Aug affairs 2014(Last Week)

Pak Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif appointed as mediator to defuse political crisis

30-AUG-2014

Pakistan Government on 29 August 2014 appointed Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif's as mediator to defuse political crisis.
The decision to seek Army chief General Raheel Sharif's help was taken after both Imran Khan, chief of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Tahir-ul-Qadri, the chief of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) refused to budge from their demand asking Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to quit.
The political crisis in Pakistan

The political crisis in Pakistan emerged after the former additional secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Afzal Khan claimed that the general election in which Nawaz Sharif won by a landslide was rigged. The political deadlock has paralysed the country for two weeks. The capital Islamabad has witnessed anti-government protests.
Although Pakistan's military had earlier chosen to stay away from this political crisis. But with the direct involvement of the army chief now, there are fears that military could use this opportunity to assert its influence over a democratically-elected civilian government.
A number of politicians and analysts have questioned the wisdom of the government's decision to ask the military for help.

Yohann Diniz broke 50km Walk World Record at the European Athletics Championship

30-AUG-2014

Yohann Diniz of France broke the 50-km Walk World Record at the European Athletics Championship held in Zurich, Switzerland. He broke the record with a timing of 3 Hours 32 Minutes and 33 Seconds.

With the victory, Diniz became the first man to win three successive European titles over the distance. Earlier he won the European titles in 2006 and 2010.

The previous record of 3:34:14 was set by Russia`s Denis Nizhegorodov in Cheboksary in May 2008.

Matej Toth of Slovakia won the Silver medal and Russian Ivan Noskov won the Bronze medal

Union Government notified enhancing the social security cover limit under EPFO

30-AUG-2014

ugust 2014 notified enhancing the social security cover limit under the social security schemes run by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) - the retirement fund manager of the Union.

As a result, all the employees covered under the schemes run by EPFO now will be entitled to:
Minimum monthly pension of 1000 rupees under Employees Pension Scheme -1995 (EPS-95). This would benefit 28 lakh pensioners including 5 lakh widow pensioners who used to get less amount.
Enhanced wage ceiling of 15000 rupees from 6500 rupees to become the subscriber of EPFO. This would bring 50 lakh more workers under the domain of social security schemes.
Enhanced maximum sum assured under the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) Scheme to 3 lakh rupees. Thus, the maximum sum assured under the EDLI is 3.60 lakh rupees which includes 20 percent ad hoc benefit over the prescribed amount under the notification.
The schemes will be implemented from 1 September 2014.
Employees' Provident Fund
The Employees’ Provident Funds came into existence with the promulgation of Employees Provident Fund Ordinance on 15 November 1951. Replaced by the Employees’ Provident Funds Act, 1952, it is now referred as the Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 which encompasses whole of Indian except Jammu and Kashmir.
The Acts and Schemes under Employees’ Provident Fund are administered by a board comprising of Central and State Government, employers and employees. This board administers provident fund, pension scheme and an insurance scheme for the workforce.
The Board is assisted by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) consisting of offices at 120 locations across the country.
The Board runs three schemes:
1. The Employees' Provident Funds Scheme 1952 (EPF)
2. The Employees' Pension Scheme 1995 (EPS-95)
3. The Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme 1976 (EDLI

Union Government notified enhancing the social security cover limit under EPFO

Union Government on 28 August 2014 notified enhancing the social security cover limit under the social security schemes run by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) - the retirement fund manager of the Union.

SEBI issued norms for sharing KYC details with financial regulators

30-AUG-2014

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 30 August 2014 allowed sharing of Know-your-Client details with entities regulated by other financial sector watchdogs.

According to the new norms, the system of KRA may be connected with any central KYC registry authorized by the Union Government for the purpose of collation and sharing of the KYC information in the financial sector. These new norms are called as the Securities and Exchange Board of India KYC Registration Agency.

Under SEBI system, a client who has already done the KYC with any SEBI registered intermediary need not undergo the same process again when he approaches another intermediary.

Earlier, the facility of sharing of KYC information was available only among SEBI-registered intermediaries. Now the KYC information of investors in the capital markets is available on the centralised KRA (KYC registration agency) system of SEBI.

Know Your Customer

Know your Customer is a term used for customer identification process. KYC involves making reasonable efforts to determine true identity and beneficial ownership of accounts, source of funds, the nature of customer’s business, reasonableness of operations in the account in relation to the customer’s business, etc which in turn helps the banks to manage their risks prudently.

The objective of the KYC guidelines is to prevent banks being used, intentionally or unintentionally by criminal elements for money laundering.
KYC has two components - Identity and Address. While identity remains the same, the address may change and hence the banks are required to periodically update their records.

Noted Historian Bipan Chandra died

30-AUG-2014

Noted historian Bipan Chandra died on 30 August 2014 at his residence in Gurgaon after prolonged illness. He was 86.

Bipan Chandra, former professor of history, was considered to be a specialist in the economic and political history of modern India and was a left leaning historian.

Bipan Chandra
• Born in 1928 in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, Chandra studied at the Forman Christian College, Lahore and Stanford University, United States
• Chandra had authored various books including The Rise and Growth of Economic Nationalism, In the Name of Democracy: The JP Movement and the Emergency, Nationalism and Colonialism in Modern India and The Making of Modern India: From Marx to Gandhi.
• He became a Member of the University Grants Commission in 1993.
• He was the Chairman of the National Book Trust, New Delhi from 2004 to 2012.
• He received Padma Bhushan Award in 2010 in the field of Literature and Education.
• He founded the journal ‘Enquiry’ and was a member of its editorial board for a long time.
• He worked as the Reader at Hindu College of Delhi University and then became the professor of History at Jawaharlal Nehru University.
• Chandra served as sectional President and then the general president of the Indian History Congress in 1985.
• He was also awarded Itihas Ratna on his 86th birthday in December 2013 by the Asiatic Society of Bihar.

Baba Kalyani re-nominated as Co-Chairman of IJBLF

30-AUG-2014

Baba Kalyani was re-nominated as the Co-Chairman of the India-Japan Business Leader’s Forum (IJBLF.) The Ministry of Commerce and Industry appointed Kalyani as chairman of IJBLF on 26 August 2014. He is Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge Ltd.

The IJBLF members have accompanied Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his first visit to Japan. The five-day visit to Japan is scheduled to take place from 30 August to 3 September 2014

The forum has 15 members that include Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, Bharti Enterprises head Sunil Bharti Mittal, HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh, Infosys S. Gopalakrishnan, TCS CEO N. Chandrasekaran and Godrej Group Chairman Adi Godrej.

IJBLF is a forum to leverage the trade and investment between the two countries for greater co-operation between their businesses. IJBLF continue to strengthen the business processes and explore newer opportunities for both economies.

J & K Legislative Council passed a resolution urging Union to resume Indo-Pak talks

Jammu & Kashmir legislative council on 28 August 2014 passed a resolution urging Union to resume Indo-Pak talks. The resolution called upon the Centre to ensure prevention of cross-border firing besides peace and stability in the subcontinent and Jammu & Kashmir in particular.
The resolution passed by voice vote in council also demands from the Union to take steps to effectively resolve violations on LoC, besides taking steps to ensure rehabilitation of victims of LoC firing.
The resolution was moved by Chairman of Legislative Council Amrit Malhotra and supported by National Conference, Congress and PDP members.
The resolution may turn controversial as the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir clearly states that Foreign Affairs is not under the purview of the state government.

Earlier on 28 August 2014, India and Pakistan had resumed the process of flag meeting by holding a Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) level flag meeting at Nikowal Border Out Post along International Border in Pargwal sub-sector of Akhnoor sector.
Comment
There have been continuous ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC). There had been 24 ceasefire violations in August 2014 alone, in which 2 villagers were killed and 17 others, including 4 BSF jawans, suffered injuries.
The ceasefire violations increased further after Government of India in August 2014 had called off the foreign secretary level talks following Islamabad envoy to India, Abdul Basit holding talks with Hurriyat leaders despite New Delhi's strong objections.
The cancellation of the talks has invited criticisms from the Opposition party members as it is felt that cancelltation of talks was unwarranted and may block all roads to normalising relations between the two countries. However, Government has played down the criticisms.

J & K Legislative Council passed a resolution urging Union to resume Indo-Pak talks

30-AUG-2014

Adani bought Carmichael Australia coal mine royalty rights from Linc Energy

Adani Enterprises on 29 August 2014 agreed to pay 145 million US dollar to Singapore-listed Linc Energy to buy the royalty rights of the Australian firm Carmichael coal project.
The royalty will cost Adani Enterprises 2 Australian dollar per tonne, indexed to inflation, for the first 20 years of production from the coal mine.
Australian government had cleared the proposed Carmichael coal mine project of the Indian conglomerate Adani in the Galilee Basin in central Queensland in July 2014.

Background
The deal was already four years behind schedule. Adani bought Carmichael from Linc Energy amid a coal boom in 2010. In 2010, Adani had paid 500 million Australian dollar in cash and agreed to pay the royalty stream.
Adani in 2010 aimed to open the mine by 2014 and at the time Linc said it could earn more than 3 billion Australian dollar in revenue over the life of the royalty stream.
Comment
Samsung unveiled 12 Sports Ratnas for the Incheon Asian Games

30-AUG-2014

Samsung Electronics Company Limited on 27 August 2014 announced the names of 12 Samsung Sports Ratnas for 17th Asian Games which is scheduled to be held in Incheon, South Korea in September 2014. The name of the 12 sports ratna was unveiled with underlying theme Our Games, Our Pride.
The objective of Samsung Sports Ratna program is to nurture and develop Indian sporting talent.
Now in its fifth edition, the Samsung Sports Ratna athletes for 17th Asian Games are from five disciplines –
1. Shooting: Manavjit Sandhu, Abhinav Bindra, Gagan Narang, Malaika Goel
2. Wrestlers: Yogeshwar Dutt, Vinesh Phogat, Babita Kumari
3. Boxing: Devendro Singh, Mary Kom
4. Badminton: P.V. Sindhu, Parupalli Kashyap
5. Archery: Deepika Kumaril
The Samsung Ratna program was instituted in 1998 for Olympics and Asian Games. The association of Samsung with Indian Olympic Association started with the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok by supporting the Indian contingent.

Thereafter, the company has continued to support Indian contingents to the Olympic and the Asian Games. Samsung started supporting the Indian contingent to the Olympic games from 2000 Sydney Olympic games onwards. The company has supported 22 Samsung Sports Ratnas and 21 Olympic Sports Ratnas till date.

The agreement is a win-win deal for both Adani and Linc. The Indian firm Adani got rid of a liability on the project, while Linc secures cash up front from a mine that may not be built for many years.

US actor Harry Belafonte to receive Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Oscar Award

30-AUG-2014

US actor and singer Harry Belafonte was named for honorary Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Oscar Award on 29 August 2014. Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Oscar Award is one of the three Governor's Award given by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for lifetime achievement.

The academy noted his films such as Carmen Jones, Odds Against Tomorrow and The World, the Flesh and the Devil strived to bring attention to the injustices of racism and inequality. He will recieve the award in November 2014.
Other winners
Besides, Academy awards also announced name of other winners of Governor's Award for 2014 given for lifetime achievement. The other winners are Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki, Irish-born actress Maureen O'Hara and French screenwriter and actor Jean-Claude Carriere.
73 year old Miyazaki is a renowned animator and co-founder of Studio Ghibli. He won the Oscar Award for best animated feature film in 2002 for Spirited Away. He earned his third Oscar nomination for The Wind Rises in 2014.
94 year old Maureen O'Hara is best known for films such as Miracle of 34th Street, Sinbad the Sailor, The Quiet Man and The Parent Trap.
82 year old Carriere began his career as a novelist before switching to film writing. He shared a screenwriting Oscar for the short Heureux Anniversaire in 1962.

About Harry Belafonte
Belafonte, also known as the King of Calypso, who has spent much of his life campaigning for various causes including Aids awareness, famine relief, education and civil rights. He was a supporter of the Civil Rights Movement and marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. He was also named as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1987.
Academy's Governors Awards
The Governors Awards presentation is an annual award ceremony which is hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) at the Grand Ballroom of the Hollywood and Highland Center. Three awards are presented at this ceremony:
• Academy Honorary Award
• Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
• Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award
The honourees are selected in the month of September every year and they are presented with the award in November. All the awardees are further acknowledged at the year’s Academy Awards ceremony.
The first Governors Awards ceremony was held on 14 November 2009 which honoured Lauren Bacall, Roger Corman, and Gordon Willis with Academy Honorary Award.
Governors Awards 2013 was given to actors Eli Wallach and Lauren Bacall, Director Francis Ford Coppola, Angelina Jolie and Steve Martin.

ONGC board approved 5219 crore rupees investment in Daman gas fields

30-AUG-2014

State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) on 29 August 2014 announced to invest 5219 crore rupees for the production of Daman gas fields in the Arabian Sea.
The investment will be made towards Daman Development project to enhance production of natural gas and condensate in its Tapti Daman Block in Arabian Sea by the mid of 2016.
The project is located about 90-100 kilometer from Daman coast and includes additional development of C-24 field and monetization of B-12 marginal fields (B-12-11, B-12-13 and B-12-15).

Once operational, it will give output of 8.35 million standard cubic meters per day of gas and 9286 barrels of condensate per day.
The cumulative production till 2034-35 is targeted at 27.67 billion cubic meters (BCM) of gas and 5.01 million cubic meters of condensate. The project is scheduled for completion by pre-monsoon 2019.
The project envisages installation of seven well head platforms, one riser platform with associated pipelines and drilling of 28 wells.

Supreme Court rejected the plea of the Gujarat government on moving Gir lions

30-AUG-2014

Supreme Court on 15 August 2014 rejected the plea of Gujarat government to relocate the Gir lions from Gir National Park in Gujarat to Kuno Palpur Wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.

The Gujarat government had challenged the Union government decision to relocate Gir lions to proposed Kuno Palpur wildlife sanctuary as an alternative home for the Asiatic lions.

The decision was taken as a conservation measure to save the lions from the risk of epidemics disease, because the lions are spread over a limited area in Gujarat.
Earlier in April 2013, the apex court had ruled in favor of relocation and directed the 12-member expert committee to implement this order in six months.
However, in February 2014, the Gujarat government filed a curative petition against the decision.

About Gir Asiatic Lions

Gir Asiatic Lions scientifically called Panthera leo persica, are found only in Gir National Park of Gujarat. These lions are the last surviving population of the Asiatic lions which occupy a compact tract of dry deciduous forest and open grassy scrublands in southwestern part of saurashtra region of state of Gujarat. Compared to their counterparts in Eastern African Savanna landscape, Asiatic lions are found in forests and thorny thickets.

Asiatic lions are highly social animals, living in units called prides and their cubs are born blind. They are listed as endangered species in the IUCN Red Data Book.

India Signed agreement with World Bank for MSRPII project

India on 29 August 2014 signed loan agreement with World Bank for Mizoram State Roads Project (MSRP II). As per the agreement, soft loan window of World Bank, International Development Agency (IDA) will provide assistance of 107 million US dollars for the Project.
The agreement was signed by Nilaya Mitash, Joint Secretary (MI), Department of Economic Affairs and Onno Ruhl, Country Director, World Bank, India.

The objective of the project is to enhance transport connectivity along regional trade corridors in Mizoram.The project will focus on improvement of priority cross-border roads connecting Myanmar and Bangladesh , as also on trade related infrastructure.
Thus, the MSRPII will be an important milestone in enhancing the connectivity for the state of Mizoram and the rest of North-East India with Myanmar and Bangladesh.
The project is the first project facilitating regional connectivity in transport sector undertaken in India with Bank support.

President Pranab Mukherjee presented National Sports Awards to eminent sportsperson

The President of India Pranab Mukherjee presented the National Sports Awards to eminent sportsperson on 29 August 2014 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. The awards were presented on the occasion of National Sports Day.
No sportsperson was selected for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 2014.

List of awards and awardees:

Arjuna Awards

Arjuna Awards is given to sportspersons for their consistent outstanding performance for 4 years preceding the year of award. Arjuna Awards carry a cash prize of 5 lakh rupees, a statuette and a citation.

The awardees of Arjuna Awards 2014 were:

Reliance Jio Infocomm signed tower sharing deal with BSNL

27-AUG-2014
Along with tower sharing deal, Reliance Jio signed Infrastructure sharing deal with Bharti Airtel, Viom Network, Ascend Telecom Infrastructure, Reliance Communications and American Tower Company to utilise their infrastructure.

The Reliance Jio Infocomm-BSNL Deal
• BSNL would offer a base rate of 38000 rupees per month for ground based towers (GBT) and 24900 rupees per month for rooftop based towers (RBT).
• If Reliance Jio commits leasing of at least 1500 towers in the first year, BSNL would offer discounted rates; the rent for ground towers will be 35000 rupees per month and 21000 rupees per month for rooftop towers.
• If RJIL commits leasing of at least 1,000 towers within three months, then there is a provision of 5 percent discount.

Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. (RJIL)
• RJIL is the first telecom operator to get a unified licence for all 22 service areas in India. This licence allows RJIL to offer all telecom services, including voice telephony.
• It owns pan-India broadband wireless access spectrum that can be utilised for 4G services.
• RJIL won radiowaves in the 1800 Mhz band also known as 2G spectrum which is presently used for 4G services worldwide.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)
Incorporated on 15 September 2000, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited took over the business of providing of telecom services and network management from the Central Government Departments of Telecom Services (DTS) and Telecom Operations (DTO).
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited is the only telecom service provider that works to bridge the gap between rural-urban digital divide in IT sector.

US President authorised surveillance flights over Syria

27-AUG-2014

US President Barack Obama on 26 August 2014 authorised surveillance flights over Syria. The surveillance flights was planned in order to gain intelligence on the activities of ISIS militants. The authorisation was given after the beheading of the US journalist James Foley by ISIS group a week ago.

Further, US is also planning to go for a military strike wihtout seeking permission from Syrian government. In this regard Pentagon is drafting military options that would strike the militant Islamic State near the largely erased border between Syria and Iraq, as opposed to more deeply inside Syria. The US is also mulling to bolster US support for the moderate Syrian rebels who view Assad as their main foe.

This is not the first time that US will be going for a military strike withour seeking Syrian government permission. Earlier in July 2014 US special operations forces carried out an unsuccessful rescue attempt for hostages held by the Islamic State

However, Syrian President Bashar Assad said that it would not allow US air strikes if it does not coordinate with the Syrain government.

Comment

In last few months of 2014, the resurgence and advance of ISIS militant group in Levante region comprising of Iraq and Syria has grown substantially disturbing the strategic calculus in the Middle East region.

On the one hand, US led western powers are reluctant to share the dias with major Shia nations, Iran and Syria, in the Middle Est region. This is because western power does not want to disturb their starategic calculus with the seasoned allies Saudi Arabia and Pakistan which are mainly Sunni populated.

On the other hand, allowing the ISIS threat to grow puts a question mark on US military might and endangers the lives of US citizens

Ice Bucket Challenge started to raise awareness and fund for ALS Disease

27-AUG-2014

Ice Bucket Challenge: Started to raise awareness and funds for ALS disease

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was in news recently because since its start in July 2014, the Challenge has led to raising of millions of dollars as funds for research of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease.
Under the Challenge, a contestant will fill a bucket full of ice and water. The contestant then dumps the bucket of ice and water onto themselves. The contestant should then donate 10 US dollar (or a similar amount in their local currency) to ALS research at the ALS Association, or Motor Neurone Disease Association in the UK.
Any contestant who refuses to have the ice and water dumped on them is expected to donate 100 US dollar to ALS research.Many celebrities have taken part in the challenge which includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Chris Pratt, Roger Federer, David Beckham, Cheryl Cole, George W. Bush, Lady Gaga,Mark Zuckerberg, Oprah Winfrey, Charlie Sheen and Bill Gates, among many other well-known personalities and members of the general public.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is also known as Motor Neuron Disorder (MND). The disease is a neurodegenerative disease with various causes. In the United States the disease is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
It is characterised by muscle spasticity, rapidly progressive weakness due to muscle atrophy, and difficulty in speaking (dysarthria), swallowing (dysphagia), and breathing (dyspnea). ALS is the most common of the five motor neuron diseases. The life expectancy after getting affected with ALS ranges from 2 to 5 years.

Archaeologists found two ancient Mayan cities Lagunita and Tamchen in Mexico

27-AUG-2014

Archaeologists have found two ancient Mayan cities Lagunita and Tamchen hidden in the jungle of south-eastern Mexico. They discovered the two cities of Lagunita and Tamchen on the Yucatan peninsula by examining aerial photographs of the region.
Ivan Sprajc, Associate Professor at the Research Center of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, and the lead researcher with his team found the ancient cities in April 2014.
The two cities reached their heyday in the Late and Terminal Classic periods (600-1000 AD).
At each site, there were a palace-like buildings, pyramids and plazas. One of the pyramids is almost 20 meters (65 feet) high.
There is also a facade featuring a monster-mouth doorway, which probably marked one of the main entrances to the center of the city.
Earlier in 2013, Sprajc had discovered another ancient Mayan city, Chactun which is 10-km north of Lagunita and 6-km northwest of Tamchen.

