JANUARY INTERNATIONAL

Colorado Becomes First US state To Allow Marijuana Sale Colorado has on 1 January become the first U.. state to license the sale of the drug for recreational use. In November 2012, Colorado voters approved the sale of recreational marijuana, as did voters in Washington state. Under the new state law, residents are now able to buy marijuana like alcohol.

US Senate Passed USD 1.1 Trillion Spending Bill The US Senate has passed the USD 1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill that eliminates the threat of another government shutdown at least until October 2014 and puts conditions on Pakistan for continuation of aid. Passed by the House of Representatives on 16 January, the bill now goes to the for President to sign it into law, thus preventing another shutdown.

Bolivian President Evo Morales Assumes G77 Chairmanship Bolivian president Evo Morales has assumed the Chairmanship of the Group of 77 nations.Bolivia was chosen head of the -77, which actually groups 133 developing nations, by consensus, and Morales was at the United nations on 8 January to take over the chairmanship from outgoing Fiji. The organization was created in June 1964 with the purpose of formulating and promoting the new economic interests of southern countries within the United Nations system.

South Sudan Government and Rebels Signed Ceasefire Agreement South Sudan’s Government and Rebels have signed a ceasefire agreement .The agreement was signed in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa by representatives of South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and rebel delegates loyal to ousted vice president Riek Machar on 23 January . As per the deal, the government has agreed to release 11 officials close to Machar, who were detained after the fighting broke in the country.

INDIA & WORLD

India and Maldives Signed 3 MoUs India and the Maldives on 2 January agreed to amicably resolve all differences, including over cancellation of Indian company GMR’s contract to run Male International Airport. Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen held talks in New with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the two sides signed three Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs).Two agreements are related to health and human resource development and one on the diplomatic front.

India and Canada Signed LOI for Co-operation in Iron and Steel Sector India and Canada have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for co-operation in Iron and Steel Sector. The letters were signed on 13 January in by Beni Prasad Verma, the Union Minister of Steel and Minister of Natural Resources, Government of Canada, Joe Oliver.

India and South Korea Signed Nine Agreements India and South Korea have signed 9 agreements in different areas to boost bilateral ties between the .The agreements were signed on 16 January after delegation level talks between Manmohan Singh, the and Park Geun-hye, the President of South Korea in New Delhi. India and Japan Signed 8 Agreements India and Japan have agreed to boost defence ties and signed eight agreements with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, pledging another tranche of infrastructure loans worth 200 billion yen, during his talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on 25 January.

Pakistan and India Ranked 97th In Global Food Index 2014 According to the ‘ Global Food Index 2014 ‘ released on 17 January , Pakistan ranked 97th in a list of 125 countries with regard to availability, quality and affordability of food and dietary health.The listing means Pakistan is one of the countries with the most unhealthy and scarce food. India got the same rank as Pakistan.The Netherlands emerges as the country with the most nutritious, plentiful and healthy food leaving France and Switzerland behind at the joint second place.The Index namely “Good Enough to Eat” has been compiled by the UK-based international relief and development organization ‘Oxfam’.

NATIONAL

Government Launched India’s First Comprehensive Adolescent Health Programme Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad on 7 January launched the nation’s first comprehensive adolescent health programme named ” Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK)” in New Delhi.The programme will include a sharp focus on adolescents’ sexual health.The RKSK defines an adolescent as a person within 10-19 years of age, in urban and rural areas, includes both girls and boys, married and unmarried, poor and affluent, whether they are in school or out of school.

Government Notified New Natural Gas Pricing Formula The on 10 January notified the new natural gas pricing formula, which will be in effect from 1 April 2014. As per the newly issued notification, the rate of all domestically produced fuel will be almost doubled to 8.2 to 8.4 dollar per unit.

Government Grants CBI greater Financial Autonomy The Central Government on 14 January relaxed its control over the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and granted the CBI director a rank equal to a Secretary.

Ghulam Nabi Azad Launches National Urban Health Mission Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad on 20 January launched the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) in to provide timely quality health services to the urban poor.The scheme will now be introduced as a sub-mission under the National Health Mission (NHM).The mission will be implemented in 779 cities and towns, each with a population of more than 50,000, and cover over 7.75 crore people.

STATES

Manmohan Singh Launched Total -literacy Project In Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has launched the total E-literacy project implemented by PN Panicker Vigyan Vikas Kendra in Thiruvanathpuram on 4 January.This would act as the corner-stone of the Kerala model of development.The programme was aimed at achieving total e-literacy in the state in 33 months, marching from total literacy to complete-literacy. Govt. Launched Unique ‘ Blood On Call ‘ Scheme Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on 7 January rolled out “Jeevan Amrut Yojana” (blood-on- call scheme) across the state.The ambitious plan is aimed at facilitating blood supply to patients scheduled to undergo surgeries and medical procedures, at cheaper rate by dialling a dedicated helpline number “104″. Under the scheme, the request for blood will have to be placed by hospitals.

Chhattisgarh Govt. Launched Toll Free Number 1100 For Graft Complaints Chhattisgarh government has on 7 January launched a toll free helpline number 1100 where people could lodge graft-related complaints against the state government officials.The facility will help provide better governance to the people.Now, the people can just dial 1100 to lodge complaints regarding corruption.

Anu Vidyut Pariyojana Launched In Haryana Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the foundation of 2,800 Megawatt nuclear power plant in Fatehabad district of Haryana on 13 January.The project named as Anu Vidyut Pariyojna, will have four units of 700 MWes each and it will be built at a cost 23502 crore rupees. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) will build these reactors. This is the first time Haryana will have a nuclear project.

CONFERENCES

12th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Held in New Delhi The 12th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) was held in New Delhi from 7 – 9 January 2014 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The theme of the event was ” Engaging Diaspora – Connecting across Generations “.The convention was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 7 January. Malaysia’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Datuk Seri Palanivel ,was the Chief Guest. On 9 January President conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards and addressed the closing session of the Convention.

AWARDS & HONOURS

President Pranab Mukherjee Conferred Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards on 9 January during the 12th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD). Peace activist Ela Gandhi, who is a grand-daughter of Mahatma Gandhi, was among the 13 non-resident Indians (NRIs), persons of Indian origin (PIOs) and organizations honoured with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards. Ela Gandhi was given the award for public service and for enhancing India’s image and for promoting ties between India and South Africa. Lisa Maria Singh is the first member of Australian Parliament of South Asian descent and has held several ministerial portfolios in the past. She is a senator from Tasmania. Singh was given the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman for public service and fostering friendly relations between India and Australia. Ramkrishna Mission, serving in Fiji since 1937, was honoured for community service and philanthropic activities and enhancing India’s prestige abroad.

Three Security Personnel Selected For ‘ Kirti Chakra ‘ Award Three personnel of the armed forces have been selected for the year 2014 ‘ Kirti Chakra’ award , the second highest peace time gallantry award, for their acts of bravery on the Line of Control (LoC), anti- maoist operation and relief operation in flood-hit Uttarakhand, respectively. The three are among 368 gallantry award winners this year including 10 Shaurya Chakra awardees. Indian-American Wins Top US Teaching Award India-born Meera Chandrasekhar, professor of physics and astronomy and Curator’s Teaching Professor of Physics at the University of Missouri, has on 18 January won Baylor University’s ” 2014 Robert Foster Cherry Award ” for Great Teaching.

Mohinder Singh , Radhakrishnan Selected For Communal Harmony Awards National Communal Harmony Award for Mohinder Singh for his work done in restoring peace after the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and noted academician Radhakrishnan for his promotion of Gandhian values were announced on 25 January. Singh, along with Gandhian Radhakrishnan of Kerala, have been selected for the coveted award in the individual category while the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, has been selected in the organisation category.

SPORTS & GAMES

Rafael Nadal Won Qatar ExxonMobil Open Title of Spain won the Qatar ExxonMobil Open title on 4 January.He defeated France’s Gael Monfils in the Men’s Singles final at Doha.It was his 61st ATP title.

Brisbane International Tournament Winners – 2014 Women’s Singles :- of the U.S. on 4 January won the Tennis Tournament Women’s Singles title after defeated of Belarus in the final in Brisbane, Australia. Williams has now won 58 tour singles titles. Men’s Singles :- Australia’s won the Men’s Singles Title. He defeated of Switzerland in the Brisbane International final. It was Hewitt’s 29th title on the ATP tour but his first since 2010, when he also beat Federer in the final at Halle.

Ana Ivanovic Won Auckland Open Tennis Title of Serbia won the Auckland Open Tennis Title on 4 January. She defeated (U.S) in the final at Auckland, New Zealand.It is the 12th title for the Ivanovic and second seed but her first success since victory in Bali in 2011.

Anju Bobby George Declared World Athletics Gold Medalist For 2005 Indian Long jumper on 13 January became the first Indian track and field athlete to win a gold medal in a major world event after international governing body International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) upgraded her second place finish at the 2005 Monaco World Athletics Championships final to the top spot , following a dope violation by a Russian competitor Tatyana Kotova.Anju’s fifth place finish at the 2005 Helsinki World Championship’s long jump event was also upgraded to fourth.

Netherlands Won Hockey World League 2014 The Netherlands on 18 January won the first ever Hockey World League final after defeating New Zealand by 7-2 in New Delhi. Belgium retained his fifth place , while India secured sixth place.

ECONOMY

Government Retains 100 Per cent FDI in Existing Pharma Units Government of India on 8 January decided to retain the policy of allowing 100 per cent foreign investments in the existing pharma firms, brushing aside concerns about non availability of affordable drugs in view of MNCs takeovers.India permits 100 per cent FDI in pharma through automatic approval route in the greenfield, or new projects.

India’s Growth Projected To Rise To 7.1 Percent By 2016-17 According to the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report released on 16 January , India’s growth is projected to rise to over six percent in fiscal 2014-15, increasing to 7.1 percent by fiscal 2016-17 with the world economy expected to strengthen this year.

Indian Economy Projected To Grow At 5.35% In 2014 According to the UN World Economic Situation and Prospects 2014 (WESP) report released on 24 January , India’s economy is projected to grow at a slower-than-expected rate of 5.3 per cent in 2014. Full-year growth decelerated to 4.8 per cent in 2013 from 5.1 per cent in the calendar year 2012.

RBI raised Repo Rate By 25 Basis Points To 8 Percent Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raised the Repo rate under Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) by 25 basis points from 7.75 percent to 8 percent. Besides, it kept the cash reserve ratio (CRR) of scheduled banks unchanged at 4 percent of net demand and time liability (NDTL). The decision to raise the repo rate and keep the CRR unchanged was announced by the RBI in its Third Quarter Monetary Policy Review on 28 January. As a result, the reverse repo rate under the LAF stands adjusted at 7 percent, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate at 9.0 percent.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

GSLV-D5 Rocket Carrying Communication Satellite GSAT-14 Successfully Launched Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 5 January successfully launched its heavy-duty rocket Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-Development 5 (GSLV-D5) having indigeneous cryogenic engine that placed a 1,982 kg GSAT-14 communication satellite into the orbit. The 49.13-metre tall rocket GSLV-D5 lifted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota , Andhra Pradesh .The launch vehicle successfully injected the GSAT-14 communication satellite into the intended orbit.With the successful launch of GSLV-D5 flight India has now become the sixth nation to possess the cryogenic engine technology, and has joined the elite club of the United States, Russia, France, Japan and China.

India Successfully Test Fired Nuclear Capable ‘ Prithvi – II ‘ Missile India on 7 January successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable surface to surface Prithvi II missile , which is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads and has a strike range of 350 km, from a test range at Chandipur near Balasore (Odisha).The launch was part of a user trial by the Army.Prithvi-II missile is already inducted into the Indian Armed forces.The last trial of Prithvi-II was successfully carried out from the same base on 3 December 2013.

Astronomers Discovered Two New Exoplanets In the month of January 2014 A team of Astronomers from Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), have discovered two new extrasolar planets circling a dim, red dwarf star about 200 light-years away from our planet.One of the planets, dubbed KOI-314c, weighs the same as Earth, but around 60 percent larger in diameter.The second planet, named KOI-314b, is about the same size as KOI-314c but significantly denser, weighing about 4 times as much as Earth.The team discovered the planet using data from NASA’s Kepler spacecraft.

World’s Fastest Organic Transistor Developed In the month of January 2014 Scientists claim to have developed the world’s fastest thin-film organic transistor that could operate more than five times faster than previous examples of this technology.Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and Stanford University explained that this experimental technology has the potential to achieve the performance needed for high-resolution television screens and similar electronic devices. Engineers created the thin-film organic transistors that could operate more than five times faster than previous examples of this experimental technology.

PERSONS IN NEWS

A) APPOINTMENTS

R Chandrashekhar is new NASSCOM President Former Telecom Secretary (Government of India), Chandrashekhar on 5 January took over as the President of Information Technology trade body Nasscom (National Association of Software and Services Companies).He succeeds Som Mittal, who served as President from 2007-2013.This is the first time that NASSCOM has appointed a former bureaucrat as the president.

US Senate Confirmed Janet Yellen as new Federal Reserve Chairperson The US Senate has on 6 January confirmed Janet Yellen as new leader of the Federal Reserve. She is the first woman to lead the central bank in its 100-year history. She succeeds the Chairman Ben Bernanke as the next head of America’s central bank.

Sheikh Hasina Sworn In As Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was on 12 January sworn in as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the third time. She had won an overwhelming majority in the Bangladesh general election held on 5 January 2014 by defeating opposition party, Jatiya party.The Awami League has secured absolute majority in the 10th Parliament elections by bagging 232 seats – 105 contested and 127 uncontested.

B)RESIGNS

Tunisia Prime Minister Ali Larayedh Resigned Tunisia’s Islamist Prime Minister Ali Larayedh has resigned from his office on 9 January . With his resignation, the country will be led by the caretaker Government of technocrats led by led by new Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa. He resigned following a deal between the Islamist Ennahda Party of Ali Larayedh and the secular opposition for a transition to the democracy in the country.

C)DEATHS

Israel’s Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Died Israel’s former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon died on 11 January .The former general of Israeli Army had been in coma since 4 January 2006. He served as the 11th Prime Minister of Israel until he was incapacitated by a stroke. Sharon was a commander in the Israeli Army from its creation in 1948.Nicknamed ‘The Bulldozer’, the veteran soldier fought in all of Israel’s major wars before beginning a turbulent political career in 1973.

D)VISITORS

Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Visited India Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Visited India from 6 – 10 January 2014. During his visit , Bhutan King held extensive talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations and on regional and international issues of mutual interest. The prime minister and other Indian leaders reiterated their full commitment and support to Bhutan’s socio- economic development and to further development of Bhutan’s hydropower resources. This is King Wangchuck’s second visit in 12 months. He was also the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2013.

E)MISCELLANEOUS

Sachin Tendulkar 5th Most Admired Person In The World Microsoft founder Bill Gates has been named as the most admired person on the planet with cricketing legend fifth on a list of 30 people compiled after a poll in 13 countries, including India.The ‘World’s most admired people poll’ was conducted by YouGov for The Times by surveying almost 14,000 people.

PLACES IN NEWS

Odisha’s Chilika Lagoon Named Destination Flyways By UNWTO Chilika lagoon in Odisha was named Destination Flyways by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on 21 January .The lagoon was named so for its sustainable and resilient destination for migratory birds. Chilika is the only site to be selected from Asia by the UNWTO and was included in a list of eight such sites. The Destination Flyways initiative of UNWTO aims at promotion of sustainable tourism.

ABBREVIATIONS

GPS – Global Positioning System

TCS – Tata Consultancy Services

NASSCOM – National Association of Software and Services Companies

GSLV – Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle

FSLRC – Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission

NBFC – Non Banking Finance Companies

BOOKS IN NEWS

“ Incredible Opportunities Back Home ” Book Released The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh released the book entitled “Incredible Opportunities Back Home” on 8 January during the 12th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in New Delhi .This book will provide access to credible information, essential for meaningful engagement. COMMITTEES

Nachiket Mor Committee’s Report on Financial Inclusion The committee constituted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI’s) on 23 September 2013 to suggest steps for promoting financial inclusion headed by veteran banker and ex-ICICI Bank executive director Nachiket Mor. The committee on 7 January 2014 suggested setting up of specialised banks to cater to low income households to ensure that all citizens have bank accounts by January 1, 2016.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

“World Day” was Observed on 4th January “World Braille Day” is celebrated today (4th January) across the world to observe the Birthday of . Louis Braille, born in 1809, was the inventor of braille, a system of reading and writing used by people who are blind or visually impaired. Braille became blind after an accident at the age of three. He created a language based on the patterns of raised dots on paper, which could be felt and one can read anything that is unable to see. He did this to have an access to works of literature.

National Girl Child Day Observed on 24 January National Girl Child Day observed on 24 January 2014 across India by the Government. This day is observed every year to raise awareness and consciousness of the society towards girl children. The day is being observed every year on 24 January since 2008. Government of India has started National Girl Child Day as a national girl’s development mission. The mission raises the awareness among people all over the country about the importance of girls’ promotion. It helps in enhancing girls’ meaningful contribution in decision making processes by active support of the parents and the community members.

FEBRUARY INTERNATIONAL

Libya Destroyed All Chemical Weapons Libya has completely destroyed the chemical arsenal it inherited from Moamer Kadhafi, 10 years after the now slain dictator signed the Chemical Weapons Convention, Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdelaziz announced on 5 February.Now the Libya has become totally free of usable chemical weapons that might present a potential threat to the security of local communities, the environment and neighbouring areas.

Matteo Renzi Named new Italian Prime Minister The leader of Italy’s centre-left Democratic Party (PD), Matteo Renzi, was appointed as the country’s new prime minister on 17 February. Renzi, who at 39 would be the country’s youngest-ever prime minister, was summoned by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano at Quirinale presidential palace and given a mandate to try to form a new cabinet after the resignation of Enrico Letta as prime minister on 14 February.

Ugandan President Signed Anti Gay Law Uganda’s President Yoweri-Museveni has signed a controversial anti-gay bill on 24 February that allows harsh penalties for homosexual offences, calling them mercenaries and prostitutes.Yoweri Museveni signed the bill, which holds that homosexuals be jailed for long terms, outlaws the promotion of homosexuality and requires people to denounce gays.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk Elected As Ukrain Interim PM The Ukrainian parliament has on 27 February elected former opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk as the country’s Interim Prime Minister.He was backed by 371 of 417 participating deputies in the Parliament.

INDIA & WORLD

India and Germany Signed Two Agreements On Financial and Technical Co-operation India and Germany have signed two umbrella agreements for financial and technical co-operation under Indo German bilateral Development Cooperation framework.The Umbrella Agreements were signed by Finance Minister P Chidambaram and German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Gerd Mueller during their bilateral meeting on 5 February in New Delhi.

India and China Held 17th Round Of Border Talks India and China held their 17th round of border talks on 10 – 11 February 2014 .Special representatives – National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon and Chinese State Councillor and top diplomat Yang Jiechi – met in New Delhi on 10 February and 11 February for talks on the boundary question.The talks between both sides have crossed the first stage – on agreeing to settlement of the boundary question. The second stage talks – on the framework for resolution of the boundary question – has been continuing for the past eight years.

India and Canada Signed Three MoUs India and Canada have signed three MoUs for cooperation in health sector, audio-visual co-production and skill development.The MoUs were signed after talks between Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Govenor General of Canada David Johnston in New Delhi on 24 February.

India and Israel Signed Homeland Security Agreement India and Israel have on 27 February signed a slew of agreements on cooperation in legal assistance and public and homeland security.These agreements were signed by Additional Secretary (Home Ministry) Rajiv Sharma and Israeli Ambassador Alon Ushpiz.

NATIONAL

Union Cabinet Approved National Policy On Agroforestry The Union Cabinet on 6 February approved National Policy to promote Agroforestry by facilitating credit and insurance to farmers, besides strengthening market access.The national policy assumes importance as the sector is currently affected by adverse policies, legal constraints, inadequate investments, weak markets and a dearth of institutional finance. ‘ Maulana Azad Taleem-e-Balighan’ Scheme Launched Minister of State for HRD, Dr Shashi Tharoor on 18 February launched ‘Maulana Azad Taleem-e- Balighan’ under Sakshar Bharat at New Delhi.The programme aims to impart functional literacy, vocational skill development and continuing education to one crore Muslim adults with an outlay of Rs 600 crore.

CCEA approved Green India Mission The National Mission for Green India has received approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 20 February as a Centrally-sponsored scheme.The project, which has a planned investment of about Rs.13,000 crore during the 12th Plan Period.

Parliament Passed Whistleblower Protection Bill Whistleblower Protection Bill was passed by Parliament on 21 February.The bill aims to provide a regular mechanism to encourage persons to disclose information on corruption or willful misuse of power by public servants and ministers.The bill was passed by Lok Sabha in 2011 and was taken up by the Upper House in 2012 for consideration.

STATES

India’s First Monorail Service Inaugurated In Mumbai India’s first monorail service was inaugurated by the Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj chavan on 1 February in Mumbai.The monorail service that will link the city to major stations will begin its first phase of 8.93 km between Wadala and Chembur in the eastern fringes of the Commercial Capital.

Odisha Lokayukta Bill 2014 Passed In Assembly Odisha Legislative Assembly on 14 February passed the Odisha Lokayukta Bill 2014, with provision of keeping Chief Minister, ex-Chief Ministers, other ministers and public servants under the purview of a six- member anti-corruption panel. The Bill has provisions similar to that of the Central Act which was passed in Parliament in December, 2013.

President’s Rule Imposed in Delhi President Pranab Mukherjee has imposed President’s rule in Delhi and accepted the Arvind Kejriwal government’s resignation.This information was on 17 February published in a press release by Lt Governor Najeeb Jung’s office.With this imposition of the President Rule, the Delhi Assembly will be kept under suspended animation.

Chhattisgarh Government To Set Up A Law Commission Raman Singh, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh on 25 February announced that a new Law Commission will be set-up in the state to suggest changes in laws as per the geographical and social requirements of the state. This announcement was made in the state Assembly.

CONFERENCES

101st Session of Indian Science Congress 101st Session of Indian Science Congress (ISC) held at Jammu University, Jammu from 3-7 February 2014. The theme of ISC 2014 is “Innovations in Science and Technology for Inclusive Development”. Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh inaugurated the session on 3 February.This was the tenth time Manmohan Singh had the privilege to address the inaugural address at the Indian Science Congress.

AWARDS & HONOURS

Sachin Tendulkar and CNR Rao Received Bharat Ratna Renowned scientist .N.R. Rao and former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar were on 4 February conferred the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of the country for exceptional contribution in any field of human endeavour.The award was presented by President Pranab Mukherjee at a brief ceremony in the historic Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Malala Nominated For ‘Children’s Nobel Prize’ Pakistani teenage rights activist Malala Yousafzai is among three persons nominated for an award known as the “Children’s Nobel Prize”.Malala Yousafzai has been nominated for the 2014 World’s Children’s Prize with John Wood from the US and Nepalese child rights worker Indira Ranamagar.

VV Dongre and Guocheng Zhang Won International Gandhi Award 2013 Pranab Mukherjee, the on 15 February presented the International Gandhi Award for the year 2013 to Dr. Vijaykumar Vinayak Dongre (VV Dongre) and Prof. Guocheng Zhang at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi. They were awarded for making outstanding contributions in the field of leprosy to eradicate the disease through treatment, training and research.

Sikkim Won National Tourism Award 2012-13 Sikkim has been declared as best state in the country in implementation of Rural Tourism Projects by Ministry of Tourism Govt of India .Union Minister for Human Resource Development Dr. Shashi Tharoor,presented the National Tourism Award 2012-13 to Sikkim tourism minister Sh Bhim Dhungel in a function at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on 18 February.

SPORTS & GAMES

Vijay Amritraj Honoured with Davis Cup Commitment Award , a former Indian tennis player was on 1 February presented the Davis Cup Commitment Award .Previously Four Indian tennis icons — , , Anand Amritraj and — were honoured with the Davis Cup Commitment awards.The award was instituted by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

Joshna Chinappa Won Winnipeg Open Title India’s Squash player Joshna Chinappa won the Winnipeg Winter Club Open trophy on 3 February. She defeated Heba El Torky of Egypt in the final.The triumph of Chinappa marked the second consecutive year of an Indian winning the trophy with Dipika Pallikal being the first to clinch it before her in 2013.

Deepika Kumari Named FICCI ‘ Sportsperson Of The Year ‘ India’s top archer was on 13 February named the ‘ Sportsperson of the Year ‘ at the India Sports Awards, presented by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Former India captain was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement award. P. Sindhu, bronze medallist at the badminton World Championships, was named the ‘ Breakthrough Sportsperson of the Year ‘, while cricketer was named the ‘ Most Inspiring Sportsperson of the Year ‘. Delhi Waveriders Won Title Delhi Waveriders defeated Jaypee in the penalty shoot-out to emerge as the champions in the second edition of Hero Hockey India League (HIL) at the packed Astroturf Hockey Stadium at on 23 February.

Somdev Devvarman Won Delhi Open ATP Challenger Title India’s won his third ATP Challengers title as he defeated of Russia in the Delhi Open ATP Challenger Men’s singles final on 23 February at New Delhi .Somdev last won a Challenger level title in 2010 at the Izmir event in Turkey.

ECONOMY

Rajasthan Bans FDI in Multi-brand Retail Rajasthan on 1 February cancelled its approval for the foreign direct investment in multi-brand retailing.The approval was given earlier by the previous Congress state government led by former Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot.With this decision of cancelling the approval over FDI made Rajasthan the second state after Delhi to withdraw approval for FDI in multi-brand retail.

