1-2 October 2015

Asian Air Gun Championships: Heena Sidhu won gold medal in women's 10 metre air pistol event

Indian pistol shooter Heena Sidhu on 30 September 2015 won the gold medal in women's 10 meter air pistol event at the 8th Asian Air Gun Championships in New Delhi. On the final day of the Championships, Heena, who was India's first pistol shooter to be ranked number one in the world, shot a total of 197.8 points to finish at the top of the podium.

India’s Shweta Singh won the silver medal by aggregating 197.0. Korean shooter Seon A Kim took the bronze with a total score of 175.8. Indian shooter Yashaswini Singh Deshwal, playing her first international final, finished fourth.
India won an impressive haul of 17 medals, including six gold medals to finish as toppers in the continental event.
In the overall standings, Iran took the second place with 12 podium finishes, including six gold and five silver medals, followed by Taipei, winning one gold, two silver and two bronze.

Zenia Bhumgara of India conferred with Merlin Award by International Magicians Association

Zenia Bhumgara of India in the fourth week of September 2015 was conferred with the Merlin Award in Mumbai.

The award is a prestigious honour in the field of magic conferred by the International Magicians Association (IMS).

Also, it is presented to those magicians who have achieved the highest level in their craft, both on the national and international stage.

Before Bhumgara, Prodip Chandra Sorcar, Jr. was the only other Indian to receive the award.

Zenia Bhumgara is the daughter Mhelly Bhumgara and sister of Pearl who are also performing magicians.

So far, she performed across the world including Japan and the USA.

IMS was established in 1968. It is the world's largest magic society with over 41000 members worldwide.

China launched 20th satellite for its BeiDou Navigation System

China on 30 September 2015 launched a 20th new generation satellite into orbit that will support its global navigation and positioning network.

The satellite was launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the south-western province of Sichuan. A Long March-3B carrier rocket carried the satellite.

The launch of the 20th satellite for the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) has put China one step closer to providing an alternative to the U.S. operated Global Positioning System (GPS).

Besides, it was the first time that the satellite featured a hydrogen atomic clock. Also, multiple tests related to the clock will be done.

What is BeiDou Navigation Satellite System?

The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System is a Chinese satellite navigation system. The BeiDou project was formally launched in 1994.

The first BeiDou system, which was officially called the BeiDou Satellite Navigation Experimental System, was also known as BeiDou-1. The system incorporates three satellites and offers limited coverage and applications. It has been offering navigation services since 2000 for customers in China and neighbouring regions.

Named after the Big Dipper constellation, the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System serves as a metaphor for the purpose of the satellite navigation system.

Global Navigation Satellite Systems

• India: Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)

• United States: Global Positioning System (GPS)

• Russia: GLONASS

• France: Doppler Orbitography and Radio-positioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS)

• Japan: Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS)

Union Government released commemorative postal stamp on Dr BR Ambedkar

Union Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on 30 September 2015 released a commemorative postal stamp on Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar.
The government is celebrating 125th birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar in the year 2015. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 23 July 2015 chaired the first meeting of the National Committee on Nationwide Celebration of 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

The objective of year long celebrations is to make the world aware about the life and the work of Dr. Babasaheb Ambekdar as a champion of the underprivileged.
Beside this, the minister also said that it will come out with a coin in his honour. The coin that will be released in honour of the legendary social reformer has received an approval from the Union Finance Ministry.
Dr Ambedkar was posthumously given the highest civilian award of India Bharat Ratna in 1990. He died in 1956.

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology 2015 announced

CSIR on 26 September 2015 announced Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prize for Science and Technology 2015 for eleven scientists in recognition of their work. The awardees were announced to mark the CSIR’s 73nd Foundation day.

