Sushma Swaraj inaugurated Rise of Digital
India Exhibition in Colombo
07-FEB-2016
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on 6 February 2016 inaugurated the Rise of Digital India Exhibition in Colombo. The exhibition was a part of Sangam -The Festival of India in Sri Lanka 2015-16.
Swaraj was on a two day visit to Sri Lanka to co-chair the 9th session of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission meeting along with her Sri Lankan counterpart, Mangala Samaraweera.
The Rise of Digital India exhibition showcases the initiative of Indian government to take the benefits of Information Technology to the common man. The exhibition is a part of six month long Festival of India celebrations in Sri Lanka.
Zimbabwe's President declared a state of
disaster in rural parts of the country
07-FEB-2016
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe on 5 February 2016 declared a state of disaster in rural parts of the country hit by a drought.
The announcement comes days after the European Union urged Mugabe to declare a state of disaster. This declaration of disaster will allow international donors to raise money quickly to provide food aid to the nation.
An estimated 2.4 million people are now in need of food aid, more than a quarter of the population. The government also urged Zimbabweans not to panic, as it is importing maize from neighbouring Zambia.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in January 2016 said some 14 million people face hunger in southern Africa because of a drought that has been exacerbated by the El Nino weather phenomenon. South Africa, Namibia and Botswana have also been badly hit.
It seems that the worst drought in a quarter of the century is expected to increase the problems of the southern African nation, which is struggling to overcome a steep 1999-2008 recession that saw its economy contract by nearly 50 percent.
North Korea launched Kwangmyongsong-4
satellite
08-FEB-2016
North Korea’s National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) on 7 February 2016 launched the Kwangmyongsong-4 satellite.
The satellite was launched on-board the Kwangmyongsong rocket from the Sohae Space Center in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province.
Features of Kwangmyongsong-4 satellite
• It is an earth observation satellite and was launched as per the 2016 plan of the 5-year program for national aerospace development.
• It seeks to augment country's science, technology, economy and defense capability.
• It was placed in the polar orbit at a distance of 500 km from the Earth.
• It was named after late leader Kim Jong Il, the father of the present leader Kim Jong Un.
Comment
The launch attracted wide spread criticism from the UN and other major powers including the western countries led by the USA.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), in an emergency meeting on 7 February 2016, also condemned the launch terming it as a missile test to validate nuclear arms carrying capabilities which are under development.
Earlier, on 6 January 2016, North Korea claimed that it conducted nuclear bomb test. It was the third nuclear test since its first launch in 2006 which attracted UN sanctions.
The timing of the test also assumed significance as it was conducted ahead of a ruling party congress in May 2016, the first since 1980.
TRAI issued Prohibition of Discriminatory
Tariffs for Data Services Regulations, 2016
08-FEB-2016
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on 8 February 2016 issued the Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs for Data Services Regulations, 2016.
This would disallow service providers to offer or charge discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content being accessed by a consumer.
The Authority issued the Regulations:
• Aimed at ensuring that consumers get an unhindered and non-discriminatory access to the internet; and
• Intend to make data tariffs for access to the internet non discriminatory on the basis of the content.
The Authority also mandated the following:
• No service provider shall offer or charge discriminatory tariffs for data services on the basis of content.
• No service provider shall enter into any arrangement, agreement or contract, by whatever name called, with any person, natural or legal, that has the effect of discriminatory tariffs for data services being offered or charged by the service provider for the purpose of evading the prohibition in this regulation.
• Reduced tariff for accessing or providing emergency services at times of public emergency has been permitted.
• Financial disincentives for contravention of the regulation have also been specified.
TRAI will keep a close watch on the implementation of the mandate by the service providers and may undertake a review after two years or at an earlier date as it may deem fit.
Background
Earlier, TRAI issued a Consultation Paper on Differential Pricing for Data Services on 9 December 2015. It was an opportunity for submitting written comments and counter comments given to the stakeholders till 7 January 2016 and 14 January 2016 respectively.