Indian Economy To Grow At 4.9 Percent In 2013-14 Central Statistics Office (CSO) in its release on 7 February estimated that India’s economic growth in the current (2013-14) fiscal will be 4.9 percent as compared to the growth rate of 4.5 percent in 2012-13.The country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at factor cost at constant (2004-05) prices in 2013-14 is likely to be Rs.57.5 lakh crore as compared to Rs.54.8 lakh crore in the previous year, registering year-on-year increase of 4.9 percent.

Tata Group India’s Most Valuable Brand According to the list released on 18 February of world’s 500 most valued brand, Brand Finance Global 500 , Tata group was declared India’s most valuable brand with a value of US$ 21.1 billion, while US- based technology giant Apple has retained its top position globally with about US$ 105 billion.Apple is followed by Samsung (US$ 79 billion) at second place globally.Tata has retained its top place among Indian brands and its global ranking has also improved from 39th in 2013 to 34th now.

India’s First Post Office Savings Bank ATM Inaugurated In Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on 27 February inaugurated the country’s first post office savings bank ATM at the Head Post Office in Thyagaraya Nagar in Chennai.The ATM was part of an Information Technology (IT) modernisation project of the Department of Posts.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

BrahMos Missile Successfully Test Fired In Salvo Mode The 290km-range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully fired on 6 February from a naval warship INS Trikand in salvo mode in the Arabian Sea.For the first time, the BrahMos cruise missile was fired in salvo mode off the Russian-built warship off the coast of with an interval of three seconds off the coast of .

Australian Astronomers Discovered Oldest Known Star In Universe A team of scientists at the Australian National University has on 11 February discovered the oldest known star in the Universe.The star known as SMSS J031300.36-670839.3, is in the Milky Way galaxy and some 6000 light years from the Earth. The star was formed shortly after the Big Bang 13.7 billion years ago.The star was discovered using the ANU SkyMapper telescope at the Siding Spring Observatory.

Indian-origin Boy Shubham Banerjee Invents Braille Printer Using Lego Set A 12-year-old boy of Indian Origin Shubham Banerjee has on 23 February designed a low-cost Braille printer using toy construction Lego pieces.Banerjee developed the Braille printer called Braigo, which is short for Braille with Lego.It was created from the Lego Mindstorms EV3 set, which retails for USD 349.

India Successfully Test Fired ‘ Akash ‘ Missile India on 26 February successfully test-fired its Akash medium-range surface-to-air missile from a defence base in Odisha, for the third time. Akash was earlier successfully tested from the same defence base on 21st and 24th February 2014. The indigenously-developed missile, with a 27-km range and an effective ceiling of 15 km, was test-fired from the Integrated Test Range of Chandipur in the coastal district of Balasore, 230 km from .

PERSONS IN NEWS

A) APPOINTMENTS

N. Ramachandran Elected IOA president World Squash Federation (WSF) chief N. Ramachandran was elected unopposed as the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on 9 February.Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) president Rajeev Mehta and All India Tennis Association (AITA) president Anil Khanna were also elected unopposed respectively as the secretary general and treasurer.

R..Tiwari Appointed as new Chairman of CBDT R.K.Tiwari has been appointed as the as the new chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 9 February.He will succeed Chairperson Sudha Sharma who is scheduled to retire on 28 February 2014.Tiwari is a 1976-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer. He is currently working as the Member of Legislation and Computerisation Department in the CBDT.

B)RESIGNS

Jammu and Kashmir Minister Shabir Ahmad Khan Resigned Jammu and Kashmir Minister of State for Health Shabir Ahmad Khan on 7 February resigned as Minister from the Omar Abdullah’s cabinet in an alleged molestation case while the Governor N N Vohra has accepted the resignation.

C)DEATHS

Noted Hindi Writer Amar Kant Died Noted Hindi writer and winner Amar Kant died on 17 February .Kant’s prominent novels are ‘Inhin Hathiyaron Se, Katili Raah ke Phool, Sookha Patta, Kale Ujle and ‘Beech ki Deewar’.He received several awards, including Jnanpith award in 2009, Sahitya Acdemy Award in 2007, Hindi Sansthan Award, Maithli Sharan Gupta Award, ‘ Keerti Samman’ from Madhya Pradesh government among others.

D)VISITORS Bahrain’s King Hamad Al Khalifa Visited India The King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa visited India from 18 – 20 February 2014.During his three day visit, King Hamad met Indian President Pranab Mukherjee , Vice-president Hamid Ansari and held delegation-level discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on bilateral, regional and global issues. After delegation-level talks between the two leaders , both nations signed three agreements to boost bilateral ties between the two countries.

E)MISCELLANEOUS

Indra Nooyi and Chanda Kochhar In Fortune’s Most Powerful Businesswomen List PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi and ICICI Bank Managing Director Chanda Kochhar are among Fortune magazine’s list of ‘50 most powerful women in business: Global edition’.The list, which was released on 7 February, has been topped by General Motors CEO Mary Barra, the first woman to run a global automaker.

PLACES IN NEWS

Delhi Ranked 22nd In Global Fashion Capital List has topped the list of global fashion capitals leaving Paris and London behind. In an annual ranking survey report by Global Language Monitor (GLM) released on 19 February, Delhi stands at the 22th spot and Mumbai at 45th.

ABBREVIATIONS

ASEAN —- Association of South East Asian Nations

NAFDAC —– National Agency for Food & Drug Administration and Control

IAEA —— International Atomic Energy Agency

BCSBI —— Banking Codes and Standards Board of India

TARC —— Tax Administration Reform Commission

CBDT —— Central Board of Direct Taxes

BOOKS IN NEWS

Penguin Decided To withdraw a Book entitled ‘ The Hindus: An Alternative History ‘ Penguin India, the publisher of book entitled ” The Hindus: An Alternative History ” on 11 February agreed to withdraw the book from the Indian market. This book is written by Wendy Doniger, an American Scholar and Indologist. The decision was made by the publisher following a legal wrangle against it.The decision was made between the publisher and Delhi based complainant organisation called Shiksha Bachao Andolan, who moved to court alleging distortion aimed at denigrating Hindu traditions. The organisation has found that the book is insulting Hindus.

COMMITTEES

Bimal Jalan Committee On Bank Licences Submits Recommendations To RBI The Bimal Jalan committee which is scrutinising applications for new bank licences submitted its report to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 25 February.The committee led by former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Dr Jalan held its third and final meeting before submitting its recommendations to the central bank.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

International Mother Language Day Observed Across The World International Mother Language Day (Bhasha Divas) was observed across the world, with Bangladesh leading on 21 February 2014. This day is observed with an aim to promote awareness of linguistic, multilingualism and cultural diversity.International Mother Language Day was announced by UNESCO on 17 November 1999 and was formally recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution establishing 2008 as the International Year of Languages.

National Science Day Observed Across India On 28 February India on 28 February 2014 observed National Science Day to mark the discovery of the Raman Effect by Indian physicist Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman (CV Raman).In 2014, the theme of the day is Fostering Scientific Temper and Energy conservation. This day is celebrated every year on this day to spread a message about the significance of scientific applications in the daily life of the people.The National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) in 1986 asked the Government of India to designate 28 February as National Day.

MARCH INTERNATIONAL

World Bank Pledges $3Bln Loan To Ukraine For Reforms The World Bank announced on 11 March that it will provide up to $3 billion to support reforms in Ukraine, which is struggling to put its economy back on track amid political turbulence.The lender explained that restoring economic stability, strengthening the banking sector, reforming the energy sector, tackling corruption, enhancing investment and improving social assistance were key priorities for Ukraine.The pledged assistance comes on top of existing cooperation between Ukraine and the bank.

Sanchez Ceren Elected As El Salvador’s President Former leftist rebel commander Salvador Sanchez Ceren has won El Salvador’s presidential election by a razor-thin margin. His conservative opponent, Norman Quijano, has vowed to challenge the official results.The El Salvador’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) on 17 March 2014 officially declared Sanchez Ceren the winner of the Central American nation’s presidential election by a margin of just 7,000 votes. He secured 50.1 percent of the ballot compared to 49.9 percent for Quijano.

Russia Recognizes Crimea As A Sovereign State President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on 17 March recognizing Crimea as a sovereign state after the Ukrainian region declared itself independent and applied to join Russia following a weekend referendum .The decree posted on the Kremlin’s website appeared to be a first step toward integrating Crimea as a part of the Russian Federation.G-8 nations (Group of the eight Countries) on 18 March 2014 suspended Russia from elite club of world powers. It has been suspended amid heightened tensions over its incursion in Crimea of Ukraine.

EU signed Landmark Political Deal with Ukraine The European Union and Ukraine signed the core elements of a political association agreement on 21 March 2014.Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk, EU leaders Herman Van Rompuy and Jose Manuel Barroso, and the leaders of the bloc’s 28 nations signed the core chapters of the Association Agreement on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels.

INDIA & WORLD

USAID To Provide USD 2.7 million For Clean Energy To India Nisha Desai Biswal, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, on 4 March announced that the United States Agency for International Aid (USAID) will provide USD 2.7 million for increasing clean energy access to India. USAID awarded a USD 200,000 grant for SELCO Foundation to help establish six innovation labs that will develop and test sustainable energy solutions. The agency is also supporting a USD 2.5 million loan guarantee to Orb Energy, a clean energy service provider.

China And India Signed Agreement For Greater Cooperation In IT And Software India and China have signed an agreement to work together in software, information technology and infrastructure.The agreement was signed during the Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Beijing on 18 March.

India Abstains From Voting Against Sri Lanka at UNHRC India on 27 March abstained from voting on the US-backed resolution seeking probe into Sri Lankan war crimes at the UN Human Rights Council. Even as India refrained from voting against its neighbour, the resolution was passed with the support of 23 nations.

India Officially Declared ‘ Polio Free ’ India was officially declared ‘Polio Free’ by the World Health Organisation (WHO). India is one of the 11 countries in the South East Asian region which have been certified as being free of the wild polio virus.The Union Health Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad received the official certificate at a function in New Delhi on 27 March.

NATIONAL

Union Cabinet Cleared Reservation For Jats Under OBC category The Union Cabinet on 2 March cleared reservation for Jat community under the central list of OBC (other backward castes quota) category in nine northern states.The decision would pave the way for the community members to avail benefits of reservation in central government jobs and central education institutions as per the existing norms.

Union Ministry of Minority Affairs Launched Maulana Azad Sehat Scheme Union Ministry of Minority Affairs launched a new initiative Maulana Azad Sehat Scheme on 4 March for the benefits and welfare of minorities of India.Under the scheme, Sehat Card will be issued to every student of the Institution financially aided by Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF).

EC creates Intelligence Grid To Curb Black Money In Polls The Election Commission has on 11 March created a multi-agency grid of revenue and security intelligence agencies to regularly update it about suspected financial movements as part of measures to curb use of blackmoney in Lok Sabha and assembly polls.

STATES

Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Launched In UP The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Uttar Pradesh Government launched the Delhi- Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) in , Uttar Pradesh on 2 March.With the launch of DMIC in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh is poised to go through a transformation in terms of industrialisation and generation of employment. This is because Uttar Pradesh is the meeting point of the Eastern and the Western Corridors.

Kerala Govt. Launched ‘ Dial a Doctor ‘ Project Kerala government on 3 March launched a novel scheme ” Dial a doctor” which will enable the public to seek health-related advice over phone round-the-clock from doctors by dialling a toll-free number.Under the programme, a person can dial 1056 and avail the advice of doctors especially regarding first aid, vaccination and health problems.

GVK’s Srinagar Hydel Power Plant Inaugurated Akhilesh Yadav, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh on 4 March inaugurated the Srinagar hydroelectric power project of GVK Power & Infrastructure, in Uttarakhand.The project, with 330 MW capacity, has been developed across river Alaknanda in the Tehri Garhwal and Pauri Garhwal districts of Uttarakhand. The company has invested Rs 4,192 crore in the project.Of the total power generated from the project, 88 per cent will go to Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation (UPPCL), as per the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The remaining 12 per cent is expected to be allotted to the government of Uttarakhand free of cost.

Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Passed Lokayukta Bill – 2014 The Arunachal Pradesh Assembly on 5 March passed the Lokayukta Bill – 2014 by voice vote after a long discussion, paving the way for constitution of Lokayukta on the lines of the Central Act, with the provision of keeping the Chief Minister, other Ministers, MLAs, heads of Panchayats and Municipalities, Trusts and public servants under the purview of a six-member anti-corruption panel.

CONFERENCES

Third BIMSTEC summit 2014 Held In Myanmar The Third BIMSTEC (Bay of Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical Economic Cooperation ) summit was held from 1 – 4 March 2014 in Nay Pyi Taw, capital of Myanmar.The Summit was attended by leaders of the BIMSTEC Member Countries, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Special Envoy from Thailand.The Summit issued a five-page declaration, seeking cooperation and collaboration among themselves in the sectors of trade, energy, health, climate change among others.The declaration has noted that the Summit decided to move forward towards finalisation of the draft Agreement on Trade in Goods with agreed General Rules of Origin and Product Specific Rules.

AWARDS & HONOURS

86th Annual Academy Oscar Awards 2014 The 86th Annual Academy Oscar Awards 2014, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored the actors, technical achievements, and films of 2013 and took place on 2 March 2014, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. List of Winners at 86th annual Academy Awards :- Best Picture :- “12 Years a Slave.” Best Actor :- Matthew McConaughey, “Dallas Buyers Club.” Best Actress :- Cate Blanchett, “Blue Jasmine.” Best Supporting Actor :- Jared Leto, “Dallas Buyers Club.” Best Supporting Actress :- Lupita Nyong’, “12 Years a Slave.” Best Directing :- Alfonso Cuaron, “Gravity.” Best Foreign Language Film :- “The Great Beauty,” Italy. Best Adapted Screenplay :- John Ridley, “12 Years a Slave.” Best Original Screenplay :- Spike Jonze, “Her.” Best Animated Feature Film :- “Frozen.” Production Design :- “The Great Gatsby.” Best Cinematography :- “Gravity.” Best Sound Mixing :- “Gravity.” Best Sound Editing :- “Gravity.” Best Original Score :- “Gravity,” Steven Price. Best Original Song :- “Let It Go” from “Frozen.” Best Costume :- “The Great Gatsby.” Best Makeup and Hairstyling :- “Dallas Buyers Club.” Best Animated Short Film :- “Mr. Hublot.” Best Documentary Feature :- “20 Feet from Stardom.” Best Documentary (short subject) :- “The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life.” Best Film Editing :- “Gravity.” Best Live Action Short Film :- “Helium.” Best Visual Effects :- “Gravity.”

Indian Author Pankaj Mishra Won Windham Campbell Literature Prize Award-winning Indian author Pankaj Mishra is among eight writers from seven countries who have won a $1,50,000 prize each in recognition of their literary achievements.Essayist and novelist Mishra has been selected on 9 March for the prestigious Windham Campbell Literature prize in the non- fiction category.

German Honours Three Indians with Cross of the Order of Merit Germany has conferred three Indians with its ‘Cross of the Order of Merit’ award for their contribution in strengthening Indo-German relations over the past decades.The awards were bestowed on Anand Singh Bawa, Kalyan Sachdev and Syed Hasnain by German Ambassador Michael Steiner in New Delhi at a function on 11 March. Tomas Halik Won 2014 Templeton Prize Tomas Halik, a Roman Catholic priest and philosopher, onetime Czech political activist and an advocate for religious freedom and interfaith dialogue, won the 2014 Templeton Prize on 13 March for religious and spiritual progress.The prize, valued at about $1.8 million, is one of the largest awards given annually to a single individual. Founded in 1972.

SPORTS & GAMES

Mexican Open Tennis Tournament Winners – 2014 Women’s Singles :- Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia won the Tennis tournament Women’s Singles title.She defeated American Christina McHale in the final at Mexico on 1 March. It was her fourth career title and first since Stanford in 2013. Men’s Singles :- Bulgaria’s won the Men’s Singles title after defeated South African in the final.

South Africa Captain Graeme Smith Announced Retirement South African captain Graeme Smith has announced on 4 March that he will retire from international cricket . Smith is the longest serving captain for South Africa in international cricket. He has played 117 test matches as an opener of which 109 was as a captain too. His total 109 test captaincies is 16 more than the previous record held by Allan Border of Australia.

Pankaj Advani Won National Snooker Title World champion Pankaj Advani (PSPB) won his sixth Men’s National Snooker title after defeated Kamal Chawla of Railways in the 81st national snooker championship, in Lucknow on 7 March.This was Advani’s overall 24th national snooker title.

Mizoram Won Santosh Trophy – 2014 Mizoram won the 68th edition of National Football Championship of Santosh Trophy after defeated Railways 3-0 in the final on 9 March in Siliguri, West Bengal.This is the maiden Santosh Trophy for Mizoram also this was the first appearance for them in the final match.

Nico Rosberg Won Australian Grand Prix Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany won the Australian Grand Prix on 16 March at Melbourne in Australia.Kevin Magnussen of Denmark (McLaren) was declared second after Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo was disqualified after finishing second in the race. Ricciardo was disqualified for breach of fuel regulations. Jenson Button of Great Britain also representing McLaren finished the podium with third place.

ECONOMY

Mukesh Tops List of India’s 70 Billionaires According to China-based research firm Hurun’s 2014 global rich list released on 3 March, India is home to the fifth largest group of billionaires in the world and Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries , is the country’s richest man with a personal fortune of $18 billion.Mukesh Ambani was ranked 41st in the list that was topped by Bill Gates, whose personal networth stood at a whopping $68 billion.In the global rich list, Bill Gates was followed by Berkshire Hathaway’s Warren Buffett (2nd) with a personal wealth of $64 billion . Bill Gates Tops Forbes Billionaire List Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has regained the title of the world’s richest man in the Forbes magazine’s annual billionaire list released on 3 March that includes 56 India based billionaires led by RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani.With a net worth of $76 billion, Bill Gates reclaimed the top spot after a four-year hiatus, toppling Mexico’s telecommunications mogul Carlos Slim Helu, who placed second at $72 billion.With a networth of $18.6 billion, Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) chief Mukesh Ambani leads the pack of 56 billionaires based in India featured on the list.

India To Have 4th Highest Number Of Billionaires By 2023 According to the 2014 Wealth Report , an annual global perspective on prime property and wealth by property management firm Knight Frank released on 6 March, India is projected to be home to the fourth highest number of billionaires in the world by 2023.As per the report, projected that the number of billionaires in India will grow by an exponential 98 per cent to 119 in the year 2023 from 60 billionaires last year.India will rank fourth after US, China and Russia in 2023 and will have more billionaires than the UK, Germany and France.

SBI Launches ‘ SBIePay ‘ To Facilitate Electronic Transactions State Bank of India (SBI), the largest bank in the country has on 13 March launched ‘ SBIePay ‘ a payment aggregator service to facilitate electronic (e-commerce /-commerce) transactions between merchants, customers and various financial institutions in the country. India’s largest lender is the first bank in India to start its own online aggregator services.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Indian Navy Inducted Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘ INS Sumedha ‘ The Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘ INS Sumedha ‘ was formally commissioned into the Indian Navy at Goa on 7 March .Sumedha is the third ship of the indigenous Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) Project to be inducted into the Indian Navy.The ship has been designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited.

Astronomers Discovered Hypergiant Star 1300 Times The Size of Our Sun In the month of March 2014 A hypergaint star which is 1300 times wider than wider than the sun has discovered. This is the biggest yellow star ever spotted. It is named as HR 5171. This star is 12,000 light years away. The star was studied by a team lead by Oliver Chesneau of the Cote d’Azur Observatory in Nice, France with the Very Large Telescope in Atacama, Chile. This star can be about one million times brighter than the Sun.

Ludhian and Kanpur Among World’s Top 10 Most Polluted Cities According to a 2011 World Health Organisation (WHO) report on World’ Most Polluted Cities, released on 17 March, Ludhiana and Kanpur are among the 10 most polluted cities in the world.Ludhiana made it to the fourth position along with Quetta in Pakistan.Kanpur made it to the ninth position. The most polluted city in the world was Ahvaz in Iran.

India Successfully Tested Nuclear Capable Prithvi-II Missile India successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable Prithvi-II surface-to-surface missile from a military base in Odisha on 28 March.The indigenously-developed ballistic missile with a maximum range of 350 km was fired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Balasore district, about 230 km from Bhubaneswar.The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the conducted the test as part of a regular training exercise.Prithvi is India’s first indigenously-built ballistic missile. PERSONS IN NEWS

A) APPOINTMENTS

Sheila Dikshit Sworn In As Kerala Governor Veteran Congress leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was sworn in as Kerala Governor on 11 March. Kerala High Court Chief Justice Manjula Chellur administered the oath of office. She was appointed as the 22nd Governor of Kerala on 4 March. She has succeeded Nikhil Kumar, who in the past has served as the Police Chief of Delhi. Her appointment to the post came following resignation of Nikhil Kumar. Dikshit has served Delhi three times, as its Chief Minister from 1998 to 2013.She had represented the Kannauj Parliamentary Constituency of Uttar Pradesh during 1984 to 1989.

Former SC Judge Srikrishna Appointed as FPSB chairman Justice (Retd.) BN Srikrishna has been appointed as the Chairman of Financial Planning Standards Board India (FPSB) on 11 March. He takes over from Dhirendra Swarup, who was the chairman of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

B)RESIGNS

Nandan Nilekani Resigned as UIDAI chairman Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani resigned as Chairman of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on 13 March. Nilekani joined the Congress Party on 10 March 2014 and he is contesting from the Bangalore South constituency in Lok Sabha polls. After his exit as CEO of Bangalore headquartered Infosys in 2007, Nilekani had taken charge as head of UIDAI, Aadhar programme.

C)DEATHS

Noted Indian Author Died Noted English author and journalist Khushwant Singh died on 20 March in New Delhi at the age of 99. He was the founder-editor of Yojana and editor of the Illustrated Weekly of India, the National Herald and the Hindustan Times. Khushwant Singh was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1974 but returned it in 1984 to protest the storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar by the Indian Army. In 2007, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest Indian recognition.

D)VISITORS

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Visited Myanmar Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Myanmar on 3 – 4 March 2014. During his two day visit, Manmohan Sing attended the third BIMSTEC summit in Nay Pyi-Taw, the capital of Myanmar. In the visit, Myanmar President U Thein Sein met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the president office, agreeing further cooperation between the two countries.

E)MISCELLANEOUS

14 Indians In WEF’s Young Global Leaders Class of 2014 World Economic Forum (WEF) on 11 March released Young Global Leader’s 2014 list .The WEF recognised 214 Young Global Leaders (YGLs). Among them 109 are woman who were recognised for leadership and service to society.There were 17 young global leaders in South Asia, out of which 14 were from India. PLACES IN NEWS

Tata HQ Becomes First Heritage Building To Get Gold Rating Bombay House, the Headquarters of the Tata group in Mumbai, has become India’s first heritage building to get “gold” rating by Indian Green Building Council(IGBC) on 3 March . Built in 1923, Bombay House has been given the rating for implementing measures for energy savings of over 20 per cent, use of renewable energy, occupant well being and comfort, use of car pools and public transport, and contribution to the maintenance of neighbouring areas.

ABBREVIATIONS

APEDA ——- Agricultural and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority

BIMSTEC —– Bay of Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical Economic Cooperation

ECOWAS —— Economic Community of West African States

FIFA ———– Federation Internationale de Football Association

CSIR ———- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research

BOOKS IN NEWS

Jaswant Singh Released His Book ‘ India at Risk ‘ Jaswant Singh, Former Minister in the NDA government on 3 March released a book entitled ” India at Risk ” – Mistakes Misconceptions and Misadventures of security policy. In his book, he had discussed the issues, the conflicts and the consequences of the security related policy of India.

COMMITTEES

Shyamala Gopinath Committee Recommendations The Union Government on 4 March 2014 decided to hike interest rates on fixed deposit schemes offered by post offices by up to 0.2 %. The decision to hike interest rates is taken on the recommendations of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor Shyamala Gopinath Committee.As per the Shyamala Gopinath Committee’s recommendations - The interest rate on fixed deposits for one and two years has been increased to 8.4% from the present 8.2%. Fixed deposits of three and five years will earn 0.1% higher rate at 8.4% and 8.5%. The rate on National Savings Scheme (NSC) with 5 and 10 year maturities also remain unchanged at 8.5 % and 8.8 %. The new interest rates on small savings schemes will come into effect from April 1, 2014. IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

World Poetry Day Observed Across The World World Poetry Day was observed across the world on 21 March 2014. The day was observed to support linguistic diversity through poetic expression and to offer endangered languages the opportunity to be heard within their communities.The decision to observe 21 March as World Poetry Day was adopted at the 30th session of UNESCO held in Paris in 1999.

World Water Day Observed Across The World World Water Day was observed on 22 March 2014 with the theme Water and Energy to raise awareness of the inter-linkages between water and energy. World Water Day is observed to preserve and ration consumption of water.The United Nation is observed annually on 22 March to draw attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of fresh water resources.

UN observed International Day of Forest International Day of Forests was observed across the world on 21 March 2014. The theme of the International Forest Day was Celebrating Forests for Sustainable Development.

APRIL INTERNATIONAL

Karim Massimov Named as new Prime-Minister of Kazakhstan Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev named his chief of staff Karim Massimov as the new prime minister on 2 April. His appointment came following the resignation of Serik Akhmetov from the post, which was accepted by the President as per the Constitutional provision.

