparajita Datta Honoured With the Whitley Award 2013 ................................................. 221 Jagran Group bagged Three Awards at INMA Awards Ceremony ...................................... 221 Youssou Ndour and Kaija Saariaho won the Polar Music Prize .......................................... 222 US honoured 15 AAPI Women as Champions of Change ................................................... 222 3rd National Awards for Technology Innovation in Petrochemical and Downstream Presented ............................................................................................................................ 223 Dadasaheb Phalke Award for Lifetime Achievement to Pran ............................................ 225 National Florence Nightingale Award 2013 were Presented ............................................. 226 Asom Ratna Award for Year 2012 Presented to Indira Goswami....................................... 229 UN Public Service Award 2013............................................................................................ 230 Hariharan won Lata Mangeshkar Samman Alankaran 2013 .............................................. 231 www.jagranjosh.com
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Malala Selected for Champion for Global Change Award .................................................. 231 Lydia Davis won 2013 Man Booker International Prize ...................................................... 232 Pratibha Ray Conferred With 47th Jnanpith Award ........................................................... 233 Carole King Became the First Woman to Receive Gershwin Prize ..................................... 234 Ramdarash Mishra awarded with Vyas Samman ............................................................... 235 Blue is the Warmest Colour won Palme d'Or Awards at Cannes ....................................... 235 Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Akademi Awards 2012 ...................................... 236 NTR Literary Award presented to Noted Manoj Das .......................................................... 237 Peter Higgs received Award for God Particle Discovery ..................................................... 237 Personality in News ................................................................................................................. 238 Lifetime ban on Pervez Musharraf for Contesting Elections .............................................. 238 President launched Bichitra Tagore Variorum Website ..................................................... 238 Statue of N T Rama Rao unveiled in Parliament ................................................................. 238 Najib Shortlisted for Best Job in the World Competition ................................................... 239 PK Bansal submitted his Resignations to Prime Minister ................................................... 239 Former Military Leader Montt Sentenced 80 Years in Prison ............................................ 239 External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid visited China.................................................... 240 Pakistani Authorities barred Ashraf from leaving Country................................................. 240 US Tax Agency Head Steve Miller Resigned........................................................................ 241 Raha Moharrak, First Arab Woman to reach Everest Summit ........................................... 241 Anshu Jamshenpa scaled the Mount Everest for the Third Time ....................................... 241 Samina Baig, First Pakistani Woman to Scale Mount Everest ............................................ 242 LS Rathore Elected as Member of Executive Council of WMO........................................... 242 Person Died.............................................................................................................................. 244 Deanna Durbin, Hollywood Actress Died at 91 Years ......................................................... 244 Ian Weathrall, Last British Member of Church Of Delhi Brotherhood Died ....................... 245
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Sarabjit Singh Died in Lahore's Jinnah Hospital in Pakistan................................................ 245 ATP Chairman Brad Drewett died at the age of 54 ............................................................ 246 Zulfiqar Ali prosecutor in Benazir Assassination Killed ....................................................... 246 Former Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti died at 94 ................................................ 247 Ray Harryhausen, the Master of Visual Effects Died at 92 ................................................. 248 Profulla Borua, the Veteran Indian Journalist died ............................................................ 248 Sanaullah Ranjay, Pakistani Prisoner died at PGI Chandigarh ............................................ 249 Hindi Story Writer and Playwright Surendra Tiwari Died ................................................... 249 Bryan Forbes, Veteran Film Director Passed Away At 86 ................................................... 250 Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar, Dhrupad Vocalist Passed Away ............................................. 251 Harvansh Singh, Deputy Speaker of MP Assembly Died .................................................... 251 Islamic Scholar Asghar Ali Engineer died at Mumbai ......................................................... 252 Uttanur Rajamma, the Bandaya Writer Died...................................................................... 253 Australian Actress Penne Hackforth-Jones died at 64 ........................................................ 253 Former International Sprinter Anand Shetty Passed Away ................................................ 253 Ray Manzarek, One of the Founders of the Doors Died at 74 ............................................ 254 Eddie Braben, the British Comedy Writer and Performer Died ......................................... 254 Nigerian Author Chinua Achebe died following a Brief Illness ........................................... 255 Tamil Playback Singer TM Soundararajan died in Chennai ................................................ 255 Baleshwar Aggarwal, the Veteran Journalist passed away ................................................ 256 Bill Pertwee, the Warden Hodges of Dad's Army died at 86 .............................................. 256 Rituparno Ghosh, National Award Winning Filmmaker died ............................................. 257 Books/Author........................................................................................................................... 257 Book an Ardent Patriot - Dinesh Goswami Released.......................................................... 257 Book Fida-e-Lucknow -Tales of the City and Its People released ....................................... 258 Mohsin Hamids 3rd Book How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia Released ........................ 258
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Harper Lee, Sued a Literary Agent over Copyright Issue .................................................... 259 Book titled Understanding Bhagat Singh released ............................................................. 259 Dan Browns book Inferno irked Authorities of Manila ...................................................... 259 Important Dates....................................................................................................................... 260 3 May: World Press Freedom Day ...................................................................................... 260 3 May 2013: Indian Cinema Completed its 100 Years ........................................................ 261 World Asthma Day 2013 observed with theme, You Can Control Your Asthma ............... 263 National Technology Day was observed on 11 May 2013 .................................................. 264 17 May 2013: World Telecommunication & Information Society Day............................... 264 Anti-Terrorism Day Observed Across India......................................................................... 265 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, 21 May ........................ 265 World Hunger Day was observed on 28 May 2013 ............................................................ 266 2014: Friendship Year to promote understanding between India and China .................... 266 Hindi Journalism Day Celebrated In India ........................................................................... 266 Anti-Tobacco Day Observed across the World ................................................................... 267 Reports & Survey ..................................................................................................................... 267 Recent Trends in Material Flows & Resource Productivity: Report ................................... 267 UP accounted for Largest Number of Mobile Subscribers ................................................. 268 India at Top in List of 1st Day Deaths of Infants: Report .................................................... 269 Cancer deaths dropped through Prevention Measures ..................................................... 270 UN Report on World Economic Situation and Prospects 2013 .......................................... 270 Global Index of Religion and Atheism Report ..................................................................... 271 China has Maximum Number of Convinced Atheists ......................................................... 271 Australia ranked as the World's Happiest Developed Nation ............................................ 272 Miscellaneous .......................................................................................................................... 273 Mount Fuji to Be Declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site ........................................ 273
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China Successfully Launched Zhongxing-11........................................................................ 274 US Cargo Plane Crashed near Manas Airbase in Kyrgyzstan .............................................. 274 New Sex Superbug can be more Deadly than AIDS ............................................................ 274 1st National Surfing & Stand up Paddle Competition ........................................................ 275 Sahara Created New World Record to Sing National Anthem ........................................... 275 Himalayan National Park for World Heritage nominated for World Heritage Sites .......... 276 Painting by Fernand Leger from 1921 Sold by Madonna for 7.2 Million US Dollar ........... 276 Researchers Discovered a New Species of Dinosaur .......................................................... 277 13 Short Films Based on Tagores Poems Launched........................................................... 277 Cabinet approved National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) ......................................... 278 ISSNIP Project was launched by Government of India ....................................................... 279 External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid visited China.................................................... 279 Cyclonic Storm MAHASEN formed over Bay of Bengal....................................................... 279 GoM constituted to consider Functional Autonomy of CBI ............................................... 280 Delegation from Tourism & I&B Ministry at Cannes .......................................................... 280 Cabinet Nod for Establishment of the Gandhi Heritage Sites Mission ............................... 281 Union Cabinet Approved Setting up Rashtriya Smriti for Last Rites of National Leaders .. 281 MDNIY Designated WHO Collaborating Centre in Traditional Medicine (Yoga) Status ..... 282 Investigation Team to Seek SC's Guidance on Kodnani Death Penalty Issue ..................... 283 Two Andhra Pradesh Ministers Resigned ........................................................................... 283 Huge Tornado Hits Oklahoma; Kills 91, Including 20 Children ........................................... 284 Chennai Airport Ranked low in ACIs Airport Service Quality Rating ................................. 285 Chief of IMF Questioned at Paris Court over Bernard Tapie Payout Amount .................... 285 Mango named Nirbhaya after Delhi Rape Victim ............................................................... 286 Govt. Approval to Classify Malayalam as the Classical Language ...................................... 286 INDU to be established at Binola, Gurgaon ........................................................................ 286
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Congress Party Convoy Attacked by Maoists at Dharba .................................................... 287 first Fighter Aircraft base inaugurated at Thanjavur .......................................................... 287 BCCI constituted 3-Man Probe Panel to probe IPL Betting ................................................ 287 Oldest Person of World is Last Living Male of 19th Century .............................................. 288 Salman Khurshid visited Saudi Arabia................................................................................. 288 Regional Pravasi Bhartiya Divas was held in Sydney .......................................................... 288 AD Sherpa, Pregnant runner won womens Everest Marathon ......................................... 289 Jethmalani expelled by BJP Party from Primary Membership ........................................... 289 Cochin Shipyard Limited Launched Third Fast Patrol Vessel .............................................. 290 Integrated Action Plan (IAP) extended for Four More Years .............................................. 291 HRD Ministry Constituted National Testing Agency (NTA) ................................................. 291 IAF Inducted Basic Trainer Aircraft Pilatus PC 7 MKII ......................................................... 292 Foreign Minister of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla visited India ........................................ 292 Kiran Mazumdar Shaw Figured in Forbes Philanthropy Lists ............................................. 292 Indian-American Arvind Mahankali won National Spelling Bee ......................................... 293 Questions of the Month.............................................................................................................. 293
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PREFACE
The Current Affairs PDF Magazine May 2013 includes the happenings of May Month. The PDF magazine available on jagranjosh.com plays an important role in making people aware of the happenings of the world and it also acts as a guide for candidates engaged in preparations of different level of competitive exams. The magazine being provide is drafted to meet the requirements of different level of exams including IAS|PCS, SSC, Banking, LIC, Railway and all other competitive exams. The events happening across the world following the series of their occurrence and importance has been compiled with fineness by the team of experts. The events before being included for the final packaging are evaluated on different standards to make sure that it helps the candidates and keep them on right track to clear the upcoming exams, especially IAS Prelims 2013 in the best way. The presentation of the events is planned to stay for a longer period in the memories of the reader to ease their way of preparation for the exams they will appear in. Fine perception of the stories allows a candidate to apply the theories behind the making of the event and face the challenges during the exams everywhere. Within the magazine one can find the events and happenings of National (Judicial, Executive and Legislative Development) and International (of World and India and World) importance, daily affairs of Corporate world and Economy, advancements on the frontiers of Science and Technology as well as Environment And Ecology, Sports happenings and Issues of different States of the country, launch of New Books & Authors, Important Appointments, Important Awards, Personalities who made news, Important Dates and more.
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If the trade figures of the two nations is compared than trade figure of India comes out to be 795 billion US dollar, whereas that of China is 3.82 trillion US dollar.
3. MoU on Buffalo Meat, Fishery Products and Agreement on Feed and Feed Ingredients between Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority of India and China www.jagranjosh.com
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It is directly aimed at strengthening mutual cooperation in trade and safety of buffalo meat, fishery products and feed and feed ingredients, and to meet the regulatory requirements with respect to safety & hygiene & quarantine and is also supposed to Chinese incursion in the deal with the growing trade deficit between the two Despang region came up a day countries. after China released its 4. MoU between the Ministry of Urban doctrinal document Development of India and National Diversified Employment of Development and Reform Commission of China's Armed Forces, which China on Cooperation in the field of Sewage describes about the changes in Treatment the countries perspective towards its neighbours. The The MoU signed by the Urban Development will preface of the doctrinal states enhance cooperation in the field of Sewage Treatment China's armed forces provide and ideas and knowledge sharing in the areas of a security guarantee and mutual interest in the urban sectors. strategic support for national development, and make due 5. MoU between the Ministry of Water contributions to the Resources of India and The National maintenance of world peace Development and Reform Commission, of and regional stability this China on Cooperation in the field of Water means China may take an Efficient Irrigation advantage of the armed forces The MoU directly aims at enhancing bilateral for its growth. May be possible cooperation in the field of water efficient technology the Despang incursion is the with applicability in the area of agriculture and follow-up of the doctrinal. exchange of best practices. 6. MoU between the India and the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of China on Cooperation in Mutual Translation and Publication of Classic and Contemporary Work As per the MoU a Joint Working Group will formed which will coordinate translation and publication of 25 books of Classic and Contemporary Works of each side over a period of 5 years in to Chinese and Indian languages respectively. 7. MoU between the Ministry of Water Resources of the India and the Ministry of Water Resources of China upon Provision of Hydrological Information of the Yaluzangbu/Brahmaputra River in Flood Season by China to India As per the Memorandum of Understanding China is supposed to provide India with information of water level, discharge and rainfall of 8:00 hrs and 20:00 hrs(Beijing Time) twice a day from 1st June to 15 October each year in respect of three hydrological stations on the mainstream Brahmaputra river.
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8. Agreement between the Ministry of External Affairs, of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of China to facilitate cooperation and linkages between Indian and Chinese cities & states/provinces As per this said agreement both the sides agreed to identify sister cities and sister states/provinces in India and China with a view to establishing relationships between them in areas of mutual interest for enhancing greater people to people contacts
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In order to pursue mutual benefit and fulfill their international cooperation objectives, both the Countries agreed in considering collaborating on development projects of common interest in third countries.
As per the exporters increasing of market access to China is critical for a shoot in Indias exports as the country efforts to change its export profile from raw materials to finished and valueadded products.
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The resumption of exporting buffalo meat from India to China, will bring a big merchandise trade that will not only be helpful in reducing trade imbalance of India but also in Chinas food security by providing quality and hygiene meat products. Earlier the export of buffalo meat is not allowed from India to China due to concerns about Foot & Mouth Disease. It was a long pending issue between two countries. The Other Mou was signed for import and export trade of fishery products which aims to bring cooperation in promoting trade of fishery products and healthy development of trade between India and China. Another MoU was also signed between Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products (CCCMHPIE) which will facilitate access to the China market in pharmaceuticals. The average imports of medicinal and pharmaceutical products from China during last five years were 4332.37 million US dollars vis--vis exports from India of 692.44 million US dollars. An important agreement was signed between Export Inspection Council of India (EIC) and AQSIQ on trade and safety of feed and feed ingredients which is supposed to bring big merchandise trade for feed & feed ingredients after the resumption of trade as China has suspended import of feed and feed ingredients since 1 January 2012. Both the countries also agreed to conduct the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra every year between May and September.
AN OVERVIEW
Visit of Li Keqiang and the Dragon talk with the Elephant During the first foreign visit of the Chinese new Premier, Li Keqiang to India from 19 to 22 May 2013 several documents were signed and agreements on several issues were also reached between the counterparts of the two nations. Both the countries decided to increase the trade target between both the nations to 100-billion US Dollars in Financial Year 2014-15, which in the running fiscal 2013-14, is 67.8 billion US Dollars. Concerns on trade deficit suffered by India in the previous fiscal of 2012-13 were also made and agreements were reached to make up the same in the running fiscal. Li Keqiang India visit came up after the visit of Union External Affairs Minister, Salman Khurshid to the Peoples Republic of China on 09-10 May 2013, just after the standoff of Chinese troops in the Daulat Beg Oldi sector for more than three weeks. Earlier, the 15 April 2013 incursion of a platoon of Chinese troops, 19 kilometers into the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Depsang Bulge area of Daulat Beg Oldi sector in Ladakh turned up to be a heated issue between the two nations. The incursion of the Chinese troops displayed no signs of ending, despite three rounds of flag meetings between the two nations. Similar kind of situation of incursion, led the two nations to war in 1962 but even after
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the war the two sides have yet not been successful in reaching a consensus for demarcating the formal boundary between the two nations. In 1962, the Chinese troops broke into the area, which were under the effective control of the Indian defence. Ever since the war ended in 1962, both the sides have yet not been successful in resolving the border issue and thus have signed several protocols and agreements to decide the way how the troops of the respective nations should behave till a final settlement is reached between the two nations. Chinese incursion in the Despang region came up a day after China released its doctrinal document Diversified Employment of China's Armed Forces, which describes about the changes in the countries perspective towards its neighbours. The preface of the doctrinal states China's armed forces provide a security guarantee and strategic support for national development, and make due contributions to the maintenance of world peace and regional stability this means China may take an advantage of the armed forces for its growth. May be possible the Despang incursion is the follow-up of the doctrinal. The Elephant (India) and the Dragon (China) have been sharing a long term of established and troubled relations on different fronts. They have good economic ties and are fairly moving on a fast pace to be the worlds strongest economy and at the same time, they share bitter and sour relations on two points, one is related to the borders i.e. the actual line of control and the second dispute is of water sharing i.e. the construction of a Dam for development of 510 MW Zangmu hydropower project on the Brahmaputra River (called Tsangpo River in China). Amid different positive and negative circumstances, what does the visit of the Chinese Premier Li Keqiangs to India signifies? Is it a step ahead towards improving the bilateral relations between the two countries or is just an attempt of the dragon to showcase its power to its counterpart Elephant that amid all situations, they have the courage to face them. Or is it the feeling of suffering a huge economic set back at the Dragons part if the economic ties goes wrong with the elephant. India largely exports ore, slag and ash, iron and steel, plastics, organic chemicals and cotton to China, while importing electrical machinery and equipment, nuclear reactors, machinery, boilers, cement, silk and mineral fuels. If the trade figures of the two nations is compared than trade figure of India comes out to be 795 billion US dollar, whereas that of China is 3.82 trillion US dollar . Under all these conditions, the synonym of the good relations seems from the dragons part can be quoted as if one is making huge profits by doing business with someone, he/she will never have the willingness of killing the profits at the cost of nothing. In past few years, China has also witnessed a slowdown in the pace of its economic development and is facing challenges of corruption and decline of the demographic dividend. Thus after tasting the bitterness of slowing growth, China may not take a direct chance of entering into a war with India but may be possible to divert the attention of its people from the internal issues faced by the country it and the slowing down economy it may lend some challenges to the neighbouring nations including India, which may be in terms of war.
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The Election Commission of Pakistan on 14 May 2013 announced results of 272 National Assembly seats, with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz heading the count with 126 seats, followed by the Pakistan Peoples Party with 31 seats. The voting took place for all parliamentary constituencies of Pakistan to elect 342 members for the National assembly, including 60 seats reserved for women and 10 for non-Muslims, simultaneously voting took place for the four Provincial Assemblies of Punjab, KPK, Sindh and Balochistan as well. Over 4600 candidates a contested at the centre for National Assembly seats, while 11000 candidates contested at provincial levels. As per the article 51 (6) c of the constitution of Pakistan the members to the seats reserved for women which are allocated to a Province under clause (3) shall be elected in accordance with law through proportional representation system of political parties' lists of candidates on the basis of total number of general seats secured by each political party from the Province concerned in the National Assembly. Also with reference to the article 51 (6) e members to the seats reserved for non-Muslims shall be elected in accordance with law through proportional representation system of political parties' lists of candidates on the basis of total number of general seats won by each political party in the National Assembly. Pakistans General election 2013 was the election to the 14th parliament of Pakistan. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif declared winner which was followed by a historic election. The voting has taken place in all parliamentary constituencies of Pakistan, to elect Members (MNAs) to seats in the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament. It is worth mentioning here that the current National Assembly completed its constitutional term on 18 March 2013, five years after the first session of the National Assembly elected during the 2008 general election. Pakistan Election 2013 was intended to elect members of the National Assembly of Pakistan, the lower house of the Majlis-e-Shoora (the nation's parliament).Pakistan's opposition parties,
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the Imran Khan`s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (N) were the major contenders for the general Election. The 63-year-old Sharif belongs to Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (N) party. He had twice served as premier. Pakistan Muslim League-N attained an overpowering lead with 130 seats. The first runner up is Imran Khan`s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) with 37 seats and the last is Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) with 31 seats. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which had a tally of 124 in the 2008 elections and ruled the country for five years with the support of the MQM and the Awami National Party. It is important here to note that to win a simple majority, a party or coalition would have to bag 137 of the 272 National Assembly seats for which polls were held. Another 70 seats, reserved for women and non-Muslims, will be allocated to parties according to their performance in polls. To have a majority in the 342-member National Assembly, a party or coalition would need 172 seats. The Senate or upper house of the parliament is currently controlled by the PPP.
PML-F 7/130
293/297 Seats
122/130 Seats
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PMAP (Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party) leads the balochistan province with 10 out 21 seats.
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region wise it varies from 10 cm rainfall in Rajasthan to 1000 cm in North Eastern Region. In addition, there are challenges of frequent floods and droughts in one or the other part of the country. With a growing population and rising needs of a fast developing nation as well as the given indicators of the impact of climate change, per capita availability of water is likely to go down from 1545 cubic metre per year in 2011 to 1341 cubic metre per year in 2025. The increasing demand of water for various purposes will further strain with the possibility of deepening water conflicts among different user groups as drinking water need is going to rise by 44 percent, irrigation need by 10 percent, industry need by 81 percent respectively by 2025.
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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 3 May 2013 reduced the Policy Repo Rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) by 25 basis points, from 7.5 per cent to 7.25 per cent with immediate effect as part of its Annual Monetary Policy statement 2013-14. The reverse repo rate under the LAF also stands adjusted to 6.25 per cent. The RBI took this step to boost flagging economic growth. The Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate, both stand adjusted to 8.25 per cent with immediate effect. The cash reserve ratio (CRR) of scheduled banks has however been retained at 4 per cent of their net demand and time liabilities. In its Monetary Policy Statement the RBI has stated that the balance of risks stemming from the Reserve Bank's assessment of the growth-inflation dynamic yields little space for further monetary easing. Interest rates on home and car loans will ease following RBIs decision to cut key policy rates. The next mid-quarter review of Monetary Policy for 2013-14 will be announced on17 June 2013.
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years in India die due to severe diarrhea that is caused due to Rotavirus bacteria. India accounts for 22 percent of the global deaths that occurs due to diarrhoea-causing rotavirus. Rotavac vaccine has been developed under a public-private partnership and is the third such vaccine that will hit the Indian market. The previous two vaccines cost more than 1000 rupees per dose and thus remain out of reach from the hands of millions in developing and third world nations. It is an oral vaccine that is administered in infants in three dose course at ages of six, ten and fourteen weeks, which is given to a child along with the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) vaccines recommended to be given to children.
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average acidity of the surface ocean waters across the world is 30 percent higher by now, than that before the industrial revolution. Overall as per the scientists and researchers working on the conditions of sea water, it will be very early to predict the exact changes that the sea will witness over the times to come.
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A group of US Scientists in second week of May 2013 declared that they have succeeded in creating a cloned human embryo using the technique that helped in developing the cloned sheep in 1996. The scientists took fifteen years to create the cloned embryo. The team of scientists developed the embryo using skin samples of a womans egg to develop an early cloned human embryo. Aim of this research is development of a source of stem cells not a baby. These can be helpful in repair of damage created after heart attack or brains of patients of Parkinsons disease. Somatic Cell Nuclear transfer technique was used in development of the embryo and it is the same technique that was used for developing the Ship Dolly, the first cloned animal in 1996.