About Mayan Civilisation
The Mayan Civilisation was an ancient civilisation located in the tropical lowlands of what is now called Guatemala. It was one of the most dominant indigenous societies of Mesoamerica that included Modern-day Mexico and Central America and it reached its peak in the sixth century A.D. In 16th century A.D, it was conquered by Spain.
The earliest Mayan settlements date back to around 1800 B.C and were called the Preclassic or Formative Period. The Classic Period, which began around A.D. 250, was the golden age of the Maya Empire.
One of the many intriguing things about the Mayans was their ability to build a great civilization in a tropical rainforest climate. They were essentially skilled craftsmen who created incredible things including: calenders, pottery, agriculture, mathematics and hieroglyph writing.

C.S.Verma elected as First President of Indian Steel Association

27-AUG-2014

C.S.Verma on 26 August 2014 was elected as First President of Indian Steel Association (ISA). Other members of the ISA were Sajjan Jindal, Chairman & Managing Director, JSW, Mr. TV Narendran, MD, Tata Steel, , P Madhusudan, CMD, RINL.
C.S.Verma is currently working as the head of SAIL.
About ISA
The Indian Steel Association was formally launched on 26 August 2014 by the Major domestic steel producers of India.
The opening ceremony was attended by industry leaders from SAIL, Tata Steel, JSW, RINL, JSPL, Essar in the presence of Mr. G Mohan Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Steel.

The association aimed to work towards transforming the Indian steel industry as a global leader acclaimed for its Quality, Productivity & Competitiveness.
Membership of ISA
The membership of ISA will be open to any steel producer with a yearly capacity of at least 2 million tones. Steel producers with capacity less than 2 million tonnes can be affiliate members.

Avia Indra-2014, the Indo-Russia maiden aerial exercise started

27-AUG-2014

Indian Air Force (IAF) and Russian Federation Air Force (RFAF) on 25 August 2014 started Indo-Russian Air Force Exercise, Avia Indra-2014 at Astrakhan region, near the Caspian Sea in Russia. Avia Indra-2014 is the first Indo-Russia aerial exercise that involves the air forces of the two countries. The exercise will go on till 5 September 2014.
The exercise is being conducted to boost cooperation between the air forces of two countries and involves aircraft like Su030MKI and Mi-17 helicopters. It also involves fighter pilots, helicopter pilots, missile combat crew, as well as engineers from the IAF along with their counterparts of the RFAF.

Russia’s participation in the exercise includes aircraft of the Russian Federation Air Force (Su-30SM fighter aircraft, Mi-17 and Mi-35 helicopters).
Russia is the major supplier of defence equipment to India and Russian-origin aircraft such as the Su-30MKI and MiG-series planes are the mainstay of India's air power.
Other benefits of the exercise
• The exercise will also provide an opportunity to both the forces to exchange their best practices
• It will cement the foundation for a more professional interaction and growth in the future
Apart from this first exercise between their air forces, India and Russia also have INDRA-series war games between their armies and navies.
Comment: Avia Indra-2014 exercise is seen as a major mile stone in military relations of the two countries and would be beneficial for the sides in future.

Jewish centre Chabad House reopened 6 years after 26/11 terror attacks

27-AUG-2014

The Jewish centre, Chabad House, also called Nariman House, in Mumbai was reopened on 26 August 2014. It was reopened nearly six years after the 26/11 terror attack in November 2008. A synagogue and kosher kitchen are part of the new set up.

The fully renovated six-storey Nariman House is located in South Mumbai's Colaba area. On the occasion of re-opening it saw a special gathering of 25 Rabbis representing the Jewish community from all over Asia.

The renovated Chabad House will have a Jewish Museum. The top two floors of the building will house a memorial dedicated to the victims of the attack. The terrace of the House will have names of all 166 victims of the attack. However, to keep the memories of the attack alive, the bullet marks have been left intact on the walls.

26/11 terror attack on Chabad House

Nariman House or Chabad House of Mumbai was one of the targets of 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. The terrorists attack on the building claimed life of six occupants of the building including the owner of the building Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg and his five-month pregnant wife Rivka. However, their son Moshe, then two-year-old, had survived the attack.

The other targets of the 26/11 terror attacks in November 2008 were the Tajhotel, Leopold Cafe and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

About Chabad House

The Chabad House centre is one of eight synagogues in Mumbai. It was opened in 2003. It caters mainly to Jews living in Mumbai and Israelis who may be visiting the city. Such centres are operated by the Chabad-Lubavitch movement in more than 73 countries. Instructions on the Torah (Jewish religious teachings) are also conducted at the centre.

This Chabad House is one of 4000 such houses in 73 countries, typically run by husband-and-wife couples.

About Chabad-Lubavitch Movement

A chassidic movement founded by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi in the latter part of the 18th century that emphasizes the importance of Chabad. Chabad, also a philosphy, is an acronym forChochmoh, Binah, Da’at(wisdom, understanding and knowledge). The concept of studying and understanding G-d and His relationship with the world. Lubavitch is the name of the townlet in the county of Mohilev, White Russia, which served as the center of the Chabad Chassidism for four generations.

President appointed Governors for Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa

27-AUG-2014

President Pranab Mukherjee on 26 August 2014 appointed Governors for four states. These States are Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa. The four Governors were appointed in accordance with the Article 155 of the Constitution.

The Governors names are:
• Kalyan Singh- Rajasthan Governor
• Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala- Karnataka Governor
• Ch. Vidyasagar Rao- Maharashtra Governor
• Mridula Sinha- Goa Governor

About Kalyan Singh
Kalyan Singh had served two terms as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He first became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in June 1991. His role in demolition of Babri Masjid on 6 December 1992 was controversial, due to which he had to resign from his post in 1992.
However, he contested elections again in 1997 and was appointed as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh again between September 1997 and November 1999.

About Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala
Vajubhai Vala was the Speaker of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly. Prior to that, he served as a minister of Finance, Labour & Employment in the ministry of Gujarat state for two terms.
He was also the Mayor of Rajkot before contesting for the state elections.

About Ch. Vidyasagar Rao
Vidyasagar Rao was Union Minister of State for Internal affairs in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led BJP Govt government in 1999. He was elected to the 12th and 13th Lok Sabhas from the Karimnagar constituency (now in Telangana) as a BJP candidate.
He was also the BJP state president in 1998.

About Mridula Sinha
Mridula Sinha is a , a renowned writer in Hindi Literature and politician. She is a Former BJP Mahila Morcha president and had been the Chairperson of the Central Board of Social Welfare.
She wrote various novels and a biography on Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia titled Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi.

C.S.Verma elected as First President of Indian Steel Association

27-AUG-2014

Avia Indra-2014, the Indo-Russia maiden aerial exercise started

27-AUG-2014

Jewish centre Chabad House reopened 6 years after 26/11 terror attacks

27-AUG-2014

26/11 terror attack on Chabad House

The other targets of the 26/11 terror attacks in November 2008 were the Tajhotel, Leopold Cafe and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

About Chabad House

This Chabad House is one of 4000 such houses in 73 countries, typically run by husband-and-wife couples.

About Chabad-Lubavitch Movement

Sheila Dikshit, the Governor of Kerala resigned

27-AUG-2014

Sheila Dikshit on 26 August 2014 submitted her resignation as Kerala Governor to The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee . Ms.Dikshit was appointed as Kerala governor in March 2014 by the UPA Government just before the model code of conduct came into force for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Thus,Dikshit became the sixth governor to resign after being nudged by the NDA government.Five other governors -- M.K. Narayanan (West Bengal), Ashwani Kumar (Nagaland), B.L. Joshi (UP), B.V. Wanchoo (Goa) and Shekhar Dutt (Chhattisgarh) had resigned apparently after they were telephoned by the Union home secretary.

About Sheila Dikshit
• Sheila Dikshit served as the Chief Minister of Delhi for 15 consecutive years from 1998 to 2013.
• She was a Member of Parliament in lok sabha from Kannauj parliamentary constituency of Uttar Pradesh between 1984 and 1989.
• She served on the Estimates Committee of Lok Sabha.
• She represented India at United Nations Commission on Status of Women for five years (1984–1989).
• She also served as a Union Minister during 1986–1989, first as the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and later as a Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office.
• Dikshit represented the Gole Market assembly constituency in the 1998 and 2003 Assembly elections and New Delhi constituency from 2008.
• Dikshit was accused of corruption regarding the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report allegedly blamed her for irregularities in imported equipment for street lighting in the city during the games

Sl. No.	Name	Discipline
1.	Jai Bhagwan	Boxing
2.	V. Diju	Shuttler
3.	Heena Sidhu	Shooter
4.	Abhishek Verma	Archery
5.	Tintu Luka	Athletics
6.	H.N. Girisha	Para-Athletics
7.	Geethu Anna Jose	Basketball
8.	R. Ashwin	Cricket
9.	Anirban Lahiri	Golf
10.	Mamta Pujari	Kabaddi
11.	Saji Thomas	Rowing
12.	Anaka Alankamony	Squash
13.	Tom Joseph	Volleyball
14.	Renubala Chanu	Weightlifting
15.	Sunil Kumar Rana	Wrestling

Dronacharya Awards For 2014
Dronacharya Awards is presented to eminent Coaches who have successfully trained sportspersons or teams and helped them to achieve outstanding results in international competitions. Dronacharya Awards carry a cash prize of 5 lakh rupees, a statuette and a citation.
The awardees of Dronacharya Awards 2014 were:

Sl.No.	Name	Discipline
1.	Gurcharan Singh Gogi	Judo
2.	G. Manoharan	Boxing
3.	Jose Jacob	Rowing
4.	N. Lingappa	Athletics
5.	Mahabir Prasad	Wrestling

DhyanChand Awards
DhyanChand Awards for Lifetime Achievement in Sports and Games is presented to the sportspersons who contributed to sports by their performance and continue to contribute by promoting sports even after taking retirement from sports career. DhyanChand Awards carry a cash prize of 5 lakh rupees, a statuette and a citation.
The awardees of Dhyanchand Awards 2014 were:

Sl.No.	Name	Discipline
1.	Gurmail Singh	Hockey
2.	K.P. Thakkar	Swimming-Diving
3.	Zeeshan Ali	Tennis

Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards-2013
Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award is honoured to sportspersons for their outstanding achievement in the field of adventure activities. The award carries a statuette, a certificate, ceremonial dress and a cash prize of 5 lakh rupees.
The awardees of Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2013 were:

S. No.	Name	Discipline
1.	Subedar Jagat Singh	Land Adventure
2.	Passang Tenzing Sherpa	Land Adventure
3.	MWO Surender Singh	Air Adventure
4.	Wg. Cdr. (Retd) Amit Chowdhury.	Lifetime Achievement

Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar is presented to recognize the contribution made to sports by entities other than sportspersons and coaches. The recipients of Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar are awarded with Trophies.
The awardees of Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2014 were:

Sl. No.	Category	Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar, 2014
1.	Employment Of Sports Persons And Sports Welfare Measures	Oil And Natural Gas Corporation
2.	Community Sports–Identification And Nurturing Of Budding/Young Talent	Jindal Steel Works
3.	Establishment And Management Of Sports Academies Of Excellence	Guru Hanuman Akhara
4.	Other Forms Of Sports Activities Not Covered In The Categories Mentioned In The Schemes	Link Foundation Of India–Magic Bus

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy
The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy is presented to the institutions for their all round performance in Inter-University Tournaments. The winner receives a replica of the Trophy and a cash award of 10 lakh rupees which is further utilized for development of games and sports.

The recipient of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy 2014 was:

Sl. No.	Institution	Year
1.	Punjabi University, Patiala	2013-14

Union Government appointed JIC chief RN Ravi as Naga interlocutor

29-AUG-2014

Union Government on 29 August 2014 appointed chairman of Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) RN Ravi as Naga interlocutor. He will be the government of India’s representative in Naga peace talks.

The reason behind appointment of Ravi for the post was his expertise in Northeast affairs as he was looking after the region during his tenure in the Intelligence Bureau from where he retired as Special Director in 2012.

The new interlocutor is appointed after seven months of previous interlocutor, R S Pandey’s resignation. In the interregnum, the post was being looked after by Ajit Lal, who was former JIC Chief.

In the past, former Governor Swaraj Kaushal, former Union Minister Oscar Fernandes and former Union Home Secretary K Padmanabhaiah had acted as Naga interlocutors and had held talks with the Naga rebels but with no results.

Nagaland Issue

Nagaland issue is century old issue that pertains to establishment of greater Nagaland calledNagalimunifying all the areas inhabited by the Naga people in Northeast India and Burma.

For this National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) was formed in 1980 by Isak Chishi Swu, Thuingaleng Muivah and S.S. Khaplang. The Council opposed the Shillong Accord signed by the then Naga National Council (NNC) with the Government of India in 1975. The accord was signed asking NNC to accept the supremacy of Constitution of India without condition, surrender their arms and renounce their demand for the secession of Nagaland.

However, the demand of the NSCN-IM seems to untenable. This is because Greater Nagaland means that other States like Assam and Manipur ceding their areas. But this could not happen because already the legislative assemblies of respective states have passed resolution against the Greater Nagaland.

CBDT set up four-member Committee to scrutinize retrospective tax amendment

29-AUG-2014

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 28 August 2014 set up a four-member high-level committee to scrutinize the retrospective tax amendments.
The Committee will be headed by Joint Secretary of the Foreign Tax and Tax Research-I unit of the CBDT. The other members on the panel are Joint Secretary (tax planning and legislation-I), Commissioner of I-T appeals and the Director (foreign tax and tax research-I), who will also be the secretary of the committee.
The Committee was set up following the announcement made by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his budget speech on 10 July 2014.

The Terms of Reference of the Committee
It will decide on such cases within 60 days of receiving them from the assessing officer (AO) and it will be incumbent upon the AO to approach the committee when faced with an I-T case that is for the period before April 2012.
It would examine the proposed action of the AO and after providing an opportunity to the assessee, take a decision on the proposed action.
The Committee will submits its first report for period ending December 2014 and subsequently it should submit reports on half yearly basis (June 30 and December 31 every year)
Background
An amendment to the I-T Act with retrospective effect was undertaken by the UPA government in 2012 in lieu of the Vodafone tax case so as to protect revenue. However, it had evoked sharp reactions from domestic as well as global investors.

Centuries old Omari Mosque in Jabaliya in Gaza destroyed in Israel-Gaza conflict

29-AUG-2014

Omari Mosque in Jabaliya, Gaza: Destroyed in Israel-Gaza conflict

Centuries old Omari Mosque in Jabaliya in Gaza was in news recently due to its destruction in ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. The mosque is the part of rich cultural heritage of Gaza and was built in seventh century AD.

The fighting caused both indirect and indirect damage to Gaza's cultural heritage since it broke out on 8 July 2014. Indirect damage indicated that now it is impossible for students, scholars, foreigners and visitors to enter in the damage cultural heritage.

Still some old monuments of Gaza have escaped the Israel-Gaza conflict. This include among others Church of Saint Porphyrius in Darraj neighborhood and the Hamam al-Samara, the only remaining Turkish bath in Gaza which has served the residents of Darraj for more than 1000 years, now it is a tourist attraction.

The baths has been run by Mohamed al-Wazeer's family from last 100 years, but they were forced to shut place when the conflict began in July 2014.

SC advised the PM to not to include chargesheeted person into their Cabinet

Supreme Court on 27 August 2014 advised the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers to not to include chargesheeted persons into their cabinet.
A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India R.M. Lodha, asked the Prime Minister to take the responsibility to not to induct any persons who are facing trial for offences as their ministers.
Though, the Constitution of India did not put any limitation or restriction which debars any Member of Parliament or Legislative Assembly to be included in the Cabinet.
Thus, while interpreting Article 75 (1) which deals with the appointment of PM and Ministers, definitely a disqualification cannot be added.
However, the bench said that the Prime Minister acts as the head of the cabinet and trustee of the constitution. PM is expected to act in accordance with constitutional propriety and not appoint unwarranted persons as Ministers.

The Bench was disposing Public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed in 2005 by Manoj Narula. The PIL sought to remove the then four chargesheeted Ministers i.e Lalu Prasad, Mohammed Taslimuddin, M.A.A. Fatmi and Jai Prakash Yadav from the Union Cabinet under the then PM Manmohan Singh.
Comment
The Union Government took the stand that Article 75 did not say that any person who had criminal proceedings pending against him had to be read as disqualification of being appointed as a minister. It would be incorrect to read into the provisions of Article 75 such a disqualification when none existed.

The constitution bench while expressing concern over criminalisation of politics left it to the wisdom of the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister of a State to take a call on this aspect and not appoint such charge sheeted persons as a Minister.

National Sports Day was celebrated on the 29 August

29-AUG-2014

National Sports Day: 29 August
National Sports Day was celebrated on the 29 August throughout the country.
National Sports Day is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of hockey player Dhyan Chand. This day is celebrated by organizing friendly matches between different Indian hockey teams at the Dhyan Chand National stadium in New Delhi.

The National Stadium was constructed in the respect and honor of Dhyan Chand.
Major Dhyan Chand – The Hockey Wizard
Major Dhyan Chand was India’s greatest hockey player. He has scored over 1000 goals between 1926 and 1948. He helped India win 3 Olympic Gold medals including the first in 1928 (Amsterdum Olympic games) and then in 1932 ( Los Angeles Olympic games) and 1936 (Berlin Olympic games).
He became synonymous with hockey. He became the parameter of hockey by which other player’s caliber is measured. It is surprising to know that Dhyan Chand, who came to be known as Hockey Magician, started playing hockey only after joining the Army at the age of 16.

Maharashtra State Cabinet approved the formation of Transgender Welfare Board

29-AUG-2014

Maharashtra State Cabinet on 28 August 2014 approved the formation of Transgender Welfare Board. After Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra became the second state to announce the formation of the board.

Other Decisions taken at the state cabinet meeting:
• Inclusion of ten sub-castes in the Lingayat community in the OBC category
• Recommended the Centre to grant minority status to Lingayat community
• Transgender Welfare Board to undertake programmes for the survey of the transgender population and also take up employment and welfare schemes for the community
• Hike in pension of freedom fighters by 2000 rupees and the amount will be deposited in their bank accounts in the beginning of Financial Year
• Re-survey of land records to done through satellite in Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Amravati, Nagpur and Raigad districts
Background
Maharashtra was the first state to carry out complete study on the transgender community and announce welfare schemes recommended by Supreme Court. The Supreme Court on 15 April 2014 recognised transgender as the third gender. It gave out 26 recommendations for the welfare of transgender.
Some significant recommendations were:
• An umbrella scheme that covers whole transgender community
• A National Policy on Transgenders
• State-level authority should certify a person as transgender, and change of gender should be recorded on the birth certificate of a person after the age of 18
• Rape and trauma centres should be set up for transgender people
• a section added to the Indian Penal Code to deal with cases of sexual assault on them and records of crimes against them
• Workplace sexual harassment policies should be made transgender-inclusive.
An inter-ministerial committee was set up to ensure preparation of well-organized action plans.

French President François Hollande named the new French government

29-AUG-2014

French President Francois Hollande named the new French government on 26 August 2014 under Prime Minister Manual Valls. Those ministers who rebelled against the austerity measures suggested by Hollande were dropped out from the list.

A former banker and ex-presidential economic adviser Emmanuel Macron will be the new economy minister in place of Arnaud Montebourg. Fleur Pellerin was made Minister for Culture, replacing Aurelie Filippetti who is out of the government.
For the first time a woman would be put in charge of education as Najat Vallaud-Belkacem replaced Benoit Hamon. Ms Vallaud-Belkacem was minister for women's rights in the last cabinet.
However, foreign minister Laurent Fabius, defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and finance minister Michel Sapin will retain their posts.
Background
French President Francois Hollande dissolved his government on 25 August 2014 after an open feud in the cabinet over the country's economic policy.
After dissolving the cabinet, Hollande asked Manuel Valls to form a new government by 26 August 2014. The new government was unlikely to include Arnaud Montebourg, who criticized Hollande’s austerity policies.
The fall of French government highlights the increasing political and economic pressures on president Francois Hollande as he wants to revive the France economy that had witnessed no growth in the past two quarters.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved Urea Production from Naphta

29-AUG-2014

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 27 August 2014 approved the continuation of production of urea from 3 plants by using existing feedstock Naphtha for three months beyond 30 June 2014, that is from 1 July 2014 to 30 September 2014.