Viktor Orban Re-elected As Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban was re-elected to a third term as Prime Minister of Hungary .The results of general elections were announced on 8 April 2014. The General parliamentary elections were held on 6 April 2014.Out of the total votes casted, Orban’s Fidesz party won 133 of 199 parliament seats.

China Recruits ‘ Guardian Angels ’ To Protect Embattled Doctors China’s capital Beijing is on 9 April taking a novel approach to protecting doctors from growing levels of violence from angry patients: volunteer “Guardian Angels”.The campaign will recruit students, medical workers and other patients to act as middlemen between doctors and those in their care to defuse disagreements and smooth over tensions.

Sale of HIV Self-Testing Kits Legalised In The UK A new law legalizing sale of self-testing kits for HIV came into force in United Kingdom (UK) on 6 April 2014. The new law allows individuals to buy the self-testing kits available on shops and self-diagnose for HIV at home itself.

INDIA & WORLD Bangladesh To Provide Transit Facility For Indian Power Line Bangladesh on 3 April agreed to provide transit facility for a 6000 megawatt Indian power transmission line. This decision was taken in a joint steering committee meeting on India-Bangladesh power sector cooperation.

Canada Suspends Voluntary Commonwealth Funds Over Sri Lanka Issue The Government of Canada on 14 April announced that the country will suspend its voluntary funds to the Commonwealth Secretariat and reallocate the funds for the next two years.The Commonwealth of Nations is an intergovernmental organisation of 53 member states that were mostly territories of the former British Empire. The most populous Commonwealth country is India, with nearly 1.1 billion people.

India and Bhutan Signed Agreement For Developing Hydropower Projects India and Bhutan on 22 April signed an agreement for the development of joint hydropower projects in a bid to further strengthen their bilateral strategic partnership.The framework Inter-Governmental Agreement between Bhutan and India for the development of Joint Venture Hydropower Projects through the Public Sector Undertakings of the two governments was signed in Thimphu, capital of Bhutan.

Indian- Form 3rd Largest Asian Population In US According to the report on demographics of the Asian-American population released on 24 April by the Center for American Progress, Indian-Americans numbering 3.34 million is the third largest Asian community in the United States, after China and Philippines.The Indian-American population shot up 76 per cent in the first 12 years of the 21st century.While the Chinese-Americans form the largest group of Asian-American population with 4.

NATIONAL

Women To Be Inducted As Officers In SSB for First Time The Union Home Ministry on 13 April for the first time approved the recruitment of young women as combat officers in Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). Young women under and up to the age of 25 years will be recruited as direct entry officers in the rank of assistant commandants (ACs). SSB is the second largest border guarding force.

IMA appeals Doctors To Give 25 per cent Discount On Fees For Voters The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has on 11 April appealed to its 2.75 lac doctor-members across India to give 25 per cent discount in doctor’s fees for one week to all patients who visit them with their fingers bearing the voting ink mark.

India Supreme Court Recognizes Transgender As Third Gender India’s Supreme Court in a landmark judgment on 15 April 2014, created the “third gender” status for transgenders. In its judgment the Apex Court claimed transgenders as socially and economically backward.The court also directed union & states government to adopt measures for bringing the community into the mainstream by providing adequate healthcare, education and employment.

Election Commission Launched Online Media Channel The Election Commission has launched on 17 April its own internet-based media arm called ‘ Voter Education Channel ‘ for voter awareness . Numerous video clips featuring iconic personalities urging citizens to vote have been uploaded on the channel and can be viewed on platform ‘YouTube’.This is the official channel of the Election Commission of India. STATES

Shompens of A & N islands Casted Votes For The First Time For Lok Sabha Shompens of Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) islands for the first time casted their votes in Great Nicobar on 10 April. Shompens – one of the stone-age tribes – casted the votes for the Lok Sabha constituency of Bay Islands for Lok Sabaha election 2014.

Mizoram Government Refused To Repatriate Bru Refugees Within 3 Months Mizoram Government on 12 April refused to repatriate all the Bru refugees lodged in six Tripura relief camps within three months.Earlier on 8 April 2014, the state government had agreed to the demand of the NGO Coordination Committee to repatriate the Bru refugees within three month. It agreed that they would repatriate all the Bru refugees after the end of the ongoing election process. The Bru Refugees also called Reang refugees are the original inhabitants of Mammit Sub-Division of Aizawl District of Mizoram. They started arriving in North Tripura’s Kanchanpur sub division since 29 October 1997.

High Content of Manganese Detected In Selaulim Reservoir of Goa High content of manganese was detected by the State Public Works Department (PWD) in Selaulin reservoir of Goa on 19 April .The level of manganese detected in the reservoir was 0.1 mg. This is less than the level of manganese content detected earlier and is within safe limit.The reservoir has production capacity of 214 MLD of water, which is supplied to entire South Goa and some parts of North district.

Supreme Court Lifts Mining Ban In Goa The Supreme Court (SC) on 21 April lifted a 19 month old ban on mining in Goa.The iron ore mining will be restricted to 20 million tonnes annually.The ban was imposed in September 2012 as part of a drive to curb illegal mining in Goa.

CONFERENCES

World Green Economy Summit-2014 Held In Dubai The World Green Economy Summit (WGES) -2014 was held in Dubai from 15th and 16th of April 2014. The theme of the summit was ” Global Partnership, Sustainable Future ” .The World Green Economy Summit (“WGES”), the first Summit focused on green business in the region, concluded on 16 April , with a closing session which provided a platform for determining the way for Dubai to become capital of the world’s green economy in line with the goals of the UAE’s Vision 2021.

AWARDS & HONOURS

Veteran Film Lyricist and Director Selected For Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2013 Veteran film lyricist, director, screen writer, producer and poet Gulzar has been conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2013. He is the 45th Dada Saheb Phalke Award Winner.The ministry of information and broadcasting announced on 12 April. The Dadsaheb Phalke award is India’s highest award for an individual for their contribution towards Indian cinema. It is annually given by the Government of India.He was born in 1934 in Punjab in pre-independence India. Sampooran Singh Kalra was his original name and he took the pen name of ‘Gulzar Deenvi’ after becoming an author. 61st The 61st National Film Awards for 2013 was announced in New Delhi on 16 April by the Directorate of Film Festivals.’ Ship of Theseus ‘ directed by Anand Gandhi has won the Golden Lotus for Best Feature Film. The Best Actor award is shared between Shahid star and actor Suraj Venjaramudu. Geetanjali Thapa won Best Actress for Liar’s Dice. Following is the listing of Winners for important Categories :- * Best Feature Film – ‘ Ship of Theseus ’ (Anand Gandhi) * Best Director – Hansal Mehta for ‘ Shahid ’ * Best Actor – Raj Kumar for ‘ Shahid ‘ in hindi and Suraj Venjaramoodu for ‘ Perariyathavar ‘ in Malyalam * Best Actress – Geetanjali Thapa for Hindi film ‘ Liar’s Dice ’ * Best Non Feature Film – ‘ Rangbhoomi ’ (Hindi film by Kamal Swaroop) * Best Film on Social Issues – ‘ Tuhya Dharma Koncha ’ (Marathi) * Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration – ‘ Thalaimuraigal ’ (Tamil) * Award for Best Debut Film – Nagraj Manjule for ‘ Fandry ’ (Marathi) * Best Non Feature Film on Social Issues – ‘ Gulabi Gang ’ * Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment – “ Bhaag Milka Bhaag ’ (Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra)

Indian-American Rajendra Singh Named White House’s Solar Champions Of Change Indian-American professor Rajendra Singh was on 18 April named by the White House as the ‘Solar Champions of Change’ in recognition of his immense contribution towards developing alternate source of energy and promoting solar deployment in residential, commercial and industrial sectors.

Indian Activist Honoured with Goldman Environmental Prize – 2014 Indian environment activist Ramesh Agrawal has on 28 April won the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize 2014 for helping villagers fight coal mining in Chhattisgarh and success in shutting down one of the largest planned coal mines in the area.

SPORTS & GAMES

MS Dhoni Won United Kingdom’s 2014 Asian Award Indian Cricket Captain MS Dhoni has won United Kingdom’s 2014 Asian award for outstanding achievement in sports.The award was announced on 4 April at London’s at The Grosvenor House Hotel.Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the greatest finishers in limited over cricket tournament and in 2013 he emerged as the first captain to win all three ICC trophies.

Punjab Won Junior National Hockey Title 2014 Punjab won the 4th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship 2014 (Division A) by defeating Hockey Odisha 6-2 in the finals on 6 April at Chennai, Tamil Nadu.With this win, Punjab had retained the championship title.

Sri Lanka Won ICC Twenty20 World Cup – 2014 Sri Lanka won the fifth edition of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2014 title after defeated India by six wickets in the finals on 6 April at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka. Earlier, Sri Lanka last won the first world title in the World Cup (50-over tournament) in 1996.

Andrea Petkovic Won Family Circle Cup Title of Germay won the Family Circle Cup tennis tournament title.She defeated Jana Cepelova (Slovakia) in the final on 6 April in Charleston, United States.It was her first WTA title in last three years.Overall, this is the third WTA title for Petkovic and first since her come back from the string of injuries in recent years. Petkovic last won in Strasbourg in 2011 and her first title came in 2009 in Bad Gastein.

Nour El Sherbini Won Texas Open Squash Title India’s Dipika Pallikal was defeated by Egyptian Nour El Sherbini in the title clash of the Women’s Champion Fiberlass Texas Open squash tournament on 14 April at Houston, United States.

ECONOMY

Election Commission Allows RBI to Issue new Bank Licences The Election Commission (EC) on 1 April allowed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to issue licences for setting up new banks.The approval came after the RBI missed the March-end deadline for issuing the first bank licence in almost a decade.The RBI on 12 March 2014 approached the Election Commission (EC) seeking its approval for granting bank lincences as the model code of conduct had come in place after the general elections announcement on 5 March 2014.

RBI’s First Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement 2014-15 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 1 April released it first Bi-monthly Monetary Policy statement 2014-15 .According to the statement , RBI has kept the policy repo rate unchanged at 8.0%.Other policy instruments such as cash reserve ratio (CRR) also remain unchanged at 4%.

RBI grants in-principle Approval To IDFC, Bandhan For Bank Licences The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 2 April granted in-principle approvals to IDFC Ltd and Bandhan Financial Services Pvt. Ltd to start new banks in India.These approvals have been granted under the guidelines on licensing of new banks in the private sector. The two have been granted the permission to set-up banks from a field of 25 aspirants.

Dilip Shanghvi Among Asia’s Top 10 Richest Self-made Billionaires The ‘ Wealth- ‘ Asia’s top ten wealthiest self-made billionaires list released on 30 April. According to the list, Dilip Shanghvi, founder and managing director of Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries, has been named in the list , topped by Hong Kong business tycoon Li Ka-Shing. Shanghvi, ranked seventh, is the only Indian on the list with a net worth of $13.5 billion, while Li Ka-Shing topped the chart with a fortune of $29.4 billion.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO’s PSLV-C24 Successfully Launched India’s Second Navigation Satellite IRNSS-1B Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched India’s second navigation satellite, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System – 1B ( IRNSS-1B), into the space. The satellite was launched through ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C24 (PSLV-C24) rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on 4 April 2014. PSLV-C24 injected the IRNSS-1B into a preliminary orbit.

Scientists Discovered Gene Behind Brain Development Key gene for the development of human brain has been discovered by Scientists from the University of Adelaide on 6 April.The study shows how mutations in the gene called ” USP9X ” are linked to intellectual disability. Solar Impulse 2 Plane Unveiled In Switzerland The upgraded solar-powered plane Solar Impulse 2 was unveiled on 13 April at Payerne Air Force Base of Switzerland. The solar plane can fly around the world for five consecutive days without using any fuel. Swiss pilots Andre Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard have developed the solar powered aircraft

Unique Pair of Super-Massive Black Holes Found Scientists have discovered on 23 April the first pair of super-massive black holes in orbit around one another in a non-active galaxy. The European Space Agency’s X-ray Multi Mirror Mission, XMM Newton had discovered these black holes.

PERSONS IN NEWS

A) APPOINTMENTS

N B Singh Assumes Charge As BDL director Air Vice Marshal N B Singh, AVSM, VSM (retd) on 1 April assumed charge as Director (technical) of Bharat Dynamics Limited, a -based Mini-ratna category-1 company under the Ministry of Defence.Prior to this appointment, AVM Singh served as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (communication) in the Indian Air Force.

Justice RM Lodha Sworn In As 41st Justice Rajendra Mal Lodh was on 27 April sworn in as the 41st Chief Justice of India (CJI) on 27 April. He was administered the oath of office by President Pranab Mukherjee.Chief Justice Lodha succeeds Chief Justice P Sathasivam who demitted office on completion of his term on 26 April 2014.Justice Lodha will have a brief tenure of five months as the Chief Justice as he will retire on 27 September 2014.

Former IAF chief Appointed India’s Ambassador To Norway Former Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Norman Anil Kumar Browne has been appointed India’s next Ambassador to Norway on 29 April.He will succeed R. K. Tyagi as India’s envoy in Norway.Browne had served as IAF chief between 31 July 2011 and 31 December 2013.

B)RESIGNS

Kazakhstan Prime-Minister Serik Akhmetov Resigned Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov, has announced his resignation on 2 April, a development that will lead to the dissolution of the government.The resignation was accepted by the President as per the Constitutional provision.Akhmetov was appointed as the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan in September 2012.

C)DEATHS

Renowned Cinematographer VK Murthy Died Renowned cinematographer and Dada Saheb Phalke awardee V K Murthy,died on 7 April in Shankarapuram. He was 91 and was famous for his camera work in Guru Dutt’s classics like Pyaasa and Sahib, Bibi Aur Ghulam. He was the first cinematographer to be chosen for the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award for 2008. He received the hounour on 19 January 2010. For his contribution to Indian cinema, he received the International Indian Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.In 1959, he won the Filmfare Best Cinematographer award. D)VISITORS

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden Visited Ukraine U.S. Vice President Joe Biden visited Ukraine on 21 – 22 April 2014. In the most high-level visit of a U.S. official since crisis erupted in Ukraine, Biden met privately with acting Ukrainian Prime Minister Yatsenyuk and acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov, as well as with democracy activists.In the visit, Biden also announced the United States will provide an additional $50 million to help Ukraine’s beleaguered government with political and economic reforms.

E)MISCELLANEOUS

Koyal Rana Won Miss India 2014 Title Koyal Rana was crowned as the new Miss India in the 51st 2014 contest on 5 April at Mumbai.The winner will represent India at while 19 year old Jhataleka Malhotra was first runner up who will represent India at Miss Earth and second runner up Gail Nicole Da Silva at Miss Supranational.

PLACES IN NEWS

Google Launches 360 Degree Online View Of Angkor Wat In Cambodia Google on 3 April launched 360 degree online view of Angkor Wat in Cambodia under Streetview project. The Angkor Wat project was developed with the help of the Apsara Authority of the Kingdom of Cambodia. APSARA National Authority is an organisation created for the protection and maintenance of Angkor. In Angkor Wat, arguably the largest temple complex in the world, Streetview has been used to patch together over 90,000 high resolution 360-degree images of the monument.

ABBREVIATIONS

IABF —- Indian Amatuer Boxing Federation

NATO —– North Atlantic Treaty Organization

BSF ——–

IMF ——– International Monetary Fund

IRNSS —– Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System

CITU —— Centre of Indian Trade Unions

BOOKS IN NEWS ‘ The Accidental Prime Minister – The Making and Unmaking Of Manmohan Singh ‘ Book Released A book entitled ‘ The Accidental Prime Minister – The Making and Unmaking Of Manmohan Singh ‘ written by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s former media advisor Sanjaya Baru was released on 11 April .

COMMITTEES

Anand Sinha Committee Recommends Benchmark For Floating Interest Rate A Reserve Bank of India (RBI) committee headed by former RBI Deputy Governor Anand Sinha suggested a benchmark floating interest rate, especially for home loans, to bring greater transparency in the pricing of credit.The committee on 10 April released Draft Report on ‘Working Group on Pricing of Credit’. As per the report, the Indian Banks Association (IBA) may develop a new benchmark for floating interest rate products, namely, the Indian Banks Base Rate (IBBR), which may be collated and published by IBA on a periodic basis.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

World Health Day 2014 Observed Across The World World Health Day 2014 was observed across the world on 7 April 2014. The day provides an opportunity for individuals to get involved in activities that can lead to better health. The theme for World Health Day 2014 is vector-borne diseases. World Health Organisation (WHO) is highlighting the serious and increasing threat of vector-borne diseases with the slogan Small bite, big threat.

World Malaria Day Observed Across The World World Malaria Day (WMD) was observed on 25 April 2014 across the world. The day was observed to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control.The theme for 2013-2015 is: Invest in the future. Defeat malaria.

MAY INTERNATIONAL

President Jacob Zuma of South Africa Re-elected For Second Term South Africa President, Jacob Zuma of African National Congress (ANC) was re-elected for second term. African National Congress (ANC) won the elections held on 7 May for the National Assembly. Results for the same were announced on 9 May. African National Congress (ANC) won 63% of the votes while the Democratic Alliance (DA) fell behind with 22% of the votes.This victory is ANC’s 5th consecutive win in national elections.

Swiss Voters Rejected World’s Highest Minimum Wage Swiss voters rejected the Minimum Wage Initiative on 18 May.The initiative was rejected by 77 percent of the Swiss voters.The Minimum Wage Initiative, if passed, would have introduced highest minimum wage in the world at 25 US dollars for an hour (or 22 francs an hour).Twenty-five dollars an hour seems like a lot, but Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world. Petro Poroshenko Elected As Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko was elected as the new President of Ukraine in Presidential Elections held on 25 May 2014. Poroshenko won a convincing victory after winning around 54.7% of the votes from 21 candidates on the ballot. His closest competitor was Yulia Tymoshenko, who emerged with 12.81% of the votes.

Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus Signed Treaty Creating Economic Union Presidents of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus – Vladimir Putin, Nursultan Nazarbayev and Alexander Lukashenko – have on 29 May signed a treaty on setting up the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

INDIA & WORLD

India Ranked 83rd In Networked Readiness Index A World Economic Forum (WEF) on 5 May released its 13th edition of Global Information Technology Report. In the report’s networked readiness index Scandinavian countries dominated the top 10, with Finland grabbing the top spot, followed by Singapore, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United States, Hong Kong, Great Britain and the Republic of Korea. In the developing world, China fell four spots to No. 62, Brazil fell nine spots to No. 69 and India dropped 15 spots to No. 83 in terms of leveraging information and communications technologies for growth and well being.

Switzerland Among 47 Nations To Agree On Tax Data Exchange 47 nations including Switzerland and India, have agreed upon automatic exchange of information on tax matters.The endorsement of the ‘Declaration on Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters’ by 47 countries under the aegis of Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on 6 May will come as a boost for India, which is stepping up pressure on Switzerland to share details on alleged illicit funds stashed away by Indians there.

Indians Form 2nd Largest Group of International Students In US According to the report released by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on 7 May, India accounts for second largest number of international students in this country. China with 290,133 students is at the top in the report on international students.

Odisha Signed MoU with TiE Silicon Valley The Odisha government has on 14 May signed an agreement with the TiE Silicon Valley as part of its efforts to develop the state as an IT hub and attract US investment. Under the agreement, Odisha government would have a professional stationed at the headquarters of Silicon Valley in Santa Clara, .

NATIONAL

SC upheld Validity of Right To Education Act The Supreme Court on 6 May upheld the Constitutional validity of the Right to Education (RTE) Act. In its decision, the apex court explained that the Act is not applied to unaided minority institutions. The five- judge Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court in its decision also upheld the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2010. Govt Extends Ban On LTTE by 5 Years The government has extended by five years the ban imposed on LTTE, a terror group that was behind the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and was decimated by the Sri Lanka military in 2009. India had banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) after the assassination of Gandhi in 1991. The declaration of LTTE as an ‘Unlawful Association’ has been extended for a further period of five years with effect from 14 May 2014.

16th Lok Sabha Elections Results Declared The Indian general election of 2014 was held to constitute the 16th Lok Sabha, electing members of parliament to all 543 parliamentary constituencies of India. Running in nine phases from 7 April to 12 May 2014, this was the longest election in the country’s history. The results of the 2014 Lok Sabha election were declared on 16 May 2014. In the Elections 2014, The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), won a sweeping victory, taking 336 seats. The BJP itself won 282 seats, the first time since Rajiv Gandhi’s landslide victory in 1984 that an Indian party has won enough seats to govern without the support of other parties. The United Progressive Alliance (UPA), led by the Indian National Congress (INC), won 59 seats, 44 of which were won by the Congress.

President Pranab Mukherjee Dissolves 15th Lok Sabha President Pranab Mukherjee dissolved the 15th Lok Sabha on 18 May. President dissolved the Lok Sabha on the advice of outgoing Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who resigned on 17 May 2014. Union Cabinet recommended the President to dissolve the 15th Lok Sabha as a follow up to the election results of 16th Lok Sabha election. This will make way to the formation of new government.

STATES

Supreme Court Bans Tamil Nadu’s Bullfight Game Jallikattu The Supreme Court has on 7 May banned centuries-old Jallikattu- bullfights and bullock-cart racing- organised during festivals in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states.Significantly, the bench headed by Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan favoured elevating the rights of the animals to constitutional rights.

BJD won Odisha Assembly Elections – 2014 The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik established a landslide victory in the 2014 election leaving opposition Congress and BJP reduced to a miniscule. The results for the elections were announced on 16 May 2014 in which BJD claimed more than two-third majority by winning 117 of the total 147 seats.

Congress Party Won Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Elections – 2014 Congress had won a clear majority in the Assembly elections by winning 42 of the total 60 seats. BJP won 11 seats and was followed by People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) with 5 seats. Remaining seats were shared by independent candidates. The results for state’s Assembly elections were announced on 16 May 2014.

SDF won Sikkim 2014 Assembly Elections Fifth Time Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling -led Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) won 18 of the 22 seats in the 32-member state assembly.The assembly election results were declared on 16 May. SDF won its fifth consecutive term in the assembly elections. The Opposition, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, has got the remaining 10 seats. CONFERENCES

47th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of ADB The 47th Annual Meeting of Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors was held from 2-5 May 2014 in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. The meeting was attended by Finance Ministers/their representatives of 67 Member Countries. Discussions were conducted on economic development forecasts of the Asia-Pacific region, new economic challenges for the region and other issues, and significance of interaction in solution of problems important for the continent was emphasized at the event.

AWARDS & HONOURS

Indian Scientist Ravinder Dahiya Won British Research Fellowship Ravinder Dahiya, an Indian scientist in Britain, has been granted a prestigious fellowship worth 1,068,000 pounds (around $1.8 million) on 2 May by a top British agency that funds research in engineering and the physical sciences.

Two Indian-American Chefs Won James Beard Food Awards – 2014 Two Indian-origin chefs Sunderam and Vishwesh Bhatt have been conferred with the prestigious James Beard Food Awards for 2014, considered as the Oscars of the US food and beverage industry. Sunderam and Bhatt were awarded the Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic and Best Chef in South respectively. The James Beard Food Awards, which were presented during a ceremony at the Lincoln Centre at the James Beard Foundation’s annual awards ceremony in New York on 5 May, are widely considered the top honours in American cooking.

Six Indo-Americans Felicitated with Ellis Island Medal of Honor Six have been felicitated on 10 May with the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor for the year 2014.The Ellis Island Medals of Honor by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organization is given annually to US citizens who have distinguished themselves within their own ethnic groups while exemplifying the values of the American way of life. Among the recipients of the award are Yash Paul Soi , Narpat Bhandari , Samir Desai , Arun Kumar Pramanik , Ketki Sharadkumar Shah , Abdul M Suleman, were also felicitated with the prestigious award.

Winter Sleep Won Palme d’Or Award At 67th Cannes Film Festival Winter Sleep, a film by Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan, was honoured with Palme d’Or Award at the 67th Cannes Film Festival held in Cannes from 16 May to 25 May 2014. Julianne Moore won the Best Actress prize for ‘ Maps to the Stars ‘, while ‘ Turner’ star Timothy Spall was named Best Actor.

SPORTS & GAMES

Sania Mirza and Won Portugal Open Title India’s and her Zimbabwean partner Cara Black won their first WTA title of the season beating Eva Hrdinova (Czech) and Valeria Solovyeva (Russia) in the women’s doubles final of the Portugal Open in Oeiras (Portugal) on 3 May 2014. Lewis Hamilton Won Spanish Grand Prix – 2014 Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain won the Spanish Grand Prix on 11 May. This was Lewis Hamilton’s fourth consecutive victory in 2014 F1 season for his team Mercedes.

Italian Open Tennis Tournament Winners – 2014 Men’s Singles :- of Serbia won the men’s singles tennis title (Rome Open Tennis) on 18 May in Rome, Italy. He defeated Rafael Nadal of Spain in the final. It was his third Italian Open title. Women’s Singles :- Serena Williams of US won the women’s singles title after defeated of Italy in the final. It was her 3rd Italian Open title.

China Won Uber Cup 2014 China won the Badminton’s Uber Cup 2014 on 24 May. China successfully defended its title by scoring an emphatic 3-1 win over Japan. It was China’s 13th Uber Cup title, the most by any team.Uber Cup is often known as the World team championship for women’s badminton.

ECONOMY

RBI Allowed Minors Above 10 years To Open Savings Bank Accounts Minors above 10 years of age can open and operate independently savings bank account and use other facilities like ATM and cheque books. The Reserve Bank on 6 May issued the guidelines allowing minors to operate bank accounts independently with a view to promote financial inclusion and bring uniformity in opening of such accounts in banks.

