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Cancellation or change in nomination in insurance policies now comes at a cost as regulator IRDAI has allowed life Highlights of RBI 1st monetary policy review of FY 2015- insurers to charge up to Rs. 100 for any such modification. 16 For policies obtained online, the fee is up to Rs. 50. The Following are the highlights of RBI’s first bi-monthly IRDAI guidelines for ‘Registering Cancellation or Change of monetary policy statement, 2015-16: Nomination’ have come into effect from April 1, 2015.

 Short-term lending rate (repo) unchanged at 7.5% Bharti AXA General Insurance Company Limited on 3 April 2015 launched Smart Traveller that offers global coverage  Cash Reserve Ratio unchanged at 4% for students, individuals, families and frequent travellers.  Retains Statutory Liquidity Ratio at 21.5% The SmartTraveller Insurance policy offers a choice of two major plans catering to Individuals and Families and  Estimates GDP growth at 7.8% in FY’16, up from frequent travelers through a variant known as Annual 7.5% in FY’15 Multi Trip International travel insurance plan.

 Forecasts CPI inflation at 5.8% by March 2016

 CPI inflation to dip to 4% in August 2015

Hailstorms in March affected 17% of the rabi crop sown Union Minister of Commerce & Industry on 2 April 2015 area unveiled Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-2020. The policy was unveiled by Minister of State for Ministry of Future rate cuts will depend on interest rate reduction by Commerce & Industry Nirmala Sitharaman at Vigyan banks Bhawan, Delhi. India better prepared to deal with volatility post US The new five year Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-20 provides a Federal Reserve rate action framework for increasing exports of goods and services as State cooperative banks to be allowed to set up offsite/ well as generation of employment and increasing value mobile ATMs without prior approval from RBI addition in the country, in keeping with the Make in India vision of Prime Minister. RBI to formulate scheme for market making by primary dealers in semi—liquid and illiquid G—Secs Highlights of the FTP 2015-20

Second bi-monthly policy statement on June 2  In the new policy FTP2015-20, two new schemes Merchandise Exports From India Scheme (MEIS) and Services Exports From India Scheme (SEIS) were introduced.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 1 April 2015  MEIS is for export of specified goods to specified sanctioned the scheme of amalgamation of ING Vysya markets and SEIS is for increasing exports of Bank Ltd. with Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. The Scheme will notified services. Duty credit scripts issued under come into force with effect from 1 April 2015. With this MEIS and SEIS and the goods imported against sanction, all branches of ING Vysya Bank will function as these scrips are fully transferable. For grant of branches of Kotak Mahindra Bank with effect from 1 April rewards under MEIS, the countries have been 2015. categorized into 3 Groups, whereas the rates of rewards under MEIS range from 2% to 5%. Under

SEIS the selected Services would be rewarded at Struggling to rein in the fiscal deficit at 4.1 per cent of the the rates of 3% and 5%. gross domestic product (GDP) during 2014- 15, the Centre  Measures have been adopted to nudge has received a good news on the indirect tax front-- procurement of capital goods from indigenous collections under this head exceeded the Revised manufacturers under the EPCG scheme by Estimates (RE) by Rs 4,000 crore. reducing specific export obligation to 75% of the normal export obligation.

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 This will promote the domestic capital goods manufacturing industry. Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), the retirement fund body, on 9 April 2015 suspended the 1000 rupees minimum monthly pension scheme from Central Bank of India has topped the list of public sector April 2015. The end of the minimum monthly pension banks with maximum bad loans including restructured provided under Employee Pension Scheme (EPS)-95 will hit assets as a percentage of total advances. According to the about 32 lakh pensioners. data provided by the RBI to the Finance Ministry, Central Bank of India’s 21.5 per cent assets are either bad or have been restructured to save them turning non-performing assets (NPAs). Foreign Fund Inflows Cross Rs 81K Cr Mark in 2015.

Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 7 India to clock 7.9% GDP growth in FY16: Morgan Stanley. April 2015 approved two FIIs (Foreign Institutional Investors) proposals worth 4187 crore rupees in the pharmaceutical majors Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. and Introducing an innovative business model, Kochi Metro Glenmark Pharmaceutical Ltd. Rail Limited—whose 25-km-long, Rs. 5,300-crore Kochi Metro project is half-way through—has tied up with Axis Bank for an automated fare collection system (AFC) for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the metro. government's decision to raise by 50 per cent the quantum of compensation to farmers affected by crop losses due to recent unseasonal rains. Besides, the criterion of 50 per cent crop damage for providing compensation to farmers has been reduced to 33 per cent, Reserve Bank of India asks banks to add 'third gender' which will help more people get better compensation for column in all forms. the crop loss.

ICICI Bank, India’s largest private sector bank, has Global ratings agency Moody’s on Thursday reaffirmed partnered with Tech Mahindra to launch contactless India’s rating at Baa3 but raised the rating outlook to payment service to 'tap and pay'. Based on the Near Field ‘Positive’ from ‘Stable’. India, however, remains at the last Communications (NFC) technology, this payment service rung of investment grade by all agencies. enables anyone (account holder of ICICI Bank or not) to make over-the-counter payments without using cash. It allows users to just tap the NFC enabled tag or mobile phone at the merchant’s point-of-sale device to make Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 8 April payments, ICICI Bank said in a statement. ‘Tap n Pay’ is a 2015 raised the transaction limit in exchange traded prepaid account, which can be availed by customers of any currency derivatives to 15 million US dollars for both bank by registering for it and transferring money online foreign and domestic investors without having any from any bank account. ICICI Bank customers can also underlying exposure. Earlier, the limit was 10 million transfer money to the Tap-n-Pay account through an SMS. dollars.

To reduce rupee volatility on account of higher inflows and India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) increase forex reserves to cushion any external shock, the th at GIFT City near Gandhinagar became operational on 10 Reserve Bank bought the highest amount of dollars, after April. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley unveiled rules and a gap of seven years, at $49.2 billion in April-February of regulations for this global financial hub. The regulations the past fiscal. are aimed at creating a vibrant IFSC on the lines of those in Dubai and Singapore and check the flight of trading in rupee and Indian securities to such offshore financial hubs.

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National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) Government has allowed retirement fund body EPFO to announced a tie up with Gujarat International Finance Tec invest 5 per cent of its corpus in exchange traded funds City (GIFT City) for setting up an International Commodity which will result into an inflow of around Rs. 5,000 crore and Derivatives Exchange. into the stock markets during this fiscal.

The Coal Ministry, Railway Ministry and Government of Indian petrochemicals sector to touch $100 b turnover by Odisha signed a memorandum of understanding to form a 2020: Assocham. joint venture which identify and execute railway line projects for evacuation of coal in the State. Coal India will hold 64 per cent stake in the joint venture while the Indian Foreign direct investment (FDI) in India jumped about 63 Railways will hold 26 per cent and the Odisha Government per cent to USD 3.28 billion (about Rs. 20,820 crore) in will hold 10 per cent. February, 2015. In February 2014, the country had received FDI of USD 2.01 billion. During the April-February period of 2014-15, the foreign fund inflows have grown by Cricketer Yuvraj Singh’s start-up fund Youwecan Ventures 39 per cent, year-on-year, to USD 28.81 billion, according has invested an undisclosed amount in mobile beauty and to the data of Department of Industrial Policy and wellness platform Vyomo, in a seed funding round. This is Promotion (DIPP). the first investment of the Youwecan Ventures, which has a corpus of Rs. 50 crore.

The Rajya Sabha on 27 April 2015 passed Payments and Settlement Systems (Amendment) Bill, 2014 with voice Zomato extends the service, ties up with Uber to arrange vote. With this the bill has been passed by both the houses the cab as well. of Parliament. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on 9 December 2014.

Union Finance Ministry retained the rate of interest for The bill seeks to amend the Payment and Settlement General Provident Fund (GPF) and other related schemes Systems Act, 2007 so as to address the problem of at 8.7 per cent for 2015-16. The notification was issued by insolvency in the payment and settlement system by the Finance Ministry on 21 April 2015. The interest rate for increasing transparency. It is also aimed at bringing India's senior citizens savings scheme was hiked from 9.2 per banking payment system in sync with international cent to 9.3 per cent and the interest rate for Sukanya practices. Samriddhi Account, the special deposit scheme for girl Main highlights of the Bill child has been hiked from 9.1 per cent to 9.2 per cent. The It seeks to extend the application of the 2007 Act to a interest earning for Kisan Vikas Patra has been retained at designated trade repository, or issuer, in relation to 8.7 per cent. payment systems. It has introduced three definitions in regard to this and they are a) Issuer: It means a person who issues a legal entity Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 23 April 2015 issued revised identifier or similar unique identification, as specified by guidelines on Priority Sector Lending. These revised the RBI from time to time. guidelines will replace the existing guidelines issued on 1 b) Legal entity identifier: It is a unique identity code July 2014 and became effective from the date of issue. In assigned to a person by an issuer to identify that person in addition to the existing categories, the new guidelines add such derivatives or financial transactions, as specified by Medium Enterprises, Social Infrastructure and Renewable the RBI. Energy under priority sector. As a result, the number of c) Trade repository: It is a person who is engaged in the categories under priority sector lending are agriculture, business of collecting, collating, storing, processing or micro, small and medium enterprises, export credit, disseminating electronic records or data relating to such education, housing, social infrastructure, renewable derivatives or financial transactions, as specified by the energy and others. RBI.

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Bank of Baroda (BoB) on 25 April 2015 tied-up with UAE attached assets to the tune of Rs. 9,003 crore and filed 173 Exchange to offer instant money transfer facility to its chargesheets in the financial year 2014-15. Non-resident Indian (NRI) customers. In this regard, an agreement was signed between both the firms.