The three plants are:
• Madras Fertilizers Limited (MFL) Manali
• Manglore Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd (MCFL) Mangalore
• Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation (SPIC) Tuticorin

These three units would help Indian farmers in meeting the urea requirement in the ongoing Kharif season. This decision will ensure food security of the country.
On the basis of NPS-III, total cost of production of urea is calculated. The selling price of urea is fixed at 5360 rupees per tonne.

Background
Under the Modified New Pricing Scheme-Ill for existing urea units, only three naphtha based units that is MFL - Manali, MCFL-Mangalore and SPIC - Tuticorin were allowed to produce urea from naphtha as feedstock till 30 June 2014.
The Centre asked these firms to switchover to natural gas otherwise subsidy would not be given.
However, these fertilizers companies were unable to convert to gas from naphtha, as there were protests from farmers in Tamil Nadu who were against the laying of gas pipeline. Moreover gas was not available.

God of Antarctica written by 13 year old Yashwardhan Shukla

29-AUG-2014

Delhi-based 13 year old school boy Yashwardhan Shukla authored a novel, Gods of Antarctica. The book is fictional tale of gods and monsters. It was put into print by the Readers Paradise publishers.

The boy said Amish Tripathi’s ‘Shiva’s Trilogy’ and J K Rowling’s Harry Potter series has inspired him in writing. He also said Rick Riordan remains his favourite author.
About Gods of Antarctica Novel
The tale was about a school kid David, who accidentally lands up in Antarctica after losing his entire family to a monster attack. His book “Gods of Antarctica” talks about the mythological fantasy of David’s encounter with gods and monsters.
The script was rejected by a couple of publishers before being accepted. The publishers had suggested that names and location be changed from London-Antarctica to those in India. But, Readers Paradise publishers accepted without changes to encourage the young writer.

China detected tunnels in Xinjiang province and North Korean borders

29-AUG-2014

China police in fifth week of August 2014 detected dozens of cross-border tunnels in troubled Muslim-majority Xinjiang province as well as northeast area bordering North Korea. The tunnels were detected with the help of a high definition satellite, Gaofen-1.
The detection of the tunnels is a cause of concern for China as the Xinjiang is a part of the country that in the recent past has witnessed violent attacks in the area bordering Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Afghanistan. The violent attacks were staged by the al-Qaeda linked East Turkestan Islamic Movement. Following the attacks, China deployed security forces in a large scale to quell the spread of the outfit.

Xinjiang province had been restive for the past few years due to protests by native Uygur Muslims. They are objecting to the increasing settlements of Hans.

Satellite Gaofen-1
Gaofen-1 is a high-definition earth observation satellite which is capable of identifying objects as short as two meters wide. Gaofen-1 first of the seven-satellite network of China that will become fully operational by 2016 and will provide global coverage. Gaofen-1 was launched in April 2013

Maharashtra Government included 10 Sub- Caste of Lingayat community in OBC category

Maharashtra Government on 28 August 2014 included 10 Sub- Caste of Lingayat community in Other Backward Category (OBC) category. Besides, it also agreed to recommend to the Union that the Lingayat community be given minority status.
The 10 sub-castes included Lingayat Gurav, Lingayat, Jangam, Lingayat Kumbhar, Lingayat Nhavi, Lingayat Pareet, Lingayat Dhobi, Lingayat Phulari, Lingayat Sutar, Lingayat Wani and Lingayat Tamboli.
The caste certificates to people belonging to sub-castes of Lingayat will be allotted under the 2A category of the backward classes.
The decision to include sub-castes of lingayat community into OBC was taken following the recommendation of the Dilip Sopal Committee. The Committee was formed to look into the demand of the community to be included into OBC. The demand for reservation arose after the state government had provided reservation to the economically weaker section of Maratha and Muslim community in government jobs and education.

Comment
With the granting of OBC status to sub- caste of Lingayat community, a wave of protest emerged in Karnataka. The Karnataka State Backward Classes Federation opined that the category 2A is meant for occupational castes like Kumbara, Ediga and Kuruba and already there are 102 occupational sub-castes under this category.
Following the order by the Maharashtra Government, the Federation has decided to submit a memorandum to the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes against the order.
The issue came to light from a letter written by the under secretary of Social Welfare Department to the Vishwabandhu Marulasiddha Hitavardhaka Sangha of Davangere.
The Deputy Commissioners have been directed to issue caste certificates to those who have mentioned their sub-castes in the school records as Hindu-Sadaru, Sadumatha, Sadukula, Sadara, Sadugoudar, Sadar, Sadugouda under the 2A category of backward classes.
With this move the number of castes in 2A category would go up. The Backward Classes Federation is fears that the Sadar-Lingayat community would enjoy more reservation benefits meant for 102 castes already listed in the 2A category.

Union Government notified Securities Laws Amendment Act, 2014

29-AUG-2014

Union Government on 25 August 2014 notified the Securities Laws Amendment Act, 2014 (SLAA, 2014). The Act came into force on the day it was notified amends the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 and the Depositories Act, 1996.
Main Highlights of the SLAA, 2014
• The Act empowers the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to clamp down on illicit money-pooling schemes, arrest of defaulters, to access call data records and other frauds.
• It is a part of the government and regulators’ efforts to tighten noose around fraudsters in the wake of several cases of illicit money-polling activities that includes ponzi operators.
• It would also facilitate setting up of a special SEBI court to fast-track the investigation and prosecution process.
• It also grants approval for search and seizure operations in suspected cases of frauds.
• It has as many as 57 clauses to amend various sections of the SEBI Act and two other related legislations.

Background
The need for a separate Securities Laws Act was felt by the government against the backdrop of lakhs of small investors being duped by numerous fraudulent investment schemes across the country, like in the alleged Saradha scam in West Bengal. For this, government promulgated first ordinance related to it in July 2013. The ordinance sought to grant these additional powers to SEBI. The ordinance was promulgated for second time in September 2013 and for third time in January 2014. But all the time bill failed to be passed in Parliament.
Since, the third ordinance of January 2014 lapsed in July 2014 and left SEBI without extra powers that were used by the regulator in nearly 1500 cases during their validity period.
As a result, Union government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again introduced the Securities Law (Amendment) Bill, 2014 in August 2014. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on 6 August 2014 and by the Rajya Sabha on 12 August 2014.

Prime Minister launched Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)

29-AUG-2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 28 August 2014 launched Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. The Yojana is a mega financial inclusion plan. Under the yojana bank accounts and RuPay debit cards with inbuilt insurance cover of 1 lakh rupees will be provided to crores of persons with no access to formal banking facilities.
The primary aim of the Jan Dhan Yojana is to bring poor financially excluded people into the banking system by providing them bank accounts and debit cards.
Target of Yojana
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has set an ambitious target of bringing in more than 7.5 crore un-banked families into India’s banking system by opening more than 15 crore bank accounts at the rate of two bank accounts per household by 15 August 2015.
The remaining hilly areas and the other 75 naxalite affected districts will be covered under the Yojana by the end of August 2016.
Name of Yojana
The name Jan Dhan was chosen through an online competition on the MyGov Platform and received more than 6000 suggestion from Indian citizens.

Slogan
The slogan for the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan mission isMera Khata – Bhagya Vidhaata.
Coverage of Yojana
The scheme will cover both urban and rural areas of India and all bank accounts opened will be linked to a debit card which would be issued under the RuPay scheme. (Rupay is India’s own unique domestic card network owned by National Payments Corporation of India and has been created as an alternative to Visa and Mastercard.)
Benefits under Yojana
Every individual who open a bank account becomes eligible to receive an accident insurance cover of up-to 1 Lakh rupees for his entire family.
Moreover, an additional 30000 rupees life insurance cover will be provided for those opening bank accounts before 26 January 2015.
Once the bank account became active for 6 months and being linked to account holders Aadhar identity, they would become eligible for an overdraft of up to 2500 rupees, which would further be enhanced by the bank to 5000 rupees over time.
The Jan Dhan Yojana also seeks to provide incentives to business and banking correspondents. The banking correspondents act as link for the last mile between savings account holders and the bank by fixing a minimum monthly remuneration of 5000 rupees.
The long term vision of the Jan Dhan Yojana is to lay the foundation of a cashless economy and is complementary to the Digital India Scheme.

Sivaramakrishnan Committee submitted report to Union Home Ministry on AP Capital

29-AUG-2014

Sivaramakrishnan committee constituted by the Union Government to suggest the place to build the capital city of Andhra Pradesh submitted its report on 27 August 2014 to the Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.
The committee gave options about the capital and positive and negative points of the places. But the committee did not Zero in on any particular place for the capital. It only mentioned the availability of lands and other factors.
Interestingly, the committee objected Vijayawada to be the capital, in the context of the AP government transferring certain departments to Vijayawada, declaring it as the future capital.

Highlights of the Report
• Opined the capital could be between Marturu and Vinukonda.
• It also proposed Musunuru, Mangalagiri, Macherla, Gollapally, Vinukonda, Marturu, Donakonda, Pulichintala as suitable for Capital regions.
• Referred three zones set up for the capital.
• Opposed the building of Super City or Smart City.
• Said that capital between Vijayawada-Guntur is incorrect because it would bring up economic and environmental problems.
• It also opined that farmers and laborers are more Krishna and Guntur districts and would make it difficult for land acquisition and would benefit only realtors and the traffic in Vijayawada-Guntur-Mangalagiri- tenali cities is likely to be higher.
• Road connectivity should be increased on the banks of river Krishna.
• It suggested, to divide, Andhra Pradesh into four parts.They should be Uttara Andhra (Northern Andhra), Madhya Andhra (Central Andhra), Coastha Andhra(Coastal Andhra) and Rayalaseema.
• As per committee, Uttara Andhra comprises Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari, Madhya Andhra comprises West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur districts, Coastha Andhra comprises Nellore and Prakasam districts and Rayalaseema comprises YSR Kadapa, Kurnool, Anantapur and Chittoor districts.
• Vishakhapatnam should be set up as a high-tech zone and 109 office should be set up in its zone.
• High Court should be set up in Visakhapatnam and a High Court Bench should be in either Anantapur or Kurnool.
• Kalahasthi Zone to be set up as the Railway Zone. Guntur-Chennai Central Railway corridor to be set up.
• Assembly, secretariat, the chief minister's office should be set up in the capital city.
• It urged to do justice to Kurnool, as it was a capital in the past for the state of Andhra.
• Mangalagiri area has less reserved forest.
About Sivaramakrishnan Committee
• Union government has set up five-member committee under the chairmanship of former Home Secretary K. Sivaramakrishnan to suggest the place to build the capital city of Andhra Pradesh.
• The other members of the committee are Rathin Roy, Aromar Revi, Jagan Shah and K.T. Ravindran.
• The committee will travel around the state of Andhra Pradesh and suggest a suitable place to be the new capital of Andhra Pradesh by 31 August 2014.

Delhi Government made it mandatory for women to wear helmet in Delhi NCR

The Delhi Government on 28 August 2014 made it mandatory for women riding a two-wheeler to wear helmets in Delhi NCR region. The purpose is to ensure safety of women in the national capital. The law came into effect after the government amended rule 115 of the Delhi Motor Vehicles Rules, 1993.

The government granted exemption to Sikh women to value religious sentiments of Sikhs. The Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) welcomed the decision of the Delhi Government.

Reason behind the amendment
According to the Delhi Transport Department, in 2012, around 580 two-wheeler riders lost their lives in accidents. Head injuries were the main cause of their death. This was an outcome of non-use of helmets. Keeping this in mind, the amendment to the Delhi Motor Vehicles Rules, 1993 was proposed by the Delhi Transport Department.

Rule 115 of the Delhi Motor Vehicles Rules, 1993
The Clause (2) of the rule 115 of Delhi Motor Vehicles Rules, 1993 grants exception in favour of women, it makes it optional for them to wear helmets. This clause was required to be deleted to ensure women safety.
Earlier in 1998, the Delhi Government had made wearing of helmets mandatory for all pillion riders, but it had to amend the Delhi Motor Vehicle Rules in June 1999 making it optional for women due to objections from Sikh community.
Background
On 2 May 2014, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung gave approval to Delhi Transport Department to go-ahead in inviting suggestions from general public on issue of road safety. During suggestions, it came out that wearing of helmets should be made mandatory for all.
Moreover, some Muslim also demanded relief for burqa-clad women riding pillion in the capital.

Manipur Governor Vinod Kumar Duggal resigned

Vinod Kumar Duggal resigned as Manipur Governor on 28 August 2014. He was appointed as governor of Manipur by President Pranab Mukherjee on 23 December 2013.
Thus, Vinod Kumar Duggal became the ninth governor to resign since the NDA Government came to power in May 2014. Eight other governors -- M.K. Narayanan (West Bengal), Ashwani Kumar (Nagaland), B.L. Joshi (UP), B.V. Wanchoo (Goa) Shekhar Dutt (Chhattisgarh), Sheila Dikshit (Kerala), V Purushothaman (Mizoram), K. Sankaranarayanan (Maharashtra) had resigned before.

Vinod Kumar Duggal
• Vinod Kumar Duggal is a 1968 batch IAS officer.
• He served as a Home Secretary from 2005-2007.
• In 2009, he was appointed as a member-secretary of the Srikrishna committee on Telangana.
• He is also a member of the Justice Punchhi Commission on Centre-State relations
• Along with the responsibility to serve as Governor of Manipur, he was given additional responsibility as Governor of Mizoram as the governor Kamla Beniwal was sacked on 8 August 2014.

Government approved swapping of Save Our Soul village land with AAI's land

29-AUG-2014

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 27 August 2014 approved the swapping of Save Our Soul (SOS) village land in Borjhar, Assam with the Airport Authority of India’s (AAI) airport land. As per the approval the SOS village’s 2397 square meter land will be swapped with AAI’s equivalent airport land that measures 2397 square meter.

This approval will facilitate the construction of three hangers at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA) in Guwahati. The decks for the installation of hangers at the LGBIA have been cleared to meet the rising number of scheduled and non-scheduled aircraft in Northeast India.
The Union Cabinet meet that cleared the decks of the land-swap agreement between SOS and AAI was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Construction of the hangers at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport will facilitate development of the airport leading to a greater social inclusion of the region.

IRCTC launched new application to book tickets for Black Berry smartphone users

29-AUG-2014

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) on 28 August 2014 launched a new application to book train tickets for Black Berry smartphone users. The application was launched with an eye on the growing usage of mobile applications.
The application (App) to be used for booking, the tickets on Blackberry can be downloaded from Blackberry Store on Blackberry-10 smartphones. To strengthen the ticketing site, Railway has invested about 100 crore rupees. As per IRCTC, the newly launched application is user friendly and easy to operate.

Reason behind launch of the application
The application was launched after IRCTC witnessed that the number of tickets booked through e-ticketing system on IRCTC website has gone up as many times, since capacity enhancement of the portal. As per the collected data, on an average about 7000 tickets are booked on the website per minute, which means about 5 lakh ticket booking on the daily basis.
There are about 31 crore reserve tickets being booked in a year out of which 55 per cent tickets are sold through windows. Of remaining 45 percent, about 37 percent tickets are booked online while remaining eight percent are booked by ticketing agents.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan sworn in as 12th President of Turkey

28-AUG-2014

Recep Tayyip Erdogan was sworn in on 28 August 2014 as 12th President of Turkey. He was sworn-in a ceremony held at Parliament of Turkey in Ankarra. The ceremony was attended by Heads of state from a dozen nations in Eastern Europe, Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East.

Earlier in the first ever presidential election, based on popular vote, held in August 2014, he won the elections with 51.79 percent of vote. His opposition Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the former head of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation received 38.44 percent and Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas came third with 9.76 percent.

He belongs to Justice and Development of Party (or AK Party) and was serving as Prime Minister of Turkey since 2003.

About President of Turkey

The office of the President of Turkey was established with the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey on 29 October 1923.

The President of Turkey is the head of state of the Republic of Turkey. The Presidency is largely a ceremonial office but has some important functions. In this capacity he represents the Republic of Turkey, and the unity of the Turkish nation; he ensures the implementation of the Turkish Constitution, and the organized and harmonious functioning of the organs of state.

Election of President

The president was elected by a system based on closed list proportional representation according to the D'Hondt method. To participate in the distribution of seats, a party must obtain at least 10% of the votes cast at the national level as well as a percentage of votes in the contested district according to a complex formula.

According to an amendment in 2007, the future Presidents were to be elected by the citizens through a public vote.

The president will be elected for a five year term. President will be eligible for a second term.

About Turkey

Turkey got its freedom in 1923 from Ottoman Empire. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was regarded as the modern founder of Turkey. He has established turkey as a republic country.

Shah Rukh Khan became Ambassador of Turn Back Crime campaign of Interpol

28-AUG-2014

Shah Rukh Khan on 27 August 2014 became the Ambassador of Turn Back Crime campaign of Interpol. This was revealed from a statement released from Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France. The campaign will promote awareness on how everyone can play a role in preventing crime.

He, thus, became first Indian to become the ambassador of Interpol. As part of the Campaign, Shah Rukh will lend his voice to help spread the message that all of society benefits when citizens respect the law and fight crime

Shah Rukh joined a club of actors who have been the ambassador for the campaign. These include Hollywood actor Jackie Chan, footballer Lionel Messi, Formula 1 racing drivers Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen in addition to law enforcement agencies around the world.

About Turn Back Crime Campaign

The Turn Back Crime campaign of Interpol is aimed at raising public awareness that organized crime is often involved in seemingly unrelated crimes.

Drugs trafficking, people smuggling, counterfeiting, cybercrime, kidnapping, crimes against children and corruption in sport are in fact often interconnected, with profits from one crime area used to fund another.

Union Cabinet announced to lift the restriction of one LPG cylinder per month

28-AUG-2014

Union Cabinet on 27 August 2014 announced to lift the restriction of one LPG cylinder per month per household.

However, the Union Cabinet did not change the overall cap of 12 subsidised cylinders per year. Cooking gas consumers will now get 12 cylinders of 14.2-kg at subsidised rate in a year, even if they don’t consume one bottle/month.

The decision to remove monthly restriction was taken after government felt that peoples were facing problem as sometime there is fluctuation in the need of cylinder.

The decision would help alleviate difficulties faced by genuine LPG consumers and will also help meet genuine consumer requirements subject to their annual entitlement of subsidised cylinders.

The monthly restriction was put by the Union Cabinet in February 2014.

Tata Value Homes and Snapdeal tied up to sell homes online

Tata Value Homes tied up with e-commerce major Snapdeal on 26 August 2014 to sell houses online through the online marketplace model. There are 1000 apartments across Mumbai, Talegaon, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Kolkata.
For the launch period, Tata Value Homes would offer a benefit to the customers who book the home through Snapdeal. In this, customers would get 10000 rupees per month for one year as assured rent after the possession of the home. It is left on customers to stay on premise or lease it out.

Twist in India's E-Commerce
Indian e-commerce sector is going through a major metamorphosis where Business giants are ready to invest in the growing e-tailing sector. Tata Value Homes and Snapdeal tie-up is not the first of its kind. In the beginning of 2014, Wipro's head Azim Premji led an association of investors that invested 00 million US dollars into Snapdeal. Premji also invested in fashion portal Myntra, which was recently acquired by Flipkart.
On the other hand, Infosys' head Narayana Murthy joined hands with Amazon to get Indian companies online by providing back-end support.
In 2013, the online sales of retail goods totalled around 2 billion US dollars. The sales are expected to reach 76 billion US dollars by 2021.

Snapdeal.com
Snapdeal was launched in February 2010. It is an online portal which currently has 25 million subscribers. It sells the products and services to consumers in 5000 cities and towns. It had crossed 1 Billion US dollar sales mark in total 30 months of operations.
Snapdeal had raised between 350 and 400 million US Dollars in investments till date. The mastermind behind its success is Kunal Bahl, CEO of Snapdeal.

Tata Value Homes
Tata Value Homes Limited was incorporated on 8 September 2009 as a private company under the Companies Act, 1956. It was formerly known as Smart Value Homes Limited. Subsequently, it was converted into a public company on 23 July 2010.
Tata Value Homes Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of TATA Housing Development Company Limited.

CCEA empowered Road Transport and Highway Ministry to amend MCA

28-AUG-2014

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 27 August 2014 empowered the Road Transport and Highway Ministry to make changes in the Model Concession Agreement (MCA).

The Road Transport and Highway Ministry would now be able to take following decisions:
(i) Mode of delivery of projects
(ii) Whether to use the PPP route BoT (toll) or BoT (annuity) or the conventional EPC model for award of a project which depends on economic conditions and viability of the project.
(iii) Allowing stake sales by a small developer
(iv) Premium rescheduling to recover a project can be taken at the level of the bureaucrats.
A committee headed by the Cabinet secretary would decide whether there is need of any amendment in MCA or not.
Reasons behind the decision
The Road Transport and Highway Ministry was facing difficulty in timely award of contracts. There was problem in knowing the mode of delivery of project. This empowerment would be helpful in making the execution of the projects speedier and smoother and help prevent projects from sinking into crises.
Despite the target for award of 9500 kms of road for 2013 only 1116 kms could be awarded in 2013 by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). For the Year 2014, only 1436 kms of road was awarded against the target of 4030 kms.
Moreover, earlier an inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) used to take decisions on modifications in the documents of road projects. If the project got stuck, IMG need to go to Union cabinet which led to delays in the delivery of the projects.
Model Concession Agreement (MCA)
MCA forms the base of public private partnership (PPP) projects in India. MCA is a legal contract that prescribes the terms and conditions for executing a road project. It comprises the policy and regulatory framework for implementation of a PPP project.
The Model Concession Agreements are available for various sectors like National Highways, State Highways, Urban Rail Transit System and Ports.