The SSB Prize consists of a citation, a plaque and a cash prize of 5 lakh rupees. The selected awardees in different fields are

Biological Sciences: Dr Balasubramanian Gopal of Molecular Biophysics Unit Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Dr Rajeev Kumar Varshney of Centre of Excellence in Genomics International Crops Research Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad

Chemical Sciences: Dr D Srinivasa Reddy Division of Organic Chemistry CSIR National Chemical Laboratory, Pune

Dr Pradyut Ghosh of Department of Inorganic Chemistry Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science in Jadavapur, Kolkata

Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences: Dr Jyotiranjan Srichandan Ray of Geosciences Division Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad

Engineering Sciences: Dr Yogesh Moreshwar Joshi of Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur

Mathematical Sciences: Dr K Sandeep of TIFR Centre for Applicable Mathematics, Bangalore

Dr Ritabrata Munshi School of Mathematics Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai

Medical Sciences: Dr Vidita Ashok Vaidya of Department of Biological Sciences Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai

Physical Sciences: Dr Bedangadas Mohanty of School of Physical Sciences National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar

Dr Mandar Madhukar Deshmukh of Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai

WTO released 2015 Annual Report

The World Trade Organization (WTO) on 30 September 2015 released its 2015 Annual Report. It provided an overview of WTO activities in 2014 and early 2015.

Besides, it also provided recent trade scenario across the world and the expected growth rates for near future.

Highlights of 2015 Annual Report

• World trade will grow by 2.8 percent in 2015 against 2.5 percent growth in 2014. However the growth rate could be pegged back further by a U.S. interest rate rise, China's economic slowdown or Europe's refugee crisis.
• In 2016, world trade is expected to grow by 3.9 percent, a revision of the WTO's previous forecast of 4.0 percent.
• Forecast for growth in Asian imports in 2015 is pegged at 2.6 percent down from a 5.1 percent projection in April and Asian exports to 3.1 percent from the previous 5.0 percent forecast.
• Seychelles was admitted as the 161st Member of WTO in April 2015.

Report with respect to India

• Between 1995 and 2014, India is involved in 43 trade disputes next to the highest involvement (within Asia) recorded by China (44).
• Within WTO, India undertook second highest anti dumping initiations, 13, next to Brazil (29)
• India initiated the most investigations in 2014, with seven, followed by Indonesia and Turkey with three. India also imposed the greatest number of final measures – four.
• As of 31 December 2014, Ujal Singh Bhatia is the only Indian in the seven member Appellate Body.

Union Government reduced domestic natural gas price by 18 percent to 3.81 US dollars per mmBtu

The Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell of the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on 30 September 2015 announced that the price of domestic natural gas was slashed by 18 percent to 3.81 US dollars per mmBtu.

It was reduced from 4.66 US dollars per mmBtu on gross calorific value (GCV) basis that had been in force since 1 April 2015.

The new price that came into effect on 1 October 2015 will be operational for six months till 31 March 2016.

The reduction in price is likely to benefit power and fertilizer firms but it may also hurt producers like Reliance Industries and Oil and Natural Gas Corportaion Limited (ONGC).

The revision in the gas price was taken as per the New Domestic Natural Gas Pricing Guidelines that has been in force since 1 October 2014.

As per the policy, the government revises the price every six months on the basis of a weighted average of rates in the gas-surplus economies such as Canada, the USA, Russia and Mexico.

Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016 released by World Economic Forum

World Economic Forum (WEF) on 30 September 2015 released the Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) 2015-2016. The report assesses the competitiveness landscape of 140 economies, providing insight into the drivers of their productivity and prosperity and it remains the most comprehensive assessment of national competitiveness worldwide.
The report says that failure to embrace long-term structural reforms that boost productivity and free up entrepreneurial talent is harming the global economy’s ability to improve living standards, solve persistently high unemployment and generate adequate resilience for future economic downturns.

The Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016 finds countries need higher productivity to address sluggish global growth and persistent high unemployment and failure to boost competitiveness is compromising resilience to recession and other shocks
The report highlights that after five years of decline, India jumped 16 ranks to 55th place compared to 71st rank in 2014-15 report.
Top 10 countries in ranking

Economy	Score	Previous ranking
Switzerland	5.76	1
Singapore	5.68	2
United States	5.61	3
Germany	5.53	5
Netherlands	5.50	8
Japan	5.47	6
Hong Kong (SAR)	5.46	7
Finland	5.45	4
Sweden	5.43	10
United Kingdom	5.43	9