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He is among few of the British players who played for Real Madrid, AC Milan, LA Galaxy and Paris Saint-Germain He is the first British player to reach 100 champions league appearances He was successful in winning La Liga Title in the final season of Spain as well as has been the winner of US MLS Championship twice He helped the team to win French Ligue 1 Championship in 19 years
INTERNATIONAL
NEVADA BECAME FIRST US STATE TO LEGALISE ONLINE CASINO
Nevada, in the month of April 2013, became the first US State that allowed its residents to play Online Poker for money, legally. Online Poker gained legitimacy in Nevada in February 2013. Other states that will legalise online poker soon in US are Delaware and New Jersey. The Nevada Gaming Control Board issued the 30-day license to enable the websites for competing against each other for the customers. The first legal online poker website to go live in Nevada is UltimatePoker.com. Ultimate Poker is the subsidiary of Station Casinos that operate 16 casinos in Las Vegas. US authorities claimed that online gambling can generate billions of dollars. Every year, around 10 million US citizens play online poker. However the sites are all offshore, which means that federal authorities as well as state make no money at all.
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In the year 2010, a research conducted by Gambling Commission found out that there were approximately 450000 problem gamblers in UK. They had an average debt of 17500 pound. The first online casino of the world was created 20 years ago by the Microgaming Software Systems, which are based on Isle of Man.
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Japan on 2 May 2013 concluded a deal with the United Arab Emirates for transferring the nuclear power technology. It is the first transfer of the nuclear power technology since 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the Persian Gulf state on the third leg of a weeklong overseas trip. Shinzo Abe met UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on 2 May 2013 in order to conclude the nuclear deal. The nuclear deal was concluded with an agreement to promote bilateral investments and economic exchanges. Shinzo Abe also explained about Japans plan for holding the ministerial level strategic talks on a regular basis with six Gulf Arab states, known as the Gulf Cooperation Council.
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Sanaullah who is a resident of Sialkot in Pakistan was injured during a brawl with another inmate in Jammu Jail where he was serving life term after being convicted under TADA provisions. He was arrested in 1999. Sanaullah without any delay was shifted from highsecurity Kot Balwal jail to Government Medical College Hospital and later rushed to PGIMR in Chandigarh in an air ambulance after he was found critical. As per the Pakistan government the brawl between Sanaullah and other jail inmates is an obvious retaliation to the death of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh in a Lahore hospital on 2 May 2013. Sarabjit Singh had been attacked by fellow inmates in Kot Lakhpat Jail on 26 April and succumbed to his injuries six days later. It is being said that Sanaullah is a victim of a direct assault coming in the wake of the death of Sarabjit Singh.
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MOU between Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Islamic Republic of Iran (ISIRI) and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). MOU between the Foreign Service Institute, Ministry of External Affairs, Republic of India and School of International Relations,Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamic Republic of Iran. MOU between the Government of Republic of India and the Government of Islamic Republic of Iran on cooperation in the field of water resources management.
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These islands are located in the east of Mainland China, northeast of Taiwan, west of Okinawa Island as well as north of the southwestern end of Ryukyu Islands. There is terrestrial sovereignty over Senkaku islands as well as maritime boundaries around these islands are disputed between China, Taiwan and Japan. China and Taiwan claim that Senkaku islands have remained a part of China since 1534. However, in 1894-1895, Japan got the control of the islands during first Sino-Japanese War and the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed.
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INDIA & CHINA PULLED BACK TROOPS FROM DAULAT BEG OLDI SECTOR
India and China on 5 May 2013 pulled back their troops from the stand off point at Daulat Beg Oldi sector in Ladakh, where the Chinese forces had intruded nearly three weeks back. A battalion of Chinese troops estimated at about 50 and accompanied by vehicles and dogs had intruded 19 km inside the Indian Territory across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Daulat Beg Oldi sector on April 15 and set up five tents. The Indian troops had also established tented posts facing the Chinese forces at a distance of 300 metres. An agreement was reached for both nations to pull back their troops simultaneously from the face off point.
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Earlier, Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz the King of Saudi issued a three month grace period for the foreigners staying illegally in the country to correct their residency status in the country or exit the nation after following due procedures.
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opposition. Najib Razaks party, the 13-party Barisan Nasional (National Front), secured 133 of the 222 parliamentary seats on 5May 2013. The coalition that has ruled since independence in 1957 held off a well determined opposition challenge to retain a firm parliamentary majority in elections widely forecast to be the biggestever threat to the ruling bloc. It is important here to note that this time the vote saw a record turnout of more than 10 million people. Najib Razak took office in 2009, and has faced rising public calls for reform. He has responded with some limited liberalisation moves while his critics dismiss it as superficial steps that darted deep change to avoid upsetting ruling elite.
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for others considering a similar move, including the European Union, India, Norway, South Korea, New Zealand and Canada. So, in order to bring in the world's toughest rules on tobacco packaging, Australia had to win a court fight against cigarette makers British American Tobacco, Imperial Tobacco, Philip Morris and Japan Tobacco.
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Afghanistan has made a steady progress in the health sector in the past decade. The facilities of health in 11 targeted provinces of Afghanistan has also tripled in a decades time from 148 to 432 as per official records, with about 20000 trained community health workers. The number of facilities with trained female health workers rose from 25 percent before the project to 74 percent today. The functional health care facilities in Afghanistan has gone up to 2000 from 496 and thus resulted in significant improvement in the coverage of reproductive and child health services, there has been a marked drop in maternal and child mortality.
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protect thousands of people, who has suffered abuse and prejudice because they were considered low caste. The issue has created a divide among the Indian diaspora in the UK.The groups like Caste Watch UK are rallying to urge MPs to introduce legal protection for those from traditionally lowercaste backgrounds wheras the Hindu Alliance called for a boycott of the amendment. According to the 2011 census, there are 81633 Hindus are living in UK.
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The eighth India-Seychelles Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was held on 8 May 2013 at New Delhi. The Joint Commission exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual interest during the meet. Review of the ongoing cooperation between the two nations in different fields was also done and views were exchanged for expanding and strengthening the perimeter of the cooperation between the two sides. The Indian Delegation to the meeting was led by Sudhir Vyas, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs and the Seychelles delegation was headed by H.E. Ambassador Maurice Jean Leonard Loustau-Lalane, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Seychelles. The next meeting of the Joint Commission will be held in Seychelles at mutually convenient date.
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As per the INSEE statistics, investment in France contracted by 0.9 percent in the first quarter of the year. Similarly business investment went down by 0.8 percent and exports went down bu 0.5 percent in the second quarter. The household consumption also recorded a fall of 0.1 percent; this is the first downfall in household consumption since second quarter of 2012. Recession is defined as regular contraction of GDP for consecutive two quarters. In case of France, the economy shrank by 0.2 percent in last quarter of 2012. Earlier this month, the European Commission warned France would enter recession this year and said the eurozone would shrink by 0.4 percent. The European Commission has also offered French Economy a time limitation of two years to bring the public deficit of the nation in line with the European Union limit of 3percent of GDP.
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Current Affairs eBook May 2013 INDIA-LANKA FTA HANDBOOK RELEASED IN COLOMBO
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Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka launched a handbook on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Colombo on 15 May 2013. FTA has helped Sri Lanka increase its exports to India manifold and the trade imbalance has decreased as a result of the favourable terms of the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. Sri Lankan businessmen need to take advantage of Indias vast market and aim at becoming a part of supply chains in Indian industry. India-Sri Lanka Free Trade agreement was the first of such agreements that was signed by India. It had come into effect in the year 2000 and has helped trade between the two countries grow from 400 million dollars to over 5 billion dollars in a decade.
ABOUT MELTING ICE OF ARCTIC CIRCLE AND INTERESTS OF NATIONS & RESEARCHERS
The level of melting ice in the Arctic sea in September 2012 went down to the new lows and attracted interest of nations and researchers towards it. Various nations placed their interest in the region for exploration of its rich mineral resources and navigation purposes. India has its Arctic research station named Himadri since 2008 that is located at the International Arctic Research base, Ny-Alesund at Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway. The station is www.jagranjosh.com
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operated by the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research. Indias approach in the Arctic Circle since 2008 has always been purely scientific. China became the first Asian country to navigate the area with a three-month sea voyage in an ice breaker across the Arctic Circle.
Through this Resolution the three countries commit to working for womens empowerment and for fighting gender-based discrimination and violence against women in all forms. The platform of the IBSA is for enhanced efforts for continuously engendering the policies and programmes of the three countries and for mainstreaming the marginalized sections. The violence perpetuates discrimination against women, and there are increasing instances of growing violence against women, which strengthens the need for concerted efforts to fight such discrimination and injustice. IBSA platform has the three largest democracies from the southern continent and their joint efforts through this forum will go a long way in mainstreaming the debate of womens issues.
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meet of IBSA Womens Forum. The signed joint resolution, will allow the three countries to recognize the key role of Governments of these countries with the support of the Civil Society to ensure and accelerate efforts towards achieving gender equality and empowerment of women. The resolution was signed between Krishna Tirath, her South African counterpart Lulama Xingwana and Maria do Carmo Godinho Delgado, Secretary of Evaluation of Policies and Economic Autonomy of Women of Brazil. To end violence against women for development of the equitable society and model for effective delivery of financial benefits to poor families, South Africa is running a Stop Rape Campaign and on similar grounds Brazil is running a campaign named Bolsa Familia of Brazil. The platform of IBSA was constituted to enhance the efforts for continuous engendering of the policies and programmes of India, Brazil and South Africa and to bring in the marginalized section into the mainstream.
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The resolution asked for immediate financial support to neighboring countries, which are hosting 1.5 million refugees. The UN resolution on Syria highlighted the dire situation of the 4.25 million internally displaced people.
NORTH KOREA TEST FIRED FOUR MISSILES OFF COAST IN TWO DAYS
North Korea on 19 May 2013 test-fired a short-range missile off its east coast, counted as fourth test firing in two days. The missile was fired into the Sea of Japan. Earlier on 18 May
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2013 the North Korea fired three short-range missiles off its east coast, considered as part of a military drill. The launching of missile by North Korea is not usual but it came at a time of sensitive alert on the peninsula followed by the Pyongyangs nuclear test in February 2013 which had led to tougher UN Sanctions. The launch of missile by North Korea was to demonstrate its military ambitions in rebelliousness of international sanctions and diplomatic efforts to convince the totalitarian state to return to talks. The United States, Russia and the United Nations have all issued renewed calls for restraint from North Korea. Followed the firing of three short-range projectiles, South Korea urged the North to stop provocations.
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It bans baad, the traditional practice of selling and buying women to settle disputes. It also makes domestic violence a crime punishable by up to three years and specifies that rape victims should not face criminal charges for fornication or adultery.
The Taliban while in power imposed a strict interpretation of Islam that put severe restrictions on the freedom of women. Taliban even banned women from working and going to school, or even leaving home without a male relative. In public, all women were forced wear a head-totoe burqa, which even covered the face. Violators faced public flogging or execution. Since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, women's freedoms have shown improvement, but Afghanistan still exhibits conservative culture, mainly in rural areas. As per the UN analysis in late 2011, only a small percentage of reported crimes against women were taken into consideration by the Afghan government. Between March 2010 and March 2011 only 7 percent of the total number of crimes reported.
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Basically the FTA had brought significant benefits to both sides, but more to Sri Lanka. In Last few years a number of top Indian companies had displayed high interest in Sri Lanka, investing in the country across sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, services, and construction.
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Health security, including cooperation on infectious diseases, emerging infections and drug resistance
India, at present, is the strategic partner to the UK and has been a recipient of UKs bilateral assistance in the form of grants since 1975. The aid agency of the UK is Department for International Development (DFID). The priority for DFID and Government of India partnership is improvement of maternal & child health and reducing the burden of communicable diseases.
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In the meeting, it was exuded that Switzerland will extend full support to India on global platforms in order to carry forward the pursuits of providing high quality generic medicines at affordable prices.
Senators have already waded through nearly a third of the more than 300 amendments being considered for the bipartisan immigration bill. Several of the measures are aimed at making the sweeping legislation more palatable to conservatives.
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The United States and India planned to enhance cyber security and critical infrastructure protection engagement; increase training on countering illicit financing through DHS' Cross Border Financial Investigations Training Program; share best practices and lessons learned in the context of megacity policing; and identify areas in which the United States and India can collaborate on science and technology development and its application in the homeland security context. The United States and India will explore areas in which to share best practices and lessons learned by both countries on how to enhance the ability of federal, state and local police to better detect, prevent and respond to acts of violent extremism. In May 2011, the first Homeland security dialogue between India and USA was held in India.
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both houses of parliament. The new constitution was approved overwhelmingly in a referendum in March 2013.
Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since 1980 when the country gained independence from Britain. His regime has been tainted by allegations of rights abuses against his opponents and critics. Mugabe and Tsvangirai formed a power-sharing government in 2009 to avoid the conflict following a bloody and violent Presidential run-off election in 2008. The power-sharing government faced difficulties frequently over the allocations of key government posts, the implementation of key reforms and incidents of violence. The five-year coalition parliament was formed under the same power sharing agreement. It expires on 29 June 2013, and parliamentary and presidential elections have to take place within 90 days of that date. Mugabe and his allies want the elections as early as possible, while Tsvangirai insists on the application of reforms for ensuring a free and fair election.
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The satellite data receiving station was launched in the Chinas southern island province of Hainan by the Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. With the commissioning of station China will now be able to obtain satellite remote sensing data of the countrys southern territorial waters for civil use directly from its ground-based receiving facility. It is important here to note that the station has two sets of data receiving and transmission systems, getting information from more than 10 satellites. Also, a research centre based at the Sanya station was launched that is going conduct scientific research in disaster monitoring, marine sciences and of the environment.
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It was noted that the sales of UAVs, or drones, constitute nearly 10 per cent of Israels total military exports. Unmanned equipment exports are a relatively volatile market.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
Israel had 150 million dollars in UAV exports in 2008, which was increased significantly in 2009 to 650 million dollars. Exports of the small surveillance planes peaked in 2010, a record year for drone sales, to 979 million dollars. The sales since then have been dropped with UAV exports in 2011 slumping to 627 million dollars and in 2012 further to 260 million dollars. Israels average overall military exports over the past eight years have been about 6.1 billion dollars a year.
The United States accounted for a mere 3.9 per cent of Israels UAV export sales from 2005 to 2012. It is because of the Israel Air Forces impressive squadrons of UAVs that Israel is considered as a powerhouse in the field of unmanned aircraft. This fleet includes Eitan, which boasts a wingspan of up to 26 meters, and the Hermes 450, which as per the foreign reports can be armed to carry out targeted killings from the air.
INTERNATIONAL QUIZZES
1. Iran in May 2013 gave ______________ news agency permission to reopen its Tehran bureau. The work there was suspended in March 2012 over one of its video reports? a) Reuters b) APTN c) PTI d) Federal Agency on Press Answer. (a) Reuters 2. Preliminary data released from _______________ statistics agency in May 2013 revealed the fact that the French economy has entered a shallow recession after shrinking by 0.2 percent in the first quarter of the year. a) UK National Statistics b) Albania Institute of Statistics c) Bahamas The Department of Statistics d) INSEE (National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies)
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3. India and Netherlands in May 2013 signed a Memorandum of Understanding on _____________ in the field of Spatial Planning, Water Management, and Mobility Management at Hague, Netherlands during the visit of Kamal Nath, Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs. a) Development Cooperation b) Planning Cooperation c) Technical Cooperation d) None of the above Answer. (c) Technical Cooperation 4. a) b) c) d) 14th Round of IndiaEU BTIA Negotiation Concluded in May 2013 was held at _______? London Geneva New Delhi Mumbai
Answer. (c) New Delhi 5. a) b) c) d) Name the country that legalized Gay Marriage in May 2013? Britain France Germany USA
Answer. (b) France 6. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in May 2013 declared that it will start the work on worlds biggest hydroelectric __________ dam on Congo River in October 2015? a) Inga Dam b) Three Gorges Dam c) Congo Dam d) Kiymbi Dam Answer. (a) Inga Dam 7. The Indian envoy to Colombo Ashok K Kantha in May 2013 announced that Indian companies have invested nearly ________ billion dollars in Sri Lanka, since 2003. a) 11 b) 1
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8. A bilateral meeting between India and Switzerland was concluded in May 2013 at __________? The meeting was held on the sidelines of World Health Assembly. a) New Delhi b) Bern c) Zentrum Paul Klee d) Geneva Answer. (d) Geneva 9. Afghanistan Parliament on in May 2013 blocked law aimed at strengthening provisions for women's freedom. The Parliament argued that parts of the law _____________? a) Violated Islamic principles and encouraged disobedience b) Violated Islamic Principles c) Encouraged Disobedience d) Violation of moral code and religious law of Islam Answer. (a) Violated Islamic principles and encouraged disobedience 10. What is the target that India China wants to achieve in two-way trade by 2015 for the financial year 2014-15? a) 110 Billion US Dollars b) 100 Billion US Dollars c) 90 Billion US Dollars d) 105 Billion US Dollars Answer. (b) 100 Billion US Dollars
WORLD DAIRY
29 April 2013 The 3rd Ministerial Conference of the Istanbul Process was held in Almaty. India and Saudi Arabia decided to set up a Joint Working Group to address Nitaqat Law.
30 April 2013 Dutch Queen Beatrix abdicated in favour of son Willem Alexander.
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1 May 2013 Abdul Hamid was sworn in as Bangladesh President to replace Zillur Rahman. Lifetime ban on Pervez Musharraf for contesting elections.
2 May 2013 Nevada became first US State to legalise online casino. Ireland unveiled the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill.
3 May 2013 Maryland became the first southern US state to abolish death penalty.
4 May 2013 Japan concluded a deal with UAE for transferring the nuclear power technology. New gas reserve discovered in Southern Sindh Province of Pakistan. India granted consular access to Pakistan on daily basis.
5 May 2013 The 17th session of the India-Iran Joint Commission was held in Tehran. British Territories signed deal on sharing tax information.
6 May 2013 Three Chinese ships sailed into disputed waters of Japan-Controlled Senkaku Islands. Libyas Parliament passed a law banning Gaddafi-era officials from state posts. India and China pulled back their troops from Daulat Beg Oldi sector. Najib Razak sworn-in as Prime Minister of Malaysia for second term.
7 May 2013 Saudi Arabia: no extension of grace period for foreigners staying illegally in the country. The 14th India-Australia JMC Meeting held in New Delhi. Cuba launched complaint against Australian tobacco laws at WTO. Pentagon: China exported arms worth 11 Billion US Dollars in 5 Years. Current Affairs eBook May 2013
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World Bank agreed grant of 100mn USD to Afghanistan for expansion of health services. Russia and USA announced commitment to negotiate to end Syrian conflict.
9 May 2013 British Parliament agreed to outlaw caste discrimination. Arab League agreed to Israel-Palestine Land Swap Agreement.
11 May 2013 Eighth India-Seychelles joint commission meet concluded at New Delhi. India and China signed protocol to enhance cooperation between foreign ministries.
12 May 2013 Iran gave Reuters permission to reopen its Tehran Bureau.
13 May 2013 Pakistan election result 2013: Nawaz Sharif's party PML-N bagged 126 Seats.
14 May 2013 Britain launched Super Priority Visa Service for travellers from India.
15 May 2013 India and Netherlands signed MoU in the Field of Urban Planning. INSEE confirmed that France has slipped into recession. President of Nigeria declared state of emergency in three states.
16 May 2013 India-Lanka FTA handbook released in Colombo by Indian High Commission. UN adopted resolution on Syria calling for political transition. India was granted an Observer Status by Arctic Council. 5th IBSA Women's Forum Resolution was approved by India, Brazil and South Africa. Current Affairs eBook May 2013
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18 May 2013 14th Round of IndiaEU BTIA negotiation concluded in New Delhi. India and USA announced Co-Operation in knowledge sector. France became the 14th country in the world to legalise gay marriage.
19 May 2013 USA (United States of America) cleared shale gas export to India.
20 May 2013 North Korea test fired four missiles off coast in two days. India asked for more market access from Japan during the visit of Anand Sharma. The Law on Elimination of Violence against women blocked in Afghanistan. Work on world's biggest hydroelectric Inga Dam on Congo River to start in 2015. Indias investments in Sri Lanka reach 1 billion dollars mark.
21 May 2013 MoU signed between India and United Kingdom on cooperation in health sector Indo-Swiss bilateral meeting concluded at Geneva on sidelines of World Health Assembly. India and China signed MoUs to address concerns on trade deficit. India and China set 100-billion targets for financial year 2014-15. US senators approved 5000 visas for Tibet refugees.
22 May 2013 The second US-India Homeland Security Dialogue was held in Washington. Indo-China bilateral meet on healthcare sector held in Geneva.
23 May 2013 President Robert Mugabe signed Zimbabwe's new constitution into law.
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US Senate confirmed Srinivasan as top US Court Judge to the District of Columbia Circuit.
26 May 2013 Mumbai Indians defeated Chennai Super Kings in final to lift its first IPL Trophy.
NATIONAL
UNION CABINET APPROVED LAUNCH OF NUHM
The Union Cabinet of India on 1 May 2013 approved the launch of the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) to reduce rates of infant mortality, maternal mortality and for universal access to reproductive health care. The cost of the National Urban Health Mission for 5 years is 22507 crore rupees and the Central government will share 16955 crore rupees. The mission will be implemented in 779 cities and towns each with the population of more than 50,000 has expected to cover about 7.75 crore people. The Cabinet also gave its nod to a bill which provides for confiscating property illegally acquired by corrupt public servants. The major changes to the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 were approved by the Cabinet. A timeframe has also been set for getting sanction of the competent authority to prosecute serving and retired bureaucrats and reasons will have to be specified for giving the nod or refusing it. The Union Cabinet also approved the Empowered Group of Minister's (EGoM)s decision to conduct auction of 839 channels of FM radio stations in 294 cities through e-auction. The decision is part of the amendments in the Policy Guidelines for Phase III expansion of FM Radio broadcasting services through private agencies. The government also approved amendments to a bill that seeks to eradicate manual scavenging. The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Bill, 2012 includes provisions for mandatory inclusion of women in vigilance committees at the district, state and national level and a survey to identify manual scavengers.
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The Union Cabinet also referred the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill to a Group of Ministers. The law deals with a woman's right to marital property in case of a divorce.
Established in 1 December Guards Indo-Pak and Indo1965 Bangaladesh borders apart from assisting in internal security.
Central Reserve Police Force Came into existence as Crown Guards civil airports as well as (CRPF) Representative's Police on 27 major installations of India such July 1939 as aero space domain and nuclear domain. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Established as Special Service Guards Indo-Bhutan and IndoBureau in May 1963 Nepal frontiers.
Indo-Tibetan (ITBP)
Border
National Security Guard (NSG) Set up in 1984 as a Federal Specialist Contingency Deployment Force force.
counter-terrorism
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Raised as Cachar Levy in 1835 Guards Indo-Myanmar border. and is the oldest Central Para It is also deployed in counterMilitary Force in India insurgency operations in Northeast India. Security Came into existence in 1969 Deployed for anti-naxal operations, law and order maintenance as well as internal security.
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The Union government had taken several steps in the regulatory framework for making the aviation sector grow despite the challenges facing domestic aviation industry, reeling under mounting losses and rising debt burdens. The aircraft acquisition committee has been abolished to liberalise the acquisition of aircraft by the scheduled, non-scheduled airlines, flying institutes and for private use, which will give momentum to the growth and expansion of airlines in India.
The Indian airport system is balanced to handle 336 million domestic and 85 million international passengers by 2020, making India the third largest aviation market.
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in the construction of the plant is attributed to anti-nuclear protests by the locals as well as People's Movement against Nuclear Energy (PMANE). The pre-service inspection of the first unit of Kudankulam nuclear plant began by the engineers in 2012. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board completed the inspection of reactor pressure vessel of Unit-1 and it was found that there were no defects at all.
CHANGE IN THE PATTERN OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - REPLACING CAPITAL SUBSIDY WITH A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT SUPPORT FUND
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The Cabinet has approved to withdraw capital subsidy to S.H.Gs and instead provide financial support S.H.G federations and livelihoods organizations of the S.H.G members in the intensive blocks through a grant called Community Investment Support fund.