India Has 54 of World’s Largest and Most Powerful Public Companies Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) leads the pack of 54 Indian companies on Forbes’ 11th annual list of the world’s 2000 largest and most powerful public companies. The list was released on 7 May. India has 54 of the world’s biggest companies. RIL is ranked 135, with a market value of $50.9 billion and $72.8 billion in sales as of May.

President of India Dedicates ‘RUPAY’ To The Nation President Pranab Mukherjee has dedicated ‘RuPay’ India’s own card payment network to the nation on 8 May. The system has been developed by National Payment Corporation Ltd (NPCL). RuPay is India’s own card payment network just like Visa and Master Card and provides an alternative system for banks to provide debit card service.

Nine Indian Firms In Forbes Most Innovative Growth Companies List Nine Indian firms have made it into the Forbes list of the World’s 100 most innovative growth companies. New Zealand software accounting firm Xero topped the list. Among the nine Indian companies, Godrej Consumer Products leads the pack and was ranked 31st globally with an enterprise value of $4.25 billion. The list was released on 22 May 2014.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

India Successfully Test Fired ‘ Astra ‘ Missile India on 4 May successfully test-fired its first indigenously-developed air-to-air missile ‘ Astra ‘ from a Russian-built Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet over the Arabian Sea off Goa. Astra is India’s first Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air-to-Air missile. It was designed and developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) .

Shantha’s Paediatric Pentavalent Vaccine Prequalified By WHO Paediatric pentavalent vaccine ‘Shan5’, developed and manufactured by Hyderabad – based Shantha Biotechnics, an affiliate of French pharmaceutical company Sanofi, has regained prequalification (PQ) status on 5 May from the World Health Organisation (WHO). This status qualifies the vaccine, which provides protection for children against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hib and hepatitis B, for purchase by United Nations agencies, governments and other organisations.

Indian-Origin Scientist Reddy Developed Leadless Pacemaker The world’s first wireless pacemaker, developed by Indian-origin scientist Dr Vivek Reddy, Director of Arrhythmia Services at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. The device is only a few centimeters in length, making it less than ten per cent the size of a traditional pacemaker.

“Green” Jet Fuel From Sunlight Developed A research project named “Solar-Jet” funded by the European Union has produced the world’s first jet fuel from water and carbon dioxide.In the Solar-Jet Project, researchers used concentrated light-stimulated sunlight-to convert carbondioxide and water to synthesis Gas in a high temperature solar reactor containing metal-oxide based material developed at ETH Zurich.

PERSONS IN NEWS

A) APPOINTMENTS

Nabam Tuki Sworn In As CM of Arunachal Pradesh For Second Term Veteran Congress leader Nabam Tuk was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh for the second consecutive term at the Raj Bhavan in Itanagar on 18 May. He is the 8th (seventh as person) Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh.

Jitan Ram Manjhi Sworn In As Bihar CM Janata Dal (United) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi was on 20 May sworn in as Bihar’s 23rd Chief Minister. Manjhi was SC/ST welfare minister under former CM Nitish Kumar who resigned owning responsibility for the poor performance of JD (U) in the parliamentary polls.

Naveen Patnaik Sworn In As 4th Time CM in Odisha Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik was on 21 May sworn in as Odisha chief minister for the fourth straight term. He is the 14th Chief Minister of Odisha. Naveen Patnaik won a huge victory in both the 2014 Indian General Elections and the Legislative Assembly of Odisha elections in 2014.

Anandiben Patel Sworn In As First Woman Chief Minister of Gujarat Anandiben Patel was sworn-in on 22 May as Gujarat’s first woman and overall 15th Chief Minister in a ceremony chaired by state Governor Kamala Beniwal. Anandiben Patel was appointed as the new Chief Minister of Gujarat after resigned from the office on 21 May 2014.

Narendra Modi Sworn In As India’s 15th Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi was sworn-in as the 15th Prime Minister of India on 26 May 2014.The swearing-in ceremony was held in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhawan and President Pranab Mukherjee administered the oath of office and secrecy to Modi and his council of ministers. 23 cabinet ministers, 10 Ministers of State (MoS) with independent charge and 12 MoS took oath along with Narendra Modi. With this Narendra Modi’s council of ministers presently comprises of 45 ministers.

B)RESIGNS

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio Resigned Three-time Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio on 23 May resigned from the chair along with his council of ministers. Neiphiu Rio, who has been chief minister of Nagaland for over 11 years, tendered his resignation following his landslide victory in the 16th Lok Sabha polls.

C)DEATHS

Nobel Laureate Economist Gary Becker Died Gary Becker, whose work applying the principles of economics to a wide range of human behavior won the Nobel Prize in 1992, has died on 3 May in Chicago. He was professor of economics and sociology at the University of Chicago. American economist, Becker received the Nobel Prize in 1992 in economics for using economics to analyse human behaviour and interaction topics such as crime (why people commit it), discrimination against minorities and family life.

D)VISITORS

Turkmenistan President Berdymukhamedov Visited China Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov visited China from 11 – 14 May 2014. During his four day visit, Berdymukhamedov met China Prime Minister Li Keqiang in Beijing, capital of China. Both nations signed a number of deals to develop a stronger strategic partnership. The two heads of states also witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements in areas such as natural gas, agriculture, transportation, finance, culture and local exchanges.

E)MISCELLANEOUS

11 Year Old Boy In UK with Higher IQ Than Einstein Joins Mensa An 11-year-old boy in the UK has achieved the highest possible score of 162 on a Mensa IQ test, making him brainier than physicist Albert Einstein. Ramarni Wilfred, of Loom Grove, Romford, took the Mensa IQ test at Birbeck University and achieved a score of 162. Although Einstein never took an IQ test as none of the modern intelligence tests existed during the course of his life, experts believe he had an IQ of around 160.

PLACES IN NEWS

World’s Highest Railway Tunnel Opens In China The world’s highest tunnel for high-speed trains in northwest China at an altitude of 3,607.4 metres became operational on 1 May. The 16.3-km-long was completely linked up, operationalising the line linking Gansu Province and Xinjiang provinces. With altitudes of up to 3,607.4 metres, the tunnel passes through the Qilian Mountains with two sections and a bridge. The construction of the highest tunnel started in 2009. ABBREVIATIONS

AGOC ———- Asian Games Organisation Committee

FIPB ———- Foreign Investment Promotion Board

UNESCO —— United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

AAPI ———- and Pacific Islanders

BOOKS IN NEWS

Vice President Released The Book ‘ A Stamp Is Born ‘ The Vice President of India, M. Hamid Ansari released a book entitled “A Stamp is Born” authored by C. R. Pakrashi, a renowned stamp designer, at a function on 6 May. The author Pakrashi, who is also a renowned Stamp designer in the book, has described his first-hand experiences with all stages of production of the stamp right from conception to final execution and printing. The book includes 56 commemorative stamps.

COMMITTEES

P. Nayak Committee For Diluting Govt Stake In Public Sector Banks To Below 50 percent The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) committee report has recommended on 13 May that the government should divest its stake in state-owned banks to less than 50%, allow private equity houses to own 40% in distressed banks, and strip managers of private sector banks of their bonuses and Esops if they are caught ever-greening sticky loans. The report covers 27 state-controlled lenders. The committee was led by P. Jayendra Nayak, the former chief executive of Axis Bank Ltd. and former India country head of Morgan Stanley.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

Anti-Terrorism Day Observed Across India On 21 May Anti-Terrorism Day observed Across India on 21 May 2014. The day is celebrated as 23rd Death Anniversary of former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi.The day is marked by a pledge taking ceremony among other activities.The objective behind the observance of Anti-Terrorism Day is to wean away the people from terrorism and violence. On the occasion, debates, discussions, symposia, seminars, lectures, etc. are held in schools, colleges and universities on the dangers of terrorism and violence.The Day is observed to generate awareness in the country among all sections of people, about the danger of terrorism.

World Press Freedom Day Observed Across The World World Press Freedom Day was observed on 3 May 2014 across the world. The theme of 2014 year is: Media Freedom for a Better Future: Shaping the post-2015 Development Agenda.The focus this year is on three inter-related themes: the media’s importance in development; the safety of journalists and the rule of law; and the sustainability and integrity of journalism.

JUNE INTERNATIONAL

US President Proposed 1 billion dollar Plan For Eastern Europe The US President Barack Obama on 3 June proposed a 1 billion US dollar (about 730 million Euros) US security plan for Eastern Europe to finance extra US troop and military deployments to new allies in Eastern Europe.

Reuven Rivlin Is Elected Israel’s 10th President Reuven (Ruby) Rivlin, Knesset member of Likud Party, was on 10 June 2014 elected as 10th president of Israel. Reuven Rivlin has defeated a long-time MP Meir Sheetrit by 63 to 53 in a secret run-off ballot. He will succeed Shimon Peres. Rivlin will sworn-in on 24 July 2014.

Russia Cuts Off Gas Supplies To Ukraine Russia on 16 June cut off all gas supplies to Ukraine over the due payment. Energy Minister of Ukraine Yuri Prodan confirmed that the Gas supplies to Ukraine have been reduced to zero.After a while, both Gazprom and Naftogaz filed lawsuits against each other at the International Council Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) in Stockholm.

Sri Lanka and Seychelles Signed Six Agreements Sri Lanka and Seychelles on 28 June signed six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with a view of further integrating and deepening the existing relationship between the two countries.The six agreements were signed between Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and President of Seychelles, James Michael in the capital, Victoria.

INDIA & WORLD

EU lifts Drug Export Ban From Ranbaxy’s Toansa Plant The European health regulator, on 5 June, lifted the suspension imposed on export of drugs produced at the Ranbaxy’s Toansa plant to the EU, stating medicines produced at the site posed no risk to public health despite having a number of manufacturing deficiencies. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced that assessment of reported non-compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) at Ranbaxy Laboratories at Toansa, India has been finalised by the European regulatory authorities.

India Becomes Permanent Signatory To Washington Accord India has on 13 June become a permanent Signatory to Washington Accord (WA), which will enable global recognition of Indian degrees in engineering and technical education. With India becoming the permanent signatory, India joined a select group of 17 countries who are permanent signatories of the Washington Accord (WA).

India and Russia Bilateral Talks In the first high-level interaction between India and Russia after Narendra Modi Government took over at the Centre, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry O Rogozin on 18 June discussed crucial bilateral issues, including matters related to trade and energy security. Besides issues related to economic cooperation and energy security, the deal for the third and fourth reactors of Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) also figured in the talks.

India Relaxes Visa Norms For Bangladeshi Nationals India has relaxed visa rules for a category of Bangladeshi nationals planning to cross into its borders.This was decided in a meeting between India’s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and her Bangladeshi counterpart Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali in Dhaka on 26 June 2014.

NATIONAL

Narendra Modi Scrapped Four Standing Committees of Cabinet Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India on 10 June decided to discontinue four Standing Committees of the Cabinet. The discontinued standing committees included Cabinet Committee on Management of Natural Calamities, Cabinet Committee on Prices, Cabinet Committee on World Trade Organisation Matters and Cabinet Committee on Unique Identification Authority of India related issues.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sinchai Yojana To Be Launched To boost agricultural yield, the Union Agriculture Ministry is going to launch ‘Pradhan Mantri Gram Sinchai Yojana’ in the country. The statement was announced by Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh on 14 June . The motive of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sinchai Yojana will be to take irrigation water to each and every agricultural field in the country.

Union Government Reconstituted Six Cabinet Committees Union Government on 19 June reconstituted six important Cabinet Committees of these four will be headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and remaining two by Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The six Cabinet Committees include Security, Political Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs, Economic Affairs, Accommodation and Appointments.

India To Be ‘ Land Degradation Neutral ‘ By 2030 Government of India on 17 June announced an ambitious programme to combat the challenge and make the country ” Land Degradation Neutral ” by 2030.Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar explained that the objective of the land degradation neutrality is to maintain or improve the condition of land resources through the sustainable management of soil, water and biodiversity.

STATES

Telangana Becomes India’s 29th State Telangana became the 29th State of India with Hyderabad as its capital on 2 June 2014. With this formation, ten districts of the then Andhra Pradesh will now become a part of the Telangana.

Retirement Age of J&K Govt. Employees Raised To 60 The Jammu & Kashmir government on 3 June enhanced the retirement age of government employees from 58 to 60 years.The cabinet also raised the upper age limit for youths to obtain government jobs from 37 to 40 years. Tamilnadu Chief Minister Launched Amma Salt Jayalalithaa, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 11 June launched Amma Salt, a product of Tamil Nadu Salt Corporation limited (TNSC) under the State Industries Department.

Gujarat CM Announces 33 Percent Quota For Women In Police Force Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on 24 June announced 33 percent reservation for women in the police force. With this announcement, the women of the state can enjoy 33 percent reservation in new recruitment in the police force.

CONFERENCES

G77 plus China Summit Held In Bolivia The Group of 77 (G77) plus China summit was held in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, on 15 June 2014. More than 100 delegations of the G77 block attended the summit, presided over by Bolivian President Evo Morales. The summit concluded with the adoption of a declaration calling for a new world order that is equitable, stable and peaceful. With the theme of “New World Order for Living Well,” the two-day summit also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the G77, which has grown into a coalition of 133 UN developing member states.The G77, the largest intergovernmental organization of developing countries, is aimed at promoting collective economic interests and gaining leverage within the international community.

AWARDS & HONOURS

RGIA gets ACI award The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), operated and managed by GMR Group, has become the first Indian airport to be awarded the ‘ACI Director General’s Roll of Excellence’ accolade. The award recognises the airport’s ranking among the world’s top three airports for five consecutive years in the ACI Airport Service Quality (ASQ) survey.

IGI Named World’s Second Best Airport For Service Quality Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) of Delhi was ranked as second best airport in the world in service quality among airports that handle 25 to 40 million passengers per annum (MPPA). For this achievement, IGI received Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award by Airport Council International (ACI) in South Korea. IGI received the ASQ award for third time in row. Apart from this, IGI was placed at sixth position among the best airport in the world against fourth in 2013.

Indian-Origin Physicist Tejinder Virdee Awarded Honorary Knighthood Indian-origin physicist Tejinder Virdee has been awarded with an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II on 14 June. He was awarded for his work on the Higgs Boson theory. Professor Virdee is one of the creators of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) Experiment. The CMS experiment is a part of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Geneva.

Noted Hindi Poet Kedar Nath Singh Selected For Jnanpith Award – 2013 Noted Hindi poet Kedarnath Singh on 20 June 2014 was chosen for the prestigious Jnanpith award for 2013. He is the 10th Hindi writer to receive the honour and joins the likes of Sumitra Nandan Pant, among others. He will be the recipient of 49th Jnanpith award. SPORTS & GAMES

Kolkata Knight Riders Won IPL 2014 Title The Knight Riders (KKR) on 1 June 2014 won the seventh edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2014 by defeating Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) by three wickets in the final played at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore. This is the second title triumph for KKR after their maiden win back in 2012. Chennai Super Kings’ Mohit Sharma won the Purple Cap while KXIP’s Akshar Patel took the Emerging Player honour.

French Open Tennis Tournament Winners – 2014 Women’s Singles :- of Russia won women’s singles title of 2014. She defeated Romania’s in the final at Roland Garros, Paris on 7 June 2014. This was Sharapova’s second French Open singles title and fifth singles title. Men’s Singles :- Spain’s Rafael Nadal won the men’s singles title of 2014 French Open on 8 June 2014 by defeating Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in the final. This was Nadal’s 9th singles title win at the French Open .

Daniel Ricciardo Won The Canadian Formula One Grand Prix Red Bull Racing driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia won the Canadian Grand Prix on 8 June in Montreal. This was the first GP win for Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Mercedes was beaten for the first time in this season.

Netherlands Won Women’s Hockey World Cup – 2014 Netherlands won the 2014 edition of Women’s Hockey World Cup after defeating Australia 2-0 in the final at the Kyocera Stadium in The Hague (Netherlands) on 14 June. This is Netherlands seventh title.

Pankaj Advani Won IBSF 6-Red World Snooker Championship Indian player Pankaj Advani created history by becoming the first player in the world to win world titles in the long and shorter formats of both billiards and snooker by pocketing the IBSF World 6-Red snooker Championship on 29 June in Sharm el-Sheikh, Eygpt. Advani defeated Poland’s Kacper Flilpiak in the final to win his first 6-Red World title and ninth overall.

ECONOMY

RBI Announced Second Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Statement The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced second Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Statement on 3 June. RBI in its second bi-monthly monetary policy statement has kept the policy rates unchanged. RBI Governor Raghuram G Rajan announced that the apex bank has kept the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) unchanged at 8.0 per cent. The cash reserve ratio (CRR) of scheduled banks unchanged at 4.0 percent of net demand and time liabilities (NDTL). The reverse repo rate under the LAF remained unchanged at 7.0 percent and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate at 9.0 percent.

India Ranks 15th with 175,000 Millionaire Households The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) latest report titled ‘14th Annual Study of the Global Wealth- Management Industry’ was released on 10 June 2014. According to the report , India had 1.75 lakh millionaire households in 2013 which ranks it as the 15th in the world in terms of countries with highest number of millionaire households. World Bank Lowered Growth Forecast For Developing World To 4.8 percent The World Bank on 11 June released Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report and revised down the economic growth forecast for developing world in 2014 to 4.8 percent from 5.3 percent estimated in January 2014. It also highlighted that the growth in 2015 and 2016 at 5.4 and 5.5 percent, respectively.

India Became Home To 1.56 lakh Millionaires In 2013 According to the World Wealth Report 2014, released by Capgemini and RBC Wealth Management on 20 June, India became home to 1.56 lakh millionaires with 3,000 more joining the elite club in 2013, making the country 16th most populous in terms of population of super-rich people worldwide.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Astronomers Discovered New Planet ‘Mega-Earth’ US Astronomers from Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CFA) have discovered a new type of rocky planet beyond the solar system that weighs more than 17 times as much as Earth while being just over twice the size. The so-called “mega-Earth” circles a very old star called Kepler-10, which is located about 560 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Draco.

Two New Planets Orbiting Ancient Star Discovered Scientists have discovered two new planets orbiting an ancient star near our Sun and one of them may have liquid water on its surface, a key ingredient to support life. Researchers explained one of the planets, called Kapteyn b, is orbiting the star at the right distance to allow liquid water to exist on its surface.The second planet, Kapteyn c is a more massive super-Earth in comparison. Kapteyn’s Star is the 25th nearest star to the Sun – only 13 light years away from Earth.

PM Narendra Modi Dedicates INS Vikramaditya To The Nation Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14 June dedicated India’s largest warship aircraft carrie INS Vikramaditya to the nation. During his visit to warship INS Vikramadtya off Goa coast in Arabian Sea, the Prime Minister was given a ceremonial guard of honour by the Navy and was briefed about the warship.

ISRO Successfully Launches PSLV-C23 Rocket carrying Five Foreign Satellites ISRO(Indian Space Research Organisation)’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C23 was launched on 30 June 2014 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The PSLV C23 carried five satellites belonging to four countries namely France, Germany, Canada and Singapore.All these five satellites were launched under commercial arrangements that ANTRIX (ISRO’s commercial arm) has entered with the respective foreign agencies.

PERSONS IN NEWS

A) APPOINTMENTS

Sumitra Mahajan Elected As Speaker Of 16th Lok Sabha Veteran BJP leader Sumitra Mahajan was 6 June unanimously elected Speaker of the 16th Lok Sabha, becoming the second woman to occupy the prestigious position after her predecessor Meira Kumar. Ranjit Kumar Takes Charge As Solicitor General of India Senior Supreme Court advocate Ranjit Kumar took charge as Solicitor-General of India on 9 June. He replaced senior advocate Mohan Parasaran, who had tendered his resignation in May 2014 after the formation of a new government at the Centre.

Mukul Rohatgi Is New Attorney General of India Senior advocate on 19 June took charge as the new Attorney General (AG) of India and will have a tenure of three years. Rohatgi had also served as an Additional Solicitor General during previous NDA regime.

B)RESIGNS

Uttar Pradesh Governor BL Joshi Resigned Uttar Pradesh Governor BL Joshi was resigned from his post on 17 June. Joshi who was serving the state as its Governor for second term sent his resignation to Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India.BL Joshi a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer was serving Uttar Pradesh as governor since 2009.

C)DEATHS

Union Rural Development Minister Gopitnath Munde Died Union Rural Development Minister, Gopinath Munde died in a road accident in Delhi. Munde was sworn-in as the Cabinet Minister for Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Sanitation and Rural Development on 26 May 2014.

D)VISITORS

China Foreign Minister Wang Yi Visited India China Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India from 8 – 9 June 2014. During his two day visit, he met Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi and discussed a wide range of issues related to trade, economy, border and people to people exchanges. In the visit Wang also met President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 June 2014. This was the first contact between the two governments after the Indian general election and after the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government assumed office.

E)MISCELLANEOUS

Dhoni Only Indian In Forbes List Of World’s 100 Highest Paid Athletes Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the lone Indian sportsman to figure on Forbes’ list of world’s 100 highest paid athletes. The list is being been topped by American boxer Floyd Mayweather and includes golfer Tiger Woods and tennis stars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Dhoni is ranked 22nd on the list with total earnings of USD 30 million and endorsements worth USD 26 million.His salary and winnings total USD four million as of June 2014.

PLACES IN NEWS

Mumbai Is Noisiest City In The World Mumbai is hostage to air and water pollution at dangerous levels, and is probably the noisiest city in the world, ahead of Delhi and Kolkata. Maharashtra’s economic survey, released a day before World Environment Day (On June 5 2014), paints a grim picture for the rest of the state as well. ABBREVIATIONS

FIFA —— Federation International de Football Association

RGIA —– Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

UNEP —– United Nations Environment Programme

KNPP —– Kundankulam Nuclear Power Plant

TRAI —– Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

BOOKS IN NEWS

Prime Minister Modi Launches Book Titled ”Getting India Back on Track – An Action Agenda For Reform” Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 June released a book titled ” Getting India Back on Track – An Action Agenda For Reform” edited by Bibek Debroy, Ashley J. Tellis & Reece Trevor .

COMMITTEES

Saumitra Chaudhuri Committee Suggest Cess Levy On Petrol and Diesel A Government panel headed by former Planning Commission member Saumitra Chaudhuri has suggested levying cess amounting to 75 paise a litre on petrol and diesel in order to cover the cost of upgrading refineries across the country to produce higher grade of auto fuel for the future – in other words achieve Bharat Stage (BS) V level norms by the year 2020 – which comes to around Rs 80,000 crore. The Chaudhuri panel had recently submitted its report titled “Auto Fuel Vision and Policy 2025″ to the MoPNG.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

World Blood Donor Day Observed On 14 June 2014 World Blood Donor Day was observed across the world on 14 June 2014. Theme for the year’s World Blood Day campaign is Safe blood for saving mothers.The goal of the campaign is to increase awareness about why timely access to safe blood and blood related products is essential for all countries as part of a comprehensive approach to prevent maternal deaths. According to World Health Organization, every year around 800 women dies due to pregnancy or childbirth-related complications. The major cause for mortality, morbidity and long-term disability is severe bleeding during delivery and after childbirth. World Day Against Child Labour Observed On 12 June 2014 World Day Against Child Labour was observed across the world on 12 June 2014. For the year 2014 the theme is Extend social protection: combat child labour.Each year on 12 June, this Day brings together governments, employers and workers organizations, civil society, as well as millions of people from around the world to highlight the plight of child labourers and what can be done to help them.

JULY INTERNATIONAL

Pakistan’s Approves Protection of Pakistan Bill 2014 Pakistan’s National Assembly on 2 July passed the Protection of Pakistan Bill (PPB) 2014. Following the National Assembly’s approval, the PPB will now be applicable for a period of two years.

Japan Eased Sanctions Against North Korea The Japanese government has decided to eased several sanctions against North Korea on 3 July.The decision was taken in response to North Korea reopening the investigation to probe decades-old kidnappings of Japanese nationals.

U.S and E.U Announced Tougher Sanctions Against Russia The United States and the European Union (EU) have significantly strengthened sanctions on Russia over Ukraine, with Washington for the first time directly targeting Russia’s banking, military, and energy sectors.U.S. President Barack Obama announced the new sanctions on 16 July.

Bolivia Becomes First Nation To Legalise Child Labour Bolivia has become the first country to legalise child labour after a law was signed by Vice- President Alvaro Garcia Linera on 17 July 2014.The bill was approved by Bolivian Congress in June 2014.

INDIA & WORLD

India and Canada Signed Audiovisual Co-production Treaty India and Canada have signed an India-Canada Audiovisual Co-production Treaty that aims to create jobs in both countries and boost tourism.This audiovisual treaty is the first of its kind for India and was signed in Delhi.The treaty came into force on 1 July 2014.

India Becomes World’s Largest Consumer of Antibiotics According to the “Global Trends in Antibiotic Consumption, 2000-2010,study report released on 14 July, India has emerged as the world’s largest consumer of antibiotics with a 62% increase in popping habits over the last decade.

India Slips 10 Positions On Global Innovation Index – 2014 India slipped 10 notches on the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2014. India fell from the 66th position to the 76th on the index. Switzerland topped the GII rankings like 2013 while the UK took the second position. The annual rankings are jointly published by Cornell University, INSEAD, and the World Intellectual Property Organisation on 18 July 2014.

