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Current Affairs PDF February 2013

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CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF
FEBRUARY 2013

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Table of Contents
Preface ............................................................................................................................................ 9
Pick of the Month ......................................................................................................................... 10
Union Budget 2013-14: Projected Expenditure Rs 16.65 Trillion ......................................... 10
Railway Budget 2013-14: Passenger Amenities, Main Priority ............................................ 12
Economic Survey of India 2012-13: An Overview and Highlights ......................................... 13
Nicos Anastasiades Won Cyprus Presidential Elections ....................................................... 14
India Got a Go Ahead on Kishanganga Project ..................................................................... 15
First India-Japan Maritime Affairs Dialogue was held .......................................................... 17
Ahmadinejad is first Iranian President to visit Egypt since 1979 .......................................... 18
Presidents Assent to Criminal Law (AMDT.) Ordinance, 2013 ............................................ 18
SC: Seize operations of Unsuccessful Bidders of 2G Spectrum ............................................ 20
ISRO's PSLV-C20 Rocket successfully launched SARAL ......................................................... 21
Afzal Guru, the Convict of Parliament Attack 2001 Hanged ................................................. 22
Zhuang Zedong, Three-Time World Table Tennis Champion Died ....................................... 23
Giuseppe held on Bribe Charges in Defence Helicopter Deal .............................................. 23
Australia clinched ICC Womens World Cup Trophy............................................................. 24
First Complete Bionic Man of the World Unveiled ............................................................... 26
Worlds First Mercury Treaty adopted by 140 Countries ..................................................... 26
International ................................................................................................................................. 28
Hamadi Jebali, Resigned from Post of Prime Minister of Tunisia ......................................... 28
Prime Minister of Bulgaria Resigned Because of Protests .................................................... 28
Trade Deficit of Japan Hit Record in January 2013 ............................................................... 29
India & Sri Lanka Signed Agreement On Combating Terrorism ............................................ 30
India and UAE agreed improve their Trade Relations .......................................................... 30
India-US Joint Working Group held its 10th Meet ................................................................ 30

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India and France agreed to Cooperate on Counter Terrorism ............................................. 31
Pakistan approved Deal to Hand over Gwadar Port to China .............................................. 32
India and Austria signed a Social Security Pact..................................................................... 32
United States of America filed a Civil Lawsuit against S&P .................................................. 33
Jackie Chan Selected As Member of Chinese Parliament ..................................................... 33
India at 140th Position in Latest World Press Freedom Index ............................................. 33
International Quizzes ............................................................................................................ 34
World Dairy ................................................................................................................................... 38
National ......................................................................................................................................... 40
Panel to Examine issues of Cinematograph Act 1952 .......................................................... 40
SC: Govt. to notify Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal Award ............................................... 41
Committee to Review Functioning of Prasar Bharti ............................................................. 41
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram launched in Thane ........................................................ 43
My India Initiative-A Digital Volunteer Programme ............................................................. 43
First Ever Live Twitter Conference arranged by Ministry of I&B .......................................... 44
PSL to Minorities Crossed 15 Percent Mark in 2012-2013 ................................................... 44
New 15 Point Programme for Welfare of Minorities ........................................................... 45
CBI Registered Case against Airtel and Tata Communications ............................................. 45
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Bill approved ................................................. 46
NACO signed MoU with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare .......................................... 46
National Quizzes ................................................................................................................... 47
India Dairy ..................................................................................................................................... 51
Economy ........................................................................................................................................ 53
BHEL & GAIL Granted Maharatna Status by Union Government ......................................... 53
ED Slapped 98.5 Crore Rupees Penalty on Rajasthan Royals ............................................... 53
CCEA gave its nod to Price Pooling Mechanism on Coal ...................................................... 54

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Economic Growth of India Estimated to Fall To 5 Percent ................................................... 54
TRAI: Teledensity declined by 25.97 Million to 895.51 Million ............................................ 55
CCEA approved Increase of MSP of Copra for 2013 Season ................................................. 55
Railway Revenue Earnings increased by 20.38 Per Cent ...................................................... 56
Exports of India Increased By 0.8 Per Cent in January 2013 ................................................ 56
Comfort Letter issued by Finance Ministry ........................................................................... 57
SEBI ordered to Freeze Accounts of Two Companies of Sahara .......................................... 58
Inflation went Down to Three Years Low to 6.62 percent s ................................................. 59
Uttar Pradesh Budget 2013-14: 221201.19 crore rupees Budget ........................................ 59
RBI issued Guidelines for Licensing of New Private Banks ................................................... 60
Economy Current Affairs Quizzes ......................................................................................... 62
Corporate ...................................................................................................................................... 65
Zovi, the Online Fashion Retailer Acquired Rival Inkfruit ..................................................... 65
Bharti Airtel Launched Emergency Alert Service for Women............................................... 65
Thirty Software Companies Separated From NASSCOM ...................................................... 66
ICICI Partnered With Aircel to Launch Mobile Banking Service............................................ 67
Makemytrip Launched Application Called Routeplanner ..................................................... 67
Flightsafety International Entered India ............................................................................... 67
Times Television Network Tied Up With MSM Discovery Pvt. Ltd. ...................................... 68
SC asked SEBI to Freeze Accounts of Two Companies of Sahara ......................................... 68
GAIL (India) Signed MOU with EDF Trading .......................................................................... 69
Parle-G is 1st Indian FMCG Brand to Cross Rs 5000 Crore Mark .......................................... 70
MCX-SX, Third National Stock Exchange Made Debut in India ............................................. 70
M&M Acquired Stake of Navistar International Corporation .............................................. 73
Twitter launched Pay-By-Tweet Services.............................................................................. 73
Telecom Operator Uninor closed its Operations in Mumbai ............................................... 73

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AMR Sealed 11 Billion US Dollars Merger with US Airways ................................................. 73
Pre-Consultation Paper on Mobile Number Portability Issued ............................................ 74
NTPC Signed 250 Million US $ Loan Agreement with Banks ................................................ 74
Bharat Heavy Plate & Vessels Ltd. (BHPV) Merged With BHEL ............................................ 75
Corporate Current Affair Quizzes ......................................................................................... 75
State .............................................................................................................................................. 78
Medical Treatment to be given to Criminal Offence Victims ............................................... 78
ADB Gave 100 Million US Dollar Loan to Uttarakhand ......................................................... 78
India & World Bank signed a Deal for KWDP II ..................................................................... 79
HC ordered Gujarat to Implement Scholarship Scheme ...................................................... 80
CCI approved proposal for NKSTPP, Jharkhand .................................................................... 81
Kerala Raised Age Limit to Buy and Sell Liquor from 18 to 21 ............................................. 81
Assam, First Indian State to produce over 500 million kg Tea ............................................. 81
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Projects Receive a Nod ............................................ 81
Sports ............................................................................................................................................ 84
MS Dhoni Named as the Vice-President of India Cements .................................................. 84
Glenn McGrath Joined Australian Cricket Hall of Fame ....................................................... 84
Marussia F1 Team Unveiled Their New Formula 1 Car, MR02 ............................................. 85
India won 46 Medals in 2013 Pyeongchang Special Olympics ............................................. 85
CCI Slapped a Penalty of 52.24 crore on BCCI ...................................................................... 86
Ranchi Rhinos won Inaugural Hockey India League ............................................................. 87
Sachin Tendulkar equaled Sunil Gavaskars record .............................................................. 88
Lydia Ko is Youngest Winner Of European Tour Golf Event ................................................. 88
Horacio Zeballos Won VTR OPEN 2013 ................................................................................ 88
A. Mathews appointed Captain of the Sri Lankan Cricket Team .......................................... 89
S. Williams Became World Number One Womens Tennis Player ....................................... 89

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FIFA confirmed use of Goal-Line Technology at 2014 World Cup ........................................ 90
Marina Erakovic Won Her First WTA Title ............................................................................ 90
Sports Current Affairs Quizzes .............................................................................................. 91
Environment Ecology .................................................................................................................... 93
First Wildlife Skywalk of India to Come Up in Sikkim ........................................................... 93
Various Indian Reptiles Face Severe Extinction Threat: Study ............................................. 93
NASA Study Revealed Alarming Loss of Water in Middle East ............................................. 93
Committee to Examine Cover on Elephant Habitats Constituted ........................................ 95
Hydro Projects worth 2500 MW accorded Clearance .......................................................... 96
Nepal Started Census of Endangered Species Tigers ............................................................ 96
Shells of Snails Provide Information about Ancient Climate ................................................ 97
Science & Technology ................................................................................................................... 98
NASA Marks 10th Anni. of Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster ............................................... 98
NASA Scientists Discovered a 10-M-Year Old Star ............................................................... 98
Scientists Created Worlds First Digital Atlas of Brain .......................................................... 99
Japanese Scientists Filmed Thoughts of a Fish for First Time ............................................... 99
NASAs Mars Rover, Curiosity Drilled into First Martian Rock ............................................ 100
NASA Satellite Data Found Freshwater Losses in Middle East ........................................... 100
Researchers Discovered Water on the Oldest Rocks of Moon ........................................... 101
Researchers Discovered Water on the Oldest Rocks of Moon ........................................... 102
Science and Technology Quizzes ........................................................................................ 102
One Liners ................................................................................................................................... 105
News Capsule .............................................................................................................................. 108
P.R. Vasudeva Rao Appointed As Director of IGCAR .......................................................... 108
NASA launched a New Communication Satellite called TDRS ............................................ 108
First Direct Presidential Election was held in Czech Republic ............................................ 109

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Sir Issac Newtons 300-Year-Old Textbooks Discovered .................................................... 109
Report: India accounts to 86 % Oral Cancer Figure ............................................................ 109
R. Nariman Solicitor-General of India resigned from his Office ......................................... 110
Earthquake of magnitude 8.0 struck the Solomon Islands ................................................. 110
Union Cabinet approved DRDO for developing AWACS for IAF ......................................... 111
Obama Nominated Sally Jewell as U.S. Interior Secretary ................................................. 111
Worlds Largest Prime Number Discovered........................................................................ 112
Union Government of India approved setting up of NPCA ................................................ 112
Pt. R. Shankar Honoured With Grammy Award ................................................................. 113
Pope Benedict XVI announced his Resignation .................................................................. 113
Delhi Declaration of SAAN concluded ................................................................................. 114
Allahabad Stampede during Mauni Amavasya ................................................................... 115
Mohan Parasaran Appointed As the Solicitor General of India .......................................... 115
Seventeenth Convocation of the NIMHANS held in Bangalore .......................................... 116
Asteroid 2012 DA14 to Pass through Earth Poses No Threat ............................................. 117
Int. Con. on Traditional Medicine for SE Asian Countries ................................................... 117
One Billion Rising Campaign launched ............................................................................... 118
Meteorite exploded over the Skies of Russia ..................................................................... 119
Twenty-Seventh edition of Surajkund Mela ended ............................................................ 119
Ecuadors President Rafael Correa Re-elected for a Third Term ........................................ 120
Ela Bhatt Conferred 2011 Indira Gandhi Prize .................................................................... 120
Judicial Probe in Kumbh Railway Station Stampede ordered ............................................ 121
NASA Re-Established Contact with ISS after 3 Hours ......................................................... 121
Black Money Generated In India Would Exceed 10 % of GDP ........................................... 121
T. Livni entered into Coalition Deal with Benjamin Netanyahu ......................................... 122
Ratan Tata Awarded with Life Time Achievement Award 2012 ......................................... 123

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Two Blasts in Hyderabad claimed 14 Lives and left 119 Injured ........................................ 123
NASA Scientists spotted Youngest Black Hole in Milky Way .............................................. 124
Silk Route Car Rally from Kolkata to Kunming .................................................................... 124
Usha Mehra Commission Submitted its Report to Government........................................ 125
Questions of the Month .............................................................................................................. 126


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PREFACE
The Current Affairs PDF Magazine February 2013 includes the happenings of February Month.
Current Affairs makes you aware of the latest happenings of the world in almost every section
like Economy, Corporate, National, International, Science And Technology as well as
Environment and Ecology, Sports happenings and Issues of different States of the country.
Hence, it is a helpful guide for candidates of different levels of competitive examination. The
magazine that we provide has been drafted to meet the requirements of different level of
exams including IAS|PCS, SSC, Banking, MBA as well as Board Exams of CBSE and State Boards.
An expert team work hard to analyse the importance of every event in accordance to their
occurrence and try to provide you with an accurate data in all formats, so that your way ahead
to competitive exams becomes easier. Before being included in the magazine, the events have
been evaluated using genuine methods and represented in a way that it meets the
requirements of the readers in the best way. The Current Affairs PDF magazine provided by us
is reliable and one to depend on it for their preparation in terms of current affairs. The PDF is
planned to help you remember the events with a better perception. The perception of the
stories allows a candidate to apply the theories behind the making of the event and face the
challenges during the exams everywhere.


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PICK OF THE MONTH
UNION BUDGET 2013-14: PROJECTED EXPENDITURE RS 16.65 TRILLION
The Union Budget 2013-14 estimated a total expenditure of 16.65 trillion rupees and displayed
concerns towards fiscal deficit, slow growth and high inflation.
UNION BUDGET 2013:14: HIGHLIGHTS
Total budget expenditure was Estimated at 16.65 trillion rupees in 2013-14
India's 2013-14 plan expenditure seen at 5.55 trillion rupees
To allocate 801.94 billion rupees to rural development in 2013-14
Plan to allocate 270.49 billion rupees for agriculture in 2013-14
RBI expected GDP growth of 5.5% for Financial Year 2013-14
80194 crore rupees allocation have been made for rural development schemes including
MGNAREGA, PMGSY, and INDIRA AWAS YOYANA. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban
Renewal Mission will to continue during the 12th plan period.
3511 crore allocation to minorities which is 12 per cent hike over budget estimates, 110
crore rupees allotted for welfare of disabled.
65867 crore rupees have been allocated to the Ministry of Human resources
development which is 17 per cent hike over the revised estimates.
500 Crore rupees have been earmarked for high tech crop diversification program.
Allocations also include 13215 crore rupees for mid day meal programme. 27,049 crore
rupees for agricultural ministry and additional 200 crore to women and child Welfare
Ministry.
14000 crore Rupees will be provided for PSB recapitalization. He will constitute a panel
on transaction costs, and financial policies.
Education gets 65867 crore rupees, an increase of 17 percent over RE for 2012-13.
ICDS gets 17700 crore rupees. This is 11.7 percent more than the current year.
Drinking water and sanitation will receive 15260 crore rupees. 1,400 crore was provided
for setting up water purification plants to cover arsenic and fluoride affected rural areas.
Health and Family Welfare Ministry had been allotted 37330 crore rupees.

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Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) Refinance Fund doubled to an
amount of 10000 crore rupees.
Plans of Government are to encourage PPP projects along with Coal India.
P Chidambaram announced setting up of a new all-women's bank.
1000 crore Rupees initial capital for a new women's bank which will be another public
sector bank. The Bank will be set up by October 2013.
An amount of additional 10000 crore rupees allotted for Food Security Bill in FY14.
3000 km of road projects will be awarded in first six months of FY14.
Finance ministry approved 50000 crore Rupees tax-free bonds in FY14. The government
expects to raise 25000 crore rupees via tax-free bonds in FY13.
Refinancing capacity of SIDBI rose to Rs. 10,000 crore.
Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) for textile to continue in 12th Plan with an
investment target of 151000 crore Rupees.
14000 crore Rupees will be provided to public sector banks for capital infusion in 2013-
14.
A grant of 100 crore each has been made to 4 institutions of excellence including Aligarh
Muslim University, Banaras Hindu University, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati
and Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural.
Heritage (INTACH).
New taxes to yield 18000 crore Rupees.
A surcharge of 10 percent on persons (other than companies) whose taxable income
exceeds Rs.1 crore has been levied.
Tobacco products, SUVs and Mobile Phones to cost more.
Relief of Rs. 2000 for the tax payers in the first bracket of 2 to 5 lakhs.
Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme launched for recovering service tax dues.
9000 crore Rupees earmarked as the first installment of balance of CST compensations
to different States/UTs.
Union Budget 2013-14: List of Commodities on which Taxes Increased or Decreased
Union Budget 2013-2014: New Plans and Schemes Introduced and Proposed
Union Budget 2013-14: Allocation of Funds to the Social Sector

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Union Budget 2013-14: Allocation of Funds to Industrial Sector
Union Budget 2013-14: Allocation to Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security
RAILWAY BUDGET 2013-14: PASSENGER AMENITIES, MAIN PRIORITY
The Thrust of this year Railway Budget was on Safety, Consolidation, Passenger Amenities and
Fiscal Discipline and 106 new trains (67 Express trains, 26 passenger services, 8 DEMU and 5
MEMU) are to be launched on different routes.
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS AT A GLANCE
Deployment of new generation energy efficient electric locomotives and EMUs.
Five Percent Increase in freight to push Inflation.
Elimination of 10797 level crossings during the 12th Plan and no addition of new LCs to
the IR system henceforth.
Introduction of Train Protection Warning System on Automatic Signaling Systems.
Rigorous trials of the indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System.
Four companies of women RPF personnel set up and another 8 to be set up to
strengthen the security of rail passengers, especially women passengers
Recruitment to RPF with 10% vacancies reserved for women.
No increase in passenger fares
500-km new lines to be completed in 2013-14
Diesel price hike added 3300 crore rupees to fuel bill of Railways
Railways hopes to end 2013-14 with a balance of 12506 crore rupees
Concessional fare for sportspersons
Five fellowships to be announced to motivate students
Seek to fill 1.52 lakh vacancies in railways this year. 47000 vacancies for weaker sections
and physically challenged to be filled up soon
Target of 4000 crore rupees for railway production units in 2014
Induction of e-ticketing through mobile phones, SMS alerts to passengers
Free Wi-Fi facilities in select trains. 60 more 'Adarsh' stations

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The number of passenger trains has increased from 8000 in 2001 to over 12000 in 2012
- yet losses continue to mount. It is estimated to be Rs. 24000 crore in 2012-13
Proposal for setting up of Railway Tariff Regulatory Authority formulated and at inter-
ministerial consultation stage.
Supplementary charges for super fast trains, reservation fee, clerkage charge,
cancellation charge and tatkal charge marginally increased.
Complimentary card passes to Olympic medalist and Dronacharya Awardees for
Rajdhani Shatabdi Trains.
Announcement Facility and Electronic display boards in train.
Railway Budget 2013-14: 67 New Express Trains Announced
Railway budget 2013-14: New Initiatives
Railway Budget 2013-14: New Plans and Schemes
ECONOMIC SURVEY OF INDIA 2012-13: AN OVERVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS
High rates as well as policy constraints adversely impacted investment and thus the growth of
GDP and other macro aggregates achieved was 5.0 percent in the economic survey 2012-13,
which was 1.2 percent less than that of 2011-12.
THE MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ECONOMIC SURVEY 2012-13 ARE
GDP growth seen at 6.1-6.7 percent in 2013/14
Government target for fiscal deficit is 4.8 pct of GDP in 2013/14
Government target for fiscal deficit is 3 pct of GDP in 2016/17
Headline WPI inflation may decline to 6.2-6.6 pct by March2013
Focus on curbing imports, making oil prices more market determined to reign in current
account deficit
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) flows need to be targeted towards long-term rupee
instruments
Prioritisation of expenditure seen as key ingredient of credible medium-term fiscal
consolidation plan
Raising tax to GDP ratio to more than 11 percent seen as critical for sustaining fiscal
consolidation

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Room for accommodative monetary policy with expected fiscal consolidation
India likely to meet fiscal deficit target of 5.3 pct of GDP in 2012/13, despite significant
shortfall in revenues
Recommends curbing gold imports to reign in current account deficit
Room to increase exports in the short run limited
Industrial output seen growing around 3 pct in 2012/13
Government priority to fight inflation by reducing fiscal impetus to demand as well as by
focusing on incentivizing food production
More jobs in low productivity construction sector
Balance of Payments under pressure with net exports decline
Service sector has shown more resilience despite global slowdown
Pitches for hike in price of diesel and LPG to cut subsidy burden
Railway freight grows by 5.1 per cent in 2012-13
Foreign Exchange reserves remains steady at USD 295.6 Billion at December 2012 end
NICOS ANASTASIADES WON CYPRUS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
Nicos Anastasiades, the centre-right DISY (the Democratic Rally) party leader won the
presidential elections of Cyprus on 24 February 2013 with 57.5 percent votes. The term of his
office starts from 28 February 2013. Nicos Anastasiades had a very easy-going victory over
Communist-backed Stavros Malas who secured 42.5 percent votes in the election.
MAJOR CHALLENGES TO BE FACED BY NICOS ANASTASIADES
The major challenge that would be faced by Nicos
Anastasiades is that Cyprus is standing on the verge of
bankruptcy because of knock-on effect of the economic
despair of Greece. Nicos Anastasiades after winning
therefore declared that his first priority would be to
reinstate the credibility of Cyprus. For this, he would
favour deals with the foreign lenders.
The economy of Cyprus is in recession. Back in July 2012, Cyprus had also asked European
Union for bailout in order to shore up the banks. As a result of the bailout deal for Greece as
well as restructuring of debts, private bondholders had to suffer losses, resulting in Cypruss
banks losing 75 percent of the investments.


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New president Nicos Anastasiades would be required to finalise the deal with 16 countries
which use Euro as the currency as well as with International Monetary Fund (IMF). The aim of
the newly elected president would also be to exploit the immense natural gas, which in turn
would bring energy as well as income.
ABOUT NICOS ANASTASIADES
Nicos Anastasiades is a 66-year old lawyer and a member of the Cypruss parliament
since 1981.
He is the leader of centre-right DISY (the Democratic Rally) party since 1997.
Nicos Anastasiades would be replacing the former President of Cyprus, Dimitris
Christofias who served the office from 28 February 2008 and will remain into the
designation till the end of his term on 28 February 2013. Dimitris Christofias belonged to
the Progressive Party of Working People.
IMPORTANT FACTS
Presidential elections took place in the Republic of Cyprus on 17 February 2013. None of
the candidates received 50 percent of the overall votes from first round. Eventually, a
runoff took place on 24 February 2013 where Nicos Anastasiades emerged as the
winner.
The President of the Republic of Cyprus is also known as the head of the state as well as
the head of the government of Cyprus.
The office of the President of Cyprus was formed in 1960 after the country achieved its
freedom from the UK.
INDIA GOT A GO AHEAD ON KISHANGANGA PROJECT
The Court of Arbitration at The Hague on 18 February 2013 allowed India to go ahead with the
Construction of the Kishanganga hydro-electric project in Gurez valley near Bandipura in North
Kashmir, the court rejected the plea of Pakistan that the construction was a violation of 1960
Indus Water Treaty.
The Court of Arbitration, chaired by Stephen M. Schwebel in its orders stated that India can
move ahead with the diversion of water plans of Kishanganga that is a tributary of Jhelum, for
generation of hydro-electric power. But it restrained India from adoption of the drawdown
technique of flushing for clearing the sedimentation of the run-of-the river project that had
been designed and asked it to adopt a different technique for generation of 330 MW power
facilities. The Court had also demanded the environmental flows statistics of the project.