Flipkart, India’s largest online marketplace, has acquired New Delhi-based mobile engagement and marketing The Muthoot Group has announced a partnership with automation company Appiterate, to strengthen its mobile Wiki Technologies Inc of the US to open a US-India technology presence. The financial terms of the deal were payment corridor by leveraging the power of the WikiPay not disclosed. platform. India and Japan signed an action plan that will see doubling of Japanese investments into Indian companies in the next five years and boost two-way trade. The YES Bank, India’s fifth largest private sector bank, agenda, India-Japan investment and trade promotion and announced its international foray by opening its first Asia-Pacific economic integration, was signed between overseas representative office in Abu Dhabi, UAE. minister of state (independent charge) for commerce and industry Nirmala Sitharaman and Japan's minister for economy, trade and industry Yoichi Miyazawa. French IT services firm Capgemini said it will acquire US- based outsourcer IGATE for USD 4 billion, a move that will help the former strengthen its foothold in the North Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, withdrew the clauses from American market. the Finance Bill pertaining to setting up of the proposed Public Debt Management Agency (PDMA) and the amendments to the Reserve Bank of India Act which would The World Bank projects India's GDP to expand to 7.5 per have taken away Mint Road's powers to regulate cent in the current fiscal on account of increased economic government securities. activity and greater stability.

The Udupi-based Robosoft Technologies, a mobility Government decided to continue its Rs 1,000 per solutions partner, has developed a proprietary banking minimum monthly pension scheme in perpetuity, a move solution for the Apple Watch. Robosoft partnered with which would benefit over 20 lakh pensioners under social ICICI Bank to integrate with this solution thereby creating security scheme run by EPFO. The scheme was initially one of India’s premiere banking apps for the Apple effective only till last month. Watch.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has simplified its claim settlement norms for the victims of devastating earthquake in Nepal and northern and eastern parts of Rajya Sabha on 28 April 2015 passed the Regional Rural India. Banks (Amendment) Bill, 2014. With this, the bill has been passed by both houses of the Parliament. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on 18 December 2014. The Regional Rural Banks (Amendment) Bill, 2014 that seeks to amend the Bank of Maharashtra, Dena Bank and Oriental Bank of Regional Rural Banks (RRB) Act, 1976 was introduced by Commerce have been imposed with a monetary penalty of the Union Minister of Finance, Arun Jaitley. Rs. 15 crore each by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for violation of Know Your Customer (KYC)/ Anti Money Main highlights of the Bill Laundering (AML) norms.  It seeks to amend the RRB Act, 1976 which mainly provides for the incorporation, regulation and winding up of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). In a major action against black money hoarders and money launderers, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has  It removes the five year limit cap that was put on the sponsor banks to assist the upcoming RRBs

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under the RRB Act, 1976. As per the Act, sponsor banks were liable to train personnel and provide managerial and financial assistance for the first The Union Cabinet on 7 April 2015 approved amendments five years. to the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2013. The bill protects the interests of millions of  It raises the amount of authorized capital to consumers and curbs malpractices in the real estate 2000 crore rupees and it is not to be reduced sector. below one crore rupees. In the 1976 Act the authorised capital of each RRB was five crore Objective of the Real Estate Bill, 2013 rupees which was not permitted to be reduced  To create a uniform regulatory mechanism below 25 lakh rupees. across the country so as to enhance the growth  It allows Union government to specify that the of construction sector capital issued by a RRB should be at least one  It seeks to ensure accountability and crore rupees. Under the Act, a RRB was to issue transparency in the real estate sector to access capital between 25 lakh rupees and one crore capital and financial markets essential for its rupees. long term growth

 The bill allows RRBs to raise their capital from Key provisions of the Real Estate Bill, 2013 sources other than the central and state governments, and sponsor banks as was  It regulates transactions between buyers and mandated under the RRB Act. As per the Act, promoters of residential real estate projects. 50% of capital issued was held by Union government, 15% by concerned state  It establishes state level regulatory authorities government and 35% by the sponsor banks. called Real Estate Regulatory Authorities (RERAs). News Related to Industry, Business MoUs & Deals

Major Indian Steel Companies on 6 April 2015 signed a Myntra will shut its website from May 1 to become a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Union Ministry of mobile app-based retailer. Fashion retail website Myntra is Steel for setting up of Steel Research and Technology expected to shut down its website in favour of moving all Mission of India (SRTMI) in New Delhi. The primary operations to its mobile app, according to a report in The objective of SRTMI is to promote collaborative Research Times of India. Myntra was acquired by Flipkart last year and Development (R&D) programmes between the for a sum of Rs 2,000 crores. ministry and steel industries in priority areas of national importance in the steel sector.

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on 6 April 2015 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the IFCI Ltd has now become a state- owned firm with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development government increasing its stake in the infrastructure (EBRD) to deepen partnership between Indian companies financing firm to 51.04 per cent. Government has and the bank in those countries where the bank has acquired IFCI's 6,00,00,000 Preference shares of Rs 10 operations. each from certain scheduled commercial banks and has consequently increased its holding from 47.93 per cent to

51.04 per cent of the paid-up share capital. Yuvraj Singh, the Indian Premier League's costliest player this season, is starting a new innings as a businessman. He is floating a venture fund that aims to support young The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 8 April entrepreneurs by investing in startups across sectors. Yuvi 2015 formed an expert committee under the for millions of his fans, the 34-year-old cricketer will put chairmanship of Ajay Shankar to suggest simplified about Rs 50 crore - mostly his own money - over a period compliance for establishing new industries. He is a former of three to five years in the fund, YouWeCan Ventures. Secretary to the Department of Industrial Policy and The fund is expected to raise around Rs 300 crore from Promotion (DIPP). The Expert Committee has been other investors during the period. constituted for examining the possibility of replacing

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multiple prior permissions with pre-existing regulatory Canada agreed to supply 3,000 metric tonnes of uranium mechanism and to prepare draft legislation for this to energy-hungry India from this year under a USD 254 purpose. The committee is directed to submit its report million five-year deal to power Indian reactors as the two within 30 days. countries decided to set in motion a new strategic partnership.

Online marketplace Snapdeal has acquired mobile transactions platform, FreeCharge, in a cash and stock India and the European Union (EU) forged a new digital deal that is speculated to be in the range of $400 million. partnership and discussed potential for collaboration in the fields of technology and innovation besides cooperation to create smart cities. The first India-EU e-Commerce major Amazon has chosen Telangana over Strategic Dialogue Series, organised by UK-based policy the neighbouring state of Karnataka to set up its largest platform India Inc. Alongside key players like Microsoft fulfilment centre (FC) in the country. and McKinsey, focussed on 'Delivering Smart Communities' as part of the Narendra Modi government's Digital India drive

In a major milestone for the nuclear industry, India has registered a record production of over 1,252 MT of uranium bundles, manufacturing close to double the annual fuel requirement of atomic reactors in the country. News related India & States The Hyderabad-based Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), which produces fuel for nuclear reactors in the country, has produced over 30 per cent more fuel compared to its 961.023 MT production in 2013-14. India, world's largest arms importer, has signed a defence deal worth nearly USD 80 million with South African companies for integrated self-protection systems on its indigenously developed Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters. In a move to strengthen the last-mile delivery of goods to The deal, expected to give a huge boost to South African consumers, India's leading online retailer Flipkart has defence industry, was signed between Dhruv's partnered with the Dabbawalas of Mumbai, the company manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and has said in a statement. According to Flipkart, they will Saab Grintek Defence for Integrated Defensive Aids Suites partner with the company's delivery network, eKart (IDAS). Logistics. As of now, one union of the Dabbawalas will collect Flipkart shipments from the delivery hubs and deliver it to customers while picking up their dabbas. In a bid to increase green cover on university and college campuses, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched 'One Student, One Tree' campaign asking every In a new twist to the high profile Sebi-Sahara case, the student to plant a sapling during his/her stay in an Indian capital markets regulator has approached a US institution. court with a USD 12-million claim on proceeds from sale of a corporate jet owned by a Sahara Group firm.

Rajasthan Government on 31 March 2015 opened women milk bank Jeevan Dhara in Jaipur. It was inaugurated by Xiaomi beats Alibaba’s Guinness World Record for Health Minister Rajendra Rathore. The move is aimed at maximum phones sold online in a day. curbing the high infant mortality rate of Rajasthan. The Royal Dutch Shell Plc on 8 April 2015 acquired BG Group state Government launched the bank in collaboration with for about 70 billion US dollar. The deal would vault Shell Norwegian government and JK Lon Hospital. far ahead of rivals like Exxon Mobil Corp and Chevron Corp. in the race to build market share for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The much-hyped 'Aahar' cheap meal scheme was launched by Odisha government for providing subsidised food to urban poor. The subsidised meals for people

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visiting urban areas for various work would be provided at The 88th edition of the Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Sahitya four crowded places each in these five cities from 11 AM Sammelan (ABMSS) was held from April 3-5 in Ghuman to 3 PM, to about 25,000 people per day to begin with. village in Gurdaspur district, where Marathi saint Namdev spent last years of his life.

Union Government on 1 April 2015 launched Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric A six-member panel of experts has been formed by the vehicles (FAME) – India Scheme. The scheme was launched Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to review pending with an aim to boost sales of eco-friendly vehicles in the cases, referred to it by CBI for sanction of prosecution country. It is a part of the National Mission for Electric against corrupt government officials. The committee Mobility. The scheme envisages providing 795 crore comprises retired IAS officers Sudhir Krishna and C B rupees support till 2020 for the manufacturing and sale of Paliwal, former IRS officer Sada Shiv Bajpai, former Indian electric and hybrid vehicles. Audit and Accounts Service officer Sushama V Dabak, former Special DG of CPWD P K Gupta, and ex-chairman of Characteristic Features of FAME – India Scheme LIC A K Shukla, an order issued by CVC said.