Larger Emerging Countries: The trend is for the most part one of decline or stagnation. However, there are bright spots: India ends five years of decline with a spectacular 16-place jump to 55th. South Africa re-enters the top 50, progressing seven places to 49th. Elsewhere, macroeconomic instability and loss of trust in public institutions drag down Turkey (51st), as well as Brazil (75th), which posts one of the largest falls. China, holding steady at 28, remains by far the most competitive of this group of economies. However, its lack of progress moving up the ranking shows the challenges it faces in transitioning its economy.
Middle East: It reports that there is a mixed picture in Middle East. Qatar (14th) leads the region, ahead of the United Arab Emirates (17th), although it remains more at risk than its neighbour to continued low energy prices, as its economy is less diversified. It says that with geopolitical conflict and terrorism threatening to take an even bigger toll, countries in the region must focus on reforming the business environment and strengthening the private sector.

Report on India
• It says that after five years of decline, India was able to jump 16 ranks and was positioned at the 55th place. It praises Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this dramatic reversal by saying that his pro-business, pro-growth, and anti-corruption stance has improved the business community’s sentiment toward the government.
• The quality of India’s institutions is judged more favorably (60th, up 10), although business leaders still consider corruption to be the biggest obstacle to doing business in the country.
• India’s performance in the macroeconomic stability pillar has improved, although the situation remains worrisome (91st, up 10). This macroeconomic stability was achieved due to lower commodity prices, inflation that eased to 6 percent in 2014, down from near double-digit levels the previous year.
• The government budget deficit has gradually dropped since its 2008 peak, although it still amounted to 7 percent of GDP in 2014, one of the world’s highest (131st).
• Infrastructure has improved (81st, up six) but remains a major growth bottleneck—electricity in particular.
• India remains one of the least digitally connected countries in the world (120th, up one). Fewer than one in five Indians access the Internet on a regular basis, and fewer than two in five are estimated to own even a basic cell phone.
• The fact that the most notable improvements are in the basic drivers of competitiveness bodes well for the future, especially the development of the manufacturing sector. But other areas also deserve attention, including technological readiness.
Background
The Global Competitiveness Report’s competitiveness ranking is based on the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), which was introduced by the World Economic Forum in 2004. Defining competitiveness as the set of institutions, policies and factors that determine the level of productivity of a country, GCI scores are calculated by drawing together country-level data covering 12 categories – the pillars of competitiveness – that collectively make up a comprehensive picture of a country’s competitiveness.
The 12 pillars are: institutions, infrastructure, macroeconomic environment, health and primary education, higher education and training, goods market efficiency, labour market efficiency, financial market development, technological readiness, market size, business sophistication, and innovation.

WHO removed all limitations on eligibility for Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV infected people

The World Health Organisation (WHO) in its Treat-All recommendation made on 30 September 2015 removed all the limitations on eligibility for Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) among people living with HIV. With this, all populations and age groups will now eligible for treatment.

The expanded use of antiretroviral treatment is supported by recent findings from clinical trials confirming that early use of ART keeps people living with HIV alive, healthier and reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to partners.
The recommendations were developed as part of a comprehensive update of the WHO consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for preventing and treating HIV infection. This new recommendation follows up the 2014 WHO guidance that offered a combination of antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV acquisition, Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), for men who have sex with men.
Following further evidence of the effectiveness and acceptability of PrEP, WHO has now broadened this recommendation to support the offer of PrEP to other population groups at significant HIV risk.
PrEP will now be an additional prevention choice based on a comprehensive package of services, including HIV testing, counselling and support and access to condoms and safe injection equipment.
Based on the new recommendations, the number of people eligible for antiretroviral treatment will increase from 28 million to all 37 million people who currently live with HIV globally.
Future prospects of this change in the HIV policy
Expanding access to treatment is at the heart of a new set of targets for 2020 with the aim to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. These targets include 90 percent of people living with HIV being aware of their HIV infection, 90 percent of those receiving antiretroviral treatment, and 90 percent of people on ART having no detectable virus in their blood.
This change in the Global HIV policy could help avert more than 21 million deaths and 28 million new infections by 2030.