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Bhaswati Mukherjee, Indian Ambassador and her Pakistani counterpart Fauzia Mazhar Sana
received the Judgment of the Court at The Hague.
Pakistan initiated the arbitration against India with a charge that India violated the provisions of
the Water Treaty between the two countries. But India denied the charges forced on to it by
explain that the country reserved its rights to divert the water from one of the tributaries of
Jhelum to another.
ISSUES FOR PAKISTAN FROM ITS PERSPECTIVE
Pakistan on 17 May 2010 raised objections on the making of the Kishanganga Hydro-power
project for which it demanded setting up of the Court of Arbitration.
ISSUES RAISED BY PAKISTAN IN THE COURT OF ARBITRATION
The project is being developed at the downstream of Kishanganga River that is known
by the name Neelam in Pakistan and is a tributary of Jhelum. India is diverting the
waters of the river from the dam site to Bonar Madmati Nallah that is another tributary
of Jhelum.
India planned to use modern drawdown flushing technique for sedimentation
management in the dam. The technique requires waters to be brought below the dead
storage level (as per the treaty the water can be reduced below the dead storage level
only in cases of unforeseen emergency) and was this plan was accepted by the neutral
expert during the Bahlihar dispute with Pakistan.
In June 2011, the members from the Court of Arbitration, The Hague visited India as well as
Pakistan for inspection of the site.
BRIEF PROVISIONS OF INDUS WATERS TREATY 1960
i. The Indus system of rivers comprises three Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas and Sutlej and their
tributaries) and threes Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab and their tributaries).
ii. The Indus Waters Treaty 1960 was signed on 19.09.1960 between India and Pakistan. It is
however effective from 01.04.1960.
iii. Under the Treaty, the waters of Eastern Rivers are allocated to India. India is under
obligation to let flow the waters of the Western Rivers except for the following uses:
(a) Domestic Use
(b) Non-consumptive use
(c) Agricultural use as specified

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(d) Generation of hydro-electric power as specified
ix. The Commissioners of the Indus Waters may discuss the questions arising under the Treaty
under Article IX of the Treaty related to Settlement of Differences and Disputes and in the case
of non-resolution, take further action under this Article for resolution through a Neutral Expert,
negotiators or Court of Arbitration.
ARTICLES UNDER CONSIDERATION
Article III (2): Let flow all waters of the Western Rivers and not permit any interference
with the water
Article IV (6): Both the countries require use of the best endeavors at each others end
for maintenance of natural channels of the rivers and should avoid all the steps that
may obstruct the flow of these rivers creating a material damage at the end of any of
the two parties.
As per Pakistan, the diversion of the water of Kishanganga as well as implementation of the
drawdown flushing technique at Kishanganga project as well as other hydro-electric plants
were the violation of the Treat signed in 1960, named Indus Water Treaty.
KISHANGANGA PROJECT
Kishanganga hydro-electric power project is a 330 MW project under its construction phase on
the Kishanganga River and is developed by the National Power Corporation in Gurez Valley,
near Bandipura in North Kashmir. The work on the project started in the year 1992. The
Kishanganga hydro-electric project is a 3600 crore project. Kishanganga is called Neelam in
Pakistan.
PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION
The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) was established during the First Hague Peace
Conference 1899 by a treaty. It is an intergovernmental organization (IGO) that provides a
variety of dispute resolution services to the international community. It provides resolution to
the disputes related to intergovernmental organizations, states, state entities and private
parties. PCA is located in The Hague, Netherland.
PCA provides services for the resolution of disputes involving various combinations of states,
state entities, intergovernmental organisations, and private parties. The PCA can assist in the
selection of arbitrators, and may be called upon to designate or act as appointing authority.
FIRST INDIA-JAPAN MARITIME AFFAIRS DIALOGUE WAS HELD
The first India-Japan Maritime Affairs Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 29 January 2013.
Issues of mutual interest were discussed, inter alia, maritime security including non-traditional

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threats, cooperation in shipping, marine sciences and technology, marine biodiversity and
cooperation at various multilateral forums.
The Indian delegation was led by DB Venkatesh Varma, Joint Secretary (Disarmament and
International Security Affairs), in the Ministry of External Affairs and the Japanese delegation by
Mr. Kazuyuki Yamazaki, Deputy Director General (Ambassador), Foreign Policy Bureau, Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
AHMADINEJAD IS FIRST IRANIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT EGYPT SINCE 1979
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the President of Iran on 5
February 2013 became the first Iranian leader to visit
Egypt after Tehran's 1979 Islamic revolution. He flew
into the Egyptian capital city Cairo for attending the
summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
(OIC) that started on 6 Feb 2013. Ahmadinejads visit
to Egypt was scheduled to improve the ties between
the two countries.
During this historic visit to Egypt, Ahmadinejad received a red carpet welcome by the President
of Egypt, Mohamed Morsi. The Presidents of the two nations discussed on the ways to improve
relations between them and to resolve the Syrian crisis without resorting to military
intervention. During his visit to the al-Azhar, an ancient mosque, a shoe was thrown on
Ahmadinejad by a Syrian protestor after which he managed to flee from there.
TEHRAN'S 1979 ISLAMIC REVOLUTION
The Islamic Revolution of 1979 was the series of events that took place for overthrowing the
Pahlavi dynasty under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, which was then replaced by the Islamic
republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the revolution.
REASON FOR TENSIONS BETWEEN IRAN AND EGYPT
The relations between the two countries went sour since late 1970s, when Anwar Sadat
(Egypt), the predecessor of Hosni Mubarak concluded a peace treaty with Israel in 1979 to
became an ally with the Western Powers, namely Europe and United States. This was the time,
when Iran stood against the influence of Western Power in the Middle East. The other reason
for the tension is naming of a street in Tehran by the name of the Islamist, who was responsible
for the assassination of Anwar Sadat in 1981.
PRESIDENTS ASSENT TO CRIMINAL LAW (AMDT.) ORDINANCE, 2013
The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on 3 February 2013 agreed to the Criminal Law
(Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 for sharpening the laws against sexual assault. The President


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mandated harsher punishment such as death penalty for the offenders in such cases where the
victim either dies or lands into the vegetative state. The amended law would come into force
almost immediately.
FEATURES OF THE CRIMINAL LAW (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, 2013
This Ordinance may be called the Criminal Law
(Amendment) Ordinance, 2013. It shall come into
force at once.
Insertion of new section 166A to the
Indian Penal Code: Public servant
disobeying direction under law.
Insertion of new sections 326A and 326B
to the Indian Penal Code: Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, voluntarily
throwing or attempting to throw acid.
Insertion of new sections 354A, 354B, 354C and 354D to the Indian Penal Code: Sexual
harassment and punishment for sexual harassment, Assault or use of criminal force to
woman with intent to disrobe, voyeurism, stalking.
Substitution of new sections 370 and 370A for section 370 to the Indian Penal Code:
Trafficking of person, employing of a trafficked person.
Substitution of new sections for sections 375, 376, 376A, 376B, 376C and 376D to the
Indian Penal Code: Sexual assault, punishment for sexual assault, punishment for
causing death or resulting in persistent vegetative state of the victim, sexual assault by
husband upon his wife during separation, sexual intercourse by a person in authority,
sexual assault by gang and punishment for repeat offenders.
Insertion of new section 198B of the Code of Criminal Procedure: Cognizance of
offence
Insertion of new section 53A of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872: Evidence of character or
previous sexual experience not relevant in certain cases.
Substitution of new section for section 114A of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872:
Presumption as to absence of consent in certain prosecution for sexual assault.
Substitution of new section for section 119 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872: Witness
unable to communicate verbally.
WHAT DOES THE CRIMINAL LAW (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, 2013 INCLUDE?


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The Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 was given assent by the President and
it includes stalking, voyeurism, acid attacks as well as disrobing of women. These crimes
were given the status of specific offences under the Indian Penal Code. The ordinance
was approved by Union Cabinet of India on 1 February 2013. The Criminal Law
(Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 comprises of various recommendations from the JS
Verma committee as well.
The ordinance is an impact of the Delhi gangrape which took place on 16 December
2012 in a moving bus. The ordinance brought changes to the clauses of already-existing
criminal law by making amendments in Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), Indian Penal
Code (IPC) and the Evidence Act.
Part V the Union CHAPTER III of the Constitution of India grants legislative powers to the
president to pass the ordinance. Article 123 includes power of president to promulgate
ordinances during recess of parliament.
ARTICLE 123 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA
(1) If at any time, except when both Houses of Parliament are in session, the President is
satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action,
he may promulgate such Ordinances as the circumstances appear to him to require.
(2) An Ordinance promulgated under this article shall have the same force and effect as an Act
of Parliament, but every such Ordinance-
(a) shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament and shall cease to operate at the expiration of
six weeks from the reassembly of Parliament, or, if before the expiration of that period
resolutions disapproving it are passed by both Houses, upon the passing of the second of those
resolutions; and
(b) May be withdrawn at any time by the President. Explanation - Where the Houses of
Parliament are summoned to reassemble on different dates, the period of six weeks shall be
reckoned from the later of those dates for the purposes of this clause.
(3) If and so far as an Ordinance under this article makes any provision which Parliament would
not under this Constitution be competent to enact, it shall be void.
DURATION OF THE ORDINANCE
An ordinance once passed by the President of India remains into force for a time period of six
months. Within this period, the Parliament needs to pass the ordinance.
SC: SEIZE OPERATIONS OF UNSUCCESSFUL BIDDERS OF 2G SPECTRUM

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The Supreme Court (SC) of India on 15 February 2013 directed the telecom companies that
failed to win bidding in the fresh 2G Spectrum Auction or didnt participated into it to cease
their operations immediately. The fresh auction took place after the licenses issued earlier were
scrapped by the Court.
The Supreme Court also cleared that the Court would soon order the companies, which were
successful in winning their biddings in the actions those were held on 12 November and 14
November 2012 to start operations in their respective circles immediately.
The Supreme Court bench of two Judges that comprised justices G S Singhvi and K S
Radhakrishnan directed the telecom companies whose licenses were scrapped on 2 February
2012 but allowed to function were supposed to pay back the reserved price fixed for the
licenses during the first round of November 2012 auction.
The Court in its declaration cleared that the Judgment pronounced in February 2012 was not
applicable for the telecom companies that holds spectrum in 900 MHz band as the orders of
February 2012 helds no bearing on litigations related to 900 MHz band. The Court also ordered
to put on immediate and fresh auction the entire 2G Spectrum, whose licenses were cancelled
by it.
ISRO'S PSLV-C20 ROCKET SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED SARAL
Six foreign micro and mini spacecrafts as well as the Indo-French oceanographic study satellite,
SARAL (Satellite for Argos-3 and Altika) were launched successfully by ISRO's PSLV-C20 rocket
on 25 February 2013 from the spaceport at Sriharikota.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) of Indian Space Research Organizations (ISRO) flew
from first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre and was successfully put into the orbit.
The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee witnessed this launch from mission control centre at
Sriharikota.
SATELLITES LAUNCHED BY PSLV-C20 ROCKET
410-kg SARAL with payloads - Argos and Altika
Two micro-satellites UniBRITE and BRITE from
Austria
AAUSAT3 from Denmark
Strand from United Kingdom
Micro-satellite (NEOSSat)
Mini-satellite (SAPPHIRE) from Canada


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These seven satellites were launched successfully by PSLV which depicted its versatility and
recorded 22nd successful flight consecutive. ISRO also has plans to launch the Geo-Synchronous
Satellite Launch Vehicle that has indigenous cryogenic engine, along with the Indias mission to
Mars, both of which are scheduled for 2013.
SARAL, THE UNIQUE SATELLITE
SARAL is said to be a very unique satellite which serves the research community.
This satellite will assist the researchers in oceanographic studies.
SARAL will study the sea surface heights and ocean currents.
ARGOS-2 will help in collecting the data, while Altikameter will be responsible for
measuring the height of sea surface.
SARAL will also assist researchers in studying about the climatic developments.
Its practical applications include study of migration of the marine animals, continental
ice studies, protection of biodiversity and coastal erosion.
AFZAL GURU, THE CONVICT OF PARLIAMENT ATTACK 2001 HANGED
Mohamammed Afzal Guru, the convict of 2001 Parliament attack was hanged on 9 February
2013 at 8 AM in Tihar Jail, New Delhi. The Supreme Court of India pronounced the death
Sentence for Afzal Guru in 2004 for masterminding the terrorist attack on Indian Parliament on
13 December 2001. The decision of hanging him came after the mercy petition filed was
cancelled by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on 23 January 2013.
THE 2001 PARLIAMENT ATTACK
The terrorist of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad managed to attack on the Parliament
of India, leading to the death of about a dozen of people including the security persons as well
as civilians.
AFZAL GURUS SECRET HANGING WAS CALLED OPERATION THREE STAR
Operation Three Star: Code name given to secret plan for executing Jaish-e-Mohammad
terrorist Afzal Guru in Tihar Jail on 9 February 2013. Operation Three Star started on 4 February
2013, just a day after the President of India Pranab Mukherjee rejected mercy plea of Afzal
Guru. A few top officials of Home Ministry were aware about secret Operation Three Star.
MORE MERCY PLEAS REJECTED BY THE PRESIDENT, PRANAB MUKHERJEE

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Before rejection of Afzal Gurus mercy plea, two more mercy pleas were rejected by the
President in the recent past and they include the
mercy pleas of 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks convict,
Ajmal Kasab and Saibanna Ningappa Natikar, the
person convicted for murdering his daughter and wife
and was sentenced to death.
Ajmal Kasab, the terrorist caught during the 26/11
attacks in Mumbai, was hanged in a Yerwada Jail,
Pune in a top-secret operation on 21 November 2012. Saibanna Ningappa Natikar currently
lodged in the Central Prison at Hindalga, Belgaum, Karnataka and his plea was rejected by the
President on 4 January 2013. Hanging of Mumbai terror attack militant Ajmal Kasab was called
Operation X. he was hanged at Yerwada Central Jail on 21 November 2012.
ZHUANG ZEDONG, THREE-TIME WORLD TABLE TENNIS CHAMPION DIED
Zhuang Zedong, the table tennis legend died in Beijing on 10 February 2013 following lengthy
fight with cancer. He was aged 72 years.
Zhuang Zedong is a three-time world table tennis champion. He won a range of events in 1960s.
He was renowned for chance meeting with Glenn Cowan, the US table tennis player during 31st
World Table Tennis Championships in 1971.
ZHUANG ZEDONG AND PING-PONG
DIPLOMACY
Zhuang Zedong remained a crucial figure in ping-
pong diplomacy of 1971 and is popularly also called
the Architect of Ping-Pong Diplomacy. Ping-pong
diplomacy means exchange of the table tennis (ping-
pong) players between China and US. This was done
to normalise relations between these two countries.
GIUSEPPE HELD ON BRIBE CHARGES IN DEFENCE HELICOPTER DEAL
Giuseppe Orsi, head of an Italian defence and
aerospace giant Finmeccanica was arrested in Milan on
11 February 2013 on the charges of his alleged
involvement in the bribery activity to secure an Indian
defence helicopter deal of 3600 crore rupees. He was
arrested in relation to the probe of the international
corruption.
THE DEAL


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The contract signed with Italian defence giant Finmeccanica in February 2010 involved supply of
12 VVIP three-engine AW-101 choppers from AgustaWestland for the Indian Air Forces elite
Communication Sqadron. By now, three choppers have already been delivered to India.
As per the reports on the bribe scam, its expected that about 362 crore rupees that is
equivalent to about 10 percent of the final deal was given back to help the Italian firm in
winning the contract.
ABOUT FINMECCANICA
The Finmeccanica is an Italian defence Giant company that entered into a deal to supply 12
three-engine AW-101 helicopters to India in February 2010. Giuseppe Orsi, now the CEO of
Finmeccanica and the then head of its Helicopter Unit was arrested on the charges of the bribe
scandal that surfaced.
AGUSTAWESTLAND
AgustaWestland is an Anglo-Italian helicopter company that is owned by Italys Finmeccanica.
The company is a total capability provider in the vertical lift market.
AUSTRALIA CLINCHED ICC WOMENS WORLD CUP TROPHY
Australia won the ICC Womens World Cup Trophy after defeating West-Indies by 114-runs on
17 February 2013 at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. Australia clinched the title for the sixth
time in the history of womens cricket World Cup it last won the title in 2005.
Australia scored 259 runs (this is the highest score in Womens World Cup Final) at the loss of 7
wickets in 50 overs and West Indies lost all its wickets at the score of 145.
CAPTAINS
Australian Captain: Jodie Fields
West Indies Captain: Merissa Aguilleira
SCORECARD OF FINALS
Australia: 7/259
i. J Cameron scored 75runs in the finals
ii. R Haynes scored 52 runs in the finals
iii. S Quintyne took 3 wickets for 27 runs


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West Indies 10/145
i. KA Knight scored 21* in the finals
ii. MR Aguilleria scored 23 runs in the finals
iii. E Perry took 3 wickets for 19 runs
TOURNAMENT REPORT
Player of the tournament - New Zealands Suzie Bates for scoring 407 runs with three
half-centuries and a ton at an average of 67.83 in the series.
The Australian, all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar announced her retirement from International cricket
after the Australian womens cricket team won the world cup title 2013. She made her debut in
the international cricket in 2001 in an ODI match against England till her retirement she
managed to play 125 one day internationals, 8 tests and 54 women T20 international matches.
WOMEN'S WORLD CUP HISTORY
First World Cup was played in the year 1973 at England, the final was played between
England and Australia and England won the match by 92 runs
Second World Cup was played in India in the year 1978 India, England and Australia
were the teams in the final, Australia won the match by 8 wickets
Third World Cup was played in 1982 at New Zealand. England and Australia were the
team in the final match; Australia won it by 3 wickets
In 1988 venue for the fourth World Cup was played in Australia. The final was played
between Australia and England; Australia won it by 3 wickets
The sixth World Cup was played in England in the year 1993. The final was played
between New Zealand and England; England won it by 67 runs
The seventh World Cup was played in 1997 in India, Australia and New Zealand were the
two teams in the final; Australia won it by 5 wickets
Eighth World Cup was played at New Zealand in the year 2000. The final was played
between, Australia and New Zealand; New Zealand won it by 4 runs
The ninth World Cup was held in South Africa in the year 2005, Australia and India were
the two teams in final; Australia won it by 98 runs
The tenth World Cup was held in Australia and the final was played between England
and New Zealand, England won it by 4 wickets

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2013 the tournament was played in India, West Indies and Australia were the two teams
in final; Australia won the match with 114 runs
Captain of England Womens Cricket team, Charlotte Edwards became the first women to pass
5000 runs in one-day international after hitting 121 runs of 106 balls in the semi-final match
against New Zealand. India failed to make its path into the quarterfinals and had never won any
world cup trophy till date.
FIRST COMPLETE BIONIC MAN OF THE WORLD UNVEILED
First bionic man of the world called Rex was unveiled on 7 February 2013 at London's Science
Museum. The bionic man was created using 1 million US dollar limbs as well as organs.
Prosthetic legs and ankle came from MIT, synthetic blood from Sheffield University, spleens,
pancreas and artificial kidneys from University College London, retinas from Oxford University
and artificial lungs came from Swansea.
Rex has a human face with brown eyes and a height of 6.5 feet. It was designed jointly with
assistance from 18 universities and companies. Rex gave a hope that it was possible to replace
the body parts with the artificial alternatives, for the very first time.
The internal organs of Rex such as artificial lungs, bladder and pancreas were in line of
development. It is important to note that it is not possible for certain technology to function
without the help of human input. For example bionic hands require signals from brain and
muscles to work properly. Other parts however, such as pancreas and heart can be designed to
work automatically. Rex would remain in display at London's Science Museum from 7 February
201 to 11 March 2013.
WORLDS FIRST MERCURY TREATY ADOPTED BY 140 COUNTRIES
An international treaty that legally binds the nation to limit the use of health hazardous
mercury was adopted by 140 nations in the third week of January 2013 at Geneva.
The treaty would be signed in Minamata, Japan, in October 2013 to honour the inhabitants of
town who have suffered the consequences of serious mercury contamination for decades
Aims of the Treaty
Reduction of global emission levels of the toxic heavy metal or the quick silver
Reduce the production and the use of mercury in industrial processes and product
production
To cut mercury pollution from utility plants, mining, a host of products and industrial
processes, and set enforceable limits as well as to encourage alternatives where
mercury in not used or released

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MAKING OF THE TREATY
Switzerland and Norway pushed forward for making of an international treaty to limit the
emission of Mercury in the atmosphere. The two nations came up with the plans of reducing
the emission of mercury decades ago and it was finalized after a long conference in Geneva
held in February 2013.
IMPACT OF MERCURY ON HUMAN BEING
The natural element Mercury cannot be created or destroyed, but is released in air, water and
land from different activities like coal powder plants, gold mining activities as well as electrical
goods and other consumer products. Mercury enters the food-chain via fish and poses a threat
to the living being more likely to pregnant women and children. As per the data released by the
World Health Organisation intake of mercury or any of its compounds to any limit is not safe
and it may lead to memory loss, language impairment and kidney damage.


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INTERNATIONAL
HAMADI JEBALI, RESIGNED FROM POST OF PRIME MINISTER OF TUNISIA
Hamadi Jebali resigned from the office of the Prime Minister of Tunisia on 19 February 2013
after his attempt to end a political standoff by formation
of a Government of Technocrats failed. Hamadi Jebali
was trying to create coalition because of the political
crisis which took birth by killing of Chokri Belaid, the
opposition leader.
A cabinet of apolitical technocrats was proposed by Jebali
to suppress the disorder created after the assassination
of the secular opposition politician Chokri Belaid on 6 February 2013. Belaid, an outspoken critic
of the government and a leaning lawyer was shot dead and his death created a situation of
mass protests across the nation.
Assassination of Chokri Belaid on 6 February 2013 led to mass protests as well as resignations
from the coalition government of Tunisia.
ABOUT HAMADI JEBALI
Hamadi Jebali is the Tunisian Islamist politician, who remained in office as the PM from
December 2011 to 19 February 2013. He was also the Secretary-General of the Ennahda
Movement which is the Islamist party in Tunisia. He belonged to the Ennahda Movement
political party of Tunisia. He is a member of the Islamist Ennahda party.
PRIME MINISTER OF BULGARIA RESIGNED BECAUSE OF PROTESTS
The Prime Minister of Bulgaria resigned from the office on 20 February 2013 on grounds of
protests in the nation against the high electricity prices. The Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Boiko
Borisov earlier tried to bring peace by sacking the finance minister and assured cutting the
power prices as well as punishing the foreign-owned companies.
CAUSE OF RESIGNATION OF BULGARIAS
GOVERNMENT
Bulgarians held protests in the country because of
concerns over higher energy costs, lower living
standards, power monopolies as well as corruption.
The Boiko Borisov on 20 February 2013 announced his
resignation. While announcing his resignation, Boiko


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Borisov did not mention anything about the parliamentary elections which are scheduled for
July 2013.
IMPORTANT FACTS
Bulgaria is located in Southeastern Europe. It is the 14th largest country of Europe.
Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Boiko Borisov belonged to the Citizens for European
Development of Bulgaria party, which is abbreviated as GERB (Grazhdani za evropeysko
razvitie na Balgariya).
It is the center-right political party of Bulgaria which was established in 2006. It has
remained a ruling party in Bulgaria since 2009, headed by Boiko Borisov.
TRADE DEFICIT OF JAPAN HIT RECORD IN JANUARY 2013
The monthly trade deficit of Japan hit record in January 2013 after the aggressive monetary
policy weakened Yen, its currency considerably.
The exports increased in January, which was the first increase in 8 months time. Exports of
Japan increased because the goods became affordable for the foreign buyers. However,
because of the weakened Yen, the import bill also increased which eventually led to a monthly
trade deficit of 1.6tn yen or 17.1 billion US dollars. This was the 10 percent increase from 2012.
The deficit of Japan was also affected because of an increase in the fuel imports. Japan is the
third largest economy of the world and there was an increase in the fuel imports because most
of the nuclear reactors of the country remained shut down.
The imports of the country increased 7.3 percent in January 2013 from January 2012. The
highest jump was in import of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) which increased over 28 percent.
In the meanwhile, exports also increased 6.4 percent. The exports were driven considerably by
shipment of the manufactured goods.
FACTORS AFFECTING JAPANS EXPORT
The exports of Japan are crucial factors that drive its economic growth. Exports of Japan were
affected because of various factors.
THESE FACTORS ARE AS FOLLOWS
Demand from the biggest markets of Japan, Eurozone, was hurt because of ongoing
debt crisis of the region.
Territorial dispute with the biggest trading partner of Japan, i.e., China hit the sales of
goods produced by Japan over the duration of past certain months.

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The exports also declined to the European Union during January 2013.
INDIA & SRI LANKA SIGNED AGREEMENT ON COMBATING TERRORISM
India and Sri Lanka on 22 January 2013 signed two agreements for fighting against international
terrorism as well as avoiding double taxation. The agreements were signed after 8th India-Sri
Lanka Joint Commission meeting which was held in New Delhi.
Discussions held during 8th India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission meeting
The agreements were signed after discussions on
cooperation on various areas such as civil
nuclear energy and many more. External Affairs
Minister led the Indian side in the meeting, while
the Sri Lankan side was led by G L Peiris.
Issue of the fishermen as well as rehabilitation
process of the Tamils in Sri Lanka was also discussed during the meeting.
Apart from this, 13th Amendment of the Lankan constitution which provides autonomy
to the provinces was also discussed.
It is important to note that India and Sri Lanka are the largest trade partners of each other in
South Asia.
After the meeting, it was agreed that a dialogue between the Commerce Secretary of India and
Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development of Sri Lanka would be initiated
to progress the framework for special economic partnership between these two nations.
INDIA AND UAE AGREED IMPROVE THEIR TRADE RELATIONS
India and the UAE agreed to improve their trade and investment relations during the first
meeting of India-UAE High Level Task Force on Investment in Abu Dhabi on 18 February 2013.
UAE decided to invest 2 billion dollars in Infrastructure sector projects in India and the two
countries decided to work for and support Strategic Oil Reserve in India. The meeting was co-
chaired by the Union Minister of Commerce, Industry and Textiles, Anand Sharma and Sheikh
Hamid Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court.
As a part of the bilateral agreement, Five high level sub committees will be set up to promote
investment in infrastructure and energy, trade and investment, manufacturing and technology,
Information and communications technology and aviation sectors. India and UAE also decided
to work together for third country projects, including Africa aimed at collaborating in the
infrastructure sector and oil and gas exploration. The two countries also agreed to put in place
Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPA).
INDIA-US JOINT WORKING GROUP HELD ITS 10TH MEET


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The India-U.S. Joint Working Group on UN Peacekeeping held its 10th meeting in Washington
on 13 February 2013. At the meeting, India and the United
States advanced a number of goals laid out in the
Declaration of Principles the Joint Working Group agreed
upon in 2011. The Joint Working Group also continued in-
depth consultations on UN peacekeeping issues, and
explored an agreement on a set of Principles of India-U.S.
Cooperation in the Area of Training UN Peacekeepers and
institutional arrangements between their peacekeeping
institutions.
India and USA welcomed the open and comprehensive nature of the discussions, and agreed
the talks helped advance their shared commitment to supporting and strengthening United
Nations peacekeeping operations, and their mutual interest in assuring the success of UN
peacekeeping missions. Both nations agreed that the 11th meeting of the Working Group will
be held in New Delhi in 2014.
INDIA AND FRANCE AGREED TO COOPERATE ON COUNTER TERRORISM
India and France on 14 February 2013 agreed to strengthen counter terrorism and intelligence
cooperation between the two countries during the visit of French President Francois Holllande
to India. Both nations exchanged views on a number of bi-lateral, regional and multilateral
issues.
India and France also reviewed progress on the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project and reiterated
our commitment to its early implementation as soon as the commercial and technical
negotiations, which have made good progress, are completed.
Both the nations also concluded negotiations on the short range surface to Air missile to be co-
produced in India. They also agreed on the need to reinvigorate economic engagement
between the two countries. Moreover, they had in-depth discussion on the defence
cooperation issue including submarines and missiles.
OTHER IMPORTANT INDIA-FRANCE AGREEMENTS
Both the nations agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of the modernisation of
the railway, high speed corridors and network upgradation of railway stations.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and France's CNES under the space
cooperation programme, jointly identified the means to pursue further cooperation.
A pact was changed to increase exchanges between the sportspersons, artists,
architects, researchers, teachers, students to improve people-to-people contacts.


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The cooperation between various Indian and French educational institutions was
finalised.
MoU was signed between Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and France's CNRS
(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)
CFA(Credit Facility Agreement) was signed for the Bangalore Metro Rail Project, Phase-1
between Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance and the French
Development Agency(AFD)
PAKISTAN APPROVED DEAL TO HAND OVER GWADAR PORT TO CHINA
Pakistan in the last week of January 2013 approved the deal which transferred operational
control of Gwadar port from Singapores PSA International to Chinese Overseas Port Holdings
Ltd. Gwadar port is situated at a strategic location of the Arabian Sea and the mouth of the
Persian Gulf. It is only 400 kilometres away from the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil supply
route.
Pakistan decision to hand over Gwadar port to China is a serious concern for India. It can be an
attempt by China to encircle India. In addition to funding ports in Sri Lanka, China has also plans
to build a port in Bangladesh.
INDIA AND AUSTRIA SIGNED A SOCIAL SECURI TY PACT
India and Austria on 5 February 2013 inked a social security pact at Vienna, under which the
Indian professionals working in Austria would be exempted from paying the social security
contribution of the country, if such payments are already made in India. Overseas Indian Affairs
Minister Vayalar Ravi and Austrian Minister for Labour and Social Security, Rudoulf Hundstorfer
signed the pact.
The pact of social security between the two countries would also boost cooperation of the
labour market expansion in Austria, the country that is a home for more than 17000 Indian
professionals.
PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT
Indians working in the country on short-term contracts of up to five years are exempted
from making social security contribution in Austria if they continue making the
payments in India.
If any Indian worker is sent to Austria by an Indian company from a third country then
also he can avail the relief.

