17-18 August 2015
17 August
World Badminton Championship: Saina became 1st Indian shuttler to win silver medal
India’s ace shuttler Saina Nehwal on 16 August 2015 became the first Indian to win silver in the World Badminton Championship.
She lost the women's singles summit clash to Spain's Carolina Marin 16-21, 19-21 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Olympic bronze medallist Saina had reached the finals of the event on 15 August 2015 by defeating Indonesia's Lindaweni Fanetri.
This was India's fifth medal at the World Championship. Following are the Indian medal winners at the World Badminton Championships which started in 1977. Legendary shuttler Prakash Padukone was the first Indian to win a bronze at the 1983 edition.
The following are the Indian medal winners at the World Badminton Championships which started in 1977
• Silver at 2015 Jakarta: Saina Nehwal (women's singles)
• Bronze at 2014 Copenhagen: PV Sindhu (women's singles)
• Bronze at 2013 Guangzhou (China): PV Sindhu (women's singles)
• Bronze at 2011 London: Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa (women's doubles)
• Bronze at 1983 Copenhagen: Prakash Padukone (men's singles)
Mustansir Barma won 2015 Gujar Mal Modi award for innovative science and technology
Prof. Mustansir Barma on 14 August 2015 won the prestigious Gujar Mal Modi Award for Innovative Science and Technology for the year 2015. He was awarded for his commendable contribution in the field of Science and Technology.
He received the award from Vice President of India Hamid Ansari at a ceremony in New Delhi.
Barma, a distinguished Professor and former Director of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, has made immense contribution in the field of Statistical Physics in India.
He has published numerous papers on the topic and is one of the best recognized names in the discipline internationally. His personal initiative helped in expanding the TIFR campus in Hyderabad.
About the Gujar Mal Modi Innovative Science and Technology Award
The award was instituted by the GM Modi Foundation in the memory of industrialist Gujar Mal Modi in 1988. The award is presented on 9 August every year to a scientist of eminence, who has made outstanding contribution to science & technology. The award carries a cash prize of 2.01 lakh rupees, a scroll of honour and a silver shield
Prof. Satish Dhawan was the first recipient of the award in the 1988 for his contribution in the field of space and Remote Sensing Technology.
PM Narendra Modi launched a new campaign Start-up India, Stand up India
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 August 2015 launched a new campaign Start-up India, Stand up Indiato promote bank financing for start-ups and offer incentives to boost entrepreneurship and job creation.
The campaign was launched during the celebrations of 69th Independence Day at Red Fort, Delhi. The initiative is aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship among the youth of India.
As per the initiative, each of the 1.25 lakh bank branches should encourage at least one Dalit or tribal entrepreneur and at least one woman entrepreneur.
Under this initiative, in addition to existing systems to facilitate start-ups, loans would also be given to help people. This initiative will give a new dimension to entrepreneurship and will help set up a network of start-ups in the country.
Other Announcements
• Union Agriculture Ministry will now be renamed as Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Ministry with a view to take care of the farming community’s needs as well as the personal problems faced by them.
• The Prime Minister also announced to replace the current practice of interview-based selections for low-skilled government jobs with online merit based recruiting.
• Under the Skill India and Digital India initiative, government will now work to provide package of incentives to manufacturing units for generating jobs.
President Pranab Mukherjee approved 67 Gallantry Awards
The President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Pranab Mukherjee on 14 August 2015 approved 67 Gallantry Awards to armed forces personnel and members of paramilitary forces. The awards were approved on the eve of India’s 69th Independence Day celebrations.