Model Concession Agreement (MCA)-A legal contract for Road Projects

28-AUG-2014

Model Concession Agreement (MCA) was in news recently as Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 27 August 2014 empowered the Road Transport And Highways Ministry to amend Model Concession Agreement (MCA).

Model Concession Agreement
• MCA is a legal contract that forms the basis of public private partnership (PPP) projects in India.
• It lays down the terms and conditions for executing a road project till a private firm operates.
• It states the policy and regulatory framework for implementation of a PPP project.
• MCA addresses all the critical issues related to a PPP framework like mitigation and unbundling of risks; allocation of risks and returns; symmetry of obligations between the principal parties; precision and predictability of costs & obligations; reduction of transaction costs and termination.
• MCA assigns all the risks to the best suitable parties which can manage those risks.
• The Model Concession Agreements for various sectors like National Highways, State Highways, Urban Rail Transit System and Ports are available.

Seven countries joined United States in arming Iraqi Kurds against ISIS

28-AUG-2014

Seven countries joined the United States (US) in arming the Peshmerga Kurdish forces in Northern Iraq against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on 26 August 2014. These seven countries are Albania, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom. This was announced by US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel.

The announcement comes two weeks after Hagel commissioned a U.S.-led working group to accelerate resupply efforts to Kurdish forces.
These developments comes after outgunning of the Kurdish forces by ISIS group in August 2014, which had overrun Iraqi military bases and acquired equipment and ammunition in June 2014.
Other than this, US also is expected to get helping hand from countries like Australia, Berlin, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and United Arab Emirates (UAE). The air campaign would be supported by Britain and Australia. Turkey is expected to give access of its military base and the financial support is expected from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE.
This development comes close on the heels of US President Barack Obama authorising surveillance of flights over Syria on 26 August 2014.

DIPP notified Press Note 8 allowing 100% FDI in Rail infrastructure

28-AUG-2014

Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 27 August 2014 notified Press Note 8. Press Note 8 allows 100 percent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) through automatic route in rail infrastructure of Indian Railways.

Press Note 8

FDI is allowed in the construction, operation and maintenance of:
High-speed train
Suburban corridor projects through PPP
Dedicated freight lines
Rolling stock including train sets, locomotives/coaches manufacturing and maintenance facilities
Railway electrification
Signalling systems
Freight terminals
Passenger terminals
Infrastructure in industrial parks like railway line
Mass Rapid Transport Systems (MRTS)
FDI will not be allowed in train operations and safety.
Proposals involving FDI beyond 49 percent in sensitive areas will be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security for approval by the Railway Ministry on a case-to-case basis.
Definitions of infrastructure and common facilities have also been widened to include railway line to include railway line/sidings (electrified railway lines and connectiveness to the main railway line).

With the allowance of FDI in Railways, the sectors in which FDI remains prohibited are:

(i) Lottery Business including Government/private lottery, online lotteries, etc
(ii) Gambling and betting including casinos, etc
(iii) Chit funds
(iv) Nidhi company
(v) Trading in Transferable Development Rights (TDRs)
(vi) Real Estate Business or Construction of Farm houses
(vii) Manufacturing of Cigars, cheroots, cigarillos, of tobacco or tobacco substitutes
(viii) Activities sectors not open to private sector investment: (a) Atomic Energy; (b) Railways operation other than in which the FDI is allowed

DIPP notified Press Note 8 allowing 100% FDI in Rail infrastructure

28-AUG-2014

Press Note 8

FDI is allowed in the construction, operation and maintenance of:
High-speed train
Suburban corridor projects through PPP
Dedicated freight lines
Rolling stock including train sets, locomotives/coaches manufacturing and maintenance facilities
Railway electrification
Signalling systems
Freight terminals
Passenger terminals
Infrastructure in industrial parks like railway line
Mass Rapid Transport Systems (MRTS)
FDI will not be allowed in train operations and safety.
Proposals involving FDI beyond 49 percent in sensitive areas will be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security for approval by the Railway Ministry on a case-to-case basis.
Definitions of infrastructure and common facilities have also been widened to include railway line to include railway line/sidings (electrified railway lines and connectiveness to the main railway line).

With the allowance of FDI in Railways, the sectors in which FDI remains prohibited are:

PM set up a Ramanujam committee to identify obsolete laws

28-AUG-2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 August 2014 set up a Ramanujam committee to identify obsolete laws. The committee will identify the laws which they believed hamper governance by creating avoidable confusion.
The Committee will be chaired by R. Ramanujam, Secretary in the PMO, V.K. Bhasin, former Secretary, Legislative Department, will be its other member.
The committee will submit its report in three months and on the basis of its recommendations a bill will be introduced in Parliament in the winter session. The committee will examine Acts and Rules which may have become obsolete within the last 10 to 15 years.

Background
Earlier, in 1998, Atal Bihari Vajpayee government had appointed a committee on the review of Administrative Laws.
The committee recommended repealing some 1382 Acts, out of which only 415 have been repealed so far.
The newly-constituted Committee will examine all Acts recommended to be repealed by the Committee on Review of Administrative Laws.

Historic Maharishi Walmeck Sawami Jee Temple faces demolition in Pakistan

26-AUG-2014

Maharishi Walmeck Sawami Jee Temple of Pakistan: Faces Demolition

Maharishi Walmeck Sawami Jee Temple popularly known as Balaknash Temple of Rawalpindi, Pakistan faces demolition. The reason behind its demolition is to make way for the barracks for soldiers. This move outraged the Hindu minority community in Pakistan.

Built in 1935, this is a pre-partition Hindu temple that is located at Gracy Lines of Chaklala, It falls in the municipal jurisdiction of military-managed Rawalpindi Cantonment Board.

The temple is located near a Hindu graveyard, which could also be demolished. The Hindu community filed a petition against the demolition of Temple and graveyard in the court which stayed the scheduled demolition on 21 August 2014.

Previous incident

A hundred year old Hindu temple, Shri Rama Pir Mandir in Karachi was demolished along with several Hindu houses by a builder in December 2012.

Despite Pakistani court hearing a petition seeking a stay on its demolition and protests by the minority Hindu community in the country, the builder demolished the historic temple. Around 40 Hindu people became homeless.

Google to build Knowledge Vault, to store information

Google will be building Knowledge Vault to store world’s information. It is the largest information storage in human history. It is readable by both human and Machine and is a knowledge base that autonomously gathers and merges data from across the web to provide unprecedented access to all facts about the world.

Google’s existing knowledge base is called Knowledge Graph which relies on crowd sourcing to expand its information.
About Knowledge Vault
• Google started building the Vault by using an algorithm to automatically pull in information from all over the web using machine learning to turn the raw data into usable pieces of knowledge.
• The world’s biggest technology companies like Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Amazon and IBM are racing to build similar vaults and they are tackling these enormous problems that mankind would never even have thought of trying 10 years ago.

Jewish centre Chabad House reopened 6 years after 26/11 terror attacks

26/11 terror attack on Chabad House

The other targets of the 26/11 terror attacks in November 2008 were the Tajhotel, Leopold Cafe and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

About Chabad House

This Chabad House is one of 4000 such houses in 73 countries, typically run by husband-and-wife couples.

About Chabad-Lubavitch Movement

Historic Maharishi Walmeck Sawami Jee Temple faces demolition in Pakistan

26-AUG-2014

Maharishi Walmeck Sawami Jee Temple of Pakistan: Faces Demolition

Built in 1935, this is a pre-partition Hindu temple that is located at Gracy Lines of Chaklala, It falls in the municipal jurisdiction of military-managed Rawalpindi Cantonment Board.

Previous incident

A hundred year old Hindu temple, Shri Rama Pir Mandir in Karachi was demolished along with several Hindu houses by a builder in December 2012.

Finance Minister Ahmet Davutoglu named as Prime Minister of Turkey

Turkey's ruling party named Finance Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as New Prime Minister of Turkey on 10 August 2014. He will replace Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He will resume office from 28 August 2014.
Currently, Mr. Davutoglu is serving as finance Minister. He is the Finance Minister since 2009. The nomination of Mr. Davutoglu was done by the congress of the Justice and Development Party (AKP).
About Prime Minister of Turkey
The Prime Minister of Turkey is the head of government in Turkish politics. The prime minister is the leader of a political coalition in the Turkish parliament (Meclis) and the leader of the cabinet.
About Ahmet Davutoglu
Ahmet Davutoglu is a Turkish diplomat. He is a political scientist, an academic, and an ambassador at large.
Earlier, he had served as chief advisor to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He became a Member of Parliament for Konya in the 2011 general election.

Japan to offer anti-viral drug favipiravir to treat Ebola

26-AUG-2014

Japan will offer anti-viral drug favipiravir as a possible treatment of Ebola. The drug is known under the brand name of Avignan.
The drug was approved by Japan’s health ministry for use against flu but the drug is not tested on humans.
Currently, the manufacturing firm, Fujifilm is in talks with the US Food and Drug Administration over the clinical testing of favipiravir in treating Ebola.
The WHO ruled that it is ethical to use untested drugs on Ebola patients given the magnitude of the outbreak.
Favipiravir
Favipiravir inhibits viral gene replication within infected cells to prevent propagation, while other anti-viral drugs often are designed to inhibit the release of new viral particles to prevent the spread of infection. It has enoughstockof favipiravir for more than 20000 patients.
Other drugs ZMapp
Earlier, the ZMapp drug was developed by Mapp Biopharmaceutical Inc to treat Ebola.

ZMapp is composed of three humanized monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that combine the best components of MB-003 (Mapp) and ZMAb (Defyrus/PHAC) each of which were combinations of mAbs.
Two of the mAbs in ZMapp were taken from ZMab and one of them came from MB-003.
Ebola
There is no known cure or treatment for the disease which has a fatality rate estimated at between 60 and 90 per cent.
Almost 1500 people have so far been killed by the Ebola outbreak since March 2013 in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Further, two new cases was detected from Congo earlier in August 2014.

GST Panel decided to lower threshold limit for imposing GST to 10 Lakh rupees

Goods and Services Tax (GST) Panel on 20 August 2014 decided to lower the threshold limit for imposing GST on entities to 10 lakhs rupees from the proposed 25 lakhs rupees. This was decided at the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers on GST meet headed by Chairman Abdul Rahim in New Delhi. Abdul Rahim is the Finance Minister of Jammu & Kashmir.

GST Panel decided that the threshold limit should be 10 lakh rupees in respect of general category of States and 5 lakh rupees for special category and NE states.

Other highlights of the Meeting

The Committee demanded from the Union government to specify GST compensation structure for five years in the GST Constitutional Amendment Bill.
The Constitutional Amendment Bill must include a provision on compensating them for losses incurred on shifting to the new tax regime.
Proposed to keep products such as petroleum, tobacco and alcohol out of GST ambit and demanded that the exemption list be included in the Constitutional Amendment Bill.
As regards dual control, the Empowered Committee demanded legal powers, and not only administrative powers, to collect tax from businesses with an annual turnover of up to 1.5 crore rupees. In GST structure, taxpayers with annual turnover of over 1.5 crore rupees would be taxed by the Union government, which will later disburse the share of the states.
The Empowered Committee also wanted some 13000 crore rupees to be transferred to the states as compensation from reduction in CST (central sales tax) and pointed out that this has been pending for two years.
Empowered Committee would now meet the members of the 14th Finance Commission to apprise the Finance Commission about the impact of GST on revenues of the States.

Background

Earlier in 2011, UPA government had introduced the 115th Constitutional Amendment Bill on GST in Lok Sabha. However, with the fall of the UPA government in May 2014, the bill lapsed and now a fresh Constitutional Amendment Bill will be introduced by the NDA Government in winter session of the Parliament in 2014.

Main Highlights of the 115th Constitutional Amendment Bill:

The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution to provide for the introduction of a Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The Bill allows both Parliament and state legislatures to frame laws with respect to GST. Parliament will have the exclusive power to levy GST on imports and inter-state trade.
The Bill creates Goods and Services Tax Council consisting of state Finance Ministers, the Union Finance Minister, and Union Minister of State for Revenue to make recommendations with respect to GST.
The Bill provides for a Dispute Settlement Authority to settle disputes between states or between states and the Union with regard to GST. Appeals from the Authority lie with the Supreme Court.
The Bill exempts certain commodities from GST, including petroleum products and alcoholic liquor for human consumption.

The GST will subsume indirect taxes like excise duty and service tax at the central level and VAT on the states front, besides local levies. When implemented the country stands to gain 15 billion US dollars by way of revenue as it would promote exports, lead to employment generation and help in growth pick-up. It will divide the tax burden equitably between manufacturing and services.

GST Panel decided to lower threshold limit for imposing GST to 10 Lakh rupees

26-AUG-2014

GST Panel decided that the threshold limit should be 10 lakh rupees in respect of general category of States and 5 lakh rupees for special category and NE states.

Other highlights of the Meeting

The Committee demanded from the Union government to specify GST compensation structure for five years in the GST Constitutional Amendment Bill.
The Constitutional Amendment Bill must include a provision on compensating them for losses incurred on shifting to the new tax regime.
Proposed to keep products such as petroleum, tobacco and alcohol out of GST ambit and demanded that the exemption list be included in the Constitutional Amendment Bill.
As regards dual control, the Empowered Committee demanded legal powers, and not only administrative powers, to collect tax from businesses with an annual turnover of up to 1.5 crore rupees. In GST structure, taxpayers with annual turnover of over 1.5 crore rupees would be taxed by the Union government, which will later disburse the share of the states.
The Empowered Committee also wanted some 13000 crore rupees to be transferred to the states as compensation from reduction in CST (central sales tax) and pointed out that this has been pending for two years.
Empowered Committee would now meet the members of the 14th Finance Commission to apprise the Finance Commission about the impact of GST on revenues of the States.

Background

Main Highlights of the 115th Constitutional Amendment Bill:

The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution to provide for the introduction of a Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The Bill allows both Parliament and state legislatures to frame laws with respect to GST. Parliament will have the exclusive power to levy GST on imports and inter-state trade.
The Bill creates Goods and Services Tax Council consisting of state Finance Ministers, the Union Finance Minister, and Union Minister of State for Revenue to make recommendations with respect to GST.
The Bill provides for a Dispute Settlement Authority to settle disputes between states or between states and the Union with regard to GST. Appeals from the Authority lie with the Supreme Court.
The Bill exempts certain commodities from GST, including petroleum products and alcoholic liquor for human consumption.

Thailand's king Bhumibol Adulyade endorsed General Prayuth Chan-ocha as PM

Thailand's king Bhumibol Adulyade on 25 August 2014 formally endorsed its military coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha as the Prime Minister of Thailand. General Prayuth was elected as Prime Minister military-dominated National Legislative Assembly.

Gen. Prayuth was endorsed in a royal endorsement ceremony held at the army's headquarters in Bangkok. During the ceremony, he asked the public to work with the authorities to restore democracy and said that he would work with honesty and for the benefit of people and the nation and wants to free Thailand from a vicious cycle of political instability.

About General Prayuth Chan-ocha

General Prayuth Chan-ocha began his military career in the prestigious Queen's Guard unit, later raised to become a commander in the King's Guard.

He took over as head of army in October 2010.

He is seen as a staunch royalist and has favored a tough stance on the "red shirts" who support former PMs Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck.

He is due to retire from the army in September 2014.

General Prayuth, 60, was a key figure in the 2006 coup that ousted Yingluck's brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

First seaplane service in Maharashtra launched from Mumbai to Lonavala

26-AUG-2014

First commercial seaplane service in Maharashtra was launched from Mumbai to Lonavala on 25 August 2014 from Juhu aerodrome. The aircraft took off from Juhu airport and touched down on the waters of the Pawana Dam in Pune district of Maharashtra.
Pawana Dam is located in Lonavala in Pune district.
The service was operated with Cessna 208 (nine-seater) and Cessna 206 (four-seater) amphibian aircraft.
The maiden flight was made with nine passengers on board and a flying time of 25 minutes. The flying will cost 2999 rupees per head one way.
The service was launched by the Maritime Energy Heli Air Services Pvt. Ltd. (MEHAIR) in collaboration with the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).
The service will slash travel time between the two points, currently serviced by trains, the Mumbai-Pune expressway and the Mumbai-Pune highway.
Earlier, MEHAIR pioneered seaplane services in India in the Andaman and Nicobar islands in January 2011.

CCI imposed penalty of 2545 crore rupees on 14 car makers for unfair practices

26-AUG-2014

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on 25 August 2014 imposed a combined penalty of more than 2500 crore rupees on 14 car companies. The penalty was imposed for unfair business practices in the spare parts market by these companies. The unfair business practices included taking undue advantage of their position and not allowing the market for spare parts and after sales to grow.

As per CCI, the penalty is to be deposited within 60 days of receipt of the order. The highest penalty of around 1346 crore rupees has been imposed on Tata Motors.Other companies on whom penalty was imposed are
• Maruti Suzuki - 471.14 crore rupees
• Mahindra and Mahindra - 292.25 crore rupees
• Toyota Kirloskar Motors - 93.38 crore rupees
• General Motors - 84.58 crore rupees
• Honda Cars India - 78.47 crore rupees
• Skoda Auto India - 46.39 crore rupees
• Ford India - 39.78 crore rupees
• Fiat India Automobiles - 29.98 crore rupees
• BMW India - 20.41 crore rupees
• Mercedes-Benz India - 23.08 crore rupees
• Hindustan Motors - 13.85 crore rupees
• Volkswagen India - 3.25 crore rupees
• Nissan Motors - 1.63 crore rupees
The major companies on which the penalty has been imposed include Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra and Mahindra, Toyota, General Motors and Honda.
Reason behind the Penalty
CCI’s imposed penalty is the impact of Commission’s investigation in relation to the complaint related to anti-competitive conduct of the car companies. Complaint was that these companies doesn’t allow the spare parts and after sale services market to grow to the detriment of consumers and independent repairers.
CCI in its investigation found that the conduct of the car companies was in violation of the provisions of Competition Act.

Further direction of CCI
CCI in its direction asked the companies to cease and desist from indulging in conduct which has been found to be in contravention of the provisions of the Act. Apart from this, CCI also directed these companies to adopt appropriate policies that allow them to put in place an effective system to make the spare parts and diagnostic tools and easily available in the open market to customers and independent repairers.
The commission also has directed the car companies not to put any restrictions or impediments on the operation of independent repairers.
Till date, the car companies were selling the spare parts through their dealer network, which resulted in high and arbitrary prices.

Textiles Ministry signed MoU with Flipkart to provide marketing platform to handloom weavers

26-AUG-2014

Union Textiles Ministry on 25 August 2014 signed MoU withFlipkartto provideonline marketing platform to handloom weavers. The MoU was signed in New Delhi to boost the sector and empower the weavers and boost manufacturing in the country. Flipkart is a leading online market service provider.
As per the MoU, the Flipkart would provide online marketing platform, infrastructural support in data analytics and customer acquisition to help weavers to get remunerative prices for their products and scale up their business.

Apart from this, periodic review of the sales and progress of the weavers in the targeted clusters will also be carried out.
Overall, this facility will also provide online marketplace for sale of products of the weavers/master craftsmen/national awardees/state level awardees and the others as advised by Development Commissioner for Handlooms. The MoU means that now weavers would sell their products under their brand name and slowly evolve as an entrepreneur by selling his products directly to the buyers across India.
•Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Textiles- Santosh Kumar Gangwar

With this MoU, the weavers would get a chance to connect with the buyers across the country under Flipkart'sABHIYAAN Flipkart – Kaarigar ke dwar.This will also help arrest this dying art and change the face of rural India. This ABHIYAAN Flipkart – Kaarigar ke dwar initiative will help rural weavers earn suitable remuneration for their products without having to step out of their homes.
Thus, this initiative would also motivate the children of weavers to learn and continue the art and stay back in the rural areas instead of migrating to the urban areas for jobs, thereby keeping alive the rich tradition of Indian art.

Earlier in August 2014, Flipkart also signed MoU with the Ministry of Labour and Employment's Directorate General of Employment & Training (DGET). The MoU was signed with an aim to train at least 5000 students from semi-urban and rural areas and possibly employ them at the company or its business partners by December 2014.