India Ranked 135 In Human Development Index – 2014 The United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) 2014 Human Development Report was released on 24 July in Tokyo. A UN study ranked India at 135 out of 187 countries in terms of Human Development Index (HDI). India’s HDI value for 2013 is 0.586 . Between 1980 to 2013, India’s HDI value increased from 0.369 to 0.586 .

NATIONAL

CCEA Approved Inclusion Of Onion and Potato Under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 2 July 2014 approved the inclusion of onion and potato under the purview of stock holding limits under the Essential Commodities Act 1955. The inclusion will remain in force for a year.

Number of Child Labourers In India Has Declined The Union government on 7 July announced the number of working children in the age group of 5-14 has declined in the country. The total number of working children in the country has declined from 1.26 crore as per Census 2001 to 43.53 lakh as per Census 2011.

President Gave Assent To National Institute of Design Bill- 2014 The National Institute of Design Bill, which will permit the institute to award degrees to students, has now become an Act with President Pranab Mukherjee giving his assent. The President gave his assent to the National Institute of Design Bill, 2014, on 17 July 2014. The bill was passed by the on 7 July 2014, it was vetted by the Lok Sabha on 9 July 2014. The Ahmedabad-based institute, which has a branch in Gandhinagar and also a satellite centre in Bangalore, will now be an ‘ institute of national importance’.

Employment Rises 34% To 12.7 crore In 8 years To 2013 According to the Sixth Economic Census report released on 30 July, the number of employed persons in the country grew by 34.35 percent to 12.77 crore in eight years to 2013.

STATES

PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates 240 MW Uri-II Hydropower Project In J&K Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 July inaugurated the 240 megawatt Uri-II hydropower project in the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir. The Uri-II project is the second power project on the Jhelum River in Uri area and is close to the Line of Control (LoC) in Baramullah district of the state.

Assam Decided To Implement National Food Security Act Assam Government has decided to implement National Food Security Act from 1 September 2014. The decision to implement the Act in the state was taken on 14 July at a meeting of senior officials of Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department convened by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in Guwahati. During the meeting, the state government also decided to bring onions and potatoes in the list of essential commodities to curb hoarding.

CMSA Scheme Launched In Meghalaya For Widows and Pensioners Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on 23 July launched a mass enrolment drive under the Chief Minister’s Social Assistance (CMSA) Scheme for widows and persons with disabilities at Patharkhmah in Ri Bhoi District in Meghalaya. Each beneficiary shall be given a financial assistance of 500 rupees per month under the scheme. Tamil Nadu Govt To Issue Industrial Licences Online Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on 23 July announced that the process of issuing licenses to the new industries will be done online henceforth. The step was taken in order to simplify the process involved for registration of new industries in the state.

CONFERENCES

Sixth BRICS Summit – 2014 Held In Brazil The 6th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit was held in Fortaleza, Brazil on 15 – 16 July 2014. The theme of the summit was “Inclusive growth: sustainable solutions “. At the end of the summit, the participating countries jointly issued the Fortaleza Declaration. The $100 billion development bank launched during the summit in Fortaleza is aimed at funding infrastructure projects in developing nations. The bank will be called the New Development Bank (NDB), a name suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

AWARDS & HONOURS

Shah Rukh Khan Received ‘Knight Of The Legion Of Honor’ Actor was conferred with top French civilian award “Knight of the Legion of Honor” (National Order of the Legion of Honour) on 1 July for his outstanding contribution to cultural diversity across the world.

Indian Mathematician Named Joint Winner Of ‘ 2014 George Polya Prize ‘ Nikhil Srivastava, a young Indian mathematician, on 10 July became the first joint winner of the prestigious ‘ 2014 George Polya Prize ‘ for finding a solution to a problem that had eluded mathematicians for more than half a century.

Environmentalist Chandi Prasad Bhatt Received Gandhi Peace Prize – 2013 Eminent Gandhian and environmentalist Chandi Prasad Bhatt on 15 July was awarded with the prestigious Gandhi Peace prize for 2013. He was awarded by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

2014 Ramon Magsaysay Awards Announced The prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Awards for year 2014 were announced on 31 July and it included six winners. Education is a big theme in this year’s awards, with two individuals who have dedicated their lives to educating indigenous communities – a Filipino and an Indonesian – and a Pakistani organization that builds schools for girls, among the 6 awardees. The 2014 Awardees are:- i) Saur Marlina Manurung (Indonesia) ii) Randy Halasan (The Philippines) iii) Hu Shuli (China) iv) Omara Khan Masoudi (Afghanistan) v) Wang Canfa (China) vi) The Citizen Foundation (Pakistan)

SPORTS & GAMES Russian Federation Friendship Order Awards To Anand and Gelfand Chess greats (India) and Boris Gelfand (Israel) have been selected for the Russian Federation’s ‘Order of Friendship’ award, according to a FIDE release on 4 July.

Lewis Hamilton Won British Grand Prix 2014 Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of British has won the British Grand Prix 2014 title on 6 July.This was Hamilton’s 27th career victory, his fifth of the season.

Germany Won 2014 FIFA Football World Cup Germany created history by winning the FIFA World Cup 2014 on 13 July 2014 at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Germany defeated Argentina by 1-0. With this win, Germany lifted the trophy for the fourth time in the history of FIFA world Cup and first since 1990. The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament :- * Golden Ball – Lionel Messi of Argentina * Golden Boot – James Rodriguez of Colombia * Golden Glove – Manuel Neuer of Germany * Best Young Player – Paul Pogba of France * FIFA Fair Play Trophy – Colombia

Daniel Ricciardo Won 2014 Hungarian F1 Grand Prix – 2014 Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo of Australia won the Hungarian Formula One (F1) Grand Prix on 27 July. Fernando Alonso (Spain) claimed the second spot for his Ferrari team while Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain) won the third place.

ECONOMY

Bill Gates Is Wealthiest Living US Entrepreneur According to the Wealth-x, Microsoft founder Bill Gates is the wealthiest living US entrepreneur, with an estimated net worth of US$ 80.2 billion.The list of 10 billionaires was released on 2 July dominated by technopreneurs as six of them made their fortunes from technology or technology-related businesses.

Eight Indian Companies In Fortune 500 List Eight Indian companies, led by state-run IOC, have made it to the latest Fortune Global 500 list of world’s biggest firms which has been topped by US-based retailer Wal-Mart after a gap of two years.

Union Railway Budget 2014-15 Union Railway Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda on 8 July 2014 presented his first Railway Budget in Parliament.This is the first rail budget presented by any Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister and it is also Sadanand Gowda’s first rail budget. Highlights From Railway Budget 2014-15 :- * No new increase in passenger fares and freight charges. * Next generation e-Ticketing system, capable of supporting 7200 tickets per minute as against 2000 tickets per minute and allow 1,20,000 simultaneous users at any point in time, will help in the revamp of railway reservation System. * Railway Ministry will develop 10 major stations in the country to global standards.It will provide Wi-Fi in A-1 and A category stations and in select trains. * Office-on-wheels: Internet and workstation facilities on select trains * Paperless office of Indian railways in 5 years. Digital reservation charts at stations * Women RPF Constables to escort ladies coaches; 4,000 women constables to be inducted * 17000 Railway Protection Force (RPF) constables to provide safety to passengers * Setting up of Railway University for technical and non-technical subjects, tie-up with technical institutions * Indian Railways need around Rs 40,000 crore improving rail safety. Rs 1785 crore will be provided for road under bridges and over bridges.Ultra sonic devices to detect rail fractures and automatic closing of doors both in mainline & suburban coaches are being considered. * Cleanliness budget up by 40 pc over last year * Private investment in Rail Infrastructure through Domestic and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) * FDI in railway projects, except in operations * FDI, domestic investments in rail infrastructure * Per capita contribution to Staff Benefit Fund increased from Rs.500 to Rs.800. * Loss per passenger per kilometre up from 10% in 2000-01 to 23% in 2012-13 High Speed Rail Network and Bullet Trains:- * Bullet trains will be introduced in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad sector. * Diamond Quadrilateral network of high speed rail linking major metros and growth centres is being worked out. * Increasing train speeds between several cities to 160-200 km/hour. Railways will spend Rs 100 crore for high speed trains between metros.The government needs Rs 9 lakh crore for funding Diamond Quadrilateral. New Trains In Rail Budget:- 5 Jansadharan Trains, 5 Premium Trains, 6 AC express trains, 27 express trains, 8 passenger trains, 2 MEMU services and 5 DEMU will be introduced this year. Special trains to meet the holiday and festival rush would continue to operate.

Economic Survey of India 2013-14 Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely on 9 July presented Economic Survey of India 2013-14 in the Lok Sabha. Following are the highlights of the Economic Survey Report 2013-14 :- * Economy to grow in the range of 5.4 – 5.9 per cent in 2014-15 overcoming sub-5 percent growth. * Aided by favourable monsoons, agricultural and allied sector registered a growth of 4.7 per cent in 2013- 14. * The India’s balance-of-payments position improved dramatically in 2013-14 with current account deficit at US $ 32.4 billion as against US$ 88.2 billion in 2012-13. * India’s foreign exchange reserves increased from US$ 292.0 billion at end March 2013 to US$ 304.2 billion at end march 2014. * World trade volume which decelerated to 2.8 per cent in 2012 has shown signs of recovery in 2013, albeit slow with a 3.0 per cent growth. * The sharp fall in imports and moderate export growth in 2013-14 resulted in a sharp fall in India`s trade deficit by 27.8 per cent. * Record food grains and oilseeds production of 264.4 million tonnes (mt) and 32.4 mt is estimated in 2013-14. * The latest gross domestic product (GDP) estimates show that industry grew by just 1.0 per cent in 2012- 13 and slowed further in 2013-14, posting a modest increase of 0.4 per cent. * India ranked 12th in terms of services GDP in 2012 among the world’s top 15 countries in terms of GDP (at current prices). * In 2013-14, FDI inflows to the services sector (top five sectors including construction) declined sharply by 37.6 per cent to US$ 6.4 billion compared to an overall growth in FDI inflows at 6.1 per cent resulting in the share of the top five services in total FDI falling to nearly one-sixth. * According to HDR 2013, India has slipped down in HDI with its overall global ranking at 136 (out of the 186 countries) as against 134 (out of 187 countries) as per HDR 2012. It is still in the medium human development category.

Union Budget 2014-15 Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley on 10 July 2014 presented Union Budget 2014-15. Highlights of the Union Budget 2014-15:- * The tax bracket has been increased to 2.5 lakh rupees from previous 2 lakh rupees, whereas, for senior citizen it has been raised to 3 lakh rupees from previous 2.5 lakh rupees * Tax relief for interest on housing loan rose from 1.5 lakh rupees to 2 lakh rupees * Deduction under 80C increased from 1 lakh rupees to 1.5 lakh rupees * 1000 crore rupees proposed for Pradhanmantri Krishi Seechai Yojana to improve irrigation facility * 14389 crore rupees announced for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, PMGSY * 100 crore rupees allotted for Beti bachao-beti padhao yojna * Minimum pension of 1000 rupees to meet the expenditure to all subscribers of EPFO scheme * 50000 crore rupees for SC/ST schemes * FDI cap in Defence sector has been raised to 49 percent * The finance minister in the budget announced steps for sustained growth of 7-8 percent within the next three-four years * PSU 247944 crore capex to create industrial cycle * Shyama Prassad Mukherjee Rozgar mission to be launched * Excise duty on footwear reduced from 12 percent to 6 percent * Excise duty concessions to continue till 31 December 2014 * No change in surcharge * No change in Direct Tax rates * War Memorial will be set up at Princess Park, New Delhi * Composite cap on FDI in insurance proposed to be raised to 49 percent from 26 percent * 15 Model Rural Health Research centers for rural health issues.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NASA Launched Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 Satellite U.S. space agency NASA on 2 July launched Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2),a satellite designed to track carbon dioxide (CO2) which is responsible for global warming. The satellite was launched aboard Delta 2 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.OCO-2 is the first of its kind mission of NASA dedicated to study the atmospheric carbon dioxide over several seasons.

India’s First Indigenous Anti-Submarine Warship INS Kamrota Handed Over To Indian Navy India’s first indigenous anti-submarine warship (ASW) Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kamorta was handed over to Indian Navy on 12 July. INS Kamrota is the first in its class of four ASW corvettes being built by GRSE under Project-28 for the Navy.

India’s Indigenously Built Research Ship ‘ Sindhu Sadhna ‘ Launched India’s first ever indigenously built research ship ‘Sindhu Sadhna’ was launched and dedicated to the nation on 13 July. Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh dedicated ‘Sindhu Sadhana’ to the nation at Marmugao Harbour of Goa.

World’s Largest Aquatic Insect Discovered In China In the month of July 2014 the world’s largest flying aquatic insect has been discovered in China.This was found in the the mountains of Chengdu in China’s Sichuan province.It boasts a wingspan of 8.3 inches.That breaks the previous record held by a species of South American helicopter damselfly, with a wingspan of 7.5 inches.

PERSONS IN NEWS

A) APPOINTMENTS Sujit Choudhry Became The First Indian-American Dean of Top US Law School Sujit Choudhry, an international constitutional law expert, has become the first Indian- American Dean of the Berkeley School of Law of the University of California , one of the major law schools in the US.

Om Prakash Kohli Sworn In As Gujarat Governor Om Prakash Kohli took oath of office as Governor of Gujarat on 16 July.His oath of the office and secrecy was administered by Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court Bhaskar Bhattacharya.

Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya Sworn In As Nagaland Governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya was sworn in as the 19th governor of Nagaland on 19 July. Acharya has been given the additional charge of Tripura also.

Ram Naik Sworn-In As UP Governor Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Ram Naik was sworn-in as the 27th Governor of Uttar Pradesh on 22 July. Ram Naik was sworn in at the Raj Bhavan by Allahabad High Court Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.

B)RESIGNS

Goa Governor B V Wanchoo Resigned Goa Governor BV Wanchoo resigned from his post on 4 July. He was questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as a witness in connection with alleged irregularities in the purchase of 12 helicopters meant for VVIP use from AgustaWestland, an Anglo-Italian defence manufacturer.

C)DEATHS

Veteran Actress Died Veteran actor Zohra Sehgal, who acted in Bollywood classics and Doctor Who adventures, died on 10 July in New Delhi.She was called as the ‘ grand old lady ‘ of Bollywood. In 2010, Zohra was awarded with the Padma Vibhshan. She was also a recipient of other two of India’s four civilian awards Padma Shri (1998), Padma Bhushan (2002).

D)VISITORS

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visited Brazil Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visited Brazil to attend the 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil from 15 – 16 July 2014. During the visit , Prime Minister Narendra modi met with other leaders of BRICS nation. In the visit, India and Brazil decided to expand trade and investment flows while deepening collaboration in the fields of renewable energy, defence and cyber security as they signed three pacts including one on cooperation in the environment sector.

E)MISCELLANEOUS

Mahatma Gandhi’s Bust Unveiled In South Korean City The first ever bust of Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of non-violence, has been inaugurated in the South Korean metropolis of Busan on 21 July.

PLACES IN NEWS Pakistan Declares Dilip Kumar’s Ancestral Home as National Heritage Pakistan on 11 July declares the ancestral home of veteran Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar as National Heritage. The house, located in Peshawar’s Qisa Khawani Bazaar area, will be converted into a museum.

ABBREVIATIONS

BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China And South Africa

NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration

AIIMS – All India Institute of Medical Sciences

CRAC – Cyber Regulation Advisory Council

FIPB – Foreign Investment Promotion Board

NABARD – National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development

BOOKS IN NEWS

Coffee-Table Book On President Titled ‘ First Citizen : Pranab Mukherjee In Rashtrapati Bhavan ‘ Released A coffee-table book titled ” First Citizen: Pranab Mukherjee in Rashtrapati Bhavan ” was released on 2 July at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. The book’s first copy was received by Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India. The book has been published by The Week Magazine.

COMMITTEES

Rangarajan Committee Submits Report On Poverty To Planning Commission C Rangarajan, former chief of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC), has submitted a report on Tendulkar Committee methodology for estimating poverty to Planning Minister Rao Inderjit Singh on 1 July. According to an expert panel headed by C Rangarajan those spending over Rs 32 a day in rural areas and Rs 47 in towns and cities should not be considered poor. The panel’s recommendation, however results in an increase in the below poverty line population, which is estimated at 363 million in 2011-12, compared to the 270 million estimate based on the Tendulkar formula. This means 29.5% of the India population lives below the poverty line as defined by the panel against 21.9% according to Tendulkar.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES World Population Day Observed Across The World World Population Day was observed across the world on 11 July 2014. The theme of World Population Day 2014 was Investing in Young People.World Population Day is observed to bring awareness to people about importance of small families and living healthy lives. The day is celebrated with several programs that are initiated to educate people about family planning methods.

International Tiger Day Observed Across The World The World on 29 July 2014 observed the International Tiger Day. The day is celebrated as an awareness day. The goal of the Tiger Day is to promote protection and expansion of the wild tiger habitats and also to gain support awareness for tiger conservation.

AUGUST INTERNATIONAL

China Decided To Ban All Coal Use In Beijing By 2020 Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau on 4 August announced the plans to ban coal use in Beijing and five other districts by the end of 2020. The purpose of the ban is to fight increasing levels of air pollution in China’s major cities.

Russia Bans U.S.,European Union Food and Agricultural Imports Russian President Vladimir Putin on 6 August signed a decree that bans imports of agricultural products from all countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia over the crisis in Ukraine. Major sanctions were made by the US and European Union (EU). Ban on the food imports, should continue for up to one year.

Haider al-Abadi Named As New Iraqi Prime Minister Iraqi President Mohammed Fuad Masum named Haider al-Abadi as the new Iraqi Prime Minister on 11 August 2014. Before being nominated for the post of Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi was deputy parliament speaker.

Ukrainian President Dissolved Parliament Ukraine’s president Petro Poroshenko on 25 August dissolved parliament. A snap election to the Ukraine will be held on 26 October 2014.The date of the election was announced by President Petro Poroshenko.

INDIA & WORLD

India and Nepal Signed 3 Agreements Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 3 August met Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala in Kathmandhu, the captital of Nepal. Later, three agreements were signed between India and Nepal, in the presence of the two Prime Ministers. Under the first agreement, India will provide a grant assistance worth NRs 69 million to supply iodated salt to curb goitre and other diseases related with iodine deficiency. The second agreement was regarding the amendment of Articles 17 and 18 of the Pancheswor Multiple Project. The third agreement is about cooperation between Nepal Television and Doordarshan, the state-owned television stations of both the countries.

India Ranked 5th Amongst Top 10 Wind Power Producers The “Renewables 2014 Global Status Report” released on 18 August. According to the report, India ranked fifth amongst top ten wind power producers in the world by adding 1,700 MW capacity in 2013. With 16,100 MW wind power produced in 2013, China was ranked World’ top wind power producing country.

India and Czech Republic Signed MoU On Technical Cooperation In Railways India and Czech Republic on 19 August 2014 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on technical cooperation in railway sector. This MoU was signed between the Union Ministry of Railways and Czech Railways (Ceske Drahy) of the Czech Republic and Association of Czech Railway Industry (ACRI) of the Czech Republic.

Indo-Nepal Joint Military Training Exercise Concluded The militaries of India and Nepal was jointly conducted a Combined Training Exercise, known as Surya Kiran-VII, from 18 – 31 August 2014 near Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand.

NATIONAL

Union Cabinet Approves Amendments To Juvenile Justice Act The Union Cabinet on 6 August approved the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2014 to amend the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act, 2000. The bill will place minors above the age of 16, accused of heinous crimes like rape and murder, in the adults’ category.

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

Union Cabinet Approved Rs 1 lakh crore ‘ Digital India Project ‘ The Union Cabinet has approved the Digital India project on 20 August. The project, which has a total overlay of Rs 1 lakh crore, aims to ensure that government services are available to citizens electronically and help people gain benefits from the latest information and communication technology.

PM Narendra Modi Launched ‘ Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana ‘ Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 28 August launched ‘ Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) ‘ in New Delhi. The scheme intends to accomplish the objective of housing for all by providing basic banking accounts with a debit card with inbuilt accident insurance. The government aims to open as many as 1 crore bank accounts on the first day itself.

STATES

Uttarkhand Govt Constituted Committee On Industries Using Silica Dust A high level committee has been constituted by the Uttarakhand government on 8 August with a view to conduct a detailed survey of the industries using silica dust in the state. The panel would conduct its study and submit its report within 2 months. The health examination of those working in industries using silica dust would be carried out to find out if they are suffering from silicosis or other respiratory diseases caused due to coming in contact of silicia dust.

Delhi Police Launched Whatsapp Helpline To Curb Corruption Delhi Police on 10 August launched Whatsapp helpline to curb corruption. Under the facility, a person can just call and register the complaint and also send a recorded audio or video clips if any policeman harasses or a person demands bribe.

Tamilnadu Chief Minister Announced ‘ Amma Baby Care Kit ‘ Scheme Tamilnadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on 12 August announced ambitious welfare scheme called ‘Amma Baby Care Kit’. It is aimed at new born infants. This scheme only applies to the infants born in government hospitals.

Uttarakhand Govt Launched Food Security Scheme The Uttarakhand government on 16 August introduced a food security scheme on the pattern of the National Food Security Act. This was decided at the Cabinet meeting. The scheme will cater to the Below Poverty Line and Above Poverty Line families across the State.

Kerala Cabinet Ratified New Liquor Policy Kerala state cabinet cabinet on 27 August 2014 ratified the new liquor policy. The policy was contemplated to shut down bars attached to hotels below the five-star category .It was a part of governments plan to reduce availability of liquor.

CONFERENCES

47th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting Held In Nay Pyi Taw The 47th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM) was held on 8 August 2014 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar under the theme “Moving forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community”. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers issued a joint statement urging the issues of Korea Peninsular and Ukraine including seven points that concerned the international affairs and South China Dispute. ASEAN comprises ten member countries — Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

AWARDS & HONOURS

Jaitley, Karan Singh, Sharad Yadav Conferred with ‘Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards ‘ Finance Minister Arun Jaitley ( for 2010), Congress leader Karan Singh (2011) and JD(U) President Sharad Yadav (2012) are conferred with ‘Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards’ by the President Pranab Mukherjee on 12 August in New Delhi. The awards were given for their invaluable contribution in discharge of their parliamentary duties.

Indian-origin Professor Manjul Bhargava Won ‘Nobel Prize of Maths ‘ Two Indian-origin professors have won global prizes in the field of mathematics with one of them being awarded the Fields Medal, known as the “Nobel Prize of mathematics”. Manjul Bhargava won the Fields Medal while Subhash Khot won the Rolf Nevanlinna Prize, awarded by the International Mathematical Union (IMU), at the International Congress of Mathematicians 2014 held in Seoul on 13 August.

Army Major Mukund Varadarajan Honoured with Ashok Chakra India’s highest peacetime gallantry award ‘Ashoka Chakra’ has been awarded posthumously to Major Mukund Varadarajan of 44th Battalion of the Rastriya Rifles (22 Rajput). 55 gallantry awards (peacetime) were announced on the eve of 68th Independence Day on 14 August 2014. There have been one Ashoka Chakra, 12 Shaurya Chakras, 39 Sena Medal, one Nao Sena Medal and two Vayu Sena Medal this year. Pakistani Journalist Asma Shirazi Won 2014 Peter Mackler Award Asma Shirazi, Pakistan’s first female war correspondent and host of popular TV talk shows, was named 2014 Winner of Peter Mackler Award for Courageous and Ethical Journalism on 22 August. Shirazi is the second woman to win the award since its creation in 2008, after Honduran radio news editor Karla Rivas won in 2011.

SPORTS & GAMES

India Finishes Fifth At 20th Commonwealth Games India finishes 5th with 64 medals (15 gold, 30 silver and 19 bronze) at the 20th Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2014. India’s total medal tally was thus 64, which is far less than the 19th Commonwealth Games of 2010 at New Delhi, where India won a total of 101 medals. England topped the medal table for the first time in 28 years with 58 golds, 59 silvers and 57 bronzes. Australia was on second position, Canada on third and Scotland was on 4th position. The 2014 Commonwealth Games (officially the XX Commonwealth Games) were held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 3 August 2014. Its the 3rd time that Scotland is hosting this event; the previous two being in Edinburgh (1970 & 1986). The 21st Commonwealth Games will be held in Gold Coast City, Queensland, Australia between 4 to 15 April 2018.

Katie Ledecky Sets World Record In 1,500-Meter Freestyle Katie Ledecky, an American distance swimmer on 23 August created a World Record in Women’s 1500 Meter Freestyle at the 2014 Pan Pac Championships on the Gold Coast, Australia. To create the new record Ledecky swam the distance in 15 minutes 28.36 seconds. She crushed her own previous 1500- metre freestyle record of swimming the distance in 15 minutes 34.23 seconds at an untaqpered meet in The Woodlands, Texas in June 2014. Ledecky won her fifth gold medal at the Gold Coast meet after defeating Lauren Boyle of New Zealand by more than 27 seconds.

Jammu and Kashmir To Host Football In August 2015 The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on 18 August that Jammu and Kashmir will host Football Federation Cup in August 2015.

Himachal To Host First Paragliding World Cup In India India’s northern state of Himachal Pradesh has been selected as venue to host Paragliding World Cup 2015. This will be the first para-gliding World Cup to be hosted in India. The tournament will be organized under the auspices of Para-gliding World Cup Association, France.The World Cup will be hosted in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh from 24 October 2015 and will see around 150 top ranked pilots of the world besides 500 free flying pilots as participants.