 It envisages providing demand incentives to electric and hybrid vehicles from two wheelers to buses in range of 1800 rupees to 66 lakh Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 March 2015 rupees launched Give it Up campaign. The campaign was launched at the annual energy-focussed summit Urja  Focus areas of the scheme will be technology Sangam 2015. The campaign seeks to extort the better off development; demand creation; pilot projects; sections of society to forego their liquefied petroleum gas and charging infrastructure (LPG) subsidy, which would be utilised in providing subsidised LPG connections to the poor. The Prime  Depending on technology, battery operated Minister asked companies and banks to encourage their scooters and motorcycles will be eligible demand employees to give up the subsidy on LPG. Gas cylinders incentives ranging between 1800 rupees to surrendered by them would be transferred to the poor 29000 rupees who use wood for cooking. The Give it Up campaign  In three-wheeler the incentives will range from should be taken up on the lines of Swacch Bharat and Beti 3300 rupees and 61000 rupees Bachao, Beti Padhao initiatives.

 In four-wheeler segment incentive ranges from 13000 rupees and 1.38 lakh rupees The Union Government on 3 April 2015 extended the  In case of Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) deadline for implementation of the National Food Security incentive ranges from 17000 rupees to 1.87 lakh Act (NFSA) deadline by six months in the states. rupees

 In case of buses the incentive ranges from 34 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 6 April 2015 launched a lakh rupees to 66 lakh rupees National Air Quality Index (NAQI) to tackle the menace of  The Department of Heavy Industries will be air pollution. This National Air Quality Index will provide nodal department for the scheme. information on the quality of air in 10 major cities in the country on a real-time basis. The ten cities where the quality of air can be monitored are Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Faridabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Later the index will be Andhra Pradesh Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister N extended to 22 State capitals and 44 other cities with a Chandrababu Naidu on 1 April 2015 approved that population exceeding one million. Amaravathi will be the new capital city of the state. The capital will come up at Tullur in VijayawadaGuntur region of the state. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar launched the country's first indigenously-built Scorpene submarine at the Mazagaon Dockyard Ltd in Mumbai. The Scorpene is part

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of the ambitious Project 75 of Indian Navy's submarine India produces around 5,780 MW of nuclear power. Of programme, undertaken with French collaboration, which this, 4,780 MW of electricity is generated by fuel will include six such vessels joining the fleet over the next processed at the NFC. Fuel for the Kudankulam Nuclear few years. Power Plant (KKNPP) unit 1 is provided by Russia, as per the agreement.

After being stuck in legal and administrative hurdles for the past two years, the proposed BR Ambedkar memorial The “Tourist Visa on Arrival-Electronic Travel at Indu Mill, Dadar, got a major push after a tri-partite Authorization (TvoA-ETA)” scheme, which was launched agreement was signed between the Union ministry of last year to facilitate short duration visits by travellers textile, government of Maharashtra and the National from as many as 44 countries, has now been renamed “e- Textile Corporation (NTC). The agreement was signed at Tourist Visa” to clarify that it is not an on-arrival scheme. New Delhi in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union minister of state for textiles Santosh Gangwar The government has issued 1.10 lakh visas under the new and state chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. scheme that was launched on November 27 last year. According to the MHA, it will be extended to more countries and airports in a phased manner.

National Green Tribunal (NGT) on 7 April 2015 banned all the diesel vehicles, heavy or light, over 10 years old from plying on Delhi roads. Greenpeace India Loses License for 6 Months, Foreign Funds Blocked.

The Chestnut-breasted Partridge (Arborophila mandellii) was photographed by a Bengaluru-based wildlife State Government of Rajasthan and Hindustan Zinc, a photographer Gururaj Moorching in the first week of April Vedanta group company on 8 April 2015 signed a 2015. The bird was spotted in West Kamang district of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve 3056 Arunachal Pradesh. The click was the first-ever photograph anganwadi centres in five districts. The selected five of the bird endemic to the Eastern Himalayas whose districts are Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Rajsamand scientific name was given by an Italian naturalist and is and Ajmer. classified as hill patridge.

The Ministry of Railways and the National Institute of The Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Design (NID), Ahmedabad, will together set up a 'Railway on 7 April 2015 approved the projects for strengthening Design Centre to modernise passenger amenities and and widening of 455 kilometers of National Highways improve coach design. An MoU was signed between (NH) at a total capital cost of about 9500 crore rupees. Railways and NID on Friday to set up the design centre at Four laning of 138-km stretch of Sultanpur-Varanasi the NID campus. It will be operated with the interest section of NH-56 at a cost of 3800 crore rupees. Four accrued on the endowment fund of Rs. 10 crore deposited laning of 200-km stretch of Varanasi to Ghazipur, by the Railway Ministry. The MoU will be for a period of Gorakhpur and further to Nepal section of NH-29 at a cost ten years and can be further extended. of 4400 crore rupees. Four laning or two laning with paved shoulders of 115-km stretch of Madurai-Ramanathapuram section of NH-49 at a cost of about 1400 crore rupees. Surface-to-Surface nuclear-capable Dhanush ballistic missile was successfully test-fired on 9 April 2015 from a naval ship off the Odisha coast. The missile is a naval variant of India’s indigenously-developed Prithvi missile.

US aviation regulator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has upgraded India’s safety ranking — after fourteen The Border Security Force (BSF) has inducted two Russian- months of close watch — paving the way for Indian built Mi-17 V5 medium lift choppers to carry out air carriers to expand their services to the US and enter into support missions along the border and for anti-Naxalite agreements with American carriers through code-share to operations in the hinterland. expand operations.

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The 5th meeting of SAARC Health Ministers was held on 8 April 2015 in New Delhi. The meet ended with the Mariyam Asif Siddiqui, a 12-year-old Muslim girl in March adoption of Delhi Declaration on Public Health Challenges. 2015 won the first position at the Shrimad Bhagwad Gita The declaration focuses on issues common to member Champion League. She won the prize for explaining the nations of South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation teachings of the Bhagwad Gita. Siddiqui who studies in (SAARC). These issues include universal health coverage, Class 6 of Cosmopolitan High School at Mira Road near improving health regulatory systems, preparedness for Mumbai won the contest from among 4500 students of emerging and re-emerging diseases and the challenges 195 schools. Shrimad Bhagwad Gita Champion League posed by antimicrobial resistance and non-communicable was an inter-school competition. It was organised by the diseases. International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in March 2015.

The Surface-to-Surface Agni III ballistic missile was successfully test-fired on 16 April 2015 from the Wheelar Thane in Mumbai, Maharashtra was named as the Isalnd off the Odisha coast in the Bay of Bengal. Although National Earth Hour Capital 2015 on 9 April 2015. It was the missile has a strike range of more than 3000 km, in the named so after it emerged as winner among the three present test-fire, it was tested for a lesser range. finalists from India viz., Thane, Rajkot and Pune, in the Earth Hour City Challenge (EHCC) 2015 conducted by World Wildlife Fund (WWF). India and Belarus on 15 April 2015 agreed to enhance their bilateral ties especially in the field of trade and economy. The agreement was reached during the meeting India's security concerns were conveyed to Ri Su Yong, of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Foreign Minister of North Korea which has close military Makei with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in ties with Pakistan. Ri, the first ever Foreign Minister from New Delhi. his country to visit India, held discussions with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj in a "frank and and friendly atmosphere", according to a statement by the MEA. The State Government of Maharashtra on 18 April 2015 decided to discontinue the colonial-era practice under which police guard of honour was given to ministers and Flipkart has decided to pull out of an ongoing discussion top officials. Government termed the practice as a waste with Airtel to join the Airtel Zero platform. The move of time and resources. follows criticism that the deal would violate the principles of net neutrality.

India Navy’s new stealth destroyer, Visakhapatnam, designed indigenously and fitted with advanced features, To mark the 124 birth anniversary of the Father of the was launched boosting the maritime force’s firepower Indian Constitution, Google has posted a doodle on its capability. The Kolkata-class warship, the first of Project home pages in 8 countries around the world. The BR 15-B stealth destroyers, was launched by Minu Dhowan, Ambedkar doodle was visible on Google's country-specific wife of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R K Dhowan, at home pages across three continents - Argentina, Chile, Mazgaon Docks Ltd (MDL). The ship, weighing India, Ireland, Peru, Poland, Sweden and the United approximately 3,000 tons during the launch, is slated to be Kingdom. christened as ‘INS Visakhapatnam’ on commissioning.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley India and South Korea on 18 April 2015 held high level on 14 April 2015 inaugurated the Vividh Bharati Service of defence talks in Seoul. The talks were held on the sidelines Delhi on FM Mode in a function held at premises of New of four day visit of Indian Defence Minister Manohar Broadcasting House of All India Radio (AIR). The service Parrikar to South Korea. The meeting was held with South will be available on 100.1 Megahertz frequency. Korean Defence Minister Han Min-koo at the Ministry of Defence of Korea in Seoul.

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Indian Railways on 21 April 2015 launched online monitoring mechanism E-Samiksha to monitor rail projects. It aims at monitoring implementation of various The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) on 21 ongoing projects of Indian Railways on real-time basis April 2015 accorded final approval to Rajaji National Park, including Rail Budget proposals. Uttarakhand as India's 48th Tiger Reserve. With this notification, Uttarakhand got its second tiger reserve after the Corbett Tiger Reserve. The notification was announced by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat Maharashtra Government on 20 April 2015 announced while releasing logo of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve. The park the target of 14400 MW power generation by 2019. The was named after the last Governor-General of state government will produce 14400 MW electricity by independent India, C Rajagopalachari, popularly known as 2019 by way of non-conventional methods to cut down Rajaji. C. Rajagopalachari was one of the first recipients of cost and reduce carbon footprint. The non conventional India's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna in 1954. source of energy is cheaper and far better as compared to conventional sources.

