Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Current Affairs Feb 2014
Current Affairs Feb 2014
www.jagranjosh.com
PREFACE
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Assam became the first state to legally ban the consumption of all forms of smokeless tobacco
including pan masala containing tobacco and nicotine within the State on 13 February 2014.
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Union Ministry of Sports issued norms for Khel Ratna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awards 29
SEBI approved the new Corporate Governance norms
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China and Taiwan hold first official level talks since 1949
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Researchers at IIT Kharagpur developed ready-to-eat food paste for malnourished children
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INTERNATIONAL
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India decided to block the US investigations over trade policies and patents laws of India
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British Army unmanned aircraft The Watchkeeper to start flying over Wiltshire
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Sri Lankan Parliament passed a law that makes mandatory graphic warning on Cigarette packs56
Iran threatened Pakistan that it may send Forces
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OPCW selected US and Finnish Companies to destroy remaining chemical weapons of Syria 59
India and Kyrgyz Republic signed two agreements
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US Navy ANM66 bomb, the largest ever WWII bomb was successfully dismantled
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India and Germany signed 2 pacts for financial and tech co-operation
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US warned airlines that explosives may be carried in toothpaste tubes for Sochi Olympics
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North Korea and South Korea agreed to resume reunion of war-split families
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Saudi Arabia King ordered jail terms ranging 3-30 years for mercenaries fighting outside country
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US warned China against move to declare new ADIZ over South China Sea
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India pledged 44.12 million rupees grant assistance to Nepal Academy Library
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WORLD DAIRY
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NATIONAL
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Bezbaruah Committee set up to look into the grievances of North Eastern people
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Parliament passed Street Vendors Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending Bill
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Death sentence of 3 convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case commuted to life imprisonment
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ADB and Government of India signed for a 275 million dollar loan under RCIP
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CCEA approved creation of National Programme on Prevention and Management of Burn Injuries
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Indias Visa-on-arrival facility extended for tourists of 180 nations, except eight
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9.7 crore new voters added in the electoral rolls during 2009-14 period
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INDIA DAIRY
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ECONOMY
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Gross NPAs of listed banks soared 35.2 percent during first three quarters of 2013-14
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Union Government raised the import tariff value on gold and silver
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NABARD under RIDF has sanctioned loans worth over 19100 crore rupees
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Union Government hiked FRP of Sugarcane by 10 rupees per quintal for 2014-15
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Tea Production of India rose by 6.5 percent in 2013: Indian Tea Association
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Economic growth for 2012-13 lowered to 4.5 percent from 5 percent estimated earlier
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Union Ministry of Environment & Forest approved field trials for GM crops
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Japan snowstorm left 19 dead and injured more than 1600 people
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Scientists discovered new River Dolphin Species in Amazon; this is first discovery in 100 years
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Indian- American Scientist Sangeeta Bhatia developed a cheap paper test to diagnose cancer 55
New layer of cornea discovered by Indian doctor Harminder Dua
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Indian origin boy Shubham Banerjee developed low cost Braille Printer
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ASI & Google jointly launched the 360 degree online view of Indian heritage sites
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Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched three indigenous kits
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Asteriod named 2000 EM26 with potential hazard raced past Earth
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CORPORATE
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Venom GT, worlds fastest car recorded 435 kilometer per hour
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Mahila Bank signed three health insurance Pacts with New India
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ONGC and OIL signed Production Sharing Contract in two water Blocks of Bangladesh
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Mahindra reported 2013 as the best sales year in a decade in South Africa
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SPORTS
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Delhi Waveriders won the 2nd edition of Hockey India League cup 2014
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Javed Miandad, former Pakistani cricketer resigned as Director-General of countries cricket 201
Karnataka won Irani Cup for the fifth time
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Justice Mudgal committee submitted its report on IPL spot fixing scandal
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Yulia Lipnitskaya is the youngest Russian to win gold medal in Winter Olympics
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Abhinav Bindra won second gold medal in Inter Shoot Tri series Shooting
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Srinivasan elected as the new Chairman of ICC from July 2014 onwards
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Sangakkara became second cricketer to hit triple century and a century in same match
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Olympic flame reached Sochi after crossing Oceans, North Pole and Space
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India suffered 4-0 loss in 5 match ODI series against New Zealand
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STATE
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Union Government and ADB signed an agreement on improving road connectivity in Chhattisgarh
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WB and UNICEF launched campaign about safe drinking water and Sanitation
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Cabinet cleared Telangana Bill and decided not to give UT status to Hyderabad
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Allahabad High Court ordered CBI probe into alleged misappropriation of MGNREGA funds 243
NEWS CAPSULE
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Person in news
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Bhagat Singhs house and school in Pakistan got 80-million for restoration
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Person Appointed
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Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur appointed to head 7th Central Pay Commission
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summit confrence
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Person on Visit
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Ali Mohamed Shein, President of Zanzibar is on India visit from 1 to 9 February 2014
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Inventions | Discoveries
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Person Resigned
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Person Died
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Tom Finney, the former Preston and England footballer died at the age of 91
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Balu Mahendra, the award winning film director and cinematographer died
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Exhibition | Fare
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Awards | Honours
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Madan Babu won Protein Science Young Investigator Award for 2014
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Killa, a Marathi film bagged Crystal Bear award at 64th Berlin International Film Festival
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Malala, John Wood and Indira Ranamagar nominated for World Childrens Prize in Sweden
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Report | Survey
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Bimal Jalan Committee on New Bank Licences submitted its report to RBI
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Revisit Aircraft Act 1934 to bring out comprehensive bill: Parliamentary panel
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Accident | Incident
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Defence | Security
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Navy started largest combat exercise; surveillance to be done with dedicated satellite
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DRDO is developing Unmanned Arial Vehicles for CRPF to track down Maoists
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The book Water, Peace and War - Confronting the Global Water Crisis released
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Cambridge University to release a book titled The Meaning of Success: Insights from Women 311
Vice President released a book entitled Public Issues Before Parliament
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Book entitled Leveraging Economic Growth for Collective Prosperity in South Asia released
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Art | Culture
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Committees | Commissions
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Lok Sabha Speaker referred the pepper spray incident to Committee of Privileges
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Plan | Programme
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International Mother Language Day observed across the world on 21 February 2014
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Miscellaneous
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ONE LINERS
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Descriptive Questions
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PREFACE
E CAF E R P
The Current Affairs February 2014 eBook covers the current events that happened in the month of
December. Current Affairs is a crucial component of any competitive exams including IAS|PCS, SSC,
Banking, MBA. The lack of preparation for current affairs by the aspirants and candidates often is a
main cause of their failure. Even though the candidates know it but they are often confused about
how to prepare the current affairs section of the different competitive exams. It is to clear such
doubts and confusion, Jagranjosh.com has come up with eBook concept. Although current affairs
section per se is very wide to be covered, yet we have tried to cover all the possible current affairs
for the month of February 2014.
The February 2014 eBook is divided into different section keeping in mind the need of various exams.
The sections covered namely are International, National, Economy, Ecology and Environment,
Science & Technology, Corporate, Sports, States, and News Capsule. Every news item in each
section is arranged date wise with the most recent news being covered first and so on. Although
there might be some deviations but that is solely to give priority to the most important current affairs
in each section.
Presentation of the given current affairs has been planned meticulously. It has been planned in such
a way that it remains in the minds of readers for a longer duration. Wherever necessary each news
item is presented along with a background and analysis so as to help candidates contemplate all the
important current events at the time of exam in an effective way.
The eBook has been prepared keeping in mind the requirements of various competitive exams and
utmost care has been taken to make the content accurate and informative. All the contents given
in the book has been thoroughly cross-checked from various news websites and government and
non-government websites. Our experts have tried to put in their best efforts to make sure that the
content provided remains in the mind of the candidate for a longer period of time and is perceived
with its true meaning.
Copyright Jagranjosh.com
All rights reserved. No part or the whole of this eBook may be copied, reproduced, stored in retrieval system or transmitted and/
or cited anywhere in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the written
permission of the copyright owner. If any misconduct comes in knowledge or brought in notice, strict action will be taken.
Disclaimer
Readers are requested to verify/cross-check up to their satisfaction themselves about the advertisements, advertorials, and external
contents. If any miss-happening, ill result, mass depletion or any similar incident occurs due to any information cited or referenced
in this e-book, Editor, Director/s, employees of Jagranjosh.com cant be held liable/responsible in any matter whatsoever. No
responsibilities lie as well in case of the advertisements, advertorials, and external contents.
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Interim Budget 2014-15 was presented in the Lok Sabha by Union Finance Minister, P Chidambaram
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on 17 February 2014. This was the 83rd budget of the Union Government and 9th personal budget
by Chidambaram as Finance Minister.
In the union budget, Chidambaram left direct taxes. The 2014-15 interim budget has implemented
a surcharge of 10 percent on super-rich people (having income above 1 crore rupees in a year).
Excise duty on cars, two-wheelers, SUVs and capital goods and consumer durables has been
slashed to boost the manufacturing and growth. For storage and warehousing of rice, he exempted
the service tax of in 2013-14 it was done in case of paddy. The blood banks have also been
exempted from its purview.
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The global risks 2014 report has mapped 31 global risks of which few has been
highlighted as serious areas of concern and they are
Fiscal crisis
Structurally unemployment and underemployment
Income disparity
Governance failure
Food crisis
Political and social instability
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by foreign investment. Hence, there is no room for any aversion to foreign investment.
Price Stability and Growth: In a developing economy, a high growth target entails a moderate
level of inflation. RBI must strike a balance between price stability and growth while formulating
the monetary policy.
Financial Sector reforms to be completed as laid down by Financial Sector Legislative Reforms
Commission.
Massive investment in infrastructure: to be mobilized through the Public Private Partnership.
Manufacturing sector to be the base of Indias development: All taxes, Central and State that
go into an exported product should be waived or rebated. There should be a minimum tariff
protection to incentiwise domestic manufacturing.
Subsidies, which are absolutely necessary should be chosen and targeted only to the absolutely
deserving.
Urbanisation to be managed to make cities governable and livable.
Skill development must be given priority at par with secondary and university education,
sanitation and universal health care.
States to partner in development so as to enable the Centre to focus on Defence, Railways,
National Highways and Tele-communication.
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Category
Percent
from 12 to 8 percent
SUVs
from 30 to 24 percent
It is also proposed to make appropriate reductions in the excise duties on chassis and trailors.
The rates can be reviewed at the time of regular Budget
To encourage domestic production of mobile handsets, the excise duties for all categories of
mobile handsets is restructured. The rates will be 6 percent with CENVAT credit or 1 percent
without CENVAT credit.
To encourage domestic production of soaps and oleo chemicals, the custom duty structure on
non-edible grade industrial oils and its fractions, fatty acids and fatty alcohols is rationalized at
7.5 percent.
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at stations and 61 more being installed; air-conditioned EMU services in Mumbai from July 2014;
information display system in important trains to indicate stations & arrival time.; Upgradation
Scheme extended to AC Chair Car and Executive Chair car passengers.; Premium AC Special
train introduced in Delhi Mumbai Sector with shorter advance reservation period and dynamically
varying premium over tatkal fare.
Freight related measures: Parcel Terminals & Special Parcel Trains with scheduled timings; New
policy on parcels to encourage transportation of milk; New concept of hub and spoke for parcel
business; and Third party warehousing in Special Parcel Terminals envisaged.
State of Meghalaya and capital of Arunachal Pradesh to be on Railway Map.
Gauge Conversion of strategically important 510 km Rangiya Murkongselek line in Assam to be
completed.
Independent Rail Tariff Authority set-up to advise on fixing of fares and freight, to engage all stakeholders
Budget Estimates 2014-15: Loading target of 1101 Million Tonnes; Gross Traffic Receipts targeted
at 160775 crore Rupees with Passenger Earnings (45255 crore Rupees), Goods (105770 crore
Rupees), Other Coaching & Sundry Earnings (9700 crore Rupees); Ordinary Working Expenses
placed at 110649 crore Rupees, higher by 13589 crore Rupees; The entire Dividend of 9117 crore
Rupees to General Exchquer will be paid; and Operating Ratio budgeted at 89.8%; 90.2% Operating
Ratio in 2012-13 and Operating Ratio likely to be 90.8% in 2013-14
Annual Plan for 2014-15 envisaged at 64305 crore rupees with a Budgetary Support of 30223 crore
Rupees , Internal Resources of 10418 crore Rupees and Extra Budgetary Resources of 19805 crore
Rupees.
New Surveys: 19 New Lines & 5 Doubling
New Trains: 17 Premium trains; 38 Express trains; 10 Passenger trains; 4 MEMU; and 3 DEMU
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marsupials.
Studies show that the freshwater life on earth is declining at an alarming rate as it is faster than
any other component of global diversity. At present the demand of the policy is the protection of
freshwater from the energy, food and sanitation sectors. At present scenario is to frame a policy that
integrates of freshwater life and the ecosystem services it provides. The policy calls-in with real and
pressing demands on freshwater resources from the energy food and sanitation sectors. The newly
launched online atlas is a response from freshwater scientists to key geographical information and
spatial freshwater biodiversity across different scales.
The online Atlas adopts a book-like structure allowing easy browsing through its
four thematic chapters
Patterns of freshwater biodiversity
Freshwater resources and ecosystems
Pressures on freshwater systems
Conservation and management
Atlas is an output of BioFresh (European Union funded project) that is putting together the scattered
pieces of information about life in rivers and lakes. This will help in managing and protecting
the freshwater for generations to come. Biodiversity of Freshwater Ecosystems: Status, Trends,
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Pressures, and Conservation Priorities. It is funded by the European Union under the 7th Framework
Programme with Theme Environment including Climate Change.
The Atlas has been edited by a pan-European group of freshwater science and conservation experts
from 12 research institutes. It is supported by key international organsiation, which are active in the
field of freshwater biodiversity research and conservation. Name of some of the partners are:
GEO Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON)
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
The Global Water System Project (GWSP)
Conservation International (CI)
Wetlands International
The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
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where without doing it, the patient is likely to die or removing the heartlung machine from a patient
in coma.
Dennis amputee, Aabo in February 2014 became the first person to receive a bionic hand, which
allows life-like sensation to be felt from the devices artificial fingers. The Dennis amputee was able
to feel what was available in his hands by the sensors, which has been connected to his nerves of
his upper arm.
This work was done by the Italy surgeons, who connected the hand with the nerves in his upper
arm. These relayed signals direct to his brain, which allows him to control the force of his grip.
Restoration of senses of touch and feel to amputees is a major goal in the field of neuro-engineering.
Aabo lost his hand in a firework accident about a decade before. The research project was carried
out by an international team, which included robotic experts from Germany, Switzerland and Italy.
The sensors to the artificial hand sensed the measure information about touch using computer
algorithms in which the research team of scientists transformed the electrical signals they emitted
into an impulse that sensory nerves could interpret.
The researchers implanted four electrodes onto the nerves in the patients upper arm during the
operation that were connected to the artificial sensors in the fingers of the prosthetic hand, which
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allows him to touch and pressure and sent feedback directly to the brain. Details of the operation
of the amputee were published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
Assam became the first state to legally ban the consumption of all forms of smokeless tobacco
including pan masala containing tobacco and nicotine within the State on 13 February 2014.
Taking note of the fact that smokeless tobacco accounts for 90% of oral cancers, the Act also bans
the manufacture, advertisement, trade, storage, distribution and sale of the substances.
Assams Governor Janaki Ballav Patnaik gave his assent to the Assam Health (Prohibition of
manufacturing, advertisement, trade, storage, distribution, sale and consumption of zarda, gutkha,
pan masala, etc, containing tobacco and nicotine) Bill 2013 on 11 February 2014. As a result, the
Bill became an Act with effect from 13 February 2014.
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Consumption or possession of zarda, gutka and pan masala containing tobacco shall be
punished with a fine of 1000 rupees for the first offence and 2000 rupees for each subsequent
offence.
Although 28 States/UTs have banned similar bans under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition
and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. However, Assam is the first State to ban the sale of
tobacco through legislature.
The Act has been enacted in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and
Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011.
About Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011
The Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011 came into effect from 5 August 2011.
The Food Safety and Standards Regulation, 2011 were issued under the Food Safety and Standards
Act, 2006 which lays down that tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients in any food
products.
Currently, 28 States/UTs have issued orders for implementation of the Food Safety Regulations
banning manufacture, sale and storage of Gutka and Pan Masala containing tobacco or nicotine. The
States are Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Mizoram,
Chandigarh, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Nagaland,
Andaman & Nicobar, Daman & Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Uttarakhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh,
Goa, Sikkim, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, J&K and Assam.
Enforcement and implementation of this regulation, however, lies with the Commissioners of Food
Safety under the State governments, as per the provisions of Food Safety & Standards Act 2006.
Other forms of tobacco including cigarette and bidi etc. are regulated by the Cigarettes and
Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce,
Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA), 2003.
COPTA, 2003 regulates consumption, production, supply and distribution of tobacco products,
by imposing restrictions on advertisement, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products;
prohibiting smoking in public places; prohibiting sale to and by minors, prohibiting sale within
a radius of 100 yards of educational institutions and through mandatory depiction of specified
pictorial health warnings on all tobacco product packs.
Enforcement of the provisions thereof lies with the officers authorized for this purpose by the Central
Government as well as State Governments.
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Union Ministry of Sports issued norms for Khel Ratna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awards
Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports, Jitendra Singh on 3 January 2014 approved criteria to
be kept in view by the Selection Committee for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the countrys
highest sports award, the Dronacharya Award and the Dhyan Chand Award. As per the approval,
the government will now grant 90 percent weightage to medal winners of Olympics, Asian and
Commonwealth Games and World Cup/World Championships held once in four years. This has
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been done to bring in more transparency and objectivity for conferring the National Sports Awards
to avoid controversy on giving them.
Earlier, similar criteria with certain objectives were approved for conferring Arjuna Awards by
Jitendra Singh.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports in January 2014 with the aim of streamlining the procedure
for grant of the National Sports Awards circulated the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to be
followed by various agencies, namely
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Sports Authority of India (SAI)
National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA)
State Governments, National Sports Federations (NSFs)
Sports Promotion and Control Boards
This was done for processing of the cases related to National Sports Awards that started from
inviting nominations to constitution of Selection Committee.
Serial
Number
Criteria
1.
Rajiv Gandhi
Dronacharya
Khel Ratna
Award for
Award for
Outstanding
most outCoaches in
standing
Sports
performance
90%
30
90%*
Dhyan chand
Award for life
time achievement in Sports
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2.
3.
Weightage to the
marks given by the
Selection Committee
for assessment of the
eligible sportsperson /
coach keeping in view
factors like profile and
standard of sports event
in which medal has
been won
No. of awards to be
given normally in a year
10%
1 award
10%
5 ( out of 5, 2
to be given
for lifetime
contribution in
coaching)
30%**
* Sportspersons who had won the medals and trained by the coach under consideration for the
awards. Marking criteria will not apply for the 2 awards to be given for lifetime contribution in
coaching. Selection committee will give its recommendations for such two coaches taking into
consideration the contribution made by them over a period of 20 years or more in terms of producing
outstanding sports-persons.
** Includes marks for assessment for contribution made for promotion of sports after retirement for
active Sports career and for qualities like sportsmanship, leadership, and sense of discipline.
As per the guidelines, the points for winning medals will be given to each eligible sportspersons
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for his/her performance during last 4 years exception in the case of life-time achievement award.
The Selection Committee will be the decision body in equivalence of any other sports discipline/
tournaments and in accordance the points will be allotted.
Certain games, which are no9t included in Olympic / Asian Games / Commonwealth Games
disciplines, like cricket and indigenous games, the consideration will be taken by the Selection
Committee depending upon the performances/contribution of the sportspersons/coaches.
In a particular sports discipline, names of not more than 2 Sportspersons ( 1 male and 1 female)
and names of not more than 2 coaches in case of Dronacharya award with highest marks as per
the criteria stated in the table above will be considered by the selection committee.
The Selection Committee also reserves the right for not recommending the name of any deserving
sportsperson as per the given criteria for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna or Dhyan chand Award. In these
particular cases, the committee will have to justify its stance in writing.
The recommendations of Selection Committee will be placed before the Union Minister of Youth
Affairs & Sports for the final decision. Journalists/Experts/Commentators have now been included
in the Selection Committees for the sports Awards.
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To weed out non-serious players, SEBI increased the minimum net worth requirement for mutual
funds from 10 crore Rupees to 50 crore Rupees. Also they have been asked to contribute their
own funds in the form of seed capital, amounting to 1 per cent of the amount raised from
investors for their schemes.
Government should allow the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to invest up to
15 per cent of their corpus in equities and mutual funds.
All Central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) be permitted to invest their surplus funds in mutual
fund schemes.
Government shall provide a similar tax treatment to all long-term investment instruments,
including pension, insurance or long-term mutual fund schemes.
The proposed tax benefits include creation of a long-term investment product, Mutual Fund
Linked Retirement Plan, with tax incentive of 50000 rupees under the existing Income Tax Act.
Government shall enhance the limit under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act from 1 lakh rupees
to 2 lakh rupees to help make various mutual fund schemes eligible for such tax benefits.
KYC compliance
SEBI also made the KYC (Know Your Client) compliance easier for investors by allowing various
kinds of intermediaries such as brokers and mutual funds to access the investor KYC details from
the centralised KYC Registry Agency (KRA), rather than carrying out a fresh KYC process.
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the measures adopted in the HVAC system resulted in reduction in electrical energy consumption;
and
The undertaken measures lead to tremendous amount of energy savings and was more efficient
than Phase I. It resulted in reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by at least 25%.
The Gold Standard certification process ensures genuine quality and like all high end products,
Gold standard carbon offset carry a price premium. The UN rate for one Carbon credit, at present
is 70 cents, where as Gold Standard gives 4-5 Euros.
The Gold Standard registration will help DMRC to earn 7000-7500 amount of VERs (credits) per
annum for next ten years. Delhi Metro is also working on other projects to get them registered
under Gold Standard.
In 2008, DMRC had become the first Metro or Railway project in the world to be registered by the
United Nations under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) which has enabled it to claim
carbon credits.
China and Taiwan hold first official level talks since 1949
China and Taiwan began their first official-level talks since the end of the brutal Chinese civil war
in 1949 on 11 February 2014. The talks were held at the Nanjing between Wang Yu-chi, head of
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Taiwans mainland affairs office and his Chinese counterpart Zhang Zhijun. The talks are part of a
four day trip.
The talks are perceived as an attempt to facilitate wider exchanges and building cross-strait
relations and a confidence building exercise. Bilateral relations of the two nations have improved
following the election of Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou in 2008.