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Export of the benefits of social security would be offered to the Indian worker, who
relocates to India once his/her service term in Austria ends. The self employed Indians
can also carry on the same benefits on relocation to India
India already have inked similar types of agreements with countries like Czech Republic,
Belgium, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Hungary, Luxembourg, Denmark,
South Korea, Finland, Canada, Norway and Japan.
As per the Indian Labour Law, every employer and employee who falls under the umbrella of
Employees Provident Fund Act 1952 needs to make contribution towards provident fund.
Similarly the mandatory contribution fund in Austria is known as Social Security. Before signing
of these agreements, the Indian professionals posted in foreign countries paid social security
tax in the countries of their stay although they contributed there part in India.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FILED A CIVIL LAWSUIT AGAINST S&P
The United States of America on 5 February 2013 filed a civil lawsuit against Standard and
Poor's (S&P) the credit rating agency alleging that the agency lied about the nations objectivity
and independence by the way it rated the mortgage bonds.
The lawsuit have claimed that as a result of the ratings issued by the S&P, which
misrepresented the securities true credit risks the investors, even those who were federally
insured financial institution lost billions of dollars on collateralized Debt Obligations.
JACKIE CHAN SELECTED AS MEMBER OF CHINESE PARLIAMENT
Mo Yan, the winner of Nobel Prize for literature, 2012 and Jackie Chan, the movie star were
given a political role in China by being selected as members of the Chinese People's Political
Consultative Conference, one of the houses of Chinese parliament.
Mo Yan and Jackie Chan were among 2237 people selected by China's new leaders led by Xi
Jinping as the members of CPPCC National Committee. Out of 2237 people, 399 are women. Xi
Jinping is the new general secretary of the Communist Party. He will become the President of
China after two Houses of Parliament have meeting in March 2013.
Apart from Mo Yan and Jackie Chan, other known face to be given a seat in this political party
includes former NBA star and popular basket ball player Yao Ming.
CPPCC comprises of the members from different fields and they were selected without any
election process. The party includes 893 members of the Communist Party. The chosen officials
include members of non-Communist parties, military officers, officials, representatives from
environmental, social, cultural, political and economic fields.
INDIA AT 140TH POSITION IN LATEST WORLD PRESS FREEDOM INDEX

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India dropped nine places to 140th rank in the list of 179 countries in the latest World Press
Freedom Index 2013, which is the lowest since 2002. India got this lowly rank because of
increasing impunity for violence against journalists and internet censorship. Netherlands,
Norway and Finland topped the list. The Press Freedom Index was released by world Press
Freedom index for the year 2013. China got 173rd rank.
Turkmenistan, North Korea and Eritrea were placed at the
bottom of the list as has been in the last three years.
As per the Press index report, there has been a decline in
freedom of information in South Asia and the Indian
subcontinent among Asia witnessed the sharpest
deterioration in providing freedom and security for those
involved in news reporting in 2012. In India considered as the world's biggest democracy, the
authorities insist on censoring the Web and impose numerous kinds of restrictions, while
violence against journalists was not punished and the regions like Kashmir and Chhattisgarh are
getting increasingly isolated.
The Maldives crashed to 103rd place (-30) because of violence and threats against journalists in
state television and private media regarded as Nasheed supporters by the coup leaders.
Bangladesh more or less faces the same situation. Its journalists are targets of police violence
frequently. They are not protected by authorities in case they face violence against them.
Pakistan that was ranked at 159th position is one of the worlds most dangerous nations for
Reporters. Nepal was ranked at 118th position.
Reporters without Borders also published an annual global indicator of worldwide media
freedom which coincided with the release of its 2013 Press Freedom Index. This new analytic
tool is helpful in measuring the overall level of freedom of information in the world and the
performance of the world's governments in their response to Press freedom.
To Read More International Stories
INTERNATIONAL QUIZZES
1. Name the book on Netaji Subhash Chndra Bose that was presented to the President of
India Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan in February 2013 by Professor Anita B.
Pfaff.
a) Disappearance of Subhas Chandra Bose
b) Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Germany
c) Subahsh Chandra Bose and The National struggle of independence
d) Netaji and Azad Hind Fouz


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Answer. (b) Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Germany
2. India and Bangladesh signed MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) on Health in New
Delhi in February 2013. Which of the below mentioned statements in relation to the
MoU is True?
i. Fostering cooperation for the development of culturally sensitive and effective public
and professional awareness campaign including clinical practices and best practices
guidelines for healthcare providers and caretakers to benefit individuals and families
touched by Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities
ii. Exchange of scientific materials and information as well as joint collaboration in the area
of research in medical science.
iii. Participation of specialists / professionals in seminars, workshops, conferences and
meetings to be organized by both the parties
iv. Development of human resources, but no exchange of doctors and health care
professionals between the two nations
a) Statement i, ii and iii are true
b) Statement i, iii and iv are true
c) Statement ii, iii and iv are true
d) All the four statements are true
Answer. (a) Statement i, ii and iii are true
3. India and France on 14 February 2013 agreed to strengthen counter terrorism and
intelligence cooperation between the two countries during the visit of French President
Francois Holllande to India. Which of the below mentioned statements about the
agreement made between the two countries are true?
i. Both the nations agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of the modernisation of
the railway, high speed corridors and network upgradation of railway stations.
ii. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and France's CNES under the space
cooperation programme jointly identified the means to pursue further cooperation.
iii. MoU was signed between Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and France's CNRS
(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

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iv. CFA (Credit Facility Agreement) was signed for the Bangalore Metro Rail Project, Phase-
1 between Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance and the French
Development Agency(AFD)
b) Statement i, iii and iv are true
Answer. (d) All the four statements are true
4. Name the court that ordered India to go ahead with the development of Kishanganga
hydro-electric project in Gurez valley near Bandipura in North Kashmir?
a) Court of Arbitration at The Hague
b) Permanent Court of International Justice
c) Permanent Court of International Justice
d) Special Court for Sierra Leone
Answer. (a) Court of Arbitration at The Hague
5. Which of the following statements related to Kishanganga hydro-electric Project true?
i. The Court of Arbitration restrained India from adoption of the drawdown technique of
flushing for clearing the sedimentation of the run-of-the river project that had been
designed and asked it to adopt a different technique for generation of 330 MW power
facilities
ii. Pakistan initiated the arbitration against India with a charge that India violated the
provisions of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty between the two countries.
iii. The project is being developed at the upstream of Kishanganga River that is known by
the name Neelam in Pakistan and is a tributary of Jhelum. India is diverting the waters of
the river from the dam site to Bonar Madmati Nallah that is another tributary of Jhelum
iv. The Indus system of rivers comprises three Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas and Sutlej and
their tributaries) and threes Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab and their
tributaries)

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b) Statement i, ii and iv are true
Answer. (b) Statement i, ii and iv are true
For More International Quizzes


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WORLD DAIRY
28 January 2013
China successfully carried out interceptor missile test.
Milos Zeman won the Czech Republic Presidential Election 2013.
29 January 2013
India and Bangladesh signed Agreements on Extradition and Visa Regime.
30 January 2013
India and Australia agreed to concentrate on Energy and Food Security.
31 January 2013
India Pledged humanitarian assistance of 2.5 million US Dollars to Syria.
India and USA inaugurated the first triangular India-US-Africa Partnership at Hyderabad.
1 February 2013
India dropped to 140th Rank in the latest World Press Freedom Index.
2 February 2013
Japanese scientists filmed the thoughts of a fish for the first time.
3 February 2013s
Sir Issac Newtons 300-year-old textbooks discovered in UK School.
4 February 2013
Mo Yan and Jackie Chan selected as members of Chinese parliament.
5 February 2013
Allan Border Medal 2013: Michael Clarke won the medal fourth time.
World Cancer Day observed across the world.
6 February 2013
United States of America filed a civil lawsuit against Standard and Poor's.
India and Austria signed a Social Security Pact.
7 February 2013
Ahmadinejad is the first Iranian President to visit Egypt since 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Pakistan approved the deal which handed over Gwadar Port to China.
8 February 2013
Presidential Election in Maldives scheduled in September 2013.
Worlds largest prime number discovered; contains 17 million digits.
9 February 2013
Shaukat Ullah took oath as Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
10 February 2013
Tunisian president's party withdrew from coalition.
11 February 2013
Seventeen Indian prisoners on death row in Sharjah Jail released.
12 February 2013
India and Bangladesh signed MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) on health.
Iran called on for destruction and end of the Nuclear Weapons of the World.
13 February 2013
India and Japan held talks to strengthen cooperation in tourism sector.

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14 February 2013
North Korea conducted its third nuclear test and defied UN Regulations for world peace.
15 February 2013
India and France agreed to strengthen cooperation on counter terrorism.
16 February 2013
First India-Japan maritime affairs dialogue was held in New Delhi.
17 February 2013
India and Bangladesh held joint consultative commission meeting in Dhaka.
18 February 2013
India-US joint working group held its 10th meeting in Washington.
19 February 2013
Court of Arbitration, The Hague gave a go ahead to India on Kishanganga Project.
India and the UAE agreed to take their trade relations to another Level.
Afghan Government not in favour of taking air support from international forces.
20 February 2013
India and Sri Lanka signed agreements on combating terrorism and avoiding double-
taxation.
Worlds First Mercury Treaty adopted by 140 Countries at Geneva.
21 February 2013
Trade deficit of Japan hit record in January 2013 as Yen weakened.
Government of Bulgaria resigned because of protest against high electricity prices.
22 February 2013
Hamadi Jebali, resigned from the post of Prime Minister of Tunisia.
23 February 2013
UK Scientists discovered the deepest hydrothermal vents in the world.
24 February 2013
African leaders signed UN-Brokered accord in DR Congo.


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NATIONAL
PANEL TO EXAMINE ISSUES OF CINEMATOGRAPH ACT 1952
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on 4 February 2013 constituted a panel for
examining the issues of certification under Cinematographer Act 1952. Mukul Mudgal, the
retired Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court was appointed the Chairman of the
Panel.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PANEL
I) The Panel would be responsible for reviewing the mandate and functioning of CBFC and
recommend measures that includes constitutional changes for enabling CBFC to deal with
contemporary requirements of certification with increased transparency/efficiency. The issues,
inter alia, may include:
a) The process of certification under the Act and Rules, including the mechanism followed by
Examining and Revising Committees
b) Categories of certification, existing and proposed, under the Cinematograph (Amendment)
Bill, 2013
c) Requirement of special categories of certification for the purposes of broadcasting on
television channels and radio stations
II) It will be responsible for reviewing the mandate and functioning of Film Certification
Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) in order to make it a more efficacious appellate body
III) It will be responsible towards examining the role of Central Government regarding
sanctioning of cinematograph films for exhibition under Entry 60, List I of the Seventh Schedule
to the Constitution of India with reference to Entry 33, List II of the Seventh Schedule of the
Constitution of India
IV) The Panel will also be responsible for suggesting measures for carrying on more effective
legal remedies and penal provisions in the Act, particularly with reference to making of the
unlawful copies, cam-cording in cinema halls, interpolation/insertion of clips after certification
and such similar issues
V) It will be responsible for the issues that the Panel may find fit to deliberate upon
MEMBERS OF THE PANEL CONSTITUTED TO EXAMINE ISSUES
Mukul Mudgal is appointed as the chairperson of the panel. He is the retired chief
justice of high court of Punjab and Haryana

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Lalit Bhasin, at present is the Chairperson of FCAT
Sharmila Tagore, she was the former Chairperson of CBFC
Janab Javed Akhtar, renowned music composer, writer and lyricist
Leela Samson, she is the Chairperson of CBFC
L Suresh, he is the Secretary of South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce and former
President of Film Federation of India
Rameeza Hakim, is the Advocate in Supreme Court of India
Raghvendra Singh, he is the Joint Secretary (Films) and I&B-Member and Convenor
The constituted Panel is responsible for submission of report within two months period from
the day of its constitution.
SC: GOVT. TO NOTIFY CAUVERY WATER DISPUTES TRIBUNAL AWARD
The Supreme Court of India on 4 February 2013 directed the Union Government of India to
notify the six-year-old final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal by 20 February 2013.
A bench headed by Justice RM Lodha expressed
displeasure over the government not notifying the award
even after the warring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka had
agreed before it on 4 January 2013 that they had no
objection if the award was notified. The Centre had earlier
assured the apex court that it would notify the tribunals
award by 31 December 2013.
The apex court also directed Karnataka to release 2 Thousand Million Cubic feet, of Cauvery
water to Tamil Nadu and directed the Central Water Commission to file a report on the water
requirement of the two states. It asked the Commission to form a three-member expert body
which will visit the states and directed it to file report within two days. The court posted the
matter for further hearing on 7 February 2013. The court was hearing Tamil Nadu's petition
seeking the immediate release of 12 TMC of water.
COMMITTEE TO REVIEW FUNCTIONING OF PRASAR BHARTI
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on 29 January 2013 constituted an Expert
Committee to review the institutional frame work of Prasar Bharati as well as its relationship
with Government, its role in continuance as a public broadcaster and the measures that needs
to be taken to ensure technical upgradation of the organization. Sam Pitroda is the Chairperson
of the committee.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE


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To suggest measures to sustain, strengthen and amplify Prasar Bharati`s role as a Public
Broadcaster with special reference to its
relationship with Government in the emerging
context.
The committee is responsible for reviewing the
status of implementation of the recommendations,
which were made by different committees after
undertaking the study of Prasar Bharati, mainly, the Sengupta committee, the Bakshi
Committee and the Narayanamurthy committee. It is also responsible to suggest a road
map ahead to enhance the reach and potential of Prasar Bharati.
The committee is responsible for identifying the ways for digitization of the archived
material available with Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR), which includes
digitization of the materials of the Independence Movement. As well suggest the
measures for development of infrastructure data centre, digitalization system and
networks
The committee is responsible to find the ways offer suggestions to use the new media
for delivering digital content; both in broadcast mode (DTH) and in a demand-based
mode (Free on social media like You-Tube and on payment through IPTV).
Identify the ways and develop strategy to create a network of domestic and overseas
business partners to ensure wider reach to a worldwide audience that includes creation
of an exclusive overseas service.
Any other statutory issue that the Committee may like to consider.
MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE EXPERT COMMITTEE
Sam Pitroda is appointed as the Chairperson of the committee. At present he is the
advisor to the Prime Minister of India on Public Information Infrastructure & Innovations
Asha Swaroop (member of the committee), he is a retired IAS and former Secretary to
the Govt. of India
Dr. B.K. Gairola (member of the committee), he is the Mission Director of e-Governance
Shekhar Kapur (member of the committee), he is the Member of the National
Innovation Council
Prof. M.P. Gupta(member of the committee), he is from IIT Delhi - Member
Jitendra Shankar Mathur (member of the committee), he is the Additional Secretary and
nominated member on Prasar Bharati Board


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Shri Jawhar Sircar (Convenor member of the committee), at present he is the Chief
Executive of Prasar Bharati.
RASHTRIYA BAL SWASTHYA KARYAKRAM LAUNCHED IN THANE
UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on 6 February 2013 launched a new health initiative called
Rashtriya Bal Sawsthya Karyakram at Palghar town in Thane district of Maharashtra. The
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, is a part of the National Rural Health Mission of the Union
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
FEATURES OF RASHTRIYA BAL SWASTHYA KARYAKRAM
The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram is aimed at improving overall quality of life of
children through early detection of birth
defects, diseases and deficiencies, which are
among key factors for child mortality.
The new initiative would assure a package of
health services for all children up to 18 years of age.
The programme will also prove economical for poor
and marginalized.
The services will be provided through dedicated mobile health teams placed in every
block. The scheme, which will be implemented in a phased manner, is expected to
benefit approximately 27 crore children across the country.
Birth defects account for 9.6 per cent of all new-born deaths and 4 per cent of under-five
mortality. According to the programme, a set of thirty common conditions have been identified
for screening and further management of child health. National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) is
an Indian health program for improving health care delivery across rural India. It was launched
on 12 April 2005 for a period of 7 years.
MY INDIA INITIATIVE-A DIGITAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME
The Information and Broadcasting Minister, Manish Tewari on 7 February 2013 launched the
MyIndia Initiative-A Digital Volunteer Programme to reach out the people in the social media
space.
The initiative from the I&B Ministry is aimed towards disseminating and delivering the
messages of development to the citizens by registering them as volunteers them on the social
media platforms. The initiative is an effort to make the citizen contribute positively towards
nation building and this would initiate a principle of participative governance across the nation.
The I&B Ministry on 8 February 2013 also tried to reach out the citizens for the first time via
Live Twitter Conference on the eve of 3rd Community Radio Conference. This was the first ever


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conference of such type by any of the Ministrys of Government of India. Community Radio:
Road Travelled & way forward was the topic for community radio conference and it lasted for a
period of 30 minutes from 4 pm to 4:30 pm.
FIRST EVER LIVE TWITTER CONFERENCE ARRANGED BY MINISTRY OF I&B
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on 8 February 2013 arranged the first of its kind
Live Twitter Conference based on the theme- Community Radio: Road Travelled & Way
Forward. The first ever Live Twitter Conference was chaired by the Secretary of Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting, Uday Kumar Varma. Other senior officials of the I&B were
present as well.
The Live Twitter Conference was scheduled for half an hour but continued for around more
than 1 hour. During the Live Twitter Conference, over 200 questions were asked on various
topics of Community Radio programme. The Secretary of Ministry of I&B gave answers to
around 45 questions. These questions were associated to topics such as sustainability, licensing,
waiver and spectrum fee of Community Radio Model as well as career prospects.
I&B announced that the first Live Twitter Conference enabled it to understand the mindset of
people in terms of social media space. The intervention, in the meanwhile, also provided a good
platform to the citizens for making them aware about the important policies as well as
programmes of the Government of India. It was also ensured that awareness in terms of key
policy interventions like Community Radio reached people in a way that it was understood by
them.
PSL TO MINORITIES CROSSED 15 PERCENT MARK IN 2012-2013
Priority Sector Lending (PSL) to Minorities increased considerably from 10.60 percent of total
PSL in 2007-2008 to 15.01 percent in 2012-2013. Priority Sector Lending (PSL) to minorities
belongs to one of the schemes which are covered under the Prime Ministers New 15 Point
Programme for Welfare of Minorities.
An increase was observed because of lending of 171960.71crore Rupees as on September 2012
to the minorities. Self-employment initiatives were created and sustained because of bank
credit. The increase was observed because of sustained efforts of government of India.
In order to increase credit flow to the minorities, various steps were undertaken by the
Government.
THESE INCLUDED
Reserve Bank of India issued directions on Priority Sector Lending in order to improve
credit facilities to the minorities.

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From 2007-2008 to 2011-2012, 5954 branches of bank were opened in those areas
where there was substantial minority population.
Regular monitoring of Public Sector Banks was done for checking disposal of loan
applications for the minorities.
14244 awareness campaigns were organised by Public Sector Banks in 15466 towns and
blocks which covered minority population.
Priority Sector Lending (PSL) to Minorities in the absolute terms increased from 58662.67 crore
Rupees in 2007-2008 to 171960.71crore Rupees as of September 2012.
NEW 15 POINT PROGRAMME FOR WELFARE OF MINORITIES
The President on 25 February 2005 announced that Government of India would recast the 15
Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities for including certain programme specific
interventions.
OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROGRAMME
Enhancing opportunities for education.
Ensuring an equitable share for minorities in economic activities and employment,
through existing and new schemes, enhanced credit support for self-employment, and
recruitment to State and Central Government jobs.
Improving the conditions of living of minorities by ensuring an appropriate share for
them in infrastructure development schemes.
Prevention and control of communal disharmony and violence.
CBI REGISTERED CASE AGAINST AIRTEL AND TATA COMMUNICATIONS
The Central Bureau of Investigation registered a case on 22 February 2013 against Bharti Airtel
Ltd and Tata Communications Ltd, the giant telecom companies for having link up with the
Singapore Telecom for the purpose of international calls, thereby violating norms of
Department of Telecom (DoT).
CBI on 24 February 2013 announced that the two companies were charged for causing a loss of
around 48 crore Rupees to the Union Government of India since 2004 because of illegal
arrangement. CBI filed an FIR in the local court in Delhi after complaints of Communications and
IT Ministry.
CBI accused these operators on charges of cheating and criminal conspiracy. Actually, Bharti
Airtel Ltd and Tata Communications Ltd had entered into an agreement with the Singapore

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Telecom for the purpose of international calls, which violates the norms that are laid down by
the Department of Telecommunications.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT WORKPLACE BILL APPROVED
Rajya Sabha on 25 February 2013 approved the Sexual
Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention,
Prohibition and Redressal) Bill. The bill seeks protection for
women in all type of organised, unorganized as well as
Private Sectors, including the sexual harassment of
domestic help as well as agricultural workers.
The bill had made it mandatory for every organization with
10 or more employees to form an internal complaint committee to deal with the complaints of
sexual offences. The committees should be disposed of within 90 days and organizations that
fails to follow the guidelines, would be penalized with 50000 rupees. Organisations that
repeatedly violate the provisions of the bill would be penalized to a greater level and the
offence may lead to the cancellation of the licenses or registration of the business conduct.
Under its list of offences, the bill covers sexual remarks, sexual favour demands, any act of
unwelcome touch and physical advance and showing pornography. The Bill was passed by Lok
Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament in September 2012.
NACO SIGNED MOU WITH MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare signed the
first MoU with the Ministry of Shipping on 14 February 2013 as a part of its efforts to highlight
issues relating to HIV/AIDS.
According to the MoU, NACO will provide HIV/AIDS/STI preventive, care support and treatment
services to port workers as well as community around major ports including fishermen,
seafarers, truckers, single male migrants and other vulnerable population etc. It also aims to
provide stigma free environment and promote greater involvement of people living with HIV in
all major port areas.
UNDER MOU, MINISTRY OF SHIPPING COMMITS ITSELF TO FOLLOWING POINTS
Make available health infrastructure and human resources for prevention and
management of HIV/AIDS/STI.
Designate responsibility to personnel at suitable level to plan, implement and monitor
HIV/AIDS/STI services.
Ensure identified health personnel from the facilities are provided capacity building by
State AIDS Control Societies.


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Promote safe sexual practices among vulnerable population in port setting with
necessary support from State AIDS Control Societies.
Ensure dissemination/display of IEC material pertaining to HIV/AIDS/STI at ports/health
facilities and outreach activities.
Ensure ICTC/PPTCT/ and STI services and ensure availability of rapid HIV diagnostic kits
(3 different antigens/principles) as per NACO guidelines and specifications.
Set up designated STI/ICTC Clinics at major ports for vulnerable population including
truckers and transport workers and ensure availability of STI drug kits as per NACO
guidelines and specifications.
Coordinate and strengthen referral linkages with State AIDS Control societies and
implementing partners like targeted interventions TI NGOs/drop in centre/community
care centres and network of HIV Positive persons.
Ensure record keeping and reporting to SACS as per prescribed format.
Commit resource (Manpower, material and money) for HIV/AIDS/STI in budgets/or CSR
component for sustainability to his endeavor.
The NACO commits itself to the following points
Share nationally approved treatment protocols, guidelines and standards pertaining to
STI/HIV/AIDS.
Providing technical support and build capacity of ports health personnel to facilitate
integration of HIVIAIDS in the Health Services.
Providing training to major port health personnel (Doctors, nurses, laboratory
technicians on syndromic case management of ST1, which could be direct training or
training of trainers as per the number of personnel.
Providing training to major port health personnel (Doctors, nurses, laboratory
technicians) on integrated counseling and testing services for HIV, which could be direct
training or training of trainers as per the number of personnel. Provide technical
support for implementation of IEC and awareness activities around major ports with
support of ports authorities.
Sharing reporting formats and monitoring mechanisms.
NACO/SACS will coordinate and provide necessary technical support to Ministry of
Shipping /major ports to integrate STI/HIV/AIDS services. To Read More National
Stories
NATIONAL QUIZZES

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1. Six Indian NGOs or non-governmental organisations working towards upliftment of
poor, Dalits as well as women were approved by the Committee on Non-Governmental
Organizations for consultative status with the UN. Name the committee that approved
the status of the six NGOs?
a) Economic and Social Council of the United Nations
b) Committee on Conferences
c) Committee on the Administration of Justice at the United Nations
d) Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on Protection
and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities
Answer. (a) Economic and Social Council of the United Nations
2. Which of the following statements in context of upliftment of Indian NGOs to the
consultative status true?
i. The consultative status was given during the annual ongoing session of the world body
panel in the week dated 21 January 2013 to 27 January 2013.
ii. The NGOs which enjoy general and special status are eligible for attending the meetings
of the Council as well as issuing statements.
iii. The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, has as of now, accorded this
special status to over 13500 NGOs from the world.
iv. The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations includes 70 members, all of which
are chosen on the grounds of equitable geographical representation.
a) Statements i, ii, and iii are true
b) Statements ii, iii and iv are true
c) All statements are true
d) Statements i and ii are only true
Answer. (d) Statements i and ii are only true
3. The President of India mandated harsher punishment such as death penalty for the
offenders of Sexual Assaults in cases where the victim either dies or lands into the
vegetative state. To make the punishment harsher, the president assented an
ordinance, what is the name of the ordinance?
a) Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013
b) Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2012

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c) Prevention of Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013
d) Prevention of Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2012
Answer. (a) Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013
4. Which of the following statements in context of the Criminal Law (Amendment)
Ordinance, 2013 true?
i. Insertion of new sections 326A and 326B to the Indian Penal Code: Voluntarily causing
grievous hurt by use of acid, voluntarily throwing or attempting to throw acid.
ii. Omission of new section 166A to the Indian Penal Code: Public servant disobeying
direction under law.
iii. Substitution of new sections 370 and 370A for section 370 to the Indian Penal Code:
Trafficking of person, employing of a trafficked person.
iv. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 was given assent by the President and
it includes stalking, voyeurism, acid attacks as well as disrobing of women.
a) Statements i, ii, and iii are true
b) Statement, i and ii are true
c) Statements ii and iii are true
d) Statements i, iii and iv are true
Answer. (d) Statements i, ii and iv are true
5. A Tamil movie in January 2013 faced the heats of protests leading to ban of its release.
Below is the name of some movies that faced the heat of protests at the time of their
release. Match the name of the movies with the year of their release.
i. Vishwaroopam (A) 1994
ii. Bandit Queen (B) 1975
iii. Aandhi (C) 1998
iv. Fire (D) 2013
i ii iii iv
D C B A
D A B C
D B A C

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D A C B
Answer. (b) D, A, B, C
For More National Quizzes