India has delivered three multi-role Cheetal helicopters along with allied equipment and spares to Afghanistan. The share of rural internet users will increase nearly fivefold to touch 28 crore by 2018, signaling higher online purchasers going forward from rural India, says a research report. The fourteenth edition of Indo-French Naval Exercise named VARUNA-15 commenced on 23 April 2015 off the coast of Goa. The 10-day long joint naval exercise will end on 2 May 2015. The Union Cabinet on 22 April 2015 gave its approval for signing of a shipping agreement between India and Jordan. The agreement aims at strengthening cooperation and providing sustained mutual assistance on merchant India on 27 April 2015 launched a relief and rescue shipping and other related maritime matters. Operation named Maitri in earthquake hit Nepal. The operation will involve two dozen military aircraft and choppers along with bus services through road route. India also pressed nearly 1000 trained personnel of the National The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Disaster Response Force (NDRF) into service after Nepal on (I&B) on 22 April 2015 received the ISO 9001:2008 25 April 2015 was struck by the worst earthquake in 80 certification from the British Standards Institute (BSI). The years in which more than 2500 people were killed. Under ISO certification was granted in respect of various licences the operation, more than 1000 people have been flown issued by ministry for the broadcasts, print media and from Nepal. A Multi National Coordination Centre has films. been set up In PPO Pokhra, Head quarters are being established for relief operations.

According to a Home Ministry order, the ‘Indira Gandhi Rajbhasha Puraskar’ and ‘Rajiv Gandhi Rashtriya Gyan- Maharashtra collaborates with Tel Aviv, Israel on Smart Vigyan Maulik Pustak Lekhan Puraskar’, launched more Cities. than two decades ago, have given way for ‘Rajbhasha Kirti Puraskar’ and ‘Rajbhasha Gaurav Puraskar’.

Union Minister for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal on 27 April 2015 flagged off three Government has initiated action to create a national level NTPC Mobile Science Labs (MSL) for revolutionizing mechanism to counter cyber security threats with a education in rural India. MSL is a vehicle fitted with LCD financial outlay of Rs 775 crore to be spent over a period TV carrying working Science Models which emphasizes of five years. curiosity based learning for children in rural India. It is an initiative to make hands-on learning accessible amongst underprivileged children. Railway Launches App for Paperless Unreserved Tickets named utsonmobile.

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The Union Cabinet has approved official amendments in The Department of Space and Department of Land the Prevention of Corruption Act to help the bureaucracy Resources (DoLR) on 29 April 2015 signed a MoU with take faster decisions besides making more stringent National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) for the provisions against corrupt persons. The bill to amend the development of Web Geo Portal Shrishti and Mobile App act is currently pending in the Rajya Sabha. Meanwhile, Drishti for monitoring the IWMP watersheds. the amendments have provided more stringent punishment for the offence of bribery, both for the bribe giver and the bribe taker. “Penal provisions being Mamata Banerjee declares Nadia of West Bengal first enhanced from minimum 6 months to 3 years and from 'open defecation-free' district in India. maximum 5 years to 7 years (The seven-year imprisonment brings corruption to the heinous crime category),” the statement said.

News Around the World Govt Approves 10 New Sites for Nuke Projects. The indigenous reactors would be established at Gorakhpur in Haryana, Chutka and Bhimpur in Madhya Pradesh, Kaiga at India has welcomed the understanding announced in Karnataka and Mahi Banswara in Rajasthan. Reactors with Lausanne between Iran and the E3+3 on the nuclear issue. foreign cooperation would be set up in Kudankulam in A significant step seems to have been taken with the Tamil Nadu, Jaitapur at Maharashtra, Chhaya Mithi Virdhi agreement on the parameters of a comprehensive in Gujarat, Kovvada at Andhra Pradesh and Haripur in settlement to be negotiated by June 30. China, France, West Bengal. BHAVINI, a Public Sector Undertaking of Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is presently States form the E3+3. constructing a Prototype Fast Breeder Reaction (PFBR) of 500 MWe capacity at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu.

India will overtake Indonesia as the country with the largest number of Muslims in 2050 while Hindus will Union Cabinet gave its nod to NDA government’s flagship become the world’s third largest population by that time, 100 smart cities project and the new urban renewal according to a new study by a US thinktank. mission with a total outlay of about Rs one lakh crore. A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved Smart Cities Mission for development of 100 smart cities and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Al-Shabaab on 2 April 2015 carried out a massacre killing Transformation (AMRUT) of 500 cities with outlays of Rs 147 people in the Garissa University College situated in 48,000 crore and Rs 50,000 crore respectively. Garissa County in northeastern Kenya.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 28 Michael Rudenko, a committee member of the Minor April 2015 successfully tested an indigenous cryogenic Planet Center on 1 April 2015 officially named a minor engine CE-20 at Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. This engine planet as 4538 Vishyanand, to honour India’s first chess will enable scientists to put satellites of up to the capacity grandmaster, Vishwanathan Anand. The main-belt minor of four tonnes in geostationary orbit. planet was discovered between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter by Kenzo Suzuki in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on 10 October 1988. Since its discovery, the planet remained unnamed. Government of Delhi on 28 April 2015 gave its approval for setting up of a farmer compensation scheme named after Gajendra Singh. Gajendra Singh is the person who allegedly committed suicide during an AAP (Aam Aadmi Sri Lanka and Pakistan on 6 April 2015 signed six Party) rally on 22 April 2015 by hanging himself with a agreements. The signing of the agreement was witnessed tree. by the Pakistan Prime Minsiter Nawaz Sharif and Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena at the PM House in Islamabad. The six agreements pertained to advancing cooperation in disaster management, sports, shipping,

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socioeconomic development, education and narcotics He edged out rapper-singer CL to claim the number one control. spot with 6.95 per cent of the votes in the final tally.

Kansas became the first state to ban a common second- Johannesburg in South Africa was in news as on 13 April trimester abortion procedure that critics describe as 2015 a statue of Mahatma Gandhi was defaced by a group dismembering a foetus. of people calling him a racist. The group had placards that read: Racist Gandhi must fall. The statue in Johannesburg is believed to be the only one in the world showing Gandhi India has been designated to chair the ninth meeting of as a young lawyer in his court robes. the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Council. The meeting is scheduled to be held in June in Abu Dhabi. India is a founder Member of the IRENA. The The term Normandy Group was in news because the fifth body is an intergovernmental organisation that supports meeting of the foreign ministers of the group members countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future. was held on 13 April 2015 in Berlin, the capital of Germany.

Seoul city, the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea, on 9 April 2015 was awarded the title of Global Researchers at Stanford University created a smartphone Earth hour Capital 2015 after it won the Earth Hour City battery that charges in only one minute. The project was Challenge (EHCC) of World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The published on 6 April 2015. Stanford University chemistry challenge saw the participation of 163 cities from 16 professor Hongjie Dai is the lead researcher of the project. countries.

TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) on 16 April 2015 India was elected to four important United Nations (UN) signed an agreement with two global research institutes, agencies on 8 April 2015. These agencies are United namely Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI) and INTASAVE- Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Food Program CARIBSAVE Group. The agreement was signed for (WFP), Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal exchange of knowledge and cooperation on issues related Justice (CCPCJ) and the Governing Council of UN-Habitat. to climate change.

An asteroid discovered by a US astronomer has been Russia on 13 April 2015 lifted its earlier ban on delivery of named after Pakistan's teenage education activist and the S-300 Missile System to Iran. The S-300 Missile System is a world youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala surface-to-air missile defense system that can be used Yousafzai. The more-than-2-mile-wide asteroid—officially against multiple targets including jets and enemy missiles. now known as “316201 Malala”—orbits the sun every five-and-a-half years in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice was held from 12 April 2015 to 19 April 2015 at Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha, Qatar. The Indian students in France can now extend their stay in this Summit concluded with the adoption of Doha Declaration. country beyond completion of their studies as can French students in India.

Chhurim Sherpa, first woman to climb the 8850 metre (29035 feet) Mount Everest summit twice in a week was Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister in news on 19 April 2015. Sherpa was in news as during Arvind Kejriwal have been voted among the 100 most her third ascent to Mount Everest she will take a cricket influential people in the world in an online poll by readers bat and two jerseys of deceased Australian cricketer Phil of Time magazine. Russian President Vladimir Putin Hughes. emerged the winner of this year’s Time 100 readers’ poll.

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United Nations (UN) peace envoy to Yemen Jamal people and several were injured. It also led to collapse of Benomar resigned on 16 April 2015. He was serving as UN houses and centuries-old temples. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's special envoy for Yemen since 2012. UNESCO World Heritage Site Dharahara Tower Collapses in Kathmandu After 7.9 Earthquake.

NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft has sent back its first colour image of the dwarf planet Pluto and its largest One of NASA’s crowning glories, the Hubble Space moon Charon, after more than nine years of travelling Telescope, marked its 25th anniversary this month. through the solar system.

A 3,133 square metres blanket, knitted together by people In a sign of warm personal friendship, US President Barack of six countries including India to pay tributes to the legacy Obama has written a profile for Prime Minister Narendra of South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, set Modi for TIME Magazine as it named the Indian leader a new Guinness World record. among the 100 most influential people in the world. "Like India, he transcends the ancient and the modern—a devotee of yoga who connects with Indian citizens on China, Pakistan signed an agreement on Economic Twitter and imagines a 'digital India'," the US President Corridor plan worth 46 billion US dollars. wrote.