Background
Chinese civil war was fought between the Kuomintang led by General Chiang Kai-Shek and the
Chinese communist party led by Mao Tse-tung (also known as Mao Zadong). During this time,
Nanjing was the capital and ruled by the Kuomintang. The war was briefly suspended during the
Japanese attack. Finally, in 1949, Chinese communist party won over the Kuomintang. General
Chiang Kai-Shek with his supporters went to the island of Formosa (Taiwan) and established
Kuomintang government there. Thus since 1949, the island and the mainland have been governed
separately.
Beijing considers Taiwan as a rebel region and aims to unite it with mainland by force if required.
On other hand, Taipei accepts One China principle and is against independence for the island. But
the problem is that both the Governments claim to be legitimate government of China. To address
this issue, only government level officials can bring out any effective solution.
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wilful misuse of discretion which causes demonstrable loss to the government or commission of a
criminal offence by a public servant.
The bill seeks the procedure to inquire into the disclosures and provides adequate safeguards
against victimisation of the whistleblower. It will also seek to provide punishment for false or
frivolous complaints.
The bill was passed by Lok Sabha in 2011 and was taken up by the Rajya Sabha in 2012 for
consideration.
Rajya Sabha made two new proposals in the bill.
First, the definition of disclosure was amended to include wilful misuse of power or wilful misuse of
discretion which leads to demonstrable loss to the government or demonstrable gain to the public
servant or any third party.
Second, the definition of competent authority to which a complaint can be made has also been
expanded.
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To improve entire ecosystem and increase forest-based livelihood income for 30 lakh forest
dependent households.
The GIM will be converged with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee
Act, Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), and National
Afforestation Programme.
Funding for the GIM will come from the Plan outlay. The Union government will provide 90 percent
of the funds for implementing the scheme in the north-eastern states, and 75 percent of the funds
for other states. State governments will meet the balance requirement.
The mission will involve grassroots-level organizations including gram sabhas (village councils) and
joint forest management committees (JFMCs). A governing council chaired by the environment
minister and a national executive council chaired by the environment secretary at the national level
will facilitate implementation of the mission.
Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur developed ready-to-eat food paste
for malnourished children on 16 February 2014.
A four-member team led by Professor Dr H N Mishra of IIT Kharagpur prepared the formulation in
their food chemistry and technology lab. This formulation could be used as part of medical nutrition
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Malnourishment in India
According to UNICEF estimates, one in every three malnourished children in the world lives in India.
Malnutrition in early childhood has serious, long-term consequences because it puts them at
greater risk of disease and early death.
The World Health Organisation has issued guidelines stating that ready-to-use therapeutic foods
could be used to manage severe acute malnutrition in community settings.
With an estimated 8.1 million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition in the country, it was
regarded as an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children below five years of age in
India.
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WhatsApps core messaging product and Facebooks existing messenger app will continue to
operate as standalone applications.
The acquisition price included 4 billion dollars in cash, about 12 billion dollars worth of Facebook
shares and 3 billion dollars in restricted stock units to be granted to WhatsApps founders and
employees.
The deal would give WhatsApp the flexibility to grow and expand and noted that users of the
service will not experience any change in usage.
About WhatsApp
WhatsApp Messenger is a cross-platform mobile messaging app which allows you to exchange
messages without having to pay for SMS.
Jan Koum co-founded WhatsApp with Brian Acton in 2009, both former Yahoo executives.
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Seizure of luxury estate near Kiev of the ousted President Yankovych by the Parliament
Analysis
Mr Azarov was unpopular with the opposition, who accused him of mismanaging the economy and
failing to tackle corruption.
The oppositions antipathy towards him grew after the protests started in November 2013 when
he described demonstrators as extremists and was also seen as being responsible for the use of
force by police.
Besides, Mr Yanukovych pulled out of a planned trade deal with the European Union in favour of 15
billion dollars bailout from Russia to bolster the ailing public finances.
Ukraines protest movement against President Yanukovychs government will not end suddenly
due to the repeal of the controversial anti-protest law or Prime Ministers resignation.
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Empowerment Line is an analytical framework that determines the level of consumption required to
fulfill eight basic needsfood, energy, housing, drinking water, sanitation, health care, education,
and social securityat a level sufficient to achieve a decent standard of living rather than bare
subsistence.
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INTERNATIONAL
LANOITANRETNI
India and Iran agreed to take a decision on Chabahar Port by
March-end
India and Iran on 28 February 2014 agreed to take a decision on Chabahar port by March-end. The
decision was taken during the meeting of Salman Khurshid, Union External Affairs Minister and
Javad Zarif, the Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister in New Delhi. The Iraninan Foreign Affairs Minister
was on official visit in India from 27 February to 28 February 2014.
The two sides have also decided that specific proposals on the port will be finalized by Nauroz
(Iranian/Persian New Year) in March 2014. During the same meet, the two sides also reviewed the
bilateral relations between the two countries and emphasized to nurture the relations also.
The two sides also agreed to hold joint consular committees meet at the earliest to address issues
of a consular nature. They also discussed regional issues that included Afghanistan along with
development in Middle East and the P5 plus one discussion with Iran.
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Port of Chabahar
Port of Chabahar is a seaport in Chah Bahar in southeastern Iran and it is located on the border of
Indian Ocean and Oman Sea. It is the only Iranian port with direct access to ocean. Chabahar is
Irans closest and best access point to the Indian Ocean. The port was partially built by India in the
1990s to provide access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, by passing Pakistan.
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Background
A new era of Indo-Saudi ties started in 2006, when King Abduallah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud visited
India, which was highest level political visit from Saudi Arabia to India. It is also called as Delhi
Declaration.
In 2010 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Riyadh and decided to elevate the bilateral
engagement to strategic partnership covering security, economic, defence and political areas
called as Riyadh Declaration.
Saudi Arabia is Indias fourth largest trade partner and also the largest crude oil supplier has
recorded bilateral trade at 43 billion US dollar in 2012-13.
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to take more steps to demilitarize the former war zone. Those perpetrators of attacks on minorities,
media and human rights defenders be arrested and punished.
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksas administration rejected Pillays report expressing the
recommendations as arbitrary, intrusive and of a political nature.
In another development the US is planning to propose a third resolution at the UNHCR over
Srilankas failure to properly investigate alleged atrocities and wars crimes committed during the
civil war. The US earlier had successfully carried out two resolutions urging Sri Lanka to conduct its
own investigation into allegations against Sri Lankan government troops.
Background
In 2009 Sri Lankas civil war between the government troops and the Tamil Tiger rebels (LTTE)
ended. The LTTE fought for a separate state for the ethnic minority Tamils in the north and east of
Sri Lanka. The government troops crushed the Tamil Tiger rebels which lead to mass graves which
were discovered recently.
A UN report said almost 40000 Tamil civilians died in government attacks but Srilanka denied such
a high toll of deaths and later Sri Lankas Government declared that not a single civilian was killed.
In 2011 Sri Lanka acknowledged some civilian deaths and announced a census of the war dead
but its results were vague.
Government troops were accused of deliberately shelling civilians, hospitals and blocking food and
medical aid to hundreds of thousands of people. The rebels were accused of holding civilians as
human shields, killing those who escaped their control and recruiting child soldiers.
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Analysis
The US President Barak Obama and Secretary of State John F Kerry described the anti-gay law as
morally wrong which will be a step backward for all Ugandans. And also they expressed that US
was deeply disappointed with the enactment of law and called for its repeal.
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, or ILGA, lists 78 countries
(real figure 83 ) with criminal laws against sexual activity by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or
intersex people (LGBTIs).
In January 2014, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan signed the law that bans homosexuality
and imposes 14 year prison terms for anyone entering a same-sex union. It also sets 10-year
prison sentences for those who run gay clubs or organizations.
In India, enforcement of the law against homosexual activity had been suspended by Delhi High
Court ruling on Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. However, the Supreme Court overturned
the Delhi HC ruling on 11 December 2013. So India is back on the main list of countries with antihomosexuality laws.
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About UAV
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as drone, is an aircraft without a human pilot
aboard. Its flight is controlled either autonomously by onboard computers or by the remote control
of a pilot on the ground or in another vehicle.
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Background
The military-backed government with El-Beblawi was sworn in on 16 July 2014 after ouster of the
Islamist President Mohammed Morsi from his office. Due the crackdown by the security forces
on the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist movement to which Morsi belong, more than thousand
people have been killed with detention of several.
Highlights of Resolution
The Resolution demanded that all parties (in particular the Syrian authorities) will promptly
allow rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access for UN humanitarian agencies and their
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About UNSC
The Security Council is one of the six main organs established under the UN Charter, headquarters
at New York, US. The United Nations gives primary responsibility for maintaining international
peace and security to the Security Council.
The Security Council shall consist of fifteen Members of the United Nations. The Republic of China,
France, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland, and the United States of America shall be permanent members of the Security Council.
The General Assembly will elect ten other members of the United Nations to be non-permanent
members of the Security Council. The non-permanent members of the Security Council shall be
elected for a term of two years.
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Other similar agreements in the field of audio-visual co-production signed by Indian government are
In 2005 signed an agreement with Italian government
In 2005, the Indian government also signed similar agreements with Government of United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
In 2007 it signed an agreement with Germany and Brazil
In 2010 with France
In 2011 with New Zealand
In 2012 with Poland and Spain
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The meeting had done little to reduce concerns over the U.S. Federal Reserves decision to scale
back its stimulus program as the job market improves.
The reduced flow of cheap money has unsettled investors in emerging markets and contributed to
sharp declines in some currencies. Political instability has also made matters worse for countries
such as Argentina, Turkey and Ukraine.
The annual G20 summit will be held in November 2014 in Brisbane.
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The three regulations are presented under the provisions of the National Authority on Tobacco and
Alcohol Act, which was passed in January 2014 to discourage smoking.
The regulation says that pictorial warnings should be printed on the surface of both front and back
portions of every cigarette packet, package or carton containing cigarettes covering 80 percent of
the pack, package or cartoon.
The regulations also made it mandatory to specify health warnings on the packs and includes
Smoking makes children ill, Smoking causes heart diseases, Smoking causes cancer and Smoking
causes sexual impotence mandatory.
The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control declared graphic
warnings on cigarette packs in 2011 both to educate and scare the smokers to give up the habit
of smoking.
Following international treaty of WHO, Sri Lanka and Ukraine joined the group of countries that has
announced implementation of graphic warning labels to be required on all cigarette packs sold in
those countries in 2012.
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List of MoUs/Agreements signed during the State Visit of King of Kingdom of Bahrain to India
Name of Agreement/ MoU
Remarks
The agreements were signed after delegation-level talks between the two leaders. The two leaders
also reviewed the bilateral trade and agreed to boost economic cooperation in different sectors.
Bahrain has looked forward for investments in their country by Indian firms in various sectors.
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About OPCW
The OPCW is the United Nations implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
The OPCW was established in 1997 and is headquartered at Hague, Netherlands. At present OPCW
has 190 member countries.
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List of agreements signed during the visit of foreign Minister of Kyrgyz are
S.No.
Exchange of Notification on the completion of internal procedures from both the sides
for implementation of Visa Free Agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders
Background
Italian Development Cooperation has its presence in Afghanistan mainly in Kabul and Herat Province
since 2001 to support civilian reconstruction and development in order to reduce poverty along
with improvement of governance. Afghanistan is the largest recipient of Italian development aid in
the world, as Italy has supported the country with over 500 Mio Euro.
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The objective of Italian Cooperation with Afghanistan is to develop the capacities of Afghan men
and women to drive forward economic, social and political development in their country on their
own terms and initiative.
In line with the Afghan Governments objectives and the National Priority Programs defined at the
Kabul Conference of 2010, the Italian Development Cooperation focuses on the following priority
areas:
Security
Governance
Justice
Education
Gender
Health
Agriculture and Rural Development
Infrastructures
The Italian Development Cooperation is also particularly engaged in assisting victims in humanitarian
crises in order to reduce the vulnerability and alleviate poverty of affected populations in this region.
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The Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari launched the India-China Year of Friendly Exchanges
on 11 February 2014. The Year 2014 has been designated by the Governments of India and China
as the Year of Friendly Exchanges.
The Year of Friendly Exchanges will help in forging a closer and stronger relationship between India
and China.
Other steps taken by India to forge closer and stronger relationship with China
Encouraging Chinese companies to establish production and supply chains so as to link the two
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economies. This will also ensure a more balanced trade. Presently, there is a trade imbalance
which is tilted in favour of China. One of the ideas, which is being looked at carefully is of a
dedicated Chinese Industrial Park in India.
The introduction of Chinese, as a language in middle schools in India. Recently, 22 Chinese
teachers have come to teach at select CBSE schools across the length and breadth of India.
Greater interaction between the ordinary people of two countries is a necessary condition for
stronger overall bilateral relations. More tourism, greater student exchanges and enhanced
interaction between Universities and Think-Tanks will help these two countries in evolving a
better mutual understanding and their respective places in the world.
The annual program in which one country is on a visit to the other country by a group of 100
young person is another example of this initiative.
Glimpses of India is a programme which highlights Indian culture in China.
In October 2013, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited China. These high level
meetings are important for further strengthening of bilateral relations and thus it is necessary
to continue high level exchanges between two countries in the coming years. Enhancing
strategic communication at the leadership level imparts a healthy momentum to Strategic and
Cooperative Partnership.
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Nearly all of the cases in Afghanistan in 2013 were in regions close to the Pakistan border.
Since the Afghan Taliban changed their policy, allowing vaccination in recent years, there has been
a decline in cases in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has deployed health workers at the border crossings,
attempting to monitor all children who cross, and vaccinating those at risk.
Besides Afghanistan and Pakistan, Nigeria is the only other country in the world where polio is still
endemic. In all the three countries Islamic extremists have obstructed health workers, preventing
polio eradication campaigns from taking place.
Background
India launched its National Solar Policy on 11 January 2010 named as Jawaharlal Nehru National
Solar Mission (JNNSM). The Phase I of the national policy was composed of two parts
Batch 1 of policy implementation: India required developers of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects
employing crystalline silicon technology to use solar modules manufactured in India.
Batch 2: India expanded this domestic sourcing requirement to crystalline silicon solar cells as
well.
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In the phase II of the solar draft policy, India has considered expansion of the scope of the domestic
content requirements further to include solar thin film technologies and at present the majority is
comprised of US solar exports to India.
Elements of Indias national solar policy appear to be inconsistent with Indias obligations under the
WTO agreements.
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It is predicted that this agreement would strengthen the Museum sector in India and lead to a cross
pollination of ideas. It ould also support the reciprocal exchange of ideas and knowledge in the field
of modern and contemporary art in India and the UK. It will also allow deeper agreement with art
for audiences in both the nations.
Background
Earlier in 2007, the Ministry of Culture of Government of India and National Gallery of Modern Art,
Delhi have worked in collaboration with Haus der Kunst and Tate Modern on the Amrita Sher-Gil
exhibition that was displayed/shown in London and Munich the same year. At present Tate Modern
is working on an exhibition on word, sound, power with Khoj International Artists in partnership.
The exhibition is on display at Khoj in New Delhi at present.
Also the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and Tate has supported the
exchange of conservation expertise in Delhi, London and Bangalore in the field of collection care.
About Tate
Tate is an institution of United Kingdom that houses its national collection of British art and
international modern and contemporary art. Tate is not a government institution, but its main
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sponsor is the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It is a network of four art museums, namely
Tate Britain, London (until 2000 known as the Tate Gallery, founded 1897)
Tate Liverpool (founded 1988)
Tate St Ives, Cornwall (founded 1993)
Tate Modern, London (founded 2000)
The gallery was founded in 1897, as the National Gallery of British Art. Mission of Tate is to promote
public understanding and enjoyment of British, modern and contemporary art.
India and Germany signed 2 pacts for financial and tech cooperation
India and Germany on 5 February 2014 signed two umbrella agreements for financial and technical
co-operation under Indo German bilateral Development Cooperation framework. P Chidambaram,
the Union Finance Minister and Gerd Mueller, the German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation
and Development signed the pacts during their bilateral meeting.
These agreements were signed during an official visit of Joachim Gauck the President of Federal
Republic of Germany is on a six day (4-9 February 2014) State Visit to India. President Joachim
Gauck is being accompanied by a high-level delegation including Ministers, Member of Parliament
and business leaders.
The Umbrella Agreement on Financial Cooperation pertains to concessional loans from Government
of Germany for nine projects, namely
Himalaya Hydropower Programme (HPPCL)
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The Umbrella Agreement for technical cooperation pertains for to 13 projects in Energy, Environment
and Sustainable economic development sectors, which are a priority sectors under the bilateral
development cooperation between the two nations.
The two sides also appreciated the constructive engagement between two countries under
development cooperation framework. The Germany Government has also committed for funds
amounting to 1.09 billion Euro, which is the ever highest ever commitment so far since 1958.
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eve of the Sochi Winter Olympics. The treat of kidnap was issued against Alpine skier Bernadette
Schild and skeleton pilot Janine Flock during the Sochi Games.
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totally free of usable chemical weapons that might present a potential threat to the security of local
communities, the environment and neighbouring countries.
Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) visited the city of al-Raogha to inspect
the warehouse where Libyas largest outstanding stockpile of mustard gas was present. Libya
still holds stocks of low-grade precursor chemicals but that programme has been put in place to
destroy them by the end of 2016.
Since the OPCW covered only Gaddafis chemical weapons programme and it has not addressed
the stocks of concentrated uranium or yellowcake that it acquired in its bid for a nuclear weapon.
Analysis
Gaddafi signed the chemical weapons convention and joined the OPCW in 2004. After Libya signed
the treaty, Gaddafis regime claimed that they destroyed about 54 percent of its mustard gas stocks
and about 40 percent of the chemicals used to manufacture the substance and 3500 bombs.
In 2011 a large stock of yellow cake was discovered at arms depot in southern city of Sebha. Since
then the stock pile was secured in collaboration with International Atomic Energy Agency. The
Centre for Strategic Studies asked the Libyan authorities to ensure the concentrated uranium will
be used in industrial, agricultural development and in production of clean energy for the benefits of
Libyans. The process of disarmament was supervised by OPCW experts in 2012 and intensified in
2013 with the signing of a deal with Washington. There was concern that the stockpiles might not
fall into the hands of ex-rebel militias.
North Korea and South Korea agreed to resume reunion of warsplit families
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North Korea and South Korea agreed to resume reunion of war split families after a gap of more
than three years. The reunion will take place on 20-25 February 2014 at Mount Kumgang resort of
North Korea.
The reunion programme was started in 2000 following a historic inter-Korean summit. But the
programme was suspended in 2010 following the North Korea bombarding shells on a South
Korean border island.
The reunion is perceived as a small step towards making harmonious relations between the two
hostile neighbors. In fact, the two countries had agreed to hold a reunion in September 2013.
However, Pyongyang cancelled the event just four days before its scheduled start citing hostility
from the South. Thus, there are widespread concerns about possible cancellation of the reunion
again.
Another cause of concern is the Joint military drill between South Korea and United States. North
Korea has opposed joint drill and warned South Korea of dire consequences if this drill takes place.
The 1950-53 Korean War led to the separation of the millions of Koreans. Since the war ended
without a peace treaty, the two countries are technically at war. Thus, there is a prohibition on direct
exchange of telephone calls or letters.
Libya government announced on 5 February 2014 that it has destroyed its entire chemical arsenal.
It was announced by the Foreign Minister of Libya, Mohammed Abdelaziz. The chemical arsenal
destroyed included bombs and artillery shells filled with mustard gas.
Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed that Libya has become
totally free of usable chemical weapons that might present a potential threat to the security of local
communities, the environment and neighbouring countries.
Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) visited the city of al-Raogha to inspect
the warehouse where Libyas largest outstanding stockpile of mustard gas was present. Libya
still holds stocks of low-grade precursor chemicals but that programme has been put in place to
destroy them by the end of 2016.
Since the OPCW covered only Gaddafis chemical weapons programme and it has not addressed
the stocks of concentrated uranium or yellowcake that it acquired in its bid for a nuclear weapon.
Analysis
Gaddafi signed the chemical weapons convention and joined the OPCW in 2004. After Libya signed
the treaty, Gaddafis regime claimed that they destroyed about 54 percent of its mustard gas stocks
and about 40 percent of the chemicals used to manufacture the substance and 3500 bombs.
In 2011 a large stock of yellow cake was discovered at arms depot in southern city of Sebha. Since
then the stock pile was secured in collaboration with International Atomic Energy Agency. The
Centre for Strategic Studies asked the Libyan authorities to ensure the concentrated uranium will
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be used in industrial, agricultural development and in production of clean energy for the benefits
of Libyans.
The process of disarmament was supervised by OPCW experts in 2012 and intensified in 2013 with
the signing of a deal with Washington. There was concern that the stockpiles might not fall into the
hands of ex-rebel militias.
Saudi Arabia King ordered jail terms ranging 3-30 years for mercenaries fighting outside country
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the King of Saudi Arabia on 4 February 2014 ordered jail terms
ranging from three to thirty years for the Saudi citizens, who are fighting outside the country. This
order has been passed to curb the number of people of Saudi Arabia, who go outside their country
to fight in other countries like Syria along with the foreign fighters. This move is a follow-up of the
reports on foreign fighters in large numbers including people of Saudi Arabia, fighting in Syria and
other countries.
The whip has been cracked by the King against the citizens who go out from Saudi Arabia to fight
alongside the rebels in Syria and other countries. Those people can now be jailed for terms from 3
to 20 years. The military personnel convicted under the act will be face a harsher punishment of jail
terms ranging from 5 to 30 years.
The announced law will also be applicable to the members of local, regional and international
extremists as well as the terrorist groups. To draft and update a list of illegal groups, a committee
of members from various government organisations has been formed by the King.
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Scotland has joined the group of countries which have allowed same-sex marriage. The Netherlands
was the first country that allowed same sex marriage in 2001. In 2013 England and Wales, Brazil,
Uruguay, New Zealand and France passed the same sex marriage bill. Besides, some States of the
US and Mexico too have formulated the laws on same-sex marriage.
During the IGC held in Kathmandu, Nepal in December 2013, the two sides also discussed other
important trade facilitation measures. These were allowing the movement of imported vehicles
on their own power from Kolkata to Nepal and facilitating the import of bulk cargo to Nepal by
operationalising the multi-modal transport link from Kolkata port through Jogbani Biratnagar and
Sunauli Bhairahawa land routes.