Noted Malayalam actor Chemancherry Narayanan Nair died at 79

26-AUG-2014

Chemancherry Narayanan Nair, the noted Malayalam drama and film actor died on 25 August 2014 at Chengottukavu near Koilandy in Kozhikode, Kerala. He was 79.
He acted in several Malayalam films and TV serials. Some films in which he acted included Mukham moodiakal, Abhijathyam, Ammakkilikoodu, Balettan.

Some awards and honours conferred on Chemancherry Narayanan Nairwere
• The Special Jury Prize of the Government of Kerala
• CI Parameshwaran Pillai Award in 2003 by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy
• Alat Ravindran Memorial Award

President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated India's first IIEST at Shibpur in West Bengal

25-AUG-2014

The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated India's first Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST) at Shibpur, Howrah in West Bengal on 24 August 2014.

While inaugurating the IIEST, President Pranab Mukherjee emphasized that the state level institutions need to be prioritized as these institutions account for 96 percent of higher education capacity.

The President also emphasized for the synergy between academia and industry. He called for the promotion of higher education in India's academic institutions and development of core competencies.

IIEST Shibpur

Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, formerly known as Bengal Engineering and Science University, was established in 1856. It is the second oldest institution for engineering education in India.

IIEST is a public institution for research and education in engineering science and technology. In March 2014 the institute got national status by amending National Institutes of Technology and Science Education and Research (NITSER) Act, 2007. It was renamed to IIEST Shibpur from Bengal Engineering and Science University.

IIEST Shibpur would be addressing global challenges in the areas of renewable energy, water technology, medical and environmental sciences, Disaster Management, Remote-sensing, Space Technology, Biochemical sensors, Structural Engineering and Embedded Systems.

Union Government launched India's first ethanol-run bus in Nagpur

25-AUG-2014

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari launched ethanol-run environment-friendly public buses in Nagpur on 22 August 2014. These buses were launched as India's first pilot “The Green Bus project” to test ethanol-run buses.

It was claimed that the carbon-dioxide emissions from the bus will be as low as 75 per cent to 90 per cent - depending on the purity of ethanol. The Union government, Maharashtra state government and Nagpur Municipal Corporation will monitor the emissions of the new bus.
Ethanol-run bus project would help to reduce India’s petroleum product imports.India imports petrol, diesel and gas worth over six lakh crore rupees each year and can reduce the imports by at least two lakh crore rupees by using alternative fuels. Ethanol-run bus project is the first initiative in this direction.
About Ethanol-Run Bus
• Bus maker company Scania Commercial Vehicle India Ltd of Sweden has manufactured this bus which runs on using Ethanol as the fuel.
• The company says the out of all renewable biofuel options, ethanol is the most cost effective one in terms of availability, infrastructure and accessibility.
• Scania also introduced an engine complying with Bharat Stage 5 Norms, which is a huge step to minimize the emissions further.
• The green fuel also conserves environment by reducing pollution.

About Ethanol
• Ethanol also called ethyl alcohol. It is the pure alcohol and is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid.
• It is commonly referred to simply as alcohol or spirits
• Ethanol can be produced here in large quantities in India, and it will reduce the dependence on traditional fossil fuels.
• Ethanol is produced from molasses, a by-product of sugar mills.
• It is also used in thermometers, as a solvent, as an antiseptic and as a fuel.

Boko Haram leaders declared Islamic Caliphate in Gwoza town of Nigeria

The militant group Boko Haram on 25 August 2014 declared Islamic Caliphate in Gwoza town of Nigeria. The announcement was made by the chief of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau in a video. The video was obtained by the Agence France-Presse.
A caliphate is an Islamic state led by a supreme religious and political leader known as a caliph. Caliph is supposed to be the successor to Muhammad.
More towns seized

In addition to Gwoza, Boko Haram is believed to be in control of large swathes of territory in Borno state.
Moreover, one town in neighbouring Yobe state is also under the control of Boko Haram.
ISIS – Caliphate in Iraq
The Islamic State, formerly the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, declared a caliphate in June 2014 after capturing vast swathes of land in northern Iraq and eastern Syria.
The territory from northern Syria to the Iraqi province of Diyala north-east of Baghdad was captured by ISIS. The area is a vast stretch of land straddling the border that is already largely under Isis control.
About Boko Haram
Boko Haram is a militant group in Nigeria. It has been designated a global terrorist by the United States and sanctioned by the UN Security Council.

BSF & BGB agreed on vulnerability mapping to implement coordinated border management plan

The Border Security Force (BSF) and Board Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on 24 August 2014 agreed to conduct vulnerability mapping in every six months. It will be conducted to implement a coordinated border management plan to curb drug and human trafficking and other trans-border crimes.
The agreement was reached in New Delhi during the 39th Border Co-ordination Conference between the two forces. For the conference, the Indian delegation was led by BSF chief DK Pathak, whereas, the 20-member delegation of Bangladesh was led by BGB Director-General Aziz Ahmed.

The delegation of the two sides comprised of senior officials from Foreign Affairs and Home Ministries, along with departments of Narcotics Control and Land Record and Survey and the Joint Rivers Commission.
Other points of discussion in the conference included
• Need of joint efforts to curb violence along border and bring down the death toll to zero level
• Additional vigilance in areas vulnerable to cattle smuggling
• Increasing coordinated patrols in vulnerable areas especially in night
• Deployment of quick reaction at different levels
• Educating border population about sanctity of the international border
• Action plan to curb smuggling of narcotics and drugs, like Phensedyl, fake currency notes and gold
• Real-time intelligence sharing against trans-border crimes
Apart from this, the topic of discussions included expeditious and fair trial of Felani Khatun case, in which a 15-year-old Bangladeshi girl was found shot dead in January 2011. The case has accused a BSF constable.

Coal Blocks allocated from 1993 to 2010 are illegal: SC

The Supreme Court of India in its verdict on 25 August 2014 said that coal block allocated by the screening committee from 1993 to 2010, before pre-auction era, was illegal. It said that the allocations were not fare and transparent and it also suffered from vice of arbitrariness.
In its decision, the Apex Court led by Chief Justice R M Lodha and comprised of Justice Madan B Lokur, Justice Kurian Joseph said that no objective criteria were followed while allocating and guidelines were also breached and all allocations were done in illegal manner.

Apart from this, the Court also said that further hearing is required so that it can be determined that whether there is a need for canceling 218 coal block allocations. For this purpose the Court fixed 1 September 2014 as a date to decide the actions to be taken against illegality of coal blocks.
Mainly private companies were allocated the coal blocks in states like Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.
Earlier in January 2014, the three-judge Bench of Supreme Court while reserving the verdict said that huge investments by companies could not be a ground for not cancelling the licence.

Katie Ledecky of US broke World Record in Women’s 1500 Meter Freestyle

25-AUG-2014

Katie Ledecky, an American distance swimmer on 23 August 2014 created a World Record in Women’s 1500 Meter Freestyle at the 2014 Pan Pac Championships on the Gold Coast, Australia. To create the new record Ledecky swam the distance in 15 minutes 28.36 seconds.
She crushed her own previous 1500-metre freestyle record of swimming the distance in 15 minutes 34.23 seconds at an untaqpered meet in The Woodlands, Texas in June 2014.

Ledecky won her fifth gold medal at the Gold Coast meet after defeating Lauren Boyle of New Zealand by more than 27 seconds. Lauren Boyle placed second completed the race in 15 minute 55.69 second and Brittany MacLean of Canada was third in 15 minute 57.15 second.
About Katie Ledecky
• Ledecky holds the world records in the 400 meter, 800 meter and 1500 meter freestyle
• These records had made her the first woman since US distance great Janet Evans to hold all three records at the same time
• Ledecky has won the 200 meter, 400 meter, 800 meter and 1500 meter freestyle gold at the Pan Pacs

Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan resigned

25-AUG-2014

Maharashtra governor K Sankaranarayanan resigned from his office on 24 August 2014. He tendered his resignation in the backdrop of being transferred to Mizoram. He refused to take charge of his new assignment. His tenure would have ended in 2017.
As per a Rashtrapati Bhawan communiqué released on 24 August 2014, 82-year-old Sankaranarayanan was transferred and appointed as Governor of Mizoram for the remainder of his term to Mizoram.

The communiqué also said that Gujarat governor Om Prakash Kohli has been asked to discharge duties of the Governor of Maharashtra, in addition to his own duties, until regular arrangement for the office of the Governor of Maharashtra is made.
Kohli’s oath of the office of Maharashtra was administered by Bombay High Court Justice Mohit Shah, while Chief Secretary Swadhin Kshatriya read out the warrant of Kohli's appointment, issued by the President.
About K Sankaranarayanan
• He was appointed as the Governor of Maharashtra on 22 January 2010
• Earlier, he was first appointed as governor of Nagaland and then was moved to Jharkhand
• He is a senior Congress leader from Kerala and has held several important portfolios like state minister for finance, agriculture and other

Ten pilgrims dead and more injured in stampede at Kamtanath Pahad Temple in M.P.

25-AUG-2014

Ten pilgrims dead and more injured in stampede early on 25 August 2014 at Kamtanath Pahad Temple in Madhya Pradesh.
Large number of devotees had gathered at the religious place on the occasion of Amavasya and the incident during the circumambulation of the Kamtanath Pahad (mountain).

World’s Oldest metal object, Cone-shaped copper awl, found in Tel Tsaf in Israel

25-AUG-2014

World’s oldest metal object, cone-shaped copper awl was discovered by archaeologists at Middle Chalcolithic burial site in Tel Tsaf, an archaeological site in Israel’s Jordan Valley. The team of archaeologists unearthed the oldest metal on the Earth from a woman’s grave.
The copper awl is 1.6 inches (4.1 centimeters) long and its tip is just 0.03 inches from side to side. It dates back between 5100 BC and 4600 BC.
As per the archeologists the woman was aged about 40 years at the time of her death. She also had a necklace around her waist made of 1668 ostrich-egg shell beads. Her grave was covered by several large stones inside a built mud-brick silo at Tel Tsaf.

Conclusion of the discovery
Danny Rosenberg, an archaeologist at University of Haifa explained that appearance of the metal discovered from the woman’s grave testifies two things, first, the importance of the awl and second, the importance of woman. The discovery is the first indication of social hierarchy and complexity.
About the archaeological site of Tel Tsaf
First time Tel Tsaf was discovered as an archaeological site in 1950 AD and the process of digging was started from the end of the 1970s and is being done till now. The area was a village from about 5100 BC to 4600 BC.
Some discoveries in the area suggests that the place was an ancient international centre of commerce with great wealth.These include
• Large buildings made of mud bricks
• Numerous silos that could each store 15 to 30 tons of wheat and barley
• Roasting ovens filled with burnt animal bones
• Several items made of obsidian, a volcanic glass with origins in Anatolia or Armenia and shells from the Nile River in Egypt and pottery from either Syria or Mesopotamia
Detail of the discovery was published in the journal PLOS ONE.

INS Kamorta, India's first indigenously built stealth warship commissioned into Indian Navy

India’s first indigenously-built stealthAnti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) INS Kamortawas commissioned in Indian Navy by Union Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on 23 August 2014. It was commissioned at naval dockyard in Vishakhapatnam.
INS Kamrota is India’s first vessel in the navy whose all weapon systems are manufactured indigenously.
INS Kamrota was handed over to Indian Navy byGarden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE)on 12 July 2014. The super-sophisticated frontline warship was formally handed over to the Commanding Officer of the ship Cdr. Manoj Jha by GRSE Chairman and Managing Director, Rear Admiral (Retd) AK Verma, VSM.

About anti-submarine warfare INS Kamorta
• The warship has been built by the state-owned Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. in Kolkata
• Kamrota is the first of four ASW stealth corvettes designed by Indian Navy's in-house organisation, Directorate of Naval Design (DND), and built by GRSE
• INS Kamorta has enhanced stealth features that make it less susceptible to detection
• It will form part of the Vishakhapatnam-based Eastern Command
• Kamrota would carry short-range Surface-to-Air missiles (SAM)
• It carries Active Towed Array Decoy System (ATDS)
• It can also carry an integral ASW helicopter
• It has been built with indigenously developed special grade high-tensile (DMR249A) steel produced by SAIL (Steel Authority of India)
• Rail-less helicopter traversing system gives a significant edge to the corvette over existing platforms of other warships
• It also has foldable hangar door
• Work on the warship was started in 2006
Earlier in June 2014, the Prime Minister dedicated India’s indigenously designed warship INS Kolkata (D63) as well as India’s largest warship INS Vikramaditya to the nation.

SC expresses concern over LoP issue; asked government to respond by 9 September

The Supreme Court of India on 22 August 2014 asked the Union Government to decide thestatus of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha. It asked the government to respond on the issue by 9 September 2014.
The decision was made by the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice RM Lodha and comprised of Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Rohinton Nariman. The becnh was hearing a writ petition filed by a non-governmental organisation Common Cause. The petitioner has challenged the provisions of theLokpal Act, 2013. The Act for its implementation needs a Leader of Opposition who should be the member of the Lokpal Selection Committee. The Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha are also members of the panel.

The court highlighted that Lokpal Legislation could not be put into a cold storage as till now no-one has been appointed to the post of Lokpal. Appointment of any person to the position of Lokpal can be done only when the Leader of Opposition is one of the five members of the selection committee.
The apex court said that it is concerned about the post of LoP in the Lok Sabha that is vacant. It also highlighted the importance of the LoOP that conveys the voice different from the government in the House.
However earlier in August 2014, the apex court had rejected a public interest litigation seeking grant of LoP status to the Congress, saying decisions taken by the Speaker weren’t amenable to judicial review.
Analysis and Background
After results of the 16thLok Sabha election was declared on 16 May 2014, any party failed to garner minimum 10 percent of the seats under which they can nominate any of its leaders as the Leader of Opposition. The previous ruling party Congress failed to garner 10 percent seats in the election and was decimated to 44 seats only in the 543 member house, whereas it needed minimum 55 seats for being nominated. Congress was the second largest party with maximum seat count after the election.
On the other hand, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has already rejected the demand of Congress for the post of Leader of Opposition (LoP), even after repeated and regular demand. She highlighted the rules that barred her to nominate any party as opposition as the any party’s eligibility required at least 55 seats in the Lower House.
The rule requiring minimum 10 percent seat in the House is mandatory for the post of LoP was framed in 1950 under Mavalankar Rule. GV Mavalankar was the speaker of the first Lok Sabha.

Six times Lok Sabha has witnessed no recognised leader of opposition
This is not the first time that the Lok Sabha has not witnessed any recognised leader of opposition. Previously the incident had happened six times in different Lok Sabhas and they wereFirst Lok Sabha, Second Lok Sabha, Third Lok Sabha, Fifth Lok Sabha, Seventh Lok Sabha, and Eighth Lok Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had no recognised Leader of the Opposition until 1969 (except AK Gopalan in the First Lok Sabha). The post was also vacant between 1979 and 1989 during seventh and eighth Lok Sabhaand after this it is the first time that the Lok Sabha has witnessed absence of recognised Leader of the Opposition.

Madhya Pradesh Government has announced an compensation of 2 lakh rupees each to the kin of those killed in the stampede and 50000 rupees to seriously injured.
About Kamtanath Pahad
Kamadgiri hill is a place believed to have been the abode of Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman during their exile. Lord Kamtanath is the Ishta Deva principal deity not only of Kamadgiri Parvat but of the whole of Chitrakoot.

Boko Haram leaders declared Islamic Caliphate in Gwoza town of Nigeria

25-AUG-2014

ISIS – Caliphate in Iraq
The Islamic State, formerly the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, declared a caliphate in June 2014 after capturing vast swathes of land in northern Iraq and eastern Syria.
The territory from northern Syria to the Iraqi province of Diyala north-east of Baghdad was captured by ISIS. The area is a vast stretch of land straddling the border that is already largely under Isis control.
About Boko Haram
Boko Haram is a militant group in Nigeria. It has been designated a global terrorist by the United States and sanctioned by the UN Security Council.

BSF & BGB agreed on vulnerability mapping to implement coordinated border management plan

25-AUG-2014

Coal Blocks allocated from 1993 to 2010 are illegal: SC

25-AUG-2014

Katie Ledecky of US broke World Record in Women’s 1500 Meter Freestyle

25-A

Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan resigned

25-AUG-2014

Oscar-winning Director of Gandhi, Richard Attenborough died at 90

25-AUG-2014

Oscar-winning British filmmaker and actor Richard Attenborough died on 24 August 2014 in London. He was in poor health for some time. He was 90.
Richard Attenborough was renowned for his critically-acclaimed biopic on Mahatma Gandhi.

About Richard Attenborough
• His greatest success was Gandhi, a film that won eight Oscars, including best picture
• Lord Attenborough also won an Academy Award for best director for Gandhi
• Some of the films in which he appeared were World War II prisoner of war thriller 'The Great Escape', Jurassic Park, Brighton Rock, 10 Rillington Place, Miracle on 34th Street and others
• Some film directed by him includes Grey Owl, In Love and War, Shadowlands, Chaplin, Cry Freedom, A Chorus Line, Gandhi, Young Winston
• Before converting himself into a director, he was a leading actor
• He was the President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA)
• Attenborough was born on 29 August 1923 in Cambridge, England
• During World War II, Attenborough served in the Royal Air Force.
• He was elected to the post of Chancellor of the University of Sussex on 20 March 1998
• In 1967, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
• He was knighted in 1976
• He created a life peer in 1993
Richard Attenborough in films
• He started his film career with a role in 1942 in a film named In Which We Serve in the role of a deserting sailor
• His breakthrough role was in the film adaptation of Graham Greene's novel, Brighton Rock (1947) in which he played a role of psychopathic young gangster
• In his stage career, Attenborough starred in the London West End production of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap. This went on to become one of the world's longest-running stage productions
• In 1967 and 1968, he won back-to-back Golden Globe Awards in the category of Best Supporting Actor for The Sand Pebbles (1966) and Doctor Dolittle (1967)
• He played role of Gen. Outram in Indian director Satyajit Ray's period piece, Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977)
• In 1950s, Attenborough with Bryan Forbes formed a production company, Beaver Films
• His most recent films, as director and producer, included Chaplin that was released in 1992
Other facts about Richard Attenborough
• In 2003, he was made President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), a role that had been vacant since the death of Princess Diana in 1997.
• In 2002, he became the third president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)
• From 1971-94, he was the Vice-president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).
• In 1990, he was Freeman of the City of Leicester, England
• In 1993, he was Fellow of King's College, London
• He was a Life Vice-President of Chelsea Football Club

• On 20 November 2008 in Glasgow, Attenborough was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Drama from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD)
• Attenborough was an Honorary Fellow of Bangor University for his contributions to film making

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Pradhan Mantri Krishi Seenchayi Yojana

23-AUG-2014

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Seenchayi Yojana was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 19 August 2014. The Yojna has been announced to meet the irrigation needs of all farmers across the country. Sum of 1000 crore rupees has been allocated for implementation of the scheme.

Modi announced the Yojna after laying the foundation stone for the four-laning of a 166 kilometer stretch of the Kaithal-Narwana-Barwala-Hisar-Siwani National Highway in Haryana. The highway will be developed at an estimated cost of 1393 crore rupees and will be up to Rajasthan Border.
Background
Earlier, the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Seenchayi Yojana was proposed in the Lok Sabha on 10 July 2014 by Arun Jaitley, the Union Finance Minister in his maiden Budget Speech. The scheme was planned to provide assured irrigation to mitigate risk to the farmer since bulk of the farm lands are rain fed and it depends on monsoon.

Weightlifter Ragala Venkat Rahul won first medal for India at 2nd Youth Olympics

23-AUG-2014

Weightlifter Ragala Venkat Rahul on 22 August 2014 bagged Silver medal in the 77 kg category by lifting 141 kg in Snatch and 175 kg in Clean and Jerk to finish with a total of 316 kg. With this, Rahul won India's first medal of the second Youth Olympic

Games

in Nanjing, China.

Silver medal of Rahul was also India's first medal in Weightlifting in Youth Olympics. It was also his personal best performance in the total lift, which was six kg more than he did at the 2013 Asian Youth Games held in Nanjing.
Apart from this, Maymon Poulose in the 110 meter hurdles and Mithra Varun in the discus throw qualified for the Final-A stage, which is the second stage.
Earlier in the inaugural Youth Olympics in 2010 played in Singapore, India won eight medals, 6 Silver and 2 Bronze.

Eminent Kannada writer UR Ananthamurthy died at 82

23-AUG-2014

UR Ananthamurthy, an eminent Kannada writer died on 22 August 2014 at a hospital in Bangalore. The Jnanpith awardee Ananthamurthy died due to kidney failure for which he was admitted in a hospital. He was 82.
Ananthamurthy was a new voice in Kannada literature and is considered as one of the pioneers of the Navya movement. His nomination for the 2013 Man Booker International Prize brought him to the attention of a Western audience.