Jordan's Crown Prince Hussain bin Abdullah Becomes Pakistan and Russia have agreed to hold first-ever joint Youngest to Chair UN Council Meet. military exercises as part of their enhanced defence cooperation, in a sign of increasing bonhomie between the Cold War-era adversaries. Thirty shorts, documentaries and FRANCE feature films will be Cleartrip becomes first Indian online travel agency to screened at the annual feature on Apple Watch. New York Indian Film Capital - Paris Festival, which opens next month with Kalki Currency – Euro & Franc Egypt's ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi was Koechlin-starrer President - François sentenced to 20 years in jail by a court in Egypt over Margarita with a Straw. charges related to the killing of 10 protesters when he was The six-day festival, its Hollande in power, the first ruling against the country's first freely 15th year, will see the elected leader. films screened at Prime Minister - Manuel prestigious venues Valls around New York city from May 4 to 9. Japan's state-of-the-art Maglev train clocked a new world speed record of 603 kilometres an hour in a test run near Mount Fuji, smashing through the 600 kilometre (373 miles) per hour mark, as Tokyo races to sell the technology Incumbent President of Sudan Omar Hassan al-Bashir on abroad. 27 April 2015 won the Presidential election of the country. He won another term in office with 94 percent of votes.

A high-intensity earthquake of magnitude 7.9 on the Richter scale struck Nepal on 25 April 2015. The epicenter NASA has launched an ambitious project that will lead the of the quake was 80km east of Pokhra near Kathmandu, search for signs of life beyond our solar system. The Nexus Nepal at a shallow depth of 11 kilometers (7 miles). The for Exoplanet System Science (NExSS) initiative will bring powerful quake that rocked Nepal killed at least 7000 together the “best and brightest” and marshal the

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expertise of 10 universities, three NASA centres and two India and France signed 20 Memorandum of research institutes, the US space agency said. Understandings (MoUs) and Agreements on 10 April 2015 to give new impetus to bilateral co-operation between the two nations. Visit to France The two nations signed agreements covering the fields of Defence and Nuclear Energy, Space, Economic relations, Railways, Energy, Tourism, Science and Technology, Skill Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi visited France Development and Ayurveda. between 9 April and 12 April 2015 as part of his three- nation tour to France, Germany and Canada. The MoUs and Agreements were signed during visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to France between 9 April During the visit, Modi met with French President Francois and 12 April 2015. Hollande and had talks with business leaders of select French companies in defence and infrastructure sectors. Details of MoUs The meeting saw India and France agreeing to further deepen and strengthen bilateral ties based on shared Defence and Nuclear Energy principles and values. The visit saw the signing of 20 Memorandum of MoU between L&T and AREVA: The MoU aims at cost Understandings (MoUs) and Agreements between India reduction by increasing localization, to improve the and France to give new impetus to bilateral co-operation financial viability of Jaitapur project. It will also enable between the two nations. The details of the MoUs are transfer of technology and development of indigenous given below. nuclear energy industry in India. Pre-engineering agreements (PEA) between NPCIL and The agreements covered the fields of Defence and Nuclear Areva: It was signed with an aim to bring clarity on all Energy, Space, Economic relations, Railways, Energy, technical aspects of the plant so that all parties (AREVA, Tourism, Science and Technology, Skill Development and Alstom and NPCIL) can firm up their price and optimize all Ayurveda. provisions for risks still included at this stage in the costs of the project. Other events that happened during Modi’s visit to France Space 1. He addressed the Indian Community at Carrousel du Louvre in Paris MoU between on Megha Tropiques: The MoU seeks to 2. He also addressed the UNESCO at its extend the sharing and use of data from the Megha headquarters on the occasion of its 70th Tropiques satellite by 2 more years. The satellite, a joint anniversary on 10 April 2015 project between ISRO and CNES, was launched aboard Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) on 12 October 2011. 3. He gifted India and the Great War - a publication by Ministry of External Affairs at World War-I (WWI) Memorial for Indian soldiers in Neuve MOU for Ka-band propagation experiment over Indian Chapelle, France tropical region: It envisages cooperation between ISRO, CNES and ONERA for implementation of the project 4. He paid homage to the Indian Soldiers at WWI concerning Ka-band propagation experiment over Indian Memorial for Indian soldiers in Neuve Chapelle, tropical region. France

5. He visited the CNES (National Centre for Space Programme between ISRO and French National Centre Studies) and the Airbus A 380 Assembly Line for Space Studies (CNES): It proposes cooperation in the Facility in Toulouse, France areas of Remote sensing, satellite communications and 6. He gifted a painting titled Tree of Life, reflecting satellite meteorology; space sciences and planetary traditional societal respect for nature in India to exploration amongst others. the French President Francois Hollande Sports

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MoU on Cooperation in Sports: The MoU envisages Letter of Intent (LoI) between the Archaeological Survey cooperation and exchange of experiences in the fields of of India (ASI) and National Institute of Preventive sports medicine, management and coordination of sports Archaeological Research (INRAP): The LoI envisages federations and establishment of National Institute of collaboration on preventive archaeology projects, Sports in India based on French model of INSEP. initiatives to disseminate culture and promote archaeology, training programmes for specialists of ASI Economic Relations and deployment of expertise, in particular, in the field of underwater archaeology.

MoU on cooperation in the field of renewable energy: It seeks to encourage and promote technical bilateral MoU between School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi cooperation on new and renewable energy issues. It would and National Architecture Institute in Paris, France: It cover solar, wind, bio-energy, tidal and wave energy envisages cooperation to undertake joint planning and sectors. geographical studies in India and France and training of local counterparts in modern urban and regional planning.

Railways MoU between Indian Heritage Cities Network Foundation (IHCN) and Association Nationale des Villes et Pays d’Art Railway protocol between Indian Ministry of Railways et d’Histoire et villes a secteurs sauvegardés et protégés and French National Railways (SNCF): The Protocol seeks (ANVPAH): It envisages cooperation in the fields of to establish cooperation between Indian and French sustainable development, urban planning, heritage Railways for semi-high speed rail and station renovation. conservation and up-gradation of basic services.

Energy Volontariat International en Entreprise (VIE) scheme: The scheme offers Indian Visa for 12 months renewable once Guarantee Agreement with AFD Financing of Energy for a period of 12 months for 250 French students and a Efficiency Services Limited (EESL): The Agreement seeks to ‘second residence permit’ of 12 months for the Indian finance Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) students in France following the 12 months already granted.

Culture, Heritage Conservation, Tourism, People-To- Letter of Intent on Ayurveda between Ministry of Ayush People Contacts and University of Strasbourg: It allows both the parties to strengthen their relationships and cooperation in the area of Ayurveda education and research and conducting joint Administrative Arrangement in the field of Cultural workshops/conferences on Ayurveda as complimentary Heritage: The Administrative Arrangement between the medicine in France Indian Ministry of Culture and French Ministry of Culture and Communication envisages cooperation in the field of Skill Development cultural heritage, through training of Indian heritage conservation professionals at the Institute National du Patrimoine (INP). MoU between National Skill Development Agency (NSDA), India and the National Commission for Vocational Qualifications (Commission Nationale de la Letter of Intent (LoI)on Tourism: Seeks to increase Certification Professionnelle – CNCD):The agreement will cooperation in tourism sector between India and France facilitate exchange of information and knowledge about and promote sustainable bilateral tourism between the maintenance of qualification registers through information two countries The LoI also seeks to facilitate twinning of exchanges, visits and other suitable meetings. sites having historical, natural and cultural significance in India and France for promoting them as tourist Science and Technology destinations.

MoU on cooperation in the field of Science &

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Technology: For cooperation between the two countries in India is a partner country at the Hannover Messe 2015 fair, the areas of applied mathematics, physics, Information & which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi communication technology, water resources and and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. environment, life sciences amongst others and establishment of Virtual Joint Laboratories, and establishment of Joint Research Centres. PSUs sign 6 pacts at Hannover Messe to boost 'Make in India' MoU on Collaboration for establishment of a National Institute of Marine Biology and Biotechnology in India: The proposed MoU seeks to establish a National Public sector firms, including BHEL, Instrumentation Ltd Institute of Marine Biology and Biotechnology in India, and HMT, have firmed up six MoUs with companies from with a Hub and Spoke network of laboratories spanning Germany, Switzerland, Russia and Bulgaria for scaling up India’s marine regions from the Andaman to Lakshadweep. Indian manufacturing in high-tech areas.

Apart from this, India also agreed to buy 36 multi-role The Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed Combat Aircraft Rafale fighter jets in a flyway condition. yesterday at an event organised by engineering exporters' Prime Minister Modi during his visit to France also gifted a body EEPC India at the ongoing Hannover Messe fair in painting titled Tree of Life, reflecting traditional societal Germany. respect for nature in India to the French President Francois Power equipment maker Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd Hollande. (BHEL) inked a pact with Russian Joint stock company INTMA for upcoming projects in Russia and Kazakhstan. The Tree of Life, with multiple roots and branches like a banyan tree, is a motif for a tree’s benevolence, fruit, While Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Ltd and seeds, shelter, healing, procreation and regeneration Bulgaria-based Milkotronics Ltd signed an MoU to faculties that sustain life and clean the environment. manufacture milk analyzers in India, Instrumentations Ltd and German firm KE Kauer Engineering inked an agreement for production of control valves.

Three MoUs were signed by Hindustan Machine Tools Visit to Germany (HMT), the release said. HMT inked pact with Switzerland- based Num Controls for manufacturing of CNC controls, systems and drives.

India-Germany Joint Statement was released on 14 April It also signed pacts with FT Machine Tools, Germany, for 2015 with an aim to upgrade and further strengthen the collaborating on flow forming machines and Enit GmbH for Strategic Partnership between the two countries. total engineering solutions.