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WORLD DAIRY
February 2014
1 February 2014
2 February 2014
3 February 2014
4 February 2014
Saudi Arabia King ordered jail terms ranging 3-30 years for mercenaries fighting outside
country
5 February 2014
Olympic flame reached Sochi after crossing Oceans, North Pole and Space
North Korea and South Korea agreed to resume reunion of war-split families
US warned airlines that explosives may be carried in toothpaste tubes for Sochi Olympics
India and Germany signed 2 pacts for financial and tech co-operation
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WORLD DAIRY
February 2014
6 February 2014
7 February 2014
Sangakkara became second cricketer to hit triple century and a century in same match
US Navy ANM66 bomb, the largest ever WWII bomb was successfully dismantled
8 February 2014
Srinivasan elected as the new Chairman of ICC from July 2014 onwards
9 February 2014
Yulia Lipnitskaya is the youngest Russian to win gold medal in Winter Olympics
10 February 2014
Scientists discovered new River Dolphin Species in Amazon; this is first discovery in 100 years
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WORLD DAIRY
February 2014
11 February 2014
US snowstorm that has left 7 lakh homes powerless has been termed as Snowmaggedon
17th Round of Talks held between India and China on Boundary Issue
China and Taiwan hold first official level talks since 1949
Mahindra reported 2013 as the best sales year in a decade in South Africa
12 February 2014
13 February 2014
14 February 2014
OPCW selected US and Finnish Companies to destroy remaining chemical weapons of Syria
IFC to probe human rights abuses at Tata Global Beverages Ltd plant in Assam
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WORLD DAIRY
February 2014
15 February 2014
16 February 2014
Japan snowstorm left 19 dead and injured more than 1600 people
17 February 2014
18 February 2014
19 February 2014
Sri Lankan Parliament passed a law that makes mandatory graphic warning on Cigarette
packs
20 February 2014
Cambridge University to released a book titled The Meaning of Success: Insights from Wome
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WORLD DAIRY
February 2014
WB and UNICEF launched campaign about safe drinking water and Sanitation
21 February 2014
International Mother Language Day observed across the world on 21 February 2014
22 February 2014
23 February 2014
24 February
The Ugandan President Yoweri-Museveni signs anti-gay bill which imposes tough penalties
for homosexual acts.
The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and the Confederation
of Indian Industry (CII) agrees to organise Nepal-India Economic Summit every year.
Harold Ramis, the American actor, writer and director of classic comedy films died in Chicago.
He was 69.
25 February
Sri Lanka rejects a call by United Nations human rights for an international inquiry.
Ibrahim Mahlab sworn in as new Egypt Prime Minister. He is a former member of Hosni
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WORLD DAIRY
February 2014
Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor awarded with Israels highest civilian honour, the Israeli
Presidential Medal of Distinction.
26 February
India and Saudi Arabia sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation
pact to take their strategic partnership further in areas of security.
Turkish president Abdullah Gul approves the bill on restricting the judicial powers.
Legendary Spanish guitarist Paco de Lucia passes away in Mexico. He was 66.
27 February
India and Israel signs an agreement on Cooperation in Public and Homeland security.
28 February
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NATIONAL
LANOITAN
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Gulam Nabi Azad inaugurated the All India Institute of
Medical Science (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar on 26 February 2014. During inauguration an e-Card
system was also introduced. e-Card system (also known as health card) will help the patients to
know about the disease, doctor assigned and treatment.
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It has a 10-bed ICU along with 150 beds spanning different specialties.
It started the OPD services in the basic disciplines of medicine, surgery, orthopaedics, dentistry
and gynaecology in June 2013 which increased to 24 subsequently.
After the allocation of land by the state government, a satellite Centre of the AIIMS, Bhubaneswar
will be established at Balasore.
Under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Sahayata Yojana (PMSSY), the Union Government has already
approved establishing of four medical colleges at Balasore, Balangir, Koraput and Baripada in
Odisha. Further, two medical collages, at Berhampur and Burla will be upgraded.
Including aforementioned and some other projects Union government has planned an investment
of 1250 crore rupees for the health sector of Odisha.
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Power Plant. The Welspun Solar MP project was constructed at a cost of 1100 crore rupees on 305
hectares of land. It will supply power at 8.05 rupees a kWh.
This Project will raise Indian solar capacity by 7 percent.
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While both domestic and international passengers will now have to pay less for flying from the
airport, the development delivers a blow to the airport operator GMR Hyderabad International
Airport Ltd, part of the GMR Group.
GMR Hyderabad International Airport is a joint venture company promoted by the GMR Group that
holds 63 per cent share. The other share holders are the Union government at 13 per cent, Andhra
Pradesh government at 13 per cent and Malaysia Airports Holdings with a stake of 11 per cent.
The Hyderabad airport, commissioned in March 2008, handled 6.3 million domestic passengers
and 2.1 million international passengers in 2012-13.
During the first half of the current fiscal it handled 3.2 million and 1.2 million domestic and
international passengers, respectively. It has a designed capacity to handle 12 million passengers.
User development fee is a charge levied by airports on passengers to help the operator recover
part of the investments made for the development of the airport and other facilities.
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The Ministry has devised an eleven points criteria for declaration of National
Highways based upon the comments of the Planning Commission, are as under:
Road which run through the length and breadth of the country.
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The right of way required for the National Highways (preferably 45m, minimum 30m) must be
available for acquiring, free of encroachments and the State Government would complete acquiring
formalities within six months.
The Committee will look upon the issues as follows:1. To examine the various kinds of concerns, including the concerns regarding security, of the
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The committee will interact with the students/professionals, NGOs, students organizations and
other persons from the North Eastern States living in Delhi to seek their suggestions.
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the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2006 is a small step towards the concept
of Uniform Civil Code mentioned in Article 44 of the Constitution of India.
The Court in its direction also said that the law has entitled adoption by people belonging to any
religion and any person, who does not submit himself to personal law can adopt a child.
The bench said the Act is an enabling legislation that gives a prospective parent the option of
adopting an eligible child by following due procedure. This judgment of Supreme Court came
following a petition filed by activist Shabnam Hashmi 8 years ago after being refused a permission
to adopt.
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all the street vendors identified in the survey, with preference to SC, ST, OBC, women, persons
with disabilities, minorities etc.
All existing street vendors, identified in the survey, will be accommodated in the vending zones
subject to a norm conforming to 2.5 percent of the population of the ward or zone or town or
city.
Where the numbers of street vendors identified are more than the holding capacity of the vending
zone, the Town Vending Committee (TVC) is required to carry out a draw of lots for issuing the
certificate of vending for that vending zone and the remaining persons will be accommodated
in any adjoining vending zone to avoid relocation.
Those street vendors who have been issued a certificate of vending/license etc. before the
commencement of this Act, they will be deemed to be a street vendor for that category and for
the period for which he/she has been issued such certificate of vending/license.
It has been provided that no street vendor will be evicted until the survey has been completed
and certificate of vending issued to the street vendors.
It has also been provided that in case a street vendor, to whom a certificate of vending is issued,
dies or suffers from any permanent disability or is ill, one of his family member i.e. spouse or
dependent child can vend in his place, till the validity of the certificate of vending.
Thus the mechanism is to provide universal coverage, by protecting the street vendors from
harassment and promoting their livelihoods.
Procedure for relocation, eviction and confiscation of goods has been specified and made
street vendor friendly. It is proposed to provide for recommendation of the TVC, as a necessary
condition for relocation being carried out by the local authority.
Relocation of street vendors should be exercised as a last resort. Accordingly, a set of principles
to be followed for relocation is proposed to be provided for in the second Schedule of the Bill,
which states that
1. Relocation should be avoided as far as possible, unless there is clear and urgent need for the
land in question
2. Affected vendors or their representatives shall be involved in planning and implementation of
the rehabilitation project
3. Affected vendors shall be relocated so as to improve their livelihoods and standards of living or
at least to restore them, in real terms to pre-evicted levels
4. Natural markets where street vendors have conducted business for over fifty years shall be
declared as heritage markets, and the street vendors in such markets shall not be relocated.
The Local authority is required to make out a plan once in every 5 years, on the recommendation
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of TVC, to promote a supportive environment and adequate space for urban street vendors to
carry out their vocation. It specifically provides that declaration of no-vending zone shall be
carried subject to the specified principles namely; any existing natural market, or an existing
market as identified under the survey shall not be declared as a no-vending zone; declaration of
no-vending zone shall be done in a manner which displaces the minimum percentage of street
vendors; no zone will be declared as a no-vending zone till such time as the survey has not been
carried out and the plan for street vending has not been formulated. Thus the Bill provides for
enough safeguards to protect street vendors interests.
The thrust of the Bill is on natural market, which has been defined under the Bill. The entire
planning exercise has to ensure that the provision of space or area for street vending is
reasonable and consistent with existing natural markets. Thus, natural locations where there is
a constant congregation of buyers and sellers will be protected under the Bill.
There is a provision for establishment of an independent dispute redressal mechanism under
the chairmanship of retired judicial officers to maintain impartiality towards grievance redressal
of street vendors.
The Bill provides for time period for release of seized goods, for both perishable and nonperishable goods. In case of non-perishable goods, the local authority is required to release the
goods within two working days and incase of perishable goods, the goods shall be released the
same day, of the claim being made.
The Bill also provides for promotional measures to be undertaken by the Government, towards
availability of credit, insurance and other welfare schemes of social security, capacity building
programmes, research, education and training programme etc. for street vendors.
Section 29 of the Bill provides for protection of street vendors from harassment by police and
other authorities and provides for an overriding clause to ensure they carry on their business
without the fear of harassment by the authorities under any other law.
The Bill specifically provides that the Rules under the Bill have to be notified within one year of
its commencement, and Scheme has to be notified within six months of its commencement to
prevent delay in implementation.
Apart from the Street Vendors Bill 2014, the Parliament also passed two other bills namely Governors
Emoluments, (Allowances and Privileges) Amendment and National Institutes of Technology,
Science Education and Research (Amendment). These two bills were also approved by the Rajya
Sabha without discussion after these were adopted by the Lok Sabha.
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Nothing in sub-clause (a) of clause (1) shall affect the power conferred by law on any officer of
the Armed Forces of the Union to suspend, remit or commute a sentence passed by a Court
Martial.
Nothing in sub-clause (c) of clause (1) shall affect the power to suspend, remit or commute a
sentence of death exercisable by the Governor of a State under any law for the time being in
force.
Power of Governor of a state to grant pardons, etc reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment
or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence against any
law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the State extends.
These Constitutional provisions provide a hope to condemned prisoners and their family members
that the death sentence can be commuted into a life imprisonment.
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the changes.
Quadricycles will have hard top and doors. The weight of the battery was excluded from the vehicle
curb weight to promote no carbon emission.
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Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Government of India signed for a 275 million dollar loan for
improving rural road connectivity in five states on 12 February 2014. The states include Assam,
Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal.
A Joint secretary of Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Country Director of
ADB signed the pact.
The loan is the second tranche of 800 million dollar under the Rural Connectivity Investment
Programme (RCIP). The second tranche of loan will help construct 3693 km of all-weather rural
roads in these five States benefiting nearly 1800 rural habitations. It is expected to be completed
in June 2017.
This loan will invest in physical infrastructure, improve road design, road safety and asset
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management. The central government will provide counterpart funds of 81.56 million dollar for
a total second tranche project investment cost of 356.56 million dollar.ADB provided 252 million
dollar and the Government of India provided counterpart funds of 89 million dollar as a part of first
tranche of RCIP.
Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) is the executing agency of the project at the central level
and the state governments at the state level for a period of 43 months.
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The above guidelines are not specific but are rather in the form of broad guidelines. The specific
guidelines could not be framed for examining mercy petitions due to vast majority of different type
of cases and varied circumstances.
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Security and Tracking System and City Command and Control Centre with installation of GPS,
CCTV in public road transport.
Background
In 1986, Union Government started the Central Rural Sanitation Programme (CRSP) primarily with
the objective of improving the quality of life of the rural people and also to provide privacy and
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dignity to women.
CRSP adopted a demand driven approach with the name Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) with
effect from 1999.
To give a fillip to the TSC, Government of India also launched the Nirmal Gram Puraskar (NGP) that
sought to recognise the achievements and efforts made in ensuring full sanitation coverage.
Encouraged by the success of NGP, the TSC was renamed as Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA). The
objective is to accelerate the sanitation coverage in the rural areas so as to comprehensively cover
the rural community through renewed strategies and saturation approach.
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Background
The old version of the Bill was tabled in Rajya Sabha, which was approved by the Union Cabinet on
30 December 2013 and disapproved by the rights activities. The right activists, who opposed the
old version of the bill, said it as the diluted version.
The Supreme Court of India on 7 February 2014 ordered to implement the recommendations of the
Majithia Wage Board for journalists and non-journalists in newspapers and news agencies. Supreme
Court in its decision upheld the recommendations of Majithia Wage Board on the pay structure and
has directed for revised salaried to be granted to the employees.
As per the decision, the revised wages have been made payable from 11 November 2011 the day
the centre in its notification notified the recommendations. The Court in its decision ruled that
all the arrears will be paid in four installments within a year and the recommendations should be
implemented from April 2014.
The Apex court ordered this after dismissing the petitions of various newspapers that challenged
the recommendations of the wage board and its constitution.
The Supreme Court bench that passed the decision was headed by P Sathasivam, the Chief
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Justice of India. In its decision the bench of the apex court said that the wage Board followed
proper procedures in giving the recommendations and the allegations leveled against it and its
constitution are not right.
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As against these targets, the Shipping Ministry has already awarded 23 projects at a cost of over
9790 crore rupees for an additional capacity of 116 MTPA.
The capacity of Indian ports at present stands at a little over 1000 MTPA.
India has 12 major ports: Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (Navi Mumbai), Kolkata, Chennai,
Visakhapatanam, Cochin, Paradip, New Mangalore, Mormugao (Goa), Ennore, Tuticorin and Kandla.
The countries, who have been barred from the facility includes
Pakistan
Sudan
Afghanistan
Iran
Iraq
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Nigeria
Sri Lanka
Somalia
The decision of the high-level meeting to offer visa on arrival can be treated as ironing on the
objections raised by the Union Home Ministry for extension of the facility to nationals of 40 more
countries that included US, UK and Germany. Home Ministry nod was a prerequisite for extending
the facility.
9.7 crore new voters added in the electoral rolls during 2009-14
period
The Election Commission of India added 9.7 crore new voters in the electoral list during 2009-14
period or since 2009 Lok Sabha polls. It resulted into 13.5 percent rise in the list of national voters
countrywide.
The announcement was made on 5 February 2014 by the Election Commission after finalizing the
list on 31 January 2014.
It is followed by Maharashtra added the largest number of voters followed by West Bengal,
Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.
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Agricultural
The NMAET has been envisaged as the next step towards this objective through the amalgamation
of these schemes.
The Mission Document has been prepared in keeping with the recommendations of the Working
Group of the Planning Commission and suggestions and inputs received from extensive consultation
with stakeholders, particularly farmers.
The common threads running across all 4 Sub-Missions in NMAET are Extension and Technology.
Therefore, while 4 separate Sub-Missions are being proposed for administrative convenience,
these are inextricably linked to each other at the field level and most components thereof have to
be disseminated among farmers and other stakeholders through a strong extension network.
The aim of the Mission is to restructure and strengthen agricultural extension to enable delivery
of appropriate technology and improved agronomic practices to farmers. This is envisaged to be
achieved by a judicious mix of extensive physical outreach and interactive methods of information
dissemination, use of ICT, popularisation of modern and appropriate technologies, capacity
building and institution strengthening to promote mechanisation, availability of quality seeds, plant
protection etc. and encourage aggregation of Farmers into Interest Groups (FIGs) to form Farmer
Producer Organisations (FPOs).
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President of India Pranab Mukherjee launched the National Mission on Libraries (NML) on 3 February
2014. The mission was launched by Union Ministry of Culture.
The creation of a National Virtual Library of India (NVLI) is one of the major component schemes of
the National Mission on Libraries.
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With the aim of equitable and universal access to knowledge resources, the National Virtual Library
of India would provide digital resources by digitizing the relevant reading material in different
languages, which would be shared at all levels.
The target users of NVLI will not only be students, researchers, doctors and professionals but
also the educationally, socially, economically and physically disadvantaged groups. Thus, it
would empower people with information in order to create a knowledge society and also ensure
preservation of digital content for posterity.
This initiative of National Mission on Libraries will largely facilitate the internet savvy people in
making maximum use of library resources.
Indias first monorail service was inaugurated by the Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj chavan
on 1 February 2014 in Mumbai.
The First phase of Mumbai Monorail is comprised of 8.9 km long Wadala-Chembur section. The
first phase was constructed at the cost of 1900 crore rupees which have seven stations.
It will operate between 7 am and 3 pm at an interval of 15 minutes initially. The fully air-conditioned
monorails minimum fare will be five rupees while maximum fare will be twenty rupees.
The monorail service will have four coaches, which will ferry about 2500 passengers .The traveling
time between Wadala and Chembur will be reduced from 40 minutes to nearly 21 minutes at present.
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Mumbai Mono rail will display itself in three colours green, pink and sky blue. Monorail will have a
smart card facility available like Delhi Metro.
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guidance on health care related queries to both beneficiaries and health workers
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INDIA DAIRY
February 2014
1 February 2014
2 February 2014
Tea Production of India rose by 6.5 percent in 2013: Indian Tea Association
3 February 2014
Ministry issued norms for Khel Ratna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awards
4 February 2014
5 February 2014
9.7 crore new voters added in the electoral rolls during 2009-14 period
Indias Visa-on-arrival facility extended for tourists of 180 nations, except eight
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INDIA DAIRY
February 2014
6 February 2014
Union Government hiked FRP of Sugarcane by 10 rupees per quintal for 2014-15
Revisit Aircraft Act 1934 to bring out comprehensive bill: Parliamentary panel
7 February 2014
Abhinav Bindra won second gold medal in Inter Shoot Tri series Shooting
DRDO is developing Unmanned Arial Vehicles for CRPF to track down Maoists
8 February 2014
Bindra became 1st person to win three gold medals in Tri-series shooting
9 February 2014
Banks declared 2 day Strike against proposed bank reforms and demands wage hike
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INDIA DAIRY
February 2014
NABARD under RIDF has sanctioned loans worth over 19100 crore rupees
Justice Mudgal committee submitted its report on IPL spot fixing scandal
10 February
11 February
12 February
ADB and Government of India signed for a 275 million dollar loan under RCIP
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INDIA DAIRY
February 2014
13 February
14 February
15 February
Union Government raised the import tariff value on gold and silver
16 February
Indian Flag unfurled at Sochi Winter Olympics after IOC revoked ban on Indian body
Researchers at IIT Kharagpur developed ready-to-eat food paste for malnourished children
17 February 2014
ONGC and OIL signed Production Sharing Contract in two water Blocks of Bangladesh
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INDIA DAIRY
February 2014
18 February 2014
Death sentence of 3 convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case commuted to life imprisonment
Gross NPAs of listed banks soared 35.2 percent during first three quarters of 2013-14
19 February 2014
Parliament passed Street Vendors Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending
Bill
20 February 2014
Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched three indigenous kits
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INDIA DAIRY
February 2014
21 February 2014
Bezbaruah Committee Constituted for the protection of rights of North Eastern people
Mahila Bank signed three health insurance Pacts with New India
22 February 2014
23 February 2014
Delhi Waveriders won the 2nd edition of Hockey India League cup 2014
24 February
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) announces to form a new
concept called Joint Liability Group (JLG).
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INDIA DAIRY
February 2014
25 February
Supreme Court refers the petition seeking legalization of euthanasia to a five-judge Constitution
Bench.
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) abolishes the user development fee at the
Hyderabad airport.
26 February
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Gulam Nabi Azad inaugurates the All India Institute
of Medical Science (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar.
The largest 130-MW Solar Power Plant of India launched at Bhagwanpur in Neemuch, Madhya
Pradesh.
Union Ministry of Environment & Forest approves field trials for Genetically Modified (GM)
crops rice, wheat, cotton and maize.
27 February
Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways (RT&H) R. Ramalinga Reddy inaugurates an
electric passenger bus in Bangalore. This bus is a first of its kind in India and has zero emission
level.
Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs notifies new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rules
for companies. The new CSR rules will become effective from 1 April 2014.
Union Home Ministry constitutes G K Pillay Committee to study and examine the demand of
a separate Bodoland state.
28 February
Chandi Prasad Bhatt, the noted Gandhian environmentalist and social activist selected for the
Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2013.
Union Cabinet approves the Mission document on the National Mission for sustaining the
Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE).
National Science Day observed across India to mark the discovery of the Raman Effect by
Indian physicist CV Raman.
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ECONOMY
YMONOCE
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued guidelines for revitalising distressed assets on 26 February
2014. The guidelines suggested the forming of Joint Lenders Forum (JLF) and adoption of Corrective
Action Plan (CAP) for operationalising the framework.
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RBI to set up a Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC) to collect, store, and
disseminate credit data to lenders.
Banks are advised that as soon as an account is reported by any of the lenders to CRILC as
SMA-2, they should mandatorily form a committee to be called Joint Lenders Forum (JLF) if the
aggregate exposure (AE) of lenders in that account is 1000 million rupees and above.
The RBI suggested infusion of more equity into their companies by promoters and transfer of
their holdings to a security trustee or an escrow arrangement till the turnaround of the company.
The Indian Banks Association (IBA) would prepare a master JLF agreement and operational
guidelines for JLF which could be adopted by all lenders.
While JLF formation and subsequent corrective actions would be mandatory in accounts having
AE of 100 crore rupees and above, in other cases also the lenders would have to monitor the
asset quality closely and take corrective action for effective resolution as deemed appropriate.
For accounts with AE of 500 crore rupees and above, the techno-economic viability study
and restructuring package would have to be subjected to an evaluation by an independent
evaluation committee (IEC) of experts.
The IEC would be required to give its recommendation in these cases to the JLF within 30 days.
Thereafter, considering the views of IEC, if the JLF decided to go ahead with the restructuring,
the restructuring package, including all terms and conditions as mutually agreed upon between
the lenders and the borrower, would have to be approved by all the lenders and communicated
to the borrower within next 15 days for implementation.
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Similar on the pattern of Self Help Groups (SHG), NABARD will provide refinance facility to banks for
providing loans and financial assistance to small and marginal farmers who are normally deprived
of finance.
NABARD has already 41 lakh SHGs which are credit linked.
Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of NABARD is H K Bhanwala.
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sector. This will make the sector competitive and increase private participation.
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Among the listed banks, SBI had the highest share of gross NPAs at 67799 crore rupees followed
by PNB at 16596 crore rupees, and Bank of Baroda at 11926 crore rupees.
ING Vysyas net NPAs increased the most at 359 per cent, followed by Bank of Maharashtra at 352
percent.