First joint tactical exercise Sino-India
Cooperation 2016 held in Chusul-Moldo area
along LoAC
08-FEB-2016
India and China on 6 February 2016 held first joint tactical military exercise Sino-India 2016.
The one-day long exercise was held in Chusul-Moldo area that is located along the Line of Actual Control (LoAC) in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.
Details related to Sino-India 2016 exercise
• The exercise is part of the ongoing initiatives taken by India and China to ensure greater interaction between troops stationed along the LoAC.
• The focus of the exercise was on joint actions to tackle aspects of humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
• It was participated by 30 border troops each from both the countries.
• It complements the Hand-in-Hand series of India-China joint exercises which started in 2007.
Vishal Mehta appointed as President of
International Grown Diamond Association
08-FEB-2016
Vishal Mehta on 4 February 2016 was appointed as the President of the newly- formed International Grown Diamond Association (IGDA).
Mehta is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IIa Technologies, which grows diamonds at its state-of-the-art facility in Singapore.
About Vishal Mehta
• Prior to setting up IIa Technologies, Mehta joined his mother’s jewellery business, which operated in West Asia.
• He studied at the Cathedral and John Connon School.
• During his undergraduate programme, he trained at Star Gems for about a year.
• He then went to the US and qualified to be a gemologist with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
About International Grown Diamond Association
• IGDA is a newly formed platform of more than 10 leading grown diamond producers, distributors and retailers.
• Founded in the US, IGDA aims to serve as the central point of communication, education, development and growth of the industry.
Union Government launched 24x7 toll free
Tourist Infoline in 12 International Languages
08-FEB-2016
Union government on 8 February 2016 launched the 24x7 Toll Free Tourist Infoline in 12 International Languages including Hindi and English in New Delhi.
The languages handled by the contact centers include ten International languages besides English and Hindi, namely, Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
Silent Features of the Tourist Infoline Project
• This project is being implemented by the Union Ministry of Tourism through M/s TATA BSS who have been associated with the work after open bidding process.
• This Infoline service will provide information relating to Travel and Tourism in India to the domestic and International tourists or visitors.
• And it will assist the callers with advice on action to be taken during times of distress while travelling in India and if need be alert the concerned authorities.
• The calls made by tourists both international and domestic while in India will be free of charge and can seek help and information for a hassle free experience.
• The international tourists in India and also international callers who speak the aforesaid languages will be directed to the call agents proficient in the respective language.
• This service will primarily serve those who know very little about India or about travel within India, and those who do not understand Indian systems and often not even English.
France became first country in the world to ban
supermarket food waste
08-FEB-2016
The French Senate on 3 February 2016 unanimously passed a law to ban large food stores from throwing away food that is approaching its expiration date. The National Assembly, France's other legislative chamber, had unanimously voted on the same measures in December 2015.
With this, France has become the first country in the world to ban supermarkets from throwing away or destroying unsold food, forcing them instead to donate it to charities and food banks.
The law came into being after a petition was launched by anti-poverty campaigners led by Councillor Arash Derambarsh.
Key highlights of the new law
• With the new law, supermarkets are bound to make donations to charities and food banks, failing which they face a fine of 75000 euros and a jail term of 2 years.
• Stores of 400 square metres and above will have to sign contracts promising that they will give unsold food due to be thrown away before its best before date to charities and food banks.
• The law also prohibits stores from pouring bleach over food items.
NASA to launch its new rocket Space Launch
System carrying 13 CubeSats in 2018
08-FEB-2016
The US space agency NASA on 2 February 2016 announced that the first flight of its new rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS), carrying 13 CubeSats and an uncrewed Orion Spacecraft will be launched in 2018.
These small satellites secondary payloads will carry science and technology investigations, which will help in paving the way for future human exploration in deep space, including the journey to Mars. These payloads were selected through a NASA challenge and negotiations with NASA’s international partners.
SLS’ first flight, referred to as Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1), will provide the rare opportunity for these small experiments to reach deep space destinations, as most launch opportunities for CubeSats are limited to low-Earth orbit.