The Joint Statement was released after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Industry chamber Chancellor Angela Merkel in Hannover and Berlin. PM FICCI also signed an Narendra Modi is on a three-day visit to Germany. MoU with Hannover As part of the statement, the two nations agreed to take Milano Fairs India to GERMANY proactive steps to advance collaboration in the areas of organise a platform manufacturing, skill development, urban development, to discuss and environment, railways, cleaning of rivers, language and showcase new science & technology. solutions and Capital - Berlin innovations in urban development in 2015- Currency - Euro 16, partnership and opportunities in this Chancellor - Angela The Hannover Messe 2015 Fair sector. Merkel

Addressing at the fair, President - Joachim Gauck Department of Heavy

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Industry Secretary Rajan Katoch said that the German They welcomed the setting up of the India Nuclear industry has opportunities to participate in India's plan for Insurance Pool with potential participation of foreign creation of about 100,000 MW generation capacity in the companies as a positive step towards facilitating such short term. cooperation.

Visit to Canada

India and Canada issued Joint Statement title New Vigour, New Steps ( , ) to elevate their bilateral नया उ配साह नए कदम List & Indexes relations to a strategic partnership. The joint statement was issued on 15 April 2015 during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Canada from 14 April to 16 April 2015. Modi’s visit to Canada is the first by an Indian Out of 133 countries rated on indicators of well-being such Prime Minister in 42 years. as health, water and sanitation, personal safety, access to opportunity, tolerance, inclusion, personal freedom and Details of the Joint Statement choice India has secured the 101th place.

Bilateral Relations This is lower than India’s rank, of 93, for GDP per capita income. Even Nepal and Bangladesh rank higher than India The two nations signed agreements covering the fields of on the Social Progress Index (SPI) ratings to be released uranium, visas, terrorism, foreign investment promotion globally. and protection, Canada-India comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) freetrade deal, culture and Norway has bagged the first rank; the U.S. is at the 16th people-to-people ties, regional and global issues and place. others. Economy, Trade and Investment On the parameter ‘Tolerance and inclusion’ India ranks MoU was signed on Cooperation in Rail Transportation 128th and is at the 120th place on ‘health and wellness’ between India’s Ministry of Railways and Transport that, says economist and executive director of the SPI, Canada, dealing with technical cooperation. Michael Green, is the toughest parameter for a country to excel at. MoU was signed on Civil Aviation between Transport Canada and India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, which will establish a Joint Working Group to bring together key industry and Government stakeholders to advance 2015 FM Global Resilience Index opportunities for cooperation in civil aviation.

The two sides agreed to establish a Finance Ministers India has been ranked a low 119 out of 130 countries on Dialogue for the purpose of deepening the IndiaCanada an index that measures business resilience of nations economic and financial relationship. based on economic, risk quality and supply chain factors, Civil-Nuclear Cooperation dropping seven notches from last Agreement signed between the Department of Atomic year. Energy of the Government of India and Cameco of Canada for long-term supply of uranium to India to meet its The 2015 FM Global CANADA energy needs. The agreement would impart a new Resilience Index has significance to India-Canada Civil Nuclear Cooperation. been topped by Norway for being They agreed to encourage a collaborative programme to the country best Capital - Ottwa leverage their industries’ respective strengths in the field suited for of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor technology for mutual companies seeking Currency – Canadian benefit, as well as for the benefit of global nuclear energy to avoid disruptions Dollar needs. in their global supply chain operations. Prime Minister – Stephen They agreed to explore mutually beneficial partnerships in Venezuela is ranked the application of radio-isotopes for societal benefits. last on the list. India, Harper "despite its scope

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and global potential", ranks 119, falling from 112th rank in World Bank released Migration and Development Brief 2014 World Bank on 13 April 2015 released Migration and Among the top 10 countries that are most resilient, Development Brief. In 2014, India continued to be highest Norway is followed by Switzerland (2), Netherlands (3), recipients of remittance. The top five remittance recipient Ireland (4), Luxembourg (5), Germany (6), Qatar (7), countries, in terms of value of remittances, continue to be Canada (8), Finland (9) and the US (10). India, China, Philippines, Mexico and Nigeria.

Biggest Phillanthropists in 2015 List by American lifestyle Ernst & Young released a report titled Global IPO Trends Town and Country Magazine 2015

Top six countries by deal volume in 2015 Q1 were China (98 deals), US (28 deals), Japan (24 deals), UK (12 deals), Three Indian-Americans are among 50 biggest France (11 deals) and Australia (9 deals). philanthropists of 2015, that includes top business honchos like Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. IMF released World Economic Outlook April 2015 Update The list compiled by American lifestyle Town and Country Magazine figures New York-based Adarsh Alphons, India’s growth is projected to strengthen from 7.2% in Reshma Saujani and Shaila Ittycheria, all under 40 years 2014 to 7.5 % in 2015 and 2016. For the first time since of age. Saujani, 39, is the founder of 'Girls Who Code', a 1999, India’s growth rate may eclipse China’s and there is three- year-old nonprofit that teaches computer skills to increasing divergence in the growth paths of the two girls from low-income communities to close technology's countries. gender-gap.

India Slips to 89th Place in Global Networked Readiness India 19th Among Top 30 Merchandise Exporters: WTO Index Report India has slipped six places to rank 89th on a global India's rank remained unchanged at 19th in 2014 among Networked Readiness Index, showing a "widespread" the top 30 merchandise exporters of the world, while weakness in its potential to leverage information and China continues to hold the top slot, according to the WTO communications technologies for social and economic report. Similarly, New Delhi's rank as a leading importer gains. While Singapore has replaced Finland on the top of too has not changed in 2014 at 12th position. In imports, the 143-nation list, prepared by World Economic Forum the US topped the list. (WEF), it has called for improvement in India's business and innovation environment, infrastructure and skills availability.

World Bank released South Asia Economic Focus report In the top 10, Singapore is followed by Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the US, the UK, World Bank on 13 April 2015 released South Asia Luxembourg and Japan, which has climbed an impressive Economic Focus report. The report has projected the six places year-on-year to 10th position. economic growth of South Asia for the year 2016 and 2017.

The report highlighted that India has already taken India is the fifth biggest producer of e-waste in the world, encouraging steps to decouple international oil prices discarding 1.7 million tonnes (Mt) of electronic and from fiscal deficits and to introduce carbon taxation to electrical equipment in 2014, a UN report has said warning address the negative externalities from the use of fossil that the volume of global e-waste is likely to rise sharply fuels. The challenge will be to stay the course in the event by 21 per cent in next three years. The 'Global E-Waste of oil price hikes – something that may well happen in the Monitor 2014', compiled by UN's think tank United medium term. Nations University (UNU), said at 32 per cent, the US and China produced the most e-waste overall in 2014. India

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came in fifth, behind the US, China, Japan and Germany, Awards & Honors the report said. India

 Bihari Puraskar for Writer-Journalist Om Thanvi The Indian passport has been ranked 48th in a list of 50 most powerful travel document in the world, according to  Gopaldas Neeraj, Uday Pratap Singh conferred a global survey topped by Sweden. Germany-based Go with Sahitya Shiromani Samman of Uttar Euro travel comparison website ranked the top 50 Pradesh. countries of the world based on their passport's eligibility  Padma Vibhushan Azim Premji was conferred for visa-free entry, cost of application as well as number of with the CII President's Award at the CII National hours worked to acquire the document. India, which came Conference and Annual Session 2015. towards the bottom of the ranking, offered visa-free entry to 52 countries and cost USD 24 and 87 hours of working  Shah Rukh Khan honoured with Dadasaheb time. Sweden topped the chart with 174 visa-free Phalke Film Foundation Award 2015. Actor countries, costing USD 43 and just one hour of working Rajkummar Rao won the prestigious award for time. Finland, Germany, the UK and US completed the top his performance in the critically acclaimed film 5 with 174 visa-free countries all round. Citylights, which was released in 2014. Actress Huma Qureshi bagged an award for her

memorable performance in the movie Dedh The World Happiness Report 2015 was released on 23 Ishiqya. April 2015. The report was published by the Sustainable  Veteran singer S P Balasubramaniam has been Development Solutions Network (SDSN) an initiative under selected for this year's prestigious the United Nations. India ranked 117 out of 158 nations in "Harivarasanam" award instituted by the Kerala the list. The report was topped by Switzerland followed government. by Iceland, Denmark, Norway and Canada. The World Happiness Report examined 158 countries and is aimed at  Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor has been felicitated influencing government policy. Togo, Burundi, Benin and with the prestigious Deenanath Mangeshkar Rwanda, with civil-war wracked Syria, were least happy. Award.

 IT Department awarded with the Prime South Asia has the world’s most skewed gender wage gap Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public and is among the few regions where the gender labour Administration. force participation gap is both large and growing, a new  ITBP Officer Manjeet Singh Gets Shaurya Chakra report from UN Women has found. for Foiling Kabul Terror Bid.

 Prime Minister conferred 50th Jnanpith Award Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains the third most on Marathi litterateur Bhalchandra Nemade followed world leader on the micro-blogging site Twitter while External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is the most followed foreign minister, according to a latest study by World Twiplomacy Study 2015. The three most followed world leaders were US President Barack Obama with 56,933,515  Indian-Origin Nurse Dr Subhadra Devi Rai in followers, Pope Francis with 19,580,910 followers on his Singapore to Be Given International nine different language accounts, and Modi with Achievement Award by the Florence Nightingale 10,902,510 followers. International Foundation.

 Indian-American Professor Rajani Ganesh Pillai Wins Peltier Award in Teaching in South Africa. India stands at the 13th place world-wide in generating electricity from nuclear source and expects to increase  Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) on 5 the installed nuclear power capacity from 5,780 MW to April 2015 won the prestigious Golden Peacock 10,080 MW by 2019. National Quality Award for the year 2015.