ICICI Banks gross NPAs rose 8.2 per cent, or by 791 crore rupees to 10399 crore rupees. The level
of bad loans was 9607.75 crore rupees as on 31 March 2013.
About NPA
Banks usually classify any commercial loans as non-performing assets which are more than 90
days overdue and any consumer loans which are more than 180 days overdue. More generally, an
asset which is not producing income.
The decision made by Coal Ministry to de-allocate the coal blocks given to JSPL and Sterlite has
been put on hold in view of cases pending in courts.
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production of 257.13 million tonnes in 2012-13. This is 6 million tonnes higher than the production
in 2012-13.
Record production of rice, wheat, oilseeds and cotton has contributed to the overall rise in foodgrain
output in the 2013-14. Also, a good monsoon along with improved sowing of both kharif (summer)
and rabi (winter) crops have improved prospects of a better foodgrain production in 2013-14.
The rice output is expected to be 106.19 million tonnes, as against 105.24 million tonnes produced
in 2012-13. Wheat production is expected to be 95.60 million tonnes compared to 93.51 million
tonnes produced in 2012-13.
The output of Pulses in 2013-14 has gone up to 19.77 million tonnes compared to 18.34 million
tonnes in 2011-12. Coarse cereal production increased by 1.5 million tonnes to 41.64 million tonnes.
The total oilseeds production is expected to be 329.83 lakh tonnes as against 309.43 lakh tonnes in
2012-13. Production of rapeseed and mustard is likely to be an all-time high at 82.51 lakh tonnes,
compared to 80.29 lakh tonnes in 2012-13.
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Level of agricultural production from the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture &
Cooperation (DAC), Index of Industrial Production (IIP)
Monthly accounts of Union Government Expenditure maintained by Controller General of
Accounts (CGA)
State Government expenditure maintained by Comptroller and Auditor general of India (CAG)
The estimations also depends upon the performance of key sectors like transport including railways,
road, air and water transport etc. It has also taken into consideration of things like communication,
banking and insurance. The advance estimates at current prices are derived by estimating the
implicit price deflators (IPDs) at sectoral level from the relevant price indices.
Earlier, in its revised estimates from the provisional forecast of 5 percent, CSO lowered the growth
for 2012-13 fiscal to 4.5 percent. C Rangarajan, the Chairman of the Prime Ministers Economic
Advisory Council described this revision as encouraging indication that the economic slowdown is
over.
Economic Statistics
Economic Statistics covers statistics on Employment, Industry, National Accounts, Prices, Transport
and Communication and Trade. Some of the statistics is compiled using administrative data while
others are through conducting business surveys. There are instances where a combination of
administrative and business surveys data are used to augment each other.
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NABARD was constituted following an interim report submitted on 28 November 1979 by a committee
under chairmanship of B Sivaraman, former member of Planning Commission, Government of
India.
The Parliament, through Act 61 of 1981, approved the setting up of NABARD. The bank came into
existence on 12 July 1982 by transferring the agricultural credit functions of RBI and refinance
functions of the then Agricultural Refinance and Development Corporation (ARDC). NABARD was
set up with an initial capital of 100 crore rupees.
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The RBI report said that in the year 2012-13 the non-PKI enabled payment system like clearing of
MICR/Non MICR, electronic credit system, credit card and debit cards contributed to 75 percent,
which in value terms is only 6.3 percent. It also mentioned that the payment systems enabled
on non-PKI, MICR clearing and non-MICR clearing contributed to 37 percent and 10 percent in
volume terms and 69 percent and 25 percent in value terms.
The report in its highlights has also included security features in existing payment system
applications and feasibility in implementing PKI in all payments system applications. The Group
has also recommended that banks may carry out in phases PKI implementation for authentication
and transaction verification.
The report has also mentioned that the issuing banks will also have to convert the older credit or
debit cards with the magstripe into EVM chip and pin-enabled ones.
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Systemic risk
Operational risk
Legal risk
The need to recognise the security and safety to be robust was needed following the increase in the
adoption of electronic payment products and delivery channels for transactional needs.
The Reserve Bank of India had, in September 2013, constituted a group to prepare an approach
paper for enabling PKI for Payment Systems in India. The members of the constituted group were
from banks (State Bank of India and ICICI bank), Institute for Development and Research in Banking
Technology-Certifying Authority (IDRBT-CA), Controller of Certifying Authority (CCA), New Delhi and
Reserve Bank of India [(Department of Technology (DIT), Department of Payment and Settlement
Systems (DPSS), Department of Government and Bank Accounts (DGBA) - Core Banking Solution
(CBS) and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
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For this year, the government has pegged sugar output at 24.1 million tonnes, which is less than
the 25 million tonnes achieved last year. After Brazil, India is the second largest producer of sugar
in the world and is the biggest consumer of the sweetener. 23 million tonnes is the total annual
demand of sugar in India.
Background
This FRP hike proposal had been done following the recommendation of the Commission for
Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) which advises the government on pricing policy for major
farm produce. CACP is a statutory body.
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Formation, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in 2011-12 has been revised upwards to 6.7
percent from 6.2 percent. Growth in 2012-13 is the lowest of the decade with previous low of 4
percent that was recorded in 2002-03.
Central Statistics Office (CSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has
estimated the GDP for 2012-13 along with the second revised estimates for 2011-12 and third
revision estimates for 2010-11. CSO has revised the growth for 2010-11 to 8.9 percent from 9.3
percent earlier in the third and final revision.
The revised estimates for 2012-13 estimated the primary sectors including agriculture, mining,
quarrying and fishing has grown by one percent against the previous estimate of 1.6 percent. About
the secondary sector that includes manufacturing, electricity, gas, water supply and construction
has gone down by 1.2 percent from the previous estimate of 2.3 percent.
The growth rates and shares of different sectors of economy during 2010-11 to 2012-13 are
mentioned below
Sector
2010-11
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
2011-12
2012-13
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
8.3
4.4
1.0
21.0
20.5
19.9
7.6
8.5
1.2
24.3
24.6
23.8
9.7
6.6
7.0
54.6
54.9
56.3
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Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at market prices at constant (2004-05) prices in 2012-13 is estimated
at 59 lakh crore as against 56.3 lakh crore in 2011-12 registering a growth of 4.7 percent during
the year as against a growth of 6.6 percent in the year 2011-12. At current prices, GDP at market
prices in 2012-13 is estimated at 101.1 lakh crore as against 90.1 lakh crore in 2011-12, showing
an increase of 12.2 per cent during the year, as against an increase of 15.7 percent in the previous
year.
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This mission would also assess the vulnerability of the Himalayan region to climate change
scientifically in dimensions like physical, biological and socio-cultural aspects. This scientific assess
would lead to formulation of appropriate policy measures and time bound action programme to
sustain its ecological resilience and ensure the continued provisions of key ecosystem services.
The 12 Himalayan States of India in the Indian Himalayan region (IHR) has been covered under the
Mission of which 10 are hill states and two are partial hill States, namely
Jammu & Kashmir
Himachal Pradesh
Uttarakhand
Sikkim
Arunachal Pradesh
Nagaland
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Manipur
Mizoram
Tripura
Meghalaya
Assam
West Bengal
The Government of Indias, Department of Science and Technology has been given the responsibility
to coordinate the implementation of the Mission (NMSHE) and a Mission cell (NMSHE Cell) will be
created at the Climate Change Programme Division of the Department of Science and Technology.
This cell will be headed by a Mission Director.
Background
NAPCC was launched in June 2008 by the Prime Minister`s Council on Climate Change to fulfill
Indias vision in context to climate change. In recent times, climate change has evolved as an
important area of concern and has laid ahead a challenge for environmental and development
planning.
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To authorize agencies or persons to have powers to take punitive actions under the EPA.
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However, the contaminated water had not reached the Pacific Ocean because the tank is located
several hundred metres away from the sea and there are no spillways near the tank.
The Fukushima nuclear plant was damaged by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011 faced multiple
problems including leaks and power cuts since the disaster.
Since the incidence, TEPCO has been storing the enormous volumes of water contaminated at the
site in a steadily growing collection of containers.
According to TEPCO, as many as 20 trillion becquerels of cesium-137, 10 trillion becquerels of
strontium-90 and 40 trillion becquerels of tritium have found their way into the sea by way of
groundwater leaks between May 2011 and August 2013.
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Bird species reported to be assigned under the Critically Endangered list of IUCN
Red list are
Bird species reported to be assigned under the
Critically Endangered list of IUCN Red list are
No
Common Name
Scientific Name
Baer's Pochard
Aythyabaeri
Forest Owlet
Heteroglauxblewitti
Ardeotisnigriceps
Bengal Florican
Houbaropsisbengalensis
Siberian Crane
Grusleucogeranus
Spoon-billed
Sandpiper
Eurynorhynchuspygmeus
Sociable Lapwing
Vanellusgregarius
Jerdon's Courser
Rhinoptilusbitorquatus
Gyps bengalensis
10
Red-headed Vulture
Sarcogypscalvus
11
White-bellied Heron
Ardeainsignis
12
Slender-billed Vulture
Gyps tenuirostris
13
Indian Vulture
Gyps indicus
14
Himalayan Quail
Ophrysiasuperciliosa
15
Pink-headed Duck
Rhodonessacaryophyllacea
It says that the reason for the decline in the number of these birds are
Loss, modification, fragmentation and degradation of habitat
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Environmental contaminants
Poaching
Use changes mainly conversion of large areas to intensive crop cultivation
Changes in cropping pattern due to various reasons including implementation of irrigation
schemes
Increased pesticide usage and livestock-grazing
High levels of disturbance
Developmental activities like mining and hydel projects. This also includes collision of the birds
with vehicles, wind turbines and power lines
For conversion of the remaining habitats in the wet lands, grass lands and forests and river line across the countries, the steps taken by the government are
For protection and management of protected areas the government of India provides financial
and technical assistance to state/union territory government. The financial and technical support
is also provided for forests protection under centrally sponsored schemes
India has signed into several major international conventions related to conversion and
management of wildlife, which includes the endangered species of birds
The Central Government has enacted the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 for protection of
wildlife including birds. The Act, provides for creation of Protected Areas for protection of wild
life and also provides for punishment for hunting of specified fauna including birds specified in
the schedules I to IV thereof. Important habitats of birds have been notified as Protected Areas
under the Act
Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010 have been framed for protection of
wetlands, in the States, which are habitats of birds. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of
National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-System also provides assistance to the States
for management of wet lands including Ramsar sites in the country.
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been established for control of illegal trade in wildlife, including
endangered species of birds and their parts and products.
Research and monitoring activities on birds are promoted by the Government through reputed
research organizations. Wildlife Institute of India, Bombay Natural History society and Salim Ali
Centre for Ornithology and Natural History are some of the research organizations undertaking
research on conservation of birds.
The Indian Government has banned the veterinary use of diclofenac drug that has caused rapid
population decline of Gyps vulture across the Indian Subcontinent. Conservation Breeding
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Programmes to conserve these vulture species have been initiated at Pinjore (Haryana), Buxa
(West Bengal) and Rani, Guwahati (Assam) by the Bombay Natural History Society.
Japan snowstorm left 19 dead and injured more than 1600 people
Japan in fourth week of February 2014 faced a severe snowstorm that has killed 19 people and left
more than 1600 people injured. This snowstorm weather has also sparked widespread transport
chaos. People of the country have been trapped in small communities because they have been cut
off by snow-locked roads and railway lines.
The meteorological agency of Japan in its latest forecast said that now the storm is moving towards
northernmost Hokkaido. In its announcement, the agency has also issued warning of heavy snowfall
and avalanches along with high waves along the northeastern coast. Hokkaido is the place that
was battered by a quake that sparked tsunami almost three years ago.
To help people in the distressed areas, the members of Japans Self-Defence forces have also
stepped in.
The weather of Japan gone worst after snow began falling on 15 February 2014 in Tokyo and piled
up to 26 centimeters by 15 February 2014. This is the heaviest snowfall witnessed by people of the
country in almost of one decade.
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Volcano Mount Kelud of Kediri district (main island of Java) of Indonesia erupted on 13 February
2014 after rumbling for several weeks. Following this eruption, the government of the country has
ordered around 2 lakh people of 36 villages within 10 kilometers of the crater to evacuate. The
eruption spewed ash and sand 17 kilometers into the air.
The volcanic eruption has resulted in the closure of three international airports namely Jogyakarta,
Solo and Surabaya. The closure action was taken because the ash released during the eruption
has darkened the skies across the country, which has reduced visibility. The ashes can also pose
danger to the engines of the aircrafts.
National Disaster Mitigation Agency said that the spewed ash and gravel of the volcano flew as
far as 200 kilometers away. The noise of this mountain eruption was heard at a distance of 130
kilometers from Surabaya and even further afield in Jogakarta. Reports say that the ash has covered
the grounds of both the cities, which is falling till now.
Last time, Mount Kelud erupted in 2007. In 1990, its eruption killed more than 30 people leaving
behind more than 100 injured. Before the eruption of 1990 a powerful eruption happened in 1919
in which about 5000 people were killed.
Earlier in January 2014 an eruption occurred on the island of Sumatara on Mount Sinabung in
which 14 people were killed.
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Background
Overall, the species of river dolphins are included and defined as threatened and falls under the
IUCNs (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List. Three of the four previously known
species falls under this list as they are rarest animals found in the world.
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Background
Burning tyres in possessions might be possible its a political or religious or of any other kind is a
most famous and first step of showcasing agitation.
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for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. It is a specialized body equipped with the
necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues. The
Tribunal shall not be bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908,
but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.
New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal. The other four places of its sittings are
Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai.
Process of how the Red List of IUCN helps in saving the species
Conservation Planning It provides the information that is related to species-based conservation
actions. It also helps in identifying globally important sites for conservation including important
Plant Areas, important bird areas, key biodiversity areas and alliance for zero extinction sites.
Decision-making It helps in by influencing the decisions of conservation at multiple scales
that includes environmental impact assessments to international multilateral environments
agreements
Monitoring Indicating the current status of species and revealing trends in their extinction risk
over time, to track progress towards biodiversity targets.
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Greater Flamingo
The Greater Flamingo scientific name Phoenicopterus roseus is the most widespread species of
the flamingo family. These birds are found in the Africa, southern Asia (India and Pakistan), Spain,
Albania, Turkey, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Italy and France. A single bird was seen in 1988 on the
North Keeling Island.
These birds are pink birds and found mainly in warm and watery regions as well as in the environments
of saline and alkaline lakes. The Greater flamingos are the only tall pink bird found anywhere. They
also have long, lean, curved necks and black-tipped bills with a distinctive downward bend.
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is toxic for any and all vultures that feed on the carcass of recently treated cattle. SAVE in its study
says that the version for human use is being illegally given to the cattle.
The study says that three species of the South Asian Vultures are critically threatened for extinction
in the coming future. During 1980s the Oriental white-blacked vultures that are considered to be
one of the most common large bird preys in the world were present in abundance in India. Slowly
the number of these vultures has decreased critically and now there are less than 1000 these
vultures surviving. This birds population has gone down by almost 99.9 percent.
The three species of vultures that are critically endangered that has declined by
more than 97 percent since 1990s are
Oriental white-backed (Gyps bengalensis)
Long-billed (Gyps indicus)
Slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris)
Other two species, whose population has decreased sharply, although no link
has been established for the cause of their deaths, the two species are
Red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvushave)
Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
In 2006, Diclofenac was banned from being used to vet and farmers. This decision was taken
following its effect on the vultures. In 2004 it was established after the study on the sick birds in
the wild that the decrease of the population of vultures is caused due to the anti-inflammatory drug
being used to reduce swelling in injured or diseased animals.
The study suggested that the vultures who were feeding on the carcasses of the animals vetted
with Diclofenac were dying due to acute kidney failure or lost their ability to reproduce.
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University of Nottingham in 2014. It plays a vital role in the structure of the tissue that controls the
flow of fluid from the eye.
The research was published in a paper in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
The new finding could shed new light on glaucoma. The new layer named as Duas Layer is just 15
microns thick but incredibly tough. Comprised of thin plates of collagen, it sits at the back of the
cornea between the corneal stroma and Descemets membrane.
It makes an important contribution to the sieve-like meshwork, the trabecular meshwork (TM), in
the periphery of the cornea.
The TM is a wedge-shaped band of tissue that extends along the circumference of the angle of the
anterior chamber of the eye.
It is made of beams of collagen wrapped in a basement membrane to which trabecular cells and
endothelial cells attach. The beams branch out randomly to form a meshwork.
Scientists had previously believed the cornea to be comprised of five layers - from front to back
the corneal epithelium, Bowmans layer, the corneal stroma, Descemets membrane and the corneal
endothelium.
Pressure within the eye is maintained by the balance of aqueous fluid production by eye tissue
called the ciliary body and drainage principally through the TM to the canal of Schlemm, a circular
channel in the angle of the eye.
Defective drainage through the TM is an important cause of glaucoma, a condition that leads
to raised pressure in the eye that can permanently affect sight. Around 1 to 2% of the worlds
population yearly have chronic glaucoma and globally around 45 million people have open angle
glaucoma which can permanently damage the optic nerve - 10% of whom are blind.
It is hoped the discovery will offer new clues on why the drainage system malfunctions in the eyes
of some people, leading to high pressure.
Glaucoma is a devastating disease caused by defective drainage of fluid from the eye. Glaucoma
is the second largest leading cause of blindness of world.
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blinds.
The invention was named as Braigo, a mash-up of Braille and LEGO. Users can type in letters, and
the Braigos needle will hammer out the translated message in raised dots on paper.
LEGO Mindstorms EV3 is a remarkably powerful and functional robotics kit people of any age can
use to build some impressive and complicated projects.
ASI & Google jointly launched the 360 degree online view of Indian heritage sites
Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) joined hands with the Google to launch the 360 degree online
view of the Indian heritage sites on 20 February 2014.
The aim is to create a dynamic, immersive online experience by which people within India and
around the world can understand and engage more of Indias diverse cultural heritage.
Under the first part of the project, a total of 30 heritage sites from across the nation have been
mapped using the Street View Trekker of Google. Under the Street View Trekker a person gets a
step by step walk around virtual tour of the place.
The Indian heritage sites that have been mapped include the likes of Taj Mahal, Raigad Fort,
Nagarjuna Konda Buddhist Stupas, Fatehpur Sikri, Qutub Minar, Humayuns Tomb, Red Fort, Aga
Khan Palace, Agra Fort and more.
The 30 monuments will also be now available to viewers on GoogleMaps and on the World Wonders
site, part of Google Cultural Institute.
In October 2013, Google had announced its project to capture the panoramic image of 100 Indian
Heritage sites with Union Ministry of Culture and ASI. In pursuance of the signed agreement with
ASI and Union Culture Ministry, Google created a virtual walkthrough application using its Street
View Trekker technology for the first time in India.
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Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched three indigenous kits
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad launched three indigenous kits in
Hyderabad on 20 February 2014. These were developed by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN)
of Indian Council Medical Research (ICMR).
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About ICMR
ICMR is the fulcrum of Department of Health Research (DHR). DHR is a new department under
the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It encourages the innovations and takes it to the
people.
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In the first concept, NASA will capture and redirect an entire asteroid. In the other concept, NASA
will retrieve a large, boulder-like mass from a larger asteroid and return it to the lunar orbit.
In both the cases, astronauts aboard an Orion spacecraft will then study the redirected asteroid
mass in__________the vicinity of the Moon and bring back samples.
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bill by allowing manufacture of semiconductor chips locally.They will also create direct employment
opportunities for around 22000 people and indirect opportunities for a lakh more.
The government is offering 25% subsidy on capital expenditure, tax breaks and 5124 crore Rupees
to each plant as interest-free loans in a bid to attract chip makers.
The companies in the consortia will get all benefits listed under the National Policy on Electronics
like Modified Special Incentive Package, which allows up to 10000 crore Rupees in benefits under
the 12th Five Year Plan ending 2017.
They will benefit under section 35 AD of I-T Act and will also be allowed to deduct 100% expenditure
made on research and development for development of electronic chips.
According to various estimates, Indias demand for electronics products is slated to reach 400
billion dollars by 2020. Currently, it imports more than 90% of consumer electronic products and
the imports are set to reach 300 billion dollars by 2020 from just 7 billion dollars in 2013.
Semi Conductor
A material is neither a good conductor of electricity nor a good insulator. The most common
semiconductor materials are silicon and germanium.
Semiconductor is a hardware component, which is crucial to the functioning of various electronic
devices such as, transistors, mobile phones, computers and hi-tech defence equipment.
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Astronomers of Australian National University discovered the oldest known star in the Universe on
11 February 2014. The discovery was published in the journal Nature.
The star, known as SMSS J031300.36-670839.3, is in the Milky Way galaxy and some 6000 light
years from the Earth. The star was formed shortly after the Big Bang 13.7 billion years ago.
The star was discovered using the ANU SkyMapper telescope at the Siding Spring Observatory,
which is searching for ancient stars as it conducts a five-year project to produce the first digital
map of the southern sky. The discovery of the star was confirmed using the Magellan telescope in
Chile.
The composition of the newly-discovered star shows it was formed in the wake of a primordial star,
which had a mass 60 times that of our Sun. The iron content of the star was used to determine its
age. The low iron content in the star suggests it was formed in a low energy explosion. This is a new
discovery, as it means early supernovae were more varied in their energy than previously thought.
The discovery allowed astronomers for the first time to study the chemistry of the first stars, giving
scientists a clearer idea of what the Universe was like in its infancy. The discovery will open the way
for new approaches in examining the origins of the Universe.
This new discovery suggests early stars were much larger and would have burned more lithium
than experts previously realised. The stars burn the lithium, they blow up, and dont emit much iron.
This helps bring the lithium abundance into line with what the Big Bang theory predicts.
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The Big Bang created a universe filled with hydrogen, helium and extremely small amounts of
lithium. Iron, along with other elements, was forced in stars and supernovae. While modern stars
were created from multiple star explosions and contain many different elements, older stars are
more simplistic in terms of composition.
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About HYLITES
HYLITES is a GPS (Global Positioning System) and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) based
smart phone application that operates on android platform
HYLITES will display real time information of the live status information like arrival, departure,
platform numbers etc from Secunderabad, Hyderabad and Kachiguda stations
It also gives information about all running MMTS (Multi-Modal Transport System) and local
trains
Background
The Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) owes its origin to the foresight and initiative of two
British Chemists, namely, Professor J. L. Simonsen and Professor P.S. MacMahon.
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The first meeting of the Congress was held in January 1914 at the premises of the Asiatic Society,
Calcutta, with the Honourable Justice Sir Asutosh Mukherjee, the then Vice-Chancellor of the
Calcutta University, as President.