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INDIA DAIRY
28 January
India celebrated its 64th Republic Day; Showcased Military Prowess and Cultural
Heritage
Sreeramamurthy Janaki Refused to Accept Padma Bhushan on R-Day
Shah Rukh Khan Ranked First in Inaugural Forbes India Celebrity 100 List
29 January
The Centre resolved the Issue of CST Compensation with the States
30 January
Shah Rukh Khan Attempted to End Controversy over His Article on Being a Muslim in
India
Expert committee under Sam Pitroda Constituted to review Working of Prasar Bharti
31 January
Madras High Court Upheld Ban on Vishwaroopam in Tamil Nadu
1 February
P.R. Vasudeva Rao Appointed As the Director of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic
Research
2 February
Report: India accounts to 86 percent Oral Cancer Figure across the World
3 February
Kamal Haasans Film Vishwaroopam Cleared by Madras High Court
4 February
President of India Pranab Mukherjee Gave Assent to the Criminal Law (Amendment)
Ordinance, 2013
5 February
Panel to Examine issues of Certification under Cinematograph Act 1952 Constituted
SC directed Government to notify Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal Award
6 February
I&B Ministry Constituted Expert Committee to Review Functioning of Prasar Bharti
7 February
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram launched in Thane, Maharashtra
8 February
Union Cabinet of India gave its nod to decrease head counts in areas covered under
PMGSY
Supreme Court of India Directed Karnataka to Release 2.44 tmc Cauvery Water to TN
9 February
I&B Ministry launched MyIndia Initiative-A Digital Volunteer Programme to reach
Citizens
10 February
Ministry of Civil Aviation launched Monthly Bi-lingual Shubh Yatra Magazine

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Finance Minister P Chidambaram launched Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme in
Mumbai
11 February
First Ever Live Twitter Conference Arranged By Ministry of I&B on Community Radio
The Union Government directed all States to Review Cases of Under-Trial
12 February
Priority Sector Lending (PSL) to Minorities Crossed 15 Percent Mark in 2012-2013
Allahabad Stampede: Several Injured and Killed at Allahabad Railway Station
13 February
Afzal Gurus Secret Hanging Was Called Operation Three Star
2G Prosecutor removed for his alleged involvement in leaking Agency's Trial Strategy
World Radio Day was observed to raise Awareness about the Importance of Radio
14 February
Kalyan Kumar Chakravarty Appointed As the Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi
Mohan Parasaran Appointed As the Solicitor General of India
One Billion Rising Campaign launched to end the Violence against Women
15 February
Aero India 2013 ended after displaying magnificent Aerobatic Skills
Seventeenth Convocation of the NIMHANS held in Bangalore
16 February
SC ordered Seizure of operations of Unsuccessful Bidders of Auction of 2G Spectrum
Human Resource Development Ministry Launched Sanskrit Caravan
17 February
NACO signed MoU with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to Highlight Issues
related to AIDS
18 February
Devanoor's Collection of Articles Edege Bidda Akshara released
19 February
Ela Bhatt Conferred 2011 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development
Award
20 February
Retd. Justice Bhatt to Conduct Judicial Probe in Allahabad Railway Station Stampede
Black Money Generated In India Would Exceed 10 Percent of GDP: NIPFP
21 February
T. S. Vijayan, the Former LIC Chief Took Over as the Chairman of IRDA
22 February
Two Blasts in Hyderabad claimed 14 Lives and left 119 Injured
Ratan Tata Awarded the Life Time Achievement Award 2012 by Ernst & Young
23 February
Silk Route Car Rally from Kolkata to Kunming organised by CII Flagged Off
24 February
CBI Registered Case against Airtel and Tata Communications for Violating DoT Norms


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ECONOMY
BHEL & GAIL GRANTED MAHARATNA STATUS BY UNION GOVERNMENT
The Union Government of India gave the Maharatna status
to two PSUs- BHEL and GAIL on 1 February 2013. Granting
Maharatna status to BHEL and GAIL will provide them with
better functional and financial freedom and will also
guarantee them with better valuation of the shares.
Ideally any Maharatna firm has a capacity to take
investment decision of around 5000 crore Rupees without
taking assistance from the government. On the other hand, forms with Navratna status have
the capability of 1000 crore Rupees.
However, both BHEL and GAIL do not have enough non-official directors on the board, which is
why they cannot exercise their Maharatna powers. Even though all other conditions of
Maharatna status were met by both these PSUs but their boards do not have requisite number
of board members. While GAIL is short of 4 independent directors, BHEL, on the other hand is
short of 6 non-official directors.
In terms of turnover, net worth as well as net profit, both these companies meet all the
eligibility criterions.
ELIGIBILITY OF A COMPANY TO GET A MAHARATNA STATUS
For any company to qualify for Maharatna status, the annual turnover should be over
25000 crore Rupees in past three years, as per the guidelines issued by Department of
Public Enterprises.
The net worth of the PSU should be more than 15000 crore Rupees in past three years.
The net profit should be over 5000 crore Rupees during past three years.
At present, there are seven Maharatna companies, after inclusion of BHEL and GAIL and these
companies are - ONGC, Indian Oil, SAIL, NTPC and CIL. Also, there are 14 Navratna companies,
including Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited and NMDC.
ED SLAPPED 98.5 CRORE RUPEES PENALTY ON RAJASTHAN ROYALS
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) slapped the IPL team Rajasthan Royals with a penalty notice
of around 100 crore Rupees for violating the Forex laws. ED issued this penalty notice after
investigating the matter for 2 years under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
Three notices in all were sent across to the IPL franchise which totaled to 98.5 crore Rupees.


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The Jaipur IPL Cricket Private Limited (JIPL) as well as its directors was sent a penalty notice of
50 crore Rupees. Apart from this, 34 crore Rupees penalty notice was issued against EM
Sporting Holding, Mauritius and its directors for evading the Forex duties. A notice of 14.5 crore
Rupees was also issued additionally against the Ms ND Investments, United Kingdom and its
directors.
All these three parties are free to appeal against the penalty order in appellate authority of
FEMA. According to the order, IPL team needs to make the payment in 45 days. This is said to
be the first biggest order against any team issued by the ED. According to the penalty order, it
was found that the foreign investment in JIPL was conducted in flagrant contravention of FEMA.
The first penalty order was issued by ED against the Rajasthan Royals in mid-2011. Now, it
issued the final orders after it moved to FEMA Adjudicating Authority in Delhi in order to
examine investigations in the case.
CCEA GAVE ITS NOD TO PRICE POOLING MECHANISM ON COAL
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 5
February 2013 gave its principle approval for the price
pooling mechanism of coal. The mechanism includes cost
blending of the domestic coal with the imported one to
counterbalance price hike. Basic principles and
parameters of the price pooling mechanism have been
identified and a specific data on the same would be
created by the Power and Coal Ministries.
The mechanism has been created before government decided to put on sale the 9.5 percent
stake of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) from its present holding of 84.50
percent. The sale of the stake was approved by the Empowered Group of Ministers on
disinvestment chaired by Finance Minister P Chidambaram on 5 February 2013. This
disinvestment of NTPC would fetch about 12000 crore rupees for the exchequer.
ECONOMIC GROWTH OF I NDIA ESTIMATED TO FALL TO 5 PERCENT
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) on 7 February 2013 revealed that the economic growth of
India is estimated to fall to 5 percent in 2012-2013 financial year, which is the lowest figure in
10 years. A fall in the economic growth is because of the poor performance of the services,
agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) in its advance forecast of the national income chopped off
the gross domestic product (GDP) growth estimate to 5 percent for financial year which will end
on 31 March 2013. This is much less than the GDP of 6.2 percent in 2011-2012 financial year.
This is said to be the worst performance of economy of India since 2002-2003 when the
economic growth was 4 percent.


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The major share of Indias GDP comes from the services sector. The services sector is estimated
to record a growth of 5.2 percent in 2012-2013 fiscal year against 7 percent of 2011-2012 fiscal
year. As far as the industry sector is concerned, it is expected that the growth would decrease
to 1.9 percent in 2012-2013 FY. The farm sector growth will fall down to 1.8 percent.
It is important to note that the official projection of the economic growth of India is much lower
than budgetary estimate as well as projections of the central bank of India and other
organisations. In the union budget for financial year 2012-2013 which was presented in March
2012, the government pegged Indias economic growth at 7.6 percent.
Also in the quarterly monetary policy review which took place in the first week of February
2013, the Reserve Bank of India projected the growth of 5.5 percent for 2012-2013 financial
year. In the meanwhile, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram had projected the economic growth
of 5.7 percent.
In first half of 2012-2013 FY, the economy of India grew by 5.4 percent. However, as per the
latest estimate, the growth would be around 4.6 percent in second half of 2012-2013. Industry
bodies in the meanwhile asked the government to press for the reform process in order to
revive the economic growth.
TRAI: TELEDENSITY DECLINED BY 25.97 MILLION TO 895.51 MILLION
As cellphone operators continued disconnecting inactive SIM cards, India's total telecom
subscriber base declined by 25.97 million to 895.51 million in December. In November, the
country had 921.47 million telecom subscribers.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) stated that total wireless subscriber base
decreased from 890.60 million in November 2012 to 864.72 million at the end of December
2012. TRAI reasoned that this decline is majorly due to large scale disconnections of inactive
SIMs by some of the service providers. With this, the overall teledensity in India decreased to
73.34 per cent at the end of December, 2012 from 75.55 per cent in the previous month.
CCEA APPROVED INCREASE OF MSP OF COPRA FOR 2013 SEASON
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 6 February 2013 approved increase in the
Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 2013 season of both Milling and Ball Copra by 150 rupees per
quintal over the MSP that was regulated in 2012.
The MSP for the Fair Average Quality (FAQ) of Milling Copra is fixed at 5250 rupees per quintal,
and for the Ball Copra it is 5500 rupees per quintal. The decision from government of India may
ignite the interests of the farmers to invest in cultivation of coconut to increase its productivity.
Government also cleared that National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India
Ltd. (NAFED) is the body that will act as the nodal agency for undertaking the price support
operation at the minimum support prices in the coconut growing states.

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RAILWAY REVENUE EARNINGS INCREASED BY 20.38 PER CENT
The total approximate earnings of Indian Railways on
originating basis during 1 April 2012 to 31 January 2013
were 101223.95 crore rupees compared to 84083.74 crore
rupees during the same period last year, registering an
increase of 20.38 per cent, as per the data released by
Ministry of Railways.
The total goods earnings have gone up from 56163.30 crore
rupees during 1 April 2011 31st January 2012 to 70067.36 crore rupees during 1 April 2012
31 January 2013, registering an increase of 24.76 per cent.
The total passenger revenue earnings during 1 April 2012 31 January 2013 were 25924.29
crore rupees compared to 23344.42 crore rupees during the same period last year, registering
an increase of 11.05 per cent.
The revenue earnings from other coaching amounted to 2617.19 crore rupees during April 2012
- January 2013 compared to 2353.54 crore rupees during the same period last year, an increase
of 11.20 per cent.
The total approximate numbers of passengers booked during 1st April 2012 31st January 2013
were 7150.60 million compared to 6910.00 million during the same period last year, showing an
increase of 3.48 per cent. In the suburban and non-suburban sectors, the numbers of
passengers booked during April 2012 -January 2013 were 3753.32 million and 3397.28 million
compared to 3651.70 million and 3258.30 million during the same period last year, showing an
increase of 2.78 per cent 3.48 per cent respectively.
EXPORTS OF INDIA INCREASED BY 0.8 PER CENT IN JANUARY 2013
The Exports of India increased by 0.8 percent in the month of January 2013 to 25.58 billion US
dollars. Comparatively, exports in January 2012 were 25.37 billion US dollars.
Imports on the other hand, increased by 6.12 percent to 45.5 billion US dollars. During April to
January 2012-2013, the overseas shipments of India dropped by 4.86 percent to 239.6 billion
US dollars. The main concern for the country is however to widen the trade deficit.
As a cumulative result, the exports depicted an arrest in decreasing exports. Now, the result is -
4.9 percent. Import of crude oil was growing at a faster pace. Oil imports in January 2013
increased by 6.91 percent to 15.89 billion US dollars in comparison to 14.87 billion US dollars in
January 2012.
INDIA'S TRADE DEFICIT FOR APRIL - JANUARY, 2012-13 WAS ESTIMATED AT
167168.12 MILLION US DOLLARS


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As per the data released by Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 13 February 2013,
Indias performance in export and import are as following:
EXPORTS
Exports during January, 2013 were valued at 25587.24 million US dollars. (138981.70 crore
rupees) which was 0.82 per cent higher in Dollar terms (6.67 per cent higher in Rupee terms)
than the level of 25379.05 million US dollars (130294.02 crore rupees) during January 2012.
Cumulative value of exports for the period April-January 2012 -13 was 239687.01 million US
dollars (1305420.39 rupees) as against 251930.14 million US dollars (1196962.33 crore rupees)
registering a negative growth of 4.86 per cent in Dollar terms and growth of 9.06 per cent in
Rupee terms over the same period 2011-12.
IMPORTS
Imports during January, 2013 were valued at 45583.25 million US dollars (247593.63 crore
rupees) representing a growth of 6.12 per cent in Dollar terms and 12.28 per cent in Rupee
terms over the level of imports valued at 42952.47 million US Dollars ( 220514.54 crore rupees)
in January 2012. Cumulative value of imports for the period April-January 2012-13 was
406855.13 million US dollars (2215115.46 crore rupees) as against 406820.28 million US dollars
(1934946.96 crore rupees) registering a positive growth of 0.01 per cent in Dollar terms and
growth of 14.48 per cent in Rupee terms over the same period 2011-12.
CRUDE OIL AND NON-OIL IMPORTS
Oil imports during January, 2013 were valued at 15899.3 million US dollars which was 6.91 per
cent higher than oil imports valued at 14871.2 million US Dollars in the corresponding period
last year. Oil imports during April-January, 2012-13 were valued at 140420.1 million US dollars
which was 11.56 per cent higher than the oil imports of 125874.2 million US dollars in the
corresponding period last year. Non-oil imports during January 2013 were estimated at 29684.0
million US dollars which was 5.71 per cent higher than non-oil imports of US 28081.3 million in
January 2012. Non-oil imports during April January 2012-13 were valued at 266435.0 million
US dollars which was 5.17 per cent lower than the level of such imports valued at 280946.1
million US dollars in April - January 2011-12.
TRADE BALANCE
The trade deficit for April - January 2012-13 was estimated at 167168.12 million US dollars
which was higher than the deficit of 154890.14 million US dollars during April -January 2011-12.
COMFORT LETTER ISSUED BY FINANCE MINISTRY

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The Union Finance Ministry in second week of
February 2013 decided to pay an additional cash
subsidy of 25000 crore rupees for the state owned
fuel retailers. The subsidy package is being given to
help the retailers in making up of the revenue that
they lost while selling cooking and auto fuel below
cost in the current fiscal year of April to December
2012.
A comfort letter was issued on 7 February 2013 by the
Union Finance Ministry to the Indian Oil Corp. Ltd
(IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL) and
Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd (HPCL) that sanctioned sanctioning 25,000 crore rupees as the
part of the revenue lost by them on selling diesel, domestic LPG and kerosene below cost or at
subsidized cost. The sanctioned subsidy meets about 44 percent of the revenue lost by the
three firms of 124854 crore rupees together on the Sale of cooking and auto fuels in a period of
April to December in 2012.
As per the latest sanctions reveled IOC, BPCL and HPCL would get 13474.56 crore rupees,
5987.25 crore rupees and 5538.19 crore rupees respectively.
SEBI ORDERED TO FREEZE ACCOUNTS OF TWO COMPANIES OF SAHARA
Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) the stock market regulator of India on 13 February
2013 ordered freezing of bank accounts and attachment of properties of two Sahara group
firms Sahara India Real Estate Corporation Ltd., and
Sahara Housing Investment Corporation Ltd. and its
Chairman Subrata Roy as well as top executives
Vandana Bhargava, Ravi Shanker Dubey and Ashok Roy
Choudhary after it failed to refund more than 24,000
crore rupees to investors.
The decision from the market regulator came after the
Supreme Court of India granted it the freedom to
freeze the accounts of the two companies and attach
the properties of the defaulting groups.
The market regulator gave 21 days time to Sahara Firms to submit the details of the
investments done and not listed in an order. SEBIs orders restricts the Sahara India Estate
Corporation from operating its demat accounts and redeeming the mutual fund units held by it
as well as from transferring the shares controlled by it to any other body or company.
Sahara Housing was asked to furnish details related to the development rights along with the
special puprpose vehicles as well as stakes. The orders to submit the details of movable and


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immovable properties to Subrata Roy and the three executives have restrained them from
alienating, disposing or encumbering the properties on their names.
INFLATION WENT DOWN TO THREE YEARS LOW TO 6.62 PERCENT S
The inflation rate of India dropped down to the three year low in the chart to 6.62 percent in
January 2013 from the 7.18 percent, measured in December 2012. The inflation was measured
based upon monthly Wholesale Price Index.
The official Wholesale Price Index for All Commodities (Base: 2004-05 = 100) in January, 2013
rose by 0.4 percent to 169.2 (Provisional) from 168.6 (Provisional) for the previous month.
Slowing exports and decline in investments and low demand in the domestic market have been
a major factor in slipping down the growth rate of India. The two factors have affected the
manufacturing as well as service sectors of India.
The growth forecast for the running fiscal year that would end on 31 March 2013 was lowered
by the Indias Statistical Office to 5 percent. The Reserve Bank of India also changed its forecast
from 5.8 percent to 5.5 percent. To revive a fresh air in the slowing down economic conditions
of India, the Reserve Bank took a major step of lowering the key interest rate from 8 percent to
7.75 percent; this was the first step in nine months. The Policy makers have also taken afresh
steps to revive the slowing economic conditions of the nation.
UTTAR PRADESH BUDGET 2013-14: 221201.19 CRORE RUPEES BUDGET
The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh on 19 February
2013 presented a budget of 221201.19 crore rupees for
the fiscal year 2013-2014 in the Vidhan Sabha. The
budget presented for the upcoming fiscal year is 10.5
percent more than the budget presented in the 2012-13
fiscal year. The budget has not presented any new tax.
The state finance ministry of Uttar Pradesh is led by the
Chief Minister of the State Akhilesh Yadav himself. The
new budget had levied no new taxes but estimated a
deficit of 2.94 percent in the new financial year.
IMPORTANT POINTS OF THE STATE BUDGET 2013-14
People with annual income less than 36000 rupees will be provided free houses in the
state
Free education for girls in degree colleges, both in government and government aided
colleges


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750 crore rupees was allocated for a loan waiver for farmers.
BUDGETARY ALLOCATION OF MONEY
32886 crore rupees for Education
20292 crore rupees for Social Welfare Schemes
10,654 crore rupees for Health
26,641 crore rupees for developing Infrastructure and Value-Addition on Bridges, Roads,
Flyovers, Expressways, this is 25 percent more than the allocation made in 2012-13
budget
17,774 crore rupees for Agriculture
1,200 crore rupees for unemployment allowance
100 crore rupees for the development of Poorvanchal
The state Government have allotted a sum of 350 crore rupees for its scheme Hamari
Beti Ushka Kal
20292.92 crore rupees have been allocated for uplifting of SCs, STs, OBCs, physically
handicapped, Minority groups as well as BPL families of general category
The budget has displayed a revenue loss of 3 percent (24000 crore rupees) in the GDP. The
budget has assured construction of 313 junior schools and 1200 primary schools in the 2013-14
fiscal year.
RBI ISSUED GUIDELINES FOR LICENSING OF NEW PRIVATE BANKS
The Reserve Bank of India on 22 February 2013 released the Guidelines for Licensing of New
Banks in the Private Sector. The guidelines issued by the Apex Bank have opened gates for
private players as well as the finance firms to enter into the strictly regulated banking sector of
India.
KEY FEATURES OF THE ISSUED GUIDELINES
(i) Eligible Promoters: Entities / groups in the private sector,
entities in public sector and Non-Banking Financial Companies
(NBFCs) shall be eligible to set up a bank through a wholly-
owned Non-Operative Financial Holding Company (NOFHC).
(ii) Fit and Proper criteria: Entities / groups should have a past
record of sound credentials and integrity, be financially sound


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with a successful track record of 10 years. For this purpose, RBI may seek feedback from other
regulators and enforcement and investigative agencies.
(iii) Corporate Structure of the NOFHC: The NOFHC shall be wholly owned by the Promoter /
Promoter Group. The NOFHC shall hold the bank as well as all the other financial services
entities of the group.
(iv) Minimum Voting Equity Capital requirements for banks and shareholding by NOFHC: The
initial minimum paid-up voting equity capital for a bank shall be `5 billion. The NOFHC shall
initially hold a minimum of 40 per cent of the paid-up voting equity capital of the bank which
shall be locked in for a period of five years and which shall be brought down to 15 per cent
within 12 years. The bank shall get its shares listed on the stock exchanges within three years of
the commencement of business by the bank.
(v) Regulatory Framework: The bank will be governed by the provisions of the relevant Acts,
relevant Statutes and the Directives, Prudential regulations and other Guidelines/Instructions
issued by RBI and other regulators. The NOFHC shall be registered as a non-banking finance
company (NBFC) with the RBI and will be governed by a separate set of directions issued by RBI.
(vi) Foreign shareholding in the Bank: The aggregate non-resident shareholding in the new
bank shall not exceed 49% for the first 5 years after which it will be as per the extant policy.
(vii) Corporate governance of NOFHC: At least 50% of the Directors of the NOFHC should be
independent directors. The corporate structure should not impede effective supervision of the
bank and the NOFHC on a consolidated basis by RBI.
(viii) Prudential norms for the NOFHC: The prudential norms will be applied to NOFHC both on
stand-alone as well as on a consolidated basis and the norms would be on similar lines as that
of the bank.
(ix) Exposure Norms: The NOFHC and the bank shall not have any exposure to the Promoter
Group. The bank shall not invest in the equity / debt capital instruments of any financial entities
held by the NOFHC.
(x) Business Plan for the Bank: The business plan should be realistic and viable and should
address how the bank proposes to achieve financial inclusion.
(xi) Other conditions for the Bank: The Board of the bank should have a majority of
independent Directors.
The bank shall open at least 25 per cent of its branches in unbanked rural centres
(population up to 9,999 as per the latest census)
The bank shall comply with the priority sector lending targets and sub-targets as
applicable to the existing domestic banks.

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Banks promoted by groups having 40 per cent or more assets/income from non-
financial business will require RBIs prior approval for raising paid-up voting equity
capital beyond 10 billion for every block of 5 billion.
Any non-compliance of terms and conditions will attract penal measures including
cancellation of license of the bank.
(xii) Additional conditions for NBFCs promoting/converting into a Bank: Existing NBFCs, if
considered eligible, may be permitted to promote a new bank or convert themselves into
banks.
BACKGROUND
The guidelines for the Licensing of New Banks in the Private Sector were finalized after
amending the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 in December 2012.
To Read More Stories
ECONOMY CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZZES
1. Name the two PSUs, which were granted the Maharatna status by the Union
Government of India in February 2013?
a) ONGC and Gail
b) NTPC and BHEL
c) BHEL and GAIL
d) ONGC and NTPC
Answer. (c) BHEL and GAIL
2. Match the following PSUs with the status granted to them?
i. Coal India Limited A. Navratna
ii. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited B. Miniratna Category I
iii. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited C. Miniratna Category I
iv. RITES Limited D. Maharatana


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i ii iii iv
D A B C
C A B D
D B A C
A D C B
Answer. (a) D, A, B, C
3. Rajasthan Royals was penalized with a fine amount of around 100 crore Rupees for
violating the Forex laws in February 2013. Name the body that slapped the fine on the
IPL team?
a) BCCI
b) Competition Commission of India
c) Enforcement Directorate
d) None of these
Answer. (c) Enforcement Directorate
4. Which of the following statements mentioned below are true?
i. The Union Government of India gave the Maharatna status to three PSUs- BHEL, AAI and
GAIL on 1 February 2013. Granting Maharatna status to BHEL, AAI and GAIL will provide
them with better functional and financial freedom and will also guarantee them with
better valuation of the shares.
ii. Enforcement Directorate issued a penalty notice to IPL team Rajasthan Royals for
violation of Forex Laws. The penalty notice was issued after investigating the matter for
2 years under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
iii. Maharatna firm has a capacity to take investment decision of around 10000 crore
Rupees without taking assistance from the government. On the other hand, forms with
Navratna status have this capability of 5000 crore Rupees.
iv. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in February 2013 gave its principle
approval for the price pooling mechanism of coal. The mechanism includes cost
blending of the domestic coal with the imported one to counterbalance price hike.
a) Statements ii, iii and iv are true

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b) Statements ii and iv are true
c) Statements i and iii are true
d) Statement ii is only true
Answer. (b) Statements ii and iv are true
5. The Reserve Bank of India on 29 January 2013 slashed its key interest rates by 0.25 per
cent and released 18000 crore rupees additional liquidity into the system to perk up
growth through reduced cost of borrowing. Which of the following statements in
context of the same is true?
i. RBI in its third quarter monetary policy review surprised the market by cutting short-
term lending rate called repo, by 0.25 per cent to 7.75 per cent
ii. The Cash Reserve Ratio was slashed to 4 percent
iii. The repo rate cut will increase the cost of borrowing for individuals and corporate,
whereas the reduction in CRR, which is the portion of deposits that banks have to park
with RBI, would improve the availability of funds.
iv. the stance of monetary policy in this review is intended to provide an appropriate
interest rate environment to support growth as inflation risks moderate
a) All the four statements are true
b) Statements i, ii and iv are true
c) Statements ii and iii are true
d) Only statement iii is true
Answer. (b) Statements i, ii and iv are true
For More Quizzes on Economy


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CORPORATE
ZOVI, THE ONLINE FASHION RETAILER ACQUIRED RIVAL INKFRUIT
Zovi, the Bangalore-based online fashion retailer acquired its
rival company Inkfruit in the last week of January 2013.
Inkfruit is struggling as of now to raise its fresh funds. SAIF
Partners and Tiger Global, the global investors triggered
latest e-commerce M&A. These two investors pumped in 10
million US dollar in Zovi after merger. After the third round
of investment, the overall funding which was raised by Zovi
came to 25 million US dollar.
Inkfruit is the community-based customized fashion and accessories retailer. Zovi, after
acquisition will offer products to a wider age group ranging from 16 years to 45 years. There
has been an increased interest in the Indian e-commerce since 2012. In 2012, there was three
times increase in the e-commerce M&A deals because small players did not attract enough
funds and were therefore acquired at the discounted rates.
BHARTI AIRTEL LAUNCHED EMERGENCY ALERT SERVICE FOR WOMEN
Bharti Airtel launched an emergency alert service for the
subscribers in Odisha, Bengal and Kolkata on 1 February
2013. The service is directed towards the women primarily
and allows them to dial the Airtel helpline number known as
55100 as well as send the messages when there is an
emergency.
As soon as the number is dialed, an alert SMS will be sent
across along with the recorded voice message to the already loaded 10 numbers. The message
will in turn allow these 10 pre-loaded numbers to track the location of a sender along with the
time. Messages and recorded voice message will be sent across simultaneously to these ten
recipients. Also, these alert messages will repeat three times within just 30 minutes.
According to Airtel, the service primarily focuses women subscribers. For first 30 days, this
service will be available free of cost but then it would cost 30 Rupees per month. At present,
there are 20 million subscribers of Airtel across Kolkata, Bengal and Odisha and one-third out of
these are women. Airtel expects that around 10 percent of these women subscribers will opt
for this service.
According to the Airtel, the company was also having negotiations with the local police in order
to make sure that one single number should be introduced for the purpose of emergency calls.
The alerts could be generated through this single number such as 100 to all local police stations
as well.