The approved awards include two Kirti Chakras, 10 Shaurya Chakras, one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 49 Sena Medals (Gallantry), two Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and three Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
List of Awardees
|
Sl. No. |
RANK AND NAME |
Service |
|
KIRTI CHAKRA |
||
|
1. |
IC-61357M Lieutenant Colonel Nectar Sanjenbam, Shaurya Chakra, 21ST Battalion the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) |
Army |
|
2. |
JC-571195H NB Sub Rajesh Kumar, Mahar, 30 RR, (Posthumous) |
Army |
|
SHAURYA CHAKRA |
||
|
1. |
IC-55822X Col Munindra Nath Rai, YSM, Gorkha RIF, 42 RR (Posthumous) |
Army |
|
2. |
IC-69288W Maj Tanuj Grover, ARMD, 22 RR |
Army |
|
3. |
IC-73653K Capt Varun Kumar Singh, Rajput, 44 RR |
Army |
|
4. |
G/144175X Hav Man Bahadur Chhetri, 44, Assam Rifles (Posthumous) |
Army |
|
5. |
9421485H Havildar Tanka Kumar Limbu 21ST Battalion the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) |
Army |
|
6. |
CDR Milind Mohan Mokashi (04755-F) |
Navy |
|
7. |
Wing Commander Sandeep Singh (25336) Flying (Pilot) |
Air Force |
|
8. |
Late Mohd Shafi Sheikh Head Constable J&K police, Distt handwara(posthumous) |
MHA |
|
9. |
Late Reyaz Ahmad Lone Constable (307/H (EXK – 055949) J&K Police, Distt Handwara (Posthumous) |
MHA |
|
10. |
LATE Hira Kumar Jha Second-In-Command 7 BN, CRPF (Posthumous) |
MHA |
|
BAR TO SENA MEDAL (GALLANTRY) |
||
|
1. |
IC-73414P MAJ Rakesh Radhakrishnan, SM, Madras, 26 Assam Rifles |
Army |
|
NAO SENA MEDAL (GALLANTRY) |
||
|
Captain Rajesh Dhankhar(03587-A) |
Navy |
|
|
Captain Pradeep Singh (03702-N) |
Navy |
|
|
Air Force |
||
|
Flight Lieutenant Gandikota Jagan Mohan (30835) Flying (Pilot) |
Air Force |
|
|
776027 SGT Mukesh Kumar Tiwari Flight Gunner |
Air Force |
|
The President also awarded 20 Mention-in-Despatches to Army & Para Military personnel for their significant contributions in different military operations which include three for ‘Operation Meghdoot’, 12 for ‘Operation Rakshak’, one for ‘Operation Orchid’, one for ‘Operation Hifazat’ and three for ‘Operation Rhino’.
Housing.com acquired Bengaluru-based HomeBuy360
Mumbai based Real estate listing portal Housing.com on 16 August 2015 acquired Bengaluru-based customer relationship management software company HomeBuy360 in all cash deal of 2 million US dollars.
This deal will help Housing.com to strive for efficiency in the Indian real estate sector. This will help in reduction of property prices eventually benefitting the consumers. With this acquisition, Housing.com is now the only online real estate listing platform to own a developer CRM company.
About HomeBuy360
• HomeBuy360 is a cloud-based sales lifecycle management platform company which facilitated connecting developers, agents and buyers.
• It also was placed in streamlining the entire real estate sales lifecycle, by managing customer relations, tracking inventory and in effect drives efficiencies in their sale operations.
About Housing.com
• Housing.com is real estate search portal established in 2012 by 12 students from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay.
• The portal allows customers to search real estate listings based on geography, number of rooms, and various other filter. Presently, the company has around 6000 brokers and serves in 40 cities across India.
Odisha Government approved Fisheries Policy, 2015
Odisha Government on 13 August 2015 approved Odisha Fisheries Policy, 2015. The policy aims at increasing the productivity and production of fish from island, brackishwater and marine resources.
The policy was approved at the state cabinet meet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The policy targets total fish production of 7.15 lakh tonnes by the end of 2019-20. At present, the state produces 4.13 lakh tonnes of fish.
Highlights of the Odisha Fisheries Policy, 2015
• It wants to increase the inland fish production to about 5.30 lakh tonnes in the next five years from present 2.63 lakh tonnes
• The freshwater fish productivity is aimed to be increased from 2.13 tonnes per hectare to 3.5 tonnes per hectare through extensive farming practices while productivity will be enhanced in semi-intensive and intensive systems to five tonnes and 10 tonnes per hectare respectively.
• As many as 15000 hectares of new ponds and tanks will be developed for freshwater aquaculture in 30 districts by 2020. This development will help to create an additional direct employment for about 60000 people in the state.
Union Government appointed two private sector professionals to head BoB, Canara Bank
Union Government on 14 August 2015 appointed private sector professionals, namely PS Jayakumar and Rakesh Sharma, as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bank of Baroda (BoB) and Canara Bank, respectively.