This rocket has the unprecedented power to send Orion to deep space plus room to carry 13 small satellites – payloads that will advance our knowledge about deep space with minimal cost.
List of CubeSats to be carried by SLS
|
Payload |
Process of Selection |
Objective |
|
Skyfire |
Through the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) Broad Agency |
|
|
Lunar IceCube |
Through the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) Broad Agency |
|
|
Near-Earth Asteroid Scout (NEA Scout) |
NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate |
|
|
BioSentinel |
NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate |
|
|
Lunar Flashlight |
NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate |
|
|
CuSP |
NASA’s Science Mission Directorate |
|
|
LunaH-Map |
NASA’s Science Mission Directorate |
|
Besides, the three additional payloads will be determined through NASA’s Cube Quest Challenge – sponsored by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate. It is designed to foster innovations in small spacecraft propulsion and communications techniques. CubeSat builders will vie for a launch opportunity on SLS’ first flight through a competition that has four rounds, referred to as ground tournaments, leading to the selection in 2017 of the payloads to fly on the mission.
NASA has also reserved three slots for payloads from international partners. Discussions to fly those three payloads are ongoing, and they will be announced at a later time.
Other the other hand, during this first flight, SLS will also launch the Orion Spacecraft to a stable orbit beyond the moon to demonstrate the integrated system performance of Orion and the SLS rocket prior to the first crewed flight.
The first configuration of SLS that will fly on EM-1 is referred to as Block I and will have a minimum 70-metric-ton (77-ton) lift capability and be powered by twin boosters and four RS-25 engines.
The CubeSats will be deployed following Orion separation from the upper stage and once Orion is a safe distance away. Each payload will be ejected with a spring mechanism from dispensers on the Orion stage adapter. Following deployment, the transmitters on the CubeSats will turn on, and ground stations will listen for their beacons to determine the functionality of these small satellites.
National Air Quality Indices for 24 cities released by Central Pollution Control Board
08-FEB-2016
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in the first week of February 2016 published National Air Quality Indices (NAQI) for 24 cities. The AQI published with a colour code and a numerical value will help in comparing pollution levels in each cities.
The NAQI is determined on the basis of concentration of eight pollutants, including Particulate Matter (PM2.5 fine, respirable particles), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), ammonia (NH3) and lead (Pb).
Main highlights
• Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Muzzafarpur in Bihar topped the list and were coded as ‘severe’ in terms of air pollution in January 2016 with an AQI value of 409 points each.
• These two cities are followed by Faridabad (399), Patna (388) and Agra (372) at 3rd, 4th and 5th position respectively.
• The national capital Delhi stood at the sixth position with 362 points and was coded as ‘very poor’.
• Earlier in December 2015, Delhi was coded as ‘Poor’ in AQI with 293 points. Seven other Indian cities were ahead of it and rated as ‘very poor’ and they were Agra (342), Faridabad (345), Kanpur (347), Lucknow (353), Muzzaffarpur (400), Patna (373) and Varanasi (366).
• In November 2015, Delhi was ranked at third position with a score of 360 with Lucknow and Patna at top two positions with 374 and 366 AQIs respectively.
• In the months of September 2015 and October 2015, Delhi was at the top of air pollution chart.
Comment
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), Delhi is the most polluted city in the world in terms of air pollution. In fact, air pollution in Delhi is 12 times higher than WHO standards.
However, NAQI shows that other major cities like Lucknow, Faridabad, Ahmedabad, Kanpur, Agra and Varanasi continue to show alarmingly high air-pollutant levels – 10 times higher than WHO standards making air pollution truly a national emergency.
In 2014, the WHO released a list of world’s 20 most polluted cities, 13 of which were in India.
According to the Global Burden of Disease report, air pollution is estimated to be the fifth deadliest killer in the country. Each year, almost six lakh Indians die prematurely due to air pollution.
Although Delhi government launched Odd-even scheme on 1 January 2016 for 15 days to curb pollution levels and that showed some improvements but this alone cannot be enough. In the absence of strong measures, the problem is not likely to go away anytime soon in Delhi and other major Indian cities.