ECONOMY

RBI Third Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement 2014-15 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its third Bi-monthly Monetary Policy statement 2014-15 announced on 5 August, has kept the Short-term lending (repo) rate unchanged at 8%. The Reverse Repo rate has also been left unchanged at 7% and the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is also the same at 4%. The only major change is in Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) which has been slashed by 50 basis points (bps) to 22% from previous 22.50%.Estimates GDP growth at 5.5% for current fiscal(2014-15). Union Cabinet Approves FDI in Defence and Railways The Union Cabinet on 6 August allowed foreign investment in the Railways for the first time and raised limit for such investment in the defence sector, steps intended to raise funds for expansion of the Railways and encourage domestic manufacture of arms. Under this proposal the government is to increase the FDI limit in the defence industry to 49% from 26% and from nil to 100% in railway infrastructure of the country.

RBI issued Draft Guidelines For ‘Anytime Anywhere’ BBPS The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 7 August issued draft guidelines for the implementation of Bharat Bill Payment System (BPPS), an anytime anywhere bill payment system.The draft mentions the requirements and the basic framework of operating the BBPS, and stipulates the eligibility criteria, standards for settlement model and customer grievance redressal, roles and responsibilities and scope for entities seeking to be part of BBPS.

Mukesh Ambani Is India’s Richest Man The wealth research firm Wealth-X of India’s richest individuals latest study report released on 13 August. According to the report, the top five Indian billionaires led by Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani collectively control $85.5 billion (about Rs 5,23,897 crore) in personal wealth, accounting for nearly half of the country’s total billionaire wealth. Mukesh Ambani remains the richest man in the country with an estimated net worth of $24.4 billion (about Rs 1,49,474 crore).

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

China Successfully Launched Remote Sensing Satellite China on 9 August successfully launched the “Yaogan XX” a remote-sensing satellite to carry out scientific experiments and provide early alerts natural disasters. The Yaogan XX satellite blasted off on the back of a Long March 4C carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the country’s northwestern Gobi desert. The launch marked the 190th mission for the nation’s long march rocket family.

IBM Develops A New Chip That Functions Like A Brain IBM researchers have announced on 9 August the development of a new computer chip that is inspired by the brain, mimicking the way that the mind can recognize patterns utilizing a web of interconnected transistors to simulate neural networks. The chip or processor is named TrueNorth, and it contains more than 5.4 billion transistors, yet requires no more power to function than a hearing aid (just 70 milliwatts of power versus the minimum of 35 watts required by current Intel processors, with have 1.4 billion transistors).

PM Narendra Modi Dedicates ‘ INS Kolkata ‘ To The Nation Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 16 August dedicated India’s indigenously designed warship ‘ INS Kolkata ‘ to the nation. With this, INS Kolkata was commissioned in Indian Navy at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The 6800-tonne Kolkata class warship has been constructed by the Mazagon Docks Ltd, Mumbai and designed by the Navy’s Design Bureau.

NASA’s Scientists Developed ‘SMAP’ Satellite To Combat Drought NASA scientists, including one of Indian-origin, developed Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite that can predict the severity of droughts worldwide and help farmers maximize the crop yield.The mission is scheduled to launch in November 2014 and will collect the local data of agricultural and water managers that are needed worldwide. PERSONS IN NEWS

A) APPOINTMENTS

K V Chowdary is new CBDT chairman Senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer K V Chowdary (full name – Kosaraju Veeraiah Chowdary) has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), the top policy making body of the Income Tax department. K.V. Chowdary, a 1978-batch officer, on 1 August took charge of his office. He will have tenure of three months.He succeed R K Tewari. He retired on 31 July 2014.

President Appointed New Governors of Four States President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on 26 August appointed new Governors of four states, namely Maharashtra, Goa , Karnataka and Rajasthan. The Governors names are:- 1) Kalyan Singh – Rajasthan Governor 2) Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala – Karnataka Governor 3) Ch. Vidyasagar Rao – Maharashtra Governor 4) Mridula Sinha – Goa Governor

B)RESIGNS

Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan Resigned Maharashtra governor K Sankaranarayanan resigned from his office on 24 August.He tendered his resignation in the backdrop of being transferred to Mizoram. He refused to take charge of his new assignment.

C)DEATHS

Legendary Cartoonist Died Legendary cartoonist Pran Kumar Sharma, popularly known as Pran, who created the comic book character like Chacha Chaudhary and Sabu, died on 5 August in at the age of 75. He was 75. He was born on 15 August 1938 in Kasur near Lahore (now Pakistan). He created the character ‘Dabbu’ for a Delhi-based newspaper ‘Milap’.

D)VISITORS

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visited Nepal Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Nepal on 3-4 August 2014. During the visit, Narendra Modi met Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala in Kathmandhu, the captital of Nepal. The two leaders discussed various issues including Nepal’s peace process and constitution-drafting process as well as economic issues. After the talks, Modi and Koirala witnessed the signing of three agreements.

E)MISCELLANEOUS

Edward Snowden Granted Three-year Residence Permit In Russia Former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden has received a residence permit in Russia on 7 August 2014, which is valid for three years. Earlier in 2013, Snowden was granted a one-year temporary asylum, which ended on 1 August 2014. PLACES IN NEWS

Two Ancient Mayan Cities Found In Mexico Jungle In the month of August 2014 Archaeologists have found two ancient Mayan cities Lagunita and Tamchen hidden in the jungle of south-eastern Mexico. They discovered the two cities of Lagunita and Tamchen on the Yucatan peninsula by examining aerial photographs of the region.

ABBREVIATIONS

ASEAN —— Association of South East Asian Nations

IFTU ——- International Federation of Trade Unions

WFI ——– Wrestling Federation of India

CERSAI — – Central Registry of Securitisation Asset Reconstruction and Security

BOOKS IN NEWS

‘ One Life is Not Enough: An Autobiography ‘ Released An autobiography of the former External Affairs Minister and veteran Congress Party leader Natwar Singh was released on 1 August. The book titled “One Life is Not Enough” is penned by Kunwar Natwar Singh.This book has been in news and controversy since past few days because it discloses much information about Sonia Gandhi, the President of the Congress Party.

COMMITTEES

Hari Gautam Committee To Review The Status Of UGC A four-member Committee under the chairmanship of former UGC chairman Hari Gautam has been constituted by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) on 3 August with a view to review the present status of Universities Grants Commission’s (UGC). The committee will suggest ways to restructure and reorganise the panel to attain better performance in order to meet desired objectives.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES World Humanitarian Day Observed Across The World World Humanitarian Day was observed across the world on 19 August 2014. The day is observed to recognise humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. The theme for the year 2014 is The World Needs More Humanitarian Heroes.World Humanitarian Day is also an opportunity to celebrate the spirit that inspires humanitarian work around the globe. The events of the day included wreath-laying ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York to honour aid workers killed in the line of duty. The day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. The bombing killed 22 people, including UN envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello. The Day is observed annually on 19 August.

August 29 Is Celebrated As The ‘National Sports Day’ August 29 is celebrated as the National Sports Day in dedication to the great hockey player Dhyan Chand.This day is celebrated by organizing friendly matches between different Indian hockey teams at the Dhyan Chand National stadium in New Delhi.The National Stadium was constructed in the respect and honor of Dhyan Chand. Major Dhyan Chand was India’s greatest hockey player. He has scored over 1000 goals between 1926 and 1948. He helped India win 3 Olympic Gold medals including the first in 1928 (Amsterdum Olympic games) and then in 1932 ( Los Angeles Olympic games) and 1936 (Berlin Olympic games).

SEPTEMBER INTERNATIONAL

EU Imposed New Economic Sanctions On Russia Over Ukraine The European Union (EU) on 12 September 2014 imposed new economic sanctions on Russia over Ukraine. The restrictions include financing for some Russian state-owned companies and asset freezes on leading Russian politicians.

John Key Re-elected As The PM Of New Zealand For A 3rd Term John Key was re-elected as the Prime Minister of New Zealand for a third term. John Key-led National Party (NP) scored a huge victory in country’s Parliamentary elections. In the 2014 General Elections of New Zealand held on 20 September 2014, the centre-right National Party led by John Key won 48 percent of the vote.

Scotland Rejects Independence From UK In a historic referendum held on 18 September 2014 the voters of Scotland rejected its independence from the United Kingdom.The result of this referendum was declared early on 19 September 2014.

Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai Is New President Of Afghanistan Afghanistan’s election commission on 21 September has named Former Finance minister Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai as the winner of the country’s Presidential election.

INDIA & WORLD

India and Germany Agreed To Cooperate In Skill Development India and Germany on 8 September agreed to prepare a roadmap for cooperation in skill development, solid waste management and cleaning of rivers.This decision was taken during the meeting between German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 September in New Delhi. India and Australia Signed Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement India and Australia have signed the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (CNCA) that will allow Australia to export uranium to India as well as three other agreements, including on water resources and in sports. The four agreements were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in New Delhi on 5 September.

India and Bangladesh Signed MoU on Traditional Medicines India and Bangladesh have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of traditional medicines and homeopathy. The MoU was signed on 9 September in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

India-Vietnam Signed Seven Agreements India and Vietnam on 15 September signed seven agreements, including one for direct flights between their capitals, for scouting for oil, and an extended line of credit for purchase of defence equipment. The seven agreements were signed in the presence of Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Vietnam President Truong Tan Sang in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.

NATIONAL

Civil Aviation Ministry Launched Know Your Rights ‘ Portal Union Civil Aviation ministry on 9 September launched a new portal namely ‘Know your rights’ for passengers. The portal was launched to mark 100 days of the new government.

Union Cabinet Approved National AYUSH Mission The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 September approved launching of National Ayush Mission (NAM) to address the gaps in health services through promotion of ancient and traditional systems of medicine like Ayurved, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy.

Union Cabinet Approved ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ The Union Cabinet on 24 September gave its approval for restructuring of “Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan” into “Swachh Bharat Mission” (Clean India Mission).The programme is aimed at creating a clean India by 2019 with people’s participation. The sanitation mission was launched on 2 October 2014 in all 4041 statutory towns.

PM Narendra Modi Launched ‘Make in India’ Campaign Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the “Make In India” (MIN) campaign with a high-pitch event held at New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan on 25 September. The campaign aims at reviving the job-creating manufacturing sector, which is being seen as the key to taking the Indian economy on a sustainable high growth path.

STATES

Uttarakhand Govt Declared 9th September As Himalaya Diwas Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat officially declared September 9th as ‘Himalaya Diwas’.The state will celebrate Himalaya Diwas to spread the message of conservation of the Himalayan ecosystems. Harish Rawat in his declaration announced that from 2015 onwards, the state government would celebrate the day. Bihar Govt Recognised Transgender As Third Gender The Bihar government on 9 September 2014 recognised eunuch and transgender as third gender. This was done to extend the quota benefit as eunuch and transgender were declared as backward class annexure II category.

West Bengal Cabinet Approved Farmer-Friendly Project The West Bengal cabinet on 12 September cleared a farmer-friendly project (Sech-Bandhu Prakalpa) offering 46,000 new pump sets with power connectivity to the farmers to boost irrigation in the state.

President’s Rule Imposed In Maharashtra President’s rule was imposed on 28 September in poll-bound Maharashtra after Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan resigned following the break-up of 15-year-old Congress-NCP alliance in the state.President Pranab Mukherjee signed the proclamation for imposition of central rule in Maharashtra, a day after the Union Cabinet recommended clamping of President’s rule in the state.

CONFERENCES

G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting The G-20 Meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors was held at Cairns, Australia on 20- 21 September 2014. Meeting of G20 finance ministers in Australia endorses plan to automatically exchange information on a reciprocal basis by end of 2018. The Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier forum for its members’ international economic cooperation and decision-making. Its membership comprises 19 countries plus the European Union.

AWARDS & HONOURS

South Africa-based Organization Awarded The Gandhi Prize A South Africa-based outfit involved in conflict resolution has been awarded the Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Reconciliation and Peace for its efforts in promoting peace and addressing disputes globally. Graca Machel, chairperson of The African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes’s (Accord) Board of Trustees and former First Lady when her late husband Nelson Mandela was President, accepted the award on behalf of the institution at the Annual Gandhi Awards Celebration, hosted by the Gandhi Development Trust in Durban.

MS University Chancellor Mrunalinidevi Conferred with Best Manager Award Dr Mrunalinidevi Puar, Chancellor of Maharaja Sayajirao University, has been conferred with the “Best Manager” award by the Oxford Summit of Leaders (Science and Education) in UK on 2 September.

Indian Scientist Kamal Bawa Won Midori Prize In Biodiversity 2014 Indian scientist Kamal Bawa, an eminent professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, has won the prestigious Midori Prize in Biodiversity 2014 for his research that included climate change in the Himalayas.

Snowden and Rusbridger Won Sweden’s ‘Alternative Nobel Prize NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden and Guardian editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger on 24 September won Right Livelihood Award. The award was shared between the two.The Right Livelihood Award is also known as Alternative Nobel prize of Sweden. SPORTS & GAMES

US Open Tennis Tournament Winners – 2014 Women’s Singles :- Serena Williams of US won the US Open Tennis Tournament women’s singles title on 8 September in New York. She defeated Caroline Wozniazki of Denmark in the final. Men’s Singles:- Croatia’s Marin Cilic won the U.S. Open men’s singles title on 8 September to become the newest winner of this coveted Grand Slam title. He defeated Japan’s in the final.

Lewis Hamilton Won Italian F1 Grand Prix – 2014 Mercedes driver Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton of Britain won the Italian F1 Grand Prix on 7 September.

USA Won 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup USA won FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014 by defeating Serbia. The World Cup was held on 14 September at Madrid, Spain.

Lewis Hamilton Won Singapore F1 Grand Prix Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain won the Singapore F1 Grand Prix on 21 September to take a slender 3-point lead over his teammate Nico Rosberg (Germany), who was leading the 2014 season till now.

ECONOMY

SBI Launched First Multi-Currency International Debit Card Launched State Bank of India (SBI) on 8 September launched its first multi-currency international debit card to allow consumers to use a single card to pay in multiple currencies. This card launched in a tie-up with MasterCard would, at present, enable customers to load four international currencies in this card.

Mukesh Ambani Tops Richest Indian List Reliance Industries (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani has again topped the list of richest Indian while Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani has made it to the 10th spot. As per the Hurun India Rich List for 2014 released on 16 September, Mukesh Ambani’s wealth has risen 37 percent to Rs 1.65 lakh crore this year.

India Ranks 6th In Billionaire Numbers According to the Wealth-X and UBS Billionaire Census 2014, released on 17 September, India has retained its sixth position in the number of billionaires residing in the country. It is home to 100 such people, with a collective net worth of $175 billion. There are 2,325 billionaires worldwide, with the addition of 155 new ones in 2014. On the top 40 list of billionaire countries/territories, the US maintained its position as the first, with a population of 571 billionaires in 2014.

Alibaba Becomes World’s Largest IPO The IPO of China’s largest e-commerce outfit, Alibaba Group, has become the world’s biggest ever on strong demand, raising $US25.03 billion after bankers exercised an option to boost the deal size by 15 per cent. Agricultural Bank of China previously held the world record, with a $US22.1 billion IPO in 2010. The record was achieved after the underwriters of the previously announced Initial Public Offering (IPO) exercised in full the option to purchase an additional 48,015,900 American depositary shares on 22 September, from Alibaba Group and certain shareholders. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

India Successfully Test Fired N-capable Agni-I Missile India on 11 September successfully test-fired indigenously developed nuclear-capable surface -to-surface Agni-I missile from Wheeler Island off Odisha coast.The Agni I has a range of 700–1250 km.

NASA Unveils World’s Largest Welder To Build World’s Most Powerful Rocket NASA Administrator Charles Bolden officially unveiled the world’s largest welder to start construction of the world’s most powerful rocket – NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket – at NASA’s Michoud’s Vertical Assembly Center (VAC) on 12 September.

Nasa’s Maven Spacecraft Successfully Enters Mars Orbit Nasa’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft on 22 September 2014 entered orbit around Mars, completing an interplanetary journey of 10 months and 442 million miles (711 million kilometers). Maven is a space probe designed to study the Martian atmosphere while orbiting Mars. Mission goals include determining how the Martian atmosphere and water, presumed to have once been substantial, were lost over time.

ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Spacecraft Successfully Inserted into Mars Orbit The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also called Mangalyaan “Mars-craft” is a Mars orbiter launched into Earth orbit on 5 November 2013 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It was successfully inserted into Mars orbit on 24 September 2014. It is India’s first interplanetary mission and ISRO has become the fourth space agency to reach Mars, after the Soviet space program, NASA, and the European Space Agency. This was also India’s first attempt to reach Mars orbit — historically, only Europe’s ESA made it to Mars on its first attempt.

PERSONS IN NEWS

A) APPOINTMENTS

P Sathasivam Sworn In As Kerala Governor Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Palaniswamy Sathasivam was on 5 September sworn in as Kerala Governor. He is the 23rd Governor of the state. He is the first Chief Justice of India to be appointed to the post which is lower in warrant of precedence to the CJI.

Justice .. Dattu Sworn In As 42nd Chief Justice of India Justice Handyala Lakshminarayanaswamy Dattu was sworn in as the 42nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on 28 September 2014. Justice Dattu succeeds Chief Justice R M Lodha who retired on 28 September 2014. He will have a tenure of 14 months and will retire on 2 December 2015.

B)RESIGNS

Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan Resigned Prithviraj Chavan on 26 September resigned as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra after his government was reduced to a minority. Chavan submitted his resignation to governor of the state C Vidyasagar Rao. C)DEATHS

Former Attorney General GE Vahanvati Died Former Attorney General of India GE Vahanvati () died on 2 September in Mumbai. Vahanvati was first Muslim to become Attorney General of India and he was 13th Attorney General of India. He was appointed the 13th attorney general in June 2009 for a three-year term after UPA government was re-elected. In 2012, the term was extended by another two years. He resigned from the position of Attorney General on 27 May 2014 following the regime change at the Centre.

D)VISITORS

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visited U.S Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visited U.S from 26 – 30 September 2014. During his five day visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 69th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on 27 September. In his speech addressing Indian-Americans at Madison Square Garden in New York, Narendra Modi announced lifetime visas for PIOs (Persons of Indian origin). India and US has issued a joint vision statement declaring cooperation in energy, economic growth, science, technology health and education. The Vision Statement titled ” Chalein Saath-Saath: Forward Together We Go” was issued after the Summit-level meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama at White House in Washington DC. In the meeting, the two sides had decided to take steps for extension of the pact besides agreeing to enhance cooperation in joint production and development of defence equipment.

E)MISCELLANEOUS

Kira Kazantsev Crowned 2015 Miss was crowned Miss America 2015. She belongs to New York. This is the third year in a row that the contestant from New York has won. Kazantsev received the crown on 14 September at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall from outgoing Miss America and .

PLACES IN NEWS

London Ranked As World’s Most Expensive City London has overtaken Hong Kong as the world’s most expensive place to live and work. This fact was revealed in the 5th edition of the Savills Live/Work Index that was released on 26 September 2014. At the other end of the scale, Mumbai remained the cheapest world city in which to locate employees.

ABBREVIATIONS

NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization

ESCAP – Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

FICCI – Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry NCERT – National Council of Education Research and Training

BOOKS IN NEWS

M S Swaminathan In Conversation with Nitya Rao Book Released The book entitled “M S Swaminathan, in conversation with Nitya Rao – The Ethics and Politics of Science” was released on 10 September by Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu was in New Delhi.This book is in continuation of the earlier book released in August 2013.

COMMITTEES

Finance Ministry Sets Up H R Khan Committee On Unclaimed PPF, Small Savings Deposits Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has set up a committee on 3 September under Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor H R Khan to assess the amount of unclaimed deposit in the popular Public Provident Fund (PPF) and Post Office saving schemes, and suggest steps for utilisation of funds for the benefit of senior citizens.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

World Tourism Day Observed Across The World World Tourism Day (WTD) was observed across the world on 27 September 2014. The theme of the World Tourism Day 2014 is Tourism and Community Development. The 2014 WTD is focused to highlight the ability of tourism to empower people and provide them with skills to achieve change in their local communities.

World Heart Day Observed Across The World World Heart Day was observed across the world on 29 September 2014. The objective of the day is to inform people around the world of the danger of heart disease and stroke. 2014 theme for World Heart Day’s is Heart Choices NOT Hard Choices. The World Health Organization on the occasion said that there is a need to reduce the consumption of salt that is linked to death of people from cardiovascular diseases.

OCTOBER INTERNATIONAL

Mauritius Parliament Dissolved For Elections The Mauritius parliament was dissolved on 6 October, paving the way for elections that could lead to changes in the country’s constitution. The ruling Labour party, led by Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, wants to split powers between the president, now a largely ceremonial position, and the prime minister. That would require changes to the constitution. Bolivian President Evo Morales Re-elected For A Third Term Bolivian President Evo Morales was re-elected for a third term with more than 60 percent of the vote according to the election results declared on 12 October. As per the results, Evo Morales got 60 percent while his closest competitor Samuel Doria Medina could secure only 25 percent.

United Nations Elected Five New Non-permanent Members To Security Council Angola, Malaysia, New Zealand, Venezuela and Spain on 16 October were elected as the new non- permanent members of the Security Council for a two years term by the UN General Assembly. These five countries replace retiring members Argentina, Australia, Luxembourg, South Korea and Rwanda.The newly elected members term will be begining from January 1, 2015.

Dilma Rousseff Re-elected As Brazil President Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff was re-elected in the Presidential Elections held in the country on 26 October 2014. She belongs to the center-left Workers’ Party and her second term will finish in December 2018. Rousseff took 51.6% of the votes while her centre-right challenger Aecio Neves representing Brazilian Social Democracy Party (BSDP) got 48.4% votes.

INDIA & WORLD

UK and Ireland Signed Single Visa Deal Britain and Ireland on 6 October Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on visa cooperation to allow Chinese and Indian visitors to travel to the two island nations on a single visa. The agreement was signed at the Irish Embassy in London by UK home secretary Theresa May and Irish Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

India Ranks 18th On Most Desirable Place To Work According to the consulting giant Boston Consulting Group latest report released on 7 October, India has been ranked 18th globally on the list of most desirable destinations to work, even as 70-80% of Indians are willing to work in an overseas location.The US has been ranked on the top, followed by the UK, Canada, Germany and Switzerland.

India Ranked 55th In Global Hunger Index The 2014 Global Hunger Index (GHI) was released on 13 October by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide. According to the report, India improved its position in the Global Hunger Index in 2014 as it climbed to 55th position among 76 emerging economies from 63rd position in 2013. Mauritius holds the top place alongwith Thailand.

India Ranked 142 On WEF’s Gender Gap Report Global Gender Gap Report 2014, which was published on 28 October by World Economic Forum (WEF) – India was ranked 114 out of 142 countries on Gender Gap index. Iceland has the narrowest gender gap in the world, followed by Finland, Norway and Sweden.

NATIONAL

PM Narendra Modi Launched Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2 October launched the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ or ‘Clean India’ campaign in New Delhi. The campaign was launched on the occasion of 145th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.The total expected cost of the programme is Rs. 62,009 crore, out of which the proposed central assistance will be of Rs. 14,623 crore.

PM Narendra Modi Launched ‘Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna (SAGY) on the occasion of the birth anniversary of renowned Socialist leader Jai Prakash Narayan on 11 October. SAGY will be implemented under the overall supervision of Union Ministry of Rural Development. The programme is an ambitious village development project under which each Member of Parliament will take the responsibility for developing physical and institutional infrastructure in three villages by 2019.

Prime Minister Launched Deendayal Upadhyay Shramev Jayate Karyakram Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Shramev Jayate Karyakram on 16 October in New Delhi.The scheme is aimed at creating conducive environment for industrial development and doing business with ease.

Union Govt Launched Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana Union Government has launched Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (VKY) on 28 October for welfare of Tribal people and particularly to lift human development indices of tribal people.

STATES

Gujarat Govt Set Up ‘ SPV ‘ To Promote Vadodara As Cultural Capital Gujarat government on 10 October set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to promote Vadodara as the cultural capital of Gujarat and encourage tourism in Vododara. The SPV set up will be known as Vadodara International Art and Culture Festival Authority and it will be headed by State Tourism and Finance Minister Saurabh Patel. Thus, Gujarat became the first state in India to set up the authority for promoting tourism.

Union Home Ministry Announced To Renamed 12 Cities and Towns of Karnataka Union Home Ministry on 17 October announced to rename 12 cities and towns of Karnataka. According to the proposal, the 12 cities whose names were sought to be changed are:- Bangalore as Bengaluru; Mangalore as Mangaluru ; Bellary as Ballari ; Bijapur as Vijayapura or Vijapura ; Belgaum as Belagavi ; Chikmagalur as Chikkamagaluru ; Gulbarga as Kalaburagi ; Mysore as Mysuru ; Hospet as Hosapete ; Shimoga as Shivamogga ; Hubli as Hubballi, and Tumkur as Tumakuru.

Bharatiya Janta Party Won The 2014 Assembly Elections of Haryana Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) won the state assembly elections of Haryana. The results of the elections were announced by the Election Commission of India on 19 October 2014. BJP by securing 47 seats emerged as the largest party, with clear majority. The elections were held for total 90 seats on 15 October 2014.