This is the first time that private sector professionals were appointed to head the Public Sector Banks (PSBs). Earlier, the heads of PSBs were selected from among the state-run banks or government officers.
The announcements were made along with appointment of MD and CEO of Bank of India (BoI), IDBI Bank and Punjab National Bank (PNB).
These three executive heads are serving officials in other government-owned banks and the appointees are MO Rego, Kishore Kharat Piraji, and Usha Ananthasubramanian.
The government also announced appointment of Non-executive chairman of 5 banks, namely Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Canara Bank, Vijaya Bank and Indian Bank.
Besides, the government also announced that some vacancies of Non-official Directors and non executive chairman of six other PSBs will be completed in the next three months.
Abhishek Verma clinched gold for India at Archery World Cup
India's Abhishek Verma on 15 August 2015 won the gold medal in the compound men's individual section in the Archery World Cup Stage 3 competition at Wroclaw, Poland.
The Asian Games silver medalist defeated Esmaeil Ebadi of Iran 148 -145. At the Incehon 2014 Asian Games, Ebadi defeated Verma 141-145.
Apart from this, India's recurve mixed pair of Deepika Kumari and Mangal Singh Champia won silver at the World Cup stage 3. The duo faced defeat by Mexican pair of Aida Roman and Juan Rene Serrano.
India, Bangladesh signed MoU to tackle the menace of fake Indian currency notes
India and Bangladesh on 13 August 2015 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to tackle the menace of fake Indian currency notes (FICN) smuggling. The MoU was signed during a maiden meeting of the Joint Task Force on Fake Currency Notes (JTFFC) in Dhaka.
The MoU was signed by Additional Inspector-General of Bangladesh Mohammed Mokhlesur Rahman and Head of National Investigation Agency of India IG Sanjeev Kumar Singh.
Highlights of the MoU
• Both countries will share intelligence inputs on operatives engaged in circulating FICN on real time basis.
• India will provide Advance note sorting machines to Bangladesh to detect FICN circulation at international airports, immigration points, integrated crossing points, banks and financial institutions in Bangladesh.
• India will help Bangladesh to set up Forensic Science laboratory for examination of fake notes and maintaining a digital depository of forensic reports.
• Both the countries in future will organise capacity building training programmes.
Andy Murray won Rogers Cup Masters tournament
Briton Andy Murray on 16 August 2015 won the Rogers Cup Masters tournament in Montreal, Canada. In the title clash, Murray defeated world number one Novak Djokovic 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. It was Murray's 11th Masters Title.
With this win, Murray was successful in ending an eight match losing streak against Djokovic. This was his first victory against the world number 1 since 2013 Wimbledon final.
Djokovic, who lost for just the fourth time in 2015, had won 12 consecutive Masters Series Finals before this.
Besides, in the Women's section, 18-year old Belinda Bencic of Switzerland lifted her maiden Canadian Open Masters title after world number two Simona Halep retired hurt. The match ended 7-6, 6-7, 3-0. It was Belinda's second career title. She had, in the semi-finals, outplayed world number one Serena Williams.
Earlier, in the Women's Doubles, the French-Slovenian team of Caroline Garcia and Katarina Srebotnik lost the Final against the American-Czech duo of Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova. The Men's Doubles trophy was bagged by America's top seeded Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike.
Ajit Kumar Seth appointed as Chairman of Public Enterprises Selection Board
Former Cabinet secretary Ajit Kumar Seth was on 14 August 2015 appointed as the Chairman of the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB). He was appointed for a period of three years or till he attains 65 years of age.
Seth succeeded Atul Chaturvedi, who has completed his tenure. Prior to this appointment, Seth completed his extended tenure of four years at the Cabinet secretariat in June 2015.
Seth is a 1974-batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.
Other Appointments
Moreover, two IAS officers Gauri Kumar and Anshuman Das were appointed as members in PESB for a period of three years or till they attain 65 years of age.
Gauri Kumar, a 1979-batch Gujarat cadre IAS officer, succeeded KM Acharya, who has completed his tenure. While Das, former CMD of National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO), succeeded Ashwani Kumar Datt.
About Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB)
• The Public Enterprises Selection Board is a high powered body constituted by Union Government's Resolution dated 3.3.1987.