The Revenant director Alejandro Gonzalez won
Directors Guild of America award 2015
08-FEB-2016
The Revenant director Alejandro Gonzalez was on 6 February 2016 received his second consecutive Directors Guild of America (DGA) award for best feature film at the 68th annual DGA Awards.
Previously he won the same award for the movie Birdman which went on to win three Oscars for best picture, original screenplay and director.
He has joined a select group of directors who have won the DGA trophy twice including Ang Lee, Francis Ford Coppola, Clint Eastwood, George Stevens, David Lean, Ron Howard and Joseph Mankiewicz.
Steven Spielberg is the only director to have won the DGA feature trophy three times.
The Other winners of DGA Awards
• David Nutter won the Directors Guild drama series award for the Mother’s Mercy episode.
• Chris Addison won the comedy series award for Veep for the Election Night episode.
• Dee Rees won the TV movie-miniseries award for Bessie, the biopic of pioneering blues singer Bessie Smith.
• Matthew Heineman won the documentary award for Cartel Land.
• Alex Garland won the first-time feature award for Ex Machina at the DGA Awards.
• Kenny Ortega won the children’s award for Descendants.
• Andreas Nilsson of Biscuit Filmworks won the commercials award.
• Adam Vetri won the reality TV award for Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge.
About Directors Guild of America award
George Marshall, the President of the Screen Directors Guild in 1948 announced that the Guild would begin an Awards program to honor directors for their directorial achievement. The award was renamed later as the Directors Guild of America in 1960.
The awards are given on a quarterly basis, and are culminated in the presentation of the Annual Award for the Best Directorial Achievement to the winning director at the General Membership Meeting.
The DGA Award for outstanding directorial achievement in feature film has traditionally been a near perfect barometer for the best Director Academy (Oscar) award. Only seven times since the DGA Award's inception has the DGA award winner not won the Academy (Oscar) award.
Project Sunrise to improve HIV interventions
among PWID in North-Eastern states launched
08-FEB-2016
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda on 6 February 2016 launched the Project Sunrise in Imphal, Manipur.
The project seeks to improve interventions against human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) among people who inject drugs (PWID) in eight north east States.
Features of Project Sunrise
• It seeks to improve coverage, quality and scale of HIV interventions among PWID, Female Injecting Drug Users (FIDU) and spouses of PWID.
• It is a 5-year programme aimed at complementing the ongoing National AIDS Control Programme (NACP).
• It will be implemented in 20 districts of 8 north eastern states at an estimated cost of 70 crore rupees.
• Under the project, needles and syringes will be made available through secondary distributors such as Government health care facilities, preferred healthcare providers, non-traditional outlets and peer volunteers,
• It includes lower threshold strategies to improve Opoid Substitution Therapy (OST), coverage and sensitization workshops for law enforcing officials.
• It also includes HIV intervention in prison settings and will adopt the National Human Resource reduction strategy.
• It will be implemented in a customized flexible approach so as to increase the availability and accessibility to clean needles and syringes.
• Initiatives under the project are to be implemented through the existing system in close co-ordination with State AIDS Control Societies (SACS).
UNPA unveiled commemorative stamps to
promote LGBT equality
08-FEB-2016
The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) on 4 February 2016 unveiled a set of six commemorative stamps to promote UN Free & Equal, a global United Nations campaign for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality.
The campaign was launched and led by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
The new stamps, which celebrate the diversity of the LGBT community, mark the first time the United Nations has issued stamps with this theme.
The colourful stamps were designed by artist and UNPA art directorSergio Baradat.
About Free & Equal campaign
• The Free & Equal, a global public education campaign, is an initiative of the UN Human Rights Office.
• The campaign is dedicated to raising awareness of homophobic and transphobic violence and discrimination globally.
• Since its launch, the campaign has generated a stream of popular content and engaged millions of people in an effort to promote the fair treatment of LGBT people.
About United Nations Postal Administration
• The United Nations Postal Administration is the postal agency of the United Nations.