BJP emerged As The Largest Party In Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2014 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the single largest party in Maharashtra assembly elections of 2014, the results for which were declared on 19 October 2014. The elections were held on 15 October 2014 for total 288 seats. Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) by winning 122 seats emerged as the largest party but none of the parties succeeded in securing a secure clear majority. CONFERENCES

12th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 12) The 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 12) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP-12) was held in Pyeongchang, South Korea from 6 – 17 October 2014. “Biodiversity for Sustainable Development” was the theme for the COP 12 summit. The conference was attended by more than 2000 delegates from 193 countries. The meeting concluded on a disappointing note that biodiversity targets agreed upon in 2010 at Nagoya are far from being met with most nations continuing on a business as usual track. The 13th meeting of the parties to the convention takes will take place October 2016 in Los Cabos, Baja California South, Mexico. The Conference of the Parties is the governing body of the Convention, and advances implementation of the Convention through the decisions it takes at its periodic meetings.

AWARDS & HONOURS

Indian American Thomas Won US National Medal of Science Thomas Kailath, a educated Indian-American engineering professor at Stanford University, is one of the recipients of the US National Medal of Science announced by President Barack Obama on 3 October.

Nobel Prize Winners 2014 Announced The Nobel Prize winners of 2014 in the different categories were announced in the month of October 2014. Nobel Prizes are announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences every year in the memory of Alfred Nobel.The categories were the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, the Nobel Prize in Physics, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences, The Nobel Literature Prize and The Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Prize Winners of 2014 in the different categories were as follows:-

* Physiology (or) Medicine :- U.S.-British scientist John O’Keefe and Norwegian couple May-Britt Moser, Edvard Moser won the 2014 Nobel Prize in Medicine for discovering the “inner Global Positioning System (GPS)” that helps the brain navigate through the world.

* Physics :- Three Japanese-born researchers Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura won the 2014 Nobel Prize for Physics. They were honoured for inventing efficient blue Light-Emitting Diodes(LED) lamps that worked as a bright and energy-saving white light sources.

* Chemistry :- American scientists Eric Betzig and William Moerner and Germany’s Stefan Hell won the 2014 Nobel prize for chemistry. The trio of Betzig, Moerner and Hell were conferred for their contribution in the area of super-resolved fluorescence microscopy which helped in bringing optical microscopy into the nano-dimension.

* Literature:- The Nobel Prize in Literature 2014 was awarded to French author Patrick Modiano for the art of memory with which he has evoked the most ungraspable human destinies and uncovered the life- world of the occupation. He is the 14th French writer to be awarded the Nobel Prize in literature (one, Jean Paul-Sartre, declined to accept it).

* Peace :- Indian children’s rights activist Kailash Satyarthi and Pakistani child education activist Malala Yousafzai have been jointly awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education. * Economics :- French economist Jean Tirole won the 2014 Economics Nobel Prize for his analysis of market power and regulation.It was the second Nobel Prize for a French national this year after author Patrick Modiano won the literature award.

Australian Author Richard Flanagan Won 2014 Man Booker Prize Australian author Richard Flanagan was on 15 October awarded the 2014 Man Booker Prize for his wartime novel “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”. The novel narrates story of a love and war during the construction of the Thailand Burma Death Railway in World War II. Flanagan is the third Australian to win the prize after Thomas Keneally and Peter Carey.

Malala Won 2014 World’s Children Prize Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan won the 2014 World’s Children Prize on 29 October 2014 after a global vote involving millions of children. She received the prize at a ceremony in Mariestad near Stockholm. World Children’s prize was created in 2000 and is run by the World’s Children’s Prize Foundation (WCPF), based in Mariefred, Sweden.

SPORTS & GAMES

Chennai Super Kings Won Champions League Twenty-20 Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won the Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) 2014 title of Cricket. CSK lifted the title by defeating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 8 wickets in the final match in Bengaluru on 4 October. P.Negi of the Chennai Super Kings was named the Player of the Match.This is the second Champions League win for the Chennai Super Kings, who won earlier in 2010.

India Finish Incheon Asiad In 8th Place India ended the 17th Asian Games – 2014 with 57 medals to finish in eighth place. India won 11 gold, 10 silver and 36 bronze but failed to emulate their 2010 exploits at Guangzhou, where they won 65 medals – 14 gold, 17 silver and 34 bronze. China has topped the medal table for the ninth successive times in the 17th Asian Games. With a total of 342 medals including 151 gold, 108 silver and 83 bronze, China dominated the medal tally in the 17th edition of Asian Games. Hosts South Korea were second with 79 golds while Japan finished third with 47 gold medals. The 17th Asian Games also known as XVII Asiad, was held from 19 September 2014 to 4 October 2014 in Incheon, South Korea. The theme of the 2014 Asian Games is “Meet Asia’s Future”. “Diversity Shines Here” was the motto of 17th Asian Games.The moscot of the Asian Games Incheon 2014 was three spotted Harbour Seal siblings named Barame, Chumuro and Vichuon meaning wind, dance and light in Korean language.The 2019 Games will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Here are all the Gold Medal Winners from India:-

* – Men’s 50 metre Pistol Shooting

* Sandeep Kumar, Rajat Chauhan, Abhishek Verma – Men’s compound team Archery

* Saurav Ghosal, Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu, Mahesh Mangaonkar, Kumar Kush – Men’s team squash

* – Men’s Freestyle 65 kg Wrestling

* Seema Punia – Women’s Discus throw athletics * Sania Mirza, – Mixed doubles Tennis

* M.C. – Women’s 48-51 kg Boxing

* Priyanka Panwar, Tintu Luka, Mandeep Kaur, M. Poovamma – Women’s 4X400m relay athletics

* Indian team – Men’s Hockey

* Indian team – Women’s Kabaddi

* Indian team – Men’s Kabaddi

India Won Sultan of Johor Cup Under-21 Hockey Title India on 19 October successfully defended its Sultan of Johor Cup (SOJC) Under-21 Hockey title at Taman Daya Hockey Stadium, Johor Bohru, Malaysia. In the finals, Indian team defeated Great Britain, 2- 1. With this win, India became the first team to win the title twice since the inception of the tournament in 2011. India won its first title in 2013.

Pankaj Advani Won World Billiards Point Format Championship Indian player Pankaj Advani won the World Billiards Point Format Championship on 24 October. This was Advani’s 11th World title and third of the year in different formats of the game. In 2014, Advani has won three different world titles – the IBSF World 6 – Red Snooker, World Team Billiards and World Billiards Championship (point format), which is an unprecedented record in itself.

ECONOMY

India To Grow 5.6% In 2014 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecast 5.6 percent growth rate for India this year and a higher 6.4 percent in 2015. According to the IMF latest World Economic Outlook report released on 7 October, In China growth will remain at 7.4 percent this year and is projected to be of 7.1 per cent in 2015.

Tata’s Land Rover Is Top Indian Brand Tata group’s Land Rover is the only Indian brand in world’s 100 most valuable brands. Tata Group-owned iconic British car brand Land Rover has been ranked 91st with a brand value of $4.47 billion (Rs. 27,267 crore) and is one of the five new entrants to this annual list compiled by leading brand consultancy Interbrand. US company Apple has retained its top slot with a valuation of nearly $119 billion.

Asian Countries Signed MoU For Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) 21 Asian countries, including India, have signed an agreement to become founding members of the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to aid the infrastructure development in the Asian region and reduce the dependence on Western-dominated World Bank and IMF. The Joint Secretary of the Economic Affairs division of the Ministry of Finance signed the MoU on behalf of India at Beijing on 26 October. The MoU specifies that the authorised capital of AIIB is $100 billion and the initial subscribed capital is expected to be around $50 billion. The Headquarters of the AIIB will be at Beijing, and the bank is expected to be operational in 2015. China’s Vice Finance Minister Jin Liqun, who was also the former Vice-President of the Asian Development Bank, has been appointed as the Secretary General of AIIB.The 21 members of the AIIB are China, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Laos, Myanmar, Mongolia, Nepal, Oman, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. India Ranked 142 In World Bank’s “Ease of Doing Business – 2015″ Report India has been placed at 142 among 189 countries in the latest World Bank’s “Ease of Doing Business – 2015″ report released on 29 October. India was ranked 134th in the last year’s edition of the list. Singapore topped this list with 88.27 points and is followed by New Zealand, Hong Kong, Denmark and South Korea.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

World’s First Solar Battery Developed By US Scientists Scientists at Ohio State University, US developed the world’s first solar battery which recharges itself using air and light. The developed solar battery is in fact a hybrid device that is party rechargeable battery and part solar cell.

Japan Launches Weather Satellite ‘ Himawari-8 ‘ Japan successfully launched the nation’s next-generation Himawari-8 weather satellite on 7 October from the Tanegashima Space Center aboard an H-2A rocket.

ISRO’s PSLV-C26 Successfully Launched India’s Third Navigation Satellite IRNSS-1C Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched India’s third navigation satellite, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System -1C ( IRNSS-1C), into the space. The satellite was launched through ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C26 (PSLV-C26) rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on 16 October 2014. PSLV-C26 injected the IRNSS-1C satellite, weighing 1425 kg, into the designated orbit.This was the 27th consecutive successful flight of PSLV.

Researchers Develop World’s Thinnest Electric Generator Researchers from Columbia Engineering and the Georgia Institute of Technology report on 15 October that they have made the first experimental observation of piezoelectricity and the piezotronic effect in an atomically thin material, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), resulting in a unique electric generator and mechanosensation devices that are optically transparent, extremely light, and very bendable and stretchable.

Argentina Successfully Launches Its First Communication Satellite Argentina successfully launched its first geostationary communications satellite named ‘ARSAT-1′ from the spaceport near Kourou in French Guyana on 16 October.

PERSONS IN NEWS

A) APPOINTMENTS

Jens Stoltenberg Becomes NATO’s Secretary General Former two-term Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg took up his post as North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General on 1 October. He succeeds Fogh Rasmussen. Stoltenberg was previously Prime Minister of Norway from 2000-2001 and from 2005-2013. Appointed As UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador Bollywood actor Aamir Khan has been appointed as UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador for South Asian region on 9 October. Aamir Khan will focus on supporting child nutrition to end stunting across the region.

Manohar Khattar Sworn In As New Chief minister Of Haryana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manohar Lal Khattar was on 26 October sworn in as new Chief Minister of Haryana, where BJP has formed government for the first time on its own. Khattar is also the first Punjabi to become the Chief Minister of the state. Khattar a first time MLA, represents Karnal constituency in the Haryana assembly. He is Haryana’s first non-jat chief minister in 18 years. Khattar is the 10th chief minister of the state, which was created November 1, 1966.

Devendra Fadnavis Sworn In As Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra on 31 October 2014. Devendra Fadnavis became the Mayor of in 1997 when he was just 27 year old. He thus became the second youngest Mayor in India. He also was the youngest municipal corporator of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) at the age of 21 in 1992. He has been elected Member of the Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra State, representing Nagpur, since, 1999.

B)RESIGNS

US Secret Service Director Julie Pierson Resigned Julie Pierson, the director of the US secret service has resigned on 1 October amid mounting criticism of her handling of security breaches at the White House and allegations of misleading public statements.

C)DEATHS

Veteran Journalist M V Kamath Died Former chairman of Prasar Bharati and veteran Journalist Madhav Vittal Kamath, popularly kmown as MV Kamath, died on 9 October. He was 93. He was awarded Padma Bhushan for his contributions to Indian journalism in 2004 and he has written over 50 books.

D)VISITORS

President of India Pranab Mukherjee Visited Norway President of India Pranab Mukherjee visited Norway on 13 – 14 October 2014. During his visit, Pranab Mukherjee held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Erna Solberg. Pranab Mukherjee also met King Harald in Oslo, the capital of Norway. During the visit, India and Norway signed 13 agreements to promote bilateral relations. These include agreement between Defence sector of two countries and an agreement on exemption of visa requirement for holders of diplomatic and official passports. He became the first Indian head of state to visit Norway and first president to cross the Arctic Circle.

E)MISCELLANEOUS

MS Dhoni Ranks 5th On Forbes ‘Most Valuable Athlete Brand List’ India cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the only Indian sportsman to figure on Forbes’ List of the World’s Most Valuable Athlete Brands, a list that has been topped by American basketball player LeBron James and includes golfer Tiger Woods and tennis stars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Dhoni is ranked fifth with a brand value of USD20 million in 2014, slightly down from USD21 million in 2013. The top 10 Most Valuable Athletes list was released on 9 October 2014. PLACES IN NEWS

India Among Five Nations To Build World’s Biggest Telescope India, along with four other countries will start work on the world’s biggest telescope in the United States. The 30-metre telescope, also known as Thirty Minutes Telescope (TMT), will be constructed near the summit of the Mauna Kea volcano on Hawaii Island in United States. It will cost around $1.4 billion and the construction is expected to be completed by March 2022. The diameter of this telescope will be a mammoth 30 meter. This will enable to identify an object as small as coin from a distance of 500 km. The other four countries involved in this project include the U.S., Japan, China and Canada.

ABBREVIATIONS

UNICEF —— United Nation International Children’s Emergency Fund

UNESCO —— United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation

IRNSS —– Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System

TADA ——- Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act

WIPO ——- World intellectual property Organisation

BOOKS IN NEWS

“ Worthy Fights: A Memoir of Leadership in War and Peace ” Book Released A book titled “Worthy Fights: A Memoir of Leadership in War and Peace ” authored by Leon Panetta, and Jim Newton was released on 7 Octobe. Panetta is a former Defence Secretary and ex-CIA Director and Newton is an editor of the . Panetta through the book for the first time came in a different tone in relation to ISI links with terror outfit. Leon Panetta served as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 2009–2011, and as Secretary of Defense from 2011–2013.

COMMITTEES

Madhava Menon Committee Announced Guidelines For Govt Ads The Supreme Court appointed high-powered committee headed by Professor NR Madhava Menon submitted its report to the court on 6 October. The committee in its report has framed guidelines to regulate expenditure and contents of advertisements paid out of tax payers’ money. The three-member committee has recommended that names and pictures of political parties and their office bearers like presidents should not be mentioned in government advertisements. IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

World Food Day Observed Across The World World Food Day was observed across the world on 16 October 2014 with the theme Family Farming: Feeding the world, caring for the earth.The UN General Assembly has designated 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming. This is a strong signal that the international community recognizes the important contribution of family farmers to world food security.The aim of World Food Day 2014 is to focus world attention on the significant role of family farming in eradicating hunger and poverty, providing food security and nutrition, improving livelihoods, managing natural resources, protecting the environment, and achieving sustainable development, in particular in rural areas.

International Internet Day Observed Across The World International Internet Day was observed across the world on 29 October 2014 to mark the anniversary of the first usage of the Internet to send a message electronically in 1969. International Internet Day is celebrated worldwide on 29 October every year. Since 2005, the International Internet Day has been celebrated to commemorate a momentous day in the history of telecommunications and technology.

NOVEMBER INTERNATIONAL

China and Russia Signed Energy Cooperation Agreements China and Russia signed energy cooperation agreements on 9 November. The agreements were signed by the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of China Xi Jinping at the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Beijing.The deals include a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop a second major supply route to supply Russian natural gas to China along a western route.

US and China Signed Climate Change Agreement In a historic climate change deal, U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping on 12 November announced both countries will curb their greenhouse gas emissions over the next two decades. Under the agreement, the United States would cut its 2005 level of carbon emissions by 26- 28% before the year 2025. China would peak its carbon emissions by 2030 and will also aim to get 20% of its energy from zero-carbon emission sources by the same year.It is the first time China, the world’s biggest polluter, has set an approximate date for emissions to peak.

Klaus Iohannis Elected As New President Of Romania Klaus Iohannis was elected as the fifth President of Romania on 16 November. The Mayor of Sibiu Klaus Werner Iohannis won the Presidential elections in Romania by defeating Prime Minister Victor Ponta of Social Democratic Party. Klaus Iohannis belongs to Christian Liberal Alliance of Romania. He got 54.81 percent of votes and Victor Ponta got 45.18 percent.

UN General Assembly Adopted Resolution On Child Marriages The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) rights committee on 21 November adopted the first-ever resolution calling on governments to stop child marriages. The resolution was presented by Canada and Zambia.

INDIA & WORLD India and Bhutan Signed MoU on Establishment Of Nalanda University India and Bhutan on 7 November signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop Nalanda University in Bihar as an international centre of excellence. The two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, after President of India Pranab Mukherjee held talks with the Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

Global Slavery Index – 2014 Second Edition of Global Slavery Index was released on 17 November by the Australia-based Walk Free Foundation. The Index ranks 167 countries in terms of the percentage of a national population and the total number of people living in modern slavery – country by country, region by region. In absolute terms, the index was topped by India followed by China, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Russia. Index highlighted that estimated 35.8 million people are in modern slavery globally. Out of this, 61% people are living in top five countries.

India and Australia Siged Five Agreements India and Australia on 18 November signed five agreements on social security, transfer of sentenced prisoners, combating narcotics trade, tourism, and Arts and Culture.The agreements were signed after the bilateral talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Canberra, Australia.

India Votes Against UN General Assembly Resolution On Death Penalty India has voted on 25 November against a UN General Assembly draft resolution calling for moratorium on the use of death penalty. The draft resolution on ‘Moratorium on the use of the death penalty’ was approved in the General Assembly’s Third Committee, which deals with social, humanitarian and cultural issues.India was among the 36 nations that voted against the resolution, which got 114 votes in favour and 34 abstentions.

NATIONAL

Commemorative Stamp on Liver Transplantation In India Released The Department of Posts released a commemorative postage stamp on Liver Transplantation in India on 4 November on the occasion of 15 years of Liver Transplantation in India. The patient who had undergone first successful liver transplantation in India in 1998 Sanjay Kandaswamy was also present on the occasion.

21 New Ministers Inducted Into The Union Cabinet Prime Minister Narendra modi on 9 November 2014 expanded his cabinet and added 21 more ministers to his government. The 21 new ministers include four Cabinet Ministers, three Minister of State (Independent Charge) and 14 Minister of State. With this expansion, the total number of ministers under different ranks including the Prime Minister has gone up to 66 from previous 45. It is also the first expansion of the Union Council of Ministers since the Modi government took office on 26 May 2014. The Portfolios of Cabinet Ministers:- Manohar Parrikar (Goa) – Defence Minister ; Suresh Prabhu (Maharashtra) – Rail Minister ; J P Nadda (Himachal Pradesh) – Health and Family Welfare Minister ; Birender Singh (Haryana) – Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water and Sanitation Minister.

PM Narendra Modi Launches Jeevan Pramaan – Digital Life Certificate For Pensioners The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 10 November launched “Jeevan Pramaan” – an “Aadhar-based Digital Life Certificate” for pensioners.The digital certification will do away with the requirement of submitting a physical Life Certificate in November each year by pensioners for getting pension. Union Government Approved Launch Of DUGJY The Union Government on 21 November approved the launch of the Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DUGJY) to provide access of electricity to rural households across the country. A decision in this regard was taken at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The Union Cabinet also decided to merge the ongoing Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) with DUGJY scheme.

STATES

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Launched Samajwadi Pension Scheme Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on 5 November launched the Samajwadi Pension Scheme for 40 lakh families, including those belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and minorities.

PM Narendra Modi Adopts ‘Jayapur’ Village In Varanasi ‘Jayapur’ was adopted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5 November under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (MP Model Village Plan). Narendra Modi chose Jayapur village in Varanasi district (Uttar Pradesh) under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY).

Assam Zoo Set To Become First Zoo To Have The Endangered Pygmy Hog Assam State Zoo in Guwahati in the month of November 2014 decided to have the critically endangered pig Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania). Pygmy Hog is the rarest and smallest wild pig in the world. With this decision, Assam State Zoo is set to become the first and only zoo of the world to have this critically endangered species of pigs.

Namsai Becomes Arunachal Pradesh’s 18th District Namsai on 25 November 2014 officially became the 18th district of Arunachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Nabam Tuki made the declaration.

CONFERENCES

Ninth G20 Summit Held In Brisbane

The 2014 G-20 Australia summit was the ninth meeting of the G-20 heads of government. It was held on 15-16 November 2014 in Brisbane, Australia. At the conclusion of the Summit, the G20 leaders released the final communiqué known as the Brisbane Action Plan. The Action Plan contains a package of more than 800 reforms to boost global growth, shore up financial institutions and improve economic resilience. If these are implemented, then global growth will see an increase of 2.1 percent. After recovery from the global financial crisis the G20 agreed on the need for bold and coordinated push to generate strong, sustainable economic growth across the bloc. It set an ambitious goal to lift G20 growth by more than 2 percent to 2018 and millions of additional jobs. China will play host to the Group of Twenty (G20) Summit of the emerging economies in 2016. Turkey took over the presidency from Australia and will host the event in Antalya in 2015. AWARDS & HONOURS

Manmohan Singh Received Japan’s Top National Award Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was conferred with the “Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers” Award on 5 November. The “Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers” is perceived as the second highest civilian award of Japan after “Order of the Chrysanthemum”. The award was presented to Manmohan Singh by Japanese Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. He was given this award for his “significant contribution to the enhancement of relations and promotion of friendship” between Japan and India. He became the first Indian to receive this prestigious award.

West Bengal’s Darjeeling Zoo Selected For Earth Heroes Award 2014 The Darjeeling Zoo or the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park was on 1 November selected for the prestigious International Award The Earth Heroes Award 2014. It has become the first zoo in India. It has competed with 300 zoos across the world. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is largest high altitude zoo of India. It is located in West Bengal.The Earth Heroes award is annually awarded by the Royal Bank of Scotland in collaboration with the Government of United Kingdom.

Neha Gupta Received International Children’s Peace Prize 2014 Indian-American student Neha Gupta has won the 2014 International Children’s Peace Prize Award for her exceptional work to raise money for underprivileged children around the world. Nobel Peace Laureate Desmond Tutu the patron of the Dutch children’s rights organization presented her with the award on 18 November in The Hague, Netherlands. She is the first American to be awarded with this prize.

ISRO selected For Indira Gandhi Prize For Peace – 2014 Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been selected for the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2014 in recognition of its path-breaking achievements including the Mars Orbiter Mission and contribution in strengthening international cooperation in peaceful use of outer space. ISRO was selected for the award by a jury chaired by Vice President Hamid Ansari on 19 November 2014.

SPORTS & GAMES

Central Zone Won Duleep Trophy 2014-15 Central Zone won the 2014-15 Duleep Trophy title on 2 November. They won by defeating South Zone in the finals played at Feroz Shah Kotla Ground, Delhi with 9 runs. This was the first Duleep title for Central zone in ten seasons and the narrowest win in the tournament’s history, in terms of runs. K Rahul was adjudged as the Man-of-the-match for his knocks of 185 and 130 in the final.

Salgaocar FC Won 2014 The 2014 Durand Cup , the 127th edition of the Durand Cup which is the third oldest competition in the world, was won by the Salgaocar FC. Salgaocar FC defeated Pune FC in the final by 1- 0 to claim their 3rd Durand title.They were Durand Cup champions in the year 1999 and 2003 as well. 127th Durand Cup played at the Raia Sports Complex, Goa. India Won 3rd SAFF Women’s Championship India won the 2014 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Championship at the Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad on 21 November. Indian team won 6-0 over Nepal to register their first series win on Pakistan soil.With this win, the Indian team has won all the three SAFF women finals against Nepal.

Magnus Carlsen Won FIDE World Chess Championship 2014 Magnus Carlsen of Norway won the FIDE World Chess Championship 2014 on 23 November at Sochi (Russia). He defeated Viswanathan Anand of India with a score of 6.5 – 4.5. Out of a total of 12 games played, he won the Game 2, Game 6 and Game 11. With this he retained the FIDE World Championship which he had won in Chennai in 2013.

Karnataka Won Trophy Karnataka won the Vijay Hazare Cricket Trophy on 25 November by defeating Punjab by 156 runs in the final at Ahmedabad.Karnataka had won the title earlier this year in March 2014 to complete a historic treble (Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup and Vijay Hazare Trophy) under R Vinay Kumar.

ECONOMY

WEF Recognizes 17 Indian Companies As Global Growth Companies 17 companies from India were recognised as Global Growth Company by World Economic Forum (WEF) as notified by it on 5 November. Ratnakar Bank Limited (RBL), headquartered at Kolhapur (Maharashtra), is the only banking entity out of these 17 companies from India, which have been described as region’s most dynamic and high-growth companies by the WEF. The Global Growth Companies community comprises over 370 companies around the world.

Government of India and World Bank Signed $200 Million Agreement The Government of India (GoI) and the World Bank on 10 November signed a $200 million loan agreement to enhance the productivity of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by expanding and upgrading Technology Centers across India. The Technology Center Systems Program (TCSP) will develop the technological and skills base of MSMEs in selected manufacturing industries.

Kerala Becomes First State with Bank Accounts For All Families Kerala has become the first state in the country with bank accounts for all families under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY). A formal declaration to this effect was made by Kerala Finance Minister K M Mani at the State-Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) meeting in on 11 November.

India’s Growth Forecast Raised To 6.6 percent By OECD For 2015-16 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on 19 November raised India’s growth forecast to 6.6 percent for the financial year 2015-2016.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Russia Successfully Test Fired Topol-M Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Russian Strategic Missile Troops (RVSN) on 1 November successfully test fired a ‘Topol-M’ Inter Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) to test its technical features. The Topol-M, a silo-based ICBM, was launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in Russia’s northern Arkhangelsk region.