• It was constituted with the objective of evolving a sound managerial policy for the Central Public Sector Enterprises and to advise Government on appointments to their top management posts.
• PESB is entrusted with selection and placement of the posts of chairman, managing director or chairman-cum-managing director and functional director in central public sector enterprises, among others.
Odisha government approved State Capital Region Improvement of Power System scheme
Odisha government on 13 August 2015 approved a 1500 crore rupees State Capital Region Improvement of Power System (SCRIPS) scheme. The scheme will be implemented in five years that is from 2015-16 to 2019-20.
The approvals in this regard were given during the State Cabinet meeting that was chaired by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Highlights of State Capital Region Improvement of Power System (SCRIPS) scheme
• The scheme aims to provide 24x7 quality power supply to the people in and around the state capital of Bhubaneswar.
• The scheme will be implemented by the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL), that has already chalked out broad features for SCRIPS for underground cabling, smart grid and others.
• The project envisages renovation, modernisation and expansion of the existing transmission and distribution infrastructure.
• The main objective of the scheme is to ensure uninterrupted, reliable and stable power supply to all classes of consumers, including public services in the geographical areas covered under the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) for Bhubaneswar and Cuttack urban complex.
Union Government announced awardees for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna 2015 and Arjuna Awards 2015
The Union Government on 14 August 2015 announced the awardees for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award and Arjuna Award for the year 2015.
The selection of awardees was based on the recommendations of the Selection Committee headed by Justice VK Bali, former Chief Justice of Kerala High Court and consisting of eminent sportspersons and sports administrators.
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ranta 2015
|
S. No. |
Name of the sportsperson |
Discipline |
|
1 |
Ms. Sania Mirza |
Tennis |
Arjuna Awards 2015
|
S. No. |
Name of the sportsperson |
Discipline |
|
1 |
Naib Subedar Sandeep Kumar |
Archery |
|
2 |
MR Poovamma |
Athletics |
|
3 |
Kidambi Srikanth Nammalwar |
Badminton |
|
4 |
Mandeep Jangra |
Boxing |
|
5 |
Rohit Sharma |
Cricket |
|
6 |
Dipa Karmakar |
Gymnastic |
|
7 |
Sreejesh PR |
Hockey |
|
8 |
Manjeet Chhillar |
Kabaddi |
|
9 |
Abhilasha Shashikant Mhatre |
Kabaddi |
|
10 |
Sawarn Singh |
Rowing |
|
11 |
Anup Kumar Yama |
Roller Skating |
|
12 |
Jitu Rai |
Shooting |
|
13 |
S Sathish Kumar |
Weightlifting |
|
14 |
Bajrang |
Wrestling |
|
15 |
Babita Kumari |
Wrestling |
|
16 |
Yumnam Sanathoi Devi |
Wushu |
|
17 |
Sharath M Gayakwad |
Para-Swimming |
These awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on 29 August 2015.
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardee will receive medal, certificate and award money of 7.5 lakh rupees and Arjuna Awardees will receive statuettes, certificates and award money of 5 lakh rupees each.
18 August
Second Round of Foreign Office Consultations between India and Paraguay held
The Second Round of India-Paraguay Foreign Office Consultations (IPFOC) was held on 17 August 2015 in New Delhi. The meet aimed to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries.
The Indian delegation was led by R Swaminathan, Secretary (AMS, CPV &SA), MEA and Oscar Cabellow Sarubbi, Deputy Foreign Minister of Paraguay led the Paraguayan delegation.
During the meet, the entire gamut of bilateral relations including political, commercial & trade, financial, tourism, technical and other areas of cooperation were discussed. They also discussed important regional and multilateral issues including India’s ongoing engagement with Community of Latin American Caribbean States (CELAC), MERCOSUR and UN Reforms.
Delhi government announced City Taxi Scheme
Delhi government on 17 August 2015 announced a new City Taxi Scheme 2015 under which permits will be issued to 600 CC vehicles.
Small size taxis between 600 cc and 749 cc operational under the scheme will have minimum flag down rate of 25 rupees for first two kilometres, which is same in the auto rickshaws. After two kilometres passengers will have to pay 10 rupees per kilometer, which is higher than the present 8.5 rupees per kilometre fare that auto rickshaws charge.