Uttar Pradesh decided to implement National Food Security Act, 2013 in three phases

Uttar Pradesh government on 29 September 2015 announced that it will implement National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 in the state in three phases. The scheme would benefit 15.21 crore people in the state.

Decision to this effect was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.
• First phase: The scheme will be implemented in 24 districts
• Second phase: The scheme will be implemented in 26 districts
• Third phase: The scheme be rolled out in 25 districts
The National Food Security Act, 2013 (also Right to Food Act) is an Act of the Parliament of India which aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two thirds of India's 1.2 billion people. Under it poor would get the monthly quota of wheat at the rate of 2 rupees per kg and rice at 3 rupees per kg.
It was signed into law on 12 September 2013, retroactive to 5 July 2013.

Russian parliament gave green signal to Putin to use troops in Syria

Russian parliament Duma on 30 September 2015 gave its assent to President Vladimir Putin to send Russian troops to crisis-struck Syria. However, the Kremlin decided that it will only use air force there, and not ground troops.

As per the Constitution of Russia, the president has to seek approval of the parliament before using Russian troops abroad.

As per the official announcement of Dmitry Peskov, the press spokesperson for Putin, Russia is deploying the troops in Syria to fight terrorism and to support the legitimate Syrian leadership in the fight against terrorism and extremism. The announcement pointed that Syria had sought the assistance of Russian troops in its fights against the terror outfit, Islamic State.

The Russian Government announced that the country decided to help Syria in order to protect its own country from Islamic militants, not because of any foreign policy goals or ambitions.

The current decision of using troops in Syria is strongly reminiscent of Putin’s decision to send Russian forces in Ukraine before Russia annexed Crimean Peninsula in March 2014.

Palestinian flag hoisted at UN headquarters for the first time

Palestinian flag was raised for the first time at United Nations headquarters in New York on 30 September 2015. The politically sensitive flag raising ceremony took place at 1:16 pm at the UN's Rose Garden.
The flag hosting raising ceremony was attended by the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas.

Earlier on 10 September 2015, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) overwhelmingly approved the Resolution on Raising of Flags by Non-Member Observer States.
The resolution said that the flags of non-member observer states like Palestine shall be raised at UN Headquarters and United Nations Offices following the flags of the Member States of the organization.
Palestine was granted the status of a non-member observer State by the UNGA in 2012.

Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif proposed 4-point Peace Initiative with India

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on 30 September 2015, during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, proposed 4-point Peace Initiative with India aimed at defining the relationship between the Asian countries as one of cooperation, not of confrontation.

4-point Peace Initiative

Pakistan and India should formalize and respect the 2003 understanding for a complete ceasefire on the Line of Control in Kashmir. For this purpose, Pakistan will call for UN Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) expansion to monitor the observance of the ceasefire.
Pakistan and India shall reaffirm that they will not resort to the use or the threat of use of force under any circumstances. This is a central element of the UN Charter.
Steps need to be taken to demilitarize Kashmir.
Both the nations should agree to an unconditional mutual withdrawal from Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battleground.

Tackling global threat of terrorism
Nawaz Sharif also spoke about the repeated terrorist attacks that Pakistan faces. The global threat of terrorism need to be tackled, and for this its underlying causes that is poverty and ignorance should be dealt with.
Extremist ideologies must be opposed. Moreover, it was also stressed that the narrative of the terrorists has to be countered through the just resolution of the several instances of oppression and injustice against Muslims in various parts of the world.

International Day of Older Persons observed across the world

1 October: International Day of Older Persons
The International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) was on 1 October 2015 observed across the world with the theme Sustainability and Age Inclusiveness in the Urban Environment. The 2015 IDOP celebration demonstrated that an age inclusive agenda is crucial to promote equity, welfare and prosperity for all.