One hundred and five scientists from different parts of India and abroad attended and the papers
numbering 35 were divided into six sections-Botany, Chemistry, Ethnography, Geology, Physics,
Zoology under six Sectional Presidents.
The Silver Jubilee Session of the Science Congress was held at Calcutta in 1938 under the
Presidentship of Lord Rutherford of Nelson but due to his sudden death, Sir James Jeans took
the chair. It was at this Jubilee Session that the participation of foreign scientists in session of the
Indian Science Congress was first initiated.
The Science Congress celebrated its Golden Jubilee in October 1963 at Delhi with Prof.D.S. Kothari
as General President.
The Diamond Jubilee Session of the Science Congress was held at Chandigarh in January 1973
under the Presidentship of Dr S Bhagavantam.
The Indian Science Congress Association celebrated its Seventy Fifth year of its inception, popularly
called otherwise, Platinum Jubilee, in 1988, with Prof C N R Rao as General President.
The 100th edition of the Indian Science Congress was held in Kolkota in January 2013 under the
Presidentship of Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India. The theme of the 100th ISC was
Science for shaping the future of India.
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Paperless technology will also help to manage funds. The team members arent tied up re-shelving,
filing and categorising.
They spend most of their time providing one-on-one instruction with visitors, teaching people how
to use devices and how to source materials. Its a more interactive library experience.
Replacement costs have also been factored in to the project. Thefts can be easily prevented as
devices cannot access the internet once they leave the library.
Traditional libraries require much larger load-tolerances in construction due to the weight of
materials, so are more costly to build. Book collections also require environmental controls that are
costly to maintain.
About MeghRaj
Government of India embarked upon an ambitious initiative GI cloud named MeghRaj to utilize and
harness the benefits of Cloud Computing.
The focus of GI cloud is to accelerate delivery of e-services while optimizing ICT spending of the
Government. It will ensure optimum utilization of the infrastructure and speed up the development
and deployment of e Gov applications.
The architectural vision of GI Cloud encompasses a set of discrete cloud computing environments
spread across multiple locations, built on existing or new (augmented) infrastructure, following a
set of common protocols, guidelines and standards issued by the Government of India.
GI Cloud Strategic Direction Paper and GI Cloud Adoption and Implementation Roadmap are two
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policy reports prepared by the Department of Electronics & Information Technology (DeitY).
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CORPORATE
Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs notified New CSR rules
Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs notified new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rules for
companies on 27 February 2014. The new CSR rules will become effective from 1 April 2014.
The new rules give effect to Section 135 and Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013, which relate
to CSR related spending by companies.
The new rules mandates that Companies having huge profits would have to spend at least 2 % of
profits on the CSR activities which in turn would be used for the benefits of the society.
Companies having minimum of 500 crore rupees net worth or 5 crore rupees as net profit or 1000
crore rupees turnover are mandated to spend 2% on CSR activities. However, while undertaking
net profit criteria, profits from overseas branches and dividends received from other companies in
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Provisions
Companies falling under ambit are required to spend 2 % of their 3 year average annual net
profit on CSR activities in each financial year, beginning from the next fiscal year 2014-15.
Company has to declare its CSR policy. This policy should mention plans/ activities /programmes
or projects. These works should not be a part of routine business activities.
Companies can undertake CSR activities as per the approval of the companys board and
decision of its CSR Committee in accordance with its CSR policy.
Rules also define the manner in which CSR committee should formulate and monitor CSR
policy, role of board of directors.
A Company is permitted to collaborate with other companies in pursuing their CSR activities
but they need to show their CSR reports separately.
Companies are permitted to spend only 5% of the total CSR expenditure for manpower
required for CSR activities in a single financial year. The manpower would include companys
own personnel and those of the implementing agencies.
Company can also carry out CSR activities with a Society or a registered trust.
Surplus from CSR activities cannot become a part of the profit of the company.
Any type of contributions to any political party will not be treated as CSR activities.
Spending for the benefit of the companys own employees also cannot be a part of CSR activity.
All CSR activities will have to be within India.
The new rules will be applicable to the foreign companies registered in India.
CSR activities included in Schedule VII
Protection of national heritage, art and culture which include restoration of buildings and sites
of historical importance and works of art
Promotion and development of traditional arts and handicraft
Setting up public libraries
Setting up homes and hostels for orphans
Setting up old age homes
Setting up day care centres
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Central Government
Works to making safe drinking water available
Maintaining quality of soil, air and water
Conservation of natural resources
Ensuring ecological balance
Protection of flora and fauna, animal welfare, agro-forestry
Rural development projects
Livelihood enhancement projects
Promoting healthcare and sanitation
Measures for reducing inequalities faced by socially and economically backward groups
Efforts which benefit war widows, armed forces veterans and their dependents
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Sahara-SEBI dispute
Whether SEBI or Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs has jurisdiction over fund raising through
bonds by two unlisted Sahara entities
Whether or not raising funds from more than 50 people, even through private placement,
qualifies as public offering.
In 2008, two Sahara Group firms sought nod from two Registrar of Comapnies (RoCs) to raise
funds through optionally fully convertible debentures (OFCDs), via private placements. Raised
funds from 3 crore investors.
In 2009, Sahara Prime City approached SEBI to go public. SEBI asked Sahara Group firms to
refund money raised through OFCDs.
In April 2010, SEBI forwarded investors complaint to ROC.
Case heard by Supreme Court and ordered Sahara Group to refund 24000 crore Rupees
including interest.
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Venom GT, worlds fastest car recorded 435 kilometer per hour
Engineers of US firm Hennessey have developed the worlds fastest car Venom GT with a top
speed of a speed of 435 kilometers per hour. The firm set a new record for the fastest car in the
world during a test run at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on 25 February 2014 by beating the
previous best record of 431 kilometer per hour set by the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport.
During the test run, the driver Brain Smith broke the record and stopped on 5.1 kilometer stretch of
tarmac rather than using a high-speed oval to give the car a running start.
Although, Venom GT has broken the record of fastest car of Bugatti but the place in the Guinness
book of records will be retained by Bugatti only. The record of Venom will not be entered into the
record book because Hennessey has verified the speed independently and the car can only be
driven on the NASA landing strip.
To replace the record of Bugatti the book requires cars that run in two directions to account for
variables including gradients and wind direction.
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Firewall of China Government blocks any online forums or content deemed to be sensitive. For
instance, China had barred access to Facebook and Twitter for several years.
Even Chinas Supreme Court ruled in October 2013 that Internet users could face three years in jail
if slanderous information spread online was viewed more than 5000 times or forwarded more than
500 times.
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In last one month this is the third time that the Kalanithi Maran-promoted carrier took this step to
entice fares of the customers. This announcement of Spicejet says that anybody who books within
next three days to travel between 1 April to 30 June 2014.
Original price
Discounted price
Delhi-Goa ticket
11148 rupees all-in for last-minute 3737 rupees all-in under this
purchase
offer
Chennai-Delhi ticket
11085 rupees all-in for last-minute 3675 rupees all-in under this
prices
offer
Chennai-Pune ticket
The all-time low fares for Indigo start at 1876 rupees in the Mumbai-Ahmadabad sector and 3410
rupees in the Delhi-Mumbai sector.
Earlier on 31 January 2014, all domestic airlines except Air India slashed their airfares by 30 percent
under the advance purchase scheme.
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Mahila Bank signed three health insurance Pacts with New India
Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) signed Pact with New India Assurance Company on 21 February
2014. The pact aims to deliver three unique innovative health insurance policies for women account
holders of the bank. The policies named as BMB-Sakhee, BMB-Nirbhaya and BMB-Parivar
Suraksha.
The policies will provide customised health insurance package for women. This was the first launch
of women centric insurance policies.
All the three policies cover all women whether in the unorganised sector with no maternity benefits,
or working and even their families.
All the three products would be available soon on the portals of the branches of the bank and
mobile applications as part of the women empowerment process.
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About Worldfloat
Worldfloat was launched in June 2012 as a social networking site and since then it has added
features like free online movies, education videos, search engine facilities and comparison engine.
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December 2012 after forming a consortium (50:50) with Oil India Limited (OIL).
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Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) on 7 February 2014 announced that it has stopped the production
of the iconic car brand Maruti 800 that had been carrier for millions of middle class Indian families.
The company in its announcement claimed the production was the car was stopped in 18 January
2014.
Executive Director of MSIL, CV Raman in the announcement said that the spare parts of the car
will be available in the market for next 8 to 10 years as per the rules, even after the production was
stopped.
The sale of the car was stopped in 13-cities in April 2010 including Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kanpur
and Pune. It was launched in India in early 1980s and the time of its launch it was priced 50000
rupees only and at the time of closure of production it was priced at 2.35 lakh rupees.
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The new 100-seat center in Brazil will initially house 25 employees and provide services in SAP
Application Management services to Citrosuco, the leading orange juice producer of World.
The 550 square meter office will be located in Edificio Vitoria, the premier commercial building in
Araraquara.
The favorable business environment created by the government and the availability of a highly
skilled, multi-lingual workforce makes Brazil an ideal location for the new delivery center.
Infosys set up operations in Brazil in 2009. The company and its subsidiaries employ over 700
people in the country. Besides, Infosys also has presence in Latin American countries of Costa
Rica, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Argentina and employs over 1700 people.
About Infosys
Infosys is an Indian multinational provider of business consulting, information technology, software
engineering and outsourcing services. It is headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Infosys is second largest software services exporter of India. The gross annual revenue of company
stands at 7.4 billion dollar with over 158000 employees.
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IFC to probe human rights abuses at Tata Global Beverages Ltd plant in Assam
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) of World Bank group decided to investigate the claims
of labour and human rights abuses at Tata Global Beverages Ltd plant in Assam on 14 February
2014.
The decision to probe the claims was taken following the filing of complaints by three nongovernmental agencies from Assam on behalf of the workers in February 2013. It highlights the
concerns about inadequate compensation, and poor health and hygiene conditions at the tea
plantations.
The IFC had jointly financed the tea plantation project with tea giant Tata Global Beverages Ltd in
Assam. The project is being run by Amalgamated Plantations Pvt. Ltd (APPL).
The IFC had contributed 7.8 million dollar in the 87 million dollar Tata Tea project. The project
was aimed at promoting the idea of shareholder workers and helping to create more than 30,000
permanent jobs.
APPL was set up in 2009 to acquire and manage tea plantations previously owned by Tata Global
Beverages. Tata Global Bevarages is the second largest tea brand in the world.
Tata Global Beverages took a 41 percent stake in APPL and the IFC took 20 percent with the
remainder held by workers and smaller firms.
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About MTS
MTS is the largest mobile operator in Russia and CIS countries with over 102.4 million subscribers.
MTS started its work in Moscow license zone in 1994. S in 1997 received licenses for further
areas and began expansion, later entering other countries of the CIS.
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SPORTS
Sourav Kothari won the National Billiard Championship title
Sourav Kothari won the National Billiard Championships held in Lucknow on 26 February 2014. He
beat Alok Kumar by 5-3. This is the first maiden title for Saurav Kothari since he turned professional
in 2007.
Sourav Kothari and Alok Kumar both play for Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB).
Third position was secured by B. Bhaskar who beat Dhruv Sitwala.
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Winner Team /
Player
Delhi Waveriders
75 lacs rupees
Ranchi Rhinos
20 lacs rupees
10 lacs rupees
Trophy
Ranchi Rhinos
Jaap Stockmann,
Jaypee Punjab warriors
25 lacs rupees
Countries
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Total
Russia
13
11
33
Norway
11
10
26
Canada
10
10
25
USA
12
28
5
Netherlands
8
7
9
24
The Winter Olympics 2014
concluded with the host nation
Russia topping the tally of the medals table. Canada claimed the last, most coveted title of the
Games by sweeping aside Sweden 3-0 to retain their mens hockey crown.
The Sochi Winter Olympic Games at 50 million dollars was the most costliest in the Olympic Games
history. It topped even Beijings estimated 40 billion US dollar layout for the Summer Games 2008.
India continued with its record of not winning any medal at Winter Olympic Games. The Indian
participants were Himanshu Takur (Alpine skiing), Iqbal (Country skiing) and Shiva Keshavan (Luge).
However, the most important from Indias viewpoint was revoking of suspension of Indian Olympic
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as he is popular among the cricket lovers and youth of the sate and he would appeal the people to
caste their votes in the general elections.
Names
Country
Li Xuerui
China
Wang Yihan
China
Intanon
Thailand
Wang Shixian
China
Sung Ji Hyun
South Korea
Bae Yeon Ju
South Korea
Saina Nehwal
India
Taiwan
P V Sindhu
India
10
Porntip
Buranaprasertsuk
Thailand
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Renaud Lavillenie
Renaud Lavillenie, a French pole vaulter was born on 18 September 1986
Lavillenie won the gold medal at the 2012 Olympics
He has also won one World Indoor Championships gold medal, two European Championships
gold medals and three European Indoor Championships gold medals
He holds the French national records for the highest pole vault clearance both outdoors (6.02
m) and indoors (6.16 m)
He has been the pole vault overall winner of the IAAF Diamond League four consecutive years
from 2010 to 2013
Sergey Bubka
Sergey Bubka is a former pole vaulter from Ukrain and was born on 4 December 1963
He represented the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991, was twice named Athlete of the
Year by Track & Field News, and in 2012 was one of 24 athletes inducted as inaugural members
of the International Association of Athletics Federations Hall of Fame
He has been a consecutive IAAD World Championships winner for six times
He is also a gold winner of Olympics
He has broken the world record of mens pole vaulting 35 times of which 18 were broken
indoors and 17 times outdoor
At present Bubka is a key member of the IOC and in 2013 he lost out to Thomas Bach on the
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India ended this tour to New Zealand winless as earlier, India lost the five matches ODI series 0-4
with one tie and in the 2 matches test series it lost the first match with 40-run played at Auckland.
and tied the second one.
Now India is scheduled to play Asia Cup in Bangladesh that starts on 25 February 2014. Indias first
match of Asia Cup will be held on 26 February 2014 against the hosts.
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Hsieh Su-Wei of Chinese Taipei was ranked No.2 in WTA Doubles ranking which is the highest
ranking ever for a player from Chinese Taipei.
The year 2013 was a break-through for the pair Peng Shuai and Hsieh Su-Wei. The pair won the
five doubles titles including the first major Championship at the Wimbledon. Hsieh became the first
player from Chinese Taipei and Peng Shuai the fifth Chinese player to win a Grand Slam title of any
kind.
The pair is also the first team from Asia to win the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships held in
Istanbul in 2013. The pair Hsieh and Peng also raised the champions trophy at the Internazionali
BNL dItalia (Rome), Western & Southern Open (Cincinnati) and Guangzhou Open.
With their win in Qatar Total Open (Doha) in February 2014, the pair has a perfect 10-0 record in
doubles finals.
Name
Country
Peng Shuai
China
Taipei, China
Elena Vesnina
Russia
Ekaterina Makarova
Russia
Katarina Srebotnik
UAE
Sara Errani
Italy
Roberta Vinci
Italy
Nadia Petrova
USA
Sania Mirza
India
10
Kveta Peschke
USA
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in 2013.
The previous Asian record was No.4 for Kimiko Date-Krumm of Japan.
Li Na, 32, won the Australian Open 2014 adding to her only Grand Slam title French Open which
she won in 2011. In all she has won nine WTA titles in her career including Australian Open and
Shenzhen Open in 2014 and two WTA doubles titles.
In another break through for the Asian tennis and especially Chinese tennis, Peng Shuai of China
was rated the top womens doubles player in the latest released WTA doubles rankings.
Serena Williams
USA
Li Na
China
Agnieska
Radwanska
Poland
Victoria Azarenaka
Belarus
Maria Sharapova
Russia
Petra Kvitova
CZE
Jelena Jankovic
Serbia
Angelique Kerber
Germany
Simona Halep
Romania
10
Sara Erranil
Italy
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Javed Miandad, the former test captain of Pakistan on 15 February 2014 tendered his resignation
from the post of Director-General of Cricket to the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Now the resignation of Miandad awaits its acceptance by the PCB management committee, which
has been deferred until the next committee meeting.
He was serving Pakistan cricket as the Director-General in the board since 2008. He sent his
letter of resignation to the Najam Sethi, the new PCB chief just after four days the government
sacked Zaka Ashraf as Chairman and dissolved the governing body. To run the affairs of cricket,
the government has also appointed a managing committee through a notification.
Earlier, Nawaz Sharif the Prime Minister of Pakistan removed Zaka Ashraf from the post of Chairman
of PCB and formed a managing committee to look after the works of the board. Later, the committee
at its first meeting selected Najam Sethi to head the board.
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Background
IOC suspended India in December 2012 for electing tainted men as secretary general and President
and failed to comply with the Olympic charter and for allegations of corruption. The decision of
lifting the ban on India was taken in an ad hoc meeting. In Olympic history, this is the first time,
when the suspension of an NOC has been lifted during an Olympic Games and the decision will
have an immediate impact. Indian athletes entered the Sochi Winter Olympic Games under the
Olympic flag and have competed as Independent Olympic participants.
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This decision means that the Indian athletes can now compete for the National Olympic Committee
of India and will walk behind their national flag at the Closing Ceremony on 23 February. To
symbolically mark the lifting of the suspension and in recognition of the three Indian athletes
competing in Sochi, the Indian flag will be raised in the Olympic Village.
Members of IOC met with the Indian committee during the suspension and oversaw the changes
in governance including recommendation to not elect any person with criminal records or facing
charges from serving the board. IOC delegation that observed the elections was headed by IOC
member Robin Mitchell. N Ramachandran was elected as the new President of IOA. Ramachandran
is the head of the World Squash Federation for the past six years and also the only person to identify
himself as a candidate. The voting process and selection was also overseen by the members of
IOC.
Narayanaswami Srinivasan, the elder brother of Ramachandran is president of the Indian governing
body for cricket, the BCCI and has been selected as the Chairperson of ICC.
Yuvraj Singh, the Indian cricketer cancer foundation named YouWeCan joined its hand with an NGO
Navbharat Sewa Samiti on 10 February 2014 to roll out a campaign named Cancer Mukt Purvi Dilli.
The aim of joining the hand is to focus on awareness, early detection of the disease and education.
Yuvraj Singh during the launch of the programme highlighted the need for an early detection of the
dangerous disease to save more lives.
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Mukul Mudgal, the Former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana led committee on 9 February
2014 submitted its report on IPL spot fixing scandal that involved the son-in-law of BCCI Chief,
Srinivasan. The committee was probing the charges against team owners of Chennai Super Kings
and Rajasthan Royals
The report submitted by justice Mudgal says that the allegations of betting and passing of information
during Indian Premier League 2013 against Gurunath Meiyappan has been proved. The report also
says that more investigation is needed against Rajasthan Royals owner Raj Kundra, who is facing
charges of betting and fixing the match.
Supreme Court of India on 7 March 2014 will examine the report submitted by the panel. The panel
led by Justice Mudgal made the report after compiling statements of players, officials associated
to IPL and Journalists. This committee was formed by Supreme Court in October 2013.
Constitution of IPL Governing Council the two teams Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals
may be suspended. As per the Clause 11.3 of the IPL franchise agreement in any case, if the team,
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official, team owner or anyone else associated with the team tries to bring in bad image on the
legue, then the team can be suspended immediately.
The Indians finishing fourth despite provisional ban. The boxers were forced to play under the flag
of International Boxing Association (AIBA) in place of the national flag.
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The organizers were so impressed with their performance that the boxers were presented with a
permanent invite for the event.
Abhinav Bindra won second gold medal in Inter Shoot Tri series
Shooting
Abhinav Bindra won his second gold medal at the Inter Shoot Tri Series shooting at The Hague,
Netherlands on 7 February 2014. He won the second gold on 7 February 2014 by scoring 627.7 in
the qualification round and then scoring 209 points in the finals of the second match. He defeated
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Romanian London Olympic Games Champion, H Moldoveanue Alin George in both the matches.
The 31-year-old Bindra won his first medal in this Tri Series competition with his qualification score
of 613.7 and by shooting remarkably well in finals score of 209.3 points to win the gold. He won his
first gold on 6 February 2014.
In the pre-qualification for the first round the four times Olympian and gold medalist at the Beijing
Olympics was at 8th position.
Abhinav Bindra
Abhinav Bindra is the first Indian to win an
individual Gold medal in Olympic, since 1900
the year our country participated in the
Olympic Games. He was also Indias first gold
medal, since 1980, when the Mens Field
Hockey Team won the gold. Awards conferred
on Bindra till date
He won Padma Bhushan in 2009, the
same year he was also conferred with
Rajiv Gandhi Award, Bharat Shiromani
Award and India Youth Sports Icon
He was conferred with the Madhya
Pradesh Khel Ratna in 2006
In 2006, he received Punjab Praman Patra Award
He won the Uttaranchal Praman Patra Award in 2003
In 2001, he was awarded with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Award
In 2000, he was awarded with Arjuna Award
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Chechnya and other provinces in Northern Caucasus during the relay. This area at present is
engulfed by an Islamist insurgency that has issued threats to the Olympics. It reached on the Mount
Elbrus, the Russias and Europes highest mountain on 1 February 2014.
Overall, the relay journey also saw death of 73-year-old Vadim Gorbenkos death due to heart
attack on 15 December 2014. He was a wrestling coach and his death came a few hours after
carrying the Olympic flame in the city of Kurgan.
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Karnataka bowlers R Vinay Kumar and Shreyash Gopal claimed four wickets each. The remaining
two wickets of Maharashtra team were taken by Abhimanyu Mithun.
Man of the match: Lokesh Rahul of Karnataka, who scored highest 131 in the first innings and
29 in the second.
Brief Score:
Karnataka: 515 and 157 for three
Maharashtra: 305 and 366 all out
Karnatakas moment of glory arrived after 14 years of wait. This is the seventh title win for Karnataka;
the first trophy was won in 1988-99 season. Captain of Karnataka, R Vinay became the sixth
captain of the state to win the title. The previous captains of the state who have won the title are
EAS Prasanna (twice)
Brijesh Patel
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Anil Kumble
Rahul Dravid
Sunil Joshi
India suffered 4-0 loss in 5 match ODI series against New Zealand
New Zealand on 31 January 2014 won the five ODI Series of 5 matches against India by 4-0 after
defeating India in the fifth match by 87 runs at the Westpac Stadium at Wellington. New Zealand
that batted first gave a score of 304 runs to chase to the visitors, who were all out at the score of
216.
While chasing the score of 303 runs in the fifth and final match, India lost wickets at regular
intervals apart from Kohli and Dhoni, who scored 82 and 47 respectively, 20 runs was scored by
two players and five batsmen fell for single digits along with one duck. From India Varun Aaron
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took 2 wickets
by giving 60 runs and Bhuvneshwar Kumar as well as Mohammad Shami took one wicket each.