About the City Taxi Scheme 2015
• Taxies under the scheme will be equipped with a panic and hooter button as a safety feature.
• Not just existing taxi operators, large aggregators such as Uber and Ola will be eligible to partake in providing the service.
• Under the new scheme, small size taxi between 600 CC to 749 CC can register for the permit. Earlier, only vehicles with a capacity of 750 cc or more were issued permits.
• Taxis operating under this scheme will be white in colour with provision for advertisements. They will have a LCD display on top in green and red colour to indicate if they are available or not.
Besides, the present taxi services, namely Radio Taxi Scheme 2006 and Economy Taxi Scheme 2010 will be amalgamated in the new scheme. But, the black and yellow taxi as well as All India Tourist Permit Taxi will be retained.
State transport minister Gopal Rai said that scheme aims at tackling the situation of shortage of taxies in the city and provide last mile connectivity to the people.
Kerala Government signed MoU with Adani Group for development of Vizhinjam Port
Kerala government on 17 August 2015 signed a MoU with Adani Group led Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Ltd for developing 7525 crore rupeesVizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport near Kovalam beach.
The MoU was signed by Kerala Principal Secretary (Ports) James Varghese and Santosh Kumar Mahopatra, CEO of Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Ltd.
The proposal for the project was first initiated 25 years ago in 1991 by late Kerala Chief Minister K Karunakaran but he project failed to take off for various reasons.
Highlights of the MoU
• It includes proposal for usage of foreign ships for the carriage of goods between two ports in one country and relaxation of Centre’s Cabotage law that allows use of registered Indian ships only.
• The project is expected to start from November 2015 and promises to be operational in a record time of less than 1000 days.
• Out of the total cost, 4089 crore rupees would be the PPP component and 1463 crore rupees will be the funded work expenditure to be borne by the state government.
• The MoU is for granting of licence for construction and operation of the port for a 40-year period, including the construction period of four years.
About Vizhinjam seaport project
• Vizhinjam seaport project is the Kerala government ambitious project which was initiated 25 years ago in 1991 to build a deepest and natural draft port near Kovalam beach in Thiruvananthapuram.
• It is an all-weather port located on Southern tip of Indian Peninsula which is just 10 nautical miles from the International Shipping Lane which makes it capable for tapping Indian transshipment cargo which is largely handled by Colombo.
• It has a strategic importance due to its location, the project is located at the tip of Indian Peninsula that gives it extra advantage to carter cargo service to the eastern and western coast lines of India and central location with respect to South Eastern Countries.
Cabotage Law
As per Cabotage law, it is mandatory to use Indian ships in transportation of cargo to different ports along the country's coast. Foreign ships can be used for carrying goods only when domestic ships are not available after seeking permission from India's maritime regulator.
Cabotage refers to the carriage of goods between two ports in one country by ships registered in that country.
India, UAE released Joint Statement to take bilateral relations to a higher level
India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 17 august 2015 released a Joint Statement to take bilateral relations to a higher level. The Joint statement was released in Abu Dhabi after meeting of His Highness Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed AI Nahyan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Narendra Modi is the first Prime Minister of India to visit UAE after 34 years. Last Indian Prime Minister to visit the UAE was Indira Gandhi in 1981.
The two leaders agreed to seize this historic moment of opportunity and shared responsibility to chart a new course in their partnership for the 21st century. Few major issues on which the two leaders agreed on are:
• Elevate the India-UAE relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
• Coordinate efforts to counter radicalization and misuse of religion by groups and countries for inciting hatred, perpetrating and justifying terrorism or pursuing political aims.
• Denounce and oppose terrorism in all forms and manifestations, wherever committed and by whomever and enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism operations, intelligence sharing and capacity building.
• Work together for the adoption of India’s proposed Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the United Nations.
• Strengthen cooperation in law enforcement, anti-money laundering, drug trafficking, other trans-national crimes, extradition arrangements, as well as police training.
• Promote cooperation in cyber security, including prevention on use of cyber for terrorism, radicalization and disturbing social harmony.
• Establish a dialogue between their National Security Advisors and National Security Councils which will meet every six months. The two sides will also establish points of contact between their security agencies to further improve operational cooperation.
• Cooperate to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean region, which is vital for the security and prosperity of both countries.