SETTING UP OF NATIONAL LEVEL SOCIETY UNDER N.R.L.M FOR MORE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION
The Cabinet also approved the setting up an autonomous, adequately staffed, professionally managed and empowered agency at the national level to implement the N.R.L.M, called the National Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (N.R.L.P.S) under the Societies Registration Act. The NRLPS will act as the technical support unit of N.R.L.M. The setting up of such a Society is essential to implement the programme in a mission mode, as livelihoods programmes require a wide range of specialization and experience. The Society structure would enable access to high quality professional support, provide flexibility to create partnerships and facilitate innovations and would serve as a knowledge center for rural livelihoods for the state missions. Further it will provide an opportunity for formally involving State Governments in decision-making, by nominating them to the Executive Committee of the Society.
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HUDCO and NCW shall cooperate in the areas of re-construction of existing structures where women in distress are housed, providing for living quarters, kitchens and toilets, construction of living quarters, kitchens and toilets in pre-identified sites.
Under the MoU, NCW shall identify the areas where the activity or project has to be undertaken and HUDCO shall provide financial assistance for implementation of these projects along with technical advice.
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The policy was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) that lays stress on augmentation of the Indias indigenous capabilities in terms of developing the cyber security set-up. The policy also caters to every spectrum of ICT users and service providers as it includes home as well as small users, medium and large enterprises and government and non-government entities. The policy also aims at the creation of the cyber security framework to address all related issues pending over a long period. The set framework will also enhance the security posture of the countries cyber space via specific actions and programmes. Cyber Security Policy will also help in enhancing the intelligence as its integral component and help in anticipating attacks and adopt, counter measures.
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The PIL was filed by a resident of Bangalore Arun Kumar Agarwal who had alleged that there was a clause in the agreement between Cairn group and ONGC that in case Cairn Group wanted to sell its shares in Cairn India, it would first offer the same to ONGC and this right was not asserted by the PSU and the Centre. It was also alleged that the decision on the deal had been made on extraneous considerations and without taking into account the relevant aspects. As per the clause, Cairn could sell its shares to other parties only after ONGC refused to buy the stake and ONGC, thus, had the right of first refusal (ROFR). As per the petitioner Cairn Energy had violated the clause and signed a deal with Vedanta group to sell its shares in Cairns India, without making an offer to ONGC and that the exchequer would have benefited by over one lakh crore Rupees if ONGC had insisted on enforcing the clause.
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Protection of entitlements under Targeted Public Distribution System: The entitlement of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, which constitute poorest of the poor will, however, be protected at 35 kg per household per month. It is also proposed to accept the recommendation of the Committee to protect the existing allocation of food grains to the States/UTs, subject to it being restricted to average annual off take during last three years (2009-10 to 2011-12). State-wise coverage and identification of beneficiaries: Corresponding to coverage of 75 percent/50 percent of the rural/urban population at the all India level, State-wise coverage will be determined by the Planning Commission. The work of identification of eligible households is proposed to be left to the States/UTs, which may frame their own criteria or use the Social Economic and Caste Census (SECC) data. Subsidized Prices under TDPS and their Revision: Uniform prices of 3/2/1 rupees per kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains will be applicable to all eligible beneficiaries. It is proposed to fix these prices for the first three years of implementation of the Act, and thereafter link the same suitably to MSP. Cost of intra-State transportation & handling of food grains and FPS Dealers Margin: In order to address the concerns of States/UTs regarding additional financial burden, it is proposed that Central Government may provide assistance to States towards cost of intra-State transportation, handling of food grains and FPS Dealers margin, for which norms will be devised. Maternity Benefit: It is proposed to allow States/UTs to use the existing machinery of District Grievance Redressal Officer (DGRO), State Food Commission, if they so desire, to save expenditure on establishment of new set up. The National Food Security Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 22 December 2011 to addresses the issue of food security in a comprehensive manner, by adopting a life cycle approach. The Bill was introduced after a wide-ranging consultation with various stakeholders.
After introduction, the Bill was referred to Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, who interacted with other Central Ministries, various other organizations and individuals and visited States before submitting its report to the Speaker, Lok Sabha on 17 January 2013. The recommendations of the Standing Committee were examined in consultation with concerned Central Ministries and also with the Food Ministers and Food Secretaries of States/UT. At the coverage and entitlement now proposed, total estimated annual food grains requirement is 612.3 lakh tons and the corresponding estimated food subsidy for implementation of NFSB, at 2013-14 costs, is about 124747 crore rupees. When compared to www.jagranjosh.com
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the estimated food subsidy requirement under existing TDPS and Other Welfare Schemes, the additional food subsidy implication is about 23800 crore rupees per annum. Requirement for assistance to States for meeting the expenditure on Transportation, Handling and FPS Dealers margin, etc., would be additional.
FEATURES OF ISSNIP
ISSNIP is designed to supplement and provide value addition on the existing ICDS programme, through systems strengthening for better service delivery, as well as to
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allow the selected States and Districts to experiment, innovate and conduct pilots of potentially more effective approaches for ICDS in order to achieve early childhood education and nutrition outcomes. The additional support through the project is catalytic and is an important dimension of MWCDs overall efforts to strengthen and restructure the ICDS programme.
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The role of NSDA is coordination as well as harmonization of Governments skill development efforts as well as private sector for achieving skilling targets of 12th five-year plan. NSDA will also play the role of anchoring and operationalising National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) as well as the nodal agency for Sector Skills Councils.
The Phase IV of the UID Scheme will begin with an immediate effect. The UID project was launched on 29 September 2010. Since then, over 31 crore residents have been issued with the UID numbers. By March 2014, additional 40 crore residents will be allocated the UID. Under the UID project, all residents of the country are provided with the unique numbers. It is aimed at making sure that each and every Indian resident has a unique form of identity. UID numbers are also provided to the marginalized people, thereby providing equity. Apart from this, UID also ensures effective governance and better service delivery.
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The Section 3 of the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959, has been amended time to time. It lists certain offices of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State, which do not disqualify the holders thereof for being chosen as, or for being, a Member of Parliament. The Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is exempted from such disqualification under Sub-clause (ii) of clause (ba) of section 3 of the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959. By the 89th Amendment Act of 2003 of the Constitution of India, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Tribes was bifurcated into two independent Commissions namely the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and the National Commission for the Scheduled Tribes. With the 89th amendment Act Article 338 of the Constitution was amended and a new article, namely, Article 338A was inserted in the Constitution.
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Manual scavengers freed bonded labourers and tribal groups will be given preference in allotments. The allocation for each dwelling unit was increased from 45000 rupees to75000 rupees In Maoist-affected and hilly regions, the allocation would now be 75000 rupees from the existing 48500 rupees. Landless labourers which were given 10000 rupees for buying land would now be given 20000 rupees Apart from the above guidelines, a major change was introduced which is that funds will be given to only consolidated proposals from state governments and not district-level organisations
Indira Awas Yojana is a flagship scheme under the rural development ministry. It addresses rural housing needs by giving grant for construction of dwelling units of BPL families.
The Centres flagship Right to Information Act, which was enacted in 2005, mandates timely response to citizen requests for government information. One has to pay a fee of 10 Rupees for seeking information. www.jagranjosh.com
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It is important here to note that the DoPT had last in month of April 2013 also started a unique facility of submitting RTI applications and fees online. It has created a portal www.rtionline.gov.in which is intended to help people use their right to know through online medium.
ALL LPG CONSUMERS ARE ADVISED TO DO THE FOLLOWING TO AVAIL OF SUBSIDY IN THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS
Get an Aadhaar number if they dont have one at Aadhaar enrollment centers. Open a bank account with Aadhaar number if they do not have one by going to a bank branch with Aadhaar number. If they already a bank account then link their Aadhaar number with their bank account by visiting their branch or through a request form available with LPG distributors and deposit it in the drop boxes placed at LPG distributors premises. Provide Aadhaar numbers to LPG distributors for linking with LPG consumer number.
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For the benefit of LPG consumers, OMCs have provided the facility on their web-sites to check whether the Aadhaar number has been attached to LPG consumer number/bank account. For the benefit of LPG consumers, who cannot complete formalities by 1 June 2013, a grace period of three months is being given to complete the formalities. After this period, all consumers who have not completed the formality will get LPG cylinders at market price, without any subsidy, till they complete the same.
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The Union government on 16 May 2013 slashed the import tariff value of gold and silver to 466 Dollars per ten grams and 761 Dollars per kg, respectively. The decision to slash the import tarrif was taken Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) after considering weak global price trend. Earlier in April 2013, the tariff value of gold was 472 Dollars per ten grams, while silver was 762 Dollars per kg. Government has cut the import tariff value of gold as international prices of gold and silver showed a declining trend as investors shifted funds to equities with firming up of dollar. Tariff value is actually the base price on which the customs duty is determined to prevent underinvoicing.
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The government has notified the Drug Prices Control Order (DPCO) 2013, with effect from 15 May 2013 and replaced the 1995 order. In its previous order prices of 74 bulk drugs were regulated and as per the new order all dosages and strengths specified in the NLEM will be under price control. The ceiling prices of the NELM drugs will also be decided as per the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy and the policy states that the ceiling price of an essential drug will be the simple average of all brands with a market share of at least 1 per cent.
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Current Affairs eBook May 2013 AGE LIMIT UNDER JSY FOR INSTITUTIONAL DELIVERIES RELAXED
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The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 21 May 2013 relaxed the eligibility parameters for the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), with an expectation of reducing the neonatal and maternal mortality in young mothers. Janani Suraksha Yojana provides financial assistance to mothers for institutional deliveries. With the relaxation of the scheme, the women who belong to Below Poverty Line (BPL) category can get an access to JSY benefits irrespective of their age and the number of Children they have. The benefits of the scheme is extended to every women from BPL Category as well as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes from all States and Union Territories of the country if they give birth to the new one in Government as well as the Private accredited health facility, as well as to those women from BPL category who delivers at home (as part of their choice).
HPS States
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GOVT. APPROVED SPECIAL RECRUITMENT DRIVE TO FILL BACKLOG VACANCIES FOR SC, ST & OBCS
The Union Cabinet of India on 23 May 2013 approved the Special Recruitment Drive to fill the backlog in reserved vacancies of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC). The decision to bring the special recruitment drive into effect was chaired by Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh at New Delhi. Under the recruitment drive of 75000 identified vacancies 48000 were filled in 2012 under the drive and the government wants to fill the remaining backlog by 2013. During the meet of the cabinet, different ministries and departments were made responsible to make concerted efforts to fill the remaining backlog of reserved vacancies.
BENEFITS OF PROJECT
Strengthening Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) and demand generation
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Intensifying and consolidating prevention services with a focus on highly vulnerable populations, high risk groups and bridge population Institutional strengthening and financial management The project would also help in controlling the spread of HIV infection in India
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The amendment in the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 enables the Overseas Citizens of India to practice medicine in India. The amendment also removes the restriction on foreign doctors to practice only for teaching, research or charitable work. The amendment also provides for separate representation to Union Territories and more representation to Health Universities.
The Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2013 was promulgated as the Ordinance by the Government of India. It was introduced in Rajya Sabha during the Budget session. The term of the present Board of Governors of the Medical Council of India ended on 14 May 2013, but it has been given extension.
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Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on 25 May 2013 inaugurated three new Aadhaar-enabled services- e-KYC, OTP (one time pin) authentication and Iris authentication, which would in turn help the residents of India in authenticating their identity anywhere and anytime via any digital platform. Apart from this, the UIDAI also announced establishing around 300 permanent enrolment centres, also called Aadhaar Kendras. By September 2013, number of Aadhaar Kendras will increase to around 1000. These centres would help those residents in enrolling which were left during the camps being organised by registrars in past. The centres will also help in facilitating biometric and demographic update.
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The green energy corridor is aimed at synchronising electricity produced from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, with conventional power stations in the grid. Germany has committed developmental and technical assistance of 1 billion Pounds for the project.
The Government is aimed at strengthening the distribution network across the country making it smart to handle fluctuations after seeing the massive grid failure happening round the nation. As per the Central Electricity Authority, India has 27541.71 MW of installed renewable capacity excluding hydro power stations. The country has a total installed capacity of 223625.60 MW as on 30 April 2013. India is already in talks with Germany for making its grid compatible for distributing renewable energy. Germany has smart grids that integrate renewable energy into the national grid.
PURPOSE OF ISSUING THE TELECOM COMMERCIAL COMMUNICATIONS CUSTOMER PREFERENCE (TWELFTH AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS, 2013
The Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference (Twelfth Amendment) Regulations, 2013 has been issued to tighten the grip of regulatory framework, especially relating to commercial communication from subscribers indulging in telemarketing activities, deliberately masking themselves without registering as telemarketer with TRAI. The subscribers indulge in the activities like these without making payment of promotional SMS charge or the other kind of charges or deposits which should be paid by the registered telemarketers.
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These subscribers also evade the procedures for telemarketing by registered telemarketers. The subscribers like these indulge in sending unsolicited commercial communications to the customers who are even registered in NCPR.
AIM OF INDU
INDU aims to provide knowledge based higher education for management of the defence of India to the military leadership and other concerned civilian officials. It will also keep them abreast of the emerging security challenges via scholarly Research and Training It will develop and propagate higher education in Defence Studies like Defence Management, Defence Science and Technology. It will also promote the policy with its orientation towards, research related to National Defence. It will prepare officers for high level leadership as well as staff and policy responsibilities
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The think tanks of the University will be responsible for providing inputs for Policy Formulations It will focus on higher education in defence studies, defence management and defence science and technology The university will offer post graduate studies and doctoral / post doctoral research
INSTITUTES AND COLLEGES OF INDIAN ARMED FORCES THAT WILL BE AFFILIATED THROUGH INDU
National Defence College (NDC) New Delhi Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) Wellington College of Defence Management (CDM) Secunderabad National Defence Academy (NDA) Khadakwasla
The University will be instituted by the Act of the Parliament and President of Indian Union will be a visitor to it and Defence Minister will be the Chancellor. INDU will be governed as per its own norms and will be responsible to promote coordination and interaction between Institutions of Armed Forces or establishments of the country. It will give opportunity of higher studies through distance learning to both military and civilian personnel. It will also give affiliation to defence training institutions to award degrees. The Institute will be headed by its President (who will be a three star serving General / equivalent officer with C-in-C status on appointment) and the Vice-President will be a civilian. The University is being planned on the lines of IIT/IIMs. The students of the University will constitute 66 percent students from armed forces and remaining 33 percent would be drawn from other government agencies, police and civilian. The teaching faculty will comprise of both military personnel and civilians in the ratio of 1:1.
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Both committees were formed as per the directives of the Supreme Court to monitor the implementation of the interim orders of the tribunal. Supreme Court of India in its interim order on 10 May 2013 had directed the union government to constitute a supervisory committee for implementation of the final order of the CWDT dated 5 February 5, 2007 as notified on 19 February 2013. The Tribunal which included Chairman Justice N.P. Singh and members N.S. Rao and Sudhir Narain was set up in 1990. It 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 a Unanimous award in February 2007. In the final order 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. It had reserved 10 TMC for environmental protection.
NATIONAL QUIZZES
1. The Union government keeping into consideration the widening trade gap, had set up a six-member inter-ministerial committee in the last week of April 2013 under the chairmanship of ___________ to suggest measures for enhancing MSME exports. a) R S Gujral b) Sumit Bose c) Madhav Lal d) S R Rao Answer. (a) R S Gujral 2. Which of the following statements about the roles and duties will the six member committee on trade-gap is true? I. II. III. The committee will suggest short and long term measures to enhance exports from MSME sector. It will submit its recommendations by mid-May 2013. The other members of the committee include Commerce Secretary S R Rao, Revenue Secretary Sumit Bose, MSME Secretary Madhav Lal, Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Takru and Chief Economic Adviser Raghuram Rajan. None of these statements are true
IV.
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3. The Union Cabinet of India in May 2013 approved the launch of the ___________ Mission to reduce rates of infant mortality, maternal mortality and for universal access to reproductive health care. a) National Urban Health Mission b) National Maternity Management Mission c) National Infant and Mother Mortality Mission d) Universal Access To Reproductive Health Care Mission Answer. (a) National Urban Health Mission 4. The recently proposed National Urban Health Mission is will implemented in how many cities of towns across the country? a) 999 b) 779 c) 949 d) 786 Answer. (b) 779 5. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) under the Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh approved 11000 crore Rupees project in May 2013 for modernisation of _____________? a) Delhi police b) Central paramilitary forces. c) Black Commando Force d) Indian Army Answer. (b) Central paramilitary forces. 6. The Union Cabinet in May 2013 had cleared important changes to the National Rural Livelihoods Mission _________ in a major boost to the roll out of t he womens self help group model across the country?
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7. The Union Cabinet of India in May 2013 approved major changes to the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) with the objective of removing poverty in rural areas by empowering women. Approximately, 25 lakh Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) will be given bank loans at an interest rate of _______ percent? a) 7 percent b) 6 percent c) 7.2 percent d) 6.8 percent Answer. (a) 7 percent 8. The Union Government of India in May 2013 approved _____________ policy with an aim to create a secured Computing environment across the country? a) Computing Policy of India b) National Cyber Policy c) National Policy of Computing d) National Cyber Security Policy Answer. (d) National Cyber Security Policy 9. The Minister for Women & Child Development, Krishna Tirath in May 2013 launched the World Bank assisted___________. The aim of the programme is improvement of child development and nutritional outcomes for children in selected districts having higher proportional of child under nutrition. a) ICDS Systems Nutrition Improvement Project b) ICDS Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project c) ICDS Systems Strengthening for the Nutrition Improvement Project d) ICDS Nutrition Improvement Project
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10. Ministry for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution introduced amendments in the National Food Security Bill in the Lok Sabha in May 2013 and placed the amended Bill for consideration and passing by the House. Which of the following statements related to the Bill are true? I. The Government decided to move certain amendments to the Bill Based on the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution These amendments seek to make the framework of the proposed legislation simpler, provide more flexibility to States/UTs in its implementation and to address some of the concerns raised by them. Protection of entitlements under Targeted Public Distribution System:The entitlement of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, which constitute poorest of the poor will, however, be protected at 35 kg per household per month. Statement I and II are only true
II.
III.
IV.
a) Statement I, II and III are true b) Statement IV is true c) Statement I and II are only true d) Only statement I is true Answer. (a) Statement I and II are only true
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INDIA DAIRY
6 May 2013 Union cabinet approved changes to aajeevika, the national rural livelihoods mission Government has constituted an inter-ministerial group to suggest ways to tackle fraudulent money pooling activities by Ponzi Schemes.
7 May 2013 A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between National Commission for Women (NCW) and HUDCO on 7 May 2013 in New Delhi.
8 May 2013 National Cyber Security Policy was approved by the Union Government which will help in creation of Secured Computing environment in India. Tribal Forest Dwellers Empowerment Scheme was launched by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs & Panchayati Raj.
9 May 2013 The Supreme Court dismissed a PIL challenging 8.5 billion US Dollars Cairn-Vedanta deal and its validity. Ministry for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution introduced amendments in the National Food Security Bill in the Lok Sabha
10 May 2013 The Minister for Women & Child Development, Krishna Tirath launched the World Bank assisted ISSNIP. The Union Government of India approved the policy development of aviation hubs in India. The Cabinet Committee on Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) approved the cost estimates of Phase IV of the UID Scheme.
11 May 2013 Amendments in the Parl. (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959 was approved by introducing Parl. (Prevention of Disqualification) Amendment Bill, 2013. The decision to declare the year 2013 as Water Conservation Year 2013 was approved by the Union Cabinet of India.
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Monetary assistance under under the Indira Awas Yojana has been hiked by 25000 rupees by the Union Government following the agreement signed in Agra.
13 May 2013 The Union Government decided to publicise best practices on implementation of RTI Act by public authorities all over the country. Indigenously developed Rotavirus Vaccine named Rotavac was unveiled by India. DCGI approval for commercial production of the vaccine is awaited. The government approved new guidelines for the Indira Awas Yojna Scheme for rural poor.
14 May 2013 Union Government set up an expert Committee to evolve a composite index to measure backwardness of states. Government decided to launch DBTL scheme in 20 high Aadhaar coverage districts from 1 June 2013.
15 May 2013 Star India in the month of May 2013 launched its new movie channel, Star Movies Actions, which is targeted at male audiences.
16 May 2013 OBC creamy layer criteria were raised to 6 lakh rupees from previous 4.5 lakh rupees by Union Cabinet of India. The Union government slashed the import tariff value of gold and silver to 466 Dollars per ten grams and 761 Dollars per kg, respectively.
17 May 2013 With the implementation of the Drug Price Control Order 2013 the prices of the 348 essential medicines listed in NLEM 2011 will go down by up to 80%.
18 May 2013 The Supreme Court of India held that the two-finger test on a rape victim violates her right to privacy. Indian Farmers Fertiliser Co-operative (IFFCO), signed an agreement Vale SA for supply of rock phosphate. Current Affairs eBook May 2013
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Singer Hariharan was conferred with the Lata Mangeshkar Samman Alankaran which was instituted by Madhya Pradesh government in 1984.
20 May 2013 Union Cabinet approved the Special Recruitment Drive to fill the backlog of reserved vacancies of SCs, STs and OBCs. P Sabita Reddy and D Prasada Rao, the State Cabinet Ministers of Andhra Pradesh charged in the YS Jaganmohan Reddy's disproportionate assets case resigned.
21 May 2013 The findings of the ACI survey gave the Chennai Airport an Airport Service Quality (ASQ) rating of 3.21 out of five for the year 2012. Vyas Samman for 2011 and 2012 were conferred to Prof. Ramdarash Mishra and Dr Narendra Kohli for their works Aam ke Patte and Na Bhooto Na Bhavishyati.
22 May 2013 India on 22 May 2013 successfully test fired the 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile Chief Minister of Kerala, Oommen Chandy won United Nation's Public Service Award for his Mass Contact Programme. The Union Cabinet of India, approved to classify Malayalam as the Classical Language.
23 May 2013 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the proposal for the implementation of National AIDS Control Support Project. President of India conferred the 47th Jnanpith Award for the year 2011 on Pratibha Ray at Balyogi Auditorium in New Delhi.
24 May 2013 Government has decided to set up teacher training institutes at block level across eight teacher deficit states of India under 12th Plan. Supreme Court held that a life convict cannot claim to have a right to be released after spending 14 years behind the bars.
25 May 2013
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Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) inaugurated three new Aadhaar-enabled services to help residents. Union Government plans to roll out a 43000-crore rupees green energy corridor project to facilitate the flow of renewable energy into the national grid.
26 May 2013 TRAI issued The Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference (Twelfth Amendment) Regulations, 2013. Indian telecom sector became the second largest telephone network in the world, after China by registering exceptional growth during last nine years. Defence Ministry inaugurated the first fighter aircraft base at Thanjavur
27 May 2013 Union Defence Minister AK Antony dedicated to the nation the New Air Force Station at Thanjavur at a brief function held to mark the occasion External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid ended his four-day visit to Saudi Arabia. The Union Cabinet of India gave clearance to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) to roll out its mobile network in the Naxal-affected areas.
28 May 2013 BJP expelled senior lawyer and MP Ram Jethmalani from the primary membership of party for six years over breach of discipline. The Ministry of Women and Child Development appointed Kushal Singh as the Chairperson of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). Manoj Das, the Noted Oriya writer was presented the NTR National Literary Award.