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the fifth match became the fourth fastest batsman to
complete 8000 runs in one-day cricket.
New Zealand
Debutant Matt Henry as a bowler took 4 wickets in 10 over by giving 48 runs
Ross Taylor scored 102, his 10th ODI century
Williamson contributed 88 his fifth-consecutive half century
In the series win, the hosts, New Zealand won the first two and last two matches. The third
match was tied. This loss of the series by the men in blue had dethroned them from the number
one spot in the ODI rankings.
Result
Man of the Match Ross Taylor
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This loss of the series can be termed as one of the worst defeat of the team in the ODI series in New
Zealand. Earlier, India lost 2-5 in a seven-match ODI series in 2002-03 to New Zealand. Before that
India lost to win even a single match against New Zealand in their country in 1956-76 and 1980-81,
both the two-match series was lost by 0-2.
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STATE
E TAT S
Haryana Finance Minister Harmohinder Singh Chattha presented the State Budget 2014-15 on
28 February 2014. The Budget 2014-15 has neither proposed new taxes nor announced sops. It
laid down an Annual plan outlay of 32731. 29 crore rupees with a revenue deficit of 5012.57 crore
rupees.
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six colleges will come up initially in Tumkur, Haveri, Bagalkot, Yadgir, Chikkaballapur and
Chitradurga,
A grant 500 crore rupees to Krishibhagya scheme to improve rain fed agriculture which will be
implemented in 23 districts to cover 45 lakh hectares.
Incentive to set up Janatha Cinema Halls at district and taluqa headquaters to exhibit Kannada
films.
Taxes
Additional excise duty on beer hiked from 122 percent to 135 percent.
License fee for distilleries and breweries hiked by 50 percent.
500 rupees to be levied on luxury cars per seat, per quarter.
Stamp duty exempted for alternative sites by BDA.
Education
Expert committee to prepare text books.
Online computer-aided education to be introduced.
Central university to be set up in Karwar.
Bangalore and Karnataka Virtual University to be set up.
10000 students in standards 9 and 10 to be trained in IT, retail and healthcare.
Education Quality Monitoring Cell to be set up.
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and Regulatory Commission Bill 2014 by Voice Vote. This nod of the Assembly has paved the way
to set-up a body that would suggest ways and means for judicious utilization of water.
The proposed regulatory body would suggest tariff for use of water for commercial, irrigation and
domestic purposes and this body will work under the state government. Now, the bill will be referred
to Vidhan Parishad for further passage. After passage by the Assembly and Vidhan Parishad, the
Bill will be sent to the governor of the state for signature.
The bill was tabled in the Assembly by PWD Minister Shivpal Yadav. As per the proposal, the
commission will comprise a chairperson and members not exceeding more than five in numbers.
The bill also mentions that for being selected as the chairperson of the commission a person will
have to holds a bachelors degree and having an experience of administrative tasks of minimum 25
years and must have held the post of the chief secretary of the state government or government of
India. The tenure of a chairperson or member has been fixed for two years which will also include
reappointment for two consecutive terms. The bill also bares any ex-MLA or MP from being a
chairperson or a member of the commission.
Earlier, the state had similar commission that was constituted in 2008 but was dissolved in 2012
after Samajwadi Party government came in power in the state.
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Fiscal deficit of 16354.76 crore rupees is estimated during the year 2014-15. This is 2.86 percent
of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
Debt-Gross State Domestic Product ratio is estimated to be 25.73 percent.
These estimates fulfill the fiscal parameters set by the 13th Finance Commission and FRBM Act
i.e. zero Revenue Deficit, Fiscal Deficit less than 3 percent of Gross State Domestic Product and
Debt-GSDP ratio to remain below 36.5 percent.
Revenue Receipts of 91438.98 crore rupees is estimated in the year 2014-15 which will be 18.47
percent above the Budget Estimate of 2013-14.
States Own Tax Revenue is estimated to grow at 19.36 percent to reach 40644.96 crore rupees in
2014-15 as compared to 34053.13 crore rupees in 2013-14.
Revenue collection is estimated to be 7.1 percent of GSDP.
Provision of 10362.70 crore rupees was kept in the Budget Estimates for interest payments during
2014-15. This is 11.33 percent of total Revenue Receipts of State.
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The seaplane service prices are 750 rupees for Nirman Point and to other destinations will be
priced around 4000 rupees or 4500 rupees.
In 2011, Mehair pioneered the launch of seaplane in India, the service has been operational in the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
In Kerala, first seaplane service was launched and had to shut down in 2013 due to protests by
fishermen.
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Generation Company Limited (BSPGCL) and Lakhisarai Bijlee Company Private Limited (LBCPL)
to develop a 1320 MW (2 X 660 MW) Thermal Power Project at Kajra in Lakhisarai district of Bihar.
9200 crore rupees will be invested on development of the project thaqt will gave two units of 660
MW each.
The MoU between the three institutions was signed at Patna in Bihar in presence of Nitish Kumar,
the Chief Minister of Bihar and Arup Roy Chaudhary, the CMD of NTPC and Energy Minister of
Bihar.
As per the MoU signed between the three institutions, the project will be developed through a joint
venture in which 74 percent stake will rest with NTPC and the rest with BSPGCL.
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The five international languages of the world that has been classified as the classical language are
Chinese, Sanskrit, Arabic, Greek and Latin.
Background
Once any language is declared as a classical language then it gets a financial assistance to set-up
a centre for excellence for the study of the language and also opens up an avenue for two major
awards for scholars of eminence.
This declaration also brings the facility to request the University Grants Commission for creation
of a certain number of professional chairs for classical languages for scholars of eminence in the
language at least in Central Universities.
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Inadequate access to safe water and sanitation services, coupled with poor hygiene practices,
kills and sickens thousands of children every day, and leads to impoverishment and diminished
opportunities for thousands more.
The Minority Affairs minister in his announcement said that the government is also considering
opening special schools on pattern of Kendriya Vidyalayas from minority community. Government
has also planned to come up with 200 new colleges in minority dominated areas and the areas
include Laxmangarh, Tijara, Kishengarhbas and Ramgarh
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Taj Mahotsav is a vibrant platform that gives information of India where one can find Indias rich
arts, crafts, cultures, cuisine, dance and music.
In Taj Mahotsav legendary artisans from different parts of the country get an opportunity to
display their exquisite works of art like wood or stone carvings from Tamil Nadu, Bamboo or
cane work from North East India, Paper mash work from South India and Kashmir, the marble
and zardozi work from Agra.
The Performances of folk, classical music and dances of various regions, especially the Brij
Bhumi will be performed the way they used to be centuries ago.
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Tourism in Sikkim
The tourism department of Sikkim had tied up with states like Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka and Goa
for tourist flow from these states to Sikkim. To ensure international tourism flow in the state, the
department is also negotiating with countries like Bhutan and Nepal.
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Agencies, State Governments/UTs and the Private Sector for the development and promotion of
tourism in the country. This Ministry is headed by the Union Minister of State for Tourism (Independent
Charge) and at present the Union Minister of State for Tourism is Chiranjeevi.
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Odisha Legislative Assembly on 14 February 2014 passed the Odisha Lokayukta Bill 2014. The
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provision of the bill has kept the Chief Minister, ex-Chief Ministers, other ministers and public
servants under the purview of the 6-member anti-corruption panel. With this passage of the Bill,
Odisha became the first state to enact the law after the Central Act was passed in Parliament in
December 2013.
The Bill was introduced in the State Assembly of Odisha on 12 February 2014 and it was unanimously
passed after a two-day discussion. The bill has similar provisions of Central Act that was passed by
the Parliament in December 2013.
This Odisha Lokayukta Bill 2014 says that people/bodies that receive government grants will come
under the purview of the Lokayukta, who has been empowered to probe the graft charges.
It says that the sitting or former High Court judge will be the Chairman of the Lokayukta and the
commission would consitst of at least two judicial members. There will be a women or scheduled
caste among the other member among three non-judicial members. The Bill has also mentioned
that the Lokayukta should be at least 50 years in age.
The selection committee that will chose the Lokayukta will include
Chief Minister, who will head the committee
Leader of the Opposition
Speaker of Odisha assembly
Chief Justice of Orissa High Court or a judge nominated by him
An eminent jurist nominated by the Governor
The Governor reserves the power of appointing the Lokayukta but this appointment will be made
on the recommendation of the selection committee.
Difference between the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 1995 and Odisha Lokayukta
Bill 2014
Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 1995
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Background
This bill was passed following a three-month deadline that was set by Naveen Patnaik, the Chief
Minister of the state. Kalpataru Das, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister piloted the Bill on behalf of
the Chief Minister. Only five amendments were accepted by the Government of total 60 clauses
before it was passed. This passage of the bill had repealed, the Odisha Lokpal and Lokayukta Act
1995.
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Insurgency Operations in Jammu and Kashmir and in North East which included Line of Control
(LoC), Line of Actual Control (LAC) and HAA (High Altitude Area).
In Kargil war, Singh commanded 27 Rajput Regiment and he was awarded Yudh Seva Medal for
leading successful operations against Pakistan.
Singh was awarded thrice the COAS commendation card and once Army Commanders
commendation card.
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Now, the bill will be sent to the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee for his consent and then will be
placed in Rajya Sabha on 12 February 2014 in the present form and the government will move 32
amendments. The amendments include some administrative aspects of the bifurcation of the state.
The bill, which was sent back by the Andhra Pradesh Legislature after its discussions in two houses,
has got the nod at its special meeting held in New Delhi. The Cabinet has also decided not to
accept the demand of the Seemendhra region for making Hyderabad a Union Territory. As earlier
decided, Hyderabad will remain as the joint capital of both the states for a maximum period of 10
years after that it will belong to Telangana. Apart from this, the Rayala Telangana proposal was also
shelved by the Cabinet.
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state, which are being managed by Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Programme,
SICOP and Directorate of Industries.
Some important guidelines for foreign nationals by the Delhi Police are as follows
Kindly contact on counter May I help you available in Arrival Hall at airport for help and guidance
If any foreigner face any harassment or law and order problem in Delhi, they can dial 100
numbers from the nearest telephone for police assistance
Advised to use public places like restaurants to visit clients and use government registered
transports like prepaid taxis. Preplan your destination in Delhi regarding your stay and tourism
in Delhi
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just after the change of government. Earlier, Rajasthan was one of the 12 states that agreed to allow
FDI in the retail sector.
The previous state government led by Ashok Gehlot gave consent to the FDI policy after the Union
Government permitted 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retail trading. The central decision was made
in September 2012 and the implementation decision was left on the states.
The seven districts for which the court has asked to verify are
Balrampur
Gonda
Mahoba
Sonebhadra
Sant Kabir Nagar
Mirzapur
Kushinagar
The
Court
has
directed the CBI to submit status report to this Court at the interval of every three months. This
order was passed by the division bench of Lucknow Court after hearing a Public Interest Litigation
PIL filed. The bench court bench that passed the order was consisted of Justice DP Singh and
Justice Ashok Pal Singh.
The court in its order has also directed the CBI to hold a preliminary enquiry to other districts of the
state for the aforesaid three years relating to abuse, misappropriation and misuse of the fund that
was provided to the state under the centrally financed MGNERGA scheme.
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NEWS
CAPSULE
Person in news
Vice President released Commemorative Postage Stamp of
Maulana Hasrat Mohani
Hamid Ansari, the Vice President of India on 25 February 2014 released a commemorative postage
stamp in the honour of Maulana Hasrat Mohani in New Delhi. Mohani was a freedom fighter and an
eminent poet.
Hasrat Mohani alongwith Ali brothers (Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali), Maulana Azad and Hakim
Ajmal Khan were the part of the Khilafat Committee formed by Indian National Congress in 1919.
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Apart from in India, a postage stamp on the name of Maulana Hasrat Mohani is also in existence in
Pakistan. It launched a postage stamp by his name on 23 January 1989 of 3 rupees.
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He along with two others Rajguru and Sukhdev was hanged by the British government at Shadman
Chowk at the age of 23 years on 23 March 1931 following his trial for involvement in the Lahore
Conspiracy Case
In October 2012, the Government of Punjab (Pakistan side) made a decision to rechristen the
Fawara Chowk to Bhaghat Singh Chowk but this plan was put on hold following the reports of the
idea of renaming has pulled objections from some quarters
Bhagat Singh was an Indian socialist and is considered to be one of the most influential revolutionaries
of the Indian independence movement
He is often referred as the Shaheed Bhagat Singh in the word Shaheed means martyr
As a teenager, he studied European revolutionary activities and was attracted to anarchist and
Marxist ideologies. He wrote a book titled Why I am an Atheist: An Autobiographical Discourse
In an another development a UK-based historian described the Indian Freedom fighters Bhagat
Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad as terrorists during his lecture led recently, that sparked a
controversy. In his lecture, on the topic Nonviolent Resistance in India during 1915-1947 at Warwick
Universitys professor David Hardiman said that the Terrorists groups, who predate Mahatma
Gandhi were always there alongside Gandhis non-violent movement.
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New Delhi in 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Interim Constitution and the mandate
expressed by the people in the November election.
Under the six-point agreement, the two parties have agreed to promulgate the new constitution
within a year and to hold elections for the posts of president, vice president and chairman of
the Constituent Assembly. Sushil Koirala will take over the charge from Khil Raj Regmi, who was
working as acting Prime Minister of Nepal from 14 March 2013.
After the dissolution of the Nepalese Constituent Assembly in March 2012 there was a political
deadlock in Nepal. The 36th Prime Minister of Nepal, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai was then replaced by
Khil Raj Regmi.
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Person Appointed
Dinesh Sarraf appointed next ONGC chief
Dinesh Sarraf appointed as next Chairman and Managing
Director (CMD) of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
on 26 February 2014.
The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PSEB)
recommended Dinesh K Sarraf as the next head of the
countrys most valuable company ONGC.
Dinesh Sarraf will replace Sudhir Vasudeva who will be due
to retire on 28 February 2014.
Sarraf is currently working as the head of OVL. He had
successfully transformed ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) into
an aggressive overseas firm, stitching 4 deals worth over
11 billion dollar since taking charge of the company.
Dinesh Sarraf had previously worked as the director (Finance) of ONGC.
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About BCCC
BCCC is an independent complaint redressal system established in June 2011 by the IBF - an apex
body of broadcasters.
The Council is a thirteen member body consisting of a Chairperson who is retired Judge of the
Supreme Court or High Court and 12 other members.
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Marco Lambertini
International
appointed
Director-General
of
WWF
The global conservation organisation, WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) on 6 February 2014
appointed Marco Lambertini as Director-General (DG) of the WWF International. His new role as the
DG will start from 1 May 2014.
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At the time of this appointment, he was serving Bird Life International as its chief executive. He will
succeed James P Leape, who was appointed as the DG of WWF International in 2005.
Marco Lambertini
Lambertini holds an experience of 25 years as a global conservation leader
Prior to the Bird Life International, he served as the global director of Network and Programme
for over a decade
Lambertini began his association with WWF as a youth volunteer growing up in his native Italy.
Fritz Vollmar from Lenzburg, Switzerland was the first Secretary General of WWF International
(the then World Wildlife Fund) from 1962-1978. During his tenure at WWF, he was responsible to
establish an international secretariat along with building up the network of fund raising national
organisation from its founder members namely UK, Switzerland and USA.
WWF in India
The WWF-India was established on 27 November 1969 as a Charitable Trust. It is one of the
largest conservation organisations operational in India with an aim to protect wildlife and nature
conservation. WWF-India started its operations in the country as a wildlife conservation organisation
and had its focus towards protection of a particular species of wild flora and fauna. Over the years,
the perspective broadened to reflect a more holistic understanding of conservation issues facing
the country.
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About PSB
The bank was set up in 1908. Punjab & Sind Bank (P&SB) is a major Public Sector bank in Northern
India and working 100 percent on CBS platform.
The banks government shareholding is 79.86 percent. Of its 1249 branches and offices spread
throughout India, almost 515 are in Punjab state. The banks corporate headquarters is in New
Delhi.
About CBDT
The CBDT is a part of Department of Revenue in the Ministry
of Finance. The Central Board of Direct Taxes is a statutory
authority functioning under the Central Board of Revenue
Act, 1963.
CBDT is a seven-member body including the Chairman and
it is the apex authority for policy planning and administrative
control over the I-T department and collection of direct taxes
in the country.
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Center. He will take the charge as next dean from 31 March 2014.
Kulkarni is the author of An Elementary Introduction to Statistical Learning Theory, published in
2011.
Kulkarni joined the Princeton University as faculty in 1991.
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About DGH
The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) was established in 1993 under the administrative
control of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas through Government of India Resolution.
Objectives of DGH are to promote sound management of the oil and natural gas resources having
a balanced regard for environment, safety, technological and economic aspects of the petroleum
activity.
Satya Nadella was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Internet Giant Microsoft in Washington
on 4 January 2014. Satya Nadella succeeds Steve Ballmer and he takes over as the third CEO of
the Microsoft firm.
Bill Gates is the founder and first CEO of Microsoft. Nadella is the first Indian to head the Microsoft
in its 38-year history.
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Nadella completed masters in computer science from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA
from the University of Chicago.
Nadella joined Microsoft in 1992 and he served as the Executive Vice President of Cloud and
Enterprise Group in 2012.
His father BN Yugandhar is a former planning commission member and served as special
secretary to former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao.
About Microsoft
Microsoft founded in April 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in Redmond, US.
At present it is the fourth largest company in the world in terms of market capitalization.
Its block buster products include MS-DOS, Windows and Xbox (Video game).
It acquired Nokia in September 2013 in a 7.2 billion dollar deal.
Other Indians heading MNCs
Name
Company
Indra Nooyi
PepsiCo
Ivan Menezes
Diageo
Ajit Jain
Piyush Gupta
Sanjay Jha
Global Foundries
Dinesh Paliwal
Harman Intl
Anshu Jain
Deutsche Bank
Rakesh Kapoor
Reckitt Benckiser
Ajay Banga
Master Card
Sanjay Meharotra
San Disk
Shantanu Narayen
Adobe
Rajiv Vasudeva
Egon Zehnder
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His appointment came following step down of Shreekant Javalgekar in October 2013 as the
Managing Director and CEO of MCX following the 5600 crore rupees scam related to National
Spot Exchange (NSEL). NSEL is a sister concern of MCX and is co-promoted by MCX promoter
Financial Technologies India Ltd. (FTIL).
At the time of appointment, Vaish was the Managing Director of NSDL Database Management.
Between 1998 and 2004, he served as the executive director of the BSE and CEO of financial
services research firm Dun & Bradsheet
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summit confrence
Third World Congress on Agro-Forestry
Third World Congress on Agro-Forestry was held from 10 to 14 February 2014 in New Delhi, India
for the first time. The theme of the Congress is Trees for Life.
Third World Congress on Agro-Forestry was organized by the World Agro-forestry Centre, the
Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the Indian Society of Agro-forestry and Global Initiatives.
The Third World Congress on Agro-Forestry will help shape next steps to be undertaken in the field of integrative science. These are:
1. Transformative change in landscapes
2. Tree improvement
3. Innovative tree-based value chains
4. Debates on global and local sustainability
5. Reform of land and tree tenure and holistic education
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The first two congresses were held in Orlando (USA, 2004) and Nairobi (Kenya, 2009).
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Person on Visit
Erlan Abdyldaev, the Foreign Minister of Kyrgyz Republic visited
India
Erlan Abdyldaev, the Foreign Minister of Kyrgyz Republic was on an official visit to India from 13 to
15 February 2014. During this India visit of Abdyldaev, the two sides also exchanged documents to
make functional a bilateral treaty on mutual legal assistance and an agreement on visa free travel
for diplomatic, official and service passport holders.
He visited India on the invitation of Salman Khurshid, External Affairs Minister of India. Apart from
Salman Khurshid, during the visit he also met with
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In recent years the Kyrgyz Republic has chosen a political path of parliamentary democracy that is
similar to Indias. In this context the two sides agreed to intensify parliamentary exchanges and the
Indian side welcomed the proposed visit of a Kyrgyz Parliamentary delegation to India later in 2014.
During the meeting, the two sides also expressed satisfaction with the progress on the
implementation of the protocol of the 6th India-Kyrgyz Republic Inter-Governmental Commission
on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation held in Bishkek in July
2013.
The two sides also discussed and agreed to take new steps to stimulate bilateral trades and
they observed that the trade levels between the two countries were below potential. Kyrgyz
Republic and India also noted the scope of cooperation in fields of pharmaceuticals, transport and
communication, mining, education, textiles and garment industries, health and tourism as priority
sectors for promotion of bilateral investments.
Kyrgyz side proposed a joint theatrical production of the epic Manas and also discussed cooperation
in the field of film making. The two sides also agreed to continue their close cooperation in the UN.
In the context of UN reform, the Kyrgyz side supported permanent membership for India in the
United Nations Security Council. The Kyrgyz side also supported full membership for India in the
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
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It is expected that during this visit, the President of Zanzibar will also visit to Bangalore, Mumbai
and Hyderabad to meet with the industry and business leaders and members of Tanzanian
community. This visit of the President of President happened nearly a decade after similar visit of
his predecessor.
India and Zanzibar shares a strong close historical relationship. Centuries old Indian Diaspora is
available in the Zanzibar islands.
About Zanzibar
Zanzibar is an archipelago that is made up of Zanzibar and Pemba Islands, and several islets.
It is located in the Indian Ocean, about 25 miles from the Tanzanian coast, and 6 south of the
equator. It is characterised by beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs, and the magic of
historic Stone Town - said to be the only functioning ancient town in East Africa. Zanzibar is a semiautonomous part of Tanzania, in East Africa
The population of the island is an incredible mixture of ethnic backgrounds of which Islam is the
dominant religion and practiced by most Zanzibar people. Also there are followers of Christianity
and Hinduism. Population Zanzibaris speak Swahili (known locally as Kiswahili), a language which
is spoken extensively in East Africa. Many believe that the purest form is spoken in Zanzibar as it is
the birth place of the language.
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Inventions | Discoveries
Human footprints discovered in England is the oldest seen
outside Africa
A team of Scientists in February 2014 discovered human footprints on the Norfolk Coast in the East
of England, which are at least 8 lakh years old. This discovery is one of the most ancient footprints
found outside Africa and it is the earliest evidence of human life in Northern Europe.
The footprints were uncovered by a team of scientists from the Natural History Museum, the
British Museum and the University of London. These imprints are from up to five individuals in
ancient estuary mud at Happisburgh on the countrys east coast. This was established by seeing
the different lengths of the feet, of which two pointed towards the sea, whereas, the other three
pointed towards inland. Till now the radiocarbon has not been performed on the footprints. But it
was estimated by the team that to be between 2300 BC and 700 BC.