• Promote collaboration and inter-operability for humanitarian assistance and evacuation in naturaldisasters and conflict situations.
• Strengthen defence relations, including through regular exercises and training of naval, air, land and Special Forces, and in coastal defence. UAE decided to participate in International Fleet Review in India in February 2016.
• Cooperate in manufacture of defence equipment in India.
• Work together to promote peace, reconciliation, stability, inclusiveness and cooperation in the wider South Asia, Gulf and West Asia region.
• Support efforts for peaceful resolution of conflicts and promote adherence to the principles of sovereignty and non-interference in the conduct of relations between nations and settlement of disputes.
• Establish a Strategic Security Dialogue between the two governments.
• Establishment of UAE-India Infrastructure Investment Fund, with the aim of reaching a target of 75 billion US dollars to support investment in India especially in railways, ports, roads, airports and industrial corridors and parks.
• Promote strategic partnership in the energy sector, including through UAE's participation in India in the development of strategic petroleum reserves, upstream and downstream petroleum sectors, and collaboration in third countries.
• Further promote trade between the two countries, and use their respective locations and infrastructure for expanding trade in the region and beyond; and, with the target of increasing trade by 60% in the next five years.
• Tap India's expertise in Small and Medium Enterprises to create a vibrant industrial base in UAE, which could also be of benefit to Indian enterprises.
• Strengthen cooperation between UAE's increasingly sophisticated educational institutions and India's universities and higher research institutions.
• Promote cooperation in Space, including in joint development and launch of satellites, ground-based infrastructure and space application. UAE has planned to set up the West Asia's first Space Research Centre at AI Ain and also to launch a Mars Mission in 2021.
• Cooperate in peaceful uses of nuclear energy including in areas like safety, health, agriculture and science and technology.
Besides, the two sides resolved to maintain regular summits, high level ministerial dialogue and meetings of bilateral mechanisms to realize their vision of a strong comprehensive strategic partnership.
Union Government advanced Budget 2016-17 preparations by over 2 months
Union Finance Ministry on 17 August 2015 advanced the budget formulation exercise by over two months for the financial year 2016-17.
In an official release, the Ministry said that in consonance with the objective of the government to have wider consultations with various stakeholders as well as to provide more time for planners, it has been decided to start the Budget exercise by middle of August 2015.
It also said that the Budget circular, which marks the beginning of Budget formulation exercise, is being issued by the Budget Division. The budget exercise, which normally starts during later part of October, involves consultations with several interest groups like industry, traders’ bodies and trade unions.
The Union Budget is traditionally unveiled on the last working day of February of the year.
Birla Corporation acquired two Indian units of Lafarge Group for 5000 crore rupees
Birla Corporation on 17 August 2015 signed an agreement with French-based Lafarge Group to acquire its Jojobera unit in Jharhkand and Sonadih in Chattisgarh for a sum of 5000 crore rupees.
The transaction will be funded through existing cash reserves and incremental debt and is subject to approvals, including clearance from the Competition Commission of India.
As per the acquisition deal, Birla Corp will acquire these cement units along its brands Concreto and PSC and also its management team. These two plants have total cement capacity of 5.15 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) and have adequate reserves of limestone.
Earlier in July 2015, the Lafarge disinvested from these two units in order to fulfil the directions given by Competition Commission of India (CCI) as a part to conclude its mega global merger with Swiss-based Holcim Ltd and its operations in Indian.
PM Narendra Modi visited Masdar City of Abu Dhabi
Masdar City: Planned City Project of Abu Dhabi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 August 2015 visited the Masdar City of Abu Dhabi during his official visit to the UAE. Masdar City, a zero carbon planned city, relies on solar energy and other renewable energy sources. It is situated 17 km from Abu Dhabi.
Masdar City aims to be one of the world's most sustainable urban development powered by renewable energy. It aims to do this by:
• Ensuring a low carbon footprint during and after its construction
• Being completely powered by renewable energy
• Reducing waste to as near to zero as possible, through encouraging changes in behaviour and regulating materials which can be present in the city
• Leading research and education into sustainable technology
• Designing the city streets and buildings to help create comfortable environments reducing the need for air conditioning, heating, and artificial light
• Educating three quarters of the 40000 residents with 5 hours of sustainability education each year
• Leading research at its university to ensure the city retains its sustainable identification and leading knowledge in sustainable living
• Full pedestrianisation within the city, without vehicles in the space. The transport network would be below ground
Designing of the Masdar City
The project is headed by Masdar, a subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company. The project was initiated in 2006 and took approximately eight years to be built. Construction began on Masdar City in 2008 and the first six buildings of the city were completed and occupied in October 2010.