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THIRTY SOFTWARE COMPANIES SEPARATED FROM NASSCOM
Thirty Indian software product companies joined hands to form their own new association,
marking a break-up with the IT industry body NASSCOM. Thirty founder members who were led
by Bharat Goenka, co-founder of Tally Solutions, Vishnu Dusad, founder of Nucleus Software,
Sharad Sharma, former head of Yahoo India R&D, startup mentor and founder of Brand Sigma
and Naveen Tewari, founder of InMobi, will meet on 4 February 2013 to formalize this newly
formed association and also for developing further action plans. The new association is called
Indian Software Product Industry Round Table or iSpirt.
VISION OF INDIAN SOFTWARE PRODUCT INDUSTRY ROUND TABLE OR ISPIRT
The vision of Indian Software Product Industry Round Table or iSpirt is to transform India in
terms of IT and also deliver the invaluable IT solutions at the international level. The objective
of iSpirt is to share experiences and expertise of these industries in order to create the
awareness in government as well as society about the importance of IT. These 30 Indian
software product companies that formed their new association believed that it was not
possible for them to grow under larger umbrella of NASSCOM.
NO CONFLICT WITH NASSCOM
One of the founder members of the new association, Bharat Goenka made it clear that there
were negotiations about new association formation since past six months. NASSCOM had in
return promised support and that there were no conflicts with the IT body. Also, it was
explained that the new association would work with everyone including NASSCOM.
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF ISPIRT
A founder member Sharad Sharma described that the new association iSpirt will not have a
president or similar nomenclature. Instead, there will be a governing council that will consist of
these four founding members- Sharma, Goenka, Tewari and Dusad. There will be a flat
structure of the association. Volunteer model will be adopted.
ABOUT NASSCOM
NASSCOM is expanded as National Association of Software and Services Companies. It is
a trade association of the BPO and IT industry. It was established in 1988 and is a non-
profit organisation.
It is a global trade organisation with more than 1200 members out of which there are
250 global companies as well from China, Japan, Europe, UK and US.
The member companies of NASSCOM have businesses such as software services,
software development, BPO, IT and e-commerce.

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NASSCOM was established to facilitate trade and business in services and software in
order to encourage advanced research in the software technology. It is registered under
Indian Societies Act, 1860.
At present, the headquarters of NASSCOM is in New Delhi.
ICICI PARTNERED WITH AIRCEL TO LAUNCH MOBILE BANKING SERVICE
ICICI Bank, the largest private sector bank of India partnered with Aircel to announce the launch
of their mobile banking service called Mobile Money. The service allows the unbanked
population of ICICI and Aircel to transfer money instantly and safely through the mobiles
without even connecting to data services. Initially, ICICI bank had launched the Mobile Money
with Tata Docomo and Vodafone.
Mobile Money is aimed at those users who wish to transfer money but are devoid of services
such as lack of branches or the ATMs. Mobile Money allows such users to go for financial
services such as cash withdrawals, cash deposits, self-reload of prepaid mobile credit, money
transfer to the third-parties as well as utility bills transfer.
At first the service will be available in Tamil Nadu and will especially cater to migrant working
population from the area of Tirunelveli that now lives in Chennai. Rollout of this service to
other parts of Tamil Nadu as well as the rest of India will occur over 2013. The Mobile Money
platform will be provided and managed through VISA, the global payments technology
company.
MAKEMYTRIP LAUNCHED APPLICATION CALLED ROUTEPLANNER
MakeMyTrip, one of the largest tourism-related online portals in India on 5 February 2013
launched the RoutePlanner, an innovative application which makes peoples traveling easier
and faster. RoutePlanner actually combines the availability of
various services such as trains, cabs, buses and flights and
displays exact connectivity options that lie between two
destinations in India.
RoutePlanner also allows the users to check various routes for
destination pair. It allows a person to plan the trip between
any two diverse destinations in India by putting together
various modes of transport across 4300 cities, 2300 flight
routes, 65000 bus routes and 970000 train routes. MakeMyTrip announced that it made use of
the technology as well as innovation for empowering the travelers.
FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL ENTERED INDIA


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FlightSafety International, which is said to be one of the biggest aviation training companies
promoted by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, entered India through licensing and
consultancy agreement with the Bangalore-based Aviators India.
FlightSafety International is a 60-year old company based in New York and it offers more than
million hours of flight training to the aviation professionals, pilots, cabin attendants and
technicians every year. It also additionally supplies visual systems, flight simulators and displays
to the military, commercial and governmental organisations across the length and breadth of
the world. India operations of FlightSafety will start by June 2013. In its early stage, FlightSafety
would start with the training of cabin attendant for corporate and commercial flight operators.
FlightSafety will address two main kinds of market training in India and these are initial market
and recurrence market training.
Bangalore-based Aviators India announced that there will be more than 10000 flight attendants
in India for corporate and commercial operators. Also, in next five to seven years, there would
be a growth of 100 percent in this vertical. Aviators India has remained in business of aircraft
charter services as well as sales of corporate jets to Indians for around 20 years.
TIMES TELEVISION NETWORK TIED UP WITH MSM DISCOVERY PVT. LTD.
Times Television Network (TTN) tied up with one of the leading distribution companies MSM
Discovery Pvt Ltd. (MSMD) in the second week of February 2013 in order to collect subscription
revenue of its channels. MSMD is known as TheOneAlliance and is actually a joint venture of
Sony's Multi Screen Media Pvt Ltd as well as Discovery Communications.
After the tie-up, all the entertainment and news channels of TTN i.e., Movies Now, Zoom, Times
Now and ET Now will be distributed across the country for collecting subscription of revenue
over HITS, Cable (Digital and Analogue), DTH and IPTV platforms as the part of TheOneAlliance.
However, the channel penetration and marketing will be done independently by the TTN.
There has been a business relationship between Multi Screen Media and Times Group since
long which spreads over Filmfare Awards, movie licensing deal with the Sony Pictures
Entertainment as well as the international advertising sales partnership for US. TTN channels
have more than 100 million viewers in 30 million households in India.
Multi Screen Media India announced that TheOneAlliance offers entertainment to its viewers
and addition of the TTN channels will help in strengthening the company even more.
SC ASKED SEBI TO FREEZE ACCOUNTS OF TWO COMPANIES OF SAHARA
The Supreme Court of India on 6 February 2013 gave its ruling against Sahara Group setting the
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) free for seizing the properties and freezing the
accounts of the two companies of Sahara Group for disobeying the Apex Courts orders of
refunding 24000 crore rupees of investors. The Supreme Court also issued a notice against

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Sahara Group seeking response within four weeks that why the contempt proceedings should
not be initiated against the group.
The Supreme Court bench of two Judges, Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan and J.S. Khehar also pulled
up SEBI for not taking action against the Sahara group companies namely Sahara India Real
Estate Corporation (SIREC) and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation (SHIC) after it defied
the Court orders as per the 31 August 2012 orders.
The Supreme Court bench also cleared that SEBI was free to take its actions against Sahara
Group companies and the contempt plea would not come on the way of proceedings initiated
by it.
WHAT IS THE ISSUE?
Supreme Court on 31 August 2012 ordered the two companies Sahara India Real Estate
Corporation (SIREC) and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation (SHIC) to refund the amount
of around 24000 crore rupees to the investors with 15 percent interest per annum within three
months as the two companies raised the amount from the investors after violating the rules
and regulations.
REGION FOR THE SUPREME COURTS DECISION
The two companies of the Sahara namely the Sahara India Real Estate Corporation (SIREC) and
the Sahara Housing Investment Corporation (SHIC) defied the orders of the Court and failed to
pay back the amount of 24000 crore rupees to the investors.
SERIES OF DEVELOPMENTS ON THE ISSUE
31 August 2012 Supreme Court ordered two Sahara Companies to refund 24000 crore
rupees to investors.
December 2012 Sahara group rapped by Supreme Court for not refunding the amount
to investors and gave a weeks deadline
5 December 2012 Sahara group got two months time to pay the amount to investors
in three different installments
January 2013 SEBI informed that all paper in case of Sahara was not received by them
6 February 2013 Supreme Court passed its ruling and set SEBI free to freeze the
accounts and seize the properties of the two companies of Sahara.
GAIL (INDIA) SIGNED MOU WITH EDF TRADING

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GAIL (India) Ltd and EDF Trading on 7 February 2013
announced that they signed a MoU to jointly get hold of
the oil and gas assets in North America. The MoU will
also help in development of these assets. Both these
companies will additionally be the partner in trading as
well as optimization of LNG and US gas. The
Memorandum of Understanding was signed between
GAIL (India) Ltd and EDF Trading on 2 February 2013.
EDF Trading is leading participants of LNG market in the world and it facilitates its users with
services such as supply and delivery, re-gasification as well as nomination in networks as well as
terminal operations. Apart from GAIL (India) Ltd, it is also in agreements with some of the
leading participants of the market as well as long-term supply contracts in West Asia and Asia.

It is important to note that GAIL (India) has its footprint in US already through the 20 percent
stake in Eagle Shale gas assets in Texas by Carrizo Oil.
PARLE-G IS 1ST INDIAN FMCG BRAND TO CROSS RS 5000 CRORE MARK
Parle-G in February 2013 became the first Indian FMCG brand
that crossed 5000 crore Rupees mark in terms of retail sales in
one year. Parle Products were launched in 1939 when the
British ruled India. Factually, Parle Products in 2012 sold 5010
crore rupees worth glucose biscuits at the retail price,
surpassing the domestic sales of Godrej products and Dabur,
while at the same time also selling thrice more products than
Maggi.
This means that Parle Products sold over 100 crore packets of the glucose biscuits every month,
or 14600 crore biscuits in 2012. Parle-G that has less than 1 billion dollar sales in a year, but
even then it has good lead over its rivals such as Hindustan Unilever's Wheel and Ghari
Detergent. Parle-Gs share increased from 67 percent in 2002 to 79 percent in 2012.
Comparatively, shares of Britannia's Tiger and ITC's Sunfeast brand fell down.
MCX-SX, THIRD NATIONAL STOCK EXCHANGE MADE DEBUT IN INDIA
MCX-SX, the third bourse on the equities and equity derivatives trading block debuted on 11
February 2013. It is the third national stock exchange of India after Bombay Stock Exchange and
the National Stock Exchange. MCX-SX started its trading in shared of 1116 listed companies
against 1665 companies in National Stock Exchange and 5191 companies in Bombay Stock
Exchange.
MCX-SX INDEX


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MCX-SX Index is called SX40. This is like Sensex of BSE and Nifty of NSE. SX40 is formulated for
measuring the economic performance through polished presentation of different industries as
well as sectors based on ICB, which is a leading international classification from FTSE-100 of
Britain.
SX40 CONSTITUENTS
SX40 constituents are as follows
ACC
Ambuja Cements
Asian Paints
Bajaj Auto
BPCL
Bharti Airtel
BHEL
Cairn India
Cipla
Coal India
Dr Reddy's
Gail (India)
HCL Tech
HDFC Bank
HDFC
Hero MotoCorp
Hindalco
HUL
ICICI Bank
Infosys
ITC

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JP Associates
JSPL
L&T
Lupin
M&M
Maruti Suzuki
NTPC
ONGC
Power Grid Corp
RIL
Sun Pharma
TCS
Tata Motors
Tata Power
Tata Steel
Titan Industries
United Spirits
Wipro
Zee Entertainment
WHAT IS SX40?
SX40 is the free-float based index, which means that the shares are available at any time
for trading. It is an index of 40 large-cap as well as liquid stocks.
SX40 includes those companies which have minimum free float of 10 per cent. These
companies are included within top 100 liquid companies.
In terms of international indexes, Britain's FTSE includes 25 percent free float criteria
and US S&P 500 includes 50 percent free float criteria.
MCX-SXs competition

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The direct competition of MCX-SX is with NSE and BSE.
M&M ACQUIRED STAKE OF NAVISTAR INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) acquired stake of Navistar International Corporation in two joint
ventures Mahindra Navistar Engines Pvt. Ltd. (MNEPL) and Mahindra Navistar Automotives Ltd
(MNAL) on 12 February 2013.
Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) announced that it took over complete ownership to sell products
of MNAL and MNEPL. Navistar however decided that it would source the components from
India. M&M would forward its engineering services to Navistar, which in turn would facilitate
support to it through the license agreements. Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has further plans
of introducing refrigerated trucks in the market.
TWITTER LAUNCHED PAY-BY-TWEET SERVICES
11 February 2013 launched its first pay-by-tweet service in
partnership with the American Express. The service is
designed to allow the cardholders to purchase products by
tweeting #hashtags. Twitter and Amex have came together
to create an integrated e-commerce payment mechanism in
twitter and Amex cardholders would have an access to the
offers made on the website by the merchants.
Cardholders of Amex willing to purchase a product by pay-by-tweet service needs to link their
cards with their twitter account through the financial service application of the firm. The
cardholder will also have to confirm the messages that come as a follow-up from Amex to
complete the transaction.
TELECOM OPERATOR UNINOR CLOSED ITS OPERATIONS IN MUMBAI
Telecom operator Uninor closed its operations in Mumbai on 17 February 2013 following a
Supreme Court order. The apex court had ordered immediate closure of the company after it
cancelled 22 licences of Uninor in February 2012. Temporary licenses, too, have not been
permitted by the Supreme Court.
The majority stakeholder of the company, Telenor participated in the November 2012 auction
through new entity Telewings Communications and won spectrum in six circles. Telenor is now
in the process of transferring business of Uninor in Maharashtra and Goa, Gujarat, UP East, UP
West, Bihar and Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh service areas, to Telewings Communications.
According to Uninor statement, its operations in these service areas will continue as fresh
spectrum for 20 years has already been secured.
AMR SEALED 11 BILLION US DOLLARS MERGER WITH US AIRWAYS


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AMR Corporation, parent company of American Airlines as well as US Airways on 14 February
2013 confirmed about their merger plans in a deal which would result in creation of second
largest airline of the world in terms of revenue. The merger will take place after Sean Lane; the
judge that is overseeing the bankruptcy of AMR will clear the plan. The merger between the
two companies will happen just after clearance from US Bankruptcy Court.
The combined company will have an equity value of approximately 11 billion US dollars. The net
combined debt of these companies would be somewhere around 15 billion US dollars.
The deal was approved by the board of two companies. The deal came 15 months after the
AMR Corporation sought for protection in November 2011. The US Airways chief executive,
Doug Parker would be the chief executive of this new company. Tom Horton, AMRs chief
executive on the other hand will be the temporary non-executive chairman.
The two companies announced that they would continue to operate in their present hubs as
well as serve everywhere they served as of now. However, US Airways announced that merger
would result in cost savings because of combined systems, maintenance facilities and single
team for management.
PRE-CONSULTATION PAPER ON MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY ISSUED
Telecom Regulator Authority of India (TRAI) started the pre-consultation process for the
country-wide mobile number portability services which will enable the users to have the same
number even if they change their service area.
As of now, mobile number portability (MNP) services were available in one service area only.
But with the help of country-wide MNP services, the users would be able to have same number
even if they change their location state-wise.
TRAI announced that it would seek views from the stakeholders on certain issues through the
pre-consultation paper. TRAI asked the stakeholders to offer their views by 7 March 2013 on
methods or techniques that needed to be used for implementation of full MNP, number
portability from one service area to another as well as amendments needed in the existing
regulation.
At present, TRAI announced, that there were two MNP service providers which catered to 22
service areas. Implementing complete MNP service would have issues associated with
processing of these porting requests, charging, routing, testing as well as much more. Also,
there would be a need to ensure connectivity between the MNP service providers.
As per the present MNP regulations, the time required for completing porting for North East,
J&K as well as Assam is 15 working days. In other service areas, this time is 7 working days.
NTPC SIGNED 250 MILLION US $ LOAN AGREEMENT WITH BANKS

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National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) tied up a
term loan facility of 250 million US dollars with the State
Bank of India, New York Branch as well as Singapore
Branch of Mizuho Corporate Bank Limited.
The agreement for the loan was signed in New York. The
loan will empower NTPC for making use of the proceeds
of loan towards capital expenditure for procurement of
goods and services for new as well as ongoing projects. It will also help NTPC in modernization
as well as renovation of stations of this corporation. The loan signed by NTPC will carry a
floating rate of interest associated to LIBOR. It also has door to door maturity of 7 years.
With execution of this term loan facility, NTPC raised a total of 750 million US Dollars in 2012-
2013 fiscal year, which is the maximum amount allowed under the Automatic Route of the ECB
guidelines issued by the Central Bank of India - RBI.
BHARAT HEAVY PLATE & VESSELS LTD. (BHPV) MERGED WITH BHEL
The Union Cabinet of India approved merger of Bharat Heavy Plate & Vessels Ltd. (BHPV)
Vishakhapatnam with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) on 21 February 2013. After the
merger, BHVP will be a unit of BHEL. Post-merger, BHVP will be able to participate in the
tenders as well as obtain the orders.
BHARAT HEAVY PLATE & VESSELS LTD. (BHPV)
Bharat Heavy Plate & Vessels Ltd. (BHPV) is the engineering and heavy fabrication company
which was established back in 1966 in Andhra Pradesh. The company had suffered immense
loss because of various reasons.
BHARAT HEAVY ELECTRICALS LIMITED (BHEL)
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) acquired BHPV in 2008 as 100 percent subsidiary.
However, because BHVP was a separate company, therefore it was not able to derive complete
benefits.
For More Corporate Stories
CORPORATE CURRENT AFFAIR QUIZZES
1. Which leading car manufacturer acclaimed the title of top selling automaker of the
world in 2012, recording the highest sales and beating its arch rivals Volkswagen and
General Motors?
a) Nissan Motors


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b) Honda Motors
c) Toyota Motor
d) Chevrolet
Answer: (c) Toyota Motor
2. Which bank was appointed as the depository bank for Global Depository Receipt (GDR)
of Indiabulls Infrastructure and Power Limited (IIPL)?
a) JPMorgan Chase Bank
b) Deutsche Bank
c) ERSTE Group Bank
d) Citi Bank
Answer: (b) Deutsche Bank
3. Which mobile company on 28 January 2013 launched a product called One Nation, One
Rate which offers users one rate for voice, SMS and data in home circles and on
roaming?
a) Airtel
b) Vodafone
c) Idea
d) Aircel
Answer: (d) Aircel
4. Name the only Indian private airline to launch its flights to Guangzhou, China. The flights
were launched in the first week of February 2013.
a) SpiceJet
b) Jet Airways
c) Kingfisher
d) None of these
Answer: (a) SpiceJet

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5. Which electronics company sold the audio and video business to Funai Electric of Japan
in the deal which exited it from consumer electronics completely in India?
a) Bajaj Electronics
b) Philips Electronics
c) Sony Electronics
d) Samsung Electronics
Answer: (b) Philips Electronics
For More Corporate Quizzes


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STATE
MEDICAL TREATMENT TO BE GIVEN TO CRIMINAL OFFENCE VICTIMS
The Delhi High Court on 31 January 2013 ordered the
Government of Delhi to issue guidelines to all hospitals,
including the private hospitals in the capital not to refuse
treatment to the victims of criminal offences, mainly those
of road accidents and rapes.
A bench which was headed by Chief Justice D Murugesan
ordered the Delhi government that victims of gangrape and
other crimes, including road accidents should immediately be given first aid treatment, as per
the condition of the victim.
The directions of Delhi High Court were a result of the Delhi gangrape which took place on 16
December 2012 in a moving bus. The court also said that Police Commissioner of Delhi will issue
directions with immediate effect after the order is passed by the Government of Delhi to abide
by the orders of the Delhi High Court.
ADB GAVE 100 MILLION US DOLLAR LOAN TO UTTARAKHAND
The Union Government of India on 31 January 2013 signed an agreement with the Asian
Development Bank (ADB) for 100 million US dollar loan as second tranche of urban sector
development investment programme of Uttarakhand.
The loan will provide support in terms of rehabilitation as well as expansion of the basic urban
infrastructure in five main urban towns of Uttarakhand. The loan will also guarantee
sustainable municipal service delivery.
The loan will help the urban infrastructure programme which was already started under first
tranche in Nanital, Haridwar and Dehra Dun. Apart from this, the loan will also be extended to
include the towns like Ramnagar, Roorkee and Haldwani. This will help primarily in improving
water supply infrastructure which will provide benefit to around 800000 residents.
The agreement was signed by Department of Economic Affairs Joint Secretary Anup Wadhawan
who acted on behalf of the Union Government, as well as Uttarakhands Urban Development
Secretary M.H. Khan.
In the second tranche of loan from ADB, there is a 25 year term which also includes the grace
period of 5 years along with the commitment charges of 0.15 per cent. It also additionally
carries interest rate which will be determined along with the Manila-based multilateral agencys
LIBOR-based lending facility.


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Apart from this, the complementary funds of 42.86 million US dollar will be provided by the
Centre for the total second tranche project investment cost amounting to 142.86 million US
dollar.
INDIA & WORLD BANK SIGNED A DEAL FOR KWDP II
The Government of India and the World Bank on 11 February
2013 signed a 60 million US dollars credit agreement for the
Karnataka Watershed Development Project II (KWDP II) to
further improve watershed planning and management in
project areas. The Project will improve government
watershed operations in 930 micro-watersheds covering
465000 ha across 7 districts of Karnataka.
This project builds on the successful experience of earlier Bank-supported Karnataka Watershed
Development Project I, also known as Sujala, which helped improve the lives of 230000 farmers
by increasing crop yields by about 25 percent, and raising household incomes of small and
marginal farmers by 40 percent.
KWDP II will focus on improving the performance and results of IWMP by introducing new tools
and approaches for integrated watershed planning, incorporating more information about
water resources into the planning process, facilitating better convergence of IWMP with other
government programs such as NREGS, and helping farmers increase agricultural productivity.
The project will cover about 465000 ha and 160000 farmer households in 7 districts.
Consequently, a primary focus of the project is on supporting the implementation of IWMP in
the 7-selected districts of Karnataka through better planning, capacity building, monitoring and
evaluation, and post-harvest value addition. Focus will also be on understanding local needs,
like locationspecific soilcropwater interactions; expanding the scope of rainwater harvesting
and groundwater recharge, by partly converging the NREGS with the IWMP and developing
agroclimatic zone specific technology to enable rural communities to better adapt to the
effects of climate change.
Among the other components of the project, horticulture is expected to play a major role in
raising income of farmers even in dry tracks. The Project will support activities for promoting
dry land production for annual and perennial crops; crop diversification; help farmers in
carrying out soil, water and leaf analysis to identify nutrient deficiencies; create facilities for
testing, training and demonstrations; facilitate farmers in availing quality seed and planting
material; and support farmers to improve post-harvest handling and marketing of the produce
among others.
Karnatakas dry regions are among the states poorest, have low agricultural productivity, and
are susceptible to drought and deepening environmental stress and degradation. The project
area has 39400 landless families. Annual normal rainfall varies from 600 to 800 mm with 43
rainy days in a year. Rain fed agriculture in 278000 ha of project area, experiences at least two


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water deficit years in a five year cycle due to prolonged dry spells during crop season and/or
delayed onset of monsoon rains.The project will be financed by a credit from the International
Development Association (IDA) the World Banks concessionary lending arm which provides
interest-free loans with 25 years to maturity and a grace period of five years. The Closing Date
of the Project is 31 December 2018.
HC ORDERED GUJARAT TO IMPLEMENT SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME
The High Court of Gujarat on 15 February 2013 ordered the
state Government to implement the Centre's Pre-
matriculation Scholarship Scheme for students of minority
community in the state. The court rejected the contention
of Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of the state of in
implementation of the Centre's pre-matriculation
scholarship scheme by stating it discriminatory.
From the High Court Bench of five judges, three namely
Justices V M Sahai, D H Vaghela and Akil Kureshi supported the implementation of the scheme
upholding its constitutional validity and declared that equating it with any particular type of
reservation was not possible, whereas two judges namely Justice R R Tripathi and J B Pardiwala
ruled against the scheme.
The orders of the court came after hearing of the PILs launched against the State Governments
decision to hold on the implementation of the Centre's pre-matriculation scholarship scheme
since 2008, when the scheme was launched across the country. The Court in its majority verdict
established that the scheme doesnt violate the provisions mentioned in the Article 15 (1) of
the Constitution of India. Whereas the minority verdict identified that the scheme violated the
provisions of the section.
PRE-MATRICULATION SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR MINORITY COMMUNITIES
The Centre's pre-matriculation scholarship scheme is a scheme run by the Central Government
of India and it covers students, who belong to five religious minorities including Muslim, Sikh,
Christian, Buddhist and Parsi with annual income below 1 lakh rupees.
Under the provisions of the scheme, the central government provides 75 percent scholarship to
students covered under the scheme and the rest 25 percent is the responsibility of the State
Government.
The Scholarship is provided to students from minority community up to tenth class,
who are studying in private as well as Government schools.
The main objective of the scholarship is to empower the country through education and
create a potential of upliftment of the socio economic conditions of minority
community