• It issues postage stamps and postal stationery, denominated in United States dollars for the United Nations offices in New York, in Swiss francs for the offices in Geneva and in euros for the offices in Vienna.
• The first United Nations stamps were issued in US dollar denominations on United Nations Day, 24 October 1951.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated
Paradip Oil Refinery in Odisha
08-FEB-2016
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7 February 2016 inaugurated the Paradip Oil Refinery in Odisha. It is Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s 11th refinery, which was dedicated to the nation by PM Modi.
Built over a period of 16 years at a cost of 34555 crore rupees, the foundation stone for the Paradip Oil Refinery was laid by ex-prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on 24 May 2000.
The refinery was expected to start production in the third quarter of 2013. Due to delays the cost of refinery project has increased by 2.5 per cent.
Key highlights of Paradip Oil Refinery
• Located 140 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar, Paradip refinery is one of the most modern refineries in the world which can process cheaper high sulphur heavy crude oils. It has a complexity factor of 12.2 based on Nelson index.
• The refinery is equipped to produce fuels of premium grade Euro-IV and Euro-V quality.
• It will produce 5.6 million tonnes per annum of diesel, 3.79 million tonnes of petrol and 1.96 million tonnes of kerosene/ATF. Besides, 790000 tons of LPG and 1.21 million tonnes of pet-coke will also be produced.
• The refinery sent out its first consignment of products comprising diesel, kerosene, LPG on 22 November 2015.
• At present, the refinery will produce petrol and diesel of Bharat Stage IV (BS IV) and later will switch to BS VI quality to comply with Auto Fuel Policy.
• The finished petroleum products from Paradip Refinery will be shipped to as far as Asia Pacific, Europe, USA, and to the demand centres in the east of India, north east and to some southern states like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
• The refinery is equipped with 11 crude oil tanks to store high-sulphur heavy crude, with 58 petroleum product and intermediate tanks.
Australia won three-match Women ODI series
against India, 2-1
08-FEB-2016
The Australian women cricket team on 7 February 2016 won the three-match ODI series against Indian women team, 2-1. In the third and final match played at Hobart, India defeated the Australian team by five-wickets.
Electing to bat after winning the toss, the Australian team posted 231 for 7 in their 50 overs. Indian Women surpassed the victory target by making 234 for 5 in 47 overs. Skipper Mithali Raj led from the front with an 89-run knock to save the team from a whitewash.
Series Report
1st Match: Played at Manuka Oval, Canberra on 2 February 2016. Australia Women won by 101 runs. Alex Blackwell (Australia Women) was declared the Man of the Match. Grace Harris (Australia Women) played her ODI debut match on the day.
2nd Match: Played at Bellerive Oval, Hobart on 5 February 2016. Australia Women won by 6 wickets with 20 balls remaining. Smriti Mandhana (India Women) was declared the Man of the Match.
3rd Match: Played at Bellerive Oval, Hobart on 7 February 2016. India Women won by 5 wickets with 18 balls remaining. Mithali Raj (India Women) was declared the Man of the Match.
Before the ODIs, the Indian eves had notched up a historic 2-1 Twenty20 series triumph over the hosts.
First machine harvestable chickpea variety
NbeG 47 released
08-FEB-2016
The first machine harvestable chickpea variety, NBeG 47 was released in Andhra Pradesh on 4 February 2016. It was released by International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid-Tropics (ICRISAT).
The normal process of harvesting 2.25 tons of chickpea takes three days while the new variety will be harvested in just 75 minutes by the standard machinery.
This is made possible due to the breeding of a taller chickpea variety that is suitable for machine harvest which would be cost effective and quicker.
More research efforts are underway to develop machine harvestable chickpea varieties suited for other parts of India like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.
About Chickpea variety, NBeG 47
• The new variety was developed through a project titled Developing chickpea varieties suitable for machine harvesting and tolerant to herbicides.
• It was funded by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation under National Food Security Mission of Union Ministry of Agriculture.
• This was developed to address the issue of labor shortage on farms and reduce hard work, especially for women laborers.
• This development was demonstrated fields of Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh.