Nuclear Capable Agni-II Missile Successfully Test Fired India on 9 November successfully test-fired its medium-range nuclear-capable Agni-II missile with a strike range of more than 2000 km from the Wheeler Island off Odisha coast as part of a user trial by the army.The 20-metre long Agni-II missile is a two-stage, solid-propelled ballistic missile. It has a launch weight of 17 tonnes and can carry a payload of 1000 kg over a distance of more than 2,000 km. Pakistan Successfully Test Fires Shaheen-II and Shaheen 1A Pakistan has successfully test fired Shaheen-II (Hatf-VI) Ballistic Missile on 13 November 2014. Shaheen- II Missile is capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads to a range of 1500 kilometers.

China Launched Yaogan-23 Remote Sensing Satellite China launched remote sensing satellite Yaogan-23 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre on 15 November. This satellite was carried by the Long March 2-c rocket. This is the 198th mission of the Long March rocket project. The Yaogan-23 will be deployed mainly for scientific experiments, crop yield estimates, national resource surveys and disaster relief.

PERSONS IN NEWS

A) APPOINTMENTS

Anita Kapur is CBDT new Chairperson Senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Anita Kapur has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 5 November. CBDT is the topmost authority of the Income- Tax Department. Anita Kapur will be serving as the Chairperson of CBDT till November 2015. She succeeded K V Chowdhary who has retired on 31 October 2014.

Laxmikant Parsekar Sworn In As Goa’s New Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar sworn-in as the new Chief Minister of Goa. Parsekar was elected the leader of the Goa BJP Legislative Party on 8 November 2014 and was administered the oath of office on the same day. He replaced Manohar Parrikar, who took oath as Union Cabinet Minister on 9 November 2014. Laxmikant Yashwant Parsekar is the member of the from Mandrem constituency.

B)RESIGNS

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Resigned Goa Chief Minister Manohar Gopalkrishna Prabhu Parrikar on 8 November 2014 resigned from his position. He took oath as Union Cabinet Minister on 9 November 2014. Manohar Parrikar is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India. He has been Chief Minister of Goa first from 2000 to 2005 and later from March 2012 to November 2014 and represented the constituency in the Legislative Assembly of Goa.

C)DEATHS

Former Union Minister Murli Deora Died Murli Deora, Senior Congress leader from Maharastra and Former Petroleum Minister, was died on 24 November in Mumbai. Deora was India’s longest serving Petroleum Minister, completing exactly five years in office in a tenure that began in January 2006 and was spread between UPA-1 and II. He first contested the Lok Sabha polls from Mumbai South constituency in 1980 . He was first time elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2002 from Maharashtra and since then had completed two terms. At present, he was serving his third term.

D)VISITORS

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visited Myanmar Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi visited Myanmar to attend the 25th ASEAN summit, 12th ASEAN- India Summit and 9th East Asia Summit in Naypyidaw,the capital of Myanmar from 12-13 November 2014. During the visit, many decisions were taken and on the sidelines of the summit, the Prime Minister also met with other leaders of ASEAN countries. Narendra Modi also met Myanmar President U Thein Sein in Nay Pyi Taw, the capital of Myanmar. This was the first meeting between the two leaders, and focus was on connectivity, cultural contacts and commercial ties.

E)MISCELLANEOUS

Narendra Modi Ranks 15th On Forbes Most Powerful People List Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been ranked 15th in the Forbes list of World’s Most Powerful People for the year 2014. Forbe’s world’s most powerful people -2014 list was released on 5 November. Russian President Vladimir Putin retains his numero uno seat – just above his American rival Barack Obama (2nd) – for the second consecutive year.

PLACES IN NEWS

World’s 2nd Tallest Power Transmission Towers In West Bengal The world’s second tallest power transmission towers, built by Haldia Energy Limited (HEL), has come up in West Bengal.The 236-metre-long twin towers, located at HEL’s 600-MW capacity plant at Haldia and Raichak across the river Hooghly, are the tallest in the country. Covering a span of 1.5 km, the twin towers weigh 1,800 tonnes.The world’s highest transmission tower (370 metres) is located at Mount Damaoshan in China.

ABBREVIATIONS

AAFI —– Amateur Athletics Federation of India

APEC —– Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

CDRI —- Central Drug Research Institute

SAARC —- South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

ASEAN — Association of South East Asian Nations

BOOKS IN NEWS

” 2014:The Election That Changed India” Authored By Rajdeep Sardesai Released A book titled ” 2014:The Election that Changed India” authored by senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai was released on 1 November. The book follows through the major stories of the 2014 Loksabha elections which affected the fate of Narendra Modi, Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi. COMMITTEES

Justice Mudgal Committee Submitted It’s Final Report on IPL Spot Fixing The Supreme Court (SC) appointed Mukul Mudgal committee on 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL)-6 spot-fixing submitted its final report to the court on 3 November 2014. The report of Justice Mukul Mudgal committee on match fixing in IPL-6 was made public on 17 November 2014.The report gave a major relief to the stepped down BCCI president N. Srinivasan observing that it could not be proved that he was involved with betting activities. The Mudgal Committee submitted two reports to the Supreme court on 9 February 2014.The Mukul Mudgal panel was constituted by the Supreme Court in October 2013 to probe the allegations of spot-fixing in IPL-6 matches. The committee is headed by Justice (Retd.) Mukul Mudgal, former Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

National Education Day was Observed on 11 November National Education Day (NED) was observed on 11 November 2014 to mark of the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. This NED was 125th birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.National Educational Day was observed on the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, first Education minister of Independent India.In 2008, Government of India declared that Azad’s birth anniversary will be celebrated as the National Education Day.

World Fisheries Day Observed Across The World On 21 November World Fisheries day on 21 November 2014 was observed across the world by the fisher folk communities. The day will remind the world to ensure sustainable stocks of fisheries and healthy oceans ecosystems.The day also helps to highlight the problems like over fishing and mechanization and moves towards finding solutions to the increasingly inter-connected problems that world facing and in the longer term, to sustainable means of maintaining fish stocks.Fishing communities across the world celebrated through rallies, workshops, public meetings, cultural dramas, exhibition, music show, and demonstrations to highlight the importance of maintaining the fisheries of world. As a part of World Fisheries Day celebrations, Union Government of India announced to launch Blue Revolution to increase in fish production and productivity in India.

DECEMBER INTERNATIONAL

Tabare Vazquez Re-elected As Uruguay President Tabare Vazquez was re-elected as Uruguay President. He won the 2014 presidential elections held in Uruguay on 30 November 2014. The Presidential election results was announced by Uruguay’s Electoral Court on 1 December. Vazquez belongs to the leftist Broad Front coalition party of Uruguay.

China Launched Mega Water Supply Project In Sri Lanka The Beijing-based China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) has on 6 December launched another mega project in Sri Lanka to construct a water supply system in Gampaha district.The US$ 230 million water supply project is the largest ever undertaken by the Sri Lankan government. Pakistan 8th Most Dangerous Country In The World US based think tank IntelCenter on 9 December released Country Threat Index (CTI) ranking 45 countries in terms of terrorist and rebel threat to a country. Pakistan is placed eighth in the list of the most dangerous countries in the world which is led by Iraq.

Global Arms Trade Treaty Came Into Force The global Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) that lays down international rules for the 85 billion US dollars global arms trade came into effect on 24 December 2014. The Treaty was negotiated at a global conference under the auspices of the United Nations from July 2–27, 2012, in New York. Later the UN adopted it on 2 April 2013. It has been signed by 130 countries while 61 countries ratified it.

Shinzo Abe Re-elected Third Term As Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on 14 December re-elected third term as Japan Prime Minister. He was re-elected after Japan’s ruling coalition (Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito) won a two thirds majority in the Snap elections held for the Lower House (House of Representatives) of the Bicameral legislature, the National Diet.

INDIA & WORLD

India Ranked 85th On Global Corruption Perception Index 2014 India was ranked 85th out of 175 countries on Global Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2014, which was released by Transparency International on 3 December 2014. India’s score stood at 38 as compared to 36 in 2013. Sri Lanka was ranked 85th with India. The index was topped by Denmark with a score of 92. At the bottom of the list are South Sudan (171), Afghanistan (172), Sudan (173) and North Korea and Somalia shared the last place at 174 with a score of 8 each.

United Nations Declared June 21 As ‘ International Yoga Day ‘ The United Nations General Assembly adopted an India-led resolution declaring June 21 as ‘International Day of Yoga’. It was introduced by India’s Ambassador to the United Nations Asoke Mukerji on 11 December and had 175 nations joining as co-sponsors, the highest number ever for any resolution in the 193-member UN Genral Assembly. This is also for the first time that such an initiative has been proposed and implemented by any country in the UN body in less than 90 days. Through the resolution, adopted under the agenda of “Global Health and Foreign Policy,” the 193-member General Assembly decided to proclaim June 21 every year as “International Day of Yoga”.

India and Russia Signed 20 Agreements India and Russia signed 20 agreements during the 15th India-Russia Annual Summit held in New Delhi on 11 December. The agreements were signed in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. India and Russia also agreed to jointly explore for oil and gas, build petrochem plants, lay pipelines and cooperate in infrastructure development and smart cities to treble bilateral trade to USD 30 billion by 2025.

India Ranks Third On World Black Money List The Global Financial Integrity (GFI) on 15 December released the Global Illicit Financial Flows Report 2014 titled Illicit Financial Flows from the Developing World: 2003-2012. According to the report, India has ranked third in the world with an estimated USD 94.76 billion (nearly Rs 6 lakh crore) illicit money outflows in 2012. Reportedly the cumulative illicit money moving out of the country from 2003 to 2012 has risen to USD 439.59 billion (Rs 28 lakh crore). Russia is on the top with USD 122.86 billion, followed by China at the second position (USD 249.57 billion) in terms of black money moving out of a country for 2012 — the latest year for which these estimates have been made. India Banned ISIS Terror Group The Union Government on 16 December 2014 banned Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The aim of the ban is to limit the activities of the West Asia group which has carved out swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria.

NATIONAL

Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Birthday To Be Observed As ‘Good Governance Day’ Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birthday on December 25 will be observed as ‘National Good Governance Day’. The decision has been taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2 December in New Delhi.

Union Govt Launched ‘Sukanya Samriddhi Account’ Scheme The Union Government has on 4 December notified ‘ Sukanya Samriddhi Account ‘, a new small savings instrument for the girl child that could be operated by her after the age of 10.

Government Decided To Remove Section 309 From IPC The government has on 10 December decided to delete/strike off Section 309 (attempt to commit suicide) from the Indian Penal Code (IPC) on the recommendation of the Law Commission of India. Section 309 of IPC makes the act punishable with jail term of up to one year and fine.

Union Govt Launched ‘Mission Indradhanush’ For Children Vaccination The Union government has launched ‘Mission Indradhanush’ to achieve full immunization coverage for all children by 2020.The Mission Indradhanush aims to cover all those children who are either unvaccinated or are partially vaccinated against seven vaccine preventable diseases including diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B.

STATES

Uttar Pradesh Govt Launched Women Entrepreneurship Scheme 2014-15 Uttar Pradesh government on 2 December launched the Women Entrepreneurship Scheme 2014-15 to empower women and ensure their participation in the process of industrialization. Under the scheme, the state government is encouraging micro-level and individual traditional industries and handicraft units to form a special purpose vehicle (SPV).

Assam Govt Launched Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Concrete Road Nirman Scheme The Assam government on 5 December launched a new road construction scheme named ‘Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Concrete Road Nirman’. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi laid foundation stone for the scheme at Mirza in Kamrup district of Assam.

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election 2014 Results Election Commission of India on 23 December declared the results of Assembly elections of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed with 28 seats emerged as the largest party in the house of 87 seats.Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 25 seats (all seats came from the Jammu region) stood at the second position. Jammu and Kashmir is going to witness a hung assembly, as no party was able to garner a full majority. Jharkhand Assembly Election 2014 Results Election Commission of India (ECI) on 23 December declared the results of Assembly elections of Jharkhand. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with 37 seats emerged as the largest party in the house of 81 seats.Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) with 19 seats stood at the second position.

CONFERENCES

United Nations Climate Change Conference 2014

The UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC), known also as Conference of the Parties (COP 20), was held in Lima, Peru, from 1 – 12 December 2014. The conference concluded its 12-day meeting on 12 December having brought together the 196 Parties to the UNFCCC in an attempt to hammer out a new universal treaty which would enter force by 2020. The final agreement is expected to be hashed out in Paris at the end of next year. The decisions adopted in Lima, including the Lima Call for Climate Action, pave the way for the adoption of a universal and meaningful agreement in 2015.

AWARDS & HONOURS

Narendra Modi Named The Straits Times ‘Asian Of The Year 2014′ Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on 5 December named ‘Asian of the Year 2014’ for being a development-focused leader by editors of Singapore’s leading daily, The Straits Times. Last year’s award was shared by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and China’s President Xi Jinping.

Time Magazine Named Ebola Fighters As ‘Person of the Year 2014′ The countless doctors, nurses and caregivers at the forefront of battling one of the worst ever outbreaks of the deadly Ebola virus, were on 10 December collectively named as Time magazine’s 2014 ‘Person of the Year’. The ‘Ebola fighters’ have been awarded for their tireless acts of courage and mercy and for risking, persisting, sacrificing and saving.

Fidel Castro Awarded China’s Confucius Peace Prize – 2014 Cuba’s former leader Fidel Castro has been awarded the Confucius Peace Prize -2014, China’s alternative to the Nobel. He did not attend the Confucius Peace Prize award ceremony on 9 December. A Cuban exchange student accepted the award on his behalf. The Confucius Peace prize was established in 2009 as an eastern alternative to the Nobel Peace Prize following the proposal of Chinese businessman Lui Zhiqin.

Atal Bihari Vajpee and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya To Be Awarded Bharat Ratna The Union Government on 24 December 2014 made announcement to award the Bharat Ratna, country’s highest civilian honour to Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, and educationist and social reformer Madan Mohan Malviya(posthumously). The announcement coincides with Vajpayee’s birthday on December 25 which the government has already declared as ‘Good Governance Day’. Malviya is the 11th person to receive the award posthumously, while Vajpayee is the sixth Prime Minister to receive the award. Till now 43 people have been honoured with the Bharat Ratna. Educationist Madan Mohan Malviya and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee are the 44th and 45th distinguished personalities who have been conferred with country’s highest civilian award. In 2013, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and scientist C N R Rao were awarded Bharat Ratna for their contribution in their respective fields. SPORTS & GAMES

East Zone Won 2014–15 Deodhar Trophy East Zone won the 2014-15 Deodhar Trophy of cricket on 3 December by defeating West Zone by 24 runs. The final match was played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. This was the first Deodhar Trophy win for East Zone after 11 seasons.

India Won Blind Cricket World Cup 2014 Indian Blind Cricket team under the captaincy of Shekhar Naik won the fourth edition of the Blind Cricket World Cup (BCWC) 2014 by defeating defending champions Pakistan in the final match played at Cape Town (South Africa) on 7 December. It was the first time India won the event.

Germany Won 2014 Champions Trophy Hockey Germany defeated Pakistan 2-0 on 14 December to win the 35th Champions Trophy Hockey (Men’s) in Bhubaneswar for the 10th time. Germany had last won the tournament in 2007.Australia has won Men’s Champions Trophy for the highest 13 times followed by Germany (10 times).

Indian Men and Women Teams Won 5th Kabaddi World Cup 2014 India won the Men and Women title of Kabaddi World Cup 2014. This was the fifth Kabaddi World Cup.The final match of the cup was played on 20 December at Guru Gobind Singh Multipurpose Stadium in Jalandhar, Punjab, India. The Indian men’s team defeated Pakistan 45-42 for the fourth time, while the women team beat New Zealand 36-27 for the second time in a row.

Sunil Chhetri Named 2014 AIFF Player of the Year Indian national team captain was on 27 December declared ‘ All India Football Federation (AIFF) Player of the Year’ for the third time in four years while Bala Devi has been declared the ‘Woman Player of the Year’.

ECONOMY

India’s Economic Growth Is Expected To Improve To 6.3% in 2016 The United Nations latest report titled ‘The UN World Economic Situation and Prospects 2015 (WESP)’ was released on 11 December. According to the report, India’s economic growth is expected to improve to 6.3 per cent in 2016 with the country leading economic recovery in South Asia.

ICICI Bank Launched India’s First Transparent Credit Card Private sector lender ICICI Bank on 12 December launched India’s first credit card with a transparent design.The credit card named ICICI Bank Coral American Express Credit Card.

Alibaba’s Jack Ma Becomes Asia’s Richest Person According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index new list of the world’s billionaires released on 12 December, the founder of Chinese internet giant Alibaba, Jack Ma, is now the richest person in Asia. With an estimated wealth of 28.6 billion dollars, Ma overtook the Hong Kong property tycoon Li Ka-shing at 28.3 billion dollars.

IOC tops Fortune India 500 List The global business magazine Fortune’s Indian edition released its annual list of Fortune 500 Indian companies for 2014 on 14 December. According to the list, State-run Indian Oil Corp (IOC) topped this list with an annual revenue of Rs 5,00,973 crore, while Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd’s (RIL) full-year revenue is Rs 4,44,021 crore.

India Ranks 93rd In Forbes’ List Of Best Nations For Business Business publication Forbes has ranked India 93rd on its list of Best Countries for Business for 2014, which was released on 19 December. Denmark tops the list, followed by Hong Kong. India ranked 122 on the trade freedom index, 135 in monetary freedom, 120 in technology, 122 in tax burden and 128 in red tape. It fared well on market performance index, ranking third, and 7th on investor protection. It ranked 78th on corruption and 55 on property rights.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

India Successfully Test Fired N-capable Agni-IV Missile India on 2 December successfully test fired its 4,000 km Nuclear Capable Agni-IV missile from a defence base in Odisha.The missile is a two-stage, weighing 17 tonne and 20-metre tall.This test was the fourth trial of Agni-IV missile. The first was in November 2011, the second in September 2012 and the third in January 2014. Agni-IV has already been inducted into the army.

Japan Successfully Launched ‘Asteroid Explorer’ Hayabusa 2 Japan has successfully launched its second-generation asteroid explorer ‘Hayabusa 2’ from Tanegashima Space Center on 3 December in Japan’s southwestern Kagoshima prefecture. The Hayabusa 2 was launched aboard the H-2A Launch Vehicle No.26 (H-2A F26) and it is the second mission of Japan after Hayabusa (MUSES-C) launched in 2003 to collect asteroid samples. Hayabusa 2 will explore one of the C-type asteroids called 1999 JU3 in space, retrieve materials and bring them to Earth.

ISRO’s Communication Satellite GSAT-16 Launched Successfully Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) communication satellite GSAT-16 was successfully launched on 7 December by the Ariane-5 launch vehicle VA221 of Arianespace from Kourou, French Guiana. India satellite’s co-passenger DIRECTV-14, built by SSL (Space Systems/Loral) for operator DIRECTV to provide direct-to-home television broadcasts across the US, was also launched by Ariane 5 VA221, marking 63rd successful mission in a row for the rocket. Ariane 5 delivers DIRECTV-14 and GSAT-16 to orbit on Arianespace’s latest mission success.

China Successfully Launched Yaogan Weixing-25 Mission China on 10 December successfully launched the Yaogan Weixing-25 mission – consisting of three satellites – from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The launch took place from the 603 launch pad of the LC43 launch complex utilizing a Long March-4C (Chang Zheng-4C) launch vehicle.The Yaogan Weixing-25 mission is composed of three satellites, with Chinese media referring to the new satellite as “a new remote sensing bird that will be used for scientific experiments, land survey, crop yield assessment, and disaster monitoring.

ISRO successfully Launched GSLV Mark-III The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched India’s heaviest rocket GSLV Mark-III-X carrying Crew module Atmospheric Reentry Experiment (CARE) from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on 18 December 2014. It weighs 630 tonnes. Objective behind the test of the 155 crore rupees mission was to check the atmospheric stability around four tonne luggage and study the re-entry characteristics of the crew module.The GSLV Mark-III-X lifted off from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre carrying the human crew module CARE and separated the crew module at an altitude of 126 km for re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere. The module controlled by 3 parachutes safely splashed down into the Bay of Bengal off Andaman and Nicobar Islands and was recovered by coast guards near Indira Point, the southernmost point of India.

PERSONS IN NEWS

A) APPOINTMENTS

Anil Kumar Sinha Takes Charge As new CBI director Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Anil Kumar Sinha (A.K.Sinha) took charge as the new director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 3 December. Sinha, a 1979 batch IPS officer of Bihar cadre, succeeds Ranjit Sinha, a fellow Bihar cadre officer, who retired on 2 December 2014. Sinha is the third consecutive chief of the agency from Bihar following Ranjit Sinha and A.P. Singh. This is the first time that the Prime Minister -led panel has selected the CBI director.

Richard Rahul Verma Sworn In As US Ambassador To India Indian-American Richard Rahul Verma has been sworn in as the US Ambassador to India by Secretary of State John Kerry on 20 December.46-year-old Verma is the first ever Indian-American to be the top US diplomat in New Delhi. He will replace Nancy Powell, who resigned in March 2014 after a damaging row over the treatment of diplomat Devyani Khobragade over visa fraud charges.

Raghubar Das Sworn In As First Non-tribal CM of Jharkhand BJP leader Raghubar Das on 28 December was sworn-in as 10th Chief Minister of Jharkhand, becoming the first non-tribal leader to rule a state, which was carved out in 2000 of Bihar, to serve the tribal and reserved constituencies.Raghubar Das becomes the sixth individual after Babulal Marandi (once), Arjun Munda (thrice), Shibu Soren (thrice), Koda (once) and Hemant Soren (once) to be the CM of Jharkhand.

B)RESIGNS

Haiti’s Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe Resigned Haiti’s Prime minister Laurent Lamothe has resigned on 13 December, after violent anti-government protests over delayed elections. He was appointed as Prime Minister by the President Michel Martelly in 2012.

C)DEATHS

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister AR Antulay Died Former Union Minister and Maharashtra’s first Muslim Chief Minister, AR Antulay was died on 2 December in Mumbai. He was 85. Antulay belonged to the Congress party. Abdul Rahman Antulay, widely known as AR Antulay was 8th and first and only Muslim Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 1980 to 1982. He also served as the Union Minister of Minority Affairs in the UPA-I government lead by Dr. Manmohan Singh.

D)VISITORS

Russian President Vladimir Putin Visited India Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India on 11-12 December 2014. During his two day visit, Putin held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to boost cooperation between the two strategic partners in sectors like defence, energy and trade. After bilateral talks, India and Russia signed 20 agreements in areas including armed forces training, nuclear energy, oil exploration, infrastructure, medical research. These agreement include Russia’s help in building at least 12 nuclear reactors and a plan to manufacture advanced Russian military helicopters and defence spare parts in India.

E)MISCELLANEOUS

India Sets New World Record For Largest Human Flag India on 7 December 2014 set the Guinness Record for largest human formation of a national flag in the world. To set the record around 50000 volunteers from Chennai gathered at YMCA Grounds to form the human Tricolour with Chakra, the National Flag of India.The previous world record was in the name of Sports Club of Lahore, Pakistan wherein 28957 people were involved in forming the national flag of Pakistan.

PLACES IN NEWS

World’s Largest Cruise Ship Terminal Opened In Dubai The world’s largest cruise ship terminal has opened in Dubai.The third cruise terminal at Port Rashid in Dubai was on 12 December unveiled by the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan. The Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal is spread over 28,000 square meters and can handle14,000 cruise passengers a day.

ABBREVIATIONS

1) IIIT —- Indian Institute of Information Technology

2) ECIL —- Electronics Corporation of India Limited

3) IFCI —- Industrial Finance Corporation of India

4) IRDA —- Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority

5) ITF — International Tennis Federation

6) ONGC — Oil and Natural Gas Corporation

BOOKS IN NEWS

President Mukherjee’s Book Titled “The Dramatic Decade : The Indira Gandhi Years” Released President Pranab Mukherjee’s book titled “The Dramatic Decade : The Indira Gandhi Years” was released on 11 December. The book tells the story of the 1970s, which saw emergency being imposed and the beginning of coalition politics in the country. The book published by Rupa & Co. The Dramatic Decade is the first of a three-part volume; the second one will be on the years between 1981–88 and the third volume will be from 1988 to 2012.

COMMITTEES

Subramanian Committee On Leveraging The Post Office Network Subramanian Committee on Leveraging the Post Office Network submitted its report to the Union Ministry of Communications and Information Technology on 4 December. The objective of the Committee was to transform the Post Office Network in keeping with changing market trends and competition.Committee has suggested creation of a Postal Bank of India (PBI), which would work independently within the postal department with banking professionals.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES

National Consumers Right Day was Observed On 24 December National Consumers Right Day was observed across India on 24 December 2014. The day provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of the consumer movement and the need to make every consumer more aware of their rights and responsibilities.The Consumer Protection and Action Committee (CPAC) celebrated the day by distributing complaints forms, information brochures and other consumer rights literature freely to the public. The CPAC rewarded the 5000 applicant with a sum of Ten rupees who with their names, addresses provide the names and addresses of the consumer courts in the particular region.

World AIDS Day was Observed Across The World On 1 December World AIDS Day was observed across the world on 1 December 2014. The day is observed to raise awareness to the Aids pandemic caused by the spread of the HIV infection. The theme is Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free generation – to highlight the need to for governments and health officials, NGOs and individuals to address Aids prevention and treatment.As a part of World AIDS Day, The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) pushed for more investment and access to treatment for children saying that more infections among children under age 15 need to be averted.UNICEF released data that AIDS-related deaths are not decreasing in the age group 10-19 and still other groups have experienced about a 40 percent decline between 2005 and 2013.The idea for World Aids Day was conceived by James Bunn and Thomas Netter, who are the public information officers for the Global Programme on Aids at the World Health Organisation in 1987.