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Monetary benefits are also provided to the deserving candidates to help the families of
these students and to encourage other families of the minority community to send
their children to schools
CCI APPROVED PROPOSAL FOR NKSTPP, JHARKHAND
The Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) on 20 February 2013 cleared the proposal of the
Power Ministry to set up the North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Plant (NKSTPP) (3 x 660
MW) near Tandwa town in Chatra district of Jharkhand by the National Thermal Power
Corporation, NTPC.
The CCI also agreed for restoring the original coal linkage for the project and declared that the
project will be based on environment friendly super-critical technology. This supply will be
made available in the 13th Five Year Plan.
The safeguards of the project was recommended by the Chaturvedi Committee were accepted
by the Group of Ministers that was chaired by the Finance Minister of Indian Union. The power
project is being developed for generation of 1980 MW power. The Plant is expected to generate
electricity for a period of about 35 years.
KERALA RAISED AGE LI MIT TO BUY AND SELL LIQUOR FROM 18 TO 21
The State Government of Kerala on 20 February 2013 approved Kerala Abkari Act Amendment
Ordinance 2013 that envisaged raising age limit for buying or selling liquor from 18 years to 21
years.
The new policy was announced in 2012, according to which Congress had committed to raise
liquor buying and selling age from 18 to 21 years. This was aimed at bringing down the
consumption of liquor in Kerala. Apart from this, the Kerala Abkari Act Amendment Ordinance
2013 would obligate showing statutory warnings for movies and television, against the
consumption of liquor.
ASSAM, FIRST INDIAN STATE TO PRODUCE OVER 500 MILLION KG TEA
Assam became the first state in India to produce over 500 million kilogram tea for two years in
a row. Assam produced five hundred 88 million kilogram of tea in 2012, which is 53 percent of
the countrys total tea production. Earlier in 2011, 5 hundred 89 million kilogram tea was
produced in the state.
According to an estimate, over seven thousand five hundred crore rupee turn-over was
recorded in Assam tea sector in 2012. It may be recalled that around seven lakh workers are
engaged in the tea sector. Fifty percent of them are women.
TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT (TOD) PROJECTS RECEIVE A NOD

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The UTTIPEC (Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure Planning and Engineering
Centre) on 21 February 2013 started efforts for developing vision as well as strategy for
successful implementation of the plans for mass-rapid transport system in Delhi. Already, pilot
projects along the four metro corridors as well as Karkardooma have got in-principal approval
for first phase of transit-oriented development (TOD).
UTTIPEC is the division of Delhi Development Authority. It has plans for conducting around 25
workshops in coming months which would focus on metro corridors between Chattarpur to
Arjangarh and Peeragarhi to Teekri Kalan. The aim of these workshops is to create awareness
about TOD policy. Also, the workshops will include concerns raised by stakeholders such as
NGOs, RWAs, DTC, DMRC, private transporters, DTC as well as other experts.
UTTIPEC planners on 21 February 2013 emphasised on the fact that TOD system would help in
making the transport system friendly to women, cyclists and walkers.
AIM OF TOD
The aim of TOD is building mass-rapid transport hubs which will have inner zone of 300 metres
radius that would be called intense-zone. This intense-zone will give preference to non-
motorised transport, pedestrians as well as high-density mixed use development. Two other
concentric zones of 800 metres and 2 km will be built with equal road-space distribution and
high-density street network.
NINE THEMES
The workshops would create strategies as well as plans which would have nine themes
Visualising of the TOD-based development
Economic feasibility and market testing
Strategy for sustainable infrastructure
Transferring development rights as well as its implementation
Strategy for incentivising redevelopment
Strategy for sustainable transport infrastructure
Strategy for effective parking
Strategy for rolling out the TOD
In order to select the models for retrofitting, green-field development and redevelopment,
design competitions will be held.
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SPORTS
MS DHONI NAMED AS THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF INDIA CEMENTS
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the captain of the Indian cricket team
was appointed as the vice-president of India Cements on 1
February 2013. India Cements is headed by BCCI President N
Srinivasan.
It is important to note that Dhoni resigned from Air India
team recently and now is expected to play for India Cements
in the BCCI Corporate Trophy which started on 1 February
2013. India Cements owns IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings, the captaincy of which lies in the
hands of Dhoni since 2008. The Managing Director-cum-vice-chairman of India Cements is
Srinivasan.
Including MS Dhonis name in the India Cements team for Corporate Trophy starting from 1
February 2013 to 8 February 2013 was actually a surprise, especially because the captain had
declared to take rest for some time. Earlier, Dhoni played in the Corporate Trophy for the team
of Air India, but later he resigned. The Corporate Trophy will be taking place in four main cities-
Nagpur, Raipur, Indore and Pune.s
GLENN MCGRATH JOINED AUSTRALIAN CRICKET HALL OF FAME
Glenn McGrath and Charlie Turner, the renowned fast bowlers were unanimously chosen to be
inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame on 3 February 2013. Hall of fame chairman
David Crow declared that these two pace bowlers were inducted officially at Allan Border
Medal ceremonies on 4 February 2013.
McGrath has a test career spanning 14 years over 124 matches. The highest tally of McGrath is
563 wickets at 21.64. This is the fourth highest tally of all times. McGrath was also the winner of
Allan Border Medal in 2000. He was inducted in ICC Hall of Fame in December 2012.
Charlie Turner, on the other hand, took 6-15 on test debut at Sydney in 1887. He died in 1944.
Turner took 101 wickets at 16.53 in 17 test matches between the time period of 1887 and 1895.
OTHER HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
The other Hall of Fame inductees include Keith Miller, Arthur Morris, Bill O'Reilly, Bill Ponsford,
Bob Simpson, Warwick Armstrong, Richie Benaud, Lindsay Hassett, Ian Healy, Hugh Trumble,
Victor Trumper, Bill Woodfull, Rod Marsh, Stan McCabe, Allan Border, Sir Donald Bradman,
John Blackham, Charles Macartney, Shane Warne, Steve Waugh, Doug Walters, Glenn McGrath,


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Graham McKenzie, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Neil Harvey, Clem Hill, Ray Lindwall, Fred
Spofforth, Mark Taylor, Alan Davidson, George Giffen, Dennis Lillee, Clarrie Grimmett, Monty
Noble and Bill Lawry.
MARUSSIA F1 TEAM UNVEILED THEIR NEW FORMULA 1 CAR, MR02
Marussia F1 team unveiled their new Formula 1 car called MR02 on 5 February 2013. The
specialty of this car is that it equips the KERS (the kinetic energy recovery system) power-boost
system which is not found in any other existing teams. KERS was legalised since 2011. The
benefit of KERS is that enables 0.3 seconds per lap.
New driver of the Marussia F1 team, Max Chilton drove this car on first day of the F1 pre-
season testing at Jerez in Spain ON 5 February 2013. Marussia F1 team described this car as an
all-inclusive evolution of older 2012 model. MR02 is first of its kind car that is designed using
the technique of CFD complementing wind tunnel.
Rebecca Adlington, Olympic Gold Medalist Announced Retirement from Competitive Swimming
Britain-based Rebecca Adlington, the Olympic champion announced retirement from all forms
of competitive swimming on 4 February 2013. Adlington, 23 is from Mansfield.
REBECCA ADLINGTONS MEDALS ARE AS FOLLOWS
2008 - Olympic Games 400m gold
2008 - Olympic Games 800m gold
2009 - World Championship 400m bronze
2010 - European Championship 400m gold
2010 - Commonwealth Games 400m gold
2010 - Commonwealth Games 800m gold
2011 - World Championship 400m silver
2011 - World Championship 800m gold
2012 - Olympic Games 400m bronze
2012 - Olympic Games 800m bronze
INDIA WON 46 MEDALS IN 2013 PYEONGCHANG SPECIAL OLYMPICS

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The 2013 Pyeongchang Special Olympics World Winter Games
finished on 5 February 2013 after a week of competition
among differently-abled athletes. The games took place from
29 January 2013 to 5 February 2013. Almost 200000
spectators witnessed the games in venues- Pyeongchang and
Gangneung. India returned with 46 medals in 2013 Special
Olympics World Winter Games at Pyeong Chang, South Korea.
The differently-abled athletes of India won 46 medals in all- 13 gold, 17 silver and 16 bronze
from mentally-challenged 2200 athletes participating from more than 120 nations in the games.
The medal tally of India doubled from World Winter Games 2009.
These games were completed in eight categories of sports- alpine skiing, cross-country skiing,
snowboarding, snowshoeing, figure skating, short track speed skating, floor hockey and
floorball.
Various celebrities participated in the games to support these athletes. Some of the popular
faces were former NBA All-Star Yao Ming and Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi. In its closing
ceremony, figure skating superstars Kim Yu-na and Michelle Kwan were also present.
CCI SLAPPED A PENALTY OF 52.24 CRORE ON BCCI
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on 8 February 2013 was slapped a penalty of 52.24
crore rupees by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for being indulged in anti-
competitive practices. The CCI ordered BCCI to deposit the penalty within 90 days from the date
of issue of orders.
The CCI in its verdict claimed that BCCI abused its dominant position and directed it to cease its
all practices of denying market access to the potential competitors. The regulator also stated
that the stance of BCCI was of serious concern and quantum of penalty which should be levied
that is proportional to the seriousness of violation.
A complaint was filed by Surinder Singh Barmi in November 2010 against BCCI and his
allegations were based on issues related to a Professional League Tournament and Indian
Premier League (IPL) conducted by the BCCI. The issues were related to irregularities in granting
the rights of franchise of the team ownership and award of sponsorship rights as well as media
rights of the league. This complaint against BCCI was sent to the CCIs Director General in
December 2010 for hearing.
The CCI in its statement noted that BCCI have a huge economic power helped it in keeping away
other competitors from the market by using its position as a de facto regulatory body, as a
result of it many players which would have opted for other competitions were not successful in
doing so. The BCCI had a strategy of monopoly over the market as a result of which it didnt
allow any other competitor to emerge in the market.


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The Director General finally concluded that BCCI was a non-profit making organization and was
registered as a society, but the activities performed by it like IPL earned it huge revenues and
profits from the market via activities like grant of media rights, franchise rights, sponsorship
rights and many more.
RANCHI RHINOS WON INAUGURAL HOCKEY INDIA LEAGUE
Ranchi Rhinos beat Delhi Waveriders 2-1 to win the inaugural Hockey India League (HIL) in the
match at Astroturf Hockey Stadium on 10 February 2013. Apart from winning the trophy,
Ranchi Rhinos took away 2.5 crore Rupees. Runners-up Delhi Waveriders on the other hand,
pocketed 1.25 crore Rupees.
Uttar Pradesh Wizards that completed in the third place took away 75 lakh Rupees. Uttar
Pradesh Wizards defeated Punjab Warriors 4-3 to claim third position. Mumbai Magicians
player Sandeep Singh hit maximum goals (11) in the tournament.
THE AWARDS GIVEN AWAY IN THE HOCKEY INDIA LEAGUE (HIL)
Hero Goal of the Day: Manpreet Singh
Man-ofthe-Match: Mauritz Furtse
Winners (Prize Money Rs. 25000000): Ranchi Rhinos
Runners-Up (Prize Money: Rs. 12500000): Delhi Waveriders
Third Place (Prize Money: Rs. 7500000): Uttar Pradesh Wizards
Fair-Play Award: Ranchi Rhinos
Hero Player of the Tournament (Rs. 2500000): Sardar Singh
Ponty Chadha Trophy for Upcoming Player of the Tournament (Rs. 2000000): Mandeep
Singh
Airtel Award for Most Goals in the Tournament (Rs. 1000000): Delhi Waveriders
ABOUT HOCKEY INDIA LEAGUE (HIL)
Hockey India League (HIL) was played from 14 January 2013 to 10 February 2013 in
which 5 teams Delhi Waveriders, Jaypee Punjab Riders, Sahara India Uttar Pradesh
Wizards, Dabur Mumbai Magicians and Patel-Union Ranchi Rhinos participated.
The tournament was played at 5 places- Delhi, Jalandhar, Lucknow, Mumbai and Ranchi.
Renowned hockey players of the world participated in the Hockey India League (HIL). 34
matches in all were played during the tournament.

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SACHIN TENDULKAR EQUALED SUNIL GAVASKARS RECORD
Sachin Tendulkar on 8 February 2013 equaled the record of Sunil Gavaskar of 81 first class
hundreds in first class cricket at Mumbai. He managed to equal Gavaskars record after scoring
an unbeaten 140 runs in Irani Trophy against Rest of India in the first innings of the tournament
of Mumbai team.
CENTURIES OF SACHIN IN FIRST CLASS CRICKET
51 in Test matches
18 in Ranji Trophy
2 in Irani Cup
3 in Duleep Trophy
1 in county cricket for Yorkshire
6 in other games
LYDIA KO IS YOUNGEST WINNER OF EUROPEAN TOUR GOLF EVENT
Lydia Ko, the teenager became youngest winner of a women's European Tour golf event by
winning at New Zealand Women's Open in Christchurch on 10 February 2013. This is her third
victory of the professional title. She is aged just 15 years, eight months and 17 days.
Lydia Ko in the meanwhile, also became the third amateur, who won on women's European
Tour. First and second amateurs were Gillian Stewart and Yang respectively. Ko at present is at
number 38 on professional rankings of the world. She will go for Australian Open in Canberra
that would kick off on 14 February 2013.
Her first victory was in pro tour event which took place at ALPG's Bing Lee Samsung Women's
NSW Open in early 2012 when Lydia Ko was just 14 years of age. Her second victory came at
2012s Canadian Women's Open.
HORACIO ZEBALLOS WON VTR OPEN 2013
World No. 73 Horacio Zeballos defeated Rafael Nadal 6-7 (2)
7-6 (6) 6-4 to win his first ATP World Tour trophy in VTR
OPEN 2013 on 10 February 2013 in Vina del Mar, Chile in
Mens Singles.
Horacio Zeballos became the second first-time winner in ATP
World Tour 2013. The first one was Australian Bernard Tomic
who won at Apia International Sydney. 27-year-old Horacio

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Zeballos knocked all the four seeded opponents to grab the title. Apart from Nadal, he defeated
fourth seed Pablo Andujar, fifth seed Albert Ramos and eighth seed Carlos Berlocq. Rafael
Nadal, additionally also lost in Mens Doubles after he and Juan Monaco of Argentina lost to
Italians Paolo Lorenzi and Potito Starace (6-2, 6-4).
ABOUT VTR OPEN 2013
VTR OPEN 2013 was played on the clay courts. It is a tennis tournament. This was the
20th edition of VTR OPEN and also a part of ATP World Tour 250 series of the 2013 ATP
World Tour.
VTR OPEN 2013 took place in Via del Mar, Chile.
It took place from 2 February 2013 to 10 February 2013.
A. MATHEWS APPOINTED CAPTAIN OF THE SRI LANKAN CRICKET TEAM
Angelo Mathews, the Sri Lankan all-rounder cricketer was appointed the Captain of the test and
one-day cricket team of Sri Lanka on 14 February 2013 for a period of one year. Mathews
replaced Mahela Jayawardene, who announced to quit captaincy after Sri Lankas tour of
Australia.
Dinesh Chandimal, the wicket-keeper batsman was appointed as the vice-captain in the test
and one-day format of the game and will lead the country as a captain in the T20 format of the
game. Lasith Malinga was appointed as the vice-captain for the T20 team.
ANGELO MATHEWS
Angelo Mathews is a Sri Lankan all-rounder cricketer, who made his debut in the
international cricket in a One Day International match against Zimbabwe in November
2008.
In 31 test matches Mathews have scored 1668 runs since making his debut in 2009 and
recorded his first and only test century against Australia
S. WILLIAMS BECAME WORLD NUMBER ONE WOMENS TENNIS PLAYER
Serena Williams became the new World number one womens tennis player. Serena Williams
who is aged 31 years thrashed Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 and reached
Semifinals of Qatar Open Tennis Championship in Doha. On entering the semi-finals, she
achieved the top position after a period of two and a half years. Serena Williams will compete
against Maria Sharapova in the Semifinals on 16 February 2013. Maria Sharapova reached semi-
finals after defeating Samantha Stosur 6-2, 6-4.

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Serena Williams (31 years, 4 months, 24 days) is now the oldest woman tennis player to hold
number 1 ranking. She broke the record of Chris Evert (30 years, 11 months, 3 days) of USA.
FIFA CONFIRMED USE OF GOAL-LINE TECHNOLOGY AT 2014 WORLD CUP
Fdration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) on 19 February 2013 confirmed the use
of goal-line technology during the 2014 FIFA World Cup to be organised in Brazil. It also stated
that the technology could be introduced in the next seasons
Premier league.
FIFA had invited tenders from more service providers of the
technology to conduct an official bidding ahead of the
Confederations Cup to be held in June 2013.
Introduction of the technology in football is being insisted to
provide a high-tech aid to the World Cup referees to rule on
the disputed incidents. IFAB, the rule making panel of FIFA in
July 2012 decided to approve the goal-line technology for the competitive matches after it
passed an extensive test conducted by the body.
The decision by FIFA was expected once its rule-making panel, known as IFAB, decided last July
to approve goal-line technology at competitive matches after two systems passed extensive
tests.
GOAL-LINE TECHNOLOGY (GLT)
Goal-line Technology is a technology that is used to determine the fact that has the ball passed
the goal-line or not with the support of an electronic-device to help the referee decided to take
a call that either it was a goal or not.
MARINA ERAKOVIC WON HER FIRST WTA TITLE
Marina Erakovic won her first Women's Tennis Association title, US National Indoor Tennis
Championship 2013 after beating Germany's Sabine Lisicki in Memphis on 23 February 2013.
The match merely took place for one set with Marina Erakovic winning 6-1 and Sabine Lisicki
unable to begin due to illness.
About Marina Erakovic
With this victory, Erakovic became the first women from New Zealand to win WTA Title
since Belinda Cordwell in Singapore in 1989.
This is her first career victory.
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SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZZES
1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the captain of Indian Cricket team was recently appointed as
the Vice-President of a corporate house. Name the corporate house that appointed
Dhoni as its Vice-President?
a) Cement India Limited
b) India Cements
c) Indian Cements
d) Bharat Cements

Answer. (b) India Cement

2. Name the two Cricketers, who recently in February 2013 joined the Australian Cricket
Hall of Fame.
a) Glenn McGrath and Charlie Turner
b) Glenn McGrath and Matthew Hayden
c) Charlie Turner and Charles Bannerman
d) Charles Bannerman and Adam Gilchrist

Answer. (a) Glenn McGrath and Charlie Turner

3. Which of the following statements mentioned below about the Marussia F1 Team true?
i. Marussia F1 Team is based in Banbury in the United Kingdom
ii. Marussia F1 team unveiled their new Formula 1 car called MR02 in February 2013
iii. Formula 1 car MR02 of Marussia F1 team is equipped with the KERS (the kinetic energy
recovery system) power-boost system which is not found in any other existing teams
iv. Use of KERS technology in the F1 races was legalised in 2008
a) Statement i, ii and iv are true
b) All the four statements are true
c) Statements ii, iii and iv are true
d) Statement i, ii and iii are true

Answer. (d) Statement i, ii and iii are true

4. Name the Olympic Gold Medalist, who announced retirement from all forms of
Competitive Swimming?
a) Rebecca Adlington
b) Cameron van der Burgh
c) Matt Biondi
d) Nathan Adrian

Answer. (a) Rebecca Adlington


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5. International Cricket Council, ICC rankings for test cricket was released on 4 February
2013 in Dubai. Which of the following statements in context of the rankings true?
i. South Africa was ranked at first position in the list
ii. India was placed at third position in the list
iii. Hasim Amla was placed at first position in the list of best batsman category
iv. Pragyan Ojha was choosen as the best bowler in the rankings
a) Statement i and iii are true
b) Statement ii and iii are true
c) Statement ii is only true
d) Statement i, ii and iii are true

Answer. (a) Statement i and ii are true

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ENVIRONMENT ECOLOGY
FIRST WILDLIFE SKYWALK OF INDIA TO COME UP IN SIKKIM
The first wildlife skywalk of India will be coming up in Maenam wildlife sanctuary, Sikkim. The
State Government of Sikkim proposed to construct 22 km rope-way from Maenam sanctuary to
skywalk which would be built on edge of Bhalleydhunga steep face.
This will also have rain shelter as well as public conveniences. Maenam wildlife sanctuary in
Sikkim is 65 km south from Gangtok, the capital of the state. It is a popular tourist destination
as well.
The environment ministry too has approved the proposal of Sikkim government for the first
wildlife skywalk of India proposal that would cost 500 crore Rupees. This skywalk would be like
the one in Grand Canyon in North America. The skywalk in Grand Canyon in North America gets
more than 300000 visitors every year, inspite of opposition from the wild-lifers.
VARIOUS INDIAN REPTILES FACE SEVERE EXTINCTION THREAT: STUDY
Zoological Society of London along with IUCN species survival commission in their largest-ever
analysis found out that 19 percent of turtles, lizards, snakes, crocodiles and other reptiles were
facing severe threat of extinction.
One out of every five out of 10000 species of reptiles in the world, many of which are from
India, is facing a threat of extinction. Out of the endangered species are the King cobra, Indian
crocodile (mugger), South Andaman krait and four kinds of turtles namely, Red-crowned Roofed
Turtle, Bengal Roof Turtle, Jaggedshelled turtle and Hawksbill turtle. These species were
identified to be extinct forever.
The conversationalists worry about the fact that at present, there is no information about
conservation status of around one in every three reptiles in India. The study conducted found
out that 30 percent of the freshwater reptiles were almost close to extinction. The figure
increases to 50 percent when just the freshwater turtles are considered. These reptiles are
affected by international as well as national trade.
Also, 15 percent reptiles in Indo-Malayan region were threatened. Our of 1500 species samples
in the study, it was found that 112 were from India. Out of these 1500 species, 12.2 percent
had threat of extinction.
NASA STUDY REVEALED ALARMING LOSS OF WATER IN MIDDLE EAST
A recent NASA study revealed that Middle East lost quantity
of freshwater which is almost the size of Dead Sea because of


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poor management, increasing demand of groundwater as well as the after-effects of 2007
drought.
The NASA study researched on the data over a time period of seven years since 2003 with the
help of gravity-measuring satellites, which are a part of NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate
Experiment or GRACE. Researchers discovered that freshwater reserves in areas in countries
like Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Iran along Euphrates and Tigris river basins lost 117 million acre feet
or 144 cubic kilometers of total stored freshwater, which is said to be the second-fastest loss.
CAUSE OF LOSS OF WATER
60 percent of loss was a result of pumping of underground reservoirs for ground water.
1000 wells in Iraq were pumped for groundwater.
One-fifth loss occurred because of impacts of drought which included decreasing snow
packs as well as drying up of soil.
Another one-fifth loss happened because of loss of surface water from reservoirs and
lakes.
The rate at which water loss occurred is the largest liquid freshwater loss on the
continents.
WORSENING WATER-CRISIS IN MIDDLE EAST
The latest NASA study revealed about the worsening of water crisis in Middle East. The
demand for water in Middle East is increasing because of increasing population, war as
well as climatic changes. It also depicts that certain countries would face acute shortage
of water in near future.
When the report was released during U.N. climate talks in Qatar, World Bank had
concluded that water shortage was one among the critical problems in North Africa and
Middle East. This region particularly had lowest quantity of freshwater in the entire
world.
Climatic changes would result in more droughts in these regions with extreme
situations. Water runoff would decrease 10 percent by 2050 and the demand for water
would increase 60 percent by 2045. Fulfilling the increasing demand of water is the
biggest challenge for improving the water conservation in Tigris and Euphrates river
basins.
NEED FOR COORDINATED WATER MANAGEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY, SYRIA &
IRAQ

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Tigris and Euphrates headwaters are controlled by Turkey. Also the reservoirs and the
infrastructure of Turkey's Greater Anatolia Project which dictates the quantity of downstream
of water flow into Iraq and Syria are controlled by Turkey.
There is a need for coordinated water management, which at present does not exist among
Turkey, Syria and Iraq. Also, the tensions intensified since the drought of 2007 because Turkey
diverts water to irrigate farmland. As a result, decline in the stream flow puts pressure on
northern Iraq. UN as well as anecdotal reports from area residents made it clear in the report
that because of a decline in the stream flow, the northern Iraq had to turn up to groundwater.
COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE COVER ON ELEPHANT HABITATS
CONSTITUTED
The Environment Ministry in the third week of February 2013 constituted a committee that will
review better legal protection to elephant reserves as well as the corridors in India under the
green laws which are already present. The committee was constituted after National Board for
Wildlife raised concerns about absence of any legal cover for the elephant corridors and
reserves.
The central government has already identified two-third elephant reserves which cover 69582
sq km of area. The size of these reserves varies from 450-6724 sq km. These reserves not just
include the forest patches of various kinds but also the tea plantations, revenue land,
agricultural land, villages and townships.
As of now, these elephant reserves are identified as the programme of the environment
ministry for facilitating more funds under Project Elephant central scheme. However, it does
not facilitate better legal protection against the changes to demarcated landscape like that is
case of tiger reserves. The government does not face many difficulties in safeguarding the tiger
reserves, national parks and sanctuaries, but in case of elephant reserves, there are certain
difficulties faced by the government. This is so because the elephants travel hundreds of
kilometer in a year and they run through the forest and, cities and villages as well.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
The committee which was set up by the environment ministry will be headed over by
retired senior forest officer, Vinod Rishi.
The director of Project Tiger will be the member convener of the committee.
Other members will include Member of National Board for Wildlife M D Madhusudan,
elephant conservation expert Ajay Desai, chief wildlife warden of Odisha J D Sharma and
Supreme Court lawyer Sanjay Upadhayaya.
PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE

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The committee will have a one year time for examining the existing networks of
elephant corridors and reserves. The committee will inspect whether these reserves and
corridors sufficiently cover the habitat of elephants and that what other legal cover can
be provided to these reserves and corridors under the green laws recommended by
Elephant Task Force.
The committee will also assess impact of wildlife protection regulations on the
population that lives on or uses the land that falls inside elephant corridors and
reserves.
HYDRO PROJECTS WORTH 2500 MW ACCORDED CLEARANCE
The Hydro Projects worth 2500 MW across various states were accorded clearance by the
Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) on 5 February
2013. The projects include Tawang-II H.E. Project (800 MW) in Arunachal Pradesh, Teesta-IV
H.E. Project (520 MW) in Sikkim to be executed by NHPC Limited and Luhri H.E. Project (775
MW) in Himachal Pradesh to be executed by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Limited. The
National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) has accorded wild life clearance to Vishnugad Pipalkoti H.E.
Project (444 MW) in Uttarakhand to be executed by THDC India Limited subject to clearance by
the State Board of Wild Life.
The clearances were pending for a long time. The way is straight clear in tapping the hydro
potential of the country to meet the countrys power needs. Separately, the MoEF has recently
granted Stage-I forest clearance to eight transmission projects and Stage-II forest clearance to
two transmission projects of the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd.
The MoEF, through an order exempted certain linear projects including transmission lines from
the requirement of obtaining consent of the concerned Gram Sabha(s) unless recognised rights
of Primitive Tribal Groups/Pre-Agricultural Communities are being affected. However, all other
conditions as prescribed in the MoEF`s earlier order would apply. This would help transmission
projects obtain clearances faster.
NEPAL STARTED CENSUS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES TIGERS
Nepal started a three-month-long census of the tigers on 4 February 2013. Tigers were declared
as the endangered species by International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2010.
The census includes five main conservation areas in Nepal which include two wildlife reserves
namely, Parsa and Shuklaphanta as well as three national parks namely Bardiya, Banke and
Chitwan. All the conservation areas where census began lie in the Terai plains of the country.
First counting of the tigers started in Shuklaphanta reserve which is situated in far-west region.
The census was jointly started by the World Wide Fund for Nature and the National Trust for
Nature Conservation. 50 cameras were installed in Shuklaphanta reserve for counting the
number of tigers.