29 May 2013 44 Years old Ang Dami Sherpa from Nepal won the Everest Marathon in womens category of Year 2013. A Group of Ministers approved the Coal Regulatory Authority Bill which seeks to set up independent regulatory authority for the coal sector. The Union government notified Cauvery Water Scheme, 2013 to implement the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award
30 May 2013 Rituparno Ghosh, the renowned Bengali film maker died of cardiac arrest at his south Kolkata residence.
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Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, N C Menon, Vineet Nayar and Ronnie Screwvala figured in 2013 year list of Asia-Pacific's most remarkable givers. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 30 May 2013 was elected to the Rajya Sabha for the fifth time from Assam.
31 May 2013 The HRD Ministry decided to set up a seven member Task Force NTA under the Chairmanship of Sanjay Dhande. The IAFs premier Academy located at Dundigal, Hyderabad inducted basic trainer aircraft Pilatus PC 7 MKII.
ECONOMY
BSE LAUNCHED BROAD-BASED ISLAMIC EQUITY INDEX
The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on 30 April 2013 launched an Islamic equity index based on the wide-measure S&P BSE 500 index. It will provide a new benchmark for Islamic investors in one of the world's largest stock exchanges. The new index includes the largest 500 companies in the BSE, out of more than 5000 listed. These companies fulfill Islamic finance principles such as bans on investing in alcohol, tobacco and gambling-related businesses. The BSE had launched the countrys first Islamic index in 2010 after tracking the 50 largest and most liquid stocks. India's Islamic banking industry has made slow progress because banking rules need lenders to declare the rates of interest they charge customers. This condition it at odds with Islamic banks which base their products on profit rates instead. In this regard to satisfy the needs of Muslims in India, the industry is trying to develop investment products.
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the court, the policy will affect the lives of only 13.3% of the country's population living in 53 cities.
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Delayed monsoon and drought in different parts of states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan had an impact on the production of pulses and coarse cereal during Kharif season.
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Input prices saw further increase in April 2013 the trend continued for the 49th consecutive month and cost of raw material, petrol and labour were higher, HSBC noted. The rates of increase in average selling prices were slower at both manufacturers and service providers. Despite the fact that new businesses placed at services and manufacturing firms in India increased last month, the rates of expansion eased. The manufacturers cited power cuts while service providers mentioned extreme weather and challenging market conditions for such a trend.
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The FTAs in a quarters time from January to April 2013 has risen by 1.9 percent to 24.80 lakh. In January to April 2012 the FTAs were 24.34 lakh.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FTAS AND FEES DURING APRIL 2013 FROM TOURISM
Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) In April 2013 the number of FTAs was 4.52 lakh, while, the number of FTAs in April 2012, was also 4.52 lakh. There was no growth in FTAs recorded in April 2013, whereas, the FTAs grew by 1.3 percent during April 2012 over April 2011. Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from Tourism in rupee terms and USdollars terms During the month of April 2013 the FEEs was 7248 crore rupees, which was 6745 crore rupees in April 2012 and 5724 crore rupees in April 2011. In terms of rupees the FEEs grew by 7.5 percent in April 2013 over April2012 as compared to 17.8 percent of April 2012 over April 2011 The FEEs in terms of rupee from tourism from January to April 2013 is 37323 crore rupee with a growth of 17.7 percent as compared to the FEE of 31713 crore rupees with a growth of 28.5 percent during January-April 2012 over the corresponding period of 2011. In terms of USDs the FEEs during the month of April 2013 were 1.333 billion US dollar as compared to FEEs of 1.305 billion US dollars during the month of April 2012 and 1.290 billion US dollars in April 2011. The FEEs grew by 2.1 percent in terms of US dollars in April 2013 over April 2012. It was 1.2 percent in April 2012 over April 2011. FEE from tourism in terms of US dollars during January-April 2013 were US dollars 6.878 billion with a growth of 9.6 percent, as compared to US dollars 6.275 billion with a growth of 14.7 percent during January-April 2012 over the corresponding period of 2011.
The monthly estimates of FTAs are compiled by the Ministry of Tourism and are made based upon the data received from the major ports and the FEEs from tourism on the basis of data received from Reserve Bank of India.
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It is due to the global slowdown in developed regions like that of US and Europe, the exports of India went down for the first time in three years with a dip of 1.8 per cent to 300.6 billion Dollars in 2012-13, making the trade deficit to a record high level of 191 billion dollars. It is important here to note that, the Government had set an export target of 360-billion dollars for the financial year 2012-13. According to the provisional figures, export registered an increase of 0.8 per cent for the month of January 2013 after a permanent fall during May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December 2012.
India Australia Myanmar Turkey Ethiopia Pakistan Islamic Republic of Iran Canada
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Systematic and concentrated research on Chickpeas is undertaken by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through its on-going plan projects under Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur and All India Coordinated Research Project on Chickpea. In past three years, thirteen types of high yielding varieties of chickpeas have been released in India. Creation of basic and strategic research for development of location specific climate supporting high yielding chickpea varieties and improved production and protection technologies are the major steps included in the research program. Several Crop development schemes like Food Security Mission (NFSM-Pulses), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and others are implemented by the Government of India in order to increase the production and productivity of Pulses including Chickpeas. Special Plan to achieve more than 19 million tonnes of pulse production during 2012-13 has also been initiated.
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siltation. Development of Sagar Port will provide a deep draught port for handling the large size vessels by doing away the heavy maintenance dredging activity. Port of Andhra Pradesh: It will facilitate the economic development of Andhra Pradesh as the rapid industrialization across Visakhapatnam Port has created a necessity of a new port in the state.
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The Inter-Ministerial Group was headed by Ravi Mathur, the Disinvestment Secretary and it is guiding the process of disinvestment of Governments Equity in CIL. The CIL with a cash balance of 60000 crore rupees is the biggest disinvestment for the Government in the current fiscal year 2013-14 and Union Government is in the plan to generate 40000 crore rupees with sales of PSUs stakes in the current fiscal.
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The Debt Trading exchange platform is an innovation, which has been launched after intensive feedback from market participants. It is similar to RBIs NDS-OM, where Government securities are traded on a transparent platform
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Current Affairs eBook May 2013 EXPORTS IN INDIA GREW UP BY 1.6 PERCENT IN APRIL 2013
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Exports in the month of April 2013 recorded a growth of 1.6 percent and stood at 24.16 billion US Dollar as against 23.7 billion US dollar in April 2012. The surge in gold imports pushed the trade deficits to 17.7 billion US dollar. This is the fourth consecutive month that exports have witnessed growth. Imports of gold and silver in April 2013 doubled by 138 percent to 7.5 billion US dollar from 3.1 billion US dollar in April 2012. The merchandize imports rose by 10.9 percent to 41.95 billion US dollar bringing up the trade deficit by more than 72 percent from March. Widening of trade deficit attributed to the high gold imports. The targeted exports for the current fiscal 2013-14 set by the Union Government is 325 billion US dollar.
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Inflation in wheat eased to 13.89 percent in April, as against 19.87 percent in the previous month. Potatoes too saw decline to (-)2.42 percent, from 20.06 percent in March. Inflation rate in rice and cereals eased to 17.09 percent and 15.63 percent, respectively, in April 2013. Pulses prices declined marginally to 10.28 percent during the month. While the inflation rate in egg, meat and fish category stood at 10.44 percent, for milk it was 4.04 percent. For the fuel and power category, it was lower at 8.84 percent in April as compared to 10.18 percent in March 2013.
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June 2013. The maturity period of these bonds will be 10 years. The total issue size will be 12000 to 15000 crore rupees in 2013 to 14. The RBI will do on monthly basis to attract household savings of up to 15000 crore rupees so as to discourage investments in gold. After the first tranche, bonds will be issued on the last Tuesday of every month. While the first series of the bonds will be open for all class of investors, the second series issue - beginning October - will be reserved exclusively for retail investors.
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things was earlier set till 2013 and in a period of two years from 2010 to 2012, the number of expatriate pilot came down from 854 to 324.
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The Government is planning to introduce the Securities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2013 in Parliament to carry out the proposed changes for grant of stronger powers to SEBI. The Government has come up with the decision of accepting most of the proposals made by SEBI in this regard and the amendments would be carried out after the Cabinet approves them and the required amendment Bill is passed by Parliament.
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The Reserve Bank of India on 27 May 2013 imposed restrictions on banks and NBFCs for providing loans against gold coins as well as units of gold ETFs and mutual funds to curb demands for gold. Also banks were asked to ensure that the amount of loan to any customer against gold ornaments, gold jewellery and gold coins (weighing up to 50 grams) should be within the board approved limit. Banks are currently permitted to grant advances against gold ornaments and other jewellery and against specially minted gold coins sold by banks. However, no advances can be granted by banks for purchase of gold in any form, including primary gold, gold bullion, gold jewellery, gold coins, units of gold exchange traded funds and units of gold mutual funds. Government has taken several steps recently, including raising import duty, to curb the inbound shipments of gold. RBI too had put restrictions on banks on gold imports, which has led to forex outflow and widening of the Current Account Deficit. While there may not be any objection to grant of advances against specially minted gold coins sold by banks, there is a risk that some of these will weigh much more, thereby circumventing the RBI's guidelines regarding restrictions on grant of advance against gold bullion. In a separate notification, RBI stated that no advances should be granted by NBFCs for purchase of gold in any form, including primary gold, gold bullion, gold jewellery, gold coins, units of gold ETF and units of gold Mutual Funds.
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cent of total public debt. About 31 per cent of outstanding dated securities have a residual maturity of up to 5 years, which implies that over the next five years, on an average; slightly more than 6.0 per cent of outstanding stock needs to be rolled over every year. In the secondary market, bond yields eased during the quarter due to policy easing by a total of 50 bps as well as OMO purchases by RBI, decline in inflation rate, slowdown in GDP growth rate and reduced supply of securities. Trading volumes increased significantly during the quarter driven by falling yields. Outright transactions during Fiscal Year 2013 increased by 89.0 per cent over Fiscal Year 2012. The annualised outright turnover ratio for Central Government dated securities for fourth quarter of Fiscal year 2013 went-up to 6.0 from 3.2 during the previous quarter.
ECONOMY QUIZZES
1. What amount of loan is supposed to be provided by Asian Development Bank to India
over next 3 years? a) 6 Billion Dollars b) 4.5 Billion Dollars c) 4 Billion Dollars d) 4.8 billion dollars Answer (a) 6 Billion Dollars
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2. As per the survey undertake by HSBC, in the mont h of May 2013, Indias services sector
grew at its slowest pace in one and half years during the month of April 2013 as costs for raw materials, petrol and labour increased considerably. What was the downfall in Composite Output Index from 51.4 Percent in March 2013? a) 50.50 Percent b) 50.35 Percent c) 50.23 Percent d) 50.39 Percent Answer (a) 50.50 Percent
3. Market regulator SEBI in May 2013 approved an angel fund to address the problem of
resource crisis for start-up companies across the country. What amount of Fund was approved? a) 10 Million Dollars b) 6 Million Dollars c) 7.5 Million Dollars d) 9 Million Dollars Answer (a) 10 Million Dollars
4. The Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from tourism in terms of Rupee in April 2013 rose
by what percent from the one recorded in April 2012? a) 4 Percent b) 5 Percent c) 6.5 Percent d) 7 Percent Answer (d) 7 Percent
5. What export target was announced by Union Government for the current financial year
2013-14 to support the slowdown in the global markets? a) 375 Billon Dollars b) 450 Billion Dollars c) 325 Billion Dollars
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6. As per latest Report by the Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) which country is the
largest consumer and producer of Chickpeas in the world? a) Australia b) Myanmar c) Turkey d) India Answer (d) India
7. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 9 May 2013 approved the
proposal of the Ministry of Shipping for setting up of two major ports in the country. In which Indian state the two ports will be situated? a) West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh b) Himachal Pradesh and Goa c) Tamil Nadu and Kerala d) Gujarat and Meghalaya Answer (a) West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh
8. What Percent of Equity sale was approved by Coal India Limited in an Inter-Ministerial
Group (IMG) on 10 May 2013? a) 13 Percent b) 12 Percent c) 10 Percent d) 16 Percent Answer (c) 10 Percent
9. By what percentage Retail inflation declined in April 2013 because of reduction in prices
of vegetables, edible oil and protein-based items as per the data released on 13 May 2013. a) 9.39 Percent b) 10.39 Percent www.jagranjosh.com
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10. By what percent the Indian exports grew in the month of April 2013 and stood at 24.16
billion US Dollar. a) 1.6 Percent b) 3.5 Percent c) 4.3 Percent d) 6.4 Percent Answer (a) 1.6 Percent
CORPORATE
CCEA CLEARED IKEA'S INVESTMENT PROPOSAL
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 2 May 2013 cleared Swedish furniture major IKEAs 10500-crore rupees investment proposal in India. It will allow IKEA to establish 25 exclusive stores and food cafes in India.This will be the biggest foreign investment in the retail segment till now. It will also provide an opportunity to Indian small and medium enterprises in a wide range of labour intensive sectors for integrating into global value chain. Moreover, it will also provide a diverse choice for the Indian consumers for a wide range of products. In 2012, the government had relaxed foreign investment rules and regulations, which allow 100 percent FDI in single brand retail. The government also had removed some of the restrictive conditions which include removing the mandatory 30 percent sourcing of goods from Indian small enterprises for single brand retail trading. IKEA has more than 300 stores across the world and an annual revenue of 27.5 billion Euros (190000 crore rupees).
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The 3G-enabled tablet is powered by Android Jelly Bean OS and runs on 1.6 GHz quadcore processor with 2 GB (RAM). Galaxy Note 510 Tablet provides innovative solutions like the multi-window, which splits the portable 20.32 cm screen and allows optimal access to a number of live applications. An integrated application named Awesome Note is introduced in the tablet for the first time which is capable of unlimited note-taking uses including memo, diary and mustremember lists. It also contains Air View and the S Pen needs to drift over the screen to see previews of videos, emails, photos and appointments on S Planner without opening the file or application in full.
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500 largest companies of the US, Fortune 500 scored the near-record revenues in 2012 and retailer Walmart became the biggest profit maker on annual list by replacing ExxonMobil, according to the Fortune magazine. Apple reached into the list of top 10. This was the first time that Apple entered the list of Top 10, an increase of six places from number 17 positions in 2011. The overall earnings of Fortune 500, accounted for 820 billion US dollar in 2012, a decrease from an all-time high of 824.5 billion US dollar in 2011. Fortune magazine described that earnings of Fortune 500 amounted to a sale of 6.8 percent. Fortune senior editor-at-large Shawn Tully explained that these companies will have to increase their staff as well as pay higher salary in the wake of improving economy. Walmart won the first position on the list, replacing energy company ExxonMobil after it posted revenue of 469.2 billion US dollar or 19.3 billion US dollar more than the revenue of ExxonMobil. It is worth noticing that both Walmart and Exxon have exchanged top most positions in recent years. In the list, various energy companies emerged great players. Chevron remained at the third position and Phillips 66 remained at the fourth position. Valero Energy was placed at the ninth position. In the list of top 10 companies were, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway at the fifth position, Apple (sixth), General Motors (Seventh), General Electric (Eighth) and Ford Motor (Tenth). In the financial sector, JPMorgan Chase was placed at 18th position, Bank of America at the 21st position, Wells Fargo at 25th position and Citigroup ranked at 26th position.
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The company had been very impressed by the way Asha phones performed so far and they want to restore the platform. The Series 5 Asha phones had been made purposely for consumers in countries like India. The Asha 501 will cost around99 Dollars plus taxes in India. The Phone will be made available in June in India. The device supports only 2G connection and Wi-Fi. The 3G version is planned to be launched later.
Nokia also announced a global partnership with Facebook, with this the Asha 501 users on Airtel and MTNL will get free access to the social networking site.
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IFFCO signed this agreement in order to strengthen its phosphate sourcing for manufacturing of phosphatic fertilisers in India.
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price manipulation as well as cartelization. COMPAT posted cement manufacturers case for final hearing in the month of August 2013. COMPAT had ordered the cement manufacturers to deposit a 10 percent amount of total penalty imposed on it by CCI in June 2012.
All these manufacturers have been ordered to make the payment within one month. Failure of doing so will result in their appeal being dismissed. The spokesperson for JP Associates explained that all the cement manufacturers were looking for different options, which also includes challenging the decision of Compat in Supreme Court. The matter will also be discussed with the Cement Manufacturers Association of India (CMA). CCI imposed highest penalty of 1323.6 crore Rupees on the JP Associates. Additionally, the fine of 73 lakh was imposed on CMA. The penalty was stayed by the Competition Appellate Tribunal, but the desist order as well as the cease order would remain against these manufacturers.
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The sale of the unit underscores a growing trend of consolidation in Asia's wealth management industry as private banks struggle to earn profits in the face of rising regulatory costs and wafer-thin advisory fees. Morgan Stanley is an American multinational financial services corporation. It is headquartered in the Morgan Stanley Building, Midtown Manhattan, New York City.
However, certain charges have also been levied. For example, users wishing for advert-free interface will have to shell out 49.99 US dollar yearly. Anyone who wishes to get 2TB storage limit will have to pay 499.99 US dollar yearly.
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The limited edition gold coins with Sachin Tendulkars face and signature engraved on them were launched on 13 May 2013 by Valuemart Gold and Jewels on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.
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1. Tech Mahindra on 6 May 2013 signed agreement with which South African company to float a new company? a) Falcorp b) Anglo Platinum c) Tongaat Hulett d) Sanlam Answer: (a) Falcorp 2. Who was named as the new Chief Executive Officer of Spirits Company Diageo on 7 May 2013? a) Franz Humer b) Paul Walsh c) Ivan Menezes d) None of these Answer: (c) Ivan Menezes 3. Which company became the biggest profit maker on annual list of Fortune 500? a) ExxonMobil b) Walmart c) Chevron d) Apple Answer: (b) Walmart 4. Who was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of South Africas AngloGold Ashanti on 9 May 2013? a) Mark Cutifani b) TT Mboweni c) TJ Motlats d) Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan
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5. Which mobile company on 8 May 2013 announced launch of Asha 501, a smart phone to beat the low-cost Android phones in developing markets like India? a) Vodafone b) Nokia c) Reliance d) Tata Indicom Answer: (b) Nokia 6. Which industry manufacturers were on 17 May 2013 ordered by the Competition Appellate Tribunal (Compat) to deposit an amount of 630 crore Rupees, an amount equal to 10 percent of total penalty imposed on it by CCI in June 2012? a) Oil manufacturers b) Iron Ore manufacturers c) Petroleum manufacturers d) Cement manufacturers Answer: (d) Cement manufacturers 7. Which company on 15 May 2013 achieved 50 billion apps download milestone? a) Apple b) Google c) Yahoo! d) Samsung Answer: (a) Apple 8. Star India in the month of May 2013 launched which new movie channel? a) Star Movies b) Star Movies Actions c) Fox Action Movies d) Fox Movies
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9. Which Asset Management Company on 13 May 2013 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with eight Public Sector Banks for acquisition of infrastructure loans? a) IL&FS Financial Services Limited (IFIN) b) IL&FS Infrastructure Debt Fund (IIDF) c) IL&FS Infra Asset Management Limited (IAML) d) None of these Answer: (c) IL&FS Infra Asset Management Limited (IAML) 10. Indian Farmers Fertiliser Co-operative (IFFCO), on 11 May 2013 signed a long-term agreement with which Brazilian mining company for supply of rock phosphate? a) Vale SA b) Ferrous Resources c) Votorantim Metais d) Caemi Answer: (a) Vale SA
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WHAT IS RFID?
RFID is expanded as Radio-frequency identification. RFID is primarily the wireless non-contact application of the radio-frequency electromagnetic fields for transferring data. It is used for automatic identification as well as tracking the tags which are attached to the objects. The tags are encompassed with electronically stored information. Some of these tags are powered as well as read at the short ranges through the electromagnetic induction or magnetic
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fields. Other tags make use of the local power source like battery, but they collect the energy from interrogating EM field.
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which weighs just a fraction of the gram and also has super-fast electronic muscles that are used to power the wings. The developers of the robot described that the tiny robots like these could be used in various rescue operations. For example, such a kind of the robot could be used for navigating through the tiny spaces in buildings which have collapsed. Dr Kevin Ma of Harvard University as well as his team which was led by Dr Robert Wood described their creation as the world's smallest flying robot. The fly-like agility that this robot encompasses, allows it to evade the fastest human efforts to swat them. This ability came because of precise wing movements. The robot has the ability to perform immediate evasive manoeuvres as well as hover, by constant adjustment of the effect of lift and thrust which acts on the body at extremely high speed. Like any real fly, the flexible and thin wings of the robot can beat around 120 times per second. This high speed of the wings can be achieved with the help of a special substance known as piezoelectric material. This material contracts each time with the application of the voltage to it. The scientists switched on and off the voltage very rapidly and this helped them in making the material behave like tiny muscles which make the flys wings beat very fast. The scientists explained that the primary goal of this research was not to build the useful robot, but understand the flight working of the insects. However, now, with the development of the robot, there could be various uses of the machine. These robots could also be used for the monitoring of the environment by being dispersed into habitat for sensing trace chemicals or certain other factors. Dr Ma also explained that these robots were able to behave like the real insects and could also help in pollination of crops. At present, the model of robo-fly is small, off-board power source. However, in the next step, it would be created as the completely wireless flying robot.
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Further experiment showed that NF-kB reduced levels of a hormone called GnRH, which plays a key role in fertility and the development of sperm and eggs. When the mice were given daily dose of GnRH, it resulted into fresh neurons growing in their brains.
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This technology is cheaper and instead of buying the goods from markets, the consumers will be able to download its designs. Then these can be printed out at the home itself.
However, like all technologies, there are advantages as well as disadvantages. The first gun of the world made out of 3D printer technology cost 8000 US dollar from eBay. The gun was assembled from different printed components which were made out of ABS plastic. The firing pin was made out of metal. Cody Wilson was fiven the manufacturing as well as sellers license from US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in order to make this gun. US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) official Donna Sellers explained that the gun was legal in US as long as it wasnt a National Firearms Act weapon. 3D printing technology was used in the past by certain criminal organisations for creation of card readers skimmers, which are inserted in the bank machines. Law enforcement agencies across the world have professionals for monitoring cybercrimes.
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It is important to note that this is the first time that the annual report of the Pentagon directly linked the cyber spying attacks like these to the Government of Beijing. In the past, China has always denied any kind of hacking and has instead blamed others for the attacks like these. The Pentagon report in the meanwhile also criticised the military modernisation programme of China as well as defence spending on the basis of lack of transparency. The report highlighted that in the year 2012, various computers across the world, including the ones owned by the US government, were a target of the intrusion and some of these were directly related to the Chinese military and the government. The attacks basically focused on exfiltrating information which could in turn provide benefit to the defence industry of China. This added concerns primarily because the skills which were required for intrusions like these were most likely the similar ones required for conducting the computer network attacks. In March 2013, China announced that the annual defence budget of the country was 114 bn US dollars, an increase of 10.4 percent. Pentagon however estimated that total military expenditure of China in 2012 was much more, somewhere between 135 bn US dollar and 215 bn US dollar. China, at present, is in disputed state with a lot of its neighbours and these also include East China Sea and South China Sea.
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The Solar Impulse is said to be the Clean Generation Initiative of the creators. This would serve as an effort for encouraging the policy makers as well as businesses for the development as well as adoption of sustainable energy technologies.
BENEFITS OF EXPOSING SKIN TO SUN CAN OUTWEIGH RISKS OF SKIN CANCER: RESEARCH
Edinburgh University research suggested that the benefits of exposing the skin to sun can outweigh the risks posed to health. The research indicated that sunlight is useful for reducing the blood pressure, stroke risks as well as risks of heart attack. It can even prolong the life. It was found that the ultraviolet rays exposed from the sun release a compound called nitric oxide which can lower the blood pressure. The heart strokes as well as heart diseases which are associated with high BP can prove to be 80 times more fatal than the deaths due to skin cancer in UK.