Masdar City has terracotta walls decorated with arabesque patterns. From a distance, the city looks like a cube. The temperature in the streets is generally 15 to 20 °C, cooler than the surrounding desert. The temperature difference is due to Masdar's unique construction.
Transport system of the city
The city bans the use of automobiles in its premises to keep out the hot desert winds. However, the travel in the city is accomplished viaPersonal Rapid Transit(PRT) system, with existing road and railways connecting to other locations outside the city.
Personnel Rapid Transit car is a driver-less vehicle which runs from point to point on magnetic strips.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited United Arab Emirates
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi visited United Arab Emirates (UAE) between 16 August and 17 August 2015. He is the first Prime Minister of India to visit UAE after 34 years. The last Indian Prime Minister to visit the UAE was Indira Gandhi in 1981.
He visited the country on invitation of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
During the visit, the Prime Minister held talks with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The two nations had fruitful discussion on lateral issues and resolved to maintain regular summits, high level ministerial dialogue and meetings of bilateral mechanisms to realize their vision of a strong comprehensive strategic partnership.
Important events held during Modi’s visit to the nation includes
• His Highness the Crown Prince decided to allot land for construction of a temple in Abu Dhabi.
• He also visited the historic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, which is the third largest mosque in the world and can accommodate around 40000 people at a time. It is named after the founder and first President of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The other two mosques’s which are larger than the Zayed Grand Mosque ate the ones in Mecca and Madina in Saudi Arabia.
• He visited Masdar City, a zero carbon city, where he met with investors.
• He addressed Indian Diaspora of the country at the Dubai Cricket Stadium. Indian Diaspora forms 30 per cent of the UAE’s population.
• He also interacted with Indian workers at the ICAD Residential Labour Camping, Abu Dhabi, which houses thousands of migrant labourers from the Indian subcontinent.
Besides this, the Prime Minister announced that the Indian mission in UAE has set up an e-migrant portal to help Indian migrant workers and an online platform 'MADAD'to assist them.
He also announced a new scheme as part of various measures for the welfare of Indian diaspora living in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The welfare fund will be set up for their benefit, to help them legally so that they can deal with problems.
ICICI Bank launched locker facility named Smart Vault
ICICI Bank on 18 August 2015 launched Smart Vault, a first-of-its-kind locker facility by a bank in India with latest robotic technology. The facility was launched by Chanda Kochhar, MD & CEO of ICICI Bank at the Defence Colony branch of Delhi.
The Smart Vault uses robotic technology to access the lockers from the safe vault and enables customers to conveniently access their lockers at any time of their preference, in the comfort of a secure lounge where the locker automatically comes up to the customer.
Smart Vault locker is equipped with multi-layer security system, including biometric and PIN authentication and debit cards, among others. Customers can access it without any intervention by the branch staff.
The lockers are of two-three different sizes and the charges of availing this facility would depend on their size. Also, the locker charges in a city would vary depending on the real estate cost.
Telangana Government launched Grama Jyothi Scheme across the state
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on 17 August 2015 launched a flagship programme Grama Jyothi across the state. The scheme is aimed at comprehensive development of rural areas allowing planning and execution of works by villages themselves.
For the successful implementation of the scheme, the state government has decided to invest 25000 crore rupees to empower villages.
The scheme will focus on improving the Human Development Index (HDI) by addressing core issues such as drinking water and sanitation, health and nutrition, education, infrastructure, natural resources management, agriculture, social security and poverty reduction.
The Grama Jyothi programme aims to empower gram panchayats. The programme introduces a participatory approach in preparing village development plans involving the panchayats, self help groups, people and all interested in the holistic development of the village.
Grama Jyothi programme will be a game-changer to inclusive and holistic development of backward villages of Telangana. The government will also incentivise villages that achieve 100 percent targets in the areas of sanitation, immunisation, nutrition, literacy and green cover.