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 Indian Banker Suvro Sarkar Named 'Retail Banker The 2015 Pulitzer Prizes were awarded by the Pulitzer of the Year in Middle East'. Prize Board for work during the 2014 calendar year. Prize winners and nominated finalists were announced on April  Pratap Singh, a student at The Perse School, 20, 2015. The Pulitzer Prize is an award for achievements Cambridge, has won the 500 pounds Institute of in newspaper and online journalism, literature, and Physics (IOP) prize at the Big Bang Fair held at musical composition in the United States. Palani Kumanan, the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, who is a software architect with Dow Jones that publishes UK. the Wall Street Journal, was a part of the winning project's graphics team.  Professors Sushanta Lahiri and Kattesh V. Katti received Hevesy Medal Award 2015 for their The 2015 Pulitzer Prize Winners outstanding contributions in the fields of radio and nuclear chemistry. 1. Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in Journalism: The New York Times Staff for  Indian-origin diplomat Gopinath Pillai has been covering Ebola bestowed with 'Outstanding Service Award' for his services to the city-state by the National 2. Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting: The University of Singapore (NUS). Seattle Times Staff

 Microsoft’s Indian-origin CEO Satya Nadella was 3. Pulitzer Prize for Fiction Novel: All the Light We honoured with the White House Champions of Cannot See by Anthony Doerr Change on 16 April 2015. 4. Pulitzer Prize for Drama: Between Riverside and  The East China Normal University (ECNU), one Crazy by Stephen Adly Guirgis of the prestigious universities in China, 5. Pulitzer Prize for History Novel: Encounters at announced the appointment of Dr. Vishal Sikka, the Heart of the World: A History of the Mandan Chief Executive Officer of Infosys, as Advisory People by Elizabeth A. Fenn Professor. 6. Pulitzer Prize for Biography: The Pope and  Indian journalist Rahul Pandita and Zeena Johar, Mussolini: The Secret History of Pius XI and the founder and CEO of SughaVazhvu Healthcare, Rise of Fascism in Europe by David I. Kertzer based in Tamil Nadu, are among the 2015 Yale World Fellows selected this year. With the 7. Pulitzer Prize for Poetry: Digest by Gregory addition of Pandita and Johar, the global Yale Pardlo World Fellows network now includes 17 Indian Fellows, more than any other country since the 8. Pulitzer Prize for General Non-fiction: The Sixth programme was established in 2002. Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert  Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan won an Outstanding Contribution to Cinema honour at 9. Pulitzer Prize for Music: Anthracite Fields by the fifth annual The Asian Awards. The Hinduja Julia Wolfe brothers were awarded as Business Leaders of the Year.  Pakistan conferred its top civilian award  Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra-starrer Mary ‘Nishan-e-Pakistan’ on Chinese President Xi Kom, directed by Omung Kumar, has been Jinping for his outstanding contribution in named best film at the Stockholm International promotion of relationship between the two Film Festival Junior in Sweden. countries.  A debut film titled “Penile Code” by an Indian  Google India has bagged the Randstad Award journalist, focusing on re-criminalisation of 2015 for Most Attractive Employer in India, homosexuality, has been shortlisted for the while Sony India has been adjudged the runner- Short Film Corner at Cannes Film Festival. up.

 IOC President Thomas Bach named ambassador of HeForShe by UN Women.

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 Author Rana Dasgupta's literary potrait of Delhi  Vise President Hamid Ansari Releases Book on Capital is among six books shortlisted for the Indian Diplomacy Through Three Decades George Orwell Prize for political writing 2015. by Surendra Kumar. The book is the third work of fiction by Dasgupta who had previously won the 2010 Commonwealth prize for his work Solo. Days  Indian-Origin Soldier Adiel Yosef Awarded  World Health Day 2015 observed globally with President's Medal in Israel. the theme From farm to plate, make food safe

 Indian-Origin Scientist Sangita Bhatia at MIT  World Autism Awareness Day celebrated on Wins USD 250,000 Heinz Award. April 2nd. 2015 Theme: Employment: The Autism  Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) Ltd on 23 April Advantage 2015 won the Asian Banker Achievement Award  National Safe Motherhood Day 2015 Observed 2015. It was awarded for Technology on 11th April with the theme "Nothing About Us Implementation in the category of Best Without Us" Outsourcing Project (New Bank). Others were, The Technology Leadership Achievement Award  World Heritage Day was observed across the for the Year: Amit Sethi, Chief Information world on 18 April 2015. Officer, Axis Bank and The Asian Banker Vendor Satisfaction Survey Gold Award: Infosys.  World Haemophilia Day was observed globally on 17 April 2015 with theme Building a family of  Srinagar-born novelist Siddhartha Gigoo has support. won the 2015 Commonwealth Short Story Prize for Asia region for "Umbrella Man", a tale of  Ninth Civil Services Day was observed across surreal meditation on mental health and the India on 21 April environment.  World Malaria Day observed on 25th April with  Margarita, with a Straw directed by Shonali theme Invest in the Future. Defeat Malaria Bose of India in the fourth week of April 2015  World Book and Copyright Day celebrated on 23 won the Audience Award for Best Feature Film April with the theme “Read the World" at the Washington DC International Film festival.  International Mother Earth Day observed on 22nd April with theme It’s Our Turn to Lead  Two Indians namely Dr Ananda Kumar and Dr Pramod Patil on 29 April 2015 won the  National Panchayati Raj Day observed on 24 prestigious Whitley Awards (also known as April 2015 Green Oscar) for their contribution to wildlife conservation.  World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2015 celebrated on 28th April with the theme ‘Join in  An Indian-American Harvard Professor Tejal K building a culture of prevention on OSH’ Gandhi, has been named as one of the Top 25 (Occupational Safety and Health). Women in Healthcare in the US by Modern Healthcare magazine.  Logo for International Day of Yoga Launched. The United Nations General Assembly had on December 11 adopted an India-led resolution declaring June 21 as the 'International Day of

Yoga'. The theme for 2015 International Yoga Books & Authors Day is “Yoga for Harmony and Peace”.

 Book titled Suleiman Charitra written by Kalyana  World Dance Day observed globally on 29th Malla translated from Sanskrit to English April

 Vice President released a book titled Aatank Ke  The 2015 International Jazz Day celebrated on Saaye Men written by Garima Sanjay 30th April in Paris, France, which has been designated the 2015 Global Host City.

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25-meter pool. She was the sole competitor in the 100 - 104-year-old category at a short course pool in Ehime, Sports News western Japan.

Mustafa Kamal on 1 April 2015 stepped down as the Gujarat cricket team on 7 April 2015 won the 2014-15 President of the International Cricket Council (ICC). He Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy played at the KIIT Cricket sent out the resignation letter to the ICC. The Bangladeshi Stadium, Bhubaneshwar. In the final clash, Gujarat cricket administrator had succeeded Alan Isaac as the 11th defeated Punjab by two wickets. President of the ICC in June 2014 for a period of two years.

Kings' Sim Bhullar becomes first player of Indian descent to Kyle Mills of New Zealand on 31 March 2015 retired from play in NBA. all forms of International Cricket. His decision to retire gives an end to his 14-year international career in Cricket. The 36-year-old Mills was a member of New Zealand’s 15- man World Cup Squad but didn’t play in any of its nine The Indian football team took a leap of 26 places to occupy matches. 147th spot in the latest FIFA ranking after scoring a win and a draw against Nepal last month in the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers Round One.

China’s former Olympic champion hurdler Liu Xiang plans to announcement his retirement following years of nagging injuries. Commonwealth Games gold medal winning Indian shooter Apurvi Chandela qualified for next year's Olympic Games after notching up the 10m air rifle bronze in the ongoing ISSF World Cup (Rifle/Pistol) in Changwon, Korea. Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams won the 2015 Miami Open Men’s and Women’s singles titles of the respectively at Crandon Park Tennis Center in Miami, Florida. Novak Djokovic of Serbia on 5 April 2015 beat the Four Indian junior tennis players -- Shashank Teertha, third seeded Andy Murray of Britain 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-0 to Sacchitt Sharma, Prinkle Singh and Mahak Jain -- sealed win his fifth Miami Open title. Serene Williams of the US their place in the England's national grass court on 4 April 2015 defeated the twelfth seed Suarez Navarro championship by emerging as the finalists of the 'Road to of Spain 6-2, 6-0 to secure the title for eighth time. Wimbledon' event which concluded.

Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis, the Indo-Swiss women Sania Mirza created history by becoming the first female pair of Tennis, on 5 March 2015 won the Miami Open tennis player from India to achieve the world number Tennis women's doubles title. In the title clash played in one rank in doubles, following her stupendous title win at Miami, Florida, the duo defeated the Russian pair of Elena the WTA Family Circle Cup with partner Martina Hingis. Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova, 7-5, 6-1. Sania took 470 points from the win to take her tally to 7965 as she jumped past Italy's Sara Errani (7640) and Roberta Vinci (7640) to sit atop the ranking table.

Indian Grandmaster Dronavalli Harika won the bronze medal along with Swedish Grandmaster Pia Cramling by virtue of making it to the semifinals of World Women's India defeated South Korea 4-1 (6-3) on penalties to win chess championship. the bronze medal in the 24th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament. New Zealand won Sultan Azlan Shah Cup men’s hockey tournament by defeating Australia.