This discovery of footprints outside Africa is the first proof of the presence of Human in the North
Europe. Now, these footprints are being considered as the direct evidence of the earliest humans
in northern England. The details of these markings have been published in Plos One, a science
journal.
Happisburgh is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk and became a site of
national archaeological importance in 2010 when flint tools over 800000 years old were unearthed.
Earlier, in May 2013, a series of early human footprints were discovered on the beach at the site,
providing direct evidence of early human activity at the site.
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Person Resigned
Indian Navy Chief Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi
resigned on 26 February 2014 taking moral responsibility
of the accident on INS Sindhuratna in Mumbai. He is
the first Defence forces Chief to resign since
independence.
The government accepted the resignation of Admiral
Joshi with immediate effect. Vice Admiral R K Dhowan
will be the Acting Chief till the next Chief is appointed.
Navy release said that smoke engulfed the Russianorigin Kilo class submarine INS Sindhuratna. The
incident led to seven sailors falling seriously ill and two
officers missing.
The incident on 26 February 2014, was the tenth
mishap involving an Indian Navy warship and the third involving a submarine in the last seven
months. Sindhuratna had recently undergone a refit in Mumbai and was handed over to Navy in
December2013.
Past incidents:
Serial
Date
Submarine
Incident
February 2014
INS Mysore
30 January 2014
INS Airawat
25 January 2014
ICSG Sangram
22 January 2014
INS Betwa
17 January 2014
INS Sindhugosh
23 December 2013
INS Talwar
4 December 2013
INS Konkan
Fire onboard
14 August 2013
INS
Sindhurakshak
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and led the low-cost airline back to profitability. He quit the airline when media baron Kalanithi
Maran of Sun TV Network Ltd bought SpiceJet in June 2010.
Prior to joining SpiceJet, Aggarwal was Chief Operating Office of Flight Options. Flight Options is
the second largest private jet provider of world. He had also worked for US Airways for six years.
The Mumbai-based Kingfisher Airlines had accumulated losses of 16023.46 crore rupees as on
31 March 2013 and its net worth was a negative 12919.82 crore rupees. Kingfisher Airlines was
launched in 2005.
Kingfishers operating license was suspended in October 2012 by aviation regulator Directorate
General of Civil Aviation following a strike by the airlines employees. The permit has since expired,
although it can be renewed within two years, which is by October 2014.
Meanwhile, a group of 14 lenders led by State Bank of India (SBI) that has an exposure of 7000
crore rupees to the airline is trying to recover at least 1000 crore rupees from it by selling assets
such as buildings, helicopters and other fixed assets.
Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi resigned on 14 February 2014. He resigned following
his government failure to muster the support over whether the Jan Lokpal Bill should be presented
before the House or not. 42 MLAs voted against the bill whereas only 27 members favoured it.
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The decision of resignation was announced by him after a cabinet meeting. He sent his resignatiom
to LT. Governor Nejeeb Jung within 48 days after he became the Chief Minister of Delhi.
Kejriwal in his announcement said that his cabinet has recommended the Lieutenant Governor
Najeeb Jung to dissolve the Legislative Assembly and to hold fresh elections.
Background
Aam Aadmi Party formed the state government after garnering 28 seats in the Assembly elections
held in December 2013 by support of 8 congress MLAs and lone JDU MLA and an independent.
Kejriwal became the Chief Minister of Delhi on 28 December 2013. BJP that emerged as the single
largest party with 31 seats and its ally Akali Dal got one seat had failed to from the government due
to lack of majority in the 70 member Assembly.
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Person Died
Hanumath Shastry, the eminent Telugu litterateur died
Janamaddhi Hanamachhaastri, the renowned Telugu writer died on 28 February 2014 in Kapada
town of Andhra Pradesh. He was 90.
Janamaddhi Hanamachhaastri
He wrote over 30 books in Telugu, which includes Maa seema Kavulu, Vidurudu, Tyaagamoorthulu
and Mahasoudham
For his contribution to Telugu literature, he was conferred with a doctorate by Telugu University
Hyderabad
In memory of CP Brown, he established a library in Kadapa. Brown was a British officer who
helped to preserve ancient Telugu manuscripts
He was born on 5 September 1926 in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh
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In 2000, the West Bengal government awarded him with Abanindra Puroskar
About Srikantan
R K Srikantan was born on 14 January 1920 at Hassan district of Karnataka. His father Krishna
Sastry was a Sanskrit and Veda scholar and his Brothers also were performers.
Srikantan was a recipient of Padma Bhushan in 2011. He received the Best Teacher Award by
the Bangalore City Corporation.
He was conferred with many awards like Sangeetha Kala Ratna, Kanaka Purandara Award and
the Rajyotsava Award from the Karnataka government.
He received Honorary Doctorate from Bangalore University. Many awards from different state
governments like National Eminence Award by Shanmukhananda Sabha, Mumbai, Sangeetha
Sagara by Carnatic Music Association of North America (CMANA), Sapthagiri Sangeetha
Vidwanmani by Tyagaraja Trust, Tirupati; Sangeetha Ratnakara by Bhairavi Fine Arts, Cleveland,
Swati Puraskar by the Governemnt of Kerala etc.,
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Between 1946 and 1960, Finney made appearance in more than 400 leagues for Preston North End
and won 76 caps for England.
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Balu Mahendra
He graduated in cinematography as a gold medalist in 1969 from Pune Film Institute
He did camera for the blockbuster film Shankarabharanam
Nellu in Malayalam was his first film as a cinematographer. The film was directed by Ramu Kariat
Kokila in Kannada language was his first film as a director
He is native of Amirthakali near Mattakalappu in Sri Lanka
Azhiyatha Kolangal was his first Tamil film
He won the national award for best cinematography in 1983 for Moondram Pirai, which was the
first national award in acting for Kamal Haasan
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She served as the Chairperson of the State Social Welfare Advisory Board
Chairperson of the International Year for Women
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Exhibition | Fare
Five-day Global Ayurveda Festival began in Kerala
A Five-day Global Ayurveda Festival (GAF) began in Kerala on 20 February 2014. The second
edition of GAF was held from 20 to 24 February 2014 and the chief guest was Mauritius President
Rajkeswar Puryaag.
The Festival was organised by the Centre for Innovation in Science & Social Action (CISSA,) with
the support of the Kerala government and the Ayurveda fraternity of Kerala.
The main theme of GAF 2014 is Ayurveda in Public Health.
There were other sub themes that included Mental Health and Ayurveda, Clinical Research in
Ayurveda, Cosmetology in Ayurveda and a variety of other related topics.
The global event concluded with global Ayurveda Exhibition& Arogya Expo and International
seminar.
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About Khajuraho
The Khajuraho in Chattarpur district of MP is famous for its group of temples that were built during
the Chandela Dynasty between 950 AD and 1150 AD and famous for its archaeological excellence.
Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for their erotic
sculptures.
In 1986 UNESCO designated the group of Khajuraho temples as a world heritage site.
Internationally popular Desert Festival started at Thar Desert, Jaisalmer in Rajasthan on 12 February
2014. The festival started with a ceremonial procession from Jaisalmer Fort Gate (also called Golden
Fort due to its yellow sandstone structure) to Shahid Poonam Singh Stadium. The festival will
conclude with kite show and cultural programmes on sand on 14 February 2014.
Desert Festival
The Desert festival of Rajasthan takes place in Jaisalmer in the month of February every year
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Awards | Honours
Tata Motors IIFA Awards announced
The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) announced on 28 February 2014 the winners of the
technical categories of Indias most prestigious international awards, The Tata Motors IIFA Awards.
The IIFA Magic of the Movies and Technical Awards will take place on 25 April 2014 in Tampa. This
will be IIFAs debut in the United States.
Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd promotes the IIFA Celebrations globally each year and
travel to a new beau locale taking the Film fraternity with it to amalgamate and celebrate the best
of both cultures, thereby taking Indian Cinema to a wider audience.
Winner
Film
Cinematography
Binod Pradhan
Screenplay
Prasoon Joshi
Dialogue
Prasoon Joshi
Editing
P. S. Bharti
Production Design
Wasiq Khan
Goliyon Ki
Ramleela
Choreography
Remo Dsouza
Action
Krrish 3
Sound Design
Nakul Kamte
Song Recording
Chennai Express
Sound Mixing
Anup Dev
Chennai Express
Debajit Changmai
Background Score
Shankar-Ehsaan- Loy
Costume Designing
Dolly Ahluwalia
Make-Up
Vikram Gaikwad
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What is anti-Semitism?
Anti-Semitism is a hostile belief or behavior towards Jews as a religious or racial group and the term
was coined in 1879 by the German agitator, Wilhelm Marr to designate the anti-Jewish campaigns
underway in central Europe at that time. The person who holds the position of ant-Semitism is
known as anti-Semite.
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Names
Best Film
12 Years a Slave
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Gravity
Kieran Evans
American Hustle
Philomena
Best Documentary
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Gravity
Best Cinematography
Gravity
Best Editing
Rush
Best Sound
Gravity
Frozen
Gravity
American Hustle
Best Costumes
Room 8
Will Poulter
About BAFTA
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) supports, promotes and develops the art
forms of moving image like film, Television and Video games.
BAFTA Identifies, rewards and celebrates excellence at its internationally- renowned, annual
awards inspiring the practitioner and benefiting the public.
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It has been made under the banner, Jar Pictures and has been presented by M R Filmworks.
Another film of Jar Films that was selected in the Sundance Film Festival 2014 in World Dramatics
Competition Section was Liars Dice starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui
This film is a part of NFDC Film Bazaars Work-in-Progress (WIP) Lab in 2013
Amruta Subash of Vihir fame, Archit Deodhar, Parth Bhalerao of Vhootnath Returns and Shrikant
Yadav are some actors of the film
At present Avinash is working as the director of photography for Nishikant Kamats next starring
Irrfan Khan.
Killa is a film that deals with the universal conflict of migration and the process, how this migration
impacts the lives of people, mainly children. The story of the film revolves around a young boy
named Chinu who finds it difficult to adjust to the new surroundings after he migrated following
death of his father.
Leprosy
Leprosy is a dreaded and incurable disease and has been in existence over several centuries. It has
resulted to inhuman treatment with the patients. In 2012-13, India recorded around 83,000 leprosy
cases with a prevalence of 0.68 per 10000 people.
United Nations has passed a resolution on discrimination against people affected by leprosy and
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efforts are being made to repeal laws that prevent people affected by leprosy from participating in
society.
Recently, the World Health Organization Expert Committee has set the challenge to reduce the rate
of new patients with disability due to leprosy to one in a million by 2020. This challenge can be met
only through a multi dimensional and integrated approach.
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States
Madhya Pradesh
Odisha
Manipur
States
Rice
Chhattisgarh
Wheat
Bihar
Pulses
Jharkhand
Coarse cereals
Andhra Pradesh
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Krishi Karman Awards comprises of three awards for total food grain production and four awards
for production of rice, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses - the crops that constitute the food grain
basket.
Each award winning State gets a trophy, a citation and cash award. The cash award is 2 crore
rupees for total food grain production and 1 crore rupees for each of the four crops included in
food grains.
Are You Listening is his first documentary and has been awarded twice by Jan Vrijman Fund
from IDFA and also by Visions Sud est from Switzerland.
It was awarded as one of the best Pitches at the Asian Forum for Documentaries and it is invited
to Campus Studio Lab for Editing.
About MIFF
The first ever International Film Festival for
Documentary, Short and Animation Films was
held in the year 1990.
The biennial festival is conducted with the active
collaboration of Government of Maharashtra and
the Indian Documentary Producers Association.
Mumbai is the permanent venue of the festival.
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MIFF is one of the most prestigious festival in the documentary, short and animation genre at
par with International Film Festivals like Leipzig, Berlin, Oberhausen, Cracow and Tampere etc.
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The Room to Read that works in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri
Lanka, Vietnam, Zambia and Tanzania is an organisation that has a special focus on education of
the girls and till date has helped over 20000 girls in finishing their education. It has reached to 7.8
million children.
Indira Ramanagar
Indira Ramanagar has been nominated for the prize for her 20-year struggle for prisoners
children in Nepal.
She grew up in extreme poverty and fought to be able to go to school
She built an organisation named as Prisoners Assistance Nepal (PA)
The organisation PA has rescued more than 1000 children from the countries dirty and cramped
prisons. These children were sentenced to prison as there was no one to look after them after their
parents were sentence to prison. After the organisation rescue those children and take them to the
PAs three children homes, where they are educated and provided with safe childhood. PA runs
a childrens home called Jankuri outside Kathmandu. Children from the surrounding villages are
allowed to attend the school too.
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Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour was conferred on cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar (40)
and eminent scientist Prof CNR Rao (79) by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. The awards
were given at the Durban Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on 4 February 2014.
The recipient of the award will receive a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.
This award does not carry any monetary grants.
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With this felicitation, Sachin became the first sportsperson to be conferred with the honour of
Bharat Ratna. He is also the youngest person alive to be conferred with the award. Master blaster
Sachin retired from international cricket on 16 November 2013. Sachin after receiving the award
dedicated it to his mother.
Prof CNR Rao (Chintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao) is the third scientist who has been conferred
with the award. He received the honour after CV Raman andAPJ Abdul Kalam, the former President
of India. Rao is recognized international authority on solid state and materials chemistry. Till now,
he has published 1400 research papers and 45 books.
With this honour felicitation, Tendulkar and Rao have joined the selected list of 41 eminent
personalities, who have been conferred with this award. Both of them are also recipients of Padma
Vibhushan, which is the country`s second highest civilian honour. The award was instituted in 1954
and is given in recognition of exceptional service of the highest order.
At present, Prof CNR Rao is the head of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of
India. To accommodate the sportspersons with the top honour, the government of India revised the
eligibility criteria of the sportsperson in December 2011. Apart from, this Sachin is the first active
sportsperson, who became the Rajya Sabha member of the country. He became a member of the
Rajya Sabha in 2013.
Earlier, the Union Home Minister issued guidelines that say that Bharat Ratna cannot be used as
a prefix or suffix by the recipients name as per the Constitution of India. But the guidelines also
say that the awardees can mention Awarded Bharat Ratna by the President or Recipient of Bharat
Ratna award in their bio-data, visiting card or the letter heads.
Bhimsen Joshi, who won this award in 2009, was the last recipient of the award. This years Bharat
Ratna was announced after a gap of four years.
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The eldest person to be awarded who was alive at the time of receiving the award
Dhondo Keshav Karve (age 100)
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Natpha Jhakri hydroelectric plant supply power to the North Indian states of Haryana, Himachal
Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the cities of Delhi
and Chandigarh.
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Report | Survey
Bimal Jalan Committee on New Bank Licences submitted its report to RBI
Bimal Jalan Committee on New Bank Licenses submitted its report to the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) on 25 February 2014. The report contains names of entities eligible for bank licences.
The committee was constituted by RBI under the chairmanship of Bimal Jalan in October 2013. RBI
had constituted the committee to examine the criteria, business plans and corporate governance
practices of applicants applying for new bank Licenses.
imageOther members of the committee are former RBI Deputy Governor Usha Thorat, former
Securities and Exchange Board of India Chairman C B Bhave and Nachiket M Mor, Director of the
Central Board of Directors of the RBI.
The central bank issued guidelines for licensing of new banks on 22 February 2013.
There are around 25 players in the group to get bank license, among them primarily are Public
sector units, India Post and IFCI and private sector Anil Ambani group and Aditya Birla group. Bajaj
Finance, Muthoot Finance, Religare Enterprises and Shriram Capital have also applied.
In the past 20 years, the RBI has licensed 12 banks in the private sector in two phases. Ten banks
were licensed on the basis of guidelines issued in January 1993.
Kotak Mahindra Bank and Yes Bank were the last two entities to get banking licenses from the RBI
in 200304.
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India and 8th most expensive across Asia Pacific and Africa Collections (APAC). Kolkata CBD
recorded the highest rental growth in India.
The focus of the report is prime office rental performances and occupancy costs across the globe,
including a ranking of the most expensive locations across the world in which to occupy office
space.
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Continuing long-term investment in key information and communication technology (ICT) assets
and the digitalization of core public services, such as taxation, pensions and healthcare.
Leveraging the power of new technologies, such as social media, mobility, analytics, big data
and cloud computing.
Connected across agency boundaries and have a strong culture of collaboration and data
sharing.
About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with
approximately 281,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries.
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The Committee on Public Undertakings headed by Jagdambika Pal on 10 February 2014 placed its
report in Parliament on the share of procurement by Food Corporation of India (FCI). Share of Food
Corporation of India (FCI) procurement is gradually coming down in both percentage and quantity
terms said the Parliamentary Panel.
In its comment the Panel mentioned the data of different crops that has gone
down and they are
Wheat share has declined from 53 lakh tonnes in 2008-09 to around 40 lakh tonnes
Paddy (in terms of rice) has down from 18 lakh metric tonnes in 2006-07 to 3 lakh tonnes in the
year 2011-12
Background
The panel report in its recommendation has suggested to FCI to augment its procurement activities
for successful and positive implementation of the Food Security Law, which has been created with
an aim of providing legal right over highly subsidised foodgrains to 67 percent of the population.
The law was passed by the Parliament in September 2013 and at present is being implementation
in 10 states.
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Since its inception, FCI has played a significant role in Indias success in transforming the crisis
management oriented food security into a stable security system.
Employment rose for the fourth month running in January 2014, with all three broad areas of the
manufacturing economy posting job creation.
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New business from abroad grew at a solid pace that was the fastest since June 2013.
Consumer goods continued to outperform the remaining two monitored categories, viz.,
intermediate goods and capital goods, while operating conditions deteriorated at capital goods
producers.
Growth rates for output and new orders in the consumer goods sub-category surpassed those
seen at intermediate goods companies.
Supplier performance improved in the latest month for the first time since September 2013.
Anecdotal evidence suggested that shorter delivery times reflected a greater availability of raw
materials at vendors.
Average input costs rose in January 2014, with manufacturers reporting higher prices for a range
of raw materials, including metals, chemicals and energy. The rate of cost inflation remained
robust. Consequently, companies raised their tariffs again.
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In its recommendation, the panel feels that the Chairperson of Civil Aviation Authority of India
should be part-time only as there exists possibility of deadlock between a full time Chairperson and
the Director General would be imminent. In its recommendation, it has also suggested to increase
the number of experts in the selection committee for the appointment of Chairperson, DG and fulltime members of the Authority.
Background
Earlier in August 2013, a bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha that seeks the replacement of
Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) by a new regulator for the Indian aviation sector, the
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by KC Venugopal, the
Minister of State for Civil Aviation as Civil Aviation Authority of India Bill 2013 to provide the CAA
full operational and financial autonomy to regulate all issues concerned with civil aviation safety
and protects the interests of consumers in a fast-changing aviation system.
UN-body International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the US regulator Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) after carrying out audits of the DGCA in 2013 pointed towards the unsatisfactory
situation after, which the bill was brought by the government. The bill seeks replacement of DGCA
by CAA which would administer and regulate civil aviation safety and manage safety oversight
over air transport operators, operators of other civil aviation facilities and air service navigation
operators.
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There is an urgent need to formulate National Policy and Action Plan for ending violence against
women impacting the life cycle of female population at every stage of her life
Institutional mechanisms should be strengthened and well resourced. The Minister for Women
and Child Development should be of cabinet rank, thus reflecting the Governments concern
with women issues
Currently large amount of resources continue to be directed towards child development under
the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Increased resources would enable prioritization
of gender concerns as well
The MWCD should engage with, participate in and draw from international debates. It is also not
out of place to point out that the Concluding Observations of the CEDAW Committee should be
revisited and acted upon by Government of India as part of our international commitments to
uphold womens rights
The parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women must examine the gender implications
of all proposed legislations. There is also a need for the Committee to meet more often, and its
meetings should be open to civil society groups as observers
The role of the National Commission for Women must go beyond reactive interventions to fulfill
the proactive mandate of studying, recommending and influencing policies, laws, programmes
and budgets to ensure full benefits to the stake holders.
The National Commission for Women is as an apex body is responsible for and answerable to
5o percent of the Indian population. The selection and composition of the members must be
made through an institutionalized and transparent process. A selection committee comprising
of experts must be given the task of searching, identifying and selecting the members who
must be professionals of proven expertise. Appointments must be made keeping professional
capability in mind and not political affiliations.
Gender Responsive Budgeting coupled with gender audits should be taken more seriously to
reflect purposive gender planning
The development paradigm must have a major thrust on decentralization which would result in
larger numbers of women participating in the developmental process
Assessment of the status of women in India should be a regular feature. There should be a regular
mechanism for continuous examination and assessment of status of women and reporting back
publically to the nation and women of India on a bi-annual basis
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and terrorist financing on 2 February 2014. The report aims to provide a general overview of the
global diamond industry and how it is fostering money laundering and terrorist financing.
Some of the risks and vulnerabilities of the diamonds trade, identified in this report are
Global nature of trade: The trade in diamonds is transnational and complex, thus convenient for
ML/TF transactions that are, in most cases, of international and multi-jurisdictional nature.
Use of diamonds as currency: Diamonds are difficult to trace and can provide anonymity in
transactions.
Trade Based Money Laundering (TBML): The specific characteristics of diamonds as a commodity
and the significant proportion of transactions related to international trade make the diamonds
trade vulnerable to the different laundering techniques of TBML in general and over/under valuation
in particular.
High amounts: The trade in diamonds can reach tens of millions to billions of US dollars. This has
bearing on the potential to launder large amounts of money through the diamond trade and also on
the level of risks of the diamonds trade.
Level of awareness: Law enforcement and AML / CFT authorities, including financial intelligence
units (FIUs), have limited awareness of potential ML/TF schemes through the trade in diamonds.
Current Affairs eBook February 2014
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Accident | Incident
103 persons killed in Algeria in a Military plane crash
103 persons were killed in Algeria when a military aircraft C-130 Hercules crashed in the mountains
of Algeria on 12 February 2014. This was the deadliest air disaster since independence of the
country. The crash happened due to the poor weather condition.
The plane was traveling from the desert garrison town of Tamanrasset in the Deep South, and
crashed into Mount Djebel Fertas in the Oum El Bouaghi region.
Tamanrasset, in the far south of Algeria, near the border with Mali, is the main base for the countrys
southern military operations.
Extra troops and equipment have been stationed there in recent months as part of efforts to beef
up surveillance of Algerias frontiers with Mali and Libya, following a deadly hostage-taking crisis
by Islamist militants at a desert gas plant in January 2013.