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Nitric Oxide production is different from the manufacturing of vitamin D in human body. Vitamin D can be increased in the body after exposure to the sunlight. During their research, the researchers studied blood pressure of 24 volunteers under heat and UV lamps. In a single session, these volunteers were exposed to heat of the lamps as well as the UV rays. In the other session, volunteers were not exposed to the UV rays and so, they were exposed only to the heat of lamps. The result indicated that volunteers exposed to UV rays during one hour session had significant drop in the blood pressure level, than that of heat-only sessions. The researchers thus suggested that the UV rays of the sun can lead to benefits. During both the sessions, the level of Vitamin D remained unaffected. The study will be presented in Edinburgh on 10 May 2013 at largest gathering of the skin experts, International Investigative Dermatology conference.
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CCMB, the scientists developed chimeric peptide by fusing three peptide modules to deliver DNA or shRNA for degenerating tumours. Chimeric proteins with varied functional properties can be obtained from any organism or a virus and produced in bacterial factories using standard practices of recombinant DNA method. The advantage of using chimeric proteins is that they could be changed to target different tumours. Scientists are making efforts to evolve peptide-based platform technology with other homing ligands recognising different targets.
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The GSLV D5 that is fitted with the indigenously developed Cryogenic Engine will place a communication satellite GSAT-14 into orbit. Russia denied India from offering a cryogenic engine as a result of which, the Indian scientists started their work for development of the GSLV D5 with cryogenic engine.
ABOUT GSAT-14
It is a satellite with six extended C band and 6 Ku band transponders The communication satellite GSAT-14 will enhance the communication transponder capacity
Earlier, two attempts of ISRO to launch the satellites GSLV-F06 carrying satellite GSAT-5P on 25 December 2010 and GSLV-D3 carrying satellite GSAT-4 on 15 April 2010 resulted in a failure.
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Scientists from Switzerland created the smallest drops of liquid ever made in the lab. Scientists carried out a series of experiments at the Large Hadron Collider, the worlds largest and most powerful particle collider located at the European Laboratory for Nuclear and Particle Physics (CERN) in Switzerland. Evidence of the tiny droplets was obtained following the collision of protons with lead ions at velocities approaching the speed of light. These short-lived droplets are the size of three to five protons-that is about one-100000th the size of a hydrogen atom or one-100000000th the size of a virus according to scientific calculation. These small droplets flow in a same manner as quark-gluon plasma does. It can be defined as a state of matter that is a mixture of the subatomic particles that constitutes protons and neutrons and only found at extreme temperatures and densities. Scientists proposed that the whole universe once consisted of this strongly interacting elixir for fractions of a second after the Big Bang when conditions were dramatically hotter and denser than todays conditions. Since then the universe has spent billions of years expanding and cooling, the only way scientists can reproduce this primeval plasma is to bang atomic nuclei together with a very large amount of energy.
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gas, no firm conclusions about the origin, nature or its existence could be made. But in 2012, data from GBT confirmed the presence of hydrogen gas between the nearest galaxies. Thorough studies of the data from GBT revealed that presence of hydrogen gas was not there in the form of just streamers but a complete 50 percent of hydrogen was clustered into discrete and self-gravitating blobs. These blobs could also hint towards dwarf galaxies, which, as the name says, are small collection of stars tied together by gravitational pull. These dwarf galaxies contain a few thousands to few million stars. Interestingly, GBT also tracked motion of the newly discovered clouds of hydrogen, depicting that these were travelling across the space at velocities which were like M31 and M33. Felix J. Lockman, the astronomer from NRAO in Green Bank explained that the clouds had their own identities and that they were not suburbs of either of the two galaxies. The reason why GBT could detect the signal from the gas is because of it huge size, exceptional design and location at National Radio Quiet Zone of West Virginia. Otherwise, radio telescopes could not catch these faint signals. National Radio Astronomy Observatory is the facility of National Science Foundation which is operated under the cooperative agreement by Associated Universities.
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digital camera sensors for producing 3D image from 2D information. However, there is a need of careful calibration for making sure that multi-megapixel images align properly. The digital camera sensors have restricted sensitivity beyond spectrum of light, where single pixel detector can be used for capturing information beyond visible reaching wavelengths from the X-ray to TeraHertz.
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Current Affairs PDF April 2013 ACCURATE 3D GESTURE SENSING TECHNOLOGY ON MOBILES
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Andrea Colaco, a native of South Goa's Velim in May 2013 developed real-time, millimetre accurate 3D gesture sensing on the mobile phones. The development will enable the users in interacting with the devices via medium of thin air. This would also pass the touchscreen technology. Earlier in May 2013, Andrea Colaco also won the 100000 US dollar entrepreneurship competition of Massachusetts Institute Technology (MIT) for the innovation. She explained that in the immediate market like cellphone devices, gesture recognition is the only next interface for the devices. This innovation was put on the podium at a competition as 3dim solution. 3dim solution was set up by Andrea Colaco along with its co-founder Ahmed Kirmani. The technology accomplishes high-quality 3D sensing when it employs patented signal processing ways which were invented at Massachusetts Institute Technology. For the panel of scientists, industry professionals, venture capitalists and the entrepreneurs who judged the eight finalists out of 3000 participants at the entrepreneurship competition of Massachusetts Institute Technology (MIT) for the innovation, Andrea Colacos idea was the most appropriate one from finance point of view.
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There will be a special material facility whose aim would be upgrade the nuclear fuel which in turn will be used for applications such as strategic purposes as well as power production.
In order to facilitate the detailed and independent study, environmental samples (which include aquatic, atmospheric and terrestrial samples) will be gathered from around this project site, within the 30 km radius. Detailed analysis would be conducted on 222 Rn concentrations in outdoor as well as indoor air and in the ground water as well. 222 Rn is the colourless, radon, radio-active gas which is formed during the process when uranium and thorium decay into lead.
FIRST AND ONLY SATELLITE OF ECUADOR, PEGASO COLLIDED WITH RUSSIAN SPACE DEBRIS
The only satellite of Ecuador, Pegaso (Pegasus) nanosatellite collided with the Russian space debris, the Ecuadorean Space Agency (EXA) announced on 23 May 2013. The Pegasus collided with the Russian rocket debris which was launched 30 years ago. The hit took place around 1000 miles above the east coast of Madagascar. Pegaso (Pegasus) nanosatellite was launched on 25 April 2013 in Jiuquan spaceport in China. It is important to note that the only purpose of this satellite was nothing more than transmitting video images as well as sending Morse Code Signals from the space. Russia will launch another satellite in July on behalf of Ecuador. This satellite is named Kryasor. Pegasus is the first and only satellite in the space from Ecuador. The US-based Joint Space Operations Center explained that the crash did not take place directly but there was a lateral collision with the particles of Russian rocket. US-based Joint Space Operations Center is responsible for monitoring all the artificial objects that orbit around the Earth. The Joint Space Operations Center keeps an eye on over 22000 objects which orbit the Earth. Out of these, 87 percent are debris and inactive satellites. It would still take 48 hours time duration to find out the damage by making use of radar. Pegasus is a nanosatellite which weighs merely 1.2 kg. It has been orbiting Earth at the height of 650 km and transmits pictures from the space.
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released in this process blows the outer layers away in a supernova explosion and leaves the neutron star behind. Most magnetars have extremely high magnetic fields on their surface that are ten to a thousand times stronger than for the average neutron star. As per the observations it was show that the magnetar known as SGR 0418+5729 (SGR 0418 for short) does not fit that pattern. It has a surface magnetic field similar to that of mainstream neutron stars. The researchers monitored SGR 0418 for over three years using Chandra, ESAs XMM -Newton as well as NASAs Swift and RXTE satellites. They were able to make an accurate estimate of the strength of the external magnetic field by measuring how its rotation speed changes during an X-ray outburst. These outbursts are likely caused by fractures in the crust of the neutron star precipitated by the buildup of stress in a relatively strong, wound-up magnetic field lurking just beneath the surface.
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At present, the international record of extraterrestrial distance is held by remote-controlled Lunokhod 2 rover of Soviet Union that travelled 37 km on Moon in 1973.
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the world. One of these labs was Space Sciences Laboratory in Latimer Hall on the UC Berkeley campus. But, after experiments were done and publications of the papers, the lunar soil samples should have been sent to NASA but they were found in storage for over four decades. Karen Nelson discovered these samples of Moon Dust with handwritten labels which dated back to 24 July 1970.
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messages. The navigation messages in turn will be transmitted from INC to IRNSS satellites through the spacecraft control facility at Hassan. INC is also connected to ranging stations as well as the satellite control facilities through two highly reliable dedicated communication networks which consist of satellite and terrestrial links. The host of network of satellite communication links is INC.
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4. Which organisation become the only organization in the world to design and successfully test a new concept of needleless vaccine delivery system? a) Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) b) World Health Organisation Collaboration c) Indian Institute of Science (IISc) d) WHO, India Answer: (c) Indian Institute of Science (IISc) 5. Name the Sun-powered plane that completed its first leg of journey with an aim to cross US on 4 May 2013. a) Solar Impulse b) Zero-Fuel Aircraft c) Clean Generation Plane d) HB-SIA Answer: (a) Solar Impulse 6. The European Union made decision in May 2013 to impose a continent-wide ban on the Pesticides namely neonicotinoids to help which species of insects? a) Honey Bees b) Ants c) Beetle d) Lady Bird Answer: (a) Honey Bees 7. Scientists of which country created the smallest droplets of the world? a) Poland b) England c) Switzerland d) US Answer: (c) Switzerland
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8. Name the technique that was used in generation of first Cloned Human Embryo by the American Scientists? a) Somatic Cell Nuclear transfer technique b) Nuclear transfer Somatic Cell technique c) Nuclear transfer technique for Somatic Cell d) None of the above Answer: (a) Somatic Cell Nuclear transfer technique 9. Name the first Indigenous developed Rotavirus Vaccine of India. a) Rotacid b) Rotovac c) Rotomid d) Rotavac Answer: (d) Rotavac 10. What is the name of worlds ultra-light substance created by Zhejiang University in China? a) Carbon Nanotubes b) Carbon Aerogel c) Granite d) Lead Answer: (b) Carbon Aerogel
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Camarillo Springs Wildfire is spread over the area of 18000 acres. The wildfires, also known as Springs Fire reached north-west of Los Angeles, thereby posing a major threat to various homes as well. Fire crews in America have already dealt with 680 wildfires in 2013. This Springs Fire has already damaged over 12 homes and there are more than 4000 other homes at risk.
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World Wide Fund for nature in 1991 did the only stock-taking of peacock population in India. It was found that India had only 50 percent of overall peacock population left, in comparison to what existed during independence. It is believed that the population of the peacocks went down even more since 1991 because of a rise in poaching as well as habitat loss. There has been an increased demand of the peacock feathers, also called morpankh. Therefore, the Environment Ministry decided to completely ban the trade of any kind (sale, purchase or transport) of the peacock feathers. Environment and Forest Minister Jayanthi Natarajan explained that the decision was taken to put a complete ban on the trade of morpankh.
WILDLIFE PROTECTION ACT, 1972 AND THE TRADE OF NATURALLY SHED PEACOCK FEATHERS
Trading of the naturally shed peacock feathers is permitted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This act completely prohibits peacock killing. However, because of the loophole in the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, extensive killing of peacocks takes place in India for the lucrative business of peacock feathers. With the approval of the Union Government of India, an amendment will be made to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 in order to make trading of any body part of national bird an offence, which would be equivalent to the punishment granted for killing the other nonendangered species. This means that anyone caught buying or selling the peacock feathers or the trophies would be jailed for up to 2 years under amended Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
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On Mednyi, the Russian island, it was found that the foxes survived exclusively on the sea birds as well as some seal carcasses. The fox population of this island decreased drastically in 1970s. Although the population of foxes is stable, but they are still in poor condition or have very low body weight. IUCN lists them as critically endangered species. Lead author of the research Dr Gabor Czirjak explained that they believed infection to be the cause of shrinking number of foxes, but it wasnt found. However, when the hair samples of the foxes as well as the animals on which they fed, were examined, it was found that there was a significant rate of mercury in it. When the Russian foxes were compared with the Arctic foxes, very different results were found. The foxes in the Arctic had comparatively lower level of poison in the body. These results would be of a great help for conservation of foxes in the Arctic. The research raised some of the important questions regarding how accumulation of mercury was taking place in marine food chain in Arctic region. It is worth noticing that global efforts were undertaken to control a boost in the mercury level earlier in 2013 when over 140 countries of the world agreed signing legally binding treaty for curbing the mercury pollution.
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Biomass is the 1.2-tonne satellite at the launch, which means that it would go into the orbit through new Vega rocket of ESA. The sole instrument of Biomass will send 70 cm radar pulse on the Earth which will penetrate the canopies of forests but will scatter into large woody parts of the trees. Biomass will sense volume of the material at resolution of around 200 m, basically; it will help in weighing the amount of carbon associated with the forests of the world. The 12 m reflector antenna will capture return signal from radar. At present, Biomass is not permitted to operate on Europe, Arctic and North America. This is so because the US Department of Defense (DoD) warned that the radar of Biomass would interfere with the missile early-warning as well as space tracking systems. The Natural Environment Research Council (Nerc) of UK funded the basic science which underpinned the concept of Biomass. Britain is senior partner of Earth observation programme of ESA. It will play a crucial industrial role in biomass mission.
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Elephant raid in the world heritage site also alarmed the international conservation authorities such as Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites). Serious illegal killing of the elephants has been observed in African countries over the past. In African countries, the amount of seized ivory is at highest level in past 16 years.
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Researchers in the month of May 2013 found that recent slump in global warming would lead to lower rise in temperatures in short-term. Since the year 1998, there has remained unexplained stagnation in heating of the atmosphere of Earth. The researchers explained that this will bring down the rate of predicted global warming in coming decades.
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However, in the long term, the expected rise in the temperatures will not change much. Slowdown in expected global warming rate has remained a subject of study for quite some time now. Earlier in 2013, the UK Met Office also brought down the five-year temperature forecast. The new research depicts a clear picture of how a slowdown can affect the temperatures in short term and long term. A collective team of international researchers studied how previous 10 years would affect long term balance of the climate sensitivity as well as short term climate response. Climate sensitivity studies the impact of doubled concentrations of carbon dioxide in atmosphere. On the other hand, climate response is the short term calculation that is also based on doubled carbon dioxide. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in the year 2007 observed that short term rise in temperature would be around 1-3C (1.8-5.4F). But in the new analysis, the estimated range would be 0.9-2.0C. The authors of the story found out that over a period of a few coming decades, the global average temperatures of Earth would warm by around 20 percent slower than forecasted. However, when the long term picture is kept in mind, the work remains consistent with the previous forecasts. IPCC revealed that climate sensitivity remained at the range of 2.0-4.5C. The researchers explained that difference between lower short-term estimates as well as consistent long-term picture remains on the fact that heat from previous 10 years was absorbed into and stored in oceans of the world.
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ZSL revealed that merely 35000 to 50000 Asian elephants were there in the wild in the year 1995. Since that time, the population of the wild elephants has dwindled a lot of times and it is believed that the present population would have diminished even below this estimate. Majority of the elephants are found in India (20000-25000) and Myanmar (5000-6000). In Vietnam, a little less than 200 elephants are surviving. The major factor of diminishing population of Asian elephants is habitat loss. Also, these elephants are constantly coming in contact with the local people and the farmers because of the destruction of their feeding grounds. As a result, these elephants destroy properties, raid the crops and even kill people. Farmers and local people even the score by killing these elephants, which result in a decline in their population. Other reason for decline in the population of Asiatic elephants is poaching for their ivory as well as occasionally for meat.
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British Lichen Society. The report assembles assessments of 3148 species, while also hinting towards 59000 species of UK. The species in which largest declines were observed included hedgehogs, turtle doves, red squirrels and water voles. The report indicated that there were various reasons for the decline in these species but major factors were habitat degradation and rising temperatures. The worst affected are the species which require specific habitat, but are not able to adapt in accordance with the changing environment of the country. Naturalist Sir David Attenborough launched this report and explained that though the species of UK were in trouble but there is a huge network of conversation groups that will help in preservation of these species. The State of Nature report extracts data from individual reports which were published in the recent past and explained the positions of mammals, moths, bees and birds of UK. The report revealed gaps in certain data, primarily marine species, invertebrates and fungi, but also additionally offered expertise in marine conservation and moss conservation. Formerly, threatened plants and animals which were considered as the priority species were included in the Biodiversity Action Plans of the UK government in order to target and formalize the conservation actions. The State of Nature report also indicated the watchlist which explains how the populations of these species fell in past 5 decades. Conservationists explained that it was difficult to provide the definitive list of most endangered species of UK because of complexities involved in comparison of different species.
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Scientists from Peking University, Beijing in May 2013 discovered that a change in single amino acid (A477V) in one pigmentation relate gene (SLC45A2) is the cause of white fur or sepia brown stripes in some tigers. The scientists studied 16 captive white tigers from three different parents to come up with the conclusion. As per the scientists, two types of melanin namely pheomelanin and eumelanin are used for identifying the color of fur, eye and stripes of the tiger. In case of the white tigers, pheomelanin that produces red and yellow color is affected. As per the research, the point mutation in the amino acid blocks a particular channel partially; as a result of this blockage yellow pigment forming process is affected. Same type of mutation in pigmentation-related gene (SLC45A2) causes light skin colour in modern Europeans as well as mouse, chicken and horse too. As per the study, human often force the tigers to inbreed for increasing the number of white tigers in zoos. This type of forced inbreeding may create some health side effects in the tigers as it has been a reason of health ailments in humans. In tigers this forced inbreeding has resulted in human-induced inbreeding has resulted in premature death, stillbirth and deformities. White tigers are a part of the genetic diversity of the tigers, which is caused due to mutation and are worth conserving. The findings of the research were published in Thursday in the Current Biology journal. The study was conducted under the leadership of Shu Jin Lau of Peking University.
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The Nicobar Islands are recognized as a distinct terrestrial ecoregion, the Nicobar Islands rain forests, with many endemic species. The Nicobar Islands are part of a great island arc created by the collision of the IndoAustralian Plate with Eurasia.
The flying dinosaur from the Middle-Late Jurassic period was 20 inches in length and also had teeth. Its diet could be insects. The discovery provides an insight into understanding of evolution of birds. Aurornis xui was discovered from Tiaojishan Formation of Liaoning Province, China. The lead author and researcher, Pascal Godefroit explained that the dinosaur might have had four wings, two alongside the arms and two alongside the legs. The specimen, which is preserved in the clay sediment is an adult. Earlier, another fossil from around 150 million years ago, known as Archaeopteryx was considered as most primitive bird, but with this discovery, it is expected that Aurornis Xui is even more primitive bird that Archaeopteryx. The discovery hints towards the relationships between early species of the birds as well as the dinosaur relatives of these birds. This means that the species which were called birds could be considered as the troodontids or vice-versa.
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SPORTS
HARYANA WON 3RD HOCKEY INDIA SR. WOMEN NAT. CHAMPIONSHIP
Haryana on 30 April 2013 defeated Railways 4-1 to win the third Hockey India Senior Women National Championship at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in the Guru Gobind Singh Sports College, Lucknow. Railways scored their opening goal through Amandeep Kaur in the 15th minute. Haryana scored through Udita (34th, 65th min) and Narinder (47th, 49th min) to win the match. Jharkhand defeated Punjab 2-1 to finish third in the championship. Jharkhand scored through Ebha Kerketta and Basanti Kachhap.
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Sheikh Salman took over last 20 months of term of Bin Hammam as the AFC president. Next elections will be held in January 2015. The position of AFC president gives a person the control of all major football events in Asia.
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In women category, the best performance was that of US Gia Lewis-Smallwood with 62.41 metres. The IAAF World Challenge meeting in Jamaica was organised at the Kingston's National Stadium.
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After taking the charge of Manchester United, he helped the team to win the English title of 1992-93 by defeating Liverpool Players like David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney started their career under Alex Ferguson
Champions League
FA (Football Association) 1990, 1994, Cup 1999 and 2004 League Cup
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India on 10 May 2013 finished their candidature in the tournament with a record haul of 2 Silver and 7 Bronze in the 19th Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships that concluded in New Delhi. One silver medal on behalf of India was won by Soumyajit Ghosh and Mouma Das in the mixed doubles event, and the other one was won by the men's team earlier in the tournament. Indians represented the country in atleast six of the eight tournaments that included doubles too, but didnt turned up to be successful in securing a gold medal for the country. At the same time, Singapore delivered the best and claimed gold in every category except the women's individual competition. Mo Zhang from Canada pulled off the gold from Singapores world no 27 Mengyu Mu by securing a 4-3 win in the finals.
MADRID OPEN 2013: RAFAEL NADAL WON MENS SING LES TROPHY
In the Men's Singles title clash of the Madrid Open played on 12 May 2013, World Number Five Nadal defeated Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka, in straight sets, 6-2 and 6-4. Spain's Rafael Nadal has clinched his fifth title in seven tournaments since returning from a seven-month knee injury layoff. In the Women's Singles, World Number One Serena Williams of the United States bagged her 50th career Singles title. She beat Russian Maria Sharapova, 6-1 and 6-4.
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SPOT FIXING
Spot Fixing is an illegal activity in a sport, in which any part of the game may be an over or a ball is fixed between the player and the bookies. Under this, the player agrees to play in accordance to the agreement made before the game with the bookies, so that they can bet upon the same. Although betting on any sport is illegal in India.
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adhere the Olympic Charter. The meet of Lausanne was of a great importance with Indian perspective as it will decide the sporting future of India, after the ban. The IOC in its meet with the IOA stated that during a meet of the interim body would take over from the IOA and hold fresh elections under the amended IOA constitution. This announcement was made by the IOC after the Union Sports Minister Jitendra Singh convinced IOC on the Sports Bill that the Bill as a sign of government interference is necessary for good governance of Indian sports.
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The deal was signed for the next three years. Under the protocol, the training and coaching systems of CLTA will improve a lot. Top tennis coaches from Spain will visit CLTA regularly to upgrade the training facilities, help the coaches and teach latest skills to trainees. CLTA also has rural scheme CHART apart from Centre of Excellence.
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In the mens final, Indonesias Mohammad Ashfiya and Rendy Verdan beat Vladislav Pustynnikov and Sergey Bogatu of Kazakhstan 21-16, 19-21, 15-10. Although Kazakhstan players were playing together for the last five years at the International level, Indonesians played very aggressively against them. India lost in the quarterfinals but three teams managed a berth for the World u-21 championship to be held in Umag, Croatia from June 20 to 23. India-1 (Rajkumar & Yogaraj) & India-2 (Shankar & Mahesh Kumar) in men, and the womens India-1 (R. Deepika & S. Eshwari) team made the grade. The top six teams in men and women will go to Croatia.
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Manoj Kumar (64kg), Olympian Dinesh Kumar (91kg) and Sukhdeep Singh (75kg) won a silver medeal each. Earlier in the tournament, Anil Kumar (60kg), Jagroop Singh (81kg) and L Devendro Singh (49kg) reached the semi-finals and claimed a bronze medal each.
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Before this National Sports Development Fund released funds of 492 lakh rupees for Usha School of Athletics, Kozhikode, Kerala, for laying an 8 Lane Synthetic Track of international standard with supporting facilities.
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Ananya created waves by beating the much higher ranked Yvonne Beline of France on way to finishing third in the competition. Earlier, she clinched gold at the 9th Singapore Chess Festival. Ananya, had clinched gold at the 9th Singapore Chess Festival earlier. Ananya is a product of South Mumbai Chess Academy (SMCA).