About Udupi Rajagopalacharya Ananthamurthy
• He was born on 21 December 1932
• During late 1980s, he was also the Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala
• Samskara, a novel of Ananthamurthy published in 1960s was strongly condemned and raised controversy as it questioned established caste conventions and was strongly critical of Brahmin conventions
• In 1984 he won state Rajyothsava award
• Ananthamurthy in his literary life won the Padma Bhushan in 1998
• In 1994, he became a recipient of Jnanpith award, the highest literary honour conferred in India. He was the sixth person among eight recipients of the Jnanpith Award for the Kannada language
• He became a recipient of Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 2004
• In 2008 he received Nadoja Award by Kannada University
Some of his renowned works were
• His main novel works includes Samskara, Bhava, Bharathi Pura, Divya and Avasthe
• His short story collections were Endendhigu Mugiyada Kathe, Mouni, Prashne, Clip Joint, Ghata Shradda, Aakaasha mattu Bekku, Eradu dashakada kategalu and Aidu dashakada kategalu
• His poem works were 15 Padyagalu, Mithuna and Ajjana hegala sukkugalu

T M Bhasin elected as Chairman of Indian Banks Association

T M Bhasin was elected as Chairman of Indian Banks Association (IBA) on 20 August 2014. He will be the Chairman of IBA for 2014-15.T M Bhasin is the chairman and managing director of Indian Bank.

K R Kamath, who is the chairman and managing director of Punjab National Bank, was the previous chairman of this Association. K R Kamath was chairman for two consecutive tenures, that is, 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Besides, Chanda Kochhar who is ICICI Bank's managing director, Arun Kaul, CMD of UCO Bank and S L Bansal who is the head of Oriental Bank of Commerce have been elected as the deputy chairpersons of the association. Arundhati Bhattacharya, chairperson of State Bank of India was elected as Honorary Secretary of IBA for 2014-15.

About Indian Banks Association

The Indian Banks' Association (IBA) was formed on the 26 September 1946 with 22 members. As on 1 April 2014 IBA has 189 members.
Homi P Mody was the First Chairman of IBA.
IBA is an association of Indian banks and financial institutions. It is based in Mumbai.
The members comprises of Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks, Foreign Banks having offices in India and Urban Co-operative Banks.

The Main Objectives of IBA

To promote education and knowledge of the law and practice of banking.
To promote and develop in India sound and progressive banking principles, practices and conventions and to contribute to the developments of creative banking.
To organize co-ordination and co-operation on procedural, legal, technical, administrative or professional problems and practices of banks and the banking industry.
To maintain close co-ordination and liaison with Reserve Bank of India, All Financial Institutions, Chambers of Commerce, Organisations of Banking Industry, Management or Educational Institutes, Universities and such other Organisations for realizing the subject and purposes of the Association.
To promote harmonious personnel relations in banking industry and to devise ways and means for involving banking personnel in the endeavors of banks for growth and development of banking and the economy of the country.

Afghanistan celebrated 95th Independence Day

22-AUG-2014

Afghanistan celebrated its 95th Independence Day on 19 August 2014. It is celebrated to mark the signing of the 1919 Anglo-Afghan treaty, which gave the country complete independence from British Empire.

The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this eve greeted Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai on behalf the Government and people of India.

About Afghanistan’s Independence

Since the ancient times, a numerous rulers invaded the Afghanistan which includes Alexander the great, Mongol rulers and Turkish Empire.

However, Ahmad Shah Durrani in the eighteenth century annexed many of the neighboring territories and made Kandahar its capital.

Afghanistan was never under complete control of the British Empire but The British fought three wars with Afghanistan to invade it. These wars are called as
Anglo-Afghan wars.

First Anglo-Afghan warwas held during the period 1839 to 1842 and British led Indian invaders were defeated by the Akbar Khan's Afghan forces.
Second Anglo-Afghan War, British was defeated first and tasted victory over Afghan at Battle of Kandahar and made Abdur Rahman Khan as emir to have friendly Anglo-Afghan relations. The British were given control of Afghanistan's foreign affairs inexchangefor protection against the Russians and Persians. This war was in 1878
Third Anglo-Afghan War: British gave up the Afghan’s foreign affairs which led to Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919, which is also called Treaty of Rawalpindi, in which it was agreed that British-India would never extend past the Khyber Pass, and stopped British subsidies to Afghanistan.

T M Bhasin elected as Chairman of Indian Banks Association

22-AUG-2014

T M Bhasin was elected as Chairman of Indian Banks Association (IBA) on 20 August 2014. He will be the Chairman of IBA for 2014-15.T M Bhasin is the chairman and managing director of Indian Bank.

About Indian Banks Association

The Indian Banks' Association (IBA) was formed on the 26 September 1946 with 22 members. As on 1 April 2014 IBA has 189 members.
Homi P Mody was the First Chairman of IBA.
IBA is an association of Indian banks and financial institutions. It is based in Mumbai.
The members comprises of Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks, Foreign Banks having offices in India and Urban Co-operative Banks.

The Main Objectives of IBA

To promote education and knowledge of the law and practice of banking.
To promote and develop in India sound and progressive banking principles, practices and conventions and to contribute to the developments of creative banking.
To organize co-ordination and co-operation on procedural, legal, technical, administrative or professional problems and practices of banks and the banking industry.
To maintain close co-ordination and liaison with Reserve Bank of India, All Financial Institutions, Chambers of Commerce, Organisations of Banking Industry, Management or Educational Institutes, Universities and such other Organisations for realizing the subject and purposes of the Association.
To promote harmonious personnel relations in banking industry and to devise ways and means for involving banking personnel in the endeavors of banks for growth and development of banking and the economy of the country.
RBI released its annual report 2013-14 suppressing the fear of drought
- The Reserve Bank of India on 21 August 2014 released its annual report for 2013-14. In its report. RBI suppressed the fear of drought stating that 'its way better than 2009' and the gaps in the fiscal and current accounts are most likely to remain contained in 2014-15.
  The report covers (i) the assessment of the macroeconomic performance during 2013-14 and the prospects for 2014-15, and (ii) the working and operations of the Reserve Bank and its financial accounts for the year 2013-14.
  For the first time, the report was provided with a chapter on the Reserve Bank's vision and agenda for 2014-15 for transforming the financial sector, to turn it into a stronger, deeper, more efficient and inclusive system.
  Growth Outlook For 2014-15
  • The Indian economy could grow in the range of 5 to 6 per cent in 2014-15 with risks broadly in balance around the central estimate of 5.5 per cent. though, risks to the central estimate were more on the downside at that point.
  • All-India cumulative rainfall deficiency in the current monsoon season till 13 August 2014 was placed at 18 per cent as against an excess of 12 per cent in the corresponding period of 2013. There has been a marked improvement in the monsoon since mid-July when the deficiency was 43 per cent.
  • Area sown under kharif crops (till 14 August2014) was 2.3 per cent lower than the normal and was 8.9 per cent higher than the 2009 drought year.
  • Though, the hydro-power generation is decelerating from 18.6 per cent to 14 per cent of the total power supply. In the thermal segment it is nearly 82 per cent of power generation, new capacities planned are expected to add 8.9 per cent to overall installed thermal capacity in the year. Similarly, installed nuclear power capacity is expected to go up by 41.8 per cent during the 2014-15.
  • The Union Budget 2014-15 is supportive of both investment and savings. The proposal to increase the deduction limit on account of interest on loan with respect to self-occupied house property is also expected to increase households’ physical savings. The Reserve Bank has complemented these measures by providing incentives for encouraging the flow of bank credit to infrastructure and affordable housing.
  • Mining, manufacturing, construction and trade, hotels, transport and communication sectors. These segments account for 50 per cent of GDP compared with about 15 per cent in case of agriculture, forestry and fishing, and electricity.
  • Overall, the economy may grow faster than in the 2013-14.
  Inflation outlook for 2014-15
  • After remaining above 8 per cent during April-May 2014, Consumer Price Index(CPI) inflation moderated to 7.5 percent in June 2014 but was increased to 8.0 percent in July 2014 due to deficient monsoon rainfall. CPI excluding food and fuel inflation, however, eased to 7.4 per cent in July 2014 from close to 8 per cent in April and May 2014.
  • Some stability in the exchange rate, has, mitigated the risk to inflation from exchange rate pass-through during 2014-15 so far. Global crude oil prices (Indian basket) declined from above US$ 110 per barrel.
  • The revisions in administered prices during 2014-15, which include railway fare and freight fares apart from the staggered increases in diesel prices, could exert some pressure on generalized price levels. and the smaller increases in the minimum support prices (MSPs) will help somewhat in restraining food price pressures.
  • Overall, the Reserve Bank of India has committed to a disinflationary glide path of taking CPI inflation to 8 per cent by January 2015 and 6 per cent by January 2016. Though the balance of risks around the medium-term inflation path, and especially the target of 6 per cent by January 2016 are still to the upside, the Reserve Bank remains committed to supporting the disinflationary process.
  The report mentioned that the monetary policy has an important role to play in curbing the effects of supply-led inflation and deficient monsoons are also reason for increase in inflation.
  Some Challenges For The Indian Economy In The Short And Medium Term
  • Lowering high food inflation through supply side management.
  • Strengthening the monetary policy framework and transmission.
  • Fiscal adjustment through revenue augmentation.
  • Strengthening infrastructure by improving contractual arrangements for private sector.
  • Removing obstacles and improving access to finance.
  • Managing the NPA cycle to improve soundness of the banking system.
  Reserve Bank’s Vision And Agenda For 2014-15
  This agenda was built on five pillars. The approach encompasses:
  • strengthening the monetary policy framework;
  • increasing diversity and competition in banking industry while improving governance in existing banks;
  • broadening the choice of financial instruments, and deepening and enhancing liquidity in financial markets;
  • improving access to finance; and
  • reinforcing the financial system’s ability to cope with stress

DDA approved modification of Master Plan of Delhi-2021

22-AUG-2014

The Delhi Development Authority on 21 August 2014 approved the modification proposal in Master Plan of Delhi-2021. The proposal and its acceptance was done at the 12th meeting of advisory group for taking up the midterm review of MPD-2021.
The proposal for modification of the plan was made by India Broadcasting Foundation and it was forwarded by Union Ministry of Urban Development.
Proposed Modifications
• It was proposed to give permission to media, news agencies and media training centers in public and semi-public uses.
• To allow up to 30 percent of maximum permissible Floor Area Ration for hostel accommodation for students and residential use for essential staff.
About Master Plan of Delhi-2021
• The Master Plan incorporates several innovations for the development of the

National

Capital Region.
• The policy zones of the plan are National Capital Territory of Delhi, The Central NCR, Highway Corridor Zone and Rest of NCR(National Capital Region).
• The Plan contemplates a mechanism for the restructuring of the city based on mass transport.
• The focal points of the Plan are:

Land Policy for optimum utilization of available resources,
Public Participation and Plan Implementation,
Redevelopment, Shelter, Housing for poor, Environment ,
To regularize unauthorized colonies,
Mixed Use to meet the growing demand of commercial activities and overcome the shortfall of available commercial space,
Trade & Commerce, Informal Sector, Transportation, Health Infrastructure,
Educational Facilities, Disaster Management, Conservation of Heritage
Provision of Sports Facilities and Focus on Infrastructure Development.

• The Plan gives emphasis on energy conservation, efficiency and exploring alternative sources of energy.

Veteran CPI-M leader Amitava Nandy died at 71

22-AUG-2014

Veteran Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Amitava Nandy died on 15 August 2014 in Kolkata. He was 71 and was suffering from cancer in pancreas.

The President of India Pranab Mukherjee sent a condolence message to Nandy's wife, Ila Nandy, who is a councillor of Bidhannagar Municipality.

About Amitava Nandy

Amitava Nandy was born on 12 March 1943.
He was a Member of Parliament of 14th Lok Sabha (2004-09).
He represented the Dum Dum constituency in North 24 Parganas of West Bengal and was a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) political party.
He played an important role in the implementation of the metro rail expansion from Dum Dum to Dakshineshwar.
He failed to retain the seat in 2009 losing to Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy
South Africa announced to evacuate 500 rhinos from Kruger National Park to curb illegal poaching
22-AUG-2014
- Environment Minister of South Africa Edna Molewa on 12 August 2014 announced plan to curb illegal hunts of rhinos for their horn. Under the plan to save rhinos from the poachers, about 500 rhinos of Kruger National Park would be evacuated to safer places, where the poaching activity is less.
- The step was taken in the backdrop of the rise in incidents of illegal poaching of African rhinos that increased from 13 in 2003 to 1004 in 2013, despite the deployment of soldiers throughout the vast nature reserve to protect them. As per officials in 2014 itself, around 630 rhinos have been killed in the country of which 408 were killed in Kruger.
- - The plan of relocation would help in creation of rhino strongholds and allow increasing total rhino population of South Africa. This initiative of the environment ministry of South Africa will be supported by the South African government’s Security Cluster. The security cluster will work on tougher penalties for those caught illegally hunting rhinos.
  - Rhino Population in South Africa
  - About 80 percent of African rhinos are found in South Africa and each rhino weighs more than a tonne. Kruger National Park is a home to about 8400 to 9600 white rhinos and around 2000 black rhinos are left. As per estimations, in 1960s the population of black rhinos across Africa was about 65000 that has decimated to such a low level within five to six decades.
  - Reason for which rhinos are poached
  - The rhinos across the world are hunted for their horns although international trade of rhino trade has been illegal since 1977. Rhino horns are in high demand in some Asian countries like China, as they are used for traditional medicine as well as a symbol of wealth.

Guru Hanuman Akhara chosen for 2014 Rashtritya Khel Protsahan Puraskar

22-AUG-2014

Guru Hanuman Akhara, a Delhi-based wrestling academy was chosen for the 2014 Rashtritya Khel Protsahan Puraskar (RKPP) on 21 August 2014. The Akhara was chosen in the category of establishment and management of sports academies of excellence.

Rashtritya Khel Protsahan Puraskar will be given on 29 August 2014 at the National Sports Awards function by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee along with Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand awards.

Other awardees of Rashtritya Khel Protsahan Puraskar are

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (employment of sports persons and sports welfare measures)
Jindal Steel Works (community sports — identification and nurturing of budding/young talent)
Child Link Foundation of India — Magic Bus (other forms of sports activities not covered in the categories mentioned in the schemes)

About Guru Hanuman Akhara

Guru Hanuman Akhara is the oldest Wrestling School of India existing till now and was established in 1925. Being an epicenter of ancient wrestling tradition in India it comes under the Wrestling Federation of India. It is located at Shakti Nagar in Delhi and till date has produced National and International wrestlers for India and some of them are like Dara Singh, Guru Satpal, Sushil Kumar, Yogendra Kumar, Anuj Chowdhary, Rajiv Tomer and others.
It was named after the legendary Indian wrestler Guru Hanuman who was born in 1901 in Chidwa village of Rajasthan. He was awarded with one of India’s highest civilian honours Padma Shri and was also a recipient of Dronacharya Award. He died in 1999 in a car accident at Partapur, Meerut

Hockey Madhya Pradesh became 23rd Associate Member of Hockey India

22-AUG-2014

Hockey India on 21 August 2014 added Hockey Madhya Pradesh as its 23rd associate member. With this, Hockey Madhya Pradesh (HMP) came under the wings of Hockey India.

Hockey Madhya Pradesh (HMP) before addition to Hockey India was formerly known as the Madhya Pradesh Hockey Association (MPHA).

HMP President- Nitin Dhimole

HMP General Secretary- Lok Bahadur

With the addition of HMP, Hockey India has

23 associate members
25 permanent members
2 members through State Olympic Associations
6 Academy members
1 Hockey Member

Madhya Pradesh Hockey Association (MPHA)

Since 1956, the Madhya Pradesh Hockey Association (MPHA) has given several international players and umpires. Since inception it has been contributing to the game of Hockey and has conducted international Test matches, national championships and state level tournaments.

Hockey India

Hockey India (HI) is the apex body of the country which has the sole mandate to govern and conduct all activities for both men and women hockey in India. It was recognised as National Sports Federation by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India on 28 February 2014 as the sole body responsible towards promoting the Hockey in India.

Formed on 20 May 2009, it is also affiliated to the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).
Mariamma Koshy is the President of Hockey India and Dr. Narinder Batra is the Secretary General.

Release of Punjabi film Kaum de Heere based on Indira Gandhi's assassination stalled

22-AUG-2014

Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry on 21 August 2014 withheld the release of Punjabi film Kaum de Heere or Diamonds of the Community. The film depicts and glorifies the act of two Sikh bodyguards Beant Singh and Satwant Singh who assassinated the former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984.
Kaum de Heere, supposed to be released on 22 August 2014, was barred from release following a controversy. The objection on the release of the film was raised by Congress and BJP unit of Punjab asking for a ban on the release of the film.
Taking into account the demand for banning the film, Union Home Ministry had communicated to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry that the film may affect the communal harmony in Punjab and other northern states because some of the content of the film was highly objectionable.

However, the film's producer, Pardeep Bansal, said that the film is based on true incidents and as per the findings of the Justice Thakkar Commission. The Commission had probed the assassination of Gandhi. Director of the film is Ravinder Ravi.
Background of Indira Gandhi Assassination
Indira Gandhi was shot by her Sikh bodyguard in 1984 in revenge for Operation Bluestar under which the soldiers entered the Golden Temple (most holy shrine of Sikh community) of Amritsar, Punjab to flush out militants holed up there.
She was assassinated by two Sikh bodyguards namely Beant Singh and Satwant Singh. Beant Singh was killed by the police shortly after the murder of Gandhi, whereas Satwant Singh was later hanged.
After the assassination, thousands of Sikhs were killed in revenge riots of killing of Gandhi.

Faisalabad Agriculture University conferred M S Swaminathan with honorary degree

22-AUG-2014

Renowned agriculture Scientist M.S. Swaminathan was conferred with an honorary degree of the Doctor of Science by the University of Agriculture in Faisalabad, Pakistan) on 21 August 2014.

He was honoured for his contribution to farm research and allied areas of plant-breeding, genetics, biodiversity and ecological studies.
While receiving the honorary degree, Dr. Swaminathan called for an evergreen revolution to increase in productivity in perpetuity without ecological harm in the Indian subcontinent.
He also called for a nutrition-sensitive agriculture, through programmes rooted in the principles of ecology, economics, gender and social equity, employment and energy.
About MS Swaminathan
• MS Swaminathan was born on 7 August 1925 in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.
• He is an Indian geneticist and renowned for his leading role in India's "Green Revolution."
• Green Revolution is a program under which high-yield varieties of wheat and rice seedlings were planted in the fields of poor farmers.
• Swaminathan is known as Indian Father of Green Revolution, while, Norman Ernest Borlaug of the US is known as World's Father of Green Revolution.
• MS Swaminathan has served as Director of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi (1966-72).
• He is the Chairman of

National

Commission on Farmers, since its inception in 2004.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals unveiled new Anti-Cancer drug GBR 1302

22-AUG-2014

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd in the third week of August 2014 unveiled a new anti-cancer drug called GBR 1302. It is the first clinical development candidate in the antibody based cancer therapy group.

The drug is a novel biological molecule similar to exiting antibody cancer drugs trastuzumab andpertuzumab, which will be used in the treatment of breast and ovarian cancers.

GBR 1302’s mode of action is different from the existing drugs in this class as it kills cancer cells more rapidly and completely. It is also not subject to the same resistance escape mechanisms as the existing therapies.

About Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals is a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Mumbai, India.

It manufactures and markets generic formulation products and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), both in the domestic and international markets.

In the formulationbusiness, its business spans segments such as Dermatology, Internal Medicine, Paediatrics, Gynaecology, ENT and Diabetes.

It has four manufacturing facilities for formulations and additional three facilities for APIs. These manufacturing facilities are located in the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat in India.

It operates in 95 countries through its subsidiaries, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals USA, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals UK and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals SA.

Prime Minister dedicated 765 KV Ranchi-Sipat transmission line to the nation

22-AUG-2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 21 August 2014 dedicated765 KV Ranchi-Dharmjaygarh-Sipat Transmission Line(Powergrid) to the nation. The transmission link was inaugurated online by the Prime Minister at Prabhat Tara, Dhurwa in Ranchi.
The transmission line was commissioned by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) at Bero and connects the Eastern and Western parts of India. It is the first of its kind in Jharkhand and connects Chhatisgarh, West Bengal and Jharkhand.

Apart from this, Modi also dedicated theJasidih Oil Terminalto the nation. He also launched theNational Digital Literacy Mission. He also announced the commencement of work of3x660 MW North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Projectof the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) in Tandwa (Chatra). The foundation stone of the project was laid in 2003 by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
In the slew of inaugurations, he also laid down the foundation stone of New Incubation facilityat Ranchi Centre of Software Technology Parks of India and Ranchi Centre of National Institution of Electronic and Information Technology.