The city lies 1500 kilometres from Constantine, and was the site of the last major plane crash in
Algeria, in March 2003.
In that disaster, an Air Algerie passenger plane crashed on take-off after one of its engines caught
fire. It killed all the 103 persons on board.
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Defence | Security
India successfully test-fired Akash missile from ITR Complex in
Chandipur
India on 21 February 2014 successfully test-fired indigenously developed surface-to-air Akash
Missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) launch complex-3 at Chandipur in Odisha coast.
The missile that was launched targeted a floating object that was supported by Pilotless Target
Aircraft (PTA) Lakshya. The intercepting floating object PTA Lakshya aircraft was flown from launch
complex-2 at a definite altitude over the sea.
Trial session of Akash was conducted last time on 6 June 2012 from the same base and it is
possible that some more trials will be conducted within next couple of days.
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Background
The DefExpo was conceptualised in 1998 with an objective to promote defence exports from India
and exhibit the capabilities of Indian Defence R&D and production.
The first exhibition was held in 1999 and subsequently in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012.
While a modest 197 exhibitors participated in the first DefExpo, the biennial event featured 624
exhibitors in its 8th edition in 2014.
Russia is the biggest participating country in terms of indoor and outdoor space occupied. Russia
is also represented with the maximum number of 37 companies.
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9 February 2014. The event started on 6 February 2014 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. It is the 8th
Land, Naval and Internal Homeland Security Systems Exhibition of the Ministry of Defence.
DRDO Awards
The scheme of DRDO awards was introduced in 1999 in its present form to motivate scientists,
engineers and its partners of DRDO for contributions made for the cause of national security.
The Scheme consists of a total of 17 awards, out of which, 4 awards are given by the Directors
of the concerned laboratories/establishments in recognition of outstanding contributions of their
scientists and other supporting staff consisting of technical, administrative and allied cadres.
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for every female professor in UK universities despite women accounting for 45 percent of the UK
academic workforce.
More than 50 Cambridge staff among them heads of colleges and departments appeal for a
broader and more inclusive approach to academic appointments and promotions so that talented
women stand a better chance of progressing to senior positions.
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The book presents an insight of Modis idea of both Inclusive Economics as well as Inclusive
Governance. It also speaks about the vision of Narendra Modi about economic and development
strategies. The programme of book launch was skipped by the BJPs Prime Ministerial candidate
Narendra Modi.
Till date, Sameer Kochhar has edited books that praises the reform initiatives of finance minister, P
Chidambaram, the Vice-Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and economist
Vijay Kelkar. Earlier 2013, Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India launched a book edited by
Kochchar entitled An Agenda for Growth: Essays in honour of P. Chidambaram.
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Jairam Ramesh has said this decision was atrocious as the book in not blasphemous. The author
of the book is a scholar without any political agenda.
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The Footlights is the only work of fiction ever written by Charlie Chaplin. It is a dark and nostalgic
novel which was unveiled for the first time in 1948 in London. Later it was transformed into his film
Limelight in which a washed-out clown saves a dancer from suicide.
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Art | Culture
CIIL to document 500 endangered Indian languages
The Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) will commence on a mega project to document
almost 500 endangered languages in India, each spoken by less than 10000 people.
The decision to document endangered languages was taken by the CIIL during a two-day workshop
on Endangered tribal languages in south India. The workshop was organized by the Anthropological
Society of India and the CIIL on 23 February 2014.
It has been approved in principle by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development. The CIIL
will collaborate with universities and institutes.
The objective of documenting the endangered languages is to bring out dictionaries and also
document and preserve the ethic knowledge system enshrined in the languages, including folklore
and also to frame grammar rules.
In the first phase, about 70 languages from different parts of the country will be studied and 500
languages would be taken up in a span of 10 years. The study and documentation of each language
would cost between 6 lakh Rupees and 8 lakh Rupees.
According to the Census of India 2001, there are 122 endangered languages spoken in India. The
Anthropological Survey of India put it at 323, while a UNESCO report puts it at 196.
About CIIL
Central Institute of Indian Languages was established to coordinate the Indian languages through
scientific studies, promote inter disciplinary research to contribute to mutual enrichment of
languages and thus contribute towards emotional integration of the people of India.
Aims of CIIL are to Advices and Assists Central as well as State Governments in the matters of
language and contribute to the development of all Indian Languages by creating content and
corpus.
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Sammakkaa Saarakka Fair also called as Jatara, the largest tribal religious congregation of the
world began in Andhra Pradesh at Medaram in Warangal district of the Telangana region on 12
February 2014.
Sammakkaa Saarakka is a 4-day biennial fair and it is participated by more than a crore of
devotees from far-flung areas like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharastra, Odisha, Karnataka and
Tamil Nadu. The authorities of the festival have made elaborate arrangements that include makeshift accommodations, power supply and drinking water. Following the festive occasion the state
owned Road Transport Corporation has arranged about four buses to Medaram
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Maharashtra and the Indian Documentary Producers Association, Mumbai as the permanent venue.
Names
Name of Documentary
Maria Stomeier
Black Rock
Gitanjali Rao
Dhvani Desai
Chakravyuh
The 28th Surajkund International crafts Mela began at Surajkund in Faridabad on 1 February 2014.
The fortnight long festival of craft will continue till 15 February 2014.The Goa is the theme state for
the 28th Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2014.
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National and State craftspersons from India and also SAARC nations are participating, showcasing
their ethnic art and crafts in the Surajkund Crafts Mela.
The fortnight long celebrations also come as a food festival, some popular food traditions from
Punjab, South India, Chinese and snack foods have arrived. And also the mela has grown equally
famous for the rhythms of folk theatre.
Objectives
To create a rural ambience for the foreign and domestic tourist to watch
To educate patrons both from abroad, urban centres and educational institutes about the
fascinating technique and skills involved in craft creation
To Identify, nurture and preserve languishing crafts of the country and save it for posterity
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Committees | Commissions
Government constituted an expert committee to study demand
for Bodoland state
Government of India (Union Home Ministry) on 27 February 2014 constituted one-man expert
committee to study and examine the demand of a separate Bodoland state, which will be carved
out from Assam. The one-man committee will be headed by former Union Home Secretary G K
Pillai and will submit its report in nine months after consulting all sections of the society on the
viability of a separate state.
Government for the first time had formed such a committee to examine the demand of Bodoland in
Assam. The demand for a separate Bodoland has identified following the decision of the government
to form a new Telangana State. At present major Bodo outfits have intensified their agitation with
the demand of a separate state for the Bodo tribals. Bodo tribals mostly live in a few districts of the
northern bank of the Brahmaputra River in Assam.
Earlier in 2003, the government constituted an autonomous Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) by
signing an accord after years of violent agitation that claimed hundreds of lives. In 2012 the BTC
area has witnessed ethnic clashes between the Bodo tribals and immigrant Muslims.
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Plan | Programme
China to build the longest underwater tunnel of the World
China announced a plan to build the longest underwater tunnel of the World on 14 February 2014.
Water tunnel will be constructed beneath the Bohai Sea.
The 123-km long underwater tunnel will connect the port cities of Dalian in Liaoning province
and Yantai in Shandong province. The project will cost 36 billion dollar to construct the shortcut
between two northern port cities in an earthquake-prone region.
The work on tunnel is expected to start from 2015 or 2016 and is expected to be completed by
2026. Once complete, it would drastically cut the current travel time between the two cities to
about 40 minutes, which are currently separated by a 1400-km drive or about eight hours by ferry.
The tunnel would surpass the combined length of the worlds two longest tunnels, Japans Seikan
Tunnel linking Honshu and Hokkaido and the Channel Tunnel between Britain and France.
Three tunnels in total will be built at least 30 metres below the sea bed, two about 10 metres in
diameter, and a third between them for maintenance and emergency vehicles.
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The theme of the Day was chosen by the UNESCO in order to get the balance right in favour of
women in radio. That is, UNESCO seeks to strengthen pluralism and freedom of expression in
radio.
Less than one quarter of radio stories are about women, and women represent less than one third
of all top level management and governance positions in media.
On the eve of celebrations of Radio Day across the globe, UNESCO sought to
promote gender equality by:
Sensitising radio station owners, executives and governments to develop gender-related
policies and strategies for radio.
Building radio skills for youth radio production, with focus on girls as producers, hosts and or
reporters.
Promoting the safety of women radio journalists.
Background
At its 36th General Assembly in 2011, UNESCO proclaimed the 13th February as World Radio Day.
The 13th February is significant to UNESCO as it is the anniversary of the day the United Nations
established their first Radio Station in 1946.
The United Nations Radio stations main purpose is to promote the universal ideals of the United
Nations which include gender equality, peace, tolerance, respect for human rights, economic and
social development and the upholding of international law.
National Womens Day of India was observed on 13 February 2014. This day is observed on the
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date of birth of Indias first women governor Sarojini Naidu. Sarojini Naidu was born on 13 February
1879 and died on 2 March 1949. This was the 135th birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu.
Her birthday has been selected to observe as a National Woman Day in recognition of the works
done by her for uplliftment and development of women in India. Her name and birth date was
proposed to celebrate as the National Womens Day in India by members of Bhartiya Mahila Sangh
and Akhil Bhartiya Mahila Sammelan.
Sarojini Naidu
Sarojini Naidu is also known as the Nightingale of India
She was a child prodigy, a poet and an activist during the independence of India
From 1947 to 1949, she served as the first woman to become the governor of an Indian state of
United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
In 1925, she served as second woman to become President of the Indian National Congress
and the first Indian woman to do so
Naidu joined the Indian national movement after the partition of Bengal in 1905
In 1928, the British Government awarded her with the medal Naidu Kaiser-i-Hind for her work
during the plague epidemic in India
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The World Cancer Report 2014 has confirmed about existing inequality in the cancer control and
care globally. It says that by 2025 almost 80 percent of the increase in the number of cancer deaths
will occur in less developed regions.
It says that the larger proportion of cancer in the developing countries is caused due to infections
like Human Papilloma virus (HPV). It accounts for more than 85% of all HPV-related cancer cases
The World Health Organisation (WHO) only 50 percent low and middle income countries have an
operational National Cancer Control Plans.
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In the present world, almost 4.2 million people prematurely (aged 30 to 69 years) die every year
due to Congress across the world. Some of the important practical solutions to reduce premature
deaths and they include
Development of National Cancer Control Plans
Awareness programmes against modifiable risks factors
Cancer screening programmes shown to have decreased some cancers by at least 25%1
Introduction of HPV vaccination programmes
About UICC
UICC is a body that unites the cancer community for reduction of the burden of global cancer. It
is the largest cancer-fighting organisation with 800 member organisations across 155 countries.
It works with an aim of calling-in the world leaders to increase their support for cancer control
measures as it is made in the UN Political Declaration.
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The Ramsar Convention chose Wetland & Agriculture as theme for World Wetland Day 2014 in view
of the UN declaring 2014 as International Year of Family Farming.
Slogan for the occasion was Wetlands and Agriculture: Partners for Growth placing a focus on the
need for the wetland and agricultural sectors (and the water sector too of course) to work together
for the best shared outcomes.
Wetlands have often been seen as a barrier to agriculture, and they continue to be drained and
reclaimed to make farming land available. But the essential role of wetlands in support of agriculture
is becoming clearer and clearer, and there are successful agricultural practices which support
healthy wetlands.
World Wetland Day is observed on this day because on 2 February 1971 the Ramsar Convention
was adopted.
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Miscellaneous
Indira Paryavaran Bhawan inaugurated by Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India on 25 February 2014 inaugurated Indira Paryavaran
Bhawan on Jorbagh Road, New Delhi. This Bhawan will house the Ministry of Environment and
Forest and has a provision to accommodate its 600 officials.
The Bhawan is Indias first on site Net Zero Building built by the adoption of Solar Passive design
and energy efficient building material. This has been designed as the highest-green rated building
i.e., GRIHA 5-Star and LEED India Platinum. The requirements of GRIHA 5-Star and LEEDS Platinum
ratings have been achieved by adopting various measures some of which are as follows
Effective Ventilation has been achieved by orientating the building in an East-West direction,
separating different blocks with connecting corridors and having a large central court yard.
The design is such that 75% of natural daylight is utilised to reduce energy consumption.
The entire building has an access friendly design for differently-abled persons.
With an Installed capacity of 930 KW peak power, the building has the largest roof top Solar
system among Multi storied buildings in India.
Total energy savings of about 40% has been achieved by adoption of energy Efficient Chilled
Beam system of Air Conditioning. This is an innovative air conditioning system, where air
conditioning is done by convection currents rather than air flow through diffusers and chilled
water is circulated right up to the diffuser points unlike the conventional systems.
Green materials have been used like Fly ash bricks, regional building materials, materials with
high recycled content, high reflectance terrace tiles and rock wool Insulation of outer walls.
Rapidly renewable Bamboo Jute Composite material has been used for door frames & shutters.
UPVC windows with hermetically sealed double glass, Calcium Silicate ceiling tiles having high
recycled content and grass paver blocks in pavements and roads.
Reduction in water consumption has been achieved by use of Low discharge water fixtures,
recycling of waste water through Sewage Treatment Plant, use of plants with Low water demand
in landscaping, use of Geothermal cooling for HVAC system, rain water harvesting and use of
curing compounds during construction.
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This project has been developed at an expense of about 209 crore rupees. The Indira Paryavaran
Bhavan building has already received the following awards:
February 2013: The Project received an award from Adarsh/GRIHA of MNRE for exemplary
demonstration of Integration of Renewable Energy Technologies
January 2014: The Project was accorded 5-Star Green Building Certification by GRIHA under
MNRE
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With the launch of this portal the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India
Limited (TRIFED) also aims to provide branding, source certification and developing standards for
products
Initially, the portal will be open for Indian shoppers only and it will be made available for the
international buyers later. The products that will be available on the portal carry detailed write-ups
on the portal.
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Expected to be a major step for facilitation of visually-impaired passengers during journey in trains,
Railways plans to equip more AC and non-AC coaches with Braille-embedded signages.
It was announced in the Rail Budget of 2013-14 that Braille stickers will be introduced for visuallychallenged passengers.
About TERI
TERI was formally established in 1974 with the purpose of tackling and dealing with the immense
and acute problems that mankind is likely to face within in the years ahead
On account of the gradual depletion of the earths finite energy resources which are largely nonrenewable and
On account of the existing methods of their use which are polluting
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This is the fourth commemorative stamp of Nelson Mandela. The other stamps
were released when
He won Nobel Prize
He became first black president of South Africa
He turned 90.
Background
Nelson Mandela was a famous anti apartheid South African leader. He was born on 18 July 1918
and died on 5 December 2013. He along with the then South African President FW de Klerk was
honored with Nobel peace prize in 1993 in recognition to their efforts to end the apartheid system.
He was the first democratically elected black president of South Africa and held the prestigious
post from 1994 to 1999. 18 July was declared as Nelson Mandela International Day to promote
global peace in 2009.
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ONE LINERS
February 2014
Name the programme that has planned to release 25 vultures in safe-zone by 2016 following
decrease in populations due to use of Diclofenac to vet cattle - Programme SAVE
Union Government of India on 31 January 2014 announced that economy might have
expanded by 4.5 percent in fiscal year 2012-13 - as compared to previous estimate of 5
percent
US on 31 January 2014 warned China against any move to declare a new Air Defence
Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the - South China Sea
Name the state that on 1 February 2014 scrapped its approval for the foreign direct investment
in multi-brand retailing - Rajasthan
Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted by the Delhi Police to investigate the
death of the student from Arunachal Pradesh, who died after being allegedly beaten - Nido
Tania
World Cancer Day 2014 observed on 4 February with the release of the World Cancer Report
2014 with the World Cancer Day theme - Debunk the myths
Manoj Vaish took charge as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of - Multi
Commodity Exchange of India Ltd. (MCX)
President of Zanzibar, was on an official visit to India from 1 to 9 February 2014 - Dr. Ali
Mohamed Shein
Who has been appointed as the Chairman of the 7th Pay Commission - Former Supreme
Court Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur
Name the King of Saudi Arabia, who on 4 February 2014 ordered jail terms ranging from
three to thirty years for the Saudi citizens, who are fighting outside the country - Abdullah
bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Aabo the person who became the first person to receive a bionic hand, which allows life-like
sensation to be felt from the devices artificial fingers is a Dennis Amputee
The work on the project of widening the shipping route of Panama Canal was suspended by
the - Panama Canal Authority on 5 February 2014 following dispute over rising costs.
The first European to navigate through the Strait of Magellan in 1520 by in the service of
Charles I of Spain during his global circumnavigation voyage - Portuguese sailor, Ferdinand
Magellan
Olympic flame on 5 February 2014 reached Sochi in Russia after traveling the longest route
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India on 5 February 2014 extended the facility of visa-on-arrival for the tourists of 180 nations
after - barring tourists of eight nations.
The state government of which state on 5 February 2014 declared 10225 villages of the state
as scarcity-hit - of Rajasthan
People who have been nominated for World Childrens Prize in Sweden are - Malala, John
Wood, Indira Ranamagar
India & Germany signed 2 umbrella agreements for financial & technical co-operation under
- Indo German bilateral Development Cooperation.
A Parliamentary Panel on 6 February 2014 submitted its report on the Civil Aviation Authority
(CAA) of India Bill, 2013 to Parliament and asked the government to come out with a
comprehensive Bill after revisiting - the Aircraft Act 1934.
The eminent Hindi writer has been selected for the prestigious Vyas Samman for the year
2013 - Vishwanath Tripathi
WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) on 6 February 2014 appointed a person as directorgeneral (DG) of the WWF International - Marco Lambertini
Ministry of Culture and Tate has signed a MoU to develop collaborations focused on - modern
and contemporary art.
Supreme Court has ordered to implement recommendations of a board for journalists and
non-journalists in newspapers and agencies - Majithia Wage Board
Union Cabinet on 7 February 2014 cleared the Telangana Bill with minimum changes in it
and decided that Hyderabad will not get the status of - a Union Territory
Abhinav Bindra won two gold medals at Inter Shoot Tri Series shooting at - The Hague,
Netherlands
Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) on 7 February 2014 announced that it has stopped the
production of the iconic car brand - Maruti 800
Kumar Sangakkara became the second person in Cricket history to score a triple century
and a century in the same test match after - Graham Gooch
Police of which country in February 2014 successfully dismantled the largest ever World War
II bomb found in the city at the construction site - Hong Kong
DRDO is in the process of developing a device to track down Maoists in naxal hit states that
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Kumar Sangakkara, on 7 February 2014 became the second person in the history of Cricket
to score a triple century and a century in the same test match after - Graham Gooch
Draft technical report on making payment system effective was released by - Reserve Bank
of India
A body on 7 February 2014 issued a ban on the process of burning of tyres at public places
like roads and areas surrounded by residential buildings - National Green Tribunal (NGT)
Person selected as the new Chairman of ICC for a period of 2 years to succeed Alan Raymond
Isaac - Narayanswamy Srinivasan
Person who became became 1st person to win three gold medals in Tri-series shooting Abhinav Bindra
Requirement of Indias solar mission on 10 February 2014 was challenged by United States
alleging as discriminatory and against international norms including the laws of WTO Domestic Content
The Committee on Public Undertakings headed by who placed its report in Parliament on
the share of procurement by Food Corporation of India (FCI) - Jagdambika Pal
Cancer foundation YouWeCan of Yuvraj Singh joined hand with an NGO Navbharat Sewa
Samiti to roll out a campaign named - Cancer Mukt Purvi Dilli
Scientists discovered a new species of dolphin in Amazon River system which is a first
discovery of a species in almost in 100 years - Araguaian Boto
IOC has revoked the ban imposed on IOA paving the way for Indias return to the Olympic
fold after - IOA held elections as per IOC directives
Penguin India, the publisher of a book on 11 February 2014 agreed to withdraw the book
from the Indian market - The Hindus: An Alternative History
Largest tribal religious congregation of the world began at Medaram in Warangal district of
the Telangana region - Sammakkaa Saarakka Fair
Person resigned from cabinet over the failure of government to fulfill its promises to protect
rights of minority groups in Malaysia - P Waythamoorthy
Volcano of a mountain in the main island of Java of Indonesia erupted on 13 February 2014
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US have been blanketed with a huge snow storm has been dubbed as - Snowmaggedon
Union Cabinet on 20 February 2014 gave its nod for classifying a language as a classical
language to give impetus to scholarships in the language - Odia
International Mother Language Day (Bhasha Divas) was observed across the world, with
Bangladesh leading on - 21 February 2014
The middle order batsman of Indian cricket team on 20 February 2014 was appointed as the
brand ambassador of the Gujarat State Election Commission - Cheteshwar Pujara
The Speaker of Ukraine was named as the interim President of the country on 23 February
2014 - Oleksandr Turchynov
NTPC signed MoU with BSPGCL and LBCPL to develop a 1320 MW Thermal Power Project
at -Kajra in Lakhisarai district of Bihar
Somdev Devvarman, the Indias top singles star on 23 February 2014 lifted his third ATP
Challenge Tennis title after defeating Aleksandr Nedovyesov
Sri Lanka rejected draft report that calls for an international inquiry into alleged human rights
violations of Navi Pillai
Engineers of US firm Hennessey have developed the worlds fastest car with a top speed of
a speed of 435 kilometers per hour named - Venom GT
Israeli President Shimon Peres awarded Angela Merkel with Israels highest civilian honour Israeli Presidential Medal of Distinction
Hamid Ansari released a commemorative postage stamp in the honour of - Maulana Hasrat
Mohani
Government of India (Union Home Ministry) on 27 February 2014 constituted one-man expert
committee to study and examine - the demand of a separate Bodoland state
India on 28 February 2014 observed National Science Day to mark the discovery of - the
Raman Effect by Indian physicist Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman
Music album based on the songs composed by music maestro AR Rahman and written by
Kapil Sibal is - Raunaq
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Descriptive Questions
February 2014
1. Recently Rajasthan government withdrew the FDI in Multi-brand retail. In this context, discuss
the present position of Union government on FDI in Retail. Also, critically examine the relevance of
FDI in Retail in India.
2. Examine the constitutionality of Delhis government decision to bring Jan Lokpal Bill different
from Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 enacted by the Centre. Does not the Article 258 of the
Constitution implicitly tries to make India more unitary in character? Analyse.
5. Ukraine issue is the re-emergence of Cold War between the US and Russia. Do You Agree?
Examine the statement in light of the recent developments in the Crimean region.
6. Empowerment Line rather than Poverty Line would be better measurement of poverty in India.
In this context
(i) Briefly discuss Empowerment Line
(ii) Comment on the official poverty line
(iii) Critically examine the validity of the statement in light of recently released report of McKinsey.
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Current Affairs eBook February 2014
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