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2. Name the Manchester United Manager who announced his retirement on 8 May 2013 putting an end to his 26 years journey as the in-charge of Manchester United. a) Alex Ferguson b) Ron Atkinson c) Dave Sexton d) Matt Busby Answer (a) Alex Ferguson 3. Name the captain of Aston Villa who retired from football in May 2013 at the age of 33 years as he was diagnosed with leukaemia. a) Ron Vlaar b) Brad Guzan c) Christian Benteke d) Stiliyan Petrov Answer (d) Stiliyan Petrov 4. Which of the Following is correctly matched with reference to the Number of silver and bronze medal won by India in the 19th Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships that concluded in New Delhi? a) 3 Silver and 5 Bronze b) 7 Silver and 4 Bronze c) 2 Silver and 7 Bronze d) 6 Silver and 7 Bronze Answer (c) 2 Silver and 7 Bronze 5. Name the International tennis Player who had won Mens Singles Trophy in the Madrid Open 2013. a) Stanislas Wawrinka b) Rafael Nadal c) Andy Murray
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6. Name the three cricketers who were arrested by the special cell of Delhi on the alleged spot fixing charges during the sixth edition of Indian Premier League? a) Shreesanth, Ajit Chadila and Ankeet Chavan b) Shreesanth, Ajit Chadila and Ajinkya Rahane c) Shreesanth, Ajinkya Rahane and Ankeet Chavan d) Shreesanth, Mohit Khurana and Ankeet Chavan Answer. (a) Shreesanth, Ajit Chadila and Ankeet Chavan 7. Name the IPL team from which the three cricketers Shreesanth, Ajit Chadila and Ankeet Chavan arrested by Special Cell of Delhi Police belong? a) Kings XI Punjab b) Delhi Daredevils c) Rajasthan Royals d) Chennai Super Kings Answer. (c) Rajasthan Royals 8. Name the place, where the meet between International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was held to identify the principle on a roadmap to bring India back in the Olympic Fold? a) New Delhi b) Geneva c) Lausanne d) Kiruna Answer. (b) Lausanne 9. Which Cricketer from England was named the England cricketer-of-the-year for 2012-13, in an acknowledgement of the Sussex wicket-keeper's consistency with both bat and gloves? a) Matt Prior b) Alastair Cook www.jagranjosh.com
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10. Name the Legendary Footballer and Former England captain who on 16 May 2013 announced his retirement from professional football and gave an end to his illustrious career of more than two decades. a) Ashley Cole b) Wayne Rooney c) Steven Gerrad d) David Beckham Answer (d) David Beckham
STATE
PRESIDENT INAUGURATED 14 MEGA WATT SOLAR POWER PROJECT
The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the 14 mega watt Solar Power project at Deoghar in Jharkhand on 30 April 2013. Along with the inauguration of this solar power project, the President also laid Foundation Stones for Pilgrim Queue Complex and Deoghar Basukinath 44 kilo metre Solar Street Light Project. The initiatives taken in Deoghar will help in the overall growth of Deoghar along with helping in establishing the high standards for pilgrimage management. The initiative was taken by the government authorities and local MPs in order to establish the high technology solar lighting project.
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But for this the HLA (Human Leucocyte Antigen) matching of the donor and the recipient is critical for the successful transplant of stem cells. It usually depends on the background of the patient and donor. In the nonappearance of an Indian inventory, the chances of an Indian finding a match is less than 10 per cent across the world. If anyone is lucky enough to find a match elsewhere, it will cost the patient close to 20 lakh Rupees to import it.
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The wages of category-A staff like post graduate, MBA has been revised from 10370 to 10865 Rupees. Category-B Staff like graduate has been revised from 8700 to 9195 Rupees Category-C staff like under-graduate has been revised from 7200 to 7695 Rupees Category-D staff like matriculate has been revised from 6000 Rupees to 6495 Rupees per month. It is Important here to note that the Punjab Government is all set to build labour sheds and night shelters in different parts of the state for the construction workers with the cost of 10 crore Rupees in the financial year 2013-14.
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The commission will advice the state Government on broad policy guidelines pertaining to effective policing and will assist it in identifying organizational goals for preventive tasks. It will also recommend the Government on strategic and perspective plans for police.
In order to make the festival a huge success, the Ministry of Tourism also planned to coordinate with the other ministries such as Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Civil Aviation for outlining the concessional fares / tour package, Ministry of Culture for organizing cultural events through different cultural troupes and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for undertaking sports activities such as Boat Race and other adventure sports like paragliding, horse race etc. The local service providers like guest house owners such as Boats of Kashmir Division as well as hoteliers have started offering 20-30 percent discounts for the tourists as well as tour packages for the festival.
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So, once the bill is enacted, the Tamil Nadu State Property Tax Board Act, 2013, will provide for creation of the board in line with the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission.
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The state showcased the lowest sex ration at 877 females for every 1000 males. This is even short from the national average of 940. The state has seen an improvement of 11 points in terms of Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years) from 2001 in 2011, but remains lowest in the country with 830 points. To control the situation and to empower girl and women the state government has implemented Ladli Scheme but it needs to do more to change the real picture. Khap Panchayats violence towards women and girl child also drew the attention.
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A measure which includes a 114-crore Rupees programme was announced to make Tamil Nadu self-sufficient in food grains production. Scientists, farmers and extension workers will be brought together to bring down the yield gap the difference in crop yields observed at the laboratory level and field level in crops. Three programmes focussed on paddy, coarse grains and pulses will be formulated. Over 55.60 crore Rupees has been earmarked for drip irrigation equipment for tur dal crop over an area of 10000 acres. The total area under tur dal under this programme will be 50000 acres. The State Government has also set aside 23.60 crore Rupees to establish marketing centres for coconuts in Coimbatore district, bananas in Tirunelveli, and improve approach roads in 10 regulated marketing yards and establish regulated marketing yards in Bodinayakanur and Mudukalathur. The SPV will be created under the Horticulture Department with equity of 1 crore rupees. Infrastructure for this facility will be set up at a cost of 112 crore, Rupees Farm machinery. The Government is now implementing a project to create 55000 farm ponds in the Cauvery delta districts to augment ground water supply. The Agricultural Engineering Department will buy 700 rain guns and mobile sprinklers at a cost of 57 crore Rupees and rent them out at low cost to farmers in the Delta districts. This will help them to efficiently use water from the farm ponds. The Government also plans to bring under cultivation over 12500 acres of fallow lands. It has earmarked a back-ended subsidy of 4000 Rupees an acre and will provide inputs at a subsidised cost. To increase the yield of horticulture crops and improve marketing, 186.46 crore Rupees will be sanctioned to create a modern, hub-and-spoke model. The Chief Minister also announced plans for a special purpose vehicle (SPV) with 100crore Rupees interest free revolving fund to supply quality inputs to farmers. The State Government has also earmarked 124.70 crore Rupees to supply farm machinery at subsidized prices.
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Congress on 8 May 2013 won 121 seats of the 223 seats on which polls were contested in Karnataka Assembly Elections 2013, the elections were held on 5 May 2013. Congress returned back to power after seven years in the state. The party of opposition BJP and Janta-Dal secular managed to win 40 seats each.
Parties like Karnataka Janatha Party of BS Yeddyurappa and the BSR Congress of B Sriramulu were reduced to single digits in context of seats. Whereas, Samajwadi party managed to secure Chennapatna seat and opened its account for the first time in the state. The major setbacks of the election were the defeat of defeat of former State President of BJP K S Eshwarappa and Karnataka State Congress President G Parameshwar. After the results were declared, Chief Minister Jagadish Shetter submitted his resignation to the Governor of the state following the defeat of his party in the state. In 2008, BJP came to power in the state for the first time after winning 110 seats against congress 80 seats and JDs 28 in the 224 member house. Polling was held on 223 seats in the state. Date for polls in the Periyapatna in Mysore district was postponed to 28 May 2013 following death of a BJP candidate Sannagoge Gowda on 1 May 2013. Removal of BS Yeddyurappa from the Chief Minister's post and his decision to form his own party were identified as the two major reasons for the huge defeat suffered by BJP in Karnataka, considered to be a gateway to South India for BJP.
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Making its own motion statement in the Assembly on 8 May 2013 Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalithaa denoted to the Supreme Courts remarks in a case pending before it, looking for to know the action taken by state governments in controlling the usage of tobacco and announced the governments decision. J. Jayalalithaa had also mentioned to her Governments notification on 19 November 2011, to ban the use of tobacco under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, for five years, on which the Supreme Court ruled that the Centre alone had the powers to issue such notifications. The Government had constituted a separate department Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Medical Administration, after the Centre announced the Food Safety and Standards Act.
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MPD 2021, provides a comprehensive policy to meet the growing demands of Housing and Urbanization. DDA is currently engaged in extensive modification of the Master Plan of Delhi 2001 and is preparing MPD with a perspective up to 2021 to cater to the increasing population and the changing requirements of the city.
AS A PRELUDE TO PREPARATION OF MPD - 2021, TWELVE SUBGROUPS HAVE BEEN CONSTITUTED COMPRISING
Experts and Professionals Eminent Persons Public Representatives Concerned Departments Sectoral Studies Series of Seminars inviting politicians, administrators, local bodies & RWA's etc. About 200 Experts are Delibrating on different aspects.
THE SUB-GROUPS ON
Demographic Profile Regional and Sub-Regional Shelter Trade and Commerce Industry Physical infrastructure Traffic and Transportation Social Infrastructure Mixed Land Use Conservation and Urban Renewal Environment and Pollution Development Controls
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Public participation through series of seminars and interaction with Residents Welfare Associations etc Recommendations of the sub-groups Central/state government and authority advice - (Guidelines received from GOI additional input being publicised for consultation with stakeholders) Draft plan Approval of GOI for issue of public notice to invite objections & suggestions Consideration of objections and suggestions Final plan
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As per the Chief Minister, J. Jayalalithaa, 121 Coastal Safety Centres, roads up to 50 km to these centres and 439 warning systems is supposed to be facilitated under this project. The Project would be managed by Tamil Nadu Disaster Management Authority, with the necessary infrastructure facilities that would be created for the Authority. The Government also has decided to make underground electric line in the Coastals district of Cuddalore and Nagapattinam to reduce loss during natural disasters. As per the TN government, the work would be started by the end of year and is supposed to be completed in the next five years.
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males and 65.46 percent for females in 2011. The Commission pointed that the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) is being revamped so that the gap between potential created and potential utilised in the irrigation sector is reduced substantially.
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As part of decentralised planning decided to reserve 50 per cent of elected seats in the District Planning Committees for woman and to strengthen the district level plan, the State Government has proposed an allocation of 5,200 crore rupees in the District Plan.
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The second portion of the loan under the Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Development Investment Programme will help develop infrastructure for solid waste management, drainage and transport in Jammu and Srinagar.
Mumbai Recorded 44 percent Rise in Abortion Cases in 2012 A data released by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reported that Mumbai witnessed a rise of 44 percent in the number of abortions in the year 2012 with 28455 abortions. The released data was a compilation of data received by various private and public hospitals and nursing homes in 2012. In 2011, Mumbai witnessed 19701 cases of registered abortions in the year. Bhandup that recorded 2603 cases in 2012 and turned up to be the abortion capital of the year. Bhandup was followed by Chembur with 2509 abortions and Andheri East that reported 2489 cases of abortion cases. As per the experts, the abortions couldnt be linked with the sex-determination tests as maximum of the abortions took place in first trimester, the period when it is not possible to detect the sex of the fetus. The sudden increase in the number is the reason of the better reporting of data by hospitals that is also supported due to computerization. The report is being considered as an accurate one because of the stringent follow-up of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Law.
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As per details from Census 2011, Haryana has population of 2.53 Crore, an increase from figure of 2.11 Crore in 2001 census. Total population of Haryana as per 2011 census is 25353081 of which male and female are 13505130 and 11847951 respectively. In 2001, total population was 21144564 in which males were 11363953 while females were 9780611. The total population growth in this decade was 19.90 percent while in previous decade it was 28.06 percent. The population of Haryana forms 2.09 percent of India in 2011. In 2001, the figure was 2.06 percent. Literacy rate in Haryana has seen upward trend and is 76.64 percent as per 2011 population census. Of that, male literacy stands at 85.38 percent while female literacy is at 66.77 percent. In 2001, literacy rate in Haryana stood at 67.91 percent of which male and female were 76.10 percent and 59.61 percent literate respectively. In actual numbers, total literates in Haryana stands at 16904324 of which males were 9991838 and females were 6912486. Total area of Haryana is 44212 sq. km. Population Density of Haryana is 573 person per sq km which is higher than national average 382 per sq km. In 2001, density of Haryana was 478 person per sq km, while nation average in 2001 was 324 person per sq km. Sex Ratio in Haryana is 877 i.e. for each 1000 male, which is below national average of 940 as per census 2011. In 2001, the sex ratio of female was 861 per 1000 males in Haryana. Out of total population of Haryana, 34.79 percent people live in urban regions. The total figure of population living in urban areas is 8821588 of which 4714094 are males and while remaining 4107494 are females. The urban population in the last 10 years has increased by 44.25 percent. Sex Ratio in urban regions of Haryana was 871 females per 1000 males. For child (0-6) sex ratio the figure for urban region stood at 829 girls per 1000 boys. Total children (0-6 age) living in urban areas of Haryana were 1054823. Of total population in urban region, 11.96 percent were children (0-6). Average Literacy rate in Haryana for Urban regions was 83.83 percent in which males were 89.37 percent literate while female literacy stood at 77.51 percent. Total literates in urban region of Haryana were 6510733. Of the total population of Haryana state, around 65.21 percent live in the villages of rural areas. In actual numbers, males and females were 8791036 and 7740457 respectively. Total population of rural areas of Haryana state was 16531493. The population growth rate recorded for this decade (2001-2011) was 10.00 percent.
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In rural regions of Haryana state, female sex ratio per 1000 males was 880 while same for the child (0-6 age) was 831 girls per 1000 boys. In Haryana, 2242901 children (0-6) live in rural areas. Child population forms 13.57 percent of total rural population. In rural areas of Haryana, literacy rate for males and female stood at 83.20percent and 60.97 percent. Average literacy rate in Haryana for rural areas was 72.74 percent. Total literates in rural areas were 10393591.
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Current Affairs PDF April 2013 HIMACHAL PRADESH ASSEMBLY CELEBRATED GOLDEN JUBILEE
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The Himachal Pradesh assembly celebrated its Golden Jubilee on 24 May 2013. On the occasion, the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee will become the second president to address special session of HP assembly in Shimla. In the year 2004, the former President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam addressed the Himachal Pradesh assembly but during that time, the session of the state assembly was in progress. Himachal Pradesh assembly is nestled in the historic building known as Council Chambers. It is the same place where the central assembly during the British Raj was held as well as inaugurated by Lord Reading on 27 August 1925. Lord Reading was the then viceroy of India. The Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh assembly is Brij Bihari Lal Butail. Pranab Mukherjee will address the special session of the HP state assembly, after which he will go to Indian Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS) where Rabindra Nath Tagore centre-cum-museum will be inaugurated.
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The hike in dearness allowance was announced by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 26 May 2013 while laying the foundation stone for several developmental projects worth 27.66 crore Rupees at Budha village in Mandsour district. Subsequent to the revised allowance, the state employees are now entitled to a total of 80 per cent DA along with their salaries.
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The Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio cleared that the state wants to be in tune with the National Approach. The state has planned to look forward towards an inclusive economic growth and will lay an emphasis on Agriculture and allied sector, Power, connectivity including Air, Surface and Railway, Human Resources Development including Skill Development, Development of Backward and Under Development Areas and planned Urban centers. The state has projected a growth rate of 10 percent during the 12th Plan period Growth forecast in the mining and quarrying sector is projected at 14.53 percent as the State intends to go in a full way to exploit the mineral resources. During the 11th Plan period the state achieved a growth rate if 7.44 percent with per capita income of 67430 rupees.
The move was initiated by the additional commissioner of police (licensing) Madhup Tiwari in light of blasts which took place in Delhi high court as well as Bangalore BJP headquarters where traces of certain chemicals were found in explosives. In Hyderabad twin blasts in 2007, Ammonium Nitrate based Neogel 90 was used.
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The Annual Plan for the year 2013-14 for the state of Meghalaya was finalised on 28 May 2013 at a meeting between Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Mukul Sangma. The plan size has been agreed at 4151 crore rupees. The state was advised during the meeting to undertake academic and governance reforms in the higher education system. Also the details regarding the enrolment in public and private institutions, investment in private sector and any initiative on PPP mode needs to be provided. The state may prepare a comprehensive strategic plan indicating the measures and interventions for development of higher education and consolidation of existing institutions in the state. The State Government was suggested by the Planning Commission to take necessary policy initiatives for further strengthening industry sector. Effort should also be made to fully exploit immense tourism and art and craft potential. Planning Commission also advised the State Government to make full use of Science and Technology in improving pace of development. State should also encourage public private partnership in all sectors of economy. The State should provide special focus on the integrated water resources management, basin planning, water quality, monitoring and management.
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The Maharashtra government on 29 May 2013 approved release of grant for various schemes of minorities' development. State finance ministry approved 10 crore rupees for improving infrastructure in schools and 10 crore rupees more for modernisation of madrasa institutions. An additional 1.5 crore rupees were allocated for police pre-recruitment training scheme and for increasing the stipend of teachers from 3000 rupees to 5000 rupees under the Marathi Language Foundation class scheme. 3.5 crore rupees were allotted to provide free bicycles to girls from the minority community. 3 crore rupees will be allocated for a Haj house at Aurangabad for the same. 50 crore rupees were also provided for Maulana Azad Financial Development Corporation.
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Women empowerment should also be focused upon and for that, in order to look after the welfare of SC/ST and women, a committee was constituted in each Gram Panchayat which started functioning to impart necessary training to both the officials as well as elected representatives.
ONE LINERS
The Book Released by Hamid Ansari, the Vice President of India and compiled by Kumar Deepak Das- An Ardent Patriot Dinesh Goswami The Parliamentary Speaker who on Parliamentary Speaker who sworn in as Bangladesh President to replace Zillur Rahman- Abdul Hamid An IAS officer of the 1979 batch who on 1 May 2013 was appointed as Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh government- Prasanna Kumar Mohanty The Former President of Pakistan who was imposed with a lifetime ban from contesting elections- Pervez Musharraf The communication Satellite successfully launched by China from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province- Zhongxing-11 The last British member of the Church of North Indias Delhi Broth erhood who passed away on 30 April 2013- Father Ian Weathrall The day celebrated as the World Press Freedom Day across the world with a theme safe to Speak- 3 May 2013 The Indian national and a death row prisoner in the Lahores Kot Lakhpat Jail who died on 2 May 2013 at the Lahore's Jinnah hospital- Sarabjit Singh The young Indian biologist who was honoured with the Whitley award, also known as Green Oscar, in London on 2 May 2013- Aparajita Datta Current Affairs eBook May 2013
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The former tour player and president of ATP since January 2012 who died on 3 May 2013- Brad Drewett The Person who on 3 May 2013 took over the office of Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand for second time- Subhash Kumar The prosecutor who was handling the Mumbai terror attack and Bhutto assassination case was gunned down in Islamabad- Zulfiqar Ali Italian Deputy Foreign Minister who was appointed as the special envoy to India to work out on fair trials for the Italian Marines- Staffan de Mistura The Prime Minister of Italy who died on 6 May 2013 at Rome after serving as the Italian Prime Minister seven times between 1972 and 1992- Giulio Andreotti The first ever national surfing and stand up paddle (SUP) competition of India concluded at Kovalam beach on 5 May 2013- Spice Coast Open The Senegalese singer and Finnish composer who were named as the recipients of Polar Music Prize 2013- Youssou Ndour and Kaija Saariaho An Indian conglomerate company who created a new Guinness World Record on 6 May 2013 when its 121653 workers sang Indias national anthem in Lucknow- Sahara India Pariwar The Pakistani Prisoner who was attacked by an inmate in Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu died at the hospital in Chandigarh on 9 May 2013- Sanaullah Ranjay The person who was appointed as the Head of the World Trade Organisation and will take the charge of his office from outgoing Pascal Lamy in September 2013- Roberto Azevedo The English film director, actor, screenwriter and novelist, who died on 8 May 2013 in Virginia Water, Surrey following the long illness- Bryan Forbes The Legendary actor who was presented with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award for life time achievement 10 May 2013- Pran The leader of the Indian National Congress who on 11 May 2013 was sworn in as the 22nd chief minister of the state of Karnataka- Siddaramaiah The Deputy Speaker of Madhya Pradesh State Assembly and a senior leader of Congress Party who died due to cardiac arrest- Harvansh Singh The renowned Islamic Scholar and recipient of National Communal Harmony Award in 1997, who died on 14 May 2013- Asghar Ali Engineer
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The acting director of IRS who had resigned amid the criticism over the tax agency's handling of conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status- Steven Miller The Person who on 16 May 2013 appointed as governor of Arunachal Pradesh as the term of present incumbent Gen (retd) J J Singh ended in January 2013- Nirbhay Sharma The Saudi woman who made history by reaching the Everest summit- the world's highest mountain- Raha Moharrak The place where the 45th Session of the Indian Labour Conference concluded on 18 May 2013- New Delhi The Person who on 19 May 2013 became the first Pakistani woman to scale Mount Everest. Samina Baig is 22 years of age- Samina Baig NASAs Mars Rover which broke the 40-year-old extraterrestrial distance record on 16 May 2013, after 9 long years of Mars exploration- Opportunity rover The Person who was elected as the Member of Executive Council of WMO during the 65th Executive Council of WMO meeting which is ongoing at Geneva- Laxman Singh Rathore
NEWS CAPSULE
APPOINTMENTS OF THE MONTH
PK MOHANTY APPOINTED AS CHIEF SECRETARY OF ANDHRA PRADESH
Prasanna Kumar Mohanty, an IAS officer of the 1979 batch on 1 May 2013 was appointed as Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh government. He will be succeeding Minnie Mathew who retired on 1 May 2013 after completing a threemonth extension.
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He had also won the Prime Ministers Award for best civic services and it was during his tenure from 1999 to 2001 that Hyderabad got a facelift as it emerged a metropolis.
He was Joint Secretary and Mission Director in the Union Urban Affairs Ministry in 2006 and later elevated to become Secretary and Mission Director.
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Since 2008, the 55 years old, Roberto Azevedo has been serving WTO as the Permanent Representative of Brazil to WTO and other International Economic Organisation in Geneva He was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Affairs to the Foreign Minister from 1995 to 96 He was the head of Dispute Settlement Unit from 2001 to 2005 Director of the Department of Economic Affairs from 2005 to 2006 Vice Minister for Economic and Technological Affairs from 2006 to 2008
ABOUT WTO
WTO was established with the signing of the Marrakesh Agreement/ Marrakesh Declaration at Marrakesh, Morrocco in 1994. WTO came up as a replacement of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). GATT was overseeing the rules of commerce since 1948. GATT covered trade in goods, whereas WTO deals with trade of inventions, designs and services too.
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Delhi-born Chopra, General Secretary of the Indian Overseas Congress, London, is the first and only Indian-origin elected councillor in London Borough of Southwark Council, which has only 1.5 per cent Indian-origin people. Sunil Chopra, born and brought up in Delhi before moving to the UK was the first President of College of Vocational Studies in Delhi. During his University days he was the Vice President of Youth Congress Delhi and also was president of NSUI, Delhi.