Thai coup leader Prayuth Chan-ocha elected as Prime Minister of Thailand

22-AUG-2014

Thailand coup leader, Army Chief Prayuth Chan-ocha was elected as the Prime Minister of Thailand on 21 August 2014. His election to the post of 29th Prime Minister of Thailand was backed by 191 members of the 197-strong junta-picked National Legislative Assembly (NLA).

No assembly member opposed the selection of Chan-ocha, who was the sole candidate for the post. Now, the appointment of 60-year-old, Chan-ocha who is due to retire from the armed forces in few months must be approved by the King Bhumibol Adulyadej although royal endorsement is seen as a formality. With the royal endorsement, he will become Thailand's 29th Prime Minister of the country.
However, Chan-Ocha has effectively served as de facto premier since the 22 May 2014 coup. Earlier, Chan-ocha on 22 June 2014 seized the power from the elected government in a coup a few days after Yingluck Shinawatra was dismissed as Prime Minister in a controversial court ruling.
Background
Thailand’s politics has been surrounded by such incidents of coup since Yingluck’s elder brother Thaksin Shinawatra was toppled as Prime Minister in a coup in 2006. Thaksin was a billionaire telecom tycoon.

SC fined 14 states and 1 UT for not responding to Law Commission's report

21-AUG-2014

The Supreme Court fined 14 state governments and 1 Union Territory (UT) on 20 August 2014 for not responding to Law Commission's 245th Report on Arrears and Backlogs in Judiciary. The fine of 25000 rupees was imposed on each state government and Union Territory.

The Supreme Court bench headed by T S Thakur asked the states to give their opinion on Law Commission's Report by November 2014, the date of next hearing in Supreme Court.

Further, refusing to take a lenient view on the matter, it asked the States to look at the recommendation made by the Law Commission and say whether the formula based on disposal rate method was acceptable or not.

Earlier in May 2014, Supreme Court had asked these states and their respective High Courts to give their response on the formula suggested by Law Commission's report. It asked states to look at the recommendations given by Law Commission and give a response on whether the Disposal Rate Method was acceptable or not.

245th Report of 20th Law Commission

20th Law Commission headed by Justice (retd) A P Shah in its 245th Report titledArrears and Backlog: Creating Additional Judicial (wo)manpower planningsuggestedDisposal Rate Methodto clear the existing backlog of cases and the new cases which are adding to the backlog.

The report of the Law Commission is driven by Supreme Court decision in Imtiyaz Ahmad v. State of Uttar Pradesh and Ors case. In it had asked the Law Commission to undertake an inquiry and suggest recommendations regarding creation of additional court for eliminating delays, clearance of pending cases and deduction in costs of those cases.

Some highlights of 245th report

It has made recommendations about the backlog of cases in undivided Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab and Haryana, Maharashtra, Sikkim and Uttarakhand along with the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
The report has given a rational and scientific definition of arrears and delays and recommends observing it on a continuous basis.
The report suggested a formula that focuses on a multi-prong approach and rational judicial (wo)manpower planning.
The commission in its report suggested two different approaches to deal with backlog of cases. These are: (i)Practice Assessment Approach:It involves a thorough study of the filing of cases, their disposal, case-length and pendency. A comparative analysis of this study would help policy makers in determining the time taken by each court in solving a system-wide average case or a median case; and (ii)Normative Assessment Approach:For having fix time standards for disposal of cases, commission suggested that urgent measures need to be undertaken to have uniform data collection and data management methods.

SC fined 14 states and 1 UT for not responding to Law Commission's report

21-AUG-2014

The Supreme Court bench headed by T S Thakur asked the states to give their opinion on Law Commission's Report by November 2014, the date of next hearing in Supreme Court.

245th Report of 20th Law Commission

Some highlights of 245th report

It has made recommendations about the backlog of cases in undivided Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab and Haryana, Maharashtra, Sikkim and Uttarakhand along with the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
The report has given a rational and scientific definition of arrears and delays and recommends observing it on a continuous basis.
The report suggested a formula that focuses on a multi-prong approach and rational judicial (wo)manpower planning.
The commission in its report suggested two different approaches to deal with backlog of cases. These are: (i)Practice Assessment Approach:It involves a thorough study of the filing of cases, their disposal, case-length and pendency. A comparative analysis of this study would help policy makers in determining the time taken by each court in solving a system-wide average case or a median case; and (ii)Normative Assessment Approach:For having fix time standards for disposal of cases, commission suggested that urgent measures need to be undertaken to have uniform data collection and data management methods.
Union government issued draft rules to empower Forward Markets Commission (FMC)
- The Union government issued draft rules to empower the commodity market regulator Forward Markets Commission (FMC) on 20 August 2014. The new rules give more powers to FMC for effective regulation of the intermediaries of the commodity derivatives markets.

After the 5600 crore rupees payment scam surfaced at the

National
Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL), the government of India is strengthening the FMC. FMC is not an autonomous body.
According to the new draft rules:
• The Finance Ministry of India has proposed to strengthen the Forward Markets Commission (FMC) with the power to cancel, suspend and debar the registration of an errant intermediary.
• FMC would also have the right to inspect books and accounts of an intermediary and take disciplinary actions.
• The ministry has proposed mandatory registration of intermediaries with FMC and procedure for the same.
Forward Markets Commission
• Forward Markets Commission (FMC) is a regulatory authority which is overseen by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
• It is headquartered at Mumbai.
• It is a statutory body set up in 1953 under the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1952.
• "The Act provides that the Commission shall consist of not less than two but not exceeding four members appointed by the Central Government out of them being nominated by the Union Government to be the Chairman."
• The present Commission comprises three members among whom Shri Ramesh Abhishek, IAS is the Chairman, Dr. M. Mathisekaran, IES and Shri Nagendraa Parakh are the Members of the Commission.
Filmmaker Muzaffar Ali presented with 22nd Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award
21-AUG-2014
- Muzaffar Ali, renowned filmmaker and poet, was presented the 22nd Rajiv Gandhi
- National
- Sadbhavana award on 20 August 2014 at Jawahar Bhawan in New Delhi. The award was presented by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi, the president of All-India Congress Committee (AICC).

Muzaffar Ali was named for this prestigious award on 31 July 2014 for his contribution in spreading Communal harmony and peace. Born on 21 October 1944 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh; Muzaffar Ali had directed some of the most celebrated movies like Umrao Jaan, Gaman and Khizan. This 69 year old poet had been honoured with Padma Shri Award for his works in 2005.

Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana award
• Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award or Rajiv Gandhi National Communal Harmony Award was instituted by All-India Congress Committee (AICC) in 1992 to commemorate the contribution of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
• This award is celebrated every year on 20 August, the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi as Sadbhavna Diwas (Harmony Day)
• The award recognizes outstanding contribution of personalities in promoting communal harmony, peace and national integration.
• The award prize carries a cash award of five lakh rupees and a citation.
• Sonia Gandhi, President of AICC and wife of late Rajiv Gandhi presents this award to the awardees every year.
• 21st Rajiv Gandhi National Sadhbhavna Award was presented to Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan in 2013.
• Some other recipients of the award are Mother Teresa, KR Narayanan, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Lata Mangeshkar, Sunil Dutt, Dilip Kumar, Kapila Vatsyayan, SPIC MACAY, S N Subbarao, Swami Agnivesh and Madari Moideen (jointly).

NHRC issued notice to Himachal Pradesh government on alarming sex ratio in Una

21-AUG-2014

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on 20 August 2014 issued notice to Himachal Pradesh government to give report on depressing state of sex ratio in the State.
The notice was issued to the Chief Secretary, Government of Himachal Pradesh asking for a report within four weeks. The commission raising the question on the serious issue asked about the human rights of the unborn girl child.

The NHRC taking suo motu action and issued notice after media reports claimed that sex ratio in 25 Panchayats of Una district of Himachal Pradesh is alarming as it has gone down to 500 female infants born against 1000 males, in past two years.
Moreover, some Panchayats in the district have much poorer sex ratio than this. This is despite the fact that there is ban on sex determination but still forced abortions are rampant in the State.

Manipur Court orders release of human rights activist Irom Sharmila

21-AUG-2014

The District and Sessions Court of Imphal, Manipur ordered release of Irom Sharmila Chanu on 19 August 2014, dismissing that she was attempting to commit suicide by way of hunger strike.

She was arrested on charges of attempted suicide and was sent to a prison hospital where she was force-fed via a nasal drip several times a day.

About Irom Sharmila Chanu

Irom Sharmila Chanu was born 14 March 1972 and is a civil rights activist, political activist, and poet from the Indian state of Manipur
She is also known asIron Lady of ManipurorMengoubi.
She is the world's longest hunger striker.
Sharmila began her fast in November 2000, demanding for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958, after witnessing the killing of 10 people by the army at a bus stop near her home in Manipur.

Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958

An Act to enable certain special powers to be conferred upon members of the armed forces in disturbed areas in the States of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura and the Union Territories of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.
It enables the armed forces to arrest without warrant, any person who has committed a cognisable offence or against whom a reasonable suspicion exists that he has committed or is about to commit a cognizable offence and may use such force as may be necessary to effect the arrest.
It also enables them to open fire upon or otherwise use force; even to the causing of death, against any person who is acting in contravention of any law or order for the time being in force in the disturbed area prohibiting the assembly of five or more persons or the carrying of weapons or of things capable of being used as weapons or of fire-arms, ammunition or explosive substances.
NHRC issued notice to Himachal Pradesh government on alarming sex ratio in Una
21-AUG-2014
- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on 20 August 2014 issued notice to Himachal Pradesh government to give report on depressing state of sex ratio in the State.
  The notice was issued to the Chief Secretary, Government of Himachal Pradesh asking for a report within four weeks. The commission raising the question on the serious issue asked about the human rights of the unborn girl child.

Manipur Court orders release of human rights activist Irom Sharmila

21-AUG-2014

The District and Sessions Court of Imphal, Manipur ordered release of Irom Sharmila Chanu on 19 August 2014, dismissing that she was attempting to commit suicide by way of hunger strike.

She was arrested on charges of attempted suicide and was sent to a prison hospital where she was force-fed via a nasal drip several times a day.

About Irom Sharmila Chanu

Irom Sharmila Chanu was born 14 March 1972 and is a civil rights activist, political activist, and poet from the Indian state of Manipur
She is also known asIron Lady of ManipurorMengoubi.
She is the world's longest hunger striker.
Sharmila began her fast in November 2000, demanding for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958, after witnessing the killing of 10 people by the army at a bus stop near her home in Manipur.

Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958

An Act to enable certain special powers to be conferred upon members of the armed forces in disturbed areas in the States of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura and the Union Territories of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.
It enables the armed forces to arrest without warrant, any person who has committed a cognisable offence or against whom a reasonable suspicion exists that he has committed or is about to commit a cognizable offence and may use such force as may be necessary to effect the arrest.
It also enables them to open fire upon or otherwise use force; even to the causing of death, against any person who is acting in contravention of any law or order for the time being in force in the disturbed area prohibiting the assembly of five or more persons or the carrying of weapons or of things capable of being used as weapons or of fire-arms, ammunition or explosive substances.

The BRAIN Initiative: A Project for mapping brain activity

21-AUG-2014

BRAIN Initiative: Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies Initiative

The BRAIN Initiative was in news recently as an Indian neuroscientist Partha Mitra in the United States was awarded EAGER research grant under this initiative to map the human brain. The BRAIN Initiative aims at transforming our understanding of the human brain.

Importance of BRAIN Initiative

Despite the progress in neuroscience, the fundamental causes behind the neurological and psychiatric disorders remain unknown due to the complexity of human brain. In order to develop effective ways to help cure the devastating conditions of Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, depression and traumatic brain injury, researchers need to understand how the brain functions.

BRAIN Initiative will enable researchers in getting appropriate information on the brain structure and its functions.

Funding of the BRAIN Initiative

To make BRAIN Initiative work out, three key institutions have come up to fund President’s Financial Year 2014 budget. These Institutions are:

National Institutes of Health (NIH):It would be responsible for blueprint programme for Neuroscience Research. It will pool resources and expertise from fifteen NIH institutes. NIH intends to allocate approximately 40 million US dollars in Financial Year 2014
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA):In Financial Year 2014, DARPA plans to invest 50 million US dollars with the motive of understanding the functions of the brain. It would develop new tools to capture and process dynamic neural and synaptic activities. DARPA will also appoint experts to look at the ethical, legal and societal issues surrounding neurotechnology.
National Science Foundation (NSF):The most significant role in the BRAIN initiative will be of National Science Foundation. With the intent to invest 20 million US dollars, NSF would carry out the development of molecular-scale probes that can find and trace the activity of neural networks and a clear understanding of how thoughts, emotions and memories are represented in the brain.

Possible Outcomes

Better understanding of mechanisms that cause Parkinson’s disease to facilitate improved preventions and cures
Development of preventive solutions for Tarumatic Brain Injury
Creation of high-tech job opportunities for Americans in the revolutionary industries of future
World’s first Hindu eco-temple Shree Swaminarayan Mandir opened in UK
21-AUG-2014
- World’s first Hindu eco-temple namedShree Swaminarayan Mandirwas opened in Kingsbury of northwest London, United Kingdom on 19 August 2014. The eco-temple features
- solar panels
- on its roof and a rainwater harvesting system.
- - The temple combines traditional Indian architecture, intricate carvings and masterful artistry with green technology. The ornate Swaminarayan Temple has been built at a cost of 20 million pounds. The opening ceremony of the temple was presided by the temple’s global spiritual leader, Acharya Swamishree Maharaj.
    After being opened, the temple will showcase evening shows of dance and music and street parades.
    Apart from this, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson during his recent visit to the temple described the new temple and its facilities as stunning and impressive.
  - Mainstreaming Civil Defence in Disaster Risk Reduction Scheme launched
    - Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on 20 August 2014 launched a Plan Scheme of Mainstreaming Civil Defence in Disaster Risk Reduction at a function at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The scheme was launched with an aim to enhance the capacity of States to respond to all natural and man-made disasters.

For implementation of the scheme the government has allocated around 290 crore rupees during 12th Five Year Plan for Civil Defence to the scheme. During the 12th five year plan, the scheme will be implemented in 32 States and Union Territories in India. Number of rural districts covered under the scheme would be increased from 100 to 240 districts.

Aim of the scheme
• To enhance the community’s capability to face disaster and minimize losses of life, property and avoid disruption of normal life after any disaster
• It is government’s efforts towards raising public awareness towards disasters and creating a Disaster Resilient Community
Singh also released a publication Mainstreaming Civil Defence in Disaster Risk Reduction plan scheme. Civil Defence medals were presented to the awardees during the launch function.
Apart from this, the Home Minister also asked the officials to firm up a proposal to introduce a syllabus on Civil Defence in CBSE curriculum.

Senior MP KV Thomas appointed as Chairman of PAC
21-AUG-2014
- Prof. Kuruppassery Varkey Thomas was appointed as Chairman of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on 20 August 2014. He will be the 94th Chairman of PAC. KV Thomas is the senior Congress Parliamentarian from Ernakulum Constituency, Kerala.
  Bharatiya Janata Party leader Murli Manohar Joshi was his predecessor and was chairman of PAC for four consecutive years during 15th Lok Sabha (2009-2014).
  About Public Accounts Commission (PAC)
  • PAC was incepted in the year 1921 and till early 1950 the Finance-member was appointed as the Chairman of the Committee.
  • The PAC is constituted every year and it consists of not more than 22 members — 15 members elected by Lok Sabha every year from amongst its members according to the principle of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote and not more than seven members from Rajya Sabha .
  • The Chairman of PAC is appointed by the Speaker from amongst the members of Lok Sabha elected to the Committee.
  • As a convention since 1967-68, a senior member of the Committee belonging to the main opposition party/group in the House is appointed as the Chairman of the Committee.
  • The chairmanship is for a year, but one person can hold the office for successive terms.
  • If a member after his election to the Committee is appointed a Minister, he ceases to be a member of the Committee from the date of such appointment.
- - Functions of PAC
    • The Public Accounts Committee scrutinizes the accounts of the government and the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India after it is tabled in Parliament of India.
    • The main duty of the Committee is to ascertain whether the money granted by Parliament has been spent by Government "within the scope of the Demand".
    • The Appropriation Accounts of the Government of India and the Audit Reports presented by the Comptroller and Auditor General mainly form the basis for the examination of the Committee.
    • The Committee is not concerned with questions of policy. It is concerned only with the execution of the policy laid down by Parliament and its results.
    • It is one of the Parliamentary Committees which act as Parliament’s ‘Watch Dogs’ over the executive.
    About KV Thomas
    • Prof. Kuruppassery Varkey Thomas was born 10 May 1946 in Kumbalanghi, Distt. Kochi (Kerala).
    • He has been elected as Member of Parliament for 5 times since 1984 for Indian National Congress Party.
    • He was a Union Minister of State, Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution from 2009 to 2011 and has Independent Charge since 2011 in the same portfolios in Congress led UPA Government.
    • He was also a Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Excise in State Government of Kerala during 2001-2004.
    • He published many books in Books in Malayalam (i) Ente Kumbalangi; (ii) Ente Kumbalangiku Shesham; (iii) Kumbalangi Touch; (iv) Kumbalangi Flash; (v) Kumbalangi Varnamkal; (vi) Ammayum Makanum; (vii) Sonia Priyankari; (viii) Ente Leader; (ix) Order, Order, Orde

India celebrated 68th Independence Day on 15 August 2014

21-AUG-2014

15 August: Independence Day of India

India celebrated its 68th Independence Day on 15 August 2014, as India became independent nation from British Rule on 15 August 1947. On this day citizens of India pay homage to their leaders and freedom fighters.

On the eve of 68th Independence Day, the President Pranab Mukherjee addressed the Nation on the evening of 14 August 2014 and called for creative thinking in governance that enables fast-track development and ensures social harmony.

It was followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurling the national flag on Red Fort in Delhi and singing of national anthem Jana Gana Mana on 15 August 2014 and a speech that unveiled his government’s vision for the nation’s development. On this Day he announced certain schemes like launching of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and relaunching Varisth Pension Bima Yojana. Besides, he also expressed his concern over increasing crimes against women.

Flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs were also held in the state capitals, many schools and organizations.

How India Achieved Independence?

The Indian Independence Act 1947 of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which was in effect implementation of the Mountbatten Plan, partitioned British India into the two new independent dominions of India and Pakistan (including Bangladesh) with effect from 15 August 1947. The Act received royal assent on 18 July 1947.
On 3 June 1947 Mountbatten Plan was unveiled by the then Viceroy Lord Louis Mountbatten which advanced the date for power transfer to 15 August 1947 so as to mark the second anniversary of Japan's Surrender in World War II.
On 20 February 1947, the Labour government under Prime Minister Clement Attlee announced that the British government would grant full self-governance to British India by June 1948 at the latest.
In 1929, at Lahore session of the Indian National Congress, the Purna Swaraj declaration was promulgated and 26 January was declared as Independence Day.
The Indian National Congress called on to pledge the civil disobedience movement and 26 January was celebrated as Independence Day from 1930 to 1947. Later after India achieved Independence, 26 January is celebrated as Republic Day.
After the 1857 Revolt, Government of India Act 1858, the British Crown took over its Indian possessions, its administrative powers and machinery, and its armed forces and through East India Stock Dividend Redemption Act 1873 the East India Company was dissolved.
Government of India Act 1853, which provided that British India would remain under the administration of the Company in trust for the Crown until Parliament should decide otherwise, which was also one of the reasons for 1857 Revolt.
Charter Acts 1793 and 1813 enabled British to the sovereignty of the British Crown over the Indian territories held by the East India Company.
In 1784 Pitt's India Act or The East India Company Act 1784 was enacted to address the shortcomings of Regulating Act of 1773, creating Board of Control (Council) and provided for a joint government of British India Both By Company and Queen.
Regulating Act of 1773 is known to be the first step of the British government to regulate the affairs of the East India Company, creating an Office of the Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William.
Landslides struck Japan's Hiroshima prefecture
21-AUG-2014
- Landslides struck Hiroshima’s prefecture in western Japan on 20 August 2014 and killed at least 36 people and several are missing. The landslides happened in the residential area of the city's Asaminami and Asakita wards near a mountain in Hiroshima city outskirts.
  The mudslide caused by the landslide buried several houses of the area and swept away some people. The rescue team is working hard to rescue people affected by the landslides.
- - Cause of the landslide
    The landslide was triggered due to torrential rain that fell in 24 hours and sparked flooding in the city of Hiroshima. On the other hands, the weather officials have warned that more rain could trigger further landslides. Geography of Central and Southern Japan is mountainous and is composed of
  - weathered
  - granite soil which becomes brittle during heavy rainfall. Thus the landslide occurs in the area. The last landslide that struck the city of Hiroshima was in June 1999 and several people were killed in the incident.
    The previous landslide struck Izu Oshima Island in South of Tokyo in 2013. This landslide was triggered by a typhoon that struck the area and killed at least 35 people.
  - India to be the launch-pad for Amazon's plan to deliver packages using drones
  - 20-AUG-2014
    - India would be the first launch-pad for Amazon’s plan to deliver packages using drones or unmanned aerial vehicles. Amazon, the e-retailer based in the US will start its drone delivery services from Mumbai and Bangalore, the two cities where it has its warehouse. It seems that the services will be started by Diwali 2014.
    - Amazon in December 2013 displayed its Prime Air Drone to the world. This Prime Air Drone of Amazon is an Octocopter that is fitted with eight rotors. The drone of Amazon weighs 25 kilogram and it has the capability to travel over 80 kmph and carry a payload of up to 2.26 kg.
    - Question that arises with the concept is legality of use of Drones in context of India?
    - - Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has not yet framed any rule for use of drones in India. Hence there is no clear legal rule concerning use of drones for commercial usage. DGCA is an institute that is responsible for implementation, control and supervises airworthiness standards in India.
      - Earlier in the past such a delivery system was used in Mumbai by a pizza outlet in which it delivered a pizza at a distance within 2 kilometers from their location. But the process of the delivery faced a complaint by Mumbai Police in which they stated that why they didn’t take permission before using drones for delivery process.
      - Threats of usage of drones in the country
      - These unmanned drones could be a threat in perspective of national security as it can be used as a tool of destruction by criminals and terrorists. The main cause of the threat is because Abu Jundal (alias Zabiuddin Ansari) one of the handlers of the Mumbai terrorist 22/11 attack has informed the police that aerial attacks on the city is on the plan list of the terrorists.
      - Reason that propelled Amazon to make India is first launch-pad for Drone delivery system instead of the US
      - In case of the US, commercial Drone use is illegal and the previous plan of Amazon was rejected by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the US terming it illegal. FAA is the national authority on aviation in the US. Might be possible, this is a cause that propelled Amazon to choose India to initiate its plan to use drones to deliver its packages.
      - Scotland rejected the referendum for independence
      - 20-SEP-2014
        
        People of Scotland on 19 September 2014 rejected the historic referendum for independence from United Kingdom. In the referendum asking simple question, Should Scotland be an independent country?, 55.3 percent of the Scots voted No whereas 44.7 percent of the Scots voted Yes. In effect the referendum was rejected by a huge margin of 10.6 percent.
        
        Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi authored by Faraz Ahmad released
        
        20-AUG-2014
        
        Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi: An Inside Job? written by Faraz Ahmad
        
        A book titledAssassination of Rajiv Gandhi: An Inside Job?authored by Faraz Ahmad was released on 19 August 2014. The book was released by a senior journalist Vinod Mehta.
        
        The author on the occasion of release of the book termed the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi a contract job which had nothing to do with the ideology or the larger cause of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (accused of the crime).

About Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi: An Inside Job

The book reveals that Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination by the LTTE on 21 May 1991 was a myth which has been perpetuated for twenty-three years. The myth was perpetuated because Congress Party feared that Rajiv Gandhi might not triumph in the 1991 general elections which were underway. Further the book not only talks about the conspiracies and intrigue but had also attempted to explode the myth and seeks to find the reason, for which Rajiv Gandhi was killed, at a time when there was no chances of his return into power.
About Faraz Ahmad
Faraz Ahmad is a print journalist and has a vast working experience of covering crime and politics. He has worked for several Indian mainstream English dailies like Indian Express, The Pioneer, the Deccan Chronicle, the Asian Age and the Tribune of Chandigarh.
Out of 32 council areas, the Scots backing Yes scored four big successes, winning 53 percent of the vote in Scotland's largest city, Glasgow, 54 percent in West Dunbartonshire, 57 percent in Dundee and 51 percent in North Lanarkshire.
- However, the Scots backing No emerged victorious in 28 authorities. It won overwhelmingly in Edinburgh, Aberdeenshire and Borders, Falkirk, Inverclyde, Eilean Siar and Clackmannanshire.
- With the announcement of the result, David Cameron, the Prime Minister of Britain, announced to devolve more powers to Scotland and other unions of the UK, whereas Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister and the leader of the Scottish National Party, announced his retirement.
- The results were also welcomed by the US and Europe, particularly Spain which face their won secessionist movement in the form of Catalonians.
- Fallout of the Scottish referendum
- With the rejection of the refrendum, Pound Sterling jumped, reaching a new two-year high against the euro in Asian trading hours and the FTSE 100 opened 44 points higher.
- The results also came with host of announcements by David Cameron, Prime Minister of Britain. He announced that Lord Smith of Kelvin would oversee the process to take forward the scheme of devolution of maximum powers to Scotland which include new powers over tax, spending and welfare. The scheme has to be agreed by November 2013, and draft legislation to be published by January 2015.
- He also acknowledged that the people of England, Wales and Northern Ireland must have a bigger say over their affairs.
- Comment
- The referendum marked not only a new chapter for Scotland within the UK but also wider constitutional reform across the union because the vote against independence was clearly not a vote against change.
- If the UK has to avoid a repeat of the 1980 referendum in Québec, then David Cameron led Britain government must deliver on time and in full the radical package of newly devolved powers to Scotland. The triumphalist behaviour of Ontario fuelled the separatist cause that nearly succeeded in a second referendum in 1995.
- Background
- Scotland joined the United Kingdom in 1707, but the demand for Independence from UK emerged first in 2009 and again in 2011. The demand for Independence was made by Scottish National Party. After Scottish National Party came in power in 2011, the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament in November 2013 under an agreement between the Scottish and United Kingdom Governments
- World-renowned yoga guru B K S Iyengar died
- 20-AUG-2014
  - World-renowned yoga guru Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar died on 20 August 2014. He died at the age of 96. He died due to renal failure at a Pune-based hospital.
  - An eminent exponent of yoga as enunciated in the ancientPatanjali Sutra, Iyengar was credited with spreading practice of yoga to about 60 countries which he visited carrying message from the east to the west.
  - - About Yoga Guru B.K.S Iyengar
    - B.K.S. Iyengar was born into a poor Iyengar family in 1918 at Bellur, Kolar District of Karnataka. Iyengar was one of the earliest students of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, who is often referred to as the father of modern yoga. After modern yoga had arisen from the teachings of Krishnamacharya, it was Iyengar who established it.
    - Founder of Iyengar Yoga
    - He founded the style of yoga known asIyengar Yogaand is considered one of the foremost yoga teachers in the world. He is credited with integrating the eight aspects of astanga yoga.
    - He also set up his ownYogavidyainstitute in 1975 which later expanded in various branches across the country and abroad.
    - As Author
    - He authored14 books on yoga practice and philosophy including Light on Yoga, Light on Pranayama, and Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. These books were translated into 17 languages.
    - Awards
    - He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991, the Padma Bhushan in 2002 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2014.
    - In 2004, Iyengar was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine
    - His Disciples
    - Among those whom he introduced to yoga were eminent socialist leader Jayprakash Narayan, famous philosopher J Krishnamurti and world renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin.
    - UNHRC launched massive aid operation for Iraqis fleeing violence
    - 20-AUG-2014

Potential cooperation areas as per the MoU
• Freight operations- Logistics of automotive transport
• Passenger operations – raising speeds up to 200 kmph
• Infrastructure building and management – station development and workshop modernization
• Information & communication technologies especially for passenger amenities
• Modernisation of rolling stock
• Modernisation of signaling & telecom and others
This MoU will be valid for a period of three years and it can be extended further for successive periods of one year at a time.
Comment:It seems that the MoU on technical cooperation in railway sector would help the Indian government to complete its plan of running semi high-speed trains in the country.

Adille Sumariwala appointed as the Chef-de-Mission for 2014 Asian Games

19-AUG-2014

Adille Sumariwala, President of Athletics Federation of India (AFI), was appointed as the Chef-de-Mission for Asian

Games

on 18 August 2014. He was appointed by Indian Olympic Association to represent India in the Asian Games 2014.

Sumariwala, former

National

sprint champion, is also the president of Maharashtra Athletics Association.
2010 Asian Games
India won a total of 65 medals in the 2010 Asian Games that were held in Guangzhou, China. Twelve medals comprising of 5 gold medals, 2 silver medals and 5 bronze medals, came from athletics.
The medal tally of 2010 Asian Games was led by China.
2014 Asian Games
Asian Games 2014 will be held in the month of September at Incheon, South Korea. It is scheduled from 19 September 2014 to 4 October 2014 with total of 439 events.
The games will be governed by Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

SC issued notice to Union Government and States on PIL seeking cigarette and bidi ban

19-AUG-2014

The Supreme Court of India on 14 August 2014 issued notice to the Union Government and the States to ban cigarettes and bidis in the country. The notice was issued on a PIL (public interest litigation) that sought ban on cigarettes and bidis in India. The notice was issued by a Supreme Court bench that was headed by the Chief Justice RM Lodha.

The PIL was filed by filmmaker Sunil Rajpal and Counsel Aditya Agrawal. The petitioners in their plea claimed that yearly around 30000 crore rupees is invested on treatment of smoking-related ailments.

Background
Selling of cigarettes and bidis within 100 meters of educational institutions, airports and to minors are banned according to the Cigarette and other Tobacco Product (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003. Apart from this, six years ago, smoking in the public places was also banned, but still the incidents of smoking at public places can be easily seen.
Tobacco kills about six million people every year and is considered as one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide.

Roger Federer won Cincinnati Tennis Open

19-AUG-2014

World number three tennis player, Roger Federer of Switzerland on 17 August 2014 won Cincinnati Tennis Open, also called Western & Southern Open. He defeated David Ferrer of Spain 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 in the final played in Cincinnati, US. This was sixth Cincinnati title for 33-year-old Federer and was the first Masters title for Federer since 2012.

With this, he became the third oldest winner to win Cincinnati Open after Ken Rosewall (35 in 1970), Andre Agassi (34 in 2004). Besides, he also became the third player in the Open Era to reach the 80 titles landmark, joining Jimmy Connors (109) and Ivan Lendl (94).
Apart from this, Serena Williams of US won the women singles title of the Cincinnati Open. She defeated Ana Ivanovic of Serbia 6-4, 6-1. This was the first Cincinnati title for Serena Williams.

Founder of Delhi Gymkhana Club Dilbagh Singh died at 81

19-AUG-2014

Dilbagh Singh, the noted club cricketer and founder of Delhi Gymkhana Club, died on 18 August 2104. He was 81. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.
His younger son Bantu Singh also was a dependable middle-order batsman who played for Delhi during the mid 80's to early 90's and has also captained the side.

About Dilbagh Singh
• In the 1950’s, he played Ranji Trophy for Jammu and Kashmir
• He served at different capabilities in Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) including the post of Delhi selector

Brazilian presidential candidate Eduardo Campos died

19-AUG-2014

Eduardo Campos, the Brazilian presidential candidate, died on 13 August 2014 after his private jet crashed in São Paulo, Brazil. He was 49.
Campos, a former governor of the north-eastern state of Pernambuco, was the leader of the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB). He was the frontrunner in the presidential election in Brazil which was due to take place in October 2014.

Eduardo Campos
• Campos entered politics for the first time when he was elected as president of the Economics College Student Academic Centre in his University.
• In 1990, he joined the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) and was elected as the state representative.
• In 1994, Campos was elected as the Federal Representative of

National

Congress of Brazil. However, he resigned later to join Miguel Arraes as Government Secretary and Treasury Secretary.
• In 2004, Campos became Science and Technology Minister.
• Campos became the National President of the Brazilian Socialist Party in 2005.
• Campos served the country as the Governor of the state of Pernambuco for seven years (2007–2014).

Switzerland amended Federal Act on International Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters

19-AUG-2014

Switzerland in the first week of August 2014 amended Federal Act on International Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters. The Act governs the assistance to foreign nations in their pursuit of black money allegedly stashed in Swiss banks. Switzerland amended the key law under pressure from India and other countries.

These amendments, which have come into force on 1 August 2014, would allow India and other countries to make ‘group requests’ for information about suspected black money hoarders, while Swiss authorities would not give prior intimation to suspected individuals or entities before sharing their details.

It amended at least 10 clauses in this Act to lower guard on its famed banking secrecy walls to improve its information-exchange framework. According to one of these amendments, if the foreign authority demonstrates grounds for secrecy regarding certain case documents, the FTA (Federal Tax Administration) may refuse to allow a person entitled to appeal to inspect the corresponding files.

The Roadblocks

The Act provides that the person concerned would get a prior intimation of any such international assistance and he or she is also given an opportunity to appeal against this decision and inspect the files before being transmitted to the requesting nation.

The Act also explicitly mentions that the Swiss authorities would not consider a request if “it constitutes a fishing expedition” or “if it violates the principle of good faith, particularly if it is based on information obtained through a criminal offence under Swiss law.”

The Impact on India

On the one hand it would allow India and other nations to have information about the hoarder of black money. On the other hand, the roadblocks thwart India’s attempts to seek information on the so-called HSBC list, which Switzerland alleges that Indian and other foreign authorities got hold of after a former bank employee stole data about customers.

England won the Pataudi Trophy test-series 3-1 against India

19-AUG-2014

England won the 5-match Pataudi Trophy test-series played against India by 3-1. England achieved the feat after defeating India on 17 August 2014 in the fifth and final Test at The Oval by an innings and 244 runs.

On the other hand, India suffered an innings defeat in the second last match also and both the fourth and fifth matches were wrapped within three days. This was the heaviest Test defeat of India in 40 years.

This series win had enabled England to retain the Pataudi Trophy for the second straight time in three years. Besides, the series defeat also saw India slip in latest ICC Test Rankings to 5th position.

Man of the Match at the Oval:Joe Root
Man of the Series:James Anderson (England) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (India)

Series Report

England v India at Nottingham – 9 July to 13 July 2014, the match was drawn
England v India at Lord's – 17 July to 21 July 2014, India won by 95 runs
England v India at Southampton – 27 July to 31 July 2014, England won by 266 runs
England v India at Manchester - 7 August to 9 August 2014, England won by an innings and 54 runs
England v India at The Oval - 15 August to 17 August 2014, England won by an innings and 244 runs

Some major facts of the Series

India was bowled out at 94 in its second innings in the fifth match. This was India’s lowest score in England since 1974. The previous one was 42 all out at Lord’s.
Since 1977, India has been bowled out five times in the series at a score of less than 200

Himachal Pradesh selected to host First Para-gliding World Cup in India

14-AUG-2014

Paragliding World Cup Association selected Himachal Pradesh as a venue to host the 2015 para-gliding World Cup. This will be the first para-gliding World Cup to be hosted in India. The tournament will be organised under the aegis of Para-gliding World Cup Association, France.
The information was disclosed by Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma, who is also Chairman of the Billing Paragliding Association on 13 August 2014.

The World Cup will be hosted in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh from 24 October 2015 and will see around 150 top ranked pilots of the world besides 500 free flying pilots as participants.
Himachal got the chance to organise and host the world cup event by the Paragliding World Cup Association after successfully hosting the para-gliding pre-World Cup in 2013.

Former RBI Governor Bimal Jalan to head the Expenditure Management Commission

The Union Government decided to appoint former RBI governor Bimal Jalan as the head of the Expenditure Management Commission on 12 August 2014. He would be tasked to suggest ways for managing public finances by reducing food, fertiliser and oil subsidies to include fiscal deficit.
Expenditure Management Commission
Union Finance minister Arun Jaitley had announced the setting up of an Expenditure Management Commission in the Union Budget 2014-15 in July 2014. The purpose of setting up the commission is to cut-off the spending and review government expenditure to get maximum output.

The Commission will submit its interim report before the Budget of 2015-16 and its final report before the Budget of 2016-17.
Subsidies on Food, petroleum and fertilisers
In revised estimates for 2013-14, the subsidy bill on food, petroleum and fertilisers was 245451.50 crore rupees. For 2014-15, the subsidy bill is estimated to be 251397.25 crore rupees.
The increase in subsidy bill for 2014-15 is due to the increased allocation for fertiliser sector. The government estimated total fertiliser subsidy bill of 72970.30 crore rupees than the amount of 67970 crore rupees that was proposed in the interim budget.
The government allocated the total amount of 115000 crore rupees which includes a provision of 88500 crore rupees for the implementation of

National

Food Security Act.
Previous Expenditure Reforms Commission
During the year 1999-2000, Atal Bihari Vajpayee government initiated Expenditure Reforms Commission (ERC) headed by former finance secretary K P Geethakrishnan. This commission recommended for reducing the central government machinery and winding up of some government departments. Certain recommendations of the commission were implemented during the reign of finance minister Yashwant Sinha.
In 2002, UPA government appointed Vijay Kelkar Committee, former finance secretary, for fiscal consolidation plan which included reduction in subsidies. His panel suggested increasing diesel and cooking gas prices gradually. His recommendations are followed today.

TATA-SIA Airlines brand name to be called Vistara; to start operations from October 2014

12-AUG-2014

Tata-Singapore Airlines (SIA) named its upcoming joint venture airline asVistaraand will start its operation from October 2014. SIA on 11 August 2014 disclosed the name of their airline.
Vistara is an inspiration fromSanskrit word, Vistaarthat means limitless expanse. It has drawn inspiration from the brand’s domain – the limitless sky.

The Tata Group and Singapore International Airlines will be headquartered in Delhi and reports suggest that Vistara will give competition to Air India and Jet Airways. Vistara will start its operation with an Airbus 320 aircraft and would add 20 aircraft in next first five years of operations. This number may be changed if the government abolishes the five-year 20 aircraft minimum flying eligibility norm for international flying.
Apart from this, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had advised Tata-SIA to make sure that the staff of the airlines is present during all the regulatory meetings in order to avoid the delay in launching it.
CEO of Tata-SIA Vistara- Phee Teik Yeoh

Haider al-Abadi named as New Iraqi Prime Minister

12-AUG-2014

Iraqi President Mohammed Fuad Masum named Haider al-Abadi as the new Iraqi Prime Minister on 11 August 2014. Masum has given thirty days to Haider al-Abadi to form the next government and present it for the approval of parliament.
Before being nominated for the post of Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi was deputy parliament speaker. He was nominated for the post by the Iraqi National Alliance, a coalition of Shia parties.

The purpose of this move is to ensure country’s security which collapsed during rule of Nuri al-Maliki, Prime Minister of Iraq since 2006. It was believed that Maliki’s policies were partly responsible for the violence that has gripped Iraq badly.
Iraq’s Political Scenario
• Top political positions in Iraq are shared in a way that the President is a Kurd, Speaker is a Sunni Arab and Prime Minister is a Shia.
• Nuri al-Maliki held the post of Prime minister for two terms and is pressing for the third one. His sectarian policies radicalized Sunni Arabs which worsened the situation in Iraq.
• It is now believed that the next new governments under Haider al-Abadi will help build a consensus in the country by supporting the battle against the militants of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Oscar Winning Actor Robin Williams died

Oscar-winning actor and comedian

Robin Williams

was found dead at his home in Tiburon, California on 11 August 2014. He was 63.

Robin Williams

was remarkably known for his accurate impersonations. He will be remembered for his crazy comic personality and great dramatic performances hereafter.

Robin Williams
• Born in Chicago on 21 July 1951, Robin Williams attended Juilliard School.
• He began his career in 1970s as a stand-up comedian. Some of his tours were An Evening with Robin Williams (1982) and Robin Williams LIVE on Broadway (2002).
• Williams made his acting debut in Rajiv Joseph'sBengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo.
• He established himself as an actor through films likeDead Poets Societyin 1989 andGood Will Huntingin 1997.
• His fame came through with the Television showMork & Mindywhich was personally scripted for Williams’ improvisations.Mork & Mindypresented his work before a larger audience and gave him his first Emmy nomination.
• His work earned him eight Emmy nominations, out of which he won two Emmys- one Emmy award in 1987 for comedy specialCarol, Carl, Whoopi and Robinand other in 1988 forABC Presents: A Royal Gala.
• Williams earned an Oscar award for his performance inGood Will Huntingas a supporting actor.
• In his lifetime, Williams received four four Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and five Grammy Awards.
• In 2004, Robin Williams was ranked 13th onComedy Central’s 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time.

Halong typhoon stuck south-west Japan

12-AUG-2014

Powerful Typhoon Halong smashed large parts of south-west Japan on 9 August 2014. Halong killed at least 10 people and injured several. It also forced evacuation of millions from their homes.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said that the typhoon made its landfall near Aki, Kochi prefecture at 21:00 GMT. It also struck Honshu, Japan's largest island. Halong carried winds of up to 180 km/hr (110 miles per hour) and also unleashed tremendous rainfall on Shikoku and Honshu, two of Japan's four main islands.

The typhoon also forced grounding and cancellation of several of flights along with some bullet trains. It also uprooted several trees and electricity poles too.
Typhoon Halong struck the country a month after Typhoon Neoguri, which killed several people in Southern Japan.