The 2015 celebration of the 25th anniversary of International Day of Older Persons focused on the impact of the new urban environment on older persons and impact of older persons on the new urban environment.
How Urban Environment will lead to betterment of Old people?
The migration of people worldwide to cities is happening at a record pace with 6 out of every 10 people in the world expected to reside in urban areas by 2030. It means that the number of people over 60 living in cities may grow to over 900 million by 2050.
These trends will offer older persons prospects for improving their quality of life. Well planned cities will surely provide income generating and education opportunities for older persons.
In addition to housing and urban environments, it will also result in the incorporation of age-friendly features in public facilities such as access to affordable, reliable, safe and physically accessible transportation, which is one of the cornerstones of independence and social inclusion of older people.
Condition of Old-aged people in India
A recent report by United Nations Population Fund and Help Age International revealed that India has around 100 million elderly at present and the number is expected to increase to 323 million, constituting 20 percent of the total population by 2050.
The report emphasized on addressing urgent concerns of elderly person like investment in pension and quality health care. It is imperative to provide the elderly a stress free life, a place, a living space which is designed to give them a holistic lifestyle.
Assaults, stealing and killing cases of senior citizens in the Indian cities has been a issue of concern in the recent past.
Background
On 14 December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly declared 1 October as the International Day of Older Persons, following up on initiatives such as Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, which was adopted by the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing and endorsed later that year by UNGA.
The International Day of Older Persons was observed for the first time throughout the world on 1 October 1991.

World Vegetarian Day observed globally

1 October: World Vegetarian Day
World Vegetarian Day was observed on 1 October 2015. The day was established as an annual celebration to promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism.
It brings awareness to the ethical, environmental, health and humanitarian benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle.
The day was originated by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977 and endorsed by the International Vegetarian Union in 1978.

World Vegetarian Day initiates the month of October as Vegetarian Awareness Month, which ends with November 1, World Vegan Day, as the end of that month of celebration. Vegetarian Awareness Month has been known variously as Reverence for Life month, Month of Vegetarian Food, and more.
Several additional days of vegetarian significance are included in Vegetarian Awareness Month:
• September 27 – Hug a Vegan/Vegetarian Day
• October 1 – World Vegetarian Day
• October 2 – World Farm Animals Day (WFAD) or World Day for Farm(ed) Animals, birthday of Mahatma Gandhi
• October 4 – The Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi
• October 4 – Hug a Non-Meat Eater Day
• October 1–7 – International Vegetarian Week - in several nations across the planet (but especially in Europe), many public educational and celebratory events are organized to promote the vegetarian lifestyle.
• October 16 – United Nations World Food Day often a time of global reckoning with issues of human food security. It is the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945.

ICC Women’s Team Rankings launched

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on 1 October 2015 launched the official ICC Women’s Team Rankings, which incorporate results in all three formats of the game into one rankings system. The innovative new system treats results from Test, ODI and T20I cricket equally.
Australia was ranked number one following its success in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2013 in India and the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 2014 in Bangladesh. It also leads the ICC Women’s Championship, which is the qualifying tournament for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017.
Indian women’s cricket team was ranked at fourth place in the list.

ICC Women’s Team Rankings (as on 1 October 2015)

Ranking	Team	Points
1	Australia	134
2	England	124
3	New Zealand	109
4	India	105
5	West Indies	99
6	South Africa	92
7	Pakistan	81
8	Sri Lanka	74
9	Bangladesh	57
10	Ireland	26

The launch of ICC Women’s Team Rankings is part of the ICC’s long-term commitment to investing, incentivising, promoting and publicising women’s cricket.

The ICC Women’s Team Rankings was devised by statistician and ICC Cricket Committee member David Kendix, who has applied the same methodology as is used for the men’s rankings.

Union Government notified Mid-Day Meal Rules, 2015

The Union Government on 30 September 2015 notified Mid Day Meal Rules, 2015 under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA, 2013) that contains provisions related to welfare schemes including Mid Day Meal Scheme.