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His appointment to the post of CAG by the President was made on basis of Article 148 (1) of the Constitution of India. He will assume the charge to the office of CAG on 23 May 2013 after administering the oath of the office by the President of India.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is appointed for a maximum term of six years or till he attends the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. Earlier, during the tenure of Vinod Rai, CAG came under sharp attacks from the Union Government of India for its assessment reports of 1.76 lakh crore rupees loss in Allocation of 2G Spectrum and Public Exchequers Loss at 1.86 Lakh Crore in Coal Blocks Allocation. Tenure of Vinod Rai to the office of CAG was accused for going beyond its ambit of auditing and analyzing the policy decisions.
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The UN Public Service Day ceremonies are scheduled to be organised from 24 June 2013 to 27 June 2013 in Bahrain. The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will confer the awards on the awardees on 27 June 2013.
The criteria of evaluation included mechanism for increasing the ability of people to receive information on time, monitor the decision making as well as transparency. Other parameters included documentation and accountability, procedural as well as fiscal requirement as well as evidence of the conformity of government.
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His nomination to the post for the first time was made by President, Barack Obama in June 2012, which was returned back to him on 2 January 2013 due to sine die adjournment of the senate. Obama re-nominated Srinivasan for the same position on 3 January 2013 In 1989, he received his BA with honours from Stanford University and in 1995 received his Juris Doctor (JD) in 1995 from Stanford Law School. He was elected to Order of the Coif and further served as the editor of the Stanford Law Review
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He had served a term as the Vice President of Commission of Agriculture Meteorology of WMO and was also elected to serve the Executive Council in an individual capacity. The council includes 37 Heads/Directors/Director Generals of National Meteorological Services and also the President and three Vice-Presidents who are elected by Congress. Apart from this, the presidents of the six regional associations are also a part of this council.
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Jenita Mary Nongkynrih, a young woman scientist from Meghalaya was selected for ISRO Young Scientist Award 2013 for her urban information system project in the North East. The award for Jenita Mary Nongkynrih carries a citation and cash of 50000 rupees. Jenita Mary Nongkynrih is currently working as a scientist at the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), Umiam, Nongkynrih.
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In addition, Dainik Jagran got second prize in the Readership/Usage of the Print Publication category. INMA is the world's leading provider of global best practices and marketing ideas for news media companies and nearly 5000 media institutions in 80 countries are its members. There were total of 87 entries from across the world, including America, Germany, England, Canada and Pakistan, in this category.
YOUSSOU NDOUR AND KAIJA SAARIAHO WON THE POLAR MUSIC PRIZE
Senegalese singer Youssou Ndour and Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho were named as the recipients of Polar Music Prize 2013. Each winner will get one million Kronor (98600 euros) from the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. The awards will be presented at a Stockholm ceremony on 27 August 2013 by King Carl XVI Gustaf. Sweden's highest musical honour is awarded annually to both a pop performer and classical artist. The prize is awarded for exceptional achievements in the creation and advancement of music. The academy recognized Ndour as a singer, poet, and storyteller, singer of praise, entertainer and verbal historian.
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from Los Angeles, Mary Frances Oneha from Hawaii, Nancy Tom from Chicago, Karen Suyemoto from Boston, Van Ton-Quinlivan from California and Shireen Zaman from Washington, DC.
INNOVATION
IN
The Union Minister of State (Independent charge) for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Statistics & Programme Implementation Srikant Kumar Jena presented 3rd National Awards for Technology Innovation in Petrochemical and Downstream, Plastic Processing Industry in New Delhi on 7 May 2013. The awards were given away to winners for their outstanding contribution in the fields of Polymeric Material, Polymeric Products, Polymer Processing Machinery & Equipment, Polymer Waste Management & Recycling Technology, Polymeric Materials & Products, Polymers in Agriculture and Water Conservation, Green Polymers in Public Health care and Research in the field of Polymer Science & Technology. The awards were aimed at recognizing the innovations in niche areas of petrochemicals and plastics processing. The award included a shield, a citation as well as cash prize of 2 lakh Rupees. The runners-up received a shield and a citation.
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in Petrochemicals and Downstream Plastic Processing Industries in the third year of its operation in 2012-13.
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Prof. Mangala Joshi from Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi and Dr. Amitava Bhattacharyya, PSG Institute of Advanced Studies for Polyurethane / Nanographite based Multifunctional Coatings for Defense Applications in the Academics and R&D Institution category of Research in the Field of Polymer Science & Technology.
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The Ministry for Information & Broadcasting, on 10 May 2013 presented the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award for life time achievement to Pran Kishan Sikand, popularly known as Pran at his residence in Mumbai. The veteran actor was unable to travel to New Delhi for the National Film Awards function held on 3 May 2013. The veteran actor was presented the coveted award, comprising of a Swarn Kamal, Citation, Shawl and a cash prize of 10 lakhs rupees. Pran is the 44th recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award that was instituted in 1969, the birth centenary year Dadasaheb Phalke, considered the Father of Indian Cinema. The veteran actor has given sterling performances in many films along with Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor in 1950s 60s and 70s. Prans performances have received acclaim in films like Azaad, Madhumati, Devdas, Dil Diya Dard Liya, Ram Aur Shyam and Aadmi, Ziddi, Munimji, Amar Deep, Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Aah, Chori Chori, Jagte Raho, Chhalia, Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai, Zanjeer etc.
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working in Government, Voluntary Organizations, Mission institutions and private institutions can apply with due recommendation of concerned State Government. Altogether 272 nurses have been decorated with this award by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare so far.
Ms. N. Leela Samuel Ms. Sunita Kumari Ms. Geeta Sayasinh Thakore Ms. Bhanuben R. Patel Ms. Aneetha Abraham Ms. Eliza Rodrigues Ms. Gomti Dadwal Ms. Vijayalakshmi Banerjee Ms. Kamla Dahiya Ms. P.K. Indira Ms. Kochuthresiamma Thomas Ms. Rathi Shedthy Ms. Salve Dropadi Tukaram
Andhra Pradesh Bihar Dadar & Nagar Haveli Dadar & Nagar Haveli Daman & Diu Goa Himachal Pradesh Haryana Haryana Kerala Kerala Karnataka Maharashtra
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34.
Karnataka
35.
Defence
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egalitarian civil society based on the shared values of fraternity, equity, humanism and democracy.
Swavalamban
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partnership with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN ESCWA), in collaboration with the hosting Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
UNITED NATIONS PUBLIC SERVICE AWARDS 2013 WILL BE GIVEN IN THREE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES
Category 1 Preventing and Combating Corruption in the Public Service Category 2 Improving the Delivery of Public Services Category3 Fostering participation in public policy decision making through innovative mechanisms Category 4 Promoting whole-of-government approaches in the Information Age Category 5 Promoting Gender- Responsive Deliveries of Public Services
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The Pakistani activist, Malala Yousafzai (15) was selected for UNA-USA's Global Leadership Award called Champion for Global Change Award for 2013 , in the month of May 2013. Malala Yousafzai was shot in 2012 by Taliban for promotion of girl education. She will receive the Champion for Global Change Award for 2013 at Gotham Hall on 6 November 2013 in the event which will be hosted by UN Foundation and benefits UN Foundation and the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA)'s Global Classrooms Model UN programme. It was declared on 20 May 2013 that Malala will receive the UNA-USA's Global Leadership Award for advocating education as well as empowerment of girls across the world. In 2012, the UN Secretary, General Ban Ki-moon had declared 10 November as the Malala Day. She was also given the title of daughter of the United Nations. UN Foundation as well as UNA-USA, together represents a single largest network of American supporters of UN.
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Well-known Kannada author UR Ananthamurthy was the only Indian to be shortlisted for the prestigious award. The Man Booker International Prize recognises one writer for his or her achievement in fiction. Worth 60000 ponds, the prize is awarded every two years to a living author who has published fiction either originally in English or whose work is generally available in translation in the English language. The winner is chosen solely at the discretion of the judging panel and there are no submissions from publishers. The Man Booker International Prize is significantly different from the annual Man Booker Prize for Fiction. In seeking out literary excellence, the judges consider a writer's body of work rather than a single novel.
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Her works revolve around various themes such as racial consciousness, mythology, lifestyle, fiction, rural culture and many more. Her novels have various subject matters as well as interests.
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The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, also known as, Gershwin Prize is conferred upon the performer or composer for lifetime contribution to popular music. The award was created in 2007 by the Library of Congress. Gershwin Prize is named after brothers - George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, both of whom contributed to popular music. First recipient of this award was Paul Simon. Other awardees of this prize are Stevie Wonder (2008) and Sir Paul McCartney (2009).
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a slightly older woman. Overall, the movie is about sexual awakening, heartbreak, and selfdiscovery. With this the runner-up award, the Grand Prix, went to Inside Llewyn Davis which is directed by the Coen brothers. It is important here to note that the Coen brothers had won the Palme d'Or in 1991. Also, the Jury Prize went to Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-Eda for Like Father, Like Son.
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The Fellowships are restricted to forty living recipients at any given time. New Fellows are elected upon the demise of an existing Fellow. Karaikudi Sambasiva Aiyer, Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Allauddin Khan, Hafiz Ali Khan, and Prithviraj Kapoor were the first awardees of Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowships.
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This finding, which has been called the greatest discovery in the history of the understanding of Nature, enables a glimpse at what happened immediately after the Big Bang. Higgs is a native of Newcastle, England, who taught for 16 years at the University of Edinburgh. Englert is an 80-year-old Belgian, is affiliated with the Institute for Quantum Studies at Chapman University in California. Along with a cash prize of 50000 euros (about 64000 US dollars) and a sculpture by Joan Miro, each award recipient gets a diploma and an insignia bearing the Prince of Asturias Foundation's coat of arms. Spain's Crown Prince Felipe will give the award at a ceremony in the northern city of Oviedo. The prize is regarded as the Ibero-American world's equivalent of the Nobels.
PERSONALITY IN NEWS
LIFETIME BAN ON PERVEZ MUSHARRAF FOR CONTESTING ELECTIONS
The High Court in the northwestern city of Peshawar on 30 April 2013 imposed a lifetime ban on former President Pervez Musharraf from contesting elections. It was the first time a court in Pakistan had declared a citizen ineligible from contesting elections for life. Musharraf returned in March 2013 after nearly four years of self-imposed exile to contest May 11 general election. The court observed that Musharraf abrogated the Constitution twice. The first was when he carried out a coup to oust a democratically elected government. The second time when he declared emergency in 2007 and detained 60 judges. Musharraf had filed nominations from four constituencies namely Chitral, Karachi, Kasur and Islamabad.
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The statue was donated by NTRs daughter and Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Dr D Purandeswari.
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The 86 year old Montt, was convicted by the court for ordering the deaths of 1771 people of the Ixil Maya ethnic group during 1982 and 1983, his term in the office. It is the first time, when a former head of state had been found guilty of genocide by a court in his/her country. The rest of the convicts of the incident were handed over to the international courts. Mauricio Rodriguez Sanchez, the former chief of military intelligence who was facing the trials into the case of genocide and crimes against humanity along with Rios Montt was acquitted from the case. The sentence of 50 years for genocide and 30 years for crimes against humanity against Riosd Montt was read out by Judge Jazmin Barrios in Guatemala City. The decision from the threejudge tribunal of Guatemala Court is a historic decision and can be considered as a great breakthrough for human rights in the Guatemala region. During the 1960-1996 civil war of Guatemala, an estimated 2 lakh people were killed; the majority of the people who died were Mayans.
ABOUT IXILS
The Ixils in Guatemala were considered to be the public enemies of the state. They were victims of racism and were considered to be the inferior race.
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file a case over the Rental Power Projects after the 11 May 2013 polls. The charges against Ashraf dates back to his tenure as the Power Minister of Pakistan.
ANSHU JAMSHENPA SCALED THE MOUNT EVEREST FOR THE THIRD TIME
Anshu Jamshenpa of Arunachal Pradesh scaled the Mount Everest on 18 May 2013 for the third time. She holds the record of being the only mother in the world to scale the peak twice in 10 days. She was among the six mountaineers from the north-east to make it to the summit. Among the six were David Zohmangaiha of Mizoram, Tarun Saikia of Assam and Wangsuk Myrthong of Meghalaya, who became the first mountaineers from their States to have successfully scaled the Mount Everest.
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Other members of the team were Kazi Sherpa of Sikkim and Nameirakpam Chingkheinganba of Manipur. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi announced a financial assistance of 20 lakh rupees to Saikia for his achievement.
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He had served a term as the Vice President of Commission of Agriculture Meteorology of WMO and was also elected to serve the Executive Council in an individual capacity. The council includes 37 Heads/directors/Director Generals of National Meteorological Services and also the President and three Vice-Presidents who are elected by Congress. Apart from this, the presidents of the six regional associations are also a part of this council.
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Yuichiro Miura climbed the Everest at the age of 70 and 75 as well. As the oldest man to climb Mount Everest, he replaced Nepal's Min Bahadur Sherchan who climbed the Everest at the age of 76 years in 2008. It is important to note that Min Bahadur Sherchan will again attempt climbing Mount Everest in the last week of May 2013, at the age of 81 years. Yuichiro Miura reached the height of 29035 foot (8850-meter). He climbed the Everest with three more Japanese climbers, which included his son and six Nepalis Sherpas.
PERSON DIED
DEANNA DURBIN, HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS DIED AT 91 YEARS
Deanna Durbin, the renowned face of Hollywood in 1930s and early 40s died on 20 April 2013 in the village outside Paris. She was 91 years of age.
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He was arrested from Kasur Border for illegal crossing the border in Pakistan in August 1990. In May 2012, his fifth mercy petition was dismissed.
He is survived by his wife Joanne and four children- Jack, Ally, Joe and Tom.
OVERVIEW
Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali was the prosecutor of the two high profile cases in the Court of Pakistan namely, 26/11 Mumbai Attacks and Benazir Bhutto Assassination. Thus the attacks can be seen by linking the two major cases behind his murder. Zulfiqar was a highly competent prosecutor of Pakistan and had a huge experience of handling such high-profile cases.
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Earlier, the ex-military ruler Parvez Musharraf returned back to the country on 24 March 2013 after a long self-imposed exile of four years to contest elections. On his return to the country he was placed under a two-week house arrest by the Federal Investigation Agency in Pakistan over the charges of conspiring to murder Bhutto. Thus the killing of Zulfiqar Ali can be seen linked with some or the other incidences that followed as few days back he asked the government to increase his security.
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An appeals Court sentenced him to 24 years in Prison for cultivating a relationship with Mafia bosses in November 2002
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Profulla Borua, the veteran Indian journalist passed away in Guwahati, Assam after prolonged illness on 6 May 2013. He was 75 years of age. He died after a fight with cancer.
Profulla Borua held the post of the editor in some of the prominent Assamese newspapers. In his career span of 50 years, he had dynamic spirit of journalism. From 1969 to 1986, he was the editor of Janambhumi, the prominent newspaper of North East. He was also the editor of Dainik Asam from 1987-95. Lately, he was the editor of Uddipam, which is the only weekly for the senior citizens of northeastern region. He was also the executive trustee of celebration and documentation of 150 years of newspapers in Assam by Media Trust. He was arrested twice in 1981 and 1983 while fighting for Press independence.
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He also edited 51 stories of Nobel Prize winners as well as 10 volumes of stories of 251 female storytellers. He wrote various plays during his career, which included Deewarein, Ek Aur Raja and Chabutra. In 1974, his first story collection called Doosra Footpath was published. In the year 1975, his play called Deewarein was published. His renowned novels included Agniparv and Antatah. He also served in the Indian Information Service. He served in AIR Publications Department as well as Registrars Office of the newspapers. He was born on 8 October 1948 in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh.
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In 1962, Only Two Can Play won Best British Comedy Screenplay of the Writers Guild of Great Britain. 1965 Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Foreign Film was given to Sance on a Wet Afternoon. Sance on a Wet Afternoon also won 1964 Best British Dramatic Screenplay of the Writers Guild of Great Britain. The directorial debut of Bryan Forbes, Whistle Down the Wind reached to various nominations of BAFTA awards. In the year 2004, he was made the Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his services to the arts. In 2007, he was given the BAFTA tribute for the celebration of his extraordinary achievement in filmmaking.
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Harvansh Singh, the Deputy Speaker of Madhya Pradesh Assembly died on 14 May 2013 due to cardiac arrest in Barra of Seoni District. Harvansh Singh, 65, is now survived by his wife Pawan Bai, a daughter and two sons.
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He was the Chairman of the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS) founded in 1993 after the 1992 Babri Mosque destruction He edited Indian Journal of Secularism He also edited a monthly paper named Islam and Modern Age and published Secular Perspective, a fortnight paper He received the National Communal Harmony Award in 1997 He won the USA Award from the Association for Communal Harmony in Asia in 2003
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Anand came to limelight after winning silver in the 200m at the World Junior Games in Seoul in 1982. He was also the 100 and 200m National champion from 1981 to 1989, a period marked by his inter-State and Open National records.
In the year 2010, he recorded along with the guitarist Roy Rogers. In 2011, his album called Translucent Blues was released and it was ranked at number 3 position on Top 100 Roots Rock Albums of 2011 by The Roots Music Report.
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Sir Bruce Forsyth, the English TV entertainer and host gave him the title of third man of the comedy. His first joke was sold for two shillings and six pence to Charlie Chester. He starred in radio comedies in 1970s. His first radio comedies included The Show with Ten Legs. In 2001, he wrote The Play What I Wrote in collaboration with Hamish McColl and Sean Foley. This play won the Olivier award as well.
Achebe's body is due to be buried near his family's home in Ogidi, a small town in the hills of Anambra state.
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awarded various honours including the Padmashri and the state governments Kalaimani. He hailed from Madurai. He was a playback singer for nearly four decades in Tamil cinema. He almost sang for all the leading actors. He had rendered over 5000 cinema and devotional songs. He had last sung in the theme song of the World Classical Tamil Conference in 2010, composed by AR Rahman. TMS also had sung devotional songs, especially on Lord Muruga, with his most famous 'Ullam uruguthayya' (The Heart Melts) instantly evoking devotion.
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Other popular credits of Bill Pertwee included Carry on Girls, Carry on Loving and Carry On at Your Convenience. Dads Army is the British sitcom in context with Home Guard during the Second World War. Dads Army was authored by Jimmy Perry and David Croft. It was broadcasted on BBC between 1968 and 1977.
BOOKS/AUTHOR
BOOK AN ARDENT PATRIOT - DINESH GOSWAMI RELEASED
An Ardent Patriot Dinesh Goswami: Compiled and Edited by Kumar Deepak Das Hamid Ansari, the Vice President of India on 30 April 2013 released a book titled An Ardent Patriot Dinesh Goswami, compiled and edited by Kumar Deepak Das, Member of Parliament. www.jagranjosh.com
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The book is compilation of Parliamentary Speeches of veteran parliamentarian from AssamDinesh Goswami. The book comprises of the Parliamentary speeches made by him in the Parliament during his tenure of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha from 1971 to 1990. Dinesh Goswami was an eminent political leader from Assam who was a distinguished parliamentarian. Apart from this, he was also a reputed legal luminary, a skilled orator and an ardent champion of public service. His work includes that as the Chairman of the Committee on Electoral reforms in 1990, popularly called the Dinesh Goswami Committee. The Dinesh Goswami Committee played a key role in relevant recommendations on reforms of our electoral system which remain valid even today.
MOHSIN HAMIDS 3RD BOOK HOW TO GET FILTHY RICH IN RISING ASIA RELEASED
How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia was released in April 2013. The book is written by a Pakistani writer, Mohsin Hamid. His other books include Moth Smoke (2000) and The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2007). The book is a tale of the man who takes his journey from a poor rural boy to the corporate magnate. The book takes the outline from the self-help business books which are read by youth all across the rising Asia. How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia is a tale of contemporary life amidst crushing upheaval. The book brings out characters that develop a sense of intimacy amidst shattering changes. How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia in published in various languages in different countries. These languages include Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Chinese, Danish, English, www.jagranjosh.com
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French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Italian, Malayalam, Marathi, Russian, Spanish and many more. Mohsin Hamids first novel, Moth Smoke reached to the final stage of PEN/Hemingway Award, which is given to best first novel in the US. His second novel, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, became an international bestseller and was shortlisted for Man Booker Prize. This book won various awards which included Anisfield-Wolf Book Award as well as the Asian American Literary Award.
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Inferno a novel written by Dan Brown in the third week of May 2013 came into attack by the Philippines authorities for its portrayal of Manila as - the gates of hell. In the novel Inferno, Brown has included a character a doctor, who describes Manila as a city of horrible traffic jams, poverty, child sex-trade and crime. In Inferno, the character described by Dan Brown states Ive run through the gates of hell about her experiences in Manila. Francis Tolentino, the Chairperson of the metropolitan Manila wrote a letter to Dan Brown and its publishers showcasing his disappointment regarding the inaccurate portrayal of the capital city and defining it for the terrible description of poverty and pollution. Dan Brown is the writer of the famous novel, Da Vinci Code, the book, whose film adaptation was banned from screening in Manila City in 2006 by stating it as an offensive act against Catholic Church.
IMPORTANT DATES
3 MAY: WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
World Press Freedom Day is celebrated across the world on 3 May 2013. The theme for World Press Freedom Day 2013 is Safe to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in All Media . This is the 20th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day. This day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993 after recommendations of General Conference of UNESCO. Ever since then, 3 May is observed as the World Press Freedom Day on the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek. World Press Freedom Day is the opportunity to: Celebrate fundamental principles of press freedom Assess state of press freedom all over the world Defend attack on media independence
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FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION: A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT UNDER 19 OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
It is worth noticing that Freedom of Expression is the fundamental human right under 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In various countries across the world, thousands of publications are suspended, censored, shut down or fined. Various journalists, publishers as well as the editors are attacked, harassed, murdered and detained. In last 10 years, over 600 journalists have been killed and out of these 120 have died in 2012 alone.
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Colour was introduced in the Indian films in 50s. The first coloured Indian film was Jhansi ki Rani (1953), which was made by Sohrab Modi. In 1950s, the biggest filmmakers were Guru Dutt and Raj Kapoor. Renowned Raj Kapoor hits included Bobby, Mera Naam Joker, Awara, Shree 420, Prem Rog and Ram Teri Ganga Maili. The biggest grosser of Indian cinema during 50s were Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955) of V. Shantaram and Mother India (1957) of Mehboob Khan. In 1960s, emergence of super stars was seen. Some of the biggest superstars of 1960s were Rajesh Khanna, Shashi Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor and Jeetendra. The trend of shooting at the foreign locations was started by Raj kapoor. Sangam (1964) was among early films shot at foreign location. In 1970s, another superstar, Amitabh Bachchan was introduced to the screen. During 1970s, violence was the central theme of the Indian cinema. The films of 80s were a blend of romance, revenge, dance and music. Disco entered India in 80s through Mithun Chakravartys Disco Dancer. The notable development in 1990s was increased shooting at the foreign locations.
Some of the films that made it to the 100-crore club include Ghajini (2008), 3 Idiots (2009), Dabangg (2010), Golmaal 3 (2010), Ready (2011), Singham (2011), Bodyguard (2011), Ra. One (2011), Don 2 (2011), Agneepath (2012), Housefull 2 (2012), Rowdy Rathore (2012), Bol
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Bachchan (2012), Ek Tha Tiger (2012), Barfi! (2012), Son of Sardar (2012) and Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012).
WORLD ASTHMA DAY 2013 OBSERVED WITH THEME, YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR ASTHMA
First Tuesday of May is observed as World Asthma Day World Asthma Day was observed across the world on 7 May 2013. The day is observed across the world to spread awareness and care around the world including India. The theme for 2013 is You Can Control Your Asthma and the sub-theme for the year introduced by GINA is It's Time to Control Asthma. The day is organized and sponsored by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) as a partnership between health care groups and asthma educators to raise awareness about asthma. Across the world there are across 300 million people who are suffering from Asthma and of them 2.50 lakh deaths every year is attributed to the chronic respiratory disease Asthma.