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Nepal is said to be the abode of Royal Bengal Tiger that primarily dwells in dense forests of the
Terai plains. Royal Bengal Tiger was declared as the endangered species by International Union
for Conservation of Nature in 2010. As per the initial census, there were a total of 200 tigers in
Nepal. However, poaching remains a threat to tigers in Nepal.
SHELLS OF SNAILS PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT ANCIENT CLIMATE
Researchers from the University of York in the last week of January 2013 revealed that the
snails could help in predicting the weather conditions which existed thousands of years ago.
The researchers described that a lot of information could be extracted about weather
conditions that were there 1000s of years ago, through the snails.
In their study, the researchers studied the chemistry behind shells of snail which dated back to
9000 to 2500 years ago, which were recovered from the Mediterranean caves. The study was
conducted by looking at the different phases in past.
A team of researchers which was led by Andre Carlo Colonese from York's department of
Archaeology believed that the land snails held plethora of information about not just the
palaeoclimatic conditions but also the human behaviour.
Andre Carlo Colonese described that when the research on snails was put together from various
sites such as Italy and Spain, a large scale regional picture of the weather conditions that
existed over western Mediterranean area could be produced.
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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
NASA MARKS 10TH ANNI. OF SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA DISASTER
NASA on 1 February 2013 marks 10th anniversary of the
Space Shuttle Columbia that perished into the atmosphere
of the Earth upon its re-entry. Seven astronauts were
aboard Columbia which disintegrated across southern
United States. The debris of Columbia spread across 200-
mile stretch from Texas to Louisiana.
NASA decided to mark the anniversary in just the low-key
ceremonies in Texas as well as Florida in order to honour the crew members of Columbia along
with those who died in the Challenger shuttle explosion on 28 January 1986.
Participants of the ceremony include family members of the crew who waited at Kennedy on 1
February 2003 when Columbia was about to land. The seven crew members on-board included
Commander Rick Husband; co-pilot William McCool, specialists Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark,
Michael Anderson, David Brown and Ilan Ramon an Israeli fighter pilot.
Columbia broke into pieces on re-entering the atmosphere of the Earth. The cause for its
explosion was attributed towards the piece of foam which dropped from external rocket tank
on launch, which eventually created a hole in the shuttle wing.
NASA SCIENTISTS DISCOVERED A 10-M-YEAR OLD STAR
Scientists from NASA in the last week of January 2013 discovered an old star called TW Hydrae,
which they believe could create new planets even now. TW Hydrae is 176 light years away from
the Earth.
NASA announced that the disk of material which surrounds TW Hydrae could be huge enough
for creating the planets in a number which could be larger than our solar system. The findings
were created using the Herschel Space Telescope of European Space Agency, in the mission
where NASA is also a participant.
TW Hydrae is around 10 million years old and 176 light years away from Earth, which means
that it is relatively closer to the Earth as per the astronomical standards. Relatively this star is
young theoretically but it has already crossed the age at which it can create the giant planets.
The scientists explained that the stars of this age usually have cleared the surrounding material,
but this particular star had mass which could create as many as 50 Jupiters. Apart from
describing the state of this star, the findings of NASA also demonstrated a precise and new
method for measuring the weight of the planet-forming disks. This new method can help in
directly investigating the gas which is typically used for making the new planets.


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SCIENTISTS CREATED WORLDS FIRST DIGITAL ATLAS OF BRAIN
Scientists at the Berkeley Lab in their first major breakthrough made possible to get the close
view of how a brain develops as well as functions. The scientists would also be able to find out
which part of brain is an absentee during the neurological disorders such as epilepsy, autism
and schizophrenia. In their major breakthrough, the scientists created the first of its kind
genome-wide digital atlas of gene enhancers that are found in the brain.
Genomes, as described by the scientists are the switches which help a gene in getting
information about when and where they should be switched on or off. The worlds first atlas of
this kind documents the cerebrum, motor functions as well as emotion identifies and also find
out various gene-regulating elements that form the basic causes of neurological disorders.
A geneticist with Berkeley Lab's genomics division, Axel Visel described that the most
challenging tasks of the contemporary science is to understand the functioning or
malfunctioning of the brain. Therefore, they created the digital atlas of gene enhancers in the
human brain. This atlas enabled the scientists to get a detailed study about how the individual
genes can be regulated during the development of a brain and also how the genetic mutations
can create an impact on the human neurological disorders.
The gene enhancers in reality are the short pieces of DNA in human genome, rather than the
actual genes. Therefore these enhancers do not give rise to the proteins. Actually, they are the
switches which are used to inform actual genes when they should become active and create a
protein. Every cell type of human body composes of different sets of enhancers which are
switched on or off. Together, these can help in coordination of activities of 20000 genes in
every single cell.
JAPANESE SCIENTISTS FILMED THOUGHTS OF A FISH FOR FIRST TIME
The Japanese scientists from the Saitama University in the first week of February 2013 filmed
for the first time, the thoughts of a fish while it tracks the prey, revealing about the precision of
the brain activity that governs its hunting behaviour. The study is a first of its kind and it led to
real-time recording of the precise brain processes in the animal.
In the similar studies conducted earlier, the patterns of the brain activities while making use of
MRI scans were studied. These MRI scans were used to find out when the different regions of a
brain switched on and off. However, this new study used a very different approach for
recording which individual cells were being used at a particular moment.
The filmed thoughts are very important because this technology can be used for understanding
the thought process of the animals as well as the humans. Also, it could be used for learning
about the abnormalities which lead to increase in diseases of a brain.
In the study, the scientists demonstrated the map in a brain of the Zebra fish. This map was also
present in human brain. This could greatly help in interpreting the behaviour of an animal
which includes understanding their anger, joy, memory, learning and much more.

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In their study, the scientists modified the larvae of the Zebra Fish genetically so that the
neurons in their optic tectum emitted a fluorescent green light when being used. The larvae of
Zebra Fish have transparent bodies which meant that the activities of brain cells could be easily
filmed in a real-time with the help of a microscope and a high-resolution camera.
NASAS MARS ROVER, CURIOSITY DRILLED INTO FIRST MARTIAN ROCK
NASA on 9 February 2013 announced that its Mars rover
Curiosity drilled into the surface of the planet for first time.
The drilling was a part of endeavor to learn whether the
Martian surface, which has solar system like that of Earth,
supports microbial life or not. The drilling into Martian
surface took place for the first time on 8 February 2013.
As an outcome of the drilling, the pictures were sent by
Curiosity which depicted a hole of around 0.63 inches wide and 2.5 inches deep in the fine-
grained sedimentary bedrock. The drilling fetched out small heap of powder which will be fed in
onboard laboratory instruments so that the chemical makeup of the rock can be determined.
Earlier in the second week of February 2013, engineers spent a few days in order to make use
of the Curiositys drill which also included boring practice holes. The first drill target of Curiosity
was a Martian rock which was laced with the veins which appeared like water-deposited
minerals. Curiosity is on a two-year mission on Mars for finding out the chemical and geologic
conditions on Mars which are required for supporting as well as preserving the microbial life.
Engineers are not clear yet whether the powder was produced in what quantity but it is enough
for laboratory analysis. NASA announced that using drill was the biggest achievement for the
team of Curiosity ever since the rover landed on Mars in August 2012. The final target of
Curiosity is 3-mile- (5-km) high mound of layered sediment which rises from floor of Gale Crater
landing site.
NASA SATELLITE DATA FOUND FRESHWATER LOSSES IN MIDDLE EAST
A new study using data from a pair of gravity-measuring NASA satellites found on 12 February
2013 that large parts of the arid Middle East region lost freshwater reserves rapidly during the
past decade. Scientists at the University of California at Irvine found that during a seven-year
period beginning in 2003, parts of Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran along the Tigris and Euphrates
river basins lost 117 million acre feet (144 cubic kilometers) of its total stored freshwater. That
is almost the amount of water in the Dead Sea. The researchers attribute about 60 percent of
the loss to pumping of groundwater from underground reservoirs.
Since obtaining ground-based data in the area is difficult, satellite data, such as that from
NASA's twin Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites, are essential. GRACE
is providing a global picture of water storage trends and is invaluable when hydrologic
observations are not routinely collected or shared beyond political boundaries.


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GRACE is like having a giant scale in the sky. Within a given region, rising or falling water
reserves alter Earth's mass, influencing how strong the local gravitational attraction is. By
periodically measuring gravity regionally, GRACE tells us how much each region's water storage
changes over time.
The team calculated about one-fifth of the observed water losses resulted from soil drying up
and snowpack shrinking, partly in response to the 2007 drought. Loss of surface water from
lakes and reservoirs accounted for about another fifth of the losses. The majority of the water
lost approximately 73 million acre feet (90 cubic kilometers) was due to reductions in
groundwater.
When a drought reduces an available surface water supply, irrigators and other water users
turn to groundwater supplies. For example, the Iraqi government drilled about 1000 wells in
response to the 2007 drought, a number that does not include the numerous private wells
landowners also very likely drilled.
Water management is a complex issue in the Middle East, an area that already is dealing with
limited water resources and competing stakeholders said Kate Voss, lead author of the study
and a water policy fellow with the University of California's Center for Hydrological Modeling in
Irvine, which Famiglietti directs. GRACE is a joint mission with the German Aerospace Center
and the German Research Center for Geosciences, in partnership with the University of Texas at
Austin.
RESEARCHERS DISCOVERED WATER ON THE OLDEST ROCKS OF MOON
Researchers in the third week of February 2013 detected water traces inside the crystalline
structure of one of the oldest lunar rocks which were obtained through Apollo missions on
Moon. As per the study conducted by University of Michigan, the lunar highlands represent
original crust which is actually crystallised from Magma Ocean that was found mainly on the
molten early Moon.
Researchers made use of the Infrared spectroscopy for analysing water content in a part of
plagioclase feldspar from lunar anorthosites. Plagioclase feldspar from lunar anorthosites is
basically the lunar rocks which are formed of over 90 percent plagioclase.
It is believed that these bright-coloured highlands rocks formed early in the history of the moon
when plagioclase crystallised from the magma ocean and came up to the surface. The infrared
spectroscopy work found out about the presence of 6 parts per million of water in lunar
anorthosites.
The water content that was measured is not actually liquid water but hydroxyl groups which
were distributed in mineral grain. These hydroxyl groups that were detected are evident that
the interior of the Moon contained water during the early molten state of it. Later the crust was
solidified and played a crucial role in lunar basalts developments.

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Because there are some oldest rocks from the Moon, therefore it is believed that water would
have been there in the Moon when it was formed. Earlier theories revealed that Moon was
formed when the Mars-sized body bumped into the young Earth. Eventually the debris broke
off and combined into new body. It was believed that a lot of water would have been
evaporated in the space, leaving Moon arid.
RESEARCHERS DISCOVERED WATER ON THE OLDEST ROCKS OF MOON
Researchers in the third week of February 2013 detected water traces inside the crystalline
structure of one of the oldest lunar rocks which were obtained through Apollo missions on
Moon. As per the study conducted by University of Michigan, the lunar highlands represent
original crust which is actually crystallised from Magma Ocean that was found mainly on the
molten early Moon.
Researchers made use of the Infrared spectroscopy for analysing water content in a part of
plagioclase feldspar from lunar anorthosites. Plagioclase feldspar from lunar anorthosites are
basically the lunar rocks which are formed of over 90 percent plagioclase.
It is believed that these bright-coloured highlands rocks formed early in the history of the moon
when plagioclase crystallised from the magma ocean and came up to the surface. The infrared
spectroscopy work found out about the presence of 6 parts per million of water in lunar
anorthosites.
The water content that was measured is not actually liquid water but hydroxyl groups which
were distributed in mineral grain. These hydroxyl groups that were detected are evident that
the interior of the Moon contained water during the early molten state of it. Later the crust was
solidified and played a crucial role in lunar basalts developments.
Because there are some oldest rocks from the Moon, therefore it is believed that water would
have been there in the Moon when it was formed. Earlier theories revealed that Moon was
formed when the Mars-sized body bumped into the young Earth. Eventually the debris broke
off and combined into new body. It was believed that a lot of water would have been
evaporated in the space, leaving Moon arid.
To Read More Science and Technology Stories
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY QUIZZES
1. The space telescope of NASA discovered astonishing magnetic braids of super-hot
matter in outer atmosphere of the Sun. Which of the following statements is true in
context with this statement?
a) The scientists claimed that this discovery could help in explaining the mysterious
hot centre of the Sun.

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b) The NASAs telescope captured 1000 photographs depicting astonishing details.
c) It was found out that the Suns surface was almost up to 6125 degrees Celsius.
d) The scientists also discovered that the powerful magnetic waves which rippled
from within the surface of the Sun.
Answer: (c) It was found out that the Suns surface was almost up to 6125 degrees Celsius.
2. Iran on 28 January 2013 announced that it had successfully sent into space a primate.
Which primate did it send into space?
a) Worms
b) Monkey
c) Turtle
d) Mouse
Answer: (b) Monkey
3. NASA on 1 February 2013 marked 10th anniversary of which Space Shuttle?
a) Columbia
b) Challenger
c) Both of these
d) None of these
Answer: (a) Columbia
4. Scientists from NASA in the last week of January 2013 discovered an old star called TW
Hydrae which they believe could create new planets even now. How old is this star?
a) 100 million years old
b) 50 million years old
c) 20 million years old
d) 10 million years old
Answer: (d) 10 million years old

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5. The Japanese scientists from the Saitama University in the first week of February 2013
filmed for the first time, the thoughts of which animal while it was tracking its prey?
a) A fish
b) A zebra
c) An elephant
d) A snail
Answer: (a) A fish
For More Science and Tech Quizzes


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ONE LINERS
The new communication satellite launched by NASA on 31 January 2013 to stay in
touch with its space station astronauts- TDRS(Tracking and Data Relay Satellite)
The person who emerged as winner to the first direct Presidential elections held in
Czech Republic on 25 January 2013-Milos Zeman
The renowned painter of Bengal School died on 1 February 2013 following a brief illness
at Kolkata hospital- Shanu Lahiri
The prominent Pakistani journalist died on 2 February 2013 in New York following 4-
year long fight with cancer- Ayesha Haroon
World cancer day was observed on - 4 February 2013
Solicitor-General of India, who resigned from his office on 4 February 2013- Rohinton F
Nariman
The Australian cricket captain who won the fourth Allan Border Medal in Melbourne on
4 February 2013- Michael Clarke
President of Republic of Mauritius who visited India from 3 Jan 2013 to 10 Jan 2013 and
was honoured with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award- Rajkeswur Purryag
The King of Bhutan who visited India from 23 to 30 January 2013 and was the Chief
Guest for the Republic Day Celebration- Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
The fourth largest private sector Bank of India which was awarded the Financial
Institutions Syndicated Deal of the Year 2012 in its Asia Pacific Region- YES Bank
The Parliament Attack Convict, who was hanged on 9 Feb 2013 at Tihar Jail after his
mercy petition was cancelled by the President of India- Afzal Guru
The Advocate-General of West Bengal who resigned from his office on 8 Feb 2013-
Anindya Kumar Mitra
The 72 years old table tennis legend who died in Beijing on 10 February 2013 following
lengthy fight with cancer- Zhuang Zedong
The sitar legend was honoured with the posthumous Lifetime Achievement Grammy
award ON 9 February 2013- Pandit Ravi Shankar
US Marine General who took over the command of the NATO-led International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan- Joseph Dunford

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Conference for South Asian Autism Network (SAAN) for Autism Spectrum Disorders
(ASD) was concluded on -11 Feb 2013
Code name given to secret plan for executing Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist Afzal Guru in
Tihar Jail on 9 February 2013 -Operation Three Star
The short range surface-to-surface missile launched by Pakistan on 11 February 2013 -
Hatf IX (NASR)
The Person appointed as the chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi on 12 February 2013-
Kalyan Kumar Chakravarty
Prime Minister of the Himalayan Kingdom Bhutan was on an official visit to India from 7
Feb. to 9 Feb. 2013- Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley
World Radio Day was observed on which day to raise awareness about the importance
of radio- 12 February 2013
The former Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, who sworn in as the Lokayukta on 14
February 2013- Y Bhaskar Rao
The theme of 27nd edition of Surajkund mela that was ended on 15 February 2013 was
Karnataka
The person who was appointed as the next Permanent Representative of India to the
United Nations on 13 February 2013- Asoke Kumar Mukerji
The Country which banned the Japanese cartoon Doraemon in the third week of
February 2013 because of the fears of Hindi invasion- Bangladesh
The Ecuador's President who was re-elected for a third term with more than 50 percent
of the vote- Rafael Correa
The Person who was conferred with Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and
Development Award 2011 by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee on 18 Feb 2013 -
Ela Ramesh Bhatt
The former Union Minister and three times MP for Rajya Sabha, who died at the age of
68 on 19 February 2013- Radhakishan Malviya
The former LIC chief who took over as the Chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and
Development Authority (IRDA) on 21 February 2013- T. S. Vijayan
The former head of Tata Group who was awarded the life time achievement award 2012
by Ernst & Young on 21 February 2013- Ratan Tata
The Car Rally that was flagged off from the Helipad Ground in Salt Lake Stadium, West
Bengal on 22 February 2013- Silk Route Car Rally

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The playbook which won four awards at the Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica
on 24 February 2013- Silver Linings Playbook
The Person who had sworn -in as the first woman President of South Korea on 25
February 2013- Park Geun-hye


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NEWS CAPSULE
P.R. VASUDEVA RAO APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR OF IGCAR
P.R. Vasudeva Rao became the Director of the Indira Gandhi
Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) at Kalpakkam on 31
January 2013. He succeeded S.C Chetal, who has now retired.
Dr. Rao was earlier the Director, Chemistry Group in IGCAR
and is also a specialist in the field of actinide chemistry as well
as a few areas of chemistry of nuclear fuel cycle. In IGCAR, Dr.
Rao led various R&D programmes related to the field of
chemistry.
ABOUT DR. RAO
Dr. Rao did graduation from Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College, Chennai in
1972.
He later became a part of the Department of Atomic Energy after he graduated from
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Training School, Trombay.
He got his Ph.D. degree in actinide chemistry from Bombay University.
In 1978, after resigning from BARC, he joined IGCAR. He played a crucial role in
establishing Radiochemistry Laboratory in IGCAR.
Various awards were bagged by him, which also include Indian Nuclear Society award in
2007.
Dr. Raos specialty is designing and developing breeder reactors.
NASA LAUNCHED A NEW COMMUNICATION SATELLITE CALLED TDRS
NASA on 31 January 2013 launched a new communication satellite to stay in touch with its
space station astronauts and relay more Hubble telescope images. An unmanned Atlas V rocket
blasted into the starry night sky carrying the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) from Cape
Canaveral. This is the 11th TDRS satellite to be launched by NASA. The space agency uses the
orbiting network to communicate with astronauts living on the International Space Station. The
first TDRS spacecraft flew in 1983.
This newest third-generation TDRS carries the letter K designation. Once it begins working, it
will become TDRS-11. It will take two weeks for the satellite to reach its intended 22300-mile-


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high orbit. Testing will last a few months. NASA estimates the satellite costs between 350 and
400 million US Dollars. Another TDRS spacecraft, L in the series, will be launched in 2014.
FIRST DIRECT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WAS HELD IN CZECH REPUBLIC
Czech Republic: It is a landlocked country in Central Europe
The result of first direct Presidential elections held in Czech Republic was declared on 25
January 2013. Milos Zeman emerged as winner. He won 55 percent as compared with 45
percent of Karel Schwarzenberg. Milos Zeman is the former Prime Minister of Czech Republic
and head of the Party of Civic Rights-Zemanovci (SPOZ) while Karel Schwarzenberg is foreign
minister in the present centre-right coalition government. Zeman succeeded Vaclav Klaus as the
President of Czech Republic.
The Czech Republic is a land-locked country in central Europe. Until 2012, the Parliament
elected the President for a five-year term. After a long discussion, fueled by allegations of
corruption in the voting process, the constitution was amended in 2012 to provide for direct
Presidential elections.
SIR ISSAC NEWTONS 300-YEAR-OLD TEXTBOOKS DISCOVERED
A box of books said to be that of Sir Isaac Newton, in the school physics laboratory of
Newcastle-under-Lyme School, Staffordshire in UK were discovered in the first week of
February 2013. The textbooks are over 300 years old and contain works of Sir Issac Newton,
who is credited with discovery of gravity.
The auctioneers estimated that the discovery could be worth thousands of pounds. The books
were discovered by the sixth-form physics student Will Garside while working on the artefacts
from the school site.
The books contained Newtons Laws of Motion as well as the account of principles of gravity
spread across over 1000 pages. The discovered books are a set of three volumes and are said to
be the property of first headmaster, Francis Elliot Kitchener, who was a keen scientist. The
three books are known as Philosophi Naturalis Principia Mathematica, meaning mathematical
principles of natural philosophy. They were first published on 5 July 1687.
The work of Sir Issac Newton was translated in English in 1728. Sir Newton was leading scientist
in subjects such as alchemy, theology, natural philosophy and astronomy. He was born in 1642
and died in 1727.
REPORT: INDIA ACCOUNTS TO 86 % ORAL CANCER FIGURE
Experts of National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW) in first week of February
released a report on the harmful effects of gutka. It reported that 86 percent of the total oral

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cancer figure across the world accounted to India. A total of 75000 to 80000 new cases of
cancer were diagnosed in India itself.
In case of India the maximum number of cancer was a result of tobacco chewing, because
Indians chew tobacco more than smoking. India consists of 14 percent smoking tobacco users
and 26 percent chewing tobacco users.
As per the report tobacco is responsible for creating 1.5 lakh cancer patients, 4.2 million heart
diseases and 3.7 million lung diseases in India every year, making India an oral cancer capital.
The statistics released by the Health Ministry 65 percent cancers in India are caused due to the
use of tobacco. Other data released reveled that a third of the annual 5.6 million cancer deaths
in India occurs due to the excessive use of tobacco. The rate of oral cancer reported in India is
about twice the global average.
In 2008 cancer was the cause of 7.6 million deaths worldwide. In case of men from South-East
Asia Region, oral and lung cancers are the most prevalent ones and breast and cervical cancers
are mainly found in women.
The Government of India invests a sum of 300 billion rupees per year approximately on
treatment of tobacco related illness via both private and public spending. It accounts to one-
fourth of the total spending on health issues in the country. About 2500 persons die every day
in India due to diseases related to tobacco.
R. NARIMAN SOLICITOR-GENERAL OF INDIA RESIGNED FROM HIS OFFICE
Rohinton F Nariman, the Solicitor-General of India resigned from his office on 4 February 2013.
He was appointed at the second highest law official of India on 23 July 2011 after Gopal
Subramanium resigned from his office on 14 July 2011 following the issues with Government in
context to the 2G Spectrum Allocation Scam.
Nariman was designated as a senior advocate at the age of 37, when M.N. Venkatachaliah, the
Chief Justice of India amended the rules and reduced the age from 45 years for designating a
lawyer as a senior advocate.
In the history of last four decades, only three Solicitor Generals have been successful in
completing his five year term in the office and they are - L N Sinha from 1972-77, Dipankar
Gupta from 1992-97 and G E Vahanvati from 2004-09.
EARTHQUAKE OF MAGNITUDE 8.0 STRUCK THE SOLOMON ISLANDS
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 8.0 has struck off the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean
on 6 February 2013 and generated a potentially destructive tsunami.
The earthquake struck the Santa Cruz Islands a part of the Solomon Islands Nation at 01:12
GMT as per the reports from the US Geological Survey. The quake struck 81 kilometres west of
Lata, at a depth of 5.8 kilometres. The Tsunami warning was raised for Papua New Guinea,

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Solomon Islands, Nauru, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Tuvalu, Fiji, Kosrae, and Wallis and Futuna
and Kiribati islands.
King of Bhutan visited India as Republic Day function Chief Guest
The King and Queen of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Jetsun Pema
respectively visited India from 23 January to 30 January 2013. King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar
Namgyel Wangchuck was invited by the Indian President to be the Chief Guest for the Republic
Day Celebrations of India.
The visit of the King of Bhutan and his acceptance to be the chief guest for the Republic Day
celebration would contribute to further strengthening and expansion of the bilateral relation
and ties between Bhutan and India.
During his visit, the King of Bhutan met with President of India, the Vice-President, Prime
Minister, UPA Chairperson, Leader of Opposition in Lok sabha, Foreign Secretary, National
Security Advisor.
UNION CABINET APPROVED DRDO FOR DEVELOPING AWACS FOR IAF
The Union Cabinet of India on 6 February 2013 gave
approval to Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) for developing an indigenous Airborne
Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) for IAF.
AWACS allows IAF to keep a close watch on the enemy
territory. The government granted an in-principal approval
to the proposal for developing an indigenous AWACS. The
approval was granted in the meeting of Cabinet Committee
on Security.
DRDO officials announced that DRDO would work for finalisation of further details of the
programmes as well as the number of aircrafts that IAF would need for giving overall coverage
to Indias boundaries. At present, India has a fleet of three AWACS aircraft.
OBAMA NOMINATED SALLY JEWELL AS U.S. INTERIOR SECRETARY
US President Barack Obama nominated Sally Jewell, a retail
executive and outdoor enthusiast on 6 February 2013 as the
U.S. interior secretary for looking after the huge energy
reserves as well as the national parks. Obama while
nominating Jewell described her as an expert on climate
issues and energy issues. It is important to note that Jewell is
the first woman who is nominated to join second term of
Obama.