In accordance with the provisions of the NFSA Act, the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development finalized the Mid Day Meal (MDM) Rules after consultation with the States and other related Central Ministries. The rules will be in effect from the date of notification in the Gazette of India.
Provisions of the Mid Day Meal Rules, 2015
Entitlements of children: Every child within the age group of six to fourteen years studying in classes I to VIII who enrol and attend the school, shall be provided hot cooked meal having nutritional standards of 450 calories and 12 gm of protein for primary and 700 calories and 20 gm protein for upper primary free of charge every day except on school holidays. The place of serving meals to the children shall be school only.
Implementation of the Scheme: Every school shall have the facility for cooking meal in hygienic manner. Schools in urban area may use the facility of centralised kitchens for cooking meals wherever required in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Central Government and the meal shall be served to children at respective school only.
Responsibility of School Management Committee: The School Management Committee mandated under Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 shall also monitor implementation of the Mid-day meal Scheme and shall oversee quality of meals provided to the children and cleanliness of the place of cooking.
Utilization of School Funds: The Headmaster or Headmistress of the school shall be empowered to utilise any fund available in school for the purpose of continuation of Mid Day Meal Scheme in the school in case of temporary unavailability of food grains, cooking cost, etc. in the school. The utilised fund shall be reimbursed to the school account immediately after receipt of mid day meal funds.
Testing of the meals by Accredited Labs to ensure nutritional standards: Hot cooked meal provided to children shall be evaluated and certified by the Government Food Research Laboratory to ensure that the meal meets with the nutritional standards and quality. The Food and Drugs Administration Department of the State may collect samples to ensure the nutritive value and quality of the meals.
Food Security Allowance: If the Mid-Day Meal is not provided in school on any school day due to non-availability of food grains, cooking cost, fuel or absence of cook-cum-helper or any other reason, then the State Government shall pay food security allowance by 15th of the succeeding month in the manner provided herein below:-
• Quantity of Food grains as per entitlement of the child
• Cooking cost prevailing in the State
Conditions for Food Security Allowance
• In case of non-supply of meal by the Centralised Kitchen, the Food Security Allowance shall be realised from the Centralised Kitchen as stated above.
• Provided that in case a child has not taken food on offer for whatever reasons, no claim of food security allowance shall lie with the State Government or Centralised Kitchens:
• Provided further that no claim shall lie with State Government or Centralised Kitchen for reasons of quality of food grains and meal:
• The State Government shall take action to fix responsibility on the person or agency in accordance with the procedure laid down if mid day meal is not provided in school on school days continuously for three days or at least for five days in a month.
• Wherever an agency of Central Government is involved, the State Government shall take up the matter with Central Government which shall resolve the matter within a month.

Ratan Tata honoured by UK city of Coventry

The city of Coventry on 1 October 2015 honoured Ratan Tata, chairman Emeritus of Tata sons, with its highest award in recognition of his contributions to the West Midlands region of central England.

The leading Indian industrialist took oath as an Honorary Freeman of the City of Coventry. Since 1914, only 13 people have been conferred with the honour.

Indian-origin professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, founder of the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), was also honoured with the title alongside Tata, at the University of Warwick in Coventry.

Earlier in 2015, Tata-owned Jaguar Land Rover had announced its long term commitment to Coventry and the West Midlands with a confirmation of a further 600 million pound investment to support product creation and superior vehicle manufacturing.

In 2000, Ratan Tata was awarded with Padma Bhushan, and was facilitated with Padma Vibhushan in 2008.

Narendra Modi briefed about Project Loon during Google headquarters tour

Project Loon: Google’s flagship Project to provide Internet access to rural and remote areas.

Google’s flagship Project Loon was in news on 30 September 2015 because Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the ambitious project and believed that it has multiple uses like long distance education, rural schools and telemedicine.

PM Modi was briefed about the project during his visit to the Google headquarters in the Silicon Valley on 27 September 2015. Google informed the PM that the company is already doing a pilot project in Andhra Pradesh with a special focus on rural areas which still do not have internet penetration.

Project Loon began in June 2013 with an experimental pilot in New Zealand.

Loon uses high-altitude balloons placed in the stratosphere at an altitude of about 32 km to produce an aerial wireless network with up to 3G-like speeds.

Each balloon can provide connectivity to a ground area about 40 km in diameter using a wireless communications technology called LTE.

Google has partnered with Telecommunications companies to share cellular spectrum that will enable the people to connect to the balloon network directly from their phones and other LTE-enabled devices.