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deaths each year and 20-50 million people getting injured in road accidents mainly in developing countries. Driver distraction and road-user behaviour while driving are among the leading contributors to road accidents. The ITU is behind developing standards for safe communication systems in vehicles to eliminate distraction while driving.
DIVERSITY
FOR
DIALOGUE
AND
21 May 2013: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development was observed on 21 May 2013. The day is observed every year to raise awareness about the importance of intercultural dialogue, diversity and inclusion. The day provides an opportunity to learn to live together in harmony. The theme this year is Do one thing for Diversity and Inclusion. The day was adopted in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US, which claimed around 3000 lives. UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity in 2001, and in December 2002, the UN General Assembly declared 21 May as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.
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Current Affairs PDF April 2013 WORLD HUNGER DAY WAS OBSERVED ON 28 MAY 2013
28 May 2013: World Hunger Day
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World Hunger Day was observed on 28 May 2013 across the globe. It is an annual event which celebrates sustainable solutions to ending extreme hunger and poverty. The day seeks to inspire people in both the developed and developing worlds to show their solidarity and support to enable many more to end their own hunger and poverty and make the journey to self-reliance. 870 million, one eighth of the worlds population live in extreme hunger and poverty and exist on less than 80 pence a day. Hunger kills more people than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. Millions of women, men and children die each year because of chronic persistent hunger Two million are children. Even today, the 90 percent majority of those suffering with hunger and poverty are living in other parts of the world, not affected by famine, earthquake or flood, but because of the chronic persistent hunger that exists in the developing world, in particular, Africa, South Asia and Latin America.
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It was published on 30 May 1826, which is celebrated as the Hindi Journalism Day or Hindi Patrakarita Diwas. However, Udant Martand could not be published for long due to higher postal rates as well as distant readership.
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fast-growing economies and the changing lifestyles. The report indicated that from 1970 to 2008, the consumption of construction minerals in the region increased 13.4 times. Similarly metal ores and industrial mineral consumption increased 8.6 times. Biomass and fossil fuels have also seen an increase of 2.7 and 5.4 times respectively. The report indicates that at such a pace of development the area will have to depend upon imports. The material intensity of the region consumption of materials per dollar Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is an area of serious concern. The development of the region has increased pressures over the environment by exceeding the rapid growth of the region. At present the material intensity of the Asia-Pacific is three times the rest of the world. The current rate of consumption is also having a negative impact on the environment. From 1970 and 2008, the material consumption of the area has gone up to 37.5 billion tonnes from 6.2 billion tonnes. In all these years, the region has grown at a rate of 4.8 percent. By 2008 in the record of consumption, China accounts for 60 percent and India accounts for 14 percent of the total regional domestic material consumption. Overall Asia Pacific accounts to 89 percent of the average per capita income of the world.
CHINA
Between 2005 to 2008, the per capita material consumption increased by 25 percent Due to the strong domestic demands, it has reinforced its position as a net importer of materials (in particular petroleum) Since 1980s the resource efficiency of China has shown a good progress
INDIA
Over-all material Consumption of India has remained low, whereas the consumption of metal ores, industrial minerals has grown 8.6 percent every year from 1998 to 2008. Thus India is moving at a great pace to change itself into an industrialized economy
The report also identified that the Asia-Pacific is making a slide transition to mineral based economy from the biomass based economy, i.e. a transition from agrarian economy to industrialized economy. The biomass in the region has gone down to 25 percent, which accounts to more than half of the domestic extraction, whereas the construction material has seen a growth of 51.4 percent. The report has called up for being vigilant in making up of the development policies and recommended the establishment of a harmonised database to share materials.
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According to a Survey, the country's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, accounted for the largest number of mobile subscribers in India followed by Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. Uttar Pradesh has a total of 121.60 million mobile phone connections, while, Tamil Nadu has 71.81 million subscribers, according to the TRAI data. Maharashtra is at the third position, with a subscriber base of 67.73 million followed by Andhra Pradesh and Bihar at 64.12 million and 60.73 million, respectively. These five states together account of 366 million mobile subscribers, which is 45 per cent of the total cell phone connections in the country. Karnataka stands sixth with 52.45 million mobile subscribers followed by the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh with 51.43 million subscribers. Gujarat, fast rising as the most industry-friendly state, came eighth with 51.23 million cell phone connections, while Rajasthan, the largest state in terms of area, has a total of 47.83 million mobile subscribers. India, which is the world's second largest mobile phone market in terms of subscribers, had a total of 861.66 million mobile connections as on February 2013, data from telecom regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) showed. Mobile subscriber base in the country declined by 0.11 percent to 861.66 million at the end of February 2013 from 862.6 million in January 2013. India's total telecom subscriber base, which includes mobile and landline connections, declined marginally to 892 million in February 2013 from 893.1 million at the end of January this year. India's telecom subscriber base had touched an all-time high of 965.5 million in June 2012.
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Others countries placed high in the list are Pakistan, Afghanistan and African nations like Nigeria and Ethiopia. The developed countries accounts for only 1 percent of the global firstday deaths. Bangladesh and Pakistan also have a high rate of deaths at 28000 abd 60000 respectively. These deaths are the reason of chronic malnourishment of the mother and other fatalities of the reason. Despite being more populated, China ranks 4th and accounts for only 5% of the global share of first-day deaths.
IDENTIFIED CAUSES FOR THE FIRST DAY DEATH OF THE CHILD INCLUDES
Complications during birth Prematurity and infections, low birth weight (28% of babies in India are underweight) Limited access to low-cost, life-saving interventions as the access could cut down the figures by as much as 75 percent Early marriage and childbearing heightens the risk for babies further. In India 47 percent girls are married off by the age of 18
As per the report the reason for the deaths in South Asia is the availability of just 14 doctors or nurses over every 10000 people. In the category of maternal deaths, India is placed at 142nd position among 176 countries with 56000 maternal deaths per year.
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The forecast has cleared that after a down-turn of over two years, it is expected that the global economic activity will gain momentum in the second half of 2013 and 2014 being backed by the accommodative monetary policies in the developing and developed economies. As per the forecast the moderate pick-up activity will be witnessed by the world but the growth will be seemingly below potential. The employment gains mainly in the developed economies will remain weak. The short term risks associated with the economic slowdown in the large developing nations, fiscal adjustments of US and the worsened situations of the Euro Area have gone down but havent diminished. The risks carries both the possibilities one is of returning back on a good track and the second one is of getting derailed the improving world economy. The forecast has put forward a light for the policy makers to look forward for a balanced global recovery with a focus on job creation to be prioritized. To mitigate the negative policy spillovers and to promote cooperation and curb protectionism, as per the forecast there exists a need of enhancing the International Policy Coordination as this will help in reforming the international financial system and ensuring sufficient resource flows in developing economies and in the third world nations.
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The Global Index of Religion and Atheism also revealed that non-religious population in India was rising considerably. In the survey conducted in 2005, 87 percent population had declared itself to be religious. This percentage fell to 81 percent in 2012. Also, there was 1 percent sink in the population of atheist in India. In 2005, there were 4 percent atheists in India, which sank to 3 percent in 2012.
GLOBAL TREND
Globally, similar kind of trend was observed. Overall, the Religiosity dropped down by 9 percent, while atheism increased by 3 percent. The Global Index of Religion and Atheism report revealed considerable decline in self-description of being religious. Pakistan saw an increase in number of religious population (6 percent). In Argentina (where the current Pope is present), there was a decrease of 8 percent in people believing in religion. South Africa saw a 19 percent dip in religious people. In US, there was a sink of 13 percent, while in Switzerland, France and Vietnam; there was a dip of 21 percent, 21 percent and 23 percent respectively.
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It also managed to overcome the worst of the financial crisis and was the only major developed nation to avoid the global recession in 2009. The Australian dollar is currently trading close to 30 year highs. However, Australia is facing challenge in the form of a widening income gap. According to the OECD, the top 20 percent of Australia's population earn six times more than the bottom 20 percent.
MISCELLANEOUS
MOUNT FUJI TO BE DECLARED AS THE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Mount Fuji, Japan: International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) approved Japans Mount Fuji to be declared as the UNESCO World Heritage site. Mount Fuji is the snow-topped volcano in Japan. Formal decision would be taken about its declaration as the world heritage site when the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO will meet in Cambodia in June 2013.
At present, there are 16 World Heritage listed Sites in Japan, out of which 12 are cultural and four natural. Recent additions to this list were Buddhism-linked gardens and temples of Hiraizumi, which were recognised as World Heritage Site in 2011.
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China, on 2 May 2013, successfully launched a communications satellite called Zhongxing-11 from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest Sichuan province. The satellite was launched into its present orbit from Long March-3B rocket. This marked the 176th launch of Long March series of rockets of China.
ABOUT ZHONGXING-11
Zhongxing-11 has the lift-off mass of approximately 5000 kg as well as design lifetime of more than 15 years. Zhongxing-11 is based on DFH-4 platform and is manufactured by China Academy of Space Technology. It features multiple high power fixed along with mobile beams as well as transponder switching capability. Its application is mainly to provide services for the commercial communications and broadcasting. The satellite is also responsible for meeting needs of digital broadband multimedia, streaming media for clients, Direct-to-Home as well as data transmission for the AsiaPacific region.
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In 2011, the superbug was discovered for the first time in Japan and then it spread to Hawaii and now visible in Norway and California. As per Doctors, the H041 bacteria can be much more deadly than the AIDS Virus because the bacteria is more aggressive and will affect more people quickly and effect is more direct.
ABOUT GONORRHEA
Gonorrhea also known as Clap is a disease that is sexually transmitted and is in existence since the medieval age. The infection results in genital discharge and painful sores. This is also related to the sterility and ectopic pregnancies in both men and women.
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Apart from this, Sahara India Pariwar had also attempted the record of more than one million employees singing the national anthem in one uniform at 4512 offices of Sahara spread in India. Sahara came to be recognised on the global map through acquisition of Plaza Hotel in New York and London's Grosvenor House hotel. The representatives of Guinness World Record witnessed the moment and confirmed the world record. Subrata Roy Sahara, the Chairman of Sahara India Pariwar was conferred with the certificate by officials of Guinness Book of World Records.
HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK FOR WORLD HERITAGE NOMINATED FOR WORLD HERITAGE SITES
Rajasthan and Great Himalayan National Park: India nominated cluster of six hill forts in Rajasthan as well as Great Himalayan National Park in Himachal Pradesh for World Heritage Sites for 2013. The UNESCOs World Heritage Committee will be held in Phnom Penh in Cambodia in June 2013 and conferring the status of World Heritage Sites on these places will be decided in this meeting.
PAINTING BY FERNAND LEGER FROM 1921 SOLD BY MADONNA FOR 7.2 MILLION US DOLLAR
The painting by Fernand Leger, which was owned by Madonna sell for 7.2 million US dollar in New York on 7 May 2013 at the Sotheby's auction house. The painting called Three Women at www.jagranjosh.com
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the Red Table dates from 1921. The proceeds from this sale will fund Madonna's Ray of Light Foundation that supports the projects of girls education in South Asia and Middle East. The sale was a part of Sotheby's sale of Impressionist as well as modern art which took over 230 million US dollar. In the meanwhile, the painting Les Pommes, a still life by French artist Paul Cezanne claimed the highest price, i.e., 41.6 million US dollar. L'Amazone, a portrait of French socialite Baroness Marguerite de Hasse de Villers by Amedeo Modigliani, was sold for 25.9 million US dollar. A Pablo Picasso sculpture of his young muse Sylvette went on sale for 13.6 million US dollar. In the same auction in 2012, the version of Edvard Munch's The Scream was sold for a world record price of 119.9 million US dollar.
ABOUT ACROTHOLUS
Acrotholus, according to researchers, is almost the size of large dog. It weighed around 40 kg, walked on two legs as well as had the skull which is composed of solid bone that is more than 10cm thick. The discovery of the fossil of this new dinosaur offers a lot of information about the evolution of bone-headed dinosaurs.
It is worth noticing that information about the diversity of small dinosaurs (weighing less than 100 kg) is very limited because they are under-represented in fossil record.
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The Union Minister of Culture, Chandresh Kumari Katoch launched 13 short films based on the poems of Rabindranath Tagore in New Delhi on 9 May 2013. All the films have been produced with the financial support of Ministry of Culture. Buddhadeb Dasgupta, the noted Director directed these 13 short films through the National Film Development Corporation. The project of Production of 13 short films or documentaries is a part of commemoration celebrating 150th Birth Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. The Screening Committee was constituted under the Chairmanship of Shyam Benegal in order to examine film production and related proposals for the commemoration. All the 13 short films are of 25-30 minutes time duration. These are based on the Tagores poems namely, Bansi (The Flute), Krishnakali (The Dark Maiden), Mukti (The Freedom), Phanki (Deception), Pukur Dhare (From the pool side), Ek Gaye (A Village), Camellia (Camellia), Banshiwallah (The Flutist), Shesh Chithi (The Last Letter), Hothat Dekha (The Unexpected Meeting), Patralekha (The letter ought to be written), Basha Bari (The mansion) and Istition (The Station). The films depict the Tagores humanism as well as creativity in him. The films reflect a wide range of his intellectual thinking from Romance to Philosophy and tradition to the contemporary ills. Rabindranath Tagore is known across the world for his literary and artistic genius, creativity, humanism and internationalism.
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The proposal to set up the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) was first considered by the Cabinet in its meeting held on 31 January 2013 and it was referred to a Group of Ministers (GoM) to review all aspects.
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The cyclonic storm MAHASEN formed over Bay of Bengal in the second week of May 2013 and it is expected to skip Chennai and move towards Bangladesh-Myanmar coast in the next couple of days. The storm will move initially north-northwestwards during the next 12 hours and thereafter northeastwards towards the Bangladesh-Myanmar coast. Under its influence, rainfall would occur at many places. Squally winds would prevail along the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Fishermen of the Islands are advised not to venture into the sea during the next 48 hours. The Met office has also forecast rain or thundershowers at a few places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and South interior Karnataka.
The GoM will prepare the draft law and the draft affidavit to be filed in the Supreme Court in the context of the Writ Petition (Civil) No. 120 of 2012, within three weeks. The GoM will be serviced by the Department of Personnel and Training.
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event and will give a presentation on Incredible India to provide opportunities of business networking. The I&B and Tourism Ministry of Indian Union has signed an MoU with each other to promote cinema as a sub brand of Incredible India at different International Film Festivals.
UNION CABINET APPROVED SETTING UP RASHTRIYA SMRITI FOR LAST RITES OF NATIONAL LEADERS
Rashtriya Smriti, New Delhi: The Union Cabinet gave approval for setting up Rashtriya Smriti to perform the last rites of the departed national leaders. The Union Cabinet of India, on 16 May 2013 gave approval for setting up Rashtriya Smriti at the Samadhis Complex near Ekta Sthal in New Delhi. The Rashtriya Smriti is established to perform the last rites of the departed national leaders. The national leaders include Presidents, Vice Presidents, Prime Ministers, Former Presidents, Vice Presidents, Prime Ministers and such other leaders which will be decided by the Cabinet. It is important to note that previously, separate memorials for the national leaders were created near the Rajghat which consumed a lot of space. Therefore, the Cabinet decided that no new Samadhi would be developed for departed national leaders anymore and that the Rashtriya Smriti would be used for performance of last rites of these leaders.
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The Smriti area will also provide for the space for last rites apart from space for the public gathering.
ACTIVITIES THAT WILL BE TAKEN OVER BY MDNIY AS THE WHO COLLABORATING CENTRE
Development and dissemination of standardized health promotion Yoga modules for various target groups (Children, Adolescents and Women of reproductive age, Geriatric population, and Mental Health promotion).
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Preparation and dissemination of consumer information on proper use of Yoga. Organization of capacity building workshops and training programmers on the role, scope, practice and evidence -based use of Yoga in non-communicable disease. Meta-analysis of Yoga research studies for documentation and promotion of evidencebased uses of Yoga.
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been accused in the CBI chargesheet in the Vanpic Land Allotment Scandal, when he was the Revenue Minister in the YS Rajasekhara Reddy led Government. The two ministers submitted their resignation to the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N Kiran Kumar Reddy. Their resignations will be forwarded to the Governor ESL Narasimhan for approval by the Chief Minister.
WHAT IS A TORNADO?
Tornado is the rotating column of air which is in contact with the earth as well as cumulonimbus cloud, at the same time. They are also called cyclones or twisters.
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The tornado is encircled by the cloud of dust and debris. Most of the tornadoes travel with a speed of less than 110 miles per hour and are around 250 feet across. Before dissipating, they travel to several kilometres.
CHENNAI AIRPORT RANK ED LOW IN ACIS AIRP ORT SERVICE QUALITY RATING
The findings of the Airports Council International (ACI) survey in the month of May 2013 gave the Chennai Airport an Airport Service Quality (ASQ) rating of 3.21 out of five for the year 2012. It is important to note that the target of rating of Chennai Airport was 4.1. The reasons for much lower rating are crowded parking places, poor Internet connectivity as well as bad toilet facilities. Poor shopping facility was another reason for low rating. These are the parameters for the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) rating. The Chennai Airport was rated on overall 33 parameters. Airport Authority of India (AAI), in the meanwhile, explained that old terminals of the Chennai Airport had various issues and the services were poorly maintained. In case attention was not given on these, the Chennai Airport might also be removed completely from the ACI list of airports. Airports Council International (ACI) is an international body comprising of 597 member airports as well as airport authorities which operate more than 1679 airports in a total of 177 countries.
CHIEF OF IMF QUESTIONED AT PARIS COURT OVER BERNARD TAPIE PAYOUT AMOUNT
The Chief of International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde was questioned at the Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR) in Paris over payout amount to the magnate Bernard Tapie during her tenure as a finance minister. In the Paris court, she was asked to explain the handling of 2007 row which led to payout of 400 million Euros to Bernard Tapie. The Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR) will be investigating the ministerial misconduct.
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Current Affairs PDF April 2013 MANGO NAMED NIRBHAYA AFTER DELHI RAPE VICTIM
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A new variety of mango, harvested at Uttar Pradesh famous mango centre Malihabad, was named Nirbhaya after the 23-year-old Delhi girl who was brutally gang-raped on 16 December 2012 and died of her injuries two weeks later. The new variety is a way of honouring the bravery and spirit of the young physiotherapist, whose rape and death galvanized the entire nation.
A request for declaration of Malayalam as the Classical Language was started by the Kerala government as well as certain other organisations. These requests were then referred to Sahitya Akademi and were also discussed by Committee of Linguistic Experts. A meeting of Committee of Linguistic Experts was held in January 2011. The members suggested that this committee should be reconstituted. Eventually, new panel of the committee was constituted and a decision was finalised.
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The plan for the making of the Defence University came into existence following the recommendation of the review committee that was constituted after Kargil Conflict by the Union Government.
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They will probe charges against M Gurunath, former Team Principal of Chennai Super Kings, as well as the three Rajasthan Royals cricketers who were arrested for alleged spot-fixing. The committee will also probe India Cements Ltd. the owner of the Chennai Super Kings Franchise and Jaipur IPL Pvt. Ltd. the owner of the Rajasthan Royals Franchise.
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South Wales Barry O'Farrell jointly announced this during a video conference conducted between their offices in New Delhi and Sydney. The 2013 Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the seventh such conference to be held outside India is expected to attract about 1000 delegates from the Asia-Pacific. The aim of the Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas or Overseas Indian Conference - is to connect India with its vast Indian Diaspora and bringing their knowledge, expertise and skills together.
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In a letter to Jethmalani, BJP general secretary Ananth Kumar on 28 May 2013 asserted that the partys parliamentary board had taken an undisputed decision to expel him from membership of the party.
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The three Fast Patrol Vessels are small in size but they are technologically challenged and complex. These ships are propelled by water jets in order to achieve the speed of 33 knots.
Cochin Shipyard developed certain special techniques in order to make sure of the high quality welding as well as fabrication of Aluminium structures. At present, the Cochin Shipyard has 25 ships on the order which consists of 20 Fast Patrol Vessels, 3 Offshore Support ships for Indian and foreign owners, one Prestigious Aircraft Carrier for the Indian Navy as well as 1 Buoy Tender vessel for the Department of Lighthouses and Lightships.
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Current Affairs PDF April 2013 IAF INDUCTED BASIC TRAINER AIRCRAFT PILATUS PC 7 MKII
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The IAFs premier Academy located at Dundigal, Hyderabad on 31 May 2013 inducted basic trainer aircraft Pilatus PC 7 MKII. The PC 7 MK II Aircraft would be used for Basic Training of all pilots of the Indian Air Force, in addition to the pilots of the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard. Till now this role was performed by the reliable but ageing workhorse, the HJT-16 Kiran aircraft. A total of 75 aircraft have been contracted from Pilatus, Switzerland. The procurement of PC 7 MKII was approved by the government in May 2012 and the first batch of PC-7 MK II arrived at the Academy in February this year as a part of accelerated induction plan. The first batch of Flight Cadets would start their training on PC-7 MK II from Julys onwards.
BRIEF INSIGHT INTO THE PHILANTHROPY ACTIVITY OF THE FIGURED INDIAN IN FORBES PHILANTHROPY LIST
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P N C Menon - 64 Years old , Chairman Emeritus of Sobha Developers plans to give away half his estimated 435 million dollars fortune .The Sri Kurumba Trust, his familys charitable arm, adopted 4 villages in his native Kerala state in 2006 and helps families with a monthly income below 90 Dolars. On a 10-acre site it runs Sobha Hermitage, a home for senior citizens and young widows; Sobha Academy, a free school for more than 700 poor children; and a medical center. The trust also provides free meals and conducts mass weddings. Vineet Nayar - HCL Technologies Vice Chairman Vineet Nayar sold shares in the outsourcing company for 24 million US Dollars in year 2012 and the proceeds went mostly to Sampark, a charity he started long with his wife Anupama. It works with local governments to improve schools, fund social ventures and expand water supply. Ronnie Screwvala - Entertainment mogul Rohinton Ronnie' Screwvala is the co-founder of UTV Group and is India Managing Director of Walt Disney's. He plans to spend 180 million US Dollars over 5 years to uplift 1 million villagers in Maharashtra. His foundation started more than 20 years ago and rechristened as Swades (or Homeland) in year 2012 and is already working with 1800 villages in the state.
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Q.1) President Robert Mugabe on 22 May 2013 signed Zimbabwe's new constitution into law. Discuss the present scenario in Zimbabwe. Do you agree that the new constitution could improve the political situation there? Q.2) The Second US-India Homeland Security Dialogue was held in Washington. Critically describe and discuss the features of security dialogue. Q.3) The Election Commission of India and the National Literacy Mission Authority on 21 May 2013 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Electoral Literacy. In what way electoral literacy can strengthen democracy in India? Discuss. Q.4) The government on 17 May 2013 cut the import tariff value of gold and silver to 466 US dollars per ten grams and 761US dollars per kg, respectively. Enlist the reasons behind the government decision. How it affects the economy? Q.5) Write brief notes on the following: a) 3D Gesture Sensing Technology b) Carbon Aerogel c) GSLV D5 d) First Cloned Human Embryo e) Chinua Achebe f) Yuichiro Miura g) Pratibha Ray h) Lydia Davis Q.6) The Zoological Society of London in the month of May 2013 revealed that Indian dolphins as well as the wild elephants were among recent top 100 mammals facing the risks of extinction. Describe the status of dolphins and Elephants in the report. Suggest measures to save them from extinction. Q.7) The government on 13 May 2013 approved new guidelines for the Indira Awas Yojna Scheme for rural poor. What are the new guidelines? How it will benefit the poor?
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