A 100-year-old Japanese woman has become the world's first centenarian to complete a 1,500-metre freestyle swim. Mieko Nagaoka, from Yamaguchi Prefecture, took just under an hour and 16 minutes to finish the race in a

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Ace India shooter Jitu Rai fired his way to win a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol event at the ongoing ISSF World Cup in Changwon, Korea. Novak Djokovic of Serbia on 20 April 2015 won his second Monte-Carlo Masters title of Tennis. In the final clash played at Monte-Carlo, Monaco, Djokovic defeated Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. Yuki Bhambri clinched the USD 15,000 ITF Futures tournament with a straight-set win over Dzmitry Zhyrmont and ensured that he will get entry into the French Open qualifying event. Archana Girish Kamath and Anezka Ilcikova, the Indo- Czech Republic pair won the cadet girls’ doubles table tennis title at the French junior and cadet open on 19 April 2015 in Metz, France. Lewis Hamilton led teammate Nico Rosberg home for a Mercedes one-two finish in the 2015 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix. Japan to host FIFA Club World Cup in 2015 and 2016.

Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar on 15 April 2015 was elected as member of prestigious Laureus Sports Bangladesh on 22 April 2015 won the three-match One Academy. He was named as member at the 16th Laureus Day International (ODI) Series against Pakistan in Dhaka by World Sports Awards ceremony in Shanghai, China. 3-0. This was Bangladesh's first series whitewash against an Asian Test-playing nation.

The Laureus World Sports Awards for the year 2015 were given in seven categories on 15 April 2015 at Shanghai in The Union Sports Ministry on 22 April 2015 suspended China. Ace tennis star Novak Djokovic of Serbia and the recognition of Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) sprinter Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia were named as the with immediate effect. It was suspended for poor Laureus World Sportsman and Sportswoman of the 2015 management and conduct of 15th National Para-Athletics respectively. Championships held in Ghaziabad in March 2015.

Asia Cup 2016 is set to undergo a radical change and will Cricket South Africa (CSA) on 21 April 2015 announced a be a Twenty20 competition instead of the 50- over game, new tournament to be known as the Africa T20 Cup. The outgoing Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief executive Syed tournament was planned to promote the game and Ashraful Haq revealed. nurture young talent in the continent.

India's Y Pranjala clinched the Asian Junior Tennis The Indian government has finally recognised motor sports championship title after a come-from-behind victory over as a sport by including governing body FMSCI in the list of top seed Chinese Zheng Wushuang. sports ministry-backed National Sports Federations (NSF).

Three Indian race walkers, Khushbir Kaur, Manish Rawat BCCI nominates Rohit Sharma for Arjuna award. and Sandeep Kumar on 19 April 2015 qualified for 2016 Rio Olympics. They qualified for the Olympics during the IAAF Race Walking Challenge at Rio Maiorin Portugal. India crowned champions for the first time at 22nd President's Cup Boxing Tournament.

Indian Cricketer Virat Kohli on 20 April 2015 announced to set up his chain of gyms and fitness centres with the Lin Dan of China on 26 April 2015 won the men`s title at investment of 90 crore rupees. The gyms will be launched Badminton Asia Championships 2015 held in the central under the brand name Chisel.

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city of Wuhan, China. He won the title by defeating succeed Harishankar Brahma who will demit his compatriot Tian Houwei 21-19, 21-8. office on 18 April 2015.

 Sumit Mazumder, Chairman and Managing Director of TIL Ltd., succeeded Ajay Shriram as Yuvraj Singh ties up with Delhi Daredevils for cancer President of the Confederation of Indian awareness. Industry (CII) for 2015-16.

 M Annadurai takes over as Director of ISRO Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) on 28 April 2015 Satellite Centre. won 5th Senior Men’s National Hockey championship  Rajeev Shukla was, reappointed chairman of the 2015. In the final match played in Pune, Maharashtra, powerful Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Railways defeated Uttar Pradesh Hockey (UPH) by 5-3. Council. Sourav Ganguly was a new entrant to the IPL Governing Council while the senior national selection committee led by Sandeep Sunil Narine banned from bowling off-spinners in IPL by Patil was retained for another season. Team BCCI. India Director Ravi Shastri also remained in the IPL Governing Council.

 West Bengal Governor K N Tripathy Sworn In As China won the World Team Chess Championship which Mizoram Governor on April 4. was held at Tsaghkadzor, Armenia from 18 April 2015 to 29 April 2015. China emerged champion, with 15 points.  Arun Kumar Jha was appointed as Chief Ukraine finished runner-up with 12 points, while host Executive Officer (CEO) of Khadi and Village Armenia was third with 11. India finished the Industries Commission (KVIC). championship at ninth position with seven points, losing the final round match 3-1 to China.  Meenakshi Madan Rai on 15 April 2015 was sworn in as the first lady judge of the Sikkim Georgia on 29 April 2015 won the Women’s World Team High Court. Her oath of the office was Chess Championship by defeating China. Russia won the administered by the Governor Srinivas Patil at silver medal. Mariya Muzychuk was declared as the 2015 Ashirwad Hall at Raj Bhavan in Gangtok. Women's World Champion. D Harika and Koneru Humpy came up with fine individual performances to win a silver  Vankadarath Saritha was in news as on 17 April and a bronze, respectively, even as the Indian eves 2015 she became the first woman bus driver of finished fourth in the women’s world team chess the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). championship  Mukesh Khanna Appointed Chairperson of Children Film Society of India (CFSI).

Appointments  The Supreme Court of India (SC) on 17 April 2015 appointed Vivek Priyadarshi to head the team probing the Indian Premiere League (IPL) India scandal. The decision was taken by a SC bench headed by Justice TS Thakur.  Gulshan Rai, the Director General of Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (Cert-In),  Nasim Zaidi, assumed charge as the 20th Chief took over as India's first Cyber Security chief. Election Commissioner succeeding H.S. Bramha who retired on Saturday after completing his  Justice Sunil Kumar Sinha appointed as Chief term. Justice of the Sikkim High Court.  Neeraj Kumar appointed as Chief Adviser of  President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on 9 April Anti-Corruption & Security Unit of BCCI 2015 appointed Dr. Nasim Zaidi as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). He will assume the charge of office of the CEC with effect from 19 April 2015. Zaidi is the 20th CEC of India and will

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World  Over But Not Out (2010)

 Pedro Cateriano Bellido was appointed as the Former Air Chief Marshal of Indian Air Force (IAF) seventh Prime Minister of Peru on 2 April 2015. Hrushikesh Moolgavkar died in Pune on 9 April 2015. He He was appointed by the President Ollanta was 95. Moolgavkar had the honour of leading the fly-past Humala in a ceremony held at the Government on India’s first Independence Day on 15 August 1947, and Palace in Lima, Peru. also on Republic Day on 26 January 1951. He had led the fly-past as a Squadron Leader.  Bharat Hari Singhania assumed the presidency of JK Organization. The company issued a formal statement on 9 April 2015 in this regard. Jnanpeeth Awardee, Tamil novelist, short story writer and  Brijbushan Sharan Singh re-elected as President literary critic Jayakanthan died in Chennai on 8 April 2015. of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

 Senior diplomat Mohan Kumar, currently India's Malli Mastan Babu, the 40-year-old missing Indian top envoy to Bahrain, has been appointed the mountaineer, was found dead in the Andes mountain next Ambassador to France to succeed Arun ranges in Chile in South America by the helicopter search Kumar. teams. Mastan Babu had the distinction of setting a  Indian-American Vivek Murthy Takes Oath As US Guinness Book record by surmounting seven peaks in Surgeon General seven continents in 172 days in 2006.

 Reinsurance Group of America appointed former LIC Head Thomas Mathew as MD & CEO for Renowned Hindi poet Kailash Vajpeyi died on 1 April 2015 India due to cardiac arrest in a private hospital of Saket in New  Volvo names Scania chief Martin Lundstedt as Delhi. new CEO

 Loretta Lynch Becomes First Black Woman in US Sunita Tomar, the face of India’s anti-tobacco campaign, Attorney General Post died on 1 April 2015 at her native village in Bhind district  Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed of Mauritania of Madhya Pradesh. She was 28. appointed as the New Special Envoy to Yemen

 Chennai-born Raja Rajeswari is New York’s first Gunter Grass, the Nobel-winning German writer who gave Indian-American woman judge voice to the generation that came of age during the horrors of the Nazi era but later ran into controversy over his own World War II past and stance toward Israel, has died. He was 87.

Obituaries

Assamese Filmmaker Bidyut Chakraborty passes away.

Richie Benaud, the former Australian cricket captain and legendary commentator died in Sydney on 10 April 2015. He died after fighting a long battle with skin cancer. He In another tragic on-field incident after Phillip Hughes’ was 84. death last November, a promising Bengal batsman who was the former captain of Bengal U-19 Ranji team Ankit Books by “Voice of Cricket” Richie Benaud Keshri passed away owing to an injury sustained during a Cricket Association of Bengal’s Senior one-day knock-out  Anything But (1998) Autobiography match on April 17.

 My Spin on Cricket (2005)

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Former Governor of Assam and three-time Chief Minister of Odisha Janaki Ballabh Patnaik died on 21 April 2015 in Tirupati. He was 89. He also served Assam as its Governor from 2009 to 2014.

Eminent historian Professor Christopher Alan Bayly died on 20 April 2015 in Chicago due to heart attack. His death was announced by the Centre for South Asian Studies at the University of Cambridge. He was 70.

Dan Fredinburg, Google Executive Killed on Everest After Nepal Earthquake

India swimmer Masudur Rahman Baidya, the only man with amputated legs to cross the English Channel in 1997 passed away.

The Oscar-winning cinematographer Andrew Lesnie passed away on 27 April 2015 following a fatal heart attack. He was 59. Lesnie was famously known for his cinematography in movies Lord of the Rings series and The Hobbit. He also shot the remake of King Kong (2005), The Lovely Bones (2009) and Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) during his career. Lesnie won the Oscar (Academy Award) as a cinematographer in 2002 for the first part of Lord of the Rings filmThe Fellowship of the Ring.

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