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ABOUT SALLY JEWELL
Jewell who is 56 years of age has remained a leader in land conservation in the Pacific
Northwest.
She has also worked in banking and energy sector in early days of her career.
ROLE OF THE U.S. INTERIOR SECRETARY
Apart from managing the U.S. National Park Service, the U.S. interior secretary also
looks after one fifth of the land mass of the country as well as offshore oil fields.
The interior secretary also strongly voices out the opinions in rules which govern the
hydraulic fracturing or fracking on the public lands and drilling for oil and gas in the
Arctic.
WORLDS LARGEST PRIME NUMBER DISCOVERED
Researchers from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg in the second week of
February 2013 discovered the largest prime number of the world, beating an earlier record of
largest prime number by more than 4 million digits. The findings of the researchers were a part
of Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search (GIMPS). GIMPS is a distributed computing project
which was specifically formulated for finding out a certain kind of prime number which was first
identified in 17th century.
All the prime numbers in the world can be divided by themselves and 1 only. However there are
certain rare kinds of prime numbers called Mersenne primes which have the form 2 multiplied
by itself p times minus 1, where p denotes a prime number. The new number now shot to 2
multiplied by itself 57885161 times minus 1 and this broke the record of finding the new and
even larger primes.
The new largest prime number discovered by the researchers has more than 17 million digits
and is an only 48th Mersenne prime found so far. It is the 14th discovery by GIMPS. The earlier
record of 2 multiplied by itself 43112609 times minus 1 was also discovered by GIMPS back in
2008 and it had just a few less than 13 million digits. GIMPS discovered all the top ten largest
Mersenne primes.
There are infinite numbers of primes and there is not any specific formula for generating the
primes like these. Therefore discovering numbers like these involves intensive computation.
The Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search (GIMPS) software functions on almost 1000
university computers. One of the computers out of these spent 39 days in proving that number
discovered was actually prime and later it was verified by other researchers as well.
UNION GOVERNMENT OF INDIA APPROVED SETTING UP OF NPCA

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NPCA: National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 7 February 2013 approved the proposal for the
merger of National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) and National Wetlands Conservation
Programme (NWCP) to develop a new scheme named National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic
Eco-systems (NPCA).
The estimated cost to bring this plan into operations during the 12th Plan Period is 900 crore
rupees. The Government of India and the State Governments would be sharing the costs in a
ratio of 70:30 and in case of the North-Eastern states the ratio is 90:10.
NATIONAL PLAN FOR CONSERVATION OF AQUATIC ECO-SYSTEMS (NPCA)
The Union Government of India merged National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems
(NPCA) to develop a new program named National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-
systems (NPCA). The formation of the NPCA was done with the objective of conserving aquatic
ecosystems (lakes and wetlands) by implementing sustainable conservation plans. To govern
the implementation uniform policy and guidelines will be framed.
PT. R. SHANKAR HONOURED WITH GRAMMY AWARD
Pandit Ravi Shankar, the sitar legend was honoured with the
posthumous Lifetime Achievement Grammy award. His
daughter sitarist Anoushka Shankar accepted the award on
his behalf on 9 February 2013 ahead of the Grammys show
that took place in Los Angeles on 10 February 2013.
Anoushka Shankar and Norah Jones attended the pre-
Grammy ceremony at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre for
accepting the honour which was given to their deceased father. Pandit Ravi Shankar died on 11
December 2012 at 92 years of age. Pandit Ravi Shankar was in the list of seven other artistes
named for Lifetime Achievement Award honourees and this also included Carole King and the
Temptations. The Indian sitar legend also won best world music album Grammy for The Living
Room Sessions Part 1. Pandit Ravi Shankars daughter Anoushka Shankar was also nominated in
this category for album Traveller.
POPE BENEDICT XVI ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION
Pope Benedict XVI announced on 11 February 2013 that he
would resign at the end of the month. He reasoned that he
was too infirm to carry on. He is the first pontiff to do so in
nearly 600 years. The decision set the stage for the election of
a new Pope before the end of March 2013.
Pope Benedict XVI is 85 years old. He had become the Pope in


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2005. The last Pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII, who took this step in 1415 to put an end to
the Great Western Split among competing papal claimants.
DELHI DECLARATION OF SAAN CONCLUDED
The Delhi Declaration of the first South Asian Autism Network (SAAN) for Autism Spectrum
Disorders (ASD) conference concluded in New Delhi on 11 February 2013.
THE DELHI DECLARATION IS AS FOLLOWS
The members of South Asian Autism Network (SAAN), during New Delhi Declaration took into
consideration different facts.
To reiterate the commitment of nations to the concept of all human beings being born
free and equal in rights and dignity as enshrined in:
a. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948,
b. The Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989,
c. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2007,
d. The Declaration of 2nd April as World Autism Awareness Day by the United
Nations General Assembly 2007
e. The Dhaka Declaration on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental
Disabilities of July 2011
They reiterated towards its commitment for safeguarding every citizen from
discrimination and social exclusion ensuring their inclusion in all spheres of life
They noted down their concerns related to the increased occurrence of autism and
disorders related to it as well as the absence of population based mechanisms to detect
the accessible interventions on time
To develop a community based model for early detection, intervention and care for
Autism which can surely improve the outcome and become a model for different types
of developmental disabilities
The concern for making the appropriate services accessible to children and their
families, making it affordable, and increase the human and material costs for
communities, families and nations because the scientific evidences for early
intervention of the children with autism have increased at a large scale
To consider the stigma, discrimination as well as social exclusion those children and
their families can face on a daily basis

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THE PARTICIPANT NATIONS UNDERTOOK
A commitment to themselves to include ASD in all mainstream policies and programmes
of their nations for addressing the issues related to early childhood development in all
spheres of community life
To develop measures for early detection and surveillance services at every level
Evaluation and implementation of the efficacious and effective programs for addressing
the life cycle needs of person with ASD
The member countries agreed to undertake collaborative research on all aspects of
autism
To strive to improve Awareness, develop collaborative networks for Advocacy and
Legislation/Policy changes if required, on ASD which will also provide a platform for the
voices of persons with ASD and their families
Implementation of the Dhaka Declaration on Autism Spectrum Disorders and
Developmental Disabilities of 2011, in both letter and spirit
ALLAHABAD STAMPEDE DURING MAUNI AMAVASYA
Stampede took place at the Allahabad railway station on 10 February 2013. On 11 February
2013, the death toll reached to 36 people. The death toll is
likely to increase. The injured were being treated at SRN
hospital in Allahabad and railway hospitals.
Victims included 9 men, 26 women and one child. Bodies of
20 deceased people were identified. The stampede took
place at Platform number 5 and 6 where a number of
passengers, most of which were Maha Kumbh devotees,
were returning after they took dip in the Holy Sangam on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. The
government of Uttar Pradesh ordered inquiry into this matter. The government also asked
Railways to sanction ex-gratia of 5 lakh Rupees to families of deceased.
AZAM KHAN RESIGNED AS IN-CHARGE OF KUMBH AFTER ALLAHABAD STAMPEDE
Following the stampede that tolled 36 lives, Mohammad Azam Khan, the UP minister resigned
as an in-charge of ongoing Kumbh Mela, owing to the moral responsibility.
MOHAN PARASARAN APPOINTED AS THE SOLICITOR GENERAL OF INDIA


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Mohan Parasaran, the Additional Solicitor General was on
13 February 2013 appointed as the Solicitor General of
India after senior advocate Rohinton Nariman resigned
from his designation.
Mohan Parasaran will serve as the Solicitor General of India
for a term of three years. The Appointments Committee of
the Cabinet (ACC) cleared his name for Solicitor General of
India. Rohinton Nariman resigned from his post in Early
February 2013. Mohan Parasaran is a senior advocate of the Supreme Court. He was appointed
by first UPA Government as Additional Solicitor General (ASG) in July 2004.
SOLICITOR GENERAL OF INDIA
The Solicitor General of India is the second highest law officer of India and a subordinate to the
Attorney General for India, who is the Indian government's chief legal advisor.
SEVENTEENTH CONVOCATION OF THE NIMHANS HELD IN BANGALORE
Seventeenth Convocation of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences
(NIMHANS) was held on 14 February 2013 in Bangalore. Chief Guest of the convocation was the
Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad.
INITIATIVES TAKEN DURING THE CONVOCATION
Ghulam Nabi Azad declared that address and telephone based Mother and Child
Tracking System were available for reaching out to the pregnant women for appropriate
care during pregnancy as well as for every child for vaccination.
New initiative called Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram was launched on 6 February
2013 in Maharashtra for Universal Screening of Children for Disorders, Diseases,
Deficiencies and Disabilities since birth to 18 years. This programme will include 270
million children in India.
The Health Ministers of India and Bangladesh signed a MoU on Health in New Delhi on
12 February 2013. The MoU was signed so that the two nations can cooperate in terms
of health sector.
India and Bangladesh also facilitated setting up South Asian Autism Network (SAAN).
The meeting between two nations was concluded on 11 February 2013 where both
nations had Adoption of Delhi Declaration.
National review in mental health was conducted in which it was observed that around
one out of two patients needed to travel over 5 km for care and 40 percent patients had


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to travel over 10 km. National Mental Health Programmes in context with this, were re-
strategised for upgrading all Mental Hospitals in India.
Apart from this, psychiatry wings of about 90 medical colleges were upgraded and
District Hospitals were strengthened for facilitating medical care to patients who are
mentally ill.
It was decided that 18 Ambulance services would be started for transporting the
patients to District Hospitals in case of emergency.
The Health Ministry also drew plan for scaling up the programme to around 300 districts
and eventually to all the districts in a properly phased manner during 12th Five Year
Plan.
The programme would be evaluated by NIMHANS. Also, NIMHANS would facilitate a
blue print for expanding these mental health services in India.
ABOUT NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND NEURO SCIENCES
(NIMHANS)
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) is a deemed
university, designated as Institute of National Importance by an Act of Parliament.
NIMHANS laid its foundation on 14 February 1974.
Specialty of NIMHANS is in the discipline of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences in India.
NIMHANS in 2012 started free legal aid services called NIMHANS Centre for Well-Being
with 15 high-tech laboratories.
ASTEROID 2012 DA14 TO PASS THROUGH EARTH POSES NO THREAT
The Asteroid 2012 DA14, a 150-foot asteroid would fly above the earth at a distance of about
17000 miles on 15 February 2013, inside the ring of geosynchronous weather and
communications satellites. The asteroid would be visible across Asia including India and can be
seen with the help of a binocular or telescope.
This would be the first encounter of the scientists with an object so close to earth. This
encounter will bring chances of studying the closet near earth object. NASA's Near-Earth Object
Program Office that have predicted the path of the asteroid had cleared that there exist no
chances of asteroid collision with earth.
INT. CON. ON TRADITIONAL MEDICINE FOR SE ASIAN COUNTRIES
The two-day International Conference on Traditional Medicine for South-East (SE) Asian
Countries concluded with the Adoption of Delhi Declaration in New Delhi on 13 February 2013.

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The Delhi Declaration was made for fostering the development of Traditional Medicine of the
region.
Agendas of Delhi Declaration on Traditional Medicine for the South-East Asian Countries
For appropriate use of traditional medicines in the health care delivery system impartial
development and promotion of national policies, strategies and interventions
Development of institutionalized mechanism for exchange of information, expertise and
knowledge with active cooperation with WHO on traditional medicine through
workshops, symposia, visit of experts, exchange of literature and more
To pursue harmonized approach for the education, research, documentation, practice
and regulation of traditional medicine along with the involvement of practitioners of
health services of the traditional medicine
Identification of the possible ways for promotion of mutual recognition of educational
qualifications that is awarded by recognized Universities, monographs, pharmacopoeias
and relevant databases of traditional medicine
The declaration included development of a common document for reference on
traditional medicines for the south East Asian nations
To identify and develop the scopes of regional cooperation for training and capacity
building of traditional medicine experts
To encourage sustainable development and resource augmentation of medicinal plants
in the South East Asian regional countries
To establish regional centers as required for capacity building and networking in the
areas of traditional medicine and medicinal plants
To exchange views, experiences and experts for integration of traditional medicine into
national health systems in accordance with national policies and regulations
The conference was attended by the representatives of South-East Asian countries namely
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, DPR Korea, Indonesia, Myanmar,
Maldives and Thailand.
ONE BILLION RISING CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
The entire world came together on one platform to raise the voice for the violence against
women across the globe by participating in One Billion Rising Campaign. This is a global
campaign to rise against violence and take a stand for the one billion women. Almost 200
hundred countries are taking part in this campaign.

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UN in its message stated that by standing together the world can end the violence against
women and girls and build a world where all live free from harassment and fear.
In fact, the governments across the globe should make a concrete commitment of action to end
the violence against women and girls.
METEORITE EXPLODED OVER THE SKIES OF RUSSIA
The meteorite that weighed around 10 tonnes entered the earths atmosphere over Siberia
above the skies of Ural Mountains on 15 February 2013. The meteorite that travelled at a speed
of 15 to 20 kilometer per second created a panic kind of situation and resulted into shockwaves
that blasted windows and rocked buildings. Russian Emergency Situations Ministry declared
that the shockwaves injured around 500 people out of which 84 were children.
The meteorite exploded itself into small fragments at a distance of about 50 kilometers from
earth surface. Fragments of the meteorite effected several regions of Siberia and Kazakhstan,
with Chelyabinsk, the industrial city of Russia. Three areas that suffered effects of meteorite
and among them one included a crater of six meters near Lake Chebarkul. The meteorite was
preceded the Asteroid 2012 DA14 that crossed over the skies of Indonesia and other parts of
Asia.
TWENTY-SEVENTH EDITION OF SURAJKUND MELA ENDED
The twenty seventh edition of the Surajkund International Crafts Mela ended on 15 February
2013 at Surajkund in Faridabad (Haryana). The mela lasted for fifteen days from 1 February to
15 February 2013, presented a kaleidoscopic perspective of the rich Indian culture.
FACTS RELATED TO THE 27TH EDITION OF THE MEAL ARE AS FOLLOWS
The 27th edition of the mela carried Karnataka as its main theme and the theme was
selected after a gap of 18 years.
Craftsmen from SAARC nations participated for the first time under one roof in the
history of mela
Craftsmen from Eurasian countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan & Kyrgyzstan also
displayed their handicrafts and handicrafts during the mela
ABOUT SURAJKUND MELA
Surajkund Mela, for the first time was held in 1987 and since then the colorful traditional craft
festival is held from 1 February to 15 February every year on the onset of spring season. The
annual fair helps in showcasing the finest handlooms, handicrafts, authentic fragrances and
flavours of rich Indian cuisines. State as well as National awardees artisans from every corner of
India participate in the mela.

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Every year the mela is organised based on the theme of a particular state of India that is chosen
as the state of the year. Complete mela carries the look of the selected state
SURAJKUND AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
The name Surajkund means Lake of the Sun and the area lies in the backdrop of Aravalli hills.
The area was built by the ruler of Tomar Dynasty, Suraj Pal in tenth century. The place holds a
historic sun temple of tenth century. Surajkund being a historical place is also included in the
list of Haryana Tourism department.
ECUADORS PRESIDENT RAFAEL CORREA RE-ELECTED FOR A THIRD TERM
Ecuador's President Rafael Correa was re-elected for a third
term with more than 50 percent of the vote according to
the election results declared in the third week of February
2013. As per the results, Rafael Correa got 56.7 percent
while his closest competitor Guillermo could secure only
23.3 percent.
Correa is a socialist leader who was first elected in 2007. He
is credited with bringing political stability to a nation that experienced several protests and
coups. He is known for his citizen revolution which made him popular among people of
Ecuador. He is 49 years old.
During his six years in power, Correa provided access to education and healthcare and bettered
thousands of miles of highways, leading to creation of jobs in the process. Moreover, Poverty
rates declined significantly. To avoid a run-off, the President of Ecuador was required to win 50
percent of the total vote or 40 percent plus a 10-point margin over the second-placed
candidate.
ELA BHATT CONFERRED 2011 INDIRA GANDHI PRIZE
The President of India Pranab Mukherjee on 18 February
2013 conferred 2011 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace,
Disarmament and Development Award to Ela Ramesh
Bhatt, a renowned Women social worker. The award was
given away at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
Ela Bhatt was given away the award for life time
achievements in women empowerment, promotion of
grassroot level entrepreneurship as well as contribution towards promotion of equitable
development and peace. Ela Bhatt has her organisation SEWA (Self-Employed Womens
Association). President Pranab Mukherjee while giving away the award announced that SEWA
was a vehicle of self employment and self reliance for the Indian women, while at the same
time being synonymous with the rural inclusiveness.


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ELA BHATT
Ela Bhatt is the founder of more than 1 million SEWAs in India.
Since years, Ela Bhatt has been working for women empowerment and bringing women
out of poverty through promotion of Self Help Groups.
SEWA has empowered women with freedom as well as financial self- reliance.
JUDICIAL PROBE IN KUMBH RAILWAY STATION STAMPEDE ORDERED
The State Government of Uttar Pradesh on 18 February 2013 appointed Onkareshwar Bhatt,
the retired Justice of Allahabad High Court to conduct Judicial Probe into the Allahabad Railway
Station Stampede that occurred during Kumbh Mela. The constituted committee that will probe
into the matter is a one-man committee and was directed to submit its report in two months.
The State Government ordered a Judicial Probe into the incident that occurred on the day of
Mauni Amawasya 10 February 2013 at the Allahabad Railway Station during Kumbh Mela.
Other Two Committees conducting Inquiry on the Case
Earlier, the state Government appointed Jagan Mathuews, Chairman of the UP Board of
Revenue to conduct an inquiry and submit its report within one month.
Railways have also appointed an Inquiry Committee being headed by the Additional
member traffic Railway Board, to look into the matter
An inquiry committee that was constituted by the Railways to look into the matter; the
committee is being headed by the Additional member traffic Railway Board.
NASA RE-ESTABLISHED CONTACT WITH ISS AFTER 3 HOURS
The ground controllers of NASA re-established its contact with International Space Station in
just less than 3 hours after the computer failure had blocked their communication.
The flight controllers of Houston were updating the ISS software when the data relay system
broke down. But ISS was able to irregularly contact NASA through the Russian stations. Usually,
NASA communicates to ISS from Houston through three communication satellites. Interruptions
like these have happened certain times in past.
The main problem was that the primary computer that has the responsibility of controlling the
critical functions of the ISS defaulted to the backup computer. But it did not allow the ISS to
communicate with the Tracking and Data Relay Satellites of NASA.
BLACK MONEY GENERATED IN INDIA WOULD EXCEED 10 % OF GDP

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A 1000 page report submitted by the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) to
the finance ministry estimated that unlawful wealth would exceed 10 percent or more of GDP,
i.e., above 10 lakh crore Rupees as per the size of the economy. The study was commissioned
by NIPFP in last week of December 2012 in order to quantify the black money that was
generated in India.
The study conducted by NIPFP was headed by the head of NIPFP's tax policy and research and
also included former director general of income tax investigation. The report presented a
sector-wise division of the scope of black money in India, for example, telecom sector, mining
sector and real estate sector.
A similar study like this was conducted last time by NIPFP in 1984 where it was estimated that
black money generated in India was 19 percent to 21 percent of GDP, i.e., up to 36000 crore
Rupees.
The government, in order to combat this had also selected three thinking tanks in March 2011
in order to estimate the quantum of black money. These three thinking tanks were- National
Institute of Financial Management (NIFM), National Council for Applied Economic Research
(NCEAR) and National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP).
Before this, NIPFP had also carried out the studies in 1976 and 1981 where it was estimated
that black money in India was around 15-18 percent of GDP and 18-21 percent of GDP
respectively.
PREVIOUS ESTIMATION OF BLACK MONEY GENERATED AS PER STUDY OF NIPFP
1975-76: 15-18 percent of GDP, i.e., 9958 to 11870 crore Rupees
ABOUT NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC FINANCE AND POLICY (NIPFP)
National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) is the centre for research in public
finance and public policy. It was established in 1976.
Primary aim of NIPFP is contributing to policy making in areas which are related to
public economics.
The annual grant-in-aid is received by NIPFP from Ministry of Finance, Government of
India and from various State Governments.
T. LIVNI ENTERED INTO COALITION DEAL WITH BENJAMIN NETANYAHU

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Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel on 19 February 2013 announced a coalition
deal with the rival centrist Hatnua Party Chairwomen and the former Israeli Foreign Minister,
Tzipi Livni, at Jerusalem. Under the deal agreement, Livni will serve as the new Justice Minister
and will oversee the peace efforts with the Palestinians.
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU
Netanyahu is the Prime Minister of Israel and the leader of the Right Wing bloc of Israel. His
party won the hard fought general elections on 23 January 2013 but felled shot of majority.
TZIPI LIVNI
Tzipi Livni is an Israeli Politician and the first women to be the leader of opposition in Israel. She
is the leader of the new centrist party, Hatnuah. She served Israel as its Foreign Minister from
2006 to 2009.
RATAN TATA AWARDED WITH LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2012
Ratan Tata, the former head of Tata Group was awarded the life time achievement award 2012
by Ernst & Young on 21 February 2013. He was given away
the award for displaying great role for the Indian
businessmen on global business level.
The entrepreneur of the year (2012) award was given away
to Adi Godrej, Godrej Group Chairman. It is important to
note that entrepreneur of the year award is an only business
award which is based on self-nomination.
Also, Ernst & Young announced names of successful entrepreneurs in various categories and
these awards were given away to TT Jagannathan, Chairman, TTK Group; Francisco DSouza,
Chief Executive Officer, Cognizant Technology Solutions; Cyrus S Poonawalla, Managing
Director, Serum Institute of India and Onkar S Kanwar, Chairman and Managing Director, Apollo
Tyres.
TWO BLASTS IN HYDERABAD CLAIMED 14 LIVES AND LEFT 119 INJURED
Two bomb blasts took place in Dilsukhnagar, the busy
shopping area of Hyderabad, the Capital City of Andhra
Pradesh on 21 February 2013. 14 people were reported
dead and 119 were critically injured in the serial blasts that
rocked the city around 6:50 pm.
Investigations were ordered by both the Central
Government and the State Government to find out the
group involved in the blast. The State Government of


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Andhra Pradesh appointed a probe team into the matter. The blasts were triggered using the
Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), which were placed on two different bicycles at a distance of
100 meters from each other near Konark and Venkatadri theatres. The area of blasts lie on the
Hyderabad-Vijaywada National Highway within Cyberabad police limits.
DILSUKHNAGAR
Dilsukhnagar is a commercial and educational hub of Hyderabad. The market of Dilsukhnagar is
packed with shops, restaurants, educational institutions, exam preparation centers and
theaters.
BLASTS IN RECENT PAST IN HYDERABAD
A bomb blast occurred at the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad in May 2007 claiming lives of 9
people.
NASA SCIENTISTS SPOTTED YOUNGEST BLACK HOLE IN MILKY WAY
NASA scientists spotted the youngest black hole yet in the Milky Way galaxy called W49B, which
is just 1000-years-old and only 26000 light-years away from Earth. New data from NASA's
Chandra X-ray Observatory suggested a highly distorted supernova remnant may contain the
most recent black holes formed in the Milky Way galaxy.
NASA explained that W49B appears to be the product of a rare explosion in which matter is
ejected at high speeds along the poles of a rotating star. Laura Lopez, who led the study at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said that W49B is the first of its kind to be discovered in
the galaxy. Usually when a massive star runs out of fuel, the central region of the star collapses,
triggering a chain of events that quickly culminate in a supernova explosion.
Most of these explosions are generally symmetrical, with the stellar material blasting away
more or less evenly in all directions. However, in the W49B supernova, material near the poles
of the doomed rotating star was ejected at a much higher speed than material emanating from
its equator. The remnant now glows brightly in X-rays and other wavelengths, offering the
evidence for a peculiar explosion. By tracing the distribution and amounts of different elements
in the stellar debris field, researchers were able to compare the Chandra data to theoretical
models of how a star explodes. A careful search of the Chandra data revealed no evidence for a
neutron star. The lack of such evidence implies a black hole may have formed.
SILK ROUTE CAR RALLY FROM KOLKATA TO KUNMING
The Silk Route Car rally from Kolkata to Kunming organised by the Confederation of Indian
Industry (CII) and supported by the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Forum for Regional
Cooperation (BCIM) was flagged off on 22 February 2013 from Helipad Ground in Salt Lake
Stadium, West Bengal.

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In its 3000 kilometer long journey the car rally will pass from North-East of India to Bangladesh
than will enter back to North-East and then to Myanmar to head towards China. The rally will
end on 5 March 2013 at Kunming, China.
A total of eighty participants from India, China, Bangladesh and Myanmar in 20 SUVs will rally
on the ancient trade route that have remained closed for more than six decades, post World
War II. Success of the rally may help in redefining the ancient trade route and bring out the
trade potential of the region.
USHA MEHRA COMMISSION SUBMITTED ITS REPORT TO GOVERNMENT
Justice Usha Mehra Commission on 22 February 2013 submitted its report to on the 16
December 2012 Delhi gang-rape incident to the Union Government of India. The report was
received by the Union Minister of Law and Justice Ashwani Kumar and the Union Home
Secretary R.K. Singh.
MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE USHA MEHRA COMMISSION
Lack of Coordination between the Police and the
transport department
Lack of cooperation between the police of National
Capital Territory and National Capital Region plays a
great role in escape of the criminals from one place
to another
Lack of PCR vans and public transport facility in Delhi
USHA MEHRA COMMISSION
The Usha Mehra Commission was constituted by the Union Government on 26 December 2012
to inquire into the different aspects of the brutal rape and assault incident of the girl on 16
December 2012 on the streets of Delhi. The commission was asked to submit the report within
three months. Retired Delhi High Court Judge, Usha Mehra was the head of this commission.
To Read More News Capsules


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QUESTIONS OF THE MONTH
Q.1) African leaders signed peace accord to normalise situation in DR Congo. Discuss the
situation in DR Congo. How far this peace accord is going to normalise situation in DR Congo?
Comment.
Q.2) India and Sri Lanka signed agreements on terrorism and double taxation on 22 January
2013. Examine the recent developments in the bilateral relations of these two neighbours.
Discuss how India and Sri Lanka can avail from each other economically and control terrorism
together?
Q.3) Sexual harassment bill passed by Rajya Sabha on 25 February 2013. Enlist the salient
features of the bill. Critically discuss the state of women at workplace.
Q.4) Gabon recently decided to suspend the sale of arms to stem elephant poaching. Describe
elephant poaching in India and suggest measures to stem it.
Q.5) Write short notes on the following;
a) Deepest hydrothermal vents
b) water on the oldest rocks of moon
c) Youngest black hole in Milky way
d) First digital atlas of Brain
Q.6) write brief notes on the Following:
a) Cyprus elections
b) Sugata Mitra
c) Anupam Kher
d) Park Geu-Hye
Q.7) Give a brief analysis on any one of the two topics?
a) Union Budget 2013-14
b) Railway Budget 2013-14


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