• This variety was developed by Doctor Veera Jayalakshmi, the Principal Scientist for Chickpea Breeding at Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University with support from ICRISAT.
• The breeding material and technical support for developing this variety was provided by ICRISAT.
• This is better for the health of the laborers, especially women as handling the crop causes painful dermatitis due to its high acid content.
• The yield of this new variety would be 2.25 tons per hectare provided the prescribed plant spacing is followed while the existing variety JG 11 is yielding 1.75 to 2.5 tons per hectare.
• It would reduce the risk of the ripened crop’s exposure to untimely rain and other extreme weather conditions.
About ICRISAT
• The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) was founded in 1972 by a consortium of organisations convened by the Ford and the Rockefeller Foundations.
• Its charter was signed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• It is an international organisation that conducts agricultural research for rural development and is headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana.
• Since its inception, India has granted a special status to ICRISAT as a UN Organisation operating in the Indian Territory making it eligible for special immunities and tax privileges.
• It is managed by a full-time Director General functioning under the overall guidance of an international Governing Board.
ICC suspended Pakistan's leg
-spinner Yasir Shah for doping offence
08-FEB-2016
nternational Cricket Council (ICC) on 7 February 2016 suspended Pakistan’s leg-spinner Yasir Shah for three months after he tested positive for a banned substance, chlortalidone.
The 29-year-old Yasir was suspended from Cricket after he pleaded guilty to breaching the ICC's Anti-Doping Code that relates to the presence of a banned substance in a player's sample.
Chlortalidone, also used to treat high blood pressure, is on WADA's prohibited list of diuretics and masking agents and is prohibited both in-competition and out-of-competition.
He will be available to play again on 27 March 2016. The three-month penalty was backdated to 27 December 2015, when Yasir was provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance. His sample was taken on 13 November 2015, during the one-day international series between Pakistan and England in the United Arab Emirates.
Shah holds the record for being the fastest Pakistani bowler to reach the 50-wicket mark.
Sapna Devi w
on gold in women Wushu Taulu competition
08-FEB-2016
Sapna Devi on 7 February 2016 clinched gold for India in the women Wushu Taulu (Changquan) Competition of the 12th South Asian Games held at the Rising Sun Sports Complex, Assam Rifles, Laitkor in Shillong.
Sapna bagged gold after scoring 9.45 points. The silver went to Susmita Tamang of Nepal with a score of 8.72. Pakistan's Nazia Parvaiz had to settle for the bronze with a score of 6:30 points.
In the men's section, India’s Anjul Namdeo was able to bag a bronze medal after scoring 8:66 points. The gold went to Sri Lankan player P.L. H Lakshan with a score of 8:86, the silver went to Bijay Sinjali of Nepal with a score of 8:80 points.
About Wushu sports
• Wushu is an exhibition and a full-contact sport.
• It is derived from traditional Chinese martial arts.
• At present, wushu has become an international sport through the International Wushu Federation (IWUF). The federation organizes the World Wushu Championships every two years.
About 2016 South Asian Games
• The 2016 South Asian Games, officially the XII South Asian Games, is a major multi-sport event.
• A total of 2672 athletes are scheduled to compete in 228 events over 23 sports.
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 2016 South Asian Games in Guwahati on 5 February 2016.
• The event will be concluded on 16 February 2016 in Guwahati and Shillong, India.
Noted cartoonist Sudhir Tailang died
08-FEB-2016
Cartoonist Sudhir Tailang died on 6 February 2016 due to brain tumor in Gurgaon. He was 55.
Tailang, who chronicled contemporary Indian politics with humour, was awarded Padma Shri in 2004. Recently, he also launched a book of cartoons titled No, Prime Minister, with a set of cartoons on former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Born in Bikaner on 26 February 1960, Tailang came out with his first cartoon in 1970 but started his carrier as a cartoonist with the Illustrated Weekly of India in Mumbai in 1982.
Later, he worked with many newspapers like Navbharat Times, Times of India, Hindustan Times and the Indian Express. His last assignment was with the Asian Age.